Tolkien Gateway - User contributions [en]

Middle-earth Role Playing

2022-08-03T07:32:46Z

Schoolfreak32: /* Translations */

[[Image:merp_logo.png|300px|thumb|MERP 2nd Ed. logotype]]

'''Middle-earth Role Playing''' (MERP) was a subset of the Rolemaster role-playing game rules set in [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s [[Middle-earth]] and published by [[Iron Crown Enterprises]].

== Description ==
[[Image:Middle-earth Role Playing (2nd edition, hardcover).jpg|thumb|left|Cover of [[Middle-earth Role Playing (2nd edition, hardcover)|''MERP'', 2nd ed.]]]]
The system was somewhat like [[Dungeons and Dragons|Dungeons & Dragons]] with character classes and levels. Classes available included Animist (Cleric), Bard, Mage, Ranger, Scout (Thief) and Warrior (Fighter). The system departed in having a highly detailed combat and magic system.

In the MERP game system, attributes are rating between 0 and 100, and skills can surpass these limits (under 0 or over 100). An attack roll would consist of a percentile roll + skill rating + attribute rating - target's dodge rating. This result was looked up on a table against the victim's armor type (leather/plate). Most hits in combat would cause a 'critical' which would be rolled and looked up on separate tables. For some, these criticals are quite entertaining due to their variety and creativeness, but for others the task of adding and subtracting high numbers and then consulting a table is the height of roll-playing, not role-playing.

Spell casters had the unique advantage in MERP that they learned lists of 10 spells (1 per level) as a unit. Once a character learned the Healing list, he would be able to cast increasingly better healing spells as his level increased.

The setting for this game predates the [[War of the Ring]] by around 1400 years (the majority of the modules were set in the years after the [[Great Plague]], ca. [[Third Age]] 1640) and as such it represented a version of [[Middle-earth]] different to that seen in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' or ''[[The Hobbit]]''.

=== Metal miniatures ===

Two different companies issued authorized figures for use with MERP. In 1985, [[Grenadier Models Inc.|Grenadier Models]] released their ''Lord of the Rings Middle Earth'' series. In 1987, the license was transferred to [[Mithril Miniatures]], which still produces Middle-earth metal miniatures (although post-[[Iron Crown Enterprises|ICE]] figures have no reference to MERP).

== Publications ==

*''(Year) Stock# Title''

=== MERP 1st Edition ===

*(1982) 2100 ''[[An Artist's Interpretation of Middle Earth]]''
*(1982) 2200 ''[[A Campaign and Adventure Guidebook for Middle-earth]]''
*(1982) 2300 ''[[Angmar: Land of the Witch King]]''
*(1982) 2400 ''[[Umbar: Haven of the Corsairs]]''
*(1982) 2500 ''[[The Court of Ardor]]''
*(1983) 2600 [[Northern Mirkwood (1983)|''Northern Mirkwood'' (1983)]]
*(1983) 2700 ''[[Southern Mirkwood|Southern Mirkwood: Haunt of the Necromancer]]''
*(1983) 2800 ''[[Isengard and Northern Gondor]]''
*(1984) 2600 [[Northern Mirkwood (1984)|''Northern Mirkwood'' (1984)]]
*(1984) 2900 ''[[Moria: The Dwarven City]]''
*(1984) 3000 [[Rangers of the North (book)|''Rangers of the North: The Kingdom of Arthedain'']]
*(1984) 8000 [[Middle-earth Role Playing (book)|''Middle-earth Role Playing'']]
*(1984) 8001 ''[[Combat Screen]]''
*(1984) 8010 ''[[Bree and the Barrow-Downs]]''
*(1984) 8020 ''[[Dagorlad and the Dead Marshes]]''
*(1984) 8030 ''[[The Tower of Cirith Ungol and Shelob's Lair]]''
*(1984) 8040 ''[[Hillmen of the Trollshaws]]''
*(1985) 3100 [[Riders of Rohan (1985 book)|''Riders of Rohan'']]
*(1985) 8050 ''[[Thieves of Tharbad]]''
*(1985) 8060 ''[[Erech and the Paths of the Dead]]''
*(1985) 8070 ''[[Goblin-gate and Eagle's Eyrie]]''
*(1985) XXXX ''[[Middle-earth: The Role-playing Game set in J.R.R. Tolkien's World]]''
*(1985) 8101 ''[[Haunted Ruins of the Dunlendings]]''
*(1986) 3200 ''[[Lórien and the Halls of the Elven Smiths|Lórien & the Halls of the Elven Smiths]]''
*(1986) 8000 ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing: The Role Playing Game of J.R.R. Tolkien's World]]''
*(1986) 8100 [[Middle-earth Role Playing (boxed set)|''Middle-earth Role Playing'' (boxed set)]]
*(1986) 8002 [[Lords of Middle-earth: Vol. I|''Lords of Middle-earth: Vol. I - The Immortals'']]
*(1986) 8102 ''[[Phantom of the Northern Marches]]''
*(1986) 8103 ''[[Trolls of the Misty Mountains]]''
*(1987) 2800 [[Isengard and Northern Gondor (1987 book)|''Isengard and Northern Gondor'' (2nd edition)]]
*(1987) 3100 [[Riders of Rohan (1987 book)|''Riders of Rohan'' (2nd edition)]]
*(1987) 3300 ''[[Havens of Gondor]]''
*(1987) 3400 ''[[Sea-Lords of Gondor]]''
*(1987) 3500 ''[[Ents of Fangorn]]''
*(1987) 3600 ''[[Dunland and the Southern Misty Mountains]]''
*(1987) 3700 ''[[Lost Realm of Cardolan]]''
*(1987) 8003 [[Lords of Middle-earth: Vol. II|''Lords of Middle-earth: Vol. II - The Mannish Races'']]
*(1987) 8080 ''[[Rivendell: The House of Elrond]]''
*(1987) 8090 ''[[Brigands of Mirkwood]]''
*(1987) 8104 ''[[Pirates of Pelargir]]''
*(1987) 8105 [[Gates of Mordor (book)|''Gates of Mordor'']]
*(1987) 8106 ''[[Assassins of Dol Amroth]]''
*(1987) 8107 ''[[Woses of the Black Wood]]''
*(1987) 8201 ''[[Weathertop: Tower of the Wind]]''
*(1988) 3800 ''[[Far Harad: The Scorched Land]]''
*(1988) 3900 ''[[Shadow in the South]]''
*(1988) 4010 ''[[Mirkwood: The Wilds of Rhovanion]]''
*(1988) 8005 ''[[Creatures of Middle-earth]]''
*(1988) 8011 ''[[Mouths of the Entwash]]''
*(1988) 8108 ''[[Raiders of Cardolan]]''
*(1988) 8202 [[Teeth of Mordor (book)|''Teeth of Mordor'']]
*(1988) 8204 ''[[Halls of the Elven-king]]''
*(1988) 8301 [[Minas Tirith (1988 book)|''Minas Tirith'']]
*(1989) 2210 ''[[Middle-earth Adventure Guidebook II]]''
*(1989) 3110 [[Mount Gundabad (book)|''Mount Gundabad'']]
*(1989) 4020 ''[[Empire of the Witch-king]]''
*(1989) 8001 [[Combat Screen (2nd edition)|''Combat Screen'' (2nd edition)]]
*(1989) 8004 [[Lords of Middle-earth: Vol. III|''Lords of Middle-earth: Vol. III - Hobbits, Dwarves, Ents, Orcs & Trolls'']]
*(1989) 8006 ''[[Treasures of Middle-earth]]''
*(1989) 8012 ''[[Warlords of the Desert]]''
*(1989) 8013 ''[[Dark Mage of Rhudaur]]''
*(1989) 8015 ''[[Forest of Tears]]''
*(1989) 8109 ''[[Ghosts of the Southern Anduin]]''
*(1989) 8110 ''[[Perils on the Sea of Rhûn]]''
*(1989) 8111 ''[[Denizens of the Dark Wood]]''
*(1990) 3111 ''[[Greater Harad]]''
*(1990) 3112 ''[[Gorgoroth (book)|Gorgoroth]]''
*(1990) 4000 [[Northwestern Middle-earth Campaign Atlas|''Northwestern Middle-earth Campaign Atlas'']] (combined Gazetteer & Map)
*(1990) 8007 ''[[Angus McBride's Characters of Middle-earth]]''
*(1990) 8014 ''[[Rogues of the Borderlands]]''
*(1990) 8016 ''[[Ghost Warriors]]''
*(1990) 8112 ''[[Hazards of the Harad Wood]]''
*(1990) 8113 ''[[The Necromancer's Lieutenant]]''
*(1990) 8203 ''[[Calenhad: A Beacon of Gondor]]''
*(1991) 8205 ''[[Nazgûl's Citadel]]''
*(1991) 8302 ''[[Minas Ithil (book)|Minas Ithil]]''
*(1992) 3113 ''[[The Grey Mountains]]''
*(1992) 4002 ''[[Northwestern Middle-earth Gazetteer]]''
*(1992) 8114 ''[[River Running (book)|River Running]]''
*(1994) 4001 ''[[Northwestern Middle-earth Map Set]]''

=== MERP 2nd Edition ===

*(1993) 2000 [[Middle-earth Role Playing (2nd edition, hardcover)|''Middle-earth Role Playing'' (2nd edition, hardcover)]]
*(1993) 2001 [[Middle-earth Role Playing (2nd edition, softcover)|''Middle-earth Role Playing'' (2nd edition, softcover)]]
*(1993) 2003 ''[[Middle-earth Campaign Guide]]''
*(1993) 2004 ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing Combat Screen and Reference Sheets]]''
*(1993) 2006 ''[[Valar and Maiar]]''
*(1994) 2002 ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing Accessory Pack]]''
*(1994) 2005 ''[[Arnor: The Realm]]''
*(1994) 2007 [[Minas Tirith (1994 book)|''Minas Tirith'' (2nd edition)]]
*(1994) 2008 ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing Poster Maps]]''
*(1994) 2009 ''[[Palantír Quest]]''
*(1994) 2010 [[Treasures of Middle-earth (2nd edition)|''Treasures of Middle-earth'' (2nd edition)]]
*(1994) 2011 [[Moria (1994 book)|''Moria'' (2nd edition)]]
*(1994) 2012 [[Creatures of Middle-earth (2nd edition)|''Creatures of Middle-earth'' (2nd edition)]]
*(1994) 2013 [[Elves (book)|''Elves'']]
*(1995) 2014 [[Dol Guldur (book)|''Dol Guldur'']]
*(1995) 2015 ''[[The Kin-strife]]''
*(1995) 2016 ''[[Lake-town (book)|Lake-town]]''
*(1995) 2017 [[The Shire (book)|''The Shire'']]
*(1995) 2018 [[Angmar (book)|''Angmar'' (2nd edition)]]
*(1995) 2019 [[Mirkwood (book)|''Mirkwood'' (2nd edition)]]
*(1996) 2020 ''[[Southern Gondor: The People]]''
*(1996) 2021 ''[[Southern Gondor: The Land]]''
*(1996) 2022 ''[[Arnor: The People]]''
*(1997) 2023 ''[[Arnor: The Land]]''
*(1997) 2024 ''[[Lord of the Rings Poster Map]]''
*(1997) 2025 ''[[The Northern Waste]]''
*(1997) 2026 ''[[Hands of the Healer]]''

===Unpublished supplements===

*1990s: ''[[Lindon (MERP)|Lindon]]''
*1990s: ''Mithlond''
*1990s: ''[[The Inland Sea]]''

== Translations ==

*Finnish: ''Keskimaa Roolipeli'' (KERP)
*French: ''Le Jeu de Rôle des Terres du Milieu'' (JRTM) (1987-2000)
*German: ''Mittelerde - Das Klassische Rollenspiel System'' (MERS) (1987-1998)
*Italian: ''Il gioco di ruolo del signore degli anelli'' (GiRSA) (1984-2002)
*Japanese: 指輪物語ロールプレイング ''Yubiwa Monogatari Rōrupureingu'' (1987-?)
*Polish: ''Śródziemie: Gra Fabularna''
*Spanish: ''El Señor de los Anillos'' (Castellano), ''El Senyor dels Anells'' (Catalan) (1989-2004)
*Swedish: ''Sagan om Ringen: Rollspelet'' (1986-1990)

== Further developments ==

MERP has a loyal and strong following, which can be seen in the multitude of material which has been written for the system since ICE lost their license. The main channels are:

*''[[Other Hands]]'' (official magazine)
*''[[Other Minds]]'' (unofficial magazine)
*''[[Yahoo Fan modules]]'' (Yahoo group and mailing list, also hosting a web site)
*''MERP.com'' (fan-run website, see link below)

==External Links==
* {{WP|MERP}}
* [http://www.merp.com MERP.com (fan-run website)]<br>
*[http://homepage.mac.com/guyf/MERP/PrintingEditionReference.html Printing and Edition Reference for MERP]
{{rpg}}
{{title|italics}}
[[Category:MERP| ]]
[[Category:Publications by title]]

Orcs/Origin

2022-08-03T06:34:08Z

Schoolfreak32: /* Corrupted Men */

[[File:Elena Kukanova - Ork sketch.jpeg|thumb|''Ork sketch'' by [[:Category:Images by Elena Kukanova|Elena Kukanova]]]]
{{quote|The [[Shadow]] that bred them can only mock, it cannot make: not real new things of its own. I don't think it gave life to the Orcs, it only ruined them and twisted them; and if they are to live at all, they have to live like other living creatures.|[[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] in ''[[The Return of the King]]'', "[[The Tower of Cirith Ungol]]"}}
The '''origin of the [[Orcs]]''' is never definitely explained in [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s works. Throughout the years, he changed the explanation, but he was doubtful because of the theological implications of an evil race and the relations of [[fëa and hröa|''fëa'' and ''hröa'']] in his cosmology. As Tolkien died without deciding on a final explanation, the [[canonicity]] of the origin of Orcs is a popular debate in the [[fandom]]. Listed here are the different origins of the Orcs given in Tolkien's texts, ordered chronologically.

==Bred from stone==
The first conception in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'' (1917-1920) describes explicitly how [[Melko]] created Orcs or [[Goblins]] directly from earth:

{{blockquote|...for all that race were bred by [[Melko]] of the subterranean heats and slime. Their hearts were of granite and their bodies deformed.<ref>{{LT2|III}}, p. 159</ref>}}

The text also mentions [[Noldoli]] being twisted by Melko and mingled among the Orcs, so that they were even confused as being of that race, but as [[Christopher Tolkien]] comments, that notion is unrelated with the origin.<ref>{{LT2|IIIn}}, §3 ''Miscellaneous Matters'', (iii) ''Orcs'', p. 219</ref> Created directly by him, Orcs are thus called "broodlings of Melko"<ref>{{LT2|II}}, p. 14</ref> or "children of Melko".<ref>{{LT2|III}}, p. 193</ref>

In the following and more serious revision of his mythology, Tolkien kept the same origin: in the ''[[Quenta Noldorinwa]]'' (1930s) it is written that Morgoth created the Orcs in [[Utumna]], before the [[Awakening of the Elves]]: "''the hordes of Orcs he made of stone, but their hearts of hatred''".<ref>{{SM|Q2}}, p. 82</ref> However, in ''[[The Earliest Annals of Beleriand]]'' this happens in [[Angband]] after the theft of the [[Silmarils]].<ref>{{SM|7}}, pp. 295, 314, 328</ref>

==Based on Elves==
Following the idea that Morgoth created the Orcs after the Awakening of the Elves, Tolkien developed it in the ''[[Quenta Silmarillion (Lost Road)|Quenta Silmarillion]]'' of [[1937]]. There it is said that, after the destruction of the [[Two Lamps]], Morgoth created many evil creatures of different shapes, "''yet the Orcs were not made until he had looked upon the Elves, and he made them in mockery of the [[Children of Ilúvatar]]''".<ref>{{LR|P2VI}}, 3(a). "Of the Coming of the Elves", §18, p. 212</ref> Later in the text is explained that they were made of stone, like in the previous version.<ref>{{LR|P2VI}}, 5. "Of the Flight of the Noldor", §18, p. 233</ref> Therefore this origin is a development of the previous one, but already points to the great sin of the mockery of the Children of Ilúvatar.

The same explanation is mentioned in the second version of ''[[The Fall of Númenor]]'', written in the same years.<ref>{{LR|P1II3}}, p. 24</ref>

==Corrupted Elves==
[[File:Turner Mohan - Origin of the Orcs.jpg|thumb|''Origin of the Orcs'' by [[:Category:Images by Turner Mohan|Turner Mohan]]]]
In the ''[[Annals of Aman]]'' (1950s) appears the most known origin: in the {{YT|1085}}, those Elves who ran from [[Oromë]] were captured by Melkor and taken to [[Utumno]]:
{{blockquote|But of those hapless who were snared by Melkor little is known of a certainty. [...] Yet this is held true by the wise of [[Eressëa]]: that all those of the Quendi that came into the hands of Melkor, ere Utumno was broken, were put there in prison, and by slow arts of cruelty and wickedness were corrupted and enslaved. Thus did Melkor breed the hideous race of the Orkor in envy and mockery of the Eldar, of whom they were afterwards the bitterest foes. For the Orkor had life and multiplied after the manner of the Children of Ilúvatar; and naught that had life of its own, nor the semblance thereof, could ever Melkor make since his rebellion in the [[Music of the Ainur|Ainulindalë]] before the Beginning: so say the wise. And deep in their dark hearts the Orkor loathed the Master whom they served in fear, the maker only of their misery. This maybe was the vilest deed of Melkor and the most hateful to Eru.<ref>{{MR|P2e}}, §45, pp. 73-74</ref>}}

As Christopher Tolkien comments, this new origin includes the explicit idea that Morgoth could not ''make'' anything with life after his rebellion.<ref>{{MR|P2f}}, §45, p. 78</ref> This was the text Christopher used for his edition of ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' ([[Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor|chapter 3]]), although while revising the ''Annals'', his father wrote a note in the margin: "''Alter this. Orcs are not Elvish''".<ref>{{MR|P2f}}, §43, p. 80</ref> It is notable however, that the text itself is not sure about the origin, but only presents what "''the wise of Eressëa''" held, which might not be true. This in-world aspect is also used in another essay, in which Tolkien wrote that although Morgoth could not ''beget'' anything, the Eldar ''believed'' he had bred Orcs by corrupting Elves and Men.<ref>{{MR|P5VII}}, pp. 405-406</ref>

==Soulless animals==
[[File:Henning Janssen - Goblin Bone Band.jpg|thumb|''Goblin Bone Band'' by [[Henning Janssen]]]]
In later years, Tolkien revised several aspects of his legendarium, but never had the chance to apply them to the narrative. He wrote different origins for the Orcs, which Christopher gathers in ''[[Myths Transformed]]''. The first origin is an essay from c. 1959. Tolkien begins by mentioning the case of [[Aulë]] and the [[Dwarves]], in which it is clear that only Eru could give reason and free will to new creatures. Orcs often rebelled against Morgoth or Sauron, or criticized them; therefore, Orcs had to be pre-existing creatures, not being utterly controlled by their Lord unless directly. Then they would be beasts with the capacity for speech, like parrots, but without rational souls (''[[fëar]]''). Morgoth would have deformed them to resemble the Children of Ilúvatar in a blasphemous mockery and taught them to speak. A similar case would be the [[Eagles]] and [[Huan]], who were taught language and physically improved by the [[Valar]].

This origin implies that Morgoth could actually corrupt a whole race against the will of Eru. However, Morgoth did this by dispersing his power: the evil wills of the Orcs only had their origin in his, even if another agent like [[Sauron]] could take control of them. As hate is non-cooperative, Orcs could rebel while still remaining in their allegiance to evil (Morgoth).<ref>{{MR|P5VIII}}, pp. 409-411</ref>

==Mixed origin==
In the text about the previous explanation, Tolkien still mentions the terrible possibility of an Elvish strain in the Orcs. This would result on them having ''fëar'', which after death would have to wait in [[Halls of Mandos|Mandos]] till the [[Dagor Dagorath|End]]. But as Christopher comments, this is a direct contradiction with what had been stated about the Orcs being nothing more than "talking beasts".<ref>{{MR|P5VIII}}, Notes, p. 413, note 10</ref> However, Tolkien develops the idea of the Elvish strain in a separate note, although not with much detail. Returning to the idea that Morgoth could not create new creatures with independent wills, it is probable that Orcs had a "mixed origin", using corrupted Elves and Men. Morgoth would have among them corrupted [[Spirits|minor spirits]], which took terrible and similar bodily forms in order to dominate. Christopher notices that the concept of embodied ''Maiar'' among Orcs appears in the previous text, in which it is said that they could have been primitive Orcs.<ref>{{MR|P5IX}}, pp. 413-414</ref> That previous mention also includes the notion that the ''Maiar'' could practice embodied procreation, causing their own detriment, but there is no statement about Orcs coming from them.

==Corrupted Men==
[[File:Jan Pospíšil - TOR Half orc.jpeg|thumb|''Half orc'' by [[:Category:Images by Jan Pospíšil|Jan Pospíšil]]]]
In these late revisions, Tolkien had proposed that the [[Awakening of Men]] happened in some period before the [[Great March]] of the ''Eldar'', when Melkor was still in Middle-earth.<ref>{{MR|P5X}}, Notes, p. 423, note 3. Cf. pp. 378, 385</ref> This notion is put in relation with the origin of the Orcs in an appendix to ''[[Quendi and Eldar]]'' (1959-1960). The essay begins by noticing that Elves did not meet any Orcs before the [[Great March]], and this is related to the fact that Men had awakened recently. Although Tolkien still finds chronological problems, he here develops the idea that Orcs came from Men:

{{blockquote|Finally, there is a cogent point, though horrible to relate. It became clear in time that undoubted Men could under the domination of Morgoth or his agents in a few generations be reduced almost to the Orc-level of mind and habits; and then they would or could be made to mate with Orcs, producing new breeds, often larger and more cunning. There is no doubt that long afterwards, in the [[Third Age]], [[Saruman]] rediscovered this, or learned of it in lore, and in his lust for mastery committed this, his wickedest deed: the interbreeding of Orcs and Men, producing both [[Half-orcs|Men-orcs]] large and cunning, and [[Goblin-men|Orc-men]] treacherous and vile.}}

Therefore, the [[Wise]] always taught that Orcs were not evil in their beginning and deserved compassion, even if they must be fought. However, granting them mercy was hard in times of war, and Morgoth had utterly convinced Orcs that Elves and Men were crueler than themselves. Besides, they were so controlled by their Lord, that when Morgoth was expelled from Arda, they scattered without control. Their lives tended to be controlled by a master. Hence, Sauron took control of them thereafter, even achieving greater control than Morgoth. With Sauron, Tolkien finds a solution to the chronological problems: Melkor was indeed the one who had the idea to breed Orcs in mockery of Men, but only Sauron had the patience and cunning to accomplish this. Thus the idea came from far back in Melkor's mind, but the actual breeding only began after the Awakening of Men. During the [[Chaining of Melkor]], Sauron hid in Middle-earth and continued with his work of breeding Orcs. Thus, when Morgoth came back he found great hosts under his service.<ref>{{MR|P5X}}, pp. 415-422</ref>

This same origin can be found in the unfinished account of the [[Drúedain]] that Tolkien wrote in his last years. While mentioning the merry laughter of the Drúedain, a note explains that if someone declared that Morgoth might have created Orcs from the Drúedain, the Eldar answered: "''Doubtless Morgoth, since he can make no living thing, bred Orcs from various kinds of Men, but the Drúedain must have escaped his Shadow; for their laughter and the laughter of Orcs are as different as the [[Light of Valinor|light of Aman]] from the darkness of Angband''". However, both races considered each other as renegades, which causes some to think there was actually some remote kinship.<ref>{{UT|12c}}, p. 385, note 5</ref>

{{references}}
[[Category:Debates]]
[[Category:Orcs]]

Orcs/Origin

2022-08-03T01:31:31Z

Schoolfreak32: /* Corrupted Elves */

[[File:Elena Kukanova - Ork sketch.jpeg|thumb|''Ork sketch'' by [[:Category:Images by Elena Kukanova|Elena Kukanova]]]]
{{quote|The [[Shadow]] that bred them can only mock, it cannot make: not real new things of its own. I don't think it gave life to the Orcs, it only ruined them and twisted them; and if they are to live at all, they have to live like other living creatures.|[[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] in ''[[The Return of the King]]'', "[[The Tower of Cirith Ungol]]"}}
The '''origin of the [[Orcs]]''' is never definitely explained in [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s works. Throughout the years, he changed the explanation, but he was doubtful because of the theological implications of an evil race and the relations of [[fëa and hröa|''fëa'' and ''hröa'']] in his cosmology. As Tolkien died without deciding a final explanation, the [[canonicity]] about the origin of Orcs is a popular debate in the [[fandom]]. Here are listed the different origins of the Orcs given in Tolkien's texts, ordered chronologically.

==Bred from stone==
The first conception in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'' (1917-1920) describes explicitly how [[Melko]] created Orcs or [[Goblins]] directly from earth:

{{blockquote|...for all that race were bred by [[Melko]] of the subterranean heats and slime. Their hearts were of granite and their bodies deformed.<ref>{{LT2|III}}, p. 159</ref>}}

The text also mentions [[Noldoli]] being twisted by Melko and mingled among the Orcs, so they are even confused as being of that race, but as [[Christopher Tolkien]] comments, that notion is unrelated with the origin.<ref>{{LT2|IIIn}}, §3 ''Miscellaneous Matters'', (iii) ''Orcs'', p. 219</ref> Created directly by him, Orcs are thus called "broodlings of Melko"<ref>{{LT2|II}}, p. 14</ref> or "children of Melko".<ref>{{LT2|III}}, p. 193</ref>

In the following and more serious revision of his mythology, Tolkien kept the same origin: in the ''[[Quenta Noldorinwa]]'' (1930s) it is written that Morgoth created the Orcs in [[Utumna]], before the [[Awakening of the Elves]]: "''the hordes of Orcs he made of stone, but their hearts of hatred''".<ref>{{SM|Q2}}, p. 82</ref> However, in ''[[The Earliest Annals of Beleriand]]'' this happens in [[Angband]] after the theft of the [[Silmarils]].<ref>{{SM|7}}, pp. 295, 314, 328</ref>

==Based on Elves==
Following the idea that Morgoth created the Orcs after the Awakening of the Elves, Tolkien developed it in the ''[[Quenta Silmarillion (Lost Road)|Quenta Silmarillion]]'' of [[1937]]. There it is said that, after the destruction of the [[Two Lamps]], Morgoth created many evil creatures of different shapes, "''yet the Orcs were not made until he had looked upon the Elves, and he made them in mockery of the [[Children of Ilúvatar]]''".<ref>{{LR|P2VI}}, 3(a). "Of the Coming of the Elves", §18, p. 212</ref> Later in the text is explained that they were made of stone, like in the previous version.<ref>{{LR|P2VI}}, 5. "Of the Flight of the Noldor", §18, p. 233</ref> Therefore this origin is a development of the previous one, but already points to the great sin of the mockery of the Children of Ilúvatar.

The same explanation is mentioned in the second version of ''[[The Fall of Númenor]]'', written in the same years.<ref>{{LR|P1II3}}, p. 24</ref>

==Corrupted Elves==
[[File:Turner Mohan - Origin of the Orcs.jpg|thumb|''Origin of the Orcs'' by [[:Category:Images by Turner Mohan|Turner Mohan]]]]
In the ''[[Annals of Aman]]'' (1950s) appears the most known origin: in the {{YT|1085}}, those Elves who ran from [[Oromë]] were captured by Melkor and taken to [[Utumno]]:
{{blockquote|But of those hapless who were snared by Melkor little is known of a certainty. [...] Yet this is held true by the wise of [[Eressëa]]: that all those of the Quendi that came into the hands of Melkor, ere Utumno was broken, were put there in prison, and by slow arts of cruelty and wickedness were corrupted and enslaved. Thus did Melkor breed the hideous race of the Orkor in envy and mockery of the Eldar, of whom they were afterwards the bitterest foes. For the Orkor had life and multiplied after the manner of the Children of Ilúvatar; and naught that had life of its own, nor the semblance thereof, could ever Melkor make since his rebellion in the [[Music of the Ainur|Ainulindalë]] before the Beginning: so say the wise. And deep in their dark hearts the Orkor loathed the Master whom they served in fear, the maker only of their misery. This maybe was the vilest deed of Melkor and the most hateful to Eru.<ref>{{MR|P2e}}, §45, pp. 73-74</ref>}}

As Christopher Tolkien comments, this new origin includes the explicit idea that Morgoth could not ''make'' anything with life since his rebellion.<ref>{{MR|P2f}}, §45, p. 78</ref> This was the text Christopher used for his edition of ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' ([[Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor|chapter 3]]), although while revising the ''Annals'', his father wrote a note in the margin: "''Alter this. Orcs are not Elvish''".<ref>{{MR|P2f}}, §43, p. 80</ref> It is notable however, that the own text is not sure about the origin, but only presents what "''the wise of Eressëa''" held, which might not be true. This in-world aspect is also used in another essay, in which Tolkien wrote that although Morgoth could not ''beget'' anything, the Eldar ''believed'' he had bred Orcs by corrupting Elves and Men.<ref>{{MR|P5VII}}, pp. 405-406</ref>

==Soulless animals==
[[File:Henning Janssen - Goblin Bone Band.jpg|thumb|''Goblin Bone Band'' by [[Henning Janssen]]]]
In later years, Tolkien revised several aspects of his legendarium, but never had the chance to apply them to narrative. He wrote different origins for the Orcs, which Christopher gathers in ''[[Myths Transformed]]''. The first origin is an essay from c. 1959. Tolkien begins mentioning the case of [[Aulë]] and the [[Dwarves]], in which it is clear that only Eru could give reason and free will to new creatures. Orcs often rebelled against Morgoth or Sauron, or critize them, therefore Orcs had to be pre-existing creatures, not being utterly controlled by their Lord unless directly. Then they would be beasts with the capacity for speech, like parrots, but without rational souls (''[[fëar]]''). Morgoth would have deformed them to resemble the Children of Ilúvatar in a blasphemous mockery and taught them to speak. A similar case would be the [[Eagles]] and [[Huan]], who were taught language and physically improved by the [[Valar]].

This origin implies that Morgoth could actually corrupt a whole race against the will of Eru. However, this was done by Morgoth by dispersing his power: the evil wills of the Orcs only had their origin in his, even if other agent like [[Sauron]] could take control. As hate is non-cooperative, Orcs could rebel while still remaining in their allegiance to evil (Morgoth).<ref>{{MR|P5VIII}}, pp. 409-411</ref>

==Mixed origin==
In the text about the previous explanation, Tolkien still mentions the terrible possibility of an Elvish strain in the Orcs. This would result on them having ''fëar'', which after death would have to wait in [[Halls of Mandos|Mandos]] till the [[Dagor Dagorath|End]]. But as Christopher comments, this is a direct contradiction with what had been stated about the Orcs being nothing more than "talking beasts".<ref>{{MR|P5VIII}}, Notes, p. 413, note 10</ref> However, Tolkien develops the idea of the Elvish strain in a separate note, although with not much detail. Returning to the idea that Morgoth could not create new creatures with independent wills, it is probable that Orcs had a "mixed origin", using corrupted Elves and Men. Morgoth would have among them corrupted [[Spirits|minor spirits]], which took terrible and similar bodily forms in order to dominate. Christopher notices that the concept of embodied ''Maiar'' among Orcs appears in the previous text, in which it is said that they could have been primitive Orcs.<ref>{{MR|P5IX}}, pp. 413-414</ref> That previous mention also includes the notion that the ''Maiar'' could practice embodied procreation, causing their own detriment, but there is no statement about Orcs coming from them.

==Corrupted Men==
[[File:Jan Pospíšil - TOR Half orc.jpeg|thumb|''Half orc'' by [[:Category:Images by Jan Pospíšil|Jan Pospíšil]]]]
In these late revisions, Tolkien had proposed that the [[Awakening of Men]] happened in some period before the [[Great March]] of the Eldar, when Melkor was still in Middle-earth.<ref>{{MR|P5X}}, Notes, p. 423, note 3. Cf. pp. 378, 385</ref> This notion is put in relation with the origin of the Orcs in an appendix to ''[[Quendi and Eldar]]'' (1959-1960). The essay begins noticing that Elves did not meet any Orc before the [[Great March]], and this is related to the fact that Men had awakened recently. Although Tolkien still finds chronological problems, he develops the idea that Orcs came from Men:

{{blockquote|Finally, there is a cogent point, though horrible to relate. It became clear in time that undoubted Men could under the domination of Morgoth or his agents in a few generations be reduced almost to the Orc-level of mind and habits; and then they would or could be made to mate with Orcs, producing new breeds, often larger and more cunning. There is no doubt that long afterwards, in the [[Third Age]], [[Saruman]] rediscovered this, or learned of it in lore, and in his lust for mastery committed this, his wickedest deed: the interbreeding of Orcs and Men, producing both [[Half-orcs|Men-orcs]] large and cunning, and [[Goblin-men|Orc-men]] treacherous and vile.}}

Therefore, the [[Wise]] always taught that Orcs were not evil in their beginning and deserve compassion, even if they must be fought. However, granting them mercy was hard in times of war, and Morgoth had utterly convinced Orcs that Elves and Men were crueler than themselves. Besides, they were so controlled by their Lord, that when Morgoth was expelled from Arda, they scattered without control. Their lifes tended to be controlled by a master, hence Sauron took control upon them thereafter, even achieving greater control than Morgoth. With Sauron, Tolkien finds a solution to the chronological problems: Melkor was indeed who had the idea to breed Orcs in mockery of Men, but only Sauron had the patience and cunning to accomplish this. Thus the idea came from far back in Melkor's mind, but the actual breeding only began after the Awakening of Men. During the [[Chaining of Melkor]], Sauron hid in Middle-earth and continued with his work of breeding Orcs. Thus, when Morgoth came back he found great hosts under his service.<ref>{{MR|P5X}}, pp. 415-422</ref>

This same origin can be found in the unfinished account of the [[Drúedain]] that Tolkien wrote in his last years. While mentioning the merry laughter of the Drúedain, a note explains that if someone declared that Morgoth might have created Orcs from the Drúedain, the Eldar answered: "''Doubtless Morgoth, since he can make no living thing, bred Orcs from various kinds of Men, but the Drúedain must have escaped his Shadow; for their laughter and the laughter of Orcs are as different as the [[Light of Valinor|light of Aman]] from the darkness of Angband''". However, both races considered each other as renegades, which makes some thinking there was actually some remote kinship.<ref>{{UT|12c}}, p. 385, note 5</ref>

{{references}}
[[Category:Debates]]
[[Category:Orcs]]

Orcs/Origin

2022-08-03T01:22:58Z

Schoolfreak32:

[[File:Elena Kukanova - Ork sketch.jpeg|thumb|''Ork sketch'' by [[:Category:Images by Elena Kukanova|Elena Kukanova]]]]
{{quote|The [[Shadow]] that bred them can only mock, it cannot make: not real new things of its own. I don't think it gave life to the Orcs, it only ruined them and twisted them; and if they are to live at all, they have to live like other living creatures.|[[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] in ''[[The Return of the King]]'', "[[The Tower of Cirith Ungol]]"}}
The '''origin of the [[Orcs]]''' is never definitely explained in [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s works. Throughout the years, he changed the explanation, but he was doubtful because of the theological implications of an evil race and the relations of [[fëa and hröa|''fëa'' and ''hröa'']] in his cosmology. As Tolkien died without deciding a final explanation, the [[canonicity]] about the origin of Orcs is a popular debate in the [[fandom]]. Here are listed the different origins of the Orcs given in Tolkien's texts, ordered chronologically.

==Bred from stone==
The first conception in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'' (1917-1920) describes explicitly how [[Melko]] created Orcs or [[Goblins]] directly from earth:

{{blockquote|...for all that race were bred by [[Melko]] of the subterranean heats and slime. Their hearts were of granite and their bodies deformed.<ref>{{LT2|III}}, p. 159</ref>}}

The text also mentions [[Noldoli]] being twisted by Melko and mingled among the Orcs, so they are even confused as being of that race, but as [[Christopher Tolkien]] comments, that notion is unrelated with the origin.<ref>{{LT2|IIIn}}, §3 ''Miscellaneous Matters'', (iii) ''Orcs'', p. 219</ref> Created directly by him, Orcs are thus called "broodlings of Melko"<ref>{{LT2|II}}, p. 14</ref> or "children of Melko".<ref>{{LT2|III}}, p. 193</ref>

In the following and more serious revision of his mythology, Tolkien kept the same origin: in the ''[[Quenta Noldorinwa]]'' (1930s) it is written that Morgoth created the Orcs in [[Utumna]], before the [[Awakening of the Elves]]: "''the hordes of Orcs he made of stone, but their hearts of hatred''".<ref>{{SM|Q2}}, p. 82</ref> However, in ''[[The Earliest Annals of Beleriand]]'' this happens in [[Angband]] after the theft of the [[Silmarils]].<ref>{{SM|7}}, pp. 295, 314, 328</ref>

==Based on Elves==
Following the idea that Morgoth created the Orcs after the Awakening of the Elves, Tolkien developed it in the ''[[Quenta Silmarillion (Lost Road)|Quenta Silmarillion]]'' of [[1937]]. There it is said that, after the destruction of the [[Two Lamps]], Morgoth created many evil creatures of different shapes, "''yet the Orcs were not made until he had looked upon the Elves, and he made them in mockery of the [[Children of Ilúvatar]]''".<ref>{{LR|P2VI}}, 3(a). "Of the Coming of the Elves", §18, p. 212</ref> Later in the text is explained that they were made of stone, like in the previous version.<ref>{{LR|P2VI}}, 5. "Of the Flight of the Noldor", §18, p. 233</ref> Therefore this origin is a development of the previous one, but already points to the great sin of the mockery of the Children of Ilúvatar.

The same explanation is mentioned in the second version of ''[[The Fall of Númenor]]'', written in the same years.<ref>{{LR|P1II3}}, p. 24</ref>

==Corrupted Elves==
[[File:Turner Mohan - Origin of the Orcs.jpg|thumb|''Origin of the Orcs'' by [[:Category:Images by Turner Mohan|Turner Mohan]]]]
In the ''[[Annals of Aman]]'' (1950s) appears the most known origin: in the {{YT|1085}}, those Elves who ran from [[Oromë]] were captured by Melkor and taken to [[Utumno]]:
{{blockquote|But of those hapless who were snared by Melkor little is known of a certainty. [...] Yet this is held true by the wise of [[Eressëa]]: that all those of the Quendi that came into the hands of Melkor, ere Utumno was broken, were put there in prison, and by slow arts of cruelty and wickedness were corrupted and enslaved. Thus did Melkor breed the hideous race of the Orkor in envy and mockery of the Eldar, of whom they were afterwards the bitterest foes. For the Orkor had life and multiplied after the manner of the Children of Ilúvatar; and naught that had life of its own, nor the semblance thereof, could ever Melkor make since his rebellion in the [[Music of the Ainur|Ainulindalë]] before the Beginning: so say the wise. And deep in their dark hearts the Orkor loathed the Master whom they served in fear, the maker only of their misery. This maybe was the vilest deed of Melkor and the most hateful to Eru.<ref>{{MR|P2e}}, §45, pp. 73-74</ref>}}

As Christopher Tolkien comments, this new origin includes the explicit idea that Morgoth could not ''make'' anything with life since his rebellion.<ref>{{MR|P2f}}, §45, p. 78</ref> This was the text Christopher used for his edition of ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' ([[Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor|chapter 3]]), although while revising the ''Annals'', his father wrote a note in the margin: "''Alter this. Orcs are not Elvish''".<ref>{{MR|P2f}}, §43, p. 80</ref> It is notable however, that the own text is not sure about the origin, but only presents what the wise of Tol Eressëa held, which might not be true. This in-world aspect is also used in another essay, in which Tolkien wrote that although Morgoth could not beget anything, the Eldar ''believed'' he had bred Orcs by corrupting Elves and Men.<ref>{{MR|P5VII}}, pp. 405-406</ref>

==Soulless animals==
[[File:Henning Janssen - Goblin Bone Band.jpg|thumb|''Goblin Bone Band'' by [[Henning Janssen]]]]
In later years, Tolkien revised several aspects of his legendarium, but never had the chance to apply them to narrative. He wrote different origins for the Orcs, which Christopher gathers in ''[[Myths Transformed]]''. The first origin is an essay from c. 1959. Tolkien begins mentioning the case of [[Aulë]] and the [[Dwarves]], in which it is clear that only Eru could give reason and free will to new creatures. Orcs often rebelled against Morgoth or Sauron, or critize them, therefore Orcs had to be pre-existing creatures, not being utterly controlled by their Lord unless directly. Then they would be beasts with the capacity for speech, like parrots, but without rational souls (''[[fëar]]''). Morgoth would have deformed them to resemble the Children of Ilúvatar in a blasphemous mockery and taught them to speak. A similar case would be the [[Eagles]] and [[Huan]], who were taught language and physically improved by the [[Valar]].

This origin implies that Morgoth could actually corrupt a whole race against the will of Eru. However, this was done by Morgoth by dispersing his power: the evil wills of the Orcs only had their origin in his, even if other agent like [[Sauron]] could take control. As hate is non-cooperative, Orcs could rebel while still remaining in their allegiance to evil (Morgoth).<ref>{{MR|P5VIII}}, pp. 409-411</ref>

==Mixed origin==
In the text about the previous explanation, Tolkien still mentions the terrible possibility of an Elvish strain in the Orcs. This would result on them having ''fëar'', which after death would have to wait in [[Halls of Mandos|Mandos]] till the [[Dagor Dagorath|End]]. But as Christopher comments, this is a direct contradiction with what had been stated about the Orcs being nothing more than "talking beasts".<ref>{{MR|P5VIII}}, Notes, p. 413, note 10</ref> However, Tolkien develops the idea of the Elvish strain in a separate note, although with not much detail. Returning to the idea that Morgoth could not create new creatures with independent wills, it is probable that Orcs had a "mixed origin", using corrupted Elves and Men. Morgoth would have among them corrupted [[Spirits|minor spirits]], which took terrible and similar bodily forms in order to dominate. Christopher notices that the concept of embodied ''Maiar'' among Orcs appears in the previous text, in which it is said that they could have been primitive Orcs.<ref>{{MR|P5IX}}, pp. 413-414</ref> That previous mention also includes the notion that the ''Maiar'' could practice embodied procreation, causing their own detriment, but there is no statement about Orcs coming from them.

==Corrupted Men==
[[File:Jan Pospíšil - TOR Half orc.jpeg|thumb|''Half orc'' by [[:Category:Images by Jan Pospíšil|Jan Pospíšil]]]]
In these late revisions, Tolkien had proposed that the [[Awakening of Men]] happened in some period before the [[Great March]] of the Eldar, when Melkor was still in Middle-earth.<ref>{{MR|P5X}}, Notes, p. 423, note 3. Cf. pp. 378, 385</ref> This notion is put in relation with the origin of the Orcs in an appendix to ''[[Quendi and Eldar]]'' (1959-1960). The essay begins noticing that Elves did not meet any Orc before the [[Great March]], and this is related to the fact that Men had awakened recently. Although Tolkien still finds chronological problems, he develops the idea that Orcs came from Men:

{{blockquote|Finally, there is a cogent point, though horrible to relate. It became clear in time that undoubted Men could under the domination of Morgoth or his agents in a few generations be reduced almost to the Orc-level of mind and habits; and then they would or could be made to mate with Orcs, producing new breeds, often larger and more cunning. There is no doubt that long afterwards, in the [[Third Age]], [[Saruman]] rediscovered this, or learned of it in lore, and in his lust for mastery committed this, his wickedest deed: the interbreeding of Orcs and Men, producing both [[Half-orcs|Men-orcs]] large and cunning, and [[Goblin-men|Orc-men]] treacherous and vile.}}

Therefore, the [[Wise]] always taught that Orcs were not evil in their beginning and deserve compassion, even if they must be fought. However, granting them mercy was hard in times of war, and Morgoth had utterly convinced Orcs that Elves and Men were crueler than themselves. Besides, they were so controlled by their Lord, that when Morgoth was expelled from Arda, they scattered without control. Their lifes tended to be controlled by a master, hence Sauron took control upon them thereafter, even achieving greater control than Morgoth. With Sauron, Tolkien finds a solution to the chronological problems: Melkor was indeed who had the idea to breed Orcs in mockery of Men, but only Sauron had the patience and cunning to accomplish this. Thus the idea came from far back in Melkor's mind, but the actual breeding only began after the Awakening of Men. During the [[Chaining of Melkor]], Sauron hid in Middle-earth and continued with his work of breeding Orcs. Thus, when Morgoth came back he found great hosts under his service.<ref>{{MR|P5X}}, pp. 415-422</ref>

This same origin can be found in the unfinished account of the [[Drúedain]] that Tolkien wrote in his last years. While mentioning the merry laughter of the Drúedain, a note explains that if someone declared that Morgoth might have created Orcs from the Drúedain, the Eldar answered: "''Doubtless Morgoth, since he can make no living thing, bred Orcs from various kinds of Men, but the Drúedain must have escaped his Shadow; for their laughter and the laughter of Orcs are as different as the [[Light of Valinor|light of Aman]] from the darkness of Angband''". However, both races considered each other as renegades, which makes some thinking there was actually some remote kinship.<ref>{{UT|12c}}, p. 385, note 5</ref>

{{references}}
[[Category:Debates]]
[[Category:Orcs]]