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This is the unit roster of Harad and the Black Númenóreans, in the campaign of DCI: Last Alliance that is a WIP Third Age: Total War submod.

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The DCI team is proud, through the craftmanship of Earl of Memory, to present

Harad


The lands beyond the River Harnen the men of Gondor name Harad - the South - and the proud and warlike peoples that live there, they call the Haradrim.
During the Second Age Sauron reigned in the South, the Haradrim grew strong and built many towns and walls of stone, so that they are numerous and fierce in war and armed with iron. To them Sauron is both king and god, and they fear him exceedingly, for he surrounds his abode with fire.

Long ago the proud and greedy King's Men from the high civilisation of Númenor colonised coastlands in Middle-earth for themselves, and rule the Haradrim as tyrants. They too became subjects of the Dark Lord, and are now known as the Black Númenóreans, but name themselves Adûnâim in their own tongue. These days known Harad is ruled by the two kings Herumor and Fuinur. Perhaps the only thing the Haradrim hate more than the Dúnedain of the West are their Adûnâim lords...
The Haradrim generally can not hope to match the weaponsmithing of the Dúnedain, but the hosts of Harad are vast and their steeds swift, and they are led by Black Númenóreans, who can challenge their kinsmen in craftmanship and war.
Furthermore, in the lands to the North, rumors abound of mûmakil, great tusked beasts of war coaxed from the jungles of Far Harad that are all but unstoppable in battle.

~~~


Game notes:
- Harad begin with two kings, in a single family tree. Dual kingship can continue over time if one king dies, and another one elected.
- The conversion building of the Black Númenóreans also causes unrest, because the Black Númenoreans are cruel and practice human sacrifices to prove their devotion to Sauron; something even the Haradrim consider foully.

~~~


Desert Spearmen
The deserts of Harad are filled with many warlike bands and clans, renowned for their ability to flourish in a harsh environment, used to defend their resources, or raid neighbours for theirs. From these societies are levied fierce and brave warriors, wielding spears and bucklers. The Haradrim may hate the Black Númenóreans, but those in the West whom even the Black Númenóreans hate, must be worse creatures still! So whispers Sauron, god of darkness and flames.

The Desert Spearmen are incredibly well suited to their desert terrain, especially when they get the chance to attack mounted enemies. However, the lack of armour leaves the spearmen exposed to archery, and unable to defeat heavier enemies unless they can use superior numbers, or pin the enemy so stronger companions may exploit the opportunity. [TATW model]

Harad Rebels
The deserts of Harad are filled with many warlike bands and clans, renowned for their ability to flourish in barren lands. From these societies fierce and brave warriors step forward, wielding spears and bucklers.
The Haradrim hate the Black Númenórean's tyranny, and there are renegades who hide on the periphery of civilization to avoid Sauron's reign, because their hearts are good or the Dark Lord's injustice scarred them. These unbowed men fight to uphold their independence, but sometimes take the opportunity to aid the cause of their enemies enemies, to bring hope of a brighter future to the South.
The Desert Spearmen are incredibly well suited to their desert terrain, especially when they get the chance to attack mounted enemies. However, the lack of armour leaves the spearmen exposed to archers, and unable to defeat heavier enemies unless they can use superior numbers, or pin the enemy so stronger companions may exploit the opportunity.
(Uncommon mercenary unit for none-Followers of Sauron factions) [TATW model]

Desert Archers
The desert of Harad is a land that is hostile to all life, a place where the water is scarce and the heat is relentless. Although almost none on Middle-earth could live in these conditions, there are those who made this place their home, and they are the Haradrim. Even though there are not many things to hunt in Harad, for the desert is too hot to cultivate in some areas, there are still many skilled hunters who had to adapt to these conditions to survive, and those adaptations make them skilled and enduring archers.
If the need arises, be it because of invasion or due to Sauron's lies or the threat from a local lord, the Desert Archers offer their services. Even though they are only equipped with a simple bow and a scimitar, the life in the desert has turned them into fearsome warriors, and the general that doesn't consider them a major factor on the battlefield will be taken by surprise. [TATW model]

Far Harad Infantry
The vast and uncharted land of Far Harad is mythical to the folks in the Northwest of Middle-earth. From that place come the legendary husked Oliphants, but now also the men who inhabit the forests and plains, mustered to the war of Sauron, he who of old took dominion of their lands and manipulated many hearts and minds.
The Far Harad Infantry serves as the militia of petty kingdoms and strong tribes, wearing no armour beyond a sturdy shield but wielding forceful axes, making them both swift and deadly when charging. To ignorant northerners their most remarkable feature is however their black hue, and it much amuses them to see their enemies reactions when they glare and stick out their tongues in defying war-cries.

Far Harad Rebels
The vast and uncharted land of Far Harad is mythical to the folks in the Northwest of Middle-earth. From there comes the Far Harad Infantry, the militia of petty kingdoms and strong tribes, wearing no armour beyond a sturdy shield but wielding forceful axes, mustered to the war of Sauron. To ignorant northerners however, their most remarkable feature is their black hue, and it much amuses them to see how foreigners react when they glare and stick out their tongues in defying war-cries.
Many among them hate the Black Númenóreans tyranny, and despise Sauron's reign, because their hearts are good or the Dark Lord's lies, that brought them far from home, have become clear to them. Sometimes companies of such hearty men desert, determined to take the opportunity to aid the cause of their enemies enemies, to bring hope of a better future to the South.
(Rare mercenary unit for none-Followers of Sauron factions)

Harad Spearmen
Life in Harad's dry environment is full of hardship. Food and water are not easy to come by and most of the wealth is unevenly distributed by the warrior elite. Thus many men of Harad, especially young ones, flock to the Haradrian army banner, eager for glory and plunder.
Protected by leather vests with spears and small round shields in their hands, these war bands march in large numbers to engage the bulk of the enemy force and screen their archers from cavalry charges, while the elites take up more favorable tactical positions. Hardened by life under the blistering Southron sun, these men are not afraid to fight but they won't willingly give their lives either unless there is some worthwhile reward to be gained. [TATW model]

Harad Archers
The grim Haradrim have long seen the use of the bow as being effective in combat, to soften up the enemy before the first resolute clash. Harad Archers are the embodiment of that belief, and it is a good idea to watch out for these marksmen across the battlefield. Their composite bows may lack the penetration power of the steelbows that the King's Archers wield, but have far greater range.
They wisely avoid hostile forces if possible, as their light armour and limited skills with melee weapons makes them vulnerable. [TATW model]

Karib
Considering the vastness of the Harad deserts, it is no surprise that many Haradrian men learn to ride as children, and some will have joined this regiment, named after the Adûnaic word for 'Riders'. Considered medium cavalry, these lancers can be used as shock troops or for causing a rout and running down fleeing troops.
They are equipped with a slightly lighter lance than that of the Barim Karib, but are extremely deadly wielding it. They wear fine light armour made from hardened leather, wield a small, light round shield, and are an integral part of any Haradrian army. [TATW model]

Harad Pirates
These native men were originally fishermen and traders from the isles west of Harad. They became worshippers of Sauron when the Númenóreans rose to power only to act as oppressors and exploiters, seeing in him a liberator from the yoke of the men of Westerness. As poverty and misery rose, many became pirates, seeking to loot poorly defended villages and merchant cogs.
Now this way of living is well established and they are a plague to all mainlanders, even the mighty Umbar.
Waiting, plotting, and lusting for the huge seat of gold that Umbar is, dreaming of its downfall, they still employ themselves as mercenaries to anyone willing to pay them to perform their work against foreign coasts. \nPerhaps, when the Black Númenóreans weaken themselves by war against their kinsmen in the north, the Harad Pirates will be there to share the booty.
The Pirates use crude weapons and javelins to weaken their foes before the charge. While no match against a disciplined and heavily armored foe, they are capable skirmishers, both impetuous and brave. (Mercenary unit)

Harad Fencers
The Haradrim are grim folks, and those tall soldiers who serve chieftains and kings as swift and canny swordsmen, represent both their lands courage and indomitable spirit. The Harad Fencers are best deployed against enemy infantry, and the drawing of the scimitars of the Southrons can be like a glitter of stars.
Being professional soldiers, the Fencers are not easily daunted by shade or blade, yet their light armour means they can not hold out against heavier foes for too long, but they excel in pinning enemies down for cavalry to strike at their vulnerable flanks. [TATW model with new arms]

Karib Archers
The desert of Harad, home of the Haradrim, is a desolated land where every day is a constant fight for survival. The smallest tribes of Harad have to travel quite often in search of food or water in the desert, and many of them became nomads who now produce skilled horse archers.
They are usually deployed to harass advancing enemy formations, or to incite defenders to lash out at them from their secure positions, but should stay out of reach from enemy missiles and cavalry. [TATW model]

Far Harad Warriors
The vast lands of Harad, where the stars are strange to northern eyes, are a conglomeration of many realms, peoples and creatures that to the western eyes appear strange and exotic. Such impression the Far Harad Warriors give, far beyond their hue, as they wear corslets of overlapping brazen plates, helmets and broad shields, together with fine fabrics and decorations in gold.
Emerging from the southernmost expanses of Far Harad they ask for no quarter in battle, because they are the proud and professional soldiers of native, and nowadays sometimes Black Númenórean, kingdoms, used to good pay in exchange for their services. They will hold the line against infantry, and make the enemy's foolhardy cavalry bite the dust.

Azûlada Mariners
The ships from Númenor explored the eastern world, and seamanship was the proudest profession known. From the colonies that survived, governed by despots now named Black Númenóreans by their enemies or Adûnâim by themselves, their ships still set out over the seas. However, it is long ago their intent was other than war and raiding. In that manner they manifest the wicked desires that put the blessed island on its path to destruction.
With great sails and slaves at the oars the Azûlada or Eastward Mariners, are feared around the globe. They consist mostly of younger Adûnâim, keen to make a career and name for themselves.
These Mariners are heavy infantry, armed with bows to assail enemy ships when at sea, or handle needs on foreign shores. In close battle they use sword and shield.

Black Númenóreans
The Adûnâim, that is Númenóreans in the Adûnaic tongue, represent the worst humanity has to offer, because they knew the Light yet chose to reject it.
Strong, ruthless and ambitious, the King's Men who settled and conquered Middle-earth succumbed to the weakness of spirit that plagues all of mankind, and they gave themselves to Zigûrun, Sauron, in exchange for power and wealth. They became known as the Black Númenóreans because they worship the Dark Lord and even make human sacrifices in honour to him, and lay their hate on those Faithful who stand above the temptations, and all others who yet live unchained.
These Adûnâim swordsmen gather from across the South on Sauron's bidding, sallied under the command of the kings of upper Harad. They bring excellent armour and swords, and prove to be a match for their northern cousins.

Barîm an-Azûl
These elite bodyguards name means "Lords of the East", as they descend from and some were even born on, the sunken Númenor. They represent the worst humanity has to offer because while they knew the light, they nonetheless rejected it.
Strong, ruthless and ambitious Númenórean settlers and conquerors in Middle-earth succumbed to the weakness of spirit that plagues all of mankind, and they gave themselves to Zigûrun, that is Sauron, in exchange for power and wealth. Ever since they turned their rage not toward the corruptor, who they hail as a god and even make human sacrifices to, but instead those who stood above the temptations, and all others who yet live unchained. The west shall burn.
(Bodyguard unit)

King's Archers
The ruler of Númenor had cohorts named King's Archers at his disposal, which filled their enemies with dread.
The rulers of Númenórean surviving colonies name themselves kings, and hold themselves with hollow steel bowmen as well, to ensure their claim and prestige. It proves a great tool to scare subjects into obedience, and now Zigûrun, more known as Sauron, bids these Adûnâim marksmen to muster under the command of the kings of upper Harad, to bring down the infidels of the West.
Their powerful bows are capable of launching heavy black-feathered arrows that can punch through armour, but in exchange lack the range that normal longbows and composite bows offer. Highly disciplined and clad in quality armour, the King's Archers are able to defend themselves in melee.

Barim Karib
Only the most skilled and seasoned mounted warriors are recruited to the Lords Cavalry and this makes it, arguably, the elite unit in the Haradrian Army, next to the Black Númenóreans themselves. It is also called the "Bastard Cavalry" in mockery, as some of the soldiers are the sons of Númenórean lords and their native mistresses.
Mounted on the finest mounts from the Great Plains of Harad, they are the heaviest mounted unit available, wearing Númenórean produced gear of war.
They wield a great lance and a small cavalry shield for protection and are therefore best used as shock troops. There are few soldiers in Middle-earth that will not be crushed by their charge.

Mûmakil
These gargantuan beasts come from the southern reaches of Harad, known as Oliphants in the Common Speech while their Haradwaith name is Mûmakil, or Mûmak if it is but one. However, to encounter even a single Mûmak puts any foe in great peril.
Normally used as simple beasts of burden, they have been trained for use in war. Carrying a mighty tower on their backs, they are able to carry many Haradrim archers, allowing them to fire on the enemy from above while the Mûmak's tusks and feet decimate the ranks below. Few are the men and animals who are not frightened by their mere sight and scent. [TATW model]

Zigûrun Order
The Adûnâim rule their lands through oppression, and prove their devotion to Zigûrun, what Sauron is named in Adûnaic, god of Middle-earth, through sacred and terrible ceremonies. Captured enemies and disbelievers are sacrificed cruelly upon altars or given to the fire.
Those Black Númenóreans who conduct the heinous rituals and maintain the temples are grim noble Adûnâim of great heritage. Their rite of passage is through combat against the enemies of the Dark Lord, selected to the Order for their zeal. They hope their fervor shall be rewarded with immortality in the end, but they hope in vain.
When requested they bring forth the Order's full battle dress, sword and shield, and their dark hunger puts fear in the heart of any hostile footsoldier. While most of them serve in their own temples, it may occur that Zigûrun calls upon them to accommodate the establishments of Mordor.
(Avilable from Temples to Sauron)

Credits;
New units created by Earl of Memory
Resources: King Kong (Southron swordsmen, Far Harad Heavy Archers), Disgruntled Goat & KK (Numenorean soldiers), Rusichi:Total War (base for Far Harad warriors). Makehuman project as base for corsairs.

Preview images by xHolyCrusader
Roster concept by Ngugi and Earl of Memory
Texts by Ngugi; in case with most pre-existing units edited from TATW. Edited by Veteraan

Post comment Comments
xXBerethorXx
xXBerethorXx

My one problem with this amazing roster is how the dark numenoreans look too similar to their dunedain brethren :/

Aside from that, keep up the good work! Really digging those Far Harad units ;)

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Ngugi Author
Ngugi

Hello xXBerethorXx!
I know its a similarity that not all will fancy, but it is a consious decision (others will be free to make submods and change it, but this is our intent):
The Númenóreans always were a nation who banded together; over the centuries their colonies kept their bonds with Númenor, whether they favoured the kings, Sauron or the Valar they still for all obvious purposes was like one nation.
When our game occurs the Dúnedain of Arnor and Gondor and the Adûnâim /Black Númenóreans have just been split into two, as only 110 years past since Númenor sank. Many, on both sides, will still themselves been born and raised on Númenor - as we see with Elendil, Isildur and Anárion and their children who all fought in this war - and this is as true among the Adûnâim as among the Dúnedain.
What we see here is not the war between two differnt peoples but a civil war between the Númenóreans, on religious and ideologic grounds.
For as long as Númenor stood the wicked King's Men were in majority and the Elffriends kept their heads down, but now the Dúnedain will fight their corrupted cousins. Indeed, when two of their armies meet they will have relatives and kinsmen on the other side.
The helmets with stylistic seabird wings for example, were created [by Weta for the films] to represent Númenor as a nation of seafarers. And since the Adûnâim consider themselves the true heirs of their sunken homeland, they naturally still use it, just as the Dúnedain do.
Intentionally, the more sinister and evil is the one who should been good and benevolent, but use the power to opress and terrorize, in the guise of something magnificent.

Glad you like them! I still await a comment on them resembling the Easterlings from the LotR films hehe, but fact is that the films Easterlings are based on descriptions of warriors from Harad.
From The Two Towers:
"...lots of beautiful gold. And some have red paint on their cheeks, and red cloaks; and their flags are red, and the tips of their spears; ... a golden collar. His scarlet robes were tattered, his corslet of overlapping brazen plates was rent and hewn, his black plaits of hair braided with gold were drenched with blood."
We wanted to return the outfit to the "rightful owners" haha. At any rate, they look beautiful on the battlefield :)

cheers

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Rob_13
Rob_13

The Zigûrun Order and the Barîm an-Azûl look AWEWESOME!!!! I cannot wait to play with them!!!!! I only see a very small problem-detail and is with the King's Archers and the normal Black Numenoreans, and is that their helmets look a lot like Arnor's, I know they are from the same bloodline but maybe you could take out their "wings" and or add the "Mask Helmet" from mounted Black Numenorean from TATW, is just a suggestion that would help them look more unique. And also I think that beside the Barim Karib these Black Numenoreans should also get a dismounted spear/pike unit.

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Ngugi Author
Ngugi

Hi R', thanks!
The likness is intentional, as described per above. I intend no changes for the time being, but will keep it in mind, so thanks for sharing your thoughts :)
Harad already have cavalry supremacy against their main enemy [Numenorean Kingdoms], and now access quite a few seriously heavy infantry units, so it will not get an additional pike unit. There must be a challenge, hoho

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Rob_13
Rob_13

Yes, I know you and your team have worked so hard and the first version release is really close, so is very unlikely to have "last minute changes" since I know is very hard and takes a lot of time and patience to do the models and the correct programming... And I read your comment above and I got your point that they have to look similar to their Arnor/Gondor cousins since they come from the same island and not may time has passed, but maybe in the future add some small details to make them look a little bit different from each other, for example the shields and robes/armor from Arnor/Gondor Numenoreans to be a little bit more shiny and more "elegant" than their BN cousins, while the Adunaim may wear some wolf skin in some parts of their armor, but keeping the base armor and weapons designs, once again, just an idea/suggestion to implement in future versions of this mod.

And one more question regarding what you stated above that the LotR Film's "Easterlings" are based on a Haradrim Warrior's description of the Two Towers book, so it means there will be no Lôke-Rim (Spiked Golden Armor with Crimson Robes Easterlings) in this mod for the Rhun Confederacy faction?

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Ngugi Author
Ngugi

Will keep the points in mind!

No, that's correct. The film armours are "misplaced", and the idea of the "Loke-rim" was completly an invention by TATW to have an explanation for why all the elite units had the same style, when they really are from many kingdoms, tribes and peoples; we use neither in DCI.
All Rhûn's units are seen in the Rhun preview, avilable here and on TWC. :)

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Rob_13
Rob_13

Ok, thank you for answering so many questions, it means that you really do care of your future fans! Now I'll let you do your work, I can't wait for the Men of the Mountain and Dark Lord of Mordor factions previews!! :)

Have a great day!

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Ngugi Author
Ngugi

No worry! Questions and ideas are not frowned upon. We might not chose to, or be able to, accommodate them, yet other times it may inspire us - just as long as they're written in a friendly manner they're answered and taken into consideration.
Only people who storm in with no manners, offending/disrespecting our choices or demanding things as if they were entitled to it, we won't stand ^^

cheers!

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Guest
Guest

I was a little bit worried about the black numenoreans and harad being pooled into one faction but it think this will be just fine

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Ngugi Author
Ngugi

Glad to migated your concerns :)
Their combined might put Dúnedain and Elves to the test!

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xXBerethorXx
xXBerethorXx

Rob_13 put it better than I. Moderate differences could be very well done. For example the dark numenoreans worship Melkor now right? Well would it make sense if instead of the top star they had the great eye of Sauron, his "prophet" so to say? But yeah I agree with Rob_13's points of subtle differences.

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Ngugi Author
Ngugi

Well, actually to lore they are all worshipping Sauron (it's often forgotten so no worry).
The King's Men who he lured in Middle-earth all became devoted to him as god, and while he pretended to be Melkor's high priest on Númenor for a time, before the end he turned that worship to himself instead, as can be read in Akallabeth: "...Sauron stood there upon the pinnacle and defied the lightning and was unharmed; and in that hour men called him a god and did all that he would."

Now, that do not hinder using the Eye as a symbol naturally, on the opposit! And that is why the bodyguard units have lots of Eyes, and the Zigurun Order shield, but we too fancy diversity (as the Eye is a symbol used by practically all evil factions). ^^
The BN Infantry thus have the symbol for Umbar (also seen on their belts), above the emblem of their sefearing tradition and power, on their shields.
Umbar being the foremost of the BN settlements in the world, and the capital of Harad [in the game, and I would guess in 'reality' even if that is never stated]. The fact they never tore down Ar-Pharazon's pillar, that Sauron hated, is a display of their pride in their Númenórean heritage next to devotion to Sauron.
It is better seen here: I.imgur.com :)

If anyone would be made more 'elegant', as Rob_13 ponders on, it would actually be the BNs, since they are arrogant tyrants, exploiting Middle-earth's folks to fulfill their greed for gold and gems and power, which brougth them to the continent as conquerors in the first place.
That's why the BN bodyguards have golden buckles and fabrics and leopard pelts: decadent, exploitive bastards - but with class and equally good Númenórean gear, sadly for their foes, haha.

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Isildur
Isildur

Numenoreans look awesome. But why all of them have dark hair? Also will the Numenoreans lead the faction or beeing just a vassal state?

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Ngugi Author
Ngugi

A good catch Isildur! :) Indeed it is planned that till the final version most of them will be made blonde, as most King's Men descended from the house of Hador.
The Black Númenóreans will be part of Harad's generic roster, so your early units are Haradrim and late units are BNs (with exceptions such as cavalry, Mûmakil and Far Harad Warriors).

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Guest
Guest

How come you guys don't use plate armor even for the elites? (Chest plates)

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Araval
Araval

There are no plate armours in the books and we have chosen to follow them. ;)

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Aweluk
Aweluk

Hello there. I asked this question in the article of the overview of the Numenorean Kingdom, but I think here it will be answered sooner :)

I didn't even know, that it was possible in Medieval TW to practice dual kingship, so my question is, if there will be dual kingship for the Númenórean Kingdoms too?
It wasn't clearly said it the book, but for me in the Silmarillion it seemed, like Elendil and his sons ruled apart from each other. You put their name in plural too.

Anyway, I'm happy that you didn't split up the kingdom into Eriador and Rohan-Gondor.

Thinking about it, it would be hard even with dual kingship, because Anarion and Isildur ruled their part together either ... so in fact there is a dual kingship in a dual kingship o.O

Cheers!

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Ngugi Author
Ngugi

Hello! Yes that's more likely here, mostly because ModDB do not give notifications when someone written somewhere out of sight, hehe.

It can be done, but only for starting characters, and after that it may operate a bit at will. Example from a test;
Herumor and Fuinur both start as king, and Pharazan start as the heir. Herumor died, Pharazan became king next to Fuinur (still two kings), while some random bloke became heir. Fuinur died, Pharazan remained king, now the only king, while the random bloke remained the heir.

For Númenórean Kingdoms [NK] Elendil start as faction leader (called High king ingame) and his two sons Isildur and Anárion both starts as faction heirs (called King ingame).

Cheers

EDIT: ninjad by Araval ^^

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Araval
Araval

Hi! Technically they don't have dual kingship. The faction leader of the Númenórean Kingdoms is called the High-king and the faction heirs are called kings.

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Guest
Guest

These units are AWESOME, really! I cannot wait to play them!
Thier arnorian look with different symbols is what i like the most!!
As a fan of the LOTR lore, I can tell this look is the most accurate for the Black Numenòreans.

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Ngugi Author
Ngugi

Hello, we're glad that you like what you see; both because of the craftmanship devoted and for the lore accuracy aimed for :)

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KhamûlTheEasterling
KhamûlTheEasterling

Man, you guys have made Harrad worth playing, thanks for the incredible work. This is the best TATW sub-mod I have seen (And I have played 3-4.

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Ngugi Author
Ngugi

Great praise, Kahmulofruhn; must agree. Personally never fancied tp play Harad in either TATW or other submods prior, but here they come with a variety in styles and features that makes them both fun and fresh, in my humble opinion.
Thank you, and we shall make sure to deliver on the expectations ^^

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Guest
Guest

Hi everyone and thank you for the patience shown by giving response to every question here in the comments.
I would like to ask: which unit is going to be the general's bodiguard?

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Ngugi Author
Ngugi

Hi, hi. The generic BG are the Barîm an-Azûl, fifth unit from below.
Starting faction leaders, Herumor and Fuinur, have a custom BG named Ar-Karib ["King Riders"], consisting of Barim Karib soldiers, as seen above.
There are also two native generals in service, who have a Karib and a Karib Archers bodyguard.

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Guest
Guest

This mod is going to be amazing once completed due to the great attention given to every small detail.

Talking about details, I was just recalling the story of the Pillar of Pharazon: a giant pillar made of stone and located within the walls of the city of Umbar to commemorate the defeat of Sauron in 3261 SA.

It will be amazing if this pillar appear as a unique building, such as Orthanc in Isengard!

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Ngugi Author
Ngugi

We're doing our best! :)

Ooh, we long ago discussed if it should be a strat map model of it present, but that was dropped, and after that any ingame representation has been forgotten.
EDIT: was about to say I presumably add it, but studying the lore, it seems likely the Pillar was risen by the Gondorians first in the Third Age, after they captured Umbar in 1050.
Because when it was lost during the Kinstrife in the 15th century, we are informed:

"The loss of Umbar was grievous to Gondor, not only because the realm was diminished in the south and its hold upon the Men of the Harad was loosened, but because it was there that Ar-Pharazôn the Golden, last King of Númenor, had landed and humbled the might of Sauron.
Though great evil had come after, even the followers of Elendil remembered with pride the coming of the great host of Ar-Pharazôn out of the deeps of the Sea; and on the highest hill of the headland above the Haven they had set a great white pillar as a monument." -Appendix A

The "they" who had set the great pillar ought to be the Gondorians.
Make sense, as while the Black Númenóreans might been equally proud, Sauron hardly would let them put up a monument of his humiliation.
Indeed, in the later Third Age we are told:
"So it stood, until after the second arising of Sauron, which now approached, Umbar fell under the domination of his servants, and the memorial of his humiliation was thrown down."

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Adunai
Adunai

Isn't Sauron's name "Zigûr" (not "Zigûrun") in nominative in Adûnaic?

P.S. Far Harad Warriors look astonishingly cool and unique!

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Ngugi Author
Ngugi

Quite right. In the game texts the name has been changed to 'Zigur' some time ago, which is the name for 'Sauron' itself yes; simply have not had the preview in mind.
The name of the unit itself remains 'Zigurun Order'.

They're a fine sight in battle, and they are accursed by my Rhovanion cavalry in an ongoing test for sure, haha.

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Athilora
Athilora

Just an idea. Wouldn't it be neat if you actually could choose whether you want to worship Valar or Melkor? Like there were choices in old RTW whose temple you'd build etc.

I'll start writing down specifics in case you guys are actually interested in my idea (provided it is not too difficult to accomplish).

Sorry, English is not my native language. I tried to be as clear as I could but when I get an idea I just get too excited about it. Just give me a holler if you want to see what I have in mind (once I've written it all down).

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Ngugi Author
Ngugi

Hello knoxanthrox,
I understand you and the idea perfectly well, no worries :)

Conceptually I'm not to compelled I'm afraid, as the Black Númenóreans were really dedicated to their Dark Lord and even before that been incresingly wicked for the last 1500 years; even if they knew the Valar and that they did wrong, they continued anyway, making them the without a doubt most evil of all Men in Tolkien's legendarium. ;)
Therefore I do not see why they would suddenly turn around now, leave their god and join the Dúnedain who they deeply hate, any more than Orcs would.

And while it can be done, it is really a huge load of work, it forces us to code all unit recruitment x2 etc. etc.
It is nothing we will spend our limited time on.

That we won't enable a culture swap of coursedo not mean that the player can not turn on Sauron and the other good factions if he want to.
He jus thas to face excommunication (and Invasions are often sent on excommunicated factions) and one other possible effect that may crate a challenge.
To quote one our beta testers who did just that:
"my advice to other players is dont attack mordor ever AND I REPEAT EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

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LostHope123
LostHope123

"Far Harad Rebels"

You mean troll-men\half-trolls? They're not African blacks lol Here is a good example of one :

Vignette.wikia.nocookie.net

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Ngugi Author
Ngugi

"lol"? Sorry, film material ain't of significance in a lore debate, mate ;)

Based on the books, they're by necessity black men, whom the Gondorians find resemble trolls as those have black skin.
The word "like" is imortant here, as it do not means they 'were', only that they were 'as if they had been'.
Return of the King:
"...and out of Far Harad black men like half-trolls with white eyes and red tongues."

The concepts the Men from Far Harad are cross-breeds with trolls is not possible, since Tolkien's biology work as ours and trolls are not related to humans.
Example Morgoth's Ring:
"The existence of Elves: that is of a race of beings closely akin to Men, so closely indeed that they must be regarded as physically (or biologically) simply branches of the same race."
and Letter 153:
"Elves and Men are evidently in biological terms one race, or they could not breed and produce fertile offspring - even as a rare event".

As Orcs are made out of Elves and Men, they could breed with Men.
See Morgoth's Ring:
"Most of [the Orcs] plainly (and biologically) were corruptions of Elves (and probably later also of Men).
… the interbreeding of Orcs and Men, producing both Men-orcs large and cunning, and Orc-men treacherous and vile."

This do not apply to trolls, as per The Peoples of Middle-earth concerning Olog-hai:
"That Sauron bred them none doubted, though from what stock was not known. Some held that they were a cross-breed between trolls and the larger Orcs; others that they were indeed not trolls at all but giant Orcs. Yet there was no kin-ship from the beginning between the stone-trolls and the Orcs that they might breed together; while the Olg-hai were in fashion of mind and body quite unlike even the largest of Orc-kind..."

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Guest
Guest

Even if this preview is there since 2016, I will never cease to be amazed from this BN roster.

And there it is! BNs only 115 after the Downfall, looking gorgeous in their full Numenorean armor, as it was made on the Island itself! Nothing more and nothing less. The most lore-friendly appearence for them.

Even if many ask for "masks" or other things, yust never give up.

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Ngugi Author
Ngugi

Hello, sorry, had missed this post!

Thank you very much, we are very happy with this apperance of the Black Númenóreans who, just as you say, are just as fresh off Númenor as their cousins in Arnor and Gondor.
It's a civil war, Númenórean against Númenorean, and we wanted that to show.

Additionally, we just added the final fix to them, that they're blonde.
The BNs mostly stemmed from the Númenoreans who mostly had Edain of Hador's house as forefathers, and those were blonde. This in difference to the Elffriends, who mostly had Edain of Beör's house as forefathers, and those were dark of hair. So in the release it will also be that final diversity, hehe.

Cheers

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cosmicbubble69
cosmicbubble69

Far Harad units look dope cant wait to play

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Ngugi Author
Ngugi

Will make Earl of Memory who made them glad to hear, and we look foreward to let you set them out to kick ***

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