Howdy goblins!


I'm on a quest to figure out the original homes and fates of the Orc-tribes of Angmar.
Back during the War of Three Peaks, Brathar Crack-helm (Self-proclaimed leader of the Dourhands after the 2nd death of Skorgrím Dourhand) said something that caught my eye in a big way while addressing the Angmarim in Tûr Ágal:
"The Orcs have forsaken you to grovel before the son of Bolg."
He might have been talking big or speculating out-loud; but if he was speaking the truth, this has massive implications for the Iron Crown.

We know that with the destruction of the One Ring, there was a great upheaval and exodus in Angmar -- and the Iron Crown broke apart.
1 - With news of the Dark Lord's defeat, the Dourhands perceived the Angmarim as weak power-hungry fools and some left to sue for peace with the new King under the Mountain, while others followed Brathar in his attempt to manipulate the Angmarim.
2 - Dissent spread like wildfire among the Trév Duvárdain, questioning the leadership of the Angmarim and uprisings began to flare up around the Bails.
3 - The Orcs cut their ties to the Iron Crown and fled to Mount Gundabad to wall themselves in with Gorgar the Ruthless against the fury of the Free Peoples.
4 - Only a handful of Gertheryg remained in Angmar, the others pulverized their drivers and went back into the Far North.

With the release of Gwathrenost, we know that the Krahjarn Tribe (by name) remained loyal to the Iron Crown, as they are seen guarding the gates of the Witch-king's citadel in Carn Dûm.
The fate of the other Orc-tribes is uncertain, though we know that those who made it to Gundabad had a bad time; given the choice between being mind-slaved by the Frost Horde or slain by the Gabil'akkâ after Gorgar's defeat on the bloody threshold.



=======Orc-tribes of Angmar=======

1 - Tarkrîp (Black-speech: Man-flayers)
Said to be the largest of the tribes; numerous as the orcs of Mordor but primitive and almost impossible to organize into an actual army.
The closest thing to a leader we have seen from Tarkrîp is an Uruk called Drukordh.
The Tarkrîp home is difficult to pinpoint, as they are found all over Angmar, the North-downs and Lone-lands.
Given their appearance, they could be related to the Orcs of Gundabad, or even identified as the tribe that fled Angmar.


2 - Blogmal (Black-speech: Blood Mountain)
Little is known about this tribe, save that it emerged from the pits of Carn Dûm and formed the backbone Witch-king's army during his return in Shadows of Angmar.
Given their presence in the pits of the North, it can be speculated that they are of the same Orc-stock that served Morgoth in Angband.
During the events of the game they were commanded to take up holdings in Fornost in preparations for war with Eriador under Warchief Búrzghâsh.


3 - Ongbúrz (Black-speech: Dark-iron)
The Ongbúrz formed the tip of Angmar's spear during the War in the Ettenmoors, headed first by War-tyrant Gurhardron and later by Akúlhun after Tyrant Durgrat was passed over for promotion.
They were masters of siege-craft and fought with poisoned blades under the command of Warchief Zaukîl (Deceased).
This tribe is almost certainly from Mount Gram, given that their largest concentrations are Gramsfoot, Dâr-gazag and Dol Dínen.

Note: There is a curious mixing of the Ongbúrz and Blogmal in the game, as the quest "Orcs of the Blood Mountain" requires you to fight the Ongbúrz at Dol Dínen, but the name directly references the Blogmal Tribe.
This curiosity is emphasized by the Blogmal war-host jammed up on the only road through Ram Dúath, which leads directly to Dol Dínen.


4 - Krahjarn (Black-speech: Iron/Steel-arm)
This is the smallest but most feared and respected tribe in Angmar; comprised of fearsome Black-orcs and mighty Uruks hand-picked from the other tribes.
The Krahjarn are the citadel-guard of Carn Dûm and personal guard of the Witch-king (and later Mordirith, Amarthiel, and Witch-queen Ásachal)
They are the only tribe to field Gertheryg in battle, and are confirmed to have remained loyal to the Iron Crown with the release of the raid Gwathrenost.


5 - Ghâshfra (Black-speech: Firefoot)
A tribe of seemingly immortal orcs, burned and sealed in the Rift of Nûrz Ghâshu alongside the Balrog, Thaurlach, and the Nameless Ever-seer.
It is suggested that these Orcs are in the service of Mordor, seeking to defeat the Eldgang and break the chains of Thaurlach.
This does not explain their presence in Norbar, well-beyond the excavations of the Tarkrîp who uncovered the Rift while digging for obsidian and iron.
This in turn gives rise to the theory that they, like the other Ghâsh-hai, have attained an Elf-like immortality, and that the Ghâshfra in fact served Morgoth before they were sealed away along with Thaurlach; possibly even being unaware of Morgoth's defeat and the rise of Sauron, his servant.
This theory is further fed by the presence of Dragon-kind who are subservient to the Ghâshfra, an anomaly not seen in any other Orc-tribe in Middle-Earth.


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What are your thoughts?

Am I spending way too much time on fictional computer-orcs who could have no backstory at all? (still yes)
Where do you think each tribe originated and went?

Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy exploring Middle-Earth as much as I do