Also called Ringwraiths, Ring-wraiths, Black Riders, Dark Riders, the Nine Riders, or simply the Nine, are fictional characters in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium. They were nine Men who succumbed to Sauron's power and attained near-immortality as wraiths, servants bound to the power of the One Ring. They are first mentioned in The Lord of the Rings, originally published in 1954–1955. The book calls the Nazgûl Sauron's "most terrible servants".
Appearance and characteristicsThe Nazgûl wore their rings long enough that their physical forms faded away until they had become entirely invisible to mortal eyes. Their black robes gave them visible form. During the assault on Minas Tirith, the leader of the Nine, the Witch-king of Angmar, cast back his hood to reveal a crown, but the head that wore it was invisible. While wearing the One Ring, Frodo perceived them as pale figures robed in white, with "haggard hands" and wearing crowns.
In The Fellowship of the Ring they were armed with steel swords, while the Witch-king wielded a Morgul blade that could turn its victim into a wraith. During the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, the Witch-king bore a "long pale sword", and later used a mace against Éowyn.
The Witch-king practiced black magic, and used it to break the gates of Minas Tirith. Tolkien said of the Nazgûl ". . . their chief weapon was terror.
SteedsAfter losing their horses at the Ford of Bruinen, the Nazgûl returned to Mordor and reappeared mounted on hideous flying beasts; Beregond called them "Hell Hawks". Tolkien describes them as "fell beasts". In a letter, he calls the winged mounts "Nazgûl-birds" or "Dragons"
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YOUR JUDGES
We are bringing in outside judges for the contest, some you might know.
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These judges are to be treated with respect and trying to buy there vote will disqualify you from our contest.
The judges picks are final.
* alternate judges may be used in serious cases of dismemberment and or death
CONTEST RULES
We have discovered that not understanding the rules can cause you problems in the long run. Read these twice, and ask questions if you don't understand something. We are here to assist you in anyway we can...
Your entry must be a new image as of the contest start date.
You get to decided if your creation will be including "Nazgûl-birds" , or a Steed. You must choose only one.
You many enter 2 submissions as long as they are in the same level and using different stock.
You have been given 15 stock images to choose from. You must you one of the required stock images, but you may use as many as needed.
Challenge Stock You may NOT use any outside resources. All additional stock for Da must be credited. This includes brushes and textures.
Please allow full view for judging and no intrusive watermark.
Your entry
MUST be no smaller than 900 x 900
Include our icon and the name of the challenge in your entry.
Put the level you are competing in on your artists comments.
DETERMANATING YOUR SKILL LEVEL Digital Painting or airbrushing is ALLOWED to complete your photo-manipulation - such as hair, blood or clothing. ONLY
All
STANDARD group rules apply.
Group Rules IF YOU CHANGE ANYTHING AFTER YOU SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY
PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK YOUR LINKS!!!
THIS IS IMPORTANT.
HAVE A LOOK AROUND.
Current Entries
Challenge Stock
We like to give you creative freedom, and see what you come up with. USE IT!
THE CONTEST ENDS, FRIDAY JUNE 15TH @ 11:59 PM E.S.T.
I hope I got it right this time...
Countdown to The Dark Riders
by =zememz
COMPLETE LIST of GROUP RULES HERE
YOUR ENTRY MUST BE NEW ART DATED AFTER THE CHALLENGE STARTS.
Sta.sh
ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK 
FIRST PLACE:
Deviants
