For a number of reasons (detailed and explained in their products), ICE chose Third Age 1640 as the temporal setting for the vast majority of their MERP publications. At that time, just a few years after the passing of the Great Plague (T.A. 1635-1637), the ethnic, social, and political situations of northwestern Middle-earth were significantly different from those of the late Third Age (War of the Ring). Much of the following is therefore non-canonical extrapolations and/or inventions.
The date is year 1640 of the Third Age of Middle-earth (and year 40 in Shire Reckoning), almost 1400 years before the War of the Ring. The Great Plague ended in 1637, leaving many areas of Middle-earth depopulated and in political chaos.
In Eriador, the three successor realms to Dúnedain Arnor – Arthedain, Cardolan, and Rhudaur – still remain, but only Arthedain (sometimes supported by remnants of Cardolan) retains political cohesion, and is actively opposed by a still-extant Angmar (supported by the Hill-men of Rhudaur). Fornost Erain (Arthedain) and Tharbad (Cardolan) are still the major cities in the region, but Bree and many other towns and villages still exist.
To the west, Elves still dwelt in Lindon, primarily at Mithlond (the "Grey Havens"), minding their own business, and securing a haven for all Elves who wished to depart Middle-earth for Aman (the Undying Lands) in the Uttermost West. The hidden Elven refuge of Imladris is also strong at this time. Dwarves were still to be found throughout the Ered Luin ("Blue Mountains") and at Khazad-dûm (Moria, home of Durin's folk), generally minding their own business, but traveling and trading throughout Eriador. Hobbits were found primarily in the newly-formed Shire (gen. W. Sûza), which they were busy "organizing" in their own chaotic way, and also in Bree-land; but scattered groups could still be found in En Egladil (the "Angle") of Rhudaur and elsewhere, including the Stoors of the Gladden Fields in the Anduin Vales.
Elsewhere in Endor (S. "Middle-earth"): the Dark Lord Sauron was believed to have been vanquished in the War of the Last Alliance, and Mordor was (apparently) empty; a mysterious (but definitely evil) "Necromancer" (later proven to be Sauron, reincarnating) had taken abode in Dol Guldur (S. "Hill of Sorcery") in Mirkwood (S. Taur-nu-Fuin), which was becoming ever more dark and dangerous; Dwarves still lived and ruled in Khazad-dûm; the secretive Elven realm of Lórinand (Lothlórien) was ruled by Amroth; Stoor Hobbits were found in the Loeg Ningloron ("Gladden Fields", where the One Ring still lay lost); the lands that would become Rohan were still Calenardhon (a province of Gondor), and the ancestors of the Rohirrim dwelt on the plains south of Mirkwood; Gondor was still strong but had abandoned its watch on Mordor; and civilization was in general decline.
In the synopses below, the people(s) in the majority (or at least the plurality) are listed in bold.
Drúwaith Iaur[]
- Main article: Drúwaith Iaur
- Type: Region
- People(s): Men (Drughu, Dunir)
This region was once, briefly, part of Gondor – which still maintains a claim on the land. However, Gondorian presence is very limited, and restricted to the eastern portion between Adorn and the White Mountains, with no presence at all below Ahasiril. The desolate region is indeed "wild" and is thinly peopled by Dunir and Drughu.
Eriador[]
Politically, Eriador is dominated by the human realms of Arthedain (S: 'Realm of the Edain', ruled by the heirs of Isildur) and Angmar (S: 'Iron-home', ruled by the mysterious Witch-king, who was later proven to be the Lord of the Nazgûl), although the Elvish havens at Imladris ('Rivendell') and Lindon/Mithlond still held their own. Of the old Dúnedain realm of Arnor, only Arthedain remains; Cardolan is ruined and in turmoil, while Rhudaur (controlled by the Hill-men) is now merely a decaying client of Angmar.
Angmar[]
- Main article: Witch-realm of Angmar
- Type: Realm (military dictatorship); incumbent: the Witch-king; capital: Carn Dûm
- People(s): Men (Easterlings, Northrons); Orcs
Arthedain[]
- Main article: Arthedain
- Type: Kingdom; incumbent: King Argeleb II; capital (and largest city): Fornost Erain
- Other leaders: Marlas en Tarmeär, Captain of the Rangers
- People(s): Hobbits; Men (Dúnedain of the North, Eriadorans, Northrons)
Cardolan[]
- Main article: Cardolan
- Type: Kingdom; incumbent: None (various petty nobles); capital (and largest city): Tharbad
- Other leaders: Pellendur, Hir of Tyrn Gorthad; Eärnil, Regent of Girithlin; Finduilas III, Hiril of Dol Caladir; Hallas, Hir of Dol Tinereb; Imlach Hardadrinrissë, Gondorian Canótaran of Tharbad
- People(s): Hobbits; Men (Dúnedain of the North, Eriadorans, Northrons)
Enedwaith[]
Most of the eastern half of Enedwaith is occupied and administered as a territory of Gondor (see Dor Wathui below).
Dunfearan[]
- Main article: Dunfearn
- Type: Region (tribal lands)
- Other leaders: Einion Gurgan, Chief of Clan Gurgan; Ungust of Tref Maur, Chief of Clan Tref Maur; Dinglas Corddwallon, Chief of Clan Corddwallon; Rulart, Chief of Clan Rhudd; Belligel, Chief of Clan Eogbann
- People(s): Men (Dunmen)
Politically, Dunfearn is not united.
Imladris[]
- Main article: Imladris
- Type: Realm; incumbent: Lord Elrond
- Other leaders: Erestor, Glorfindel
- People(s): Elves
Minhiriath[]
- Main article: Minhiriath
- Type: Region (of Cardolan, see above)
- People(s): Hobbits; Men (Eriadorans)
Claimed by Cardolan, effectively wild.
Rhudaur[]
- Main article: Rhudaur
- Type: Kingdom; incumbent: (various claimants); capital: Cameth Brin
- Other leaders:
- People(s): Hobbits; Men (Hillmen of Rhudaur, Northrons); Trolls
Forodwaith[]
- Main article: Forodwaith
- Type: Region
- People(s): Men (Men of the Forodwaith)
Forochel[]
Gondor[]
- Main article: Gondor
- Type: Kingdom; incumbent: King Tarondor; capital: Minas Anor
- Other leaders:
- People(s): Elves (a very few at Edhellond); Men (Dúnedain of the South, Gondorians, Northrons)
Andrast[]
- Main article: Andrast
- Type: Province; incumbent: ; capital: Tharagrondost
- Other leaders:
- People(s): Dunir; Gondorians; Dúnedain of the South
Anfalas[]
- Main article: Anfalas
- Type: Province; incumbent: Governor Hindrasimir, Lord Protector of Anfalas; capital: Lond Galen
- People(s): Gondorians; Dúnedain of the South
Anórien[]
- Main article: Anórien
- Type: Royal Demesne; incumbent: King Tarondor; capital: Minas Anor
- Other leaders:
- People(s): Gondorians; Dúnedain of the South
Belfalas (Dor-en-Ernil)[]
- Main article: Belfalas, aka Dor-en-Ernil
- Type: Princely Fief; incumbent: Prince Celdrahil; capital: Lond Ernil (aka Dol Amroth)
- Other leaders:
- People(s): Gondorians; Dúnedain of the South
Calenardhon[]
- Main article: Calenardhon (includes the Westmarch)
- Type: Province; incumbent: Alandur, Hir of Dor Calenmîr; capital: Calenmîr
- People(s): Gondorians; Dúnedain of the South
Dor Rhûnen[]
- Main article: Dor Rhûnen
- Type: Territory; incumbent: Aicawë, Regent of Gondor
- Other leaders: Prince Augomundo, Northman Emissary
- People(s): Easterlings; Northrons; Gondorians; Dúnedain of the South
Dor Wathui[]
- Main article: Dor Wathui
- Type: Occupied Territory; incumbent:
- Other leaders:
- People(s):
Harondor[]
Ithilien[]
- Main article: Ithilien
- Type: Royal Ward; incumbent: Queen Mírien
- Other leaders:
- People(s): Ithilwaith; Dúnedain of the South
Lamedon[]
- Main article: Lamedon
- Type: Province; incumbent:
- Other leaders:
- People(s): Gondorians; Dúnedain of the South
Lebennin[]
- Main article: Lebennin
- Type: Province; incumbent:
- Other leaders:
- People(s): Gondorians; Dúnedain of the South
Mornan[]
- Main article: Mornan
- Type: Fief; incumbent:
- Other leaders:
- People(s): Gondorians; Dúnedain of the South
Tolfalas[]
- Main article: Tolfalas
- Type: Territory; incumbent:
- Other leaders:
- People(s): Gondorians; Dúnedain of the South
Haradwaith[]
- Main article: Haradwaith
- Type: Region
- People(s):
Near Harad[]
Far Harad[]
Utter South[]
Khazad-dûm[]
- Main article: Khazad-dûm
- Type: Kingdom; incumbent: King Báin; capital: Yes
- Other leaders:
- People(s): Dwarves of Durin's Folk
Lindon[]
- Main article: Lindon
- Type: Realm; incumbent: Lord Cirdan; capital: Mithlond
- Other leaders:
- People(s): Elves
Rhovanion[]
Anduin Vales[]
Fangorn Forest[]
- Main article: Fangorn Forest
- Type: Realm; incumbent: Fangorn; capital: N/A (but see Derndingle)
- Other leaders:
- People(s): Ents
Lothlórien[]
- Main article: Lothlórien
- Type: Kingdom; incumbent: King Amroth; capital: Caras Galadhon
- Other leaders:
- People(s): Elves (Silvan, Sindarin, Noldor)
Mirkwood[]
Woodland Realm[]
- Main article: Woodland Realm
- Type: Realm
- People(s): Elves (Silvan, Sindarin)
Realm of the Necromancer (Dol Guldur)[]
- Main article: Realm of the Necromancer
- Type: Realm
- People(s): Orcs
Realm of Dale[]
Rhûn[]
Dorwinion[]
- Main article: Dorwinion (Rhûn)
- Type: Region
- People(s): Men (Dorwinionrim)
Khand[]
Mordor[]
- Main article: Mordor
- Type: Realm, Region; incumbent: None; capital: Barad-dûr
- Other leaders: Dringir, Captain of Durthang; Veantur, Captain of Cirith Ungol; Dorgilatar, Captain of Cirith Gorgor
- People(s): Mordor Orcs; Men of Núrn; (a very few) Gondorians in three fortresses in the Ephel Dúath
Mordor at this time was effectively a "lost realm" and truly a wild land: Gondor, which had maintained a military occupation of the region since the beginning of the Third Age, had recently mostly abandoned its watch in the aftermath of the Great Plague, with only three fortresses (Durthang, Cirith Gorgor, Cirith Ungol) in the Ephel Dúath still manned, leaving most of Gorgoroth and all of Núrn unadministered. The surviving Orcs continued to hide themselves in their refuges in the mountains as much as possible, while the Men of Núrn, survivors of Sauron's slaves, eked out an existence in Núrn.