So now, my sea lords are at work consolidating the fleet and the 1st Army. A Faltur and Sarazor make armor and weapons; Tyreath tries once again to create a camp out in the desert wastes.

As the Corsairs make ready for Turn 3, heralds from both Southern Gondor and the Noldor Elves show up in the Havens of Umbar. They say that the war is a tough one in the north, and the fact that the primary Cardolan armies have been ousted by the Witch King of Angmar in Eriador. It is curious, they state, that the agents of the Dark Lord have not yet attempted assassinations and thefts across the land; no doubt they are making a strong company and will wreak havoc soon. They implore us to make haste in declaring for the side of the Free and the Good!
The Witch King's messengers indirectly offer the Corsairs friendship and all they can do to provide us those necessary considerations to have us on the side of Sauron.

My Lords Angamaite and Teldumeir remind the enthusiastic Noldor messengers that a bold early declaration from the Corsairs will doom us. No doubt they are worried; but they must see to it that they can at least stand on equal footing with the Nazgul in the interim.

It is a belated update on the Sauronic forces from Adunaphel, the Quiet Avenger. It appears that for the most part the Dark Servants are confident that they are beginning the change the early fortunes of the war, especially in Eriador. The Witch-King of Angmar has stymied the Cardolani forces altogether and his constituent, the Dragon Lord of Dol Guldur have been holding their own against (what they claim) is a confused Free Nation offensive.

The hard-charging Eothraim have been checked north of Mordor, but the carnage that is Minas Ithil is yet being waged. In this meat-grinder of armies, it is difficult who has the upper hand; both sides are boastful. All accounts state that it is imperative that the Dark Servants capture Minas Ithil in the first stages of the game, or they will be lost. It will be interesting to see who holds the advantage in Ithilien.

Some initial tactical musings with the Sauronic team has given the Corsairs greater options in going EVIL.

The Cloud Lord, Ji Indur of the Nazgul, has promised to use his agents to kill any southland incursions of enemy commanders who march on the Corsairs of Umbar. Good.

The Witch-King of Angmar has written he would love to see the fine ships of the Corsairs making raids up and down the Cardolani coast in Eriador.

The Fire King has thrown his armies at Minas Ithil and will keep us abreast of the results there.

The Dragon Lord of Dol Guldur has also sent a message to the Havens of Umbar with entreaties of friendliness for the Corsairs to go Dark.

Please see the first post for the URL for the general game forum thread.

I was using this forum as a neutral way to entice new players to the PBeM, but I can no longer muse strategies here because it appears that some of my rival players have somehow found me yakking.

So, as the Corsairs STAY NEUTRAL, I will close this thread up.

I will try to keep matters less tactical if I continue to use this thread. It will merely be updates on the battles.

Too bad. I have kind of enjoyed following along in your plotting.

The Noldor player had posted a message in the ME forum that echoed my musing here; but as I've discovered, he had gained this information not from the RDINN, but from baiting the Witch-King player into some scenarios in getting the Corsairs of Umbar do embrace the evil of Sauron.

Yet, even so, I will be less sensitive when I post my musings here. As Gandalf told Saruman in using the Palantir: "You don't know who else may be watching."

As for Turn 3 results (you must remember this is a 2-week turn-around game), the Corsairs have had some progress and some minor failures.

My best emissary, Tyreath, has been successful establishing our first camp-sized pop center in the desert wastes. She has now moved up to join Sangahyando ont he banks of the River Harnen next to Harad to establish another camp and to monitor the sole bridge there.

Lord Angamaite, my best commander, is now leading the consolidated Navy of Umbar. Though I have just 3,900 troops on these magnificent vessels, it should prove to be a formidable strike force for those enemies ill-prepared to deal with them.

My mage, Meriot, failed to research Locate Artifact True - a very important spell that will assist the Corsairs in locating artifacts. He will continue on his mission.

In a surprise encounter, my new emissary, Maethlin, has come across no other than Radagast the Brown! I believe there will be no major result of this chance encounter, however, as it's reported that Radagast doesn't particularly care for neutral nations.

On the diplomatic front, ties have strengthened with our wealthy neighbor, the Haradwaith. However, there has been little turn reporting thus far from either the Free Nations or the Dark Servants of Sauron.

Will keep posted.

I have pasted here the actual encounter for your curiosity as it reads in my turn report.

Maethlin sees a flock of large birds in the distance circling like carrion over a prospective meal.
Occasionally one swoops down, disappearing behind a line of trees. Moments later it climbs back into view
and resumes its circling. It, joined by several other birds, dives again reappearing after only a few
moments. Usually only battlefields merit such attention. Perhaps there are survivors or at least information
as to what nations march through this area. Striking out for the area, he soon clears the line of trees to
find a small meadow. Sitting on a tree stump at the far end is a small man dressed in a plain brown robe. He
seems to be the focus of the flock's attention, a bird diving down every few seconds to snatch something
from the man's outstretched hand.

ATTACK the man

CAPTURE the man and take the man hostage

Say ______________ (only one word)

REQUEST the man's name

INTERROGATE the man for information

FEED the birds

ALLOW the man to join you

FLEE

How will Maethlin react ? (Choose any reaction shown in all CAPS or provide info requested in parenthesis.
If no reaction is given, he will be assumed to have chosen "FLEE".)

If anyone is interested, I can provide a turn report via email.

This shows you all the basic components of the intracacies of this game. Just shoot me a message.

The Corsairs of Umbar have forged on ahead. General, public reports from the agents of Sauron have stated (boastfully) that the Free Nations of Middle Earth have been unable to take some crucial objectives this past turn. The main consideration is that a Dwarf army from Moria was unable to conquer Goblin Gate.

I have no word whether Minas Ithil has been taken by the Dark Servants, however, although I know that forces and agents of Mordor are thick in the fray with the Gondorians there.

I have my emissary, Maethlin, using the option to ALLOW the man in dark robes to join us, but I'm certain this will avail nothing. That's not important.

I'm still doing infrastructure orders, so there is no great progress in declaring for evil or good yet.

Dilpomacy has been quiet from most this past turn.

"Mirkwood
The Dragon Lord burnt Buhr Widufiras to cinders despite a gallant effort by the Woodmen, Sinda and Northmen to save the backup MT. This is a significant result in Mirkwood and we continue to apply pressure in this region despite being numerically outnumbered. Goblin Gate also resisted a threat by the Dwarves who are still camped outside its walls. Last but by no means least Caras Galadhon has been revealed!

In and around Mordor
Another huge battle occured at Minas Ithil and a valiant effort by the Fire King, Dark Lieutenants and Ice King ensured that yet again the FP were prevented access to the cauldron of Mordor. Adieu Baltab. Near Lug Ghurzan, the Eothraim were crushed and so Mordor remains secure.

Around the sea of Rhun
At the Northmen capital, Shel-Krain, the NM and Dwarves were defeated, putting the NM et al on a back footing and having to pull back forces to save his position.

The North
Yet again the forces of the Witch King of Angmar were prevented from capturing Buhr Fram but for how long can the Woodmen maintain their defenses? The HUGE Arthedain army has finally arrived at Cargash and we still await with eagerness the outcome of desperate diplomatic talks with Rhudaur. We are forever hopeful..."

From Ovatha II, Lord of the Easterlings:

Hail The Corairs! Thank you for your message. I hear great things about your fleets on the wind's from various Emissary's. Raiding along the coasts and expanding. What news of the Quiet Avenger? I have heard from the Haradwaith and relations are good. He also tells me that the Dunlendings have angered him, hmm. I haven't heard from the Rhudaur peoples, but no doubt they are hard pressed in a far more precarious position than mine. Our's is the waiting game drinking coffee, watching the jackals fight and playing Polo with the head of an unruly chieftain. Ovatha II.

Messengers from the Nazgul, Ji Indur, have arrived in the Havens of Umbar with greetings and perhaps a sly admittance to spying?

Hi there southern cousin (ahem)

News reaches our festering ears of even greater hordes of Corsair troops, ready to board their mighty fleet at a moments notice. We also hear of a famed woodcarver who produces yet more buxom-mermaid figures carved into the prows of your mightiest ships. We salute you people, our neighbours and future allies (we hope), and if there should be any specific news or minor boon that we might grant, just let us know.

Yours
Ji Indur

Indeed, yes, interesting. The Cloud Lord is moving about, we see. Ji Indur does sport the best agents in the game - so he could have a spy in the Havens watching our movements. A shadow play - yes?

Maethlin's encounter at Barazon Maethlin asked the old man to join him. The old man shook his head at the request and said, "These time-worn
hands are being put to their best use right now. I belong more among these creatures, than I do among the
races, all of whom are argumentative and power hungry." With a sigh, the old man stood and disappeared into
the trees.

General Orders Captain Adumir, attached as a backup commander for the Corsairs fleet in the Havens of Umbar, creates some valuable armor and completes some important drilling forhis Heavy Infantry.

Lord Angamaite, commander of the Corsairs fleet at Umbar, also makes some weapons and completes drilling of his forces.

Lady Eadur is successful in her population center upkeep at Maros and has moved on toward her next assignment.

Lord Faltur completes his domestic tasks of transporting stores and influencing the people's loyalty at the capital.

Maethlin has had his encounter (see above) and has completed his tasks of influencing people's loyalties at Barazon.

Meriot has failed trying to research a most important spell; this spell has remained elusive for the passed couple of turns. However, he has become a mage to reckon with.

Lord Mireadur, chaffing that he has no command at the moment, belittles himself in selling surplus food on the world market and is appointed as a guardian over Faltur.

Sangahyando and Tyreath form a company in the desert wastes and he does a recon that reveals no changes in their locale. Tyreath herself is unable to establish an all-important camp near the River Harnen.

The stealthy and sneaky Sarazor completes some important guardianship over Lord Teldumeir and also transports much-needed resources to the capital.

Meanwhile, Lord Teldumeir, also tired of playing civil economics, flexes some if his own agent muscle by guarding the the Havens of Umbar and then assists transporting more raw resources to the capital for the strengthening of a new army.


More information forthcoming.

Adunaphel, the Quiet Avenger, has been hunting for elusive "light side" navies along the coast of Harad, but reports to not find them.

Rumors are wildly going around that the Cloud Lord himself, Ji Indur, paid a special visit to the Southern Gondor capital of Dol Amroth; here there seemed to be a personal challenge issued to one of the Gondorian army commanders and a possible kidnsapping attempt as well.

The Haradwaith report they were unable to establish camps this past turn, but have been concentrating merely on civil tasks (much like ourselves, the Corsairs of Umbar).

There no doubt will be other reports soon.

Messengers from the Nazgul, Ji Indur, known as the Cloud Lord, state vehemently that there were no confrontations with any prominent Gondorians this turn; the rumors were wild and without foundation.

Southern Gondor also said as much from an earlier dispatch from their ambassadors to the Havens of Umbar. Even though the Great War of 1650 Third Age is in full swing, either side has yet to gain any real ground.

Minas Ithil is still in the hands of Northern Gondor as it would seem, though thousands of men and orcs have fallen there. The Gondorians have pushed as far as the capital of the Fire King, but there are combined forces there to stop them.

It appears that the neutral nation of the Dunlendings has had a change in hierarchy. This certainly bids well for them as the previous government of that people had pretty much taken advantage of the Haradwaith in a raw deal. The southern neutral nations were plotting to send a few stealthy agents north to pay them a visit, but since things have changed, it appears that the Haradwaith will have to take the loss ... unless the Duns decide to make good on the earlier deal.

It appears that the Corsairs of Umbar will once again be relying mostly on civil tasks this next turn, preparing for the inevitable conflict. Tyreath failing to set up the camp of Tir Harnen was a slight blow (but not that critical) and our mage Meriot failing once again to research Locate Artifact True was more important.