Forochel

From Tolkien Gateway
Forochel
Region
Lída Holubová - Forochel.jpg
"Forochel" by Lída Holubová
General Information
LocationNorthern Waste
TypeRegion
DescriptionFrigid region in the north of Middle-earth
RegionsIcebay of Forochel
InhabitantsLossoth
GalleryImages of Forochel

Forochel was one of the regions of the Northern Waste. It was the name of the icy tundra in the northern parts of Middle-earth, and especially of the great icebay and the lands that surrounded it, such as the Cape of Forochel.

It was inhabited by the Lossoth, a hardy tribe of Men descended from the Forodwaith. Most Men of the region lived on the Cape of Forochel near the Great Sea of Belegaer but some built their villages on the shores of the Icebay itself.[1]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Forochel is a Sindarin name. It is a compound of forod ("north") and khel ("ice").[2] Therefore it means "Northern Ice".[3]

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Forochel is one of the regions of the game, accessed via the northern end of Evendim. The language and culture of its people, the Lossoth, are modeled after the Finnish. An aurora borealis effect can be seen in the sky. Prior to the release of Western Gondor, it was the only region in the game world where the ocean was visible, but players will freeze to death if attempting to swim in it.
The capital of the region is Sûri-kylä, said to mean "Large Village"; at the westernmost point of the settlement stands the Great Lodge with the Council of Elders and the Lossoth leader Yrjänä.

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), p. 116, entry S forochel
  3. Paul Strack, "S. Forochel loc.", Eldamo - An Elvish Lexicon (accessed 5 March 2022)