Vanimar
| Website | |
|---|---|
| Founding date | 14.11.2007 |
| Goal | is to unite Tolkien readers in an elf (Noldor) only kin, giving them the opportunity to do end game content in a lore rich, active and friendly environment. |
| Main area of operations | Imladris, Trollshaws, Misty Mountains, Eregion |
| Kinship type | Elven |
| Friends/Allies | None. |
| Rivals/Enemies | None. |
| Kinship status | Active and recruiting |
| Recruiting Officer(s) | Angharat Anglachelm Farasilion Kalluin Rainith Tindir Volina Vorongwe |
Background
hen Tuor Spoke, "Hear the voice of Ulmo" he said, "That the time has now come indeedwhen all the works of the Noldor shall come to naught. Doom is at hand, and now the Mover of the Deeps bids thee rise up and leave Gondolin forever. Seek the West, and the pardon of the Valar. For in that alone may you be preserved."
"Do you think I have been idle during these long years?" Turgon replied, "Do you think that I do not yearn for Valinor? I sent messengers to Círdan of the Havens, bidding him build ships and seek the West. How many have returned? Only Voronwë Aranwion, who stands beside you. The West is closed."
"This I cannot do." said the king, "I would be placing the lives of all the Gondolindrim at risk. I am one of the last of my house, and the people of Gondolin are nearly the last remnant of the Noldor in Middle-earth. Why should I trust the Valar to save us now, when they have been deaf to the Elves these longs years? My father and all my brothers are dead. Where were they when Hithlum was sacked, or the Falas were destroyed? Where were they at the Nirnaeth, in our hour of need? Though it be the counsel of Ulmo himself, who guided me long ago to Gondolin, I will not do this thing."
Thus spoke the son of Fingolfin, High King of all Noldor and thus he sealed the doom of Gondolin, and that of its wise folk. Maeglin's treachery, the most infamous in all the histories of the elder days, brought down the most beautiful refuge of the Eldar. In the first day of summer, when the festival of Tarn Austa was being held, Morgoth's host encircled the city. Elven blood ran in rivers. The laughter of the Lothgorian ladies vanished in darkness. The light of the Noldor failed that day and it could never be rekindled as it once was.
The price of defeat was extreme to elvenkind. All of the House Chiefs of Gondolin were killed. Seven leading houses together with the House of King and the Fountain Order all perished in the downfall. Some of the houses, however, were luckier than the others. Some several survivors of Bar-en-Aeg, Heavenly Arch and Bar-en Lothgor (House of the Golden Flower) saw the days after.
After their flight, survivors of Bar-en-Alphram (House of the Swan Wing) formed a mixed house of Survivors and named it Bar-En-Vanimar, "House of the Dear Home". Though much of the wisdom of the hidden city has now vanished, the traditions and memories of the elder days have risen on its White Swan and noble guards. The triumph of Morgoth was not complete: though the city was no more, he failed to destroy the virtues of Gondolin.
After the days of Beleriand, Vanimar served Gil-Galad, and presented its blue-silver banners in the War of the Ring.
Now the House is still in existence with various Eldar of different folks. Vanimar represents the elves who are seeking shelter and protection. As some of them were homeless once, they all know the true meaning of home.
About Vanimar
Vanimar once formed a combined house of the survivors of Gondolin, have preserved its status to day as a predominantly Noldor house, and had ever been located close to the havens both in Beleriand and Lindon. Throughout the second age the House remained loyal to the king and grew on by those who sought shelter and protection. Since the beginning of its history, Vanimar revered and prized the traditions of the Exiles. The House have always preserved their High-Elven speech, the secrets of crafting, and many songs coming beyond the seas.
In the Third age of Middle-earth, following the significant events taking place involving the ringbearer and the famous company went southwards for a quest, the Elves of Vanimar abandoned their homesteads in the Falathlorn, and moved either openly or discreetly into Imladris. As the shadow growing in the east to cover all free lands, Elves of the former ages and glories, willing to take part in their share of the burden. They ensure the roads are kept open, provide safe passage to the travellers, sending combat patrols to the nearby plains and bolstering the valley's defences if need arise. Elves of Noldor and Sindar, under the Vanimar banner preparing for a war long after their days of glory have passed!
About the Orders within the House
In the Age of the Noldor, there had been traditionally and culturally divided camps under the banners of the king as Elven Houses. Gondolin alone have hosted eleven houses of Noldor at the peak of its glory. (House of the Mole and the folk of Maeglin is excluded from the other Houses, and never mentioned as if they were ever a part of the city ).
Though they were ethnically divided at first, soon the Houses also differed from each other culturally too. From their ways to employ against adversity to the majesty of the items they beared and crafted, the difference formed an elegant mosaic which contributed greatly to the rich Noldor tradition. Remnants of the Houses can be found still in the late third age. Such as Gildor Inglorion whom was from the House of Finrod, or Elrond himself, whom could be counted traditionally in the House of the White Wing of Tuor.
As Vanimar has been an inter-houses establishment, sports minorities from all across Beleriand, the former house members have arranged orders within the house, in an attempt to give life to the age old traditions and disciplines. And to honour the countless eldar died in defence of their city and people.
There are three major Houses in Vanimar. here a little description about them, and about their leaders.
About the Order of Hammer
Order of Hammer in Bar-en-Vanimar, was founded by Veryacano to honour Rog the Valiant and the House of Hammer's Wrath of Gondolin. House of Hammer's wrath was the largest and most valiant house. They comprised those blacksmiths who were not under Maeglin, as well as escaped thralls of Morgoth. They perished to the last elf during the Fall of Gondolin. The sign of this people was the Stricken Anvil, and a hammer that smiteth sparks about it was set on their shields
In Vanimar, The Order of Hammer has a well earned reputation. Their picky selection of the fine warriors, painful training to enhance legendary endurance and stubborn fighting doctrines made them the finest heavy infantry company the house has seen for many years. Tindir the Lord of the Hammer, has the honour of leading this unit after retirement of Lord Veryacano, the Founder of the Order.
Warriors of the Hammer, train heavily in the art of war both bodily and psychologically to reach a new level of expertise. They wear long black hauberks and usually carry massive war hammers to strike fear to the hearts of the enemy. As Rog and his fighters did six thousand years ago.
Order of the Hammer has been deployed in numerous conflicts, suffered many casualties, lost many friends, but returned ever victorious from the field. Bringing honor and glory to their house.
About the Order of Harp and Fountain
The Order of the Fountain and Harp is a dual order within Vanimar. As Echtelion of the Fountain and his people were in old Gondolin the wardens of the last door, the Fountain is Vanimar's last line of defense. Whenever the Hammer is deployed, the Fountain stays behind to keep our havens free from evil. In times of peace, though, they escort the wandering companies of the Harp. Where the Hammer is a mighty striking force, the Fountain are restless defenders.
The Harp are the house's keepers of lore, be it of the past, the healing arts or the music. Their true role within the house is that of diplomats, being ambassadors to other houses when needed, and leading wandering parties through the lands to bring news as well as to spot possible threats. Some of their numbers have been seen through the Shire while travelling to Lindon. Others have been seen among the telain of the Galadhrim in Caras Galadhon.
Both orders wear white as their colours. The Fountain is led 
by Lord Vorongwe, a survivor from Gondolin who is set on keeping alive the heritage of the city and of his former lord, Ecthelion, he who slew the lord of the balrogs in single combat. The Harp is led by Lady Miste, who is well known as a bardess and keeper of the lore. Where healers treat the wounds of the body, her words and music treat the wounds of the soul. Hers is the motto "We are the memory of the land". Lord Vorongwe also serves as Successor to the House.
As both orders act as a single one, it is not rare to see someone from the Fountain excelling at his musical skills, or one of the Harp who has learned the art of fighting. Once every while, they gather all of Bar-en-Vanimar to allow their companions an evening of rest, either with music, dance, storytelling, or a good mix of them.
The Order of Arrow
Order of the Arrow in Bar-en-Vanimar, was founded by Earinlin, and had been operating under the watchful eye of Lord Galendil until his long voyage east. Until recently, Lords of the house were decided to shelf the company and withdraw the Order into the Valley for static duty and permanent refit, which lasted for nearly a year. Then after a lot of idleness, The Order of Arrow has been resurrected under Lord Farasilion and started its operations and receiving reinforcements. He was entitled a Caun of Vanimar, and given the banners and artifacts of the ancient order.
The Order's way of battle resembles closely the Duilin's House of Swallow of Gondolin, as the Order has the best archers, hunters and trappers in the house. House of Swallow on the other hand, were Gondolin's best archers, and they bore a fan of feathers on their helms. And they were arrayed in white and dark blue and in purple and black and showed an arrowhead on their shield.
The Order, serves to the Tur with their knowledge of the realm, by scouting ahead of his main force, picking the important targets off enemy ranks in battle, infiltration and sabotage and gathering intelligence.
Due the Order's outdoorsy nature, the shiny uniforms are seldom seen on them unless if they are caught within the house of Elrond. Indeed, seeing an elf of the arrow these days would be a rare sight for any mortal eye, and the observer might wonder to what he owes the honour.
Arrowsmen carry huge longbows and they offer awesome support to the main force of Vanimar. But they are lightly armed for close combat. They can fight melee if needed, but they lack the arms and endurance for long battles.
Vanimar is one of the few 100% Elven kinships on the Laurelin server of Lord of the Rings Online. We are a lore-heavy kinship, in that we try to stay as faithful as possible to the work of Tolkien. That is also the reason why we accept only elven characters in our kinship.
Most of our members are very familiar with professor Tolkien's work, especially The Silmarillion which describes the history of the elven people and served as the inspiration for our kinship. Unlike other kinships that would claim to stay close to Tolkien lore, we do not enforce our members to roleplay their characters all or even most of the time. In fact, we prefer to keep our kinship chat completely roleplay-free, as we see it as the medium through which we socialize with one another and get to know each other a bit better. We do have an occasional roleplay event and are open to initiative to do more roleplay, but if you love Tolkien and love being able to play an instance without having to be in character, you definitely could feel at home with us
We currently have 134 members and being fairly active both in end-game content with elf only raid-instance runs and lore dependent roleplaying, would be happy to see you by our side.
Please read the latest detailed Vanimar Guideline from :
http://vanimar.shivtr.com/pages/guidelines
If you are:
* Still interested,
* a mature person (maturity not solely being dependent on age)
* a social person (you are a friendly person, not carrying silly prejudices towards other people, love chatting with others, are not afraid to ask for something if you need it, are willing to help other players of the kinship even if there's no loot to be had for you)
* a person that plays an elven character on the Laurelin server (with a name that fits in the lore: no Killerjohn666, and no, even "Bob" is not lore appropriate for your elf)
* a person that shares our love of Tolkien's work in general and of the elven story in particular
Then our kinship might be what you are looking for. Contact us via application form below;
Members
Adventures by Members
Images by Members
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