Lórien Lore

Though Lórien is an established realm in the Lord of the Rings, and is by no means a custom faction, the Elves of Lórien are explained more fully in this page as they are under Faenor.

History:
Lórien has had a long history, marked with naught but time. Founded by Lenwë of the Nandor, it was settled long ago and loved in until Moria was shut during the War of the Elves and Sauron.

Government:
Lothlórien is ruled by a Lord and Lady, the two being Celeborn the Wise and Galadriel, Lady of Light. Under them are a council of Elves, trusted souls of the Elder Days who can lead their people into peace and war. Chief among these are the three Pethron, Speakers; Faenor, the Speaker of what was, Haldir, the Speaker of what is, and Astel, the Speaker of what is to come. These three advise the Council, each according to their Speech; Faenor advises based on what was, Haldir speaks on what is, and Astel advises based on what might be. Together, they are extremely accurate on the movements of the world, and their counsels have kept Lórien safe for two thousand years.

Cities:
Caras Galadhon: The home and capital of the Galadhrim, this is widely considered to be the last true jewel of the Elves and their works in Middle-earth. Built upon a hill, surrounded by an earthen dike and dry moat, and nestled in the trees, this is possibly one of the most serene places in all Endorë. It plays host to many wonders, from the High Flet of Celeborn to the Mirror of Galadriel.

Cerin Amroth: The heart of Elvendom in Middle-earth, this is a hill upon which the Elanor and Niphredil grow in great amounts. On the crest of the hill is a grove of trees, in two rings, in which Amroth, last king of Lórien, made his home. Though Amroth no longer dwells in Endorë, his flet remains, and is considered almost sacred by the Galadhrim.

Cerin Malbrethil: A tall hill north-east of Caras Galadhon topped by three truly mighty Mallorn trees(grown by the power of Faenor and Galadriel combined) and covered with many lesser ones, Cerin Malbrethil plays home to Faenor Celebrî and the Grey Wardens. Surrounded by a low stone wall(unusual, as the People of the Trees do not normally work stone) and covered in tall Malinornë, the hill hosts the second largest gathering of Elves in Lórien, the other being Caras Galadhon.

Diplomacy:
Lórien is only allied with Imladris, Thranduil and his Woodland Realm, and the Grey Havens(at the start of RPs). Beyond them, Lórien is reclusive, and seeks no stranger to enter their land.

Economy: Lórien has a small but entirely self-sufficient economy. Few strangers can glean the workings of why Lórien can keep herself in the right economic balances, but few question it either.

Currency:
Lórien's base currency is called Mírian, originally the currency of Eregion. There is no equivalent to Mírian, as the silvery coins are made of Mithril. Precious few of these coins remain in circulation, and most have been substituted with silver coins called Canath, worth about a quarter of the value. Upon the coins are an image of a white Elven-ship, cast from white gold, and on the flip side is an image of a Mallorn tree, beautifully rendered from gold and silver.

Above the Mírian is the Míriel, cast from small shards of Mithril and edged with bright Elven-silver. One Mírian is worth about the tenth part of a Míriel. Upon the Míriel is Amroth in profile, the last Elven-king of Lórien, rendered in mother-of-pearl, gold, and sapphire, and upon the other side is stamped the image of a flowing river, done in topaz.

The final coin of Lórien is called the Hírilorn, and it is worth around one hundred Míriel. Forged from pure Mithril long ago, and edged in the purest adamant, the two sides are graven with images. On one side are the two profiles of Nimrodel and Galadriel, facing one another, faithfully done with pearl from the Falas, pure gold, sapphire, and jade. Upon the other side is a rendition of Caras Galadhon, the Hill and Trees, done in gold, silver, malachite, moonstone, and opal. Even one of these coins, accounted of great worth to the Elves of Lórien, can be worth half a kingdom outside the Golden Wood.

Military:
Lórien has a small(by mortal standards) but formidable military, numbering around five thousand. Most of the Elves under arms in the Golden Wood are sentries and wardens, protecting the borders, however Lórien does have warriors she can send out into the field if she must. Chief among these are the Silvan Archers, grey-cloaked Elves bearing silvery elvish plate armor, longbows, and lhång. The most elite warriors of the Golden Wood are the Sindar Archers. Born long ago in Doriath, these Elves, armored with blue cloaks and coppery-gold Elvish armor, and armed with longbows and lhång, are the most effective archers known to Endorë, with no rivals. The only ones who come close are the Eldarinwë Archers of Imladris and the Havens, the Hír e-Beng of Thranduil's Realm, and the Esselda of the Avari.

Grey Sentinels:
Also called the Grey Wardens, or the Grey Wanderers, these twenty Elves work alongside Faenor to bring fire back into a world that grows chill. Coming from all different heritages and lives, from Tirion-upon-Túna to the dells of the Wild Wood, these brave Quendi are masters of each of their crafts, and take pride in their companionship. Apart, they are formidable. Together, they are invincible.