Ithilien
“So they passed into the northern marches of that land that Men once called Ithilien, a fair country of climbing woods and swift-falling streams. The night became fine under star and round moon… Before them, as they turned west, gentle slopes ran down into dim hazes, far below. All about them were small woods of resinous trees, fir and cedar and cypress, and other kinds unknown in the Shire, with wide glades among them; and everywhere there was a wealth of sweet-smelling herbs and shrubs…
South and west it looked towards the warm lower vales of Anduin, shielded from the east by the Ephel Dúath and yet not under the mountain-shadow, protected from the north by the Emyn Muil, open to the southern airs and the moist winds of the Sea from far away. Many great trees grew there, planted long ago, falling into untended age amid a riot of careless descendants”
(The Two Towers, Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit)
Emyn Arnen
Following the Return of the King, and the end of the War of the Ring, Faramir, son of Denethor now rules as Lord of Emyn Arnen, and Prince of Ithilien; with the White Lady, Eowyn of Rohan at his side. Much as their mutual kinsman Imrahil has long presided over Belfalas from his similar seat as Prince of Dol Amroth.
Emyn Arnen is a cluster of hills in South Ithilien, with a tradition of providing home to Numenorean nobility. The Line of Hurin, from whence came the earliest Stewards of Gondor, Lord Faramir’s predecessors and ancestors both; originated here. The Gardens of Emyn Arnen came to be a thing renowned, after Legolas of Mirkwood brought Elves south to lend influence about the region in the Fourth Age.
Lebennin
The province of Lebennin slopes down from mountainous Lossarnach in the north, all the way down to the Bay of Belfalas, in the sea of the south. The immense domain of Ithilien lies east, across the Anduin River, and the majestic colony of Belfalas and Dor-en-Ernil, ruled by Prince Imrahil sits to it’s west.
The name of Lebennin translates as the ‘land of five rivers’, which enrich this fertile, green region, west of the mighty River Anduin. The first of these streams (from right to left) is the Erui, followed by the Sirith, Celos, Serni and Gilraen. A prominent point of history in Gondor played out in Lebennin during the Kinstrife, when King Eldacar slew the usurper Castamir, at the Battle of the Crossings of the Erui. A further year long siege was then held at the harbour city of Pelargir, until Castamir’s sons and their surviving supporters fled on ships and finally fled to found a lasting refuge for all ‘corsairs’ out in Umbar.
Pelargir
Pelargir and Linhir are the two infamous cities of Lebennin; the former located where the Sirith marries the even more famous River Anduin. Pelargir is known as the ‘Garth of Royal ships’, due to it’s significance in defending inland Gondor from assault by sea. It has been a major harbour since the days of Numenor, and retains that reputation for the delta of Ethir Anduin, just southward of Pelargir, opens into the ocean. The city has not forgotten its long occupation by the sons of Castamir, some of the most prominent shiplords of Gondor, when the prime coastal location meant it was most difficult for the King to keep his enemies from being supplied by sea. After the departure of these sailors, Pelargir was later ravaged by returning Corsairs in TA 1634, murdering the then King Minardil of Gondor. It is possible that more than simply goods are smuggled through its watery gates and rumours yet remain that Pelargir to this day still houses secret sympathisers towards enemies of the realm.
Linhir is the second and the lesser-known of the two cities, nesting where the Serni meets the Gilraen. Similar to it’s sister outpost in the east, Linhir is a point where ships may dock, although the passage is not so wide a thoroughfare as the grand River Anduin. For that reason, Linhir is come to be more a trading hub, where imports and exports may arrive/depart both east and west, for journey throughout Gondor, and beyond. It is protected by the Gondorian navy of Pelargir on one side, and Dol Amroth on the other.
Belfalas / Dor-En-Ernil
The legendary fiefdom of Belfalas is almost synonymous on many maps with the land called ‘Dor-En-Ernil’ (Land of the Prince), though it could be argued that the former relates to the coastal portion and the latter, further more inland. Regardless, this southernmost realm of Gondor is presided over by Imrahil, Prince of Dol Amroth which is itself a promontory seaward base. Assumed borders range from Linhir in the east to Edhellond in the west, south of Lamedon and the Blackroot (Morthond) Vale.
Reputed to be the home of Sindar refugees from Beleriand, and later the Faithful settlers of Numenor, the region is steeped in song and mystery. A range of hills that seek to cause division through the domain are locally referred to as the Emyn Ernil. But it is the city of Dol Amroth, set atop a high hill that is named after a legend which is infamous.
Dol Amroth
The city of Dol Amroth is built about a natural peninsula, thrust into the beautiful surrounding Bay.of White Ships. Here the Prince rules from his Castle over the ancient harbours, the affluent industries, and the everyday life of his prestigious peoples.
Near the Cove of White Ships, where the naval fleet of Prince Imrahil is housed, lie the Fleet Halls; a long established barracks, accommodating unmarried and retired mariners. The Sea-Drake, a three story inn, boasts some of the best seafood dishes in Dol Amroth, on a modest budget while Middle Port is home to the vast working class of coopers, smiths, carpenters, rope-makers, tanners and pitch-layers who reside and labour about the working harbour. Various Guilds officiate here; centres all and each of excellence. Where it comes to shipwrights, sailmakers, and navigators any Captain will be swamped for choice, and catered to by the best in the business. While The Jolly Juggler tavern retains its bawdy crowd, with gambling a favourite amidst other forms of less than desirable late night entertainment. For sailors in the know it is ‘the place’ for revelry.
New Port is Dol Amroth's commercial harbour, catering to all visiting vessels. It's warehouses and markets are capable of handling the city's tremendous and varied volumes of commerce. But the sprawling markets that line the narrow streets are nothing compared to the House of Many Splendours, which sells almost anything you can think of, including some exotic items that are high priced and hard to get in Dol Amroth. Rumours of smuggling abound, as do tales of the sea-cave and the tunnel built beneath the Sloop & Swordfish inn across the street...
Above the Old Town and below the Castle Quarter resides a large series of terraced buildings and winding streets. This area is known as the Cliffs, for here the steepness of the Hill provides little room for construction. While it is a generally residential neighbourhood, the upper reaches cater to the castle garrison and contain numerous taverns and game halls. The richest of these is the House of Tables, which strives for affluent dominance against The Merchants' Exchange (a cooperative money lender) and also The Dol Amroth Auction House. Establishments so fair and fine to rival the Prince’s Castle, with it’s promenade fashioned for jousts; which sport brings spectators and competitors from miles around.
Anfalas
The most westerly fiefdom of Gondor is Anfalas (‘Long shore’), or Langstrand. Similarly dual-named, this region lies between the Rivers Lefnui and Morthond; between the lush green hills of Pinneth Gelin and the sea to the south. It is, not unlike it’s neighbour Belfalas, rich in rumour of Elvish ruins and remnant. Hunters though, herders and fishermen now dominate the land, which has found it’s appeal exposed to raids by Corsairs of Umbar.
It was on account of such raids that King Telumehtar went forth in days of old, and seized the enemy port-city of Umbar, in a vengeance. But it was under the local leadership of Golasgil, that the rustic folk of Anfalas made their long march in efforts to defend Gondor during the War of the Ring.
‘ ..men of the Outlands marching to defend the City of Gondor in a dark hour; but always too few, always less than hope looked for or need asked. The men of Ringló Vale behind the son of their lord, Dervorin striding on foot: three hundreds. From the uplands of Morthond, the great Blackroot Vale, tall Duinhir with his sons, Duilin and Derufin, and five hundred bowmen. From the Anfalas, the Langstrand far away, a long line of men of many sorts, hunters and herdsmen and men of little villages, scantily equipped save for the household of Golasgil their lord. From Lamedon, a few grim hillmen without a captain. Fisher-folk of the Ethir, some hundred or more spared from the ships. Hirluin the Fair of the Green Hills from Pinnath Gelin with three hundreds of gallant green-clad men. And last and proudest, Imrahil, Prince of Dol Amroth, kinsman of the Lord, with gilded banners bearing his token of the Ship and the Silver Swan, and a company of knights in full harness riding grey horses; and behind them seven hundreds of men at arms, tall as lords, grey-eyed, dark-haired, singing as they came.’
(The Return of the King, ‘Minas Tirith’)
Rules
1) Please state your location at the top of your post
2) Mark your RP as ‘Private’ if you do not want company.
3) Please white out any OOC, or take it to City Hall/discord, etc
4) General Plaza Rules apply
**With thanks to Naith & others who contributed to the creative envisaging of the above locations, in particular Dol Amroth; many of which have been referred to in this post/for this thread.
1) Please state your location at the top of your post
2) Mark your RP as ‘Private’ if you do not want company.
3) Please white out any OOC, or take it to City Hall/discord, etc
4) General Plaza Rules apply
**With thanks to Naith & others who contributed to the creative envisaging of the above locations, in particular Dol Amroth; many of which have been referred to in this post/for this thread.