Dux Arda – On Religions in Middle Earth

Where Are the Religious Figures and Structures in Dux Arda?

In Dux Britanniarum, religious figures and buildings for the Romano-British, Saxons and other factions play a role in battles and campaigns. This is not the case in Dux Arda — the fan mod for gaming the battles of Middle Earth using the Dux Britanniarum rules from Too Fat Lardies.

Most Factions in Dux Arda will not have Religious followers in their Retinue (check each Faction listing). That’s because in Middle Earth, while there is an epic struggle between Good and Evil, organized religions play little role in the War of the Rings.

The faith story of Middle Earth is essentially Judeo-Christian in nature in that there is a God (Illuvatar); He created the Angels (the Valar); He created all the universe (Middle Earth); some of the Angels grew arrogant and Fell in a great war (Morgoth); and He has a plan for the world.

However, the world depicted by The Lord of the Rings intentionally has very little religion or myth-making in it.  Tolkien appears to be implying that not enough time had yet passed for the “historical facts” to have become fully mythologized. This means that though characters across the various books written by Tolkien reference or venerate higher powers, most cultures don’t have an organized religion, and faith would therefore a personal matter with few or no priests or worship leaders.

• Elves revere and respect Illuvatar, but would most likely call upon their “personal” Valar, Elbereth. No Religious Figures.
• Dwarves revere and respect Illuvatar, and would most likely call upon their “personal” Valar, Aulë. No Religious Figures.
• Men have more variety in faiths than the Elves and Dwarves, depending on their culture.
  • Free Peoples of the West: Will revere and respect Illuvatar and may call upon a Valar they most identify with. No Religious Figures.
  • Men of Sauron: Have created a Cult of worship around Sauron, and would most likely have a priest class. They have elevated Sauron to God status and deny that Illuvatar is the Creator. This Cult involves ritual human sacrifice and dark practices. May use Religious Figures per normal Dux Britanniarum rules.
  • Wildmen: The “uncivilized” Men of Middle Earth may have fallen back to animism and spirit worship that would be unique to each tribe. May use Religious Figures per normal Dux Britanniarum rules.
• Hobbits will revere and respect Illuvatar and may call upon a Valar they most identify with. No Religious Figures.
• Orcs have elevated Sauron to God status as their Creator, and proclaim Illuvatar as the Enemy. This Cult involves ritual human sacrifice and dark practices. May use Religious Figures per normal Dux Britanniarum rules.

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Faction book for Dux Arda – Durin’s Folk, Book of the Dwarves

Continuing the Dux Arda project for gaming Middle Earth is the first kingdom book – Durin’s Folk – the Book of the Dwarves. This fan-mod book created using ideas from Gunnar Lopez’s Dux Arda project uses the Dux Britanniarum rules from Too Fat Lardies and includes:

1. Brief history of the Dwarves in Middle Earth
2. Updated Faction forces
3. Faction cards
4. Creating a Dwarf as a Dux Arda character, including names, what Clan and the different characteristics.
5. Dwarf career paths tied into modified retainers and Kingdoms
6. Magic in Middle Earth
7. Underground Terrain
8. Modified Kingdom Enhancements
9. Specifics on Dwarven Kingdoms and Provices, and how they differ from other Factions
10. Modified Battles and Raid
11. Description of the Dwarven Halls at the time of the War of the Ring

 

Here’s the book file: Dux Arda – The Dwarven Kingdom Book v021919

Any comments/feedback welcomed!

Dux Arda – Durin’s Folk (the Dwarves)

Gunnar Lopez over at the War to End All Blogs has completed a series of Force descriptions for using Dux Britanniarum from Too Fat Lardies to wargame the battles of Middle Earth.

The project is called Dux Arda (aka Lard of the Rings).

Durin’s Folk (the Dwarves)

Durin’s Folk, the Dwarves, are stalwart warriors and dedicated protectors of their realms. Occupying the Iron Hills throughout the Third Age and periodically Erebor and Moria, they greedily delve deep into the earth for precious gems and metals. These riches are fiercely guarded, which often leads to conflict with other races of Middle Earth. Caring little for anything beyond their mountain homes, they do not take part in the wars of Middle Earth, unless they directly affect them. However, the location of their homes and their enmity for orcs leads to much conflict with the Orcs of Gundabad and the Orcs of the Misty Mountains.

Here are the Unit cards and Force description of Durin’s Folk (the Dwarves).

• Forces of the Free Peoples – Durin’s Folk (the Dwarves): https://wartoendallblogs.blogspot.com/2019/01/dux-arda-lard-of-rings-durins-folk.html

Dux Arda – Durin’s Folk (the Dwarves) faction cards

Dux Arda – The Orcs of Gundabad

Gunnar Lopez over at the War to End All Blogs has completed a series of Force descriptions for using Dux Britanniarum from Too Fat Lardies to wargame the battles of Middle Earth.

The project is called Dux Arda (aka Lard of the Rings).

The Orcs of Gundabad

The Orcs of Gundabad are, like all orcs a numerous and well equipped, but brittle force. They do not suffer from the lack of arms and armor that their cousins in the Misty Mountains and elsewhere do, having stormed and taken the Dwarven Halls of Mount Gundabad during the War of the Last Alliance of Men and Elves. They are able to provide all necessary equipment needed to combat their enemies. Sworn enemies of the Dwarves of Erebor, the men of Dale, and the Elves of the Woodland Realm, they are one of the primary dangers facing the good people of the Northern Dorwinion.

Here are the Unit cards and Force description the Orcs of Gundabad.

• Forces of Sauron – the Orcs of Gundabad: https://wartoendallblogs.blogspot.com/2019/01/dux-arda-lard-of-rings-orcs-of-gundabad.html

Dux Arda – the Orcs of Gundabad faction cards

Dux Arda – Elves of Rivendell

Gunnar Lopez over at the War to End All Blogs has completed a series of Force descriptions for using Dux Britanniarum from Too Fat Lardies to wargame the battles of Middle Earth.

The project is called Dux Arda (aka Lard of the Rings).

The Elves of Rivendell

The Elves of Rivendell, or the Noldor, are the oldest and wisest of the races of Middle Earth. Long acting as protectors of the land, the Noldor have begun to take a less aggressive role in recent times. After the first defeat of Sauron, they have begun to return to Valinor, leaving Men to rule and squabble over Middle Earth. While they do not take part in much of the warring around them, they still defend their realms with unmatched skill and resolve. The Elves of Rivendell defend the Imladris and the surrounding area from orcs and evil men from Angmar and the Misty Mountains, killing any who dare stray too close to their realm.

Here are the Unit cards and Force description the Elves of Rivendell.

• Forces of the Free Peoples – the Elves of Rivendell: https://wartoendallblogs.blogspot.com/2019/01/dux-arda-lard-of-rings-elves-of.html

Dux Arda – the Elves of Rivendell faction cards

Dux Arda – The Remnants of Angmar

Gunnar Lopez over at the War to End All Blogs has completed a series of Force descriptions for using Dux Britanniarum from Too Fat Lardies to wargame the battles of Middle Earth.

The project is called Dux Arda (aka Lard of the Rings).

The Remnants of Angmar

The Remnants of Angmar are, much like their brethren in Mordor, a multitudinous but brittle force. While they were formerly led by the Witch King himself, they are no longer a primary threat to the West in the same way they once were. However, the forges of Angmar still burn and there are multitudes of orcs and evil men willing to fight the forces of good. Residing in the Northwest of the Misty Mountains as well as the Hills and Forests of Rhudar, these servants of Sauron are less well equipped than their cousins in Mordor. However, they have adapted well to their circumstances, utilizing more skirmish tactics and playing into their skills at ambushing. They also utilize the evil Hillmen of Rhudar to bolster their ranks and provide strength and stability to their forces.

Here are the Unit cards and Force description the Remnants of Angmar.

• Forces of Sauron – the Remnants of Angmar: https://wartoendallblogs.blogspot.com/2019/01/dux-arda-lard-of-rings-remnants-of.html

Dux Arda – Remnants of Angmar faction cards

Dux Arda – the Free Peoples of Eriador (and Dunedain)

Gunnar Lopez over at the War to End All Blogs has completed a series of Force descriptions for using Dux Britanniarum from Too Fat Lardies to wargame the battles of Middle Earth.

The project is called Dux Arda (aka Lard of the Rings).

The Free Peoples of Eriador (and the Dunedain)

What was once the greatest kingdom in Middle Earth, Arnor, collapsed into squabbling petty kingdoms over the course of the Third Age. Due to infighting between the sons of the line of Isildur, Arnor was split into three kingdoms competing for supremacy, which left them vulnerable to a rising threat, Angmar. The Witch King of Angmar absorbed Rhudaur after the line of Isildur became extinct and launched an assault on Arthedain and Cardolan, the other two petty kingdoms of Arnor. While the Witch King was ultimately defeated and Angmar destroyed, this victory left the region so devastated that both petty kingdoms collapsed, leaving the remaining Dunedain as nomadic protectors of the free peoples living in Eriador. This region is dangerous and wild, the Remnants of Angmar threaten the North, Dunland threatens the South, and bandits and orcs raid with relative impunity. Left with little industry and dwindling populations, the Free Peoples of Eriador do not have standing armies or well-equipped forces. However, the Northern Dunedain and other free peoples are not without defenses and will defend their homes to their dying breath.

Here are the Unit cards and Force description the Free Peoples of Eriador (and the Dunedain).

• Forces of the Free Peoples – the Free Peoples of Eriador (and the Dunedain): https://wartoendallblogs.blogspot.com/2019/01/dux-arda-lard-of-rings-free-peoples-of.html

Dux Arda – the Free Peoples of Eriador and the Dunedain faction cards

Dux Arda – The Denizens of Mirkwood (Dol Guldur)

Gunnar Lopez over at the War to End All Blogs has completed a series of Force descriptions for using Dux Britanniarum from Too Fat Lardies to wargame the battles of Middle Earth.

The project is called Dux Arda (aka Lard of the Rings).

The Denizens of Mirkwood and Dol Guldur

The Denizens of Mirkwood are, much like their brethren in Mordor, a multitudinous but brittle force. They are a serious threat to all those who live in or near Mirkwood as well as those attempt to pass through. Made up of orcs of Dol Guldur, orcs of Mirkwood, and terrifying giant spiders, the Denizens of Mirkwood are a fearsome threat to the good people of Mirkwood and Dale. Only the Woodland Realm and Men of Dale keep this threat contained to Mirkwood itself, but there’s no way of knowing how long this might last.

Here are the Unit cards and Force description the Denizens of Mirkwood and Dol Guldur.

• Forces of Sauron – the Denizens of Mirkwood and Dol Guldur: https://wartoendallblogs.blogspot.com/2019/01/dux-arda-lard-of-rings-denizens-of.html

Dux Arda – the Denizens of Mirkwood and Dol Guldur faction cards

Dux Arda – Elves of Thranduil’s Realm

Gunnar Lopez over at the War to End All Blogs has completed a series of Force descriptions for using Dux Britanniarum from Too Fat Lardies to wargame the battles of Middle Earth.

The project is called Dux Arda (aka Lard of the Rings).

The Elves of Thanduil’s Realm

The Elves of Thranduil’s Realm, or Mirkwood, are part of the oldest and wisest of the races of Middle Earth. Descended from both the Silvan and Sindar elven peoples, the elves of Mirkwood have defended the great forest against all evil. However, their power is waning and they can no longer hold back the tide alone. They have renewed their traditional friendship with the Men of Dale and have ended their rivalry with Durin’s Folk, who have resettled Erebor. While they do not take part in much of the warring around them, they still defend their realms with unmatched skill and resolve. The Elves of Thranduil’s Realm defend their homes and the surrounding area from orcs and evil men lurking in the shadows of the forest and to the East, killing any who dare stray too close.

Here are the Unit cards and Force description the Elves of Thranduil’s Realm.

• Forces of the Free Peoples – the Elves of Thanduil’s Realm: https://wartoendallblogs.blogspot.com/2019/01/dux-arda-lard-of-rings-thranduils-realm.html

Dux Arda – the Elves of Thranduil’s Realm faction cards

Dux Arda – the Dunlendings

Gunnar Lopez over at the War to End All Blogs has completed a series of Force descriptions for using Dux Britanniarum from Too Fat Lardies to wargame the battles of Middle Earth.

The project is called Dux Arda (aka Lard of the Rings).

The Men of Dunland (Dunlendings)

The Men of Dunland, or the Dunlendings, are a race of middle men who have allied themselves with Isengard against Rohan. Driven from their ancestral homes by the Men of Rohan, the Dunlendings are bitter and willing to take any opportunity to reclaim what is theirs, even if it means allying with the forces of Sauron. Convinced by Saruman that they will be able to kill the “straw heads” of Rohan and take their true homes back, they willfully sold themselves into service of the Dark Lord.

Here are the Unit cards and Force description the Dunlendings.

• Forces of Sauron – the Dunlendings: https://wartoendallblogs.blogspot.com/2019/01/dux-arda-lard-of-rings-men-of-dunland.html

Dux Arda – the Dunlendings faction cards