by Danny Gourley on Nov 28, 2004
In a 1971 interview on BBC radio, Lord of the Rings author J. R. R. Tolkien insisted that it was never his intention that man (Tolkien's name for humans) represent a warlike race. Tolkien said "We've only got humanity to work with." Later in the interview, Tolkien revealed that the other good races (Dwarves, Elves, and Hobbits) actually exemplify traits of men. With a little logic, I came to the conclusion that Tolkien believed men are the complete package. To illustrate my point, just look at the place of men among the other good races.
Dwarves are hearty and hard-working, but they are not as numerous as men. Moreover, men reproduce at a much quicker rate than dwarves. And while men lack the fortitude of dwarves, their versatility allows them to learn dwarven tasks and throw enough people at the job to achieve success.
Tolkien's elves are beautiful and graceful but very fragile compared to men. The near immortality of elves sometimes makes them reluctant to pursue dangerous tasks that men approach without hesitation. Men came into Beleriand long after the elves but currently populate nearly every region of Middle-Earth while the presence of elves has waned.
Hobbits may be the closest race to men, but their propensity to maintain a rustic life close to home marks them as vastly different in worldview from the humans who constantly seek to explore. Sure, men value the agrarian skills employed by hobbits, but they also seek to find ways to avoid the sedentary life. Men combine the need to work the land with a desire to work the land more efficiently. Men may enjoy a good ale and song almost as much as hobbits, but they also enjoy the process of researching and classifying all things in Middle-Earth.
Just as men evolve beyond the other good races, it is men who control the destiny of Middle-Earth. Men are a balanced race with high aptitude, versatility, and potential. Evil men will seek to shape the political landscape Middle-Earth to their ends, and good men will constantly strive to prevent their sinister brethren from succeeding.
When Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar goes live, players can be sure that humans will the most diverse race in both appearance and profession. Additionally, players will be able to help men play out their pivotal roles in the War. If I am reading Tolkien right, it's the men who will end up in charge of Middle-Earth. Their growth is mostimportant story of all.
The race of Man is the shortest lived of the races of Middle-earth, yet it is also the race destined to rule in the years beyond the Third Age. Their mortality was considered a unique gift, but in time it became known as "The Doom of Men" and the source of lamentation. Men are capable of great courage and honour, yet they can easily fall prey to ambition, deceit, and betrayal.
Men, the folks that get blamed for everything that goes wrong in Middle-earth. Ohhh they are corruptable and can be bad. You don't see the men dropping the ring now do you? Just like in real life Men come from different backgrounds. Other than a title, your origin bears little on your character. If you do recognize these names, this will be a nice touch the game adds to roleplay and character customization.
Men while not having exceptional agility or strength have their benefits in being good at everything and able to fill all the class roles. A Man can fill the following roles:
Burglar - A stealthy trickster, the Burglar can dart in and out of the shadows to befuddle, weaken, or damage foes. An unexpected strike from behind by a burglar can stun or trip enemies, allowing others in his party to combine their efforts for a devastating attack. Unassuming on his own, a burglar would be wise to not be caught alone.
The Burglar is the class of choice for players that enjoy using cunning and tricks to defeat their opponents. Using concealment, a Burglar can strike from the shadows, taking his opponents unawares. With his wit, a Burglar can show his allies where a foe's weakness lies -- or trap someone in a riddle. A Burglar's combat style hinges on his ability to outmaneuver and outwit opponents while hitting them where it hurts.
Captain - Bearing their banner into battle, a Captain provides hope and leadership to her fellows, inspiring them to greater deeds. A skilled Captain can rally a party back from the brink of defeat, or seal a victory against many foes. While a Captain is a respected fighter on her own accord, she is primarily driven by her powerful sense of leadership to those fighting around them.
The Captain is the class of choice for players who enjoy supporting their fellows while participating in melee combat. Their battle cries allow them to take advantage of certain events in combat to aid the morale or combat ability of her fellows. A Captain's style of combat focuses on inspiring those around them to glory.
Champion - A true master of arms, the Champion excels at combat, focusing on little other than destroying her foes. The Champion's whirling blades can strike fear into the heart of even the foulest orc, cutting down swaths of their numbers at once. While a Champion's training and armor grants her some survivability, it is not her focus, and a Champion can quickly find herself in trouble when facing several foes on her own.
The Champion is the class of choice for players that enjoy fast-paced combat with multiple options available at any given moment. Champions can use various weapon styles, but focus on using two weapons simultaneously. With their active play-style Champions are able to consistently cause large amounts of damage to both single and multiple opponents in combat. Their style of combat revolves around the idea that the best defense is a good offense.
Guardian - A doughty fighter and protector of the weak, a skilled Guardian can face even the toughest foes and survive. The Guardian is one of the few classes willing and able to try to draw more blows onto themselves, so they can retaliate with devastating maneuvers in response.
The Guardian is the class of choice for players that enjoy drawing the attention of their foes in combat and taking advantage of their missteps. Masters of the defensive arts, Guardians use taxing attacks and irksome taunts to draw and hold opponents' attention, relying on their shield and weapon to turn aside incoming attacks with blocks and parries. A Guardian's combat style depends on creating openings during an opponent's attack to provide the opportunity for their own counter attack.
Hunter - Woodsman, pathfinder, and master of the bow, the keen-eyed Hunter can use his arrows to devastating effect from a distance. Archery is not the only thing the Hunter excels at, for he can lead his companions through the forest at greater speed than they could on their own, and can set up traps to ambush enemies. The archer is no close-quarters fighter, however, and would generally rather let his bow do the work than resort to his sword.
The Hunter is the class of choice for players who enjoy striking a target at range. Clever by nature, the Hunter is known to lure his targets into traps to hinder them, giving him time to use his bow to deadly effect. A Hunter's knowledge of nature also provides skills that help him and his fellows survive in the wild. A Hunter's combat style depends on the ability to injure a foe while staying out of harm's way.
Lore-Master - A keeper of ancient lore and otherwise lost knowledge, the Lore-master uses his knowledge of the lesser and greater powers of the world around him to stave off the advances of the shadow for a time, and to treat the wounds and suffering of his companions. In dire need he can use this knowledge to hurt his foes; but this task being extremely difficult, a wise Lore-master would rarely attempt it.
The Lore-master is the class of choice for the player that enjoys using the power of ancient lore to aid their allies and hinder their foes. Steeped in the histories of Middle-earth Lore-masters are able to aid their fellows in recovering from maladies caused by the forces of the Dark Lord. They can also use their knowledge to daze, harm, or hinder their enemies, as well as give of themselves to strengthen another. Some Lore-masters are even said to be able to communicate with animals and request their aid. A Lore-master's combat style is anchored in the power of knowledge and using it intelligently to defeat evil.
Minstrel - With song and tale, a Minstrel brings hope to places thick with gloom. She can inspire those with desperate minds and heavy hearts to great deeds. In battle, she can turn the tide with songs that strengthen her allies and dirges which strike fear into the hearts of enemies.
The Minstrel is the class of choice for players who want to aid their friends, inspiring them to keep going through the darkest of times. With a vast repertoire of tales both fair and foul, a Minstrel restores the morale of her fellows, as well as causing enemies to despair. Though able to wield weapons, she prefers to let her words, rather than her sword, speak for her. A Minstrel's style of combat is based on maintaining hope no matter what the odds.
Tactics and Might Bonus - +5.0% Conjunction Power Healing Multiplier from Tactics; +5.0% Conjunction Damage from Might
25 Enmity of the Dead III Morgoth, Sauron, the Witch-king of Angmar, the terrible Gaunt-lords...all possess the sorcerous power to infuse the remains of the dead with fell spirits in service to the Enemy. Rumour speaks of haunted vales in the realm of Angmar inhabited almost wholly by these spirits and the fell wights they produce.... Man Sword Damage Bonus - +2.0% One-handed Sword Damage; +2.0% Two-handed Sword Damage. 29 Enmity of the Wargs II Wargs are sometimes used by goblins as mounts to extend the range of their attacks against villages and settlements, for goblins are loathe to strike further than they can march in a single night and still return to the dark safety of their caves before morning comes. Return to Bree - This enables you to quickly return to Bree. 29 Enmity of the Hillmen I For many years there have been tribes of Men who have shunned the rule of Kings and the life of great cities and towns. While some of these might be called allies by the Men of Gondor or Rohan, far too often they fall under the sway of the Enemy, who plays upon their distrust of the great Kingdoms, or threatens them with hidden force, or sways them with false riches and power. Thus it has been that the Kingdoms of Middle-earth have often found themselves at war with the folk of the Hills when the Enemy rises -- and this age seems no exception. Balance of Man - The Race of Man grows eerily proficient at the art of war. Your Will is improved. (+1.0% Evade Chance, +1.0% Parry Chance, +1.0% Block Chance) 35 Enmity of the Wargs III It is unclear what the true relationship is between goblins and Wargs. Some say that they are allied against common enemies, while others believe that the goblins actively breed and raise the creatures for war. It seems likely that both stories are partly true -- long ago, perhaps, the goblins bred the Wargs, which in time escaped to form their own packs under the most powerful and intelligent leaders among their kind...and now these packs continue to work with the goblins out of convenience. Duty Bound- You provide a bonus to your fellowships morale. (Adds a bonus to each fellowship members morale max for 10 minutes) 35 Enmity of the Hillmen II It seems that old superstitions and fear of the Enemy's dark power are what drive these Hillmen to flock to the banners of the Enemy -- ancient seeds sewn long ago in the hearts of Men by the Dark Lord, that he might have willing servants to hand when he prepares to arise again. It has long been both the strength and downfall of Men that their hearts are their own, and that they may set their feet upon whatever path they choose.... Strength of Morale - In combat, the Race of Man is known for its unquenchable spirit (Increases Morale)