Hail Corsairs!

Things are extremely finely balanced in the game. We were struggling earlier in the game with two players who were playing by post and couldn't get involved with team strategic planning. They have now left and team co-ordination is greatly improved.

I've not played many games where both the Witch King and Dragon Lord were still alive and kicking at turn 11 but we anticipate they will not last much longer, particularly with Rhudaur going Free. The Dunlendings going Dark is unfortunate, but fair play to them for making a game of it.

Minas Ithil has only just fallen to the Mordor based DS so they seem to have finally got their act together. North Gondor and I are still in strong shape, however, and we both have plenty of forces to bring to the table.

I will be honest, though, Mike. I think if we Free are going to win this game we need both you and the Haradrim to join us. If one of you went Dark it would be an almighty struggle for the other two of us to put the other out whilst the DS went marching on elsewhere. If both of you went Dark it would be game over for the Free team. If both of you went Free, well, it would make it a very interesting game that we could well win but would still need to play well.

Let's make a proper game of this Corsairs, come and join the side that wears white and looks good in spandex!

Southern Gondor

Witch King is all but gone in the north...he has his Mt. Gundabad, Kala Dulukath, and likely a few camps spread around...but we are mopping him up and the dragon lord is nothing to worry about...though we are removing his last vestiges from the north finally...took longer than it should have b/c of postal players and lack of coordination w/ them.

The easterlings have taken an unhidden Sinda Elves pop center over in rhun but honestly I'd thought he'd come hard at the easterlings...the NE is completely a mess... Eothraim and Dwarves are making roads back that way but the ds have taken it over mostly...

and so mordor is still the issue...and the Dunlendings are doing their thing having moved a good portion of their army against North Gondor rather than repelling us in the northwest...but w/ dragons and agents and so forth who knows what will be the final butcher's bill...

So it's you and Haradwaith ....as it's been since several turns ago...if you all go dark it's going to be a bloody game for the free, likewise if you go free then it will be bloody for the dark...but I'd imagine you know that...

Elrond and Cirdan

The Corsairs are making an announcement:

We have decided to join the ranks of Sauron and his servants this turn. This is due not so much on the diplomatic steps of both sides; everyone has been very cordial and helpful. The Noldo Elves and Southern Gondor have made every attempt to sway the Corsairs to their camp, but tactically, we just don't want to give up our navies.

Yes, it appears that the Free Nations are beset (especially in the northeast), but the Corsairs could do little that way in striking the Nazgul. If the Witch King had been pummeling Eriador, that may have been a factor in the Corsairs going Free just so we can assist Cardolan and Arthedain.

So, you can see how important it was for the Corsairs to gauge events around the lands, and why we were asking for updates!

Now begins the next stage in our little wargame. The Corsairs most likely won't last long - but - it'll be fun nonetheless.

The Corsairs have gotten some honorable nods from the Free Nations of Middle Earth who think that the open declaration was a gesture of game-like chivalry in light of some other sneaky, underhanded moves done by other nations such as the Easterlings who had used "Pearl Harbor" tactics in striking the Sinda Elves and Northmen in Rhovanion prior to declaring openly.

Yet, the Havens of Umbar receive a message from the Easterlings now whom state that it was a poor choice for the Corsairs to declare openly. The Sea Princes assure the visiting ambassadors that the declaration was meant to help pull off the eastern defenses of Gondor against Mordor and Ithilien, and perhaps lighten the Eriadorian campaign in which the Witch King of Angmar is losing greatly.

Our hope is that the Free Nations will need now to concentrate their scattered forces now on the seaside, freeing up much of the interior. It is a gamble, yes, but a calculated one.

The Corsairs have been trying to change their allegiance to evil, but for the last few turns, they have been unable to do so because the "populace does not support it".

Lord Angamaite has set sail to invade the Sinda coastal major town of Edhellond, on the southern coast of Gondor, caring with him over 3500 Heavy Infantry and 1100 Archers. In his fleet are over 60 warships.

Back in the Havens, a push has been made to recruit heavily, and good thing too, for the Haradwaith have declared for the Free Nations and have sent two massive armies. Both of these forces are now sitting on my major town of Maros. I am chagrined witht he Harad player for committing to such a blitzkreig, as our diplomacy has suggested non-aggression no matter what sides we chose.
The Corsairs are now focused upon taking trhe Sinda town and defeating the Harad armies.

I have sent in my orders; I had to confer w/clint on what was the better choice of action in trying to have Eadur break off the fleet and Angamaite staying to attack the Sinda. Eadur is hunting/killing after taking over the fleet and headed for 2631.

I sold surplus steel and bronze, but will be rather low on gold this turn.

I have had Faltur "Defend" at Maros against the Harad armies and issue a challenge to Ammal. Faltur has a huge Challenge rank.

Teldumeir is marching to Maros to take on the Harad armies as well.

Sarazor and Tor Mitari have formed an agent company and have departed for 2734 for some mischief work.

Ventnor has set off for 3333 to blow the northside of the bridge.

Mireadur is trying, once again, to change our allegience to DS.

And to tell you the truth, some bad luck with it too!!!
The Battle of Edhellond (Coastal town once belonging to the Sinda Elves):

In the Mild climate of the Shore/Plains of 2325, a conflict took place in the early hours of the evening in
a dense and oppressive fog.
At the head of a loud and exuberant army rode Regent Angamaitë of the nation of the Corsairs. The mount on
which he rode pranced mightily at the head of the battle lines. Behind him the forming ranks were filled
with:
Troops Weapons Armor Formations
3500 Mixed Dúnadan footmen w/broadswords wooden/bronze leather/bronze ragged ranks
1100 Haradan archers w/short bows arrows none ragged ranks
The Major Town of Edhellond flying the flag of the Sinda Elves is situated in the Shore/Plains here. It is
fortified by a Fort, and it is under siege or attack.
After the battle.... Angamaitë's forces found no enemy armies to fight.

The attacking war machines let loose with a barrage of aerial missiles that tore at the fortifications and
inflicted some damage before the actual ground assault! The battle for Edhellond was over even before it
began. The attackers were so numerous and strong that the defending militia had little chance to save
themselves. The battle was over in just a few hours!!

After the attack on the population center.... Angamaitë's army survived the attack on the Major Town, but
suffered some losses. Angamaitë appeared to have survived. The Major Town has been reduced to a Town. The
Fort has been reduced to a Tower. The Town has been under siege/attack this turn. The Town now flies the
flag of the Corsairs.

Other News:
I failed to have Sarazor properly create an agent company with Tor Mitari.

Mireadur failed, once again, to change our allegience to evil.

There was great confusion in trying to split the fleet at Edhellond following the battle.

Faltur was unable to goad Ammal of the Harad into a personal challenge at Maros.

We still have been unable to increase the size of our camp, An Harnen, to a village.

The Woodmen stole gold from Edhellond, knowing we were capturing it this turn.

Battle of Maros
In the Mild climate of the Shore/Plains , a conflict took place in the early morning hours in a dense and oppressive fog. At the head of a rebellious army rode Lord Teldûmeir of the nation of the Corsairs. In his hands was borne the glowing Bow called Night-piercer. The mount on which he rode moved with trepidation to the center of the battle lines.

At the head of a demoralized army rode Lord Fältur of the nation of the Corsairs. The mount on which he rode stood cautiously at the rear of the battle lines.

At the head of a highly energetic army rode Regent Haruth Ramam of the nation of the Haradwaith. The mount on which he rode cantered anxiously along the side of the battle lines.

At the head of a rebellious army rode Veteran Ammal of the nation of the Haradwaith. The mount on which he rode moved with trepidation to the center of the battle lines.

The Major Town of Marös flying the flag of the Corsairs is situated in the Shore/Plains here. It is fortified by a Fort.

Report from Teldûmeir.....My commanders moved among the troops before battle, readying them, bolstering
their resolve, and issuing last minute orders. The troops needed this encouragement because many feared that
they would die in the battle. Finally the order was heard coursing through the ranks.. Head straight for
them and then strike the left flank...the left flank! As our troops deployed, a cheer went up as balls of
pale blue light burst among the enemy, and they realized that the mages had already started the battle.
Against the forces of Haruth Ramam, they charged but we veered off and hit their flank.

Against the forces of Ammal, we hit their flank and they hit ours.

Report from Fältur.....My commanders moved among the troops before battle, readying them, bolstering their
resolve, and issuing last minute orders. The troops needed this encouragement because many feared that they
would die in the battle. Finally the order was given by the clear voice of their Commander.. Keep close
ranks. Use standard formation. Like we practiced!
Against the forces of Haruth Ramam, they charged our standard formation and hit us hard.

Against the forces of Ammal, our standard formation adjusted as they veered off and hit our flank.
After the battle had joined in earnest, heroes made their presence known all over the battlefield. Teldûmeir
fought side by side with the troops and diverted many a blade during the pitched battle with his glowing
Bow. Meriot stood off to one side making magical gestures and incanting arcane words. Suddenly, magical
barriers sprung up around his comrades and prevented many a wound from occurring! Shabla stood off to one
side making magical gestures and incanting arcane words. Suddenly, many of the enemy's blows were deflected
from her comrades who fought with more assurance!

Report from Teldûmeir.....Our archers let loose an initial volley that soared unhindered into the enemy
lines. Our foot soldiers engaged the other troops in the open and took the battle to them. The troops tried
to fight well, but they needed much more training. They fought very poorly. However, we were overrun in less
than a few hours.

Report from Fältur.....Our archers let loose an initial volley that soared unhindered into the enemy lines.
Our foot soldiers engaged the other troops in the open and took the battle to them. The troops tried to
fight well, but they needed much more training. They fought very poorly. However, we were overrun in less
than a few hours.

Our brilliant mage, Meriot, was killed in the battle.