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Gondorians, Dúnedain of the South

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Gondorians, Dúnedain of the South Empty Gondorians, Dúnedain of the South

Post by Faramir Sun Jun 02, 2019 8:25 pm

The Gondorians, Dúnedain of the South

Other Names
Men of Gondor, Stone-folk

Origins
Mostly descendants of the Númenóreans who settled in the region of Gondor

Location
Gondor in the South of Middle Earth

Language
Westron, (Gondor) Sindarin (among nobles), Quenya (among scholars)

History

The kingdom of Gondor was founded by exiles from Númenor, and many of its most impressive buildings and pieces of infrastructure, a great number of which are still existing and being carefully maintained were built and set in place by them and their descendants. Their memory, history and knowledge has been recorded and is treasured among the Gondorians of this Age.

Before the Fall of Númenor Númenóreans only settled sparsely and among other Men in the region that would become Gondor.

After the Fall of Númenor the Faithful lead their people Westwards and further inland, establishing themselves there. High King Elendil ruled the Northern Kingdom of Arnor and his sons Isildur and Anárion ruled the Southern Kingdom of Gondor as his representatives. Isildur built Minas Ithil in opposition to Mordor, where the first seedling of the White Tree taken from Númenor was planted, and Anárion the tower of Minas Anor. Osgiliath became their shared capital and the Palantíri, the Seeing Stones, were used to facilitate communication between all three.

These early years were marked by a constant struggle between the surviving Black Númenóreans and those Faithful few who still revered the Valar and followed their will saw friends and allies in the Elves. The former did not recognize Elendil’s claim to rulership.

When Sauron returned to Mordor he launched several attacks against Minas Ithil, burning the first White Tree housed within its walls. Yet, Isildur saved one of its seedlings and took it North with him, while Anárion held Osgiliath and the realm surrounding it which would become Gondor.

In a joint effort Elves and Men confronted Sauron’s armies in what is known as the War of the Last Alliance. Forces from Gondor, Arnor, Lindon, Mirkwood and even the dwarven realm of Moria fought side by side. They laid siege to Barad-dûr for seven years. Anárion was killed and so were the elven king Gil-galad and great Elendil. Isildur survived, and taking his father’s sword, cut the ring from Sauron’s hand, robbing him of his most important source of power.

Sauron and his armies were defeated and Isildur helped Anárion’s son, Melendil, rebuild and restructure his realm. He planted the last White Tree in Minas Anor, later known as Minas Tirith.

In the third year of the Third Age he left Gondor, intending to take up his rule in Arnor, never to arrive.

Yet, Gondor prospered under king Melendil’s rule and that of the kings who followed after him. King Melendil, son of Anárion, nephew of Isildur and grandson of High King Elendil is considered the first ruler of an independent Gondor and remembered with great reverence. Though, like that of Umbar, Gondor’s Golden Age is largely attributed to the time and rule of the four Ship-Kings: Tarannon Falastur, Eärnil I, Ciryandil and Hyarmendacil I.

Tarannon’s wife was legendary queen Berúthiel who is said to have used her cats to spy on Gondorian nobility and was later exiled, her ship sent without direction out onto the sea and eventually reaching Umbar. Tarannon died childless.

Eärnil I, his nephew, ruled after him, but his ship was lost at sea. Meanwhile the Umbari allied themselves to the Haradrim and ended the newly established control of Gondor over Umbar.

Ciryandil, too, died fighting them.

Yet, Hyarmendacil I lead Gondor to the height of its power, extending its borders past the Sea of Rhûn and as far South, North and West as never before. Harad was defeated and acknowledged Gondorian rule, sending the king’s sons to Gondor to guarantee peace and regularly paying tribute.

Only after the reign of King Rómendacil II, who himself had one a great victory against the Easterling’s of Rhûn, did Gondor’s power decline.

Since the early days the blood of the ancient Númenóreans that is said to run in the veins of Gondorians has mixed more and more with that of their fellow Men. The issue of which led to a civil war, known as the Kin-strife, during which foreign born Vinitharya, son of King Valacar, son of King Rómendacil II., later known as King Eldacar, was initially denied the throne, in part because of his lineage, foreign mother, and favor towards the Men of the North and other Men considered “lesser” in general. Though, it was with their help that he could soon after regain his birthright.

War and rebellion, power struggles on the inside and attacks from the outside weakened Gondor. At the beginning of the Third Age the Great Plague devastated the kingdom and cost many Gondorians their lives. It lead to the abandonment of several outposts facing Mordor, including the city of Osgiliath which could no longer be defended adequately. Additionally Easterlings attacked their weakened enemy several times during that time.

Gondor could never regain its unrivalled, dominant position among the Men of Middle Earth. Instead it has constantly been gaining and losing ground in its struggle with its enemies among the Easterlings, Haradrim, Umbari and the more sinister forces from Mordor.

Gondor’s last king, Eärnur son of Eärnil II ruled from Minas Anor when the Witch King and his wraiths attacked and took Minas Itihil, renaming it Minas Morgul and establishing themselves there. It is said that the lord of the Nazgûl himself challenged Eärnur to single combat and despite warning he rode out to accept the challenge. He and his guards were never heard from again.

The line of Anárion, the line of the great kings of the South ended. The rule of their Stewards began.

Yet, contrary to their relatives in the North the Dúnedain of the South have kept their realm from falling apart, even without a king, lead by these loyal Stewards instead and clinging to ancient customs.

Culture and Daily Life
After many years of war, surrounded by various enemies and devastated by disease, corruption and plagues from within, and in the near constant fiery shadow of Mordor, Gondorians have become a battle-hardened people, focused on defending their home and way of life and preserving their culture above all else, and proud of it.

Only the best among them are chosen to guard the White Tree that grows in the courtyard of the citadel on top of their capital Minas Tirith. Withered though it may be, it reminds them of their shared stewardship over land and people, preserving it for a king that will one day, they are certain, return to lead them and perhaps all of Middle Earth into a new Golden Age.

Once and still to a degree a melting pot of people and cultures from all over Middle Earth Gondor, much like its stalwart Steward, is becoming more and more reclusive and exclusive with every year. Gondorians have become more suspicious of strangers and are less likely to reach out to or invite foreigners and even their own countrymen. The stone walls that surround their cities grow higher and more and more people leave the countryside to move into those cities.

Yet, Gondorians also remain regular people, even and especially their soldiers care for more than constant battle and long for peace. They value art, music and poetry, their families, friends and animal companions like horses, dogs, cats or birds of prey.

Of course one’s fate and opportunities in general depend, as almost anywhere on Middle Earth, on birth and social standing of one’s parents and family, and nowhere is this better visible than in the great capital of Minas Tirith. Her many rings show Gondor’s underlying class differences more clearly than anything else ever could. The lowest ring, closest to the first gate, in most danger in case of an attack, where the water and sewage canals end and the only view to be had is looking up, is where the poorest among the city’s population dwell, glad for shadowy allies if they cannot afford a roof over their head. High up, overlooking all of the city, much of the land around and being able to face the enemy is where the citadel and surrounding buildings lie, home of the king should he return, occupied for the time being by the Steward, his family, advisors and the most important of the noble families.

Lineage and family connections are nowhere as important as in Gondor. Barely anyone among the Gondorians will not introduce themselves by first mentioning their rank, then adding their father or mother and the profession that their family is known for to their given name. The higher the social standing the more pure blood from Westernesse and elvish ancestors will be claimed, and the more prevalent the use of elvish languages becomes. Learning the latter often remains a privilege of the highest ranking few, and the characteristically Gondorian Sindarin came about largely in an attempt by a class of wealthy merchants and lower nobility to emulate their perceived betters. Its use has also spread among members of the military, as the sound of elvish words seems to disconcert many of the dark beasts and creatures who come from Mordor.

While some advancement can be made in Gondorian society, through education, accumulation of wealth or gaining the favor of a powerful lord or lady, much will be forever out of reach for those who do not have the luck to have been born into the right circumstances to begin with. Libraries are not public and during public events commoners and nobles are seated separately. Punishments can often amount to mere fines for those wealthy enough to pay them, while corporal punishment will be administered to those less fortunate, including flogging and mutilation. A thief and charlatan may get his ears cut, a poacher, soldier who has committed a crime, slanderous writer or artist lose fingers, a rapist his nose and so on. Only murder and treason are punishable by death without distinction.

The best among their healers have learned from what has been passed down from elvish masters of their craft. The treatment of their worst healers, however, can be as dangerous as what they intend to cure. Barely anyone can afford to travel far to seek the treatment of the best, even though they strictly follow the creed of offering it freely to anyone who approaches them. This holds true for nearly anywhere, not just the great cities of stone.

Family life plays an important part in Gondorian culture, even though Gondorians marry relatively late in life and tend to have fewer children than most other Men. Meals are generally shared and celebrated as occasions where all of the family comes together. Before a meal many Gondorians will look West and spend a short moment of remembrance in silence. What will be eaten depends on region and status, but usually meat and fish are reserved for special occasions and more common among nobility.

Children tend to follow in the footsteps of their parents. Their education depends on those parent’s social and financial standing, as well as on the child’s gender. Noble girls will learn to read, write, rhetoric, logic, philosophy, arithmetic, geometry, astronomy and understand the lore of their and other people. The more popular parts of the latter will, alongside poetry, often be cited during polite conversation and are expected to be memorized. Like their male counterparts Gondorian girls will be educated by private tutors. They will, however, not be trained in the art of warfare, often including horsemanship. Instead they will learn the finer arts and crafts, embroidery, spinning or weaving, singing or dancing, the arrangement of flowers and how to entertain with light and pleasant conversation. Musical instruments are often taught to and played by men. In the end girls are expected to marry, often to secure a social and political advantage for the whole family, look after children and their household. It is considered shameful if a noble woman is seen working or performing what is seen as a man’s duties. A couple may only separate if the other has committed crimes punishable by death, died or has been killed. Following this a wife may inherit her husband’s property and receive monetary support from his extended family, but a chaste life is expected and remarriage or children born out of wedlock are highly frowned upon.

While both forms a part of Gondorian life the ideas of affairs or less traditional relationships are ignored, should never be made public and will be punished severely out of the public eye if they become known.

All of this may differ greatly in some parts of the countryside. In peasant families women and men both tend to work the fields or in their family’s workshop, tend the animals and sell their wares. Small villages with thin walls are defended and children there raised by everyone.

Most of those small villages, as well the great cities are built from stone. Houses are, in the majority, multi-roomed and two or three stories high, with a courtyard in the center. They are likely to contain bathrooms, kitchen, a garden area and fountains. The richer a family the more rooms will be occupied and owned by them, with whole wings dedicated to only the women, guests, servants or a single member of the household, while commoners tend to share such houses communally. The poorer their occupants, the more of them will share a room or sleeping space. Oftentimes bricks and stones from other, damaged buildings will be used for building, aided by rubble, wood and mud-bricks. Traditionally interior walls and floors are decorated with mosaics or paintings of varying quality. Exterior walls are kept as clean and smooth as possible, showcasing or at least giving the allusion of whole and regular stone blocks and thereby wealth.

Whether in the cities or out in the country side, the majority of Gondorians spend most of their day working to produce or buy their food. Yet, many forms of entertainment and leisure activity can be had and are popular among all social classes. This includes feast days and celebrations, fairs, public baths and markets, permanent shops, busy life in the streets of cities filled with artists and conmen alike, tourneys with horse or boat races, sword-fighting, wrestling and archery competitions, plays and performances, and, of course, inns. From the white walls of Minas Tirith, to the Five Rivers of Lebennin, to the lavender fields of Lossarnach and the stormy coast of Dol Amroth, the poor thief and the high lord may both enjoy to gamble and raise a pint, sing a song for a soldier or a beauty. However, they will likely never do so together. It is the sum that they can afford to put down, the quality of their drink, song and company that makes all the difference, and whether they mention it come morning.

Crafts and Warfare

Gondor is a large and diverse country, spanning several regions with different qualities of soil or climatic conditions, producing anything from grain, fruit and vegetables to expensive perfume and spices. Agriculture and animal husbandry are widespread, fishing along the coast. Hunting and foraging are forbidden for everyone except licensed hunters or the nobility who owns a certain piece of land.

Mining is rare and the necessary materials for armor, weapons, jewelry and metalwork are often imported. Trade suffers from the constant threat of foreign enemies, but is still kept up in many places.

Gondor is known for its fine olive oil and excellent wine, carved art objects, pottery, precious glass- and silverware. Artisans and craftsmen aspire to follow in the footsteps of elvish traditions. Healers and scribes form as important a part of society as musicians and entertainers.

Warriors are held in the highest esteem. Gondorian soldiers are highly specialized, well equipped and uniform, rallying to the banner of their respective local lords and princes, but even more so to the call of Minas Tirith, their Steward and their Captain General. Members of Gondorian cavalry are talented horsemen, Gondorian archers have perfected the use of their longbows as far as humans can, and Gondorian swordfighters are feared and respected among their enemies. The Gondorian fleet, ships black and silver in color, is relatively small, but still effective.

Appearance

Gondorians are tall and usually fair of face with dark hair and grey eyes. Even though shorter on average than that of their relatives in the North, their live-span tends to exceed that of other Men, allowing them to reach an age past one hundred years and appear youthful and healthy throughout.

Women tend to wear their hair long and open, decorated with small braids, strings of small jewels, embroidered and jeweled caps or flowers, and covered with veils or a variety of head-clothes, often rolled up and tied around the head to keep the hair up among working peasants. Men prefer chin- or shoulder-length, sometimes longer hair and short or shaved beards.

Traditionally women wear long, sleeved dresses with wide skirts or sleeveless dresses with sleeved undergarments. Working peasants will often roll sleeves and skirts up and tie them in place. High collars have become less popular, but a less revealing neckline is preferred. Men wear shorter or longer tunics and coats. Belts are either heavily decorated and worn loosely or made from broad pieces of fabric and wrapped tightly.

The garments of nobles are made from the finest materials, including silk and pigments imported from Rhûn, rare furs and leather, often with embroidered hems, cuffs or belts. Darker but rich colors, especially a rare and costly purple, and jewelry made from pearls, light stones and silver are popular among the elite who might even decorate the saddle and bridle of their horses or their family crests in a similar manner.

Different occupations and ranks within those fields tend to have their own distinct pieces of clothing, cloaks, tunics, belts, rings or brooches of different designs, colors, patterns or general make, by which their wearer’s profession and status within it can be recognized. Oftentimes families, too, wear jewellery, colors or patterns that make their members easily identifiable.

Relations
Gondor has long opposed Mordor and many enemies from the East and South, including Haradrim, Easterlings, Umbari and Khandrim.
Its most traditional ally is Rohan.

Notable Members

In the past:
- King Melendil
- King Eldacar son of Valacar
In the present:
- Steward Denethor II., son of Ecthelion II.
- Captain General, Captain and High Warden of the White Tower Boromir, son of Denethor II.
- Soldier and Kennel-warden Faramir, son of ... “The Queen of Khand”
Faramir
Faramir
Assistant Loremaster

Posts : 646
Join date : 2019-05-25
Race : Half-Human
Nationality : Gondorian
Occupation : Soldier, Kennel-warden
Age : 35

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