Ravens were large black birds of Middle-earth, sometimes associated with the ill news of death, a

nd were known for their harsh voices. The Ravens of Erebor often brought secret news to the people of Thror, the King under the Mountain, and in return they were rewarded with bright objects to hide in their dwellings dotted around Dale and at Ravenhill. Ravens can live to great ages, 135 years being the highest recorded to date.

HistoryEdit

The ravens that resided at Ravenhill were capable of speech and some could even speak We

stron. These specific ravens were in alliance with the Dwarves of Erebor. Carc, a notable raven cheif, had been one of these along with his son Roäc who continued his fathers leadership around TA 2941 - when Thorin and Company reclaimed Lonely Mountain (Erebor). 

Roäc was described in The Hobbit as being a most decrepit bird... he was getting blind, he could 'hardly fly, and 'the top of his head was bald.. he was an aged raven of great size. 

When Peregrin Took (Pippin) became one of the Guards of the Citadel, his new garments included a high-crowned helm with s'mall raven wings on either side.

InspirationEdit

It has been suggested that J.R.R Tolkien's use of ravens, especially Roac, is reminiscent of Odin's two messenger-ravens Huginn and Muminn of Norse Mythology, of which Tolkien took many of his ideas from.