Board Thread:Suggestions forum/@comment-31250940-20170207072747/@comment-26172435-20170208143407

I think the way Dorwinion is now, with a mixed population in most of the land is justifiable, based on the notion of 'a long reign of a King Bladorthin (possibly a grey elf from the west) of a flourishing nation that was strengthened by substantial influence from Gondor when that was at the height of its power'. Less elves in the plains and more concentrated in forests would improve it though. I assume the elven population was of mixed Nandorin and Penni Avari origin, with hardly any clear distinguishable clan origins, except for a remnant of Avari sticking to Eryn Calen, resisting increasing pressure on those woods by the neighbouring tribes and nations of easterlings of the Palisor. I disagree with the notion of Dorwinion not having established a significant military power as I explained about 8 months ago ... anyway, in short: Plague and Gondor retreating left the realm weakened, just like the neighbouring lands. Their main source of income was still in order and their technological advancement would have enabled them to overcome the bad situation relatively fast. This would have made them a relatively powerful regional power, being able to dictate terms upon their regional trading partners. No way this would not have lead to a significant military power as they both inherited Gondorian ways and a very turbulent history which must have taught them lessons about the trustworthyness of the men of the Palisor. As Mordor grew its influence over the Palisor, the relative strength of Dorwinions military would have decreased, but will certainly not have lead to weakening of Dorwinion, on the contrary I would say. As pointed out elsewhere (in a suggestion thread pleading for Dorwinion cavalry some 8 months ago), I believe it would be logical that Dorwinion would have a standing and very mobile army, mainly consisting of cavalry units stationed in many smaller stable-fortresses (similar to Rohans), instead of the current footsoldiers, to protect their realm from any imminent threat, and bands of rogues living on grapes.