Orcs (Middle-earth)
Orcs are a species that feature in Middle-earth.
Contents |
History
Orcs were a race of beings created from the Elves with them being made by Melkor. Melkor was the first to learn of the Awakening of the Elves and soon began sending evil spirits among the Elves, who planted seeds of doubt against the Valar. It was also rumoured that some of the Elves were being captured by a 'Rider' if they strayed too far. Furthermore, it was believed by the Eldar that these unfortunate Elves were brought to Utumno, where they were cruelly tortured and twisted into Orcs.
The first documented appearance of Orcs was in Y.T. 1330, when the Sindar observed a variety of 'evil creatures' roaming Beleriand that included Orcs, Wolves, and 'other fell beings of shadow'. Small numbers of these evil creatures, thought to be scouting parties, had entered Beleriand over passes in the mountains as well as through the southern forests. In light of this new threat, Thingol commissioned the Dwarves of Nogrod and Belegost to craft arms for the Sindar, which they used to drive away the evil creatures and restore the peace. Around this time the Dwarves told the Sindar that these 'fell beasts' came from the ruins of Angband, and that they could also be found east of the Blue Mountains, where they troubled the Elves who dwelt there. When the first Dark Lord returned to Middle-earth in Y.T. 1495, he rebuilt Angband from ruins and raised the triple peaks of Thangorodrim to defend it. At this time, Morgoth found fresh hosts readied by Sauron, for the Orcs had kept breeding under the command of his yet-devoted lieutenant.
In the last six centuries of the First Age, thousands of Orcs were bred in Angband by Morgoth and to participate in the Battles of Beleriand, which began after the Ñoldor arrived to north-western Middle-earth. They first appeared in the Battle of the Lammoth, where they were defeated by the Elves. When the House of Fëanor returned to Middle-earth Morgoth sent a force of Orcs against them. Although the Orcs outnumbered the exiles they were no match for the power and wrath of the Ñoldor, and were quickly and easily defeated. However, Fëanor could not defeat the power of Morgoth alone and he was killed by Balrogs, leaving the Orcs to continue to breed under the Dark Lord. Years later, when the House of Fingolfin arrived in Middle-earth, Orcs were sent against them as well, but they were utterly defeated in the Battle of the Lammoth.
Overview
In appearance, Orcs were described as being smaller in stature than Men on average though strong but crooked in frame and bow-legged. They were short in stature unless of the Uruk variety where they had a humanoid shape. They were generally squat, broad, flat-nosed, sallow-skinned, bow-legged, with wide mouths and slant eyes, long arms, dark skin, and fangs. They were roughly humanoid in shape with pointed ears, sharpened teeth and grimy skin. Their appearance was considered revolting by most of the other races.
Orcs made no beautiful things, but many clever ones including machines, tools, weapons, and instruments of torture. They were delighted by wheels, engines, and explosions, and could tunnel and mine as well as any but the most skilled Dwarves, though they are often untidy and dirty.
Members
- Azog :
- Bolg :
- Golfimbul :
- Gorbag :
- Grishnákh :
- Shagrat :
- Snaga :
- Uglúk :
Notes
- Orcs were created by J. R. R. Tolkien where they featured in the setting of the Middle-earth universe.
In other media
Television
- In The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, the Orcs appeared in the setting of the live-action television series. They were monstrous humanoids first created by Morgoth who took the race of Elves and twisted them to serve as his warriors. The first of their kind had some Elven traits such as human-like features and long ears where they were known as the Moriondor (Quenya: "Sons of the Dark"). They were of a higher rank than an ordinary Orc with the Moriondor taking orders from Morgoth and Sauron with them never operating independently of the Dark Powers. One of their number was Adar who served Sauron only to turn against his master after seeing his cruel experiments on the Orcs.
Films
- In The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, the Orcs appeared in the setting of the shared continuity setting:
- In The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, the Orcs appeared in the setting of the live-action film.
- In The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, the Orcs appeared in the setting of the live-action film sequel.
- In The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, the Orcs appeared in the setting of the live-action film.
Video games
- In The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth, the Orcs featured in the setting of the 2006 real-time strategy video game sequel.
- In The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II, the Orcs featured in the setting of the 2006 real-time strategy video game sequel.
- In The Lord of the Rings Online, the Orcs appeared as antagonists in the setting of the MMORPG video game.
RPGs
Appearances
- The Lord of the Rings:
External Links
This article is a stub. You can help Multiversal Omnipedia by expanding it.
