Vandassar

Overview

The Vandassari (Quenya, 'Oath-stones'. singular Vandassar) were powerful relics rescued from the destruction of Númenor by Elendil the Tall and his sons. Seven of the stones, large orbs that easily stood taller than a Man, survived the destruction of Númenor and were divided between the kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor and used to swear binding oaths with the non-Dúnedain peoples of Middle-earth. Though many of these oaths were reportedly sworn in friendship, they were incredibly dangerous, as the Men of the Mountains learned first-hand. The Lossoth, though they swore alliance with the kings of Arnor, are wary even still of the power of oaths of obedience sworn on the Vandassari. In Cardolan, the local Hill-men were given little choice but to submit to the power of the Oath-stones, but when Ambossar was destroyed, many of them revolted against the Dúnedain.

The division of the Vandassari was similar to that of the palantíri- three to the North Kingdom and four to the South. Gandalf theorizes at Tol Send that an old verse of lore makes reference to the Oath-stones in addition to the Seeing-stones: "What brought they from the foundered land, over the flowing sea? Seven stars and seven stones and one white tree." The 'stones' had been thought to refer to the palantíri, but could also have meant the Vandassari.

The Vandassari were likely a creation of Fëanor, the great elven artisan- also often credited with the creation of the palantíri.

Powers

The Oath-stones were used by the Númenóreans to bind allies with powerful oaths, made more powerful when sworn in the presence of the stones. Two at least were captured by Sauron's forces during the War of the Great Alliance and corrupted, used to compel the obedience of armies and nations.

The stones also seem able to recall old memories- or perhaps old oaths, as happened in Agoroth when the shade of Arvedui stood before it.

Even a shard of an Oath-stone is dangerous; the Angmarim priestess Ásachal makes bódraillan, oath-thralls, of the Hill-men of Angmar with a fragment taken from the Tauressar.

The Vandassari may also be able to trap or contain creatures, if Finrúth is correct.

With sufficient power, the stones can be fractured or even destroyed thoroughly enough to release those bound to them, as has happened with Ambossar , Airessar , Naldassar , and Helcessar.

Locations

Stones of Arnor

• Helcessar was a pale blue. The Lossoth swore friendship with Arnor before the Helcessar in exchange for high-quality weapons. The stone was originally kept at Ost Forod in Arthedain, but sometime between 500 and 600 of the Third Age it was relocated by Prince Elendur of Arnor to the fortress of Agoroth in the icy canyons of Forochel under the guard of the Sardirath, where it remained, forgotten, for centuries. It was recently destroyed.
• Tauressar was a pale green and sent to Rhudaur. During the war with Angmar it was taken by the Witch-king of Angmar. It was most recently kept in Tûr Fúar, the Drearspire in Câr Bronach, before being relocated during the reclamation of Gundabad. A shard of Tauressar is found in the throne room of Carn Dûm, and is used by High Priestess Ásachal and Warlord Claghórd. The rest of it likely remains in the cavern beneath Tûr Fúar where it was fractured.
• Ambossar was a black-veined, red-brown stone and sent to Cardolan. Kept in the tower of the fortress of Gaervarad, many of the native Amonedain swore allegiance to Arnor. Some remained loyal to the kingdom even after the stone's shattering during the Fall of Cardolan, but others retaliated against the Dúnedain as soon as they were able.

Stones of Gondor

• Landassar was a golden-brown and was sent to Rhovanion.
• Orossar was a deep black. It is more commonly known as the Stone of Erech. It is located on a large hill in the Blackroot Vale. It was used to swear friendship with King Rioc and the Men of the Mountains, who broke their oaths and were cursed by Isildur for it.
• Airessar was clear as crystal and set at the lighthouse of Calatirion at the harbour of Vëalondë in Umbar. It was taken by Sauron's forces and used to compel the service of the Haradrim during the War of the Great Alliance. It was destroyed by the Bright Company in the fighting.
• Naldassar was silver-white and used with the people of Rhûn. It was kept in the city of Minas Ithil until it was captured by the Nazgûl at the end of the Second Age. It was also captured by Sauron and used to compel the service of a massive Easterling army before this one, too, was freed from Sauron's control by Glorfindel, Lendelen, and the Bright Company. The stone spent some time in Barad-dûr but was returned to Minas Ithil, where it remained when the city was recaptured and renamed Minas Morgul.

Gallery

Vandassari in current times

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  The Helcessar as come across in Agoroth giving Arvedui a vision of the past. ^{[7.2N, 66.3W]}

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  The Tauressar beneath Tûr Fúar, shortly before its fragmentation. ^{[52.7N, 68.8W]}

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  The Orossar as shown on top of the Hill of Erech. ^{[58.2S, 65.1W]}

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  The Naldassar, broken and abandoned high up in the tower of Barad Cúron ^{[67.8S, 1.8E]}

Vandassari in ancient times

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  Ost Forod was the original location of the Helcessar. ^{[7.8S, 64.2W]}

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  The last location of the Ambossar was atop the now broken tower of Gaervarad. ^{[53.6S, 53.6W]}

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  The Hill of Erech has been the place where the Orossar resides for many years. ^{[58.2S, 65.1W]}

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  Calatirion, the Beacon-tower of Elendil was the place where the Airessar was located before it was destroyed ^{[19.9S, 103.7W]}

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  The Naldassar in Barad-dûr, used by Sauron himself. ^{[96.8S, 114.2W]}