History

They are from the same stock as the Dunedain but because they did not aid the Valar
during the wars against the dark enemy then they didn't recieve the 'gifts' that their
western cousins did. They were of course 'lesser' in stature and did not have extended
life like the western edain. They were also slightly 'darker' than the Edain but were still
regarded as 'tall giants' were compared with many of the oriental lands that surrounded
theirs.

Creation Myth

Generally we envisiage the womaw as being...somewhat unique in middle-earth. Very

early in their history they shun the valar, and as a result they walk their own path
through the rest of their history, unaided by gifts from elves, valar, or whoever. In this
sense they are truly the children of Eru, haven been given the capability to forge their
own destinies, for themselves.

Their early shunning of the Valar stems from an early misunderstanding in which Orome
is attacked by the Eight originally `Hero-kings' of the Womaw and Aegwaw. They attack
him out of duress and a desire for vengeance after Orome slays their Dragon mentor,
whom he deems evil. They repel Orome (not really by force, but more because Orome
is shocked that men, the children of Eru, have raised arms against him. He retreats to
convene with the Valar and they decide to leave this tribe of men alone..) and flee,
fearing Oromes return at the head of a greater force(this fear ever haunts them
afterward, and the West is thought of with fear.)

Anyways, here is the `Creation Myth' myth blurb I wrote before.on second look its so
bad it would probably be easier for my to just write it again or explain it more clearly.

Before the Emperors, before the Forests, Rivers, and Plains, before the earth, the sun
and the moon, before even the stars, only Order and Disorder existed, and each was
balanced and naught existed, for each balanced the other, preventing motion or form
from manifesting. But the balance was disturbed, motion began, and form came forth.
The Stars were born, the Sun and the Moon shone brightly out of the darkness, the
plains, rivers, and forests covered the lands, which thence were the domain of the
Emperors. The Balance had shifted, and Order was favoured. The Universe revelled in
the glory and beauty that was Order unfettered.

But Disorder was not to be forgotten. Even amidst the great works that Order had
wrought, Disorder began to rise out of things once ordered, began to tear down things
once built, began to corrupt things pure, and began to undue all that had been done.
For even though the balance of Order and Disorder had been lost, the balance would be
returned.

In these days of change the eight Hion of the eight families learned of the great works
and feats of order from the Golden Drake. Wisdom was sought from one who knew of
Order and how to stave off Disorder. The Womaw were organized and strengthened
and were able to hold back the encroachments of Disorder that wracked the land.
Destruction and Dissolution were all about, and the eight Hion knew that the balance
had begun to shift back. Yet the hion also knew that Order could hold back the Disorder
and the return to balance, and so they strove with their mentor, the Golden Drake.
But Disorder was everywhere, and could not always be resisted. A great peer of the
Golden Drake, he who takes men back to the Still of the Balance, rode in on his great
steed and struck the Golden Drake. The Golden Drake rose up, the order of his great
body disrupted and he fell in ruin beyond the Mountains of the Wind.

The eight Hion, who had received the wisdom of Order from the Golden Drake, rose as
one to oppose he who takes men back to the Still of the Balance. The eight drove him
back and he fled to the west, but fear was upon them, for they knew he would return.
The eight Hion then resolved to gather their folk, and flee the Disorder that rose up
about them. They chose to lead their folk over the great heights of the Mountains of the
Wind, following the final flight of the Golden Drake, for even its final action might have
some wisdom in it, some order to it. And it was so, for when the people of the eight Hion
finally arrived at the resting place of the Golden Drake, they found lands of plenty that
would serve them for all time. The eight Hion took their people and spread and settled
into these lands, intent upon building kingdoms and an empire that would be Ordered
and Strong, and might stand strong against the Disorder that strove ever for the return
to the Balance of Eldest times.

Appearance
The Womaw looks quite similar from the Edain of the West. Their skin is slightly darker
than the Edain, with skin color ranging from light to dark brown. They have brown or
black wide eyes, large noses and black or brown hair. Few of them, especially among
the dynastic rulers, have blue eyes, which is a sign of Avari blood. They are considered
as tall giants when compared with other populations that surround them. Many of them
are dark haired and bearded.

Considered as demi gods

They should appear as visions of terror in those lands who dared to challenge them.
Tall merciless warriors dressed in metal, with terrific fighting techniques.
Important dynastic Empire builders that seem to stand out (much like the Numenorean)
My vision of them was, of course, near the Far East, especially China, at least for most
of the culture; but also with elements of the Ancient Persians (looking and warrior
tradition) and maybe Northern India, not just a 'trasposition'.
the Womaw = the Edain of the east...and definitely not the Native Americans of the east.
I see them more as a sundered tribe of the Edain.

Society and culture

Clothes: the Womaw usually wear very short sleeved tunics and pants (usually made of
bright colors, such as blue, red or orange), and sandals or leather boots. Their clothes
are usually in wool or cotton, but the nobles prefer linen. There are usually geometric
embroidery and gold or silver incrustations, which represents the spirits in which the
Womaw believe, such as the bright sun, the distant moon or the eastern dragon. They
also wear gold necklaces and rings, gold diadems (for the Hion), turquoise nose
ornaments, anklets of gold, silver, and even jade or platine (which specifies the status of
the noble inside the Womaw society), precious stones and valuable feathers.

Fears and inabilities:

Fears and inhabilities : They have a little fear towards demons and ghosts, whom they encountered
during their long migration towards Ormal Bay.
Special capacities : Superior vision. In moonlight, they see better than other human people. They see
excellent up to 15m (50') and fair to 30m (100'). They benefit of a +10 bonus in Perception. However, in
total darkness, they are like other humans, they can’t see at all.
Special capacities:

Marriage pattern:

Lifestyle:
- Feudal structure: power is held by powerful tribal families. They may have counsellors from the minorities,
sometimes even Elves.

Religion: Their worship is made of intense spirituality, the union of spirits and men.
They believe in superior beings, but they are far from worshipping them or even
dedicate life to them. Most of them are more pragmatic, and may be, materialist. They
consider the spirits of nature as more important than gods.

- No gods ?
- Ancient Pagan beliefs have been replaced by a philosophical view of the universe. However,
the ancient `Dieties' are still revered by the common folk. Only the highly educated follow the
more recent philosophical views of the universe. These two contradictory viewpoints coexist
comfortably in the culture.
- Orome, his horse Nahar, the Golden Dragon, perhaps Morgoth/Sauron, and Ulmo represent the
most potent pagan `spirits'
- With these deities come a pantheon of lesser demons who are more appeased than worshipped.
- Religious `Motif' is based around the dragon and the struggle of the men against the myriad
demons of the east. This is also the central motif of their history and all their myths/legends.
- Their central motif is heavily laden with `foreboding' or `tragedy' as even though they win
every struggle, the war is doomed to failure
- `a long night with a few shining stars' a poetic summation of their peoples march through time.
- Their higher philosophies do not preclude their understanding of the natural world and its
realities i.e. demons feahin, fairies etc.
- The higher philosophies revolve around a central theme of order and chaos. Order coming from
men, and disorder, chaos, manifesting as disease, corruption, demons etc. Variations on this
theme are abundant, and are represented by the various temples, factions and sects, which wax
and wane over the centuries, dependent their favour with the common folk, and the patronage of
lords.

The Womaw may be also cultits that revered the dragon (their Emperors often taking dragon
titles (whatever that means)) - but I think it latter writing I changed this. It made a lot of sense for
them to revere dragons but I think that this would have come from the many oriental dynsties
that were near Womaw lands. The Womaw would at first have just taken advantage of the
Oriental reverance for the Dragon (naming Dragon
guard units etc) but over time I suspect that this would have come to dominate Womaw society
(as it did in the oriental lands) - especially as they fell into darkness with the rise of Khumul.

I also had a rise of a 'Dragon Emperor' in their history - a dragon that was able to take
human form (by some means that I do not recall) – possibly unsuitable these days for
Middle-earth (Oh I was so much more adventurous in those days) but food for thought.
This Dragon Emperor is a legend, and may be an eastern equivalent of Osse, a dragon
emperor residing (or thought to reside) in the eastern seas.
This states clearly the problem of dragon. All in Morgoth's ranks, or some wanting to help; for
their own benefits, the human population. How could the dragon (there was one in Womaw
history, I don't recall her name) ensure his future by giving human/dragon heirs ?

A prominent one that comes to mind is my theorized abundance of demons (evil

spirits, Feahin, maia, whatever) in the East. Basically...over several thousands year,
and some pummelling by the Valar and Orome on several occasions, Evil spirits and
beings tended to migrate eastward...just a natural conclusion I would think...They
wouldn't be clamouring against the western shores, yearning towards the undying lands
would they?

Now this gave me a chance to add a feature found in China, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand
and various other countries in Asia. If you have ever visited them, you will be
amazed...truly amazed at the number of little shrines and altars that dot the alleys,
lanes, trails and paths of the lands. Your typical Japanese Shrine will have about
10-20 small shrines scattered around the garden, each made to appease or pray
to some odd deity or spirit. Outside of the Major shrines, these smaller shrines
can be found everywhere. It is the same deal in Taiwan, China and other
countries.

So, in the Womaw lands, this abundance of 'demons' gives rise to a proliferation of
altars and shrines that are made to appease, control, ward off, or pray to these various
'spirits'. The end result is a kind of 'oriental' feeling, but based mainly on conditions
unique to the area or middle-earth.

I like a lot of these ideas being thrown about. One thing I like is there being some sort of
'Golden Dragon Spirit' or 'Golden Serpent' early in the Womaw history. This would
explain how the evil elf/golden dragon can later seduce Khamul and the Womaw people
later in their existence. They would see her as a second coming of sorts - almost how
the Inca's thought the Spainards were a second coming of Quezcoatl.
Of course I always thought of them as the 'Edain of the East', but not overly 'oriental' or
asian. Look at the weapons Khamul uses (according to ICE, I guess) - blowgun, bola - I
don't know, but I just didn't see him as asian. Not that what you guys are proposing
doesn't seem 'right'. I'm liking it quite a bit, but I would be hesitant to make them a totally
asian culture.

What I really like is the idea of small shrines, temples, altars, etc dotting the countryside
in the Womaw areas. Imagine the early Numenorean reactions upon seeing such sites.
They might be a bit disturbed by it all, which might add to the tention between the two
cultures.
Anyway, keep the ideas coming - I always wanted to do something with the Womaw
culture, but never got past making a character in MERP years ago.

Restriction on professions:

Language:

Warfare
Imperialist Empire builders. Unless of course that you think differently. I have loads of
ideas for their military as I did hoards of research on pseudo Oriental warfare - but any
ideas would be welcome.

May be you could look on the Vulmaw way of life (Codya) or the Urakhan way of life (Eastern
Ormal Bay), as these two people are from Womaw descent. I think, yes, the Womaw would be
imperialist Empire builders, that would confront against the Dunedain and mainly the Lynerian
who should be portrayed as their rivals in the east lands.

The Womaw culture is very close to that of the first Chinese dynasty : the Shang’ (before Tao and
Confucius). What I decided to preserve from this “real world” culture is based on the interpretation from a
famous French specialist of China whose analysis, dating back from the 40ies, has been deeply modified
since then [so as to have a Womaw culture quite away from real Shang Chinese people thus preserving
some originality] as follows :
- the philosophy of life, which is based on a very hierarchical (hence rigid) vision of the world ;
- for instance, war is a contest whose result must be balanced for both opposing parties. The way
each side acts during the final surrendering ceremony is much important because if the winner
says or acts in such a way that the gods may believe he tries to humiliate his opponent, then
gods will make sure this side will lose some or most of his “luck” ;
- the wedding and matrimonial alliances are based on the exchange of boys and girls between
families and villages/communities/noble families (during springtime ceremonies if I remind right)
with the boys and girls thus exchanged being considered as hostages, very similar to a insurance
or rather a mortgage of the good outcome of the alliance being signed by the 2 sides involved in
the wedding contract.

War is made by nobles confronting each other on 2-wheeled war chariots. Death is not the usual
outcome.
As there is much material on the subject, I will develop that later.

Like their Womaw ancestors, the Ûrakhani have an average height of 1,70 m (5’7”) for men and 1,60
m (5’3”) for women, though the men tend to be fairly muscular, and the women of fine proportion. Men
weight about 90 kg, and women around 72 kg. They have a yellowish skin and black or snow white hair
(or with white strands dyed in), a sign that the Ûrakhani ancestors had probably straight relationships with
the Avari elves of Karn Ord and Helcarth. They usually have fair, beardless faces, with grey, amber,
brown or even silver eyes. They have a rather long life, around 80 to 90 years.
Society and culture
Clothes : they usually wear dyed black leather pants, and cotton or silk skirts. Leather boots are the
predominant foot covering, but during the warm months, they use sandals or more rarely go barefoot.
Favor colours for their clothes is red, purple or green.
Fears and inhabilities : They have a little fear towards demons and ghosts, whom they encountered
during their long migration towards Ormal Bay.
Special capacities : Superior vision. In moonlight, they see better than other human people. They see
excellent up to 15m (50') and fair to 30m (100'). They benefit of a +10 bonus in Perception. However, in
total darkness, they are like other humans, they can’t see at all.

> Military:
>
> Imperialist Empire builders. Unless of course that you think
differently.
> I have loads of ideas for their military as I did hoards of
research on
> pseudo Oriental warfare - but any ideas would be welcome.
>

I thought basically along the same lines. I had a detailed Imperial

System worked out, but I can't remember it now...I will email my
friend and see if he remembers.... However, I do remember that we saw
the empire composed of several 'component' empires, representing the
4 tribes of the Womaw, and the 4 tribes of the Aegwaw. They ever
struggled amongst each other, even as they united to subdue
the 'uncivilised' lands beyond their common border.

In fact, Jessica Ney Grimm, and others at ICE, back in the day, SPECIFICALLY told me
DO NOT design an oriental based eastern Kingdom.

Yes, I agree. As I began to expand my thinking on them I thought that they would
definately have Oriental influences from the 'other kingdoms' outside the Empire. I
thought that perhaps as the Empire expanded and encompassed more lands then more
cultures would be 'absorbed', much as Rome did.
Eastern Middle Earth:

- Eastern landscapes, flora (bamboo, rice, lotus) and fauna (tiger or leopard, panda);
- agricultural environment, few cattle; predominance of foot soldiers and foot fighting
techniques.
- mystical movements associated with martial arts or body control, as well as self control skills.
These movements often are more political than religious.
- Womaw: for race Persian-like people, dark-haired and bearded, not very different from 1st Age
Edain; for culture: mix Chinese (especially Tang dynasty), with feudal Japan. Pragmatism
prevails (e.g. a bad emperor has lost the mandate of heaven and should be replaced).
- sound social harmony, loyalty to the Emperor/Hion, rebellions rare and very violent, usually
triggered by bad government, with the aim of establishing a new dynasty or empire. Mystical
ideals are a mere justification of more pragmatic targets (power).
- Big empire with border regions with ethnic minorities, who hate central government. The
Womaw are very tolerant of other religions, movements, etc., but keep all power for themselves
to preserve stability. When they fail to do so, ethnic-minorities found national dynasties that last
for a few centuries as tributary kingdoms.
- Elves are the more tolerated minority. They live in special regions (forests or islands), they pay
tributes and offer troops, but they are quite independent, and usually avoid contacts with mortals.
During Komul's reign, the Elves will try to destabilise his power (helping rebels and political
refugees), and Komul's reaction will be the slaughter of Elves within the Empire. Then many
Elves will flee to border regions, leaving Womaw a Mannish land. This will happen in the
second half of the Third Age.
- Tech level below Numenorean: difficulties in maintaining a large empire. Roads are few and
poor, most trade on water (sea, rivers, channels).
- Feudal structure: power is held by powerful tribal families. They may have counsellors from
the minorities, sometimes even Elves.
- Pragmatic ideology: look at the result, not the mean. Kill one to educate 100.
- Religious and mystic beliefs appear as everyday rites and superstitions (incense for good
fortune, bathe against evil body spirits, etc.). Higher ideals are untouched by 'religion': the target
of most Womaw is peace and stability, even if it would cost justice and welfare
I like some of your ideas on the Womaw but their tech level whilst being
less than the Numereans I envisioned would have been about the same as 4th
century Rome. I would also have thought that their close proximity with the
Avari would have led to a mutual relationship (at least in the beginning)
rather than a hostile one. I cannot see it within Elven nature to fund
rebels or act as assasins. Over-extension and corruption would of course
been rife in the Womaw empire and rivalries with oriental dynasties.
Perhaps even the elves would have had a hand in ruling this Womaw empire
(did not their Emperors take elves as cohorts?). All good food for thought.

> I would also have thought that their close proximity with the
>Avari would have led to a mutual relationship (at least in the beginning)
>rather than a hostile one.

Yes, I agree. While developing an original Mannish culture in the late

years, I think Womaw must have had contacts with the Avari, as LOME
suggests. This is why I think their language should have a similar structure
to Elvish, and maybe ancient words (house, names of animals and plants,
earth, sky, etc.) could have an Elven origin.
Eventually, Utomkudor's influence led the Womaw away from the Avari, but not
before the end of the First Age. This means at leats 5 centuries of cultural
exchange.
> I cannot see it within Elven nature to fund
>rebels or act as assasins. Over-extension and corruption would of course
>been rife in the Womaw empire and rivalries with oriental dynasties.

ICE suggests that a host of Evil Elves come from the East. I don't like
this.
Elves of Uiven or Helkanen should not be much different from those of
Mirkwood.
I think that they keep distant from mortal businesses, but when they see
'evil things' such as Komul's reign, they grant help to rebel leaders, where
the rebel is seen more as a Dalai Lama or King Zahir Shah, not Bin Laden.

>Perhaps even the elves would have had a hand in ruling this Womaw empire
>(did not their Emperors take elves as cohorts?). All good food for
thought.

Yes, but again it doesn't seem likely that an Elf (a sane Elf) can seek
power over mortal Men. However, not all Elves are sane, especially those
sided with Shadow...
Anyway, my view of Womaw is quite 'racist'. They largely tolerate other
cultures, races, beliefs, but they think that Utomkudor chose THEM to rule
over the East, and when some other takes power, who knows what evil may come
from this 'breaking of tradition'? Better to eliminate him before it is too
late :-)

for the womaw, a friend of mine has got a good start on the language. We
have based some of the sounds on the possible sounds a dragon would make
when it speaks. Thus you can see we are not adhering to tolkiens technique
of translating human languages virtue a real world counter part. That
technique worked for the books, but in our context, and taking the very
distant location of the womaw from the 'west'.