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The Ciryedain (Ad. 'Ship Men'; sing. Ciryadan), or Corsairs of Umbar, are the survivors of the followers and heirs of Castamir, Lord Admiral of Gondor, who usurped the throne from the half-Northman King Eldacar. The period that followed is known as the Kin-Strife, and lasted until Eldacar returned in 1447 with the army of his cousin, the King of the Éothraim.
Castamir was slain by Eldacar, but many of his followers fled south, fearing retribution. They sailed to the Haven of Umbar, where they found a sort of safety, in a balance of rivalry with the indigenous Haradrim and the Black Nûmenoreans. In 1810 TA they were driven out by King Telummehtar Umbardarcil, and Umbar once again became center of Gondorian power. However, the Ciryedain survived in the ports further south, and when the power of Gondor waned once more, and alliance of peoples under the influence of Mordor retook Umbar, and remained a threat to the South Kingdom until the end of the Third Age.
The Ciryedain were a pround, often haughty, people. They clung to the purity of their blood and the traditions of their forefathers, considering themselves the true heirs of Elros Tar-Minyatur. They hold most folk in disdain, particularly the Dûnedain and the Mornûmenedain for their less than pure Edain blood, it is for the Northmen of Rhovanion that they reserve their greatest hate, blaming them for all the evils that befell them.
The Corsairs considered themselves the epitome of Edain purity, and prided themselves on their typically Edain features - brown or black hair, blue or brown eyes. A pale complexion was also considered a feature of feminine beauty; a tan was acceptable for men, as a sailor must spend at least some time in sun and spray.
| Attributes: | | Adûnaic and Purity
Amongst themselves, the Ciryedain retain a more traditional form of Adûnaic than either of their northern or southern cousins. This is reflection of their concepts of racial purity.
Perhaps the necessity of learning the languages of peoples who should be subject to them, who should have to go to the effort of learning Adûnaic, is a sore reminder of what they had and lost.
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| Roll | Avg.
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| STR | 2d4+10 | 15
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| CON | 2d4+10 | 15
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| DEX | 2d6+6 | 13
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| SIZ | 2d6+10 {m}
2d6+8 {f} | 17
14
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| INT | 2d4+10 | 15
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| POW | 2d4+10 | 15
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| CHA | 2d4+10 | 15
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| Age | (2d8)x5 | 45 years old
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| Skills
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Agility Skills = POW+DEX
Communication Skills = INT+CHA
Knowledge Skills = INT
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Manipulation Skills = STR+DEX
Perception Skills = INT+POW
Stealth Skills = INT+DEX-SIZ
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Balance = Perception x2
Boating = Agility x2
Credit = Communication x2
Cartography = Knowledge x3
Human Lore = Knowledge x2
Navigation = Knowledge x2
Sailing = Manipulation x2
World Lore = Knowledge x2
one melee attack = Manipulation x2
one melee parry = Agility x2
one missile attack = Agility x2
Adûnaic (spkn) = Communication x3
Adûnaic (r/w) = Knowledge x5
Haradaic (spkn) = Communication x2
Haradaic (r/w) = Knowledge x3
two other languages (spkn) = Communication x2
two other languages (r/w) = Knowledge x3
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| Background Options
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Languages (1 point)
Literacy (1 point)
Stat Boost (1 point per increase)
Skill Boost (1 point per increase)
Status - Wealthy Family (1 point)
Status - Noble Family (2 points)
Status - Royal Lineage (3 points)
Wealth (1 point per roll)
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High Quality Items (1-3 points each)
Minor Magical Item (3-5 points)
Crafting (2 points)
Healing (2 points)
Foresight (1 point)
Presence (2 points)
Sense (2 points)
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| Outfitting Corsair Characters
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Corsairs begin with two weapons (or a weapon and a shield), richly decorated armour and 'karma'-style helm, several sets of clothing, and 20 gold pieces.
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Clothing
Men: silk blouse in rich colours (scarlet, purple, gold), usually with embroidery at the wrists and neck; silk or cotton tunic (also in a rich hue), reaching anywhere between knee and ankle, the hem being elaborately embroidered (and often worn without a shirt); belt of heavy gold plates, engraved with nautical mottifs; sandals of leather boots.
Ladies: silk or cotton blouse with revealing neckline, often worn of the shoulder, in rich colours (crimson, violet, gold); ankle-length silk or cotton underskirt, often pleated or gathered into a yoke at the hip, again in rich hues; short over skirt of silk or damask, falling to mid-thigh or to the knee, with an elaborate hemline (crenelated, fringed, scalloped); tight-fitting bodice, heavily laced; ornamental gold belt; sandals or silk slippers.
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| Weapons
Dagger, scimitar, broadswrod, shortsword, mace, morning star, whip, composite bow, longbow, shortbow, flail, quarterstaff, greatsword, lance, spear.
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Armour
Any, but highly decorative forms are preferred. Mail is worn under bright tabards, Bezaint'd is embroidered in contrasting patterns, Plate and Lamellar are laminated and decorated with brightly coloured lacing. Shields are popular accesories, as is a variation on the old 'karma'-style helms of Nûmenor, fashioned to resemble giant, curling mollusc shells. However, for fighting aboard ships, with the danger of falling overboard, rigid leather is preferred.
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