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| Many '''races''' inhabit [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s '''legendarium'''. They vary in appearance, intellect, manner and more, but will here be divided into two specific categories: Those who speak, and are thus (for the most part) intelligent, and beasts that are known to talk.
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| == Origins ==
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| Each race has it's origin, and each of those is different. In the beggining there was [[Eru]], [[Iluvatar]], the Creator. He has no beginning according to Tolkien's [[Legendarium]] and so from him come all other races. First he makes [[Ainur]], the holy ones. He prepares to make a creation of [[Elves]], then the [[Men]]. These races are blessed amongst the other races, who primarily come afterwards by other means.
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| ==Ainur==
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| ===Valar===
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| The [[Valar]] are the first actual race, but do not really take regular appearance in [[Middle Earth]], being considered Gods. They are the dominant Ainur, the other holy beings serving them (with the exception of Eru). They are spiritual form, but do take physical form when they speak to the peoples of [[Arda]]. They live in [[Aman]]. Each Valar have their own purpose, much like the mythological gods of Greece and Rome.
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| They are as follows:
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| *[[Manwë]] is the chief of the Valar
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| *[[Varda]] is the chief goddess of the Valier, Maker of the stars and spouse of Manwë]]
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| *[[Aule]] is the smith and master of crafts.
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| *[[Yavanna]] is the Goddess of nature
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| *[[Vana]] is called the ever young. Spouse of Oromë and sister of Yavanna.
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| *[[Oromë]], for he is the god of the hunt.
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| *[[Tulkas]] was greatest of the Valar in strenght and deeds of prowess.
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| *[[Melkor]], called [[Morgoth]] by the [[Noldor]], he went astray and was jealous of the other Valar. Because of this he became the first [[Dark Lord]] and rebelled against the Valar, bringing evil into the world.
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| *[[Ulmo]], lord of the waters.
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| *[[Mandos|Námo Mandos]], keeper of death in his famed halls.
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| *[[Irmo|Irmo Lórien]], lord of dreams
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| *[[Nienna]]
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| *[[Estë]]
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| *[[Vairë]]
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| *[[Nessa]]
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| ===Maiar===
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| The [[Maiar]] are lesser Ainur, being servants to the Valar. They are seen more often carrying out tasks in middle earth. Most notable are: [[Sauron]], servant of Melkor, [[Ossë]], servant of Ulmo, [[Melian]], who married the Elf, [[Elu Thingol]]. There are many Maia, and certainly more than the valar. Many are noted but some are just counted among the servants of the Valar. Notably among these are the [[Balrogs]], demons of fire, who are possessed with spirits of Maiar.
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| ====Istari====
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| The [[Istari]] are Maiar, sent by the Valar in the form of Men, or rather [[wizards]], in order to aid the fight against evil. Being Maiar they have extraordinary capabilities, being able to turn the tide of many a battle. Because of their great power there need not be many of them, so there were five. They were led first by [[Saruman]], The White, who headed the order. He later turned to evil and became [[Saruman of Many Colors]], forsaking his position in the order. Replacing him was [[Gandalf]], the Grey, who was later Gandalf, the White, signifying his leadership of the order. It was he who aided the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] in their quest to destroy the [[Ring of Power]], also aiding defenders of [[Minas Tirith]] against Sauron's host, as well as many other deeds. The third is [[Radagast]], the Brown, who was renowned for his love of nature and capability of conversing with it, but it is said he was distracted from his course. The last two are alluded to often as the [[Blue Wizards]], whose names were [[Alatar]] and [[Pallando]] when they were in Valinor. It is said they went east and strayed into evil. Their names were then [[Morinehtar]] and [[Rómestámo]], respectively. They are hardly spoken of after they went east. So of all the five Istari, only Gandalf [[Mithrandir]] stayed true to their original duty.
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| == Elves ==
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| [[Elves]], called the [[Firstborn]] of Illuvatar, were the first people of middle earth. They were created by Eru and are described generally as tall and fair, but have many specific characteristics. They were placed in middle earth and summoned for a journey to Aman. They are divided by those who refused, those who stopped along the way and those who made it to Aman.
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| == Men ==
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| [[Men]] were the secondborn, looking much like Elves but slightly less in stature, and not as fair. They never were accepted in Aman, but for a few special exceptions. They too are separated in loyalty, but still comprise a majority of those who are 'good', and are called [[Edain]]. Evil men include the [[Swarthy men]] or [[Easterlings]]. Later on they developed into more advanced peoples including the men of [[Gondor]] and [[Númenor]], but some remained unsophisticated as those of [[Rohan]] and [[Harad]]. Being second they are cut off in smaller tribes at first, but later the dominion of Men surpasses Elves as the leaders of middle-earth.
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| === Hobbits===
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| [[Hobbits]] are an offshoot of men, but rather shorter than the 'Big Folk', as they call them. They have many defining characteristics that make them different from just short men and certainly not dwarves. While their exact origin is unknown, they are known as perhaps an offshoot of men. Not dealing in te affairs of other races they inhabit specific regions. There are several varieties including the Hobbits of the [[Shire]] and the [[Riverfolk]]
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| == Dwarves ==
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| The [[Dwarves]] came last of the 'good' peoples, though they are not intrinsically good. They were made by Aulë, who in eagerness to create people of his own, made the Dwarves, despite the fact that he could not inspire life. Because of this he was forced to destroy them, but at the last moment Manwë had pity on them. Ilúvatar granted them life (since he alone has the power to give creations life) and so the Dwarves came to existence after the Firstborn (Elves) were awoken during the Years of the Trees. Short in stature and hardy, they keep to themselves, are stubborn, tend to remember animosity more than hospitality, and are prone to good or evil.
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| ==Ents==
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| [[Ents]] are Shepherds of the trees, and though looking very much like them are certainly not trees. They stand as humans but tower in the treetops and are covered in foliage. They originally tended the trees in [[Beleriand]] and lived happily with their [[Entwives]]. However, after the new shaping of the world they were lost and the Ents slowly died out.
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| ==Orcs==
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| [[Orcs]] were originally created by Morgoth as a mockery of the Elves which Eru created. Fearing light they try to remain hidden or are provided for with dark clouds from their master. The making of Orcs was called Morgoth's most despicable act. How they come about is unknown; it is said they were created by tortured elves in Morgoth's dungeons, but how and of what frequency this happened is unknown. They, however, cannot be created of nothing, as only Eru can truly do this. Orcs spread wide as servants of evil. Some worked in manual service, many were warriors- basic troops that could spread fear and evil across the country, and others were wild, bound to evil service but going where they will.
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| ===Greater Orcs===
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| [[Greater Orcs]] are not spoken much of, except in the earlier tales of [[Arda]]. Generally they are stronger and larger than regular orcs.
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| ===Goblins===
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| [[Goblins]] are a smaller, more wild species of orc. Most of them dwell in caves, such as the infamous subterranean goblins of [[Moria]]. This by all means does not mean Goblins are completely bestial, and indeed were rather organized at times, especially under kings such as [[Azog]]. Additionally, Goblins do not always stay underground, but indeed prefer it as they hate light.
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| ===Uruk-Hai===
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| [[Uruk-hai]] are a larger breed of orcs made by Saruman after he turned to evil. They are larger and stronger than the average orc as well as more disciplined and intelligent (to certain degree), and probably most importantly they are not afraid of the sun. A cross between men and orc the name Uruk-Hai means 'orc-folk'. They had greater success than their smaller counterpart, but only came towards the end of the [[Third Age]] and Sauron's destruction.
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| ==Trolls==
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| [[Trolls]] were made by Morgoth in mockery of Ents, as orcs were of elves. They are large humanoid creatures that vary in type. Generally trolls too fear the sun and even turn to stone if exposed to it. Made before the first age many went into hiding and reappear in service of Sauron.
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| ===Cave Trolls===
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| [[Cave-trolls]] are a subterranean variety of troll, seen frequently in Tolkien's writings, particularly in the [[Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul]]. They are incapable of speech and so are probably not considered an organized race, but none the less are still trolls.
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| ===Hill and Snow Trolls===
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| [[Hill Trolls|Hill]] and [[Snow Trolls]] are mentioned only a little in Tolkien's works, but none the less do make a presence. Their names give explanation to their appearance and dwelling, but for the most part they are like regular trolls. While they are not spoken of much, they do make prominent appearance in Electronic Art's [[The Battle for Middle-earth II - The Rise of the Witch-king]]
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| ===Olog-Hai===
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| [[Olog-Hai]] were a larger, stronger and (slightly) more intelligent breed of of troll. Created by Sauron in the third age, their largest advantage to regular trolls perhaps is that they do not turn to stone in daylight. Olog-Hai are to normal trolls as Uruk-Hai are to normal orcs, and they are indeed to be feared.
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| ----
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| Here follows beasts known to speak:
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| ==Dragons==
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| [[Dragons]] were created by [[Morgoth]] out of fire and sorcery some time before the First Age of the Sun, when Glaurung first appeared.
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| In the Third Age, there were only a few dragons still remain in Middle Earth.
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| * [[Urulóki]]
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| * [[Cold-drakes]]
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| * [[Worms]]
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| * [[Long-worms]]
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| ==Eagles==
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| The great [[Eagles]] played instumental role in the fight against evil, especially considering how lofty they were and the fact that they were still 'beasts'. These giant Eagles were sent from [[Valinor]] to aid the will of the Valar. This way the Ainur did not become physically involved in the affairs of Middle-Earth, but still could lend aid. This is of course not to say the Eagles would aid Elves and Men on a whim, but would generally only come at most dire need in order to change course of Middle-Earth.
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| ==Ravens==
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| The [[Ravens]] of Middle-Earth were also of extraordinary skill, but not in combat. Like the Eagles, they too bore tremendous eyesight and so were exceptional spies and scouts. Unlike Eagles they were not inclined specifically to good or evil, but were used by both. Known masters could be good, such as Radagast the Brown, but could also be Evil, such as when Saruman used the [[Crebain]] of [[Dunland]] to spy on the [[Fellowship]]. A small but useful tool, they could be effective in their own way.
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| ==Wolves==
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| The [[Wolves]] of Middle-Earth were a fearsome lot. Curious enough, they were all evil while [[Huan]], a domestic hound, was a champion of good. At any rate, the wolves developed over the years into a variety of fearsome beasts, all terrifying.
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| ===Werewolves===
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| Perhaps the fiercest Wolves of Middle-Earth, the [[Werewolves]] were a grotesque creation by Morgoth. Giant Wolves embodied with a tortured spirit, they were some of the fiercest beasts of Morgoth's reign. Famous among them were [[Draugluin]] and [[Carcharoth]], both slain by [[Huan]]. Werewolves faded from the legendarium around the end of the First Age, probably destroyed in the [[War of Wrath]].
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| ===Wargs===
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| [[Wargs]] were a lesser version of their predecessors, created by [[Sauron]], most likely in remaking of the Werewolves which he used to command on [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]] as [[Gorthaur]]. Many of these Wargs were enlisted as evil steeds, while others ran wild and grew into a large force of wild Wargs, who knew no allegiance, but were still inclined towards evil. They were known to speak, rarely, but in instances, such as those who attacked [[The Fellowship of the Ring]] in the chapter [[The Ring Goes South]].
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| ==Spiders==
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| The giant [[Spiders]] of Middle-Earth were a widespread evil. They began when [[Ungoliant]], an evil Maiar, took form of spider and aided [[Morgoth]] in destruction of Valinor. She then fled to Middle-Earth and bred amongst the spiders there, creating a giant ferocious breed that came to be known as the [[Children of Ungoliant]]. They long plagued Middle-Earth, and played notable roles in [[The Hobbit]], where they ensnared the party of Dwarves, as well as when [[Frodo Baggins]] and [[Samwise Gamgee]] encountered [[Shelob]], last of the Children of Ungoliant, in [[The Two Towers]]. After Shelob this gruesome race died out.
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| ==List of races==
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| List of '''races''' that inhabit [[Arda]]
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| *[[Ainur]]
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| **[[Valar]]
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| **[[Maiar]]
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| ***[[Istari]]
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| *[[Dwarves]]
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| *[[Elves]]
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| *[[Ents]]
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| *[[Men]]
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| **[[Hobbits]]
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| *[[Orcs]]
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| **[[Greater Orcs]]
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| **[[Uruk-hai]]
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| **[[Goblins]]
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| *[[Trolls]]
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| **[[Cave-trolls]]
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| **[[Hill trolls]]
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| **[[Snow trolls]]
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| **[[Olog-hai]]
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| List of '''Beast Races''' known to talk:
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| *[[Dragons]]
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| *[[Eagles]]
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| *[[Ravens]]
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| *[[Wolves]]
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| **[[Werewolves]]
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| **[[Wargs]]
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| *[[Spiders]]
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| [[Category:Races| ]]
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