Is Talion Part of the Lore?
Talion is not part of the original Lord of the Rings lore, despite being a key character in the Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and Middle-earth: Shadow of War games, with his backstory and actions not being part of J.R.R. Tolkien’s original works. The character of Talion is a non-canonical creation, designed to fit within the Middle-earth universe while offering a unique narrative and gameplay experience.
Understanding Talion’s Role
To delve deeper into the world of Middle-earth and understand Talion’s place within it, it’s essential to explore various aspects of his character and the games he appears in. The following FAQs provide comprehensive insights into Talion’s background, his relationship with other characters, and the implications of his actions within the Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War narratives.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Talion one of the nine Nazgûl? Talion eventually becomes one of the Nazgûl after resisting the corrupting effects of the Ring for decades, ultimately giving in to its influence.
- What do the orcs call Talion? Orcs and Orc Captains refer to Talion as “the Tark“.
- Did Talion become a Ringwraith? Yes, Talion becomes a Ringwraith after putting on Isildur’s Ring and eventually succumbing to its power.
- Is Shadow of War canon? Shadow of War is not considered canon within the Lord of the Rings lore, as it introduces elements and storylines not present in Tolkien’s original works.
- Why isn’t Shadow of War canon? The game is not canon because Tolkien did not write about the period the game is set in, and the story is more intricate than anything Tolkien penned.
- Why is Celebrimbor a wraith? Celebrimbor becomes a Wraith after being brutally killed by Sauron, who used his own mithril hammer against him, leading Celebrimbor to forsake the Halls of Mandos.
- What did Sauron think of Talion? Sauron views Talion as a tool to be used, similar to how he views Celebrimbor, but also as a significant annoyance and distraction.
- Why did Celebrimbor betray Talion? Celebrimbor betrays Talion because he intends to overthrow Sauron rather than destroy him, leading him to end his bond with Talion and possess Eltariel.
- Why is Celebrimbor with Talion? Celebrimbor is bound to Talion because their death circumstances are alike, and Celebrimbor chose Talion to bind his spirit to instead of the Black Hand.
- Is Talion related to Boromir? Talion is inspired by Boromir, but they are not related within the context of the games or the Lord of the Rings lore.
- Was Talion sacrificed? Talion’s family was sacrificed in an attempt to summon the power of an Elven Wraith into the Black Hand.
- Did Isildur become a Nazgûl? Yes, Isildur was revived by Sauron with one of the nine Rings and became a Nazgûl after his spirit was broken through torture.
- Was Celebrimbor evil? In the context of the games, Celebrimbor appears to be a mastermind of evil, driving the corruption of the Rings and acting out of greed.
- Is Gandalf in Shadow of War? Yes, Gandalf is a character in Shadow of War, particularly in the mobile version of the game.
- Does Shadow of War ever end? The game’s endgame, known as the Shadow Wars, consists of a series of challenging sieges with a reward at the end, providing a conclusion to the game’s storyline.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Talion is an integral part of the Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and Middle-earth: Shadow of War games, his character and the events of the games are not considered part of the canonical Lord of the Rings lore. The games offer a unique and engaging narrative that expands on the Middle-earth universe, introducing new characters and storylines that, while inspired by Tolkien’s works, stand outside the original canon. By exploring the FAQs and understanding the context of Talion’s character, fans of the Lord of the Rings and the Middle-earth games can gain a deeper appreciation for the intricate world-building and storytelling present in both the original literature and the game adaptations.