Early Gondor

Early Gondor

SA 3320 - TA 1639

Gondor was founded by the Faithful after the fall of Numenor, and lasted throughout the Third Age and into the Fourth.  The Early Gondor army list covers the period from its founding until after the Great Plague devastated the population of Gondor, forcing it to shift its capital to Minas Anor (renamed Minas Tirith) from Osgiliath, with follow-on impact on its army makeup and ability to wage war that had long-term implications.

The first capital of Condor was Osgiliath.  In TA 1640 the capital was moved to Minas Anor, later renamed Minas Tirith.

Major events in Gondor include:

• TA 830-1149: Golden Age of Gondor under its four “Ship-Kings”.  During the reign of Hyarmendacil I (ruled until TA 1149) Gondor’s borders were at its greatest extent.  East Gondor at that point reached to the Sea of Rhûn, as far north as the River Running, and as far south as the Ash Mountains and Khand; South Gondor included the whole coast as far as Umbar and Far Harad, and well into Near Harad

• TA 1432-1448: The Kin Strife: civil war.  Loss of power and territory included loss of Umbar and Gondor’s hold on the Haradrim, in addition to abandonment of the fortresses surrounding Mordor.

• TA 1636: The Great Plague.  Starting in the east beyond Mordor.  The plague first hit Rhûn and Rhovanion; it killed about half the population there and arrived in Osgiliath in TA 1636.  From there it spread west and then north.  Minhiriath and Cardolan were especially hard hit, and most of the population there was wiped out.  Arthedain was scarcely affected.  Osgiliath and Minas Ithil were hit especially hard; many fled both cities.  The province of Calenardhon, already lightly populated, was mostly empty thereafter.  Gondor pulled its troops from the fortresses surrounding Mordor; in TA 1640 it moved the capital from Osgiliath, which was largely depopulated, to Minas Anor.

Invasion Rating: 1 (SA 3320 - TA 829)

4 (TA 830 - TA 1149)

3 (TA 1150 - TA 1639

Maneuver Rating: 3

Home Topography: Arable

General's Troop Type: Knight or Elite Foot or Archer.  General should have the battle cards Deadly and Armored.

Army Battle Cards

Fortified Camp

Hold the Line (on Elite Foot and Spear)

Troop Options

Required Troops

Troop Types Min Max Battle Line Restrictions Battle Cards

Knight 1 2 Mid-battle Dismounting (as Elite Foot)

Roquen

Shooters 2 6

Armored archers

Elite Foot 2 6 all

Guards and men-at-arms

Bow Levy 0 4 optionally Ranged Attack (+1)

Northmen or other subject bowmen

Heavy Foot 0 4 all

Northmen or other subject infantry

Light Foot 0 2

Hillmen from Anfalas or Lamedon

Artillery 0 1 all

Bolt shooters

Optional Contingents

No optional contingents available.