ringwearers

Ringwearers are a fictional species featured in J.R.R. Tolkien's legendarium, specifically known from The Lord of the Rings. They are beings who have been corrupted by the power of the One Ring and are therefore bound to its will.

Initially, ringwearers were Men, particularly of the Númenórean lineage, who were gifted Rings of Power by the Elves. Sauron, the creator of the One Ring, forged it in secret and then imbued many of the Rings of Power with a portion of his own power, intending to control the wearers. Nine of these Rings were given to Men, who became immensely powerful and long-lived, but ultimately fell under Sauron's dominion.

These nine Men were transformed into the Nazgûl, also known as the Ringwraiths, the most terrifying servants of Sauron. They lost their individual identities, becoming spectral beings enslaved to the Dark Lord's will and incapable of existing independently of the One Ring. Their power and influence were amplified by their Rings, making them formidable adversaries.

While the Nazgûl are the most prominent examples, any individual who has worn or wielded the One Ring can be considered a ringwearer, experiencing its corrupting influence. Gollum, originally a Hobbit-like creature named Sméagol, is another significant ringwearer, having possessed the Ring for centuries and been physically and mentally altered by its prolonged presence. The Ring's power brought him unnatural longevity but also led to his obsession, paranoia, and eventual demise. The concept of ringwearers highlights the destructive and corrupting nature of absolute power.