ME-PBM 2950 Nation Description
Woodmen (#1)
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Powers:New Char: Good chance of stealth or higher challenge rank Excellent commanders, numerous and stealthy agents. No artifacts. This can be a difficult position to play because you are exposed to attack from the Dragon Lord. On the other hand, if close cooperation with the Silvan Elves allows you to survive the initial onslaught, you can manage a very good middle and end game. But you are unlikely to be a Power at the start. |
The Woodmen nation is composed of both the Woodmen and the Beorning peoples of Mirkwood. The Woodmen are a loose collection of hunter/gatherer tribes that live near or beneath the trees of the great forest. The Beornings are closely related to the Woodmen, although their elder roots are distinct, and a select few can shape-change. Woodmen characters were often moved about unseen and unchallenged throughout the forest of Mirkwood. Hence, many of the Woodmen characters have good chances of possessing greater Stealth ranks or Challenge ranks.
However, the Woodmen numbers are few and they prefer to blend in with their environment rather than placing a burden upon it. As a result, Woodmen troops without food will still gain 1-2 Morale points when stationary and will only lose 1-2 Morale points when traveling. Furthermore, Woodmen troops only lose 1-2 Morale points for a Forced March (2-5 points without food).
The Woodmen, loosely led by Beorn, possess skilled leaders with great insight and wisdom, and deft Agents with speed and cunning. For these reasons, Woodmen Agents and Commanders have their skill ranks doubled for purposes of scouting/recon. Furthermore, the Woodmen nation has fierce warriors, effective in almost any terrain, and have rich resources at their disposal.
The scattered population of the Woodmen presents some difficulty in coordinating their plans. Because of their dispersed settlements, it is important that the Woodmen create and use their numerous Agents and Commanders to report on the surrounding area in order to keep informed of enemy movements and actions. The Woodmen also have one of the few hidden population centers. Some consideration has to be given to exploiting this valuable resource.
Woodmen numbers are few and newly recruited troops will need time to be sufficiently trained. Because of this, the Woodmen focus on fewer, well-trained and well-supplied, mobile armies rather than large, stationary armies. Woodmen armies are rugged, and fight well anywhere. Moving armies make for difficult targets.
Historically, the Woodmen were closed and distrustful towards most of the other Free Peoples, although they frequently passed on reports of common enemies. However, they fiercely opposed any intrusions by the forces of the Witch-king, Long Rider, or the Dragon Lord and were quick to seek retribution if any of their holdings were threatened. Furthermore, since many sites in their local area are considered holy to them, the Woodmen frequently seek to recover some of these lost former holdings.
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