Dúnedain
In J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth writings, the Dúnedain (/ˈduːnɛdaɪn/; singular: Dúnadan, "Man of the West") were a race of Men, also known as the Númenóreans or Men of Westernesse (translated from the Sindarin term). Those who survived the sinking of their island kingdom and came to Middle-earth, led by Elendil and his sons, Isildur and Anárion, settled in Arnor and Gondor.
| Dúnedain | |
|---|---|
| In-universe information | |
| Other name(s) | Men of the West, Men of Westernesse |
| Creation date | S.A. 1 |
| Home world | Middle-earth |
| Capital | Armenelos, Annúminas, Fornost Erain, Osgiliath, Minas Tirith |
| Base of operations | Númenor, Arnor and Gondor |
| Language | Adûnaic, Westron, Sindarin, Quenya |
| Leader | Kings of the Dúnedain |
After the Downfall of Númenor, the name Dúnedain was reserved to Númenóreans who were friendly to the Elves: hostile survivors of the Downfall were called Black Númenóreans.
The Rangers were two secretive, independent groups of Dúnedain of the North (Arnor) and South (Ithilien, in Gondor) in the Third Age. Like their Númenórean ancestors, they had qualities like those of the Elves, with keen senses and the ability to understand the language of birds and beasts. They were trackers and hardy warriors who defended their respective areas from evil forces.