This section is my attempt to establish

some real rules behind the often vague

descriptions of the workings of law and power
one finds in most Roleplaying Modules. The
section at the end (mostly cut and pasted from
some old law books) helps the GM deal with
the day to day travails of law disregarding
hooligan like PCs in the city.
Law and Order in Tharbad:
One of the problems with running extended
campaigns in a city, is the eventual interaction of Player
Characters with the locals laws and authority. This can occur
in many instances, whether it be criminal, or related to the
purchase of property or operation of a business. One thing is
certain though, and that is extended playtime in a city will
eventually run afoul of the law in some capacity. So, to assist
the GM in this manner, we have included an extensive
description of both the forms of authority, and the law, in
Tharbad. Hopefully GMs will find this to be a useful
resource for their campaigns.
Order:
The current structure of power and order in Tharbad
is rather complicated and convoluted. This confusion stems
from the loss of the Aran (S. King) and Royal family, and
the authority they once wielded. In ancient times, i.e. prior to
T.A. 1409, the Aran ruled the whole of Cardolan, his authority
extending into Hirdr (S. Baronies), Hldelf/Endelf (S.
inherited/given fields fiefs), and Goebil (S. Boroughs).
The basis or underpinning of his authority was the pretext that
all the lands, both rural and urban, belonged to him. Even the
Hirdr, which had been independent vassal states prior to
Tarandils rearrangement of the kingdom in T.A. c. 1150, were
his property, held in trust by the Hiri. In Tharbad the situation
was no different. The Aran effectively owned Tharbads land,
and was due rent, in the form of tallage, from all its citizens.
Thus with the loss of the Aran and the Royal line, the
underpinning for much of Cardolans laws and order, was lost,
plunging the realm into the second Troubled Times of T.A.
1409-34.
The city of Tharbad differs from most other boroughs
in Cardolan, in that it had a well established Pennaew (S.
Custumal) and Mludorthas-en-Caras (S. City Government)
long before its incorporation into Arnor by Aran Elendil. It
was in fact an independent colony of Numenor, which was run
by a Condir (S. Mayor)/Governor and Caras r (S. City
council) as an almost independent city-state. With the loss of
Numenor, the only higher authority that it had answered to
was gone. Elendil quickly moved to replace the authority of
Numenor, but was initially rebuffed by the city. The citizens
perceptions were that payment of taxes to an Aran, rather than
the city bureaucracy, would leave less of their money for use
in repairing walls, maintaining roads, and paying the Watch.
Elendil promised that he would lavish the city, the regions
largest by far, with the buildings and monuments deserved of
its status. So, with the promise of a new bridge, enlarged city

walls, and several rebuilt wards, the city of Tharbad agreed to

place itself under the authority of Arnor, and Elendil.
Thereafter, the land of Tharbad was the property of
the Erain of Arnor or Cardolan. Taxes were paid to the Aran,
but the city was still run by an appointed Condir, and an
advisory Caras r . The situation remained relatively
unchanged for hundreds of years, until the sundering of Arnor.
At that time the Mludorthas Arn (S. Royal Government) of
Thorondur was moved to Tharbad, creating the beginnings of
the dual system that would come to characterise government
in Tharbad. The city was split between the institutions of the
Mludorthas-en-Caras , under the Condir, and the institutions
of the Mludorthas Arn, under the Aran. The reign of Aran
Tarandil served to accentuate this difference, as the
Mludorthas-en-Caras was given the right to collect tariffs on
imports and exports, as well as levy certain municipal fees.
The collection of land taxes was still the domain of the
Mludorthas Arn, and was effected by the Samedherdir. After
T.A. 1414, when the Royal line had been wiped out, a new
post was created to deal with the vacuum in power. The
position of Cnotar (Q. High Commander), with powers
nominally equal to the Aran, if greatly diluted in their
authority, was first filled by Annael of Tyrn Gorthad.
Thenceforth, the Canotar ruled over a fast disintegrating
kingdom, till by T.A. 1640 his authority held only in Tharbad
and the surrounding farmlands. In the City itself, authority
was also lost, as the Caras r was taken over by the Curhoth
Herdir (S. Guildmasters). Gondorian army commanders,
sent to maintain order in Tharbad, and keep the Iaur Men
Formen open for trade, have most recently filled the position
of Canotar. This imposition of a foreign force to replace the
former Royal authority, has done irreparable damage to the
office of the Canotar, and the base upon which this positions
authority was originally gleaned from. An uneasy, unspoken,
and unstable alliance, a triumvirate, of the Canotar, the
Samedherdir (S. Chamberlain), and the Guilds, now runs the
city.
Dagorim Gondor na Tharbad (S. Gondorian Army at
Tharbad)
Gondor has had a long history and presence in
Tharbad. Almost since the earliest days of the realms in Exile,
Gondor has maintained a contingent of soldiers, and
representatives in the south bank of the city. Because of
Tharbads location, close to the meeting point of Gondor and
Arnor, Elendil early on envisioned it as a bridge between his
two domains. For many centuries after the incorporation of
Tharbad into Arnor, soldiers of Gondor maintained a
substantial presence on the South Bank, garrisoning its towers
and walls. With the sundering of Arnor, and the creation of
the new Kingdom of Cardolan, the Gondorian presence was
reduced, though not eliminated. Thorondur made Tharbad his
capitol, and thus he deemed it inappropriate to have foreign
troops stationing its walls. The commander of the Gondorian
garrison returned to Gondor and was replaced with a Legate.
Thereafter the Legates honour guard took up a portion of the
former garrisons duties, namely that of jointly patrolling the
streets of the South bank and island in collaboration with the
Watch. The Legates guard wavered in size through the
following centuries, and was even recalled briefly during the
Gondorian Kin-strife of the mid fifteenth century. In T.A.

1509 King Aldamir recalled his Legate for a final time, and
replaced him and his guard with a full-fledged army, the
Dagarim Gondar na Tharbad. Its Commander replaced the last
native, and recently murdered Canotar, Daeron the Bad. From
that date forward the original and ancient duties of the
Gondorian garrison in Tharbad were restored, and the
Commander of the garrison assumed the position of Canotar
The Gondorians in Tharbad are essentially an
occupying army. Their Commander is Imlach _______, who
in addition to commanding them occupies the position of
Canotar ned Tharbad. The title was once the Canotar ned
Cardolan, but those days are long past. The Gondorian
presence is composed entirely of soldiers. The bureaucrats
who work under the Canotar are of local origin. However,
most of the officers, and many of the enlisted men have
brought their families to Tharbad. The majority of them have
settled on the South Bank, in the Foreigners Ward. In total,
there are just under 200 Gondorian soldiers in Tharbad. The
majority are foot soldiers and archers, though there is a small
contingent of mounted knights and warriors, making up the
officer core.
The intention of the Gondorians, is simple; maintain
order and the flow of trade along the Iaur Men Formen.
Gondor has long had a substantial amount of trade with both
Cardolan, and its northern cousin, Arthedain. For Arthedain,
this trade has been an important lifeline in its epic struggle
against Angmar. With the slow dissolution and collapse of law
and order in Cardolan, this lifeline has come under threat.
Thus, in agreement, the Arthadan and Gondorians have taken
it upon themselves to keep open the lifeline that connects
them. The Dagarim Gondor na Tharbad is stationed to this
affect, as is the Dagarim Aran na Athrad Sarn (S. The Royal
Army of Arthedain at Sarn Ford). These two forces struggle
to maintain the route from their positions, and succeed to a
certain degree. However, the central stretch of the Iaur Men
Formen, which lies between them, is slowly reverting to
lawlessness, as the Tinare family loses grip on both their
minions, and their land. The Gondorians, when they have the
chance, try to go beyond their basic orders, to encourage the
uniting, and self-governance of the people of Cardolan. Yet
they have met with little success, and are increasingly resigned
to simply holding the Menetar in Tharbad, let alone the lonely
stretches of the Iaur Men Formen.
The soldiers of the Dagarim Gondor are stationed
throughout Tharbad, but mainly in two roles. One of these
roles is guarding the Menetar, which runs straight through the
heart of the city, and handles the bulk of its trade and
commerce. The Gondorians have long shared this duty with
the City Watch, as joint patrols were used to demonstrate the
friendly relations of Arnor and Gondor in the early days of
those realms. Over the centuries the Gondorians have gone
from a mere token presence in the patrols, to the current
situation where they make up the strength of the patrol. The
majority of soldiers assigned to this duty are garrisoned in the
Ryncaras Tharbad, former seat of the Mludorthas Arn in
Tharbad. The Canotars quarters and offices are also in the
Ryncaras, along with four of his Knight Captains. The
Gondorians have taken over the Ryncaras Tharbad completely,
leaving the City Watch to garrison itself in the smaller
barracks which once housed the Legates Guards. The rest of
the Gondorian soldiers who patrol the Menetar are garrisoned
at the Annon Forn, and the Annon Harn, quarters that are

shared with both the Watch, and the Cardolani Garrison. The
second role of the Gondorians is garrisoning the numerous
Gatehouses and towers that make up the Rammas Nin. This
duty is shared with the Cardolani garrison. The twelve lesser
towers house approximately forty Gondorians and thrice as
many Cardolani. Despite the discrepancy in sizes, it is the
Gondorians who maintain moral, and give orders. The
majority of the Gondorians are tied up in these two roles.
However, there are also some soldiers, varying in number,
occupying a few of the smaller towers and keeps found in the
countryside about Tharbad. In essence the Dagarim Gondor
has taken over the role of the former Dagarim Cardolan na
Tharbad, albeit with much fewer troops.
The Gondorians have not inserted them selves into
any bureaucratic positions, save one, that of the Canotar. This
is the only Executive position that the Gondorions hold, the
rest being purely military in nature. The Canotar rules through
the Samedherdir, who heads what is left of the Mludorthas
Arn in Tharbad. The Canotar usually remains out of politics,
letting the Samedherdir manage the daily affairs of
government as he sees fit. Most Gondorian Canotars have
rarely entered into local politics, and if they have, they have
limited their input to a fatherly, advising tone. For the most
part the Canotars occasional input has been heeded. The latest
Canotar, Imlach, is a somewhat different breed. He has
become actively involved in Tharbad, devoting his efforts, and
resources to somehow pulling the city out of the seemingly
irreversible slide it is in. For many, particularly the common
people, his actions have been welcomed. This is good for the
Gondorians, and the Canotar, for their popularity has long
been linked to the cities state, making them the frequent target
of riots and general illwill. Others in Tharbad have not taken
well to Imlachs actions, for they see it as a direct attack on
their power, and on the tradition of the city.
Mludorthas Arn (S. Royal Government)
A mere shadow of what it once was, the Mludorthas
Arn is now limited almost exclusively to the management of
former Crown holdings in Tharbad, and its immediate vicinity.
The management of the whole of Cardolan once fell under its
jurisdiction, its authority that of the Aran himself. But, with
the loss of the Royal family, the establishment of the Canotar,
and the disintegration of Cardolan, the Mludorthas Arn has
been left with little authority and little power. Traditional
posts and offices still remain though, and those who run them
still have some power within the sphere of Tharbads influence.
In total the Mludorthas Arn consists of about 300 hundred
men, most of which are in the Cardolani Garrison and the
(Royal Navy). About 40 clerks and Cenaithr (S. Bailiffs)
work under the Samedherdir, Heborchal (S. Eminent
Keeper), Minister of Justice, and the City Jailor. Of these, a
small group, immediately under the Samedherdir, still work
out of the Ryncaras Tharbad. Their responsibility is
essentially the collection of property taxes from the citizens.
A handful work in the Bank of Cardolan, and the rest are
employed at the City Court and Jailhouse.
In form, the Mludorthas Arn is simply enough, albeit
somewhat ossified from centuries of tradition. The
Samedherdir, who has nominal authority over all decisions and
positions, heads it. Immediately below him are three positions

of effectively equal rank; the Heborchal-en-Cloth (S.

Eminent Keeper of the Treasury), the Heborchal-enAranfael (S. Eminent Keeper of the Treasury), and the
Heborchal-en-Ambethnaran (S. Eminent Keeper of Pleas to
the Crown). Each of these positions, save the Heborchal-enAmbethnaran, heads up, in effect, a small ministry, responsible
for its own segment of the governments operation. At one
time the Commander of the City Garrison, and the Admiral of
the Royal Fleet could be considered of equivalent rank with
the aforementioned positions, but with the arrival of the
Gondorians their influence has been severely marginalized.
They, and the City Jailor, are now subordinate to the
Samedherdir and the Heborchal-en-Aranfael respectively.
The positions, and their functions are described
below:

any decisions made regarding the Garrison by the

Samedherdir.
The Office of the Samedherdir is located in the
Ryncaras Tharbad. A number of clerks, as well as two
Cenaithr also have offices there. The other two Cenaithr
work from an office in the ____ ward of the North Bank. The
symbol of the Office of the Samedherdir is a long, ornate rod,
made of gold, oak, and ruby. The Rod of the Samedherdir is
also incorporated into the crest of the Office, which is
displayed prominently on badges, worn by the Cenaithr, and
on any official correspondence of the Samedherdir. The
current Samedherdir is Eratil_____. See section ____ for
more information on Samedherdir Eratil.
Heborchal-en-Cloth (S. Eminent Keeper of the
Treasury):

Samedherdir (S. Chamberlain):

The Samedherdir is the chief officer of the
Mludorthas Arn, and deals with all internal matters of state,
wielding the direct authority of the Aran (now, the Canotar).
Traditionally, the Aran appointed the position. After T.A. 1414
the Canotar appointed exemplary civil servants, or nobles, to
the position. Since the arrival of the Gondorians, the Canotars
authority has been moderated somewhat, to show an
acknowledgement of Cardolani will. The position of
Samedherdir is now appointed via a council made up of the
senior bureaucrats in the Mludorthas Arn, namely the
Heborchal-en-Cloth, the Heborchal-en-Aranfael, and the
Heborchal-en-Ambethnaran. The Canotar then either
approves or disapproves the nomination of the council,
making no input to the selection process itself. The removal
of a Samedherdir is effected the same way, via a vote of the
council in favour of divesting the Samedherdir of his authority.
In this instance the approval of the Canotar is not required.
The duties and powers of the Samedherdir were and
still are quite broad. Notably he has the power to appoint and
remove any of the senior posts in the government (save the
Heborchal-en-Cloth). However, his most important duties
are twofold: collecting taxes, and overseeing the garrison. For
this purpose the Samedherdir employs a number of clerks, and
four Cenaithr who actually do the collecting. Although the
office of the Samedherdir collects the taxes of the
Government, it does not hold them. The Heborchal-en-Cloth
holds all revenues collected by the Samedherdir and the
Cenaithr. The office of the Samedherdir was originally
forbidden by law to make or authorise any payments on behalf
of the government. This privilege was reserved for the Aran,
and later, the Canotar. However, the first Gondorian Canotar
imprudently waived his executive authority, and handed the
full reigns of the Bank of Cardolan to the Samedherdir in T.A.
____. This has unfortunately led to frequent corruption of the
Samedherdir and Cenaithr. Although the Samedherdirs role
in handling the taxes of the City have enlarged, thanks to the
Gondorians, his role in commanding the Garrison has been
reduced. The Garrison is run independently by its
Commander, and despite being required to report to the
Samedherdir, he usually reports to the Canotar. The
Samedherdir has nominal authority over the Garrison, and is
able to remove and appoint Commanders at his discretion. Yet
even so, the Canotar usually exercises considerable sway in

The Cloth-en-Heborchal is responsible for

receiving and dispersing the revenue of the government. The
Heborchal heads the Bank of Cardolan, where within, the
wealth of the state is kept secure. The Bank also holds the
wealth of citizens and guilds that wish to keep their wealth
within its eminently safe vault. The position was originally
appointed by the Aran himself, but since T.A. 1414 it has been
appointed by the Canotar. The position is held for life, or until
removal by the Aran (Canotar).
The duty of the Heborchal is to hold the wealth of the
kingdom, for utilization by the Aran and the Mludorthas Arn.
All taxes collected by the Samedherdir and Cenaithr go to the
treasury of the Bank of Cardolan. Originally only the Aran
had access to the treasury, issuing funds to his various
ministers at his discretion. Monies to be issued were done so
by the Heborchal, only at the request of the Samedherdir via
approval by the Aran. However, this system was altered by
the first Gondorian Canotar, and since that time the
Samedherdir has approved and requested payments to be made
by the Heborchal, on behalf of the Mludorthas Arn. The
Heborchal has no authority or power to refuse any requests
made by the Samedherdir. The Heborchal does have the
authority to make loans to individuals or businesses at his
discretion, however, without requiring the approval of the
Samedherdir or Canotar.
The Heborchal maintains his office in the Bank of
Cardolan. A handful of clerks, and a small troop of elite
Garrison troops are also stationed there. The symbol of the
Heborchal is a large and ornate gold key. This key is not only
symbolic for it opens the first door of the vault within the
Bank of Cardolan. The key is incorporated into the crest of
the Bank of Cardolan, which is displaced prominently above
the Banks grand entrance, and on the cockades and badges of
the clerks and Soldiers who work there. The current
Heborchal is Iradan Ondolini. See section ______ for more
information on Heborchal Ondolini.
Heborchal-en-Aranfael (S. Eminent Keeper of the Arans
Justice):
The Heborchal-enAranfael is the chief Badhron (S.
Judge) of the all the borough
courts of Cardolan. In practicality
though, he is the chief Badhron of

the borough court of Tharbad alone. A council of the Chief

Bedhryn (S. Judges) of Cardolans boroughs traditionally
elected the Heborchal-en-Aranfael from among themselves.
Over the past two centuries however, only the Bedhryn from
Tharbad have elected Ministers, as the other boroughs of
Cardolan are now largely under Baronial or Manorial law.
The last Council of the Chief Bedhryn to meet was in T.A.
1456, in Metraith. Since then, one of the four to six Bedhryn
serving in Tharbad is elevated to the position of Chief
Badhron and Heborchal-en-Aranfael. The term of the
Heborchal-en-Aranfael is five years, whereupon he is either
re-elected, or another takes his place. It is also within the
power of the Aran (Canotar) or Samedherdir to remove a
Heborchal-en-Aranfael, though not within their power to
appoint one.
The Duty of the Heborchal-en-Aranfael is to oversee
the courts and Bedhryn beneath him, and to ensure that the
Arans Justice is carried out in all things. The Minister, and
his Bedhryn, have the responsibility, and authority, to execute
the Common Law of the Aran, and the ordinances and laws of
the borough of Tharbad (or other boroughs, such as Talsr).
The judgements of the Minister may fall upon any within the
bounds of Tharbad, be they commoner or nobleman, and all
his decisions are final. Appeals of judgements made by lower
Bedhryn are made to the Minister, who then sits as Badhron
over a second trial. Although the judgements of the Minister
are final within the context of the courts, there is the
possibility, in special circumstances, for appeals to be made to
the Custodian of Pleas to the Crown. The judgement of the
Minister can then only be overturned by special amendment of
the Laws by the Aran (Canotar) or in the case of city Heiw (S.
Customs), the Caras r . The Heborchal-en-Aranfael is
also responsible for appointing and overseeing the offices of
the Coroner, City Jailor and Sheriff. See section _____ for
more detail on these offices.
Originally the office of the Heborchal-en-Aranfael
was housed in the towering Ryncaras Tharbad. Since that
edifices occupation by the Dagorim Gondor na Tharbad, the
offices of the Minister have been moved to the City Jail and
courthouse. There the Minister works with the five other
Bedhryn, all appointed by the Aran (Canotar), to try and
handle the seemingly never-ending backlog of court cases.
The insignia of the Minister is a Seal ring, marked with the
representation of a blossom of the ______, an ancient symbol
of Mandos. The Bedhryn and the Minister, while presiding
over cases, wear long, voluminous robes, that hearken back to
Numenorean traditions,. They also wear a badge, representing
a small bough of the _____. The current Minister is Valandil
Earadan. The other five Bedhryn are Bereth Calimiri, Aladil
Finwarin, Calion Anvelith , Lorin Lintahir, and Brethil
Celemir. See section ___ for more information on Minister
Earadan, and section ______ for information on the other
Bedhryn.
Heborchal-en-Ambethnaran (S. Eminent Keeper of Pleas
to the Crown)
The Custodian of Pleas to the Crown is a somewhat
peculiar office, quite different from the others arranged within
the Mludorthas Arn. The Custodians role is to essentially
watch over the proceedings of the Courts, and ensure that the
Kings justice is carried out fairly. The position was originally

created in T.A. 1084 by King Tarandil, as a way to offset what

he saw as corruption amongst the Bedhryn. The position has
survived to this day, almost unchanged from its inception. The
only significant difference is the Custodian now hears pleas
for the Canotar, not the King.
The duties of the Custodian are quite basic, and
consist mostly of requiring his presence, or one of his junior
custodians, at all proceedings of the borough courts. His
presence in the court is required before all proceedings may
commence, and usually sits in a place of honour, to the right of
the presiding Badhron. Beyond observing the court
proceedings, and occasionally making reports to the Aran
(Canotar), the Custodian has one other function. That is to
serve as the receiver of pleas to the crown. Pleas to the crown
are a serious manner, and are only accepted under certain
conditions, such as confusion about exact interpretation of
laws, or seeming contradiction of laws. Also, when there is a
seeming miscarriage of justice, a plea may be heard. In any
case, the Custodian receives the pleas, and then conveys them
to the Aran (Canotar) for consideration.
The Custodian of Pleas to the Crown keeps his
offices in the City Jail and Courthouse, along with those of the
Bedhryn. At one time, during Cardolans better years, the
Custodian was the head of a rather large ministry, which
placed Custodians in all the courts, whether borough or
manorial, of all the land. Those years are long past though,
and now only a single Custodian serves. The Custodian is
appointed by the Samedherdir to 5-year terms, or until
removal or retirement from office (prior to the assumption of
Canotar by Gondorians, the appointment and removal of the
Heborchal-en-Ambethnaran was the exclusive prerogative of
the Aran). Usually former Bedhryn or other exemplarily
Government officials are given the post, as a sort of retirement
gift or acknowledgement of faithful service, for the duties are
rather light. The badge of the Custodian depicts a small
mount, above which shines a single star. There is some
suggestion in this symbol of connections to Numenorean
traditions. While observing court proceedings, the badge is
worn on a green coverlet, the pair of which forms the uniform
of the office. The current Custodian is Minastir Tarnil. See
section _____ for more information on the Custodian.
Commaethor-en-Garthrim (S. Commander of the
Garrison):
The Commaethor-enGarthrim is responsible for the
defence of Tharbad. Since the
very foundation of the city, there
has been a Commaethor of some
form or another given the
responsibility for defending the
populace from raiders, invaders, or
peasant mobs. The position has
alternately fallen under the control
of the Condir, the Caras r , the
Aran, and the Samedherdir. Most
recently, and for the past several
centuries, the Commaethor-en-Garthrim has nominally
reported to the Samedherdir. However, since the occupation
of Tharbad by the Gondorians, and the assumption of the
Canotar by the Gondorian Commander, the Commaethor-en-

Garthrim has worked in close conjunction with the Dagorim

Gondor na Tharbad.
The duties of the Commander revolve around the
defence of the city, which consists of commanding, recruiting
and training the Garrison. Responsibility for maintaining and
manning the gatehouses, as well as upkeep of the city ditches,
also fall under the jurisdiction of the Commaethor-enGarthrim. The Commander also assigns soliders to protect
various members of the Mludorthas Arn , such as the
Samedherdir, the Bedhryn and the Heborchal-enAmbethnaran. During tax collection time, a substantial
portion of the Garrison is responsible with protecting, and
following the directives of, the Cenaithr.
The Commaethor-en-Garthrims offices are found in
the massive Annon Forn. The Annon Forn is also the barracks
of a third of the Garrison, in addition to a handful of
Gondorians and a small detachment of the City Watch. One of
the Commanders two serving Edwedr (S. lieutenant) also
has an office in the Annon Forn. The other lieutenant
commands the Annon Harn. The uniform of the Commander
consists of a mixture of chain and studded leather armor. He
also wears a blue tunic, which bears a design of the Iant
Harnen and the Ryncaras Tharbad. The commander also
wears a cloak pin which bears this same design. This is an
ancient symbol of Tharbads Garrison, and of the city itself,
and can still be found on many offical documents and offical
buildings. The soldiers under him wear armour that is often
accentuated with blue, and a badge bearing this same symbol.
The current Commander is Baragil Tolramis. See section ___
for more information on the Commaethor-en-Garthrim.

Taur is derived from the former post of Admiral of the Royal

Fleet. At one time the Cardolani Royal Fleet ranged as far as
the Cape of Andrast, and the Grey Havens, protecting the
merchant vessels of Cardolan from the predations of Pirates
and Umbarean Freebooters. However, the fortunes of the
Fleet have closely mirrored, and even preceded the fortunes of
Cardolan itself. For several centuries now, the Fleet has
existed almost in name only. With the loss of the Royal
Family, and consequently the dissolution of the Dagarim
Cardolan, the Admiralship was abandoned, and a new
position, that of Concirion Taur, was created. This Concirion
Taur no longer has the independence nor the rank that the
Admiral once held. The position is now merely an extension
of the Tharbad Garrison. The Concirion Taur reports to the
Commaethor-en-Garthrim, and limits his activities to patrols
of the Tharbad harbor, and the local waterways. Expeditions
out into the Belegaer are almost never undertaken.
The duties of the
Concirion Taur are to maintain and
manage the Royal Fleet, as well
as to protect and safeguard the
waterways of Tharbad. To this
effect the Concirion Taur usually
leads or sends patrols south of
Tharbad, to ensure commerce
approaching Tharbad is
unhindered. The Concirion Taur
also often works in close
conjunction with the Watch and the
Londherdr, to deter smugglers
working on the water. He and his officers have impunity to
board and search vessels within any of Tharbads waterways.
The Concirion Taurs offices are in the ______ at the
Naval Wharf and Barracks. His two junior captains also have
their offices in the ______. The three Galleasses of the navy
are all stationed at the Naval Wharf. The Uniform of the

Concirion Taur-en-Aerdagarim Aran (S. High Captain of

the Royal Fleet )
The Concirion Taur (S. High Captain) is
responsible for the patrolling and defence of Tharbads harbour
and the Gwathlo river way. The current position of Concirion

Canotar

The Royal Government

Note: arrows represent authority to appoint or remove

Samedherdi
r

Heborchal-enCloth

Heborchal-enAranfael

Heborchal-enAmbethnaran

Bedhryn

Commaethor-enGarthrim

Concirion Tauren-Aerdagarim
Aran
Coroner

Jailor

Sheriff

Concirion Taur varies, but he usually wears a blue cloak, the

color of the Garrison, and his badge of office, which depicts a
three-masted ship before an outline of the Iant Harnen. As
well, he wears a distinct, curved and flowing helm, the mark
of Dunadan Captains since Numenorean times. The current
Concirion Taur is Findagil Faernir. See section ____ for more
information on the Concirion Taur.
Mludorthas-en-Caras (S. City Government )
The Mludorthas-en-Caras has been the institution of
governance in Tharbad for over 2000 years. It has evolved
over the centuries, and still maintains much of its original
function, despite being stripped of much of its power. The
Mludorthas-en-Caras was first established when the city was
granted a charter as an independent city of Numenor, no
longer administered from Numenor through the Governor.
Thereafter, in the tradition of Numenorean cities, the
Governors office was abolished, a Condirs office was
established, and a council of the citys, wise was elected to
advise the Condir .
Over the following centuries the Condir headed the
Mludorthas-en-Caras, effectively running the city as a semiindependent state. Taxes were remunerated to Numenor, yet a
significant portion was retained for up keeping of the city and
salaries of officials. In addition, the government of Numenor
still regarded Tharbad as a mere fledgling, and thus it
frequently built or expanded the cities infrastructure at its own
expense. With the destruction of Numenor in S.A. 3319, and
the arrival of Elendil and the faithful to Eriador, the Condirs
long reign as Tharbads sole power ended. With the
incorporation of the city into Arnor, the Condir, and the
Mludorthas-en-Caras , had to make room for a new higher
power, the aegis of which they were required to work within.
The Mludorthas-en-Caras was no longer responsible
for collecting taxes, and thus it was entirely reliant on the King
for its funding. Elendil and his descendants did not abandon
or dismantle the Mludorthas-en-Caras however, for it was
already an effective and traditional body for governance of the
city. Thus, the duties of the Condir and the Mludorthas-enCaras continued, minus the task of collecting taxes, which fell
under the auspices of the Kings Cenaithr. The budget of the
Mludorthas-en-Caras was paid out to the Condir, via an
officer of the king, later known as the Heborchal-en-Cloth.
The Mludorthas-en-Caras wasted no time in making
up for the loss of its source of revenue, and quickly created a
new set of Heiw that taxed citizens on the basis of their
profession. This profession tax was wildly unpopular, and was
the source of unrest for many years. Eventually the citizens
acquiesced when they came to realise payment of the taxes
ensured the continuation of a government in which they had a
substantial voice.
With the arrival of the Minalcir Glassblowers faction
from Fornost Erain in T.A. 800, the Mludorthas-en-Caras
found a new source of income. The Glassblowers were
granted a guild charter, giving them the exclusive right to blow
glass in the city, in exchange for an annual fee to the city.
Other professions, at this time only loosely organised as
professional brotherhoods, quickly banded together and
formed guilds with similar charters and rights to those of the
Glassblowers. The effect for the Mludorthas-en-Caras was
an increase in revenues, and a simultaneous streamlining of

the collection process, as now only fees from a guild needed to

be collected rather than a mass of truculent craftsmen.
The guilds, in time, added a new dimension to city
politics. Initially their political strength was minimal, yet, as
the fortunes of Cardolan and the Mludorthas-en-Caras waned,
the strength and importance of the guilds waxed. Seats on the
Caras r , which were normally filled by leading citizens, and
representatives of the seven Hirdor, began to be filled by the
guild masters of some of the cities most powerful guilds.
Following the reorganization of the economy and the laws of
Cardolan by King Tarandil in T.A. 1079, the triumvirate of the
Weavers, Dyers, and Salters/Packers guilds connived to get a
single, permanent seat on the council to be shared between
them. As the strength of the guilds continued to increase, so
did the influence and respect garnered their Guildmasters, and
so increasingly guilds members filled the seats on the council.
However, only the Weavers, Dyers, and Salters/Packers guild
had a seat guaranteed to them in the Pennaew of the city.
That changed during the Second Time of Troubles,
after the death of the Princess Nirnadel and the Regent Nimhir
in T.A. 1412. The Caras r amended the cities Pennaew to
give twelve more guilds permanent representative seats on the
Caras r . These guilds were the Merchants, Innkeepers,
Masons, Potters, Carpenters, Fishermen, Chandlers, Brewers,
Armourers, Shipwrights, Brewers, and the Alchemists. In
addition, the Weavers, Dyers and Salters/Packers had their
single seat expanded into three. Hiri representatives filled the
rest of the twenty-two seat council. The tradition of electing
councillors from each of the cities wards had disappeared, yet
the distribution of guilds about the city largely matched the
distribution of wards. However, the power had been taken
away from the citizens of the wards, and handed to the now
powerful, and exclusive guilds.
King Tarandils reforms did not only benefit the
Guilds. The Mludorthas-en-Caras also received a great boon
when Tarandil granted it the right to collect tariffs and taxes on
all goods entering or produced in the city. The city used this
newfound power to benefit itself and the Guilds of the city. A
highly restrictive set of tariffs was placed on most goods
entering the city, while simultaneously the guilds were given
exclusive rights to produce and export the goods they
manufactured, free of any taxation.
In the first decades following the establishment of
this system, it was extremely successful, for both the city and
the guilds, in addition to the King himself. But with time the
overly protective system began to show signs of faults, though
none were to recognise them. As the flow of goods coming
into the city dwindled, the city raised the tariffs ever higher,
thus further discouraging imports. The monopoly of the
guilds in their respective fields led to poor competition, and
unfair pricing, that discouraged people buying from them. The
Guilds answer was to lobby for more and more expansive
powers to limit non-guild members from engaging in
enterprise, or to expand the definition of what goods were
produced by their guild. The end effect was to further drive up
prices and dry up demand. Worst of all though, for the
Mludorthas-en-Caras , was the formation of the Traders
guild, and the smuggling it began to engage in to avoid the
tariffs, and satiate the smothered demands of the citizens. By
the second Time of Troubles, the city and guilds had
virtually choked off their own lifeblood, whilst simultaneously

creating a new and deadly faction that would continue to

plague the city for the foreseeable future.
It was within the context of this situation that the
Guilds were able to wrest such power for themselves in the
form of seats on the Caras r . Though the Mludorthas-enCaras is an independent entity, it is now effectively controlled
by the Guildmasters. The twenty-two seat Caras r sits at
bimonthly sessions, or more frequently if enough members
call for an emergency session. The council is able to remove
the Condir from office at any session, provided a majority of
the councillors vote in favor of such a motion. The council
was initially only an advisory body to the Condir, but now it
takes on most of the power of an executive branch, with
members commonly forwarding their own revisions to the
Pennaew-en-Ost (S. City Custumal) for consideration and
voting on by the other members. The Condir does still chair
the council, however, and has three, tie breaking votes.
The Mludorthas-en-Caras , which is headed by the
Condir, has several major duties. The primary is the
maintenance of peace and order in the streets of the city. To
this end the city Watch is the direct arm of the Mludorthasen-Caras . Secondly, is the maintenance of city avenues, parks
and walls, though this duty is shared in practice with the
Mludorthas Arn. Engineers in the service of both the
Dagorim Gondar na Tharbad and the Tharbad Garrison, as
well as in the office of the Custodian of Streets and Canals
mutually upkeep the city. And thirdly, though not exactly a
duty, the Mludorthas-en-Caras is responsible for collecting
guild and business fees, and the tariffs on products entering the
city both by boat and by road.
In form the Mludorthas-en-Caras has two branches;
the first is the executive branch, composed solely of the
Caras r ; the second is the administrative branch which itself
is broken into three offices: the City Watch, the office of the
_____, and the Cenaithr of the Gates and Harbor. The Condir
heads both branches of the Mludorthas-en-Caras . The
Condir has absolute authority within the administrative branch
to appoint and remove officers and clerks. Normally,
however, the Condir restricts his appointments to only the
heads of the offices. Within the Caras r the Condir has
considerably less power, and is in fact appointed and removed
by this body, via a majority vote in either case. Thus, despite
heading the Caras r , the Condir functions more as it officer
in the management of the other, administrative arm of the
Mludorthas-en-Caras . Besides this power over the
administrative branch itself, the Caras r also has the power
to add to and revise the towns Pennaew.
Condir (S. Mayor)
The Condir is responsible for heading the
Mludorthas-en-Caras , which is in turn responsible for the
maintenance of order, via the Watch, upkeep of the streets,
canals, and bridges, the creation of new ordinances and Heiw
and the collection of tariffs, and business and guild fees.
Traditionally the Condir had considerable power in both the
execution of his duties and in the creation of the towns
Pennaew. Currently, however, the Condir is almost
completely under the thumb of the Caras r , and thus the
cities Guilds. The position has thus been reduced to one of
simple administrative and honorary functions.
The Duties of the Condir consist largely of
appointing and removing officers and clerks of the city

administration. Yet even this duty often receives input from

the Caras r . The three offices which the Condir oversees,
the City Watch, the engineers of the streets and canals, and the
Cenaithr of the gate and harbor, function relatively
independently on a day to day basis. The Condir issues funds
to the three offices, as needed, this being the most common
interaction. However, these funds are paid out to the Condir
by the Heborchal-en-Colth. Also, the Heborchal-en-Colth
receives the funds collected by the Water and Gate Cenaithr
directly, rather than the Condir. This represents the only
actually functional connection between the Royal and
Mludorthas-en-Caras s, even though they overlap and interact
frequently in a practical capacity. This restriction on the
Condirs ability to handle city funds was one of the earliest
Heiw, intended to prevent corruption, or the temptation to
corruption, in the office of the Condir. Additionally, the
Mludorthas Arn still makes a block payment to the
Mludorthas-en-Caras , although it has been reduced
considerable over the years. This block payment is also issued
to the Condir by the Heborchal-en-Colth. Finally, beyond
these duties, the Condir spends most of his time attending
ceremonial duties, whether it be testing the wines of Tharbads
taverns, blessing weddings, or greeting foreign dignitaries or
nobility.
The offices of the Condir are located in the City
Offices building, a sturdy relic of some of the earliest works of
the Arnorians in Tharbad. The Condir also has an official
residence located beside the City Offices, at the foot of the
Iant Formen. The staff of the Condir is split between the two
buildings, with a handful of clerks assisting him in the City
Offices, and a number of servants and a squad of the Watch
attending him at his official residence. The Condirs official
residence is where the Condir performs most of his official
duties, in the form of entertaining and greeting guests and
representatives of the city. The insignia of the Condir are
several in number. First is the trilby of the Condir, made of
blue velvet and cloth of silver, and emblazoned with the
symbol of the Condirs office, a stylised Tol Gelin, with the
two bridges spreading out from either side. The Condir also
wears a voluminous cape, of blue velvet, and fur lined. A
badge with the symbol of the office is usually worn on the trim
of the cape. Finally, the Condir bears the Key to the City, a
small, yet functional magical skeleton key that opens any door
within the city. The current Condir is Minastamir Dirwain.
For more information on the Condir, see section _____.
Caras r (S. City council )
The Caras r is responsible for advising the Condir
in the running of the Mludorthas-en-Caras , and for the
modification or introduction of new custumals. The Caras r
did not evolve in Tharbad, but was rather a privilege granted
to the citizens when they acquired their city charter in S.A.
2425. Thereafter the former post of Governor was abolished,
and a Caras r was formed, based on folk moots or
________ held in the various wards of the city. The Condir
was not elected directly, but was rather elected by the Caras
r , from amongst itself, or from amongst the general
population. The region surrounding Cardolan lacked any
overall authority, and thus the city had a remarkable amount of
freedom to govern itself. However, in the years following the
Forest Wars, a number of noble families of Numenor became
established in the cleared and conquered lands of Minhiriath,

Mintyrnath, Enedwatith, and the Gwathlo river basin. The

new lords and princes of these lands soon managed to lever
their new importance in the local economy into a number of
permanent seats on the Caras r . There was also some
gentle coercion from Numenor itself, as it saw a need to
reassert authority over Tharbad, and found the granting of
great tracts of lands around the city, and seats on the council,
as a convenient way to indirectly achieve this. Eventually
seven Hiri, of seven Hirdor, acquired a single seat each on the
Caras r . These combined with the nine original wards
seats to make a total of sixteen council seats.
This system continued to serve the city for the next
several hundred years, with only the small addition of several
new seats for the new wards that sprang up on the north bank
of the Gwathlo. The formation of these new wards was
mainly an economic response to the Hirdors that were thriving
in the lands to the north, west, and south of Tharbad. In total
three new wards were incorporated into the city, and three new
seats on the council were created. These new seats did not
upset the balance of power however, for it had ever rested in
the hands of the city dwellers rather than the Hiri. The Hiri
were satisfied with keeping their interests in the city to a
mainly economic nature, rather than an overtly political one.
With the arrival of Elendil and the ships of the
Faithful much of the councils power was to change, and in fact
be stripped away. The city initially refused to be incorporated
into Elendils realm, and the council voted heavily against it.
However, soon Elendil convinced all the Hiri to support his
request, by guaranteeing their continued status as lords within
his new realm. As well he convinced the councillors of the
north banks wards to support his proposition, by promising
them canals and walls. The council voted a second time on his
offer, and this time the motion passed, ten votes to nine. A
notable feature of this vote was that the nine councillors of the
nine original wards voted against it. These older wards
perceived this vote as somewhat of a betrayal, and in later
years resentment over this forced incorporation into Arnor
would manifest itself as a strong pro-Gondor sentiment in the
wards of the south bank. The most immediate effect on the
council of incorporation into Arnor, was that the Condir,
through which the council executed much of its will, became
an appointed position, answerable to the Aran only. The
council became purely advisory in nature, though it did
maintain the ability to introduce revisions to the Pennaew.
Save the addition of three new wards, and three new
seats, all on the still growing north bank, the role of the
council in city affairs continued relatively unchanged over the
following centuries, even through the break-up of Arnor into
the constituent kingdoms of Arthedain, Rhudar and Cardolan.
The establishment of the Mludorthas Arn of Cardolan in
Tharbad did more to atrophy the Mludorthas-en-Caras than it
did the already marginalized council. However, during the
reign of Aran Tarandil the beginnings of a new era in the
council made its debut, when the Weavers, Dyers and
Salters/Packers guilds acquired a permanent representative
seat on the council. In the years following this, and as the
power of the guilds increased, more and more of the elected
members were actually Guildmasters. Nonetheless, since the
council lacked any real power in the city, the practical effect
for the city of the co-opting of the council by the guilds was
limited.

With the death of the last representative of the Royal

family, and the chaos of the Times of Trouble that followed,
the guild dominated council made a successful attempt to
consolidate real power for itself. The Pennaew was revised to
restore the right of the council to elect the Condir, and fifteen
of the cities guilds were guaranteed permanent seats on the
council, totally replacing the former elected seats of the wards.
The Weavers, Dyers, Salters/Packers, Merchants, Innkeepers,
Masons, Potters, Carpenters, Fishermen, Coopers, Brewers,
Armourers, Shipwrights, Glassblowers, and the Alchemists
guilds all acquired seats on the council. The rest of the guilds
in the city were forced to make alliances or become the
vassals of guilds holding a seat. The Hiri still maintained
their traditional seats, but in practicality they rarely utilised
them, or even sent representatives to the councils meetings.
For all intents and purposes the Caras r was the exclusive
domain of the guilds.
Since this usurpation of the Caras r by the guilds,
the politics of the city have been a dynamic and dangerous
affair. The council constantly shifts back and forth between
alliances of guilds, hoping to monopolise power, or write
preferential Haew for themselves. Occasionally the guilds do
manage to put aside their own squabbling and deal with city
matters in a united fashion. However, this is relatively
infrequently, and thus a majority of the councils energy is
devoted to the struggle between guilds and their allies that
never quite ceases. Moreover, struggles of words and votes in
the council, often translate into struggles of clubs and knives
in the streets. For more information on the guilds and the
guild masters see section ___________.
Annonherdr (S. Gatemaster)
The Annonherdr is responsible with collecting tariffs
and fees at the various gates of the city. The office dates back
to the reign of King Tarandil, who granted the city the right to
levy tariffs and fees on incoming goods. Since that time the
Annonherdr has always been an important position in the
Mludorthas-en-Caras, because of the funds he brings to the
city treasury. The Annonherdr is directly subordinate to the
Condir, being appointed and replaced by him. However, the
Annonherdr maintains and operates his office separate from
the Condir.
The duties of the Annonherdr revolve around
monitoring the inflow of goods through the gates of the city,
and levying the appropriate tariffs on them. To achieve this
the Annonherdr, and his Miridolthn (S. Sergeants at
Mace) work in conjunction with both the Watch and the
Garrison. The Annonherdr does not maintain a force with
which to ensure the safe collection of Tariffs, but rather relies
on the soldiers of the watch, and sometimes the Garrison, to
assist when required. The ranks of the Sergeants are
equivalent to a Sergeant in the Watch, and thus they can
command soldiers when the need arises. Because of the
substantial problem with smuggling in Tharbad, a major
portion of the Annonherdrs energies are devoted to
combating this blight on the cities treasury. The Annonherdr
and the Londherdr together are the primary investigative
force attempting to deal with smuggling in Tharbad. To this
end the Watch and the Garrison, as well as the Dagarim
Gondor na Tharbad, will usually lend grudging support.

The offices of the Annonherdr are in the City

Offices. However, two substantial offices are also maintained
in the Annon Forn and the Annon Harn. Five sergeants do the
actual collecting of the tariffs for the Annonherdr, and thus
the fourteen gates of the city are not always manned. Garrison
guards will simply redirect travellers bearing goods to one of
the main gates if a sergeant is not present to collect tariffs.
Two minor clerks also work in the main office, directly
assisting the Annonherdr. The badge of the Annonherdr
depicts a chest, overlaid vertically by a mace. The
Annonherdr also has a signet ring with the same depiction.
The sergeants under the Annonherdr all wear a badge of the
office, and carry a mace, their only armament. While on duty
they also carry a small iron chest, in which to keep the monies
they collect. The current Annonherdr is ____________. The
five Miridolthn under the Annonherdr are _____, _______,
_______, ________, and _______. See section ____ for more
details on the both the Annonherdr and his Miridolthn.
Londherdr (S. Harbormaster)
The Londherdr is responsible with collecting tariffs
and fees in Tharbads Harbor. This office, like that of the
Annonherdr dates back to reign of King Taradil, who granted
the city the right to levy tariffs and fees on incoming goods.
Because of Tharbads substantial influx of river and ocean
borne trade, the Londherdr has remained an important
position in the city throughout the years. However, the office
has slowly dwindled in importance over the years, as less and
less trade comes up the river from either Gondor, or realms
further south or north. The Londherdr is directly subordinate
to the Condir, and is appointed and replaced by him. The
Londherdr maintains his office separate from both the
Condirs and the Annonherdrs.
The duties of the Londherdr revolve around
monitoring the inflow of goods into and through Tharbads
harbor. The Londherdr and his sergeants work in close
cooperation with the watch at all times. Usually, the sergeants
of the Londherdr will actually patrol the docks and
warehouses of their district with a detachement of the Watch
assigned specifically for their use. The Londherdr also
directs much of his effort to combating the plague of
smuggling which has afflicted the city. To this end he works
in conjunction with the Annonherdr, the Watch and the
Aerdagarim Aran. The Aerdagarim Aran is particularly
utilised because of its ability to venture out onto the
waterways, and board and search ships if necessary. The
Concirion Taur and the Londherdr work in closer conjunction
than almost any other parts of the Royal and Mludorthas-enCaras s. Besides his primary duties of collecting tariffs and
duties, the Londherdr also keeps a record of all ship arriving
and leaving the harbor, as well as a list of the captains and
where they lodge.
The offices of the Londherdr are located in a
building in the Dock ______, above below the business and
residence of local Pilot. Four sergeants assist the Londherdr
in his duties, with two usually working on the docks of the
north and south banks, and the remaining two working on the
docks of the Dock ostardh? Ward . In their collection patrols a
squad of the Watch usually accompanies them. The badge of
the Londherdr depicts a chest overlaid vertically by a narrow
tower. (A tower was built on the south end of the island, near

the Naval Wharf in the late 13th century T.A., to house the
Londherdr and his staff. However its narrow rooms and
breezy interior proved intolerable, and thus it has usually
remained locked up). The Londherdr also wears a signet ring
with the same depiction. The sergeants under the Londherdr
all wear a badge of the office, and carry a small iron box in
which they keep the monies they collect. Unlike the sergeants
of the Annonherdr, the sergeants of the Londherdr do not
bear maces. The current Londherdr is ____________. The
four Sergeants under the Londherdr are _____, _______,
_______, and _______. See section ____ for more details on
the both the Londherdr and his sergeants.
Edwedr-en-Tirith (S. Captain/Lieutenant of the
Watch):
The Captain of the Watch is responsible for
maintaining the security and safety of the citizens and streets
of Tharbad. Like the Commaethor-en-Garthrim, the Captain
of the Watch has existed in some form or another almost as
long as the city itself. Originally the Captain was a position
under the direct control of the Commander of the Garrison,
one of three Captains that were responsible with carrying out
the orders of the Commander. With the incorporation of
Tharbad into Arnor in S.A. 3320 , and the reformation of the
city government, the Garrison was put under the control of the
Royal government. However, the Captain of the citys watch,
and all the soliders and barracks under his command, were
maintained under the authority of the Condir.
The duties of the Captain consist of maintaining
peace and order on the streets of the city. He is also
responsible with ensuring that his subordinates, Canathordr
(S. 2nd lieutenant) and Sergeants, are aware of the laws and
customs of the city, for it is they, for the most part, who carry
it out. The constabulary duty of the Watch has traditionally
been shared with the Gondorians, even before their armies
occupation of the city, and thus the Captain often liaisons with
Gondorian officers. The Captain must also liaison with the
Londherdr and the Annonherdr, to assist them in the
carrying out of their duties.
The offices of the Captain of the Watch were once
kept in the Ryncaras Tharbad, but since the occupation of the
city by the Dagorim Gondor na Tharbad the Captain has made
his office on the south bank, in the former barracks of the
Gondorian Legate. Four Edwenn (S. ~ lieutenants) serve
directly under the Captain. Beneath them are a total of sixteen
Canathordr (S. ~ Sergeants), four serving under each
Edwenn (S. ~ lieutenant). Each Canathordr (S. ~
Sergeant) commands approximately fifteen constables, but
usually only half of this number is on duty. The Badge of the
Captain depicts two helmets, back to back, over a background
of the Iant Harnen and the Ryncaras Tharbad. This is an old
design, dating back to the Thirteenth Century T.A. The
helmets represent the helmet of a Cardolani and Gondorian
constable respectively. Beyond this the Captain wears
customary chain mail, and a cloak. The officers under his
command usually wear armour and arms supplied by the city,
and thus have a uniform appearance. However, only Edwenn
and Canathordr wear badges of the Watch, similar in design to
that of the Captain. The current Captain of the Watch is
_________. The four Edwenn under the Captain are ______,
_______, _______, and Lorien _______. See section ______
for more on both the Captain and his Edwenn.

Law:
The Common Law:
Elendil, the founder of the Kingdoms in Exile, is
probably remembered best for this, and his subsequent
engineering feats, including the great roads and towers that
were erected across the breadth of Arnor and Gondor. Elendil
is remembered less well for his less obvious, but nonetheless
important efforts to create a moral and lawful groundwork for
his kingdom. His main achievement outside the realm of
grand architecture was the Common Law he established at the
very foundation of Arnor, to be the codex by which justice and
order would be maintained. It was a very large and
comprehensive set of laws, based loosely on Numenorean
principles, that was to apply to the whole of Arnor. Because of
the great diversity of the people and native laws of the lands
within Arnor, Elendil needed a new code that would define the
kingdom, and apply to all people. He wanted the law to be a
unifying force, a levelling force, and thus he made all, even
the nobles and royalty, subject to it. The nobles of Cardolan
grumbled at this somewhat, being used to near absolute power,
but nonetheless, they acquiesced when their right to execute
laws was maintained within their own lands. The new role of
the nobility in the common law was similar to that of before,
being managers of the lands, and executers of the law. But the
relation between the people, and their lord, had changed
dramatically.
Elendil might have been remembered more for the
Common Law, had it not failed, and faded with time. With the
disintegration of Arnor, and then of Cardolan and Rhudar, the
Common law and its aspirations became lost amidst power
struggles, decay, and compromise. Most of the Hirdr and
Hldelf of Cardolan and Rhudar, fell back increasingly on the
pre Arnorian Manorial laws, as established centuries before by
the Cardolani Nobility, during their centuries as colonial lords.
The common law held up until the 14th century, but thereafter
it quickly lost relevance. The loss of the Royal line was its
final death knell in the Hirdors, and by 1640 only Tharbad still
adheres to the common law in any fashion.
For the most part, the Common Law is not used,
except in obscure or obtuse matters. The City Custumals have
completely supplanted it in the realm of day-to-day matters of
law. However, technically the Common Law still exists, and
thus lawyers, or well-educated citizens, will draw upon it
when arguing cases before the Bedhryn. Below is included a
few excerpts from the chapters of the Common Law.
Of breach of the peace and wounding
This is their official duty If one has been appealed of breach of
the peace and wounding, the wound must first be viewed, and
if it is a dangerous one and the appellee is present let him be
arrested at once and kept in custody until it is clear whether
the wounded man can recover or not. If he cannot and dies, let
the appellee be kept in prison; if he recovers, let the appellee
be attached by four or more pledges, according as the wound
is serious or slight: if it is mayhem, by many pledges, that
there may be good security; if the wound is slight, two pledges
are sufficient. If the appellee is a stranger and unknown,
coming from afar, as a traveller, or if because of lack of

friends he cannot find pledges, let his pledge be the gaol,

which is assigned for his custody and not for his punishment.
Of the duty of the coroner and sheriff in an appeal of
breach of the peace and wounding; and of the measuring
of wounds
When one has appealed another of breach of the peace and
wounding, they ought to view the said wounds, measure their
length and depth, ascertain in what part of the body they are,
whether on the head or elsewhere, and by what weapons they
were inflicted. They shall have all these matters enrolled with
the sheriff as witness if he is present at the inquest, or at least
in the county court.
If the wound is dangerous let the appellees be put in prison,
nor are they to be released on finding pledges; but we must see
in whose prison they are to be kept, that is, in the prison of
him who has the power of judging such men.
Of homicide or breach of the peace and dangerous
wounding
Let those appealed be arrested at once, thrust into prison, and
kept there until convicted or delivered by judgment, or
released by the king on finding pledges, or if they are clerks,
of whatever order or dignity, until they are claimed by court
christian. Let those appealed as accessories be safely attached
until those appealed as principals are convicted. But we must
see in whose prison they ought to remain once they have been
arrested. If they are arrested for theft or homicide or some
other felony they may only be kept in the prison of him who
could judge them in his court. Only the lord king has the
power of judging in matters of life and members, either of
taking life or of granting it: of taking it, as where a felon
convicted of homicide or other felony is punished by the
supreme penalty, as by death or dismemberment
Of the action of theft
Among other appeals we must not fail to mention the action of
theft, out of which an appeal arises, though it sometimes is
decided in another way in various courts, as in the county
court and courts baron, sometimes in the greater court of the
king,
What theft is
Therefore let us first see what theft is and how many kinds
there are. Theft, according to the laws, is the fraudulent
mishandling of another's property without the owner's consent,
with the intention of stealing, for without the animus
furandi it is not committed. I say 'fraudulent' because there is
also another kind of mishandling without the owner's consent,
rapine, which is the same with us as robbery. That is why a
robber is a thief a fortiori, for who appropriates another's
property more against the owner's will than he who seizes by
force?
How many kinds of theft are there?

The kinds of theft are two, a like punishment follows each

offence, for one is open and the other secret, that is to say,
manifest and not manifest. It is not manifest where one is
suspected of theft through ill-repute in the countryside,
through indictment and accusation, where serious
presumptions lie against him but he is not found seised of any
stolen property. But of this kind of theft we say nothing more
at present because what is to be done as to that may be drawn
from what has been said above. Manifest theft is where a thief
is apprehended seized of the stolen property, that is, handhaving and back-bearing, and is sued by him whose property it
is or one called the sacrabar. If, without any suit against him
he confesses that he is the thief thereof before the sheriff or the
coroners or the king's serjeant, with reputable men as
witnesses, he may not subsequently deny the theft, according
to some the same will be true even if he is not found seised,
because such persons have record in this matter. If he is not
found seised of any stolen property, no one has the power of
inquiring or of proceeding to inquests against him except the
lord king in his court. And if he confesses the theft before the
Cenaithr or coroners he is not bound by such confession, that
is, if he is not found seised, though they would have record if
he were seised.
One may at the outset sue civilly or criminally
Since he who sues may from the outset sue civilly or
criminally, whichever he pleases. For he may claim his
property as lost, supporting his claim by the testimony of
reputable men, and thus sue to recover his property though it is
stolen. If he who is seised will not comply with his demand he
may augment his action and claim it as stolen, but not
conversely,
Of the appeal of larceny
And say that he who is seised of the property is a thief or can
name the thief and that he took the said property feloniously
and stealthily and larcenously and against the king's peace and
thievishly bore it away. And that he did this stealthily and
feloniously he offers to prove against him by his body as the
court may award. And let the appellee then deny the felony,
theft and everything, either by the country or by his body,
according to his choice, as the court may award.
Where he makes denial, let battle be waged
If he elects to make his defence by his body let the duel be
waged between them at once. Let the appellee give a gage for
defending and the appellor for deraigning and the matter will
thus be determined.
If the appellee chooses the country
If he chooses the country he may then say that the thing in
dispute is his own property and show the reason why, as
where, if it is a horse, that it was the foal of his mare and that
he reared it for such a length of time. If this is confirmed by
the country he will be discharged, unless the appellor can
prove the contrary, that is, prove by the country and by men of
his neighbourhood or by other certain proofs that it was the
foal of his mare and that he had reared it from its birth. When

suit is thus produced on both sides, let that suit be preferred

which is the larger, the more worthy and the more consistent.
It is of no importance whether the goods so taken away are the
property of the appellor or of another provided they were
taken away from his custody. But if the parties are equal in
suit and witness, let other trustworthy men of the district be
summoned, unrelated to either of the parties, and he will then
be successful with whose suit these men agree; the matter will
thus be concluded. If the appellee says the thing was sold or
given him by another, he must then vouch him to warranty. If
the warrantor is present, let the question of warranty proceed
between them; if he is not and the appellee can produce him
on an appointed day, let him do so; if he cannot, we must then
proceed in another way, <by aid of the court and by writ.>
When the warrantor is present he either warrants at once or
refuses to do so. If he refuses, saying that he ought not to
warrant him, the appellee in seisin must deraign that against
him by his body; thus the matter may be brought to the duel
between them.
Of the office of coroners
Wherever men are found dead, which may sometimes be in
the houses of a town, or the streets, sometimes outside the
town in fields or woods, or when a homicide occurs, it is the
business of the coroners to make diligent inquiry with respect
to such and if they have been slain, as to the slayer, when he is
unknown, and therefore, as soon as they have their order from
the Cenaithr of the lord king or from the responsible men of
the district, they ought to go to those who have been slain or
wounded or drowned or have met untimely deaths, or to where
there has been housebreaking or where it is reported that
treasure has been found, at once and without delay to the place
where the dead man has been found, and on their arrival there
to order four, five or six of the neighbouring vills to come
before them at once and by their oath hold an inquest. When
they are required to hold an inquest on a slain man, they must
enquire,
Pennaew-en-Ost (S. City Custumal) and Traditions:
Tharbad has long had a custumal, containing the
ordinances and traditions that served alongside the Common
Law to maintain order and stability. Originally Tharbads
custumal served to regulate only minor matters, such as the
nuisance of pigs running in the streets, or rules for the size of
overhangs on houses. But with time the ordinances grew to
encompasses and regulate more and more of the trades within
the city, as well as trade that flowed in and out of it. King
Tarandil, during his reorganization of the Kingdoms economy,
granted the Miludorthas-en-Caras a charter to freely tariff
imports and exports as it saw fit. Since then most items have
become strictly monitored, thanks to the lobbying and
influence of the guilds. After T.A. 1235, and 1409, which both
saw the loss of the Royal line, and a subsequent Time of
Troubles, the Common Law fell further and further out of use.
By the 15th century, in practicality, the Custumal of Tharbad
was the law, save in particularly detailed or complicated
matters, in which the Common Law was referred to and given
precedence.
There are over one hundred and sixty entries in the
Pennaew. Most refer to matters of property and inheritance.

The constables of the Watch are generally only familiar with

the entries concerning breaches of the peace, theft and the like.
If there is a matter, which they know not how to handle, the
constables will simply march all involved to the city court,
where a Badhron can deal with it more efficiently, and legally.
The below selection of the Pennaew consists firstly of entries
that would be useful to a GM running an adventure in the city,
as these are the laws Player Characters would be most likely to
break. These early entries would also be familiar to most
constables in the Watch. The later entries are geared more
toward extended campaigns in the city, wherein the Player
Characters might interact with the bureaucracy and citizenry
more frequently.
Pennaew: Gwanod 3
Accusations of felony are to be made in the city court.
Pennaew: Gwanod 4
Thieves arrested (upon the complaint of a party) in the city in
possession of stolen goods may be judged in city court, before
a Badhron. The same applies even if the theft was committed
outside the city, so long as a complainant subsequently comes
forward. If the harbourer of such a thief can be found in the
city, and the thief is convicted and it is determined that the
harbourer was aware of the thief's crime, the harbourer can
also be judged by the city court.
Pennaew: Gwanod 5
When hue-and-cry is raised in the city (day or night) for any
felony, a complaint about the crime is to be lodged
immediately by men who are subjects of the Aran, until the
person pursued is captured or offers an attachment for
answering the charge in court.
Pennaew: Gwanod 6
In the case of felons who flee to a city guildhall, to remain
there until they abjure the realm, any chattels they have at the
time of abjuration are to be appraised to the use of the Aran,
and delivered by the Samedherdir to citizens who shall be
answerable for them to the itinerant Bedhryn. If the abjuring
fugitive has real estate in the city, held of a citizen to whom
the property will escheat, its value for a year is to be appraised
to the use of the Aran, and it is to be delivered to the citizen of
whom the felon held it, to be answerable for it to the itinerant
Justices. The same is to be done regarding property, goods and
chattels of fugitives who do not take sanctuary and those who
are justly outlawed.
Pennaew: Gwanod 7
If an outlaw or someone who has abjured the realm returns to
the city without the Arans (Canotars) or Condirs permission,
and does not surrender himself, he is to be pursued with hueand-cry and can be subject to immediate judgement, without
the need to detain him. If such a one is arrested and
imprisoned, without it being realized at first that he is a
fugitive, the city jailor is to ensure he is kept securely under
guard until the delivery of the gaol.
Pennaew: Gwanod 8
Outsiders who come to the city and act in an odd or suspicious
manner (according to trustworthy men) are to be arrested by
sergeants or constables and held until they find security that

they will uphold the Aran's peace and the city customs and
behave within the city.
Pennaew: Gwanod 9
When someone is drowned within the city, in its waterways,
canals, wells or sewers (within the ___ wards of the city), or in
the river as far as the Caramaid, the Coroner is to view the
location of the drowning and to hold an inquest. If there is no
evidence of foul play in the death, the body may be delivered
for burial without delay.
Pennaew: Gwanod 10
In pleas concerning battery, wounding, breaking and entering,
or other trespass against the peace, the legal process is as
follows. If the defendant refuses to find pledges for his
response to the charge, and if he has no chattels within the city
[which may be distrained] to bring him to justice, and these
facts are witnessed in court, then he is to be arrested and
brought before the Bedhryn to respond to the plaintiff. And if
he is convicted, the plaintiff shall be awarded damages
assessed by the court and the defendant committed to prison
for the following terms:
* for malicious assault with sword, knife, staff or other
weapon -- 15 days;
* for battery committed during breaking and entering, if no
blood is drawn -- 15 days;
* for battery committed during breaking and entering, if blood
is drawn -- 20 days;
* for drawing blood through assault with foot or fist, or similar
battery, the punishment is to be determined by how serious the
beating, and whether the trespass is major or minor.
Imprisonment is the punishment to be applied to frequent
offenders or incorrigible troublemakers. But if any trespass is
done in the heat of the moment by one not frequently
offending, instead of applying imprisonment the offender is to
make amends for his crime according to recommendations of
the court, beyond the assessed damages he must pay. If anyone
is committed to prison by the court, but leaves it without
permission of the gaoler, his sentence is to be doubled. If the
gaoler, without the consent of his superiors, gives a prisoner
permission to leave, in cases where the prisoner owes damages
the gaoler will be held responsible for paying them, and he
shall be punished for the permission he has unwarrantedly
given.
Pennaew: Gwanod 25
Sometimes, when a husband and wife give or sell their jointlyowned tenement and make recognizance of this fact in the city
court, the deed is endorsed but not enrolled in the court
records (which are preserved in the treasury of the city,
according to custom). The Bedhryn' clerk is to be charged -as part of the oath of office he swears each year -- not to
endorse any deed unless the woman who is co-owner is
present in court and is examined by the Bedhryn to ensure that
she is not being forced into agreeing to the transaction against
her will. If she acknowledges to the Bedhryn that she willingly
agrees to the transaction, then the deed should be endorsed and
enrolled in court. The clerk is to perform this duty
conscientiously and shall receive a minimum fee of 4b for the
endorsement and 2b for the enrolment (unless a larger sum is
offered him). He may not refuse to endorse or enrol any deed
thus acknowledged. Each _______ the recognizance rolls are

to be placed in the common chest of the city for safekeeping,

so that if there is any future question about the transaction the
enrolment can be quickly found to provide clarification.
Pennaew: Gwanod 33
In any contract or covenant relating to merchandise, the legal
process is as follows. If one party reneges on a contract or
covenant, resulting in a plea being brought before the
Cenaithr, and the party defends by denying the contract or
covenant, he is not to be believed if the plaintiff can prove the
contract by the oath and examination of certain men who were
present when the contract was made between the parties, or if
he can prove the contract by inquest. Similarly, if a merchant
sell his merchandise to another merchant with full payment to
be made within the day, for which speedy payment of a debt
no written record or tally is commonly made, and a plea arise
between the two over the merchandise, then the purchaser is
not to be allowed to wage his law until he has paid the seller
every penny, so long as it can be proved (by inquest under the
law merchant) that the goods were sold and delivered. The
purchaser must also be given the chance to prove by inquest
any claim that he owes nothing to the seller. The proof in
either case must be through the examination of at least 2
sworn men. Also, if a man hands over his chattels to another,
to hold in trust and return when requested, the keeper of the
chattels is not to be allowed to wage his law while he
withholds the chattels, so long as the plaintiff can prove the
[defendant's] receipt of the chattels, by the witness of good,
true and credible men, sworn and examined.
Pennaew: Gwanod 41
No merchandize which is brought to the city by land or by
river may be concealed in any house or courtyard to prevent
the Condirs officers from collecting custom or toll. Nor may
any resident pretend as his own the merchandize of outsiders,
nor import or export (openly or secretly) outsiders' goods
under the pretence of owning them, to avoid custom or toll.
Anyone convicted of this offence shall pay double the amount
of custom or toll that would have been due and also 40s. fine
for violating the freeman's oath, of which half is to go to the
use of the community and the other half to the sergeants or
constables for their trouble in investigating, provided that they
are vigilant in such matters.
Pennaew: Gwanod 49
The Badhron singly or jointly must appoint an attorney for the
plaintiff and defendant in every action before them, whether
with or without writ, whether the party is absent or present in
court, and either in court or outside it. The name of the
attorney must be recorded. If any party to the action is in such
poor health that he cannot come to court without risking to life
or limb, then the Bedhryn must send a sheriff or some other
appropriate person to take the sick man's atonement in the
action.
Pennaew: Gwanod 71
If anyone threatens the life or limb of another, or [threatens] to
give him a beating or burn down his house, and the individual
threatened can prove the threats before Bedhryn, by [witness
of] two sworn men, then the menacing party is to be attached
by mainprise to come on a specified day before the Bedhryn to
assure them he will keep the peace in this matter and to

provide sufficient surety through 4 pledges that no harm or

damage will come to the complainant by his actions or
procurement. If he is unable or unwilling to find mainprise for
coming to court or, if he comes but cannot or will not find
sureties for keeping the peace, then he is to be committed to
the city jail until he finds such sureties.
Pennaew: Gwanod 82
Each year, in the season between the old wines and the new,
the Condir and Bedhryn shall, accompanied by the best
qualified persons of the town, make a search of all taverns and
cellars in the town, both of residents and outsiders. Relying on
the oath of good and honest men -- taverners and others -- and
on their own judgement, they shall taste-test all the wines that
they find in these places. If they discover any wine that has
gone bad and would be unfit to drink or to mix in with new
wine, without showing favour to any individual they shall take
the wine into the high street and in public view condemn it;
the tun, pipe or other vessel shall be smashed and be given to
the Bedhryn for their fee.
Pennaew: Gwanod 93
If a foreigner or outsider is arrested in a plea of debt, detention
of chattels, charters, writings or other records, transgression,
or any other personal plea, [then] the one arrested must -before being released from custody of the Bedhryn or
sergeants -- find two freemen of Tharbad as pledges for him
answering the plaintiff at the next court in his own person. If
he does not appear in person at that court session, or the next
one or the one after that, he is to be amerced at the discretion
of the Bedhryn. And if, at the court next following the third
non-appekingce, he again defaults in appekingce and the
plaintiff, after that default, makes (personally or by attorney)
in the appropriate form a corporal oath on his accusation, the
Bedhryn may with reason and good conscience convict the
defendant of the charge and [assess on him] the damages and
costs of the action. If it is a plea of transgression in which the
defendant is convicted, he may not put himself on the country
in regard to the damages but must satisfy the plaintiff for the
full amount.