Timeframe in the Third Age: Total War

**Iustinianos** · June 25, 2008, 04:59 PM

There has been a lot of discussion and confusion about the speculated timeframe of this mod. Which tameframe should this mod span? Since it is about the Third Age it could be about the whole Third Age, however the problem with this is that the Third Age was 3021 years long...that's gonna take some time to complete a campaign. Making turns 10 years long isn't realistic either.

So, what would your suggestions be? Since the faction list contains Isengard as a miltary force it would be most realistic to let the mod start some years before the War of the Ring. But are we gonna be that realistic? Should we include the wars of Arnor and Angmar? This would add two very exciting factions to the list, yet it would also make Isengard very unrealistic.

Where should the mod begin? To my opinion there are several key events in the Third Age which could be the beginning of this mod.

0- Sauron is defeated, the Ring has been taken by Isildur, end of the Second Age, start of the Third Age.
861- Arnor splits up in three sucessor kingdoms; Rhudaur, Cardolan and Arthedain.
1300- Rise of Angmar and the Witch-King.
1437- Start of the Kin-Stife, which is the start of the serious decline of Gondor which ultimatly led to the abondoning of the Watch at Mordor which allows Sauron to return.
2050- The last king of Gondor Earnur accepts a challenge of the Witch-King and is never seen again, no heir. Gondor is since then led by the Stewards.
2460- Sauron returns and settles in Dol-Goldur.
2510- Battle of the Field of Celebrant. Start of kingdom of Rohan and alliance with Gondor.
2953- Saruman takes advantage of the unstabel situation in Mordor and Gondor to take control over Isengard.
2980- Aragorn serves Gondor and Rohan, Theoden becomes king of Rohan.

War of the Ring is from 3018 to 3019.

The turn length would obviously depend on when the mod will start. If it starts in 2980 it should be about one turn a month, when it starts in 2050 it should be more. This is also a problem about the timeframe though, what's the maximum and minimum of the turn lenght to your opinion?

What are your suggestions/thoughts on what should be the timeframe of this mod? If you think that there should be another key event added to the list, just say it and I shall edit the list(if your idea makes sence that is

)

BTW: If there's gonna be to much confusion and discussion I will make a poll and we can decide trough that. But let's first hear your suggestions :thumbsup4

BTW2: For more information about the timeframe of the Third Age, look here.

**Brightgalrs** · June 25, 2008, 05:12 PM

The start of Rohan.

Although then the lonely mountain would be taken over by Smaug and Dale destroyed before the end of the campaign, a event perhaps?

**The Big Red 1** · June 25, 2008, 05:17 PM

The timeframe doesn't matter. And we're are using turns not time amounts.

**Blacknight_1990** · June 25, 2008, 05:22 PM

The timeframe does matter. It's important because some factions didn't exist the entire third age or Isengard turned to evil only a bit of time before the war of the ring.

**The Count(er)** · June 25, 2008, 05:24 PM

I was still under the impression that we never changed the timeframe of the mod and it was always the war of the ring:hmmm:

**Iustinianos** · June 25, 2008, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by The Big Red 1

The timeframe doesn't matter.

Ofcourse the timeframe matters, it is the most important thing it we are going for realism here. It depends on the timeframe wethere a faction excists or not.

Originally Posted by The Big Red 1

And we're are using turns not time amounts.

Aren't we gonna use the same system in MTW2, where you can see both the turn number and the year?

--First post editet: BTW2: For more information about the timeframe of the Third Age, look here..--

**The Big Red 1** · June 25, 2008, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by Iustinianos

Ofcourse the timeframe matters, it is the most important thing it we are going for realism here. It depends on the timeframe wethere a faction excists or not.

You saw the official faction list it is third age. So what time is it going to be?
Also Code_Knight said that on this it was third age I we are known for being unrealistic look in the questions thread.

Originally Posted by Iustinianos

Aren't we gonna use the same system in MTW2, where you can see both the turn number and the year?

No.

**Iustinianos** · June 25, 2008, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by The Big Red 1

You saw the official faction list it is third age. So what time is it going to be?

That is my question. That's why I opened this thread.

Originally Posted by The Big Red 1

Also Code_Knight said that on this it was third age I we are known for being unrealistic look in the questions thread.

Known for being unrealistic? I have encountered very few unrealistic ideas in this mod. Isn't it so that the mod will focus on films for visual and on the books for the rest?

Originally Posted by The Big Red 1

No.

Why not? Showing only turn numbers would really suck. If you are not gonna show years then there's no point in calling this mod the Third Age.

**Darth Ravenous** · June 25, 2008, 07:07 PM

2953 would be a good time to start.

**The Big Red 1** · June 25, 2008, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by Olorin the wise

2953 would be a good time to start.

Agreed, Who said Saruman wasn't evil from the beginning.

**Darth Ravenous** · June 25, 2008, 07:19 PM

No one.

**Iustinianos** · June 25, 2008, 07:22 PM

I highly doubt it. He became corrupt when he studied the history of the Rings of Power. I think the Valar would be very aware not to send evil Maia to aid Middle-Earth. And btw just to be clear; 2953 was not the date when Saruman first settled in Isengard, it's the date when a Saruman actually ''took'' the place for himself. He could do this because of all the confusion and unrest in Gondor due to Sauron's return.