Rimmon

Rimmon is a feudal county in north-western Anórien and a historical region of Gondor. The name Rimmon is of unknown pre-Númenorean language, and is related to other prehistorical toponyms of the area, such as Eilenaer, Eilenach and Ard-Elmar. Rimmon was the heartland of a homonymous native Gwathuirim kingdom, which was incorporated into Gondor in the beginning of the Third Age.

After local elites slowly lost their power, the historical region of Rimmon became part of the royal patrimonium. Last King of Rimmon bequeathed his lands to the Gondorian Crown in III 392. His realm was was carved up and divided into several feudal counties: Seinbar, Dúnamar, Imdorad and Calenhad. New county of Rimmon encompassed only the river valley from Amon Uilos to Onodló. Old capital and hillfort of Dun Senos was abandoned and turned into a guardtower. Most of the Gwathuirim were forced to move downstream, where the new City of Rimmon (Obel Rimmon) was founded in III 452 by King Ostoher. Stewardship of the valley was entrusted to the exalted House of Astorion.

The Rimmon river floods in every summer, and the climate is typical of northern Anórien with cold, foggy winters and oppressive heat during the summer months. Rainfall is most prevalent in spring and autumn, with thunderstorms common in summer. In winter and spring, pronounced foehn winds regularly occur. The vernacular language spoken in the region is Rimmonese dialect of Westron, which is heavily influenced by Donael.

Parishes

Bar Astorion (S. “Astorion Manor”) is a thriving city in northern Rimmon and an important local market situated on the right side of the river. A road connects Bar Astorion to Imdorad in the west and Dúnamar and Dol Caranthan in the east. There is hardly any evidence of pre-Númenorean settlements in the area, as it was never safe from flooding and a damp floodplain was not very suitable for growing grain. But Gondorians built ditches and canals and reclaimed much of the floodplain to agriculture. Bar Astorion grew big enough to receive market rights in 935. During the Kin-Strife, the city revolted against the tyranny of King Castamir, who retaliated by sacking the city in December 1437. An new oligarchic goverment of forty citizens and two judges was established. House Astorion was restored to power by King Eldacar in 1447, and a grand palace was built to Bar Astorion as a restitution. Every year there is a large carnival called “Burning of King Castamir” held in Gwaeron 10 (1st of March) at the town square of Bar Astorion, with numerous processions, musical groups, and mummers’ plays.

Estorn (S. “Burial Mound”) is an old town just outside of Obel Rimmon, near the ancient road that leads to Min-Rimmon. It is named after a multitude of prehistorical barrows in the municipality. According to local folklore, they are burial mounds of ancient Kings and Queens of Rimmon; however, when local thugs and grave robbers broke into a few of them in pursuit of treasure, they found only copper and bronze tools and an assortment of beads. Antiquarians have hypothetised that these burials predate the Kingdom of Rimmon and are perhaps from the mid-Second Age migration period. Stories of the meager loot, along with some local superstition, have kept the rest of the burials safe from robbers.

Hisrain (S. “Misty Border”) is a small town and noble estate in the lower flood plains of Onodló. It is named after persistent fog that lingers for days and weeks in autumn and spring.

Luinbar (S. “Blue Manor”) is a noble estate five miles east from Bar Astorion. It is named after the bluish hue of its marble stonework.

Min-Rimmon (S. “Peak of the Rimmon”) is the highest peak in a group of crags that form the foothills of the Ered Nimrais in Rimmon. A site of an ancient hillfort (now disappeared) and a center of the historical region, Min-Rimmon is now a hunting retreat for the House Astorion.

Obel Rimmon (S. Town of Rimmon”) is the biggest town in the county, established in the beginning of the Third Age, on the Kingsroad to Dor Haeron. Its main sources of income are stone quarries, salt extraction, and gold mining. In 796, King Siriondil granted Obel Rimmon minting rights. The Mint of Obel Rimmon has produced copper farthings, pennies, and gold half-crowns worth ten miriani, for the benefit of local commerce. Three beautiful chapels adorn the city, dedicated to Oromë the Dragonslayer, Indis the Bride (patroness of pregnant women, servant maids and luck in marriage) and Manwë, the Lord of Light and Heavens. A convent of the Brown Brethren, dedicated to humble life and devoted to Oromë, was established in 1356. It was suspected that they harboured some heretical Aendirians (members of Heren Erulissë, Order of God’s Grace) among them, but nothing came of the investigations ordered by King Valacar. A congregation of pietists was established in 1668, but they remained a small minority.

Sant-faelas (S. “Garden of Equity”) is a small town and noble estate some ten miles north of Obel Rimmon. Name of the estate is ancient and its origins are shrouded in history; some say it has to do with a marble shrine to Aran Einior (the Elder King) in a grove nearby, others relate to tales of court leet convening in the beautiful gardens of Sant-faelas, or maybe even Kings and Queens of Rimmon dispensing justice from there. It is now known for the magnificent villa of Lango Astorion and its landscaped gardens built in the late 1600s.

County of Rimmon in 1685

	Type	Lord	Citizens*	Subjects**
Bar Astorion	Copyhold estate	Anardil Astorion	5,500	32,000
Estorn	Leasehold estate	Faelon Astorion	900	5,300
Hisrain	Leasehold estate	Durandir Astorion	700	4,000
Luinbar	Leasehold estate	Gildor Astorion	600	3,500
Min-Rimmon	Copyhold estate	Dregor Astorion	300	1,700
Obel Rimmon	Municipality	Arardil Astorion	6,000	35,000
Sant-faelas	Leasehold estate	Lango Astorion	500	3,000

County of Rimmon

Capital	Obel Rimmon
Type	Feudal county
Population	99,794
Language	Westron (Rimmonese), Sindarin
Rulers	Carnam Astorion (1636–1684) Anardil Astorion (1684–1712)