THE BALROG	DWARVES
The model shown above is shown smaller than actual size. When the Dwarves of Moria mined too deeply, in their greed for the mithril that could be found there, they awoke a great terror. The Balrog is a dark fragment from a previous age, where the Elves struggled with the ultimate personification of evil itself. A creature of shadow and flame, few in Middle-earth can stand before it.	Like the Elves, the Dwarves are an elder race whose days are fading as Men come into prominence. In most other ways, however, the Dwarves are quite dissimilar from Elves. Where Elves are tall and gracefully spoken, Dwarves are short and gruff. Where Elves prefer to dwell in the forests of Middle-earth, the Dwarves carve their halls deep within the roots of the mountains and have holds in Erebor, the Iron Hills and the Ered Luin.
More About the Balrog Painting the Balrog Darren Parwood's Light-up Balrog	Dwarves Homepage Who Are The Dwarves? Dwarves Miniatures Gallery
EAGLES	ELVES
The model shown above is shown smaller than actual size. The Giant Eagles of Middle-earth are more than mere birds, but are mighty and intelligent creatures who converse as equals with the Elves. At the time of the War of the Ring the lord of the Eagles is Gwaihir, the Windlord.	In ages past the Elves were the undisputed lords of Middle-earth but as time passes they make their journey to the lands of the west in increasing numbers, leaving Middle-earth to the ascendant race of Men. Many Elves still remain though, and their havens in Mirkwood, Lorien and Rivendell remain a bastion against the forces of the Dark Lord.
More about Gwaihir Painting Gwaihir	Elves Homepage Who Are The Elves? Elves Miniatures Gallery
ENTS	HOBBITS
The model shown above is shown smaller than actual size. Fangorn forest is home to the Ents, the mighty Treeherds who tend the forests and wildernesses in Middle-earth. They care little for the affairs of the shorter lived races in Middle-earth although wanton destruction of their forest homes can move them to intervene. The oldest of the Ents of Fangorn is Treebeard, who befriends the Hobbits Merry and Pippin.	In the land of the Shire live a diminutive and rustic people who nevertheless prove surprisingly resilient when faced with hardships. These are the Hobbits and without their heroism the War of the Ring would surely have been lost. The creature Gollum was once much like a Hobbit, but has warped after long years spent in possession of the One Ring which corrupted him in body and mind.
More about Treebeard Painting Treebeard Rules for the Ents Converting Ents	Frodo, Sam and Gollum Merry and Pippin Bilbo Baggins Painting Hobbits
MEN	ORCS
The Third Age has seen the societies of Men in the ascent as the presence of Elves and Dwarves dwindles in Middle-earth. In the West the mighty nations of Gondor and Rohan provide a stout defence against Sauron and his minions. However there are many men who have become vassals of the dark powers - Sauron can call on his allies from the land of Harad, and mysterious Easterlings also join his forces, whilst Saruman has recruited the tribes of Dunland to his cause.	In ages past the first Dark Lord was rumoured to have created Orcs by twisting and torturing Elves that he had taken prisoner in his dungeons. Orcs have spread all over Middle-earth and are sometimes known as Goblins by its inhabitants. In the Third Age a new breed of Orc has appeared, stronger and better able to stand the light of the sun which all Orcs fear. Both Sauron and Saruman make use of these Uruk-hai in their forces.
Gondor Homepage Rohan Homepage Harad Homepage Painting the Riders of Rohan	Who are the Moria Goblins? Mordor Homepage Isengard Homepage Painting Mordor Orcs
SAURON	SPIDERS
The model shown above is shown smaller than actual size. Once the shadow of a power of even greater strength and malice, Sauron is now the chief enemy of the Free Peoples of Middle-earth. Sauron is the master of the One Ring and it is his defeat during the Last Alliance of Elves and Men which sets into motion the events which lead to the War of The Ring.	In the wilderness areas of Middle-earth lurk many dangerous wild animals and some of the most dangerous are the giant spiders. These creatures are descended from a single mother, Shelob, who haunts the mountains on the western border of Mordor and hunts the Orcs who guard that land.
More About Sauron Painting Sauron	Assembling and Painting Shelob Shelob Scenario
TROLLS	THE WATCHER IN THE WATER
Long ago the first Dark Lord created the Trolls in mockery of the Ents. As strong and resilient as rock these creatures suffered the weakness that they turned to stone in sunlight. By the Third Age Sauron had nurtured an even stronger breed of Troll, able to walk abroad in daylight.	Note that the model shown above was built by a hobbyist and is not sold by Games Workshop. The Watcher in the Water is a strange and horrifying monster that lurks in the deep waters of the pool near the west gate of Moria. When the Fellowship enter the mines the Watcher attacks them, grasping Frodo in one of its many tentacles.
More about the Trolls of Mordor More about Cave Trolls Modelling Mordor Trolls Painting a Cave Troll	Making the Watcher in the Water
WIGHTS AND WRAITHS	WIZARDS
Barrow-wights are corrupt and ruined spirits who took up residence in the crumbling tombs and dwellings of 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 Ringwraiths were once great kings of Men until their hunger for power brought them under Sauron's influence. Now they are irredeemably evil beings who exist in their corrupt unlife only to serve the Lord of the Rings.	Wise and powerful Wizards walk amongst the lands of Middle-earth, lending aid to those who require it, their power concealed by the frail forms that they wear. As the years pass other distractions have taken their toll however, and whilst Gandalf remains attentive to his duties Radagast the Brown spends increasing amounts of time alone in the wilderness, whilst Saruman's investigations into the ways of the Enemy have brought him under Sauron's corrupting influence.
More about Ringwraiths More about Barrow-wights Painting Ringwraiths	More about Gandalf More about Saruman More about Radagast Tactics for Wizards