ME-PBM 1650 Nation Description
Cardolan (#5)
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Powers:New Char: Commanders up to 40 Good commanders, rest is mixed. No artifacts. A very solid position. Arthedain will bear the brunt of the Witch-king attack. You need to take the abandoned fortifications (especially Amon Sûl - later to be known as Weathertop) and keep the Dunlendings Neutral. But be ready to join Arthedain's attack on the Witch-king. Then use your cheap armies and good men-at-arms to threaten unprotected enemy locations on the map. |
The glory of Cardolan has long passed. However, the largest region of the former realm of Arnor still wields much influence and employs numerous swords in central Eriador. The blood of the Dúnedain is rather thin in Cardolan. Consisting of several cooperating fiefdoms, loosely led by Hallas, Cardolan seeks to be a reunited and restored nation once again.
The armies of Cardolan are adequate, but lacking in discipline, and consist of large numbers of mercenaries hired to provide quantity if not quality. However, because of this mercenary tradition, new Cardolan armies begin with a base Morale rank of 40 and can be hired at no initial cost. Additionally, new Cardolan Men-at-Arms recruits start with a Training rank of 25. Furthermore, because of the traditional and early focus on martial training, all new Cardolan Commanders can have a starting Command rank of up to 40.
Because of the general lack of quality Emissaries, coupled with their relatively inexpensive Men-at-Arms, large Cardolan armies can be maintained to serve as an effective threat to neighboring neutral or evil settlements, and yet these armies would cost little to maintain. Furthermore, these large armies may quell enemy aggression until such time as these troops can be equipped and trained to be an effective fighting force. The numerous towns and settlements of Cardolan help establish their influence over the strategic region of Eriador and much of their strength lies in the considerable resources available in Eriador for their expansion plans. A good navy is also anchored and ready to oversee the extensive coastline and numerous rivers within Cardolan.
However, this extensive realm is difficult to defend. Only to the east, by the Misty Mountains, are the borders of Cardolan protected. This fact, and the crossroads nature of Cardolan, dictates focusing considerable attention on the guarding of these exposed borders. Real enemies exist to the north (Witch-king) and potential enemy nations exist to the northeast and south, namely the Neutrals Rhudaur and the Dunlendings. Furthermore, the western coastline offers an inviting haven for the powerful nations located to the south. Reflective of this concern, all Cardolan Agent and Command ranks are +20 for purposes of scouting/recon orders.
The lands around Cardolan abound with a variety of peoples and races. Many ancient ruins and settlements can also be found. Many of these sites have been long abandoned, but not forgotten. Consequently, the reclamation of these former holdings by many of the powerful neighboring allies (Arthedain, the Dwarves, the Noldor, Gondor) continues to be a source of conflict because of Cardolan's aim to reunite and their keen interest in the artifacts, lore, and glory of their former days.
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