Grishnákh
From the One Wiki to Rule Them All, the Lord of the Rings Encyclopedia.
- "They might agree with me, with Grishnákh their trusted messenger."
- —Grishnákh
Grishnákh was an Orc (possibly an Uruk) captain, in the service of the Dark Lord Sauron. He came from the ashen wastes of Mordor, and was part of a group of Orc hunters that joined Uglúk's Uruk-hai troop on the plains of Rohan.
Grishnákh was a short, broad, crook-legged Orc, with long arms that almost hung down to the ground. He had a voice that was softer then those of the other Orcs though more evil.
Grishnákh's plans for the troops' captives, Merry and Pippin, were in conflict with Uglúk's orders to deliver them to Saruman. Grishnákh planned to take them northward to the east-bank of the Great River where a Nazgûl atop a Fell beast would take them to Lugbúrtz. When Uglúk refused Grishnákh's plan, Grishnákh slipped away while the Orcs fought each other. Grishnákh soon returned and with other Orcs like him with shields with a red eye painted on them.
Believing that they might have the treasure his lord sought, he tried to steal the Hobbits away from the Uruk-hai in order to take what they had for himself; eventually leading to his death by a Rider's spear.
[edit] Grishnákh in the films and games
In Peter Jackson's film trilogy of The Lord of the Rings Grishnákh is played by Stephen Ure and is clearly an orc. He has a little more screen time in the extended edition, which shows Grishnákh and his Orc troop joining Uglúk. In the film, he is hit by a rider's spear, but survives and chases Merry and Pippin into Fangorn Forest where he is killed by Treebeard, who steps on him.
In Sierra Entertainment's War of the Ring real-time strategy game, Grishnákh is a playable hero for the Minions of Sauron faction, he is an Orc commander of Sauron. In the game, he has the Torch and Explosives abilities.
"Count Grishnackh" is also the stage name of Varg Vikernes, the only member of the LoTR-inspired black metal band Burzum.
