Ar-Pharazon, Son of Gimilkhad, eventually nicknamed the Golden King, was born about 3100 years into the Third Age, and quickly made a name for himself as a Great Warrior Captain, leading Numenor's forces into wars against the remaining free Men of Middle Earth, consolidating the Great Kingdom's control over Middle Earth, and inadvertently creating the basis for the future kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor. Leader of the elite soldier unit called the King's Unit, he married the King's daughter - and then usurped the throne for himself. Probably not a good sign for the kingdom.
Initially he focused his efforts on defeating the Faithful Faction, a group of Men who focused on preserving the old ideals of Numenor's origins, attempting to be allies to the Elves and to the Gods (The Faithful would eventually become the Dunedain). Then, however, he heard of the power of Sauron, growing greatly in Mordor. Leading a huge army, he fought, captured and dragged Sauron all the way back to Numenor to execute him in his capital. But Sauron bowed to Ar-Pharazon's glory, and he became an adviser. Sauron soon advised Ar-Pharazon to destroy the Faithful (forcing them to run to Middle Earth) and to defy the Gods, for the Gods kept Numenor weak, kept them mortal, kept them from sailing away from Numenor. Soon, all of Numenor had but one God - Morgoth.
Sauron advised Ar-Pharazon to build the largest temple ever built to Morgoth on the holy mountain, and to burn down the Great White Tree of Numenor as a sacrifice (part of the tree was saved and planted in Minas Tirith). Numenor thus became a Kingdom of Evil, only ruled tangentially by Ar-Pharazon. As Ar-Pharazon became old, he sought the gift of immortality. Sauron told him to sail to the Undying Land. Ar-Pharazon built the greatest fleet ever assembled, and left Numenor. His forces went so far as to land on the God Lands and fight a skirmish there. The Gods (Vaiar), not pleased with this blatant disregard of the ways things were supposed to be, sought the Great Creator God Eru's help.
Eru destroyed the entire fleet by changing the shape of the world (from Flat to Round - yes, seriously), sinking Numenor into the ocean...and burying the army of Numenor, including Ar-Pharazon into the Caves of the Forgotten, never to be seen again...until Dagor Dagoroth (aka Ragnarok for Middle Earth) where Ar-Pharazon is supposed to be a good guy again. As a side note, Sauron's form was killed off... and yet somehow became all better for the big battle at the start of the LOTR movies at the beginning of the Third Age. Survivors of Numenor who still supported Ar-Pharazon created the port city of Umbar and called themselves the Black Numenorians.
Is is currently unknown how Akmentu, Ar-Pharazon's son, escaped death, where he was or what he was doing at the time of Numenor's destruction, or how he alone became immortal. Ar-Pharazon's story was detailed in the Silmarillion.
Showing posts with label Preview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Preview. Show all posts
Monday, October 10, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Preview: Woses
Woses, or Druedain, are the wild, aboriginal people of Middle Earth. A distinct people from since the First Age, Woses lived an uncivilized life, not believing in cities or technology, preferring to live off the land. The Wose population used to be much larger, but like all of the races their numbers have dwindled significantly. They are distinct in appearance: wide bodies, flat noses, lots of tattoos, almost dwarfish in proportion, though bigger. Often considered ugly as a result, they currently live in Druedain forest, located near the Northern Part of the White Mountains.
Before the end of the Third Age, Woses used to be persecuted and hunted for sport by other races of men, in particular by the Rohirric. After proving themselves in the War of the Rings, via helping the Rohirric speed to help Gondor, Aragorn proclaimed that the Druedain forest was to belong forever to the Woses. Their old specialty in weapons is poison darts. and as any good human should, they hate Orcs and Trolls. Woses are considered to be great hunters and trackers and can meditate for days on end. They are also quite attuned to nature and thus often worship it.
As a trivia note, the word Wose comes from a British fairy tale referring to hairy Troll-Like Creatures called Woodwoses who live in forests; thus Wose literally means "Wild Man". Also there has never been a PC who is a Wose.
Before the end of the Third Age, Woses used to be persecuted and hunted for sport by other races of men, in particular by the Rohirric. After proving themselves in the War of the Rings, via helping the Rohirric speed to help Gondor, Aragorn proclaimed that the Druedain forest was to belong forever to the Woses. Their old specialty in weapons is poison darts. and as any good human should, they hate Orcs and Trolls. Woses are considered to be great hunters and trackers and can meditate for days on end. They are also quite attuned to nature and thus often worship it.
As a trivia note, the word Wose comes from a British fairy tale referring to hairy Troll-Like Creatures called Woodwoses who live in forests; thus Wose literally means "Wild Man". Also there has never been a PC who is a Wose.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Preview: Helm's Deep
Helm's Deep has been a fortress for thousands of years, built sometime during the 2nd age at the same time as Isengard, the two having the purpose of protecting the Gap of Rohan from the enemies of Gondor. Originally guarded by a strong and constant regiment, Helm's Deep feel partially into disarray as the Kingdom of Gondor also fell in might and honor. After the Great Plague of the Third Age and an attack by the Easterlings, Helm's Deep was taken over by the Rohirric due to their efforts (refer to the Preview of Edoras for more information).
Helm's Deep is located in the Southwestern part of the White Mountains, a few days ride from Edoras and Isengard. During the Dunleanding Invasion of the Third age, the Rohirric used Helm's Deep as their fortress before they could strike back and re-take their lands. In the War of the Rings, Helm's Deep once again proved itself, as an army a third of the size of the enemy (about 3000-4000 vs. more than 10,000 Orcs) won a significant victory destroying Saruman's base at Isengard, with the help of the Ents of course.
Helm's Deep maintains a small unit of about a thousand of Rohirric Soldiers, an amount that remains constant throughout its history. It now additionally has about 1000-2000 dwarves (part of the Durin (Thorin) Line) living in the Glittering Caves, called for their walls glitter with crystals and gems. Led by Gimli, the caves are quickly becoming one of the key towns of Dwarfdom. Though the Caves are technically owned by Eomer still, Gimli is allowed to do as he pleases. It is said that the caves are one of the most beautiful places in all of Middle Earth.
Helm's Deep thus is becoming one of the gems of the New Fourth Age Order, as dwarves and men live together to further increase the glory of the realm.
Helm's Deep is located in the Southwestern part of the White Mountains, a few days ride from Edoras and Isengard. During the Dunleanding Invasion of the Third age, the Rohirric used Helm's Deep as their fortress before they could strike back and re-take their lands. In the War of the Rings, Helm's Deep once again proved itself, as an army a third of the size of the enemy (about 3000-4000 vs. more than 10,000 Orcs) won a significant victory destroying Saruman's base at Isengard, with the help of the Ents of course.
Helm's Deep maintains a small unit of about a thousand of Rohirric Soldiers, an amount that remains constant throughout its history. It now additionally has about 1000-2000 dwarves (part of the Durin (Thorin) Line) living in the Glittering Caves, called for their walls glitter with crystals and gems. Led by Gimli, the caves are quickly becoming one of the key towns of Dwarfdom. Though the Caves are technically owned by Eomer still, Gimli is allowed to do as he pleases. It is said that the caves are one of the most beautiful places in all of Middle Earth.
Helm's Deep thus is becoming one of the gems of the New Fourth Age Order, as dwarves and men live together to further increase the glory of the realm.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Preview: Edoras and Rohan
The Preview series of posts typically feature whatever dungeon or city the group is entering and give some facts about it.
Country: Rohan
Other Names: Land of the Mark (Horse-Mark)
Capital: Edoras, as seen in the movie Two Towers. A beautiful hilly city that somehow did not burn during the War of the Rings. Bigger than what the movies would have you believe.
Other Cities: Don't exist. The rest of Rohan consists of small and mid-sized towns in the countryside.
Ruler: Eomer, 18th King of Rohan, 1st of the Third Line. Married to Lothirel, princess of Dol Amroth, a coastal principality. Known to be a great leader, warrior and friend of Aragorn; a handsome and loyal man. He has no children.
Military Power: At the battle of Pelinor Fields, the Army was about 6,000 men; it is currently a little smaller.
Population: If the assumption is made that in a total war situation about 5 to 10% of a population serves as the army, then the total is somewhere between 60,000 to 120,000 people.
Military Specialty: The Horsemen of Rohan are well-trained, and have the best horses in all the lands. No other country dares compete with the Rohirric horsemen. Rohan has no navy.
Size: about 5300 square miles, or about the size of New York State
Climate: Mild Summers, Cool winters, but overall bearable. Winds are a bit unpredictable.
Terrain: Rohan is renowned for its grassland and hills, allowing the easy production of horses and farmland. The Grasslands are unique in that much of Middle Earth is covered with sparse woodland; Rohan being the exception. The White Mountains are to the South and usually covered in snow; they are lit when the call is needed. The White Mountains are about 600 miles long, and contain limestone quarries. Most of the highest peaks are about 10,000 feet; some are so high that they are among the highest in Middle Earth.
Neighbors: The dwarves of the Glittering Caves, led by Gimli, have begun to prosper and are close friends. The Dunlendings to the West are uneasy neighbors; Dunlendings, or Hill-People, have in the past fought the Rohirric over control of Rohan, though they are currently relatively friendly. Many Dunlendings are also solid mercenaries and traders. Woses live in the nearby Drúadan forest. During the third age, the Rohirric would hunt Woses down for fun; but after the Woses helped the Rohirric arrive at the Battle of Pelinor Fields on time, the Rohirric have left the Woses in peace, and the Woses leave all in peace. Minas Tirith is also a few days ride to the southwest, and Mordor is a few days ride to the southeast. Being in a central location, Edoras is a natural starting point for many adventures, including Elves heading to the Undying Lands.
Trivia: Hobbits originate from the area as well, but migrated during the third age. The term Hobbit is thought to be from the word "Hole-Digger" in Rohirric.
Famous For: The Mearas. Legendary, almost godlike horses, Mearas were bigger, faster and stronger than any other horse. They could nearly double the speed of other horses and travel in half the time, and were beautiful to boot. Blessed with the ability to comprehend human tongue (and theoretically speak it as well!), Mearas were traditionally the crown jewels of the Royal Family, Gandalf being the exception during his time with Shadowfax. Due to Eomer's reforms, though, many Mearas farms have sprung up throughout Rohan, though they are almost always sold only to the Rohirric. In addition, any good Rohirric PC starts with one.
History: The Rohirric were distantly related to the Dunedain, and were originally from a valley Northwest of Mirkwood, the dark forest seen in the Hobbit. Gondor was being invaded by Orcs from Mordor and Easterlings from....the East, when Gondor requested help from all the neighboring human lands. Only the Rohirric came to help, and with their cavalry saved the day. Gondor, grateful for the Rohirric's help, gave them the lands of Rohan as a reward and also signed a treaty, to ensure that the Rohirric would come to gondor's aid once again. The Rohirric, signing this treaty about 2509 Third Age (or about 500 years before the LOTR), have followed it closely ever since. (As an aside, Gondor gave the land freely because most of the people there had been killed either in the invasion or in the Great Plague). The Rohirric have ruled Rohan ever since, save for a brief period of instability where the Dunlendings took over. Rohan's help in saving Minas Tirith (after saving themselves at Helm's Deep) once again showed the world the tenacity and ability of the Rohirric. Rohan, under King Eomer, has been rebuilding and prospering since the start of the Fourth Age.
Famous Rohirric Characters in Previous Games: William Wallace I (Jon), William Wallace III (Jon).
Country: Rohan
Other Names: Land of the Mark (Horse-Mark)
Capital: Edoras, as seen in the movie Two Towers. A beautiful hilly city that somehow did not burn during the War of the Rings. Bigger than what the movies would have you believe.
Other Cities: Don't exist. The rest of Rohan consists of small and mid-sized towns in the countryside.
Ruler: Eomer, 18th King of Rohan, 1st of the Third Line. Married to Lothirel, princess of Dol Amroth, a coastal principality. Known to be a great leader, warrior and friend of Aragorn; a handsome and loyal man. He has no children.
Military Power: At the battle of Pelinor Fields, the Army was about 6,000 men; it is currently a little smaller.
Population: If the assumption is made that in a total war situation about 5 to 10% of a population serves as the army, then the total is somewhere between 60,000 to 120,000 people.
Military Specialty: The Horsemen of Rohan are well-trained, and have the best horses in all the lands. No other country dares compete with the Rohirric horsemen. Rohan has no navy.
Size: about 5300 square miles, or about the size of New York State
Climate: Mild Summers, Cool winters, but overall bearable. Winds are a bit unpredictable.
Terrain: Rohan is renowned for its grassland and hills, allowing the easy production of horses and farmland. The Grasslands are unique in that much of Middle Earth is covered with sparse woodland; Rohan being the exception. The White Mountains are to the South and usually covered in snow; they are lit when the call is needed. The White Mountains are about 600 miles long, and contain limestone quarries. Most of the highest peaks are about 10,000 feet; some are so high that they are among the highest in Middle Earth.
Neighbors: The dwarves of the Glittering Caves, led by Gimli, have begun to prosper and are close friends. The Dunlendings to the West are uneasy neighbors; Dunlendings, or Hill-People, have in the past fought the Rohirric over control of Rohan, though they are currently relatively friendly. Many Dunlendings are also solid mercenaries and traders. Woses live in the nearby Drúadan forest. During the third age, the Rohirric would hunt Woses down for fun; but after the Woses helped the Rohirric arrive at the Battle of Pelinor Fields on time, the Rohirric have left the Woses in peace, and the Woses leave all in peace. Minas Tirith is also a few days ride to the southwest, and Mordor is a few days ride to the southeast. Being in a central location, Edoras is a natural starting point for many adventures, including Elves heading to the Undying Lands.
Trivia: Hobbits originate from the area as well, but migrated during the third age. The term Hobbit is thought to be from the word "Hole-Digger" in Rohirric.
Famous For: The Mearas. Legendary, almost godlike horses, Mearas were bigger, faster and stronger than any other horse. They could nearly double the speed of other horses and travel in half the time, and were beautiful to boot. Blessed with the ability to comprehend human tongue (and theoretically speak it as well!), Mearas were traditionally the crown jewels of the Royal Family, Gandalf being the exception during his time with Shadowfax. Due to Eomer's reforms, though, many Mearas farms have sprung up throughout Rohan, though they are almost always sold only to the Rohirric. In addition, any good Rohirric PC starts with one.
History: The Rohirric were distantly related to the Dunedain, and were originally from a valley Northwest of Mirkwood, the dark forest seen in the Hobbit. Gondor was being invaded by Orcs from Mordor and Easterlings from....the East, when Gondor requested help from all the neighboring human lands. Only the Rohirric came to help, and with their cavalry saved the day. Gondor, grateful for the Rohirric's help, gave them the lands of Rohan as a reward and also signed a treaty, to ensure that the Rohirric would come to gondor's aid once again. The Rohirric, signing this treaty about 2509 Third Age (or about 500 years before the LOTR), have followed it closely ever since. (As an aside, Gondor gave the land freely because most of the people there had been killed either in the invasion or in the Great Plague). The Rohirric have ruled Rohan ever since, save for a brief period of instability where the Dunlendings took over. Rohan's help in saving Minas Tirith (after saving themselves at Helm's Deep) once again showed the world the tenacity and ability of the Rohirric. Rohan, under King Eomer, has been rebuilding and prospering since the start of the Fourth Age.
Famous Rohirric Characters in Previous Games: William Wallace I (Jon), William Wallace III (Jon).
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