Did this as my final project before I graduated, had to scale down the size of the drawing because the original size made my computer cry and it would take forever to upload.
This series of posts goes into further detail on some of the trajectories of a captured elf and what life will look like for various prisoners depending on where they are in the fortress. Obviously I use as much canon information and inferences as I can however some of this is my own invention as well.
The forges of Angband hold the second highest population of elven slaves after the mines though there is a very large difference between the populations of the two.
There are about one hundred and sixty elves in the forges with another fifteen performing maintenance tasks and two rotating healers assigned. This number is not fixed, there have been periods where there were nearly two hundred in the forges. These elves are branded with the first letter in the common word for forge with those who have been trained in more specialized work often having additional marks, sometimes symbolizing the Maia who has claimed them. This is of course in addition to the brand all prisoners receive. (More about branding in the first Hierarchies post)
Though Sauron has his own forges for experimentation and projects, there are few elven prisoners here. The main forges produce weapons, armor and other materials and are worked by both orcs and elves with oversight from several Maiar assistants to Sauron
The majority of prisoners here had some amount of experience with precision work and similar prior to their capture. Though the Noldor are most concerned with metal work, the elves of Beleriand, particularly the Sindar have some experience with various crafts that can be adapted to the forges. A small number are gifted in the use of Song and other practices to manipulate various materials, typically though not always organic ones. This gift is not universally utilized however. I spoke about how prisoners are chosen for various work here and in other posts on the masterlist. Various practices of the elves that could have aided in the forges of Angband are not fully useful if coerced and, especially in the beginning, many captives were killed or cast aside as fodder or disposable entertainment for refusing to allow their practices and gifts to be used in the forges.
Once the Noldor returned to Beleriand, Sauron was especially interested in collecting a number of them for his forges and those of the fortress as a whole.
Due to the ready access to dangerous materials and conditions combined with the high risk of suicide in the fortress as well as violence in defense, prisoners here are kept under heavy scrutiny and many are under direct control of one of the small group of Maiar assistants to Sauron who oversee the work in the forges. Some of these claims are common knowledge with the elves in question often being ostracized but not all of these are known and this helps to foster an environment of paranoia. (More about how stigma, mistrust and discord are fostered among the prisoners in the first hierarchies post as well as others on the masterlist, it’s honestly one of my favorite topics)
There is a strict inventory of all materials and tools more than once a day with severe punishment for any misplacement let alone theft. Precision is difficult in the chaos and misery of captivity but it’s demanded in the forges nonetheless. Any injury that would prevent work for more than one or, at most two days often results in the injured elf being marked for disposable entertainment, fodder, or sent to the pits. The exception is if there simply is not a replacement or if they have specific skills needed by the overseers or Sauron. In these cases, they will face severe punishment in other ways (typically solitary confinement, sensory deprivation, or a particularly degrading though not physically damaging task to perform publicly)
The elves of the forges sleep in a communal space similar to those who serve in the kitchens with a few being kept in individual cells (sometimes for punishment, sometimes because they have been ‘claimed’ by one of the Maiar. In this case they might occasionally be given other sleeping areas too). Few of the elves have possessions of their own and the clothes they wear for protection in the forges are removed when they leave the forges each day. In small groups of about eight to twelve, they are taken once a week to crude communal bathing rooms typically consisting of several large basins of cold water, torn rags and occasionally soap made from animal or well, sometimes elven, see my fic about it :)fat.
There are three communal rooms for them each holding about fifty. They sleep on the ground with one or two of the oldest having been given cots. They will sometimes trade these between them, especially if one of their number is especially in pain. These little kindnesses are not a constant however.
Elves in the forges are at a higher risk of being claimed by one of the higher ups than those in the mines who are largely anonymous to their overseers (though still frequently subjected to abuse of all kinds).
Talking between the forge workers is heavily monitored but as is often necessary, not so strictly banned as in other places. However, especially in the beginning of the Noldor’s return to Beleriand, there were significant language barriers. Exasperated maiar will often teach a few words in the language of the fortress used by the orcs and older elven slaves to ease communication. Imposed language barriers are often maintained to further the sense of confusion and uncertainty among the prisoners however most elven captives of Angband learn at least a bit of one or more of the most common tongues of Angband.
As always please feel free to ask more! The next entry in this series will be on the prisoners in the upper levels of the fortress
And in Utumno Melkor gathered his demons about him, those spirits who first adhered to him in the days of his splendour, and became most like him in his corruption.
And Melkor made also a fortress and armoury not far from the north-western shores of the sea, to resist any assault that might come from Aman. That stronghold was commanded by Sauron, lieutenant of Melkor; and it was named Angband.
“By the command of Morgoth the Orcs with great labour gathered all the bodies of those who had fallen in the great battle, and all their harness and weapons, and piled them in a great mound in the midst of Anfauglith; and it was like a hill that could be seen from afar. Haudh-en-Ndengin the Elves named it, the Hill of Slain, and Haudh-en-Nirnaeth, the Hill of Tears. But grass came there and grew again long and green upon that hill, alone in all the desert that Morgoth made; and no creature of Morgoth trod thereafter upon the earth beneath which the swords of the Eldar and the Edain crumbled into rust.”
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“Therefore Húrin was brought before Morgoth, for Morgoth knew that he had the friendship of the King of Gondolin; but Húrin defied him, and mocked him. Then Morgoth cursed Húrin and Morwen and their offspring, and set a doom upon them of darkness and sorrow; and taking Húrin from prison he set him in a chair of stone upon a high place of Thangorodrim. There he was bound by the power of Morgoth, and Morgoth standing beside him cursed him again; and he said: ‘Sit now there; and look out upon the lands where evil and despair shall come upon those whom thou lovest. Thou hast dared to mock me, and to question the power of Melkor, Master of the fates of Arda. Therefore with my eyes thou shalt see, and with my ears thou shalt hear; and never shalt thou move from this place until all is fulfilled unto its bitter end.’”
“Now the thought of Morgoth dwelt ever upon Turgon; for Turgon had escaped him, of all his foes that one whom he most desired to take or to destroy. And that thought troubled him, and marred his victory, for Turgon of the mighty house of Fingolfin was now by right King of all the Noldor; and Morgoth feared and hated the house of Fingolfin, because they had the friendship of Ulmo his foe, and because of the wounds that Fingolfin gave him with his sword. And most of all his kin Morgoth feared Turgon; for of old in Valinor his eye had lighted upon him, and whenever he drew near a shadow had fallen on his spirit, foreboding that in some time that yet lay hidden, from Turgon ruin should come to him.”
“Then the Havens were laid in ruin, and the tower of Barad Nimras cast down; and the most part of Círdan’s people were slain or enslaved. But some went aboard ship and escaped by sea; and among them was Ereinion Gil-galad, the son of Fingon, whom his father had sent to the Havens after the Dagor Bragollach. This remnant sailed with Círdan south to the Isle of Balar, and they made a refuge for all that could come thither; for they kept a foothold also at the Mouths of Sirion, and there many light and swift ships lay hid in the creeks and waters where the reeds were dense as a forest.”
“Last of all Húrin stood alone. Then he cast aside his shield, and wielded an axe two-handed; and it is sung that the axe smoked in the black blood of the troll-guard of Gothmog until it withered, and each time that he slew Húrin cried: ‘Aurë entuluva! Day shall come again!’ Seventy times he uttered that cry; but they took him at last alive, by the command of Morgoth, for the Orcs grappled him with their hands, which clung to him still though he hewed off their arms; and ever their numbers were renewed, until at last he fell buried beneath them. Then Gothmog bound him and dragged him to Angband with mockery.”
“Then Beren and Lúthien went through the Gate, and down the labyrinthine stairs; and together wrought the greatest deed that has been dared by Elves or Men. For they came to the seat of Morgoth in his nethermost hall that was upheld by horror, lit by fire, and filled with weapons of death and torment. There Beren slunk in wolf’s form beneath his throne; but Lúthien was stripped of her disguise by the will of Morgoth, and he bent his gaze upon her.”
Guys, you surely know that now it’s quiet difficult time for… ok, it’s quiet difficult time for all of us and we all understand that. So I just want to remind you that you can support me and buy a commission. Here you can check the info about prices, payment and other: https://koramora.tumblr.com/post/187195925053/so-commissions
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Well, since an eternity of silence I’m back again with Silm fanart. One day I’ll stop redesigning him but not today, I guess…
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Guys, unfortunately, I have some real health problems so I opened commissions. You can order one for future holidays. An art of original character or fanart of favourite character of a book or series will be a great gift for everyone!
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When orc scouts reported to Melkor that mortals had created a game for the very first day of April where you fool one another, he chuckled gleefully, quickly creating a plan to fool his lieutenant.
While Mairon did not seem to enjoy it, he certainly did…
