Unlike my complex Ludovician game, this one is simple, and just for fun. I intend to make a simple, funny one based off Ludovician, but this one is a pretty funny idea I think.
Playing the Game
Into Mordor takes place at the Council of Elrond, with somehow you and your peanut gallery sitting in. Inevitably, the topic of the One Ring comes up, and you fellows chime in with your fantastic ideas about how to end the reign of Sauron. Hilarity ensues.
Requirements
This game uses one deck and the basic game rules. No player can be eliminated in the course of a game. You win by creating a complete Plan and passing it amongst a majority of the council.
Planning
Before you can send off your merry Fellowship, if at all, you need a plan. Plans are created by combining Things, Heroes, Places and Actions together into a single chain. However, a simple plan would not suffice, so there is a minimum of 100 points alloted required before a Plan is considered complete enough to propose to the Council. The goal is always the same though, to cross into Mordor and end Sauron's reign forever. How this is done is open to interpertation.
Your enemies on the Council can also throw wrenches into your planworking by reminding you of difficulties to be encountered. Obstacle cards have unique effects, and some can be argued around, while others merely require the removal of a specific hero or action, and others are nearly impossible to surmount and must be banished by other means.
The Plan Template
The basic plan template is always the same. Once you understand the game, this can be altered as you see fit, but these are the four elements (and in the basic logical order) that you require. Once things get complicated, such as adding several Places to make up the score, it becomes more of a mad lib.
"HEROES will carry the ring through PLACES before arriving in Mordor, and then using THING to ACTION."
HEROES: These are characters responsible for carrying out the actions.
PLACES: These are heroic locations deserving of a stop-over on your quest.
THINGS: These are objects or armies or devious trickeries to accomplish the quest.
ACTION: This is the deed that seals the fate of the Dark Lord. There is always only one action, but the exact manner in which the Ring is destroyed varies.
Convening the Council
It is necessary for the Council to decide on a Plan before the mission can proceed. To do this, you need to convince Council members of influence to vote for your plan. If you can get a 2/3rds majority, your plan passes. Every council member will vote against a plan they are a member of, regardless of any other Cards played. A list of important Council Members is as follows:
Elrond - Council Leader
Erestor - Elrond's Advisor
Legolas - Bringing news of Gollum's escape
Glorfindel - Badass Balrog-slayer
Galdor - Emissary of Círdan
Boromir - Son of the Steward of Gondor
Aragorn - Having just arrived with Frodo
Glóin - Emissary of the Dwarf Holds
Gimli - Son of Glóin
Frodo - The current Ring-bearer
Bilbo - The previous Ring-bearer
Gandalf - The famous Wizard
Card List
Hero
Elrond will never vote for a plan involving Arwyn.
Hero
Any Quest involving Gandalf removes Isengard obstructions, except Stuck atop Orthanc.
Hero
When Erestor leaves play, say "That is the path of Despair, of folly," and discard one entire Plan that Elrond is not voting for.
Hero
Any Quest involving both Legolas and Gimli may play Lothlórien as a Place with a reversed point value.
Hero
Any Quest involving Glorfindel removes Balrog obstructions
Hero
When Galdor enters play, he gains a permanent +3 value if anyone can remember who he is.
Hero
Any Quest involving Boromir allows Temptation obstructions to be played for free. When Boromir enters play, remove one Action card of your choice from the table.
Hero
Any Quest involving Aragorn may play Army of the Dead as a Thing with a reversed point value.
Hero
Any Quest involving Gloin removes Goblin obstructions
Hero
You may play Gimli for free when Legolas enters play.
Hero
Any quest involving Frodo and Sam as Ring-bearers removes Temptation obstructions.
Hero
Bilbo must be the Ring-bearer of any Quest he is a member of. Others may play Gollum and Temptation obstructions for free.
Hero
When Tom Bombadil enters play, recite the entire Tom Bombadil song or lose 10 points of value. Dancing to it increases Tom Bomdadil's value by 10.
Hero
Farmer Maggot and Dogs may not join a Quest involving any other Hobbits.
Hero
Beorn may only join a Quest if it involves Bilbo, Gloin, Bard of Dale or Gandalf.
Hero
Legolas will vote for any Quest that involves travelling with Thranduil.
Hero
Any Quest involving Bard of Dale removes Dragon obstructions
Hero
Double the value of this card if Merry and Pippin are also on the Quest.
20
A friendly Mountain Giant
Hero
Gandalf will always vote for a plan involving Mountain Giants. None of the Elves ever will.
Hero
Boromir will vote for any Quest that involves travelling with Faramir.
Hero
Any Quest involving Radagast removes Stuck atop Orthanc obstructions.
Hero
Merry and Pippin will vote for any Quest that involves travelling with Frodo and Sam.
Hero
Aragorn will vote for any Quest that involves travelling with Arwyn.
Hero
May only enter play if Rohan is in play and unobstructed. Any Quest involving Radagast removes Witch King obstructions.
Hero
Frodo and Sam will vote for any Quest that involves travelling with Rosie Cotton.
Absurdly Large Catapult
Thing
Some Kind of Wizardry
Thing
A Large Wooden Horse
Thing
A Large Wooden Rabbit
Thing
Push over Barad-dûr
Action
Challenge Sauron to Single Combat
Action
Kill every Orc in the World
Action
Obstruction
Action - ...in the affairs of wizards, for they are Subtle and quick to Anger! If Gandalf is in play, he cannot be Obstructed this turn. Play at any time.
0
"My Preeeeciioooous...."
Obstruction
Action - When played, say "My preciousss..." and transfer control of any Gollum Obstructions to your hand.
0
"One does not simply..."
Obstruction
Action - When played, state: "One does not simply _action_ Into Mordor!" to remove the mentioned Action from the table. If you control Boromir, play this for free. Discard after play.
0
"One does not simply..."
Obstruction
Action - When played, state: "One does not simply _action_ Into Mordor!" to remove the mentioned Action from the table. If you control Boromir, play this for free. Discard after play.
0
"One does not simply..."
Obstruction
Action - When played, state: "One does not simply _action_ Into Mordor!" to remove the mentioned Action from the table. If you control Boromir, play this for free. Discard after play.
0
"One does not simply..."
Obstruction
Action - When played, state: "One does not simply _action_ Into Mordor!" to remove the mentioned Action from the table. If you control Boromir, play this for free. Discard after play.
0
"One does not simply..."
Obstruction
Action - When played, state: "One does not simply _action_ Into Mordor!" to remove the mentioned Action from the table. If you control Boromir, play this for free. Discard after play.
Obstruction
Play onto a Place - Haunted by vengeful spirits! That Place may no longer be used as a step in the Quest.
Obstruction
Voice of Saruman - Obeeeeey meeee! Obstruct any one Hero or Place. May be played for free on Rohan.
Obstruction
Stuck atop Orthanc - Again, Gandalf? Obstruct any one Hero. May be played for free on Gandalf.
Obstruction
Palantir - He saw you coming a mile away. Obstruct any one Action.
Obstruction
Saruman the Many Colored - Play on any Isengard Obstruction. You may discard Saruman the Many Colored instead of that Obstruction.
Obstruction
Scouring of the Shire - Obstruct all Hobbits.
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