Variags: Difference between revisions
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==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
The meaning of ''Variag'' is unknown; it is, along with ''[[Oliphaunts|mûmak]]'' and ''[[Khand]]'', one of the few known words from the languages of the Men of the East and allies of Sauron.<ref>{{PM| | The meaning of ''Variag'' is unknown; it is, along with ''[[Oliphaunts|mûmak]]'' and ''[[Khand]]'', one of the few known words from the languages of the Men of the East and allies of Sauron.<ref>{{PM|Languages}}, carbon copy of typescript F4, p. 79.</ref> | ||
It is not clear if the word "Variag" is synonymous with the Men of Khand in general, or is a specific group or tribe of those men. The name appears only in context of the Battle of the Pelennor; the [[Appendix A|Annals of Kings and Rulers]] mention the Men of Khand who moved against Gondor in the Third Age, but the name Variags is not used. | It is not clear if the word "Variag" is synonymous with the Men of Khand in general, or is a specific group or tribe of those men. The name appears only in context of the Battle of the Pelennor; the [[Appendix A|Annals of Kings and Rulers]] mention the Men of Khand who moved against Gondor in the Third Age, but the name Variags is not used. |
Revision as of 12:42, 16 October 2021
Variags | |
---|---|
People | |
"Variag" by John Howe | |
General Information | |
Locations | Khand |
Affiliation | Sauron |
Rivalries | Gondorians |
Physical Description | |
Lifespan | shorter than Númenórean |
Average height | shorter than Númenóreans |
Gallery | Images of Variags |
The Variags were a little-known people who dwelt in the land of Khand.
History
The Variags came from Khand, a little-known land southeast of Mordor.[1] In the Third Age Khand was under the influence of Mordor; in T.A. 1944 the Men of Khand together with the Southrons of Near Harad joined the Wainriders to attack Gondor.[2]
During the War of the Ring the Variags fought at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. They were held in reserve in Osgiliath along with armies of Easterlings and Southrons. After the death of the Witch-king they were sent onto the battlefield by Gothmog. Their ranks were among troll-men and Orcs when the knights of Dol Amroth ran and drove them back.[3]
Etymology
The meaning of Variag is unknown; it is, along with mûmak and Khand, one of the few known words from the languages of the Men of the East and allies of Sauron.[4]
It is not clear if the word "Variag" is synonymous with the Men of Khand in general, or is a specific group or tribe of those men. The name appears only in context of the Battle of the Pelennor; the Annals of Kings and Rulers mention the Men of Khand who moved against Gondor in the Third Age, but the name Variags is not used.
Inspiration
Variag is a Slavic word derived from Norse Varingar "mercenary people" (vár "contract"). The Varangian Guard were Norse body-guards of the Byzantine Emperor.
It has been suggested that Tolkien adopted the Slavic term to indicate that the Variags were possibly mercenaries serving a possible Lord of Khand.[5]
Portrayal in adaptations
1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:
1995-8: Middle-earth Collectible Card Game:
- Variags of Khand is a Man Faction.
2016: The Lord of the Rings Online:
- The Variags are first encountered as enemies in Far Anórien, guarding the road to Minas Tirith against the passage of Rohirrim. Another group of Variags is found in North Ithilien after the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, attempting to retreat home into Khand. Unlike the Easterlings and the Haradrim, the Variags are mercenaries, following Sauron not out of fear or worship but because of the riches promised to them. As such, they hold no real hatred against the Men of the West and at several points players have the option to simply pay them to defuse an armed situation.
See also
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The West of Middle-earth at the End of the Third Age" [map]
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Battle of the Pelennor Fields"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "II. The Appendix on Languages", carbon copy of typescript F4, p. 79.
- ↑ Jim Allan (1978), An Introduction to Elvish, Obscure Languages
- ↑ S. Coleman Charlton (1993), Middle-earth Role Playing (2nd edition, hardcover) (#2000)
- ↑ Peter C. Fenlon, Jr. et al. (1987), Lords of Middle-earth Vol II: The Mannish Races (#8003)