Tuinedun, of the Hidden Vale:
Mar 31, 2019 11:58:14 GMT -5
Post by Harador on Mar 31, 2019 11:58:14 GMT -5
Tuinedun was first established in T.A. 2935, two years after the death of Arathorn II and the abandonment of Taural, the orc raiding party found previous traditional Seat of Chieftain of the Dúnedain. By Harbaron, he who was called 'Wise Counsel', who had been Arathorn II's right-hand man. The one who was chosen to act as the leader of the Dúnedain until their secreted away future Chieftain came of age.
Tuinedun's location meet all requirements needed for establishing such a settlement and more. Being located at the southern end of the area that was known as the Angle. Made it a far more defensible then Taural ever could of ever had been. Being surrounded by water of two swift running rivers on all but it's northern side. With the only likely crossing point on the east side. The most likely direction that Orcs would be coming from. Being the usually well guarded Elf protected Ford of Bruinen. Harbaron had them clear the trees from the floor of the forested hidden valley. Providing land for grainfields and garden plots. Having them leave growing and trees that bore either fruit or nuts that his people might eat each year. With livestock be grazed among those trees, north of the water. The fallen trees was used as building material and always needed firewood. Unlike Taural, Harbaron insisted that Tuinedun be surrounded by a tall upward standing log palisade wall. It was a thing he had counseled Arathorn II, to do when he became Chieftain there in Taural. But there always seem to be more pressing matter to see to. The spaces between the logs in the defensive structure was chinked with and all of it covered with fireproof white clay. Which was taken from the close by lake shore. It also had a walkway running around the inside of it. From which to fight from. The Chieftain's Longhouse that sat at the highest point. Was surrounded by a log palisade of it own. Making it a place of final refuge should the walls of the settlement somehow were breached. Built to it was a seventy foot tall dwarven made stone watchtower. Where there are two people keeping watch upon the surrounding lands both day and night. At it's top, is a bell that will be rung at the first sight of anything out of the ordinary.
Presently there are little more then sixty full fledged Rangers of the North. Of that number, less then a handful are woman. Who are treated with honor and respect by their fellow rangers. At any one time there are forty of them out on patrols in Eriador, for a period of two months. Spread from the foothills of the Misty Mountains in the east. To the east bank of the Brandywine River in the West. The remaining twenty are standing home guard for a month. Either at Tuinedun or at one of several far smaller hidden Dúnedain settlements. Where their families dwell. Each full moon, the twenty rangers that have been standing home guard rotate into the field, replacing the Rangers that have been on patrol for two moons. In a never ending cycle. Of course only a third of adult male Dúnedains have what it takes to be an actual ranger. The remaining two thirds hold much needed and otherwise useful occupations. They to train twice a week to defend their home and stand watch one night a week. Any woman who wishes may also train with the men. At any one time there are from between two hundred and two hundred twenty five people living in and around Tuinedun. Some places like Bree, secretly provide food and other supplies to the rangers who keep them safe. While pretending to outsiders to be afraid of them. Making them out to be some sort of boogieman that keeps those who would not wise be. On the straight and narrow. Otherwise they provide themselves with all there own food. In lean years gold must be spent to bring a mule train of food north from Gonder.
(More to be added as needed or thought of! )