recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Dagorlad

**Dagorlad** was a vast plain in southwestern Rhovanion, near Mordor, in Middle-earth.

## History

Dagorlad was the location of the Battle of Dagorlad, fought there between Sauron's forces and the Last Alliance of Elves and Men at the end of the Second Age. The bodies of the dead decayed as normal, but over time part of the field became a wetland, the Dead Marshes, where the images of the fallen could be seen. Later, in the Third Age, the Dagorlad was the site of many battles between Gondor and various Easterling armies. The countless battles of two ages left Dagorlad as a devastated wasteland, contaminated and unhealthy, with sumps of poisonous slick and mounds of scorched earth.

## Known battles

The Battle of Dagorlad occurred in the year 3434 of the Second Age. It was fought between the army of the Last Alliance under Gil-galad and Elendil and an army of Orcs with other creatures loyal to Sauron. It is not long how long it lasted, but ultimately the Last Alliance won the battle and proceeded into Mordor.

The Second Battle of Dagorlad was fought in TA 1899 between the army of King Calimehtar of Gondor and the Wainriders. The result was a victory for Gondor.
Bagshot Row

**Bagshot Row** was a street in the town of Hobbiton, and the location of Bag End. Bilbo Baggins, Frodo Baggins, and Samwise Gamgee all at one point lived in its immediate vicinity.

## History

### Before the War of the Ring

Bagshot Row was built into Hobbiton Hill. Numerous trees were planted nearby, including the famous Party Tree, located in the Party Field where Bilbo held his 111th Birthday Party in September TA 3001.

### After the War of the Ring

Proceeding on a plan of industrialization of the Shire, Lotho Sackville-Baggins had Bagshot Row dug up and used as a stone quarry. A few important trees, including the Party Tree, were also destroyed. All of this was done by ruffians on the orders of Lotho, who was himself directed by Saruman.

After the Scouring of the Shire when peace was restored, the Hobbits delved new homes in a street known as the New Row, which, in the nearby town of Bywater, was called Sharkey's End as a joke. Trees were also replanted, including a Mallorn given by Galadriel and planted by Sam in the place where the Party Tree stood.
Durin III

**Durin III** was a King of Durin's Folk, and the first bearer of the mightiest of the seven Dwarf Rings, though this was not known to outsiders until the end of the Third Age.

## Biography

As a descendant of Durin I who bore the same name, Durin III was considered by many Dwarves to be the reincarnation of the original Durin due to the great similarity in appearance and manner.

He is the father of Durin IV; a more traditionally-minded Dwarf in contrast to his son, who is willing to seek alliances with other peoples. After Durin IV hosts his friend Elrond for dinner and hears of the Elf's proposal, he brings the news to his father, who is skeptical and expresses a desire to remain isolated.
Sometime shortly after SA 1500, Durin received one of the Seven rings; the Dwarves of Durin's Folk claimed the ring was given by Celebrimbor himself, and not by Sauron, though Sauron was involved in the making. This was the ring that Thráin II later carried and had taken from him when he was captured by the agents of Sauron. During the War of the Elves and Sauron the Dark Lord's forces were on the point of overtaking and destroying the refugees and army of Elrond, when the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm sortied from the Doors of Durin and attacked Sauron's forces in the rear, giving the Elves time to escape and earning the Dark Lord's enmity. After this time the gates of Khazad-dûm were shut.
Denethor

**Denethor II** was the twenty-sixth and last Ruling Steward of Gondor, and father of the War of the Ring heroes Boromir and Faramir.

## Biography

Denethor was the third child and only son of Ecthelion II. A proud and noble man, the blood of Númenor ran truer in him than it had in any man of Gondor for many years. He was described as subtle and often scornful and could perceive the thoughts of men, including those that dwelled far off. It was difficult to deceive him and dangerous to try.

In TA 2976, he married Finduilas of Dol Amroth, daughter of Prince Adrahil II of Dol Amroth. Together, the couple had two sons, Boromir and Faramir. A few years later, in TA 2988, Finduilas died young, leaving Denethor embittered.

He succeeded his father Ecthelion II as twenty-sixth Ruling Steward in TA 2984. During his stewardship, Gandalf was less welcome in Minas Tirith, and his counsels went unheeded.

### War of the Ring

Denethor appears in one flashback, arriving at Osgiliath as it is liberated by Boromir's troops. He congratulates his elder son while disparaging the younger Faramir, and commands Boromir to travel to the Council of Elrond, take the One Ring, and return it to Gondor. In *The Return of the King*, Denethor is depicted as overcome with despair, convinced that Sauron cannot be opposed. He denies Aragorn's birthright to the throne of Gondor, refuses to light the beacons to call Rohan for aid and, after Osgiliath is captured by Mordor's forces, sends Faramir and his men on a suicide mission to retake the ruined city. When Faramir is brought back to Minas Tirith unconscious, Denethor hastily concludes that his last son is dead and commands his guards to build a funeral pyre for the both of them. As Sauron's armies attack Minas Tirith, Denethor prepares to immolate himself alongside Faramir; only Pippin and Gandalf's intervention saves Faramir's life. Denethor then throws himself off of the pinnacle of Minas Tirith, engulfed in flames
Cess Pits of Dol Guldur

The **Cess Pits of Dol Guldur** were huge caverns for Orc and Warg breeding in the abandoned fortress of Dol Guldur. In these chambers, the Necromancer would breed thousands of Dol Guldur Orcs from Moria Orcs and train them for the purpose of taking the Lonely Mountain area from the Dwarves and Men.

## Appearances

* *The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug*
* *The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies* (mentioned)
Dead Marshes

The **Dead Marshes** was an area of swampland east of the Emyn Muil and bordered on the east by the Dagorlad plain, site of the ancient Battle of Dagorlad during the War of the Last Alliance.

## History

The marshes predated the battle, but were not named until after. The Dead Marshes were part of the ancient battlefield of the Battle of Dagorlad between the Last Alliance and the forces of Mordor, where many of the fallen were laid to rest. Over time, the battlefield became marshes, which swallowed up the dead, though their bodies could still be seen floating in the water (although, according to Gollum, they are not physically there, and only appear as visions).

During Gondor's war with the Wainriders, King Ondoher's army was caught by surprise and some of his defeated army attempted to escape into the marshes, only to drown. The general Eärnil then defeated the Wainriders at the Battle of the Camp in TA 1944, they were driven into the marshes where most perished.

The Dead Marshes were located north-west of the Morannon, and southeast of the Emyn Muil. Aragorn captured Gollum here, on February 1, 3017 and took him to Mirkwood.

### The War of the Ring

During the quest to destroy the One Ring, Gollum led Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee through the marshes. They entered the Dead Marshes at Dawn on the 1st of March. The Passage was marked by lights that danced about and candles which Gollum called "*candles of corpses*"; it is likely that those who become entranced by these lights and attempt to touch the bodies drown in the water and go down to join the dead. It seems that the bodies only appear in the water when the lights are lit. At the Mere of Dead Faces, Frodo became entranced by these lights and tried to reach out and touch the faces of the dead at the bottom of the marshes, though Sam broke him out of his trance. Gollum told them that the dead could not be touched, suggesting that he had once tried to eat them. While passing through the marshes, a Black Rider on a Fell beast passed overhead, terrifying Gollum enough that he started to slip back into his old speech-habits, which he had somewhat given up after swearing to "serve the master of the Precious." They exited the Marshes on the morning of March 2, 3019.
Ered Glamhoth

**Ered Glamhoth** was the name given to the mountain range in Mordor east of the southern Ephel Duath, pointing towards Rhûn.

## History

The name Ered Glamhoth was originally given to the southern mountains of Mordor where it is implied that the mountains' strategic geography factored into Sauron's decision to choose Mordor as his realm.
Edhellond

**Edhellond** was an ancient harbour in southern Gondor. It had been established south-west of where the Ringló entered the Morthond, near where the combined waters flowed into Cobas Haven.

## History

Edhellond was founded in the late First Age by seafaring Sindar from the west havens of Beleriand who fled in three small ships when the power of Morgoth overwhelmed the Eldar and the Edain; but it was later increased by adventurers of the Silvan Elves seeking for the sea who came down Anduin.

The lands including and surrounding Edhellond came to be considered the "country of Amroth" at circa S.A. 730.

From Edhellond, Elves began sailing westward from the time of the fall of Eregion in S.A. 1697.

Around T.A. 1980, with the freeing of the Balrog in Moria, many of the Galadhrim fled south to Edhellond and sailed over the Sea to Valinor. Amroth, King of Lórien, was lost at sea near Edhellond in 1981 when he attempted to swim to shore to seek his beloved Nimrodel. The ship from which he jumped overboard was the last ship of Elves to leave from Edhellond, which was deserted from then on, although remembered in the traditions of Men in Gondor.

Although Edhellond itself is abandoned, a small group of Elves, the "Avorrim" still live in nearby caves in secret, known only to the ruling line of Dol Amroth. They maintain a watch over Edhellond as, should the unthinkable happen and the access to the Grey Havens be lost, it would remain the only place in Middle-Earth from which the Elves could sail into the West. During the War of the Ring the Corsairs of Umbar who blockade Dol Amroth dock many of their ships in Edhellond, which becomes one of their staging areas.
Elves of Lindon

The **Elves of Lindon** were those Elves who dwelt in Lindon in the west of Middle-earth, between the Blue Mountains and the Great Sea.

## History

### Rule of Gil-galad

In S.A. 1, the Elves built the Grey Havens in the newly-formed Gulf of Lune where the Eldar sailed the Straight Road, but most of them were unwilling at first to forsake the lands they fought in and preferred to linger there. This was the foundation of Lindon and its people. Among those that remained were Círdan the Shipwright, Celeborn of Doriath, Galadriel, Elrond, and Celebrimbor. Gil-galad was the last heir of the kings of the Noldor in exile, and acknowledged as High King of the Elves of the West and so, he was their king.

In the beginning of the Second Age, most of the Noldor that remained in Middle-earth dwelt in Lindon but, many Teleri, survivors of Doriath and Ossiriand, left Lindon before S.A. 1000 to establish realms among the Silvan Elves. Galadriel and Celeborn brought many Noldor, Sindar, and Green-elves out of Lindon into Eriador to dwell there for some time. Many of the Noldor in Lindon lead by Celebrimbor established the realm of Eregion in S.A. 750 near the West-gate of Khazad-Dûm due to the recent discovery of mithril in Khazad-Dûm.

A fair being calling himself Annatar, an emissary of the Valar, came seeking entrance. Gil-galad and Master Elrond sensed that he was not what he seemed, and denied him. Messengers were sent from Lindon with warnings; but they were unheeded, and Annatar was received gladly, mostly in Eregion. However, Gil-galad and Elrond were proven correct, as Annatar was indeed Sauron and later, there was war in Eriador. Elrond led the Elves of Lindon in battle to defend Eregion. With them, and other Elves who fled the destruction of Eregion, he established Imladris in S.A. 1697. In the Dark Years, Sauron had conquered most of the Westlands, but in S.A. 1700 Tar-Minastir sent a fleet to Lindon, aiding the Elves of Lindon to drive Sauron out of Eriador. After those events, the Elves of Lindon were diminished and did not extend their realm east of the Blue Mountains anymore.

When Ar-Pharazôn captured Sauron and took him to Númenor, the Westlands found peace, and Gil-galad was free to extend his power and influence so that the Elves of Lindon controlled most of the Westlands, even to the borders of Greenwood the Great, until the Downfall of Númenor, when Sauron returned to Middle-earth.

At the end of the Age, Gil-galad joined the Last Alliance and led the Elves of Lindon to the War of the Last Alliance. Some of the Silvan Elves felt hostility towards the Noldor of Lindon, and did not cooperate, suffering heavy losses.
Brego

**Brego** was a horse of Rohan.

He was a bay horse with a white star on his forehead and white markings on his hind legs. He was the steed of King Théoden's son, Théodred, who was mortally wounded in battle with Orcs. It is assumed that Brego was brought back to Rohan by those riding with Éomer when he went to rescue his cousin.

After that rider's death, Brego became wild and refused to accept any new rider, until Aragorn met him in the stables of Edoras. Aragorn calmed the horse, speaking to him in Sindarin, then told the stable hands to turn him free, saying ”This fellow has seen enough of war."

On the way from Edoras to Helm's Deep, Aragorn was unhorsed and presumed killed in a battle with Warg riders; however, he fell into the river and floated downstream. Brego found him on the shore of the river and nudged him awake, carrying him to Helm's Deep in time to bring warning of Saruman's approaching army of Uruk-hai.

Brego was ridden by Aragorn to the Paths of the Dead, though he refused to go any further when drawing closer to the door. The two of them were later reunited at Minas Tirith, and Aragorn rode to the Morannon to confront Sauron's forces. Brego's fate is unknown.
Dominion of Men

The **Dominion of Men** refers to the fact that Men remained the only speaking race on Middle-earth, inheriting its mastery from the ancient Elves. For this they were sometimes called "The Usurpers" by the Elves. The Dominion specifically referred to the advent of the Fourth Age and beyond.

## History

The Dominion of Men and the fading of the First-born were foreseen by the Ainur in the Vision of Ilúvatar, before the Creation of Eä. Therefore Valar and Maiar knew about the coming of this changing of the World, but they could not know its result.

These times began in the late Third Age, the "Fading Years" for the Elves, when most left Middle-earth and sailed to the West. This was the case for example, of the Elvish realm of Dol Amroth, which was abandoned by the Elves before becoming a realm of Dúnedain. Meanwhile, other races, such as Dwarves and Ents, saw their numbers dwindling. The Dominion of Men was exemplified in the extent of the Mannish language of Westron, which by the end of the Age was adopted by most of the other speaking races of the Westlands.

By the time of the War of the Ring, the Dominion of Men was already projected. Saruman saw it as an opportunity and prepared Sauron's rule for the Younger Days. He attempted to invite Gandalf to join this Power.

Gandalf spoke of the Dominion of Men when he and Aragorn stood in the high hallow on Mindolluin, where there grew a sapling of Nimloth. Aragorn's ascent to the Throne of Gondor and the Reunited Kingdom marked that new era.

The Dominion of Men officially began with the destruction of the One Ring, when the Three Rings lost their powers of preserving the lore and beauty as understood by the Eldar and their Keepers passed over the Sea on the White Ship.
Dragon Sickness

**Dragon sickness**, also known as the **Gold sickness** is a type of sickness that affects humans, dwarves, elves, and dragons.

## Known victims

* **Smaug** -The last of the dragons of Middle Earth; his greed for the Dwarfs gold led him to destroy the town of Dale and the Dwarf kingdom under the Lonely Mountain; years later although he told Bilbo Baggins he would not part with a single coin from the treasure trove he had stolen, he laughliny admitted he would need wish to see Thorin Oakinshield with the Arkenstone just to see Oakinshield waste away from Dragon sickness.
* '*The Master*; greedy leader of Lake Town in the book "The Hobbit" he dies in the wastes hoarding his share of gold; in the movie version while trying to escape the burning town with his stolen treasure-he and his ill gotten loot are sent to the bottom of the Lake when the dead body of Smaug falls on top of him.
* **Thror** - King of Durin's Folk; gained dragon sickness after hoarding the gold his miners found.
* **Thrain**-Thror's son who had a Dwarf's Ring which excited his greed so that he entered the Mines of Moria where he was captured, tormented and killed
* **Thorin Oakenshield** - Briefly had the gold sickness, but hearing the sounds of his friends and family echoing in his mind, Thorin was restored. However, during the gold sickness, he trusted no one, apart from Bilbo Baggins
Cross-roads

The **Cross-roads**, also known as the **Cross-roads of the Fallen King**, was where the Harad Road crossed the Morgul-road in Ithilien.

## Description

The Cross-roads were located some hundred miles south of the Black Gate, and were roughly a day's ride from Minas Tirith. The location was surrounded by a great ring of trees, and nearby was built a statue of an unknown former King of Gondor.

## History

The Cross-roads, along with the nearby statue, were presumably constructed by the Men of Gondor in the Second Age. By the time of the War of the Ring, however, Gondor had relinquished effective control of the region, leading Orcs to vandalize the statue.

In the year TA 3019, Gollum led Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee through the Cross-roads on their way to the Morgul Vale, in their attempt to enter Mordor. The hobbits found the statue's head, which had been broken off and replaced by a hideous stone orc-head.

Later that year, following the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, Aragorn led the combined armies of Gondor and Rohan through the Cross-roads on their way to the Morannon, stopping to reclaim the location for Gondor and repair the king's statue. A force was left to guard the Cross-roads in case Sauron sent an army over the Morgul Pass to attack Gondor whilst the Army of the West marched to the Black Gate.
Cave Troll (Balin's Tomb)

A **Cave Troll** lived in Moria during the War of the Ring and faced off against the Fellowship of the Ring in the Chamber of Marzarbul. It w+as killed by Legolas during the skirmish.

## History

Sometime during or prior to the War of the Ring, the Cave Troll was bred and ended up in the halls of Khazad-Dûm. It was controlled by the Goblins of Moria as their weapon.

When the Fellowship of the Ring entered Moria during their quest, they realised that the Dwarf kingdom had been overrun by Goblins. Upon entering the Chamber of Marzarbul, they were attacked by the Moria Orcs. As the orcs approached, Boromir peered out the door and saw the Troll approaching, warning the rest of the company of it's presence. The Troll burst in through the doorway and the various members of the Fellowship battled it. It tried to kill Frodo Baggins and used a spear to stab the ring-bearer but the Hobbit was unharmed due to his Mithril coat. Merry and Pippin jumped on the Troll's head and when it lifted its head up to try and get them off, Legolas shot an arrow up and through his throat and brain, killing him.
Army of the West

The **Army of the West** or **Host of the West** was the great army prepared by the Lords of Gondor and Rohan to march on the Black Gate, after the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.

## History

Two days after the council of the Last Debate (March 16, TA 3019), a force of 7,000 men left Minas Tirith. Under Aragorn were 2,000 of those who sailed with him up the Anduin; under Imrahil were 3,500 (probably from among the original defenders of the city); under Éomer were 500 Rohirrim unhorsed, and another 500 horsed; and lastly another 500 horsed Knights of Dol Amroth, Rangers of the North, and the two sons of Elrond: 6,000 men on foot and about 1,000 on horse.

When the host reached the Cross-roads, the captains stationed a strong force of archers there, to guard against any attack from the East or South.

The host came to the Morgul Vale on the next day. On March 23 the Army exited Ithilien and along the way some 1,000 faint-hearted men who would not approach the Black Gate were dismissed and commanded to liberate Cair Andros. Finally the next day they camped in the Desolation of the Morannon.

At the Slag Hills they were surrounded, and fought the Battle of the Black Gate with less than 6,000 men total, but because of the destruction of the One Ring, they were able to achieve a very decisive victory. It is untold how many were slain; it was apparently a few.

After the battle Aragorn led a force into Mordor to destroy the remaining Orc strongolds whilst the wounded, including the Ring-bearers were sent to the Field of Cormallen, where a celebration was held. After this the army returned to Minas Tirith for the Crowning of King Elessar and then disbanded.
Army of Isengard

The **Army of Isengard**, or **Saruman's army**, was a massive force of orcs, Dunlending and other fell things commaded by Saruman, who for all intents and purposes served Sauron. To remove the kingdom of Rohan as an opposition to his lord's claim of dominion, Saruman used this army as his main means of weakening his neighboring adversaries. The main attack force mounted the beginning of Sauron's assault on Middle-earth at the Battle of the Fords of Isen and the eventual Battle of Helm's Deep.

## Description and history

The army of Saruman consisted of Uruk-hai and also contained some wild men from Dunland. There were also quite a few Half-orcs. Their primary symbol was a white hand, or named the Hand of Saruman.

The army had siege ladders and the Fire of Orthanc. Saruman used this army to attack the people of Rohan, most notably at the Battle of the Hornburg. They also fought at the Battles of the Fords of Isen, and a small band fought at the Skirmish at Amon Hen, though this group was destroyed by the Riders of Rohan at The Wold on the outskirts of Fangorn Forest.

A small portion of the army stayed at Isengard and fought at the Battle of Isengard. The army was utterly defeated and destroyed by the Ents led by Treebeard, Pippin and Merry (save for an unknown number of Dunlendings who surrendered to the victors).

At the first Battle at the Fords of Isen, thousands of Uruk-hai and Orc-men attacked Théodred and his company, killing Théodred.

## The Army

### Commanders

* Grima Wormtongue
* Freca
* Wulf
* Sharku
* Lurtz
* Uglúk
* Ugthak
* Saruman's commander

### Groups

* Lurtz's hunting party
* Sharku's Warg riders
* Dunlendings

### Units

* Uruk-hai
	+ Uruk-hai scout
	+ Uruk-hai swordsman
	+ Uruk-hai archer
	+ Uruk-hai captain
	+ Uruk-hai berserker
	+ Uruk-hai sapper
	+ Uruk-hai pikeman
	+ Uruk-hai crossbow-man
	+ Uruk Deathbringer
* Isengard Orc
	+ Isengard Warg rider
	+ Orc Taskmaster
* Mordor Orc
* Dunlending warrior
* Wargs of Rhovanion
* Isengard Troll
Darkening of Valinor

The **Darkening of Valinor** was a broad event that occurred at the end of the Years of the Trees, which was caused by the destruction of the Two Trees of Valinor, by Morgoth and Ungoliant in YT 1495. The following fifty Valian years between the Darkening and the first rising of the Sun in FA 1 was known also as the **Long Night**.

## History

The Darkening of Valinor refers chiefly to the destruction of the Two Trees of Valinor, Telperion and Laurelin, by Melkor and Ungoliant. The event also includes the murder of Finwë, High King of the Ñoldor, at Formenos, and Melkor's taking of the Silmarils from the possession of Fëanor. This all brought about the exile of the Ñoldorin elves from Valinor, the creation and first risings of the Sun and Moon to light the world, and the Awakening of Men far away in Hildórien. It was during this time that Melkor was named *Morgoth* by Fëanor and escaped to his stronghold at Angband, where he would remain for the rest of the First Age.
Cats

**Cats** were small, four-legged animals that lived in Arda. They were often used as companions and pets by the Hobbits and Bree-folk. As they were keen-sighted and agile, some cats were used for hunting and spying.

## Cats of Berúthiel

During the Third Age, Queen Berúthiel of Gondor kept nine black cats and one white cat. The black cats spied on the Men of Gondor, but failed to hide the fact that they were spying. On the other hand, the white cat was ordered to spy on the black cats and did a better work than them, as the black cats never found out that they were being watched. When Berúthiel was exiled from Gondor, her black cats accompanied her.

## "Prince of Cats"

In earlier concepts in the legendarium, Tevildo was the Prince of Cats and the demonic servant of Melko. He took the form of a great black cat with a collar of gold. His character eventually became Sauron. He is treated as a separate character from Sauron in *Beren and Lúthien.*
Dark Door

The **Dark Door**, also known as the **Gate of the Dead**, was the northern entrance to the Paths of the Dead. It was located near Dunharrow, at one side of the mountain Dwimorberg.

## History

Baldor and his father Brego, king of Rohan, discovered the door when scouting the dales of the White Mountains in the early years of Rohan. They were denied passage by a mysterious man who sat outside and died at that very hour. Driven by curiosity, Baldor rashly vowed to pass the door at the completion feast of Meduseld and did so a year later in TA 2570. He met his demise within.

The remains of Baldor were found in the year TA 3019, when Aragorn and the Grey Company entered the door in order to rouse the Army of the Dead.
Dwarven BattleWagons

**Dwarven Battle wagons** are ridden war-machines used by the Dwarves in the *The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II* series.

## Portrayal in adaptations

### Video games

Underground caverns are not conducive to breeding fast and healthy horses, so Dwarves are not natural cavaliers.

(Never mind the fact they can't reach the stirrups.) That doesn't mean that Dwarves are totally without some degree of animal companions. One of the varieties of livestock kept by the Dwarves is the Yurg, a sort of underground Yak native to the Misty Mountains. Yurgs serve the Dwarves as beasts of burden during construction efforts as well as war. In addition, the Dwarves are always prepared to empty their pull-carts of construction supplies and load them up with axe-throwers or archers and take to the battlefield. The **Dwarven Battlewagon** is also well armored and extremely heavy, meaning that even one lone Battle Wagon can break through enemy lines without significant damage.

The Battle wagon can be upgraded with one of four different abilities:

Hearth: Allows the Battle wagon to heal surrounding units as well as itself.

Men of Dale: Two archers are stationed in the back of the wagon and fire on any enemy units that venture to close.

Banner: Allows the Battle wagon to boost surrounding troops attack power and defense by 50%, as well as experience gained is doubled for all nearby troops. Two Dwarven Phalanx are also stationed in the back and will skewer any enemy units that get to close to the Battle Wagon.

Axe Throwers: Two axe Throwers are stationed in the back of the wagon and throw axes at any enemy units that venture to close.
Attack on Osgiliath

On June 20 of TA 3018, the forces of Sauron **assaulted** the ruined city of **Osgiliath**, in what would become the first battle of the War of the Ring.

## History

### Prelude

Prior to the battle, Sauron had regained all his military strength and was prepared to attack his enemies. He first planned to attack his most powerful enemy, the land of Gondor, where "the hammer stroke will fall hardest", but in order to destroy Gondor's capital, Minas Tirith, he first needed to capture Osgiliath, a ruined fortress-city strategically positioned on the Anduin river. Fords across the river were located in the ruined city (half of Osgiliath was located on each side of the river) that were the only path a large army could cross the Anduin for hundreds of miles up or downstream (from Cair Andros to Pelargir). If captured, Sauron could freely move his main army across the river and to the primary target of his strategy in the war, Minas Tirith. The attack was a probing attack, meant to test the strength and preparedness of Denethor II and also provided the necessary cover for the Nazgûl to cross the Anduin and begin their hunt for the Shire.

### The battle

As later related by Boromir to the Council of Elrond, Sauron's forces came upon Osgiliath without warning, outnumbering the Men of Gondor which defended the city under Boromir and Faramir's command. Aided by Easterlings and Haradrim, and led by the Witch-king, Sauron's forces overwhelmed the defenses, forcing the Men of Gondor to break the last bridge over the Anduin as they retreated. Still, only Boromir, Faramir, and two others escaped the battle, swimming to the western shore.

Once the bridge was destroyed, Sauron ceased the assault in order to allow the Ringwraiths to begin searching for the One Ring.

### Aftermath

Orcs under the command of Sauron attacked Thranduil's people in Mirkwood on the same day with the intent of freeing Gollum, with both battles concurrently a major prelude to the War of the Ring. Following the attack East Osgiliath was where the Siege towers were constructed in preparation for the assault on Gondor. Sauron would attack West Osgiliath some nine months later, this time succeeding in conquering the entire city and clearing the way for the Siege of Gondor.
Edoras

**Edoras** was the capital city of Rohan. Built principally of wood, Edoras was also where Rohan's kings were buried, in two lines of Barrows just outside the main gate.

## History

The city of Edoras was built on a hill in a valley of the White Mountains by Rohan's second King, Brego son of Eorl the Young. Before this, Rohan's capital was at Aldburg in the Folde.

It was here that Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, and Gandalf met with King Théoden in the year TA 3019. Whilst the Battle of the Hornburg was being fought the muster of Rohan began at Edoras, although this was moved to Dunharrow on the instructions of Gandalf after a Nazgûl overflew the city.

Several months later it was where Elrond and Arwen parted for the last time after a great feast honoring the memory of Théoden.

## Geography

Edoras was built at the end of the valley of Harrowdale, which lay under the great mountain Starkhorn. The river Snowbourn flowed past the city on its way west towards the Entwash and was joined by a small stream with its source near the top of the hill. As Rohan consisted of mostly small villages and farmsteads, Edoras was the largest settlement and held the Golden Hall of Meduseld, the seat and residence of Rohan's kings.
Cirth

The original ***Certhas Daeron**,* known in short as the **Cirth**, was the script of runes created by Daeron, the minstrel of king Thingol of Doriath and was later expanded into what was known as the ***Angerthas Daeron***. Although the Cirth were later largely replaced by the Tengwar (which were enhanced and brought by Fëanor), they were adopted by Dwarves to write down their Khuzdûl language (***Angerthas Moria*** and ***Angerthas Erebor***) because their straight lines were better suited to carving than the curved strokes of the Tengwar. Some examples of Cirth writings are the inscription on Balin's tomb in Moria and the inscriptions on the top of the title pages for *The Lord of the Rings*. The black helm of the Dark Lord Sauron's ambassador and lieutenant, the Mouth of Sauron had Cirth runes that was translated to "Voice of the Abhorred Dead".

*Cirth* is plural and is written with a capital *C* when referring to the writing system— the runes themselves can be called *cirth*. A single rune is a *certh*.

Many letters have shapes also found in the historical Futhark runes (used in *The Hobbit*), but their sound values are only similar in a few of the vowels. Rather, the system of assignment of sound values is much more systematic in the Cirth than in the historical runes (e.g., voiced variants of a voiceless sound are expressed by an additional stroke). A similar system has been proposed for a few historical runes (e.g. *p* ᛈ and *w* ᚹ as variants of *b* ᛒ), but is in any case much more obscure.
Catapults

Dain sent forth his goat cavalry and spinning ballistas upon the Elven forces, who tried to counter with a shield wall and archer formations; during this early conflict, most of the dwarven cavalry was killed or the dwarves dismounted from their goats and elves were killed until the Were Worms burst forth from the earth and the fighting stopped instantly in the face of the new enemy.

Seeing the danger, Dáin ordered his forward units to rush out onto the plain and set up a phalanx formation to counter the Guldur Orc charge while Thranduil and the elves remained motionless. Just before the Orcs collided the Dwarvish forces, Thranduil sent in hundreds of elves jumping over the Dwarven lines to strike deep into the enemy lines, blunting the Orc charge and giving the Dwarves a chance to mount a counter-charge that skewered hundreds of Orcs, followed soon after by the rest of the Elvish and Dwarvish forces. Determined to regain the initiative, Azog sent in his "War Beasts", a cohort of huge armored trolls who smashed into the left flank of the allied armies and began wreaking havoc. Thranduil's Elven archers countered some of the trolls by letting lose several volleys of thousands of arrows which took out several of the beasts and hundreds of orcs, which in turn allowed Dáin's war-chariots the opportunity to charge into the orc lines and cut many of the orcs down. Azog furiously countered the "war machines" with his ogre shock-troops who charged against the chariots, brought them down and slaughtered the drivers and goats.
Chamber of Thror

The **Great Chamber of Thrór** was the hall of feasting and council in the mountain-realm of the Lonely Mountain.

## History

When Thorin and Company came upon the chamber in TA 2941 its great doors were half burnt and hanging twisted upon their hinges. The floor of the room was filled with rotting tables, overturned chairs and benches, flagons, bowls, broken drinking horns, skulls, and bones, all covered with dust. Far above came a glimmer of light from unseen openings. The light grew brighter at the further end where the company found the birth-place of the River Running, which was but a short distance from the entrance to the mountain.

The Great Chamber was probably named after Thrór after he became king in TA 2589. Its ruined state testifies that it was one of the scenes of destruction during the Sack of Erebor in TA 2770.
Bridge of Khazad-dum

The ***Bridge of Khazad-dûm***, also known as ***Durin's Bridge***, traversed an enormous delved pit of Khazad-dûm.

The Bridge was located nearby the East-gate of Moria, fifty feet long, narrow with no railing, and curved slightly upward at the center. It was an ancient defense against any enemy who might get past the East-gate of Moria and capture the First Hall and outer passages; walkers on the bridge could only cross it in single-file.

## History

"*You cannot pass," he said. The orcs stood still, and a dead silence fell. "I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn. Go back to the Shadow! You cannot pass.*"
—Gandalf in *The Fellowship of the Ring,* "The Bridge of Khazad-dûm"
On January 15, 3019, the Fellowship of the Ring came to the Bridge of Khazad-dûm pursued by Orcs and a Balrog of Morgoth. Gandalf stopped on the Bridge, standing in the middle of the span, allowing the others to escape. He leaned on the staff in his left hand and held the sword Glamdring, gleaming cold and white, in his right. The Balrog stepped onto the Bridge, facing Gandalf, and the shadow about it reached out like two vast wings. It raised its whip, and the thongs whined and cracked. Fire came from its nostrils. But Gandalf stood firm and declared that the Balrog could not pass. They fought, and the Balrog's sword was destroyed. Then the Balrog leaped full upon the Bridge, and Gandalf lifted his staff and smote it upon the bridge directly over the keystone. His staff shattered, but the Bridge cracked at the Balrog's feet. The stone broke and fell, taking the Balrog with it into the abyss, but the thongs of its whip snared Gandalf about his knees, and he too plummeted with the Balrog into the depths of the mountain. Gandalf had cried to the Fellowship, "Fly, you fools!", and was gone. It is unknown whether the Bridge was later rebuilt.
Bow of the Galadhrim

The **Bow of the Galadhrim** was the gift Galadriel bestowed to Legolas.

## History

Before the Company of the Ring left Lothlórien, Galadriel presented each of them with gifts. To Legolas she gave a bow such as the Galadhrim used. The bow was longer and stouter than the bows of Mirkwood, and it was strung with a string of elf-hair. With it went a quiver of arrows. The bow proved to be a very useful gift indeed, for it was with this bow that Legolas shot down the descending Fell beast from the sky, near the rapids of Sarn Gebir.
Attack of the Spiders

The **Attack of the Spiders** was a skirmish when the Great Spiders captured Thorin's Company in Mirkwood.

## History

During the Quest of Erebor, Thorin's Company travelled eastward on the Forest Path after leaving Beorn's house. Despite the command of Gandalf not to leave the path, the company followed lights into the forest and found them to be from the feasting of Wood-elves. The elves quickly disappeared, however, leaving the dwarves stranded and unable to return to the path. Not long afterwards, the company was captured by Great Spiders and placed in cocoons with the intent that they would later be eaten. Bilbo Baggins escaped the spiders' notice, however, and with the help of the One Ring distracted the spiders, allowing him to free the dwarves. The spiders returned, however, and after a fierce skirmish were driven off by the dwarves. Shortly afterwards, the dwarves again encountered the Wood-elves and were taken back to the Elven-king as prisoners.
Captains of the West

The **Captains of the West** were the leaders of the men who went to battle before the Black Gate of Mordor.

## History

The Captains of the West first assembled in a council meeting following the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. They included Aragorn, Éomer, Gandalf, Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth and the sons of Elrond, Elladan and Elrohir. When they departed Minas Tirith Legolas, Gimli and Peregrin Took rode with them, thus giving each of the Free Peoples of Middle-earth a representative in the upcoming fight.

Aragorn led two thousand men (from the ones he led to Minas Tirith in the ships of the Corsairs); Éomer led five hundred Rohirrim who didn't have horses and another five hundred of his best riders on horse, Imrahil led three and a half thousand men on foot; a final unit consisted of the Knights of Dol Amroth, the sons of Elrond, and the Dúnedain Rangers, making up five hundred more horsemen.

By the time the Captains of the West reached Mordor's Black Gate, they had already sent many men off to retake Cair Andros and to hold the Cross-roads, leaving them with less than seven thousand men.
Elf-path

The **Elf-path**, also known as the **Elven Road**, is a path built by Elves during the Third Age of the Woodland Realm.

## History

The path was built by the Elves in the Third Age of the Woodland Realm probably when Sauron occupied Dol Guldur and the forest became filled with evil things. Being the safest route through northern Mirkwood, Gandalf chose this way for Bilbo and Dwarves to take to the other side during their quest to Erebor.

Beginning at the eastern end of the High Pass, it ran across the Vales of Anduin, through the Forest Gate into Mirkwood, and led straight through the forest to its end on the banks of the Celduin.

The Enchanted stream ran through the path nearly three quarters of the way through.

### The Company of Thorin Oakenshield

Before he left, the wizard Gandalf warned Bilbo Baggins and Thorin and Company to take the path, as it was the safest route through Mirkwood to the Lonely Mountain. However, Nori accidentally leads the company off the path, causing them to look for the path again.

Thorin was captured by these Elves, while the remaining company, with the exception of Bilbo, were snared by Giant Spiders. Bilbo rescued them with the help of his magic ring, but they were soon captured by the angry Elves and imprisoned by their king. With the aid of the ring, Bilbo eluded the Dwarves' captors. Weeks later, he found a way to free them: by stealing the keys from the guard when he and the Butler Galion, drank their supply of wine. Soon after they were freed, the Company fled in barrels and floated on the river that ran along with the Elf-path.

However, a small battle ensued as the Company made their escape.

### Fourth Age

It may have survived into the Fourth Age.
Fall of the Noldor

The **Fall of the Noldor** or the **Fall of the Elves** refers to the result of the crimes of this Elven people, that mirrors the first Fall of Men.

## History

As Fëanor led the Noldor to Exile, he went to the haven of Alqualondë to acquire the ships of the Teleri. When their lord Olwë refused, Fëanor led an assault that became known as the Kinslaying, in which the blood of many of the Noldor and the Teleri was spilled, before making off with the ships he needed to return to Middle-earth.

Because of this event, the Valar condemned the "fallen" Noldor; an emissary (perhaps Mandos himself) appeared to them in Araman and pronounced the Doom of the Noldor and cursed those who did not repent.

Maglor was the second son of Fëanor, and was present at the Kinslaying, though history does not record what part he played in the battle. He was also famed as the greatest minstrel and singer of all the Noldor, and he later made a song that lamented the losses at Alqualondë. Its name was *Noldolantë*, a name that translates as "The Fall of the Noldor".
Citadel of Gondor

The **Citadel of Gondor** was the topmost circle of the city of Minas Tirith, within the seventh wall. Within the citadel was the White Tower of Ecthelion, which housed the Tower Hall. Several other buildings were located here as well.

## Description

In the center was the White Tower, rising to a great height. Behind was the king's house, where the Kings of Gondor once lived. To one side was the feast hall Merethrond, where banquets and dances were held. In front of the tower was the Place of the Fountain, a courtyard containing the White tree and a central fountain. The Citadel was accessed via a wide tunnel through the hill that led to a small arched gate with a keystone in the shape of a king's head. As with all the city's levels, the Citadel had a high wall, the rampart of which crowned the great up thrust 'keel' of rock separating five of the seven circles.

Probably the most important symbolic area of the city, the Place of the Fountain was the home of the great White Tree. It was a large circular grass area with the White Tree being the central feature. Next to the tree was a pool with the fountain that gave the courtyard its name. The Tree symbolized Gondor, and was the emblem of the realm. The Tree was grown from a seed of Nimloth, the tree given to the Númenóreans by the Eldar. It was planted by Isildur, and grew to symbolize the blessings of Men. But in the third age the tree was dead, perhaps symbolizing Minas Tirith's decline. It was only with the crowning of Aragorn Elessar that a new sapling was founded, foreshadowing the City's return to glory under the new King.
Battle of Dol Guldur

The **Battle of Dol Guldur**, also known as the **Fall of Dol Guldur**, was one of the battles of the north fought during the War of the Ring. The Elves of Lothlórien and Mirkwood decided to attack and destroy the last remaining fortress of Sauron's servants in Rhovanion: Dol Guldur.

## History

The Nazgûl who guarded the castle were absent, and its army had been defeated three times by the Elves of Lórien and also by Thranduil in the Battle Under the Trees. The actual manner of the battle is not mentioned, but the end is certain. On April 6, Galadriel came to the gates and through unspecified means cast down the walls, foul pits and crevices. The evil realm of Dol Guldur was finally destroyed and the forest was cleansed. On the same day, Celeborn and Thranduil met in the midst of the forest and renamed it *Eryn Lasgalen*, "wood of green leaves". Celeborn took the land south of The Narrows for himself and named it East Lórien, while Thranduil took all the forest north of the Mountains of Mirkwood, the middle of the forest was given to the Beornings and Woodmen.
Erkenbrand

**Erkenbrand** was a warrior of Rohan during the War of the Ring, and the lord of the Westfold.

## Biography

At the time of the War of the Ring, Erkenbrand had retired from service to Théoden, but returned after the death of Théoden's son, Théodred, to command the forces of Rohan in its western regions. He commanded the defence of Westfold, but was defeated at the Second Battle of the Fords of Isen and his forces scattered in the retreat. Fortunately he had left a garrison of 1000 men at the Hornburg and sent most of the inhabitants of Westfold to shelter there.

He was then found by Gandalf, who assisted him in rallying forces sufficient to come to the aid of Théoden at the end of the Battle of the Hornburg when he and the White Wizard led a thousand footmen to reinforce the besieged forces of Rohan. After the War of the Ring, Erkenbrand was granted the title of Marshal of the West-Mark by King Éomer.

Erkenbrand was a warrior of great renown and was a mighty leader. He went into battle with a red shield and bore a horn.
Grinnah

**Grinnah** was an Orc of Goblin-town who worked as an interrogator for the Great Goblin during the Quest of Erebor. He appeared to be a significant member, as he directly reported to the Great Goblin when they capture Thorin and Company. However, Grinnah met his end when he was stabbed to death by Thorin.

## Biography

In TA 2941, when Thorin and Company fell into the caverns of Goblin-town, Grinnah, along with a large group of Orcs, captured them, took their weapons, and led the Dwarves to their chief. Like the other orcs, he too was offended when Balin cried out to their chief that his song was an abomination. He told the Great Goblin about the Company's identification and where his group had found them, and was ordered to search their belongings. Grinnah, during the search, was surprised to find Elven objects in Nori's bag (which were objects that Nori had stolen back in Rivendell) and suggested to his chief that the Company had been in league with Elves.
Whilst the Orcs continued searching and the Great Goblin sang, Grinnah found Thorin's sword and, wondering what sword it was, opened the holster, and threw the sword aside causing the other Orcs (including the Great Goblin) to murder the Company. When Gandalf arrives to rescue the Dwarves and they take up arms to fight their way out, Grinnah fought against Kili, but the Dwarf impaled him through the chest.
East Bight

**East Bight** was the great indentation in the eastern edge of Mirkwood, a treeless region that was roughly square in shape, some fifty miles to a side, towards the southern end of the wood. The "Bight" was not a natural formation, but rather the result of generations of forestry by the Northmen who had historically occupied the lands east of the Forest, from whom the Éothéod could claim descent; the Bight actually concentrated most of their houses. Because of the Bight, that part of Mirkwood immediately to the north of Amon Lanc was less than one hundred miles across, and so it became known as the Narrows of the Forest.