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Rings of Power

2011-07-07T20:10:42Z

Arvan: /* 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 [[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 all nineteen other rings. 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 of Power, 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.

== 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 all became powerless.
==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

2011-07-07T20:06:08Z

Arvan: /* The Twenty 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 [[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 all nineteen other rings. 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 of Power, 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 do not make one invisible (though they themselves can be made so<ref>{{FR|Mirror}}</ref>), and their benefits are largely secondary to the main effect the Elves achieved - that of stasis. A wearer of one of the Rings of Three gains the power to heal and preserve, in many different ways, whatever they control. Galadriel's and Elrond's Rings, allowed them to fend off Sauron and protect and preserve [[Lothlórien|Lothlorien]] and [[Rivendell]]. Narya also has 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 shifts the wearer to the [[Wraith-world]], rendering him invisible.
*'''Translation''' - An ability to understand other creatures.

== 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 all became powerless.
==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]]

Smaug

2011-07-07T19:50:14Z

Arvan: /* The Quest for Erebor */

{{Dragon infobox
| image=[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Conversation with Smaug (large).jpg|250px]]
| name=Smaug
| othernames=Smaug the Golden<br/>Lord Smaug the Impenetrable<br/>[[Trāgu]]<br/>(''[[#Names and Titles|see below]]'')
| realm=[[Erebor]]<ref name="AppA3"/>
| hoard=Treasure of [[Thrór]], including the [[Arkenstone]]<ref name="AppA3"/>
| birth={{TA|2770}}<ref name="AppB2">{{App|B2}}</ref>
| death={{TA|2941}}<ref name="AppB2"/>
| deathlocation=[[Esgaroth|Lake-town]]<ref name="H14">{{H|14}}</ref>
| slayer=[[Bard|Bard the Bowman]]<ref name="H14"/>
| type=''[[Urulókë]]''<ref name="Index">{{S|Index}}, entry ''Urulóki'': "''Quenya word meaning 'fire-serpent', dragon''"</ref>
| legs=Yes
| wings=Yes
| colour=Red-golden
}}
<center>{{quote|Never laugh at live dragons, Bilbo you fool!|[[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]] to himself.<ref name="H12">{{H|12}}</ref>}}</center>
'''Smaug''' (birth unknown – [[Third Age]] {{TA|2941|n}}) was the greatest [[Fire-drakes|fire-breathing]] [[Dragons|dragon]] of the [[Third Age]]. Details of his origin are unknown, but in {{TA|2770}} he attacked the [[Erebor|Lonely Mountain]] and the town of [[Dale]]. He claimed the treasure of the mountain for himself and forced [[Thrór]], [[King under the Mountain]], and [[Durin's Folk|his people]] into exile. [[Thorin Oakenshield|Thorin's]] quest - with the help of his burglar [[Bilbo Baggins]] - to reclaim the treasure ended in success when Smaug was slain by [[Bard]] in {{TA|2941}}.<ref name="H14"/><ref name="AppA3"/><ref name="AppB2"/><ref name="H1">{{H|1}}</ref>

==Appearance==
When [[Bilbo Baggins]] first encounters Smaug he can hear his snoring - "''like the noise of a large pot galloping in the fire, mixed with the rumble of a gigantic tom-cat purring''" - but is most of all struck by the reddish glow and heat that Smaug gives off, both of which travel up the passage-way so Smaug is felt long before he is seen. His flames are green and scarlet.<ref name="H12"/>

{{blockquote|There he lay, a vast red-golden dragon, fast asleep; thrumming came from his jaws and nostrils, and wisps of smoke, but his fires were low in slumber. Beneath him, under all his limbs and his huge coiled tail, and about him on all sides stretching away across the unseen floors, lay countless piles of precious things, [[gold]] wrought and unwrought, gems and jewels, and silver red-stained in the ruddy light. Smaug lay, with wings folded like an immeasurable bat, turned partly on one side, so that the hobbit could see his underparts and his long pale belly crusted with gems and fragments of gold from his long lying on his costly bed.|{{H|12}}}}
[[File:John Howe - Smaug the Golden.jpg|right|thumb|200px|''Smaug the Golden'' by [[John Howe]]]]

==History==
===Sack of Erebor===
:''See also: [[Sack of Erebor]]''
In {{TA|2770}}, Smaug first appeared in the history of [[Middle-earth]] when he flew south "''like a hurricane coming from the North''" and attacked the wealthy [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] kingdom of [[Erebor|the Lonely Mountain]] and its adjacent lands: he first landed upon the mountain before going down the slopes and setting the woods on fire. When the [[dwarves]] came running out of the front gate Smaug killed them all before turning his attention to the men of [[Dale]], also killing most of their warriors including [[Girion]], [[Lord of Dale]] (but his wife and child safely fled to [[Esgaroth|Lake-town]]<ref name="H14"/>). Returning to the mountain, he crawled into the [[Front Gate|front gate]] and left no dwarf left alive.

Only [[Thrór]], [[King under the Mountain]], and his son [[Thráin II]] managed to escape by using the [[Back Door|secret side-door]] (Thrór later gave the key to the secret door and [[Thrór's Map|a map]] of the Lonely Mountain to Thráin). Smaug claimed the treasure (which included the [[Arkenstone]] and [[Mithril#The Mithril Coat|a mithril shirt]]) for himself and laid there upon a bed of gold, only occasionally leaving the mountain to carry away people (especially maidens) and continue the destruction of Dale.<ref name="H1"/><ref name="AppA3"/> The area surrounding the mountain became known as the [[Desolation of the Dragon]] as "''there was neither bush nor tree, and only broken and blackened stumps to speak of ones long vanished''".<ref name="H11"/>
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Scouring the Mountain.jpg|thumb|left|''Scouring the Mountain'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

===The Quest for Erebor===
:''See also: [[The Hobbit#Synopsis|The Hobbit]]''

In {{TA|2850}}, [[Gandalf]], whilst spying on the [[Necromancer]] in [[Dol Guldur]], found a Dwarf imprisoned; near death, the dwarf gave Gandalf a key and a map. Unbeknownst to Gandalf at the time this dwarf was [[Thráin II|Thráin]], [[Kings of Durin's Folk|King of Durin's Folk]], who had been captured by the Necromancer in {{TA|2845}}. Having discovered that the Necromancer was indeed [[Sauron]], Gandalf was very concerned that Sauron could use Smaug to a devastating effect. It is for this reason that Gandalf sought a plan to neutralise the threat of Smaug and limit the potential power of Sauron in the north of Middle-earth.<ref name="UTErebor"/>

By chance on [[15 March]] {{TA|2941|n}}, Gandalf met [[Thorin Oakenshield|Thorin Oakenshield]] in [[Bree]] (although another source states that they met when Thorin overtook but started to talk to Gandalf on the road<ref name="UTErebor">{{UT|9}}</ref>). They discussed their desire to destroy Smaug and retake the Lonely Mountain; they later met in [[Thorin's Halls]] in the [[Blue Mountains]] to develop a plan. Gandalf wanted Thorin to take the [[hobbits|hobbit]] [[Bilbo Baggins]] as a ''burglar'' on their adventure to retake Erebor; this took considerable persuasion.<ref name="AppB2"/><ref name="AppA3"/>

Later in {{TA|2941}}, at the home of [[Bilbo Baggins]], Gandalf presented Thorin with the map and key, and accompanied them on part of their quest.<ref name=H1/> The party reached the mountain later that year on [[Durin's Day]]. They sent Bilbo in through the secret door to carry out his duty as their burglar, stealing a small - but heavy - cup from the dragon's vast hoard of treasure Smaug used as a bed. This enraged Smaug beyond measure, causing him to leave his chamber and scour the mountainside for the intruder; remembering hearing strange noises from the passageway he failed to find the entrance, only eating their ponies.<ref name="H11">{{H|11}}</ref><ref name="H12"/>

Remembering a saying of [[Bungo Baggins|his father]]'s, "''every worm has a weak spot''", Bilbo offered to return the the dragon's lair - the Dwarves ardently accepted and, putting on [[the One Ring|the ring]], off he went. Bilbo believed that the dragon was fast asleep and that his presence would remain unknown to the dragon, however, Smaug was pretending to be asleep. He then spoke to Bilbo:

{{blockquote|Well thief! I smell you and I feel your air. I hear your breath. Come along! Help yourself again, there is plenty and to spare!|Smaug to [[Bilbo Baggins]].}}

But Bilbo was more shrewd than Smaug gave him credit: Bilbo praised the dragon and made sure that he didn't reveal his real name, speaking only in [[Riddle-game|riddles]]. Smaug couldn't resist the fascination of what Bilbo had said - he needed to understand it - so they continued to talk; he was also intrigued to smell something new being puzzled by the never-before-encountered "hobbit-smell". Bilbo grew more and more uncomfortable in the presence of Smaug, but plucking up courage he revealed that he had not come for the treasure alone: Smaug laughed and mocked the notion that anyone could steal from him and get away with it. Bilbo eventually revealed the true purpose of his mission to Smaug, that of "''revenge''" - Smaug burst into a devastating laughter, shaking Bilbo to the floor, mocking the suggestion that anyone could achieve revenge, boasting about his achievements and strengths. Bilbo then suggested that dragon's were softer underneath, particularly in the chest: in retaliation and vanity Smaug rolled over, claiming that Bilbo's information was false and outdated. But Bilbo saw something crucial, thinking:

{{blockquote|Old fool! Why there is a large patch in the hollow of his left breast as bare as a snail out of its shell!|Bilbo, to himself.}}

Bilbo had obtained the information that he had needed. He fled up the passage, leaving behind a dragon infuriated by the notion of "revenge", having the hair on the back of his head and heels singed off. When Bilbo returned the the door-step he regaled the dwarves with the story of his conversation with the dragon whilst the [[Thrushes|thrush]] was listening. Smaug left his lair once more and smashed the mountainside with strikes of his tail, trapping [[Thorin and Company]] inside the secret passage.<ref name="HInsider" />

===Death and aftermath===
Realizing that the [[Lake-men]] of [[Esgaroth]] must have helped the intruders - reinforced by Bilbo calling himself the "''Barrel-rider''". The waters turned red but Smaug dared not get too close as the water would quench his fire; as the Lake-men had cut the bridges, Smaug flew above attacking and setting the town aflame, destroying the Great House with a swipe of his tail. The dragon's scales were impervious to the arrows of the defenders, but the thrush had flown to the town and informed [[Bard]] - a descendent of [[Girion]], [[Lord of Dale]] - of the bare spot in Smaug's armour. He was then able to kill Smaug by firing the [[Black Arrow]] directly into the vulnerable spot of his left breast. As Smaug fell he crashed into and destroyed Esgaroth.<ref name="H14"/>

After Smaug's death, [[Thorin and Company]] claimed the treasure as theirs by birthright. This created a conflict with Bard and the [[Thranduil|Elvenking]] of [[Mirkwood]], who each wanted a portion of the treasure as reimbursement for huge damage that Smaug had inflicted upon them. Thorin refused to share the treasure and had every intention of going to war with the [[Elves of Mirkwood]] and men of Esgaroth to defend his right to the treasure. However the sudden attack by the armies of [[Bolg]] brought the forces of the [[free peoples]] of Middle-earth together in the [[Battle of Five Armies]].<ref name="H15"/><ref name="H16">{{H|16}}</ref><ref name="H17">{{H|17}}</ref>

Following the death of Smaug a new Lake-town was built further north; Smaug's bones could be seen from the shore but the people were always fearful of it and a no one dared go in the water to retrieve the gems or gold.<ref name="H14"/> After the Battle of Five Armies, Bilbo's fourteenth-share of the hoard was given over to Bard who sent some to Lake-town to aid its rebuilding.<ref name="H18">{{H|18}}</ref>

==Personality==
{{blockquote|I kill where I wish and none dare resist. I laid low the warriors of old and their like is not in the world today. Then I was but young and tender. Now I am old and strong, strong strong.|Smaug to Bilbo.}}

Like all dragons, Smaug - described by [[Thorin Oakenshield|Thorin]] as "''a most specially greedy, strong and wicked worm''"<ref name="H1"/> - loves to hoard gold with a meticulous knowledge of his own collection as evidenced by his immediate spotting of the missing cup.<ref name="H12"/> Whilst being quick to anger in defence of his own wealth, he also exhibits a fierce intellect (as well as a curious fascination) in guessing deciphering Bilbo's cryptic origins, a pride and vanity in his own armour, an arrogance in his own invulnerability (laughing at the suggestion that the dwarves would be able to have their revenge), and an ability to question Bilbo's loyalty to the dwarves.<ref name="H12"/>

==Inspiration==
[[File:Smaug vs esgaroth.jpg|thumb|right|220px|''The Death of Smaug'' by [[John Howe]]]]
{{blockquote|Fafnir in the late Norse versions of the Sigurd-story is better; and Smaug and his conversation obviously is in debt there.|[[J.R.R. Tolkien]]<ref name="Letter122">{{L|122}}</ref>}}
In [[Letter 122]], Tolkien noted his lack of enthusiasm for the dragon in [[Beowulf]]. Instead he stated his preference for the dragon-like creature [[Wikipedia:Fafnir|Fafnir]] from the late Norse versions of the [[Wikipedia:Sigurd|Sigurd-story]]. Indeed Tolkien wrote that Smaug's character owed much to Fafnir.<ref name="Letter122" />

==Etymology==
Deriving from the same Old English and Germanic roots as ''[[Smials|smial]]'' and ''[[Sméagol|Smeagol]]'',<ref name="RW">{{HM|RW}}, pp. 190-1</ref> the name ''Smaug'' is "the past tense of the primitive Germanic verb ''[http://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=smeagan Smugan]'', to squeeze through a hole".<ref name="Letter25">{{L|25}}</ref> It has been suggested that Tolkien likely thought of [[Old English]] ''smeag'', a word used to describe a "[[worms|worm]]".<ref name=RW/>

==Other names and titles==
In drafts of the [[The Lord of the Rings Appendices|Appendices]], Tolkien wrote that ''[[Trāgu]]'' was the name of the name of Smaug in the [[language of Dale]], "Dalish".<ref name="PM54">{{PM|II}}, p. 54</ref>

In the conversation between Smaug and Bilbo, Bilbo calls Smaug "'''Smaug the Tremendous'''", "'''Smaug the Chiefest and Greatest of Calamities'''", "'''Smaug the Mighty'''", "'''Smaug the unassailably wealthy'''", "'''Lord Smaug the Impenetrable'''" and "'''Your Magnificence'''",<ref name="H12"/> and later Bilbo refers to him as "'''Smaug the Terrible'''" and [[Balin]] calls him "'''old Worm'''".<ref name="HInsider">{{H|13}}</ref> When the [[dwarves]] learn of Smaug's demise they grab their harps and sing, referring to Smaug as the "'''Worm of Dread'''".<ref name="H15">{{H|15}}</ref> [[Appendix A]] uses the popular name "'''Smaug the Golden'''",<ref name="AppA3">{{App|A3}}</ref> whilst in "[[The Quest of Erebor]]" he is simply referred to as "'''The Dragon'''".

==Other versions of the Legendarium==
In a very early manuscript of ''[[The Hobbit]]'' Smaug was known as ''Pryftan''. Indeed [[John D. Rateliff]] refers to this manuscript as ''The Pryftan Fragment''.<ref>{{HH|I(a)}}, passim</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=Smaug in Adaptations
|width=165
|height=140
|lines=2
|Image:Rankin-Bass' Smaug.jpg|Smaug in the [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|1977 film ''The Hobbit'']]
|Image:SMaug-The Hobbit 1982.png|Smaug in the [[The Hobbit (1982 video game)|1982 video game ''The Hobbit'']]
|Image:Smaug_MERP.png| Smaug in [[Middle-earth Role Playing|MERP's]] [[Creatures of Middle-earth|''Creatures of Middle-earth'']]
|Image:The Hobbit (2003) Smaug.jpg|Smaug in the [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|2003 video game ''The Hobbit'']]
}}
'''1968: [[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1968 radio series)]]:'''
:[[Francis de Wolff]] provides Smaug's voice.

'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:Smaug was voiced by American actor [[Richard Boone]]; his name is pronounced "Smog". In this version, Smaug is broadly similar in size and colour but his shape is less elongated due to being more weighty. Smaug's face is rounder, possessing more mammalian traits - resembling a mix between a cat and a bat - having bat-like ears and fur around the face and down the back. Also, his armour is never mentioned to be strengthened by lying on the treasure, but more resembles an extra padding of skin/scales, minus the bare patch.

'''1979: [[The Hobbit (1979 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1979 radio series)]]:'''
:Smaug's name is pronounced "Smog".<ref>''[[The Hobbit (1979 radio series)]]'', "Inside Information"</ref> [[Erik Bauersfeld]] performed the voice of the dragon.<ref>''[http://www.discogs.com/JRR-Tolkien-The-Lord-Of-The-Rings-The-Hobbit/release/602426 J.R.R. Tolkien – The Lord Of The Rings & The Hobbit]'', [http://www.discogs.com/ discogs.com] (accessed 22 April 2011)</ref>

'''1982: [[The Hobbit (1982 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (1982 video game)]]:'''
:The goal of this game is to plunder the treasuries of Smaug's Lair in the Lonely Mountain. While the computer is loading the game it shows a picture of Smaug with the Lonely Mountain on the background.<ref name="Newspaper">[http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=ZXComputing/Issue8304/Pages/ZXComputing830400076.jpg ''ZX Computing'', iss. 8304, p. 76] reproduced at [http://www.worldofspectrum.org/archive.html World of Spectrum - Archive] (accessed 23 June 2011)</ref>

'''1988: [[Creatures of Middle-earth|''Creatures of Middle-earth'' (1st edition)]]:'''
:In this supplement to the 1st edition of ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'', Smaug is put forward as a potential enemy should the gamesmaster wish to include the dragon in his or her story. Another dragon, Utumkodur, is described as Smaug's elder sister. <ref>Ruth Sochard Pitt, Jeff O'Hare, [[Pete Fenlon|Peter C. Fenlon, Jr.]], ''[[Creatures of Middle-earth]]'', 1st edn, pp. 51-52</ref>

'''1994: [[Creatures of Middle-earth (2nd edition)|''Creatures of Middle-earth'' (2nd edition)]]:'''
:In this supplement to the 2nd edition of ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'', Smaug is described in some detail and given a brief history before his coming to Erebor. Smaug survived the destruction of [[Angband]] at the end of the [[First Age]] and settled at Anvilmount in the [[Grey Mountains]]. Here he found and defiled a First Age Adan holy place, destroying tombs and stealing a modest amount of treasure. Smaug was upset by his lack of wealth. Therefore when he heard the tale of the Dwarves of Erebor he knew that the great treasure should be his. ''Creatures of Middle-earth'' also describes Smaug as being the son of [[Ancalagon]], being one of a number of siblings including Throkmaw, Ruingurth, and Utumkodur.<ref>Ruth Sochard Pitt, Jeff O'Hare, [[Peter C. Fenlon, Jr.]], ''[[Creatures of Middle-earth (2nd edition)|Creatures of Middle-earth]]'', 2nd edn, pp. 112-115</ref>

'''2003: [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]:'''
:Smaug was voiced by [[James Horan]].

'''2012-3: [[The Hobbit films|''The Hobbit'' films]]:'''
:Smaug will be a [[wikipedia:Computer-generated imagery|CGI]]-motion capture creature produced by [[Weta Digital]]. It was announced on the [[16 June]] [[2011]] that Smaug will be voiced by [[Benedict Cumberbatch]].<ref name="Deadline">[http://www.deadline.com Deadline], "[http://www.deadline.com/2011/06/benedict-cumberbatch-to-voice-smaug-in-the-hobbit/ Benedict Cumberbatch To Voice Smaug in 'The Hobbit']", 16 June 2011 (accessed 23 June 2011)</ref>

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Smaug|Images of Smaug]]
* "[[The Quest of Erebor]]", a chapter of ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'' which provides more background information
* [[Chrysophylax]], the dragon in ''[[Farmer Giles of Ham]]''

{{references}}{{dragons}}
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Dragons]]
[[Category:Evil]]
[[Category:Germanic names]]
[[Category:Masculine names]]
[[de:Smaug]]
[[fa:اسماگ]]
[[fr:/encyclo/personnages/animaux/dragons/smaug]]
[[fi:Smaug]]

Durin's Folk

2011-07-06T23:45:23Z

Arvan: /* History */

[[Category:Dwarves]][[Category:Longbeards]]
[[Image:Longbeard king.jpg|thumb|A king of the Longbeards, portrayed by Warren Mahy]]
'''Durin's Folk''', also called ''[[Sigin-tarâg]]'', the '''Longbeards''' were, by rights, the inhabitants of [[Khazad-dûm]]. Their first King was [[Durin I|Durin]] the Deathless.

Durin's Folk were joined in [[Second Age]] by the [[Firebeards]] and [[Broadbeams]] from the [[Ered Luin]], after the [[War of Wrath]] destroyed and ruined their homes.

The Dwarves of Durin's Folk were ruled by six kings named Durin, all fathers and sons, until [[Durin VI]], who was killed by ''[[Durin's Bane]]'' in 1980 of the [[Third Age]]. After his death, a king named Durin did not return to the [[Dwarves]] for many years. In the [[Fourth Age]], a [[Durin VII]] appeared, being either the son or grandson of [[Thorin Stonehelm|Thorin III]]. He therefore would have been a direct descendant of Durin the Deathless. Durin VII was also known as Durin the Last.
==History==
The Dwarves did not participate in any important event of history. However their friendship with the Elves perhaps became more close than ever; the Dwarves of [[Moria]] maintained close connections to the [[Gwaith-i-Mírdain]] of [[Eregion]]; the [[Doors of Durin]] of Moria were built to facilitate the communication between the two people, and was constructed jointly by both races.

When Eregion was sacked by [[Sauron]]'s forces, the Dwarves assailed them from behind; however it was too late to stop him from conquering all [[Eriador]].

In [[Third Age 1980]], a [[Durin's Bane|Balrog]] awoke in the deeps of of the Misty Mountains and killed King [[Durin VI]]. The next year, his son [[Náin I]] was killed, and the Dwarves fled Khazad-dum, which from then on was called ''Moria'', which means "Black pit".

Most of Durin's folk left for the [[Grey Mountains]] in the North, while some followed the new king, [[Thráin I]], who went to [[Erebor]] on the eaves of Mirkwood in [[Third Age 1999]] and started his kingdom there. For a little over two hundred years the Dwarves that followed the king lived in [[Erebor]], mining for gold and jewels and finding the most precious of jewels, the [[Arkenstone]]. When Thráin died in [[Third Age 2190]], his son [[Thorin I]] became [[King under the Mountain]]. In [[Third Age 2210]], when he heard that his kinsmen were gathering in the mountains to the North, and how rich and unexplored they were, he left Erebor for the [[Ered Mithrin]].

For more than 300 years the [[Dwarves of the Grey Mountains]] prospered. After many years, however, the Dragons in the far North started to gain strength; their population grew, and they made war against the Dwarves, plundering and destroying their works. At last, in [[Third Age 2589]], King [[Dáin I]], along with his second oldest son [[Frór]], was killed at the gates of his halls by a great [[Cold-drakes|Cold-drake]].

Once again the Dwarves were exiled from their homes. Most of the Dwarves left the Ered Mithrin. Some followed Dáin's youngest son [[Grór]] to the [[Iron Hills]], while most one being the king's brother [[Borin]] followed the the new king [[Thrór]] to Erebor again to start a new [[Kingdom under the Mountain]].

For over 200 years Durin's folk prospered, having friendship with Men who dwelt near; the [[Men of Dale]] were able to drive away all enemies from the East, until the dragon [[Smaug]] descended upon Erebor in [[Third Age 2770]]; not long after the kingdom was destroyed and Smaug made for himself a bed of gold in the Great Hall. Many of of the Dwarves escaped the sacking, last of all King Thrór with his son [[Thráin II]] from a secret passage. The King decided to wander South along with a small company of family and followers, while most of the survivors went to the Iron Hills.

Eventually Durin's folk settled in [[Dunland]], and in [[Third Age 2790]] King Thrór gave to his son the Last of the Seven Rings of the Dwarves, and departed with his old friend [[Nár (companion of Thrór)|Nár]]; they travelled North over the [[Redhorn Pass]] to the [[East-gate]] of Moria, where he entered proudly into the ancient kingdom, demanding to return it. But he was met by the [[Goblin]]s of Moria, and their king [[Azog]] cut his head, calling him a beggar. The head of the dwarven king was given to [[Nár (companion of Thrór)|Nár]] (who hid before the Gate few days and waited), and on it was written "AZOG". Nár returned to Thráin and tell him everything. Enraged, Thráin, now the King of Dwarves, called to all the Houses of Dwarves to war, to avenge his father. Thus began the [[War of Dwarves and Orcs]], in which the Dwarves destroyed all the Goblin strongholds in the [[Misty Mountains]] one by one, until they came to the [[East-gate]] of Moria, where the great [[Battle of Azanulbizar]] was fought. In this battle all the dwarven clans united, but the Goblins were still slowly winning, until at last help came - [[Náin (son of Grór)|Náin]] son of [[Grór]] came with fresh Dwarven forces from the [[Iron Hills]]. The Battle ended with the victory of Dwarves, but at great cost. Náin was slain by Azog, but his son [[Dáin Ironfoot|Dáin]] avenged him by killing Azog. Thráin wanted to enter Khazad-dûm, but the other Dwarven clans would not, and Dáin also warned him of the Balrog of Moria that he felt when he came close to the Gate.

Then Thráin came to the Blue Mountains and established his realm there, doing everything to increase its wealth, power and numbers. But in him still was rage - now that he had his revenge on the Goblins, he now was eager of the [[Lonely Mountain]] and its wealth, and also to revenge [[Smaug]]. Soon after, he left the Blue Mountains to his son [[Thorin Oakenshield|Thorin]], and started traveling to [[Erebor]] with a group of Dwarves. His company returned, but he did not. He was taken by the [[Necromancer]] to [[Dol Guldur]], and there he was long held in the dark dungeons. [[Gandalf]] met him, and Thráin, although not able to even remember his name, gave him a [[Thrór's Map|map]] and key of Erebor before his death.

Thorin became the King of Dwarves, and ruled in the Blue Mountains for some time. But soon he, by chance of destiny, met [[Gandalf]] at [[Bree]]. There Gandalf told him about his father Thráin, and Thorin desided to make a quest to Erebor. He gathered around him [[Thorin and Company|twelve dwarves]], mostly from his own line, and he was joined by [[Gandalf]] and [[Bilbo Baggins]]. The [[Quest of Erebor]] ended with the death of [[Smaug]] at the hands of [[Bard the Bowmen]]. With the hoard unguarded, Thorin claimed it fully. The [[Elves of Mirkwood]] and [[Men of Dale]] demanded part of the treasures, which Thorin refused. Then he asked help from his cousin [[Dáin Ironfoot|Dáin]] from the [[Iron Hills]], and he came with five hundred Dwarven warriors. The Dwarves united with the Elves and Men when the Goblins came, and fought the [[Battle of Five Armies]]. With the death of Thorin and his sister-sons [[Fíli]] and [[Kíli]], the kingship under the Mountain passed to Dáin.

Some time during the Fourth Age, Durin VII reestablished the kingdom of Khazad-dum.

Durin's Folk also seemed to have a small remnant of its people in the Grey Mountains after the main population left.

==Line of Durin's Folk==
*[[Durin I]] (The Deathless), father of Dwarves. Founder and first King of [[Khazad-dum]].
*[[Durin II]] Durin Reincarnated.
*[[Durin III]] started a friendship with the Elves of [[Eregion]] during his reign, and was the first to recieve one of the [[Seven Dwarf-rings]].
*[[Durin IV]] Lead a host of Dwarves from Khazad-dum in the [[War of the Last Alliance]]
*[[Durin V]] Durin reincarnated.
*Durin VI son of [[Durin V]]. He was killed by Durin's Bane in {{TA|1980}}
*[[Náin I]] son of Durin VI. Last King of Khazad-Dûm, he was killed by Durin's Bane in 1981 T.A.
*Thráin I son of Náin I. Founded [[Erebor]] in {{TA|1999}}
*[[Thorin I]] son of Thráin I. He left Erebor for the [[Ered Mithrin]]
*[[Glóin (Son of Thorin I)|Glóin]] son of Thorin I
*[[Óin King of Durin’s Folk|Óin]] son of Glóin
*[[Náin II]] son of Óin
*[[Dáin I]] son of Náin II. The last King to rule the [[Dwarves of the Grey Mountains]], he was killed by a great [[Cold-drakes | Cold-drake]] in {{TA|2589}}
*[[Thrór]] son of Dáin I. Returned to Erebor as ''King in Exile'', and later tried to reclaim Moria. He was killed by [[Azog]] the Orc in {{TA|2790}} (Beginning of the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]])
*[[Thráin II]] son of Thrór. Made his kingdom in the northern range of the Ered Luin. He tried to go claim Erebor once again, but was captured by Orcs and taken to the dungeons of [[Dol Guldur]] in {{TA|2850}}, and was the last bearer of [[Seven Dwarf-rings | Durin's ring]].
*[[Thorin Oakenshield]] son of Thrain II. He was the king of '''Durin's Folk''' in the Blue Mountains, until he refounded Erebor, but was killed in the [[Battle of Five Armies]] in {{TA|2941}}. He is the only known Longbeard King to die childless.
----
*[[Dáin Ironfoot|Dáin II]] Ironfoot (grandson of [[Grór]]), who was killed in the [[War of the Ring]] in {{TA|3019}}
*[[Thorin Stonehelm|Thorin III Stonehelm]] Dáin's son became king and had either a son or grandson who became...
*[[Durin VII]], who refounded Khazad-dûm in the Fourth Age

==Inspiration==
Historically "Longbeards" is the supposed original name of the [[Wikipedia:Lombards|Lombards]], but other than the name, there is no other significant similarities between the Lombards and the Durin's Folk.

{{dwarvenclans}}
[[de:Durins Volk]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/nains/peuple_de_durin]]
[[fi:Durinin heimo]]

File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Wilderland map (Mirkwood).png

2011-07-06T23:24:26Z

Arvan:

Part of a map drawn by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] showing the route across [[Wilderland]].

User talk:Arvan

2011-07-06T23:22:19Z

Arvan: Adding welcome message to new user's talk page