After the death of Ar-Adunakhor, his heir Ar-Zimrathon inherited the sceptre in the
year 2962, followed by his son Ar-Sakalthor in 3033, and Ar-Gimilzor in 3102.
Throughout these years, the corruption of the Numenoreans deepened, and the King’s
Men faction grew more influential leading the population to turn against the Valar and
Elves, resenting their immortality, and the Ban that kept them from Sailing West to the
Undying Lands.
Though the Valar, Maiar and Elves were all permitted to live in Valinor upon the continent
of Aman, experiencing the enchanted paradise for as long as they wished, mortal men were
forbidden from travelling to these sacred lands.
In the beginning, humans were happy to make their life in the east, but in the later years
of Numenorean power, some came it as an injustice that Elves who once rebelled and left the
Undying Lands, were later allowed to return, but the High Men of Numenor, who fought for
the Valar in the War of Wrath, were not permitted.
To answer their questions, the Valar sent emissaries who explained that this world was
the eternal home of the Elves, and they were fated to experience its pleasures and wariness
until they day of doom and end of all things.
For this reason they felt a special connection to the natural world and were invited to enjoy
the paradise of the Undying Lands.
Arda, however, was not the final home of Men, as they had a second destiny that awaited
them after death.
A fate so secret, none but the creator Eru knew what was to come.
And so men lived only short lives, of relative hardship in this world, and were not to voyage
West, as they had another destiny awaiting them in the afterlife.
Were they to travel to these forbidden lands, they would be attempting to take both the
gift of Elves and Men for themselves, and this Eru would not allow.
Yet this explanation was not enough the placate the men of Numenor, who stated that awaiting
a second destiny after death required great faith as they could not be certain of Eru’s
intentions, while going west to the Undying Lands was something they could do within their
lifetimes, and might bring them joy in this world, which they loved dearly.
And so their anger and fear of death only worsened, shortening their extended lifespans
and pushing them into an imperialist mindset they used to expand and conquer the world.
By the reign of Ar-Gimilzor, all Elven languages were banned from Numenor, and spies were sent
to watch the Faithful, a small faction led by the Lords of Andunie who continued to worship
Eru.
When Gimilzor learned that the Faithful were using their western port city 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 the island entirely and migrate to Pelargir in Middle
Earth.
Though other Kings had spoken and acted against the their ancient traditions, Ar-Gimilzor
was the first to never climb the mountain Meneltarma in reverence of Eru, and even neglected
the White Tree Nimloth, a gift from the Elves, thought to be tied to the prosperity of the
Royal Family.
The White Tree Nimloth and its ancestors had a history dating back to years before the
Sun, when the the White Tree of Light Telperien, was destroyed by Morgoth during an attack
against Valinor.
In honor of this wondrous creation, Yavanna made a second tree in its image, Galathilion
and planted it in the city of Tirion.
From Galathilion, a seedling was taken and planted in Tol Eressea, sprouting the White
tree Celeborn.
The Elves then took a seedling from celeborn and gifted it to Numenor, where it became
the White Tree Nimloth, a profound symbol for their King and people.
Though Ar-Gimilzor married Inzilbeth, a woman renown for her great beauty, their marriage
was unhappy, as she 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 law 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.
First he took a Quenya name Tar-Palantir, then tended to the tree Nimloth, stopped persecuting
the Faithful and ascended Meneltarma in reverence of Eru.
Yet it was not enough to turn the tide that began centuries earlier, and many rebelled
against his rule, turning to his brother Gimilkhad, leader of the King’s Men.
Disheartned by the civil strife, Tar-Palantir spent much of his time gazing upon the waters
of the west, hoping to see a sign from the Valar, but no sign came and when he died in
3255, so too did his reforms.
Although his only child, a daughter Miriel, was raised as a Faithful and might have ruled
like her father, she lacked popular support, and so her cousin, the son of Gimilkhad, staged
a coup and forcibly married her to become Ar-Pharazon, the last ruler of Numenor who
reigned at the very height of its power.
Meanwhile, in the lands of Middle-earth, the Dark Lord rebuilt his armies after failing
to conquer the west in the War of the Elves and Sauron, and in time grew more powerful
than ever, expanding his influence in the east and south.
To honor his ancient master, Sauron formed the cult of Melkor, building temples dedicated
to the worship of the First Dark Lord, performing human sacrifices in his name.
Arrogant in his power, Sauron underestimated the strength of the Dunedain, and once again
attempted to conquer the west, attacking Numenorean colonies.
In his youth, Ar-Pharazon served in these wars against Sauron, gaining much fame, prestige
and wealth form his adventurers.
Upon returning home, he was generous with his coin and won the loyalty of the people,
allowing him to take leadership of the King’s men after the death of his father, and use
that support to usurp power for himself.
Yet Sauron did not fear the king and sent his armies on a great campaign west, causing
several Numenorean commanders to sail west and report that the Dark Lord of Mordor had
taken a new title, calling himself the King of Men.
Outraged by his proclamation, Ar-Pharazon set out to claim the title for himself and
spent several years preparing a mighty host to descend upon the east.
When at last the Dark Lords’ armies saw the full might of the Numenorean fleet sailing
into the port of Umbar, they were so fearful they deserted and fled, allowing Ar-Pharazon
and his men to march upon Mordor without opposition.
Once arrived Ar Pharazon called for Sauron to come forth and humble himself by swearing
fealty.
Realizing that he underestimated their power, the Dark Lords knew he 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, brought him to Numenor as a prisoner, to ensure he could
no longer pose a threat to their colonies on Middle Earth.
Though Sauron acted disheartened by the descision, he was actually thrilled, as this was precisely
what he wanted.
Once in Numenor, Sauron worked hard to ingratiate himself with the royal court and population,
using his vast knowledge and skills to help them however possible.
Gaining their trust, he then started to teach about his master Melkor, recruiting many into
his cult and building a temple for his worship.
Because Sauron was a Maia, an immortal being older then the world itself, and the people
already hated the Lords of the West, many including the King believed his teaching that
the god of this world, Eru, did not exist, and the Valar invented him to keep humanity
subjugated.
But Melkor, the giver of freedom, wanted to liberate them from this oppression, and through
his worship, men might become even more powerful than the Valar.
Becoming an adviser to the King, Sauron’s influence grew and so he started calling for
the White Tree Nimloth to be destroyed, and in response, Isildur, one of the Faithful
and the grandson of Amandil the Lord of Andunie, broke the law by stealing a fruit from the
tree to safe guard its legacy.
Unfortunately this action was seen as a sign by the King, who then ordered Nimloth burned.
Growing more stubborn and prideful by the day, Ar-Pharazon dismissed the Lord of Andunie
from his council, a close friend since childhood, so beloved that despite being one of the faithful,
he was allowed to serve in the royal court.
Fortunately, while Amandil was no longer welcome in the capital, he was still highly respected,
and no harm befell him or his family.