Prologue - Osgiliath

Warning: this post contains over 40 photos

Gothmog has set out from Minas Morgul with a host of orcs. Their sole intent to drive the outnumbered Gondorian defenders from the metropolis. Denethor discovers these plans and dispatches Boromir to aid Faramir in the defence of Osgiliath.

Objectives: Control more objective markers than the enemy, after either force is broken.

Beregond and his guard are sandwiched between orcs lead by Gorbag

Boromir and his guard arrive, three men attack near the fireside
In total 20 orcs and two of their captains reinforce Gothmog

The Fireside building in garrisoned, three orcs block the paths of 
Faramirs and Boromirs Men

Gothmog seizes the weapons stash, and moves orcs to take the fireside

The men secure one objective, defend the wall against the 
oncoming orc group with their captain

The pantry is secured, while Beregond is attacked on all sides 
by orcs and a captain, more orcs move towards the square

Faramirs rangers fire their arrows to little avail, so attacks the 
blocking orcs while Boromir moves slowly forward

Gothmog command the party taking the fireside,
Shagrat brings many orc reinforcements

Beregond still trapped as more orcs and men enter the fray around

The orcs gather a battle line, longer than the men's

An orc captain slices apart a man near the edge

Orc traffic through Osgiliath

The rubble is defended by the gondorians, 
as Faramir and Boromir fight through orcs

The fireside building is invaded by orcs, killing two,
elsewhere a ranger and an orc are draw from either side

Two more men fall to orc blades

Some struggles here

The Gondorian encourages his men to attack the orc battle line

The square ignites in a fierce melee

Gothmog sets up an orc barrier to defend the fireside

More orc reinforcements, and Beregond is surrounded again

Orcs move from the hill, the men in the square are attacked

Beregond is finally killed, trying to buy time for his comrades

Men and orcs fall alike, as death carpets the city streets

The orcs have the upper hand, as the men fail to breach the defensive line

Boromir finally assails the defences, Faramir leads his 
rangers in combat securing their flank

Orcs swarm the beleaguered Gondorians 

And surround the thinning supply of men

Boromir blasts the horn of Gondor in the orcs face and scythes down 
two orcs, Faramir crumples one to his will too, as another ranger falls 

The orcs have secured this objective by the looks of it

The captain finishes off the remaining reinforcement

More orcs come from the Pantry, clouding the vision on any men near

The men are near breaking so the captain gambles,
 charging against many orcs

Boromir and Gothmog face-off, as the Gondorians are forced 
back from the fireside

Another man and two orcs are cut down, while 
more orcs seem to come towards the fireside

The captain's gamble pays off, as two orcs hit the floor while 
he rushes towards more orcs

One an is left against too many orcs...

Who move to completely secure the other objective

Two orcs attack the rear of the Men

Rangers and guard try to get near to the fire, as their numbers dwindle

The last man falls, but not easily

Boromir and Faramir stab orcs in the chest, as three more men fall
claiming any more objectives seems too far...

And for a single moment all was silent. Boromir and Gothmog glanced around themselves, weighting the odds of the battle...

The weapons stash secured by orcs

The captain, unable to gain a foothold at the well

The store-house, uncontested

The fireside fought over, but in orc hands

Boromir knew Gothmog had out-fought them here. He sounded the retreat, the men vaulted over barriers, parrying their way West. Faramir sounded another horn, and Knights of Minas Tirith appeared at the rear of the orc host. 
Boromir rallied his men in one last stand; Gothmog bought it, charging headlong into the anvil of Gondor warriors. The Knights, crashed into the exposed rear of the orcs, tearing them to disarray and Gothmog, unable to muster them, reluctantly retreated East of the river...

The defence of Osgiliath was dearly bought. Hearing news of orc warbands marching northwards, an exhausted Faramir gathers the rangers and makes for Cair Andros.
While Boromir is ordered on a more secretive mission, to find Imladris and the key to their salvation...

Until then

Fish