Variags: Difference between revisions

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{{people
{{people infobox
| name=Variags
| image=[[File:John Howe - Variag.jpg|250px]]
| image=[[File:John Howe - Variag.jpg|250px]]
| name=Variags
| caption="[[:File:John Howe - Variag.jpg|Variag]]" by [[John Howe]]
| dominions=[[Khand]]
| pronun=
| languages=presumably numerous; different from [[Common Speech]]
| othernames=
| origin=
| location=[[Khand]]
| affiliation=[[Sauron]]
| rivalry=[[Gondorians]]
| language=
| members=
| lifespan=shorter than Númenórean
| distinctions=
| height=shorter than [[Númenóreans]]
| height=shorter than [[Númenóreans]]
| length=
| hair=
| skincolor=
| skin=
| haircolor=
| clothing=
| feathers=
| weapons=
| distinctions=Alliance with [[Sauron]]
}}
| lifespan=shorter than Númenórean
| members=
|}}
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]].



Revision as of 16:50, 17 December 2017

Variags
People
John Howe - Variag.jpg
"Variag" by John Howe
General Information
LocationsKhand
AffiliationSauron
RivalriesGondorians
Physical Description
Lifespanshorter than Númenórean
Average heightshorter than Númenóreans
GalleryImages 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

Variags of Khand in MECCG

1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:

Variags, who speak the tongue Varadja, share ties with both Easterlings and Haradrim.[6][7]

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