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Black arrow

2024-10-23T13:41:56Z

GandalfTheWitty: /* Portrayal in adaptations */

{{object infobox
| name=The Black Arrow
| image = Anke Eißmann - Bard the Bowman.jpg
| caption="Bard the Bowman" by [[Anke Eißmann]]
| pronun=
| othernames=
| location=[[Lonely Mountain]], [[Lake-town]]
| owner=[[Girion]], [[Bard]]
| type=Arrow
| appearance=
| creator=[[Dwarves of Erebor]]
| created=
| createdlocation=[[Lonely Mountain]]
| destroyer=
| destroyed=
| destroyedlocation=
| notablefor=killing [[Smaug]]
| gallery=the Black Arrow
}}
{{quote|Arrow!" said the bowman. "Black arrow! I have saved you to the last. You have never failed me and always I have recovered you. I had you from my father and he from of old. If ever you came from the forges of the true king under the Mountain, go now and speed well!|[[Bard]], [[Fire and Water]]}}
According to [[Bard|Bard the Bowman]], the Black Arrow had originated in the Lonely Mountain and had been passed down to him from his father and grandfather of the line of [[Girion]]. It was magical for him and whenever he shot it, he always recovered it.

When in {{TA|2941}}<ref>{{App|TA}}</ref> the [[Dragons|dragon]] [[Smaug]] attacked [[Lake-town]], after being disturbed by [[Thorin and Company]] in the [[Lonely Mountain]], the '''Black Arrow''' was the last arrow left in Bard's quiver.

Bard fired the arrow through a bare patch in the armour on Smaug's underbelly, described to him by the [[Thrushes|Thrush]]. The arrow penetrated Smaug's heart, killing the dragon immediately.<ref>{{H|Fire}}</ref>

==Inspiration==
[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] may have found inspiration for the weapon that achieves its goal and then perishes in ''[[Beowulf (poem)|Beowulf]]''. In that story Beowulf's sword cannot kill Grendel's mother but another sword, an ancient blade found in her lair, can destroy her and slice off Grendel's head. However, the sword then melted down to the hilt.<ref>{{HH|Death}}, (ii) ''The Black Arrow'', p. 558</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''1977: ''[[The Hobbit (1977 film)]] '':'''
:The Black Arrow plays a very similar role to that in the book. Bard uses the arrow to kill Smaug after the thrush informs him of Smaug's weak point.

'''2012-2014: ''[[The Hobbit (film series)]]'':'''
:Unlike the book, there are multiple black arrows. They first appear in a [[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey|flashback]] showing [[Girion]] trying to shoot down Smaug during his attack on Dale. The next appearance is in [[The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug]], in the house of Bard, where he has one of these arrows hidden away. The final appearance is in [[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]] where Bard uses it to kill Smaug.

:In a further departure from the book, the arrows are designed to be used with a crossbow like device instead of a simple bow. This device is broken during Smaug's final attack, forcing Bard to use his bow and the shoulder of his son [[Bain]] instead.

'''2018: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The Black Arrows are said to have been a gift to each [[Lord of Dale]] from King [[Thrór]] in gratitude for saving the first dwarf king's life. The eighth Lord of Dale, later known as [[Girion]], wasted all the arrows while attempting to kill Smaug, except for the one which his son "Brandjarn" rescued and was passed down to Bard.

:After the restoration of the [[Kingdom under the Mountain]], [[Dáin Ironfoot]] gifted the [[King of Dale|Kings of Dale]] with newly-forged Black Arrows. Shortly after the [[Battle of Dale]], young King [[Bard II]] wounded the great [[Cold-drakes|Cold-drake]] "Vethúg Wintermind" with a Black Arrow, thwarting the drake's attack on Erebor.

{{references}}
{{weapons}}

[[Category:Arrows]]
[[Category:Heirlooms]]

[[fi:Musta Nuoli]]

Aragorn

2024-08-26T10:52:42Z

GandalfTheWitty: /* Films */

{{sources}}{{Disambig-more|Elessar|[[Elessar (disambiguation)]]}}{{infobox character
| people=[[Arnor]]ian
| name=Aragorn
| image=Yulia Alekseeva - Aragorn in Rivendell.jpg
| caption="Aragorn in Rivendell" by [[:Category:Images by Yulia Alekseeva|Yulia Alekseeva]]
| pronun=[[Sindarin|S]], {{IPA|[ˈaraɡorn]}}
| othernames=''See [[Aragorn#Other names|below]]''
| titles=[[Chieftain of the Dúnedain]] [[High King of the Dúnedain]] [[King of Gondor and Arnor]]<ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref> [[King of the West]]<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> Lord of the [[Westlands]]
| position=[[Rangers of the North|Ranger]] Leader of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] (after [[Gandalf]]'s death) King of the [[Reunited Kingdom]]
| location=[[Rivendell]] [[Gondor]] [[Arnor]] [[Rohan]] [[Rhûn]] and [[Harad]]<ref>{{FR|Council}}, p. 248</ref>
| affiliation=[[Fellowship of the Ring]]
| language=[[Westron]] [[Sindarin]] [[Quenya]]
| birth=[[1 March]], {{TA|2931}}
| birthlocation=[[Eriador]]
| rule={{TA|2933}} - {{TA|3019|n}} (Chieftain) {{TA|3019}} - {{FoA|120}} (King)
| death=[[1 March]], {{FoA|120}}<ref>{{App|B5}}, entry '''1541''', p. 1098</ref>
| deathlocation=[[Gondor]]
| age=210
| notablefor=Reuniting the [[Reunited Kingdom|Kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor]]
| house=[[House of Isildur]] Founder of the [[House of Telcontar]]
| parentage=[[Arathorn II]] (father) [[Gilraen]] (mother) [[Elrond]] (foster father)
| siblings=
| spouse=[[Arwen]]
| children=[[Eldarion]] At least two daughters<ref name="Tale">{{App|Tale}}</ref>
| gender=Male
| height=At least 6'6<nowiki>''</nowiki> (1.98 m)<ref name="RC">{{HM|RC}}, p. 272 citing from a note written by J.R.R. Tolkien approximately in 1969</ref><ref>{{NM|P2vi}}, p. 194</ref>
| hair=Dark, flecked with grey<ref name="Sign">{{FR|Sign}}</ref>
| eyes=Grey<ref name="Sign"/>
| clothing=High leather boots, dark-green cloak (as a [[Rangers of the North|Ranger]])<ref name="Sign"/> Pure white mantle, black mail girt with silver (as a King)<ref name="RK|Steward">{{RK|Steward}}</ref>
| weapons=[[Andúril]]
| steed=[[Roheryn]] [[Hasufel]]
}}
<center>{{quote|Tall as the sea-kings of old, he stood above all that were near; ancient of days he seemed and yet in the flower of manhood; and wisdom sat upon his brow, and strength and healing were in his hands, and a light was about him.|''[[The Return of the King]]'', "[[The Steward and the King]]"}}</center>

'''Aragorn II''' was the son of [[Arathorn II]] and [[Gilraen]]. He was the last [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain|Chieftain of the Dúnedain]] and a direct descendant through many<ref group="note">Aragorn II is of the 39th generation descended from Isildur, through 23 generations of the Kings of Arnor and Arthedain (beginning with [[Valandil (King of Arnor)|Valandil]] and ending with [[Arvedui]]) and 15 generations of the Chieftains of the Dúnedain (beginning with [[Aranarth]] and ending with Arathorn II).</ref> generations of [[Isildur]], the last [[High King of the Dúnedain|High King]] of both [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]]. Aragorn would become the greatest [[Men|Man]] of his time, leading the [[Dúnedain|Men of the West]] against [[Sauron]]'s forces, helping to destroy [[the One Ring]], and reuniting the [[Reunited Kingdom|Kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor]].

==History==
===Early life===
Aragorn was born in {{TA|2931}} to the Chieftain Arathorn II and received the name Aragorn. His grandmother, [[Ivorwen]], noted with [[foresight]] that Aragorn would one day wear on his breast a green stone.<ref>{{PM|Foreword}}</ref>

A legend says that the [[Wizards|Wizard]] [[Gandalf]] had brought such a stone, called the [[Elfstone|Elessar]], from [[Valinor]]. He gave the Elessar to the [[Elves|Elven]] Lady [[Galadriel]] and remarked prophetically that she would pass it to another, who will also be called Elessar.<ref>{{UT|6}}</ref> From this would come Aragorn's royal name ''Elessar'' ([[Quenya]] for "Elfstone").
[[File:Anna Kulisz - Elrond and Estel.jpg|thumb|left|''Elrond and Estel'' by [[:Category:Images by Anna Kulisz|Anna Kulisz]]]]
When Aragorn was two years old, his father was slain when an [[Orcs|Orc]] arrow pierced his eye. As was the tradition of his people, Aragorn was fostered in [[Rivendell]] by [[Elrond]] as if he were his own son. The [[Wise]] decided that his identity was to be kept secret, as he would be vulnerable to [[Sauron|the Enemy]]. Aragorn was called '''''[[Estel]]''''' ([[Sindarin]] for "Hope") instead. During his life in Rivendell he accompanied the twin sons of Elrond, [[Elrohir]] and [[Elladan]], on their journeys.<ref name="Tale" />

"Estel" grew to be fair and noble, and was seemingly more mature than his age. When Aragorn was twenty-one years old, after returning from a journey with the [[twins]] in {{TA|2952}}, Elrond decided to reveal his true name and ancestry. As part of this revelation, Elrond delivered to him the heirlooms of [[House of Isildur|his House]]: the shards of [[Narsil]] and the [[Ring of Barahir]]. Elrond also said that he should earn the [[Sceptre of Annúminas]]. The next day, full of hope, Aragorn was sitting in the forest singing a part of the ''[[Lay of Leithian|Lay of Lúthien]]''; as he sang of the meeting [[Beren]] and [[Lúthien]], [[Arwen]], daughter of Elrond, who had newly returned from [[Lothlórien]], appeared to him. Aragorn thought that Lúthien herself had appeared, and fell in love.<ref name="Tale" />
[[File:Stephen Hickman - Aragorn and Arwen.jpg|thumb|left|''Aragorn and Arwen'' by [[Stephen Hickman]]]]

===Life as a Ranger===
Estel took up his proper name as Aragorn, sixteenth of the Chieftains of the Dúnedain, and after he took leave of his mother and Elrond he went into [[The Wild]].<ref name="Tale" /> In {{TA|2953}} he was not present in Rivendell for the last meeting of the [[White Council]]. Aragorn met [[Gandalf|Gandalf the Grey]] in {{TA|2956}}, and they became great friends.<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> At Gandalf's advice he started to become interested in [[the Shire]] and became known as '''''Strider''''' in this region.
[[File:Catherine Chmiel - Ecthelion,Thorongil and Boromir study.jpg|thumb|right|''"Thorongil" with Ecthelion II'' by [[Catherine Karina Chmiel]]]]
From {{TA|2957}} to {{TA|2980}} Aragorn took great journeys aiding the [[West]] against [[Sauron]] and his allies. After serving King [[Thengel]] of [[Rohan]], he went to [[Ruling Steward|Steward]] [[Ecthelion II]] of [[Gondor]],<ref name="TA" /> who was in dire need of able men to guard his realm from [[Mordor]]. Aragorn kept his identity secret but as he wore a silver star upon his cloak, and was swift and keen-eyed, the [[Gondorians]] called him '''''Thorongil''''' (Sindarin for "Eagle of the Star"). He was a great leader by land and sea and Ecthelion trusted and loved him most. Some believed that there was rivalry between him and the Steward's son, [[Denethor]], who probably knew his identity as [[Heir of Isildur]], and suspected that he and Gandalf worked to supplant him. Thorongil however saw himself only as the servant of the [[Stewards of Gondor|Steward]], whom he advised to not trust [[Saruman]] and instead to welcome Gandalf (whom Denethor didn't trust or love).

Ecthelion was anticipating an attack from Sauron who had just returned, and Thorongil warned him that in that event the [[Southern Fiefs]] would be vulnerable to the [[Corsairs of Umbar]]. He was allowed by Ecthelion to take a few ships and lead an [[Surprise Attack on Umbar|attack against Umbar]]; at night he burned many ships, and in a fight slew the [[Captain of the Haven]] with only few casualties. Great honour awaited him in [[Minas Tirith]] but he did not return; while in [[Pelargir]], he sent a farewell message to Ecthelion, speaking of other tasks calling him, and saying that fate would not bring him again to Gondor soon. To the grief and wonder of his companions he crossed the [[Anduin]] and was last seen staring at the [[Mountains of Shadow]].<ref>{{App|Stewards}}</ref> He left Gondor to travel into the far East and South "exploring the hearts of men good and evil" and learning about the "plots and devices" of the servants of the Dark Lord. His exploits ensured the survival of the [[West]] much later during the [[War of the Ring]].

Later in 2980 on his return to Rivendell he entered [[Lothlórien]], and there once again met Arwen in [[Caras Galadhon]]. For one season they wandered together in Lothlórien. At midsummer he gave her the heirloom of his House, the [[Ring of Barahir]], and Arwen pledged her hand to him in marriage.<ref name="Tale" />

Elrond gave his foster son permission to marry his daughter, on the condition that he must first become king of both Gondor and Arnor, for only a king would be worthy of Arwen's hand. This harsh condition had a precedent: King [[Thingol]]'s request that [[Beren]] obtain a [[Silmarils|Silmaril]] from [[Morgoth]] before marrying his daughter [[Lúthien]].<ref name="Tale" />

===Hunt for Gollum===
In the year {{TA|3001}}, as a now revealed [[Sauron]] continued to regain power in [[Mordor]], Aragorn began assisting [[Gandalf]] in his search for news of [[Gollum]]. Gandalf suspected that the ring [[Bilbo Baggins]] found near Gollum's lake was in fact [[the One Ring]]. In {{TA|3007}}, he briefly returned to [[Eriador]] where he visited his mother for the last time. She died before that year's spring.

In {{TA|3009}} Gandalf and Aragorn renewed their hunt for Gollum, searching intermittently in the [[vales of Anduin]], [[Mirkwood]], and [[Rhovanion]], even to the confines of [[Mordor]], without knowing that around that time Gollum ventured into Mordor, and was captured by Sauron.<ref name="TA" /> [[Third Age 3017|After eight years]] Gollum was released and Aragorn finally overtook him in the [[Dead Marshes]]<ref name="TA" /> on [[1 February]]. With Gollum he travelled through the northern [[Emyn Muil]], to prevent being found by Sauron's spies, and crossed the Anduin at the [[Sarn Gebir]]. He travelled further north along the edges of [[Fangorn Forest]] and through Lothlórien,<ref name="UT">{{UT|Hunt}}</ref> where the Elves sent a message to Gandalf.<ref>{{UT|Hunt}}, Note 5</ref> He travelled alongside the Anduin to the north until he arrived at the [[Carrock]]. With the aid of the [[Beornings]] he crossed the Anduin with Gollum and entered [[Mirkwood]]. He took Gollum to [[Thranduil]] to be held captive.<ref name="TA" /><ref name="UT" /> He then returned west where he met with Gandalf at [[Sarn Ford]] and learned of [[Frodo Baggins]]' plan to leave the Shire with the Ring in late September. Aragorn then continued his own journey.<ref name="Strider">{{FR|Strider}}</ref>

===The War of the Ring===
When Aragorn returned to his area, the [[Elves]] who followed [[Gildor Inglorion]] told Aragorn the [[Nazgûl|Black Riders]] had been seen, Gandalf had been missing and there were no messages from him. Aragorn and his [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]] kept watch over the border of [[the Shire]] and the [[East Road]] waiting for sight of Frodo but there was no news of them leaving [[Buckland]].<ref name="Strider" />

While staying in [[Bree]], Aragorn crossed the paths of four hobbits in [[The Prancing Pony]]. Aragorn watched as the hobbits clumsily hid their names and intentions, and as [[Frodo Baggins]], the leader of the party, fell from a table and disappeared as he put the ring on. Aragorn, whose name was given as Strider, seemed to show no surprise, only annoyance at Frodo’s foolish vanishing act. He arranged for an interview that night, where he warned them of the Black Riders and [[Bill Ferny]] then bluntly requested that they use him as a guide. After some consideration, and a note given them by the forgetful [[Barliman Butterbur]] from Gandalf condoning him, Frodo agreed.
[[File:Jef Murray - Amon Sûl.jpg|thumb|left|[[Jef Murray]] - ''Amon Sûl'']]
Aragorn’s plan to reach Rivendell was to first head toward [[Archet]] and bear right to [[Weathertop]]. After the ambush at Weathertop and the wounding of Frodo, [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] took over the position as leader of the Hobbits. After a while they met [[Glorfindel]], a friend of Aragorn’s, and it was not much later that they arrived in Rivendell.
[[File:Darrell Sweet - The Reforging of the Sword.jpg|thumb|[[Darrell Sweet]] - ''The Reforging of the Sword'']]
After the Council of Elrond, Aragorn became a member of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]]. As a preparation for his travel, the ancient shards of [[Narsil]], the heirloom of his House, were reforged after 3 millennia. Aragorn carried the Sword Reforged, and renamed it [[Andúril]].

Aragorn's intentions were to travel with the [[Fellowship of the Ring|company]] for a while before returning to [[Gondor]] with [[Boromir]]. Aragorn encouraged the taking of the [[Caradhras|Redhorn Pass]], which ended in disaster. He conceded to Gandalf’s choice to pass through [[Moria]], but warned Gandalf to be cautious if he entered Moria, because he had a very evil memory from his previous visit to Moria. Indeed, after Gandalf fell into the abyss with [[Durin's Bane]], Aragorn was naturally elected leader of the company, despite some resentment by Boromir.

====Leading the Fellowship of the Ring====
Aragorn again amazed the rest of the Fellowship by his apparent closeness to the people of [[Lothlórien]], and his friendship with [[Celeborn]] and [[Galadriel]]. At their departure, Galadriel offered him the [[Elfstone]] as a wedding gift from the family of the Elven bride to the groom, foretelling his marriage to Arwen.<ref>{{MR|P3II3}}</ref> It was worn by Aragorn ever after and from that he later took the name '''Elessar'''.

Even at the [[Rauros|Falls of Rauros]] he was undecided, leaving it to Frodo for the final decision. For though it was obvious he wished to go to [[Minas Tirith]] with Boromir, he yet felt that it was his duty to go where the [[Ring-bearers|Ring-bearer]] chose.

[[File:Inger Edelfeldt - Death of Boromir.jpg|thumb|200px|right|''Death of Boromir'' by [[Inger Edelfeldt]]]]
After Frodo escaped him and Boromir perished, he with the remaining members of the Fellowship, namely [[Legolas]] and [[Gimli]], chose to try and save [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] from the [[Uruk-hai]] that had ambushed them, forming the group that would later be known as the [[Three Hunters]].

He met [[Éomer]] in the fields of [[Rohan]], and an instant friendship formed, both feeling the honesty and lordliness of the other. Éomer took a risk for his sake, giving him horses, with the promise that one day Aragorn would return to [[Edoras]]. Aragorn, tracking the Hobbits, followed into [[Fangorn Forest]], where he met the resurrected [[Gandalf|Gandalf the White]]. After the restoration of [[Théoden]], he rode to [[Helm's Deep]] to fight in the [[Battle of the Hornburg]]. There he, alongside his new-found “brother” Éomer, and King Théoden, marshalled the defence against [[Saruman]]’s army. His revealed majesty upon the battlements of the Hornburg as he waited for the dawn caused some of the [[Dunlendings|Wild men]] to pause and shudder, and he heralded the return of Gandalf with [[Erkenbrand]].

After Pippin’s terrifying experience with the [[Orthanc-stone]], Gandalf presented it in a formal manner to Aragorn, its rightful master, who hinted that it would be used by him eventually. After the departure of Gandalf and Pippin to Minas Tirith, he rode for a while longer with Théoden, meeting up with his friend [[Halbarad]] of the North, [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]], and a company of staunch and fearless Rangers. Elladan and Elrohir gave him a message from Elrond: "''The days are short. If thou art in haste, remember the [[Paths of the Dead]]''". Halbarad bore a gift from the Lady Arwen – the [[standard of Elendil]]. Aragorn knew the path set before him.

====The Return of the King====
A little while later Aragorn took his companions and his rangers and set out for [[Dunharrow]], departing from the King’s company. His course was clear: to take the Paths of the Dead, to summon the [[Oathbreakers|Dead Men]]. In Dunharrow, he met the lady [[Éowyn]], who had fallen in love with him. After making it clear that he could not accept her love, he turned towards the evil road with the dawn.

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Thus Came Aragorn.jpg|thumb|right|''Thus Came Aragorn'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
The [[Grey Company]] passed through the [[Dark Door]] and the [[Dwimorberg]], the Dead following, and coming at last to the [[Stone of Erech]], Aragorn summoned them to his aid. They drew their swords and blew their horns in answer, and swept down upon the [[Corsairs of Umbar|Corsairs]] at [[Pelargir]] and drove the mariners away. Aragorn released them, and took their ships north to Minas Tirith, where the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] raged. The Standard of Elendil broke forth, and his Dúnedain swept down, giving the final blow to the army of [[Gothmog (Lieutenant of Morgul)|Gothmog]]. The counter-attacked army of [[Sauron]] crumbled utterly, but Aragorn did not enter the city.

Aragorn, furling his banner, appointed [[Imrahil]] the temporary lord of the City, as the law demanded. Eventually, however, Aragorn did come to the [[Houses of Healing]], where he tended and restored Merry, Éowyn, and [[Faramir]], in accordance with the prophecy “''The hands of the king are the hands of a healer, and so shall the rightful king be known''”. Many of the people of Minas Tirith came to Aragorn and followed him, asking that he heal those they knew. Aragorn worked late into the night, before finally leaving the city, hooded and cloaked. When in the morning the people saw the banner of [[Dol Amroth]], they wondered if the Return of the King had been but a dream.<ref name="Houses">{{RK|Houses}}</ref>

[[File:Inger Edelfeldt - The Crowning of Aragorn.jpg|thumb|left|''The Crowning of Aragorn'' by [[Inger Edelfeldt]]]]
Aragorn held [[Last Debate|council]] with his trusted companions, namely Gandalf, Éomer, Imrahil, and Elrond’s sons – Halbarad had fallen in battle. He agreed to draw forth the forces of [[Mordor]] for the benefit of the [[Quest of the Ring]], and so arranged matters for the [[Battle of the Morannon]]. After the destruction of the Ring in [[Mount Doom|Orodruin]] and victory at the [[Morannon]], Aragorn returned at last in the triumphant manner that befitted his position. He was crowned at the gates of Minas Tirith, winning the hearts of the people of [[Gondor]].

===Reign as Elessar===
Aragorn ruled the [[Reunited Kingdom]] of Gondor and Arnor until year 120 of the [[Fourth Age]].

He pardoned the [[Easterlings]] that had surrendered and made peace with the [[Haradrim]]. He freed the slaves of Mordor and gave them the [[Sea of Núrnen]].<ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 968</ref>

Some days after his coronation, Gandalf took Elessar up the slopes of Mount [[Mindolluin]], and there he found the scion of [[Nimloth of Númenor|Nimloth]], the symbol of his mastery of the [[Reunited Kingdom]]. Elrond and Arwen came to Gondor and Elrond gave Elessar the [[Sceptre of Annúminas]] signifying the Kingship of Arnor. He wedded Arwen on Midsummer's day of 3019, and then was forced to bid his old friends farewell. He turned back to his new kingdom as the [[Fourth Age]] dawned and the Ringbearers left the shores of Middle-earth forever.

One of his first tasks in the re-ordering of his realm was the restoration of [[Orthanc]] and ordered the [[Orthanc-stone]] to be returned there. With this opportunity, many secrets and hoarded treasures were revealed including the [[Elendilmir]] which Saruman took from Isildur's body. Elessar received the Elemdilmir with reverence and took it with him as he established his full kingship of [[Arnor]].<ref>{{UT|Isen}}</ref>

Elessar gave his [[Steward]] Faramir the title [[Lord of Emyn Arnen]] and created him as [[Prince of Ithilien]].<ref name="RK|Steward">{{RK|Steward}}</ref> He declared the [[Drúadan Forest]] to belong to the [[Drúedain]] and a protected enclave of his Kingdom.<ref>{{RK|Partings}}</ref> He also re-established the Great [[Council of Gondor]] whose chief councillor was the Steward.<ref>{{L|244}}</ref> He also renewed the [[Oath of Cirion]] with Éomer.

As for [[the Shire]], he declared it a Free Land under the protection of the Northern Sceptre and forbade Men from entering it. He appointed the [[Thain]], the [[Master of Buckland]], and the [[Mayor of Michel Delving]] Counsellors of the North-kingdom. Also he offered to the Shire the [[Westmarch|lands]] up to the [[Tower Hills|Emyn Beraid]].<ref name="later">{{App|Later}}</ref>

He founded the royal [[House of Telcontar]], he had a son, [[Eldarion]], and a number of daughters.

King Elessar died after 210 years of life and 122 years of rule and was succeeded by his son [[Eldarion]]. His wife Arwen, now mortal, gave up her life shortly afterwards in year 121, aged 2,901.

==Characteristics==

===Physical Appearance===
Aragorn is described as "lean, dark, and tall," with "a shaggy head of dark hair flecked with grey, and in a pale stern face a pair of keen grey eyes."<ref name="Sign" /> [[Tolkien]] later wrote that he was at least 6'6".<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 229 (citing a "late, unpublished note").</ref>

===Personality===
Aragorn held his heritage in high esteem and was willing to commit to a single path in life in the name of love.<ref name="Tale" /> He possessed a nigh indomitable will, as he psychically challenged [[Sauron]] for control of the [[Palantir]] of [[Orthanc]] and proved to be victorious.<ref name="Company">{{RK|Company}}</ref> Yet this will did not prevent him from honoring his own word and the words of his forebears.<ref name="Debate">{{RK|Debate}}</ref> Aragorn was also described as '[[Elves|Elven]]-wise' due to spending his youth in Rivendell with [[Elrond]] as well as learning from [[Gandalf]].<ref name="Tale" />

===Weapons and skills===
Aragorn wielded [[Anduril]], the sword re-forged from the shards of [[Narsil]] as his weapon of choice throughout the [[War of the Ring]].<ref>{{FR|South}} "Aragorn had Andúril but no other weapon."</ref> He was an extremely capable swordsman, as he was able to survive the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] unscathed along with [[Eomer]] and [[Imrahil]].<ref>{{RK|Battle}}</ref> He was also a capable military tactician, as during that same battle, he was able to reinforce the [[Rohirrim]] and hit the weakest point of the army of [[Mordor]], along with taking time to rearrange his army's positions during the [[Battle of the Morannon]].<ref>{{RK|Gate}}</ref> He was also a skilled healer, most notably with the herb [[Athelas]], as he was able to heal [[Faramir]] and [[Eowyn]] of their wounds,<ref name="Houses" /> as well as slow down the effects of the [[Morgul-knife]] used to stab [[Frodo]] on [[Weathertop]].<ref>{{FR|Flight}}</ref>

==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Aragorn Elessar.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''''Aragorn''''' is a [[Sindarin]] name, which means "revered king".<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 31 entry S ''Ara(n)gorn''</ref><ref name="PE17Turgond">{{PE|17}}, p. 113 entry S '''Turgond-'''</ref> It contains the phonetic reduction ''ara'' of ''[[aran]]'' ("king") and the adjective ''[[gorn|(n)gorn]]'' ("dreaded, revered").<ref name="PE17Turgond" />

The [[Quenya]] form of ''Aragorn'' was '''''Arakorno'''''.<ref name="WP">{{PE|17}}, p. 70 f. entry Q '''ar''' in the translation of the sentence into Quenya ''Sanome tarne Olórin, Arakorno, [...]''</ref>

==Other names==
*'''Aragorn II''' - Aragorn's name as [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain|Chieftain of the Dúnedain]]. He was possibly named after [[Aragorn I]].
*[[Thorongil]] - [[Sindarin|S]] "Eagle of the Star", a pseudonym used in [[Gondor]] and [[Rohan]]. Pronounced {{IPA|[θoˈroŋɡil]}}.
*'''Elessar''' - [[Quenya|Q]] "Elfstone", Aragorn's name as a king. Despite popular use as such, Aragorn was never known as "Aragorn Elessar", "Aragorn II Elessar" or "[[The Return of the King (1980 film)|King Aragorn]]". Pronounced {{IPA|[eˈlesːar]}}.
*'''Edhelharn''' - The [[Sindarin]] equivalent of Elessar, used in the King's Letter.<ref>{{SD|XI2}}, p. 128ff</ref> '''Edhelharn''' is the [[Sindarin]] word for [[Elfstone]] ([[Quenya|Q]]. ''[[Elessar]]''). Derived from the words ''[[edhel]]'' "elf" and ([[Lenition|lenited]]) ''[[sarn]].'' Pronounced {{IPA|[eˈðel.harn]}}.
*[[Elfstone]] - The [[Westron|Common Speech]] version of the previous two.
*''[[Envinyatar]]'' - [[Quenya|Q]] "the Renewer". This title was claimed by Aragorn after the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. It referred to the prophecy that he would renew the hope of the Dúnedain by reuniting the Two Kingdoms.
*[[Estel]] - [[Quenya|Q]]. Usually glossed as "Hope", the concept ''estel'' more widely means "hope, trust, a temper of mind, steady fixed in purpose, and difficult to dissuade and unlikely to fall into despair or abandon its purpose". Pronounced {{IPA|[ˈestel]}}.
*[[Strider (Aragorn)|Strider]] - A sobriquet given by the men of [[Bree]]. Aragorn used it mockingly.
*'''Wingfoot''' - An honorary name given by [[Éomer]] after the pursuit of the [[Uruk-hai]] through the [[Eastemnet]].<ref>{{TT|III2}}</ref>
*[[Telcontar]] - A [[Quenya]] form of "Strider", this was the name of Elessar's Royal House. It was not used independently. Pronounced {{IPA|[telˈkontar]}}.
*[[Heir of Isildur|Isildur's Heir]] - A poetic address, as he was the heir of [[Isildur]].
*'''The Dúnadan''' - "[[Dúnedain|Man of the West]]", a name given by [[Bilbo Baggins]] when their friendship evolved.
*'''Longshanks''' - another, though less frequently used, sobriquet in Bree, ascribed to [[Bill Ferny]]. The legs of the [[Bree-landers|Bree-men]] were shorter than the legs of the [[Dúnedain]].
*'''Arakorno''' - A rare Quenya form of Aragorn, which only appeared in a discussion about the words for Quenya.<ref name="WP" /> Pronounced {{IPA|[ˌaraˈkorno]}}.

==Genealogy==
This is an abbreviated family tree; see '''''[[Ancestry of Aragorn II]]''''' for Aragorn's full line of descent.
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree | | | COD | | | | | | | | | | |COD=''[[Chieftains of the Dúnedain]]''}}
{{familytree | | | |:| | | | | | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | ART |y| GIL | | | | | | |ART=[[Arathorn II]] ''2873-2933'' †|GIL=[[Gilraen]] ''2907-3007''}}
{{familytree | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | | | ARA |y| ARW | | | | |ARA='''ARAGORN ''' ''2931-FoA 120''|ARW=[[Arwen]] ''TA 241-FoA 121''}}
{{familytree | | | | | |,|-|^|-|.| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | | | ELD | | SDS | | | | |ELD=[[Eldarion]] ''FoA 1-220''|SDS=''several daughters''<ref name="Tale"/>}}
{{familytree/end}}
===Relation to Arwen===
Arwen was a very distant cousin of Aragorn. By their marriage, the long-sundered lines of the [[Half-elven]] were joined.<ref name="Numenor">{{App|A1i}}</ref> Their union also served to unite and preserve the bloodlines of the kings of the three kindreds of the High Elves ([[Ingwë]], [[Finwë]], and brothers [[Elwë]], [[Olwë]], and [[Elmo]]) as well as the only line with [[Maiar]]in blood through Arwen's great-great-grandmother, [[Melian]]. There were at least two marriages between descendants of Elendil in Aragorn's ancestry, so Aragorn was related to Arwen by blood along at least three lines.

Through his father, Arathorn II, Aragorn was Arwen's first cousin sixty-two times removed through his ancestor Arvedui and sixty-seven times removed through his ancestor Fíriel. Both of these lines descend through four<ref name="Numenor" /> generations of the Kings of Númenor, Silmariën, eighteen<ref>{{UT|Kings}}</ref> generations of the Lords of Andúnië, and Elendil, as well as Aranarth and fifteen<ref name="North">{{App|North}}</ref> succeeding generations of the Chieftains of the Dúnedain, including Aragorn himself. Aragorn's mother Gilraen was also descended from Aranarth,<ref name="North" /> but the number of generations between them is unknown.

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In the earliest unpublished versions of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' (see ''[[The History of The Lord of the Rings]]''), the character that later became Aragorn was called '''''[[Trotter]]''''' instead of Strider, and was a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] instead of a [[Men|Man]]. He had wooden feet, because he had once traveled to Mordor and been tortured there with the character envisioned as a relative of Bilbo and Frodo. This name would carry over when the character was revised into a man and would remain in use for much of the book's composition. During writing of the latter portions of Book II, Tolkien would temporarily rename the character, ''[[Elfstone]]'' on the proposition that a man should not have an Elvish name. Another name considered was ''[[Ingold]].''<ref name="comp">{{HM|RC}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Aragorn in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="250px" heights="150px">
File:War in Middle Earth - Aragorn and Frodo against a Nazgul.png|Aragorn with [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] in ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings (1978 film) - Strider.jpg|Strider in [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]
File:The Return of the King (1980 film) - Aragorn.jpg|Aragorn in [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings (film series) - Aragorn.jpg|Aragorn in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (video game) - Aragorn.JPG|Aragorn in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Aragorn.jpg|Aragorn in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
File:2011-12-23 00061.jpg|Aragorn in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''
File:LEGO Aragorn poster.png|Aragorn as a ''[[Lego]] mini figure''
File:The Lord of the Rings Heroes of Middle earth-Aragorn.png|Aragorn in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle-earth]]'''
</gallery>

===Films===
'''1978: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)]]'':'''
:The voice of Aragorn is provided by [[John Hurt]]. Some critics have commented that he looks Native American.<ref>{{webcite|author=Conrad Brunstrom|articleurl=https://conradbrunstrom.wordpress.com/2023/12/21/tolkien-and-diverse-casting-the-1978-animated-lord-of-the-rings/|articlename=Tolkien and Diverse Casting. The 1978 animated Lord of the Rings|dated=21 December 2023|website=[https://conradbrunstrom.wordpress.com/ Conradbrunstrom.wordpress.com]|accessed=11 March 2024}}</ref>

'''1980: ''[[The Return of the King (1980 film)]]'':'''
:Aragorn was voiced by [[Theodore Bikel]] in the 1980 [[Rankin/Bass]] animated film. His role is dramatically reduced to a handful of scenes and there is no mention of any previous involvement with the [[Fellowship of the Ring]].

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:Aragorn is played by [[Viggo Mortensen]], though [[Stuart Townsend]] was originally cast in the role. Townsend was deemed too young, and parted ways with the production over creative differences. Mortensen had just two weeks to train for his first scene, the standoff with the [[Nazgûl]] at [[Weathertop]]. In a notable departure from the source material, Aragorn, due to his lineage including those who fell to the temptation of evil (namely [[Isildur]]), is riddled with anxiety and self-doubt regarding his place as king of Gondor. He is also portrayed as wary of Men's strength and potential, likely owing to being raised among Elves. Nonetheless, he promises a dying [[Boromir]] that he will not let [[Minas Tirith]] fall. He also claims Boromirs bracers (which have emblems of the [[White Tree of Gondor|White Tree]]), which symbolizes a gradual acceptance of his heritage.

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Aragorn's part in this film is largely similar to the events in the book. The most significant difference is that, in the book, there was no [[Wargs|Warg]] attack on the party traveling to Helm's Deep and Aragorn did not fall down a cliff.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Aragorn finally steps into his role as king after having a lot of self-doubt beforehand.

'''2014: ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]]'':'''
:Although he is not physically present, he is mentioned by [[Thranduil]] to his son, [[Legolas]]. Thranduil tells Legolas to seek a young ranger known as "Strider" and that Legolas would have to discover Strider's true name for himself. In the continuity of the films, Aragorn would have been 27 rather than a ten-year-old child.

===Television===
'''1993: ''[[Hobitit]]'':'''
:Aragorn is portrayed by [[Kari Väänänen]], the same actor who played [[Gollum]] in the series.

===Radio series===
'''1955: [[The Lord of the Rings (1955 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1955 radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Aragorn is provided by [[Godfrey Kenton]].

'''1979: [[The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1979 radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Aragorn is provided by [[Tom Luce]].

'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:Aragorn was voiced by [[Robert Stephens]]. For his early scenes, according to [[John McAndrew]] (Pippin) Stephens adopted an accurate Bristol accent to help suggest the disguise Strider adopted in Bree.

'''2001-2003: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Aragorn is provided by Boris Farkaš.

===Games===
'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
:Aragorn is a playable character. He has brown hair and is bearded, he bears a golden sword.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:[[Daran Norris]] provided the voice of Aragorn, who is one of the three playable characters.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'' (video game)]]:'''
:Aragorn is one of the three playable characters, as well as narrator for most of the game. He is versatile in both melee and ranged attacks. Viggo Mortensen reprises his role from the film trilogy.

'''2003: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' (video game)]]:'''
:Aragorn is a playable character, his storyline is dubbed "Path of a King". He journeys through Paths of the Dead with Legolas and Gimli, later they fight on Pelennor fields and at the Black Gate. Chris Edgerly takes over for Mortensen as Aragorn's voice actor.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring|Sierra's War of the Ring]]'':'''
:Aragorn is a Hero Unit for the Free People side. He is present in Lothlorien, Battle of Hornburg and Siege of the Minas Morgul.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Aragorn is a Hero Unit for the Rohan faction in skirmishes, he also accompanies the Fellowship in the storyline mode.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Aragorn is now the Hero for the Men of the West faction.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:In the Prologue, Aragorn saves Men/Hobbit characters from brigands, but is forced to leave soon, as he has to intercept Frodo in Bree. Later arriving at the Prancing Pony, the characters meet him again and help him look in the surrounding area for Hobbits, who did not arrive in time. When the player returns, Aragorn and the Hobbits have already departed, and their next meeting is in Rivendell, where Aragorn entrusts the player with defence of the North while the Fellowship is gone. Later, in [[Lothlórien]], Aragorn is seen residing in [[Caras Galadhon]].

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:Aragorn is a playable hero available in several missions in War of the Ring campaign.

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Aragorn is an important character of the game, and is mentioned as one of the much honored heroes of the [[War of the Ring]] in the introduction of the game.<ref name="Prologue">[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], ''Prologue''</ref>
:He is a friend of two of the game's main characters, [[Eradan (video game character)|Eradan]] and [[Andriel]]. Aragorn had met [[Andriel]] during his visits at [[Rivendell]],<ref name="Backstory Andriel">{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.warinthenorth.com/the-game/heroes/backstory#elfAnchor|articlename=Elven Character: Andriel's History|dated=|website=War in the North|accessed=25 December 2011}}</ref> while he had met Eradan, when he served as Ranger at Sarn Ford. Aragorn was impressed by his skills and bravery, and taught him much about tracking. Eradan was a companion of Aragorn on many of his journeys. Aragorn trusted Eradan much, though he never told him what the reason was behind the protection of [[the Shire]].<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.warinthenorth.com/the-game/heroes/backstory#dunedainAnchor|articlename=Human Character: Eradan's History|dated=|website=War in the North|accessed=24 December 2011}}</ref>

:Eradan, Andriel and [[Farin (video game character)|Farin]] meet Aragorn in the Prancing Pony to warn him, on Halbarad's request, after the Nazgûl attacked and defeated the [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]] at [[Sarn Ford]], and entered the Shire. They also tell him about a conversation between the Witch-king and [[Agandaûr]], which the three heroes overheard shortly after the attack. Agandaûr summoned the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]] and assembled an army in [[Fornost]], which plans to aid the Nazgûl in their search for [[the One Ring]]. Aragorn sends Eradan, Andriel and Farin to Fornost, to stop Agandaûr and his army.<ref name="Prologue" /> While Eradan, Andriel, Farin, [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]] stopped Agandaûr's army,<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], ''Chapter 1: Fornost''</ref> Aragorn met with [[Frodo Baggins]] and left Bree.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], ''Chapter 2: The Barrow Downs'', Bree</ref>

'''2012: ''[[Lego|Lego The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:A mini figure of Aragorn is included in the [[Lego#Sets|sets]] '''Attack at Weathertop''', '''The Battle of Helm's Deep''', '''The Battle at the Black Gate''', and '''The Pirate ship ambush'''.<ref name="2012 sets">{{webcite|author=Calisuri|articleurl=http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2012/02/12/53563-more-lord-of-the-rings-lego-details-from-toy-fare-2012/|articlename=More Lord of the Rings LEGO Details from Toy Fare 2012|dated=12 February 2012|website=TORN|accessed=18 February 2012}}</ref>
'''2023: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Heroes of Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Aragorn is included as a playable character in the specific videogame.

==See also==
*'''[[Timeline of Aragorn]]'''
*[http://dare.ubvu.vu.nl/bitstream/1871/10975/1/Aragorn_Final.pdf "Aragorn Seen Through Different Media"] by [[Connie Veugen]], compares the introduction of Strider in Ralph Bakshi's film, the 1981 BBC radio play, Peter Jackson's film and [[Vivendi]]'s [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|video game]], ''The Fellowship of the Ring.''

{{references|notes}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aragorn}}

==Titles==
{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
| race=arnorian
| house=Founder of the [[House of Telcontar]] Continuation of the [[House of Isildur]]
| born=[[1 March]], {{TA|2931}}
| died=[[1 March]], {{FoA|120}}
}}
{{seq
| prow=2
| prev=[[Arathorn II]]
| list=16th [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain|Chieftain of the Dúnedain]]
| dates={{TA|2933}} – [[1 May]], {{TA|3019|n}}
| next=Position abolished
| nvac=None
}}
{{seq
| list=39th [[Heir of Isildur|Heir]] of [[Isildur]]
| dates={{TA|2933}} - [[1 March]], {{FoA|120}}
| next=[[Eldarion]]
}}
{{seq
| prev=[[Gandalf]]
| list=Leader of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]]
| dates=[[15 January]] - [[22 August]], {{TA|3019}}
| next=Position abolished
| nvac=None
}}
{{seq
| pvac=Vacant
| prev=Last held by: '''[[Eärnur]]''', 969 years earlier
| list=34th [[Kings of Gondor|King of Gondor]]
| dates=[[1 May]], {{TA|3019}} – [[1 March]], {{FoA|120}}
| next=[[Eldarion]]
| nrow=4
}}
{{seq
| pvac=Vacant
| prev=Last held by: '''[[Eärendur (King of Arnor)|Eärendur]]''', 2,158 years earlier
| list=11th [[Kings of Arnor|King of Arnor]]
| dates=[[1 May]], {{TA|3019}} – [[1 March]], {{FoA|120}}
}}
{{seq
| pvac=Vacant
| prev=Last held by: '''[[Isildur]]''', 3,017 years earlier
| list=1st [[High King of the Dúnedain|High King]] of the [[Reunited Kingdom]]
| dates=[[1 May]], {{TA|3019}} – [[1 March]], {{FoA|120}}
}}
{{seq
| pvac=None
| prev=New title
| list=Head of the [[House of Telcontar]]
| dates=[[1 May]], {{TA|3019}} – [[1 March]], {{FoA|120}}
}}
{{seq-end}}

{{councilofelrond}}
{{fellowship}}
{{FellowshipRoute}}
{{northernline}}
{{southernline}}
{{lordoftheringsfilms}}

[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Chieftains of the Dúnedain]]
[[Category:Fourth Age characters]]
[[Category:House of Isildur]]
[[Category:House of Telcontar]]
[[Category:Mariners]]
[[Category:Rulers of Arnor]]
[[Category:Rulers of Gondor]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]

[[de:Aragorn II.]]
[[fi:Aragorn II]]
[[fr:/encyclo/personnages/hommes/3adunedain/dunedain_du_nord/aragorn_ii]]

Balrogs

2024-08-25T09:27:39Z

GandalfTheWitty:

{{disambig-more|Balrog|[[Balrog (disambiguation)]]}}{{people infobox
| name=Balrogs
| image = Ted Nasmith - Glorfindel's Bane.jpg

| caption="Glorfindel's Bane" by [[Ted Nasmith]]
| pronun=
| othernames=''Valaraukar'' ([[Quenya|Q]])
| origin=[[Creation of the Ainur]]
| location=Primarily [[Angband]], [[Moria]] ([[Durin's Bane]])
| affiliation=[[Morgoth]]
| rivalry=
| language=
| members=[[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]], [[Durin's Bane]], [[Lungorthin]]
| lifespan=Immortal
| distinctions=Man-like, surrounded by shadow and fire, covered in smoke ''(cf. [[Balrogs/Wings]])''
| height=Twice the height of a man
| hair=
| skin=
| clothing=
| weapons=Whips, swords, axes
}}
{{Quote|... in Utumno he gathered his demons about him, those spirits who first adhered to him in the days of his splendour, and became most like him in his corruption: their hearts were of fire, but they were cloaked in darkness, and terror went before them; they had whips of flame.|''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor]]"}}
The '''Balrogs''' were [[Maiar]] corrupted by [[Morgoth]] during the creation of [[Arda]], who cloaked themselves in shadow and flame and carried whips and swords. Famed Balrogs include [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]], slain by [[Ecthelion]], and [[Durin's Bane]], slain by [[Gandalf]].

==History==
Balrogs, also called [[Valaraukar]], were originally [[Ainur]] created by [[Ilúvatar]], probably those who joined [[Melkor]] during his discordance in the [[Music of the Ainur]]. After entering into [[Eä]], they were [[Maiar]], lesser spirits at the service of the [[Valar]].

{{blockquote|...of the Maiar many were drawn to [Melkor's] splendour in the days of his greatness, and remained in that allegiance down into his darkness; and others he corrupted afterwards to his service with lies and treacherous gifts. Dreadful among these spirits were the Valaraukar, the scourges of fire that in Middle-earth were called the Balrogs, demons of terror.|''[[Valaquenta]]'': Of the Enemies}}

They took the [[Fana|forms]] of demons with hearts of fire and whips of flame. Melkor gathered them about him after the fall of the [[Two Lamps]] and they dwelt in [[Utumno]].<ref>{{S|3}}</ref> When this fortress was destroyed by the [[Valar]], they fled to the west and hid in the pits of [[Angband]], awaiting their master's return.<ref name="Return">{{S|9}}</ref>

When [[Morgoth]] and [[Ungoliant]] escaped from [[Valinor]] many years later with the [[Silmarils]], the Balrogs were still awaiting their master in Angband. After Ungoliant threatened Morgoth, his cry was heard by them. Then the Balrogs issued from their hiding-place and traveled to [[Lammoth]] like a tempest of fire. With their whips they destroyed Ungoliant's webs and made her take flight.<ref name="Return">{{S|9}}</ref>

The Balrogs were first encountered by the Elves during the [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]] ("Battle under the Stars") when the [[Noldor]]in [[Exile of the Noldor|Exiles]] [[Return of the Noldor|returned]] to [[Middle-earth]] at the end of the [[First Age]].<ref>{{App|Elves}}, p. 1128</ref> After the victory of the Noldor over Morgoth's forces, the Elf Lord [[Fëanor]] pressed on towards [[Angband]], but the Balrogs came up against him. He was surrounded and fought long against them before being mortally wounded by [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]], Lord of the Balrogs. Though Fëanor's sons fought off the demons of fire, Fëanor died of his wounds soon after.<ref>{{S|13}}</ref>

During the [[Wars of Beleriand]], Morgoth only came out of Angband on [[Fall of Fingolfin|one occasion]]. Instead, he sent the Balrogs to fight and lead in battle. Two of them were killed in the [[Fall of Gondolin]]: Gothmog by [[Ecthelion]], and another by [[Glorfindel]].<ref>{{S|Gondolin}}</ref>

After the [[War of Wrath]], some Balrogs escaped the destruction of [[Beleriand]] and hid deep underground, in inaccessible places at the roots of the earth.<ref group="note">At the height of his power, Morgoth's successor [[Sauron]] was said to have reigned over all foul things, perhaps even some of the surviving Balrogs, but there is no evidence of this.</ref> Only one Balrog appears after the defeating of [[Morgoth]]: In the Third Age the [[Dwarves]] of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] unwittingly released the Balrog, afterwards known as [[Durin's Bane]], while mining for ''[[mithril]]'' and were driven out of Moria by the creature.<ref>{{App|Durin}}, pp. 1071-2</ref> Encountered by the [[Fellowship of the Ring]], it was faced by [[Gandalf]] and the two Maiar slew one another.<ref>{{TT|III5}}, pp. 501-2</ref>

==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Balrog.mp3|Ardamir}}
''Balrog'' is [[Sindarin]] for "Demon of Might", from the [[root]] ''[[BAL]]'' ("power") + ''[[raug]]/[[rog]]'' ("demon").<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, entries ''rauko'', ''val''</ref> The demonym was '''''Balrogath'''''.<ref>{{MR|P2f}}, p. 79</ref>

In the earlier [[Noldorin]] phase of the language, the word ''Balrog'' was derived from baul ("torment") + rhaug ("demon"), from [[Primitive Elvish]] ''ñgwalaraukô''.<ref name="Etymologies">{{LR|Etymologies}}, entries "[[ÑGWAL]]", "[[RUK]]"</ref>

==Other names==
The [[Quenya]] form is '''''Valarauko''''' (plural ''Valaraukar'').<ref>{{PE|17}}, entry S '''Balrog''', p. 48</ref>

In the Quenya from ''[[The Etymologies]]'', the form was ''malarauko''.<ref name="Etymologies" />

A list of [[Old English]] equivalents of [[Elvish]] words, glosses ''Balrog'' as having the equivalent ''Bealuwearg'' and ''Bealubroga''. As noted by [[Christopher Tolkien]], the Old English word contains the elements ''bealu'' ("evil"; as in ''bale(ful)'') and ''wearg'' ("wolf, outlaw") or ''broga'' ("terror").<ref>{{SM|QA1}}, p. 209</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
===The Book of Lost Tales===
In the earliest version of the [[legendarium]] in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'', the Balrogs are mentioned in some of the tales, but they only play an important role in the first that was written, in "[[The Fall of Gondolin (chapter)|The Fall of Gondolin]]".<ref>{{LT2|In}}, p. 67</ref> Here some of the details remained later versions, while others were omitted: "Now these were demons with whips of flame and claws of steel by whom he tormented those of the [[Noldoli]] who durst withstand with him in anything – and the [[Eldar]] have called them Malkarauki."<ref name="Gondolin">{{LT2|III}}</ref>{{rp|169}} They were attired with iron armour and helm.<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|181, 194}}

===Number===
The Balrogs were originally envisioned as being immense in number:
{{blockquote|The early conception of Balrogs makes them less terrible, and certainly more destructible, than they afterwards became: they existed in 'hundreds' (p. 170), and were slain by [[Tuor]] and the [[Gondothlim]] in large numbers: "thus five fell before Tuor's great axe [[Dramborleg]], three before [[Ecthelion]]'s sword, and two score were slain by the warriors of the king's house.|''[[The Book of Lost Tales: Part Two]]'', commentary by Christopher Tolkien on "[[The Fall of Gondolin (chapter)|The Fall of Gondolin]]", pp. 212-3}}
{{blockquote|There came wolves and serpents and there came Balrogs one thousand, and there came Glomund the Father of Dragons.|''[[The Lost Road and Other Writings]]'', ''Quenta Silmarillion'', Chapter 16, §15}}

As the [[legendarium]] became more formidable and internally consistent, and the Balrogs more terrible, this number was much reduced. In the end Tolkien stated that there were probably "at most" seven Balrogs:
{{blockquote|In the margin my father wrote: 'There should not be supposed more than say 3 or at most 7 ever existed.'|''[[Morgoth's Ring]]'', Section 2 (AAm*): note 50}}

It should, however, be noted that these texts postdate the published ''The Lord of the Rings'', but predate the materials from which the published ''The Silmarillion'' was drawn. The exact number of Balrogs is therefore very uncertain, but Tolkien's note above seems to have been his final word.

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Balrogs in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="250px" heights="150px">
File:The Lord of the Rings (1978 film) - Balrog.jpg|Durin's Bane in [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy - Balrog.jpg|Durin's Bane in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring|The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
File:Thaurlach.jpg|The Balrog Thaurlach from ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
File:Shadow of War - Tar Goroth.jpg|The Balrog Tar Goroth from ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of War]]''
File:The Rings of Power (TV series) - Durin's Bane.png|Durin's Bane in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power|The Rings of Power]]'' series
</gallery>
'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:The Balrog has wings and appears capable of limited flight. The head resembles a lion but the rest of the body was rendered in matte black, a technique commonly used for shadowy surreal effect in rotoscope animation.

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:Durin's Bane is described as having flame and shadow in the shape of wings. In a departure from this description, [[Peter Jackson|Jackson]]'s Demon of Might has literal wings, an elongated tail, a horned head, clawed forearms and hoofed feet, all of which are seen clearly from its smoke-engulfed physique. It's also notably larger than previous depictions, being well over the height of a grown man.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:The Balrog has, once again, wings. The fight sequence, in which the player is Gandalf, takes considerably longer: only after a short fight on the bridge does Gandalf let it collapse.

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:The chase up the [[Endless Stair]] and the slime Balrog were omitted due to budget constraints.{{fact}} However, part of Gandalf's battle with the Balrog is shown at the beginning of the film, and the fight atop Zirak-Zigil is seen in a flashback after Gandalf's return.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring|Sierra's The War of the Ring]]'':'''
:The Balrog is the most powerful magical power available to Servants of Sauron. They have horns and wings.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age]]'':'''
:The players assist Gandalf in his fight with the Balrog.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:The Balrog is the most powerful magical power available to both Mordor and Isengard faction, and is faced as a boss in the Good Campaign. Visual appearance follows the movie version.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Unlike the original game, The Balrog is not available to Isengard faction, but only to Mordor and the new Goblin factions.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Besides [[Durin's Bane]], the game also features another Balrog: named Thaurlach, he can be found in the [[Rift of Nûrz Ghâshu]], where [[Angmar]] meets [[Misty Mountains]]. He fled there are the breaking of [[Thangorodrim]], but was followed by an elf-maiden Glathlírel who was determined to end him. The Balrog eluded her for millennia, until she was able to face him in combat and defeat him. Rather than kill the Balrog, the two Blue Wizards decided to imprison him in the Rift, so that he could await his judgment at the end of days. However, by the end of the Third Age his chains were loosening and a band of players was sent to defeat the weakened Balrog - something, that as Gandalf remarked, should have been done ages ago.

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:The Balrog is one of the "heroes" available to Servants of Sauron during evil campaign. Appearance reflects the movie version.

'''2017: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of War]]'':'''
:The game also features another Balrog: named Tar Goroth, who must be killed to complete a specific side-quest, has wings and is able to leap over large distances without flying.

'''2022: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power]]'', Season One'''
:'''Episode 5: ''[[Partings]]'':'''
::In the [[The Song of the Roots of Hithaeglir|obscure apocryphal myth]] that the [[Gil-galad|High King Gil-galad]] compels [[Elrond]] to recount, the Balrog depicted within the visual representation of the story has distintive wings covered by smoke.
:'''Episode 7: ''[[The Eye]]'':'''
::When [[Durin III|King Durin III]] throws an orange leaf of the Great Tree in [[Lindon]] down the [[mithril]] mine shaft before ordering the mine to be sealed up, the leaf fell to the very depths of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] beneath the Mithril vein. As the leaf lands, it catches on fire due to being in close proximity to the Balrog later known as Durin's Bane. Upon being disturbed, the Balrog roars. Whether this roar was out of anger or annoyance is not known.

==See also==
*[[Balrogs/Wings]]

==External links==
*Conrad Dunkerson, ''[http://tolkien.slimy.com/essays/TAB.html The Truth About Balrogs]''
{{references|note}}

{{ainur}}
[[Category:Balrogs]]
[[Category:Fays]]
[[Category:Maiar]]
[[Category:Servants of Melkor]]
[[de:Balrog]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:ainur:maiar:balrogs]]
[[fi:Balrogit]]

Balrogs

2024-08-25T09:26:45Z

GandalfTheWitty: /* Balrogs in adaptations */

{{disambig-more|Balrog|[[Balrog (disambiguation)]]}}{{people infobox
| name=Balrogs
| image = Ted Nasmith - Glorfindel's Bane.jpg

| caption="Glorfindel's Bane" by [[Ted Nasmith]]
| pronun=
| othernames=''Valaraukar'' ([[Quenya|Q]])
| origin=[[Creation of the Ainur]]
| location=Primarily [[Angband]], [[Moria]] ([[Durin's Bane]])
| affiliation=[[Morgoth]]
| rivalry=
| language=
| members=[[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]], [[Durin's Bane]], [[Lungorthin]]
| lifespan=Immortal
| distinctions=Man-like, surrounded by shadow and fire, covered in smoke ''(cf. [[Balrogs/Wings]])''
| height=Twice the height of a man
| hair=
| skin=
| clothing=
| weapons=Whips, swords, axes
}}
{{Quote|... in Utumno he gathered his demons about him, those spirits who first adhered to him in the days of his splendour, and became most like him in his corruption: their hearts were of fire, but they were cloaked in darkness, and terror went before them; they had whips of flame.|''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor]]"}}
The '''Balrogs''' were [[Maiar]] corrupted by [[Morgoth]] during the creation of [[Arda]], who cloaked themselves in shadow and flame and carried whips and swords. Famed Balrogs include [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]], slain by [[Ecthelion]], and [[Durin's Bane]], slain by [[Gandalf]].

==History==
Balrogs, also called [[Valaraukar]], were originally [[Ainur]] created by [[Ilúvatar]], probably those who joined [[Melkor]] during his discordance in the [[Music of the Ainur]]. After entering into [[Eä]], they were [[Maiar]], lesser spirits at the service of the [[Valar]].

{{blockquote|...of the Maiar many were drawn to [Melkor's] splendour in the days of his greatness, and remained in that allegiance down into his darkness; and others he corrupted afterwards to his service with lies and treacherous gifts. Dreadful among these spirits were the Valaraukar, the scourges of fire that in Middle-earth were called the Balrogs, demons of terror.|''[[Valaquenta]]'': Of the Enemies}}

They took the [[Fana|forms]] of demons with hearts of fire and whips of flame. Melkor gathered them about him after the fall of the [[Two Lamps]] and they dwelt in [[Utumno]].<ref>{{S|3}}</ref> When this fortress was destroyed by the [[Valar]], they fled to the west and hid in the pits of [[Angband]], awaiting their master's return.<ref name="Return">{{S|9}}</ref>

When [[Morgoth]] and [[Ungoliant]] escaped from [[Valinor]] many years later with the [[Silmarils]], the Balrogs were still awaiting their master in Angband. After Ungoliant threatened Morgoth, his cry was heard by them. Then the Balrogs issued from their hiding-place and traveled to [[Lammoth]] like a tempest of fire. With their whips they destroyed Ungoliant's webs and made her take flight.<ref name="Return">{{S|9}}</ref>

The Balrogs were first encountered by the Elves during the [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]] ("Battle under the Stars") when the [[Noldor]]in [[Exile of the Noldor|Exiles]] [[Return of the Noldor|returned]] to [[Middle-earth]] at the end of the [[First Age]].<ref>{{App|Elves}}, p. 1128</ref> After the victory of the Noldor over Morgoth's forces, the Elf Lord [[Fëanor]] pressed on towards [[Angband]], but the Balrogs came up against him. He was surrounded and fought long against them before being mortally wounded by [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]], Lord of the Balrogs. Though Fëanor's sons fought off the demons of fire, Fëanor died of his wounds soon after.<ref>{{S|13}}</ref>

During the [[Wars of Beleriand]], Morgoth only came out of Angband on [[Fall of Fingolfin|one occasion]]. Instead, he sent the Balrogs to fight and lead in battle. Two of them were killed in the [[Fall of Gondolin]]: Gothmog by [[Ecthelion]], and another by [[Glorfindel]].<ref>{{S|Gondolin}}</ref>

After the [[War of Wrath]], some Balrogs escaped the destruction of [[Beleriand]] and hid deep underground, in inaccessible places at the roots of the earth.<ref group="note">At the height of his power, Morgoth's successor [[Sauron]] was said to have reigned over all foul things, perhaps even some of the surviving Balrogs, but there is no evidence of this.</ref> Only one Balrog appears after the defeating of [[Morgoth]]: In the Third Age the [[Dwarves]] of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] unwittingly released the Balrog, afterwards known as [[Durin's Bane]], while mining for ''[[mithril]]'' and were driven out of Moria by the creature.<ref>{{App|Durin}}, pp. 1071-2</ref> Encountered by the [[Fellowship of the Ring]], it was faced by [[Gandalf]] and the two Maiar slew one another.<ref>{{TT|III5}}, pp. 501-2</ref>

==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Balrog.mp3|Ardamir}}
''Balrog'' is [[Sindarin]] for "Demon of Might", from the [[root]] ''[[BAL]]'' ("power") + ''[[raug]]/[[rog]]'' ("demon").<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, entries ''rauko'', ''val''</ref> The demonym was '''''Balrogath'''''.<ref>{{MR|P2f}}, p. 79</ref>

In the earlier [[Noldorin]] phase of the language, the word ''Balrog'' was derived from baul ("torment") + rhaug ("demon"), from [[Primitive Elvish]] ''ñgwalaraukô''.<ref name="Etymologies">{{LR|Etymologies}}, entries "[[ÑGWAL]]", "[[RUK]]"</ref>

==Other names==
The [[Quenya]] form is '''''Valarauko''''' (plural ''Valaraukar'').<ref>{{PE|17}}, entry S '''Balrog''', p. 48</ref>

In the Quenya from ''[[The Etymologies]]'', the form was ''malarauko''.<ref name="Etymologies" />

A list of [[Old English]] equivalents of [[Elvish]] words, glosses ''Balrog'' as having the equivalent ''Bealuwearg'' and ''Bealubroga''. As noted by [[Christopher Tolkien]], the Old English word contains the elements ''bealu'' ("evil"; as in ''bale(ful)'') and ''wearg'' ("wolf, outlaw") or ''broga'' ("terror").<ref>{{SM|QA1}}, p. 209</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
===The Book of Lost Tales===
In the earliest version of the [[legendarium]] in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'', the Balrogs are mentioned in some of the tales, but they only play an important role in the first that was written, in "[[The Fall of Gondolin (chapter)|The Fall of Gondolin]]".<ref>{{LT2|In}}, p. 67</ref> Here some of the details remained later versions, while others were omitted: "Now these were demons with whips of flame and claws of steel by whom he tormented those of the [[Noldoli]] who durst withstand with him in anything – and the [[Eldar]] have called them Malkarauki."<ref name="Gondolin">{{LT2|III}}</ref>{{rp|169}} They were attired with iron armour and helm.<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|181, 194}}

===Number===
The Balrogs were originally envisioned as being immense in number:
{{blockquote|The early conception of Balrogs makes them less terrible, and certainly more destructible, than they afterwards became: they existed in 'hundreds' (p. 170), and were slain by [[Tuor]] and the [[Gondothlim]] in large numbers: "thus five fell before Tuor's great axe [[Dramborleg]], three before [[Ecthelion]]'s sword, and two score were slain by the warriors of the king's house.|''[[The Book of Lost Tales: Part Two]]'', commentary by Christopher Tolkien on "[[The Fall of Gondolin (chapter)|The Fall of Gondolin]]", pp. 212-3}}
{{blockquote|There came wolves and serpents and there came Balrogs one thousand, and there came Glomund the Father of Dragons.|''[[The Lost Road and Other Writings]]'', ''Quenta Silmarillion'', Chapter 16, §15}}

As the [[legendarium]] became more formidable and internally consistent, and the Balrogs more terrible, this number was much reduced. In the end Tolkien stated that there were probably "at most" seven Balrogs:
{{blockquote|In the margin my father wrote: 'There should not be supposed more than say 3 or at most 7 ever existed.'|''[[Morgoth's Ring]]'', Section 2 (AAm*): note 50}}

It should, however, be noted that these texts postdate the published ''The Lord of the Rings'', but predate the materials from which the published ''The Silmarillion'' was drawn. The exact number of Balrogs is therefore very uncertain, but Tolkien's note above seems to have been his final word.

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Balrogs in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="250px" heights="150px">
File:The Lord of the Rings (1978 film) - Balrog.jpg|Durin's Bane in [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy - Balrog.jpg|Durin's Bane in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring|The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
File:Thaurlach.jpg|The Balrog Thaurlach from ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
File:Shadow of War - Tar Goroth.jpg|The Balrog Tar Goroth from ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of War]]''
File:The Rings of Power (TV series) - Durin's Bane.png|Durin's Bane in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power|The Rings of Power]]'' series
</gallery>
'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:The Balrog has wings and appears capable of limited flight. The head resembles a lion but the rest of the body was rendered in matte black, a technique commonly used for shadowy surreal effect in rotoscope animation.

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:Durin's Bane is described as having flame and shadow in the shape of wings. In a departure from this description, [[Peter Jackson|Jackson]]'s Demon of Might has literal wings, an elongated tail, a horned head, clawed forearms and hoofed feet, all of which are seen clearly from its smoke-engulfed physique. It's also notably larger than previous depictions, being well over the height of a grown man.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:The Balrog has, once again, wings. The fight sequence, in which the player is Gandalf, takes considerably longer: only after a short fight on the bridge does Gandalf let it collapse.

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:The chase up the [[Endless Stair]] and the slime Balrog were omitted due to budget constraints.{{fact}} However, part of Gandalf's battle with the Balrog is shown at the beginning of the film, and the fight atop Zirak-Zigil is seen in a flashback after Gandalf's return.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring|Sierra's The War of the Ring]]'':'''
:The Balrog is the most powerful magical power available to Servants of Sauron. They have horns and wings.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age]]'':'''
:The players assist Gandalf in his fight with the Balrog.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:The Balrog is the most powerful magical power available to both Mordor and Isengard faction. Visual appearance follows the movie version.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Unlike the original game, The Balrog is not available to Isengard faction, but only to Mordor and the new Goblin factions.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Besides [[Durin's Bane]], the game also features another Balrog: named Thaurlach, he can be found in the [[Rift of Nûrz Ghâshu]], where [[Angmar]] meets [[Misty Mountains]]. He fled there are the breaking of [[Thangorodrim]], but was followed by an elf-maiden Glathlírel who was determined to end him. The Balrog eluded her for millennia, until she was able to face him in combat and defeat him. Rather than kill the Balrog, the two Blue Wizards decided to imprison him in the Rift, so that he could await his judgment at the end of days. However, by the end of the Third Age his chains were loosening and a band of players was sent to defeat the weakened Balrog - something, that as Gandalf remarked, should have been done ages ago.

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:The Balrog is one of the "heroes" available to Servants of Sauron during evil campaign. Appearance reflects the movie version.

'''2017: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of War]]'':'''
:The game also features another Balrog: named Tar Goroth, who must be killed to complete a specific side-quest, has wings and is able to leap over large distances without flying.

'''2022: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power]]'', Season One'''
:'''Episode 5: ''[[Partings]]'':'''
::In the [[The Song of the Roots of Hithaeglir|obscure apocryphal myth]] that the [[Gil-galad|High King Gil-galad]] compels [[Elrond]] to recount, the Balrog depicted within the visual representation of the story has distintive wings covered by smoke.
:'''Episode 7: ''[[The Eye]]'':'''
::When [[Durin III|King Durin III]] throws an orange leaf of the Great Tree in [[Lindon]] down the [[mithril]] mine shaft before ordering the mine to be sealed up, the leaf fell to the very depths of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] beneath the Mithril vein. As the leaf lands, it catches on fire due to being in close proximity to the Balrog later known as Durin's Bane. Upon being disturbed, the Balrog roars. Whether this roar was out of anger or annoyance is not known.

==See also==
*[[Balrogs/Wings]]

==External links==
*Conrad Dunkerson, ''[http://tolkien.slimy.com/essays/TAB.html The Truth About Balrogs]''
{{references|note}}

{{ainur}}
[[Category:Balrogs]]
[[Category:Fays]]
[[Category:Maiar]]
[[Category:Servants of Melkor]]
[[de:Balrog]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:ainur:maiar:balrogs]]
[[fi:Balrogit]]

Balrogs

2024-08-25T09:26:23Z

GandalfTheWitty: /* Balrogs in adaptations */ Some necessary alterations.

{{disambig-more|Balrog|[[Balrog (disambiguation)]]}}{{people infobox
| name=Balrogs
| image = Ted Nasmith - Glorfindel's Bane.jpg

| caption="Glorfindel's Bane" by [[Ted Nasmith]]
| pronun=
| othernames=''Valaraukar'' ([[Quenya|Q]])
| origin=[[Creation of the Ainur]]
| location=Primarily [[Angband]], [[Moria]] ([[Durin's Bane]])
| affiliation=[[Morgoth]]
| rivalry=
| language=
| members=[[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]], [[Durin's Bane]], [[Lungorthin]]
| lifespan=Immortal
| distinctions=Man-like, surrounded by shadow and fire, covered in smoke ''(cf. [[Balrogs/Wings]])''
| height=Twice the height of a man
| hair=
| skin=
| clothing=
| weapons=Whips, swords, axes
}}
{{Quote|... in Utumno he gathered his demons about him, those spirits who first adhered to him in the days of his splendour, and became most like him in his corruption: their hearts were of fire, but they were cloaked in darkness, and terror went before them; they had whips of flame.|''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor]]"}}
The '''Balrogs''' were [[Maiar]] corrupted by [[Morgoth]] during the creation of [[Arda]], who cloaked themselves in shadow and flame and carried whips and swords. Famed Balrogs include [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]], slain by [[Ecthelion]], and [[Durin's Bane]], slain by [[Gandalf]].

==History==
Balrogs, also called [[Valaraukar]], were originally [[Ainur]] created by [[Ilúvatar]], probably those who joined [[Melkor]] during his discordance in the [[Music of the Ainur]]. After entering into [[Eä]], they were [[Maiar]], lesser spirits at the service of the [[Valar]].

{{blockquote|...of the Maiar many were drawn to [Melkor's] splendour in the days of his greatness, and remained in that allegiance down into his darkness; and others he corrupted afterwards to his service with lies and treacherous gifts. Dreadful among these spirits were the Valaraukar, the scourges of fire that in Middle-earth were called the Balrogs, demons of terror.|''[[Valaquenta]]'': Of the Enemies}}

They took the [[Fana|forms]] of demons with hearts of fire and whips of flame. Melkor gathered them about him after the fall of the [[Two Lamps]] and they dwelt in [[Utumno]].<ref>{{S|3}}</ref> When this fortress was destroyed by the [[Valar]], they fled to the west and hid in the pits of [[Angband]], awaiting their master's return.<ref name="Return">{{S|9}}</ref>

When [[Morgoth]] and [[Ungoliant]] escaped from [[Valinor]] many years later with the [[Silmarils]], the Balrogs were still awaiting their master in Angband. After Ungoliant threatened Morgoth, his cry was heard by them. Then the Balrogs issued from their hiding-place and traveled to [[Lammoth]] like a tempest of fire. With their whips they destroyed Ungoliant's webs and made her take flight.<ref name="Return">{{S|9}}</ref>

The Balrogs were first encountered by the Elves during the [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]] ("Battle under the Stars") when the [[Noldor]]in [[Exile of the Noldor|Exiles]] [[Return of the Noldor|returned]] to [[Middle-earth]] at the end of the [[First Age]].<ref>{{App|Elves}}, p. 1128</ref> After the victory of the Noldor over Morgoth's forces, the Elf Lord [[Fëanor]] pressed on towards [[Angband]], but the Balrogs came up against him. He was surrounded and fought long against them before being mortally wounded by [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]], Lord of the Balrogs. Though Fëanor's sons fought off the demons of fire, Fëanor died of his wounds soon after.<ref>{{S|13}}</ref>

During the [[Wars of Beleriand]], Morgoth only came out of Angband on [[Fall of Fingolfin|one occasion]]. Instead, he sent the Balrogs to fight and lead in battle. Two of them were killed in the [[Fall of Gondolin]]: Gothmog by [[Ecthelion]], and another by [[Glorfindel]].<ref>{{S|Gondolin}}</ref>

After the [[War of Wrath]], some Balrogs escaped the destruction of [[Beleriand]] and hid deep underground, in inaccessible places at the roots of the earth.<ref group="note">At the height of his power, Morgoth's successor [[Sauron]] was said to have reigned over all foul things, perhaps even some of the surviving Balrogs, but there is no evidence of this.</ref> Only one Balrog appears after the defeating of [[Morgoth]]: In the Third Age the [[Dwarves]] of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] unwittingly released the Balrog, afterwards known as [[Durin's Bane]], while mining for ''[[mithril]]'' and were driven out of Moria by the creature.<ref>{{App|Durin}}, pp. 1071-2</ref> Encountered by the [[Fellowship of the Ring]], it was faced by [[Gandalf]] and the two Maiar slew one another.<ref>{{TT|III5}}, pp. 501-2</ref>

==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Balrog.mp3|Ardamir}}
''Balrog'' is [[Sindarin]] for "Demon of Might", from the [[root]] ''[[BAL]]'' ("power") + ''[[raug]]/[[rog]]'' ("demon").<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, entries ''rauko'', ''val''</ref> The demonym was '''''Balrogath'''''.<ref>{{MR|P2f}}, p. 79</ref>

In the earlier [[Noldorin]] phase of the language, the word ''Balrog'' was derived from baul ("torment") + rhaug ("demon"), from [[Primitive Elvish]] ''ñgwalaraukô''.<ref name="Etymologies">{{LR|Etymologies}}, entries "[[ÑGWAL]]", "[[RUK]]"</ref>

==Other names==
The [[Quenya]] form is '''''Valarauko''''' (plural ''Valaraukar'').<ref>{{PE|17}}, entry S '''Balrog''', p. 48</ref>

In the Quenya from ''[[The Etymologies]]'', the form was ''malarauko''.<ref name="Etymologies" />

A list of [[Old English]] equivalents of [[Elvish]] words, glosses ''Balrog'' as having the equivalent ''Bealuwearg'' and ''Bealubroga''. As noted by [[Christopher Tolkien]], the Old English word contains the elements ''bealu'' ("evil"; as in ''bale(ful)'') and ''wearg'' ("wolf, outlaw") or ''broga'' ("terror").<ref>{{SM|QA1}}, p. 209</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
===The Book of Lost Tales===
In the earliest version of the [[legendarium]] in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'', the Balrogs are mentioned in some of the tales, but they only play an important role in the first that was written, in "[[The Fall of Gondolin (chapter)|The Fall of Gondolin]]".<ref>{{LT2|In}}, p. 67</ref> Here some of the details remained later versions, while others were omitted: "Now these were demons with whips of flame and claws of steel by whom he tormented those of the [[Noldoli]] who durst withstand with him in anything – and the [[Eldar]] have called them Malkarauki."<ref name="Gondolin">{{LT2|III}}</ref>{{rp|169}} They were attired with iron armour and helm.<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|181, 194}}

===Number===
The Balrogs were originally envisioned as being immense in number:
{{blockquote|The early conception of Balrogs makes them less terrible, and certainly more destructible, than they afterwards became: they existed in 'hundreds' (p. 170), and were slain by [[Tuor]] and the [[Gondothlim]] in large numbers: "thus five fell before Tuor's great axe [[Dramborleg]], three before [[Ecthelion]]'s sword, and two score were slain by the warriors of the king's house.|''[[The Book of Lost Tales: Part Two]]'', commentary by Christopher Tolkien on "[[The Fall of Gondolin (chapter)|The Fall of Gondolin]]", pp. 212-3}}
{{blockquote|There came wolves and serpents and there came Balrogs one thousand, and there came Glomund the Father of Dragons.|''[[The Lost Road and Other Writings]]'', ''Quenta Silmarillion'', Chapter 16, §15}}

As the [[legendarium]] became more formidable and internally consistent, and the Balrogs more terrible, this number was much reduced. In the end Tolkien stated that there were probably "at most" seven Balrogs:
{{blockquote|In the margin my father wrote: 'There should not be supposed more than say 3 or at most 7 ever existed.'|''[[Morgoth's Ring]]'', Section 2 (AAm*): note 50}}

It should, however, be noted that these texts postdate the published ''The Lord of the Rings'', but predate the materials from which the published ''The Silmarillion'' was drawn. The exact number of Balrogs is therefore very uncertain, but Tolkien's note above seems to have been his final word.

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Balrogs in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="250px" heights="150px">
File:The Lord of the Rings (1978 film) - Balrog.jpg|Durin's Bane in [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy - Balrog.jpg|Durin's Bane in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring|The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
File:Thaurlach.jpg|The Balrog Thaurlach from ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
File:Shadow of War - Tar Goroth.jpg|The Balrog Tar Goroth from ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of War]]''
File:The Rings of Power (TV series) - Durin's Bane.png|Durin's Bane in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power|The Rings of Power]]'' series
</gallery>
'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:The Balrog has wings and appears capable of limited flight. The head resembles a lion but the rest of the body was rendered in matte black, a technique commonly used for shadowy surreal effect in rotoscope animation.

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:Durin's Bane is described as having flame and shadow in the shape of wings. In a departure from this description, [[Peter Jackson|Jackson]]'s Demon of Might has literal wings, an elongated tail and a horned head, clawed forearms and hoofed feet, all of which are seen clearly from its smoke-engulfed physique. It's also notably larger than previous depictions, being well over the height of a grown man.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:The Balrog has, once again, wings. The fight sequence, in which the player is Gandalf, takes considerably longer: only after a short fight on the bridge does Gandalf let it collapse.

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:The chase up the [[Endless Stair]] and the slime Balrog were omitted due to budget constraints.{{fact}} However, part of Gandalf's battle with the Balrog is shown at the beginning of the film, and the fight atop Zirak-Zigil is seen in a flashback after Gandalf's return.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring|Sierra's The War of the Ring]]'':'''
:The Balrog is the most powerful magical power available to Servants of Sauron. They have horns and wings.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age]]'':'''
:The players assist Gandalf in his fight with the Balrog.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:The Balrog is the most powerful magical power available to both Mordor and Isengard faction. Visual appearance follows the movie version.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Unlike the original game, The Balrog is not available to Isengard faction, but only to Mordor and the new Goblin factions.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Besides [[Durin's Bane]], the game also features another Balrog: named Thaurlach, he can be found in the [[Rift of Nûrz Ghâshu]], where [[Angmar]] meets [[Misty Mountains]]. He fled there are the breaking of [[Thangorodrim]], but was followed by an elf-maiden Glathlírel who was determined to end him. The Balrog eluded her for millennia, until she was able to face him in combat and defeat him. Rather than kill the Balrog, the two Blue Wizards decided to imprison him in the Rift, so that he could await his judgment at the end of days. However, by the end of the Third Age his chains were loosening and a band of players was sent to defeat the weakened Balrog - something, that as Gandalf remarked, should have been done ages ago.

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:The Balrog is one of the "heroes" available to Servants of Sauron during evil campaign. Appearance reflects the movie version.

'''2017: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of War]]'':'''
:The game also features another Balrog: named Tar Goroth, who must be killed to complete a specific side-quest, has wings and is able to leap over large distances without flying.

'''2022: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power]]'', Season One'''
:'''Episode 5: ''[[Partings]]'':'''
::In the [[The Song of the Roots of Hithaeglir|obscure apocryphal myth]] that the [[Gil-galad|High King Gil-galad]] compels [[Elrond]] to recount, the Balrog depicted within the visual representation of the story has distintive wings covered by smoke.
:'''Episode 7: ''[[The Eye]]'':'''
::When [[Durin III|King Durin III]] throws an orange leaf of the Great Tree in [[Lindon]] down the [[mithril]] mine shaft before ordering the mine to be sealed up, the leaf fell to the very depths of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] beneath the Mithril vein. As the leaf lands, it catches on fire due to being in close proximity to the Balrog later known as Durin's Bane. Upon being disturbed, the Balrog roars. Whether this roar was out of anger or annoyance is not known.

==See also==
*[[Balrogs/Wings]]

==External links==
*Conrad Dunkerson, ''[http://tolkien.slimy.com/essays/TAB.html The Truth About Balrogs]''
{{references|note}}

{{ainur}}
[[Category:Balrogs]]
[[Category:Fays]]
[[Category:Maiar]]
[[Category:Servants of Melkor]]
[[de:Balrog]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:ainur:maiar:balrogs]]
[[fi:Balrogit]]

Fell beasts

2024-08-25T09:20:35Z

GandalfTheWitty: /* Fell beasts in adaptations */

{{Unnamed}}
{{race infobox
| name=Fell beasts
| image = John Howe - Nazgul 01.jpg
| caption="Nazgul" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Hell-hawks, Nazgûl-birds
| origin=
| location=[[Mordor]]
| affiliation=[[Nazgûl]]
| rivalry=
| language=
| people=
| members=
| lifespan=
| distinctions=
| height=
| hair=
| skin=Plain, webbed
| clothing=
| weapons=Beak, horned fingers and claws
}}

The '''Fell beasts''',<ref name="V6">{{RK|V6}}</ref> also called '''hell-hawks''' <ref>{{RK|V4}}</ref> and '''Nazgûl-birds''',<ref>{{L|100}}</ref> were 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 [...]<ref name=V6 />}}

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

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, challenging and decapitating 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 acknowledged 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> and is also said that [[Oromë]] is a hunter of "monsters and fell beasts".<ref>{{S|IIb}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Fell beasts in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="180px" heights="180px">
File:The Return of the King (1980 film) - Witch-king.png|[[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980)]]
File:Liz Danforth - Fell beast.png|"Fell beast" in ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]''
File:Angus McBride - Wild Fell Beast.jpg|"Wild Fell Beast" in ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Fell beast attacks Minas Tirith.jpg|Fell beast descending in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:SBG - Fell beast.jpeg|''[[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]''
File:Mark Evans - Hell-hawk.png|"Hell-hawk" in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game]]''
File:LOTR-WITN-Fell Beast-1.png|"Fell beast" in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''
</gallery>

'''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 this is the last seen 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 [[Sauron#Sauron's Return|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).

'''2001-3: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
:The fell beasts are depicted as more [[Dragons|Dragon]]-like and serpentine. As opposed to having beaks, they have lipless mouths full of jagged teeth, fins running along their spine, long whip-like tails and dark gray scales. This depiction is heavily influenced by [[John Howe]], who was one of the concept artists for the films.

: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 beasts as Nazgûl; this is incorrect. The fell beasts are 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: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:A Nazgûl mounted on a fell beast (depicted as a dragon-like creature) appears in the [[Amon Hen]] stage of the PC and console versions of the game, where it serves as the final boss. In the first phase of the battle, the beast crawls on the ground and fights Aragorn (armed with his sword). During the second and final phase, it flies into the sky and shoots green fireballs from its mouth down at Aragorn (who shoots back at it with his bow), until it is weakened and finally shot down by Legolas in the game's ending cutscene.

'''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>

{{references|note}}

[[Category:Animals]]
[[Category:Nazgûl]]
[[Category:Other races]]
[[Category:Servants of Sauron]]
[[de:Reittiere der Nazgûl#Flugwesen]]
[[fi:Sormusaaveiden siivekkäät ratsut]]

Wargs

2024-08-25T09:16:12Z

GandalfTheWitty: /* Films */

{{race infobox
| name=Wargs
| image = John Howe - Wargs.jpg
| caption="Wargs" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Wild Wolves
| origin=
| location=Anduin Vale, [[Misty Mountains]]
| affiliation=[[Sauron]], [[Orcs]]
| rivalry=
| language=
| people=
| members=
| lifespan=
| distinctions=
| height=
| hair=
| skin=
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}
{{quote|So here you all are still! ... Not eaten up by Wargs or goblins or wicked bears yet I see|[[Beorn]]}}<ref name="Queer" />

'''Wargs''' or '''Wild Wolves'''<ref name="H17" /> were a race of evil [[wolves]],<ref name="H6" /> as called by the [[Northmen]] of Rhovanion.<ref name="L297" />

==Characteristics==
Wargs were an evil breed of [[Demons|demonic]] wolves,<ref name="L297">{{L|297}}</ref><ref name="Gene">{{LE|290a}}</ref> suggesting that they were inhabited by evil spirits. The origin of the breed is unknown - perhaps they were among the creatures bred by [[Morgoth]] in the [[Elder Days]].<ref>{{HM|MB}}, p. 218</ref> In any case, [[Gandalf]] listed the Wargs among [[Sauron]]'s servants in the late [[Third Age]].<ref>{{FR|II1}}</ref>

The Wargs were seen in [[Rhovanion]] and they were often allied with the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]], and used as mounts. Wargs were clever and used a tongue, the "''[[Warg-language|dreadful language of the Wargs]]''". They feared fire and could not climb trees.<ref name="H6" />

==History==
[[File:Ron Walotsky - Wargs.jpg|thumb|left|Ron Walotsky - ''Wargs'']]
In {{TA|2941}}, the Wargs appeared once to meet the [[Orcs|Goblins]] and organize a raid to the nearby villages, in order to drive the [[Woodmen]] out and capture some slaves. As a pack of Wargs approached east of the [[Misty Mountains]] to meet them, [[Bilbo Baggins]], [[Gandalf]], and [[Thorin and Company]] were escaping the goblins. Gandalf seeing the pack coming, suggested to climb the trees and [[Dori]] helped Bilbo in the nick of time.

The Wargs, thinking that the Dwarves are allies of the Woodmen, surrounded the glade and didn't let them descend. Gandalf then used his [[magic]] to light up pinecones and hurl them against the Warg until he drove them out. The wolves that had caught fire fled into the forest and had set it alight in several places, since it was high summer, and on this eastern side of the mountains there had been little rain for some time. However the guards left under the trees did not go away. Eventually Goblins showed up and lit the trees the Dwarves were onto, until the [[Eagles]] came to rescue them.<ref name="H6">{{H|6}}</ref>

The Goblins and the Wargs insisted on looking for the band, since Gandalf had killed the [[Great Goblin]], and also burnt the chief wolf's nose. They went as far as [[Beorn]]'s homestead, but he caught a pair of them and stuck the goblin's head outside the gate and nailed the warg-skin to a tree just beyond<ref name="Queer">{{H|7}}</ref>

Wargs appeared once more, ridden by the Goblins, at the [[Battle of Five Armies]].<ref name="H17">{{H|17}}</ref> After this, the Wargs had vanished from the woods, so that men went abroad without fear.<ref>{{H|18}}</ref>

A band of Wargs, unaccompanied by Orcs, attacked the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] in [[Eregion|Hollin]].<ref>{{FR|II4}}</ref>

==Etymology and names==
[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] derived the word ''warg'' from [[Old English]] ''wearg-'', Old High German ''warg-'', and [[Old Norse]] ''varg''-r., all of these terms literally translating to ''strangler'', ''choker''.<ref name="Gene" /><ref>[[Douglas A. Anderson]], ''[[The Annotated Hobbit: Revised and Expanded Edition]]'', pp. 146-7, note 9</ref> The word specifically is understood to be [[Northern Mannish]] which "caught on" throughout the [[Westlands]].<ref>{{L|250}}</ref>

While Norse ''vargr'' was a common synonym for ''wolf'', Old English ''wearg'' was used only for an outlaw or hunted criminal.<ref>{{HM|SG}}, "Appendix C: Old English Poem of Attila", p. 373 (note 37)</ref>

In a list of Old English equivalents of [[Elvish]] words, ''[[Balrogs#Etymology|Balrog]]'' is glossed as having the equivalent ''Bealuwearg''. As noted by [[Christopher Tolkien]], the Old English word contains the elements ''bealu'' ("evil"; as in ''bale(ful)'') and ''wearg'' ("wolf, outlaw"; whence the ''Wargs'').<ref>{{SM|QA1}}, p. 209</ref>

==Inspiration and influences==
In Old Norse mythology, wargs (''vargr'', a synonym for "wolf", ''ulfr'') are in particular the wolf [[wikipedia:Fenrir|Fenrir]] and his sons [[wikipedia:Skoll|Skoll]] and [[wikipedia:Hati|Hati]].

Tolkien mentioned in a letter that the episode of wargs in ''[[The Hobbit]]'' was "''in part derived from a scene''" in [[Wikipedia:Samuel Rutherford Crockett|S. R. Crockett]]'s novel ''[[The Black Douglas]]''.<ref>{{L|306}}</ref>

Tolkien also noted that [[Gene Wolfe]], one of his readers, seems to have picked up his concept of the Wargs, which occurs in Wolfe's science fiction short story "Trip, Trap" (1967): "''There was also what looked like a very big wild dog or wolf, a'' Warg".<ref name="L297" /><ref name="MB2257">{{HM|MB}}, p. 225, note 7</ref> [[John D. Rateliff]] has further commented that Tolkien's Wargs were likely influential on the creation of the wolf-like beasts ''[[Wikipedia:Worg (Dungeons & Dragons)|worgs]]'' in later literature related to [[Dungeons and Dragons|Dungeons & Dragons]] and in other fantasy worlds.<ref name="MB2257" />

==Portrayal in adaptations==
<gallery>
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers - Warg.jpg|A Warg in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey- Gundabad Wargs.jpg|Wargs in [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]
</gallery>

===Radio===
'''1968: [[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1968 radio series)]]:'''
:The Wargs are given fully-voiced dialogue in English, though it's unclear if it's meant to be [[Westron]], or their own language translated for the audience's sake.

===Films===
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:Wargs are seen as large wolves ridden by Goblins. They do not have a fear of fire.

'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
:Wargs appear during the film as cavalry mounted by Orcs and attack Rohan's people en route to [[Helm's Deep]]; they are also seen throughout the siege of [[Minas Tirith]] among Sauron's forces, and one is ridden by [[Gothmog (Lieutenant of Morgul)|Gothmog]]. Rather than being depicted as just demonic wolves as described by Tolkien, the Wargs shown here are comparable in size to horses and seem to superficially resemble hyenas more so than wolves. They are heavily built, with broad, boxy skulls with eyes placed very close to the snout, and thick manes on their necks. They have rather stout limbs and short tails.

'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]:'''
:The Wargs are visually more wolf-like than in the preceding [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' films]]; their builds are overall more slender, with longer limbs and slimmer skulls. Their eyes notably have slit pupils. They are mentioned to be from [[Gundabad]] and are ridden by [[Orcs]] under [[Azog]] who hunt Thorin and Co. Azog himself rides an enormous [[Warg Matriarch|white-haired Warg]].

===Games===
'''1982-1997: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
:Classified as Undead Beings, the Wargs are said to be bred from cursed wolves, inhabited by an evil spirit, "''being artificially long-lived''", and that their "''body dissipates when slain''". The Wargs are described as being larger, fiercer, and more intelligent than normal wolves.<ref>{{ICE|2012}}, p. 129</ref><ref>{{ICE|2016}}, p. 151</ref>

'''1995-8: ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]'':'''
:Wargs are a Hazard Creature. Different factions of Wargs are the ''Wargs of the Forochel'' and the ''Misty Mountain Wargs'', and related minions are the ''War-warg'' and ''The Warg-king''.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:Wargs are taller and darker than regular wolves, but due to the progression in the game, pose less of a threat; whereas wolves are only encountered by a stick-wielding [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], wargs appear only in levels in which the player is [[Gandalf]] or [[Aragorn]].

'''2003: [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]:'''
:Wargs are portrayed as large wolves. They only appear in cutscenes, and are non-fightable.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Wargs, including Wargs ridden by [[Orcs|Orcs and Goblins]], are a common enemy found throughout the game. "Warg Stalkers" are one of the Monster Player classes available for Player versus Monster Player combat in the [[Ettenmoors]]. Monster Player Wargs rely on stealth to ambush players, and some computer-controlled Wargs also demonstrate this ability.

:They look and fight rather like [[Wolves]], and both are classified as Beasts, but Wargs are of a distinct type and appearance , being more monstrous than ordinary wolves. Their appearances vary, typically depending on region, and Warg Stalkers can acquire and choose from several such cosmetic appearances.

==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of Wargs|Images of Wargs]]
{{references}}
{{wolves}}

[[de:Warge]]
[[fr:encyclo/biologie/faune/wargs]]
[[fi:Hukat]]
[[Category:Other races]]
[[Category:Wolves]]
[[Category:Servants of Sauron]]
[[Category:Servants of Saruman]]

Wargs

2023-11-14T15:08:09Z

GandalfTheWitty: /* Films */

{{race infobox
| name=Wargs
| image=[[File:John Howe - Wargs.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Wargs" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Wild Wolves
| origin=
| location=Anduin Vale, [[Misty Mountains]]
| affiliation=[[Sauron]], [[Orcs]]
| rivalry=
| language=
| people=
| members=
| lifespan=
| distinctions=
| height=
| hair=
| skin=
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}
{{quote|So here you all are still! ... Not eaten up by Wargs or goblins or wicked bears yet I see|[[Beorn]]}}<ref name=Queer/>
'''Wargs''' or '''Wild Wolves'''<ref name=H17/> were a race of evil [[wolves]]<ref name=H6/>, as called by the [[Northmen]] of Rhovanion.<ref name=L297/>

==Characteristics==
Wargs were an evil breed of [[Demons|demonic]] wolves,<ref name=L297>{{L|297}}</ref><ref name=Gene>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "[[Letter to Gene Wolfe]]" (letter)</ref> suggesting that they were inhabited by evil spirits. The origin of the breed is unknown - perhaps they were among the creatures bred by [[Morgoth]] in the [[Elder Days]].<ref>{{HM|MB}}, p. 218</ref> In any case, [[Gandalf]] listed the Wargs among [[Sauron]]'s servants in the late [[Third Age]].<ref>{{FR|II1}}</ref>

The Wargs were seen in [[Rhovanion]] and they were often allied with the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]], and used as mounts. Wargs were clever and used a tongue, the "''[[Warg-language|dreadful language of the Wargs]]''". They feared fire and could not climb trees.<ref name=H6/>

==History==
[[File:Ron Walotsky - Wargs.jpg|thumb|left|Ron Walotsky - ''Wargs'']]
In {{TA|2941}}, the Wargs appeared once to meet the [[Orcs|Goblins]] and organize a raid to the nearby villages, in order to drive the [[Woodmen]] out and capture some slaves. As a pack of Wargs approached east of the [[Misty Mountains]] to meet them, [[Bilbo Baggins]], [[Gandalf]], and [[Thorin and Company]] were escaping the goblins. Gandalf seeing the pack coming, suggested to climb the trees and [[Dori]] helped Bilbo in the nick of time.

The Wargs, thinking that the Dwarves are allies of the Woodmen, surrounded the glade and didn't let them descend. Gandalf then used his [[magic]] to light up pinecones and hurl them against the Warg until he drove them out. The wolves that had caught fire fled into the forest and had set it alight in several places, since it was high summer, and on this eastern side of the mountains there had been little rain for some time. However the guards left under the trees did not go away. Eventually Goblins showed up and lit the trees the Dwarves were onto, until the [[Eagles]] came to rescue them.<ref name=H6>{{H|6}}</ref>

The Goblins and the Wargs insisted on looking for the band, since Gandalf had killed the [[Great Goblin]], and also burnt the chief wolf's nose. They went as far as [[Beorn]]'s homestead, but he caught a pair of them and stuck the goblin's head outside the gate and nailed the warg-skin to a tree just beyond<ref name=Queer>{{H|7}}</ref>

Wargs appeared once more, ridden by the Goblins, at the [[Battle of Five Armies]].<ref name=H17>{{H|17}}</ref> After this, the Wargs had vanished from the woods, so that men went abroad without fear.<ref>{{H|18}}</ref>

A band of Wargs, unaccompanied by Orcs, attacked the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] in [[Eregion|Hollin]].<ref>{{FR|II4}}</ref>

==Etymology and names==
[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] derived the word ''warg'' from [[Old English]] ''wearg-'', Old High German ''warg-'', and [[Old Norse]] ''varg''-r., all of these terms literally translating to ''strangler'', ''choker''.<ref name=Gene/><ref>[[Douglas A. Anderson]], ''[[The Annotated Hobbit: Revised and Expanded Edition]]'', pp. 146-7, note 9</ref> The word specifically is understood to be [[Northern Mannish]] which "caught on" throughout the [[Westlands]].<ref>{{L|250}}</ref>

While Norse ''vargr'' was a common synonym for ''wolf'', Old English ''wearg'' was used only for an outlaw or hunted criminal.<ref>{{HM|SG}}, "Appendix C: Old English Poem of Attila", p. 373 (note 37)</ref>

In a list of Old English equivalents of [[Elvish]] words, ''[[Balrogs#Etymology|Balrog]]'' is glossed as having the equivalent ''Bealuwearg''. As noted by [[Christopher Tolkien]], the Old English word contains the elements ''bealu'' ("evil"; as in ''bale(ful)'') and ''wearg'' ("wolf, outlaw"; whence the ''Wargs'').<ref>{{SM|QA1}}, p. 209</ref>

==Inspiration and influences==
In Old Norse mythology, wargs (''vargr'', a synonym for "wolf", ''ulfr'') are in particular the wolf [[wikipedia:Fenrir|Fenrir]] and his sons [[wikipedia:Skoll|Skoll]] and [[wikipedia:Hati|Hati]].

Tolkien mentioned in a letter that the episode of wargs in ''[[The Hobbit]]'' was "''in part derived from a scene''" in [[Wikipedia:Samuel Rutherford Crockett|S. R. Crockett]]'s novel ''[[The Black Douglas]]''.<ref>{{L|306}}</ref>

Tolkien also noted that [[Gene Wolfe]], one of his readers, seems to have picked up his concept of the Wargs, which occurs in Wolfe's science fiction short story "Trip, Trap" (1967): "''There was also what looked like a very big wild dog or wolf, a'' Warg".<ref name=L297/><ref name=MB2257>{{HM|MB}}, p. 225, note 7</ref> [[John D. Rateliff]] has further commented that Tolkien's Wargs were likely influential on the creation of the wolf-like beasts ''[[Wikipedia:Worg (Dungeons & Dragons)|worgs]]'' in later literature related to [[Dungeons and Dragons|Dungeons & Dragons]] and in other fantasy worlds.<ref name=MB2257/>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
<gallery>File:The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers - Warg.jpg|A Warg in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey- Gundabad Wargs.jpg|Wargs in [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]</gallery>

===Radio===
'''1968: [[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1968 radio series)]]:'''
:The Wargs are given fully-voiced dialogue in English, though it's unclear if it's meant to be [[Westron]], or their own language translated for the audience's sake.

===Films===
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:Wargs are seen as large wolves ridden by Goblins. They do not have a fear of fire.

'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
:Wargs appear during the film as cavalry mounted by Orcs and attack Rohan's people en route to [[Helm's Deep]]. Rather than being depicted as just demonic wolves as described by Tolkien, the Wargs shown here are comparable in size to horses and seem to superficially resemble hyenas more so than wolves. They are heavily built, with broad, boxy skulls with eyes placed very close to the snout, and thick manes on their necks. They have rather stout limbs and short tails.

'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]:'''
:The Wargs are visually more wolf-like than in the preceding [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' films]]; their builds are overall more slender, with longer limbs and slimmer skulls. Their eyes notably have slit pupils. They are mentioned to be from [[Gundabad]] and are ridden by [[Orcs]] under [[Azog]] who hunt Thorin and Co. Azog himself rides an enormous [[Warg Matriarch|white-haired Warg]].

===Games===
'''1982-1997: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
:Classified as Undead Beings, the Wargs are said to be bred from cursed wolves, inhabited by an evil spirit, "''being artificially long-lived''", and that their "''body dissipates when slain''". The Wargs are described as being larger, fiercer, and more intelligent than normal wolves.<ref>{{ICE|2012}}, p. 129</ref><ref>{{ICE|2016}}, p. 151</ref>

'''1995-8: ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]'':'''
:Wargs are a Hazard Creature. Different factions of Wargs are the ''Wargs of the Forochel'' and the ''Misty Mountain Wargs'', and related minions are the ''War-warg'' and ''The Warg-king''.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:Wargs are taller and darker than regular wolves, but due to the progression in the game, pose less of a threat; whereas wolves are only encountered by a stick-wielding [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], wargs appear only in levels in which the player is [[Gandalf]] or [[Aragorn]].

'''2003: [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]:'''
:Wargs are portrayed as large wolves. They only appear in cutscenes, and are non-fightable.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Wargs, including Wargs ridden by [[Orcs|Orcs and Goblins]], are a common enemy found throughout the game. "Warg Stalkers" are one of the Monster Player classes available for Player versus Monster Player combat in the [[Ettenmoors]]. Monster Player Wargs rely on stealth to ambush players, and some computer-controlled Wargs also demonstrate this ability.

:They look and fight rather like [[Wolves]], and both are classified as Beasts, but Wargs are of a distinct type and appearance , being more monstrous than ordinary wolves. Their appearances vary, typically depending on region, and Warg Stalkers can acquire and choose from several such cosmetic appearances.

==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of Wargs|Images of Wargs]]
{{references}}
{{wolves}}

[[de:Warge]]
[[fr:encyclo/biologie/faune/wargs]]
[[fi:Hukat]]
[[Category:Other races]]
[[Category:Wolves]]
[[Category:Servants of Sauron]]
[[Category:Servants of Saruman]]

Wargs

2023-11-14T15:06:17Z

GandalfTheWitty: /* Films */ Worded with more detail.

{{race infobox
| name=Wargs
| image=[[File:John Howe - Wargs.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Wargs" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Wild Wolves
| origin=
| location=Anduin Vale, [[Misty Mountains]]
| affiliation=[[Sauron]], [[Orcs]]
| rivalry=
| language=
| people=
| members=
| lifespan=
| distinctions=
| height=
| hair=
| skin=
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}
{{quote|So here you all are still! ... Not eaten up by Wargs or goblins or wicked bears yet I see|[[Beorn]]}}<ref name=Queer/>
'''Wargs''' or '''Wild Wolves'''<ref name=H17/> were a race of evil [[wolves]]<ref name=H6/>, as called by the [[Northmen]] of Rhovanion.<ref name=L297/>

==Characteristics==
Wargs were an evil breed of [[Demons|demonic]] wolves,<ref name=L297>{{L|297}}</ref><ref name=Gene>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "[[Letter to Gene Wolfe]]" (letter)</ref> suggesting that they were inhabited by evil spirits. The origin of the breed is unknown - perhaps they were among the creatures bred by [[Morgoth]] in the [[Elder Days]].<ref>{{HM|MB}}, p. 218</ref> In any case, [[Gandalf]] listed the Wargs among [[Sauron]]'s servants in the late [[Third Age]].<ref>{{FR|II1}}</ref>

The Wargs were seen in [[Rhovanion]] and they were often allied with the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]], and used as mounts. Wargs were clever and used a tongue, the "''[[Warg-language|dreadful language of the Wargs]]''". They feared fire and could not climb trees.<ref name=H6/>

==History==
[[File:Ron Walotsky - Wargs.jpg|thumb|left|Ron Walotsky - ''Wargs'']]
In {{TA|2941}}, the Wargs appeared once to meet the [[Orcs|Goblins]] and organize a raid to the nearby villages, in order to drive the [[Woodmen]] out and capture some slaves. As a pack of Wargs approached east of the [[Misty Mountains]] to meet them, [[Bilbo Baggins]], [[Gandalf]], and [[Thorin and Company]] were escaping the goblins. Gandalf seeing the pack coming, suggested to climb the trees and [[Dori]] helped Bilbo in the nick of time.

The Wargs, thinking that the Dwarves are allies of the Woodmen, surrounded the glade and didn't let them descend. Gandalf then used his [[magic]] to light up pinecones and hurl them against the Warg until he drove them out. The wolves that had caught fire fled into the forest and had set it alight in several places, since it was high summer, and on this eastern side of the mountains there had been little rain for some time. However the guards left under the trees did not go away. Eventually Goblins showed up and lit the trees the Dwarves were onto, until the [[Eagles]] came to rescue them.<ref name=H6>{{H|6}}</ref>

The Goblins and the Wargs insisted on looking for the band, since Gandalf had killed the [[Great Goblin]], and also burnt the chief wolf's nose. They went as far as [[Beorn]]'s homestead, but he caught a pair of them and stuck the goblin's head outside the gate and nailed the warg-skin to a tree just beyond<ref name=Queer>{{H|7}}</ref>

Wargs appeared once more, ridden by the Goblins, at the [[Battle of Five Armies]].<ref name=H17>{{H|17}}</ref> After this, the Wargs had vanished from the woods, so that men went abroad without fear.<ref>{{H|18}}</ref>

A band of Wargs, unaccompanied by Orcs, attacked the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] in [[Eregion|Hollin]].<ref>{{FR|II4}}</ref>

==Etymology and names==
[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] derived the word ''warg'' from [[Old English]] ''wearg-'', Old High German ''warg-'', and [[Old Norse]] ''varg''-r., all of these terms literally translating to ''strangler'', ''choker''.<ref name=Gene/><ref>[[Douglas A. Anderson]], ''[[The Annotated Hobbit: Revised and Expanded Edition]]'', pp. 146-7, note 9</ref> The word specifically is understood to be [[Northern Mannish]] which "caught on" throughout the [[Westlands]].<ref>{{L|250}}</ref>

While Norse ''vargr'' was a common synonym for ''wolf'', Old English ''wearg'' was used only for an outlaw or hunted criminal.<ref>{{HM|SG}}, "Appendix C: Old English Poem of Attila", p. 373 (note 37)</ref>

In a list of Old English equivalents of [[Elvish]] words, ''[[Balrogs#Etymology|Balrog]]'' is glossed as having the equivalent ''Bealuwearg''. As noted by [[Christopher Tolkien]], the Old English word contains the elements ''bealu'' ("evil"; as in ''bale(ful)'') and ''wearg'' ("wolf, outlaw"; whence the ''Wargs'').<ref>{{SM|QA1}}, p. 209</ref>

==Inspiration and influences==
In Old Norse mythology, wargs (''vargr'', a synonym for "wolf", ''ulfr'') are in particular the wolf [[wikipedia:Fenrir|Fenrir]] and his sons [[wikipedia:Skoll|Skoll]] and [[wikipedia:Hati|Hati]].

Tolkien mentioned in a letter that the episode of wargs in ''[[The Hobbit]]'' was "''in part derived from a scene''" in [[Wikipedia:Samuel Rutherford Crockett|S. R. Crockett]]'s novel ''[[The Black Douglas]]''.<ref>{{L|306}}</ref>

Tolkien also noted that [[Gene Wolfe]], one of his readers, seems to have picked up his concept of the Wargs, which occurs in Wolfe's science fiction short story "Trip, Trap" (1967): "''There was also what looked like a very big wild dog or wolf, a'' Warg".<ref name=L297/><ref name=MB2257>{{HM|MB}}, p. 225, note 7</ref> [[John D. Rateliff]] has further commented that Tolkien's Wargs were likely influential on the creation of the wolf-like beasts ''[[Wikipedia:Worg (Dungeons & Dragons)|worgs]]'' in later literature related to [[Dungeons and Dragons|Dungeons & Dragons]] and in other fantasy worlds.<ref name=MB2257/>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
<gallery>File:The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers - Warg.jpg|A Warg in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey- Gundabad Wargs.jpg|Wargs in [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]</gallery>

===Radio===
'''1968: [[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1968 radio series)]]:'''
:The Wargs are given fully-voiced dialogue in English, though it's unclear if it's meant to be [[Westron]], or their own language translated for the audience's sake.

===Films===
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:Wargs are seen as large wolves ridden by Goblins. They do not have a fear of fire.

'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
:Wargs appear during the film as cavalry mounted by Orcs and attack Rohan's people en route to [[Helm's Deep]]. Rather than being depicted as just demonic wolves as described by Tolkien, the Wargs shown here are comparable in size to horses and seem to superficially resemble hyenas more so than wolves. They are heavily built, with broad, boxy skulls with eyes placed very close to the snout, and thick manes on their necks. They have rather stout limbs and short tails.

'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]:'''
:The Wargs are visually more wolf-like than in the preceding [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' films]]; their builds are overall more slender, with longer limbs and slimmer skulls. They are mentioned to be from [[Gundabad]] and are ridden by [[Orcs]] under [[Azog]] who hunt Thorin and Co. Azog himself rides an enormous [[Warg Matriarch|white-haired Warg]].

===Games===
'''1982-1997: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
:Classified as Undead Beings, the Wargs are said to be bred from cursed wolves, inhabited by an evil spirit, "''being artificially long-lived''", and that their "''body dissipates when slain''". The Wargs are described as being larger, fiercer, and more intelligent than normal wolves.<ref>{{ICE|2012}}, p. 129</ref><ref>{{ICE|2016}}, p. 151</ref>

'''1995-8: ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]'':'''
:Wargs are a Hazard Creature. Different factions of Wargs are the ''Wargs of the Forochel'' and the ''Misty Mountain Wargs'', and related minions are the ''War-warg'' and ''The Warg-king''.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:Wargs are taller and darker than regular wolves, but due to the progression in the game, pose less of a threat; whereas wolves are only encountered by a stick-wielding [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], wargs appear only in levels in which the player is [[Gandalf]] or [[Aragorn]].

'''2003: [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]:'''
:Wargs are portrayed as large wolves. They only appear in cutscenes, and are non-fightable.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Wargs, including Wargs ridden by [[Orcs|Orcs and Goblins]], are a common enemy found throughout the game. "Warg Stalkers" are one of the Monster Player classes available for Player versus Monster Player combat in the [[Ettenmoors]]. Monster Player Wargs rely on stealth to ambush players, and some computer-controlled Wargs also demonstrate this ability.

:They look and fight rather like [[Wolves]], and both are classified as Beasts, but Wargs are of a distinct type and appearance , being more monstrous than ordinary wolves. Their appearances vary, typically depending on region, and Warg Stalkers can acquire and choose from several such cosmetic appearances.

==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of Wargs|Images of Wargs]]
{{references}}
{{wolves}}

[[de:Warge]]
[[fr:encyclo/biologie/faune/wargs]]
[[fi:Hukat]]
[[Category:Other races]]
[[Category:Wolves]]
[[Category:Servants of Sauron]]
[[Category:Servants of Saruman]]

Desolation of the Dragon

2023-11-14T13:44:52Z

GandalfTheWitty: /* History */ Typographical error.

{{disambig-more|Desolation of Smaug|[[Desolation of Smaug (disambiguation)]]}}
[[File:Edward Beard, Jr. - Dragon's Desolation.png|thumb|Edward Beard, Jr. - ''Dragon's Desolation'']]

The '''Desolation of the Dragon''',<ref name=Doorstep>{{H|Doorstep}}</ref><ref name=Fire>{{H|Fire}}</ref> also known as the '''Desolation of Smaug''',<ref>{{FR|Meetings}}, p. 229</ref> was a bleak and barren desert around [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] and [[Dale]], charred and blackened by the burning breath of [[Smaug]] in the days of the dragon Smaug.<ref name=Doorstep/><ref>{{HM|UI}}, p. 208</ref>

The borders of the Desolation harboured some birds,<ref name=Fire/> but there was little grass, neither trees nor bushes, only broken and blackened stumps at its heart.<ref name=Doorstep/>

== History ==
The area that later became known as the Desolation of the Dragon had been green and fair before the arrival of the dragon<ref name=Doorstep/> and probably encompassed arable lands to produce food for the city of Dale.

In {{TA|2770}} the dragon Smaug attacked Erebor and destroyed the [[Kingdom under the Mountain]] and the city of Dale<ref>{{App|TA}}, entry for the year 770, p. 1088</ref> and probably started to create the Desolation of the Dragon by burning the landscape with his fiery breath.

After [[Bard]] killed Smaug in {{TA|2941}}<ref>{{App|TA}}, entry for the year 1941, p. 1089</ref> the desolation recovered, the town of Dale was rebuilt in {{TA|2944}},<ref>{{App|TA}}, entry for the year 2944, p. 1089</ref> the fields in the valley of the [[River Running]] were tilled again and the former desolation was filled with birds and blossoms in spring and with fruits in autumn.<ref>{{H|Stage}}</ref>

{{References}}

{{companyroute}}

[[Category:Fields, plains and deserts]]
[[Category:Rhovanion]]
[[Category:Regions]]

[[fi:Smaugin autioittama maa]]

User:GandalfTheWitty

2023-11-10T19:31:10Z

GandalfTheWitty: Created page with "I am Gandalf The Witty, and I love Tolkien!"

I am Gandalf The Witty, and I love Tolkien!

Andy Serkis

2023-11-10T12:00:15Z

GandalfTheWitty: /* Roles */

{{actor
| image=[[File:Andy Serkis.jpg|250px]]
| name= Andy Serkis
| lifetime= [[20 April|April 20]], [[1964]]
| played=[[Gollum]]
| film=[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]] ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]''
| played2=[[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]] (voice)
| film2=[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
| imdb=[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0785227/ Profile]
}}

'''Andy Serkis''' is an English actor. He portrayed [[Gollum]] in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'']] and [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]], as well as providing voices for various characters in ''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series). He was the second unit director for ''The Hobbit'' (film series). In [[2020]], he narrated ''[[The Hobbit]]'' audiobook,<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.thebookseller.com/news/andy-serkis-records-audiobook-hobbit-harpercollins-1208925|articlename=Andy Serkis records audiobook of The Hobbit for HarperCollins|dated=July 2, 2020|website=[http://www.thebookseller.com/ The Bookseller]|accessed=}}</ref> and followed this up with an audiobook narration of all three ''[[Lord of the Rings]]'' books in [[2021]].<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.thebookseller.com/news/andy-serkis-records-lord-rings-audiobooks-harpercollins-1267526|articlename=Andy Serkis records Lord of the Rings audiobooks for HarperCollins|dated=July 7, 2021|website=[http://www.thebookseller.com/ The Bookseller]|accessed=}}</ref> Since 2002, he has been married to actress [[Lorraine Ashbourne]], and together they have three children.

==Gollum==
When he heard from his agent that [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0399193/ John Hubbard] wanted to hear him as the voice of an animated character, Serkis originally felt dismayed. When told it was Gollum, it changed little: he had read ''[[The Hobbit]]'' when he was eight, but nothing else. Not until his (later) wife Lorraine convinced him to go to the audition did he actually think of doing it.

He recorded a demo, in which he portrayed Gollum full of self-pity and guilt, and he based the gulping swallow sound "gollum" on his cat Diz coughing up a furball.

At the advice of [[Fran Walsh]], he kept a diary, and this diary was later edited to become ''[[Gollum: How We Made Movie Magic]]''. It details his casting, the shooting, the additional motion capture, and the voice dubbing pick-ups.

Serkis spent a total of five years in [[New Zealand]], and did extra work later in London. He dubbed most of his lines as Gollum there, and also provided an eerie voice for the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]]. Together with [[Jim Dunk]], he also voiced most of the [[Uruk-hai]] in [[Uglúk]]'s troop.

==Quotes==
{{quote|They're only scorned because they're into something popular. But it's just the same as supporting a football team or being madly into Picasso or Brahms. And it's certainly a lot more fun than chess.| Andy Serkis on [[Tolkien fandom]], [http://tinyurl.com/6lxkxr Interview]}}
{{quote|This must be totally bizarre to them. I mean, at least when I look up at them I see [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] and [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]], and I just play off them, but when they look at me, all they must see is a man in a gimp suit, with a face that makes Jim Carrey's look relaxed and a voice that sounds like a cat being sick.|Andy Serkis on filming with [[Elijah Wood]] and [[Sean Astin]], ''[[Gollum: How We Made Movie Magic]]''.}}

==Roles==
* [[2021]] - ''The Return of the King'' (audiobook) - Narrator
* [[2021]] - ''The Two Towers'' (audiobook) - Narrator
* [[2021]] - ''The Fellowship of the Ring'' (audiobook) - Narrator
* [[2020]] - ''The Hobbit'' (audiobook) - Narrator
* [[2012]] - ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'' - Gollum
* [[2006]] - ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-king|EA's The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-king]]'' - Gollum, Witch-king
* [[2005]] - ''[[Ringers: Lord of the Fans]]'' - Himself
* [[2004]] - ''[[Gollum's acceptance speech]]'' - Himself, Gollum
* [[2004]] - ''[[EA's The Third Age]]'' - Gollum (archive footage)
* [[2004]] - ''[[DNZ: The Real Middle Earth]]'' - Himself, Gollem (sic)
* [[2003]] - ''[[EA's The Return of the King]]'' - Gollum, Witch-king (archive footage)
* [[2003]] - ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'' - Sméagol, Gollum, Witch-king
* [[2002]] - ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'' - Gollum, Orcs, [[Snaga (orc of Isengard)|Snaga]] (voice), [[Mauhúr]] (voice)
* [[2002]] - ''[[The Making of The Lord of the Rings]]'' - Himself
* [[2001]] - ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'' - Gollum, Witch-king, Black Riders (voice)

==Awards==
* [[2002]] - '''[http://www.cinemaclips.com/PFCS.htm PFCS Award]''', Best Acting Ensemble, ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
* [[2003]] - '''[http://ofcs.rottentomatoes.com/ OFCS Award]''', Best Ensemble, ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]''
* 2003 - '''PFCS Award''', Best Acting Ensemble, ''Peter Jackson's The Two Towers''
* 2003 - '''[http://www.vesawards.com/awards/ VES Award]''', Best Performance by an Actor in an Effects Film, ''Peter Jackson's The Two Towers''
* 2003 - '''[http://www.saturnawards.org/ Saturn Award]''', Best Supporting Actor, ''Peter Jackson's The Two Towers''
* 2003 - '''[http://www.mtv.com/ MTV Movie Award]''', Best On-Screen Team, ''Peter Jackson's The Two Towers''
* [[2004]] - '''[http://www.bfca.org/ Critics' Choice Award]''', Best Acting Ensemble, ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]''
* 2004 - '''[http://www.nbrmp.org/ NBR Award]''', Best Acting by an Ensemble, ''Peter Jackson's The Return of the King''
* 2004 - '''[http://www.empireonline.com/ Empire Award, UK]''', Best British Actor, ''Peter Jackson's The Return of the King''
* 2004 - '''[http://www.sagawards.org/ SAG Award]''', Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, ''Peter Jackson's The Return of the King''

==Bibliography, selected==
===Books===
*[[2003]]: ''[[Gollum: How We Made Movie Magic]]''
===Articles===
*[[2003]]: ''[[The Art of The Two Towers]]''
** "Afterword"
*[[2013]]: ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Chronicles: Creatures & Characters]]''
** "Introduction"

==External links==
* '''[http://www.serkis.com/ Official website]'''
* {{WP|Andy Serkis}}

{{references}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Serkis, Andy}}
[[Category:Actors and actresses]]
[[Category:Authors]]
[[Category:British people]]
[[Category:People by name]]
[[Category:The Lord of the Rings (film series) cast]]
[[Category:The Hobbit (film series) cast]]

[[de:Andy Serkis]]
[[fi:Andy Serkis]]

Snaga (orc of Isengard)

2023-11-10T11:56:43Z

GandalfTheWitty:

[[File:John Howe - Snaga.jpg|thumb|200px|''Snaga'' by [[John Howe]]]]
An [[Orcs|orc]], addressed as '''Snaga''', was a scout under the command of [[Uglúk]], and part of a company who was bringing [[Peregrin Took]] and [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] to [[Isengard]]. He was killed when [[Éomer]]'s riders attacked their camp.<ref>{{TT|III3}}</ref>

== Portrayal in adaptations ==
'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:Snaga was voiced by [[Gordon Reid]].

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Snaga is played by [[Jed Brophy]], and voiced by an uncredited [[Andy Serkis]]. In the film, he is depicted as an Orc of Mordor under [[Grishnákh]]'s command. After attempting to eat Merry and Pippin, he is decapitated by [[Uglúk]] and cannibalized by the ravenous Uruk-hai.

== See also ==
* [[Snaga]], the [[Black Speech]] term.
* [[Snaga (orc of Mordor)]], another orc called Snaga

{{references}}
{{title}}
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Orcs]]
[[Category:Servants of Saruman]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Snaga#Bekannte_Snagas]]
[[fi:Snaga (Rautapiha)]]

Rings of Power

2023-11-06T21:35:58Z

GandalfTheWitty: /* Other versions of the legendarium */ Typographical error.

{{disambig-more|Rings of Power|[[Rings of Power (disambiguation)]]}}
[[File:Alan Lee - The Forging of the Ring.jpg|thumb|200px|''The Forging of the Ring'' by [[Alan Lee]]]]
{{quote|In those days the smiths of [[Ost-in-Edhil]] surpassed all that they had contrived before; and they took thought, and they made Rings of Power. [...] Now the Elves made many rings; but secretly Sauron made [[The One Ring|One Ring]] to rule all the others, and their power was bound up with it, to be subject wholly to it and to last only so long as it too should last.|''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]"}}

The '''Rings of Power''' were rings created by the [[Elves]] of [[Eregion]], nineteen '''Great 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]].

==Twenty Rings==
* The sixteen Rings of Power forged under Annatar's guidance:
** 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 Thrór|final ring]] to leave the possession of the dwarves occurred when [[Thráin|Thráin II]] was captured.
** The remaining ''[[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 ''[[Three Rings]]'' of the Elves were forged by [[Celebrimbor]] alone, and were never touched by Sauron. They were made last, however, and 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.
* ''[[The 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.

The Three Rings, the Seven Rings and the Nine Rings were all set with their proper gem, but the One Ring was round and unadorned like the lesser rings of Power.<ref>{{FR|Council}}, p. 251</ref>

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

{{blockquote|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.|[[Ring Verse]]}}

==History==
=== Creation ===

[[File:Ralph Damiani - The Forging.jpg|thumb|''The Forging'' by [[:Category:Images by Ralph Damiani|Ralph Damiani]]]]
Around {{SA|1200}}, Sauron started to corrupt the [[Elves]].<ref name="B">{{App|B1}}</ref> He did not manage to approach [[Gil-galad]] and [[Elrond]] but he had better luck with the Elven-smiths of [[Eregion]]. 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]]. Sauron therefore presented himself as "[[Annatar]]", an emissary from the [[Valar]],<ref name="Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref> and tempted the Elves by offering the knowledge to transform Middle-earth.

Annatar taught the smiths the knowledge of how to create Rings, which would grant the Elves who wear them certain powers. At first the Elves created some [[lesser rings]], which 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 the creation of the One Ring, heard Sauron speak the [[Ring Poem|spell]], and realized they had been betrayed.<ref>{{FR|Council}}</ref>

===Advent of Sauron===
As soon as Sauron put on the One, the bearers of the Three became aware of him and took them off in fear and anger. They defied Sauron and refused to use the Rings. Seeing this, Sauron attempted to claim the Rings to distribute them to other peoples; he [[War of the Elves and Sauron|waged War against the Elves]], and although the Elves fought valiantly, Eregion was destroyed. Celebrimbor however managed to salvage the Three he created himself and secretly gave them to [[Gil-galad]], [[Círdan]], and [[Galadriel]]. They were originally given to the three greatest [[Eldar]] in [[Middle-earth]] at that time.<ref name="Rings"/><ref name="B"/> During the [[Sack of Eregion]], Sauron took the Nine Rings and other lesser works from them; but he could not find the rest. Then [[Celebrimbor]] was put to torment, and he revealed the existence of the Seven Rings.<ref>{{UT|Galadriel}}</ref>

Sauron then distributed them to Lords who desired secret power beyond their nature, hoping to bring them under his sway; [[Men]] who were the readiest to his will, became powerful sorcerers and Kings; and [[Dwarves]] who grew greedier and augmented their treasures. As Sauron had to do with their making, he easily perverted and accursed the Rings, betraying those who wore them.<ref name="Rings"/>

The Mannish lords who held the Nine were consumed by them and entered the [[wraith-world]], becoming the [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]], servants of Sauron without will. The Dwarves who held the Seven were largely (but not totally) unaffected, but the wrath and greed brought upon them brought evils that benefitted Sauron. The Three were always held by the Elves, and [[Gandalf]] upon his arrival.<ref name="Rings"/>

===Final disposition===
During the [[Third Age]], four of the Seven were destroyed during the Dwarves' conflicts with [[Dragons]], and after Sauron's return he recaptured the remaining three, the [[Ring of Thrór|last]] from [[Thráin|Thráin II]]. The Nine he took back from his [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]], and they were still in his possession at the time of the [[War of the Ring]].

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 name=Shadow>{{FR|Shadow}}</ref>

The One was lost and refound until it was destroyed in the [[Cracks of Doom|Crack of Doom]]. With its destruction, the existing Rings were freed from Sauron's control, but may have lost their power altogether. They were presumably buried in the ruins of [[Barad-dûr]], or perhaps simply faded, while the (powerless) Three were taken with their bearers to [[Aman]].

==Characteristics==
=== Powers and properties ===
The Rings of Power all had certain common properties. The Elves of Eregion created the rings to preserve their lands, attempting to make them as beautiful as [[Valinor]]. Thus, a primary power of the rings was to prevent and decelerate decay and change. The rings also increased a bearer's own natural powers, seemingly granting '[[magic]]' abilities.<ref name=L131>{{L|131}}</ref>
[[File:Jef Murray - In Her Father's Garden.jpg|thumb|''In her father's garden'' by [[Jef Murray]]]]
According to [[Gandalf]], a Ring of Power has the ability to "look after itself". A bearer of a Ring was unable to abandon it, but a ring could "decide" to abandon its wearer as the One Ring did many times in order to get back to Sauron.<ref name=Shadow/>{{rp|55}} The One Ring specifically had such power of lust that nobody had the will to try to injure it<ref name=L131/> (even though it was indestructible itself).

Additionally, the One Ring, along with the Seven and the Nine, had the ability to tap into the [[Unseen]] at different degrees. The One could completely shift the wearer to the Spirit World, rendering the material body invisible to mortals.<ref name=L131/> Men who wore a Ring of Power caused the wearer to ''fade'' and turn into a permanently invisible [[Wraiths|wraith]]<ref name=Shadow/>{{rp|51}} under Sauron's domination.<ref name=Shadow/>{{rp|47}}

The [[Dwarves]] however were more resistant to most of these effects. They could hardly be dominated, it was hard to read their thoughts and they could not be turned into wraiths. They mostly suffered under an increased wrath and lust for gold and only used their Seven Rings to increase their wealth. It was said that a golden ring was the foundation on which each of the Seven Hoards of the Dwarf-kings of old.<ref name="Rings" />

The Three did not make their wearers invisible<ref name=L131 /> (though a wearer could make the ring itself invisible<ref>{{FR|Mirror}}</ref>). A wearer of one of the 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]] and [[Rivendell]]. [[Narya]] also had the power to inspire hope and courage in others.<ref>{{App|B2}}, [[Cirdan]]'s words to [[Gandalf]]</ref>

=== The One ===
{{main|The One Ring}}
For The One to have the ability to control The Three, it was necessary for Sauron to allow a significant amount of his power and will to flow into it during its forging. As it was the Master Ring, whoever mastered the One also had control over the other rings, the works done through them, and also could perceive and control the thoughts of anyone wearing another ring. But Sauron never managed to do so, because as soon as he wore it upon his finger, the Elves became aware of him.<ref name="Rings"/>

The wearer also was able to understand speech in languages the wearer did not know, or at least able to understand the [[Black Speech]].<ref>{{TT|Choices}}</ref>

Any bearer could use its power, though it would take time, determination, skill, and knowledge to do so. However the Ring corrupted the heart and mind, making its wearer obsessed with it.

==Other versions of the legendarium==
[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - The Fellowship of the Ring 2.jpg|thumb|The One Ring and the Three in the [[The Lord of the Rings/Original dust-jacket designs|dust-jacket]] design for ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'' by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]]]
In an early draft of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', there were many different elements related to the Rings of Power:<ref>{{RS|Gollum}}, p. 78</ref>
*Not the Elves of Eregion, but the dark master made many rings and distributed them to ensnare others. The Elves did not have three, but had many rings. There is no mentioning of the Elves discovering the intent of the Lord of the Rings and taking off their rings. Instead, it is mentioned that there were now many [[Ring-wraiths|Elf-wraiths]].
*The [[Goblins]] had some rings and their wraiths are very evil and totally under the command of the dark master.
*The elements that the Dwarves had seven rings, that they only turned them greedy and that a golden ring was the foundation of each of the seven hoards of the Dwarves were already present. However, it is not mentioned that the dwarves were hard to dominate, that their thoughts could not be read or that they could not be turned into wraiths, it is only said that their rings could not make them invisible.
*Instead of nine rings, Men had received three rings, but had found other rings in secret places that had been thrown away by Elf-wraiths. The men-wraiths were servants of the dark master and brought their rings back to him. Instead of Isildur the ring that was later found by Bilbo fell of the hand of an Elf, but the other elements that he fled from his pursuers in a war and that the ring betrayed him and fell from his hand when he swam across a river so that he became visible to Goblins that killed him are already present in this draft.
*Instead of a [[hobbit]] called [[Déagol]], a hobbit called Dígol found the ring and used its effect to turn him invisible for malicious purposes, turned to muttering to himself so that he was called ''Gollum'' and was told to go into exile by his relatives.

In an earlier draft it is mentioned that your turn permanently invisible that everything becomes very faint for you that you can smell more clearly than you can hear or say and that you turn into a ringwraith under the command of the Lord of the Rings. It is also mentioned that you do not have the power to turn things invisible and that your clothes are visible.<ref>{{RS|Gollum}}, p. 75</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 ''[[Der Ring des Nibelungen|The Ring of the Nibelung]]'', although Tolkien denounced any direct inspiration.<ref>{{L|229}}, "Both rings were round, and there the resemblance ceases."</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|Ralph Bakshi's ''The Lord of the Rings'']]:'''
: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.

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:In the [[Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All...|Prologue]], narrated by [[Galadriel]], the 19 initial Rings were shown being given to the [[Elves]], [[Men]], and [[Dwarves]]. The introduction states that all of these ring-holders were deceived by Sauron, who created the One Ring to rule them all.

'''2017: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Alongside [[the One Ring]] and the Three, names are also given to the Seven and the Nine:

:*The Seven rings of the Dwarves are given as Taurya, Sindya, Tínya, Tulcya, Úrya, Vanya, and Angya (the [[Ring of Thrór|Ring of Durin]]).
:*The Nine rings of Men are named Sâkhla, Adâsh, Orôm (the ring of the [[Khamûl|Lieutenant of Dol Guldur]]), Jûru, Mêbat, Khânto, Sapthân, Nitîr, and Ûri (the ring of the [[Witch-king]]).

'''2022: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power]]: Season One'''
:'''Episode 9: ''[[Alloyed]]'''''
:All the lore related to the forging of the Rings of Power under the guidance of [[Annatar]] is ignored. No [[Lesser rings|lesser ring]], nor any of the sixteen Rings is made before the Three Rings. Instead of the Three being the only ones unmarred by Sauron's intervention, they are the only ones done under [[Halbrand]]'s guidance. All the [[Magic|magical craft]] done by the [[Gwaith-i-Mírdain|Elven-smiths]] is reduced to the magical properties of [[mithril]] made up for the series.

==External links==
*[https://brownmath.com/general/ringfaq.htm FAQ of the Rings] by Stan Brown
*[https://middle-earth.xenite.org/who-were-the-rings-of-power-made-for/ Who Were the Rings of Power Made For?] by [[Michael Martinez]]

{{references}}
{{rings}}
[[Category:Rings and jewels]]
[[de:Ringe der Macht]]
[[fr:encyclo/artefacts/bijoux/anneaux/anneaux_de_pouvoir]]
[[fi:Mahtisormukset]]

Orthanc

2023-11-06T18:33:28Z

GandalfTheWitty: /* Portrayal in adaptations */ Added technical notes about the tower's design in the films.

{{location infobox
| name=Orthanc
| image=[[File:Alan Lee - The Voice of Saruman.jpg|250px]]| caption="The Voice of Saruman" by [[Alan Lee]]
| pronun=
| othernames=
| location=[[Isengard]], at the southern end of the [[Misty Mountains]]
| type=Tower
| description=Black-coloured stone tower of 500 feet
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Dúnedain]] [[Gondorians]] [[Saruman]]
| created=Late [[Second Age]]
| destroyed=
| events=[[Battle of Isengard]]
}}

<center>{{Quote|They came now to the foot of Orthanc. It was black, and the rock gleamed as if it were wet.|''[[The Two Towers]]'', "[[The Voice of Saruman]]"}}</center>
'''Orthanc''' was the impregnable tower of [[Isengard]] built by the [[Dúnedain]] during the [[Second Age]].<ref>{{FR|Council}}; {{S|V}}</ref>

==Description==
The tower of Orthanc was composed of four welded pillars of many-sided stone that stood in the centre of the [[Ring of Isengard]] like an island, roughly half a mile from the rim.<ref name="TTRoad" />

At its peak the tower reached a height of just over five hundred feet. The colour of the rock was a deep, gleaming black. At Orthanc's pinnacle the four piers opened out to form four pinnacles of sharp rock; between these isles of rock there was a narrow, polished floor on which many strange signs were written.<ref name="TTRoad">{{TT|Road}}</ref>

{{blockquote|There stood a tower of marvellous shape. It was fashioned by the builders of old, who smoothed the Ring of Isengard, and yet it seemed a thing not made by the craft of Men, but riven from the bones of the earth in the ancient torment of the hills.|''[[The Two Towers]]'', "[[The Road to Isengard]]"}}

==History==
===Second Age===
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Orthanc in the Second Age.jpg|thumb|left|''Orthanc in the Second Age'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
The exact date of the construction of Orthanc and the establishment of the fortress of [[Isengard]] is unknown. However it must have been built between {{SA|3320}}, the year in which [[Gondor]] and [[Arnor]] were established, and {{SA|3430}}, when the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]] was first formed.<ref name="AppB1">{{App|B1}}</ref> Within Orthanc was placed one of the ''[[Palantíri]]'', the [[Orthanc-stone]]. Thus, Orthanc became one of the seven [[Dúnedain]] towers which stored the seeing stones that had been brought from [[Númenor]].<ref name="SV">{{S|V}}</ref>

===Third Age===
The region of [[Calenardhon]] was never densely populated; indeed it suffered greatly in the [[Great Plague]] of {{TA|1636}} and many inhabitants of Númenórean descent gradually migrated eastward. Eventually the tower of Orthanc itself became deserted, and [[Key of Orthanc|its keys]] were removed to [[Minas Tirith]] and held in the keeping of the [[Stewards of Gondor|Stewards]].<ref name="UTPalantiri">{{UT|Palantiri}}</ref>

In {{TA|2510}},<ref name="UTIsen">{{UT|Isen}}</ref> after the [[Battle of the Field of Celebrant]], the lands of [[Calenardhon]] were ceded to the [[Éothéod]] and [[Eorl]] became the first king of [[Rohan]]. Nonetheless Gondor retained control of the fortress of Isengard, and Orthanc remained the third tower of the southern realm. During this time Isengard was manned by a small number of Gondorians led by a hereditary Captain. However the keys of Orthanc were kept by the Stewards of Gondor.<ref name="UTCirion">{{UT|Cirion}}</ref>

Over time the links and correspondence between Isengard and [[Minas Tirith]] became ever more infrequent; whilst retaining the keys of Orthanc, the Stewards forsook the tower as their thoughts looked eastwards. Eventually the line of Gondorian chieftains failed and the people mingled ever more with the [[Dunlendings]]. They even allowed them entry into Isengard and eventually the two peoples willingly merged into one. Thus it was that Isengard came under the control of the Dunlendings who led numerous raids on the [[Westfold]]. Whilst the Rohirrim had not the strength to assail the fortress, the Dunlendings were eventually starved out in the great famine after the [[Long Winter]]. Therefore both [[Fréaláf|King Fréaláf]] and [[Beren (Steward of Gondor)|Steward Beren]] greatly welcomed [[Saruman|Saruman's]] offer to take command of Isengard. Thus it was that, in {{TA|2759}},<ref name="AppStewards">{{App|Stewards}}</ref> the wizard was given the keys of Orthanc.<ref name="UTIsen" />

Saruman began to desire [[the One Ring]] for himself and hoped that it might reveal itself by giving [[Sauron]] time to re-gain his strength. As head of the [[White Council]], Saruman overruled Gandalf's call for an attack on [[Dol Guldur]] in {{TA|2851}}. However, in {{TA|2941}}, after Saruman discovered that the servants of Sauron were searching for the Ring near [[Gladden Fields]], he agreed to attack Sauron's fortress in [[Mirkwood]]. After the last meeting of the White Council in {{TA|2953}}, Saruman withdrew to [[Isengard]] and fortified it. It was in ''circa'' {{TA|3000}} that Saruman used the [[Orthanc-stone]] for the first time. Thus it was that Sauron corrupted Saruman's mind and bent it to his will.<ref name="AppB2">{{App|B2}}</ref>

[[File:John Howe - Gwaihir rescues Gandalf from Orthanc.jpg|thumb|right|''Gwaihir rescues Gandalf from Orthanc'' by [[John Howe]]]]
{{Blockquote|Gandalf the Grey caught like a fly in a spider's treacherous web!|[[Gandalf]] in ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[The Council of Elrond]]"}}

In {{TA|3018}}, [[Gandalf]] rode to the foot of Orthanc and there met [[Saruman]]. It was then that Saruman revealed his true thoughts to Gandalf. He declared his desire to become a ruler of [[Men]] and to join with [[Sauron]]. But, most importantly, he announced his desire for the One Ring. Gandalf refused to submit to Sauron and Saruman. Subsequently, Saruman had Gandalf taken to the pinnacle of Orthanc where, Saruman schemed, Gandalf would stay until he revealed the location of the One Ring or until Sauron reclaimed it for himself. There Gandalf was trapped and for the first time he saw [[wolves]] and [[orcs]] in the valley of Isengard below. After many weeks of imprisonment,<ref group="note">[[Gandalf]] was imprisoned on [[10 July]], {{TA|3018}} and escaped in the early hours of [[18 September]], {{TA|3018|n}}.</ref> Gandalf escaped as [[Gwaihir]] the Great [[Eagle]] came unlooked-for to Orthanc and bore him away.<ref name="FRCouncil">{{FR|Council}}</ref>

On [[2 March]], {{TA|3019}}, the [[Ents]] of [[Fangorn Forest]] began their [[Battle of Isengard|attack on Isengard]]. By the next day, the Ents had completely subdued Isengard.<ref name="AppB3">{{App|B3}}</ref>
[[File:John Howe - Orthanc Destroyed.jpg|thumb|left|''Orthanc Destroyed'' by [[John Howe]]]]
However, their attacks on Orthanc proved futile because the rock of the tower was too hard for the Ents to damage. Therein Saruman remained.<ref name="TTFlotsam">{{TT|Flotsam}}</ref> On [[5 March]], [[Théoden]], [[Éomer]], [[Gandalf]], [[Aragorn]], [[Legolas]], and [[Gimli]] approached the foot of Orthanc and climbed its stair until they reached the door. There they parleyed with Saruman, who remained inside the tower and spoke to them from a balcony above the door. Saruman refused to co-operate and subsequently Gandalf cast him from the [[Istari|order of Wizards]] and the [[White Council]], and broke Saruman's staff. After this confrontation, [[Gríma|Gríma Wormtongue]], who was also inside Orthanc, threw the [[Orthanc-stone|''palantír'' of Orthanc]] at the party outside as a parting shot.<ref name="TTVoice">{{TT|Voice}}</ref>

A week before [[22 August]], {{TA|3019}},<ref name="AppB3"/> when [[Aragorn|King Elessar]] and company arrived at Orthanc, Saruman had departed Isengard with Gríma Wormtongue. However, before he left, [[Treebeard]] made him lock the tower and hand over the keys of Orthanc.<ref name="RKPartings">{{RK|Partings}}</ref>

===Fourth Age===
One of [[Aragorn|King Elessar's]] first tasks in the re-ordering of his realm was the restoration of Orthanc. He ordered that the ''[[palantír]]'' recovered from [[Saruman]] should be returned to the tower. It was then that the tower was searched and many secrets were revealed. It became clear that Saruman had hoarded many ancient treasures and heirlooms. They found that, with the aid of [[Gríma|Wormtongue]], Saruman had acquired jewels and heirlooms of [[Eorl]]. With the help of [[Gimli]] a hidden door was found and opened. Inside a casket found on a shelf they found two precious items. One was a small golden case attached to a chain; this was used by [[Isildur]] to bear [[the One Ring]]. The second item in the casket was the [[Elendilmir]], the "white star of Elvish crystal upon a fillet of ''[[mithril]]''" that had been lost since Isildur's demise. Elessar received the Elemdilmir with reverence and took it with him as he established his full kingship of [[Arnor]]. It was clear that Saruman had found the remains of Isildur and that he had probably burned the body.<ref name="UTIsen" />

Orthanc and the lands of Isengard remained part of the [[Reunited Kingdom|Reunited Kingdom of Arnor and Gondor]]. However King Elessar granted the [[Ents]] complete self-governance of the area surrounding Orthanc. This new forest became known as the [[Treegarth of Orthanc]].<ref name="RKPartings" />

==Etymology==
''Orthanc'' displays a curious double etymology (co-existing "by design or chance") since it has a meaning both in the "[[Rohanese|language of the Mark of old]]" (rendered as [[Old English]] in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'') and [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s constructed language [[Sindarin]].<ref name=Ui>{{HM|UI}}, p. 243</ref><ref name=TTRoad /> Tolkien regarded this coincidence as an 'accident'.<ref name="UTIstari">{{UT|Istari}}</ref>

In Old English, ''Orthanc'' is said to mean "Cunning Mind".<ref name=TTRoad/> [[Wayne G. Hammond|Hammond]] and [[Christina Scull|Scull]] has noted that Old English ''orþanc'' as a noun means "original, inborn thought" or "a skilful contrivance or work, artifice, device, design"; as an adjective it means "cunning, skilful".<ref name=Ui/> Cf. the meaning of Saruman's name "the one of cunning devices" or "Man of Skill".<ref>{{S|Index}}</ref>

In the published text, ''Orthanc'' is said to mean "Mount Fang" in [[Elvish]].<ref name=TTRoad/> In other sources, the name is glossed as "forked-height".<ref name=Ui/><ref>{{S|Appendix}} (glossed as "Forked Height")</ref> The name is likely supposed to be Sindarin,<ref name=Ui/> consisting of ''[[or]]'' + ''[[thanc]]''.<ref>{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.tolkiendil.com/langues/english/i-lam_arth/compound_sindarin_names#o|articlename=Compound Sindarin Names in Middle-earth|website=[http://www.tolkiendil.com/ Tolkiendil]|accessed=23-Dec-2011}}</ref>

==Tolkien's changing conception==
{{Gallery
|title=Sketches by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]
|height=300
|width=250
|lines=4
|File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Orthanc I.jpg|This sketch reflects Tolkien's description of Orthanc in an early manuscript of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''
|File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Orthanc.jpg|This sketch complements best Tolkien's description of Orthanc in {{TT|III8}}
}}

==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=Orthanc in Adaptations
|height=140
|width=200
|lines=3
|File:Orthanc film.jpg|Orthanc in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
|File:Orthanc EA RotK.png|Orthanc in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' video game]]'''
|File:The Lord of the Rings- The Treason of Isengard - Orthanc concept art.jpg|Concept art of '''Orthanc''' in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Treason of Isengard]]''
|File:LOTRO-Rise of Isengard-Orthanc-1-.png|'''Orthanc''' in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online: Rise of Isengard]]''
}}

===Films===
'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
:Orthanc's design in the film is quite congruent with the descriptions in the novel, being presented as a tall, dark spire with four pinnacles. The finer details on the tower's walls seem to be inspired by the artwork of [[Alan Lee]], who was one of the concept artists for the films.
:Orthanc and [[Barad-dûr]] are presented as ''The Two Towers'' identified in the title of the film. Tolkien himself was never certain about which two towers ''The Two Towers'' referred to; in [[Letter 140]] noted his disapproval of the title itself but also stated that the title was deliberately ambiguous. Indeed it could refer to Orthanc and Barad-dûr, Minas Tirith and Barad-dûr, or Orthanc and Cirith Ungol.<ref>{{L|140}};{{L|143}}</ref> Later Tolkien seemed to settle with Orthanc and Minas Morgul in his original design for the jacket of ''The Two Towers''.<ref>{{L|140|1}}</ref> However the producers of ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'' decided that, for theatrical and stylistic purposes, ''The Two Towers'' should refer to the towers of Orthanc and Barad-dûr.

===Games===
'''2004: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'' (video game)]]:'''
:Orthanc is the location of the bonus stage "Tower of Orthanc", where Aragorn, Gimli, or Legolas must fight through twenty floors of various enemies to reach Saruman at the top. This stage can only be unlocked by completing the "Hornburg Courtyard" stage and reaching Level 10 with one of the three playable characters.

'''2004: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' (video game)]]:'''
:Orthanc is part of the scenery in the mission "The Road to Isengard", visible as Gandalf makes his way to the dam.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' (video game)]], "The Road to Isengard"</ref> It also appears in cutscenes at various stages of the game.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Orthanc is a key feature in the area of [[Nan Curunír]], where it dominates the land around it, and the [[Ring of Isengard]]. The tower itself is only accessible in certain scenarios, including the raid "The Tower of Orthanc".<ref>{{webcite|author=Justin Olivetti|articleurl=http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/21/through-turbines-palantir-developers-outline-lotros-future/|articlename=Through Turbine's palantír: Developers outline LotRO's future|dated=21-April-2011|website=[http://massively.joystiq.com/ MASSIVELY by joystiq]|accessed=23-Dec-2011}}</ref>

{{References|n}}

[[Category:Misty Mountains]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
[[Category:Towers]]
[[de:Orthanc]]
[[fi:Orthanc]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/gondor/orthanc]]

The Lord of the Rings: Conquest

2023-11-06T17:54:00Z

GandalfTheWitty: /* Villians */ Typo.

{{disambig-more|The Lord of the Rings|[[The Lord of the Rings (disambiguation)]]}}{{video game infobox
| image=[[Image:The Lord of the Rings - Conquest - boxart.JPG|250px]]
| name=The Lord of the Rings: Conquest
| developer=Pandemic Studios
| publisher=[[Electronic Arts|EA]] Games
| platform=PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS
| releasedate=[[wikipedia:PAL region|PAL]]: [[9 January|January 9]] [[2009]] [[wikipedia:North America|NA]]: [[13 January|January 13]], [[2009]]
| genre=
|}}

'''The Lord of the Rings: Conquest''' is the last video game set in Middle-earth that was made by [[Electronic Arts]]. It was developed by Pandemic Studios for the PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Nintendo DS consoles. [[Weta Digital]] worked alongside Pandemic, and has provided several digital models for them to use, including the [[fell beasts]].

== Gameplay ==
===Good Campaign===
The Good Campaign begins at the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Battle of the Last Alliance]] as a training stage, and continues with loosely-based settings from the films, such as the [[Battle of Isengard]] as an [[Ent]], [[Gandalf]] fighting [[Saruman]] in [[Orthanc]], battling the [[Balrogs|Balrog]] in the [[Khazad-dûm|Mines of Moria]], battling the [[Nazgûl]] as [[Faramir]] while protecting [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], and fighting inside [[Minas Morgul]]. There is also a mission that has [[Gimli]] and his attempts to take back Moria.

===Evil Campaign===
The Evil Campaign begins immediately in an alternate universe, where the Nazgûl have just killed Frodo and stopped him from destroying [[the One Ring]]. Players will have the chance to fight as [[Oliphaunts]] at [[Minas Tirith]], as [[Trolls]] at [[Helm's Deep]], as the Balrog, as the Nazgûl against [[Aragorn]] at [[Weathertop]], against [[the Shire]], and lastly, as [[Sauron]] himself against [[Rivendell]].

==Playable Characters==
===Heroes===
*[[Aragorn]]
*[[Arwen]]
*[[Boromir]]
*[[Elrond]]
*[[Éowyn]]
*[[Faramir]]
*[[Frodo]]
*[[Gandalf]]
*[[Gimli]]
*[[Isildur]]
*[[Legolas]]
*[[Ent]]
*[[Balin]]

===Villains===
*[[Balrog]]
*[[Gothmog (Lieutenant of Morgul)|Gothmog]]
*[[Gríma|Gríma Wormtongue]]
*[[Lurtz]]
*[[Mouth of Sauron]]
*[[Nazgûl]]
*[[Oliphaunts|Oliphaunt]]
*[[Saruman]]
*[[Sauron]]
*[[Troll]]
*[[Witch-king]]

==Maps==
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! Map !! Modes
|-
|[[Amon Hen]] || "Conquest", "Team Deathmatch", "Capture the Ring"
|-
| [[War of the Last Alliance|Battle of the Last Alliance]] || "Conquest", "Team Deathmatch", "Capture the Ring"
|-
| [[Black Gate]] || "Conquest", "Hero Team Deathmatch"
|-
| Citadel of [[Minas Tirith]] || "Team Deathmatch", "Capture the Ring"
|-
| [[Helm's Deep]] || "Conquest", "Team Deathmatch"
|-
| [[Minas Morgul]] || "Conquest", "Capture the Ring", "Hero Team Deathmatch"
|-
| [[Minas Tirith]] || "Conquest", "Team Deathmatch"
|-
| [[Moria]] || "Team Deathmatch", "Capture the Ring"
|-
| [[Mount Doom]] || "Conquest", "Capture the Ring", "Hero Team Deathmatch"
|-
| [[Osgiliath]] || "Conquest", "Team Deathmatch"
|-
| [[Pelennor Fields]] || "Conquest", "Team Deathmatch", "Capture the Ring"
|-
| [[The Shire]] || "Conquest", "Capture the Ring", "Team Deathmatch"
|-
| [[Weathertop]] || "Conquest", "Team Deathmatch"
|-
|}

==Cast==
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! Actor !! Role
|-
| [[Hugo Weaving]] || [[Elrond]]
|-
| Andrew Dawson || [[Gothmog (Lieutenant of Morgul)|Gothmog]], [[Mouth of Sauron]], Gondorian Officer
|-
| [[Chris Edgerly]] || [[Aragorn]], Rohan Officer 2
|-
| [[Crispin Freeman]] || [[Legolas]], Young Male [[Hobbits|Hobbit]]
|-
| [[Brian George]] || [[Théoden|Theoden]], Elven Officer 2, Old Hobbit Male
|-
| [[Kim Mai Guest]] || [[Éowyn]], Young Female Hobbit, Old Female Hobbit
|-
| Gavin Hammon || Rohan Officer 1, Ringwraith
|-
| [[Martin Jarvis]] || [[Gandalf]]
|-
| [[Bob Joles]] || [[Gimli]], [[Treebeard]], Uruk-Hai Officer 1
|-
| Kevin Killebrew || Orc Officer 3
|-
| Jonathan Lipow || [[Witch-king]]
|-
| [[Yuri Lowenthal]] || [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], Elven Officer 3, Rohan Officer 3
|-
| [[Scott McShane]] || Uruk-Hai Officer 3
|-
| [[Paul Mercier]] || [[Faramir]], Evil Human Officer 3, Gondorian Officer 3
|-
| [[Nolan North]] || Evil Human Officer 2, Gondorian Officer 2
|-
| Jon Olson || [[Sauron]], [[Lurtz]], Orc Officer 2
|-
| [[Alan Shearman]] ||Evil Human Officer 1
|-
| Kirk Thornton || [[Gríma|Gríma Wormtongue]]
|-
| David Shaughnessy || Orc Officer 1
|-
| [[Lloyd Sherr]] || [[Saruman]]
|-
| Robert Wisdom || Uruk-Hai Officer 2
|-
| [[Michael Yurchak]] || Elven Officer 1
|-
|}

==Soundtrack==
[[Howard Shore]]'s tracks from the film are also included in the game. The following tracks are used with license:
* "The Shadow Of The Past"
* "At The Sign Of The Prancing Pony"
* "Flight To The Ford"
* "A Knife In The Dark"
* "The Bridge Of Khazad Dum"
* "Amon Hen"
* "The Ring Goes South"
* "Ash And Smoke"
* "Minas Tirith"
* "The White Tree"
* "The Fields Of Pelennor"
* "Hope and Memory"
* "Minas Morgul"
* "The Ride Of The Rohirrim"
* "The Black Gate Opens"
* "The End Of All Things"
* "Foundations Of Stone"
* "The Passage Of The Marshes"
* "The Uruk‑Hai"
* "The King Of The Golden Hall"
* "The White Rider"
* "Helm's Deep"
* "Forth Eorlingas"
* "The Taming of Smeagol"
* "Isengard Unleashed"

==See also==
*[[:Category:Images from The Lord of the Rings: Conquest|Images from The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]

==External links==
*'''[http://pandemicstudios.com/conquest Official website]'''
*[http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2008/05/08/28812-what-is-the-lord-of-the-rings-conquest-pandemic-studios-eric-%e2%80%9cgiz%e2%80%9d-gewirtz-tells-us-about-it/ Eric Gewirtz (director) interview] at [[TheOneRing.net]]
*{{WP|{{PAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}}}}

{{Videogames}}
{{lordoftheringsfilms}}
{{title|italics}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lord of the Rings Conquest}}

[[Category:Action games]]
[[Category:EA Games]]
[[Category:Microsoft Windows games]]
[[Category:Nintendo DS games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 3 games]]
[[Category:Xbox 360 games]]

Denethor

2023-11-05T12:44:52Z

GandalfTheWitty: /* Portrayal in adaptations */ Significant corrections to the description of Denethor's demise.

{{cleanup}}{{disambig-more|Denethor|[[Denethor (disambiguation)]]}}
{{gondorian infobox
| name=Denethor II
| image=[[File:Peter Xavier Price - Lord Denethor.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Lord Denethor" by [[Peter Xavier Price]]
| pronun=
| othernames=
| titles=[[Ruling Steward]]
| position=
| location=[[Gondor]]
| affiliation=
| language=[[Westron]]
| birth={{TA|2930}}
| birthlocation=
| rule={{TA|2984}} - {{TA|3019|n}} (35 years)
| death=[[15 March]], {{TA|3019}}<ref name="South">{{App|South}}</ref>
| deathlocation=[[Rath Dínen]], [[Minas Tirith]]
| age=89
| notablefor=
| house=[[House of Húrin]]
| parentage=[[Ecthelion II]]
| siblings=2 older sisters<ref name="Elendil">{{PM|Elendil}}, p. 206</ref>
| spouse=[[Finduilas (wife of Denethor)|Finduilas]]
| children=[[Boromir]] and [[Faramir]]
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=Sword and knife
| steed=
}}
{{quote|Denethor looked indeed much more like a great [[Wizards|Wizard]] than [[Gandalf]] did, more kingly, beautiful, and powerful; and older.|''[[The Return of the King]]'', "[[Minas Tirith (chapter)|Minas Tirith]]"}}

'''Denethor II''' was the twenty-sixth and penultimate [[Ruling Steward]] of [[Gondor]]. He succeeded his father [[Ecthelion II]] at his death in {{TA|2984}}. Denethor was described as appearing noble and powerful, even to rival the lordliness of Gandalf. He was proud, tall, wise, far-sighted, and valiant; "more kingly" than any of his predecessors for a long time. He proved a masterful lord and a great ruler, seeing to all things large and small under his command.<ref name="A">{{App|Stewards}}</ref>

==History==
===Early life===
Denethor was born the third child and first son of Ecthelion II, Ruling Steward of Gondor, in {{TA|2930}}.<ref name="Elendil"/>

A northerner known as [[Thorongil]] came to the service of his father. He was the same age as Denethor and appeared like the [[Kings of Gondor]] of old. He was a war genius and won Ecthelion's and the people's trust and affections, and many Gondorians saw him and Denethor as rivals. The stranger talked in favour of [[Gandalf]] whom Denethor didn't trust at all; it is possible that Denethor figured out that Thorongil was really [[Aragorn|Aragorn II]]. If Denethor knew that the stranger was the Heir of Isildur, he could have thought that he would conspire with Gandalf to supplant him. Thus, Denethor was not sorry when Thorongil vanished to the east.<ref name="A"/>
[[File:Catherine Chmiel - Denethor and Finduilas.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''Denethor and Finduilas'' by [[Catherine Chmiel]]]]
In {{TA|2976|n}} he married [[Finduilas (wife of Denethor)|Finduilas]], daughter of [[Prince of Dol Amroth|Prince]] [[Adrahil]] of [[Dol Amroth]], whom he loved deeply. She gave birth to two sons: [[Boromir]] and [[Faramir]]. He doted upon his eldest son, Boromir, while Faramir, his second son, with his actions and friendship with [[Gandalf|Mithrandir]], often displeased his father.<ref name="A"/> In the meantime, Faramir studied the lore of Gondor, including the archives that only he and his father could access. Part of his studies were devoted to the lore of the ''[[palantíri]]''.<ref name="pal">{{UT|Palantiri}}</ref>

===Early stewardship===
Eight years after Denethor's marriage, Ecthelion died and he became Ruling Steward. Denethor was not viewed very highly in the eyes of his people in comparison to [[Thorongil]], but Denethor proved a masterful ruler. He listened to counsel, said little, and followed his mind, holding everything in his own hand.

Only four years after the death of Ecthelion, Finduilas died as well. Denethor was grief-stricken, and became more grim and silent. Moreover he anticipated [[Sauron]]'s assault during his time and desperately needed knowledge. Being proud and overconfident in his willpower, Denethor looked into the long-forbidden [[Anor-stone]] to seek knowledge.<ref name="A"/>

The ''palantír'' showed him much of what he wanted to see, and his knowledge grew exceedingly, so that he was wondered at by the people. But eventually Sauron, looking into the captured [[Ithil-stone]], discovered that Denethor was using the ''palantír''.<ref name="pal"/> Sauron attempted to wrench the Anor stone to his will, but failed due to Denethor's strength of will, his integrity, and his right to the use of the stone.<ref name="pal"/> But this caused even greater stress upon the steward's already weakened body, coupled by the apparent invincibility of Sauron shown him by the stone and the manner of his viewing<ref name="pal"/> and aged prematurely.<ref name="A"/>
[[File:Anna Kulisz - Looking into the Stone.jpg|thumb|''Looking into the Stone'' by [[:Category:Images by Anna Kulisz|Anna Kulisz]]]]
Denethor, meanwhile, looked not only at [[Mordor]], but also probably to [[Saruman]], and extracted information from the wizard to his benefit, which Sauron was helpless to prevent. He also sought to surpass Thorongil and Gandalf in wisdom, and to keep an eye on them. <ref name="pal"/>

In all debatable matters of importance domestic, or external, however, even Denethor held [[Council of Gondor|Council]], and at least listened to what the Lords of the Fiefs and the Captains of the Forces had to say.<ref>{{L|244}}</ref> But he became blind to all struggles save that of him and Sauron, his people and Sauron's [[Orcs]]. He mistrusted all his allies who were not under his own rule, and though he cared for his nation, his concerns were largely political; he feared and opposed any potential rivals in the nobility, regardless of their intent, and despised lesser men.<ref name="A"/><ref>{{L|183}}</ref> He wore mail under his robes, to prevent himself from getting soft in his old age.<ref name="siege">{{RK|V4}}</ref>

===Stirring of trouble===
Faramir, his younger son, began to have dreams, speaking of [[Rivendell|Imladris]] and [[Isildur's Bane]]. Boromir convinced his father to send him instead of his brother and in the end Denethor gave in. Boromir did not return from his quest; he was shot by [[Uruk-hai]] on [[Amon Hen]] and Faramir and Denethor both heard the [[horn of Gondor]]. Several days later his horn was found by watchers below the [[Entwash]], cloven in two. It was brought to Denethor; desperate after the death of his Heir, he looked in the ''palantír'' more often than usual and so it grew his despair.<ref name="A"/>

Knowing of the coming stroke of Mordor, Denethor called in the [[Captains of the Outlands]] to defend [[Minas Tirith]]. [[Nazgûl]] began to fly over the city, out of view but still casting shadows of fear.<ref name="MT">{{RK|V1}}</ref>

Thirteen days after Boromir's death, Mithrandir arrived with the [[Hobbits|hobbit]] [[Peregrin Took]]. Denethor openly vented his rage at first, but at the same time was curiously attracted to the hobbit, a witness of his son's death, questioning him closely and suspiciously. When Peregrin offered his service in return for Boromir's sacrifice, Denethor was pleased and amused. After examining Pippin's [[Daggers of Westernesse|barrow-blade]], he accepted the hobbit's service courteously. He then confronted Gandalf. While they supped, Gandalf told of the fall of [[Isengard]]. Denethor hinted at his own abilities to see what happened in the world. He racked the hobbit with questions for an hour, and then gave his guests lodging.<ref name="MT"/>

===Siege of Gondor===
Soon after, the [[Rammas Echor|Rammas]] was surrounded and Gondor placed under siege. Faramir returned from errands in [[Ithilien]], and told the story of his encounter with [[Frodo Baggins]], two days before, and of his journey to Cirith Ungol. At the name of this place, Gandalf himself seems to be extremely uneasy.

A discussion on the matter followed between Denethor, Gandalf, and Faramir, in which Denethor revealed he had guessed more than was said by his son. He noticed that Faramir had looked at Mithrandir to understand if he was saying too much. Denethor knew about the [[The One Ring|Ring]] and he was aware of Frodo's mission. He accused Faramir of condemning his people to certain death and he told Gandalf that on this matter he would have decided to hide the Ring. Not to use it or to destroy it, but to hide it. Noticing his son's weariness, Denethor allowed Faramir to rest for the night. Denethor never said explicitly that he would have liked for Boromir to live and Faramir to die: when asked by Faramir, he said that he would have liked for their places to be exchanged, as if Boromir was in Ithilien he would have brought him a mighty gift (the Ring).<ref name="siege"/>

In a council held [[11 March|the next day]], Faramir was sent to strengthen the garrison of [[Osgiliath]].<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> The decision was not taken by Denethor himself, but by the Council, led by Denethor but to which Faramir took part, agreeing in the end with his father's will.

Faramir recovered the lost ground all the way back to the [[Anduin]], but soon faced fresh troops from [[Minas Morgul]] and [[Harad]], led by the [[Witch-king]], a master strategist and one of terrible presence. Faramir was driven back to the [[Causeway Forts]], but these fell, and Faramir was forced to retreat, having lost a third of his men. The retreat was dogged by the Nazgûl, and Faramir was wounded almost to the death by a southern arrow thought to be a poisoned dart.<ref name="siege"/>

[[File:Anke Eißmann - Pyre of Denethor.jpeg|thumb|right|220px|''The Pyre of Denethor'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]
After [[Imrahil]] had brought him the body of Faramir, nearly dead, Denethor gave in to despair and seemed not to be interested into anything but his son's life. While the outer defences of the [[Pelennor Fields]] collapsed at many points, he looked into the ''palantír''; he found the Enemy stronger than ever on all fronts and feared that the Ring was in his hands. The sky is black and Frodo has been captured in Mordor.

Denethor suddenly seemed years older, and his will snapped. He abandoned leadership of the city to Gandalf and Imrahil, staying by his son's side in the [[Tower of Ecthelion|White Tower]], thinking that everything was lost for his family, his city, and his people. [[Rohan]] had been cut off and could not come to their aid; the first circle was also in flames: the latter piece of information was the final trigger for Denethor's suicide.<ref name="siege"/>

He prepared a pyre for him and Faramir in [[Rath Dínen]]. He was hampered in his aim by [[Beregond]], one of his own [[Guards of the Citadel]], and Gandalf, who removed Faramir from the pyre. When Faramir called his name, Denethor seemed willing to abandon his suicidal designs, but suddenly he raised up the ''palantír'' and prophesied the doom of Gondor, acknowledging that a new enemy was about to arrive: the pirates from Umbar. In a final speech to Gandalf, he said that he would have liked for things to be as they had always been in his life: to be a ruling Steward of a free city, ruling in peace and with his sons masters of their own will. But if he had to see his city in the hand of an illegitimate [[Kings of Gondor|King]] and his son turned into the pupil of a [[wizard]], then he preferred to have nothing and to decide how to end his own life:

{{blockquote|Better to burn sooner than late, for burn we must. Go back to your bonfire! And I? I will go now to my pyre. No tomb for Denethor and Faramir! No long slow sleep of death embalmed. We will burn like [[Pre-Númenóreans|heathen]] kings before ever a ship sailed hither from the [[Númenor|West]]. The West has failed. Go back and burn!}}

He took the white rod of his office and broke it on his knee, casting it into the flames, symbolising the end of his stewardship and the end of the rule of the Stewards. He then laid himself down on the table with the ''palantír'' on his breast and so perished.<ref>{{RK|V7}}</ref>

===Afterwards===
Faramir did survive, and the city did not fall due to the timely appearance of the [[Rohirrim]] and the [[Dúnedain]] with Aragorn II.<ref>{{RK|V6}}</ref> Faramir kept the title of Steward, but not of Ruling Steward, for he recognised Aragorn's right to take the throne. Saving Faramir, [[Éowyn]] and [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry's]] life using [[Athelas]], Aragorn was first acknowledged as the "King" by the people of Minas Tirith before he could actually claim the title. Faramir's reaction to his father's death is not recorded, but it is said that the news of his death wasn't given to him during the first days of his recovery, in order not to grieve him.

==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Denethor.mp3|Ardamir}}
''Denethor'' was named after the [[Denethor (Nando)|Nandorin chieftain]] of the [[First Age]]. The name is [[Nandorin]] fit into the [[Sindarin]] sound range, and is said to mean "Lithe and lank".<ref>{{WJ|Author}}, Note 17</ref>

==Genealogy==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree | DOL | | | | TUR | | |DOL=[[Princes of Dol Amroth|''Princes of Dol Amroth'']]|TUR=[[Turgon (Steward of Gondor)|Turgon]] ''{{TA|2855|n}} - {{TA|2953|n}}''}}
{{familytree | |:| | | | | |!| | | |}}
{{familytree | ADR | | | | ECT | | |ADR=[[Adrahil]] ''{{TA|2917|n}} - {{TA|3010|n}}''|ECT=[[Ecthelion II]] ''{{TA|2886|n}} - {{TA|2984|n}}''}}
{{familytree | |!| | | |,|-|^|-|.| |}}
{{familytree | FIN |y| DEN | | DAU |FIN=[[Finduilas (wife of Denethor)|Finduilas]] ''{{TA|2950|n}} - {{TA|2988|n}}''|DEN='''DENETHOR II''' ''{{TA|2930|n}} - {{TA|3019|n}}''†|DAU=''two daughters'' ''unknown''}}
{{familytree | |,|-|^|-|.| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | BOR | | FAR |y| EOW |BOR=[[Boromir]] ''{{TA|2978|n}} - {{TA|3019|n}}''†|FAR=[[Faramir]] ''{{TA|2983|n}} - {{FoA|82}}''|EOW=[[Éowyn]] ''b. {{TA|2995|n}}''}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | |!| | | |}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | ELB | | |ELB=[[Elboron]] ''unknown''}}
{{familytree/end}}

==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=Denethor in adaptations
|width=200
|height=150
|lines=2
|File:The Return of the King (1980 film) - Denethor.jpg|Denethor in [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Denethor.jpg|Denethor in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Denethor.jpg|Denethor in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
}}

'''1955: [[The Lord of the Rings (1955 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1955 radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Denethor is provided by [[Robert Farquharson]].

'''1979: [[The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1979 radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Denethor is provided by [[Tom Luce]].

'''1980: [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]:'''
:[[William Conrad]] is the voice of Denethor. His role is essentially reduced to presaging the doom of the arrival of the [[Black Ships]] (as he has seen in the ''[[Palantíri|palantír]]'') to [[Gandalf]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]], and then calling for his own execution.

'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Denethor is provided by [[Peter Vaughan]].

'''1992: [[Der Herr der Ringe (1992 German radio series)|''Der Herr der Ringe'' (1992 German radio series)]]:'''
:Denethor is played by Heinz Schimmelpfenig.

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Denethor, played by [[John Noble]], appears in a flashback in the film's [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (extended edition)|Extended Edition]]. He appears at [[Osgiliath]] shortly after [[Boromir]] completes his successful [[Sauron's attack on Osgiliath|defence]] of the city against [[Sauron]]'s forces and tells Boromir of [[the One Ring]] being found, urging his son to go attend the [[Council of Elrond]] in [[Rivendell]] and try to persuade them to bring it back to [[Gondor]] so as to use it in defence of their homeland against Sauron. Denethor also makes known his preference of Boromir over [[Faramir]], which would further play out in the next film.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Denethor appears almost entirely devoid of hope and highly irrational after learning of Boromir's death. He demands his remaining son go on essentially a suicide mission to reclaim enemy-captured Osgiliath and stubbornly refuses to light the [[warning beacons of Gondor]] to call for the aid of [[Rohan]] (Pippin lights it instead at Gandalf's behest). Denethor then claims [[Théoden]] betrayed him when Sauron's armies begin attacking [[Minas Tirith]]). In the book, the danger of his madness is that it seems to follow a certain logic; Sauron ''does'' have vastly superior forces, all of which he has surely shown to the Steward in the ''palantír''. His actions, however, do not immediately proclaim his insanity; the Osgiliath mission is less obviously suicidal, as the city has not yet been overrun, and the warning beacons have indeed been lit, although Denethor expects little help.

:When Faramir is brought back from Osgiliath on his horse into the throne room, seemingly dead, Pippin attempts to stop Denethor from cremating his son (and himself with him), who he is sure is still alive. After Denethor throws Pippin out, the Hobbit rushes back to the battle to find Gandalf and stop the wanton murder of Faramir. When Gandalf and Pippin return astride Shadowfax, Denethor snatches a torch and (after a cynical monologue about Sauron's power in the extended edition) lights the pyre himself. Gandalf rides in, throwing Denethor off the pyre. Pippin jumps in to pull Faramir off and douses the flames on his body. A maddened Denethor attacks Pippin, but just then, Shadowfax kicks him back onto the pyre. And it's from there that he sees Faramir showing signs of life. Consumed by madness and flames, Denethor screams and flees to the precipice of the citadel, throwing himself off it and plummeting to his death.

'''2003: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Denethor is provided by Marián Slovák.

'''2015: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Denethor's role in the game is relatively minor, as, by the time the player reaches [[Minas Tirith]], [[Faramir]] already lies wounded and the Steward's will is failing.

{{references}}

{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
| name=Denethor II
| race=gondorian
| house=[[House of Húrin]]
| born={{TA|2930}}
| died=[[15 March]], {{TA|3019}}
}}
{{seq
| prev=[[Ecthelion II]]
| list=26th [[Ruling Steward|Ruling Steward of Gondor]]
| dates={{TA|2984}} – [[15 March]], {{TA|3019|n}}
| next=[[Faramir]] (''de jure'')
}}
{{seq-end}}

{{rulingstewards}}
{{lordoftheringsfilms}}

[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Gondorians]]
[[Category:House of Húrin]]
[[Category:Nandorin names]]
[[Category:Ruling stewards]]
[[Category:Silvan Elvish names]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]

[[de:Denethor II.]]
[[fi:Denethor II]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:hommes:3a:dunedain:gondoriens:denethor_ii]]

Oliphaunts

2023-10-29T10:29:57Z

GandalfTheWitty: /* Portrayals in adaptations */ Added image.

{{disambig-more|Oliphaunt|[[Oliphaunt (disambiguation)]]}}
[[File:Alan Lee - Oliphaunt.jpg|thumb|250px|''Oliphaunt'' by [[Alan Lee]]]]
'''Oliphaunts''' were enormous animals, similar to [[elephants]], used in the [[War of the Ring]] by the allies of [[Sauron]]. Whether they are true elephants or not is somewhat unclear.

==Characteristics==
Oliphaunts lived in [[Near Harad|Near]] or [[Far Harad|Far]] [[Harad]], south of [[Mordor]],<ref>{{webcite|website=TS|articleurl=https://www.tolkiensociety.org/app/uploads/2015/11/transcribed-map.jpg|articlename=Tolkien’s annotated map of Middle-earth transcribed|dated=10 November 2015|accessed=26 September 2022}}</ref> where the [[Haradrim]] called them '''''Mûmakil'''''.<ref name=PE17>{{PE|17}}, entry '''mûmak''', p. 88</ref> Massive, often ferocious beasts, their legs were like trees, their bodies were larger than a house, they had enormous sail-like ears, and they had a long snout like a huge serpent.<ref name=Herbs>{{TT|Herbs}}, pp. 661-662</ref> Somehow the Haradrim tamed them and the result was possibly the most brutally effective beast of war that Middle-earth ever saw.

The Haradrim strapped towers on the backs of these beasts and rode on them into battle. The ''mûmak'' itself, enraged and goaded by its cruel Haradrim masters, would charge through the enemy, trampling archer, swordsman and horse beneath its massive feet.<ref name=Herbs/>

Killing a ''mûmak'' was almost impossible - its rough, leathery hide made arrows relatively harmless.<ref name=Herbs/> Horses had a natural fear of the ''mûmakil'' so even the most skilled horsemen could not get close enough to strike at its great, trunk-like legs. The only known way to defeat an oliphaunt was to shoot it in the eye, which typically meant standing in front of it as it charged the archer, and thus a very difficult task to perform.<ref name=Battle>{{RK|Battle}}, pp. 843, 846 and 849</ref>

==History==
Due to their habitation in the far south, oliphaunts were creatures of legend to the inhabitants of the [[Westlands]]. The [[Hobbits]] had an old [[Oliphaunt|poem]] about oliphaunts,<ref>{{AB|Preface}}</ref> which [[Samwise Gamgee]] recited to [[Gollum]] in [[Ithilien]].<ref name=Gate>{{TT|Gate}}, p. 646</ref>

On [[7 March]] {{TA|3019}}<ref>{{App|Great}}, entry for the year 3019, March 7, p. 1093</ref> [[Faramir]] led the [[Rangers of Ithilien]] on an ambush against a contingent of Haradrim marching north. This battle was witnessed by [[Frodo Baggins]] and Sam, and they saw an oliphaunt in full charge. The maddened animal had smashed its war-tower in its rush through the woods; unguided it trampled soldiers of both sides until it disappeared from view.<ref name=Herbs/>

During the [[Siege of Gondor]], beginning on [[14 March]],<ref>{{App|Great}}, entry for the year 3019, March 14, p. 1093</ref> oliphaunts were used to drag war towers and engines to be used against the walls of [[Minas Tirith]].<ref>{{RK|Siege}}, p. 828</ref> On [[15 March]],<ref>{{App|Great}}, entry for the year 3019, March 15, p. 1093</ref> in the subsequent [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], oliphaunts were used as rallying points for the Haradrim after the [[Rohirrim]] had charged into the fray. Eventually the great beasts were defeated as the forces of the West won the battle, but both [[Derufin]] and [[Duilin (son of Duinhir)|Duilin]], the sons of [[Duinhir]] of [[Morthond]] were trampled when they led their archers to shoot at the eyes of the oliphaunts.<ref name=Battle/>

After the defeat of Sauron when Frodo and Sam had been rescued and brought to the [[Field of Cormallen]], Sam wandered in the glades near [[Henneth Annûn]], hoping to see the oliphaunt he had seen before, but to no avail.<ref>{{RK|Cormallen}}, p. 957</ref>

==Etymology==
The word '''''oliphaunt''''' was an archaic form of the word ''elephant'' used as a rusticism in the [[Shire]].<ref name=Nomenclature>{{HM|N}}, p. 761 and p. 460</ref> It was used by [[Sam]] and [[Frodo]]<ref name=Gate/> and by [[Bilbo]].<ref>{{RK|Partings}}, p. 987</ref>

The english word ''oliphant'' is derived from Old French ''olifant''. The ''o'' is probably derived from [[Old English]] ''olfend'' ("elephant") or from Old High German ''olbenta'' ("camel").<ref name=Nomenclature/>

Oliphant/olifant/olifaunt had been archaic words for elephant and their ivory. The most famous use of the oliphant (as in horn) is in ''[[wikipedia:The Song of Roland|The Song of Roland]]'' "The oliphant is set to Roland's Lips"; Roland fails to call for help at the Battle of Roncevaux in 778 until it is too late for him and his comrades.

[[Gandalf]] mentions elephants once in ''[[The Hobbit]]'',<ref>{{H|2}}</ref> so perhaps "oliphaunt" is a [[Hobbitish]] corruption of this original word. But whether these two creatures are the same cannot be said with certainty.

==Other names==
The name '''''mûmak''''' (plural '''''mûmakil''''') was a name in a language of the Men of Harad for a great elephant.<ref name=PE17/> This name and its plural were also used by the [[Men]] of [[Gondor]].<ref name=Herbs/>

In [[Sindarin]], the word for elephant was '''''annabon''''', and in [[Quenya]] '''''andamunda''''', both terms meant "long-snout".<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, entry "MBUD'"</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
A draft version of what would later become [[Appendix F]] mentions that the name ''mûmak'' of the great elephant of the Harad is a name from the speech of Men of the East and allies of Sauron.<ref>{{PM|Languages}}, typescript F4, p. 79</ref>

==Portrayals in adaptations==
'''1968: [[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1968 radio series)]]:'''
:Gandalf's line "Great elephants!" was replaced by "Great oliphaunts"; this was one of several uses of material from ''The Lord of the Rings''.

'''1980: [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]:'''
:[[File:Mumakil.jpg|thumb|Oliphaunts as portrayed in Peter Jackson's ''The Lord of the Rings'' film trilogy.]]The oliphaunts are depicted as large wooly mammoth-like creatures and are the beasts that pull [[Grond (battering ram)|Grond]] into position.

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Two oliphaunts appear in the ambush in [[Ithilien]]. They are CGI-created, and they are significantly larger than today's elephants. They have rather elongated skulls compared to real-life elephants, which is likely based on ''Gomphotherium'', an extinct relative of elephants. Their tusks consist of a long pair of maxillary tusks growing downwards and curving up at the top (not unlike mammoths), a pair of shorter mandibular tusks (again, like in ''Gomphotherium'') and a very small pair of tusks growing from the cheekbones. They have small ears, an arching back and long limbs.
:They are seen mounted with war harnesses, carrying at least a dozen Haradrim. When they're attacked by Gondorians, they panic and flee, but none of them are seen to be killed in the attack.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Oliphaunts are used in the scenes from the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields|Battle of Pelennor Fields]], mounted with towers and decorated with red war paint and deadly spikes on their multiple tusks. Otherwise, their appearance is unaltered from the previous film. The [[Rohirrim]] charge headlong into battle, and even pass under them. Later in the battle, [[Legolas]] shoots down an oliphaunt. Several oliphaunts were killed during the battle.

:[[Weta Workshop|Weta]] made a large slain prop ''mûmak'' at almost the last minute, much to Weta staff's consternation, on request by the director [[Peter Jackson]]. It appears in the scene where [[Peregrin Took]] enters the field and locates the dazed and disoriented [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] after his experience with [[Éowyn]] in successfully slaying the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]]. The prop became a favourite picnic destination for crew members.

{{references}}
[[de:Mûmakil]]
[[fr:encyclo:biologie:faune:mumakil]]
[[fi:Olifantit]]
[[Category:Animals]]
[[Category:Mannish words]]
[[Category:Servants of Sauron]]
[[Category:Westron words]]

File:Mumakil.jpg

2023-10-29T10:15:32Z

GandalfTheWitty: Mumakil as seen in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

== Summary ==
Mumakil as seen in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
== Licensing ==
{{Fairuse-Newlinecinema}}

Oliphaunts

2023-10-29T10:09:43Z

GandalfTheWitty: /* Portrayals in adaptations */ Some technical details about the oliphaunt's physiology and design in the film!

{{disambig-more|Oliphaunt|[[Oliphaunt (disambiguation)]]}}
[[File:Alan Lee - Oliphaunt.jpg|thumb|250px|''Oliphaunt'' by [[Alan Lee]]]]
'''Oliphaunts''' were enormous animals, similar to [[elephants]], used in the [[War of the Ring]] by the allies of [[Sauron]]. Whether they are true elephants or not is somewhat unclear.

==Characteristics==
Oliphaunts lived in [[Near Harad|Near]] or [[Far Harad|Far]] [[Harad]], south of [[Mordor]],<ref>{{webcite|website=TS|articleurl=https://www.tolkiensociety.org/app/uploads/2015/11/transcribed-map.jpg|articlename=Tolkien’s annotated map of Middle-earth transcribed|dated=10 November 2015|accessed=26 September 2022}}</ref> where the [[Haradrim]] called them '''''Mûmakil'''''.<ref name=PE17>{{PE|17}}, entry '''mûmak''', p. 88</ref> Massive, often ferocious beasts, their legs were like trees, their bodies were larger than a house, they had enormous sail-like ears, and they had a long snout like a huge serpent.<ref name=Herbs>{{TT|Herbs}}, pp. 661-662</ref> Somehow the Haradrim tamed them and the result was possibly the most brutally effective beast of war that Middle-earth ever saw.

The Haradrim strapped towers on the backs of these beasts and rode on them into battle. The ''mûmak'' itself, enraged and goaded by its cruel Haradrim masters, would charge through the enemy, trampling archer, swordsman and horse beneath its massive feet.<ref name=Herbs/>

Killing a ''mûmak'' was almost impossible - its rough, leathery hide made arrows relatively harmless.<ref name=Herbs/> Horses had a natural fear of the ''mûmakil'' so even the most skilled horsemen could not get close enough to strike at its great, trunk-like legs. The only known way to defeat an oliphaunt was to shoot it in the eye, which typically meant standing in front of it as it charged the archer, and thus a very difficult task to perform.<ref name=Battle>{{RK|Battle}}, pp. 843, 846 and 849</ref>

==History==
Due to their habitation in the far south, oliphaunts were creatures of legend to the inhabitants of the [[Westlands]]. The [[Hobbits]] had an old [[Oliphaunt|poem]] about oliphaunts,<ref>{{AB|Preface}}</ref> which [[Samwise Gamgee]] recited to [[Gollum]] in [[Ithilien]].<ref name=Gate>{{TT|Gate}}, p. 646</ref>

On [[7 March]] {{TA|3019}}<ref>{{App|Great}}, entry for the year 3019, March 7, p. 1093</ref> [[Faramir]] led the [[Rangers of Ithilien]] on an ambush against a contingent of Haradrim marching north. This battle was witnessed by [[Frodo Baggins]] and Sam, and they saw an oliphaunt in full charge. The maddened animal had smashed its war-tower in its rush through the woods; unguided it trampled soldiers of both sides until it disappeared from view.<ref name=Herbs/>

During the [[Siege of Gondor]], beginning on [[14 March]],<ref>{{App|Great}}, entry for the year 3019, March 14, p. 1093</ref> oliphaunts were used to drag war towers and engines to be used against the walls of [[Minas Tirith]].<ref>{{RK|Siege}}, p. 828</ref> On [[15 March]],<ref>{{App|Great}}, entry for the year 3019, March 15, p. 1093</ref> in the subsequent [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], oliphaunts were used as rallying points for the Haradrim after the [[Rohirrim]] had charged into the fray. Eventually the great beasts were defeated as the forces of the West won the battle, but both [[Derufin]] and [[Duilin (son of Duinhir)|Duilin]], the sons of [[Duinhir]] of [[Morthond]] were trampled when they led their archers to shoot at the eyes of the oliphaunts.<ref name=Battle/>

After the defeat of Sauron when Frodo and Sam had been rescued and brought to the [[Field of Cormallen]], Sam wandered in the glades near [[Henneth Annûn]], hoping to see the oliphaunt he had seen before, but to no avail.<ref>{{RK|Cormallen}}, p. 957</ref>

==Etymology==
The word '''''oliphaunt''''' was an archaic form of the word ''elephant'' used as a rusticism in the [[Shire]].<ref name=Nomenclature>{{HM|N}}, p. 761 and p. 460</ref> It was used by [[Sam]] and [[Frodo]]<ref name=Gate/> and by [[Bilbo]].<ref>{{RK|Partings}}, p. 987</ref>

The english word ''oliphant'' is derived from Old French ''olifant''. The ''o'' is probably derived from [[Old English]] ''olfend'' ("elephant") or from Old High German ''olbenta'' ("camel").<ref name=Nomenclature/>

Oliphant/olifant/olifaunt had been archaic words for elephant and their ivory. The most famous use of the oliphant (as in horn) is in ''[[wikipedia:The Song of Roland|The Song of Roland]]'' "The oliphant is set to Roland's Lips"; Roland fails to call for help at the Battle of Roncevaux in 778 until it is too late for him and his comrades.

[[Gandalf]] mentions elephants once in ''[[The Hobbit]]'',<ref>{{H|2}}</ref> so perhaps "oliphaunt" is a [[Hobbitish]] corruption of this original word. But whether these two creatures are the same cannot be said with certainty.

==Other names==
The name '''''mûmak''''' (plural '''''mûmakil''''') was a name in a language of the Men of Harad for a great elephant.<ref name=PE17/> This name and its plural were also used by the [[Men]] of [[Gondor]].<ref name=Herbs/>

In [[Sindarin]], the word for elephant was '''''annabon''''', and in [[Quenya]] '''''andamunda''''', both terms meant "long-snout".<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, entry "MBUD'"</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
A draft version of what would later become [[Appendix F]] mentions that the name ''mûmak'' of the great elephant of the Harad is a name from the speech of Men of the East and allies of Sauron.<ref>{{PM|Languages}}, typescript F4, p. 79</ref>

==Portrayals in adaptations==
'''1968: [[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1968 radio series)]]:'''
:Gandalf's line "Great elephants!" was replaced by "Great oliphaunts"; this was one of several uses of material from ''The Lord of the Rings''.

'''1980: [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]:'''
:The oliphaunts are depicted as large wooly mammoth-like creatures and are the beasts that pull [[Grond (battering ram)|Grond]] into position.

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Two oliphaunts appear in the ambush in [[Ithilien]]. They are CGI-created, and they are significantly larger than today's elephants. They have rather elongated skulls compared to real-life elephants, which is likely based on ''Gomphotherium'', an extinct relative of elephants. Their tusks consist of a long pair of maxillary tusks growing downwards and curving up at the top (not unlike mammoths), a pair of shorter mandibular tusks (again, like in ''Gomphotherium'') and a very small pair of tusks growing from the cheekbones. They have small ears, an arching back and long limbs.
:They are seen mounted with war harnesses, carrying at least a dozen Haradrim. When they're attacked by Gondorians, they panic and flee, but none of them are seen to be killed in the attack.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Oliphaunts are used in the scenes from the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields|Battle of Pelennor Fields]], mounted with towers and decorated with red war paint and deadly spikes on their multiple tusks. Otherwise, their appearance is unaltered from the previous film. The [[Rohirrim]] charge headlong into battle, and even pass under them. Later in the battle, [[Legolas]] shoots down an oliphaunt. Several oliphaunts were killed during the battle.

:[[Weta Workshop|Weta]] made a large slain prop ''mûmak'' at almost the last minute, much to Weta staff's consternation, on request by the director [[Peter Jackson]]. It appears in the scene where [[Peregrin Took]] enters the field and locates the dazed and disoriented [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] after his experience with [[Éowyn]] in successfully slaying the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]]. The prop became a favourite picnic destination for crew members.

{{references}}
[[de:Mûmakil]]
[[fr:encyclo:biologie:faune:mumakil]]
[[fi:Olifantit]]
[[Category:Animals]]
[[Category:Mannish words]]
[[Category:Servants of Sauron]]
[[Category:Westron words]]

Uruk-hai

2023-10-29T09:57:42Z

GandalfTheWitty: /* Portrayal in adaptations */ Technical details about the design of the arms and armor in the films!

{{cleanup}}{{people infobox
| name=Uruk-hai
| image=[[File:John Howe - The Uruk-hai.jpg|250px]]
| caption="[[:File:John Howe - The Uruk-hai.jpg|The Uruk-hai]]" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Great Orcs, Uruks
| origin=Originally bred by [[Sauron]] in the late [[Third Age]]
| location=[[Mordor]], Northern [[Rohan]] and [[Isengard]], the [[Misty Mountains]]
| affiliation=Sauron ([[Nazgûl]] & [[Saruman]])
| rivalry=[[Rohirrim]]
| language=Various dialects of the [[Black Speech]], [[Westron]]
| members=[[Uglúk]], [[Mauhúr]], [[Gorbag]]
| lifespan=
| distinctions=Large build; better resistance to sunlight; faster, stronger, and smarter than other Orcs
| height=Shorter than [[Men]]
| hair=
| skin=Swarthy
| clothing=
| weapons=Short, broad-bladed swords, shields, bows of yew, knives
}}
{{quote|...and others, too, came out of the forest. Great Orcs, who also bore the White Hand of [[Isengard]]: that kind is stronger and more fell than all the others.|[[Éomer]] in ''[[The Two Towers]]'', "[[The Riders of Rohan]]"}}

The '''Uruk-hai''' were a new breed of [[Orcs]] that appeared during the [[Third Age]].

==Appearance==
They were faster than normal Orcs and could travel during the day without being weakened. They were not only faster but smarter, stronger and larger, though they were still shorter than Men.

The Uruks in the service of [[Barad-dûr]], the folk of Mordor, used the symbol of the Red [[Eye of Sauron]]. The Red Eye was also painted on their shields. At least one, a guard on the march with [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]], had a black knife with a long saw-edged blade, used by Pippin to cut through the ropes on his hands. It is not clear whether or not these Uruks of Sauron should be regarded as identical with the Uruks of Saruman, who could be a further 'improvement' to the race achieved prior to the war.

The Uruk-hai in the employ of [[Orthanc]] used an ''S'' [[Cirth|elf-rune]] wrought in white metal on the front of their iron helms. It was clear this "S" stood for Saruman, because their shields had a small [[White Hand]] of Saruman centered on a black field. [[Aragorn]] commented that their gear was not in the manner of other Orcs at all. Instead of curved scimitars, they used short, broad-bladed swords. Their great [[Bows|bows]] were made of yew wood, in length and shape as those of Men. Although they did not like the light of the [[Sun]], they could withstand it better than other orcs. Saruman promised them man-flesh as a treat.

==History==
The race of Uruks, described as "black orcs of great strength", first appeared out of [[Mordor]] in the last years of the [[Ruling Stewards|Stewardship]] of [[Denethor I]]. In {{TA|2475}} they conquered [[Ithilien]] and destroyed the city of [[Osgiliath]], but they were defeated by Steward [[Boromir (Steward of Gondor)|Boromir]] later.<ref>{{App|Stewards}}</ref> The following years, [[Orcs of Mordor]] - among them Uruks - continued to infest Ithilien, further deserting it by {{TA|2901}}.<ref>{{App|TA}}</ref>

Around {{TA|2990}}, the corrupted [[Wizard]] [[Saruman]] began to use and possibly breed Orcs in [[Isengard]].<ref>{{UT|14a}}, note 7</ref>. As the [[Shadow]] of the [[Dark Lord|Enemy]] fell over [[Rohan]], Uruks out of Isengard joined raiding parties of [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]] against the [[Rohirrim]].<ref>{{App|Mark}}</ref>

In the [[War of the Ring]], the Uruks of Mordor referred to the Dark Lord [[Sauron]] as the Great Eye, and [[Shagrat]] was the commanders of one such garrison at [[Cirith Ungol]], while [[Gorbag]] was an Uruk captain of [[Minas Morgul]].<ref>{{TT|Choices}}, pp. 735-42</ref>
[[File:Darek Zabrocki - Orc Assault.jpg|thumb|''Orc Assault'' by [[:Category:Images by Darek Zabrocki|Darek Zabrocki]]]]
The Uruk-hai of Isengard made up the core of a ten-thousand strong army, mustered by the Wizard Saruman both in service to, and in tacit competition with, his Lord Sauron.<ref name="FRCouncil">{{FR|Council}}</ref> Joined by [[Dunlendings]] and the common [[Orcs of Isengard]], they fought against the Rohirrim in the [[First Battle of the Fords of Isen|First]] and [[Second Battle of the Fords of Isen]].<ref>{{UT|Isen}}</ref>, notably slaying Prince [[Théodred]]. The Uruk-hai army was then sent against [[Kings of Rohan|King]] [[Théoden]] and his people at [[Helm's Deep]], where they faced utter defeat in the [[Battle of the Hornburg]].<ref>{{TT|III8}}</ref>

Behind his Master's back, the corrupted Wizard sent a smaller troop to capture the [[Ring-bearer]] for his own ends. These Uruks were led by [[Uglúk]] and ambushed the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] at [[Amon Hen]], slaying [[Boromir]] and capturing [[Merry]] and [[Pippin]]. Though quarreling with the Mountain-orcs and [[Grishnákh]]'s Mordor-orcs who had joined them, the Uruks imposed Isengard as the destination for the captive [[Hobbits]]. Saruman aided them with his sorcery as well: when Aragorn, [[Gimli]], and [[Legolas]] followed the Orc-company, Saruman's will caused weariness of the heart for the pursuers and lent speed to his Uruks. {{fact}} The Uruk-hai troop and the other two Orc warbands were slain to the last on the eaves of [[Fangorn]] by [[Third Marshal of the Riddermark]] [[Éomer]] and his riders.<ref name="Uruk-hai">{{TT|Uruk}}</ref>

On 29 February {{TA|3019}},<ref>{{App|Great}}, entry for the year 3019, February 29, p. 1092</ref> [[Treebeard]] said to [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] that Saruman had done something dangerous to the Orcs and that those Orcs were more like wicked Men, because they could tolerate sunlight although they hated it. He openly wondered if they were Men that Saruman had "ruined" or if he had "[[Half-orcs|blended]]" Orcs and Men, an act which Treebeard considered to be "a black evil".<ref>{{TT|Treebeard}}, p. 473</ref>

After [[Samwise Gamgee]]'s fight with the [[Spiders|Spider]] [[Shelob]], two Orc-troops led by the Uruk captains Shagrat and Gorbag stumbled upon the unconscious [[Frodo Baggins]] and carried him as their prisoner to Cirith Ungol.<ref>{{TT|IV10}}, pp. 735-42</ref> Squabbling among themselves over Frodo's belongings, the Orcs and Uruks slaughtered each other, allowing Sam to enter the unguarded tower and rescue Frodo.<ref>{{RK|Tower}}, pp. 905-7</ref>

==Etymology==
''Uruk-hai'' is a name in the [[Black Speech]], which means "Orc-folk".<ref>{{PE|17}}, entry B '''Urukhai''', p. 136</ref><ref>{{PE|17}}, entry B '''krimp-''', p. 12</ref> Paul Strack suggests that it is a compound of ''uruk'' ("Orc")<ref>{{App|Other}}, p. 1131</ref><ref name=WJAC>{{WJ|AC}}, pp. 389-91</ref><ref name=L144>{{L|144}}, p. 178</ref><ref name=PE17_47>{{PE|17}}, entry B '''uruk''', p. 47</ref> (for related words in other languages, see [[Orcs#Orcs in Tolkien's languages|Orcs in Tolkien's languages]]) and ''[[hai|-hai]]'' ("folk").<ref>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=https://www.eldamo.org/content/words/word-1006125913.html|articlename=BS. ''Uruk-hai'' n.|website=Eldamo|accessed=13 January 2023}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
In both [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]] and [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]], Uruk-hai are portrayed identically as (and without distinction to) the [[Orcs]].

'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
[[File:War in Middle Earth - Orcs and Uruk-hai at Isengard.png|thumb|Uruk-hai at Isengard in ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'']]
:The Uruk-hai are portrayed as figures with purple armor and a shield.

'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''

:In [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]], the Uruk-hai are shown as being released from a kind of membrane in the mud deep under Isengard (special commentary on the DVD edition explained that they were trying to base the scene on an early description of Tolkien's that Orcs "worm their way out of the ground like maggots"). In the movies Uruk-hai are described as a crossbreed between "Orcs and [[Goblin-men]]". This is a reference to the creatures mentioned by [[Gamling]] in the novel that blend the traits of Orcs and Men. These Uruks are sent after the Fellowship, and their initial captain is [[Lurtz]], a movie-only character.

:The Uruks of Isengard included Pikemen, Swordsmen, Archers, and [[Berserker|Berserkers]]. The Berserkers are the shock troops. When they were first spawned a helmet filled with blood was placed on their heads, so that they were filled with a bloodlust for their enemies. They carry doubly-bent two-handed swords without guards, and forgo any armour in lieu of agility, slaying foes left and right, completely devoid of fear and pain. Pikemen, as the name suggests, carry long pikes, while archers carry [[cross-bows|crossbows]]. Swordsmen wield a straight, single-edged iron sword, hooked at the tip and lacking a guard, and deadly in an Uruk's strong grip. They also use bladed shields (resembling the late-Medieval spiked pavise), as seen in [[Amon Hen]] during [[Aragorn]]'s fight against Lurtz. During the Battle of the Hornburg, all Uruk-hai (save for Berserkers) are equipped with heavy armor that covers everything other than their elbows and knees. The foot-soldiers' helmets bear crests that spread laterally across the top of helmet (unlike along the length of the helmets, such as the Renaissance morion that this helmet design resembles the most).

:The Uruks were also very efficient using siege equipment, and had been trained to use crossbows with deadly accuracy. The Uruks, like the lesser Orcs, seemed to not care of each other's presence, shown by the battering ram wielders at Helm's Deep, barging each other off of the thin bridge. The Uruks also hated the Orcs, believing they were a lesser being and often rioting, e.g. in the tower of Cirith Ungol when Shagrat and Gorbag argued over Frodo's vest of Mithril and starting a mass war within the tower. The Uruks seem also to be able to control natural urges more than the Orcs, e.g. the Orcs demanded to eat the Hobbits they had captured, while the Uruks were protective. It would seem the only way Orcs were better than Uruks is in treachery, lying and being devious. The Uruks are also not seen to ever ride a mount, possibly due to size, weight and build (the Wargs which attacked the Rohan migration were ridden by trained Orcs).

'''2002: ''[[EA's The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Uruk-hai appear as enemies in the "Battle of Helm's Deep" and "Fangorn Forest" missions, retaining the movie appearance.

[[File:The Lord of the Rings- The Treason of Isengard - Uruk-hai.jpg|thumb|Uruk-hai in the cancelled video game ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Treason of Isengard]]'']]
'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring]]'':'''
:Uruks become available after a storyline mission in which Saruman manages to perfect his creation.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Uruks compose most of the units of Isengard faction: swordsmen, pikemen, crossbowmen, in addition to Uruks operating siege engines are available, following the movie appearance.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Most of Uruk-hai units from the first game return with little if any changes in behavior.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Multiple Uruks are used by the Enemy in different parts of Middle-earth. In addition to White Hand Uruks, notable are the Angmar Uruks and the Black Uruks from Dol Guldur, all sporting a variety of different appearances. Players can play as Uruks as part of the "Monster Play" game option.

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:Uruk-hai appear as enemies during the Battle of Helm's Deep.

'''2014: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]'':'''
:Uruks replace the role of the lesser Orcs, making up the force stationed in Mordor.

'''2017: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of War]]'':'''
:Uruks once more fill in for the common Orcs. They are a confederation of various tribes: the Dark, Mystic, Terror, Slaughter, Warmonger, Outlaw, Feral and Machine Tribes.

==See also==
* [[Olog-hai]]

{{references}}
[[Category:Black Speech words]]
[[Category:Uruk-hai| ]]
[[Category:Servants of Saruman]]
[[Category:Servants of Sauron]]
[[de:Uruk-hai]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/orques/uruk-hai]]
[[fi:Uruk-hai]]

Hadhafang

2023-10-29T09:50:17Z

GandalfTheWitty: Added technical details about the sword's design.

{{adaptation}}
[[Image:Noble Collection - Hadhafang.jpg|thumb|200px|''Hadhafang'' as designed by [[The Noble Collection]]]]
'''Hadhafang''' is a sword used by [[Elrond]] and [[Arwen]] in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', and also by Elrond in ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'' and ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]]''. The sword and its history are not part of the original story, but were invented for the movies.

Hadhafang is a curved, single-edged sword with an Elven inscription running along the length of the blade, and both the blade and the grip are decorated with golden plating. There are two small prongs sticking out from the blade, but the sword, like most Elven swords in the films, lacks a guard.

==History==

According to ''The Fellowship of the Ring'' movie's official publicity material, Hadhafang once belonged to the [[Elves|Elven lady]] [[Idril]], who wed [[Tuor]], a [[Men|Man]], and bore [[Eärendil]], the father of [[Elrond]].

Elrond wielded Hadhafang at the end of the [[Second Age]], during the [[War of the Last Alliance]].

Later, his daughter Arwen carried Hadhafang when she aided [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] in his escape from the [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]]. Inscribed on the blade are [[tengwar]] in ([[Neo-Elvish|Neo-]])[[Sindarin]] that say:

<blockquote>
''Aen estar Hadhafang i chathol hen, thand arod dan i thang an i arwen'' 
("This blade is called Hadhafang, a noble defence against the enemy throng for a noble maiden")
</blockquote>

[[The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game]] originally identified Arwen's sword as '''Gwemegil''' (perhaps ''[[gwen]]+[[megil]]'' "maiden-sword"), and stated that it was forged in Rivendell.<ref>''[[The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game]]'', [http://lotrtcgdb.com/pages/LOTR01047.html Gwemegil (1R47)]</ref> A subsequent expansion later identified the same sword as Hadhafang.<ref>''[[The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game]]'', [http://lotrtcgdb.com/pages/LOTR12018.html Hadafang (12R18)]</ref>

==Etymology==
'''Hadhafang''' (or '''Haðafang''') is mentioned as a [[Noldorin]] "sword-name" in [[The Etymologies]], mentioned in the entries [[SYAD]] and [[STAG]]. Another dissimilated form given is ''Havathang''. It is said to be a cognate of [[Quenya]] ''[[Sangahyando]]'', "throng-cleaver".

The names have not been used by Tolkien in his stories, while ''[[Sangahyando]]'' was eventually used as a person's name, of a [[Corsairs|corsair of Umbar]].

{{references}}
[[Category:Concepts from adaptations]]
[[Category:Noldorin names]]
[[de:Hadhafang]]
[[fi:Hadhafang]]

Lurtz

2023-10-20T18:51:43Z

GandalfTheWitty: /* History */ Edited wording and content of "History".

{{adaptation}}
{{orc infobox
| name=Lurtz
| image=[[File:The Lord of the Rings (film series) - Lurtz the orc.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Lurtz" in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
| pronun=
| othernames=
| titles=
| position=
| location=[[Isengard]], [[Anduin|banks of Anduin]], [[Amon Hen]]
| affiliation=[[White Hand]] [[Isengard|Isengard faction]]
| language=[[Westron]]
| birth={{TA|3019}}
| birthlocation=[[Isengard]]
| rule=
| death=[[26 February]] {{TA|3019}}
| deathlocation=[[Amon Hen]]
| age=
| notablefor=Killing [[Boromir]]
| house=
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=Tall
| hair=Black
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=Sword and bow
| steed=
}}

'''Lurtz''' was the first of the [[Uruk-hai]] bred by [[Saruman]]. Lurtz was invented by [[Warner Bros.]] for [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' film series]], where he was portrayed by [[Lawrence Makoare]].

== History ==
Lurtz was the first of [[Saruman|Saruman's]] [[Uruk-hai]] to be bred, and led them into battle against the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] at [[Amon Hen]]. Lurtz also appeared to be the largest Uruk-hai, and his strength is highlighted when he strangles an Orc immediately after being spawned. In the book, [[Boromir]] is slain by an unnamed orc or orcs; he is described as having been "pierced by many arrows". In the film he is killed by Lurtz, who shot him three times. Before he could shoot a fourth arrow into Boromir, [[Aragorn]] intervened and a duel ensued. While Lurtz seemed to have the upper hand in the beginning due to his brute strength, he fell utterly short when it came to swordfighting; Aragorn quickly severed his opponent's sword arm and delivered a fatal thrust to the stomach. Lurtz tried to taunt Aragorn one last time, but was shortly after decapitated.

After his death, leadership of the troop of Uruk-hai passed to [[Uglúk]], as was always the case in the books.

== Etymology ==
The name "Lurtz" may have been derived by [[Peter Jackson]] and his co-writers from the style of Tolkien's [[Orkish]] language, specifically the name [[Barad-dûr#Etymology|Lugbúrz]].

Lurtz's name is never spoken aloud in the film, and is only known from the franchise and credits.

== Other versions ==
In video games, Lurtz has been voiced by [[Isaac C. Singleton Jr.]].

Lurtz is one of the playable heroes of the Isengard Faction in ''[[EA's The Battle for Middle-earth Anthology]]''.

{{references}}

{{lordoftheringsfilms}}

[[Category:Orcs from adaptations]]
[[Category:The Lord of the Rings (film series) characters]]

Morgul-knife

2023-10-20T13:25:09Z

GandalfTheWitty: /* Portrayal in adaptations */ Added notes about the weapon's design in the films.

{{object infobox
| name=Morgul-knife
| image=[[File:Audrey Corman - Morgul-blade.png|250px]]
| caption="Morgul-blade" by [[:Category:Images by Audrey Corman|Audrey Corman]]
| pronun=
| othernames=
| location=[[Weathertop]], [[Ford of Bruinen]], [[Rivendell]]
| owner=[[Nazgûl]]
| type=Dagger
| appearance=Long, thin, and glowed with a pale light.
| creator=
| created=
| createdlocation=
| destroyer=[[Elrond]]
| destroyed=[[20 October|20]]-[[24 October|24]] [[October]], {{TA|3018}}
| destroyedlocation=[[Rivendell]]
| notablefor=Injuring [[Frodo Baggins]]
| gallery=the Morgul-knife
}}

A '''Morgul-knife''' was a magical dagger. The [[Witch-king]], the Lord of the [[Nazgûl]], used one such Morgul-knife to stab [[Frodo]] on [[Weathertop]].

==History==
[[File:Campbell White - Morgul-Knife.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''Morgul-knife'' by [https://www.campbellwhitedesign.com/ Campbell White]]]
Morgul-knives were magical weapons, which remained in the wound of the victim and turned the victim into a [[Wraiths|wraith]] that was weaker than the Nazgûl and thus under the rule of the Nazgûl and of Sauron.<ref name=Meetings>{{FR|Meetings}}, p. 222"</ref>

On 6 October {{TA|3018}},<ref>{{App|Great}}, entry for the year 3018, October 6, p. 1091</ref> during his journey to [[Rivendell]] with [[the One Ring]], [[Frodo]] was stabbed by the [[Witch-king|Lord of the Nazgûl']] with a Morgul-knife on [[Weathertop]]. The Morgul-knife that was used by the Lord of the Nazgûl was long and thin<ref name=Flight>{{FR|Flight}}, p. 198</ref> and glowed with a pale light.<ref>{{FR|Knife}}, p. 195</ref> It had an evil inscription on its hilt that was probably invisible for [[Men]].<ref name=Glorfindel>{{FR|Flight}}, pp. 209</ref> The point of the Morgul-knife had broken off<ref name=Flight/> and had remained within the wound and was working inwards threatening to turn Frodo into a wraith.<ref name=Meetings/> When Aragorn managed to drive away the Nazgûl, the Lord of the Nazgûl left behind his Morgul-knife. When dawn came the blade of the Morgul-knife seemed to melt in the growing light of the sun and vanished so that only its hilt was left. Aragorn collected leaves of the herb [[Athelas]] and bathed the wound with water in which the leaves had been soaked. However, Athelas only had limited power to ease the effects of the wound, because Frodo felt a lessening of the pain and the sense of frozen cold.<ref name=Flight/>

When they met the Elf [[Glorfindel]] on 18 October {{TA|3018}},<ref>{{App|Great}}, entry for the year 3018, October 18, p. 1091</ref> he shuddered when he touched the hilt, but was able to see the evil inscription on it and to advise Aragorn to touch it as little as possible. Glorfindel declared that his healing skill was not sufficient to heal the wound of this weapon, but Frodo felt a lessening of the chill, an easing of the pain, warmth returned from his shoulder to his hand and the world seemed to grow lighter and he was able to see things better again.<ref name=Glorfindel/>

After Frodo arrived in [[Rivendell]] on 20 October {{TA|3018}} [[Elrond]] was able to locate and remove the shard and to heal the wound in the night before Frodo woke up on October 24 {{TA|3018}}.<ref name=Meetings/>

One year after the stabbing with the Morgul-knife<ref>{{App|Chief}}, entry for the year 3019, October 6, p. 1096</ref> the wound in Frodo's shoulder ached and the memory of darkness lay heavily on Frodo. Frodo's eyes seemed to neither see his companions nor the world around him. However, the pain and unease passed by the end of the next day.<ref>{{RK|Homeward}}, p. 989</ref>

On the second anniversary of the stabbing with the Morgul-knife Frodo fell ill,<ref>{{App|Chief}}, entry for the year 3020, October 6, p. 1096</ref> turned very pale and seemed to look far away, but it passed and Frodo was quite normal again on the next day.<ref>{{RK|Havens}}, p. 1025</ref>

Frodo's eventual departure over the sea to [[Tol Eressëa]] on 29 September {{TA|3021}}<ref>{{App|Chief}}, entry for the year 3021, September 29, p. 1096</ref> gave him a chance to be fully healed from his wounds.<ref>{{L|246}}</ref>

==Etymology==
''[[Morgul]]'' means "necromancy",<ref>{{HM|UI}}, entry ''Imlad Morgul'', p. 482</ref> "black arts" or "sorcery" in [[Sindarin]].<ref>{{PE|17}}, entry Q ''noldo'', p. 125</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
:The enchanted Morgul-knife, wielded by the Ringwraiths, strikes as a short sword with many additional effects on a character.<ref>{{ICE|2010}}, p. 38</ref>

'''1995-8: ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]'':'''
:The "Morgul-knife" modifies a Nazgûl's prowess, and affects the corruption points of a character. "Morgul-blade" is a Permanent-event card, playable by a Ringwraith or a Ringwraith follower.

'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
:Artist [[John Howe]] made the original design of the daggers of the Ringwraiths.<ref>[[Gary Russell]], ''[[The Art of The Fellowship of the Ring]]''</ref> They are straight, double-edged daggers with a prominent taper toward the tip. The crossguard is notably turned downward, with a couple of spikes protruding from the center line. It features a small pommel, also with decorative spikes.

==See also==
*[[Morgul-wound]]

{{references}}

{{weapons}}

[[Category:Knives]]

[[fi:Morgulin veitsi]]

Andúril

2023-10-20T13:20:17Z

GandalfTheWitty: /* Portrayal in adaptations */ Added notes about the sword's design in the films.

{{disambig-more|Andúril|[[Andúril (disambiguation)]]}}
{{object infobox
| name=Andúril
| image=[[File:Noble Collection - Andúril.jpg|250px]]
| caption=Andúril by the [[Noble Collection]]
| pronun={{respell|an|doo|ril}}
| othernames=''Flame of the West''
| location=
| owner=[[Aragorn]], [[Eldarion]], [[High King of the Dúnedain|High Kings of the Dúnedain]]
| type=Weapon
| appearance=Long sword
| creator=Elven-smiths, reforged from [[Narsil]] (created by [[Telchar|Telchar of Nogrod]])
| created={{TA|3018}}
| createdlocation=[[Rivendell]]
| destroyer=
| destroyed=
| destroyedlocation=
| notablefor=
}}
<center>
{{quote|Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be king.|[[Riddle of Strider]]}}</center>

'''Andúril''' was the name for the sword '''[[Narsil]]''' after its reforging in [[Third Age 3018]] for [[Aragorn]], the heir of [[Isildur]].

==Appearance==
Its blade had engraved the designs of [[Seven Stars]] between the rayed [[Sun]] and the crescent [[Moon]]<ref name=South>{{FR|South}}, at the beginning of the chapter in Rivendell</ref>, symbols of [[Elendil]], and his sons [[Anárion]] and [[Isildur]]. It also had many [[cirth]]. The sword was very bright, with the light of the sun making it shine red, and in the light of the moon it shined cold.<ref name=South/> Later, it was given an Elven [[Andúril's sheath|sheath]] with a tracery of flowers and leaves wrought of silver and gold and the name Andúril and the lineage of the sword set in elven runes formed of gems.<ref name=Farewell>{{FR|Farewell}}, at the beginning of the chapter in Lórien</ref>

==History==
Narsil was a symbol of the kingship of [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]], but was broken at the end of the [[Second Age]]. Its fragments remained an heirloom for the [[Kings of Arnor]], and the [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain]].

[[Boromir]], son of the [[Stewards of Gondor|Steward of Gondor]], travelled to [[Rivendell]] for the [[Council of Elrond]] because of the prophetic dream of his brother [[Faramir]]. The dream told him to "[[Seek for the Sword that was broken|seek for the Sword that was broken]]".<ref name="CoE">{{FR|Council}}</ref>
[[File:Darrell Sweet - The Reforging of the Sword.jpg|thumb|left|"The Reforging of the Sword" by [[Darrell Sweet]]]]
Finally, after three thousand years, when [[Aragorn]] set out for the [[War of the Ring]], Narsil was reforged by Elven smiths of Rivendell, and Aragorn renamed it "Andúril".

Aragorn carried the sword during his journey south as part of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]], and fought with it, the '''Sword That Was Broken''' or the '''Sword Reforged'''. In his departure of [[Lothlórien]], the first of the [[Gifts of Galadriel]] was [[Andúril's sheath]], specially made for it.<ref Name=Farewell/>

Aragorn often used the sword to help establish his credentials as the [[Heir of Isildur]] and the throne of Gondor.<ref>{{TT|Riders}}, when he met Éomer</ref><ref name=King>{{TT|King}}, when he was about to enter the Golden Hall</ref>

==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Anduril.mp3|Ardamir}}
''Andúril'' means "Flame of the West" in [[Quenya]],<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 34 (form: ''Andūril'')</ref> composed of ''[[andúnë]]'' ("west") and ''[[ril]]'' ("brilliance"). "West" here refers to [[Númenor]].

==Inspiration==
Broken swords that are reforged are also seen in the ''Volsungasaga'' and the ''Nibelungenlied''.<ref>{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.tolkiensociety.org/app/uploads/2016/11/Anglo-Saxon-Part-2.pdf|articlename=''Tolkien Society Anglo-Saxon Study Pack 2''|dated=2014|website=TS|accessed=4 January 2020}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:Narsil is reforged after Rivendell, though this reforging is not shown. Neither Narsil nor Andúril are named.

'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:Narsil is reforged after Rivendell, and Aragorn carries Andúril thereafter.

'''2001: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:Because of Aragorn's ''warrior''-persona in this video game, Andúril merely serves as a melee weapon upgrade after Rivendell.<ref name="Veugen">Connie Veugen, "'A Man, lean, dark, tall': Aragorn Seen Through Different Media", published in ''[[Reconsidering Tolkien]]'' (edited by [[Thomas M. Honegger]] ([http://dare.ubvu.vu.nl/bitstream/1871/10975/1/Aragorn_Final.pdf read in PDF]))</ref> Aragorn does not use the broken sword at any point prior. Notably, the sword's blade is constantly illuminated; it glows red during the day, and blue at night. In the game's credits, artist Jason Rosenstock is explicitly mentioned as the designer of Andúril.<ref>[[Vivendi]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', User Manual, page 22, "Aragorn Sword Design"</ref>

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:Narsil remains broken and Andúril is not reforged in the Fellowship of the Ring movie. Shards of Narsil are kept on a display in [[Rivendell]].

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:In ''[[The Two Towers]]'', when asked by [[Háma]] to disarm outside [[Meduseld]], Aragorn is very reluctant, saying that normally he would give up his weapon, "if I bore now any sword but Andúril".<ref name=King/> This scene and dialogue is omitted from the film on the grace that the sword Aragorn surrenders there was not Andúril.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Andúril is not forged from the shards of Narsil until late in the third film. [[Elrond]] had the sword reforged only after [[Arwen]]'s pleading. He then took the sword to Aragorn in the camp of the [[Rohirrim]] at [[Dunharrow]]. Aragorn's acceptance of the sword, along with his decision at that time to take the [[Paths of the Dead]], showed his willingness to accept his destiny of becoming king.

:In the [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (extended edition)|extended edition]], the [[Mouth of Sauron]] refers to the blade as Elvish; this could either be a reference to its reforging or a mistake on behalf of the writers.<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Peter Jackson]], [[Fran Walsh]], [[Philippa Boyens]] (adaptors), [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (extended edition)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' (extended edition)]], "[[The Mouth of Sauron (scene)|The Mouth of Sauron]]"</ref>
:Design-wise, Andúril does not differ significantly from its predecessor, Narsil. The only notable difference is the Elvish inscription running up the length of the blade.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring]]'':'''
:Andúril is represented as a permanent upgrade called "Andúril's Fury" for Aragorn, who is represented as a hero unit. It makes his sword glow white as well as increasing his damage greatly, with bonus damage against enemy Heroes, Wraiths, and the Nazgûl.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The reforging of Narsil is experienced by the player in the quest arc called "The Blade that was Broken". The player sets out to find the last of the Silithair, shining adamants crafted by Elves of the house of [[Fëanor]] in days of old, in order for the Elven smiths of Imladris to reforge the sword into Andúril.<ref>[http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Quest_Arc:The_Blade_That_Was_Broken Quest Arc: The Blade That Was Broken], Lorebook, lotro.com</ref>

{{references}}
{{weapons}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Anduril}}
[[Category:Quenya names]]
[[Category:Swords]]
[[de:Andúril]]
[[fr:encyclo:artefacts:armes:anduril]]
[[fi:Andúril]]

Narsil

2023-10-20T13:17:15Z

GandalfTheWitty: /* Portrayal in adaptations */ Added notes about the sword's design in the films.

__NOTOC__
{{object infobox
| name=Narsil
| image=[[File:John Howe - Narsil.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Narsil" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun={{respell|nar|sil}}
| othernames=Sword of [[Elendil]], Sword-that-was-Broken, Shards of Narsil; after its reforging it was named [[Andúril]]
| location=[[Nogrod]], [[Númenor]], [[Arnor]], [[Rivendell]]
| owner=[[Kings of Númenor]], [[Lords of Andúnië]], [[Elendil]], [[Kings of Arnor]], [[Kings of Arthedain]], [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain]]
| type=Sword
| appearance=
| creator=[[Telchar]]
| created=[[First Age]]
| createdlocation=[[Nogrod]]
| destroyer=
| destroyed=
| destroyedlocation=
| notablefor=Cutting the [[One Ring]] of [[Sauron|Sauron's]] finger
}}
'''Narsil''' was the sword of King [[Elendil]] of the [[Dúnedain]]. It was later known as '''[[Andúril]]'''.

==History==
The sword was forged "in the deeps of time", probably during the [[First Age]], by [[Telchar]]<ref>{{TT|King}}, paragraph when Aragorn is about to enter the Golden Hall</ref>, probably the famed Dwarven-smith of [[Nogrod]] of the same name who made swords for the armories of King [[Thingol]] in [[Menegroth]].<ref>{{UT|Departure}}</ref><ref>{{UT|Index}}, entry Telchar</ref><ref>{{S|Index}}, entry Narsil and entry Telchar</ref>

Nothing is said of Narsil during the [[Second Age]] until it eventually came into the hands of [[Elendil]] towards the close of the Second Age. It is possible that Thingol gave Narsil to [[Dior]] and that it became an heirloom of the house of [[Elros]] and later of the [[Lords of Andunie]].

Elendil carried Narsil in the [[Battle of Dagorlad]] where it shone with the light of the [[Sun]] and [[Moon]], and then in the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]]; but [[Sauron]] killed him and the sword broke into two pieces under him as he fell, and its light was extinguished. Elendil's son [[Isildur]] took up the sword and used its shard to cut [[the One Ring]] from the hand of Sauron.<ref name=rings/> Isildur took the shards home with him. Shortly before Isildur was killed in the second year of the [[Third Age]] in the [[Disaster of the Gladden Fields]], the shards were rescued by [[Ohtar]], esquire of Isildur<ref>{{FR|Council}}</ref>. He took them to [[Rivendell]],<ref>{{App|TA}}</ref> where Isildur's youngest son [[Valandil (King of Arnor)|Valandil]] was fostered, but [[Elrond]] foretold that it wouldn't be reforged until the One Ring was found again and Sauron returned.<ref name=rings>{{S|Rings}}</ref>

The '''Shards of Narsil''' were one of the heirlooms of the [[Kings of Arnor]], and after the Northern Kingdom was destroyed they remained an heirloom of the [[Rangers of the North]].<ref>{{App|Eriador}}, ''The North-kingdom and the Dúnedain'', entry for Chieftain Aranarth</ref> Elrond delivered the shards of Narsil to [[Aragorn]] when he was twenty years old.<ref>{{App|Tale}}</ref> It was not reforged until the [[War of the Ring]] at the end of the Third Age in Rivendell as '''[[Andúril]]''', the "Flame of the West", for Aragorn, who was by that time the [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain|Chieftain of the Dúnedain]] and heir of Isildur.

He carried the sword during his journey south as part of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]], and fought with it in many instances. He referred to it as the "Sword That Was Broken" or "The Sword Reforged".

== Etymology ==
''Narsil'' is a [[Quenya]] name meaning "red and white flame".<ref>{{HM|UI}}, p. 231</ref><ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 29</ref> The name is said to consist of the [[Sundocarme|stems]] NAR ("fire"; cf. ''[[Nár (Quenya)|nár]]'' "fire") + THIL ("white light"). It was a symbolic name, pointing to the [[Sun]] and the [[Moon]], the "''chief heavenly lights, as enemies of darkness''".<ref>{{L|347}}, p. 425</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Narsil Broken.png‎|thumb|left|Shards of Narsil in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'']]

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:In Jackson's films, Narsil is depicted as a straight, double-edged longsword. It possesses a straight crossguard with axe-like decorations on the tips. The grip is wrapped in black and the pommel is elongated, with a hollow bottom.
:Narsil was not broken in the fall of Elendil, but by Sauron stepping on the blade as Isildur tried to pull it up. Furthermore, the blade was shattered into many parts, instead of a clean cut into two parts.

:Unlike in the book, Aragorn does not bear the shards with him, but are kept on a display in [[Rivendell]]. Boromir drops the hilt on the floor and Aragorn is seen reverently replacing it back into the display. The sword is not reforged into Andúril until the third film.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:[[Arwen]] persuades her father, [[Elrond]] to have [[Elves|Elven]] smiths reforge it from the shards and bring to Aragorn.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The reforging of Narsil is experienced by the player in the quest arc called "The Blade that was Broken". The player sets out to find the last of the Silithair, shining adamants crafted by Elves of the [[house of Fëanor]] in days of old, in order for the Elf-smiths of Imladris to reforge the sword.<ref>[http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/Quest_Arc:The_Blade_That_Was_Broken Quest Arc: The Blade That Was Broken], Lorebook, lotro.com</ref>

'''2012: ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'':'''
:In the Extended Edition, [[Bilbo Baggins]] approaches and examines the shards in curiosity while in Rivendell, before he notices the mural of Isildur's battle with Sauron (the latter of whom is wearing the One Ring). Although the Shards are not mentioned in [[The Hobbit|the book]], it establishes continuity with [[Peter Jackson|Peter Jackson's]] [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]].

{{references}}

{{weapons}}
[[Category:Quenya names]]
[[Category:Swords]]
[[Category:Heirlooms]]
[[de:Narsil]]
[[fr:encyclo/artefacts/armes/narsil]]
[[fi:Narsil]]

Glamdring

2023-10-20T13:11:37Z

GandalfTheWitty: /* Films */ Added notes about the sword's design in the films.

{{object infobox
| name=Glamdring
| image=[[File:John Howe - Gandalf the White 01.JPG|250px]]
| caption="Gandalf the White" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Beater, Foe-hammer
| location=[[Gondolin]], various
| owner=[[Turgon]], [[Gandalf]]
| type=Sword
| appearance="beautiful scabbards and jewelled hilts"<ref name="mutton"/>
| creator=
| created= Between c. {{FA|116}} - {{FA|496}}<ref name="shortrest">{{H|3}}</ref><ref name="ut1">{{UT|1}}, note 31 (in the source it is not directly identified as Glamdring) </ref>
| createdlocation=[[Gondolin]]
| destroyer=
| destroyed=
| destroyedlocation=
| notablefor=Weapon of [[Gandalf]] during the [[War of the Ring]]
}}
<center>{{quote|This, Gandalf, was Glamdring, Foe-hammer that the king of Gondolin once wore.|[[Elrond]] in ''[[The Hobbit]]'', "[[A Short Rest]]"}}</center>

'''Glamdring''' was a sword, said to have belonged to [[Turgon]], but best known as the weapon of [[Gandalf]] during the [[War of the Ring]]. It was known in Westron as the '''Foe-hammer''', and Orcs knew it as '''Beater'''.

==History==
===Beater===
Glamdring was originally borne by Turgon, the King of [[Gondolin]].<ref name="shortrest">{{H|3}}</ref> He must have wielded it with strength during the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]] or the [[Fall of Gondolin]], for the [[Orcs]] named it "Beater", and fled before it. Even up until the late [[Third Age]], [[orcs of the Misty Mountains]] knew of this legendary sword,<ref name="overhill">{{H|4}}</ref> so it must have done some damage.

The name most likely originated in the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]], where it is said that Turgon "hewed his way to the side of [[Fingon|his brother]]".<ref>{{S|20}}</ref> No other tales mention the actions of the sword, and it is unknown what happened to it during the Fall of Gondolin. Turgon perished as the [[Tower of the King]] fell on top of him,<ref>{{S|23}}</ref> but of the fate of Glamdring nothing is told.

===Survival===
The sword survived roughly 6500 years from the Fall of Gondolin in {{FA|510}} to its eventual rediscovery in {{TA|2941}}. In that period, it travelled from Gondolin far to the east. Much mystery surrounds this feat, but [[Elrond]] reasoned that Glamdring, along with [[Orcrist]] and [[Sting]], was plundered again and again, or carried off to the [[Misty Mountains]] soon after the Fall of Gondolin.<ref name="shortrest"/> Thus, after surviving the deluge of [[Beleriand]] in the [[War of Wrath]], it ended up in a [[Troll's cave]] in the [[Trollshaws]] of [[Eriador]].

===At Gandalf's side===
In May {{TA|2941}}, [[Gandalf]], [[Bilbo Baggins]] and [[Thorin and Company|a group of dwarves]] encountered three trolls in the Trollshaws - [[William]], [[Bert]] and [[Tom]]. The Trolls captured Bilbo and the Dwarves, but Gandalf destroyed them by exposing them to sunlight. Glamdring, along with [[Orcrist]] and [[Sting]], were found in their cave nearby.<ref name="mutton">{{H|2}}</ref> Gandalf claimed the weapon as his own, amazed by its appearance and inscription. The inscription was set in a script of [[runes]] Gandalf [[Gondolinic Runes|did not know]]; he needed the knowledge of Elrond for that. Elrond translated the runes and called it by its Mannish name: "Foe-hammer".<ref name="shortrest"/>
[[File:Donato Giancola - You Cannot Pass.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Gandalf wielding Glamdring, by [[Donato Giancola]].]]
Gandalf would use the sword well; its first victim was the [[Great Goblin]]. Other Orcs fled as they recognized the sword as "Beater". This would have meant that either some Orcs were at the [[Fall of Gondolin]] (which is unlikely, given the short lifespan of Orcs{{Citation needed}}), or that they had legends about two glowing swords - Beater and [[Orcrist|Biter]].<ref name="overhill"/> Whether Gandalf used the sword again during the [[The Hobbit|Quest for Erebor]] is uncertain, though it is likely that he wielded it in the [[Battle of Five Armies]].

Gandalf bore Glamdring at his side when the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] left [[Rivendell]] in {{TA|3018}}.<ref>{{FR|II3}}</ref> He used the blade during the [[Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul]], and a short time thereafter in the standoff with [[Durin's Bane|the Balrog]], during which battle his staff was destroyed.<ref>{{FR|II5}}</ref> After the collapse of the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm|bridge]], Gandalf and the Balrog fought on to the [[Endless Stair]] and [[Durin's Tower]], with Glamdring being the only weapon known to be in Gandalf's possession.<ref>{{TT|III5}}</ref>

Gandalf's body perished there but he was sent back because his task was not yet complete. He had Glamdring with him when he met the [[Three Hunters]]; he gave it to [[Háma]] at [[Edoras]] when asked to surrender it.<ref>{{TT|III6}}</ref> Gandalf would continue to bear it throughout the [[War of the Ring]], and carried it at his side when he, [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]], [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] arrived at [[the Prancing Pony]] in [[Bree]]. Gandalf and the Hobbits had seen so much war at the time that wearing a weapon did not seem odd.<ref>{{RK|VI7}}</ref>

===Fate===
On [[29 September]], {{TA|3021}},<ref>{{App|Chief}}</ref> Gandalf left [[Middle-earth]] and sailed into the West.<ref>{{RK|VI9}}</ref> Whether he took Glamdring with him is never mentioned, and is open to debate. It can be argued that he brought it over the Sea, as he did with [[Shadowfax]],<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Humphrey Carpenter]], [[Christopher Tolkien]] (eds.), ''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', [[Letter 268]] (dated [[19 January|January 19]], [[1965]])</ref> or that it was left behind in Middle-earth, weapons not being needed in the Undying Lands.

==Appearance==
Glamdring and Orcrist are described as having "beautiful scabbards and jewelled hilts".<ref name="mutton"/> They would glow blue in the presence of Orcs. The "sword of Turgon" was "a white and gold sword in a ruel-bone (ivory) sheath".<ref name="ut1"></ref>

[[File:Audrey Corman - Glamdring.jpg|thumb|right|''Glamdring'' by Audrey Corman]]
When he took the sword, Gandalf said he could not read [[Gondolinic Runes|the runes]]. Elrond did, however, as he was a savant of all kinds of [[cirth|runes]].

==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Glamdring.mp3|Ardamir}}
''Glamdring'' is [[Sindarin]] for "Foe-hammer".<ref name="shortrest"/> It is formed from the elements: ''[[Glamhoth|glam]]'', literally "shouting, confused noise", but used for any body of [[Orcs]];<ref>{{WJ|AC}}, p. 391</ref> and ''dring'' ("beat, strike").<ref name="etym">{{LR|Etymologies}}, entry "DRING"</ref>

The sword was also given the crude name '''Beater''' by the Orcs.<ref name="overhill"/>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In 1960, Tolkien began a complete rewrite of the Hobbit adding the fact that Glamdring was covered in dark blood when Gandalf found it, explaining why the runes were unreadable until cleaned by Elrond.<ref>{{HM|RB}}, page 799</ref>

It is not explained in the published ''Hobbit'' why Gandalf could not read the runes. A fitting explanation would be the "[[Gondolinic Runes]]", devised by Tolkien in either 1924 or 1930. This set of Runes was first published in 1992.<ref>First published in ''[[Mythlore]]'' 69, pages 20-25 (edited by [[Paul Nolan Hyde]]), analysed in issue 70, pages 23-24 (by [[Carl F. Hostetter]]). See also [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "Gondolinic Runes", in ''[[Parma Eldalamberon 15]]'' (edited by [[Christopher Gilson]]), page 111-113 </ref>.

==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[File:The Lord of the Rings (1978 film) - poster.jpg|thumb|Glamdring in a promotional image for [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)]].]]
===Films===
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:Gandalf acquires Glamdring in the trolls' cave. Elrond recognizes the sword at first glance; perhaps he simply deduces the fact that it was Glamdring because he had identified its mate Orcrist just before. After leaving [[Rivendell]], Gandalf notably uses the sword only when rescuing Bilbo and the Dwarves from Goblin-town.

'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:On promotional art, Glamdring is portrayed as an ordinary longsword, with no inscription visible. In the movie itself, it goes unnamed, and is considerably shorter, only a one-handed sword. Oddly it is broken along with the Balrog's sword, but reappears intact in later scenes. <ref>[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]], "Gandalf Triumphant'</ref>

'''1980: [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]:'''
:Gandalf does not use a sword, only his staff.

'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
:Glamdring is a name given to the sword of Gandalf in the film's promotional materials, but it is not named in the films. The sword is, according to most replicas, 47 inches (approximately 120 centimeters) long<ref>''[[The Noble Collection]]'' Glamdring, [http://www.weaponmasters.com/shopping/Glamdring-The-Sword-of-Gandalf-p-16913.html Weaponmasters.com]</ref>, and does not glow blue. When asked, [[Peter Jackson]] and [[Philippa Boyens]] reacted jokingly that is was due to "budgetary cuts", and they had "not enough blue left".<ref>[[Peter Jackson]], [[Philippa Boyens]], [[Fran Walsh]] (eds.), [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (extended edition)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (extended edition)]], "[[A Journey in the Dark (scene)|A Journey in the Dark]]", Director Commentary</ref>

:In the films, Glamdring is depicted as a longsword-type weapon. It has a straight, double-edged blade with a very short ricasso right above the crossguard. The crossguard's prongs flare upwards, and the center of the guard houses a decorative blue gem. The sword's grip is wrapped in blue, and the pommel is elongated, broadening at the bottom. The rune inscription is engraved in the cross-guard, and adds power to the sword. With this extra power Gandalf was able to defeat [[Durin's Bane]].<ref name="lotrwaw">[[Chris Smith]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Weapons and Warfare]]'', page 68-69</ref> The actual inscription reads as thus:
::"''Turgon [[aran]] Gondolin tortha gar a matha i vegil Glamdring gûd daedheloth, dam an [[Glamhoth]]''".
:This is [[Sindarin]], and translates to "Turgon, king of Gondolin, wields, has, and holds the sword Glamdring, Foe of Morgoth's realm, Hammer of the Orcs".<ref name="lotrwaw"/>

'''2012: ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'':'''
:Thorin finds several swords in the troll hoards and gives one to Gandalf. In Rivendell, Elrond identifies it as Glamdring, and in Goblin-town, the Great Goblin recognizes it as Beater. It has the same design as Glamdring in ''The Lord of the Rings'' films.

===Radio series===
'''1968: [[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1968 radio series)]]:'''
:Glamdring is found in the cave of the trolls, and later named by Elrond. Gandalf himself recounts how it was once borne by the King of Gondolin.<ref>[[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1968 radio series)]], "Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire"</ref>

'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:Glamdring is not named, and the presence of a sword is mentioned only once: when Gandalf has to surrender it to [[Háma]].<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]], "The King of the Golden Hall"</ref>

===Games===
'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:Glamdring is an Elven longsword. It glows with pale light when enemies are near.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]], Manual, page 9</ref>

'''2003: [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]:'''
:As this game focuses on Bilbo rather than the entire group, Glamdring is never named, and only appears once when Gandalf and the player (as Bilbo) have to wield off several goblins in the Misty Mountains.<ref>[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]], "Over Hill and Under Hill"</ref> An alternative survival theory is also given: the caves in the Trollshaws were - according to [[Glóin]] - dug by the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]] during his reign in the region.<ref>[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]], "Troll-hole"</ref>

{{references}}
[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Swords]]
{{weapons}}
[[de:Glamdring]]
[[fi:Glamdring]]

Orcrist

2023-10-20T13:06:11Z

GandalfTheWitty: /* Portrayal in adaptations */ Added some technical notes about the sword's design.

{{disambig-two|Thorin's sword|journal|[[Orcrist (journal)]]}}
{{object infobox
| name=Orcrist
| image=[[File:Ted Nasmith - Orcrist, The Goblin Cleaver.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Orcrist, The Goblin Cleaver" by [[Ted Nasmith]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Biter
| location=[[Gondolin]], [[Trollshaws]], [[Erebor]]
| owner=[[Thorin]]
| type=Sword
| appearance=Sword with a jewelled hilt, glowed blue in the presence of Orcs
| creator=
| created=[[First Age]]
| createdlocation=[[Gondolin]]
| destroyer=
| destroyed=
| destroyedlocation=
| notablefor=Being [[Thorin]]'s Blade
}}
{{Quote|This, Thorin, the runes name Orcrist, the Goblin-cleaver in the ancient tongue of Gondolin; it was a famous blade.|Elrond, "[[A Short Rest]]"}}
'''Orcrist''' was an Elven sword, the mate of [[Glamdring]]. It had a decorated scabbard and a jewelled hilt. Like [[Glamdring]] and [[Sting]], the blade could detect the presence of Orcs and warn its bearer by glowing blue.

Orcs called the blade '''Biter'''.<ref name=hill>{{H|Hill}}</ref> It had been crafted by the [[Elves]], who not only made it a valuable weapon, but also a feared one to their enemies, particularly among [[Orcs]] and other evil creatures.<ref name=rest>{{H|Rest}}</ref>

==History==
As the "mate" to King [[Turgon]]'s sword Glamdring, Orcrist was likely borne by him, or a high ranking lord of the [[Gondolindrim]] in the King's entourage.

Orcrist "had killed hundreds of goblins in its time, when the fair elves of Gondolin hunted them in the hills or did battle before their walls".<ref name=hill/> During the [[Fall of Gondolin]], [[Rog]], [[Duilin of Gondolin|Duilin]], [[Egalmoth]], [[Tuor]] and [[Ecthelion]]'s houses defended at the gates before the walls. [[Ecthelion]] led a charge that resulted in the deaths of thousands of [[orcs]], which made his name a terror to their race, before fighting [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]].

By the [[Third Age]] Orcrist and its mate were found and kept in a [[Trolls' cave]] in [[Eriador]]. [[Thorin and Company]], found and searched the cave early in the [[Quest of Erebor]], and [[Thorin]] [[Oakenshield]] obtained the weapon.<ref>{{H|Mutton}}</ref> [[Elrond]] identified the sword and Thorin promised to honor the sword and hoped to cleave Goblins once again<ref name=rest/> which he did when captured in [[Goblin-town]].<ref name=hill/>

Thorin was disarmed when captured by the [[Elves of Mirkwood]] and Orcrist was kept there.<ref>{{H|8}}</ref> However after his death, [[Thranduil]] returned Orcrist and placed it upon Thorin's tomb under [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]], and it "gleamed ever in the dark if foes approached".<ref>{{H|Return}}</ref>

==Etymology==
''Orcrist'' is [[Sindarin]] for "goblin-cleaver".<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 265</ref>
[[File:The Hobbit (film series) - Thorin and Orcrist.jpg|thumb|right|Orcrist in [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]]]
In the ''[[The Etymologies|Etymologies]]'', the name ''Orchrist'' is said to be a "sword-name", related to [[Noldorin]] ''risto'' ("rend, rip"), derived from the [[Sundocarme|root]] RIS ("slash, rip").<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, p. 384</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:Thorin acquires Glamdring in the trolls' cave. Elrond recognizes the sword at first glance, and afterwards identifies Glamdring. The Goblins found Orcrist on Thorin after they captured the Dwarves and Bilbo and it was recognized by the guard who removes it from his person. Thorin's recovery of it is not depicted.

'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]:'''
:As in the book, the sword is found in the trolls' cave and is identified as Orcrist by [[Elrond]] in [[Rivendell]]. It's designed as a straight, single-edged sword with a prominent recurve at the cutting edge. Its pommel consists of two prongs, and it possesses a half-guard (whereas most Elven swords in Jackson's films are shown without guards). The grip of the sword is fashioned from a dragon's tooth and the base of the blade contains the [[Sindarin]] inscription "NAGOL E-LYG" meaning "Tooth of-Snake [or dragon]".<ref>[[Jude Fisher]], ''[[The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: Visual Companion]]'', p. 13</ref>

:When it is discovered by the Goblins, the [[Great Goblin]] recognizes the sword, and claims that it sliced a thousand necks. Later, when Thorin and Company are captured by the Wood-elves, [[Legolas]] personally confiscates the sword, believing that Thorin Oakenshield had stolen it from his kinfolk. He then takes up the legendary weapon as his own, using it when [[Bolg]] and his stealth-Orcs raid Lake-town in search of the Dwarves, and during the Battle of the Five Armies, where he returns Orcrist to Thorin just in time for his final showdown with [[Azog| Azog the Defiler]].

{{references}}
{{Weapons}}
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Swords]]
[[de:Orcrist]]
[[fi:Orkrist]]
[[fr:encyclo/artefacts/armes/orcrist]]