Ents, Entwives and Huorns

Ents

Other names:
Onodrim (Sindarin), Shepherds of the Trees

Origin and History:
The Ents are an ancient species that came into being shortly after the Vala Aulë had created the Dwarves. Fearing that her husband’s creatures could desire to use their axes to cut down her trees, Yavanna pleaded for the creation of those who could protect them.

The first Ents, it is said, were either trees given spirit and sentience or spirits that slowly turned into trees due to their love for them. The Elves taught them to speak their language, but they themselves, too, devised their own language.

Entwives existed at some point among them, but as early as the First Age they began to moved farther away from their larger male counterparts to cultivate smaller plants that would not grow in shady forests. It is said that they taught Men much about agriculture. But as the days grew darker during the Second Age the great forests were cut down and the gardens of the Entwives destroyed by Sauron.

By the Third Age the Entwives had disappeared and the few remaining Ents who still inhabit the ancient Fangorn Forest have searched for them in vain.

Huorns, on the other hand, are either Ents who have become much more like trees or trees that have become more like Ents. They can move on their own and have their own voices, which Ents can understand. Yet, Ents consider them strange and wild and a possible danger to other creatures like Hobbits or Men.

Physical characteristics:
At first glance Ents may appear much like ancient trees. They are tall and shaped like trees, albeit with some humanoid characteristics. Their skin is thick and resembles bark. Like the trees around them they grow in different heights and sizes, and share the different colors of the forest. Typically they will look like the tree species that they are guarding. Animals may build their nests in their crowns and lichen and moss grows on them. Yet, if one looks closer they will recognize their features, nose and mouth, golden eyes, legs and hands, toes and fingers, too, even more distinctively if eventually the Ent begins to move.

Typical behavior:
Trees are old and slow and time passes them by. It is much the same for Ents. They are immortal and difficult to harm, by injury or insult. Hundreds of years may be but a moment for them and they are usually slow to rouse, slow to move, to think, decide and slow to speak. This is reflected in their language, Entish, in which even small notions take a long time to be expressed.

However, if angered they reveal great strength and with their wide steps they are able cover great distances in a relatively short time. Some trees can be roused by them, talked to and made to act.

Affiliation:
Male Ents are devoted to Oromë, Entwives to Yavanna. They harbor great respect for the Elves who taught them to speak and detest Orcs who are known attack them and their trees with fire and axes.