Númenórean Exiles
Númenóreans or Dúnedain were the Men of Númenor, descendants of the Edain of the First Age, who were granted the island of Elenna as a dwelling place. Eventually, they turned against the Valar, and their island home was destroyed in the last years of the Second Age. The Númenóreans were descendants of the Edain of the First Age, who proved themselves great allies of the Elves, from whom they gathered knowledge of all things surrounding them. The two races fought together against Morgoth.
During that Age, unions of Elves and Men were made; Lúthien and Beren whose son, Dior Eluchíl, married Nimloth of Doriath and Elwing was born. Idril and Tuor, the second couple, were parents of Eärendil. Elwing and Eärendil met at the Havens of Sirion and from their union twins were born: Elros and Elrond. To the two half-elves, the Valar gave a choice: Elros chose to join the race of men, whereas Elrond chose to join the elves.
The Edain fought with the Host of Valinor in the War of Wrath and were victorious, the Edain were honoured and blessed by Eönwë in body and mind for their part in the war and the Valar rewarded the Edain by giving them a place to dwell outside the troubled world of Middle-earth. Ulmo raised an island halfway between Endor and Aman which the Edain named Elenna, later known as the island of Númenor. The first ships of the Edain arrived to their new home in S.A. 32 by following the Star of Eärendil, Elros became the first King of Númenor and established the Realm of Númenor. For the next fifty years the majority of the Edain in Middle-earth gradually migrated to Númenor.
The Dúnedain (S: "West-men"), singular Dúnadan, were the Men of Númenor and (especially) their descendants who peopled Middle-earth in the Second and Third Ages.
Although they were from the beginning far fewer in number than the lesser men, the Dúnedain were lords of long life, great power, and wisdom; far superior to the Men of Middle-earth among whom they dwelt and whom they ruled.
The Dúnedain of Arnor are the most direct descendants
of the old Númenóreans to be found in Middle-Earth.
People who associate with the Powers of the
Undying lands, even at a distance, gain the benefits of the
Essence of that eternal place. Even
in the later days of Arthedain, Dúnadan men of pure
blood average over 6'6'' in height, peaking at Elendil's
height of 7'. Women range from 5'9" to 6'4''. Most of the
northern Dúnedain have the traditional lithe, muscular
build, well-trimmed black or brown-black hair, and grey
or hazel eyes seen in old Númenórean portraits. They
have reasonably fair if traditionally weather-beaten complexions,
and the men show little or no beard.
The Arthedain favor practical dress, long-sleeved tunics
and leggings with high boots, usually in the more
subdued colors. Arthadan outer clothing is typically less
colorful and decorative then their Cardolani counterparts,
although they can be more vivid in the privacy of their
homes. The official colors of the Line of Isildur are a deep
blue-black for members of the royal household and jet
black for their retainers, with trim of silver or white.
The Dúnedain never constituted more than a small
majority in Cardolan. At their peak, before the Disaster of
Tyrn Gorthad in T.A. 1217, there were less than 25,000 of pure blood. Most recognizable for their great height, the
men range from 6'4'' to 7', and women from 5'8'" to 6'4''.
The majority are descended from a few families of the
early colonists, so the once unusual auburn hair and greeneyes of their ancestors are quite common. Only those with
some trace of the old Royal blood display the classic jet
black hair and grey eyes that are characteristic of the
Dúnedain elsewhere. All have fair complexions, and very
few have facial hair.
The vast majority of the Dúnedain of Cardolan are
actually of mixed blood. The larger share of them are part
of a distinct military culture living within the larger
society. They are known as the Tergil (S. "High Men"),
rather than by the scholar's designation of "lesser
Dúnedain." Most of the Tergil descend from the intermarriage
of Númenórean sailors and soldiers with the fair
haired native Eriedain, the most ancient Eriadorans.
Generally, they have retained their forefathers' height and
their foremothers' blond hair, and the males can and
usually do grow bushy mustaches. Their culture is a
curious mix of Northman warrior ferocity and Dúnadan
self-discipline. However, the clearest distinction among
the High Men is that the Tergil are fortunate to live for
a century, while the Dúnedain often live half again as long.
The pure-blooded Dúnedain of Cardolan prefer to
dress in Númenórean style, with flowing robes and capes.
Deep reds and dark blues are the most popular colors. The
dress of Tergil depends on their social standing and can
range from Númenórean robes to scruffy Hillmen hides,
though arms and armor are almost always present.
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