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[[File:John Howe - The Great Goblin.jpg|thumb|[[John Howe]] - ''The Great Goblin'']]
{{people infobox
The '''Orcs of the [[Misty Mountains]]''' were a tribe of [[Orcs]] settled in the tunnels of the mountains. They harassed the regions around them and eventually occupied [[Moria]].
| name=Orcs of the Misty Mountains
| image=[[File:John Howe - The Great Goblin.jpg|250px]]
| caption=[[John Howe]] - ''The Great Goblin''
| pronun=
| othernames=Northerners, Orcs of the Mountains
| origin=[[Orcs]] of [[Morgoth]] fleeing the destruction of the [[War of Wrath]]
| location=[[Goblin-town]], [[Moria]], [[Mount Gundabad]]
| affiliation=[[Sauron]]
| rivalry=
| language=[[Orcish]] dialects
| members=[[Great Goblin]], [[Azog]], [[Bolg]]
| lifespan=
| distinctions=
| height=
| hair=
| skin=
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}
The '''Orcs of the [[Misty Mountains]]''' were tribes of [[Orcs]] settled in the tunnels in or under the mountains. Far from [[Sauron]]'s main dominions in [[Dol Guldur]] and [[Mordor]], they seemed to have acted independently, harassing the regions and peoples around them, and eventually occupying [[Moria]].


==History==
==History==
Their origin, and when they settled those tunnels is not known. [[Sauron]] must have taken at least some control over them when he settled in [[Mordor]]. By the end of the [[Second Age]] they must have done the [[First Sacking of Gundabad]] and drove out the [[Dwarves]]{{fact}}. [[Orcs of Mordor]] had come among them{{fact}}, and under their command they ambushed and killed [[Isildur]] at the [[Battle of the Gladden Fields]] in early [[Third Age]].<ref>{{HM|UT}}, [[The Disaster of the Gladden Fields]]</ref>
Their origin, and when they settled those tunnels is not known. However, they recognised and hated the [[Gondolin]]-forged blades [[Orcrist]] and [[Glamdring]], so this may indicate some awareness of the [[Elder Days]].
==Second Age==
Orcs who survived the [[War of Wrath]] fled to the East and harassed the [[Dwarves]] south of the [[Forodwaith]]. By the [[Dark Years]], when [[Moria]] closed its gates the Orcs reinforced and commanded by servants of [[Sauron]] invaded the mountains again. It is said that [[Gundabad]] [[Fall of Mount Gundabad|was re-taken]] (suggesting that it was again occupied by Orcs in the past).<ref name=pmd>{{PM|Dwarves}}</ref>{{rp|p. 305}}


After the fall of [[Moria]] in {{TA|1981}}, Orcs of the Misty Mountains entered and occupied its ruins.<ref name=A>{{App|A}}</ref> Around {{TA|2480|n}} they Orcs begun to make secret strongholds in the Mountains so as to bar all the passes into [[Eriador]]<ref name=B>{{App|B}}</ref>. In {{TA|2509|n}}, on a trip to [[Lothlórien|Lórien]] to visit her parents, [[Celebrian]] was waylaid by Orcs in the [[Caradhras#The Redhorn Gate|Redhorn Pass]]. She was captured and tormented, receiving a poisoned wound until [[Elladan|her]] [[Elrohir|sons]] rescued her.<ref name=B/>
Much later Sauron, knowing of the [[Last Alliance]], sent many [[Orcs of Mordor]] to harry the Allied forces who would attempt to cross the Mountains. However, the main might of [[Gil-galad]] and [[Isildur]] who crossed the [[Pass of Imladris]] an the [[Pass of Caradhras]] made the Orcs to hid themselves; even [[Thranduil]]'s diminished army was far too strong. The Orcs bided their time mostly hidden in [[Mirkwood]] or along the river-banks, remaining alert and watchful for companies of [[Elves]] or [[Men]] that they could outnumber. After the [[War of the Last Alliance]], these Orcs would have no news of its outcome and Sauron's fall and they'd probably think that he won. The small detachment was eventually forgotten.<ref name=glad/>{{rp|Note 20}}
==Third Age==
It was under the command of such Orc-chiefs from [[Barad-dûr]] they ambushed and killed [[Isildur]] at the [[Disaster of the Gladden Fields]] in early [[Third Age]], their fierceness probably caused by the presence of the [[One Ring]].<ref name=glad>{{UT|Gladden}}</ref>
 
In {{TA|1300}} the Orcs started increasing and harassing the [[Dwarves]] again.<ref name=B2/>
 
The awakening of [[Durin's Bane]] drove the Dwarves from [[Moria]] in {{TA|1981}}, and Orcs of the Misty Mountains entered and occupied its ruins.<ref name=A>{{App|A}}</ref> Around {{TA|2480|n}} Sauron started to populate Moria with his creatures and in the same time the Orcs begun to make secret strongholds in the Mountains so as to bar all the passes into [[Eriador]]<ref name=B2>{{App|B2}}</ref>. In {{TA|2509|n}}, on a trip to [[Lothlórien|Lórien]] to visit her parents, [[Celebrian]] was waylaid by Orcs in the [[Caradhras#The Redhorn Gate|Redhorn Pass]]. She was captured and tormented, receiving a poisoned wound until [[Elladan|her]] [[Elrohir|sons]] rescued her.<ref name=B2/>


Around {{TA|2740|n}} the Orcs became more bold, daring to invade Eriador. The [[Rangers of the North]] fought many battles with the sons of Elrond trying to hold them back, but one party managed to reach [[the Shire]] in {{TA|2747|n}}. They were fought off by a party of brave Hobbits under [[Bandobras Took]], who killed their leader [[Golfimbul]] in the [[Battle of Greenfields]].<ref>{{H|1}}</ref><ref name="Eriador">{{App|Eriador}}</ref>
Around {{TA|2740|n}} the Orcs became more bold, daring to invade Eriador. The [[Rangers of the North]] fought many battles with the sons of Elrond trying to hold them back, but one party managed to reach [[the Shire]] in {{TA|2747|n}}. They were fought off by a party of brave Hobbits under [[Bandobras Took]], who killed their leader [[Golfimbul]] in the [[Battle of Greenfields]].<ref>{{H|1}}</ref><ref name="Eriador">{{App|Eriador}}</ref>
===War with the Dwarves===
It seems that some Dwarves, either before or after the War of the Dwarves and Orcs, dwelt on the eastern side of the mountains near [[Goblin-town]].{{fact}}


[[File:Mikel Janin - Battle of Azanulbizar.jpeg|left|thumb|Mikel Janin - ''The Battle of Azanulbizar'']]
[[File:Mikel Janin - Battle of Azanulbizar.jpeg|left|thumb|Mikel Janin - ''The Battle of Azanulbizar'']]
Long afterwards, Moria became the seat of an Orc-chieftain named [[Azog]] who slew King [[Thrór]] of the [[Durin's Folk|Longbeards]], beginning the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]]. In {{TA|2793|n}} the Dwarves sought revenge, assailing and sacking one by one all the Orc-holds they could from [[Second Sacking of Gundabad|sacking]] [[Gundabad|Mount Gundabad]] in the north, to the [[Gladden Fields]] in the south. Most of the war was fought underground, in the mines, halls, and other dwellings the Orcs had occupied or created. The war ended with the [[Battle of Azanulbizar]] where Azog himself was slain.<ref name=A/> Causing thousands of Orcs to flee south through [[Rohan]], who found refuge in the [[White Mountains]], troubling the Rohirrim for two generations.
Long afterwards, Moria became the seat of an Orc-chieftain named [[Azog]] who slew King [[Thrór]] of the [[Durin's Folk|Longbeards]], beginning the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]]. In {{TA|2793|n}} the Dwarves sought revenge, assailing and sacking one by one all the Orc-holds they could from [[Second Sacking of Gundabad|sacking]] [[Gundabad|Mount Gundabad]] in the north, to the [[Gladden Fields]] in the south. Most of the war was fought underground, in the mines, halls, and other dwellings the Orcs had occupied or created. The war ended with the [[Battle of Azanulbizar]] where Azog himself was slain,<ref name=A/> causing thousands of Orcs to flee south through [[Rohan]], who found refuge in the [[White Mountains]], troubling the Rohirrim for two generations.
 
The Orcs of the Misty Mountains virtually disappeared as a threat for [[Eriador]] and [[Rhovanion|Wilderland]], but the Dwarves were unable to reclaim Moria.


The Orcs of the Misty Mountains virtually disappeared as a threat for [[Eriador]] and  [[Rhovanion|Wilderland]] but the Dwarves were unable to reclaim Moria.  
[[Gandalf]] believed that the Orcs drove the [[bears]], as well as [[Beorn]]'s people, from their home in the mountains. Beorn promised that one time he would return.<ref>{{H|7}}</ref>


===Quest for Erebor and beyond===
[[File:Capucine Mazille - The Battle of Five Armies.jpg|thumb|Capucine Mazille - ''The Battle of Five Armies'']]
[[File:Capucine Mazille - The Battle of Five Armies.jpg|thumb|Capucine Mazille - ''The Battle of Five Armies'']]
After that, the Orcs lurked among the Misty Mountains, and in {{TA|2941|n}}, a group of them under the leadership of the [[Great Goblin]], captured [[Thorin and Company]] in the [[High Pass]]. They escaped with [[Gandalf]]'s help, killing the Great Goblin in the process.<ref>{{H|Hill}}</ref> Furious, the Orcs gathered at Mount [[Gundabad]] under the command of [[Bolg]] to seek revenge and secure domination of the North. The goblins were about to sweep southward when they learned of the death of Smaug and marched by night through the mountains and appeared unexpectedly at [[Erebor]], almost immediately after the arrival of [[Dáin Ironfoot]], and participated the [[Battle of Five Armies]].<ref>{{H|Burst}}</ref> It ended in defeat for the Orcs (three fourths of their entire population killed), and left the Misty Mountains free of them for many years afterwards.<ref>{{H|Return}}</ref>
The [[Goblin-town]] had a main gate in one of the passes of the Mountains from which they assaulted travellers. As that way was eventually too dangerous and abandoned, by {{TA|2941|n}} travellers took the (seemingly safer) [[High Pass]], so the goblins opened the [[Front Porch]] as an alternate means to snatch people.<ref name=h6>{{H|6}}</ref>
 
A group of Orcs under the leadership of the [[Great Goblin]], started planning a joint raid with the [[Wargs]] against the [[Woodmen]] to capture slaves.<ref name=h6/> When they discovered [[Thorin and Company]], they thought they were spies of those woodmen and hunted them down, fearing they would warn their people. They escaped with [[Gandalf]]'s help, killing the Great Goblin in the process.<ref>{{H|Hill}}</ref>
 
Furious, the Orcs gathered at Mount [[Gundabad]] under the command of [[Bolg]] to seek revenge and secure domination of the North. The goblins were about to sweep southward when they learned of the death of Smaug and marched by night through the mountains and appeared unexpectedly at [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]], almost immediately after the arrival of [[Dáin Ironfoot]], and participated the [[Battle of Five Armies]].<ref>{{H|Burst}}</ref> It ended in defeat for the Orcs (three fourths of their entire population killed), and left the Misty Mountains free of them for many years afterwards.<ref>{{H|Return}}</ref>
 
In {{TA|2989|n}} [[Balin]] left the [[Lonely Mountain]] and entered Moria with other Dwarves to start a [[Balin's Colony|colony]] and restore Khazad-dûm. The company had a [[Battle of the Mirrormere|great battle]] near [[Mirrormere]] where the great chieftain was killed, allowing them to settle in Moria and explore. But the Orcs later counter-attacked, and in {{TA|2994|n}}, the entire expeditionary force was [[Battle of the Second Hall|besieged]] and [[Last Stand of Balin's Colony|destroyed]].<ref name=B2/><ref name=Bridge>{{FR|Bridge}}</ref>
 
===War of the Ring===
By the time of the [[War of the Ring]], the [[Beornings]] under [[Grimbeorn]] kept open the [[High Pass]] and the [[Ford of Carrock]] were kept open and no Orc or [[Wargs|Wolf]] dared to enter his land.<ref>{{FR|Meetings}}</ref> The Orcs of the Mountains though permanently depleted, reclaimed Moria but fell under the sway of [[Sauron]] and [[Saruman]].
 


In {{TA|2989|n}} [[Balin]] left the [[Lonely Mountain]] and entered Moria with other Dwarves to start a [[Balin's Colony|colony]] and restore Khazad-dûm. The Orcs later counter-attacked, and in {{TA|2994|n}}, the entire expeditionary force was besieged and destroyed.<ref name="B"/><ref>{{FR|Bridge}}</ref>
It appears that Saruman drew his original strength from the ranks of the Orcs of the Misty Mountains, whose large numbers allowed him to breed great hosts for his war against the people of [[Rohan]]. The Orcs of Moria attacked the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] and had a major showdown in the [[Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul]].<ref name=Bridge/> Following them, a band of Orcs crossed the [[Nimrodel (river)|Nimrodel]], but they were destroyed by a regiment of the [[Galadhrim]].<ref>{{FR|II6}}</ref>


By the time of the [[War of the Ring]], the Orcs of the Mountains though permanently depleted, reclaimed Moria but fell under the command of Sauron and [[Saruman]]. They were, for instance, amongst the party of Orcs that captured [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] at [[Parth Galen]].<ref>{{TT|Uruk}}</ref>
Some were amongst the party of Orcs in the service of Sauron and Saruman that [[Breaking of the Fellowship|attacked]] and captured [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] at [[Parth Galen]].<ref>{{TT|Uruk}}</ref>


The [[Longbeards]] eventually succeeded in recapturing Moria, which suggests that the Orcs of the Misty Mountains diminished.
===Fourth Age===
The [[Durin's Folk|Longbeards]] under [[Durin VII]] eventually succeeded in recapturing Moria in the [[Fourth Age]],<ref name=pmd/> which suggests that the Orcs of the Misty Mountains diminished.


{{References}}
{{References}}


[[Category:Orcs]]
[[Category:Orcs]]

Revision as of 18:37, 13 November 2019

Orcs of the Misty Mountains
People
John Howe - The Great Goblin.jpg
John Howe - The Great Goblin
General Information
Other namesNortherners, Orcs of the Mountains
OriginsOrcs of Morgoth fleeing the destruction of the War of Wrath
LocationsGoblin-town, Moria, Mount Gundabad
AffiliationSauron
LanguagesOrcish dialects
MembersGreat Goblin, Azog, Bolg

The Orcs of the Misty Mountains were tribes of Orcs settled in the tunnels in or under the mountains. Far from Sauron's main dominions in Dol Guldur and Mordor, they seemed to have acted independently, harassing the regions and peoples around them, and eventually occupying Moria.

History

Their origin, and when they settled those tunnels is not known. However, they recognised and hated the Gondolin-forged blades Orcrist and Glamdring, so this may indicate some awareness of the Elder Days.

Second Age

Orcs who survived the War of Wrath fled to the East and harassed the Dwarves south of the Forodwaith. By the Dark Years, when Moria closed its gates the Orcs reinforced and commanded by servants of Sauron invaded the mountains again. It is said that Gundabad was re-taken (suggesting that it was again occupied by Orcs in the past).[1]:p. 305

Much later Sauron, knowing of the Last Alliance, sent many Orcs of Mordor to harry the Allied forces who would attempt to cross the Mountains. However, the main might of Gil-galad and Isildur who crossed the Pass of Imladris an the Pass of Caradhras made the Orcs to hid themselves; even Thranduil's diminished army was far too strong. The Orcs bided their time mostly hidden in Mirkwood or along the river-banks, remaining alert and watchful for companies of Elves or Men that they could outnumber. After the War of the Last Alliance, these Orcs would have no news of its outcome and Sauron's fall and they'd probably think that he won. The small detachment was eventually forgotten.[2]:Note 20

Third Age

It was under the command of such Orc-chiefs from Barad-dûr they ambushed and killed Isildur at the Disaster of the Gladden Fields in early Third Age, their fierceness probably caused by the presence of the One Ring.[2]

In T.A. 1300 the Orcs started increasing and harassing the Dwarves again.[3]

The awakening of Durin's Bane drove the Dwarves from Moria in T.A. 1981, and Orcs of the Misty Mountains entered and occupied its ruins.[4] Around 2480 Sauron started to populate Moria with his creatures and in the same time the Orcs begun to make secret strongholds in the Mountains so as to bar all the passes into Eriador[3]. In 2509, on a trip to Lórien to visit her parents, Celebrian was waylaid by Orcs in the Redhorn Pass. She was captured and tormented, receiving a poisoned wound until her sons rescued her.[3]

Around 2740 the Orcs became more bold, daring to invade Eriador. The Rangers of the North fought many battles with the sons of Elrond trying to hold them back, but one party managed to reach the Shire in 2747. They were fought off by a party of brave Hobbits under Bandobras Took, who killed their leader Golfimbul in the Battle of Greenfields.[5][6]

War with the Dwarves

It seems that some Dwarves, either before or after the War of the Dwarves and Orcs, dwelt on the eastern side of the mountains near Goblin-town.[source?]

Mikel Janin - The Battle of Azanulbizar

Long afterwards, Moria became the seat of an Orc-chieftain named Azog who slew King Thrór of the Longbeards, beginning the War of the Dwarves and Orcs. In 2793 the Dwarves sought revenge, assailing and sacking one by one all the Orc-holds they could from sacking Mount Gundabad in the north, to the Gladden Fields in the south. Most of the war was fought underground, in the mines, halls, and other dwellings the Orcs had occupied or created. The war ended with the Battle of Azanulbizar where Azog himself was slain,[4] causing thousands of Orcs to flee south through Rohan, who found refuge in the White Mountains, troubling the Rohirrim for two generations.

The Orcs of the Misty Mountains virtually disappeared as a threat for Eriador and Wilderland, but the Dwarves were unable to reclaim Moria.

Gandalf believed that the Orcs drove the bears, as well as Beorn's people, from their home in the mountains. Beorn promised that one time he would return.[7]

Quest for Erebor and beyond

Capucine Mazille - The Battle of Five Armies

The Goblin-town had a main gate in one of the passes of the Mountains from which they assaulted travellers. As that way was eventually too dangerous and abandoned, by 2941 travellers took the (seemingly safer) High Pass, so the goblins opened the Front Porch as an alternate means to snatch people.[8]

A group of Orcs under the leadership of the Great Goblin, started planning a joint raid with the Wargs against the Woodmen to capture slaves.[8] When they discovered Thorin and Company, they thought they were spies of those woodmen and hunted them down, fearing they would warn their people. They escaped with Gandalf's help, killing the Great Goblin in the process.[9]

Furious, the Orcs gathered at Mount Gundabad under the command of Bolg to seek revenge and secure domination of the North. The goblins were about to sweep southward when they learned of the death of Smaug and marched by night through the mountains and appeared unexpectedly at Erebor, almost immediately after the arrival of Dáin Ironfoot, and participated the Battle of Five Armies.[10] It ended in defeat for the Orcs (three fourths of their entire population killed), and left the Misty Mountains free of them for many years afterwards.[11]

In 2989 Balin left the Lonely Mountain and entered Moria with other Dwarves to start a colony and restore Khazad-dûm. The company had a great battle near Mirrormere where the great chieftain was killed, allowing them to settle in Moria and explore. But the Orcs later counter-attacked, and in 2994, the entire expeditionary force was besieged and destroyed.[3][12]

War of the Ring

By the time of the War of the Ring, the Beornings under Grimbeorn kept open the High Pass and the Ford of Carrock were kept open and no Orc or Wolf dared to enter his land.[13] The Orcs of the Mountains though permanently depleted, reclaimed Moria but fell under the sway of Sauron and Saruman.


It appears that Saruman drew his original strength from the ranks of the Orcs of the Misty Mountains, whose large numbers allowed him to breed great hosts for his war against the people of Rohan. The Orcs of Moria attacked the Fellowship of the Ring and had a major showdown in the Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul.[12] Following them, a band of Orcs crossed the Nimrodel, but they were destroyed by a regiment of the Galadhrim.[14]

Some were amongst the party of Orcs in the service of Sauron and Saruman that attacked and captured Merry and Pippin at Parth Galen.[15]

Fourth Age

The Longbeards under Durin VII eventually succeeded in recapturing Moria in the Fourth Age,[1] which suggests that the Orcs of the Misty Mountains diminished.

References