The Elfking’s Gold

Following the Battle of Five Armies, Dáin divides Smaug’s hoard fairly between the Elves and Men. He sends wagon loads of gold off to Laketown and the halls of the Elfking. Unfortunately, the wagons are ambushed by marauding Goblin renegades on their way to the Elfking – the Dwarf guard must fight off the attackers and get the gold through!

For this game you will need a number of wagons – we’d suggest three. These can be pieces of card cut to the standard base size if you want, but you might be able to make something a little more realistic or perhaps press another model into service (model railway accessories do make nice scenic pieces, for examples). The battle takes place on a battlefield that has numerous woods and rocky areas, a few hills and a road that runs at an angle form one side of the table to the other (about 160cm long).

The wagons are placed in convoy on the road and have to reach the opposite table edge to escape. They can only travel along the road. Wagons don’t move by orders, initiative or in any usual way (e.g., drive backs or making way). Instead, wagons automatically move along the road 10cm at the start of the Dwarf Command phase and a further 10cm at the end of the Dwarf player’s turn. Wagons cannot attack or fight and will stop 1cm in front of any blocking units of enemy. If attacked, wagons have 3 hits each and Armour values of 4+. Wagons receive a bonus in combat of +1, so if an enemy fails to score at all, the wagon will always win. If wagons become embroiled in a larger engagement, they still contribute their bonus. Wagons forced to retreat are destroyed. Wagons that win a combat always stand. Wagons cannot he driven back as a result of shooting.

The Dwarf players can only choose Dwarves apart from a maximum of one Elf unit and one Elf character (sent by the Elfking to escort the convoy). The Goblin player can choose any number of Goblins, Wargs, Spiders and Hill Trolls, but must include at least the usual minimums for all Goblin types.

The Dwarves win if they get more wagons off the table than the Goblins destroy. The Goblins win if they destroy more wagons than the Dwarves get off the table. If either side withdraws before either condition is fulfilled, the winner is the side with the most wagons destroyed/off the table. If both sides have the same, the result is a draw.