Is Shadow of War Set Before Lord of the Rings?
In the world of Middle-earth, the events of Middle-earth: Shadow of War unfold between the stories of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. This raises an interesting question: is Shadow of War set before Lord of the Rings? In this article, we’ll dive into the world of Monolith Productions’ game to answer this question and explore the timeline of the story.
The Timeline of Shadow of War
Before we dive into the timeline, let’s take a brief look at the story of Shadow of War. The game follows the character of Talion, a ranger of the Black Hand, as he seeks revenge for the death of his family. Along the way, he discovers that he is the host of Celebrimbor, the son of Curufin and a skilled craftsman. Celebrimbor is the one who forges the Rings of Power, including the One Ring.
The Timeframe of Shadow of War
According to the game’s storyline, Shadow of War takes place 60 years before the events of The Lord of the Rings. This is confirmed by Celebrimbor himself, who mentions that the events of the game occur "60 years before the War of the Ring." This means that the game’s storyline takes place during the late Third Age of Middle-earth.
The Connection to Lord of the Rings
As we’ve established, Shadow of War takes place 60 years before the events of The Lord of the Rings. This raises the question: how does the game connect to the larger world of Middle-earth and its most famous story? To answer this, let’s take a look at some key events in both stories.
| Event | Shadow of War | The Lord of the Rings |
|---|---|---|
| The formation of the Nazgûl | Yes, Celebrimbor forges the Rings of Power, including the One Ring. | Yes, Sauron creates the Nazgûl to search for the One Ring. |
| The rise of Sauron | Yes, Sauron is growing in power during the events of Shadow of War. | Yes, Sauron is at the height of his power during the events of The Lord of the Rings. |
| The involvement of Gandalf | No, Gandalf does not appear in Shadow of War. | Yes, Gandalf plays a significant role in The Lord of the Rings. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, Shadow of War is set 60 years before the events of The Lord of the Rings. The game’s storyline takes place during the late Third Age of Middle-earth, and its connection to the larger world of Middle-earth is established through key events such as the formation of the Nazgûl and the rise of Sauron.
Key Takeaways
• Shadow of War takes place 60 years before the events of The Lord of the Rings.
• The game’s storyline unfolds during the late Third Age of Middle-earth.
• Celebrimbor forges the Rings of Power, including the One Ring, in Shadow of War.
• Sauron grows in power during the events of Shadow of War.
• Gandalf does not appear in Shadow of War.
By understanding the timeline of Shadow of War, fans of Middle-earth and Tolkien’s works can better appreciate the game’s story and its connection to the larger world of Middle-earth.