Descriptions
I have made a lot of (unit) descriptions in all those months that I have been active on this forum. Most of these unit descriptions are already featured in various submods, but there are a few which are not. Some of my descriptions might be useful for certain submods and that is why I have decided to post all of them here in this thread. If someone wants to use them for their own mod, please ask permission first. I want to thank all those who helped me with creating these descriptions.
Btw, I'm willing to make new descriptions for Tolkien mods on request!
Vale of Anduin
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:Beorning Farmers
Short Unit Description: These men only fight when their lives are in danger. They can be quite fierce, but because they are mere farmers, their weapons are no match for more professional units.
Long Unit Description: Sometimes there is need for the Beornings to call upon the common folk to go to war. The men who are called upon to fight are mostly farmers living on the fertile banks of the river Anduin, where the ground is suited to agrarian purposes. Although they are scarcely clad and not properly equipped to fight in battles, they are still fierce warriors, since the same blood runs through their veins as that of their Beorning brothers. When their land, their families, or their own lives are endangered these men are willing to take up arms against those that threaten them. The Beorning Farmers wear no armour and only use a pitchfork, which they normally use for their daily farming tasks but which is now carried as a weapon. It is also a useful weapon due to the fact that it has three sharp and deadly points and because of the length of the steel, which allows the Beorning Farmers to engage their enemy from a distance. These men are useful as a scouting unit because they are able to hide in almost all environments. In the open field they are however less dangerous, due to their lack of armour and training. But of all the farmers of Middle-earth, the Beorning Farmers are amongst the best, since they are used to a rough life full of hardships and perils.
Stoor Militia
Short Unit Description: Hobbits are inexperienced and weak fighters, but when their lives are in danger, they can be quite fierce.
Long Unit Description: The origins of Hobbits remains a mystery, but it is believed that after coming from the East, the Hobbits have settled in the Upper Vale of Anduin, near the Gladden Fields. It was from this place that they made their first contact with the Northmen who lived nearby.
Relations were friendly and soon trade was established. After the arrival of the Necromancer in Dol Guldur, it became dangerous for them to remain in the area where they lived and thus they were forced to flee to safer regions. Most of them inhabited the areas where the Gladden flowed into the river Anduin. Years later they where forced to flee once again from their villages because of the rise of the Witch-King and his evil kingdom of Angmar. While most of the Hobbits went westwards to settle in Eriador, some decided to remain in the Gladden Fields and others forsook the journey to Eriador and went back to their old settlements. Since that time the Hobbits, who are mainly of Stoorish ancestry, have survived in the Upper Vale of Anduin. Despite being weak warriors they have managed to survive, mainly due to their secretive way of life.
The Stoor Militia are regular Hobbits called upon to fight; they carry a knife and throwing spears. And though they do not wear armour, they do wear a cloak which shields them from unfriendly eyes.
Stoor Scouts
Short Unit Description: Hobbit Scouts are weak in close combat, but when striking from a distance they can shoot quite accurate.
Long Unit Description: The origins of Hobbits remains a mystery, but it is believed that after coming from the East, the Hobbits have settled in the Upper Vale of Anduin, near the Gladden Fields. It was from this place that they made their first contact with the Northmen who lived nearby. Relations were friendly and soon trade was established. After the arrival of the Necromancer in Dol Guldur, it became dangerous for them to remain in the area where they lived and thus they were forced to flee to safer regions. Most of them inhabited the areas where the Gladden flowed into the river Anduin. Years later they where forced to flee once again from their villages because of the rise of the Witch-King and his evil kingdom of Angmar. While most of the Hobbits went westwards to settle in Eriador, some decided to remain in the Gladden Fields and others forsook the journey to Eriador and went back to their old settlements. Since that time the Hobbits, who are mainly of Stoorish ancestry, have survived in the Upper Vale of Anduin. Despite being weak warriors they have managed to survive, mainly due to their secretive way of life. Due to their small stature, Hobbits try to cover their disability in close combat by wielding short bows to thin the enemies formations. Surprisingly, their marksmanship is disproportionate to their size and discipline.
Mirkwood Hunters
Short Unit Description: Although not the best archers to be found in Middle-earth, they have gained some experience from hunting animals.
Long Unit Description: The forest of Mirkwood, formerly called Greenwood the Great, has remained a dangerous place even after the successful attack on the Necromancer by the White Council in the year 2941 of the Third Age. Spiders, Orcs and other evil creatures still perform cruel acts underneath the trees; hunting innocent animals, torturing Elves and men and burning large parts of the forest. But with the unification of the various Northmen tribes still living in the Vale of Anduin, the forest has become less dangerous.
Woodmen living in isolated farmhouses protected by palisades now patrol the eaves of Mirkwood and guard the great Dwarven Road. They have become strong people who are now able to defend themselves and even to strike decisive blows at the enemy. Among these Woodmen some favour the bow as their weapon of choice; they carry a small wooden one of average quality, which however will still serve its main purpose as a hunting tool. As a weapon of war their bow is less useful due to its relatively poor accuracy, however in the hands of these experienced Mirkwood Hunters their bows can nonetheless become a deadly weapon. For further protection they wear leather armour, and carry a small knife for when their supply of arrows is exhausted.
Beorning Ballista
Short Unit Description: Though the Beorning Ballista is of average wooden quality and handled by untrained Men, it is still a useful machine.
Long Unit Description: Although the Beornings and other men in the Vale of Anduin are not known for their skill in siege warfare, they still possess the knowledge required to construct basic siege engines for assaulting fortifications. Sometimes there is need for a weapon that can knock down enemy walls or kill larger foes from a distance. For this they use ballistae made out of wood hewn from the trees of Mirkwood forest. Although it is not of the best quality and is made of simple wood and rope, the Beorning Ballista can fire an arrow faster and harder then any archer ever could. They fire their projectiles with such power that they can be used to fell the walls and towers of enemy castles or cities, allowing troops to enter. However, the men that operate the ballistae are not trained in the arts of war and do not stand a chance in open combat, therefore it is vital to keep them guarded by the more able troops on the battlefield. The crew are drawn from peasants and as such they do not wear armour. They are unsuited to melee engagements; their only recourse at such times being a knife.
Furthermore, the Beorning Ballista is a relatively small machine compared to the siege engines of the more advanced peoples of Middle-earth. The advantages bestowed by its size allows the Beornings to transport it swiftly and through smaller paths than those its larger bretheren can traverse. Advantages which will surely be necessary in the forested areas of Mirkwood and on the narrow and dangerous paths of the Misty Mountains.
Mirkwood Spearmen
Short Unit Description: Mirkwood Spearmen are only slightly armoured, but many long years in the woods have made them fierce fighters.
Long Unit Description: The men who inhabit the dark forest of Mirkwood are hardy folk that have adapted to the dangerous conditions they live in. For ages they have sheltered in their isolated farmhouses protected by wooden palisades. But now the time of hiding has come to an end; Beorn has united the Northmen tribes inhabiting the Vale of Anduin into a powerful nation. The Beornings have professionalized the army with higher grade equipment and training and have reinforced the many farmhouses near the borders of Mirkwood. The Woodmen inhabiting these places have now become strong enough to resist the evil shadow that grows ever darker in Dol Guldur.
A considerable constituent of the Woodmen’s forces consists of spearmen due to the ease with which their weapons can be forged, particularly near the borders of Mirkwood where wood is plentiful. For protection, they are equipped with leather armour and wield a wooden shield. Their equipment is painted in such a way as to blend with the colors of the forest, something which grants them a great advantage when fighting in forested areas. On the battlefield, the Mirkwood Spearmen fulfill a defensive role and are unsuited to offensive maneuvers. Their shields and training allow them to perform the reliable shield wall formation in which their spears can prove deadly.
Woodmen Warriors
Short Unit Description: Woodmen Warriors are decent soldiers who, due to living in the woods, have become good ambushers.
Long Unit Description: Near the borders of Mirkwood lives a strange folk; secretive people who excel in guerrilla warfare. They are relatives of the Beornings; both trace their ancestry back to the days of the princes of Rhovanion and even further back to the Edain of old. Their mostly blond hair and tall stature has convinced the lore masters of the Upper Vale of Anduin that the Woodmen are descendants of the House of Marach.
A remnant of these ancient people has survived near the borders of Mirkwood even late into the Third Age. They are rough folk, for they have endured the terror of Dol Guldur for many years. It has made them secretive and slow to trust outsiders. It has also, however, made them a brave people and excellent ambushers. The men who belong to the ranks of the Woodmen Warriors are the bravest and strongest of their tribes.
They are protected by leather armor, a choice borne out of necessity rather than choice due to the rarity of metal in Mirkwood. They carry an axe and a shield and are considered to be amongst the best ambushers in the whole of Middle-earth. It should be noted that though they excel at guerrilla warfare, they are less dangerous on the open field.
Beorning Longbowmen
Short Unit Description: Though not professional soldiers, the Beorning Longbowmen know how to use a bow.
Long Unit Description: Though the Beornings are mostly made up of tall and muscular men, some are not as tall and strong as most of their tribesmen. These men find themselves unable to wield the heavy axes of their larger Beorning brethren. Instead of wielding such an axe, they use a longbow with quality wooden arrows. Their longbow is made of yew wood and is well suited for use in the forests of the North and near the valleys of the river Anduin. The Beorning Longbowmen do not shoot as accurately as their Elven counterparts, nor are they as heavily armoured as Gondorian archers, but they are still decent archers. Besides the longbow, they also carry a small stabbing knife and for protection they are equipped with a helmet and leather armour. These archers are better suited for close-combat than most other archers of Middle-earth, due to their courage and fierceness in battle.
Most Beorning Longbowmen are recruited from Beorn's Halls and the surrounding villages, but others come from villages which are located on the western bank of the river Anduin. Though the Beorning Longbowmen are considered men who care for the land and the animals inhabiting it, it is well known that they sometimes shoot at the Great Eagles if they attempt to hunt their sheep.
Framsburg Guard
Short Unit Description: The Framsburg Guard are warriors who have become attuned to their surroundings due to the many evil creatures that roam the North.
Long Unit Description: The ancient capital of the Éothéod is situated in the Upper Vale of Anduin, near the spot where the rivers Langwell and Greylin meet to form the river Anduin. It was in this confined area that Frumgar, lord of the Éothéod, built his capital city. After the famous slaying of Scatha the Long-worm by his son Fram; the city was renamed to Framsburg in his honour. For many long years the Éothéod lived in peace in the Vale of Anduin until the Steward of Gondor sent messengers to request aid from Eorl; the new lord of the Éothéod. Eorl answered the call and achieved a great victory at the Field of Celebrant. For his aid he was granted the land of Calenardhon, where he settled along with most of his people.
But some of the Éothéod were too attached to their homes and refused to follow Eorl to the south. The men who remained in Framsburg and the surrounding lands continued to fight the forces of evil and to protect their city. Hundreds of years later the city of Framsburg still stands and is guarded by the Framsburg Guard, which consists of the local citizenry. The Framsburg Guard have received basic combat training and are equipped with mail armour, a long sword, some throwing spears and a helmet. An image of a white horse is painted on their shields, showing they have forgotten neither their ancestors, nor their skill at arms.
Éothéod Scouts
Short Unit Description: These are descendants of the men of Rhovanion, and as such possess a natural talent for shooting from horseback.
Long Unit Description: Near the inflow of the river Greylin into the river Langwell, a great wooden city stands. In the surrounding lands of that city there dwelt horses both strong and swift; legend tells that some of them have the blood of the great white horse Nahar within them. This has given these horses incredible power and intelligence compared to the other horses of Middle-earth. They even have the ability to understand the speech of Men, something which has rendered them as valuable targets for ownership to the Northmen who live nearby. Many of these Northmen who still dwell in the far north are descendants of the Éothéod of old, and as such they have inherited a natural talent for riding and dealing with horses.
The Éothéod Scouts are skillful warriors who have succeeded in capturing and taming these horses. These men are able to shoot at a target from horseback with great accuracy. Their preferred tactic on the battlefield is to encircle the enemy and hit them with their arrows from as many directions as possible, all the while without exposing themselves to close-combat. Once their supply of arrows has been extinguished, they will draw their swords and are capable of engaging the enemy in close-combat. This should, however, be avoided for as long as possible as the Éothéod Scouts wear only light leather armour and a small helmet. Furthermore they are not trained in the finer points of close combat and do not have the courage to stand their ground for long.
Guardians of the Carrock
Short Unit Description: The Guardians of the Carrock are excellent skirmish troops who also know how to handle a sword.
Long Unit Description: North of the Old Ford, there is a small rocky island in the middle of the river Anduin. The top is flat and accessible through small steps carved out by Beorn in his early years. In later years, when the Beornings began to proliferate; Beorn ordered a special force to guard the Carrock and both banks of the river Anduin. These men were called the Guardians of the Carrock and they were experienced and skilled warriors. They were hand-picked by Beorn himself to guard the Carrock because of their skill in battle and for their courage. An advantage that maintaining a small elite force to guard the Carrock provides is the ability to spy the land from atop the Carrock, which provides an excellent view of the surrounding lands.
The Guardians of the Carrock are armed with a sword and some throwing spears. They are protected by a shield, mail armour and a helmet. Although they are skilled warriors, their primary function is that of a scouting force and so should be kept out of battle for as long as possible. But when they are forced to fight in close combat they can still be relied upon to hold out for a long time, especially due to their ability to perform a shield wall, their excellent armour and their bravery and fierceness in battle.
Mirkwood Marchwardens
Short Unit Description: The Mirkwood Marchwardens are excellent troops for guerrilla warfare, especially when using their bows.
Long Unit Description: The Mirkwood Marchwardens are ambushers matched by none in terms of stealth, secrecy and camouflage. They are an elite bowmen unit and are far stealthier than any Elf in Thranduil's army. They carry quality longbows with sharp, poisoned arrows, and if necessary they can draw their knives for close-combat. If there is one disadvantage that the Mirkwood Marchwardens have, it is the fact that they are not protected by heavy armour; they are only equipped with light leather armour. This does, however, make them maneuverable troops, but it does not shield them as well from danger as heavier armour would have. They are supremely suited to guerrilla warfare and should not be expected to perform well in the open field.
Their tasks often take them far away from the borders of Mirkwood, further than anyone from Thranduil's army has ever been; for it is their duty to ensure the safety of the Woodland realm and to keep at bay any invading army that intends to enter Mirkwood. When confronted by an overwhelming number of enemies, the Mirkwood Marchwardens will sometimes join forces with the Woodmen who live on the borders of Mirkwood. Together they have succeeded in keeping the hosts of Dol Guldur and those of the Misty Mountains at bay for centuries.
Rhosgobel Sentinels
Short Unit Description: Fully armoured troops who are responsible for the defense of Rhosgobel and the surrounding lands.
Long Unit Description: Rhosgobel has been the dwelling place of the Wizard Radagast for uncountable generations of human lives. It is situated near the western eaves of Mirkwood, not far from where the evil fortress of Dol Guldur stands. Radagast the Brown was one of the five Istari who came to Middle-earth to aid the Free Peoples in their struggle against Sauron and his minions. Radagast, however, forsook his mission and chose to settle down and pay little heed to the burdens of Elves and Men. This was not to last as the growing shadow taking shape at Amon Lanc convinced Radagast to rise up from his isolated existence and become actively involved in resisting the Necromancer. Whereas the Woodmen who lived nearby first viewed him as an old man who warranted little attention, they now looked up to him and saw Radagast for what he really was: a powerful Wizard who seemed to command both nature and beasts at will.
Radagast decided to teach the Woodmen much about the secrets of nature, and in return it was now their duty to ensure the safety of Rhosgobel. To aid them in its protection they wear excellent equipment consisting of mail armour, a spear and a helmet. Furthermore they carry a shield with the image of the Wizard´s staff painted onto it; a display of the extreme loyalty the Rhosgobel Sentinels harbour for their master. The Sentinels are all battle hardened men because they have resisted the shadow nearby for countless years.
Éothéod Knights
Short Unit Description: These are descendants of the men of Rhovanion, and as such possess a natural talent for horsemanship.
Long Unit Description: The Éothéod Knights are drawn from the last remnant of their people who have remained in the north after the majority of their kin traveled southwards. These knights descend from a long line of nobility who where related to the ancient princes of Rhovanion. After the fall of the ancient Kingdom of Rhovanion these men went to the north and settled at Framsburg, where they now rule the city and its surrounding lands.
It is said that the Éothéod Knights ride on the legendary horses called the Mearas, who are descendants of the mighty white horse of Oromë called Nahar. As such the majority of the Éothéod Knights still ride on large white horses, which are believed to understand the languages of Men. This has created a strong bond between rider and horse, which clearly serves as an advantage on the battlefield, since the horse immediately understands and fulfills the commands of its master.
Éothéod Knights are armed with a spear and a green wooden shield with the image of a white horse painted on it. Furthermore they are protected by quality mail armour and a helmet. Although they differ from the present day Rohirrim, their common ancestry can still be seen through their equipment; especially their shield which represents and honours this common ancestry. Éothéod Knights have excellent morale and are the last to flee from the battlefield.
Bears
Short Unit Description: The bears of the Vale of Anduin are dangerous animals to have as your foe, but if you are their friend, they can be loyal and dedicated allies.
The Beornings have always been friendly to the animals who live nearby, especially bearswith whom they share a very special connection. The Skin-changers among the Beornings have the ability to turn into a great bear. In this bear-form the Beornings are able to speak with their animal bear friends. The bears of the Vale of Anduin are the greatest bears in all of Middle-earth and also the most dangerous if you are unfriendly to them. Most bears have either brown or black as their main colour, it is noted that Beorn himself turns into a black bear for example.
Sometimes, when the homelands of the Beornings are threatened, these bears fight to defend their human friends. They do not wield any weapons of course, for their claws and teeth are enough to kill any foe with ease. However, the fact they do not wear armour is one of their biggest disadvantages, for a company of archers might be able to shoot a bear relatively easy from a distance. Aside from this they also have another disadvantage which is the fact that they have no discipline at all. Once unleashed there is no stopping them, not even the Skin-changers are able to control these bears when they are in full rage. A bear is always an ideal friend to have besides you in battle though, for they have had experience fighting giants and if a bear is able to kill a giant, it should be easy for him to kill a horde of Goblins as well.
Beorning Berserkers
Short Unit Description: These men wear no armour at all because it would limit their ability to fully swing their great axe.
Long Unit Description: The Beornings live in the Vale of Anduin and are relatives and servants of their great leader Beorn the Skin-changer. Some of these Beornings have inherited the same ability as Beorn: to change into great bears. If not in bear form, the Beorning Berserkers wield a great fearsome axe, which they swing with great strength. They wear no armour because it hinders the wide arc of their axe swing. They also possess a remarkably high degree of pain tolerance, much higher than that of other humans. Another reason that they do not wear armour is to display their bravery, for these men are expected by their kinsmen to be as brave as Beorn, brave enough to fight without armour. As such, the Beorning Berserkers have a reputation to live up to.
The men who become Beorning Berserkers are often of great stature and are among the bravest warriors of their tribe. To shed any fear for battle; the Beorning Berserkers will often consume alcoholic beverages to bring them into a state in which they care not for pain, nor for the overwhelming numbers of the enemy. When in this alcoholic state, the Beorning Berserkers will charge recklessly at the enemy, hoping to frighten and rout them. One thing that is sure however, is that the Beorning Berserkers will never run away from battle, they would rather die fighting for their freedom.
Arnor/Eriador
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Arnorian Militia
Short Unit Description: These men belong to the common folk of the restored Kingdom of Arnor; as such they can not afford to buy themselves quality armour and weapons. They wield a large wooden shield, with a long spear and they must rely upon a small helm for additional protection.
Long Unit Description: The ancient Kingdom of Arnor has just recently been restored! More than ever, the Arnorian Kings have to rely upon every men capable of fighting to protect the fledgling nation. The switch from a formerly abandoned and disunited region to the restoration of ancient Arnor will take time; as such the military system has not yet been completely reinstituted. This alone means that even the common folk of Arnor will have to take up arms for the defence of their lands, due to the lack of professional soldiers and efficient fortifications.
The Arnorian Militia mostly consists of the poorer classes of Arnorian society. As a result they can not afford to buy expensive and equipment of high quality. They wear brown clothes which overlap on their leather armour, but, for protection, they wear a simple iron helmet and a wooden shield of average quality. For offensive useage they carry a wooden spear with an iron tip. Though these men can not trace their ancestry back to the ancient Numenoreans of old, they are still proud to be part of the restored Kingdom of Arnor, which they show by painting the White Tree on their shields and adorn themselves with symbols that they have painstakingly etched and embroidered upon their clothes. Their pride in their nation also means that these men, who are mostly of Bëorian stock, are motivated and willing to fight and die for the Kings of Arnor.
Arnorian Archers
Short Unit Description: Archery has been part of the Númenórean tradition of warfare and hunting for centuries; in the successor state of Arnor this tradition with the bow has not been forgotten. As such many men who are part of the Arnorian forces arm themselves with a bow as their weapon of choice in battle.
Long Unit Description: Archery has been part of the Númenórean tradition of warfare and hunting for centuries, the Númenóreans, for example, are credited with the invention of the steel bow; which is a great bow made from hollow steel. Furthermore the ancient Númenóreans considered the bow of Bregil to be one of their dearest treasures. This tradition with the bow has not been forgotten in the successor state of Arnor; as if in homage to their ancestors, many men arm themselves with a bow as their weapon of choice in battle. However, these bows do not have the same quality which the elder steel bows had. The Arnorians currently use simple yew bows, fired by men who can not trace their ancestry back to the Númenóreans of old, but instead claim to be descendants of the Folk of Bëor who stayed in Eriador. These men are yet servants of the Arnorian Kingdom, and their loyalty lies to the bloodline of Elendil.
The modern Arnorian Archers consists mostly of these middle men. They learned their craft primarily through hunting, but it is also founded in basic training which they received while they were in the army. These men do not normally belong to the forces of Arnor, but sometimes they are called upon to fight for their King. In battle they wear long-weathered and well used leather armour and their heads are adorned by simple iron helmet. In addition to this, they carry a bow of average quality and wield a sword which they use in case they must confront the enemy in close-combat. For additional protection they also have a shield on their backs, which they wield alongside their sword if should they run out of arrows. Though these men have decent morale, they should not be expected to hold the line for a long of period time.
Arnorian Men-at-Arms
Short Unit Description: Most men that are recruited to serve the army of Arnor for a long period join the Arnorian Men-at-Arms as soldiers. As such the greater part of the Arnorian army consists of these troops. They are motivated men who wield large shields, quality helmets and a sharp sword.
Long Unit Description: Because of the weakly defended borders and the small population of Arnor, the Kings of Arnor considered it necessary that every man in the Kingdom should serve some years in the army of Arnor, to bolster the numbers of the Arnorian forces. Most men from Arnor who join the army are incorporated into the ranks of the Arnorian Men-at-Arms. There they learn the basics of swordsmanship and other arts of war. These men are positioned all over the Kingdom, patrolling the streets of ancient Arnorian cities, or setting watch upon the various border fortifications of Arnor. In battle they form the backbone and most numerous part of the Arnorian army.
To perform their duties at best they are provided with quality mail armour and a helmet which was forged to resemble the Númenórean helmets from the Second Age and the Arnorian helmets of the early Third Age. In addition, they also carry a big shield and a longsword, which they wield with great skill. The colour of their clothes is black, with the White Three and the Seven Stars on their chests. This shows their loyalty to the Kingdom of Arnor and their pride to have a partly Dúnedain heritage. Their morale is excellent as well, because they feel it is their responsibility to protect the restored Kingdom of Arnor at all costs.
Arnorian Heavy Archers
Short Unit Description: The Arnorian Heavy Archers are the most skilful archers available to Arnorian commanders. The craft of archery was passed from generation to generation, and these men are almost of comparable strength to their Númenórean ancestors in bow craft.
Long Unit Description: Archery has been part of the Númenórean tradition of warfare and hunting for centuries. This tradition with the bow has not been forgotten in the successor state of Arnor; as if in homage to their ancestors, many men arm themselves with a bow as their weapon of choice in battle. The Arnorians use yew bows, fired by men who can trace their ancestry partly back to the Númenóreans of old, but also to men of the Folk of Bëor who stayed behind in Eriador. The men who are part of the Arnorian Heavy Archers are often chosen from the ranks of the Arnorian Archers precisely because of their skills with the bow. These men are thus extremely experienced and have already proven themselves to be loyal in battle to their commanders. They usually learn their skills with the bow during hunting, as a result of that most men who chose to become archers in the Arnorian army hail from forested areas in the newly reforged Kingdom of Arnor.
The Arnorian Heavy Archers are part of the standing army of the Arnorian King, they are required to be deployable at any time, to swiftly counter invasions from enemy forces. In battle these men wear mail armour and their heads are adorned by a helmet which resembles those of the Númenórean Bowmen of the Second Age. They also carry a longbow of excellent crafting and wield a sword which they use in direct confrontation with the enemy in close-combat. Their morale is excellent, their arrows deadly and the White Tree on their chests show that they are proud to be part of the newly founded Kingdom of Arnor.
Peasants Militia
Short Unit Description: Peasants Militia have low morale and bad armour, but even these Men must fight if it proves necessary.
Long Unit Description: 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.
Dol Amroth
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Men-at-Arms of Tarnost
Short Unit Description: The Men-at-Arms of Tarnost belong to the common folk of that fortress. They are not accustomed to battle, but when need arises these men are eager to take up their weapons to defend Dor-en-Ernil.
Long Unit Description: The Men-at-Arms of Tarnost hail from the coastal region known as Dor-en-Ernil, which is Sindarin for Land of the Prince. The majority of these men originate from the fortress of Tarnost, others hail from small villages or farms spread all over Dor-en-Ernil. The recruits for the Men-at-Arms are not soldiers by profession, though years of experience in battle made these men skilled fighters nonetheless. Because of the fact that they do not belong to the standing army most men have to buy their own equipment. However this is not an issue for these merchants, blacksmiths and farmers, since they get well paid for exercising their professions.
To save money these men are armed with a wooden pike instead of a more expensive weapon like a sword. But for safety reasons these men are willing to spend a lot of money on their armour. As a result most of these men are fully armoured in plate. Those unfortunate soldiers with less money have to settle with mail armour covering their body. For additional protection the Men-at-Arms of Tarnost use a well crafted helmet. Having Númenórean blood running through their veins means that these men are motivated and skilled warriors with black hair and sea-grey eyes, just like their ancestors. To show where their loyalty lies these men wear various symbols of the Swan on their armour, clearly showing that the Lords of Dol Amroth are respected and well-regarded as their overlords.
Men-at-Arms of Dol Amroth
Short Unit Description: The Men at Arms of Dol Amroth belong to the common folk of that city. They are not accustomed to battle, but when need arises these men are eager to take up their weapons to defend Belfalas.
Long Unit Description: The Men-at-Arms of Dol Amroth hail from the coastal region known as Belfalas. Most of the men come from the port city of Dol Amroth from which the unit gets its name. The Men-at-Arms are not soldiers by profession, though years of experience in battle made these men skilled fighters nonetheless. The fact that they do not belong to the standing army means most of the men have to buy their own equipment. This, however, is not an issue for these merchants, blacksmiths and carpenters, since they get well paid for exercising their professions.
To save money these men are armed with a wooden pike instead of a more expensive weapon like a sword. But for safety reasons these men are willing to spend a lot of money on their armour. As a result most of these men are fully armoured in plate. Those unfortunate soldiers with less money have to settle with mail armour covering their body. For additional protection the Men-at-Arms of Dol Amroth use a well crafted helmet. Having Númenórean blood running through their veins means that these men are motivated and skilled warriors with black hair and sea-grey eyes, just like their ancestors. To show where their loyalty lies these men wear various symbols of the Swan on their armour, clearly showing that the Lords of Dol Amroth are respected and well-regarded as their overlords.
Coastal Guards of Belfalas
Short Unit Description: The Coastal Guards of Belfalas belong to the fishermen who work in the harbours of the small communities located near the shores of the Gondorian province of Belfalas.
Long Unit Description: The Coastal Guards hail from the Gondorian region known as Belfalas. These men are recruited from the fishermen who work in the harbours of the small villages that are spread all along the shorelines of the coastal province of Belfalas. And although these men are not soldiers from birth, they are still capable fighters having gained much experience fending off surprise attacks from the Corsairs of Umbar. The Corsairs are a lethal threat to the small villages along the coasts. These settlements often lack walls and as a result are an easy prey for plunder. To give these villages some basic protection all male adults inhabiting these settlements are given proper training in the arts of war. Once their training is finished, they can join the Coastal Guards of Belfalas whose duty it is to protect the coastal villages from Corsairs attacks.
To perform their duty, the Coastal Guards of Belfalas are armed with a well crafted sword and a few sharp javelins. For protection these men wear mail armour, carry a shield with the symbol of the Swan painted on it and wear a helmet. To show that their loyalty lies with the capital of Belfalas and its rulers these men are covered in blue and have various Swan symbols painted upon their clothes. Furthermore, these men have decent morale, partly because of their Númenórean heritage, but also because they seek revenge for the Corsairs attacks upon innocent Amrothian villagers who live in unprotected coastal villages.
Swan Guards of Cobas Haven
Short Unit Description: The Swan Guards originate from the port of Dol Amroth, named Cobas Haven. They are responsible for the protection of the harbour and are charged with keeping a watchful eye upon enemy vessels.
Long Unit Description: The Swan Guards are an elite force that serve as the chief protectors of Cobas Haven. They are hand-picked by the Prince himself from the residents of the port city of Dol Amroth. Every vessel that seeks entrance into the haven is under their jurisdiction. These staunch warriors are the first to react to an enemy attack coming from the sea. In honor of the duty they perform, these men are provided the finest equipment by the Prince of Dol Amroth from his own treasury. Their armour is a combination of both plate and mail armour with a high quality helmet. For additional protection, they bear a large shield. The Guardsmens' fine blades and armour are forged by some of the greatest blacksmiths in Dol Amroth. These men have inherited the courage and iron will of their Númenórean ancestors, ensuring that they will almost never flee from battle. In addition to this, their extensive training means that the Swan Guards of Cobas Haven are truly a force to be dealt with. A skilled force of will forged in the iron of both bloodline and battle.
To show their staunch loyalty, the Swan Guards of Cobas Haven have a shield with either a boat or a Swan painted upon it. Upon both their cape and upon their armour lie the symbols of the city, boat and swan lie ablazon, clearly illustrating that their loyalty lies with the Princes of Dol Amroth. The Swan Guards are clad in blue clothes and armour to show their affectation with the sea.
Tower Guards of the Tirith Aear
Short Unit Description: The Tower Guards of the Tirith Aear are best infantry force that the Principality can offer. They are armed with a highly-crafted spear, whilst, for protection, these men can rely upon plate mail, a shield and a helmet.
Long Unit Description: The Tower Guards of the Tirith Aear are the elite force that guards the Sea-ward Tower. They are charged with ringing the great bell atop the Tirith Aear to warn the population of Dol Amroth of approaching enemy fleets. The Sea-ward Tower is also the residence of the Princes. As such these men are not only responsible for the protection of the Tower, but also with guarding the family of the Prince of Dol Amroth within the walls of the city. The Tower stands high above the rocks upon which the beautiful city of Dol Amroth is built. This position makes it an excellent location from which to oversee the surrounding area, specifically due to the fact that the Bay of Belfalas and the city's main port, Cobas Haven, are highly visible.
For protection, the Tower Guards of the Tirith Aear wear plate and mail armour of masterful quality. Their shields are adorned with a moulding of the signals of their city: the symbol of the Swan or the white ship of Dol Amroth. This endows them with additional defensive capability and depicts the unbreakable loyalty of these men. Their greatest asset and the most visible symbol of office are their helmets, which have Swan wings crowning them. These helmets are crafted only by the best smiths of Dol Amroth purely for the Tower Guards to show their elite status among the army and their solid presence amongst the citizens who so admire them. While the main duty of the Tower Guards lies in defence, they sometimes join the Prince on his campaigns as well. To aid them on the field, they wield a spear of high quality with a deadly steel tip. Being direct descendants of the Númenóreans gives these men a sense of pride and a pure bloodline which ensures that they will never flee from a battle unless defeat is certain. Perhaps not even in the face of certain death would they flee the field, especially if the life of their Prince lay under threat.
White Knights of Edhellond
Short Unit Description: The White Knights of Edhellond are skilled and experienced riders, who are unmatched in their swordsmanship skills. Furthermore they are well known as excellent horsemen, it is said that they learned the skills of horse-riding from some of their Elven ancestors.
Long Unit Description: The White Knights trace part of their ancestry back to the Elves who lived in Edhellond during the end of the First Age, the entire Second Age and the beginning of the Third Age. That means that the White Knights of Edhellond have Elven blood running in their veins from the Sindar of the Elven havens of Brithombar and Eglarest, but also from migrating Sindar who left the Grey Havens to settle Edhellond in the early days of the Second Age. From then onwards Elves continued to travel to Edhellond to sail to the Undying Lands. During the Third Age it was mostly Silvan Elves coming from Lothlórien and Greenwood the Great who sailed on the Anduin river to Edhellond because they longed for the sea. Some of those Elves decided to stay for a longer period in Edhellond and the in surrounding area to continue shipbuilding. During that time they made contact with the Númenóreans living near the Elven harbour and sometimes they even intermingled with them. With the departure of King Amroth,Edhellond was abandoned by the Elves. Some Half-Elves, however, decided to stay behind and over the years they intermarried even more with Númenóreans. Though diminished, their Elven blood would always be evident due to their noble gestures.
The White Knights were formed by the inhabitants of Edhellond at the end of the Third Age to protect their port city. They are the nobles of the city led by the descendants of Gilmith, daughter of Imrazôr the Númenórean and the Elven-maiden Mithrellas. Their armour, a replica of those that the Elves of Edhellond used to wear, is the finest available. For further protection they have a helmet and a shield. Furthermore, their horses are protected by quality mail barding. In battle the White Knights carry a lance and a sword, which they handle with great skill.
Dwarves
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Dwarven Halberdiers
Short Unit Description: These Longbeard Dwarves are protected by both mail and scale armour, for additional safety they can rely upon their helmets. Furthermore they carry a halberd with them, which gives these Dwarves an essential advantage over mounted enemies.
Long Unit Description: Ever since the time of Thorin II Oakenshield there have been living Dwarves of Durin's kind in the Ered Luin. After years of wandering in Dunland and Eriador due to the sacking of Erebor, these Naugrim decided to settle in the mountain range called the Blue Mountains. From that point on the Longbeard Dwarves started to thrive again under the leadership of Thráin's II son Thorin Oakenshield. During his reign mines where built in the northern parts of the Ered Luin, alliances with the Firebeards and Broadbeams where renewed and the Longbeards at Thorin's Halls grew ever more numerous due to Dwarven immigrants hearing rumors of Thorin's new found wealth.
And although the Halls of Thorin lie far from danger, those Longbeard Dwarves living there still long for revenge because of the sacking of Erebor and Khazad-dûm. To prepare his people for the upcoming war of vengeance Thorin formed a unit called the Dwarven Halberdiers. These Longbeards belong to the very elite warriors that the Halls of Thorin can muster, wielding a long and powerful halberd; a weapon that combines an axe with a spear. Wood used for the halberds was chopped from the forests west of the Blue Mountains, while the materials for the spear points and the axes where made from iron delved deep in the mines of the Ered Luin. While the halberd is an excellent weapon to keep mounted forces at bay, it does not guaranty victory in close-combat. For that reason these Dwarves are equipped with an axe on their backs, furthermore they are protected by both mail and scale armour, while for additional safety they can rely upon their helmets.
Guardians of Belegost
Short Unit Description: The Guardians of Belegost are considered to be excellent warriors, they are particularly effective with their big two-handed axes on the offensive. But for defensive purposes these Dwarves are reliable as well, being protected by mail and plate armour.
Long Unit Description: The Guardians of Belegost originate from the Dwarven clan know as the Broadbeams. In the First Age the ancestors of these Dwarves where famous for the invention of ringed mail, for their aid in building Nargothrond and Menegroth and for the heroic last stand of Azaghâl against Glaurung during the Nínaeth Arnoediad, in which he managed to wound the Dragon. But during the War of Wrath, Belegost: the Great Fortress of the Broadbeams was ruined. As a result most Broadbeams left Gabilgathol forty years in the Second Age to join their Longbeard allies in Khazad-dûm. However a few Dwarves decided to remain in what men called Mickleburg and to rebuild Belegost to its former glory. Over the years these Dwarves have managed to regain parts of their former strengths and with the fall of Khazad-dûm to Durin's Bane many Broadbeam Dwarves returned to the Great Fortress to bolster its strengths.
Many Broadbeam Dwarves living in Gabilgathol have joined the ranks of the Guardians of Belegost. They consider it to be an honor to be part of this unit, for the Guardians of Belegost can trace their traditions back to the First Age. Even at that time this unit already existed, defending the gates and tunnels of Belegost with their lives and over the years they have never ceased doing so. To perform this duty they equip themselves with a powerful two-handed axe, which requires great strength to wield. For protection they can rely upon a blue helmet, clearly showing that these Dwarves are proud to hail from the Ered Luin. For additional protection these Broadbeams count upon both mail and plate armour.
Golden Hammerguards
Short Unit Description: The Golden Hammerguards belong to the very elite warriors that the Dwarves of the Ered Luin can field. Armed with heavy warhammers and protected by a helmet, a shield and golden steel makes these troops almost unstoppable.
Long Unit Description: The Golden Hammerguards are the most feared and most notorious unit that the Dwarves of the Ered Luin can muster. These troops are armed with a heavy warhammer; a weapon which Dwarves normally use as a working tool in the smithies. The warriors that form the Golden Hammerguards are however trained to fight with these hammers in battle. And they have done so with great affect; many Goblin skulls were already crushed due to the heavy warhammers of the these Dwarves.
For protection these Dwarves can rely upon a round wooden shield and on a golden helmet. Furthermore these Dwarves are especially famous for the golden steel armour they are wearing, it gives them excellent protection, but it also shows that these Dwarves belong to the nobility of their race. As such they can not live with the shame of running from the battlefield, for that will diminish their reputation among the common people, thus ensuring that they will not flee from battle as long as victory seems possible.
To join the ranks of this unit most Dwarves have to be born into the nobility of their society. Those Dwarves that are not of noble blood can only join the Golden Hammerguards after many years of fighting on the battlefield and proving their worth to their commanders. As such only a select group of Dwarves actually succeeds in joining the Golden Hammerguards unit. They are stationed in the Ered Luin, patrolling its borders, its main cities and its most important mines. As a result all three clans of Dwarves living in the Blue Mountains can join the ranks of the Golden Hammerguards, for they are responsible for the defence of all Dwarven clans inhabiting the Ered Luin.
Ered Luin Warriors
Short Unit Description: The Ered Luin Warriors are made up from the common folk of the Blue Mountains, though they are still considered to be skilled warriors. They carry with them a small one-handed axe and for protection they use a helmet, mail armour and a round shield.
Long Unit Description: The Ered Luin Warriors are mostly made up from young recruits of the Longbeard clan living in the Blue Mountains. This unit consists mostly of the less experienced and younger Dwarves who have not yet seen many battles. They are however motivated warriors, willing to fight for their lords and dedicated to protect their chief cities and mines in the Ered Luin. Although they are not the most skilled warriors available to the Longbeard armies, they are still a force to be reckoned with. For as with all Dwarves they have excellent morale, ensuring that they will only retreat from battle when any hopes of victory are gone. They are also strong warriors, well able to hold the line against most enemy forces. They are however average ambushers and they also lack the condition to march long distances in high speeds. However, to counter such a disadvantage they can be extremely quick and dangerous on short distances, making them effective warriors for a charge into enemy lines.
The Ered Luin Warriors carry with them an one-handed axe, which is a useful and deadly weapon, especially when its being handled by the skillful hands of the Dwarves. In the other hand these Dwarves hold a small round wooden shield, which is of average quality, though it is still able to perform its defending task well enough. For further protection the Ered Luin Warriors can rely upon an iron helmet and mail armour which is covered over their entire body. These Dwarves also wear blue clothes, clearly showing from which mountain range they come from.
Isengard/Dunland
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Guards of Orthanc
Short Unit Description: Guards of Ortanc are disciplined troops who are protected by plate mail, black shields, helmets and long spears which they carry with them.
Long Unit Description: During the early Third Age the last warden of Isengard was recalled to Gondor because of the depopulation of Calenardhon. Gondor however did not entirely abandon its biggest outpost in the west; a small company remained behind, they were led by a hereditary captain. Over the years Gondor slowly ceased to make contact with the guards of Isengard and at a certain moment no messages came from Minas Tirith at all. The Iron fortress was forgotten and neglected by the Gondorians. But the small guard at Orthanc still existed and was even strengthened after the Éothéod were granted Calenardhon, because the Gondorian regiment of Aglarond was replaced to Angrenost. Over the years the Guards of Isengard strongly intermarried with the Dunlendings, leaving little traces of Númenórean blood left in their veins and eventually they would adapt themselves completely to Dunlendic culture. Eventually the line of the hereditary captains died out and Isengard was now in full control of the Dunlendings.
Once Saruman was granted the keys of Orthanc he recruited men among the Dunlendings to guard the Ring of Isengard. The choice for these men was no coincidence; they were selected because they have ancestors who once guarded Angrenost in the name of Gondor. Now they serve Saruman and act as the guardians of the gate. They are among his most trustworthy soldiers and the most intelligent ones; since they still have some knowledge of Númenórean traditions.
They are protected by big black shields with the sign of the White Wizard painted on them. Furthermore they wear quality plate mail, a helmet and a deathly spear. Their armour is based upon the design of that of their ancestors, which explains the similarity with the Gondorian soldiers. Because these troops belong to the mannish race they are less likely to withdraw from battle; which makes them one of the most usefull warriors in Saruman's army.
Balrogs
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Durin's Bane
Short Unit Description: Durin's Bane is a spirit of fire with immense power, in battle he makes use of a flaming sword and a whip with flaming thongs.
Long Unit Description: Balrogs were in origin spirits of fire who belonged to the order of the Maiar. The Dark Lord Melkor corrupted them to his service in the distant past of the world. They were said to have a man-like appearance, with burning yellow eyes and streaming manes that kindled with fire. Furthermore they had long and powerful arms, wings consisted of shadow and a heart made out of fire. Balrogs are spirits of fire, but sometimes they shroud themselves in darkness and shadow. Also, when getting into contact with water Balrogs could turn into monsters of slime.
Melkor originally gathered them to Utumno, after the destruction of that fortress by the Valar the Valaraukar fled to the ruins of Angband, where they would lurk in its pits for three ages. Eventually the Balrogs issued out from their hideout to rescue their lord and the Silmarils from Ungoliant. In the years to follow they would bring chaos and destruction among the armies of both Elves and men, slaying many skilled warriors with whips of flaming thongs, with great black axes and with flaming swords. Most notable among the Valaraukar was Gothmog; the Lord of Balrogs and High-captain of Angband. He was responsible for the slaying of both Fëanor and Fingon, but eventually Gothmog was killed by Ecthelion of the Fountain, though the latter also died in the duel.
After the War of Wrath most Balrogs were defeated by the armies of the Valar, it is rumored though that one of these demons of fire survived and fled east over the Ered Luin to hide under the deep caverns of the Caradhras. This Balrog remained undisturbed for thousands of years, but the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm delved to deep for their greed of mithril and eventually they stirred a great evil that should not have been awakened. This spirit of fire caused great destruction upon Khazad-dûm and forced the Naugrim to flee from the halls of their forefathers. Khazad-dûm was renamed to Moria, which means the Black Chasm and the Balrog would become known as Durin's Bane. This Balrog is one of the last true powers from the ancient days and it is clear that there are few powers left in Middle-earth to oppose him.
Rohan
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Eorling Archers
Short Unit Description: Eorling Archers wear mail armour and are equipped with standard wooden bows.
Long Unit Description: Rohan is not well known for its archers, in tales their riders are always described as the best that Rohan has to offer. That doesn’t mean however that the Rohirrim make no use of archers, some men simply can’t afford a horse or they dismount to fight in fortresses on foot. The Archers of Rohan are compared to other archers in Middle-earth only average shooters, but still they could be useful for any Rohirrim commander. The men that choose to use a bow instead of fighting with spears and swords are often those that either live in wooded area’s or in the wide lands of the north. In those lands they use the bow as their primary weapon for the hunt and that has given them a certain expertise which is useful in battle. These men wear mail armour and a helmet for protection and they use a knife for close combat situations. Rohan Hunters have a somewhat low morale and they are not to be expected to turn the tide of a battle, a wise commander keeps these men out of battle as long as possible.
Dismounted Royal Guard
Short Unit Description: These men wield the best armour available; they fight in the frontline and are experienced men.
Long Unit Description: Only the best men are allowed to serve in the Dismounted Royal Guard, all of them are handpicked by the king and they show great loyalty to the House of Eorl. They are positioned at the doors of Meduseld at Edoras, but when the king goes to battle to meet the enemy, than these men are always close around him to protect him with their own lives if necessary. They wear the best armour available in the Riddermark; it’s made by skilled blacksmiths of Gondor and consists of quality mail armour. Other protection is given by their helmet and shield and they fight with a wooden spear with an extremely sharp spear point. The loyalty to the king of the Dismounted Royal Guard is shown on their shields, were a white horse on a green field is painted. But the loyalty to the king is even greater shown by the way these men fight, never running from a battle and willingly to sacrifice their own lives for that of the king. The only reason why these men are not as good as they could have been is because the Rohirrim are of old raised with horses as part of there military fighting system.
Dismounted Éored Axemen
Short Unit Description: These men wield one-handed axes and are the deadliest infantry attacking force available for Rohan.
Long Unit Description: The axe is not a common weapon among Rohirrim soldiers, most of them use a spear, which is cheaper to make, or a sword, which is easier to handle. But some Men have chosen the axe as their weapon of choice, they wield their axe with one hand and in the other hand they hold a shield for extra protection, they are also protected by mail armour and a helmet. Those men that chose to wield an axe as their favoured weapon are mostly woodcutters living in Firienhold in Rohan, they have thus already some experience with wielding an axe. The Marshals of the Mark often use these men as their main infantry attacking force, for their axes can do great damage to the enemy. But these men are also capable of holding a line, in battle they can form a shield wall and stand there ground for a very long period of time. Though these men are good soldiers, they are not really motivated men and positioning them for a long time at Rohans borders will result in a decrease of motivation. For these men always long to return to their homes in the forests.
Eorling Militia
Short Unit Description: A basic anti-cavalry unit which is able to form a shieldwall and could stop most units from breaking through.
Long Unit Description: The spear had always been of the most used weapons in Rohirric armies, both on horse and on foot it gives the holder of the spear some great advantages. The length of the spear ensures that enemies can be hold at a distance; in the meantime the holder of the spear can pierce his enemy with it. But the spear is also much used for the simple reason than that it is cheap, you only need some wood and some metal and those two resources give you a deadly weapon. These spearmen are often local militia called upon to fight in defence of the Riddermark, these men are mostly positioned in the greater cities and fortresses, where it is more useful to fight on foot instead of on horseback. While these men may not be the most experienced, nor are they the most skilled fighters, they can be useful for any Rohirric commander. They wear leather armour and a helmet and are led by experienced commanders. Though they are often not willingly to die for their lord in distance lands, they are however willingly to defend their homes and king.
Dismounted Éored Swordsmen
Short Unit Description: These units are armed with swords and shield, they are pretty well protected by their helmet and scale armour.
Long Unit Description: The Dismounted Éored Swordsmen are made up of the local adult male population of the Riddermark. These Men are often called upon to fight in the defence of Rohan, they are armed with scale armour and a helmet. Their swords are forged by the blacksmiths of Rohan and stored in the great armouries at Edoras, Aldburg, Dunharrow and Helm's Deep. There they are equipped and trained for battle, learning the basic tactics of fighting with sword and shield before being sent into battle. When dismounted, most Rohirrim are added to this unit, for the sword is the easiest weapon to handle and often the most deadly as well. These men represent the common Rohirric civilian: tall, loyal, proud and battle hardened. Though these men are not as skilled on foot as they would have been on horseback, they are however still skilled fighters. Less armoured than the heavily armoured Gondorians, Elves and Dwarves, but still they possess more protection than Orcs and Dunlendings.
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