Adar

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Non-canon alert The subject of this article originates from non-canonical sources. To learn about what is considered "canon", see LOTR:Canon.

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Adar, portrayed by Sam Hazeldine
Adar
Biographical information
Other names	Unknown birth name
Titles	Father, Lord-father, Lord of the Southlands, Lord of Mordor, Lord-father of the Uruks (by Waldreg), Orc (by Galadriel), Uruk (by Galadriel), Father of the Orcs (by Elrond), Commander of the Orcs
Birth	YT 1080
Death	Late Second Age, Siege of Eregion
Age	Possibly aged over 5500 years
Realms	Dúrnost (briefly) Mordor
Weapon	Adar's Sword and Dagger, Orc Sigil Hilt, Morgoth's Crown
Physical description
Race	Moriondor
Height	5'11" 5'10"
Hair	Black
Eyes	Blue
Culture	Uruks of the Southlands/Mordor-orcs
Media portrayal
Actor	Sam Hazeldine (The Rings of Power - Season Two) Joseph Mawle (The Rings of Power - Season One)

"Adar is the name I earned. Help me earn it back."

—Adar, to Galadriel

Adar was a mysterious individual of the Second Age referred to as Lord-father by Orcs, presumably for his status as one of the Moriondor, the first Elves to be captured and tortured by Morgoth.

The Moriondor was once Sauron's lieutenant, but he grew disillusioned with his "master"'s cruelty towards the Orcs and killed him. Believing himself free from Sauron's grasp, Adar sought to fashion a home where the Orcs could thrive. With the use of a mysterious hilt and his "children", he claimed the Southlands and turned them into Mordor. Word of Sauron's return, however, spurred Adar into action. Hoping to destroy his former master once and for all, Adar assembled an army and laid siege to Eregion. In the end, he was betrayed and slain by a group of his own "children", who embraced Sauron as their new Dark Lord.

Biography

Elder Days

Adar is born sometime around YT 1080, possibly in or near Cuiviénen. He was one of the Moriondor, the thirteen Elves chosen to be corrupted by Morgoth in the Elder Days. Lured by the promise of power, he and the other Elves chosen were led up to a dark and nameless peak. However, upon reaching the peak, they were chained up and left to starve for an unknown period of time. Morgoth's servant, Sauron, eventually appeared and offered a starving Adar red wine. He drank the wine, changing his nature and turning him into a proto-Orc from which the Orc race was bred (possibly through the Middle-Earth equivalent of DNA replication and cloning). The latter is the opinion of actor Sam Hazeldine, but another actor said that "children" means just the army under his care (tutelage). His nature was later perceived by Galadriel after she briefly captured him in the Second Age. Subsequent generations of Uruk (Orcs) considered him to be their "father", and followed him willingly.

First Age

In the First Age, some time prior to the War of the Great Jewels, Adar walked alongside the river Sirion in Beleriand, which had banks covered by miles of sage blossoms. Whether Adar would participate in the war directly, we do not know. What is known, however, is that Adar did have command over some legion of Orcs, and was highly respected. He also did wield his own weaponry, so it is quite plausible that Adar fought in the War of the Great Jewels, but would've probably been a far minor commander in comparison to his masters Sauron and Morgoth.

Adar during the ceremony in Dúrnost.

Second Age

The Assassination of Sauron

After Morgoth's defeat, Adar followed Sauron after answering his call to follow him to the fortress Dúrnost. He decided to kill Sauron after sacrificing "enough of [his] children for [Sauron's] aspirations" (experiments with the Unseen World.) During the coronation of Sauron in Dúrnost, Adar initially stood by his side and even hailed him as the new Dark Lord. Trusted with placing Morgoth's crown upon Sauron's head, Adar instead used it to stab him. Adar then looked on as his "children" joined his attack on the weakened Sauron. Wounded, the Dark Lord's body disintegrated, leading Adar to believe for centuries afterward that he had slain Sauron.

Reign in the Southlands

Adar and his orcs leaves Dúrnost and makes their way south, as Halbrand learned from Diarmid after their village had been destroyed by Adar's army. Adar and his orcs would at last come to The Southlands, where they would dwell in secret for many years. They began to construct a network of tunnels leading to Orodruin and look for the magic Hilt, the key to the dam, according to this long-standing plan. Adar intended to use the Hilt to transform the Southlands as a homeland for the Orcs where they could live without being under the rule of Dark Lords or fearing being hunted by the Free Peoples.

Adar speaks to Arondir

Adar became known to the peoples of Middle-earth much later in the Second Age, first appearing in a large trench dug by his servant, Magrot, immediately after Arondir's failed attempt to cause a fracas and escape. While Arondir is pinned down, having stabbed Magrot in the neck, Lurka orders he be brought to Adar. The "Lord-father" then emerges as the Orcs around him bow. He gently tends to the dying Magrot, who had sustained a mortal wound in the Elves' escape attempt, before suddenly ending his suffering with a dagger. As the rest of the Orcs leave, Adar speaks to Arondir, learning the Silvan Elf's birthplace to be in Beleriand. Adar reminisces about his days along the river Sirion, though he evades Arondir's own questions, before releasing Arondir to take a message to the Southlanders taking refuge in the watch tower of Ostirith: that they may live if they forsake the territory and swear fealty to him. Later, as he watches one of the caged Wargs devouring fresh flesh, Adar is informed by Grugzûk that the Orc Sigil Hilt that they seek is in the watch tower.

Some time afterwards, Adar is told by Grugzûk that the tunnel is complete and their forces ready. The "Lord-father" asks his minion to hold his arm in the sunlight to emphasize, by burning the Orc's skin, his claim that the sun's light will soon be overshadowed. He then releases Grugzûk, ordering him to summon the legions. Later, temporarily encamped in the village of Tirharad, Adar is approached by a group of the village's former inhabitants led by Waldreg, who seek to swear fealty in exchange for their lives and better status. Following Waldreg's suggestion that his new master was, in fact, Sauron — whom he had long awaited to pledge his undying service to — Adar expresses his frustration with the old man's mistaken belief by choking Waldreg and throwing him to the ground. He then forces Waldreg to murder Rowan with a dagger in order to seal his oath of loyalty, claiming only blood could bind.

Adar questioned by Galadriel

Adar leads his army to Ostirith to destroy those who refused to obey him, and finds the tower empty. He is then surprised by Arondir, who triggers a mechanism rigged to destroy the tower, which kills a number of Orcs and forces Adar's army to regroup. His attack comes after nightfall on Tirharad, where the townspeople have returned to; the inhabitants defeat the initial force after much exertion, only to become horrified when they found the majority of those they slew were their kinsmen who had followed Waldreg. Adar's main force then easily occupies the village, and begins murdering villagers in an attempt to force Arondir to reveal the location of the Orc Sigil Hilt. Only when the Orcs threaten to kill Bronwyn, her son Theo hands over the Hilt. Just then, a company of Númenórean cavalry commanded by Queen Regent Míriel arrive and make short work of the Orcs. Adar gives the Hilt to Waldreg and escapes on a brown horse; Galadriel and Halbrand, believing Adar to still have the Hilt, pursue and capture him. Galadriel tries to interrogate Adar, and learns that he claims that he killed Sauron for his cruelty to the Orcs, further revealing information about Sauron's goals to create a "power over flesh", and discusses the morality of the Orcs. She states her intent to purge all Orcs and nearly kills him, before Halbrand distracts her, an act she is later grateful for.

Adar renames the Southlands to "Mordor"

In the meantime, Waldreg has returned to Ostirith and uses the Orc Sigil Hilt to unlock the dam holding back the lake behind the ruined watch tower. The waters run through trenches in the earth into the caverns of magma below Orodruin, creating such a reaction that the volcano is reawakened, covering the Southlands in ash. Adar's prison is destroyed by the volcano's eruption, though through unknown means he had escaped just before. He takes over the village as a home for the Orcs because the newly formed ash clouds shield the country against the sunlight. Adar is proclaimed by Waldreg and the Orcs as "Lord of the Southlands", though he changes the name of the country to Mordor ("dark land"), thereby changing his title to "Lord of Mordor".

Lord of Mordor

Adar's army quickly sets about enslaving those Southlander Men who failed to escape, and killing those who refuse to acknowledge Adar as their lord. Sauron, forced to leave Eregion after Galadriel saw through his disguise, comes to Mordor in the same form as "Halbrand", turning himself in to Adar. Sauron attempts to negotiate for his release by giving Adar false information about his own whereabouts, and eventually succeeds in being released after time in prison, though Adar remains skeptical of the information offered. Some time after Halbrand's release, he decides to lead his orc legions out of Mordor toward Eregion, which he has heard is where Sauron has appeared. They leave Mordor, traveling through Calenardhon and crossing the Gap of Rohan. At last they arrive in the lands surrounding Ost-in-Edhil, his army discovers and captures Galadriel, who has led a reconnaissance team to discover the truth of what is occurring there.

Adar during his confrontation with Galadriel.

Adar keeps Galadriel a prisoner, but soon hosts her for supper and speaks to her regarding their shared experiences with Sauron, and shared desire to destroy him. At length he describes to Galadriel a plan to do this, revealing he still possesses Morgoth's iron crown, with which he once killed Sauron's bodily form. He expresses the belief that with this and with Galadriel's ring Nenya, they will be able to replicate the feat and destroy the enemy absolutely. Galadriel does decide to engage with him, and upon revealing that Nenya is with Elrond, who is leading an army of Lindon Elves to Eregion, proposes that Elrond's army will isolate Eregion - providing an opportunity for him to enter the city and free Celebrimbor, while she and Adar use both Nenya and Morgoth's crown to kill Sauron together. However, Adar is concerned with Galadriel's plan when he gets no assurance from her that the Elven High King Gil-galad will not attempt to invade Mordor (which would lead to the deaths of untold numbers of Orc civilians and combatants, likely due to the Elves and other Free Peoples having histories of hunting Orcs to eradicate them) even if he helps her destroy Sauron, making him feel that her plan will just allow the Orcs to be slaughtered again, so everyone else but them will have a future once Sauron is defeated for good. This prompts Adar to call off the deal, and make it very clear he will enact his plans alone and besiege Ost-in-Edhil to get at Sauron (and maybe, in the process, weaken the military strength of the Elves who would gladly slaughter his "children"). Despite Galadriel's protests that he is playing into Sauron's hands (although Galadriel knows that the deceiver does not want that Eregion would be destroyed until the rings are completed. "And that gives us a momentary advantage"), Adar rallies his legions to war.

Siege of Eregion

Adar reveals to the Elves that he holds Galadriel captive

Adar, after rallying his legions, commands his vast army of Orcs to bombard the city by trebuchet at nightfall. Eventually, he turns the siege engines towards the river canyon above the city and causes a landslide, cutting off the river's flow. Adar prepares for a now-possible ground assault, but is forestalled by the arrival of Gil-galad and Elrond, leading a regiment of Elven cavalry. To prevent a costly engagement, Galadriel is revealed to the Elves, forcing Elrond to come to Adar's tent for negotiations. Adar demands Nenya in exchange for Galadriel's life, and despite Elrond's pleas to prevent mass slaughter, Adar refuses to compromise, and Elrond refuses the deal (despite the warning that he has no chance of winning the battle), instead discreetly passing Galadriel a means to pick the lock of her manacles.

A great battle then ensues on the exposed riverbed, lasting throughout the night. After much bloodshed, Adar commands the hill-troll Damrod to go forth — over the objections of Glug, who states that Damrod will kill their own forces in order to kill the Elves and breach the wall. Though the troll is eventually killed, he succeeds in breaching the city's stone wall, and Adar personally leads the final assault as the sun rises, ordering his forces to "kill them all!". (Although this order was not carried out even by himself, since Elrond, Gil-galad and many other elves remained alive.) The diminished Elven warriors quickly fall before the Orcs who are breaching the walls of Eregion from many points, and Arondir is gravely wounded by Adar after engaging in combat with him. When the fighting has ceased, Elrond is forced to kneel before Adar, who triumphantly enters Eregion with his Orc armies and takes from him Nenya.

Adar, when healed by Nenya

As the result of Nenya's healing power, Adar's appearance again becomes that of an elf, as before he was deceived by Sauron many centuries prior. After that, for unknown reasons, he goes instead of the forge in Eregion to the forests with megaliths high above Eregion. Adar's forces then search for Sauron and Galadriel, the latter of whom submits to the Orcs. While this occurs, Adar is given clarity by Nenya, and decides to offer it back to Galadriel, for some unknown reason, still knowing that she is able to direct the power of Nenya against Uruk (she had vowed to kill them all).

It was in this state that Galadriel is brought to him as prisoner, before Adar sends the Orcs away and reveals his healed self to her. Adar offers Galadriel Nenya, promising that if Sauron is defeated, he will withdraw his armies to Mordor and never again trouble the Free Peoples of Middle-earth, with the idea behind this proposal being that if he and Galadriel slay Sauron together, the extreme rifts between the Orcs and all other races may begin to heal and thus ensure a "lasting peace in Middle-earth. Now and forever". though Galadriel for her part never promised that she and Gil-galad would cease the war against Uruk, and she would not have had the authority to promise on behalf of the king even if she had wanted to (though this deal was generally the best they'd ever come to, since he genuinely sought peace and she acknowledged that he had "children" instead of slaves, recognizing the humanity of the Orcs).

Galadriel accepts the ring, and as Adar returns it, his appearance reverts that of his Uruk nature.

Sauron and his troops surround Adar after killing him

Just then, Glûg arrives with a host of other Orcs, feigning a grave injury. Having encountered Sauron, the Orc had submitted to him and had been instructed to betray Adar. When Adar comes close, Glûg stabs him, prompting the group of Orcs to attack Adar while Sauron, who has just arrived, watches, to Galadriel's horror. Sauron would arrive sometime later, and Glûg looks to Sauron for approval, then finishes Adar with a strike to the heart as he reaches his hand out to his "children". As Adar's lifeless hand drops, Glûg requests orders from "Lord Sauron" and hails him as the new Dark Lord. Sauron also takes Adar's Sword and claims it as his own.

Appearance

Adar has long dark hair, elf-like ears, elf-like, appearance and sharp features but with ruined skin, burn marks on his face, and cold blue eyes, appearing both elven and Uruk-like. Adar’s armor a is an elven rusted neck armor and rusted breastplate with the water-inspired etching detailing here. Over a black chain mail and black vambraces with leather gloves. The black chain mail worn over pants, greaves and boots.

Character

Adar in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power - Season Two

As one of the Moriondor, he retained resemblance to his Elvish heritage, both physically and psychologically, that subsequent Orcs lacked. He was capable of some compassion and mercy, as demonstrated by his sympathy for his "children". He was, however, blind to the savagery and ruthlessness of the Orcs. In spite of calling himself an "Uruk", a part of him still longed and hearkened to his past: before the battle at Tirharad, he planted Alfirin seeds ("new life in defiance of death") as customary of the Elves. Adar also believed that both he and the other Orcs were more "unnamed slaves" of Sauron, but felt they could be more than just slaves of evil, considering them a people which were worthy to have a homeland of their own like other races - even the Southlanders who served Morgoth - were able to. However, despite being disgusted by the evil deeds his former masters committed against his "children", Adar himself displayed similar cruelty towards those he wished to subdue. This ranged from merely having defiant Men killed to iron-branding those that submitted with his mark. However, he later released these people as part of his fictitious deal with the "king of the Southlands." Given his many years of service to Morgoth and Sauron, his military tactics, to some extent, were cruel as he sent many Southlanders to their deaths as a distraction to his enemies after having promised these people mercy if they submitted to him (though given that the leader of these Southlanders, Waldreg, was a supporter of Sauron, Adar may not have been keen on showing them mercy). Adar also was open to using others as leverage, as shown by killing many Southlanders in front of Arondir to make him hand over the Orc Sigil Hilt, and by presenting Galadriel as a captive to the Elves to make them accept his terms during the Siege of Eregion, openly stating that if they refused, he would kill her.

Adar's personality shifted greatly during the Siege of Eregion; having previously cared for the Orcs, he willingly made battlefield tactics that led to high casualties, and did not care about the cost his soldiers bore openly. However, he did mourn for his fallen "children", and appears to have believed that despite the high casualties being suffered, they were necessary to defeat Sauron, who would enslave the Orcs to fight for him. By the end of the Siege of Eregion, when he is healed by Nenya to his original Elven form, Adar changes significantly; he returns Nenya to Galadriel, and promises that once they defeat Sauron together, he and his army will return to Mordor and never wage war again. (this is a rather mysterious moment, considering that he himself needs this Elven ring for his purposes, and Galadriel still does not abandon her plans and those of the High King of the Elves to invade Mordor and eradicate Orcs, just as in their unsuccessful  attempts to make a deal before launching an attack on Eregion. Galadriel's further actions and inactions also confirm her unwillingness to make a deal; to be fair though, given what happens next being undoubtedly shocking, Galadriel's inaction may have been due to horror and fear rather than unwillingness). Even after being betrayed and stabbed by his right-hand "son" Glug and a large group of Orcs who followed Glug (and defected to Sauron's side), Adar shows no anger, and reaches out a hand lovingly to his betrayers, still considering them his "children".

Adar's Sword in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power - Season Two

Weapons

Sword

Adar wields his sword most of his life. The sword is likely very old and has endured in many battles, as the blade of the sword is broken. He uses it in the Battle of Tirharad and Siege of Eregion and is likely in possession of it in Dúrnost as well. At the end of the Siege of Eregion, Adar still has the sword during his final confrontation with Galadriel as it leans on a great stone. Moment later Adar is betrayed and killed by his orcs, who had fallen into the command of Sauron. Sauron takes the sword and claims it as his own, then uses it to fight Galadriel on the hills above Eregion

Dagger

The broken piece of his sword became a dagger he carries in the Season One and the beginning of Season Two. This dagger disappeared after episode 3, and this disappearance was not explained in the series.

Iron Crown

After the fall of Morgoth, his iron crown^{[citation needed]} remains as a relic and falls into the possession of Sauron. During Sauron's coronation in Dúrnost, Adar instead uses it to stab him, destroying his bodily form. Adar keeps the crown afterward as an object of power and symbolism. He carries it with him into later campaigns, including the events around Eregion, where it is later retaken by Sauron.

Etymology

Adar is a Sindarin word meaning "father". Adar's original production name was Oren, which is coincidentally an early Sindarin word for hot weather.

Quotes

"My children. . .you are free""

—Season 2 Episode 1^{[citation needed]}

""I love you [speaking to the Orcs] with all that is left of my heart. Too much, to let you become Sauron's slaves""

—Season 2 Episode 7

""You have been told many lies of Middle-earth. Some run so deep, even the rocks and roots now believe them. To untangle it all. . .would all but require the creation of a new world. But that is something only the gods can do. And I am no god. At least. . .not yet""

—Season 1 Episode 3

""My children, we have endured much. We cast off our shackles, crossed mountain, field, frost, and fallow, till our feet bloodied the dirt. From Ered Mirthrin to the Ephel Arnen, we have endured. Yet tonight, one more trial awaits us. Our enemy may be weak, their numbers meager, yet before this night is through, some of us will fall. But for the first time, you do so not as unnamed slaves in far-away lands, but as brothers. As brothers and sisters in our home! Tonight is the night we reach out the iron hand of the Uruk, and close our fist around these lands.""

—Season 1, Episode 6

""My children have no master. . .Each one has a name, a heart. We are creations of the One, Master of the Secret Fire, the same as you. As worthy of the breath of life, and just as worthy of a home. Soon, this land will be ours. Then, you will understand""

—Season 1 Episode 6

""My children. Cast off your sun-cloaks and helms. You are no longer to be burdened by the day. This is our land now. It is our home""

—Season 1 Episode 7

"[Speaking to a lieutenant] "I wish you could feel [the sun] like I do. For soon, it shall be gone. And with it, the part of me that knew its warmth as well. I shall miss it""

—Season 1 Episode 5

""After Morgoth's defeat, the one you call Sauron devoted himself to healing Middle-earth, by bringing its ruined lands together in perfect order. He sought to craft a power. . .not of the flesh, but over flesh. A power of the Unseen World. He bid as many as he could to follow him far north. But try as he might, something was missing. A shadow of dark knowledge that kept itself hidden, even from him. No matter how much blood he spilt in its pursuit. For my part. . .I sacrificed enough of my children for his aspirations. I split him open. I killed Sauron""

—Season 1 Episode 6

"[Repeated in prayer in Black Speech] "In flames they return to darkness. In flames they return to darkness""

—Adar, praying over the bodies of his fallen soldiers

""There are some dangers in this world which it is a father's burden to know. And a son's burden to trust him. Trust me, my son, when I tell you that we will never truly be safe, until we've made certain Sauron is no more""

—Adar to Glúg as the Orcs prepare for war in Mordor

""It is time""

—Adar to Zhór, as the latter unleashes a bombardment of Eregion's mountains

""Only blood can bind""

—Adar to Waldreg, as he takes Rowan for a sacrifice to ensure loyalty

""You must know you cannot defeat me in battle""

—Adar to Elrond

""The fate of [Eregion] now rests on your ability to put aside your pride. I suggest you find the will to do so. If you can. [Chaining Galadriel up to a chair] We will speak again.""

—Adar to Galadriel

"[In Quenya] "A star shines on the hour of our meeting, Lady Galadriel""

—Season 2 Episode 4

""I brought you here not as a prisoner, but as a potential ally. For we share a common enemy""

—Adar to Galadriel"

""It would seem I'm not the only Elf alive who has been transformed by darkness. Perhaps your search for Morgoth's successor should have ended in your own mirror""

—Adar to Galadriel, Season 1 Episode 6

""Send him in"
Glúg: "Lord-father, he will kill our own kind"
"Send him in!""

—Adar and Glúg during the night battle at Eregion

""My children! March with me!""

—Adar to the Orcs, during the Siege of Eregion

"[In Quenya] "What I seek. Give it to me.""

—Adar to Arondir

""All hail, Lord Sauron! The new Dark Lord""

—Adar to the Orcs at Dúrnost, shortly before stabbing Sauron to death with his crown on coronation day

""Let my people go, or yours will die." "My people defeated the Men of these lands. We defeated the Elves, who came to their aid. We even defeated their allies, the Men from beyond the Sea. There is no one left for us to fear.""

—Halbrand (disguised Sauron) and Adar, Season 2 Episode 1

""You will tell me everything you think you know of this sorcerer, now. Or I will spill the words from your throat.""

—Adar to Halbrand, Season 2 Episode 1

""If I die, all that I know dies with me. You can't kill me" "In time, you will beg me to.""

—Halbrand and Adar, Season 2 Episode 1

""Summon the legions. It is time""

—Adar to his lieutenant Grugzúk, Season 1 Episode 6

""I will meet you there [the battlefield of Eregion] with [Galadriel's] head on a pike""

—Adar to Elrond

""My children have endured cruelties your bravest couldn't bear to hear spoken aloud""

—Adar to Elrond

""I will outmaneuver you, my forces outfight yours, and you will fall""

—Adar to Elrond

""No, your majesty. You will tell me everything you think you know of this sorcerer, now. Or I will spill the words from your throat." "If I die, all that I know dies with me. You can't kill me" "In time, you will beg me to""

—Conversation with Halbrand, Season 2 Episode 1

""Do you vow allegience to Adar, Lord-Father of the Uruks?" "Yes" "Then kneel" "I vow- " "With your head at my feet""

—Waldreg, "Halbrand" (Sauron), and Adar

""Thirteen of us were chosen to be blessed of Morgoth's hand, with the promise of power. A new birth. I was led up to a dark and nameless peak, chained and left. And after what seemed endless thirst and hunger, I saw his servant's face. Sauron's face. And it was beautiful. He offered me wine, red as a blood moon. He offered me wine, and on that dark and nameless peak, I drank it. I drank it all""

—Season 2 Episode 1

""It is never too late. Not even for me. And not for you, my son""

—Speaking to "wounded" Glug, Season 2 Episode 8

""Do not take [Sauron's] lure" "I will make him choke on it""

—Adar and Galadriel, Season 2 Episode 6

""I meant, what then for the Uruk? Will your High King permit us to return home in peace? Or will he proceed with his plans to invade Mordor? The shadow has not only overcome you, it has overcome all Elvendom. In the end, your drive to prove your virtue will work right into Sauron's designs. You have already revealed everything I hoped for, and more""

—Adar to Galadriel, Season 2 Episode 6

"Did you really think I would attempt to challenge the might of Sauron with a single legion?""

—Adar to Galadriel, Season 2 Episode 6

""If [Galadriel] speaks again, cut out her tongue""

—Season 2 Episode 7

""Have you forgotten your Rúmil? Never make war in anger""

—Adar to Elrond, Season 2 Episode 7

""Kill them all!""

—Season 2 Episode 7

""Why sacrifice their lives for such a little thing?""

—Adar, to Arondir, Season 1 Episode 6

""Did I cause someone you love pain? A woman? Perhaps a child?""

—Adar to "Halbrand", Season 1 Episode 6

""Eregion will fall. And Sauron with it""

—Season 2 Episode 6

""Sauron is my enemy as much as yours. Give me what I need to defeat him, and let us all be rid of him""

—Season 2 Episode 7)

""During my brief time in your capture, you seemed intent on finding Sauron. One might even say, consumed by it. The way one always is, once he has wormed his way inside your mind. . .Sooner or later, he sees you. Not just who you are, but who you wish to be. His eye bores a hole, and the rest of him slithers in. For a while, he even makes you believe that his power has become yours. Irresistible power. . .that makes every desire's fufilment seem inevitable. An ocean of color. . .Do you want to know what he offered me? Children. You see, it is not his lies which must be extinguished. It is him. And I can help you do it. I can help you destroy Sauron. ""

—Adar, to Galadriel, Season 2 Episode 6

""When last I looked like this, I was known by a different name. A meaningless name. A name I was given. Adar is the name I earned. Help me earn it back. Take [Nenya]. Help me vanquish Sauron with it. And I swear to you, I will recall my children to Mordor. Never to make war on Middle-earth again." ("I have slain more of your children than any Elf alive") "I forgive you. No more flames, and no more darkness. Let this Ring heal the rift between Elf and Uruk. Let us create a lasting peace in Middle-earth. Now and forever""

—Season 2 Episode 8 - last conversation between Adar and Galadriel^{[citation needed]}

"[In Black Speech] "My. . .children" "They are not children anymore." "My... children""

—The last words of Adar, as Sauron stands over him, Season 2 Episode 8

Appearances

• The Rings of Power – "Adar" (first appearance)
• The Rings of Power – "The Great Wave"
• The Rings of Power – "Partings"
• The Rings of Power – "Udûn"
• The Rings of Power – "The Eye"
• The Rings of Power – "Alloyed" (indirect mention only)
• The Rings of Power – "Elven Kings Under the Sky"
• The Rings of Power – "Where the Stars are Strange" (mentioned only)
• The Rings of Power – "The Eagle and the Sceptre"
• The Rings of Power – "Eldest"
• The Rings of Power – "Halls of Stone"
• The Rings of Power – "Where Is He?"
• The Rings of Power – "Doomed to Die"
• The Rings of Power – "Shadow and Flame"

Adar by Jodie Muir.

Background & reception

Adar was created for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and as such is non-canonical. He was portrayed by Joseph Mawle in the series' first season; after Mawle stepped away from the role, Sam Hazeldine was cast for the show's second season. The introduction of Adar continued to be widely praised for having expanded the potential of Orcs and Uruks in Middle-earth, prompting discussion about the morality of these races. While Adar has been a controversial figure due to the fact that soldiers under his rule like Glúg are shown to have families, and he himself is shown to be empathetic and caring for his own people, he is generally considered a "fascinating" character for breaking traditional Tolkien norms of Orcs being mindless slaves as he genuinely cares for his followers. Some fans of The Rings of Power, like Tactician (of The New Mordor Times) have even written articles about Adar, breaking him down as a strategist, while others have written about Adar and how Orcs can be sentient beings who should in fact, not be slaughtered, forcing people to reexamine the actions of the Free Peoples and their possible hypocrisy by slaughtering the Orcs.

It was originally intended that Adar would die in Season One, however Simon Tolkien liked the character so much and thought his story was far from completed. Therefore it was changed and Adar would continue into Season Two.

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