In J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy series “The Lord of the Rings,” the Nazgul, also known as the Ringwraiths or Black Riders, are some of the most feared and mysterious antagonists. Once great kings who were given Rings of Power by the Dark Lord Sauron, they were ultimately corrupted and enslaved by their desire for power. Now, they serve as his most trusted servants, relentlessly hunting down the One Ring.
The Nazgul are shrouded in darkness and known for their terrifying screeches and their ability to inspire fear and despair in those they encounter. They ride on spectral steeds and are nearly invincible, as they are invisible to most except for those with great strength of will or certain magical items.
Despite their formidable powers, the Nazgul are ultimately doomed to serve Sauron’s will and are ultimately destroyed when the One Ring is destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom. Their story is a tragic one of power and corruption, and their presence in Middle-earth adds a sense of dread and danger to Tolkien’s intricate and richly imagined world.
Image by Peet de Rouw from Flickr.
