Black Numenoreans

The Black Númenóreans, initially named the King's Men, were a fallen group of Númenóreans descended from those who were loyal to the Númenórean Sceptre but in opposition to the Valar and relations with the Elves. After Sauron was brought as a captive to Númenor in fair form, these Númenóreans listened to his words, and were soon corrupted by him. They worshipped the Darkness and its lords (Melkor and later Sauron) and oppressed the Men left in Middle-earth. Ever since, they were the servants of the Enemy and bitter adversaries of the Men of Gondor.
== History ==
The Black Númenóreans were a large faction of Númenor, hostile to the Elves and their friends among other Men, yet trained sea-farers, cunning sorcerers and mighty warriors: dressed in black/crimson livery, wearing iron-crafted armor, equipped with helms, armed with long swords, glaives and some manning ships to battle.
By the mid-Second Age, the Shadow had fallen over Númenor, its kings more inclined to ignoring the teachings of the Powers and Elves alike; their greedy subjects followed a policy of travelling to Middle-earth and imposing their authority over the Men there, taking many riches and other goods as their rightful tribute. They established harbors, cities and small settlements on the southern coast of Middle-earth, oppressing peoples such as the Haradrim. However, Sauron's forces came upon their colonies, and these Númenóreans were either removed or daunted became his vassals - three lords among them received Rings of Power from him and were enslaved to his will.
These renegades, known since as Black Númenóreans, obeyed him blindly, practicing witchcraft and performing human sacrifices on their altars for Morgoth and Sauron. After his first downfall in the War of the Last Alliance, their remnants stood still for a while, but eventually they made a pact with the Haradrim and marched to recapture the haven of Umbar from Gondor, and though this ended in defeat, they continued to raid the neighboring kingdom on the sea in league with the Corsairs - with whom they mingled - or on land joined by their Haradrim allies. Those who evaded the faction's decline would serve the resurgent Dark Lord in the War of Ring, fighting as commanders of his armies or spreading the deceits they themselves had been fed with as his ambassadors.
== Notable Black Númenóreans ==
* The Mouth of Sauron
* Agandaûr
* Wulfrun