The Leofringas, known as the Leofrings in Westron, were a people descended from the Éothéod, and the closest cousins of the Rohirrim. They made up the large majority of the Éothéod who did not follow Eorl the Young into Calenardhon to settle Rohan.
Overview[]
Being of the same stock of the Rohirrim, the Leofrings are tall and brawny, with fair skin and light eyes, generally with light hair. Both men and women have long hair, and men are shaved except for their long moustaches. Men wear their hair loose, with warriors plaiting their hair at the temples. Young girls wear their hair loose, and have twin braids when they are of a marriageable age. Although few in number, they are fearless, and prefer to engage their enemies from up close.
The Leofrings maintain the semi-nomadic lifestyle of the Éothéod, rather than the sedentary life of Rohan. They tend their herds around the Parth Celebrant, between Fangorn Forest and the Golden Wood, where there are only a few forts stationed by their de jure rulers from Edoras.
Leofrings speak a dialect of the Rohirric language, with many also being able to speak Westron.
Their traditional belief system is one similar to the Men of Darkness who remember the Valar as "gods." They know of the Fey Court, their name for the Valar.
History[]
When the Éothéod moved into Calenardhon, not all were happy to leave their lands and homes and follow Eorl. Some chose to stay in the north, while others made their way south, but decided they would travel no further than the Eastern Nether Vales. However, within less than a decade of the Éothéod's departure, they realized the vales were no longer safe.
The largest group had remained in the vicinity of Framsburg, and were united under a well-born rider named Leofr, who had served Eorl at the Field of Celebrand. However, the foul denizens of Gundabad soon came forth and threatened their fortress. Therefore, those left in their homeland were forced to migrate south to the southern vales. They thus become the Leofringas, but Leof did not become king of their people. Eorl thus considered the Leofrings to be his subjects. It was decided that riders would be sent out, and that their thanes would sit in a tribal council at Dwarrowhall.
Following the death of Eorl, his descendants had little interest in the affairs of the Leofrings. Some chose to honor the muster of Rohan, or married with the Rohirrim, but they in essence became a loose band of independent people. As the power of the Shadow grew in Mirkwood, they have been forced west of the Great River or fallen under the sway of the Shadow.
References[]
- The One Ring RPG
- Realms in Exile