Well, many things have gone on since my last post here. There have been major fighting in the north and two of the five neutral nations have declared formally.

Rhudaur has switched sides to become one of the Free Nations of Middle Earth, pitting their forces against the Dark Servants of Sauron, the Nazgul. With the declaration, the Witch-King of Angmar is in dire straits!

The Easterlings have declared to join Sauron and made a blitzkrieg against the Northmen in the plains of eastern Middle Earth. They have lost their leader, Ovatha II, to a personal challenge by the Dwarves of Moria. The plains of Rhun are a battleground.

There are rumors that the Dunlendings have also opted to declare for Sauron, but we here in the Havens of Umbar have heard that the Duns are still neutral.

The Northmen are in dire straits as well. Their capital of Shrel-Kain has been captured and they are losing the war to massive Sauronic forces in the east.

The Dragonlord of Dol Guldur, from what we understand, is still strong in Mirkwood. This no doubt has much to do with other Nazgul strikes and the appearance of the Easterlings to their banner.

The Gondorians are struggling to hold their own in the Ithil Pass, which bids ill news for the Nazgul fighting them in western Mordor. The messengers from South Gondor gave been entreating both soutern neutrals, Corsairs of Umbar and the Haradwaith to join them. The Noldo Elves have been equally desperate for us to join the side of the free.

We, the Corsairs, have begun to recruit forces and move our massive navy to our outlying port town of Caldur. There is much activity in the Havens of Umbar. The Dark Servants have requested we submit them our terms and declare by Turn 10.

Messengers from the Haradwaith have indicated that they may join us. That will be good, and will make this game very quick.

Well from what you've written here over the weeks, the game does seem fascinating. I might give it a look sometime.

You've been gone for a long time - haven't seen you in at the RDINN least for two years I think.

It's a fun game, and despite what Addy and Olan says, it's not that expensive. Cheaper than buying titles for your XBOX 360 and such.

It is a turn-based email game, however, with supplements to assist with orders and other concerns.

They have variations in scenarios: Battle of Five Armies (BoFA), 1000 TA, 1650 TA, 2950 TA, gunboat duos, grudge matches, and the upcoming Kin-Strife scenario. The players are mostly Australian and Brits with a sprinking of Americans.

I've played it off and on over the years. If you like wargaming and the interaction of historic (and newly-created) characters in Middle Earth, and you are a fan of Tolkien, you will like it, no doubt.

The danger: it's addictive. It's easy to want to join several games at once, but that's when it can get expensive. I keep to one game at a time.

Let me know what I can do to answer questions - and if you do join, let me know prior because I can get a free turn or two out of it!

Most of their supplements are free onsite. You can download them (especially the House Rules and the ME Guide).

Also, if you want to read our boasting thread, go to: http://www.mepbm.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1957. I'm the Evil Monkey called Greygrey!

Okay, the Corsairs have some news to report.

Since I'm out of a job at present, I can take my time!

I had Adumir, a Commander/Agent/Emissary, to train his Heavy Infantry and to make more bronze weapons from our bronze stores in the Havens.

Regent Angamaite, my Commander/Emissary/Mage, Commander of the Combined Umbar Navy, put his forces in training and forged steel armor.

Our newest Commander, Bin Dulando, was ordered to bid on Food stores from the Caravans and got them at a good price. He also enacted in consolidating bronze stores from throughout Umbar.

My versatile Commander/Agent, Eadur, scouted the Haradwaith major town of Sukh Akhor and disclosed that they have an army of 2100 under Carlon.

Note: The Haradwaith were not happy to find Eadur visiting their town, and messengers were dispatched to the Havens protesting her presence there. We have consoled them that we have ordered her away and will not trouble them any longer.
Faltur, Commander/Emissary, was sent to Isigir to prepare for recruitment of an army there.

My strong Emissary, Maethlin, was ordered to enhance the population center loyalty in our new camp of An Harnen and to move on to our other desert camp, Tir Bragollach.

Meriot, my Emissary/Mage, studied his magery and increased his abilities; he was ordered to move north to find an artifact of power in Southern Gondor.

Meanwhile Mireadur, Commander/Agent, guarded our prominent citizens and to transport more steel to the Havens for armor forging.

The company of Sangahyando (Commander/Emissary/Mage) and Tyreath (Emissary) searched the Hithaeglir Mountains in Gondor for an artifact, but were unable to locate it. Tyreath tried but failed to establish a camp in Southern Gondor. She says she can try again.

Sarazor, our most powerful Agent, took it upon himself to guard the Havens of Umbar from all approaches and transported Food to the capital as well.

Lord Teldumeir, Commander/Agent/Emissary, began to hire an army of heavy infantry and exercised his guardianship abilities to assist Mireadur in guarding our prominent citizens in Umbar.

Regent Angamaite has moved the combined navy to Caldur out on the far coast. The danger here is that having both transports and warships together could cause a major naval confrontation at sea and we may lose our troops on the transports if we are attacked. M'lord Angamaite counsels if it would be prudent to separate the navy from warships and transports; the warships would be free to do a hunt/kill mission along the Gondorian coastline, opening up the way for a fleet landing by the transports on the capitol of Dol Amroth itself.

Lord Teldumeir, command of the Umbar garrison, is against it, for he believes that a quick strike with their combined forces on the Southern Gondorian capital is needed and the transports need to be protected by the warships.

Bin Dulando provides the critical Corsairs information to the Nazgul, per their request. This act places us firmly in their camp. He makes it clear to the servants of Sauron that they must QUID PRO QUO. We still need our own terms met!

Meriot is unsuccessful locating Foamcleaver in the north; he states that he will search the locale for it.

Tyreath has separated herself from the company led by Sangahyando and is currently seeking to place a Corsairs outpost on the Gondorian coast.

Sangahyando has returned to the Havens of Umbar to assist in the preparation of war.

Lord Faltur has recruited some more archers at Isigir.

...you have declared for the forces of Sauron, then?

"We must join with Sauron. It would be wise, my friend."

Initial points for declaration have been made; we are now awaiting the Nazgul to QUID PRO QUO on our terms. This includes them granting us artifact power to assist us in striking Southern Gondor.

We are diploming with the Haradwaith, noticing that he's moved an army along our borders. He tells us it's a mere fact-finding mission, and even though he's been cordial up until now, he still poses a threat.

The Haradwaith are dangerous as a neutral. They share our northern border with Adunaphel, the Quiet Avenger. If they do not listen to our diplomats in declaring for Sauron, we will have to forego early strikes upon Southern Gondor and focus upon them.

The Haradwaith are #1 in Victory Points now (the Corsairs have been for the last two turns running) which can only mean they are sitting on a pile of gold. That is what makes the Haradwaith incredibly dangerous, as they can put forth some hefty troops into the field, out recruiting the Corsairs.

We will begin declaring on Turn 10 for Sauron. The Haradwaith may also be declaring for Sauron as well; remains to be seen although he does seem willing to make a quick game of it.


We will furnish you turn information shortly thereafter, but your nations must begin to make good on our terms.

The Witch-King has requested a possible MT in the Havens. We are looking into that, but remember, our dear friends, that the Corsairs are very resource-poor. We have two camps in the arid south.

QA & Easterlings - we will be blowing the bridge on the River Harnen soon to keep the Gondorians out of the southlands. Hex # 3334. If you choose to do it prior, please feel free. Our camp, An Harnen, is located there.

I can't stress how confidential this email is. Please do not hint on the forums our allegiance.

The Harad victory points are a worry. It indicates a strong economy and probably bigger armies than yours. At this stage we probably have to assume the worst (that he will go FP, as if he goes DS with you then the game is over). That means maximising your recruitment to defend against possible Harad attack.
We don't want to attack him, but we have to be ready to react.

QA has been recruiting strongly for a few turns and will be able to help you if Harad does attack. QA also has strong emissaries and will be able to make emissary attacks in a few turns. Cloud Lord has lots of agents and would be able to hamstring SG/Harad characters/armies.

Hope you find this useful. Is there anything in particular that you want from us? We are limited in what we can give you until we see you attack the FPs or change icon, but anything is possible.

Well, the first steps of the Corsairs declaring have been made; if the Dark Servants make good on their offer, then I will make the final preparations to go DS by turns 10-11.

This is a key point for us, and you have been cordial and diplomatic with me up until this time. However, our two nations are facing concerns as the game becomes older. If you still think we can make a good team together, please come along with us; the Corsairs have some might to assist the Haradwaith against Southern Gondor (matter-of-fact, I believe the Gondorians have their hands full dealing with Mordor).

Let me know your concerns (I call upon our mutual friendship rather than what you feel about the DS team).

It’s not a question of what I feel about the DS team as I have pretty good relations with the QA, who is the main contact. Just I fear that if we have a 4-1 neutral split, coupled with the fact the DS are doing pretty well already it would mean game over to all intents and purpose. While I want to win I don’t want it to be over on turn ~10 because we both declare against an already struggling FP.
:-/

Lords of Harad,

We have had good relations; it will be a pity if the Corsairs have to go against you. You must understand that you pose a severe threat after we declare, and this causes us considerable frustration.

I don't think it would be prudent for you to remain neutral for long; it would be better for your interests, believe you me, whether you side for the FP or DS; I think that your time as a neutral is about up. I also believe that after the Corsairs declare, your neutrality will be in peril.

What will sum up, is that if you declare for the Free, then unfortunately, the Corsairs will move against you. If you remain neutral, you are still too much of a threat to remain unmolested to declare for the FP later and destroy my meager holdings. Therefore, if you remain neutral after turn 11, the Corsairs will move against you.

If you declare for the DS by Turn 11, then we strike for a quick victory together. It is in our hearts that you will join the Corsairs rather than against, but the time of the neutral pact is about up.

Your friends in Umbar.

Haruth, Lord of Harad, informed a gathering of diplomats from the various powers of the reasons for the absence of the ambassador from Umbar. That his behaviour had made his continued presence intolerable. As Harad is a civilised power which abides by the rules shared by such powers on the treatment of diplomats he was leaving with his head still attached. However if his successor was to repeat his error in threatening my country that may not be a pattern that will continue.



We hope and expect that when the new ambassador from Umbar arrives he will make clear that his predecessor was operating far beyond and in contradiction of his instructions and that the lords of Umbar will express their regret at the insult offered to their neighbour.

...the time for war seems to be at hand.

The messengers from Umbar were gathered to try and smooth our words, as diplomacy is always a fine-edged sword. We sent the ambassador back to Harad with a careful demeanor and a level-head.

"The Sea Captains in Umbar mean not to threaten, gentle lords of Harad, but you must understand the logic behind our words. The Haradwaith cannot remain aloof and continue to build upon their infrastructure while even their own words a'fore have stated they sympathize with the Free Peoples even as Umbar turns to Sauron.

"M'lords, how can we not feel threatened by your neutrality? We would like you to be in our camp rather than against; Harad has been a good friend up until now.

"It is a sad thing that such an ultimatum is brewing, for neutral or for the declared in the southlands, but unfortunately, it is. We would offer a non-aggression pact for the duration of the war (until the end game) as to where the forces of the Corsairs and the forces of the Haradwaith do not directly strike each other, regardless of their declarations.

"We await your wise and gentle words, Harad."

- So speaketh Maethlin, Emissary of the Havens of Umbar.