| Tantûrak | |
|---|---|
| General Information | |
| Other names | Lond Hallacar |
| Location | Southern Mûmakan |
| Capital | Sarûl |
| People | |
| Governance | Royal governor (before independence) King (after independence) |
| History | |
| Founded | S.A. 1300 |
| Independence | S.A. 2040 |
| Map | |
 | |
In Middle-earth Role Playing, Tantûrak was a Númenórean colony established in the Mûmakan on the northeast corner of the Usakan bay. Founded circa S.A. 1300, it was the southernmost of the Númenórean settlements on Middle-earth. Its capital was the port of Sarûl, located on the southern bank of the Uvar River.[1]
The city of Sarûl was extreme in its opulence with massive structures, barren avenues and gaudy decroration. The main military based of the army of Tantûrak was located on an island to the left of the city with barracks and a large field for daily drills.[2] The formidable navy of Tantûrak was also based at Sarûl.[1]
Unlike other inhabitants of the Mûmakan who adapted to the jungle, the colonists cleared vast swathes of the rainforest and coastal vegetation by burning it down.[1]
The Black Númenóreans of Tantûrak were probably referred to as Saruleans.[3]
History
The colony was founded around S.A. 1300[4] as Lond Hallacar.[5] While the climate of the southern Mûmakan was far more humid and oppressive than the cool air of Númenor, the colonists chose this location out of necessity rather than preference. Initially, they attempted to settle further north in the Usakal Forest. However, they were soon plagued by the Uvag-Aak ("Drinkers of Blood"), terrifying ape-like creatures that inhabited the northern woods.[1]
For approximately seven hundred years, Tantûrak was ruled by a royal governor who answered to the King of Númenor. This system remained stable through eleven governors until the arrival of a mysterious figure known as the "Magician" circa S.A. 2000. Rising quickly through the ranks of advisers to the rank of chief advisor to the governor, the Magician corrupted the sitting governor, a cousin of the King who harboured a lust for power and glory.[1] This Magician was in fact an elf called Valmorgûl, of the Court of Ardor, who appeared to look as an "ageless" man with silver-white hair and gold eyes.[6]
Under the Magician's influence, the Governor declared himself King Tar-Kinjaarn in S.A. 2040, severing all political ties with Númenor. This rebellion was initially welcomed by the populace, as it freed them from the increasingly inflated taxes imposed by the mother country.[1] For this, they gained the support of Jí Indûr's Mûmakan empire. Ar-Pharazon ultimately reconquered Tantûrak in S.A. 3262, but Númenor itself would fall in T.A. 3319, leaving the colony independent again.[5]
As their lifespans began to wane, the people of Tantûrak grew increasingly jealous of the immortal Elves and even the indigenous Kirani. This envy transformed from disdain into outward hatred.[1] Again under the Magician's sway, Tantûrak declared war on Koronandë in T.A. 1365. Through Indûr's intervention, a peace was reached in T.A. 1372, which increased his influence.[5]
By T.A. 3000 the Court of Ardor had been defeated and Valmorgûl, the Magician wass dead. However, the emperor of Tantûrak contined to be advised by the "Magician", because the role of the Magician was assumed by the disguised Khelekar, an agent of Sauron. Thus, Tantûrak was under his sway. In this time, Tantûrak had grown and dominated Dûshera and northern Taliraan. In addition, it repeatedly raided Hathor by sea.[7]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Terry K. Amthor (1982), The Court of Ardor (#2500), 6.11 TANTÛRAK, p. 15
- ↑ Terry K. Amthor (1982), The Court of Ardor (#2500), 6.64 SARUL, CAPITOL OF TANTÛRAK, p. 31
- ↑ Peter C. Fenlon, Jr. et al. (1987), Lords of Middle-earth Vol II: The Mannish Races (#8003), table THE KINDREDS OF MEN, p. 11
- ↑ Terry K. Amthor (1982), The Court of Ardor (#2500), 2.2 TIMELINE, SECOND AGE, p. 12
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Peter C. Fenlon, Jr. et al. (1987), Lords of Middle-earth Vol II: The Mannish Races (#8003), pp. 90-91
- ↑ Terry K. Amthor (1982), The Court of Ardor (#2500), 6.211 Capsule Profiles, Valmorgûl, p. 16
- ↑ Terry K. Amthor (1982), The Court of Ardor (#2500), 9.2 ARDOR in T.A. 3000, p. 52