Cardolan

Settlements of Cardolan

The southernmost part of Arnor, Cardolan (S."Red Hill Country") was a separate Dúnadan kingdom from T.A. 861 until T.A. 1409. Cardolan was the most densely populated area of old Arnor and contained sizable populations of Gwathuirim, Eriadoran commoners, Northmen, and Dúnedain, as well as scattered groups of Beffraen and Drúedain. Its last ruling King Ostoher (and with him any cohesive central government) perished while fighting the Witch-king's hordes on the Barrow-downs during the war of TA 1409. Under weak but continuous Angmarean pressure thereafter, Cardolandren society decayed and the realm collapsed into chaos. It was gradually depopulated after the Great Plague. The trade center of Tharbad on the middle Gwathló was Cardolan's chief city. Súthure, farther down river, was the only larger town in Cardolan after Tharbad fell into ruin in the late Third Age.

The Realm

see:Kings of Cardolan

Cardolan since T.A. 1409 was a realm in turmoil. Her royal family died out in the wars with Angmar, leaving a number of rival Dúnadan princes with claims to the throne. Upstarts, like the Dunnish King of Saerlann and the rebellious villages of Feotar, were able to establish their independence in the chaos which followed the wars. The Plague added another element to Cardolan's troubles. It sparked a further series of migrations, the most significant of which was the intrusion of a large band of Trolls into the central plain of Minhiriath. Thus, the realm of Cardolan was in actuality a number of petty kingdoms, each in constant conflict with the others.

Cardolan in TA 1640-1650

• Political Organization: Competing Principalities.
• Rulers: Pelendur, Hir of Tyrn Gorthad; Eärnil, Regent of Girithlin (Echorion, Hir Girithlin, a minor and hostage of Arthedain); Finduilas III, Hiril of Dol Caladir; Hallas, Ernil of Dol Tinereb; Imlach Hardadrinrissë, Canótaran of Tharbad; Lanaigh, King of Saerlann; Ardagor, Warlord of "The Warlord´s Empire"; 17 independent Cantons of Feotar.
• "Capital" (and largest city): Tharbad
• Administrative Organization: Hereditary Princes, appointed Canótaran, appointed lesser officials, elected Guildmasters; all land nominally held by Princes, given to smallholders in fief.
• Population: 846.700 Cardolandrim.
• Military: Each Prince and Lord commands about 100 warriors in a personal retinue and can raise 200-800 levy troops in 2–3 weeks. Most often, however, the Lords rely upon mercenary bands and the Dunnish tribes in the region for military muscle. Gondor and Arthedain also maintain garrisons in Cardolan to ensure the safety of the trade routes.
• Products: Wool, textiles, trade, mercenaries.
• Symbol: Varies.

Separated provinces

• Cantons of Feotar
• Saerlann
• The Warlord's Empire

Cardolan in TA 3018-3019

• Political Organization: Various tribal Areas.
• Rulers: None (local Chiefs).
• Administrative Organization: None.
• Population: 118.500 Southerners.
• Military: 12.000 tribal Warriors.
• Products: Wool, textiles, grain, herd animals.
• Symbol: None.

Cardolan was once part of the great Kingdom of Arnor. Following the divisive year of T.A. 861, Cardolan appeared to have a bright future. Of the three fragments of Arnor, Cardolan had the most fertile soil, the largest land area and urban center, and the closest ties to Gondor and the Númenórean past of the Dúnedain. Unfortunately, the broad plain of Eriador acted as a highway for every migratory people in western Middle-earth, and the Kings of Cardolan witnessed a centuries-long struggle for resources between the indigenous Eriadorans, the ruling Dúnedain, and the migratory Hobbits and Dunnish tribes. The Witch-king of Angmar too found the fertile plains of Cardolan tempting, and, after encouraging strife between Cardolan and her neighbors for centuries, invaded himself in the year T.A.1409. His attack drove the defenders reeling in retreat down the Great East Road. Prince Osthir of Cardolan fell defending the Tyrn Gorthad, and the death of his daughter Nirnadel, his sole surviving heir, a few years later brought a long reign of troubles on Cardolan. Civil war was now a regular occurrence, as the heirs of Cardolan's great noble houses struggled for dominance. The strength of the realm had diminished greatly, and the lords of Cardolan fought their wars with plots of deceit and small bands of mercenaries. The common folk of Cardolan desired only to be forgotten by their overlords and to get on with the business of agriculture. Though harsh winds scoured the uplands of Eriador, where herding provided the chief source of revenue, the lowlands were known for their fertility. Due to the good soil and the mildest climate north of the White Mountains, agriculture in the Gwathló Valley was less toilsome than in other regions. However, a severe population shortage prevented Cardolan from rising to its former prominence. Even before the Plague, a sharp demographic decline made its impact on the realm, for many commoners fled to seek the stability of Gondor or Arthedain.

The lords of Cardolan schemed against each other, playing external forces and internal ones, such as the Warlord and the King of Saerlann, off each other and their rivals. Both Arthedain and Gondor desired stability in the region, or the security of the Great North Road at the very least. Gondor appointed the Cánotaran of Tharbad, an official with nominal authority over all of Cardolan, with the hope of controlling the violence in Tharbad. However all the Canótarani had their hands full managing the highly competitive guilds in the city, who frequently worked in league with the Dúnadan Princes. Thus, the Canótaran had become yet another player in the power struggles in Cardolan. The King of Gondor would have liked to bring Cardolan under his direct authority, but he lacked the strength to quell the inevitable violent reaction which had become an integral part of Cardolandren politics. Cardolan's problems did not end with petty political rivalries. Few other lands were as disrupted by the Plague, and countless small villages were deserted in its wake. Worse, a flood of refugees from Dunfearn and Western Gondor had come to Tharbad, hoping to start a new life in the city. The lords of Cardolan had to import tons of food merely to keep the population from starvation. A sizeable shanty-town north-west of the city attested to the Cánotaran's inability to handle the situation. Unrest grew among the urban poor each day and the power of the guilds increased in relation to the level of malcontent. To make matters worse, a large and unusually well-organized band of Trolls, led by a figure known only as the Warlord, had driven deep into Cardolan during the Plague to take up what appeared to be a permanent occupation.

Regions and Rivers

Andeithel; Autumn Downs; Baranduin; Baranduin Estuary; Bare Hills; Bay of Minhiriath; Bein Com; Brandywine Settlements; Brandywine Swamps; Buckland; Calenathrad; Cape Vorn; Cardolandren March; Carnarthon; Caun Adûn; Ceren Hills; Chalk-prairie; Chielwis; Dol Caladir; Dol Tinare; Dyr Erib; Dyr Maenason; Eaves of Eryn Vorn; Enedbund; Eregion Estates; Eriadoran Coast; Eryn Vorn; Ethir Baranduin; Ethir Gwathló; Faerdor; Finchwater; Foradûn; Girithlin Forn; Girithlin Highlands; Glanduin; Greenvale; Greyflood Settlements; Groves of Thune; Gualchglas Moors; Gwathló; Gwathlo basin; Gwathlo Marches; Hagavorl; Hashgmur; Hindmarsh; Hoarwell March; Hopwood; Isle of Logres; Isle of Mists; Isles of the Dead that Live; Lancien Island; Lenshir Stream; Lostriand; Mag Speriag; Meach; Milkfall Edge; Minhiriath; Minsiril; Mintyrnath; Mitheithel; Mithe Steps; Moc Lennen; Mora Hal; Nen-i-Sûl; Nîn-in-Eilph; Northern Uplands; Old Forest; Ossilryn; the Oyer; Pinnath Ceren; Pinnath Gerain; Pinnath Nimren; Prairie Wild; Rast Arnor; Rast Vorn; Red Hills; Rhûcirbann; Rohwaen; Royal Domain; Ruaival Island; Saerlann; Sarig; Sarn Cantons; Senana; Sendiel; Sharkey's wall; Sirihini; Sonn; South Coastal Lowlands; South Downs; Taur Iaur; Tharbad Marshes; Tinare; Tol Annûn; Tyrn Gorthad; Tyrn Hódhath; Tyrn Hyarmen; Westwood; Wild Fells; Wild Moats; Withywindle swamps; Worthy Hills

Roads

Iaur Men Formen; Len Caraug; Len Mordo; Len Naugrim; Mengalen; Men Narda; Men Neven; Redway; Road to Tharbad

Settlements and Points of Interest

Places and settlements in Cardolan

Acsa; Adandor; Aedilburh; Aethelan; Aithan; Aithfian; Ait Mell Art; Alclad; Aldburh; Allimir; Althil; Alukkinvok; Amlolas; Amon Galos; Amon Gorthad; Amon Sarn; Amrelor; Andrath; Annon Baran; Annithir; Arading; Argond; Argost; Arnach; Artgualchar; Aspar; Balost; Barad Colgrin; Barad Eden; Barad Esher; Barad Galad; Barad Girithlin; Barad Vin; Bar-en-Ibun; Bar Gorthad; Bautorach; Belegaladin; Benglaras; Bimble-Town; Blackwood Hill; Bondor; Bore-Lled; Brascua; Bregnas; Bregost; Brildil; Brol; Bruscua; Buckhill; Buckland Gate; Bucklebury; Burh Calden; Burh Ruasul; Burh Stench; Burh Waulfa; the Cabden; Cadbury; Cairg-Faergus; Calaivar; Calthiel; Caragond; Caranthel; Caras Gwanoth; Caras Nurneled; Cardol; Carn Gasadaer; Carras; Cathiel; Ceindwire; Celoniach; Cemetary of Thalion; Chalnen; Cithiel; Cithrenor; Clearwater Wells; Cleelan; Clothrad; Cloverdale; Creb Durga; Crickhollow; Cross Stones; Crowhaven; Cûbar; Daelmoth; Darras-ola-Ras; Dead Town; Delbarad Steading; Delving; Denerond; Deveney; Digswell; Dinach; Dirdabor; Dol Ahíriath; Dol Bealran; Dol Caladir; Dol Gelin; Dol Girithlin; Dol Ninden; Dol Orme; Dol Tinare; Dol Vorn; Dongril; Earthen cave; Easton; Edirey; Edras; Eithel Illianna; Elvet Isle; Erenir; Fangoth; Feagil; Fealond; Filimer; Finchwater; Finnsburh; Fogu Maellin; Fordhall; Forondir; Foulbrook; Galiraen; Galathlilwar; Gamuthill; Gath Ambrir; Geleborn; Girwing; Gochaig; Greenwatch; Greyflood Settlements; Grindwall; Guinnion; Gundiok; Gwaelin; Gwernabwy; Halnen; Ham; Harbarist; Hardrath; Haysend; Helanuil; Hena; Hermit's Cottage; Herwen; High Hay; Highknoll; Highland Junction; Himsiril Keep; Hirta; Horstead; Hythe; Iach Mardi; Iarond; Iant Dinach; Ifin; Ilemin; Kenton; Laganin; Laldír; Laim; Last Ford; Levanad; Lewisdown; Lhûn teuten; Linnuis LLyn Llyw; Logeband; Lond Angren; Lond Daer; Malehaut; Marishburh; Marshfell; Marshley; Mathlor; Maura; Merchebrook; Metraith; Meur Tol; Minas Etholan; Minas Girithlin; Minas Malloth; Minas Mellon; Minas Thonfalon; Minas Tor; Mindo Liriel; Mindo Tinaree; Minsiril Camp; Mistalonde; Morchan; Mudbottom; Nadior; Nansret; Netel-eyghe; Newbury; Nidada; Nilenel; Ninepin Junction; Oakdale; Oaklane; Purslane; Quiel; Rainbow Bridge; Ramradas; Ransford; Red Hundred; Reedlake; Redhel; Road’s End; Rochbar; Ruaival Village; Ruins of Minas Iaur and Bar-en-Uinendil; Sageford; Sarn Ford; Scornla; Ser Oneldeon Tarma; Seren; Silanir; Smygrave; Soas; Sothaur; Southbrook; Stonehall; Stonehill; Sudúri; Swanlynn; Swansong Nape; Sweetwater; Tagmana; Talsir; Telwaen; Tembrith; Tenstone; Thaendor; Thalion; Thalnen; Tharaman; Tharbad; Tharchel; Tharni; Thornwell; Thyn Gorthad; Tiramarth; Tiras Maegthil; Toddmingle; Todolb; Traith Chefudoc; Troich-Ara Chleasah; Trollhead; Tyne; Undrond; Vainche; Vengalen; Wagon Encampment; Wedegog's Lair; Wendingway; Weolpaid; Wickham; Woodley; Woodsedge; Woodsway; Wootton;

Peoples

Ainur: River-Fays; Tavari

Dwarves: Firebeards; Ibûnites

Elves: Nandor; Elves of Amon Lind

Halflings: Stoors; Wild Hobbits

Men: Dúnedain; Eriadorians (Cardolanian Northmen; Southerners: Caladirrim, Dynion, Dunmen, Faerdorrim, Girithlyn, Gwathlo bargemen, Gwathuirim, Mebden, Men of the Tharbad Marshes, Red Hill folk, Rivermen, Hil Fferid); Drughu: Beffraen, Daen Fiadach

Orcs: Orcs of Ceb Durga; Orcs of Cape Vorn; Wild Orcs of Cardolan; Wood Goblins of the Old Forest

Trolls: Forest Trolls

Characters

Ainur: Black Alder; Caradhras; Goldberry; Mother Withywindle; Muddling Annis; Old Man Willow; Ruddyoak; Samdir the Rug Merchant; Tathariel;Tharkûn; Thirfalan; Tom Bombadil

Dwarves: Dhêo; Dîbin; Dintam; Ghamîm; Ghâr; Harnekil; Ibûn; Khanli; Khazak of Moria; Khôrni; Loki; Nár the Hacker; Nedilli; Obûn; Omîm; Rhomîn; Rhotti; Zeddik; Zôrn;

Elves: Andovon Pathdal; Gil-Galad

Hobbits: Gorhendad Oldbuck; Meriadoc Brandybuck; Permiend Brandybuck; Rosalythe Brandybuck; Precious Gorbuck; Saradoc Brandybuck;

Men:

Second Age: Agaldor; Carlesic the Wise; Eruthimar; Maran the Silent; Nînazîr; Pharconatar

Before TA 1640: Aglareb; Aldarian; Alkazôr o Girithlin; Annael of Feotar; Annael of Tharbad; Annsuel o Girithlin; Aradan of Cardolan; Ardanis; Aranel of Cardolan; Arduin of Cardolan; Arthain; Balagorn o Girithlin; Barahir o Girithlin; Beladan o Girithlin; Borrin of Feotar; Celemendil of Cardolan; Camrinir of Dol Tinare; Camrinir the Cursed; Celarien; Celebrien I of Cardolan; Celebrien II; Celebron of Cardolan; Celedur o Dol Tinare; Cerinwen; Ciramir; Cairon of Cardolan; Curonir o Girithlin Daeron Feotar Duinhir of Cardolan Dunendil Durga Echorion o Girithlin I Echorion o Girithlin II Elboron of Cardolan Elcaldil o Girithlin Elendir o Girithlin Elenion o Girithlin Eleril Elodiel o Girithlin Emerwen of Cardolan Encaldil o Girithlin Falathar o Girithlin Farielle o Girithlin Firiel of Cardolan Gurgust Feotar Finduilas I of Dol Caladir Finduilas II of Dol Caladir Gaertil the Bad Gardeleg Gordaig I Trollbane Gordaig II Gwaithmir o Girithlin Idhril of Arthedain Idris Ivriluin Kalvanyawen Feotar Mab Mablung o Girithlin Maenir Merendir Mînaglar of Cardolan Miyathel o Girithlin Neithan o Caladir Nengeleth Nienna Istariel Nimhir Níriel Nirnadel of Cardolan Numhir Orchaldil o Girithlin Osthir of Cardolan Suthra Arandil of Cardolan Tarastôr of Cardolan Taravel o Girithlin Tôrechil of Cardolan Thaendor o Girithlin Thorondur of Arnor Thorondur o Girithlin Turamarth of Cardolan Uralan Valandil of Cardolan Varak o Girithlin Vengaree

About TA 1640:

Athalaina Aramath Ari-Ghân Ari-Lam Barahir o Tinare Barnur Baumyakund Belegund Grey Beregond of Tharbad Camrinir the Cursed Celedur o Dol Tinare Cyneig Colynn Ciramir Coeshay Coney Cutpelt Cospatric Curmegil Roundpate Daeros of Cardolan Dagnir Grey Dairuin Grey Eagan Tooth Earnil o Girithlin Echorion o Girithlin III Egale Elfwine of Dol Orme Eradan of Metriath Erig Etariun Faradil o Tinare Finduilas III Fiorel of Saralainn Galgh of Faerdor Gallan Gimilkhâd Gorlim Grey Grethor Hallas o Dol Tinereb Hallas the Harbormaster Handir the Riverman Harran Hugomar the Hermit Huor of Caer Gurgust Imlach Hardadrimris Imlach of Tharbad Kuball the Trader Laneig Leb Lengha Loranna o Tinare Lothiriel of Tharbad Mablung of Girithlin Maelgym Magone Mahtadin of Dyr Erib Manlow Clady Marelen Minastir of Sarnford Mirborn Mirnidar the Miller Nienna Istariel Nimhir Nimroth Nirnandel Oget Olby Old Coel Padrig Pegmar Pelendur Pellendur Remlis Helmsdottir Sherl Sigmar Sispar Tarmoresar the Unseen Tarhad of the Raggers Tathad Tempi Thramir the Cooper Urvalt Wura of Faelond

Before 3018:

Athelwyn Echorion o Girithlin II Echorion o Girithlin III

About 3018-19:

Arteveld Holman Nalir

Orcs: About TA 1640:

Dorglas Druleg Dunaedd Forak

Trolls: About TA 1640:

Agin Ardagor Dagorhir Obirt Ognor Saggo Thergor the Half-Orc

Creatures

Alligators Ancient Marsh-dwellers Ar-Nadrhach Ravodhras Aurochs Barrow Owls Bats Beavers Bees Birds Black Bears blackbirds black bears Black Chicken black wolf Blue Pigeons Blue Swans Brown Sludge brown water-rat Bumblebees Butterflies Carchadils cardolanian swan Caru Chatmoig Coireali Common Sheep Coneys Crabs Crawling Vermin Crows Cunara Dabchicks Dappled Deer Ducks Dunmen's Dogs Eels Ferrets Roe deer Field Hare Field Mice finny fish Fish Fishers Flying Foxes Flying Frogs Frogs Geese Giant Slugs Giant Swamp Adder Glutani Gnats Goats Golodos Gophers Gorali Great Badgers Great Sea-crocodiles Grey flyers grey wolf Ground Squirrels gwathló-carchadils Harbdo Hawks Hedgehogs Highland Pronghorns Honey bees hopta Horses Hummerhorns ice geese Kelp-Kraken Kine Kingfishers Land Tortoises Large Thrushes larks Lions Littleworms Lynxes Mactire Madratines Marine turtles Marsh-Crocodiles Mice Migrant Geese Mosquitoes Moss-backs Moths Muskrats Nathair Nethraich Neeker-Breekers Nimfiara Opossums Otters Owls Pawtunc Pigeons Pigs Piping birds Ponies Porcupine Rabbits Raccoons Rats ravens Red Chicken red deer Red Foxes red headed ducks Red Wolves River Minks River-Pikes Rock Viper Rodents Sandfleas Sea-Carchadils Sea-Urchins Sheep Sheep Hounds Skunks Slugs Small Bats Snakes Songbirds Sparrow-Hawks Spotted Lions Spotted Panther Squirrels Starlings Stoats Swans Tailless Foxes Tortoises Turtles Ulmondili vampire bats Walking Fronds War-Wolves Wargs Waterfowl Weasles Whales White Chicken White Wisps Wild Boar Wild Goats Wild Kine Wolf-Hounds Wolves Woodchucks Worms

Plants

Ablas Alders avhail beech Deblas Henungol Animated Plants Lebellas Oroluin Arlandal Armanúmas Arpsúsar Orrain Athelas Calenhwan Avhail Awakened Trees Barley Barnaie Birch Blue Pine Boskone Briar-rose Buttercups Camadarch Carcalen cassona corn Spearleaf Olvaladh Dwarfwort Elbin's Basket Eorna Vanimella Feduilas flag-lilies forgetmenots Gooseberries Grain Harlindar Hariella Hawthorne Hiam Moss Ilis Plant-queen Tallassë Aechereg Marestail Harwëtuima lus Millet Mírëtar's Crown Motile Plants Nelthandon Nightshade Oak pines Pipeweed Poplar Reglen Rewk Sírimo Rúthin Sailcha Mornasercë Sha Shimmer Silaren Sprig Silaren Thindolluin Súranië Tall plains grass Tartiella Teldalion Lemsanc Thûrl Lasdol Water-lilies wheat Welwál Wheat White-berried Yew Willow Wine Willows Witch-Hazel Worlclivur Yaran Hendësangwa

References

• MERP: Arnor
• MERP: Bree and the Barrow-downs
• MERP: Lost Realm of Cardolan
• MERP: Middle-earth Adventure Guidebook II
• MERP: Northwestern Middle-earth Campaign Atlas
• MERP: Palantír Quest
• MERP: Raiders of Cardolan
• MERP: The Shire
• MERP: Thieves of Tharbad
• MERP: Woses of the Black Wood
• merp.com wiki