This is text that comprimises Turbine and Tolkien lore about in depth view of Eorlsmead region (Great River in game). This mark of Eorlsmead is future home of The Eotheod, its Eored and commoners.
About Eorlsmead in general
The Eorlsmead is a territory of extremes, both the most rich and impoverished of marks, it stretches from the forests of the elves, to the natural borders tied with Langflood (Anduin) itself. A once formidable crossroads of commerce, diplomacy and law, this complex mark stands in defense of the southern territories of Riddermark. Conscious of the state of constant fear that pervades these lands, Aldor Harding is ever responsive to concerns of even the most northern of Eastemnet frontiers.
Though a rough and noisy place, far from comforts of the civilized south, the inhabitants here have retained their dignity and civility with pride. Merchants, laundresses, barbers and even taverns cater to the displaced souls who inhabit the shacks and hovels within the walls of the burg. Most of the people of the Stangard are not wealthy, neither are they destitute serfs; however, the Great Migration south robbed many of their possessions, yet these hardy folk continue to eke out a life in this windswept wilderness. Foremost they have been renown to travel north and trade with far north settlements of Framsburg, Woodsmen of Mirkwood and Beornings.
About Stangard
Stangard is settlement of Eorlsmead (In game known region of Great River), founded in days after Battle of Celebrant fields. After the battle, Eorl the Young, leader of Eotheod, and Cirion of Gondor, bonded their people with oath and friendship.
After people of the Eotheod ventured south, settled and built burgs of Aldburg, Edoras, Snowbourn and others, Stangard became small community of miners and herders, supported with garrison and one eored at that time. Mining was prosperous and many carts with copper, iron and silver were sent to the south in return for the food that was always in lack cause of lack of willing farmers and families.
In year of 2930 settlement was over run with Orcs and trolls that came from mountains. It took ten years to return the Eorlsmead in full, and King ordered that Stangard will be home of large eored and garrison so the safety of southern lands and Eorlsmead should be permanently ensured.
There was attempts to reopen mines, resettle but situation was instabile for many years, together with decision that many petty criminals would be sent to serve in Stangard garrison.
Stangard was rebuilt, walls were reinforced, Eorlsmead gained a full garrison of men, many camps and watchtowers secured lands around Eorlsmead.
With year of 3008, the days of ours, Stangard is safely reaching and protecting mines for longer then five seasons, and there have been opinions among Thanes and Clansmen that burg should be populated again.
LANDMARKS OF EORLSMEAD (Region of Great River)
The Cuthstan
The Cuthstan is permanent campsite and lookout over Eorlsmead of Stangard eored. It mans at least four men, that keep The Stone of Friendship safe, and fires ever burning.
The Stone of Friendship, where Cirion, the Steward of Gondor, and Eorl, the first King of Rohan, met on the battlefield as victorious allies. The monument commemorates their oath of friendship and service.
Etheburg of Brownlands
Etheburg is a waypost of the Rohirrim border-guard. It is the last bastion of defense for the Rohirrim before entering the Riddermark itself. Etheburg is commanded by maegisterwigend Ceola. It holds one patrol, with fifteen men.
Lands around Etheburg are known as Brown lands, and they are on eastern side of the Anduin river, south of the Mirkwood.
[Thingalad - roh. Hwitholt (White Grove)
Once part of the Golden Wood, Thinglad has become a no man’s land between Lothlórien and Rohan in the last 200 years.
Haldirith is an outpost of Elves from Lothlórien guarding the southern boundary of the Golden Wood. Only most valiant of rohirrims or foolhardy will ventrue there. Some say evil witch would curse you if you cut white trees of the Hwitholt, or that spears made of such wood bring no luck for the owner.
Limlight Gorge
Caught between the rugged Misty Mountains and the northern reaches of Fangorn Forest, Limlight Gorge is a dangerous and untamed wilderness.
Here, the Limlight River gushes forth over falls and rapids as it flows eastward to join the Langflood. Out of its many hills ore roots spike and show, taunting miners to return. Within limlight there are several prospecting mines of Copper, Iron and Silver, which makes a valuable patch of land in Eorlsmead.
Life in Eorlsmead - Resources and provisions
While not wealthy in good land for rich harvests of wheat each year like mark's of south, Eorlsmead folk lived of small gardens, with northern cultures as cabbage, different root's as carrots, turnip and beet's.
After snow would melt on higher hills and mountainside herders would move with brown goats to higher pastures. Dairy was other part of their daily meals. Rest of their daily meals, was based on foraging wild herbs, fruits and hunting large and small game, fishing and bird hunting.
Swan eggs were delicacy, eaten mostly around Ostera (Easter) celebrations, while at autumn wild fruit pies and pumpkin pies were treat of few children that Eorlsmead nourished.
They lacked in wheat and other alike produces, yet they were rich in another, so a lot of trade has been between Eorlsmead and Crofts of south.
Hills of Eorlsmead, namely Limlight Gorges were among richest lands with ore, from copper veins, iron mines and silver ores, simply rooting out of the hills, washed with rain they glistened in the sun. That was most valuable prospect of those lands, with hard pines for building, vast grasslands and meadows, till long deep swamps of Longflood.
