recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Sea of Rhun

The **Sea of Rhûn** was a large, inland sea located in eastern Middle-earth.

## Geography

The Sea of Rhûn was located in the west of the land of Rhûn, which was east of Rhovanion and north of Mordor. The River Running, flowing from the Lonely Mountain, and the River Redwater from the Iron Hills, fed the sea. The sea also contained an unnamed island measuring about thirty miles along the southeastern and northwestern coasts and twenty upon the northeastern and southwestern coasts. According to the *The Atlas of Middle-earth*, the island was about seventy-five miles across.

There were mountains on the southwest side of the sea and a forest on the northeast side. The Kine of Araw, wild, white cattle, were known to live near the sea's shores. The Great Horn of Gondor was made from the horn of one of these kine that had been hunted by Vorondil, a Steward of Gondor.

## History

When Gondor was at the height of its power during the reign of King Hyarmendacil (TA 1015 - TA 1149), the realm extended east as far as the Sea of Rhûn. But as Gondor's power waned, Easterlings came into the area around the Sea of Rhûn and launched attacks on Gondor. In TA 1248, Minalcar (later called Romendacil) defeated an army of Easterlings between Rhovanion and the Sea of Rhûn and destroyed their settlements.

In TA 1944, an army of Wainriders gathered on the southern shores of the Sea of Rhûn before launching an assault on Gondor that left King Ondoher dead.

During the War of the Ring, forces under the rule of Sauron mustered in the lands beyond the Sea of Rhûn. In the decades after the downfall of Sauron, Aragorn and Éomer rode beyond the Sea of Rhûn to enforce peace with the Easterlings.
Master of Lake-town

The **Master of Lake-town** (?-TA 2941) was in charge of the city of Lake-town.

He is an incredibly corrupt, vain, and slovenly individual. Also becoming paranoid that the people of Lake-town may try to overthrow him, he uses his chief aide Alfrid to keep him abreast of the goings-on throughout the town. He sees Bard as the biggest threat to his power, and, knowing Bard is the descendent of Girion, the last lord of Dale, he uses every chance he can to exploit the fact that Girion was unable to bring down Smaug during the Dragon's destruction of Dale. When Thorin and Company arrive in the town, and Thorin promises the townspeople a share of their treasure if they succeed in taking back Erebor from Smaug, the Master seizes this opportunity to approve of the Dwarves' quest in hopes of getting back into the townspeople's good graces. He gives the Company a hero's sendoff the following day. Later, he orders captain of the guard Braga to arrest and imprison Bard on any charge he chooses. When Smaug is in the process of destroying Lake-town, the Master, Alfrid, Braga, and a few other town guards attempt to make off with the town's treasury in a boat and let the others fend for themselves. To get the boat to go faster, the Master eventually pushes Alfrid overboard. After Smaug has been shot by Bard's Black Arrow, the Dragon falls directly onto the Master's boat while plunging to his death into Long Lake, presumably taking everyone aboard with him.
Nenya

**Nenya**, also known as the **White Ring**, **Ring of Adamant**, and **Ring of Water**, was one of the three Rings of Power given to the Elves of Middle-earth in the Second Age.

## Appearance

Nenya was a white ring made of mithril and set with a white stone of adamant.

## The Lord of the Rings (film series)

### The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

When she saw that Frodo felt pressure for bearing the One Ring, Galadriel showed Frodo her Ring of Power to prove she knew what it was like to be a ring-bearer.
Lithariel

**Lithariel** was the leader of the Tribesmen of Núrn in the late Third Age, and the adopted daughter of Queen Marwen, ruler of Núrn.

## Biography

Lithariel was at some point adopted by Marwen, the Queen of the Shore, of Núrn, and eventually became a proficient warrior. She assumed leadership of the Tribesmen of Núrn, and led them for some time against the Uruks of Sauron, who began to encroach on the land of Núrn. During this time, as Sauron declared himself openly and began building his power, the wizard Saruman was able to gain an increasing degree of influence over Queen Marwen, though Lithariel was unaware of it.

Some time later, the ranger Talion journeyed to Núrn, seeking for a way to defeat the Black Hand and strike against Sauron's power. Saruman, hoping to gain control of Celebrimbor's wraith, which was bound to Talion, used Marwen to send the ranger on a series of quests, on which Lithariel aided Talion. Talion developed feelings for Lithariel during this time, but chose to focus on his mission and not bring further sorrow to her. Lithariel was at one point captured by Uruks, but Talion managed to rescue her before she could be executed.

On Talion's final return to Marwen, Saruman used the opportunity to attempt to wrest Celebrimbor away from Talion and bend the wraith to his own will. Talion, realizing Marwen's staff served as the conduit for the wizard's power, indicated as much to Lithariel, who broke the staff, thwarting Saruman's plan and freeing her mother from his influence. Once liberated, Marwen was able to tell Talion of the Tower of Sauron's location, and the ranger left with support from the tribesmen across the Sea of Núrnen.

His mission, while successful, gave the Black Hand an opportunity to raid Núrn, and on the ranger's return Marwen's stronghold was devastated. As no remains were to be found, Marwen and Lithariel, along with many of the tribesmen, were presumed to have been slain, captured, or escaped.
Middle Men

**Middle Men** was a term used by the Númenóreans to describe the Men of Middle-earth who were related to the Edain, the ancestors of the Númenóreans themselves. The proper term is "**Men of Twilight"** (as opposed to the Men of Gondor, "Men of Light", and the Haradrim and Easterlings, "Men of Darkness" etc.).

## History

When the Númenóreans returned to the coasts of Middle-earth in the Second Age, they found a people who spoke languages which were distantly related to the Númenórean tongue, Adûnaic. Númenórean scholars declared that this was because these Men were descendants of the fathers of the Edain, the Atanatári, who had not crossed the Ered Luin and entered Beleriand during the First Age. The Númenóreans set up friendly relations with them, and declared them to be Middle Men, as opposed to the High Men (the Edain) or the Men of the Shadow, meaning those hostile to Númenor or in the service of Sauron.

After the founding of the Realms in Exile, Arnor and Gondor, many Middle Men became subjects of the Dúnedain, and eventually intermarried with them until they became one people.

The Northmen of Rhovanion were counted as Middle Men, as were most people living in Eriador. During the Third Age the term Middle Men was still applied to the Men of Bree, and the remaining Northmen, such as the Men of Dale and Esgaroth, the Lake-town, and of course the Rohirrim. King Valacar of Gondor became so friendly with the Middle Men of Rhovanion that he married Vidumavi; a princess of the Northmen, and his son Eldacar was of mixed blood. This led to the disastrous Kin-strife of Gondor.

Most Middle Men had kinship with the House of Bëor or Marach. There were also Men in Middle-earth related to the Second House, the Haladin Men of Enedwaith and Minhiriath, later to be known as the Dunlendings. But because they spoke a language that was unknown to the Númenóreans they were not at first recognised as Middle Men. Hostility developed between these Middle Men and the Númenóreans, which would endure until the end of the Third Age.
Sammath Naur

The **Sammath Naur** was a structure and hall upon and within Mount Doom, at which Frodo met his final struggle against the One Ring.

## History

Sammath Naur was located in the Cracks of Doom Sauron forged the One Ring in the mid-Second Age there, and this was the only location in which the One Ring could be destroyed. Therefore, it was the destination for Frodo Baggins and the Quest of the Ring.

The final fated drama that put an end to the One Ring and to Gollum was played out in this chamber of doom, after which it was destroyed, along with the mountain.
Lurka

**Lurka** was an Orc overseer who served under the command of Adar in the Second Age.

## Biography

He participated in the razing of multiple Southland settlements and the imprisonment of those inhabitants as Adar directed a search for a secret object, using these prisoners as a workforce. After Arondir and several other Silvan Elves were captured and forced to dig with the other prisoners, Lurka helped to quell an attempted breakout, in which Revion and Médhor were killed.
Lurtz

**Lurtz** was the first Uruk-hai to be bred in the caverns of Isengard, a relentless and most loyal servant of Saruman, by whom he was sent to command a hunting party to retrieve the Ring-bearer.

## Biography

### The Lord of the Rings

Lurtz was the first of Saruman's Uruk-hai to be bred, choking the first Orc he sees to death within seconds of his birth. Attempting to intervene, other Orcs (Snaga) move towards the newly born Uruk-hai warrior, but Saruman halts their advance, intrigued by the malice and violence present in the Uruk's blood, leaving the unfortunate Orc to its fate. He became Saruman's second-in-command, and led the first battalion of Uruk-hai into battle against the Fellowship of the Ring at Amon Hen.
In the books, Boromir was slain by Orc archers, described as having been "pierced by many arrows". In the movie, he is killed by Lurtz, who shoots him three times in the shoulder, stomach, and chest after chasing the Fellowship to Parth Galen.

As his soldiers grab Merry and Pippin and leave the scene, Lurtz slowly approaches the wounded Boromir to finish him off, but Aragorn, who had heard Boromir's horn, intervenes and tackles Lurtz to the ground, and both begin a brutal fight. In the struggle, Lurtz's incredible ferocity and brutality appear to rival Aragorn's skill and resourcefulness, but after a dangerous bout, Aragorn manages to sever Lurtz's arms and decapitate him. Boromir dies minutes later, after speaking with Aragorn.
Landroval

**Landroval** was one of the Great Eagles of Middle-earth and the brother of Gwaihir the Windlord.

## Biography

Landroval was a descendant of Thorondor. It was said that Landroval and his brother Gwaihir helped Thorondor rescue Beren and Lúthien from Angband.

During the Third Age, it is possible that Landroval fought in the Battle of the Five Armies with the other Great Eagles.
Landroval assisted Gwaihir in his many associations with Gandalf and his companions. He was present at the Battle of the Black Gate, swooping to attack the Nazgûl on their fell beasts. Together with Gandalf, Gwaihir and Meneldor, he also rescued Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee from Mordor after the completion of the Quest of the Ring.
Mordor Orcs

The **Orcs of Mordor** or **Mordor Orcs** were the orc footsoldiers of Sauron within the Black Land of Mordor. They made up the bulk of his hosts in the wars he waged to suborn the Free Peoples throughout the Second and Third Ages

## History

### Second Age

After Sauron established himself in Mordor around S.A. 1000, he took under his command countless Orcs that continued to battle with Elves and Men over many centuries. The Orcs of Mordor were not simply gathered from the remnants of Morgoth's armies, but were also bred anew by Sauron.

When Sauron learned of the Last Alliance, he sent many Orcs from Mordor to ambush the Allied forces who would cross the Misty Mountains, but they were too strong and the Orcs hid themselves. That small detachment was eventually forgotten and it's possible they mingled with the Orcs of the Misty Mountains.

### Third Age

There were many types in the service of the Red Eye, but the largest and fiercest were the Uruks of Mordor, black Orcs of tremendous strength and ferocity first seen out of Mordor around T.A. 2475, assaulting Ithilien. Ithilien was re-taken by Steward Boromir, but years later Ithilien was infested again by Mordor-orcs driving most of the people west of the Anduin.

During the rule of the Steward Egalmoth, Orc-wars broke out.

It seems that Sauron could breed armies of Orcs with enormous speed when they were needed. According to Aragorn, for instance, it had taken just a few years for the Orcs to multiply in Mordor to the vast hordes seen in the War of the Ring.

Few years before the War of the Ring the Orcs began multiplying again and disrupted the transportation from Rhovanion to Osgiliath along the Anduin.

In February of T.A. 3019 a group of Mordor-orcs under Grishnákh joined forces of the Orcs of Isengard on the plains of Rohan during the War of the Ring. Those raided and captured Merry and Pippin. Those Orcs then attempted to head east, but returned when they noticed Rohirrim approaching. Eventually they were wiped out by them.

Orcs made up the backbone of the Eastern hordes during this War, supplemented by Easterlings, Haradrim, and monstrous creatures of Sauron.

Following Sauron's final defeat at the end of the Third Age, Western forces cleared the Black Gate and surrounding hills of Orcs easily without their master to guide them, though it is suggested many escaped into the vast wastes and steppes of Mordor's eastern lands.
Rhudaur

Rhudaur was the north-eastern part of Eriador. In the mid Third Age, it was the seat of the smallest of the kingdoms that originated from the break-up of Arnor (T.A. 861). The other kingdoms were Arthedain and Cardolan.

## Geography

Rhudaur formed the eastern part of Arnor, and stretched from the Weather Hills with Amon Sûl to the river Bruinen. It reached to the Ettenmoors. It shared a long border with Cardolan along the East Road, and with Arthedain along the line of the Weather Hills.

The land between the rivers Mitheithel and Bruinen, forming the The Angle, was also considered part of Rhudaur, and it overlapped somewhat with the Ettenmoors, as Rhudaur itself - like the Ettenmoors - means Troll-fells.

## History

From the start of its existence, Rhudaur was unfriendly towards the two other successor states, and took part in a bitter conflict with Cardolan over the tower of Amon Sûl and the *Palantír* associated with the tower.

The first Stoor Hobbits came into the region, specifically the Angle around 1150.

By around TA 1349 a lord of the Hill-men had seized power and had secretly allied with Angmar; few Dúnedain remained in Rhudaur and the only remaining descendant of the House of Isildur was the King of Arthedain Argeleb I. As Heir of Isildur Argeleb claimed the lordship of all former Arnor which the lord of Rhudaur resisted. In 1356 Rhudaur and Angmar attacked the Weather Hills, and Argeleb was killed. It was because of this hostile nature of Rhudaur that the Stoors fled, with some of them moving west to Arthedain, and others moving back to Rhovanion.

Angmar annexed and terminated the kingdom in 1409. By this time the Númenóreans were gone from the region, as well as most of the other inhabitants.

There is evidence that after the fall of Angmar at the Battle of Fornost the Angle became home to the remainder of the Dúnedain, and the Rangers of the North established several villages there, where their people lived until the resurrection of the northern Kingdom under King Elessar at the end of the Third Age.

In TA 2540 Angmar was finally sacked and the Nazgul were entombed in the High Fells of Rhudaur. Unknown to anyone, the Necromancer released them in TA 2941. This was discovered by Radagast when he evaded an attack by the Witch King and confiscated his Morgul Blade, which was used as proof. Gandalf later discovered the graves were opened from the inside, concluding the true identity of the Necromancer.

Thorin and Company passed through the outskirts of Rhudaur while fleeing Yazneg's Warg rider pack, with Gandalf finally finding a ravine leading to Rivendell, where the company took shelter while Elrond's rider dispatched the Orcs.
Dourhands

The **Dourhands** were a clan of dwarves. They were the dwarves that stayed behind to rebuild the Dwarven Halls in the Blue Mountains which were destroyed during the War of Wrath. They later aligned themselves with Angmar during the War of the Ring.

## History

Some time during the Third Age, the Dourhands were experiencing great poverty and hunger. Under the leadership of Skorgrím they raided the Elven refuge of Edhelion for their relics and treasures. He also had the Dourhands ally themselves with the Goblins and Trolls to drive out the Elves. Yet, it was not enough and he was slain in battle. Leaderless, the remaining Dourhands scattered themselves throughout Eriador setting up strongholds and camps.

Six hundred years later, shortly before the War of the Ring, a Gaunt-lord from the First Age named Ivar who dwells in Garth Agarwen, an ancient fortress of Rhudaur, summoned a fell spirit to possess the preserved corpse of Skorgrím. The wight convinced the Dourhand that he was a dwarf from the line of Skorgrím and managed to ally them with the forces of Angmar.
Lord of Isengard

**Lord of Isengard** was the title born by the master of Isengard, a Gondorian chieftain in command of the local garrison. The guardians with time became secretive and mingled with the Dunlendings until the Gondorian line failed.

Saruman later declared himself as Lord of Isengard, when he was granted to settle in Orthanc.
Pallando

**Pallando**, also known as **Pallando the Blue** or **Rómestámo** (Quenya; [ˌroːmesˈtaːmo]) was one of the five Istari or Wizards that were sent to Middle-earth to aid the Free Peoples in their struggle against Sauron.

## History

Before he came to Middle-earth, Pallando was a Maia of Oromë the Huntsman. He was taken to Middle-earth at the bidding of Alatar, another Istar who took him as a friend.

Pallando and Alatar (known as the Blue Wizards for their sea-blue robes) traveled to the east of Middle-earth with Curumo (Saruman the White) to aid some men and subdue others, primarily the Easterlings and Southrons who worshiped Sauron, and whose numbers were steadily increasing. Saruman later returned to the West, but Pallando with Alatar stayed behind.

Other than this, not much is positively known about Pallando, but it is thought that he most likely failed his mission. However, in Tolkien's later years he provided an alternate name for the wizard, "Rómestámo," meaning "helper of the East". Here it is thought that rather than fail his mission altogether, Pallando perhaps had the opposite fate, and he and Alatar may have in fact played some crucial role in the War of the Ring and in the victory of the Army of the West, unnoticed but significant.

## Character

When Pallando came to Middle-earth, he was clothed in flesh and had the appearance of a wizened old man, though he did not look as old as Gandalf. He, along with Alatar, was dressed in robes of sea-blue, which is why they both came to be known as "the Blue Wizards" or Ithryn Luin. Pallando had a grey beard which was not as long as either Gandalf's or Saruman's. He carried a staff, as did the other Istari, which he could use to channel his magical powers.
Scroll of Isildur

The **Scroll of Isildur** was a scroll made by Isildur himself during his short time in Minas Tirith after the War of the Last Alliance between S.A. 3441 and T.A. 2. The scroll held Isildur's account of the gaining of the Ring from Sauron and described the appearance of an inscription around the Ring while it was still hot. The Scroll was stored for millennia in the vaults of that city and according to Gandalf it was probably forgotten after the time of the Kings of Gondor and nobody, except him and perhaps Saruman, had seen it.

Gandalf started to believe that Bilbo Baggins' Magic Ring was the One. In T.A. 3017 he visited Minas Tirith and studied the scroll. Isildur's description was vital in helping Gandalf identify the Ring. He visited Frodo Baggins in Bag End and tested his ring in the fireplace, confirming it as the One Ring of Sauron.
Marwen

**Marwen** was the queen of the tribesmen of Núrn in the days following Sauron's return to Mordor.

## Biography

Marwen ruled the lands of Núrn shortly before and in the early years of Sauron's return to Mordor. At some point, she became the mother of Lithariel. At some point prior to Sauron's removal from Dol Guldur, however, she was possessed by the wizard Saruman in his quest to find the One Ring, and was as a result aged prematurely, falling into a state of atrophy.
Eventually, Lithariel brought the ranger Talion to Marwen's court at what she believed to be the queen's command. Through Marwen, Saruman sent the ranger on a series of missions in hopes of bringing the wraith of Celebrimbor under his control. This was unsuccessful, however, as Talion and Lithariel were able to break Saruman's hold over Marwen, restoring her mind and appearance to their natural state.

Marwen then assisted Talion in preparing for his assault on the Tower of Sauron, which proved successful. However, in his absence, the Black Hand invaded Núrn and ravaged much of the land, including Marwen's stronghold. She is presumed to have been killed along with Lithariel, but her fate is ultimately unknown.
Rosie Cotton

**Rose Cotton**, nicknamed **Rosie**, was a hobbit of the Shire. She wedded Samwise Gamgee, renowned companion of Frodo Baggins in the quest of the One Ring. She became the mother of Frodo Gardner, Elanor, Rose, Merry, Pippin, Goldilocks, Hamfast, Daisy, Primrose, Bilbo, Ruby, Robin, and Tolman (Tom).

## Biography

Rosie was a Cotton; the daughter of Tolman Cotton and Lily Brown, and the sister of Tolman (Tom), Wilcome Cotton (Jolly), Bowman (Nick), and Carl Cotton (Nibs), and wife of Samwise Gamgee. She lived with her family on South Lane, in a farm near Bywater. Her early life is not well recorded but it is known that she and her family were always close to the Gamgees, and her brothers frequently swam in the Bywater Pool as youths with the Gamgees including Sam. Being very close friends with Sam, she expected that she and him would eventually marry, and expecting a marriage proposal soon she didn't like it when she heard Sam had left the Shire, apparently for Crickhollow. Though not pleased that he was away for a year, she waited for him patiently.

### War of the Ring

Rosie and her family were just as angry as most everyone else but remained docile due to having a family to look after. Rosie remained protected. When Sam came back on November 2, 3019, she told him that she had expected him by the spring and thought him dead. She eventually helped him and the other returning hobbits fight and defeat the Ruffians and Sharkey. During this time, Sam got the chance to tell her where he had really been and what he had really been doing for over a year. After the war, Sam and Frodo lived with Rosie and the Cottons for a time until Bag End was restored to livable conditions.

Sam and Rosie were finally married on May 1, 3020 and moved to Bag End.. Sam and Rosie had thirteen children: Elanor, Frodo, Rose, Merry, Pippin, Goldilocks, Hamfast, Daisy, Primrose, Bilbo, Ruby, Robin, Tolman (Tom). Many were named after Sam and Rosie's friends and relatives. Among them were Elanor the Fair, Frodo Gardner, and Goldilocks.

### Fourth Age

In their later years, Sam and Rosie went to Gondor and lived there for over one year in the house of King Aragorn II Elessar. When they returned, they lived out their lives seeing Sam's mayoral duties passed to Tolman Cotton Jr.. Rosie died in the year 61 in Mid-year's Day at the age of ninety-eight. Sam then left Middle-earth for the Undying Lands later that year after giving their daughter the *Red Book of Westmarch*.
Kingdom of Rhovanion

The **Kingdom of Rhovanion** was a realm of Men in the Middle-earth region of Rhovanion.

## Summary

The kingdom of Rhovanion was founded by the Northmen and stretched from Mirkwood, in the west, to Dorwinion, in the east. One of a number of Northern principalities, it had strong ties with the kingdom of Gondor and fought with them in wars against the Easterlings of Rhûn.

## History

The Kingdom of Rhovanion came to prominence in the mid-13th century of the Third Age, when Minalcar served as Regent for his uncle, King Narmacil I of Gondor. About this time Vidugavia, "the most powerful of the northern princes" called himself King of Rhovanion, though the land he governed lay only between Mirkwood and the River Running. The Regent led a great expedition into Rhûn in TA 1248 and utterly defeated the Easterlings, with substantial help from the Northmen and from Vidugavia in particular.

Vidugavia became Gondor's strong ally, and in TA 1250 the Regent sent his son Valacar as ambassador to Vidugavia. But Valacar, much taken with the culture of the North, "far exceeded his father's design" by marrying Vidugavia's daughter Vidumavi, and their son Vinitharya was born among the Northmen.

When Minalcar acceded to the throne of Gondor as Rómendacil II, Valacar became the heir to the throne. The mixed ancestry of Valacar's son (known as Eldacar in Gondor) became a matter of contention: many were not prepared to allow as king a man whose Númenórean blood was mingled with that of a "lesser" race, and many feared that he would be short-lived (as his mother's people were, compared to the ruling line of Gondor). This led to the Kin-strife in Gondor, a bloody civil war that decimated the royal house and nobility.

Tolkien makes little further reference to the "Kingdom of Rhovanion" and it is unclear if Vidugavia's kingdom endured after his death. It is clear from his discussion of the early history of the Éothéod in *Unfinished Tales* that the Northmen in Rhovanion were defeated and enslaved by the Wainriders. The Battle of the Plains (in TA 1856) was fought by Gondor and the Northmen against the Wainriders; King Narmacil II of Gondor and the Northman Marhari (a descendant of Vidugavia) were both killed in this battle. Tolkien does not, however, call Marhari "king", nor is there any direct evidence that the kingdom had survived to this point.

Refugees from this defeat were reorganized on the other side of Mirkwood in the lower Vales of Anduin, under the leadership of Marhwini, son of Marhari. These people became known as the Éothéod. Much later, the history of the House of Eorl (recounted in Appendix A) tells that "the forefathers of Eorl claimed descent from kings of Rhovanion, whose realm lay beyond Mirkwood before the invasions of the Wainriders, and thus they accounted themselves kinsmen of the kings of Gondor descended from Eldacar." Tolkien does not state whether the kinship came through Marhwini and Marhari, though they are the only leaders of Northmen mentioned in this time.
Lethuin

**Lethuin** was a Silvan Elf.

## Biography

### The Hobbit

In the year TA 2941, when Thorin and Company traveled through the forest using the Elven-road, Lethuin was amongst the hunters who captured Dwarves, confiscated their belongings, and brought them into their kingdom where their king interrogated the Company and threw them to their cells.
Morgul-Road

The **Morgul-road**, known also as the **Morgul-way** or the **wraith-road**, was the road that ran east and west through the Morgul Vale, and over the Morgul Pass in western Mordor. It began on the banks of the Anduin at Osgiliath, running through Ithilien and below the pass of Cirith Ungol, before passing the fortress of Minas Morgul. In Ithilien it crossed the Harad Road at the place known as the Cross-roads.

## History

The road was made by the Númenóreans of Gondor during the Second Age, though under an unspecified name. During the War of the Ring, in the year TA 3019, Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee were led by Gollum along the road from the Cross-roads to the Stairs of Cirith Ungol. By this time, at least part of the road glowed with an eerie luminescence, as observed by Frodo.
Lamedon

**Lamedon** was a region and fiefdom in southern Gondor; a series of valleys through which the Ringló and Ciril rivers flowed south. It was one of the most densely populated regions in Gondor. At the time of the War of the Ring its lord was Angbor.

During that war, Angbor did not send any soldiers to Minas Tirith during the initial assault, as he chose to defend instead the southern city of Linhir, which rested near the mounds of the river Gilrain. He held off the Southron assailants coming from the Harad and the Haven of Umbar for a long while. The only men Minas Tirith received from Lamedon were some scattered hillmen without a captain.

At the time Aragorn passed through Lamedon with the Grey Company, the Army of the Dead drove forth the assailants from Linhir, though the staunch defenders fled as well. Angbor alone remained and braved the fear of the Dead. Then Aragorn bade him gather his folk and follow them. The Grey Company departed first, and by the time Angbor joined them with all the horsemen he could muster, the Corsairs of Umbar had been driven forth, and the Dead released. Many of the men of Lamedon, as well as soldiers from Lebennin and various other southern fiefs, came in ships to Minas Tirith, where they bore themselves bravely in battle. But Angbor, leading four thousand, went by land, coming to garrison Minas Tirith after the hosts departed for the Black Gate and the ensuing Battle of the Morannon.

Lamedon was an area in the region of Western Gondor, located northeast of the Havens of Belfalas, west of the Ringló Vale in Central Gondor, and southeast of the Blackroot Vale via Tarlang's Neck. Its emblem was a black fist on a yellow field. The capital was Calembel and other settlements included "Dínadab", "Lothgobel" and "Bar Elir". The river Ciril was fed by several tributaries and all were a source of freshwater fish for Dol Amroth. South of the river Ringló on the edges of the Emyn Ernil were two beacons, "Maegond" and another only identified as the Fallen Beacon.
Last Alliance

The **Last Alliance of Men and Elves**, also known as the **War of the Last Alliance**, was the final alliance before the seemingly defeat of Sauron.

In SA 3429, Sauron launched an attack of Gondor. In response to this, Elendil and his ally Gil-galad had enough and went to fight. Durin's Folk also joined them. The leaders met and Amon Sûl  and they camped there for three years while forging weapons.

Elendil's younger son defended Osgiliath as Mordor's hosts attacked.

The forces later crossed and defeated Sauron's army in the Battle of Dagorlad. The seven year siege marked the fall of Anárion, who was slain in battle. There were three objectives to this war; to unmake the One Ring, to destroy Sauron, and to destroy the foundation of the Dark Tower.

Elendil goes to avenge Gil-galad but a blow from Sauron's mace throws him against some rocks and he is killed. It motivating Isildur to attempt to take up Narsil but the blade was broken. With it, the prince cut off Sauron's finger and destroyed the Dark lord. Elrond, who was young at the time, later led Isildur to Mount Doom, and tried to convince him to destroy the Ring. However, Isildur declined and kept the ring for himself.
Ori

**Ori** was the brother of Dori and Nori and one of the twelve companions of Bilbo Baggins and Thorin Oakenshield.

After the Quest of Erebor, Ori followed his distant relative Balin on a quest to reclaim Moria. However the colony was short lived and Ori and several other Dwarves were killed by the Orcs that lived in Moria. His death presumably was reported and heart-broke his brothers.

## Biography

### Early life and Quest of Erebor

Ori lived in Thorin's Halls in the northern Blue Mountains for many years. In the year TA 2941, Ori became a member of Thorin's Company and travelled with Thorin, Gandalf, Bilbo Baggins, and the other dwarves on the quest for the Lonely Mountain, culminating in the death of Smaug. Finally, he and the other dwarves of Thorin's Company fought in the Battle of Five Armies, which he survived.

### Final days

Ori was one of the several Dwarves that accompanied Balin to Moria in TA 2989 to begin a colony there. Though it saw initial success, the colony was destroyed in TA 2994 when the Balrog ( Durin's Bane) and Orcs began to press back from the initial fight. After Balin died, Ori and others lived just long enough to bury him properly in a stone tomb before dying themselves in the last stand in the Chamber of Mazarbul. Ori recalls his last moments in *The Book of Mazarbul* which Gandalf reads from when the Fellowship passes by Balin's Tomb some twenty-four years later. His body is left clutching the scarred, bloodied, and shredded book; a warrior-scribe to the last breath.

## Official description

*Younger brother to Nori and Dori, Ori is a talented artist, and can often be found drawing and writing in his journal. It is Ori who chronicles much of the journey through The Wild to the shores of the Long Lake and the slopes of The Lonely Mountain. Polite and well-bred, he is used to being bossed around by his older brother Dori and is usually biddable, although occasionally he can surprise his fellow companions with his courage and determination. Ori is said to be the youngest in the company.*
Mount Gram

**Mount Gram** was a mountain of Middle-earth, likely located in Eriador, inhabited by Orcs.

## History

Mount Gram was inhabited by Orcs led by their King Golfimbul. In T.A. 2747 they attacked much of northern Eriador, but were defeated in the Battle of Greenfields, by hobbits led by Bandobras Took, who personally slew Golfimbul.

## Location

The location of Mount Gram has never been established and the mountain could have been anywhere within the northern Eriador region.

The Tale of Years mentions that in T.A. 2740 "Orcs *renew* their invasions of Eriador", obviously referring to those of the Misty Mountains, mentioned in the immediate previous entries. "The Goblins of Mount Gram" who invaded the Shire in 2747 obviously were a subsequent wave of them.

This must be the reason why Robert Foster considers Gram to have been one of the Misty Mountains, although he does not cite a specific source or reason to do so.

On the other hand, Karen Wynn Fonstad (also without explanation) placed it on a promontory in the Ettenmoors.

John D. Rateliff considers the Norse name of the mountain (representing Northern Mannish) and locates it north-eastern of the Shire, suggesting that it refers to the Misty Mountains: "particularly associated with the goblins throughout the *Hobbit*, also seem to be the mountains closest to Bilbo's home". He also considers the possibility that it is another name for Mount Gundabad.

Tharzog is the chieftain of the Orcs of Mount Gram.
Nori

**Nori** is the younger half-brother of Dori and the older half-brother of the late Ori and one of the twelve companions of Thorin Oakenshield and Bilbo Baggins.

## Biography

Nori was born approximately one hundred and four years before the Quest of Erebor. He was the brother of Dori and Ori. Nori was once a thief for a criminal but ever since authorities were after him, Nori joined his brothers during the Quest of Erebor. First, meeting Bilbo Baggins in the Shire, Nori fell on top of others, while they were crushed by Bombur, falling on the Hobbit's mat.

### Early life

Nori, as was his brother Dori, was a capable flutist, and both seem to have carried their flutes with them. Both shared Bilbo's liking for regular meals. Before the Quest for the Lonely Mountain, Nori lived in Thorin's Halls in the northern Blue Mountains with his two brothers.

### Quest of Erebor

In TA 2941, Nori, along with Dori and Ori, became part of Thorin and Company, befriending Bilbo Baggins and traveling with him in search of Smaug's treasure in the Lonely Mountain. After their experience in Goblin-town when the company was pursued by Wargs and Orcs and forced to climb up into some trees, Nori was the first realize that Bilbo had been left on the ground and pointed him out to his brother Dori who rescued Bilbo.

Nori did little to distinguish himself during the Dwarves's adventures in the wild, though he shared the same array of experiences as the others of the Company: captured in turn by Trolls, Goblins, Spiders, and Elves, they eventually reached the distant Lonely Mountain and recovered it for Durin's Folk. Afterwards he remained in the Kingdom under the Mountain, and Glóin reported that he was still there seventy-seven years later, at the time of the War of the Ring.

Nori fought in and survived the Battle of Five Armies and returned to the Lonely Mountain where he established himself and grew rich. During the War of the Ring, Nori was still living in the Lonely Mountain, and possibly fought in the Battle of Dale against the Easterlings.
Ruling Queens of Numenor

The **Ruling Queens of Númenor** were women who ruled the kingdom of Númenor.

## History

In the early days of Númenor, succession followed the principle of agnatic primogeniture—that is, rule passed to the oldest *male* offspring of the King. The Queen of Númenor was the queen consort of the King.

Tar-Aldarion, the sixth ruler of Númenor, had only one child: a daughter, Ancalimë. To prevent the throne from passing to his nephew, Soronto, he changed the **Law of Succession in Númenor** to allow full cognatic primogeniture, under which rule would pass to the oldest child of the ruler, whether male or female.

Out of Númenor's twenty-five rulers, only three were female: **Tar-Ancalimë**, **Tar-Telperiën** and **Tar-Vanimeldë**. Tar-Míriel should have been the fourth Ruling Queen, but the throne was usurped from her by her cousin Ar-Pharazôn.
Moon

The **Moon** of the world of Arda was created by the Vala Aulë. He and his people made a vessel, to hold the radiance of the last flower of Telperion, the elder of the Two Trees of Valinor. The Maia Tilion, a hunter of the company of the Vala Oromë, was chosen to guide the vessel of the Moon. The moon's first rising was right at the edge of a new age, Years of the Sun, FA 1.

Names of the Moon among the Elves included *Isil* or *The Sheen*, a name given to it by the Vanyar; *Ithil*, the common name for the Moon in Sindarin, as seen in *Minas Ithil* (later Minas Morgul) and *Ithilien*; and *Rána*, or *The Wayward*, a name given to the Moon by the Ñoldor.

A poetic name for the Moon was *The Silver Flower*, and Gollum referred to it as *The White Face*.

The Moon was valued as higher than the Sun by the Elves, both because it came from the Elder Tree, and because it rose first: it was made in memory of the Elves. The Sun on the other hand was made in memory of Men.

## Other versions of the legendarium

In the earlier tales of the First Age, given in *The Book of Lost Tales Part One* (a part of The History of Middle-earth series), the Moon was described in great detail as an immense island of crystal, designed after a rose from the ruined tree Silpion. It was also said there that the youth Tilion was secretly be in love with Urwendi (Arien), the maiden who guided the Sun, and that because he steered the Moon too close to the Sun the Moon was burned, causing the darker spots on the Moon.

The "Man in the Moon" is even described in those writings, as being an old Elf who secretly hid and built his minaret there. This is alluded to further in Tolkien's *Roverandom*, where the Man in the Moon also lives in a Minaret.

In the Round World version of the legendarium, the Sun and the Moon were not the fruit of the Two Trees, but actually preceded the creation of the Trees. Instead, the Trees preserved the light of the Sun before Melkor tainted it when he ravished Arien.[*citation needed*]

## "Isil"

*Isil* is the Quenya word for '**moon**'. After Telperion, Ungoliant killed the silver Tree of Valinor, Yavanna took its last flower and Aulë made a vessel to hold it. Then, with Tilion to guide it, Isil the Sheen was sent into the sky to bring light to Arda.

Its counterpart, Anar the Fire-golden, was a fruit of Laurelin and became the Sun.
Ost-in-Edhil

**Ost-in-Edhil** was the capital of Eregion, an Elvish Kingdom in the Second Age. It preceded Rivendell, and was the location in which the Forging of the Great Rings took place. Sauron, who made the master Ring, then sacked it.

## History

Ost-in-Edhil was established by the Ñoldor during the early parts of the Second Age, located where the Sirannon met the Glanduin. A large road was erected to the West Gate of Khazad-dûm under the shadow of the Misty Mountains, to facilitate communication and trade between the Dwarves and the Elves.

Ost-in-Edhil was ruled by Celebrimbor, the founder and leader of the Gwaith-i-Mírdain and the grandson of Fëanor. Here the Ñoldor created the Rings of Power with knowledge given to them by Sauron, posing as Annatar, the 'Giver of Gifts'. When Celebrimbor discovered Sauron's plan to ensnare them, he hid the rings and did not use them ever again and refused Sauron's demand to surrender all the others. This started the War of Sauron and the Elves and during the war Ost-in-Edhil was completely destroyed by Sauron's forces, but its ruins survived into the Third Age.

## Legacy

The survivors of Ost in-Edhil fled to the Hidden Valley where Elrond founded Rivendell. A mural of Ost in-Edhil stood in Elrond's chambers, and was beheld by Bilbo Baggins when he was looking around Rivendell.

The Fellowship of the Ring encountered the ruins of Ost-in-Edhil shortly before reaching Moria
Lord of Rivendell

**Lord of Rivendell** was the title of Elrond the Half-elven who ruled Rivendell since its foundation as a hidden refuge for those in opposition to the Sauron's tyranny in Middle-earth, during the mid-Second Age and on.

The title possibly passed to the sons of Elrond when he departed for Valinor on September 29, 3021.
Second Age 1697

**Second Age 1697** (abbreviated to **S.A. 1697**) is the 1697th year of the Sun of the Second Age of Middle-earth.

Notable events in this year include:

* Eregion laid waste.
* Death of Celebrimbor.
* The gates of Moria are shut.
* Elrond retreats with remnant of the Noldor and founds the refuge of Imladris.
Ringlo Vale

**Ringló Vale** was a vale located in Lamedon of Gondor traversed by the river Ringló.

The valley was the location of a Gondorian fiefdom. In T.A. 3019, Dervorin, son of the Lord of Ringló Vale, led 300 foot-soldiers to the support of Minas Tirith before the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.

Ringló Vale was an area in the region of Central Gondor, located east of Lamedon in Western Gondor and north of Dor-en-Ernil. Its emblem was a golden trout on a blue field. During the War of the Ring, the elderly "Lord Borhador" ruled from the Crossing-Hall in Ethring, the only settlement. He was assisted by his other son "Arvaethor" in Dervorin's absence. The Vale was threatened by spiders, White Mountain Orcs, Corsair scouts, and the twice-traitorous Oathbreakers known as the Ruthless Dead. Southwest of Ethring was the beacon of "Eilendoth".
King of the Woodland Realm

The **King of the Woodland Realm** was an Elven title that referred to the ruler of the Woodland Realm of Wood-elves in the forest of Greenwood the Great. The title was held by Oropher and his son Thranduil, both Sindar Elves. As the Third Age progressed, the shadow of the Necromancer advanced, and the Greenwood grew dark and became known as Mirkwood, and became infested with Orcs and giant Spiders, the Silvan Elves of Mirkwood were reduced in number and retreated to the lands in the north of Mirkwood. By the time of the events of *The Hobbit*, Thranduil's title was **King of the Elves of Northern Mirkwood**.
Mace

A **mace** is a concussive/bludgeoning weapon of a heavy metal head fixed to a long shaft.

Morgoth carried a special mace into battle with Fingolfin. The strength of the Dark Lord and the weapon made holes in the earth which led to the great Elven-king's death.

## History

Azog, Nori and Dwalin wield maces. Balin wields a cross between a mace and a sword.

Thought to have been destroyed in the great battle between Orcs and Dwarves, Azog the Defiler has come forth once more, and he will stop at nothing to hunt down and destroy every last member of the company of Thorin Oakenshield. Azog’s primary weapon is his war mace. A primitive but brutal weapon, the mace was constructed of wood, leather, cord, and rough forged steel.

After the Company's weapons are taken by the Elves of Mirkwood, Dwalin is later seen with a mace in the Lonely Mountain, which he had acquired in Lake-town. Balin also wields a sword-mace hybrid.

Sauron is shown using a mace in his fight with the soldiers at the battle of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. He uses it to strike down Elendil, before having his fingers cut off by Isildur. This mace is depicted as incredibly powerful, much like its owner, and capable of scattering multiple opponents with a single stroke. Whether this is an actual attribute of the mace, or just a power that is channeled by its owner, is unknown. The Witch-king of Angmar uses a flail (a mace-head on a chain) against Éowyn after his fell-beast is killed.
Men of Carn Dum

The **Men of Carn Dûm** were the dark men of Angmar who served the Witch-king of Angmar in the mid-Third Age. Carn Dûm was the capital of Angmar.

## History

### Conquest of Arnor

Many years ago, the Kingdom of Arnor in the north had split into three different realms. Cardolan, which bordered along the Barrow-downs. Rhudaur, which lay just below Angmar. Finally, Arthedain was the largest realm, governed from its capital city, Fornost.

The Witch-king intended to conquer the three realms by destroying all the Dúnedain and their cities. Rhudaur was the first to fall, and Cardolan was the second. Finally, the Men of Carn Dûm attacked the realm of Arthedain and the city of Fornost. They destroyed the last north kingdom in TA 1974.

A year later, a large force arrived from Gondor, and allied with the Men of Arthedain and the Elves they routed the Witch-king's army at the Battle of Fornost. The war destroyed the Men of Carn Dûm and the kingdom of Angmar. Afterwards the Witch-king abandoned his realm, and retreated south to dwell in his new stronghold Minas Morgul.

The Men of Carn Dûm were not all slain. Those who survived returned to fight for Sauron under his deadliest servant Agandaûr during the War of the Ring. They are first seen standing on either side of Agandaûr at Sarn Ford after the Nazgûl have pillaged it.

They are seen more often after Agandaûr meets and tries to convince the dragon, Úrgost of the Grey Mountains to serve him. Agandaûr leaves the Men of Carn Dûm behind at the dragon's lair to stand watch and await the dragon's answer. They soon take part in Agandaûr's attack on Nordinbad, in which they fail due to Eradan, Farin, and Andriel intervening.

After their failed attack on Nordinbad, they battle the trio who have come to destroy Agandaûr at their ironclad Fortress of Carn Dûm itself. When Agandaûr is destroyed at the same time as Sauron's destruction, the Men of Carn Dûm are scattered. Those who still lived may have fled the stronghold, or were picked off by the dragon Úrgost who - sensing Sauron's destruction - claimed it for himself.
Mountains of the East

The **Orocarni** (also called the **Red Mountains**) was a mountain range in the far north-east of Middle-earth made by the Valar after Melkor destroyed the Two Lamps.

## Geography

On the western slopes of the Orocarni grew the *Wild Wood*, and near a great waterfall of a river that flowed into the Inland Sea of Helcar lay the bay of Cuiviénen, where the first Elves woke. At their northern edge, the Orocarni came close to the Ered Engrin , similar to Ered Luin in the far north-west. The locations of the four Dwarven clans who lived in the East are unknown; they might or might not have resided in the Orocarni. Since it is known that the other four Houses awoke in mountains in the East, the only mountain range in the East was, in fact, the Orocarni. This suggests that the other four Houses did indeed awake in these mountains. The distance between their mansions in the East and the Misty Mountains, specifically Gundabad, was said to resemble Gundabad's distance from the Blue Mountains in the West.
Lord of Lossarnach

The **Lord of Lossarnach** was the lord of the flowered vales of the White Mountains that lay to the south and west of Minas Tirith. Almost nothing is known of the history and descent of this title, except the name of its holder during the War of the Ring. That was Forlong the Fat, who rode to Minas Tirith with two hundred men from his homeland, and fell in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. Whether Forlong left an heir to inherit his lordship is unknown.