Well, there were Bounders, or border guards, presumably throughout most of the Third Age. Here are some references of Bounders:zxe said:
"At the time when this story begins the Bounders, as they were called, had been greatly increased. There were many reports and complaints of strange persons and creatures prowling the borders, or over them:"
"'All the same,' said Sam, 'you can't deny that others besides our Halfast have seen queer folk crossing the Shire - Crossing it, mind you: there are more that are turned back at the borders. The Bounders have never been so busy before."
As for telling whether or not they used clubs or swords before the Third Age, it is impossible. Hobbits don't seem to exist until the beginning of the Third Age. It is a situation similar to America in Civ3. Although the accounts of early third age hobbits are few, we can gather from Gollum that they were primitive people, and probably were more likely to use clubs.
Since we need to wing a lot of history here, I'd say we should do it like this; base units off of knowable history. In other words, extend the history of the hobbit's advancement during the third age throughout all the ages.
If they were primitive and used clubs early on in their existence, let's give the Hobbits clubs and a primitive status for the first age. Then as we progress, they become farm-like. I.e. farm type utensils in the second era. In the third era, we can base their units off of how they were during the time of the various Thains and Bullroarer. After this, the next step would be the early Fourth age. With Pippin as Thain, someone who served as a royal guard in Gondor, I'd imagine they would have adopted swords.
Hobbits are supposedly an offshoot of Men.
oh, and Zxe, check out the links section to the MSN info site, there is a link to the discussion on invisible hobbit units.
As Mrtn has made me aware, Hobbits also used axes in the scouring of the Shire. I think the axe a good weapon that can come before swords in the offensive line. It has a sort of that militia feel to it. I remember reading that axes were the weapon of choice of many Northern European warriors in the dark ages, when drafted to fight in a battle.Hamah said:
I'm not going to say that Hobbits would have good mobility (movement), but I'd think they'd have pretty good agility. Mobility and agility can be intertwined. I can definitely see the hobbits as being more stealthy than a man. For quite obvious reasons. I don't see the offense line getting Stealth Attack options as being too far-out. Although I won't intergrate it. That is the stuff for testing in betas.Plotinus said:
Final verdict! Am I the king now?
In such a case, I have studied over the matters at hand meticulously, and, in royal fashion have come to a prudent decision. By the power bestowed on me as final-verdict-man, I hereby declare that PCH, out of Demetra Apostalatos by Emmett Joyce, secede unit graphic powers to the new Aaglo ambassador; Martin (Mrtn).
Because of his familiarity with the subject.
Because of his good-taste in graphics.
Because of his non-colorblinded-ness.
Because of his like of hobbits.
So it has been typed, so shall it be done. These be the words of truth, the only good orc is a dead orc, in the name of all that is Elvish, in vengeance of the betrayers of the light, in bloated royal circumstance;
It is done.
Sorry, I had to do that
. These Cheetos have interesting qualities in them.Seriously though, I think he (Mrtn) can better decide about this than I can. I just want to remind Mrtn about the hairy feet, and how they would be really cool on the defense, mostly militia, line. Mrtn has talked to Aaglo over MSN about it, so he can decide and stuff.
Much, much, thanks to aaglo for doing this.
to aaglo!
