tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3550604003847815482024-02-19T01:37:56.106-08:00The Power of the NúmenóreansMitch Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14692138354674511017noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355060400384781548.post-27340817991983697492019-10-27T22:29:00.000-07:002019-10-27T22:37:03.770-07:00The Fall Of Númenor - New Lord Of The Rings Campaign - Total War The Last Alliance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://www.moddb.com/mods/last-alliance-total-war/news/mini-campaign-nmenor-roster-preview-wip" target="_blank">LINK</a></h2>
Mitch Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14692138354674511017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355060400384781548.post-13438292647635325342018-08-27T22:43:00.000-07:002018-08-27T22:43:03.191-07:00How could a relatively small island as Numenor support a population with an army able to defeat Sauron?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ar-Pharazon’s army, that Sauron surrendered to.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At this point Numenor was very advanced. Don’t quote me on
this, but I remember to have read somewhere that they were on the verge of
discovering gunpowder. And that they already had steelships?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In any case, we know that they were very advanced, which
means that the population that they could support has to be very big.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Numenor was a fertile island, of roughly 435,000 sq kM.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How many people could live there then? I have found a very
detailed estimate landing them at around a staggering 12 million on the island.
In medieval times, sedimentary nation could at the most mobilize around 4% of
their population into their armies. Which leaves us with approximately 480,000
men from the island itself. Now, it could very well be that the island could
mobilize even more, since the men living there could live around 3 times the
lifespan of a “middle man”. If we are generous and amp it up to even 8% we are
left with a little less than a million men already. That is a HUGE army.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But the Numenorean population base wasn’t just the island,
but also the colonies. The same guy that composed those numbers said estimated
that there was around another 6 million Numenoreans in the northern and
southern colonies in middle earth. If they were drafted as well, that gives us
another 6,000,000 x 0,08=480,000</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, the Army Ar-Pharazon could muster is anywhere between 1,444,000
to 720,000 men.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, the strength in the Numenorean army wasn’t their
numbers, but their quality. Don’t get me wrong, they certainly had a bigger
army than whatever was in the 3rd age.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, the Numenorean men were very well equipped. They had
hollow steelbows, they had an amazing ranged and velocity, for example. Their
equipment was probably the best in middle earth, with the exception of the remaining
Noldor.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The real answer isn’t size of the Numenorean army or their
equipment or huge fleet. It’s that it is Numenoreans. They are a very powerful
people, and far superior to any orc or troll Sauron could muster. Taller,
stronger, and more noble than any middle-man, or non-Numenorean human.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tolkein is a horse breeder. He places a lot of importance on
how noble a character is and its descent, its family tree. That’s why Aragorn
is so powerful, it’s because he is a pure Numenorean and everyone else isn’t.
It means everything in Tolkien’s legendarium.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So the answer to why such a small island could defeat
Sauron, is because they were Numenoreans. They were the epitome of humanity in
Tolkein’s eyes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sources:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Populations of Middle
Earth - The Isle of Numenor (through the 2nd Age)</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.stephenwigmore.com/2016/09/the-population-of-numenor-through-2nd.html">http://www.stephenwigmore.com/2016/09/the-population-of-numenor-through-2nd.html</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Who says Númenor was a small island? It was more
like an island-continent (or mini-continent). I assume the map below is pretty
accurate; it shows that Númenor was even bigger than Gondor and Rohan combined,
and definitely bigger than Mordor.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>By the time Ar-Pharazôn decided to counter
Sauron, Númenor possessed extensive colonies and dependencies in Middle-earth.
Harad was under their control, and Umbar was their most important port in the
area. This means they had thousands, if not millions of people under their
thumb, as well as great quantities of supply. Some Númenóreans had moved—permanently
or temporarily—there as lords and colonists.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Númenor was very rich and could sustain a very
large population even by itself. It literally had the blessings of the Valar.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Númenóreans were a blessed people. They were
taller, smarter, more powerful, more impressive, and far longer-lived (~350
years) than any Orc or Man of Middle-earth. They could also most probably
defeat any Elf or Dwarf. The average Númenórean was taller than 6′4″ or 1.93 m.
Remember Denethor’s words to Pippin: “And how did you escape, and yet he did
not, so mighty a man as he was, and only Orcs to withstand him?” He thought his
son could easily defeat any Orc, even a group of them. Given that Boromir was
probably no match for a skilled Númenórean warrior, it’s obvious that an army
of 10,000 Númenóreans would take more than 200,000–400,000 Orcs to defeat them.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(5)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Númenóreans had learned the art of forging
various weapons from the Noldor themselves. The arrows of their bows resembled
dark clouds falling upon their enemies.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Colonies and tribute.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The truth is, I don’t think Tolkien thought much about
military logistics, but he did leave enough information that we can come up
with a credible explanation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is stated that the Numenoreans were great sailors, and
that their ships started returning to Middle-earth during the reign of
Tar-Elendil in the year SA 600. They soon began to establish colonies as well
as relationships with the Men of Middle-earth. These relationships at first
benefited these lesser Men, but later became oppressive. Of their colonies,
Umbar is the best known. Pelargir was established as a haven of the Faithful.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So the Numenoreans probably obtained many resources—timber,
food, labor—from their colonies. We are told that they demanded tribute from
the local rulers. They might also have used locals in their armies either as
troops (think Gurkhas) and almost certainly as support personnel. We also know
that the Numenoreans in their late moral decline used slaves; Ar-Pharazon’s
ships are rowed by “many strong slaves.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think there must have been a substantial number of
Numenoreans who were not born on Numenor and may never have lived there, rather
like Roman or British subjects born in colonies or remote territories. That’s
the explanation I use in my head canon for why Elendil, with only seven (albeit
large) ships’ worth of people and goods, was able to establish not one but two
kingdoms in a very short span of time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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Mitch Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14692138354674511017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355060400384781548.post-5688182544127895462018-08-27T22:03:00.002-07:002018-08-27T22:03:23.694-07:00What are the physical features of a Númenorean?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Númenóreans were tall. Adult males were normally around
6′4″ or so (2 rangar in Númenórean linear measure), but some individuals were
taller. Elendil the Tall was supposedly 2–1/2 rangar, or 7′11″ tall. Númenor
was a prosperous realm with advanced health care, so I assume that most
Númenóreans were well grown and healthy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Númenóreans were descended from the three houses of the
Edain. While people of Númenórean descent in LotR are described as dark haired
with grey eyes and pale skin, the population of Númenor itself included
blue-eyed blonds as well, descendants of the House of Hador (e.g., Tar-Aldarion
was blond). The populace also included descendants of the House of Haleth, so
there may have been some people with browner skin and eye coloring. The
original population of Númenor also included some Drúedain, called Woses in the
Third Age. (Ghân-buri-Ghân in LotR was one of the Woses.) The Drúedain living
in Númenor started to emigrate from the island around the reign of Tar-Aldarion
and were all gone by the time of the Downfall.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The people of Númenor were long lived. At the beginning of
the Second Age the lifespan of an ordinary Númenórean seems to have been around
210-240 years; they enjoyed a period of vigor three times that of the Men of
Middle-earth. Erendis wife of Tar-Aldarion had felt the approach of old age
before her death by drowning at age 214. Members of the royal house lived to
around 400, more or less, at least to the reign of Tar-Telemmaitë (2136–2526),
who died at age 390. After his reign the distinctions between royalty and
ordinary people, in lifespan as well as other attributes, began to grow less.
Tar-Ardamin (SA 2816–2899) was the first ruler to die before age 300.
Tar-Palantir, the last Númenórean ruler to die of natural causes, lived to age
220.</div>
Mitch Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14692138354674511017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355060400384781548.post-81992412119858408402016-03-25T01:48:00.002-07:002016-04-07T05:21:23.708-07:00Numenor colonies<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAITKRz8cd-_HCOnS_2tp3AhGtCwJK_oH_Bo4xvvYGlpbRmNAwhF5qDF2Ldc1Ivg8x2vaavmz5awO0t-7q9JOlwbyoEEkFwiDxXM8BTgoCpktpt9UOTZFVx8uM3Cc2xGD7KpE_pYFoG4E/s1600/tgtghhttghggggg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAITKRz8cd-_HCOnS_2tp3AhGtCwJK_oH_Bo4xvvYGlpbRmNAwhF5qDF2Ldc1Ivg8x2vaavmz5awO0t-7q9JOlwbyoEEkFwiDxXM8BTgoCpktpt9UOTZFVx8uM3Cc2xGD7KpE_pYFoG4E/s400/tgtghhttghggggg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Númenóreans had tasted power in Middle-earth, and from
that time forward they began to make permanent settlements on the western
coasts [dated "c. 1800" in the Tale of Years], becoming too powerful
for Sauron to attempt to move west out of Mordor for a long time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Moreover, after Minastir the Kings became greedy of wealth
and power. At first the Númenóreans had come to Middle-earth as teachers and
friends of lesser Men afflicted by Sauron; but now their havens became
fortresses, holding wide coastlands in subjection.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The few faithful Númenóreans were saved from the flood, and
they founded the kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor amongst the numerous Númenórean
colonists and the natives of north-western Middle-earth.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They visited the "primitive" Men residing there,
and had some impact, but did NOT make any permanent abodes of any kind. And the
emphasis that their early visits were in effect unarmed had quite an impact
when they ran into the dark foe's minions in their early exploration.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The time they spent with these tribes didn't really make
them colonies, only places to stop and rest and resupply (at the generosity (or
not) of the locals).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Resources, especially trees were definitely (and I believe
clearly stated by Tolkien) and issue, and thus the stripping of the treelines
along the costs of Middle-earth, to be shipped back to Numenor.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"But for long the crews of the great Númenórean ships
came unarmed among the men of Middle-earth; and though they had axes and bows
aboard for the felling of timber and the hunting for food upon wild shores
owned by no man,..." </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
UT. Description of the island of Númenor</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A very good comparison is the real-world Age of Exploration.
Here the ships also went into uncharted waters and made numerous landfalls in
uninhabitated lands.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In essence, the quote does not speak of settlements (only
long voyages) and the real-world explorations, it is highly unlikely that the
Númenóreans set up harbors or settlements wherever they went. They simply
explored the world - nothing more (at least at this time). The later colonies
are highly unlikely to have been located in the Inner Seas or beyond. The
western shores (from north to south) were the territory for Númenor's overseas
possessions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is no support for havens in these regions, but there
is no support against also. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let's examine the case of all the conflictual colonies:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hithlond: a little Haven in the North, probably built in an
association with the locals (Ulshyans).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Balkuloni: the same than Hithlond, a small Haven shared with
locals of the Sea of Ormal</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sakal an-Khâr: this is the most important colony of Numenor.
I see no reason to entirely delete it. No reset button please.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Azrathani: a small outpost, still shared with locals of
Shay.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anarikê: an important colony of Numenor, also in the Inner
Sea.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All of these colonies have to be mentioned in the Numenorean
essay.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seas or beyond. The western shores (from north to south)
were the territory for Númenor's oversea possessions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Again, this is an interpretation, not a direct affirmation
from a quote of Tolkien.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is only important to know *that* they are there. Of
course we have to include wide wild and unpopulated areas where mankind is
still far from being the "Master of Middle-earth"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And even until 2nd Age Endorian civilization should be
lagging far behind Númenor. Not only in terms of "Tech level", but
especially in form of organization, sophistication etc. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Powerful or even moderately powerful Endorian realms should
be the exception rather than the norm in this time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The exploration of the Inner Seas occurs much sooner - SA
1004 with Soronto, in the lands of the Chyan Empire and Olyas Kriis.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Fortunately, we have a quote for Tolkien that gives a hint:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-"The first sign of the shadow that was to fall upon
them appeared in the days of Tar-Minastir, eleventh King. He it was that sent a
great force to the aid of Gil-galad. He loved the Eldar but envied them. The
Númenoreans had now become great mariners, exploring all the seas
eastward,..." LotR.Appendix A</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Interestingly, it is the time of Tar-Minastir (or a bit
before him) that is associated with the far- flung voyages into the east. This
would limit former times to the exploration of the western coasts.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The quote is relative to "all the seas eastward".
This is why I placed the "start" of the exploration (i.e. the
entrance into the Inner Sea) in the period immediately before, so that, in
Tar-Minastir's time, his son Ciryatan would bring his ships to the eastern
seas, beyond the Inner Sea.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Other protected havens may have survived along the
coast, and greater colonies in more remote lands, such as the Inner Seas or the
East, may even have suffered little or no damage. Those realms who survived
were greatly modified though (when they accepted the mixing with natives).
Others, like Umbar, maintained for long the legacy of the Black Numenoreans,
and in some cases, of the Mulkherites. Some other colonies of the Far South did
not survive the first millennium of the Third Age."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Note 3 to Of Aldarion and Erendis": </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"It was six hundred years after the departure of the
survivors of the Atani [Edain] over the sea to Númenor that a ship first came
again out of the West to Middle-earth and passed up the Gulf of Lhûn. Its
captain and mariners were welcomed by Gilgalad; and thus was begun the
friendship and alliance of Númenor with the Eldar of Lindon."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"The interesting times" begin when the Númenóreans
go really bad, from the coronation of Ar-Gimilzôr in 3102 to the Downfall in
3319. During these two centuries, the ruling elite of Númenor openly break with
the traditions of past and cut all ties with the Eldar and the Valar. Númenor
is wracked by political intrigue in which egotistical noblemen vie for influence
and the King's ear. The King's Men are chauvinistic and suffer from overbearing
pride in their perceived superior qualities.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The King's Men have established extensive colonies in
Middle-earth, while shunning its northwestern parts due to the proximity of the
Elves in Lindon and Lothlórien. The closest one is Umbar (others are located
further south). However, the royal authorities in Umbar are very suspicious
what "those Elf-lovers" in the Anduin vale are up to. Sauron, now
openly the King of Mordor, dislikes his next-door Dúnadan and Quendi neighbors,
and would gladly see them crushed or expelled from the region. However, he is
not yet willing to challenge the power of Númenor by a military move. He still
remembers the defeat he suffered when fighting the united armies of Lindon and
Númenor in Eriador around SA 1700.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sauron assumes a stout defense of Mordor with great numbers
of troops at his disposal. As the "Lord of the World" in the Second
Age and with the One upon his finger, he judges the likelihood of a last stand
in Mordor, with only few forces available, to be low. Since only the
Númenóreans are considered serious enemies, the architecture of the forts
resembles this potential enemy: To withstand the Númenórean skill in de-
signing and building war machines, powerful bulwarks are necessary, sometimes
even similar to modern bunkers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In later days, in the wars upon Middle-earth, it was the
bows of the Númenóreans that were most greatly feared. "The Men of the
Sea," it was said, "send before them a great cloud, as a rain turned
to serpents, or a black hail tipped with steel;" and in those days the
great cohorts of the King's Archers used bows made of hollow steel, with black-
feathered arrows a full ell long from point to notch.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Ar-Pharazôn came to Umbar to challenge the might of
Sauron, he brought with him a globe of crystal upon which he purposed to
constrain his opponent to swear an oath of fealty. "For seven days he
journeyed with banner and trumpet, and he came to a hill, and he went up and
set there his pavilion and his throne; and he sat him down in the midst of the
land.... Then he sent forth heralds, and he commanded Sauron to come before him
and swear to him fealty (Sil: 270)." Ar-Pharazôn caused the crystal globe
to be set in the ground before his throne. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ar-Pharazôn's challenge to Sauron had been over the latter's
claim to the title "King of Men," and in swearing fealty to the king
of Númenor (however falsely), Sauron ceded to him that prerogative of rule. </div>
Mitch Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14692138354674511017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355060400384781548.post-41257128668078812012012-09-05T01:57:00.000-07:002012-09-05T01:58:33.553-07:00First Numenorean contact with Middle Earth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjmc1JHuKoSK6wKtTDF0_IVlGdUArzcLLUDJC3jD1VkkeTpVc0F6NhstvOJHdqK0TwcvJLA_Ig4vcTnFQESm_it_vVyJc-Xa0PRI4MEjWNkGhckakou4VEe5u9l99itDO1VuDwrSkHqg/s1600/tgtghhttghggggg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjmc1JHuKoSK6wKtTDF0_IVlGdUArzcLLUDJC3jD1VkkeTpVc0F6NhstvOJHdqK0TwcvJLA_Ig4vcTnFQESm_it_vVyJc-Xa0PRI4MEjWNkGhckakou4VEe5u9l99itDO1VuDwrSkHqg/s1600/tgtghhttghggggg.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />"It was six hundred years after the departure of the survivors of the Atani [Edain] over the sea to Númenor that a ship first came again out of the West to Middle-earth and passed up the Gulf of Lhûn. Its captain and mariners were welcomed by Gilgalad; and thus was begun the friendship and alliance of Númenor with the Eldar of Lindon."<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Numenor
colonies?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">They visited the "primitive" Men
residing there, and had some impact, but did NOT make any permanent abodes of
any kind. And the emphasis that their early visits were in effect unarmed had
quite an impact when they ran into the dark foe's minions in their early
exploration.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The time they spent with these tribes
didn't really make them colonies, only places to stop and rest and resupply (at
the generosity (or not) of the locals).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Resources, especially trees were definitely
(and I believe clearly stated by Tolkien) and issue, and thus the stripping of
the treelines along the costs of Middle-earth, to be shipped back to Numenor.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">In fact, not entirely. You have this
another quote</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"They (the Númenóreans) ranged from Eressëa
in the West to the shores of Middle-earth, and came even to the inner seas; and
they sailed about the North and the South and glimpsed from their high prows
the Gates of Morning in the East." (People of Middle Earth 149)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">This is no support for havens in these
remote regions. It only tells that the Númenóreans went there. IIRC the quote's
context is the age of exploration when the Númenóreans began to explore the
world as allowed by the Ban of the Valar. Note - they *sailed* there. They did not *settle* there
- or made havens.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">During such voyages, there is absolutely no
need for own havens. Either they visit havens from men living there or they
made landfall in a cozy little bay to re-provision themselves (e.g. by hunting)
or repair their ships (by chopping wood). Both these are described in UT as
well:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">"But for long the crews of the great
Númenórean ships came unarmed among the men of Middle-earth; and though they
had axes and bows aboard for the felling of timber and the hunting for food
upon wild shores owned by no man,..." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">UT. Description of the island of Númenor</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">In essence, the quote does not speak of
settlements (only long voyages) and the real-world explorations, it is IMO
highly unlikely that the Númenóreans set up harbors or settlements wherever
they went. They simply explored the world - nothing more (at least at this
time). The later colonies are highly unlikely to have been located in the Inner
Seas or beyond. The western shores (from north to south) were the territory for
Númenor's overseas possessions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Let's examine the case of all the
conflictual colonies:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Hithlond : a little Haven in the North,
probably built in an association with the locals (Ulshyans).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Balkuloni : the same than Hithlond, a small
Haven shared with locals of the Sea of Ormal</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Sakal an-Khâr : this is the most important
colony of Numenor.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Azrathani : a small outpost, still shared
with locals of Shay.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Anarikê : an important colony of Numenor,
also in the Inner Sea.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">All of these colonies have to be mentioned
in the Numenorean essay.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The later colonies are highly unlikely to
have been located in the Inner Seas or beyond. The western shores (from north
to south) were the territory for Númenor's oversea possessions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Again, this is an interpretation, not a
direct affirmation from a quote of Tolkien.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Since we begin with 2d Age 1000-1200, this
essay should not burden itself with the way *how* these people got there. It is
only important to know *that* they are there. Of course we have to include wide
wild and unpopulated areas where mankind is still far from being the
"Master of Middle-earth"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
the level of civilisation, maybe a general note on plausible Technology<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>levels of Middle-earth Men before they are met by the Numenoreans would
be sufficient. If necessary, maybe also pinpoint some civilisation centres on
the map, to show areas where the Numenoreans might fight people with a higher
degree of civilisation (find organised kingdom and cities).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Though these centres of civilization should
be rare around 2d Age 1200.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">One or two at the most. And even until 2dAge
Endorian civilization should be lagging far behind Númenor. Not only in terms
of "Tech level", but especially in form of organization,
sophistication etc. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Powerful or even moderately powerful
Endorian realms should be the exception rather than the norm in this time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
exploration of the Inner Seas occurs much sooner - SA 1004 with <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soronto, in the lands of the Chyan Empire and
Olyas Kriis.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">-Fortunately, we have a quote for Tolkien
that gives a hint:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">-"The first sign of the shadow that
was to fall upon them appeared in the days of Tar-Minastir, eleventh King. He
it was that sent a great force to the aid of Gil-galad. He loved the Eldar but
envied them. The Númenoreans had now become great mariners, exploring all the
seas eastward,..." LotR. Appendix A</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">-Interestingly, it is the time of
Tar-Minastir (or a bit before him) that is associated with the far-flung voyages
into the east. This would limit former times to the exploration of the western
coasts.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The quote is relative to "all the seas
eastward". This is why I placed the "start" of the exploration
(i.e. the entrance into the Inner Sea) in the period immediately before, so
that, in Tar-Minastir's time, his son Ciryatan would bring his ships to the
eastern seas, beyond the Inner Sea.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Other
protected havens may have survived along the coast, and greater colonies in
more remote lands, such as the Inner Seas or the East, may even have suffered
little or no damage. Those realms who survived were greatly modified though
(when they accepted the mixing with natives). Others, like Umbar, maintained
for long the legacy of the Black Numenoreans, and in some cases, of the
Mulkherites. Some other colonies of the Far South did not survive the first
millennium of the Third Age."</span></div>
Mitch Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14692138354674511017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355060400384781548.post-86625708411497662922012-08-24T00:21:00.004-07:002018-08-27T22:01:56.947-07:00Numenore – Technology Maxed - Non-Canon(sic)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjmc1JHuKoSK6wKtTDF0_IVlGdUArzcLLUDJC3jD1VkkeTpVc0F6NhstvOJHdqK0TwcvJLA_Ig4vcTnFQESm_it_vVyJc-Xa0PRI4MEjWNkGhckakou4VEe5u9l99itDO1VuDwrSkHqg/s1600/tgtghhttghggggg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjmc1JHuKoSK6wKtTDF0_IVlGdUArzcLLUDJC3jD1VkkeTpVc0F6NhstvOJHdqK0TwcvJLA_Ig4vcTnFQESm_it_vVyJc-Xa0PRI4MEjWNkGhckakou4VEe5u9l99itDO1VuDwrSkHqg/s320/tgtghhttghggggg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Numenor on the eve of the sailing of Ar-Pharazon the Golden to challenge Sauron?<br />
<br />
<br />
And
Ar-Pharazon instead sails and lands in Iberia with his force of around
250,000 men, who all stand over 6', indeed, the term "man high"
represents 6'4", and Elendil the Tall, who lived then, was said to be
over 7'6". Not to mention, all are armed and armoured with some of the
greatest steel weapons, including 6'6" long bows made of hollow steel.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
That was before the Great Armament.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It
would happen about 100 years earlier, when Ar-Pharazon assembled a
force so great that Sauron's minions feared the Dunedain more than they
feared their own master.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So the Dunedain are not actually yet on the search for eternal life by seizing the Deathless Lands.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
But
also, I think that the population of Numenore is great enough that they
would never need to breed with the Lesser Men, it is in the millions,
possibly in the 10's of millions?!<br />
<br />
<br />
I
have seen in Tolkien's books some matter that seems to suggest that in
the later part of Ar-Pharazon's reign Numenor had steam powered ships.<br />
<br />
<br />
Other possible technology in Tolkien's world is:-<br />
<br />
Internal combustion engines. Some of the machines that attacked Gondolin were clearly not flesh-and-blood dragons.<br />
<br />
Powered aircraft (some exiled Numenoreans after the fall)<br />
<br />
Numenorean
rocket missiles ("Our darts are like thunder and fly over leagues
unerringly", as a Numenorean writes in one of Tolkien's books says).<br />
<br />
<br />
If
all this and its necessary infrastructure landed in Bronze Age Europe
and America, it might quickly develop into a modern technological
system.<br />
<br />
<br />
The Numenoreans began to get
gadget-happy (and more militaristic) as they became dissatisfied with
the Valar's gifts and began to desire immortality, which led to them
being corrupted by Sauron.<br />
<br />
<br />
Their more advanced tech
is also associated with Sauron...in "Unfinished Tales," one of the
Faithful comments that Sauron taught them how to build vessels that
propel themselves.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVjyEYGtFnR3sVbW_GEc-UnhpSwE3JOCsqYCdRygRzVtT-B60_oPIIm40aBPSnMAJXlVNGS69eARszW34XPrZC-FadGGuMZKqx-BkK_D6k9zurdKWj2oWCA_fRfV6gn8PjCYIa_tQRtc/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVjyEYGtFnR3sVbW_GEc-UnhpSwE3JOCsqYCdRygRzVtT-B60_oPIIm40aBPSnMAJXlVNGS69eARszW34XPrZC-FadGGuMZKqx-BkK_D6k9zurdKWj2oWCA_fRfV6gn8PjCYIa_tQRtc/s400/maxresdefault.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
Mitch Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14692138354674511017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355060400384781548.post-70578817202544218032012-08-24T00:16:00.001-07:002012-08-24T01:45:20.927-07:00Numenor - DBM Version 4.8 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm11-8hOsHiilSNOjjUmgFVEtwo6jLzCIocd-tzekueyBufrPDPTUIQGbyrbL77Zc5fFLqfiUMUTBxJU5wGKhiXgRwYW3Gv5bzV-IBpK3o1lw55Ui88RrFcv0lVi8d-2niC6hzxZxOl0c/s1600/ergegrtgtretrghtr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm11-8hOsHiilSNOjjUmgFVEtwo6jLzCIocd-tzekueyBufrPDPTUIQGbyrbL77Zc5fFLqfiUMUTBxJU5wGKhiXgRwYW3Gv5bzV-IBpK3o1lw55Ui88RrFcv0lVi8d-2niC6hzxZxOl0c/s640/ergegrtgtretrghtr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Numenor - DBM Version
4.8 (14 May 2006; superseding v4.7 of 22 November 2002)</span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Numenor</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Warm. Ag 4. WW, Rv, H(S), H(G), Wd, O, V, E, RGo, Rd, BUA. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
1 </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left;">
C-in-C - Reg Sp (S) @ 27 or Reg
Bd (O) @ 27 </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
1-2 </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left;">
Sub-generals - as above </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
6-12 </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left;">
Guards - All Reg Sp (S) @ 7 or
all Reg Bd (O) @ 7 </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
1-2 </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left;">
Scouts - Reg LH (F) @ 4 </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
8-32 </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left;">
Spearmen - Reg Sp (O) @ 5 </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
10-24 </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left;">
Cohorts - all Reg Bw (O) @ 5 or
all Reg Bw (S) @ 7 </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
0-1 </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left;">
Light stone-throwers - Reg Art
(I) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
0-8 </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left;">
Auxiliaries - Irr LH (F) @ 4 </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
0-6 </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left;">
Auxiliaries - Irr Ax (O) @ 3 </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
0-8 </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left;">
Ships - Reg Gal (S) @ 4 or Irr
Shp (S) @ 4 (Sp, Bd, Bw) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
0-6 </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left;">
Transports - Irr Shp (I) @ 2 (Bg,
Reg LH) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b>Only after 2A1700: </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left;">
Eldar allies - List: Noldor </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b>Only before 2A3319:</b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left;">
Easterling vassal allies - List:
Easterlings </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left;">
Southron vassal allies - List: Haradrim
(may not include regulars) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b>Only after 2A3319:</b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
0-1 </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left;">
Upgrade C-in-C to Reg Bd (S) @ 29
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left;">
Hillmen allies: - List:
Dunlendings </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Numenor was a large island far from the coasts of
Middle-earth, inhabited by the descendents of the Men that had served the Noldor
in the first age. This lists covers Numenorean armies from when the first
permanent havens were set up in Endor around the year 1200 of the second age,
until the start of the third age, including the Kingdoms in Exile, Gondor and
Arnor, after the fall of Numenor proper in 2A3319. Numenoreans did not fight on
horseback, leaving the job of scouting to bow-armed light horse generally of
foreign origin. Guards wore black and silver. Archers were organized into
cohorts and had steel bows. It is uncertain what secondary arms were carried.
Numenorean ships were large, with towers and many masts. They might be equipped
with auxiliary oars. Noldor allies cannot be used with other allies. Allied
contingents drawn from this list need not contain any guards. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
DBA:
1 x 2LH, 1 x 2Lh or 3Ax or 4Sp, 1 x 4Bd or 4Sp, 4 x 4Sp, 4 x 4Bw, 1 x 4Bw or
4Sp </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
HotT:
1 x Hero or 2 x Blades or 2 x Spears, 1 x Riders, 4 x Spears, 3 x Shooters, 2 x
Shooters or Spears </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b>Enemies:
</b>Easterlings, Mordor, Haradrim, Dunlending</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Army
List Notes: Numenor</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Numenor
was a very large island peopled by the men, the Edain, allied to the Elves of
Beleriand at start of 2A. The Numenoreans were slow in returning to
Middle-Earth, at first content with their own island, but gradually taking
lands for their own, until they became the most powerful empire Middle-Earth
had ever seen. The island was drowned in the great cataclysm of 2A3319, but its
culture survived in the two successor states of Arnor and Gondor. These are
covered by their own lists in 3A, but use this list in 2A post 3319. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Aggression
is rated 4, as Numenor itself was never invaded, while the Nmenoreans conquered
many other nations. Gondor and Arnor were likewise aggresive in overthrowing
Sauron. The terrain list and climate reflects the island of Numenor itself, a
land with a favourable climate (UT, p165ff) and resources. A road is
compulsory, as the state was very well-organised, with many roads, for the most
part unpaved however (UT, p169). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Numenoreans
fought almost exclusively on foot (UT, p278), the only exceptions being mounted
scouts. They were well-organised, disciplined, and trained to a high standard.
They formed up in shield-walls when on the defensive (UT, p272), and used
longer weapons than the short Orcish spear (UT, p273), and are hence graded as
Reg Sp (O). Guards units existed (UT, p271) - I assume that these would be
equally capable with sword or spear. That they could form up in wedge
formations (UT, p273) would certainly point to a Bd classification being
permissible. In any case, Numenoreans used axes as weapons (UT, p170). The
option for a Bd (S) C-in-C is to cover Elendil wielding Narsil (Sil, p354). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
As
well as these close-fighting troops, archers were also employed. They were
organised into cohorts and shot dense volleys, and are accordingly graded as
Reg Bw (UT, p170). These were longbowmen using steel bows (UT, p273), and can
accordingly be classified as Bw (S). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Engines
of war are mentioned (Sil, p330) which I have assumed to be similar to those of
their Gondorian descendents (RotK, p158). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Auxiliary
light horse-archers were employed (UT, p278), hence the LH (F) listed, and the
Ax (O) represent those tribesmen of the forests and hills that they at first
befriended (Sil, p316). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Numenoreans
were excellent mariners, and used naval forces extensively, for instance in the
defence of the Grey Havens (eg UT, p239) assisting the Noldor against Sauron.
Such was the size of the Numenorean fleet on this occasion that it could
scarcely find harbourage (hence the large number of naval elements allowed, and
the rating of the Noldor as allies, rather than the Numenoreans being allied to
the Noldor). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Before
Numenor fell, it had laid vast parts of Middle-Earth under vassalage (Sil,
p319); such peoples were not very advanced, and so cannot contain regular
troops. The Hillmen of the Ered Nimrais swore allegiance to Gondor; as they in
fact refused to take the field against Sauron they are counted as allies (UT,
p430). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
The
banner of Elendil was black, with a white tree, surrounded by seven stars,
surmounted by a gold and silver crown (RotK, p145). </div>
</div>
Mitch Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14692138354674511017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355060400384781548.post-61524550606051911672012-08-02T01:29:00.001-07:002012-08-02T01:29:53.319-07:00Numenorean Army and Armour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm11-8hOsHiilSNOjjUmgFVEtwo6jLzCIocd-tzekueyBufrPDPTUIQGbyrbL77Zc5fFLqfiUMUTBxJU5wGKhiXgRwYW3Gv5bzV-IBpK3o1lw55Ui88RrFcv0lVi8d-2niC6hzxZxOl0c/s1600/ergegrtgtretrghtr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm11-8hOsHiilSNOjjUmgFVEtwo6jLzCIocd-tzekueyBufrPDPTUIQGbyrbL77Zc5fFLqfiUMUTBxJU5wGKhiXgRwYW3Gv5bzV-IBpK3o1lw55Ui88RrFcv0lVi8d-2niC6hzxZxOl0c/s400/ergegrtgtretrghtr.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">What we can surmise…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">When we return to the Arthadan army, the
following prerequisites for the introduction of large archer-contingents are
met: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">• The Dúnadan realm often has to fight
against the numerical odds. The need for an effective, massed, ranged weapon
that weakens the enemy before the melee begins is therefore great. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">• Large contingents of its enemies, such as
Orcs and tribal Easterlings, tend to be not overly disciplined and only lightly
armored on the battlefield (at least compared to 14th and 15th century European
knights). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">• It has sufficient numbers of skilled
bowmen to form a powerful archery corps. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">This last requisite is extrapolated from
Tolkien’s statements about the Númenóreans. In Unfinished Tales, we read that
“… shooting with bows on foot and on horseback was a chief sport and pastime of
the Númenóreans. In later days…it was the bows of the Númenóreans that were
most greatly feared (UT.170).” Considering the overall conservatism among the
Dúnedain, it seems very likely that the Faithful preserved their old military
traditions in Middle-earth, as long as these did not contradict their philosophy.
Even if we allow for a decline in skill and lore and the slow disappearance of
the powerful steel bows, the tradition of skillful archery should have been
active even among the indigenous and mixed people of Arthedain who are heavily
influenced by the culture of their lords. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">During the Second Age, the Númenórean
armies made extensive use of massive archer contingents: “…in those days the
great cohorts of the King’s Archers used bows made of hollow steel… (ibid).”
Even at the beginning of the Third Age, the archers of the Dúnedain were still
feared and highly skilled, as we learn in the essay about the disaster at the
Gladden Fields: “They [the Orcs]… kept at a distance out of the range of the
dreaded steel-bows of Númenor… (UT.273).” Considering all these facts, it seems
very likely that the widespread tradition of archery was preserved in Arthedain
(the Dúnadan realm in Eriador with the purest Númenórean tradition).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">In one respect, however, Dúnadan knights
differed significantly from their medieval European counterparts: they were not
inclined to true cavalry warfare: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The Númenóreans in their own land possessed
horses, which they esteemed. But they did not use them in war…. In war they
were used only by couriers, and by bodies of light-armed archers (often not of
Númenórean race). (UT.278) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Therefore the typical Arthadan knight might
use his horse(s) for transportation to the battlefield, but whenever possible
would fight on foot.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Citadel
Guards and Fountain Court Guard [film version]</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Founded as an order of elite guards
answerable only to the king of the southern realm. Only the best warriors that
Gondor has to offer are picked to join the Guard, to be clad in their ancient
armour and to carry blades of Westernesse and Númenorean steel composite bows,
heavy with both age and honour. The guardsmen themselves are the very image of
the first Men of Núménor to settle the shores of Middle-earth, tall and stern,
proud and steady in battle. They protect the lords of Minas Anor and the sacred
places of the Mound of Mindolluin with a resolute devotion. In the absence of a
king, the guards take their orders from the Steward of Minas Anor, sworn to
obey his every command until death claims them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Steel
Bows </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The Númenórean steel bow should be an
almost devastating weapon. I suggest using it sparsely because of its power and
the loss of lore among the Dúnedain in Endor. In my opinion, it should possess
ca. 150% the strength (damage) and range of a normal longbow. If you use
Hârnmaster, treat a steel bow as if it were two categories higher than usual
(e.g., a steel longbow is treated as a strongbow, a heavy steel longbow as a
greatbow, etc.), but only one category higher in Strength requirements (e.g., a
steel longbow uses the strength requirements of a heavy longbow).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Even in the case of the fabulously gifted
Noldor and Naugrim, there are absolutely no indications in Tolkien’s writings
that they ever possessed something similar to the elaborate plate armor of the
14th and 15th century.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Where Tolkien wants to describe advanced
technology, he usually does not describe anything significantly more modern
than the legends he draws from, from Beowulf to the Edda and the Chanson de
Roland, but moves within the time frame set by these and their contemporary
sources. Instead, he uses the levels within that time frame, and occasionally
uses more advanced materials for items that were not, historically, used. For
example, Tolkien sometimes describes blades as damascened steel to accentuate
their superiority, while their real historical counterpart was of inferior
material. Similarly, in The Hobbit, he describes how the Dwarves expanded the
concept of mail armour to hose, another development which occurred much later
than the introduction of coats of mail. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Thus, I believe that while Tolkien did not
plant people 1:1 from our world to Middleearth, he mixed even the very
Anglo-Saxonlike Rohirrim with Ostrogoths and consequentially put them on
horseback. He used material from within the framework of his sources, and
additionally described weapons and armour from a time frame that spans from the
mythical time of Beowulf in the 5th or 6th century to the Bayeux tapestry and
the first crusade in the late 11th or 12th century. This is the end of the
historical scope of his sources though; barring any plate-equipped knights in a
true-to- Tolkien scenario in Middle-earth. --- <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">by Oliver Haussth.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">The
exception but a very unique singular one:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Now
the traffic of the Dwarves down from the Blue Mountains followed two roads
across East Beleriand, and the northern way, going towards the Fords of Aros,
passed nigh to Nan Elmoth; and there Eöl would meet the Naugrim and hold
converse with them. And as their friendship grew he would at times go and dwell
as guest in the deep mansions of Nogrod or Belegost There he learned much of
metalwork, and came to great skill therein; and he devised a metal as hard as
the steel of the Dwarves, but so malleable that he could make it thin and
supple; and yet it remained resistant to all blades and darts. He named it
galvorn, for it was black and shining like jet, and he was clad in it whenever
he went abroad. -<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Chapter 16 Of Maeglin
- Silmarillion</b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">#</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Eöl
loved the night and the stars, and among all the Firstborn of his time he was
the one closest in friendship with Dwarves, who instructed him in smithcraft
and who were in turn later taught by him in techniques of his own. His greatest
creation as master smith was the so-called galvorn, a black metal harder than
steel but light in weight and supple, whose most special component was iron
from a meteorite. He forged two swords with this metal, Anglachel and Anguirel,
and they were powerful weapons indeed. But when he had used all his stock of
meteorite iron, he became obsessed with finding a way to make an alloy of
earth-delved metals that could resemble the properties of his prized galvorn.
He spent long years trying more and more complicated processes, and visiting
the Dwarves to exchange knowledge and find a way to achieve his goal. Finally,
he discovered the way to create an alloy better than steel for forging weapons
and armor, which he called morglân, but this was still insignificant when
compared with the mighty galvorn. However, he found it useful because he could
produce it in much greater quantity than galvorn, despite the process needing
several years to be completed. He shared his secret only with his younger
brother, Dúhir<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">.-addition by José Enrique
Vacas de la Rosa - MERP</b></span></i></div>Mitch Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14692138354674511017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355060400384781548.post-44540081049208556612012-07-18T09:37:00.000-07:002012-07-18T09:38:26.379-07:00The Building of the Tower of Orthanc<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />There was but one choice for the Master Builder of Angrenost, and that was Curugond of Lamedon. He had overseen the building of Minas Anor nearly thirty years earlier, and though old, was the most cunning builder that the Dúnedain had produced since the days of Númenor. Great friendship he had with the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm, who shared their arts with him, but Curugond gleaned even more from their teachings than they guessed, and as his knowledge grew, so did his pride. Curugond’s thought was fixed on the Barad-dûr, which had been the greatest tower of its age. Why, he thought, should Gondor not build a fortress of such stature, an answer to the darkness of the previous age? <br /><br /><br /><br />When he travelled to the vale to survey it, he discovered Ciryanar’s vision of a tower within a ring was not mere fancy. Only half-buried beneath the soil deposited by the Isen, was a rough, natural ring of black stone, the lip of some ancient volcano laid low by time and nature. Curugond’s designs were greater than they ought to have been, a mark of pride. He made plans to carve four great slabs of black stone from the centre of the ring, forming the tower’s apartments and chambers from them, and then hoisting them together to fit into a virtually impregnable tower. To carve the sides, he enlisted the aid of the dwarves of Moria, while crews recruited from Dunland performed the task of hoisting the slabs. This latter labour was far more difficult than Curugond had promised, and when the Hill-men attempted to raise the third slab, the lines broke, and many Dunlendings were crushed. Curugond cared not for their misfortune, but fretted about the tower, which was undamaged. This slight was remembered in Dunland, whose people nurse grudges like a dragon’s horde, and the people of Gondor would later come to rue the callousness of their chief builder. <br /><br /><br /><br />Ten years after the death of Ciryanar, the tower was finally completed. Upon its lofty roof, enchantments were set to protect it from harm, from fire and stone and the natural forces that weather stone to its roots. Prince Thinyarpher, Ciryanar’s son, took the keys of Orthanc and became its first steward, bringing with him a palantír of Elendil. He served Gondor faithfully, as did his descendents, the Angrenostim, for in those days there was trust among the royal houses of Gondor and love between its brethren, and kings did not fear that a rival would use Angrenost as a citadel to supplant them. But such days were not to last forever. <br /><br /><br /><br />As for Curugond’s fate, one tale says that he promised the Dwarves of Moria a great jewel of Númenor in exchange for their service, but besotted by a pretty granddaughter, he gave her the jewel and substituted a
lesser gift in its stead. It is further said that the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm,
who had no love for deception, seized Curugond and slew him in the dark.Mitch Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14692138354674511017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355060400384781548.post-26591380072026646352012-07-13T07:19:00.003-07:002012-07-13T07:19:35.762-07:00Army of Numenor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /><br /> The Numenorean army is the mightiest that exists in Arda at this point of time, and one of the greatest in all the ages of the world. It is this military strength which has enabled the Sea-Kings to extend their sway over vast areas of Middle-Earth and protect their dominions from Sauron and others who would oppose them. The strength of this army lies not just in its size, but also in the rigid discipline of its soldiers and their stern loyalty and valour -- all of which combine to make it almost unstoppable. <br /><br /><br /> The Numenorean army consists almost entirely of foot soldiers. The typical gear of the Numenorean 'Narad', or warrior, consists of chain, spear and sword. In addition, the Numenoreans are well provisioned for long campaigns in far places. <br /><br /><br /> The main unit of the arms of Numenor can be found within what is called a Host consisting of some 6000 Men. These are further divided into ten Cohorts consisting of 600 Men apiece. The Host commander is a high position indeed and holds the Adunaic title of 'Attabar' or 'Father of Strength.' The ensignias and badges of the Hosts vary from place to place. <br /><br /><br /> There are two kinds of Cohorts in the Numenorean Host. The most common kind is the Cohort of Men-of-Arms. These are foot soldiers that are armed with spear and sword. In addition, all Numenorean warriors carry with them on their belts a sealed wallet that contains a small phial of cordial and wafers that can sustain life for many days as may be needed. In the classical Host, eight of the ten cohorts consist of this kind of soldiery. <br /><br /> <br /> The other two employ perhaps the most effective of the weapons of the Numenoreans: Bowmen. The bows and arrows employed are wrought of steel, to be sent in hails against their foes. The bows themselves are a full ell long! The commander of a Cohort, holds the Adunaic title of 'Azgaran', which roughly translates to 'Man-making war.' <br /><br /> <br /><br /> THE HOST: <br /><br /> The Hosts which make up the Numenorean army fall into 3 categories -- the Standing Hosts, the Reserve Hosts, and the War Hosts. <br /><br /><br /> Standing Hosts These are the elite Hosts, containing the veteran soldiers who are the most highly trained. They are always fully manned and ready to march into battle at a moment's notice. In more peaceful times, there was but 1 Standing Host in Numenor proper, but due to internal strife, there are now 6 Standing Hosts upon the Isle -- a number unheard of in the days of old. <br /><br /><br /> They are the 1st Host in Mittalmar, the 2nd Host in Andustar, the 78th Host in Hyarmenstar, the 4th Host in Hyarrostar, the 5th Host in Romenna, and the 6th Host in Forrostar. In addition, there are several Standing Hosts based in the colonies -- the 7th, 11th, 12th and 16th Hosts in Umbar, and the 8th Host in Tharbad. <br /><br /> <br /> Reserve Hosts There come times when the presence of Numenorean might is urgently needed in a troubled place. However, the Standing Hosts are often on duty in positions from which they cannot be spared -- thus, the Reserve Hosts. These Hosts are formed of those Hosts from the Standing Hosts which can be spared at any time(all 6 Hosts from Numenor, and the 7th Host from Umbar), and a number of other Hosts which can be assembled very swiftly. <br /><br /> <br /> These latter Hosts are not fully manned at all times, but rather, consist of the commanders and a small number of trained veterans. Those who wish to join them must serve in the Host for 2 years. After this term of service, they may leave, but will have to return every 3 months for battle training. In this manner, these Hosts are comprised of trained soldiers who can be rapidly assembled in times of need, and sent wherever they are needed. There are 22 Reserve Hosts in totality. <br /><br /> <br /> War Hosts The Standing Hosts and Reserve Hosts together number 32 -- a mighty force indeed, and one which is well able to deal with the forces of Sauron and petty rebellions of Middle-Earth. However, there may come a time when such a foe threatens Numenor that her entire might shall be needed -- the well nigh invincible Grand Army of 75 Hosts. <br /><br /> <br /> The Grand Army consists not just of the Standing and Reserve Hosts, but also of the War Hosts. The latter will be formed of the citizens of Numenor who will be conscripted into service should the need ever arise. The War Hosts are 43 in number. However, this massive force has never been needed in the course of Numenor's history -- and it is extremely doubtful that it ever will be. <br /><br /><br /> <b>Army Ranks: </b><br /><br /> Attabar Host Commander <br /><br /> Azgaran Cohort Commander <br /><br /> Narad WarriorMitch Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14692138354674511017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355060400384781548.post-59668416354352582172012-07-13T06:58:00.001-07:002012-07-13T07:00:09.324-07:00Orthanc<br />
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<br /><br />Orthanc was, according to J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, built during the end of the Second Age by the men of Gondor out of four many sided columns of rock joined together by an unknown process and then hardened. No known weapon could harm it. The Ents themselves could not break the tower, although they could split solid rock into fragments with ease. Orthanc rose up to more than 500 feet (150 meters) above the plain of Isengard, and ended in four sharp peaks. Its only entrance was at the top of a high stair, and above that was a small window and balcony. <br /><br /><br />Orthanc housed one of the palantíri of the South Kingdom, and was guarded by a special warden. In the days of the early Stewards the tower was locked and its keys taken to Minas Tirith. When Isengard fell to the Dunlendings in T.A. 2710 they were unable to enter the tower.Mitch Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14692138354674511017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355060400384781548.post-22297136455942058312012-07-13T06:49:00.001-07:002019-06-21T06:50:21.620-07:00The Great Armament<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><i>My inspiration was Tolkien (of course), his Númenórean race. <a href="http://avor.cgsociety.org/gallery/">The Ship is my creation</a>, based maybe on some Greek or Roman designs. Done in photoshop, in some 35-40 hours. There is a lot of details which takes me ages to do.</i></b><br />
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<br />Prompted by Sauron and fearing old age and death, Ar-Pharazôn built a great armada and set sail into the West to make war upon the Valar and seize the Undying Lands, and by so doing achieve immortality. Sauron remained behind. This force was quoted by Tolkien as the 'greatest force ever assembled on Arda'. In the year 3319 of the Second Age, Ar-Pharazôn landed on the shores of Aman. As the Valar were forbidden to take direct action against Men, Manwë, chief of the Valar, called upon Eru. The Undying Lands were removed from the world forever, and the formerly flat Earth was made into a globe. Númenor was overwhelmed in the cataclysm and sank beneath the sea, killing its inhabitants, including the body of Sauron who was thereby robbed of his ability to assume fair and charming forms, forever appearing in the form of a Dark Lord thereafter.<br />
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The Great Armament was the armada of warships and military forces prepared by the last King of Númenor, Ar-Pharazôn, for the purpose of invading the land of Aman to challenge the Lords of the West.<br />
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In S.A. 3261 Ar-Pharazôn invaded Middle-earth; by the following year Sauron submitted to him and was taken as prisoner to Númenor. Over the course of the next 48 years Sauron gradually seduced and corrupted the King and the majority of the Númenóreans. Feeling the coming of death, in S.A. 3310 Ar-Pharazôn initiated the construction of the Great Armament.<br />
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When preparation of the Armament became apparent, Amandil became dismayed and attempted to sail into the West to beseech the Valar for mercy and deliverance from Sauron. His mission failed and he was never heard from again.<br />
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For nine years Ar-Pharazôn amassed his strength in the havens of western Númenor while Elendil, Amandil's son gathered a small fleet of ships in the east that held the wives and children of the Faithful as well as their heirlooms and a store of goods. In secret the ship of Isildur, Elendil's son, also held a scion of Nimloth, the white tree.<br />
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As the Armament proceeded, omens appeared from the West – at first great clouds appeared in the shape of vast eagles, spreading darkness upon the land. As men hardened their hearts the clouds issued lightning that slew men, with one bolt smiting the dome of the Temple that Sauron had caused to be built in the city of Armenelos. Earthquakes shook Númenor and smoke poured from the summit of the Meneltarma, yet Ar-Pharazôn pushed all the more to complete his Armament.<br />
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Finally, in S.A. 3319, the King boarded his flagship Alcarondas and led the armada into the West. So vast was the Númenórean fleet that it surrounded all of Tol Eressëa. Coming upon the silent shores of Valinor, Ar-Pharazôn almost wavered but his pride won out - he landed and claimed the land for his own. Manwë then called upon Ilúvatar who put forth his power: The world was changed with a vast chasm rending the sea between Númenor and the Deathless Lands. The ships of the Great Armament were swallowed into the abyss while Ar-Pharazôn and his followers upon the shore were buried under falling hills.<br />
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<br />Mitch Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14692138354674511017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355060400384781548.post-25738806780323389662012-07-13T06:36:00.001-07:002012-07-13T06:39:05.308-07:00Culture<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /><br />The inhabitants of Númenor, usually called the Númenóreans or Men of the West, were descended from the Edain, a group of Men that dwelt in the north-west of Middle-earth and became the most advanced mortal culture. After their settlement in the isle, their knowledge and skills were further developed through the teaching of the Valar and of the Elves of Tol Eressëa.<br /><br /><br />The majority of the Númenóreans, descended from the original Folk of Hador, were fair-haired and blue-eyed. The settlers of the western regions, especially of the Andustar, came mostly from the Folk of Bëor, resulting in their darker hair and grey eyes. It is also recorded that a few remnants of the Folk of Haleth had journeyed to Númenor, and that they were accompanied by several families of the Drúedain. The latter, though at first increased in number, departed back to Middle-earth over time.<br /><br /><br />As a result, the common language of the Númenóreans — Adûnaic — was mainly derived from the speech of the Hadorians. According to some of Tolkien's writings, the descendants of the people of Bëor spoke an accented form of Adûnaic, while in others it is stated that they had dropped their own tongue before coming to the island and used the Grey-elven Sindarin as daily speech in Númenor. All texts, however, agree that Sindarin was known to the majority of the Númenóreans, and was widely used in noble families; the latter also knew the High-elven Quenya, employing it in "official documents", works of lore and nomenclature. The situation changed when the friendship with the Elves was broken. The usage of both Sindarin and Quenya gradually lessened, until at last King Ar-Adûnakhôr forbade to teach them, and the knowledge of the Elven-tongues was only preserved by the Faithful.<br /><br /><br /><br />The Númenóreans were extremely skilled in many arts, but in later centuries their chief industries were shipbuilding and sea-craft. They became great mariners, exploring the world in all directions save for the west, where the Ban of the Valar was in force. They often travelled to the shores of Middle-earth, teaching the men there the arts and crafts, and they introduced farming to improve their everyday lives.<br /><br /><br /><br />The Númenóreans, too, became skilled in husbandry, breeding great horses that roamed the open plains of Mittalmar.Mitch Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14692138354674511017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355060400384781548.post-75234353458850164272012-07-13T05:18:00.000-07:002012-07-13T06:06:03.876-07:00Numenor History<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The island was brought up from the sea as a gift from the Valar to
the Edain, the Fathers of Men who had stood with the Elves of Beleriand
against Morgoth in the War of the Jewels. Númenor was meant to be a
“rest after the war” for the Edain. Early in the Second Age the greater
part of those Edain that survive their defeat from Morgoth journeyed to
the isle, sailing in ships provided by the Elves. The realm was
officially established in S.A. 32, and Elros Half-elven, son of
Earendil, and brother of Elrond and descendant of all the royal houses
of Elves and Edain, became the first King of Númenor. Under his rule,
and those of his descendants, the Númenóreans rose to become a powerful
people. The first ships sailed from Númenor to Middle-earth in the year
600 of the Second Age.<br />
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The Númenóreans were forbidden by the Valar from
sailing so far westward that Númenor was no longer visible, for fear
that they would come upon the Undying Lands, to which Men could not
come. For a long time, Númenor remained friendly with the Elves, both of
Eressëa and of Middle-earth, and between S.A. 1693-1700, they assisted
Gil-galad in the War of the Elves and Sauron, which broke out after the
forging of the Great Rings, in particular the One Ring. King
Tar-Minastir and the forces of Númenor were without peer in war, and
together with the Elves, they were able to temporarily defeat Sauron.
Over time the Númenóreans became jealous of the Elves for their
immortality, and began to resent the Ban of the Valar and to rebel
against their authority, seeking the everlasting life that they believed
was begrudged them.They tried to compensate for this by going eastward
and colonizing large parts of Middle-earth, first in a friendly manner,
but later as cruel tyrants.<br />
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Soon the Númenóreans came to rule a great
coastal empire that had no rival. Few (the “Faithful”) remained loyal to
the Valar and friendly to the Elves. In the year 3255 of the Second
Age, the 25th king, Ar Pharazon, sailed to Middle-earth and landed at
Umbar. Seeing the might of Númenor, Sauron’s armies fled and Sauron
surrendered without a fight. He was brought back to Númenor as a
prisoner but he soon became an advisor to the king and promised the
Númenóreans eternal life if they worshipped Melkor. With
Sauron as his advisor, Ar-Pharazôn had a 500-foot (150 m) tall temple
to Melkor erected, in which he offered human sacrifices to Melkor (those
selected to be sacrificed were Elendili, Númenóreans who were still
faithful to the Elves). During this time, the White Tree Nimloth, which
stood before the King’s House in Armenelos and whose fate was said to be
tied to the line of kings, was chopped down and burned as a sacrifice
to Melkor at Sauron’s direction.<br />
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Isildur heroically and at great
personal risk, rescued a fruit of the tree which became the White Tree
of Gondor, preserving the ancient line of trees. Prompted by Sauron and
fearing death and old age, Ar-Pharazôn built a great armada and set
sail into the West to make war upon the Valar and seize the Undying
Lands, and by so doing achieve immortality. Sauron remained behind.<br />
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In
the year 3319 of the Second Age, Ar-Pharazôn landed on the shores of
Aman. As the Valar were forbidden to take direct action against Men,
Manwe, chief of the Valar, called upon Eru. The Undying Lands were
removed from the world forever, and the formerly flat earth was made
into a globe. Númenor was overwhelmed in the cataclysm and sank beneath
the sea, killing its inhabitants, including the body of Sauron who was
thereby robbed of his ability to assume fair and charming forms, forever
appearing in the form of a Dark Lord thereafter. Elendil son of the
leader of the Faithful during the reign of Ar-Pharazôn, his sons and his
followers had foreseen the disaster that was to befall Númenor, and
they had set sail in nine ships before the island fell. They landed in
Middle-earth and founded the kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor. The downfall
of Númenor was said to be the second fall of Men, the first being when
Men first awoke and fell swiftly under the dominion of Morgoth.<br />
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<br /></div>Mitch Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14692138354674511017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355060400384781548.post-63842550298827799962012-04-03T06:45:00.000-07:002018-08-27T22:01:10.820-07:00Technology of Numenor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If we try to visualize Númenor during the last days, what
would the technological level of the country be like? We do know that Sauron
taught them a lot of things.</div>
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The HOME books have descriptions of Númenor being an
industrial nation with steam-punk technology such as metal ships and even
missiles:</div>
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"The teaching of Sauron has led to the invention of
ships of metal that traverse the seas without sails, but which are hideous in
the eyes of those who have not abandoned or forgotten Tol Eressea; to the
building of grim fortresses and unlovely towers; and to missiles that pass with
a noise like thunder to strike their targets many miles away."</div>
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(History of Middle-earth 5)</div>
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“Our ships go now without the wind, and many are made of
metal that sheareth rocks, and they sink not in calm or storm; but they are no
longer fair to look upon. But our shields are impenetrable, our swords cannot
be withstood, our darts are like thunder and pass over leagues unerring.”</div>
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(Again, History of Middle-earth 5)</div>
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It seems that the steam-powered ships of metal were dropped
in the Silmarillion version (which is the "final version", for all
intents and purposes), where the ships are obviously wooden and use sails:</div>
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“..., and they [the fleets of the Númenóreans] were like an
archipelago of a thousand isles; their masts were as a forest upon the
mountains, and their sails like a brooding cloud; ... Then Ar-Pharazôn hardened
his heart, and he went aboard his mighty ship, Alcarondas, Castle of the Sea.
Many-oared it was and many-masted, golden and sable; ...</div>
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(Silmarillion)</div>
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In the end, it seems like Tolkien dropped the idea of
Númenor being a steam-powered high-tech state, and instead made it a pre-modern
society. But it must have been the most advanced pre-industrial realm possible,
since the author tells us that the natives of Middle-earth often mistook them
for gods, and we know they created some pretty awe-inspiring architectural
works (Isengard, Minas Tirith, Argonath, etc) in Middle-Earth even after their
downfall.</div>
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If looking only by Silmarillion, Akallabeth, we are told
that during Sauron's stay at Numenor they “devised engines" whatever that
means, evidently some Numenoreans were practicing alchemy (shown in Faramir's
words “withered men compounding strong elixirs") and alchemy leads
sometimes to discoveries in the chemistry, their engineering knowledge too
would be impressive, even such construction feats as giant bridge of Osgiliath
(with Dome of Stars), Kings House on arches on Anduin river, Isengard and
Hornburg, Argonath, Minas Ithil and Minas Anor (Tirith), massive bridge of
Tharbad, made in times of Gondor indicated that Numenor was full of such
massive buildings. If only smaller part of their knowledge was saved from the
cataclysm it would lead to interesting speculations, what they were capable of,
maybe they built in Numenor great archologies, cities where nature and
technology were in unity due to elvish sensibilities. Elves taught them much
and cultivated gardens in the central lands of the island. Armenelos must have
been truly magnificent. In metallurgy and weapon making they were superior to
any other human nation but not as great as elven or dwarven work. Here there
are also those spells “for the bane of Mordor", we know that by some art
the daggers were not rusting after thousands of years and remained incredibly
sharp able to pierce trolls hide with ease (trolls skin is so hard that average
sword can bounce off it, it requires a lot of strength to harm a troll with
usual weapons, Barrow Downs daggers were made in Arnor but knowledge definitely
came from Numenor), also medicine was advanced, they were able to make
invigorating draughts and food stuff with the qualities of lembas and miruvor
(by the way this vitality drink was also made by orcs but with less potency), extremely
useful for armies. Only small fracture of old lore survived to Third Age in
Houses of Healing.</div>
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How big could have been their ships, probably massive as
everything else, one of the ships of Aldarion was called popularly Wooden Whale
so its size definitely was impressive. Not much of other things is known, it is
my own speculation but maybe they also knew physics (actually optics) Saruman
said that white light can be broken I can imagine that such basic knowledge was
known to advanced Numenor civilization (elves probably too know it, and could
teach the Numenoreans during their visits) elves knew how to make glass, so
maybe they made lenses (telescopes maybe as we have a reference to astronomy or
astrology, ”in high cold towers asked questions of the stars"). Who knows,
maybe Feanor's crystals that showed things from far away were not only Palantir
but also more mundane optic devices and this knowledge could have come to
Numenor.</div>
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About the elves in Numenor it's written in Unfinished Tales,
the elves of Tol Eressea came often with visit and brought much of the fauna
and flora to the island and we know how elves are great in agriculture and
gardening :) Gildor Inglorion company had fruits larger and tastier than
anything that could be found in the best tended gardens. The description of
Numenor in Unfinished Tales tells something about the environment of the island
and its resources. Elves brought many species like: kirinki (small scarlet
birds), seven kinds of Fragrant Trees (I don't remember all their names, one
that comes to mind is Oiolare which bough was taken as a sign of good fortune
on the prows of ships).</div>
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Also there is a reference in Akallabeth (and Lotr) that
Numenoreans were able to embalm the corpses of their dead. So human anatomy in
medical science would be well known (not to mention the required use of
chemistry and thanatology). Probably Numenoreans also had some skill in mining,
smelting and refining various ores if indeed they had mithril there on the
island (in this one case they would come pretty close to dwarven abilities if
in the purpose of processing mithril is required some higher technology, but I
assume there was rather small amount of it, the island was stated to be rather
poor in precious metals, before they started to get profits from colonial
empire).</div>
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Their buildings are always large in scale:</div>
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“But Sauron caused to be built upon a hill in the midst of
the city of Numenoreans, Armenelos the Golden, a mighty temple; and it was in
the form of a circle at the base, and there the walls were fifty feet in
thickness, and the width of the base was five hundred feet across the center,
and the walls rose from the ground five hundred feet, and they were crowned
with a mighty dome. And the dome was roofed all with silver, and rose
glittering in the sun, so that the light of it could be seen from afar off; but
soon the light was darkened, and the silver became black. For there was an
altar of fire in the midst of the temple, and in the topmost of the dome there
was a lover, whence there issued a great smoke."</div>
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Well this particular building was built by the will of
Sauron and was not typical for Armenelos architecture but judging by the height
of later monumental structures: Minas Tirith (about 1000 ft) they sure know how
to show off with construction feats. King's Palace would be much greater than
this temple (and the city existed for thousands of years before Sauron even got
there). What style the building would have? Hard to guess, but certainly there
were made from stone delivered from stone-quarries near city of Ondosto (it
must have been quite thriving industry, constantly providing building
materials).</div>
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Those engines mentioned in my previous post made me wonder,
some machinery was definitely involved so the bits of text about metal ships
going without wind might be considered as part of the technology after all
(those ships would also perished in the cataclysm along with knowledge of their
making so nobody could make another one, in fact Faithful would probably
despise the very idea for it would mean using Sauron's knowledge, Akallabeth
mentions that ships of Great Armament had sails and many oars but it doesn't
exclude the possibility that such ships were build).</div>
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As for magic I think that there indeed was present in
Numenorean lives, they themselves were granted with special gifts which made
this nation very elf-like if you know what I mean. Their craft is one thing but
such abilities like Denethor possessed thanks to the blood of Numenor “he can
perceive if he bends his will thither much of what is passing in the minds of
men" and there is told that in Numenor “and it is said in old tales that
where there was great love between men and women and their favourite steeds
they could be summoned at need by thought alone." The enchanted blades too
seem to confirm that these people possessed certain powers (like elves and
dwarves).</div>
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Possibly a hint about Numenorean engineering in book two,
where we get this part about Minas Morgul:</div>
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"Paler indeed than the moon ailing in some slow eclipse
was the light of it now, wavering and blowing like a noisome exhalation of
decay, a corpse-light, and a light that illuminated nothing. In the walls and
tower windows showed, like countless black holes looking inward into emptiness;
but the topmost course of the tower revolved slowly, first one way and then
another, as a huge ghostly head leering into the night."</div>
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I imagine that the Numenoreans who built Minas Ithil used
this type of pre-modern engineering, with hydraulics and massive gears, to make
the top of the tower rotate around.</div>
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The line in The Lost Road maybe hints that Sauron improved
their normal weapons, as well as inventing new ones: "But our shields are
impenetrable, our swords cannot be withstood, our darts are like thunder and
pass over leagues unerring."</div>
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These “darts like thunder" might have been a reference
to firearms (nothing too fancy, artillery cannons, not personal guns, or it's
just super boosted catapult :) Numenoreans earlier were known for long range
weapons (bows of hollow steel, by the way, man how strong they must have been
to draw one) so it would be perverted form of their previous style of fighting.
About material knowledge from Sauron, metallurgy for one such as him should
have no secrets, new alloys, better quality steel who knows. By the way I tried
to find out what metals besides the precious ones (and imaginary) were known to
inhabitants of Arda, not much, so let's list them: iron (obviously, copper,
bronze and steel alloys by extension, tin and lead. In metalwork Dark Lord
could probably surpass the best elven and dwarven smiths (the reference to them
mining coal made me wonder whether they possessed technology to properly refine
steel using coal in production instead of a standard charcoal, and that
technology appeared about 1780) </div>
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Sauron's “help" would be much admired, like the one
thing with “defying lightning" so they would call him god and I bet he
would use some of his skill in manufacturing showing that his creations are
better. Besides other more flashy examples of his innate power he would present
his solutions for doing things “better and faster" as Ted Sandyman thought
about this large, fully mechanized mill which turned out to be something more
sinister, poisoning the river (after being fooled by Saruman, Sandyman allowed
to build new mill destroying the old one). Dominating others through display of
power and higher knowledge was always Sauron's forte. From his association with
fire Sauron could probably bring temperatures impossible to achieve in normal
furnaces and have more pure metal from ore, not to mention possible sorcery
involved giving new unknown qualities, evil enchantments on first look useful.
From the information we have about battering ram Grond we know it had “spells
of ruin" on it.<br />
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