Morgul-knife

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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