Races
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Many races inhabit Tolkien's legendarium. They vary in appearence, intellect, manner and more, but will here be divided into two specific catagories: Those who speak, and are thus (for the most part) intelligent, and those that cannot.
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 beggining 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.
Valar
The Valar are the first actual race, but do not really take regular appearence 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 ike the mythological gods of Greece and Rome.
They are as follows:
- Manwëis the chief of the Valar
- Varda is the chief godess of the Valier, Maker of the stars and spouse of Manwë]]
- Aule is the smith and master of crafts.
- Yavanna is the Goddess of nature
- Vana is called the ever young. Spouse of Oromë and sister of Yavanna.
- Oromë, means horn-blower, 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.
- Mandos, keeper of death in his famed halls.
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, 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 possesed with spirits of Maiar.
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 te secondborn, looking much like men but slightly less in stature, and not as fair. They never were accepted in aman, but for a few special exceptions. They too are seperated in loyalty, but still comprise a majority of those who are 'good', and are called Edain, singular Adan. Evil men include the Swarthy men or Easterlings. 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.
Dwarves
The Dwarves came last of the 'good' peoples, though they are not intrinsicly 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 Manwe had pity on them, and so the Dwaves came to existence. Short in stature and hardy they keep to themselves and are prone to good or evil.
Headline text
List of races that inhabit Middle-earth
List of Beast Races known to talk
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