Post by Weasel Pie on Sept 26, 2017 1:52:25 GMT
It's always fun to find more Tolkien homages in A Song of Ice and Fire. A few well-known ones are that Samwell Tarly was inspired by Samwise Gamgee, and that Thorin II Oakenshield in The Hobbit inspired the name for Oakenshield, a castle on the Wall as well as one of the Shield Islands. And Frodo's father's name was Drogo Baggins, inspiring the name for Khal Drogo. Pretty cool.
Valar Morgulis will be the first one I'll try to tackle
Minas Morghul is a fortified city in The Lord of the Rings, translated as the Tower of Black Sorcery, which was formerly Minas Ithil, the Tower of the Rising Moon.
Minas Ithil was a city made of white marble and was founded by Isildur himself! And it was in Minas Ithil that Isildur planted the (stolen) seed of the White Tree. At some point I'll get more into the trees, it's awesome stuff, but the White Tree was so revered - there are only 8 known White Trees in all of history - it became the symbol of Gondor itself. Sauron laid seige to Minas Ithil and burned the White Tree, but the city was defended and guarded until, many generations later, the Nazgul laid siege and captured Minas Ithil, turning it into the foul and cursed place called Minas Morghul.
Thus Minas Morghul, the Tower of Black Sorcery, emerged as an evil twin of Minas Tirith, the White City, which is also graced with the super-rare white tree, planted in front of it's Citadel. House of Black and White. Clever GRRM, very clever.
Now, here's a list of the Valar, which are akin to demi-gods/angels in the LotR world. There are eight Aratar, or High Ones of Arda and they're pretty evocative: Wind-King, Sea-King, Smith, Huntsman, Doomsman, Star-Queen, Fruit-giver, Weeper.
The High Ones of Arda
Manwë, the Wind-King and the King of the Valar.
Ulmo, the Sea-King and the Lord of Water.
Aulë, the Smith and the Lord of Earth and all that's underneath.
Oromë, the Huntsman, the Lord of Forests and the Great Rider.
Námo (Mandos), the Doomsman and the Judge of the Dead.
Varda, the Star-Queen and the Queen of the Valar.
Yavanna, the Fruit-Giver and the Lady of Earth.
Nienna, the Weeper and the Lady of Mercy.
The other Lords and Ladies of the Valar
Melkor, the Lord and Creator of Dark Powers and most powerful of the Valar. He is not counted as a Vala anymore.
Irmo (Lórien), Lord and Master of Dreams, Visions, and Desires, and Creator of the Oloré Mallé, or Path of Dreams.
Tulkas, the Wrestler, the Champion of Valinor and last of the Valar to come to Arda
Estë the Gentle, Lady of Healing and Rest, and spouse of Irmo.
Vairë, the Weaver and spouse of Mandos.
Vána, the Ever-young and spouse of Orome.
Nessa, the Dancer and spouse of Tulkas.
More soon on this.
Valar Morgulis will be the first one I'll try to tackle
Minas Morghul is a fortified city in The Lord of the Rings, translated as the Tower of Black Sorcery, which was formerly Minas Ithil, the Tower of the Rising Moon.
Minas Ithil was a city made of white marble and was founded by Isildur himself! And it was in Minas Ithil that Isildur planted the (stolen) seed of the White Tree. At some point I'll get more into the trees, it's awesome stuff, but the White Tree was so revered - there are only 8 known White Trees in all of history - it became the symbol of Gondor itself. Sauron laid seige to Minas Ithil and burned the White Tree, but the city was defended and guarded until, many generations later, the Nazgul laid siege and captured Minas Ithil, turning it into the foul and cursed place called Minas Morghul.
Thus Minas Morghul, the Tower of Black Sorcery, emerged as an evil twin of Minas Tirith, the White City, which is also graced with the super-rare white tree, planted in front of it's Citadel. House of Black and White. Clever GRRM, very clever.
Now, here's a list of the Valar, which are akin to demi-gods/angels in the LotR world. There are eight Aratar, or High Ones of Arda and they're pretty evocative: Wind-King, Sea-King, Smith, Huntsman, Doomsman, Star-Queen, Fruit-giver, Weeper.
The High Ones of Arda
Manwë, the Wind-King and the King of the Valar.
Ulmo, the Sea-King and the Lord of Water.
Aulë, the Smith and the Lord of Earth and all that's underneath.
Oromë, the Huntsman, the Lord of Forests and the Great Rider.
Námo (Mandos), the Doomsman and the Judge of the Dead.
Varda, the Star-Queen and the Queen of the Valar.
Yavanna, the Fruit-Giver and the Lady of Earth.
Nienna, the Weeper and the Lady of Mercy.
The other Lords and Ladies of the Valar
Melkor, the Lord and Creator of Dark Powers and most powerful of the Valar. He is not counted as a Vala anymore.
Irmo (Lórien), Lord and Master of Dreams, Visions, and Desires, and Creator of the Oloré Mallé, or Path of Dreams.
Tulkas, the Wrestler, the Champion of Valinor and last of the Valar to come to Arda
Estë the Gentle, Lady of Healing and Rest, and spouse of Irmo.
Vairë, the Weaver and spouse of Mandos.
Vána, the Ever-young and spouse of Orome.
Nessa, the Dancer and spouse of Tulkas.
More soon on this.
