In the popular Middle-earth video game series Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and Middle-earth: Shadow of War, players take on the role of Talion, a Ranger of Gondor who bonds with the wraith of the Elf Lord Celebrimbor to take revenge against Sauron and his forces. However, one question that often comes up is whether Talion himself is one of the nine Ringwraiths or Nazgûl from The Lord of the Rings. Let’s take a closer look at the evidence to determine if Talion could be one of the nine.
Who Are the Nine Ringwraiths?
The nine Ringwraiths, also known as the Nazgûl, were once great kings and sorcerers of Men who were corrupted and enslaved by Sauron when they accepted the nine Rings of Power gifted to them. Over time, the rings extended their lives but also turned them into terrifying undead servants of the Dark Lord. Their true identities were:
- Khamûl – Once an Easterling lord
- Second Ringwraith (name unknown) – Possibly a Númenórean lord
- Third Ringwraith (name unknown) – Possibly a Númenórean lord
- Fourth Ringwraith (name unknown) – Possibly a Númenórean lord
- Fifth Ringwraith (name unknown) – Possibly a Haradrim or Númenórean
- Sixth Ringwraith (name unknown) – Possibly a Haradrim or Númenórean
- Akhorahil – Once a Númenórean lord
- Hoarmurath – Once a Númenórean lord
- Adunaphel – Once a Númenórean queen
- Ren the Unclean – A great Númenórean lord
These nine servants of Sauron played key roles in his campaigns across Middle-earth throughout the Second and Third Ages. Their identities are largely shrouded in mystery beyond a few names and titles. Now, could Talion be one of them?
Examining the Evidence on Talion
There are a few important pieces of evidence to examine when considering whether Talion could be one of the nine Ringwraiths:
- Race of Men – The Ringwraiths were all originally Men, which Talion is as well as a Ranger of Gondor.
- Corrupted by Sauron – The nine Ringwraiths fell under the sway of Sauron when they accepted the Rings of Power. While not given a Ring, Talion is tempted by the wraith Celebrimbor towards power and vengeance against Sauron, putting him on a similar path.
- Bonded with a Wraith – Talion bonds with the spirit of the Elf Lord Celebrimbor, who could be considered a wraith. The Nine bonded with the power of Sauron’s rings to become wraiths themselves.
- Undead abilities – Through Celebrimbor, Talion gains supernatural powers very similar to the Ringwraiths – controlling minds, draining life, and cheating death.
- Seeking power – The Nine were corrupted by their desire for power. Talion is also tempted by Celebrimbor to gain power at any cost to avenge his family.
Based on these points, Talion does share some important similarities with the Ringwraiths. However, there are also some key differences that likely eliminate him as a candidate:
Differences from the Ringwraiths
- Existing after the Nine – Talion’s adventures take place between the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, long after the Nine Ringwraiths were created.
- No Ring of Power – Talion was never gifted one of the nine Rings of Power by Sauron that corrupted the wraiths.
- Resists corruption – Despite Celebrimbor’s influence, Talion actively resists the pull towards evil and Power.
- Eru’s gift – Talion is resurrected by the direct intervention of Eru Ilúvatar, putting him on a different path from the Ringwraiths.
- Elf spirit ally – Instead of being dominated by Sauron’s spirit like the Nine, Talion partners with the Elf Celebrimbor as an ally.
Based on these key differences, it seems highly unlikely that Talion could represent one of the nine Ringwraiths described in The Lord of the Rings story. While his character draws some inspiration from them, he is better understood as a new hero facing similar temptation rather than an existing Nazgûl.
Conclusion
In the end, the evidence strongly suggests that Talion is not one of Sauron’s nine Ringwraiths from The Lord of the Rings. While he shares some similarities with them as a Man bonded to a wraith-like spirit and tempted by power, key timeline issues and narrative differences set Talion apart. His willpower to resist corruption and direct blessing from Eru also put him on a redemptive path divergent from the Ringwraiths. Talion may be inspired by the Nine, but he stands as his own complex and engaging hero within the Shadow games.