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Dol Guldur

2009-02-24T00:20:49Z

Icelegs:

{{location
| image=[[Image:Rob Alexander - Dol Guldur.jpg|250px]]
| name=Dol Guldur
| othernames=
| etymology=[[S.]] ''dol'' "hill" + ''guldur'' "sorcery"
| type=Fortress
| location=Southern [[Mirkwood]]
| inhabitants=[[Necromancer]] and his servants; [[Khamûl]]
| realms=[[Dol Guldur]], a subpower of [[Sauron]] in [[Mordor]]
| description=
| events=[[Fall of Dol Guldur]]
| references=
|}}
{{Pronounce|Dol Guldur.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Dol Guldur''' ("Hill of Sorcery" in [[Sindarin]]) was a stronghold of [[Sauron]] located in the south of [[Mirkwood]].

Dol Guldur was established by Sauron after his return to [[Middle-earth]] somewhere after [[Third Age]] 1000, although his identity was hidden and was known as the [[Necromancer]]. Dol Guldur was originally known as '''Amon Lanc''' ("Bald Hill"), and had been the capital of [[Oropher]]'s [[Silvan Elves]], who had departed north to the [[Dark Mountains]] (later known as the [[Mountains of Mirkwood]]). After Sauron took over Amon Lanc, [[Thranduil]] son of Oropher led his people over the [[Forest River]], where they remained.

The [[Council of the Wise]] long feared the Necromancer might indeed be Sauron, and in 2063 [[Gandalf]] went to Dol Guldur, and Sauron, not yet powerful, fled to the [[East]]. In 2460 Sauron returned there, just as the [[One Ring]] was found by [[Sméagol]] the [[Stoors|Stoor]]. However, the Ring disappeared with Sméagol under the [[Misty Mountains]].

In 2845 [[Thráin II]], King of [[Durin's folk]]-in-exile and holder of the last of the [[Ring of Thrór|Seven Rings]] of the [[Dwarves]], was imprisoned in Dol Guldur's dungeons. In 2850 Gandalf again entered Dol Guldur, finding the dying Thráin, and Gandalf was entrusted with the [[Thrór’s Map|map]] and key to give to [[Thorin Oakenshield]], although Thráin could not tell him his own or his son's name before he died. Gandalf confirmed Sauron was the master of Dol Guldur at that time.

Gandalf returned to the White Council and urged an attack on Dol Guldur, but was overruled by [[Saruman]], who had begun searching for the One Ring in the area by then. In 2941 Saruman finally agreed to an attack, which occurred at the same time as the [[Quest of Erebor]]. This was carefully planned by Gandalf, so that Sauron and [[Smaug]] could not assist each other, as otherwise they surely would have done. Sauron fled to [[Mordor]], his plans now ready. Dol Guldur remained staffed by a lieutenant of [[Barad-dûr]].

During the [[War of the Ring]], the forces of Dol Guldur made three assaults upon [[Lórien in Middle-earth|Lórien]], causing grievous damage to the outlying woodlands, but were driven back each time by the power of [[Nenya]] which only Sauron himself could have overcome. Dol Guldur was finally destroyed and cleansed by the [[Elves]] of Lórien, led by [[Galadriel]], after Sauron's fall. Named Amon Lanc once again, it became the capital of [[Celeborn, Lord of Lórien|Celeborn]]'s realm of [[East Lórien]] for a while.

== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Dol Guldur|Images of Dol Guldur]]

[[Category:Fortresses]]
[[Category:Towers]]
[[Category:Rhovanion]]
[[de:Dol Guldur]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:villes_tours_et_forteresses:rhovanion:dol_guldur]]
[[fi:Dol Guldur]]

Rhûn

2009-02-22T23:41:34Z

Icelegs:

{{expansion}}
{{cleanup}}
{{location
| image=
| name=Rhûn
| othernames=
| etymology=[[Sindarin|S.]] ''[[rhûn]]'' "east"
| type=Realm
| location=Eastern Lands of [[Middle-earth]], north of [[Mordor]]
| inhabitants=[[Easterlings]]
| realms=Rhûn
| description=Centered by [[Sea of Rhûn]]
| events=
| references=
|}}
'''Rhûn'''' refers to the little-known lands in the far east of [[Middle-earth]] inhabited by peoples known as the "[[Easterlings]]", from whom many attacks on [[Gondor]] and its allies came during the [[Third Age]].

We know almost nothing of the lands of beyond the great [[Sea of Rhûn]] that stood on its borders with the western lands. Even [[Gandalf]] had never explored there, and though [[Aragorn]] had travelled there, we have no report of his doings.

Of its ancient geography we can glean a little from [[The Silmarillion]]; far beyond the Sea of Rhûn was another inland sea, the [[Sea of Helcar]], and beyond that a range of [[Red Mountains]] known as the [[Orocarni]]. Somewhere in the lost east, too, lay [[Cuiviénen]] and [[Hildórien]], where [[Elves]] and [[Men]] first awoke: all the [[Children of Ilúvatar]] could trace their ancestries back to the eastward regions of Middle-earth. We know also that it was a wide and vast land with many kingdoms, and strange and unexplored places.

Rhûn was far from an empty land; it was the domain of the [[Easterlings]], [[Men of Darkness]] who were ready to follow both the Dark Lords and fought as their allies in war. These lands, too, were peopled by lost Elves, [[Avari]] and [[Úmanyar]], and by four of the seven clans of the [[Dwarves]] who dwelt in the [[Orocarni]].

During the Third Age, Rhûn was visited by three [[Wizards]]; [[Saruman]], [[Alatar]] and [[Pallando]], and though [[Saruman]] returned into the west, the two [[Blue Wizards]] remained. [[Sauron]] himself journeyed into the eastward lands, in hiding from the [[White Council]] during the centuries known in the west as the [[Watchful Peace]].

[[Category:Realms]]
[[Category:Eastern Lands]]

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

2009-02-22T22:43:27Z

Icelegs: /* Video release */

'''''The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers''''' is a film released on Wednesday, December 18, 2002, directed by [[Peter Jackson]] with a runtime of 179 minutes (2 hours, 59 minutes). It is the second part in [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings|The Lord of the Rings trilogy]] of films, following ''[[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring]]''. It is an adaptation of the book ''[[The Two Towers]]'', the second part of the three-volume novel ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], although some of the later events are held over to the third movie, ''[[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King]]''. It was very well received critically and was an enormous box-office success, making over $900 million worldwide (making it the fourth most successful film of all time at that point in time).

==Cast==
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! Role !! Actor
|-
| [[Frodo Baggins]] || [[Elijah Wood]]
|-
| [[Gandalf|Gandalf the White]] || [[Ian McKellen]]
|-
| [[Arwen Evenstar]] || [[Liv Tyler]]
|-
| [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]] (Strider) || [[Viggo Mortensen]]
|-
| [[Samwise Gamgee]] || [[Sean Astin]]
|-
| [[Galadriel]] || [[Cate Blanchett]]
|-
| [[Gimli]] || [[John Rhys-Davies]]
|-
| [[Théoden]] || [[Bernard Hill]]
|-
| [[Saruman|Saruman the White]] || [[Christopher Lee]]
|-
| [[Peregrin Took]] (Pippin) || [[Billy Boyd]]
|-
| [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] (Merry) || [[Dominic Monaghan]]
|-
| [[Legolas Greenleaf|Legolas]] || [[Orlando Bloom]]
|-
| [[Elrond]] || [[Hugo Weaving]]
|-
| [[Éowyn]] || [[Miranda Otto]]
|-
| [[Faramir son of Denethor II|Faramir]] || [[David Wenham]]
|-
| [[Éomer]] || [[Karl Urban]]
|-
| [[Gollum]] || [[Andy Serkis]] (voice and captured motion)
|-
| [[Gríma Wormtongue]] || [[Brad Dourif]]
|-
| [[Haldir of Lórien]] || [[Craig Parker]]
|-
| [[Treebeard]] || [[John Rhys-Davies]] (voice)
|-
| [[Boromir son of Denethor II|Boromir]] (Extended version only) || [[Sean Bean]]
|-
| [[Denethor II|Denethor]] (Extended version only) || [[John Noble]]
|}

In addition to many characters returning from the first film, ''The Two Towers'' featured [[Éowyn]], a noble lady of Rohan who yearns to be a warrior; [[Éomer]], a stalwart Marshal of Rohan and brother to Éowyn; [[Théoden]], a troubled king, uncle of Éowyn and Éomer; and his treacherous counsellor, [[Gríma Wormtongue]]. The human actors were supplemented by a number of special effects creatures including treelike [[Ents]], the pterodactyl-like flying steeds of the [[Nazgûl]], and, especially, [[Gollum]], widely acclaimed as the first fully realized CGI character in a live-action film. His movements and facial expressions were modelled on the actor who provided his voice, Andy Serkis. Only glimpsed in the first film, Gollum here becomes a pivotal character with the potential to change the fate of the story's world; he wrestles with inner demons and becomes a source of friction in Sam and Frodo's previously unshakeable friendship.

==Synopsis==

The surviving members of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] have split into three groups. Frodo and Sam face many perils on their continuing quest to save [[Middle-earth]] by destroying the [[One Ring]] in the fires of [[Mount Doom]]. Merry and Pippin escape from the [[Orcs]] and must convince the [[Ents]] to join the battle against evil. Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas encounter a mysteriously transformed Gandalf and battle [[Saruman]]'s army at [[Helm's Deep]].

==Filming locations==
<table class="wikitable">
<tr bgcolor="#CCCCCC">
<th>Fictional Location</th><th>Specific Location in New Zealand</th><th>General Area in New Zealand</th>
</tr><tr>
<td>Plains of [[Rohan]]</td><td>Greenstone Station</td><td>Kinloch</td>
</tr><tr>
<td>[[Rohan]]</td><td>Poolburn Lake</td><td>Maniototo Plain</td>
</tr><tr>
<td>[[Edoras]]</td><td>Mount Sunday</td><td>Rangitata Valley</td>
</tr><tr>
<td>[[Dead Marshes]]</td><td>Kepler Mire</td><td>Te Anau</td>
</tr><tr>
<td>The [[Black Gate]]</td><td>Rangipo Desert</td><td>Lake Taupo</td>
</tr><tr>
<td>[[Helm's Deep]]</td><td>Hayward's Hill</td><td>Lower Hutt</td>
</tr>
</table>

==Deviations from the source material==

Jackson's ''The Two Towers'' differs from Tolkien's in several important ways. Arwen does not appear in the second book at all. Interviews with Jackson and the other writers on the extended DVD version of the movie make it clear that they are fully aware of the implications of these changes in terms of the original story, and have chosen to make them not out of ignorance but in order to make the story work better in terms of motion picture storytelling.

Notably the meaning of the title itself, 'The Two Towers', has been changed. Tolkien considered many possible combinations, but eventually settled on [[Orthanc]] and [[Minas Morgul]] being the 'two towers'. However, in Jackson's movie Saruman instead names them as Orthanc and [[Barad-dûr]], which is also reflected in the movie poster.

====Structure====

Tolkien divided ''The Two Towers'' into two distinct parts. The first told the stories of Merry, Pippin, Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas and Gandalf. The second concerned Frodo, Sam and Gollum. Jackson chose to intercut between the two to present the events in chronological order.

Jackson's structure changes the tale from a pure quest to a war story. Each of the film's three main threads make the point that the war has started and that our heroes are in the thick of it.

====Events====

Jackson and his co-writers added several events to the story, notably:
* In the movie, Faramir speaks of taking the Ring from Frodo, for the defence of Gondor; in the book, he denies having any such desire: ''not even if I found it by the side of a road'', he repeats. According to Jackson, this does not work dramatically, as Faramir has no "character arc" (i.e. he does not change as a character from his first scene to his last). Jackson justifies this change as a means of making Faramir seem more of a rounded character as well as not wanting the line to deflate the perceptions of the Ring's power.
* In the movie, Faramir takes Frodo, Sam and Gollum to the besieged city of [[Osgiliath]], but subsequently lets them go. In the theatrical version it is not clear how Frodo and his companions get back from Osgiliath to [[Ithilien]], but this is explained in the extended cut - they escape through the ruined city's sewers and so make their way out behind the enemy lines. (It is not explained why the Gondorians have made no military use of this apparent asset.)
* An attack on the Rohirrim travelling to Helm's Deep by Orcs mounted on [[Wargs]] results in Aragorn's near death; he is revived by a vision of Arwen in a dream sequence. Nothing like this is present in the book.
* Galadriel persuades Elrond (via long-distance telepathy) to send Elven archers to Helm's Deep. Interestingly, they appear nonetheless to be Elves of [[Lórien]], one of whom ([[Haldir]]) we met previously in the Golden Wood. Jackson originally planned to have Arwen herself fighting at Helm's Deep and filmed some scenes along those lines, but abandoned that tack. It is still possible to pick her out in the battle, as some footage was used in the Extended Edition. This addition might have been inspired by a single line spoken in passing by Legolas, when he was waiting for the coming forces of Saruman at the walls of Helm's Deep: he wished that he could have had a hundred Elven archers with him to strengthen the defence.
* Arwen has a vision of her future which is taken somewhat loosely from ''The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen'' in the books' Appendices.
* Elrond almost forcibly sends Arwen "to the West". Her final decision on the matter, and her reason for making it, is revealed in ''The Return of the King''.

Two important events from Tolkien's ''The Two Towers'' did not make it into the film, but were held over for the next one:
* Gandalf and Saruman's confrontation at [[Isengard]]; this was originally intended to appear at the beginning of ''The Return of the King'', but a late decision by Peter Jackson meant that this scene was not part of the theatrical version, though it has since been included in the extended cut.
* Sam and Frodo's encounter with the monstrous [[Shelob]]. (This is foreshadowed by [[Gollum]]'s line: "We could let ''her'' do it!") Shelob's Lair did indeed feature prominently in the third film.

====Characters====

Four of the characters in the film are presented somewhat differently than their counterparts in the book:
* Faramir requires much more convincing to let Sam and Frodo continue on their quest; in the book he immediately recognizes the wisdom of permitting them to leave freely. He is shown as being a much more flawed character than in the book, but nonetheless one who is still capable of wisdom.
* Treebeard, chief among the Ents, is unaware of what is happening on the borders of his forest and has to be "tricked" into attacking Isengard. In the theatrical release he is not seen sending [[Huorns]] to Helm's Deep, but does so in the extended video version - see below.
* Continuing a trend from the first movie, [[Elrond]] (who doesn't appear in the book) is much more protective of Arwen and is almost antagonistic toward [[Aragorn]], thus the [[Thingol]] portrayal and the stereotypical "father-daughter theme" are both apparent.
* King [[Théoden]]'s reaction upon learning of [[Gríma Wormtongue|Gríma]]'s treachery differs greatly from the novel: In the book, he offers Wormtongue a chance to redeem himself by riding to war with the Rohirrim, whereas in the film, a dazed Théoden tries to personally execute the traitor.

Théoden's attitude towards the coming conflict is also presented differently in Jackson's film: In the novel, Théoden chooses to ride to war, and only goes to Helm's Deep in order to assist [[Erkenbrand]]'s forces, which had been dealt a defeat by Saruman's armies. In the film, he opts to avoid open confrontation, and treats Helm's Deep as a shelter for the civilian population of Rohan. Only the ensuing orc siege forces him into battle.

The King's sense of self-doubt is greatly magnified in the film, in order to provide him with a character arc, as was done with Faramir.

==Score==

The score was written by Howard Shore

The tracks on the Motion Picture Soundtrack are:

"Foundations of Stone" – 3:51 
"The Taming of Sméagol" – 2:48 
"The Riders of Rohan" – 4:05 
"The Passage of the Marshes" – 2:46 
"The Uruk-hai" – 2:58 
"The King of the Golden Hall" – 3:49 
"The Black Gate Is Closed" – 3:17 
"Evenstar" (featuring Isabel Bayrakdarian) – 3:15 
"The White Rider" – 2:28 
"Treebeard" – 2:43 
"The Leave Taking" – 3:41 
"Helm's Deep" – 3:53 
"The Forbidden Pool" – 5:27 
"Breath of Life" (featuring Sheila Chandra) – 5:07 
"The Hornburg" – 4:36 
"Forth Eorlingas" (featuring Ben Del Maestro) – 3:15 
"Isengard Unleashed" (featuring Elizabeth Fraser & Ben Del Maestro) – 5:01 
"Samwise the Brave" – 3:46 
"Gollum's Song" (performed by Emiliana Torrini) – 5:51 
"Farewell to Lórien" (featuring Hilary Summers) – 4:37 

==Awards and critical opinion==
* Academy Awards
** Winner: Visual Effects, Sound Editing.
** Nominee: Best Picture, Best Art Direction - Set Decoration, Best Editing, and Best Sound.
* American Film Institute: Digital Effects, Production Design, Movie of the Year
* Apex Awards: Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Viggo Mortensen), Best Production Design, Best Original Song Score, Best Visual Effects, Best Make-up
* 2003 Art Directors Guild: Best Production Design (Period or Fantasy feature Film)
* Australian Film Awards: Best Foreign Film
* British Academy Film Awards: Best Costume Design, Best Special Visual Effects, Orange Film of the Year (voted on by the public)
* Broadcast Film Critics Association: Best Digital Acting Performance (Gollum)
* Central Ohio Film Critics: Best Cinematography
* Cinemarati Awards: Best Film, Best Ensemble Cast, Best Director (Peter Jackson), Best Film Editing
* Dallas Fort Worth Film Critics: Best Director (Peter Jackson)
* Empire Awards: Best Picture
* Golden Satellite Awards: Outstanding Motion Picture Ensemble, Best Visual Effects
* Golden Trailer Awards: Best Action Trailer
* Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hairstylist Guild Awards: Best Character Makeup, Best Character Hair Styling, Best Special Makeup Effects
* Hugo Award (World Science Fiction Society): Best Dramatic Presentation - Long Form
* International 3-D Awards (computer graphics industry): Best Feature Film VFX (Weta)
* Kansas City Film Critics: Best Director
* Las Vegas Film Critics: Best Director (Peter Jackson), Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Visual Effects
* Phoenix Film Critics Awards [http://www.moviecitynews.com/awards/phoenix_fca.htm]: "Best Picture", "Best Ensemble Acting", "Best Screenplay Adapted from Another Medium", "Best Cinematography", "Best Production Design", "Best Visual Effects", and "Best Makeup" "Gollum's Song", the theme played during the end credits, won the award for "Best Original Song". The song was written by [[Howard Shore]] and sung by the Icelandic singer [[Emiliana Torrini]].
* Rotten Tomatoes Awards: Best Film
* Saturn Awards: Best Fantasy Film, Best Costume (Ngila Dickson), Best Supporting Actor (Andy Serkis)
* Visual Effects Society Awards: Best Special Effects, Best Effects in Art Direction, Best Visual Effects in Photography, Best Models and Miniatures, Best Performance by an Actor in an Effects Film, Best Character Animation in a Live-Action Feature Film, Best Compositing and Visual Effects in an Effects-Driven Film
* Followers of the Oscars predicted that the movie had a poor chance of winning Best Picture, because it received no other nominations in the major Oscar categories (Director, Actor and Actress, Supporting Actor and Actress and Screenplay). This proved to be true, though the film did win the Academy Award for Visual Effects. It was speculated that the Academy was biding its time for the concluding film, ''[[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King|The Return of the King]]'', to be released so that they could honour Peter Jackson for creating such a successful and acclaimed film trilogy. The third film was awarded 11 Oscars in 2004.

==Video release==

The theatrical edition of the movie was released on VHS and DVD on Tuesday, August 26, 2003. The DVD was a 2-disc set with extras on the second disc. This was intended to be a simultaneous worldwide release, but some British stores began selling the videos on Friday 22 because it was a Bank Holiday weekend, much to the ire of the film's UK distributor, which has threatened to withhold advance supplies of subsequent video releases.

An extended version of the movie including 44 minutes of additional material was released on video on Tuesday, November 18, 2003, with a total of 223 minutes (3 hours, 43 minutes). One of the additional scenes features Sean Bean and John Noble, who do not appear in the theatrical version, in a flashback in which brothers [[Boromir]] and [[Faramir]] are seen together with their father [[Denethor]]. This is available on VHS and on a 4-disc DVD set, with the movie on discs 1 and 2 including four audio commentaries by the crew and actors, and extensive bonus material on discs 3 and 4. There is also a "Special Edition" DVD package containing the 4-disc set, a sculpture of [[Gollum]], a booklet about the process of designing Gollum for the movie and a short DVD documentary on the process of designing collectible sculptures based on the movies' characters and artifacts.

In December, 2003 there were also limited back-to-back theatrical releases of the extended versions of ''The Fellowship of the Ring'' and ''The Two Towers'' followed by premieres of ''The Return of the King'', in all nine hours and seventeen minutes long.

==References in other media==
In the Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends episode ''Duchess of Wails'', the end of the episode is a homage to the attack on [[Helm's Deep]] from the movie. Certain lines are used in the scene's dialogue as well as memorable visual moments, like the initial volley of arrows (tomatoes in the episode) are also used.

==See also==
* [[Peter Jackson's The Two Towers screenplay]]
{{films}}

[[Category:Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]
[[de:Der Herr der Ringe: Die Zwei Türme (Film)]]
[[fi:The Two Towers (2002)]]

Nazgûl

2009-01-14T02:35:37Z

Icelegs:

{{race
|image=[[Image:Diego Iaconfcic - Black Riders.jpg|300px]]
|name=Nazgûl
|dominions=[[Angmar]], [[Dol Guldur]], [[Minas Morgul]]
|languages=[[Black Speech]], [[Westron]]
|height=Man-high
|length=
|skincolor=
|haircolor=
|feathers=
|distinctions=Without physical form
|lifespan=Indefinite
|members=[[Witch-king of Angmar]], [[Khamûl]]
}}

<center>{{quote| 'They come from [[Mordor]],' said [[Aragorn II|Strider]] in a low voice. 'From Mordor, [[Barliman Butterbur|Barliman]], if that means anything to you.' |''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[Strider (chapter)|Strider]]}}</center>
The '''Nazgûl''' ([[Black Speech]]: '''Ringwraiths''', sometimes written '''''Ring-wraiths'''''), also known as the '''Nine Riders''' or '''Black Riders''' (or simply '''the Nine'''), are evil servants of [[Sauron]] in [[Middle-earth]]. The rarely used [[Quenya]] name for them is '''''Úlairi'''''. The Nazgûl are [[Sauron]]'s "most terrible servants".

== History ==
The nine Nazgûl arose as Sauron's most powerful servants in the [[Second Age]] of Middle-earth. It is said that three of the Nine were lords of [[Númenor]] corrupted by Sauron. They were all powerful mortal [[Men]] to whom Sauron gave nine [[Rings of Power]]. These proved to be their undoing:
{{quote|Those who used the Nine Rings became mighty in their day, kings, sorcerers, and warriors of old. They obtained glory and great wealth, yet it turned to their undoing. They had, as it seemed, unending life, yet life became unendurable to them. They could walk, if they would, unseen by all eyes in this world beneath the sun, and they could see things in worlds invisible to mortal men; but too often they beheld only the phantoms and delusions of Sauron. And one by one, sooner or later, according to their native strength and to the good or evil of their wills in the beginning, they fell under the thralldom of the ring that they bore and of the domination of the One which was Sauron's. And they became forever invisible save to him that wore the Ruling Ring, and they entered into the realm of shadows. The Nazgûl were they, the Ringwraiths, the Enemy's most terrible servants; darkness went with them, and they cried with the voices of death.|''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]"}}

[[Image:John Howe - Nazgul.jpg|thumb|left|''Nazgûl'' by [[John Howe]]]]
For many years the bearers used the rings to gain great wealth, prestige and power. The corrupting effect of the rings caused their bodily forms to fade over time until they had become wraiths entirely. Given form only through the attire of black cloaks and hauberks of silver mail, their original form was completely gone and invisible to mortal eyes. Their hypnotic eyes could be plainly distinguished from their dark clothing, and in a rage they appeared in a hellish fire. Untouchable to mortal men (unless blessed by weapons or tools of the ancient [[Elves]] of the [[First Age]] or by the [[Dunedain]], such as the barrow-blade used by [[Merry]] on the [[Witch-king of Angmar]]), they had many weapons, which included long swords of steel and flame, daggers with venomous properties, and black maces of great strength.

Their arsenal of deadly armaments was not confined to physical means; they also had seemingly magical weapons of devastating power. They were surrounded by an aura of terror, which affected all living creatures; their "breath" (called the ''[[Black Breath]]'') was poisonous, and their cries caused terror and despair in all who heard them. Some of the Nazgûl appear to have been accomplished sorcerers and used magic to devastating effect. According to Tolkien, though, it was the fear they inspired that was the chief danger:
{{quote|They have no great physical power against the fearless," he wrote, "but what they have, and the fear that they inspire, is enormously increased in darkness|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]''}}

The Nazgûl first appeared around 2251 of the [[Second Age]] and were soon established as Sauron's principal servants. They were dispersed after the first overthrow of Sauron in 3441 at the hands of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]], but their survival was nonetheless assured while the [[One Ring]] persisted. They re-emerged around 1300 of the [[Third Age]], when the Lord of the Nazgûl, the [[Witch-king of Angmar]], led Sauron's forces against the human kingdom of [[Arnor]]. He was eventually defeated in battle in 1975 and returned to [[Mordor]], gathering the other Nazgûl in preparation for the return of Sauron to that realm. In 2000, they besieged [[Minas Ithil]] and captured it after a two-year siege. The city thereafter became the stronghold of the Nazgûl, from where they directed the rebuilding of Sauron's armies, also acquiring a [[palantíri|palantír]] for the Dark Lord.

In 2942 Sauron returned to Mordor and declared himself openly in 2951. Two or three of the Nazgûl were sent to his fortress at [[Dol Guldur]] to garrison that outpost.

In 3017, near the beginning of the story told in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', Sauron commanded the Ringwraiths to recover the [[One Ring]] of Power from "Baggins of the Shire". Disguised as horse riders clad in black (hence the term ''Black Riders''), they sought out [[Bilbo Baggins]] who, as [[Gollum]] had revealed, had the One Ring in his possession.

[[Image:Ted_Nasmith_-_The_Nazgûl.jpg|right|thumb|200px|''The Nazgûl'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
The Nazgûl at this point were dependent on their black horses (stolen from [[Rohan]]) for transportation. When they were swept away by the waters of the river [[Bruinen]], their horses were killed. The Ringwraiths were forced to return to Mordor to regroup. They reappeared later mounted on [[Fell beasts|flying creatures]], at which point they were referred to as '''Winged Nazgûl'''.

By the conclusion of the [[War of the Ring]], all of the Nine Nazgûl were destroyed. The [[Witch-king_of_Angmar|Lord of the Nazgûl]] himself was slain by [[Éowyn]], the niece of King [[Théoden]] (with help from [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]], known as "The Magnificent" thereafter) during the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]. The remaining eight Ringwraiths attacked the Army of the West during the last battle at the [[Black Gate]]. However, when [[Frodo Baggins]] put on the ring in the fires of [[Mount Doom]], Sauron ordered the eight remaining Nazgûl to fly with all possible speed to Mount Doom to intercept Frodo. They arrived too late, with the Ring falling into the fire along with the hapless Gollum. The Nazgûl were caught in the firestorm of the erupting mountain and were destroyed.

== Identities ==

Only a few of the Nazgûl are named or identified individually in Tolkien's works. Their leader was the [[Witch-king of Angmar]], and his second in command was named [[Khamûl]]. At least three of them were of [[Black Númenóreans|Black Númenórean]] race{{fact}}. Khamûl was a lord of [[Easterlings]], and was the only Nazgûl known by his name.

[[Gothmog, Lieutenant of Morgul]], may have been one of the Nazgûl. It is also possible that either [[Herumor (Black Númenórean)|Herumor]] or [[Fuinur]], or both, became Nazgûl. They were renegade Númenóreans who rose to great power among the Haradrim and it is highly likely that Sauron would have wanted them as Ringwraiths.

== Powers and Abilities ==

The Nazgûl existed mostly in the wraith world (the [[Unseen]]), making them extremely difficult to harm. Ordinary weapons would not hurt them, and even weapons of [[Númenórean]] manufacture would be destroyed if they passed through the wraith forms of the Nazgûl. They could not, however, interact normally with the material world (the [[Seen]]): they needed garments and weapons provided by Sauron to give them form. Consequently, they could be defeated by attacks that destroyed their disguises, forcing them to return to [[Sauron]] to receive new ones.

The Nazgûl spread terror in mortal creatures merely by their presence. Only specially trained horses or the [[fell beasts]] of [[Mordor]] could bear them. They caused panic and despair in their enemies simply by flying overhead, and only individuals of great courage could face them in combat.

They were also poisonous to mortal beings, causing a condition known as the [[Black Breath]]. Merely being in the vicinity of one of them could cause disorientation and illness. Intense exposure could be lethal.

The Nazgûl had poor vision in the material world, but they were acutely aware of the beings with a presence in the wraith world, like the wearer of the [[One Ring]] and certain elves. Anyone who could see into the wraith world could see the Nazgûl as they had appeared in their mortal lives.

The [[Witch King]] could also affect matter with his voice, shattering the dagger that Frodo had gotten in the [[Barrow Downs]] and weakening the gates of [[Minas Tirith]]. Whether other Nazgûl could perform similar feats is unknown.

== Other Titles ==
* The Ringwraiths
* The Black Riders
* The Fell Riders
* The Nine Riders
* The Black Wings
* The Shadows
* The Nine
* The Nine Servants of the Lord of the Rings
* The Shriekers
* [[Úlairi]] ([[Quenya]])

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
'''1978: ''[[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:The Nine are clad in brown and black, and have red eyes. The attack on ''[[The Prancing Pony]]'' is their deed, not that of any accomplices.

'''1980: ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King]]''
:The Nine are skull headed demons, who ride winged horses. The Witch-king himself rides a dragon-like creature, and has no face. Only a suspended crown and two red eyes can be seen. The Nazgûl have the [[Red Eye]] of [[barad-dûr]] rather than the emblem of [[Minas Morgul]].

'''1981: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:The role of the Ringwraiths was expanded with material from ''[[The Hunt for the Ring]]''.

'''2002: ''[[Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring (game)|Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
:Black Riders form a threat in the Shire-stages of the game, where they need to be avoided by the player (in the persona of [[Frodo Baggins]]), and as the end boss for the game (in the persona of [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]]). They are tall and robed in black, and nothing is seen underneath.

'''2001-3: ''[[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:The Nazgûl serve as the suspense in the first half of [[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring|the first film]]. Their dialogue is changed; the conversation with [[Gaffer Gamgee]] is omitted, and the conversation with [[Farmer Maggot]] is reduced. The Nine have an iconic scream, provided by [[Fran Walsh]]. Under their robes, they are pale white ghostly creatures.

:After the death of the Witch-king, the other eight are taken out by [[eagles]] and debris from [[Mount Doom]], however, nothing is told of their individual fates.

'''2004: ''[[EA's The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:The Mordor faction has two different Nazgûl units: "Witch-king on Fell Beast" and "Nazgûl on Fell Beast". They are primarily used for scouting and surprise attacks.

'''2006: ''[[EA's The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:A new Ringwriath is introduced in the expansion pack, ''[[EA's The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-king|The Rise of the Witch-king]]''. [[Morgomir]] is the "Lieutenant of Carn-Dûm", the right-hand man of the Witch-king, of [[Black Númenórean]] descent. The design is similar to that in [[Peter Jackson]]'s films: he is hooded and cloaked when he works for the Mordor faction, and white and ghostly when he fights for Angmar.

===Middle-earth Role Playing===
The [[Middle-earth Role Playing]] games by [[Iron Crown Enterprises]] name the eight, other than Khamûl, ''Er-Murazor'' (the [[Witch-king of Angmar|Witch-king]], of Númenórean race), ''Dwar'', ''Ji Indur'', ''Akhorahil'', ''Hoarmurath'' (Númenórean), ''Adunaphel'' (female Númenórean), ''Ren'' and ''Uvatha''.

These names have been so widespread that some think they are [[canon]] i.e. referenced by Tolkien, however they are not: It is particularly unlikely, in the context of the books, that any of the Nazgûl would have been female. Nor is it clear who were of Númenórean descent: only Khamûl's origin is given with certainty, and he was an Easterling. While the Witch-king is by many thought of as a Númenórean lord, this cannot be confirmed by any statement in Tolkien's writings.

==Trivia==
* The term ''Nazgûl'' has been used to refer to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM IBM's] cadre of lawyers, with whom it has been said that IBM can blacken the sky.
* Nâzgul is a girl's name of Persian origin, adopted in various Middle-eastern languages, meaning "Shy rose" or "delicate flower".
* George R. R. Martin's novel The Armageddon Rag is about a fictional rock band named the Nazgûl.
* Nazgûl is also the name of an Orkish black metal band from Italy, who sing The Lord of the Rings-inspired songs in Latin.
* Nazgûl is also the name of a pagan black metal band from Spain. Commonly mistaken for the Italian Orkish black metal band and the Norwegian band of the same name.
* The bird-like Ra'zac from Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Trilogy are heavily inspired by the steeds of the Nazgûl, particularly their breath, which acts as a mind-numbing drug of sorts.
* In Led Zeppelin's "The Battle of Evermore" (from Led Zeppelin IV) there is an allusion to a Ringwraith. One of the lyrics reads, "The drums will shake the castle walls, the ringwraiths ride in black, ride on."
* The Garo from The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask somewhat resemble the Ringwraiths. The Garo are undead "shells" that are basically robes. The Garo spy on the undead Ikana. The four Poes that haunt the Arbiter's Grounds in Twilight Princess also resemble them.
* Nazgûl appear as enemies in the roguelike computer game NetHack. They breathe a gas that can put your character to sleep, and carry cursed rings that bestow invisibility.

==References==
* ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', passim.
* ''[[The Two Towers]]'', passim.
* ''[[The Return of the King]]'', passim.
* ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]]
* ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix B]]
* ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', [[The Hunt for the Ring]]
* ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Akallabêth]]
* ''[[The Silmarillion]], [[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]"
* ''[[The Treason of Isengard]]'', [[The Great River (HoMe)|The Great River]]
* ''[[The War of the Ring]]'', [[The Passage of the Marshes (HoMe)|The Passage of the Marshes]]
* ''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', [[Letter 156|#156]], [[Letter 210|#210]], [[Letter 212|#212]], [[Letter 246|#246]], [[Letter 297|#297]]
* [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[Guide to the Names in The Lord of the Rings]]'', in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]]'' (edited by [[Wayne G. Hammond|W. G. Hammond]] and [[Christina Scull|C. Scull]])

== See Also ==
* '''[[:Category:Images of Nazgûl|Images of Nazgûl]]'''
* the [[Witch-King of Angmar]]
* [[Khamûl]]

[[Category:Creatures]]
[[Category:Nazgûl]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]

Gollum

2009-01-13T22:47:51Z

Icelegs:

{{sources}}
{{hobbit
| image=[[Image:John Howe - Gollum.jpg|200px]]
| name=Gollum
| othernames=Sméagol
| birth=Approximately [[Third Age 2430|T.A. 2430]]
| death=[[March 25]], [[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]]
| parentage=
| location=[[Misty Mountains]]
| gender=Male
| hair=
|}}
Originally known as '''Sméagol''', he was later named '''Gollum''' after the disgusting gurgling noise he made in his throat. His birth can be estimated to have happened around the year 2430 of the [[Third Age]]. His death date is given as March 25, 3019 of the Third Age. His life was extended far beyond its natural limits by the effects of possessing the [[One Ring]]. At the time of his death, Gollum was about 589 years old, a remarkable age for a creature who was once a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]], but he had been deformed and twisted in both body and mind by the corruption of the Ring. His chief desire was to possess the Ring which had enslaved him, and he pursued it for many years after he lost it.

== History ==
===Early Life===
Once a [[Stoors|Stoorish]] Hobbit, Sméagol spent the early years of his life living with his extended family under a Matriarch, his grandmother. Around the year T.A. 2463 Sméagol became the fourth Bearer of the One Ring, after [[Sauron]], [[Isildur]], and [[Déagol]]. Déagol was a close relative, and on Sméagol's birthday they went fishing in the [[Gladden Fields]]. It was there that Déagol found a gold ring, after being pulled into the water by a large fish. Sméagol demanded the ring as a birthday present and strangled Deágol when he refused. Sméagol was quickly corrupted further by the ring and, banished by his people, was forced to find a home in a cave in the [[Misty Mountains]]. The Ring's malignant influence twisted his Hobbit body and mind and prolonged his life far beyond its natural limits. He called it his "[[Precious]]" or his "Birthday Present," the latter as a justification for killing Déagol.

He lived in the Misty Mountains for over four hundred years, living on raw [[fish]], which he caught from his small raft, and [[Goblins]], and in later years he found Hobbit and [[Elves|Elven]] food repulsive.

During his centuries under the Ring's influence, he developed a sort of multiple personality disorder: Sméagol, his "good" personality, still vaguely remembered things like friendship and love, while Gollum, his "bad" personality, was a slave to the Ring and would kill anyone who tried to take it. Years later, [[Samwise Gamgee]] would name the good personality "Slinker" (for his fawning, eager-to-please demeanour), and the bad personality "Stinker". The two personalities often quarrelled when he talked to himself (as Tolkien put it, "through not having anyone else to speak to") and had a love/hate relationship, mirroring Gollum's love and hatred for the Ring and for himself.

===Departure of the Ring===
[[Image:Michael Hague - Riddles in the Dark.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''Riddles in the Dark'' by [[Michael Hague]].]]
In July [[Third Age 2941|T.A. 2941]], during the [[Quest of Erebor]], the Hobbit [[Bilbo Baggins]] stumbled upon the subterranean lake on which Gollum lived and found the Ring. Gollum had lost the Ring in the network of caves leading to the lake, though in fact it is more proper to say that the Ring abandoned Gollum, for it was known to have a will of its own. As [[Gandalf]] said later, it looked after itself, trying to get back to Sauron. After the famous [[Riddle-game|Riddle Game]], during which Gollum was unaware of his loss, Gollum refused to show Bilbo the promised way out and plotted to murder him. When he went to get his "birthday present," however, he found that it was gone. He suddenly realised the answer to Bilbo's last riddle - ''"What have I got in my pocket?"'' - and flew into a rage. Bilbo inadvertantly stumbled across the Ring's power of invisibility as he ran, allowing him to follow Gollum to the entrance of the cave. There, Bilbo at first thought to kill Gollum, but was overcome with pity, so he jumped over him to escape. As Bilbo ran, Gollum cried out, "Thief! Thief, Baggins! We hates it forever!"

Gollum left the Mountains and pursued Bilbo a few years later, but the trail was cold. He made his way into [[Mordor]], where he was captured and forced to reveal what he knew about the Ring. Gollum was then set free, but caught by [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]], who placed him in the care of the [[Silvan Elves]] living in [[Thranduil]]'s kingdom in [[Mirkwood]]. After a coordinated attack, he escaped into [[Moria]].

===The War of the Ring===
Gollum picked up the trail of the new [[Ring-bearer]], [[Frodo Baggins]], as he and the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] traveled through Moria. On [[January 15]], T.A. 3019 the Fellowship was divided when Gandalf disappeared while fighting a [[Durin's Bane|Balrog]]. Gollum continued trailing the remaining members. It is unknown how he crossed the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]], but he came with them to [[Lothlórien]] without their knowing. Gollum, floating on a log, followed their boats down [[Anduin]] to [[Rauros]]. He pursued [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] and [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] across the [[Emyn Muil]] when they struck out on their own towards Mordor. Gollum followed them, but after a confrontation in which he bit and nearly strangled Sam, Frodo subdued him. Frodo tied an [[Elves|Elvish]] rope around Gollum's ankle for a leash, but the mere touch of the rope pained him. Taking pity on the wretched creature, Frodo made Gollum swear to help them. Agreeing to the oath, Gollum swore by the "Precious" itself, and Frodo released him. The unlikely company, guided by Gollum, made their way to the [[Black Gate]], the entrance to Mordor.
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Gollum's Debate.jpg|thumb|left|175px|"Gollum's Debate" by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]
Frodo's kindness brought out the "Sméagol" personality, and he made at least some effort to keep his promise. The two had a strange sort of bond from both having been Ringbearers; in Gollum, Frodo saw his possible future, and so wanted to save him so he could save himself.

When the Black Gate was reached and found to be well guarded, Gollum convinced them not to go that way, saying that they would be caught and Sauron would regain the Ring. Gollum said he would lead them south, where he knew of another entrance into Mordor.

Frodo and Sam were caught by [[Faramir (son of Denethor II)|Faramir]], and Gollum followed them. When Frodo allowed Faramir to briefly take Sméagol prisoner, however, he felt betrayed, allowing the "Gollum" personality to take control. Faramir found out that the place Gollum was taking them was called [[Cirith Ungol]]. He then warned Frodo and Sam of the evil of that place.

Frodo, Sam, and Gollum left Faramir and began crossing the pass of Cirith Ungol in the border-mountains of the [[Ephel Dúath]]. Gollum visited the great spider [[Shelob]], because he was planning to betray the Hobbits to her and then get the Ring for himself. When he returned the Hobbits were asleep. The sight of Frodo sleeping nearly moved Gollum to repent. However, Sam woke up and spoke harshly to Gollum, and all hope of redemption was lost. Gollum followed through with his plan and led Frodo and Sam into [[Torech Ungol|Shelob's lair]].
[[Image:Peter Xavier Price - The Stairs of Cirith Ungol.jpg|right|thumb|185px|"The Stairs of Cirith Ungol" by [[Peter Xavier Price]].]]
Just as Frodo warned him, Gollum's betrayal of his oath ultimately led to his undoing, for Frodo and Sam escaped from Shelob's lair and came against all odds to the volcano [[Orodruin]], or Mount Doom. Gollum followed them all the way, seeking a chance to surprise them and take the Ring. When Frodo and Sam had almost reached their destination, he attacked, but failed to get the Ring. Sam, who had hated Gollum on sight, tried to bring himself to kill him, but relented out of sheer pity and disgust, turning his back on the beaten creature.

Moments later, Frodo was standing on the edge of the [[Crack of Doom]], but, unwilling to destroy the Ring, claimed it for himself and put it on. Then Gollum attacked again. The two fought whilst Frodo was invisible and finally Gollum bit off Frodo's finger.

Here Frodo's kindness in sparing Gollum's life was rewarded, for Gollum then teetered on the edge of the great pit, lost his balance and fell in, taking the Ring and finger with him with a last cry of "Preciouss!". Had Gollum not lived to play this final part, there would have been a good chance that Sauron would have regained the Ring, as he knew where Frodo was as soon as he put the Ring on.

==Other versions of the Legendarium==
In the first edition of ''[[The Hobbit]]'', Gollum did not appear quite as wretched or as bound to the Ring. Tolkien revised this characterisation to fit the concept of the Ruling Ring developed during the writing of ''The Lord of the Rings''. Tolkien then explained the version given in the first edition as a lie that Bilbo made up to tell the [[Thorin and Company|Dwarves]] and [[Gandalf]].<ref name="Christensen">[[Bonniejean Christensen]], [[Jared Lobdell]] (ed.), "Gollum's Character Transformation in ''The Hobbit''", published in ''[[A Tolkien Compass]]'', pages 7-26</ref>

==Description==
He is described as being small, with large eyes that seemed to glow, as well as a scrawny neck and soft clammy fingers. He moved like a spider, and several references suggest that he was black in color, though it could be said that it only looked like he was black, as most if not all of the descriptions were in the dark. In ''[[The Hobbit]]'' it is mentioned that he has six teeth, but this statement probably changed in the ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' as he had the ability to give deep bites, and was able to bite off Frodo's finger.

===Personality===
There is some debate about the nature of his impulse to kill Déagol. Some maintain that Sméagol, as a Hobbit, was good at heart, and it was entirely the Ring's doing. But the more popular and perhaps more likely opinion is that Sméagol was harboring dark thoughts to begin with. Their argument bases on several points, including...
# The sight of the Ring at the council or at many points in the journey of the Fellowship did not cause anyone to suddenly murdur someone else.
# It is possible for Hobbits to be evil; for instance, [[Ted Sandyman]] and [[Lotho Sackville-Baggins]].
# In the chapter ''[[The Shadow of the Past]]'', Gandalf mentions that Bilbo was corrupted far more slowly by the Ring because his adventures with it began with an act of mercy, while Gollum began his with murder.

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
<center><gallery>
Image:The Hobbit (2003) Gollum.JPG|<center>''[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)]]''</center>
Image:Lotr-rotk gollum poster.jpg|<center>''[[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King]]''</center>
Image:Gollum1 viv lotr.JPG|<center>''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)]]''</center>
</gallery></center>
'''1968: ''[[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Hobbit]]'':'''
:The voice of Gollum was performed by [[Wolfe Morris]].

'''1977: ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Hobbit]]'':'''
:Gollum is a frog-like green creature, voiced by [[Brother Theodore]].

'''1978: ''[[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:Gollum is depicted as a skinny, dark grey creature, voiced by [[Peter Woodthorpe]].

'''1979: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series)|Mind's Eye's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:[[Gail Chugg]] provided the voice of Gollum.

'''1980:''[[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Brother Theodore reprised his role from the earlier [[Rankin/Bass]] production. Some footage from ''The Hobbit'' was reused to introduce the viewer to the story.

'''1981: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:Gollum, again performed by [[Peter Woodthorpe]], has the first lines of the play (save [[Gerard Murphy|the narrator]]). He is described as "slimy and as dark than darkness".<ref>[[Brian Sibley]], [[Michael Bakewell]] (adaptors), ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)]], "[[The Long Awaited Party]]"</ref>

'''2001-3: ''[[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:Gollum is a CGI-motion capture creature voiced by actor [[Andy Serkis]]. He is barely glimpsed in ''[[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring|The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', where he is voiced by [[Dominic Monaghan]] in absence of Serkis. Gollum becomes a central character in ''[[Peter Jackson's The Two Towers|The Two Towers]]'' and ''[[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King|The Return of the King]]''. The groundbreaking CGI character was built around Serkis's voice, movements and expressions, sometimes by using a motion capture suit which recorded his movements and applied them to the digital character, and sometimes by the more laborious process of digitally "painting out" Serkis's image and replacing it with Gollum's. In one such shot in ''The Two Towers'', Serkis' real spittle can be seen emerging from Gollum's mouth.

:In ''The Return of the King'' Serkis himself appears in a flashback scene as Sméagol before his degeneration into Gollum. This scene was originally earmarked for ''The Two Towers'' but held back because it was felt that audiences would relate better to the original Sméagol once they were more familiar with who he became. The decision to include this scene meant that Gollum's face had to be redesigned for the second and third movies so that it would more closely resemble Serkis'.

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:Gollum, voiced by [[Quinton Flynn]], is seen thrice: first, in the introduction scene, he is stooping over his precious, dashing away from the camera. He is a creature in colour and clothing much like Jackson's version. He is briefly glimpsed again in [[Moria]], but not more than a dark shape with a green outline can be seen.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)]], "3 Passages"</ref> His most important role is in the final stages of the game: he can be seen atop several ridges, and can even be visited on a rock on the shores of [[Nen Hithoel]]. He throws a [[fish]], the "Xiphiidae", at "[[Aragorn II|Ranger]]". This will become the most deadly weapon in the game, and replaces [[Andúril]] in the weapon slots.<ref>''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)]]'', "Amon Hen"</ref>

'''2003: ''[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|Sierra's The Hobbit'']]:'''
:Gollum appears in a cut scene after the level "Riddles in the Dark". Only Bilbo's last riddle - "What have I got in my pocket?" - is shown, after which Gollum spouts out all possible answers in one sentence rather than in three turns. Gollum is a dark grey, hobbit-like creature with seven spiky teeth, who walks on all fours like an ape would. He is voiced by [[Daran Norris]].<ref>''[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)]]'', "Riddles in the Dark"</ref>

== Etymology==
Sméagol's name is [[Old English]] one, from ''sméah'', and adjective meaning "''creeping in, penetrating''". This title was also applied by the Anglo-Saxons to the Biblical Cain, from the story of Cain's murder of his brother Abel in Genesis. This draws a clear connection between the two.

Sméagol's "real" name was ''[[Trahald]]'', of the meaning "burrowing, worming in" or "apt to creep into a hole". In both [[Westron]] and Old English, Sméagol's name is related to [[Smaug]]'s: Smaug's name in "true Dalish" was ''Trâgu'', and the ''Trah-'' stem in Trahald and Trâgu is thus a cognate of the Germanic stem present in both Sméagol and Smaug.

===Pronunciation===
In both the 1981 BBC radio adaptation and in Peter Jackson's films ''Sméagol'' is pronounced as "SMEE-gol", although the placement of the acute accent suggests that the correct pronunciation is "SMAY-uh-gol". On the other hand, in [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s recordings of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' he also pronounced it "SMEE-gol" or "SMEE-AH-GOL", suggesting that ''éa'' should either be pronounced as a long "i"-sound or as a diphthong ''ea'', and not as two distinct vowels "e" and "a". Tolkien had a habit in his writing to put diacritics in varying places, as can also be seen in the name ''[[Eärendil]]'', which also occurs spelt ''Ëarendil''.

{{sequence|prev=[[Déagol]]|next=[[Bilbo Baggins]]|list=[[Ring-bearer]] c. [[Third Age 2463|T.A. 2463]] - [[Third Age 2941|2941]]}} 
{{sequence|prev=[[Frodo Baggins]]|next=''none'' (destroyed)|list=[[Ring-bearer]] briefly, [[March 25]], [[Third Age 3019|3019]]}}

== External links ==
*[http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/329/7480/1435?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=gollum&searchid=1103349387213_18575&stored_search=&FIRSTINDEX=0&volume=329&issue=7480 Medical Students Profile of Gollum]

==References==
<references/>
[[Category:Hobbits]]
[[Category:Ring-bearers]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[de:Gollum]]
[[fi:Klonkku]]

Dwalin

2009-01-13T22:46:03Z

Icelegs:

{{dwarves infobox
| image=[[Image:Angelo Montanini - Dwalin.jpg|250px]]
| name=Dwalin
| othernames=
| life=[[Third Age 2772|T.A. 2772]] - [[Fourth Age 91|Fo.A. 91]]
| realm= [[Thorin's Halls]], [[Erebor]]
| parentage=[[Fundin]]
| lineage=[[Durin's line]]
| hood=Dark-Green
| gender=Male
|}}

'''Dwalin''', son of [[Fundin]] and younger brother of [[Balin]], is one of the least mentioned Dwarves in ''[[The Hobbit]]''. He was the first Dwarf to arrive at [[Bag End]]. He wore a dark green hood and a golden belt and had a blue beard. Like his brother he plays the viol. '''Dwalin''' lent a hood and cloak to Bilbo when they set out on their journey.

==Life==
=== King Thráin's Expedition===
Nothing is known about Dwalin's childhood. He is first mentioned accompanying King [[Thráin II]] with a few others including his brother Balin, on the king's attempt to reclaim Erebor; but the king wandered off one night at the eves of [[Mirkwood]] and his company looked everywhere for him but they did not know that he was captured by the servants of [[Sauron]] and taken to the dungeons of [[Dol Guldur]]. So the company headed back to the northern [[Ered Luin]]; where Thráin had previously established a new kingdom and was now ruled by his son [[Thorin Oakenshield]].

== [[Quest of Erebor]] ==

Decades after Thráin's disappearance, Thorin and his people were doing well in there new home, but ever they remembered [[Erebor]], and their treasure. When the king -by the advise of the wizard [[Gandalf]]- decided to reclaim Erebor, he called together a small company of his kin and followers to join him. Dwalin was one of these. Along with Balin, Dwalin set off with twelve other Dwarves to the Lonely mountain of Erebor.

took part in the [[Battle of Dale]] during the [[War of the Ring]].

Dwalin supposedly died in [[Fourth Age|IV]] 91 at the age of 340, very old even for a Dwarf.

== Genealogy ==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | FAR | | | | | | |FAR=[[Farin]]}}
{{familytree| | | |,|-|-|-|^|-|-|-|.| | | |}}
{{familytree| | | FUN | | | | | | GRO | | |FUN=[[Fundin]]|GRO=[[Gróin]]}}
{{familytree| |,|-|^|-|.| | | |,|-|^|-|.| |}}
{{familytree| BAL | | DWA | | OIN | | GLO |BAL=[[Balin]]|DWA='''DWALIN'''|OIN=[[Óin son of Gróin|Óin]]|GLO=[[Glóin son of Gróin|Glóin]]}}
{{familytree/end}}

==Etymology==
The name Dwalin is derived from "Dvalinn", a Dwarf from Norse mythology, which means 'Torpid'.

{{Template:Thorin and Company}}

[[Category:Dwarves]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[de:Dwalin]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:nains:3a:dwalin]]
[[fi:Dwalin]]

Dwalin

2009-01-13T22:45:37Z

Icelegs:

{{dwarves infobox
| image=[[Image:Angelo Montanini - Dwalin.jpg|250px]]
| name=Dwalin
| othernames=
| life=[[Third Age 2772|T.A. 2772]] - [[Fourth Age 91|Fo.A. 91]]
| realm= [[Thorin's Halls]], [[Erebor]]
| parentage=[[Fundin]]
| lineage=[[Durin's line]]
| hood=Dark-Green
| gender=Male
|}}

'''Dwalin''', son of [[Fundin]] and younger brother of [[Balin]], is one of the least mentioned Dwarves in ''[[The Hobbit]]''. He was the first Dwarf to arrive at [[Bag End]]. He wore a dark green hood and a golden belt and had a blue beard. Like his brother he plays the viol. '''Dwalin''' lent a hood and cloak to Bilbo when they set out on their journey.Dwalin is one of the least mentioned dwarves in [[The Hobbit]]

==Life==
=== King Thráin's Expedition===
Nothing is known about Dwalin's childhood. He is first mentioned accompanying King [[Thráin II]] with a few others including his brother Balin, on the king's attempt to reclaim Erebor; but the king wandered off one night at the eves of [[Mirkwood]] and his company looked everywhere for him but they did not know that he was captured by the servants of [[Sauron]] and taken to the dungeons of [[Dol Guldur]]. So the company headed back to the northern [[Ered Luin]]; where Thráin had previously established a new kingdom and was now ruled by his son [[Thorin Oakenshield]].

== [[Quest of Erebor]] ==

Decades after Thráin's disappearance, Thorin and his people were doing well in there new home, but ever they remembered [[Erebor]], and their treasure. When the king -by the advise of the wizard [[Gandalf]]- decided to reclaim Erebor, he called together a small company of his kin and followers to join him. Dwalin was one of these. Along with Balin, Dwalin set off with twelve other Dwarves to the Lonely mountain of Erebor.

took part in the [[Battle of Dale]] during the [[War of the Ring]].

Dwalin supposedly died in [[Fourth Age|IV]] 91 at the age of 340, very old even for a Dwarf.

== Genealogy ==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | FAR | | | | | | |FAR=[[Farin]]}}
{{familytree| | | |,|-|-|-|^|-|-|-|.| | | |}}
{{familytree| | | FUN | | | | | | GRO | | |FUN=[[Fundin]]|GRO=[[Gróin]]}}
{{familytree| |,|-|^|-|.| | | |,|-|^|-|.| |}}
{{familytree| BAL | | DWA | | OIN | | GLO |BAL=[[Balin]]|DWA='''DWALIN'''|OIN=[[Óin son of Gróin|Óin]]|GLO=[[Glóin son of Gróin|Glóin]]}}
{{familytree/end}}

==Etymology==
The name Dwalin is derived from "Dvalinn", a Dwarf from Norse mythology, which means 'Torpid'.

{{Template:Thorin and Company}}

[[Category:Dwarves]]
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[de:Dwalin]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:nains:3a:dwalin]]
[[fi:Dwalin]]

User talk:Icelegs

2009-01-13T22:41:29Z

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