Mithril

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Mithril is a fictional metal from J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium. It is precious and silvery, stronger than steel but much lighter in weight. It first appears in The Hobbit, where it is also called "silver-steel". Its properties were developed in The Lord of the Rings.

In The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien writes that mithril was found only in Khazad-dûm (Moria), where it was mined by the Dwarves. However, in Unfinished Tales he writes that it was also found in Númenor.

The name mithril comes from two words in Sindarin — mith, meaning "grey", and ril meaning "glitter". The metal's Quenya name is mistarille. Mithril was also called "true-silver" or "Moria-silver"; the Dwarves had their own secret name for it.

The wizard Gandalf explained mithril to the Company while passing through Khazad-dûm:

"The wealth of Moria was not in gold and jewels, the toys of the Dwarves; nor in iron, their servant... Its worth was ten times that of gold, and now it is beyond price; for little is left above ground, and even the Orcs dare not delve here for it.

"Mithril! All folk desired it. It could be beaten like copper, and polished like glass; and the Dwarves could make of it a metal, light and yet harder than tempered steel. Its beauty was like to that of common silver, but the beauty of mithril did not tarnish or grow dim.

"Bilbo had a shirt of mithril rings; Thorin gave it to him....its worth is greater than that of the Shire!" (The Fellowship of the Ring, Extended edition , "A Journey in the Dark").

Contents 1 Properties 2 Abundance 3 The mithril-coat 4 Other mithril objects in Tolkien's writings 5 Other contexts 6 Tolkien's inspiration

[edit] Properties

For the literal-minded reader, it is unclear whether or not mithril is a real metal; many have thought it to be platinum, however, platinum is far too heavy to qualify as a candidate. It is possible that this legendary material was meant to be titanium, as this metal, while actually quite abundant as ore, was very expensive to produce in its metallic form (especially by medieval technology), and has some of mithril 's properties of strength, bright silvery colour, corrosion resistance, and light weight. Other possibilities are aluminium or magnesium; these metals are even lighter than titanium, but not as strong, and were more expensive to produce in medieval times. (French Emperor Napoleon III in fact had an aluminium cutlery set for his most honoured guests.) Certainly Tolkien, being highly educated, would have had knowledge of these three metals and the difficulty in preparing them. Given the presence of magic, mithril might not be a solid metal, but a composite instead; such as metal foam or a conventional metal with carbon nanotube reinforcement. The only way Tolkien would know of such metals would be via extrapolation though; such as envisioning a metal built like bone, which is essentially what foam metal is. However, because nobody is known to have asked Tolkien about mithril, it is unlikely that we will ever know with certainty whether it is based on any real metal. One clue in the book is that "mithril ore" is mentioned, suggesting it was mined as ore rather than being found native like gold or platinum. This would support the idea that it is in fact one of the light, cheap metals mentioned above.

[edit] Abundance

In Tolkien's Middle-earth, mithril is extremely rare by the end of the Third Age, as it was found only in Khazad-dûm. Once the Balrog destroyed the kingdom of the Dwarves at Khazad-dûm, the only source of new mithril ore was cut off. Before Moria was abandoned by the Dwarves, while it was still being actively mined, mithril was worth ten times its weight in gold. After the Dwarves abandoned Moria and production of new mithril stopped entirely, it became priceless. The only way to obtain a mithril object at the end of the Third Age was either to use heirloom mithril weapons and armour produced before the fall of Moria, or to melt down existing mithril weapons to forge new ones. While Moria is the only known source of mithril, there were indications that it was also found in Númenor and Aman in smaller quantities.

The Noldor of Eregion made an alloy out of it called ithildin ("star moon"), which was used to decorate gateways and portals. It is visible only by starlight or moonlight. The West Gate of Moria bore inlaid ithildin designs and runes.

Despite the fact that mithril is mentioned in many role-playing game settings, its actual value is unclear. While it is widely accepted that mithril is more valuable than gold, the exact ratio of its value to that of gold is not well-documented. Some sources show that mithril is worth only ten times its weight in gold, making it the same value as platinum in most role-playing game settings. Other sources show mithril to be worth twenty, or even one hundred times, its weight in gold.

[edit] The mithril-coat

Of all items made of mithril, the most famous is the "small shirt of mail" retrieved from the hoard of the dragon Smaug, and given to Bilbo Baggins by Thorin Oakenshield. "It was close-woven of many rings, as supple almost as linen, cold as ice, and harder than steel..."

"'It's a pretty thing isn't it,'" said Bilbo, moving it in the light. (The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Ring goes South")

Bilbo wore the mithril shirt during the Battle of the Five Armies in 2941. On his return to theShire, he hung it on a stand in his hall for a while and then gave it to the Mathom-house in Michel Delving. He retrieved it from the museum and took it with him when he left the Shire in 3001.

Bilbo gave the mithril shirt to Frodo Baggins in 3018 when he embarked on his quest to destroy the One Ring- within Moria, it was revealed that the very shirt Frodo was wearing in secret was worth more than the combined value of the Shire. In Moria, the mail saved Frodo's life when he was hit by an Orc spear during the battle in the Chamber of Mazarbul. His companions were amazed that he had survived. Aragorn remarked, "That spear-thrust would have skewered a wild boar!" (Fellowship of the Ring, p. 342) It saved Frodo's life again when an Orc-arrow struck him.

When Sam Gamgee believed Frodo to be dead outside Shelob's Lair, he left the mithril shirt with Frodo. Frodo was taken to the Tower of Cirith Ungol by the Orcs Shagrat and Gorbag, who stripped the shirt from Frodo and fought over it. Most of the Orcs in the Tower were killed in the fight, allowing Sam to enter the Tower. But Shagrat escaped with the mithril shirt, and Sam let him go in order to seek Frodo. Shagrat brought the coat of mail to Barad-dûr on March 17. On March 25, the Mouth of Sauron showed the mithril shirt, along with Frodo's Elven cloak and Sam's sword of Westernesse, to the Host of the West at the Black Gate.

Despite his anguish, Gandalf took the mithril-mail and other tokens back from the Mouth of Sauron and denied Sauron's terms of surrender. The Host of the West fought the forces of Mordor in the Battle of the Morannon until the Ring-bearer fulfilled his quest and the Enemy was defeated.

Frodo wore the mithril shirt at the celebrations on the Field of Cormallen as well as on the trip home. The corslet saved his life one more time when Saruman, who had taken over the Shire in the Hobbits' absence, tried to stab Frodo after Frodo had spared his life. Saruman was then killed by Gríma. It is likely that the mithril shirt was passed on to Sam Gamgee, who inherited all of Frodo's possessions when Frodo left Middle-earth.

[edit] Other mithril objects in Tolkien's writings

• Searching through the closets of Orthanc, King Elessar and his aides found the long lost first Elendilmir, a white star of Elvish crystal affixed to a fillet of mithril. Once owned by Elendil, the first King of Arnor, it was an emblem of royalty in the North Kingdom. After Elendil fell in the War of the Last Alliance, his eldest son Isildur ascended to the throne. On his journey back to the northern capital of Arnor, his retinue was ambushed by orcs. Isildur tried to escape by jumping into a river but was killed by arrows. Saruman may have found his body and the first Elendilmir with it; at least he found the Elendilmir. A replica was made, which was used by Isildur's successors, up to the reestablishment of the kingdom (reunited with Gondor) by Elessar. He thus used both, using one or the other on certain occasions.

• The Dwarves' beloved metal appears in Gondor too, the Kingdom of the South. The Guards of the Citadel of Minas Tirith wear helmets of mithril, "heirlooms from the glory of old days." As a result, the Citadel Guards are the only soldiers in Gondor that still bear the emblems of the lost Kings during the days of the Stewards: regular armour wore out over the centuries and was replaced, but as mithril armour never degrades it never needed to be replaced, and as mithril objects were no longer replaceable, the Stewards would not discontinue use of the rare and valuable armour despite the emblems they bore.

• As Aragorn's ships sail up the Anduin to relieve the besieged Minas Tirith during the War of the Ring, the standard flying on his ship shows a crown made of mithril and gold.

• After Gimli became lord of Aglarond, he and his dwarves forged great gates of mithril and steel to replace the gates of Minas Tirith which were broken by the Witch-king of Angmar.

• The doors of Moria are inscribed with ithildin, an alloy of unknown composition which contains mithril.

• Galadriel's Elven Ring, Nenya is made of mithril and is set with a stone of "adamant" (probably diamond).

[edit] Other contexts

Mithril, or similarly spelled names, has been used in other fictional contexts as a strong and semi-magical metal, or simply as a name for a project or device, due to the Tolkien Estate not trademarking the term, as it did with "Hobbit". Examples include:

• In the latest Elder Scrolls game Oblivion, Mithril armour is a light silver chainmail type armor which is tougher than chainmail but not as tough as Elven. It has previously appeared in all Elder Scrolls RPGs (as opposed to adventures) apart from Morrowind.
• In Bored of the Rings (a Lord of the Rings parody), some objects are described as being made of cheap "mithril plate" rather than solid mithril.
• In the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, mithral is one of the special materials used to make high-quality or magical items. It weighs only half as much as steel, yet is harder to damage. While very resistant, it is not as hard a metal as adamantine, but still much more light, malleable, and strong.
• In the computer game HeXen II, there is a mithril wall underwater that must be transformed into wood via a spell in order to proceed in the game.
• In the video game RPG series Final Fantasy, Mythril is a material for shields, weapons, armour, helmets and so on. This equipment is usually found in the early or middle portions of the game. In Final Fantasy Tactics, Mythril armour is also named Platina armour, lending to the theory that Mythril is magic-enhanced platinum. Also in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, Mythril weapons are rare items that are used to learn powerful "combo" abilities.
• In the computer game ADOM, mithril is a type of metal, one of the strongest.
• In the computer game Princess Maker 2 the main character may be bought mithril armor for when she fences.
• The computer game Simon the Sorcerer features milrith.
• In the computer game Age of Mythology, mithril is a special armour type.
• In the MMORPG EverQuest, mithril is a metal that can be made into weapons, armor, and other equipment.
• In the MMORPG Dark Age of Camelot, mithril is a middle-rate metal that can be made into weapons, armour, and other equipment. It's the 5th hardest of 10 metals in the game.
• In the MMORPG Horizons, mithril is a dark blue metal that can be mined and made into weapons and tools. It is also the highest denomination for currency.
• In the MMORPG Wyvern, created by Jagex Ltd., mithril is a metal that can me made into weapons and armour.
• In the MMORPG RuneScape, mithril is a dark blue metal that can be mined, made into bars, and then forged into various weapons and armour. It is a bluish metal. It is stronger and lighter than steel but precedent to adamantite.
• The MMORPG The Realm Online features Mythril as a strong, light-weight metal green in color used to make quality weapons and armour.
• In the RTS Warcraft III, the Humans may research mithril weapon and armour technology. In the popular custom game DotA Allstars which is played on the Warcraft III expansion The Frozen Throne, an item is available for purchase, known as the Mithril Hammer, which can be combined with other items to fashion special weapons.
• In the MMORPG World of Warcraft, mithril is used to make weapons, armour, and gadgets. It should be noted that in the Warcraft universe, mithril and "truesilver" are separate metals. Both are mined as ore, and smelted to be used. Mithril is more rare and harder to mine than copper, tin or iron, but less so than thorium. Truesilver is a random spawn from a mining node normally used for mithril, as is silver from tin or gold from iron.
• In the video game Kingdom Hearts, mythril is a rare material used for "synthesis" in high-level items.
• In the sci-fi/fantasy anime series Hyper Police, it is possible to buy or make "mithril-tip" bullets.
• In the anime series Full Metal Panic!, Mithril is an anti-terrorist organization. In the second series, the origin of the name is explained as a reference to The Lord of the Rings.
• In the roguelike IVAN, mithril is a rather strong and valuable metal.
• In the PlayStation game Star Ocean: The Second Story, mithril is a rare metal that can be used for blacksmithing and for customization of weapons.
• In the video game Breath of Fire IV, some armors are made out of the legendary metal mithril.
• In the video game Chrono Cross, Mythril is a component that can be used in forging new weapons, armor and accessories.
• In the video game Tales of Symphonia "mythril" is used to customize many late game weapons, shields, and other items to equip to characters.
• MIThril is a wearable computer system being developed at the MIT Media Lab.
• In the 'Shining' series of video games (Shining in the Darkness, the Shining Force series and most recently the GBA game Shining Soul), pieces of mithril ore can be found and forged into valuable weapons, armour and accessories.
• The name of a Celtic/World music quartet, Mithril.
• In the anime series Mai-Otome, Miyu, one of the characters, seems to have a Mithril Dress, which is pulled of a lake of lava in a large container. In Mai-Hime, her ability to change her built-in equipment is called the 'Mithril Draw System'.
• Japanese fantasy series Record of Lodoss War has borrowed a lot of ideas from Lord of the Rings. "Mithril" has directly adopted by the Japanese novel, and the term "true-silver" is frequently used. The most famous wielder of a magic sword forged by mithril (which was found a in quest at the tower of "the wind and flame desert") is Parn, the Holy Knight.
• In computing there is a public domain dynamic programming language called Mithril.
• In Rage of Mages, you can buy mithril weapons and armour.
• In Dungeon Siege 2, mythril armour may be found, although it may only be worn by fighters.
• In MapleStory, mithril can be found as ores from monster drops, then forged into plates and into weapons and armour.
• In the PC RPG game Legend, mithril versions of armour and weapons are more powerful than their 'regular' counterparts. Unusually, in this game, mithril is depicted as green in colour.
• In Golden Sun: The Lost Age, mythril (among other materials) can be forged into armour and weapons by Sunshine the blacksmith in the town of Yallam. Mythril was also used in the original Golden Sun, as woven bags, which could hold the power of the Elemental Stars.
• In the MMORPG Crossfire, mithril is one of several materials things can be made of.
• In the classic computer RPG "Bard's Tale", Mithril is the second strongest ranking weapon and armour behind adamant.
• In the anime-inspired online internet forum Gaia Online, Mythrill Armor is one of the site's many collectible items. The description of the item says that its name is derived from the "thrill" seekers and adventurers of "myth" that wore it on during their exploits.
• In the RPG Final Fantasy VII, Mythril is traded for Aeris's final limit break Great Gospel.
• In the text adventure Colossal Cave, There is a treasure, "A shiny ring (crafted from the finest mithril).
• Mythril is also found in the Harvest Moon video game series, and specifically, in the video games Harvest Moon: Back to Nature for the Playstation and Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town for the Gameboy Advance, mystril, a take-off of Mithril, is a rare mineral found while mining.

[edit] Tolkien's inspiration

In Hervarar saga, a mythological cycle dealing with the magic sword Tyrfing (and from which Tolkien may have originally borrowed other names which appear in The Lord of the Rings, such as Dwalin and Durin), the hero Orvar-Odd wore a silken mailcoat which nothing could pierce (Oddr svarar: "ek vil berjask við Angantýr, hann mun gefa stór högg með Tyrfingi, en ek trúi betr skyrtu minni, enn brynju þinni, til hlífðar").