Founded in March 1993, Elendor is the Premiere Lord of the Rings / J.R.R. Tolkien based MUSH with over 1600 users over 5000 rooms, and is always in the top 3 in activity based on Amberyl's Automated MUSH list. The beginners MUSH Manual is a good read for potential players.

Umbar, the city of Corsairs

Umbar, City of the Corsairs has existed for over 5000 years, making it one of humankind's oldest cities. It was established in the middle second age by the expansive Numenorean 'King's Men' and became a haven for many of them--some of which survived there after the downfall of Numenor. Umbar and Gondor have been at odds throughout the whole third age, both at sea and in the desert. Umbar proper is a great port and the Corsairs excel at sea-battle and piracy.

Umbar originated as a Numenorean port city, though after the downfall of Numenor the mixing of bloodlines with 'lesser' men diminished the Black Numenoreans. Umbar was captured by Gondor in 933 TA and held for almost 500 years until the kin-strife of Gondor in 1432. The Gondorian rebel Castamir fled Gondor with much of its fleet and reestablished the Corsair state. This held until 1810, when Gondor again took Umbar. This victory by the Gondorians was short-lived as the Haradrim rallied and took Umbar at the turn of the millenia. Since then, Umbar has been a Haradrim city, though much of the history, politics, and tradition of the past has been maintained. Some few Umbarians can still trace their Numenorean bloodline, and these few often take the role as leaders.

The Haradrim are a fierce and warlike race of common humans that inhabit the Harad desert and the great city of Umbar. Haradrim-proper are tall and deeply-tanned, and somewhat resemble the Rohirrim to the north. The Haradrim residents of Umbar are more diverse--there have been many infuxes of Numenorian, Gondorian, and other cultures thoughout time. The Haradrim use both horses and Mumakil in combat--the latter being much feared. The desert Haradrim are more warlike, more under the shadow, and a more hostile, and chaotic group. The Haradrim Corsairs of Umbar are regal and rich...and the most feared of the sea forces.

Umbar is ruled by an oligarchy of six lords, known as 'Tower Lords', 'Lords of Umbar', or 'Captains of the Havens.' In the absence of any others, any one Tower Lord (TL) is in complete charge of the city excluding major long-term decisions and dominion of the other TL's. However, all residents are expected to obey TL's at all times, unless of course their own TL is present at the time. If other TL's are present, city desisions are made by vote, with the senior-most TL having any tie-breaker vote. Each TL maintains his or her own troops and fleet, though it is common for manpower to be shared or for fleets to cooperate.

The majority of Haradrim (especially the desert tribes) worship the Dark Lord in one form or another. In Umbar-proper this takes the form of The Dark Religion, which perhaps 90% of the populace practices.

Some of the Corsairs either exclusively, or in combination with the Dark Religion, practice a form of Hero Worship. Traditionally this has been the religion of choice for the aristrocracy of the city--though they will acknowledge that the Dark Religion is the more powerful of the two forms of worship. Even though not everyone follows the Dark Religion, nobody speaks openly against it or publicly denounces it. Conventional wisdom says, "It's not wise to anger Gods."

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All pages created and maintained by Robert Yeichner. Created: March 1996 Last updated: June 1997. Any questions or comments can be e-mailed to Robert or can be posted via the feedback page.