History of the Harad
‘Aye, curse the Southrons!’ said Damrod. ‘’Tis said that there were dealings of old between Gondor and the kingdoms of the Harad in the Far South; though there was never friendship. In those days our bounds were away south beyond the mouths of Anduin, and Umbar, the nearest of their realms, acknowledged our sway. But that is long since. ’Tis many lives of Men since any passed to or fro between us. Now of late we have learned that the Enemy has been among them, and they are gone over to Him, or back to Him – they were ever ready to His will – as have so many also in the East. I doubt not that the days of Gondor are numbered, and the walls of Minas Tirith are doomed, so great is His strength and malice.’ (The Two Towers)
The state of Harad in the Third Age, as established by Chieftain Suladan, the Black Serpent.
In the Second Age, the Men of Númenor built a great city in the firth of Umbar, a vast natural harbour on the southern shores of the Bay of Belfalas, eventually turning the city into a fortified citadel from whose gates the Men of Númenor could levy great tributes upon many of the tribes of Harad.
For many years, the Haradrim were the greatest enemy of Gondor. Several times, they invaded the north. Finally, the Men of Gondor were able to subdue the Haradrim, though they were later freed by the Kin-strife. During the War of the Ring the Haradrim were allied with Sauron. A Haradrim warrior wounded Faramir. At the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, the Haradrim cavalry and Mûmakil were a great threat to the Rohirrim that had come to aid the people of Minas Tirith. During the onslaught a Haradrim chieftain, who bore the standard of a black serpent on a scarlet field, led the Haradrim cavalry. King Théoden of Rohan slew him in single combat.
The Land of Harad
"He wondered what the man's name was and where he came from, and if he was really evil of heart, or what lies or threats had led him on the long march from his home; and if he would not really rather have stayed there in peace." (The Two Towers)The Haradrim were bold and grim men, fierce in despair. They were tall and dark-skinned with black hair and dark eyes, and for that, they were called Swertings or Swarthy Men. The men of Near Harad were brown-skinned, with black hair and dark eyes, while the race known as "half-trolls" out of Far Harad had black skin.
Food habits (fiction!): Their food is generally spicy. Meat items, especially lamb meat, is common. Wine, vegetables, fruits and sweatmeats are all readily available.
Music (fiction!): Their music seems repetitive to outsiders but strangely hypnotic.
The Haradrim Army
We Wants You. Join us Preciousss!
We Wants You. Join us Preciousss!
‘What the Lord Denethor may know or guess of all these things I cannot say,’ answered Hirgon. ‘But indeed our case is desperate. My lord does not issue any command to you, he begs you only to remember old friendship and oaths long spoken, and for your own good to do all that you may. It is reported to us that many kings have ridden in from the East to the service of Mordor. From the North to the field of Dagorlad there is skirmish and rumour of war. In the South the Haradrim are moving, and fear has fallen on all our coastlands, so that little help will come to us thence. Make haste! For it is before the walls of Minas Tirith that the doom of our time will be decided, and if the tide be not stemmed there, then it will flow over all the fair fields of Rohan, and even in this Hold among the hills there shall be no refuge.’ (Return of the King)
The Haradrim had tamed the massive Mûmakil beasts and used them in warfare and, like their masters, were decorated with scarlet and gold. They even strapped towers on their backs, garrisoned by Haradrim archers and spearmen.
The Haradrim were said to be skilled horsemen, though not of prowess near to the Rohirrim. They are known to have mounted champions and archers, as well as infantry. Horses feared the Mumakil, and so the Southron forces rallied around them when faced with mounted foes.
Harad's tribes included into those of Near and Far Harad, although there were many tribes of the Haradrim, often mutually hostile. Some of the peoples of Far Harad were organized into kingdoms.
The armies of the Haradrim were said to comprise of horsemen, camel riders, foot soldiers like spearmen and swordsmen men bearing scimitars, and of course riders and tamers of the giant Mumakils. These were enormous and quite deadly creatures, especially to horsemen. In addition, there were wild rumors of giant scorpion-like creatures being used by the Haradrim as beasts of war and burden!
Ranks and Branches of the Army
Cavalry- Recruit, Scout, Lancer, Heavy Cavalry, Mounted Serpent Guard
Footmen- Recruit, Scout, Swordsmen or Spearmen, Veteran Swordsmen or Spearmen, Serpent Guard
Mumakil mahouts: Apprentice beastmaster, Seasoned beastmaster, Veteran beastmaster, Master beastmaster, Legendary beastmaster
Hasharin or assassins: Recruit, Apprentice spy or assassin, Seasoned spy or assassin, Veteran spy or assassin, Master spy or assassin,
Uniform or livery:
Many Haradrim warriors were seen in bright clothing, such as scarlet robes, and were decorated with golden ornaments, such as collars, earrings, corsets of overlapping brazen plates; they braided their hair with gold. Some tribes painted their bodies. Scarlet and red was also the color of their banners, tips of their spears, and body paint. Their shields were yellow and black with spikes. It is also mentioned that at the end of the Second Age some of the Men in the south had weapons of iron. Red scimitars were among their weapons.
Want to join the Army?
Speak to Suladan at Karna first. He will assign you a branch based on your likes.
When you begin your training, you'll get prompts to respond to.
To advance to the next rank, you need to do 5 posts.
The Chieftain of Harad
But they had not yet overthrown the siege, nor won the Gate. Many foes stood before it, and on the further half of the plain were other hosts still unfought. Southward beyond the road lay the main force of the Haradrim, and there their horsemen were gathered about the standard of their chieftain. And he looked out, and in the growing light he saw the banner of the king, and that it was far ahead of the battle with few men about it. Then he was filled with red wrath and shouted the battle of the Pelennor Fields aloud, and displaying his standard, black serpent upon scarlet, he came against the white horse and the green with a great press of men; and the drawing of the scimitars of the Southrons was like a glitter of stars. (Return of the King)
Suladan, also called The Black Serpent and the Serpent Lord, now rules over most of Harad. He is known as a peerless warrior and a master assassin. Among both friends and foes, he is considered to be a monster due to his decisiveness, prowess, and cruelty in battle. Suladan is also a master politician, for he more than manages to keep all tribes of the desert lands under his sway. For now, I play this character.
Rules
-All races welcome, but beware of being captured if you're from the lands of Gondor!
-Any location in the general geography covered by this thread is open for use, not just those described above.
-Please keep overt silliness to a minimum.
-Minimum word limit is 250. No maximum, but if it's too long, consider breaking it down into another post.
-Double post but don't spam.
-For now, it is a free RP thread. Do your stuff and have fun!