Thranduil's folk enjoyed loose dominion over all the forested territory north and east of the Taurduin. This was the Woodland Realm proper. The Elves ranged to the south and west as well; a considerable number spent time in the glens south of the Taurduin and east of the Enchanted River.
The Realm[]
The Woodland Realm ca. Third Age 1640-3019:
- Political Organization: Hereditary Monarchy and tribal Elders.
- Rulers: King Thranduil Oropherion, King of northern Mirkwood; Arhendhiril, Queen of northern Mirkwood (deceased); Legolas Greenleaf, Crown-Prince and ambassador of the King.
- Administrative Organization: King has direct authority over entire realm, but rules by consent with a council of eleven nobles of the most influential houses or families. Land is held by King, but all subjects are free to use it within the parameters of the law.
- Population: 13,000-20,000 Sinda and Silvan Elves (Nandor, Penni, and Mountain-Elves).
- Military: 200 Elite Warriors and Rangers (Taurdirim); 1,100 Warriors; 200 Raft-elf Warriors.
- Products: Silk, timber, jewelry, herbs, fruit, wood-carving.
- Symbol: Dark Green Beech Leaf on a Grass Green Field.
The mysterious forest of Mirkwood was home to the largest of the Elven kingdoms of Third Age northwestern Middle-earth. Less manicured than Lindon or Lothlórien, the Woodland Realm was nearly as wild as the dark portions of the forest to the south, where the Necromancer and giant spiders held sway. The subjects of King Thranduil were almost exclusively Silvan Elves. They were not great builders, and they lacked the ambition of their Noldorin or Sindarin relations. They lived in the forest, but they did not subdue it to their needs. Travellers who passed through the very heart of the Elven kingdom may never even have seen an Elf or a sign of their presence, except perhaps for distant lights in the woods or the faint sound of merriment. The Silvan Elves were a shy folk who shunned regular contact with outsiders. They loved songs and jokes, but they rarely appreciated the blundering attempts of Men to mimic them. Very few Men, and almost certainly no Dwarves, had ever seen the interior of the Aradhrynd, the King's palace. Some idea of the halls' primitive yet earthy beauty may have been found in the ruins at Caras Amarth, deserted as the Shadow of Mirkwood began creeping northward.
King Thranduil was protective of his subjects, and he kept a careful eye on political developments in the surrounding world. He watched the rise of the Northmen with interest, and though he was no great friend of Men, he encouraged their efforts at urbanization and allowed a small amount of trade to take place with the Men of Esgaroth. The Dwarves he viewed with more suspicion, for the old animosity with the Naugrim burned deep within his heart. Thranduil once lived in Eregion, and he remembered the coarseness of the Dwarves of Moria when his people fled the armies of Sauron. Of greatest concern to Thranduil, however, was the growing Shadow over southern portions of the forest. This expansion of Evil occured at the expense of his own realm, so he maintained constant vigilance. Thranduil noted with alarm the diminishing area within which his subjects might pass without fear of attack. His scouts patrolled the wild reaches of Mirkwood, returning with tales of Orcs, Fell Beasts, and Spiders preying upon all who ventured into the wood.
On a daily basis, however, life continued as it has for the Elves for countless millennia. Silvan Elves were not great manufacturers of finished products, for most of their time was devoted to feasting and wood-craft. The items they did produce, though, were valued highly in the markets of Men. Adventuresome Elves risked their lives to collect silk from the spiders of Mirkwood which was then woven into luxuriously soft apparel. Delicate jewelry and sturdy bows, as well as lumber, herbs, and fruit, formed the remainder of the Elves' exports. In return, they bought ores and wool from the Lake-men, but most especially they craved the rich wines of Dorwinion.
Military[]
The Military was divided into four different Gwedyr (sgl. Gwador) or "Brotherhoods", who were divided into several Gwenyr (sgl. Gwanur) or "Kindreds": the Brotherhood of the Bow (N. Pengwador); Brotherhood of the Spear (N. Egwador); Brotherhood of the Sword (N. Magwador); and Brotherhood of the Axe (N. Pelegwador). Three military divisions were separated from the Gwedyr: the Woodland-warders or Taurdirim, who patrolled Mirkwood's borders; the Hall's Garrison of Aradhrynd; and the King's Guard, Thranduil's elite warriors. Thranduil only kept a small amount of horsemen, most of them horse-archers who controlled the lands surrounding Mirkwood. His Warders also had acess to Silvan Horses.
Regions and Rivers[]
Aelinann Marshes cold creek Eryn Lasgalen Glad Thaw Gûlduin Nan Taurduin Northern Mirkwood Old Avar Stream Taurduin
Settlements and Places of note[]
Althrith Amon Tamró Amon Thranduil Aradhrynd Athrad Sirros Avar Tombs Bendburn Caras Amarth Caras Tilion Ceber Fanuin Celebannon Cor Angaladh Dolentir Felegoth Forest Gate Gwígar Haudh-en-Aiganaur Imnagath Lindil Loeglond Maltir old rose hill Oropher's Rest Ring of haze Sarn Lothduin Tham Aeldés Tham Aeldír Tham Taerdol Tholkát Torech Emel
Characters[]
Aegnor Alarien Amdir Anoril Arcamir Arculas Argaldor Arhendhiril Arien Avaralas Bancadan Bel-bilinc Belion Bladorthin Brandir Brethilwen Calendir Calmiriel Camaron Camthalion Celebrim Celequar Dolwin Eglavirdan Elenien Elenwe Elros the Master of Keys Feren Fuinar Galerin Galion Gilraen Gwaedun Gwaendil Heladil Heleder Hirumith Huinen Iaugalas Indossa Itaril Lamalas Legolas Lianna Lindal Lóthiniel Mektar Merethiel Miriel Nandeli Narindel Narmire Nathir Nenledil Nimloth Ohtar Oropher Ránian Ringlin Silinde Tathariel Tauressar Tauriel Taurion Tawgir Thamcalion Thranduil Tiriel Uiniel Varmaldi
References[]
- merp.com wiki