The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Location
Beneath the White Mountains, from the Dwimorberg in the north to the Morthond Vale in the south
Origins
Occupied by the Dead after they were cursed by Isildur at the end of the Second Age
Race
Culture

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About this entry:

  • Updated 14 June 2003
  • Updates planned: 3

Paths of the Dead

The haunted caverns beneath Ered Nimrais

A subterranean realm beneath the White Mountains above the valley of the River Morthond. The dwelling place through the Third Age of the Dead, Men cursed by Isildur for breaking their oath of fealty to him, and made to remain in Middle-earth until his rightful heir was to call for their aid.


Notes

1

Isildur laid a curse on the Men of the Mountains that they would not rest until their broken oath to him was fulfilled, and that curse was the reason that these people haunted the Paths of the Dead. Isildur laid his curse before he went to war with Sauron, but he couched it in these terms: 'And if the West prove mightier than thy Black Master, this curse I lay upon thee and thy folk...' (The Return of the King V 2). The West did indeed prove mightier than Sauron, but not until II 3441, about eleven years after Isildur originally said these words.

It can't be stated with certainty that the Paths were occupied immediately after the curse took effect: their settlement may have taken years or even decades. Nonetheless, the curse that founded the Paths of the Dead took effect with the first Fall of Barad-dûr, hence the dating shown above.

2

8 March III 3019 is the date that Aragorn led the Dead out of their Paths towards the final fulfilment of their oath, after which the Paths of the Dead would be deserted. The Dead themselves continued to exist for several days, until they were released by Aragorn at Pelargir on 13 March.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 14 June 2003
  • Updates planned: 3

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