Men: The first of Men appeared in Middle Earth at the end of the First Age. Throughout the Second Age, they prospered and grew in number. At the end of the Second Age, Elendil (the high King of Gondor) and his son, Isildur, joined with the Elves to challenge the might of Sauron and of Mordor. The war saw the loss of both Elendil, and Gil-galad, but finally, on the slopes of Mount Doom, Sauron was destroyed. Isuldir took up his father's sword, and cut the One Ring from Sauron's hand, and so ended the Second Age. Swayed by its power, Isildur kept the Ring for the good of his kingdom, declaring it to be an heirloom of his kingdom. But Isildur was slain in an ambush, and the race of men left leaderless. Since then, 3000 years have passed, and the race of men split into numerous factions - the Easterlings and Haradrim now support the Dark Lord, the Rohirrim and the Gondorians. The Kingdom of Gondor appointed a 'Steward' to rule in the place of the King, until his descendants returned to claim the throne. As the Elven race diminished and passed into the West, Men became more powerful. Soon all Elves will have passed over the seas to better places, free of the toils of Middle Earth, leaving Men as the dominant race of the world.   Rangers: Following the death of Isildur, Gondor was split into three smaller states. Due to war, invasion and pillage, the Heirs of Isildur were pushed aside from memory and into the shadows. Now, the folk of Gondor, their kin, barely know of their mysterious existence. The war against Sauron has greatly reduced their numbers, but the task which they have pleaded themselves to has continued - they strive to keep the northlands safe from the agents of the Enemy. Due to their secretive nature, they are often scorned, and taunted by those who they protect.   Rohirrim: Gondor granted the lands of Rohan to the Rohirrim in gratitude of the 'Horse-Lords' actions at the Battle of the Field Celebrant. The forces of Gondor were surrounded and being slaughtered by overwhelming forces of the Dark Lord. Eorl the Young had answered a summon for aid, late though it seemed. His cavalry force scattered the Orcs, and from that day, there has been a friendship between the peoples. How, 3000 years on, the lands of Rohan are being invaded by Saruman's forces, and the mind of the King, Théoden, is under the power of the Saruman.   Aragorn: Aragorn grew up in Rivendell under the care of Elrond. On his 12th birthday, Elrond revealed to him his true lineage - he was the heir of Isildur. Aragorn then went out to join the fight against the Dark Lord. Returning from one of his journeys, he met and instantly fell in love with Arwen, but Elrond would not allow a wedding until Aragorn had reclaimed his throne. Within Lord of the Rings, he is the self-proclaimed protector of Frodo, willing to lay down his life for him...   Barliman Butterbur: Barliman Butterbur is a breelander and innkeeper of The Prancing Pony, chief meeting place of Bree-land. His family has owned and run the inn for many generations. Butterbur plays a more important role in Tolkien's original narrative to the recent films. In the film, he appears briefly, having a few words with Frodo. In the books, he is responsible for deeds that very nearly cause catastrophe...   Boromir: Boromir is the eldest son of Denethor, the current Steward of Gondor. He travelled north to Rivendell seeking the answer to a recurrent dream which told of the finding of 'Isildur's Bane'. From the outset, he feels the pull of the Ring, seeing a use for the One Ring in the defence of his people, who regularly war with the forces of Mordor. When Strider is revealed to be Aragorn, heir to the throne of Gondor, Boromir is dubious. However, he joins the Fellowship, and his strength and valour are a great asset to them all.   Denethor: Denethor is the proud and once-noble Steward of Gondor, who rules in the stead of the absent King. His sons, Boromir and Faramir do his bidding, and together they fought the ever-amassing hosts of Mordor. However, with Boromir dead, and Denethor in mourning, his judgement has become impaired and he still refuses to light the beacons to call for aid from Rohan.   Eomer: Son of King Théoden's youngest sister, he was orphaned at a very young age. Théoden took both he and his sister, Eowyn, and raised them as his own. Eomer was made Third Marshal of the Mark, and named as Théoden's heir after the King's own son was slain. Eomer is a headstrong and valiant warrior, typical of the Rohirrim. He is an excellent horseman, and fiercely loyal to his King and Country.   Eowyn: Eowyn is a headstrong young woman, a shield-maiden of Rohan. Daughter of Théoden's sister, she was raised by the King himself after her parents died. With the soul of a warrior trapped within her, she is not afraid of either death or pain, but only of being trapped in a cage until she is incapable of valiant deeds. Frightened of being left in charge whilst the men folk ride to glory and battle, under an alias she rides to the siege of Minas Tirith, where she performs valiant deeds indeed.   Faramir: Faramir is the brother of Boromir, and son of Denethor, the current Steward of Gondor. He is mentioned in passing in the Fellowship of the Ring, and then appears in the last two books. He, like his brother, is a captain of the forces of Gondor, and leader of the Rangers of Ithilien. Considered by his father to be inferior as a warrior to his dead brother, he is recklessly sent out on all perilous missions, and on one of these, he is grievously wounded...   Grima Wormtongue: Grima Wormtongue is the counsellor of King Théoden in Edoras, with seemingly unlimited power. However, Gandalf confronts him and reveals him for the spy that he is - a spy spent by Saruman to poison the mind of the King. Wormtongue flees Edoras, and seeks refuge at Isengard. Here, he helps Saruman plot the downfall of Rohan and the death of its people.   Théoden: Théoden was the seventeenth King of Rohan, and only son of Thengel. As a young man, he was a tall and noble figure, but he rapidly declined in his middle years. His mind was captured by Saruman, who poisoned the king at the very time he needed to be strong for his people - his country was under attack and no organised resistance had been formed. His only son, Théodred died defending the Ford of Isen, but yet he still did nothing... Until Gandalf's unexpected arrival...   Théodred: Théodred was the only son, and only child of King Théoden. His mother, Queen Elfhild, died during childbirth, and his father never re-married. As Second Marshal of the Mark, he was in command at the Battles of the Fords of Isen, where he was grievously hurt. Although the forces of Rohan were rallied by Erkenbrand, lord of Westfold, Théodred died.