The Avari Elves
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Before the Vala Oromë found the elves in one of his many journeys throughout Middle Earth, the elves were seperated into three distinct clans depending on in which order Eru Ilúvatar woke them. The first were the clan of the Minyar (the First ones), which after their Great Journey became known as the Vanyar. The second were the Tatyar (the Second ones), who were led by Finwë on the Great Journey and took the name of Noldor. The Third and largest group were the Nelyar who after their great journey to the West became the Teleri. Their leaders were called Imin, Tata and Enel (literally "first", "second" and "third").
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When Oromë found the Elves that awakened in Cuiviénen, he summoned them to join the Valar in the Blessed Lands and the three leaders sent their ambassadors to Valinor, Ingwë, Finwë and Olwë and his brother Elwë. During the journey Elwë was lost on the road and only later it became known that he met Melian the Maia in the forests of Doriath, he took the name Elwë Singollo meaning "greycloak". Not able to find his brother, Olwë pressed on towards Valinor with the other ambassadors. All the Minyar and most of the Tatyar were persuaded, along with some of the Nelyar. Those who refused to leave the light of the stars were called the Avari by the those who travelled west. The elves who travelled to Valinor became known as "Eldar" (children of the stars) while those who refused were called "Avari" (the Unwilling Ones).
The Avari were wary of the Valar, possibly because they had only seen them in their divine wrath, and possibly also due to the lies that Melkor spread. There was rumour of a dark hunter hunting elves in the forests if they strayed too far, a clever way to discredit the Valar by sullying the name of Oromë the Hunter. When Oromë finally reached the Avari, he was met with distrust and caution. The Avari were the first to encounter their human brethren and taught them language and basic crafting skills. But just as the Avari were superceeding the humans in craft, wisdom and beauty, so too did the Eldar equally outmatch the Avari.
Initially the Avari stayed in Cuiviénen but many of them started to wander westwards. The Avari who finally went westwards, were mingled with the Nandor of the Vales of Anduin, Eriador and some reached Beleriand, mingling with the Laiquendi (green elves). Very few settled in Doriath and the Avari who came from the Tatyar were unfriendly and jealous to the Noldor, their exalted kin, and accused them for arrogance. It was speculated later by the Eldar that the orcs were mutilated Avari prisoners that the "dark hunter" early in the years of Middle Earth took to Melkor and thus the orcs were in fact Elves, and many elves took pity on their fallen brethren' fates. In later ages the Avari began to mingle with the remnants of the Sindar from Beleriand to form a new civilization known in the Third Age as Silvan Elves.
Leaders of the Avari:
Not much is known of the leadership of the Avari, some tales of a great magician known as Tû can be found among Tolkien's notes, while others speak of two leaders known as Morwë and Nurwë. We have chosen to have Morwë as the faction leader while Nurwë will be the Faction heir, but in fact they were equal leaders among their people as these two led some of their people westwards towards Beleriand
The Hosts of the Unwilling Folk
Avari Wanderer - Avari Randir
The Avari as a people are used to living on the road, and necessaity has taught them that even the most common man must arm himself with a simple bow. Their passion lies in song under starlit skies and and traveling on long journeys, and as they travel far and wide, they become the ones first to encounter the enemy - these men become thus the first line of defense of their lands.
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Avari Skirmisher - Avari Hador
Lighty armed, these fast moving young men carry a few spears which they can throw perfectly at their enemy. Armed with small shields and a hooded garb, these soldiers are not meant for frontline combat, but safe behind that of their spearmen.
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Avari Hunters - Avari Faron
Under the gaze of Eru, his children live in both great cities and wild forests. It is the latter to which the hunters are familiar, and they are masters of stealth and archery for both are needed to hunt in the wild. On occasion they hunt other beasts as well, foul beasts unleashed upon Middle Earth by Melkor, or a stray band of orcs, yet these lightly armoured archers are meant for scouting and hunting, not combat between great armies.
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Avari Scouts - Avari Ethir Randir
From the ranks of the hunters among the Avari, few are chosen to be counted among their scouts. These veteran archers are more heavily armoured with padded leather, and due to their experience can fire a bow more quickly than other of their kin. These men are masters of their craft, no trail in the forest and no beast wanders in the woods without the Avari scouts knowing about it.
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Avari Shadowrangers - Dol Faron
The Shadowrangers are better equipped than most Avari archers, wearing padded leather and some plate armor even in a good combination to maximize protection and mobility. These men are armed with smaller but much more powerful shortbows and scimitars to help them fight in melee. Once the shadowranger sets his eyes on a target in the wild, there is no escaping him.
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Forest Warrior - Taur Maethor
Skilled young men among the Avari join the ranks of the Forest Warriors, while inexperienced and many times charging rashly into the enemy ranks - these warriors are still an asset to the hosts of the Avari as they are skilled combatants. Armed in leather armor, plate helmet, sword and shield these men's favourite tactic is to ambush their enemies as they march in the thick forests. Due to their natural affinity for nature and the forests, these men can move swiftly across the battlefield - no matter the terrain.
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Star Archers - Mir Cu-Maethor
The Avari are lovers of the night and worship that which gives them hope - the stars. It is of little wonder that they have units in their hosts dedicated to the stars, and among them the Star Archers are among the most famous. Armed with powerful longbows, long cloaks and chainmail armor - these men rain death upon the enemy with extreme efficiency.
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Avari Shadowwarriors - Dol Maethor
Some among the Shadowrangers pick up the blade more often than the bow, and thus become more proficient with sword and shield. Their experience grants them high status in Avari society, and these disciplined warriors are any foe's nightmare in the dense forests of Middle Earth.
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Mounted Scouts - Avari Rochon Ethir
The Avari mastered the art of riding in the early days of middle earth, and when Melkor began harassing them they soon befriended the horses. These mounted scouts have been of immeasureable help since the dawn of middle earth to the Avari, as they can quickly carry a rider even through dense forests to warn the wandering folk of impending attacks.
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Steppe Riders - Avari Rochon Maethir
These horsemen are the most common unit of cavalry for the Avari, armed more heavily than their scouts but with javelins instead of spears, they make up for the bulk of the cavalry for the Avari. Not suited for a frontal charge, but more for that of mopping up fleeing foes on the battlefield and harassement of the enemy with hit and run attacks.
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Avari Stormriders - Rochon Alagos
These heavily armoured knights carry heavy armor, shields, lances and great maces. They charge into their foes with the fury of a storm and bash them with extreme skill. These knights are among the finest that the Avari have to offer on the battlefield, and any foe would do well to be cautious when these warriors charge en masse.
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Avari Soulblades - Taer Megil
These champions of the wild are among the best that the Avari can muster into the field. Armed with massive greatswords that they skillfully wield as if in a dance while in battle. The Avari hold them in high esteem and it is any young elf's dream to be counted among the soulblades. Their armour is of excellent quality, scales, mail and plate offer excellent protection and elegant cloaks hang from their shoulders.
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Archers of Lake Cuiviénen - Cuiviénen Ail Cu-Maethir
These elite archers of the Avari are clad in full plate armor and armed with powerful longbows. Their arrows are so finely crafted that they can pierce any known type of armor and they are the best of the best among the Avari. They are trusted with the safekeeping of their most sacred shrines and places, but for all their strength and skill, they are very few in existance.
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Wardens of Cuiviénen - Cuiviénen Tirith Maethir
These formidable warriors are the bodyguards of the Avari commanders and are the finest warriors of all Avari. Armed with deadly spears and longswords, they represent the elite forces of the wandering folk. They, together with their archer brethren, guard the sacred shrines and places near lake Cuiviénen, yet should need arise they will travel far and wide to exact vengeance upon the enemies of the Avari.
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General's bodyguard
Taken from the core of veterans in the Avari hosts, these men have sworn an oath to lay down their lives for their leaders. Armed with long pikes and heavy armor, their steel spears can pierce the armor of any foe. Few in numbers, they make up for it with skill and their fine equipment and are a necessary addition to any Avari host.
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BATTLE SCENES
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CREDITS
Concept:
PaHer (majority of the concepts) and Aruthiel (high tier units)
Models:
VIR
Textures:
Aruthiel and
VIR (tweaks)
We would like to thank our fans who have for a long time awaited this preview, at long last it is released and we are a step closer to release!
"First Age: Total War" (Avari Elves preview)
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Bravo!!! I applaud you!
we appriciate your support as usual! The Avari are a bit different compared to other factions in terms of combat, they don't rely much on close combat but rather ambush and archery which means that they're excellent in woods and areas where they can hide their troops yet weaker in open fields. 
We went for a more of a "Gaul"-ish design on most of their units, except for the top tier units (stormrider and soulblades) which I drew the concept for - I figured that they needed a few units that looked really cool and different 
Originally Posted by Aruthiel
