Rhovanion

Rhovanion, or Wilderland, was home to Thranduil's Wood-elves, the Dwarves of the Iron Hills, and various Northmen groups of the mountains, woods and plains. It was a rugged region untamed by any dominant civilization.

The Land

 * Type: Steppeland Plains; Mixed Forests
 * Area: 187.500 square miles.
 * Elevation: average. 930 feet. lowest point. Nindalf (S. "Heron Marshes") 380 feet. highest point. Erebor (S. "Lonely Mountain") 7,182 feet.
 * Climate: average annual preiipilalton: 20-40 inches. mean annual temperature. 45-55°F average low. Ninui-15°F average high. Urui75°F
 * Composition: Sedimentary layers, primarily limestone and chalk, made up most of the Rhovanion plains. In places, folding and erosion had produced downs, long ridges of exposed rock which cut across the prairie. A few sites revealed some igneous activity, particularly Erebor. which was made up of granite and basalt. Few topographic features of note otherwise disturbed the landscape, which undulated in gently rolling hills for mile after mile. If there was any mineralcwealth in the region, the Northmen did not exploit it. contented to import their metals from the Dwarves, the Dunedain, and the Men of the East.
 * Notes: The name Rhovanion usually referred to the entire region bordered by the Hithaeglir, the Ered Mithrin, the Anduin, the Ered Lithui, and the Sea of Rhun, encompassing Mirkwood and the Anduin Vales.Tall grasses predominated south of Mirkwood. while shorter ones were more common farther north. Some small copses of elm and maple grew where there was shelter from the winds, which exceeded 40 mph on a regular basis.

Rhovanion in TA 1650
Aivathiuda divided among six tribes, Gramas among four; land held by family groups.
 * Political Organization: Martial Lordship.
 * Rulers: Mahrcared, Reik of the Aivathiuda; Atagavia, Reik of the Waldungs, Uirdiks, Reik of the Withras.
 * Administrative Organization: Clan-based, leaders usually hereditary, but sometimes elected by male warriors,
 * Population: 8,000 Aivathiuda, 3,000 Gramas.
 * Military: 800 Aivathiuda Cavalry.1.200 Aivathiudan Levy Cavalry.75 Grama Warriors.150 Grama Levy Warriors.
 * Products: Cram, horses, mercenaries.
 * Symbol: Aivathiuda: White Horse on a Green Field.Grama:A Golden Sheaf of Grain on an Amber Field.

The Northmen who inhabited the plains of Rhovanion east of Mirkwood formed two distinct groups.The seminomadic Aivathiuda were by far the largest, but their primitive existence followed their herds of horses and cattle diminished their stature in the eyes of the Gondorians and the more urban Northmen from Dale and Esgaroth. The Grama had adopted a more settled agricultural life, tilling their fields in Mirkwood's eastern Bight with crude implements. A collection of small towns and villages formed the core of Grama society, and regular trade had grown between the communities and with Gondor. The Aivathiuda, on the other hand, remained suspicious of outsiders, and their culture was still very much a warrior society. The Aivathiuda traded only with their Grama kinsfolk, for their differing lifestyles had not yet disturbed the bonds of kinship and common heritage. Gondor eagerly maintained ties with these Northmen for the sake of her cavalry. The horses raised on the Rhovanian plains surpassed any native to Middle-earth. Furthermore, Aivathiudan auxiliaries had won several key victories in the wars for Gondor's borders. The Grama acted as intermediaries in this exchange, and all parties involved benefited to their satisfaction. The Grama produced grain, but their methods were still too crude to produce an exportable surplus. Instead, they relied upon the bounty of their herds for goods to exchange with Gondor and Esgaroth, and to a lesser extent the Men of Dorwinion and the primitive folk who lived within Mirkwood. The Northmen regarded the forest with fear and awe. the home of the baneful magics of Elves and the Necromancer. To their horror, the wood appeared to be growing, engulfing several villages since the Great Plague. Trade with the South had brought many innovations to the Northmen. Steel items now complemented the ironones forged by Northman smiths. Improved agricultural techniques increase the Grama's yield each year, and the Thanes hoped to export grain to a hungry Gondorian nation within a decade. The sudden advancement had left both Grama and aivathiuda in shock. Their isolated and primitive existence was suddenly interrupted by pressures to trade on an international market. The Aivathiuda found their warlike attitudes obsolete among the merchants of distant lands, so they kept their distance from outsiders, occasionally offering to strike against the tribes of wandering Easterlings who had recently begun to move into Rhovanion in force. The Plague wrought untold devastation among the Northmen, who were first to receive its wrath. Many earlier advances made with the help of Gondor were lost, and contact with the Dúnedain diminished. The Northmen remained a loose collection of tribes, more loyal to their kinsfolk than to any broader concept of nationhood.Only once before had a man succeeded in uniting the scattered tribes. Four hundred years before the Plague, a Reik of the Waldungs named Vidugaviacunited the Northmen in an alliance to aid Gondor defeat an army of Easterlings. His government, however, was based solely on his personal charisma, and his descendants failed to hold his coalition together. In T. A. 1640, the Waldungs were still the most powerful tribe, and each Thane hoped one day to reproduce the success of Vidugavia. Most of the Grama tribes owed allegiance to the Waldungs, which they confirmed each year with the offering of gifts of tribute and friendship. The Aivathiuda kept their distance from any thoughts of coalition. Though they recognized a Thane as a "first among equals," they proudly maintained their tradition of small, independent clans.

Characters
Ainur: Radagast Slyardach

Dwarves: Azaghal Balfor Bori Dain Ironfoot Fulla III Tindri

Elves: Arien Camthalion Huinen the Seer Itaril Lianna Legolas Ohtar Oropher Ringlin Tauriel Thranduil

Men:
 * Easterlings: Bôm Dasakun Gorovod Huz of Amov Kav Makow Meonid Ito Rof Paku
 * Northrons:Alfrith Aluiric Atagavia Athaulf Baduila Bain Bard the Bowman Bard II Beoraborn Beoraborn Beneoracer Beneoracer II Beorn Bork Bork II Bornbeneor Bornbeneor II Brand Brander Breaga Corwin Dorbeorn Durtheniel Eoder Eradan Ergweth Erland Fflewdur Fflam Fram Framson Girion Girion II Gisulf Gisulf II Grimbeorn Guntram Hugin Jarnsmid Jirfelien Koldana II Korsca Kynoden II Leofigild Mahrcared Marcatio II Meriag Montieff II Nurgan Odagavia Odoacer II Ottar Sarbor Svelte Swithwulf II Thuidimer Turkelin Uirdiks Ulfang Vagaig Wacho Waulfa Waulfa II

other: Lhachglin Orduclax

Orcs: Bolg Drurgandra Druzhag the Beastcaller Great goblin

Trolls: Skessa Wodurishak

Tribes
Halflings:
 * River-Folk (Stoors)

Men:
 * Northrons:
 * Bardings
 * Beornings
 * Aivathiuda
 * Gramuz
 * Lake-men
 * Mangeras
 * Woodmen
 * Easterlings
 * Asdriags
 * Balchoth
 * Sagath
 * Waagath

Orcs:
 * Orcs of the Ered Mithrin:Asharag, Lor-Uruk-Shab, Uruk-Erag
 * Orcs of Goblin-Gate:Uruk-Tarkhnarb
 * Orcs of Gundabad: Burzath, Huvorgha, Ilguz, Krach-Ul
 * Orcs of Dol Guldur:Blogrum-Hai Bûrzthrâng Durbúrz-stazg Dushmau Frûmhon Gorbakh Hîs-Urdan Hîshtgropor Maukglob Mirk-eaves orcs Mor-Hai Shirkag Taughâsh Ûngund Uruk-Harnak Uruk-Thang Uruk-Torg

settlements and points of interest
1650 TA: Aerdicsbern Alcisbaurg Alduringard Althrith Amon Tamró Amon Thyryn Antharsbaurg Anvilmount Anwuning Aradhrynd Ashkadurl Ashkandar Ashkirir Athrad Sirros Azanulinbar-dum Bairalasbaurg Bar-en-Bairanax Barak-shathur Baldrin's Gate Bat Dome Beacon Tower Bernfeld Beornan's Home Brugath Traim Burh Afon Burh Kaupis Burh Marden Burh Maridais Burh Sauthis Burh Scath Burh Seath Burh Shalca Burh Thaunyol Caradsurga Caras Amarth Carrock Casherd Cave of the Bulor-Ilg Ceber Fanuin Celebannon Celebost Cirith-Auris Cirith Gondmaeglom Cirith Himninond Cirith Mithlin Cleofacot Cor Angaladh Daedric's Gap Dale Den Lóke Deneral Dernburg Dolentir Dollantir Dolni Keep Dundok Dungirith Durkandar Dying Glacier Dyn Odoric Eagduru Eithel Celebrin Eldrast Elrungagard Eorcan Erebor Esgaroth Far Bank Félagagard Feotlingegeard Foldbold Forodim Framsburg Gadrauhtsbaurg Galgorin Goat Mountain Gobbleswell Gondmaeglom Grasgard the Grotto Gundabad Haradruin Haudh-en-Aiganaur Hawrim-Taigh Hatherbold Hyarleuca's Cave Iath Celduin Iath Iaur Ilanin Kaerst Kala Dularkurth Kardavan Karfas Killindrow Klainibrist Lag-auris Lag-dagur Lag-lhach Lag-orod Lag-thrugrim Lag-ulurikon Lar-huz Lar-sagra Leovidukas Lindil Londaroth Long Marish Long Peak Long-spring House Lugdûm Lughâsh Maedwe-dukas Mael Methelburg Maltir Maringburg Meke Larnis Men-i-Mithrin Meonid's Watch Nahald Kudan Norr-Dûm Paidareiksbaurg Pardfan Pentstow Raiderhold Refugee Maethren Rhosgobel Rof's Wood-Cave Romenost Saidalburh Sairtheod Sarn Goriwing Sarn Lothduin Set á Bjargi Shab Arch Shirklunamat Silverplunge Skauril's lair Skepuholc Skessaholc Smalug Sorrowdrop Stahnoholt Stath Thliuhande Steelfall Steinholl Stillwalk Smial Stoor Harbor Strayhold Sunnagadal Surgax Taurduin Theihstathbaurg Thistledow Thollakar Thorontir Thorsigsborg Thundercleft Tir Anduin Tir Ethraid Tir Ingon Tir Nimmen Tir Nindor Tower of the Wolf-friend Triugardabaurg Tumsarna Tuwurdrog Udrabax Ugulai Uldonavan Ulgarstat Urdubax Ursh lanna Uthrael Beoac Vargurat Verenaer Vidus Vidusbaurg Viduwaed Waetan's Lodge Waldlesburg Waldmarhbaurg Wanbuil Wangail Wangahalla Warfinger Wayhidstede Weld Whiterock Creek Widlingholt Widuburg Wíthibord Wolf Flat Vrakiabaurg

3019 TA: Amon Gastal Amon Lhaw Araw Bandit Lair Beorn´s House Carrock Cave of the Urdharkonur Caves of Ulund Dain´s Halls Dancing Spire Deep Cleft Enesgaroth Eolburg Eryn Dolen Gladden Gold Hill Gondmaeglom Gyogorasag Sanctuary Hoarwell Irerock Isenholt Kravod Longpeak Lonsdale Lunn Doring Mack's Well Markway Mountain Hall Orlane Oropher's Rest Ost-in-gil Ovir Hollow Prin Redhall Rhosgobel Rhovanost Riverrun Steel Fall Thoronburg Thunder-cleft Thunderdwelling Tower of the Wolf-friend Wadling Wind Throne Woodland Hall Woodmen-Town Wormcove

Regions
It´s main regions include:

the Barding Reach: Aelinann Annen Carnen Forest Dale Lands Erebor Lang Marish Long Marshes Nan Annen Nan Carnen Nan Celduin Oak Savannah Vidu Marish

Dor Rhûnen: brown lands (Dor Firnen) Hunshahadvuld Emyn Muil Gramavuld Horseman's Gap Talath Harroch

Ered Mithrin: Cirith Auris Cirith Feadin Cirith Himinand Cirith Mithlin Dragon-Gap Gondmaeglom Grey Mountains Narrow Nan Lóke Sarth nia Linquelíe Talath Oiohelka Uthrael Beoge

the Iron Hills: Azanulinbar

Mirkwood: Aur Esgalbar Dol Guldur East Bight of Mirkwood Emynen Esgalbar Heart of Mirkwood (Angaladh) Emyn Guldur Emyn-i-Thang Girdle of Radagast Mountains of Mirkwood Nan lanc Nan Taurduin Nen Emyn Northern Mirkwood Realm of the Necromancer Southern Mirkwood (Taur-e-Ndaedelos) Tauraelin Thórlorien Western Mirkwood (Galdesgal) Woodland Realm

Misty Mountains: Far Vales Foothill Forests Goblin Gate Great Pass Lone Fells Misty Mountain Foothills Mount Gundabad Northern Fells Old Pass Redhorn Fells

the Upper Anduin Vales: Anduin Deeps Carrock Ford Carrock Vale Eothéod Gladden fields Glennen Gobbleswell Gundalok Isle of Bears Langwell Nan Limlight Lorréna Nan Lothanduin Parth Celebrant Rónen-in-Anduin Undeeps

Roads:
 * Gladden Path
 * Men-i-Araw
 * Men Burzum
 * Men Celduin
 * Men Dorwinion
 * Men-i-Erebor
 * Men-i-Mithrin
 * Men-i-Naugrim
 * Men Rhûnen
 * Men Rómen
 * Men Uruk
 * Old Forest Road
 * Orc Road
 * Râd Angálaladh
 * Râd Annon
 * Woodman Trail

Creatures
Anduin Lizards Aurochs Bejabar Bees black squirrels Culcarnix Dumbledores Egil's Vipers Ennerlings of Mirkwood Fenrais Fintonarki Great Bats Great eagles great falcons of Mirkwood Great Swans Mearas Merisc Tyka Mirkwood Boars Mirkwood Crows Moths of Mirkwood Purple Emperors Raccoons Ravens of the north Wildcats Woodmen Sheep silkworms thrushes Undarlaif Wargs Wild kine of Araw Wildhorses of Rhovanion