Vampires

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Vampire by Liz Danforth

Vampires were mysterious bat-like creatures in the service of Morgoth and of Sauron. The only vampire whose name is recorded in the annals of Arda is Sauron's servant Thuringwethil, but Sauron himself took the form of a vampire on at least one occasion, to flee Huan.[1]

A vampire shape with pinions vast

screeching leaped from the ground, and passed,

its dark blood dripping on the trees
J.R.R. Tolkien[2]

Portrayal in adaptations

1989: Middle-earth Role Playing (Dark Mage of Rhudaur):

Vampires are described as former Maia patrons of normal bats, but corrupted by Morgoth and transformed into demons appearing as man-sized bats with "the faces of hideous Men or Women", having the ability to change shape.[3] A related creature is also envisioned, the Blood-wight, which is an undead Mannish shapechanger, draining blood from living beings.[4]

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

A new creature created for the game, the Merrevail (singular, Morroval) appear to be based on Tolkien's vampires. They are fearsome bat-winged women with sharp talons. The males of the species are the Mervyl (singular, Morvul).

External links

References