7. Riddles Some riddles result in death if you answer them incorrectly. The 'Morgoth' riddle is one of these. I've gathered together quite a bit of evidence on this phenomena, and it appears that even giving the correct answer will kill a character 1 out of 3 times or so, regardless of allegiance. Just tough luck. If you get this riddle or another of the 'death' ones, just give the correct answer and pray. ***** 7.01 It cannot be seen, cannot be felt, cannot be heard, cannot be smelt. It lies behind stars and unders hills and empty holes it fills. It comes first and follows after, ends life, kills laughter. Answer: dark (riddle in `The Hobbit) ***** 7.02 High king he was to those in exile, at least he was for a while. A rescuer of kin - an epic feat was slain in combat by a Balrog's heat. Answer: Fingon (High King of the Noldor in Beleriand after the death of Fingolfin. He rescued Maedhros, his half-brother from the towers of Thangorodrim, and was slain by Gothmog, Lord of the Balrogs, in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. (Source: The Silmarillion)) ***** 7.03 Linked and yet linked again bound to be bound for binding once to hold for great ages three til one did find himself free. Answer: Angainor (Angainor was the chain forged by Aule to bind Melkor after his first defeat. He was sentenced to remain in the Halls of Mandos until three ages had passed. Later, wen he was again defeated, he was again bound with the chain Angainor (Source: The Silmarillion)). ***** 7.04 Those of the second brought it here to places where western Men have been but where it can be found by most any kin it is for known only for its air. Answer: athelas (The men of Numenor brought athelas to Middle-earth (and it is quoted as growing where ever they dwelt) and it had a very wholesome aroma (Source: The Lord of the Rings)). ***** 7.05 On the east of the easternmost Middle near the wood at the foot of the Red awakening those in the past lost to all it now said Answer: "Cuivienen, the `Waters of Awakening'" ***** 7.06 Home to both sea and land it could be seen by one on the holy height built for those who left and came home again it was known from afar by the great white sight. Answer: Avalonne. ***** 7.07 Her bark is silent and not heard at all, and bothers not those that live so tall Answer: Mallorn. ***** 7.08 Drawn to a stranger, a girdle-breaker, was a greycloak born in the year of trees defied the powers while still standing tall yet entrapped by the sweetest power of all. Answer: Luthien: (this one I think more likely): "Drawn to a stranger a girdle breaker": If "girdle breaker" is meant to describe the "stranger" (which seems the most natural reading to me) then the stranger is Beren; and Luthien, then, is the one drawn to the stranger. This also makes sense in that Beren was a stranger in Doriath, not Luthien. Luthien was only a stranger to Beren himself. "Was a gray cloak": Thingol was "Gray cloak" (as pointed out above); saying *A* gray cloak suggests a member of his House or family; it can also be taken as a double-meaning referring to the shadowy cloak Luthien wove from her hair. "Born in the year of trees": THE year is something of a problem, I don't know what that means, but Luthien was born in Middle-earth at the time the Two Trees were alive in Valinor. "Defied the powers..." Note the plural. Beren defied Morgoth, but Luthien defied both Morgoth and, later Mandos (it is possible to dispute that her attitude toward Mandos was actually defiant-- more pleading or persuasive, perhaps-- but I think my interpretation will do for the purpose of the riddle at least). Thus Luthien defied more than one power. And of course the last line applies. ***** 7.09 Three dragons by name are known: The first yclept Glaurung, Another was Smaug, Who was I? Possible Answer: Aargh! There are *four* named dragons! (Glaurung, Ancalagon, Scatha, Smaug) ***** 7.10 Evil Marker King Loyal to an Elven Family. In high reaches they sing. Possible Answer: Thorondor, King of the Eagles in the First Age, made his nest in the high mountains, and clawed Morgoth, scarring ("marking") his (evil) face. I wouldn't call Thorondor "loyal" to anyone but Manwe (and the other Eagles); but he rescued various High-Elves on a few occasions, and his eagles kept watch over Gondolin. ***** 7.11 Deadly beasts of Haradrim war Their presence drove other beasts wild Raging through a battle ground more and more Known as 'Oliphaunts' by any hobbit child. Answer: Elephants of course! But they may want the answer "Mumakil". In GSI's Middle Earth play by mail game, elephants are referred to as 'Mumaks' or 'Mumakil'. Mumakil is the correct answer. ***** 7.12 These house acient light Overwhelming in parts three Their theft cast over all a twilight Till they came to earth, sky and sea. Answer: The Silmarils. ***** 7.13 Between Isen & the white, hunters by trade, Not growers or crafters, Friends to the Rohirrim, named freemen of the forest everafter. Answer: The Woses, or Wildmen of the Woods let by Ghan-buri-ghan. ***** 7.14 Beyond the Merlock Mountains a long and lonely road. Through the spider-shadows and the Marsh of Tode ... to the noisome pools where they dwell. Answer:No problem on that, that's an easy one and comes from a poem by JRRT in "The Adventures of Tom Bombadil." The answer is "the mewlips." ***** 7.15 0ne ring to rule them all one ring to bind them one ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them Answer: One Ring ***** 7.16 Beauty and renown it was the best and it was built to withstand the fortold test for peace and splendor it held for many an age til, in one great swoop, it fell to pillage. Answer: Gondolin. It's inhabitants really felt that it was impregnable, but it fell to the onslaught of Gothmog and Co.What of the fortold test? I can't think of any tests foretold for a place in all of Tolkien's work. Ulmo did of course foretell that Gondolin would fall eventually, but that is not a test. I don't think it can be Gondolin, or Nargothrond. Both cities were founded in the First Age ("of the Sun", that is, as opposed to an "Age of Valinor"), and fell in the First Age; in fact, I don't think either one lasted as much as a thousand years. (Don't-blink-you'll-miss-it, by Elven standards.) So that nixes the "many an age" in line 3. ***** 7.17 At first it was the second and more to the west Home to the lieutenant who survived the sack then it was made far superior to all the rest. From here the great miseries spread While the Black Enemy sat in his pit of dread til all was lost to the great sea bed. Answer: Angband. Originally Melkor had his base in Utumno, establishing Angband as a secondary fortification. Sauron was in charge there (at Angband) and he kept Angband nice and cosy until Melkor returned with the silmarilli. ***** 7.18 One of the great power, a veritable demon of fire who under the stars slew elven sire when the tears had no numbers he slayed the king and was himself slain by elven sting. Answer: Gothmog. Killed Feanor in Dagor-nuin-Giliath (Battle Under Stars), Killed Fingon in Nirnaeth Arnoediad (Battle of Unnumbered Tears), and was killed by Ecthelion in Gondolin. ***** 7.19 Melkor Forevermore. Answer: Morgoth. From the Ballantine paperback Silmarillion, p. 88 ("Then Feanor rose, and lifting up his hand before Manwe he cursed Melkor, naming him Morgoth, the Black Foe of the World; and by that name only was he known to the Eldar ever after."). Note: a character can be killed by this riddle even if he gives a correct answer. ***** 7.20 That which was for the head to hold the lights was that which was for the neck to hold the life. Answer: The Iron Crown. The Iron Crown (for the head) was made by Morgoth to hold the Silmarils (to hold the lights) was made into his collar (was for the neck) after the War of Wrath. Source: the Silmarillion. ***** 7.21 The Great Deceiver Gorthaur First of the Captains of Angband ....Master.... Answer: Sauron ***** 7.22 West of one and south of another It was itself divided into two Home to the First and even before It was mostly lost in the Great War Answer: Beleriand ***** 7.23 Born of the second in the first A lover of white He slacked his thirst to sail beyond the shadow with the help of the light Answer: Earendil ***** 7.24 Lord, brother, friend and from his mountain he does tend to the welfare of spouse and aire alike and does protect all with his windy strike Answer: Manwe ***** 7.25 Lore, skill, but light on reason he toiled where others knew not to tread Following folly he followed until beneath the stars he was dead Answer: Feanor ***** 7.26 Black as night in the hand of light it took many a life and carried its own strife Answer: Gurthang ***** 7.27 North of the Black Gate it lay Where Elves and Men won the day In an age gone by it stank of death 'Til marshland gave it fetid breath Answer: Dagorland ***** 7.28 An unpleasant tongue devised by the second for all and found in the inner whirl of one Answer: Black Tongue (or Black Speech) ***** 7.29 Before the river and the trees with memory of the first raindrop and the first scent. Pathmaker of the first paths here before the seas were bent. Answer: Tom Bombadil ***** 7.30 Lore master and singer of old he betrayed his kin Wanderer hither and thither afar nothing could his vision of beauty mar, for the songs lived on in his mind you see and he never forgot his love of Elven beauty. Answer: Daeron. ***** 7.31 Deathless in name with a crown of stars he sat upon his throne Even though he was not the same. Answer: Durin ***** 7.32 Black wolf's head body of steel long ram gate crasher. Answer: Grond. ***** 7.33 In Gondor it is said that it is free a wild sort for anyone to find. It can be found in both Shire and Bree and some use it's strength to unwind. Answer: Pipe-weed ***** 7.34 Bred by Evil to slay what could be slain in no other way. Bred to guard that which went astray and within the great bowels lay. Slayer and slain all at one time his death brought all the light to shine. Answer: Carcharoth ***** 7.35 In Elvish, the one comprised three The first created, then marred was to be fixed by the second to be while the third, far from the worst dealt with those who were not the first. Answer: Ainulindale ***** 7.36 The hero of the longest poem of Men a warrior great in power. He brought misery to love again and in his despair life did sour. Answer: Turin ***** 7.37 In the second before the third lay the greatest apart from undead out of sight from where some stand, out of reach as well. But sacrilege has its reward and its death is a great story to tell. Answer: Numenor ***** 7.38 The last High one of the second of the three the first bearer of one of the three He fought the dark and besieged his seat but was undone by the searing heat Answer: Gil-Galad ***** 7.39 The greatest of the first though not the largest in war bound to the earth but traveled afar fought by the Dwarves though he killed the king Finally laid low by one sword's black sting Answer: Glaurung ***** 7.40 Thirty White horses on a red hill, first they champ then they stamp, then they stand still Answer: Teeth ***** 7.41 Air of Gold made by smith in ages past given to Elf before the last of the Last Answer: Vilya ***** 7.42 The first of the Black enemy in the Elder days far beneath the crust of man tunnels and pits filled with great heat filled with power as the black enemy's seat Answer: Utumno ***** 7.43 In the beginning was light brought by that seen as silver and gold flourishing til evil wrought its way and now there is only silver by night and gold by day Answer: the Two Trees ***** 7.44 There stood in the sheer wall of rock and in the wall it gaped like the mouth of night Answer: Dark Door ***** 7.45 The first found them where the sun could not find them they howl and snarl and shun the light but as mounts and fighters they aid the dark fight. Answer: Wargs ***** 7.46 Over not land is his power to be and in dreams does he cause his people to see a counselor who always did favor two it was all he could do to carry the memories through. Answer: Ulmo ***** 7.47 The secret shadow, the messenger of the dark, A woman of the night, a bird with a bite Answer: Thuringwethil ***** 7.48 Of a father slain was he, Orc Slayer, Ring freer Drawn to a nightinggale by love's found Slain in loves arms by wolfhound Answer: Beren ***** 7.49 Great and noble was he, Wolf slayer was he Free to leave the evil and join the good to slay the great evil yet slain be Answer: Huan ***** 7.50 Voiceless it cries wingless flutters, toothless bites mouthless mutters. Answer: the wind ***** 7.51 A scene of evil carnage and fury a battle by name the fourth of Beleriand the world sighs and from the name "Anfauglith" came Answer: Sudden Flame ***** 7.52 This thing all things devours Birds, beasts, trees, flowers, gnaws iron, bites steel grinds hard stones to meal Answer: Time ***** 7.53 Water made from rare and set with white was kept in the second from everyone's sight Soon will it's power be shown as real when it is set to make the land heal Answer: unknown, possibly 'Nenya' ***** 7.54 The greatest of the wing flew far above them all till in the battle of which they sing he lost in the great fall. Answer: Ancalagon ***** 7.55 Destiny & Pride reared their noble heads to stop the taint from so many beds and so it came to ravage and it tore the lives of so many in the war and after it ravaged and after it slew men came to realize what they knew and the name was not war or somesuch but a name that itself told so much Answer: Kin-Strife ***** 7.56 Huntsmen, rider, bearer; One of seven, King bearer, tree, leather (there might be more) Answer: Orome ***** 7.57 Tenth by the first, And tenth by the second, Third by the third, yet always thirty by all who reckon. Answer: Narquelie ***** 7.58 In tale his deed was of the heroic meter Told to lift the hearts of the young. In deed the tale becomes even sweeter And of his shot more and more songs are sung. Answer: Bard the Bowman ***** 7.59 Its air is sultry, dark and sweet and in its wake death and despair do meet for it brings surcease and terror all in one but by a fragrant plant it is undone. Answer: Black Breath ***** 7.60 Deathless in name with a crown of stars he sat upon his own throne Even though he was not the same. Answer: Durin ***** 7.61 Ever so sharp but not so long it's cut of a jewel made it's way into song Answer: Angrist ***** 7.62 A song set in stone It sat in glory all alone Staunch in its fight against the dark Until foul betrayal extinguished it's great spark. Answer: Gondolin ***** 7.63 On high he was among the Noldor He alone was wedded once and once more Slain he was like many of his line By darkest evil in search of beauty fine. Answer: Finwe ***** 7.64 A poem it is of ghostly haunts of hero seeking solace but finding only taunts Written they say by one of those a bearer A dream misspeled and holding only terror. Answer: Sea-Bell ***** 7.65 From Brandy to the tower twas granted by royal power Answer: The Shire ***** 7.66 In the west it was said this way And until it fall it alone held sway In the days of power it came to a head taken from the early men some said. Answer: Believed to be "Adunaic". "Numenor" was tried and is wrong. Some think "Numenorian" may work. ***** 7.67 Large from the first, they were bred that way to move and think and bit slower than most their power and strength held most at bay and they were the brunt on the Dark Lords host. Answer: Trolls ***** 7.68 As red he was known but it was as guardian that the tells were sown And so the guardian did slay the hunters both man and beast Yet the good did devour Til death brought it's own surcease Answer: Carchoroth ***** 7.69 It is in the most ancient form and tells of those three houses They who fought the Dark til ne'er lost who risked all with their brothers no matter the cost A heroic voyage enable them to survive the dire test and in return they were given the west. Answer: Akallabeth (probably this one), Tale of the chilren of Hurin (Narn I Hin Hurin), Release from Bondage (Lay of Leithan) ***** 7.70 Carved upon the deathless door His name was carved by elven hand In the city below and books of lore his artistry would be remembered throughout the land. Answer: (Narvi or Celebrimbor) It's your guess, Celebrimbor was the elf and was known as the greatest "craftsman" throughout the land. He also worked on the door with Narvi. Narvi made the door and is a Dwarf. The question is..whose name is on the door, the elf or dwarf. ***** 7.71 Of them they were one of three Larger and heavier than either of the two. a great hairy move was made in the third but many didn't agree And back some went and were gladdened by the dew. Answer: Stoors ***** 7.72 A true friend and implacable enemy was he Risk-taker, counselor, schemer Twice into the bowels of the dark he did go And by none of the elemental test was he truly laid low Answer: Gandalf ***** 7.73 The first found them where the light of sun could not find them they howl and snarl and shun the light but as mounts and fighters they aid the dark fight Answer: Wargs ***** 7.74 Last of the old is she A force that even the Dark Lord fears A place of shaddows is her home And our screams are the last sound anyone hears. Answer: Shelob ***** 7.75 Of the ancient, the most Of the tales, the very first Set down by a Noldorian host In the Following a theme well versed. Answer: Ainulindale ***** 7.76 Made by the darker dark in ages gone by Quendi sired the tales did cry In the dark out of the light of day, They used numbers to keep the light at bay. Answer: Orcs ***** 7.77 A lesser of the west, Yet south of the southern wall Flowing south then east at it's own behest To a long joining it does crawl. Answer: River Ginglith ***** 7.78 It points south from the inner side of high ground With it's own high heights and lower than low places. It is known from afar that by greater magics it is bound and that it awaited the return of it's lord's dire graces. Answer: Barad-dur ***** 7.79 A numenorean was his to bear A city once known as Lond Ernil fell to his care. Having victory there he brought battle to field a gate And in victory again did he give his daughter to mate. Answer: Imrahil ***** 7.80 Of the Dwarven line of D Yet related was he to the G's Fought for life and honor for the T's Yet lost his life to a watery tragedy. Answer: Oin ***** 7.81 A windy place they say, Atop the southernmost and tallest of the high a place where an eye of seeing did lay, First sought, then deserted as the years went by. Answer: Thought to be "Amon Sul" ***** 7.82 Out of dark mirkwood he was said to come Selected nevertheless tho not as mighty as some. A good fellow was he, a lover of tree, who waited til thirds end to sail o'er sea. Answer: Legolas ***** 7.83 The mouth spews forth- some say for leagues forty And from it's gate it is said the faithful did sorty Answer: Bay of Romenna ***** 7.84 In Dark secrecy they were made By secret blend Strength and fear were the cornerstones laid When they came about near Third Age end. Answer: Uruk-Hai ***** 7.85 From the outer dark into the world was she called Terror, pollution, and great evil was what she bred. Sipping the sap to all our great peril She helped to cause the light to go dead. Fighting even the Black Enemy with some success 'Til she was forced to some dark recess And even now may not be dead. Answer: Ungoliant ***** 7.86 Abhorred, cruel, and Captain he was known The seeds of his life from good to evil were sown. Seated in power in a land of depeest black he was destroyed ere again and ere again did he come back. Answer: Sauron ***** 7.87 A Noldor of the first A fate uncertain had this elf lord One son tortured by blade and thirst One confined in pit by evil horde Answer: Guilin ***** 7.88 It is said that from a dying golden tree This was the last of its fruit, Set to be seen higher and higher, Strong and beautiful was the heart of fire. Answer: Sun ***** 7.89 An emblem of white's clear call Heraldry handed down to be emblazoned on shield, helmet, and all. Answer: White Hand ***** 7.90 d r o u k n n a l t a o h n i Answer: Unknown. ***** 7.91 A gentle being made mad by ancient power From the sun did he cravenly cower. A miserable life of full of fearful loss An extended life, but at what cost? Following them, ever did follow he Til he found a peaceful end to his long misery. Answer: Gollum. ***** 7.93 Before the inland sea that now is there There stood a place high in the air And atop this northernly spire The smithy's work vent forth it's fire Possible Answer: Illuin. It is said that Cuivienen in the Northeast of the world was the gulf of the inland sea of Helkar, that was made when Morgoth overthrew the lamps of the Valar. Since we are talking about the north, the good one is Illuin. ***** 7.94 On both sides of a celebrant With tall warders from ages old It leaves the wonder of silver and gold To those who would be so foolish and bold. Answer: Lothlorien.