Undead spirits whose translucent forms resembled noble men and women with pale faces and huge, black-feathered wings, Blood-wights haunted the night winds of the Second Age. Moldering bestiaries in the libraries of the Dúnedain record that these maleficent terrors were evil shapechangers while they lived, able to fly as eagles, falcons, wild swans, or ravens. Death caught them amidst the change from man to bird, condemning each to a shadow-existence within Arda. Circling above the tumult of storms, cyclones, and squalls, a Blood-wight made the descent to earth only rarely, panicking any herds of sheep, goats, or swine present. Upon landing, the winged spirit drained the nearest creature of its blood, by a touch, and leapt into the skies again with renewed life. On the wildest nights, these undead haunted the dreams of Men, changing their sleep from a time of peace and repose into one of affliction and despair. The victory achieved by the Last Alliance of Men and Elves loosed the Blood-wights from their living death and freed the Middle Lands from their predation. Even the Eldar believe the Blood-wights to be a blight long defeated.
In all but this last particular, the ancient tomes were correct. The Blood-wights were a devastating plague in the earlier Ages, and their shrill calls frequently pierced the roar of rain, sleet, or hail on stormy nights. Unfortunately, the darkest corners of the land, those untouched by the light of Sun or Moon, still harbored the sleeping remnants of the foul brood.
Known or reputed individuals[]
- Balasimur
- Blogath
- Kanemmekir
- Naranatur
- Skrykalian
See also[]
References[]
- Retrieved from Realms of Arda (archived)
- Original reference: ICE MERP #8013: Dark Mage of Rhudaur