“The Easterlings were strong and war-hardened and asked for no quarter… In the meanwhile the Wainriders plotted their revenge. Beyond the reach of the arms of Gondor in lands east of the Sea of Rhûn from which no tidings came to its Kings, their kinsfolk spread and multiplied, and they were eager for conquests and booty and filled with hatred of Gondor which stood in their way. It was long, however, before they moved” - Easterlings hatred
Campaign Features
Dragon Relics
Reclaim ancient dragon relics, from the Scales of Smaug in Laketown to Scatha’s Hoard in the Withered Heath and recieve support from the Dragonswrath Cult
Unite the Clans
Bring the marines of Udege, the tribesmen of Balchoth, the dragonriders of Arulad, the raiders of Near Khand and the chariot riders of Süri’ut under your banner and lead the armies of Rhun from East to West, destroying everything in your path.
Foremost among the Lôke-Rim are the Lôke-Rim Bodyguards, the elite halberdiers of Rhûn and some of the finest soldiers of the East. Clad in golden steel plate armour, scale armour, and steel chain mail, all the while wielding long and deadly halberds, the Lôke-Rim Bodyguards are an imposing force on the battlefield. Their imposing halberds allows them to stand firm against any foe, protecting their leader at all costs. Their presence on the battlefield gives incredible strength to the Lôke-Khans army and is a true sight to behold. While very capable of frontal assaults, these men are best used to defend their leader or to hold firm against an enemy tide.
As reward for their distinguished service, Ärash has been allowed to hand-pick men from our regulars for their personal bodyguard. Their natural talent on horseback that led to them being picked, and the sheer amount of discipline and training their new leader has put them through has truly made them worthy of their name "Dragon Lords". Outfitted with better armor and weaponry than their old comrades,they're sure to do a great service to their new leader...or die in the attempt.
The Arulad Dragonguard have broken their ties to family and hearth in the worship of dragons, swearing oaths of blood and fire and serving as the warrior elite of the clan. Trained to fight with their ferocious halberds, these warrior monks roam the battlefield in search of foes, keen to honour their reptilian deities through war. Though mighty, they are simple men of the East, equipped in scale mail of respectable craftsmanship, wielding the best weapons the tribal forges of their clansfolk can produce. Used as the cutting edge of a sword, these warriors might falter, but their lives will be well sold in the blood of your foes.
Separated from family and home by oaths of blood and fire, the Arulad Dragonriders have brought fine eastern mounts to their service. Quick and fearless, these warriors serve as hardy raiders and a strong flanking force for the armies of Rhûn, able to keep pace with the swift Khandish riders to the south, and support the dreaded Easterling Kataphracts. Using their halberds as makeshift lances, once engaged these devotees of the dragon can smash their Dalish and Dorwinion counterparts from the saddle, but beware - their armour will not protect from a determined attack, and their horses will fall quickly to arrow fire. Use them as the first spear in your arsenal.
As reward for their distinguished service, Batü has been allowed to hand-pick men from our regulars for their personal bodyguard. These men form an oddity in our army, for while the sword is not unknown to the armies of Rhun, the Balchoth have not ever been called swordmasters. Thus, these men are constantly drilled by their quartermasters and their leader. They are given the best weapons and armor for their job, so that they won't be found wanting when the time comes to prove their mastery of the blade.
The lands to the southeast of Mirkwood are inhabited by the remnants of the Balchoth. These warlike tribes invaded the west only to meet defeat at the hands of the fledging Rohirrim. Pushed back into the foothills along the Sea of Rhûn, their lust for battle has not diminished in the years since their invasion and defeat. Called on by Warlords and the Lôke-Khan as mercenaries, these warriors excel at using the spears to bring down enemy horsemen but can also hold the line against most light infantry. However they are only lightly armoured themselves and should not be expected to hold against heavier foes for long without support
The lands to the southeast of Mirkwood are inhabited by the remnants of the Balchoth. These warlike tribes invaded the west only to meet defeat at the hands of the fledging Rohirrim. Pushed back into the foothills along the Sea of Rhûn, their lust for battle has not diminished in the years since their invasion and defeat. Called on by Warlords and the Lôke-Khan as mercenaries, their tribesmen are ferocious warriors capable of ambushing an enemy and quickly disappearing into the shadows from whence they came. They carry menacing javelins, crude axes, and hand-scythes. Chiefly used for protecting archers or infantry flanks, they have been used by Warlords as a main battle line where there ferocity in a general melee was on display for all to see.
The various warlords of Rhûn each control large swaths of land and demand the loyalty of their followers. One of the clans are the Darïtaï who are loyal to the Lôke-Khan of Mistrand and the Dragon Cult. Dwelling in large settlements on the sea of Rhûn, the Darïtaï are perhaps the most urbanised clan out of those that dwell near Mordor. When the Lôke-Khan calls upon them they are to supply a quota of able bodied men based on past service and the required number of men. These clansmen go to war with an assortment of weapons. Typically they carry single edged blades and axes into battle as well as wooden shields. These men form the core army of the Dragon Cult and will serve to aid the Lôke-Khan in his mission of uniting Rhûn and forming an empire.
For thousands of years the bow has been the weapon of choice for the men of Rhûn. However, against the might of enemies such as Dale, the elves of Mirkwood and the dwarves of Erebor the Dragon Cult feared such a weapon would be of little use and developed a new and deadlier weapon, the crossbow. Easy to use and even easier to train for, the Dragon Cult found it easier to arm their clansmen with the crossbow rather than trying to piece together groups of archers. However, with its ease of use, the crossbow of the Dragon Cult is still out ranged by their composite bows, placing its operators in greater danger as they close with the enemy. In an attempt to alleviate this crossbowman are typically outfitted in additional armour made of leather and steel similar to that of the clan warriors.
The various warlords of Rhûn each control large swaths of land and demand the loyalty of their followers. One of the clans are the Darïtaï who are loyal to the Lôke-Khan of Mistrand and the Dragon Cult. Dwelling in large settlements on the sea of Rhûn, the Darïtaï are perhaps the most urbanised clan out of those that dwell near Mordor. When the Lôke-Khan calls upon them they are to supply a quota of able bodied men based on past service and the required number of men. Because of their urbanised nature and the lands they inhabit, the Darïtaï have become excellent archers, so they may defend their settlements from other, more nomadic clans. When not called upon to form part of the infantry, the clansmen are usually formed into archer groups. Using smaller composite bows, that can also be used from horseback, the clansmen archers possess considerable range and deadly impact. As side arms they carry similar weapons as their infantry counterparts.
Aside from the Darïtaï clansmen that stand in reserve, there is also another, more professional, group within the clans. Darïtaï warriors are men raised from birth in the ways of battle, many of which have aspirations of entering into the sacred Lôke-Rim of the Dragon Cult. These warriors protect their own settlements when not in the service of the Lôke-Khan. Typically outfitted for war by the Dragon Cult, their weapons and equipment are passed on from generation to generation of clan warriors. As is their tradition, they forsake the safety of the shield and prefer to use their own agility and armour to protect them in combat. They carry an expertly crafted curved sabre into battle along with a guard sword which they use in their off hand and wield with such speed and lethality that it defends them like a shield. This guard sword is equipped with curved blade and a terrible claw at its end. Used in concert with the sabre, a Darïtaï warrior can create a masterful dance of death which few can resist. After the Lôke-Rim these men are some of the most valuable troops the Lôke-Khan possess.
While the Lôke-Khan takes a more passive role in war, his heir, by tradition, is expected to take command and assume a more active role. He often works closely with Rhûn's highest generals as well as coordinating smaller encursions into enemy territory. While tradition dictates he often take to the battlefield, past failures have demonstrated that the heir wading into melee combat with the enemy is both foolish and risky. As such, he commands an elite unit of Rhûn's finest archers. His presence on the battlefield alone is enough to instill fear in the hearts of the enemies and fury in our own.
Often taken from the upper echelons of the Dragon Cult and the Lôke-Khan's court, these men have distinguished themselves as some of the most brutal and loyal soldiers in Mistrand and beyond. While the Lôke-Khan has firmly established his grasp on the people, the allure of power can never be truly extinguished from those close to him and as such his bodyguard is entrusted to manage his security details both in his court and on the battlefield. Wielding large halberds and adorned in the Uhazah's ceremonial armour, these elite troops guarantee the safety of their Lôke-Khan and by extension, Rhûn.
Heavily armoured and armed, the Lôke-Flag Rim are capable shock troops that are incredibly effective against armour. They wield heavy steel maces and axes and protect themselves with large shields. Primarily, their role is to protect the flanks of the Dragons Teeth, but they can also be used to soften the enemy up prior to main battle line engaging in melee. Of all the regiments the Dragon’s Skin is the most versatile, being capable of storming citadels or fighting on open battle plains. Used correctly they are nearly an unstoppable force.
Quite literally the bite of the Lôke-Khans army, the Lôke-Gamp Rim are highly trained pikemen and swordsmen. Wielding nine foot pike and halberd hybrids, they are the infantry which will ensure that the men of Rhûn are never defeated by the horses of Rohan again. Their job in battle is to close with the enemy under the protection of the Dragon's Fire and pin them in position, making the enemy susceptible to envelopment and destruction. They rely heavily on their pikes to provide the protection they need, keeping the enemy at a distance, and are therefore not as heavily armoured as the other infantry in the Lôke-Khans army.
Foremost among the Lôke-Rim are the Lôke-Innas Rim, the heavy cavalry of the Khan and the finest cavalry in all of Middle-earth. Clad in golden steel plate armour, scale armour, and steel chain mail, all the while mounted upon massive war horses draped in armour, the Kataphracts are an imposing force on the battlefield. They charge into battle with long cavalry spears and carry with them menacing curved sabres. Their presence on the battlefield gives incredible strength to the Lôke-Khan’s army and hence provides the Will of the Dragon Regiments. While capable of frontal assaults, the Dragons Will is best utilized in concert with the other regiments. They provide the final envelopment of the enemy and the final devastating charge into their rear.
The Lôke-Nar Rim are some of the finest archers in Middle-earth. They possess large composite longbows with incredible range and power. In addition to their mastery of the bow they are also accomplished swordsmen. Furthermore, the Dragon Cult has developed oils that can be used to grant the power of fire to their arrows, and this fire burns even as the arrow flies through the air. As part of the Lôke-Khan’s combined arms strategy, they provide the missile screen required for the advance of the infantry and will ensure the expansion of the Empire. Any foe would do well not to underestimate them, lest they end up burning to death from one of their arrows.
The Lôke-Scion Rim are perhaps the finest mainstream warriors that the Easterlings can field. They train with the mighty cultists and wear a similar fitting armour but are drilled in the use of the duel-headed spear and shield. With the men of Dorwinion, Dale and even Khand beginning to creep closer to Rhûn's border the decision was made to make a unit who could hold back the thundering hooves of these nations. The mighty men of the Scion are the answer. Woe will befall any foolish mount who strays amongst their well drilled ranks.
The Süri'ut are a confederation of tribes to the east of Rhûn that has not formally joined Sauron. Their people did not seek wealth, riches, land or glory and were not swayed by his promises. However, their latest leader (Sür), a man called Ja, seeks to expand his power and to make a vast empire. He has seen the strength which the Darïtaï and our leader wield and he has requested a military alliance! The Süri'ut are not great warriors but they are master craftsmen and they are fanatical about chariot races. As such, their chariots are second to none and vastly outclass the hay wagons of the Wainriders. Whilst Ja Sür cannot promise us any troops he has promised us these war chariots in exchange for riches and glory. We have trained our finest archers to use these great wagons and now we can ride across the plain as a thunder storm! Like the Lôke-Nar Rim, these chariots are also armed with the flaming arrows of the Dragon Cult. Our enemies will quake as the Empire of Rhûn expands!
As the clans fall deeper into their worship of the Dragon Fire, their finest minds concoct new and powerful methods of bringing this flame to bear on their enemies. The Udege Marines represent the pinnacle of that research. Where once these hardy warriors brought volleys of javelins down upon their sea-faring enemies, they now bombard the field with flasks of the fierce flames. Whether it be science or magic, the outcome is a weapon that causes mass devastation, panic and disarray to enemy lines. Caution is advised to any who fight besides the crazed marines: should their aim falter then a grim and fiery death awaits any who get to close to their mark.
