ANDY's definitions

Carcharoth

Greatest of the wolves or "werewolves" of Morgoth/Sauron in Tolkien's book The Silmarillion. Fathered by Draugluin, Carcharoth was specially trained and fed up to be the most powerful wolf ever, because of a prophecy that Huan the wolfhound could only be killed by the greatest wolf in history.

Carcharoth was posted outside the fortress of Angband to protect Sauron from any attempt by Beren, Luthien and Huan to obtain a Silmaril (in fulfilment of their oath to Elwe). Put under a sleep spell by Luthien, he failed to prevent the theft of a Silmaril, but he attacked Beren when he tried to leave the tower, biting off the hand containing the Silmaril.

Tormented by its light which he found unbearable, Carcharoth then ran rampage across Beleriand until hunted down and slain by Huan. As the prophecy foretold, Huan was also slain in this combat.

Carcharoth is depicted on the cover of the book The Lays of Beleriand as a gigantic slavering wolf with dark fur and red eyes, belching smoke.

by Andy May 10, 2004

Gwindor

A noble Elf from Nargothrond, Gwindor became Turin's companion following the tragic slaying of Beleg. He guided Beleg to Ivrin and healed his soul before taking him to Nargothrond. Gwindor was slain in combat when the forces of Nargothrond clashed with those of Morgoth.

A character in Tolkien's 'The Silmarillion'.

by Andy May 10, 2004

Dorthonion

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 10, 2004

Taur-nu-Fuin

Later name for Dorthonion, after its conquest by the armies of Morgoth. At the time it bore the name, it was a desolate forest from which people and animals had fled, inhabited only by wandering bands of Morgoth's monsters and orcs.

It was a plateau raised above ground, and may have survived the flooding of Beleriand as the island of Tol Fuin.

by Andy May 11, 2004

Eglarest

Fortress in the Falas region of Beleriand, mentioned in Tolkien's book The Silmarillion. Like Vinyamar, it was ruled by Cirdan and populated by Teleri, until it became a haven for elves fleeing other parts of Beleriand as Morgoth's forces overran it after the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. It was eventually broken and sacked by Morgoth's forces, and the surviving elves fled to Balar.

It is located on the western coast.

by Andy May 11, 2004

Vinyamar

Fortress-city in Beleriand, mentioned in Tolkien's work The Silmarillion. It was located in the Falas and was part of the realm of Cirdan. Like Eglarest, it became a haven for elves fleeing after the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, until it was successfully besieged and sacked by Morgoth's forces. Surviving elves fled to Balar.

It is a coastal city with a mighty tower.

by Andy May 11, 2004

Ossiriand

Known as the realm of the seven rivers, Ossiriand was a region of eastern Beleriand roughly equivalent to the later realm of Lindon. It was populated mainly by Laiquendi who remained elusive and invisible.

It's a place in Tolkien's Silmarillion.

by Andy May 11, 2004