One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,One Ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them.

NAZGÛL

Nazgûl

See also DRAGONS MONSTERS ORCS TROLLS LORD OF THE NAZGÛL

THE OTHER SIDE / WRAITH-WORLD. Wraith-worldOther SideThe realm of the unknown. At least some of the Eldar existed partially on the other side, as did the Ringwraiths (Nazgûl) and bearers of at least some Rings of Power.A little-known hidden side to reality, apparently synonymous with the notion of the Wraith-world. Certain beings existed in both realms, notably the Ringwraiths (who were invisible in the normal world, but had visible forms on the other side). This was an effect of their Rings of Power, and similarly the One Ring could draw its bearer partially across the threshold, making them invisible and allowing them to see into the hidden domain.The other side was not merely the preserve of the Dark Lord and his works. While under the power of the Ring, its bearer was able to see a different aspect to at least some Elves (as Frodo saw Glorfindel as a shining figure when he wore the Ring). A passage relating to the Downfall of Númenor in Akallabêth hints at even greater importance of the domain on the other side: '...Valinor and Eressëa were taken from [the World] into the realm of hidden things.' The precise meaning of this passage is not explained, but 'the realm of hidden things' seems to correspond closely with the idea of the other side or the Wraith-world; if that is true, then it was on the other side that Valinor could still be found in the West-that-was.A mysterious alternative aspect of reality, into which the Ring could partly draw its wearer. Certain beings, such as the Ringwraiths, seem to have led a dual existence on the boundary between two worlds: our own world and the Wraith-world. While they had a partial form in our reality, they seem to have had a more solid existence in their own world. They also had the ability to draw others into their reality, and attempted this with Frodo through the use of an enchanted weapon. This power to draw others into their realm seems to have been used to terrorise their servants, too - 'they skin the body off you as soon as look at you, and leave you all cold in the dark on the other side', says Gorbag in The Two Towers IV 10.The Wraith-world was not populated by wraiths and Ring-bearers alone: the Elves existed in a brilliant, shining form on the other side of the threshold. At least, Frodo saw Glorfindel in this form while on the brink of the Wraith-world himself, and Gandalf later suggested that this nature was common to the High Elves.Though Tolkien goes into very little detail about this 'other side' to reality, it is mentioned often in accounts that have come down to our own time through folklore. In these stories, it is commonplace to find fairies and elves - and less friendly beings - moving between our world and their own mysterious realm. Indeed, these stories are, in part, the origin of the idea of 'fairyland', and it seems plausible that Tolkien's idea of the ghostly Wraith-world is in some way related to them. In the end, though, he gives us so little information that it is hard to do more than speculate on the subject.

FELL BEASTS. Winged steeds of the Nazgûl. The word fell in this sense means "cruel, terrible." The Fell Beasts and their riders were also called the Black Wings, the Winged Messenger, Winged Nazgûl, Winged Steeds, Wraiths on wings, Fell Riders of the air, Black Riders of the air. Winged steeds of the Nazgûl. The Fell Beasts were huge, larger than any bird, and their wingspans were great. Their wings were made of hide stretched between bones like horned fingers and they had no feathers. They had beaks and long necks. The Fell Beasts smelled foul and they shrieked.

The Fell Beasts were similar to but not exactly like the pterodactyl and may have been prehistoric creatures that had somehow survived into the Third Age. They were nutured and fed fell meats by Sauron and became steeds for his most dreadful servants, the Nazgûl. The Fellowship first encountered one of the Fell Beasts on the night of February 23, 3019, as they rowed down the Anduin. They were attacked by Orcs, and then a dark shape passed overhead. Legolas shot and killed the Beast with an arrow, but its Rider survived. Frodo sensed that it was one of the Nazgûl. When Merry and Pippin were captured by Uruk-hai at Amon Hen on February 26, Grishnakh, an Orc of Mordor, said the prisoners should be taken across the Anduin where a winged Nazgûl waited. Ugluk taunted Grishnakh about the mount that had been shot out from under the Nazgûl, and Grishnakh said that the winged Nazgûl were not yet ready to show themselves on the west side of the Anduin. They were to be used for the War and other purposes. Frodo and Sam heard the cry of a Winged Nazgûl over the Emyn Muil on February 29. In the Dead Marshes on the night of March 1-2, Frodo, Sam and Gollum saw a Winged Nazgûl fly overhead and then return to Mordor. Gollum was terrified and afterwards Sam sensed a change for the worse in Gollum. They felt another passing overhead at dusk on March 4 and again after midnight on March 5. Later on March 5, Sam saw four more of the Fell Beasts circling. That same day, across the Anduin, Pippin looked into the palantir while Gandalf slept. Shortly afterwards, a Fell Beast flew over the camp at Dol Baran. Gandalf took Pippin up onto Shadowfax and rode swiftly to Minas Tirith. Gandalf explained that the Fell Beast could not have flown 200 leagues from Mordor in reponse to Pippin's action, and said that the Nazgûl had probably been sent earlier to determine what Saruman was doing. When Gandalf and Pippin stopped at Edoras on March 6, a Fell Beast came once more and descended almost to the roof of Meduseld. Gandalf then counselled the Rohirrim to assemble in the valley at Dunharrow rather than in the fields. Pippin and Beregond felt a shadow pass across the sun as they stood on the walls of Minas Tirith on March 9. The next day Faramir and his men were returning to Minas Tirith pursued by five Nazgûl on Fell Beasts. Gandalf rode out to meet them and sent a shaft of white light from his staff to hit one of the Fell Beasts. The Nazgûl flew away and Faramir entered the City. Faramir was sent out again to defend the river against the enemy, and when he and his men were forced to retreat to the Pelennor on March 13 they were again pursued by Winged Nazgûl, but the Nazgûl once again fled when Gandalf appeared, for their Captain was not ready to face him. On March 15, as Frodo and Sam escaped from the Tower of Cirith Ungol, the Watchers at the gate let out a wail, and a Winged Nazgûl appeared and landed on the battlements. Frodo and Sam escaped by jumping from a cliff into a thicket. At the Battle of the Pelennor Fields on March 15, the Witch-king of Angmar descended onto the field on a Fell Beast. The horses of the Rohirrim fled in terror. Merry and Eowyn were thrown from Windfola. Theoden's mount Snowmane was pierced by a dart and fell on his master. The Fell Beast dug its claws into Snowmane's body. It attacked Eowyn when she confronted the Witch-king, and she beheaded the Fell Beast. Then she and Merry defeated the Witch-king. After the battle the carcase of the Beast was burned. In Mordor, Frodo and Sam saw a Fell Beast flying to Barad-dur. They sensed that something had gone wrong for Sauron, though they could not know of the Witch-king's defeat, and Sam felt a flare of hope. The remaining Winged Nazgûl were sent by Sauron to shadow the approach of the Captains of the West as Frodo and Sam made their way across the plain of Gorgoroth. They circled the battlefield during the Battle of the Morannon on March 25. When Frodo claimed the Ring, the Winged Nazgûl raced toward Mount Doom but they were too late. The Ring was destroyed and the mountain erupted in fire. The Nazgûl and their steeds were engulfed in flame.

WINGED MESSENGER. Winged Messenger One of the Nazgûl. His steed was shot by Legolas of Mirkwood over Anduin.WINGED NAZGÛL = FELL BEASTS. WINGED STEEDS = FELL BEASTS.

WINGED CREATURES.Winged Creatures

Airborne Mounts of the Nazgûl. Fetid black creatures raised by Sauron as flying mounts for his Ringwraiths. That ridden by the Lord of the Nazgûl at the Battle of the Pelennor was described as naked and featherless, with wings of hide like a bat, and a long, sinuous neck. In Ithilien, though, Frodo compared these beasts to giant carrion birds, a comparison that doesn't appear to match the other more detailed description. Perhaps he was describing their wheeling, watchful flight, rather than the appearance of the Creatures themselves. Whatever the nature of the Winged Creatures, it seems that those used by the Nazgûl were the last of their kind in Middle-earth, and had been grown to an unnatural size by Sauron. Despite their size, they were not supernatural beings, but living creatures, and they could be hurt and slain: Legolas shot one with an arrow on the River Anduin, and Éowyn slew another on the Pelennor Fields. The last of the Winged Creatures perished in Mordor, where they were caught with their masters in the erupting fires of Mount Doom. -BLACK WINGS.-WINGED MESSENGERS.-WINGED NAZGÛL. Winged Nazgûl-WINGED SHADOWS. Winged Shadows-WINGED STEEDS.

GOTHMOG. Gothmog was also the name of the Lord of the Balrogs in the First Age. Gothmog is composed of the word goth meaning "dread" and the word baug meaning "tyrannous, cruel, oppressive." GOTHMOG OF ANGBAND. See BALROGSGOTHMOG OF MORGUL.Lieutenant of Minas Morgul. Gothmog was the second-in-command of the Enemy forces at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields on March 15, 3019 of the Third Age. After the demise of his commander - the Lord of the Nazgûl - Gothmog assumed command. Gothmog sent more troops onto the field from Osgiliath including Easterlings, Southrons, Variags, and Men of Far Harad. The battle began to turn in favor of the Enemy, but then Aragorn arrived in the Corsairs' ships with reinforcements and Gothmog's forces were defeated. Gothmog, Lieutenant of Morgul-LIEUTENANT OF MORGUL. Lieutenant of Morgul

KHAMÛL. Also called the Shadow of the East, the Black Easterling, and the Second Chief. He is commonly referred to as Khamul the Easterling. Nazgûl explicitly named by Tolkien. Khamûl is the only one of the Nazgûl whose personal name is given by Tolkien (UT, p. 352 note 1). The names of the other eight Nazgûl are not known. KHAMUL. Nazgûl, second to the Chief. Dwelt in Dol Guldur after its reoccupation in 3A2951.One of them, the second in rank after the Lord of the Nazgûl himself, was named Khamûl, and also known as the Black Easterling. This is the only one of the nine Second-in-command of the Nazgûl. Khamul is the only one of the Nazgûl whose original name is known. He was once an Easterling - a Man from Rhun in the far east of Middle-earth. Khamul was given one of the Nine Rings by Sauron and he was enslaved to Sauron's will and became one of the Wraiths known as the Nazgûl. The Nine first appeared as Nazgûl around the year 2251 of the Second Age. Khamul was one of the most powerful Nazgûl, second only to the Lord of the Nazgûl. He was readily able to sense the presence of the One Ring, although in daylight he became confused and his power was diminished. In the year 2951 of the Third Age, Sauron sent Khamul as his lieutenant to command the stronghold of Dol Guldur in Mirkwood. One or two of the other Nazgûl were sent with Khamul. In March of 3018, Aragorn brought Gollum to Mirkwood to be held captive by the Elvenking Thranduil. Khamul's spies later learned of this and Khamul sent word to Sauron around late April. On June 20, Orcs from Dol Guldur attacked the Elves. Khamul may have directed the attack. Gollum escaped from captivity, but he managed to elude the Orcs as well. That same day, the Lord of the Nazgûl began the hunt for the One Ring and the land of the Hobbits known as the Shire. On July 22, Khamul met the Lord of the Nazgûl in the Field of Celebrant. Khamul reported Gollum's escape and said that there were no Hobbits living in the Vales of the Anduin. The Nazgûl continued searching and eventually made their way to Isengard and were directed north to Eriador.

On September 23, Khamul and three or four other Nazgûl entered the Shire after defeating the Rangers at Sarn Ford.* Khamul went to Hobbiton seeking someone named Baggins. He spoke to Gaffer Gamgee, who pointed him in the direction of Buckland. Khamul pursued Frodo Baggins and his companions down the Stock Road. He came close to catching Frodo during the day of September 24 but the Hobbits hid from him and Khamul was hesistant and uncertain in the daylight. At twilight, Khamul became more aware of the Ring and he approached Frodo in the Woody End but fled as a company of Elves led by Gildor Inglorion arrived. The presence of the Elves interfered with Khamul's ability to sense the Ring. Khamul continued his pursuit the next day - September 25 - and the Hobbits saw him on a ridge above them and later heard his cry as he summoned another Nazgûl. Khamul then went to Bamfurlong, the home of Farmer Maggot, and offered the farmer gold in exchange for news of Baggins, but Maggot refused. That evening Khamul saw the Hobbits crossing the Brandywine River using the Bucklebury Ferry, but he was unable to pursue them across the deep moving water and the river interfered with his ability to sense the Ring. Khamul summoned the other Nazgûl who had dispersed across the Shire. The five Nazgûl assembled on the morning of September 26. One Nazgûl was ordered to watch the Brandywine Bridge, while two others were sent along the Great East Road to report to the Witch-king. Khamul and another Nazgûl secretly entered Buckland through the North-gate. Khamul did not want to attract attention so they searched for Frodo slowly and stealthily. On September 28, Khamul found the house at Crickhollow where Frodo had stayed. Khamul kept watch on the house and sent his companion to bring back the Nazgûl who had been left guarding the Brandywine Bridge. The three assembled at Crickhollow on the night of September 29. Khamul led an attack on the house at Crickhollow in the early hours of September 30. Frodo was long gone, but his friend Fatty Bolger had remained behind. Fatty fled and raised the alarm. The three Nazgûl rode to the North-gate past the guards and out of Buckland. They rendezvoused with the Witch-king on September 30. On the night of October 3-4, the Nazgûl attacked Gandalf on Weathertop. Gandalf escaped with four Nazgûl in pursuit, but Khamul and the Witch-king remained behind with three others to keep watch for the Ring-bearer. Frodo arrived at Weathertop on October 6, and the five Nazgûl tried to capture him. The Witch-king stabbed Frodo with a Morgul-knife, but Frodo invoked the name of Elbereth - one of the Valar whom the Nazgûl feared - and Aragorn advanced on them with flaming brands. The Nazgûl retreated, expecting Frodo to become a Wraith as a result of his wound and fall under their power. On October 11, Khamul and two other Nazgûl encountered Glorfindel on the Last Bridge. Glorfindel was one of the High Elves who had lived in the Undying Lands and had power in the Unseen world. Khamul and the other Nazgûl fled from him. The Nine Nazgûl pursued Frodo to the Ford of Bruinen on October 20. Khamul followed the Witch-king into the river despite his dislike of water, but the Nazgûl were washed away in a flood created by Elrond. They returned to Mordor and assumed new forms and were mounted on flying steeds called Fell Beasts. Nothing further is known about Khamul's individual actions during the War of the Ring. The Nazgûl took part in the siege of Minas Tirith and the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, where the Lord of the Nazgûl perished on March 15, 3019. Khamul most likely became the leader of the Nazgûl at that time. At the Battle of the Morannon on March 25, the Nazgûl flew above the battlefield. When Frodo claimed the Ring at Mount Doom, Sauron summoned the Nazgûl to seize him. They raced to the mountain, but Gollum fell into the Cracks of Doom with the Ring. Mount Doom erupted and the Nazgûl were engulfed in flames and were destroyed. According to "The Tale of Years" in Appendix B of The Lord of the Rings, four Nazgûl entered the Shire while the other five pursued the Rangers eastward. Gandalf also stated that four Nazgûl entered the Shire at the Council of Elrond (FotR, p. 277). However, in The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion there is a much more detailed account of the Nazgûl's movements prepared by Tolkien which says five Nazgûl including Khamul entered the Shire while the other four including the Witch-king went eastward. -BLACK EASTERLING. The Black Easterling-EASTERLING THE.-SECOND CHIEF.-SHADOW OF THE EAST. Shadow of the EastKhamûl

LORD OF THE NAZGÛL. See LORD OF THE NAZGÛL

ChronologySecond Age: 1500 1500s The Nine Rings are made. 1600 c. 1600 Sauron makes the One Ring to rule the others. 1697 Sauron takes the Nine Rings. 2251 The Nine Nazgûl first appear. 3434 The War of the Last Alliance begins. 3441 Sauron is overthrown and the One Ring is taken by Isildur. The Nazgûl go into the shadows. Third Age: 1050 c. 1050 Sauron returns in secret and establishes a stronghold at Dol Guldur. 1300 The Nazgûl reappear. The Lord of the Nazgûl establishes the realm of Angmar in the north and becomes known as the Witch-king of Angmar. 1356 Angmar and Rhudaur wage war on Arthedain. King Argeleb I of Arthedain is killed. 1409 The Witch-king sends a great host forth from Angmar. Cardolan is occupied though some resistance remains. Rhudaur is overrun by evil subjects of Angmar. King Arveleg I of Arthedain is killed and the Tower of Amon Sul is destroyed. Elves come to the aid of the Dunedain and prevent the Witch-king from overrunning all of Arnor. 1636 The Dark Plague comes to Eriador. The Witch-king sends evil spirits to occupy the Barrow-downs. 1856 The other eight Nazgûl may have returned to Mordor at this time. 1974 The Witch-king invades Arthedain and captures Fornost. The North-kingdom of Arnor is ended. 1975 The Witch-king's forces are defeated at the Battle of Fornost by the Dunedain of the North, Men of Gondor, and Elves of Lindon and Rivendell. The Witch-king vanishes from the north. Glorfindel speaks a prophecy concerning his doom. 1980 The Witch-king returns to Mordor and gathers the other eight Nazgûl to him. 2000 The Nazgûl besiege Minas Ithil. 2002 The Nazgûl capture Minas Ithil. It becomes their stronghold and is renamed Minas Morgul. 2043 The Witch-king challenges Earnur to single-combat but is refused. 2050 The Witch-king renews his challenge and Earnur accepts. Earnur is never seen again. From this time the Stewards rule Gondor in the absence of a King. 2063 Gandalf investigates Dol Guldur and Sauron goes into hiding. The Watchful Peace begins and the Nazgûl remain quiet in Minas Morgul. 2460 Sauron returns to Dol Guldur and the Watchful Peace ends. 2475 Black Uruks invade Ithilien and take Osgiliath. They are driven back by Boromir, son of Denethor I. 2942 Sauron returns in secret to Mordor. 2951 Sauron declares himself openly and begins to build his power in Mordor. 3017 Sauron gains information from Gollum about the One Ring. 3018 June 20: The Witch-king leads the assault on Osgiliath. Khamul may have led an attack on Mirkwood to aid Gollum's escape. July 1: The Witch-king leads the Nazgûl of Minas Morgul across the Anduin in secret. July 17: The Nazgûl receive clothing and horses at Sarn Gebir. July 22: The Witch-king meets Khamul in the Field of Celebrant. He learns that no place called "the Shire" has been found in the Vales of the Anduin. The Witch-king decides to continue searching along the Anduin but they find nothing. September: The Nazgûl return south and receive word from Sauron to proceed to Isengard. September 18: The Nazgûl cross the Fords of Isen. September 22: The Nazgûl drive away the Rangers guarding Sarn Ford. September 23: Four Nazgûl including the Witch-king pursue the Rangers and then patrol the roads while the Witch-king goes to the Barrow-downs to rouse the Barrow-wights. The other five including Khamul enter the Shire. Khamul goes to Hobbiton and speaks to Gaffer Gamgee. September 24: Khamul pursues Frodo down the Stock Road. September 25: Khamul visits Farmer Maggot and sees the Hobbits cross the Brandywine River.

September 26: Khamul sends one Nazgûl to guard the Brandywine Bridge. He sends two others east along the Road. These two enter Bree and ask about Baggins at the Prancing Pony. Khamul and his companion enter Buckland. The Hobbits secretly leave Buckland and enter the Old Forest. Merry Brandybuck and Pippin Took are trapped by Old Man Willow but are rescued by Tom Bombadil. September 27: The Witch-king leaves the Barrow-downs. He meets the two Nazgûl from Bree and hears their report on the Ring-bearer. He sends three Nazgûl across country to Weathertop and back while he and two others patrol the Greenway. September 28: Frodo Baggins is captured by a Barrow-wight but escapes with the help of Tom Bombadil. Khamul finds Crickhollow and sends his companion to fetch the Nazgûl guarding the Brandywine Bridge. September 29: Khamul and two Nazgûl assemble at Crickhollow. The three Nazgûl who had been sent to Weathertop return and come to Bree. Bill Ferny and the squint-eyed Southerner see Frodo vanish into thin air at the Prancing Pony and report to the Nazgûl. One Nazgûl is sent to report to the Witch-king while the other two encounter Merry Brandybuck who is overcome by Black Breath. September 30: Khamul and two Nazgûl attack Crickhollow. The Prancing Pony is also attacked but Aragorn keeps Frodo safe. The Nine Nazgûl then assemble at Andrath. Four Nazgûl go east to Weathertop and four plus the Witch-king go south. Gandalf arrives in Bree. October 1: The Witch-king and four Nazgûl storm through Bree after midnight. Gandalf pursues them. October 2: The four Nazgûl who were sent ahead gather at Weathertop. Three continue eastward and one stays at Weathertop. October 3-4: The Nazgûl fight with Gandalf on Weathertop. He escapes and leads four of them away. October 6: The Witch-king and four Nazgûl attack Frodo and his companions on Weathertop. The Witch-king stabs Frodo and the tip of his Morgul-knife is lodged in Frodo's shoulder. October 7: The Witch-king resumes pursuit of the Ring-bearer. October 9: Glorfindel and other Elves set out from Rivendell to find the Ring-bearer. October 11: Glorfindel drives three Nazgûl including Khamul from the Last Bridge and then encounters the Witch-king and one other. October 13: Aragorn and the Hobbits cross the Last Bridge. October 14: The five Nazgûl reassemble and resume their pursuit. October 19: The five Nazgûl sense the Ring nearby. October 20: The five Nazgûl pursue Frodo to the Ford of Bruinen and are joined by the other four. All Nine are swept away by a flood created by Elrond and Gandalf. Eight of their horses are killed. The Witch-king rides the ninth back to Mordor. Early December: The Witch-king arrives in Mordor. Help is sent to the other eight Nazgûl. December 25: The Fellowship of the Ring leaves Rivendell. 3019 January 8: A shadow passes over the Fellowship. Some have speculated that it was one of the Winged Nazgûl. January 26: One of the Nazgûl receives a report from Grishnakh near Sarn Gebir about the journey of the Fellowship. February 23: Legolas shoots and kills a Fell Beast but the Nazgûl survives. February 27: A Nazgûl meets with Grishnakh and orders him to pursue Ugluk and Merry and Pippin. February 29: Grishnakh is killed and Merry and Pippin escape. Frodo and Sam hear the cry of a Winged Nazgûl overhead in the Emyn Muil. March 2: Frodo, Sam, and Gollum see a Winged Nazgûl from Mordor fly over the Dead Marshes and then return to Mordor. March 4: Frodo, Sam, and Gollum feel a Winged Nazgûl pass overhead at dusk. March 5: Frodo, Sam, and Gollum feel a Winged Nazgûl passing overhead again after midnight. Later at the Black Gate, Sam sees four Winged Nazgûl circling. A Winged Nazgûl flies over Dol Baran around 11:00 p.m. and then on to Isengard and then back to Barad-dur. March 6: Another Winged Nazgûl comes to Edoras. Gandalf advises the Rohirrim to muster at Dunharrow. March 9: Pippin and Beregond sense a Winged Nazgûl flying over Minas Tirith. March 10: The Dawnless Day. Five Winged Nazgûl chase Faramir but are driven away by Gandalf. The Witch-king leads the Morgul-host from Minas Morgul. March 11: The cries of the Nazgûl are heard over Minas Tirith but they are not seen. March 12: The Morgul-host wins the passage of the Anduin and Faramir retreats to the Causeway Forts.

March 13: The Morgul-host overruns the Pelennor. Shagrat receives word that the Nazgûl fear intruders. Frodo is captured and taken to the Tower of Cirith Ungol. March 14: The Morgul-host lays siege to Minas Tirith. Frodo and Sam escape and a Winged Nazgûl descends on the Tower of Cirith Ungol. March 15: The Witch-king is confronted by Gandalf at the Gate of Minas Tirith. The Rohirrim arrive at dawn and the Witch-king departs to the battlefield. Battle of the Pelennor Fields. The Witch-king is vanquished by Eowyn and Merry Brandybuck. Frodo and Sam see a Winged Nazgûl flying to Barad-dur with the news of the Witch-king's defeat. March 18: Aragorn leads sets out with an army for Mordor. The Winged Nazgûl monitor their approach. March 25: The Winged Nazgûl circle overhead during the Battle of the Morannon. Frodo claims the Ring and Sauron sends the Nazgûl racing to Mount Doom. The One Ring is destroyed and Sauron is defeated. The eight remaining Nazgûl are consumed by the fires of Mount Doom. The Nine Rings lose their power.

NAZGÛL. (BS). nazg "ring" + gûl "wraith". (Nazgûl). NAZGÛL. The word Nazgûl is Black Speech meaning "Ringwraith" from nazg meaning "ring" and gûl meaning "wraith." The Nazgûl or Ringwraiths were once great kings who where given the nine Rings for mortal men doomed to die. Neither living nor dead, they were Sauron's most terrifying weapon, hooded and cloaked they aided him in trying to recover the One Ring. Travelling on horseback or riding Fell Beasts, their leader was the Lord of the Nazgûl, known as the Witch-king, who perished at the hands of Éowyn aided by the Hobbit Meriadoc Brandybuck. The remaining Nazgûl were destroyed with the downfall of Sauron and the destruction of the One Ring.The Nazgûl were not properly a race at all. They were men who after being given the Nine Rings by Sauron eventually faded and became permanently invisible. They had no will of their own, but were entirely controlled by the Dark Lord. Almost none could withstand them, especially when they were all together. The exceptions being Saruman, Gandalf and some of the Elves, such as Glorfindel. Almost no animals would face the Nazgûl, especially the Lord of the Nazgûl, save the horses bred in the Black Land. Shadowfax was the exception to this as to many others:The Lord of the Rings, page 861:In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl. A great black shape against the fires beyond, he loomed up, grown to a vast menace of despair. In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl, under the arch that no enemy ever yet had passed, and all fled before his face. All save one. There waiting silent and still in the space before the Gate, sat Gandalf upon Shadofax, Shadowfax who alone among the free horses of the earth endured the terror, unmoving, steadfast as a graven image in Rath Dinen. The Ringwraiths, had many names, including Fell Riders (Gondor), Nazgûl (Black Speech), Black Riders (Hobbits) and Ulari (Elvish). They were Sauron's main servants, the captains of his armies, and the main searchers for the Ring. For the search for the Ring, they rode black horses, that were extremely swift. For the most part during the War, in fact from the attack on the Company on the River Anduin, they mostly rode the Winged Beasts. The most powerful of the Ringwraiths was the Lord of the Nazgûl, who was the one to wound Frodo on Weathertop. He was known as the Witch-king of Angmar to the North Kingdom of Arnor, the Morgul-Lord in Gondor as well as many other names. The Witch-King was slain by Eowyn and Merry during the Battle of the Pelennor fields. The other eight ringwraiths were destroyed with the destruction of the Ring in Mount Doom. The Nazgûl were afraid of fire and were strongest in deserted places far from help (eg. Weathertop) and at night. Nobody knows quite what the Winged beasts are, but one of the best guesses is from the Lord of the Rings, page 873:A creature of an older world maybe it was, whose kind, lingering in forgotten mountains cold beneath the Moon, outstayed their day, and in a hideous eyrie bred this last untimely brood, apt to evil. And the Dark Lord took it and nursed it with fell meats, until it grew beyond the measure of all other things that fly; and he gave it to his servant to be his steed. NAZGÛL APPEARANCES (riding/flying).NAZGÛL AS HORSEMEN. NAZGÛL OF DOL GULDUR. Nazgûl of Dol Guldur

NAZGÛL ON WINGED CREATURES. NAZGÛL RIDERS.

-BLACK BREATH. Black Breath-BLACK HORSEMEN. -BLACK MEN. See RING-WRAITHS, (THE) NINE. -BLACK RIDERS. The Nazgûl were called Black Riders because of their black robes and horses. They were also called the Nine Riders, the Nine Servants, and simply the Nine. Black Riders Black Riders of the air. The Nazgûl on horseback. One of the forms taken by the Nazgûl when they went abroad in Middle-earth; black cowled figures riding coal-black horses. -BLACK SHADOW. Black ShadowThe blight of the Nazgûl-SHADOW. The influence or presence of the Ringwraights. Also called the Black Breath. Ultimately, of course, this is the Darkness of Sauron, their Master, and of Morgoth/Melkor. See MORGOTH > SHADOW. See SAURON > SHADOW.-BLACK WINGS. -ELF-WRAITHS.-FELL RIDERS. Fell Riders of the air.-GUL.-HORSEMEN.-MEN-WRAITHS.-MORGUL-SPELLS.-NINE RIDERS. Another name for the Nazgûl, the slaves of Sauron's Nine Rings. It applied especially to those times they rode abroad on coal-black horses as the Black Riders. -NINE SERVANTS. The Nazgûl, slaves of the Nine Rings. The slaves of the Nine Rings, those Men corrupted to his service by Sauron in the Second Age and more commonly called the Nazgûl. -NINE THE. Nine-NINE RINGWRAITHS. Nine Ringwraiths-NINE SERVANTS.-RIDERS THE. -RING-WRAITHS, RINGWRAITHS. The Nazgûl were known as the Ringwraiths because they were Wraiths enthralled to the One Ring through their Nine Rings. Ringwraiths-SERVANTS. -SHRIEKERS. So called by an orc-soldier. Shriekers 'I'll give your name and number to the Nazgûl,' said the soldier lowering his voice to a hiss. 'One of _them_'s in charge at the Tower now.'The other halted, and his voice was full of fear and rage. 'You cursed peaching sneakthief!' he yelled. 'You can't do your job, and you can't even stick by your own folk. Go to your filthy Shriekers, and may they freeze the flesh off you! If the enemy doesn't get them first. They'vedone in Number One, I've heard, and I hope it's true!'-THEM. So called by an orc. -ULAIRI. (Q ). "Undead". -ULAIRI = UNDEAD. Úlairi. A name for the Ringwraiths. The rarely used Elvish name for the creatures of darkness more commonly called Nazgûl or Ringwraiths. Úlairi-WICKED KINGS. -WINGED SHADOW(S). -WINGED NAZGÛL. When the Nazgûl rode the flying steeds known as Fell Beasts they were called Winged Nazgûl. They were also called Black Wings, the Winged Messenger, Wraiths on wings, Fell Riders of the air, and Black Riders of the air. There were at least ten of the Winged Beasts, as one of the Nazgûl had one shot out from under him by Legolas when he attacked the Company from the east bank of the Anduin River. They were like bats in that they had no feathers, but neither did they have any fur. They were quite naked. -WINGED TERROR. -WRAITHS ON WINGS. Wraiths

WRAITH-KING = LORD OF THE NAZGûL > WITCH-KING.WRAITH-LORD = LORD OF THE NAZGûL > WITCH-KING.WRAITH-ROAD. Road that led over the Morgul-Pass.WRAITHS, RINGWRAITHS = NAZGûL. (ELF-WRAITHS, MEN-WRAITHS, RING-WRAITHS).WRAITH-WORLD = LORD OF THE NAZGÛL > WITCH-KING. WRAITHS, RINGWRAITHS (ELF-WRAITHS, MEN-WRAITHS, RING-WRAITHS).

ANGMAR. Region. See LORD OF THE NAZGÛL

CARN DUM. Town. See LORD OF THE NAZGÛL

MORGUL-KNIFE. Weapon of the Lord of the Nazgûl. See LORD OF THE NAZGÛLMORGUL-KNIVES. Morgul-knivesMORGUL-WOUNDS. Morgul-woundsWounds inflicted by evil blades.

BLACK NUMENOREANS. See also MEN OF WESTERNESSE and SOUTHMEN (Lords of the Haradrim).FUINUR. Lord of the Haradrim. Man of Westernesse. L:2A3300/. A renegade (Black) Númenórean who became mighty among the Haradrim at the end of the Second Age. Maybe he was one of the Nazgûl.HERUMOR. Lord of the Haradrim. Man of Westernesse. L:2A3300/. A renegade (Black) Númenórean who became mighty among the Haradrim at the end of the Second Age. Maybe he was one of the Nazgûl.

The Nazgûl, or Ringwraiths, were Sauron's most terrible servants. They were originally mortal Men. Sauron gave them the Nine Rings of Power in order to enslave them to his will and they became Wraiths. Description: Little is known of the original identities of the Nazgûl. Three were said to be great lords of Numenorean origin. One was an Easterling named Khamul. He is the only one whose name is known. At first the Men who received the Nine Rings used them to gain power and wealth for themselves. They became great kings, sorcerers, and warriors. The Nine Rings made the Men invisible and prolonged their lives. But eventually, the Men bearing the Nine Rings fell completely under the control of Sauron. They could not disobey him and no longer had wills of their own. Some of the Men were quickly enslaved, while others who had greater native strength or goodness took longer. The Nazgûl were condemed to exist only in the Wraith-world. Their lives were stretched out until their very existence was torture. They were permanently invisible except when they wore black robes to give themselves a visible shape. Sauron and anyone who wore the One Ring could see them in their Wraith forms, as pale figures with burning eyes, grey hair, grey and white robes, and silver helms. The Nazgûl perceived the Unseen world, but much of what they saw were phantoms and delusions created by Sauron. They could not see well in the physical world of light, and in the noonday sun they could see nothing. They saw people as shadows. However they could see one another clearly even in daylight and from far away. In the darkness they were most dangerous because they could perceive things that ordinary people could not. Their sense of smell was acute. They could smell the blood of living things, which they envied. They could also sense the One Ring, and they could see the person wearing it even though he was invisible to others. In turn the Ring sensed the Nazgûl. Frodo Baggins was tempted to put on the Ring when the Nazgûl were near so that the Ring could return to Sauron. The Nazgûl were able to speak to people using the Common Speech, though their voices sounded strange and unpleasant. They called to one another with piercing, blood-curdling cries. They could hear one another across great distances. There was a sense of fear and dread around the Nazgûl and the air around them felt cold. People could feel the presence of Nazgûl without even seeing them. In fact, the feeling of fear was strongest when the Nazgûl

were invisible, without their black robes. The terror was also greatest in the darkness and when all nine of the Nazgûl were together. Terror was the main weapon of the Nazgûl. Few people had the willpower to stand against them. The Nazgûl exuded a miasma known as the Black Breath which caused illness and even death in those who were exposed to it. Animals were also terrified of the Nazgûl. The black horses that the Nazgûl rode were trained to endure them. The horses were born in Mordor, but they may have been bred from stock stolen from Rohan. Later in the War of the Ring, Sauron gave the Nazgûl new mounts - terrible winged creatures known as Fell Beasts. The Nazgûl did have some weaknesses. The eight Nazgûl excluding the Lord of the Nazgûl feared water, and they did not like to cross rivers except over bridges. They could endure the Sun, but the eight lesser Nazgûl tended to become confused in daylight when they were alone and their power was diminished. They also hated fire. Elves were among the few beings the Nazgûl feared, particularly the High Elves who had lived in the Undying Lands because they had power in the Unseen world. The Nazgûl also feared the Powers known as the Valar, especially Elbereth who created the Stars and was revered by the Elves. The Nazgûl did not have great physical power against those who did not fear them. However, they could not be killed by ordinary means. Most weapons could not harm them, and any blade that touched the Lord of the Nazgûl disintegrated. It took a special sword - forged by the Dunedain and wound with spells - to strike the blow that rendered the Lord of the Nazgûl powerless. Flames from the eruption of Mount Doom destroyed the other eight Nazgûl. But ultimately it was the destruction of the One Ring to which they were bound that ensured that the Nazgûl would never arise again. History: The Nine Rings were made by the Elven-smiths of Eregion in the 1500s of the Second Age. Sauron had disguised himself and had tricked the Elves into accepting his help in making the Rings. He then forged the One Ring which he could use to control the others. Sauron seized the Nine Rings in 1697. He distributed the Rings to nine Men who became the Nazgûl. The Nazgûl first appeared in the form of Wraiths around 2251 of the Second Age. The Lord of the Nazgûl was their leader, and the second-in-command was Khamul. At some point, Sauron apparently took the Nine Rings back from the Nazgûl. It is stated in several accounts that Sauron held the Nine Rings in his possession.* By that time the Nazgûl were evidently so subjugated to Sauron's will that they no longer needed to wear their Rings. Sauron was defeated in the War of the Last Alliance at the end of the Second Age and the One Ring was taken from him. His spirit fled to the East to rebuild his strength, and the Nazgûl also went into hiding. Around 1050 of the Third Age, Sauron secretly returned and built the stronghold of Dol Guldur in the great forest that became known as Mirkwood. The Nazgûl reappeared around 1300. The Lord of the Nazgûl established the realm of Angmar in the north at that time. His true identity was not known and he was called the Witch-king of Angmar. His intention was to destroy the Dunedain of Arnor. Arnor had been divided into three Kingdoms - Arthedain, Cardolan, and Rhudaur - and the Dunedain of the North were no longer united. The Witch-king waged war against the Dunedain of the North for six centuries. He secretly made an alliance with Rhudaur, which had been taken over by an evil lord of the Hill-men. In 1356, Angmar and Rhudaur attacked Arthedain and King Argeleb I of Arthedain was killed. The Witch-king launched another attack in 1409. The last prince of Cardolan was killed and the Dunedain there took refuge in the Barrow-downs and the Old Forest. The Dunedain were driven out of Rhudaur, which was occupied by allies of Angmar. King Arveleg I of Arthedain was killed but his son Araphor managed to drive back the forces of Angmar with the help of the Elves of Lindon and Rivendell. During the Dark Plague of 1636, the remnants of the Dunedain in Cardolan perished. The Witch-king then sent evil spirits from Angmar and Rhudaur to occupy the mounds of the Barrow-downs and these spirits became known as the Barrow-wights. In 1974, the Witch-king captured Fornost, the capital of Arthedain. The Dunedain of the North and the Elves of Lindon and Rivendell were joined by an army from Gondor led by Earnur. They defeated the Witch-king's forces at the Battle of Fornost in 1975. Earnur pursued the Witch-king, but when the Witch-king turned to face him, Earnur's horse bolted in terror. The Witch-king mocked Earnur, but he also hated him for his role in defeating the forces of Angmar. The

Witch-king fled when he saw Glorfindel, who was one of the High Elves. Glorfindel advised Earnur to let him go, saying: "Far off yet is his doom, and not by the hand of man will he fall." (LotR, App. A, p. 332) The Witch-king abandoned Angmar and returned to Mordor around 1980. The other eight Nazgûl may have come to Mordor earlier, around 1856. In 2000, the Nazgûl besieged Minas Ithil, a stronghold of Gondor on the border of Mordor. They captured Minas Ithil in 2002 and it was renamed Minas Morgul. Earnur became King of Gondor in 2043 and the Witch-king challenged him to single-combat. Earnur refused, but when the Witch-king renewed his challenge in 2050, Earnur accepted. He rode to Minas Morgul and was never seen again. Earnur left no heir, and the line of Kings in Gondor ended. From that time on, Gondor was ruled by a Steward. During the Watchful Peace from 2063 to 2460, the Nazgûl remained quiet in Minas Morgul. Sauron was in hiding in the East during this time. He had left Dol Guldur when Gandalf came there to investigate. The Watchful Peace ended when Sauron came back to Dol Guldur in 2460. The Nazgûl prepared Mordor for the return of Sauron. In 2475, they sent an army of Uruks to attack Gondor. The Uruks were a kind of black Orc of great strength which had not been seen before. They captured Osgiliath but they were driven back by Boromir, the Steward's son, who was feared by all, even the Witch-king. (Note: This Boromir is not the same as Boromir of the Fellowship.) Sauron secretly returned to Mordor in 2942 after Gandalf and the White Council attacked Dol Guldur. He revealed his presence in 2951 and built up his forces. He send Khamul, the second-in-command of the Nazgûl, to Dol Guldur along with one or two other Nazgûl. The Witch-king and the others remained in Minas Morgul. In 3017, Sauron learned from Gollum that the One Ring was in the possession of a Hobbit named Baggins in the Shire. Sauron decided to send the Nazgûl to retrieve the One Ring. Although the Ring tempted those who came in contact with it, Sauron trusted the Nazgûl to bring it back to him because they were completely under his power. On June 20, 3018, the Witch-king led an army to attack Osgiliath. The attack was a test of Gondor's defenses, as well a cover for the departure of the Nazgûl. The Steward Denethor II's sons Boromir and Faramir defended Osgiliath but they were forced to retreat as the enemy forces captured the eastern half of the city. The defenders felt the terror of the Nazgûl's presence and some thought they saw the shadow of a black horseman. That same day, Orcs attacked Mirkwood, allowing Gollum - who was imprisoned there - to escape. According to one source, some of the Nazgûl - probably the Dol Guldur contingent led by Khamul - directed this attack. On July 1, the Witch-king and the other Nazgûl from Minas Morgul crossed the river and began the search for the One Ring. They travelled through Anorien and crossed the Entwash into Rohan. They were unmounted and invisible, but people felt darkness and terror as they passed. The Nazgûl received robes and horses on July 17 on the western side of the Anduin, just north of Sarn Gebir. Meanwhile, Khamul and the Nazgûl of Dol Guldur were searching the Vales of the Anduin for the Shire. Gollum had lied to Sauron about the location of the Shire, directing him instead to the region where Gollum's people had lived. Khamul found the deserted villages of Gollum's people along the Gladden but no trace of any Hobbits. Khamul rendezvoused with the Witch-king in the Field of Celebrant on July 22. Despite Khamul's report, the Witch-king decided to continue searching the Vales of the Anduin as Sauron had ordered. The Nine Nazgûl passed between the Misty Mountains and Lothlorien and journeyed northward. The Nazgûl returned to Rohan in September. They were met in the Wold by messengers from Sauron, who was angry that the Nazgûl had failed at their task. Sauron ordered the Nazgûl to go to Isengard because he believed Saruman knew where the Ring was. As the Nazgûl rode through Rohan, many of the Rohirrim fled in terror. The Nazgûl crossed the Fords of Isen on September 18. There are differing accounts of their meeting with Saruman. According to one version, Saruman told them where the Shire was. In a different version, Saruman claimed he did not know, but the Nazgûl obtained the information from Grima Wormtongue. The Nazgûl rode swiftly to Eriador where the Shire was located. They divided into pairs, and the Witch-king rode with the fastest pair. As they journeyed northward, people and animals hid from them. Just before they reached Tharbad, the Nazgûl captured a squint-eyed Southerner who was an agent of Saruman. The man had been to the Shire several times to obtain pipe-weed and information for Saruman. He told the Nazgûl that a Hobbit named Baggins lived in the village of Hobbiton and he had maps of the Shire. The Witch-king sent the squint-eyed Southerner to Bree to watch for travellers leaving the Shire.

The Nazgûl reached the Brandywine River on the southern border of the Shire on September 22. The crossing at Sarn Ford was guarded by Rangers, who were the remnants of the Dunedain of the North. The Rangers tried to stop the Nazgûl from entering the Shire, but they could not withstand the Nine Nazgûl and when night fell, the Rangers were all slain or driven away. According to "The Tale of Years" in Appendix B of The Lord of the Rings, four of the Nazgûl entered the Shire while the other five pursued the Rangers eastward and then watched the roads. Gandalf also stated that four Nazgûl entered the Shire at the Council of Elrond (FotR, p. 277). However, in The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion there is a much more detailed account of the Nazgûl's movements that was prepared by Tolkien. In this account, five Nazgûl including Khamul are said to have entered the Shire while the other four including the Witch-king went eastward. The details from that account are given here. The Witch-king established a camp at Andrath along the Greenway. The three Nazgûl who accompanied him patrolled the roads while the Witch-king went to the Barrow-downs. He had sent evil spirits to dwell in the Barrow-downs when he ruled Angmar, and he now called upon them to keep watch for the Ring-bearer. The Witch-king's summons also extended to the Old Forest, where the malicious Old Man Willow lived. Meanwhile, Khamul and four other Nazgûl entered the Shire before dawn on September 23. One Nazgûl went north through the Marish to the Brandywine Bridge. Two other Nazgûl took the road from Sarn Ford northwestward to Michel Delving on the White Downs. One of these then turned northeastward and crossed the North Farthing. Khamul and a Nazgûl from Dol Guldur went through the central Shire to the Great East Road near the Three Farthing Stone. Khamul's companion traveled eastward to keep watch on the roads. He stationed himself south of Whitfurrows between the Great East Road and the Stock Road. Khamul headed for Hobbiton on the evening of September 23 and questioned Gaffer Gamgee and learned that Mr. Baggins had gone to Buckland. Frodo Baggins, the Ring-bearer, had left Bag End with his companions that same evening. Khamul pursued him down the Stock Road. He came close to catching Frodo during the day of September 24 but the Hobbits hid from him and Khamul was hesistant and uncertain in the daylight. At twilight, Khamul became more aware of the Ring and he approached Frodo in the Woody End but fled as a company of Elves led by Gildor Inglorion arrived. The next day on September 25, the Hobbits spotted Khamul on a ridge above them in the woods but they were hidden by the trees. Khamul called out to his companion from Dol Guldur. Khamul then went to Bamfurlong and offered Farmer Maggot gold in exchange for information about Baggins, but Maggot refused. Khamul sent his companion south along the Causeway toward Overbourn while he went north toward the Brandywine Bridge. They both returned to their starting point that night. Khamul saw the Hobbits crossing the Brandywine River on the Bucklebury Ferry but he was unable to cross the deep moving water and the river interfered with his ability to sense the Ring. Khamul summoned the other three Nazgûl who had dispersed across the Shire. The five Nazgûl assembled on the morning of September 26. One Nazgûl was ordered to watch the Brandywine Bridge, while two others were sent along the Great East Road to report to the Witch-king. Khamul and his companion from Dol Guldur secretly entered Buckland through the North-gate. He did not want to attract attention so they searched for Frodo slowly and stealthily. They were unsure where to look because Buckland did not appear on the maps of the squint-eyed Southerner. The two Nazgûl sent east by Khamul came to Bree on September 26. One circled north and came down the Greenway while the other came up from the south. They asked about a Hobbit named Baggins at the Prancing Pony, but Barliman Butterbur closed his door on them. They also spoke to the gatekeeper Harry Goatleaf. The two Nazgûl reported to the Witch-king on September 27. The Witch-king suspected the Ring-bearer was heading for Rivendell. He ordered three Nazgûl to search the countryside to the east as far as Weathertop and then return west along the Great East Road to Bree. The Witch-king and two other Nazgûl patrolled the Greenway. The Hobbits had entered the Old Forest on September 26. Merry Brandybuck and Pippin Took were trapped by Old Man Willow but they were rescued by Tom Bombadil. On September 28, the Hobbits crossed the Barrow-downs and were captured by one of the Barrow-wights roused by the Witch-king, but they were again rescued by Tom Bombadil. Also on September 28, Khamul found the house in Crickhollow where Frodo had stayed in Buckland. Frodo's friend Fatty Bolger had remained behind in Crickhollow. Khamul kept watch on the house and sent

his companion to bring back the Nazgûl who had been left guarding the Brandywine Bridge. The three assembled at Crickhollow on the night of September 29. Frodo Baggins and his companions arrived in Bree on September 29. The same night, the three Nazgûl who had been sent to Weathertop and back came to Bree. They left their horses outside town and secretly entered through the South-gate. In the common room of the Prancing Pony, the Ring slipped onto Frodo's finger and he vanished. This was witnessed by the squint-eyed Southerner and his cohort Bill Ferny, who reported it to the Nazgûl. One of the Nazgûl was sent to tell the Witch-king but was delayed by the Rangers and did not find him until the next day. The other two Nazgûl encountered Merry Brandybuck who was walking near Bill Ferny's house on the evening of September 29. Merry was overcome by the Black Breath. The two Nazgûl attempted to seize him but they were interrupted by the arrival of Nob from the inn. The two Nazgûl planned an attack on the inn in the early hours of September 30. There is some question about whether the Nazgûl conducted the attack or whether they had their agents Bill Ferny and the squint-eyed Southerner do it. The notes published in The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion say that it was the Nazgûl themselves. The attack failed because the Hobbits were hidden by Aragorn and bolsters were put in their beds instead. The two Nazgûl left Bree to report to the Witch-king that the Ring-bearer had escaped. At the same time, Khamul and his two companions attacked the house at Crickhollow, not realizing that Frodo was no longer there. Fatty Bolger fled and raised the alarm. The three Nazgûl rode to the North-gate past the guards and out of Buckland. They headed to Andrath to rendezvous with the Witch-king. The Nine Nazgûl gathered at Andrath later on September 30. The Witch-king learned that a Ranger was at the Prancing Pony but did not realize that it was Aragorn. He suspected that the Ring-bearer would head east from Bree and he sent four Nazgûl to Weathertop. He led the other four south along the Greenway but found nothing and returned to Bree. On October 1 shortly after midnight the four Nazgûl and the Witch-king broke the gates of Bree and stormed through the town. They rode eastward down the Great East Road. Gandalf had arrived in Bree the previous evening and before dawn on October 1 he went in pursuit of the five Nazgûl. The four Nazgûl who had been sent earlier to Weathertop assembled there on October 2. One stayed at Weathertop while the other three went eastward along the Road. The Witch-king and the other four Nazgûl rode to Weathertop and realized they were being followed by Gandalf. They hid by the roadside and let Gandalf pass them on October 3. The Witch-king realized that Gandalf did not have the Ring as he had feared. He suspected that Gandalf might be meeting the Ring-bearer at Weathertop. On the night of October 3-4, the Nazgûl attacked Gandalf on Weathertop. When Gandalf later reported these events, he implied that all Nine Nazgûl were present (FotR, p. 277). However, the detailed account of the Nazgûl's movements states that only six were present - the Witch-king and the four who accompanied him plus the one who had been guarding Weathertop earlier. The lights and flames from the battle between Gandalf and the Nazgûl could be seen from afar. Gandalf was able to repel the Nazgûl and at dawn he escaped and rode north along the Hoarwell to the Ettenmoors. Four of the Nazgûl followed him. They eventually broke off their pursuit and headed for the Ford of Bruinen. The Witch-king and Khamul remained to watch Weathertop. Three other Nazgûl were with them. (By the detailed account, these were the three who had gone farther east along the Great East Road who now returned to Weathertop.) Frodo and his companions arrived at Weathertop on October 6 after taking a circuitous route through the countryside from Bree. From the hilltop they saw five Nazgûl on the Great East Road - two coming from the east and three from the west. After dark, the five Nazgûl attacked their camp. Frodo succumbed to the temptation to put on the Ring. He could see the Nazgûl in their Wraith-forms, and the Nazgûl could see Frodo clearly. Two Nazgûl stood on the edge of the dell while three including the Witch-king advanced on Frodo. The Witch-king stabbed Frodo in the shoulder with his Morgul-knife, and a splinter broke off in the wound. Frodo tried to strike the Witch-king with a sword from the Barrow-downs but only ripped his cloak. Frodo also called out to Elbereth - one of the Valar who was said to listen to the cries of those in need. Then Aragorn approached with flaming brands.

The Nazgûl retreated from Weathertop. The sliver of the Morgul-knife began moving toward Frodo's heart and would eventually turn him into a Wraith. The Nazgûl therefore believed that Frodo would be under their power soon. The Witch-king was troubled by what had occurred at Weathertop. He had been shaken by his confrontation with Gandalf and he feared Aragorn. But he was also concerned that the Ring-bearer had resisted him even though he was not a person of great power. He feared that Frodo was in league with the High Elves because he invoked the name of Elbereth. The Witch-king also recognized that Frodo's sword from the Barrow-downs had been made by the Dundedain for the war against Angmar. He knew that the blow that had narrowly missed him would have been deadly to him. (In fact at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, Merry Brandybuck would use the same kind of sword to deal the Witch-king a mortal blow.) Because of these concerns, the Witch-king failed to observe the withdrawal of Frodo and his companions from Weathertop and he lost track of the Ring. It was not until later on October 7 that he resumed pursuit. He and the other four Nazgûl rode down the Great East Road to the Last Bridge over the Hoarwell. On October 9, Elrond of Rivendell sent the few Elves who were capable of facing the Nazgûl out to find the Ring-bearer. Among the searchers was Glorfindel, who was one of the High Elves. Glorfindel found three Nazgûl including Khamul at the Last Bridge on October 11 and he drove them off westward. Glorfindel left a green stone on the Last Bridge indicating it was now safe to cross. Glorfindel then encountered the Witch-king and one other Nazgûl coming east on the Road. The Witch-king could not confront Glorfindel in the daylight with only one companion, so the two Nazgûl fled southward. Aragorn and the Hobbits crossed the Last Bridge on October 13. The five Nazgûl chased by Glorfindel reassembled on October 14 and resumed their pursuit. The Witch-king and Khamul sensed that the Ring had crossed the bridge but then lost the trail and they spent several days trying to find it again. On October 19, as the five Nazgûl approached the Ford of Bruinen, they sensed the Ring nearby. On October 20, the five Nazgûl chased Frodo to the Ford. They were joined by the four Nazgûl who had pursued Gandalf from Weathertop. The Nazgûl could see Frodo and he could see them clearly because of his Morgul-wound. Frodo was mounted on Glorfindel's horse Asfaloth and he made it across the Bruinen but he felt compelled to stop and face the Nazgûl, and the Witch-king caused his sword to break. The Witch-king led Khamul and another Nazgûl into the river despite their hatred of moving water because they could not allow the Ring-bearer to escape. But the waters of the Bruinen rose in a flood created by Elrond and Gandalf. The other Nazgûl 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 Nazgûl were not destroyed but they were temporarily disabled. They lost the robes that gave them shape, and eight of the nine horses were killed. The Witch-king apparently rode the ninth horse back to Mordor, probably arriving there in early December. Help was then sent to the other Nazgûl and they returned to Mordor in secret. The Nazgûl were given new mounts to replace their horses. These were terrible winged creatures known as Fell Beasts. Sauron kept the Winged Nazgûl east of the Anduin at first. However, on January 8, 3019, an unexplained shadow passed over the Fellowship in Eregion (FotR, p. 299). Some have speculated that this was one of the Winged Nazgûl that crossed the river prematurely (HoME VII, p. 365). According to a timeline published in The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, one of the Nazgûl met with Grishnakh on the eastern side of the Anduin near Sarn Gebir on January 26. Grishnakh was an Orc from Mordor who had information on the Fellowship's journey. Grishnakh and a company of Orcs along with a Nazgûl attacked the Fellowship on February 23 as they were travelling downriver by boat. Legolas shot and killed the Nazgûl's steed with an arrow, but the Nazgûl survived. Grishnakh later joined forces with Ugluk of Isengard to attack the Fellowship at Amon Hen and Merry Brandybuck and Pippin Took were captured. Grishnakh met again with one of the Nazgûl on February 27. The Nazgûl told Grishnakh to pursue Ugluk, who was taking the Hobbits to Isengard. But Grishnakh was killed by the Rohirrim and Merry and Pippin escaped on February 29. That same day, Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee heard the cry of a Winged Nazgûl overhead while in the Emyn Muil. It is possible that this was the Nazgûl who had been Grishnakh's contact. On March 2, a Winged Nazgûl flew from Mordor over the Dead Marshes and then returned to Mordor. It was seen and heard by Frodo and Sam and their guide Gollum. Sam sensed a change for the worse in Gollum afterwards.

They again felt the presence of a Winged Nazgûl - though they could not see it - at dusk on March 4 and after midnight on March 5. Later on March 5, after they reached the Black Gate, Sam saw four Winged Nazgûl circling as if searching for something. A Winged Nazgûl was sent by Sauron to investigate what Saruman was up to. This Winged Nazgûl passed over Dol Baran around 11:00 on the night of March 5. It was not one of the Nazgûl that passed over Frodo and Sam earlier. And although Pippin Took had just spoken to Sauron via the palantir while camping at Dol Baran, this Nazgûl was not responding to Pippin's actions because the 600-mile journey from Mordor took about six or seven hours. This Nazgûl then flew over Isengard and returned to Mordor. A second Nazgûl was dispatched after Sauron saw Pippin in the palantir. This Nazgûl came to Edoras on March 6 and hovered over the roof of Meduseld. Gandalf was there and he advised the Rohirrim to muster their forces at the refuge of Dunharrow to avoid detection. On March 9, a Winged Nazgûl flew over Minas Tirith. Pippin and Beregond sensed it and heard its terrible cry. March 10 was the Dawnless Day. Sauron sent out a Darkness that covered the sky, in part to enhance the powers of the Nazgûl. In the early evening, five Winged Nazgûl pursued Faramir and his men across the Pelennor Fields. Gandalf rode out to confront them and shot a bolt of white light at one of them and the Nazgûl withdrew. Also on the evening of March 10, the Witch-king led a great army from Minas Morgul with the purpose of attacking Minas Tirith. He rode a horse and wore a helm like a crown on his head. His departure was observed by Frodo and Sam. The Witch-king seemed to sense something and Frodo was tempted to put on the Ring but he resisted and the Witch-king rode on. The Witch-king led the Morgul-host to Osgiliath and won the crossing of the Anduin on March 12. As the commander of Sauron's forces, the Witch-king's power was increased, and he evoked terror in his opponents. Faramir, the leader of the resistance, was forced to retreat to the Causeway Forts on the Rammas Echor encircling the Pelennor Fields. His forces were outnumbered ten to one. On March 13, the Witch-king's forces breached the Rammas Echor and overran the Pelennor Fields. The Witch-king sent Winged Nazgûl to attack Faramir's men as they retreated. Faramir was struck by an arrow and was also overcome by the Black Breath of the Nazgûl. Gandalf once again drove off the Winged Nazgûl while Prince Imrahil and the Knights of Dol Amroth rescued Faramir. Also on March 13, Shagrat of the Tower of Cirith Ungol received word from Minas Morgul that the Nazgûl feared spies were trying to enter Mordor. An Orc named Gorbag from Minas Morgul had been sent out on patrol earlier. Shagrat and Gorbag captured Frodo. Sam rescued Frodo on March 14 and as they escaped, a Winged Nazgûl descended on the Tower of Cirith Ungol. The Nazgûl flew overhead for a time but did not find the Hobbits. The Witch-king's forces besieged Minas Tirith. The Winged Nazgûl circled the City, causing fear and despair in its inhabitants. At dawn on March 15, the battering ram Grond was brought to the Gate of Minas Tirith. The Witch-king cried words of terror and power in an ancient tongue and Grond broke down the Gate. The Witch-king was confronted at the Gate by Gandalf. But at that time the Rohirrim arrived and the Witch-king withdrew from the Gate to meet their assault. He mounted a Fell Beast and descended onto the field wielding a black mace. He pierced King Theoden's horse Snowmane with a dart and the King was crushed beneath his steed and later died. Eowyn, the King's niece, confronted the Witch-king aided by Merry Brandybuck. Merry used his sword - which had been made by the Dunedain for their war against Angmar - to pierce the sinew of the Witch-king's knee, breaking the spell that held his form together. Eowyn then thrust her sword into the space between the Witch-king's crown and shoulders, and his spirit dissipated into the air. Thus the words spoken by Glorfindel after the Battle of Fornost came to pass, and the Witch-king met his doom at the hands of a woman and a Hobbit. One of the Winged Nazgûl flew back to Mordor with the news of the Witch-king's demise. Frodo and Sam saw it pass overhead, uttering a cry of dismay. As Frodo and Sam approached Mount Doom, the Nazgûl were occupied with following armies of Gondor and Rohan that were marching to the Black Gate. On March 25, the eight Winged Nazgûl circled overhead at the Battle of the Morannon. The Great Eagles tried to attack the Nazgûl, but then Frodo claimed the Ring for himself at Mount Doom and Sauron sent the Nazgûl to stop him. But Gollum bit the Ring from Frodo's hand and fell into the Cracks of Doom and the Ring was destroyed. Mount Doom erupted and the eight Nazgûl were consumed in the flames. When the One Ring was destroyed, the Nine Rings lost their power and the Nazgûl were never able to arise again.

Sauron is said to be in possession of the Nine Rings in The Fellowship of the Ring, p. 61 and 382; Unfinished Tales, p. 338 and 343; and Letter #246. However, in The Fellowship of the Ring, p. 263, it says "The Nine the Nazgûl keep."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxThe following names for the other eight Nazgûl were created for a role-playing game by Iron Crown Enterprises: Murazor (the Lord of the Nazgûl), Dwar, Ji Indur, Akhorahil, Hoarmurath, Adunaphel, Ren, and Uvatha. However, these names do not appear anywhere in Tolkien's works.

This may come as a surprise if you've come across one of the many sources that list a set of names of the other eight: Murazor (the Witch-king himself), Dwar, Ji Indur, Akhorahil, Hoarmurath, Adunaphel, Ren and Uvatha. These names are common across the Web, and often have detailed biographies to go with them. They're also consistent with what Tolkien had to say about the origins of the Nazgûl: in the Akallabêth it is stated '...among those whom he ensnared with the Nine Rings three were great lords of Númenórean race', and indeed three of these names are Númenórean in form: Murazor, Akhorahil and Adunaphel.

The Nine Ringwraiths / Nazgûl / ÚlairiIn origin all the nine Nazgûl were once great and powerful Lords, ruling many lands in Middle-earth. Each had accepted a ring of power from Sauron: a ring which imbued its wearers with sorcerous abilities and great longevity. Each had used their rings to enhance and expand their kingdoms to even greater limits. But the power of the rings was bought at a terrible price. For the same ring that imbued its wearer with power and life also increasingly subjected his will to that of the Dark-lord, until after many years the Nine were but cyphers in which the Dark-lord could act out his own wishes. When Sauron perished at the end of the Second-age, the nine, so closely bound up to him, perished also. When the Dark-lord re-emerged from the shadow in the Third-age, the nine re-appeared also. What lingering mortal qualities they may have still possessed before the destruction were now entirely gone, and they now appeared as the terrible shadow beings, famous in the Third-age as the Ringwraiths.

1. Murazor, the Witch-King Mûrazôr / the Witch-King of Angmar Rank: Head of the RingwraithsStory: Mûrazôr, The chief of the nine Ringwraiths. In Third Age he came North to take advantage of the disunion of the Dunadains in Eriador. He made the realm of Angmar in and around the Mountains of Angmar and around year 1300 he was ready to begin his evil task. He nearly succeeded but in the end he was driven away to Mordor by a united force from Lindon, Rivendell, Gondor, the remaining Dunadains and some few Hobbitarchers in T.A.1975. Mûrazôr played important roles all the time in both the Second Age and the Third Age and he was Second in Command, only to Sauron himself. He fell first of all the Nazgûls by the hand of Eowyn and Meriadoc at the battle of Gondor in the location of Pelennor.

2. Khamul, the Easterling Khamûl the Easterling / Shadow of the East/ the Dragon LordRank: Ringwraith Second-in-command to the Witch-King. Story: During the Second Age, Khamûl fought for Sauron until Sauron was overthrown. In the Third Age, brought back, he may have been Sauron's chief lieutenant in Mirkwood. After 2951, Khamûl was the lord of Dol Goldur. During the hunt for the One Ring, he entered Hobbiton and nearly caught Frodo, the Ringbearer, at Bucklebury Ferry. After Murezor's destruction at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, Khamûl became the new captain of the Nazgûl. He led as they flew into battle at the Black Gate. All except Mûrazôr were destroyed when the One Ring which held their forms together fell into the Crack of Mount Doom.

3. Dwar, the Unforgiving Dwar of Waw (Dendra Dwaw)/ The Unforgiving / The Dog KingRank: Commander of the Morannon, 3rd in rank of the NazgûlsStory: Dwar of Waw is the third of the Nine, very little is known about this Nazgûl, save that he perished at the end of the Third Age with the destruction of the One Ring. The only thing that is known for sure is that he was the commander in Morannon and often rode side by side with Khamûl. Dwar of Waw gained his nickname as the evil K´prur burned down his home villiage and casued the death of most of Dwar´s friends

and family. His souls never rested as he took his revenge out of all the lands around his home at the isle of dogs.

4. Ji Indur, The Outcast Jí Indûr Dawndeath / The Outcast / The Cloud LordRank: 4th in ranking of the NazgûlsStory: Jí Indûr (Dawndeath) was born in the Second-age in the far south of Middle-earth, where he ruled his tropical kingdom despite the growing threat of Numenorean power. After being ousted from his throne he fled to Mumakan and sought refuge with the agents of the Dark-lord who resided there. Here he was offered one of the nine rings of Sauron, and all its accompanying power. He accepted and although, with its power, he re-eastablished himself over both Mumakan and his previous realms Indur was now thrall the the will of the Dark-lord. He accompanied Sauron to Mordor at the end of the Second-age and fought for him at the war of the Last alliance. Here Sauron was overthrown and his nine servants vanished also from the face of the earth. When the Dark-lord began to re-emerge during the Third-age, the Nine re-appeared also, as terrible beings of shadow and invisibility, and bound even more completely to the will of their lord. Indur the wraith ruled Mumakan once more and held the land in fief to his master. During the war of the Ring, he led the Mumakil assault on the Gondorian citadel of Minas Tirith.

5. Akhorahil, the Blind Sorcerer Akhôrahil / The Blind Sorcerer / The Storm King Rank: 5th in ranking of the NazgûlsStory: Like the Witch-king, Akhôrahil was of old, a lord of Numenor, who was corrupted and ensnared by one of the Nine rings of Sauron. After Sauron's fall at ther end of the Second age, Akhôrahil disapeared from Middle-earth. He returned after long years and awaited his master's return in the far South of Middle-earth. When Sauron himself re-appeared he ordered Akhôrahil and the other Nazgûl to re-occupy Mordor and to secure it for the Dark-lord's return. He remained at Minas Morgul until the War of the Ring when, with his fell companions, he sought out for his master, the bearer of the One Ring. As the One Ring was destroyed, Akhôrahil was forever cast into the shadows.

6. Hoarmurath, the Ice King Hoarmûrath of Dír / The Ice KingRank: 6th in ranking of the NazgûlsStory: Hoarmûrath was born in the forest of Dír in the land of Urd in SA 1954. His home, one of the northenmost settled domains in all of Endor, spawned a rugged race of hunters and trappers. His mother, Emûrath of Uab, commanded the allegience of most of the Urd clans, and served as the matriarch of the Uradar until her death in the Umli wars (SA 1962/75). As his homeland was in threat, he desperatly seeked help from Mordor.Sauron sent Khamûl, who managed to decieve Hoarmûrath who then fell under the influence of Sauron. Hoarmûrath won back his homeland and also extended the kingdom with the power of the ring ha was given. Hoarmûraths part in the Third Age from 1050 was with the 7 Nazgûls (other than Mûrazor) as they took back Minas Ithil and transformed it to Minas Morgul. Hoarmûrath was, together with Khamûl the two Nazgûls who was in Frodos trail all the way from Shire. He fell together with the others as the One ring slipped into the Crack of Doom on Orodruin.

7. Adunaphel, The Quiet Adunaphel / the Quiet / the AvengerRank: 7th in ranking of the NazgûlsStory: Adunaphel, a fair Numenorean princess from Forostar was the only female to become a Nazgûl. Dissapointed that her younger brother should become heir to the throne, she left in anger and was grasped by hatred. Exact time and place for her meeting with the Dark Lord is unknown, but she was decieved by Sauron himself, not by an underling. Many signs point to the Second Age, around 2150. After the great plague ravaged Eriador in the mid Third-age, Gondor's watch on Mordor became less vigilant and Sauron sent Adunaphel to the black land to prepare for his eventual return. Adunaphel dwelt secretly in Nurn until the arrival of the Witch-king; whose coming heralded the Nazgûls' assault on the tower of Minas Ithil. Its fall signified the end of Gondor's hold on the dark land. After Sauron's return to Barad-dur, Adunaphel was commanded to make fast the ancient stronghold of Dol guldur on the elves of Mirkwood, and later after the outbreak of the War of the Ring was involved with the other Nazgûl in attempting to recapture the One Ring. She was unbound when the One ring was destroyed at Mount Doom by Frodo Baggins and/or Gollum.

8. Ren, the Unclean Ren / the Unclean / the Fire KingRank: 8th in ranking of the NazgûlsStory: Ren was once the Senechal of Angmar and the right hand of Murazor. Trained in the dark arts by Murazor himself, he is now a horrible creature of darkness and fear. In the Third Age he was the commander of Barad Ungol. Not much is written about him, but he goes under the nickname "The Fire King". He died later, after the battle of the Morannon, when the One ring slipped into the Crack of Doom on Orodruin.

9. Uvatha, the Messenger Ûvatha / the Horseman / the Messenger / The long riderRank: 9th in ranking of the NazgûlsStory: Originally a Variag from Khand, Ûvatha was, like all his people, a great horseman. He fought in civil war in his native Khand and eventually united all the tribes under his own rule. He accepted the gift of the ring of power shortly after achieving this. The Variags were useful allies to the Dark-lord protecting his eastern and south-eastern borders and were later to prove a valuable addition to the armies of Mordor, their fearsome and bloodthirsty reputation alone striking terror into the hearts of many of their enemies. When Sauron fell at the end of the Second Age Ûvatha also passed into the shadow, but re-appeared along with the Dark-lord after a thousand years or so. He re-established his rule of Khand and expanded his kingdom into northern Harad. He took part in the Nazgûl attack on Minas Ithil, and re-occupied the tower of Sorcery when Sauron had moved to Mordor. He was sent by Sauron to seek the One ring and along with others of the Nine caught up with the Hobbits at the ford of the Bruinen. He perished later, after the battle of Morannon, as "the One" slipped into the Crack of Doom.

Er-Mûrazor - The Witch-King - Lord of the NazgûlsEr-Mûrazor ("Black Prince") was a Númenórean Prince, the second son of a King Tar-Ciryatan (Quenya: "Ship Builder") and the younger brother of Tar-Atanamir the Great. He was born in the year S.A 1820 and given the name Tindomul (Quenya: "Twilight Son"), for he was born during a solar eclipse and his hair was blacker than any they had ever seen. Like his brother, however, he was exceptionally proud and was a fierce supporter of Númenórean intrests. Fiery and given to rash aggression, Er-Mûrazor became embroiled in the campaigns of rapid conquest in Middle-earth. The black prince went to Barad-dûr during the first week of the second age 1883 and became a pupil of the Lord of the Rings. During the next one hundred and fifteen years, he expanded his knowledge of enchantments and spell-casting, becoming an exceedingly powerful Sorcerer. His knowledge of the Black Arts was second only to Saurons, and he quickly rose to become the Evil one´s most trusted lieutenant. Finally, he fell pray to the Dark Lord´s promises of wealth, power and immortality, and he submited his spirit to his master, who gave him a Ring of Power in the second age, 1998. The Black Prince was known thereafter as the Witch-King or the Lord of Morgul. During the third age, Sauron sent the Witch-King to the north, where he founded a stronghold in Angmar, and fought a long war with Arnorian army. Altough the Nazgûl Lord crushed Arnor, he faced the relief army of Gondor who marched to challenge the victors. Eärnur of Gondor and his Eriadoran allies vanquished the Host of Angmar near the ruins of the ancient Arnorian capital of Annúminas. Later that year, the Wraith-Lords iron home fell, ending the saga of the Northen wars.In the third age the Witch-King led Saurons southern army against the garrison at Osgiliath, throwing the Gondorians across the river. After that, he then joined the other nine and rode in an attempt to find the Shire and recover the lost Ring. The Hobbits where very elusive, but the Witch-King eventually struck Frodo with his Morgul-knife, and after meeting Khamûl and the rest of the ringwraiths, he chased the party to the Bruinen ford. There he cried for Frodo to surrender, and plunged into the river with Ûvatha and Dwar - only to find themselvs engulfed beneath a torrential tide of magically summoned floodwaters. So ended the search for the Ring. After the disaster at the Bruinen Ford, the Witch-king retired to Minas Morgul and returned to his role as commander of Mordor´s southern host. His goal was Minas Tirith and the defeat of Gondor. The battle that followed took place before the walls of the city. As the ram "Grond" smashed the Great Gates, the main army of 6000 riders and the 120 Rohirrim of Théoden´s guard struck the attacking forces from the north, sending waves of Orcs into retreat. For the fist time, the tide of battle favoured the Free People. The Lord of the Nazgûl responded by personally intervening in the fray involving the Rohirric King. Flying on the back of his Fell Beast, he drove upon Théoden. The advancing Rohirrim´s horses panicked as the Witch-king slew the Lord of Rohan with his awful mace. This act, however, enraged Théoden´s niece

Eowyn, who fought disguised as the youth Dernhelm. Fully armoured and unrecognizable as a woman, Eowyn challanged the Witch-king as he stood over the body of her uncle, but the Morgul Lord scoffed at her words. Proclaiming that no man was fated to slay him, the Witch-king savored his kill and warned her of her folly, not knowing that he faced a maiden. It was then Eowyn shed haer helm and announced: "But no living man am I! You look upon a woman. Eowyn I am, Eomund´s daughter. You stand between me and my Lord and kin. Begone, if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you, if you touch him" Silent, the Witch-king rosed, his fear and ire aroused. Eowyn stood strong, though, as the evil beast descended to attack her with its hideous claws and beak. She parried the initial foray and then sliced the monsters head from its long neck. But the Lord of the Nazgûl rose again, and advanced with his mace held high. He struck her green shield, scattering it, and rasied his weapon for the slaying blow. Suddenly, the Hobbit Merry rushed behind him and plunged his enchanted sword inte the back of the Witch-king´s knee, breaking the spell that hold the Morgul Lord´s immortal form together, and giving Eowyn time to recover. The Rohirric maiden gathered herself and drove her blade through the Ringwraith´s neck. As fated, no man slew Sauron´s lieutenant; instead, he perished at Pelennor by the hand of a woman, and an ancient sword wielded by a Halfing.

Khamûl The Easterling - The Second in CommandHe was born in easternmost Endor in 1744, second age, Komûl was the eldest son of Mûl Tanûl, the high Lord of the Womaw. Khamôl appeared at Barad-Dûr in Mordor around year 2000, second age. He was known thereafter as Khamûl, in accordance witn the Black Speech pronunciation of his given name. While at the Dark Tower, he served Sauron as the Master of the hold, and his responsiobilites included administering the maintenance of the Citadel and its garrison. The wardship remained in his capable hands until SA 3350, when Ûrzahil of Umbar became the Mouth of Sauron and the Lieutenant of the Tower. Khamûl fled Mordor when Sauron was captured in 3262 but returned in the year of 3400. The Easterling remained in Mordor during the war of the Last Alliance (SA 3429-3441). When the Dark tower fell in SA 3441, the Nazgûl met the vangard of the Elven host and fought a long, brutal melee. Unprotected, Sauron was forced to engage his foes in personal combat. This proved to be his undoing for, although he slew both Elendil the Tall and il-galad, the Evil one lost his One Ring (and his finger) in the fray, and his spirit passed into the Shadow World. The second age ended as the Nazgûl went into exile with Sauron, which lasted over a thousand years. Khamûl briefly took up residence with Sauron at the citadel of Dol-Guldur in southen Mirkwood as they slowly rebuilded their strength. In the third age, Khamûl accompanied the other eight in the surprise assault against Minas Ithil. Two years later they took the surrounded city and captured the Palantír. Minas Ithil bacame the home of the Ringwraiths and was henceforth called Minas Morgul. During Saurons last stay at Dol-Guldur Khamûls warriors captured the Dwarf Lord Thraín II and took his Ring of power. During his last year of imprisonment he managed to give Gandalf the key to the side entry into Erebor ("Lonely Mountain") In 3017 the Hobbit Gollum was captured and Sauron came to know how the Ring was found. Later Gollum came in the hands of Aragon and was held by the elves in northen Mirkwood. Khamûl and Adûnaphel led the Orcs of Dol-Guldur in an attempt to crush the Silvan Elves and recapture Gollum, but the Elves inflicted heavy damage on Khamûls underlings and eventually Gollum escaped on his own.Khamûl rode with the other eight Black Riders to Gladden Fields (where Gollum found the Ring in the river) hoping to find the Shire. But they only found deserted settlements of the Stoors, and quickly realized that it must be in Eriador. They skirted Loríen and rode through Rohan, up the Greenway, with took them to the land of the Hobbits. In the Green Hill Country, Khamûls keen sense of smell nearly uncovered Frodos hiding place below the road. Following the defeat at Rivendell, Khamûl and Adûnaphel retured to Dol-Guldur and prepared for the war.

Dwar of Waw - Third of the NineDendra Dwar was born in the village Horm on Waw, the Isle of Dogs, is Second age 1949. In the year 1965 the evil K´prur from Hent landed on Waw and burt the village, killing most of the people, including Dwar´s father Dendra Wim. Dwar escaped and sailed north to Wõl, the warlike realm of the mainland Wõlim tribes. Dwar realized that his own people possessed neither skill nor the arms to defeat Hent, so Dwar learned the ways of the forest and the field, and became an able warrior. Dwar´s fascination with warcraft did not prevent him from seeking a more powerful means of exacting his revenge, and is 1969 he entered an school devoted to ancient magical arts. Studying under the priest Embra Slil, Dwar became a mage.

After the return and victory over Hent, the now called "Dog-king", established himself as the High-Lord of the Isles and refused to reconvene the Elder Councils. In order to satiate his desire for power and vengeance, Dwar proclaimed that he was heir to all surrounding islands and costal realms. All of the islands between Waw and mainland- as well as the great Avar Elven isle of Címóníemor to the south -were incorporated into Dwar´s Kingdom. The Lord of Dogs reached the height of his power and poised his minions for the assault on Hent. Slowly Dendra Dwar vanished. His soul consumed by greed and hatred, Dwar of Waw accepted the offer of imortality and took a Ring of Power from Sauron of Mordor. In the time to come, war and pludering raged and peace came only after Dwar´s departure for Mordor in Second Age 2250. From 2250 to 3262, Dwar lived at Barad-dûr in the Black Land where he bred the War-wolfes of Mordor. The offspring of his labour haunted Endor for centuries to come, but when the Númenóreans captured Sauron, Dwar fled back to Waw. Dwar returned to Mordor in 3320, a year after the Lord of the Rings returned to the Dark Tower. Dwar resumed his work, preparing for the oncoming struggle against the Dúnadan successor states of Arnor and Gondor. Dwar himself followed the fate of Sauron, so when Barad-dûr fell and the Evil One lost the ruling Ring, Dwar passed with his master to the shadows. Dwar reformed and reawakened in Third age 1051. While briefly at the side of the Dark Lord in Dol Guldur, he flew east to Waw later the same year. There, he resided for the next five hundred and eighty-nine years. Sauron recalled Dwar to the west in 1640. His work done in the east, the Dog-Lord went into Mordor with the rest of the Úlari and began to prepare the realm for the Evil One´s eventual reemergence. Dwar remained in the Black Land until the year 2000, when he participated in the Nazgûls capture of Minas Morgul. He lodged in the captured capital of Ithilien until 2063. Dwar returned to Mordor when Sauron abandoned Dol Guldur and reentered the Black Land. The Nazgûl joined in the rebuilding of Barad-dûr that began in 2951. When his work there ended, he returned to breeding wolves and hounds. Dwar´s next task, like those of the other Ringwraiths, focused on recovering the Ruling Ring. He accompained his fellow Black Riders into the Anduin Valley, through Rohan and on into Eriador. Dwar went north with the Which-King and four others through Andrath to Bree. Soon thereafter, Ûvatha departed to join Khamûl and the other Riders , but Dwar, the Which-King, Akhôrahil, Indûr and Ren attacked the company on Weathertop and succeeded in wounding Frodo. The Nazgûl pursued the fleeing Ringbearer and his compatriots to the Bruinen Ford, but the enchanted floodwaters crushed their hopes. Dwar, the third to reach the river, felt the full force of the torrent, and lost his steed. Dwar returned to Mordor and resumed the search for the One Ring during the coming months. Assigned to the main army that gathered at Ûdun, he missed the Battle of Pelennor Fields that claimed the Lord of the Nazgûl. However, he took part in the aerial flight above the final Battle of Morannon, and the subsequent flight to intercept the Ringbearer on Mount Doom. But he finally came to an end, when the breaking of the Ruling Ring unmade his own Ring of Power, and robbed him of his only link to Eä.

Jí Indûr Dawndeath - Fourth of the NineIndûr Dawndeath was born Jí Indûr in the city of Korlan in S.A 1955. heir to the fortune of welthiest family in the Kiran republic, he was the youngest man ever elected govonor in any of the realms six districts. He worked for the creation of a central government which could contest the growing might of Nûmenor. Indûr slowly accumulated support among the wealthy merchants and warriors , as well as among the nearby Elves. But after the realm was on the threshold of war and as riots began to burst out, Indûr fled east to Mûmakan. Sauron´s agents had resied in the home of the Mûmakil since the mid-eighteenth century, S.A, and Jí Indûr´s cordial relations with the Dark Lords´s minions enabled him to find a refuge after his overthrow. The tall Kiran povided the Lord of the Rings an opportunity to further his sordid goals in the Far South, while Sauron offered the exiled king a new throne. This heinous pact doomed the Mûmakani. The Evil One gave Indûr a Ring of Power in S.A 2001, and later the same year the Ringwraith captured the throne of Mûmalan on behalf of his evil mentor. Jí Indûr was crowned Jí Amaav II of Mûmakan. Ruling from the holy city of Amaru, Indûr united the semi-nomadic tribes and laid plans for further conquest. His reign lasted 1261 years, during which the Mûmakni became a corrupt people. Indûr returned to the Middle-earth around T.A 1050 and spent the next two centuries regaining his strength on the isle of E-Sorul Sare. During the rest of the Third Age, he stayed at Mordor (1640-2000) or at Minas Morgul (2000-2460 and 2941-3019). He traveled with the Witch King in the search for the One Ring in T.A 3018, encountering the company on Weathertop and losing his mount during the confrontation at the Bruinen Ford. Later, he

oversaw the preparations for the Mûmakil assault during the ill-fated campain against Minas Tirith. His end came after the skirmish with the great Eagles over the battle of Morannon, for as Indûr and the other Fell Riders flew to intercept the Hobbits at Mount Doom, they became engulfed in the destruction resulting from the unmaking of the One Ring. Thus, the shadow of the South disappeared from Eä.

Akhôrahil - The FifthAkhôrahil, the second of the fallen Númenórean Lords to fall under the enduring spell of Sauron´s Ruling Ring, was born at a manor overlooking the waters of Nísinen i S.A 1888. An obviously brilliant young man, Akhôrahil was spoiled at an early age, for his family enjoyed great wealth and reaped many of the benefits derived from Tar-Ciryatan´s aggressive overseas pludering. In S.A 1904 the family sailed east to the haven of Hyarn in southwest Endor. Akhôrahil loved the new land and reveld in the virtually absolute power his father wielded over the subject peoples of the area. Unfortunately, the young man´s thirst for wealth and power spurred him to covet his father´s throne. Each year of waiting hurt more than the last. Then, in year S.A 1918, Akhôrahil acted upon his desires. Signing a perverse pact with an aged Haradan Preist, he exchanged his eyes for two great gems - the eyes of the well. These artifacts enabled him to cast deadly spells and to become the most powerful Sorcerer in the realm. Akhôrahil acquired control of his father´s mind and instilled such despair that King Ciryamir took his own life. Physically blind, but capable of magically sensing things like a seeing man, Akhôrahil ascended the throne of Ciryatandor on the first day of S.A 1919. he proclaimed himself the Storm King and married his sister Akhôraphil within a week. Securely in control, the blind Sorcerer proceeded to arm his young kingdom and conquer the neighboring lands along the southern edge of Far Harad. The campains waged by Akhôrahil incited the Lord of the Rings to move against Ciryatandor. A sage emissary journeyed south from Mordor, offering the black Númenórean a wealth of knowledge regarding magic and bearing the unlikely promise of immortality. Excited, the blind Sorcerer agreed to ascribe to the Dark Lord´s secretive treaty. The pact between Ciryatandor and Mordor was sealed when Akhôrahil accepted the Ring of Power from Sauron is S.A 2000. Thus the Storm King became the fifth Lord of Men to become a Nazgûl. Akhôrahil took form again in Middle-earth around T.A 1050. Starting in T.A 1640, after slowly rebuilding the Dark Lord´s strongholds on the adjoining plateau of Nûrn, the Blind Lord recieved a visit from the Witch-king in T.A 1975. The Lord of the Nazgûl arrived in Mordor after the fall of his kingdom in Angmar earlier that year. He gathered the Úlari and plotted the final moves required to secure their master´s home. During the next twenty-five years, they assembled their forces and laid the plans to surprise the Dúnadan city at Minas Ithil. The fell riders struck in T.A 2000, startling the valiant Gondorian garrison but failing to take the city. A two year siege ensued. Culminating with a tremendous melee before the shattered gates of the marble-walled town, the last battle claimed every remaining defender. Minas Ithil and its Palantír fell into the hands of the Ringwraiths in T.A 2002, therby ending any hold the South Kingdom retained over Mordor. From then onward, the moonlit city was called Minas Morgul. Akhôrahil stayed in Minas Morgul until the end of the Third Age. Although he frequently journeyed to both Luglûrak in Nûrn and Barad-dûr in Gorgoroth, the Storm King kept to the side of his captain, the Witch-king. Although only fifth in rank among the nine, Akhôrahil became the Witch-king´s most valued lieutenant. In T.A 3018, the Storm-king took part in the search for the Ruling Ring and eventually rode with the Witch-king to the borders ofmthe elusive Shire in Eriador. Akhôrahil stayed close by the side of the Lord of Morgul throughout the search. He entered Bree and was one of the five Nazgûls to encounter the Company on Weathertop. When the Nine rendezvoused in the Lone Lands ant tried to cut off Frodo at the Ford of Bruinen, Akhôrahil and hid black mount was the last to be drawn int the turbulent floodwaters summoned by Elrond. Forced to return to Minas Morgul, the Storm-king would never again encounter the ringbearer. The Storm-king was one of the four Úlari to take part in the epic battle of Pelennor Fields, and there he saw his Lord perish in single combat with Èowyn of Rohan. After the ensuing defeat and retreat, Akhôrahil flew to Ùdun and joined the other seven remaining Nazgûl for the cataclysmic strike against the Army of the free Peoples at Morannon. The Fell Riders attack out of the cloud sky and the subsequent melee with the Great Eagles was cut short, however, for Sauron realized that his end was sealed unless the Ringwraiths could stop Frodo and Sam from casting the One Ring into the fires of Mount Doom. All the eight surviving Nazgûls flew

southward, but they never arrived. The Ruling Ring, and all that was tied to it, perished in the wake of its fiery unmaking. Thus, Akhôrahil passed out of Eä.

Hoarmûrath of Dír - Sixth of he NineHoarmûrath was born in the forest of Dír in the land of Urd in SA 1954. His home, one of the northenmost settled domains in all of Endor, spawned a rugged race of hunters and trappers. His mother, Emûrath of Uab, commanded the allegience of most of the Urd clans, and served as the matriarch of the Uradar until her death in the Umli wars (SA 1962/75). Hoarmûrath´s sister Amûrath replaced her according to the Urd matriline. As brother of the queen and uncle to her heir, he enjoyed the highest status accorded a male of the Urdar.Hoarmûrath´s close relations to the Avar Elves to the south, however, influenced his views and set him on a course of rebellion against his family and Urd traditions. The Avari taught him much about magic and power, and opened the young Animist´s eyes to the ways of the rest of Middle-earth. In time, Hoarmûrath quarreled with his sister and preached war, hoping to extract valuable territories from the Myri and Angcla tribes. A struggle followed and Hoarmûrath´s henchmen slew his sister. Rather than face the penalty of death, Hoarmûrath proclaimed himself the first King of Urd. Supported by Avar warriors, he crushed the opposition and slaughtered the Urd Priestesses. In SA 1992 he became the Lord of the Urdar. Hoarmûrath ruled much of the great wooded territory between the Northen seas. Avari groups retained their dominition and extended their influence with the Ice King´s aid, but the union soon gave way to bitterness. Elven immortality and wealth haunted Hoarmûrath, and the Urdar turned on their allies is SA 1999. Two great battles followed, but both resulted in Avar victories. Desperate, the King of Urd invited help from Sauron of Mordor. The Lord of the Rings sent Khamûl to the court of the Ice King in SA 2000. The Easterling - still fair-seeming and glowing with the power of his own Ring - approached his future compatriot with the gift of a Ring of Power and the prospect of eternal life. Enamored of the Evil One´s offering, Hoarmûrath accepted the Ring and fell under the sway of the Shadow. He became the sixth King of Men to become an Úlair. Hoarmûrath´s new price invigorated him. Two years after Khamûls visit, the Urdar were stronger than ever, and the Ice King led his army southward. The war in the Woods (SA 2002-2053) ended with an Avar retreat, leaving Hoarmûrath with a vast kingdom. His long reign as Sauron´s client established a new order in northeastern Endor. Once his kingdom and successor seemed sure, the Lord of the Rings called the Ringwraith to Mordor. The need to confront the growing might of Númenor outweight any considerations the Dark Lord reserved for the North. For the next one thousand and eleven years, Hoarmûrath resided in Mordor beside the Evil One. He oversaw the constructions of the defenses surrounding Udûn, including the the Gates of Mordor. After the downfall of Númenor and the Dark Lord´s return in SA 3319, Hoarmûrath flew back to Mordor and participated in the campaigns waged by Sauron´s troops in Rhovanion. With Barad-dûr´s fall in SA 3431, Hoarmûrath passed into the Shadows when the Lords of the Last Alliance entered the Dark Tower and overthrew Sauron at the end of the Second Age. Hoarmûrath retured to Middle-earth in Third Age 1050. Entering his ancient hold in the Forest of Dír, he slowly reassured his strength and refounded his lost kingdom. Sauron (who then resided at Dol Guldur in Rhovanion) sent eight of the Nazgûl (those other than the Witch-King, who stayed in Angmar) into the Black Land. Hoarmûrath joined the other Ûlari in Mordor, where they quietly prepared the land for the return of the Lord of the Rings. All of the Nine gathered upon the return of the Witch-king to Mordor in TA 1975. Assembling for the surprise assault on Minas Ithil in TA 2000, they stormed the stronghold that served as the last bastion of Gondorian guardianship. Ithilien´s capital became Minas Morgul, and served thereafter as the hold of the Ringwraiths. Its prized Palantír eventually went to Barad-dur. The Lord of the Rings left his threatened fortress at Dol Guldur in TA 2941 and returned to Mordor. Ten years later, his minions began rebuilding the Dark Tower, and three of the Ringwraiths flew back to Dol Guldur to reopen the citadel. Hoarmûrath stayed in Minas Morgul, but soon turned to the search for the One Ring. Hoarmûrath rode with the other eight Black Riders up the Nan Anduin in hope of finding the Shire near the Gladden Fields. Failing to fing the Shire, they turned south , skirted Lórien, and rode through Rohan and past Isengard into Eriador. Their search took them up the Greenway to Tharbard and beyond to the crossroads in old Cardolan that served as the junction with the road to the land of the Hobbits. There, Hoarmûrath, Adûnaphel and Khamûl

split from the others and rode toward the Stone Ford. As the three headed into the Shire´s south farthing and on to Sackville, the Witch-King and the other Riders went directly north toward Andrath and Bree. Hoarmûrath and his companions nearly captured the halflings as they travled through the Green Hill Country. Khamûl´s acute sense of smell almost uncovered Frodo´s hiding place below the road, but the Hobbits escaped into Woody End in Tookland. Although Hoarmûrath and his companions tracked them through Buckland (where they entered the Bolger yard in Crickhollow), the three Black Riders did not see the lucky halflings again until the challage at the Bruinen Ford. Hoarmûrath and the other two Nazgûl met Ûvatha on the Great East Road beyond Bree, and joined the other five Ringwraiths in Eriador. Running their pray down at the Bruinen Ford just west of Rivendell, the Úlari - including Hoarmûrath - found themselvs engulfed in the magically summoned floodwaters that Elrond used to cover the Hobbit´s flight. Later in the war, the attack against the Gondorian capital stalled when the Witch-King died on the Pelennor fields and Aragon II led the army of the Dead in a charge that broke the Mordorean horde. A more climactic battle occurred less than two weeks later, as the army of the Free Peoples assembled on the arid slag-plain before Morannon. There, the eight Nazgûl briefly engaged the Great Eagles above the chaotic conflagration, but at the height of the duel, Hoarmûrath and the others turned away to follow the Dark Lord´s orders. Flying to stop Frodo and Sam from destroying the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom, the Ringwraiths broke off the attack. Their Lord´s fear proved true, though, and their desperate journey ended before they reached their goal. With the Ruling Ring´s destuction, Hoarmûrath and his bretheren passed out of Eä.

Adûnaphel The Quiet - Seventh of the NineAdûnaphel was born in her uncle Adûnazil´s home on Númenor´s North Cape in Forostar in the year SA 1823. Her family possessed noble blood and owned extensive lands in Forostar and Orrostar. Even as a young child, she was recoginized as being exeptionally beautiful, but her youth was scarred by the death of her very old father (Adûnahil) and she dwelled in remorse for many years. Adûnaphel´s despair over her father´s death and the blame she attributed to her mother contributed to her fervent support of her uncle´s small "Adûnaic" fraction in the court of Tar-Ciryatan Like Adûnazil and his ally Prince Tindomul (Er-Mûrazôr, the future Witch-king), Adûnaphel sought to sever Westernesse´s close ties with the Elves, in hope that the Edain could build along their own cultural line and expand their military and economic strength. Her ultimate hope, of course, was to see Númenórean dominion over all men. This drove her to leave Númenor is SA 1914. Adûnaphel sought her own crown, but no such opportunity existed in her homeland. She followed the course of many of her royal allies and went to Middle-earth. Landing with her retainers at the haven of Umbar, she erected a citadel that became the focus of her expanding domain.

Ren / the Unclean / the Fire King, 8th in ranking of the NazgûlsRen was once the Senechal of Angmar and the right hand of Murazor. Trained in the dark arts by Murazor himself, he is now a horrible creature of darkness and fear. In the Third Age he was the commander of Barad Ungol. Not much is written about him, but he goes under the nickname "The Fire King". He died later, after the battle of the Morannon, when the One ring slipped into the Crack of Doom on Orodruin.

Ûvatha / the Horseman, 9th in ranking of the NazgûlsOriginally a Variag from Khand, Ûvatha was, like all his people, a great horseman. He fought in civil war in his native Khand and eventually united all the tribes under his own rule. He accepted the gift of the ring of power shortly after achieving this. The Variags were useful allies to the Dark-lord protecting his eastern and south-eastern borders and were later to prove a valuable addition to the armies of Mordor, their fearsome and bloodthirsty reputation alone striking terror into the hearts of many of their enemies. When Sauron fell at the end of the Second Age Ûvatha also passed into the shadow, but re-appeared along with the Dark-lord after a thousand years or so. He re-established his rule of Khand and expanded his kingdom into northern Harad. He took part in the Nazgûl attack on Minas Ithil, and re-occupied the tower of Sorcery when Sauron had moved to Mordor. He was sent by Sauron to seek the One ring and along with others of the Nine caught up with the Hobbits at the ford of the Bruinen. He perished later, after the battle of the Morannon, when the One ring slipped into the Crack of Doom on Orodruin.

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