Rats
![[[John Howe]] - <tg-em>Morgul Rats</tg-em>](https://v6.elanillounico.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/John-Howe-Morgul-Rats.jpg)
Rats were creatures often found in filthy and unfriendly places of Middle-earth. A specific breed of rats seems to have been the "brown water-rat", mentioned in Hobbit poetry.
"Rat" was also commonly used as a humiliating nickname.
Etymology
Portrayal in adaptations
1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:
Rats can infect people with the plague through their fleas.
1995-8: Middle-earth Collectible Card Game:
"Morgul-rats" is a Hazard Creature, able to inflict 12 strikes. The breed is described as carrying "the stink of black sorcery in their bite". "Rats!" is a Hazard Event, forcing a player to discard a minor item of one of the characters, which also become wounded.
2000-: Lord of the Rings (board game):
"Morgul Rats" is a card (with artwork by John Howe) supplied with the Friends & Foes Expansion (2002) for the Lord of the Rings boardgame.
2003: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King:
As part of the Minas Tirith set, one hut was called the "Ratcatcher's hut", after a doodle by Alan Lee was interpreted as a rat. It was outfitted with several taxidermied rats, but was not featured prominently in the movie.
2007-: The Lord of the Rings Online:
Rats are always aggressive. Breeds include Field-rats (found in the Barrow-downs), Harbour-rats (found around Falathlorn in Ered Luin), and Plague-rats.
Referencias
1. Esta ficha se ha importado inicialmente de TolkienGateway.net el día 29/05/2026.
