Amon Sûl - Jaco-Daan/Realms-In-Exile-Wiki GitHub Wiki

Amon Sûl was the keystone of the defensive marches built by Elendil, linking Fornost in the north via a chain of subordinate fortifications that stretched through the North Downs and Weather Hills. A beautifully-crafted tower of great height atop an already lofty hill, from its battlements an enemy could be spied approaching many leagues away - even without the palantír that Elendil set here to help maintain communication across his vast kingdom.

At the base of the tower was a great door within a mighty archway, on which was carved “Here did Elendil witness the coming of Gil-galad Elven King”. For it was from Amon Sûl that the combined armies of the north marched south to the aid of the South-Kingdom.

Following the sundering of Arnor Amon Sûl was much disputed between the successor kingdoms, but remained in the hands of Arthedain. The fortification was oft-tested during the wars with Angmar.

Despite surviving Angmar’s siege in the war of S.A. 1356-1357, Amon Sûl could not withstand the renewed assault of 1409. Greater numbers than ever before were brought out of the north, and no army could resist the onslaught. Though the palantír of Amon Sûl was saved and removed to Fornost, the great tower was overthrown, and King Arveleg slain.

His son Araphor, aided by forces from Lindon & Rivendell, was able to drive the enemy back in a victory so great that Angmar would not be able to offer a substantial threat to Arthedain for centuries. But reconstructing the tower was by then beyond the resources of that kingdom, even if they had the skill, and though its strategic location was still advantageous to a defending force it was no longer the defensive keystone of earlier centuries.

The fall of Amon Sûl was a great blow to the dignity and defences of the North Kingdom of old. Now at last it has risen again. With long labour the tower has been rebuilt atop its ancient foundations, in many places using the original stone rescued from the hillside. Though not as tall or skillfully decorated as its predecessor, it is once again a key bastion of the Dúnedain of the North.