 | |
| Orc | |
| Orc-chieftain | |
|---|---|
| Biographical Information | |
| Titles | Chieftain |
| Location | Moria |
| Death | 15 January, T.A. 3019[1] Chamber of Mazarbul |
| Notable for | Striking Frodo Baggins with his spear |
| Physical Description | |
| Gender | Male[2] |
| Height | Almost Man-sized[3] |
| Eye colour | Black[2] |
| Clothing | Black mail,[3] Helm[4] |
| Weaponry | Spear,[2] Scimitar,[4] Shield[5] |
| Gallery | Images of the orc-chieftain |
A huge orc-chieftain attacked the Fellowship of the Ring and struck Frodo Baggins with his spear during the Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul.
History
While travelling through the Kingdom of Khazad-dûm, the Fellowship of the Ring were assailed by Orcs in the Chamber of Mazarbul. After the walkers had slain thirteen of the Orcs, the rest of the troop fled, shrieking. Soon after, a fearsome Orc-chieftain, brandishing a spear and shield leaped into the Chamber with his followers. Boromir tried to strike him but the Orc turned the his sword with his shield, knocking him to the ground. Aragorn tried to strike him with Andúril but the Orc dived under the sword and swiftly charged into the company. He thrusted his spear at Frodo, which caught the Hobbit on his right side and hurled him against the wall, pinning him. Sam cried out and hacked the spear's shaft with his Barrow-blade, breaking it. The Orc threw down a broken spear-shaft and swept out his scimitar. Aragorn swung Andúril and struck the chieftain's helm, breaking it and cleaving his head. His followers fled, howling at the sight of their dead chieftain.[6]
Description
The Chieftain was almost the size of a Man.[3] He had a broad, swarthy, flat face, eyes like coals and a red tongue.[2]
He was well equipped: He wore black mail[3] and a helm.[4] The chieftain was armed with a huge hide shield,[5] a spear[2] and a scimitar.[4]
Portrayal in adaptations
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1978: The Lord of the Rings (1978 film):
- After Gandalf tells the Fellowship to "run for it", the orc-chieftain gives a war cry and charges. He is alone, without any followers. Boromir tries to stop him but the chieftain blocks him with his shield, which falls to the ground with Boromir. Aragorn swings at the chieftain with his sword but the Orc ducks under it and pushes Aragorn to the ground, before letting out another war cry and throwing his spear at Frodo. The spear strikes Frodo in the centre of his chest, rather than to his right. Aragorn gets up and runs at the Orc, but he is punched in the stomach and on the back of his neck. Aragorn turns and strikes the Orc with his sword on the left of his torso. The chieftain tumbles to the ground and Aragorn slashes him again on his left leg. The orc lies still and Aragorn stabs him once more on the back.
1989: The Lord of the Rings (comic book):
- The orc-chieftain appears in the Chamber, wearing plate armour rather than mail, armed with a spear and shield. Aragorn warns the Fellowship to be careful, as the chieftain is more dangerous than twenty of his men. He knocks Aragorn over, causing Andúril to fly out of his hand. Aragorn yells to Boromir that the orc is going after Frodo and, as the comic is loosely based on Ralph Bakshi's 1978 film adaptation, he throws the spear at Frodo rather than stabbing him, as he does in the film. Unlike the film and book, however, Boromir is the one to kill him, breaking his helm and cleaving his head as Aragorn does in the book.
- The Moria sequence takes place in episode 6, Lórien. The orc-chieftain attacks in the middle of the battle, not after the Orcs have been driven off, and has no followers. He is not met with any resistance when walking towards Frodo beside other members of the Fellowship yelling Frodo's name in warning. The chieftain stabs Frodo, but he is not pinned against the wall. Boromir arrives and slashes the chieftain's face, who moans in agony and crumbles before Aragorn delivers the finishing blow.
1997: Middle-earth Collectible Card Game:
- The chieftain is depicted in the 1997 expansion The Lidless Eye on the "Under his Blow" card, illustrated by John Howe. The card has the following effects:
Untapped character does not tap against one strike.
2001: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring:
- The orc-chieftain is omitted. Frodo is stabbed by a Cave-troll instead.
2014: The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game:
- The chieftain is depicted in the 2014 expansion The Road Darkens on the "Orc-chieftain" card, illustrated by Álvaro Calvo Escudero. The card has the following effects:
Cannot have attachments. Allies cannot defend against Orc-chieftain.
Forced: At the beginning of the encounter phase, Orc-chieftain engages the first player.
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Bridge of Khazad-dûm": His broad flat face was swart, his eyes were like coals, and his tongue was red; he wielded a great spear.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Bridge of Khazad-dûm": But even as they retreated, and before Pippin and Merry had reached the stair outside, a huge orc-chieftain, almost man-high, clad in black mail from head to foot, leaped into the chamber; behind him his followers clustered in the doorway.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Bridge of Khazad-dûm": But even as the orc flung down the truncheon and swept out his scimitar, Andúril came down upon his helm. There was a flash like flame and the helm burst asunder.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Bridge of Khazad-dûm": With a thrust of his huge hide shield he turned Boromir’s sword and bore him backwards, throwing him to the ground.
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Bridge of Khazad-dûm"