Siege of Minas Tirith, 100th post special

The goblin captain met with Anersk on the hilltop, outside the walls of Minas Tirith. 
They had waited a couple of hours for them to arrive, in that time the dark lord had sent a siege tower to aid in the assault. Without the troll things would get messy, probably for the worse.
"Is everything ready Lieutenant!" Called the captain. 
"Just march your maggots forward and we will follow!" Anersk replied.
And so they did, they only had to take the towers and they could begin the second stage of the siege.

In Minas Tirith, men were running across the walls delivering messages hither and thither.
Lieutenant Oira spoke briefly to Questor, who was more familiar with the defences.
"News has reached us, that they have brought a siege tower" said Questor.
"The Mordorians will take the tower, they have far better armour" replied Oira."Place your men on the right flank, you can hold the goblins, and the dwarves can hold the orcs."
"What about your archers?"
"On your flank. Order them to kill the bearers, then when they have been reduced sufficiently come and assist us." Oira stopped. "What am I forgetting?" 
"Haldran, word has it he has brought two other men" Questor answered.
"Unable to break the lines on their own, he'll have to deal with the goblin archers" Oira pondered for a moment. "Prepare the defences" he ordered....

Lieutenant Oira Vs The goblin horde + Lieutenant Anersk (Take the tower)
The attackers must take both towers before being reduced to 25% strength to be victorious, if they take one tower before being reduced it's a draw.

Deployment:

Dengond ordered his soldiers to lie down,
as protection from oncoming arrows

One of the goblin bearers takes an arrow in the eye

Moving forward

More moving

One ladder cast down
and the siege tower changes course at the last second

A hastily prepared defence against the oncoming orcs

The orc-corporal leads the charge
and another ladder pushed off the wall

This one stays up

Oira and a shield bearer offer a better defence than the Rohirrim

The goblins scale the ladder, while other pick up the fallen one.

The dwarf corporal takes a hit, but remains battle-ready

Pushed back

The goblin captain orders his minions out of the way.

A dwarf archer is hit in the chest

The goblin captain is pushed back, takes a wound
and squashes two more goblins at the base of the wall

The dwarf corporal fights back, scarring the other's face

Haldran arrives, with little he can do

Anersk turns his forces against the riders

More attacking

De-horsed, and the remaining dwarf archer gets another kill

Another goblin down

Haldran wins the heroic move roll-off

Fighting

Oira moves outside the walls to assist Haldran
one of the dwarves takes a tumble over the wall, but lives yet

The goblin captain attacks again
and the goblins below move on the fallen dwarf

Haldran takes wounds, but stands 

While the goblins 'floor' that dwarf

The captain makes it onto the battlements

Anersk's forces charge at the outnumbered Rohirrim

Unable to get out of the tower

Questor and the peasants surround the captain and spear-goblin

Haldran and corporal fall to the number of biting blades.

As does this corporal

And the captain

The other corporal flees in terror

The final ladder is cast down, and the spear goblin surrounded

The goblins move to the ladder, and Anersk to the tower

Questor spear-ing the spear goblin

The dwarf archer claims another goblin

And another as the remaining goblins flee

Anersk hurries to take tower, now they are nearly at 25% orcs left

Wounding Oira

Then Oira onomatopoeia's the morannon in the face

Questor arrives, while Oira and his corporal go offensive on Anersk

They move outside to trap the orcs

But the peasants didn't need to ,Oira smashes Anersk's legs from
beneath him, vaulting him from atop the tower to the ground below

Reducing the evil force well below 25% and giving the Gondorians a Major victory! (+400R)

Inside Minas Tirith, Haldran and his corporal will miss the next turn, as will the dwarf archer and the the dwarf corporal, all the peasants and the t-h-axed dwarf make full recoveries.
The other Rohirrim corporal gained +1wounds, Oira gained +1strength, his corporal gained +1courage and the dwarf archer was promoted gaining +1fate and heavy armour.

In the orc camp Anersk, his other corporal and the morannon spear-orc will miss the next turn.
Both axe-orcs were promoted to Morannon shield-orcs.
Anersk gains +1strength,  his corporal gains +1wounds, and the morannon spear-orc gains+1fight.

In the goblin camp the captain and three others were detained, meanwhile three goblins lay dead. The troll assumed command....somehow.

A great feast was held in honour of Oira and Haldran. Much drinking and adult activities were taken to that evening. Oira, Questor and Haldran's corporal sat in counsel with the steward also upon the same evening.
"Anersk is but wounded, he will return soon with Vashner and the goblins if we don't strike them now." postulated Oira.
"Any news from Osgiliath, steward?"asked Questor.
"None, although I have more faith in Aerun and Dengond than I did in Oira." Oira stood in anger, but calmed himself.
"I would join Io and rout the goblins, but I have too few men." The corporal stated.
"My company must remain here in case Anersk or the Goblins attack again. The only other free company is yours 'corporal' "Oira responded.
"And what of the rogue captain!" Questor interrupted before the corporal and Oira punched each other, "he could lead some peasants with Io against the goblins!" 
"I will not entrust the safety of Io's men and peasants with a rogue! Who could join with the goblins and destroy Io's company, before turning on Pelargir or even Minas Tirith?" The steward shouted. 
This argument would have descended into blood-spill if a messenger had not arrived at that moment.
"Steward?"He said."These just came in," and handed two messages to him. the steward read them.
"The rogue captain is just north of the river, but south of here." He started. "And...."

Anersk lay down coughing up black blood, his bow corporal assumed command, as he had always wished. Him and the spear-orc had been contending with his leadership of late. Fortunately only one of the three contenders wasn't detained, so things ran smoothly.
"Come on scum the Lieutenant isn't travelling fast enough!" The corporal shouted.
"Where are we travelling?" Anersk asked amongst the blood spraying from his mouth.
"Vashner has given orders of you, although you'll be lucky to make it."
"And the goblins corporal!"He ordered with difficulty.
"Right now 'recruit' that is not your concern" the corporal responded. Anersk hid a grimace. All injured soldiers assumed to rank of recruit, save only the general and the dark lord himself.
The sun shone brightly off the white peaks directly behind them as they marched.

Until then

Fish

Gondor in Flames turn 12

Last turn Haldran defeated Anersk, only to push him closer to Minas Tirith.
General Mainz captured north Harnen, while Lieutenant Rathin turned north
The Riders of Rohan and the Goblin Horde both had victories over the rogues.
The troll was wounded by a rogue captain, who is now being sought out on both sides of the river.

The Mordorians get priority and gather 1000R, meanwhile the Gondorians gather a similar 1100R.

The dark lord is aware of the treat against Cair Andros the riders of Rohan pose, so he purchases the service of six peasants, two for Cair Andros, two for Khand, two for Cirth Ungol.
Also a battle company at Cair Andros lead by Lieutenant Corgoth, and sends out for three recruits, two return, an orc warrior(with shield) for Vashner at Osgiliath, and a Mordor Uruk-hai warrior (Blurthrug) at Cirth Ungol.

The steward is growing increasingly fearful of the impending battle, so orders four recruits for Lieutenant Oira, to which only a Guard of the Fountain court (Questor) returns, he sends for four more, to which two men of Rohan with shields return. They must suffice.

The goblin horde and Lieutenant Anersk both manage to assail at the walls of Minas Tirith.
General Morge returns to Cirth Ungol to attach Blurthrug to his company.
Lieutenant Rathin's company mange one hex before Rathin's stretcher gets stuck in the Ithilien trees, fortunately this blocks the path north through the Gateway bridge where they rest.
Lieutenant Jurasin manages a single hex north into the mountains.
Lieutenant Vashner remains at Osgiliath to protect it's walls.

Lieutenants Dengond and Aerun form an attack on Osgiliath with captain Bestir.
General Mainz attacks Gateway bridge. 
Lieutenant Nethar joins the riders of Rohan outside Cair Andros, but are unable to attack.
Lieutenant Io manages two hexes towards Minas Tirith.
Meanwhile lieutenant Haldran's company actually manage to reach Minas Tirith in aid.
Lieutenant Luthyre remains at Minas Morgul to guard it.

Three battles this turn two of which are very decisive.
If Minas Tirith is claimed the Mordorians will have another settlement, and a base to plunge deeper into Gondor territory.
If Osgiliath is claimed by Gondor the assault on Minas Tirith will be cut short, and maybe even re-claimed if it was taken.

Until then

Fish

Gondor in Flames turn 11 end

In the last turn:
Newly appointed General Mainz secured North Harnen.
Lieutenant Haldran fought a close victory over orc Lieutenant Anersk.
The riders of Rohan company got their first victory.
The goblin captain got his second at the expense of a turn without the troll.

	Good	Evil
Capital	500	100
Settlements	800	800
Battles	1200	400
Other	-30	0
Supplies	-115	-94
Expenses	-1300	-900
Total	1055	306

Giving The Mordorians a total of 1709R and the Gondorians a massive total of 5123R

This leaves Minas Tirith exposed to the goblin horde, who might remain their another turn so the troll can recover, also Anersk presses ever closer. 
Cair Andros is almost theirs for the taking, a handful of peasants against the Riders of Rohan. 
The south is too almost secure, only Rathin to expel from the territory.
Cirth Ungol is within their reach too if they can defeat the General Morge in battle.

The Mordorians could claim Minas Tirith if luck is on their side, Lieutenant Vashner keeps Osgiliath secure. Lieutenant Keresk has never been under much danger, although he could travel to Cair Andros and protect Mordor's northern border.
Lieutenant Rathin needs to keep General Mainz occupied so that he can't unite the people across the Anduin to attack the orcs coming across.
Lieutenant Jurasin needs to secure the Nurn settlement before he can help out General Morge

Lieutenant Oira walked down the stone hallway. Even as a dwarf he marvelled at the stonework in Minas Tirith. He had come before the Steward.
"Tell me dwarf!" He spoke. "Should I flee now? Or wait for you to be defeated in battle?"
"Neither lord." Oira replied. "You have heard the rumours I take it?"
The steward wore a frown like it was his crown.
"The rogue captain, who wounded the troll before your very gates."
"Lieutenant. I care little for the brave deeds of warriors, so long as they are done by my warriors!" Barked the Steward.
"I just so happens that the rogue captain quoted, I sold an amulet to."
The steward sat in silence. It was an indication for Oira to continue.
"I thought at first the amulet was but a trinket, but clearly it has great powers to grant the holder, and if we were-" Oira continued
"Speak little else dwarf! Send for Lieutenants Luthyre, Nethar and General Mainz to watch if this captain should pass between our borders again, and acquire his services!" Ordered the Steward.
Oira had already done both of these, but left anyway.

Vashner sat in the Gondorian command office at Osgiliath. He had wooden plate with a mud-like meal on it, clearly the peasants would need a lashing. 
Before he could reach his whip his second in command came at the door.
"Some unusual news, Vash"
"If this weren't private I'd have your arm!" He said smiling.
"Dengond and Aerun the filth" Vashner grinned at that "are no longer pursuing the general"
"What!" He shouted. "Are you sure?" 
"Yes sir, he wanted you to prepare better defences, his orders"
"I will improve the defences, when Aerun licks my right boot!" 
"The orc you requested are here also."
"Good send the scum in here then!" When the orc came in his eyes shifted around the room, as if they were looking for an exit.
"Tell me what you know" Vashner ordered.
"The man you want, moves south from Minas Tirith."

Further south, just so past Gateway bridge in Lieutenant Rathin's camp, his corporals drugged Rathin's soup so he lay at rest for much longer than he thought. 
His corporals then marched the troop north. The dark lord knew what he was doing, they would follow to the letter.

Until then

Fish