| ! | Non-canon alert The subject of this article originates from non-canonical sources. To learn about what is considered "canon", see LOTR:Canon. |
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Bolgakh was the warchief over the Moria-orcs during the early Fourth Age.
In adaptations[]
In The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria[]
Bolgakh is a powerful Orc warlord who rules over Orctown, a stronghold hidden deep within the mines of Moria. He claims to be a direct descendant of Azog the Defiler, the infamous orc chieftain who killed the Dwarven king Thrór and ignited the War of the Dwarves and Orcs. This supposed lineage fuels Bolgakh’s hatred for the Dwarves and gives him legitimacy in the eyes of his followers. Under his command, the orcs and goblins of Moria have become more organized, more aggressive, and more determined to hold onto the dark tunnels they've claimed as their own.
Unlike many orcs who rely on brute force and chaos, Bolgakh is cunning and strategic. He has fortified Orctown into a formidable bastion, complete with patrols, traps, and layered defenses. Unlike many other Orcs in Khazad-dûm at that time, he is not affected by the shadow of Narag-Shazon.
In FO 171, the dwarves began their invasion of Khazad-dûm in an effort to reclaim it. They eventually reached Orctown, and a battle occured. In the end, Bolgakh's strength faltered. He fell beneath the axes of those who carried Durin’s will in their hearts.
At his death, the Dwarves recovered a fragment of Durin's Axe, a relic long thought lost — proof that the ancient heirlooms of their kings still lay scattered within the halls of Moria, waiting to be restored. The defeat of Bolgakh marked a turning point in the struggle for Khazad-dûm. Though many shadows remained, the heart of orcish resistance had been struck.
Behind the scenes[]
The character was created for the video game The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria and so is non-canonical.