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I was wondering about the Gathering of the Five Armies. Is this an annual festivity? Is there any information about this beyond what’s in the Loremaster’s Book and Tales from Wilderland? Is this an invention for The One Ring?

Thanks a lot!

I believe it's a TOR creation. I don't recall such an event in the "extra material" pertaining to MIddle-Earth written by Tolkien.

I could be wrong though.

It's an invention for the game.

I also find it inappropriately named. The five armies included the armies of wargs and goblins—hardly something you'd celebrate.

Its frequency is up to you. I feel a celebration is more than appropriate, given a better name, but I'd make it less than annual, considering the low populations of the area and the difficulty in traveling around. Since the first one is five years after the slaying of the dragon, it might be good to hold it once every five years. Naturally, there can be smaller, local celebrations annually.

It may include the enemy forces, but "The Battle of Five Armies" is the accepted title of the event.

You misunderstand. The Battle of Five Armies is aptly named. "The Gathering of Five Armies" is not by Tolkien, and celebrates the wrong thing. They would not celebrate the battle or name an event after it; they'd only celebrate the slaying of the dragon and the crowning of Kings Bard and Dain. Likewise, public works would not feature dragons in flattering ways; e.g., fountains would not feature dragons that aren't being slain.

I see where you are coming from now. However, not sure I agree 100%.