rdfs:comment
| - The destruction of the ancient Dwarven state by Durin's Bane in T.A. 1980-81 was as shocking a blow to Eriador as the fall of Arthedain some six years earlier. A flood of Dwarven refugees wandered the country for a few years loaded with portable treasure, then there was nothing; trade collapsed, the Gate-towns burned and crumbled, and half the economy of southern Eriador vanished forever. The recurring nightmare of nearby leaders, for centuries to come, was that Durin's Bane, believed—but, not actually known— to be a Balrog, might emerge with its army of Orcs and Trolls to attack Lorien or invade the lands of lost Arnor. Expeditions of investigation proved little; it was soon realized that Durin's Bane was trapped in its lair—either by the spells it laid to hide itself in the First Age; or
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abstract
| - The destruction of the ancient Dwarven state by Durin's Bane in T.A. 1980-81 was as shocking a blow to Eriador as the fall of Arthedain some six years earlier. A flood of Dwarven refugees wandered the country for a few years loaded with portable treasure, then there was nothing; trade collapsed, the Gate-towns burned and crumbled, and half the economy of southern Eriador vanished forever. The recurring nightmare of nearby leaders, for centuries to come, was that Durin's Bane, believed—but, not actually known— to be a Balrog, might emerge with its army of Orcs and Trolls to attack Lorien or invade the lands of lost Arnor. Expeditions of investigation proved little; it was soon realized that Durin's Bane was trapped in its lair—either by the spells it laid to hide itself in the First Age; or by enchantments of Dwarvish origin, created to keep such horrors from entering the city; or due to its lack of a fana, or physical body, that might withstand the light of the sun. In the end, the threat of Durin's Bane never passed beyond the Gates of Moria; its evil minions attempted raids to the surface lands, but were slain and cowed by the Elves of Lorien and Dunadan Rangers hunting southward from Rivendell. The Redhorn Pass remained in use through most of the Age.
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