Roäc
Roäc was the chief of the ravens of Ravenhill near Erebor.[1]
History
While Thorin and Company and Bilbo Baggins were keeping watch on Erebor, an old thrush summoned Roäc. Being able to speak Westron, the raven delivered the news that Smaug had been killed. Roäc agreed to bring a message to Dáin II Ironfoot from Thorin, a call for help in guarding the treasures of Erebor in the wake of war.[1] However, Roäc also gave a piece of advice to Thorin, warning him that "the treasure is likely to be your death".[2]
Roäc was the son of Carc, and as such "a descendant of those [ravens] that had remained on the hill even after Smaug had driven out their old allies, the Dwarves".[3] When he met Thorin and Company in Third Age 2941, Roäc was marked by age, being one hundred and fifty-three years old.[1] He was thus apparently born in Third Age 2788.
Etymology
Roäc is likely an onomatopoeic name.[4]
Portrayal in adaptations
1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:
- Roäc, a level 6 Raven, is given game statistics and a short description.[5]
1995-8: Middle-earth Collectible Card Game:
- "Roäc the Raven" is a Diplomat Ally, playable at any site in Northern Rhovanion.
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "The Gathering of the Clouds"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "A Thief in the Night"
- ↑ Mark Fisher, "Roäc: The old raven of Ravenhill" at Encyclopedia of Arda (accessed 4 December 2010)
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien; Douglas A. Anderson, (ed.), (2002) The Annotated Hobbit: Revised and Expanded Edition, p. 316
- ↑ Ruth Sochard Pitt, Jeff O'Hare, Peter C. Fenlon, Jr. (1994), Creatures of Middle-earth (2nd edition) (#2012), pp. 26, 138
