Haradwaith

### Weaknesses

Unit upgrades dependent on nearby Caravans, Tribal units dependent on Harondor Warlord's survival, heavily gated elite units

"I have crossed many mountains and many rivers, and trodden many plains, even into the far countries of Rhûn and Harad where the stars are strange."
—Aragorn

Haradwaith, or Harad for short, was the great lands to the south of Gondor and Mordor. Those who lived there were known as the Haradrim although after the Fall of Númenor, many of the Black Númenóreans lived there as well, later on becoming the Corsairs of Umbar. The land became a haven for those who were enemies of Gondor. The hot climate led to various tropical regions from desolate deserts to dense jungles which made just living in Harad a difficult task. While most of the people living there were not inherently evil, they often joined Sauron in his wars due to his promises of a better life as well as their hatred of Gondor.

In Age of the Ring, Haradwaith is, by necessity, the odd one out due to the lack of lore information. The faction contains several strange creatures, 'OC' heroes and unique mechanics based on mobility and map control. Haradwaith will be able to create moveable Caravans that produce resources, grant unit upgrades and buff nearby troops when deployed. The spellbook grants access to various summonable structures to quickly set up forward bases whilst Harondor Warlords can summon a variety of units at will, similarly to Angmar Thrall Masters from vanilla RotWK.

## Heroes

### Sûladan

A powerful warlord from the wartorn lands of Harondor, Sûladan has won renown throughout his many skirmishes with the Gondorian oppressors, clearing them out of Harondor to claim it for his own people. Though seemingly loyal to the Golden King, Sûladan has made private plans to overthrow his liege once the War is won and negotiate a better position for his people within the Dark Lord's dominion.

### Câssimir

One of the two rivaling sons of Kathuphazgân, the last Black Lord of Umbar. Câssimir is a harsh, cruel man that commands the loyalty of the Black Númenorean nobility that still live in Umbar.

### Burôdapân

One of the two rivaling sons of Kathuphazgân, the last Black Lord of Umbar. Burôdapân is a fierce corsair-lord, demanding tribute and taxes from a vast majority of Umbar's raiding fleet.

### Berúthiel

Concubine to both Câssimir and Burôdapân, the Black Queen stole her name from an ancient Black Numenorean Queen that was exiled into Umbar by her husband, a King of Gondor.

### Caran-Lambar

Once a respected chief of a prominent Nâfarati tribe, Caran-Lambar has been transformed by the Golden King into a brutal champion to his cause.

### Syâr-Rhul

The chief advisor to the Golden King in all matters, but particularly those related to the subjugation of the Haradrim and their enslavement to Sauron's will. The Golden King serves as the figurehead for Haradwaith's subjugation, whilst Syâr-Rhul rules over Harad's tribes from the shadows.

### The Golden King of Abrakhân

The ancient, immensely cruel king of legendary Abrakhân. Recently returned, he has rebuilt his former might and seeks to subjugate all of Haradwaith beneath his black banner. His armies are endless, and his unquestionable might has caused the Lords of Umbar and the Men of Harondor to pledge their warriors to his sinister cause.

## Spellbook

* Horn of the Serpent Lord
* Dry Spell
* Southron Sentry
* March to War
* Curse of the Wind Demon
* Forth, Men of Darkness
* Tribes of Harad
* Khandish Charioteers
* Unrelenting Sun
* Oasis
* Burning Sands
* The Black Matriarch

**Cost**:5PP

**Description**:
Target allies gain +25% damage, +25% armour for 60 seconds.

**Cost**:5PP

**Description**:
Reduces production of any resource structure within the area of effect for 150 seconds
Resource production is decreased by -75%
Left click icon then left click on target area

**Cost**:5PP

**Description**:
Summons a Sentry Tower, providing strong line of sight and detecting stealth
Limited to 4
 Left click icon then left click on target area

**Cost**:10PP

**Description**:
For 60 seconds, all Haradwaith units gain +20% damage, +15% armour and are immune to debuffs
 Left click to activate

**Cost**:10PP

**Description**:
All units within the radius are scattered and suffer damage
 Left click icon then left click on target area

**Cost**:10PP

**Description**:
Summons two battalions of heavy-armoured Great Khân's Phalanx led by a Great Khân's Acolyte
 Left click icon then left click on target area

**Cost**:10PP

**Description**:
Summons a Tribal Camp
 Limited to 2
 The Tribal Camp may temporarily summon Tribal Axemen, Bowmen, and Spearmen
 When Subjugation: Near Harad is researched, the Tribal Camp may temporarily summon Harondor Spearmen, Archers and Raiders
 Left click icon then left click on target area

**Cost**:15PP

**Description**:
Summons three Khandish Chariots
 Left click icon then left click on target area

**Cost**:15PP

**Description**:
Cancels Freezing Rain, Blessing of Ulmo, Lights Go Out, White Winter and Darkness
 Enemy units across the map are slowed by -33% and take damage over time for 15 seconds
 Modifier Type: Buff
 Haradwaith units gain +20% movement speed for 15 seconds
 Left click to activate

**Cost**:15PP

**Description**:
Summons a palm tree surrounded by a natural moat of clear water
 Nearby units are passively healed and can be fortified by the Oasis' cleansing waters
 Limited to 2
 Left click icon then left click on target area.

**Cost**:25PP

**Description**:
Calls a fiery beam of sunlight to scorch the battlefield. Stuns light-sensitive creatures.
Left click icon then left click on target area

**Cost**:25PP

**Description**:
Summons the Black Matriarch, an ancient, towering Mûmak, black of skin with fiery red eyes. A heavily armoured, nigh unstoppable beast of destruction
 Left click icon then left click on target area.
## Strategy

Haradwaith is a faction focused primarily on two aspects: map control and versatility. Managing the two of these is key to ensuring its success.

Haradwaith can easily spread across the map. The Caravans recruited by the Bazaar can be sent out to expand the faction's influence across the map. These allow for additional resource structures (that also provide the faction's unit upgrades) and support structures (providing buffs and replenishment to units) to be spread across the map. These structures can also be moved if required and benefit most from being spread out. In addition, the faction can summon a number of structures from the spellbook that can provide vision, attack nearby foes, summon troops and heal nearby enemies. In this way, forward outposts can be quickly constructed. Certain heroes (Sûladan and Câssimir) can summon banners that can also be used to defend an area. and In addition, the faction has a number of fast cavalry units that can allow for map control and easier harrassment, along with heroes who are able to support them.

Haradwaith has one of the most varied unit rosters in the entire mod. The Harondor Warlords exemplify this by providing a number of cheap infantry units through their upgrades, while the other Harondor and Mahûd units can provide stronger support. From there, the faction has a number of options it can take. The Mûmak units are powerful but expensive monsters, capable of leading armies into battle and sieging down bases when accompanied by enough support and when upgraded. The Mahûd Chieftains can support the other Mahûd units in combat, while also enabling easier Mûmak strategies. The Pavilion of the Golden King provides a number of other monsters, each with a different function to deal with and disrupt enemy forces, as well as Beastmasters to support them. The Umbarian Citadel provides powerful harassment and frontline units, providing a strong core to both mounted and unmounted armies. Meanwhile, the Sanctum of Zigûr provides a pair of powerful units, with the Cultists being able to disrupt enemies and support allies, while the Hasharin Blades being able to counteract enemy heroes and structures. To round off the faction's versatility, it has two different heroic units and another semi-heroic unit, each with different uses that can be taken advantage of.