MEN (Edain sing Adan S) Hildor, Atani, Engwar (Q) the Aftercomers, the Second born

Men were the second born children of Eru who arose in the Utter East in the First Age.  There, in a land called Hildorien, they awoke to find a wild continent, and it was sometime before they met the First born, or Elves.  The Elves called them Hildor, which means the Followers, although they Eldar now refer to them as the Edain or Atani, both of which mean the Second people.

Men differ from the Elves in many ways, the least subtle of which is the Gift of Death.  Men are mortal, and live their brief lives with a passion unlike any other race. They are also more varied in nature, often flawed and vulnerable.  Unlike the First born they are quite susceptible to temperature extremes and disease.  However, unlike the Eldar, they rarely weary of life.

There are two major groupings of Men: the High Men, commonly called the Edain; and the Common Men, who did not ally themselves with the Eldar in the wars against Morgoth.  Some speak of the Northmen as a third group, the Middle Men, who are racially close to the Edain, but did not benefit from alliance or contact with the Elves.

Blessed by Eru, the High Men are exceptionally tall, averaging 6'3" to 6'7" and weighing between 200 and 275 pounds.  They are well built, more muscular than the slim Eldar.  Only the Noldo rival them in strength.  They are not as nimble or resilient as the Elves however.  Not as hirsute as Common Men, their hair tends to be dark brown to black, with eyes of blue, hazel, grey, or black.  with fair complexions.  They are very long lived, three times as long as "lesser men" or longer (210-300 years).

Common Men are more numerous and less blessed.  stocky and shorter than the Edain, averaging 5' to 6'4" or shorter, with a wide variety of body types.  Their hair and skin colours vary from the deepest browns and blacks to the lightest shades of blonde and cream.  Unlike the high men, they often wear more facial hair, beards and mustaches.  From their ranks come the vast majority of mannish lines.

There are MANY different tribes, cultures, and races of Men spread throughout Endor.  They are, by the Fourth Age, the most numerous of all the Free Peoples.  Among those most frequently encountered in North Western Middle earth are the following:

BARDINGS: The Name Bardings is relatively new and had been adapted by the heir's of Bard the Bowman after his death. The Bardings, or Dale-Folk, are of Northern stock, related to the Rohirrim, Woodmen, and other such tribes.  The Lake-men of Esgaroth are also of the Barding race, although the majority live in the prosperous re-founded town of Dale. Native language Delsk

BEORNINGS:(Beijabar or Bajaegahar) Strongly-built, hirsute people of the upper Vales of Anduin.  Known for their friendship with animals and their hatred of orcs and wargs, and distrust of dwarves.  Their leaders are rumored to be able to take Bear shape.  They are Northmen, related to the Daletheod, Woodmen, Lakemen, and Rohirrim. Native tongue Atliduk and Waildyth.

BLACK NÚMENOREANS: (Mornúmenedain) Men of Dunadan stock who are descended from the "Unfaithful" colonists and conquerors who came to Middle-earth during the middle and late Second Age.  Culturally they are similar to the Dunedain, although their have been certain changes over their centuries of separation.  Native tongue Adûnaic

CORSAIRS: Descendants of the Dunedain rebels who fled Gondor in the wake of the Kin-strife (T.A. 1432-47).  Most settled in Umbar in 1447 and began a long struggle for control with the stronger Haradan and Mornúmenedain elements.  Modest inbreeding with the locals has created a distinctive group. Native tongue Adûnaic.

DORWINRIM:(sing Dorwinadan) The Dorwinrim occupy the lower Carnen and Uldona valleys  and the hilly region running south of the Redwater to the northwest shore of the Sea of Rhûn- the land called Dorwinion.  They are a mixture of Northman and Easterling stock.  Native tongue Folyavultig.

DÚNEDAIN (singular: Dúnadan): Descendants of the Edain who settled the island kingdom of Númenor at the beginning of the Second Age.  It was their Númenorean fathers who colonized and conquered much of Middle-earth.  When the isle of the west sand into the sea during the downfall of 3319 two groups survived: the Black Númenoreans and the Faithful Dúnedain.  Their leader, Elendil the Tall, founded Arnor and Gondor, the Realms in Exile.  Like all their brethren, they have traces of elven and Maia blood.  Native tongue Sindarin.

DUNLENDINGS: Also called Hillmen, this group of rugged Men traditionally lives in the hills and highlands west of the Anduin valley.  Most have become settled farmers and herders and make up a large part of the population of Eriador.  Others have remained pure and remain in the foothills and mountain vales.  Native tongue Dunael.

EASTERLINGS: Collection of peoples who live in north central Middle-earth, the area to the east of the western shore of the Sea of Rhûn.  These nomadic confederations are ever in search of territory and wealth, periodically invading the lands of their neighbours.  The Balchoth and Wainriders are two such peoples.  Each group has their own subculture and language, but most are related.  Native tongue Logathig.

ERIADORANS: A generalized label for the rural folk of Eriador, the Common Men inhabiting the lands that once comprised the Kingdom of Arnor.  Eriadorans contain varying degrees of Dunlending, Northman, and Dúnadan blood.  They bear close resemblance to the rural inhabitants of Gondor, save that many rural Gondorians, save that many rural Gondorians possess some diluted Haradan lineage.  Native tongue Westron.

GONDORIANS: The townsfolk of Gondor are representative of all Common Men dwelling in the cities of northwestern Middle-earth.  Such peoples include the inhabitants of Calembel, Dol Amroth, Linhir, Pelargir, Osgiliath, and Minas Tirith.  Arnorians, people from Annúminas, Fornost, Bree, and Tharbad also fit this description.  These folk contain varying degrees of Dunlending, Northman, Dúnadan and Haradan blood.  Native tongue Westron.

GRAMUZ: Also called the Gramas or in earlier times Gramias (or Gramiathiuda) are the plainsmen of southern Rhovanion and the lands of the northern Celduin vales. They are a branch of the Northrons most closely related to the Éothraim and the Beornings.  Several Gramuz Tribes also came to northern Rhovanion to live near the Lands between the rivers Carnen and Celduin where they eventually intermingled with the Lake-men and the Dale-Folk.  The Gramuz divided themselves into the Northern and Southern Gramuz and spoke an Old Rhovanian dialect known as Gramuik.  Native tongue Gramuik

HARADRIM:(sing. Haradan) This is the collective name for the peoples who occupy the great arid and semi-arid lands south of Harondor and Mordor, the land called Harad.  Since this is rough and unblessed territory, their greatest populations lie beside the seacoast, rivers, bays, and myriad oases.  However, Harad contains little true desert, and sparse groups settle or roam the whole region.  Haradrim (S. South men) are also called Southrons, or Haradwaith (a term that also refers to their lands).  Native tongue Apysaic or Haradaic.

LOSSOTH:(sing. Lossadan) the Lossoth live in the Far North of western Middle-earth and are also called Snowmen or Forodwaith (the latter also referring to their land).  They are a sparsely settled, nomadic folks who move with seasonal migrations of big game and rarely interact with other Men.  Native tongue Labba.

ROHIRRIM:(sing. Rohir) The Horselords are the Northmen of Rohan and have a complex history.  The settled in Rohan around T.A. 2510 at the behest of Cirion the Steward of Gondor.  This grant of land was a reward for their aid in defeating the Easterling Balchoth.  They call their land, the Riddermark or the Mark, and name themselves the Eorlingas, after their hero Eorl the Young.  They are renowned for their loyalty to Gondor and their love of horses.  Native tongue Rohirric.

VARIAGS: The inhabitants of the region of Khand, a semi arid plateau that lies southeast of Mordor.  They are a distinct race, though they are often confused with the Haradrim of Far Harad.  In reality, they have as many ties to the Easterlings.  Brutal, warlike and semi nomadic, they have long been influenced by Mordor and the constant wars with their neighbours.  Native tongue Varadja.

WOODMEN: The Woodmen have long dwelt in Mirkwood, the great forest in Rhovanion.  They are a loose tribe of hunter/gatherers who live in or below the trees as extended families, bands, or clans.  They are Northmen, and thus related to the Beornings in the nearby Anduin vales and foothills of the Grey Mountains.  The Rohirrim, Bardings, Lakemen, and Gramuz are also related.  Native tongue Nahaiduk.

WOSES: (S Drúedain sing Drúadan) Of all Men, none surpass the Woses in the arets of  wood-lore  and wood-craft.  This very ancient diminutive race has long been tied to the forests and remain the greatest lot of woodland warriors ever produced by the Second born.  Their skills have, in fact, guarded their narrow survival, for they are considered strange by Men and Elves alike, and have been hunted and persecuted since the First Age.
A primitive, secretive people, they are well known for the ancient carvings they leave throughout their ancient lands called Pukel-stones.  Native tongue Pukael.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:13, Mon 09 Sept 2019.

The Race of Men are varied, and all have their distinctive cultures and skills.  All Men share the following traits, however, regardless of their race:

*All Men have access to the basic classes, although cultural particulars may forbid them from certain choices.
*Men have 1d4 EXTRA Points to add to their INITIAL ABILITY SCORES.
*Each of the races mentioned above has a Special Advantage and Disadvantage:

Bardings:
Advantage Archer or Throseltongue.  The Dale folk are renowned for two traits, skill with bows +1 or the ability to speak the tongue of the Great Thrushes.
Disadvantage Association.  The Bardings are known to be great friends of the Dwarves and receive a -2 reaction from Dwarven foes, due to this reputation.

Beornings:
Advantage Animal Friendship.  No normal animal will willingly attack a Beorning unless provoked.
Disadvantage Intolerant. Orcs and Wargs are their sworn enemies, but they also are mistrustful of Dwarves.  -2 to reaction rolls with all other races.

Black Númenoreans:
Advantage Racial Hatred.  All Mornúmenedain have +1 to attack Elves due to their ancient hatred.
Disadvantage Arrogant/Aligned to Evil.  -5 Reaction roll from any non evil being.

Corsairs:
Advantage Seamanship bonus non-weapon profiency.
Disadvantage Intolerant of Gondorans and will attack without provocation.

Dorwinrim:
Advantage Hardy +2 to saves verses poison
Disadvantage Fond of Wine.  Roll Wisdom Check to resist any offer to indulge in pleasurable pursuits.

Dúnedain:
Advantage Elf-Friends. Dúnedain are almost universally good, most are Elf friends, and can occasionally call upon the Elves for aid.
Disadvantage Enemy.  Forces of Evil actively seek the destroy them.

Dunlendings:
Advantage Ambush. Dunledings know how to set an ambush.  They receive a +1 to surprise opponents, when alone or with other stealthy allies.
Disadvantage: Superstitious.  -1 to any check against Fear effects.

Easterlings:
Advantage Horsemanship. Easterlings are superb riders and gain +1 to all attack rolls while on horseback.
Disadvantage Reckless.  They do not fear death, and will attack foes regardless of the odds unless they succeed on a WIS check -1.

Eriadorans:
Advantage Ubiquitous. One of the most numerous people in Middle-earth, most will help one another if they are in need.
Disadvantage. None.

Gondorians:
Advantage Aligned to Good. In general, the folk of Gondor are kind, good hearted people who have the support of the lords of the Free Peoples.
Disadvantage Enemies.  The success of Gondor has made them some bitter enemies.

Gramuz:
Advantage Excellent Herdsmen.  They gain Animal Handling as a bonus non weapon proficiency.
Disadvantage Clannish. Taciturn and slow to trust, they have -2 to reaction rolls with any other race.

Haradrim:
Advantage Desert People. They are used to the heat and brightness of their arid homeland.  +1 to all saves verses Heat or Light attacks.
Disadvantage Desert People. -1 to all saves verses Cold or Ice attacks.

Lossoth:
Advantage Tracking.  Bonus non weapon proficiency
Disadvantage Illiterate/Primitive. The Lossoth do not have a written language and therefor cannot read unless carefully taught by someone who is literate.

Rohirrim:
Advantage  Horsemanship. Superb riders.  All attack rolls +1 when on horseback.
Disadvantage Enemies. They are intolerant of Dragons, Orcs, Easterlings, Wargs and Dunlendings and the feeling is mutual.

Variags:
Advantage Archery. Excellent marksmen, they gain +1 with shortbows.
Disadvantage Superstitious.  They are primitive and cruel.  -1 to saves against Fear effects.

Woodmen:
Advantage Arboreal. They receive +1 to climbing, balancing and falling checks.
Disadvantage Insular. They tend to be insular and reclusive and receive a -1 to reaction checks.

Woses:
Advantage  Wood-lore. In the woods they cannot be surprised and can surprise others 90% of the time.
Disadvantage Primitive. The wild men are incredibly primitive and do not understand technology more sophisticated than a spear.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:24, Mon 27 Apr 2020.