Nazgûl: Difference between revisions

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{{Sources}}
{{race
{{race
|image=[[Image:Diego Iaconfcic - Black Riders.jpg|300px]]
|image=[[File:Nick Deligaris - Nazgûl.jpg|250px]]
|name=Nazgûl
|name=Nazgûl
|dominions=[[Angmar]], [[Dol Guldur]], [[Minas Morgul]]
|dominions=[[Angmar]], [[Dol Guldur]], [[Minas Morgul]]
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|distinctions=Without physical form
|distinctions=Without physical form
|lifespan=Indefinite
|lifespan=Indefinite
|members=[[Witch-king of Angmar]], [[Khamûl]]
|members=[[Witch-king|Witch-king of Angmar]], [[Khamûl]]
}}
}}


<center>{{quote| 'They come from [[Mordor]],' said [[Aragorn II|Strider]] in a low voice. 'From Mordor, [[Barliman Butterbur|Barliman]], if that means anything to you.' |''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[Strider (chapter)|Strider]]}}</center>
<center>{{quote| 'They come from [[Mordor]],' said [[Aragorn|Strider]] in a low voice. 'From Mordor, [[Barliman Butterbur|Barliman]], if that means anything to you.' |''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[Strider (chapter)|Strider]]}}</center>
The '''Nazgûl''' ([[Black Speech]]: '''Ringwraiths''', sometimes written '''''Ring-wraiths'''''), also known as the '''Nine Riders''' or '''Black Riders''' (or simply '''the Nine'''), are evil servants of [[Sauron]] in [[Middle-earth]]. The rarely used [[Quenya]] name for them is '''''Úlairi'''''. The Nazgûl are [[Sauron]]'s "most terrible servants".
The '''[[#Etymology|Nazgûl]]''' ([[Black Speech]]: '''Ringwraiths''', sometimes written '''''Ring-wraiths'''''), also known as the '''Nine Riders''' or '''Black Riders''' (or simply '''the Nine'''), were [[Sauron]]'s "most terrible servants" in [[Middle-earth]].


== History ==
==History==
The nine Nazgûl arose as Sauron's most powerful servants in the [[Second Age]] of Middle-earth. It is said that three of the Nine were lords of [[Númenor]] corrupted by Sauron. They were all powerful mortal [[Men]] to whom Sauron gave nine [[Rings of Power]]. These proved to be their undoing:
[[File:The Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy - The Nine.jpg|thumb|400px]]
{{quote|Those who used the Nine Rings became mighty in their day, kings, sorcerers, and warriors of old. They obtained glory and great wealth, yet it turned to their undoing. They had, as it seemed, unending life, yet life became unendurable to them. They could walk, if they would, unseen by all eyes in this world beneath the sun, and they could see things in worlds invisible to mortal men; but too often they beheld only the phantoms and delusions of Sauron. And one by one, sooner or later, according to their native strength and to the good or evil of their wills in the beginning, they fell under the thralldom of the ring that they bore and of the domination of the One which was Sauron's. And they became forever invisible save to him that wore the Ruling Ring, and they entered into the realm of shadows. The Nazgûl were they, the Ringwraiths, the Enemy's most terrible servants; darkness went with them, and they cried with the voices of death.|''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]"}}


[[Image:John Howe - Nazgul.jpg|thumb|left|''Nazgûl'' by [[John Howe]]]]
Sometime during the [[Second Age]] (after year {{SA|1600}}<ref group=note>Sauron created the One Ring around this year, and later distributed the Nine Rings (cf. {{App|B}} and {{UT|Concerning}}).</ref>) Sauron gave [[Nine Rings|nine Rings of Power]] to powerful mortal [[Men]]. It is said that three of the Nine were lords of [[Númenor]] corrupted by Sauron,<ref name=Akallabeth>{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref> and one was a king among the [[Easterlings]].<ref name=Black/>
For many years the bearers used the rings to gain great wealth, prestige and power. The corrupting effect of the rings caused their bodily forms to fade over time until they had become wraiths entirely. Given form only through the attire of black cloaks and hauberks of silver mail, their original form was completely gone and invisible to mortal eyes. Their hypnotic eyes could be plainly distinguished from their dark clothing, and in a rage they appeared in a hellish fire. Untouchable to mortal men (unless blessed by weapons or tools of the ancient [[Elves]] of the [[First Age]] or by the [[Dúnedain]], such as the barrow-blade used by [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] on the [[Witch-king of Angmar]]), they had many weapons, which included long swords of steel and flame, daggers with venomous properties, and black maces of great strength.


Their arsenal of deadly armaments was not confined to physical means; they also had seemingly magical weapons of devastating power. They were surrounded by an aura of terror, which affected all living creatures; their "breath" (called the ''[[Black Breath]]'') was poisonous, and their cries caused terror and despair in all who heard them. Some of the Nazgûl appear to have been accomplished sorcerers and used magic to devastating effect. According to Tolkien, though, it was the fear they inspired that was the chief danger:
For many years the bearers used the rings to gain great wealth, prestige and power, becoming "''mighty in their day, kings, sorcerers, and warriors of old''". The effect of the rings caused their lives to be prolonged, and to see things of the [[Unseen]]. But over time their bodily forms faded until they became [[wraiths]] entirely, slaves under the domination of Sauron's [[One Ring]].<ref name=Rings/>
{{quote|They have no great physical power against the fearless," he wrote, "but what they have, and the fear that they inspire, is enormously increased in darkness|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]''}}
 
Known as the Nazgûl, they first appeared around {{SA|2251}}<ref name=AppB1/> and were soon established as Sauron's principal servants.


The Nazgûl first appeared around [[Second Age 2251]] and were soon established as Sauron's principal servants. They were dispersed after the first overthrow of Sauron in 3441 at the hands of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]], but their survival was nonetheless assured while the [[One Ring]] persisted. They re-emerged around 1300 of the [[Third Age]], when the Lord of the Nazgûl, the [[Witch-king of Angmar]], led Sauron's forces against the human kingdom of [[Arnor]]. He was eventually defeated in battle in 1975 and returned to [[Mordor]], gathering the other Nazgûl in preparation for the return of Sauron to that realm. In 2000, they besieged [[Minas Ithil]] and captured it after a two-year siege. The city thereafter became the stronghold of the Nazgûl, from where they directed the rebuilding of Sauron's armies, also acquiring a [[palantíri|palantír]] for the Dark Lord.
They were dispersed after the first overthrow of Sauron in {{SA|3441}} at the hands of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]],<ref name=AppB1>{{App|B1}}</ref> but re-emerged around {{TA|1300}} of the [[Third Age]]. The Lord of the Nazgûl, the [[Witch-king|Witch-king of Angmar]], led Sauron's forces against the mannish kingdom of [[Arnor]] in {{TA|1409}}. He was eventually defeated in battle in {{TA|1975}} and returned to [[Mordor]], gathering the other Nazgûl in preparation for the return of Sauron to that realm. In {{TA|2000}}, they besieged [[Minas Ithil]] and captured it after a two-year siege. The city thereafter became the stronghold of the Nazgûl, from where they directed the rebuilding of Sauron's armies, also acquiring a [[palantíri|palantír]] for the Dark Lord.<ref name=AppB2>{{App|B2}}</ref>
[[File:Ted_Nasmith_-_The_Nazgûl.jpg|thumb|200px|''The Nazgûl'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
In {{TA|2942}} Sauron returned to Mordor and declared himself openly in {{TA|2951}}. Three of the Nazgûl were sent to his fortress at [[Dol Guldur]] to garrison that outpost.<ref name=AppB2/>


In 2942 Sauron returned to Mordor and declared himself openly in 2951. Two or three of the Nazgûl were sent to his fortress at [[Dol Guldur]] to garrison that outpost.  
In {{TA|3017}} Sauron commanded the Ringwraiths to recover [[the One Ring]] of Power from "Baggins of the Shire". Disguised as horse riders clad in black (hence the term ''Black Riders''), they sought out [[Bilbo Baggins]] who, as [[Gollum]] had revealed, had the One Ring in his possession.


In [[Third Age 3017]] Sauron commanded the Ringwraiths to recover the [[One Ring]] of Power from "Baggins of the Shire". Disguised as horse riders clad in black (hence the term ''Black Riders''), they sought out [[Bilbo Baggins]] who, as [[Gollum]] had revealed, had the One Ring in his possession.
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Attack of the Wraiths.jpg|thumb|''The Attack of the Wraiths'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
The Nazgûl at this point were dependent on their black horses (stolen from [[Rohan]]) for transportation. When they were swept away by the waters of the river [[Bruinen]], their horses were killed.  The Ringwraiths were forced to return to Mordor to regroup. They reappeared later mounted on [[Fell beasts|flying creatures]], at which point they were referred to as '''Winged Nazgûl'''.
The Nazgûl at this point were dependent on their black horses (stolen from [[Rohan]]) for transportation. When they were swept away by the waters of the river [[Bruinen]], their horses were killed.  The Ringwraiths were forced to return to Mordor to regroup. They reappeared later mounted on [[Fell beasts|flying creatures]], at which point they were referred to as '''Winged Nazgûl'''.
[[Image:Ted_Nasmith_-_The_Nazgûl.jpg|left|thumb|200px|''The Nazgûl'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
By the conclusion of the [[War of the Ring]], all of the Nine Nazgûl were destroyed.  The [[Witch-king_of_Angmar|Lord of the Nazgûl]] himself was slain by [[Éowyn]], the niece of King [[Théoden]] (with help from [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]], known as "The Magnificent" thereafter) during the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].  The remaining eight Ringwraiths attacked the Army of the West during the last battle at the [[Black Gate]].  However, when [[Frodo Baggins]] put on the ring in the fires of [[Mount Doom]], Sauron ordered the eight remaining Nazgûl to fly with all possible speed to Mount Doom to intercept Frodo. They arrived too late, with the Ring falling into the fire along with the hapless Gollum. The Nazgûl were caught in the firestorm of the erupting mountain and were destroyed.


== Identities ==
By the conclusion of the [[War of the Ring]], all of the Nine Nazgûl were destroyed.  The [[Witch-king|Lord of the Nazgûl]] himself was slain by [[Éowyn]], the niece of King [[Théoden]] (with help from [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]], known as "The Magnificent" thereafter) during the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].  The remaining eight Ringwraiths attacked the Army of the West during the last battle at the [[Black Gate]].  However, when [[Frodo Baggins]] put on the ring in the fires of [[Mount Doom]], Sauron ordered the eight remaining Nazgûl to fly with all possible speed to Mount Doom to intercept Frodo. They arrived too late, with the Ring falling into the fire along with the hapless Gollum. The Nazgûl were caught in the firestorm of the erupting mountain and were destroyed.


Only a few of the Nazgûl are named or identified individually in Tolkien's works. Their leader was the [[Witch-king of Angmar]], and his second in command was named [[Khamûl]]. At least three of them were of [[Black Númenóreans|Black Númenórean]] race{{fact}}. Khamûl was a lord of [[Easterlings]], and was the only Nazgûl known by his name.
== Powers and Abilities ==


[[Gothmog, Lieutenant of Morgul]], may have been one of the Nazgûl. It is also possible that either [[Herumor (Black Númenórean)|Herumor]] or [[Fuinur]], or both, became Nazgûl. They were renegade Númenóreans who rose to great power among the Haradrim and it is highly likely that Sauron would have wanted them as Ringwraiths.
{{quote|The Nazgûl were they, the Ringwraiths, the Enemy's most terrible servants; darkness went with them, and they cried with the voices of death.|''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]"}}


== Powers and Abilities ==
Given form only through the attire of black cloaks and hauberks of silver mail, their original form was completely gone and invisible to mortal eyes. Their hypnotic eyes could be plainly distinguished from their dark clothing, and in a rage they appeared in a hellish fire. Untouchable to mortal men (unless blessed by weapons or tools of the ancient [[Elves]] of the [[First Age]] or by the [[Dúnedain]], such as the barrow-blade used by [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] on the [[Witch-king|Witch-king of Angmar]]), they had many weapons, which included long swords of steel and flame, daggers with venomous properties, and black maces of great strength.
[[File:Ted Nasmith - The Attack of the Wraiths.jpg|thumb|''The Attack of the Wraiths'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
Their arsenal of deadly armaments was not confined to physical means; they also had seemingly magical weapons of devastating power. They were surrounded by an aura of terror, which affected all living creatures; their "breath" (called the ''[[Black Breath]]'') was poisonous, and their cries caused terror and despair in all who heard them. Some of the Nazgûl appear to have been accomplished sorcerers and used magic to devastating effect. According to Tolkien, though, it was the fear they inspired that was the chief danger:
{{quote|They have no great physical power against the fearless," he wrote, "but what they have, and the fear that they inspire, is enormously increased in darkness|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]''}}


The Nazgûl existed mostly in the wraith world (the [[Unseen]]), making them extremely difficult to harm.  Ordinary weapons would not hurt them, and even weapons of [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] manufacture would be destroyed if they passed through the wraith forms of the Nazgûl.  They could not, however, interact normally with the material world (the [[Seen]]): they needed garments and weapons provided by Sauron to give them form.  Consequently, they could be defeated by attacks that destroyed their disguises, forcing them to return to [[Sauron]] to receive new ones.
The Nazgûl existed mostly in the wraith world (the [[Unseen]]), making them extremely difficult to harm.  Ordinary weapons would not hurt them, and even weapons of [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] manufacture would be destroyed if they passed through the wraith forms of the Nazgûl.  They could not, however, interact normally with the material world (the [[Seen]]): they needed garments and weapons provided by Sauron to give them form.  Consequently, they could be defeated by attacks that destroyed their disguises, forcing them to return to [[Sauron]] to receive new ones.
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They were also poisonous to mortal beings, causing a condition known as the [[Black Breath]].  Merely being in the vicinity of one of them could cause disorientation and illness.  Intense exposure could be lethal.
They were also poisonous to mortal beings, causing a condition known as the [[Black Breath]].  Merely being in the vicinity of one of them could cause disorientation and illness.  Intense exposure could be lethal.


The Nazgûl had poor vision in the material world, but they were acutely aware of the beings with a presence in the wraith world, like the wearer of the [[One Ring]] and certain elves.  Anyone who could see into the wraith world could see the Nazgûl as they had appeared in their mortal lives.
The Nazgûl had poor vision in the material world, but they were acutely aware of the beings with a presence in the wraith world, like the wearer of [[the One Ring]] and certain elves.  Anyone who could see into the wraith world could see the Nazgûl as they had appeared in their mortal lives.


The [[Witch King]] could also affect matter with his voice, shattering the dagger that Frodo had gotten in the [[Barrow Downs]] and weakening the gates of [[Minas Tirith]].  Whether other Nazgûl could perform similar feats is unknown.
The [[Witch-king]] could also affect matter with his voice, shattering the dagger that Frodo had gotten in the [[Barrow-downs]] and weakening the gates of [[Minas Tirith]].  Whether other Nazgûl could perform similar feats is unknown.
 
== Identities ==
 
Only a few of the Nazgûl are named or identified individually. Their leader was the [[Witch-king|Witch-king of Angmar]], and his second in command was named [[Khamûl]]. Khamûl was a lord of [[Easterlings]],<ref name=Black>{{UT|Black}}</ref> and was the only Nazgûl known by his name. Three of them were [[Númenóreans]].<ref name=Akallabeth/>


== Other Titles ==
* The Ringwraiths
* The Black Riders
* The Fell Riders
* The Nine Riders
* The Black Wings
* The Shadows
* The Nine
* The Nine Servants of the Lord of the Rings
* The Shriekers
* [[Úlairi]] ([[Quenya]])
==Etymology==
==Etymology==
The term is [[Black Speech]] and composed by ''[[nazg]]'' and ''[[gûl]]'' meaning something like "Ring-servant of Sauron", translated loosely as "Ringwraith". The word is used both in singular and plural.
 
''Nazgûl'' means "ringwraiths" in the [[Black Speech]] (consisting of ''[[nazg]]'' + ''[[gûl]]'').<ref>{{PE|17}}, pp. 31, 79, 125</ref>
 
== Other names and titles ==
 
An [[Elvish]] name given for the Ringwraiths is '''''Úlairi'''''.<ref name=Rings>{{S|Rings}}</ref><ref>{{PM|Akallabeth}}, p. 153 (§30)</ref> Linguists have remarked that it is a [[Quenya]] plural name of unknown meaning and etymology.<ref>{{webcite|author=[[Helge Fauskanger]]|articleurl=http://folk.uib.no/hnohf/eng-quen.rtf|articlename=English-Quenya Wordlist (Quettaparma Quenyanna)|dated=|website=Arda|accessed=25 June 2011}}</ref><ref>[[Ruth S. Noel]], ''[[The Languages of Tolkien's Middle-earth]]''</ref>
 
Among their many names and titles were: the Ringwraiths, the Black Riders, the Fell Riders, the Nine Riders, the Black Wings, the Shadows, the Nine, the Nine Servants of the Lord of the Rings, and the Shriekers


== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
'''1978: ''[[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
'''1978: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)]]'':'''
:The Nine are clad in brown and black, and have red eyes. The attack on ''[[The Prancing Pony]]'' is their deed, not that of any accomplices.
:The Nine are clad in brown and black, and have red eyes. The attack on ''[[The Prancing Pony]]'' is their deed, not that of any accomplices. After the attack, they cast off their hoods, revealing the black armour and hideous masks they wear beneath their cloaks.


'''1980: ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King]]''
'''1980: ''[[The Return of the King (1980 film)]]''
:The Nine are skull headed demons, who ride winged horses. The Witch-king himself rides a dragon-like creature, and has no face. Only a suspended crown and two red eyes can be seen. The Nazgûl have the [[Red Eye]] of [[Barad-dûr]] rather than the emblem of [[Minas Morgul]].  
:The Nine are skull headed demons, who ride winged horses. The Witch-king himself rides a dragon-like creature, and has no face. Only a suspended crown and two red eyes can be seen. The Nazgûl have the [[Red Eye]] of [[Barad-dûr]] rather than the emblem of [[Minas Morgul]].  


'''1981: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
'''1981: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:The role of the Ringwraiths was expanded with material from ''[[The Hunt for the Ring]]''.  
:The role of the Ringwraiths was expanded with material from ''[[The Hunt for the Ring]]''.  
'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
:The name of the eight, other than Khamûl, are given as ''Er-Murazor'' (the [[Witch-king]], of Númenórean race), ''Dwar'', ''Ji Indur'', ''Akhorahil'' (Númenórean), ''Hoarmurath'', ''Adunaphel'' (female Númenórean), ''Ren'' and ''Uvatha''.<ref>{{ICE|Mannish}}</ref><ref>{{ICE|Angus}}</ref>
'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
[[File:WiMe-Nazgûl-1-.png|thumb|200px]]
:The Nazgûl are portrayed as black figures with red eyes and purple mantle.
'''2001-: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]'':'''
:All the Nazgûl are named - The Witch-king of Angmar, The Dark Marshal, Khamûl The Easterling, The Betrayer, The Shadow Lord, The Undying, The [[Dwimmerlaik]], The Tainted and The Knight of [[Umbar]].


'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
:Black Riders form a threat in the Shire-stages of the game, where they need to be avoided by the player (in the persona of [[Frodo Baggins]]), and as the end boss for the game (in the persona of [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]]). They are tall and robed in black, and nothing is seen underneath.  
:Black Riders form a threat in the Shire-stages of the game, where they need to be avoided by the player (in the persona of [[Frodo Baggins]]), and as the end boss for the game (in the persona of [[Aragorn]]). They are tall and robed in black, and nothing is seen underneath.  


'''2001-3: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]]'':'''
'''2001-3: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]]'':'''
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:After the death of the Witch-king, the other eight are taken out by [[eagles]] and debris from [[Mount Doom]], however, nothing is told of their individual fates.  
:After the death of the Witch-king, the other eight are taken out by [[eagles]] and debris from [[Mount Doom]], however, nothing is told of their individual fates.  


'''2004: ''[[EA's The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
'''2001-7: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game]]'':'''
:The Nazgûl, other than the Witch-king, are given [[Neo-Elvish|Neo-Quenya]] titles based on their numbers, and various English titles:
*Úlairë Attëa (from ''[[atta]]'' = 2); Black Predator, Keeper of Dol Guldur, Second of the Nine Riders, The Easterling.
*Úlairë Nelya (from ''[[neldë]]'' = 3); Black Hunter, Lieutenant of Morgul, Third of the Nine Riders
*Úlairë Cantëa (from ''[[canta]]'' = 4); Black Assassin, Lieutenant of Dol Guldur, Fourth of the Nine Riders
*Úlairë Lemenya (from ''[[lempe]]'' = 5); Black Enemy, Lieutenant of Morgul, Fifth of the Nine Riders
*Úlairë Enquëa (from ''[[enquë]]'' = 6); Black Threat, Lieutenant of Morgul, Sixth of the Nine Riders
*Úlairë Ostëa [''sic'', later corrected to Úlairë Otsëa] (from ''[[otso]]'' = 7); Black Specter, Lieutenant of Morgul, Seventh of the Nine Riders
*Úlairë Toldëa (from ''[[tolto]]'' = 8); Black Shadow, Messenger of Morgul, Eight of the Nine Riders
*Úlairë Nertëa (from ''[[nertë]]'' = 9); Black Horseman, Messenger of Dol Guldur, Ninth of the Nine Riders.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?t=801|articlename=Naming the Nazgul|dated=|website=[http://forum.barrowdowns.com/index.php? Forum.Barrowdowns.com]|accessed=31 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.tradecardsonline.com/im/selectCard/game_id/1/goal/|articlename=Lord Of The Rings (search function)|dated=|website=[http://www.tradecardsonline.com/ Trade Cards Online]|accessed=31 July 2012}}</ref>
 
'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:The Mordor faction has two different Nazgûl units: "Witch-king on Fell Beast" and "Nazgûl on Fell Beast". They are primarily used for scouting and surprise attacks.
:The Mordor faction has two different Nazgûl units: "Witch-king on Fell Beast" and "Nazgûl on Fell Beast". They are primarily used for scouting and surprise attacks.
[[File:The Lord of the Rings War in the North - Nazgûl.jpg|200px|thumb|The Nazgûl attack [[Sarn Ford]] in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''.]]


'''2006: ''[[EA's The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
'''2006: ''[[EA's The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:A new Ringwriath is introduced in the expansion pack, ''[[EA's The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-king|The Rise of the Witch-king]]''. Morgomir is the "Lieutenant of Carn-Dûm", the right-hand man of the Witch-king, of [[Black Númenóreans|Black Númenórean]] descent. The design is similar to that in [[Peter Jackson]]'s films: he is hooded and cloaked when he works for the Mordor faction, and white and ghostly when he fights for Angmar.
:A new Ringwraith is introduced in the expansion pack, ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-king|The Rise of the Witch-king]]''. Morgomir is the "Lieutenant of Carn-Dûm", the right-hand man of the Witch-king, of [[Black Númenóreans|Black Númenórean]] descent. The design is similar to that in [[Peter Jackson]]'s films: he is hooded and cloaked when he works for the Mordor faction, and white and ghostly when he fights for Angmar.


===Middle-earth Role Playing===
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
The [[Middle-earth Role Playing]] games by [[Iron Crown Enterprises]] name the eight, other than Khamûl, ''Er-Murazor'' (the [[Witch-king of Angmar|Witch-king]], of Númenórean race), ''Dwar'', ''Ji Indur'', ''Akhorahil''(Númenórean), ''Hoarmurath'', ''Adunaphel'' (female Númenórean), ''Ren'' and ''Uvatha''.  
:The Nazgûl appear several times throughout the game. Hobbit characters first witness the Black Riders in the Shire during the Prologue. Early in the game one of the Nine wounds a Dunedain Ranger Amdir with a Morgul blade, who is later transformed into a Wraith himself, despite the bess efforts of Free Peoples. Later, the player attempts to resist the troubles the Nine are spreading in Bree-Land. Various people along their path - from Hobbits, to Men of Bree, to people east of Amon Sul - note how the local wildlife became unusually aggressive lately, though few connect it to the influence of Nazgûl.
:As stated in ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', only eight horses of the Wraiths were found along the shores of Bruinen. Glorfindel, Elrond and his sons all enlist you to find the missing one - and while the horse is eventually found, it is clear the the Nazgûl himself escaped. The player foils his attempts to organize the Trolls of the Trollshaws and pursues him into the [[Misty Mountains]], where the severely weakened Wraith is finally defeated, with his spirit send back to Mordor.
:During the Fellowship's stay in [[Lothlorien]], the Galadhrim Elves launch a military strike against [[Dol Guldur]], to draw the attention of the Eye from the company departing down the Shores of Anduin. At this point, three Nazgûl reside in the fortress, their names are given as "The Black Blade of Lebennin", "The Gloom of Nurn" and the strongest of them three "The Lieutenant of Dol Guldur". A large force of players confronts the Lieutenant and his Fell Beast at the chief tower of Dol Guldur.
:During their travel down the waters of the Great River, Legolas shot and killed a fell shadow in the sky, not knowing it to be a Nazgûl. The player is later able to find the corpse of the fell beast in the [[Brown Lands]] and it becomes clear that a Nazgûl is not far - only this time the player cannot receive help from Elrond or Galadriel, who helped him survive two last encounters. At night, the Wraith ambushes your friends, but the player manages to drive him away with the use of fire. A girl named Nona is wounded in this fight, but the Free Peoples managed to bring her to Lady Galadriel in time to heal the wound.
'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:In the Evil Campaign, the Eight Nazgûl bring Witch-King back to life after Sauron reclaims The One Ring.


These names have been so widespread that some think they are [[canon]] i.e. referenced by Tolkien, however they are not: It is particularly unlikely, in the context of the books, that any of the Nazgûl would have been female. Nor is it clear who were of Númenórean descent: only Khamûl's origin is given with certainty, and he was an Easterling. While the Witch-king is by many thought of as a Númenórean lord, this cannot be confirmed by any statement in Tolkien's writings.
'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:The Nazgûl appear in a flasback during the prologue of the game, in which they attack the [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]] at [[Sarn Ford]], the entrance of [[the Shire]]. Later in the flashback their leader, the [[Witch-king]], speaks with [[Agandaûr]].<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], ''Prologue''</ref>


==Trivia==
== See Also ==
* The term ''Nazgûl'' has been used to refer to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM IBM's] cadre of lawyers, with whom it has been said that IBM can blacken the sky.
* '''[[:Category:Images of Nazgûl|Images of Nazgûl]]'''
* Nâzgul is a girl's name of Persian origin, adopted in various Middle-eastern languages, meaning "Shy rose" or "delicate flower".
* the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]]
* George R. R. Martin's novel The Armageddon Rag is about a fictional rock band named the Nazgûl.
* [[Khamûl]]
* Nazgûl is also the name of an Orkish black metal band from Italy, who sing The Lord of the Rings-inspired songs in Latin.
* Nazgûl is also the name of a pagan black metal band from Spain. Commonly mistaken for the Italian Orkish black metal band and the Norwegian band of the same name.
* The bird-like Ra'zac from Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Trilogy are heavily inspired by the steeds of the Nazgûl, particularly their breath, which acts as a mind-numbing drug of sorts.
* In Led Zeppelin's "The Battle of Evermore" (from Led Zeppelin IV) there is an allusion to a Ringwraith. One of the lyrics reads, "The drums will shake the castle walls, the ringwraiths ride in black, ride on."
* The Garo from The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask somewhat resemble the Ringwraiths. The Garo are undead "shells" that are basically robes. The Garo spy on the undead Ikana. The four Poes that haunt the Arbiter's Grounds in Twilight Princess also resemble them.
* Nazgûl appear as enemies in the roguelike computer game NetHack. They breathe a gas that can put your character to sleep, and carry cursed rings that bestow invisibility.


==References==
{{references|note}}
<small>
* ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', passim.
* ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', passim.
* ''[[The Two Towers]]'', passim.
* ''[[The Two Towers]]'', passim.
* ''[[The Return of the King]]'', passim.
* ''[[The Return of the King]]'', passim.
* ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]]
* ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix B]]
* ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', [[The Hunt for the Ring]]
* ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', [[The Hunt for the Ring]]
* ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Akallabêth]]
* ''[[The Silmarillion]], [[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]"
* ''[[The Treason of Isengard]]'', [[The Great River (HoMe)|The Great River]]
* ''[[The Treason of Isengard]]'', [[The Great River (HoMe)|The Great River]]
* ''[[The War of the Ring]]'', [[The Passage of the Marshes (HoMe)|The Passage of the Marshes]]
* ''[[The War of the Ring]]'', [[The Passage of the Marshes (HoMe)|The Passage of the Marshes]]
* ''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', [[Letter 156|#156]], [[Letter 210|#210]], [[Letter 212|#212]], [[Letter 246|#246]], [[Letter 297|#297]]
* ''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', [[Letter 156|#156]], [[Letter 210|#210]], [[Letter 212|#212]], [[Letter 246|#246]], [[Letter 297|#297]]
* [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[Guide to the Names in The Lord of the Rings]]'', in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]]'' (edited by [[Wayne G. Hammond|W. G. Hammond]] and [[Christina Scull|C. Scull]])
* [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[Guide to the Names in The Lord of the Rings]]'', in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]]'' (edited by [[Wayne G. Hammond|W. G. Hammond]] and [[Christina Scull|C. Scull]])
</small>


== See Also ==
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nazgul}}
* '''[[:Category:Images of Nazgûl|Images of Nazgûl]]'''
[[Category:Black Speech words]]
* the [[Witch-King of Angmar]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
* [[Khamûl]]
 
[[Category:Creatures]]
[[Category:Nazgûl]]
[[Category:Nazgûl]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Undead]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/hommes/3a/nazgul]]
[[fa:نزگول]]

Revision as of 15:47, 23 October 2012

"Who told you, and who sent you?" — Gandalf
This article or section needs more/new/more-detailed sources to conform to a higher standard and to provide proof for claims made.
Nazgûl
Race
Nick Deligaris - Nazgûl.jpg
General Information
MembersWitch-king of Angmar, Khamûl
Physical Description
LifespanIndefinite
DistinctionsWithout physical form
Average heightMan-high
GalleryImages of Nazgûl
" 'They come from Mordor,' said Strider in a low voice. 'From Mordor, Barliman, if that means anything to you.' "
The Fellowship of the Ring, Strider

The Nazgûl (Black Speech: Ringwraiths, sometimes written Ring-wraiths), also known as the Nine Riders or Black Riders (or simply the Nine), were Sauron's "most terrible servants" in Middle-earth.

History

The Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy - The Nine.jpg

Sometime during the Second Age (after year S.A. 1600[note 1]) Sauron gave nine Rings of Power to powerful mortal Men. It is said that three of the Nine were lords of Númenor corrupted by Sauron,[1] and one was a king among the Easterlings.[2]

For many years the bearers used the rings to gain great wealth, prestige and power, becoming "mighty in their day, kings, sorcerers, and warriors of old". The effect of the rings caused their lives to be prolonged, and to see things of the Unseen. But over time their bodily forms faded until they became wraiths entirely, slaves under the domination of Sauron's One Ring.[3]

Known as the Nazgûl, they first appeared around S.A. 2251[4] and were soon established as Sauron's principal servants.

They were dispersed after the first overthrow of Sauron in S.A. 3441 at the hands of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men,[4] but re-emerged around T.A. 1300 of the Third Age. The Lord of the Nazgûl, the Witch-king of Angmar, led Sauron's forces against the mannish kingdom of Arnor in T.A. 1409. He was eventually defeated in battle in T.A. 1975 and returned to Mordor, gathering the other Nazgûl in preparation for the return of Sauron to that realm. In T.A. 2000, they besieged Minas Ithil and captured it after a two-year siege. The city thereafter became the stronghold of the Nazgûl, from where they directed the rebuilding of Sauron's armies, also acquiring a palantír for the Dark Lord.[5]

The Nazgûl by Ted Nasmith

In T.A. 2942 Sauron returned to Mordor and declared himself openly in T.A. 2951. Three of the Nazgûl were sent to his fortress at Dol Guldur to garrison that outpost.[5]

In T.A. 3017 Sauron commanded the Ringwraiths to recover the One Ring of Power from "Baggins of the Shire". Disguised as horse riders clad in black (hence the term Black Riders), they sought out Bilbo Baggins who, as Gollum had revealed, had the One Ring in his possession.

The Nazgûl at this point were dependent on their black horses (stolen from Rohan) for transportation. When they were swept away by the waters of the river Bruinen, their horses were killed. The Ringwraiths were forced to return to Mordor to regroup. They reappeared later mounted on flying creatures, at which point they were referred to as Winged Nazgûl.

By the conclusion of the War of the Ring, all of the Nine Nazgûl were destroyed. The Lord of the Nazgûl himself was slain by Éowyn, the niece of King Théoden (with help from Merry, known as "The Magnificent" thereafter) during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. The remaining eight Ringwraiths attacked the Army of the West during the last battle at the Black Gate. However, when Frodo Baggins put on the ring in the fires of Mount Doom, Sauron ordered the eight remaining Nazgûl to fly with all possible speed to Mount Doom to intercept Frodo. They arrived too late, with the Ring falling into the fire along with the hapless Gollum. The Nazgûl were caught in the firestorm of the erupting mountain and were destroyed.

Powers and Abilities

"The Nazgûl were they, the Ringwraiths, the Enemy's most terrible servants; darkness went with them, and they cried with the voices of death."
The Silmarillion, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"

Given form only through the attire of black cloaks and hauberks of silver mail, their original form was completely gone and invisible to mortal eyes. Their hypnotic eyes could be plainly distinguished from their dark clothing, and in a rage they appeared in a hellish fire. Untouchable to mortal men (unless blessed by weapons or tools of the ancient Elves of the First Age or by the Dúnedain, such as the barrow-blade used by Merry on the Witch-king of Angmar), they had many weapons, which included long swords of steel and flame, daggers with venomous properties, and black maces of great strength.

The Attack of the Wraiths by Ted Nasmith

Their arsenal of deadly armaments was not confined to physical means; they also had seemingly magical weapons of devastating power. They were surrounded by an aura of terror, which affected all living creatures; their "breath" (called the Black Breath) was poisonous, and their cries caused terror and despair in all who heard them. Some of the Nazgûl appear to have been accomplished sorcerers and used magic to devastating effect. According to Tolkien, though, it was the fear they inspired that was the chief danger:

"They have no great physical power against the fearless," he wrote, "but what they have, and the fear that they inspire, is enormously increased in darkness"
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien

The Nazgûl existed mostly in the wraith world (the Unseen), making them extremely difficult to harm. Ordinary weapons would not hurt them, and even weapons of Númenórean manufacture would be destroyed if they passed through the wraith forms of the Nazgûl. They could not, however, interact normally with the material world (the Seen): they needed garments and weapons provided by Sauron to give them form. Consequently, they could be defeated by attacks that destroyed their disguises, forcing them to return to Sauron to receive new ones.

The Nazgûl spread terror in mortal creatures merely by their presence. Only specially trained horses or the fell beasts of Mordor could bear them. They caused panic and despair in their enemies simply by flying overhead, and only individuals of great courage could face them in combat.

They were also poisonous to mortal beings, causing a condition known as the Black Breath. Merely being in the vicinity of one of them could cause disorientation and illness. Intense exposure could be lethal.

The Nazgûl had poor vision in the material world, but they were acutely aware of the beings with a presence in the wraith world, like the wearer of the One Ring and certain elves. Anyone who could see into the wraith world could see the Nazgûl as they had appeared in their mortal lives.

The Witch-king could also affect matter with his voice, shattering the dagger that Frodo had gotten in the Barrow-downs and weakening the gates of Minas Tirith. Whether other Nazgûl could perform similar feats is unknown.

Identities

Only a few of the Nazgûl are named or identified individually. Their leader was the Witch-king of Angmar, and his second in command was named Khamûl. Khamûl was a lord of Easterlings,[2] and was the only Nazgûl known by his name. Three of them were Númenóreans.[1]

Etymology

Nazgûl means "ringwraiths" in the Black Speech (consisting of nazg + gûl).[6]

Other names and titles

An Elvish name given for the Ringwraiths is Úlairi.[3][7] Linguists have remarked that it is a Quenya plural name of unknown meaning and etymology.[8][9]

Among their many names and titles were: the Ringwraiths, the Black Riders, the Fell Riders, the Nine Riders, the Black Wings, the Shadows, the Nine, the Nine Servants of the Lord of the Rings, and the Shriekers

Portrayal in Adaptations

1978: The Lord of the Rings (1978 film):

The Nine are clad in brown and black, and have red eyes. The attack on The Prancing Pony is their deed, not that of any accomplices. After the attack, they cast off their hoods, revealing the black armour and hideous masks they wear beneath their cloaks.

1980: The Return of the King (1980 film)

The Nine are skull headed demons, who ride winged horses. The Witch-king himself rides a dragon-like creature, and has no face. Only a suspended crown and two red eyes can be seen. The Nazgûl have the Red Eye of Barad-dûr rather than the emblem of Minas Morgul.

1981: BBC Radio's The Lord of the Rings:

The role of the Ringwraiths was expanded with material from The Hunt for the Ring.

1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:

The name of the eight, other than Khamûl, are given as Er-Murazor (the Witch-king, of Númenórean race), Dwar, Ji Indur, Akhorahil (Númenórean), Hoarmurath, Adunaphel (female Númenórean), Ren and Uvatha.[10][11]

1988: J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth:

The Nazgûl are portrayed as black figures with red eyes and purple mantle.

2001-: The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game:

All the Nazgûl are named - The Witch-king of Angmar, The Dark Marshal, Khamûl The Easterling, The Betrayer, The Shadow Lord, The Undying, The Dwimmerlaik, The Tainted and The Knight of Umbar.

2002: Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring

Black Riders form a threat in the Shire-stages of the game, where they need to be avoided by the player (in the persona of Frodo Baggins), and as the end boss for the game (in the persona of Aragorn). They are tall and robed in black, and nothing is seen underneath.

2001-3: The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy:

The Nazgûl serve as the suspense in the first half of the first film. Their dialogue is changed; the conversation with Gaffer Gamgee is omitted, and the conversation with Farmer Maggot is reduced. The Nine have an iconic scream, provided by Fran Walsh. Under their robes, they are pale white ghostly creatures.
After the death of the Witch-king, the other eight are taken out by eagles and debris from Mount Doom, however, nothing is told of their individual fates.

2001-7: The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game:

The Nazgûl, other than the Witch-king, are given Neo-Quenya titles based on their numbers, and various English titles:
  • Úlairë Attëa (from atta = 2); Black Predator, Keeper of Dol Guldur, Second of the Nine Riders, The Easterling.
  • Úlairë Nelya (from neldë = 3); Black Hunter, Lieutenant of Morgul, Third of the Nine Riders
  • Úlairë Cantëa (from canta = 4); Black Assassin, Lieutenant of Dol Guldur, Fourth of the Nine Riders
  • Úlairë Lemenya (from lempe = 5); Black Enemy, Lieutenant of Morgul, Fifth of the Nine Riders
  • Úlairë Enquëa (from enquë = 6); Black Threat, Lieutenant of Morgul, Sixth of the Nine Riders
  • Úlairë Ostëa [sic, later corrected to Úlairë Otsëa] (from otso = 7); Black Specter, Lieutenant of Morgul, Seventh of the Nine Riders
  • Úlairë Toldëa (from tolto = 8); Black Shadow, Messenger of Morgul, Eight of the Nine Riders
  • Úlairë Nertëa (from nertë = 9); Black Horseman, Messenger of Dol Guldur, Ninth of the Nine Riders.[12][13]

2004: The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth:

The Mordor faction has two different Nazgûl units: "Witch-king on Fell Beast" and "Nazgûl on Fell Beast". They are primarily used for scouting and surprise attacks.

2006: EA's The Battle for Middle-earth II:

A new Ringwraith is introduced in the expansion pack, The Rise of the Witch-king. Morgomir is the "Lieutenant of Carn-Dûm", the right-hand man of the Witch-king, of Black Númenórean descent. The design is similar to that in Peter Jackson's films: he is hooded and cloaked when he works for the Mordor faction, and white and ghostly when he fights for Angmar.

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

The Nazgûl appear several times throughout the game. Hobbit characters first witness the Black Riders in the Shire during the Prologue. Early in the game one of the Nine wounds a Dunedain Ranger Amdir with a Morgul blade, who is later transformed into a Wraith himself, despite the bess efforts of Free Peoples. Later, the player attempts to resist the troubles the Nine are spreading in Bree-Land. Various people along their path - from Hobbits, to Men of Bree, to people east of Amon Sul - note how the local wildlife became unusually aggressive lately, though few connect it to the influence of Nazgûl.
As stated in The Fellowship of the Ring, only eight horses of the Wraiths were found along the shores of Bruinen. Glorfindel, Elrond and his sons all enlist you to find the missing one - and while the horse is eventually found, it is clear the the Nazgûl himself escaped. The player foils his attempts to organize the Trolls of the Trollshaws and pursues him into the Misty Mountains, where the severely weakened Wraith is finally defeated, with his spirit send back to Mordor.
During the Fellowship's stay in Lothlorien, the Galadhrim Elves launch a military strike against Dol Guldur, to draw the attention of the Eye from the company departing down the Shores of Anduin. At this point, three Nazgûl reside in the fortress, their names are given as "The Black Blade of Lebennin", "The Gloom of Nurn" and the strongest of them three "The Lieutenant of Dol Guldur". A large force of players confronts the Lieutenant and his Fell Beast at the chief tower of Dol Guldur.
During their travel down the waters of the Great River, Legolas shot and killed a fell shadow in the sky, not knowing it to be a Nazgûl. The player is later able to find the corpse of the fell beast in the Brown Lands and it becomes clear that a Nazgûl is not far - only this time the player cannot receive help from Elrond or Galadriel, who helped him survive two last encounters. At night, the Wraith ambushes your friends, but the player manages to drive him away with the use of fire. A girl named Nona is wounded in this fight, but the Free Peoples managed to bring her to Lady Galadriel in time to heal the wound.

2009: The Lord of the Rings: Conquest:

In the Evil Campaign, the Eight Nazgûl bring Witch-King back to life after Sauron reclaims The One Ring.

2011: The Lord of the Rings: War in the North:

The Nazgûl appear in a flasback during the prologue of the game, in which they attack the Rangers at Sarn Ford, the entrance of the Shire. Later in the flashback their leader, the Witch-king, speaks with Agandaûr.[14]

See Also

Notes

  1. Sauron created the One Ring around this year, and later distributed the Nine Rings (cf. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B: The Tale of Years (Chronology of the Westlands) and J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Concerning Galadriel and Celeborn").

References

fa:نزگول