Númenor: The Lost Realm of Westernesse

Númenor, the great island realm of the Second Age, was raised from the depths of the Great Sea by the Valar as a gift to the Edain who remained faithful during the War of Wrath. Its distinctive star shape, formed by five peninsulas jutting out from its central mass, earned it the elvish name Elenna, meaning 'Starwards.' The island arose in the year 32 of the Second Age, marking the beginning of the most glorious kingdom of Men in all of Arda's history.

Among all mortal lands, Númenor held a unique position in its proximity to Aman, the Blessed Realm. Located in the great western sea of Belegaer, it lay approximately 39 days' sail west of Middle-earth but still east of the Undying Lands. This strategic position allowed the Númenóreans to maintain contact with both the Elves of Tol Eressëa and their mortal kin in Middle-earth, though they were forbidden to sail further west toward Valinor itself.

The sheer scale of Númenor was breathtaking, spanning 167 leagues (approximately 500 miles) from its northern to its southern shores and 138 leagues east to west. Its vast territory encompassed diverse landscapes and climates, from cool northern highlands to warm southern valleys. The island's size allowed it to support a great civilization, with room for mighty cities, extensive farmlands, and natural wonders that made it truly worthy of its status as the greatest realm of Men.

Armenelos, the City of Kings, stood as the crown jewel of Númenórean architecture and power. Its gleaming white walls rose high above the surrounding plains, visible from leagues away, while its streets were paved with precious stones. At its heart stood the King's House, crowned with a magnificent dome that caught the light of both sun and moon, serving as a beacon of Númenórean majesty and achievement throughout the ages.

In the later years of Númenor, under the reign of Ar-Pharazôn, Sauron convinced the king to build a great Temple to Melkor. This massive structure, topped with a silver dome, dominated the skyline of Armenelos. The Temple became a place of darkness where smoke rose continuously from its fires, and the ancient traditions of the Faithful were corrupted into human sacrifice to Melkor in a tragic departure from the wisdom of their forebears.

The grounds surrounding the King's House in Armenelos contained some of the most beautiful gardens in all of Arda. These royal courts featured fountains, pools, and carefully tended gardens where the White Tree Nimloth once grew. The courts served as gathering places for the nobles of Númenor and hosted many of the realm's most important ceremonies and celebrations throughout its long history.

Meneltarma, the Pillar of Heaven, rose majestically from the center of Númenor as the island's most sacred site. This smooth-sided mountain stood alone in the central region of Mittalmar, visible from nearly every part of the island. Its perfect symmetry and isolation led many to believe it was shaped by the Valar themselves as part of their gift to the Edain.

The summit of Meneltarma was a sacred space where only the rulers of Númenor could speak during the Three Prayers. This flat top, large enough to hold a great multitude, offered unobstructed views in all directions, allowing observers to see the waters of Belegaer extending toward the Blessed Realm on clear days. The summit remained a place of profound silence except during these special ceremonies, when the King or Queen would offer prayers to Eru Ilúvatar.

A single path wound its way up the slopes of Meneltarma, beginning at the mountain's southern foot. This sacred road spiraled around the mountain seven times before reaching the summit sanctuary. During the Three Prayers, thousands of Númenóreans would make their way up this path in solemn procession, maintaining complete silence until they reached the summit where only the monarch would speak the sacred words to Eru.

Rómenna, situated on the eastern coast of Númenor, served as the island's principal harbor and shipbuilding center. Its extensive shipyards produced the mighty vessels that made Númenor the greatest maritime power of the Second Age. The harbor could accommodate hundreds of ships, and its docks bustled with activity as vessels arrived from and departed to Middle-earth, carrying traders, explorers, and eventually warriors of the island kingdom.

The port city of Andúnië, nestled in a natural bay on the western coast, was home to the Lords of Andúnië and remained a stronghold of the Faithful throughout Númenor's history. Its protected harbor provided safe anchorage for ships, while its proximity to Tol Eressëa made it the preferred port for Elven vessels visiting from the Blessed Realm. The city's maritime facilities, though smaller than those of Rómenna, were renowned for their excellent design and efficiency.

Each of Númenor's five peninsulas hosted smaller ports that served their respective regions. These harbors, including those at Nindamos in the south and Ondosto in the north, supported local fishing fleets and coastal trade. Their presence ensured that no part of Númenor was far from maritime access, contributing to the island's prosperity and its people's deep connection to the sea.

The region of Emerië in Mittalmar contained Númenor's most fertile agricultural lands. These rolling plains and gentle hills produced abundant crops that fed the island's growing population. The region was particularly known for its grain fields and pastures where the famous horses of Númenor grazed. Many noble families maintained estates in Emerië, including Erendis, who chose this region for her inland retreat away from the sea-focused life of her husband Aldarion.

The Forostar region in the north was characterized by its high cliffs and great forests of dark trees. These woods provided the strong timber essential for Númenor's shipbuilding industry. The forests were carefully managed to ensure a sustainable supply of wood, demonstrating the Númenóreans' initial wisdom in resource management. The region's elevated terrain and cooler climate also made it ideal for astronomy, leading to the construction of several observation towers.

The southern regions of Númenor, particularly the Hyarrostar and Hyarnustar, enjoyed a warmer climate that supported extensive fruit orchards and vineyards. These areas produced unique varieties of fruits and wines that became famous throughout the realm. The fertile soil and gentle climate allowed for the cultivation of exotic plants brought from Middle-earth, including the fragrant oiolairë trees whose branches were used to adorn the prows of Númenórean ships.

Deep beneath the slopes of Meneltarma lay the Tomb of the Kings, where the rulers of Númenor were laid to rest in chambers of stone. This vast complex of halls and passages contained the remains of Númenor's monarchs, each in their own chamber filled with treasures and tokens of their reign. The tomb's entrance was marked by elaborate carved doors that opened only at the command of the current ruler, ensuring the sanctity of this solemn place.

The Tower of the King in Armenelos stood as the tallest structure in all of Númenor, reaching so high that its top could be seen from ships approaching the eastern shores. Built during the reign of Tar-Minastir, the tower served as both a symbol of Númenórean achievement and a practical lookout post. Its white walls gleamed in the sunlight, and its height allowed observers to see as far as the Meneltarma and the western seas.

The major cities of Númenor were protected by impressive stone fortifications that showcased the peak of Second Age engineering and architecture. These walls, particularly those of Armenelos and Rómenna, were built of massive stone blocks fitted together with such precision that no mortar was needed. The gates of these cities were works of art in themselves, often decorated with intricate carvings depicting scenes from Númenórean history and mythology.

The Hallow of Eru atop Meneltarma served as Númenor's most sacred site, where no structure was ever built to mar its natural sanctity. This open sanctuary, where the kings would lead the Three Prayers during the festivals of Erukyermë in spring, Erulaitalë in midsummer, and Eruhantalë in autumn, represented the purest expression of Númenórean worship. The absolute silence maintained here, except during these ceremonies, reflected the deep reverence the early Númenóreans held for Eru Ilúvatar.

The Court of the Kings in Armenelos was the political heart of Númenor, where the rulers held council and received ambassadors from Middle-earth and Tol Eressëa. The court contained the throne room where sat the throne of the King, carved with images of the great eagles of Manwë. Here also stood the White Tree Nimloth, a gift from the Elves and a living link to the light of the Two Trees of Valinor, until it was destroyed at Sauron's urging during the reign of Ar-Pharazôn.

The ancient temples to the Valar in Andúnië represented the enduring faith of the Faithful in the old ways. These temples, maintained by the Lords of Andúnië even as the rest of Númenor turned from the Valar, were places of quiet contemplation rather than grand ceremony. They contained no images of the Valar, following the ancient prohibitions, but rather featured simple altars and spaces for meditation and prayer, maintaining the pure traditions of the Edain.