Orcrist: The Goblin-cleaver

Orcrist was forged by the master weaponsmiths of Gondolin during the First Age of Middle-earth, when that hidden city stood as a bastion against the forces of Morgoth. The Elven smiths of Gondolin were renowned throughout Beleriand for their exceptional skill in crafting weapons of war, creating blades of unmatched quality and magical properties.

The blade was crafted alongside its famous companion sword Glamdring, the Foe-hammer, which would later become known as Gandalf's sword. Both weapons were created in the same forge, using identical techniques and materials, marking them as sister-swords from one of the greatest periods of Elvish craftsmanship.

The smiths of Gondolin designed Orcrist specifically for the wars against Morgoth's armies, incorporating enchantments and properties that made it especially lethal against orcs and other evil creatures. The blade's geometry and enchantments were carefully calculated to maximize its effectiveness against the Dark Lord's forces, making it one of the most feared weapons in all of Beleriand.

Orcrist features a distinctive curved blade that exemplifies the highest achievements of First Age Elvish metalwork. The sword's exceptional sharpness never dulls, and its durability surpasses that of normal blades, thanks to the advanced forging techniques and materials used in its creation.

The sword bears intricate Elvish runes along its length, telling of its history and deeds in the ancient realm of Gondolin. These decorative elements include flowing patterns characteristic of Gondolin's artistic style, with the blade featuring elegant curves and flourishes that reflect both its deadly purpose and its status as a work of art.

Like its companion Glamdring, Orcrist possesses the magical property of glowing with a cold blue light when orcs or goblins are nearby. This enchantment, wrought into the blade during its forging, serves both as a warning system and a psychological weapon against its intended foes.

The weapon's perfect balance makes it exceptionally effective in combat, allowing for both powerful slashing attacks and precise thrusting movements. The blade's weight distribution and ergonomic design enable the wielder to execute complex fighting techniques with minimal effort, while its curved shape provides additional cutting power during slashing motions.

In the Common Tongue, Orcrist earned the name 'Goblin-cleaver,' a testament to its deadly efficiency against the servants of darkness. This name was not merely honorary but reflected the sword's actual history and purpose in the wars of the First Age.

The blade earned its fearsome reputation during the numerous battles against Morgoth's forces in Beleriand, where it claimed countless lives of orcs and other evil creatures. Its effectiveness in combat and the magical properties imbued within it made it one of the most renowned weapons of its time.

Among the orcs and goblins, Orcrist became known as 'Biter,' a name that struck fear into their hearts whenever the blade appeared on the battlefield. This reputation persisted even thousands of years after its creation, with the mere sight of the sword causing terror among the goblins of the Misty Mountains during the Third Age.

When Gondolin fell to Morgoth's forces in First Age 510, Orcrist vanished from historical record along with many other treasures of the doomed city. The chaos and destruction that accompanied the city's fall scattered its artifacts across Middle-earth.

For over six thousand years, Orcrist remained hidden from both history and legend, its location unknown to even the wisest of Middle-earth's inhabitants. The sword passed through unknown hands and places during this time, eventually finding its way into a troll's hoard in Eriador.

The blade was finally rediscovered in the Third Age by Thorin Oakenshield's company and Gandalf during their encounter with three trolls in the Trollshaws. Along with Glamdring, Orcrist was found in the trolls' cave, having somehow survived the ages with its power and sharpness undiminished.

Upon its rediscovery, Orcrist became the primary weapon of Thorin Oakenshield during his quest to reclaim Erebor. The Dwarf lord wielded the ancient Elvish blade with great skill, despite the historical ironies of a Dwarf carrying an Elvish weapon.

During the defense of the Lonely Mountain, Orcrist proved invaluable in Thorin's hands as he led his people against their enemies. The sword's reputation and effectiveness helped turn the tide of several crucial battles.

The blade demonstrated its ancient power most notably during the company's encounters with the goblins of the Misty Mountains. The sword's magical properties and fearsome reputation caused panic among the goblin ranks, proving that even after thousands of years, Orcrist had lost none of its terror for the creatures it was forged to combat.

Following the Battle of Five Armies and Thorin's death, Orcrist was laid to rest with its final wielder, placed upon his breast within his tomb deep under the Lonely Mountain. This marked the end of the sword's active service in Middle-earth's conflicts.

The blade was positioned with honor upon Thorin's tomb beneath Erebor, where it lay as a symbol of both his leadership and the ultimate reconciliation between Elves and Dwarves. The placement of an Elvish blade in a Dwarf-lord's tomb carried great symbolic significance.

Even after Thorin's death, legends say that Orcrist continued to serve its protective purpose, glowing within the tomb whenever enemies approached the Lonely Mountain. This persistent enchantment served as a lasting warning system for the denizens of Erebor.

Orcrist stands as one of the exceedingly rare surviving artifacts from Gondolin, representing a tangible link to one of the greatest Elven realms of the First Age. Its preservation through the ages serves as a reminder of the glory and tragedy of that hidden city.

The sword exemplifies the pinnacle of First Age Elvish craftsmanship, showcasing the unmatched skill of Gondolin's weaponsmiths. The techniques used in its creation were lost with the fall of Beleriand, making it an irreplaceable testament to that golden age of Elvish craft.

As both an Elvish blade wielded by a Dwarf-lord and a treasure of Gondolin found in a troll's hoard, Orcrist symbolizes the complex relationships between Middle-earth's peoples. Its history represents the potential for alliance and understanding between Elves and Dwarves, despite their historical differences.