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'''The Watcher in the Water''' is a mysterious and horrific beast that lurked in a lake caused by the damming of the [[Sirannon]] river, beneath the western walls of [[Moria]].
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{{evil infobox
| image=[[Image:John Howe - Watcher in the Water.jpg|250px]]
| name=The Watcher in the Water
| pronun=
| othernames=
| titles=
| position=
| location=Lake of [[Sirannon]]
| affiliation=
| language=
| birth=
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| death=
| deathlocation=
| age=
| notablefor=killing [[Óin]]; attacking the [[Fellowship]] at the western entrance of [[Moria]]
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| race=Unknown
| gender=
| height=
| hair=
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| clothing=
| weapons=Tentacles
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}}
'''The Watcher in the Water''' was a mysterious and horrific beast that lurked in a lake caused by the damming of the [[Sirannon]] river, beneath the western walls of [[Moria]].  The full shape of the creature is unknown; its visible parts were its tentacles, which were long, sinuous, pale-green, and luminous, with a fingered end.<ref name=Dark>{{FR|II4}}</ref> There is very little known about the creature. Even [[Gandalf]] did not know what the Watcher was, or whether there were many of its kind.


In Tolkien's ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', the Watcher attacks the Fellowship as they were attempting to open the [[Doors of Durin]] and enter Moria. There is very little known about the creature. Even [[Gandalf]] did not know what the Watcher was, or whether there were many of its kind. It grasped Frodo with a long tentacle, possibly with a fingered end, which was pale green and luminous. Many other tentacles emerged from the water after the one which grasped Frodo was driven away, but it is not totally clear whether these were all part of the same multi-armed beast, or a number of monsters acting together. In any case, the creature or creatures possessed great strength; after the escape of the Fellowship into Moria, the arms hurled the enormous stone doors shut and uprooted the trees which grew to either side, barring the doors. Gandalf noted that it siezed Frodo (as the [[Ringbearer]]) first, and therefor probably was connected to Sauron in some way, or had a sense of its own detecting the [[One Ring]].  Later, when the Fellowship finds the journal documenting the doom of [[Balin]]'s expedition to reclaim Moria, it relates: "... run the pool is up to the wall at Westgate. ''The Watcher in the Water'' took Óin. We cannot get out." This is to the best of our knowledge the only name Tolkien ever gave to the creature.
==History==
In {{TA|2989}} an expedition led by [[Balin]] attempted to reclaim Moria. Their activity attracted the attention of Orcs, who began to attack the Dwarves. In {{TA|2994|n}}<ref>{{App|TA}}</ref> the Dwarves tried to escape from the mines but were stopped by the Watcher, who killed [[Óin]].  When the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] found the [[Book of Mazarbul]] they read that "...the pool is up to the wall at [[Doors of Durin|Westgate]]. ''The Watcher in the Water'' took [[Óin]]. We cannot get out."<ref name=Dark/>


In [[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring]], the whole head of the beast is shown.  See [[Peter Jackson's Watcher in the Water]].
On [[13 January]] {{TA|3019}}<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> the Watcher attacked the Fellowship just as they had opened the Doors of Durin to enter Moria. It grasped [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] by the foot and attempted to drag him into the water.  [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] slashed the arm holding Frodo, causing it to release him.  The party retreated through the doorway, followed by several tentacles.  The creature possessed great strength; after the escape of the Fellowship into Moria, the arms hurled the enormous stone doors shut and uprooted the trees which grew to either side, barring the doors.  Silently Gandalf noted that it seized Frodo (as the [[Ring-bearers|Ring-bearer]]) first.<ref name=Dark/>


In the book ''A Tolkien Bestiary'', the Watcher is identified as being a [[Kraken]], it is implied that there are some differences between the kraken of Norse legend and the Kraken of Tolkien's mythos.
==  Portrayal in Adaptations ==
'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:The Watcher is a green, multi-tentacled monster. Only the tentacles can be seen.
 
[[File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Watcher in the Water.jpg|The Watcher in the Water in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''|right|thumb|150px]]
'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:The Watcher in the Water was made to be slightly different than that in the [[The Fellowship of the Ring|book]]. In the book only green slightly luminous tentacles appear. In this film not only the tentacles but a massive head is visible. The tentacles of the Watcher in the Water have a sort of thumb and flat hand.  In addition, there is a big sack on the back of the head that fills with air, making it look twice as big.  In full form it resembles an octopus with a humanoid face. It has massive teeth in a small mouth, and great eyes set across from each other.
 
'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:Several thick tentacles shoot out of the pool, and the player, in the persona of Aragorn, needs to shoot them with a bow.
 
'''2008: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The Watcher in the Water is a 12-man raid boss.
 
==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of the Watcher in the Water|Images of the Watcher in the Water]]
 
{{references}}
[[Category:Evil]]
[[Category:Other races]]
[[de:Wächter im Wasser]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/guetteur_de_l_eau]]

Revision as of 15:00, 5 June 2015

The Watcher in the Water
Unknown
John Howe - Watcher in the Water.jpg
Biographical Information
LocationLake of Sirannon
Notable forkilling Óin; attacking the Fellowship at the western entrance of Moria
Physical Description
RaceUnknown
WeaponryTentacles

The Watcher in the Water was a mysterious and horrific beast that lurked in a lake caused by the damming of the Sirannon river, beneath the western walls of Moria. The full shape of the creature is unknown; its visible parts were its tentacles, which were long, sinuous, pale-green, and luminous, with a fingered end.[1] There is very little known about the creature. Even Gandalf did not know what the Watcher was, or whether there were many of its kind.

History

In T.A. 2989 an expedition led by Balin attempted to reclaim Moria. Their activity attracted the attention of Orcs, who began to attack the Dwarves. In 2994[2] the Dwarves tried to escape from the mines but were stopped by the Watcher, who killed Óin. When the Fellowship of the Ring found the Book of Mazarbul they read that "...the pool is up to the wall at Westgate. The Watcher in the Water took Óin. We cannot get out."[1]

On 13 January T.A. 3019[3] the Watcher attacked the Fellowship just as they had opened the Doors of Durin to enter Moria. It grasped Frodo by the foot and attempted to drag him into the water. Sam slashed the arm holding Frodo, causing it to release him. The party retreated through the doorway, followed by several tentacles. The creature possessed great strength; after the escape of the Fellowship into Moria, the arms hurled the enormous stone doors shut and uprooted the trees which grew to either side, barring the doors. Silently Gandalf noted that it seized Frodo (as the Ring-bearer) first.[1]

Portrayal in Adaptations

1978: The Lord of the Rings (1978 film):

The Watcher is a green, multi-tentacled monster. Only the tentacles can be seen.
The Watcher in the Water in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

2001: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring:

The Watcher in the Water was made to be slightly different than that in the book. In the book only green slightly luminous tentacles appear. In this film not only the tentacles but a massive head is visible. The tentacles of the Watcher in the Water have a sort of thumb and flat hand. In addition, there is a big sack on the back of the head that fills with air, making it look twice as big. In full form it resembles an octopus with a humanoid face. It has massive teeth in a small mouth, and great eyes set across from each other.

2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game):

Several thick tentacles shoot out of the pool, and the player, in the persona of Aragorn, needs to shoot them with a bow.

2008: The Lord of the Rings Online:

The Watcher in the Water is a 12-man raid boss.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Journey in the Dark"
  2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
  3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Great Years"
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