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==Spiders==
==Spiders==


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 plauged Middle-Earth, and played notable role in [[The Hobbit]], where they ensnared the party of Dwarves, as well as when [[Frodo]] and [[Samwise Gamgee]] encountered [[Shelob]], last of the Children of Ungoliant, in [[The Two Towers]]. After Shelob died they gruesome race died out.
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 plauged Middle-Earth, and played notable role 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 died they gruesome race died out.
 


==List of races==
==List of races==

Revision as of 21:32, 2 July 2008

Many races inhabit 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 tat are known to talk.


Origins

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.

Ainur

Valar

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.

They are as follows:

  • Manwë is the chief of the Valar
  • Varda is the chief goddess of the Valier, Maker of the stars and spouse of Manwë]]
  • Aule is the smith and master of crafts.
  • Vana is called the ever young. Spouse of Oromë and sister of Yavanna.
  • Oromë, for he is the god of the hunt.
  • Tulkas was greatest of the Valar in strenght and deeds of prowess.
  • 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.
  • Ulmo, lord of the waters.

Maiar

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.


Istari

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 a host of 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 eluded 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 to 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.

Elves

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.

Men

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 Numenor, 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.

Hobbits

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

Dwarves

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, and so the Dwarves came to existence. Short in stature and hardy, they keep to themselves and are prone to good or evil.

Ents

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.

Orcs

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 clouts 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.

Greater Orcs

Greater Orcs are not spoken much of, excepy in the earlier tales of Arda. Generally they are stronger and larger than regular orcs.

Goblins

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.

Uruk-Hai

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.


Troll

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.

Cave Trolls

Cave-trolls are a subterranean variety of troll, seen frequently in Tolkien's writings, particularly in the Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul. They areincapable of speech and so are probably not considered an organized race, but none the less are still trolls.

Hill and Snow 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

Olog-Hai

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.


Here follows beasts known to speak:

Eagles

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.

Ravens

The Ravens of Middle-Earth were also of extrodanairy 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.

Wolves

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.

Werewolves

Perhaps the fiercest Wolves of Middle-Earth, the Werewolves were a groteque 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.

Wargs

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.

Spiders

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 plauged Middle-Earth, and played notable role 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 died they gruesome race died out.

List of races

List of races that inhabit Arda

List of Beast Races known to talk: