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The secret and very ancient creatures that dwell in the dark depths of the world. [[Gandalf]] came upon them in the depths beneath [[Moria]], but would say nothing of them to his companions. All we know of them is that they gnawed dark tunnels far beneath the earth, through which Gandalf escaped from the depths of the chasm beneath [[Khazad-dûm]].
{{unnamed}}
{{quote|Far, far below the deepest delving of the Dwarves, the world is gnawed by nameless things. Even Sauron knows them not. They are older than he. Now I have walked there, but I will bring no report to darken the light of day.|[[Gandalf]]<ref name="tWR">{{TT|White}}</ref>}}
[[File:Heather Hudson - Nameless Thing.jpg|thumb|[[Heather Hudson]] - ''Nameless Thing'']]
'''Nameless Things'''  were creatures that are said to have dwelled in the depths of [[Arda]] (though they are only known to have lived under the [[Misty Mountains]]). They tunnelled deeper than any [[Dwarves|dwarf]] would ever go.<ref name="tWR"/>


[[category:Creatures]]
They were described by [[Gandalf]] as very ancient, but their actual origin is unknown. Their nature or appearance are a mystery, but since they are as old as the world, they must have been a part of the [[Music of the Ainur|Ainulindalë]]<ref>{{S|Ainu}}</ref> or (since Sauron knew them not), a by-product of it.
 
The [[Balrogs|Balrog]] known as [[Durin's Bane]] learned their tunnels while living in the depths of Moria. After Gandalf fell with him in the abyss, Durin's Bane seemed to know his way up and found the [[Endless Stair]]. He was Gandalf's only hope and he followed him.<ref name="tWR"/>
 
It is also possible the [[Watcher in the Water]]<ref>{{FR|Journey}}</ref> was one of these Nameless Things.
 
==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Nameless Things can be found in the Foundation of Stones, the deepest location of Moria. They appear as humanoid creatures that are all black and faceless.
 
==External links==
*[http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2014/01/21/what-are-the-nameless-things-gandalf-refers-to-below-khazad-dum/ What Are the Nameless Things Gandalf Refers to Below Khazad-dum?] by [[Michael Martinez]]
{{references}}
 
{{Legend}}
[[Category:Other races]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
 
[[de:Namenlose Wesen]]
[[fi:Nimettömät olennot]]

Revision as of 18:21, 3 March 2015

This article describes a concept which is mentioned in J.R.R. Tolkien's works, but was never given a definite name.
"Far, far below the deepest delving of the Dwarves, the world is gnawed by nameless things. Even Sauron knows them not. They are older than he. Now I have walked there, but I will bring no report to darken the light of day."
Gandalf[1]
Heather Hudson - Nameless Thing

Nameless Things were creatures that are said to have dwelled in the depths of Arda (though they are only known to have lived under the Misty Mountains). They tunnelled deeper than any dwarf would ever go.[1]

They were described by Gandalf as very ancient, but their actual origin is unknown. Their nature or appearance are a mystery, but since they are as old as the world, they must have been a part of the Ainulindalë[2] or (since Sauron knew them not), a by-product of it.

The Balrog known as Durin's Bane learned their tunnels while living in the depths of Moria. After Gandalf fell with him in the abyss, Durin's Bane seemed to know his way up and found the Endless Stair. He was Gandalf's only hope and he followed him.[1]

It is also possible the Watcher in the Water[3] was one of these Nameless Things.

Portrayal in adaptations

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Nameless Things can be found in the Foundation of Stones, the deepest location of Moria. They appear as humanoid creatures that are all black and faceless.

External links

References

Legendary races of Arda
 Animals:  Dumbledors · Gorcrows · Hummerhorns · Pards · Swans of Gorbelgod · Turtle-fish
Dragon-kind:  Sea-serpents · Spark-dragons · Were-worms
Evil Races:  Ettens · Giants · Half-trolls · Hobgoblins · Ogres · Snow-trolls · Two-headed Trolls
Other:  Badger-folk · Great beasts · Lintips · Mewlips · Nameless things · Spectres
Individuals:  Talking Gurthang · Talking purse · The Hunter · Lady of the Sun · Lonely Troll · Man in the Moon · The Rider · River-woman · Tarlang · Tim · Tom · White cow