Variags

Variag by John Howe.

The Variags were a little-known people who dwelt in the land of Khand.

[edit] History

They were allies of both Rhûn and Harad, to neither of which they belonged.

Khand was southeast of Mordor at the time of the War of the Ring.^[1] The Variags were allied to Sauron and their warriors were seen at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.^[2]

[edit] Etymology

Variag is a word of a Harad language^[3], but its meaning is unknown.

[edit] Inspiration

Variag is a Slavic word derived from Norse Varingar "mercenary people" (vár "contract"). The Norse root indicates that perhaps Tolkien intended Variag to be a "translated" Northern Mannish word.^[source?]

[edit] Portrayal in adaptations

Variags of Khand in MECCG

1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:

Variags, who speak the tongue Varadja, share ties with both Easterlings and Haradrim.^[4][5]

1995-8: Middle-earth Collectible Card Game:

Variags of Khand is a Man Faction.

[edit] See also

• Images of Variags

[edit] References

1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The West of Middle-earth at the End of the Third Age" [map]
2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Battle of the Pelennor Fields"
3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, The Appendix on Languages
4. ↑ S. Coleman Charlton (1993), Middle-earth Role Playing (2nd edition, hardcover) (#2000)
5. ↑ Peter C. Fenlon, Jr. et al. (1987), Lords of Middle-earth Vol II: The Mannish Races (#8003)