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Thread: [Preview #6] The Twelve Houses of Gondolin

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    Default [Preview #6] The Twelve Houses of Gondolin




    The round valley of Tumladen, within the Encircling Mountains, had originally been a lake, and in its centre stood a hill that had once been an island: Amon Gwareth. In the fiftieth year of the First Age, Turgon journeyed from his halls in Nevrast with his cousin Finrod, and was guided by Ulmo to the hidden valley of Tumladen and there he founded Gondolin, as a memorial to ancient Tirion that lay beyond the Great Sea.

    The first building of the city took fifty-two years to complete. After this time, the people of Turgon, a great number of Noldor and Sindar, traveled from Nevrast, where they had dwelt, and secretly entered the valley of Tumladen. Turgon gave his city the name Ondolindë (Quenya for "The Rock of the Music of Water", because of the fountains of Amon Gwareth), but in Sindarin this was rendered Gondolin, the Hidden Rock.

    After their arrival in the new city, the Gondolindrim continued to labour in its building, until it was said to rival even Tirion itself. Its walls stood high and white above the plain, and its most prominent feature was the great Tower of the King, where, among the fountains, Turgon himself made Glingal and Belthil, trees of gold and silver made in memory of the Two Trees of Valinor.

    There followed two centuries of happy peace: Morgoth was besieged in the far north of the world, and the people of Gondolin lived undisturbed by the events outside their fair city. At last, though, a seed of discontent appeared: King Turgon's sister Aredhel determined to leave the city, much against Turgon's wishes, and journey into Middle-earth. Soon after her departure, her guards returned, and reported that they had lost her in the dark and sorcerous region to the south east of the city, known as Nan Dungortheb.

    More than twenty years then passed, and then suddenly Aredhel returned. With her was one who she claimed to be Maeglin, her son by Eöl the Dark Elf of Nan Elmoth. This Maeglin accepted Turgon as lord, but his father Eöl had followed his wife and son to Gondolin and been captured at the entranceway. He was brought before Turgon. Eöl refused to submit to Turgon's authority, and instead chose death for himself and his unwilling son. He threw a poisoned dart to slay Maeglin, but instead struck Aredhel, who fell ill with the poison and died. The body of Eöl was broken on the Caragdûr for this.
    Maeglin, though, had had no part in these evils, and Turgon accepted him, and he grew to be among the great in Gondolin, wise in council, cunning in smithcraft and mighty in battle.

    Eöl and Aredhel meeting in the Forest of Nan Elmoth, by Noldomirwen

    For more than a hundred years after the deaths of Aredhel and Eöl, Gondolin again had peace. The time was coming, though, when Morgoth would break the Siege of Angband, and the unstoppable doom of the Elves would fall upon them. One winter's night, the fires of Angband destroyed the leaguer of the Noldor: the Dagor Bragollach. In this disaster, the people of Gondolin played no immediate part.

    They were drawn into the events of those years, though, when two young brothers of the race of Men, Húrin and Huor, were cut off from their army and became lost amid the feet of the Crissaegrim. Thorondor brought them to Turgon. At the bidding of Ulmo, Turgon accepted them, and they remained in Gondolin for almost a year, when they returned to their homes. In this kindly act were the first seeds of Gondolin's destruction, more than fifty years later.

    Huor & Húrin flying to Gondolin, by Alan Lee.

    Turgon now devised a new policy for the salvation of the Elves: he began secretly to send his people out westward across the great sea, to seek the land of the Valar and ask their pardon and aid. None of his mariners succeeded, but this was a wise course, though Turgon never knew it: he was lost long before his grandson Eärendil, aided by a Silmaril, finally succeeded in this task.

    As time passed since the destruction of the Dagor Bragollach, the Elves of Beleriand began to arm for a counterstroke, and Turgon secretly began his own preparations. Fourteen years after the breaking of the Siege of Angband, and some three hundred and fifty since the completion of Gondolin, Turgon rode for the first time to war. Unknown and unbidden by his kin, he rode to their aid with an army of ten thousand. This was to be the great battle that was to become known as the Nirnaeth Arnoediad.

    'The Hill of Slain', by Ted Nasmith - after Nirnaeth Arnoediad.

    Morgoth poured much of his strength and resources into discovering the location of the Hidden City, and his spies infested lands about the Encircling Mountains and wherever he could penetrate. After Nargothrond fell, Gondolin was the last great stronghold of the Noldor. The unbidden coming of Maeglin precipitated the destruction of the great city.

    The first great blow to the security of Gondolin came by accident. Húrin, who was once held captive by Morgoth, was released to wander in the world, unconsciously furthering the Dark Lord's cause. He came to the edge of the Mountains, hoping that an Eagle would bear him to Gondolin. But Turgon, afraid for the lives of those in his city, and rightfully fearing what Morgoth might have done to Húrin, withheld rescue for too long. Húrin, seeing nothing, cried out in a loud voice "Turgon, Turgon, remember the Fen of Serech! O Turgon, will you not hear in your hidden halls?". Morgoth now knew the general area in which Gondolin lay, for his spies were watching this. Húrin turned away, broken and bitter.

    Ulmo, the Patron of the city, watched with sad eyes, foreseeing the doom of Gondolin. He called forth Tuor, son of Huor, to the Sea, where he gave him a message for Turgon. Tuor delivered this message faithfully, by the aid of Ulmo and an elf named Voronwë, who guided him to the city. Ulmo's advice was that Turgon must abandon the city and seek the sea. For though hitherto the Valar had barred Turgon's messengers from reaching the Undying Lands, Ulmo foresaw that a direct descendant of the lords of the Noldor might be allowed to pass to the lands of the West. Turgon, because of his pride and the love of his city, decided to ignore this warning. Tuor, however, was welcomed in the city by all save Maeglin. Unwittingly, Turgon, who had always been so careful about strangers, further advanced the events that would lead to the fall of of Gondolin by allowing Tuor to stay. For Tuor and Idril, the King's daughter, fell in love.

    It was an extremely rare thing for a man to wed an elf-woman, but Turgon, who loved Tuor as a son, permitted it when he found that his daughter was full willing. Maeglin hated Tuor for this, and plotted his revenge on Idril.
    While searching for ore and straying (against the commands of Turgon) too far from the city, Maeglin was captured by Orcs. At his begging and bribing they took him before Morgoth himself, who extracted the information about Gondolin at a price: the death of Tuor and Eärendil, the hand of Idril, and the lordship of Gondolin after its capture.

    Maeglin returned to Gondolin and kept his capture by Morgoth a secret. Idril, however, who had noticed and rejected his advances, saw and feared the change that had come over him. Therefore she discussed with her husband the idea of making an escape tunnel. Tuor, confused but willing, complied. In secret, a tunnel that cut through the rock of the hill and out under Tumladen was constructed.

    At last Morgoth finalized his plan, and he loosed his massive army upon the city. Again Tuor and others urged Turgon to flee the brunt of the assault, but, convinced of the invincibility of his city (and with Maeglin whispering in his ear), Turgon decided to stay and fight.

    There was a great siege, during which Maeglin sought (from the inside) to take Idril and throw Eärendil from the walls. But Tuor arrived in time to save them both, and after a brief struggle hurled Maeglin down into the flames. But the city could not be saved, and thousands were killed. One by one the great lords of Gondolin fell, and Turgon, disillusioned and broken-hearted, ordered all to follow Tuor out through the tunnel when he saw that the destruction was inevitable. Only his guard stayed around him, and all who remained were killed as the white tower collapsed.

    Gathering as many of the people as they could find, Tuor and Idril escaped down the tunnel. It was a hard road through the mountains; Glorfindel was killed by a balrog that lay in ambush. But at last the Gondolindrim came to Nan-tathren, and after resting there for some time they came down to the refuge at the Mouths of Sirion, and mourned the loss of the White City.

    'Fall of Gondolin', by Ted Nasmith



    The Twelve Houses of the Gondolindrim were the kindreds of Gondolin, and in such each House has its own unit and lore-accurate leader ingame.


    Head of the House: Turgon
    The House of the King was one of the Twelve Houses of the Gondolindrim, under the personal command of King Turgon in Gondolin. They wore white and gold and red, and their emblems the moon and the sun and the Scarlet Heart. During the Fall of Gondolin, the King's House was untouched until all the houses were gathered again at the Square of the Palace, for they had remained there during the fighting at the North Gate. But after Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs was slain by Ecthelion of the Fountain, they hurled themselves upon the Orcs, and even slew two score Balrogs. They forced one of the terrible Fire-drakes into the Fountain of the King, and it perished, though the water did also. But many of them were killed by the heat, the serpents, the enemy, and one another, for the steam that rose from the fountain obscured their view. But a body of them saved the king, and there was a rally of men beneath Glingal and Belthil. No more is said of this house, but they probably perished with Turgon.


    Marshal of the House: Penlod
    The House of the Pillar under the command of Penlod. They are only briefly mentioned in the Fall of Gondolin as being united with the House of the Tower of Snow under Penlod, and many perished with their lord, trying to defend the walls of the Hidden City.


    Marshal of the House: Penlod
    The House of the Tower of Snow was commanded as well by Penlod. It was united with the House of the Pillar under one lord, Penlod, and both of the houses perished, along with their leader, when trying to defend the walls of the Hidden City during the Fall of Gondolin.


    Master archer and chief of the House: Duilin
    The House of the Swallow is mentioned in the Fall of Gondolin as being under Duilin. It was a house of archers, who wore a fan of feathers upon their helms, and they were arrayed in white and dark blue and in purple and black. Their emblem, which rested upon their shields, was that of an arrowhead. During the Fall they stood upon the walls of the Gondolin, and many were thrust to doom when the enemy came from behind after passing through the North Gate.


    Chief of the House: Galdor
    The House of the Tree was under the leadership of Galdor. They wore green, and carried iron-studded clubs and slings.

    During the Fall of Gondolin, they were one of the two main kindreds that first hurled themselves upon the Balrogs and Orcs upon the destruction of the Gate of Gondolin. They guarded the western entrance to the Arch of Inwë. Many escaped the slaughter with Tuor, and were scouts ahead of the women and children, for they had "eyes like cats in the dark", later dwelling at the Mouths of Sirion. They are often referred to as the People or Folk of Galdor


    Chief of the House: Tuor
    The House of the Wing was led by Tuor. They wore wings as of swans or gulls upon their helms, and the emblem of the White Wing was upon their shields. Its people were the stoutest folk of Gondolin. The House of the Wing was apparently one of the smaller houses, for those from the House of the Mole outnumbered them when they came to arms during the Fall of Gondolin. They fought alongside the House of the Fountain at the breach in the wall. Outnumbered by the great hosts of Morgoth, they joined the surviving houses at the Square of the King. From there, most of its people went on before the rest of the exiles during the escape through Idril's secret way, cutting their way out of the hosts of Orcs, Dragons and Balrogs, making it to the mountains. They were under Hendor, a house-carle of Idril, who carried Eärendil upon his back.


    Chief of the House: Ecthelion
    The House of the Fountain was one of the Twelve Houses of the Gondolindrim, whose Lord was Ecthelion of the Fountain. They were said to find delight in silver and diamonds, and their swords were long and bright and pale. The People of the Fountain of the South, as they were also called, went into battle accompanied by the sweet music of their flutes.

    During the Fall of Gondolin, they were held in reserve by Turgon, who unleashed them after the Balrogs made a breach in the wall. They made their entrance from the South part of the city and slew a great number of foes. As Balrogs and Dragons led an army who outnumbered them, the People of the Fountain began retreat towards the Square of the King. Most likely, the House of the Fountain soon dissolved after the death of Ecthelion at the Fountain of the King, since there is no mention of it afterwards


    Chief of the House: Glorfindel
    The House of the Golden Flower was an Eldarin noble House, one of the Twelve Houses of Gondolin. Glorfindel was its lord, and its device was that of a rayed sun.

    When the forces of Angband attacked Gondolin, the strength of the Golden Flower was in the Great Market, on the east part of the city, where they were ambushed by a host of Orcs led by Balrogs. For hours they fought, until a Fire-drake came and killed many of them. There were only a few survivors, among them Glorfindel.

    The House of the Harp was sent to their aid, but its lord Salgant wished to betray them. However, the men of his house rebelled against him and they rushed to the aid of the Golden Flower, many of them being killed in that market.

    Eventually Balrogs and Dragons who reinforced Morgoth's army breached the walls of Gondolin, and the House of the Golden Flower, along with the remaining houses, moved towards the Square of the King. Further on, many lost their lives holding the rear for those who retreated towards Idril's secret way. The few remaining members assisted helpless to their Lord's death during his fight with the Balrog.


    Chief of the House: Rog
    The House of the Hammer of Wrath was led by Rog. They were great smiths and craftsmen, and revered Aulë. In battle they carried great maces like hammers, and heavy shields, for they had strong arms. The device of this people was the Stricken Anvil, and a hammer that smites sparks about it; this was set upon their shields, for red gold and black iron was their delight. They had a great hatred for Morgoth and the Balrogs, and during the Fall of Gondolin they slew a number of the fell beasts, being the first of Elves and Men alike to slay a balrog. All of them perished in that battle, when a large force of Balrogs, Orcs and Fire-drakes was unleashed upon them.


    Chief of the House: Salgant
    The House of the Harp was led by Salgant. Its people were brave warriors, and were dight with tassels of silver and of gold, and a harp of silver shone in their blazonry upon a field of black, though Salgant bore one of gold. They resisted their treacherous lord's orders during the Fall of Gondolin and deserted to aid Glorfindel and the House of the Golden Flower at the Great Market. They drove the enemy back into the market as the Orcs pursued Glorfindel, but they were leaderless, and many of them were trapped burned to death or poisoned by the breath of the Dragons.


    Chief of the House: Egalmoth
    The House of the Heavenly Arch was led by Egalmoth. They were a folk of "unaccounted wealth", and were arrayed in many bright colors, for the "heavenly arch" referred to a rainbow. Their arms were set with jewels that flamed in the light over the sky. Every shield of that battalion was of the blue of the heavens and its boss a jewel built of seven gems: rubies, amethysts, sapphires, emeralds, chrysoprases, topazes, and amber. An opal of great size was set in each of their helms. They were great swordsmen, but also great archers, and with the House of the Swallow defended the walls of Gondolin during the Fall of Gondolin in its northern part, pouring clouds of arrows over the hosts of Orcs. Slowly the battle was lost and they retreated towards the Square of the King, the survivors being gathered together by Tuor along with those from the House of the Swallow. Few of the Heavenly Arch escaped the burning Gondolin and most likely dwelt with Egalmoth at the Mouths of Sirion.


    Chief of the House: Maeglin
    The House of the Mole was led by Maeglin. They bore black armor, without any emblem or design, but their round caps of steel were covered with moleskin. Most of its folk were quarrymen and ore delvers. In battle they wielded two-handed axes.

    Their lord Maeglin had previously betrayed Turgon and Gondolin. Thus during the Fall of Gondolin they fought on Morgoth's side, facing those from the House of the Wing, led by Tuor, who dueled Maeglin and killed him. Loyal to their lord, those from the House of the Mole turned upon his killer, but though they were numerous, they could not stand against Tuor's wrath. Most of them were "smitten and driven to fly into what dark holes they might" in that battle.






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    All the units and materials included in this preview are definitive for the first release. It means there won't be any changes made to them. So, if you don't like something, please refrain from asking for changes, because there won't be any. Unit names may change however, but the team has final word on it, obviously.

    This Preview features only the Twelve Houses of Gondolin, there are many more units for the Kingdom of Gondolin, but they will be presented in another preview. Each House leader has also its own bodyguard unit, which is slightly different from regular Houses units.

    Follow us on:




    • Noldomirwen for his picture 'Eöl & Aradhel
    • Ted Nasmith for his pictures 'Hill of Slain', 'Fall of Gondolin' and 'Tuor Reaches the Hidden City of Gondolin'
    • Alan Lee for his picture of 'Huor & Húrin flying to Gondolin'
    • Tolkiengateway for texts
    • LotRTW for permission to use material
    • The Creative Assembly for making Rome: Total War
    • J.R.R. Tolkien for creating such a great universe




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    Last edited by Bercor; February 10, 2016 at 10:49 AM.

    Mundus Bellicus - TWC - ModDB - Discord - Steam
    ~ Patronized by Gaius Baltar, son of the Great Family of imb39, of the House of Garbarsardar, of the Noble House of Wilpuri.

  2. #2

    Default Re: [Preview #6] The Twelve Houses of Gondolin

    Enjoy everyone.

  3. #3

    Default Re: [Preview #6] The Twelve Houses of Gondolin

    Get hyped. Keep up the good work.

  4. #4

    Default Re: [Preview #6] The Twelve Houses of Gondolin

    Looking great!


  5. #5
    demagogos nicator's Avatar Domesticus
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    Default Re: [Preview #6] The Twelve Houses of Gondolin

    Stunning work

  6. #6
    Libertus
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    Default Re: [Preview #6] The Twelve Houses of Gondolin

    Beautiful preview! Keep of the fantastic work.

  7. #7
    Civis
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    Default Re: [Preview #6] The Twelve Houses of Gondolin

    Beautiful

  8. #8

    Default Re: [Preview #6] The Twelve Houses of Gondolin

    amazing

  9. #9
    Centenarius
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    Default Re: [Preview #6] The Twelve Houses of Gondolin

    Speechless! great work guys
    Temporarily retired from modding.

  10. #10

    Default Re: [Preview #6] The Twelve Houses of Gondolin

    Thank you everyone, every encouragement is much appreciated.

    Mundus Bellicus - TWC - ModDB - Discord - Steam
    ~ Patronized by Gaius Baltar, son of the Great Family of imb39, of the House of Garbarsardar, of the Noble House of Wilpuri.

  11. #11

    Default Re: [Preview #6] The Twelve Houses of Gondolin

    Great job, guys!!

    I have a question, is this mod dead or is no dead?

  12. #12

    Default Re: [Preview #6] The Twelve Houses of Gondolin

    Seems quite living at the moment.

    Mundus Bellicus - TWC - ModDB - Discord - Steam
    ~ Patronized by Gaius Baltar, son of the Great Family of imb39, of the House of Garbarsardar, of the Noble House of Wilpuri.

  13. #13
    Macrath's Avatar Domesticus
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    Default Re: [Preview #6] The Twelve Houses of Gondolin

    It looks amazing! Well done.

  14. #14

    Default Re: [Preview #6] The Twelve Houses of Gondolin

    Thank you guys, don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

    Mundus Bellicus - TWC - ModDB - Discord - Steam
    ~ Patronized by Gaius Baltar, son of the Great Family of imb39, of the House of Garbarsardar, of the Noble House of Wilpuri.

  15. #15

    Default Re: [Preview #6] The Twelve Houses of Gondolin

    Great preview
    Gesaga him éac wordum, þæt híe sint wilcuman Deniga léodum

  16. #16
    hrolphi's Avatar Libertus
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    Default Re: [Preview #6] The Twelve Houses of Gondolin

    Wooooww This makes me so happy to see. Gorgeous elves and map!

  17. #17

    Default Re: [Preview #6] The Twelve Houses of Gondolin

    looking forward to it !

  18. #18

    Default Re: [Preview #6] The Twelve Houses of Gondolin

    Great work!

  19. #19

    Default Re: [Preview #6] The Twelve Houses of Gondolin

    Amazing preview and amazing mod.

  20. #20

    Default Re: [Preview #6] The Twelve Houses of Gondolin

    Great preview.

    Somewhat off topic, but was wondering, will Gothmog (and the other balrogs), and his elite bodyguard unit of trolls make an appearance in the mod?
    "The Dragon Returns..."

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