Board Thread:Lore Texts/@comment-26149161-20170528025337

On the Dark Men of the South

Teithantna Ithilion Eleruth, goloth o Noldoli





The Moredain have no writing system, no form to record tales beyond spoken word. Much of what is known about them is surmised from their tales, or the guesswork of the Numenoreans. And much of that is now lost, for much drowned in the Downfall of Numenor. Here follows the most known notes on their culture and history, as can now be perceived.



Like all Men, the ancestors of the Moredain must have awoken in Hildorien, with all other fathers of the race. From thence they would have traveled westward, but diverted southwards at the end of the Sea of Helcar. Why it is not now known, but it is possible they came into contact with the Druedain of the Ered Nimrais, for that people tell of conflict with strange Eastern invaders. The divided and scattered peoples would have reached the plains of Far Harad by the time of the Dagor Bragollach, in FA 455. It is there that some of them settled, seemingly finding the lush plains to their liking, with a great number of beasts for food. The ancestors of the other known Haradrim tribes likely stayed there awhile, before separating at a later time.



A note on the term for the tribesmen of the South: The bright and sun-burnt southern plains is likely the cause of the dark skin that give the Moredain their name. While swarthiness is often seen as a side-effect of falling under the Shadow, this peculiar trait appears to have developed before the coming of Sauron. The color is shared by all of the men of Far Harad, and traces of that stock can be seen as far northward as Harondor, so the men of Gondor say.



<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Though they share a skin color, the Moredain people are not a single united group, but an entire people of many small chiefdoms and villages. These are, at least in present times, often at war among themselves, and have no single leader. As such, though in great numbers, they have never been able to affect such an empire as that of the Tauredain. Peculiarly, though, the culture of all the people is the worship of the same animal, they name “ <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Simbakil <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">¹”, or the Lion. All Moredain youth, of all tribes, are expected to kill a lion before they can be accepted as a warrior of the tribe. Their tales tell that their deity, the Great Lion, lives somewhere in the mountains of the South, and is the greatest of all beings. One day, he shall come down from his perch and swallow the worlds of Men. This is of course nonsense, for Eru created no such thing, yet it remains a fascinating concept. Perhaps when they first arrived they observed some Maia or creature of Orome, in beast form, to inspire such a tale?

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:36pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">In the great plains of the Southlands the Moredain dwelt even as they do today, in ramshackle clay and thatch huts amid the vast savannah. It is guessed that they eat few vegetables, feeding mostly on the flesh of hunted beasts, which accounts for their great size and strength. Their people live from the desert’s end in the north, to the Mountains of Harad in the West, to the Great Forest in the south. In the midst of the land are the fiery mountains of Narennyn, which the Moredain speak of with great fear. Another of their myths, doubtless, surrounds the desolate peaks that light the sky with flame and smoke.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:36pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-indent:36pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Though there are many clans and tribes dwelling in the South and all collectively falling under the name of Moredain, the people are divided into several general groups, dwelling in the North, South, East, and West. Of them this is known:

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">- The <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#1155cc;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Northern tribes<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;"> have the most dealings with the Southrons, and are a people divided and warlike. Dwelling mainly in the less hospitable, arid northern savannah, they are relatively scattered and territorial. Their clans fight amongst one another constantly, seizing prisoners to sell to their northern neighbors--who also invade them from time to time. These Moredain use some metal weapons and tools, and have slightly lighter skin than their southern kin.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">- The <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#1155cc;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Eastern tribes<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;"> are those constantly raided by the Troll-men of Pertorogwaith. These great men or beast-men have taken a liking to Moredain flesh, and the Eastern Moredain are weak and in hiding because of them, dwelling mainly in caves. They use mainly stone and horn weapons, and wear fur and grass, being the most primitive and weakest group of the Moredain.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">- The <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#1155cc;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Southern tribes<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;"> are the largest group, being very numerous and also slightly more united--they have fewer tribes, and larger ones. They are primarily concerned with battling the successor state of the Tauredain Empire, though they are not as well-equipped or armoured. In battle, they mainly wear fur and hide, and wield great fur shields.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">- The <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#1155cc;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Western tribes<span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">, closer to the holy Mountains of Harad, are more pious and centered around worshipping the Great Lion. They have many strange customs and rituals, and are by far the smallest group, due to their skepticism of Sauron. Though they hate the natural foes of the Moredain, the Tauredain, and are not rebels from their own culture, not all of their clans fully support the Dark Lord, and as such he has secretly attempted to orchestrate their destruction, causing outside attacks and civil wars to weaken the fast-declining westerners.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Early in the Second Age, the Moredain fell under the reign of the Tauredain Empire. They were taxed heavily, and their tribes paid homage to the Emperor of Ya’ax Kaah. But it came to pass that the Tauredain Empire was suddenly lessened, and the Moredain, free of such oppression, turned to the worship of the Darkness, for Mordor had not been idle. It is not known how they affected the fall of the Tauredain, but they did.² Whatever the cause, it would seem that emissaries of Sauron met with various tribes of the Moredain, and convinced many to worship Him alongside the Lion. It can be surmised the Moredain were greeted with the same words used to seduce Numenor and the Men of Darkness, telling them that the Lord of the Earth, who we do not name, would save them and give them immortal life. But it is not yet known whether Sauron claimed yet to be Morgoth returned, for that lie has only been known in latter days.

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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">The tribes were eventually discovered and named by the N <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">ú <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">men <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">ó <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">reans, who also came into contact with the Tauredain--accounting for the mysterious Westron names and Edainic symbols seen on Tauredain ruins from the time. Doubtless the subjugation of the Moredain turned cruel, for as the shadow lengthened the N <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">ú <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">men <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">ó <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">reans demanded tribute of the Tauredain, who in turn would squeeze the tribes of the plains dry of booty, treasures, and slaves.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">A note here must be given to the Troll-men of the South, who are little-known in any tale. It is not known whether the term refers to a kind of beast, man-sized and with mannish features, or some sort of large, dark man³. But the Moredain know of them, and in their tongue name them the <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Kh <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">ú <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">mzult⁴ <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">. And they fear them, saying that they eat men alive.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">In the War of the Last Alliance, few of the Moredain took part. Sauron had not been able to call upon many of their scattered tribes, being concerned with the subjugation of much of the East. Certain tribes also at this time were embattled on the South, for at this time the Cerinrim, bloodthirsty warriors of the bushlands, first appeared to raid, pillage, and slaughter the Moredain. But few if any of those who did fight ever returned, for the Alliance showed little mercy to those that would not surrender, and the Moredain are known to stand and fight even when outnumbered and outmatched. What they lack in gear, they do not lack in courage.

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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">After the first fall of Sauron and the beginning of the Third Age, some tribes of the North Moredain began to face a new threat: the kingdoms of the Southrons⁵. These peoples, of which their principalities and states are many, well-equipped and better-armed, began to encroach upon the dark men. Some of the tribes were slain utterly, and the Southrons began a profitable slave-trade of their southern neighbors. Many dark deeds occurred during this time, and some Moradan began to collude with the slave-traders. Whole villages were razed, and clans would try to take their foes as prisoners to sell to the kingdoms of Near Harad. This brutal and barbaric practice continues to this day, it is said. The Moredain may support the Dark Lord and his Men, but many of the tribes that live in the North have felt the Serpent’s Bite, and among the slaves of both Near Harad and N <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#3a3a3a;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">ú <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">rn are many that came from the Sunlands in the South. But no tribe has the strength to stop it, and those that try perish.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Nevertheless, alliance exists between the two peoples. This is due to the trade between them--the Moredain exchange rare Far Southern products, furs, meats, and plants, with the Southrons in exchange for metals, weapons, and the products of the more advanced Near Haradrim kingdoms. This has grown most evident with the trade of <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Mûmakil <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">. The <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Mûmakil <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">, large beasts of the Southern Jungle, are known to be used in battle by the Southrons. But how they come of it is told only in legend and rumor. It is guessed that the Moredain, to spite their bitter forest rivals, steal the <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Mûmakil <span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;"> and sell them at great price to the Southrons. This has led to greater and fiercer enmity between the Moredain and Tauredain.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">The men of the Sunlands are tough and hardy, and willing to fight for the Red Eye. But their allegiance lies foremost with the Great Lion, and it is under his banners, not Sauron’s, that they walk. It may be hoped one day that the shadow can be lifted from them, and they cast off the yoke of their oppressive masters. But that day, should it ever come to pass, is long off, and as the shadow lengthens, the Eye colors the plains in the scarlet light of a dying sun.

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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:18pt;font-family:Calligraffitti;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Notes:

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-position:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;white-space:pre-wrap;">United for a short time by the famed Emperor Karsei <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-position:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;white-space:pre-wrap;">ú <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-position:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;white-space:pre-wrap;">s the Great. Upon his mysterious death, the short-lived empire was divided among his generals and fragmented into the many city-states and petty realms of today.
 * 1) <p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-right:6pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:#333333;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Tee-hee.
 * 2) <p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Some claim a Ring of Power was presented to their great emperor, but this seems unlikely, for why would Sauron gift such a device to the Men of the South, far from his War?
 * 3) <p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-right:6pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:#333333;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Certainly no reference is given to horns, mohawks, rhinoceros-like skin, or animal-shaped mouths.
 * 4) <p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-right:6pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:#333333;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">A mutilated version of Kiumbe-mtu, Swahili for "Man-creature".

<span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-position:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;white-space:pre-wrap;"> <font color="White">Ithilion, Discussions Moderator <font color="White">(Auta i lómë) 02:53, May 28, 2017 (UTC) <ac_metadata title="Of the Moredain"> </ac_metadata>