Alignment/Religion Tech Tree

[Sengir]

Yes, evil only. We dont want everybody running around with it.

 

[xmen510]

Updated first post.

 

[T_F]

Definitely evil only, otherwise we'd have to write the AI to avoid it.

 

[DarthInvader]

I thought it was mainly the men of Rhun who worshiped the shadow so it could be a faction specifc tech

 

[xmen510]

There were other groups who followed Sauron as well at different times. Including the Black Numenoreans as one example.

 

[T_F]

Númenórë in general near the end, Black Númenóreans, Haradrim, Easterlings, etc.
As well as everybody under Sauron or Morgoth's direct command, and quite probably a lot of orcs/goblins/what have you that weren't.

 

[Dayen]

There were other groups who followed Sauron as well at different times. Including the Black Numenoreans as one example.

Tolkien seemed to present their allegiance to Sauron as more the "Hubris of Man" than any real dedication to the tenets of the Shadow of Mordor.

Moreover, religion is an undertone in the entire setting, with philosophies being much more prevalent (Guidance of the Valar, for instance, for the Rangers of the North (and arguably all of the Dunedain, such as they are), the Forces of Rivendell, and the Knights of Dol Amroth [and presumably Dol Amroth as an entirety]). Whereas the Shire always seemed to abide by an isolationist philosophy: "If they don't notice us, they can't bother us" prior to the events of the Fellowship trilogy and its subsequent annexation by Gondor. Although, not surprisingly, Tolkien's notes insist that not much changed save that Pippin's position as the Thane actually held the weight of Gondor's support instead of simply being an office respected by the Shire folk (much the same as the shiriffs).

While it might be overstepping to insist that the Black Numenoreans even actively prescribed to a philosophy, they did indeed seem to be governed by Tolkien's "Hubris of Man" in a very real way.

 

[T_F]

Perhaps then the shadow religion could represent no more than having the followers having given themselves over to the hubris. (Of course, that rules out UUs and UBs and stuff, so maybe not.)

 

[Dayen]

Perhaps then the shadow religion could represent no more than having the followers having given themselves over to the hubris. (Of course, that rules out UUs and UBs and stuff, so maybe not.)

Well, Mordor's unique units are, I think, Mordor's and not freely loaned to those who share Sauron's ideals. Remember that greed (in the desire to possess) is a major cornerstone of the One Ring's corruption.

While the Guidance of the Valar might offer UUs and UBs (this, however, is also a stretch in my opinion as the Valar have, by and large, departed, depending on what you choose to construe the true identity of the Wizards as), I don't see the Shadow necessarily doing the same. Beyond the benefit of disciple units, I doubt much would come of it at all, frankly. The Hubris of Man could provide UUs and UBs, though, as most of the "evil" groups of men had some passing similarities besides ancestry.