Warda of Brethil

Lore:

Brethil or the Forest of Brethil, was a forest between the rivers Taeglin and Sirion. Originally part of Doriath, but outside the Girdle of Melian, the land was later granted to the Haladin. After the death of Túrin and Nienor, it was given another name, Sarch nia Chîn Húrin ("Grave of the Children of Húrin"). The main feature of the forest was the hill of Amon Obel

After dwelling in Thargelion for some time, the Haladin and their leader Haleth, journeyed westward and entered the Forest of Brethil. Brethil was claimed by King Thingol to be part of his realm, but after learning of the travails of Haleth and her people they were granted the land to dwell in, on the condition that they guard the Crossings of the Taeglin. Some Drúedain also dwelt there. The main settlement of the Haladin was Ephel Brandir on Amon Obel.

Dorthonion was ruined after the Dagor Bragollach. Emeldir, the wife of Barahir, led the surviving women and children into Brethil, where they were received by the Haladin. Two years after the battle, Minas Tirith was captured by Gorthaur and Brethil was now open to invading Orcs. Halmir and Beleg led a force of Men and Sindar and ambushed an Orc-legion that was marching through Brethil and utterly destroyed them.

In F.A. 495, Orcs invaded Brethil. Handir was slain and the Men of Brethil were driven back into their woods.

Túrin came to Brethil after the destruction of Nargothrond and the journey to DorLómin. In Brethil he searched for Finduilas, but his search was in vain as the Men of Brethil told him that she was dead after they defeated the Orc-host from Nargothrond at the Crossings of Taeglin. Túrin began to live with the woodmen under the name Turambar.

After hearing some rumours of Orcs roaming near the Crossings, Túrin went there and found Nienor lying upon Haudh-en-Elleth. Túrin brought her back to Ephel Brandir where she recovered, though because of her earlier encounter with Glaurung, the father of all dragons, she could not remember her name or past. Túrin named her Níniel and they grew to love each other, eventually marrying and conceiving a child.

Brethil was at peace for some years until Glaurung sent Orcs to trouble the woodmen. Túrin took up Gurthang again and the Orcs were repelled. The sight of the Black Sword being seen again was reported to Glaurung and he came forth from Nargothrond towards Brethil. At the borders of the forest Glaurung was slain by Túrin.

After the death of the dragon Glaurung, Túrin wrenched Gurthang from the belly of the beast. This action caused a spurt of black venomous blood to drench Túrin's hand. The pain of his burned hand and a baleful glare by the dragon caused Túrin to swoon and appear as if dead. Soon after Nienor, still under the dragon's curse and unaware of her true name, came to the scene and bound her husband Túrin's hand. She cried for him to awake but this only aroused Glaurung one last time. He hailed her by her true name and as he died she recalled all of her past. Niënor was horrified when she learned that the child whom she carried within her womb was her brother's child. Brandir witnessed the scene and cried out to Niënor, but she fled and jumped to her death at Cabed-en-Aras. When Brandir walked back to Nen Girith, where the people of Brethil cowered, he spoke of the deaths of the children of Húrin and called the land *Sarch nia Chîn Húrin*, ‘Grave of the Children of Húrin’, stating that it would never be free of grief.

When Túrin awoke he went to Nen Girith and Brandir told him Nienor was dead and that she was his sister. Túrin did not believe him, so he slew him and fled the scene. Near the Crossings he met Mablung and his entourage. The elf told him of what had become of his mother and sister and their encounter with Glaurung. Túrin horrified by what he learnt fled to Cabed-en-Aras and cast himself upon Gurthang. The Men of Brethil and the Elves came to the gorge and buried Túrin.

Húrin travelled to Brethil after his journey to Hithlum. He visited the grave of Túrin and Nienor and by the stone he found his wife Morwen who died shortly after. Húrin was taken to Ephel Brandir where he caused infighting amongst the Men of Brethil.

Warda of Brethil means Guardsmen of Brethil.

Summary:

The Warda of Brethil are a low tier spear unit from the House of the Haleth. They are a great ambush unit because they can hide anywhere and have a bonus when fighting in the woods. Warding off cavalry is another strong suit of this unit however their low armor makes them vulnerable to missiles. The Warda are also armor piercing however this benefit against armored units is nullified by their lack luster attack at 2.

-Armor piercing which makes this unit good against heavily armored units.

-Good melee defense at 9.

-Can hide anywhere, which enables this unit to launch ambushes.

-Good moral at 16 allows this unit to stand their ground for longer even against overwhelming odds.

-Bonus fighting cavalry which makes the Warda of Brethil excellent at warding off cavalry.

-Combat bonus in woods which makes this unit a bit better when fighting in the woods.

Weaknesses:

-Low attack at 2 which makes the Warda have horrible offensive potential.

-Low armor at 4 which makes them vulnerable to missiles.

Classification: Spears

Spears in Silmarillion total war have bonuses against cavalry and the shield wall ability. They also suffer from the spear malice which applies -3 to spear unit attacks.

Gallery: