Hobbits In Moria

Well, my Cigar Box plush game mats came and I thought this would be the opportunity to show them off with a couple of "show and tell" posts with some terrain and figures.
Enjoy some pics and fluff!

So after the fall of the Shire, the allied defenders were able to escape with most of the civilian population.  (And while I have figures for all the combat ready Hobbits, I leave it to your imagination that thousands of civilian halflings are shuffling along behind the front lines).
Most importantly, Bugman's quest for supplies was accomplished;  food, pipeweed, and beer!
Dwarves from the Reaper & Grenadier Clans, as well as the Thunderers were tasked with the tactical retreat at the back of the allied columns.
The Highlander Dwarves scouted far ahead of the main column and were able to identify an Orcish ambush at the West entrance in Hollin.
Saruman's Orcs from Isengard were waiting for them!
So Bugman and the other commanders held counsel and decided to take the Redhorn Pass east over the mountains and from there they could approach Dimrill Dale and the Eastern Entrance to Moria.
And were the skies ready to blast them with snow?
No.  Something must be distracting Saruman and his weather control spells.  I wonder...

Now we take you to the action at the main allied column with Bugman and his allies!

The allies are just about to exit the Redhorn Pass.
Moria is close!

Here we see Bugman leading the front, the Beer Cart behind him, the Shire Hobbit Militia, and finally Commander Guts and his Blue Mountain Dwarves.

There is a hushed awe as the stunties behold the Eastern Entrance to Moria.
For the Hobbits, its both awe and a nervousness about their (hopefully) new home.

For the Blue Mountain Dwarves, it is their first sight of their ancestral homeland.
Many of them are young Dwarves born long after the loss of Khazad Dum to the Balrog... Durin's Bane!

Bugman and his Beer Guards are anxious for news concerning the state of the Dwarven colony.
Have they arrived in time to supply their brothers?
Or have the forces of Darkness defeated the stalwart defenders?

Lobelia and Frumpy Bolger lead the Shire Militia.
Despite the important historical moment, some Hobbits can still be seen munching on drumsticks.
Chicken... good.

And Frodo the Ringbearer has come to Moria.
With no Gandalf, no Aragorn.
Well, he has Legolas at least.
And Sam.
And Merry and Pippin.

Its a smaller Fellowship this time around, but at least they got some proper armies with them!

The Beer Cart driver really needs a break, a good walk around to get some feeling back into his legs!

Lobelia, at least, was busy during the retreat to Moria.
She was able to weave a flag for the Shire Militia, complete with poultry heraldry.
Afterall, what Hobbit wouldnt march under a food related banner!

Left to Right:  Legolas, Frodo, Pickles, Bugman

Pickles:  If you look to your left you will see a lake, the Mirrormere.  And further on, is the valley of Dimrill Dale.  And right behind us...  according to the map, we are here!  Moria, Khazad Dum, the Dwarrow Delf, the Halls of Durin! 

Bugman:  Just you wait, little Hobbits.  You will see the legendary hospitality of the Dwarves.  Malt Beer, BBQ meats, and we will even get to watch a good game of Dungeon Bowl!

Frodo:  Mr Bugman, sir, I need to talk to someone in charge, like one of your Dwarf Kings.  I have a really important secret that Ive been wanting to tell someone... anyone... its about this One Rrrr...

Legolas: (shushing and elbowing Frodo in the ribs)  Listen!

Bugman: I dont hear nothing...

Legolas:  Its because you Dwarves have fat eardrums.  But nothing escapes my finely tuned Elven senses!  Its coming from the Entrance to Moria itself!  A sound as if a thousand warriors in full armor were marching toward us...

Pickles:  Hmm... well according to my map (its the Marauder's map)  I see some pretty big signals coming our way...

Bugman:  Well, who is it? Is it Dwarves or Orcs?  Let me guess...  We will find out in the next blog post, huh?


~~~


Too right you are, Mr Bugman!
Oh before we get too far into the post script, lets take a look at that Dwarven Mine Entrance again, shall we...?

Its from Eslo, another german company like Ziterdes.
But they sell their terrain pieces already painted.
I might touch them up a bit here and there, but its mostly "good enough".

Another view of the Mine Entrance.

~~~

How about that Cigar Box plushy mat, huh?
Its the Lost Temple design.
I got 4 of these plush mats and they are double sided, so I have 8 designs altogether.
They are basically just really soft blankets with some great art on them.
I love them, and cant recommend them enough!
My rating?   5 Axes out of 5!
Stuntie Mithril Seal of Approval!

So, the Ring Bearer is getting closer and closer to Mordor without guidance from the wise elders of Middle Earth.
Well there is the constant elbows of Legolas at least!

Will Frodo stay with the Dwarves or move on to Lothlorien?
Will Gandalf ever break out of Isengard?
One thing is for sure... big happenings are about to erupt in Moria!

Next post:   More plush mats and stuff!


Cheers,
Mar