The Warg and Warg Rider Appreciation Thread

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

...or 'The only thing that ever happened in Khand.'


Not every place in Middle-earth was the scene of some tumultuous battle. There were actually many quiet, relatively-trouble free areas, and Khand was certainly one of them. Boasting large green fields and a few pleasant rivers, it was quite surprising that so few people lived there. Perhaps it was because Khand had a reputation for being dull. It was (and still is) a common saying in Middle-earth when you are offered something unexciting; "Aye, settle doon. It's Khand."

But maybe not. Perhaps it was the ever-present threat of Mordor which loomed rather too close for comfort. However, Mordor was not particularly strong at this point. Gangamel, an Uruk who marshalled the troops, had pulled all his forces together to defend the pass at Minas Morgul. This was in preparation for the expected assault led by the Elves, Eagles and Ents of Elrond Halfelven. Elrond was currently using Khand as a station for his remaining people.

The rest of Middle-earth was being dominated by a bewilderingly large army marshalled by Gorgomoth, the rebel Uruk and Lord of Moria. Not since the heyday of Morgoth had Middle-earth been under such threat. Finally the war between Elrond and Gangamel kicked off and nearly all the forces of Elrond were slaughtered in Minas Morgul. Gangamel was victorious, if you can call it that, because he now had barely any defence whatsoever. A comical example of this is when he pulled his troops back from the Shire to help Mordor, leaving only three Orcs to fight a huge Red Army away in the North.

So Khand remained the only place for the fair folk of Middle-earth to dwell in, and that would only be for a matter of weeks, as Gorgomoth was determined. Elrond was defeated (or so he believed) so he did what he thought was best; he organised the most dynamic party he could. Now, let's not pretend that this was the greatest party ever. Middle-earth had seen many grander occasions than this. However, it was still a very excellent attempt at a great party, considering the time constraints they were under and the impending death which faced them. The people had a great time. Bands such as The Flaming Lips and Yeah Yeah Yeahs rocked Middle-earth to its very core, and there were even appearances by Terry Wogan, Rolf Harris and Roberto Carlos da Silva for the Elves to appreciate. The importance of the party cannot be ignored. This was a single solid gesture of defiance to evil. It was a celebration of goodness at the very door of wickedness. As Andrew WK might say; "You can't kill the party, long live the party!"

Still, the end of the fun neared, and with many Elves sleeping or under the influence of some foreign weed (supplied by Wayne Coyne, who had been visiting the Hobbits) the Wargs finally appeared. Now, these were true Wargs. Let us not forget that evil Wargs were still fighting for Gorgomoth. Alas! such is the way of the Warg. The Elves were surprised to see the Wargs, probably believing that they had all been killed or seduced by evil. Yet the Wargs had survived, and now they would save the Elves. They brought them over the Sea and into the West, and while doing so they counselled the Valar and suggested that Middle-earth needed salvation.

What happened next is a tale in itself (though admittedly nowhere near the epic standard of the War of Wrath). The symbolic significance of the Party in Khand however, carries a strong message of defiance and rejection in the face of despair.

[Diamond18]

My, my. That is by far the uncanniest tale I've yet come across, Eomer. Not the least because I had no idea the Flaming Lips and Yeah Yeah Yeahs have been around that long. It just goes to show what varied knowledge can be gained from speaking of Wargs. I salute Elrond's wise handling of such a dire situation. After all, you have to fight for your right to party.

As far as Wargish immortality having already been discussed, I'm crushed to realize that my memory is that bad, as I did endeavor to read all posts. Well, since no definite conclusion has yet been reached, perhaps I will take some time to do some deep, scholarly research into the subject and get back to you with my findings. I will probably need expensive liquor to aid in my studies, but no price is too high to pay to learn more about the great and glorious Warg.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Indeed, Diamond, some of the best times you will ever have in your life centre around Wargs and alcohol. In fact, when the two are combined hectic results ensue. I will never forget my 12-day stint in the Warg section of the Brussels library with only 4 large bottles of 1854 French Brandy for company. Strange times!

With regards to how our modern-day pop stars and entertainers found themselves in Khand, I am not obliged to explain that situation.

[High King Fingolfin]

Recently a Warg passed within ten feet of me! I was in my own backyard, sitting on the grass and reading, when I heard a rustling of leaves. I saw what I believe to be the same black winged Warg I saw before, and another one, which I believe to be its mate. They had landed on branches in a tree in my backyard, and the branches were quite strained to hold the weight of the massive beasts. I bowed in awe and terror, the Wargs let out a soft growl and departed. I believe this means these Wargs are living in my own neigborhood! This pair could be the only one around, which is likekly, or they could be part of a larger group in my area. I will keep a lookout for this pair and others. I will attempt to look more deeply into Warg lore to see how common it is to find black, winged, pairs.
Welcome, Squatter, Arwen, and Diamond! We are always happy when another joins us to share their knowledge or tales of the Warg.

[Saraphim]

I feel I should begin to take part in this discussion, since I believe that I am an actual owner of a Warg, disguised as a congenial-looking mutt.

My Warg shows an intolerable dislike for travelers who trespass on my lands. If not for a strong chain, many a solicitor would have shed blood on the concrete of my front square. Even so, the average person will attempt to convince me of thier wares from as far away as across the lane.

In regards to the posts before me, I must confess to never seeing wings appear on my Warg, but you can rest assured I will keep a sharp eye out.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Most fascinating Fingolfin. It must indeed have been a mighty tree which supported the weight of two great Wargs. Perhaps you should investigate your neighbourhood further in order to see these Wargs again. But be careful, remember. Wargs are highly dangerous, if magnificent, creatures.

I remember a particular occasion in my early life which suggested the full terror of Wargs. Once as a child I witnessed a Warg track down and commit a single elderly woman to death. Employing the acid, barbs, tact and strychnine granted to it by a truly cruel God, it had gutted, dissected and pickled the woman within minutes. The pieces were swiftly jarred and sold to the Russians and the Warg proudly attached the woman's eyes to its secondary mandibles in an effort to increase his standing in Heaven and Hell. Some Wargs cannot comprehend their power as they have no minds, this is as a consequence of one of the first Wargs in the world dabbling in necro-science and attempting to interfere in the affairs of the angels. Robbed of any real sentience, these Wargs can feel only the pain and upset of others and are driven by this.

Saraphim, so nice of you to join us here at the Appreciation Thread! It is very interesting to hear of a domesticated Warg. I knew that such Wargs were in existence but rarely have I been confronted with one. It is, of course, worth remembering that the Warg is far more powerful than your family may realise. If you wake up one morning to find your home the victim of an unexplained rampage, do not be surprised. Wargs can be temperamental creatures. Perhaps this has already happened to you?

[High King Fingolfin]

I saw them again! Not only did I once again sight the two Wargs I saw before, I saw two others! They were not so close to me this time. They flew around in the sky above me before landing in the tree in my neighbor's yard. There were the two that I saw before, one, the first one I ever saw, was black, with eyes of the same color, and a grey marking, shaped like a many-pointed star on its forehead. Its mate was also black, with no markings and green eyes. The other two Wargs were dark grey, both with brown eyes, the first with a brown patch around its right eye, the second with a black marking shaped sort of like a sword blade pointing to the right on its forehead. They stayed in the tree for about ten minutes, but I don't think they noticed me. Eventually they flew away in the direction of a large local park with woods and a prairie. I believe this is where this group lives. The group could be could actually be quite large!

Saraphim, welcome to our community of Warg lovers! Careful with that Warg you have, it strikes me as strange that a Warg would disguise itself as a common dog. It could be a dangerous renegade.