I was just wondering whether anyone had given any thought to the relationships between the various factions of the 'Enemy'?
As servants of the Shadow, would there be something like a pact of non aggression between them? Or, when they are not under the immediate sway of the Necromancer or the Witch King et al, would they fall to bickering amongst each other? As there is 'currently' no greater malign force at work in the Wilderland, might we find Wargs and Orcs raiding Easterling villages and homesteads just as readily as those of Northmen?

That depends IMO heavily on the supposed political structure of these realms/states etc. If there is always someone like a king (e.g. an undisputed single ruler), Sauron or his Nazgûl need only be in contact with these people to make clear their wishes and demands. This might then include a ban on any inter-easterling wars. Transgressors are quite sure to regret their decision soon.

If the power structure is less clearly organized, things are more difficult as more decision-makers are involved. In such a situation inter-Easterling armed discrepancies are much more likely IMO.

Personally, I see southern and southeastern Rhovanion with one or two regional powers and probably an additional one in northeastern Rhovanion. These would be organized in a "pact" organized and enforced by Mordor to supply troops if the Dark Lord calls for them. In a sense they would recognize the Dark Lord as a superior (not hard in any case) like a "King of Kings" and act upon his wishes. If he has not specified any concrete wishes, they may and will act according to their own plans.
Sauron has the invaluable advantage that Rhovanion is on his doorstep, and thus the communication lines to his client-kings are very short, making his control very effective IMO.

In a way these realms might be seen as Roman client-kingdoms. Formally independent, but in reality totally dependent on the goodwill and support of Rome. The powers at Sauron's disposal makes his command & control options much more efficient though. In addition, he has the invaluable benefit of deathlessness, thus avoiding the usual mannish problems of mediocre or outright inapt successors of great rulers.

Best
Tolwen

Certainly the orcs frequently battle amongst themselves. The wargs were allies of the goblins of the Misty Mountains, but by no means their servants.

I see no reason to expect that either would treat the Easterlings any differently to the way they treat any of their other neighbors. That is to say raiding when they think they can get away with it.

As for the Mannish kingdoms of the East (and also South for that matter) the Free People's of the West were far from united. There were off and on political tensions between Gondor and Rohan for instance. I would think his would hold equally true for the Men under the dominion of the Shadow.

I think open warfare between kingdoms or between Men and Orcs would be unlikely, but raid and counter-raid quite likely.

Indeed, Sauron probably favored keeping his subjects somewhat divided against themselves. This prevents any for rising too high and challenging his supremacy.

Worth keeping in mind as well is that at the end of the Third Age Sauron's power has been waning for a long time. He has gone so quiet that even the White Council are not at first persuaded that he is in fact the Necromancer in Mirkwood. The War of the Ring is largely precipitated by Bilbo finding it. This leads to Gollum's capture and interrogation by the Great Eye, Nd thus to the Enemy's knowledge that the Ring is again abroad in the world.

Frodo and Sam encounter armies of Easterlings and Southron marching to a muster in Mordor. If Sauron had a tight grip on these lands and time to lay firm plans for a war the armies would already have been in place at that late date.

That at least is my take on it. The actions of the Council in driving forth from Mirkwood and the finding of the Ring forced Sauron to act before his time.

Over the Edge of the Wild at least is set during a period when Sauron's influence is at a very low ebb. he has been driven forth from Mirkwood, but has yet to openly declare himself in Morder, rebuild the Dark Tower and send the Nazgul to occupy Dol Guldor and Mina's Morgul.

Thank Tolwen, considered and concise as ever.

There is one point that you make about no orders from Mordor meaning that the various leaders might act on their own initiative. That's precisely what I'm hinting at. The Necromancer has fled from Dol Guldur and Sauron has a few years to go before he reveals himself as returned to Mordor.

Keeping his continuing presence a secret is likely to involve also staying hidden from his 'clients' in case they might accidentally reveal him before he is ready. With no 'guiding hand', so to speak, do you think it is possible that erstwhile allies such as the Orc/Warg and assorted Easterling factions might take to raiding each other as readily as their normal foes?

Of course, this would all be due to change again in a few years and the various factions would be threatened back into compliance.

I'm very interested in your take on the Easterling power blocs in present day Rhovanion. Pray tell.

Horsa, thanks for your input. I think that we are both singing off the same hymn sheet and I agree that until Sauron reveals himself at Barad Dur and gathers his strength, he is probably at his weakest.

At your service

You have to keep another factor in mind at which Sauron was very skillful, and that is hidden diplomacy and manipulation without lifting his veil about his identity or claim as Lord of Middle-earth. The long-term establishment of fitting religious beliefs and structures gives him an excellent tool to goad people into a direction he wants them to. In addition, the "advice" of powerful lords within the affected realms will direct the decisions of the kings there. When such lords are working for Sauron (either aware of their allegiance or manipulated themselves) will produce the desired results as well.

During the almost 2,000 years since Sauron's re-appearance in the politics of Middle-earth, he has acted almost all of the time in such indirect ways. Thus the situation of post-TA 2951 (with Sauron openly "ruling" as the ultimate "emperor") is quite new and unusual for the Third Age. Acting indirectly, manipulating people by various means and scheming behind-the-scenes has been (and is at the TOR default timeframe) the norm.

I don't think that Sauron would act openly as the "boss" of the rhovanic Easterling kingdoms even before TA 2941. I'd bet that they are unaware of being manipulated by an overarching ancient Evil. At least not in the way like the West sees the threat by Sauron. Perhaps they believe in a powerful deity or demon residing in Mirkwood who should be revered and placated since it'd be unwise to anger him.
We have quite clear and undeniable evidence that he openly declared himself the "Lord of Middle-earth" (implicating no previous similar claim before) only in 2951 and not earlier.

That's something I have in mind for some time now. Other things have kept it from being developed by now. Might that be a project for a collaboration and subsequent publication in OM?

Best
Tolwen

Oh, I think that I could easily be talked around into some level of collaboration.

As regards to OM. I am working on a tripartite submission regarding my Horsefolk. It's definitely a gamers piece rather than a scholarly treatise. I put some rules out for the community to pick at regarding virtues and rewards as well a set of ideas regarding mounted combat. The third part is an adventure featuring the Horsefolk, tentatively titled 'My Brother's Keeper'.

All this (plus your gaming ideas) sounds very promising. I'll get to you as soon I have the necessary time for it

Best
Tolwen