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Blacklocks

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An Axe of Nargubraz

The Blacklocks (Kh. Zharmin-Narag or Mablâd), were one of the Seven Tribes of the Khazâd. They were also known as "Axes of Nargubraz". One of the few dwarven tribes once led by a famous Queen, they were often known as Druin’s Folk or Var’s Folk.

Description[]

History[]

Their tale was a sad one. They had an ancient feud with the Stonefoots for the true Lordship of Rûrîk (a conflict that was caused by the fight between Fulla XIV and Bhrâli of Rûrumakh), and Sauron used it to tempt them. Influenced by their King Isin, who had been given a Ring of Power, some of their Kindred supported Sauron's hosts at the War of the Last Alliance, him having promised them support in their feud with the Stonefoots. After his Fall when he first started to take a new shape again he, disguised, demanded refuge in Nargubraz. If they refused, he promised punishment and he also promised reward for acquiescence. The Dwarf-king received a Ring of Power (although not necessarily the same ring his ancestor Isin had received). The Dwarves were divided and they fought. The losers were exiled and Sauron found shelter among the Blacklocks. Finally, he was driven out by the exiled, allied with the Stonefoots and assisted by Saruman.

After that they swore an oath: ‘Not until the works of the Deceiver are ended, his servants slain, his shadow brought to naught, shall we deem these halls cleansed of the evils of our House. Not until that day shall we return to Nargubraz.’

So they moved to the South and became mercenaries in their seeking of redemption. In the lands of the East and even in the South, the ‘Axes of Nargubraz’ waged war against the dominion of Mordor. But they did not fight for free. Even in vengeance they were pragmatic and they never let slip an opportunity of enrichment.

They went into the South and built their homes in the Yellow Mountains. Quickly sundering after the murder of Druin VI, they split into three factions. The largest group constructed the vast delving at Baruzimabûl, the great hold that the Men of the South called Blackflame. Dwarves dwelt in the Mabûl Mountains since the early Third Age.

The second faction was Nâr’s Folk. Nâr was the second son of Druin, and left with a few followers and friends after the murder of his father. The first hold, Mablad-dûm, had been occupied by Druin’s people since the Second Age. Early in Third Age, strife and contention caused a rift among the Sigin-Mablâd. One faction moved to the southwestern portion of the Yellow Mountains, and another founded Narad-dûm in the eastern peaks of the Tûr Betark. First they had arrived in the South around the middle of the Second Age. Here they had carved out the city of Mablâd-dûm in the central Yellow Mountains. In S.A. 1092 however, strife arose and the king was killed in the fray. After this, the main host of the Sigin-Mablâd wandered south to settle in the city of Blackflame (Kh. Naragbarûz), a mining colony founded three centuries earlier. Later, part of the remaining Dwarves of Mablâd-dûm left the city for the east, and they founded holds at Bar Falin and Nárad-dûm. The former was later taken by the forces of Darkness, and so three principal Dwarven holds in the Irid Laranor remained by the middle of the Third Age. Most Dwarves however lived in the city of Blackflame and it was here that the High King of Druin's Folk resided. Mablâd-dûm was second in prestige and Nár's Folk in Nárad-dûm south of the Sára Bask in the eastern part of the Yellow Mountains came third.

In the Far North, Frûhar’s Folk were the third branch of Druin’s Folk. They were eventually joined by a small group of Druin’s Folk, coming from Rûrîk: they co-founded Kheledh-dûm, and in a few generation were absorbed by the locals Stiffbeards.

Appearance[]

Mablad

Mablâd Dwarves

The Blacklocks, as their name implies, were in general black-haired and darker than other Dwarf-kindreds. They were very proud and warlike, but circumspect and not easily angered. They were very heavy and strong and after many years of wandering had become quite reclusive and silent.

Culture[]

Language[]

While their true inner language was still Khuzdul, those Sigin-Mablâd of the Utter South had also adopted a semi-outer speach known as "Mablûl".

Kings of the Blacklocks[]

Dwarf-holds[]

Blacklocks of note or renown[]

Notes[]

In LOTRO, the tribe corresponding to the Blacklocks is called the Kámbrada; this is due to the game not holding the rights to anything outside the Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit, and the Appendices.

Tolkien's dwarves are mostly based on old norse and german dwarfs, although some influence from celtic goblins or the Telchines, Pataikoi, Daktyloi and Kabeiroi cannot be ruled out.It is generally assumed dwarves from eastern Middle-Earth culturally resembled the three known houses. Dwarf-like mythological races are known from Asian or african mythology but are mostly very different.The chinese Jiaojing are dwarves, and the small bodied people of Zhou Yao , who live in "the east" are described as skillful and wear pointy hats and long belts.African dwarf-like figures such as the Abiku, Eloko, Mantindane or Vazimba are described as dangerous or even evil demonic beings, the Mmoatia are peaceful guardians of animals and the Yumboes white and silverhaired wees dancing in the moonlight.They resemble little the dwarves of Middle-earth.

See also[]

References[]

  • MERP: Lords of Middle-earth Vol. III - Hobbits, Dwarves, Ents, Orcs & Trolls
  • LOTRRPG: Moria/Dwarves of Middle-earth
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