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So, In further preperation for my forthcoming DoM run (Starting Thursday) - Let's talk about this aspect of Woodsmen Culture.

If I understand correctly, the base Tolkien approach to the question of religion in the Middle Earth would be -
While the world is created by one deity, only the high cultures (Sindarin, Dunedain) would have a clear awareness of that, and of the proper worship. Lower cultures of the free people would have their vision obscured by respect and memories of the various Ainur, and people of the Shadow would have tahat ittermingled with varying proportions of shadow (Morgoth/Sauron/Balrog/Mortal) worship.

So, it seems that the woodsmen are prone to have a small pantheon that would include most if not all of the Valar by some sort of variant names (as it is often an issue with Tolkien), and probably some local Maiar and nature spirits (The River Maidens as well?). Would they differentiate them as per the Aesir/Vanir categorization?

What kind of worship would they offer? People of the frontier are often superstitious, so it seems that some kind of animal sacrifice is well in line - or it is feels too dark for a free people? Are there amulets and signs against the shadow? Some kind of inclusion of it into the Panatheon? How would their Panatheon relate to the more urban and cosmopolitan culture of Laketown and Dale?

Eager to read some responses to this.

My only contribution: go read "House of the Wolfings" for inspiration.

This is something I haven't thought too much on, but you are definitely on the right track. I will reference the religion of the Dunlendings as it is portrayed in The Lord of the Rings Online game, as I think they did a pretty good job with that.

In short, as they are somewhere between Middle Men and Men of Darkness, with a keen attunenment to nature, they engage with both 'clean' spirits (Maia) and 'unclean' spirits (wights and the like). I think this is interesting as it shows the kind of spiritual warfare that underlies some of the stories of Middle-earth; forces of darkness and light clashing over the people of Middle-earth. Anyways, in one instance the use roots and herbs and prayers in a ritual to invoke the help of a forest spirit who proves to be a lesser Maia, a kind of assistant to Oromë. In another instance, a character is influenced by what he thinks is the ghost of his father but turns out to be an evil wight who is tricking him. Amulets and other items play a role in their spiritual practices as well.

So, this seems to line up with some of your ideas. The Woodmen are good, but a 'lesser' people. They are probably somewhat shamanistic, or at least animistic, and unless Radagast has instructed them more deeply in the ways of the world they would unlikely have a deep, proper understanding of the Powers of the world. I also doubt any kind of animal sacrifice would be in order, most especially if they are friends with the Brown Wizard. Worship might look more like prayers and ritualistic cleansing. I'm thinking of the scene in that Vikings show where they are washing themselves before they set out to find Britain.

It might be good to reference some other medieval European cultures (I think the Dunlendings in LOTRO were inspired by the medieval Welsh).

I'll think on this some more and hopefully come up with something more specific and helpful

Third time lucky???

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/656 ... 0Umbar.doc

Robin S.

Oh, Thank you very very much, Robin. It looks fabulous.
(Why third time?)