Dawnless Day

The Dawnless Day, also known as the Storm of Mordor and Darkness Unescapable, refers to 10 March, T.A. 3019, when fumes from Mordor veiled the Sun in an attempt by Sauron to discourage or misguide his enemies. The veil of Darkness blacked out most of Gondor and Rohan, though some beams of light could pass through it.

Along with the Darkness, a host from Minas Morgul set forth toward Minas Tirith, as witnessed by Frodo, Sam and Gollum who passed the Cross-roads. Later Orcs from the Morannon took Cair Andros and passed into Anórien.

The Darkness was also observed by the Rohirrim who were mustering their Riders and rode from Harrowdale.

On this day Faramir was rescued by Gandalf and Imrahil outside the Great Gate of Minas Tirith and Aragorn II led the Dead Men and the Grey Company, across the river Ringló.

The Darkness was eventually driven away by a south-west wind on the morning of March 15, when Aragorn and his companions came to the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.

Portrayal in adaptations

2014: The Lord of the Rings Online:

The Dawnless Day sprawls over four in-game regions, including all of Gondor east of Calembel, Anórien, South Ithilien, Osgiliath and Minas Tirith itself. The sky in those regions is permanently darkened, with in-game day being near-indistinguishable from the nighttime. The common folk of Gondor whom the player meets during this time are almost all in despair about what this new misfortune means for them.

In 2023, the game added another version of Gondor (sans Anórien) chronologicall set after the end of the War of the Ring, allowing the players to experience its lands without the Dawnless Day's oppressive presence.