Scenario: LA.com in Middle Earth

[Dark Silver]

Shamelessly stolen from a old SDnet/SB thread:

The 30 most active users on LA.com BBS and anyone with military experience from here is sent to Middle Earth around TA 3000 (one year before the beginning of FOTR). The main war does not begin until TA 3018.

Present there is a large-sized military base, with .50 cal machine guns and 40mm grenade launchers fixed in armored towers with vast ammo stores that cannot be removed. There are thick concrete walls and a trench, which is spanned by a drawbridge.

Inside are ample barracks and training facilities, a well-stocked medical clinic, a fully functional chemistry lab with supplies, a library of pertinent books, and 150 of the various unarmed versions of the Hummer (tanker, truck,).

Munitions are comprised of a massive supply of rations, uniforms, body armor, fuel, and the following ammo types: 9mm NATO, .40 S&W, 7.62mm NATO, and 5.56mmm NATO, as well as various 12ga shotgun shells.

All those teleported get to choose a pistol and a SMG, Pump-action shotgun, or rifle, but they have no ammo other than that listed above. People who are experienced with firearms may additionally bring a SAW or M60, as well as their personal weapons. They can carry one backpack each. They are automatically immunized to any middle-earth diseases, cured of any current infectious diseases, and know Westron fluently with decent Sindarin. Command is decided upon once everyone is sorted.

The objective: Neutralize Saruman's forces, and distract the forces of Mordor long enough for the Fellowship to sneak in. Any who completes this operation will recieve a doubled life expectancy (triple for the commanders), treasure, and the ability to return home if you desire.

What do you bring, and how well do we do?

[Josh]

I get drunk and send Knife and Frigid to kill everyone.

Although some may say 'Two Marines? That's overkill.' I say 'Overkill is the best kind.'

[Elheru Aran]

Upon checking the memberlist...

Top 30 posters are, in order:

Petrosjko
Cynical Cat
Caz
Pcm979
Ace Pace
Bratty
Ra
Kreshna
Walper
Frigid
Dart
B4
Dark Silver/Darklord Steel
Charon
Comrade Tortise
Stofsk
Lindar
Destructionator
imperfect vision
Morrigan
Dakarne
Soontir948
Cleric
Batman
Nitram
Rogue 9
Mayabird
me
Necrontyr Messenger
ImpishAngel

And with that list taken care of... mm...

Those with military experience, some not in top 30--

Knife
Frigid
B4
Cpl Kendall
Chardok
CDiehl maybe? Can't remember

Anybody else with military experience, please speak up and I'll add you...

EDIT: Added Impish considering Darklord Steel/DS are the same person. And Petro, it's not MY fault you picked a name so damn hard to spell!
EDIT1a: Modified list slightly. So I'm anal about being precise...

EDIT2: Added those with military experience.

[Rogue 9]

I'm not well up on firearms. I get a good 12 gauge pump action, an M-16 because I know I'll have ammo for it, and some sort of .40 handgun.

Nitram and I are at least moderately skilled in some of the weapons we'll come across in Middle Earth itself, which will almost certainly come in useful at some point. Of course you don't want to use swords when you can shoot the orcs in the head, but it's always good to have a backup plan, and melee might become common since, after all, it's what the enemy's looking for. Training in the use of blades is, I think, a must for this situation.

[Rogue 9]

Upon checking the memberlist...

Top 30 posters are, in order:

Petrosjiko
Cynical Cat
Caz
Pcm979
Ace Pace
Bratty
Ra
Kreshna
Walper
Frigid
Dart
B4
Dark Silver
Charon
Comrade Tortise
Stofsk
Lindar
Destructionator
imperfect vision
Morrigan
Dakarne
Soontir948
Cleric
Batman
Nitram
Rogue 9
Mayabird
Darklord Steel
me
Necrontyr Messenger

And with that list taken care of... mm...

Put in one more. Dark Silver and Darklord Steel are the same guy.

[Josh]

Who the fuck is 'Petrosjiko'?

[Elheru Aran]

Righto.

First off-- exactly WHERE is this base? Please do be precise, ktyvm...

And as for what I would bring.
Rifle: H&K G3 or G36, 7.62mm NATO.
Pistol: H&K USP, .40 S&W.
SMG: Needs to be simple and *reliable*. The MP-5 would be the logical choice, but it's rather complex, IIRC. The Sterling, on the other hand, is highly reliable and fairly simple, not to mention pretty accurate, plus decent mag capacity-- 34 rounds. Plus, who wouldn't like to be carrying about the stormtrooper gun?

Ahem. Weapons aside. How big a backpack can we carry? Cause if 'backpack' includes an USMC-size duffel, then you could load a shitload of stuff in one of those...

I'll go with the standard, about.... eh... 2 cubic feet? regular size backpack. I know for a fact you can stuff a crapload of books into those... I would pack a single-volume edition of LotR, the Silmarillion, and if room, select volumes of the other Middle-Earth writings of JRRT. I'd also toss in some gold or silver bullion or coins-- it'll still be valuable there, and might be useful in trading with dwarves. I would also include volumes treating upon gunsmithing, basic chemistry, and basic engineering (think what Ash had in Evil Dead). Oh yes, and blacksmithing, as well as agriculture. Cause we're gonna need to feed ourselves at some point...

Hm. Missed the 'library' bit. In that case, ditch the books. Spend some money, have a coat of high-quality armour made with modern materials-- Kevlar, ballistic nylon, the like-- basically a back and breast, but resistant to just about anything short of bodkin points and close-range crossbows. Wear that as I go through the portal or whatever, save room in my bag.

Fill that extra space with extra books (do we know what's in the library? For all we know it might've been Dr. Seuss for the base's children...). Metallurgy, blacksmithing, engineering, chemistry. Include a gas mask; we're gonna want to work on developing chemical weapons at some point. Mustard gas can, IIRC, be synthesized rather easily.

Purchase a reproduction rolling-block rifle and a fair-sized box of ammo for it, as well as manuals on the making of said rifle and ammunition thereof, and a bullet mold as well as loading press; not too heavy/bulky to fit in the backpack.

Why, you ask?

Simple answer: Armies. We have about 18 years before anything of significance begins; why not use that extra time?



As you can see, the rolling block design is very simple and reasonably idiot-proof. Pull hammer back, pull block back (ejecting the previous round), insert round, close block, aim, press trigger, repeat. The tricky bit is making the metal cartridges. However, in the 18 years we have, there's no reason we couldn't get in touch with a shitload of Dwarves and work out some basic steampunk-ish machinery, probably using water power.

Failing the Rolling Block-- use the 1860 Springfield or the Brown Bess, preferably the Springfield for accuracy.

More later if you want me to expand upon it... I'm just churning this out as I think of it... I read that whole damn thread today, so yeah, a lot of my wild shit is gonna come from there

[Dark Silver]

The base location is undisclosed, and since I'm not exactly certain on the Middle Earth landscape, I can't give you a exact location. Figure it'd be a place out of the way of the Two Tower's "field of vision", while still be closing enough for us to be of use when the War comes along.

[Robert Walper]

Well, with a year's training, I'm sure the group could weed out the weaker members of the group and leave them behind to man the fort. Obviously some melee skills and advanced weapon skills will be top priority. Physical and mental fitness/toughness next, including endurance.

As to who I'd actually bring along, no clue. I don't know the capabilites and strengths of individuals here. In fact, the only person I know who has any military background is B4UTRUST, automatically making him my only known choice forthe mission.

Similarily, I have virtually zero experience with weapons and very tiny knowledge of them. Although I'm certain I'd learn quickly.

Damn...wish I could bring my younger brother into this, then I'd feel much more confident.

[Elheru Aran]

Righto.

Plan of action number one: Secure the location. Forest surrounding us? Chop it down-- after carefully checking for presence of Ents-- and clear the terrain, creating chevaux-de-frise as improvised barbed wire. Make it so you can only approach our base from certain directions and lanes of fire.



These would naturally be rather effective.

Also mine the area all about where the chevaux-de-frise lays in order to deter any intrepid sappers crawling between the logs...

Make sure our water supply is secure. Set up pumps, tanks, filtration equipment. Secure our sanitation. Detail members to police the base every few days, picking up random trash and keeping the place tidy.

...And I think we have too big of a base. I mean, really, maybe 40-some people, tops, and 150 Hummers?!

Our numbers severely hinder what we can do; I would recommend having at least the top 100 posters. While that would bring our numbers all the way down to the delectably named LeetahElf, with the grand astounding total of two posts (no offense implied ), at least we would have the numbers to do SOMETHING.

Comrade Tortoise, being a scientific sort, would be in charge of the scientific branch, along with Destructionator and Ra. Knife and Frigid would take charge of training *all* of us, no exceptions, in basic firearms handling and target practice at minimum weekly until we can satisfy their expectations. Rogue 9 and Nitram will also train some of us in the use of mediaeval weapons-- not everybody, because if we have to resort to these, then we're fucked anyway, but enough that we don't need to take our nice guns off base when visiting the neighbors.

After securing the base and getting our affairs in order, next in priority: Find out what we can DO in order to further our objective. However, we must also consider-- will what we do affect what happens in Middle-Earth, i.e., will sending a commando team up to Hobbiton to mug Bilbo and nick the Ring end up with the Nazgul knocking on our gates and the hordes of Mordor pouring out the Black Gate early? That kind of question.

We also need to build up relations with the Dwarves and the local inhabitants, a sort of 'hearts and minds' campaign. Along this line, give the villagers/townspeople a jump-start in agriculture: hook up a few plows to a Hummer. Build a water-powered trip hammer for the village blacksmith, as well as a hand-cranked forced-air forge. Start making basic antibiotics-- pencillin would be a good start-- and handing them out. Look up the Elves, and demonstrate our peaceful intentions to them; they're no fools, and they can probably help us out. The Dwarves would probably be pretty distrustful of us-- until we show 'em a carefully selected page of diagrams from a textbook on machinery and ask them if they can make what's on that page. Then our only trouble is making sure we have enough gold to pay them off...

After that, start talking with local rulers. Demonstrate our boomsticks and the ease of handling available with them. Offer to train their forces; the only caveat being they have to be available for our use, and WE will issue the guns, and expect them back afterwards (if they aren't turned in, we break out the automatics), exceptions being royal guards and people willing to pay for theirs. Train the militaries in basic drill, bayonet tactics, and so forth; 400 Britons were able to hold off a force of Zulus two thousand strong at the battle of Rourke's Drift with Martini-Henry breechloading rifles. I would expect these to perform, if not as well, at least close; Knife and Frigid would have to train subordinates in order to expand all this.

Regarding the Rohirrim, educate them in the potential and benefits of retraining their forces in mounted-infantry tactics: riding to near the engagement zone, then dismounting, tying off their horses, and advancing on foot. Guns really don't mix too well with horses.

If possible, also research the potential for creating mortars using blackpowder propellant/explosive. WWI Brit soldiers made theirs with jam tins as the projectiles; if they could, so can we.

Also explore IED's, most probably tripwire or pressure-actuated.

Chemical weapons, while nasty, should be considered. Chlorine can be used to purify water; conversely, it could be fired in canisters from trebuchets, to land among Orcish hordes. Corresdepondingly, we should take full advantage of the base's MOPP gear, not to mention making activated charcoal and crude but serviceable masks for our local auxiliaries.

Should I shut up yet? :D

[Rogue 9]

To point out, Frigid was a Marine combat engineer. He'd be invaluable.

[Elheru Aran]

To point out, Frigid was a Marine combat engineer. He'd be invaluable.

Oooh, yes... quite. Priorities are, however, first to secure ourselves; we already have a base that's apparently decently fortified. The problem is, then, to firstly secure our surrounding terrain-- clear trees, maintain a clear field of fire for all our turrets, and so forth. Lay chevaux-de-frise, mines, make it so that you can only approach the base by very open pathways that we can sweep at a moment's notice. A moat would also be a nice feature to have, and it'd be handy to defeat any battering ram attacks; they'd have to fill it in order for that to work, and if we go into farming, it'd also be convenient for irrigation.

After that, water supply and sanitation-- very important, these two. While the base may have plumbing... where does it go?

Second priority is allies. We make friends with Rohan? Here's how you make Edoras impregnable... Gondor? Hello, Mr. Steward! Here's your very own boomstick... and for the very low price of just one gold bar per boomstick, you can get your own to man the walls! And we'll even toss in some big boom-boxes, you dig a hole in front of the walls and when the Orcs march across, you just press this little button here and there'll be no more Orcs...

You get the idea.

Third: Defeating the enemy. Isengard is our first priority as set forth by the OP; the second is Sauron, in which case we have Minas Morgul and the Black Gate to deal with.

But I've said enough for tonight and must get some sleep in...

[Cynical Cat]

I have a useful brain and knowledge base, but no experience with the shooting toys. Rectify that deficiency. I remember most of the War of the Ring quite well, but our Necron comrade probably knows it even better than I do. I'm sure that between us (and anyone else who knows the Lord of the Rings well), we have a very good intelligence picture.

[Lindar]

*grin* social networking anyone?

[Robert Walper]

Well, I for one would be nagging for/taking every opportunity to learn the arts of warfare from our experienced members. Everything from hand to hand combat to all the advanced weapon types, tactics, stragedies, etc.

[Pcm979]

Personally, I die quickly through lack of insulin. Thanks a fucking lot, DS!





(Off topic: Woohoo, number four!)

[Charon]

Where is this base situated? In Rohan territory? Gondor? Bree/Hobbiton/Elrond territory?

One of the first things to do while securing the perimeter is going out to the locals and making friendly with them. Next we spend maybe a year or so training and building up supplies, if we can manage to convince whoever we happen to be next to that a war is coming we might even be able to bring them in and train them at least a little.

[Ace Pace]

Do we get Marina?

[Ace Pace]

Do we get Marina?

[Lindar]

*takes the liberty to place the base on the map waits for approval or dissatisfaction ratings*



p.s. ignore the purple dots for now...

[Elheru Aran]

Personally, I die quickly through lack of insulin. Thanks a fucking lot, DS!





(Off topic: Woohoo, number four!)

They are automatically immunized to any middle-earth diseases, cured of any current infectious diseases,

In the original scenario, when Bear bitched about the same thing, they told him that diabetes fell under the above, illogical as that may be.

And Lin-- I would actually place the base in northern Rohan, perhaps by the Anduin, south of Lothlorien. Aside from that, I've no objections with the map as you've put it.

Ace-- unless you can get the Duchess to join, I don't think we'll get her, unfortunate as that may be...

Charon is correct in that building good relations with the locals is vital; however, we should seek self-sufficiency by all means possible, while at the same time networking and making alliances all over the place, especially with the Gondorians and Rohirrim, as they'll be our most significant human allies.

The Elves are more or less a nonentity here, though it would be prudent to be friendly with them; Sauron obviously considered Lothlorien enough of a threat to attack it from his base in Mirkwood, and Rivendell is (IIRC) one of the Rangers' bases (?). They could make very good allies, but I would depend upon them only if they have technology/assets that we can utilize towards our purposes.

The Dwarves, as aforementioned, would be especially good to make friends with, due to their aptitude for craftsmanship.

Hobbits are really pretty useless to us at this time; about the only reason we have to be interested in them is that at this time Bilbo Baggins has the Ring, and in eighteen years' time will pass it on to Frodo. Mugging him to nick the Ring would *not* be a good idea, as a.) it would open ourselves to corruption, b.) What would we do with it? and c.) How could we get it to Mount Doom, or destroy it by other means?

[Ace Pace]

The duchess is a member here, the question is wether she Copy-Pastes her "How to take over Middle earth in 15 years or less" mega strategy post in SDN.

[Elheru Aran]

The duchess is a member here, the question is wether she Copy-Pastes her "How to take over Middle earth in 15 years or less" mega strategy post in SDN.

-checks memberlist-

Ah, correct. However, unless she was formerly military, she's out as she only has 10 posts... well below the hundred-forty that's currently the minimum for inclusion in the top thirty. But I did say top thirty is way too small for a base the size of what we got...

[frigidmagi]

Spend some money, have a coat of high-quality armour made with modern materials-- Kevlar, ballistic nylon, the like-- basically a back and breast, but resistant to just about anything short of bodkin points and close-range crossbows. Wear that as I go through the portal or whatever, save room in my bag.

Kevlar won't stop axes. My old flak jacket (pre-inserts mind) wouldn't even stop a knife wielded with determination. I know cause I tested it.
Seriously our enemy is likey to use axes, swords and mace, to defeat Kevlar and nylon are not required they were designed to defeat high speed sharpnel not slow moving sharp chunks of metal. I would suggest chainmail.

However, we must also consider-- will what we do affect what happens in Middle-Earth, i.e., will sending a commando team up to Hobbiton to mug Bilbo and nick the Ring end up with the Nazgul knocking on our gates and the hordes of Mordor pouring out the Black Gate early? That kind of question.

Actually I would prefer the ring remain in hobbit hands, has it is proven to my satifaction that humanity is to open to it's effects to be allowed possession. Estblishing contact with Gandalf is essential I would have to say and the best thing we could possibly do is set up a Sniper team to take out Saruman and prevent him from catching the Rohanian in a vise.

Has for Mordor. Has much as I usually hate chemical warfare, here I would have to say Mustard Gas is my friend. If we can A: develop a reiable delievery system B: create suffient qualitines of the gas and C: develop suffient gas protection for friendly forces.

[Pcm979]

In the original scenario, when Bear bitched about the same thing, they told him that diabetes fell under the above, illogical as that may be.

*Shruggery* I was just making a funny.

Nonetheless, I still fail to see what useful purpose I could serve. Remove me from the modern world, and I'd have not applicable skillsets.

I mean, come on! I post here a lot! What does that say about my skillsets?