Faltur immediately gathers his scribes and messengers; their kission, bring the following message to the Easterlings under Ovatha II, occupying the plains and desert far to the east of our realm:

To our friends occupying the mighty plains, Umbar sends its greetings and salutations. We have brought you friendship of our neutral brotherhood.

As our two mighty nations are yet to declare, my Lords of Umbar asks that we both agree to a non-aggression pact and goodwill to each other.

The pact is:

1) Easterlings and Corsairs will not engage in hostile approaches toward each other, as defined as assassinations on characters or attacks by navies or armies.

2) Easterlins and Corsairs will not, upon their word of neutrality, disclose to members outside of the DS or the FP of any critical information gathered on our nations.

What say you, my fine and distinguished lords of the plains?

Teldumeir is summoned where he glowers a the message. "M'lord Faltur, do you fear these horsemen?"

"Aye, they could come upon us quickly upon the eastern road. Who knows what beats in their hearts? What hides in their minds? Though the Harad may be of kind way, the Easterlings may come upon us without much thought, throwing us into disarray."

Teldumeir nods. "So be it, then. It will be some time ere we see our first orders realized. Let us hope for happy returns!"

The Harad respond: "Hopefully we end up on the same side but have to see how things develop.
We will be moving things about a bit but only within our own borders and patrolling of our coastal waters.

In terms of the other nations the DS seem very quiet. Only received a reply from one of them so far and nothing from the QA (Quiet Avenger - a Nazgul). Have you any address for the Easterlings? Seen details for the other neutrals but not
for them.

My Lord Faltur Replies: "Very well, my Harad friends,

I haven't heard from the Eastrerlings directly. Several of the Free Nations have contacted me, offering friendship and such, but the agents of Sauron are very silent.

Even so, QA is imperative to watch until then. Easterlings *could* send a raiding force against us early, if they are of that mind. The Corsairs probably won't declare until (turn) 8, but there are several things I'm watching out for until then. One of these depends on Harad, of course, another will be the QA most definitely. If you favor one side and I the other, we'll most likely have to spend most our time fighting each other rather than other nations.

If the Corsairs go Dark, we'll have to spend our navy fighting South Gondor mostly. If we go Light, we'll strike QA quickly.

If Harad, my friend, goes either way, what you do is important to our decision as well, that is, if you make up your mind before I do.

However, I would put this to you: if you and I form a bloc, you would have my fleets as a protection and there we can either strike together against South Gondor *or* the QA. My advice: do not strike the QA regardless of your ideals on the matter before we discuss.

As neutrals, we can both take out the QA right away without possibly heavy reprisals from the other DS. However, this will cause us trouble is we both go Dark and we could use the QA as a friendly back-up against South Gondor.

If we both go Light, then we take out the QA and focus everything we have on the Cloud Lord and the Blind Sorcerer.

The bad thing about going Light? Harad and the Corsairs are highly moveable on the sea, we limit our objectives and probably find a boring game - especially if the Gondorians slap Mordor around. Also, I believe the Cloud Lord will be singling Harad out for assassinations every turn.

The bad thing about going Dark? We'll be vulnerable from the sea, but our navies would be able to buffer threats pretty well, I deem.

If Harad and Corsairs go opposite each other ... hmm .. we waste our valuable strength fighting against one another while our "teammates" watch from afar. They won't care.

Let me know your thoughts. The Easterlings, along with the QA, will be very important to contact and monitor.

Lord Faltur, weary of the last week's preparations, sits resigned on the high throne in Prince Teldumeir's stead. He can see the red-orange sunset beyond the high pinnacles of the far sea towers.

He considers his message and what is the best action in the long run:

To join the Free Nations of Middle Earth, they will have to focus on destroying Adunaphel, the Quiet Avenger, immediately. If the Haradwaith go Dark in this matter, Umbar will need to sink their navy quickly and blow the bridge on the River Harnen. This will effectively cut the Harad nation in two, and mastery of the seas is the most important qualification for the Corsairs.

If Umbar is to join the agents of Sauron, the Dark Servants, then the prime factor would be to build up the fleet and launch coastal attacks as far north as Cardolan, with an emphasis on capturing Dol Amroth first. If the Haradwaith go Light in this matter, the same principle applies as above.

Now, what of the Easterlings? They too are a threat, one way or another. If they remain silent ... perhaps a joint venture with the Haradwaith to destroy the Easterling's southern holdings is imminent.
Faltur smiles; yet these matters are not up to him, but of the decision of the Princes of the Sea: Angamaite and Teldumeir. They are the ones who will decide this, in time...

The bad news comes quickly from the court. Prince Teldumeir and Lord Faltur are speaking over a long table of roasted fowl and succulent fruits from the lands of Ardor. With them are their wives, Andwen and Ommanda.

The doors burst open and suddenly Dulmir, the Chief Advisor comes hastening in. "My Lords!" He shouts, obviously in distress.

"What is it, dollard, to come crashing into our dinner as so?" Prince Teldumeir wants to know, but his voice remains even and soft under his anger.

"The messengers sent to the Easterlings got the wrong names, sire! They thought that "Uvatha" was the Lord of the Easterlings. He *is* not!"

Teldumeir and Faltur look at each other quizzically. Then, the Prince of the Havens gives this look to the advisor. "So tell me, Dulmir, who then is the Lord of the Easterlings?"

Dulmir squeaks, "Ovatha, my lords. Ovatha II."

"And so, the messengers took our tidings to Uvatha? I see the difference: 'U' and an 'O'."

"Yes, my lord!"

"Who is Uvatha?"

Dulmir, with his eyes wide, his voice quivering, says, "The Long Rider, my lords. One of the Agents of Sauron."

Teldumeir stands up, throws his rag on the table. "What? Our message has gone to the Long Rider?"

"Yes my lord," squeaks the advisor.

The Prince sinks in his large chair, burying his face in his hands. Not even the entreaties of his wife, Andwen, can placate his embarrassment.

No doubt this will prove to be a long game...

It has been now a few days since entertaining the messengers from those nations bearing tidings. Lord Faltur, wary over the mistake of sending to the wrong nation himself, plans to deal with his subordinates.

However, new messengers arrive belated, and they come at the same time from opposing nations: Southern Gondor, the fell Dragon Lord, and the Quiet Avenger. Heated words are spoken between those factions, and steel would shine if it weren't for the vigilance of the House Guard.

The message from Southern Gondor echoes those of her allies, and they are cordial, if somewhat subdued.

The Dragon Lord, Khamul, senses that the Corsairs of Umbar, though neutral, may be friendly to the agents of Sauron. They hope much, but Prince Teldumeir keeps his cards close to the vest.

And lastly, the words of a humble Quiet Avenger are respectful, promising "not to do anything foolish" to ignite the ire of Umbar. Yet, Prince Teldumeir is kind and tells the messenger of Adunaphel that there are no restrictions to her fleets; they may hide in the Bay of Umbar from the Gondorians if need be.

As a neutral nation in this game, I receive a ton of email and messages from both the Free Nations of Middle Earth and the Dark Servants of Sauron. Since this is a 2-week game, there is a pause between actions. These are the times when the forums at www.mepbm.com and emails are lit up with talk.
From the Messenger of South Gondor:

"The only thing that can ruin the Corsairs day is an aggressive and well played Harad declaring differently, but you've got a fair few turns yet before that will happen.

Talking of Harad he tells me the DS were quiet initially but are now being more friendly. The Free team, particularly the Noldor (!) never seem to stop chatting. Its certainly good not to have to play in a vacuum though and have people to bounce ideas off.

Hope we can convince you to ditch the black sails and skull and crossbones. Pirates are so passe' these days!"

Results There were some troubles doing domestic removals of prominent population center structures.

Main agenda was to increase our income and base economics; this was done admirably. The Corsairs of Umbar are now in the black due to increasing our tax base and retiring unnecessary forces! Yay!

The mage, Meriot, failed to research the spell he was after, however, he did increase his overall magic ability.


A new emissary has been hired to assist us! And not only that, she has an exceptional ability.

Seems that my first turn has met with some mixed success and failures. Luckily, as a neutral, there are no pressing concerns and no enemies at the gate!
Diplomacy No indication from the Easterlings, which is a bad thing. The player here may not have internet access/no email, or must rely on snail mail. Either way, there is no word.:-/

A messenger from the Noldor was intercepted, bearing tidings for the Dunlendhings. Although there was no critical information, the Corsairs felt it was best to notify to the elves that they must be careful dispatching their messages to the wrong nation. As we all well know, the Corsairs did that!

It appears that the Easterlings nation under Ovatha II sends a general message to all the nations of Middle Earth:

"Greetings from our peoples. We will respect your borders if you respect our borders. We are strong, don't anger us! Tros Hesneth and Ovatha II."
Hmm, well, my Lord Mireadur feels that the message is boastful, but not belligerent. That's a good thing for now.

The Corsairs send to the Noldor elves:

"We have intercepted a message from your emissaries to the Duns. Although we believe no critical information was in the dispatch, your messengers must realize that it is important to make certain that they go to the right
nation.

We understand that diplomatic mistakes can be made, we ourselves sent messengers in error to the Long Rider thinking that they were the
Easterlings. Our advice: be careful your messages, lest
they are sent to your enemies rather than an ally or a neutral."

Lord Mireadur, Havens of Umbar


The Noldor Respond:

"Too much wine...damned small livers..."

The Corsairs of Umbar have been blessed with tidings from the Free Nations of Middle Earth, keeping we neutrals abreast of events of the Great War of 1650, Third Age.

The Noldor Elves, led by Cirdan and Elrond, have told us that the Witch King blitzed the Woodmen settlements in the Anduin Vales, and that the fearsome Dragon Lord has "come out fighting" but apparently hasn't done much damage as expected.

The Eothraim, ancestors of the Riders of Rohan, and their allies of Northern Gondor caught a large army led by Urzahil (Mouth of Sauron) of the Dark Lieutenants on the Rhovanion Plains north of Mordor.

Southern Gondor also weighs in, reporting that the great Battle of Minas Ithil found its defenders successful in keeping the Dark Servants from taking it. The Gondorians are grateful that the Nazgul, the Ice King, hadn't shown up to reinforce his brethren in the Pass of Cirith Ungol. No doubt that puts a dark note on the Dark Servants' position. From what the Corsairs of Umbar can tell, this will almost give the Gondorians free reign to raid and pillage western Mordor.

Messengers have been sent from the 9th of the Nazgul, Adunaphel (Quiet Avenger):

"In the North the WK is already under attack by Cardolan (and will lose a town this turn) and we can see Rhudaur apparently recruiting heavily.
The Dragon Lord will be attacking Woodmen population centres this turn and will destroy 2 camps and a village, he'll lose a camp and a village himself. An FP army is approaching the Dragon Lord back-up at 3822.
In the Ithil Pass the FK and Dark Lts armies have met a lot of North Gondor armies, but will be able to destroy them.
Morannon is secure and the Dog Lord will take/destroy a NG town this turn.
The Dark Lts have intercepted Eothraim and NG armies at 3219
The Long Rider navy has met the Sinda navy."

It is a busy time for the Corsairs of Umbar. Though still neutral in the outlook towards the Evil and the Good, the Princes of the Sea must make the most of their neutrality or be swept away once they declare.

Top priority at this time is sending Tyreath and Sangahyando out into the far eastern desert at special confluxes to establish new camps. These are imperative not only for their recources and economy, but also to keep a watch on the eastern approaches. One such camp no doubt will sport a tower on the road from the north.

The Corsairs army, though meager offensively, is in training and the fleets have moved to the Havens of Umbar for consolidation. Lords Faltur and Mireadur are making the most of military preparations for the inevitable war.

The Haradwaith have moved an army south to one of their coastal townships, but at the moment is little threat. If they declare for the opposite side as the Corsairs, there will be trouble.:-/

The Corsairs have had some mixed success with failures this turn, but everything is somewhat all right, though due to some order sequencing troubles (movement *after* pertinent orders rather than *before*).

Captain Adumir is successful putting his forces on maneuvers and moving them to the Havens of Umbar.

My Lord Angamaite had similar orders and was successful.

Lady Eadur had trouble getting sequencing right and was unable to accomplish an important task of removing an unnecessary structure.

My Lord Faltur was successful in finding a new agent named Sarazor to join our ranks! He is of remarkable ability. My Lord Faltur also transferred some steel to the capitol.

Our resident mage, Meriot, was successful in researching a very important spell and increasing his overall magical prowess.

M'lord Mireadur, tasked with domestic concerns, was able to find a new emissary named Maethlin, and transported bronze stores to the capitol.

Once again our emissary, Sangahyando, failed. He was to set up a camp in the desert waste, but due to sequencing troubles and all-out failure, this camp was not established.

M'lord Teldumeir put troops in a training program and moved them to the capitol.

Lady Tyreath also suffered from sequencing troubles and was unable to establish a new camp, wasting valuabe time and expense.

Comment. Establishing the camps were of priority, and both failed dismally. The Corsairs have noted that our neighbor, the Haradwaith, has been recruiting forces in the north. The naming of the two new characters is very important, and luckily we were successful.

The battle for middle earth has commenced in earnest. From the west it seems the Northmen are to bear the brunt of an assault by the DogLord and Long Rider..they have combined forces at the NM capital but are opposed by strong men and their dwarven allies. This will be a bloody encounter indeed.

Also, in Rhun the Easterlings have been involved in a skirmish w/ the LR but no details have been released from their emissaries to ours...this we are watching closely.

The CloudLord and Blind Sorcerer are also making due haste to the eastern side of Middle Earth, indeed the Northmen will need more support if he is to remain in Rhun...

In Mirkwood, the Dragon Lord has moved 4 armies of differing size into the Woodmen's Realm...they will be countered by men, elves, and dwarves...mirkwood will remain in the free people's fold...

the foul Witch King of Angmar has stopped the incursion of the Cardolani but more troops poor into his borders and Arthedain cannot be far behind...

No other details are available at this time...

For those of you who are reading this and liked the movie, "Return of the King", the Haradwaith were the guys with the big elephants. Of course, my nation is the one with those wicked ships who got plastered by Aragorn and the Dead Army. The Easterlings were those guys that Frodo and Sam ran into at the Gates of Morannon in "The Two Towers".
The Harad messenger has told me he will be recruiting more in the north, and I'm certain that this will eventually lead us into war with each other. I'm hoping he'll declare first, meaning, declaring for the "Good" or the "Evil" sides. If he goes "Evil", that will be good because I'm leaning that way. If he goes "Good" and I still want to go "Evil", I'll spend most the game fighting him.

Another neutral neighbor, the Easterlings, have reportedly had a skirmish with one of the Nazguls - the Long Rider. If the Easterlings become sore and declare to go "Good", this may cause trouble on the eastern front if I go "Evil" later on.