This list covers the forces of Gondor after the death of Isildur. Prior to this, Gondor's forces are covered by the Numenorean list.

Cimate is rated Warm, as the center of Gondor's power, whether Osgiliath or Minas Anor/Tirith was sheltered from the north and west by the White Mountains (Ered Nimrais), and Gondor had a much warmer climate than Eriador, with snow only being found in the high mountains of Ered Nimrais.

The WW is either the sea, or the Anduin river, which below the Falls of Rauros was both wide and capable of being navigated by the greatest ships.

Gondor expanded its borders aggressively during the first half of 3A, hence the high Aggression rating, although it also was invaded from time to time, notably by Easterlings, and so is rated 3 rather than 4. After the Kin-strife civil war, Gondor was much more on the defensive, although occasional invasions of enemy territory took place, so Aggression is rated 1.

Unlike in 2A, the forces of 3A Gondor made extensive use of mounted troops (eg. RotK, p406). Most were professionals of Gondorian origin, and are described as unifomed knights in full armour (RotK, p45, 189). The best equipped had vambraces in addition to their full hauberks (RotK, p142), hauberks that must have included armour for the limbs, since Rohirrim are descibed in corselets (as opposed to full hauberks), even when these are long (TT, p35, 139); as such Gondorian knights are classified as Reg Kn (O). Chausses (mailed hose) might be unlikley since it is said that only Dain's Dwarves knew hoe to make them (Hob, p261). Knights would have worn heraldic devices (TT, p357). Generals seem to have fought with the knights; even Faramir, captain of the Ithilien company, fought mounted in open battle (RotK, p94, 108, 110).

Knights often fought on foot like their Numenorean forebears, and did so as spearmen (RotK, p273).

Other cavalry, such as those few that were maintained in the cities that may have been more lightly equipped (RotK, p21, 80), and/or, in the later parts of the 3A, recruited from militiamen within Gondor (RotK, p182) are classified as Cv (O). Foreigners could also serve; Northmen among them (RotK, p400; UT, p311) are regraded as Kn (F) and served prominently (RotK, p399). Such Northmen would first have become available after Turambar's eastern conquests (RotK, p396), and were still serving even after Rhovanion was conquered by the Easterlings (RotK, p406). I assume the supply would have ceased after the founding of the Eotheod. Larger contingents of Northmen are classified as allies (UT, p290), since they could serve against Gondor as well as with her (RotK, p398).

Most soldiers however served on foot. Various companies of Guards existed (RotK, p41; UT, p292), as well as other men-at-arms on foot (RotK, p45). The Guards of the Tower wore black surcoats bearing the royal arms over their mail (RotK, p22, 91). The Guards and men-at-arms are assumed to be spearmen as were their Numenorean predecessors.

Other foot-soldiers, as in Numenor, were archers. They are classified as Reg Bw (O) like their Numenorean predecessors. Upgraing to Bw (S) is not allowed, as Gondorian archers do not seem to have been the decisive arm that Numenorean archers were.

Stone-throwers (RotK, p158) were outranged by those of Mordor (RotK, p111) and are accordingly classified as Art (I).

Hillmen, descendents of the original inhabitants of Gondor (UT, p370) can also include hunters, herders and the like (RotK, p45). Independent hillmen, like the Dunlendings were nominally subjects of Gondor until 3A2050 (UT, p370) but did not fight for them (their refusal to serve being the reason the Deadmen's existance - see below), and while the Woodsman of the Vale of Anduin acknowledged the authority of Gondor under Hyarmendacil (RotK, p387) that is as far as their authority ever stretched - they are not recorded as ever having served Gondor as soldiers.

Easterling allies are allowed during the period from their conquest by Turambar (RotK, p396) until Atanatar relaxed Gondor's power (RotK, p398). Haradrim vassals are similarly allowed from their conquest in 3A1050 until Atanatar's reign.

Gondor maintained a considerable navy from the time of the first of the 'Ship-Kings'. Later however, Gondor had trouble raising even a small flotilla (RotK, p413), and I assume that the navy ceased to exist in its former strength after Osgiliath was finally taken.

The navy saw usage as far afield away as Arnor, where in 3A1975 Earnur defeated the Witch-King of Angmar (RotK, p460), with assistance from Elven-led forces from Rivendell (RotK, p407) and Lindon (RotK, p406). The captured navy used by Aragorn at the Pelennor Fields did not include the smaller vessels as these were left behind to arrive after the battle had finished (RotK, p144ff)

In the later part of 3A, Gondor's population declined, and not only becasue it's territories were shrunken (UT, p309-10). Its forces accordingly shrunk (RotK, p189), and it had to rely on allies such as the Rohirrim for protection. Accordingly, no more than 30 regular elements may be used after the death of the last King Earnur. Its archer units had ceased to exist (RotK, p114), though bowmen still were used, militia called up in times of need (RotK, p45, 147).

Rohirrim are stil considered allies, despite being faithful, since they could easily have refused to come - Theoden debated on the merits of the Gondorian appeal, for instance, and the Rohirrim were definitely foreigners as required by the ally-command section of the rules; they certainly were never commanded by any general of Gondor, which would be necessary for sub-general status.

Axemen, well-armed and therefore probably mail-clad like their lord, are attested in the later part of 3A (RotK, p45) - although only 200 were present at the battle of Pelennor Field, that was said to be only a tenth of their number.

Rohirrim allies use first used in 3A2510 and several times after that. They could be summoned at need by a chain of fire-beacons.

In 3A2901 Ithilien was mostly deserted (RotK, p463). A company of soldiers from there, based at Henneth Annun, was seen as something of an elite (RotK, p101) and specialised in ambushes, wearing greens and browns. Some had spears, others had longbows (TT, p330), and are accordingly graded as Ax with supporting Ps (O). The Ax are classified as (S) on account both of their abilities, and because they wore gauntlets, implying that other armour might also be worn (TT, p334).

Aragorn's Rangers, though armed with bow as well as spear (RotK, p51) seemed to have used their spears as their primary weapon (RotK, p273), and being but 30-strong only constitute a part of his element, and so dismount as Sp, not Bw.

The Royal banner of Gondor was black, with a white tree in blossom under seven stars (RotK, p409). Aragorn II as heir to both Arnor and Gondor used Elendil's banner as had been used at the end of 2A: black, with a white tree in blossom under seven stars with a silver and gold crown above all (RotK, p145). The banner of the Stewards was plain white (RotK, p403). The banner of Dol Amroth was blue with a silver swan-prowed ship faring the sea (RotK, p279), and their lord also garried gilded banners bearing the swan and ship emblems (RotK, p45). One company is called the White company (RotK, p299), possibly the Rangers of Ithilien, and this may be a reference to the colour of its banner.

You will note the Deadmen of Dunharrow are not included. This is because they fought no field battles, which is what DBM is all about. If I had to include them, I would probably classify them as Wb (F), since Exp (O) are so useless at attacking naval elements, which is what the Deadmen did. They would be (F) because they all moved quickly, overtaking Aragorn's company, and as Wb since they were so devastating at their first onset.

This page last modified June 19, 2000