Gúrzyul
The Gúrzyul (Black Speech for Deathless), are powerful Men and Women who served Sauron, each personally selected by the Dark Lord. With their master's ultimate defeat and the resulting destruction of the Nazgûl, the Gúrzyul remain one of the greatest threats to enemies of Mordor.
The Gúrzyul were Black Númenóreans sworn to Sauron's service in the late Second Age. It is believed that by bleeding them with his morgul-knife, Gulthauk, Sauron made these chosen servants "Deathless", or more specifically, unaging. Unlike the Nazgûl, they could be slain and would not return from death.[1] Additionally, their partial immortality did not grant them immunity from being permanently scarred or otherwise altered. Indeed, of the four Gúrzyul who have been encountered thus far, all have suffered some form of disfigurement. Though they outlasted their master, Gandalf comes to believe that they may be fading in Sauron's absence, due to him unnaturally prolonging their lives.[2] Each took a new name upon becoming Gúrzyul,[3] and they have since forgotten their original names.[4]
Known Gúrzyul include:
- Dulgabêth the Black Word. Once the Mouth of Sauron, he afterwards declared himself Sauron's Heir.[5]
- Karazgar the Weeping Warrior. This Gúrzyul is known to be a tamer of dragons.[6] He is responsible for setting Smaug against the Dwarves of Erebor - though he failed to recruit Smaug to Sauron's cause - and for capturing and torturing the Ring-drakes.[7][8]
- Mothgorod is mentioned as being one of the Gúrzyul by Karazgar at the Old Ford.
- Nûlbanath is mentioned as being one of the Gúrzyul by Karazgar at the Old Ford.
- Rûkhor the Pale Herald. Not much is known of Rûkhor as of yet, save that he is interested in Shelob and Lhingris.[3][9]
- Ugrukhôr, Captain of the Pit. Long ago, he took Durthand from the Thandrim. The fortress was renamed Durthang, and he has ruled Udûn ever since.[10]
- Urudanî Stonemaiden. While overseeing the construction of Nargroth, she encountered the Great Rogmul, Borangos the Horror, who turned her into a Flame-wraith under his command.[11][12]
Gallery
Dulgabêth the Black Word | Karazgar the Weeping Warrior | Rûkhor the Pale Herald | Ugrukhôr, Captain of the Pit | Urudanî Stonemaiden |
References
- ↑ Chapter 3.3: The Gúrzyul
- ↑ Chapter 6.7: Wood, Lake, Mountain, and Stone
- ↑ a b Shelob's Hunger
- ↑ J.R.R Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Black Gate Opens"
- ↑ Chapter 2.5: Mouth of Gondor
- ↑ Chapter 6.1: The Halls of the Elvenking
- ↑ Instance: Whispers in the Pits
- ↑ Seven Rings
- ↑ Will of the Pale Herald
- ↑ Chapter 1.2: The Cruel History of Durthang
- ↑ Instance: Fate of the Stonemaiden
- ↑ Dungeons of Naerband -- Tier 1