A while ago, Clint asked me to write a page about the upcoming Last Alliance
variant for Bree. I have (very belatedly!) sent this to him. However it is
impossible to do justice to this variant in a single page, so here, for
those who are interested in the Last Alliance, are the important dates and
events of the 2nd Age. The basis for this is appendix B in Lord of the
Rings. I have added info gleaned from the relevant chapters in the
Silmarillion and Unfinished tales. These are the primary sources for the
Last Alliance variant.
Year 1: Foundation of Lindon, the realm of Gil-galad High King of the Elves,
which included Mithlond (the Grey Havens).
32: Edain ('good' men) settle the island of Numenor.
c40: Many Dwarves leave their old cities in Ered Luin and go to Moria
(Khazad-dum). 'There were and always remained some Dwarves on the eastern
side of Ered Lindon, where the very ancient mansions of Nogrod and Belegost
had been...'
350-400: Birth of Amroth to Celeborn and Galadriel.
700: Eregion founded by Noldor (amongst them Celeborn and Galadriel) to
trade with Dwarves of Moria.
750: The capital of Eregion was Ost-in-Edhil where dwelt Celebrimbor,
greatest Elf-smith of the 2nd Age.
c1000: The Dark Lord Sauron chooses Mordor as a land to make into a
stronghold, and begins building the mighty fortress of Barad-dur.
1200: Numenoreans establish permanent havens in Middle-earth, amongst
them Tharbad.
Galadriel extends her influence over the hitherto lordless Elves of
Lorinand/Lorien. This realm extends into the forests on both sides of the
River Anduin, including the region where afterwards was Dol Guldur.
Sauron, disguising himself as Annatar, Lord of Gifts, tries to seduce the
Elves. Gil-galad and Galadriel perceive his true nature and reject him, but
Celebrimbor and the Elves of Eregion are won over.
1350-1400: Celebrimbor seizes power in Eregion.
1400: Galadriel, Amroth & Celebrian (but not Celeborn) move to
Lorinand/Lorien thru Moria. Celeborn would not enter Khazad-dum and stays
in Eregion disregarded by Celebrimbor.
c1500: The Elven-smiths of Eregion, instructed by Sauron, start forging
the Rings of Power, starting with the Nine (destined for mortal Men) and the
Seven (for Dwarves).
c1590: Celebrimbor completes the Three (Elven) Rings alone; but because
he used Sauron's knowledge to do so, they are still subject to the One Ring.
c1600: Sauron completes the fortress of Barad-dur.
Sauron forges the One Ring using the fires of the volcano
Orodruin.
As soon as Sauron puts the One Ring upon his finger,
Celebrimbor and the other Elves perceive his evil designs. In anger and
fear they take off the Three Rings, and defy Sauron.
1693: War of the Elves and Sauron begins. The Elves hide the Three
Rings.
1695: Sauron's forces invade Eriador. Gil-galad sends an army under
Elrond to help Eregion and sends to Numenor asking for help.
1697: Sauron destroys Eregion, captures Celebrimbor and tortures him
so that he reveals the whereabouts of all the Rings of Power except the
Three. The Dwarves, together with Amroth and a force of Lorien Elves, sally
from Moria in a diversion to help the Noldor, then retreat and shut the
gates. Sauron unable to break into Moria.
Elrond, his army too small to affect the outcome of the battle, covers the
retreat of the surviving Elves from Eregion, and founds Imladris as a secret
stronghold.
Celeborn and Galadriel lead Noldo refugees from Eregion to Lorien, which
they fortify. Either Celeborn, desperate, overcame his dislike of Dwarves
to pass thru Moria following the Dwarven sally, or he took the scenic route
with Elrond via Imladris.
1699: Sauron masters all of Eriador except besieged Imladris.
1700: Gil-galad desperately defending the line of the Lhun when, in
the nick of time, a great Numenorean navy arrives at Mithlond and defeats
Sauron.
1701: Sauron's forces driven from Eriador. Start of a long period of
peace.
c1800: Numenoreans establish realms along the west coast of
Middle-earth.
Sauron extends his power (from Mordor) east and south,
where "well nigh all men were under his dominion."
Galadriel, Celeborn and Celebrian go to Edhellond, leaving
Amroth in Lorien.
Another story has Celeborn rejoin Galadriel in Lindon. There is in fact
plenty of time time for both movements
to take place. It is understandable that Celeborn and Galadriel need to
visit Gil-galad to discuss matters of state. It is equally understandable
that Celeborn and Galadriel are too proud to stay too long under the High
King's roof, so depart at the first opportunity. Lorien enjoys long years
of peace under its king Amdir, until the return of Sauron and Gil-galad's
summons to Amdir to join the Last Alliance.
Celeborn and Galadriel return to Lorien twice before the Last Alliance
(presumably to visit Amdir and Amroth).
2251: The Nazgul, slaves of the Nine Rings, first appear.
Rebellion and division of Numenoreans begins.
2280: Umbar becomes a great fortress of Numenor.
2350: Pelargir built; becomes chief haven of Faithful Numenoreans.
3175: Civil war in Numenor.
3255: Ar-Pharazon seizes rulership of Numenor.
3261: Ar-Pharazon lands at Umbar.
3262: Ar-Pharazon's visible power is so great that Sauron suffers
himself to be taken hostage to Numenor.
3262-3310: Sauron seduces Ar-Pharazon and corrupts Numenoreans.
3319: Ar-Pharazon, under Sauron's influence, assails Valinor, realm
of the gods. Downfall and destruction of Numenor. Sauron's spirit flees on
a dark wind. Elendil, his sons and a few other faithful followers escape by
ship to Middle-earth where befriended by Gil-galad.
3320: Elendil founds Arnor (North Kingdom) whilst his sons Isildur
and Anarion found Gondor (South Kingdom). Sauron returns to Mordor. The
Black Numenoreans Herumor and Fuinur rise to power amongst the Haradrim.
3429: Sauron attacks Gondor and storms Minas Ithil. Isildur escapes
to North Kingdom. Anarion defends Osgiliath and drives DS back into
mountains. Celeborn and Galadriel move to Lorien.
3430: The Last Alliance of Men and Elves is formed.
3431: Gil-galad and Elendil march east to Imladris.
3434: The host of the Alliance crosses the Misty mts. Alliance win
battle of Dagorlad, but Amdir, King of Lorien slain. Sauron retreats with
remnant of forces to Barad-dur, where besieged for 7 years, during which he
launches many vain sorties.
3440: Anarion slain by a stone cast from Barad-dur.
3441: Sauron overthrown by Gil-galad and Elendil, altho they too
perish in the attempt. Isildur, son of Elendil, cuts One Ring from Sauron's
hand. Sauron's spirit flees and the Second Age ends.
Note on the Rings: The One Ring is held by Sauron at all times unless/until
he is slain. The Three Rings are hidden by the Elves and cannot be used
while Sauron wears the One. "Of the Seven Rings some were consumed in fire
and some Sauron recovered." The Nine Rings are held by the 9 Nazgul.
Note on Galadriel/Celeborn/Amroth/Amdir: the relationships and movements of
these characters are sometimes contradictory as Tolkien played with
different storylines. I've made the best sense of them that I can. It
doesn't affect the LA game because it's quite clear that whatever their
individual race, each of them worked and fought as part of the Sindar
nation.
Richard.