Variags: Difference between revisions
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[[File:John Howe - Variag.jpg| | {{people infobox | ||
| name=Variags | |||
| image=[[File:John Howe - Variag.jpg|250px]] | |||
| caption="[[:File:John Howe - Variag.jpg|Variag]]" by [[John Howe]] | |||
| pronun= | |||
| othernames= | |||
| origin= | |||
| location=[[Khand]] | |||
| affiliation=[[Sauron]] | |||
| rivalry=[[Gondorians]] | |||
| language= | |||
| members= | |||
| lifespan=shorter than Númenórean | |||
| distinctions= | |||
| height=shorter than [[Númenóreans]] | |||
| hair= | |||
| skin= | |||
| clothing= | |||
| weapons= | |||
}} | |||
The '''Variags''' were a little-known people who dwelt in the land of [[Khand]]. | The '''Variags''' were a little-known people who dwelt in the land of [[Khand]]. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
The Variags came from Khand, a little-known land southeast of [[Mordor]].<ref>{{UT|Map}}</ref> In the [[Third Age]] Khand was under the influence of [[Mordor]]; in {{TA|1944}} the Men of Khand together with the [[Haradrim|Southrons]] of [[Near Harad]] joined the [[Wainriders]] to attack Gondor.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}</ref> | |||
During the [[War of the Ring]] the Variags fought at the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]. They were held in reserve in [[Osgiliath]] along with armies of [[Easterlings]] and [[Southrons]]. After the death of the [[Witch-king]] they were sent onto the battlefield by [[Gothmog (Lieutenant of Morgul)|Gothmog]]. Their ranks were among [[troll-men]] and [[Orcs]] when the knights of [[Dol Amroth]] ran and drove them back.<ref>{{RK|V6}}</ref> | |||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
''Variag'' is | The meaning of ''Variag'' is unknown; it is, along with ''[[mûmak]]'' and ''[[Khand]]'', one of the few known words from the languages of the Men of the East and allies of Sauron.<ref>{{PM|II}}, p. 79.</ref> | ||
It is not clear if the word "Variag" is synonymous with the Men of Khand in general, or is a specific group or tribe of those men. The name appears only in context of the Battle of the Pelennor; the [[Appendix A|Annals of Kings and Rulers]] mention the Men of Khand who moved against Gondor in the Third Age, but the name Variags is not used. | |||
==Inspiration== | ==Inspiration== | ||
[[Wikipedia:Variag|Variag]] is a Slavic word derived from [[Norse]] ''Varingar'' "mercenary people" (''vár'' "contract"). The | [[Wikipedia:Variag|Variag]] is a Slavic word derived from [[Norse]] ''Varingar'' "mercenary people" (''vár'' "contract"). The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varangian_Guard Varangian Guard] were Norse body-guards of the Byzantine Emperor. | ||
It has been suggested that Tolkien adopted the Slavic term to indicate that the Variags were possibly mercenaries serving a possible Lord of Khand.<ref>{{HM|IE}}, Obscure Languages</ref> | It has been suggested that Tolkien adopted the Slavic term to indicate that the Variags were possibly mercenaries serving a possible Lord of Khand.<ref>{{HM|IE}}, Obscure Languages</ref> | ||
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'''1995-8: ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]'':''' | '''1995-8: ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]'':''' | ||
:Variags of Khand is a Man Faction. | :Variags of Khand is a Man Faction. | ||
'''2016: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':''' | |||
:Variags appear as enemy NPCs encountered in [[Anórien|Far Anórien]]. | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*[[:Category:Images of Variags|Images of Variags]] | *[[:Category:Images of Variags|Images of Variags]] | ||
{{references}} | {{references}} | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Men]] | ||
[[Category:Mannish words]] | [[Category:Mannish words]] | ||
[[de:Variags]] | [[de:Variags]] | ||
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/hommes/variags]] | [[fr:encyclo/peuples/hommes/variags]] | ||
[[fi:Varjaagit]] | [[fi:Varjaagit]] |
Revision as of 16:50, 17 December 2017
Variags | |
---|---|
People | |
"Variag" by John Howe | |
General Information | |
Locations | Khand |
Affiliation | Sauron |
Rivalries | Gondorians |
Physical Description | |
Lifespan | shorter than Númenórean |
Average height | shorter than Númenóreans |
Gallery | Images of Variags |
The Variags were a little-known people who dwelt in the land of Khand.
History
The Variags came from Khand, a little-known land southeast of Mordor.[1] In the Third Age Khand was under the influence of Mordor; in T.A. 1944 the Men of Khand together with the Southrons of Near Harad joined the Wainriders to attack Gondor.[2]
During the War of the Ring the Variags fought at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. They were held in reserve in Osgiliath along with armies of Easterlings and Southrons. After the death of the Witch-king they were sent onto the battlefield by Gothmog. Their ranks were among troll-men and Orcs when the knights of Dol Amroth ran and drove them back.[3]
Etymology
The meaning of Variag is unknown; it is, along with mûmak and Khand, one of the few known words from the languages of the Men of the East and allies of Sauron.[4]
It is not clear if the word "Variag" is synonymous with the Men of Khand in general, or is a specific group or tribe of those men. The name appears only in context of the Battle of the Pelennor; the Annals of Kings and Rulers mention the Men of Khand who moved against Gondor in the Third Age, but the name Variags is not used.
Inspiration
Variag is a Slavic word derived from Norse Varingar "mercenary people" (vár "contract"). The Varangian Guard were Norse body-guards of the Byzantine Emperor.
It has been suggested that Tolkien adopted the Slavic term to indicate that the Variags were possibly mercenaries serving a possible Lord of Khand.[5]
Portrayal in adaptations
1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:
1995-8: Middle-earth Collectible Card Game:
- Variags of Khand is a Man Faction.
2016: The Lord of the Rings Online:
- Variags appear as enemy NPCs encountered in Far Anórien.
See also
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The West of Middle-earth at the End of the Third Age" [map]
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Battle of the Pelennor Fields"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "II. The Appendix on Languages", p. 79.
- ↑ Jim Allan (1978), An Introduction to Elvish, Obscure Languages
- ↑ S. Coleman Charlton (1993), Middle-earth Role Playing (2nd edition, hardcover) (#2000)
- ↑ Peter C. Fenlon, Jr. et al. (1987), Lords of Middle-earth Vol II: The Mannish Races (#8003)