“The great cape and land-locked firth of Umbar had been Númenórean land since days of old; but it was a stronghold of the King’s Men, who were afterwards called the Black Númenóreans, corrupted by Sauron, and who hated above all the followers of Elendil. After the fall of Sauron their race swiftly dwindled or became merged with the Men of Middle-earth, but they inherited without lessening their hatred of Gondor.” - City of Umbar’s past
Campaign Features
Free Start
Starting as a horde, you may choose where to establish your first settlement in Middle-earth
Forced Conscription
Forcibly enscript the Free Peoples to fight in your armies as you conquer their lands with custom skins for over 15 units
Rebuild the Pillar of Umbar (V3)
Rebuild the Pillar of Umbar in defiance of Sauron, signalling to your kinsmen you have established a foothold in Umbar. Provides a custom general and reinforcements from the South
Randomized AI colony start (V3)
In addition to their preset auto-expansion settlements, the AA also recieve a random coastal settlement (Toggleable, AI only)
The first sons of every common born family of the King's Men are put through a gruelling set of trials on reaching manhood. Those who excel and survive the ordeal are selected to receive additional training at a demanding barracks that is modelled in the the style of the Bastions of the South. Those who show a certain level of grit and determination are put forward as recruits for the household guards of the various Lords of the Ar-Adûnâim, tasked with protecting the palaces and holdings of their Lords. Naru n'Aru is Adûnaic for King's Men for these men are the heirs of ancient Númenor and some among their ranks are able to trace their linage back to the original Númenórean Lords that founded the various Númenórean colonies to the south of Middle-earth. They claim allegiance to the ideals of Ar-Pharazôn the Golden, last king of Númenor and do not acknowledge the legitimacy of the line of Elendil. They hope to conquer Gondor and name one of the line of Berúthiel as a new king. The Naru n'Aru are formidable combatants, trained to fight in disciplined ranks and equipped with the finest arms and armour from the armouries of the Ar-Adûnâim. They are rarely deployed in battle except when the Lords of the Ar-Adûnâim themselves are marching to war.
Although the King's Men are famed for their quick, hard-hitting marine forces, there are many other battalions of men eager to serve the line of Berúthiel and put an end to the filth of the north and the warriors of the Abrazanim Narduburôda are among the first in that line. The name translates as 'Faithful Heavy-soldiers' for the halberds they wield in battle. Preferring to crawl to victory though sturdy defensive tactics, they wear heavy armour and have divided into three battalions; the Narduburôda, the Nardutârik, and the Nardubawîb. The Narduburôda are the defensive melee counterpart and they do not disappoint, armed with halberds that they line up in sturdy wall formations they can hold the advance of almost every foe. Indeed legend tells of a group of stranded Narduburôda holding out against a vastly superior enemy force for almost three days before being rescued by their lord's fleet. When the Ar-Adûnâim ever reach Middle-earth, the Narduburôda will hold the enemy's advance at every point. They will never falter.
Although the King's Men are famed for their quick, hard-hitting marine forces, there are many other battalions of men eager to serve the line of Berúthiel and put an end to the filth of the north and the warriors of the Abrazanim Nardubawîb are among the first in that line. Their name translates as 'Faithful Wind-soldiers' for the sound of their arrows whistles on the wind. Preferring to crawl to victory though sturdy defensive tactics, they wear heavy armour and have divided into two battalions; the Nardutârik and the Nardubawîb. The Nardubawîb are the ranged counterpart and they take their men mostly from seasoned veterans and masters of the bow. Their increased armour does however hinder their movement and they can't reach as far as the Rangers of Berúthiel but they will last far longer in melee with their determined nature. When a situation calls for strength and decisive action, the Nardubawîb take to the battlefield and any foes are crushed. Now they move onto the field of war, eager to put an end to their hated rivals.
Although the King's Men are famed for their quick, hard-hitting marine forces, there are many other battalions of men eager to serve the line of Berúthiel and put an end to the filth of the north and the warriors of the Abrazanim Nardutârik are among the first in that line. The name translates as 'Faithful Tower-soldiers' for the large tower shields they wield in battle. Preferring to crawl to victory though sturdy defensive tactics, they wear heavy armour and have divided into two battalions; the Nardutârik and the Nardubawîb. The Nardutârik are the melee counterpart and they do not disappoint, armed with enormous shields that they line up in sturdy wall formations they can hold the advance of almost every foe. Indeed legend tells of a group of stranded Nardutârik holding out against a vastly superior enemy force for almost three days before being rescued by their lord's fleet. When the Ar-Adûnâim ever reach Middle-earth, the Nardutârik will hold the enemy's advance at every point. They will never falter.
The King's Men have a long tradition of maritime warfare and have rarely fielded units specifically to fight on land and when that need arises, they usually take the men from the ranks of sailors and marines. With Gimilkhad's reformation of the military however into a single legion, there was a need for a more professional force, and so the Abrazanim Narduzagar, or 'Faithful Sword-soldiers' were created. These men are the first to board enemy ships when they get close enough and they are the head of any landing party. Malicious, brave and cruel to the last they wield their deadly two-handed swords with precision and can perform in almost any role: shock troopers, defensive lines and support infantry. The sailor tradition of the King's Men means these men wear only medium armour and bare no shield but in prolonged melee, few can stand long enough against them to find their weak spots.
The threat of the Ar-Adûnâim can lend its thanks to Ar-Gimilkhad. It was his claim to the lost throne of Númenor and empty throne of Gondor that led to the lords of the King's Men uniting behind him to amass a legion to conquer Middle-earth and the kingdoms of the Faithful. Some men fight for this cause so strongly that they are named Adûnâim Armsmen. Believing in their cause so strongly, in honour of Númenor, they fashion their helmets after the islands ancient warriors. In battle these men wield the scimitars of marines and a simple wooden shield. Their strength and skill comes not from their arms but from their perceived superiority, their zealous bloodlust against the Faithful and their dedication to the line of Berúthiel.
In the long and bloody history of the King's Men a single event stands out as its most glorious: the subjugation of Sauron by Ar-Pharazôn. Awed by the power of the Númenórean army, the Orcs broke and fled and Sauron saw it was futile to fight these mighty warriors so he willing surrendered to the Golden King. Time would prove this the greatest mistake of Númenórean history but Ar-Pharazôn's name is no less diminished by what followed. Owing to his prowess and command, the pinnacle of fighting forces under the King's Men take his name in high honour. Ar-Pharazôn's Faithful stand as the best that the King's Men have to offer on the fields of Middle-earth and they are armed with pikes to help against the Faithful. Their armour is reminiscent of a bygone time when Númenóreans ruled the world and the blood of Elenna still runs true in their veins: giving them increased strength, will and determination. It is a strong willed foe who charges these dark warriors and hopes to live.
In preparation for his assault on Valinor, Ar-Pharazôn knew that he would need the finest ships that Arda had ever seen. He tasked his shipwrights with constructing these new behemoths and after years of toil they did not disappoint him. All but one of these vessels were destroyed in the downfall however; the Azrazâir or 'Sea-longing' which made its way to the harbours of the far south. It has remained there ever since. In reverence to this almost holy ship, the sailors and mariners can be heard shouting its name as they charge into battle; their own personal war cry. As such, they have come to be known as the Azrazâir themselves.
In most shipboard conflicts, the vessel with the greatest complement of archers is often the one that sails away victorious. These soldiers are therefore very experienced with their bows, and yet the nature of their work also encourages ample usage of swords and scimitars in close combat. These mariners are to be feared from a distance and are not to be laughed at when without their bows.
In preparation for his assault on Valinor, Ar-Pharazôn knew that he would need the finest ships that Arda had ever seen. He tasked his shipwrights with constructing these new behemoths and after years of toil they did not disappoint him. All but one of these vessels were destroyed in the downfall however; the Azrazâir or 'Sea-longing' which made its way to the harbours of the far south. It has remained there ever since. In reverence to this almost holy ship, the sailors and mariners can be heard shouting its name as they charge into battle; their own personal war cry. As such, they have come to be known as the Azrazâir themselves.
The sailors need leaders and they come in the form of these dedicated warriors and unlike most Azrazâir, these warriors are armed with heavy crossbows well suited to combat both aboard ships and on land. They march from their ships steadily ready to take down any more potent defenders standing in the way of the Azrazâir terrifying raids.
As part of the preparation for the conquest of Middle-earth, Ar-Gimilkhad sanctioned the creation of a proficient and deadly marine force. The Marines fulfil this role, as well as providing the best protection to the admirals and captains of the Ar-Adûnâim's Black Fleet.
Using Black Númenórean armour forged by skilled smiths, they are equipped with flexible but sturdy chain mail as well as a deadly pair of scimitars, perfect to slice through the enemy's ranks, which their wield with lethal skill. Each warrior also carries a small number of throwing spears which they use to decimate the front ranks of an enemy before battle is joined.
In preparation for his assault on Valinor, Ar-Pharazôn knew that he would need the finest ships that Arda had ever seen. He tasked his shipwrights with constructing these new behemoths and after years of toil they did not disappoint him. All but one of these vessels were destroyed in the downfall; the Azrazâir or 'Sea-longing' which made its way to the harbours of the far south. It has remained there ever since. In reverence to this almost holy ship, the sailors and mariners can be heard shouting its name as they charge into battle; their own personal war cry. As such, they have come to be known as the Azrazâir themselves.
These sailors' cutlasses and machetes lend themselves well to the Azrazâir's wild and ferocious fighting style, while their increased mobility at the cost of armour allows them to direct their aggression to the right place at the right time. However, that same destructive recklessness and bullheadedness that makes them so effective may also be their undoing should they run head on into professional armoured or mounted troops.
In preparation for his assault on Valinor, Ar-Pharazôn knew that he would need the finest ships that Arda had ever seen. He tasked his shipwrights with constructing these new behemoths and after years of toil they did not disappoint him. All but one of these vessels was destroyed in the downfall however; the Azrazâir or 'Sea-longing' which made its way to the harbours of the far south. It has remained there ever since. In reverence to this almost holy ship, the sailors and mariners can be heard shouting its name as they charge into battle; their own personal war cry. As such, they have come to be known as the Azrazâir themselves.
These warriors are rightly feared by the folk of the south as they charge into battle with a furious battle cry and many heads roll as their giant axes swing to and fro. It is a courageous defender who stands in the way of the Azrazâir Warriors and does not feel fear.
When Queen Berúthiel returned to the lands of the deep south, she went into hiding, fearing the vengeance of lords who would wish to harm her and her unborn child for her failure in Gondor. Some lords remained loyal to her however, and created a small elite task force that would guard her and her descendants and thus, protect the royal line. These men are the descendants of that force and are trained in the arts of stealth and ranged combat so they can better ambush foes and their name is a homage to their long dead Queen for they respect her and aim to move as silently as her fabled cats. They accompanied Ar-Gimilkhâd on his conquest of Middle-earth and now serve as an elite force in the legion of the Ar-Adûnâim.
These men, trained along with the Household Guard, are the very best that the King's Men have to offer. Naru n'Aru is Adûnaic for King's Men for these men are the heirs of ancient Númenor and some among their ranks are able to trace their linage back to the original Númenórean Lords from the Elenna. They claim allegiance to the ideals of Ar-Pharazôn the Golden, last king of Númenor and do not acknowledge the legitimacy of the line of Elendil and the claims of the Faithful. They hope to conquer Gondor and name one of the line of Berúthiel as King. The Naru n'Aru are formidable combatants, trained to fight in disciplined ranks and equipped with the finest gear from the armouries of the far south. They are rarely deployed in battle except when the Lords of the Ar-Adûnâim themselves are marching to war.
No Ar-Adûnâim soldier of quality would choose the hooves of their steeds over their own feet, but these warriors have taken up lance and saddle to aid their kin. Utilising stout blades of fine quality, the Naru n’Aru Royal Knights are swordsmen of Númenórean blood and will fight near on to the last man to take back what once was theirs. On the battlefield, they form the Ar-Adûnâim's ruthless counter blow to the knights of the Faithful, catching those shining knights unawares with their tenacity and cunning, and then turning to wreak havoc upon the lines of the foe. What these dark warriors represent is the coiled viper of the armoured Naru n’Aru line. Though they will flee if exposed to the gravest melee, these cruel champions will happily wade into the exposed heart of your hated enemies.
When Ar-Gimilkhâd led his hordes against the Angmarim, it was the Northguard who resisted the longest. With iron determination they fought the King's Men; though in the end, their efforts proved futile. The Old Witch-realm was conquered. Ar-Gimilkhâd, however, acknowledged their prowess and valour and offered them a choice. They could either leave in peace or join the ranks of the Adûnâim. Most declined, still believing that serving the Iron Crown was the only true way in life, but some accepted. These soldiers were formed into an elite battalion, subjecting themselves to ruthless military drills. They were equipped with the finest Númenórean armour and brutal maces. Today, these hardened veterans form the backbone of the Angmarim conscription forces. Though having become almost Númenórean in discipline and equipment, they retain their savage lust for battle.
The lords of the Ar-Adûnâim understand the need for companies of expert bowmen trained to support their armies and navies. The Rôzadan Bowmen are a highly skilled cohort of archers whose task it is to provide cover for the forces of the Ar-Adûnâim in battle by showering the enemy lines with a constant storm of barbed bolts. As members of the legion of the Ar-Adûnâim these crossbowmen have sworn a blood oath of allegiance to the bloodline of Berúthiel and their King, and stand ready to slay any force. Their arrows have barbed heads that are difficult to remove from flesh without tearing a dreadful gaping hole. For defence they carry short stabbing swords.
Aside from the many hordes of ruthless marines, the King and Lords of the Ar-Adûnâim also field a more disciplined and well trained army of foot soldiers taking their name from the waves of their home; The Rôzadan Footmen. Formed in ranks of sturdy spearmen, they are a strong and formidable opponent but although they cannot hope to stand against the elite enemy forces, they will give lesser men a run for their money.
The Halberdiers of Rôzadan are old hands, shaped and forged upon the parade grounds of the far south, with the ancient ways of Númenor stamping a style of warfare upon them. Though their blood is of the coast, their hardened armour and steel halberds are a menace to any knight or rider that breaks upon their lines, hewing through man and horse with a single great sweep of their weapons. Even as the hooves shake the ground, these dour men will not run nor falter, and any Gondorian or Dol Amrothian charger foolishly trying to win his glory will be shattered by their axeheads. Count upon these men to fight for you, until their fortunes turn dire. Count upon them to kill the great and noble of the Faithful, but watch their flanks. No line can be held if pressed from all sides, and these men will tally their lives at a greater value should you leave them isolated and alone.
