Dwarves of Nogrod

From Tolkien Gateway
Dwarves of Nogrod
People
Henning Janssen - Nauglamir and the Doom of Thingol.jpg
"Nauglamir and the Doom of Thingol.jpg" by Henning Janssen
General Information
LocationsNogrod, Blue Mountains, Khazad-Dûm[1]
LanguagesKhuzdul, Sindarin
MembersGamil Zirak, Telchar, Naugladur
Physical Description
Lifespanc. 250 years
DistinctionsGreatest craftsmen in Middle-earth
Average heightFive feet or less

The Dwarves of Nogrod were the Dwarven people who dwelled at Nogrod, one of the two dwarven cities in the Blue Mountains in the First Age. Along with their close kinsmen in Belegost, they were among the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains.

History[edit | edit source]

During the Years of the Trees the western Fathers of the Dwarves awoke from beneath the Blue Mountains creating the lines of the Broadbeams and the Firebeards. These two houses built the great Dwarven cities of Nogrod and Belegost in the Blue Mountains.[2][note 1]

They were initially friendly to the Elves of Beleriand, renowned as craftsmen and jewellers, such as Gamil Zirak whose works were to be found in the treasuries of King Thingol of Doriath,[3] and Telchar known for the forging of weapons. Dwarves from the Blue Mountains, perhaps also those of Nogrod, aided the Noldor in the building of Nargothrond.[4][5]

Dwarves of Nogrod, as well as their kinsmen of Belegost, participated in the Union of Maedhros supplying them with soldiers and weapons.[6]

Some craftsmen from Nogrod stayed in Menegroth and were asked by King Thingol of Doriath to set the Silmaril in the Nauglamir. But they coveted the Nauglamir they made and killed Thingol in his treasury, and fled, only to be slaughtered by the avenging Elves who killed all but two. The survivors returned to Nogrod, and lied to their kinsmen saying that Thingol refused to pay the craftsmen and for their work and killed them.

Although the Dwarves of Belegost refused to aid them, the Dwarves of Nogrod formed a great host which passed over Sarn Athrad intimidating the Sindar who fled before them. In the sack the Menegroth they ravaged the Caves and Thingol's treasures. But on their return home they were hunted down by Beren Erchamion and killed by his army of Green-elves and a group of Ents at the Battle of Sarn Athrad as they were crossing the river.[4]

After the end of the First Age, around S.A. 40, the power and wealth of Khazad-dûm was much increased; for it was enriched by many people and much lore and craft when the ancient cities of Nogrod and Belegost in the Blue Mountains were ruined in the breaking of Thangorodrim.[1] However, there always remained some Dwarves on the eastern side of the Blue Mountains in days afterwards.[7]

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:

The Dwarves of Nogrod are called Dwalin's Tribe.[8][9]

See also[edit | edit source]

Notes

  1. It is not clear from the narratives whether each city belonged to either House, and whether the Dwarves of Nogrod consisted of either Firebeards or Broadbeams; it is possible that members of both Houses dwelled in either city.

References