The Dûnhebaid Cycle
Hand to Hand: 35. Dramatis Persona
Since the number of supporting characters in the Dûnhebaid Cycle continues to grow, a crib sheet may be useful. The Men formerly of Srathen Brethil are divided by household, so status and kinship can be more easily seen. The Dwarves of Gunduzahar are divided into groups including close kin, prentices, and followers. I follow Tolkien's convention of adding a dagger symbol (†) before the dates of untimely deaths; the names of those who are deceased, from any cause, are italicized. All dates given are Third Age unless otherwise noted.
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Men
There are many different kinds of Men in Middle-Earth (LotR, App. F, "Of Men"). Since my stories are based in northwestern Eriador, most of the Men are either Dúnedain, the long-lived descendants of the Númenóreans, or Edain, descendants of the First Age Atani who did not remove to Númenor. The Dunlendings or Swarthy Men, whose ancestors dwelt in the vales of the White Mountains before the arrival of the Númenórean founders of Gondor, were apparently of Easterling rather than Atani stock; they were usually hostile to the Dúnedain and Edain peoples such as the Rohirrim. It seems that many of this folk settled in the relatively empty lands around the old border between Arnor and Gondor. The Bree-Men are said to be descended from people of this folk who came up the North-South Road.
Dúnedain of Habad-e-Mindon
Saelon (2790- ): lady of Habad-e-Mindon
Rian (2832- ): Saelon's neice (BrDa; Halladan's daughter)
Halpan (2821- ): Saelon's cousin (FaBrSoSo; Haldorn's brother)
Hanadan (2841- ): Halpan's nephew (BrSo; Haldorn's son)
Gaernath (2832- ): Saelon's Edain cousin (FaFaDaSoSo; Gede's son)
Partalan (2801- ): Dunlending man at arms and harper
Canand (2792- ): Edain drover
Dírmaen (2796- ): Ranger of the North
Free Edain of Habad-e-Mindon
Maelchon (2810- ): husbandman
Fransag (2815- ): Maelchon's wife
Gormal (2837- ): Maelchon's son
Maon (2839- ): Maelchon's son
Guaire (2841- ): Maelchon's son
Ros (2843- ): Maelchon's daughter
Uspag (2845- ): Maelchon's son
Malmin (2847- ): Maelchon's daughter
Cottars of Habad-e-Mindon
Airil (2780- ): gaffer
Artan (2828- ): Airil's grandson (SiSo)
Muirne (2830- ): Artan's wife
Ailig (2848- ): Artan's son
Dornach (2849- ): Artan's son
Tearlag (2815- ): serving woman
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Leod (2831- ): Airil's grandson (SiSo)
Murdag (2832- ): Leod's wife and Finean's daughter
Meig (2850– ): Leod's daughter
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Finean (2799- ): widower
Unagh (2829- ): Finean's daughter
Teig (2808- ): Aniel's brother and kennelman
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Folk of Srathen Brethil not at Habad-e-Mindon
Aniel (2812-†2848): huntsman
Brassar (2785–†2809): Saelon's second brother
Bereth (2816- ): Halpan's sister
Bred (2812- ): manservant
Cinioch: Edain husbandman, returning in 2050
Deonaid (2829- ): Gaernath's older brother
Drustan: Edain husbandman, returning in 2050
Eapag (2829- ): Mais's wife
Earnan (2848- ): Sitheag's bastard son by Maelchon
Eithel (2832- ): Hanadan's older sister
Fokel (2809-†2850): manservant
Gede (2842-†2847) :free Edain husbandman; Gaernath's father
Gilthir (2751–2800): Saelon's mother
Gràinne (2786-†2850): Fransag's mother
Haldhaer (2728–†2826): Saelon's father, 14th Lord of Srathen Brethil
Haldorn (2784-†2847): Halpan's elder brother, Halladan's cousin (FaBrSo)
Halladan (2781-†2847): former lord of Srathen Brethil, Saelon's brother
Hallas (2794–2800): Saelon's youngest brother
Halmir (2835- ): Saelon's nephew, Halladan's son and heir; fostered with Râdbaran
Handin (2837- ): Hanadan's older brother
Handir (2829-†2847): Hanadan's eldest brother
Lis (2824- ): Gede's widow (second wife); publically alleged that Saelon had lain with Veylin
Mais (2825- ): free Edain husbandman; Gaernath's eldest brother; attached to Halmir
Minuial (2778–†2847): Saelon's elder sister
Morwen (2844- ): Haldorn's daughter
Nannag (2849-†2850): Maelchon's daughter
Nárwen (2706-2826): Saelon's grandmother (MoMo), originally from the Tower Hills
Necton (2789-†2808): Edain cottar; Saelon's lover in her youth
Níniel (2848- ): Hanadan's youngest sister
Núneth (2803-†2847): Halladan's wife
Roid (2834- ): Gaernath's younger brother
Sitheag (2823- ): serving woman
Sonas (2848- ): Mais's daughter
Sorcha (2827- ): Gaernath's older sister; Tarain's sweetheart
Tathar (2841-†2847): Halladan's daughter
Tarain (2818- ): man at arms, serving Halmir
Urwen (2795- ): Hanadan's mother, Haldorn's widow, daughter of Halglas; broken by grief and foresight; returned to her kin in the Emyn Uial
Uven: Edain husbandman, returning in 2050
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Dúnedain connected to Tum Melui
Dûnthand (2734- ): Ranger (retired); Dírmaen's father
Thenid (2761- ): Dírmaen's mother
Dunech (2785- ): Dírmaen's eldest brother
Nellind (2787- ): Dírmaen's elder sister
Laegadan (2754- ): Nellind's husband
Merilin (2824- ): Nellind's second daughter
Taratal (2790- ): Dírmaen's second brother
Dírmaen (2796- ): Ranger of the North
Míliel (2808- ): Dírmaen's younger sister
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Other Dúnedain of the North
Ailinel (2726- ): Dírmaen's aunt (FaSi)
Alphil: young woman courted by Dírmaen
Arador (2820- ): Argonui's son and heir
Arathorn (2693-†2848): Argonui's father; 12th Chieftain; slain by raugs in Srathen Brethil
Argonui (2757- ): 13th Chieftain of the Dúnedain; great-grandfather of King Elessar
Beldir: Dúnedain dwelling in dale just south of Tum Melui
Brandin (2783- ): Ranger of the North
Bregol (2801- ): Beldir's heir
Borthir (2822- ): Ranger of the North, message-rider
Candíl (2814- ): friend of Taratal; second son of Halforod
Dírhavel (2731– ): Ranger loved by Saelon's sister Minuial
Dolladan (2775- ): Ranger sent to Habad-e-Mindon in 2848
Dollchíll (2805- ): Ranger of the North, wounded on the Hoarwell in 2846
Dornadan (2787- ): Ranger sent to Habad-e-Mindon in 2848
Faelchol (†2849): Ranger of the North, killed by outlaws on Coldfell
Faelnoth (2773- ): Ranger of the North
Forodirn (2762- ): Ranger of the North; Argonui's blood-brother
Halforod (2746- ): Dúnedain lord of Rhassarth
Halglas (2732- ): Dúnedain lord of Calen Amon in the Emyn Uial; Hanadan's grandfather (MoFa)
Halgorn (2784- ) Ranger sent to Habad-e-Mindon in 2848; a passion for killing monsters
Halnaeth (2738- ): Dúnedain lord in the South Downs
Hanend (2812- ) Ranger sent to Habad-e-Mindon by Arathorn.
Limchen: young woman courted by Dírmaen
Meagvir (2761- ): Ranger of the North, posted at Habad-e-Mindon in the summer of 2848
Maethron (2792- ): Ranger of the North
Mereth (2826- ): young woman courted by Dírmaen
Râdbaran (2746- ): Dúnedain lord, leader of Rangers sent to Habad-e-Mindon in 2848; foster-father of Halmir
Rainind (†2849): Ranger of the North, killed by outlaws on Coldfell
Racheron: friend of Dírmaen
Randir (2794- ): Ranger of the North, friend of Dírmaen
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Other Men
Bosa: sokeman in Tum Melui
Coifi: Candíl's chief huntsman
Dunstan: Eriador outlaw
Heiu: cook at Gellnen
Oleg: reiver from the hills west of Angmar
Yaro: reiver from the hills west of Angmar
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Dwarves
There are seven kindreds or houses of Dwarves: the Longbeards, whose Father was Durin the Eldest, originally seated in the Misty Mountains; the Firebeards and Broadbeams of the Ered Luin; and the Ironfists and Stiffbeards, Blacklocks and Stonefoots, whose mansions were further east (HoME XII: The Peoples of Middle-Earth, "Of Dwarves and Men"). I have supposed that, since they are notoriously clannish, their sociopolitical organization is firmly founded on kinship and posited that kindreds are further divided into septs or lines (e.g., Durin's Line, LotR, App. A.III, genealogical lineage), led by chieftains.
I have given the Firebeards four septs; in order of seniority, they are Regin's Line [ReL], Nidr's Line [NL], Thrir's Line [ThL], and Rauða's Line [RaL]. Further, I have conjectured a lower level of elders (ealdormen) who serve as a chieftain's advisors, each representing something not dissimilar to a hundred (an old administrative unit that may have originally supplied a hundred men to the army).
While some authors have suggested that Dwarves follow a social pattern similar to that of later medieval guilds, I have seen no evidence for such a rigidly hierarchical system among them. ("Master" is a title other races give them; Dwarves do not seem to use it for each other. The word "apprentice" appeared in The Hobbit in reference to the sons of the Men of Dale.) Therefore I have followed early medieval models: where a craftsman was not trained by his own kin, he would find a master (of the art) to work under until he had learned all he wished. Given that Dwarves "ill endure the domination of others" (The Silmarillion, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age," p. 288), I doubt they would bind themselves under another by anything except their own desire for the secrets of their craft and the deference they give to elders. For lack of better "archaic" words to describe this mentor-protégé relationship, I have used "prentice" for the protégé, but it does not have the specific (lowest) rank connotation the term "apprentice" has under a guild system.
Gunduzahar (Firebeards unless otherwise noted)
Veylin, son of Vali (2708- ): gemsmith; chieftain of Thrir's Line
Oski, son of Onar (2804- ): prentice to Veylin; Longbeard
Thyrð, son of Thekk [NL] (2809- ): Rekk (BrSo) and Veylin's nephew (SiSo); prentice to Veylin
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Rekk, son of Ekki [NL] (2686- ): waterwright
Auð (2698- ): tailor; Veylin's sister and Rekk's widowed sister-in-law
Ingi, son of Iolf (2769- ): prentice to Rekk
Haust: plumber
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Nordri, son of Narði [ThL] (2661- ): stonemason
Nyr, son of Nordri [ThL] (2763- ): stonemason
Haki, son of Harin [ThL] (2687- ): ironmaster, Nordri's cousin (FaBrSo)
Gamal, son of Grani [NL] (2760- ): stonemason; former prentice to Nordri
Balnar, son of Nál [ReL] (2796- ): prentice to Nordri
Neðan, son of Narvi [ThL] (2803- ): Nordri's cousin (FaBrSoSo) and prentice
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Grani, son of Guti [NL] (2658- ): carpenter, Nordri's cousin (FaSiSo)
Thyrnir, son of Thekk [NL] (2798- ): Rekk (BrSo) and Veylin's nephew (SiSo), prentice to Grani
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Bersa, son of Berg (2624- ): cook; Broadbeam
Bersi, son of Berg (2657- ): coppersmith; Broadbeam
Hlin: Bersi's wife; leatherworker
Barði, son of Bersi (2755- ): coppersmith; Broadbeam
Fram, son of Feyn (2783- ): prentice to Bersi; Broadbeam
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Aðal, son of Aðr [ReL] (2738- ): carver
Vígir (2734- ): stonecarver; Longbeard
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Sút [ReL]: spinster silversmith
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Laufi, son of Lautnir [ThL] (2716- ): glazier, lampwright
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Sannir, son of Sigur (2679- ): miner working for Bersi; Broadbeam
Prut, son of Prudir (2741- ): miner working for Bersi; Longbeard
Hogga, son of Holdin (2722- ): miner working for Bersi; Broadbeam
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Dwarves of Sulûnduban (Firebeards unless otherwise noted)
Regin, son of Drengr: king of the Firebeards; armourer
Reynir, son of Regin (2779– ): prentice weaponsmith
Reykr, son of Regin (2790– ): prentice armourer
Godi (2689– ): Sút's brother, cousin to Regin (FaFaBrSoSo)
Geirr: axe-smith, son of Vali's rival
Bunir: a senior mason
Fastir: his daughter is betrothed to Dyr
Gjarn: Regin's chief draughtsman
Orð, son of Orti [ReL] (2691- ): Arðri's father
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Thjalfi, son of Thagall (2653- ): chieftain of Nidr's Line; goldsmith
Bogi: tile-maker
Geirr: axesmith; prentice of Veylin's father's rival
Girni: cobbler; brother-in-law of Bogr
Makt: widow; lampwright
Narfi, son of Nar [ThL] (2794- ): prentice to Siggr; cousin to Nordri (FaBrSoSo) and Haki
Siggr, son of Seggr [NL] (2689- ): jointer
Skap: candle-maker
Thorð, son of Norð [NL] (2656- ): Thiolf's father
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Veylin, son of Vali (2708- ): chieftain of Thrir's Line; gemsmith
Vitnir, son of Nali [ThL] (2735- ): ironmaster; Veylin's cousin (FaBrSo) and heir
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Lof (2620- ): chief ealdorman; graver
Beina: Lof's wife
Logi, son of Lof (2752- ): graver
Gledi: has a predatory daughter
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Nordri: ealdorman; see Gunduzahar
Eigsa: Nordri's wife
Narvi: cousin of Nordri (FaBroSo); stonemason
Bileg, son of Balnir [ThL] (2697- ): Oddi's cousin
Oddi, son of Nidi [ThL] (2673- ): stonemason
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Bál: ealdorman
Roðin: cousin and heir of Rof
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Aldtinn (2601- ): ealdorman
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Harðr: ealdorman
Megir: has a susceptible and gullible son
Hyr: chain-maker
Dyr: Hyr's son
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Skaði (2694- ): ealdorman
Skani, son of Skaði [ThL] (2802- ): blacksmith
Trur: who has two sons
Tof: cousin and heir of Rof
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Holl, son of Fólgin (2675- ): chieftain of Rauða's Line; swordsmith
Hodr, son of Fodr [RaL] (2721- ): delver
Steði, son of Eykr [RaL]: Moll's cousin; pony-breaker
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Denizens of a dwarf-house south of the Thôntaen pass (Broadbeams unless otherwise noted)
Thvari, son of Ari: kin of Bersi
Nari, son of Ari: kin of Bersi
Thár, son of Thvari
Hervor: spouse of Thvari
Heptir: quarryman for Thvari, Longbeard
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Other Dwarves of note
Arðri, son of Orð [ReL] (2791-†2848): prentice to Veylin
Freygr (2614- ): an aged Longbeard gemsmith, formerly of Erebor
Hled: an unsociable silversmith who dwells south of the Thôntaen pass
Ketli, son of Vetil (2729- ): coalmaster; follower of Vitnir; Broadbeam
Keypti: axe-smith, former prentice of Vali
Nyrað, son of Nordri [ThL] (2772-†2848): stonemason
Radsvinn: Veylin's master
Rof [ThL]: cousins squabbling over his inheritance
Siða (2596-2843): Veylin and Auð's mother
Soti: sold Veylin his sorrel pony
Thekk, son of Ekki [NL] (2695-†2847): gemsmith; Rekk's brother, Auð's husband
Thiolf, 3rd son of Thorð [NL] (2776-†2848): prentice to Nordri
Vestri, son of Oddi [ThL] (2775-†2847): prentice to Veylin
Vitr, son of Nali [ThL] (2724-†2848): ironmaster; Veylin's cousin (FaBrSo)
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Elves
While they are not always readily apparent to other races, there are significant ethnic divisions among Elves. There has been considerable intermingling in Lindon (as in most of the Elven realms by the Third Age), but the immortality of Elves assures that older divisions continue to have meaning so long as individuals take their identity from their former alliegances. For the most detailed descriptions of these groupings and their names, see the later parts of the essay "Quendi and Eldar" in HoME XI: War of the Jewels. Here is a brief listing of those important for my stories.
Falathrim, Sea Elves: the original followers of Círdan, members of the Third Clan who came too late to embark on what became Tol Eressëa (the Eglain, "the Forsaken"), or who chose to remain on the shores of Middle-Earth.
Iathrim: the folk of Doriath.
Laegrim, Green Elves: the folk of Ossiriand, the original inhabitants of Lindon; descended from the Nandor and more closely related to the Silvan Elves of Lórien and Mirkwood.
Lonnathrim: the folk of the Havens, the current followers of Círdan. A term of my own invention for those Elves who--by virtue of comparative youth, mixed parentage, or strong attachment--give their primary alliegance to the Havens rather than older identities.
Noldor, Golodhrim, High or Deep Elves: those of the Second Clan who returned from Aman.
Sindar, Eluwaith, Grey Elves: the subjects of Thingol, including those outside Doriath.
Elves of Lindon
Aerthaith: one who once brought Veylin to judgment in a dispute
Alagos: Lonnathrim attendant at the guest-hall
Anhwest: sailor
Brofaron: Laegrim marchwarden
Cairrâd: ship captain
Calennae: Iathrim marchwarden
Celebael: Lonnathrim pilot of the Mithlond ferry
Círdan: The Shipwright, lord of Lindon
Coruwi: Lonnathrim marchwarden
Eregai: Lonnathrim forester
Falathar: Falathrim coastwarden; one of the three companions of Eärendil on his voyage to Aman at the end of the First Age
Falfaur: server in Círdan's household
Falfrem: sailor
Fânchast: sailor
Ferchai: Laegrim stablehand at guest-hall
Gaerlas: Círdan's herald and Falathrim kinsman
Gaerol: Falathrim keeper of the guest-hall, kin to Círdan
Galdor: councilor
Gwinnor Tinnath/Vingenáro Tinwi: Noldor gemsmith; in the First Age a follower of Finrod Felagund, and in the Second of his sister Galadriel in Eregion; he was for a time one of the Gwaith-i-Mírdain
Ithilith: Laegrim attendant at the guest-hall
Lagoreg: Lonnathrim captain of tower
Limmen: Sirorn's companion
Litheg: someone connected to Lindon's court
Maedoron: Falathrim shipwright
Norneth: Falathrim gatherer of shellfish
Ramaeron: Noldor mason, specializing in sea defenses
Sercherch: Falathrim fisherman who sometimes serves in the guest-hall kitchens
Silalph: one who wanders in north of Lindon
Sirorn: a customer of Veylin's
Talrui: Laegrim forester
Tavor: Falathrim shipwright
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Other Fair Folk
Elladan (T.A. 130- ): son of Elrond Half-Elven of Rivendell
Elrohir (T.A. 130- ): son of Elrond Half-Elven of Rivendell
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Creatures of Note
Craec: a young raven, attached to Rekk
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Auril: Halpan's bay stallion, a gift from Arathorn
Blackie: Maelchon's black workhorse mare
Buits: Saelon's dun hobby gelding
Cloot: Saelon's skewbald hobby gelding, killed under Partalan
Coll: Gaernath's chestnut gelding
Donnan: Maelchon's brown workhorse gelding
Dûnsûl: Halpan's mount before he left to be a Ranger
Gwath: Saelon's high-bred black mare
Madamenath, Mada: Dírmaen's brown gelding
Môrfast: Saelon's high-bred black stallion
Pegeb: a roan stallion belonging to Halforod
Ruin: Randir's bay gelding
Rust: Faelnoth's chestnut gelding
Sarbôd: a colt Dírmaen is training at the beginning of 2850
Tinnu: Gwinnor's grey mare
Whitefoot: Maelchon's workhorse mare
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Baude: Candíl's grey hound bitch
Luath: Maelchon's black hound
