Eryn Vorn

From Tolkien Gateway
Eryn Vorn
Forest
Angus McBride - The Eaves of the Choil Borba (Angus McBride).png
"The Eaves of the Choil Borba" by Angus McBride
General Information
LocationMinhiriath, adjacent to the mouth of Baranduin as it enters Belegaer
TypeForest
DescriptionDark pine forest
InhabitantsMen
GalleryImages of Eryn Vorn

Eryn Vorn (Sindarin for Blackwood[1]) was a wooded cape in Eriador[2], and a region of dark pine trees.[3]

History[edit | edit source]

Located in western Minhiriath, Eryn Vorn (likely named so by the Númenóreans) was originally part of the vast ancient treescape that covered most of north-western Middle-earth. During the Second Age, however, these forests were decimated by the Númenóreans in their greed for ship-building timber, before being almost completely burnt down by the forces of Sauron during the ensuing war in Eriador.[2]

By the latter half of the Second Age, the surviving natives of Minhiriath had retreated either north to Bree, or hidden themselves in Eryn Vorn which was probably all that remained of the vast forests in Minhiriath for long years thereafter.[1]

From T.A. 861, Eryn Vorn nominally formed a part of Cardolan and by the end of the Third Age, scattered woodlands had reappeared in much of the rest of Minhiriath.

It is probable that people remained hidden in Eryn Vorn by the Third Age. Although Bree was the westernmost permanent settlement of Men by the late Third Age,[4][source?] the woods of Minhiriath were home of a few, secretive hunter-folk at the time of the War of the Ring. These wild people were afraid to cross the river Baranduin because of the Elves who dwelt beyond.[2][note 1]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Eryn Vorn is Sindarin and has been given the translation "Blackwood". The name consists of eryn ("wood") and vorn ("dark"),[1] the latter being the lenited form of morn.[5]

The name Eryn Vorn first appeared on Pauline Baynes's A Map of Middle-earth (1970), for which Tolkien had supplied notes on additional names. The first printing of the map wrongly has Erin Voru.[1]

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

Eryn Vorn in adaptations
"Woses of the Eryn Vorn" in the Middle-earth Collectible Card Game  

1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:

Eryn Vorn, the Black Wood (called Choil Borba in the local tongue), covers the promontory of Rast Vorn (the Dark Cape). The large wood is a wild land, inhabited by Woses and evil creatures.[6][7]

1995-8: Middle-earth Collectible Card Game:

The card game features the "Woses of the Eryn Vorn" in the expansion Against the Shadow.[8]

2022-Present: The One Ring (Second Edition):

The supplement Ruins of the Lost Realm features segments on Eryn Vorn [9] and The Tree of Sorrow. [10]

Notes

  1. These Elves surely are the Elves of Lindon, the realm located north of the cape.

References