Summary
The Lord of the Ringsmay have captivated readers and viewers alike with its rich library of characters and cultures, but one group remains shrouded in mystery: the Variags. J.R.R. Tolkien, meticulous in his world-building, surprisingly provides scant details about these little-known people who dwelt in the land of Khand. Even in Peter Jackson’s cinematic masterpiece,The Lord of the Ringsfilm trilogy, the Variags find no place, staying true to their elusive nature in both literature and on the silver screen.
Relegated to the shadows, the Variags, often referred to as the Khandish, emerge as a people of intrigue, bearing an oriental, East Asian theme akin to their close allies, the Easterlings. Picture them as skilled axe-wielders and archers, adept horsemen maneuvering chariots on the battlefield, their backs adorned with banners reminiscent of Japanese samurai of the Medieval period.
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Who are the Variags?
The Variags, also known as the Khandish, occupy a seldom-explored corner in the land of Khand.Like the Easterlings of Tolkien’s universe, their culture is steeped in an oriental ambiance, evoking images of a distant and mysterious realm. The Variags are depicted as skilled warriors, wielding both axes and bows with deadly precision. Mounted on horseback, they navigate the terrain with the prowess of seasoned horsemen, even employing chariots in the heat of battle. Their distinctive banners, reminiscent of the standards carried by Japanese samurai during the Medieval period, add a layer of visual intrigue to their character.
Yet, despite their formidable presence, Tolkien’s literary works provide only scant details about the Variags. The ambiguity surrounding their origins, customs, and societal structure invites readers to engage in a speculative journey, piecing together fragments of information scattered across the vast canvas of Middle-earth. The Variags remain an enigma, their narrative presence shrouded in mystery, prompting fans to explore the depths of Tolkien’s legendarium in search of clues.
While the Variags share a thematic kinship with the Easterlings, their unique cultural elements and distinct visual representation set them apart. The absence of a detailed exploration in Tolkien’s published works leaves ample room for creative interpretation and imaginative speculation. Perhaps, inthe pillars of Middle-earth lore, the Variags stand as a testament to the expansiveness of Tolkien’s world-building, offering tantalizing glimpses into realms left deliberately uncharted.
What happened to the Variags?
The fate of the Variags remains veiled in uncertainty, their narrative trajectory obscured by the limited references within Tolkien’s works. One pivotal moment in their history, however, surfaces during the Easterling War, where the Easterling war band known as the Wainriders ventured south of Mordor. In a strategic move, they recruited Variags and Haradrim, forming a formidable alliance to carry outan assault on Gondorduring the Wainrider war. This historical juncture provides a glimpse into the military alliances that shaped the course of Middle-earth’s history, with the Variags playing a role in the conflicts that echoed through the ages.
Hundreds of years later, the Variags reemerge on the stage of Middle-earth history, this time fighting in Sauron’s army against Gondor at theBattle of the Pelennor Fields. The echoes of their past allegiance with the Easterlings resound as they once again find themselves on the front lines of a monumental clash. The Variags, perhaps bound by ancient alliances or drawn by the call of Sauron, contribute their martial prowess to the forces arrayed against Gondor, adding another layer to the complexity of their role in the unfolding saga.
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The lack of specific details about the Variags' motivations and loyalties during these conflicts invites readers to delve into the intricacies of Tolkien’s lore, pondering the choices and destinies of this elusive people. Did the Variags fight with fervor, driven bya sense of duty to their allies, or did they harbor their own aspirations and grievances in the tumultuous landscape of Middle-earth?
As with many aspects of Tolkien’s legendarium, the Variags invite readers to embark on a journey of speculation, drawing from the rich tapestry of lore to craft their own interpretations of the fate that befell these shadowy inhabitants of Khand. In the end, the legacy of the Variags lies not only in the details provided by Tolkien but also in the imaginative exploration they inspire, as readers take part on a quest to unveil the mysteries ofThe Lord of the Rings.
The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings is one of the most iconic names in entertainment. The franchise started with novels from J. R. R. Tolkien before being adapted onto the big screen by Peter Jackson in one of the most critically-acclaimed film trilogies of all time. There have also been numerous The Lord of the Rings video games of varying quality.
