Moria
Moria is a vast underground realm in J.R.R.
Tolkien's Middle-earth, originally the great dwarf kingdom of Khazad-dûm before it fell to a Balrog.
The name means "black pit" in Elvish—a disparaging term the dwarves rejected.
In *The Lord of the Rings*, the Fellowship's harrowing passage through Moria includes Gandalf's confrontation with the Balrog.
The word has become shorthand for any ancient, dangerous underground place: The abandoned subway tunnels felt like our own Moria.
Fictional ultralight strong metal
- shaftNarrow vertical passage
- tunnelEnclosed underground route
- excavationAct of unearthing
- oreMetal-bearing rock
vein · lode · pickaxe · underground · gallery · chamber · delving · pit
Light blocked by object
- gloomPervasive dimness or dejection
- blacknessComplete absence of light
- abyssImmeasurably profound depth
- voidWithout legal effect
depths · chasm · bottomless · fathomless · pit · engulfing · dread · lightless
Skill in making objects
- smithingMetalworking by hammer
- forgeFurnace for shaping metal
- anvilMetal-shaping block
- stoneworkConstruction using rock
hammer · axe · lost kingdom · carved stone
Nature spirit or larva
- springRecoiling metal spiral
- freshwaterNon-saline aquatic environment
- Greek mythologyAncient Greek divine narratives
- water spiritMythical aquatic entity
fountain · stream · Attica · nature deity
Balrog
Demon of fire and darkness
mithril
Fictional ultralight strong metal
- shaftNarrow vertical passage
- tunnelEnclosed underground route
- excavationAct of unearthing
ore · vein · lode · pickaxe · underground · gallery · chamber · delving · pit · seam
shadow
Light blocked by object
- gloomPervasive dimness or dejection
- blacknessComplete absence of light
- abyssImmeasurably profound depth
void · depths · chasm · bottomless · fathomless · pit · engulfing · dread · lightless · sunless
craftsmanship
Skill in making objects
stonework · hammer · axe · lost kingdom · carved stone
nymph
Nature spirit or larva
- springRecoiling metal spiral
- freshwaterNon-saline aquatic environment
- Greek mythologyAncient Greek divine narratives
water spirit · fountain · stream · Attica · nature deity
MoriaLothlórien
Golden-leafed woodland realm
Valinor · Rivendell · the Shire · Minas Tirith · Bag End