The Warg and Warg Rider Appreciation Thread

[Amariden Ravenhill]

Yes....it is indeed a most intriguing trait, Eomer.....I wouldn't have thought such had you never mentioned it.....Oh, and apologies for not answering Samwise's question earlier. I live in Number 44 Bagshot Row

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

On a time there lived a couple of Wargs called Hirbak and Goldak. They lived a quiet life in the Tower Hills and didn't know too much about Men. To amuse themselves (amongst other activities) they conjured up storms, not violent storms, just strong enough to make the trees sway and make a 'pretty picture', so to speak.

Now, we at the Appreciation thread may know that Wargs can control the weather in certain ways, but few Men of Middle-earth knew this. So imagine their surprise when a tribe of Men of the Tower Hills stumbled upon these Wargs. Hirbak and Goldak were wary of Men, so when they were discovered they conjured up a quite frightful storm to scare the Men. The Men retreated in terror.

Hirbak and Goldak were amused by this, so every time the Men returned they conjured up more weather-related monstrosities to scupper their plans. Snow, lightning, even a tornado (which actually killed several of the Men and isn't too funny to be honest with you) and the Men couldn't get near the Wargs. Eventually they gave up and the home of Hirbak and Goldak was known only as a place of magic and sorcery among Men forevermore.



Of course, it wasn't magic or sorcery or witchcraft or anything like that. It was just a trivial example of Warg art.

[SamwiseGamgee]

Yet another fine example, Eomer. I have just completed the reading of 'Beren and Luthien' in The Silmarillion. I wonder, are the wargs of the third age of ME related to the werewolves in that lay? Was Carcharoth a warg, just not referred to as such by the good professor?

Swiftly the wolf grew, until he could creep into no den, but lay huge and hungry before the feet of Morgoth. There the fire and anguish of hell entered him, and he became filled with a devouring spirit, tormented, terrible, and strong. Caracharoth, the Red Maw, he is named in the tales of those days, and Anfauglir, the Jaws of thirst. And Morgoth set him to lie unsleeping before the doors of Angband, lest Huan come.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

I think it is highly likely that Carcharoth was a Warg. I mean, he was Wolf shaped and of awesome power.

[High King Fingolfin]

Hail Warg-Lovers! I have been looking at this topic recently, but I did not think of posting on it until something happened last night. I saw a Warg. But not just any Warg - a black Warg. Great was my surprise when I saw it. Its fur was like a starless and moonless night, and it was ten feet long at least. Greater was my surprise when it unfurled a massive pair of wings, with feathers as black as its fur. I saw it lift off the ground and soar in front of the moon before it was lost to sight. I shall look for more of these, but I do not hope to find one.

[SamwiseGamgee]

A warg with wings? Indeed this is strange. I have never heard of such a thing.
Eomer, do you know of such a creature or are you as amazed and perplexed as I?

[Amariden Ravenhill]

Aye, I have, Samwise. There is many a tale told in the Green Dragon by old gaffers and gammers who swear that such creatures were numerous in their youth.

[Maeggaladiel]

Don't feel so bad, Eomer. Perhaps you were thinking of the legendary Sasqwarg, not the Silver Warg. The Sasqwarg, also known as Bigpaw, has been rumored to live deep in the forests of North America. In fact, there have been tales of Bigpaw living in my home state of Oregon! Imagine my excitement when I discovered that I was dwelling in Bigpaw territory!

True, there has been little hard evidence of this mysterious creature's existance; a fuzzy photo here, a wide-eyed camper's tale there. But stories of Bigpaw are numerous. Some say that Sasqwargs are the malicious spirits of wargs who were wrongfully slain by fearful pioneers crossing the country to Oregon Territory. Others claim that they are a Lazarus species; that is, they are living examples of the ancient mammoth wargs found in the fossil record of the late Cretaceous period. Under this theory, the Sasqwargs are the missing link between modern wolves and wargs. Still others say that they are fairylike spirits of the forest, protecting the trees and all creatures that dwell among them.

Many dismiss the claims of Sasqwarg existance as mere legend. After all, no scientist or hunter has ever captured a Sasqwarg. Stories and photographs are waved away as pure fabrication of the creature's existance.

I, however, believe otherwise. After reading up on the mysterious Sasqwarg, I have been led to believe that a pack or "tribe" of these strange beings have been inhabiting the woods around my house. I live in a relatively isolated area, between two mountains and a great forest. Sometimes, I feel as though someone is watching me. I turn around, but there is nothing but forest. Or is there? Many times at night I have heard strange sounds, like great creatures were performing a a dance outside my window. On full moons, I sometimes think I can see great dark shapes floating across the silvery landscape. Are they the Sasqwargs? If so, then I must disagree with any theory that these magestic creatures are evil spirits. I cannot explain why I feel this way, though I believe that if you happened to see the things I have seen, you would share my thoughts. Perhaps the Sasqwarg are indeed guardians of the forest, or ancient ancestors of the modern warg. I hope to continue my studies and deduce the true nature of these beings.

So please come out of the tree and starve yourself no longer, Lord Eomer. I do not know if beasts similar to the Sasqwarg roam Scotland, but I do not think a warg enthusiast such as yourself would miss the chance of finding that out. If they are indeed Lazarus species, perhaps some Sasqwargs crossed to present-day Scotland before Pangea could fully separate. Maybe some still survive. It would be a fascinating study, don't you think?

[High King Fingolfin]

I have thought recently that since the people on Rivendell have societies to prevent Hobbit abuse, we should have a foundation to prevent Warg abuse. I'm thinking of calling it W.A.P.F. (the Warg Abuse Prevention Foundation)

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Maeg , that would indeed be a fascinating way to spend your life (it could probably consume many lifetimes actually). When thinking about these mysterious happenings outside your house, always remember that Wargs love to dance.

Fingolfin , Maeg herself once proposed something quite similar to what you have just proposed. However, we must always remember that Wargs, unlike Hobbits, are far, far more powerful than Men (or Elves in your case ) I am unconvinced as to what we could achieve for the cause of Wargs if we put our minds to it and started a society.

I don't think Men can save Wargs. If anything, I believe it is Wargs who can save Men.

[SamwiseGamgee]

"The warg bows to no man. His ways are mysterious and for any to try to control him would be folly. The warg does as he pleases, and whether time or history judges him great or fell he concerns himself not with, for he is a warg and as such he thinks on greater things than any mere mortal such as you or I could ever contemplate."

From 'The Warg Rider'

Apologies for the delay in my post, I have punished myself much as Eomer suggested by sitting several exams since last I posted. An awful way to spend a few days.
As you can see from the above, 'The Warg Rider' is coming along well, and I hope to have it posted in the not too distant future.
Just as a little aside, in two weeks I shall visit California and hope to head to Yosemite. Does any fellow warg enthusiast know of the best spot in that great park to spot one of the majestic beasts?