Gondor

"Gondor! Gondor, between the Mountains and the Sea!
West Wind blew there; the light upon the Silver Tree
Fell like bright rain in gardens of the Kings of old.
O proud walls! White towers! O wingéd crown and throne of gold!
O Gondor, Gondor! Shall Men behold the Silver Tree,
Or West Wind blow again between the Mountains and the Sea?"
—Aragorn

Gondor was the Southern Kingdom in Exile of the Númenóreans that escaped the downfall. During the Third Age, they reached the height of their power before being weakened by external attacks, civil war, disease and mixing of bloodlines. By the War of the Ring, they were a proud but desperate first line of defense against Mordor and were waiting for the coming of a new King. After the defeat of Sauron, Gondor was reunited with the remnants of Arnor by King Elessar and endured throughout the Fourth Age.

In the Age of the Ring, Gondor is a standard but versatile faction, capable of many different strategies. They must rely on the brave soldiers of the fiefdoms in the early game before progressing onto the stronger Anorien troops, Rangers and Dol Amroth troops. The faction has strong archers and cavalry (although not as strong as Lorien and Rohan respectively). With the Stoneworker, they can also act defensively against enemy forces. Gondor's heroes are also versatile, enabling the player to go their own way with the faction.

## Heroes

### Pippin

The "Prince of the Halflings" came to Minas Tirith with Gandalf. Although he didn't bring an army of Hobbits with him, Pippin was still vital to Gondor's survival, pledging his allegiance to the Steward and saving Faramir from his father's madness.

### Forlong

Famed for both his girth and his vitality at old age, Forlong the Fat was Lord of Lossarnach. He came to the aid of Minas Tirith where he eventually died after fighting bravely on his own at the Battle of Pelennor Fields.

### Beregond

Beregord was a member of the Third Company of the Citadel and was assigned to help Pippin after the latter arrived at Minas Tirith. His devotion to Lord Faramir led to him risking his life and honour to protect him.

### Denethor

Denethor II was the twenty-sixth Steward of Gondor. While at first he was a strong lord, the threat of Mordor led to him using the Palantir of Minas Tirith, eventually leading to his pride conquering his other emotions and depression to take hold of his heart.

### Boromir

Denethor's firstborn son was a man of great strength and valour. After dreams of a prophetic nature, he traveled to Rivendell where he joined the Fellowship of the Ring. Boromir went with them through many dangers with the temptation of the Ring and the future of his kingdom always on his mind.

### Faramir

Denethor's second son was a brave warrior like his older brother, but was also a lover of lore and a student of Gandalf, something that Denethor resented. After the War of the Ring and Denethor's passing, Faramir was the final steward of Gondor for a short time before laying down his stewardship to King Elessar.

### Imrahil

Imrahil was the Prince of the principality of Dol Amroth who took with him a company of Swan Knights and Men at Arms to Minas Tirith to defend the White City in its hour of need. Following the passing of Denethor, Imrahil was briefly named Steward of Gondor until Faramir had regained his strength.

### Gandalf the White

Gandalf, also known as Mithrandir and Olorin, was one of the Istari sent to combat Sauron in the Third Age. Although he was known as a wanderer, he came to Minas Tirith after his resurrection as Gandalf the White and led the city's forces during the Siege of Gondor.

### Aragorn (Elessar)

Aragorn II was a descendant of Isildur and the last Chieftain of the Dúnedain. He came to Gondor during the War of the Ring as warrior, saviour and healer, eventually becoming King of the Reunited Kingdom. His royal name of Elessar was taken from a stone of the same name that was brought by Gandalf from Valinor and given to Galadriel to be passed onto Aragorn.

## Spellbook

* Skilled Healers
* Restoration
* Captain's Horn
* Lands Kept Safe
* Garden of Ithilien
* Númenorean Engineering
* Sworn Allegiance
* The Oath of Eorl
* Western Winds
* Dol Amroth Citadel
* The Messengers of Manwë
* The Return of the King

**Cost**:5PP

**Description**:Partially heals units and replaces one dead man per battalion.
Left click icon then left click on target units.

**Cost**:5PP

**Description**:Repairs a structure.
Left click icon then left click on target structure.

**Cost**:5PP

**Description**:Modifier Type: Buff
Targeted allies gain +25% damage and +25% armour. Stacks with leaderships and spells.
Left click icon then left click on target units.

**Cost**:10PP

**Description**: Summons a defensive tower garrisoned with archers.
Archers receive fire arrows once the upgrade is bought at the archery range.
All nearby units gain +25% armour.
Stacks with buffs and spells.
Left click icon then left click on pathable location.

**Cost**:10PP

**Description**:Summons a lush garden onto the battlefield.
Modifier Type: Buff
All allied units become stealthed. Enemy units lose all leadership. The Garden is inhabited by a number of Ithilien Rangers.
Left click icon then left click on target area.

**Cost**:10PP

**Description**: Summons a stationary trebuchet onto the battlefield.
Left click icon then left click on target area.

**Cost**:10PP

**Description**: All Gondor Barracks, Archery Range and Stables have decreased recruitment time of Fiefdom troops by 33%. The troops come equipped with Armaments of the White City.
 Effect lasts for 60 seconds.
Left click icon then left click on target building.

**Cost**:15PP

**Description**:Summons three battalions of Rohirrim to Gondor's aid.
Left click icon then left click on pathable location.

**Cost**:15PP

**Description**:Cancels Freezing Rain, White Winter, Blessing of Ulmo, Darkness or Lights Go Out.
Stuns enemy units.
Grants a +33% speed bonus to allied units across the map.
Left click to activate.

**Cost**:15PP

**Description**:Summons a Dol Amroth Citadel.
Limited to 2.
Recruits Prince Imrahil, Men-at-Arms and Swan Knights.
Left click on icon then left click on target area.

**Cost**:25PP

**Description**:Summons Gwaihir the Windlord and 3 Eagles.
Left click icon then left click on target area.

**Cost**:25PP

**Description**:Summons Aragorn (Elessar) accompanied by his Royal Guard. His guards are temporary but the King lasts until killed.
 Modifier Type: Buff. Nearby units gain +50% Armor, immunity to fear and knockback and trample resistance for a brief time.
Left click icon then left click on target area.
## Strategy

Gondor is a jack-of-all-trades faction in Age of the Ring. They are skilled in many aspects of the game but do not excel at any one part. Their cavalry is strong especially when combined with Faramir, Gandalf the White or Imrahil but not as powerful as Rohan's. Their archers are equally skilled with the versatility between the armoured Anórien Archers and the specialised Ithilien Rangers in the later stages of the game, but they are not powerful as Lorien's archers. A traditional Gondor strategy would involve the use of the fiefdoms units in the early game before transitioning into the Anórien troops later in the game. The player still has the option to use the fiefdoms in the late game though, which can be helped by using Forlong, the **Sworn Allegiance** spellbook power or through the Dol Amroth Men at Arms. The faction has a wide variety of heroes with each one fulfilling various roles at different stages of the game. Gondor is also one of the most defensive factions in the game. By utilizing the building support bonuses of Beregond, Fountain Guards and the Stoneworker, it is possible to make a Gondor base very difficult to siege.