Playing cards with dead men walking

UPDATE: The first post has been updated with an INDEX for the topic. Important post on this page:

INDEX OF NAZGÛL NAMES/TITLES

Attached notes in Notes on the Index of Nazgûl Names. Related post: Command-structures of the Nazgûl.

Lore concerning the names for Nazgûl #6 and #7 following immediate after this post. Related posts, Forgotten Realms of the Shadows, part 1: The 'Tale of Years' of Second Age and part 2: Revolts in Eriador and War in Rhovanion.

Edited by Námo, 21 November 2011 - 09:51 PM.

#Ringwraiths:

Ash nazg durbatuluuk, ash nazg gimbatul,
ash nazg thrakatuluuk, agh burzum-ishi krimpatul.
Uzg-Mordor-ishi amal fauthut burguuli.

"... Uzg-Mordor-ishi amal fauthut burguuli" ... (direct translation from Black Speech) "... in land Mordor where hide-themselves shadows" ??

Let's take a detour to the shadows, to take a closer look at them hollow fellows, trying to get a glimpse of what they may be hiding behind their black hooded garments.

------------

Detour to the shadows, part #1:

At the time of the War of the Ring, the Ringwraiths appear very anonymous; they are nothing more than just ... Nazgûl:

The word Nazgûl is Black Speech, not the debased form spoken by the Orcs, but the one devised by Sauron (as used on the inscription on the One Ring):

[Ardalambion]

gûl: "any one of the major invisible servants of Sauron dominated entirely by his will" (A Tolkien Compass p. 172). Translated "wraith(s)" in the compound Nazgûl, "Ringwraith(s)"
...
nazg: "ring" (ash nazg "one ring") Nazgûl "Ring-wraith(s)"
Nazgûl: "Ring-wraith(s)", nazg + gûl (q.v.)

However, "the Black Speech, devised (it is said) by Sauron to serve as a lingua franca for his subjects, was probably borrowed by him from the Elvish tongues of earlier times" [Ardalambion], and from Sindarin we get this etymology on gûl:

[Hiswelókë's Sindarin dictionary (Edition 1.6, Lexicon 0.993)]

gûl* (n) 1. magic lore, long  study (being used mostly of secret knowledge, especially such as possessed by artificers who made wonderful things. - 2. by ext. perverted or evil  knowledge,  sorcery,  necromancy. ... OS *ñgûle, CE *ñgôlê (ÑGOL)

In 'Morgoth's Ring' Tolkien says, that Sindarin 'gûl' = "black magic" {ngol} also occurs in BS. If so, and with the same meaning, then 'Nazgûl' likely means "Ring-sorcery" (or "Ring-sorceror").

Thus, the word 'Nazgûl' primarily refers to the magic rings, that Sauron gave to ensnare those "once powerful kings and sorcerers among Men" - so, in this sense the Nazgûlsorcerer were almost completely dehumanized without individual personality, reflecting only what powers their rings bestowed on them.

The nine rings probably had different qualities, because they were by Celebrimbor of Ost-in-Edhil as preliminary work for the three 'Great Rings' of the Elves, each of them with distinct and unique powers. The nine rings Celebrimbor made under the guidance of Sauron, and when Sauron captured the nine, he undoubtedly twisted their powers to evil purposes (as he did with everything he touched).

The lore nowhere tells of the specific powers of the nine rings, so we've come to a dead end exploring the 'ring' part of the ringwraiths nature, as far as the current 'naming' the Nazgûl is concerned - however, I'll use these aspect of the nine rings later, albeit in an indirect manner, for giving 'names'/'titles' in Adûnaic, the Tongue of the Black Nûmenoreans.

------------

(to be continued ...)

Edited by Námo, 21 November 2011 - 09:43 PM.

#Shadows:

(continued ...)

------------

Detour to the shadows, part #2:

Now, let's turn to the 'wraith' part:

Wraith (terminology):

Besides denoting the human spirit or soul, both of the living and the deceased, the Old English word is used as a synonym of Latin spiritus also in the meaning of "breath" ... It could also denote any good or evil spirit, i.e. angels and demons ... The now prevailing sense of "the soul of a deceased person, spoken of as appearing in a visible form" only emerges in Middle English (14th century). The modern noun does, however, retain a wider field of application, extending on one hand to "soul", "spirit", "vital principle", "mind" or "psyche", the seat of feeling, thought and moral judgement; on the other hand used figuratively of any shadowy outline, fuzzy or unsubstantial image ...

In Tolkiens writings there were different sorts of wraiths, mostly dead Men like the wraiths of Tyrn Goerthaid (the Barrow-downs), "the dead Men of Dunharrow", the wraiths of the Dead Marches; also, in the Hobbit Sauron is named "The Necromancer", hinting at wraiths being present in Dol Guldur.

The Nazgûl were not this sort of wraiths, they were 'undead' ... and they were Shadows.

Although not an unambiguous terminology, Tolkien often used 'Shadow' synonymous with 'Dark Lord' - not only in connection with Sauron himself, but also in a more general way to denote a powerful and evil Lord, using black magic to exert his power over others, and to extend his own span of life.

One example is "The New Shadow" - a fragment of a story from the 4th Age, in which a new Dark Lord is rising:

from History of Middle-earth, Vol. XII, "The New Shadow":

... "the roots of Evil lie deep, and from far off comes the poison that works in us, so that many do these things - at times, and become then indeed like the servants of Melkor."

His voice sank low and could scarcely be heard above the murmur of a sudden chill wind in the leaves, as the sun sank behind Mindolluin.

"You have heard then the name? ..."

... with hardly more than breath he formed it:

"... of Herumor?"

This new Shadow might eventually be the same as one of the evil lords of the Black Númenoreans at the end of 2nd Age, because it is said, that Sauron gave them strange magical powers as reward for their service - from the Thain's Book:

Herumor & Fuinur:
Black Numenorean lords of the Haradrim. Herumor and Fuinur were Men of Numenor who had been corrupted by Sauron and were therefore known as Black Numenoreans. They established domains in Harad in southern Middle-earth and became powerful lords. Herumor and Fuinur fought for Sauron during the War of the Last Alliance ...

Names & Etymology:
The name Herumor means "black lord" in Quenya from heru meaning "lord" and morë meaning "black." The name Fuinur is derived from fuinë meaning "shadow."

[BTW, none of those two were among the Nazgûl]


Tolkien did use the term 'Shadow' for the Nazgûl; the most direct example is the text where gives the 'name' of the second-in-chief occupying Dol Guldur:

from 'Unfinished Tales: The Hunt for the Ring'

... the second to the Chief, Khamûl the Shadow of the East, abode in Dol Guldur ...

We don't know the etymology of 'Khamul' because it's language is unknown. Some Tolkien linguistics have speculated, that if the name is in Black Speech, it might be another word analogous to Nazgûl because of the ending -ul, which is a well known suffix in BS:

-ul: pronominal suffix "them".

If this should be correct, then 'Khamul' would not even be a proper name ... however, it is only speculation, and we'll never know. It's not important either, in relation to 'naming' the Nazgûl ... the really important part of that text is the addition "the Shadow of the East", which in plain words could be translated into "the Dark Lord of the East", i.e. as a sort of title.

Because of the power of the nine rings, The Nazgûl all "became mighty in their days, kings, sorcerers, and warriors of old. They obtained glory and great wealth" ... and so, like Khamul, all the other Nazgûl were also 'Shadows' ...

... but of their origin we only know that three of them were of the race of the Black Númenoreans, and that the Witch-king probably was one of those three. A note written by Tolkien in the manuscript of his "Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings" says:

"the name and origin of the Witch-king is not recorded, but he was probably ... of Númenorean descent." (The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 20)

Edited by Námo, 07 November 2011 - 10:10 PM.

#Ulairi: #3, #6 and #7

Using Khamul, "The Shadow of the East" as a model, we can now assign 'names'/titles to the three unresolved Nazgûl ...

That leaves 3 other Nazgûl ...

... Nelya = 3rd. Nazgûl ...


... Enquëa = 6th. Nazgûl ... ... Otsëa = 7th. Nazgûl ...

... that is, only two of them needs to called "Shadow of ..." - one will keep the title "Lieutenant of Morgul".

Khamul came from the East, but for the rest ...

... we only know that three of them were of the race of the Black Nûmenoreans, and that the Witch-king probably was one of those three.

The Black Nûmenoreans had their realms in the South, so any of those three Nazgûl would have been a "Shadow of the South". - It is rather unlikely, that any of the Nazgûl could have come from the West, so the only remaining option is the North, i.e "Shadow of the North". -
The 'names' for those three Nazgûl will then be as follows:

 
#3 Nelya: keeps his title 'Lieutenant of Morgul' as his 'name'.

#6 Enquëa: keeps his title 'Lieutenant of Morgul', but will be named 'Shadow of the South'.

#7 Otsëa: keeps his title 'Lieutenant of Morgul', but will be named 'Shadow of the North'.

 

All nine Nazgûl do have a unique 'name'/title now.

Edited by Námo, 20 November 2011 - 10:19 AM.

#Index of Nazgûl Names:

INDEX OF NAZGÛL NAMES/TITLES:
Including references to their Powers, Weapon, Leadership, etc.

•  
• Chief Nazgûl: 
  #1 Ulairë Minya:
  

  
  
  The Witch-king
  The Black Captain, Witch-king of Morgul, Lord of the Nazgûl

  'Name': The Witch-king, ... [many other names used by Tolkien].
  Titles: The Witch-king, Chief of The Nine, The Black Captain, Lord of The Nazgûl, Lord of Angmar, Lord of Morgul ...
  Weapon: The Pale Blade (> Flaming Sword), Morgul Knife, Mace.
  Powers: FEAR (passive), 'The Shadow of Fear' (spell), Black Breath, Blasting Spell (/Ancient Spell), [Flaming Sword?], Summon Wraiths.
  Weakness: Calaquendi, [Elves], Women.
  

  Note: According to a note by Tolkien, The Witch-king is assumed to be of the race of the Black Númenoreans. He can be visually distinguished from the remaining Nazgûl by being taller than those, by his crown, and by his weapons.
  
  Leadership of army: All other Nazgûl, All forces at the Siege of Gondor / Battle of the Pelennor Fields:
  All Morgul forces (Men and Orcs), Reinforcments from Morannon incl. Allies (Orcs, Trolls, Easterlings and Axe-men), All forces from Harad (Variags, Mumakil, Black Men, Southrons, Haradrim and Corsairs).
  
  
  #2 Ulairë Attëa:
  

  
  
  Keeper of Dol Guldur
  Khamûl The Easterling, Shadow of the East

  'Name': Khamûl, The Black Easterling, The Shadow of the East.
  Titles: The Second Chief, Keeper of Dol Guldur, Shadow of the East.
  Weapon: Nazgûl Sword (Easterling Sword?).
  Powers: FEAR (passive), ['The Shadow of Fear' (spell)], Black Breath, Blasting Spell, [Summon Wraiths?].
  Weakness: Calaquendi, [Elves], Senses confused by daylight.
  

  Note: Of the race of Easterlings. It is said that Khamûl was the most ready of all the Nazgûl, after the Black Captain himself, to perceive the presence of the Ring, but also the one whose power was most confused and diminished by daylight.
  
  Leadership of army: All forces from Dol Guldur, Northern army of Easterlings.
  
  
   
• Senior Nazgûl: 
  #3 Ulairë Nelya:
  

  
  
  Lieutenant of Morgul

  'Name': The Lieutenant of Morgul, [Gothmog?!]
  Titles: Lieutenant of Morgul.
  Weapon: Nazgûl Sword (Morgul Blade?).
  Powers: FEAR (passive), ['The Shadow of Fear' (spell)], Black Breath, Blasting Spell.
  Weakness: Calaquendi, [Elves].
  

  Note: Based on linguistic evidence, "Gothmog the Lieutenant of Morgul" can only be a Nazgûl, and a former king (warlord) of one of the realms of the Black Númenoreans; thus, this Nazgûl will be the third most important of the Nine. (see [*to be posted later*])
  However, the name Gothmog will NOT be used as a Nazgûl name.
  
  Leadership of army: (Siege of Gondor) All Morgul forces - (Battle of the Pelennor Fields) All of Mordor's forces, incl. allies.
  
  
  #4 Ulairë Cantëa:
  

  
  
  Lieutenant of Dol Guldur

  'Name': The Lieutenant of Dol Guldur.
  Titles: Lieutenant of Dol Guldur.
  Weapon: Nazgûl Sword (Guldur Blade?).
  Powers: FEAR (passive), ['The Shadow of Fear' (spell)], Black Breath, Blasting Spell.
  Weakness: Calaquendi, [Elves], Water.
  

  Leadership of army: Orc-forces from Dol Guldur.
  
  
  #5 Ulairë Lemenya:
  

  
  
  Lieutenant of Mordor
  Chief Messenger of Sauron

  'Name': Chief Messenger of Sauron.
  Titles: Lieutenant of Mordor, Chief Messenger of Sauron.
  Weapon: Nazgûl Sword (Mordor Blade?).
  Powers: FEAR (passive), ['The Shadow of Fear' (spell)], Black Breath, Blasting Spell.
  Weakness: Calaquendi, [Elves], Water.
  

  Leadership of army: None and/or (Battle of Morannon) All Mordor forces.
  
  
   
• Junior Nazgûl: 
  
• SHADOWS:
  
  #6 Ulairë Enquëa:
  

  
  
  Shadow of the South

  'Name': The Shadow of the South.
  Titles: Lieutenant of Morgul.
  Weapon: Nazgûl Sword.
  Powers: FEAR (passive), Black Breath, [Blasting Spell].
  Weakness: Calaquendi, [Elves], Water.
  

  Note: The 'name'/titles suggests, that this Nazgûl was of the race of the Black Númenoreans.
  
  Leadership of army: (Siege of Gondor) All forces from Harad (Variags, Mumakil, Black Men, Southrons, Haradrim and Corsairs).
  
  
  #7 Ulairë Otsëa:
  

  
  
  Shadow of the North

  'Name': The Shadow of the North.
  Titles: Lieutenant of Morgul.
  Weapon: Nazgûl Sword.
  Powers: FEAR (passive), Black Breath, [Blasting Spell].
  Weakness: Calaquendi, [Elves], Water.
  

  Note: The 'name'/titles suggests, that this Nazgûl most likely was of the race of the Northmen, or one of the Easterling conquerors of Rhovanion.
  
  Leadership of army: (Siege of Gondor) Reinforcments from Morannon incl. Allies (Orcs, Trolls, Easterlings and Axe-men).
  
  
• MESSENGERS:
  
  #8 Ulairë Toldëa:
  

  
  
  Messenger of Morgul

  'Name': The Messenger of Morgul.
  Titles: Messenger of Morgul.
  Weapon: Nazgûl Sword.
  Powers: FEAR (passive), Black Breath, [Blasting Spell].
  Weakness: Calaquendi, [Elves], Water.
  

  Leadership of army: None.
  
  
  #9 Ulairë Nertëa:
  

  
  
  Messenger of Dol Guldur

  'Name': The Messenger of Dol Guldur.
  Titles: Messenger of Dol Guldur.
  Weapon: Nazgûl Sword.
  Powers: FEAR (passive), Black Breath, [Blasting Spell].
  Weakness: Calaquendi, [Elves], Water.
  

  Leadership of army: None.

[If anything is missing or incorrect, please let me know]

Edited by Námo, 20 November 2011 - 11:16 AM.
optimizing my hand of cards

#Notes on the Index of Nazgûl Names:

Comments and notes on the entries in above post.

• Disclaimer:
  
  The 'names'/titles given above are primarily for modding purposes.
  
  From a lore perspective they are not that interesting, though they might be seen as 'applied lore' ... i.e. the 'names'/titles and other facts used for differentiating the Nazgûl are based on Tolkien's lore, and not fiction. In cases where certain aspects are difficult to attribute to particular Nazgûl (shown like [Quality] or [Quality?]) this will be explained in notes, either in this post or later.
  
  Some generalization might occur, but within reasonable limits.
  
  
• Guidelines:
  
  

  ... names should comply to all of the following criteria:
  
  

  • The names should be in the form of titles, and should not be proper names.
  • The titles should be in accordance with the writings of Tolkien, especially with respect to all his linguistic works.
  • The etymology should be rather 'vague' because that's the way Tolkien portrayed them, more a 'class of beings' than 'individuals' ...
  • The names should be rather short and easy to recognize as Nazgûl (for reasons of gameplay)

  Still valid.
  
  Naming the Nazgûl should not diminish their basic characteristic of being just wraiths, i.e. without any individual human personality left. Although this may differentiate them, it should only be as different hues of Darkness ... shades of Shadows.
  
  
   
• Template (generic example): 
  
  
  • ## Ulairë Xxx:

  • 

  • Nazgûl

  • Black Rider, Thrall of the One

  • 'Name': Nazgûl, Black Rider.
    Titles: Ringwraith, (Shadow).
    Weapon: Nazgûl Sword.
    Powers: Fear (passive), Black Breath.
    Weakness: Calaquendi, [Elves], Water, (Senses confused by daylight).
    

  • Note: Just one of "The Nine" (Generic Nazgûl).
  • Leadership of army: Ad hoc.
  ------------
  
• Template (explanation):
  
  
  • Decipher's Name (Quenya numeral) - used as ID.
  • LotR TCG card - used as visual identifier. Just a picture, though the subtitles may be interesting.
  • Preferred 'name'/title.
  • Alternative naming: other useful titles.
  • All available info from the lore, put in one box:
    
    
    • 'Name': Names given by Tolkien (shown in bold letters), or if such does not exist, names taken titles.
    • Titles: Titles used by Tolkien (shown in bold letters), or if such does not exist, titles deducted from lore.
    • Weapon: From the lore, or assumed [*weapon*?]
    • Powers: Powers, spells and abilities according to lore - might be 'passive' or 'active'. If deducted or assumed, this will be marked as [*power*]. Specific explanation in the notes.
    • Weakness: According to the lore. Further explanation in the notes.
  • Notes related to the Nazgûl in question.
  • Assumed command of forces, War of the Ring.
  
   
• Notes:
  
  
  • POWERS:
    
    
    • Fear, and the Shadow of Fear: For a more detailed account of these powers, see this post.
    • Black Breath: This was probably a spell.
    • Blasting Spell: The Nazgûl did have a nasty habit of blasting doors and gates to get through. One example is the gates of Bree (twice), another Frodo's house in Breeland: two soft blows, followed by the command "Open in the name of Mordor" and the doors did burst.
      
      At the Gates of Minas Tirith the Witchking "cried aloud in a dreadful voice, speaking in some forgotten tongue words of power and terror to rend both heart and stone." Thrice, (and three strokes by Grond on the gates) ... then "as if stricken by some blasting spell it burst asunder."
      
      As this spell was common [also used by the Balrog in the Chamber of Mazarbul], it is attributed to all the Nazgûl.
    The powers of the Nazgûl were greatly enhanced in darkness.
  • WEAKNESS:
    
    
    • Calaquendi, [Elves]: The Elves did not fear the Úlairi like mortal Men did - but the Ringwraiths did fear the Elves, and especially the Calaquendi ['the Elves of Light'], i.e. those of the Noldor who had been in Aman, and had seen the light of the Trees. The Ringwraiths could not endure the light in their eyes.
    • The Witch-kings weakness for women: Glorfindel's prophecy that "not by the hand of man will he fall".
    • Water: Most of the Nazgûl had an unexplained fear of water, the known exceptions being The Witchking and Khamûl:
      
      

      From the Thain's Book:
      
      The Witch-king led Khamul and another Nazgul into the river despite their hatred of moving water ... the other Nazgul were driven into the river by Glorfindel - who revealed his full power and appeared to glow with a white light - and by Aragorn and the others bearing torches.
      

      The third one is arbitrary choosen to be the Lieutenant of Morgul, being the most powerful of the other Nazgûl.
• Fiction:
  
  Of the info listed for the Nazgûl, only the options given for their weapons are fiction: (Morgul Blade?), (Guldur Blade?) etc.; we actually know next to nothing about their physical weapons, except in the case of the Witchking ... however, to give them generic swords from their place of dwelling would not be contradictory to lore.

Edited by Námo, 23 November 2011 - 06:54 PM.

Comments and critique are most welcome

Edited by Námo, 06 November 2011 - 09:43 PM.

I believe it is a a well thought out alignment of titles. I love the idea of a messenger Nazgul. Tolkien knew his military. There was ALWAYS a communications officer.

#Command-structures of the Nazgûl:

The following charts are an attempt to show the Nazgul and their possible roles among Sauron's forces at the end of the Third Age. In particular, all of the reasonable "chains of command" that might have existed especially in the build-up to the battles in the War of the Ring.

First a minimal set of constraints on the power structure; the following rules should be considered pretty certain:

• No Nazgul should answer to a non-Nazgul.
• The Witch-king probably had a specific second in command (one of the Morgul Nazgûl).
• One or more Nazgul were probably kept outside the chain of command as messengers, as in the case at Dol Guldur.
• All of the Nazgul were either at Dol Guldur or Minas Morgul (with one of those stationed at Barad-dûr).
• No chain of command includes loops: orders are passed from the top to next level in a tree-like structure.

[Any notation like "(*forces*)" implies its own internal and unspecified chain of command. Those might include a single "local commander", or they might spread out right away.]

Because a "messenger" can't really be expected to be a regular part of the chain of command, we can assume that the chains of command was something like:



"Nazgûl Chain" (Dol Guldur):

The 'default' structure in times of peace. Similar 'default' structure for Minas Morgul, except with 3 lieutenants.


Khamul
| . . . . . . . Messenger of Dol Guldur
Lieutenant of Dol Guldur
|
Non-Nazgul
Dol Guldur Commander
|
(Dol Guldur Forces)



"Nazgul Tree" (Dol Guldur - Battles of the North):

The structure unfolded at the time of deployment of the various forces, coordinating simultaneous attacks at different geografical locations.


SAURON
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Messenger of Sauron
Khamul .
| . . . . . . . Messenger of Dol Guldur .
Lieutenant of Dol Guldur . .
___________|____________ . . . . .
| | .
Non-Nazgul Non-Nazgul Non-Nazgul
Dol Guldur Commander Dol Guldur Commander Easterling Captain
| | |
(Dol Guldur Forces) (Dol Guldur Forces) (Easterling Forces)
v v v
[Lorien] [Thranduils Realm] [Dale/Erebor]


"Nazgul Tree" (initial phase of Mordor's war on Gondor):

The structure unfolded at the time of deployment of the various forces, preceding the siege and attacks on Gondor.

Sauron |------------------------ Chief Messenger Of Sauron Witchking |------------------------ Messenger Of Morgul ________________________|________________________ | | | Shadow Of The North Lieutenant Of Morgul Shadow Of The South | | | Non-Nazgul Non-Nazgul Non-Nazgul Morannon Commander Morgul Commander Southron Commander | | | (Morannon Forces) (Morgul Forces) (Haradrim Forces)

"Nazgul Ninja Squad" (Siege of Minas Tirith / Battle of the Pelennor Fields):

Collapsing the structure a bit, for efficient operation in combat.

Witchking |------------------------ 4-5 other Nazgul, as Messengers | or a "Special Operations" force ________________________|________________________ | | | Non-Nazgul Non-Nazgul Non-Nazgul Morannon Commander Morgul Commander Southron Commander | | | (Morannon Forces) (Morgul Forces) (Haradrim Forces)

A detailed account of the different battles will be given in a later post.

Edited by Námo, 29 December 2012 - 01:36 PM.

Awesome a ninja squad
I love the research you have done, very nice work on this!

I love the research you have done, very nice work on this!

Thanks. It is indeed a sweet feeling, that The Third Age Modding Forum is the place, that solves the riddle of naming all the Nazgûl in a proper manner. Not Iron Crown Enterprises, not Decipher (although they did a decent job), neither any other of those big-shot companies with a lot of bucks at their disposal. But right here, in this humble community of dedicated people. I believe, that this is as it ought to be.

... and BTW, I still have some nice trumps hidden up my sleeve.

Well done. I very much like it. Would be good to utalize in SEE.

The witch king and I share the same weakness: women

Let it be typed! Let it be done! (stamped with seal of approval.)

The witch king and I share the same weakness: women

Well, The Witch-king was actually not the only Nazgûl having 'problems' with women, cf.:

... I'm actually a VERY nice guy (hence all the women that use me), even if people might not think so ...

Birds of a feather flock together I suppose......

This is truly some amazing work and research Námo. Still trying to process all of it.

Thanks, Rob. It might be less interesting in relation to lore proper, than in relation to modding purposes for which it is in fact made. I just wonder if anyone will use it in their mods, though I try to make it flexible, and adaptable for various implementations.

The thing I've always wondered about the Nazgul is that they are Kings of Men.
But what Kingdoms were there at the time they were created?
The ones I can think of are Numenor (plus possible Fiefdom/states with their own rule such as Umbar), The men of Dunharrow/Dunland and possibly the Northmen.
Not sure about what Kingdoms there were in the South and East so they may have made up the bulk of the Nine.
That fact that 3 of them were Numenorean is curious since there was really only one king in Numenor and nothing really tells of any of them being corrupted.
The Witch King would have most likely been either the first or the strongest of the Nine corrupted too.

#Forgotten Realms of the Shadows, part 1:

The thing I've always wondered about the Nazgul is that they are Kings of Men.
But what Kingdoms were there at the time they were created?

The short answer is, that those former kingdoms of the Nazgûl were never recorded in history, or to be more precise not in history that we know of; that is for (the Second Age) "The Annals of Númenor" and (for the Third Age) "The Annals of Gondor".

The long answer is, that the existence of such realms can be deducted from known lore.

We can fairly accurate establish the time of those kingdoms, from "the Tale of Years" in the Appendix of LotR. For the Second Age these entries are important:

600: The first ships of the Númenoreans appear off the coasts.
...
c. 1000: Sauron, alarmed by the growing power of the Númenoreans, chooses Mordor as a land to make into a stronghold.
...
1200: The Númenoreans begin to make permanent havens.
...
c. 1500: The Elven-smiths instructed by Sauron reach the height of their skill. They begin the forging of the Rings of Power.
c. 1590: The Three Rings are completed in Eregion. (note: the Three were made by Celebrimbor, without any help from Sauron)
c. 1600: Sauron forges the One Ring in Orodruin
...
1693: War of the Elves and Sauron begins. The Three Rings are hidden.
1695: Sauron's forces invade Eriador.
1697: Eregion laid waste. Death of Celebrimbor.

So, Sauron captured the lesser Rings of Power, but not the Three Great Rings. Shortly after he must have distributed the Nine ...

... because only about five hundred year later the Nazgûl first appeared:

1701: Sauron is driven out of Eriador.

c. 1800: From about this time onward the Númenoreans begin to establish dominions on the coasts. Sauron extends his power eastwards.

2251: Rebellion and division of the Númenoreans begins. About this time the Nazgûl or Ringwraiths, slaves of the Nine Rings, first appear.

[Sméagol the Stoor held the much more powerful Master Ring for about 480 years without becoming wraith]

So, those forgotten kingdoms of the Shadows, the Nine Servants of Sauron, must have existed sometime around the 18th and 19th centuries of the Second Age. A closer study of the different regions of Middle-earth at this time will reveal the potential for the existence of such evil realms.

Sauron's main criteria for distributing the Nine Rings must have been his geopolitical strategies at that time, i.e. his desire for supremacy of the whole of Middle-earth. The inherent royalty of potential receivers were secondary ... The Nine Rings had the power of being king-makers.

The Nazgûl did appear as Ringwraiths long before the Númenorean kings became corrupted, and the history of Númenor as well as the full line of Kings are well-known. So the West can be excluded, which leaves only the following regions as places for the Forgotten Realms of the Shadows: The North, The East and The South, which is pretty much the area shown in the following map.

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Map of the northwestern part of Middle-earth (from the movie)
[left-click to toggle zoom]

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General Introduction to the different Mannish Peoples in the Second Age Classification based on migratory patterns, settlements and languages, at the end of First Age and the beginning of Second Age.

First the more common classification, very useful for linguistic purposes:

Ethnographical terminology is often confusing. According to (S), the Quenya expression Atani originally referred to all Men but the Sindarin equivalent Edain only to the Three Houses who first entered Beleriand. These tribes are then most frequently referred to as Bëorians, Hadorians (though their original leader was known as Marach), and Haladin, later also Halethians or Halethrim, but though the name-giving heroes lived in Beleriand these epithets are also indiscriminatingly applied to their ancestors before they reached the West. On the other hand, (LP) calls the earliest parent language of Adûnaic Atani, even though it was spoken by the Hadorians and Bëorians only and the language of the Halethrim was not even remotely related to it. And finally, (PR) refers to the first Bëorians as "the Lesser Folk" while they became distinct from the Hadorians; we may thus conclude on a corresponding "Greater Folk" [the Hadorians].

For convenience, I will standardise the nomenclature in the following way:

• Northern Atani: The common ancestors of Bëorians and Hadorians, as opposed to the Southern Atani, the Haladin (the distinction of Northern and Southern is made with regard to their migratory pattern).
• pre-Bëorrim, pre-Marachrim, pre-Haladin: the ancestors of the three Edainic peoples during the migratory phase, including their relatives who did not enter Beleriand (Marach preceded Hador in the leadership of his tribe).
• Bëorians, Hadorians, Halethians: The Beleriandic Edain and their descendants, including scattered groups who left Beleriand.
• Bórrim: The Swarthy Men of the people of Bór who settled in Eriador and Beleriand.
• Northmen: In the Númenórean nomenclature, the Men of Rhovanion among which the pre-Marachrim element was predominant.
• Middle Men: In the Númenórean nomenclature, the Men of Eriador among which the pre-Marachrim and pre-Bëorrim element was predominant, including Edain who did not relocate to Númenor. (Historically, the term was later used to classify all Men friendly to the West who were not Dúnedain, thus including the Northmen, particularly the Rohirrim.)
• pre-Númenóreans: In the Númenórean nomenclature, the Men of predominantly pre-Haladin origin, once spread between Eriador and Umbar.

This nomenclature might be very useful for lore and linguistic research, where the interconnections between the different peoples are important. In relation to modding it is important to differentiate, and to give unique names or terms for these tribes, so I'll use this standardization:


Peoples who migrated into Beleriand, and later went to Númenorë:

• Númenoreans (2nd Age) [aka Dunedain (3rd Age)]:
  Those of the three houses of Edain who went to Númenorë at the beginning of Second Age.
  
  
  • House of Bëor: Bëorians
  • House of Hador: Hadorians
  • House of Haleth: Halethians
• Black Númenoreans:
  Those Númenoreans who in the second and third millennium of Second Age went back to Middle-earth and settled in the South, and there made realms independant of Númenorë. Servants of the Dark Lord.

Peoples who crossed the Misty Mountains and settled in Eriador:
Including peoples who escaped from the ruin of Beleriand and went back over the Blue Mountains into Eriador.

• Atani Peoples (2nd Age) [aka Edain (3rd Age)]: Bëorrim and Marachrim.
  The pre-Bëorrim and pre-Marachrim elements of the Northern Atani people. In Eriador these two branches merged gradually, and in Third Age would constitute the pre-Númenorean element of the population of Arnor (Arthedain). In 3rd Age they should be considered just one people, who could then be called Edain.
  
• Haladin (2nd Age) [aka Dunlendings (3rd Age)]:
  The pre-Halethrim who settled in Calenardhon (Rohan) and later migrated to Eriador; also called the Southern Atani, though their language was different from the Northern Atani. Ancestors of the Dunlendings in the 3rd Age.
  
• Drúedain (aka Pukel-men): These people did migrate and co-exist with the Haladin for about a thousand years, but in the first millenium of Second Age settled separate from the Haladin.
  
• Bórrim [aka Eastrons (1st Age)]:
  The Easterling people, of whom some in the first were secret servants of Morgoth, betrayers in the Battle of Unnumbered tears. Two distinct sub-groups did exist:
  
  
  • Bórrim [aka 'Hillmen of Rhudaur' (3rd Age)].
  • Descendants of Ulfang ('the Black') [aka 'Evil Men of Angmar' (2nd and 3rd Ages)]. According to naming traditions these should be called 'Ulfangrim', but might also be named just 'Ulugrim' "The hideous People" [from sindarin 'ulug' (hideous) and '-rim' (people)], following their tradition of using the prefix 'Ul-' in their names.
• 'Men of the Shadow' [aka 'Dead people of Dunharrow' (3rd Age)]. The people from the East, who in the Second Age settled in the White Mountains; Servants of Sauron at first, but betrayed him at the end of Second Age, becoming allies of new-founded Gondor. In the War of the last Alliance they also betrayed the Gondorians, thus if given a proper name for their tribe, they might be called 'Gwarthrim' - The People of Betrayers.

Peoples of Rhovanion, including remnants of the Atani who never crossed the Misty Mountain.

• Northmen (2nd and 3rd Ages) [aka Rohirrim, Woodmen, Bëornings, Dalians (Lake-men), Dorwinians and Rhovanians (3rd Age)]
  These people were the pre-Marachrim element of the peoples of Rhovanion, and except for periods of Easterling invasions and supremacy, the dominant Mannish population of this region. The Bëornings might be pre-Bëorrim, as were probably the Dorwinians, who seems throughout the 2nd and 3rd Ages to have maintained a sovereign enclave in the hills on the western shores of the Lake of Rhun.
  
• Easterlings Invaders of the Second Age.
  The records of the Second Age don't really differentiate these people, but in the second half of the second millennium there appeared out of the East "Alien Men of an evil sort". For the rest of that Age the history of the peoples of Rhovanion are lost in darkness, so there might have been several invasions of Easterlings.

The peoples of the East and of the South.
The history of those people will be described elsewhere.

Edited by Námo, 24 November 2011 - 12:11 PM.

#Forgotten Realms of the Shadows, part 2:


 The North Excerpt of the history of the People of Eriador and Rhovanion in the Second Age.

In the Second Age, "the dark years for Men of Middle-earth" (KR) in which "Middle-earth went backward and light and wisdom faded" (AK), the indigenious Men of Eriador, Gondor, and Rhovanion entered recorded history in the shape of many numerous and wide-spread populations.

Some background info on the history of these areas and the socio-economic development in the millenium preceding the forging of the Great Rings:


Indigenous Population of Eriador, Second Age: From Lalaith's Middle-earth Science Paper The Indigenous Population of Eriador ... and their Relationships to the Númenóreans and their Allies:

At the end of the First Age, the peoples of Eriador could be described like this:

• Men of Darkness:
  
  Bórrim (Easterlings of the First Age):
  
  

  Important Note: No tales of the Bórrim of Eriador in the Seconds Age are recorded by the Númenorean historians, in those of their records that survived the downfall of Númenóre. Only the Elves do have some records in their Annals of Beleriand, from the First Age.

  A population of Swarthy Men was found in northern Eriador, akin to the people who in the War of Wrath did serve Morgoth, the Easterling Bórrim:
  
  

  "Of the people of Bór, it is said, came the most ancient of the Men that dwelt in the north of Eriador in the Second Age and ... after-days." (GA). These must have come from southern Rhovanion where they had met the Entwives, for "many men learned the crafts [of agriculture] of the Entwives and honoured them greatly", (TT) and the Bórrim were then known as skilled "tillers of the earth". (GA)
  

  The Bórrim must have lived in the northeastern part of Eriador, since they apparently did not have any contact with the Númenoreans coming to Eriador; they are not recorded in the Annals of Númenóre, and only indirctly mentioned in relation to the Middle Men, of whom it is said:
  
  

  They [the Middle Men] were frequently terrorised and subjected by scattered fugitives from Angband who apparently took in larger numbers to the hills of Rhúdaur and the Mountains of Angmar, but still "Men in those parts remain[ed] more or less uncorrupted if ignorant [and] in a simple ‘Homeric’ state of patriarchal and tribal life" (L131). It was thus recorded that "the native people were fairly numerous and warlike, but they were forest-dwellers, scattered communities without central leadership." (GC)
  

  The "scattered fugitives from Angband" were, according to the lore of the Elves, the survivors of the Bórrim who had entered into Beleriand, and who after the War of Wrath fled east into Eriador:
  
  

  In the Great Battle [the 'War of Wrath', end of First Age] ... others fought for Morgoth. And after the victory of the Lords of the West those of evil Men who were not destroyed fled back into the east, where many of their race were still wandering in the unharvested lands, wild and lawless, refusing alike the summons of the Valar and of Morgoth. And the evil Men came among them, and cast over them a shadow of fear, and they took them for kings. Then the Valar forsook for a time the Men of Middle-earth who had refused their summons and had taken the friends of Morgoth to be their masters; and Men dwelt in darkness and were troubled by many evil things that Morgoth had devised in the days of his dominion ...
  

  According to the lore of the Elves, at the end of First Age two distinct groups of Swarthy Men had formed: the followers of Bór "who were worty folk and tillers of the earth", and those of Ulfang the Black who apparently were hunters and gatherers. This seems to correspond to their pattern of settlement in northern Eriador in the beginning of the Second Age:
  
  
  • Dissidents of Ulfang the Black [servants of Morgoth]: Angmar, later possible Rhudaur.
  • Direct descendants of Bór [free people]: eastern part of northern Eriador, inc. Rhudaur.
  Some racial and cultural traits of the Bórrim:
  
  

  [the Bórrim] became collectively known as Easterlings and Eastrons ... Because of their physical characteristics, they were also referred to as Swarthy Men, for they "were short and broad, long and strong in the arm; their skins were swart or sallow, and their hair was as dark as their eyes. Their houses were many, and some had greater liking for the Dwarves of the mountains than for the Elves." (S) ...
  
  Easterling tongues ... show distinct influences of Khûzdul: "of the tongues of the Easterlings many show kinship with Dwarf-speech rather than with the speeches of the Elves" (NE).
  

  On their women it is said:
  
  

  Their women were as strong as those of the Halethians, "proud and barbaric". (TG)

  The later descendants of these "most ancient" people of Eriador would most likely be the 'Evil Men of Angmar' of the Third Age, and possible also the Hillmen of Rhudaur.
  
  
• Edain, Free People:
  
  Atani: Bëorrim and Marachrim.
  
  

  In Eriador the ancestors of the Middle Men began to concentrate into what later turned out to become the population centers of Arnor: "about Lake Evendim, in the North Downs and the Weather Hills, and in the lands between as far as the Brandywine, west of which they often wandered though they did not dwell there." (AE, DM) There were aside of Bórrim found "many, it would seem, in origin kin of the Folk of Bëor, though some were kin of the Folk of Hador" (DM, cf. also AE) ... some Hadorians had in fear of the Evil Power turned from their encampment in Beleriand, "and they went back over the mountains into Eriador, and were forgotten." (S) It seemed thus that they had rejoined with "their laggard kindred [who] were either in Eriador, some settled, some still wandering ..." (DM).
  

  The Númenórean term "Middle Men was ... originally applied to Men of Eriador" who mainly inhabited the territory of later Arthedain.
  
  

  [In northern Eriador] the Middle Men had stayed in contact with Gil-galad’s kingdom of Lindon, and "they were friendly with the Elves, though they held them in awe and close friendships between them were rare. Also they feared the Sea and would not look upon it". (DM) But there also did exist such close friendships, for Elves led by Galadriel and Celeborn as well "for a while ... dwelt in the country about Lake Nenuial (Evendim, north of the Shire)", (GC) side by side with the Middle Men.
  

  The later descendants of those Atani people of Eriador may be the peoples of Rhudaur in the Third Age.
  
  
  Haladin:
  
  

  The pre-Haladin, now pre-Númenóreans, had spread from Umbar through the White Mountains to Isengard and Dunland, across Enedwaith and Minhiriath and as far North as Cardolan, their northernmost relatives apparently living along the line from Sarn Ford to the junction of Gwathló and Mitheithel. At the territories of the Middle Men, their expansion had stopped.
  

  
  The pre-Haladin apparently settled as far north as Bree. From their earlier settlements in the White Mountains they were later driven off by the Men of the Shadow, and slowly migrated into Eregion and further:
  
  

  "in the Dark Years others ... removed to the southern dales of the Misty Mountains; and thence some ... passed into the empty lands as far north as the Barrow-downs. From them came the Men of Bree." (LP) We do not know when this happened. Usually, the "Dark Years" refer to the Second Age only; but the Bree-folk remembered in their folklore that in very Bree-country they had already "survived the turmoils of the Elder Days" (FR).
  

  
  Drúedain:
  
  The Drúedain finally dwelt in small parts of White Mountains and along the coasts of Andrast and Minhiriath.

Revolt and War in Eriador, first part of Second Age: 

• Second Age, c. 600: Arrival of the Númenoreans in Eriador.
  
  

  When the first Númenórean ships arrived in 600 SA it was the Middle Men with whom they first came into contact. They landed in Lindon and their crews met with Gil-Galad, and "the news spread swiftly and Men in Eriador were filled with wonder." Before long, a meeting between the sailors and twelve messengers of Edainic descent came to pass on the Tower Hills of which a detailed account is given in AE. And for a limited time "they mingled in friendship". (AE)
  
  The Númenóreans soon began to cultivate their new-won friends, "and none yet dared to withstand them. For most of the Men of that age that sat under the Shadow were now grown weak and fearful. And coming among them the Númenóreans taught them many things" (TA), such as agriculture, stonecraft and smithying; but also their language.
  
  "The Men of Middle-earth were comforted, and here and there upon the western shores the houseless woods drew back, and Men shook off the yoke of the offspring of Morgoth, and unlearned their terror of the dark. And they revered the memory of the tall Sea-kings, and when they had departed they called them gods, hoping for their return; for at that time the Númenóreans dwelt never long in Middle-earth, nor made there as yet any habitation of their own." (AK)
  

  This initial euphoria would soon enough turn to resentment against the Númenoreans, among the indigenous population of Eriador.
  
  
• Second Age, 800 to 1600:.
  
  The following excerpt from the history of the Númenoreans colonization of Eriador in the period 800 to 1600 S.A. does only concern the relation to the Haladin people. The Atani living more to the North was not directly affected by the deforestation of Minhiriath.
  

  
  

  Second Age, c. 800: Devastation of the forests of Eriador begins.
  
  "In Aldarion's day the Númenóreans did not yet desire more room, and his Venturers remained a small people." (FI). But "Aldarion had a great hunger for timber, desiring to make Númenor into a great naval power" (CE), and so in about 810 he founded Vinyalondë as "a timber-port and ship-building harbour". (CE) From then on, "the power of Númenor became more and more occupied with great navies, for which their own land could not supply sufficient timber without ruin, their felling of trees and transportation of wood to their shipyards in Númenor or on the coast of Middle-earth ... became reckless." (DM)
  
  Aldarion proved to be quite short-sighted with regard to matters of environmental protection, not to mention minority policies; and this led to a perpetual decrease of reputation with the pre-Númenóreans. Patient they were: Long they suffered in silence and "did not become hostile until the tree-felling became devastating." (GC) But slowly, "hostility was growing and dark men out of the mountains were thrusting into Enedwaith" in support of their kinsmen. (AE) Aldarion met the first sign of resistance when in 820 SA he found Vinyalondë "overthrown by great seas and plundered by hostile men." (AE) Then he witnessed how "Men near the coasts were growing afraid of the Númenóreans, or were openly hostile; and Aldarion heard rumours of some lord in Middle-earth who hated the men of the ships." (AE)
  
  
  Second Age, c. 900: Dissent and Evil stirring among Men.
  
  Gil-Galad of Lindon, perceiving that "the Shadow crept along the coasts and men whom they had befriended became afraid or hostile" (FI), correctly concluded that a more transcedental power was at work. The Elven-king understood as well that the hidden instigator had not himself kindled the resentments but that like any good demagog he made use of the animosities already available ... "It is no tyranny of evil Men, as your son believes; but a servant of Morgoth is stirring, and evil things wake again. Each year it gains in strength, for Men are ripe to its purpose." (AE)
  
  Aldarion and his successors continued to find "that iron was used against them by those to whom they had revealed it." (DN) To the pre-Númenóreans, it was still a desperate act of self-defense when they "attacked and ambushed the Númenóreans when they could, and the Númenóreans treated them as enemies, and became ruthless in their fellings, giving no thought to husbandry or replanting." (GC) When they had completely wrecked the banks and shorelines and "drove great tracks and roads into the forests northwards and southwards from the Gwathló", (GC) the pre-Númenóreans "became bitter enemies of the Númenóreans, because of their ruthless treatment and their devastation of the forests" (DM)
  
  
  Second Age, c. 1000: Númenorean expansion in Eriador, Migration of indigenous peoples.
  
  The Númenóreans answered the challenge with cultivation at the sword's edge: Cleansing the area and destroying what lied ahead of them, they pushed far into Minhiriath and Enedwaith, establishing themselves inland as far as the river Glanduin, "the southern boundary of Eregion, beyond which pre-Númenóreans and generally unfriendly peoples lived, such as the ancestors of the Dunlendings" (GC), "who were a remnant of the peoples that had dwelt in the vales of the White Mountains in ages past" (LP). "The native folk that survived fled from Minhiriath into the dark woods of the great Cape of Eryn Vorn, south of the mouth of the Baranduin ... from Enedwaith they took refuge in the eastern mountains where afterwards was Dunland ... they did not cross the Isen nor take refuge in the great promontory between Isen and Lefnui [being the Cape of Andrast] ... because of the 'Pukel-men'" (GC)
  
  
  Second Age, c. 1600: Sauron's potential for drafting recruits.
  
  The pre-Númenóreans' understandable "hatred remained unappeased in their descendants, causing them to join with any enemies of Númenor." (DM). In the early second millenium he increased pressure on the West and drew closer to the Númenórean sphere of influence by leaving his stronghold in Rhún and relocating to Mordor which became his prime residence throughout the Ages to come.
  
  When by the end of the 17th century SA he had forged the One Ring, completed Barad-dúr and launched the War of the Elves and Sauron, he had the ground well-prepared to recruit and support partisan forces. "The exiled natives welcomed Sauron and hoped for his victory over the Men of the Sea. Sauron knew of the importance to his enemies of the Great Haven and its ship-yards, and he used these haters of Númenor as spies and guides for his raiders. He had not enough force to spare for any assault upon the forts at the Haven or along the banks of the Gwathló, but his raiders made much havoc on the fringe of the forests, setting fire in the woods and burning many of the great wood-stores of the Númenóreans." (GC)
  
  The pre-Númenórean guerillas were enough to keep the Venturers occupied while Sauron's regular troops "attempted to gain the mastery over Eriador ... ravaged the lands, slaying or drawing off all the small groups of [Middle] Men and hunting the remaining Elves." (GC).
  

• Second Age, 1700:.
  
  
  So, at this time the scene was ripe for Sauron to set up evil Lords, rulers of realms that were subordinate to Sauron's power. However, in Eriador the chieftains of the tribes there would probably not be powerful enough for Sauron's purpose ... but in Rhovanion, out of reach for the Númenoreans, his dominion over the realms was at times much greater.

Invasion and Migration in Calenardhon, Second Age: 

• The pre-Númenoreans and the Drúedain:
  
  

  "Historians in Gondor believed that the first Men to cross the Anduin were indeed the Drúedain. They came (it was believed) from lands south of Mordor, but before they reached the coasts of Haradwaith they turned north into Ithilien, and eventually finding a way across the Anduin (probably near Cair Andros) settled in the vales of the White Mountains and the wooded lands at their northern feet. 'They were a secretive people, suspicious of other kinds of Men by whom they had been harried and persecuted as long as they could remember, and they wandered west seeking a land where they could be hidden and have peace.'" (TD) Thus at first, the Drúedain or "'Pukel-Men' occupied the White Mountains (on both sides) in the First Age." (TD)
  

  Next arrived the Southern Atani, the pre-Haladin whom we have to imagine like the Bree-folk, "brown-haired, broad, and rather short, cheerful and independent"; these would also settle in the valleys of the White Mountains but stayed on friendly terms with the Drú-folk.
  
  Both the Halethrim and the Drúedain were later forced to move on because of the arrival of the 'Men of the Shadow'.
  
• 'Men of the Shadow':
  
  

  The pre-Haladin of the White Mountains apparently were later driven off from the most part of the range by the 'Men of the Shadow' [...] "in the Dark Years others ... removed to the southern dales of the Misty Mountains; and thence some ... passed into the empty lands [of Eriador]
  

  Of the Drúedain (the Pukel-men) it is said that ...
  
  

  ... most had remained in the White Mountains, in spite of their persecution by later-arrived Men, who had relapsed into the service of the Dark." (TD) These Men of Shadow hunted the Drúedain and brought them almost to extinction: "from the East, they said, had come the tall Men who drove them from the White Mountains, and they were wicked at heart." (TD)
  

  The pursued Drúedain escaped only into the forests of Anórien and down the Cape of Andrast into Drúwaith Iaur where they may have survived even into the War of the Ring.

Peace and War in Rhovanion in the Second Age: From Lalaith's Middle-earth Science Paper The History of the Men of Darkness:

the predominant culture in Rhovanion and south of it were the Northmen of chiefly pre-Marachrim origin, except for maybe a surviving pre-Bëorrim enclave in Dorwinion and some Bórrim in southern Rhovanion.

... the Longbeards had spread southward down the Vales of Anduin and had made their chief 'mansion' and stronghold at Moria; and also eastward to the Iron Hills, where the mines were their chief source of iron-ore. They regarded the Iron Hills, the Ered Mithrin, and the east dales of the Misty Mountains as their own land. But they were under attack from the Orks of Morgoth. During the War of the Jewels and the Siege of Angband, when Morgoth needed all his strength, these attacks ceased; but when Morgoth fell and Angband was destroyed hosts of Orks fled eastward seeking homes. They were now masterless and without any general leadership, but they were well-armed and very numerous, cruel, savage, and reckless in assault. In the battles that followed the Dwarves were outnumbered, and though they were the most redoubtable warriors of all the Speaking Peoples they were glad to make alliance with Men.

... the Longbeards, though the proudest of the seven kindreds, were also the wisest and the most farseeing. Men held them in awe and were eager to learn from them; and the Longbeards were very willing to use Men for their own purposes. Thus there grew up in those regions the economy, later characteristic of the dealings of Dwarves and Men (including Hobbits): Men became the chief provider of food, as herdsmen, shepherds, and landtillers, which the Dwarves exchanged for work as builders, roadmakers, miners, and the makers of things of craft, from useful tools to weapons and arms and many other things of great cost and skill.

The Men ... were glad of the alliance, for they were more vulnerable to the attacks of the Orks: they dwelt largely in scattered homesteads and villages, and if they drew together into small townships they were poorly defended, at best by dikes and wooden fences. Also they were lightly armed, chiefly with bows, for they had little metal and the few smiths among them had no great skill. These things the Dwarves amended in return for one great service that Men could offer. They were tamers of beasts and had learned the mastery of horses, and many were skilled and fearless riders. These would often ride far afield as scouts and keep watch on movements of their enemies; and if the Orks dared to assemble in the open for some great raid, they would gather great force of horsed archers to surround them and destroy them.

In these ways the Alliance of Dwarves and Men in the North came early in the Second Age to command great strength, swift in attack and valiant and well-protected in defence, and there grew up in that region between Dwarves and Men respect and esteem, and sometimes warm friendship.

It was a brief period in the dark annals of the Second Age, yet for many lives of Men the Longbeards controlled the Ered Mithrin, Erebor, and the Iron Hills, and all the east side of the Misty Mountains as far as the confines of Lórien; while the Men of the North dwelt in all the adjecent lands as far south as the Great Dwarf Road that cut through the Forest (the Old Forest Road was its ruinous remains in the Third Age) and then went North-east to the Iron Hills.

The Second Age had reached only the middle of its course (c. Second Age 1695) when ... the Orks reinforced and commanded by servants of Sauron invaded the mountains again. Gundabad was re-taken, the Ered Mithrin infested ...

... about 1695 SA, when Sauron had declared war against the Elves, he drew fresh forces out of Rhún and the Alliance of Dwarves and Northmen in northen Rhovanion was suddenly "involved in war not only with Orks but with alien Men of evil sort. For Sauron had acquired dominion over many savage tribes in the East (of old corrupted by Morgoth), and he now urged them to seek land and booty in the West.". (DM) Rhovanion paid a high toll to this assault: "when the storm passed, the Men of the old Alliance were diminished and scattered, and those that lingered on in their old regions were impoverished, and lived mostly in caves or in the borders of the Forest." (DM)

The last sentence, that the Northmen "were impoverished, and lived mostly in caves or in the borders of the Forest" seems to be in conflict with the history of the Northmen in The Third Age, where the Northmen had recovered their strength and regained their kingdoms.

------------

We must assume that, at the time when Sauron had captured the Nine Rings, there must have been Rulers in Rovanion wanting more power, and therefore easily ensnared by Sauron.

Whether the potential receiver of one of the Rings was an indigenous ruler of the Northmen, or one of the Easterling conquerers, this would indeed be a "Shadow of the North."


This post is WIP

Edited by Námo, 24 November 2011 - 09:21 PM.