Dale

Dale

TA 1999 - TA 2210

TA 2590 - TA 2770

TA 2942 - FA 100 and later

Dale was a town that grew in partnership with the Kingdom of Erebor, serving as an intermediary between the Dwarves of the Lonely Mountain and the surrounding area.  Metalwork, skills, and craftpieces of the Dwarves were traded for foodstuffs from the surrounding countryside and raw materials.  It was famous for its bells and wonderful toys.  It was less active during the first hiatus of Erebor (TA 2210 - TA 2590) when most of the Dwarves there had moved to the Grey Mountains; it became resurgent when they returned TA 2590.  When Smaug the Golden came to Erebor in TA 2770 it was destroyed and lay in ruins until Smaug's death in TA 2941, after which it regained population quickly under the leadership of Bard the Bowman.  Much of its initial regrowth in population came from refugees of the destruction of Lake-town.

Before TA 1999 armies from Dale should use the Rhovanion Townships army list, as it should also between TA 2210 and TA 2590.  Dale had no population (and no armies) between TA 2770 and TA 2941.

A timeline of major events regarding Dale includes:

• TA 1999: Thrain I moves his Kingdom to Erebor, greatly enhancing the Dwarven colony there.  Dale became a bustling town in this period, supporting the Dwarven colony.

• TA 2210 Thorin I abandons Erebor and moves to the Grey Mountains; Erebor is abandoned and empty for 380 years.  Dale reduced to a small hamlet.

• TA 2590: Dwarves abandon the Grey Mountains because of dragons; part return to Erebor, and part to the Iron Hills.  Northmen come up the River Running and build Dale, which becomes a major town based on trade with the Dwarven Kingdom.

• TA 2770: Smaug destroys Dwarven Kingdom of Erebor and the Lordship of Dale.  Trade center of Laketown destroyed.  Dwarves from Erebor retreat to Dunland, and eventually to the Blue Mountains.  Dale abandoned.

• TA 2881: Smaug becomes inactive, staying in the Desolation of Smaug.

• TA 2941: Laketown destroyed; Smaug slain; Kingdom of Erebor and Kingdom of Dale rebuilt

• TA 3019 Easterling and Mordor invasion.  Battle of Dale; King Brand of Dale and King Dain Ironfoot of Erebor are slain before the gates of Erebor; Erebor is besieged.  When Sauron is overthrown the forces of Dale and Erebor sally and rout the invaders.

Invasion Rating: 0

Maneuver Rating: 1

Home Topography: Hilly

General's Troop Type: Spear, Elite Foot, Shooter, Javelin Cavalry, or Knights; otherwise Heavy Foot.  General should have the battle cards Deadly and Armored.

Army Battle Cards

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Troop Options

Required Troops

Troop Types Min Max Battle Line Restrictions Battle Cards

Elite Foot 1 2

Guard infantry

Shooter 1 2

Guard bowmen

Javelin Cavalry 0 1

Northman Cavalry

Bad Horse 0 2 Deployment Dismounting (as Heavy Foot)

Dale City Cavalry

Heavy Foot 3 8 all

Town militia spearmen

Bow Levy 3 8 all Ranged Attack (+1)

Town militia bowmen

Light Foot 0 1

Hillmen or Rhovanion Woodsmen

Elite Foot 0 2

Dwarven forces seconded from Erebor

Optional Contingents

No optional contingents available.