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| This villain was proposed but was rejected by the community for not being heinous enough or lacks what is necessary to be a Pure Evil villain. Therefore, this villain shall be added to our "Never Again List", where proposed villains rejected by the community shall be placed to prevent future proposals of the same evil-doer. They can be proposed again (with the permission of an administrator) if new elements appear in their series that can change their status as non-PE villains. Any act of adding this villain to the Pure Evil category without a proposal or creating a proposal for this villain without the permission of an administrator will result in a ban. | ||
| “ | Then the Unlight of Ungoliant rose up even to the roots of the trees, and Melkor sprang upon the mound; and with his black spear he smote each Tree to its core, wounded them deep, and their sap poured forth as it were their blood, and was spilled upon the ground. But Ungoliant sucked it up, and going then from Tree to Tree she set her black beak to their wounds, till they were drained; and the poison of Death that was in her went into their tissues and withered them, root, branch, and leaf; and they died. And still she thirsted, and going to the Wells of Varda she drank them dry; but Ungoliant belched forth black vapours as she drank, and swelled to a shape so vast and hideous that Melkor was afraid. | „ |
| ~ The Silmarillion about Ungoliant. |
Ungoliant is a major antagonist in the Middle-earth legendarium, appearing in The Silmarillion. She is an ancient and malevolent entity, feared by all in the land of Arda, appearing in the form of a monstrous spider. She embodied the concepts of greed, destruction, and a insatiable appetite for power. Originally aligned with Melkor in the realm of Aman, she also briefly lent her allegiance to him in Middle-earth. Known as the progenitor of Shelob, she was the very first and most ancient of all the giant spiders in existence in Arda.
Description
Appearance
Ungoliant's main form is an immense spider-like creature that is both terrifying and grotesque. Her appearance is so otherworldly and disturbing that it defies understanding. Picture a colossal spider crafted from darkness, its very presence shrouded in gloom and devoid of any light reflection.
Personality
Motivated by an unquenchable appetite, she is constantly driven by a voracious hunger that devours all in its wake, leaving nothing in its path untouched. This insatiable desire for sustenance is her defining trait, guiding her actions and shaping her very being. The insatiable craving for sustenance within me is not driven by a mere physiological necessity, but rather by a malevolent force that revels in the suffering and devastation it causes. It is a sinister hunger that feeds off of pain and chaos, growing stronger with each act of cruelty and malevolence it inflicts upon the world. Her treachery knows no bounds, as seen in her disloyalty towards Morgoth. She is completely driven by selfish motives and is willing to betray anyone in exchange for a mere glimmer of light or sustenance. Her actions demonstrate her unscrupulous nature and lack of loyalty.
History
Incarnation into Arda
The true origins of Ungoliant remain shrouded in mystery. As a Spirit of Evil, she could have originated from the Void or possibly been a fallen Ainu, having once been counted among the Maiar before succumbing to the influence of Melkor during the tumultuous events of the Ainulindalë. There is speculation that Ungoliant may have been a Maiar corrupted by Melkor, but ultimately she acted solely in her own interests while in Arda.
When Melkor transformed his loyal followers into demonic beings like Balrogs, Ungoliant assumed the shape of a monstrous spider of immense size. Filled with anger, she renounced her allegiance to her master and sought solace in the desolate lands of Arda, seeking sanctuary from the Valar and the fierce hunters of Oromë. Nestled in a deep ravine beneath a stronghold constructed of dark, twisted webs, she passed countless years consumed by insatiable cravings and insatiable hunger.
Union of the Dark
Ungoliant was originally under the control of Melkor, who eventually transformed into the infamous Morgoth. However, she eventually broke away from his influence and established herself as an independent entity. Despite this independence, she ultimately returned to Morgoth's side when he approached her with a tempting offer.
Morgoth requested that Ungoliant accompany him to Valinor in order to destroy the two sacred trees that were essential to the harmony and prosperity of the land. Initially hesitant and afraid, Ungoliant was swayed by Morgoth's promise to fulfill her insatiable hunger and desires once their destructive mission was complete. Ultimately, she agreed to assist Morgoth in carrying out his malevolent plan.
Ungoliant created a dark shroud around herself and Morgoth, allowing them to sneak into Valinor unseen. Once they arrived at the two Trees, Morgoth pierced them with his weapon, draining them of their precious essence. Ungoliant, who had been starved for so long, eagerly consumed the magical sap from the Trees, causing her to grow to an immense size. Still ravenous, she sought out a sacred well and greedily drank from it until it was empty, terrifying even Morgoth with her size. However, this gluttonous act left Ungoliant with an insatiable hunger that plagued her from that moment on.
After fleeing from the Valar and Maiar in Middle-earth, Morgoth and Ungoliant found themselves alone once again. Morgoth, feeling uneasy about their partnership, tried to sneak away but was stopped by the relentless Ungoliant. She reminded him of his promise and demanded the gems of Formenos as payment. Reluctantly, Morgoth handed them over, only to watch in horror as Ungoliant grew even more powerful. But her greed knew no bounds, and she demanded the Silmarils next. Morgoth, knowing the value of the precious jewels, refused her request. Angered by his defiance, Ungoliant attacked Morgoth with her webs, intent on overpowering him and taking what she desired by force.
Morgoth's Balrogs launched a fierce assault on her, forcing her to retreat to the southern regions of Middle-earth. There, she encountered a multitude of humanoid spiders and formed a union with them, resulting in the birth of a new and powerful lineage of immortal giant arachnids.
Legacy
Shelob, the greatest of her offspring, crossed paths with Frodo and Sam as they embarked on their perilous quest to destroy the One Ring. It is believed that Shelob may have been the final surviving member of her species, but her ultimate fate remains a mystery, as it is unclear whether she perished from the wound inflicted by Sam or managed to survive.
Gallery
Images
Videos
Relationship
Allies
- Morgoth (formerly)
- Orcs (formerly)
- Goblins (formerly)
- Trolls (formerly)
- Wargs (formerly)
- Dragons (formerly)
- Balrogs (formerly)
- Werewolves (formerly)
- Vampires (formerly)
- Beings of darkness
Enemies
- Eru Ilúvatar
- Valar
- Ainur
- Elves
- Dwarves
- Ents
- Eagles
- Beings of light
Trivia
- It is believed that Ungoliant stayed in the southern lands and began devouring everything in her path. The offspring of Ungoliant, such as Shelob and other giant spiders, fled to avoid being consumed by her insatiable hunger. Eventually, it is said that Ungoliant's appetite became so uncontrollable that she ended up consuming herself to death. Another version of the story suggests that Eärendil managed to defeat Ungoliant after she fled to an island in Belagaer. When her darkness was vanquished, light emerged from many hidden corners, illuminating regions that had long been shrouded in darkness. However, as the only confirmed detail is her escape to the South, the true fate of Ungoliant remains a mystery.
External links
- Ungoliant on Wikipedia
- Ungoliant on the Tolkien Gateway
