The First Age of the Sun and Moon is perhaps the most eventful timeline within the works of JRR Tolkien. It is steeped in theological and philosophical themes, while retaining the epic scale that most are accustomed to when they think of Tolkien. Our hope is to recreate, as accurately as possible, the words and ideas of the author into the Total War universe. As there is yet to be any concrete display of what we believe to be the greatest and most thought-provoking age within the world of Arda, here is to you Silmarillion: Total War.
The rot at the heart of the Hishtbukraz Clan is undoubtedly the Ashpriest caste. The Ashpriests lead the profane sacrificial rites central to Hishtbukraz culture, burning captives alive on the eve of battle and anointing the clan warriors with their ashes before sending them off to die in the name of their dark master. Their corruption is reflected in their physical form and it is speculated by those few Elves who have survived an encounter with these bizarre tribal leaders that they are a lesser form of Boldog in the service of Sauron. On the battlefield they wield strange orbs imbued with a dark inner fire by the great Sorceror-lord of Gulkala himself. Not even the stoutest Noldor mail or the thickest Dwarven plate can prevent the unlucky target of these sorcerous weapons from being consumed and reduced to cinders, a terrible fate which the Hishtbukraz Ashpriests take great pleasure in inflicting on their victims.
A small 2hp support unit central to the Hishtbukraz Clan. Their projectile is similar to naffatun from vanilla except it leaves behind a small blaze in its aftermath which is dangerous enough to ignite anyone who touches it. The foul presence of this unit fills nearby Orcs with dreadful purpose providing even the most timid or hard-pressed warriors with the will to fight on despite the odds.