The Third Age: A Lord of the Rings RP (OOC)

[The Starlight]

Ah, that rinds me Starlight, you should put up an Archive post.

No way that's going to happen buddy. But it won't be that hard to find if you are really looking for it.

[The Starlight]

Alright time to attack Lorien. Muahahaha.

Shh, you're giving way the secrets of plan Embossed Smokey Bear!

WHAT??? Bearon, I thought we were friends?!?
But if that's going to be how it is, send them on over. At least half of them will be decimated by the Rohirrim and the other half will be target practice for my elves and a time to test those new tactics I've been working on for my elves.

[G-Tech Corporation]

Oops sorry.

Just a question. I know that elves are stronger than goblins and orcs but if they're completely outnumbered can they just be swarmed over and beaten?

Certainly; case in point, movie Helm's Deep, or Silmarillion Doriath, if I remember correctly. Those strength ratings are more of a rule of thumb than a hard and fast appraisal; tactics are what counts, but the strengths just inform general success. For instance, if Gondor takes a hundred casualties in battle with my Morannon Orcs, I know my casualties should be around a bit over double theirs.

1.You could easely defeat Mordor at Dol Guldur...
2.Why attacking Moria?

Not exactly, whoever attacks across the river will be sitting ducks for any archers. That's why I'm just waiting for them to attack to show them why they should fear elven markmanship.
We are attacking Moria because the Council knows that the dwarves are dead and that something evil is there.

Heh, exactly why I'm not sending my delightful Orcish pincushions across the Anduin, You'll enjoy how I end up assaulting Lorien.

Ah, that rinds me Starlight, you should put up an Archive post.

No way that's going to happen buddy. But it won't be that hard to find if you are really looking for it.

Erm, all factions kinda have to put up one haha.

[The Starlight]

Saruman nodded in agreement at the plan Gandalf had presented. Unbeknownst to Gandalf or the rest of the White Council a creature of great evil from the first age lay in wait in Moria along with the innumerable goblins there. Any forces sent there would be decimated and only serve to weaken the forces of good. Saruman smiled and thought "And if they wake the Balrog so much the better."

Results: Continued expansion of the Isengard tunnels. Recruitment of 250 Urak-Hai 250 Orcs 1,000 goblins and 100 Wargriders.

Why is Saruman the only one to know of the Balrog? If he knows, at least Elrond, or one of the loremasters should know too.

[G-Tech Corporation]

Saruman nodded in agreement at the plan Gandalf had presented. Unbeknownst to Gandalf or the rest of the White Council a creature of great evil from the first age lay in wait in Moria along with the innumerable goblins there. Any forces sent there would be decimated and only serve to weaken the forces of good. Saruman smiled and thought "And if they wake the Balrog so much the better."

Results: Continued expansion of the Isengard tunnels. Recruitment of 250 Urak-Hai 250 Orcs 1,000 goblins and 100 Wargriders.

Why is Saruman the only one to know of the Balrog? If he knows, at least Elrond, or one of the loremasters should know too.

I'm certain Gandalf does too, offhand.

[The Starlight]

Oops sorry.

Just a question. I know that elves are stronger than goblins and orcs but if they're completely outnumbered can they just be swarmed over and beaten?

Certainly; case in point, movie Helm's Deep, or Silmarillion Doriath, if I remember correctly. Those strength ratings are more of a rule of thumb than a hard and fast appraisal; tactics are what counts, but the strengths just inform general success. For instance, if Gondor takes a hundred casualties in battle with my Morannon Orcs, I know my casualties should be around a bit over double theirs.

Not exactly, whoever attacks across the river will be sitting ducks for any archers. That's why I'm just waiting for them to attack to show them why they should fear elven markmanship.
We are attacking Moria because the Council knows that the dwarves are dead and that something evil is there.

Heh, exactly why I'm not sending my delightful Orcish pincushions across the Anduin, You'll enjoy how I end up assaulting Lorien.

No way that's going to happen buddy. But it won't be that hard to find if you are really looking for it.

Erm, all factions kinda have to put up one haha.

Please....
Besides, only you, Variag Khanate, Erebor/Iron Hills, Rohan, Rhun, Gondor and the Spiders have put it up. So not everyone has done it yet.

[Bearon]

Put what up? Also Saruman in the movie seemed to be the only one who knew while Gandalf merely suspected.

[The Starlight]

Oops sorry.

Just a question. I know that elves are stronger than goblins and orcs but if they're completely outnumbered can they just be swarmed over and beaten?

Certainly; case in point, movie Helm's Deep, or Silmarillion Doriath, if I remember correctly. Those strength ratings are more of a rule of thumb than a hard and fast appraisal; tactics are what counts, but the strengths just inform general success. For instance, if Gondor takes a hundred casualties in battle with my Morannon Orcs, I know my casualties should be around a bit over double theirs.

Not exactly, whoever attacks across the river will be sitting ducks for any archers. That's why I'm just waiting for them to attack to show them why they should fear elven markmanship.
We are attacking Moria because the Council knows that the dwarves are dead and that something evil is there.

Heh, exactly why I'm not sending my delightful Orcish pincushions across the Anduin, You'll enjoy how I end up assaulting Lorien.

No way that's going to happen buddy. But it won't be that hard to find if you are really looking for it.

Erm, all factions kinda have to put up one haha.

Good then I have my Wardens surrounding all of my borders then. Just saying, you may not want to attack me. You might find yourself receiving a little surprise when you do so. Just warning you. And besides, is conquering a little elven kingdom really that much of a priority? What about the elves of Mirkwood that are much greater in number than those of Lorien?

[Limborg]

Well, its kinda my most important thing there... Word of Balin's dead and all would surely convince dwarvenclans of sending aid and all.
Anyhow, he still has time to reply, i will make the last post (Dwalin exiting Khazad-Dûm) around page 6 so probably in a day or two. Well, it wasn't heavily defended, or at least not by the orcs... Aslong as a person kept quiet he could wander around there for months without anyone knowing it. The orcs kept themselves to certain area's becouse of the Balrog, so they kept quiet and wouldn't do much unless it was serious.

Yes, at the special time when the Fellowship was passing, there were no guards. But it's disingenuous to the Misty Mountains player to assume he utilizes the same (daft) stratagem. I always assume competence in fellow RPers, posting sentries, having supplies, etc.

More to the point, why would Balin being dead unite the clans?

Yeah, but he can't just walk around in Khazad-Dûm doing alot, that would mean trouble with the Balrog and it would mean that tons of his orcs/goblins would get killed.
Well, Khazad-Dûm was considerd the greatest Dwarvenkingdom in the world, even by the dwarves that never owned it. Balin was colonizing it again, brining it back to life, wich was a big deal for the dwarves. Hearing of his death would make them want to reclaim it more and more, If only to restore the might that the dwarves once had.
Its also one of the most tactical points from where an assault on Gundabad could take place, wich is equal if not more important to the dwarves.
Balin's death would bring the dwarves together to get rid of the orcs in the Misty Mountains. Deals could be formed more easy to allow such things. Dwarves cared about eachother just enough for that.

Oops sorry.

Just a question. I know that elves are stronger than goblins and orcs but if they're completely outnumbered can they just be swarmed over and beaten?

That Always depends on the whole tactical aspect, and so its very unlikely, especially since they are the ones that can pick the place of the fight (defender advantage)

1.You could easely defeat Mordor at Dol Guldur...
2.Why attacking Moria?

Not exactly, whoever attacks across the river will be sitting ducks for any archers. That's why I'm just waiting for them to attack to show them why they should fear elven markmanship.
We are attacking Moria because the Council knows that the dwarves are dead and that something evil is there.

They can't even know that the dwarves are dead... Balin's death was (in the lore) discovered by the fellowship. In the RP it has only been discovered by Dwalin, who is still inside Khazad-Dûm as we speak.

[The Starlight]

Put what up? Also Saruman in the movie seemed to be the only one who knew while Gandalf merely suspected.

Put up an archive of how many soldiers you have. The link is here...
viewtopic.php?f=31&t=300980

[Bearon]

I think you'll be surprised at how I assault Lorien.

[G-Tech Corporation]

That's almost all the factions. Besides, I'll look sternly at them too later. It's to allow us to have a publicly accountable map of force dispositions OOCly; I mean, it wouldn't be exactly fair for me to pull fifty thousand Orcs out of Dol Guldur suddenly to flatten you, kapesh? The Archive stops that.

As far as attacking you; I haven't decided to attack you yet, obviously, because my Orcs aren't marching west this instant. That doesn't mean I'm not giving myself the option though.

[Limborg]

Saruman nodded in agreement at the plan Gandalf had presented. Unbeknownst to Gandalf or the rest of the White Council a creature of great evil from the first age lay in wait in Moria along with the innumerable goblins there. Any forces sent there would be decimated and only serve to weaken the forces of good. Saruman smiled and thought "And if they wake the Balrog so much the better."

Results: Continued expansion of the Isengard tunnels. Recruitment of 250 Urak-Hai 250 Orcs 1,000 goblins and 100 Wargriders.

Why is Saruman the only one to know of the Balrog? If he knows, at least Elrond, or one of the loremasters should know too.

All educated people knew, the Istari's, elves and Dwarves for sure. It wasn't a mistery you know...

[The Starlight]

Yes, at the special time when the Fellowship was passing, there were no guards. But it's disingenuous to the Misty Mountains player to assume he utilizes the same (daft) stratagem. I always assume competence in fellow RPers, posting sentries, having supplies, etc.

More to the point, why would Balin being dead unite the clans?

Yeah, but he can't just walk around in Khazad-Dûm doing alot, that would mean trouble with the Balrog and it would mean that tons of his orcs/goblins would get killed.
Well, Khazad-Dûm was considerd the greatest Dwarvenkingdom in the world, even by the dwarves that never owned it. Balin was colonizing it again, brining it back to life, wich was a big deal for the dwarves. Hearing of his death would make them want to reclaim it more and more, If only to restore the might that the dwarves once had.
Its also one of the most tactical points from where an assault on Gundabad could take place, wich is equal if not more important to the dwarves.
Balin's death would bring the dwarves together to get rid of the orcs in the Misty Mountains. Deals could be formed more easy to allow such things. Dwarves cared about eachother just enough for that.

Oops sorry.

Just a question. I know that elves are stronger than goblins and orcs but if they're completely outnumbered can they just be swarmed over and beaten?

That Always depends on the whole tactical aspect, and so its very unlikely, especially since they are the ones that can pick the place of the fight (defender advantage)

Not exactly, whoever attacks across the river will be sitting ducks for any archers. That's why I'm just waiting for them to attack to show them why they should fear elven markmanship.
We are attacking Moria because the Council knows that the dwarves are dead and that something evil is there.

They can't even know that the dwarves are dead... Balin's death was (in the lore) discovered by the fellowship. In the RP it has only been discovered by Dwalin, who is still inside Khazad-Dûm as we speak.

Woops, my mistake.

[The Starlight]

Why is Saruman the only one to know of the Balrog? If he knows, at least Elrond, or one of the loremasters should know too.

All educated people knew, the Istari's, elves and Dwarves for sure. It wasn't a mistery you know...

Yep, it just doesn't seem like that in the IC.

[The Starlight]

That's almost all the factions. Besides, I'll look sternly at them too later. It's to allow us to have a publicly accountable map of force dispositions OOCly; I mean, it wouldn't be exactly fair for me to pull fifty thousand Orcs out of Dol Guldur suddenly to flatten you, kapesh? The Archive stops that.

As far as attacking you; I haven't decided to attack you yet, obviously, because my Orcs aren't marching west this instant. That doesn't mean I'm not giving myself the option though.

Fine you win...
My archive should come up sometime before the rest of today. Though I think the others just don't know about it. I myself just stumbled on it. Now I wish I hadn't...

[The Starlight]

I think you'll be surprised at how I assault Lorien.

Great, now I have you and G-tech to worry about.

[Bearon]

When did it mention everybody knew in the books or movies? And if they knew why the hell would the fellowship travel that way?

[G-Tech Corporation]

Mm, to an extent Dan; actually in the book the Balrog fought alongside the Orcs at the Chamber of Mazarbul, which would mean he can move his forces as he sees fit. Only in the movie are they afraid of him, and even then they're clearly able to avoid him.

As far as Balin's party, it was small in number and little in support. It's nice, and a matter of pride for the Longbeards as it had to do with their ancestral home, but I'm dubious of the other clans being inflamed by the death of even a modestly important Dwarf of the Longbeards in an area known to be infested with Orcs and, notably, a Balrog.

[Limborg]

All educated people knew, the Istari's, elves and Dwarves for sure. It wasn't a mistery you know...

Yep, it just doesn't seem like that in the IC.

The only thing nobody knew is what the Balrog looked like, this becouse it happend a long time ago and everybody who had seen the Balrog is dead...

Also, i guess you should find another excuse to attack Khazad-Dûm, although i still don't see the whole point of it... The balrog 1.couldn't leave or 2. just refused to leave (becouse Galadriel and Celeborn would be capable of defeating it). So he's basicly stuck there all the way...

[Bearon]

I honestly don't think either Galadriel or Celebrorn would be capable of defeating it. Besides that where are you getting the fact that everybody knew about it? If they did know about it why would they have taken the path through Moria.

[Elerian]

Are there any factions left besides Dale? I don't really think this whole dragon thing is going to end up going anywhere.

[Limborg]

When did it mention everybody knew in the books or movies? And if they knew why the hell would the fellowship travel that way?

Frodo chose it. But yeah, most knew about the Balrog.

Mm, to an extent Dan; actually in the book the Balrog fought alongside the Orcs at the Chamber of Mazarbul, which would mean he can move his forces as he sees fit. Only in the movie are they afraid of him, and even then they're clearly able to avoid him.

As far as Balin's party, it was small in number and little in support. It's nice, and a matter of pride for the Longbeards as it had to do with their ancestral home, but I'm dubious of the other clans being inflamed by the death of even a modestly important Dwarf of the Longbeards in an area known to be infested with Orcs and, notably, a Balrog.

They did not... Sauron sended the orcs in TA 2480 to close all passages, The Balrog had awoken 500 years before that. The Orcs feared the balrog, they wheren't his forces.
From LOTR Wiki:

The Dwarves attempted to fight the Balrog, but its power was far too great. Despite their efforts to hold Khazad-dûm against it King Náin and many of the Dwarves were killed, and the survivors were forced to flee. News of the disaster reached the Silvan Elves of Lothlórien, who called the Balrog the Nameless Terror (not knowing its true nature at the time), and who began to refer to Khazad-dûm as Moria (dark abyss).

For five hundred years, Moria was left to the Balrog. Sauron began to put his plans for war into effect around the year TA 2480 of the Third Age, and sent orcs and trolls to the Misty Mountains to bar all of the passes. Some of these creatures came to Moria, where they stayed in uneasy alliance with the Balrog, which they feared and referredhim as ghâsh (fire).

Small in number/support? we don't know that, they had driven out many of the orcs and progressed very good on their way.
Ofcourse the Longbeards would care most, but in the end the others would care aswell. Dwarves had strong bonds amongst the clans, even when they didn't liked eachother, they united against a common enemy.
Now Khazad-Dûm is very important for the Dwarves. Even more important is Gundabad, and one cannot make either of the two safe without controlling the other. Now that Khazad-Dûm is lost, they will need to get both. Dwarves know this.
Another thing is that htey fought a battle for Khazad-Dûm before, but like explained before, it ended at the gate becouse of the low numbrers and low morale. The orcs of the Misty Mountains haven't been as strong as they where back then, so yeah, i think they would join up with all of that.

EDIT: Found out wich part you meant, well, i have only one simple thing to say on that a single dwarf is a whole other story then a freaking Istari. Especially since the Istari was an enemy of Mordor, and Mordor probably knew (from Saruman) that they where going through Moria. With this together its likely that the orcs had orders to kill him, and therefor fighting alongside the Balrog, who at that moment was occupied enough with Gandalf alone. Anyhow, the problem has also alot to do with the "image" of a Balrog. We know the image of the movies, but according to the books a Balrog was only "bigger then a man", wich doesn't exactly implies a giant creature....

[Limborg]

Are there any factions left besides Dale? I don't really think this whole dragon thing is going to end up going anywhere.

I dunno, Blue Mountains is open aswell i guess

[Limborg]

I honestly don't think either Galadriel or Celebrorn would be capable of defeating it. Besides that where are you getting the fact that everybody knew about it? If they did know about it why would they have taken the path through Moria.

Again, frodo chose the path.

Galadriel and Celeborn where one, if not, the most powerfull elves in Middle-Earth. Elves and Balrogs had fough in wars before during the early ages. Considering that Lothlórien would know instantly when the balrog would leave, those two would get to him and surely defeat him.