Campaign Setting Battle of Five Armies & The Third Age of Middle-Earth The current year for our Middle-Earth campaign is set during the year of 2946 of the Third Age. Inspired By J.R.R. Tolkien

Five years since a dragon's fire dimmed and the storm of the Five Armies passed. The year is now 2946, a moment of respite in the long, wearying Third Age. I remember the dust and the blood well enough. But hope is a curious thing, is it not?

It springs up from the most unlikely places—a Hobbit hole, a ruined city, a mountain hall. The North has found a fragile, yet real, peace. The sound of life is returning to lands long silent under the shadow of Smaug's tyranny.

Recovery proceeds, though it is slow. King Dáin, a stout and reliable fellow, has brought Erebor back to life. The halls ring with industry, and wealth flows out, bringing warmth and security to the region once more. And Bard, now King of Dale, rules wisely. A true Man, one of the Dúnedain in spirit if not blood.

Their alliance with Thranduil’s Elves has created a small pocket of light in a world often too dark. It is a good thing to see these Free Peoples working in concert, for shadows do not simply vanish with the dawn. Indeed, the shadows of Mirkwood are long, and they remain. We of the White Council dealt a blow to the Necromancer at Dol Guldur, but we merely forced the hand of the Enemy. Sauron has retreated to his old haunts in Mordor to gather his strength anew. The darkness itself, the malice, that is harder to simply root out.

The forest still groans under its weight. Orcs and worse things wander the deep woods, dangerous and leaderless, making the paths treacherous for any honest traveler. Constant vigilance is required. And that is where you come in, starting your journey in Woodmen-town.

These courageous Men are sturdy folk, the true guardians of the eaves within the forest and the Anduin Vales. They are hunters and trackers of unmatched skill, living a hard life balanced on the edge of the wild. They are the vital shield for the flourishing lands to the east and the watchful eyes that guard against the evil that dwells in the south of the forest. Their survival is as important as the gold is in Erebor. This is a complicated tapestry, full of light and dark threads.

This landscape is complex and dangerous. The peace in the North has created opportunities for trade, exploration, and new alliances. The retreat of Sauron means local evils have more room to maneuver. The North has a chance at prosperity, but it is threatened by the persistent evils that linger without a master.

There are opportunities for great deeds, for trade, for understanding the ancient mysteries that still lie hidden in this mysterious land. The Dark Lord has many servants and many memories, not least of the North. The future of Rhovanion is in your hands now. Be wise, be brave, and above all, be careful.