I think there might be other races in the far east based on central asian different folk lore races and creatures. Races like the Nagas from Hindu folk lore or the anunaki from Sumerian folklore
I always loved the idea that the Wainriders in particular and the Easterlings as a whole went west because of some threat in the east, kinda like how the Germanic peoples were fleeing from the Huns.
If Rhun is Middle-Earth's Asia, then the vast southern region of Harad is its equivalent of Africa. So here's my theory: Might this mean that there is another (slightly smaller) breed of mumak used by the Easterlings, or at least inhabiting the land of Rhun? Actually, the fact that the extremely mysterious land of Khand is located both south and east of the West makes me think that it's the India of Middle-Earth, so maybe it's the Variags who've tamed this theoretical Eastern mumak. I wonder what name the Easterlings and/or Variags might have for this beast.
I've often thought, given that the East was Sauron's base of power for so many years, that it could serve as a refuge for survivors of Mordor post War of the Ring. Which could have lead to a kind of spinoff of LOTR, where descendents of the character travel far to the East and find themselves having to confront this old evil again
.. Theres nothing ''Diverse'' about the easterlings - Tolkein was mirroring them to arabs.. And thats all one has to say to show what the two are, The fantasy people and the real-life ones. +
That they lived far to the east! But seriously these guys were awesome! I still remember reading Sam’s thoughts as he gazed upon a dead Easterling: “I wonder where he was from, what was he like? Did he have a family? Was he afraid? Was he forced to join the Enemy or was he tricked into service?” Paraphrasing of course.
Oh man, I really wish there would be more regarding the Ent Wives, it always makes me sad, maybe seeing the Ents venture out into the east to look for them would be nice
I’d love to know more about what happened the the Avari Elves who decided to stay in the east instead of attempting the journey to Aman. Thanks for the videos!
There are conflicting points in different books, that is, if you have read the 12 HoME books. One view is that some of them became orcs other is that they died or eventually came to doriath or ossiriand. The elvish origin of orcs can be seen as there are some orcs who live far beyond men age. Shagrat and Gorbag seems to be quite. Do note old the way they speak about the good old times. And certainly Azog's son Bolg was over 150 years when he fought as per the books and was quite powerful. Azog was also very very strong if you note. So, I think that was part of the story originally
@@xshayahyawzi3666 Having them talk about the good old times doesn't mean they are thoussands of years old. they might just have been part of a orc clan/kingdom/gang that joined Sauron only a decade ago. What make you think Bolg was over 15O years ?
@@efaristi9737 calculate the years given in appendices of lord of the rings you will find out yourself. And my other claim is based on History of middle earth books in particular Morgoth's rings. When I get back to my books I will give you the passage references as well as Bolg's age calculation as per the appendices.
@@efaristi9737 But roughly as per HoME Elves who fled Oromë were captured and through dark arts were made into Orcs. And so it was when Feanorian host reached Beleriand they fought a terrible battle with orcs and balrogs. And this was before awakening of men. It is rather clear thiis was once the case in the legendarium as it is mentioned that to Eru this deed of Morgoth is most hateful, that is, corruption of elves to orcs. There were other elves as well called dark elves, those who did not heed the Valar and were not captured. Some material exist about them as well but not very well fleshed out.
@@efaristi9737 Also note either Shargat or Gorbag mentions that the Nazgul are now Sauron's favorite. Since orcs do not keep written records and do not keep lore. It is obvious they are speaking by personal knowledge and experience
i thought i heard a letter from tolkien said the war of the ring would have been lost without the blue wizards, suggesting some amount of subversion in the eastern kingdoms. thinking of the map in most of LOTR publications, it's fun to imagine just how big the eastern lands were. with how much we know of the west, from erebor to gondor to the blue mountains to the grey havens to arnor, just how much is out that far east? how untouched was it from the affairs of the wars we know so well?
A great story-line to develop could be: - what really had happened to the Blue Wizards on the East when Saruman left them and returned to the West known world? (I think he actually betrayed them and killed them being the very first shown up of his true evil side.) - what happened to the people in the East: both normal humans, the Elves and the Dwarves? - how Sauron lived and worked there on those regions? It´s guessed he has a secondary stronghold there and seems to have thrived there in power somehow - what were the Wereworms of the Last Desert of the Far East and why on Earth, hobbits knew about them? - what other mysteries and creatures lingered there? It seems that Durin´s Bane wasn´t the only one remaining Balrog after all so where remained the others? Also what about dragons - they were totally popular for Eastern societies later on and not seemed as always antagonistic so... what happened there, how and why the change of POV regarding them? - what other Eldricht-like beings had happened there from older times? The Nameless Things could be better known here instead, and also the Watcher in the Water species? What about werewolves and vampires or the Dark Rider which captured the early Elves? Was Utumno ruins nearby from the East side than the West side of Middle Earth by chance so kinda reachable to find whatever lingered there? - Did Orome kept hunting later on the East regions of Middle Earth much later on? Did Ulmo and/or other Valar and Maiar kept actually a more direct influence there than on the West and henceforth why there remain larger many gods on the beliefs of those regions? Indeed a lot could be done and yet also will never get enough respect on the same level as what´s always retold of the true canon of Tolkien. very bittersweet idea!.
Hobbits had migrated from the far East at some point (indeed all Elves and Men did if you believe their mythology) which is why they knew about Oliphaunts and the Were-Worms.
@@BenFrayle but weren´t the Oliphaunts more from the South? Interesting that Tolkien acknowledged the East as the origin of the people which thrived on the regions on the Northwest of Middle Earth were he set up to happen most of his stuff, and yet he kinda totally or near-mostly forgot to develop on what happened elsewhere on 3/4 of his world creation and well just stated that all was gotten doomed by darker powers so it was careless about it developing furtherly on.
@@BenFrayle interesting ideas, though I´ve no idea they also came from the South as well. I never bother much about the actual far origins of Hobbits anyway, it seemed to me they just first rise up as Hobbits on the Rhovannion and nearby regions at the East of Misty Mountains but not much beyond that - let´s not forget how much their language borrowed a lot from the ancestor of people of Rohan.
I truly hope that if they make more movies they focus on the dramatic War in the North, where Easterlings were the predominant portion of Saurons forces. Be a good way to show some perspectives and political tension on the enemy side
in the non canon Shadow of Mordor games, there were actually a pair of Nazgul from a China-like civilization in the East, honestly feels really out of place. but it WOULD be really cool to have a backstory for a Nazgul from the East. Khamul the Esterling namely . I actually do have an interesting theory/story: the blue wizards became so obsessed with stopping Sauron they started to use extremely evil methods, eventually becoming tyrants, then Sauron tricked a Easterling hero to defeat the two wizards.
Harad always reminds me of the Arab culture and The Easterlings of India. It also serves well when comparing Middle Earth to Europ and the east to Asia. Indeed, Tolkien wanted it to be a work dedicated to British mythology, and he committed culturally and geographically too, apparently!
Harad is more like Africa in general -the northern parts like Umbar are Arab like but sill somewhat resembling Greece (Gondor) but further south Tolkien notes deserts and jungles with apes.
I always hoped that Christopher Tolkien would have finished the history or lore on the east. Tales of the blue wizards, the Easterling, saurons influence and the effect it had.
8:33 omg seeing one of my favourite YT channels use a picture of the city of Mostar of my native Bosnia And Herzegovina to present a point related to Tolkien and LOTR I never thought I’d see the day😭😭😍😍
I'd LIKE to think the Blue Wizards were the Men of the East against Sauron's dominion. But Sauron's hold and sway was so strong and ran so deep it proved much more difficult than they had anticipated. Sure, it's possible they went astray and formed occults or something, Saruman had fallen to the power of the One. Whose to say they didn't as well? And while it wasn't the main focus of the story, therefore he probably didn't see much need to get TOO into it, I would've liked to see a little more into the lore of the East and South from the professor himself. For the most part, all we can really do is speculate and guess. But it would be good to have a little more to go off of. I'd like someone who understands Tolkien's works to try their hand at developing some lore and history (maybe even characters and their efforts against Sauron and maybe Morgoth). I'd like to see more of those regions from someone who actually knows and understands what Tolkien was creating in his writings
Id love to hear about khamûl and his life and fall to darkness, along with the peoples around him, i wonder if khamul ever crossed paths with the blue wizards
A reference in the Hobbit to 'the Wereworms of the uttermost East'. I would spin this that Bilbo has no idea that what he is actually referring to is Werewyrms. Wingless Dragons who can assume the form of men some of whom rule as Dragon Kings or Emperors over oppressed populations. Dragons created by Morgoth and thus these lands are evil and aligned to the Shadow(or at least the leadership is).
I have to say, your videos are always just incredibly done!! I am a huge Tolkien nerd, and love all the maps and visual elements you offer in your videos:)
I would create story using the two blue wizards and create trilogy based on them drawing in all bits of Tolkien's stories. Creating a world of the East.
Congrats man on another great video! You are truly doing a superb job on discovering Tolkien's world and all the possible answers to those question that the author left unanswered. Also, your voice is perfect for narrating stuff. I really hope you'll someday be called up for a gig in the next Toliken screen adaptation. Have a nice day mate and greetings from the Croatian lotr community!
I think I would have a Marco Polo type of adventure. Gondorean man and veteran of the War of the Ring travels to that part of Middle Earth and discovers, observes and records things that he sees on his travels. Returning to Gondor with tales of war, exotic items and weapons and perhaps even a Far Eastern Wife.
The mysteries of what laid east of the map had always been on my mind since I was a small child. You could have whole new adventures and stories just in that location of mystery where anything goes.
Easterlings and Southrons were slaves to Sauron, but both of those are from the perspective of the West. There could be so many other - including free/resisting societies beyond the enslaved realms.
It is believed that civilizations in today's world were mostly born in the east. Tolkien adapted this anthropological phenomenon to his work and revealed elves, humans and some dwarf clans in this geography. Moreover, each time Sauron reappeared, it was the eastern lands that hosted his rebirth (like these species) and renewal. Our knowledge of this eastern part of the geography is limited, as the elves are involved in the stories of the north that record the history of Middle-earth. Perhaps more information was collected during the time of the Númenóreans, but they were lost forever with the collapse.
I like to think of the Ironfists Dwarven Clan digging in and holding back the Easterlings in mighty battles with the help of the Blue Wizards - putting a spanner in the works of Sauron & his dark plans. Imagination is a wonderful thing 😃
It's kind of a shame that Tolkien didn't live even longer. Perhaps if he had he might have thought to bring us more stories from Middle-Earth's Far East. Also if I could create a character for Tolkien's fictional world it would be Gandalf The Black. Call me twisted, but despite the potential for him becoming another Sauron the epic battle between two supremely powerful adversaries would seem worth it.
Another excellent video, but what I'd like to know is where to get those maps; I don't recall ever having seen them, and would really like to purchase them. If anyone has info about that, please reply to this comment; thanks in advance.
This is why the Amazon show disappointed me. I was sure that the strange wizard, the black elves, hobbits, and dwarves, and other new an interesting people and scenery meant that we were exploring the east. But there is no story component to the diversity in the cast. So much could have been discovered or explored!
This region would be perfect for a video game adaptation. Open world and pick your race like Skyrim which alters where you start, the story progression and how you interact with other in game characters. Since very little is written about the East you want tick of the fans by getting details wrong cause you can just create a great story and draw on the LOTR lore. You could interact with the blue wizards, avari etc. set the timeline to where there could be some interaction with the west and actually let the character travel to the west, but then make a separate expansion for that
I would suggest looking at the probable population of the east and to how many men Sauron could muster for his wars, as to how much influence he actually had, from a guess not much 🤔
I'd like to believe that the further east you go from Mordor, the less Sauron's influence is prevalent on the people there. And that the heavy losses his Easterling allies suffered in the War of tbe Ring resulted in more enlightened groups rising in the east to improve societies.
If anything, I'd create Easterling characters and Red Mountain dwarf characters for my fan fiction called Fate of the Blue, about what the two blue wizards did in the east.
What kind of characters or stories from the far east would I like to invent? Something similar to the Panderens and Pandaria from World of Warcraft perhaps.
That unknown to the West Sauron was actually fighting on two fronts. While the decisive action occurred in the West at Mt. Doom with the destruction of the ring, in the east several kingdoms and Empires still held out. While Sauron had the upper hand, he was never able to conquer the east entirely. Mordor being a twisted dark reflection of the Mongol Empire, suffering a failed invasion of not-Japan and the stubborn resistance and rebellions of the not-the-Ming Dynasty.
This is what the Amazon series should have focused on. They wanted wizards? They could have used the Blue Wizards rather than force Gandalf into the story thousands of years before he arrived in Middle Earth. They wanted diversity in characters? The East is full of races that could have been cast with non-white actors. They wanted to tell a story that has nothing to do with what Tolkien actually wrote? You could make up any storylines you wanted about the East, rather than butcher stories and characters we do know all about. But, they wouldn’t be able to sell it using characters people knew from the movies, so they might have had to work to get people interested, rather than just try to import interest from the successful movie franchise. God, I hope the leaks about season 2 aren’t real. If they do the Melkor/Bombadil-Ungoliant//Goldberry thing, it’ll prove it’s a show for non-Tolkien fans.
In less than 20 years, LotR & Silmarillion will be out or copyright (in the US anyway). I predict an explosion of novels and stories exploring these very areas. I look forward to it.
It would be so cool to see a Japanese influence with the Far-east people. Especially with their Empire's name the "Land of the Rising sun". Their tactics and methords of torture were horrible. Especially learning what they did to my people (Filippinos). It's fitting that they would align themselves with Sauron.
I’d love to see a followup set in the Forth age set in the East, akin to the new Shadow, but now it’s those in the West who are falling under evils influence and the East must now shape the future of Middle Earth.
I would love to see a group or clan of "Japanese Elves" Essentially a Legolas type of character whose primary skill is with the Katana...(or twin Katana).
I never read the books regrettably but is the stone giants in there (the ones who are fighting in the hobbit movie while the fellowship was crossing them) and if they are can you make a video about them??
Tolkien borrowed heavily from Germanic, Celtic, and medieval (Catholic) mythology. What is in the east of his world is probably not based on what's actually there, but rather what older European myths believed to be there. Valinor is inspired by Tir Na Nog, elves are inspired by Germanic and Celtic mythology, and the starting point of humanity is put in the far east because that was what the medieval Europeans believed (and the Catholic Church taught) for something like 1000 years. Look at his sources of inspiration, and you can probably extrapolate something close to what he intended to have there. My guess is Avari and some sort of Chinese-ish civilization are there. Maybe there is also something like the realm of Prester John?
It's really a shame Tolkien never thought to expand his stories over there. But i guess he wanted to keep some mysteries. 6:46 Didn't Tolkien confirmed that Entwives were all killed ? 13:20 I would like to make a Avari character, see how different he could be from their western cousins, relying solely on the earth and never on the Light.
The people of the East were probably similar to India, Mongolia and China with separate clans and even countries. It is also possible that there were elves and dwarves in the far far east.
Has anybody else read the Ring of Darkness books by Nik Pierumow? It's just a Russian fiction, but covers quite a lot of the east and was enjoyable to me
It’s too bad The Rings of Power didn’t cover more places we know little about like lands east rather the adding a bunch of canon bending/breaking fan fiction and corruption of the known timeline. The Southlands story was one of the best parts (minus Adar).
I’m just waiting for some unreleased Tolkien Letter or Draft where he gives more information regarding the East and the Blue Wizards. I hope it exists. I’d love to know more. But it makes me wonder, if there were ever any on screen adaptation involving the East, would it be permissible for them to take extra creative liberties, as there is so few information?, or rather leaving it in mystery and sticking only to what Tolkien has given us?
I came up with this crazy theory that Assassins creed and LOTR exist in the same universe and it was the Blue Wizards that started the assassins and Sauron's agents started the Templars to control the world through 'order'. Its interesting too because the ritual initiation for the assassins is to cut off the same finder Frodo lost when Gollum bit him. Its a way to pay homage to the event and relinquishing the desire for power.
Tolkien tried to make another book about middle earth, but he focused on the wrong thing. He tried to create a new dark threat in the western part of middle earth and of course it didn’t work. He should have focused his middle earth sequel on the far east of middle earth instead. It was and still is a target rich environment for new epic stories. You have the blue wizards, the avari elves, the remainder of the rest of the dwarven clans, and perhaps even a still surviving Ungoliant. A lot of material to make a great saga from even without Sauron.
Instead of butchering the 2nd age, Rings of Power could have been a story about the east and south. About the Haradrim freeing themselves from the remains of Saurons influence. How Gondor struggles with rebuilding while also driving orc warlords back. How the north rebuilds but has to decide whether or not it even wants to be part of a Gondor empire. How the last elves slowly disappear and the dwarves take steps to finally retake Moria.
I wouldnt create a new story about Tolkien's east. But rather i had in mind of Robert E. Howard's Hyborian Age being a far off connected land in the east of Middle Earth. I can picture Conan facing one Shelob's offspring in the misty swamps of the Pictish wilderness. Incidentally Howard created Conan in 1934 for a pulp magazine. Tolkien released The Hobbit in 1936. Howard may not have been a naster wordsmith and an academic as Tolkien. He did however tell stories that were just as gigantic as the Lord of the Rings in scope; creating vast landscapes and even drew maps to coincide with his character driven stories. He didnt create langauges but gave them names and ideas for his readers to imagine. So yes, they were rivals until Howard died in 1936. But again i make it a fanboy situation that LOTR and Age of Conan exist in the same universe.
I've been watching your channel for a long while now and I enjoy your content. This is just a small critique, though written in a long way. Recently I've noticed that you've been doing a lot of cuts to you speaking into the camera in your office. The office is cool, but you've got these, honestly pretty badass, but also very intense eyes in a very dramatic light shade of blue. You can't change that neither should you, but the cuts to these shots of you in the office in every video now just looks very stone-faced, serious, and looks like you're looking longingly into the camera. Especially at the start of this particular video with the long pull into your face. It looks kind of forced or overly dramatic. I don't know man, it just isn't working. I am an actor and it's definitely tough performing into a camera, but if you truly want to keep this style of shot where it cuts to you sitting in your office looking into the camera, you'll have to change something up a bit. I don't know exactly, but you'll have to like smile more or deliver stuff more candidly. Or maybe just have less cuts to the office and more pictures of middle earth, because honestly your dramatic delivery made as a voice-over on top of middle earth pictures never bothered me in past videos before this recent trend. It's just the mixing of that dramatic delivery with a face on camera shot that doesn't look right. I hope this doesn't come off as harsh. Typed messages with critiques always come off that way. so I'm just saying, this isn't meant to insult you, because I do like your content. I just wanted to offer this minor critique for you to improve your videos.
The Land of the (Rising) Sun? Tolkien obviously based Middle Earth on the real world, the “Men of the West” are Europeans, the Easterlings are equivalent to people in the Near East, and Harad and Far Harad are North Africa and Africa. I imagine the “Far East” and the Land of the Sun to be equivalent to be Central Asia, South Asia, East Asia and Southeast Asia. We will never know what Tolkien thought unless an unknown piece of writing is discovered but if I was ever to write fan fiction I would imagine the people there to be Asian.
I would like to explore the origins of the skin changers. I would think they have their roots more in hengeyokai folk lore of the east rather than lycanthropes of the west.
With your final question 🤔 I have an idea of what could have been Tolkiens sequel, as we know melinar had children with an elve, Could Sauron of had a son? 💥😂🙏😭
