So Tharbad must make its moves carefully, with one eye to profit and another to long-term security. And suppose the RK drives out Adunabar in the north, while Rohan drives out Dunland in the south? You'll be stuck between possibly the two strongest factions on the map. These allies will become involved in each others' wars automatically, so if you get into conflict with one you will soon be in conflict with the other. Of note here is the special relationship between the Reunited Kingdom and Rohan. On the other hand, wealth alone won't prevent your trading partners from turning on you once their other foes are dealt with.īecause it can't simply conquer in all directions, Tharbad must be especially aware of the status of other factions. Staying out of wars – and even avoiding problematic alliances – gives you a low diplomatic profile and convinces other factions that you're not a threat. On the one hand, Tharbad stands to profit by remaining neutral and trading with everyone it can. So where does Tharbad fit in to all of this conflict? It's a difficult question. Keeping mostly to themselves, the Elves and Dwarves have enclaves in the area as well. To your south, Dunland and Rohan clash over the plains and hills. Northward, the two Dunedanic giants struggle for mastery of Arnor. Ships can travel the Greyflood all the way to Tharbad, making it easy for the City-kingdom to send forces in support of threatened settlements and allowing it to take advantage of lucrative sea trade.īut several factions can be found nearby – and if you're playing as Tharbad, all of them are stronger than you. The City-kingdom begins play in possession of a handful of settlements along the Greyflood, from Lond Daer – its most distant town, at the river's mouth – to Tharbad itself, guarded both north and south by permanent forts. That's a good thing, because Tharbad's position at the crossroads of trade routes also makes it vulnerable. From its Rohirrim-influenced light riders to its Dunlending-influenced pikemen, Tharbad can train forces to meet almost any threat. Around this solid core of infantry, troops specializing in other fighting styles round out Tharbad's military and give it a surprising flexibility in battle. These troops are not so advanced or plentiful as the options available to the Reunited Kingdom, but they are vital to theCity-kingdom's success in war. At its core, Tharbad's soldiery is composed of Dunedanic-style infantry – spearmen, swordsmen, and bowmen. Tharbad's unit roster mirrors this cultural diversity. ![]() ![]() While following Dunedanic culture overall, the people of Tharbad may claim descent from any of these four groups. Founded and rebuilt largely by men of Gondor, Tharbad also claims settlers from the sparsely populated lands of Eriador to its north, Dunland to its south and east, and Rohan. No doubt the city grew prosperous, supporting newcomers and even new settlements in the area.Īnd these newcomers must have been of many types indeed. Tharbad's position on the Greyflood also gives it access to sea-borne trade. After all, Tharbad lies directly on the route of the North-South Road (or the Greenway, for you Bree-landers) – a route that saw increased traffic during Elessar's reign and surely beyond. In the late Third Age, Tharbad was a ruin.īut in the Fourth Age, with the unification of Gondor and Arnor under one crown, it is reasonable to suppose that such an important settlement would have risen to some prominence. Probably its most notable mention is when we learn during the Council of Elrond that Boromir lost his horse crossing the river there. The city of Tharbad gets little attention in Tolkien's writings. And Tharbad's inheritance as presented in Dominion of Men is without doubt the most diverse in all the lands of the West. ![]() Rhun's Easterlings are composed of tribes following many different traditions. On the other hand, both Rhun and Tharbad command somewhat diverse populations – more so than many of their neighbors. Where Rhun controls wide lands in the East, Tharbad is straitened along the Greyflood. Where Rhun's hordes prefer the all-out charge to decide the battle quickly, Tharbad's companies often prefer to hold their ground in a shieldwall. Where Rhun's warriors are aggressive, Tharbad's soldiers tend toward defense. If the Chiefdom of Rhun has an opposite – in terms of units, in terms of tactics, in terms of strategy – it is surely the City-kingdom of Tharbad.
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