Let's Change Forts

[Endoperez]

Renojustin said:
Sieges can last more than a year. At that point, defenders of the fort are usually down to eating bugs, shoe leather, and each other.

All Saruman had to do was lock them up in there for a few weeks and Rohan would have died. Then wait for Gandalf on the fifth day, and kill his ***.

A besieged city would be much, much worse. Riots, murder, disease, and cannibalism would run rampant... and then the really bad stuff would start.

So you go right ahead and hole up at Helm's Deep, buddy. I've got dibs on your leg!

Actually, Helm's Deep is a Mountain Fortress, or perhaps Cave Fort or Jervellan Wall, to Edoras' (that was the capital, right?) Tel City. Less city, more walls any way.

LA Ulm's Malediction was basically need-not-eat commanders and slaves besieging the Ulmish capital. That went well... But of course, Ulm being Ulm had something to do with it. Eating just broth and wine for a few years would be tough (potatoes... oh my God they are eating potatoes out there! Charge!), and could result in insanity and eating bugs and rats at some point, but sieges would take much longer.