Shorecon
convention scenario - Rangers and Stalkers Rescue Mission in Harondor
Note that this scenario is based on real-game events that have transpired, recorded elsewhere on the website. You can get further details of the area and situation in the “Scenarios” section under “Harondor”.
I. The Setting – The time period is mid Third Age in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth about 1700. The place is Harondor, a small under-developed country south of Gondor, north of Umbar. It is about 200 years after the Kin-Strife when the Gondorian Crown was briefly overthrown. The Usurper (‘Castamir’) was defeated and killed in the climactic battle, but his sons escaped and fled with allied houses (and most of Gondor’s navy) down to Umbar. These exiles became known as the ‘Corsairs of Umbar’ because of the naval might, and continued to plague Gondor until their ultimate destruction in the War of the Ring 1500 years later.
II. The Story – Nobles within Gondor supported a rebellion of Lords of Harondor to overthrow their Corsair overlords, without the support of the Gondorian King Tarendor, whose main attention is eastward. These Gondorian lords counted on an uprising by the Harondor people and ultimate intervention by Gondor, neither of which came.
The Corsairs responded with all-out naval attacks pillaging the coasts of Gondor, against which Gondor was almost hepless. Corsair tactics was Raid / Pillage / Burn, then leave before Gondorian troops could respond. The Corsairs naval power is far superior at this time to Gondor’s, but their army is very inferior due to their lack of numbers (the Corsairs that exiled were relatively few) and lack of a central, unified government. The Corsairs are ruled by 6 Princes who rule cooperatively, but rarely will all 6 fully cooperate at one time. Their primary motivation is profit and personal gain. Also, they will never all swear allegiance under 1 King.
Gondor’s King Tarondor never supported this subversive war to begin with. The Corsairs found this whole deal very expensive and inconvenient and wanted it ended as soon as possible. ‘Unofficial’ negotiations were opened, the Corsairs seeking removal of all Gondorian support from Harondor, Gondor wanting the raiding to end. A truce was called, with tension and mistrust on both sides. Tarondor then met with his wayward nobles and secured their adherence to the truce. Although Tarondor empathizes with the plight of Harendor, he has Gondor committed elsewhere at this time.
III. The Scenario – Princes of Ithilien and Dol Amroth were amongst those most involved in the ill-fated rebellion, so when the (un-acknowledged) Gondor army in Harondor was finally pinned down and destroyed by the Corsairs, most of those lost were from those provinces. This included some Rangers of Ithilien and Swan Knights of Dol Amroth. These nobles have decided to attempt to rescue some of these men, even though forbidden by the King. They have sent some Rangers down south to hire mercenaries to perform the rescue.
III–A. What’s important to the Rangers – Because of the unofficial truce between the Corsairs and Gondor, it’s important that this mission does not appear to have been performed by Gondorian forces. That’s why only a few Rangers are involved. These mercenaries, The Stalkers, have helped in the past, and they are being used again. They will be paid very well to not ask question, the contract is a flat fee with a very attractive head-price bonus for Gondorians rescued.
III-B. What’s important to the Stalkers – Although the name of the Stalkers is very old, this particular incarnation (under Captain Rohn) is less than 2 years old. The Stalkers want to get paid and this contract is for a lot. They have also received training from the Rangers for the last 2 weeks, particularly helpful with scouting, ambushes, night tactics and small unit actions. This will also enhance their reputation in the Mercenary community as a daring raid. They know the men that have hired them have a military feel to them, but no one mentions the ‘R’ word (Ranger).
IV. The Game System - Has been created by myself and another GM, with the help of our players, and has been in use for almost 20 years. It is primarily an interactive system between player and GM. Although there is are set rules, players are rewarded for initiative and originality, and can attempt anything that common sense or the situation dictates. A basic understanding of the rules are helpful, and a characters abilities are described on the players sheet in a simple format. If a player wants to attempt something and is not sure how to accomplish it in the system, just describe what you are doing to the GM and he will tell you how.
V. The Characters - The mission will consist of 3-5 Rangers and 12-20 Mercenaries depending on player participation. Listed below are characters in the game, available to players unless otherwise noted. Some characters not chosen by a player will not be NPC’d, but are included for diversity and character attrition. The characters will include a few Ithilien Rangers and men of the ‘Stalkers’ mercenary company of Harendor. There may also be some other special characters available for play, these will be surprises at the convention. For Descriptions of characters click here!
