The Druds

The Druds are a fictional people appearing in the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, most notably in The Lord of the Rings. They are a reclusive race of stout, broad-shouldered men with woad-darkened skin and grim, stone-like faces. They are also known as the Drúedain, or Wild Men of the Woods.

Unlike other Men of Middle-earth, the Drúedain are of uncertain origin, their history largely unknown. They possess unique abilities, including a form of telepathy or empathy, allowing them to sense the intentions and emotions of others, and a natural resistance to magic. They are also skilled stoneworkers, as evidenced by the stone paths and figures they create.

The Drúedain are generally mistrustful of other races and prefer to live in isolation. They are fierce defenders of their territory and possess a deep knowledge of the forests and wildlands they inhabit. Despite their forbidding appearance and reserved nature, they are capable of great loyalty and courage, as demonstrated by their crucial assistance to the Rohirrim during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. Their leader, Ghân-buri-Ghân, guided the Rohirrim through hidden paths, enabling them to arrive in time to turn the tide of the battle. Following the War of the Ring, the Drúedain were granted lands in Druadan Forest as a reward for their service.