"First Age: Total War" (Gondolin preview)

**Skiph** · January 06, 2010, 11:16 AM

There are essences and the concept of works on this mode:

And when they have proved in the void, Ilyuvatar said to them: “You look, that created your music!” And He gave to them possibility to see, where earlier they may only heard, and they saw a new peace, which arose before them. And it had a form of the sphere, which hangs in the void. And thus far Ainur looked and was surprised, this peace began to reveal its history, and by it seemed, that it lives and improves. (Silmarilion - Aynulindale)

It is truly surprising and splendid peace created with imagination by John Ronald Tolkien. Its literary and linguistic saturation of them, make it possible to so deeply feel, that there is sometimes written, that the sweet illusion of the realism of that occurred appears in our mind. Why not? Why not to be Aynur and Valar, valiant and hot as fire Feonar, or to immeasurably dark in his essence - Morgoth? Let this is another reality, another time, but as, nevertheless, sweet to leave from the ordinariness of our everyday problems and will dip into this world by the head!
The command of this mode, in many years assembled from the loyal to general idea enthusiasts, decided to recreate the peace of Arda in the dawn of its youth, beauty and sublimity, using all possibilities, which presented to us Medieval-TW-2.
By primary task, before ourselves, we see the recreation of the peace Middle-Earth in that form, in which it to himself presented J.R.R.Tolkien. Specifically, for this reason, all literary and graphic components of mode are based on the quotations from the works of professor. For his life, Tolkien wrote so much about Middle-Earth and its inhabitants, but one life it is not sufficient for the recreation of all special features of entire peace. Therefore we recognize to use works of other authors, whose text does not disperse from the main concept, placed by professor. In some situations for us, it is necessary to begin to operate our fantasy, but this always is founded upon soil and passed prolonged consideration.
I think, each expert of the first age of Arda will agree with the assertion, that his realization on 3-D platform MTW-2 inconceivable complex problem. And the special features of game themselves dictate some limitations and role innovations.
We planned to the realization global strategic regime with role elements. The beginning of this campaign will become the time, when Adains arrived into the peace of Beleriand and they settled - second children of Iluvatar. But to the end of the work on this regime must pass still much time. The first, what we plan to let out - provincial company, based on subject of one of the legends of Silmarilion. What about will be this history - let it will be secret for some time for you.

Spoiler for About an arrangement of the sunk earths Belerianda!:

Gondolin

The secret kingdom of noldor-elves, what on will of Valar Ulmo - Sovereign of Waters, was concealed in unapproachable mountain valley, after being covered there up to a certain time, from the evil look of Morgoth’s spies. The capital of wise kings - great Gondolin, this is the most beautiful and powerful noldor-city, that is such by beauty and by power similar to great Tirion in Valinor. But force champions and brave army of Gondolin, which is considered strongest of all noldors armies, rarely leaves they excellent valley in order to be slain with hordes of the ruler of evil, entering into battle with end-need, only by the call of the sovereign of Hitlum, which Head of Gondolin recognizes by her supreme king, then they are brave fighting under his banners in one order with warriors of Nargotrond and guards of Adains. However, that day, when herald of Valars brings terrible warning to perfectly city, is not distant, but Master of Lie will find the place, where secret valley is sheltered - hour of great battles and tests will come, will keep balance the walls of excellent Gondolin and his army before the innumerable hordes of Tangorodrim, knowingly only to some Valars…

The map of Gondolin

Gondolin (Secret Cliff)

Turgon from Nevrast, Fingolfin’s son, found secret value of Tumladen. It was located in the ring of the mountains, such high, that not one living being suspected about its existence. That valley (as it became known later), was stale to the east from upper reaches of Sirion-river, in ring of mountains, high both steep and not one living creature can’t pass there - only eagles of Torondor are flew there. But there was deep way, pierced through the rocks and stones under the mountains in dark by waters of Ulmo, that they approached the jets of Sirion; and Turgon found that way and was going out on green plain between mountains, and saw island-hill of solid stone - valley during the ancient days was lake. Turgon selected the most skillful masters of its people and secretly took away into the concealed valley. 52 years of persistent and secret labor are past, until the city has built. Somebody says, that Turgon wanted to name the city in the language of the elves of Valinor - Ondolinde - Rock of the Singing Water, therefore as with marvellous music sounded from fountains, which beat from the stone, but the language of Sindar distorted name and city began to be called Gondolin - Secret Cliff. Turgon assembled people and by small groups, secretly, they began to send them into the city. In the ring of mountains the people of Turgon grew and flourished, and is tall in the untiring works their craftsmanship, so that Gondolin on Amon-Gvaref was began truly excellent and worthy to be equal even Tirion Overseas. There are high and white were city-walls, were smooth stairs, was majestic, ordered and powerful the Tower of Ruler. There been fountains shone, which was playing with sun light, and in the courts of Turgon stood the sculptures of Valinor Trees of the antiquities, completed with the elf-craftsmanship by Turgon; the tree, that was made from gold, called Glingal, another, with the colors from silver - Belfil. Ekkoriat, is mountain ring , that admitted no one from outside world into the valley; only five - elves Aeol and his son Maeglin (nephew of Turgon on the maternal line), and also adains Huor, Hurin and Tuor - they was permissible enter within limits of principality. Two of them, Maeglin and Hurin, became the reason for fall of Gondolin. Hurin was captivated by Morgoth, and then he set free, involuntarily gave out for Morgot exemplary location of Gondolin. But Maeglin, overwhelmed by hatred for Tuor, son of Huor, indicated to orcs only passage through the mountain ridge Ekkoriat. In 511 year of First Age, the hordes of orcs, volkolaks and trolls, which order balrogs and dragons trespass into possessions of Turgon, and Gondolin, latter of all principalities of Noldors in Middle-Earth did not keep balance before their strong pressure. Turgon perished, and city was destroyed. In some of degree Turgon was guilty, that this happening, because in his pride did not wish to heed to adopt the warning of Ulmo, brought by Tuor still in 496 year FA.
Gondolin, which was most excellent and beautiful of the all elves principalities of Beleriand, was destroyed and already never built anew.

Spoiler for Gondolin on strategic map::

Spoiler for Screenshots of valley in regime of battle:

Spoiler for Screenshot of Secret Passage:

The «Family Tree» of Gondolin:

Spoiler for :

Units Of Fraction of Gondolin:

The Guards of Valley

(Tirme nalda) (middle spearmen) These are soldiers, which watching for boundaries of their city-state, bear to guard on mountain passes and steep slopes. For the young elves of Gondolin to become the guard of valley, means - to become soldier! As soldiers these guards are very experienced, since youth of elf - very philosophical concept. They have the worthy armament: the armors, which consist of the woven hauberks, the sloping helmets, the round light shields, the long spears and the one-armed swords. They skillfully battle and are ready to meet any enemy with breast. They have good discipline, predetermines their skill – they are rapidly built. In the cases of endlessness of position - guards organize all around defense. When they stand on protection of valley, their battle spirit is strong as never. Long spear makes with their irreplaceable against the enemy cavalry. And the presence of sword does not give to them to lose in combat with infantry in the weak-points of gorges. Since for the guard of valley important to see enemy with first and to destroy before it will notice guard - they magnificently know how to harbor both in the field and in the forest! But because of the specific character of its service, their armor does not make it possible to resist heavily armored enemy, therefore it does not be worth suppose, that these steadfast soldiers are omnipotent.