Ormal the Lampmaker's History

[mirkwoodfalcon]

Hello all,

While reading in Heart of the Wild, I came across an interesting passage and formulated an idea for a possible plot hook that I would look some feedback on.

On pg 79, it mentions Ormal the Lampmaker. "In ages past, he studied with Celebrimbor of Hollin, who forged the Rings of Power." So, we obviously know that Ormal is incredibly old, and incredibly clever when it comes to creating things of power (he is responsible for all the lighting in Thranduil's halls, the book also tells us.)

Now, we know for a fact that Celebrimbor forged the Three (the Elven rings, in the hands of Gandalf, Elrond, and Galadriel,) but the text never explicitly states who in particular made the other greater rings (the Seven, and the Nine.) Could it be possible that Ormal was once a member of the Gwaith-i-Mirdain, the ringsmiths, and either created (or aided in the creation of) one of the greater Rings of Power? In my imagination I started running with the idea a bit. What if Ormal actually created the Ring of one of the Nazgul that now haunt Mirkwood, and he has gone into hiding and seclusion because he hates what he has done? Perhaps he has forsaken the craft of ringmaking after seeing what it did to his mentor Celebrimbor (who was killed as his corpse used as a banner by Sauron in the late Second Age.)

Thoughts? (Any glaring plotholes would be welcome, and constructive disagreement is also more than welcome. )

[Corvo]

I have nothing to add at the moment, but I find all very interesting

[Arthadan]

That's an interesting idea!

In fact I found odd at first finding a lamp-maker in a Sindarin court, as Elven lamps as usually powered by magical forged jewels which is a Noldorin thing and there is some uneasiness between Noldor and Sindar (speacially if the Noldorin family were followers of Fëanor who took part in the kinslaying of Alqualondë, as most of the Noldor smiths did).

Now, the The Gwaith-i-Mírdain was the "People of the Jewel-smiths", so it makes perfect sense Ormal was one of them. But his area of expertise seems to be jewels rather than rings and his role in Thranduil'd court seems to be to keep darkness away rather than seeking vengance against the Nazgûl or Sauron (who, by the way, were thought to have been destroyed after the Battle of the Last Alliance). So having him waiting for hundreds of years just in case the Nazgûl were not truly vanished, against the beliefs of the Wise, doesn't make much sense I'm afraid.

I'd say there is some old prophecy he must fulfill, something to do with his works (which will fit nicely with his role in the Darkening of Mirkwood campaign). He may feel responsable for the evil the Rings forged by the Gwaith-i-Mírdain have brought to the world (maybe his father was involved?). Also he's old enough to have taken part in the Kinslayer and using his craft to protect Thranduil's realm could be a way to seek redemption.

My 2 cents.