Stories of the Nazgûl - Lagoren of the Neck

[@boreussimius1100]

When you hear the name 'Annatar': "This is where the fun begins."

[@belegthoron8603]

I think that if Galu was a Nâzgul, he would be this man. He sounded like some simple, yet wise lawer. I loved the story. I like the fact that he is a simple man, and that he didn't even became a great lord/warrior/sorcerer with the ring...only a wise man, a lawyer, that led his people to prosperity...and that was decieved for his simple kindess. Thanks Galu for this, keep up the good work!

[@hirluinthefair4335]

I said it before and I'll say it again: You should narrate audio books.

[@aerialballet1990]

would LOVE for him to narrate the Tolkien series with that voice of his. squeee

[@co94]

The narrator really ought to consider a career in voice acting if he hasn’t already. He has a gift.

[@Trevorbid]

This one I quite liked. I found myself genuinely rooting for Lagoren even though I knew he was doomed to fall. Great story there, I look forward to more!

[@thepallghost6443]

3:38. Me: “oh this sounds like a nice guy” Galu: “the fellow announced his name as Annatar” Me: “Oh! He’s him”

[@swamperytooter8891]

Him its him

[@swamperytooter8891]

THE DARKLORD HIMSELF

[@swamperytooter8891]

Papa sauron

[@bloodyiris3]

Lots of people have the vocabulary to write well but just can't put the words together in a cohesive and streamlined way, but you're great at it. Great little story written in a Tolkien-friendly style. Nice job.

Thank you. :)

[@karrackhalcyon8826]

Man i love each of these short stories. And i am with most people in the comments, i would absolutely pay for an audio book narrated by you, especially if it was one of tolkiens works

[@vetarosalyn963]

Is he a ringwraith administrator?

[@dainironfoot5198]

Hey, even Morder needs beurocrats.

[@darthpalpalzang7914]

I bet he authorised a massive amount of tariffs and duties on both the witch king and Souron

[@dainironfoot5198]

@@darthpalpalzang7914 How else to you pay for all the maggoty bread?

[@nikoszaxarias5200]

ABSOLUTE JOY! Yes, the lust for learning, and when you realise what you've done, it's TOO late... Same story as some of the politicians of the modern era. Well done, my friend, I very much look forward to the next stories.

[@GullibleTarget]

Nothing wrong with learning. As long as it serves others more than it serves the 'self'.

[@nikoszaxarias5200]

@@GullibleTarget , yes. But here we don't have learning for others, but for your own glory- or something else. How many times you have seen someone with specific knowledge but extremely proud of it, so that he thinks he knows everything and we the others need to obey to him?

[@giovannicolombini95]

This series Is a masterpiece . I love the idea , the emotions , the fear and displeasure for these people . Common people , with sweet or brave Heart deceived by Sauron. Thanks Galu for this awesome idea. I love it

[@sageofcaledor8188]

This was tragic. Thank you for the nice story.

[@killianleonard3410]

Could you do a video about Tolkien’s life and how it influenced his writing?

[@baeromir]

Like the movie???

[@ThorinOakenshieldII]

Thank you, you made my day. Have lot of things on my mind lately and your videos give me few minutes of ease every now and then. The story was great, ,,jen tak dál" (czech)

[@GullibleTarget]

Beautifully read! Yet,again. Your creativity, passion and innate talent makes these videos what they are. You are-what I like to call; A dreamweaver.

[@Bsweds32]

I always love a tragedy or a fall from grace story I can't wait for more.

[@maxmagnus3793]

Very gripping, though I do feel like it leaves open exactly how the corruption took hold in Lagoren. I feel like temptation and human weakness is essential in the story of the Rings of Power, and those elements are not really present here, it's more just the inevitability of Annatar's magic

[@GullibleTarget]

Yikes.. this hits close to home. Stay away from drugs,kids 😉 Annatar is the classic:' hey,kid; wanna buy some 'magic'?

[@frontierfaust]

Amazing. When I first read this in the mod I thought it was dug up from some lost manuscript of Tolkien.

[@thann4339]

Hannon le, mellon nîn. Hannon le.

[@galumir]

While I very much enjoy those stories, I can't help but wonder why Sauron seems to be interested in Characters of seemingly insignificant characters. Insignificant in the sense of not particularly powerful or influential. The story of the Rhovanion Ringwraith fit very well me thinks because the character rose to much power and influence thus making him a "worthy" target for Sauron's corruption. The Numenorean an now this guy seem to be more random picks. While writing, I am becoming increasingly unsure though whether I would critique this as being out of character by Sauron or if it's part of his inherent cruelty to not only linger with the most prestigious people but cast his shadow upon anyone that so happens to cross his path.

[@ProgMisha]

I had the same feeling. I wondered if it was not strange for Sauron to give the rings to random people. But Sauron is quite cunning and the people he gives the rings to have considerable fortitude and power even before they got the rings. Leofric led Armies, so did Zagar, Lagoren was a leader of his people and I imagine the rest will follow a similar pattern. Talent and a ring of power... that's all you need.

All we know of the Nazgul, as I am sure I will find myself oft repeating is as follows: "Those who used the Nine Rings became mighty in their day, kings, sorcerers, and warriors of old. They obtained glory and great wealth, yet it turned to their undoing." The quote shows that they became great BECAUSE of the rings. There is absolutley no indication of their pre-ring lifestyles. I will however add that the three who were Númenórean were said to be "lords" and you could argue that Zagar was not a lord but I think his lineage is ambiguous enough. Plus, at the end of the day, these are just fun little creations to spice up a mod. :P

[@galumir]

@ It appears that I had missremembered that line (omitting the "became" from memory). In that case my argument is void :-) Thanks for remembering me ^^

[@rook1513]

Obviously I can't know for sure, and it is only my opinion, but I'm certain that the Professor would approve of this series. I don't think he ever wanted to exclude other artists in his world. He just set forth a certain standard, which you have employed exquisitely. (This is, of course, just one man's opinion; but I think we can agree that it is the correct one.)

[@CarlCallmer]

You are very good at narration!

[@Ligizd]

My god this is good. Well done Sir.

[@Caesar_Himself]

This was splendid.

[@robertcopp2411]

I'm excited to see what you do with the other ones. I've seen a handful of noncannon explanations of who the Nazgul were, but none of those authors ever had as good of a grasp on the lore as you do. I'm interested to see how you handle Khamul.

We aren't writing stories for khamul or the WK.

[@robertcopp2411]

Arachîr Galudirithon That makes sense. Those two leave a lot less freedom to come up with interesting stories.

[@Pinkerton000]

These stories are interesting, but I wonder...don't you think it feels odd to give the Nazgul a backstory that is sympathetic and makes them out to be victims? Like, aren't they meant to be a representation of what is left after the greed and lust for power that lies in the hearts of men is allowed to consume everything else? Shouldn't their backstories be as men who strive to grow in knowledge and power, slowly losing sight of the original reason for desiring that power? Shouldn't they be once great men who slowly become terrible men, tyrannical and single-minded? With the rings they had been given, slowly falling into darkness and shadow, and, in their power, isolated from the world, until there is nothing left but a shade that answers the call of the one who promised them greatness? I just don't think it fits well with the lore for the Nazgul to be a victim of his own unthinking generosity, ultimately taken against his will into some unknown fate. It just doesn't feel like the corruption of heart and purpose that I think Tolkien envisioned.

[@hamarbiljungskile8953]

Well put, I agree wholeheartedly.

Each to their own.

[@Maryland2]

I think that it could work for one or two but maybe he could do more stories as you mention. I think that at least two of them would have been taken advantage of, unknowingly aiding the dark power only to be taken as you say into an unknown fate.

[@derrickmonster95]

yeah i agree the nazgul represent mankinds lust for power.Be that lust for good or evil reasons it leads to there eventual downfall to Sauron

[@Makapaa]

@@Maryland2 Yeah.. I've always thought that Sauron is the type that would rather see "great kings", sorcerors and other possible threats to himself being bent and forced to his will than "wasting" a ring of power on a common man - even if turning pure things to tools of evil would entertain him somewhat. Tho it wouldn't surprise me that it would be part of his plan to regain himself to challenge himself with these "turn a man and build a legacy out of it" kind of things.

[@raydavison4288]

Well done! Bravo, sir!

[@MrTreefoz]

Man, these are good.

[@jamesclapper5274]

30 seconds in and I have the video all to myself

[@Emanon...]

Simply excellent

[@beekey720]

I really enjoy these stories :) What i am asking myself: where actually is/was the Neck?

[@codyanglin3758]

I did the same. After looking up the name of the neck he mentioned, this is what I found courtesy of Tolkien Gateway: "Tarlang's Neck was the pass between the main range of the White Mountains and a long, mountainous spur between the sources of the Blackroot and Ciril rivers. The pass had a road in it that connected the Blackroot Vale to the west and the land of Lamedon to the east."

[@beekey720]

@@codyanglin3758 Great, thank you! :)

[@Uberdude6666]

I like how it's a bit silmarillion-like at the start, and then it morphs into something alike to the chapters about the hobbits in lord of the rings in tone. It's fitting for the second age too, like it's the in-between age

[@maraelionfaelivrin5959]

Such a great, thrilling and atmospheric story. In my personal opinion the best until now. And until the end, I hoped Lagoren could still make it although I knew his fate before of course.

[@GullibleTarget]

He is one of Nine. He did not 'make' it. But as a Man...I like to think his spirit rejoined with Eru.

[@maraelionfaelivrin5959]

roddo Thats why I said: „although I knew his fate before...“😂😂😂

[@artphilia247]

Awesome story! Would love to be able to read it on my e-book reader as well. Is it possible that you share the Nazgul stories as textfiles or something? That would be great!

[@billbaraka2879]

This was beuatiful

[@Wolfeson28]

Another great story, and an always-entertaining narration. Out of curiosity, did you have anyone specific in mind for Lagoren's father (if so, you don't have to say who 😉) or just some random Numenorean?

It was just a random Númenórean and, if I am honest, I didn't name him because I didn't want to have to go through the process of building a name. :P

[@Wolfeson28]

@ Makes sense; that's the same reason I never named anyone else in Zagar's story besides coming up with Sauron's alias.

[@pyrrhusofepirus8491]

Honestly I think Lagoren would of been so desperate to remove it he’d of attempted to hack it off, or maybe gritted his teeth and actually tried to bite his finger off. I know it’d hurt like hell but still, desperation can cause men to do extreme things, Numenorean or not. Awesome story though, he could even of found his finger seemingly be as hard as metal and no matter how hard it hurt or bled and tried he couldn’t get it off.

[@stijnvanbezouwen6443]

Friggn awesome! They should make a 'Stories freom Middle Earth' tv series/show where each episode they portray a part of the universe. Would be so cool.

[@hamarbiljungskile8953]

Why does everything need a franchise?

[@stijnvanbezouwen6443]

@@hamarbiljungskile8953 I mean, why not? It would just bring to screen more of the universe we fell inlove with. How is that a bad thing?

[@hamarbiljungskile8953]

@@stijnvanbezouwen6443 Yeah, because that turned out so well for Star Wars. And Star Trek. And The Hobbit wasn't a complete and utter shite of a trilogy. Yeah, that's a hard fucking pass from me. I'd rather stick to the books and my imagination to bring things to life.

[@j.l.2398]

I like the Series mostly, because one has finally the courage to expand the Tolkien lore. I have always the feeling that many Tolkien Fans are too protective when it comes to lore expansions, but I love it.

[@KuLaydMahn]

It's a shame Tolkien never expanded on the back stories ofnthe Nazgul beyond the Witch King. But I like these!

[@SpiritofFeanor]

Does "Lagoren" mean anything, in particular, the name sounds great, well done! on the story.

[@dabakrada5077]

Wow, that was smashing. Maybe one day you might be a guest on the late show with Stephen Colbert, who is a lotr fan...

[@Antipius]

Awesome!!

[@jeffhreid]

I liked it

[@peterholden2016]

I want to know what he went on to do in the service of Sauron.

We don't need that bit of the story for the mod. Plus, it is easier writing about what they did in the 100 or so years of their life. It could well be a novel to describe what they did in the c.3500 years from their turning to the start of the mod...

[@noahtylerpritchett2682]

I am curios. How exactly is this guy a king?

[@HegoDamask8306]

6 days and only two dislikes. I too agree with the Curve

[@manfrommontreal]

Very sad.

[@alexanderfeasley3312]

Did Lagoren being "called" get inspiration from the dragon age games?

Nope. I have never played them.

[@swamperytooter8891]

Imagine the name of the witch king is ARACHIR

[@swamperytooter8891]

Cuz hes tje administrator like 😂

[@ciaran_mcghee_music]

10/10

[@iamok7085]

I don't know, there's something not quite right about this Anne Atar chap.

[@PrivateSlacker]

The moral of this story is don't help people. I understand Sauron is a deceiver, and an innocent man got deceived in this story. But I thought the nazgul were all ruthless heartless kings and Sauron used their greed to seduce them. Even the ring only amplifies lust which is why the hobbits were the safest people to carry the ring.

Common misconception. The Nazgul became great AFTER they were given the rings. "Those who used the Nine Rings became mighty in their day, kings, sorcerers, and warriors of old. They obtained glory and great wealth, yet it turned to their undoing"

[@GullibleTarget]

The moral of the story is; you are perfect; just the way you are. Don't try to be more or, less; That's not you. Not being 'you' means you have no love for yourself. If you can't love yourself for who you are, how are you going to love others? You are good enough. You don't need no ring

[@blacktemplar2941]

Knife to finger...that is all.

[@blacktemplar2941]

@Larry Rudedude well knife to finger beats battleship!

I dont understand this reference. :-(

[@blacktemplar2941]

@ just a joke on rock paper scissors

[@noahtylerpritchett2682]

@ cut the finger off. Or at least the hand

[@gregordaine7944]

Excellent but i always expected the Nazgul were "fallen kings / lords" etc but you said this is a false understanding. .. ok.

They became great kings, sorcerers and warriors AFTER getting the rings. They may well have been great before hand but that is open to poetic licence.

[@jamesclapper5274]

First