The Lumi-vĂ€ki were a small, reclusive group of Men who dwelt in the far north of Middle-earth. They were a hardy people adapted to living in icy lands, and in the Elder Days they were skilled at evading Morgothâs spies and thralls who traipsed across their hunting grounds while running errands from Angband. Though the Lumi-vĂ€ki did not involve themselves in the war against the Dark King, they never served him and resisted his encroachment upon their peace.
     In the elven-tongue, the Lumi-vĂ€ki were known as the Forodwaith, âpeople of the north,â and their lands were called after them. Ever an insular people, their numbers dwindled as the world changed, and by the time of the Third Age only a few of their clans remained, dwelling mostly in the Ice-bay of Forochel. They had limited contact with the other people of the Westlands; some of their chieftains could speak limited Westron, and they knew to hate and fear the Witch-king of Angmar, but they placed no value on jewels and weaponry as did the Men to their south.
      Arvedui, the Last King of Arthedain, fled into the north to escape the Witch-kingâs destruction of Arnor, where he was sheltered by a clan among the Lumi-vĂ€ki. Though he did not understand their culture, terming them the Lossoth, âsnow-host,â he was deeply grateful for their aid. In thanks for Chieftain Taavettiâs kindness, Arvedui granted him a kingly gift: the Ring of Barahir, an ancient heirloom of his house, and though the Lumi-vĂ€ki had little use for a sparkling ring they accepted his offer graciously. When CĂrdan sent an elven-ship to Arveduiâs aid, Taavetti warned against boarding the boat, for he sensed impending disaster, but Arvedui did not heed his warning. Indeed, a great storm overwhelmed the vessel the moment it set out to sea, and the Last King was lost in the cold waters of the far north.
     Over a century later, Taavettiâs great-great-granddaughter Helmi led her people, who had by now consolidated into a singular clan. These were dark times for the Lumi-vĂ€ki, for food was scarce and vicious white wolves prowled across the ice, stealing their prey and attacking their shelters. Thus when Arahael, grandson of Arvedui, appeared in the North asking after his grandfatherâs fate, Helmi was eager to strike a bargain with him. In exchange for the tale of Arveduiâs fate and the return of the Ring of Barahir, Arvedui and his rangers aided the Lumi-vĂ€ki in their hunting for three seasons, supplying them with enough food to last them through the harsh winter. For her resourcefulness and strength of character, Helmi became known as Helmi the Beloved, honored among her people for centuries to come.
     When the War of the Ring overshadowed all of Middle-earth, the Lumi-vĂ€ki were not unaffected. As the Rangers fought against Sauronâs agents in Eriador, evil beasts prowled as far north as Forochel, forcing the Lumi-vĂ€ki to fight back. Chieftain YrjĂ€nĂ€ left his Great Lodge of SĂ»ri-kylĂ€, where he had dwelt since the death of his son in battle against a cold-drake, to lead his people against this threat, and tamed a great woolly mammoth, riding it into war against the Lumi-vĂ€kiâs foes. Only once did YrjĂ€nĂ€ and his warriors meet the DĂșnedain in this war, when they rescued a company of Rangers from an orc-horde, but in recognition of their valiance in battle King Elessar sent a caravan of goods and food to the Lumi-vĂ€ki after the War.
