Lo! praise of the might of spear-armed Eorlings,
in days long sped, we have heard,
and what honor the athelings won!

Of Life in Wildermore
 

A frontier province between the kin's heartland and the dangerous wilds of the Misty Mountains. Heavily forested and hilly, especially in the northern reaches, where the hills are steep and rivers, creeks and streams are plentiful, Wildermore is a land of hauntingly beautiful majesty, however, it remains a largely untamed wilderness.

'Tis home to more than just woods, creeks and rivers: the settlers of Wildermore are matchless hunters - frontiersmen of formidable skill, they often serve as the eyes and ears of the land's éored. This large-scale form of communal living often instils a deep sense of community in those who call this land home, and this mark stands in defence of the northern territories. Conscious of the state of constant fear that pervades these lands.

Reeve Gárwig in Lornsettle, his great Mead-hall is ever responsive to concerns of even the most remote of frontiers. Reeve's sons were slain in skirmishes with the orcs and his only son Thrymm, captain of Wildermore, has gone missing and is thought to be dead, so lately his heart is oft wretched and sorrowful and his mere support is his Witan, council of elders and thanes.

Across Wildermore, deepening winter and a sharpening orc threat are felt, for the High Knolls have long been home to the southernmost clans of the Orcs of the Misty Mountains. Invaders have torched the region’s farms, slaying many and driving the survivors from their homes. Though a rough and noisy place, far from their blighted homes to the east, the refugees from Eorlsmead here have retained their dignity and civility with pride, doing honest work while some pledged their swords and services to the éored in Forlaw.

Most of the people of the land are not wealthy, yet these hardy folk continue to eke out a life in this windswept wilderness. The winter the landsmen of Wildermore were facing with greater worries than usual. The war had cost them dearly in men and stock, and many a village had not been able to cultivate their fields due to the turmoil of war and resulting lack of experienced and hardened workers. Their cattle and other farm animals - sheep, pigs, goats, chicken - animals that had supplied their daily food, had been severely ravaged by orcs  coming down from the hills. Game was traditionally scarce in the plains, and there were many doubts among the ealdormen as to how they would survive the grim months that lay before them.
 

É​​ O​​ R​​ E​​ D ​ H​​ I​​ E​​ R​​ A​ R​​ C​​ H​​ Y

Æthelwigend
​
Éoreds have their own commanding officers, captains (Æthelwigend = 'noble warrior'). Currently, the Æthelwigend is, Régnwald, son of Régn. The total number of captains is approximately 100 in the Full Muster of the Riders, there being perhaps 10-20 captains in active service during times of peace. However, during peacetime captains rarely command full éoreds, but rather patrols that are detached all over the Mark, watching the borders. Many noble lords usually serve for a time as captains in the King's Host, and thus in times of war lead an éored of riders drawn from their own household and adjacent areas.​

Mægisterwigend

  Each éored is typically divided into six or more smaller units called patrols, commanded by a patrol leader (Mægisterwigend = 'master warrior'). Under the command of the Æthelwigend, they train the riders, making the patrol ride in a straight, ordered line. They plan and lead the patrols, giving regular reports to the Æthelwigend.

Sperewigend​

Normally each patrol consists of 20 riders. They are called sperewigends ('spear warriors'). The primary function of a sperewigend is to protect Rohan and its people. Sperewigends are divided into two sections, being torwardas or the heavy cavalry and mærcwardas, light cavalry. They are also in charge of the training of the falawigends, recruits of the éored.

Mærcwardas

The Éored of the East-mark favors a specialized, small unit for its speed and mobility to gain valuable information about the terrain and enemy before sending the main body of troops into the area. This unit makes up the mæ​rcwardas or Scouts of the éored.

Commanded by its own mæ​gisterwigend the mæ​rcwardas have many roles, including: ræthfindend or Pathfinder and sacahergar, the skirmisher. As a pathfinder the scout provides advance reconnaissance, exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain vital information about travel routes, terrain, indigenous wildlife and enemy forces for later analysis and/or dissemination. A Skirmisher role is often carried out by the éored scouts as light infantry or cavalry elements stationed ahead or alongside the larger body of the éored . They are usually placed in a skirmish line and used to harass opposing forces.

      Scieldmægden   

For more than a thousand years, the Rohirrim and their ancestors have made a habit of training young women in arms. The main purpose of this was so that, in times of great need, the women could defend themselves, their homes, and their children should the warriors be away or too weak to do so alone. This tradition remains very common, especially among the eastern clans that have held to more traditional herding life rather than sedentary farming.

However, shieldmaidens are more than simply women who have some skill in fighting. Shieldmaidens are, one and all, women who have set aside the life of womanhood to move at the borders of the world of men. It's a great step, as they abandon many of the things they were taught to do and desire; household skills such as weaving and brewing, and even the desire to wed and have children. The causes for women to forsake female life are many, but usually at their heart is some great tragedy. Therefore, shieldmaidens are very rare indeed, and there are rarely more than half a dozen at any one time.​

T H​ E​  E​ O​ R​ L​ I​ N​ G​ A​ S

Fyrd

During times of war hosts of non-professional warriors, called fyrds, may also be called into service. The fyrds consist mainly of men past their prime, young men not ready to become Riders, and meaner folk otherwise unable to serve in the King's Host. However, due to the ample amount of mounted and trained Riders, the fyrd would be rarely needed. 

As the region of East-mark was mainly known with its so-called pastures, The steeds bred in the East-mark have a reputation for being faster and more agile, if not as strong as the western ones, and well suited to the highly mobile calvary tactics preferred in the Riders of the East-mark.

Herdfolk within the land, mostly travelled with their herds of primarily horses but also other livestock in search of good grazing lands  They primarily earn their living through their herds of sheep and cattle as well as by farming. Some of the main products produced include grain, barley, and various raw materials used for cloth. The women serve as healers or take care of the farms, herds, and families while they are away.

​

Scop, Skald

Scops, bards or poets fulfill many roles in the culture. They are entertainers, teachers, messengers, guardians of Rohan's past.

Through song and verse, they weave tales of past deeds, important events, and current deeds and events of note. They sing songs honoring what is important in Rohan's culture. They sing songs to amuse and entertain.

They travel throughout the land performing their songs, whether at taverns and inns, at campsites, or at festivals and feasts. Song is a part of everyday life in Rohan, and bards are a very visible, very important element in that.

The Eorlingas is a lore-heavy roleplay kinship on the Laurelin server. We are an Eorling-only kinship. We are focused on providing a stable roleplaying environment that stays true to the lore provided by J.R.R. Tolkien, through character and kin development, progressive plot lines and story arcs, and quality storytelling.

Our primary goal is to establish deep and lasting character development within a civil and militaristic, yet personal setting, which in turn moves the kinship forward and allows it to grow and prosper. 

We're supplementing this emphasis with weekly&monthly events designed to reflect Rohan culture and lore, and promote it in an accurate and fun way for the entire server to enjoy.

Because Rohan is a high-level region, and many players are not yet capable of reaching it, fellowship opportunities and questing assistance is readily available. It is reachable easily through the stable-master in Southern Bree for a single Mithril Coin. Five Mithril Coins may be purchased in the LOTRO Store for 50 Turbine Points. If you find that you have not the required points to afford the journey, yet still want to join, we will supply you with 50 points via reputation items.—Raising a faction from neutral/acquaintance to kindred will reward you with 50 Turbine Points.

Recruitment
 

• Your character must be of Eorling heritage and bloodline of the Horse-lords as the kinship's name points at.
• The name of your Eorling must fit in the world. Old English names are encouraged.
• We do not want to put a specific age limit, yet we want our members to be mature at spirit, patient, friendly and polite. Any kind of disrespect will not be tolerated.
• You must be a person that shares our love of Tolkien's work in general and of the Rohirrim in particular.
   

If you have an interest in riding with us, visit our website and apply, or contact us in-game via mail or PM.

Ferthu Hál!