a campaign and adventure guidebook For mioole Carth including the wild lands—east, south, & north second edition Contains a FULL COLOR 24” x 36” poster map + a , i is ) | y e Oy A eee a aL wx =: —se as aA SRSA Daal SS eeroduced, apd® agit psprsmrsr> ba ARIE Ps (ce. felting leche row: bnterprises,, Lac.a campaign and adventure guidebook FoR middle-earth including the wild lands — east, south & Porth Based on J.R.R. Tolkien's THE HOBBIT™ and THE LORD OF THE RINGS." CONTENTS 1) INERODEETION 20 SOURCES, 3 DEFINITIONS AND TERMS. 40 GEOGRAPHY 50TH CLIMATE AND WEATHER 6.0. ENDOR, AN OVERVIEW OF NATIONS AND POLITICS, Prodi ced andl distributed by IRON CROWNENTERPRISES, Ine. 0 THE ANH 80 LANGUAGE IN MIDDLE-EARTH. 9.00 THE USE OF POWERS MIDDLE-EARTH 10 INTEGRATING MIDDLE-FARTHEINTO SEANTASY CAMPAIGN, 110 OF MAPS AND THEIR USE 12.0. SELECTED READING P.O. Box 1605, Charlottesville, VA 22902. Stock # E2200. Copyright ° 1982, 1983 TOLKIEN ENTERPRISES, Berkeley, CA. A Campaign and Adventure Guidebook For Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit — and all characters and places therein — are trademark properties of TOLKIEN ENTERPRISES, a division of ELAN MERCHANDISING, Ine. No unauthorized use permitted exepis Design: Peter. Felon ‘Concept: Pict C.Fealon, Teny K. Ambor legends: Peter C. Fenton Color teste ldebook Coser: om the movie The Lord vf the Rings. Copyright © 1978 by The Saul Zaente Co, Research C ys: Terry K. Amthor, Ruth Sochard, Christian Gehman, Car! Willner, Heike Kubasch, aery Simm, Olivia Johnstan, S. Coleman Charlton Guidebook Art Chars Peale, Terry K. Amthor, Peter C. Fenton Coser Graphs: Richard H. Britton Reterence Map: Peter C. Fenlon Special Contributions: Fare tile, Tom Willian Bruce R. Neidinger, Howard Hussins, and Don Knisht Typesetting: Graphic Communications, Ine. Printing: Bassett Pres Production: S. Coleman Charlo This campaign guidebook is dedicated co Glenn MeCormick, Fischer, and, most of all, Professor 1.R.R. Tolkien 1.0 INTRODUCTION This guidebooks intende san for hose wishing integrate 1.8. Tolkien’ Middle-earth inca thee Fantasy toe laying same. Essential, i major fantasy role playing systems and the ongoing Middle-earth series from ICE. isa hands reference unit spesticallyoriemed tom R.R, Token’ eet f rly monumental; his works oF fantasy ave masterpieces of imagination - consistent, thorough, colorful sizing and snost ofall thought provoking. Each of us who has ded into is word has developed hs or her own impressions of the fora fauna. and lan Scape, and has but upon these conceptions hy wondering abou those things that eceive relatively itl, oF no, attention nthe texts rl app dices, Thissyndromchas spawned this work and fantasy roleplaying ete, Ieisallintendetio provide a workins base for ctetive minds who eo the world of Middle-earth and ave long wished fo venture ot to is a, Uiscoxer new ways, evperience ils Mavor, and build upon its wondrous structresand settings, The entiestane ot ICFSaproach saimed a those ‘sha want a foundation from which ork, not nevesarly abso,2.0 THE SOURCES Tolhien’s Midle-erth fas ben documented by’a variety of commen ‘ators inlading his son Christopher. Certain aspects of the world and its “ssosated histories are described! i immense detail while others remain Strouded in varying degres of uncertainty. Most commentaries gente ‘he West actually the Northwes}of Endo, the mde continent of Ard sid give ite o no space to outlying regions se from examining incu sions of invaders or noting the vague activities of the Dark Lord. When handling event and srcinas in he ast, Noth, of South, then, ones very rich on hs war. The only rules of hum to abide hy ae: ft) rive wn tundersianding of western activity” and the overall world settings and {Bi makesure your research shows po cont wit the sparse data Found rimary sourees, the actual writings oF 1.R.R, Talkienandthoee cited hisson Christopher. Advearutes se in the West however, are neces more ric ‘ complete bibliography is provided later, What follow isa brie is of the most helpful primary and secondary sourees whieh will prose in ‘aul for sing Middle-earth fama role plasing (PRP games Primary Sources Tolhien, JAR. The Fellowship of the Rine, Boston: Houghton Mitflin (Co 1965. Consign” 19S by ILR.R. Token The Hobbs. Resised Elion, New York: Ballantine Bows, 1966, Copstiht” 1927, 1938, 1966 hs J.R.R, Tolkien, The Rete of the King. fosion: Mooghion Mittin Co, 1965. Copyright” 1968 by LR.R. Tolkien The Silariiion. oso: Houghton Mullin Co., 1977 ‘Copyright® 1977 by George Allen & Unwin Lid The Two Towers, Boston: Houghton Milfin Co,. 1965 ‘Copstiahe” 1965 by RR. Tolkien —— entnis Fates, Boston: Copyright” Houghton MMin Co. 1980. Constigh! by George Allon & Uni Lt Secondary Sources: Fonsad, Karen Wynn, The Ailes of Middle-earth, Boston: Houshion Miftin Co.. 981. Copyright® 1981 by Karen Wynn Fonsta. Foster, Robert, The Complete Guide to Middlecarth New York: Ball Tine Rooks, 1978. Copyright® 1971, 1978 by Robert Foxe. Tyler, LEA. The New Tolkien Companion. New York: Avon Books, 1978. Copyright 19%, 1978 by LEA. Tyler This work is hase on The Hobhi and The Lard ofthe Rings, nari lary the appendices toms The Rew of the Kin, the id oli ofthe telogy Great pins have hoe taken ase no once with any other primary source material. Sine the material ia ICE serie deve rom The histories ofthe Third Ase, Te Lord af the Rings stands as he mist strumental reourey ‘The Stmartion and Unfinished ates may provide crcial dat For ea Pens set in the Ftst or Secon Ages of Maale-earth. The former is er tainly ke 10 any indepth cosmological overview. ICE's Middle-earth fie is aimed at settings oF later period, but wil, nonesheless, prove Nepal 0 those concerned with earlier cimes, 3.0 DEFINITIONS AND TERMS The majority of unique terms and ransations from The Hebbian The Lond of the Rings ate not described below: rather, they are to be four ein he es. in he secon. soneer nine pases, inhabants, "Nr as nat hn al heh Che nd ss Trehry toe ny ie pire Taser oie He {inchy nono connote nouns maponve nde ese [SvrarsGremodiiernta sareatinndevoranl econ carn ee ort toy kh ‘himdctenth ben fe pomedaarantenaperumacy snes en pa4.0 GEOGRAPHY LR R. Tolkien's Mide-carth wasa largly undefined continent in both sevgraphical and cultural tems. What was thoroushly documented se ‘he seenefor he events that dominated the whole"life" ofthe landmassand ‘As imhabitan's- the strugple gains Darkness centered in he Norwest ‘sas in that area that those of greatest power came 10 clash “The ndctined lands and their inhabitants are largely unkown, What ‘mention of them consists of bre, scanty references relating 10 Dhe“vast East" or creatures and men rom the South,” ete, We do ko th the ‘uimahil (elephants) came from the feaches south af the areal desert Aboyond that afea of the Haradwaith) and necesaily came from a ‘sologisal nice conlucve to ther survival. Thus, we can reconstruct the region aliiing geological and mteorologia) patterns. There was 8 Felatively tush rept heyond he desert to the south of “Far Hara” stich ‘ean be explained due tothe weather patterns blocked by a iervening ‘mountain ange. Many of the Dark Lond men came fom the are, and ts coast ts explored and/or colonized hy the grea captains of Numero ‘Welnow the Elves came out ofthe Fast ata! a eeat aumbt oftheit kind passed to the West during the Fist Age. Tht journey ether io the northwestern area of Middle-earth, Later. mannist aroups such as the Balehothand Wainriers both ial aashod emigrating folk he men fof the West came out ofthe Eas. They were irom regions beyond Raut and ner probably ner presi fom groups Furie eas Geographical “onsiderations channeled them into the ferrtory of Rhovanion ad lands immediately porta! Mordor. Thus, wecan besn get apictureot expan. sive caster tersitoris beyond Rhun whose geosrapy (1) may’ have fun rele groups trough Rh and toward Rhovanion: and (2) accounted fr the sreat desert of Hara. There wore tmoustains cast of the desst and regions beyond them where Seuron’s shadow took hull They were de scribed 3s Vas." Weat of these moustsins and southeast of Mondor were the mien of Khand. These folk had contact with the “waserings” at east hen the Iaer miraied westward, and were a domed BS the overlord of Mordor. Tir attention, duc tothe power atthe Shadow and {heir geographical oundaves, focused on the Datk Land ‘Mordor tao) mountain ranges, the Eph! Dual ("Mountains of Shadow") on the western and southern borders andthe Ered Litho "Ash Mouniains"» which formed she nonthern border, ean be explained bs ‘olcanicactiily plemtfulin Mordor) and may haveresulted from natal and/or Sauroie sources. The connection as far ay continental divide fs0es, however, Was toa eastern mass, forthe Anuim crossed betwee the White Mountains and Mordor Mordor’s mounins sere conned (0 «siser hha anor late ast a east in pact). easing a substan tialgap for he low of contac tween Khanh plain sth the Sea of Rhiin, wean recteatcthe flow of the mountains forming the eastern edge ofthe uret desert that which formed the range ern of geological ae Listy svonnevted with More's Ee! Duar in part andthe eso moun ‘ain chains appear tobe a broken conn ‘Other secitie standards, sch os the eterece to the Sea of Rha being the largest “inland scx” in Mille-cath, chable the inerprting ca eat" The Tee Bay Faroe! was ne potion of 3 "mh larger ba.” The cold wastes ofthe north extended artical outward the area of helen realms of Armond Angmar, al one can use this Hola a thesouthermst limit of consistently frigid weather ‘Wecan, therefore, derive 4 siable interpretive view ofthe wndstined ot “wild” land. Those areas ha limited “ising” infuonves, and were ss domain cular potial mtr afais, rt comprse signin portion of Middl-cath. ice all, the Wests describes being om the northwestern pt” of th land nas salad Endo ‘What flows isadescrpvion of the map of Midale-eaeth ad he sg ant features high mas dominate te low of event. I by arene prvive. andthe gamsmaser may wishtotake tious bis with stain aspect. Ket ih mind thal Tolkien’ fascination sith our own word le himto tanslate the Redbook and gives hisrca! works Mildieearth isin ans ways ke ou beled Earth, and mans qucsions conesaning aspects of Tolkien's works ate bas explained hy uss answers 1m his ultimate source. This is wy a caroerapher can use physical principles Found in cversday life (at eat forthe ros pth, Ase note tha this mths bene ‘uit fanart normal reality.” Revomesall he more plausible ich and helivable " tue te scale Formations imthisease lakes nd esas 4.1 THE PLACEMENT OF ENDOR ON ARDA Middle-earth is locates east ofthe continent of Aman. Passage beeen the two, however, dicul, for singe 8.4, 3319 the seas beiecen hae been “bent.” and only those permited by the Vala sail westward and sucessfully reach landfall. In the Thied Age, Arda is sphere, althovh Some legends say thatthe contineat of Aman remains on a fa pin, 'Nimenor ancerase ut af the eos which separate Endor and Aman, It 830 loser fo the later continent 4.2 THE LAND ‘The land shown om the map is wht according to certain erica: CO) areas show in deeper green ate more rich and temperate than those i lighter shades, since the later are semi-arid, bisa, rocky, hot old expanses (relatively speaking): Q)hils and mountais are give relative heighsin stm of symbol sigs 3) he caine shel sn seu sree OF ‘gia (4) the deep oesan i the are ots ofthe shelf anim 2 peonounced ‘lug; an (8) the mowntain coloring i meant to expres the approximate appearance of the various ranges “The 1eerain symbols represem relative changes in grade, and depict only the leger features of a given variety. Small lakers stam, the tolling countryside, mouniain foothills, ete. are not given divin coverage. Elevations vary cassiderals, and what anpear tobe ili one farcarmay actualy be higher than mountain uplift ehewhsre. Wih espe, twit high plsins around them, the former heights ae il. Mountain Ranges ‘Western Midale-eart’shiehest mountain range i the Misty Moomtins, ‘an uplift created in part by Morgoh'sshonanipans in the days when the Elves were justawakening. They areaexcellent exampleo! the power ofthe secondary forces that belped shape the land. Their overall height isapparenily unparalleled, althousk specific areas ofthe White Mouniains And the Orocara (Q. "Red Mowrzains"y of the Eas each to quate heights. The width of the Misty Mountains is modest, But the foils stretch westward for many leagues Both the Misty Mountains (S. “Hichaegt") and White Mountains “Bred Ninais" ave snow capped year tound. This is more a factor of hight than weather in the later case, The cold combines with the high clevation fo keep the Hithaealirs sow fields larg, and allows for saci lactvity in the norte reaches. Mordorsmouintains — the Ered thu. “Ash Mountains") andthe Ep! Duath(S. “Fence of Shade") — are without snow forthe are both low and bese warm lands. An associated range, the Ered Ormal (S. "Mountains Hot-rold", also presents ow profile and recites no snow; however, ts loeation astride natural weather palit allows it more rainfall misty on it sastrn side). The Ered Eoin 15. "Blue Mountains") nd the Ered Michi (S, “Grey Mountains” areal {ow chains, but ther latitude and proximity to thecold weather (alegacy of Moezoih allows them a tain so “Most mountain ranges have a steep sie and an opposing gentle nine (nthe side with hesevere face hillsareless prominent, andthe peaks drop ‘icky onto genie lowland, Foothills mark the more hospitable descent fn the onpasite side Runof? from the eains and sto excusing in the heights normally sweeps down the gente slopes since he aivideilocared logge mountain spine, a iszenerall very clase othe baseo! the seep face, The largest highland surface aren son the side where the topography Ishindes Both the Blue Mouniains and Mountains of che East ate temnans of ‘anges which weretorn apa by thechanging of theland ater the Fist Ago The former chain once formed the can wal of Beleriand, and separates those now sunken lands From the expanse called Eviador. In the Eas, the Crosarni once stretched across land with a gentle shoreline; it rose easivard above he land Se of Hetcar These mountain ranges Now have large pases and gaps, some of hich sem to defy thei original loa. In deed, the Guo Lune cuts through the Ble Mownisin and drains pat of Friar The resions af principal volcanic atisty ae: (1) Mocdor. where many of the mountains owe their eign and black appearance to volcanoes; (2) ee tain ateas ofthe Central Range and (3 the sattred peaks and highlands bf the Far North, were nce lai the Er Ener (S “Tron Mountains") of ‘1d. Newly all the peesipitous terran of the North, inclding the Grey ‘Mountains once was connected the Iron Mountain chin, Thisregion e- ‘mains violent active fo itis the bequest of Morgoth that ao and couched by hi stall be easily ene. 4.3 THE WATER, Endor is large continent and is naturally endowed with well-watered reas, pariculaly where the climate and topography join to lrequenty replenish the land, No repionsabsoluely dcvoud of rainfall, and even the pprticulsey dry locales in Mordor or the middle of the Great Dewest are ‘fone by was or channels cut by sometimes violent period team, Intand Water ‘During the Third Age the Sea of Rd isthe largest inlandbouy of water in allof Endor. Isa sal treshwater sat ina fo, wide basin, with 0 fuller to the oceans; higher surrounding lands channel iis waters (Althouh it contains some sl, its exceedingly potable.) GN studsing ne map showing drainage regions wil norrhat thereare ‘number of land-ocked Takes inthe high plains of eastern Middle-earth Gnerally, however the Fresh water make its way down tthe ti se88 adjacent othe continents the Brlegaer/S, "Grevt Seo the west and the Exkou of Encircling Waters 1 the ea, not, and south, The two pi ‘inal rivers — the Anduin(S, "Gres River" and Talarhrant 1S. "Plis Course") ~ Mow southsard and northwatd, respective largely cause ofa highland spinethat runssoutheast across Endo. They drain he bulk of the deep interior OF all theives, the Anduin sche mighsiest, considering its length, Solume, and importance asa geographic barter. All others should be measured by Saltwater lakes normally occur where the weather is warmers there craporation is relatively quick andthe water holds more sll. Naturally ‘alt deposit located close to the hd surface are alia significa deter rant, The Great Desert, and the surrounding Hlarad lowland holds & ‘umber af smal ring lakes, although most are imtermitent. Nuenen i “Mordor is he largest Body of saltwater in Mbidae-carth “The Oceans and Coastal Waters As noted abe, the Waters surrounding Middle-earth ae rationally sategorized as pat of ether the Hslepaer-o the Ela, The elegactcon= tains al the sas separating Endor from Aman, and therefore touches only the western shoves of the Middle Continent All he wit sea ae co sidered sections ofthe FkAaia. Local grou have ther 6 abel or the ‘ean, and the Nimenorean maps employ ames for theindividual eas, 50 the to¥ms Belepaee and Fkksia can he viewed ay gensalieed coliscions of lesser salt water bodies. The GMT may wish discuss the oceans interme of ttoupings of smaller regional seas, The Eve labels fr the tues cop. bbsed areas ofthe Ekkaia are: Forogaer(S, “North $00"), the equivalent of Ihe Ahelonaer #8. “fey Sea": Goor Rhinen (S, “Sew ofthe East" and the Harosoer 8. “South Sea" Keepin ming tat the caaslysms aoeompanin the passing ofthe Spin fv Aeda and the end of the Firs Age (see 6.12) radically changed the oatline of Midale-carth. All of this activity help aout for the rageed ature of the coastal landscape. The ist tumutiuous event marred the northern and southern shores, for the destruction of the Great Lamps brought forth awesome forces. In addiion, the plannad syumetty of the contin sas altered durin Ihe surrounding struggles beeen Margot and the Valae Later. tne whole of the north coast 838 ripped apart hy the ‘Warof Wrathand he last fall the Black Enems..Northwestem don — including Beleriand and Mosseth's domains and bese the Iron Mou tins to the north ~ sak beneath the sea, Much of this es forms the ew continental shelf. The strait called Hescarase (Q. "Grintine fee") ‘viene, allowing ice-free pase from the legac into the northern F& aia during the wazm moat of summer I the Northeast, the ace et land Sea of Hekar, by the Elsen birthplaceot Cumignen, was cash in ‘he1utmoilandisnolonger for themost ptt Became part of the ose “Thosurrenisatounal Endo ae diicl to generalize. A basic close pattern dictates most af the Nn. but this rule i vue by sigan localized counterclockwise curren in the southwest and atone the horthern coast. A counterclockwise acean channel alba strikes the shores near the westerncape of Andras, helping aseoum fo tha aes ert bk ‘As water Becomes colder. it gets dons: it ects less salt amd pushes under the warmer water encounters, Therefor, the northern Beleeace. ‘shih rceives more cold cents, iva fresh, cool ssacven whsse ara su. face stream predominate. The clah of wars and eal flows abo result in ‘errifc undertows and interesting whit}pook. GMs wil Find he accompanying char illustrating preailing sind and ‘ocean currents bean invalable aid or delineating coastal and high sea trade routes The Great Desert ‘ ‘The vas desert region of Hava isan amavingly dominant feature, frit seems have contributed heavily to the isolated ature of the well documented Wes. Is characteris akin to those deserts able 19 support limited, but not insigificant populations (rade and settlement are evident xem in doep areas): nonetheless, it sa unkind expanse, In the eastern fooiill area alongside the moxntains the land can support fae nurs, andthe coastal refuges af Umar and some of the southerntbays treqvented bythemenof Numenorembrac Hine town and port sites, Some af Sauron "teat annish servansno dau ales from the region. On te south side fF the dese the Mountains ofthe South se abruptly trom he pain eas ing few major riser stems Fine, maderate fll es. The Forests The primary forest of old of which Mirksood andthe Old Forest were part once covered much of Middle-earth, Certainly the whole ofthe West ‘eas blanketed by the trees. I was dene, mixed Totes howe offing Seem to lean toward specialization (e-2. oak woods in one ate, booshes tlbewhere), but rela vated character, Thus, one Finds generally mised {ores throughout a band covering the central wo thirds ofthe nor -aid reaches of Middle-earth, The extensive tai (coniferous Forests) of ou World are absent excep in the far northeastern sections af the gemtine Thisisdueto theexireme cold tht reaches far southward along mos! ofthe northern frontier, an artificial and/or amos enchanted seuation which ‘epacy of Morgoth’s foul hand, Some regions normaly covered by sre Sones in Middle-earth were Bese! with perpetual col. This plight as Tessened when there was an absence of ative malevolence (2. when |Anpmar as dormant) remained 8 fstre Mirkwaod is represented asa pine fore although i isixed in mon al ofthe lowland areas, Tremendous srtches of pine und spruce, tether With a heavy mix of needlleat evergroens i areas where there are esiduous tres, have resulted in the use of the i symbol, This ssa the atea where secondary foes ate sroneest Sauron nslense has ven iInthe Far South, beyond Hara the Great Desert andhe Mounns ot the South, live the mati or “olphauns.” Theis homeland, and indeed all dhe nary ate, i interspersed with mised forest and jungle, the later tending tobe product ofthe humid, well uarered lowlands, the Plains Pains predominate in much of te Bas Novih and South. The central sotinen is eats unbroken, amd ads tothe isolates character of the ‘West. Extremely fertile areas may be present, bt thelimited technology Eaterlings made agricullureu rae adventure. The region called Rh is obsiously wellwatered and isn obvious site for a least occasional stl ‘ment, bu ist ela insulate hy eypanses high coarsepras or (a8 inthecaxe of she area just north of Mordor) semi-arid pain. Grassy pains of varying types extend acioss the Bas! between the central aad eastern highlands. Nomern tundra and ice plans te wrth of the broken ranges thar mark the polar Boundary, as well as agros he so-called "northern ‘was (acu hy and also refereed to 05, Food Comal Moros divided into 90 pins: Gorgororh whichis actually a high ad broken plateau, and Nurn and the reaehes surrounding the sea of| Nurnor, West an noihwes of Mordor here are mo ered expanses of roe plain: rather, the unforsted lowlands are generally broken hy rong hills and occasional wood! stands, fore the great depopulation of hese fareas, much of the land was cultivated, Many of the bills ave cather Uueasherous andestreme inthe features while others, suchas the downs” found in Eriadoe andthe Wold, ae elatvely gene 5.0 CLIMATE AND WEATHER “Theclimate of Endor isacombinaion of natura and ssondary powers For specifies, the GM should refer the climate and 1opasraphy mans “There are, howover, a few basic continental trends 1) WINDS — Most are westerly, sweeping out of the West and the [elegaer. They besin waveling oward the Northeast as they leave the ‘oceans then they ae, so that bythe time they teach the Giger Rhine, they arc heading toward the Ess or Southeast. Cold wortherly ind come out of the Far North, and push southward as far as the Grey ‘Mounvainc and the nonern plains esion. thi group of winds the northeasterly trades, originate in the southern interior and push Sowlweseward, caching with, or sometimes paraliing, the usual sweserlcs, MODERATING FORCES ~ The winds comin off the ossans bring moisture and moderation tothe lands of Middle-earth, As one leaves the coast, temperatures Bevome harsher agsentuatine normalreonal lees Inthe Eas this varaion smoreestreme, forthe winds diving through the inerior have generally traveled considerable distance {Local coastal breezes still moderate he limate of the shores, but the railing westeries and presence ofthe mountains ksep these winds from penetrating into the interior. TEMPERATURE CURVES — Generally, nother latitudes enjoy a wider variety of seasons, and have more radical temperate shift over the coutse of a year. Ase maves south, the deere curve get fate, with uniformly higher temperatures varying eelatisly Kl From sm MOUNTAIN INFLUENCES — Is hehland areas the surface air rnatoally a «higher altitude. This results ina cooing of the air and ondensation pests! war ait holds more monte, Whenever 3 Ioistre-ladenair flow reachesacoaling elt recitation ess, For this eason, mountain areas that standin the path of wet or reasonably moist winds are wll-watered. In dese places the peesiniation way fallson the wingvard side. This leaves the Ieeward side drier, creating arasslands or even deer. In certain cases, however, the leeward face «can be ever mare moist than that Faeing the wind. Whate the drop on ‘windward sudden, and the mountains ace relatively low, the rain may Fall near the ridgeline and runoff inthe leeward drctins thee i es horizontal surfase-afea for fain to drop tunon where the face precipitous, and the dew point may be reached only after a slatively Tong eaoling period. When the winds are dry, they may not pick up ‘moisture until they teach higher allitude, and saturation may net oe ‘cur ui some ime afterward, 4 5) WHERE AIK MASSES MEET — long mid Jaliude aos, warm ait masses fra the South mac che cold air ofthe North. The vest 83 serie of rotating weather paterns Which move west oes, nt Keine with the prevailing winds. Weather fronts move accordingly: warm Fronts sith warm, light summer showers; harsh, stm cold roms; and weeluded, oF evining,jawlike from, which resulta long winter time rains and snows ‘THE EFFECTS OF SECONDARY POWER ~ Moxgoth nd Sauron save had profound efest on certain areas of Middle-earth, In the Far Nori, the Black Enemy let a leacy of everlasting cold by denuding, and then enchanting, the lan. Cold polar winds swexp farther soul than would thersine he expected, analy the vokanoes and pola sea breezes have any moderatinginflience Sauron, on the other Hand, has produced oo approaches 1 the perversion of imate: in Anais hand has increased the cold that already bests the northwestern Misty ‘Mountains n Mordor, driving heat combines with bizarre freezes. both cases, the ai as Been depleted oF mach of presi hfesiing ‘quality. Ast fumes an corrosive smoke atthe plight it Mord Particulars on the plata of Gogo, 6 6.0 ENDOR, AN OVERVIEW OF NATIONS AND POLITICS This section is devoted 10 background material for campaigns run in Midale-arth, The timeline in 4.1 covers events in the West or “Great Lands," while 42 involves a generalized divsussion of the rest of the 6.1 AHISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF THE WEST “Tho following isn abbreviated timsne which covers certain significant cxcnts as recorded in Elven ales or the histories the Free Peoples, That ‘which rook place before the Count of Time is dacussd in pas ens. 6.11 BEFORE TIME ‘efore Time there was nothing ut Er the One. From histhought came the Holy Ones, servants, af whom the Valer and Afar ar het kaown, The kindred ofthe Holy Ones gavebitth toa Gireat Song which filled the Voidand wasthenext creation Era, From the Songcame i allthatisof| the heavens and the world. Fate was also drawn from the Song, and the beings at would ithe world were deemed edt the Music and toa fate so drawn ~ except Men, for they were to follow thei own course ‘One of the Valar, however, saw fit to weave his ow thought in the patterns set down by Era, and there was great discord. The One becan Uspleased with he Wala called Melhor (Q. “He Who Aisin Mighty the one we now call “Morgorh"(S. "Black Ener") "Ero envisioned his children ind spoke othe Holy Ones oftheir coming A place was to he made forthe Eves and Men. So are a need Yoe Ar, ‘and mans ofthe Holy Ones et about the work of shaping the Earth, Those ‘who did So are now sled Vala, and oF rem, Morgath was the eats. From Morgoths desire came Evil, anda war was ought over the shaping of the new land, That which was to be temperate snd symmetrical Beers ‘varied, alhouah Arda temained essentially circular and la 6.12 THE FIRST AGE Te beginning ofthe First Age is considered by some to begin withthe creation of the Light of Ard ‘The Spring of Ara: the Years of the Lamps Morgott’s discord was stayed for atime, and during the eespitethe other Valar sought 1 fill he new lad ith ight. Two huge lamps wrought by the sith Aue were set upon great pillars in the Eneiclng Sea, sm sod to the north, and Ormal 10 the south, and both were beside the middle «continent of Endor. They illuminate the land, and plans and beasts began to fil Arda witha quieter song. Sil, the Elves and Men sept, “The Vala (who nos exchded Morgoth) mage their Rome on the ile of _Atmaron, inthe wide lake tha sai the midst of Endor. While they resided im peace, their enemy Morgoth began delving deep beneath the North of Middle-arth carving ast caverns out of the hollows ofthe rock. He called his lair “Uru”, There, atthe ede of Muin’s reach, Mergath dvelleds there hebulita reat host a monsters from those heats of Ardahewas ble pervert Spiders were bred for thes time, anda numberof evil Maar ‘otably the Baltogs, joined inthe rebellionWhen the other Vala had rclaed their vigil, Morgoth sruck, He tore down Ormal and Mui. There began aslaughier of those poor animal that ‘scape the ssing othe Sea and the engulfing lames unleashed from the Droken Lamps, Middle earth was forever marred, for he Wal’ drearn of symmetry was destoved inthe wake ofthe food, Almaren was no longer The Valar responded with a vengeance and assailed the Black Enemy's army. Manwé, Lord af the Vala, called forth his brethten, forcing Morgoth to flee into Utumno under he cove of the awful dares, The eonible hold remsined sae, since the Valar wetehatd preset restrain the desertion above The Rise of Aman ‘Whea the catalisn ended, the Valar lett Middle-earth an established tht new home in the westernmost Innds of Ara, the blesed. Amar Behind the highest of all mountains (the Peri) they but their Blessed Realm; and Aman embraced, from that time on, che Undying Lands of Vatinor Storgothwaslefttowalkhecrinpled wilds of hereshaped Middle {Contino Only the sats ein the sky BS Etborerh ("Vanda") ht the lan ‘When Valinar was complete, andthe beautiful ity of Valmar (Valiman) had been finally established, new gift from Arda sprang forth. In the ‘mound of Fefloher, outside the Wester gates othe Vala’, wo sape Hina sprouted. Nurture by the Var they afew andlourshed, an began to low witha fabulous light which waved and waned in a stagaered dance The light filled Aman, and the Two Trees — the White Telperion and “Laurolin the Golden — marked the welve hour Valinrian day with the Now of ther ht, Their fis ull day bepan the Count of Time he Years the Two Trees “Tho following ae the major events aftr the bist ofthe Count of Time, ‘in rough chronological coder: ~ Counites years pass. All he while, Morgoth rebuilds his armies and ene his attemprs to seduce the Val, Isat thistime that ane of the ‘most powerful Mair, Sauron (8, *Gorthaur the Crue joins he Evil. ~The Vali Ank (the Smith} crests he Madd (Dwarves ftom earth and dhe beaisto teach hem and give them speech, ru intercede, singe the Dwarves were not according to his plan: Aulés Children are allowed to ive, but they are cast imo a dee sleep, The Eves would be Firsthor, ~The Vala Yaranne (0. "Giver of fru), spouse ofthe Smith ule and “Queen ofthe Earth” renews the planting and growth of the living things in Middle-earth. The Fs, or "Shepherds ofthe Tree ft walk, the lan, ~ By Curvienen,inthenortheas of Midale-cats, the Elves avathen, They call hemes “Quendh, "forthe speak with voles unlike al he other elsar(S."erowing things thar move 7. OF all the ree Peoples, they are the Fsiborn The Seven Fathers of the Duarves awaken, Their tribes divide and po their separate ways ~ The Elvestegino explore he land around thie iethplace and develop language. Meanwhile, the Valar are unaware of their amakening “Morgoth iscovers thir presence and seek to wala them. Heinstils in them fear ofthe ober Valar = On one of his journeys aross Endo, the Va Orome (ihe Hunter) realizes thatthe Elves have awakened in aocondance with Eru’s prop cy, Many ofthe Bes, however, ae filled with dread when they fist ‘encounter him, Orcs are made by Morgoth rom the captive or evil Elves tat find thie way to the breeding pls of Utumno, Morgoth sontinues his ques 10 enslave Fru Children, Morgoth builds a huge fortes inthe Northwest of Midleeath; its called “Anetand™(S. “Tron Prison’), and designed to “protet” Eador from the Valar of Aman, Sauron, the Blask Exem’s chet Heute {commands the underground comple ~ Yavanna and Oromeconsincethe Vala of Morgathsplantasedhice the Eves and rule Endo ~The Battle of the Powers brings the Host of Vali back to Mie anh, They die Morgoth into Utumna and place & guird on CCuivgnen. Urumno is besieged and raved; Morgoth is eaplured ans chained by the Vala Tulkas. The black Enemy is imprison = Prodded by Orome, the Elves send envoys to Valinor, led by the brothers Oweand Eine. Theenvoys tet andteltheir ethic of the wonders of Aman, the Three Kindreds of the Eldar ~ the Vanar, Noor, and Tlerh Eves ~ begin the Great Journey westward in search of the ight of the Two Trees andthe shores a Aman. Those Ele unsilling make th journey become know asthe “Ava1"(Q, “Refasers” or “Unuiling thes will become known a the various groups of “Sdn Elves.” ~ Part of the Tele. the Nendo under Leno, remain eas ofthe Misty “Mountains and move south along ihe Ania, = The Tiree Kindreds arrive in Aman. The Vanyar arethe Hest to and in Aman. They ate followed by the Nolo ~The Teleticemain in Middle-earth For atime, but most finally omplete the journey This proup Becomes knows ay the Seals, They are led by Oiwe = Another group remains in Middle-earth with their lon Ele. romance with the Maia Metin, and lave foe the land Beleriand, ‘make Elwe stay. Those who remain with him besome known asthe Sr. ‘tar Q. “Greyelves"),andtheit ord adopts the name “Et Thingo." He weds Melin and founds the Kingdom af Doriath. One of Thingols ercatest followers is Cirdan the Shiparigh. ~ All Three Kindred Fist stil in the casten soastal realm of Eldemor (0. “Elienhome").an area separated fom Valinor bythe Pert Moun {ains. Trion becomes the ity of the Nol, while the Tele choose ‘quatondetythesea. The Wanyar late wander into the westwardintothe ‘mountains and he bight nd of Vainor. ~ The Sindsr of Thingol fist meet the Dwarves (kh. “Khazda’> S."Nawerim7,asthe latter been eossng the Blue Mountains. "Ered Lui = Ruinils Noldoo Tiron in Ekdamar, develops the Hest writing system and records the Fist history = The Noor create a number of great works and Bosom proud, One, -Feanor. evises Rumi's script heabo makes prea rides in the making ‘of gems, It is Feanor who fist ells Metkor “Mocgoth, = Moxgoth repens, although in his heart he plots exape. The Valar believe his apologies and, afer “hreeages"in the Hal of Mando, the Black Enemy is released. Manwe pardons him belore the gates of Vaimar. — An uneasy pesiod pascs, during whish Monpoth walks Valinor under the suspicious gave! Tulkas, she Vana, and Ulno(Q. Pourey the {Lord of Waters. Morgorh reaches the Noldor and many secumb 0 is leasing ways ~ Feanor creates the thre Silmaris, near indestructable ewes that em body and preserve the light of the Two Trees, They are the most precious andl powerful Fall he Eldar creations ~ The Noldor, perstded ofthe Vala’ lust forthe Silmarils hy the Hes of Morgoth, arm and begin 19 speak of rebellion. Fins — the Noldor Lord. and father of Heanor and Fingodfin — informs the Valar of his people's plight Morgoth atten (steal the Silmarils from Feanor's home in Trion toueh guile, But is driven aay ~The Vala slice Morsoth’spansandbtiev he has et for Ard, They place a watch tothe northat Valinor and EMlamar.Inrealiy, however, “Morgoth assumes dxguise and sneaks to Averharin the southeast of ‘Aman These, inthe darkness lanl nal he worl, he encoumters the nil demon Ungotiant The Long Night (Sunles Yeu) = Morgoth conspites with Ungoliant to destroy the Two Trees. The hideous demon assumes spider shape, and undercover of er Uni, ‘he wo slip into Vainor. Morgodh wounds the tes with is spear. and ‘heir sap spills forth. Ungoliant sucks upthe si. poisons the Tween rinks dry the Well oF Vara Morgoth breaks into Fiawé's treasury at Formenos in the northesst of Aman, He teal all its wealth, including che thee ilar and then slays Fine imac ~ As the Two Trees perish, Morgoth and Ungoliantflce across the ey Straits ofthe Helearaxé and into Midle-carth. The Unlight stays the pursuit, Valinor is Darkened wih a night paralleled = TheGirea Spier makes demands oF all he power and gh stolen rom Amar, Morgeth realizes he cannot elude her and attempts 0 use the jewel of Foymenos as payment: the Sima ate withheld, however Ungoliant consumes the jewels an grows, She demands the Silas Morgoth is threatened and calle forth a guatd of Balro4s, who drive Ungoliant southward Fano cain lordship over the Noldor, for he isthe eldest survivor of Fine. His sons join him as be arouses the Noor; thy all sve venance against any who would sek to covet the Siar, Féanor'sbrother Fingolfin, and the later’ second son Turon, try 10 co ther fellow Noor, forthe seek no break from the Var. Fsanors host prepares to x0 (0 Endor, Tempers rise and a kin-slaying looms. Fingolho's ist son, Fingon, urges his father o join Fear and march fon Morgoth. Fearing sundering ofthe Noidor, and seeing that hema. jority of his own people concur with Fingon and the Féanorin faction, Fingolin agrees to lead hs people back vo Middle-earth, Finwes tied son Finacfin attempts torermain neutral, but reluctant takes par inthe ves. = The Host of the Nokdor move northward out of Eldamar. Mabwe's messenger cautions against the enpedivon, fo the Valr predict doom, Nonethelew, only a few Noldor remain in Tirion, Feanor’s force Aeparts frat; Fingolfin follows with the greater part of the people "inarfin and his fist son Fayod bring upthe ea, allowing Fingolfinto command their contingent. Feanor weares, however, and his tre of ‘Morgoth drives him co seek a quieker route han that across the noth cern stats of the Hecarat, ~ Feanor diverts his force and marches to Algualond. There he asks ‘Oiwe, King of the Tele, to join him an allow the whole ofthe Noldor {seta on the White Ships, Oise refwses, for he trust the Vala and has never listened tothe tipping words of Morgoth, Feanor's Noor tiem to ee the ships By force, Bt are beaten ack bs the Tele Finglfin's host aprives in hati an fall othe fay oneal thie brethren, Not Knowing the reason forthe kinslaying, the eit of Fingoltin’ army tur the tie. The Noldar head northward alone the coast of Aman. some by land and others by sea A huge sionm brought on by an angry sea destroys a number of the White Ships, butthe majority of the Noldorsurive. The Valr prevent any of thor followers from barring the passage ofthe reels, andthe [Nokdor are spared from destruction at the hand of Ulmo or any ofthe ‘other great wate lords. AAithe eg ofthe cold expanse calle Araman, the Noldor encounter 8 dark Figure wh call to them wih monde of warning. This isthe P= phecy af the North; as befor, reat pin is predicted, and some Hold ‘hat Manwé himself tthe doomayer. Feanor reacts with pasion and sos sail eastward acrosthe Befegaer(S. "Grea! Soa”, leavin cof Fingofin and Finarin onthe rocks shores of northeastern Aman, “The sorrow Finarfin returns o Trion (where he is forgiven, an re ‘mains 0 rule the Noldor of Aman). Fingellin persevere; his people continues their journey to Middle earth, = Morgoth builds his new kingdom in the Ered Engr (8. “fran Mowe ‘ins. He delves into the landscape beneath the peaks, stensthening the subterranean complex of Anzband. From theslagand debris awa, ‘out or involved inthe completion of Angband, he bulls the mountain fortes of Thaneoradrim. aerible iad oF uphits wich sat over the rain gate fo the Black Enemy's undergrourd home. Atleast twelve lesser gates to Angband were ct ino the southern side of Thangoror- rim The Noldor arrive in Midlle-arth, “The Years ofthe Sun and the Moon ‘This period is marked by two wars between Moreoth and the Free ‘Peoples, Fivemajor sages oF Baltes" aesurbeforetheendo tela fist war, The sesond conf, the War of Wrath, is 4 continuation ofthe fist, contests and involved one Great Ute The First Battle: During the Flight ofthe Nodor, Morgoth trikes into Belonand in sonhwestern Midde-arth, The Sindar kingdom of “Thingol eps the Black Enemy's eexern armies withthe aid the Na dor Elves of Denethor (soa of Lene) and the Dwarves of the Blue “Mountains, Cirdan' coastal Sindr are besieged by the western Host of Morgoi, ~ Whilethe Eives of Feanorsaileastward, and Fingolfin’s folk make their way cross the cold wastesof Araman and the Helcaran, the Vala seek topreserve what they could ofthe light ofthe Twa Trees. Ale places ‘he last lower of Telperion ina vessel, thus rcaing the Moon ~The Vala pace the Moon inthe sky in order to gue the way of the no ble Fingolin and reduce Morgost’serible darkness. The Moon fits ‘ses during the night of Figolfns arrival in Middle-earth, ‘= Alter he Moon has risen seventies. anew “sat” appeatsinthesky. I isthe Sun, created out ofthe as ruil of Lauran, andi ascends on the day Fingolfin enters Michi = Men (Q. “Atani:"S, “Edain”) awaken at Hilddven in easiesn Middle arth, They are called the Sevondborn and begin spreading tothe north, south, and west ~The Second Battle (Daxor-nuin-Gilarh, oF “Bale under Stars" ‘Morgot ends another host westward to meet the Ndor Elves march fing throush Mbithrin. He desires to destroy them before they can testablieh any holdin Endor. The Nokdr defeat the main oe atm. ad turn on the reinforcing groups that abandon the siege of irda Sine arin, Feanors Noldor army drives the ones acros the plains of Ad salen, and toward Thangorodri. The oxcsturn on their pursuers, and reinforced by a group of Baeous, top Feanor, and slay the High King Feanor's sons tum te tde, but thebaltl provesindcisive: still te ores retice athe Noldor areal o jon thet Sida brethren in Beleriand Fingolfin becomes High King of the older = Men frst encounter the "Dark Elves," Sivan Asari} group found in the Far Eas, Morgoth alsoleaens of mankind's coming and he sets out to seduce them. Many fll under the spell of Darkness, fearing oF wor- shiping the Black Enemy — The Nokdor stile throushout Beleriand in the northwest of Midale ‘earth. The Sndar under Thingol and Cirdan sill alma ther own Kingdoms along the coast and at Dorath, respectively — About fifty yearsater he Noldor'coming, UimospeakstoFinrodand “Turgon about the Foundiny of hidden kingdom. = The Third Batle (Dagor Aslarv, or the “Gloriows Bawfe%: Flames pour forth feom the eas of Thangorodrim, and a theee-pronged Assaults launched gaint the newly founded kingdoms im Beleriand. ‘The orcs ate utely detested and the Elves place a watch on Angband and Thangoredeim. ~ Glaurung, the fest evil worm and “Father of Dragons,” appears Although’ youngand onlyhaf grows. hedrivesthe Elvesaway trom "he vicinity of Thangorodrim snd south across Ategalen, His purse stayed and hereturms home, having reduced he pressure on Anghand. ~ The Seize and Long Peace of nearly four centuries enables the Eves to build their hidden kingdoms (Gondotin and Nareothvond) and om plete their defensive nas. = Men appear from the East, The Fain (sing. Adan) houses of Bor, Haladin, a Marach — topsther with te "Swarthy Men” of Brand fang — sei in Beleriand. ‘The Fourth Baile (Doxor Brapollich, oF she “Bale oF Sudden Flame"i: An awesome outpouring of flames comes forth out of ‘Thangorodrim’s gates and engulfs the plain of Ardgalen (xbich is renamed Afeuslsh or the*Gasping Dust). Thevivers of Tite wipe out the watch positions. Balrops and ores, accompanied by the grown Glaueung, drive southward and overwhelm much of Beleriand Hithlum and the hidden kingdoms escape assault, but lange arcay of ceaslern Beeviand ar razed. The Noldor' High Kini Fngollin rides 10 the gates of Thangorodim and challenges Morgoth to mortal soma, +e wounds the Black Enemy (ha is by now tied co his bods}, but killed inthe process = Bern, s0m of the Jord ofthe Fest Adan house, weds” Lthien the ‘daughter of Thingol and Metin, an Eldarin princes of Doriath, She tives up her immortality, Together thes goto Thangorodrim ona guest forthe Slmaris Lithien sings asone which, together with the weit the fron Crown, pts Morgoth to sleep. Beren cs a Silman rons te erown, The two attempt 10 escape, bur Reren i killed = The Silmaril is taken by the Dwarves of Nogrod and male into the Naueiamir, & necklace designed for Finrod son of Finan. The necklace changes hands frequently but finally ends up in Dovath ‘where the princes Eling passes is heats. She marries Fare ‘mannis son of the lord of the third house ofthe Edain, an longtime resident of Gondolin. The Death of Thiago — Edrendi lord of Arvernienby the sea nd friend of Cizdan, fatherstwo sons by Elving, They are named Elrond ane Eros, Biren requ salt along Beeriand’s coast, exploring and seeking Word of his Fst, parents. When his cousal home assaulted fy Elves seckine Eines Smart he sat se. Hiswifetakes he Navplamiranvdeassitand rset ‘mothe sea; yet the Vala Uimo changesherintoa bied and aid her Tight o Barendi’s sie. Together they sil 10 Valinor, seeking aid against Morgorh = The Fifth Battle (Ninaeth Arnoetiod, ar "Tears Unmumbered"h: The war continues with Meedivos, eldest son of Feanor, taking charge of the Neldor. Fingon leads a counter-offensive into western Antavglith as pat of & coordinated assault with Maodhros eastern army. He is reinforced by Turon, the lord of the hidden kingdom of Gondoti, This western army Is tapped by Morzeth’s armies and awaits Macahros’arrival Maedhrosisdelayedhy sper andtraitors, but ally reaches the mai batl; he is supported by men and Dwarves. Unfor= tunately, the betrayal by the treacherous mannish house of Uldor