Eriador Unit Descriptions

[Ramsay]

Eriador rises further in my estimation!

I slightly modified my hobbits again to avoid any misunderstandings.

As for the issue of the number of Dúnedain, given the real world breeding habbits of the feudal aristocracy, it seems likely that there would be quite a few people with at least some noble ancestor, as someone else suggested here. They may even have old heirlooms as weapons, or have found them in the ruins.

Also, the Rangers were used to defending the region throughout a long-runing but fairly low intensity conflict involving only the occasional skirmish. In a protracted war, the local authorities would be mad not to get their act together and broaden their military base. This would certainly involve the Dúnedain leading troops of "lesser" but experienced men and teaching them all they knew. They would also have access to more men and equipment as they occupied new population centres and trained new forces there. Of course, if Eriador falls quickly, they never got that far...

In a real world comparison (sorry if it disturbs the ME atmosphere for anyone) the first commando units in WW2 were tiny group counted in dozens at most. Once the tactic was proven, many of the men were given trainign roles and they numbers grew quite rapidly to the point where thousands or even tens of thousands of specialised air and marine assault troops were used, with an elite elite (?) of hundreds for who carried out the most "special" operations.

[Dazo]

@ Eriagon: no harm (and no bashing) at all .

- I'm just trying to find a way between "Lore as it should be" and gameplay facts. You're perfectly right to point those details but as you say yourself:
"If I was one of the developers I would have given Eriador 3 Dúnedain units of 60 soldiers each (On Huge Scale)."
I'm like you: no clue about ingame recruitment so... :hmmm:
- Sure they wern't only 30 in all, but as they're scattered all around (spread over), I believe they encountered humans here and there and some learnt to fight from the Dùnedain.
- I'd say that rangers kept most of the evil beings at bay (nazguls' ride ) since to interdict all intruders is impossible task for 500 scattered people. They'd need some reinforcements against organized invaders. They're always some mercenaries, exiled soldiers or adventurers skilled enough to make it and fill the ranks. It's hard to say that Greenway guards or grey company are not professional soldiers too.
- I also thought of other units: there are Dunedain rangers and rangers sentries, so "rangers" was fair enough (BL riders and sentries are mounted units) for me but I can add "sentries" to avoid further confusion .
- All in all, it's just a natural process that "regular" units use militias as "training units" and use their best men. Just imagine Aragorn in front of a bunch of Goblins with Eriador men behind him and saying: "No, no, don't help me, you're not Dùnedain ".

+

[Eriagon]

@ Eriagon: no harm (and no bashing) at all .

- I'm just trying to find a way between "Lore as it should be" and gameplay facts. You're perfectly right to point those details but as you say yourself:
"If I was one of the developers I would have given Eriador 3 Dúnedain units of 60 soldiers each (On Huge Scale)."
I'm like you: no clue about ingame recruitment so... :hmmm:
- Sure they wern't only 30 in all, but as they're scattered all around (spread over), I believe they encountered humans here and there and some learnt to fight from the Dùnedain.
- I'd say that rangers kept most of the evil beings at bay (nazguls' ride ) since to interdict all intruders is impossible task for 500 scattered people. They'd need some reinforcements against organized invaders. They're always some mercenaries, exiled soldiers or adventurers skilled enough to make it and fill the ranks. It's hard to say that Greenway guards or grey company are not professional soldiers too.
- I also thought of other units: there are Dunedain rangers and rangers sentries, so "rangers" was fair enough for me but I can add "sentries" to avoid further confusion .
- All in all, it's just a natural process that "regular" units use militias as "training units" and use their best men. Just imagine Aragorn in front of a bunch of Goblins with Eriador men behind him and saying: "No, no, don't help me, you're not Dùnedain ".

+

Your last line really cracked my up, well I would give the Eriador 3 Dúnedain units to start with, not three types

Well, dont doubt the Dúnedain effectiveness my dear friend, Theoden states in ROTK that Aragorn as a soldier, through his heritage cant be compared with any other man, and saying that and a group of 30 of Dúnedain was a reinforcement that couldn't be "counted" in men. IMO a group 100 goblins would get their asses kicked by 10 Dúnedain with ease

[Eriagon]

I talked with Varjon about a light mail armor upgrade for them, IMO it would be true to lore since the Grey Company's use of heavy mail shows that the Dúnedain got access to mail armor.

[JorisofHolland]

I don't know anything about training 'lesser men', but I'm pretty sure the Dunedain would do so if neccesary. But don't forget the elves! If Eriador was invaded by an army, they would probally be there to stand aside the dunedain.

[Radboud]

Have you got all the descriptions you need for Eriador ? (If you need a couple more then I'll try to make some )

[Mithrandir]

The more the merrier, I say.

[Legolose]

Great job like always JAL +Rep of corse

[The Sixth Wizard]

The Dunedain should be bloody unkillable.

Like, five hitpoints. And 20 defense skill! And zweihanders as secondary weapons!!!

Are the Knights going to be unique units (i.e you can only make one at a time?) ?

[Beorn]

No. And as for Rangers, I totally disagree.

[Muffer Nl]

No. And as for Rangers, I totally disagree.

You should learn to detect a joke dude.

[Elphir of Dol Amroth]

{Peasants_Militia} Peasants Militia
{Peasants_Militia_descr}
Of all the free peoples of Middle-earth it are the peasants who suffer hardest when an enemy force enters their lands. That is why these peasants have formed small communities for protection. Most peasants are farmers of profession but others herd sheep or wander the plains in search of food. The free folk of Middle-earth try to keep themselves out of the affairs of others, for they are content to live there live as free Men, without much contact with folk of the outer world. But sometimes certain threats can not be denied and then those peasants that are brave of heart will join the forces of good in hope of achieving victory. They arm themselves with pitchforks and are protected by leather armour, but their skill in battle is not great and they are likely to fall first before enemy swords. But when victory is achieved, the peasants will return home and continue to live their lives as free people. However, if they are defeated it seems likely that their farms will burn by enemy fire and that is something that must be prevented at all cost.
{Peasants_Militia_descr_short}
Peasants Militia have low morale and bad armour, but even these Men must fight if it proves necessary.

[The Sixth Wizard]

You should learn to detect a joke dude.

Hehe don't worry I forgive him.

But their power probably lay not only in their extensive frontline combat skills but their ability to use their experience and leadership to change the war. +morale for nearby troops and hide anywhere?

[broccoliano]

{Bandits} Bandits
{Bandits_descr}
The bandits of Eriador are the scattered remnants of a once great kingdom that is actually sat on its unstable ashes.As much as the kingdom is unsure,so is the loyalty of those men.
Habit more to steal and frightening nearby travellers they would never be able to compete with regular troops or hardened fighters.Being equipped with picked(or stolen) up items of low quality they shouldn't wear any metallic armour,as tend to be unuseful while running throw the woods,while they prefer to trust the agility that light clothes and a simple sword and shield allows.
A king shouldn't rely upon those kind of man,as they tend to flee and rout.However,they do represent a useful fighting force in case of emergency.
{Bandits_descr_short}
SHield and Sword infantry wearing light clothes.

[evinmulligan]

{lumbermen}
{lumbermen_descr}the lumbermen of chetwood are some of the braver inhabitants of breeland,mostly from archet on the eaves of the chetwwod.the life of a Lumberjack was always hard withlong hours of back breaking work and the constant threat of attack from wolves and other wild animals.

Recently things have gotten worse for the woodcutters of chetwood.The dunedain's numbers are dwindling and they cant offer the same amount of protection they used to.The Wargs and Goblins of the misty mountains are growing bolder,regularly sending raiding parties into Eriador.Its not uncommon for a lumberman to be attacked by these goblins so the lumbermen have taken to banding together for protection. many of these bands see no real difference in fighting off goblins and fighting them in war.They hire their services to the only real leader in the lone lands,the chieftain of the dunedain.

they usually fight with the weapon they've used all their lives,the axe.Though stronger than most militia because of their experience with fighting off raiding parties,they are still militia and won't win against trained professional troops.
{lumbermen_descr_short}light militia,no armour,2 handed axes

[evinmulligan]

{hunter}
{hunters_descr}Hunters are arguably the most important class in Eriador.they provide food for most of the inhabitants of the lone lands seeing as farming and livestock herding are restricted to the breelands,which in itself is hilly and infertile,and the wilderness is too dangerous.It is up to the hunters to provide food for the inhabitants of Eriador.

It is not uncommon for hunters to join the militia,where their skill with a bow and knowledge of the wilderness can be put to use.The best and brightest of the hunters often join the ranks of the ranger sentries.

These men use a bow and in a melee a small skinning knife.they choose mobility over protection and wear no armour except maybe a leather shirt.though decent archers they lack training and proper equipment as their weapons are designed for hunting and wont last long in a melee or a firefight with armoured heavy archers.
{hunters_descr_short}light archers with a hunting bow and knife

thanks to JAL from whom i copied some ideas and his philosophy about having a detailed background to units

{peasant militia}
{peasant militia_descr}The peasants of breeland are a peace loving,if somewhat superstitious people.for years they lay undisturbed by the fires of the war that raged on around them,protected by the the dunedain,the very same men who they fear and shun as outsiders.

but the power of the dunedain is waning and their numbers are shrinking all the time,while the goblins and wargs of the misty mountains have multiplied and have started to send raiding parties to disturb the breelanders peaceful oblivious lives.The dunedain simply don't have enough men to stop them all so the responsibility has fallen on the peasants to defend their peaceful way of life,picking up pitchforks and other farming tools,or anything they can find.Some lucky ones might have a spear but mostly they are equipped with nothing but farming tools and the clothes on their backs

peasant militia are the worst units available to the chieftain of the dunedain(I Presume).They have no real equipment,no training,no experience and practically no loyalty to the chieftain,as a result of their mistrust and fear of the dunedain.

{peasant militia_descr_short}light militia armed with farming tools,low morale,no armour

[Muffer Nl]

All unit descriptions are ready. I suggest one of the team members closes this thread.

[DjAci]

{Rohan_Archers} Rohan archers
{Rohan_Archers_descr}

The wide grassy plains of Rohan are a rich source of food. While farming is the basic source of food, many people turn to hunting as an additional source, particularly during the colder months. Hunting does not only feed the family, it trains young men in the art of archery. The scarceness of wood in the grassland of Rohan did not allow for the bow to root itself in the Rohirrim war as much as spear and axe. However, the people of Rohan recognized the potential of a bow in battle, especially knowing that they can use it from horseback.

Altough bows used in Rohan are simple short selfbows, those made for war are produced with great quality and care what makes them a capable weapon. While Rohan does not have a professional army they have a mighty militia troughout the kingdom.

The acrhers of Rohan are not mere peasants. These men train regularly and make solid archers even with their simple bows. Unusually for archers, these men wear a scale vest over a chain mail armor making them resistant to melee attacks and cavalry charges. While their skills as archers cannot match other Men of the West, they make up for it with good armor and an axe (favourite among the Rohirrim) for close combat, for which they have considerable appetite and skill.


{Rohan_Archers_descr_short}

Solid medium archers with a healthy tendency towards melee.

[Saruman the white wizard]

{Rohan_Archers} Rohan archers
{Rohan_Archers_descr}

The wide grassy plains of Rohan are a rich source of food. While farming is the basic source of food, many people turn to hunting as an additional source, particularly during the colder months. Hunting does not only feed the family, it trains young men in the art of archery. The scarceness of wood in the grassland of Rohan did not allow for the bow to root itself in the Rohirrim war as much as spear and axe. However, the people of Rohan recognized the potential of a bow in battle, especially knowing that they can use it from horseback.

Altough bows used in Rohan are simple short selfbows, those made for war are produced with great quality and care what makes them a capable weapon. While Rohan does not have a professional army they have a mighty militia troughout the kingdom.

The acrhers of Rohan are not mere peasants. These men train regularly and make solid archers even with their simple bows. Unusually for archers, these men wear a scale vest over a chain mail armor making them resistant to melee attacks and cavalry charges. While their skills as archers cannot match other Men of the West, they make up for it with good armor and an axe (favourite among the Rohirrim) for close combat, for which they have considerable appetite and skill.


{Rohan_Archers_descr_short}

Solid medium archers with a healthy tendency towards melee.

Nice desciption

[Dario, the Sicilian]

{Bandits} Bandits
{Bandits_descr}Bandits usually make the routes of Eriador unsafe. In times of war, some of these man join your army in return for some money. Although they are better trained then most militia, they shouldn't face heavy equiped enemies, since they are only equiped with a small wooden shield and a sword. They are best positioned before your professional units to take the charge of the enemy's cavalry for them. It's not like anyone will miss them.
{Bandits_descr_short}Light infantry armed with a small wooden shield and a sword.