[the phantom]

FINAL ROSTERS TAKING SHAPE
Phantom, MESPN News

There are still quite a few things up in the air, but many teams are really taking shape at this point.

Angband
Everyone knows that Melkor is the leader here with the resources to sign anyone he wishes, and his team looks to be close to completion. Telvildo, Thuringwethil, and Ancalagon were early signings, and Ungoliant and Drauglin followed soon after. In a move that has many wondering whether Tilion has gone over permanently, the moon man has yet again signed with Melkor's squad.

It seems there are only a couple slots remaining on this squad, and rumor is Melkor's trying out his Balrogs to see which are the best fit for the positions.

Angfauglith
This is a squad that not many expected to exist, but it's official and the side is looking quite strong thus far. Huor and his wife Rían were at an event commemorating the 5th battle fought on the plains of Angfaulith when they happened to run into Azaghål, who also fought in that battle. As they were recalling how many great deeds had been done there and how many mighty beings had clashed, the idea came to Huor of forming a team.

None of the three were prepared to captain the team, especially if the team contained any of the outstanding battlers that they had been discussing, so they agreed to take the idea to Fingolfin and see if he'd captain, and he agreed. With him came another player, his war horse Rochallor, and he also swiftly gained the help of Gwindor, who so famously charged Angfauglith.

And just two days ago, Angfauglith made their biggest signing yet, as Fingolfin managed to coax Gothmog Lord of Balrogs and Ecthelion of Gondolin to join the squad. Separately the signings would not have been made, but Fingolfin knew the pair would likely be keen to play with one another, as they have shared a special bond ever since their joint death.

There are only three slots left here, and Fingolfin is doing all that he can to find the best players.

Barad-Dur
Last year's team was a mix of baddies and goodies, and this year is no different, only this time around it's Gil-galad that is more or less calling the shots with Sauron gone elsewhere. His friends Isildur and Cirdan are with him, as well as Isildur's brother Anarion and the faithful Ohtar.

The Mouth signed quite early, and Gil-galad immediately set him to work on recruiting some of his associates, and he has since convinced a Nazgul to join, as well as commander Gothmog II and the brutal Shagrat. Two slots remain open, but Gil-galad says that he has it narrowed down quite well already.

Beleriand
During the offseason brothers Angrod and Aegnor were giving thought to how much talent was spread throughout all of the Beleriand squads, and realized that merely by stealing a player or two here and there they could put together quite a decent squad, and so they drew up their papers to form team Beleriand.

Their first concern was finding a tall and powerful finisher to go up front, and this need was met nearly immediately when Marach announced his interest in joining. After that pieces began falling into place, with the skilled pair of dwarf craftsman, Gamil Zirak and Telchar, applying, and soon after Halmir and Handir agreed to shore up the defense.

More recently Doriath residents Daeron and Nellas were gladly received onto the team, leaving only two slots to be filled.

Doriath
After such a disappointing tournament last year, King Thingol did what any smart fellow would do in his position- bring the problem to his goddess wife. Soon after Thingol declared Melian co-captain and in charge of recruiting, with the belief that her more personal touch would more easily compel allies to join. And she has proved herself indeed!

First things first she asked her daughter and son-in-law to return to the wood, and they obliged, and for bargain price. And as a surprise bonus, with them came Huan who had apparently missed playing with them and wanted to give it another go. Faithful Mablung signed swiftly as well, putting Doriath well on their way.

In the meantime, Thingol tried to pull his weight by convincing Eol to join, praising his play for last year's champ Gondolin and reminding him how he had been granted Nan Elmoth by Thingol and Melian so long ago.

And then came a great surprise- Carcharoth asked to be let on! It turned out that he and Huan had chatted regularly during the off-season about the possibility of teaming up somewhere, and here he was to prove that it was more than idle talk.

Now there are only three spots open, and rumors are rampant that Melian has been in deep talks with Turin and Beleg, though doubtless it would cost a lot to sign the famous pair.

Dunharrow
The great hold of Helm's Deep often has a team, and so Aldor thought it was high time that the other great hold of Rohan be given a chance to prove its valor.

Many great leaders of Rohan flocked to the banner immediately, including Theoden, Brytta, Walda, and Thengel, and surprisingly Helm himself abandoned his castle and joined them, eager for a fresh start after last year's failing.

Aldor and company are now busy trying out various kings and great men of Rohan, attempting to pick out which players will mesh the best.

Eriador
The men of Arnor always put together a solid feisty squad, including last year's team that upset mighty Valimar in the playoffs. But this year captain Arvedui wanted a squad with more staying power, and more diversity to contend with various monster-laden squads, like last year's Utumno which so easily dismissed them.

To this end Arvedui recruited trolls Bert and Tom to join them, as well as the great Barrow-Wight himself. Evidently Barrow-Wight was through playing with Bombadil, as the cold ghost believed the Master was just not focused enough despite his talent and would never quite win it big.

After signing more familiar faces such as clutch scorer Araphor and the solid Argeleb and Valandur, Arvedui managed to entice King Aragorn to play up front for Eriador. Word is the squad will be completed and practicing by tomorrow.

Esgaroth
Girion is leading the way this year, and no surprise he was joined quickly by dwarves such as Thorin, Balin, and Dain, who have lent their spending weight to the team. Representing men are Bard and Brand, and Galion the elf has joined as well.

But it is the more recent signing of spider stars Attercop and Tomnoddy that has created the greatest stir- primarily it has infuriated the dwarves, once held captive by the spiders. Girion has insisted that in the absence of Smaug, Beorn, and other such beasts he really needed to bring in some more monster-like players to add the intimidation and different skill sets, but as of now the dwarves remain in opposition and refuse to open their pocket-books for additional signings until the spiders are gone.

Gondor
In the early stages of planning it looked likely that King Aragorn would captain the Gondor squad, but unexpectedly he left for Eriador and Queen Arwen was named in his place. She says that there are no problems between them, and that her husband merely has a need to travel and compete under various guises in various places.

It came as a surprise to no one that Eorl and his horse Felarof soon joined, as he has always been ready to ride to Gondor's aid. Gondorin mainstays such as Romendacil, Ostoher, and Eldacar were signed early on as well, and more recently Ecthelion II and Boromir I have joined, making the team nearly complete.

Himring
Maedhros and Fingon, those two legendary BFFs, are together again, co-captaining a squad at Maedhros's fortress. Various men pledged to the sons of Feanor have announced their intentions to sign, and Maedhros has confirmed that his brothers Maglor, Amrod, and Amras are also on board, and for less than might be expected in order to leave some room for potential last minute signings.

Hithlum
The great Hador was set on captaining a team of his own in Hithlum from the start, but signings were quite slow, until something unexpected happened.

Those two inseparable sons of Feanor, defensive stars Celegorm and Curufin, approached Hador with a proposition- allow them to play up front on offense for a change and they would sign with the team. Recognizing their talent and the potential to draw in others with the publicity they'd create, Hador agreed, and soon interested parties were showing up.

Since then Hador has signed Aradan, Imlach, Galdor, and others to his side, and things are really coming together for Hador and company.

Minas Morgul
After trying a year apart last season, Castamir and Beruthiel are back with the Witch King's Minas Morgul squad, and soon they were joined by familiar faces such as the King of the Dead, Earnur, Angamaite, and Sangahyando.

Word is The Witch King has been outbid for the services of his friend Khamul, but there are rumors that other Nazgul are looking to sign with Minas Morgul in his place.

Minas Tirith
This year's Minas Tirith squad is captained by Cirion. He hoped early on that Eorl would come to his aid as of old, but Queen Arwen nabbed him for Gondor instead. However, in his place came another ruler of Rohan- Eomer.

This started the pebbles falling, and soon he was joined by two of his generals Elfhelm and Grimbold, and then by his sister Eowyn and her husband Faramir, and then Eomer's father-in-law Imrahil. After a couple more signings this team will be ready to roll.

Mithrim
Tuor was asked to join Gondolin, Hithlum, and others, but he decided he would prove his mettle by forming his own squad this year. With few backers the attempt looked likely to fail, but his old friend Annael agreed to help immediately, and his relatives came to his aid as well- Morwen, Nienor, and Aerin.

Tuor is still working on finalizing his squad, but he isn't worried about gaining the necessary numbers.

Mordor
No one doubted that there would be a team Mordor once again, but no one ever stepped up to take the captaincy. In the meantime, mainstays such as various Nazgul, Grishnakh, and Shelob signed up to play with the officially non-existent squad.

In time the Arda Cup Committee decided that they would declare the team formed despite the lack of a captain, and soon the team was full. In an interesting move, Grishnakh suggested that the Silent Watcher be recruited to play as keeper, turning away shots with force of will. Everyone is anxious to see how that will turn out.

Nargothrond
With both Finrod and Orodreth gone to play in the Blessed Realm, Finduilas has taken over management of the guarded realm.

Elves Arminas, Gelmir, and Guillen signed early on, and Beor and members of his clan accepted contracts quite early as well. There appears to be one remaining spot on the squad, but Finduilas has refused to say why she has kept the spot open with so many wishing to be a part of Nargothrond.

Numenor
The formation of this team is a similar story to that of Mordor. With the usual captains gone to other squads, Numenor became a collection of unified talent. Ar Zimrathan, Ar Gimilzor, Tar Miriel, and others signed early, but they kept a handful of slots open just in case any of their great leaders had a change of heart. With recent developments in mind regarding team Westernesse however, it is expected that Numenor will soon round out their squad.

Shire-Bree United
Mayor Samwise was elected to lead the Shire squad, and he immediately sent a message to Breeland asking if they'd be interested in a joint squad. The Bree dwellers enthusiastically received the message, and Shire-Bree United was born.

His lifelong friends Frodo, Merry, and Pippin were with it immediately, as was Butterbur, Ferny, and Harry. There are only a couple of slots left now, and there has been much debate as to which hobbits or men will receive them now that it has been confirmed that Bombadil has a team of his own this time around.

The Downer
Some residents of Middle Earth have never been pleased with the inclusion of alternate universe Downers & Werewolves in the Arda Cup, and these folks now have yet another reason to be angry, as Arda Cup officials have allowed captain Hookbill and his band of cartoon minions a place in the tournament.

Armed with a huge bag of fake paper money, Hookbill has signed nearly all of The Downer's biggest stars, like Alien, Lalwende MP, John Fillis, Burnt Bert, Peter Hampton, and even the Soap Pope.

This team was put together top to bottom as early as any, but no one knows what to expect from them. We'll have to wait and see.

The Forest
Unbelievably Tom Bombadil has shown some real motivation this year. Usually he spends the off-season running about chasing rainbows and signs with someone late for little money, but this time around he said that he would be master of his own squad.

The Ents and Entwives requested to help him immediately, and Tom was happy to receive them, offering to sing them into shape in no time. Tom also signed Haleth of Brethil forest in the early going, as well as Saeros of Doriath after it became apparent that he wouldn't have a spot with his home squad.

Recently the team was filled up by gaining Thranduil of Mirkwood, who had little interest in other squads.

Tirion
Co-captains Finwe and Aule were determined to better last year's strong performance, but they've encountered a good deal of poor fortune.

As has been reported by AKM, annual scoring stars Miriel and Nerdanel have been lured away by team Valinor, and rumor is that Feanor is unlikely to return as well. But not all is bleak for Tirion, as Finrod and Orodreth signed to play for their grandfather only last week, and regulars Mahtan and Finarfin have signed as well.

More encouraging is the addition of Aredhel, who has been to three consecutive finals and won two of them. For the remaining spots, most believe Finwe is attempting to dig up some new talent from the Noldor's deep talent pool.

Tol Eressea
As touched upon by AKM, Ulmo is away from the rest of the Valar yet again- this time captaining the Tol Eressea squad. After his success with Vanyamar last season, why not try something similar again?

Many great lovers of the sea such as Tar Aldarion, Amandil, Earwen, and Elwing have joined Ulmo's Maia helpers Osse, Uinen, and Salmar to put together a loyal team, and Ulmo has already commenced full practices, focusing on defense first per last year's philosophy.

Wilderland
Disappointed by the performance of Barad-Dur last season, Sauron has ventured out into the wider expanse of Wilderland in an attempt to recruit a greater array of talent, and with his deep pockets it's no surprise that he's found plenty of willing help.

His pitch to Smaug and Scatha for playing side by side was received enthusiastically, and his recruitment of the Blue Wizards was swift and without complication as well. More recently he has managed to buy Khamul away from Minas Morgul and lure Bolg out of the mountains, and several sources say that deals with Radagast and Grimbeorn are in the works.