Firebeards

From Tolkien Gateway
Firebeards
People
Warren Mahy - Firebeard dwarf.png
"Firebeard dwarf" by Warren Mahy
General Information
LocationsEither Belegost or Nogrod or both, Khazad-dûm[1], Blue Mountains
AffiliationBroadbeams
LanguagesKhuzdul, Sindarin
MembersEither Azaghâl or Telchar and Gamil Zirak
GalleryImages of Firebeards

The Firebeards were one of the seven houses of the Dwarves. They were originally paired with the Broadbeams. The ancestor of the Firebeards was among the oldest (together with the ancestors of the Broadbeams and Longbeards) of the Seven Ancestors of the Dwarves.[2]

The Firebeards (with the Broadbeams) awoke in the Blue Mountains and lived there throughout the history of their people. These two houses built the great Dwarven cities of Nogrod and Belegost in the Blue Mountains, and dwelt in them before their ruining in the War of Wrath. [3]

In the Second Age, around the year 40,[4] the Firebeards and Broadbeams who lived in Nogrod and Belegost left the destruction behind and came to Khazad-dûm, increasing its wealth and power.[5]

However, there always remained some Dwarves on the eastern side of the Blue Mountains in days afterwards.[6]

Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

It is not clear whether the two houses shared the two cities or whether each house dwelt in its own. In The Book of Lost Tales, the two cities are clearly inhabited by separate houses; however, Belegost is said to be the home of the Longbeards.[7]

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

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

The House corresponding to the Firebeards is called Úri's Folk, said to be "instantly recognizable by the fiery hue of their beards". After the destruction of Nogrod, some of Úri's Folk went to join the Longbeards at Khazad-dûm, while others delved new halls in the southern Ered Luin.[8]
The "Narfanghoth" in The Lord of the Rings Online

2021: The Lord of the Rings Online:

The native Dwarves of the Blue Mountains were first introduced in the form of the villainous "Dourhand" clan, but a later update introduced the true House corresponding to the Firebeards: the Narfanghoth, "ancient allies of Durin's Folk". Although the game lacks the rights to the name "Firebeards", their banners still depict a fire-red beard under a flaming torch.
The Ring of this House was either "Úrya" or "Vanya", both of which were devoured by the great Worm, "Fingar the Greedy", a survivor of the War of Wrath.
The Narfanghoth and their female King, "Drógar Bloodwhisker", were the first to answer Thráin's call to the War of the Dwarves and Orcs, and they swore brutal vengeance on Azog and his kin.

See also[edit | edit source]

References

Dwarven Clans
Longbeards · Firebeards · Broadbeams · Ironfists · Stiffbeards · Blacklocks · Stonefoots · (Petty-dwarves)