Mithril

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Mithril [ ˈmɪθrɪl ] is a fictional metal from JRR Tolkien's novel universe . It is described as a silver metal that is tougher than hardened steel and lighter than silk . The use of mithril has grown beyond the limits of Tolkien's works over time. It is mostly used in fantasy novels and role-playing games.

The term is also used in research and technology as a symbol of strength and security in connection with good usability. Various research projects and companies, especially in the field of computer science , have Mithril as part of their name.

Use in Tolkien's works

Mithril is first mentioned in Tolkien's work in The Hobbit , where it is still referred to as "Moria Silver" - but details of the properties are only developed much later in the course of the stories. In The Lord of the Rings Tolkien writes that mithril was only mined by the dwarves in Khazad-dûm, the mines of Moria . In the news from Middle-earth , however, it is said that Mithril was also found on Númenor . In the early history of the Tolkien universe, the value of mithril was measured at about ten times that of gold , but later its value (so the story goes) increased immeasurably, since the mining of the ore in Moria was no longer possible. For example, the value of Frodo's chain mail is compared with that of the entire Shire. In addition to armor and jewelry, the Noldor made Ithildin from mithril , a material with which the moon letters were written, which the initiated could only make visible in star or moonlight.

In the film adaptation of the novel, Mithril is only mentioned in relation to the shirt that Frodo received from Bilbo . Frodo wears it when he is attacked by a cave troll in the mines of Moria ; only because of the shirt does he survive the attack.

According to Tolkien, the word mithril is made up of two words from the Sindarin elven language : mith for "gray" and ril for "shimmer". In Quenya , the second great Elven language , the metal mistarille is called "gray shimmer "; the dwarves had their own but unknown name for mithril, possibly zigil "white-gray silver" or kibil "silver metal ". People in Tolkien's world call it "true silver" or "gray shimmer".

Adaptation in fictional works

In many fantasy game worlds, Mithril has already overtaken the material adamantium . Its roots go back to ancient Greece and it was used by Tolkien as an adamant in the Lord of the Rings . The importance of mithril has already grown far beyond the limits of Tolkien's work. Mithril is most widespread in various role-playing games for computers and game consoles , but it is also used in pen & paper role-playing games .

Computer and console games
  • In some versions of the first computer game in this category, Adventure (also known as "Colossal Cave"), a "mithril ring" is a treasure to be found.
  • In the email game Allanon , Mithril can be mined in mountains and used for certain armor and weapons.
  • In the role-playing game Arcanum: From Steam Engines and Magic , the shiny silver metal Mithril can be used to produce special items such as magical weapons and armor.
  • In the role-playing game Arx Fatalis , the hero finds greaves and a helmet made of mithril. Towards the end he has to look for the last piece of mithril in the dwarf mine and then forge a special sword for the final battle.
  • In the role-playing game Baldur's Gate there is a mithril chain mail, which is worn by Drizzt Do'Urden , one of the strongest opponents in the game. It has the second best armor rating in the game and is particularly light.
  • In the classic role-playing game series The Bard's Tale , weapons and armor are made of mithril.
  • In Cabal Online , Mithril is used in armor and weapons.
  • In the role-playing game Aion, Mithril is used in some weapons and armor.
  • In Dark Age of Camelot , relatively poor armor and weapons are made of mithril. A use as a means of payment was considered, but was never implemented.
  • In Diablo II , various weapons and armor are made from mithril.
  • In Drakan: The Ancients' Gates , some weapons are made from mithril.
  • Also in the role-playing game series The Elder Scrolls , Mithril is a shiny silver metal that is used to make armor, among other things.
  • The games Final Fantasy by Square feature weapons and armor made from Mithril.
  • In Forgotten Realms , Mithril has the same properties, but has a silver-bluish shimmer.
  • In Golden Sun and Golden Sun: The Forgotten Era, a mythril bag is used to transport the elemental stars.
  • In Guild Wars 2 , mithril is a craft item used to forge weapons and armor.
  • In Harvest Moon there is also a metal called Mithril or Mythril . The color here is dark blue, however. Nothing explicit is reported about further properties, but one can upgrade one's tools to almost the highest quality level with the help of the Mithril.
  • In HeXen II the player has to overcome a wall of mithril.
  • In Kingdom Hearts 2 there are four different raw materials made of mithril , with which you can create different items.
  • Armor made of this metal is available in the online game Runescape . In addition, some other objects are decorated with mithril or partially equipped with it.
  • Armor made from this metal is also available in the online multiplayer games Lineage and Lineage II . In addition, some other objects are decorated with mithril or partially equipped with it, such as arrows.
  • In the online role-playing game Ultima Online, armor and weapons can be made from "Mythril". The ore is one of the rarest materials.
  • Some of the games in Sega's Shining game series (Shining in the Darkness, Shining Force, Shining the Holy Ark, etc.) feature mithril, which can be used to make weapons and armor.
  • In the adventure game Simon the Sorcerer there is a metal called "Milrith", obviously a parody .
  • In Vanguard: Saga of Heroes , Mithril is also used as a metal to make weapons and armor.
  • In Warcraft III , the shields and swords of the highest level of human development are made of mithril.
  • Mithril was also included in the game worlds of the multiplayer online role-playing games World of Warcraft and Aion . It occurs in various areas of the game world and after its dismantling can be processed into weapons, armor and other objects of daily use.
  • In Terraria , Mythril is a greenish, rare ore used to mine and forge weapons and armor
  • In the strategy game Craft The World , Mithril is the most valuable ore in the game with which special weapons, armor and magical objects can be made.
  • Mithril can be found as a rare crafting material in the online role-playing game Neverwinter .
Role play

Adaptation in everyday culture

Mithril has also penetrated everyday culture outside of fantasy worlds , but has nothing to do with metal.

Literature & Music
  • In “ Full Metal Panic! “, Both a Japanese light novel and manga and anime of the same name , Mithril is the name of an international anti-terrorist organization.
  • In the anime Overlord , Mithril is a rank for adventurers
  • An American band for Celtic music is called Mithril.
Research projects
  • In the “MIThril” project, MIT is working on the development of wearable computers as clothing that can perceive their surroundings.
  • In the “mithril project”, the NCSA focuses on improving the security of server systems.
Companies

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Ralph Witt, Dave Platt: Map of Colossal Cave. rickadams.org, accessed September 8, 2009 (approx. 1979).
  2. ↑ MIThril. MIT Media Lab, accessed September 9, 2009 .
  3. ↑ Mithril: Applying adapability for survivability. NCSA Security Research, accessed September 10, 2009 .
  4. ↑ Mithril Racing - Goodwod Motor Circuit. Mithril Racing, archived from the original on December 8, 2015 ; accessed on September 10, 2009 .
  5. ↑ Mithril Technology, Inc. 2008, accessed September 10, 2009 .
  6. ^ Mithril Wireless Systems. 2006, archived from the original on September 18, 2009 ; accessed on September 10, 2009 .