Tolkien Gateway - User contributions [en]

Elves of the Wood

2008-04-01T01:10:07Z

Khamulthe8:

The '''Elves of the Wood''' were the [[Silvan Elves]] who dwelt in the northern regions of [[Mirkwood]], under the lordship of [[Thranduil]]. [[Legolas Greenleaf]] of the [[Company of the Ring]] came from these people. These elves captured [[Thorin Oakenshield]] and the dwarves.

[[Category:Elves]]

Bilbo Baggins

2008-01-14T20:42:50Z

Khamulthe8:

{{Hobbit
| image = [[Image:Ian Holm as Bilbo.jpg|250px]]
| name = Bilbo Baggins
| othernames =
| birth = September 22, [[Third Age 2890|2890 T.A.]]
| death = Not known
| parentage= [[Bungo Baggins]] and [[Belladonna Took]]
| location = [[Bag End]], [[Hobbiton]], [[Rivendell]]
| race = [[Hobbits]]
| gender = Male
| height = Between 3' and 3'6"
| hair = Brown
| eyes =
}}
{{quote|In a hole in the ground there lived a Hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole and that means comfort.|[[The Hobbit]], "[[An Unexpected Party]]"}}

'''Bilbo Baggins''' was a hobbit who lived in the Shire during the final years of the Third Age. His adventure with the dwarves Thorin and company was related in 'The Hobbit' (originally known as 'There and Back Again'). It was during this adventure that Bilbo Baggins obtained the [[One Ring]] of [[Sauron]] from the creature [[Gollum]]. Bilbo was noteworthy as the first [[ring-bearer]] in the history of [[Middle-earth]] to give up the [[One Ring]] voluntarily; he surrendered the ring to [[Frodo Baggins]] at [[Gandalf]]'s request.

== History ==
===Early Life and Adventures===
Bilbo Baggins was born on [[September 22]], [[Third Age 2890|2890]] of the [[Third Age]], the son of Bungo [[Baggins family|Baggins]] and [[Belladonna Took]]. To the eyes of his neighbors, he seemed just like his father - a solid, sensible, unadventurous and respectable hobbit. In [[Third Age 2941|2941]], he reluctantly joined [[Gandalf]], [[Thorin Oakenshield]] and his twelve [[Dwarves]] on the [[Quest of Erebor|quest]] to reclaim the [[Lonely Mountain]] (and its sizeable hoard) from the [[Dragons|dragon]] [[Smaug]]. Gandalf had convinced Thorin that Bilbo was the right hobbit to be a burglar for them, despite Bilbo's feeble objections. Thus the hobbit became part of the [[Thorin and Company|company]].

[[Image:Donato Giancola - The Hobbit - Expulsion.jpg|300px|thumb|left|''Expulsion'' by [[Donato Giancola]].]]Bilbo, out the door early without a pocket handkercheif, aroused doubts in his dwarvish comrades when they fell in with some [[trolls]]. Bilbo was sent to check them out, and only got captured. He escaped the trolls but was helpless to prevent all the dwarves from being captured. Gandalf, however, came in the nick of time and saved them all with his voice imitations. Upon the discovery of the troll-cave and the swords of Gondolin, Bilbo discovered [[Sting|a small blade]] and bore it with him ever after.

Eventually they came to Rivendell, where Bilbo was enchanted with the [[Elves]]. After their stay there, the company entered the [[Misty Mountains]]. Bilbo and the dwarves were captured by [[goblins]], but saved by Gandalf once more. However Bilbo, carried by [[Dori]], was dropped in the escape. Wandering in the dark passages, he picked up a strange [[One Ring|golden ring]], and came to the lake of [[Gollum]]. Gollum, desiring to eat the hobbit but not willing to face his blade, engaged in a riddle contest. If Bilbo won, according to the predetermined rules, Gollum would lead him to safety. If Gollum won, however, Bilbo would submit to be eaten.

[[Image:Michael Hague - Riddles in the Dark.jpg|thumb|200px|right|''Riddles in the Dark'' by [[Michael Hague]].]]Bilbo won the contest by accident, wondering outloud as he fingered the ring he had picked up, "What have I got in my pocket?" Gollum mistook this for a question, and Bilbo decided to stick to it. Gollum lost, but went back to his little island to take the ring Bilbo had picked up (as it was a magic ring) to turn himself invisible and kill the hobbit anyway. But of course the ring was not there, and Gollum, enraged, suddenly guessed that Bilbo had it. He chased Bilbo, but Bilbo unwittingly used the ring and escaped his notice. Gollum led Bilbo to the eastern door of the goblin-tunnels, through which Bilbo departed in safety and rejoined his fellow adventurers. But he said nothing of the ring.

===Across Rhovanion===
The company had not journeyed long when they were chased and treed by [[wargs]]. Gandalf kept them at bay with pyrotechnical pinecones, but eventually goblins came and set the trees to fire. Even Gandalf had begun to despair, but the [[Eagles]] of [[Gwaihir]] came to rescue them, bringing them first to the eyry, then to the [[Carrock]]. Bilbo did not enjoy his experience of being carried by his rescuers, apparently suffering from a fear of heights.

From the Carrock they came to [[Beorn]]'s [[Beorn's Hall|Hall]]. Gandalf took only Bilbo at first, but with his story introduced the dwarves in pairs, convincing Beorn to house them for a time. Eventually, Beorn even gave them mounts and set them on their way to [[Mirkwood]]. Bilbo alone (save for perhaps Gandalf) noticed that Beorn still followed them in bear-form. Gandalf turned back at the edge of Mirkwood, and left them to brave the perils on their own.

Bilbo "helped" the dwarves by climbing a tree midway through the wood, and declaring he could see only trees, not realizing they were at the bottom of a bowl formation. Later, when the dwarves were taken by spiders, Bilbo rescued them with his ring and little blade, which he named ''[[Sting]]'' after its first kill. Calling the spiders names, he lured them away and came back around to help with the battle between the dwarves and spiders. Eventually, the company won with no serious injuries, but was later captured when intruding on the feasts of [[Wood-elves]]. Bilbo, with his ring, escaped notice and thus capture. He followed the elves into the [[Halls of Thranduil]], where the dwarves refused to tell their errand to [[Thranduil]] King and were locked up. Later, getting used to the elven halls and with the aid of his magic ring, he devised a plan for the dwarves to escape. It worked, with the dwarves being packed away in barrels and launched into the [[Forest River]]. Poor Bilbo was forced to cling to the barrels, invisible, and grew cold and wet. Upon reaching [[Lake-town]], he had an awful cold, despite the feigned hospitality of the [[Master of Lake-town]] and the people of that town.

===Encounter with the Dragon===
On their way again, the party came to the [[Lonely Mountain]], where they followed the instructions of the map to find the secret entrance. Bilbo, and the dwarves, were unable to open it. Bilbo sat days on the [[doorstep]], thinking, and before long autumn waned. Soon the dwarves began to grumble against the hobbit, but Bilbo finally solved the riddle of the thrush knocking at the last light of Durin's Day. The dwarves found that he was right, and with the key managed to open the passage.

Bilbo was, of course, elected to enter the passage first, taking only [[Balin]] with him. Soon Balin halted, but Bilbo went on, finding Smaug's lair and stealing a single jewelled cup before returning. But he did ill in this, for when Smaug awoke he ravaged the mountain. Despite their grumbling, the dwarves had begun to rely on Bilbo's advice for their course of action, and agreed to wait. Bilbo soon decided, however, to return and try and find a weakness in Smaug. Slipping on his ring, he approached the dragon's hoard.

Gandalf had indeed done well in choosing Bilbo, for the old worm did not recognize Bilbo's scent, and was puzzled. Nevertheless he sensed the hobbit's presence, and challenged him. Bilbo riddled with him about his own identity and flattered the dragon. This confrontation did not last especially long, for Bilbo tricked Smaug into showing his underside. Bilbo then saw the gap in the dragon's hard scales, an unprotected place. Bilbo, upon seeing this, cracked a joke and hastily departed, and for this was nearly burned to death. All the same, he escaped and recovered, and told the dwarves what he had learned. This indirectly aided the company, for a [[thrush]] overheard, and this would prove beneficial in the end.

===Death of Smaug===
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Scouring the Mountain.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''Scouring the Mountain'' by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]As darkness came, Bilbo urged the dwarves to close the door for fear of Smaug's vengeance. Reluctantly, and at last, they gave in. Just as the door closed, Smaug ravaged the side of the mountain, blocking up the door and destroying the doorstep. Then Smaug went on to wreck his vengeance on Laketown. There, armed with the knowledge given him by the Thrush who overheard Bilbo telling about the unprotected patch of Smaug's skin, [[Bard]] the bowman of the heirs of [[Dale]] shot Smaug dead. The people, no longer afraid, proclaimed him king of a restored [[Dale]]. Bard summoned [[Thranduil]] to help rebuild Laketown and Dale, in return for part of the treasure.

Meanwhile, in the Lonely Mountain, Bilbo and the dwarves decided to inspect the hoard while Smaug was away. During this time Bilbo stumbled across a gigantic and beautiful gem. Recalling an earlier conversation, Bilbo decided it was the famous [[Arkenstone]], but felt strangely reluctant to give it up. Instead, he put it in his pocket and continued on. After a song and gathering of treasure, the party eventually found the [[Front Gate]], and sheltered in a [[guardroom]]. Thorin gave Bilbo a beautiful [[Mithril#The Mithril Coat|coat]] of [[mithril]] as a first reward for his services.

At that time [[Roäc]] the raven came to them, and told of the death of Smaug. He counseled them to make peace with Bard and Thranduil, though it cost him dearly in gold. Thorin rejected this advice, and harshly responded to the polite words of Bard at his door. Bard's reasoning did little for the stubborn King under the Mountain. Bilbo feared war, and to prevent this gave the Arkenstone into the hands of [[Bard]] for negotiation. With the praise of Bard, Thranduil, and Gandalf he returned, only to be rejected and cast away for his deed by Thorin. But Bilbo was successful in that Thorin was willing to negotiate, and war was prevented temporarily.

===Battle and Return Journey===
And yet war did come. [[Dáin II Ironfoot]], at the summons of Thorin, came from the [[Iron Hills]] with an army of dwarves. Bard refused to let the dwarves enter the mountain, which would mean a long and almost certainly unsuccessful siege. But just as battle was about to be joined, Gandalf called them all to be wary of the new coming danger - the alliance of [[Wargs]] and [[Goblins]] against them. Dáin, Bard, and Thranduil took council together, and decided upon a strategy of defending the slopes of the Lonely Mountain. Then the enemy came. Thus was the [[Battle of Five Armies]] fought.

[[Image:Darrell Sweet - The Death of Thorin.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''The Death of Thorin'' by [[Darrell Sweet]].]]During the battle Bilbo stood with Thranduil and Gandalf on [[Ravenhill]]. As the battle went against the men, dwarves, and elves, Bilbo reflected gloomily on the ungloriousness of war and the bitterness of the end. But then the [[Eagles]] of [[Gwaihir]] came, and [[Beorn]] too, and the battle was won. But Bilbo did not see this result, for a falling stone knocked him out. Invisible as he was, his bruised body was not discovered until the next day. Bilbo then bade farewell to the mortally wounded Thorin and his other friends. Then, taking his share of the treasure, he returned with Gandalf to the [[Shire]]. There he discovered that he was believed dead, and an auction was going on of his house and possessions. He bought back his own things, and settled once more peacefully into [[Bag End]].

===The Years Between===
Bilbo lived on in health and comfort, high in the regard of those who new him best, but considered somewhat of an oddity. He adopted his young cousin [[Frodo Baggins]] as his heir, and raised him in Bag End. Occasionally he received visitors; dwarves, Gandalf, or even elves from time to time. Most of his time was spent reading, writing his memoirs, writing poetry, and avoiding his nasty relatives the [[Sackville-Bagginses]].

His life was extended by the ring (actually the [[One Ring]] of ancient history), and yet as he lived on with no apparent sign of aging, he began to feel stretched and thin. At last, in September of [[Third Age 3001|3001]], Bilbo threw a [[Bilbo's Birthday Party|grand party]] for his 111th birthday (which happened to be shared with Frodo). During this party he did a vanishing act with his ring and left with three dwarves for [[Rivendell]], to live with [[Elrond]] and the elves there. He left all his possessions to Frodo, including, urged by Gandalf, the One Ring. He was the first ringbearer to so give up the object.

===End of the Third Age===

[[Image:Bilbo smoking a pipe.jpg|thumb|250px|Bilbo smoking a pipe in [[Peter Jackson]]'s ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring|Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring]]''.]]He lived a very pleasant life of retirement in Rivendell: eating, sleeping, writing poetry, and working on his memoir, ''There and Back Again'', known to us as ''[[The Hobbit]]''. He also wrote a book called ''Translations from the Elvish'', which formed the basis of what is known to us as ''[[The Silmarillion]]''.

Upon the coming of Frodo eighteen years later on the [[Quest for the Ring]], Bilbo attended the [[Council of Elrond]], offering to take the Ring to [[Mount Doom]]. Nevertheless this task fell to the younger Frodo, and in farewell Bilbo gave him [[Sting]] and his old mithril coat, both of which bore him well in the struggles to come.

The [[War of the Ring]] was fought far from where Bilbo dwelt, but successfully, and in the end Frodo returned home. Two years later, however, Bilbo as a former ringbearer accompanied Frodo Baggins, Gandalf, and certain Elves to the [[Grey Havens]], there to take ship for [[Valinor]] across the sea, on [[September 29]], [[Third Age 3021|3021]]. He had already celebrated his 131st birthday, becoming the oldest Hobbit in the history of Middle-earth. So he passed West to die in peace in Valinor.

The last writing of Bilbo appears in the form of the poem "''[[Bilbo's Last Song]]''." It is a poem Bilbo conceivably composed while sailing west, and looking back on Middle-earth in farewell. It was published after Tolkien's death.

==Names==
* Bilbo Baggins
* Burglar, from a note on Bilbo's door left by [[Gandalf]]
* Thief, from [[Gollum]] after Bilbo stole [[the One Ring]]. [[Smaug]] also gave the name to Bilbo after he stole a cup.
* Clue-finder, a name given to Bilbo by himself during his conversation with Smaug
* Web-cutter, a name given to Bilbo by himself during his conversation with Smaug
* Stinging Fly, a name given to Bilbo by himself during his conversation with Smaug
* Ringwinner, a name given to Bilbo by himself during his conversation with Smaug
* Luckwearer, a name given to Bilbo by himself during his conversation with Smaug
* Barrel-rider, a name given to Bilbo by himself during his conversation with Smaug, Smaug also later addressed Bilbo by this name.
* Mr. Lucky Number, a name given to Bilbo by Smaug.
* Child of the Kindly West, a name given to Bilbo by [[Thorin II Oakenshield]].
* Bilbo the Magnificient, a name given to Bilbo by [[Thranduil]]
* Elf-friend, a name given to Bilbo by [[Thranduil]]
* Madd Baggins, a name given to Bilbo by [[Rory Brandybuck]] after Bilbo disappeared from [[the Shire]] suddenly.
* Ring-bearer, for his bearing of [[the One Ring]].
* Bilba Labingi, the original hobbit name for Bilbo.

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
[[Image:Bilbo Baggins from Rankin-Bass' The Hobbit.jpg|thumb|left|Bilbo as portrayed in [[Rankin/Bass' The Hobbit]]]]
In the 1966 BBC Radio serialization of ''[[The Hobbit]]'', Bilbo is played by Paul Daneman.

In the BBC's 1981 [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|radio serialization]] of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', Bilbo is played by [[John Le Mesurier]].

[[Orson Bean]] was the voice of Bilbo in the [[Rankin/Bass]] animated version of ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Hobbit|The Hobbit]]''.

In [[Peter Jackson]]'s ''[[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings|The Lord of the Rings]]'', Bilbo is played by [[Ian Holm]], who also played [[Frodo Baggins]] in the radio series 20 years earlier.

== Translations ==
The name "Baggins" has often been changed for translated versions of the books:
* In the German translation he is called ''Bilbo Beutlin'' (created from ''Beutel''=''bag'').
* In the French translation he is called ''Bilbo'' (or ''Bilbon'') ''Sacquet''.
* In the Norwegian translation he is called ''Bilbo Lommelun''.
* In the Finnish translation he is called ''Bilbo Reppuli''.
* In the Dutch version he is called ''Bilbo Balings''.
* In the Brazilian Portuguese translation he is called ''Bilbo Bolseiro'' (but ''Bilbo Bolsin'' in the first edition of ''The Hobbit'').
* In the Spanish translation he is called ''Bilbo Bolsón''.
* In the Hungarian translation he is called ''Zsákos Bilbó''.
* In one of three Polish translations of ''The Lord of the Rings'' he is called ''Bilbo Bagosz''. In the other two translation and in ''The Hobbit'' he keeps his original name.
* In the first Bulgarian translation he keeps his original name, but in the second translation he is called ''Bilbo Torbins''.
* In the Belarusian translation he is called ''Bilbo Torbins'', too.

== Genealogy ==
<code>
[[Balbo Baggins]] = [[Berylla Boffin]]
|
__________|________________________________________
| | | | |
| | | | |
[[Mungo Baggins]] = [[Laura Grubb]] [[Pansy Baggins|Pansy]] [[Ponto Baggins|Ponto]] [[Largo Baggins|Largo]]* [[Lily Baggins|Lily]]
|
| *(ancestor of [[Frodo Baggins]])
_______________|_____________________________________________
| | | | |
| | | | |
[[Bungo Baggins|Bungo]] = [[Belladonna Took ]] [[Belba Baggins|Belba]] [[Longo Baggins|Longo]] [[Linda Baggins|Linda]] [[Bingo Baggins]] = [[Chica Chubb]]
| | |
| | |
'''BILBO BAGGINS''' [[Otho Sackville-Baggins]] = [[Lobelia Bracegirdle]] [[Falco Chubb-Baggins]]
|
|
[[Lotho Sackville-Baggins]]
</code>
{{Template:Thorin and Company}}

== Trivia ==
* In 1968, [[Wikipedia: Leonard Nimoy|Leonard Nimoy]] released a record, "The Two Sides of Leonard Nimoy," which contained the song "The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins."

== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Bilbo Baggins|Images of Bilbo Baggins]]

[[Category:Hobbits]]
[[Category:Baggins]]
[[Category:Ring-bearers]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[de:Bilbo Beutlin]]
[[fi:Bilbo Reppuli]]

Mithril

2007-12-23T19:47:23Z

Khamulthe8:

[[Image:John Howe - Mithril.jpg|thumb|''Mithril'' by [[John Howe]]]]
'''''Mithril''''' is a precious silvery metal, stronger than steel but much lighter in weight, which was mined by the [[Dwarves]] in the mines of [[Khazad-dûm]]. The name ''mithril'' comes from two words in [[Sindarin]] — ''[[mith]]'' meaning "grey", and ''[[ril]]'' meaning "glitter". ''Mithril'' was also called "true-silver" by [[Men]], while the [[Dwarves]] had their own, secret name for it.

The wizard [[Gandalf]] explained ''mithril'' to the Company, passing through Khazad-dûm, the Mines of Moria:
{{quote|The wealth of Moria was not in gold and jewels, the toys of the Dwarves; nor in iron, their servant... Its worth was ten times that of gold, and now it is beyond price; for little is left above ground, and even the [[Orcs]] dare not delve here for it.<p>''Mithril!'' All folk desired it. It could be beaten like copper, and polished like glass; and the Dwarves could make of it a metal, light and yet harder than tempered steel. Its beauty was like to that of common silver, but the beauty of ''mithril'' did not tarnish or grow dim.|''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[A Journey in the Dark]]")}}

For the literal-minded reader, it is unclear whether or not ''mithril'' is a real metal; many have thought it to be platinum, however, platinum is far too heavy to qualify as a candidate. It is possible that this legendary material was modelled after titanium, as this metal, while actually quite abundant as ore, was very expensive to produce in its metallic form (especially by medieval technology), and has some of ''mithril's'' properties of strength, bright silvery color, corrosion resistance, and light weight. Other possibilities are aluminium or magnesium; these metals are even lighter than titanium, but not as strong or as silvery shiny. (Famously, Napoleon III of France once bought dinnerware made out of aluminium because it was more expensive than gold at the time.) Certainly Tolkien, being highly educated, would have had knowledge of these three metals and the difficulty in preparing them. However, probably because nobody is known to have asked Tolkien about "''mithril''", it will never be known with certainty whether ''mithril'' is based on any real metal.

''Mithril'' is extremely rare by the end of the [[Third Age]], as it was found only in [[Khazad-dûm]]. Once the [[Balrogs|Balrog]] destroyed the Dwarven Kingdom of Khazad-dum, Middle-earth's only source of new ''mithril'' ore was cut off. Before Moria was abandoned by the Dwarves ''mithril'' was worth ten times its own weight in gold. After the Dwarves abandoned Moria and production of new mithril ore stopped entirely, it became priceless. The only way to obtain a ''mithril''-object at the end of the Third Age was to either use heirloom ''mithril'' weapons and armour that were produced before the fall of Moria, or to melt down these existing weapons to forge new ones. The [[Noldor]] of [[Eregion]] made an alloy out of it called ''[[ithildin]]'' ("star moon"), which was used to decorate gateways and portals. It is visible only by starlight or moonlight. The [[Doors of Durin]] bore inlaid ''ithildin'' designs and runes.

While Moria is the only known source of ''mithril'', there are indications that it was also found in [[Númenor]] and in [[Aman]] in smaller quantities.

== The Mithril Coat ==
Of all items made of ''mithril'', the most famous is the "small shirt of mail" retrieved from the hoard of the dragon [[Smaug]], and given to [[Bilbo Baggins]] by [[Thorin Oakenshield]]. "It was close-woven of many rings, as supple almost as linen, cold as ice, and harder than steel..."
{{quote|'It's a pretty thing isn't it,' said Bilbo, moving it in the light.|''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[The Ring goes South]]"}}

A kingly gift, the ''mithril''-coat was actually worth more than the entire worth of the Shire (Bilbo probably knew this, but he didn't care). Bilbo later gave the coat to his nephew [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], who wore it during the Quest to [[Mount Doom]]. It saved Frodo's life when he was nearly skewered by an [[Orc]] in the Mines of Moria. (In the film adaptation of ''[[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring|The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', the attack was by a [[Cave-trolls|Cave-troll]].) It was later taken by the Orcs who captured him in the pass above [[Cirith Ungol]], and passed on to the Dark Lord's servants at [[Barad-dûr]]. When the coat was displayed before the hosts of [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]] at the Gates of Mordor, many despaired, thinking Frodo had been captured or killed, and the Ring taken. Gandalf reclaimed it from Sauron's lieutenant, and was later able to return it to Frodo after the battles were won.

== Other ''Mithril'' Objects in the Lord of the Rings Novels ==
* [[Galadriel]] possesses one of the three [[Three Rings|Elven Rings]], [[Nenya]]. It is wrought of ''mithril'' with a white stone.
* Poking through the closets of [[Orthanc]], King [[Elessar]] and his aides found the long lost ''[[Star of Elendil|Elendilmir]]'', a white star of Elvish crystal affixed to a fillet of ''mithril''. Once owned by [[Elendil]], the first King of [[Arnor]], it is an emblem of royalty in the North Kingdom.
* The Dwarves' beloved metal appears in [[Gondor]] too, the Kingdom of the South. The [[Guards of the Citadel]] of [[Minas Tirith]] wear helmets of ''mithril'', "heirlooms from the glory of old days."
* As Aragorn's ships sail up the [[Anduin]] to relieve the besieged Minas Tirith during the [[War of the Ring]], the standard flying on his ship shows a crown made of ''mithril'' and gold.
* After [[Gimli]] became lord of [[Aglarond]], he and his Dwarves forged great gates of ''mithril'' to replace the gates of Minas Tirith which were broken by the [[Witch-king of Angmar]].

== Other Contexts ==
''Mithril'', or similarly spelled names, has been used in other fictional contexts as a strong and semi-magical metal. Examples include:
* Objects in ''[[Bored of the Rings]]'' (a ''Lord of the Rings'' parody) are made of cheap "''mithral'' plate" rather than solid ''mithral''.
* In the role-playing game ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', ''mithral'' is one of the special materials used to make high-quality or magical items.
* In the MMORPG ''EverQuest'', ''mithril'' is a metal that can make weapons, armor, and other equipment.
* In the MMORPG, "Runescape", as well as "Everquest", "mithril" is a bluish mid-level metal that is used to make armor and weapons. There is also a Mithril Dragon which is also blue.
* In the anime series ''Full Metal Panic!'', ''Mithril'' is a mercenary organization. In the Full Metal Panic!: The Second Raid, the origin of the name is explained as a reference to ''The Lord of the Rings''.
* The name of a Celtic/World music quartet.

== Tolkien's Inspiration ==
In [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hervarar_Saga Hervarar saga], which was a cycle dealing with the magic sword ''Tyrfing'' (and from which Tolkien borrowed, for instance, the names [[Dwalin]] and [[Durin]]), the hero Orvar-Odd wore a ''silken mailcoat'' which nothing could pierce (''Oddr svarar: "ek vil berjask við Angantýr, hann mun gefa stór högg með Tyrfingi, en ek trúi betr skyrtu minni, enn brynju þinni, til hlífðar"'').

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Mithril|Images of Mithril]]

[[Category:Materials]]

The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II

2007-12-10T02:51:36Z

Khamulthe8:

{{stub}}

'''The Battle for Middle-earth II''' is the second game in the real-time strategy genre by EA released on March 2, 2006 for both PC and Xbox 360. Unlike its predecessor, the game is set mainly in the northern regions of [[Middle-earth]]. Factions include the [[Elves]], [[Dwarves]], [[Men|Men of the West]] (a combination of [[Gondor]] and [[Rohan]]), and the [[Goblins]], along with [[Mordor]] and [[Isengard]]. The gameplay includes naval battles, larger battalions, and more traditional base building, unlike the original. The game has a special feature where you can create your own hero. The heros are from six categories, such [[wizard]], [[dwarf]], and servants of [[Sauron]]. Also, there are fourteen subcategories, such as hermit, taskmaster, and [[troll]]. This game has an expansion set called The Rise of the Witch King. It features [[Angmar Faction|Angmar]] as the new faction and has general gameplay improvements.

== Plot ==
The game is set in the period of the War of the North, the plot differs for both campaigns.

===Good campaign===
*Mission 1: [[Rivendell]]

*Mission 2:

*Mission 3: [[Ettenmoors]]

*Mission 4: [[Blue Mountains]]

*Mission 5: [[Grey Havens]]

*Mission 6: [[Celduin]]

*Mission 7: [[Erebor]]

*Mission 8: [[Dol Guldur]]

===Bad campaign===

*Mission 1: [[Lorien]]

*Mission 2: [[Grey Havens]]

*Mission 3: [[Eregion]]

*Mission 4: [[Fornost]]

*Mission 5: [[Mirkwood]]

*Mission 6:

*Mission 7: [[Erebor]]

*Mission 8 [[Rivendell]]

===Locations===
''The Battle for Middle-earth II'' has over forty different locations in Skirmish mode, including:
*[[Mithlond]] (the Grey Havens)
*The [[Lonely Mountain]] (Erebor)
*[[Dol Guldur]]
*[[Caradhras]] (the Redhorn Pass)
*[[Ettenmoors]]
*[[Minas Tirith]]
*[[Mirkwood]]
*[[The Shire]] (specifically Hobbiton)
*[[Rivendell]]
*[[Fangorn Forest]]
*[[Dunland]]

[[Category:Games]]

Races

2007-12-10T02:20:59Z

Khamulthe8:

{{cleanup}}
List of '''races''' that inhabit [[Middle-earth]]

*[[Dwarves]]
*[[Elves]]
*[[Ents]]
*[[Hobbits]]
*[[Istari]]
*[[Maiar]]
*[[Men]]
*[[Orcs]]
*[[Trolls]]
*[[Valar]]

List of '''Beast Races''' known to talk

*[[Ravens]]
*[[Wargs]]
{{stub}}

Breaking of the Fellowship

2007-12-10T02:09:04Z

Khamulthe8:

{{stub}}

The '''Breaking of the Fellowship''' was an event that occured on [[February 26]], [[Third Age 3019|3019]]. It involved the death of [[Boromir II|Boromir]] at the hands of the [[Uruk-hai]] and the splitting of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]]. [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] and [[Peregrin Took]], two [[hobbits]], were taken prisoner by the Uruks. [[Frodo Baggins]] and [[Samwise Gamgee]], the other two hobbits, set out on the last and most dangerous part of the [[Quest of the Ring]] through the [[Emyn Muil]]. And the remaining members, [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]], [[Legolas of Mirkwood|Legolas]], and [[Gimli]], set out to try and rescue the two captured hobbits, Merry and Pippen.

Frodo had gone out of camp to decide whether to go to [[Mordor]] and detroy the [[One Ring|Ring]] or to [[Minas Tirith]] in [[Gondor]] so that the fellowship could aide the defence of the city. While he was thinking, Boromir came upon him and talked of great battles and victories, to which Frodo did not listen much, but continued thinking. Boromir eventually attacked Frodo, who fled to take one of the boats across [[Anduin]] and go to Mordor. The remaining members of the fellowship looked for him, not knowing that he had fled from Boromir, but Samwise figured out his master's plan and went to Mordor with him. Boromir fell defending Merry and Pippen against many Uruk-hai. Merry and Pippen were taken, because it was beleived that one of them had the Ring, and should thus be taken to [[Isengard]] to be tortured by [[Saruman]] who wanted the Ring for himself. Aragorn heard Boromir tell that he had assaulted Frodo, and Aragorn kept this secret for a long while before revealing it to anyone. Boromir was put in a boat and sent of the [[Falls of Rauros]].

[[Category:Events]]

Black Númenóreans

2007-10-27T21:21:11Z

Khamulthe8:

[[Image:John Howe - Black Numenorean.jpg|thumb|''Black Numenorean'' by [[John Howe]]]]
'''Black Númenóreans''' were originally among the survivors from the mightiest human kingdom that had yet been, [[Númenor]], which was destroyed by [[Eru]] in the late [[Second Age]].

As their power and knowledge had grown throughout the course of the Second Age, the Númenóreans had become increasingly preoccupied with the limits placed on their happiness—and eventually their power—by mortality, the purpose of which they began to question;
{{quote|But the fear of death grew ever darker upon them, and they delayed it by all means that they could; and they began to build great houses for their dead, while their wise men laboured unceasingly to discover if they might the secret of recalling life...|"[[Akallabêth]]", ''[[The Silmarillion]]''}}

This growing wish to escape death, known as "the doom of Men", made most of the Númenoreans envious of the immortal [[Eldar]], who they had come to physically resemble. The Eldar sought ever to remind the men of Númenor however, that death was a gift of the One God, [[Ilúvatar]], to all men, and the will of Ilúvatar could not be gainsaid.

Nevertheless, after Second Age 2221, when Tar-Ancalimon became King of Númenor:
{{quote|...the people of Númenor became divided. On the one hand was the greater party, and they were called the [[King's Men]], and they grew proud and were estranged from the [[Valar]] and the Eldar.|"[[Akallabêth]]", ''[[The Silmarillion]]''}}

The King's Men ultimately became vulnerable to the corruption of [[Sauron]], who, having arrived in Númenór:
{{quote|...naturally had the One Ring, and so very soon dominated the minds and wills of most of the Númenóreans.|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', No. 211}}

Eventually, in Númenor's last years, its powerful and elderly King [[Ar-Pharazôn]], who had become "frightened of old age" (Letters ~ No.156), was persuaded by Sauron that Ilúvatar was a lie invented by the Valar, and seduced him;
{{quote|...back to the worship of the Dark, and of Melkor the Lord thereof, at first in secret, but ere long openly and in the face of his people.|"[[Akallabêth]]", ''[[The Silmarillion]]''}}

Within Númenor, the majority quickly followed suit, and this worship quickly passed across the ocean to most of Númenor's colonies in Middle-earth:
{{quote|The Men of Númenor were settled far and wide on the shores and seaward regions of the Great Lands, but for the most part they fell into evils and follies. Many became enamoured of the Darkness and the black arts...|"[[The Window on the West]]", ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''}}

These "black arts" and "follies" were presumably the earliest culture traits of those who became known afterward as Black Númenóreans,
{{quote|...for in the days of the sojourn of Sauron in that land the hearts of well nigh all its people had been turned towards darkness. Therefore many of those who sailed east in that time and made fortresses and dwellings upon the coasts were already bent to his will...|"[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]", ''[[The Silmarillion]]''}}

This worship of Melkor and the Dark marked the final, irrevocable division between it's adherents and the "[[Faithful]]" Númenóreans, the ''[[Elendili]]'', who kept to their old faith in Ilúvatar, but these were a small minority;

For many centuries after the Downfall, some descendants of the "[[King's Men]]" held onto what became the most northerly and famous of their realms-in-exile, the [[Haven of Umbar]], although
{{quote|...because of the power of [[Gil-galad]] these renegades, lords both mighty and evil, for the most part took up their abodes in the southlands far away.|"[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]", ''[[The Silmarillion]]''}}

Most of those few Númenóreans who had never envied the Eldar, and had always remained true to their belief in Ilúvatar, also survived the destruction of their homeland, and they established their own realms-in-exile north of Umbar, where previously had come
{{quote|...only the Faithful of Númenor, and many therefore of the folk of the coastlands in that region were in whole or in part akin to the Elf-friends and the people of [[Elendil]]...|"[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]", ''[[The Silmarillion]]''}}

After founding [[Gondor]] and [[Arnor]] these self-styled "Faithful" Númenóreans saw their southern counterparts as renegades, calling them:
{{quote|...the Black Númenóreans; for they established their dwellings in Middle-earth during the years of Sauron's domination, and they worshipped him, being enamoured of evil knowledge.|"[[The Black Gate Opens]]", ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''}}

The Black Númenóreans held a similiarly low opinion of 'The Faithful' and their descendants, as
{{quote|..they inherited without lessening their hatred of Gondor.|"Appendix A" of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''}}

Two early Black Númenórean lords are named from the time of the late [[Second Age]]: [[Herumor]] and [[Fuinur]]. Like all Black Númenóreans and 'King's Men' before them, Herumor and Fuinur desired power over men of other, lesser races, and they "rose to (great) power amongst the [[Haradrim]]", the peoples neighbouring Umbar. Their fate is unknown, but they likely shared Sauron's defeat at the hands of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]].

The Black Númenórean style of governing was no doubt tyrannical, but may also have involved a tradition of duumviracy, at least in Umbar, whose lords are usually paired when mentioned; Herumor/Fuinur for example, were probably rulers of Umbar, as much later Angamaite/Sangahyando were. Whatever political system was in place, however, the Black Númenóreans did not govern effectively;
{{quote|...some were given over wholly to idleness and ease, and some fought amongst themselves, until they became conquered in their weakness by the wild men.|"[[The Window on the West]]", ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''}}

The triumph of the Last Alliance marked the decline of the Black Númenórean race and the end of their racial superiority;
{{quote|After the fall of Sauron their race swiftly dwindled or became merged with the Men of Middle-earth...|"Appendix A" of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''}}

Nevertheless, a Black Númenórean elite survived at least in Umbar for over a thousand years after Númenor's fall, maintaining much influence in [[Haradwaith]]. As late as Third Age 1015, for example, even after being exiled from their homeland for nearly a century
{{quote|...the Men of Harad, led by the lords that had been driven from Umbar, came up with great power against that stronghold...|"Appendix A" of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''}}

The Black Númenóreans did not use [[Westron]], but probably retained their old tongue [[Adûnaic]], speaking a dialect of it. (In [[The Notion Club Papers]], part of ''[[Sauron Defeated]]'', Arundel Lowdham cited two descendants of classical Adûnaic. One of these must have been Westron, the other the tongue of the Black Númenóreans (Black Adûnaic?).

The Black Númenóreans are absent from recorded history after their defeat by [[Ciryaher]] in 1050, but a population of sorts must have survived somewhere at least until the end of the [[Third Age]], as [[The Mouth of Sauron]], who mocked the army of [[Aragorn|King Elessar]] in front of the [[Morannon]] was described both as a Black Númenórean and "Renegade", which is presumably the term used by the Free Peoples of that time to describe all folk of similiar ancestry.

In an interview Tolkien described [[Queen Berúthiel]], wife of Gondor's King [[Tarannon Falastur]], as "a black Númenórean". This was a loveless union, and was presumably a political accommodation: that such arrangements were possible implies the existence at that time of more Gondor-friendly Black Númenóreans than the much later Mouth of Sauron.

Three of the [[Ringwraiths]] can be considered among the first and most powerful Black Númenóreans, even though their origin predates Númenor's fall by about 1,000 years: they served Sauron, being enslaved to his will, having become so because of their lust for power or knowledge. One of which, [[Khamul]] was the only wraith to be named.

[[Category:Black Númenóreans]]

Mithril

2007-10-24T00:14:51Z

Khamulthe8: /* Other Contexts */

[[Image:John Howe - Mithril.jpg|thumb|''Mithril'' by [[John Howe]]]]
'''''Mithril''''' is a precious silvery metal, stronger than steel but much lighter in weight, which was mined by the [[Dwarves]] in the mines of [[Khazad-dûm]]. The name ''mithril'' comes from two words in [[Sindarin]] — ''[[mith]]'' meaning "grey", and ''[[ril]]'' meaning "glitter". ''Mithril'' was also called "true-silver" by [[Men]], while the [[Dwarves]] had their own, secret name for it.

The wizard [[Gandalf]] explained ''mithril'' to the Company, passing through Khazad-dûm, the Mines of Moria:
{{quote|The wealth of Moria was not in gold and jewels, the toys of the Dwarves; nor in iron, their servant... Its worth was ten times that of gold, and now it is beyond price; for little is left above ground, and even the [[Orcs]] dare not delve here for it.<p>''Mithril!'' All folk desired it. It could be beaten like copper, and polished like glass; and the Dwarves could make of it a metal, light and yet harder than tempered steel. Its beauty was like to that of common silver, but the beauty of ''mithril'' did not tarnish or grow dim.|''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[A Journey in the Dark]]")}}

For the literal-minded reader, it is unclear whether or not ''mithril'' is a real metal; many have thought it to be platinum, however, platinum is far too heavy to qualify as a candidate. It is possible that this legendary material was modelled after titanium, as this metal, while actually quite abundant as ore, was very expensive to produce in its metallic form (especially by medieval technology), and has some of ''mithril's'' properties of strength, bright silvery color, corrosion resistance, and light weight. Other possibilities are aluminium or magnesium; these metals are even lighter than titanium, but not as strong or as silvery shiny. (Famously, Napoleon III of France once bought dinnerware made out of aluminium because it was more expensive than gold at the time.) Certainly Tolkien, being highly educated, would have had knowledge of these three metals and the difficulty in preparing them. However, probably because nobody is known to have asked Tolkien about "''mithril''", it will never be known with certainty whether ''mithril'' is based on any real metal.

''Mithril'' is extremely rare by the end of the [[Third Age]], as it was found only in [[Khazad-dûm]]. Once the [[Balrogs|Balrog]] destroyed the Dwarven Kingdom of Khazad-dum, Middle-earth's only source of new ''mithril'' ore was cut off. Before Moria was abandoned by the Dwarves ''mithril'' was worth ten times its own weight in gold. After the Dwarves abandoned Moria and production of new mithril ore stopped entirely, it became priceless. The only way to obtain a ''mithril''-object at the end of the Third Age was to either use heirloom ''mithril'' weapons and armour that were produced before the fall of Moria, or to melt down these existing weapons to forge new ones. The [[Noldor]] of [[Eregion]] made an alloy out of it called ''[[ithildin]]'' ("star moon"), which was used to decorate gateways and portals. It is visible only by starlight or moonlight. The [[Doors of Durin]] bore inlaid ''ithildin'' designs and runes.

While Moria is the only known source of ''mithril'', there are indications that it was also found in [[Númenor]] and in [[Aman]] in smaller quantities.

== The Mithril Coat ==
Of all items made of ''mithril'', the most famous is the "small shirt of mail" retrieved from the hoard of the dragon [[Smaug]], and given to [[Bilbo Baggins]] by [[Thorin Oakenshield]]. "It was close-woven of many rings, as supple almost as linen, cold as ice, and harder than steel..."
{{quote|'It's a pretty thing isn't it,' said Bilbo, moving it in the light.|''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[The Ring goes South]]"}}

A kingly gift, the ''mithril''-coat was actually worth more than the entire worth of the Shire (Bilbo probably knew this, but he didn't care). Bilbo later gave the coat to his nephew [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], who wore it during the Quest to [[Mount Doom]]. It saved Frodo's life when he was nearly skewered by an [[Orc]] in the Mines of Moria. (In the film adaptation of ''[[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring|The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', the attack was by a [[Cave-trolls|Cave-troll]].) It was later taken by the Orcs who captured him in the pass above [[Cirith Ungol]], and passed on to the Dark Lord's servants at [[Barad-dûr]]. When the coat was displayed before the hosts of [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]] at the Gates of Mordor, many despaired, thinking Frodo had been captured or killed, and the Ring taken. Gandalf reclaimed it from Sauron's lieutenant, and was later able to return it to Frodo after the battles were won.

== Other ''Mithril'' Objects in the Lord of the Rings Novels ==
* [[Galadriel]] possesses one of the three [[Three Rings|Elven Rings]], [[Nenya]]. It is wrought of ''mithril'' with a white stone.
* Poking through the closets of [[Orthanc]], King [[Elessar]] and his aides found the long lost ''[[Star of Elendil|Elendilmir]]'', a white star of Elvish crystal affixed to a fillet of ''mithril''. Once owned by [[Elendil]], the first King of [[Arnor]], it is an emblem of royalty in the North Kingdom.
* The Dwarves' beloved metal appears in [[Gondor]] too, the Kingdom of the South. The [[Guards of the Citadel]] of [[Minas Tirith]] wear helmets of ''mithril'', "heirlooms from the glory of old days."
* As Aragorn's ships sail up the [[Anduin]] to relieve the besieged Minas Tirith during the [[War of the Ring]], the standard flying on his ship shows a crown made of ''mithril'' and gold.
* After [[Gimli]] became lord of [[Aglarond]], he and his Dwarves forged great gates of ''mithril'' to replace the gates of Minas Tirith which were broken by the [[Witch-king of Angmar]].

== Other Contexts ==
''Mithril'', or similarly spelled names, has been used in other fictional contexts as a strong and semi-magical metal. Examples include:
* Objects in ''[[Bored of the Rings]]'' (a ''Lord of the Rings'' parody) are made of cheap "''mithral'' plate" rather than solid ''mithral''.
* In the role-playing game ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', ''mithral'' is one of the special materials used to make high-quality or magical items.
* In the MMORPG ''EverQuest'', ''mithril'' is a metal that can make weapons, armor, and other equipment.
* In the MMORPG, "Runescape", as well as "Everquest", "mithril" is a bluish mid-level metal used to make armor and weapons. There is also a Mithril Dragon who that also blue.
* In the anime series ''Full Metal Panic!'', ''Mithril'' is a mercenary organization. In the Full Metal Panic!: The Second Raid, the origin of the name is explained as a reference to ''The Lord of the Rings''.
* The name of a Celtic/World music quartet.

== Tolkien's Inspiration ==
In [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hervarar_Saga Hervarar saga], which was a cycle dealing with the magic sword ''Tyrfing'' (and from which Tolkien borrowed, for instance, the names [[Dwalin]] and [[Durin]]), the hero Orvar-Odd wore a ''silken mailcoat'' which nothing could pierce (''Oddr svarar: "ek vil berjask við Angantýr, hann mun gefa stór högg með Tyrfingi, en ek trúi betr skyrtu minni, enn brynju þinni, til hlífðar"'').

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Mithril|Images of Mithril]]

[[Category:Materials]]

Mithril

2007-10-24T00:14:21Z

Khamulthe8: /* Other Contexts */

[[Image:John Howe - Mithril.jpg|thumb|''Mithril'' by [[John Howe]]]]
'''''Mithril''''' is a precious silvery metal, stronger than steel but much lighter in weight, which was mined by the [[Dwarves]] in the mines of [[Khazad-dûm]]. The name ''mithril'' comes from two words in [[Sindarin]] — ''[[mith]]'' meaning "grey", and ''[[ril]]'' meaning "glitter". ''Mithril'' was also called "true-silver" by [[Men]], while the [[Dwarves]] had their own, secret name for it.

The wizard [[Gandalf]] explained ''mithril'' to the Company, passing through Khazad-dûm, the Mines of Moria:
{{quote|The wealth of Moria was not in gold and jewels, the toys of the Dwarves; nor in iron, their servant... Its worth was ten times that of gold, and now it is beyond price; for little is left above ground, and even the [[Orcs]] dare not delve here for it.<p>''Mithril!'' All folk desired it. It could be beaten like copper, and polished like glass; and the Dwarves could make of it a metal, light and yet harder than tempered steel. Its beauty was like to that of common silver, but the beauty of ''mithril'' did not tarnish or grow dim.|''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[A Journey in the Dark]]")}}

For the literal-minded reader, it is unclear whether or not ''mithril'' is a real metal; many have thought it to be platinum, however, platinum is far too heavy to qualify as a candidate. It is possible that this legendary material was modelled after titanium, as this metal, while actually quite abundant as ore, was very expensive to produce in its metallic form (especially by medieval technology), and has some of ''mithril's'' properties of strength, bright silvery color, corrosion resistance, and light weight. Other possibilities are aluminium or magnesium; these metals are even lighter than titanium, but not as strong or as silvery shiny. (Famously, Napoleon III of France once bought dinnerware made out of aluminium because it was more expensive than gold at the time.) Certainly Tolkien, being highly educated, would have had knowledge of these three metals and the difficulty in preparing them. However, probably because nobody is known to have asked Tolkien about "''mithril''", it will never be known with certainty whether ''mithril'' is based on any real metal.

''Mithril'' is extremely rare by the end of the [[Third Age]], as it was found only in [[Khazad-dûm]]. Once the [[Balrogs|Balrog]] destroyed the Dwarven Kingdom of Khazad-dum, Middle-earth's only source of new ''mithril'' ore was cut off. Before Moria was abandoned by the Dwarves ''mithril'' was worth ten times its own weight in gold. After the Dwarves abandoned Moria and production of new mithril ore stopped entirely, it became priceless. The only way to obtain a ''mithril''-object at the end of the Third Age was to either use heirloom ''mithril'' weapons and armour that were produced before the fall of Moria, or to melt down these existing weapons to forge new ones. The [[Noldor]] of [[Eregion]] made an alloy out of it called ''[[ithildin]]'' ("star moon"), which was used to decorate gateways and portals. It is visible only by starlight or moonlight. The [[Doors of Durin]] bore inlaid ''ithildin'' designs and runes.

While Moria is the only known source of ''mithril'', there are indications that it was also found in [[Númenor]] and in [[Aman]] in smaller quantities.

== The Mithril Coat ==
Of all items made of ''mithril'', the most famous is the "small shirt of mail" retrieved from the hoard of the dragon [[Smaug]], and given to [[Bilbo Baggins]] by [[Thorin Oakenshield]]. "It was close-woven of many rings, as supple almost as linen, cold as ice, and harder than steel..."
{{quote|'It's a pretty thing isn't it,' said Bilbo, moving it in the light.|''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[The Ring goes South]]"}}

A kingly gift, the ''mithril''-coat was actually worth more than the entire worth of the Shire (Bilbo probably knew this, but he didn't care). Bilbo later gave the coat to his nephew [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], who wore it during the Quest to [[Mount Doom]]. It saved Frodo's life when he was nearly skewered by an [[Orc]] in the Mines of Moria. (In the film adaptation of ''[[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring|The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', the attack was by a [[Cave-trolls|Cave-troll]].) It was later taken by the Orcs who captured him in the pass above [[Cirith Ungol]], and passed on to the Dark Lord's servants at [[Barad-dûr]]. When the coat was displayed before the hosts of [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]] at the Gates of Mordor, many despaired, thinking Frodo had been captured or killed, and the Ring taken. Gandalf reclaimed it from Sauron's lieutenant, and was later able to return it to Frodo after the battles were won.

== Other ''Mithril'' Objects in the Lord of the Rings Novels ==
* [[Galadriel]] possesses one of the three [[Three Rings|Elven Rings]], [[Nenya]]. It is wrought of ''mithril'' with a white stone.
* Poking through the closets of [[Orthanc]], King [[Elessar]] and his aides found the long lost ''[[Star of Elendil|Elendilmir]]'', a white star of Elvish crystal affixed to a fillet of ''mithril''. Once owned by [[Elendil]], the first King of [[Arnor]], it is an emblem of royalty in the North Kingdom.
* The Dwarves' beloved metal appears in [[Gondor]] too, the Kingdom of the South. The [[Guards of the Citadel]] of [[Minas Tirith]] wear helmets of ''mithril'', "heirlooms from the glory of old days."
* As Aragorn's ships sail up the [[Anduin]] to relieve the besieged Minas Tirith during the [[War of the Ring]], the standard flying on his ship shows a crown made of ''mithril'' and gold.
* After [[Gimli]] became lord of [[Aglarond]], he and his Dwarves forged great gates of ''mithril'' to replace the gates of Minas Tirith which were broken by the [[Witch-king of Angmar]].

== Other Contexts ==
''Mithril'', or similarly spelled names, has been used in other fictional contexts as a strong and semi-magical metal. Examples include:
* Objects in ''[[Bored of the Rings]]'' (a ''Lord of the Rings'' parody) are made of cheap "''mithral'' plate" rather than solid ''mithral''.
* In the role-playing game ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', ''mithral'' is one of the special materials used to make high-quality or magical items.
* In the MMORPG ''EverQuest'', ''mithril'' is a metal that can make weapons, armor, and other equipment.
* In the MMORPG, "Runescape", as well as "Everquest, "mithril" is a bluish mid-level metal used to make armor and weapons. There is also a Mithril Dragon who that also blue.
* In the anime series ''Full Metal Panic!'', ''Mithril'' is a mercenary organization. In the Full Metal Panic!: The Second Raid, the origin of the name is explained as a reference to ''The Lord of the Rings''.
* The name of a Celtic/World music quartet.

== Tolkien's Inspiration ==
In [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hervarar_Saga Hervarar saga], which was a cycle dealing with the magic sword ''Tyrfing'' (and from which Tolkien borrowed, for instance, the names [[Dwalin]] and [[Durin]]), the hero Orvar-Odd wore a ''silken mailcoat'' which nothing could pierce (''Oddr svarar: "ek vil berjask við Angantýr, hann mun gefa stór högg með Tyrfingi, en ek trúi betr skyrtu minni, enn brynju þinni, til hlífðar"'').

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Mithril|Images of Mithril]]

[[Category:Materials]]

Ril

2007-10-24T00:03:25Z

Khamulthe8:

'''Ril''' is a [[Sindarin]] word meaning glitter as seen in the word [[Mithril]], which translates direcly into grey glitter

Saruman

2007-10-23T23:44:34Z

Khamulthe8:

{{Istari infobox
| image=[[Image:John Howe - Saruman.jpg|250px]]
| name=Saruman
| othernames=Of many colours, White, Ring-maker, Wise, Curunír, Curumo, Sharkey
| birth=Entered [[Middle-earth]] in [[Third Age 1000]]
| death=[[Third Age 3019]]
| robes=White
| gender=Male
| hair= Black, gradually turning white
| height=
| eyes=
|}}
{{quote|He has a mind of metal and wheels; and he does not care for growing things, except as far as they serve him for the moment. And now it is clear that he is a black traitor.|[[Treebeard]], ''[[Treebeard (chapter)]]''}}
'''Saruman the White''' ([[Third Age]] c. 1000 – 3019, existed in [[Middle-earth]] for 2019 years) was the first of the order of [[Wizards]] (or [[Istari]]) who came to Middle-earth as Emissaries of the [[Valar]] in the Third Age. He was the leader of the [[White Council]]. In [[Sindarin]] his name was '''Curunír''', which meant "Man of Skill".

== Characteristics ==
[[Image:WAR-ICONS Saruman.jpg|right|150px]]
In appearance, Saruman was as an old man with black hair. At the end of the Third Age, his hair and beard had turned mostly white — he had only black hairs about his lips and ears. He was tall, his face was long, and his eyes were deep and dark. He would appear in a white cloak, a habit he later changed into a cloak that changed colours as he moved.

He was not actually a [[Men|Man]], or even an [[Elves|Elf]] (as Men often suspected), but a [[Maiar|Maia]] clothed in flesh — an [[Istari|Istar]] ((see ''Origins'' below). As such, he was immortal and extremely powerful, yet had limits on how far these powers could be used. His two most salient powers were his knowledge and his voice.

The name given to him by Men, ''Saruman'', is in the [[Westron]] language. In Tolkien's works, this language is (almost) never shown directly, but translated into English and Anglo-Saxon forms. In this case, Tolkien used the Anglo-Saxon root word ''searu'' which means "skill" or "cunning". As a scholar, Tolkien would also have been well aware of the name of a similarly-named historic 'head of his order', Jaruman. The real Westron version of his name remains unknown.

His name among the Elves was ''Curunír'' and was often followed by ''Lán'', which means "white". In Valinor, his name was ''Curumo'', which is the [[Quenya]] translation of the same name.

=== Powers ===
Knowledge of the "deep arts" (or magic, such as it is in Middle-earth) was of particular interest to Saruman, especially when relating to power—such as the [[Rings of Power]] and the far seeing ''[[palantíri]]''. He was also deeply learned in ancient lore regarding powerful kingdoms such as [[Númenor]], [[Gondor]], and [[Moria]].

His voice and speech were extremely convincing, more powerful than mere rhetoric. When he focused this power on a person or a group of people, he could sway their hearts, plant fears and sow lies as he pleased. According to the stature of the listener, this spell could last as long as the speech did, or it could take root in them and last forever.

Other powers include knowledge of machinery and chemistry, probably separable from explicit magic (for instance, the "blasting fire" employed by his [[Uruk-hai]] army in the battle of [[Helm's Deep]], was probably some kind of explosive). Machinery and engines characterized both his fortified [[Isengard]] and his altered [[Shire]]. In this, he probably sought to emulate [[Sauron]].

His science also extended to biological areas. He is believed to have crossbred Men and Orcs, creating a new race of Orcs unafraid of daylight, the Uruk-hai. His human spies in [[Bree]] were said to have Orc blood. He also employed birds in his service, although this might also be attributed to [[Radagast]] the Brown, ordering them to report to [[Orthanc]], Saruman's stronghold.

Being regarded as more powerful than [[Gandalf]] (at least before Gandalf's "rebirth"), it's fair to assume he would also wield explicit magic similar to Gandalf, such as artificial light, locking spells, creating fire, etc.

=== Personality ===
Saruman resembled Gandalf not only in appearance, but originally also somewhat in character, but unlike Gandalf, Saruman was proud. He saw himself as the most powerful of the Istari, expressing clear contempt for Radagast the Brown. Saruman was no fool (though he saw Ragadast as one); he realized Gandalf's power, and eventually came to see him as an equal, and later as a superior, much to his distress. He became jealous of Gandalf, eventually convincing himself that Gandalf was scheming against him, which justified his own scheming against Gandalf and the rest of the White Council.

Saruman likely was true to his mission in the beginning, and actually believed in working to stop Sauron, but his pride and later arrogance (as well as his jealousy towards the Grey Wanderer) turned him into a traitor to the cause he had once served. Saruman's betrayal was not sudden, but slowly grew over time, until at last he had convinced himself that he could not have taken any other path, and that it was too late now to repent. This false belief kept him from taking his last chance at redemption, and because he must have realized this he only became more bitter, blaming Gandalf more than anyone else for his own downfall. In fact he only had himself to blame, but he refused to believe this.

== Origins ==
In [[Valinor]], the land of the god-like Valar in the West, a council was called by [[Manwë]]. This was likely shortly after the defeat of Sauron by the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Last Alliance]]. It was decided to send five [[Wizards|emissaries]] to Middle Earth. These should be "mighty, peers of Sauron, yet forgo might, and clothe themselves in flesh" — Istari, or Wizards.

One of those who went was '''''[[Curumo]]''''' (later in [[Sindarin]] ''[[Curunír]]'', or in [[Westron]] ''Saruman''), a powerful Maia of [[Aulë]] (just as Sauron was). Maiar were angelic creatures of the same people as the Valar, only of lower order. Together, they were the [[Ainur]], and existed before the [[Arda]], the world, was created.

Saruman was one of those who volunteered, whereas the last one, ''[[Olórin]]'', (later Gandalf) was commanded by Manwë to go. Saruman's jealousy of Gandalf began even here, when [[Varda]] said of Gandalf, who went as the third Istar that he was "not the third". Saruman was charged to take Radagast with him, which he did not wish to do and which led to contempt for the latter Wizard.

== History ==

===Arrival in Middle-earth===

According to most tales, Saruman arrived alone in a ship at [[Mithlond]] (the [[Grey Havens]]) in the west of [[Eriador]] around the year 1000 of the [[Third Age]], and only [[Círdan]] knew his identity and his origin. There are two short stories known that tell a bit different story. The first tells ''that [[Curumo]] (Saruman) took [[Aiwendil]] ([[Radagast]]) because [[Yavanna]] begged him'', and the second states: ''"Curumo was obliged to take Aiwendil to please Yavanna wife of [[Aulë]],"'' (''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', Part Four, II: [[The Istari]]).

He went into the East of Middle-earth, as did the two [[Blue Wizards]]. After one and a half millennia he returned to the West, just as Sauron's power was growing again in [[Dol Guldur]].

When the [[White Council]] was formed around the year 2463 of the Third Age, Saruman was appointed its leader. Even then, he had begun to sense the resurgence of Sauron and to envy and desire his power, and especially his [[One Ring]]. Coincidentally, in that same year the One Ring was found by the creature [[Gollum]], drawing the [[Dark Lord]] closer to the conflict that would eventually prove Saruman's undoing.

===Chief of the White Council===

In [[2759 TA]], [[Beren, Steward of Gondor]], granted Saruman permission to make the Tower of Orthanc in the ring of [[Isengard]] his abode. There he became important in the defence of the free lands of the West. In Orthanc he came upon a palantír, one of the seven seeing stones, but kept it secret and hidden, particularly from the White Council. He would later betray the Council by concealing his use of it.

In [[2850 TA]] Gandalf entered [[Dol Guldur]] and confirmed that the evil presence there was indeed Sauron returned. By Saruman's advice, the White Council decided against attacking Dol Guldur. At this council-meeting Gandalf (for the first time) revealed that he suspected that Saruman desired to possess the One Ring.

Saruman's real strategy behind forestalling the Council's attempt at Dol Guldur focused on permitting Sauron to continue building up his strength, so that the One Ring would reveal itself. At that point Saruman hoped to have sufficient strength to seize it first himself. He soon found that Sauron had more knowledge of the possible location of the One Ring than he expected, and in 2941 TA he finally consented to an attack against Sauron at Dol Guldur (at which point Sauron retreats to Mordor and the Battle of the Five Armies takes place).

Either at this time or shortly before Saruman's studies of ring-lore paid off, and he seems to have emulated part of the skill of the [[Noldor]] of [[Eregion]] and created his own Ring. He probably used this to enhance his skills, and became an even greater enchanter with the power of his voice. It however seems unlikely that his Ring was as powerful as one of the Three Rings of the Elves, let alone the One Ring.

Sauron abandoned Dol Guldur, arose again, and took up his reign in [[Mordor]], declaring himself openly. In Mordor, he established contact with Saruman through the palantír captured from [[Minas Ithil]] (later [[Minas Morgul]]). Through his jealousy towards Gandalf and his ever-growing pride and arrogance, and through the use of the palantír, wrestling in thought with the Enemy, Saruman became a servant of Sauron's will (although unintentionally, as his hopes were to gain the One Ring for himself).

===War of the Ring===

At about this time, in an attempt to control Rohan, Saruman bought the allegiance of King [[Théoden]]'s chief advisor, [[Gríma Wormtongue]], who then counselled the ailing king to do nothing about the steady resurgence of Sauron's armies. Saruman and Wormtongue's treachery would have crippled Rohan's military might, had not Gandalf interfered a year later and revealed to Théoden his right-hand man's true designs, healing the old king and revitalizing his political and military rule.

Saruman did not reveal his true intentions until Gandalf presented him with the discovery and location of the One Ring. He then revealed his contact with Sauron and belief that they must join the Dark Lord or fail. Saruman then stood forth as '''Saruman of Many Colours''', and when Gandalf refused to join with him, he held him captive in Isengard. Gandalf later escaped, and so Saruman's treachery became known to the rest of the White Council when Gandalf reported it during the subsequent Council of [[Elrond]].

Saruman soon also betrayed his new master Sauron by lying to the Witch-king when he arrived at Isengard. Sauron had sent the Nazgúl searching for [[Bilbo Baggins|Baggins]], who had found the One Ring years before, and the Shire, his home. Saruman pretended to know nothing about the Shire, but the Nazgûl later captured one of his Shire spies. Caught now between both sides as a known traitor to both, Saruman put all efforts into obtaining the One Ring for himself.

Saruman implemented a strategy of attacking [[Rohan]], endeavouring to kill the King's son Théodred, sending spies to waylay [[Frodo Baggins]] on his flight from the Shire, and dispatching raiding parties on likely routes a company of the Ring might take to Gondor. Ironically, one of these parties captured [[Peregrin Took]] and [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] and transported them to [[Fangorn Forest]] in time to mobilize the [[Ents]]. Gandalf also suspected Saruman had found (and destroyed) the remains of [[Isildur]], who had worn the Ring before it had been lost.

Saruman's Shire network failed to capture Frodo Baggins, Gandalf rallied Rohan to victory, [[Éomer]] stopped his only partially successful raiding party, and control of Isengard was lost to the [[Ents]]. Aware he was utterly defeated, Saruman briefly considered repenting for his deeds, but at the last moment could not go through with it. He must have still had some hope he could somehow escape, and even that infinitely small chance was better than his certain humiliation at the hands of those he had tried to destroy. Saruman still made a final attempt to woo Théoden and Gandalf to his cause but failed: his staff was broken and he was dismissed from the order of the Istari.

It must have been during Gandalf's captivity in Orthanc that Saruman began to build his army of Orcs, [[Dunlendings]], and Uruk-hai, since Gandalf came to an as yet undestroyed Isengard. One can speculate that if matters had developed a little more slowly, his puppet Wormtongue would have gained full control over Rohan, and the [[Rohirrim]] would have been enslaved or destroyed.

Saruman's plans likely failed because he, like Sauron, was forced to reveal his hand early by Gandalf's subsequent escape, and therefore he had little time to perfect his plans. As Saruman considered himself "unfallen", he honestly believed he had a chance of converting Gandalf to his side, and felt honestly betrayed by Gandalf when he was refused. The failure to capture the Ring at Emyn Arnen further ruined Saruman's plans, as he was revealed as a traitor to Mordor now as well.

Left out of the final stages of the War of the Ring, he eventually managed to convince his captors, the Ents, into letting him leave Isengard, proving that the magic of his voice still remained. He then went to the Shire, which his agent [[Lotho Sackville-Baggins]] (undisturbed by events elsewhere) had brought under control. Spending his final days as a small-time thug lord in [[Hobbiton]] known as '''''Sharkey''''', he was eventually betrayed and killed by his own servant Wormtongue on November 3, [[Third Age|T.A.]] 3019, when even this operation fell apart after Frodo and [[Samwise Gamgee]] returned.

Saruman, as a Maia, did not truly die, but his spirit lost its shape (much like Sauron's after the [[Akallabêth|Downfall of Númenor]] and after his defeat by the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Last Alliance]]). As a discorporated spirit, he should have been called to [[Mandos]], but the tale implies that he was barred from returning. We may speculate that his spirit was left naked, powerless and wandering in Middle-earth (perhaps like Sauron's after the One Ring was destroyed).

== Politics ==

=== Men ===
Tolkien writes of Saruman that "he went mostly among men". He always sought power, and in the Third Age the greatest power lay in the hands of the kingdoms of Men.

No records speak of his earliest journeys into the east of Middle-earth, but when he returned, he actually became for a while a servant of Gondor, receiving the keys to Orthanc from [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] ([[Steward of Gondor]]), as its warden.

Saruman later claimed Orthanc for his own, without any formal declaration (or real objection from a weakened Gondor). Still, he nominally remained an ally of Gondor and of Rohan. Throughout this time he also made long studies of scrolls and books in Minas Tirith.

When he turned to treachery, Saruman still employed men in his schemes, mainly from [[Dunland]], but also selected agents from other lands (such as Wormtongue.) Saruman was a master of deceit, and could easily turn old grudges into fuel for new hatred.

The Dunlendings found employment in his armies, and it also seems probable that he used some of these men in his crossbreeding programme to create Half-Orcs. The Dunlendings were enticed with the old stories that they had once lived in the plains of Rohan before the ''Strawheads'' had come from the north, and that their leader [[Freca]], a man with claims to the throne of Rohan, had been killed by [[Helm Hammerhand]].

Gríma Wormtongue played a vital role in Saruman's plans: a counsellor of the ageing king Théoden, he secretly desired the king's niece, [[Éowyn]], but she was repulsed by him and scorned his advances. It is not clear if Wormtongue approached Saruman or vice versa, but it is certain that with Saruman's council Gríma began to weaken the king, estranging him from his other councilors and even his own kin, until Gríma had in effect become the leader of Rohan.

=== Elves ===
Saruman was once on good terms with the Elves, and was voted in as the leader of the White Council, a group of Elves and Istari united against Sauron.

However, Saruman knew that Gandalf had been given the third Elvish ring [[Narya]] by [[Círdan]] the Shipwright. This nurtured his jealousy of Gandalf and his resentment towards the Elves.

The Elves also declined during the period of Saruman's activity in the west of Middle-earth. Their lands were few and secretive, and although they wielded in some senses marvellous power, they were not in the habit of projecting it in the manner Saruman found useful or interesting. Also, they succumbed less easily than other races to manipulation.

Even though his stronghold of Isengard lay very close to the Elven Kingdom of [[Lothlórien]], Saruman had very little or no contact with it. Indeed, after his treachery and ruin, Saruman stated clearly that he had never trusted [[Galadriel]] and that he suspected her of scheming for Gandalf at his expense.

In summary, Saruman had little use for, or interest in, the Elves.

=== Istari/[[Wizards]] ===
Saruman grudgingly brought with him Radagast as a companion from Valinor, at the request of [[Yavanna]], yet still managed to arrive alone, and first. Shortly after, he went into the East with the two Blue Wizards ([[Alatar]] and [[Pallando]]), and later returned alone. The Ithryn Luin (as the Elves called them) went with Saruman into the East, and there may have wrought many great works to diminish the influence of the Enemy. Of their fate little is known.

Radagast, even though Saruman scorned him (when he tried to convert Gandalf to his cause), served Saruman very usefully (and wholly unintentionally). Not only in the sense explained to Gandalf, "he had just the wit to play the part I set him"—that of persuading Gandalf to come to Isengard, but also because Radagast, at the request of Saruman (and Gandalf), sent birds to Saruman at Orthanc and to Gandalf to report the different happenings in Middle-earth (in this way Saruman gained valuable insight and Gandalf was able to escape from the pinnacle of Orthanc). Radagast, honest and noble, true to his mission as set by Yavanna, played a very valuable role in the fight against Sauron through the use of the birds and beasts of Middle-earth (i.e. the aid of the Eagles).

Saruman had always been jealous of Gandalf, and suspected him of keeping secrets from him—not unfounded suspicions, since Gandalf did indeed keep his knowledge (or early on, suspicion) about [[One Ring|Bilbo's Ring]] hidden. Gandalf also kept his own ring (the third of the Elvish rings) Narya secret.

Gandalf also suspected Saruman of plotting to gain the One Ring for himself, and hinted at this in a powerful scene at a meeting of the White Council. Gandalf blew nine small smoke rings and one great one that wavered a bit, seeming almost palpable, and yet blew away, symbolizing (almost prophetic of) Saruman's failure in achieving the One for himself.

In general, Saruman must have viewed Gandalf as his only peer, and as such to be feared and treated with (although not necessarily shown) respect. He always kept a watchful eye open for Gandalf's doings, and actually picked up the habit of smoking pipe-weed by sending out spies tailing Gandalf to the Shire.

When matters came to a head, Saruman sought to make Gandalf an ally in his plans. This was probably not just out of practical politics, but also of respect and a sense of companionship and shared destiny. And possibly out of hope, being daunted by the proposition of becoming Sauron's servant alone.

Nevertheless, Saruman exercised more power than Gandalf, even with the ring Narya, as became clear when he placed Gandalf under arrest at the pinnacle of Orthanc. The text does not make it clear whether Saruman lost power or whether Gandalf gained power, but when Gandalf returned as "Gandalf the White", he could summon Saruman at his will, forcibly keep him in his presence, and finally break Saruman's staff (with whatever implications that might have had for Saruman's powers).

Saruman several times came very close to setting aside his pride and to asking Gandalf for pity and help. The closest call came when the [[Ringwraiths]] (on their way to the Shire) arrived at Isengard while Gandalf still remained in captivity there. Saruman, realizing his predicament, actually went to seek Gandalf's pardon, only to find his erstwhile captive missing from the top of Orthanc.

=== Orcs ===
Saruman probably drew his original strength of Orcs from tribes in the [[Misty Mountains]], and perhaps from Moria Orcs. He made use of [[Wargs|Warg]]-mounted Orcs of the same kind that Bilbo and the dwarves fled from after they had been captured at the [[High Pass]] near [[Rivendell]].

He also bred Orcs in Isengard, eventually creating crossbreeds of Orcs and Men (probably [[Dunland|Dunlendings]]), the [[Uruk-hai]]. This programme apparently also involved feeding these Orcs Man-flesh.

His Uruk-hai army displayed great discipline and fierce loyalty, in addition to the other improvements such as height, strength, endurance and resistance to sunlight. There also appears to have been middle stages between Men and the Uruk-hai, Men with varying degrees of Orkish appearance. These were reported by Pippin and Merry to have been part of Saruman's regular army, but were not Uruk-hai, since the hobbits would have recognized these from their earlier capture.

Saruman's servants called him "Sharkey" both in Isengard and later in The Shire. This was probably an adaptation of the [[Black Speech]] word ''sharku'' which meant "old man". Saruman was not aware of this meaning (which is remarkable, since Gandalf knew this language). Perhaps he took it as a distortion of his own name by the Orcs. This indicates that the Orcs took their leader less seriously than they might have given him the impression of (similar to how the Mordor Orcs overheard by Sam and Frodo tended to disrespect their authorities).

=== Ents/Trees ===
Saruman made contact with the Ents in [[Fangorn Forest]] shortly after he settled in [[Isengard]]. The oldest of the Ents, [[Treebeard]] received him and gave him free access to the forest.

Saruman also consulted with Treebeard, learning much old lore that the Ents would have remembered from ancient times. Saruman did not return this favour, but only listened.

The Ents saw Saruman's treachery early, and became very concerned, primarily with Saruman's Orcs felling trees on the edge of Fangorn for use in the furnaces of Isengard—or sometimes for no reason at all.

The Ents also appear to have had a sense of order, how things should be, that Saruman encroached upon. The crossbreeding of Men and Orcs particularly alarmed them, out of proportion to other concerns enemies of Saruman might have had. Also alarming was the pure fact of his treachery — the Istari were supposed to have a special responsibility.

Saruman used the Ents and the Fangorn forest without concern for the consequences. He clearly misjudged the Ents' abilities and will to act. This might not have been as incautious as it seemed, since major contributing factors to the Ent's actions were advice and requests from Gandalf, and concern about the rising power of Sauron (and their wish to support the front-line troops of the war, Rohan and Gondor).

Saruman clearly had the ability to understand the minds of the Ents when he found it useful. He managed to talk Treebeard into setting him free from Orthanc by pushing just the right buttons — Ents dislike the concept of caging up any creature.

=== Hobbits ===
The race of [[Hobbits]] and their lands seemed too insignificant to interest Saruman: until he took notice of Gandalf's special concern for them.

His secret interest in Gandalf's doings made him focus gradually more and more on the Hobbits and The Shire. For a period he actually travelled there in secret, mapping out the lands. Gandalf was aware of this, but at this point only amused.

He began smoking pipe-weed (a habit of the Hobbits that Gandalf had picked up), also in secret. His demand for tobacco opened up trading between The Shire and Isengard, and the power his money could wield there and the corruption it could cause began to fascinate him. Some of his agents went in secret, and some were known to Gandalf and the [[Rangers]] (who accepted them, but were suspicious).

His anger towards the Hobbits may possibly stem from the attention Gandalf showed them (and not himself, or his projects). It certainly strengthened immensely when he discovered that the Hobbits (to his mind) had conspired with Gandalf to keep the [[One Ring]] from him.

This, and the sudden urgency caused by the [[Ringwraiths]]' hunt for the Ring-bearer from The Shire to Rivendell, made him increase his activity in the area, leading to a build-up of power that would by the closing of the [[War of the Ring]] lead to virtual conquest of The Shire.

He might also later have blamed the ruin of Isengard at the hands (or branches, really) of the Ents on [[Peregrin Took]] and [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]], who clearly catalysed events.

This all came together after Sauron's fall, when Saruman escaped from the Ents and retired to The Shire and his thug regime in place there. It appears he immediately switched the focus of this operation to wanton destruction: pollution, murder, fire, chopping down trees for no reason. He may have felt this would also allow him to deal a last blow to Gandalf.

At his final utter defeat by a Hobbit uprising, his life was spared even when he tried to assassinate [[Frodo Baggins]]. At this moment he actually conceded respect to Frodo, but it was (literally) short-lived.

=== Valar/Maiar ===
Saruman was supposedly eager to go to Middle-earth, against Manwë's counsel. After his 'death' he was apparently barred from returning to Valinor, and therefore was denied reincarnation and condemned to waft away and disappear like so much smoke. Sauron, in origin a Maia of Aulë like Saruman, amazed and frightened him. During the height of his arrogance Saruman thought to supplant Sauron as the Dark Lord, but in the end he found himself meddling with a spirit of far greater power than himself.

=== Animals ===
Saruman had control over many birds, probably through Radagast. These spied for him and brought him news. In addition, the Orcs Saruman took in his armies had amongst them [[Wargs]], a sort of intelligent demon-wolf.

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
[[Image:Saruman with Palantir from Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings.jpg|thumb|[[Christopher Lee]] as Saruman in [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]]]
[[Image:Saruman from Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings.jpg|thumb|left|Saruman from [[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]]]]
In [[Ralph Bakshi]]'s 1978 animated film of ''[[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings|The Lord of the Rings]]'', Fraser Kerr provided the voice of Saruman. At one point in that film's development, film executives thought that the names "Saruman" and "Sauron" were too similar, and would confuse the audience, and decided that Saruman should be renamed "Aruman". This decision was eventually reversed, but some references to "Aruman" remained in the finished film.

Peter Howell played Saruman in BBC Radio's 1981 serialisation of ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|The Lord of the Rings]]''. In [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]], Saruman was played by [[Christopher Lee]]. The film did not depict Saruman's adoption of the title "Saruman of Many Colours". The film also did not include the [[Scouring of the Shire]], but depicted Saruman being killed by Gríma Wormtongue in Isengard, after his encounter with Gandalf and Théoden. In the film, Gríma stabs Saruman in the back, causing him to fall on a spiked wheel below the tower of Orthanc.

== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Saruman|Images of Saruman]]

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{{maiar}}

[[Category:Isengard and Saruman]]
[[Category:Maiar]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]

[[de:Saruman]]
[[fi:Saruman]]

Quickbeam

2007-10-23T23:41:07Z

Khamulthe8:

[[Image:Quickbeam from Peter Jackson's The Two Towers.jpg|thumb|'''Quickbeam''' from [[Peter Jackson's The Two Towers]].]]
'''Quickbeam''' was one of the younger [[Ents]] of [[Fangorn Forest]] belonging to the people of [[Skinbark]]. His name (a translation of [[Elvish]] [[Bregalad]]) was given because of uncharacteristic hastiness. He was the first ent to make his mind up at the [[Entmoot]]. He sheltered, in his home, the two [[hobbit]]s, [[Merry]], and [[Pippin]] while the other ents made up their minds at the entmoot. The rowan-trees in his keeping suffered greatly at the hands of [[Saruman]]'s [[Orcs]], and he played a great part in the Ents' resulting attack on [[Isengard]].
Quickbeam was almost completely edited out of [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]] and never named, only to be recognized by Tolkien Fans.

{{ents}}

[[Category:Ents]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]

Quickbeam

2007-10-23T23:40:44Z

Khamulthe8:

[[Image:Quickbeam from Peter Jackson's The Two Towers.jpg|thumb|'''Quickbeam''' from [[Peter Jackson's The Two Towers]].]]
'''Quickbeam''' was one of the younger [[Ents]] of [[Fangorn Forest]] belonging to the people of [[Skinbark]]. His name (a translation of [[Elvish]] [[Bregalad]]) was given because of uncharacteristic hastiness. He was the first ent to make his mind up at the [[Entmoot]]. He sheltered, in his home, the two [[hobbit]]s, [[Merry]], and [[Pippin]] while the other ents made up their minds at the entmoot. The rowan-trees in his keeping suffered greatly at the hands of [[Saruman]]'s [[Orcs]], and he played a great part in the Ents' resulting attack on [[Isengard]].
Quickbeam was almost completely edited out of [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]] and never names, only to be recognized by Tolkien Fans.

{{ents}}

[[Category:Ents]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]

Drogoth

2007-10-23T04:31:08Z

Khamulthe8:

'''Drogoth the Dragon Lord''' is a non-canonical character in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]], a videogame for the PC. Drogoth is said to be the lord of all [[dragons]] after the death of [[Smaug]] in [[The Hobbit]]. He is playable only by the [[goblins]]. He is attackable only with archers and catapults in the game. He does not appear anywhere but in The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II and it's sequel, [[The Battle for Middle-earth II - The Rise of the Witch-king]]. Drogoth has a variety of powers, and is considered by many to be one of the mot powerful characters in the game.

Drogoth

2007-10-23T04:30:40Z

Khamulthe8:

'''Drogoth the Dragon Lord''' is a non-canonical character in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]], a videogame for the PC. Drogoth is said to be the lord of all [[dragons]] after the death of [[Smaug]] in [[The Hobbit]]. He is playable only by the goblins. He is arrackable only with archers and catapults in the game. He does not appear anywhere but in The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II and it's sequel, [[The Battle for Middle-earth II - The Rise of the Witch-king]]. Drogoth has a variety of powers, and is considered by many to be one of the mot powerful characters in the game.

User:Khamulthe8

2007-10-23T04:05:10Z

Khamulthe8:

[[Khamul]] is my favorate of the [[Nazgul]]. My changes to the site mainly include those about the two Battle for Middle Earth games and the expansion pack. I consider my self a true tolkienite. To demonstrate this, I am watching a Lotr movie even as typing this.

User:Khamulthe8

2007-10-15T04:33:52Z

Khamulthe8:

[[Khamul]] is my favorate of the [[Nazgul]]. My changes to the site mainly include those about the two Battle for Middle Earth games and the expansion pack. I consider my self a true tolkienite. To demnstrate this, I am watching a movie even as typing this.

The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-king

2007-10-15T04:25:41Z

Khamulthe8: Improvements about new features in game. More on the way.

{{stub}}

'''The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II - The Rise of the Witch-king''' is a real-time strategy computer game published by Electronic Arts. It is the expansion pack to [[The Battle for Middle-earth II|The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]], from the same company. It was announced during The San Diego Comic-Con of 2006.
There are several improvements. The main improvement is the new faction, [[Angmar]]. Other improvements to the game include new Olog-Hai class of custom hero, improvements to the existing factions, and new sub-heros. The three subclasses of Olog-Hai are Great Troll, formally Troll in the previous game, Snow Troll, and Hill Troll. The Good and Evil campaigns have been replaced with the single Angmar campaign. There have also been numerous improvements to the War of the Ring and Skirmish battles.
The sub-heros belong to every faction except fot Angmar. The sub-heros are listed as such. Dwarvish Berzerkers, Mannish Knights of Dol Amaroth, Elfish Noldor Warriors, Mordorian Black Riders, Isengard Berzerkers, and Goblin Fire drake Brood. The sub-heros have a limit of only one to three allowed, depending on whitch type. Like the heros, the sub-heros learn skills at certain levels, although not as many. They can heal like heros, but if member dies, it will not respawn unless you use the heal spell.

[[Category:Games]]

The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-king

2007-03-19T14:57:51Z

Khamulthe8:

'''The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II - The Rise of the Witch-king''' is a real-time strategy computer game published by Electronic Arts. It is the expansion to [[The Battle for Middle-earth II|The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]], from the same company. It was announced during The San Diego Comic-Con of 2006.
There are several improvements. The main improvement is the new faction, [[Angmar]]. Another expansion is the new Olog-Hai class of costom hero. The three subclasses are Great Troll, formally just Troll in the previous game, Snow Troll, and Hill Troll. The Good and Evil campaigns have been replaced with the Angmar campaign. There have also been numerous improvements to the War of the Ring and Skirmishes battles.

[[Category:Games]]

User:Khamulthe8

2007-02-13T04:22:59Z

Khamulthe8:

I chose my use name after [[Khamul]], one of the [[nazgul]]. He was the leader of the eight, the nazgul after the [[Witch King]] of Angmar died. Also the number eight seems ro be lucky to me. I edit TG occasionally. I am just trying to help LotR grt more known, other than the movies.

User:Khamulthe8

2007-02-13T04:19:10Z

Khamulthe8:

I chose my name afyer [[Khamul]], one of the [[nazgul]]. He was the leader of the eight, the nazgul after the [[Witch King]] of Angmar died. Also the number eight is lucky for some reason. It is also in magic eight balls, which are also lucky. I edit TG occasionally. I am just trying to help LotR grt more known, other than the movies.

Quickbeam

2007-02-13T03:52:03Z

Khamulthe8:

West-mark

2007-02-13T03:44:52Z

Khamulthe8:

The military division of [[Rohan]] that lay to the west of the [[Entwash]] and [[Snowbourn]] rivers (excepting the lands around the capital at [[Edoras]]), commanded by a [[Marshal]] based at [[Helm's Deep]]. Bordering on Rohan's enemies in [[Dunland]], the West-mark was historically the scene of much strife. The worst troubles in this region were seen during the [[Long Winter]], when the [[Dunlendings]] forced the [[Rohirrim]] to abandon [[Edoras]] and flee to the West-mark, where they sheltered in Helm's Deep.

[[Isengard]] also lay on its borders, so that the West-mark was of great importance during the [[War of the Ring]]. The King's son [[Théodred]] was given the rank of Second Marshal of the Mark, and given the command of this region in the wars with [[Saruman]]. He went to battle with the enemy at the [[Fords of Isen]], where he lost his life. The command of the West-mark was then taken by the lord [[Erkenbrand]], who fought and lost a second battle at the Fords, but was able to rally enough of his forces to help in the desperate defence of Helm's Deep.

House of the Tower of Snow

2007-02-13T03:43:26Z

Khamulthe8:

[[Image:House-of-the-Tower-of-Snow.jpg|left|100px]]The '''House of the Tower of Snow''' was a [[Twelve Houses of the Gondothlim|House]] of [[Gondolin]] mentioned in the [[Fall of Gondolin]] as being united with the [[House of the Pillar]] under [[Penlod]]. Many perished during the fall beside their chief.

[[Category:Gondolin and Turgon]]

The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II

2007-02-13T00:12:22Z

Khamulthe8:

{{stub}}
'''The Battle for Middle-earth II''' is the second game in the real-time strategy genre by EA. Unlike its predecessor, the game is set mainly in the northern regions of [[Middle-earth]]. Factions include the [[Elves]], [[Dwarves]], [[Men|Men of the West]] (a combination of [[Gondor]] and [[Rohan]]), and the [[Goblins]], along with [[Mordor]] and [[Isengard]]. The gameplay includes naval battles, larger battalions, and more traditional base building, unlike the original. The game was released on March 2, 2006. The game has a special feature where you can create your own hero. The heros are from six categories, such [[wizard]], [[dwarf]], and servants of [[Sauron]]. Also, there are fourteen subcategories, such as hermit, taskmaster, and [[troll]]. This game has an expansion set called The Rise of the Witch King. It features Angmar as the new faction and has general gameplay improvements.

[[Category:Computer games]]

The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II

2007-02-13T00:11:45Z

Khamulthe8:

{{stub}}
'''The Battle for Middle-earth II''' is the second game in the real-time strategy genre by EA. Unlike its predecessor, the game is set mainly in the northern regions of [[Middle-earth]]. Factions include the [[Elves]], [[Dwarves]], [[Men|Men of the West]] (a combination of [[Gondor]] and [[Rohan]]), and the [[Goblins]], along with [[Mordor]] and [[Isengard]]. The gameplay includes naval battles, larger battalions, and more traditional base building, unlike the original. The game was released on March 2, 2006. The game has a special feature where you can create your own hero. The heros are from six categories, such [[wizard]], [[dwarf]], and servants of [[Sauron]]. Also, there are fourteen subcategories, such as hermit, taskmaster, and [[troll]]. This game has an expansion set called [[The Rise of the Witch King]]. It features Angmar as the new faction and has general gameplay improvements.

[[Category:Computer games]]

The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II

2007-02-11T03:09:07Z

Khamulthe8: