The Oathbreakers, The Paths of the Dead | Tolkien Explained

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  • čas přidán 29. 10. 2020
  • The Oathbreakers, the Forgotten, the Dead Men of Dunharrow - these former men of the White Mountains have many names. Today, we trace their history from their beginnings as Second Age worshippers of Sauron to their cursed lives as wraiths in the mountains - doomed to never rest in peace, until the heir of Isildur should call on them once more.
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    All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material done for a limited and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.
    Oathbreakers, Why Have Ye Come - Abe Papakhi
    Army of the Dead - Samarskiy
    The Fleet of Harad - Darrell Sweet
    Dunlending Captain - JLazarusEB
    The Oath - Gianna Michele Kaye
    Halbarad - Elena Kukanova
    Warden of Helms Deep - Jarreau Wimberly
    Entrance to the Paths of the Dead - John Howe
    The Paths of the Dead - John Howe
    Aragorn & The King of the Dead - Vanderstelt
    Erech - Matěj Čadil
    Oathbreaker - Smarskiy
    Passing of the Grey Company - Jei Wo
    Pelargir - Aegeri
    Vale of Erech - Rob Alexander
    The Stone of Erech - Anke Eissman
    The King of the Oathbreakers - Ted Nasmith
    #pathsofthedead #lordoftherings #tolkien
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Komentáře • 898

  • @NerdoftheRings
    @NerdoftheRings  Před 3 lety +813

    Fun Fact: Aragorn and company find the remains of a golden-clad knight in the Paths of the Dead in 3019. This is believed to be Baldor, the prince of Rohan who died in 2970 after passing the Dark Door.
    If you want to score some exclusive NOTR perks, check out www.patreon.com/NerdoftheRings

    • @goodputin4324
      @goodputin4324 Před 3 lety +12

      *Aragorn and the Grey Company.

    • @sampappas212
      @sampappas212 Před 3 lety +18

      Can I ask where you get this info? I’m looking for books that I can read that explain these things and I’m not sure where to start. Any tips or books you know of so I can dive deeper into Middle Earth I would be very grateful!

    • @goodputin4324
      @goodputin4324 Před 3 lety +13

      @@sampappas212 Read up on the Notes from Tolkien's Unfinished Tales.

    • @NerdoftheRings
      @NerdoftheRings  Před 3 lety +29

      Totally! Much of this comes from ROTK and the appendices afterwards. Unfinished Tales has a lot of great stuff on a variety of Middle-earth characters as well. Beyond that, there’s The Silmarillion and the History of Middle-earth series - although HoMe is a bit more academic.

    • @goodputin4324
      @goodputin4324 Před 3 lety

      @@NerdoftheRings Hehe I noticed you haven't edited regarding my comment about the Grey Company.

  • @NickSibz
    @NickSibz Před 3 lety +1905

    "Bad idea. Very handy in a tight spot, these lads, despite the fact they're dead." - Gimli.

    • @geralddelacruz5839
      @geralddelacruz5839 Před 3 lety +162

      "You gave us your word!."
      - Ghost King

    • @temuulensukhbaatar4052
      @temuulensukhbaatar4052 Před 3 lety +144

      “I hold your oath fulfilled. Go. Be in peace.”

    • @mikafever
      @mikafever Před 3 lety +99

      "fuck"

    • @deusexaethera
      @deusexaethera Před 3 lety +100

      I probably would've asked if any of the dead soldiers wanted to hang around a while longer and earn some extra afterlife points by helping the new king, then I would've released the rest of them.

    • @NickSibz
      @NickSibz Před 3 lety +50

      @@deusexaethera would have been too one sided lmao
      Sauron would be like: "oh fuck..."

  • @constantinusferreus4221
    @constantinusferreus4221 Před 3 lety +1420

    Must've been a real bummer, hauling a six feet rock not just from your sunken island but all the way up a mountain only to have some guys swear an oath on it who were gonna betray you afterwards anyway.

    • @theharoldsshow
      @theharoldsshow Před 3 lety +78

      I know, when I was reading that I just imagine what the other guys were thinking,.
      Numenorians: Oh there’s Elendil with the Palantir, then there’s his son....... with a giant black stone, why?

    • @pcuimac
      @pcuimac Před 3 lety +32

      I mean .. they knew they were to break their oath to them anyway, so they forged them into a secret weapon for later use. Otherwise the whole endeavour would really have been overkill. These Numenoreans had to be sly or they wouldn't have survived in Númenor while Sauron was there in the flesh.

    • @trisgilmour
      @trisgilmour Před 3 lety +3

      That definitely sucks

    • @EzeICE
      @EzeICE Před 3 lety +4

      Heavy is the head, you know.

    • @antoniocruz7792
      @antoniocruz7792 Před 3 lety +3

      Well some persons take seriously an oath!! Some persons just have their word !!

  • @Spunky786
    @Spunky786 Před 3 lety +355

    My friend promised me he would help me build my new garden shed, but when the time came he never showed up, so I laid the same curse upon him 👿

    • @Eowyn3Pride
      @Eowyn3Pride Před 3 lety +7

      🤣🤣🤣🤣😵

    • @MrMadfrankie
      @MrMadfrankie Před 3 lety +5

      So funny..

    • @SpencerLemay
      @SpencerLemay Před 3 lety +9

      My buddy promised me that he would help me replace my engine mounts after I moved about 1000lbs of his tools in my truck. He took 4 hours after I arrived at his place to get up and help me and by that time it was hot as fuck with the sun setting and he only helped me get two bolts loose and when he was wrong about how hard it was gonna be (I asked him if we were gonna need to remove my coil springs and he insisted we wouldn't, well guess we needed to) he told me it was my problem. Not to mention he was yelling at me for no reason all day. I don't need to curse him because I know he is doomed to be a loser anyway though.

    • @jaapuitroepteke2750
      @jaapuitroepteke2750 Před 3 lety +3

      @@SpencerLemay plot twist. It was actually your friends neighbor 😉

    • @jamesq7954
      @jamesq7954 Před 2 lety

      He is cursed with being an unpaid farm hand for Farmer Maggot.

  • @lotsofspots
    @lotsofspots Před 3 lety +1468

    "The Dead are following," said Legolas. "I see shapes of Men and of horses, and pale banners like shreds of cloud, and spears like winter-thickets on a misty night. The Dead are following."
    Why did Isildur curse the horses too? Poor horses.

    • @NerdoftheRings
      @NerdoftheRings  Před 3 lety +385

      🤣🤣🤣 That’s a great point! What did the horses ever do to him?!

    • @NorokVokun
      @NorokVokun Před 3 lety +353

      A Horse rider is seen as one with their horse in many cultures... maybe it is the same in this case.

    • @EstebanGaeteFlores
      @EstebanGaeteFlores Před 3 lety +430

      They were hoofbreakers

    • @jannat0415
      @jannat0415 Před 3 lety +25

      @@EstebanGaeteFlores lol

    • @lotsofspots
      @lotsofspots Před 3 lety +6

      @Gordon Fornow Glorious! :D

  • @TacynMegan
    @TacynMegan Před 3 lety +1373

    "He tried to take the Ring from Frodo! After swearing an oath to protect him, he tried to kill him! The Ring drove your brother mad!"
    Oaths have power
    this is why Faramir was so shaken by Sam's words

    • @antondavidovic3996
      @antondavidovic3996 Před 2 lety +66

      I might be wrong here, but I don't remember Sam saying that line in the books. In the books, Faramir immediately lets Frodo go after learning about his mission and even warns him about an evil that lurks in the passages of Cirith Ungol.

    • @shinon748
      @shinon748 Před 2 lety +43

      @@antondavidovic3996 it's a line from the movie. Frodo and Sam at first didn't tell Faramir what happened to Boromir. Boromir's betrayal shocked Frodo a lot in the movies so they didn't think they could trust telling anyone they were going to Mordor. Sam eventually fed up with Faramir told him in frustration what happened.

    • @goochmcduck4285
      @goochmcduck4285 Před 2 lety +39

      @@shinon748 faramir was a good man. Hated how he was treated

    • @MarvinT0606
      @MarvinT0606 Před 2 lety +57

      and a good reason why Rohan *never* broke their oath with Gondor. Imagine damning your people to become ghost-riders of Middle-Earth because you're too scared to help Gondor in their hour of need.

    • @douglasshouganai2516
      @douglasshouganai2516 Před 2 lety +3

      @@MarvinT0606 the red arrow aint no slouch neither

  • @privatename5788
    @privatename5788 Před rokem +115

    As much as the books are superior, I absolutely love the scene in the movie where Aragorn recruits the dead. Him grabbing the King of the Dead by the throat and threatening him with Anduril gets me every time. The King is surprised, and actually afraid! I mean, what's Aragorn gonna do, kill him? It's such a ballsy move, to threaten a ghost.

    • @gavhenrad
      @gavhenrad Před rokem +13

      It's Aragorn's block with his sword that scares him because until then the king felt invincible.

  • @dmmchugh3714
    @dmmchugh3714 Před 2 lety +42

    "Oathbreakers why have you come ?"
    "To fulfill our oath and have peace ".
    Love this part of the book.

  • @shantellakaladypersephone8671

    "The Way is Shut. The dead do not suffer the living to pass.
    It was made by those who are dead, and the dead keep it.....
    The Way is Shut!"
    Still gives me chills to this day.....

    • @TheLatiosnlatias02
      @TheLatiosnlatias02 Před 2 lety +24

      "Brego! I do not fear death." Aragon walked with a steely resolve followed by Legolas.
      "Well this is a thing unheard of... an elf goes underground when a dwarf dare not. Oh! I'd never hear the end of it."

    • @shantellakaladypersephone8671
      @shantellakaladypersephone8671 Před 2 lety +8

      @@TheLatiosnlatias02 One of the best scenes of the entire trilogy😊

    • @georgerichardson7505
      @georgerichardson7505 Před rokem +3

      I quote this line all the time

    • @jerrydeem8946
      @jerrydeem8946 Před rokem +1

      ..... doesn't sound like something Jerry Garcia would say to 40,000 Deadheads......not in my opinion.

    • @peterolbrisch8970
      @peterolbrisch8970 Před 9 měsíci +3

      You will suffer me!

  • @2zNick
    @2zNick Před 2 lety +47

    "And when all this land is clean of the servants of Sauron, i will hold the oath fufilled"
    Left over orcs after Sauron's death: o_o

  • @durandara
    @durandara Před 3 lety +63

    Brego and Baldor explored the valley of Harrowdale seeking a refuge for their people. There they found the Dark Door leading to the Paths of the Dead. It is said that an ancient man was sitting before the door. When Brego and Baldor tried to pass him, the old man said: "The way is shut. It was made by those who are Dead, and the Dead keep it, until the time comes." Baldor replied, "And when will that time be?" but the old man died without answering. I love THIS passage. Imagine being Baldor.

    • @peterchristensen2528
      @peterchristensen2528 Před 3 lety

      How do you know this? What's your source? I'm really curious...

    • @durandara
      @durandara Před 3 lety +5

      @@peterchristensen2528 LotR, The Return of the King, I don't remember chapter.

    • @Oli-Johnson
      @Oli-Johnson Před 2 lety +1

      I guessing in the books, Brego isn't a horse?

    • @DuchessofEarlGrey
      @DuchessofEarlGrey Před 2 lety +1

      @@Oli-Johnson Nope. Can't remember his roll, only that he was from Rohan. Not sure why they used the name for the horse.

    • @ashur24
      @ashur24 Před rokem +10

      I like to believe that old man was the very last of the men of the mountain.

  • @eb8827
    @eb8827 Před 3 lety +187

    This makes a lot more sense than the depiction in the movies. I always thought "why didn't they call on them sooner? So many lives wasted at the battle of Minas Tirith." But here it shows us, that they weren't even present at the actual battle, but only fighting the corsairs at the port.

    • @msihcs8171
      @msihcs8171 Před 3 lety +29

      That's actually my second biggest problem with the movies, I feel that the way Jackson did it cheapens the victory. Number one ofc is the way he treats the Hobbits, completely skipping The Reckoning of the Shire . . .

    • @martinb4272
      @martinb4272 Před 3 lety +29

      Yeah, that was an immediate disappointment when watching the movie back when it released. The spirits in the books more frightened than fought, but suddenly were this OP trumph card in the movie. However I came to terms with it; imagine the run time of Return of the King if they would have had to somehow let the battle play out to a convincing victory without them.
      Edit: It was a necessity for reducing the plot lenght.

    • @msihcs8171
      @msihcs8171 Před 3 lety +18

      @@martinb4272 yup, I realize that would have added an extra hour to the movie, at least they didn't have them go to the black gate too

    • @MrMarinus18
      @MrMarinus18 Před 3 lety +1

      Really?
      To me they went as quickly as they could but they had serious doubts it was going to work.

    • @kettch777
      @kettch777 Před 2 lety +10

      He does still arrive at the Pelennor Fields with an army, but it's an army of soldiers of Gondor he collected on his way up the river from the Pelargir. That combined with the shock of the enemy finding out their expected reinforcements are gone is what turns the battle against them.

  • @tonyjames1953
    @tonyjames1953 Před rokem +31

    I am forever impressed with the magnanimity of Aragorn. No chastisement, no belittling, just straight-forward questions and announcements. He is ever mindful of his own destiny (contrary to Jackson's interpretation of him in FOTR), but also mindful of the needs of others and of the importance of holding others accountable per their oaths, never forgetting that he, too, has oaths to keep. There is a great deal to learn from the leadership of Aragorn.

  • @deusexaethera
    @deusexaethera Před 3 lety +322

    "'Now hear the words of the heir of Isildur: Your oath is fulfilled! Go back and trouble not the valleys ever again! Depart and be at rest.'"
    "The King of the Dead steps forward, breaks his spear, and casts it down. He then bows to Aragorn. He turns away, and the entire army of the dead men vanishes, like a mist driven back by a sudden wind -- except for one last soldier, who empties upon the shore a ghostly bag full of all the socks that had ever gone missing in Middle Earth. Then he too vanishes, leaving behind only the sound of distant laughter, and the stench of a million sweaty feet."

  • @xarxos5274
    @xarxos5274 Před 2 lety +412

    As someone who has only seen the Jackson films and not read the books, I really like the book version of this better than the film version. In the film, there seems to be no ambiguity about whether the dead can actually cause bodily harm to living beings, as they just charge into Minas Tirith and clean it out in one fell swoop. They're basically just overpowered unkillable super soldiers.
    But in the book version (as I understand it from this video) it's not made clear if they would actually be able to kill the corsairs directly, but instead it's merely their fearsome aura that drives them away without a need for direct combat. I like it because it means the ghosts aren't overpowered, they have to use particular tactics unique to them in order to be successful, which makes them very effective if used right but they likely wouldn't have been of much use against the organized forces of Sauron at Minas Tirith.

    • @bombadillo6810
      @bombadillo6810 Před 2 lety +17

      Perhaps they could have been used to fight the 9 in the wraith world. If not useful in any other way.

    • @alicewastaken7463
      @alicewastaken7463 Před 2 lety +26

      Oh i understood quite the oposite, that they are so op that they dont even need to use their sword.

    • @DuchessofEarlGrey
      @DuchessofEarlGrey Před 2 lety +49

      Dad always had troubles with the scene of the ghost army wiping out the orcs at Minas Tirith because, to him, it was like they were taking the Rohirrim's thunder. Jackson had stacked the odds so high against the horsemen, with the long line of Mumakil. But you have to see it from a movie production's perspective. They need to give hope, then snatch it away again. Sometimes multiple times. Some things work in books, but not movies: the ghosts needed to have the ability to hew and slash in order to kill the Mumakil, which would have decimated the Rohirrim. Jackson could have had fewer Mumakil, or made them smaller and easier to kill, but that wouldn't have nearly the same affect on a viewer.

    • @vicpinto1970
      @vicpinto1970 Před 2 lety +18

      Do yourself a favor and read the books. You won't be disappointed. I'm 51 and have probably read them 10 times over the course of my life. The first time was when I was in my single digits.

    • @MegaNightmare4
      @MegaNightmare4 Před 2 lety +38

      I greatly prefer them as overpowered unkillable super soldiers. I think pacing wise, the good guys needed an easy win at some point in the trilogy. Everything being a hard fought, uphill battle for so long eventually became exhausting and was starting to become boring.
      If you're ever doing a story that involves several long, drawn out battle, you NEED a moment where the good guys pull out an instant win trump card.

  • @ChiGyu620
    @ChiGyu620 Před 2 lety +180

    Jackson reportedly hated the army of the dead but felt he had to include them or the fans would be unhappy. It does make you wonder, however. If he hated the army of the dead, then why did he expand their role so much in the film?
    I always felt that the film version seriously cheapened the battle of Minas Tirith. The good guys suddenly have access to an army of unkillable ghost soldiers that completely destroys the entire enemy force in moments. Which is not what happens in the book.

    • @r3mxd
      @r3mxd Před rokem +35

      its a movie relax

    • @McRino1
      @McRino1 Před rokem +13

      its a fun adaptation, but it is one of the less realistic parts for sure. Im thinking jackson didnt want to add a whole group of new people in the peoples of Dol Amroth and Prince Imrahil... perhaps that would have caused more confusion to more casual viewers. i for one missed the inclusion of the wall and the silver swans

    • @mrBluesky1986
      @mrBluesky1986 Před rokem +21

      Maybe he did it in a sarcastic way like "oh you want the ghost army well here have the ghost they'll do everything"

    • @mamba101
      @mamba101 Před rokem +7

      It’s the only scene in the trilogy that I dislike 😢 was always crying out for an edit.

    • @Chris-eh8mi
      @Chris-eh8mi Před rokem +1

      @@mamba101 I had a few more qualms with the trilogy than you, I think, but the army of the dead was the very worst thing about it by a mile.

  • @onetwothreefourfive12345
    @onetwothreefourfive12345 Před 3 lety +386

    Maaan... your channel is criminally underrated. I was lucky enough to find it recently but I feel sad that others haven't because youtube is so bad at sharing good content

    • @NerdoftheRings
      @NerdoftheRings  Před 3 lety +32

      So glad you like the channel! I’ve been under the radar for a while, it seems. CZcams is liking me recently, though! I’ve gained almost half of my subscribers in the past two weeks (almost 1,000 just yesterday alone!)
      Needless to say, it’s been a fun couple weeks! 😁 Glad you found me and hopefully we’ll have many more join soon!

    • @onetwothreefourfive12345
      @onetwothreefourfive12345 Před 3 lety +6

      @@NerdoftheRings So glad to hear of your recent success!

    • @demoulius1529
      @demoulius1529 Před 3 lety +6

      YT suddenly recommended your channel as well. Glad to hear of your recent succes :)

  • @strawberrymochiiz
    @strawberrymochiiz Před 2 lety +28

    Lol every time I pay off a lunch to my coworker I always say "I have fulfilled my oath, YOU MUST REALEASE ME". Always gets a good laugh. Also, one of my favorite parts of LOTR movies.

  • @thesandmancurtballirg4371
    @thesandmancurtballirg4371 Před 3 lety +67

    Sweet. This arc of the story is always in danger of being unappreciated. Oaths have Power !!!!

    • @Arterexius
      @Arterexius Před 3 lety +1

      They do so in real life too, if you are in a position of great power. As breaking an oath made at that point is equal to personal ruin of which none will ever recover. Oaths in Tolkiens world is really just a message to us irl mortals that we must always keep what we promise to do or we become everything else than what we should have been. Essentially the closest we get to being wraiths

  • @viniciusvyller9458
    @viniciusvyller9458 Před 3 lety +58

    The Dead Men of Dunharrow really grew on me after i noticed that they're inspired by the mythological motif of the King under the Mountain who shall return to aid his kingdom in the of need or in the Apocalypse.

    • @johndododoe1411
      @johndododoe1411 Před 3 lety

      We have one of those. His petrified body was replaced by a concrete replica a few decades ago, unclear if the magic transferred or remained with the original stone, I guess we won't see until he rises from either form.

    • @jacobadam6804
      @jacobadam6804 Před 2 lety +1

      That sounds like Wulfharth the Underking from Elder Scrolls lore.

    • @riograndedosulball248
      @riograndedosulball248 Před rokem +1

      That be Frederick Barbarossa, in our world

    • @Brandanus
      @Brandanus Před rokem

      @@riograndedosulball248 there're some more (although I think Dunharrow is not strongly resembling the motif) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_asleep_in_mountain

    • @thisnthat7760
      @thisnthat7760 Před 9 měsíci

      Alexander

  • @kingarveleg8134
    @kingarveleg8134 Před 3 lety +217

    Interesting topics and great presentation.

  • @VPortho
    @VPortho Před 3 lety +40

    It's cool that this passage was also in the extended version of the RotK film... To me, one of the best moments of Legolas in the film trilogy: "Who shall call them from the grey twilight, the forgotten people? The heir of him to whom the oath they swore. From the North shall he come, need shall drive him: he shall pass the Door to the Paths of the Dead."

    • @Chamdar17
      @Chamdar17 Před rokem +1

      I really REALLY appreciated that Jackson made as much effort as he did to include such lines from the book. 👍 Doesn't forgive how he changed the role of the Oathbreakers, but it's another point in his favor

  • @Divine_Chareka
    @Divine_Chareka Před 3 lety +92

    I just found this channel today & I'm loving it so much. I'm a big LOTR fan & you have a new SUBSCRIBER bro

  • @thetophatnerd2664
    @thetophatnerd2664 Před 3 lety +21

    “Well this is unheard of.
    An elf would go in the mountain,
    While a dwarf dares not?!
    Oh,
    oh I’ll never hear the end of this.”

  • @jessemillan1385
    @jessemillan1385 Před rokem +6

    "Release us, you gave us your word."-Ghost King
    "I hold your oath fulfilled. Go, Be at peace."-Aragorn

  • @jadenchen8921
    @jadenchen8921 Před 3 lety +65

    This is why you always keep your word.
    Awesome job on the video, and your Wight impression was spot on! Lol
    Nice video, and Happy Halloween!

    • @NerdoftheRings
      @NerdoftheRings  Před 3 lety +4

      Thanks so much! I went through a couple different voices for the dead. I think I settled on the right one. :)

    • @aussieginger1960
      @aussieginger1960 Před rokem

      I agree, unless keeping you oath will do more harm than good. Even at risk of you own peace and eternal rest.

  • @turnerjensen2620
    @turnerjensen2620 Před 3 lety +40

    I always forget that the movie never even ,mentioned the Grey company

    • @Eowyn3Pride
      @Eowyn3Pride Před 3 lety +3

      Aannndd....the other king! He lived on the other side of the mountains to Gondor and came to help in the battle.

    • @siriusczech
      @siriusczech Před 3 lety +3

      @@Eowyn3Pride they sailed in with Aragorn, so as undead have taken their place, they have taken them out completely of the equation.
      And to correct you, it was not "another king" - it was Dol Amroth and others and were lead by a duke if I remember correctly - they are Gondors province, not separate kingdom at the time

    • @Eowyn3Pride
      @Eowyn3Pride Před 3 lety

      @@siriusczech Ah a duke! Thanks!😁🍻 I think I should read the books again! I've seen the movies too many times and get mixed up between the two!😁🍻🧙‍♂️

    • @TomWatsonB1
      @TomWatsonB1 Před 3 lety +1

      @@Eowyn3Pride He was called Prince of Dol Amroth (the 22nd). His name was Imrahil. And, he would declare allegiance to Aragorn (Elessar). tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Imrahil

    • @kramhorse
      @kramhorse Před 2 lety

      @@siriusczech Imrahil was called a duke? I gotta read those again, I thought he was just Lord of Dol Amroth.

  • @singvang1247
    @singvang1247 Před 3 lety +149

    Why did Aragon free them of their oath so early? "Say you dead boys are pretty useful! What's say we go storm Mordor before I let you go home?!!"

    • @Mbeluba
      @Mbeluba Před 3 lety +89

      Because he's honorable, not a greedy opportunist.

    • @YankeeSparrow
      @YankeeSparrow Před 3 lety +41

      you can ask much, but not too much. Would you risk it, dealing with fucking wraiths in a fucking army?

    • @DarkAshenfall
      @DarkAshenfall Před 3 lety +108

      Except the Oath clearly states ALL minions of Sauron no longer plague the land. Meaning it would not have been an over extension, nor greedy, for Aragorn to keep the Oathbreakers for the duration of the war (until Sauron's confirmed demise). The wraiths may have been able to slay Aragorn out of frustration, but that would only have continued their curse. With no foreseeable end in sight. Which they did not want. Thus, there was no reason for them to turn on Aragorn. They had everything to gain and everything to lose.

    • @singvang1247
      @singvang1247 Před 3 lety +10

      @@DarkAshenfall I'm glad someone read the fine print! haha nice job!

    • @DarkAshenfall
      @DarkAshenfall Před 3 lety +8

      @@singvang1247 Thanks. I've noticed people tend to not thoroughly read things, which leads to incomplete opinions. Just trying to clarify.

  • @jomanclus108
    @jomanclus108 Před 3 lety +39

    Another excellent, succinct, video! You explain everything so well. I'm already looking forward to the next one.

  • @nathanieljones1832
    @nathanieljones1832 Před 2 lety +13

    I have just stumbled on your channel and I'm just simply in awe as to how detailed and well documented these bits of middle earth lore are in comparison to what is already available.
    You're my new go to channel for the coming Christmas holidays!!

    • @NerdoftheRings
      @NerdoftheRings  Před 2 lety +3

      Thanks so much! So glad you found the channel and are enjoying it! 😊

  • @SamTheBattleshipp
    @SamTheBattleshipp Před 3 lety +39

    Great job! I am always impressed by the level of detail and work you do in the graphics and research. It is always awesome! The maps, the portraits, and the motions all make it so good! Thank you!

    • @NerdoftheRings
      @NerdoftheRings  Před 3 lety +5

      Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoy and appreciate the videos I make. It's always great to hear from viewers. Thanks for watching and subscribing!

  • @spencerlandrum5806
    @spencerlandrum5806 Před 3 lety +12

    This man needs a podcast!

    • @NerdoftheRings
      @NerdoftheRings  Před 3 lety +1

      Haha! That would be fun, I’m sure! Although I’ve been staying pretty busy just making the videos. 😁 Thanks for watching!

  • @surtaandume_psykermystyk4010

    Gimli: 'Bad Idea. Very handy in a tight spot, these lads, despite the fact they're dead.'

  • @tantrisbehm8806
    @tantrisbehm8806 Před 3 lety +13

    Great video, the voices you do for the characters when you're reading the different parts are really good.

    • @nobis_kid623
      @nobis_kid623 Před 3 lety +1

      Oathbreakers are people who've only seen the movies but never read the books.

    • @tantrisbehm8806
      @tantrisbehm8806 Před 3 lety

      @@nobis_kid623 hey, I read the books, then, saw the movies, fyi, even read the only book not made into a movie, the silmarillion.

  • @donglerongle3109
    @donglerongle3109 Před rokem +2

    The way it is written that the dead dissappear is beautiful. Like mists in the wind. I love it. I think I'm intelligent / old enough to finally read Tolkien's stuff. It always seemed to wordy / dry to me when I was a kid. I think I can finally appreciate it now.

  • @justanothervoice2538
    @justanothervoice2538 Před 2 lety +8

    I’d always thought of the curse as being somewhat self-inflicted thanks to the nature of their oaths. Glad to see that backed up!

  • @fruitygangles
    @fruitygangles Před 3 lety +17

    This is amazing! I just stumbled upon this while looking up different LOTR compositions. So glad I gave it a listen! The voicing is very well done and doesn't seem campy or melodramatic. I always thought I was a mega-fan but I learned some new information too! Definitely subscribing. Awesome job man! 😁

    • @NerdoftheRings
      @NerdoftheRings  Před 3 lety +1

      Thanks so much for subscribing! Glad you liked it! Plenty more on the way.

  • @tolkienismaster
    @tolkienismaster Před 3 lety +13

    But when the dawn came, cold and pale, Aragorn rose at once and he led the Company forth upon the journey of greatest haste and weariness that any among them had known, save he alone, and only his will held them to go on. No other mortal Men could have endured it, none but the Dunedain of the North, and with them Gimli the Dwarf and Legolas of the Elves.

  • @roselane8152
    @roselane8152 Před 2 lety +41

    I'm a little jealous of Tolkien's characters, everyone and everything seems so well travelled, on the other hand the farthest I've been so far was in my neighbor state 😅.

    • @drewm5898
      @drewm5898 Před 2 lety +9

      Far too tempted to make a reference to Sam being the furthest from the Shire he’s even beeeen

    • @redneckwithajeep5001
      @redneckwithajeep5001 Před 2 lety

      Well make the journey to the furthest point you’ve been so far and when you reach it don’t stop. As long as you have transportation travel isn’t that difficult

    • @marieskavo7159
      @marieskavo7159 Před rokem +1

      You can always travel far in time and place in books. But I have to tell you - having travelled in dozens of different countries - it is worth seeing new places and other cultures, if that ever becomes possible.

    • @akaroth7542
      @akaroth7542 Před rokem

      Yeah, money and obligations really put a damper on travel. Life's still good though.

    • @cccspwn
      @cccspwn Před rokem

      Time for a road trip?

  • @tocolee6127
    @tocolee6127 Před 2 lety +1

    I'm liking Nerds very much these days.

  • @veryrevrufus
    @veryrevrufus Před 3 lety +1

    Superb channel. Only discovered it with this video, and have been bingeing ever since.
    IMO, hits just the right tone.
    Hope you get the success you deserve.
    Thank you.

    • @NerdoftheRings
      @NerdoftheRings  Před 3 lety

      Thanks so much! Appreciate the sub and love that you’re enjoying the channel!

  • @david.miskick
    @david.miskick Před 3 lety +45

    I have an idea for a video: Travels of the one ring done in a fashion of other travels videos. Thanks if read.

    • @NerdoftheRings
      @NerdoftheRings  Před 3 lety +19

      I love this idea! I’m going to add it to my list right now!

    • @teamvlcn6820
      @teamvlcn6820 Před 3 lety +2

      @@NerdoftheRings Can you do the same with the Silmarils? They are arguably the most vital objects in the history of Arda.

  • @dreww2945
    @dreww2945 Před 3 lety +10

    Would love to see a 'what if' and explore if the men of the mountains had kept their original oath.

  • @NotTheRealCodyDean
    @NotTheRealCodyDean Před rokem

    I love your videos man, sometimes I come here to explore the stories to refresh my memory and expand my reading of the lore

  • @richstringham127
    @richstringham127 Před 3 lety

    Very very well presented. Thanks for the hard work it must take to put it together. Excellent

  • @jonystyles9473
    @jonystyles9473 Před 3 lety +13

    new lore again so nice, congratz :D

  • @rayeaglenz
    @rayeaglenz Před 3 lety +1

    Always interesting, very well created, and narrated, thank you 😊

  • @theharoldsshow
    @theharoldsshow Před 3 lety +3

    One of my favorite parts of the series, Great vid.

  • @codesmithkarl4917
    @codesmithkarl4917 Před 3 lety +8

    Love you work, and it must be some to gather all the info together. I'd love to see an episode about the palantir! (more magic stones)

  • @carlosbarradas2125
    @carlosbarradas2125 Před 3 lety +5

    The soundtrack is very good!! And You're the best!

  • @coolbrotherf127
    @coolbrotherf127 Před 3 lety +16

    I never realized that the stone was part of the whole thing. I always thought it was just some set dressing for the passage.

    • @indy_go_blue6048
      @indy_go_blue6048 Před 3 lety +5

      Seems that in Tolkien's world NOTHING is some set dressing!

  • @mattalvis3491
    @mattalvis3491 Před 3 lety +2

    Stumbled upon your channel today and have been pleased by the great content your putting out. Had to subscribe. Keep up the good work.

    • @NerdoftheRings
      @NerdoftheRings  Před 3 lety

      Thanks so much for subscribing! Glad you’re enjoying the vids! I’ve got a new one coming tomorrow on Radagast, so stay tuned! 😁🧙‍♂️

  • @saganspirit
    @saganspirit Před 2 lety

    Great channel mate, I believe you're getting more exposure now - good to see

  • @MattBrain9336
    @MattBrain9336 Před 2 lety +16

    Imagine if oaths IRL had the same power
    We wouldn't need signed written contracts or Lawyers

    • @NerdoftheRings
      @NerdoftheRings  Před 2 lety +1

      All that money saved! haha

    • @antondavidovic3996
      @antondavidovic3996 Před 2 lety

      And your friends will never bail on plans you make with them lol

    • @stevepalpatine2828
      @stevepalpatine2828 Před 2 lety +1

      In a society without police and courts like we have, a persons word is more important.
      Your word was your bond, if it became known you didn't stick to it, no one would deal with you, so it was important that people stuck to what they agreed.
      People have no honor these days.

    • @FLAME4564
      @FLAME4564 Před rokem

      Things in the world would be quite different if irl oaths had the same power as the oaths of Tolkien's world :3 yet it would be quite interesting. Some of us in this real life would would become true real life individual oathbreakers

  • @dirt0133
    @dirt0133 Před 3 lety

    Very well done and put together nicely. thx

  • @ericpierce3660
    @ericpierce3660 Před 2 lety

    Excellent video btw. Love how you do the voiceovers.

  • @tomcazzaniga9768
    @tomcazzaniga9768 Před 3 lety

    Awesome lore, great job in narrating it!

  • @lapidaryluke
    @lapidaryluke Před 2 lety +2

    I have been watching your stuff for a while now and I just had to finally comment. You do amazing work!

    • @NerdoftheRings
      @NerdoftheRings  Před 2 lety

      Thanks so much! I really appreciate it! I love hearing that folks are enjoying the channel.

  • @cmdesign01
    @cmdesign01 Před 3 lety +3

    Awesome channel
    Just found it
    Great job !
    Love it

  • @anthonyhanks1807
    @anthonyhanks1807 Před 3 lety +8

    The great line of the oathbreakers was well said by legolas in the extended version

  • @mythoughts7722
    @mythoughts7722 Před 3 lety +7

    Very recently found your channel and really enjoying your content. Thank you. 😊

  • @swisswargames7271
    @swisswargames7271 Před 3 lety +3

    My god your story telling is such inspiring and great! Thanks for your work

  • @ericcheltenham7001
    @ericcheltenham7001 Před 3 lety +11

    I think Tolkien got the idea of not being granted an afterlife from the Military ethos he endured during WW1, and how it was better to die in battle than to live as a coward.

    • @bensutherland5209
      @bensutherland5209 Před 2 lety +8

      It is common among most cultures to hold oaths sacred. Those who break them are held in contempt, no better than criminals. This is not a view held solely by militaries.

  • @dedbaka
    @dedbaka Před 3 lety +6

    I just found this channel, and, oh, how I love it! Perfect for listening on my long drives to and from work. Soon I'll be as knowledgeable about Middle Earth as Gandalf himself.

    • @NerdoftheRings
      @NerdoftheRings  Před 3 lety +1

      This is the first time I’ve seen one my emoji used! So fun!! So glad you are loving the channel! Thanks so much for your support. More videos are on the way - including tomorrow’s release on Radagast! 😁

    • @dedbaka
      @dedbaka Před 3 lety +1

      @@NerdoftheRings Wow! That's the first time I'm first at something! 😄 So excited to see your channel grow.

  • @Comicsluvr
    @Comicsluvr Před rokem

    I am binging on your channel. It never ceases to amaze me that you can describe what could be boring stuff (let's face it, Tolkien wrote HUGE stacks of lore!) and not allow it to be boring. Well done yet again.
    By the way, the little bits quoted here and in other videos, often poems and the like, are also very well done!

  • @drummerrboy
    @drummerrboy Před 3 lety

    love your channel, love all the content you've put out, and it's criminal (yet hilarious) how dirty the closed captioning does you in this particular video

  • @cristiancowley9682
    @cristiancowley9682 Před 3 lety +1

    Great Video! Amazing content! This was a great study break video!

    • @NerdoftheRings
      @NerdoftheRings  Před 3 lety

      Glad you are enjoying the channel! Plenty more on the way!

  • @Bloomio95
    @Bloomio95 Před rokem +3

    I really appreciate the changes that were made for the movie. This story wouldn´t have worked on screen as well. Also the smaller changes like showing Narzil instead of a standard were important. It´s just way more appealing to the broader audience, since swords are often mystified in well known stories like King Arthur.

  • @temptyy_
    @temptyy_ Před 2 lety

    I'm so happy I found your channel

  • @darealsuperseth1942
    @darealsuperseth1942 Před 2 lety

    the voices always make these so hard to watch, but that lore commentary is just too good

  • @aran2457
    @aran2457 Před 3 lety +3

    Good job, mellon! Good job! Would have loved to see some scenes from the movies, but maybe next time ;). Just a suggestion. Thanks!

  • @fenderfan9514
    @fenderfan9514 Před 3 lety +3

    One of your better ones! Great voice acting!

  • @shehansenanayaka3046
    @shehansenanayaka3046 Před 9 měsíci

    This dead army is one of my fav also the fearst scenes in LOTR universe. We always appreciate your hard work and dedication towards these videos.

  • @tariqjaser5924
    @tariqjaser5924 Před 3 lety +2

    amazing content as always :) keep it up

  • @welatxwese8074
    @welatxwese8074 Před 3 lety +7

    I see that you took my suggestion to the heart :') keep up the great work.
    Ps: is it possible to make a sub series on the chronological order of events from zero up to now/end? I'm not a big fan of reading and your voice and animations are great.

    • @NerdoftheRings
      @NerdoftheRings  Před 3 lety +3

      I've been thinking a fun video to do would be a complete timeline of Middle-earth. It would have to be a highlights-only video and roll through things quite quickly, but it might be fun to do at lightning speed. Even then, it would be a big video!

  • @davidwright8989
    @davidwright8989 Před 3 lety +16

    The fact Aragorn has the ability to summon these beings because of his sword, which is supposedly unbreakable now, can cut astral and battle trolls like nothing. Has the supernatural ability to create light. That sword is very, very powerful.

    • @davidperry7128
      @davidperry7128 Před rokem

      He summons them as Isildur's heir not because he has a magic sword, that is only a symbol. 'Magic' is for Harry Potter, the sword is just a sword. If you beieve that Aragorn is who he is because of a supernatural sword you are missing the whole point of the books.

  • @arkwill14
    @arkwill14 Před 3 lety +5

    Great explanation and refresher of the Dead as depicted in the books. I wonder now if the Dead even had the ability to _physically_ fight and kill the living as depicted in the movie? It seems like their contribution was solely in their appearance at Pelargir which caused the Corsairs to abandon their ships in fear and flee. Of course then Aragorn was able to use those ships and, along with a growing complement of freed-up _living_ warriors from southern Gondor regions, sailed to the aid of Minas Tirith.

    • @Chamdar17
      @Chamdar17 Před rokem +1

      Gimli states his own suspicion of that in his account of the battle with the Corsairs - their power is fear, the weapon of the enemy.

  • @ak2304
    @ak2304 Před 3 lety +2

    Just discovered the channel. Been watching hours of your vids ever since. I expect you to blow up again when Amazon release their series. And your succes will be deserved!

  • @mb47ix
    @mb47ix Před 2 lety

    Another fine video. Paths of the Dead is a fascinating bit. And Baldor is an intriguing 'undertold tale' in ME history.

  • @ianheins650
    @ianheins650 Před rokem

    Nice work dude

  • @stevenfrazier9955
    @stevenfrazier9955 Před rokem

    Mannnn . Tolkien was amazing ! Incredible stories within stories

  • @NickSibz
    @NickSibz Před 3 lety +2

    This channel is fantastic, love your breakdowns and video topics. These more "sp00kier" topics are my favorites. Idk why but the wraith stuff I find so damn interesting. I think the WK's campaign that destroyed Arnor is one of the coolest damn stories and I hope we get to see on the screen at some point.

  • @jackholmes8828
    @jackholmes8828 Před 3 lety +16

    Your growing so fast love ur channel any tips for starting a middle earth channel like yours and others?

    • @NerdoftheRings
      @NerdoftheRings  Před 3 lety +9

      Thanks! So glad you are enjoying the channel. It has definitely been a fun week! I feel like I'm still learning a lot about this myself, but I think the best advice I've heard and would repeat to others is to do a channel on something you have a passion for and just try it out. So many people don't do things because they don't know how to start and doubt themselves, or delay because they want it to be perfect. It won't be perfect. You just have to start and you'll grow in your skills as you do more and more.

    • @jackholmes8828
      @jackholmes8828 Před 3 lety +2

      Thanks a lot!

  • @KellyJelly9976
    @KellyJelly9976 Před 21 dnem

    I love when you read from the voice with different voices!!!

  • @iamlegend0000
    @iamlegend0000 Před 2 lety +12

    I've always wondered why Aragorn said their Oath is fulfilled when the war and Sauron's servants were still around at the black gates... like the job wasn't done yet lol. Maybe I'm wrong.

    • @parjai97
      @parjai97 Před 2 lety +5

      The oath was loyalty to the king of Gondor, was Isildur a king or a steward king? Anyways, Isildur called them to a battle and they did not show up. So a battle they owe.

    • @randomelite4562
      @randomelite4562 Před 2 lety

      @@parjai97 He was a King

    • @parjai97
      @parjai97 Před 2 lety

      @@randomelite4562 I might misremember but the one who ruled before Aragorn was a steward king, not a king

    • @randomelite4562
      @randomelite4562 Před 2 lety +1

      @@parjai97 Was a Steward, not a Steward King. However, the one who cursed the Oathbreakers was a King of Gondor

  • @Chuck-PK
    @Chuck-PK Před měsícem +1

    For some reason the King of the Dead reminds me of the wizard in 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' with the questions three and one is "What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?"

  • @Viernes13punto5
    @Viernes13punto5 Před 2 lety

    That was some beautiful artwork.

  • @TheVintageGamer
    @TheVintageGamer Před 2 lety

    So cool. Had no idea thanks for making

  • @zachattach850
    @zachattach850 Před rokem +4

    It’s a beautiful story. One of my favorites of all time. Just to fulfill honor means everything to a soldier. When you take an oath, it should mean your very existence. When you break it, you don’t get another chance. Death before dishonor is the message that rings clear as day and the cleansing of souls through redemption is what I truly believe to be a possibility in the afterlife. Whatever holds you to your life on earth will bind you in death. “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” - Matthew 18:18

  • @sxyqt3.14
    @sxyqt3.14 Před 2 lety +1

    Amazing video i teared up

  • @umadbroimatroll7918
    @umadbroimatroll7918 Před 3 lety +31

    This is one where I like the movie version better, the army helping break the siege of minas tirith is too amazing.

    • @joeschmoe5608
      @joeschmoe5608 Před 3 lety +6

      Agreed, they did the book deed AND broke the siege. Would’ve been a shorter movie had Aragorn not released them until after defeating the rest of Sauron’s forces in Mordor though (would’ve been cool though)

    • @indy_go_blue6048
      @indy_go_blue6048 Před 3 lety +9

      Disagree. I thought that one of cheapest and shabbiest ways to treat the battle. It makes the previous fighting and sacrifices of the humans pretty worthless since the "green scrubbing bubbles" could've (and did) wipe out all of Sauron's armies remaining. I understand the economics of the moviemaking and all, but showing the effect of Aragon and his kin (as in the book) is so much more dramatic. Also the cgi in this part of the movie sucked.

    • @nichozfpl
      @nichozfpl Před 3 lety +6

      i always thought that it was too easy, they didnt help they literally destroyed everything in their path in seconds. The only reason i never really minded it is because the rest is such a great movie and it feels wrong to get caught up in one small thing

    • @HalfEatenMedia
      @HalfEatenMedia Před 3 lety +3

      @@nichozfpl agreed. It’s really the only aspect of the film that ever bothered me, but considering just how great the rest of the film is; It can easily be forgiven.

    • @davidperry7128
      @davidperry7128 Před rokem

      Then you don't understand what the books are actually about. Friendship, loyaly and courage defeat Sauron, not an invincible army that knows no fear. The part of the film where Frodo sends Sam home is a similar error where the writers undermined the most crucial relationship in the trilogy just to get Frodo to enter Shelob's lair on his own! The hatchet jobs on Denethor and Faramir are comparatively small misdemeanours.

  • @duskgopc3345
    @duskgopc3345 Před 3 lety +1

    amazing video dude

  • @tangofett4065
    @tangofett4065 Před 3 lety +2

    Oh great! ANOTHER LoTR CZcamsr that makes great content. Well played! Definitely sub’d!

    • @NerdoftheRings
      @NerdoftheRings  Před 3 lety +1

      Glad you found the channel! 😁 Thanks for subscribing!

    • @tangofett4065
      @tangofett4065 Před 3 lety

      @@NerdoftheRings ya, thanks to the algorithm. I watch a lot of “Men of the West” and “History of the Ages” so it directed me here. I really enjoyed the content, and the Oathbreakers themselves are some of my favorite parts of LoTR.

  • @-TroyStory-
    @-TroyStory- Před rokem

    Your videos are an excellent source of information and I do hope you keep them coming. That said, maybe doing the character voices isn’t the best choice?

  • @runforrestrun1965
    @runforrestrun1965 Před rokem

    @Nerd of the Rings: Mate, I just love your enthusiasm and enjoyment and knowledge of TLOR. You just gotta come down here and do the Hobbiton tour if you haven’t already, it’s awesome, and have a drink in the green dragon. Keep the videos coming. Kiwi fan👍

  • @phatpat5540
    @phatpat5540 Před 3 lety

    Bro every year me and my mates from long ago set up a LOTR trivia game, and I usually come in 2nd or 1st place, but man I'll be at the top of my game after watching your videos!

  • @jkzac
    @jkzac Před 3 lety

    Just found this channel and im lovin all ur vids

    • @NerdoftheRings
      @NerdoftheRings  Před 3 lety

      Thanks! I'm glad you found the channel and are enjoying it!

  • @thinkpadBentnoseTheBlind

    Well done. TY

  • @cmdesign01
    @cmdesign01 Před 3 lety

    Did a great job with the voices too

  • @janettetiquio7888
    @janettetiquio7888 Před 3 lety

    Thanks for sharing, GOD bless you.