The Fremen are a group of people in the fictional
''Dune'' universe created by
Frank Herbert
Franklin Patrick Herbert Jr. (October 8, 1920February 11, 1986) was an American science-fiction author, best known for his 1965 novel Dune (novel), ''Dune'' and its five sequels. He also wrote short stories and worked as a newspaper journalist, ...
. First appearing in the 1965 novel ''
Dune
A dune is a landform composed of wind- or water-driven sand. It typically takes the form of a mound, ridge, or hill. An area with dunes is called a dune system or a dune complex. A large dune complex is called a dune field, while broad, flat ...
'', the Fremen inhabit the
desert planet
A desert planet, also known as a dry planet, an arid planet, or a dune planet, is a type of terrestrial planet that is arid at the surface level.
Deserts can be cold or hot, and even retain water, like Antarctica or the Sahara on Earth; however, ...
Arrakis
Arrakis ()—informally known as Dune and later called Rakis—is a fictional desert planet featured in the ''Dune'' series of novels by Frank Herbert. Herbert's first novel in the series, 1965's ''Dune'', is considered one of the greatest sc ...
(also known as Dune), which is the sole known source in the universe of the all-important drug
melange. Long overlooked by the rest of the Imperium and considered backward savages, they are an extremely hardy people and exist in large numbers. The Fremen had come to the planet thousands of years before the events of the novel as the
Zensunni
''Dune'' is an American science fiction media franchise that originated with the 1965 novel ''Dune'' by Frank Herbert and has continued to add new publications. ''Dune'' is frequently described as the best-selling science fiction novel in histor ...
Wanderers, a religious sect in retreat. As humans ''in extremis'', over time they adapted their culture and way of life to survive and thrive in the incredibly harsh conditions of Arrakis. The Fremen are distinguished by their fierce fighting abilities and adeptness at survival in these conditions. With water being a rare commodity on the planet, their culture revolves around its preservation and conservation. Herbert based Fremen culture, in part, on the desert-dwelling
Bedouin
The Bedouin, Beduin, or Bedu ( ; , singular ) are pastorally nomadic Arab tribes who have historically inhabited the desert regions in the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, the Levant, and Mesopotamia (Iraq). The Bedouin originated in the Sy ...
and
San People
The San peoples (also Saan), or Bushmen, are the members of any of the indigenous hunter-gatherer cultures of southern Africa, and the oldest surviving cultures of the region. They are thought to have diverged from other humans 100,000 to 200 ...
.
Origins
''Dune'' was inspired by Herbert's research for a potential article about the
United States Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an executive department of the United States federal government that aims to meet the needs of commercial farming and livestock food production, promotes agricultural trade and producti ...
's attempt to use
poverty grasses to stabilize the
Oregon Dunes in
Florence, Oregon
Florence is a coastal city in Lane County, in the U.S. state of Oregon. It lies at the mouth of the Siuslaw River on the Pacific Ocean and about midway between Newport to the north and Coos Bay to the south along U.S. Route 101. As of August ...
.
Herbert learned that the moving dunes could "swallow whole cities, lakes, rivers, highways."
He said that in studying sand dunes, we must analyze the "black foot (people) of the
Kalahari
The Kalahari Desert is a large semiarid sandy savanna in Southern Africa covering including much of Botswana as well as parts of Namibia and South Africa.
It is not to be confused with the Angolan, Namibian, and South African Namib coastal d ...
and how they utilize every drop of water. You can't just stop with the people who are living in this type of environment: you have to go on to how the environment works on the people and how they work on their environment."
Herbert based Fremen culture, in part, on the desert-dwelling
Bedouin
The Bedouin, Beduin, or Bedu ( ; , singular ) are pastorally nomadic Arab tribes who have historically inhabited the desert regions in the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, the Levant, and Mesopotamia (Iraq). The Bedouin originated in the Sy ...
and
San People
The San peoples (also Saan), or Bushmen, are the members of any of the indigenous hunter-gatherer cultures of southern Africa, and the oldest surviving cultures of the region. They are thought to have diverged from other humans 100,000 to 200 ...
.
In an early, alternate ''Dune'' outline by Frank Herbert called ''
Spice Planet
''The Road to Dune'' is a collection of science fiction works and related material by American writers Frank Herbert, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. A companion book to the ''Dune'' novels, the book was released in September 2005.
Conte ...
'', the Fremen are called the "Free Men". The Free Men were convicts who had been transported to "Duneworld" to work for the spice operation of the "Hoskanners" in exchange for a reduction in their sentence.
Plot
In ''
Dune
A dune is a landform composed of wind- or water-driven sand. It typically takes the form of a mound, ridge, or hill. An area with dunes is called a dune system or a dune complex. A large dune complex is called a dune field, while broad, flat ...
'', Duke
Leto Atreides, his
Bene Gesserit
The Bene Gesserit () are a group in Frank Herbert's fictional Dune (franchise), ''Dune'' universe. A powerful social, religious, and political force, the Bene Gesserit are described as an exclusive sisterhood whose members train their bodies an ...
concubine
Lady Jessica
Lady Jessica is a fictional character in the ''Dune'' universe created by Frank Herbert. A main character in the 1963–65 novel ''Dune'', Jessica also plays an important role in the later installment '' Children of Dune'' (1976). The events sur ...
, and their son
Paul
Paul may refer to:
People
* Paul (given name), a given name, including a list of people
* Paul (surname), a list of people
* Paul the Apostle, an apostle who wrote many of the books of the New Testament
* Ray Hildebrand, half of the singing duo ...
arrive on Arrakis to take control of
melange mining operations there. The mysterious Fremen housekeeper at the palace of
Arrakeen
Arrakis ()—informally known as Dune and later called Rakis—is a fictional desert planet featured in the ''Dune'' series of novels by Frank Herbert. Herbert's first novel in the series, 1965's ''Dune'', is considered one of the greatest sci ...
is known as the Shadout Mapes, and when Paul saves her life from a deadly
hunter-seeker
This is a list of terminology used in the fictional ''Dune'' universe created by Frank Herbert, the primary source being "Terminology of the Imperium", the glossary contained in the novel ''Dune'' (1965).
''Dune'' word construction could be clas ...
intended to kill him, Mapes warns of a traitor in the
Atreides household. She is killed by that same traitor,
Suk doctor
Multiple organizations of the ''Dune'' universe dominate the political, religious, and social arena of the setting of Frank Herbert's ''Dune'' series of science fiction novels, and derivative works. Set tens of thousands of years in the future, ...
Wellington Yueh
''Dune (franchise), Dune'' is a science fiction media franchise that originated with the 1965 Dune (novel), novel of the same name by American author Frank Herbert. ''Dune'' is frequently cited as the best-selling science fiction novel in histor ...
, as the
Harkonnens attack. Leto is killed, and Paul and Jessica flee into the deep desert and find shelter with the Fremen of
Sietch Tabr
Arrakis ()—informally known as Dune and later called Rakis—is a fictional desert planet featured in the ''Dune'' series of novels by Frank Herbert. Herbert's first novel in the series, 1965's ''Dune'', is considered one of the greatest sc ...
. Paul is immediately challenged by the Fremen warrior
Jamis
Jamis Bicycles is an American distributor of bicycles, designed in the US and built in People's Republic of China, China and Taiwan. Jamis was acquired in 1990 by its parent company, G. Joannou Cycle Co. It is headed by Carine Joannou, chief execu ...
, and when he kills Jamis in a ritual fight to the death, Paul is faced with the Fremen custom of taking responsibility for Jamis's wife
Harah and her children. A key to Fremen survival in the harsh conditions of Arrakis is their ritualistic conservation of water. Paul rises as a leader among the Fremen, learning their ways while he and Jessica train them in the Bene Gesserit
weirding way
The Bene Gesserit () are a group in Frank Herbert's fictional ''Dune'' universe. A powerful social, religious, and political force, the Bene Gesserit are described as an exclusive sisterhood whose members train their bodies and minds through y ...
fighting discipline. Paul also becomes close to
Chani, the daughter of Imperial Planetologist
Liet-Kynes
''Dune'' is a science fiction media franchise that originated with the 1965 novel of the same name by American author Frank Herbert. ''Dune'' is frequently cited as the best-selling science fiction novel in history, and won the 1966 Hugo Award ...
and his Fremen wife. Harah tries to explain to the superstitious and wary Fremen the unique nature of Paul's younger sister
Alia
Alia or ALIA may refer to:
People
*Alia (name), a list of people with the surname or given name
Places
*Alia, Sicily, Italy, a comune
* Alia (Phrygia), a town of ancient Phrygia which remains a Roman Catholic titular bishopric
* Alía, Spain, a ...
, who was changed in the womb as Jessica underwent a Fremen/Bene Gesserit ritual to replace the Fremen
Reverend Mother Ramallo. Paul leads the Fremen to take back Arrakis from the Harkonnens and
Padishah Emperor
Multiple organizations of the ''Dune'' universe dominate the political, religious, and social arena of the setting of Frank Herbert's Dune (franchise), ''Dune'' series of science fiction novels, and derivative works. Set tens of thousands of year ...
Shaddam IV
''Dune (franchise), Dune'' is a science fiction media franchise that originated with the 1965 Dune (novel), novel of the same name by American author Frank Herbert. ''Dune'' is frequently cited as the best-selling science fiction novel in histor ...
, placing himself on the throne.
In ''
Dune Messiah
''Dune Messiah'' is a 1969 science fiction novel by American writer Frank Herbert, the second in his ''Dune'' series of six novels. A sequel to ''Dune'' (1965), it was originally serialized in ''Galaxy'' magazine in 1969, and then published by ...
'' (1969), a religion has arisen around Paul, and a jihad is being fought in his name across the universe.
Korba, one of the
Fedaykin death
commando
A commando is a combatant, or operative of an elite light infantry or special operations force, specially trained for carrying out raids and operating in small teams behind enemy lines.
Originally, "a commando" was a type of combat unit, as oppo ...
s in ''Dune'', has become one of the chief priests of the religion of Muad'Dib. Another Fedaykin,
Farok, is one of many Fremen disillusioned by the changes Paul's regime brings to their culture, and he joins the conspiracy to unseat Paul initiated by the
Spacing Guild
The Spacing Guild is an organization in Frank Herbert's science fiction ''Dune'' universe that possesses a monopoly on interstellar travel and banking. Guild Navigators (alternately Guildsmen or Steersmen) use the drug melange (also called "th ...
,
Tleilaxu
Multiple organizations of the ''Dune'' universe dominate the political, religious, and social arena of the setting of Frank Herbert's ''Dune'' series of science fiction novels, and derivative works. Set tens of thousands of years in the future, ...
, and Bene Gesserit.
Lichna
''Dune'' is a science fiction media franchise that originated with the 1965 novel of the same name by American author Frank Herbert. ''Dune'' is frequently cited as the best-selling science fiction novel in history, and won the 1966 Hugo Award ...
, the daughter of Paul's trusted Fedaykin
Otheym, is killed and impersonated by the Tleilaxu
Face Dancer
Technology is a key aspect of the fictional setting of the ''Dune'' series of science fiction novels written by Frank Herbert, and derivative works. Herbert's concepts and inventions have been analyzed and deconstructed in at least one book, ''Th ...
Scytale
In cryptography, a scytale (; also transliterated skytale, ''skutálē'' "baton, cylinder", also ''skútalon'') is a tool used to perform a transposition cipher, consisting of a cylinder with a strip of parchment wound around it on which is wr ...
as a means to infiltrate Paul's household, which ultimately fails. Chani dies giving birth to Paul's twin heirs,
Leto II and
Ghanima, and a blinded Paul follows Fremen tradition and walks into the desert to die.
As regent for Leto II and Ghanima, Alia struggles to control Paul's virtually uncontrollable religion in ''
Children of Dune
''Children of Dune'' is a 1976 science fiction novel by Frank Herbert, the third in his ''Dune'' series of six novels. Originally serialized in ''Analog Science Fiction and Fact'' in 1976, it was the last ''Dune'' novel to be serialized before ...
'' (1976). She succumbs to possession by the persona of her grandfather,
Baron Vladimir Harkonnen
Baron Vladimir Harkonnen () is a fictional character in the Dune (franchise), ''Dune'' franchise created by Frank Herbert. He is primarily featured in the 1965 novel ''Dune (novel), Dune'' and is also a prominent character in the ''Prelude to Dune ...
, and Sietch Tabr leader
Stilgar
''Dune (franchise), Dune'' is a science fiction media franchise that originated with the 1965 Dune (novel), novel of the same name by American author Frank Herbert. ''Dune'' is frequently cited as the best-selling science fiction novel in histor ...
, his wife Harah, and
Princess Irulan
Princess Irulan is a fictional character in the Dune (franchise), ''Dune'' universe created by Frank Herbert. She first appears in ''Dune (novel), Dune'' (1965), and is later featured in ''Dune Messiah'' (1969) and ''Children of Dune'' (1976). T ...
flee with Leto II and Ghanima to escape Alia's worsening tyranny. Though married to
Duncan Idaho
Duncan Idaho is a fictional character in the Dune (franchise), ''Dune'' universe created by Frank Herbert. He was introduced in the first novel of the series, 1965's ''Dune (novel), Dune'', and became a breakout character. He was revived in 1969' ...
, Alia takes Fremen warrior
Buer Agarves as a lover, promising him leadership of Sietch Tabr in return for killing Stilgar. In the clandestine Sietch Fondak,
Gurney Halleck follows what he believes are Jessica's orders, and with the help of Fremen
Namri administers an overdose of melange to Leto II as a test of his resistance to the danger of
Abomination that has taken Alia. Alia, however, is actually behind the plan, and Namri has secretly been instructed by her to kill Leto no matter the result. Leto recognizes a potential mate in the Fondak woman
Sabiha, but recognizes this as an alternate path he should not take. A blind preacher emerges from the desert, guided by teenage
Assan Tariq, son of
Muriz from a cast out tribe of Fremen.
By ''
God Emperor of Dune
''God Emperor of Dune'' is a science fiction novel by American writer Frank Herbert, published in 1981. The fourth in his ''Dune'' series of six novels, it was ranked as the No. 11 hardcover fiction best seller of 1981 by ''Publishers Weekly''. ...
'' (1981), taking place 3,500 years after ''Children of Dune'', Arrakis has become terraformed into a wet, lush planet. Desert is now limited to the area surrounding Leto II's fortress, and all sandworms other than the God Emperor have died off, thus altering the Fremen culture drastically. Traditions and rituals held by ancient Fremen are maintained and performed by "Museum Fremen", though they have lost their meaning and value. In ''
Heretics of Dune
''Heretics of Dune'' is a 1984 science fiction novel by Frank Herbert, the fifth in his Dune (franchise), ''Dune'' series of six novels.
Set 1,500 years after the events of ''God Emperor of Dune'' (1981), the novel finds humanity on the path se ...
'' (1984), 1,500 years after the events of ''God Emperor of Dune'', Arrakis (now called Rakis) is destroyed by the
Honored Matres
Multiple organizations of the ''Dune'' universe dominate the political, religious, and social arena of the setting of Frank Herbert's ''Dune'' series of science fiction novels, and derivative works. Set tens of thousands of years in the future, ...
. This act killed the overwhelming majority of Fremen, apart from
Sheeana
''Dune (franchise), Dune'' is a science fiction media franchise that originated with the 1965 Dune (novel), novel of the same name by American author Frank Herbert. ''Dune'' is frequently cited as the best-selling science fiction novel in histor ...
and a few Fremen living on other planets.
Characteristics
In the series, the "native" Fremen of Arrakis live in communities called
sietches, each with its own leader, called a naib, who has ascended to the position by challenging his predecessor and proving himself the strongest in the tribe. The Fremen system of justice relies primarily on
trial by combat
Trial by combat (also wager of battle, trial by battle or judicial duel) was a method of Germanic law to settle accusations in the absence of witnesses or a confession in which two parties in dispute fought in single combat; the winner of the ...
, and individuals may challenge each other hand-to-hand duels to the death over matters of etiquette, law, or honor. The victor of these challenges becomes responsible for the wife, children, and certain possessions of the defeated.
The Fremen pay enormous spice bribes to the Spacing Guild to keep orbital space above Arrakis free of spy satellites,
and they have a long-term plan to
terraform the planet.
Each sietch also has a Sayyadina, a wise woman trained in the spiritual traditions of her people who can serve as a spiritual leader or as an acolyte to a holy woman who is the Fremen version of a Bene Gesserit
Reverend Mother
An abbess (Latin: ''abbatissa'') is the female superior of a community of nuns in an abbey.
Description
In the Catholic Church (both the Latin Church and Eastern Catholic), Eastern Orthodox, Coptic, Lutheran and Anglican abbeys, the mode o ...
. A significant part of the Fremen mythology has been created by the Bene Gesserit
Missionaria Protectiva
The Bene Gesserit () are a group in Frank Herbert's fictional ''Dune'' universe. A powerful social, religious, and political force, the Bene Gesserit are described as an exclusive sisterhood whose members train their bodies and minds through y ...
, an arm of the matriarchy which practices "religious engineering" by introducing contrived myths, prophecies and superstition among the populations of the Empire with the intent to later exploit them to the advantage of an individual Bene Gesserit or the entire order. In the case of the Fremen, a
messiah
In Abrahamic religions, a messiah or messias (; ,
; ,
; ) is a saviour or liberator of a group of people. The concepts of '' mashiach'', messianism, and of a Messianic Age originated in Judaism, and in the Hebrew Bible, in which a ''mashiach ...
legend has been put in place that is utilized in ''Dune'' by Paul Atreides to secure the safety of himself and his mother Jessica. The Fremen have a language unique to them, but also use
Chakobsa
Chakobsa is a Northwest Caucasian language, possibly in the Circassian subgroup. According to linguist John Colarusso, Chakobsa is also known as ''shikwoshir'' or the 'hunting language' and was originally a secret language used only by the prince ...
for ritual purposes.
The Fremen worship the giant
sandworms of Arrakis as manifestations of the earth deity they call Shai'Hulud. Though they cross the desert on foot in a specifically nonrhythmic pattern to avoid vibrations that would attract the deadly and destructive creatures, the Fremen are also able to ride the worms by "calling" and mounting them in a ritualized, controlled manner. As part of the sandworm life cycle, the spice drug melange is everywhere on Arrakis, and the Fremen diet is rich with it. Such a level of exposure to the spice tints the
sclera
The sclera, also known as the white of the eye or, in older literature, as the tunica albuginea oculi, is the opaque, fibrous, protective outer layer of the eye containing mainly collagen and some crucial elastic fiber.
In the development of t ...
,
cornea
The cornea is the transparency (optics), transparent front part of the eyeball which covers the Iris (anatomy), iris, pupil, and Anterior chamber of eyeball, anterior chamber. Along with the anterior chamber and Lens (anatomy), lens, the cornea ...
and
iris
Iris most often refers to:
*Iris (anatomy), part of the eye
* Iris (color), an ambiguous color term
*Iris (mythology), a Greek goddess
* ''Iris'' (plant), a genus of flowering plants
* Iris (given name), a feminine given name, and a list of peopl ...
of the user to a dark shade of blue, called "blue-in-blue" or "the Eyes of Ibad".
Water conservation
Herbert illustrates that living in the desert with no natural sources of water has spurred the Fremen to ritualize and build their society around the collection, storage, and conservative use of all moisture. They conserve the water distilled from their dead, consider spitting a sign of respect, and put a great cultural reverence on tears. Water is collected from the atmosphere in
windtrap
This is a list of terminology used in the fictional ''Dune'' universe created by Frank Herbert, the primary source being "Terminology of the Imperium", the glossary contained in the novel ''Dune'' (1965).
''Dune'' word construction could be clas ...
s that condense the humidity and add it to underground water stores in each sietch. Water can also be collected from dead people and animals using a
deathstill
This is a list of terminology used in the fictional Dune (franchise), ''Dune'' universe created by Frank Herbert, the primary source being "Terminology of the Imperium", the glossary contained in the novel ''Dune (novel), Dune'' (1965).
''Dune'' ...
to remove the water from a corpse for addition to the sietch water store. Personal ownership of moisture is designated by "water rings", which are used as a form of currency. When outside of their sietch, Fremen wear a
stillsuit
Technology is a key aspect of the fictional setting of the Dune (franchise), ''Dune'' series of science fiction novels written by Frank Herbert, and derivative works. Herbert's concepts and inventions have been analyzed and deconstructed in at lea ...
, a special body-enclosing suit designed to collect and recycle all the moisture the body releases through perspiration, urine, feces, and even the exhalation of
water vapor
Water vapor, water vapour, or aqueous vapor is the gaseous phase of Properties of water, water. It is one Phase (matter), state of water within the hydrosphere. Water vapor can be produced from the evaporation or boiling of liquid water or from th ...
in the breath. The special fabric is a micro-sandwich designed to dissipate heat and filter wastes while reclaiming moisture. The water is then held in catchpockets and made available to drink through a tube. A Fremen in a well-kept suit can survive weeks in the desert without any other source of water. Herbert even suggests in ''Dune'' that the Fremen have adapted to the environment physiologically, with their blood able to clot almost instantly in order to prevent water loss.
Combat
The dangerous conditions of Arrakis, which ensure that only the strongest survive, have also forged the Fremen into superior hand-to-hand combatants. In ''Dune'', Paul trains his Fremen forces in the use of the "weirding way", the Fremen name for the specialized Bene Gesserit
martial arts
Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defence; military and law enforcement applications; combat sport, competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; ...
that he learned from his mother. The
Mentat
Multiple organizations of the ''Dune'' universe dominate the political, religious, and social arena of the setting of Frank Herbert's ''Dune'' series of science fiction novels, and derivative works. Set tens of thousands of years in the future, ...
assassin
Thufir Hawat
''Dune (franchise), Dune'' is a science fiction media franchise that originated with the 1965 Dune (novel), novel of the same name by American author Frank Herbert. ''Dune'' is frequently cited as the best-selling science fiction novel in histor ...
is later shocked to learn that Fremen have not only overcome some of Shaddam IV's fierce and previously unstoppable
Sardaukar
Multiple organizations of the ''Dune'' universe dominate the political, religious, and social arena of the setting of Frank Herbert's ''Dune'' series of science fiction novels, and derivative works. Set tens of thousands of years in the future, ...
soldiers, but have done the impossible and captured some as well. Herbert also writes that "Paul recalled the stories of the Fremen—that their children fought as ferociously as the adults." In the novel Shaddam notes, "I only sent in five troop carriers with a light attack force to pick up prisoners for questioning. We barely got away with three prisoners and one carrier. Mind you, Baron, my Sardaukar were almost overwhelmed by a force composed mostly of women, children, and old men."
In Herbert's fictional universe,
personal body shields have made all forms of projectile weapons semi-obsolete. Only a slow-moving weapon can penetrate a shield, putting knives and similar weapons in common use. The beam of energy weapons called
lasgun
Technology is a key aspect of the fictional setting of the ''Dune'' series of science fiction novels written by Frank Herbert, and derivative works. Herbert's concepts and inventions have been analyzed and deconstructed in at least one book, '' T ...
s react violently with a shield, creating an unpredictable explosion comparable to sub-atomic
fusion which can kill the attacker, shield wearer, and surrounding individuals. Fremen do not use shields because they also attract the native giant sandworms of Arrakis and drive them into a killing frenzy. As a result, the Fremen have the advantage of not being trained to slow their knives when attacking, as those battling a shielded opponent do. Fremen use different archaic weapons such as
maula pistols, lances and crossbows to great effect, but the most deadly and prized possession of a Fremen warrior is the crysknife. A crysknife is a personally-tuned blade ground from the crystal tooth of a sandworm, and is the formal and sacred weapon of the Fremen. It is a milk-white, double-edged curved knife, the blade about long. The crysknife comes in two forms, fixed and unfixed. Unfixed knives need to be stored in proximity to an electrical field produced by the human body or they will disintegrate after a period of time. Fixed crysknives are put through chemical processes to keep them permanently intact.
In ''Children of Dune'', Leto II notes that "The crysknife dissolves at the death of its owner."
All young Fremen must go through a
ritual confirming their adulthood, which is sealed with the gift of a crysknife to the adolescent warrior. According to the religious beliefs of the Fremen, a drawn crysknife must not be sheathed until it draws blood. The Fremen also forbid outsiders from possessing crysknives, and in ''Dune'' the Lady Jessica refers to "the fabled crysknife of Arrakis, the blade that had never been taken off the planet, and was known only by rumor and wild gossip." When the Shadout Mapes gives one to Jessica, the Fremen woman warns, "Who sees that knife must be cleansed or slain!"
In the ''Dune'' games
The Fremen have been featured in the
''Dune'' series of games, playing a vital role in the plots of nearly all of them. The first ''
Dune
A dune is a landform composed of wind- or water-driven sand. It typically takes the form of a mound, ridge, or hill. An area with dunes is called a dune system or a dune complex. A large dune complex is called a dune field, while broad, flat ...
'' game (1992) and ''
Frank Herbert's Dune
''Frank Herbert's Dune'' is a 2000 science fiction television miniseries, based on the 1965 novel of the same title by Frank Herbert. It is written for the screen and directed by John Harrison, and stars Alec Newman as Paul Atreides, William ...
'' (2001) are tied closely to the original book by Frank Herbert, retelling
Paul Muad'Dib's rise to becoming the Fremen's Messiah, and leading them against the
Harkonnens and the
Padishah Emperor
Multiple organizations of the ''Dune'' universe dominate the political, religious, and social arena of the setting of Frank Herbert's Dune (franchise), ''Dune'' series of science fiction novels, and derivative works. Set tens of thousands of year ...
under the
Atreides banner. In ''
Dune II
''Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty'' (titled ''Dune II: Battle for Arrakis'' in Europe and ''Dune: The Battle for Arrakis'' in North America for the Mega Drive/Genesis port, respectively) is a 1992 real-time strategy game developed by Westwoo ...
'' (1992) and ''
Dune 2000
''Dune 2000'' is a real-time strategy video game, developed by Intelligent Games and published by Westwood Studios in 1998 for Microsoft Windows. It was later ported to the PlayStation in 1999. It is a partial remake of ''Dune II'', which is lo ...
'' (1998), the Fremen are special Atreides units, native elite guerillas invoked from the Palace. In ''
Emperor: Battle for Dune'' (2001) they are one of the five sub-factions.
References
External links
Arabic and Islamic Themes in ''Dune''
{{Dune franchise
Dune (franchise) organizations
Fiction set around Canopus
Fictional elements introduced in 1965
Fictional species and races
Fictional military organizations
Fictional religions