Ravens: Difference between revisions

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Large black birds, often associated with ill news. The ravens that lived near [[Erebor]], though, were friendly with the [[Dwarves]], and some could even speak the [[Common Tongue]].
[[File:Mark Evans - Ravens.jpg|thumb|''Ravens'' by Mark Evans]]
'''Ravens''' were large black birds,<ref>{{LB|C2}}, p. 161 (§119)</ref> associated with ill news of death,<ref>{{HM|LB}}, pp. 164-165, 341</ref> and were known for their harsh voices.<ref>{{TT|III10}}</ref>
 
The intelligent ravens of [[Ravenhill]] near [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]], could live to a great age and some could even speak [[Westron]] and were friendly with the [[Dwarves of Erebor]]. [[Carc]] had been one of these, and his son [[Roäc]] was the leader of the ravens of Erebor around {{TA|2941}}, when [[Thorin and Company]] reclaimed the mountain from [[Smaug]].<ref>{{H|15}}</ref>
 
When [[Peregrin Took]] became one of the [[Guards of the Citadel]], his new garments included a "''high-crowned helm with small raven-wings on either side''".<ref>{{RK|V4}}</ref>
==Inspiration==
It has been suggested that [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s use of ravens is reminiscent of [[Wikipedia:Odin|Odin]]'s two messenger-ravens [[Wikipedia:Huginn and Muminn|Huginn and Muminn]] of the Norse mythology, appearing in the ''[[Edda]]''.<ref>{{HM|AH}}, p. 315</ref> ''See also: [[Roäc#Inspiration|Roäc: Inspiration]]''
 
In ''[[The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún]]'', the lord of the ravens is [[Wikipedia:Rerir|Rerir]], grandson of Ódin.<ref>{{HM|SG}}, p. 72</ref> Ravens are further associated with the coming of death.<ref>{{HM|SG}}, pp. 275, 285</ref>
 
==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[File:Raven (MERP).jpg|thumb|150px|Raven portrayed in ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing|MERP]]'']]
'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
: Ravens, level 4 birds, are enchanted and intelligent, friends of the Free Peoples. They are reputedly the messengers of the Vala [[Mandos]], and are able to speak many Mannish and Elvish tongues.<ref>{{ICE|2012}}, pp. 26, 132</ref>
 
'''2002-5: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game]]'':'''
: "Ravens of the North" are "''creatures of especially powerful magic''", being able to understand Westron and having extraordinarily long lives.<ref>{{D|Fell}}, p. 58</ref>
{{references}}
[[Category:Ravens| ]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]

Revision as of 11:03, 6 September 2013

Ravens by Mark Evans

Ravens were large black birds,[1] associated with ill news of death,[2] and were known for their harsh voices.[3]

The intelligent ravens of Ravenhill near Erebor, could live to a great age and some could even speak Westron and were friendly with the Dwarves of Erebor. Carc had been one of these, and his son Roäc was the leader of the ravens of Erebor around T.A. 2941, when Thorin and Company reclaimed the mountain from Smaug.[4]

When Peregrin Took became one of the Guards of the Citadel, his new garments included a "high-crowned helm with small raven-wings on either side".[5]

Inspiration

It has been suggested that J.R.R. Tolkien's use of ravens is reminiscent of Odin's two messenger-ravens Huginn and Muminn of the Norse mythology, appearing in the Edda.[6] See also: Roäc: Inspiration

In The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún, the lord of the ravens is Rerir, grandson of Ódin.[7] Ravens are further associated with the coming of death.[8]

Portrayal in adaptations

Raven portrayed in MERP

1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:

Ravens, level 4 birds, are enchanted and intelligent, friends of the Free Peoples. They are reputedly the messengers of the Vala Mandos, and are able to speak many Mannish and Elvish tongues.[9]

2002-5: The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game:

"Ravens of the North" are "creatures of especially powerful magic", being able to understand Westron and having extraordinarily long lives.[10]

References