Davoin of Elendilmir asks:
A kin fellowship I was in just had a (good natured) argument about which big bad is featured in the opening cinematic for LOTRO.
The graphics look like the witch king from the movies, however some of us (me included) think its actually Mordirith.
Could you help us resolve this question?
That’s an interesting question you ask, Davoin and while it’s outside my normal area of expertise I’m happy to give you what I know and to make an educated guess.
The Hints and the Facts:
The narration during the time which the character in question is shown is as follows: “In ages long past, the witch king gathered a dark army in Angmar. Once again he calls a vast horde from the depths of Carn Dum to march upon the lands of middle earth and lay them to waste.” Given this, we do not know if we’re being shown a flashback or a vision of current armies.- ***EPIC STORY SPOILER ALERT***: Mordirith is revealed to be Earnur, the last king of Gondor before the reign of the House of Stewards.
- Earnur fought against Angmar during the time referred to in the narration as “ages long past”. Therefore if it’s a flashback to the original gather of forces in Angmar, it HAS to be the Witch King. Mordirith would not have existed at that time.
- Every single time that Mordirith appears in the game, he wears red robes. The character in the opening cinematic wears black robes. Red robed wraiths in LOTRO are always lesser wraiths known as Cargul. Black robed wraiths are generally one of “the nine”.
Conclusion:
Given the facts, visual and audio clues I think it’s pretty clear that the wraith in the opening cinematic of LOTRO is, in fact, the Witch King. I’ll entertain that there’s a small chance it could be Mordirith, however, I’m pretty convinced that it’s the Witch King.
This article is part of the “Ask Elborigorn” series, where I encourage CSTM readers to send questions to me at: elborigorn@casualstrolltomordor.com . I then will answer the question either with an entire article or as part of a multi-question weekly article.
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April 15, 2011 at 8:16 am
You should get Berephon on the line for this one.
But I must say your conclusion sounds good to me.
April 15, 2011 at 8:30 am
i think it is the witch king, and my reason is in the crown. if I recall in a post by berephon (it was in the forum purge so it no longer exsits) that crown the wraith is wearing is the witch kings and the runes on the crown even say so. that same wraith was once on the box cover of the game and a loading screen, and berephon had said that the loading screen wraith was the witch king.
but that is a good question, i never even though that it could be mordirith.
April 15, 2011 at 10:49 am
Definetly the black robe should give away that it is the Witch King. Mordrith looks totally different. But nice anylisi anyways.
April 15, 2011 at 10:42 pm
Man I still get goosebumps when I watch this video.
April 19, 2011 at 3:26 pm
Clearly asked by someone who hasn’t ever done the epic questline! Mordirith is very recognizable in the game, as well as the video itself being pretty clear as to who that’s supposed to be.