The Corsairs of Umbar: From Númenórean Loyalty to Menace on Middle-earth's Shores #lordoftherings

The Corsairs of Umbar: From Númenórean Loyalty to Menace on Middle-earth's Shores #lordoftherings #tolkien #ai #generative #generativeart #aichef

The Corsairs of Umbar were a relentless and cunning faction of Men who had long abandoned the noble heritage of Númenor. Located in the coastal haven of Umbar, they once pledged loyalty to the King of Númenor but gradually devolved into malevolent sea-raiders and pirates.

Their story began with the downfall of Númenor, a once-great island kingdom. Umbar, established by the King's Men—a faction loyal to the Númenórean monarchs—was intended to be a haven for those who opposed the divine authority of the Valar, the god-like beings.

However, as the corruption of Númenor took hold, Umbar's settlers, known as Black Númenóreans, embraced evil. They turned to pillaging and piracy along the coasts of Gondor in the Third Age, causing great suffering.

In TA 933, Gondor finally managed to conquer Umbar, putting an end to the Corsairs' reign of terror. Yet, their troubles were far from over, as the Black Númenóreans and Haradrim laid siege to Umbar for over a century. It wasn't until TA 1050, under King Hyarmendacil I of Gondor, that the Corsairs were heavily defeated.

During the Kin-strife—a civil war within Gondor—the defeated rebels fled to Umbar. These rebels, most of them being Dúnedain, were led by the descendants of Castamir the Usurper. For the next 362 years, the Corsairs wreaked havoc on Gondor's coasts, sacking cities and even killing a Gondorian king.

In TA 1810, Gondor retook Umbar, ending the line of Castamir. However, Gondor's possession of Umbar was short-lived, and the city was soon lost to the Haradrim and new Corsairs, who were mostly of Haradrim descent.

Throughout the Third Age, the Corsairs remained a constant menace to Gondor's coasts. In TA 2758, they launched a massive attack with five great fleets, nearly overwhelming Gondor's defenses.

It was during the War of the Ring that the Corsairs posed a significant threat. At the time of the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, a black fleet was en route to Harlond, with the intent of aiding Sauron's forces. However, Aragorn, with the help of the Grey Company, Legolas, Gimli, and the Dead Men of Dunharrow, thwarted their plans, capturing the black fleet and using it to relieve the siege of Minas Tirith.

Following these events and at some point in the Fourth Age, King Elessar recaptured the city of Umbar, finally putting an end to the Corsair threat. Their legacy was one of piracy and menace, a dark chapter in the history of Middle-earth.