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)]]}}
'''Werewolves''' ([[Sindarin|Sind.]] sing., ''[[gaur]]'', pl. ''gaurhoth'')<ref>{{S|Index}}</ref><ref>{{S|Appendix}}</ref> were servants of [[Morgoth]], bred from [[Wolves|wolf]] and inhabited by dreadful spirits (fallen lesser [[Maiar]] or [[fëar]] of [[Orcs]]).  
{{race infobox
| name=Werewolves
| image=[[File:The White Council - Werewolf.jpg|250px]]
| caption=Werewolf from ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The White Council]]''
| pronun=
| othernames=
| origin=
| location=[[Angband]], [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]]
| affiliation=[[Morgoth]], [[Sauron]]
| rivalry=[[Elves]], [[Dogs]]
| language=
| people=
| members=[[Carcharoth]], [[Draugluin]]
| lifespan=
| distinctions=
| height=
| hair=
| skin=
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}
'''Werewolves''' were servants of [[Sauron]], fell beasts ([[Wolves|wolves]]) inhabited by dreadful spirits that Sauron had imprisoned in their bodies. <ref name=S19>{{S|19}}</ref>
==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.<ref name=S19>{{S|19}}</ref>


They 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.
 
In the ''[[The Grey Annals|Grey Annals]]'' it is told that "creatures that walked in wolf-shapes" entered [[Beleriand]] in the [[Valian Years|Valian Year]] 1330.<ref>{{GA|26}}, p. 12</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>
==Other names==


The first werewolf was [[Draugluin]], and the greatest was [[Carcharoth]], the guardian of [[Angband]], a descendant of Draugluin as all other werewolves were.
In [[Sindarin]], werewolves were called ''gaurhoth'' (sing. ''[[gaur]]'').<ref>{{S|Index}}</ref><ref>{{S|Appendix}}</ref><ref>{{PE|21}}, p. 57</ref> The [[Quenya]] name was ''[[nauro]]''.<ref>{{PE|19}}, p. 106</ref>
 
==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[File:Mark Evans - Werewolves.jpg|thumb|right|''Werewolves'' in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game|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).<ref>{{ICE|2012}}, p. 130</ref>
 
'''2002-5: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game]]'':'''
:Werewolves can change between Man-form (hairy, muscular folk) and Warg-form (surpassing the size and ferocity of the largest Wargs).<ref>{{D|Fell}}, pp. 52-53</ref>


It is probable that the [[Wargs]] of the [[Third Age]] were descended from the werewolves, as these wolves could speak, suggesting they had fëar. Another possibility is that Sauron attempted to recreate the werewolves after his return to Middle-earth, and that the Wargs were the result.
==See also==
==Etymology==
*[[:Category:Images of Werewolves|Images of Werewolves]]
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]].
==External links==
*{{WP|Werewolf}}
{{references}}
{{references}}
{{wolves}}
{{wolves}}
[[Category:Werewolves| ]]
[[Category:Werewolves| ]]
[[Category:Wolves]]
[[Category:Wolves]]
[[Category:Creatures]]
[[Category:Servants of Melkor]]
[[Category:Servants of Sauron]]
[[fi:Ihmissudet]]
[[fi:Ihmissudet]]

Latest revision as of 01:07, 11 February 2022

The name Wolf refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see Wolf (disambiguation).
Werewolves
Race
The White Council - Werewolf.jpg
Werewolf from The Lord of the Rings: The White Council
General Information
LocationsAngband, Tol-in-Gaurhoth
AffiliationMorgoth, Sauron
RivalriesElves, Dogs
MembersCarcharoth, Draugluin
GalleryImages of Werewolves

Werewolves were servants of Sauron, fell beasts (wolves) inhabited by dreadful spirits that Sauron had imprisoned in their bodies. [1]

History[edit | edit source]

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.[1]

The first werewolf was Draugluin, and the greatest was Carcharoth, the guardian of Angband, a descendant of Draugluin as all other werewolves were.

In the Grey Annals it is told that "creatures that walked in wolf-shapes" entered Beleriand in the Valian Year 1330.[2]

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.[3]

Other names[edit | edit source]

In Sindarin, werewolves were called gaurhoth (sing. gaur).[4][5][6] The Quenya name was nauro.[7]

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

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).[8]

2002-5: The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game:

Werewolves can change between Man-form (hairy, muscular folk) and Warg-form (surpassing the size and ferocity of the largest Wargs).[9]

See also[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Beren and Lúthien"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "The Grey Annals": §26, p. 12
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Many Meetings"
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Index of Names"
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names"
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Qenya Noun Structure", in Parma Eldalamberon XXI (edited by Christopher Gilson, Patrick H. Wynne and Arden R. Smith), p. 57
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Quenya Phonology", in Parma Eldalamberon XIX (edited by Christopher Gilson), p. 106
  8. Ruth Sochard Pitt, Jeff O'Hare, Peter C. Fenlon, Jr. (1994), Creatures of Middle-earth (2nd edition) (#2012), p. 130
  9. 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