CHARACTER GUIDE

Aragorn (aka Strider) — Aragorn has been revealed as the son of Arathorn, and is also called Elessar, the Elfstone, Dúnadan, the heir of Isildur, Elendil's son of Gondor. (TT MTI, 423) After the breaking of the Fellowship, Aragorn pursues the battle against Sauron.

Frodo Baggins — The Bearer of the Ring. After receiving the Ring from his cousin, Bilbo Baggins, this brave hobbit must travel far from home to the Crack of Doom in order to destroy it.

Gandalf the White — In the words of Aragorn, "You are our captain and our banner. The Dark Lord has Nine. But we have One, mightier than they: the White Rider. He has passed through the fire and the abyss, and they shall fear him. We will go where he leads." (TT MTI, 490)

Gimli — Wielding his axe, this dwarf fights bravely alongside his friend Legolas.

Legolas — Legolas's archery skills and physical prowess make this elf a worthy asset in the war against Sauron.

Meriadoc Brandybuck (aka Merry) — Merry travels with Pippin and the Ents to Isengard to fight Saruman.

Samwise Gamgee — Sam, a gardener by profession, grows into Frodo's most trusted and loyal companion and friend as he accompanies the Ringbearer on his quest.

Peregrin Took (aka Pippin) — After befriending Treebeard, Pippin and his friend Merry inspire the Ents to battle Saruman.

Friends

Ents — Members of this race were among the original inhabitants of Middle-earth, along with the elves. Ents are essentially spirits inhabiting trees, and they look like a cross between the tree each resides in and a human. Their personalities also reflect the nature of their tree. Ents are slow in thought and slow to act, but they are powerful beings, capable of cracking rocks and moving huge quantities of earth quickly and easily.

Éomer — As the Third Marshall of the Riddermark, Éomer is revered by the Riders of Rohan. Under Gríma's control, Théoden doubted Éomer, but he realized his error once he regained his strength.

Éowyn (aka White Lady of Rohan or Dernhelm) — Éomer's sister, likewise brave and strong

Faramir — Faramir does not share his brother Boromir's love for battle, and hence has lost the favor of his father, Denethor II. However, Faramir is a valiant soldier and is well loved by the men who fight with him.

Théoden — The king of Rohan has become withered and weak through the counsels of Gríma Wormtongue. Once revived by Gandalf, Théoden rides bravely into battle with the rest of his people to the Battle of Helm's Deep.

Treebeard (aka Fangorn) — An Ent and the guardian of Fangorn Forest. As the oldest surviving Ent and the oldest living being in Middle-earth, Fangorn is responsible for leading the other Ents to fight Saruman. As his friend Gandalf describes him, "Fangorn himself, he is perilous too; yet he is wise and kindly nonetheless." (TT MTI, 488)

Foes

Gollum — Originally called Sméagol, this hobbit became an unrecognizable and disfigured creature under the power of the One Ring. Although he lost the Ring many years ago, it still holds power over him, and he continues to follow the Ring wherever it goes.

Gríma (aka Wormtongue) — As a spy of Saruman's, Gríma became the chief counselor to King Théoden and weakened the king's will, to the enemy's advantage. Once his true loyalties are discovered, Gríma returns to Saruman's side in Orthanc.

The Nazgûl (aka the Ringwraiths, the Dark Riders) — These nine were once powerful kings of men, but became Sauron's principal servants of evil when he gave each of them a ring that he controlled. These deadly creatures now have one goal: to find the Ringbearer and take the One Ring back to their master.

Orcs — An evil race of Middle-earth created by the enemy. Orcs are adept with many weapons, including bows, spears, and swords, though they live mainly underground because they are weakened by the sun.

Saruman — Once a great and powerful wizard, the secretive Saruman has been corrupted by his desire for power and for the One Ring.

Sauron — The Dark Lord and maker of the One Ring that holds power over all the others. Sauron put much of his own power into the forging of the Ring; as long as it still exists, he cannot fully be destroyed. Sauron bends all of his will to finding the One Ring and once again ruling over Middle-earth.

Trolls — Trolls are very large creatures and are quite strong, created by the enemy as a mockery of Ents.

Uruk-hais — A strain of Orcs, preferred in battle to other Orcs because they are almost as tall as men and do not weaken in sunlight.

Ugluk — A leader of the band of Uruk-hais sent by Saruman to capture the Halflings. Ugluk is notable for not being as cowardly as most Orcs.