Dux Arda: Lard of the Rings- The Men of Dale Force Information

(Just a preface, none of these pictures are my own)

The Men of Dale are a people who have reformed their kingdom within the last century. Under Bard’s line, the northmen have reforged their alliance with Durin’s Folk after the Battle of the Five Armies. This resulted in great wealth flowing back into the region, drawing many of the scattered peoples of Rhovanian and Dorwinion back to Dale. Due to their close relationship with Durin’s Folk, the Men of Dale are well-equipped for war. When they were approached by emissaries of Sauron, demanding they swear fealty, they and the dwarves turned them away, resulting in an invasion by Sauron’s Easterling allies. While the Men of Dale are well-prepared for war, they are still vastly outnumbered by their enemies, who are often just as well-trained and well-equipped as they are. However, the Men of Dale have known hardship and peril for many years and they will not balk in the defense of their realm.

The Dalian player takes the place of a Captain of Dale leading a small force of warriors defending a region of Dale. The forces of Rhun and the East are marching West, intent on slaughtering your people and taking your homes. You are sworn to stop them.

Gripping Beast Rus

One change from the Romano-British force in the Main Rules is the ability for the Dale Lord to have mounted units exchanged for some of their infantry. A Lord may elect to substitute six Elite foot soldiers with four Elite Shock Cavalry in any game. He may also elect to substitute six of his Warriors with four Warrior Shock Cavalry. The Lord may select one or both options, or he may elect to keep his men on foot. Men who are mounted will fight on horseback for the duration of the game; they may not dismount.

When fielding mounted troops, the Dalians may attach any of their Nobles to command the cavalry. If a Lord is mounted then his champion will be too. A mounted noble may only influence cavalry troops during the game.

The troop types of the Men of Dale are the same as troops presented for the Romano-British in the main rules and The Raiders supplement.

Gripping Beast Rus

Force Rules

Prepared for War: The Men of Dale, have just taken back their homes, are well-prepared to defend it to their dying breath. To Reflect this, at the start of the game, the Dalian player may make a pre-battle speech, even for Raids. When they roll for the results, they add a plus one (+1) to the result. If the player rolls a result of seven (7), rather than just receiving the results listed for a six (6), all infantry and cavalry groups will roll a plus one (+1) To Hit in the first round of combat in addition to the results for rolling a six (6). This modifier will stack with all other modifiers.

Gripping Beast Rus

Starting Forces

The starting forces for the Men of Dale are as follows: One Captain (Status III Lord), two Lieutenants (One Status II Noble and One Status I Noble), and a Champion.

Led by these Nobles, you will have one Group of Elite troops, two Groups of Warriors, and three Groups of Levy troops. All of these Groups will be six figures strong. You will also have one Group of four Missile troops armed with bows.

Reinforcements for the Men of Dale are gained the same way as the Romano-British in the main game.

Reinforcements which arrive using the reinforcements table as below.

Reinforcements arrive in the order shown, from 1 to 5. The first time a force receives

reinforcements it will gain the Group indicated in row 1, the second time the Group

shown in row 2, and so on up to row 5 after which no further reinforcements are

available. However, at any time a player may choose to take the Group from the row

numbered higher, but this will mean that he will never receive the Group he passes over.

Gripping Beast Rus

Order	Men of Dale
1	Four Missile Troops
2	Six Warriors
3	Six Warriors
4	Four Warrior Light Cavalry
5	Four Warrior Shock Cavalry with a Status II noble

Gripping Beast Rus

Men of Dale Cards

The Men of Dale begin the game with one Stout Hearts card and one Shieldwall Braced card. The balance of their hands are dealt at random from the Fate Deck. The remainder of their cards added to the Fate Deck are as follows:

Carpe Diem x 3

Strong Arm x 1

Hero of the Age x 1

Aggressive Charge x 2

Stout Hearts x 2

Stout Hearts- This card allows the Dalian player to not roll on the Force Morale Change table if he would normally be forced to do so. However, they may also chose to play this card after losing a combat. If they do so, they reduce the level of defeat by one. For example: If they are defeated by three (3) men killed the player may play the card and reduce the result to defeated by two (2) men killed. This is a Retreat Card in Post-Game Phase. (Use unused Romano-British cards to Represent this card, or make your own!)