In the midst of a farmstead is a storehouse full of all the goods that the ruffians have stashed away. The hobbits are sick of the thievery and are planning to break in, grab some beer and pipe-weed and whatever else they need for second breakfasts.
There are three ruffians sleeping in each of the small dwellings and two sentries at the storehouse. Twelve hobbits (six from each corner) are going to try to sneak to the storehouse then back off the table again. If they are seen the alarm is raised and the other ruffians will come yelling out!
Here's one group of hobbits, including my new guy blowing a smoke-ring which I'm particularly fond of! There are some traps right in the corner, so if I can get in, get the loot and get back to the corner I may be in the clear! Of course, with 4" movement, that's easier said than done!
Well... the hobbits get within ten inches of the storeroom and I say the fatal words "this'll be fine unless you manage to roll a 6!" No surprises, a 6 is rolled and the jig is up! Out come ruffians as the hobbits run in and try to make a break for it!
Only one ruffian is at the north east corner and he quickly engages a hobbit as the others swarm around him to grab stuff!
A very lucky Shirrif bonks a ruffian on the head as he races past (in this mission the ruffians are knocked down and on a 6 they can recover - but what are the odds of that happening!?)
The north-east hobbits are now all carrying stuff, but there's still a ruffian harassing them.
Down to the south west the hobbits are already on their way back, but there are ruffians everywhere!
It's looking good for the hobbits at the north east side, but there's another ruffian just behind that northern fence!
Hobbits are being knocked down and sent to the lock-holes in the south, their short legs just not allowing them to outrun the ruffians!
And in the north the brave hobbits have met their matches as two more here are arrested!
So far only one ruffian has stayed down that was knocked down, but another Shirrif falls as only two more hobbits are left in the south.
And with that the hobbits are broken and the mission is a failure!
Phew, what a mission, there were hobbits running everywhere, ruffians intercepting them and in one turn there were four successful hobbit-whippings! I shouldn't have taken that initial gamble as I reckon one more turn advancing carefully would have helped a great deal.
So far the hobbits have won 3 of the 4 games, but they seem to be getting more difficult for the little folk!