Udûn (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power)

Udûn, in the context of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power television series, refers to a region within the Southlands of Middle-earth that is ultimately transformed into Mordor. The series portrays Udûn as a verdant, though troubled, territory inhabited by humans, many of whom are descendants of those who sided with Morgoth in the First Age.

The name "Udûn" itself is significant. In Tolkien's invented languages, particularly Sindarin, "Udûn" translates to "hell" or "dark pit." This foreshadows the region's grim future.

In The Rings of Power, the orcs, under the command of Adar, seek to create a permanent homeland for themselves. Their efforts involve digging tunnels and establishing a foothold in the Southlands. They execute a carefully devised plan to corrupt the land and transform it into a barren wasteland.

The culmination of this plan involves the activation of a network of underground tunnels, which releases water from a nearby lake into the volcanic fires of Orodruin (Mount Doom). This cataclysmic event triggers a massive volcanic eruption, transforming the Southlands into the desolate, volcanic landscape that will become known as Mordor, and officially marking the region as Udûn, aligning with its foreboding name and Tolkien's established lore. This act solidifies Adar's purpose and allows the orcs to claim Udûn as their own.