barrowwight

Barrow-wight is a type of undead creature in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium. Barrow-wights inhabit ancient burial mounds, or barrows, in Eriador, especially the Barrow-downs near the Shire. They are solitary, malevolent beings that dwell within tombs and prey on those who disturb their sanctuaries. The presence of a barrow-wight is often marked by cold, stillness in the air, and intruders may be attacked or trapped within the barrow.

Appearance and abilities: A barrow-wight is described as a pale, corpse-like figure, shrouded in the grave-clothes of long ago. It can exert oppressive fear and may seize or entomb the living within the tomb chamber. They are not described as highly corporeal and their power is tied to the dark places they inhabit. They are typically kept at bay by light, courage, or forces from outside the tomb; in The Fellowship of the Ring, Tom Bombadil banishes a barrow-wight with a song, freeing the hobbits.

Origin and role: The exact origins of barrow-wights are not fully explained in Tolkien's writings. They are undead connected with the Barrow-downs and bound to their barrows, serving the malevolent influences active in the region. They are distinct from the Ringwraiths, though they share the broader theme of undead opposed to the free peoples of Middle-earth.

Notable appearances: The most famous episode occurs in The Fellowship of the Ring when Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin are trapped in a Barrow-downs tomb until Tom Bombadil arrives and dispels the wight.