Werewolves: Difference between revisions
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{{disambig-more|Wolf|[[Wolf (disambiguation)]]}}[[Image:The White Council - Werewolf.jpg|thumb|250px|Werewolf sketch from [[The Lord of the Rings: The White Council]] game]] | {{disambig-more|Wolf|[[Wolf (disambiguation)]]}}[[Image:The White Council - Werewolf.jpg|thumb|250px|Werewolf sketch from [[The Lord of the Rings: The White Council]] game]] | ||
'''Werewolves''' were servants of [[Morgoth]], bred in the [[Elder Days]] from [[Wolves|wolf]] and inhabited by dreadful spirits (fallen lesser [[Maiar]] or [[fëar]] of [[Orcs]]). | |||
==History== | |||
Werewolves were created (or a least corrupted from some other form) by [[Sauron]], who was their master, and who took the shape of a great [[Wolves|wolf]] himself at least once. | |||
The first werewolf was [[Draugluin]], and the greatest was [[Carcharoth]], the guardian of [[Angband]], a descendant of Draugluin as all other werewolves were. | The first werewolf was [[Draugluin]], and the greatest was [[Carcharoth]], the guardian of [[Angband]], a descendant of Draugluin as all other werewolves were. | ||
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Although not appearing as such in the known written records of [[Arda]] during the [[Second Age|Second]] and [[Third Age|Third]] Ages, Gandalf mentioned the werewolves as being among Sauron's servants in the late Third Age, along with [[orcs]], [[trolls]], [[wargs]], and [[wraiths]].<ref>{{FR|Meetings}}</ref> | Although not appearing as such in the known written records of [[Arda]] during the [[Second Age|Second]] and [[Third Age|Third]] Ages, Gandalf mentioned the werewolves as being among Sauron's servants in the late Third Age, along with [[orcs]], [[trolls]], [[wargs]], and [[wraiths]].<ref>{{FR|Meetings}}</ref> | ||
== | ==Names== | ||
The Middle-earth werewolves were not shapeshifters like the Werewolves of European folk culture. | |||
In [[Sindarin]], werewolves were called ''gaurhoth'' (sing. ''[[gaur]]'').<ref>{{S|Index}}</ref><ref>{{S|Appendix}}</ref> The [[Quenya]] name was ''ñaurō''.<ref>{{PE|19}}, p. 106</ref> | |||
==Inspiration== | |||
The Middle-earth werewolves were not shapeshifters like the Werewolves of European folk culture. | |||
The name ''werewolf'' appears to have been chosen because they were in essence sentient (but evil), and thus had a status beyond that of normal wolves. The element "were-" is a Germanic term that refers to humans. It suggests a shapeshifting creature of modern-day folktales such as [[Wikipedia:wererat|wererat]]. | The name ''werewolf'' appears to have been chosen because they were in essence sentient (but evil), and thus had a status beyond that of normal wolves. The element "were-" is a Germanic term that refers to humans. It suggests a shapeshifting creature of modern-day folktales such as [[Wikipedia:wererat|wererat]]. | ||
==Portrayal in adaptations== | ==Portrayal in adaptations== | ||
[[Image:Werewolves (Mark Evans).jpg|thumb|right|''Werewolves'' in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game|LotRRPG]]'']] | [[Image:Werewolves (Mark Evans).jpg|thumb|right|''Werewolves'' in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game|LotRRPG]]'']] | ||
Revision as of 10:15, 28 December 2010
Werewolf sketch from The Lord of the Rings: The White Council game
Werewolves were servants of Morgoth, bred in the Elder Days from wolf and inhabited by dreadful spirits (fallen lesser Maiar or fëar of Orcs).
History
Werewolves were created (or a least corrupted from some other form) by Sauron, who was their master, and who took the shape of a great wolf himself at least once.
The first werewolf was Draugluin, and the greatest was Carcharoth, the guardian of Angband, a descendant of Draugluin as all other werewolves were.
Although not appearing as such in the known written records of Arda during the Second and Third Ages, Gandalf mentioned the werewolves as being among Sauron's servants in the late Third Age, along with orcs, trolls, wargs, and wraiths.[1]
Names
In Sindarin, werewolves were called gaurhoth (sing. gaur).[2][3] The Quenya name was ñaurō.[4]
Inspiration
The Middle-earth werewolves were not shapeshifters like the Werewolves of European folk culture.
The name werewolf appears to have been chosen because they were in essence sentient (but evil), and thus had a status beyond that of normal wolves. The element "were-" is a Germanic term that refers to humans. It suggests a shapeshifting creature of modern-day folktales such as wererat.
Portrayal in adaptations
File:Werewolves (Mark Evans).jpg
Werewolves in LotRRPG
1982-1997: Middle-earth Role Playing:
- Classified as Undead Beings, the Werewolves are either bred from Wolves or Wargs. They cannot transform themselves into Men, although they can alter shape into being able to stand upright (while remaining Wolf-like).[5]
2002-5: The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game:
- Werewolves can change between Man-form (hairy, musucular folk) and Warg-form (surpassing the size and ferocity of the largest Wargs).[6]
See also
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Many Meetings"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Index of Names"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Quenya Phonology", in Parma Eldalamberon XIX (edited by Christopher Gilson), p. 106
- ↑ Ruth Sochard Pitt, Jeff O'Hare, Peter C. Fenlon, Jr. (1994), Creatures of Middle-earth (2nd edition) (#2012), p. 130
- ↑ Scott Bennie, Mike Mearls, Steve Miller, Aaron Rosenberg, Chris Seeman, Owen Seyler, and George Strayton (2003), Fell Beasts and Wondrous Magic, pp. 52-53
| Wolves | |
| Individuals: | Carcharoth · Draugluin · Hound of Sauron · (Wolf-Sauron) |
|---|---|
| Races: | Wargs · Werewolves · White Wolves |
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