Half-orcs: Difference between revisions
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{{ | {{race infobox | ||
< | | name=Half-orcs | ||
| image=[[File:Steve Otis - Greater Half-orcs.jpg|250px]] | |||
| caption="Greater Half-orcs" by [[Steve Otis]] | |||
| pronun= | |||
| othernames= | |||
| origin= | |||
| location=[[Dunland]], [[Isengard]] | |||
| affiliation=[[Saruman]] | |||
| rivalry= | |||
| language= | |||
| people= | |||
| members= | |||
| lifespan= | |||
| distinctions=Lynx-eyed{{fact}} | |||
| height=Larger than normal orcs{{fact}} | |||
| hair= | |||
| skin=[[Wiktionary:Sallow|Sallow]]<ref name=TTIII9/><ref name=Knife/> | |||
| clothing= | |||
| weapons= | |||
}} | |||
{{quote|Are they men he has ruined or has he blended the races of orcs and men?|[[Treebeard]] in ''[[The Two Towers]]'', "[[Flotsam and Jetsam]]"}} | |||
'''Half-orcs''' were among [[Saruman]]'s servants in the late [[Third Age]]. They were large men, lynx-eyed and evil.<ref name=TTIII9>{{TT|III9}}</ref> | |||
Saruman's servants also included creatures known as [[Goblin-men]] who appeared to blend the traits of [[Men]] and [[Orcs]], but they were a different breed.<ref>{{TT|III7}}, [[Gamling]]: ''But these creatures of Isengard, these '''half-orcs''' and '''goblin-men''' that the foul craft of Saruman has bred.''</ref> | |||
==History== | |||
The origin and nature of the half-orcs is unknown. In the [[Third Age]], apparently Saruman learned that it was possible to mate [[Men]] with Orcs, producing stronger and larger Orcs, or vile and cunning Men. Thus he created half-orcs and goblin-men who served him.<ref>{{TT|III7}}</ref> | |||
The [[Squint-eyed southerner]] from [[Dunland]] was possibly a half-orc.<ref name=Knife>{{FR|I11}}</ref> | |||
Half-orcs were among the [[Dunlendings]] who came to Saruman's banner of the [[White Hand]] in [[Isengard]].<ref name=TTIII9/> Many were counted among the strongest servants of Saruman. The half-orcs mostly perished at the [[Battle of the Hornburg]], either before the fortress walls or by the [[Huorns]]. | |||
More Half-orcs later followed [[Saruman]] into exile, and were among his [[Ruffians]] who occupied [[the Shire]].<ref>{{RK|VI8}}</ref> | |||
==Other versions of the legendarium== | |||
Concerning the origin of the half-orcs, [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] suggested late in his life that: | |||
{{Blockquote|It became clear in time that undoubted Men could under the domination of [[Morgoth]] or his agents in a few generations be reduced almost to the Orc-level of mind and habits; and then they would or could be made to mate with Orcs, producing new breeds, often larger and more cunning. There is no doubt that long afterwards, in the [[Third Age]], Saruman rediscovered this, or learned of it in lore, and in his lust for mastery committed this, his wickedest deed: the interbreeding of Orcs and Men, producing both Men-orcs large and cunning, and Orc-men treacherous and vile.<ref name=myths>{{MR|P5X}}, pp. 418-9</ref>}} | |||
==Portrayal in adaptations== | |||
{{Gallery | |||
|title=Half-orcs in adaptations | |||
|height=150 | |||
|width=200 | |||
|lines=3 | |||
|File:Liz Danforth - Half-orc.jpg|''Half-orc'' in the ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'' | |||
|File:Omar Rayyan - Half-orcs.jpg|''Half-orcs'' in the ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]'' | |||
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Half-orc Bandit.jpg|''Half-orc Bandit'' in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'' | |||
}} | |||
'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':''' | |||
: Half-orcs (Sindarin ''Piryrch'', sing. ''Perorch'') are a crossbeed between Men and Orcs, being a distinct race in their own. Game statistics are given for players choosing to be a Half-orc.<ref>{{ICE|2001}}, p. 177</ref> | |||
'''1995-8: ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]'':''' | |||
:Half-orcs and Greater Half-orcs are Orc Factions, playable by Fallen Wizards.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.tradecardsonline.com/im/searchCards|articlename=(Results from search for cards in the game Middle Earth)|dated=|website=[http://www.tradecardsonline.com/ Tradecardsoneline.com]|accessed=3 April 2014}}</ref> | |||
'''2007-: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':''' | |||
:Half-orcs were categorized as one of the varieties of Orc-kind, along with Orcs, Goblins, [[Hobgoblins]] and Uruks. Half-orc Bandits were found in the [[Lone-lands]].<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://lotro.mmodb.com/bestiary/half-orc-bandit-2019.php|articlename=Lord of the Rings Online Half-Orc Bandit|dated=|website=[http://lotro.mmodb.com/ Lotro.mmodb.com]|accessed=3 April 2014}}</ref> They were affiliated with [[Saruman]] and could be found in almost every region he had influence in. His half-orcs in [[Eriador]] included many in [[Dunland]], [[Enedwaith]], [[Eregion]], the Lone-lands, and [[Andrath]] in Bree-land. A small number of half-orcs could be found as far as Nan Gurth in [[Angmar]]. His half-orcs also could be found in [[Rohan]] as far east as the Sutcrofts in the [[Eastemnet]]. | |||
==See also== | |||
*[[Goblin-men]] | |||
{{references}} | {{references}} | ||
[[Category:Orcs]] | [[Category:Orcs]] | ||
[[Category:Servants of Saruman]] | [[Category:Servants of Saruman]] | ||
[[de:Halborks]] | [[de:Halborks]] | ||
[[fi:Puoliörkit]] | [[fi:Puoliörkit]] |
Latest revision as of 03:50, 30 December 2022
Half-orcs | |
---|---|
Race | |
"Greater Half-orcs" by Steve Otis | |
General Information | |
Locations | Dunland, Isengard |
Affiliation | Saruman |
Physical Description | |
Distinctions | Lynx-eyed[source?] |
Average height | Larger than normal orcs[source?] |
Skin color | Sallow[1][2] |
Gallery | Images of Half-orcs |
- "Are they men he has ruined or has he blended the races of orcs and men?"
- ― Treebeard in The Two Towers, "Flotsam and Jetsam"
Half-orcs were among Saruman's servants in the late Third Age. They were large men, lynx-eyed and evil.[1]
Saruman's servants also included creatures known as Goblin-men who appeared to blend the traits of Men and Orcs, but they were a different breed.[3]
History[edit | edit source]
The origin and nature of the half-orcs is unknown. In the Third Age, apparently Saruman learned that it was possible to mate Men with Orcs, producing stronger and larger Orcs, or vile and cunning Men. Thus he created half-orcs and goblin-men who served him.[4]
The Squint-eyed southerner from Dunland was possibly a half-orc.[2]
Half-orcs were among the Dunlendings who came to Saruman's banner of the White Hand in Isengard.[1] Many were counted among the strongest servants of Saruman. The half-orcs mostly perished at the Battle of the Hornburg, either before the fortress walls or by the Huorns.
More Half-orcs later followed Saruman into exile, and were among his Ruffians who occupied the Shire.[5]
Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]
Concerning the origin of the half-orcs, J.R.R. Tolkien suggested late in his life that:
It became clear in time that undoubted Men could under the domination of Morgoth or his agents in a few generations be reduced almost to the Orc-level of mind and habits; and then they would or could be made to mate with Orcs, producing new breeds, often larger and more cunning. There is no doubt that long afterwards, in the Third Age, Saruman rediscovered this, or learned of it in lore, and in his lust for mastery committed this, his wickedest deed: the interbreeding of Orcs and Men, producing both Men-orcs large and cunning, and Orc-men treacherous and vile.[6]
Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]
Half-orcs in adaptations | |||||||||
|
1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:
- Half-orcs (Sindarin Piryrch, sing. Perorch) are a crossbeed between Men and Orcs, being a distinct race in their own. Game statistics are given for players choosing to be a Half-orc.[7]
1995-8: Middle-earth Collectible Card Game:
- Half-orcs and Greater Half-orcs are Orc Factions, playable by Fallen Wizards.[8]
2007-: The Lord of the Rings Online:
- Half-orcs were categorized as one of the varieties of Orc-kind, along with Orcs, Goblins, Hobgoblins and Uruks. Half-orc Bandits were found in the Lone-lands.[9] They were affiliated with Saruman and could be found in almost every region he had influence in. His half-orcs in Eriador included many in Dunland, Enedwaith, Eregion, the Lone-lands, and Andrath in Bree-land. A small number of half-orcs could be found as far as Nan Gurth in Angmar. His half-orcs also could be found in Rohan as far east as the Sutcrofts in the Eastemnet.
See also[edit | edit source]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "Flotsam and Jetsam"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Knife in the Dark"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "Helm's Deep", Gamling: But these creatures of Isengard, these half-orcs and goblin-men that the foul craft of Saruman has bred.
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "Helm's Deep"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Scouring of the Shire"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Five. Myths Transformed", "[Text] X", pp. 418-9
- ↑ S. Coleman Charlton (1993), Middle-earth Role Playing (2nd edition, softcover) (#2001), p. 177
- ↑ "(Results from search for cards in the game Middle Earth)", Tradecardsoneline.com (accessed 3 April 2014)
- ↑ "Lord of the Rings Online Half-Orc Bandit", Lotro.mmodb.com (accessed 3 April 2014)