Seeking to distance themselves from the growing hostility of Numenor, the Elves of the Undying
Lands stopped visiting the island kingdom, which became more greedy and prideful under
the reign of Tar-Ciryatan’s son Tar-Atanamir the great, who inherited the sceptre in 2029
SA, becoming the first king Since Tar-Minyatur to rule until his death in 2221, refusing
to abdicate in his elder years.
Succeeded by his son Tar-Ancalimon, the men of Numenor started to fracture and turn against
each other, a divide most evident in their migration to the colonies, as the King’s
Men loyal to their Imperialist policies populated Umbar, while those who remained Faithful to
Eru, the Valar and the Elves founded the city of Pelargir.
After the death of Tar-Ancalimon in 2386 SA, his son Tar Telemmaite inherited the sceptre,
followed by his daughter Tar- Vanimelde in 2526.
Yet the Queen had no interest in the administrative duties of her position, and so left her husband
Herucalmo as regent to rule in her stead.
Upon her passing in 2637, the sceptre should have gone to her son and heir, but Herucalmo
refused to surrender power and usurped the throne, ruling under the name Tar-Anducal,
until his death 20 years later.
Nevertheless, historians did not consider him an official King, and so the next true
ruler was his son Tar-Alcarin, who reigned until 2737, when his own heir Tar-Calmacil
took the throne.
Continuing to depart from ancient traditions, Tar-Calmacil was the first King to record
his name in both the Quenya language of the Elves and their own Adunaic, calling himself
Ar-Belzagar.
In 2825, the king’s heir Tar-Ardamin, also called Ar-Abattarik came into power, ruling
until 2899 when his son inherited the sceptre.
Seeking to end the ancient tradition of taking a Quenya name, Tar-Ardamin’s son was solely
known as Ar-Adunakhor, meaning Lord of the West, an insult directed towards Manwe, King
of the Valar, who shared the title.
Under his rule, relations with their Elder children worsened significantly, as Quenya
was forbidden in his presence, while only the Faithful led by the Lords of Andunie,
retained any contact with the Elves.
After the death of Ar-Adunakhor, his heir Ar-Zimrathon inherited the sceptre in 2962,
followed by his son Ar-Sakalthor in 3033, and Ar-Gimilzor in 3102.
Throughout these years, the King’s Men faction grew so influential, that by the reign of
Ar-Gimilzor, all Elven languages were banned from Numenor, while spies were sent to watch
the Faithful, who refused to follow suit with the King’s Men faction.
continuing to worship Eru and respect the Valar.
When Gimilzor learned that the Faithful were using the port city of Andunie to remain in
secret contact with the Elves of Tol Eressea, they were forcibly moved to the other side
of the island, leading many to leave Numenor entirely, migrating to Pelargir in Middle
Earth.
Ar-Gimilzor was also the first Dunedian King to abandon the yearly pilgrimages to the mountain
Meneltarma and neglect the White Tree Nimloth in Armenelos.
Unhappy in his marriage, Ar-Gimilzor married the noble lady Inzilbeth who was secretly
one of the Faithful, and so did not agree with her husband’s actions and views.
Their first born son Inziladûn took after his mother and became one of the faithful,
while their second child Gimilkhâd was like his father and became a leader of the King’s
Men.
Though Ar-Gimilzor wanted Gimilkhad to succeed him, he was unable to change the laws of succession
and so when he died in 3177, his first born child inherited the sceptre and immediately
set to work, reversing the corruption which plagued their people.
Among the many changes he implemented, he took the Quenya name Tar-Palantir, tended
to the tree Nimloth, stopped persecuting the Faithful and made pilgrimages to Meneltarma,
in reverence of Eru.
Yet after centuries of departure from these ancient traditions, the people were unwilling
to follow his example, leading many to seek out his brother Gimilkhad and the King’s
Men faction.
Disheartened by this rebellion, Tar-Palantir largely withdrew from public life, spending
his time gazing upon the waters of the west in the hopes of seeing a sign from the Valar
which never came.
Though Tar-Palantir’s died in 3255, his reforms might have continued under his daughter
and heir Miriel, who was raised as one of the Faithful.
However she lacked popular support, and so her cousin, the son of Gimilkhad, staged a
coup and forcibly married her to become Ar-Pharazon, last ruler of Numenor, who ended the reforms
of his predecessor and reigned at the height of their power.
Meanwhile, in the lands of Middle-earth, the Dark Lord recovered from his defeat in the
War of the Elves and Sauron, growing more powerful than ever by expanding his influence
in the east and south.
Inheriting the legacy of his ancient master, Sauron sought support from those who previously
served the Melkor, encouraging them to see the First Dark Lord as a God, so he could
be viewed as a divine emissary.
Arrogant in his power, Sauron underestimated the strength of the Dunedain, and once again
attempted to conquer the west, attacking Numenorean colonies.
A tireless enemy of the second Dark Lord, Ar-Pharazon gained fame, prestige and wealth
in his youth from his battle against the armies of Mordor.
Yet Sauron did not fear Ar-Pharazon and so after sending his forces to conquer the west,
gave insult to the Numenorean ruler by appointing himself the King of Men.
Outraged by this proclamation, Ar-Pharazon spent several years preparing a mighty host
to descend upon the east, determined to dethrone his enemy and take the title as his own.
Gathering an overwhelming force, the Numenoreans docked in the port of Umbar, striking such
fear into the Dark Lord’s forces they deserted and fled, allowing Ar-Pharazon to march upon
Mordor and call for Sauron to humble himself and swear fealty to the true King of Men.
Realizing he greatly underestimated their power, the Dark Lord knew was defeated in
the short-term, but also saw this as a unique opportunity to secure victory in the long-term,
and so devised a new plan to destroy his enemies from within.
Taking fair form, Sauron presented himself before Ar-Pharazon and bent the knee, accepting
his defeat in words deemed fair and wise.
Yet the King was unconvinced that Sauron would truly abide by his oath and so after stripped
him of all lands and titles before taking him as a prisoner to Numenor, so he could
ensure the Dark Lord no longer posed a threat.
Though Sauron acted disheartened by the decision, in truth he was content, as this was exactly
what he wanted.