Sauron the deceiver, Lord of the Rings is chief amongst these ruined creatures. It is his will that guides and manipulates these lesser terrors to achieve his own end - the complete and total domination of the world and the subjugation of all who live there.

Shelob is a monstrous and unique creature, the last child of Ungoliant, steeped in malice and guile second only to Sauron himself. Lurking in the crags above Cirith Ungol she feeds upon any who stray too near, using poison and web to immobilise each unsuspecting meal.

Barrow-wights are corrupt and ruined spirits who, leaving the despoiled lands of Rhudaur and Angmar, took up residence in the crumbling tombs and dwellings of Tyrn Gorthad (the Barrow-downs). From here they ensnare any creatures foolish enough to cross their domain, offering them up as sacrifice to ancient and horrific evils.

The Balrog is a dark fragment from a previous age of the world, where the Elves struggled with the ultimate personification of evil itself. A creature of shadow and flame, few beings in Middle-earth can stand before its might.

The Nazgûl were once great kings of Men until their desire for power brought them under Sauron's influence. Now they are lesser shadows in thrall to the greatest of all shadows, irredeemably evil beings who exist in their corrupt unlife only to serve the Lord of the Rings.