Unraveling the Dwarf Clans of Moria: A Guide to Their Return
The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria introduces players to a diverse array of Dwarf clans Choose from the Glittering Caves, Iron Hills, Coastal Mountains, Blue Mountains, Red Mountains, or Lonely Mountain clans to shape your character's journey
Highlights
The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria is a survival-crafting game where players play as Dwarves to retake the lost city of Moria.
In the Fourth Age, six Dwarven clans, hailing from various regions, collaborate harmoniously to reconstruct Moria. Each clan, including the Glittering Caves Clan and the Red Mountains Clan, possesses a distinctive heritage and intricate ties to different realms within Middle-Earth.
In The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria, players assume the roles of the Dwarves of Middle-Earth who are determined to reclaim the lost city of Moria following Sauron's defeat. Being a survival-crafting game, it is only appropriate that the Dwarven race, known for their mountain dwellings, takes center stage. As players embark on their quest to retake Moria, they have the option to select one of six ancestral locations, each representing a different branch of the Dwarven diaspora.
Following the fall of Moria, or Kazad-dum, to the formidable Balrog during the Third Age, the Dwarves were forcibly scattered across Middle-Earth, forming new clans in the process. Now, in the Fourth Age, the hero Gimli Lockbearer has rallied the clans to reunite and work together in an effort to restore Moria to its former magnificence. Consequently, the six clans join forces in Return to Moria as they collectively strive to rebuild the city.
The Glittering Caves Clan
The Iron Hills Clan
The Glittering Caves, situated behind the Hornburg in Rohan, feature prominently in The Lord of the Rings series. Notably, Gimli and Legolas seek refuge in these caves during the Siege of Helm's Deep. In the aftermath of Sauron's defeat, Gimli aids in the establishment of a new Dwarven colony here, along with other Dwarves from Erebor. The clan utilizes this location as an outpost to support the restoration efforts of Gondor and Rohan, which were ravaged by Sauron's forces.
To the east of Erebor lies the Iron Hills, which are inhabited by a clan of Dwarves that share a close bond with the King Under the Mountain of Erebor. Following Smaug's attack on Erebor, the Iron Hills provided shelter to the displaced Dwarves, many of whom have chosen to remain there even after the city's reclamation. Consequently, the Iron Hills clan has maintained their ties with Erebor and continues to be an important ally to the people under the rule of the King Under the Mountain.
The Coastal Mountains Clan
Far in the southern region of Gondor lies the territory of the Coastal Mountains clan, the furthest southern clan of Dwarves in Middle-Earth. These Dwarves, compared to other clans, were relatively secluded from their kinsfolk prior to the conclusion of the Third Age. However, following the downfall of Sauron and the triumphant return of Aragorn to the Reunited Kingdoms, the Coastal Mountain Dwarves have re-established relations with their counterparts from the Red Mountains.
The Blue Mountains Clan
Established to provide shelter for those forced out of Erebor by the dragon Smaug, the Blue Mountains clan of Dwarves thrived in their settlement. Situated in the western part of Eriador, between the Gulf of Lune and the Shire, these mountains housed numerous Dwarves. Although many of them eventually returned to Erebor after Smaug's defeat, a vibrant clan remained in the Blue Mountains throughout the Fourth Age, even venturing into Moria for the Return.
The Red Mountains Clan
The Red Mountains, also known as the Orocarni, are situated in the far northeast corner of Middle-Earth and are inhabited by the Red Mountains Clan of Dwarves. These Dwarves had been isolated from their kin for a long time as a result of Sauron's occupation of Mordor and eastern Middle-Earth. However, following his downfall at the end of the Third Age, these Dwarves have finally been able to reunite with the other clans.
The Lonely Mountain Clan
Erebor, also known as The Lonely Mountain, is the dwelling place of the largest clan of Dwarves in Middle-Earth and is governed by the King Under the Mountain. Despite the fact that numerous Dwarves from this clan contributed to the establishment of other clans after the Sack of Erebor, it still serves as the stronghold of the King of Durin's Folk. In the Fourth Age, its prosperity has enabled this clan to assist in the reconstruction of Gondor and Rohan as well.
The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria is available on PC. The PS5 version launches on December 5, and the Xbox Series X/S version is scheduled to release in early 2024.
