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| {{war
| | #REDIRECT [[Battle of the Powers]] |
| | previous=[[First War]]
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| | next=[[Wars of Beleriand]]
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| | image=
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| | name=War of the Powers
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| | place=Across the northern parts of [[Middle-earth]], passing eastward from its northwestern coasts
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| | result=Decisive victory for the [[Valar]]
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| *[[Chaining of Melkor]]
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| *Ruin of [[Utumno]] and [[Angband]]
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| *The [[Great Journey]] begins shortly after
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| *Shape of [[Middle-earth]] changed
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| | battles=
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| | begin={{YT|1090}}
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| | end={{YT|1099}}
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| | side1=Forces of the [[Valar]]
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| | side2=Forces of [[Melkor]]
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| | commanders1=[[Oromë]]<br />[[Tulkas]]
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| | commanders2=[[Morgoth]]<br />[[Sauron]]
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| }}
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| The '''War of the Powers''', also known as the '''Battle of the Powers''', was fought by the [[Valar]], under orders from [[Manwë]], the [[Elder King]], against [[Morgoth|Melkor]] to liberate the newly-awakened [[Elves]] from his influence. It culminated in the near-apocalyptic siege of Utumno, where Melkor was captured, chained, and imprisoned for three ages of the world.
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| ==History==
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| ===Background===
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| Melkor ruined the [[Two Lamps]] that gave light to the worlds. The Valar held council among themselves and spoke of the coming [[Children of Ilúvatar]], who first would be the [[Elves]]. [[Yavanna]] noted that the time of their arrival was unknown and they should not leave the lands of their future dwelling unprotected. [[Tulkas]] likewise agreed with the necessity of immediate action.<ref name="Captivity">{{S|Captivity}}</ref>
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| [[File:Jacek Kopalski - Ring of Doom.jpg|left|thumb|"Ring of Doom" by [[:Category:Images by Jacek Kopalski|Jacek Kopalski]]]]
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| Manwë bid [[Mandos]] to speak, and he replied that the Children shall come in this age, and the [[Firstborn]] will walk under the stars. [[Varda]] then created other stars to help to light the world for the coming of the Elves. Using silver dews from [[Telperion]], she created many new stars, including [[Wilwarin]], [[Telumendil]], and others. As a challenge to Melkor, high in the north, she hung the seven stars that make up the [[Sickle of the Valar]]. After Varda's long effort, the Elves, [[Awakening of the Elves|awoke]] in the starlight by the shores of [[Cuiviénen]], the Water of Awakening.<ref name="Captivity"/>
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| [[File:Anke Eißmann - Oromë espies the first Elves.jpg|thumb|"Oromë espies the first Elves" by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]
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| While [[Oromë]] conducted his hunting trips on his great steed [[Nahar]], he heard the newly-born Elves singing. He met them and spent time among them, and yet perceived the influence of Melkor among them, as they were afraid of him. Oromë reported these findings to the [[Elder King]], who once again called a gathering of all the Valar to the [[Ring of Doom]], even the far-off [[Ulmo]]. He then proclaimed the councel of [[Eru]] that they "should take up again the mastery of Arda at whatever cost, and deliver the Quendi from the shadow of Melkor".
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| ===Battle===
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| The titanic conflict between the [[Valar]] and [[Melkor]] now began in earnest, with the hosts of the West confronting the hosts of [[Melkor]] in the North-west of [[Middle Earth]], and all that region was broken by this collision. But the first victory of the hosts of the West was swift, and the servants of [[Melkor]] fled before them to [[Utumno]].<ref name="Captivity"/>
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| Then the Valar passed over [[Middle-earth]], and they set a guard over [[Cuiviénen]], from where the young [[Elves]] only felt the shaking of the Earth, and saw the north alight by mighty fires. Long and grievous was the siege of [[Utumno]], and many battles were fought before its gates of which all is but a rumour to the Elves.<ref name="Captivity"/>
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| [[File:Antonio Vinci - Tulkas.jpg|thumb|"Tulkas" by Antonio Vinci]]
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| In the end, the gates of [[Utumno]] were broken and its halls unroofed, and [[Melkor]] took refuge in the uttermost pit. [[Tulkas]] stood forth as champion of the Valar and wrestled with him, and cast him upon his face; and he was bound with the chain [[Angainor]] that [[Aulë]] had wrought, and led captive; and the world had peace for a long age.<ref name="Captivity"/>
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| ===Aftermath===
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| [[File:Jacek Kopalski - The Captivity of Morgoth.jpg|thumb|left|Jacek Kopalski - ''The Captivity of Morgoth'']]
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| The [[Valar]], while very powerful, failed to find some of the deepest chambers under [[Utumno]] and [[Angband]], and Morgoth's lieutenant [[Sauron]] was never captured.<ref name="Captivity"/> Some [[Balrogs]] and other evil creatures hid there, and others dispersed to the far edges of the earth, the Valar's strength too depleted from the lengthy siege to pursue and destroy them.<ref>{{S|Beleriand}}</ref><ref name="Captivity"/>
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| From the ruin great clouds arose and hid the stars. It was during this time that the contour of Middle Earth was changed, with the [[Great Sea]] being widened.<ref name="Captivity"/> The [[Bay of Balar]] was carved out, as well as other minor bays until the [[Great Gulf]] southwards; the northern highlands of [[Hithlum]] and [[Dorthonion]], sources of [[Sirion]], were raised up as new mountain ranges, and the river came into being.<ref name="Captivity"/>
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| [[File:Roger Garland - Melkor chained.jpg|thumb|"Melkor chained" by [[Roger Garland]]]]
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| The Valar dragged Melkor back to Valinor for judgment before [[Manwë]], in the [[Máhanaxar|Ring of Doom]]. Melkor laid upon his face and begged for mercy from Manwë, but his prayers were denied. He was cast into the prison of Mandos for [[Chaining of Melkor|three ages]], after which he would be brought before [[Manwë]] once more. Although the Elves didn't participate in the war, Melkor never forgot that his downfall was for their sake.<ref name="Captivity"/>
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| The Valar gathered in council once again, and it was decided, after some debate, to summon the [[Quendi]] to [[Valinor]] to preserve them from evil. [[Oromë]] chose three ambassadors to accompany him back to Valinor, where they beheld the glory of the [[Two Trees]]. Then the [[Great Journey]] began soon thereafter.<ref name="Captivity"/>
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| {{references}}
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| [[Category:Conflicts of the Elder Days]]
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| [[Category:Wars]]
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