Esgaroth (Laketown)

Esgaroth

TA 1100 - FA 100 and later

Esgaroth is a trade city on the Long Lake in north Rhovanion, taking advantage of the trade route to Dorwinion down the River Running.  It was probably established quite early in the Third Age, serving as a mercantile center collecting agricultural products from surrounding villages and easy trade down the river.  By TA 1100 Thranduil had established the Woodland Realm in northeastern Mirkwood, building an underground fortress and hall there as his capital.  Trade with the Elves became the basis for the growth of Esgaroth.  A small Dwarven enclave existed in Erebor at that point; trade with the Dwarves would have been good as well from TA 1999 – 2210 during its first period as a Dwarven Kingdom, but dropped to near nothing when it was abandoned TA 2211 – 2589.  From Erebor’s re-establishment in TA 2590 trade with the Dwarves would have been a major factor.

Esgaroth probably suffered in the Great Plague that devastated Rhovanion in TA 1636.  In TA 1856 Esgaroth would have received refugees from southern Rhovanion, fleeing the Wainrider conquest.

Esgaroth was destroyed by Smaug in 2770, but able to rebuild, as it was a little too far from Erebor to get much attention.  Trade with Dale and Erebor was eliminated; trade with the Woodland realm continued.  Esgaroth was again destroyed by Smaug in 2941, and Smaug was slain there by Bard the Bowman.  It was rebuilt thereafter; many of its people moved to rebuild Dale, but Esgaroth soon recovered and rebuilt with additional population and an expanded trade role with refounded Dale and Erebor.

Esgaroth was built on the Long Lake, making it very difficult to assault.  This limited its ability to raise and support cavalry; any cavalry forces would have come from other nearby Rhovanion towns subject to Esgaroth.

• TA 1636 the Great Plague devastates Rhovanion, killing more than half its people

• TA 1851 Wainriders invade Rhovanion south of the River Celduin (River Running); by 1856 that region is completely conquered and enslaved.

• TA 1944 Wainriders are defeated and driven east; Rhovanion is freed again.

• TA 1999: Thrain I moves his Kingdom to Erebor, greatly enhancing the Dwarven colony there.

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

• 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.

• TA 2770: Smaug destroys Dale and the Dwarven Kingdom of Erebor.  Esgaroth destroyed.  Dwarves from Erebor retreat to Dunland, and eventually to the Blue Mountains.  Esgaroth is rebuilt.

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

• TA 2941: Esgaroth destroyed by Smaug again; Smaug slain; Kingdom of Erebor and Kingdom of Dale rebuilt

• TA 3019 Easterling and Mordor invasion.

Invasion Rating: 0

Maneuver Rating: 1

Home Topography: Delta

General's Troop Type: Shooter, Javelin Cavalry, or 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

Shooter 0 2

Guard bowmen

Javelin Cavalry or Bad Horse 0 2

Northman cavalry from nearby towns

Heavy Foot 4 8 all

Town militia spearmen

Bow Levy 4 8 all Ranged Attack (+1)

Town militia bowmen

Light Foot or Skirmishers 0 2

Rhovanion Woodsmen and Scouts

Optional Contingents

No optional contingents available.