Tróthul

Tróthul is a trance-like state experienced by members of the Kintai, marking the final stage before their fading from the physical world. To outside observers, a Kinta in Tróthul appears awake yet unresponsive, seated or standing in quiet stillness, their awareness turned inward as their bond to the material world loosens.

Tróthul arises from the deep weariness felt by the eldest of the Kintai, who are not drawn westward to Valinor and therefore remain in Middle-earth until age and sorrow weigh heavily upon them. During this state, the Kinta's physical needs diminish, their senses grow distant, and their consciousness drifts between the seen world and the unseen. The duration of Tróthul varies greatly: for some it lasts only a short while, while others may remain in the trance for years as they prepare themselves for fading.

If Tróthul is allowed to progress naturally, it culminates in the fading of the Kinta's body into dust. At this point, their spirit may persist as a Väiri, an unseen presence bound to the lands they loved in life. Those who feel a strong attachment to a particular grove or oasis often choose to enter Tróthul at that place, ensuring their spirit remains as a guardian rather than a wandering wraith. It is customary for the Kintai to prepare a Veróth around one who has entered Tróthul. Formed from living trees woven about the fading body, the Veróth serves both as a memorial and as a spiritual anchor, binding the spirit of the faded Kinta to the grove.

Not all Kintai welcome Tróthul. Some actively resist the trance, fearing the loss of awareness and the eternal confinement that follows fading. This resistance can cause moments of disorientation or sudden lapses of awareness, as the pull of Tróthul asserts itself against the will of the individual. Kintai who refuse to fade and instead perish violently risk becoming wrathful, restless spirits, untethered to any place of peace. Among the Kintai, Tróthul is neither a sickness nor a punishment, but a natural culmination of life for a people who chose to remain in Middle-earth. It is regarded with a mixture of reverence, sorrow, and quiet acceptance, reflecting the Kintai belief that endurance, memory, and love of place can persist even beyond the loss of the physical self.