Tol-in-Gaurhoth (S."Isle of Werewolves") or Sauron's Isle was the dread stronghold of Sauron during the First Age, a place of shadow and terror that once bore a different name and purpose. Originally called Tol Sirion, it stood as a strategic island fortress of Minas Tirith upon the River Sirion, guarding the Pass of Sirion, the vital route between Beleriand and the northern lands. Built by the Noldor under the command of Finrod Felagund, it was intended as a bulwark against forces of Morgoth. Yet, in the later years of the Dagor Bragollach, it fell to Sauron, who defiled it and turned it into a lair of horror.
History[]
Originally built by Finrod Felagund, High King of Nargothrond, the fortress of Minas Tirith was intended to guard the narrowest pass of the Sirion Vale, standing upon an island in the river itself. Finrod entrusted its defense to Orodreth, his kinsman, but as the power of Morgoth waxed in the North, the fortress became a target of his warlords.
In the years following the Dagor Bragollach, Sauron descended upon the isle with overwhelming force. With his mastery of sorcery and guile, he cast down the defenders, compelling them to flee south. Orodreth, powerless to resist, abandoned the stronghold, and thus Minas Tirith fell into shadow.
Once Sauron claimed the island, he reshaped it according to his own designs, summoning fell spirits and sending them into great wolves, creating the first true Werewolves of Middle-earth. Among these was Draugluin, the sire of all such beasts, and later, Carcharoth, the Red Maw, whose fate was entwined with the Silmaril. From that time, the isle was no longer known as Minas Tirith, but Tol-in-Gaurhoth, the Isle of Werewolves.
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Tol-in-Gaurhoth remained abandoned for a time, and upon its ruins, Beren and Lúthien buried Finrod Felagund, who had given his life to save the quest.
Places of Note[]
- Bridge of Sirion
- Highest Hill
- Felagund's Grave
- Gate Tower
- Tower of Minas Tirith
- Dungeons of Minas Tirith
- Pit of Despair
Inhabitants[]
Beren Ercharmion Derufin Draugluin Edrahil of Nargothrond Falathar the Mariner Finrod Felagund Geros Gimli the Blind Hallas Miaulë Oikeroi Poldon Raden Sauron Tevildo Thuringwethil Umuiyan
| Boromir: "Is it not a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt for so small a thing? So small a thing!" - J. R. R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring II:10 |