High Kingdom of Arnor Reunited

Cradled between the mighty Misty Mountains and the blue Ered Luin, bounded and protected by, to the north, barren tundra plains, and to the south, the mighty River Gwathló, Arnor appeared to be the perfect home for the Exiles of downfallen Númenor. Like ancient Númenor, the northern heartland of the kingdom was a cool, rocky, rugged land, little lent to farming on a grand scale, but ideal for contemplation, study, and worship. Free of Dragons, bitter winter weather, and the threat of invasion from any direction but the East, this Dúnadan kingdom seemed to be a realm destined to survive and dominate the Third Age, Settled by the wisest and highest of Men, it stood supported by the Elves of Lindon and Rivendell and by powerful kinsmen in Gondor to the south. Before the foundation of Arnor, Eriador was home to Middle Men of Edain stock. As a result of the slow emigration that started under the Númenórean kings Tar-Meneldur and Tar-Aldarion, a sizable population formed. These early colonists soon interbred with the indigenous population of Eriador. The Faithful favored Eriador over the more southern regions (Gondor) because the Elves of Lindon under their high king Gil-galad lived very near across the river Lhûn. Conversely, the King's Men settled more to the south in the later days. Thus, the area was populated by people who were mainly still Faithful and Elf-friends, where much of the knowledge of the Elder Days was preserved. During the Downfall of Númenor, Elendil and his people sailed through the Gulf of Lune and up the Lune river, and befriended the High King of the Noldor Gil-galad. Both Elendil and his sons were welcomed by the Men who were in whole or part of Númenorean blood. These Men of Eriador accepted the new kingdom of Elendil and helped to people and maintain the many places that the Northern Dúnedain built. The Men of Bree also became subjects of Arnor. Gil-galad and his people aided the fledgling realm; he even built the Emyn Beraid for Elendil. Elendil founded Arnor at the end of the Second Age (S.A. 3320), while his sons founded the southern realm of Gondor. Both kingdoms of the Númenóreans were known as the Realms in Exile, and their history is intertwined. Despite its precedence over it as the seat of the High King, Arnor was never as powerful and populous as Gondor. Elendil established the city of Annúminas as his capital. Besides the chief cities like Annúminas and Fornost, the Men of Arnor concentrated around the courses of the Lhûn and the Baranduin, the hills of Rhudaur, and built towers on Amon Sûl.

Demography and Population

Nearly 6 Million Edain and Middle-Men live within the bounds of Arnor.

Territories

In principal all of Arthedain, Cardolan, and Rhudaur remain under the control of the crown. In actuality the area of influence is closer to 5/6 of Arnor's former territory, having lost the Northern marches to Angmar, released areas of the Trollshaws to Eregion, and forsaken the most desolate fiefs of Cardolan and Rhudaur.