Quick summary:
The First Age submod has been in the works since 2016, but over the years has picked up many different owners and developers. The First Age submod was first released in 2017 by PredatorFish, who launched the First Age server after the closure of the Second Age server (his previous submod, set in the Second Age.)

Installation:

The 1.7.10 version of our submod does not require the LOTRMod to be present, simply load up the latest 1.7.10 version of the First Age submod and it'll run just fine. If you add the base LOTRmod it will crash.

The First Age 1.7.10 submod has a NEI addon, it is developed and maintained by Malvagil and can be found here: NEI LOTRFA Addon

If you run into problems, please join the Discord and we'd be happy to help.

Features:

The First Age submod uses an edited map that adds Beleriand to the map, and removes the rest of Middle-earth. We have chosen to remove the rest of Middle-earth and replace it with ocean to keep the gameplay focused on Beleriand. The First Age submod adds many new factions to the mod. Some of these factions are brand-new, custom coded in - and some of them are factions from the LOTRmod that have been renamed and repurposed. You can play as an elf of Doriath, a man from Dor-lómin, an orc of Angband and many more.

Contributions:

Our submod would not have been possible without a lot of help.*

*Apologies for anyone not included here. This submod has been in development since 2016, and the names of some contributors may have been lost or forgotten.

Showcases:
Check out Vonox's showcase of the First Age submod:

Also check out Eras of Arda's Second Age Submod!

The First Age submod is one of the only submods to receive endorsement and permission from the LOTRMod Staff Team. The original First Age team (circa. 2016) received permission to edit the mod, and the Second Age team received permission to edit the mod. The First Age team was absorbed into the Second Age team by PredatorFish, and both groups are now now operating under the name "Eras of Arda".
All rights for the Lord of the Rings Mod go to Mevans.

Eras of Arda: The First Age Legacy submod