Oathbreakers: Difference between revisions

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(Baldor was killed 2500 years later by Men of Darkness, not the Oathbrakers)
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[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The King of the Oathbreakers.jpg|thumb|right|The King of the Oathbreakers by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The King of the Oathbreakers.jpg|thumb|right|''The King of the Oathbreakers'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
The '''Oathbreakers''', also known as the '''Dead Men of Dunharrow''', were the shades of [[Men]] of the [[White Mountains]].  
The '''Oathbreakers''', also known as the '''Dead Men of Dunharrow''', were the shades of [[Men]] of the [[White Mountains]].  


==History==
==History==
They were originally the  Men of the Mountains, whose King swore allegiance to [[Isildur]] and the [[Dúnedain]] in the last years of the [[Second Age]]. They had worshipped [[Sauron]] in the [[Dark Years]] before the foundation of [[Gondor]], and when the time came for them to fulfil their oath, and fight beside Isildur against their ancient master, they broke their word, and hid in the mountains. Isildur cursed them to survive without rest until their oath was fulfilled. Waiting for Isildur's heir to appear and grant them the chance to fulfil their word at last they haunted the caverns beneath the [[Dwimorberg]], and the valley of [[Harrowdale]], also known as the [[Paths of the Dead]], that lay in its shadow, though they were said to appear in the valley only in times of trouble or death.  
They were originally the  Men of the Mountains. Their people descended from the [[Pre-Númenóreans|Pre-Númenórean]] peoples related to the [[Dunlendings]] and flourished during the [[Second Age]]. They had worshipped [[Sauron]] in the [[Dark Years]] before the foundation of [[Gondor]].


In the [[War of the Ring]], Isildur's Heir, [[Aragorn]], called on the oathbreakers to fulfil their oath at last. They followed him through the [[Gondor|Gondorian]] lands south of the [[White Mountains]], and at the port of [[Pelargir]] they drove away the allies of [[Sauron]] in fear. For their aid, Aragorn granted them their freedom, and they vanished at last from the world.
After Gondor was founded, [[King of the Dead|their King]] swore allegiance to [[Isildur]] and the [[Dúnedain]] in the last years of the [[Second Age]]. But when the time came for them to fulfil their oath, and fight beside Isildur against their ancient master, they broke their word; they refused to join the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Last Alliance]], and hid in the mountains.  


==Etymology==
Isildur cursed them to remain without rest until their oath was fulfilled. Waiting for the [[Heir of Isildur]] to appear and grant them the chance to fulfil their word at last, they haunted the caverns beneath the [[Dwimorberg]]. It was said that when their [[wraiths]] appeared in the valley of [[Harrowdale]] that lay in the mountain's shadow, also known as the [[Paths of the Dead]], it was in times of trouble or death.
Before breaking their oath, these men were known simply as "the Men of the Mountains". Afterward, they were referred to as "the Dead of Dunharrow", "the Shadow Host" and a variety of similar names, though their best known name, "the Army of the Dead", was only used in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]]''.


==Portrayal in Adaptations==
In the [[War of the Ring]], Isildur's Heir, [[Aragorn]], called on the oathbreakers to fulfil their oath at last. They followed him through the [[Gondor|Gondorian]] lands south of the White Mountains, and at the port of [[Pelargir]] they drove away the allies of Sauron in fear. For their aid, Aragorn granted them their freedom, and they vanished at last from the world.
 
==Other names==
Before breaking their oath, these men were known simply as the '''Men of the Mountains'''. Afterwards, they were referred to as the '''Dead of Dunharrow''', the '''Sleepless Dead''' or just the '''Dead''', the '''Grey Host''', the '''Shadow Host''', the '''Shadow-men''', the '''Shadows of Men''' or simply the '''[[Shadow]]s'''.
 
The "Army of the Dead" was only used in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]].
 
==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Army of the Dead.jpg|thumb|right|The Army of the Dead in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'']]
'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:The Dead were originally envisioned as walking skeletons, but this had to be revised after ''Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl'' came out and did something similar with its undead hosts. So these dead men are glowing green ghosts. Contrary to the book, the Dead follow Aragorn all the way to [[Minas Tirith]], and cleaned up all Sauron's troops.
:The Dead were originally envisioned as walking skeletons, but this had to be revised after ''Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl'' came out and portrayed a similar idea with its undead hosts. The Dead were instead shown as glowing green ghosts. Contrary to the book, the Dead follow [[Aragorn]] all the way to [[Minas Tirith]], and destroy [[Sauron]]'s troops. It is after this that they are ultimately set free.
 
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The Oathbreakers of Dunharrow are the inspiration for several other factions of Oathbreakers and other cursed shades, such as former soldiers of [[Arthedain]] cursed for betraying [[Fornost]] to the forces of [[Angmar]]. The King of the Dead was named Rioc. Some of the Dead Men of Dunharrow refused to follow Aragorn, and reaffirmed their allegiance to Sauron. These were known as the Ruthless Dead.
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[[Category:Servants of Sauron]]
[[Category:Undead]]
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Revision as of 17:17, 12 April 2021

"I shan't call it the end, till we've cleared up the mess." — Sam
This article or section needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of article quality.
The King of the Oathbreakers by Ted Nasmith

The Oathbreakers, also known as the Dead Men of Dunharrow, were the shades of Men of the White Mountains.

History

They were originally the Men of the Mountains. Their people descended from the Pre-Númenórean peoples related to the Dunlendings and flourished during the Second Age. They had worshipped Sauron in the Dark Years before the foundation of Gondor.

After Gondor was founded, their King swore allegiance to Isildur and the Dúnedain in the last years of the Second Age. But when the time came for them to fulfil their oath, and fight beside Isildur against their ancient master, they broke their word; they refused to join the Last Alliance, and hid in the mountains.

Isildur cursed them to remain without rest until their oath was fulfilled. Waiting for the Heir of Isildur to appear and grant them the chance to fulfil their word at last, they haunted the caverns beneath the Dwimorberg. It was said that when their wraiths appeared in the valley of Harrowdale that lay in the mountain's shadow, also known as the Paths of the Dead, it was in times of trouble or death.

In the War of the Ring, Isildur's Heir, Aragorn, called on the oathbreakers to fulfil their oath at last. They followed him through the Gondorian lands south of the White Mountains, and at the port of Pelargir they drove away the allies of Sauron in fear. For their aid, Aragorn granted them their freedom, and they vanished at last from the world.

Other names

Before breaking their oath, these men were known simply as the Men of the Mountains. Afterwards, they were referred to as the Dead of Dunharrow, the Sleepless Dead or just the Dead, the Grey Host, the Shadow Host, the Shadow-men, the Shadows of Men or simply the Shadows.

The "Army of the Dead" was only used in The Lord of the Rings (film series).

Portrayal in adaptations

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

The Dead were originally envisioned as walking skeletons, but this had to be revised after Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl came out and portrayed a similar idea with its undead hosts. The Dead were instead shown as glowing green ghosts. Contrary to the book, the Dead follow Aragorn all the way to Minas Tirith, and destroy Sauron's troops. It is after this that they are ultimately set free.

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

The Oathbreakers of Dunharrow are the inspiration for several other factions of Oathbreakers and other cursed shades, such as former soldiers of Arthedain cursed for betraying Fornost to the forces of Angmar. The King of the Dead was named Rioc. Some of the Dead Men of Dunharrow refused to follow Aragorn, and reaffirmed their allegiance to Sauron. These were known as the Ruthless Dead.

References