Nameless things: Difference between revisions
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==Inspiration== | ==Inspiration== | ||
Todd Jensen suggests that the nameless things may have been inspired by the dragon Nidhog of Norse mythology, who gnawed at the roots of Yggdrasil the World Tree.<ref name=RC/> | Todd Jensen suggests that the nameless things may have been inspired by the dragon Nidhog of Norse mythology, who gnawed at the roots of Yggdrasil the World Tree.<ref name=RC/> | ||
==Portrayal in adaptations== | ==Portrayal in adaptations== | ||
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':''':Nameless is a creature type categorized as "Ancient Evil". They have a variety of shapes, but most of them are humanoid, only with no eyes or no head at all. They can be found in the [[Drúadan Forest]], having come out of the [[White Mountains]] during [[the Dawnless Day]]; and beneath the [[Iron Hills]], where a horde of [[Morgoth]]'s monsters were sealed away by the Dwarves long ago. The largest concentration of Nameless, however, are within the Foundations of Stone, the deepest level of Moria. The [[Watcher in the Water]] is also classified as Nameless, as is "Helchgam", another tentacled creature, found in the sewers of [[Carn Dûm]]. | '''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':''':Nameless is a creature type categorized as "Ancient Evil". They have a variety of shapes, but most of them are humanoid, only with no eyes or no head at all. They can be found in the [[Drúadan Forest]], having come out of the [[White Mountains]] during [[the Dawnless Day]]; and beneath the [[Iron Hills]], where a horde of [[Morgoth]]'s monsters were sealed away by the Dwarves long ago. The largest concentration of Nameless, however, are within the Foundations of Stone, the deepest level of Moria. The [[Watcher in the Water]] is also classified as Nameless, as is "Helchgam", another tentacled creature, found in the sewers of [[Carn Dûm]]. | ||
==External links== | ==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]] | * [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]] | ||
{{notes}} | |||
{{references}} | {{references}} | ||
Revision as of 18:03, 14 May 2022
| This article describes a concept which is mentioned in J.R.R. Tolkien's works, but was never given a definite name. |
The Nameless Things were things that were said by Gandalf to dwell so far beneath Arda (specifically the Misty Mountains) that not even the Dwarves had ever chanced to come upon them.[1]
History
These nameless things were said to be "slimier than fish" and preferred to dwell in darkness. They were known to have inhabited the caves deep within the hearts of mountains as far back as the Elder Days. When the Orcs of the Misty Mountains dug around Goblin-town, digging new tunnels and expanding and joining those that already existed, their original owners withdrew to the deepest depths and lurked beyond their knowledge.[2]
when telling his tale of his fight with Durin's Bane[note 1] to Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli in Fangorn Forest, Gandalf makes a mention of "nameless things" dwelling in the tunnels beneath Moria. He described them as being very ancient, though he admitted that he did not know their origins, their nature, and their appearance. Though Gandalf does state that he knows that they gnawed on the world, were older than Sauron, and that the dark lord knew nothing of them.[1]
Despite this, it is not clear how the nameless things could be "older" than Sauron, since as a Maia, Sauron is older than Eä itself. Hammond and Scull suggest this could have been a rhetorical flourish on Gandalf's part.[3]
Inspiration
Todd Jensen suggests that the nameless things may have been inspired by the dragon Nidhog of Norse mythology, who gnawed at the roots of Yggdrasil the World Tree.[3]
Portrayal in adaptations
2007: The Lord of the Rings Online::Nameless is a creature type categorized as "Ancient Evil". They have a variety of shapes, but most of them are humanoid, only with no eyes or no head at all. They can be found in the Drúadan Forest, having come out of the White Mountains during the Dawnless Day; and beneath the Iron Hills, where a horde of Morgoth's monsters were sealed away by the Dwarves long ago. The largest concentration of Nameless, however, are within the Foundations of Stone, the deepest level of Moria. The Watcher in the Water is also classified as Nameless, as is "Helchgam", another tentacled creature, found in the sewers of Carn Dûm.
External links
Notes
- ↑ Gandalf also reports in his tale that Durin's Bane was able to learn how to navigate in the tunnels while living in the depths of Moria. After Gandalf fell with him into the abyss, the Balrog knew his way up and found the Endless Stair. Gandalf considered the Balrog's knowledge of the darkness to be his only hope of escape, so he followed him closely out of the tunnels.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The White Rider", p. 501
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Riddles in the Dark"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, pp. 392-393
| 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 |
