Kingdom of Numenor
Following the defeat of MELKOR and the resultant sinking of BELERIAND the Valar provided the Island of ELENNA as a haven for the survivors. Their leader was Elros who founded the Kingdom in 32 S.A., and took the Quenyan title of TAR-MINYATUR. The location of the Island so close to the @BLESSED REALM gave Elros and the other inhabitants a life span much greater than the men of Middle Earth. Over time it also affected their size as many of the Numenorians were over 6' tall. However, this came with the BAN OF THE VALAR which held that they could not sail out of sight of Elenna if they sailed to the West.
After many years the Numenorians started venturing to the new coast of Middle Earth where they found the lands of ERIADOR in the North and GONDOR in the South were ripe for colonization. Initially these were friendly trade missions where the Numenorians gave much more than they received in wealth and knowledge. Over time it lead to the founding of permanent settlements at PELARGIR in the Eriador, and UMBAR in Southern Gondor. In 1700 S.A. King TAR-MINASTIR answered the call of GIL-GALAD to send troops to assist in the battle against Sauron freeing Eriador from his hold.
Times were changing in Numenor, there was growing dissatisfaction with the Valar regarding the ban. It was thought by many to be a means to keep them from gaining immortality. By 1800 S.A. King TAR-ATANAMIR was openly questioning the Valar. At first this hostility was turned on Middle Earth. The friendly trading posts became harsh points of domination, where they demanded tribute from the peoples of Middle Earth. They became a ruthless maritime Empire and ruled the lands with an iron fist. In 2280 S.A. Umbar was strengthened, and they moved against HARAD in the South, and so mighty were their arms that Sauron withdrew in front of them. By now they were known as BLACK NUMENORIANS by all those that suffered their domination.
Still some remained loyal to the Valar and the original vision for Numenor. The chief among these was one branch of the royal household known as the LORDS OF ANDUIE, Andúnië being their seat in Numenor. Eventually they were forced by AR-GIMILZOR , the largest Numenorian port on the Eastern side of the Island, in the 32nd Century of the S.A.
The power of Numenor continued to grow and in 3325 S.A. AR-PHARAZON sailed with the mightiest army ever assembled in the world to the shores of Middle Earth. There he moved against Sauron. So great was his might that Sauron simply surrendered. He was taken back to Numenor as a prisoner. Over time he gained the Kings ear, and fed his delusions that the Valar were keeping him from immortality. Eventually Sauron offered that if he and his people would worship MELKOR with a temple offering human sacrifices that he would grant them what they wished. So a mighty temple was built, lives were taken, and even NIMLOTH THE FAIR, the white tree of Numenor descended from that of Valar, was chopped and burnt on the altar to Melkor.
In the final step Sauron convinced Ar-Pharazon that he must go to Aman, and attack the Valar and force them to give him immortality. So he gathered his forces, and sailed West. The Valar were unsure of what actions they should take as they had been sworn not to take up arms against the Children of Illuvitar. As the great King reached the shore he lept out onto the BLESSED REALM. As his foot touched the soil ILLUVITAR removed Aman from the world physically. At that point he changed the world from flat to a sphere as he did so. The resulting tumult destroyed the Numenorian Host to a man. Alenna soon sank beneath the waves, the only survivors being the faithful led by ELENDIL who had his followers in nine prepared ships that took them from the ruin of their homeland to the sanctuary in Pelargir.
From there he and his sons, ISILDUR and Anarion founded the Kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor. They were joined by the faithful in Eriador and Gondor, but still had much to do to fight off the Black Numenorians who held fast and still hold Umbar as the CORSAIRS OF UMBAR.
Type
Geopolitical, Empire
Alternative Names
Westernesse
Related Ethnicities
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