This article is about the faction. For the NPCs, go to Lindon Elf or Rivendell Elf.
The High Elves are the most powerful and knowledgeable of Elves in Middle-earth, being part of the ancient Noldor race. They reside in Lindon and Rivendell, two of the few remaining safe-havens for their kind.
Throughout the Third Age, the High Elves decide to leave Middle-earth and return to their home in the Undying Lands beyond the sea. This means that their kind is declining, and there is little strength left in their militaries anymore.
Faction Lore
The High Elves are separated in two subfactions:
Lindon
Lindon was founded at the beginning of the Second Age by Gil-galad, last king of the Noldor in Middle-earth. Gil-galad set up his capital at Forlond (then the main city of the realm), with many Noldor and Lord Elrond. Meanwhile Celeborn, Celebrimbor and Galadriel set up in Harlond with a following of Sindar. The realm expanded to encompass the entirety of western Eriador, and alliance was declared anew with Numenor.
In SA 700, many Noldor under Celeborn, along with Celebrimbor and Galadriel, moved eastwards, and colonized Eregion on the slopes of the Misty Mountains. That realm also grew in size and power, while in the West Cirdan the Shipwright founded the twin havens of Mithlond.
However, Sauron was aware of the Elves, and in SA 1200 he approached Lindon, under the disguise of Annatar Aulendil. But Gil-galad did not trust, him, and so Annatar left, and went to Eregion. There, he worked his mischief, teaching Celebrimbor of ring-lore. But the Elves were decieved, for another Ring, besides the Seven, Nine, and Three, and all the lesser Rings, was made, to dominate all the others. Celebrimbor however heard the words of Sauron, and the Elves took off their Rings. About this time Glorfindel appeared out of the West, reborn and having travelled from Numenor to return to Middle-earth.
A rendition of the High King Gil-galad.
To Lindon came two of the Three rings, Narya and Vilya, and they were kept by Gil-galad, who sent messages to Numenor with pleas for aid. Elrond with an army was sent to Eregion, but it was not enough, for in SA 1695 Sauron attacked Eregion, and destroyed it, cruelly slaying Celebrimbor. Elrond fled north, and was besieged in a valley that would later become known as Imladris. And Sauron's power was spread from coast to coast, but he could not yet enter Lindon, or cross the River Lhun.
The Grey Havens of Mithlond
The army of Lindon was defending desperately the Grey Havens when the fleet of Numenor, under the prince Ciryatur, arrived. They cast back Sauron's host, and embattled him at Tharbad. Sauron fled from that war with naught but a bodyguard, and in his absence the power of Gil-galad waxed, until it was greatest of all free kingdoms of Middle-earth, save one only.
After the Downfall of Numenor, the Elves recieved Elendil warmly, and built for him the White Towers on the borders of Lindon. But when Sauron returned, all the Elves of Lindon marched to war. To Imladris where was Elrond, and thence to the Black Gate, drawing all manners of elf, men, dwarf, and even birds and beasts into their host, the Last Alliance of Men and Elves embattled the Black Gates of Mordor.
There was great struggle on the plains of Dagorlad, and many fell, but by the Spear of Gil-galad and the Sword of Elendil, Aeglos and Narsil, the Alliance had the victory. From there they besieged the Dark Tower itself, and for seven years there was death and cruel deeds in that dreadful plain. Until Sauron came forth, and did battle with Gil-galad, and Elendil of Numenor. Elendil fell beneath Sauron, and Gil-galad was burnt, as a star failing in a supernova. But Sauron fell too, and from his wounded body Isildur cut the One Ring, and his spirit fled.
The Elves returned to Lindon, their strength grievously reduced. Cirdan the Shipwright, wielding Narya, became leader of the Grey Havens, and over the course of the Third Age Elves gradually sailed from them westward. At about this time the Istari arrived, as emissaries from the West.
The Gulf of Lune in moonlight.
But, when Angmar rose, peace departed. The Elves of Lindon sent, for the majority of the Angmar war, sporadic aid to Arnor, staving off the inevitable defeat. Upon the fall of Fornost, they recieved survivors fro, the battle and attempted to rescue Arvedui in Forochel. But, though Cirdan's mariners were skilled, they could not save the vessel, and the ship foundered. But hope was not lost, for the next year a massive invasion force of Gondorians and Northmen sailed to Lindon, and with aid from the Elves and Arthedain they routed the army of the Witch-king, and slew all of Angmar's people.
The last days of the Third Age are a time of waning for the Eldar, as they leave the shores of Middle-earth and return West. Those that now remain are few in number, as ever more Elves fly west. The last large groups of the High Elves of Lindon live in the three great havens of the realm, or in wandering companies. These now must make ready to depart or fight, for though the light remains in Lindon still, outside the Shadow is growing.
Rivendell
The House of Elrond in Imladris, by Tolkien.
Rivendell, or Imladris, was founded in SA 1697 by Lord Elrond. After the fall of Eregion, Elrond retreated northward with the remnants of his and Eregion's armies. They took refuge on a high plateau near the Bruinen river, including a deep ravine. There they held out against an army of Orcs, left behind by Sauron to bottle them up. However, the siege was lifted in SA 1700, when an army of Numenor came to the aid of the beleaguered Elves.
A Council was held in Rivendell after the War of the Elves and Sauron, with Gil-galad, Elrond, and Círdan present. There, Gil-galad bestowed in secret to Elrond the ring Vilya, and decreed that the power base of the Noldor in the east would be in Imladris rather than Eregion.
Rivendell was then for a time a fortress, and during the Last Alliance served as a base for the Elves and Arnorians as they marched to war. Three years were spent there by the host of the Alliance, training and preparing for battle. The troops in Rivendell were part of the army of Lindon, and marched under Elrond's banner.
The Last Homely House east of the Sea.
After the fall of Gil-galad, Elrond remained in Imladris and built himself the palace called the Last Homely house. During the Third Age it was a refuge and sanctuary; many Elves gathered there, and it was the chief dwelling of the High Elves in Eriador. The heirs of Isildur were also harbored there due to their kinship with Elrond, as descendants of his brother Elros. Rivendell maintained this relationship with the North Kingdom throughout the Third Age, and Elrond and his people remained steadfast allies to the heirs of Isildur. After T.A. 1000, the place became the traditional meeting-place for the White Council.
Danger came to Eriador around T.A. 1300 when the Witch-Kingdom of Angmar was established in the north-east beyond the Ettenmoors. It was late in the reign of Arveleg I that Rivendell was besieged by Angmar. After an incursion by Angmar into Eriador in T.A. 1409, the Elves of Rivendell joined those of Lindon in subduing the power of the Witch-king for many years. In the last battle at Fornost, the Elves of Imladris participated, with Glorfindel leading a host from the vale to decimate the fleeing Orcs and personally drive off the Witch-king.
Glorfindel drives off the Witch-king
After the end of the North-kingdom in T.A. 1975 Aranarth, the first Chieftain of the Dúnedain, had his son fostered in Rivendell, as were all subsequent sons of the chieftains. The heirlooms and treasures of the house of Isildur, including the shards of Narsil, were also kept there after Arvedui's death.
In TA 2509, Celebrian wife of Elrond was seized by Orcs while crossing the Redhorn Pass. The Sons of Elrond, Elrohir and Elladan, came to her rescue, but she had endured torment and departed west later that year, to the grief of Elrond.
In the Quest of Erebor, Bilbo Baggins stopped off at Rivendell with the Dwarves on the way to the Lonely Mountain and also on the way back to the Shire with Gandalf. Bilbo retired there after his 111th birthday, writing his memoir There and Back Again.
The valley of Imladris in sunrise
Aragorn met Arwen daughter of Elrond in Rivendell. Though he had been raised there, and only hours earlier learned his true lineage, he had not seen Arwen before, for she had lived with her grandparents in Lorien for his childhood. Aragorn fell in love with her, but they were not betrothed until they met again in Lorien, many years and cares later.
Currently Rivendell remains as one of the last bulwarks of the High Elves in Middle-Earth, where Elrond and his folk keep watch. But as the power of the Enemy grows once more, it may soon become an island under siege, and if the High Elves of Rivendell do not head West soon, they may be forced to fight once more.
Alignment
The High Elves are allied with all of the other Elf factions except Dorwinion and the Free People of Eriador, and is enemies with all of the servants of Sauron. Their area of influence contains the area around the Gulf of Lune and Imladris.
High Elven areas of influence
Inter-faction relations
| Allies |
Friends |
Neutral |
Enemies |
Mortal Enemies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| •Dúnedain of the North •Fangorn |
•Blue Mountains •Dale |
•Angmar •Dol Guldur |
Invasions
Both Lindon and Rivendell have invasions. The Lindon invasions feature both Lindon units in the mod, while the Rivendell invasions feature both Rivendell units in the mod. Lindon invasions occur INSERT HERE, while Imladris invasions occur INSERT HERE
NPCs
Though the Eldar are leaving Middle-earth, their strength is not yet all gone. The remains of their ancient armies are prepared to fight one final battle against the forces of shadow.
Lindon
- Lindon Elf - The inhabitants of Lindon, the Lindon Elves are a mix of Sindar, Noldor, and some Laiquendi. They are unarmoured, but wield bows and daggers.
- Lindon Lord - The Noldorin lords of the Last Fair Realm, the Lindon Lords hire out troops to players. Clad in Lindon Armour and wielding a bow and blade, any foe would do well to avoid them.
- Lindon Warrior - Lindon Warriors defend the realm by the Sea from invaders. They are well-armed with blades and bows, and wear heavy Lindon Armour.
- Lindon Banner Bearer - Guardians of the Havens of Lindon who carry the ancient banner of King Ereinion Gil-galad. Their presence inspires nearby warriors to new feats.
- Lindon Smith - The Noldorin smiths of Lindon are skilled and learned craftsmen. They sell armour and weapons to players.
Rivendell
- Rivendell Elf - The Noldorin Elves of the Valley of Imladris. Though they lack armor, they are deadly accurate with their longbows, and their daggers are swift.
- Rivendell Captain - Lords of the Noldor, with the light of Valinor in their eyes, dwelling in both the Seen and Unseen. They sell soldiers to the worthy player.
- Rivendell Warrior - Knights of the Vale of Imladris, tasked with defending the Last Homely House. They are deadly foes for any trespassing Orc, armed with blades, bows, and Rivendell armor.
- Rivendell Banner Bearer - Warriors in the service of Lord Elrond, who bear his emblem proudly in the host of Rivendell. The sight of their silver banners gives strength to those near it.
- Rivendell Smith - Elven smiths, of the kind that forged the Rings of Power and the sword Anduril. They sell weapons and armour.
- Rivendell Wanderer - Elves who wander across Middle-earth trading their wares. They sell weapons and other RIvendell products.
Structures
The Noldor were known for their skill at stonework, and have several elegant and beautiful structures for both military and civilian purposes.
Lindon
- Lindon Hall - The grand halls of the Elves of Lindon, many-pillared and filled with the banners of the Last Fair Realm. Only the wealthy among the Eldar live in these.
- Lindon House - Homes of the majority of the Elves of Lindon, these simple yet elegant abodes have two floors and open-air windows.
- Lindon Smithy - Workplace of the famed smiths of the Noldor. Here one can purchase forged goods from the residing blacksmith.
- Lindon Tower - Towers built during the reign of Gil-galad, here can be found garrisons of Lindon Warriors and a captain of the Host of the Eldar.
Rivendell
- Rivendell Hall - Mansions of Eldarin lords, these large structures are found rather uncommonly in the Vale of Imladris, and are home to several Rivendell Elves.
- Rivendell House - Smaller buildings found in small groups about the Vale, home to most of those Elves that yet dwell in the realm of Lord Elrond.
- Rivendell Smithy - These structures, built during the War of the Last Alliance to provide weapons to the host of Gil-galad and Elendil, are used today by Rivendell Smiths to sell ironmongery.
Items
Lindon
Rivendell
  The High Elves of the West  
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The Westlands:
Angmar •
Blue Mountains •
Bree-land •
Dale •
Dol Guldur •
Dúnedain of the North Rhûn:
Harad:
Half-Trolls • Morwaith • Near Harad • Taurethrim The Deeps of the Earth:
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