Farmer Maggot's Crop

 A while back, we had a go at the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game.  Arthur wasn't too keen on it at the time, but since then he's developed a bit more of an interest.  So we decided to have another go at the narrative campaign for the Quest of the Ringbearer.

First game in the book has Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin trying to rob Farmer Maggot's crop.  It's a great intro game, as there are only 8 models in the whole game (Farmer Maggot, his three hounds, Fang, Grip and Wolf, and the four young hobbits).  Furthermore, the young hobbits don't have Might, Will or Fate in this game, so we were able to focus on the primary game mechanics.

The scenario starts with the four young ones planning their raid on Maggot's field.  Maggot is in his house, and the dogs are at the kennel.  Frodo and his team need to collect the goods from the enclosed field and take them back to the stash point (the small grey crypt).

Three dogs at the kennel.

The dogs are (not surprisingly) much faster than the hobbits.  Here, Merry and Pippin distract the hounds while Frodo and Sam gather some goods.

Frodo and Sam haul their loot to the stash point, while Merry and Pippin battle the dogs.  Two of the dogs were chased back to the kennel, where Maggot refreshes them and send them back into the fray.

Maggot encourages Fang to get back into the fight.

Farmer Maggot decides that the time has come that he should directly confront the thieves.  The three dogs have Sam cornered, while Frodo and his cousins haul two more loot markers to the stash point. 

Sam has had enough and is chased away, leaving Frodo to face Maggot and the dogs.

Frodo is chased away as Merry and Pippin move up to try and help him.

With Frodo gone, Farmer Maggot captures Merry while the dogs get Pippin.

In the end, it was a near run game.  Frodo and company were able to take 4 loot bundles to the stash point, but they needed 5 to win the game.  It was fun, and we're looking forward to carrying on the quest.  If you are nearby to Burnaby, let me know and maybe you can join in one of the coming games.