Araphor

Araphor (T.A. ?–?) was a King of Arthedain, succeeding his father Arveleg I following the latter’s death at the Fall of Amon Sûl in T.A. 1409. He ruled during a period of decline for the North-kingdom, overseeing the remnants of Arthedain after the devastation wrought by Angmar.

History

Araphor became king after the death of Arveleg I, inheriting a realm weakened by the loss of Amon Sûl and the ongoing threat from Angmar. Under his rule, Arthedain maintained its remaining territories and sought to preserve the Dúnedain heritage, but the kingdom never fully recovered from the destruction of its fortresses and the deaths of its previous kings.

During his reign, Araphor continued the legacy of founding and maintaining settlements in Arthedain, as recorded in the inscriptions of the Founding Stones of the Five Towns. Among these, Henneth Rhún (later known as Minas Vrûn) was established in the first year of his reign, symbolizing continuity and resilience in the face of Angmar’s assaults.

Other settlements of the Five Towns, established in earlier reigns, included Duintham, Carnoglin, Ost Ardúlin, and Dolindîr. These towns served as defensive and economic centers in the North Downs and stood as reminders of the unity between Dwarves and Men during the building of Arthedain’s frontier settlements.

Legacy

Araphor’s reign is less documented than that of his father, but he is remembered for preserving the lineage of the North-kingdom and upholding the Dúnedain presence in Eriador. The Five Towns, and their corresponding Founding Stones, continue to mark his efforts to maintain stability in Arthedain after the devastation of Amon Sûl.

His successors continued the defense of the North Downs until the eventual collapse of Arthedain and the rise of the Rangers of the North.