We finished "Kinstrife & Dark Tidings" last night, and I incorporated our very own "Mythic BattlesJamesRBrown's rules for mass combat in TOR.

If you haven't looked them over, James' rules are very similar to the Journey rules, testing against Battle instead of Travel and causing Endurance loss rather than Fatigue gain.

For the final battle scene against Valter the Bloody's bandit army, I used the Mythic Battles rules rather than play out the combat encounters as suggested in TfW. We had a BLAST.

As the battle would take place at the Old Ford (rather than the more advantageous Gloomy Fold or less advantageous Stoneyford), I set the relative strengths and "engagement mood" at moderate levels. Had circumstances (derived from the roleplaying choices) been different, those levels would have been skewed one way or the other.

In TfW, the battle is played out a combat with 3 outlaws per 2 companions. At the end of that combat, Beorn shows up and the outlaws are defeated.

I liked the idea of Beorn showing up, so the players knew they had to hold the ford with the gathered Beornings against the enemy until reinforcements (presumably Beorn himself) arrived.

I had decided that Beorn would show up on a suitable roll after a minimum of 5 battle turns, assuming that the battle had not already been resolved one way or the other.

Like Journey rolls, an EYE indicates a hazard of some sort. James provides some good examples to run with, and a number of them came up in our battle providing some dramatic moments.

MAN it was a tough fight. By the end of five turns (representing roughly 30-60 minutes each), the companions were all weary and hope was dwindling (in all senses). They had held off wave after wave, they still had the edge on the field, but it was looking like the companions might not survive to celebrate a victory.

When it was time to roll for the outcome of the next assault (a Feat die), the overzealous player rolled not only the Feat die but his 2 skill dice for Battle. Gandalf and 2 Tengwar runes! If that wasn't the sign that it was time for Beorn to arrive, I don't know what one is.

The Beorning start chanting "Beorn! Beorn! Beorn!" The companions all roll to Intimidate - AND ALL SUCCEED.

Beorn fell on the rear of the enemy while the companions and Beornings surged across the ford into their foes, routing them from the field. It was a fitting and dramatic end to the hard-fought battle.

Everyone enjoyed the session and the Mythic Battles rules made for a nice way to break up the normal style of play but with rules that were still familiar to everyone.

It was also a great way to resolve the battle in a way that wasn't predetermined (as it is in TfW). If the companions lose the battle, they lose. If they aren't opposing the battle hazards, the army will most likely be defeated. It made their presence meaningful and gave them some real choices in the battle. Good stuff.

Thanks to JamesRBrown for sharing these rules!

Great report CraftyShafty! I can't wait to use James' Mythic Battle rules when my game starts up again this week and we'll be beginning Kinstrife so I'll have to post how it went with me and compare it to yours above.

Personally, there are some great rule additions by us all here, but I think James' Mythic Battles are the best of the bunch. They really are an exceptional piece of work. I actually think they should be made part of the official rules. They really are that good.

Great report CraftyShafty! Thank you for such wonderful feedback and for all the nice comments. I want to once again recognize my partner Scott Hodgman (Eluadin), who was and continues to be an invaluable friend and collaborator.

Yes! I apologize - I didn't mean to overlook Scott's contribution.

If I had one request, it would be to have a text-only version of the document. It looks like the PDF is saved as image files, so it's pretty slow to load. In game use, I would use a simple text version of the tables, etc, to speed up use in play.

That wish has already been granted (unless my printer friendly version is not what you are looking for). Just visit my blog and look for the doc labeled NEW and printer friendly!

Lovely!

Thanks again for your work - that adds a lot to the game.

I'm also about to start Kinstrife & Darktidings with my group this weekend, and I'm also planning to use James & Eluadin's Mythic battles. (Although we likely won't get to the battle this weekend.)

Damn double post.

Oh well may as well try to type something interesting...nope got nothing.