Lake-men

The people living in Laketown or Esgaroth are from the race of men, and allies of Thror and the dwarves that live in the Lonely Mountain. Laketown is settlement of men on Long Lake, and is built entirely out of docks that can be seperated if neccessary. This design makes it easy for the Lakemen to catch trade goods that are sent down the River Running by the elves of Mirkwood. The lakemen's main appearance in Tolkien's works comes in The Hobbit, when Thorin and company escape from Mirkwood by stowing away in barrels and rolling down the river. The dwarves enter the town and are welcomed generously. The dwarves stay in Laketown for a few days, and then make their way towards the mountain. After Bilbo Baggins accidentally causes Smaug to assume that he is a lakeman, the dragon becomes full of rage and flys off to destroy Laketown. The dragon attacks Laketown and proceeds to burn it until he is killed by a black arrow shot from Bard the captain of the gaurd, who held his ground with a few loyal men, while everyone else including the town leader fled. Once the Thorin's company realizes that the dragon isn't coming back they move into the mountain and hold it. Meanwhile the elves of Mirkwood had been building up an army to go and claim some of the hoard left by Smaug, also the goblins of the Misty Mountains have also been building an army to avenge the death of the Great Goblin. The dwarves of the Iron Hills led by Dain also built an army to save Thorin and regain Erebor for the dwarves. The lakemen gather what troops they have left and join the elves in front of the gate, hoping to get some of the treasure in order to rebuild the town. The dwarves, elves, and armies of men meet and are about to do battle when Gandalf arrives and alerts them of the host of goblins.The three races along with the help of eagles unite to combat the massive goblin army. When the battle is over the coalition has won the day and the dwarves regain the Lonely Mountain, the elves recieve some of the treasure as well as the men, who rebuild the town of Dale in front of the gates of Erebor.The Lakemen are also found in LOTR BFME II, in the game they are reffered to as Men of Dale and are archers playable only by using the dwarves.