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Fell beasts

2012-11-15T16:01:43Z

167.206.204.93: /* History */

{{race
| image=[[File:John Howe - Nazgul 01.jpg|250px]]
| name=Fell beasts
| dominions=
| languages=
| height=Unknown
| length=Unknown
| skincolor=Unknown
| haircolor=
| feathers=
| distinctions=Wings
| lifespan=Unknown
| members=
}}
'''Fell beasts''',<ref name=V6>{{RK|V6}}</ref> '''hell-hawks''',<ref>{{RK|V4}}</ref> and '''Nazgûl-birds''',<ref>{{L|100}}</ref> were names used to describe the flying creatures on which the [[Nazgûl]] rode after being unhorsed at the [[Ford of Bruinen]].
==History==

The fell beasts were winged creatures with beak and claws, similar to birds but much larger than any other flying beast. The creature possessed a naked body without feathers, a long neck, and a vast hide between its horned fingers. Furthermore, the body of the creature gave off a stench.<ref name=V6/>

{{Blockquote|[...] it was a winged creature: if bird, then greater than all other birds, and it was naked, and neither quill nor feather did it bear, and its vast pinions were as webs of hide between horned fingers; and it stank. A creature of an older world maybe it was [...]|[[J.R.R. Tolkien]]<ref name="RK6">{{RK|6}}</ref>}}

While the exact origin of the race is unknown, the nine that the Nazgûl rode on were likely corrupted by Sauron to be Nazgul steeds, as well as provide an areal defense in Mordor.

It is possible that the Fell Beasts, like the Great Eagles, naturally live in Valinor because Orome was said to hunt wild fell beasts in his woods (this had nothing to do with the wars waged with the dark powers as it was merely a survivalist predator-prey thing).

It is never stated that ''all'' the Nazgûl rode these flying creatures, but some{{who}} infer that they did so.

On the River [[Anduin]] near [[Sarn Gebir]], [[Legolas]] shot one down in the night as it approached the [[Fellowship of the Ring]].<ref>{{FR|II9}}</ref>

During the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]], the Lord of the Nazgûl, rode his fell beast in battle against King [[Théoden]] of [[Rohan]]. The Lord of the Nazgûl, riding the evil beast, shot a dart which killed [[Snowmane]], Théoden's horse (which fell on Théoden, crushing him). Dernhelm (who revealed herself as [[Éowyn]]) defended the dying Théoden, and challenged and killed the beast.<ref name=V6/>

==Inspiration==

Asked about the nature of the "steed of the Witch-king", [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] replied that the fell beast was not intended to be ''[[Wikipedia:pterosaur|pterodactylic]]'', but hesitantly acknowledges that it resembles a ''pterosaur'' and may have been a survivor of older geological eras.<ref>{{L|211}}</ref>

==Etymology==

As in the expression "fell things" occurring earlier in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'',<ref>{{FR|I3}}</ref> the word ''[[Wiktionary:fell#Etymology_4|fell]]'' in this sense is an archaic English word meaning "dreadful, terrible".<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 110</ref>

It may also be noted that the expression "fell beasts" is not used solely for the winged steeds of the Nazgûl: it was also used as a descriptor for various evil creatures of Mirkwood.<ref>{{FR|II10}}</ref>

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==

<center><gallery perrow=4>
File:File-Witchking and Fell beast (1980).png|<center>[[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980)]]
File:Liz Danforth - Fell beast.png|<center>"Fell beast" in ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]''
File:Angus McBride - Wild Fell Beast.jpg|<center>"Wild Fell Beast" in ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]''
File:Fell Beast descends.jpg|<center>Fell beast descending in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]]''
File:SBG - Fell beast.jpeg|<center>''[[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]''
File:Mark Evans - Hell-hawk.png|<center>"Hell-hawk" in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game]]''
File:LOTR-WITN-Fell Beast-1.png|<center>"Fell beast" in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''
</gallery></center>

'''1978: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:One of the Nazgûl (possibly the Witch-king, for he carries a mace), is shown riding a fell beast. However, Bakshi's film only covers events up to the [[Battle of the Hornburg]], so that is the last we see of the fell beasts and their riders.

'''1980: ''[[The Return of the King (1980 film)|The Return of the King]]'':'''
:The Nazgûl ride winged horses. In the confrontation of Éowyn and the Witch-king, the latter rode a plump black-grey dragon-like animal.

'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
: The Fell Beasts are said to likely be "distant relatives of ancient [[Cold-drakes]]", and "grow to lengths of 30 feet (with 30-35-foot wingspans)". In the middle Third Age they live in mountainous areas of [[Mirkwood]], presumably because of the [[Necromancer]]'s presence at [[Dol Guldur]]. They are used as steeds by both the Nazgûl and a few [[Olog-hai]] warlords.<ref>{{ICE|2019}}</ref><ref group="note">In the supplement, ''[[Creatures of Middle-earth (2nd edition)|Creatures of Middle-earth]]'', the Fell beasts are said to be "presumably bred from Winged-drakes" and to have a body between 15-25 feet and a wingspan between 30-40 feet.</ref>

'''1995-8: ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]'':'''
:'Fell Beast' increases the number of strikes of one Nazgûl hazard-creature. 'Wild Fell Beast' is a Drake which attacks with three strikes. With the card 'Fell Rider' the Ringwraith may move to a non-Darkhaven site (without allies and followers).

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]]'':'''
:The fell beasts are depicted as more [[Dragons|Dragon]]-like and serpentine creatures, i.e. their heads appear more like a snake's and they do not have beaks. This depiction came largely from [[John Howe]]'s influence.

:In the films, the fell beasts are used for attack much more often than in the books, with the Nazgûl usually swooping down and screeching, making the defenders at the gate of Minas Tirith run away, leaving [[Gandalf]] alone to face the Witch-king as he enters.

:Although on screen the films never make this mistake, sometimes cast or crew members ([[Lawrence Makoare]] and [[Richard Taylor]] most notably) on the commentary tracks and the documentaries refer to the fell beast as a Nazgûl; this is incorrect. The fell beast is the creature that the nine Nazgûl ride, and the mistake probably arose because fell beasts are always seen with a Nazgûl atop them.

'''2001-: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]'':'''
:The Fell Beasts are portrayed without beaks, reminiscent of the depiction in ''The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy''.<ref>[http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?prodId=prod480006a&_requestid=1321389 Winged Nazgûl] at [http://www.games-workshop.com/ Games-workshop.com] (accessed 10 June 2011)</ref>

'''2002-5: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game]]'':'''
:Hell-hawks, employed as mounts by the Ringwraiths and found wild in southern Mirkwood and (after the War of the Ring) in Gondor, resemble a "cross between lizards and featherless birds". They were bred by Sauron in mockery of the [[Eagles|Great Eagles]].<ref>{{D|Fell}}, pp. 30-31</ref>

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Agandaûr has several Fell beasts under his control. At the end of Chapter 1, Agandaûr flees on the back of one of them.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], Chapter 1: Fornost, ''Citadel Tower''</ref>

==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of Fell beasts|Images of Fell beasts]]
{{references|note}}
[[Category:Other races]]
[[de:Reittiere der Nazgûl#Flugwesen]]
[[fi:Sormusaaveiden siivekkäät ratsut]]

Crows

2012-11-14T16:33:51Z

167.206.204.93: /* History */

[[File:Pamela Shanteau - Crows.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''Regiment of Black Crows'' by Pamela Shanteau]]
'''Crows''' are black omnivorous birds sometimes associated with battles due to their taste for carrion.

==History==
The crows encountered by [[Bilbo Baggins]] and the [[Thorin and Company|Dwarves]] during the quest to [[Erebor]] in {{TA|2941}}<ref>{{App|TA}}</ref> were mostly harmless. Some crows (who were referred to as ravens) even helped free peoples at times despite being creatures of darkness. For instance, a horde of crows that lived near Erebor, helped bring information to the Men and Dwarves after the Smaug was slain. Some crows have brought grim news of death. During the scouting expedition to the [[Front Gate]] of the Lonely Mountain the crows were considered "ominous" and [[Balin]] distrusted them,<ref>{{H|Doorstep}}</ref> though later he called them merely "nasty suspicious-looking creatures at that, and rude as well".<ref>{{H|Gathering}}</ref>

The notorious variety were in the [[Westlands]] of [[Middle-earth]] and were known as ''[[crebain]]''. On [[8 January]] {{TA|3019|n}} the [[Fellowship of the Ring|Fellowship]] entered [[Hollin]]<ref name="Great">{{App|Great}}</ref> and were spied upon by these large crows from [[Fangorn]] and [[Dunland]].<ref>{{FR|II3}}</ref> The [[Rohirrim]] were aware that [[Saruman]] made use of ''crebain''; on [[30 February]]<ref name="Great"/> [[Éomer]] told [[Aragorn]] that Saruman's "birds of ill omen are abroad in the sky".<ref>{{TT|III2}}</ref>

==Etymology==
A [[Quenya]] word for "crow" is ''quáko'', derived from [[Primitive Quendian]] ''k(a)wāk''.<ref>{{WJ|AD}}, p. 395</ref> Another Quenya word for "crow" is ''korko'', and the [[Noldorin]] cognate of the same meaning is ''corch''.<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, p. 362 (root [[KORKA|KARKA-]])</ref> In [[Gnomish]], one of [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s very early conceptions of an [[Elvish|Elven]] language, the word for "crow" is ''crunc'' (pl. ''crunghin'').<ref>{{PE|11}}, p. 27</ref>

==Other Versions of the Legendarium==
In [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s plot notes for the second phase of writing ''[[The Hobbit]]'', there was no distinction between crows and ravens as ominous birds.<ref>{{HH|PNB}}, p. 362</ref> When the scouting party went to view the [[Front Gate]] [[Balin]] did not like the ravens nearby, stating that they looked "like spies of evil".<ref>{{HH|Lonely}}, p. 472</ref> However, when the Company needed to learn of the death of [[Smaug]] Tolkien "rehabilitated" the ravens, making them friendly to the Dwarves, and replaced all negative raven-references with crows.<ref>{{HH|Lonely}}, note 4, p. 479</ref>

==See also==
*[[Gorcrows]]
{{references}}
[[Category:Birds]]
[[de:Krähen]]

Crows

2012-11-14T16:08:54Z

167.206.204.93: /* History */

[[File:Pamela Shanteau - Crows.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''Regiment of Black Crows'' by Pamela Shanteau]]
'''Crows''' are black omnivorous birds sometimes associated with battles due to their taste for carrion.

==History==
The crows encountered by [[Bilbo Baggins]] and the [[Thorin and Company|Dwarves]] during the quest to [[Erebor]] in {{TA|2941}}<ref>{{App|TA}}</ref> were mostly harmless. During the scouting expedition to the [[Front Gate]] of the Lonely Mountain the crows were considered "ominous" and [[Balin]] distrusted them,<ref>{{H|Doorstep}}</ref> though later he called them merely "nasty suspicious-looking creatures at that, and rude as well".<ref>{{H|Gathering}}</ref>

The most feared variety in the [[Westlands]] of [[Middle-earth]] was the large type known as ''[[crebain]]''. On [[8 January]] {{TA|3019|n}} the [[Fellowship of the Ring|Fellowship]] entered [[Hollin]]<ref name="Great">{{App|Great}}</ref> and were spied upon by these large crows from [[Fangorn]] and [[Dunland]].<ref>{{FR|II3}}</ref> The [[Rohirrim]] were aware that [[Saruman]] made use of ''crebain''; on [[30 February]]<ref name="Great"/> [[Éomer]] told [[Aragorn]] that Saruman's "birds of ill omen are abroad in the sky".<ref>{{TT|III2}}</ref> Crows may actually just be another name for Ravens as they looked and acted exactly the same.

==Etymology==
A [[Quenya]] word for "crow" is ''quáko'', derived from [[Primitive Quendian]] ''k(a)wāk''.<ref>{{WJ|AD}}, p. 395</ref> Another Quenya word for "crow" is ''korko'', and the [[Noldorin]] cognate of the same meaning is ''corch''.<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, p. 362 (root [[KORKA|KARKA-]])</ref> In [[Gnomish]], one of [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s very early conceptions of an [[Elvish|Elven]] language, the word for "crow" is ''crunc'' (pl. ''crunghin'').<ref>{{PE|11}}, p. 27</ref>

==Other Versions of the Legendarium==
In [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s plot notes for the second phase of writing ''[[The Hobbit]]'', there was no distinction between crows and ravens as ominous birds.<ref>{{HH|PNB}}, p. 362</ref> When the scouting party went to view the [[Front Gate]] [[Balin]] did not like the ravens nearby, stating that they looked "like spies of evil".<ref>{{HH|Lonely}}, p. 472</ref> However, when the Company needed to learn of the death of [[Smaug]] Tolkien "rehabilitated" the ravens, making them friendly to the Dwarves, and replaced all negative raven-references with crows.<ref>{{HH|Lonely}}, note 4, p. 479</ref>

==See also==
*[[Gorcrows]]
{{references}}
[[Category:Birds]]
[[de:Krähen]]

Rings of Power

2012-11-09T14:36:36Z

167.206.204.93: /* The Final Disposition of the Rings of Power */

'''The Rings of Power''' were Rings created by the [[Elves]] of [[Eregion]], nineteen '''Great Rings''' (and many other lesser rings) with knowledge obtained from [[Sauron]], and several of them with Sauron aiding the creation. Sauron forged the twentieth Great Ring, called [[the One Ring]] or the Ruling Ring, secretly in the fires of [[Mount Doom]].

A verse that summarizes the Great Rings and their ownership is an important part of the lore of Middle-earth. It translates as follows:

<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie
One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them,
One ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.</poem>
== The Creation of the Rings of Power ==

[[Image:Angus McBride - Celebrimbor.gif|thumb|left|Celebrimbor forges the Rings of Power]]
Around {{SA|1200}}, Sauron started to corrupt the [[Elves]].<ref name="B">{{App|B1}}</ref> Sauron did not manage to approach [[Gil-galad]] and [[Elrond]] but he had better luck with the Elven-smiths of [[Eregion]] to whom he presented under the alias of [[Annatar]], an emissary from the Valar. The [[Gwaith-i-Mírdain]] of [[Eregion]] were mostly [[Noldor]] and wished to have the same joys in [[Middle-earth]] as the Elves who had returned to [[Valinor]]<ref name="Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref>

The Elves started to make the Rings with knowledge gained from Annatar. The Rings were of various kinds: the [[lesser rings]] were only essays in the craft before it was full-grown. In approximately {{SA|1500}} the Greater 16 were created.<ref name="B"/> When Annatar departed from Eregion, [[Celebrimbor]] went on to forge the [[Three Rings]] using the knowledge he had gained from him, but without his involvement, and finished them around {{SA|1590}}.

Sauron then created [[The One Ring]] around {{SA|1600|n}}, alone, in the heart of [[Mount Doom]]. Its purpose was to rule over all the other rings, and Sauron put a great part of his power into it. The Elves, upon creation of the One, heard Sauron speak the [[Ring Poem|spell]], and realized they had been betrayed.<ref>{{FR|Council}}</ref> They defied Sauron and then he attempted to claim the Rings to distribute them to other people; though the Elves fought valiantly in the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]], he took Nine Rings and other lesser works of them; but he could not find the rest. Then [[Celebrimbor]] was put to torment, and he revealed about the Seven of them.<ref>{{UT|Galadriel}}</ref>

Sauron then distributed them to Lords who trusted him, [[Men]] who became powerful sorcerers and Kings; and [[Dwarves]] who grew greedier and augmented their treasures.

==The Twenty Rings==
* The ''[[Three Rings]]'' of the Elves were forged by [[Celebrimbor]] alone, and were never touched by Sauron. However, their forging involved some of the arts taught by "Annatar" thus they too were bound to the One Ring to some extent. They were named [[Narya]] the Ring of Fire, [[Nenya]] the Ring of Water and [[Vilya]] the Ring of Air; they remained hidden from Sauron.
* Sauron gave some six Rings to the Dwarf-kings, although according to Dwarvish tradition the Elves already gave [[Ring of Thrór|another]] to [[Durin III]]. The Dwarves used their ''[[Seven Rings]]'' to establish their treasure hoards, but Sauron was unable to force the Dwarven bearers to submit. It is believed that the dwarves natural hardiness, and the fact that it was only the more powerful dwarf lords who possessed them, made them resistant to Sauron's control, yet allowed them to accumulate treasure. The [[Ring of Thráin II|final ring]] to leave the possession of the dwarves occurred when [[Thráin II]] was captured.
* The rest ''[[Nine Rings]]'' were divided amongst those evil-hearted men who saw their abilities increase, and became sorcerers and Kings among Men. They gained longevity but then faded away to become the Nazgûl, the [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]], dominated under Sauron's will.
* The ''[[The One Ring|One Ring]]'', secretly forged by Sauron in the heart of [[Mount Doom]], had the power to dominate the sixteen rings owned by Dwarves and Men. His domain over the other rings was incomplete, but he placed a large amount of his own power into it at its forging; a necessity that later led to his downfall at [[Frodo Baggins]]' hands.

Nothing is known of the fate of the [[lesser rings]], made as essays to the craft, but, according to [[Gandalf]], still dangerous for mortals that might have found them.<ref>{{FR|Shadow}}</ref>

== The Power Of The Rings ==
The Rings of Power all had certain abilities, shared amongst them; the only different ones were the three. The chief power of all the rings was the prevention or slowing of decay, the preservation of what is desired or loved. [[Men]] (including [[Hobbits]]) would see their lifespan increase.

They also enhanced the natural powers of the wearer thus approaching ‘[[magic]]’ (a motive easily corrupted into evil) and increased lust for domination. They also shifted the wearer to the [[Unseen]], rendering the material body invisible and making to the wearer able to see the Unseen.<ref>{{L|131}}</ref> Eventually the wearer would ''fade'' and eventually turn into a [[Wraiths|wraith]] under Sauron's domination.<ref>{{FR|Shadow}}</ref>

The [[Dwarves]] however were immune to most of those effects, other than they increased their lust for gold which provided occasion for quarrels among themselves. They used their rings to increase their treasure troves; the treasure hoards of these dwarves sometimes drew dragons to them as dragons too, had a greed for treasure. Among those dragons, were Smaug and Scatha.

The Three did not do as the other rings. They did not make one invisible (though they themselves could be made so<ref>{{FR|Mirror}}</ref>), and their benefits were largely secondary to the main effect the Elves achieved - that of stasis. A wearer of one of the Rings of Three gained the power to heal and preserve, in many different ways, whatever they controlled. Galadriel's and Elrond's Rings allowed them to fend off Sauron and protect and preserve [[Lothlórien|Lothlorien]] and [[Rivendell]]. [[Narya]] also had the power to inspire hope and courage<ref>{{App|B2}}, [[Cirdan]]'s words to [[Gandalf]]</ref> in those around the bearer.

=== The One ===
* '''Control''' - Control, over the other rings and in a limited sense the bearers was gained by whomever controlled the power caged inside the One Ring.
* '''Power''' - In its forging, to give it the ability of control, it was necessary for Sauron to allow a fatal amount of his power into the One Ring. Any bearer could use this power, though it would take time, determination, skill, and knowledge to do so.
*'''Invisibility''' - As the other Rings, it shifted the wearer to the [[Wraith-world]], rendering him invisible.
*'''Translation''' - An ability to understand other creatures.
*'''Corruption''' - The Ring also had the power to corrupt the heart and mind, making its wearer obsessed with it.

== The Final Disposition of the Rings of Power ==
[[Dragons]] destroyed four of the Seven Rings, probably during the conflicts between Dragons and Dwarves, and after Sauron's return he recaptured the remaining three (the last from Thráin II). At the end of the [[War of the Ring]], they were presumably buried in the ruins of [[Barad-dûr]].

The Nine corrupted Kings of Men who became the Nazgul, who he took back from during the Battle for Middle Earth. These, too, probably lie in the ruins of Barad-dûr.

The Three were hidden from him by the Elves the whole time and after the War of the Ring, Elrond, Celeborn, and Gandalf (who had held the ring for Cirdan) left Middle Earth with them.

Along with Sauron, the One was destroyed in the [[Crack of Doom]]. With both gone, the remainder of the Seven rings of Dwarves, the Nine rings of Men, and the Three rings of Elves were free from Sauron's influence.

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In one draft it is said that the [[Rings of Power]] transformed their bearers into [[wraiths]], thus creating ''elf-'', ''goblin-'', ''men-'', or ''dwarf-wraiths''.<ref>{{RS|Gollum}}, p. 78</ref>

==Inspiration==
The Rings were the background story as fleshed out by Tolkien, out of the Ring that appeared in ''[[The Hobbit]]''. The lore of the Rings (especially the One) are often compared to the "Ring of the Nibelungs" although Tolkien denounced any direct inspiration.<ref>{{L|229}}, “Both rings were round, and there the resemblance ceases.”</ref>
==Portrayal in adaptations==
;[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|Ralph Bakshi's ''The Lord of the Rings'']] ([[1978]])
:In the introduction of the movie, the Rings are portrayed as a purely Elven conception and creation, which the Elves generously gave to the Dwarves and Men. It was when Sauron 'learned of the Ring-making' when he forged the One Ring.
:It contrasts the canonical account according to which the Rings were always a part of Sauron's plan. Sauron distributed them to the Dwarves and Men, after the Elves turned against him.
{{references}}

==External links==
*[http://oakroadsystems.com/genl/ringfaq.htm FAQ of the Rings]

{{rings}}

[[Category:Rings and Jewels]]
[[de:Ringe der Macht]]
[[fr:encyclo/artefacts/bijoux/anneaux/anneaux_de_pouvoir]]
[[fi:Mahtisormukset]]

Rings of Power

2012-11-09T14:28:36Z

167.206.204.93: /* The Power Of The Rings */

'''The Rings of Power''' were Rings created by the [[Elves]] of [[Eregion]], nineteen '''Great Rings''' (and many other lesser rings) with knowledge obtained from [[Sauron]], and several of them with Sauron aiding the creation. Sauron forged the twentieth Great Ring, called [[the One Ring]] or the Ruling Ring, secretly in the fires of [[Mount Doom]].

A verse that summarizes the Great Rings and their ownership is an important part of the lore of Middle-earth. It translates as follows:

<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie
One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them,
One ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.</poem>
== The Creation of the Rings of Power ==

[[Image:Angus McBride - Celebrimbor.gif|thumb|left|Celebrimbor forges the Rings of Power]]
Around {{SA|1200}}, Sauron started to corrupt the [[Elves]].<ref name="B">{{App|B1}}</ref> Sauron did not manage to approach [[Gil-galad]] and [[Elrond]] but he had better luck with the Elven-smiths of [[Eregion]] to whom he presented under the alias of [[Annatar]], an emissary from the Valar. The [[Gwaith-i-Mírdain]] of [[Eregion]] were mostly [[Noldor]] and wished to have the same joys in [[Middle-earth]] as the Elves who had returned to [[Valinor]]<ref name="Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref>

The Elves started to make the Rings with knowledge gained from Annatar. The Rings were of various kinds: the [[lesser rings]] were only essays in the craft before it was full-grown. In approximately {{SA|1500}} the Greater 16 were created.<ref name="B"/> When Annatar departed from Eregion, [[Celebrimbor]] went on to forge the [[Three Rings]] using the knowledge he had gained from him, but without his involvement, and finished them around {{SA|1590}}.

Sauron then created [[The One Ring]] around {{SA|1600|n}}, alone, in the heart of [[Mount Doom]]. Its purpose was to rule over all the other rings, and Sauron put a great part of his power into it. The Elves, upon creation of the One, heard Sauron speak the [[Ring Poem|spell]], and realized they had been betrayed.<ref>{{FR|Council}}</ref> They defied Sauron and then he attempted to claim the Rings to distribute them to other people; though the Elves fought valiantly in the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]], he took Nine Rings and other lesser works of them; but he could not find the rest. Then [[Celebrimbor]] was put to torment, and he revealed about the Seven of them.<ref>{{UT|Galadriel}}</ref>

Sauron then distributed them to Lords who trusted him, [[Men]] who became powerful sorcerers and Kings; and [[Dwarves]] who grew greedier and augmented their treasures.

==The Twenty Rings==
* The ''[[Three Rings]]'' of the Elves were forged by [[Celebrimbor]] alone, and were never touched by Sauron. However, their forging involved some of the arts taught by "Annatar" thus they too were bound to the One Ring to some extent. They were named [[Narya]] the Ring of Fire, [[Nenya]] the Ring of Water and [[Vilya]] the Ring of Air; they remained hidden from Sauron.
* Sauron gave some six Rings to the Dwarf-kings, although according to Dwarvish tradition the Elves already gave [[Ring of Thrór|another]] to [[Durin III]]. The Dwarves used their ''[[Seven Rings]]'' to establish their treasure hoards, but Sauron was unable to force the Dwarven bearers to submit. It is believed that the dwarves natural hardiness, and the fact that it was only the more powerful dwarf lords who possessed them, made them resistant to Sauron's control, yet allowed them to accumulate treasure. The [[Ring of Thráin II|final ring]] to leave the possession of the dwarves occurred when [[Thráin II]] was captured.
* The rest ''[[Nine Rings]]'' were divided amongst those evil-hearted men who saw their abilities increase, and became sorcerers and Kings among Men. They gained longevity but then faded away to become the Nazgûl, the [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]], dominated under Sauron's will.
* The ''[[The One Ring|One Ring]]'', secretly forged by Sauron in the heart of [[Mount Doom]], had the power to dominate the sixteen rings owned by Dwarves and Men. His domain over the other rings was incomplete, but he placed a large amount of his own power into it at its forging; a necessity that later led to his downfall at [[Frodo Baggins]]' hands.

Nothing is known of the fate of the [[lesser rings]], made as essays to the craft, but, according to [[Gandalf]], still dangerous for mortals that might have found them.<ref>{{FR|Shadow}}</ref>

== The Power Of The Rings ==
The Rings of Power all had certain abilities, shared amongst them; the only different ones were the three. The chief power of all the rings was the prevention or slowing of decay, the preservation of what is desired or loved. [[Men]] (including [[Hobbits]]) would see their lifespan increase.

They also enhanced the natural powers of the wearer thus approaching ‘[[magic]]’ (a motive easily corrupted into evil) and increased lust for domination. They also shifted the wearer to the [[Unseen]], rendering the material body invisible and making to the wearer able to see the Unseen.<ref>{{L|131}}</ref> Eventually the wearer would ''fade'' and eventually turn into a [[Wraiths|wraith]] under Sauron's domination.<ref>{{FR|Shadow}}</ref>

The [[Dwarves]] however were immune to most of those effects, other than they increased their lust for gold which provided occasion for quarrels among themselves. They used their rings to increase their treasure troves; the treasure hoards of these dwarves sometimes drew dragons to them as dragons too, had a greed for treasure. Among those dragons, were Smaug and Scatha.

The Three did not do as the other rings. They did not make one invisible (though they themselves could be made so<ref>{{FR|Mirror}}</ref>), and their benefits were largely secondary to the main effect the Elves achieved - that of stasis. A wearer of one of the Rings of Three gained the power to heal and preserve, in many different ways, whatever they controlled. Galadriel's and Elrond's Rings allowed them to fend off Sauron and protect and preserve [[Lothlórien|Lothlorien]] and [[Rivendell]]. [[Narya]] also had the power to inspire hope and courage<ref>{{App|B2}}, [[Cirdan]]'s words to [[Gandalf]]</ref> in those around the bearer.

=== The One ===
* '''Control''' - Control, over the other rings and in a limited sense the bearers was gained by whomever controlled the power caged inside the One Ring.
* '''Power''' - In its forging, to give it the ability of control, it was necessary for Sauron to allow a fatal amount of his power into the One Ring. Any bearer could use this power, though it would take time, determination, skill, and knowledge to do so.
*'''Invisibility''' - As the other Rings, it shifted the wearer to the [[Wraith-world]], rendering him invisible.
*'''Translation''' - An ability to understand other creatures.
*'''Corruption''' - The Ring also had the power to corrupt the heart and mind, making its wearer obsessed with it.

== The Final Disposition of the Rings of Power ==
[[Dragons]] destroyed four of the Seven Rings, and after Sauron's return he recaptured the remaining three (the last from Thráin II). At the end of the [[War of the Ring]], they were presumably buried in the ruins of [[Barad-dûr]].

The Nine he took back from his [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]], and they were still in his possession at the time of his fall. These, too, probably lie in the ruins of Barad-dûr.

The Three were hidden from him, and their bearers eventually took them to [[Aman]].

The One was destroyed in the [[Crack of Doom]]. With its destruction, the remainder of the Seven, the Nine, and the Three Elven rings were freed from the One's control.

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In one draft it is said that the [[Rings of Power]] transformed their bearers into [[wraiths]], thus creating ''elf-'', ''goblin-'', ''men-'', or ''dwarf-wraiths''.<ref>{{RS|Gollum}}, p. 78</ref>

==Inspiration==
The Rings were the background story as fleshed out by Tolkien, out of the Ring that appeared in ''[[The Hobbit]]''. The lore of the Rings (especially the One) are often compared to the "Ring of the Nibelungs" although Tolkien denounced any direct inspiration.<ref>{{L|229}}, “Both rings were round, and there the resemblance ceases.”</ref>
==Portrayal in adaptations==
;[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|Ralph Bakshi's ''The Lord of the Rings'']] ([[1978]])
:In the introduction of the movie, the Rings are portrayed as a purely Elven conception and creation, which the Elves generously gave to the Dwarves and Men. It was when Sauron 'learned of the Ring-making' when he forged the One Ring.
:It contrasts the canonical account according to which the Rings were always a part of Sauron's plan. Sauron distributed them to the Dwarves and Men, after the Elves turned against him.
{{references}}

==External links==
*[http://oakroadsystems.com/genl/ringfaq.htm FAQ of the Rings]

{{rings}}

[[Category:Rings and Jewels]]
[[de:Ringe der Macht]]
[[fr:encyclo/artefacts/bijoux/anneaux/anneaux_de_pouvoir]]
[[fi:Mahtisormukset]]

Fell beasts

2012-11-07T13:32:58Z

167.206.204.93: /* History */

{{race
| image=[[File:John Howe - Nazgul 01.jpg|250px]]
| name=Fell beasts
| dominions=
| languages=
| height=Unknown
| length=Unknown
| skincolor=Unknown
| haircolor=
| feathers=
| distinctions=Wings
| lifespan=Unknown
| members=
}}
'''Fell beasts''',<ref name=V6>{{RK|V6}}</ref> '''hell-hawks''',<ref>{{RK|V4}}</ref> and '''Nazgûl-birds''',<ref>{{L|100}}</ref> were names used to describe the flying creatures on which the [[Nazgûl]] rode after being unhorsed at the [[Ford of Bruinen]].
==History==

The fell beasts were winged creatures with beak and claws, similar to birds but much larger than any other flying beast. The creature possessed a naked body without feathers, a long neck, and a vast hide between its horned fingers. Furthermore, the body of the creature gave off a stench. Tolkien may have based them off of Pterosaurs/Pterodactyls as they were said to be creatures of an older time and did have beaks, lacked feathers, and used their skinned wings as appendages (these are all key features of a pterosaur).

{{Blockquote|[...] it was a winged creature: if bird, then greater than all other birds, and it was naked, and neither quill nor feather did it bear, and its vast pinions were as webs of hide between horned fingers; and it stank. A creature of an older world maybe it was [...]|[[J.R.R. Tolkien]]<ref name="RK6">{{RK|6}}</ref>}}

As a race, their origin isn't known. What is known however is that in the First Age they were just normal animals hunted by Orome the Vala. Until Sauron bred nine of them for the Nazgul to ride on, they've been a purely neutral race of creatures.

It is never stated that ''all'' the Nazgûl rode these flying creatures, but some{{who}} infer that they did so.

On the River [[Anduin]] near [[Sarn Gebir]], [[Legolas]] shot one down in the night as it approached the [[Fellowship of the Ring]].<ref>{{FR|II9}}</ref>

During the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]], the Lord of the Nazgûl, rode his fell beast in battle against King [[Théoden]] of [[Rohan]]. The Lord of the Nazgûl, riding the evil beast, shot a dart which killed [[Snowmane]], Théoden's horse (which fell on Théoden, crushing him). Dernhelm (who revealed herself as [[Éowyn]]) defended the dying Théoden, and challenged and killed the beast.<ref name=V6/>

==Inspiration==

Asked about the nature of the "steed of the Witch-king", [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] replied that the fell beast was not intended to be ''[[Wikipedia:pterosaur|pterodactylic]]'', but hesitantly acknowledges that it resembles a ''pterosaur'' and may have been a survivor of older geological eras.<ref>{{L|211}}</ref>

==Etymology==

As in the expression "fell things" occurring earlier in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'',<ref>{{FR|I3}}</ref> the word ''[[Wiktionary:fell#Etymology_4|fell]]'' in this sense is an archaic English word meaning "dreadful, terrible".<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 110</ref>

It may also be noted that the expression "fell beasts" is not used solely for the winged steeds of the Nazgûl: it was also used as a descriptor for various evil creatures of Mirkwood.<ref>{{FR|II10}}</ref>

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==

<center><gallery perrow=4>
File:File-Witchking and Fell beast (1980).png|<center>[[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980)]]
File:Liz Danforth - Fell beast.png|<center>"Fell beast" in ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]''
File:Angus McBride - Wild Fell Beast.jpg|<center>"Wild Fell Beast" in ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]''
File:Fell Beast descends.jpg|<center>Fell beast descending in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]]''
File:SBG - Fell beast.jpeg|<center>''[[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]''
File:Mark Evans - Hell-hawk.png|<center>"Hell-hawk" in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game]]''
File:LOTR-WITN-Fell Beast-1.png|<center>"Fell beast" in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''
</gallery></center>

'''1978: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:One of the Nazgûl (possibly the Witch-king, for he carries a mace), is shown riding a fell beast. However, Bakshi's film only covers events up to the [[Battle of the Hornburg]], so that is the last we see of the fell beasts and their riders.

'''1980: ''[[The Return of the King (1980 film)|The Return of the King]]'':'''
:The Nazgûl ride winged horses. In the confrontation of Éowyn and the Witch-king, the latter rode a plump black-grey dragon-like animal.

'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
: The Fell Beasts are said to likely be "distant relatives of ancient [[Cold-drakes]]", and "grow to lengths of 30 feet (with 30-35-foot wingspans)". In the middle Third Age they live in mountainous areas of [[Mirkwood]], presumably because of the [[Necromancer]]'s presence at [[Dol Guldur]]. They are used as steeds by both the Nazgûl and a few [[Olog-hai]] warlords.<ref>{{ICE|2019}}</ref><ref group="note">In the supplement, ''[[Creatures of Middle-earth (2nd edition)|Creatures of Middle-earth]]'', the Fell beasts are said to be "presumably bred from Winged-drakes" and to have a body between 15-25 feet and a wingspan between 30-40 feet.</ref>

'''1995-8: ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]'':'''
:'Fell Beast' increases the number of strikes of one Nazgûl hazard-creature. 'Wild Fell Beast' is a Drake which attacks with three strikes. With the card 'Fell Rider' the Ringwraith may move to a non-Darkhaven site (without allies and followers).

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]]'':'''
:The fell beasts are depicted as more [[Dragons|Dragon]]-like and serpentine creatures, i.e. their heads appear more like a snake's and they do not have beaks. This depiction came largely from [[John Howe]]'s influence.

:In the films, the fell beasts are used for attack much more often than in the books, with the Nazgûl usually swooping down and screeching, making the defenders at the gate of Minas Tirith run away, leaving [[Gandalf]] alone to face the Witch-king as he enters.

:Although on screen the films never make this mistake, sometimes cast or crew members ([[Lawrence Makoare]] and [[Richard Taylor]] most notably) on the commentary tracks and the documentaries refer to the fell beast as a Nazgûl; this is incorrect. The fell beast is the creature that the nine Nazgûl ride, and the mistake probably arose because fell beasts are always seen with a Nazgûl atop them.

'''2001-: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]'':'''
:The Fell Beasts are portrayed without beaks, reminiscent of the depiction in ''The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy''.<ref>[http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?prodId=prod480006a&_requestid=1321389 Winged Nazgûl] at [http://www.games-workshop.com/ Games-workshop.com] (accessed 10 June 2011)</ref>

'''2002-5: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game]]'':'''
:Hell-hawks, employed as mounts by the Ringwraiths and found wild in southern Mirkwood and (after the War of the Ring) in Gondor, resemble a "cross between lizards and featherless birds". They were bred by Sauron in mockery of the [[Eagles|Great Eagles]].<ref>{{D|Fell}}, pp. 30-31</ref>

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Agandaûr has several Fell beasts under his control. At the end of Chapter 1, Agandaûr flees on the back of one of them.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], Chapter 1: Fornost, ''Citadel Tower''</ref>

==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of Fell beasts|Images of Fell beasts]]
{{references|note}}
[[Category:Other races]]
[[de:Reittiere der Nazgûl#Flugwesen]]
[[fi:Sormusaaveiden siivekkäät ratsut]]

Olog-hai

2012-10-25T13:25:09Z

167.206.204.93: /* History */

[[File:Ben Wootten - Olog Hai.jpg|thumb|200px|''Olog-hai'' by Ben Wootten]]
The '''Olog-hai''' were a fierce race of [[Trolls]] that appeared at the end of the [[Third Age]] in southern [[Mirkwood]] and in the mountainous borders of [[Mordor]].<ref name=Other>{{App|Other}}</ref>

==History==
The Olog-hai are unique because they served the dark powers and the Trolls have never been involved in those conflicts before. They had also had none of the old Troll vulnerabilities: they were very intelligent, behaved like warriors, and were able to endure the [[Sun]]. For this reason they were considered giant [[Orcs]] (though surpassing even the [[Uruk-hai]] in size and power), but they were definitely of Troll stock.<ref name=Other/>

They only spoke [[Sauron]]'s [[Black Speech]], and it is possible they only existed because Sauron's evil will empowered them.<ref name=Other/> After the [[War of the Ring]], all Olog-hai were killed.{{fact}}

Their origin isn't known (although it probably happened fairly recently) but it is likely that Sauron took in a horde of Trolls living in the hills or the Misty Mountains (or both) and cast a black spell on them that made them impervious to the sun, and more intelligent in terms of war, but also mesmerized them to serve in his army.

==Appearance==
Olog-hai are described as being taller than a man, and covered in horny scales, carrying hammers and bucklers in their claws, though there is no way of knowing whether this description applies to all of the Olog-hai, or just to those in the battle.{{fact}}

==Etymology==

''Olog-hai'' is a term out of the [[Black Speech]]. ''Olog'' means "troll" and ''[[hai]]'' (as in ''[[Uruk-hai]]'') means "folk".<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 136</ref>

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
[[File:Angus McBride - Black Trolls.jpg|thumb|''Black Trolls'' by [[Angus McBride]]]]
'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
: Olog-hai, also called ''Black Trolls'', were bred by Sauron from lesser Troll stock. They are nine to eleven feet in height, and have black, scaly hides.<ref>{{ICE|8004}}</ref><ref>{{ICE|2000}}</ref><ref>{{ICE|2012}}</ref> Individual Olog-hai include Rogrog<ref>{{ICE|2018}}</ref>, Umagaur<ref name=ICE2011/> and Lugronk<ref name=ICE2011>{{ICE|2011}}</ref>.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Olog-hai were shown as the shock troops in the [[Siege of Minas Tirith]], sporting armor and the famed war hammers alluded to in the appendices. These Olog-hai were not shown talking in any speech other than grunts. They differ from the other Trolls depicted in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy|Peter Jackson's ''The Lord of the Rings'']] in that they have more forward-facing eyes as well as hair on their bodies, suggesting that they are a more advanced form of Troll. They are usually gray to black in color. They have twenty-four teeth. Their eyes are also bright orange, showing their evil connection with Sauron.
{{references}}
[[Category:Trolls]]
[[de:Olog-hai]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/trolls/olog-hai]]
[[fi:Olog-hai]]

Tom Bombadil

2012-10-17T14:32:15Z

167.206.204.93: /* Origins */

{{disambig-more|Tom|[[Tom (disambiguation)]]}}<center>{{quote|Eldest, that's what I am... Tom remembers the first raindrop and the first acorn... he knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless – before the Dark Lord came from Outside.|Tom Bombadil, ''[[In the House of Tom Bombadil]]''.}}</center>
[[Image:Brothers Hildebrandt - Tom Bombadil.jpg|thumb|250px|''Tom Bombadil'' by [[Brothers Hildebrandt]].]]
'''Tom Bombadil''' was an enigmatic figure that lived throughout the history of [[Arda]]. Living in the depths of the [[Old Forest]], he seemed to possess unequaled power in the land around his dwelling. Although seemingly benevolent, he was not allied to the [[Free peoples]].

His existence passed into Hobbit lore and was referenced in poems such as ''[[The Adventures of Tom Bombadil]]''.

==History==
===Origins===
[[Image:John Howe - Tom Bombadil.jpg|thumb|left|''Tom Bombadil'' by [[John Howe]].]]
{{quote|He is a strange creature.|[[Elrond]], ''[[The Council of Elrond]]''}}
The origins and [[Tom Bombadil/Nature|nature of Tom Bombadil]] are unknown; however, he already existed when the [[Morgoth|Dark Lord]] came to [[Arda]],<ref name="house">{{FR|Bombadil}}</ref> signifying he was alive even before the coming of the [[Valar]].

His role and nature in the [[Elder Days]] is unknown, but he must have witnessed most of the major events and battles. He also witnessed the reducing of the great forests that covered all [[Middle-earth]], and perhaps of his powers.<ref name="CoE"/>

The level of his interactions with the outside world is also unclear; however, he seemed to have a name among many peoples and perhaps became a folkloric figure in the traditions and legends of Elves, Dwarves and Men.<ref name="CoE"/><ref name="Adv">{{AB|Preface}}</ref>

During the [[Third Age]], Tom Bombadil lived in a little house by the river [[Withywindle]] in the [[Old Forest]], together with his lovely wife [[Goldberry]]. He had contact with the [[Bucklanders]]<ref name="Adv"/> and [[Farmer Maggot]], and perhaps it was this to which he owed his jolly and whimsical attitude.

However, since he was merry and benevolent, some of the Free Peoples considered him a potential ally (for example, [[Elrond]] and [[Erestor]] considered that he should be present at the [[Council of Elrond]]). However, according to [[Gandalf]], Tom Bombadil was perhaps not fully aware of the struggle of Light and Darkness and could not prove useful to their causes.<ref name="CoE"/>

His race is unknown but there have been theories. Some speculate him to be one of those people who were once Maiar. However, many people believe him to be some form of sprite, all though his characteristics cannot be linked to any race based on the Little People said to exist in Tolkien's Legendarium. He's obviously not an Elf and he's too tall to be a Hobbit and did not act or dress like a Dwarf, so he probably wasn't one, yet his beard was surprisingly Dwarf-like. He may be a Leprechaun, a jolly and mischievous sprite that takes delight in gold and shoe-making from Irish mythology. However, this is all just theory and persepective and was never explained and, with both Tokiens are dead, won't ever be concretely known for sure.

===War of the Ring===
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Willow Man is Tamed.jpg|thumb|Bombadil rescues the hobbits from the [[Old Man Willow]].]]
On [[26 September]], {{TA|3018}}, he encountered [[travellers|four hobbits]] while he was searching for water-lilies for his wife. Two of those Hobbits, [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]], had been captured by [[Old Man Willow]]. Tom, who was the master of the Old Forest, rescued them, and took all four of them to his house.<ref name="OldF">{{FR|Forest}}</ref>

The four hobbits stayed two nights, and he told them many tales and songs. Apparently, [[Gildor|Gildor Inglorion]] had been to Tom's house, as he knew the hobbits were fleeing [[the Shire]]. With cunning questions, he made [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] tell him of the [[The One Ring|Ring]]. When Tom tried it on nothing happened but he then took it off and flipped it in the air and made the ring itself disappear showing that indeed within his realm Tom was master. However, when Frodo put the ring on Tom could still see him. He bade the Hobbit to come back and sit down; his hand was fairer without the ring.

The following morning, Tom warned his guests of the [[Barrow-downs]], and advised them to pass any barrow on the western side. He also taught them a song, should they come to peril.<ref name="house"/>

And they did come to peril. Tom chased off a [[Barrow-wights|wight]] with song, and broke the spells on the barrow in which the four hobbits were captured. While he sent the Hobbits into calm down, he went for provisions. He also brought the ponies that had belonged to Merry. After that, he broke the spells of the barrow. From the barrow's mighty hoard, he took a brooch for Goldberry, and gave a [[Daggers of Westernesse|dagger]] to each of the hobbits. He then advised them to make for ''[[The Prancing Pony]]'' in [[Bree]].<ref>{{FR|Barrow}}</ref>

The peril of the hobbits was not over; an attack on their lives was carried out, and their ponies were set loose. The ponies apparently remembered the care they were given in the house of Tom Bombadil, and returned to stay beside Tom's own pony, [[Fatty Lumpkin]]. He returned them to [[Barliman Butterbur]], the proprietor of ''The Prancing Pony''. Since he had paid eighteen pence as compensation for the loss, he was now the owner of five fine ponies.<ref>{{FR|Knife}}</ref>

==Inspiration==
Tom Bombadil was inspired primarily from a doll Tolkien's son, Michael, toyed with; it also may have been inspired by the character Väinämöinen (spelt 'Wainamoinen' in English) in the Finnish national epic [[Kalevala]], or Father [[Francis Xavier Morgan]] at the [[Birmingham Oratory]]:
{{quote|... Father Francis Xavier Morgan, then aged forty-three, who shortly after the Tolkiens moved into the district [Edgbaston] took over the duties of parish priest and came to call. In him Mabel soon found not only a sympathetic priest but a valuable friend. Half Welsh and half Anglo-Spanish (his mother’s family were prominent in the sherry trade), Francis Morgan was '''not a man of great intellect, but he had an immense fund of kindness and humour and a flamboyance''' that was often attributed to his Spanish connections. Indeed '''he was a very noisy man, loud and affectionate, embarrassing to small children at first but hugely lovable when they got to know him.'''|[[J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography]]}}

[[Paula Marmor]] notes that ''bobadil'' is an archaic word meaning "braggart", as seen in the character "Captain Bobadill" in the English play ''[[Wikipedia:Every Man in His Humour|Every Man in His Humour]]''. Because of its Bucklandish form, ''[[An Introduction to Elvish]]'' lists the name Bombadil under the "[[Celtic]]-sounding names".

However, it is said that the word derives from '''[[Wikipedia:Boabdil|Boabdil]]''', the Spaniard name of [[Wikipedia:Muhammad XII of Granada|'''Abu Abdillah''' Muhammad XII]], the last Moorish ruler of Granada.<ref>[[Jim Allan]], ''[[An Introduction to Elvish]]'', Giving of Names</ref>

==Etymology and other names==
Tom Bombadil went by many names:
* To the [[Elves]] and [[Dúnedain]], he was known as '''''[[Iarwain]] [[penadar|Ben-adar]]''''', which translated to "oldest and fatherless".<ref name="CoE">{{FR|Council}}</ref> Iarwain literally means "Old-young"<ref>''[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]]'' p. 128; quoting an unpublished letter by Tolkien</ref>
* To [[Men]] of the [[Vales of Anduin]] and [[Rohan]], he was known as '''''Orald'''''.<ref name="CoE"/> This is an [[Old English]] word meaning "very ancient.<ref name="nomen">{{HM|N}}, p, 761</ref>
* The Dwarves knew him as '''''Forn'''''. This too is a reference to his age: it is [[North Germanic languages|Old Norse]] for "(belonging to) ancient (days)".<ref name="nomen"/> In some imprints of ''[[The History of Middle-earth Index]]'', this name was accidentally spelled with a "P" as the first letter.<ref>{{HM|IX}}, "Tom Bombadil (VII)", p. 435</ref>
* ''Tom Bombadil'' is said to be a [[Buckland|Bucklandish]] name, added by Hobbit chroniclers to his many older ones. It is, like many names of the Bucklanders, untranslatable.<ref name="Adv"/>

==Portrayal in Adaptions==

Because he is left out of the three major adaptations ([[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|Ralph Bakshi]], [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|BBC's 1981 series]] and [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring|Peter Jackson's]]), Tom Bombadil's main role (providing the [[Daggers of Westernesse|Barrow-blades]]) is omitted. He does have several appearances in other adaptations, though.

<center><gallery>
File:WiMe-Bombadil-1-.png|<center>''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]''
Image:Tom Bombadil viv lotr.JPG|<center>''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)]]''
Image:BFME2 - Tom Bombadil 03.jpg|<center>''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]''
Image:Tom Bombadil LOTRO.jpg|<center>''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
</gallery></center>

'''1955: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1956 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:[[Norman Shelley]] voiced Bombadil, and Tolkien thought his portrayal "dreadful". [[Goldberry]] was portrayed as his daughter, rather than his wife<ref>{{L|175}}</ref>.

'''1979: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series)|Mind's Eye's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:In this series, Tom was voiced by [[Bernard Mayes]]. Like Norman Shelley before him, he also voiced [[Gandalf]].

'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
:Tom Bombadil can be found outside his house in the Old Forest.

'''1992: ''[[Tales from the Perilous Realm (1992 radio series)|BBC Radio's Tales from the Perilous Realm]]'':'''
:When he adapted the 1981 [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|radio series]], [[Brian Sibley]] deeply regretted cutting Bombadil from the radio series.<ref>[[Brian Sibley]], ''[http://briansibleytheworks.blogspot.com/2008/01/this-page-is-still-under-construction_23.html The Ring Goes Ever On]''</ref> When he made ''[[Tales from the Perilous Realm]]'' into a radio series, he decided to change the section "[[The Adventures of Tom Bombadil]]". Rather than several (unadaptable) Hobbitish poems, Sibley adapted the chapters from ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]''. Bombadil is voiced by [[Ian Hogg]].

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:[[Daran Norris]] portrayed Bombadil with a Scottish accent. His role is much like that in the book, and as one of the few characters in this video game, he keeps most of his songs.

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:In the [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (extended edition)|extended edition]], some of Bombadil's poems are transferred to [[Treebeard]], and so is his encounter with [[Old Man Willow]].

'''2006: ''[[EA's The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Bombadil is a summonable power. Once summoned, he can plow through enemy lines. His most powerful weapon is a "Sonic Song". As soon as [[Electronic Arts|EA]] secured the rights to the books, it was decided that Tom Bombadil should be in it; his appearance is kept close to his description in the book.<ref>[http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/battleformiddleearth2/news.html?sid=6139678 The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II Q&A - Enter Tom Bombadil], [http://www.gamespot.com/ GameSpot.com]</ref>

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Tom can be found either inside or outside his house in the Old Forest. He helps the player track down crebain scouts possessing important information, and later arrives to rescue the player from the Barrow-Downs when (s)he gets himself in more than (s)he is prepared for, much like the Hobbits in the Book.

===Collectibles===
In [[April]] [[2008]], [[Gentle Giant]] released the Tom Bombadil Mini Bust.

==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of Tom Bombadil|Images of Tom Bombadil]]
*[[Tom Bombadil/Nature||The Nature of Tom Bombadil]]

{{references}}
== External Links ==
* [http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/t/tombombadil.html Entry in the Encyclopedia of Arda] (a concise overview of the discussion)
* [http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/4786/76065 Count, Count, Weigh, Divide] discusses Tom Bombadil's moral aspects at length

[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Ring-bearers]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[de:Tom Bombadil]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/tom_bombadil]]
[[fi:Tom Bombadil]]

Rings of Power

2012-10-12T12:47:58Z

167.206.204.93: /* The Final Disposition of the Rings of Power */

'''The Rings of Power''' were Rings created by the [[Elves]] of [[Eregion]], nineteen '''Great Rings''' (and many other lesser rings) with knowledge obtained from [[Sauron]], and several of them with Sauron aiding the creation. Sauron forged the twentieth Great Ring, called [[the One Ring]] or the Ruling Ring, secretly in the fires of [[Mount Doom]].

A verse that summarizes the Great Rings and their ownership is an important part of the lore of Middle-earth. It translates as follows:

<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie
One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them,
One ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.</poem>
== The Creation of the Rings of Power ==

[[Image:Angus McBride - Celebrimbor.gif|thumb|left|Celebrimbor forges the Rings of Power]]
Around [[Second Age 1200]], Sauron started to corrupt the [[Elves]].<ref name="B">{{App|B1}}</ref> Sauron did not manage to approach [[Gil-galad]] and [[Elrond]] but he had better luck with the Elven-smiths of [[Eregion]] to whom he presented under the alias of [[Annatar]], an emissary from the Valar. The [[Gwaith-i-Mírdain]] of [[Eregion]] were mostly [[Noldor]] and wished to have the same joys in [[Middle-earth]] as the Elves who had returned to [[Valinor]]<ref name="Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref>

The Elves started to make the Rings with knowledge gained from Annatar. The Rings were of various kinds: the [[lesser rings]] were only essays in the craft before it was full-grown. In approximately [[Second Age 1500|S.A. 1500]] the Greater 16 were created.<ref name="B"/> When Annatar departed from Eregion, [[Celebrimbor]] went on to forge the [[Three Rings]] using the knowledge he had gained from him, but without his involvement, and finished them around [[Second Age 1590|S.A. 1590]].

Sauron then created [[The One Ring]] around [[Second Age 1600|S.A. 1600]], alone, in the heart of [[Mount Doom]]. Its purpose was to rule over all the other rings, and Sauron put a great part of his power into it. The Elves, upon creation of the One, heard Sauron speak the [[Ring Poem|spell]], and realized they had been betrayed.<ref>{{FR|Council}}</ref> They defied Sauron and then he attempted to claim the Rings to distribute them to other people; though the Elves fought valiantly in the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]], he took Nine Rings and other lesser works of them; but he could not find the rest. Then [[Celebrimbor]] was put to torment, and he revealed about the Seven of them.<ref>{{UT|Galadriel}}</ref>

Sauron then distributed them to Lords who trusted him, [[Men]] who became powerful sorcerers and Kings; and [[Dwarves]] who grew greedier and augmented their treasures.

==The Twenty Rings==
* The ''[[Three Rings]]'' of the Elves were forged by [[Celebrimbor]] alone, and were never touched by Sauron. However, their forging involved some of the arts taught by "Annatar" thus they too were bound to the One Ring to some extent. They were named [[Narya]] the Ring of Fire, [[Nenya]] the Ring of Water and [[Vilya]] the Ring of Air; they remained hidden from Sauron.
* Sauron gave some six Rings to the Dwarf-kings, although according to Dwarvish tradition the Elves already gave [[Ring of Thrór|another]] to [[Durin III]]. The Dwarves used their ''[[Seven Rings]]'' to establish their treasure hoards, but Sauron was unable to force the Dwarven bearers to submit. It is believed that the dwarves natural hardiness, and the fact that it was only the more powerful dwarf lords who possessed them, made them resistant to Sauron's control, yet allowed them to accumulate treasure. The [[Ring of Thráin II|final ring]] to leave the possession of the dwarves occurred when [[Thráin II]] was captured.
* The rest ''[[Nine Rings]]'' were divided amongst those evil-hearted men who saw their abilities increase, and became sorcerers and Kings among Men. They gained longevity but then faded away to become the Nazgûl, the [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]], dominated under Sauron's will.
* The ''[[The One Ring|One Ring]]'', secretly forged by Sauron in the heart of [[Mount Doom]], had the power to dominate the sixteen rings owned by Dwarves and Men. His domain over the other rings was incomplete, but he placed a large amount of his own power into it at its forging; a necessity that later led to his downfall at [[Frodo Baggins]]' hands.

Nothing is known of the fate of the [[lesser rings]], made as essays to the craft, but, according to [[Gandalf]], still dangerous for mortals that might have found them.<ref>{{FR|Shadow}}</ref>

== The Power Of The Rings ==
The Rings of Power all had certain abilities, shared amongst them; the only different ones were the three. The chief power of all the rings was the prevention or slowing of decay, the preservation of what is desired or loved. [[Men]] (including [[Hobbits]]) would see their lifespan increase.

They also enhanced the natural powers of the wearer thus approaching ‘[[magic]]’ (a motive easily corrupted into evil) and increased lust for domination. They also shifted the wearer to the [[Unseen]], rendering the material body invisible and making to the wearer able to see the Unseen.<ref>{{L|131}}</ref> Eventually the wearer would ''fade'' and eventually turn into a [[Wraiths|wraith]] under Sauron's domination.<ref>{{FR|Shadow}}</ref>

The [[Dwarves]] however were immune to most of those effects, other than they increased their lust for gold which provided occasion for quarrels among themselves. They used their rings to increase their treasure troves; the treasure hoards of these dwarves drew the mightiest of [[dragons]] and opponents.<ref name="Rings" />

The Three did not do as the other rings. They did not make one invisible (though they themselves could be made so<ref>{{FR|Mirror}}</ref>), and their benefits were largely secondary to the main effect the Elves achieved - that of stasis. A wearer of one of the Rings of Three gained the power to heal and preserve, in many different ways, whatever they controlled. Galadriel's and Elrond's Rings allowed them to fend off Sauron and protect and preserve [[Lothlórien|Lothlorien]] and [[Rivendell]]. [[Narya]] also had the power to inspire hope and courage<ref>{{App|B2}}, [[Cirdan]]'s words to [[Gandalf]]</ref> in those around the bearer.

=== The One ===
* '''Control''' - Control, over the other rings and in a limited sense the bearers was gained by whomever controlled the power caged inside the One Ring.
* '''Power''' - In its forging, to give it the ability of control, it was necessary for Sauron to allow a fatal amount of his power into the One Ring. Any bearer could use this power, though it would take time, determination, skill, and knowledge to do so.
*'''Invisibility''' - As the other Rings, it shifted the wearer to the [[Wraith-world]], rendering him invisible.
*'''Translation''' - An ability to understand other creatures.
*'''Corruption''' - The Ring also had the power to corrupt the heart and mind, making its wearer obsessed with it.

== The Final Disposition of the Rings of Power ==
[[Dragons]] destroyed four of the Seven Rings, and after Sauron's return he recaptured the remaining three (the last from Thráin II). At the end of the [[War of the Ring]], they were presumably buried in the ruins of [[Barad-dûr]].

The Nine he took back from his [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]], and they were still in his possession at the time of his fall. These, too, probably lie in the ruins of Barad-dûr.

The Three were hidden from him, and their bearers eventually took them to [[Aman]].

The One was destroyed in the [[Crack of Doom]]. With its destruction, the remainder of the Seven, the Nine, and the Three Elven rings were freed from the One's control. It is unknown whether they lost their power or not, but the Elves took them to Valinor with them, to possibly save them for another battle.

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In one draft it is said that the [[Rings of Power]] transformed their bearers into [[wraiths]], thus creating ''elf-'', ''goblin-'', ''men-'', or ''dwarf-wraiths''.<ref>{{RS|Gollum}}, p. 78</ref>

==Inspiration==
The Rings were the background story as fleshed out by Tolkien, out of the Ring that appeared in ''[[The Hobbit]]''. The lore of the Rings (especially the One) are often compared to the "Ring of the Nibelungs" although Tolkien denounced any direct inspiration.<ref>{{L|229}}, “Both rings were round, and there the resemblance ceases.”</ref>
==Portrayal in adaptations==
;[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|Ralph Bakshi's ''The Lord of the Rings'']] ([[1978]])
:In the introduction of the movie, the Rings are portrayed as a purely Elven conception and creation, which the Elves generously gave to the Dwarves and Men. It was when Sauron 'learned of the Ring-making' when he forged the One Ring.
:It contrasts the canonical account according to which the Rings were always a part of Sauron's plan. Sauron distributed them to the Dwarves and Men, after the Elves turned against him.
{{references}}

==External links==
*[http://oakroadsystems.com/genl/ringfaq.htm FAQ of the Rings]

{{rings}}

[[Category:Rings and Jewels]]
[[de:Ringe der Macht]]
[[fr:encyclo/artefacts/bijoux/anneaux/anneaux_de_pouvoir]]
[[fi:Mahtisormukset]]

Dragons

2012-10-11T15:30:50Z

167.206.204.93: /* The re-emergence of dragons */

{{rewrite}}
{{sources}}
{{race
| image=[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Dragon.jpg|225px]]
| name=Dragons, Drakes, Worms
| dominions=
| languages=Various Mannish and Elvish tongues<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "[[Leila Keene and Pat Kirke 3 August 1943]]" ([[Letters not published in "The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien"|letter]]); quoted in {{PM|II}}, "Note on an unpublished letter", pp. 72-73</ref>
| height=
| length=
| skincolor=
| haircolor=
| feathers=
| distinctions=
| lifespan="Long and slow"<ref>{{S|13}}</ref>
| members=[[Glaurung]], [[Ancalagon]], [[Scatha]], [[Smaug]]
}}<center>{{quote|Never laugh at live '''dragons'''.|[[Bilbo Baggins]]<ref> {{H|Inside}}</ref>}}</center>
'''Dragons''' were created by [[Morgoth]] out of fire and sorcery sometime before the [[First Age|First Age of the Sun]], when [[Glaurung]] first appeared.

==History==
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Scouring the Mountain.jpg|thumb|left|''Scouring the Mountain'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
===The origin and early history of dragons===
Seeing the strength of the [[Noldor]] in battle, Melkor realized that [[orcs]] alone were not sufficient to defeat his enemies. He therefore began to breed a new race of monsters: the dragons.<ref>{{GA|115}}</ref>

[...]

At the [[Fall of Gondolin]], Morgoth's foul host included dragons, "''many and terrible''".<ref>{{S|23}}</ref>

===The re-emergence of dragons===
[...]
In the Third Age, before the War of the Ring a battle for riches was stirring between the Dragons and Dwarves. Dragons like Smaug and Scatha challenged the Dwarves for their hoard. The Dwarves won the war only because they were aided by Elves and Men. They didn't like the Dragons or Dwarves but their treasures were also stolen at times, their city raided, and kings killed, by some of the dragons so in those instances they might fight with the Dwarves out of sheer revenge. Smaug is famous for having destroyed and raided Esgaroth, a laketown of men. The angry men shot arrows at the fire drake and he fell into a lake of spikes and died.

[...]

Although Smaug was the greatest of the dragons of his day,<ref name=Durin/> he seems not to have been the last of his kind as [[Gandalf]] told [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] that "''there is not now any dragon left on earth in which the old fire is hot enough'' [to melt the Rings of Power]",<ref name=Shadow/> indicating the presence of other, lesser dragons. This might have also indicated that Gandalf was actually ashamed that Smaug was killed as they could've formed an alliance with him in the War of the Ring. Just as both the Free Peoples and Dark Powers had been trying to track down Smeagol/Gollum for information about the ring, perhaps they could try to compete for Smaug's alliance in the war as well.

==Characteristics==
===Means of locomotion===
Some dragons ([[Glaurung]]) walked on four legs, like a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komodo_dragon Komodo dragon] or some other lizard.
*A second type ([[Ancalagon]], [[Smaug]]) could both walk on four legs and fly using wings. Winged-dragons only first appeared during the [[War of Wrath]], the battle that ended the First Age, so all dragons introduced before the end of the First Age couldn't fly (such as Glaurung), although breeds of wingless dragons did survive into later ages.

===Fire breathing===
*The ''[[Urulóki]]'' (singular ''Urulokë'', Fire-drakes) could breathe fire. It is not entirely clear whether the term "Uruloki" referred only to the first dragons such as Glaurung that could breathe fire but were wingless, or to any dragon that could breathe fire, and thus include Smaug.
*The [[Cold-drakes]] could not.

===Other characteristics===
The dragons also shared a love of treasure (especially gold), subtle intelligence, immense cunning, great physical strength, and a hypnotic power called "dragon-spell". The best way to talk to a dragon under the circumstances of this spell (when it was questioning you) was to not directly give it the information it wanted, as this would compromise you and your friends, but not to flat out deny it an answer, because this would anger it to violence. Therefore, the best way to talk to the dragon is to be vague and speak in riddles- apparently dragons find it hard to resist wasting time with riddles.

Dragon-fire (of the Urulóki) was hot enough to melt [[Rings of Power]]: four of the [[Seven Rings]] of the Dwarves were consumed by Dragon-fire, although it was not powerful enough to destroy the One Ring itself.<ref name=Shadow/>

== Individual dragons ==
[[Image:John Howe - Smaug.jpg|thumb|''Smaug'' by [[John Howe]].]]
* [[Glaurung]] — Father of Dragons, slain by [[Túrin|Túrin Turambar]]. First of the Uruloki, the Fire-drakes of Angband. He had four legs and could breathe fire, but didn't have wings.
* [[Ancalagon]] the Black — first and mightiest of the Winged-dragons, slain by [[Eärendil]] in the [[War of Wrath]].
* [[Scatha]] — Slain by Fram of the [[Éothéod]]. Apparently a cold-drake. Described as a "long-worm", although this imparticular term seems to be more of an expression rather than a separate taxonomic group.
* [[Smaug]] — the last great dragon of [[Middle-earth]], slain by [[Bard]] of [[Lake-town|Esgaroth]]. A winged Urulokë.
* An unnamed dragon appears in [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] verse, said to have had red eyes, black wings and teeth like knives.<ref>{{AB|Hoard}}</ref>

==Names==
The dragons were known by many different names: drakes, [[worms]], [[long-worms]], [[serpents]].
===Other tongues===
Words denoting "dragon" in [[Quenya]] are ''[[lókë]]'' and ''[[angulóke]]''. [[Sindarin]] has ''[[lhûg]]'' and ''[[amlug]]''.
===Etymology===

''Dragon'' is derived from French; ''drake'' is an English word, from [[Old English]] ''draca'' (derived from Latin).<ref>{{HM|LT2}}, "Short Glossary of Obsolete, Archaic, and Rare Words", p. 350</ref>
===Obsolete tongues===
In [[Gnomish]], "dragon" is ''fuithlug'' ("a dragon who guards treasure"), ''lingwir'' or ''ulug'' (plural ''ulûgin''; "she dragon" is ''uluch'', ''uluchnir'' or ''ulugwin'').<ref>{{PE|11}}, pp. 36, 54, 74</ref>
==Other fiction==

A dragon named [[Chrysophylax]] appears in [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s story ''[[Farmer Giles of Ham]]''.

In the story ''[[Roverandom]]'', white dragons are among the creatures living on the moon. A dragon, called the Great White Dragon, attacks Rover and the moon-dog, and is said to be the origin of all white dragons. In Merlin's time, this dragon had been to the earth, and fought with the Red Dragon in Caerdragon. The Great White Dragon has wings and can breath fire.<ref>{{HM|R}}, "[Chapter] 2"</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
<center><gallery perrow=4>
File:SBG - Cave Drake.png|<center>''[[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]''
File:Jeff Murchie - Dragon.png|<center>''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
</gallery></center>
===Portrayal in games===
'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
:Apart from the type of dragons created by Tolkien, additional races include ''Rain-drakes'', ''Light-drakes'', ''Ash Drakes'' and several others.<ref>{{ICE|2012}}</ref>

'''2001-: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]'':'''
:The ''Dragon'', which can have the ability to breathe fire and fly, is a powerful enemy of the Good players.<ref>[http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?prodId=prod1080191 Dragon] at [http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/home.jsp Games-Workshop.com] (accessed 23 September 2011)</ref> The game also includes the subterranean ''Cave Drake'', a large but agile monster and natural enemy of the Dwarves.<ref>''[[White Dwarf]]'', issue 371 (November 2010), p. 42</ref>

'''2007-: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:''Dragon-kind'' include several type of drakes: ''Cold-'', ''Fire-'' and ''Shadow-drakes'', ''Fire-worms'', ''Rock-worms'', and many more. A related beast is the ''salamander'' or ''eft'', a weaker and simpler breed of dragons.<ref>"[http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Category:Dragon-kind Dragon-kind]" at [http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Lorebook_home Lord of the Rings Online: Lorebook] (accessed 28 October 2010)</ref>

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Dragons|Images of Dragons]]
* [[Fell beasts]]
{{references}}

[[Category:Dragons|*]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[de:Drachen]]
[[fr:encyclo:biologie:faune:dragons]]
[[fi:Lohikäärmeet]]

Dragons

2012-10-11T13:50:36Z

167.206.204.93: /* The origin and early history of dragons */

{{rewrite}}
{{sources}}
{{race
| image=[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Dragon.jpg|225px]]
| name=Dragons, Drakes, Worms
| dominions=
| languages=Various Mannish and Elvish tongues<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "[[Leila Keene and Pat Kirke 3 August 1943]]" ([[Letters not published in "The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien"|letter]]); quoted in {{PM|II}}, "Note on an unpublished letter", pp. 72-73</ref>
| height=
| length=
| skincolor=
| haircolor=
| feathers=
| distinctions=
| lifespan="Long and slow"<ref>{{S|13}}</ref>
| members=[[Glaurung]], [[Ancalagon]], [[Scatha]], [[Smaug]]
}}<center>{{quote|Never laugh at live '''dragons'''.|[[Bilbo Baggins]]<ref> {{H|Inside}}</ref>}}</center>
'''Dragons''' were created by [[Morgoth]] out of fire and sorcery sometime before the [[First Age|First Age of the Sun]], when [[Glaurung]] first appeared.

==History==
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Scouring the Mountain.jpg|thumb|left|''Scouring the Mountain'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
===The origin and early history of dragons===
It is questionable whether Morgoth actually created or even corrupted the dragons as they were intelligent creatures and may have had free will (knowing Morgoth, if he did create anything, he would not have given them free will and whatever creatures he corrupted had all but lost their free will). They may have been to strong willed to be corrupted. Dragons are also considered to be great and magnificent creatures through Middle Earth, both feared and venerated for their strength, and Morgoth would have never created anything of such majesty. Early dragons like Glarung, Angalacon, and Dorgoth may have allied with Morgoth for mutual gain, and because of their great power other lesser dragons may have followed, but that was never explained. But thats probably what happened because after Morgoth had been chained and thrown into the Void, dragons have become purely neutral beings, neither good nor bad and interested mainly in treasure (rather like the Dwarves).

===The re-emergence of dragons===
[...]

In the late [[Third Age]] the dragons bred in the Northern Waste and Withered Heath north of the [[Ered Mithrin]], stirred by the [[Necromancer|return of Evil]], and began to make war with the Dwarves around year [[Third Age 2570|2570]] ([[Dáin I]] and [[Frór]] of [[Durin's folk]] were killed by a great cold-drake in [[Third Age 2589|2589]]).<ref>{{App|B2}}</ref><ref name=Durin>{{App|A3}}</ref> It was perhaps in these wars that dragons swallowed four of the [[Seven Dwarf-rings]].<ref name=Shadow>{{FR|Shadow}}</ref>

[...]

Although Smaug was the greatest of the dragons of his day,<ref name=Durin/> he seems not to have been the last of his kind as [[Gandalf]] told [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] that "''there is not now any dragon left on earth in which the old fire is hot enough'' [to melt the Rings of Power]",<ref name=Shadow/> indicating the presence of other, lesser dragons.

==Characteristics==
===Means of locomotion===
Some dragons ([[Glaurung]]) walked on four legs, like a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komodo_dragon Komodo dragon] or some other lizard.
*A second type ([[Ancalagon]], [[Smaug]]) could both walk on four legs and fly using wings. Winged-dragons only first appeared during the [[War of Wrath]], the battle that ended the First Age, so all dragons introduced before the end of the First Age couldn't fly (such as Glaurung), although breeds of wingless dragons did survive into later ages.

===Fire breathing===
*The ''[[Urulóki]]'' (singular ''Urulokë'', Fire-drakes) could breathe fire. It is not entirely clear whether the term "Uruloki" referred only to the first dragons such as Glaurung that could breathe fire but were wingless, or to any dragon that could breathe fire, and thus include Smaug.
*The [[Cold-drakes]] could not.

===Other characteristics===
The dragons also shared a love of treasure (especially gold), subtle intelligence, immense cunning, great physical strength, and a hypnotic power called "dragon-spell". The best way to talk to a dragon under the circumstances of this spell (when it was questioning you) was to not directly give it the information it wanted, as this would compromise you and your friends, but not to flat out deny it an answer, because this would anger it to violence. Therefore, the best way to talk to the dragon is to be vague and speak in riddles- apparently dragons find it hard to resist wasting time with riddles.

Dragon-fire (of the Urulóki) was hot enough to melt [[Rings of Power]]: four of the [[Seven Rings]] of the Dwarves were consumed by Dragon-fire, although it was not powerful enough to destroy the One Ring itself.<ref name=Shadow/>

== Individual dragons ==
[[Image:John Howe - Smaug.jpg|thumb|''Smaug'' by [[John Howe]].]]
* [[Glaurung]] — Father of Dragons, slain by [[Túrin|Túrin Turambar]]. First of the Uruloki, the Fire-drakes of Angband. He had four legs and could breathe fire, but didn't have wings.
* [[Ancalagon]] the Black — first and mightiest of the Winged-dragons, slain by [[Eärendil]] in the [[War of Wrath]].
* [[Scatha]] — Slain by Fram of the [[Éothéod]]. Apparently a cold-drake. Described as a "long-worm", although this imparticular term seems to be more of an expression rather than a separate taxonomic group.
* [[Smaug]] — the last great dragon of [[Middle-earth]], slain by [[Bard]] of [[Lake-town|Esgaroth]]. A winged Urulokë.
* An unnamed dragon appears in [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] verse, said to have had red eyes, black wings and teeth like knives.<ref>{{AB|Hoard}}</ref>

==Names==
The dragons were known by many different names: drakes, [[worms]], [[long-worms]], [[serpents]].
===Other tongues===
Words denoting "dragon" in [[Quenya]] are ''[[lókë]]'' and ''[[angulóke]]''. [[Sindarin]] has ''[[lhûg]]'' and ''[[amlug]]''.
===Etymology===

''Dragon'' is derived from French; ''drake'' is an English word, from [[Old English]] ''draca'' (derived from Latin).<ref>{{HM|LT2}}, "Short Glossary of Obsolete, Archaic, and Rare Words", p. 350</ref>
===Obsolete tongues===
In [[Gnomish]], "dragon" is ''fuithlug'' ("a dragon who guards treasure"), ''lingwir'' or ''ulug'' (plural ''ulûgin''; "she dragon" is ''uluch'', ''uluchnir'' or ''ulugwin'').<ref>{{PE|11}}, pp. 36, 54, 74</ref>
==Other fiction==

A dragon named [[Chrysophylax]] appears in [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s story ''[[Farmer Giles of Ham]]''.

In the story ''[[Roverandom]]'', white dragons are among the creatures living on the moon. A dragon, called the Great White Dragon, attacks Rover and the moon-dog, and is said to be the origin of all white dragons. In Merlin's time, this dragon had been to the earth, and fought with the Red Dragon in Caerdragon. The Great White Dragon has wings and can breath fire.<ref>{{HM|R}}, "[Chapter] 2"</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
<center><gallery perrow=4>
File:SBG - Cave Drake.png|<center>''[[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]''
File:Jeff Murchie - Dragon.png|<center>''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
</gallery></center>
===Portrayal in games===
'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
:Apart from the type of dragons created by Tolkien, additional races include ''Rain-drakes'', ''Light-drakes'', ''Ash Drakes'' and several others.<ref>{{ICE|2012}}</ref>

'''2001-: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]'':'''
:The ''Dragon'', which can have the ability to breathe fire and fly, is a powerful enemy of the Good players.<ref>[http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?prodId=prod1080191 Dragon] at [http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/home.jsp Games-Workshop.com] (accessed 23 September 2011)</ref> The game also includes the subterranean ''Cave Drake'', a large but agile monster and natural enemy of the Dwarves.<ref>''[[White Dwarf]]'', issue 371 (November 2010), p. 42</ref>

'''2007-: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:''Dragon-kind'' include several type of drakes: ''Cold-'', ''Fire-'' and ''Shadow-drakes'', ''Fire-worms'', ''Rock-worms'', and many more. A related beast is the ''salamander'' or ''eft'', a weaker and simpler breed of dragons.<ref>"[http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Category:Dragon-kind Dragon-kind]" at [http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Lorebook_home Lord of the Rings Online: Lorebook] (accessed 28 October 2010)</ref>

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Dragons|Images of Dragons]]
* [[Fell beasts]]
{{references}}

[[Category:Dragons|*]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[de:Drachen]]
[[fr:encyclo:biologie:faune:dragons]]
[[fi:Lohikäärmeet]]

Dragons

2012-10-11T13:49:22Z

167.206.204.93: /* The origin and early history of dragons */

{{rewrite}}
{{sources}}
{{race
| image=[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Dragon.jpg|225px]]
| name=Dragons, Drakes, Worms
| dominions=
| languages=Various Mannish and Elvish tongues<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "[[Leila Keene and Pat Kirke 3 August 1943]]" ([[Letters not published in "The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien"|letter]]); quoted in {{PM|II}}, "Note on an unpublished letter", pp. 72-73</ref>
| height=
| length=
| skincolor=
| haircolor=
| feathers=
| distinctions=
| lifespan="Long and slow"<ref>{{S|13}}</ref>
| members=[[Glaurung]], [[Ancalagon]], [[Scatha]], [[Smaug]]
}}<center>{{quote|Never laugh at live '''dragons'''.|[[Bilbo Baggins]]<ref> {{H|Inside}}</ref>}}</center>
'''Dragons''' were created by [[Morgoth]] out of fire and sorcery sometime before the [[First Age|First Age of the Sun]], when [[Glaurung]] first appeared.

==History==
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Scouring the Mountain.jpg|thumb|left|''Scouring the Mountain'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
===The origin and early history of dragons===
It is questionable whether Morgoth actually created or even corrupted the dragons as they were intelligent creatures and may have had free will (knowing Morgoth, if he did create anything, he would not have given them free will and whatever creatures he corrupted had all but lost their free will). They may have been to strong willed to be corrupted. Dragons are also considered to be great and magnificent creatures through Middle Earth, both feared and venerated for their strength, and Morgoth would have never created anything of such majesty. Early dragons like Glarung, Angalacon, and Dorgoth may have allied with Morgoth for mutual gain, and because of their great power other lesser dragons may have followed, but that was never explained. But thats probably what happened because after Morgoth had been chained and thrown into the Void, dragons have become purely neutral beings, neither good nor bad and interested mainly in treasure (rather like the Dwarves).

[...]

At the [[Fall of Gondolin]], Morgoth's foul host included dragons, "''many and terrible''".<ref>{{S|23}}</ref>

===The re-emergence of dragons===
[...]

In the late [[Third Age]] the dragons bred in the Northern Waste and Withered Heath north of the [[Ered Mithrin]], stirred by the [[Necromancer|return of Evil]], and began to make war with the Dwarves around year [[Third Age 2570|2570]] ([[Dáin I]] and [[Frór]] of [[Durin's folk]] were killed by a great cold-drake in [[Third Age 2589|2589]]).<ref>{{App|B2}}</ref><ref name=Durin>{{App|A3}}</ref> It was perhaps in these wars that dragons swallowed four of the [[Seven Dwarf-rings]].<ref name=Shadow>{{FR|Shadow}}</ref>

[...]

Although Smaug was the greatest of the dragons of his day,<ref name=Durin/> he seems not to have been the last of his kind as [[Gandalf]] told [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] that "''there is not now any dragon left on earth in which the old fire is hot enough'' [to melt the Rings of Power]",<ref name=Shadow/> indicating the presence of other, lesser dragons.

==Characteristics==
===Means of locomotion===
Some dragons ([[Glaurung]]) walked on four legs, like a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komodo_dragon Komodo dragon] or some other lizard.
*A second type ([[Ancalagon]], [[Smaug]]) could both walk on four legs and fly using wings. Winged-dragons only first appeared during the [[War of Wrath]], the battle that ended the First Age, so all dragons introduced before the end of the First Age couldn't fly (such as Glaurung), although breeds of wingless dragons did survive into later ages.

===Fire breathing===
*The ''[[Urulóki]]'' (singular ''Urulokë'', Fire-drakes) could breathe fire. It is not entirely clear whether the term "Uruloki" referred only to the first dragons such as Glaurung that could breathe fire but were wingless, or to any dragon that could breathe fire, and thus include Smaug.
*The [[Cold-drakes]] could not.

===Other characteristics===
The dragons also shared a love of treasure (especially gold), subtle intelligence, immense cunning, great physical strength, and a hypnotic power called "dragon-spell". The best way to talk to a dragon under the circumstances of this spell (when it was questioning you) was to not directly give it the information it wanted, as this would compromise you and your friends, but not to flat out deny it an answer, because this would anger it to violence. Therefore, the best way to talk to the dragon is to be vague and speak in riddles- apparently dragons find it hard to resist wasting time with riddles.

Dragon-fire (of the Urulóki) was hot enough to melt [[Rings of Power]]: four of the [[Seven Rings]] of the Dwarves were consumed by Dragon-fire, although it was not powerful enough to destroy the One Ring itself.<ref name=Shadow/>

== Individual dragons ==
[[Image:John Howe - Smaug.jpg|thumb|''Smaug'' by [[John Howe]].]]
* [[Glaurung]] — Father of Dragons, slain by [[Túrin|Túrin Turambar]]. First of the Uruloki, the Fire-drakes of Angband. He had four legs and could breathe fire, but didn't have wings.
* [[Ancalagon]] the Black — first and mightiest of the Winged-dragons, slain by [[Eärendil]] in the [[War of Wrath]].
* [[Scatha]] — Slain by Fram of the [[Éothéod]]. Apparently a cold-drake. Described as a "long-worm", although this imparticular term seems to be more of an expression rather than a separate taxonomic group.
* [[Smaug]] — the last great dragon of [[Middle-earth]], slain by [[Bard]] of [[Lake-town|Esgaroth]]. A winged Urulokë.
* An unnamed dragon appears in [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] verse, said to have had red eyes, black wings and teeth like knives.<ref>{{AB|Hoard}}</ref>

==Names==
The dragons were known by many different names: drakes, [[worms]], [[long-worms]], [[serpents]].
===Other tongues===
Words denoting "dragon" in [[Quenya]] are ''[[lókë]]'' and ''[[angulóke]]''. [[Sindarin]] has ''[[lhûg]]'' and ''[[amlug]]''.
===Etymology===

''Dragon'' is derived from French; ''drake'' is an English word, from [[Old English]] ''draca'' (derived from Latin).<ref>{{HM|LT2}}, "Short Glossary of Obsolete, Archaic, and Rare Words", p. 350</ref>
===Obsolete tongues===
In [[Gnomish]], "dragon" is ''fuithlug'' ("a dragon who guards treasure"), ''lingwir'' or ''ulug'' (plural ''ulûgin''; "she dragon" is ''uluch'', ''uluchnir'' or ''ulugwin'').<ref>{{PE|11}}, pp. 36, 54, 74</ref>
==Other fiction==

A dragon named [[Chrysophylax]] appears in [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s story ''[[Farmer Giles of Ham]]''.

In the story ''[[Roverandom]]'', white dragons are among the creatures living on the moon. A dragon, called the Great White Dragon, attacks Rover and the moon-dog, and is said to be the origin of all white dragons. In Merlin's time, this dragon had been to the earth, and fought with the Red Dragon in Caerdragon. The Great White Dragon has wings and can breath fire.<ref>{{HM|R}}, "[Chapter] 2"</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
<center><gallery perrow=4>
File:SBG - Cave Drake.png|<center>''[[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]''
File:Jeff Murchie - Dragon.png|<center>''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
</gallery></center>
===Portrayal in games===
'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
:Apart from the type of dragons created by Tolkien, additional races include ''Rain-drakes'', ''Light-drakes'', ''Ash Drakes'' and several others.<ref>{{ICE|2012}}</ref>

'''2001-: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]'':'''
:The ''Dragon'', which can have the ability to breathe fire and fly, is a powerful enemy of the Good players.<ref>[http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?prodId=prod1080191 Dragon] at [http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/home.jsp Games-Workshop.com] (accessed 23 September 2011)</ref> The game also includes the subterranean ''Cave Drake'', a large but agile monster and natural enemy of the Dwarves.<ref>''[[White Dwarf]]'', issue 371 (November 2010), p. 42</ref>

'''2007-: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:''Dragon-kind'' include several type of drakes: ''Cold-'', ''Fire-'' and ''Shadow-drakes'', ''Fire-worms'', ''Rock-worms'', and many more. A related beast is the ''salamander'' or ''eft'', a weaker and simpler breed of dragons.<ref>"[http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Category:Dragon-kind Dragon-kind]" at [http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Lorebook_home Lord of the Rings Online: Lorebook] (accessed 28 October 2010)</ref>

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Dragons|Images of Dragons]]
* [[Fell beasts]]
{{references}}

[[Category:Dragons|*]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[de:Drachen]]
[[fr:encyclo:biologie:faune:dragons]]
[[fi:Lohikäärmeet]]

Fell beasts

2012-10-11T12:47:43Z

167.206.204.93: /* Inspiration */

{{race
| image=[[File:John Howe - Nazgul 01.jpg|250px]]
| name=Fell beasts
| dominions=
| languages=
| height=Unknown
| length=Unknown
| skincolor=Unknown
| haircolor=
| feathers=
| distinctions=Wings
| lifespan=Unknown
| members=
}}
'''Fell beasts''',<ref name=V6>{{RK|V6}}</ref> '''hell-hawks''',<ref>{{RK|V4}}</ref> and '''Nazgûl-birds''',<ref>{{L|100}}</ref> were names used to describe the flying creatures on which the [[Nazgûl]] rode after being unhorsed at the [[Ford of Bruinen]].
==History==

The fell beasts were winged creatures with beak and claws, similar to birds but much larger than any other flying beast. The creature possessed a naked body without feathers, a long neck, and a vast hide between its horned fingers. Furthermore, the body of the creature gave off a stench.<ref name=V6/>

{{Blockquote|[...] it was a winged creature: if bird, then greater than all other birds, and it was naked, and neither quill nor feather did it bear, and its vast pinions were as webs of hide between horned fingers; and it stank. A creature of an older world maybe it was [...]|[[J.R.R. Tolkien]]<ref name="RK6">{{RK|6}}</ref>}}

While the exact origin of the beasts is unknown, they were likely bred by Sauron from a creature of the [[Elder Days]], in order to supply the Nazgûl with steeds.<ref name=V6/>

It is never stated that ''all'' the Nazgûl rode these flying creatures, but some{{who}} infer that they did so.

On the River [[Anduin]] near [[Sarn Gebir]], [[Legolas]] shot one down in the night as it approached the [[Fellowship of the Ring]].<ref>{{FR|II9}}</ref>

During the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]], the Lord of the Nazgûl, rode his fell beast in battle against King [[Théoden]] of [[Rohan]]. The Lord of the Nazgûl, riding the evil beast, shot a dart which killed [[Snowmane]], Théoden's horse (which fell on Théoden, crushing him). Dernhelm (who revealed herself as [[Éowyn]]) defended the dying Théoden, and challenged and killed the beast.<ref name=V6/>

==Inspiration==

The Fell Beasts are heavily implied to be the Pterosaurs of Middle Earth, based on the flying reptiles. They were not dragons, so what else would they be based on, and did look very similar to Pterodactyls. They were also described as "giant naked birds" and "creatures from an older time" (like the Dinosaur Age) of which Pterosaurs would be.<ref>{{L|211}}</ref>

==Etymology==

As in the expression "fell things" occurring earlier in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'',<ref>{{FR|I3}}</ref> the word ''[[Wiktionary:fell#Etymology_4|fell]]'' in this sense is an archaic English word meaning "dreadful, terrible".<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 110</ref>

It may also be noted that the expression "fell beasts" is not used solely for the winged steeds of the Nazgûl: it was also used as a descriptor for various evil creatures of Mirkwood.<ref>{{FR|II10}}</ref>

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==

<center><gallery perrow=4>
File:File-Witchking and Fell beast (1980).png|<center>[[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980)]]
File:Liz Danforth - Fell beast.png|<center>"Fell beast" in ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]''
File:Angus McBride - Wild Fell Beast.jpg|<center>"Wild Fell Beast" in ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]''
File:Fell Beast descends.jpg|<center>Fell beast descending in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]]''
File:SBG - Fell beast.jpeg|<center>''[[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]''
File:Mark Evans - Hell-hawk.png|<center>"Hell-hawk" in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game]]''
File:LOTR-WITN-Fell Beast-1.png|<center>"Fell beast" in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''
</gallery></center>

'''1978: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:One of the Nazgûl (possibly the Witch-king, for he carries a mace), is shown riding a fell beast. However, Bakshi's film only covers events up to the [[Battle of the Hornburg]], so that is the last we see of the fell beasts and their riders.

'''1980: ''[[The Return of the King (1980 film)|The Return of the King]]'':'''
:The Nazgûl ride winged horses. In the confrontation of Éowyn and the Witch-king, the latter rode a plump black-grey dragon-like animal.

'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
: The Fell Beasts are said to likely be "distant relatives of ancient [[Cold-drakes]]", and "grow to lengths of 30 feet (with 30-35-foot wingspans)". In the middle Third Age they live in mountainous areas of [[Mirkwood]], presumably because of the [[Necromancer]]'s presence at [[Dol Guldur]]. They are used as steeds by both the Nazgûl and a few [[Olog-hai]] warlords.<ref>{{ICE|2019}}</ref><ref group="note">In the supplement, ''[[Creatures of Middle-earth (2nd edition)|Creatures of Middle-earth]]'', the Fell beasts are said to be "presumably bred from Winged-drakes" and to have a body between 15-25 feet and a wingspan between 30-40 feet.</ref>

'''1995-8: ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]'':'''
:'Fell Beast' increases the number of strikes of one Nazgûl hazard-creature. 'Wild Fell Beast' is a Drake which attacks with three strikes. With the card 'Fell Rider' the Ringwraith may move to a non-Darkhaven site (without allies and followers).

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]]'':'''
:The fell beasts are depicted as more [[Dragons|Dragon]]-like and serpentine creatures, i.e. their heads appear more like a snake's and they do not have beaks. This depiction came largely from [[John Howe]]'s influence.

:In the films, the fell beasts are used for attack much more often than in the books, with the Nazgûl usually swooping down and screeching, making the defenders at the gate of Minas Tirith run away, leaving [[Gandalf]] alone to face the Witch-king as he enters.

:Although on screen the films never make this mistake, sometimes cast or crew members ([[Lawrence Makoare]] and [[Richard Taylor]] most notably) on the commentary tracks and the documentaries refer to the fell beast as a Nazgûl; this is incorrect. The fell beast is the creature that the nine Nazgûl ride, and the mistake probably arose because fell beasts are always seen with a Nazgûl atop them.

'''2001-: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]'':'''
:The Fell Beasts are portrayed without beaks, reminiscent of the depiction in ''The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy''.<ref>[http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?prodId=prod480006a&_requestid=1321389 Winged Nazgûl] at [http://www.games-workshop.com/ Games-workshop.com] (accessed 10 June 2011)</ref>

'''2002-5: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game]]'':'''
:Hell-hawks, employed as mounts by the Ringwraiths and found wild in southern Mirkwood and (after the War of the Ring) in Gondor, resemble a "cross between lizards and featherless birds". They were bred by Sauron in mockery of the [[Eagles|Great Eagles]].<ref>{{D|Fell}}, pp. 30-31</ref>

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Agandaûr has several Fell beasts under his control. At the end of Chapter 1, Agandaûr flees on the back of one of them.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], Chapter 1: Fornost, ''Citadel Tower''</ref>

==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of Fell beasts|Images of Fell beasts]]
{{references|note}}
[[Category:Other races]]
[[de:Reittiere der Nazgûl#Flugwesen]]
[[fi:Sormusaaveiden siivekkäät ratsut]]