A region of Beleriand, in the north, just to the south of Ard-Galen/Anfauglith and separated by a thin strip of land from Doriath to the south. It is a plateau surrounded by tall mountains which can be reached only via a few dangerous passes, which seem to lead mainly to Nan Dungortheb. Notable features include Rivil's Well and Tarn Aeluin.

Its role in Tolkien's book The Silmarillion is mainly as a site of a rearguard action by a small, heroic band of 14 outlaws led by the human king Barahir and including his son, Beren. It was overrun by Morgoth's forces after Dagor Bragollach, and became a scene of guerrilla battles until eventually only the 14 remained, harassing orkish patrols in the region. After Sauron crushed the outlaws, it was renamed Taur-nu-Fuin.
Sadly, the exploits of the outlaws were never turned into fully-fledged tales.
by Andy May 11, 2004
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