Before developing Dorwinion, we needed to define a clear aesthetic and atmosphere for the faction. We aimed for something that blended elements of the Byzantine Empire with Renaissance Italy. We also wanted armor designs that felt unique, visual styles not yet seen anywhere else in Middle-earth. While Lord_Ellessar took inspiration from his older concepts, he really wanted to reinterpret them with a fresh approach.
In his earlier designs, Dorwinion’s soldiers wore helmets inspired by Carolingian headgear. The silhouette was much appreciated, yet it deserved to be refined. The plate armor, pauldrons, and various other protective pieces also required new designs. We wanted to emphasize the refinement of Dorwinion, to convey visually that these men are not hardened warriors by nature, and that many of their armors are closer to ceremonial parade equipment than gear worn by battle-tested soldiers.
We also wanted a natural sense of progression across the different units, an elegant hierarchy, a kind of social “tessellation.” Dorwinion’s troops follow a logic of status and convenience, and we kept this idea at the forefront as we developed the following roster:
"The pay is after the job is done" The Vintner Court Guard:
The standing army of Dorwinion, maintained and equipped by the Vintner Court. These regiments mainly based in the principal cities of Dorwinion rarely wander the countryside. They act both as police forces and border guards, serving the realm’s interests in daily affairs. Lacking the numbers of Gondor’s armies, they nonetheless form the keystone of Dorwinion’s security, ensuring order and stability across its fertile lands.
For the Vintner Court Guard we went further into detail: their heavy-armor variant features a beautiful golden motif on their skirts, leather tassets reminiscent of Roman soldiers, a gambeson, and chainmail. They possess a complete armor set, along with five shield variations representing the noble families of the Vintner Court who vie for power through intrigue and political maneuvering. This gives them a distinct look among the Free Peoples.
This grand council of nobles, vintners, and merchants meets in a hall
tiled with mosaic clusters of purple and gold. The Purple Guard:
Constituting the highest rank of Dorwinion’s standing military, the Purple Guard serve directly under the authority of the Vintner Court. If less experienced than the Oathsworn, they remain a formidable force, fiercely loyal to Dorwinion’s rulers. Their duty is the defense of the Vintner Court. In times of political stalemate, they are tasked to lock nobles, merchants, and other parlementaires inside until decisions are reached. Equipped with swords and distinctive masked helmets, they stand as both symbol and safeguard of Dorwinion’s political order.
for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword
The Purple Guard are likely to become a fan favorite. Some of you may recognize inspiration from the Telmarines’ masks from Narnia. We felt this gave them a uniquely recognizable style that paired well with the helmet silhouette we already used. They wear ornate full plate armor symbolizing Dorwinion’s wealth. Their shields display Dorwinion’s sigil: a chalice crowned with vines, surrounded by intricate golden motifs.
The Vinter Court is most of the time a nest of intrigues,
with poison pens and forged letters more common than swords. The Bladorthin Oathsworn:
The free order of the Bladorthin Oathsworn trace their origins back to ancient times. Guided by a strict chivalric code, they answer to their own High Marshal rather than the Vintner Court. Armed with halberds, they embody the elite of Dorwinion’s armies. Though considered independent, in times of dire need they may march alongside Dorwinion’s legions to defend the borders.
These units were a pleasure to design. We wanted them to be unmistakably elite and distinct from all others. To that end, they wear white cloaks rather than purple. Their halberds set them apart as well, as no other human faction in Middle-earth employs such weapons. Their unique shield design was first created by Lord_Ellessar, then refined through the assistance of AI tools before being manually polished once more. The process opened new artistic possibilities for future unit designs.
"Carry then the cloak of the Oathsworns and let your heart
abide ever close to the virtue and vow it enshrines." The Hero of Dorwinion
Designing Dorwinion’s hero was one of the most exciting and rewarding parts of the project. The final model perfectly embodies the might, wealth, and sophistication we wished to express.
Aldron the Grave:
Dorwinion has few generals or renowned commanders; indeed, the upper classes of Dorwinion are more politicians than warriors, preferring chalices to glaives. Yet, Aldron the Grave, born into a minor noble house of Liphrenost, rose to prominence in the commerce-minded Dorwinion as its most capable soldier and strategist. Eschewing the politics of wine and trade that defined his peers, he devoted his youth to studying warfare, earning a reputation for stern discipline and unflinching resolve.
As commander of Dorwinion’s unstable western frontier in his later years, he transformed lax garrisons into a professional fighting force, crushed a confederation of raiders threatening key trade routes, and secured the realm without seeking conquest. Revered by common soldiers and grudgingly respected by the merchant elite, Aldron became synonymous with order and military rigor, an aging but formidable guardian whose leadership hinted that, in times of true peril, Dorwinion might one day entrust him with extraordinary authority.
We gave Aldron the most refined helmet of all, decorated with golden vine motifs and inlaid with amethyst gems. We considered adding a laurel crown of vines, but abandoned the idea for being too reminiscent of Roman emperors. His design features an asymmetrical silhouette: a cape draped over one shoulder, while the other is adorned with layered tassets. The final look is distinctive and striking, and we are confident it will delight many of you.
"This proves a point to the merchants of Liphrenost." The Buildings
Imagining what the architecture of Dorwinion might look like proved to be a particularly fascinating task. Years ago, Lord_Ellessar had already created several building designs, but they no longer matched the level of quality we strive to offer you today. And so, we gathered to rethink the appearance of Dorwinion from its very foundations.
We eventually settled on a blend of several stylistic influences. The final vision combines touches of Art Nouveau, Italian Renaissance architecture, Classical forms, and a few Byzantine elements. Though eclectic, this mixture gives Dorwinion a true and unmistakable identity. The windows bear the soft curves of Art Nouveau; mosaics, some modest and some elaborate, echo the artistry of Byzantium; many structures follow graceful Italian silhouettes; and the buildings belonging to the highest circles of society (such as the palace) are adorned with many windows, as if to let their wealth shine outward like a city set upon a hill.
We envisioned terracotta roof tiles reminiscent of those seen throughout Italy, but with a gentle violet hue. The roofs themselves are remarkably flat; they recall the warm southern lands, yet they also whisper faint memories of Dale. Some buildings feature more unusual designs, with domed rooftops rising like small crowns. The mosaics, too, take on violet tones, traced with delicate golden arabesques.
We devoted considerable effort to crafting assets and props that would evoke the spirit of Dorwinion. As such you will have the opportunity to see the tables for a banquet of aged wine, Dorwinion's men taking their delight in the best of meats and the finest of wines. Vine trellises, wine chalices, barrels brimming with grapes or wine, countless bottles, finely dressed tables, and even a traditional grape press were created, each a small testament to the work of many hands. Together, these elements shape an atmosphere so vivid and welcoming that it feels as though one is gazing upon a small portion of a land flowing with wine and grapes.
To illustrate this entire creative process, we are pleased to present to you the vineyard of Dorwinion.
The Vineyards:
Dorwinion’s principal source of income is the production and export of the finest wine in all of Middle-earth. To reflect this, it was essential to allow players to construct vineyards. Within these vineyards, you will find the traditional grape press, several elegant colonnades, and even a woman enjoying the fruit of the vine and the work of human hands. Rows upon rows of grapevines fill the fields, and a climbing vine embraces the walls of the house itself, as if the land were blessing the hands that shaped it.
All these elements create a gentle sense of peace and abundance in landscapes otherwise overshadowed by war. For in Dorwinion, men have all but beaten their swords into plowshares, choosing the work of the vineyard over the call of battle. Here, for a fleeting moment, the world seems to rest, and the grapes grow sweet under the sun.
"Wine gladdens the heart of man" This new addition to the Iron Hills roster completes the Dwarves’ access to human allies and introduces an entirely new culture for players to explore. Great care and passion were poured into the creation of these units and buildings, and we hope you will enjoy them as much as we enjoyed bringing them to life.
As always, we are looking forward to your feedback!
Your Edain Team
Thema: The Road to Edain 4.8.4: Dorwinion visuals (Gelesen 75 mal)