Morgul-knife: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Audrey Corman - Morgul-blade.png|thumb|''Morgul-blade'' by Audrey Corman]]
'''Morgul blades''', or '''Morgul-knives''',<ref>{{FR|II1}}: "''They tried to pierce your heart with a Morgul-knife...''"</ref> were magical, poisoned daggers used by the [[Nazgûl]].  
'''Morgul blades''', or '''Morgul-knives''',<ref>{{FR|II1}}: "''They tried to pierce your heart with a Morgul-knife...''"</ref> were magical, poisoned daggers used by the [[Nazgûl]].  


==History==
==History==
[[File:Liz Danforth - Morgul-knife.jpg|thumb|left|''Morgul-knife'' by [[Liz Danforth]]]]
A victim of a morgul blade was [[Boromir (Steward of Gondor)|Boromir]], the eleventh [[Steward of Gondor]]. He eventually died of his wound but did not become a wraith.<ref>{{App|Stewards}}</ref>


At [[Weathertop]], during his journey to [[Rivendell]] with the [[One Ring]],  the [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] [[Frodo Baggins]] was stabbed by the [[Witch-king|Lord of the Nazgûl]].<ref>{{FR|I11}}</ref> A fragment of the blade remained within the wound, working its way toward his heart and threatening to turn Frodo into a [[Wraiths|wraith]].<ref name=FRII1>{{FR|II1}}</ref> [[Elrond]] was able to remove the shard and heal the wound,<ref name=FRII1/> but each year on the anniversary of his stabbing Frodo became seriously ill. Only his eventual departure to [[Eldamar]] offered a permanent cure.{{fact}}
At [[Weathertop]], during his journey to [[Rivendell]] with [[the One Ring]],  the [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] [[Frodo Baggins]] was stabbed by the [[Witch-king|Lord of the Nazgûl]].<ref>{{FR|I11}}</ref> A fragment of the blade remained within the wound, working its way toward his heart and threatening to turn Frodo into a [[Wraiths|wraith]].<ref name=FRII1>{{FR|II1}}</ref> [[Elrond]] was able to remove the shard and heal the wound,<ref name=FRII1/> but each year on the anniversary of his stabbing Frodo became seriously ill. Only his eventual departure to [[Eldamar]] offered a permanent cure.{{fact}}


The Morgul blades disintergrated if anyone but the owner touched or picked up the blade.{{fact}}
The Morgul blades disintergrated if anyone but the owner touched or picked up the blade.{{fact}}
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[[Athelas]] (or Kingsfoil) was known to slow the poisonous effect of the morgul-blade. This treatment was also effective against other [[Mordor]] illnesses, such as the [[Black Breath]].{{fact}}
[[Athelas]] (or Kingsfoil) was known to slow the poisonous effect of the morgul-blade. This treatment was also effective against other [[Mordor]] illnesses, such as the [[Black Breath]].{{fact}}


Another victim of a morgul blade was [[Boromir (Steward of Gondor)|Boromir]], the eleventh [[Steward of Gondor]] (not the [[Boromir]] of Frodo's company). He eventually died of his wound but did not become a wraith.<ref>{{App|Stewards}}</ref>
==Etymology==
 
''[[morgul]]'' means "(dark) sorcery" in [[Sindarin]].<ref>[http://www.jrrvf.com/hisweloke/sindar/online/english.html Hiswelókë's Sindarin Dictionary] (accessed 26 December 2010)</ref>
 
==Portrayal in adaptations==
 
'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
: The enchanted Morgul-knife, wielded by the Ringwraiths, strikes as short sword with many additional effects on a character.<ref>{{ICE|2010}}, p. 38</ref>
 
'''1995-8: ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]'':'''
: "Morgul-knife" modifies a Nazgûl's prowess, and affects the corruption points of a character. "Morgul-blade" is a Permanent-event card, playable by a Ringwraith or a Ringwraith follower.
 
'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
: Artist [[John Howe]] made the original design of the daggers of the Ringwraiths.<ref>[[Gary Russell]], ''[[The Art of The Fellowship of the Ring]]''</ref>


{{references}}
{{references}}

Revision as of 00:35, 22 December 2012

Morgul-blade by Audrey Corman

Morgul blades, or Morgul-knives,[1] were magical, poisoned daggers used by the Nazgûl.

History

Morgul-knife by Liz Danforth

A victim of a morgul blade was Boromir, the eleventh Steward of Gondor. He eventually died of his wound but did not become a wraith.[2]

At Weathertop, during his journey to Rivendell with the One Ring, the Hobbit Frodo Baggins was stabbed by the Lord of the Nazgûl.[3] A fragment of the blade remained within the wound, working its way toward his heart and threatening to turn Frodo into a wraith.[4] Elrond was able to remove the shard and heal the wound,[4] but each year on the anniversary of his stabbing Frodo became seriously ill. Only his eventual departure to Eldamar offered a permanent cure.[source?]

The Morgul blades disintergrated if anyone but the owner touched or picked up the blade.[source?]

Athelas (or Kingsfoil) was known to slow the poisonous effect of the morgul-blade. This treatment was also effective against other Mordor illnesses, such as the Black Breath.[source?]

Etymology

morgul means "(dark) sorcery" in Sindarin.[5]

Portrayal in adaptations

1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:

The enchanted Morgul-knife, wielded by the Ringwraiths, strikes as short sword with many additional effects on a character.[6]

1995-8: Middle-earth Collectible Card Game:

"Morgul-knife" modifies a Nazgûl's prowess, and affects the corruption points of a character. "Morgul-blade" is a Permanent-event card, playable by a Ringwraith or a Ringwraith follower.

2001-03: The Lord of the Rings (film series):

Artist John Howe made the original design of the daggers of the Ringwraiths.[7]

References

Weapons in Tolkien's legendarium
 Arrows:  Black Arrow · Dailir · Red Arrow
Axes:  Dramborleg · Durin's Axe
Bows:  Belthronding · Bow of Bregor · Bow of the Galadhrim
Knives:  Angrist · Barrow-blades · Morgul-knife · Sting
Maces:  Grond
Spears:  Aeglos
Swords:  Anglachel/Gurthang · Anguirel · Aranrúth · Dagmor · Glamdring · Glend · Gúthwinë · Herugrim · Narsil/Andúril ·  Orcrist · Ringil · Sword of Manwë