DESCRIPTION
The evils of war are shown no greater than by the brutal hands of the Uruk-hai Berserkers. Reports had been coming in to the Helm's Deep column that a group of Berserkers, led by a merciless Uruk-hai Captain, were butchering their way through the mountain country. The people of these mountain passes have lived in fear of these vile murderers that call themselves the Butchers of Isengard.

Hoping to save what's left of the mountain folk, Théoden orders Gamling and his Rohan Royal Guard to hunt down these murderers in the mountain passes before they kill again. After days of searching, Gamling and his men corner the Butchers of Isengard in one of the high mountain passes. Under a blood red moon, the two forces clash in an epic display of Good versus Evil.

Faithful protector of Théoden, Gamling is always by his King's side.

PARTICIPANTS
On the Good side, there is Gamling mounted with the Royal Standard of Rohan, a Rohan Captain mounted with shield and throwing spear, 12 mounted Rohan Royal Guard with throwing spears, and 12 Riders of Rohan with throwing spears.

On the Evil side is Grahl, an Uruk-hai Captain with shield, and 30 Berserkers.

POINTS MATCH
Each side should be 500 points with no more than 33% of either side with shooting weapons.

The Butchers of Isengard - Click to enlarge.

LAYOUT
Play on a roughly 48" by 48" board. The high cliff overlooks a deep valley which can be represented by measuring out a distance of 36" from the right side of the board, stopping 12" from the left side. To represent the edge of the cliff use felt along a zigzag line from the top of the table to the bottom.

STARTING POSITIONS
Good side: The Good side can line up anywhere along the right side of the table, no more than 6" in.

Evil side: The Evil side is camped 5" from the edge of the cliff. They should be positioned in the mid-section of the cliff's edge taking up about 12" for their camp.

THE OBJECTIVE
This scenario is a bloodbath encounter. The Berserkers will not flee the battlefield so the Good side must slay each and every one of them. So determined are Gamling and his men that nothing short of total victory will be acceptable. Therefore, the Good side must slay the entire Evil force to earn a victory. The Evil side must also slay the Good forces or get them to flee. If the Berserkers can manage to kill Gamling they can force a draw even if their force is destroyed. So, to be successful, the Royal Guard must protect their leader!

SPECIAL RULES
Anyone forced to the cliff's edge will be trapped and must also see if they fall over the edge, (1-3) they fall to their deaths, (4-6) they remain pinned but steadfast.

Ever thought about how the actors of The Lord of The Rings film trilogy feel about their characters' decisions in battle? Would they have fought them differently from their film counterparts? Stephen Grant, the creator of The Butchers of Isengard scenario was fortunate enough to meet up with Bruce Hopkins who played Gamling in The Two Towers.

Next: Interview with Bruce Hopkins

Related Articles:
The Wrath of Rohan | Defence of The Westfold