Other Minds Content Magazine Main Features Issue 3 2 Editorial – Third time is a charm May 2008 5 Of Barrow-wights – Part Two Publisher Neville Percy Other Minds Volunteers 9 J.R.R. Tolkien, Words, Phrases & Passages in The Lord of the Rings - A Editors Assistant Editors Game Designer’s Guide to Parma Eldalamberon 17 Hawke Robinson Chris Seeman Chris Seeman Thomas Morwinsky Chris Wade 15 The Rings of Power – history and abilities Proofreaders Art Director Thomas Morwinsky Neville Percy Hawke Robinson 31 The Palantíri Oliver Schick Chris Seeman Thom Denholm Production Staff 34 The Guild of Venturers and the Hawke Robinson Thomas Morwinsky Númenórean colonies Hawke Robinson Eric Dubourg

Other Features 43 Fine print Next Issue’s featured theme will be 44 Creative Commons license Supplement: Umbar-dalad (“Under Umbar”) Dwarves Hawke Robinson submission deadline is: July 1 st 2008

Unless otherwise noted, every contribution in this magazine is published under the CreativeCommons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license (b n a)) The exact license of a given contribution can be found at the beginning of each contribution. OTHER MINDS MAGAZINE Editorial: Third time is a charm

First and foremost: We are very late! Sever- role-playing-oriented –elaborations on the is- Last but not least al real-life reasons, technical problems and sue. Not all has gone well in the past months, Other Minds other responsibilities have delayed Second comes a highly insightful review of and you might have noticed that not every- #3 well beyond its original schedule. Despite the latest issue of the Parma Eldalamberon, thing that was announced in the last issue has that, we are still here – and this is a good dealing with Tolkien’s invented languages. materialized as promised. This applies both to thing. Chris Seeman provides us with the most inter- the Uswë Númenorello supplement as well as the Now what you see before you is the third is- esting parts that concern RPG issues. This rating option for all Other Minds issues on the sue of Other Minds! And that alone is a cause brings us much in the way of new first-hand website. Please accept our apologies for these for celebration. By now we have a small but information on the Northwest of Middle- delays. The rating form is now finished at last. steady stream of contributions, so that the earth. Some of this conflicts with established Please log in on the Other Minds website. The magazine slowly works in the way we want it RPG canons, while others shed light on some image below shows the position of the link to be: A broad forum for various visions and rarely touched topics. In either case, this ex- (green circle) on the website once you are interpretations of Middle-earth. cellent read is a real jewel for every Tolkien logged in. The more ratings that are given for Compared to Issue #2, this incarnation of enthusiast. each issue and contribution, the better the Other Minds may seem as a hodgepodge of Our third contribution is an extensive essay overall picture will be. All of you can help us themes, but this diversity is deliberate. We about the Rings of Power by co-editor Thomas to make Other Minds ever better by giving us a want to have a healthy mix of “themed” and Morwinsky – their purpose, history and even- good picture of what you like best. “free” issues. For either of these, it’s mostly tual fate. Many of this may seem obvious, but We will provide a comprehensive statistic in your active input that influences our decisions. a lot of misconceptions – both by RPG and one of the next issues, once the number of rat- If you want to see certain specific theme treat- movie sources suggest some interpretations ings allow a reasonably resilient analysis of the ed of Middle-earth treated in our pages over a distinctly different from Tolkien’s intentions. data. The more ratings we get, the better! whole issue, please make workable suggestions We hope you find this treatise as informative how to fill it. If we do not get specific sugges- as we do. Thomas Morwinsky tions backed up by fitting contributions (or To make a good thing even better, Chris May 2008 drafts that illustrate your point), we will make Seeman is present with a second contribution “thematic” issues according to what we deem – this time he provides us with a combined es- best. say on the academic aspects of This is in no way a rant about missing con- the palantíri plus stats for their tributions – quite the contrary! As said above, use in Decipher’s Lord of the we do get fine submissions. We only want to Rings Role-playing Game. We make clear that you as our readers and con- are happy to have a contribu- tributors may also shape the content of the tion that applies to both of our magazine! Commit yourself and you might see target audiences – the more your pet theme treated in great depth! academically-minded as well So far, for some general musings, what we as the gamers. have in the pages of Other Minds this time is – Last but not least of the sub- in our opinion – a great mix of various topics: missions for this essay comes Eric Dubourg’s essay on the Guild of Venturers and the Content Númenórean colonies in Mid- We are glad to announce that we indeed dle-earth. It should have been have a good range of contributions ranging published already in our previ- from the very scholarly to the more gaming- ous issue, but unfortunately, it and practically-related. could not be made ready in We start with Neville Percy’s second part of time. Now we catch up with his treatment of the Barrow-wights. This that and hope that with all the makes a fine final chapter on this topic. We essays on the Númenórean ac- think that with the Barrow-wights completely tivities now available – includ- discussed, few questions concerning Tolkien’s ing the present one – there is ideas and inspirations for these creatures re- a sound basis for more work main unanswered. This comprehensive treat- that builds on these! ment is the perfect base for further – more 2 ISSUE 3, JANUARY 2008 Addendum In conjunction with Other Minds Magazine Is- There is also a dedicated chat room for peo- An additional number of notes. Many thanks sue 3, I have made available MerpCon II's ple who like real time conversations, so please to Thomas for stepping up with so much hard campaign Umbar-dalan (“Under Umbar”). I swing by the website and click the “Chat work and long hours dealing with technical was tempted to submit the MerpCon III mod- room” link on the left to join with any Java-en- and content issues. He really was the key to ule “First Contact”, but it is a massive cam- abled web browser. this issue actually getting completed. paign, and needs some cleanup before release. The upcoming issue #4 of OM is meant to Maybe it will come OM6. Of course, what correspond with being released at MerpCon As for the “Escape From Númenor” (Uswë we’d really like to see is modules submitted Númenorello) module, a (nearly finished) re- IV. In this spirit, we are attempting to have from everyone else, so please start sending in the magazine theme correspond with the con- lease is now available, basically an entire issue your adventure modules, with any theme or behind. It still has some rough spots and is a vention theme of “Dwarves” (see setting in Eä, so we can start lining them up http://www.merpcon.org for more details work in progress, but you can download the for upcoming issues. latest snapshot from http://www.numenor- on the convention). So if you have ANY topics project.com. There are many significant functionality im- related to Tolkien's Dwarves, please start provements coming soon to the website as sending in your submissions as soon as possi- Eventually, with the help of feedback from well. In addition to Thomas’ mentioning of ble. Send email to [email protected]. readers, a fully polished and finished version the Survey forms (please send any bugs, sug- Even if you only have a rough outline, letting will materialize and be integrated with the gestions or problem reports to webmas- us know will help, so please don't be shy! printed version of Other Minds magazine Issue [email protected]) , an additional feature com- Finally, we could really use some more #2. Hopefully this will materialize before ing up very soon includes forums that will link MerpCon IV. artwork submissions to the magazine, so with email notification, and subscribing to any please, if you have any content you think We are really hoping to get a module sub- piece of content to be notified of any changes would fit any issue, don't hesitate to contact us mission for OM4 in time, that fits the Dwar- or comments (this goes beyond typical RSS and send your works. ven theme coming up with the next issue. So if subscription feeds, though that is already sup- Many thanks to everyone for all their sup- you have such a campaign or adventure, please ported on the website). Please watch the web- port in making this magazine better with each submit it as soon as possible to your trusted site for notifications. issue! publishers!

Hawke Robinson May 2008

3 OTHER MINDS MAGAZINE

BarukBaruk Khazâd!Khazâd! KhazâdKhazâd aiai mênu!mênu! MerpCon (Middle-earth Role Playing Convention) is the only annual non-commercial, non-profit, international convention focused exclusively on role playing gaming in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth.

With guest speaker: John D. Rateliff author of “The History of The Hobbit”. Limited seating is available, so be sure to register today! Yes. It is what so many have been clamoring for: Dwarven adventure! This year's convention theme is focused on the oft misunderstood race, Dwarves.

Each year many of the participants at MerpCon have asked, nay, plead for Dwarven adventures. We have heard your plea. And so it has finally come to pass. The theme for MerpCon IV, 2008 will be Dwarven adventure. Now, those of you who are not quite so enthusiastic about Dwarves, need not fret. This does not mean everyone will be forced to play a Dwarf character. It merely means the campaigns/adventures will have something of particular relevance to the Dwarves. We have multiple Game Masters with specific campaigns in mind, chomping at the bit (or is that beard?).

MerpCon IV's theme also corresponds to the release of Other Minds Magazine Issue 4 (http://www.omzine.org ) being Dwarven themed as well. This year's event takes place on the last weekend of July (25th, 26th &-27th), Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The online RSVP form is now available to register. http://www.merpcon.org/rsvp/

This event is held each year in scenic Spokane, Washington, USA. This is a completely volunteer-run and free event open to the public. Visit our website, join the forums and announcement lists, chat room or email us for any questions at: www.merpcon.org

4 ISSUE 2, JANUARY 2008 Of Barrow-wights Part Two

by Neville Percy © 2008 Historical Sources and b n a 1 per the terms of the CC license: the evolution of concepts Wight (wә it), sb. arch. [OE. Tolkien disliked analysis of the influences of wiht = OS., OHG., MHG. wiht, his own life on his work, but he found his ON. véttr, vítr, Goth. waiht sources in the things that interested him and (ni...waiht nothing); ulterior would surely have approved of other people connexions unc. Cf. AUGHT, NAUGHT, finding pleasure in the same things. NOUGHT.] †1. A living being; a creature –1587. b. orig. and chiefly In Other Minds, Issue 1 we published an excellent We know from his lectures in Beowulf: the with (good or bad) epithet, applied to essay on the Barrow-wights. While being really Monsters and the Critics that Tolkien was famil- supernatural, preternatural, or good in itself (and especially in the applied sense), iar with the work of Andrew Lang, the gentle- unearthly beings. Obs. or rare arch. it was not wholly complete. This fact was also ad- man credited with coining the term "Bar- OE. 2. A human being, man or dressed in the essay itself, expressing the hope to rowwight" (sic): woman, person. Now arch. or dial. place a follow-up later. In Nomenclature Tolkien writes (often implying contempt or Now, here you see this follow-up before you. It is that barrow-wights are ‘creatures commiseration). ME. †3. In advb. much more academic in style, dealing with the dwelling in a barrow “grave- phrases, qualified by no, any, a little sources available to Tolkien, and that he – perhaps mound”.... It is an invented or the like: (A certain) amount; for – used to create his Barrow-wights. It makes clear name....’2 But the Oxford English (any, a little etc.) time or distance. – that these creatures had some models but that they Dictionary attributes the first use of 1470. are highly original too. this word combination to Andrew If you ever wanted to know how Tolkien came to Lang, in Essays in Little (1891): ‘In Wight (wә it), a. (adv.) arch. and “his” Barrow-wights, this one is for you! the graves where treasures were dial. ME. [a. ON. vígt, neur. of hoarded the Barrowwights dwelt, vígr of fighting age, skilled in arms, ghosts that were sentinels over the f. OTeut. *wī g-, (waig-, wig-), as in gold’. OE. wíg battle, fight, wiga warrior.] – The Lord of the Rings: A 1. Of persons, actions, etc.: Strong Reader’s Companion, and courageous, esp. in warfare; Hammond and Scull having or showing prowess; valiant, doughty, bold. 2. Strong, vigorous, As a leading professor of Old and Middle robust, stalwart; exercising strength, English, Tolkien must have had at least as fine energetic. ME. 3. Moving briskly or a sensibility for the connotations of “barrow- rapidly; active, agile; swift, fleet. wight” as Lang himself. The Oxford English late ME. Dictionary gives “wight” several glosses: – Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, 1936 (my underlined emphasis) The emphasized entry broadly defines “wight” as a supernatural or unearthly being: a spirit, much as the Old Norse cognate vættr, seen in the Icelandic landvættir and sjóvættir, the spirits of land and sea, and direct counter- parts of the ëalar spirit beings of Tolkien’s own early writings. The overall impression created by the term “wight”, then, takes in the general undefined sense of a fellow, almost ‘the man in the mound’, but also implying a supernatu- ral aspect and further drawing on the second definition to imply a potent foe. If Lang coined the term “barrowwight”, it 5 OTHER MINDS MAGAZINE must have been in reflection of the folklore man imagining “barrow-wights and bogies”7 in Tolkien made this note to himself: tradition of ghostly, undead or supernatural the darkness. Since this was Tolkien's offering Barrow-wights related to Black- beings in the burial mounds of north-western of a ‘sequel’ to the Anglo-Saxons’ poem The riders. Are Black-riders actually Europe. Faeries are associated with the hol- Battle of Maldon he clearly thought the term horsed Barrow-wights? low hills, i.e. burial mounds, and traditions “barrow-wight” an appropriate one for the An- – Tom Bombadil in HoME VI from Ireland to Scandinavia often show con- glo-Saxons to have used themselves. p. 118, dating from early 1938 siderable overlap between the faerie folk or 3 But the Barrow-wights of The Lord of the elves and the spirits of the dead. But Rings are also Tolkien’s own creation. They He was initially undecided as to which of grave-dwelling beings that stand in guardian- are neither haugbúar sorcerers who went into them were heard in the night outside the ship of the treasure in their mounds are more the grave on their own terms and somehow house of Tom Bombadil, and Elrond later says, of a Germanic than a Celtic tradition. “The Barrow-wights I knew of, for they are evaded the consequences of natural death, nor 9 The word “barrow” comes to us from the draugar who were caused to rise again as the closely akin to the Riders”. But the distinct Old English language spoken by the Germanic unquiet dead. natures of the two subsequently emerged, and Angles and Saxons, in their OE word beorg the relationship between them came to be one 4 In line with the consciously Catholic world- of allegiance rather than similarity, in that the that meant a grave-mound or tumulus. But view informing the metaphysics of Middle- the Germanic peoples who arrived in Britain Lord of the Nazgûl was responsible for the earth, Tolkien allows nothing to interfere with wights’ infesting the Barrow-downs. and found such mounds (in fact dating from the passage of the souls of the deceased to the the Neolithic period through to the late Halls of Mandos, and has their blasphemous A later draft includes an interesting notion Bronze Age) framed them within their own animation as the work of other, intrusive spir- that the Númenóreans’ desire for immortality pagan tradition of raising grave-mounds for its sent by the Lord of the Nazgûl. This device led them (presumably via sorcery or necro- their chieftains, and the tradition that the dead therefore becomes a parallel of the medieval mancy) to a mode of Barrow-wightish undeath in some way lived on within their barrows. Church’s explanations for the persistent folk perhaps similar to that of the haugbúar. But Details of the Anglo-Saxon tradition must belief in the walking dead. Tolkien subsequently rejected the passage that included this: be inferred from the broadly parallel Old One of the Catholic Homilies of the Anglo- Norse culture, of which far more has survived Saxon abbot Ælfric (d. circa 1020) stresses the “The world has changed much to the present day, and in which the walking since I [Elrond speaking] was last in 5 fact that there is no true magical power of dead are known as draugar and haugbúar (liter- necromancy: the West. The Barrow-wights we ally: “howe-dwellers”).6 Such beings are usu- knew of by many names” '17' [...] ally described in the sagas as having been dis- Witches still travel to where roads meet '17' In a rejected draft of this passage tasteful in life: ill-mannered, ugly and and to heathen graves with their illus- Elrond goes on: “There are others elsewhere, 8 wherever the men of Númenor sought dark odorous, often pagan (the sagas having been ory skill and call out to the devil and knowledge under the shadow of death in Christianized by the time they were written he comes to them in the guise of the Middle-earth, and they are akin to the down), or even sorcerers such as the “witch- person who lies buried there, as if he [Ringwraiths].” king” Thráinn. They remained recognisably would arise from the dead – but she – The Council of Elrond (2), the same person in death, unchanged unless cannot really make it happen, that the The Treason of Isengard p. their unpleasant qualities became more exag- dead man should arise through her 152 & 158 (my bold emphasis) wizardry. gerated. The howe-dwellers remained in their – quoted in Leechcraft, S. Pol- Another rejected note proposed a scene in mounds, only attacking treasure-seekers who lington (Anglo-Saxon Books) which Barrow-wights pursued Bombadil and broke into their barrows. The draugar, how- (my bold emphasis) the hobbits, but Bombadil turned and raised ever, might either be raised from the battle- his right hand and they shrunk back. This is slain by sorcery to carry on the fight as un- again reminiscent of the later development of dauntable warriors of immense strength who It was the belief in the Middle Ages that bodies buried in unconsecrated ground might the Nazgûl shrinking back when Frodo raised could not be stopped by normal wounds, or his sword and invoked Elbereth (though the might be the unquiet dead leaving the grave to be possessed by fiends and demons and sub- jected to all the indignities that their cavorting sword being one of the ones from the barrow- maraud over the countryside during the hours hoard, of darkness. They seem particularly to fight would cause (including any damage to their corpses handicapping their new bodies when “bound about with spells by grappling with the saga-heroes (a bestial at- for the bane of Mordor” tribution or a device making for a more horrif- they arose at Judgement Day). Tolkien ap- pears either to have adopted or independently must also have been significant in that). The ic encounter; both are also equally true of Be- gesture of the raised right hand also survived owulf’s foe, the sometimes draugr-like to have re-invented this explanation for the belief that the dead can be made to walk again. into the final version, where Bombadil used it Grendel), and are often slain by beheading when he commanded the hobbits to awaken. with a sword from their own barrow and their Beginning with this construct, Tolkien bodies subsequently burnt. seems rather to have felt his way towards what Nothing further is written of the nature of the Barrow-wights as it emerged from this Perhaps a dozen such figures exist in the 'had to be' the nature of the Barrow-wights. The earliest notes for The Lord of the Rings had creative process, except in the text of The Lord Old Norse corpus, and Tolkien may reason- of the Rings itself. ably be expected to have known them all. In the intention to use Barrow-wights, whilst the Black Riders were only introduced in "an un- The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth, Beorhthelm’s premeditated turn" some way into its writing, Son (publ. 1953 but possibly written in the but in the early stages of development the two 40’s) he made a passing mention of a fearful were sufficiently close in conception that 6 ———————————————————————————————————— ISSUE 3, JANUARY 2008

Notes “We don’t let Forest-folk nor bogies from the Barrows cross 1 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by- over Brandywine...” (my emphasis) nc-sa/3.0/ 8 The word translated as “illusory skill” is 2 The full quotation reads: gedwimore, familiar to us as the precursor of Barrow-wights. Creatures Tolkien’s dwimmerlaik. dwelling in a ‘barrow’ (grave- 9 In The House of Elrond, The Return of the mound); see Barrow under Place- Shadow, HoME VI, p. 401 names. It is an invented name: an equivalent should be invented. The Dutch translation has grafgeest 'grave-ghost'; the Swedish has Kummelgast 'gravemound-ghost'. – JRR Tolkien, A [Translator's] Guide to the Names in the Lord of the Rings 3 The episode in which hole-dwelling hob- bits, destined to fade and survive only as a mythical ‘little people’, are opposed by a mound-dwelling barrow-wight justaposes the two poles of this blurred tradition. 4 barrow (2) “mound,” O.E. beorg (W.Saxon), berg (Anglian) “hill,” from P.Gmc. *bergaz (cf. O.S., O.Fris., O.H.G. berg “mountain,” O.N. bjarg “rock”), from PIE base *bheregh- “high, elevated” (cf. O.C.S. bregu “mountain, height,” O.Ir. brigh “mountain,” Skt. b’rhant “high,” O.Pers. bard- “be high”). Obsolete except in place-names and southwest England dialect by 1400; revived by archaeology. Barrow-wight first recorded 1891.– http://www.etymonline.com/index.php? term=barrow 5 In origin the ON. word draugr (pl.-ar) was related to the word for dream and meant ghost or phantom, but the Norse conception of these dead is very much as physical beings: ... it is clear that the haunting is done by the actual dead body itself, which leaves its gravemound and is possessed of superhuman strength and unlimited malice. When the body is destroyed, the power of the draugr is at an end. – HR Ellis, The Road to Hel, p. 94 They are sometimes described as death- black or corpse-blue, which finds a noteworthy echo in Tolkien’s Sindarin ‘Draugluin’, combining draug and -luin, or blue. (Noted by Michael Martinez.) 6 The O.N. word haugr survives in the modern “howe”, and is notably close to Tolkien's Sindarin elvish “haudh” for burial mound. 7 Bombadil Goes Boating also has the line: 7 OTHER MINDS MAGAZINE

Ambarquenta is a role-playing game specifically designed for J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary land of Middle-earth. In this effort, it is our goal to produce a game system that is all at once enjoyable, flexible, balanced, and playable, but we also strive to remain true to Tolkien’s shining literary examples. Ambarquenta (meaning ‘Tale of Fate’ in Quenya or High-elvish) aims at experienced roleplayers who desire a complex, yet intuitively comprehendible set of rules which provides hooks for the Turambar (i.e., the Gamemaster) to develop his stories, instead of distracting from them. At the time being, preview release 5.0 is available for download from our website, located at www.ambarquenta.com. It comes as a 214-page PDF-document, containing all chapters on character creation. To open and print this eBook and future preview releases, you’ll need to type the password, ‘ambarmeldor’ (meaning ‘Friends of Fate’ in Quenya). The current preview version of Ambarquenta features a brief Introduction to the game’s mechanics, and chapters on Your Character’s Tale (1), Attributes (2), Races and Cultures (3), Skills (4), Abilities and Flaws (5), Weapons and Gear (6), Finishing Touches (7), Character Improvement (8) and Adventuring (9). In addition, Appendix A introduces you to the optional concept of everyday Occupations. With a little creativity to fill in the gaps and the convenient Microsoft-Excel-based character sheet (also available for download from www.ambarquenta.com), an experienced group of gamers should well be able to start a game of Ambarquenta; in any case you’ll get an excellent impression of the game’s mechanics and features from the preview. Expect detailed chapters dealing with Combat (10), Magic (11), prominent (NPC) Lords of Middle-earth (12), a Bestiary (13), and appendices on various topics such as herbs and poisons and creature design in future versions of Ambarquenta. We’d greatly appreciate to learn what you think about the published material, and, of course, about your ideas for improving the game’s existing and completing its missing chapters. The best way to get in touch with us and our friends who are involved in the design process of Ambarquenta is to discuss your ideas and suggestions in the Heren Turambarion’s forum, located at http://ambarquenta.tt.cx.

Design Principles While downloading the rulebook, you might be interested to learn a little more about our design principles: First, Ambarquenta is a fairly ‘realistic’ game. Of course there will be magic spells (as well as other forms of magic) and everything else a fair Middle-earth RPG requires, but certain conditions of real world physics are still represented by the system. Hence, it isn’t the kind of game in which you can create ridiculously overpowered starting characters, or ever hope to become a cinematic superhero. The second principle is playability, and this frequently overrules realism. The most accurate combat system isn’t worth a penny if it makes a simple encounter last for hours, or (and this was even more important to us when we decided to write an RPG ourselves) if the Turambar has to keep too many details in mind. Thus, realism governs the character creation and improvement process, while playability dominates the actual game play. So prepare for fast-moving play-rules that are far more realistic and satisfying than those you may know from many other major roleplaying games. Another important element is flexibility. A character has the opportunity to learn or practise almost any skill or ability, without the usual limitations by abstract concepts such as levels, character classes, or character points. Nevertheless, by the system’s inherent mechanics, your character will show a unique pattern from the beginning on, a personal aptitude towards being whatever you want him to be... THE HEREN TURAMBARION Creators of Ambarquenta eMail [email protected] Home www.ambarquenta.com Forum http://ambarquenta.tt.cx

8 ———————————————————————————————————— ISSUE 3, JANUARY 2008 J.R.R. Tolkien, Words, Phrases & Passages in The Lord of the Rings — A Game Designer’s Guide to Parma Eldalamberon 17

by Chris Seeman © 2008 Approach ([email protected]) Like all of Tolkien’s linguistic output, WPP b n a 1 per the terms under CC license: is a complex document. It consists of a list of The Tolkien invented words appearing in the published LotR, annotated by extensive commentary. Email List To this the editor, Christopher Gilson, has ap- pended an alphabetical index of Eldarin roots The eldest of the lists Tolkien composed around the same time as This Tolkien discussion group has existed since WPP proper (ca. 1957-1967). The result is the First Age before the world was made round..... dense and often highly technical. It is not for Tolkien’s linguistic writings contain a wealth of Join and contribute the feint-hearted. The multiple layers of Our list has existed since the late 1990s with data concerning Middle-earth that can enrich virtu- changing interpretation (sometimes left unre- many members who have been here for years ally every aspect of game design: history, topo- solved) can be confusing, and isolated gems of beyond count.... graphy, culture, nomenclature, magic and meta- information are often buried beneath material physics. Much of the excitement (and frustration) of not directly relevant to game design. Now we have moved to Google and have become this largely untapped corpus is the fact that it is a private Google Group. still being published as we speak—years after the Given these and other formidable challenges To request to subscribe to this group, please visit final volume of the History of Middle-earth series to using WPP, I have undertaken to compile the following page: hit the shelves. The Elvish Linguistic Fellowship here a preliminary “laundry-list” of what seem http://groups.google.com/group/tolkien_list/subs (http://www.elvish.org/) has been responsible for to me the most valuable items from a game cribe?hl=en-GB the vast majority of these publications, authorized design perspective, along with some of my or contact [email protected] by the Tolkien Trust and prepared with the approv- own suggestions as to their significance or im- (Elena Rossi, ½ Listowner) al of Christopher Tolkien. The most recent labor, a plications. Consider what follows the “Read- 220-page tome entitled Words, Phrases & Passages er’s Digest” version for the uninitiated. It I. Place Names in The Lord of the Rings (henceforth WPP), was should be noted, however, that not all details published last year as issue 17 of Parma Eldalam- found in WPP can automatically be treated as Akallabêth (111) beron. Tolkien’s “definitive” statement on the subject Because the tale bearing this title is about without first undertaking a thorough study of the Downfall of Númenor, Akallabêth has his other late (post-LotR) writings. What I of- sometimes been glossed as “Downfall.” This is fer here should be regarded as an invitation to an error. Here Tolkien supplies an explicit further research and creative application, since gloss: (she that has) Downfallen. the length of the original text cannot be com- Akallabêth is the name of the sunken island it- prehensively summarized in such a short trea- self, not the event that caused it to sink. tise as this one Arnor (28) I organize the items below into five broad Tolkien glosses Arnor as King’s Land (in- topical categories: 1) place names (toponyms), terpreting it as a reduced, colloquial form of 2) personal names, 3) gentilic names (names Q. Arandóre, S. Arannor). The name reflects of peoples), 4) theology & metaphysics, and 5) the fact that this was “the most important of miscellany. Beside each item I list the page(s) Elendil’s realms,” and was intended to distin- in WPP where this entry appears. guish that realm from the Blue Mountains and Lindon, the parts of Eriador “which were Elvish” (i.e., under Elven rule). What, then, was the zone of Númenórean settlement in Eriador called prior to Elendil’s royal claim to it in SA 3320? Tolkien reveals 9 OTHER MINDS MAGAZINE that Arnor was also referred to by “[a]nother had a sharp apex (see above) would seem Helevorn (37) name that soon fell out of general colloquial problematic for ICE’s topographical interpre- Tolkien interprets this Sindarin form as use:” (Realm of the) North-harbourage tation of Amon Lanc as a volcano crowned by hele(dh)vorn, black glass, as a translation of (Q. Turmen Follondiéva; for short: Forolondië a steep cinder cone. Khuzdul Narag-zâram (*“black-lake;” cf. Mir- (Follondië); S. (Arthor [artaure] na) Forlonnas)— rormere and Mordor below). in contrast to Gondor, “(Realm of the) South- Dorwinion (54) harbourage.” (See Gondor entry below.) Tolkien analyzes this toponym as Sindarin, Isengard/Angrenost (32-33) Tolkien does not specify when this colloquial- but offers two mutually exclusive glosses: Tolkien remarks that the sense of “iron” ism first emerged. The prefix, “Realm,” would Young-land Country or Land of Gwinion (the (isen/angen) in this toponym derives from the seem to presuppose Elendil’s claim. However, latter presumably to be interpreted as a per- “great hardness of the stone” of the fortress’ one might speculate that the pre-Downfall sonal name). Of this region, he comments: enclosing wall. It would seem to follow from Númenórean settlement zones of Eriador and These statements belong to a much lengthier this that the name of the river flowing past the Belfalas Bay had, in fact, been called “North- discussion of Sindarin impact upon the Nan- fortress (and emptying into the Sea, dividing harbourage” and “South-harbourage,” and that dorin populations of Rhovanion (See Silvan the coasts of Andrast and Enedhwith) would Elendil and his followers embraced this Elves below.) probably have had a different name prior to nomenclature, adapting it to the new political “It was probably far south down Isildur and Anarion’s construction of An- situation by simply prefacing these traditional the River Running, and its Sindarin grenost sometime after SA 3320. The inter- designations with “(Royal) Realm of…” name a testimony to the spread of pretation given by Tolkien here, in any case, This hypothesis is favored by the fact that Sindarin: in this case expectable since would rule out the theory that the River An- Númenórean settlement of the northwest of the cultivation of vines was not gren (or its source, Methedras) was rich in Middle-earth began on the coasts at port- known originally to the Nandor or iron. towns like Lond Daer, Tharbad and Pelargir Avari.” (however far inland it may eventually have ex- Khazad-dûm (35) tended). In the absence of evidence to the con- Gondor (28) Prior to the Elves renaming Khazad-dûm trary, then, I propose the regions associated Tolkien reiterates here the origin of this to- Moria in TA 1981, they had called it Hadho- with these Númenórean havens would have ponym (“Stone-land”) in the monumental drond (the Sindarin equivalent to “Dwar- been designated, respectively, Dor na For- building projects undertaken by Elendil’s sons rowdelf”). This version can be found in The lonnas and Dor na Challonnas. (Osgiliath, Minas Anor, Minas Ithil, An- Silmarillion (ch. Of the Sindar and Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age). Another rendition The Sindarin forms are preferable, in keep- grenost/Orthanc, etc.). It is clear, then, that the lands adjoining the White Mountains might be Domhabar as another version (per- ing with the attested examples of Númenórean haps dialect). Real-life experiences with sever- toponyms in Middle-earth. Vinyalondë is, of would not have been called Gondor prior to SA 3320. al similar names for the same thing might be a course, Quenya; but that was subsequently model here. changed to Sindarin Lond Daer. (The Quenya A solution is now possible. Paralleling his forms Tolkien offers here may be purely for remarks on Arnor (see above), Tolkien identi- Lothlórien (48) the sake of linguistic comparison, or they may fies the “older name” of this region as Realm Tolkien explains the Nandorin name, reflect the forms post-Downfall “learned” of the South-harbourage (Q. Turmen Hyal- Lóriand/Lórinand, as alluding to Galadriel’s works, written in Quenya, would have used londiéva; short: Hyaralondië (Hyallondië); S. introduction of mallorn trees into that region when referring to these colloquialisms.) Arthor na Challonnas). In concert with my pro- (interpreting the lór element as “golden [in posal regarding Arnor, then, I suggest the zone color]”). From this he concludes that the re- Azanulbizar/Nanduhirion (37) of Númenórean habitation amidst the lands gion must have been called something else pri- Tolkien glosses these toponyms as Vale of watered by the White Mountains would have or to Galadriel’s arrival during the mid-Sec- Dim Streams. been called Dor na Challonnas prior to SA ond Age. He identifies Lindóri(n)and, Vale 3320. of Land of the Singers, as its original name. Dol Baran (86) This would not, of course, have been ap- In identifying Galadriel as the individual re- This outlier of Methedras, bounding the plied to all regions that subsequently became Vale of Angrenost on the southwest, has often sponsible for introducing mallorns into the re- “Gondor;” only to those core territories occu- gion, Tolkien notes that their seeds “came as a been interpreted to mean “Brown Hill” (ana- pied prior to the expansionist conquests of the lyzing the second element as the same baran gift from Gil-galad, who had the seed from Ship-kings (more or less Lebennin, centered on Eressea (by way of Númenor).” See also Un- found in Baranduin; cf. HoMe V). Here, how- the haven of Pelargir, possibly including por- ever, Tolkien glosses it as Naked Hill or finished Tales for more discussion on the vari- tions of Lossarnach, and perhaps the northwest- ous names of this land. Bare Hill (from paran, derived from the El- ern extremities of what would later be desig- darin root PAR “peel”). nated Harondor as well). Lands further west Mirrormere (35, 37) In another (unconnected) entry, Tolkien would have been called Belfalas, Anfalas and Tolkien identifies Nen Cenedril, (literally, remarks that the element dol was typically Andrast during the Second Age. Lake Looking-glass), as the Sindarin transla- applied to hills that did not have a sharp apex. tion of Kheled-zâram (which probably means Haudh-in-Gwanûr (116) glass-pool or glass-lake). He goes on to say Dol Guldur (36) No startling new revelations. Just a confir- The fact that Tolkien supplies Dol Guldur as that the actual Sindarin word for “glass,” mation of the expected gloss: Mound (in heledh, was actually a loan from Khuzdul an illustration of the tendency for dol not to be sward) of (pair of) Twins. used with reference to hills or mountains that kheled. Thus, cenedril literally means “looking- 10 ———————————————————————————————————— ISSUE 3, JANUARY 2008 crystal,” since “[t]here was no common Eldarin that trolls are the source of its evil reputation). senting one (Gondorian) viewpoint—local us- word for ‘glass.’” Either way, it begs the question of how far age versus that of an official royal cartogra- back into history the association of trolls with pher, for instance. Mordor (37) this region (or the adjacent Ettenmoors/Et- In connection with his etymology for tendales) goes. Tharbad (34) Helevorn (see above), Tolkien indicates that If this etymology is taken as definitive, it According to Tolkien, Tharbad originally the Khuzdul name for Mordor was Nargûn calls into question the geographical interpreta- means “the Stepping Stones”, “a ford over (NRG being the consonantal root for “black,” tion of Rhudaur as rhûn + taur (“east-forest”). which one could walk.” -ûn presumably contributing the meaning of “land”). Stonewain Valley (28) Tol Brandir (22, 61) “So named because of the great road for Tolkien glosses this as Sindarin, Isle of the Narog (37) heavy drags (platforms on wheels) and wains, Great Steeples “from brand, brann ‘towering’, Tolkien regards this river-name as probably used in the quarries of Min-Rimmon that ran “tall and massive” (or to noun brand, steeple).” of Dwarven origin, analyzing it as an Elven through it.” Tolkien provides the following Tolkien describes Tol Brandir as “a great up- adaptation of Khuzdul Narâg (*“black[- glosses: Q. Nand’ Ondolunkava/Ondolunka- standing mass ending in two major and two river]”). Presumably this would have been be- nan(do); S. Nan Gondresgion; Rohirric: Stan- minor steeples.” A sketch of the island’s pro- stowed upon the river by the Petty-dwarves. waegna Dael. The “wain” element is given as S. file accompanies this note. Tolkien offers no rasc (Q raxa): “a drag or any large, flat vehicle analysis of the -ir element in Brandir. Nûrnen (87) on wheels or rollers for hauling stone or other Tolkien glosses Nûrnen as death-water or weighty material.” Q. lunka is glossed as Tyrn Gorthad (116) dead-water, based on the elements nguru and “heavy transport wain.” Tolkien glosses torn as burial mound and nenda. Tolkien does not say whether Nûrnen gorthad as wraith, spirit of Dead. The should be analyzed as Sindarin. However, it Tarlang’s Neck (92, 98, 146) etymology obviously has a bearing on the issue seems clear from this and other linguistic According to Tolkien, this name was “ap- of when the region first acquired this name: notes that the form is to be regarded as Eldarin plied to the long narrow ‘col’ or passage over after its infestation by Barrow-wights in TA in derivation. If the same may be inferred for the long spur of the mountains that separated 1636? If so, what was it called before that? Nûrn itself, this calls into question ICE’s inter- Lamedon from the plain of Erech. It is not cer- pretation of this toponym as an indigenous Zirak-zigil/Kibil-nâla (36, 37) tain whether this was named after some an- Tolkien observes that since both of these to- self-designation of the Men of this land, the cient man with the Sindarin name Tarlang “Nûrniags.” ponyms were rendered into Sindarin with the (‘stiff-neck’ sc. ‘proud’) or was due to the ob- element, celeb, “silver” (Celeb-dil/Celeb-rant), solescence of Tarlang ‘the stiff, tough, passage’ Pinnath Gelin (24, 97, 173) they must contain two different Khuzdul to which S. achad had been prefixed in expla- terms meaning “silver.” Tolkien identifies their Initially, Tolkien glossed this toponym as nation, so that Achad Tarlang ‘the crossing Green Slopes, “which is dialectical or late consonantal roots as ZGL and KBL (hence, zi- called Tarlang’ was interpreted as ‘Tarlang’s rak corresponds to Sindarin til, “spike, tine,” Gondor Sindarin for the pl[ural] pennath blend- Neck’.” ed with other pl[ural] form pinn, pind.” Subse- while nâla corresponds to rant, “path, course, To this Tolkien appends an alternative inter- quently, he revised this to Green river-course or bed”). Tolkien concludes that pretation: “Achad is another word for ‘neck’, Crests/Ridges, in which the meanings of pend KBL designates the metal itself, whereas ZGL referring properly only to the vertebrae (the and pinn are differentiated (the latter implying refers to the color silver. Hence, Zirak-zigil bony part of the neck not including the a “long (low) hill with a sharp ridge against was so-named because of its white-grey col- throat): AKAS: Q. akas (later akse) pl. aksi, S. skyline”). oration, not because it contained silver ores. ach, geographically ached (Tengwar letter umbar meaning ‘fate’ (see The any random phoneme. At any rate, the pres- Lord of the Rings. Appendix E). Last but not least ence of Aghan testifies against the notion that there is the great city of Umbar which has a this was a universal naming pattern. Lossoth (39) Tolkien notes that the element hoth in prominent rôle in the history of the Nú- Loss(h)oth was “nearly always used in evil or at menóreans. This name is of pre-Númenórean Incánus (88, 155) least unfriendly sense in Sindarin.” Hence, the origin and the original meaning forgotten (The Tolkien offered numerous interpretations of Lossoth are described as “the unfriendly Lord of the Rings. Appendice F). Due to its multi- this Latin look-alike (e.g. in the UT essay on Northern folk who lived in the snow.” ple meanings in the elvish language(s) (see the Istari). Here he glosses it as Quenya: in- above), it might have been viewed as a fitting canus(se) mind mastership (cf. aranusse “king- rendition/allusion or wordplay by the first ship,” tárisse “queenship”). He derives the in- Rhovain (18) In a discussion of the distinction between Númenóreans who encountered it and subse- element from Quenya indo (inmost heart, quently kept the – originally alien – name for thought, mind). Dúnedain and other Men, Tolkien notes that the latter were called by the Eldar Q. Hró- their own use. natani; S. Rhúnedain “but more commonly Nimrodel (49) Hrávani (S. Rhovain) Wild-men, Sav- Arda Un/marred (150, 178) Tolkien expresses uncertainty as to the ety- ages.” Tolkien renders these expressions with Q. mology of this name, tentatively deriving nim Arda Vanya and Q. Arda Úvanya respec- The Sindarin form is curious, because one from Telerin nimbi “white.” He analyzes rodel tively. Tolkien remarks that the Eldarin root would expect the plural of Rhovan to be Rhe- as either Sindarin “lofty star” or “[noble] lady.” BAN “appears originally to have referred sim- vain, following the normal rules of vowel mu- ply to ‘beauty’ – but with implication that it tation. Roheryn (97) was due to lack of fault, or blemish.” Tolkien explains that Aragorn’s horse bore this name (“Steed of the Lady”) because Arwen Tark (101) Tolkien remarks that one purpose of the had given it to him. This detail is not revealed Tolkien identifies this as “an Orkish word creation of Elves and Men “was to complete in LotR. for Númenórean. Etymology in any Elvish the Design by ‘healing’ the hurts which it had sense unknown; but possibly a mere abbrevia- suffered, and so ultimately not to recover ‘Arda Unmarred’ (that is the world as it Sauron (163, 183) tion or tarkil, an ancient name for the Atani or Tolkien reveals that “Sauron’s original Edain. The Eldar sometimes called all Men would have been if Evil had never appeared), [Quenya] name was Mairon, but this was al- hildi… tarkhildi ‘high-Men’ would phonetical- but the far greater thing ‘Arda Healed’.” tered after he was suborned by Melkor. But he ly produce Q tarkildi (and S. *terchil (not continued to call himself Mairon the Ad- used)).” Eru (177) mirable, or Tar-mairon ‘King Excellent’ In one of his more lucid expositions of the until after the downfall of Númenor.” respective roles of the Valar and the Children IV. Theology and metaphysics of Ilúvatar in the healing of Arda, Tolkien dis- Tolkien derives this name from the Eldarin cusses the degree to which each were capable root MAY “excellent, admirable” (from which Ambar/Umbar (105, 123-124, 163-164) of communicating with and/or perceiving the the term Maia comes). Presumably the -ron in Tolkien confirms that Q. Ambar means “‘this will of Eru directly. The Valar, he states, “re- Mairon should be understood as a superlative. Earth,’ the planet, as a whole, including Aman mained in direct contact with Eru, though until its removal, but excluding other parts of they, as far as the legends go, usually ‘ad- ‘the Kingdom of Arda’ under the guardianship 12 ———————————————————————————————————— ISSUE 3, JANUARY 2008 dressed’ Him through Manwë the Elder King. as a development resulting from contact be- modes of communication between minds, that No doubt these legends are somatomorphic tween the Noldorin exiles and the Sindar of might take ‘visual’ forms. They held that a su- (sc. Almost as anthropomorphic as are our Middle-earth: “No doubt this use aroused in perior ‘mind’ by nature, or one exerting itself own legends or imagination), and most Elves, the minds of the Sindar who had not seen the to its full in some extremity of need, could when speaking of Manwë appealing to Eru or Valar in their own sacred land of Aman a men- communicate a desired ‘vision’ direct to an- having converse with Him, imagined him as a tal picture of a majestic figure robed as if in a other mind. The receiving mind would trans- figure, even more majestic than one of their shining cloud seen far away.” So the Eldar in late this impulse into the terms familiar to it own ancient kings, standing in attitude of Middle-earth used fân to describe numinous from its use of the physical organs of sight (and prayer or supplication to the Valar. [Here visions. Tolkien reinforces this point: “As a hearing) and project it, seeing it as something Tolkien adds, “At this time there was no way noun [fân] was used of vague shapes or fleeting external. It thus much resembled a fana, ex- for the Incarnate direct to Eru, and though the glimpses, especially of ‘apparitions’ or figures cept that in most cases, especially in those Eldar knew well that the power of the Valar to seen in dreams.” concerned with minds of less power (either as counsel or assist them was only delegated, it By contrast, Quenya fana was applied only communicators or receivers) it would fre- was through them that they sought for enlight- to the physical forms in which the Valar and quently be less vivid, clear or detailed, and enment or aid from Eru.”] By nature one of the Maiar presented themselves (when they so might even be vague or dim or appear half- Valar, or of those of the prime order of creat- chose) to Incarnates. Tolkien is at pains to dis- transparent. These ‘visions’ were in Quenya ed spirits to which they belonged, would be in tinguish this from the “visionary” mode of pre- called indemmar ‘mind-pictures’. [Tolkien de- the presence of Eru only by presenting them- sentation expressed by Sindarin fân: “The fanar rives this form from Q. indo ‘mind’ and the selves in thought. The Eldar, and still less the of the Valar were not ‘phantoms’, but ‘physi- Eldarin root EM, depict, portray. “a quanta Elves of Middle-earth (and again still less Men, cal’: that is, they were not ‘visions’ arising to emma or quantemma was a ‘facsimile’, a com- especially those who had no contact with Elves the mind, or implanted there by the will of a plete detailed visual reproduction (by any or shunned it), knew little of such things; but superior mind or spirit, and then projected means) of a visible thing”] Men were receptive they believed that direct resort to Eru was not [The latter, says Tolkien, “were called in of them. According to the records of the time, allowed to them, or at least not expected of Quenya indemmar ‘mind-pictures’.”], but mostly when presented to them by the Elves. them, except in gravest emergency. The Valar received through the bodily eyes. Or mainly To receive them from another human being were themselves ‘on trial’ – an aspect of the so: the power of the presence of one of these required a special urgency of occasion, and a mystery of ‘free will’ in created intelligences. spirits no doubt affected the reception and was close connexion of kinship, anxiety or love be- They had a sufficient knowledge of the will of responsible, for instance, for the impressions tween the two minds. In any case indemmar Eru and his ‘design’ to undertake the responsi- of ‘radiance’ with which the ‘vision’ was en- were by Men mostly received in sleep bility of guiding its development by means of dowed.” (dreams). If received when bodily awake they the great prowess given to them and according were usually vague and phantom-like (and of- to their own reason and intelligence.” Tolkien expands upon the affective qualities ten caused by fear); but if they were clear and of spiritual presence, stating that, even when vivid, as the indemmar induced by Elves might Fana (26, 173-180) unclad, “the Valar were perceived by some be, they were apt to mislead Men into taking WPP contains by far the longest and most among [the Eldar of Valinor] as lights (of dif- them as ‘real’ things beheld by normal sight. comprehensive disquisition in Tolkien’s extant ferent hues) which their eyes could not toler- Though this deceit was never intentional on writings on the etymology and nature of fanar. ate; whereas the Maiar were usually invisible the part of the Elves, it was often by them be- Much of what he says here he ascribes to a unclad, but their presence was revealed by lieved to be.” their fragrance. This applied only to those un- Quenya work of lore entitled Nasser ar Ken- Tolkien concludes with a discussion of cor- ime Kantar Valaron ar Maiaron (“The Na- corrupted. Melkor, they said, was invisible, and his presence was revealed only by a great rupted or malicious Elves who did seek to de- tures and Visible Shapes of the Valar and Ma- ceive Men by indemmar. “According to the iar”), from which he reproduces the following dread and by a darkness that dimmed or blot- ted the light and hues of all things near him. Elves these were mainly disembodied Elves, line: Valar ar Maiar fantaner nassentar who had met with some mortal damage, but fanainen ve quenderinwe koar al larmar: The Maiar corrupted by him stank. For this reason neither he nor any of the evil Maiar rebelled against the summons of their spirits to “The Valar and Maiar veiled their true-being in go to their place of Awaiting. Those who so fanar, like to Elvish bodies and raiment.” ever approached one of the Eldar that they wished to persuade or deceive except clad in rebelled were mostly those who had been slain As for the Sindarin cognate, fân, Tolkien their fanar. These they could still make to ap- in the course of some wrong-doing. Thus they writes that “[i]t may be said to mean ‘shape’, pear beautiful to Elvish eyes, if they wished – wandered as ‘houseless’ elf-souls, invisible ex- but with the added notion of light and white- until after the great treachery of Melkor and cept in the form of indemmar that they could ness; it is thus often used where we might use the destruction of the Trees. After that induce in others, and filled often with malice ‘a vision’ – of something beautiful or sublime. Melkor (Morgoth) and his servants were per- and envy of the ‘living’, whether elvish or hu- Yet being elvish, though it may be used of ceived as forms of evil and enemies undis- man.” things remote, it has no implication either of guised.” uncertainty or unreality.” The context of Tolkien’s discussion is the vision of Elbereth Near the end of his discussion of PHAN and upon Taniquetil in Galadriel’s lament (ve fanya its derivatives, Tolkien returns to the matter maryat elentári ortane), but also in the hymn to of indemmar, which turns out to be an elabo- Elbereth sung by Gildor’s wandering company ration of many of the themes addressed in his on its pilgrimage to the Tower Hills (fanuilos). Ósanwe-Kenta essay: “The High Elves distin- guished clearly between fanar…and other Tolkien views this “spiritualized” use of fân 13 OTHER MINDS MAGAZINE

Thule (124-125) indicating the subject…The debased this brief note whether linque is to be taken as Tolkien writes: “Q thúle (súle) ‘spirit’. Eldar form of the B.S. which survived in the Quenya name for hyacinth itself, or mere- did not confound ordinary “breath” of the the Third Age only in the Dark ly its leaves. lungs with “spirit.” The particular spirit in- Tower is seen in a few names (Uruk- dwelling in a body they called fëa [Black Speech (11-12) tongue, language”? made in its shape). Here Tolkien reiterates his highly restrictive Lebethron (89) “But the Eldar held that “spirits,” view of Black Speech during the Third Age, the more as they had the more native Tolkien analyzes this form variously: lep- which ought to counsel against ICE’s tendency inherent power, could emit their eth-ron < Q. lepse [finger] + oron [tree]; or to make every Third Age evil character fluent influence to make contact with or act lepetta “probably because its leaves (like in it. upon things exterior to themselves: chestnut) [were] shaped like a fingered hand.” primarily upon other spirits, or other He also entertains the view that the tree itself Brethil (23) incarnate persons (via their fear), but was named lebethorn, “being altered to le- Tolkien entertains a connection between also in the case of great spirits (such bethron by association with RUN-, rub, grind, brethil ‘silver birch’ and bereth ‘queen’ “since as the Valar or greater máyar) smooth, polish, runda, smooth, polished. this tree was an emblem of Elbereth.” directly upon physical things without {ron} smoothed by polishing.” In one of his the mediacy of bodies normally notes he suggests the tree was native to necessary in the case of “fairondi,” or Crebain (37) Ithilien. incarnates. To describe this they used “Sindarin plural of craban, a bird of the [but by deliberate symbolism – taken crow-kind. (Not an ancient Sindarin word, Miruvor (37-38, 64) e.g. from such cases as their and probably a loan from some Mannish In his etymologies, Tolkien speculates on breathing upon a cold or frosted tongue of NW or from some non-Eldarin the ingredients of this drink. He also seems to surface, which was then melted – ] Elvish of the same region.)” the THU- [or NSU]. In addition distinguish the cordial of Imladris from its Valinorean namesake: “The word was thought Manwë, the most powerful spirit in Elven Settlement and Social Structure Arda, in this respect was Lord of Air of as precious drink (and largely of honey) but (105-110) & Winds, and the winds were in word was of Valarin origin. miruboze, a honey primitive Eldarin thought to be Fascinating sociological analysis of Elven set- wine, mirub, wine.” “Name of a mead or nec- especially his emission of power for tlement patterns centered around the Eldarin tar drunk in Valinor…a drink of which the himself. Hence thúle “blowing forth” term *ambar(a) (Q. ambar S. amar). Elves did not know the ingredients or was used = “spirit” in this special making…probably made basically of honey (of sense: the emission of power (of will Fen/Marsh (165) ? scented flowers). The Elves said they thought or desire) from a spirit…” Finally, an Eldarin form to name marshes the miruvóre of the Valar was made of the hon- and wetlands! MOT- fen, marsh. Q. motto, ey/nectar of certain flowers in the gardens of mbotto; S. both, moth. amoth. Valinor.” “The Black Speech was not intentionally modelled on any style, Hithlain (60) but was meant to be self-consistent, Naur an edraith ammen! (38-39) Tolkien glosses this Sindarin word as mist Tolkien translates Gandalf’s spell thus: “Fire very different from Elvish, yet thread, giving hísilanya as its Quenya cog- organized and expressive, as would be [be] for rescue/saving for us! Fire [come?] nate. expected of a device of Sauron before down upon the [were-]wolf-horde!” Unfortu- his complete corruption. It was nately, he neglects to explicitly link “were- evidently an agglutinative language, Hyacinth (62) wolf” to “warg” in the gloss for ngaur; thus the and the verbal system must have Tolkien states that Q. lasse/S. las “is only debate over whether these are two distinct included pronominal suffixes applied to certain kinds of leaves, especially species or two names for the same creature expressing the object, as well as those those of trees, and would not e.g. be used of must continue. leaf of a hyacinth (linque).” It’s unclear from 14 ———————————————————————————————————— ISSUE 3, JANUARY 2008 Palantír (86) In a brief etymological note, Tolkien identi- fies this word as “a Numenorean formation.” Silvan Elves (51-54) The complete discussion (excerpted in UT) concerning Tolkien’s views on the relationship of Sindarin to Silvan and the history underly- ing this relationship.

Notes 1 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by- nc-sa/3.0/

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This influence of Morgoth’s dissipated pow- In the first [theme of the Second “Angrod is gone, and Aegnor is er is reported by Finrod Felagund in his dia- Age] we see a sort of second fall or at gone, and Felagund is no more. Of logue with the wise-woman, Andreth. This least ‘error’ of the Elves. There was Finarfin’s children I [Galadriel first passage is from the introduction to the di- nothing wrong essentially in their speaking] am the last. But my heart alogue, whereas the second one is from Finrod lingering against counsel, still sadly is still proud. What wrong did the directly: with3 the mortal lands of their old golden house of Finarfin do that I should ask the pardon of the Valar, Now the Eldar learned that, heroic deeds. But they wanted to or be content with an isle in the sea according to the lore of the Edain, have their cake without eating it. They wanted the peace and bliss and whose native land was Aman the Men believed that their hröar were perfect memory of ‘The West’, and Blessed? Here I am mightier.” not by right nature short- lived, but yet to remain on the ordinary earth – UT: The Elessar had been made so by the malice of where their prestige as the highest Melkor. It was not clear to the Eldar people, above wild Elves, Dwarves, The Noldor’s desire to rule realms of their whether Men meant: by the general and Men, was greater than at the own was still great in this time (as we see, marring of Arda (which they bottom of the hierarchy of Valinor. even for Galadriel). Eventually, some of the themselves held to be the cause of the They thus became obsessed with remaining Noldor founded the realm of Ere- waning of their own );... hröar ‘fading’, the mode in which the gion near the western boundaries of Khazad- – HoMe 10: Athrabeth Finrod changes of time (the law of the world dûm. Here developed the greatest friendship ah Andreth under the sun) was perceived by between the Naugrim and the Eldar that ever them. They became sad, and their art was in the West, even reaching cordial rela- “For know, it is not otherwise (shall we say) antiquarian, and their tions. with the Quendi themselves: their efforts all really a kind of embalming The already mentioned effect of mortal health and stature is diminished. – even though they also retained the Middle-earth was quite noticeable among the Already those of us [Finrod speaking] old motive of their kind, the Noldor, though. Tolkien tells us that it was adornment of earth, and the healing who dwell in Middle-earth, and even Galadriel’s desire to have everything around of its hurts. Letters: #131, late we who have returned to it, find that her stay unsullied and without death. The 1951 the change of their bodies is swifter quote continues: than in the beginning. And that, I judge, must forebode that they will 3 … it appears that here the typist “What would you then?” said prove less strong to last than they has omitted some words from Celebrimbor. were designed to be, though this may Tolkien’s MS. “I would have trees and grass not be clearly revealed for many long about me that do not die – here in years.” the land that is mine,” she answered. – HoMe 10: Athrabeth Finrod But the Elves are not wholly good “What has become of the skill of the ah Andreth or in the right. Not so much because Eldar?” they had flirted with Sauron; as UT: The Elessar As we have seen, this tainting influence is because with or without his assistance negligible for the Undying Lands. This differ- they were 'embalmers'. They wanted Here we can clearly see the heartfelt desire ence in exposure to the mordo might be one to have their cake and eat it: to live of the Noldor to enjoy the bliss of the West reason (though certainly not the sole or even in the mortal historical Middle-earth even in Middle-earth, where they could rule. the primary one) that the cycle of life and because they had become fond of it If we develop this reasoning to its end, Gal- death in Middle-earth is much faster than in (and perhaps because they there had adriel might have been one of those who first the Undying Lands. Another factor might be the advantages of a superior caste), formulated the idea of artificially altering the the fact that Eru wanted Middle-earth as the and so tried to stop its change and natural “way of life” of Middle-earth for the home for mortal Men, for whom a “long” lifes- history, stop its growth, keep it as a benefit of the Eldar, a scheme later masterfully pan would be unnatural. pleasaunce, even largely a desert, executed by the Gwaith-i-Mírdain in general where they could be 'artists' – and with the Great Rings and Celebrimbor with At first this feeling of accelerated aging was they were overburdened with sadness the Three in particular. little felt, but with the passing of the swift and nostalgic regret. We should not judge the Eldar too harshly, years of Middle-earth it became quite notice- – Letters: #154, Sept. 1954 able. See Finrod’s quote above on this matter. though, since Sauron exploited this weak spot Thus we can infer a good deal of selfish mo- to its fullest. However, once they recognized After the War of Wrath, the surviving ex- tives beside the more “positive” love of Mid- their folly and Sauron’s true intent, they iles were pardoned by the Valar and given the dle-earth that moved these Eldar to stay be- showed responsibility and always worked to- chance to return to the West. Some, however, hind when their comrades left for the West wards the eventual defeat of Sauron – even if chose to remain in Middle-earth. This may again. The following passage about Galadriel’s that meant the destruction of their own com- have been for various reasons. Tolkien points motives for staying in Middle-earth is interest- munity in Middle-earth: out that their decision was partially fuelled by ing. It is not wholly unproblematic, since the desire to stay at the top of the “social lad- Indeed the Elves destroyed their Tolkien’s ideas about Galadriel, and whether der” in Middle-earth, while in Aman they (the own polity in pursuit of a ‘humane’ her stay in Middle-earth after the War of Elves) were the lowest “caste” after the Valar duty. This did not happen merely as Wrath was voluntary or not, changed quite of- and Maiar. In Tolkien’s Letters, this motive is an unfortunate damage of War; it ten. especially mentioned twice: was known by them to be an 17 OTHER MINDS MAGAZINE

inevitable result of victory, which might have been Avari of a kind that was in knowledge which those have who are could in no way be advantageous to Sauron’s fold.3 Another option might have beyond the Sea?” Elves. Elrond cannot be said to have been other (lesser) Maiar left in Middle-earth – Sil: Of the Rings of Power a political duty or purpose. that were able to clothe themselves in a fair and the Third Age – Letters: #183, 1956 shape. In my opinion, only the Avari or the (lesser) Maiar would be an option as envoys to Sauron even proposed to make these items The figure of “Annatar” is pivotal to the the Eldar of the West – especially when we in order to help all the Elves, not only the El- history of the Great Rings: Morgoth’s greatest consider that he is pretending to be an emis- dar (e.g. including the wild Avari). It would servant, Sauron, hid for a long time after the sary from the Valar! (see quote below) be interesting to know whether Celebrimbor defeat of his master (as told in The Silmaril- really planned to take up this idea or not. Re- lion), and eventually inherited his aim of ruling He deceived the Eldar cleverly about his na- gardless of this, these guileful words of An- the “outside world” beyond Aman. ture and so sufficiently explained the presence natar swayed the majority of the Noldor of of an obviously Maiarin presence in Middle- Eregion and the plot to rule the Eldar and, Seeing the desolation of the earth. world, Sauron said in his heart that with their help, make himself the undisputed the Valar, having overthrown In Eregion Sauron posed as an ruler of Middle-earth, took its course: emissary of the Valar, sent by them to Morgoth, had again forgotten But Sauron guided their labours, Middle-earth (“thus anticipating the Middle-earth; and his pride grew and he was aware of all that they Istari”) or ordered by them to remain apace. He looked with hatred on the did; for his desire was to set a bond Eldar, and he feared the Men of there to give aid to the Elves. – UT: upon the Elves and to bring them Númenor who came back at whiles in Concerning Galadriel and under his vigilance. their ships to the shores of Middle- Celeborn – Sil: Of the Rings of Power earth; but for long he dissembled his This theme of an “emissary of the Valar” and the Third Age mind and concealed the dark designs that he shaped in his heart probably greatly helped Sauron’s cause: The With powerful Elven lords as his faithful Men he found the easiest to Noldor with their experience of disobedience servants, few obstacles in Middle-earth would sway of all the peoples of the Earth; to the Valar (when they set out to wage war have been beyond his power. He was well but long he sought to persuade the against Morgoth) were probably keen not to aware of their desire for the West while stay- Elves to his service, for he knew that make the same mistake again and accordingly ing in Middle-earth. (See the next to last the Firstborn had the greater power; paid heed to the arguments of a – presumptive quote for this.) Thus, he slowly began to earn and he went far and wide among – emissary from Valinor. It is ironic that the the trust of the Eldar of Ost-in-Edhil, though them, and his hue was still that of likely eagerness and goodwill of the Noldor to interestingly Galadriel despised him from the one both fair and wise. act in accordance with the – imagined – will of beginning: – Sil: Of the Rings of Power the Valar would turn out to be a clever trap to and the Third Age enslave them. Celebrimbor’s decision to admit Annatar might thus have been of a twofold na- He [Sauron] perceived at once For this, he took great care to survey the sit- ture. Of course there was the vast knowledge that Galadriel would be his chief uation and he determined to gather the Eldar that “Annatar” was offering plus Celebrim- adversary and obstacle, and he to his cause because he understood that they bor’s desire not to repeat the tragic rôle of his endeavoured therefore to placate her, were by far the most powerful of the Free family (see the chapter on his ancestry below) bearing her scorn with outward Peoples. Attracted to power, it was natural in the First Age, where Fëanor’s defiance of patience and courtesy. [No that Sauron sought to add them to his follow- the Valar and his terrible Oath had caused so explanation is offered in this rapid ing. Therefore, he sent many emissaries into much misery. outline of why Galadriel scorned the Northwest and finally came himself: Sauron, unless she saw through his And he said to them: “Alas, for disguise, or of why, if she did When he [Sauron] felt himself to the weakness of the great! For a be secure he sent emissaries to perceive his true nature, she mighty king is Gil-galad, and wise permitted him to remain in Eregion.] Eriador, and finally, in about the in all lore is Master Elrond, and yet year 1200 of the Second Age, came – UT: Concerning Galadriel they will not aid me in my labours. and Celeborn (C. Tolkien’s himself, wearing the fairest form that Can it be that they do not desire to note in square brackets) he could contrive. see other lands become as blissful as – UT: The History of their own? But wherefore should It is important to note that the cause for the Galadriel and Celeborn and Middle-earth remain for ever desolate enmity of Galadriel at this time is not fully Amroth King of Lórien and dark, whereas the Elves could clear. She may have had a “gut feeling” about In this context, it might be interesting to make it as fair as Eressëa, nay even this Annatar, but was probably unable to speci- as Valinor? And since you have not 4 speculate on the nature of these emissaries of fy her doubts. returned thither, as you might, I Sauron. Since his mission was now to gain the perceive that you love this Middle- His words fell on fertile ground within the trust and friendship of the Eldar, they cannot earth, as do I. Is it not then our task Gwaith-i-Mírdain. He convinced them that have been Orcs or any other obviously “evil” to labour together for its enrichment, with his help they would be able to achieve creatures (e.g. Trolls). Men under his sway and for the raising of all the Elven- their dream of “eating their cake while having are also hard to imagine – especially when kindreds that wander here untaught it”. (See the quote from Letter #131 and 154 their task is to make a diplomatic mission to to the height of that power and in the section about ‘Elvish Motivation’ above the High-king of the Noldor in Exile. They for this—especially the colourful compari- 18 ———————————————————————————————————— ISSUE 3, JANUARY 2008 son.) Tolkien clearly denotes this project of Sauron himself departed from low for the question of these “series”), it is un- the Eldar as a “flirting with evil” (from the per- Eregion about the year 1500, after likely that “about the year 1500” could be spective of the omniscient author) that, the Mírdain had begun the making of stretched so far, that Sauron had a consider- through their desire to dominate and shape the the Rings of Power. able part in all of them. In addition, the pas- primary world by their craft, brought them to – UT: Concerning Galadriel sage suggests that Sauron was involved in a the brink of “machinery”. and Celeborn central role in the fashioning of the Seven and the Nine. Unfortunately, we have not even a But at Eregion great work began The date of Sauron’s departure is problem- – and the Elves came their nearest to hint how long the making of any of these Rings atic, though. (See below for more details.) Af- (Nine, Seven, Three or One) or their respec- falling to ‘magic’ and machinery. ter Sauron departed, Celebrimbor alone – Letters: #131, late 1951 tive “series” actually took. This number might achieved his greatest work, the creation of the have been a help in making an educated guess So began the project which would enable Three Rings, which Sauron never touched and about the timescales involved.5 the crafting of which may even have been un- the Eldar to enjoy the blessings of the Undying After the completion of the Nine and Seven, Lands while remaining in Middle-earth. For known to him at that time (because he left Eregion before this specific project was even it is likely that a brief happy time in Eregion this, Sauron instructed the Mírdain in tech- began. Tolkien does not describe the decades niques of his own knowledge. Since he origi- envisioned). The creation of the Three is in- teresting: Sauron only knew of the Nine and after Annatar’s departure. Since the Rings nally was a (great) Maia of Aulë, he is likely to were then probably already made (the Three have had great skills in this department – in- Seven, and probably deemed his plot a full success. The existence of the Three might having been finished in S.A. 1590) or in their cluding much that was unknown to the Chil- finishing stages, it is likely that they were put dren of Ilúvatar. have caught him by surprise (probably at the very moment he put on the One). to use already. Perhaps not all of the Great Among those of his servants that Rings were in use, but since they were specifi- have names the greatest was that We have a timing problem in pinpointing cally made to ease the life of the Eldar, there is spirit whom the Eldar called Sauron, the forging of the Rings and Sauron’s depar- a high probability that in these few “happy” or Gorthaur the Cruel. In his ture from Eregion. According to the LotR we years, several Rings were at work in Eregion. beginning he was of the Maiar of have: These times were not to last, however. Aulë, and he remained mighty in the c. 1500 The Elven-smiths Sauron’s betrayal was approaching fast. He lore of that people. instructed by Sauron reach the height – Sil: Of the Enemies went on to make his Master Ring to control all of their skill. They begin the forging the others that had been made with the knowl- of the Rings of Power. edge and techniques he had taught the Elves. Therefore they [the Gwaith-i- c. 1590 The Three Rings are Finally, in the year 1600 of the Second Age, it Mírdain] hearkened to Sauron, and completed in Eregion. was completed. Sauron thought himself at the they learned of him many things, for c. 1600 Sauron forges the One fulfillment of his dreams. Unfortunately for Ring in Orodruin. He completes the his knowledge was great. In those him, the moment he put on the One on his days the smiths of Ost-in-Edhil Barad-dûr. Celebrimbor perceives the designs of Sauron. finger, Celebrimbor in Eregion became aware surpassed all that they had contrived that he had been cheated: before; and they took thought, and – LotR: Appendix B For in the day that Sauron first they made Rings of Power. But This seems to settle the matter, especially Sauron guided their labours, and he put on the One, Celebrimbor, maker since the quote before the last from UT sup- of the Three, was aware of him, and was aware of all that they did; for ports it. Further down in the same essay, his desire was to set a bond upon the from afar he heard him speak these Tolkien says something else, though: Elves and to bring them under his words [Ash nazg durbatulûk...], and vigilance. This [the location of the Seven so his evil purposes were revealed. – Sil: Of the Rings of Power Rings] Celebrimbor revealed, because – LotR: The Council of Elrond and the Third Age neither the Seven nor the Nine did he value as he valued the Three; the The moment he [Sauron] assumed Please note again the specific goal of Sauron: Seven and the Nine were made with To bind the Elves to his service! Nowhere the One, they were aware of it, and Sauron’s aid, whereas the Three were of his secret purpose, and were is there any thought of Dwarves or Men – made by Celebrimbor alone, with a Sauron’s victims are the powerful Elves, no afraid. different power and purpose. – Letters: #131, late 1951 lesser people. Indeed, Tolkien explicitly states – UT: Concerning Galadriel this goal of gaining their compliance: and Celeborn It is highly likely that Celebrimbor immedi- 6 For long he paid little heed to ately ordered the Rings (the Nine, Seven and Now, how could have Sauron had a part in Three) taken off and not used for the time be- Dwarves or Men and endeavoured to the creation of all the Seven and the Nine win the friendship and trust of the ing. This is also supported by the following Rings, if he left Eregion when the Mírdain had quote. Eldar. just begun forging the Rings? One could argue – HoMe 12: Of Dwarves and that he had only been involved in the begin- But the Elves were not so lightly Men ning touches. But since it is likely that it took to be caught. As soon as Sauron set Sauron left Eregion after the Mírdain had some time to make all the Rings – and we os- the One Ring upon his finger they begun fashioning the Great Rings according to tensibly have two different “series” of Rings were aware of him; and they knew his instructions: here (Nine and Seven; see also the section be- him, and perceived that he would be 19 OTHER MINDS MAGAZINE

master of them, and of all that they Well, let folly be our cloak, a veil Sauron began. Thus, there was more than wrought. Then in anger and fear before the eyes of the Enemy! For he enough time to do it. In my opinion, “they they took off their rings. is very wise, and weighs all things to failed to find the strength” means that the Mír- – Sil: Of the Rings of Power a nicety in the scales of his malice. dain could not find the mental strength to do and the Third Age But the only measure that he knows it. This is an often repeated theme in Tolkien’s is desire, desire for power; and so he writings, where a creator is so connected to It is important to note that Tolkien says all judges all hearts. his – great – work that he is not able to dam- the Rings were removed from use. Since there LotR: The Council of Elrond age it, or allow any possibility for it to be is no distinction between “Elven”, “Dwarven” damaged. Here a look on the effect of the One or “Mannish” Rings at this time (all of them The methodical planner Sauron took his is interesting: were Elven Rings, of course), it is not unrea- time to build a military and logistic infrastruc- ture capable of beating the powerful Eldar of Also so great was the Ring’s sonable to assume that Rings from all three power of lust, that anyone who used Eriador. His long stay in Eregion (and Eriador “series” were already used. Consequently, this it became mastered by it; it was means that at least some of the Nine, Seven in general) would have given him a good un- beyond the strength of any will (even (or six of them) and the Three were already in derstanding of the military strength of the his [Sauron’s] own) to injure it, cast use by the Eldar of Eregion. Perhaps not all Elves there; accordingly, he planned for a host it away, or neglect it. So he thought. were already used, because it is likely that powerful enough to do the job. Due to his It was in any case on his finger. Celebrimbor and his peers would only have likely neglect of the matter beforehand, it Letters: #131, late 1951 given them to great Eldarin lords. It might be took some decades to build up his force. Although the motives of the One and the El- that not enough worthies, or willing, recipi- The above mentioned possibility, that some ven Rings are different, they were made with ents had yet been identified. In any case, those or all of the Rings had already been used (even the same basic techniques and knowledge. Rings already in use were immediately taken if only briefly according to the temporal per- Thus, basic effects should be similar. So the off. ception of the Eldar) might have given Sauron fact that the One would not allow any wearer some intelligence of things in Eregion made Of course, Sauron was enraged at this last- to treat it carelessly or even attempt to dam- with the help of these Rings. minute failure of his delicate plot. The One age it hints at a similar compulsion at work for gave him power to see only the actions of the Destroying the Rings is the first idea that the Elven Rings, which were “Great Rings” other Rings, and to govern their wearers only comes to mind once the Elves knew what too. Of course, the powers at work would be if they were actually worn. If taken off, his in- Sauron was up to. So why did the Elven- less powerful than in the case of the One. struments of control were worthless. This smiths not simply unmake the Rings now, so Here, a short definition of a “Great Ring” is in very clear fact must have infuriated him, so that no damage could be done through them? order. that he at first demanded the Rings’ surrender It is natural that now, after the Mírdain had A mortal, Frodo [Gandalf to him immediately. Foreseeably, the Noldor learned the true purpose of their Rings, they speaking], who keeps one of the declined, and Sauron mustered for war. Since would take counsel for what to do next. Cele- Great Rings, does not die, but he there are about ninety years between Cele- brimbor visited Galadriel in Lórinand – proba- does not grow or obtain more life, he brimbor’s realization that he had been be- bly full of repentance – and asked for her ad- merely continues, until at last every trayed (S.A. 1600) and the beginning of the vice. minute is a weariness. war (S.A. 1693),7 we can surmise that this de- Now Celebrimbor was not – LotR: The Shadow of the velopment caught Sauron completely by sur- Past prise, compelling him to build up sufficient corrupted in heart or faith, but had military strength for the task at hand. Obvi- accepted Sauron as what he posed to Only the Great Rings confer serial longevity be; and when at length he discovered ously, he had planned to take over the Eldar to a mortal; even the Nine were able to do the existence of the One Ring he through the Rings. This would have needed this. This is also mentioned in another two revolted against Sauron, and went to passages of the same chapter: only very little military power on his part. Lórinand to take counsel once more He knows that it is a Great Ring, Now that the powerful Noldor were his with Galadriel. They should have for it gave long life. fiercest enemies, he had to gather more mili- destroyed all the Rings of Power at tary strength before he could be sure of a vic- this time, “but they failed to find the – LotR: The Shadow of the torious outcome. strength.” Galadriel counselled him Past In contrast to Morgoth, Sauron was a mas- that the Three Rings of the Elves terful schemer and planner who could slowly should be hidden, never used, and In Eregion long ago many Elven- develop delicate plans and wait long years (or dispersed, far from Eregion where rings were made, magic rings as you even centuries) to see them bear fruit. The Sauron believed them to be. call them, and they were, of course, following two quotes shed light on Sauron’s – UT: Concerning Galadriel of various kinds: some more potent and some less. The lesser rings were way of thinking and judging a situation. and Celeborn only essays in the craft before it was Though of immensely smaller Of central importance here is, of course, full-grown, and to the Elven-smiths native power than his Master, he the statement, “but they failed to find the they were but trifles – yet still to my remained less corrupt, cooler and strength”. The Mírdain had made the Rings; mind dangerous for mortals. But the more capable of calculation. thus, they had both the skill and the means Great Rings, the Rings of Power, – HoMe 10: Myths (the forges where the nineteen Rings had been they were perilous. Transformed (Orcs) made) ready at hand. In addition, it was more – LotR: The Shadow of the than ninety years later that the war against Past 20 ———————————————————————————————————— ISSUE 3, JANUARY 2008

At last, Gandalf puts it in direct words, made by Celebrimbor alone, with a of himself. Failing to gain tidings of the Three, plain to see. Please note that Gandalf does not different power and purpose. [It is Sauron ordered Celebrimbor to be killed. The speak of “The One” but about a “Ring of Pow- not actually said here that Sauron at advice of Galadriel to give the Three to Elven er” (e.g. speaking generally). this time took possession of the Seven guardians and keep them far away from Ere- gion might give us an idea about the way Cele- ‘A Ring of Power looks after Rings, though the implication seems itself, Frodo. It may slip off clear that he did so. In Appendix A brimbor tried to protect the Seven. Following treacherously, but its keeper never (III) to The Lord of the Rings it is the quote above, he clearly judged all the se- abandons it. At most he plays with said that there was a belief among ries’ of Rings differently: The Nine were the the idea of handing it on to someone the Dwarves of Durin's Folk that the least powerful and dangerous in his eyes, the else’s care - and that only at an early Ring of Durin III, King of Khazad- Seven already quite precious and the Three stage, when it first begins to grip.’ dûm, was given to him by the Elven- supremely so. Accordingly, his attempts to – LotR: The Shadow of the smiths themselves, and nothing is protect them were differentiated as well: the said in the present text about the way Past Nine he deemed safe enough in the stronghold in which the Seven Rings came into of the Mírdain, the Seven were entrusted to This last quote, coupled with those above, possession of the Dwarves.] keepers (thus giving the “bestowed” above a shows that all the Elven Rings were “Great – UT: Concerning Galadriel more literal meaning), but still in Eregion or Rings”, and that these had a will of their own and Celeborn its vicinity, while the Three were given the and a strong tendency to look after and pro- It is commonly held that Sauron captured highest secrecy and security possible. Of tect themselves. Thus, they make it hard for the Nine and Seven in Eregion. This is superfi- course, all the guardians would have been anyone (even their makers) to damage them. cially supported by the quote above: The Nine made aware of the dangers of wearing a Ring In the case of the One, it is even not possible were probably shelved in the House of the while Sauron held the One. Following this to intentionally damage or neglect it. For the Mírdain, while the Seven and Three were hid- line, Sauron would have hunted down the El- Elven Rings, the effect may not be so ex- den. Please note Christopher Tolkien’s com- ven guardians of the Seven, until he had col- treme, but still strong enough to prevent their ment (in square brackets). Though Sauron lected these Rings as well. makers from their intentional destruction. learned where to find the Seven, it is not ex- At the latest, he must have captured the In my opinion, this is the reason why the plicitly stated that he immediately set out to Seven before he was decisively defeated in Eri- Mírdain were not able to destroy the Rings: get them once he was able to do so. It is likely, ador. A look at Appendix B (LotR) may give a They had the skill, the means and the time, though, since the capture of the Elven Rings valuable hint here: in 1697 Eregion falls, Cele- but could not muster enough strength of will (and here all of the Mírdain’s Rings – Nine, brimbor is slain and the Nine are captured. It to really do it. Thus robbed of the best way to Seven and Three – are meant) were his prima- is only two years later (1699) that Sauron deal with the pending threat, Galadriel coun- ry motivation to invade Eregion. overruns Eriador. This is a bit strange; he had seled Celebrimbor the second-best option – That Sauron took possession of the Seven in a strong army that had defeated Eregion’s hiding the Rings. relatively quick temporal succession to the Elves plus Elrond’s detachment. The latter had Now that the foreseeable war was coming, capture of the Nine (at least before his defeat barely escaped his annihilation and retreated so was the danger of Sauron capturing the in Eriador) is found elsewhere, fitting to the northward. After Eregion’s fall, there was no Rings. As is told in UT, Sauron eventually theory outlined above: significant realm in Eriador left east of the breached the defenses of Eregion and caught Lhûn that might have put up serious resis- Celebrimbor alive at the great door of the From that time war never ceased tance. The scattered and weak Mannish com- between Sauron and the Elves; and House of the Mírdain. It is important to note munities certainly never had the strength to Eregion was laid waste, and even delay Sauron’s advance. Logistic prob- the value Celebrimbor assigned to the Rings. Celebrimbor slain, and the doors of The Nine he deemed unimportant enough to lems might be an explanation for this extraor- Moria were shut. In that time the dinarily long delay in a further advance, but keep them openly in Eregion (even if probably stronghold and refuge of Imladris, are, in my opinion, unlikely. Since Sauron was in the best-protected part of the realm) where that Men called Rivendell, was Sauron eventually seized them. founded by Elrond Half-elven; and on the hunt for the remaining ten rings, a swift long it endured. But Sauron gathered and powerful military victory against his re- Celebrimbor, desperate, himself maining enemies was not his priority. First, he withstood Sauron on the steps of the into his hands all the remaining Rings of Power; and he dealt them wanted to secure the Rings he had knowledge great door of the Mírdain; but he was of. With the knowledge of the chronicler, we grappled and taken captive, and the out to the other peoples of Middle- know that these two years were decisive. Had House was ransacked. There Sauron earth, hoping thus to bring under his took the Nine Rings and other lesser sway all those that desired secret Sauron opted to attack earlier, he would have works of the Mírdain; but the Seven power beyond the measure of their defeated Lindon before Númenor’s expedi- and the Three he could not find. kind. Sil: Of the Rings of Power tionary force arrived. Afterwards, it would Then Celebrimbor was put to and the Third Age have only been a question of time until he caught the keepers of the Three also. Thus, torment, and Sauron learned from The Seven8 and Three were regarded as him where the Seven were bestowed. from a military point of view, this delay was more precious, and Celebrimbor revealed the 9 This Celebrimbor revealed, because fatal. If we see it from Sauron’s point of view, neither the Seven nor the Nine did he hiding place of the Seven only under said in- however, it might not be so wrong. His main value as he valued the Three; the tense torture. The hiding of the Three he did goal was the Rings. For now, he had only the Seven and the Nine were made with not reveal, probably because he loved these Nine, but knew where (or on whom) he might Sauron’s aid, whereas the Three were creations so much that they were almost a part find the Seven. It is thus not unreasonable to 21 OTHER MINDS MAGAZINE assume that he, according to his priorities,10 more easily or were less sensitive. Had he giv- will in the way he wanted, he couldn’t simply spent a good part of these two years hunting en Rings to them, he might risk the same trou- command them. Thus, a possible re-taking down the keepers of the Seven. The following bles as with the Noldor, and then these rings would have been a long and exhausting task, quote from UT confirms that he had his vast would be gone again. In addition, the Avari considering the strength of the Dwarven man- army scattered throughout Eriador – which is were a secretive people, keeping themselves sions. Since Sauron was pre-occupied dealing necessary and logical when you want to hunt apart from other folk and therefore unsuitable with the growing empire and ambitions of Nú- down small groups or individuals. It would be as tools of lordship or conquest. Dwarves, on menor, the Seven might have been not high disastrous against an organized and concentrat- the other hand, were powerful. Men were on enough on his agenda – at least as long as his ed enemy army, though. Note that Tolkien the rise as well and multiplying fast. This gave issue with the Númenóreans was not finally confirms that Sauron’s dispersed army was them high potential for worldwide domination resolved. hunting Elves (thus meaning not automatic im- at least in the future (what they lacked in qual- The only power over them that mediate killing, but more likely ity, they could compensate by quantity); in ad- the Rings wielded was to inflame apprehension), while he states that all Men dition, as said above, Sauron had recognized their hearts with a greed of gold and (who had nothing to do with the Rings) were already earlier that Men were the most easily precious things, so that if they lacked indeed killed or drawn off! With the capture bent to his service (of the Free Peoples). them all other good things seemed of the Seven achieved, Sauron turned to war These thoughts might have been factors in profitless, and they were filled with again, intent on securing the Three as well Sauron’s considerations to target the other wrath and desire for vengeance on all from the most likely guardians – in Lindon: Free Peoples of Middle-earth – Dwarves and who deprived them. LotR: But now Sauron attempted to Men – as potential victims. Conveniently, the Appendix A (Annals of the gain the mastery of Eriador: second series of the Rings coincided with the Kings and Rulers; III – Lórinand could wait. But as he number of Dwarven tribes. Since the Dwarves Durin’s Folk) ravaged the lands, slaying or were the second-most powerful people after In this way, the Seven worked indirectly to- drawing off all the small groups of the Eldar, it was natural that Sauron would be- wards Sauron's benefit, depriving his enemies Men and hunting the remaining stow11 the Seven upon them. This left the of the Naugrim’s strength in their fight. The Elves, many fled to swell Elrond's Nine Rings for Men. The following centuries Dwarves grew ever richer, while Men and host to the northward. Now Sauron’s probably saw the covert distribution of the Elves struggled to survive against the Dark immediate purpose was to take Rings to their respective victims. Sauron very Lord. Lindon, where he believed that he likely took great care that the gift of these had most chance of seizing one, or Rings appeared as exactly what the individual Over the course of the remainder of the more, of the Three Rings; and he receiver would view as the tool to fulfill his Second Age, the Three were kept hidden and called in therefore his scattered forces greatest desires – whatever these might be. unused, while both the Dwarves and Men and marched west towards the land Some might have been given as open gifts; for made great use of their Rings. When the War of Gil-galad, ravaging as he went. others, Sauron might have arranged suitable of the Last Alliance resulted in Sauron’s defeat – UT: Concerning Galadriel “lucky coincidences”. Sauron was always full and the loss of the One to Isildur, several and Celeborn of guile and the master of deception, so he things changed: since the mastermind that As is told in UT in greater detail, Sauron would make sure to act upon the desires and controlled the One was for the time being was eventually defeated and driven out of Eri- perceptions of his future servants individually. neutralized, the One posed no threat any more – as long as Sauron (or another powerful ador. He had achieved his main goal at least The plot worked very well with Men, but as wearer) did not use its powers. The Eldar rec- partially, that is possession of the Rings of is told in The Silmarillion, the Naugrim were ognized this, and began to use the Three to Power. His greatest goal (possession of the stubborn and resistant to being governed like preserve their dwellings and conserve their Three) had eluded him, however. this or reduced to wraiths. The Rings fuelled strength for the eventual day when Sauron their worst desires and, more often than not, Having secured the Nine and the Seven, the would return and his enemies had to unite one embroiled the Dwarves in their own selfish redistribution of the Rings became an is- last time. Meanwhile, the Three worked ex- business while the other Free Peoples fought sue for Sauron. He developed a “Plan B” to actly to that end for which they were made – against the Shadow: take best advantage of his prizes. As had been preservation of those things the Eldar held demonstrated, the Elves were too sensitive to They [the Dwarves] used their dear and warding off the effects of time in this trap and had to be discarded as potential rings only for the getting of wealth; mortal Middle-earth. slaves. but wrath and an over-mastering The Nazgûl fled into the East after Sauron’s greed of gold were kindled in their It is often asked why he did not give some of defeat, most likely taking their Rings with hearts, of which evil enough after these Rings to Avari in the East. These had them. This note that the Ringwraiths fled east never heard of the Eldar in the West, let alone came to the profit of Sauron. Sil: Of the Rings of Power and after Sauron’s defeat can be found in the essay the matter of the Rings. To give a satisfactory on the Disaster of the Gladden Fields: answer, we have to put ourselves into the Third Age Sauron’s shoes, so to speak. He could not be If any few [survivors from the So, while indirectly serving Sauron, the Sev- defeat in the Last Alliance] had sure of the effects of the Rings on Dwarves or en were only a partial success in his schemes. Men, but their effect upon the Elves was escaped, they had fled far to the East As long as he held the One, this indirect sup- with the Ringwraiths. known (even if only on the Eldar) – and this port might have been sufficient for him, and so was surely not to Sauron’s liking. He could – UT: The Disaster of the he did not bother with re-taking the rings by Gladden Fields not be sure that the Avari were to be caught force. Since the Dwarves were not bent to his 22 ———————————————————————————————————— ISSUE 3, JANUARY 2008

The Third Age began after the War of the It is said that the foundation of them, probably took them away from his in- Last Alliance. The fates of the Rings in this pe- each of the Seven Hoards of the fluence unless he wielded the One. riod are quite diverse. As long as Sauron was Dwarf-kings of old was a golden It is often speculated what became of the inactive, all Ring-wearers were to act without ring; but all those hoards long ago surviving three of the Seven and the Nine after restriction. The Dwarves guarded their trea- were plundered and the Dragons the One had been destroyed. Some speculate sures, probably even increasing them further. devoured them, and of the Seven that they survived, to be found later by adven- The Nazgûl stayed in hiding in the East. Per- Rings some were consumed in fire and turers. This is especially often heard in con- haps they also influenced some realms, but if some Sauron recovered. nection with the Ring of the Witch-king, pre- so, not to any extent that made them known – Sil: Of the Rings of Power sumed to be lying on the Pelennor Fields. in the West. The Three were used to heal the and the Third Age Beside the lack of any hint in this direction wounds after the Great War to the best of (other items of the Nazgûl lord were de- their abilities and preserve the Eldarin en- scribed in detail), Tolkien is very clear that ‘Seven the Dwarf-kings possessed, claves. Sauron held the Nine Rings personally. Thus but three he [Sauron] has recovered, Much of this changed when Sauron became and the others the dragons have there is no ring to be salvaged from the battle- active again around the year 1000 of the Third consumed.’ field of the Pelennor. It is interesting, Age. As we know, Sauron collected the Nine – LotR: The Shadow of the nonetheless, what happened with these items. from the Nazgûl to control them while he Past Since they were items of such power and im- himself lacked the One. portance, it is highly likely that they were al- We do not know for sure when this falling ways kept in the immediate vicinity of Sauron. At length therefore he [Sauron] of the Dwarven Rings began, only when it resolved to use the Ringwraiths. He For the Nine it is clear that he always kept had been reluctant to do so, until he ended: The Ring of Durin was the last of the them close to his person and ready for use (as Seven, and he was captured by Sauron in T.A. his medium of controlling the Ringwraiths), knew precisely where the Ring was, 12 for several reasons. They were by far 2845: and the survivors of the Seven are likely to be the most powerful of his servants, and 2845 Thráin the Dwarf is stored safely in a secure place in Barad-dûr – the most suitable for such a mission, imprisoned in Dol Guldur; the last of probably near Sauron as well. since they were entirely enslaved to the Seven Rings is taken from him. In this context we might take a look at how their Nine Rings, which he – LotR: Appendix B Sauron was destroyed. The melting of the One now himself held; they were quite was of course the ultimate cause, but what re- Only the Three were left unsullied and not incapable of acting against his will, ally happened immediately thereafter? Was directly affected by the machinations of and if one of them, even the Witch- Sauron’s form itself destroyed by it as well? In Sauron. Since they were not sullied by him, he king their captain, had seized the my opinion, this is not automatically the case. had no power over them in the way that they One Ring, he would have brought it The destruction of the One would have been brought misfortune to their wearers: back to his Master. an immense shock to Sauron, when a great – UT: The Hunt for the Ring And all those rings that he part of himself was forcibly released from its (my emphasis) governed he perverted, the more form and dissipated into Arda. But since this How the Dark Lord got the Nine is specula- easily since he had a part in their part of Sauron was already outside of Sauron tive. It is not unreasonable to assume, howev- making, and they were accursed, and himself, its destruction would probably not be er, that he visited each Nazgûl personally and they betrayed in the end all those lethal to him. Compare this to Morgoth, who forced the surrender of its ring through his that used them. was not affected by the destruction of his min- terrible presence. Though Sauron was greatly – Sil: Of the Rings of Power ions, whose creation had required a good part weakened, his remaining strength was proba- and the Third Age of himself to be spent (e.g. the Dragons). bly enough to overpower a single Nazgûl in The Nine and Seven were more subject to There might be some kind of “shock” to any case. Even lacking the One, the Nazgûl Sauron’s will, so that even when he lacked the Sauron, but not necessarily automatic death. were bound to Sauron’s spirit (in the Ring), One, he could indirectly influence them and Another effect I deem more important: The and so their ability to resist any part of Sauron eventually achieve his end. Not so with the release of the One’s power “pulled the plug” (either in the Ring or in his person) would be Three – these he could only govern with the on all devices that were created with the One. less than their power in any other contest. One and nothing less. Galadriel puts it in Among these were the foundations of the words in the Lord of the Rings: Dark Tower. Now, with the foundations fail- Some time after Sauron had secured the ing, the tower collapsed, taking Sauron with Nine, he probably established his abode in Dol ‘I say to you, Frodo, that even as it. It is likely that the collapse of the tower was Guldur, plotting his return to power and the I speak to you, I perceive the Dark responsible for the destruction of the physical eventual defeat of his enemies. It was at some Lord and know his mind, or all of his form of Sauron. Note the order of events in unspecified time – probably in the Third Age mind that concerns the Elves. And he the LotR: – that the misfortunes of the Dwarves began. gropes ever to see me and my Eventually their ancient hoards were plun- thought. But still the door is closed!’ And even as he [Gandalf] spoke dered and their Rings either destroyed by – LotR: The Mirror of the earth rocked beneath their feet. dragon fire or collected by Sauron. Finally, he Galadriel Then rising swiftly up, far above the was able to secure three of the Seven, the re- Towers of the Black Gate, high above maining being destroyed. The two following Thus, even while being subject to the One, the mountains, a vast soaring passages confirm the fate of the Seven: their power, and the fact that Sauron never darkness sprang into the sky, had a part in their making or even touched 23 OTHER MINDS MAGAZINE

flickering with fire. The earth them was Barad-dûr. Thus these three Rings Sauron. were most likely destroyed when Sauron’s groaned and quaked. The Towers of No tortures would have satisfied the Teeth swayed, tottered, and fell fortress collapsed after the destruction of the his [Sauron’s] anger with the down; the mighty rampart crumbled; One. bungling fools who had let slip the the Black Gate was hurled in ruin; For the Nine, we have no clear reference as greatest prize in Middle-earth [the and from far away, now dim, now to what happened to them. Using evidence al- Orcs who killed Isildur; which led to growing, now mounting to the ready quoted above, their most likely fate is the loss of the One]; even though clouds, there came a drumming clear as well, though: since Sauron used them they could know nothing of the One rumble, a roar, a long echoing roll of to control the Ringwraiths, he probably had Ring, which save to Sauron himself ruinous noise. them on his fingers, and so they were de- was known only to the Nine ‘The realm of Sauron is Ringwraiths, its slaves. ended!’ said Gandalf. ‘The Ring- stroyed when the Dark Lord’s body was caught in the destruction of his tower. The – UT: The Disaster of the bearer has fulfilled his Quest.’ And Gladden Fields as the Captains gazed south to the ring that had belonged to the Witch-king he Land of Mordor, it seemed to them might have taken off (since the chief Nazgûl This makes it clear that, from Sauron’s side, that, black against the pall of cloud, was at least incapacitated for a long time), but the Rings were kept a secret known only to there rose a huge shape of shadow, most probably stored it together with the the individual wearers and Sauron himself. impenetrable, lightning-crowned, three surviving Rings of the Seven. The Eldar were also very secretive: filling all the sky. Enormous it reared I do not think Ar-Pharazôn knew above the world, and stretched out The Ring-verse towards them a vast threatening anything about the One Ring. The hand, terrible but impotent: for even For us as the readers of The Lord of the Rings, Elves kept the matter of the Rings as it leaned over them, a great wind several key elements become quite clear: the very secret, as long as they could. In took it, and it was all blown away, Rings of Power, and the threat posed by the any case Ar-Pharazôn was not in and passed; and then a hush fell. One Ring, already loom over our heads even communication with them. – LotR: The Field of Cormallen before we read the book – we read the verse – Letters: #211, 1958 cited at the beginning of this essay before the First comes the trembling of the earth – Neither were the Dwarven kings very story in the book even begins. As Tolkien put talkative about the causes for their ever-grow- probably from the tremors following the de- 14 it, the verse is the leit-motif of the book. ing riches. This is also reported by Tolkien: struction of the One and the beginning erup- Thus, for a reader the background story is tion of Orodruin – and then later the shadowy quite trivial and often taken for common But the possessors of the Ring figure of Sauron’s malice appears. This is knowledge. [Durin’s Ring] did not display it or probably a semi-corporeal body, held together speak of it, and they seldom by the remnants of his power. It is too weak to Already at the beginning of the book we are surrendered it until near death, so resist even a wind (even if this wind had a “su- given a great deal of knowledge when Gandalf that others did not know for certain pernatural” cause) and is dissipated. Due to first tells Frodo about the One and the associ- where it was bestowed. the small – but, in my opinion, important – ated matters in general: – LotR: Appendix A (Annals of temporal gap, we might see some validation The letters [on the One] are the Kings and Rulers; III – for the theory developed above: Sauron’s body Elvish, of an ancient mode, but the Durin’s Folk) survived the destruction of the One initially, language is that of Mordor, which I Thus, it is very unlikely that any knowledge but was destroyed by the after-effects of the will not utter here. But this in the of the Rings of Power slipped into the lore of collapse of his mighty Barad-dûr. Common Tongue is what is said, even the royal Númenóreans before the Last close enough: In a way, the unmaking of the One made Alliance. It is likely that the Eldar only came Sauron vulnerable to physical attack, since he One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, out with the whole story when the Nú- now lacked any device to act as an anchor, his menóreans were surprised that Sauron had es- bodily form destroyed.13 It may be an academ- One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them. caped the wrath of Eru out of the Downfall. ic question, but for me it is important that the It is only two lines of a verse destruction of the Ring was probably not the For this good at least they long known in Elven-lore. believed had come out of ruin, that immediate cause of the destruction of Sauron’s – FotR: The Shadow of the physical form. Sauron also had perished. Past – LotR: Appendix A The fate of the Rings of Power is an im- portant question. No discussion of the Rings’ Please note that Gandalf says, these are lines So it was probably only now that the Nú- history would be complete without a look at from a verse long known in Elven-lore. Thus menóreans understood the general lines of the the eventual fate of all the Rings. For the One, it is likely that all scholars naturally associated whole matter – including the deeper reason this is easy, since its melting is a key element the Rings with the Elves; a matter that will be- for the war in Eriador seventeen hundred of the whole plot of the book. The fate of the come important when I later discuss the time years earlier. Three is not in doubt either, as they depart of the likely creation of this famous verse. After the War of the Last Alliance was suc- over the Sea with their wearers. The Seven For the inhabitants of Middle-earth, things cessful, it is not unlikely that the matter of the have already been mentioned, but only partial- are quite different though. As already stated, Great Rings, their existence, distribution and ly for this purpose. Since Sauron had regained the matter of the Rings of Power was kept as a purpose (in relation to the One) became three of them, the only logical place to keep top-secret matter both by the Eldar and known to a wider audience of scholars who 24 ———————————————————————————————————— ISSUE 3, JANUARY 2008 had interest in such things. The careful study Two or three ‘Batches’ of Elven Rings? was put into the Three (33% in number com- of the Ring-verse shows that only the purpose We know that the Elven rings were – at pared to the Nine; 42.9% in number com- of the One is defined clearly – the function of least in after times – separated into three dis- pared to the Seven). the others are left ambiguous in this verse. tinct “series”: the Nine, Seven, and Three. It is I can imagine that this came to pass in the This is another hint that the verse was com- not entirely clear whether this was true from following way: Sauron took part in forging all posed after the plot of Sauron had been re- the beginning; e.g. first a series of nine rings, of the Sixteen Rings, and the first series of vealed to an audience more numerous than the then a later series of seven and at last a third Great Rings (the Nine) was already good. Eldarin leaders. Afterwards, there was no series of three. Neither in The Silmarillion nor Here the Mírdain worked more or less exactly more reason to keep the entire matter secret, in The Lord of the Rings is there any direct evi- along the lines as taught (and understood and although the details of the Ring-making and dence on this matter. The only hint in this di- mastered after trials with the Lesser Rings) to the original purposes still remained unknown rection is Tolkien’s report of the events in them by Annatar. Afterwards, they honed even to Númenórean scholars. Eregion found in Unfinished Tales and already their skill further (again together with An- As already stated, the rhyme was long quoted in full above: natar) and made an even better series (the Sev- known in Elven-lore (speaking from the van- en). Here Sauron might have thought “OK, There Sauron took the Nine tage point of the late Third Age). This also that’s enough for them, my purpose is ful- Rings and other lesser works of the filled”.16 Accordingly, he left Eregion to fash- raises the question: who actually composed Mírdain; but the Seven and the it. We cannot, however, even make an edu- Three he [Sauron] could not find. ion his master-ring that would rule all the Six- cated guess on his (or her) identity, though we – UT: Concerning Galadriel teen. After his departure, Celebrimbor may extrapolate the race of the composer. and Celeborn mustered all his skill and developed the tech- Since Gandalf reports that Celebrimbor heard niques taught by his mentor even further, re- Sauron say the two key lines (“One Ring to This has been partly discussed above in the fining the art to an extent that was the epito- rule them all...”) when the latter put on the section about Sauron’s capture of the rings in me of Elven craft developed out of and based One for the first time, only these would have Eregion: the Nine, Seven and Three are dis- on Maiarin knowledge. Thus he made the been known to the Eldarin leaders (at least ini- cussed (and stored/bestowed) separately, Three, which showed an even greater power tially). Due to the secrecy of the whole matter which favors three distinct ‘batches’ of rings compared to the Sixteen and that symbolized (see above), they are unlikely to have shared with – probably – ever increasing power. more pure and “Elven” ideals. They were the this information with anyone else before the The mere fact that there were probably true masterpieces of Elven Ring-craft. It is War of the Last Alliance. Thus, the rhyme three ‘batches’ from the beginning does not imaginable that Sauron was really surprised by may have been created by an Elven scholar to tell us directly something about the properties their existence (see above), but probably posi- put the whole problem of the Rings in one of the Rings, but indirectly it offers plenty of tively, giving him three more tools – and even short and condensed form once Sauron had information to make some educated guesses. more powerful ones than he had imagined been defeated. Even if he (the author/com- First, it is striking that the number of Rings possible for the Noldor. The effects of their poser) was not Elven, he must have been in- within each series decreases. It is also interest- power is vividly described in The Lord of the formed by an Elf. ing that the number for the first two series dif- Rings: Thus the early Third Age is the most likely fers only marginally, while the third one is [Sam speaking] ‘Whether they’ve time the verse became common knowledge clearly set apart.15 Additionally, we know that made the land, or the land’s made among scholars. Due to the lack of precise the Three were the most powerful of the El- them, it’s hard to say, if you take my knowledge on the intricacies, it was more a ven Rings (see quotes above), and that the meaning. It’s wonderfully quiet here. descriptive and evocative way to describe the One was even more powerful, since it had to Nothing seems to be going on, and general and obvious key facts about these rule all the other – mighty – Rings. So gener- nobody seems to want it to. If there’s Rings. That they were not made with this in- ally speaking, an increasing amount of power any magic about, it’s right down tention is another matter, it simply describes was concentrated in an ever-decreasing num- deep, where I can’t lay my hands on the state of things as was known at this time: ber of items. It seems reasonable to use the it, in a manner of speaking.’ That the Dark Lord had the One, the Elves the term “Sixteen Rings” for the Nine and Seven, ‘You can see and feel it Three etc. and that the purpose of the One as they were more closely connected together everywhere,’ said Frodo. was to rule the others. compared to the Three. – LotR: The Mirror of Galadriel Ironically, the only ones who probably qual- Here we may have a look at the likely order ify as real kings that got Rings of Power were of events: The Nine were probably the first This subtle and yet strong power to affect the kings of the seven Dwarven houses – and (and least powerful) series; see also the value the land and make it feel “magical” (without these are only called “lords” in the verse. Thus given to them by Celebrimbor above. The visible flashy effects) is exactly what the Mír- we can safely assume, that the composer of the Seven were already better and accordingly dain intended to achieve. verse was not trying to make a correct depic- more valued by Celebrimbor. Last came the tion of the distribution of the Rings. (See Three, made by the Master-smith alone. The above for more details on the verse.) number of Rings might be an indicator for rel- ative power: The same (or even greater) amount of power might have been squeezed into the Seven compared to the Nine; even though the former were already two pieces less (77.8% in number compared to the Nine). Now, perhaps an even greater amount 25 OTHER MINDS MAGAZINE Powers of the Rings wanted to achieve, of course, so it’s no won- The rôle and relationship of the Elven This section is deliberately not titled as deal- der that this is the chief power. We are also Rings to the One and Sauron is of course ing with the Great Rings alone, but aims at a told however, that Sauron added powers as the best-known part of their whole history: broader target. As we have seen previously, well, like the ability to make oneself invisible Sauron had the One, the Three the Elves re- the primary goal of this whole project (as far or see invisible things. He is likely to have ma- tained, while the others were distributed to as the Elves were concerned – Sauron had oth- nipulated the general purpose a bit. This is Dwarves and Men by Sauron. For the Second The Silmarillion er motives of course), was preservation. told in : Age it is clear, that Sauron with the help of the Tolkien’s Letters provide us with first-hand in- And all those rings that he One governed the Nine and at least influenced formation on specific powers: governed he perverted, the more the wearers of the Seven. easily since he had a part in their As we have seen above, The Elves immedi- The chief power (of all the rings making, and they were accursed, and ately noticed Sauron and his purpose once the alike) was the prevention or slowing they betrayed in the end all those One was first worn. As outlined above, the of decay (i.e. ‘change’ viewed as a that used them. regrettable thing), the preservation of Elves were much more sensitive to such “mag- – Sil: Of the Rings of Power what is desired or loved, or its ic emanations” and thus detected Sauron and semblance – this is more or less an and the Third Age avoided his trap. How this connection came to Elvish motive. But also they It is understandable that Sauron may have be is not known in detail, but since all the enhanced the natural powers of a tinkered with the Rings after their capture, so Rings were based on the same basic technical possessor – thus approaching that they would be all the more suitable for principles, some kind of magic link between ‘magic’, a motive easily corruptible the – worn – Elven Rings and the One is high- the corruption of their future wearers. Per- 17 into evil, a lust for domination. And haps he also tried to mask the effects of the ly likely. This is needed of course to effect finally they had other powers, more One somehow, so that a failure similar to the government of the Elven Rings through directly derived from Sauron (‘the those he experienced with the Noldor of Ere- the One. Unfortunately for Sauron this link is Necromancer’: so he is called as he gion (detection of the One) became less prob- not one-way (e.g. from the One down to the casts a fleeting shadow and presage able. The most important point is that Sauron other Rings), but in both directions. Through on the pages of The Hobbit): such as modified the Rings he had captured to an un- this feature the Elves were able to detect him rendering invisible the material body, and his plot. and making things of the invisible known degree, so that they would serve his world visible. purpose even better. Other entities of similar (or greater) stature The Elves of Eregion made Three It seems obvious that the less powerful abili- in fëa (or Ainu ëalar) are likely to be at least as supremely beautiful and powerful ties (e.g. only slowing decay instead of com- perceptive. As long as Sauron held the One, rings, almost solely of their own pletely halting it) would be associated more he is likely to have been able to block any at- imagination, and directed to the with the Nine or Seven rather than the much tempt to penetrate his own mind while domi- preservation of beauty: they did not more powerful Three. nating the Nine (and Three – if they had been confer invisibility. worn), but he certainly could not wholly pre- – Letters: #131, late 1951 The “Lesser Rings” that had also been crafted vent this “connection” back to him. Since the are an endless matter of debate. The only Men who accepted the Nine Rings were so This gives us the information about the key reliable information we have about them is the easily ensnared and fooled, it is likely that the powers of the Great Rings – not surprising already mentioned comment by Gandalf, strength of their fëar was not sufficient to de- when considering the motives of their makers. which I will repeat here because of its tect the two-way connection and learn any- Thus we can make a number of assertions with relevance: thing from it like Celebrimbor or Galadriel.18 some certainty: In Eregion long ago many Elven- For the Third Age when Sauron lacked the rings were made, magic rings as you • Great Rings preserve what is One, the situation is trickier. The Silmarillion loved or its semblance, and slow call them, and they were, of course, of various kinds: some more potent contains one quote that gives a pointer: decay (or completely halt it – and some less. The lesser rings were according to power) And all those rings that he only essays in the craft before it was governed he perverted, the more • They enhance the natural powers full-grown, and to the Elven-smiths easily since he had a part in their of the wearer; thus a great they were but trifles – yet still to my making, and they were accursed, and general will become even mind dangerous for mortals. But the they betrayed in the end all those greater, a powerful magician will Great Rings, the Rings of Power, that used them. still rise in lore and power and a they were perilous. – Sil: Of the Rings of Power wise and skilled king will become – LotR: The Shadow of the and the Third Age an even better one Past • The Sixteen’s and the One’s It seems that Sauron’s participation in the It sounds logical to us that the Mírdain first crafting of the Rings plus a possible manipula- ability to make the wearer had to develop their craft, and that accordingly invisible was derived from tion after their capture gives them a unique they created lesser rings that constituted trials quality: while still providing enormous power, Sauron/Annatar in the various powers of the Great Rings that Please note the wording in the first of these they were more closely linked to Sauron than were planned. the Three. Thus even while he lacked the bullets: the Rings may only preserve the sem- One, Sauron still had some indirect malevo- blance of what is loved. lent influence over the Nine19 and Seven Rings This preservation motive is what the Elves which led to the eventual falling of the Dwar- 26 ———————————————————————————————————— ISSUE 3, JANUARY 2008 ven Rings (and probably the recovery of the To attempt by device or ‘magic’ were kindled in their hearts, of which Nine from the Nazgûl).The Three’s only link to recover longevity is thus a supreme evil enough after came to the profit to Sauron was by the One and while he lacked folly and wickedness of ‘mortals’. of Sauron. It is said that the it, the Three and their wearers were not ac- Longevity or counterfeit foundation of each of the Seven cessible for his probings. Galadriel puts it in ‘immortality’ (true immortality is Hoards of the Dwarf-kings of old was words in The Lord of the Rings: beyond Eä) is the chief bait of Sauron a golden ring; but all those hoards – it leads the small to a Gollum, and long ago were plundered and the In the black abyss there appeared the great to a Ringwraith. Dragons devoured them, and of the a single Eye that slowly grew until it Seven Rings some were consumed in filled nearly all the Mirror. ... – Letters: #212, Oct. 1958 fire and some Sauron recovered. ‘Do not touch the water!’ said the Using the knowledge from above, that the Lady Galadriel softly. The vision – Sil: Of the Rings of Power Rings were made by the Elves to preserve and and the Third Age faded, and Frodo found that he was “embalm” that which is loved and whose fad- looking at the cool stars twinkling in ing would bring sorrow21; and coupled with the silver basin. He stepped back Sauron’s manipulations, the effects of the The powers of the Rings in RPGs is a shaking all over and looked at the Great Rings on mortals were fatal.22 They Lady. tricky issue. ICE gave game stats to the Rings were exposed to something that was never in- of Power, and in general this technical data ‘I know what it was that you last tended for them by the makers of the Rings saw,’ she said; ‘for that is also in my seems acceptable as a basis for further refine- and therefore they meddled with powers that 24 mind. ... I say to you, Frodo, that ment. What these lack, however, is a good were too great for them. Human mortality, even as I speak to you, I perceive implementation of their chief powers – the the wish to avoid it and to live forever is one the Dark Lord and know his slowing of decay and preservation. I am aware of the great themes in Tolkien’s Arda, from mind, or all of his mind that that this is a tough task in a fast-paced RPG which sorrow23 often comes and sometimes concerns the Elves. And he which does not count in decades or centuries, even great danger. So the Sixteen Rings might but months or years at best. In this scale, the gropes ever to see me and my be viewed as a means to preserve and slow de- thought. But still the door is primary preservation power of the Rings is cay, but not with a more specific “built in” negligible of course.25 closed!’ ... purpose. Thus what exactly is preserved de- Its [Eärendil’s] rays glanced upon pends on the wearer and his specific, often Apart from the well-known Great Rings, a ring about her finger; ... race-specific, desires. For Elves and Men this the Lesser Rings are a favourite in RPGs when – LotR: The Mirror of has been discussed. For Dwarves, material the adventure author or the specific GM wants Galadriel (my emphasis) wealth is the thing that is most loved and to introduce powerful items of the past. ICE worth preserving. did this extensively, but in my opinion, they Galadriel is fully able to use this two-way lacked some understanding of the key facts link between the One and her Ring: even if The Three Rings might be viewed as a re- about these “Lesser Rings”. In the ICE mod- Sauron lacked the One, he was in some way finement of the preservation theme. Not only ules such rings regularly conferred either (un- “linked in spirit” since part of himself was were they more powerful overall, but they dead) immortality or at least magically pro- within the One. Due to her innate abilities, were also directed specifically towards pre- longed life (or better, physical existence). As Galadriel should have been capable of some serving beauty (see quote above). Thus it is at we have learned from the LotR quote above, “mental surveillance” of Sauron’s mind, but least speculative, whether they would have this is impossible. The power to prolong hu- this was probably enhanced by Nenya and the had the same effects upon Men as had the man life was a power possessed only by the above-mentioned effect. Nine. Great Rings; in my opinion, there is absolutely The way Galadriel perceives Sauron is cer- The effects of the Seven on the Nau- no room for interpretation here. The most tainly related to the way Celebrimbor noticed grim are quite different than the ones on likely – primary – power of these Lesser Rings him when the Dark Lord first put the One on Men: would lie in the first essays of the preservation his finger. That she says that she perceives only theme. Here the passage from the quote be- his thoughts that concern the Elves might be Seven Rings he gave to the fore the last is of great help: It speaks of the typical for the way of this link: An elven Ring- Dwarves; but to Men he gave nine, “semblance” that could be preserved by the wearer perceives only those designs aimed at for Men proved in this matter as in Rings. Such a preliminary stage in the devel- others the readiest to his will. And the elven wearers of a Ring of Power – and opment of the major powers is the best candi- all those rings that he governed he their whole folk. According to this theory, a date for a Lesser Rings’ powers, due to his na- perverted, the more easily since he man would perceive those thoughts that con- had a part in their making, and they ture as an essay in the craft. Thus, speaking in cern men.20 were accursed, and they betrayed in such terms, I would propose the following The effects of the Great Rings on mor- the end all those that used them. The major stages in the development of the Lesser tals are well-documented. Powerful men Dwarves indeed proved tough and Rings in respect to the preservation power. I were turned into Ringwraiths, while the hard to tame; they ill endure the describe their effects on mortals, since here smaller and mean became a ‘Gollum’. The de- domination of others, and the the powers of the Rings manifest themselves velopment of Sméagol (long-lived but not be- thoughts of their hearts are hard to very graphically in my opinion. coming a wraith) can be attributed to his hob- fathom, nor can they be turned to • The first version would only preserve bitish nature though. Tolkien mentions the shadows. They used their rings only the facade of the state from the loved distinction and importance of original stature for the getting of wealth; but wrath thing when the ring was first worn. In and an over-mastering greed of gold and power in his Letters: no way does it delay or influence the 27 OTHER MINDS MAGAZINE

progress of aging or change. after receiving a Ring (and were not earliest statement on the subject is • The second stage would act as the first, such already when given it). found in the post-Lord of the Rings but would also mitigate some effects of Men proved easier to ensnare. text Concerning Galadriel and ageing (e.g., better vigour in old age, Those who used the Nine Rings Celeborn, where it is said (cf. but not wholly preserved). became mighty in their day, kings, Unfinished Tales p. 235): • The third stage would act as the sorcerers, and warriors of old. They Galadriel and Celeborn had in their preceding ones, with the difference obtained glory and great wealth, yet company a Noldorin craftsman called that this ring also mitigate the aging it turned to their undoing. They had, Celebrimbor. He was of Noldorin and its detrimental effects of a mortal, as it seemed, unending life, yet life origin, and one of the survivors of but only until his appointed time became unendurable to them. They Gondolin, where he had been one of approached. Then he would age very could walk, if they would, unseen by Turgon's greatest artificers - but he fast and die like any other of his race. all eyes in this world beneath the had thus acquired some taint of pride and an almost ‘dwarvish’ obsession This accelerated aging of postponed sun, and they could see things in with crafts. decades might take place in only a few worlds invisible to mortal men; but He reappears as a jewel-smith of weeks or even days.26 too often they beheld only the phantoms and delusions of Sauron. Gondolin in the text The Elessar (see Please note that the ‘Lesser Rings’ did not And one by one, sooner or later, Unfinished Tales pp. 248 ff.); but confer unnatural longevity. This is the one according to their native strength against the passage in Concerning power which they definitely do not possess (in and to the good or evil of their wills Galadriel and Celeborn just cited my whatever form it may be constructed), but in the beginning, they fell under the father noted that it would be better which are often ascribed to them. thralldom of the ring that they bore to ‘make him a descendant of and under the domination of the Fëanor’. ...] – HoMe 12: The Atani and Excursus: Ring-distribution among Men One, which was Sauron’s. And they became for ever invisible save to him their languages (Note 7) ICE is often criticized for its decision of giv- that wore the Ruling Ring, and they ing the Nazgûl individual biographies as laid This last sentence already shows that the entered into the realm of shadows. idea of Celebrimbor as a descendant of Fëanor out in the Lords of Middle-earth, Vol. 2 – The The Nazgûl were they, the had begun to develop. Mannish Races. The invention of a female (Nú- Ringwraiths, the Enemy’s most menórean) Nazgûl is especially a matter of terrible servants; darkness went with In the HoMe 12, there is an extensive foot- criticism, on the grounds that she was a them, and they cried with the voices note where he is even made a Sinda: queen at most and not a king as it is sup- of death. The famous Celebrimbor, heroic posed was the norm for the Ringwraiths. If – Sil: Of the Rings of Power defender of Eregion in the Second you have a closer look, the decision is not un- and the Third Age Age war against Sauron, was a Teler, reasonable, though: one of the three Teleri who • There were three queens in Númenor, accompanied Celeborn into exile. – HoMe 12: The Atani and thus making a powerful female Excursus: Celebrimbor’s ancestry character of Númenórean race their languages (Note 7) absolutely possible The person of Celebrimbor is interesting. Naturally, he is the central figure in the mak- This last seems to be a very late develop- • The Ring Verse does not specify ing of the Rings, Sauron’s unsuspecting ser- ment where Tolkien possibly had forgotten gender, profession or social status vant in the creation of a deadly peril for all of that he already had made Celebrimbor a rela- 27 • The Ring Verse speaks of Elven kings – Middle-earth. Superficially, everything is clear tive of Fëanor in the published LotR. but Galadriel is not a king (male) as glass. He was a descendant of Fëanor and Christopher Tolkien comments on this in the either. Neither do Círdan, Elrond or therefore a Noldo: following way: Gandalf qualify as Elven kings. The only one who did was Gil-galad, and he Celebrimbor was lord of Eregion When my father wrote this [1968 was dead before the Ring-verse was and the greatest of their craftsmen; or later] he ignored the addition to probably made he was descended from Fëanor. Appendix B in the Second Edition, – LotR: Appendix B stating that Celebrimbor ‘was • The most important passage that tells descended from Fëanor’; no doubt he us something about the Nazgûl is found It seems, however, that his identity was far had forgotten that that theory had in The Silmarillion (see quote below). from firm. In UT, where we find a lot of piv- appeared in print, for had he Again, there is no mention that being a otal information about the Rings and the War remembered it he would undoubtedly king (male) is a prerequisite for being of the Elves and Sauron, we find passages that have felt bound by it. – On the chosen as a wearer of one of the Nine he was a Noldo, as above, but originated from statement that Celebrimbor was ‘one • The same passage from The Silmarillion Gondolin – with no relationship to the family of the three Teleri who accompanied that deals with the matter of the of Fëanor: Celeborn into exile’ see Unfinished Ringwraiths also makes kingship not a Tales, pp. 231-3. prerequisite for being chosen as a [Like Gil-galad, Celebrimbor was – HoMe 12: The Atani and future slave by Sauron. Indeed, it even a figure first appearing in The Lord their languages (Note 7) of the Rings whose origin my father says that some of them became kings changed again and again. The So, summarizing all the issues, it is in my opinion indeed the best solution to keep the 28 ———————————————————————————————————— ISSUE 3, JANUARY 2008 LotR version, since it is the one best devel- oped. Conveniently, the passage already cited given to Durin of Khazad-dûm by the then seven, three and one. Logically, we above gives us also some information on the Mírdain themselves: would expect five after seven – which is family matters in this “Fëanorian descent” ver- It was believed by the Dwarves of left out – and it continues with three. Thus sion: Durin's Folk to be the first of the the gap is greater which emphasizes the Seven that was forged; and they say special status (in intention and power) and How could he be? Fëanor’s only that it was given to the King of sets the Three more distinctly apart from descendants were his seven sons, six of Khazad-dûm, Durin III, by the whom reached Beleriand. So far the other Elven Rings. Then we continue Elven-smiths themselves and not by with one ring – here the gap is again similar nothing has been said of their wives Sauron, though doubtless his evil and children. It seems probable that to that between nine and seven. All this power was on it, since he had aided might indicate at the relative strength and Celebrinbaur (silverfisted, > in the forging of all the Seven. “status” in the “ring hierarchy”: We might Celebrimbor) was son of Curufin, but – LotR: Appendix A (Annals of though inheriting his skills he was an think that the Nine and Seven form a the Kings and Rulers; III – “group” of similar power levels, as does the Elf of wholly different temper (his Durin’s Folk) mother had refused to take part in Three and the One (though of course not in the rebellion of Fëanor and remained It is conceivable that the Noldor deemed intent with respect to the Three and the in Aman with the people of the friendship of a powerful neighbour One of course!). Finarphin). (with the only known source of mithril at 16 Thanks to David Keogh for this nice – HoMe 12: The Atani and his disposal) was worth the gift of one of wording (mail to fan-sourcebooks on their languages (Note 7) the Rings that the Elves had made for February, 6th 2008) themselves. 17 But only in this way – like a star-shape This passage also tells that Celebrimbor was 7 Both dates according to Appendix B of the with the One in the middle: There are only a person who went into exile (and thus proba- Lord of the Rings. connections between the One and each bly was born during the bliss of Aman):28 8 Again, perhaps only the remaining six of lesser Ring, but not between the other But Curufin, dearest to his father the Seven. Rings, thus bypassing the One. and chief inheritor of his father’s 9 For his primary goal as well in the end. 18 And very likely – Elrond and Gandalf. skills, was wedded, and had a son Had he first destroyed all organized 19 Unless he did not wear or use them who came with him into exile, resistance, he might have hunted down his himself of course after re-capturing them though his wife (unnamed) did not. prey later. Since he chose to get the Seven from the Nazgûl. [This means that this – HoMe 12:The Atani and first (perhaps not to lose the relatively fresh indirect influence makes only sense as long their languages (Note 7) trail), he made – in the long run – the as he has them not in his possession for control purposes]. The matter may seem academic (and it is to wrong decision. 10 20 If he had been sensitive enough for this. a large extent), but shows the problems and The war was only a tool to achieve the Since this is not the case, this conclusion is delicate decisions that are sometimes neces- goal of getting the Rings. 11 theoretical of course. sary in textual research. In this case we are Note the wording in comparison to the 21 Compared to the perceived swift change of fortunate that the decision for the Fëanorian one describing the likely elven keepers of Middle-earth, the Eldar remain largely descent was an easy one. the Seven above! 12 In the online essay ‘The Fall of Carn Dûm’ unchanged. (complementary to Other Hands, Issue #25: 22 In contrast with the Elves, in Men’s view Notes ‘Dwarves of the Blue Mountains’) it is Middle-earth is largely static while they speculated that the beginning of the fall of change swiftly. This might be the motive 1 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by- the Seven began with the capture of Carn- for their desire to preserve their own nc-sa/3.0/ dûm in the 13th century (then a Dwarven physical existence. 23 2 http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/f stronghold) by the Witch-king, and the See the LotR: Appendix A – (V) Here follows a an-modules/ capture of one of the Seven in the process. part of the tale of Aragorn and Arwen for the 3 Though probably tricked about his motives Though speculative, this is not effect even on Elrond’s daughter who like the Eldar later; it would be interesting unreasonable. presumed to be aware of her fate to know their reaction once Sauron’s 13 Please note the interesting parallel to the beforehand. See Arwen’s speech and pleas motives had become clear popular Harry Potter novel series (though when Aragorn lies on his deathbed. 4 This is indeed the explanation brought not limited to this example): The main 24 When using ICE’s MERP or Rolemaster. forth in ICE’s Lórien and the Halls of the villain could only be finally destroyed after For other systems the data has to be Elven-smiths. his ‘magical’ anchor to the physical world adapted of course. 5 ICE indeed gave numbers: ten years for (for Sauron the One, for Voldemort his 25 Most players are naturally more interested the Three, as well as for the One. See horcruxes) were unmade. In addition, both in bonuses to skills, extra magic, extra ICE’s Lórien and the Halls of the Elven-smiths were defeated previously (e.g. before the bonuses overall, special powers etc. In for more details. These are secondary respective books begin) and now return as other words; everything that directly sources though and their value is therefore a final threat. enhances the tactical power of the wearer is quite limited. Indeed, though they are 14 See Letters: #131 most interesting. convincing, ICE did not produce any 15 If we use a bit of numerology, we could 26 Compare the Vampire movie „The textual backup for their claims. speculate the following: all the series have Hunger“ with Catherine Deneuve, Susan 6 The First of the Seven may have been an uneven number of pieces – first nine, Sarandon and David Bowie for a nice 29 OTHER MINDS MAGAZINE

adaptation of a similar theme. Here the character played by Bowie ages decades within a few hours. 27 As a sidenote, this also takes up one idea from UT that Celeborn was not a Sinda from Doriath, but a Teler from Aman who went with Galadriel when she left from there. 28 This is in stark contrast to the ICE version, which made him an Elf born in Middle- earth. At the time of the writing of this information (1986), the texts quoted above were not available to the respective authors of Lórien and the Halls of the Elven-smiths and Lords of Middle-earth, Vol. 1 – The Immortals. Thus the discrepancy is excusable

30 ———————————————————————————————————— ISSUE 3, JANUARY 2008 The Palantíri

by Chris Seeman Nature and history dor wisely refrained from using the Anor- © 2006-2007 Chris Seeman The word palantír means ‘far-seer’ in the stone. In the days of his wisdom, Saruman too b n a 1 per the terms under CC license: High-elven speech. Such indeed is the virtue resisted the desire to test himself against the of the dark crystal globes which bear that will of Sauron. When he eventually suc- name: the seven seeing-stones of Númenor. cumbed to temptation, Saruman become a One who gazes into a palantír may behold im- traitor to the Free Peoples, and Denethor was ages of things far distant, or hold converse driven to death and despair. Knowledge can with the thought of someone using another be perilous. stone. To a ruler, the palantíri enhance the ability to govern and defend a realm. To the Powers Among the most interesting items of Tolkien’s loremaster, they expand the boundaries of The palantíri are not identical in their pow- legendarium are the palantíri, the mysterious see- knowledge. To the more mystically-inclined, ing stones Elendil brought with him from Númenor ers, but are of three kinds. The Stone of they hold forth the prospect of transcending Elendil is not ‘in accord’ with the other six. It when it fell. There have been many – especially Time itself. academic – discussions on the nature and powers of cannot communicate with them, nor be used these stones. What is needed for an RPG campaign The palantíri are a jealously guarded secret to gaze in any direction except westward, to- however, is a guideline how to use these items in a known only to a few. Brought to Middle-earth ward Eressëa and the shores of Valinor. The game situation. by Elendil, the stones were quietly se- lack of accord between this palantír and the questered within the key strongholds of his rest renders it immune to the dangers involved ICE’s treatment of the topic has been extremely two realms: three in the North (at Amon Sûl, with using the others while Sauron holds the meagre and the LotR RPG wasn’t much better. Here Annúminas, and the Tower Hills), four in the we present you with Chris Seeman’s vision of how Ithil-stone. South (at Osgiliath, Minas Anor, Minas Ithil the palantíri may be used in a LotR RPG game set- Of the other six, two (those of Amon Sûl and and Orthanc). Treasured heirlooms of his ting. Osgiliath) were ‘master-stones.’ Not only house, the existence of the palantíri was re- were these physically larger than the others, vealed to none save Elendil’s heirs and their but their range was also greater. The master- closest counselors. stones were further distinguished by their abil- By the time of The Hobbit (TA 2941-2), four ity to ‘eavesdrop’ on conversations held be- of the palantíri have been lost to the vicissi- tween lesser stones. Normally, if two palantíri tudes of war. The only three that remain invi- are ‘linked’ in communication, a seer gazing olate are that of Minas Tirith (the Anor stone), into a third stone cannot ‘listen in’ on what that of Orthanc, and that of the Tower Hills. the other two seers are saying. By contrast, a With the extinction of the kings, knowledge master-stone could do this. Fortunately, of the palantíri and the art of their use passed Sauron never got hold of either master-stone. to others. In Gondor, the Ruling Stewards be- In game terms, a palantír produces effects came custodians of the Anor-stone (that of analogous to the spells Farseeing and Mind- Orthanc having been entrusted to the care of speech, but with some significant differences. Saruman in TA 2759). Among the Dúnedain of the North, memory of the palantíri was pre- Farseeing served only in obscure rhymes of lore. But the CASTING TIME: 1 minute Stone of Elendil in the Tower Hills is long RANGE: 500 miles (except in the case of the maintained (and will continue to be so until Elendil-stone). If a seeing-stone is used by a the end of the Third Age) by Círdan and the character with a spell/ability range greater Elves of Lindon. than that of the palantír, his range of vision will With the exception of the Elendil-stone, still not exceed 500 miles. However, having knowledge and usage of the surviving palantíri an independent spell/ability in this may are extremely rare during the late Third Age, nonetheless enhance palantír-use in other ways due to the (well-founded) fear that the Ithil- (see ‘Specialty’ below). A palantír can pene- stone has come into the possession of Sauron. trate solid barriers (e.g., mountains, build- By this misfortune, the palantíri have become a ings) but for dark locations reveals only dark- grave danger to any of the Free Peoples who ness. might use them. To make use of a seeing-stone DURATION: So long as the seer is able to is now to risk a direct encounter with the Lid- make a Stamina test at TN 10, she may contin- less Eye. Because of this, the Stewards of Gon- 31 OTHER MINDS MAGAZINE ue to use the stone uninterrupted as long as scale of the image viewed by performing a Elendil’s voyage back to the site where West- she wishes. The TN will increase by 1 point at Perception test (2d6 + Per + Skill Rank). ernesse once rose above the waves; a servant regular intervals determined by the degree of The second specialization available with the of the Winged Crown who revisits the scene initial success or failure in activating the stone. palantíri Lore skill is Time-wandering of a crime or penetrates the mask of a conspir- acy hatched by the Enemy. (Fortunately for WEARINESS: The TN for determining Weari- (lúmeránë in the High-elven speech; see table ness Level for palantír-use is 10. on next page for game stats). Being works of the Free Peoples, the effective range of immeasurable antiquity, it is no wonder the Sauron’s palantír falls short of the Gladden COST: As Pippin’s run-in with the Orthanc- Fields by about a hundred miles. If not, Bilbo stone shows, it is possible to activate a palantír seeing-stones are capable of transcending boundaries of time as well as space. The Baggins might never have lived to see his without any expenditure of ‘spell picks’ on eleventy-first birthday!) prior knowledge of its nature or usage. Noldor ascribe this to carmolor, ‘artefact-mem- ory,’ the capacity of an object to ‘remember’ A third and final enhancement of the Farsee- REQUISITE: Although the effectiveness of a its past environment, including the circum- ing power exists uniquely for users of the palantír depends upon many factors, its use re- stances of its making. According to the Elven Elendil-stone. This pertains to the loremaster quires no minimum Perception level. loremasters, this metaphysical property is order ability Vala Virtue (Core Rules, p.87; METHOD: Being a tool of the mind, palantír- common to all things; but because it is the na- see table on next page for game stats). The use involves no verbal component and only ture of a palantír to make visible its surround- palantír of the Tower Hills is an object of pil- minimal physical mobility. Even a bound pris- ings, it is possible for a seer of sufficient skill grimage to those High Elves who still linger in oner can activate a seeing-stone so long as he is and power to ‘time-wander,’ to view those Middle-earth. (The Wandering Company that positioned at the proper distance and orienta- surroundings as they were in the past as well. met Frodo on his departure from the Shire tion (about 3’ away from the palantír, opposite The memory of a palantír may be more easi- was probably returning from such a pilgrim- the direction to be surveyed). ly attuned to significant events in its history, age.) SPECIALTY: In spite of their range limitations, or times when the seer using it experienced Because this stone alone affords visions of the palantíri outdo the Farseeing spell in two overwhelming emotion. The Anor-stone in- Valinor, it is a medium of nostalgia for the important respects. The first of these is called deed became permanently fixed on the scene Noldorin exiles—but also of religious devo- Focusing (see table below for game stats). of Denethor’s fiery suicide during the Battle of tion, since it may grant the seer a rare glimpse Mere use of a stone will not assist in finding the Pelennor Fields. of Elbereth, poised upon the summit of something or someone whose current location The attraction of lúmeránë should be obvi- Oiolossë, Mount Everwhite, looking east is unknown to the seer. However, unlike ous. Imagine the possibilities—a Dúnadan across the Sundering Sea to Middle-earth, Farseeing, which reveals only known locations, loremaster who travels back in time to behold watching over all Elves and Elf-friends who a palantír may concentrate the user’s vision the ancient glories of Númenor; a Noldorin call upon her in their distress. A loremaster upon specific persons or objects once they craftsman who witnesses the ‘hand and mind possessing Vala Virtue (Elbereth) who success- have been sighted. This process of magnifica- of Fëanor at their work’ or a minstrel who fully uses the Elendil-stone gains an increase to tion can be effected only by someone who looks upon the very matter of her minstrelsy his existing +2 bonus to resist sorcery and dis- possesses the proper Lore specialization. For as the Two Trees of Valinor set forth their pel fear. Alternatively, a character without every 3 skill ranks, the seer may enhance the first blossoms; a mariner who retraces Vala Virtue who rolls an Extraordinary Suc- cess in her use of the stone might well gain this Focusing Table ability as a result.

Skill Ranks TN Scale† Effect††

Mind-Speech +1-3 10 6’ = 1” Individuals and small objects are barely discernible, and only in their CASTING TIME: 1 minute vaguest outlines. RANGE: Normally, Mind-speech +4-6 15 6’ = 3” Though still minuscule, persons/objects already known to the seer may be can only be conducted between recognized and distinguished from their background (e.g., a moving participants who are within eye- individual will not be lost in a crowd). sight of one another (1’/point of +7-9 20 6’ = 6” Major contours of the target become differentiated as background dissipates Bearing). The palantíri enable into a neutral blur. The seer can spot a sheathed sword being worn or communication over hundreds determine whether a person is speaking. of miles. However, contact can +10-12 25 6’ = 1’ The background vanishes completely, leaving only the target of focus. Facial only be established through an- expressions become identifiable. A seer with a high Insight skill may even other stone—a palantír cannot be able to guess at the general purport of what is being said (TN 20) or what be used to contact anyone with emotions are animating the speaker (TN 25). Large lettering (such as on a signpost or monumental inscription) might also be made out (TN 20). Mind-speech who happens to be within 500 miles of the stone. † 6’ = the approximate height of a person. With a basic skill in palantír-use (Ranks 1-3), a human-sized The seeing and communicative figure would appear as only one inch in height. functions of the palantíri are en- †† A Narrator who wishes to introduce variability into the scale of images viewed, with corresponding tirely separate in their opera- enhancement or reduction of effect, may convert the Time Modifier from the Degree of Success Table (Core Rules, p. 220) as a Scale Modifier in reverse (i.e., an Extraordinary Success amplifies the tion. appropriate scale ×1.5, whereas a Disastrous Failure would further reduce the scale to ×.25 DURATION: concentration

32 ———————————————————————————————————— ISSUE 3, JANUARY 2008 Time-wandering Table transmission: it’s not what you know, but who TN Range† you know—or rather who you are—that mat- Skill Rank ters. 1 5 1 day As custodians of the Dúnadan legacy in the 2 5 1 week North, the Rangers most likely possess some knowledge of the ancient connection between 3101 month Elendil and the ‘Elf-towers’ of Emyn Beraid. 4 10 1 year Because it is unconnected with the perils of its 5 15 10 years counterparts, the Noldor are less guarded con- cerning the Elendil-stone (at least to other 6 15 50 years Elves and Elf-friends). In Gondor, only a char- 7 20 100 years acter directly connected to the house of the 8 20 500 years Stewards (such as Prince Imrahil) would have any inkling about the Anor-stone. 9 20 1,000 years The vast potential of palantír-use for PCs is 10 25 5,000 years (Second Age) curtailed by the stones’ inaccessibility. Their 11 25 10,000 years (Elder Days) jealous guardians—Saruman, Denethor, and Sauron—suffer none but themselves to utilize 12 25 ab initio†† these mighty artefacts. With some incredible † Denotes how far back in time from the present a seer may wander. luck, a PC might succeed in penetrating the †† i.e., as far back as that particular palantír was in existence. The precise age of the seeing- formidable defenses of the White Tower or of stones is unknown (perhaps 12,500 years). But this applies only to the six stones that are in Orthanc to get a brief peak (hopefully without accord with one another. Most loremasters believe that the Elendil-stone was crafted much later, being detected), but this is out of keeping with perhaps by one of the Noldorin exiles upon Eressëa during the Second Age (ca. 6,500-3,500 years ago). the heroic values of Tolkienesque fantasy. The Elendil-stone holds more promising WEARINESS: TN 10 (but with cumulative whose range is neither ‘Self’ nor ‘Touch’ possibilities for role-playing. As a general rule, strain on both parties; +1 TN/5 minutes) (such as Command) may be directed against a non-Elves neither seek nor are admitted to the person engaged in palantír-communication palantír of the Tower Hills. However, an Elf- COST: none with the caster. friend whose devotion to Elbereth is genuine REQUISITE: Only the sender must have palan- Vala Virtue Table tíri Lore in order for communication to be ini- tiated, whereas the receiver need have no spe- Test Result Degree of Success or Failure Effect on Virtue cial competence to ‘hear’ and respond. (Recall 11+ below TN Disastrous Failure: An evil shadow Temporary estrangement (loss of Pippin’s encounter with Sauron through the obscures your vision. bonus for 2d6 weeks) Orthanc-stone.) However, a character with- out any knowledge of palantír-usage may still 6-10 below TN Complete Failure: The stone is blank. None attempt to initiate communication, provided 1-5 below TN Failure: The stone is blank, but you may None she has Spoken Thoughts, Mind-speech, or Read- make another attempt at -2 without first ing the Heart as spells or magical abilities. having to undergo another pilgrimage. (Most Elves fall into this category.) Result = TN Marginal Success: You behold Eressëa Temporary enhancement (+1 for a fleeting instant. bonus for 2d6 weeks) METHOD: See Farseeing above. 1-5 above TN Complete Success: You behold the Temporary enhancement (+2 SPECIALTY: Those learned in the lore of the shores of Valinor. bonus for 2d6 weeks; +2 bonus to stones may specialize in Will-path (níratië), Inspire for same duration) the use of the mental link created by the 6-10 above TN Superior Success: You behold Oiolossë. Temporary enhancement (as palantíri to support spell-casting or contests of above, but +4) will. The potential of níratië was most fully ex- ploited by Sauron and Saruman in their efforts 11+ above TN Extraordinary Success: You are graced Permanent enhancement (as to behold Elbereth upon Oiolossë. above, but one of the bonus to dominate others; but it can also be used de- points remains permanently) fensively, as may be seen from Aragorn’s abili- ty to challenge Sauron via the Orthanc-stone. might be granted access, provided he under- (Face to face, Aragorn would never have been Narrator advice takes and completes a pilgrimage. This kind of able to withstand the Dark Lord’s will.) Remember that the existence of the palan- tíri is unknown to nearly everyone in Middle- scenario focuses attention on the need for cul- Every level of níratië reduces the TN for earth, including (probably) the PCs. To make tivating relationships of trust and integrity as a Stamina tests resulting from the strain of mul- use of them, therefore, they must first be dis- means of reaching an objective. tiple spell-casting or Willpower-related ac- covered. Ancient scrolls of lore might provide tions by 1 point. Will-path also enables one to Notes some clues, but remember that secrecy con- eliminate the –3 result penalty for a number 1 cerning the stones has been maintained pri- http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by- of action rounds equivalent its level. Through marily through restricting that lore to oral nc-sa/3.0/ níratië, any spell involving a contest of will 33 OTHER MINDS MAGAZINE The Venturers and the colonies of Númenor

by Eric Dubourg History Men with Ships. In 813, the Venturers, com- per the terms under CC license: b n a 1 manded by Aldarion, came back to Númenor He formed the Guild of Venturers, with a great bounty of silver and gold. This that was afterwards renowned; to was the starting point of the Venturers’ prof- that brotherhood were joined all the hardiest and most eager, and even itable trade with Endor, which made the Guild young men from the inland asked for able to sustain itself without the support of the admission, and Aldarion they called crown in later years. the Great Captain. Upon Eambar Great expeditions were undertaken in the was the guildhouse of the Venturers, following years, and peaceful contacts were This essay presents a short history of Númenor and there they kept records of their made with the Men of the Seven Lands (the and its colonies, from the starting point of the foun- great voyages. Majitu, the ancestors of the Adena and the dation of the Guild of Venturers. The colonies are – Unfinished Tales Sederi), where a second (but temporary) presented during the Second Age, with some limited haven was built, Taurlondë (S. “Forest information on what happens in the Third Age. Haven”) in S.A. 829. From Taurlondë, Aldari- You may note that some issues and topics di- The Second Age on found other lands by sailing upriver in the verge from the ones given in the essay “Númenóreans The ancient order of the Guild of Venturers wide and muddy waters of the Balduin (S. in Endor” in Issue #2 of Other Minds. This is not was founded by the Númenórean crown “Mighty River”) which connected the Belegaer a mistake on someone’s side, but Other Minds’ prince, Anardil, who was known by the name to a great freshwater lake surrounded by lush philosophy to encourage a forum to present several Aldarion (S. “Lover of Trees”) long before he and impenetrable forests. The Venturers interpretations of a given topic. became Tar-Aldarion, the sixth King of Nú- named that lake Mirror-waters (S. “Nen menor. The Venturers grew in esteem and Celedril”), and established contacts with Tat- were called by the people Uinendili (S. yarin Avari Elves that call themselves Kinn-lai, “Lovers of Uinen”), after the wife of Ossë and and with some Black Men tribes, called Koro the protector of the Númenórean ships. Be- by the Elves, who were probably the ancestors tween S.A. 750 and S.A. 800, Aldarion set of the Mûmakani. The Númenóreans also out on many expeditions towards Eriador, taught these peoples the ways of their civilisa- where in SA 777 he founded the first Nú- tion. menórean outpost in Endor, Vinyalondë (S. Aldarion pushed further along the coasts “New Haven”) at the mouth of the Gwathló. during his next voyage (S.A. 829-843), to dis- Relationships were also established with the cover the land that was later known as “Haren- tribes of Men living nearby. The Númenóre- dor”, “Dark Harad”, “Morendor” or Black ans called them, simply, the Gwathlódain (S. Middle-earth. Because of the fierce storms “Men of Gwathló”). But soon the Men of the near the Southern Cape of Dark Harad, Aldar- Gwathló came to consider the Númenóreans ion did not advance into the Inner Sea, which as invaders, and as a threat to their lands. was once the Sea of Ringil. Similar expeditions were made farther While Aldarion remained in Númenor, the south, around and beyond Belfalas, establish- captains of the Venturers, lacking his courage ing friendly relations with the Men of Belfalas and his resources, limited their explorations to and the Men living in the great river valleys Mithlond, Vinyalondë and Belfalas. The haven south of Belfalas, the Malcelebrim (S. “Lords of Taurlondë was even dismantled in 845. It of Gold and Silver”), that would later be called would take several decades before the return Haradrim (S. “Southrons”) by the later Gondo- of the Venturers to the Seven Lands and be- rians, as they lived south of Gondor. Sum- yond. moned by the Venturers, Aldarion set sail again to Middle-earth in S.A. 806, to repair In S.A. 877, probably convinced by the El- Vinyalondë, damaged by sea storms, and to ven-king Gil-galad of a rising threat inland, he fight against the Gwathlódain that hated the resumed his explorations, to attempt the northern route to the East. This was a great 34 ———————————————————————————————————— ISSUE 3, JANUARY 2008 venture, carried out by both Númenórean and Under the leadership of Soronto, the first The new King, Tar-Ciryatan, encouraged elven ships, manned by the greatest navigators permanent havens were built at the mouths of his Royal Captains——not only the Venturers of their times. After a long voyage, they dis- the rivers, serving as markets, harbours and ——to explore and found more havens on the covered the Northern Sea, which they named fortresses. This policy was followed and inten- continent. Havens intended as trading posts or Nimceledril (S. “Sea of White Mirrors”). sified by his son Cyriandur, who himself built stations became fortresses as tensions grew be- Along its coasts, they made contact with the several havens along the coasts: Emyndôr tween the Men of the Sea and the locals. Avari Elves of Thûrlornar, who confirmed the (S.A. 1288) in what would later become Bel- Whereas the Venturers came as allies and rumours about Shadows rising in the East. lakar, Taurlondë as a permanent haven (S.A. teachers, the Royal Captains made local lords They were also introduced by the Avari to the 1294) and Habadôr (S.A. 1300) in Dark their subjects, thus taking the right to receive Ulshyans, a proud people whose religion was Harad. The Venturers rose in power and built tribute and at the same time keeping their similar to that of the Númenóreans. They, many other outposts in Middle-Earth. Other power in check. too, spoke of the threat of the Shadow in the captains of the Venturers followed, like Ar- For the first time, some Númenórean out- East. dulion, sailing in the rich delta known as the posts were organised as colonies of Númenor, When Aldarion became King in S.A. 883, Ethir Aronyar, founding the haven of Lond and not strictly as havens. Several royal mem- he devoted some of the resources of the Realm Anarion (S. “Anarion’s Haven”) or Caras bers of the line of Elros became governors of to continuing the Venturers’ project. Apart Hyarn (S.A. 1251). the first colonies established: Cyriatir in Ciry- from the temporary settlement of Taurlondë, By S.A. 1450, the Guild had become a rich atanórë (S.A. 1904), a cousin of Tar-Ciryatan the Venturers’ interest remained in the West, organisation, and could start to look beyond in Tantûrak (S.A. 1887) and Lômithâni (S.A. with the building of Tharbad upstream along its traditional harbours. With the blessing of 1901) and Barvegil in Harfalas (S.A. 1879). the Gwathló, not far from the boundaries of Gil-galad, they resumed the explorations of For a time, though Bellakar (S.A. 2022) and Eregion (S.A. 890). In the following century, Aldarion and Soronto, and braved the straits of Hyarnúmentë (S.A. 1972) instituted them- several petty wars happened with tribes of the Hyarmentil and went into the Inner Seas, selves as colonies, the Venturers still pre- Gwathló, for the defense of Vinyalondë and where they established contacts with other vailed. Though the Guild of Venturers did not Tharbad. tribes of Black Men, some of them worship- rule the cities in Bellakar and Hyarnúmentë, It was around S.A. 1000 that Tar-Aldarion pers of Shadow and slaves to others of Mor- but only traded there, they were still econom- made Soronto his successor as the Lord of goth’s ancient minions. Further north, they ically more powerful there than the Royal Ships and Havens. Historians surmise that this met with the Múranians, who had already de- Fleet. was probably done to send away Soronto as a veloped a kingdom of their own, the Chyans, a With the advent of Tar-Atanamir, all this Captain to keep him far from Armenelos. proud people and traditional enemy of the changed. Greedy for wealth and power, he Soronto at first carried on his policy of diplo- Múranians, the Lynerians, loyal mariners and immediately saw the Venturers as a rival. macy and close relationships with the Eldar brave merchants who still resisted the lure of First, concerned by the colonies, he exacted and the Men of Middle-earth, building an al- Shadow, and the Vulmaw, fierce sailors and tribute from the existing havens. Then he liance against the rising Shadow in the East. warriors who saw the Men of the West as turned against the Venturers, beginning by ex- competitors over the rule of the seas. This acting harsh tributes from their explorations. He then progressed the exploration of the opened ways to new havens in the Inner Seas, coasts further. Taking as his base the now Seeing that this was not enough to reduce their and to important conflicts with the Vulmaw in power, around S.A. 2120 he confiscated most firmly established harbour of Taurlondë, he later times. went beyond Dark Harad. How he managed of their resources, including their Guildhouse, to journey into the Inner Seas is not known, Following the victory of the Númenóreans which was removed to the western haven of but his visit to their peoples is attested by nu- and Eldar against Sauron’s forces in S.A. 1701, Andunië, thus ending all eastward travels for merous Lynerian and Chyan records (S.A. the Númenóreans took renewed interest in the Guild. 1004-1014). It is likely that he either managed Middle-earth. The Venturers greatly im- With the Guild of Venturers effectively to go beyond the Cape, or more probably proved their numbers and resources, with abolished, the remaining colonies depended found another river beyond the Nen Celedril more and more volunteers willing to sail to entirely on those factions who would later be which connected to the former Sea of Ringil. Endor. But others emulated the successes of known as the King’s Men. At the same time, the Venturers, and they were led by the Sauron seduced the nine Lords of Men that Later (S.A. 1046), a Númenórean expedi- crown prince, Ciryatan, who himself built the tion travelled eastwards along the Harnen riv- would become the Ringwraiths. Three of haven of Sarûl (S.A. 1792) in what was later to them were Númenóreans, and one was the er, establishing contact with the ancient mar- become Tantûrak: ket towns of that region, and uncovering more governor of Ciryatanórë, Herundil. He creat- signs of the influence of the Shadow over the […] he built a great fleet of ed for himself, but none of his descendants, a Endorians. royal ships, and his servants brought great empire, still officially subordinated to back great store of metals and gems, Númenor, and at the same time acting as a spy Deprived of the financial support of the and oppressed the men of Middle- inside the Númenórean Empire. His treason to Crown (S.A. 1096), the Venturers stopped earth. He scorned the yearnings of the line of Elros in S.A. 2250 horrified many the exploration of lands even further away. In- his father, and eased the restlessness in Númenor. stead, Soronto remodelled the organisation of his heart by voyaging, east, and The War of the Renegades followed, and and activities of the Venturers to allow them north, and south, until he took the to survive without the support of the Crown. sceptre. the nearest colonies (Hyarnúmentë and Bel- Improving relations with the peoples already – The Line of Elros, UT lakar) contributed to the efforts of the war known was now more important than more against Herundil, following Tar-Ancalimon’s exploration. orders. The victory was achieved in S.A. 35 OTHER MINDS MAGAZINE 2280, but the corpse of Herundil was never Númenóreans and the locals, who suffered un- The Third Age found. Herundil’s son Lôkhuzôr was denied der the harsh rule of Númenor. Sometimes, In the Third Age, some protected havens the right to rule in the stead of his hated fa- these conflicts were caused by Sauron’s spies. have survived along the coasts, and greater ther, and instead a Confederacy was created in Others were caused by the greed of the colonies in more remote lands, such as the In- the realm of Ciryatanórë. Then Tar-Atanamir colonists, such as in Tantûrak with the Magi- ner Seas or the East, have suffered little or no issued a decree that Eldarin names be aban- cian or in Sakal an-Khâr, with the rule of the damage. Those realms who survived, such as doned in favour of names in the Adûnaic Dark Ordainers. The war ended with Ar- Bellakar or Anarikê, were greatly changed ow- tongue. Ciryatanórë was renamed An- Pharazôn’s final victory against Sauron in Um- ing to a mingling of the populations. Others, balukkhôr, Hyarnúmentë became Khâradûnê, bar in S.A. 3262. Sauron was brought to Nú- like Umbar or Sakal an-Khâr, maintained for Mírenórë became Zimrathâni, and Harfalas menor in chains. He soon began to forge lies long the legacy of the Black Númenóreans, became Sakal an-Khâr. and earned the trust of the King. and in some cases, of the Mulkherites. Some As the threat from Sauron and his allies was Ageing and afraid of death, Ar-Pharazôn re- other colonies of the Far South did not survive still serious, the Númenóreans set about solved to conquer the Immortal Lands, a the first millennium of the Third Age. strengthening their havens and colonies. project suggested by his councillor Sauron. Around the Bay of Belfalas, the King’s Men According to Sauron’s teachings, the Immortal A short Númenórean time line fortified Umbar in S.A. 2280 (the haven had Lands held the secret of endless life and youth. 32 The Edain reach Númenor. existed since S.A. 1800), and the last of the In S.A. 3310, the King therefore ordered 600 The first ships of the Númenóreans appear Venturers (or the first of the Faithful) built preparations for the Great Armament. This off the coasts of Endor. The Entulessë, cap- Pelargir near the mouth of the river Anduin. was seen with great interest in many colonies, tained by Vëantur, sails to Mithlond and es- And in the south, Lôkhuzôr, deprived of the and they sent many men and tribute to Nú- tablishes relations with Gil-galad and the rule over Anbalukkhôr, chased his hated fa- menor. The Faithful, naturally, were horrified Men of Eriador. ther’s allies in the Chyan lands. From already by the news. The few colonies in the far East 750 Aldarion establishes the Guild of the Ven- established havens in Olyas Kriis, he estab- (e.g, Anarikê and Sakal an-Khâr) took no in- turers and builds the Eämbar. lished the new colony of Anarikê (S.A. 2289), terest at all in conflict played out in the far First explorations of the western named in honor of Soronto and the Venturers, West. c.750-775 coasts (Eriador) by the Venturers. and successfully led a war against Evil. Later, The departure of the Great Fleet spelled the Anbalukkhôr was reunified as a colony under 777 Foundation of Vinyalondë (S. “The New end of Númenor. The Faithful of Númenor, Port”). The Venturers establish relations the rule of a governor directly nominated by commanded by Elendil, fled Númenor and the King (S.A. 2637). with the tribes of the Gwathlódain living founded the realms in Exile of Arnor and Gon- nearby. With the impulse given by Tar-Telemmaitë, dor. The cataclysm that punished the pride of the Númenóreans started to explore Endor the Númenóreans also affected the western 806-813 Anardil returns to Vinyalondë where further inland when before they had been in- colonies—the waves and earthquakes follow- he fights the Gwathlódain. He increases terested only in the coastlands. This led them ing the downfall fell heavily all over the west- friendly relations with the Men of Eriador, to establish good relations with Dwarves all ern coast, drowning vast lands. The shape of and travels farther South, around and be- over Middle-earth, to obtain mithril and other the continent of Endor was changed. yond Belfalas, where he meets with the precious things. Local wars like the petty war Malcelebrim, later more commonly known The great port of Umbar survived the cata- as Haradrim. He comes back to Númenor led by the governor of Khâradûnê against the clysm thanks to its protected harbour, but its Dwarves of the Yellow Mountains in S.A. with a great bounty of silver and gold. ruling class remained Black Númenórean. 824-829 First exploration of the Seven Lands. 2450 caused a open conflict with Sauron’s em- Some other former colonies of Númenor like- pire, as Sauron saw the explorers as spies. Foundation of the temporary settlement of wise survived the downfall. While some of the Taurlondë. First contacts with the Majitu Another threat to Númenórean rule was Black Númenóreans, for example in Sakal an- (ancestors of the Adena and the Sederi). caused by those colonies that desired to have Khâr or the colonies of southern Dark Harad, more autonomy. Different reasons accounted followed the ways of their fathers, others 829-843 First exploration of Dark Harad, tak- for related conflicts: the opposition between fought Evil successfully, for example in Bel- ing as base the haven of Taurlondë. First the Faithful and the King’s Men, harsh tribute lakar and Anarikê. not in contacts with the Kinn-lai and the Koro, ancestors of the Mûmakani. levied as a consequence of local revolts, or a The War of the Last Alliance was the last 877-882 Joint expedition of the Eldar and the colony’s increasing greed for power. In re- conflict of the Second Age. It rallied the Faith- Venturers, led by Aldarion, to the North- sponse, the Kings of Númenor pronounced ful, the Elves and some Dwarven tribes against ern Sea—the Sea of White Mirrors. First several edicts to limit the influence of the the forces of Sauron. Among the latter were contacts with the Avari Elves of Thûrlornar colonies and preserve the natural leadership of the surviving elite of the Black Númenóreans, and the Ulshyans, uncovering the threat of Númenór: for instance, the Ormal Edict of from places as diverse as Umbar and An- the Shadows in the East. Tar-Telemmaitë in S.A. 2459, or the Edict on balukkhôr, Khâradûnê, or Zimrathâni. Sur- Colonies of Tar-Anducal in S.A. 2614. prisingly, the Númenóreans of Bellakar 890 Foundation of Tharbad. The following centuries saw the escalation changed their allegiance to the Faithfulat the 901-1000 Tar-Aldarion travels to Middle- of a mighty and enduring war for control of last moment. Anarikê and Sakal an-Khâr,far to earth several times to promote cooperation Middle-earth between the Númenóreans and the east were wrapped up in a bitter war with the Kings of the Eldar. His travels be- the forces of Sauron. This war was further against one another for control of the Bay and come less and less frequent. Exploration of complicated by the open rebellion of some took no active part in the War of the Last Al- the valley of Harnen. colonies—or intense conflicts between the liance. 1000 Soronto replaces Aldarion as Master of 36 ———————————————————————————————————— ISSUE 3, JANUARY 2008 the Guild. looking for her riches. The Inner Seas are great dispair of his son Lôkhuzôr who hated c.1000 Sauron, alarmed by the growing pow- more thoroughly explored and relations are his father. er of the Númenóreans, chooses Mordor as established with local Men. First competi- 2280 The Decree of Tar-Ancalimon. All lands a land to make into a stronghold. tion between the Guild of the Venturers where the Ârûwanâi held sway have to 1004-1014 Soronto pushes further the explo- and the Royal Fleet. The Númenóreans de- abandon their Eldarin names in exchange ration of the coasts, to reach the former Sea velop a yearning for the Immortal Lands for names of the Adûnaic tongue. of Ringil, and visit the Múranian, Lynerian and suffer from their mortal condition. 2280 Umbar is made into a great fortress of and Chyan peoples. 1792 Despite Ûsakani resistance, the Nú- Númenor. 1075 Tar-Aldarion abdicates to his daughter, menórean port of Lond Hallacar is founded 2289 Creation of Soronórë (later Anarikê) by Tar-Ancalimë. He travels to Middle-earth along the jungle-infested northeastern coast the alliance of the free cities of Olyas Kriis, to meet Gil-galad again. of the Bay of Ûsakan. under the leadership of Lôkhuzôr, 1098 Death of Aldarion. The Guild of the 1833-1875 The Great Naval War, between Herundil’s son and envoy of the King of Nú- Venturers is denied support from the Nú- the naval major power of the Ormal Bay menor. menórean crown. (Lynerian, Vulmaw, Númenóreans). The 2350 Pelargir is built. It becomes the chief Vulmaw, who started the war, faced the haven of the Faithful Númenóreans. 1200 The Númenóreans begin to make perma- union of the Lynerians and the Númenóre- nent havens on the coasts of Middle Earth, ans, who won the conflict. The Númenóre- c.2400 Tar-Telemmaitë establishes relations and to develop close relations with their al- ans benefit from the conflict to increase with Dwarves, though not always friendly. lies. At about this time Sauron seduces the their presence in the Bay. His explorers make maps of inland territo- Elven smiths of Eregion as Annatar. ries. 1869 Tar-Ciryatan takes the sceptre. He in- 1251 Ardulion, Captain of the Venturers, es- creases the Royal Fleet. 2459 The Ormal Edict of Tar-Telemmaitë, tablishes the city of Lond Anarion, along made to curb the growing influence of the river Aronyar, to the north of Taur- 1869-2029 The Royal Fleet founds dominions Sakal an-Khâr on the Inner Sea. Sakal an- londë. in Middle-earth, as permanent havens or Khâr is disallowed any extension to the protectorates over Endorian Men, receiv- 1251-1300 Colonists from Lond Anarion set- west, after several attempts led by some ing tribute in return. The Númenóreans Khanîm families to control the other Nú- tle in Araden, the grassy region to the start to resent the Ban of the Valar and north of the Aronyar. They dominate the menórean colonies of the Inner Sea (includ- openly speak against it. They reach the ing Lômithâni). disparate and often-quarrelling Aden and eastern coast of Middle-earth. Sauron ex- Seder tribes who are indigenous to this tends his power eastwards. 2614 Tar-Anducal’s “Edict on Colonies”, to area. Araden is known thereafter as Hyarn limit the influence and power of the and much later as Khâradûnê. 1879 Foundation of Harfalas, the easternmost colonies. Independence of Azrathâni colony of Númenor. 1288 Emyndôr (later Hazaj Tollin of Bellakar) (Ad.“The Sea Lands”) from Sakal an-Khâr. is built by Cyriandur, Master of the Guild 1904 Foundation of Ciryatanórë by Ciryamir. 3010-3017 Delegates from Tantûrak and Sakal and successor of Soronto. Other havens are He is forced in 1918 by Herundil his son (a an-Khâr go to Númenor to plead for more later built or made permanent. later Ringwraith) to take his own life, who local autonomy, which is accepted after replaces him. c.1300 The Guild develops sustainable trade long discussions by the King Ar-Zimrathon between Middle-earth and Númenor. 1995 Signing of the Trade Agreement be- accepts. This is seen as a real abdication of Thanks to their income, they are able to tween Númenórean and Womaw. Nú- royal power by hard liners (favourable to a complete the defences and the shipyards of menóreans accept limiting their influence highly centralised empire) and a great vic- Vinyalondë, which is renamed Lond Daer. to economic issues. tory by other colonies who see an opportu- c.1450 The Venturers resume exploration 2022 Foundation of the Bâitha’n-Kadîr (Coun- nity to ask for the same rights. After this around the Inner Seas, with greater rev- cil of the Free Cities) in Bellakar. victory, some people in Tantûrak and Sakal enues for the Guild. c2120 Tar-Atanamir shuts the Guild of the an-Khâr start thinking of a true indepen- dence. c.1550 The Venturers drive inland and cause Venturers. Division of Númenor begins be- devastations to the forests around the tween Faithful and King’s Men. Emergence 3103 Proclamation of the Golden Rule of Gwathló, displacing the local Mannish pop- of the Black Númenóreans. The Nú- Sakal an-Khâr all over the Bay of Ormal. ulation. Tharbad grows in size. menóreans circumnavigate Middle-earth. Sakal an-Khâr proclaims its independence from Númenor. 1600-1995 The Númenóreans swayed many 2250 Ciryatanórë stops sending tributes to of the Womaw’s southern neighbors and Númenor and openly allies with Sauron of 3160 The Magician convinces the governor built fortified colonies in Southeastern Mordor. Many Númenóreans leave the that the might of Tantûrak is great enough Middle-earth). Among these colonies, kingdom. Herundil, grand nephew of Tar and counsels the governor to declare Tan- Khûruthâni, founded by the Venturers in Ciryatan, lord of Anbalukkhôr, takes the ti- tûrak independant. 1940. tle of Tar-Raumoher, the Storm King, an 3165-3172 Ar-Sakalthôr of Númenor fails to epithet derived from his conquests. Tar crush the rebellion in Tantûrak, so the sun- 1693-1701 War of the Elves and Sauron in Ancalimon summons Umbar and Bellakar Eriador. Sauron is defeated with the sup- dering succeeds. to field armies on their king’s behalf, but 3224 A Númenórean fleet ends the Nú- port of a great fleet of the Númenóreans only Bellakar answered the sumons. sent by Tar-Minastir. menórean rebellion in the Sea of Ormal 2265-2280 War against Ciryatanórë. The and in Tantûrak. 1731-1869 The crown prince Ciryatan founds body of Herundil cannot be found, to the the Royal Fleet and travels to Middle-earth 3255 Ar-Pharazôn the Golden seizes the 37 OTHER MINDS MAGAZINE scepter of Númenor. Sauron claims to be Havens of Númenor at the beginning of Third Age. the King of Men. All havens described here, except for Umbar Pelargir: The great haven of the South is lo- 3261 The Númenórean invasion of Endor. Ar- and Balkûloni, are Faithful havens. cated at the junction of the Rivers Sirith Pharazôn's armada lands at Umbar. This in- Achrond: a small haven built by Cyriandur in and Anduin, Built in 2350, it became the vasion precludes the completion of S.A. 1270 from an early base built by Al- main haven of the Faithful in Middle-Earth. Sauron's armament. The Evil One journeys darion, to be closer to Lindon. The haven It is also called the City of Royal Ships. out of the Black Land to avert the destruc- never achieved much importance, with a Pelargir means “Garth of Royal Ships” in tion of his kingdom at the hands of the Nú- Númenórean population of no more than Sindarin. menórean invaders, enabling the Nazgûl to 100 throughout its history. It mainly served Tharbad: a fortified town and port, built flee into hiding. Sauron is forced to surren- as a trading outpost with the people of the about 250 miles up the river Greyflood, der in the face of superior Númenórean Northern Waste. As a staging point to with great quays capable to receive seago- arms and is taken as a captive to Númenor. reach Hithlond, Achrond is merely a spare ing vessels, built by the Númenóreans in While Sauron goes to Westernesse in and rustic shelter off the wild and wind- 890. bondage, the Ringwraiths patiently await blown Cape of Forochel, but still shows the Umbar: Umbar is the greatest coastal port his return. skill and knowledge of Númenor at its and largest natural harbour of the Nú- 3265 Sauron, now the counsellor of the King, height in the architecture of its magnificent menóreans in Middle Earth. The name Um- creates the Cult of Mulkhêr Lord of Dark subterranean hall, with its vaulted ceiling bar refers to the city, port, fortress, cape in Númenor. and carved stone pillars. and surrounding coastal lands. Strength- 3310 Ar-Pharazôn begins the building of the Balkûloni: Balkûloni (Ad. “Haven of the ened in 2280, it is the bastion of Nú- Great Armament. Ships”) began in S.A. 1879 as the Nú- menórean presence and strength in the re- 3314 The indirect war between Anarikê and menórean quarters inside the Lynerian city gion. Known as a stronghold of the King's Sakal an-Khâr in non-Númenórean lands, a of Sheshnor, following the peace treaty that Men, it is large and well populated. “pretext” used by the two colonies to avoid concluded the Naval War (S.A. Vinyalondë: A harbour founded by Aldarion sending forces for the Great Armament. 1833-1875), a great war between the ma- and the Venturers at the mouth of the 3319 Ar-Pharazôn assails Valinor. Downfall of jor powers of the Bay . Later, it became an Gwathló in 777. It was primarily used for Númenor. Elendil and his sons escape. independent twin city to Sheshnor.. Fol- transportation of the wood from the great lowing formal authorisation by the Lyneri- 3430 The Last Alliance of Elves and Men is forests there for building and maintaining an Council of Sheshnor, it is established in formed. The men of Bellakar come in sup- the great navy of Númenor. The haven was the southernmost cape of Codya. It mainly port of the Last Alliance, proving that not never finished by Aldarion during his life- serves as a staging-post for ships and as a all the Númenóreans in the South have not time, but towards the end of the time of trading center for peoples further inland. fall to the Shadows Tar-Anárion (1280—1394), Vinyalondë Owing to its strategic importance, many (S. “New Haven”) was completed as a 3441 Sauron overthrown in the field of Dagor- wars were later fought for control of fortress and many ships were built there, lad. Sauron passes away and the Ring- Balkulôni, by Anarikê, Codya, Sakal an- and its name changed to Lond Daer (S. “the wraiths go into the shadows. Several for- Khâr and the Lynerian League. The city ws Great Harbour”). mer Númenórean colonies survive. destroyed by fire by the Vulmaw army (with the assistance of the army of Anarikê) Colonies of Númenor at the beginning of Third Age, for many Mulkherites took residence here. In its By the middle of the Second Age, place, a new Vulmaw city is built in the Númenóreans started to found permanent third century of Third Age. colonies. It all started earlier, with the Hithlond: Founded in 1472 after several ex- foundation of the Venturers Guild, whose peditions to explore the Northern Sea, the three important masters were Aldarion, inhabitants of the small Hithlond (S. “Fog Soronto and Cyriandur. Some short histories Haven”) try to keep peace in the bay. of a few of these colonies follow. When a When they were not successful, they Sindarin name for the colony exists, it is given turned to a ‘divide and rule’ policy, to bet- in brackets: ter keep in check Vothrig and Ulshy power Anarikê [Sóronorë]: Named in honor of in the Bay. Unfortunately, Ar-Zimrathôn, Soronto who explored the southern part of in need of troops to send to Tantûrak, or- Middle-Earth and made contact with the dered a heavy withdrawal of forces from Chyan and Lynerian people of the Bay, the Hithlond. colony owes much to Lôkhuzôr, son of Cyriamir (the founder of Ciryatanórë/An- Hithlond falls some decades later to the balukkhôr). Denied the rule of An- joint forces of Rasedâkh and Razeral (two balukkhôr in succession to his father, he local warlords native of Desdursyton that was allowed to engage in conflict against are servants of the Shadows), and is liberat- the evils spread by his father and his allies ed some decades later, thanks to the North- in Chyan and Olyas Kriis lands. He effec- ern Alliance (Elves of Thûrlornar, Ulshyans tively scourged the evils of the land, and and Vothrig people). The refoundation of was allowed by the King of Númenor to Hithlond under Ulshyan leadership happens 38 ———————————————————————————————————— ISSUE 3, JANUARY 2008 become governor of Anarikê (S.A. 2300). Edict on Colonies. The colony is disman- Zimrathâni. With the downfall of Zim- After him, the Kings of Númenor gently tled in the early years of Third Age. rathanî at the hands of the Adena Valdacli gave to his descendants the right to govern Bellakar: Early referenced as Narûthâni (Ad. lords in S.A. 3215, Khâradûnê came to be Anarikê (Ad. “Land of the Eagle”). “Land of High Men”), Bellakar (a name of allied or submitted to the powerful colony Anarikanî, though proud of their ancestry, Malcelebrim origin meaning “Land of Val- of Anbalukkhôr. From S.A. 3215 to the dealt with their neighbours gently and nev- ourous Men”) is the nearest colony, save end of Second Age, Khâradûnê openly sup- er tried to submit them, except for the pe- for Umbar. Númenórean colonization ported the Black Númenórean cause, from riod when the colony submitted to the started with the explorations of Ciryandur, the Great Armament to the War of the Last harsh rule of the Dark Ordainers of Sakal Captain of the Venturers and cousin of Tar- Alliance, in support of Umbar. With the an-Khâr. Freed from that evil influence, Súrion, and with the foundation of Hazaj coming of Third Age (T.A. 225), the colony returned to the safe hands of the Tollin (S.A. 1288). Other significant foun- Khâradûnê regained its independence, and descendants of Lôkhuzôr, and afterwards dations, like Korlea (1975) or Nîlûlôni severed all links with Anbalukkhôr, but lost always remained opposed to the greed of (1487)—the later capital of the Tumakveh most of its prestige. The former colony re- power and evil represented by Sakal an- realm - occurred in the following cen- covered it in later times, establishing trad- Khâr. In the late years of the Second Age, turies, until the institution of the Council ing partners with the North (Bellakar and the colony avoided sending support to the of the Free Cities (2022). Due to an insur- Gondor) and the South (the Seven Lands mad war of Ar-Pharazôn by using the pre- rection against Númenor, the Council was and Dark Harad). text of a local conflict waged by Sakal an- revoked (2240), which enforced the power Khûruthâni [Aenorthîr]: Khûruthâni Khâr against the allies of Anarikê. of Korlea—who sided with the King. Bel- (Ad.“Land of the twin rivers”) is perhaps Anbalukkhôr [Ciryatanórë]: Located north lakar towards the end of Second Age clear- one of the fartheast colony of Númenor, of the Ered Laranor and east of Tulwang, ly represents the opposition between Faith- and probably not the only one (as, from Anbalukkhôr was originally founded in ful (or at least those opposed to the evils of S.A. 1600 to S.A. 1995, the Númenóreans S.A. 1904 by Ciryamir, the cousin of the Mulkherites) and Mulkherites―King’s swayed many of the Womaw’s southern Mûrazôr (the future Witch-king) and the Men (Korlea). In the War of the Last Al- neighbours and built fortified colonies in father of his successor, Herundil (another liance, Tumakveh Zagarthôr Seaborne, an- Southeastern Middle-earth). Khûruthâni future Úlair). Bewitched by his vile son, he cestor of the Kings of Bellakar, committed was founded by Númenórean settlers (pre- committed suicide in S.A. 1918, and his navy and army to support of Gondor sumably by the Venturers) in S.A. 1940 in Herundil ascended the throne on the first and the Elves, and placed himself under the the lands which would later be known as day of the next year. He subsequently con- direct command of Elendil. In the Third Aegan and Karn Ord. The settlement was quered a vast portion of southern Endor. In Age, Bellakar was stormed by nomads and an ideal location: trade routes along the S.A. 2250, when he renounced his alle- raiders, until the founding of the Tu- rivers, numerous well-protected harbours, giance to the line of Elros, the colony name makveh realm (T.A. 340) by Zimrêbal and immense forests to build ships. In S.A. was changed to Dor Alagothrim, the Realm Ironhand. 1995, the First Trade Agreement between of the Storm-host. Númenor ordered the Khâradûnê [Hyarnúmentë]: the colony of Númenóreans and Womaw was signed. war, but practically only Bellakar and Khâradûnê (Ad. “Southern End”) was es- This Trade Agreement prevented any out- Hyarnúmentë entered the conflict, Umbar tablished in S.A. 1972 but remained for right conquest and limited Númenórean in- being besieged by the Haradrim of the long centuries an important area for the terests to centres of commercial rather Warlord Ard the Vain (a Ringwraith in dis- Venturers and the first Faithful. Inzillôni than strategic importance. But some of guise). When the conflict was won in S.A. (Ad. “Haven of the Flowers”) is the capital, these eastern colonies remained in Nú- 2280, Anbalukkhôr became ruled by a and the name never changed, though it lat- menórean hands. New flows of Númenóre- Council of five regents. Later, An- er came to be known, when Tar-Telem- an migration happened when Tar-Atanamir balukkhôr was reunified as a colony under maitë accessed to power (S.A. 2400) as shut down the Guild of Venturers (c. S.A. rule of a governor directly named by the Inzillôni Pharazkadar or Inzilpharaz (Ad. 2120), and later again with the numerous King (S.A. 2637). As with many colonies, “Haven of the Golden Flowers”). At that persecutions of the Faithful by the King’s Anbalukkhôr followed the policies of the time, the colony was Black Númenórean, Men. Black Númenóreans until the end of Sec- with still some Faithful communities. The After this Trade Agreement, which is certi- ond Age, and well beyond the Third Age. governor at the time, obeying the wishes of fied by numerous records, nothing clear is Azrathâni: located near Shay, Azrathanî (Ad. the King, opened important trade routes known about the history of the colony (nu- “the Land of the Sea”) is considered from with the Dwarves living in the Yellow merous records on the colonies were lost the beginning as an offshot of Sakal an- Mountains, to obtain some golden trea- in the downfall). There may have been an- Khâr. It was founded in S.A. 2594. It first sures. This worked for a time, until a Nú- other great war between Númenóreans and comprised the four most important Shay menórean spy discovered that precious and Womaw, as there are indications that the cities (Zelón, Niali, Panjo, Saragisha) and rare stones were kept by the Dwarves, or Second Trade Agreement was signed in Waw. But Tar-Anducal expressly forbade sold at very high prices. In S.A. 2476, this Khûruthâni just after a conflict (S.A. any influence of Sakal an-Khâr in the East, situation degenerated into a local war with 2356). As a consequence of the war, some and so the colony had to be entirely inde- the Dwarves, that lasted for four years. eastern colonies were dismantled—the ter- pendent from Sakal an-Khâr. This was bad- Several Adena revolts occurred in the fol- ritory being administered being given back ly resented in Sakal an-Khâr. The Khanîm lowing centuries. As a consequence, the to locals or Womaw officials. Some other subtly begin manoevres to unofficially con- colony was weakened compared to its two colonies were regrouped—the first of trol the colony, in total disobedience to the powerful neighbours—Anbalukkhôr and them being Khûruthâni. From 2356, many 39 OTHER MINDS MAGAZINE commercial relationships with the neigh- in 1889. Other settlements followed: started a golden dynasty that lasted for sev- bors realms and the other Númenórean Aglabar, Falathost (at Niss mouth) and en centuries in the Third Age. colonies (notably Anarikê) prove the exis- Gimil. Tantûrak: Tantûrak (presumably a local tence of the colony. The colony of Dorondôr was formally es- Ûsakani name meaning “Jungle Realm”) is The inhabitants of Khûruthâni call them- tablished in the presence of Tar-Ciryatan in one of the most powerful Númenórean selves the Adunali. They are unaffected by S.A. 1901. For a time, the Númenórean realms in the South. The capital city is the dispute between the King’s Men and presence was well-accepted, at least until Sarûl, and was founded as a Númenórean the Faithful. They decided that only the the Great Idurâk Revolt (S.A. 2544) trading outpost in S.A. 1792 by the future original Númenórean ways (those of Elros against the Númenóreans. The revolt was Tar-Ciryatan. The colony itself was found- the First King) were to be followed. Ar- crushed, and the Númenóreans secured ed in S.A. 1887. It was relatively cut off Pharazôn’s invasion of Valinor was frowned much more land for their colony, in co-op- from the more northerly realms, with the upon and seen with great concern in eration with Tantûrak. It is possible but not exception of some trading contacts. Khûruthâni, and no emissary of Sauron proved that the Magician of Tantûrak influ- Concerning the government of the realm, dared promote this western war to the enced Lômithâni, and took refuge in there is a story of an interesting, if perhaps Adunali, as it was already a difficult and un- Lômithâni in S.A. 3220. Shortly after the predictable transformation. At first there popular task in two other Númenórean downfall of Númenor, an inconclusive war was, as is true of most of the colonies, a colonies: Anarikê and Sakal an-Khâr. When was waged between Lômithâni and Tan- royal governor, who at least in theory an- the downfall of Númenor was attested tûrak (S.A. 3325). Another war followed, swered to the King in Númenor. This sys- (3023), Khûruthâni severed all political and and this time Tantûrak annexed Lômithâni tem worked quite well for some seventeen commercial ties with their southern and (S.A. 3390). All entries about Lômithâni hundred years, the governorship turning western kin. disappear after S.A. 3390, and even after over twenty-six times until, around S.A. Regularly, rumours of a great eastern Nú- the end of domination by Tantûrak which 2600, the "Magician" (the disguised Val- menórean empire surfaces in Anarikê and lasted for seven centuries. morgul, one of the Lords of the Court of Sakal an-Khâr. But this great Empire may Sakal an-Khâr [Harfalas]: Probably one of Ardor) arrived in Tantûrak. The date is un- well be the Womaw Empire, which had the greatest Númenórean colonies of Mid- certain for he came with little fanfare and conquered most of the Númenórean bas- dle-Earth and the most famous after Um- rose quietly, albeit swiftly, through the tions built before the First Trade Agree- bar. Many great deeds and evils are re- ranks of the governor's advisors. He built ment. In Anarikê or Sakal an-Khâr, the ul- membered, for this is the colony where the up his position and bided his time. In the timate destiny of the former colony of King's Men are supreme in power. Truly late Second Age he saw his chance to Khûruthâni is not known. founded in S.A. 1879, the colony soon be- strengthen his position even further. In Lômithâni [Dorondôr]: Habadôr (S. “Shore came powerful with the subjugation of the S.A. 3017, the colony obtained more au- Land”), built in S.A. 1300 by the Venturers locals, after several wars fought against its tonomy from Númenor. In S.A. 3160, the was the first settlement in the lake of Mir- neighbours. In S.A. 3010-3017, Sakal an- Magician was able to convince Tantûrak ror-waters, Nen Celedril. It was aban- Khâr (Ad.“Southern Coast Land”) claimed that its power was great enough to declare doned in the following century because of more autonomy from Númenor and ob- independence. The governor, taking the the very hostile Black nomads (probably re- tained it. This favoured the rise of the Dark name Ar-Kinjaarn, severed all political ties lated to the later Mûmakanril), and also be- Ordainers, a secret religious and military with Númenor. This move was greeted cause the later Dorondôr (S. “Land of the organization whose objectives were to in- with great enthusiasm by the populace, as Oaks”) was too far inland. A new expedi- crease the strength of Sakal an-Khâr and the taxes imposed by the mother country tion led by Prince Ciryatan in S.A. 1851 conquer all the lands of the Bay. Wars had increased greatly over the last few mapped the entirety of the river Niss val- were then launched for the conquest of the decades. The coming of the 'Magician' sig- ley, and for the first time made contact entire Bay, including the subversion of the nalled the beginning of Tantûraki imperial- with the warlike Idurâk tribes living in the colony of Anarikê and the haven of ism. The independence was ended in S.A. southern Niss valley. The Idurâk natives Balkûloni in Codya. In S.A. 3103, the gov- 3220. With the conquest by Númenor, the were related to the Chyan and Ulshyan ernor of Sakal an-Khâr instituted the Gold- former governor took his own life to avoid peoples. Relations with the Idurâk were en Rule and effectively rebelled against Nú- being judged for high treason, and the Ma- uneasy. However, the Men of the Sea and menor. This new Empire was crushed in gician was forced to flee. A friend of Tar- the Men of the Warlike Mountains (as the S.A. 3224, and Númenor exacted a harsh Palantir’s, perhaps sympathetic to the Idurâk called themselves) had one interest tribute for the liberation of Middle Men Faithful, took charge of the colony. This in common: the overall defeat of the fero- realms. The Dark Ordainers sect was then was less the case for his descendants, as cious Sanâr tribes, who were probably akin dismantled. they would be counted with the King’s to the later Mûmakanril. The Númenóre- With the coronation of Ar-Pharazôn, the Men. After the fall of Númenor, the gover- ans helped the Idurâk by defeating the colony governor avoided being involved in nor declared himself an emperor and made Sanâr, pushing them back far to the east in the Ar-Pharazôn war against Aman, using Tantûrak an empire to emphasise his claim the savanna, and built an impressive line of the excuse of a local conflict against as the political leader of the Southern Nú- defence. In the following decades, attracted Anarikê's allies and for Khanîm leadership. menórean realms. Unfortunately for him, by the promises of gold and precious stones With the fall of Númenor, Sakal an-Khâr all these other states did recognise Tan- in the mountains, Númenóreans progres- was able to attract the son of Ar-Pharazôn tûrak's empire but denied his supremacy. sively resettled the southern coasts of the to Sakal an-Khâr, so that he could consti- Zimrathâni [Mírenórë]: Taurlondë was the Nen Celedril. Habadôr was re-established tute a true Númenor in exile. With him first Númenórean permanent haven to be 40 ———————————————————————————————————— ISSUE 3, JANUARY 2008 built in the Seven Lands (S.A. 1294). It is his bodyguard and messenger, and some selves, and ended forever the dreams of located on the Bay of Drel, on the road be- rulers of the Orc races, the boldogs (lesser war of the Wanderer. The colony of Zim- tween Ostelor (another Númenórean city, Maiar in orc form). rathâni survived only in name until the built in S.A. 2222 by Cameär, one of Tar- Since the wereworm was physically weak, downfall of Númenor. At the end of the Ancalimon’s captains) and Mispír. It natu- it lived hidden in a secret cave and needed Second Age, no inhabitants refer to Zim- rally became the capital of the dominion of pawns to meddle in Men’s affairs, as it rathâni, but instead to the Seven Lands of Zimrathâni in S.A. 2386. Unlike other wanted to enslave and control the sur- the Valdacli. The wereworm survived (but colonies, as it was one of the most presti- rounding lands. Thus it was with the help perhaps not the Wanderer, who mysteri- gious and wealthiest, Zimrathâni was given of its first followers that it was able to en- ously disappeared after the end of the war). not to a hereditary line of governors, but slave and corrupt a small tribe of the Cha- It would take him many decades or even usually to a succession of theyounger chil- ialla, who became known and feared as the centuries to find another powerful man to dren of different Kings. When a governor Oracle of the Fire, a group of tribal corrupt and seduce, or create powerful se- died, the colony reverted back to the King, shamans devoted to the adoration of their cret evil organisations. who bestows it on one of his younger chil- mighty God, the Earth Voice―the shamans dren. But if the governor was well-regard- had never seen their god, but only his mes- The other colonies ed in Númenor and performed faithful ser- sengers: the Vampire, and a few selected There existed many more Númenórean vice to the crown, his children could be boldogs. colonies like Ahârathâni (Ad.“Southern Heat rewarded with important rewards in Nú- Most of these shamans were hunted down Lands”) near the Southern Cape (Hyarmentil) menor or by taking chargeof the colony by the first Númenórean settlers. But some or Môrathâni (Ad.“Black Lands”) in Dark themselves. As a consequence, the King’s of them survived, and their traditions con- Harad, not counting the unknown lost Men are the most powerful faction of Zim- tinued in the Shadows until the Lone Wan- colonies of Mórenorë. It is probable that many rathâni. derer came and contacted the last of them, of these colonies did not survive into the Third All this changed with the death of Er-Im- and then the bodyguard of the wereworm, Age. Who can say what spawn of Ar- razôr, the descendant of the second son of as a final steep of its discovery of the Pharazôn’s blood might even now be ruling Ar-Sakalthôr of Númenor (S.A. mighty power under the mountains. The over forgotten realms in the unknown depths 3033-3102). It was told that he was a bitter true identity of the Wanderer, who called of the South or Utter East? man who hated his own heirs. When he himself the true Master of the Seven Lands 1 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by- died in S.A. 3355, by his will he divided was a real secret—he was one of the hu- nc-sa/3.0/ the colony in equal portions between his man followers of the Court of Ardor (per- children and their cousins, in hopes of fo- haps as a Sauronic spy), and Sauron’s menting strife among his greedy heirs. His Mouth sent here to control the Seven heirs warred upon one another for several Lands in coordination with the Ringwraith years. Fortunately, the youngest heirs and Indûr Dawndeath. the most powerful Adena and warlike At first, the Wanderer was a Black Nú- Sederi nobles formed a union called the menórean scholar from a Númenórean Valdacli. In S.A. 3360, they crushed the colony of Dark Harad or Mórenorë, a lover last of their sibling rivals in a great land and of ancient mysteries who came to be cor- sea battle at Onpu Mispír, and Taurlondë rupted by the dreams he received from was destroyed, never to be rebuilt. Their what he believed to be the One (in truth victory ended Er-Imrazôr’s spiteful dream the dreams were sent by the old evil Maia and cemented the oligarchic union that still spirit—the wereworm―in its hidden rules the Seven Lands. prison) and by the tainted and dark secrets In truth, the war between the heirs of Er- he discovered in the East. He ultimately Murazôr was caused by an unknown and became a powerful sorcerer, capable of ex- malevolent entity. The malevolent entity tending his own life through the use of sor- —probably a wereworm caught beneath cery. For decades, he travelled in the Seven the Emyn Angwi (S. “Snake Hills”) (which Lands to find allies to release what he is a name that may come from the legends called as the Master of the Seven Lands. about the hissing and whispering voice car- Through his lies, he corrupted a small band ried by the wind) corrupted the weak mind of men among the Chaialla, and then Er- of Er-Murazôr and those of most of his Murazôr and his children. His plan was ul- children so that that they engagedin a timate war, and to appear later as the One bloody conflict that would help it to regain who unifies the Lands while releasing the its long-lost power. wereworm. The wereworm had slept since the First Age Some weeks after Er-Murazôr death, some and the great Wars of Spirits, and was able mysterious earthquakes and murders oc- to gain its freedom in the late years of Sec- curred in the most important cities of the ond Age, thanks to the dreams sent to its Seven Lands. It was not long before a war surviving followers and allies of the great erupted that was planned to be endless. But Wars of Spirits—one vampire who acted as the Valdacli unexpectedly united them- 41 OTHER MINDS MAGAZINE Advertisements Any company or producer of products related to role-playing in Middle-earth are invited to submit advertisements free of any charges within the pages of this Fineprint magazine. 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Other Minds Magazine is an unofficial fan- If the author does not specify otherwise, based publication (both online and every contribution is licensed under said sometimes in print) created for those who Creative Commons license. love to role play in J.R.R. Tolkien’s world It can be accessed here: of Middle-earth (and beyond) using any game system they wish. This magazine http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by- provides original scholarly articles of nc-sa/3.0/us/ interest to Tolkien enthusiasts whether they are role playing gamers or not. There is no affiliation between the creators of this publication and any current or previous owners of the Tolkien copyrights, including but not limited Decipher, Mithril Miniatures, The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises, the Tolkien Estate, New Line Cinema , or any other Tolkien license holders. This publication is 100% free and Other Minds Magazine does not accept any kind of financial reimbursement in any way. 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