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{{expansion}}
{{men infobox
{{men infobox
| name=King of the Dead
| image=[[File:Grant Gould - King of the Dead 2.jpg|175px]]
| image=[[File:Grant Gould - King of the Dead 2.jpg|175px]]
| name=King of the Dead
| caption="King of the Dead" by [[Grant Gould]]
| people=[[Oathbreakers|Oathbreaker]]
| pronun=
| pronun=
| othernames=King of the Mountains
| othernames=King of the Mountains
| titles=
| titles=
| position=
| position=
| location=[[White Mountains]]
| location=[[Paths of the Dead]]
| affiliation=[[Sauron]], [[Gondor]]
| affiliation=[[Sauron]], [[Gondor]]
| language=
| language=[[Westron]]
| birth=[[Second Age]]
| birth=Before {{SA|3429}}
| birthlocation=
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| rule=3031+ years
| death=
| death={{TA|3019}}
| deathlocation=
| deathlocation=[[Pelargir]]
| age=
| age=3031+
| notablefor=
| notablefor=Breaking the oath made with [[Isildur]]
| house=
| house=
| parentage=
| parentage=
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| eyes=
| eyes=
| clothing=
| clothing=
| weapons=Spear
| weapons=Spear<ref>{{RK|Debate}}</ref>
| steed=
| steed=
| gallery=the King of the Dead
}}
}}
The '''King of the Mountains''', or later, the '''King of the Dead''', was the ruler of the [[Oathbreakers]].
The '''King of the Mountains''', or later, the '''King of the Dead''', was the ruler of the [[Oathbreakers]].


== History ==
== History ==
He was the King of the [[Men of the Mountains]], and when the [[Realms in Exile]] were founded, he met [[Isildur]] at [[Erech]] and swore his affiliation to [[Gondor]] on behalf of his people.
He was the King of the [[Oathbreakers|Men of the Mountains]], and when the [[Realms in Exile]] were founded, he met [[Isildur]] at [[Erech]] and swore his affiliation to [[Gondor]] on behalf of his people.


Then the time came when their former lord, [[Sauron]] arose again, and Isildur summoned them, but the Men of the Mountains were unwilling to turn against Sauron as they worshipped him during the [[Dark Years]]. Isildur cursed them for not fulfilling their oath, that there will be no other King after him, and they will never find rest, until someone else calls for them.
Then the time came when their former lord, [[Sauron]] arose again, and Isildur summoned them, but the Men of the Mountains were unwilling to turn against Sauron as they worshipped him during the [[Dark Years]]. Isildur cursed them for not fulfilling their oath, that there will be no other King after him, and they will never find rest until someone else calls for them.


His people dwindled and in the following centuries, the [[wraith]] of the '''King of the Dead''' was a terrifying rumor for the [[Men of Gondor]] south of the Mountains.
His people dwindled and in the following centuries, the [[Wraiths|wraith]] of the '''King of the Dead''' was a terrifying rumour for the [[Gondorians|Men of Gondor]] south of the Mountains.


During the [[War of the Ring]], [[Aragorn]] came to the [[Paths of the Dead]] as the [[Heir of Isildur]] and offered him to redeem themselves. On their way to Erech, people were scared of the news that the King of the Dead was out again, and defenders and foes alike fled away.<ref>{{RK|Passing}}</ref>  
During the [[War of the Ring]], [[Aragorn]] came to the [[Paths of the Dead]] as the [[Heir of Isildur]] and offered them a way to redeem themselves. On their way to Erech, people were scared of the news that the King of the Dead was out again, and defenders and foes alike fled away.<ref>{{RK|Company}}</ref>  


The Oathbreakers followed the [[Grey Company]] to [[Pelargir]] where they drove off the enemy. Having fulfilled their oath, the King of the Dead broke and threw down his spear, bowed to [[Aragorn]] and turned away, as the Shadow Host vanished.<ref>{{RK|Debate}}</ref>
The Oathbreakers followed the [[Grey Company]] to [[Pelargir]] where they drove off the enemy. Having fulfilled their oath, the King of the Dead broke and threw down his spear, bowed to [[Aragorn]] and turned away, as the Shadow Host vanished.<ref>{{RK|Debate}}</ref>
== Portrayal in adaptations ==
[[File:The Lord of the Rings Online - King of the Dead.jpg|thumb|left|King Rioc in life in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'']]
'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:The King of the Dead is played by [[Paul Norell]].
'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The King of the Dead is named Rioc. Although his men were unwilling to fight [[Sauron]] because they had worshipped him, his excuse for not honoring the oath given to [[Isildur]] was because his daughter Bravantel had an out-of-wedlock child with one of his [[Númenórean]] warriors. He leads his people after joining [[Aragorn]]'s host and is freed after the liberation of [[Pelargir]].
{{references}}
{{references}}
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Pre-Númenóreans]]
[[Category:Pre-Númenóreans]]
[[Category:Second Age characters]]
[[Category:Second Age characters]]
[[Category:Servants of Sauron]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]

Revision as of 21:01, 14 October 2021

King of the Dead
Oathbreaker
Grant Gould - King of the Dead 2.jpg
"King of the Dead" by Grant Gould
Biographical Information
Other namesKing of the Mountains
LocationPaths of the Dead
AffiliationSauron, Gondor
LanguageWestron
BirthBefore S.A. 3429
Rule3031+ years
DeathT.A. 3019 (aged 3031+)
Pelargir
Notable forBreaking the oath made with Isildur
Physical Description
GenderMale
WeaponrySpear[1]
GalleryImages of the King of the Dead

The King of the Mountains, or later, the King of the Dead, was the ruler of the Oathbreakers.

History

He was the King of the Men of the Mountains, and when the Realms in Exile were founded, he met Isildur at Erech and swore his affiliation to Gondor on behalf of his people.

Then the time came when their former lord, Sauron arose again, and Isildur summoned them, but the Men of the Mountains were unwilling to turn against Sauron as they worshipped him during the Dark Years. Isildur cursed them for not fulfilling their oath, that there will be no other King after him, and they will never find rest until someone else calls for them.

His people dwindled and in the following centuries, the wraith of the King of the Dead was a terrifying rumour for the Men of Gondor south of the Mountains.

During the War of the Ring, Aragorn came to the Paths of the Dead as the Heir of Isildur and offered them a way to redeem themselves. On their way to Erech, people were scared of the news that the King of the Dead was out again, and defenders and foes alike fled away.[2]

The Oathbreakers followed the Grey Company to Pelargir where they drove off the enemy. Having fulfilled their oath, the King of the Dead broke and threw down his spear, bowed to Aragorn and turned away, as the Shadow Host vanished.[3]

Portrayal in adaptations

King Rioc in life in The Lord of the Rings Online

2003: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King:

The King of the Dead is played by Paul Norell.

2011: The Lord of the Rings Online:

The King of the Dead is named Rioc. Although his men were unwilling to fight Sauron because they had worshipped him, his excuse for not honoring the oath given to Isildur was because his daughter Bravantel had an out-of-wedlock child with one of his Númenórean warriors. He leads his people after joining Aragorn's host and is freed after the liberation of Pelargir.

References