Half-orcs: Difference between revisions
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Apparently Saruman learned or rediscovered this in the [[Third Age]] and bred his own Half-orcs and Goblin-men who carry out his whims as part of his spy network in [[Eriador]] or as soldiery.<ref name=myths/><ref>{{TT|III7}}</ref> One of his most-trusted informants, the [[Squint-eyed Southerner]] from [[Dunland]], was possibly a half-orc outcast.<ref name=Knife>{{FR|I11}}</ref> | Apparently Saruman learned or rediscovered this in the [[Third Age]] and bred his own Half-orcs and Goblin-men who carry out his whims as part of his spy network in [[Eriador]] or as soldiery.<ref name=myths/><ref>{{TT|III7}}</ref> One of his most-trusted informants, the [[Squint-eyed Southerner]] from [[Dunland]], was possibly a half-orc outcast.<ref name=Knife>{{FR|I11}}</ref> | ||
Half-orcs were among the [[Dunlending]] hordes who came to Saruman's banner of the [[White Hand]] in [[Isengard]].<ref name=TTIII9/> Many were counted among the strongest minions of Saruman, rivalled only by the fighting [[Uruk-hai]]. The half-orcs mostly perished at the [[Battle of the Hornburg]], either before the fortress walls or by the [[Huorns]]. | Half-orcs were among the [[Dunlendings|Dunlending]] hordes who came to Saruman's banner of the [[White Hand]] in [[Isengard]].<ref name=TTIII9/> Many were counted among the strongest minions of Saruman, rivalled only by the fighting [[Uruk-hai]]. The half-orcs mostly perished at the [[Battle of the Hornburg]], either before the fortress walls or by the [[Huorns]]. | ||
More Half-orcs later followed [[Saruman]] into exile, and were among his [[Ruffians]] who occupied [[the Shire]].<ref>{{RK|VI8}}</ref> | More Half-orcs later followed [[Saruman]] into exile, and were among his [[Ruffians]] who occupied [[the Shire]].<ref>{{RK|VI8}}</ref> |
Revision as of 12:19, 29 January 2022
Half-orcs | |
---|---|
Race | |
"Greater Half-orcs" by Steve Otis | |
General Information | |
Locations | Dunland, Isengard |
Affiliation | Morgoth Sauron Saruman |
Physical Description | |
Distinctions | Lynx-eyed[source?] |
Average height | Larger than normal orcs[source?] |
Skin color | Sallow[1][2] |
Gallery | Images of Half-orcs |
- "Are they men he has ruined or has he blended the races of orcs and men?"
- ― Treebeard in The Two Towers, "Flotsam and Jetsam"
Half-orcs were among the servants of the Enemies, especially renowned as agents of Saruman in the late Third Age. They were large men, lynx-eyed and evil.[1]
Saruman's servants also included creatures known as Goblin-men who appeared to blend the traits of Men and Orcs, but they were a different breed.[3]
History
The origin and nature of the half-orcs is unknown. Back in the First Age, Men could under the domination of Morgoth or his chief agents - such as Sauron - be reduced to a savage stage, and it was possible to mate with Orcs, producing stronger and larger Orc-men, or vile and cunning Men-orcs.[4]
Apparently Saruman learned or rediscovered this in the Third Age and bred his own Half-orcs and Goblin-men who carry out his whims as part of his spy network in Eriador or as soldiery.[4][5] One of his most-trusted informants, the Squint-eyed Southerner from Dunland, was possibly a half-orc outcast.[2]
Half-orcs were among the Dunlending hordes who came to Saruman's banner of the White Hand in Isengard.[1] Many were counted among the strongest minions of Saruman, rivalled only by the fighting Uruk-hai. The half-orcs mostly perished at the Battle of the Hornburg, either before the fortress walls or by the Huorns.
More Half-orcs later followed Saruman into exile, and were among his Ruffians who occupied the Shire.[6]
Other versions of the legendarium
Concerning the origin of the half-orcs, J.R.R. Tolkien suggested late in his life that:
It became clear in time that undoubted Men could under the domination of Morgoth or his agents in a few generations be reduced almost to the Orc-level of mind and habits; and then they would or could be made to mate with Orcs, producing new breeds, often larger and more cunning. There is no doubt that long afterwards, in the Third Age, Saruman rediscovered this, or learned of it in lore, and in his lust for mastery committed this, his wickedest deed: the interbreeding of Orcs and Men, producing both Men-orcs large and cunning, and Orc-men treacherous and vile.[4]
Portrayal in adaptations
Half-orcs in adaptations | |||||||||
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1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:
- Half-orcs (Sindarin Piryrch, sing. Perorch) are a crossbeed between Men and Orcs, being a distinct race in their own. Game statistics are given for players choosing to be a Half-orc.[7]
1995-8: Middle-earth Collectible Card Game:
- Half-orcs and Greater Half-orcs are Orc Factions, playable by Fallen Wizards.[8]
2007-: The Lord of the Rings Online:
- Half-orcs were categorized as one of the varieties of Orc-kind, along with Orcs, Goblins, Hobgoblins and Uruks. Half-orc Bandits were found in the Lone-lands.[9] They were affiliated with Saruman and could be found in almost every region he had influence in. His half-orcs in Eriador included many in Dunland, Enedwaith, Eregion, the Lone-lands, and Andrath in Bree-land. A small number of half-orcs could be found as far as Nan Gurth in Angmar. His half-orcs also could be found in Rohan as far east as the Sutcrofts in the Eastemnet.
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "Flotsam and Jetsam"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Knife in the Dark"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "Helm's Deep", Gamling: But these creatures of Isengard, these half-orcs and goblin-men that the foul craft of Saruman has bred.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Five. Myths Transformed", "[Text] X", pp. 418-9
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "Helm's Deep"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Scouring of the Shire"
- ↑ S. Coleman Charlton (1993), Middle-earth Role Playing (2nd edition, softcover) (#2001), p. 177
- ↑ "(Results from search for cards in the game Middle Earth)", Tradecardsoneline.com (accessed 3 April 2014)
- ↑ "Lord of the Rings Online Half-Orc Bandit", Lotro.mmodb.com (accessed 3 April 2014)