“Now of old the name of that forest was Greenwood the Great, and its wide halls and aisles were the haunt of many beasts and of birds of bright song; and there was the realm of King Thranduil under the oak and the beech. But after many years, when well nigh a third of that age of the world had passed, a darkness crept slowly through the wood from the southward, and fear walked there in shadowy glades; fell beasts came hunting, and cruel and evil creatures laid there their snares. Then the name of the forest was changed and Mirkwood it was called, for the nightshade lay deep there, and few dared to pass through, save only in the north where Thranduil’s people still held the evil at bay.” - Fortunes of Mirkwood and strength of the Elves
Campaign Features
Eryn Lasgalen, The Wood of Greenleaves
Dispel Sauron’s taint from Mirkwood and join with Galadriel and her people to restore the ancient forest to it’s rightful form
Tawar Areiniyr "Wood elves High Elders": In elven society the young look to their elders for guidance, wisdom and protection and unlike mortals, the elves only grow stronger and wiser with age; indeed, even those well into their 6000th year can fight with a fury and passion rarely seen. As such, the elves charged with the defence of the ruling Sindar elves are all chosen from amongst the oldest elves of the forest. These elves are all veterans of either the dependable Arachîr battalions, Elvenking's Guard or the famed Elder Council. They are quite literally the High Elders of the Forest and are honoured with that title on the battle field. Naturally, they are armed with the finest bows, swords and armour that the smithies of the caverns can produce and they will fight to the very last with expert skill.
In the wars of the Last Alliance, the headstrong King Oropher fell. Attacking rashfully, and against the advice of his retainers, much of his army would perish in the soon to be called Marshes of the Dead. These Elves were his councillors, some servants of his house since his infancy; all survivors of the heartbreak of Beleriand. Mournfully they laid their Lord to rest and swore to never allow Thranduil to suffer his father’s fate. It is a bitter oath however, as each of them knows that the same seed of pride that felled Oropher lurks within his progeny.
Refugees many times over, these Elves have seen home after home abandoned to the servants of the enemy. That he might lift the shadow of failure from them and tie them to their latest dwelling, Thranduil has proclaimed these warriors “Arainior Caleryn”, Noble Elders of Greenwood. Yet in truth these Sindar do not belong in the forests of middle earth, only their oaths and their shame keep them from taking ship to the undying lands. In their hearts they hope soon they will see their last war, for good or Ill. Grim faces veiled and with weary honour they carry halberds in their Lords defence, praying they will be granted death before they see another of their charges fall.
Aredhirith "Elvenking's Guard": In front of the enchanted gates of the Elvenking's Halls lies the bridge over the Forest River. This narrow causeway is the main and only land entrance to the mighty underground cavern city. As such, it is protected by the greatest warriors of the realm; Elves who have spent a lifetime perfecting their skills with a bow and an axe and selected only from the ranks of the Elvenking's Guard battalions. Their number is only few but they can turn a battle in their favour as quickly as the winds of the East change their course. These mighty Silvan Elves are dressed in garments of green and brown but underneath they wear armour crafted by the smithies of the Noldor themselves! They wear tall helmets and carry great yew bows and keen elven axes. They are reminiscent of the Guards of Esgalduin, protectors of the gates of Menegroth, the underground palace of the Grey Elves of Doriath and they will fight with equal tenacity and strength as those long dead honoured defenders.
In days gone by, this same elite unit was once tasked with protecting the great hill of Amon Lanc as well as the Halls of their people. Should Thranduil's armies ever cleanse the hilltop, these brave warriors will once again stand guard atop the barren mound.
Pronunciation: 'Ar-eh-th-ear-eath'
REQUIRES THRANDUIL'S HALLS OR AMON LANC AND REJECTED ALLIANCE
Arthírochon "Royal Scouts": As is the old tradition in the royal court, companies of the Wood-elves, sometimes with the King at their head, often ride out to hunt, or to other business in the woods and the lands to the East. In times of war, these capable elven riders are called to arms and form the unit of the Arthírochon, the Royal Scouts, a valuable cavalry force for any Silvan general who wishes to lead the battle beyond the borders of Mirkwood.
Horses are rarely used in the densely packed forests of Mirkwood as they cannot manoeuvre freely and need large grounds to be trained in, as such these swift steed are only trained and kept in the major settlements of the forest. Out on the plains of Rhovanion and the Vale they make excellent messengers and scouts and the Arthírochon have been performing this role since the very founding of the Greenwood back on the Great Journey hence their 'Elder' accolade. Whilst not as well equipped and trained in mounted warfare as their western Eldar brethren, these Silvan Elves are nonetheless very efficient and useful on the battlefield, wielding keen elven weapons and wearing strong armour they ride bravely into battle in the name of the Elvenking.
It is perilous to look into the eyes of an Elder Councilman, for in them is seen the hardship and sorrow of the most ancient of the Firstborn; doomed to lose or leave all that they hold dear. Some escaped from the fall of Doriath, and many of their kinsman fought and died in the Battle of the Last Alliance trying to save the Lord Oropher. Still, others fought in the battle of Five Armies. Spears bristling in a great ring, they were an impenetrable island in a sea of orcs, holding against all resistance as the Elvenking sat at bay about Raven hill. They are outfitted well by the royal treasury, and are armed with long spears, shields, and javelins. Their raiment ranges from the padded armour of elven seamstresses to the heavy chain mail produced from new elven forges. But it is the wrath of the eldest elves that is their true weapon, and their unwavering desire to safeguard their lands for the younger Elven generations. These Elves lives have been long, arduous and filled with much sorrow but they will not retreat while their kin still fight, nay! They will fight and fall to the bitter end, they were Oropher's doomed chosen and they are the Elder Council.
The Tawarwaith or 'Silvan Elves' are a group of Moriquendi who inhabit the vast forest of Eryn Lasgalen, now known as Mirkwood. In the latter days of the Third Age, the Realm of Mirkwood is one of only two significant Elven factions still holding back the shadow of Mordor and due to this ongoing conflict, the Elves count of casualties grows ever larger. To protect their dwindling populace, and the forest they love, the very best warriors and archers from the ranks of the Silvan army were chosen to form elite battalions that the King of Eryn Lasgalen could call upon when a battle's outlook was grim or a strategic point needed to be held. They became known as the 'Elvenking's Guard'. Outfitted with the very best armour that the smithies of the Silvan Elves could create, using techniques shown to them by their Sindarin lords, the Elvenking's Guard form the vanguard of the host of the Woodland Realm when the time comes to carry the battle beyond the borders of their woods..
Standing as a formidable shield wall on the battlefield with near unbreakable morale, they will fight to the bitter end to ensure the survival of the wooded lands they hold so dear.
The Tawarwaith or 'Silvan Elves' are a group of Moriquendi who inhabit the vast forest of Eryn Lasgalen, now known as Mirkwood. In the latter days of the Third Age, the Realm of Mirkwood is one of only two significant Elven factions still holding back the shadow of Mordor and due to this ongoing conflict, the Elves count of casualties grows ever larger. To protect their dwindling populace, and the forest they love, the very best warriors and archers from the ranks of the Silvan army were chosen to form elite battalions that the King of Eryn Lasgalen could call upon when a battle's outlook was grim or a strategic point needed to be held. They became known as the 'Elvenking's Guard'. Outfitted with the very best armour that the smithies of the Silvan Elves could create, using techniques shown to them by their Sindarin lords, the Elvenking's Guard will form the vanguard of the host of the Woodland Realm when the time comes to carry the battle beyond the borders of their woods.
The archer regiments train with the Rangers of Mirkwood so as to provide deadly accuracy to the King's troops from a far. They will not shy away from melee either and can comfortably hold their own against equally as heavy infantry as themselves, fighting to the bitter end to ensure the survival of the wooded lands they hold so dear.
The Tawarwaith or 'Silvan Elves' are a group of Moriquendi who inhabit the vast forest of Eryn Lasgalen, now known as Mirkwood. In the latter days of the Third Age, the Realm of Mirkwood is one of only two significant Elven factions still holding back the shadow of Mordor and due to this ongoing conflict, the Elves count of casualties grows ever larger. To protect their dwindling populace, and the forest they love, the very best warriors and archers from the ranks of the Silvan army were chosen to form elite battalions that the King of Eryn Lasgalen could call upon when a battle's outlook was grim or a strategic point needed to be held. They became known as the 'Elvenking's Guard'. Outfitted with the very best armour that the smithies of the Silvan Elves could create, using techniques shown to them by their Sindarin lords, the Elvenking's Guard form the vanguard of the host of the Woodland Realm when the time comes to carry the battle beyond the borders of their woods.
Wielding distinctive double-bladed glaives these heavy infantry make short work of almost any enemy infantry and they will fight to the bitter end to ensure the survival of the wooded lands they hold so dear.
Oropher and Thranduil's kinsmen made the Greenwood the Great their new home. With the Shadow threatening to swallow not only their forest but all of Middle-earth they take to the forests as a force of nature against Sauron's forces in the Greenwood. Their wrath, forged into their arrows and blades, felt from the servants of the Dark Lord will cleanse the filth of the accursed Enemy from their forest and beyond. There is no higher honour than to defend the heir of Thranduil's realm.
Hin e-Daur "Eyes of the Forest": After the War of Wrath and the destruction of Beleriand, Oropher, a kinsman of Thingol of Doriath, fled eastwards with a company of Sindar Elves. After many years of wandering he finally reached Greenwood the Great where his party came across a large clan of Silvan elves already established in the forest. They took him as their King and his court was made of the Sindar Elves who had journeyed with them. In honour of the fallen land he had once called home, Oropher re-established a group of warriors that were known as 'Yavanna's Rangers'; so named for the fighting style adopted by these ancient warriors; using the trees as natural cover and blending in with the many gifts of Yavanna. Over time however, their anger and wrath overtook their love for Yavanna and they became know as the Hin e-Daur along with becoming Thranduil's first line of defence and his spy network. They have mastered the art of the bow more than any other, delivering silent death to their foes from a distance; they will not rest until the forests are cleansed of all the foul creations of Sauron and restored to their former beauty.
In the past, the ranks of Hin e-Daur were made up of hardy volunteers, but since the war with Sauron has become ever more fierce, more and more battalions were needed. As such they began to select new recruits from the ranks of Woodland Sentinels and over time they came to revere the crafts of the past and began reworking their armour to reflect the majesty of old with armour that blends seamlessly with the land; coloured in the ways of autumn with green and white jewels shining on their belts and crowns of leaves atop their noble brows. They hate the forces of evil and they will defend the creations of Yavanna with their lives.
Maethyr i-Thewair "Warriors of the Forests": A rather unique unit amongst the ranks of the Silvan armies; most of the Elven King's army march to battle with bows and small keen daggers or blades, they wear light to medium armour, save for their elite units, and they fight from the shadows. However the Maethyr wear excellent lamellar armour and chain mail, giving them heavy protection but little manoeuvrability. They prefer to hit their enemies with head on charges as opposed to planned ambushes and they march to battle with great two-handed axes, reminiscent of the warriors of Beleriand. It is for this uniqueness that the Maethyr have developed a reputation amongst the enemies of the woodland as some of the fiercest warriors that the King can field. It is a foolish or brave enemy that attempts to withstand a charge from these mighty Elven warriors.
As horses are not very common within the dense forests of Mirkwood, the Wood-elves often have to acquire them through trade with the Men of Dale, their friends and allies; or to seek for them in the territory of the Beornings to the west, between the Forest and the Misty Mountains, where long ago the people of the Éothéod dwelled. Elves ride their horses without using any reins or saddle, as the animals simply obey to the soft elven voice of their masters. Armed with bows and elven blades and protected by lightweight leather armour beneath their cloaks, these Woodland Scouts patrol the borders of the Elvenking's realm, riding fast between the ancient trees. They excel at skirmish and guerrilla tactics, using their speed to ambush any enemy that dares to trespass their sacred homeland, shooting their silent arrows with lethal accuracy.
Even as the Elder Days approach their final nightfall and many of the Firstborn retreat to the Undying Lands, proud hearts of the Elves still yearn to nurture and protect what remains of Middle-earth's beauty, that they themselves along with their ancestors, fought so hard to create and preserve. In honour of that sacrifice these old citizens of Middle-earth take up sword and bow to do their part in the struggle against Sauron and anyone who would threaten their homes. The Woodland Scouts are the first of Mirkwood's Elves that head out to war. They are the eyes and ears of the Elvenking's armies and will often scout out enemies long before the Sentinels can reach the frontline. Although unprofessional and lightly armed by elven standards, these elves possess grace and skill that surpasses that of most other creatures. Only a fool would dismiss these archers and their elven short bows as a non-factor on the battlefield. As every elven life is precious, these light troops should be kept in supporting positions unexposed to cavalry or heavy infantry assaults.
Trespassing into a wood held by the Silvan Elves is, quite literally, suicide. If within the first moments of your trespassing your body sprouts feather-fletched arrows, then a company of Silvan Archers is likely the culprit. These elven battalions patrol the reaches of the Silvan realm, slaying every manner of evil in their wake, whether it be as minor as a large spider or as deadly as a cave troll. Protected by lightweight leather armour beneath their cloaks while wielding bows and Elven blades, these excellent archers excel at guerrilla tactics, using stealth to ambush any enemy that dares enter their sacred homelands. Besides being superb way layers, Silvan Archers are reliable units, useful for steadily thinning enemy ranks with their deadly volleys of arrows and can become capable melee units if necessary. These Sentinels, due to their ambush abilities and archery skill, compose the backbone of most Silvan armies.
Following Silvan Elf tradition, these warriors bear wood spears into combat with a sense of pride, instilled by the long-held traditions of ages past. They are professional warriors, drawn from the Goldenwood of Lothlórien and from among the foreboding boughs of Mirkwood. Though armoured sparingly, these Elves are efficient at holding the line against a pressing tide, granting archer companies the safety to pepper the enemy from afar. Equipped with short spears and round, wooden shields, Woodland Spearmen are solid defensive units, able to resist attacks from both foot and horseback, so long as they are well-supported.
Woodland Wardens form the unseen part of the Silvan armies. Having lived in the forests long enough to master the art of stealth and surprise, they have become formidable skirmishers, throwing their javelins with lethal accuracy. After wreaking havoc in the enemy's ranks, they charge wielding their bright elven swords - a deadly combination of surprise and agility.
Axe, a weapon favoured by the Sindar Elves in the perilous Realms of Beleriand in the First Age. During the late Third Age elven axes have become very common in the shadowy tree lands of Mirkwood since Oropher, Thranduil's father, dwelled there along with his Silvan cousins. Woodland Warriors consist of companies of hardy and very effective in close combat warriors who form a reliable infantry. Lightly armoured in favour of mobility, they portray the heavy Sindarin influence in the Woodland Realm.
These artillery pieces resemble giant crossbows on a simple wheeled carriage. They can hurl javelins with great accuracy, and the power of these machines means that their bolts can pierce any armour.
Constructed of wood and capable of flinging stones large enough to crush a man's head, the catapult is a common sight on the battlefields of Middle-earth.
