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Valinor

2007-07-25T19:52:36Z

97.81.34.86:

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Shores of Valinor.jpg|thumb|300px|''The Shores of Valinor'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]'''Valinor''' (meaning ''Land of the Valar'') is the realm of the [[Valar]] in [[Aman]], the place to which they moved after being driven from [[Almaren]] by [[Morgoth]]. Its major city was [[Valimar]], where the [[Vanyar]] and the [[Valar]] reside. Two other cities are [[Alqualondë]] and [[Tirion]], the respective homes of the [[Teleri]] and the [[Noldor]]. It also has an island, [[Tol Eressëa]], just off its east coast. The sea to the west of the island was called [[Ekkaia]], or the encircling sea; it surrounded both Valinor and [[Middle-earth]].

Valinor was also known as the [[Undying Lands]] as only immortal souls were allowed to reside there, with some exceptions when it came to the bearers of the [[One Ring]], and it is said, [[Gimli]] also accompanied his friend [[Legolas]] to these lands.

Each of the Valar had their own region of the land where they resided and altered things to their desire. [[Yavanna]], the Vala of nature, growth, and harvest, resided in the Pastures of Yavanna in the south of the island. [[Oromë]], the Vala of the hunt, lived in the Woods of Oromë to the north-east of the pastures. The forest was home to many creatures which Oromë could track and hunt. [[Nienna]], the lonely Vala of sorrow and endurance, lived cut off in the far west of the island in the Halls of Nienna where she spent her days crying, looking out to sea. Just south of the Halls of Nienna and to the north of the pastures there were the [[Halls of Mandos]]. [[Mandos]], the brother of Nienna. All inhabitants of Middle-earth went to the Halls of Mandos should they happen to die, mortals and immortals alike (Tolkien's immortals could be killed although they did not die of old age) although it was said that in death as in life, they were separated. Also living in the Halls of Mandos was his spouse [[Vaire]] the weaver, who wove the threads of time.

To the east of the Halls of Mandos was the Isle of [[Estë]], which was situated in the middle of the lake of [[Lórellin]] which in turn was situated to the north of the Gardens of [[Lórien]] (not to be confused with Lothlórien in Middle-earth which was created by the same Valar, Lórien also known as [[Irmo]], the Vala of dreams). Estë and Lórien being husband and wife lived close together. To the north of this were the Mansions of [[Aulë]] the smith Vala who was spouse to Yavanna. In the north-east lay the Mansions of [[Manwë]] and [[Varda]], the two most powerful Valar, also married. To the west of them stood the [[Two Trees of Valinor]], [[Telperion]] and [[Laurelin]]. The entire great continent of '''Valinor''' was surrounded on three sides (excluding the north which was instead protected by ices flows) by a huge mountain range called the [[Pelóri]] mountains. In the extreme north-east, past the mountain range was the pass of [[Helcaraxë]], a vast ice sheet which in the beginning, before Valinor was risen after the fall of [[Númenor]] in to the sky to prevent people from travelling there, joined the two continents of Valinor and [[Middle-earth]]. In the beginning, some [[Elves]], tricked by the evil satanic [[Melkor]] passed along this pass to go back to Middle-Earth, among those was [[Galadriel]] who featured in the [[War of the Ring]]. Those who took this pass were not allowed back to Valinor for many years, but in the end pity was taken on them when Middle-earth began to fade and pass into the age of men and they were allowed to pass back to the [[Undying Lands]] of their own accord when they felt ready to do so.

Also, for a time before the ruin of Númenor, a long chain of small islands called the [[Enchanted Isles]] ran the full length of the east coast of the continent. These were created to prevent anyone, mortal or immortal, from reaching the land by sea.

After the destruction of [[Númenor]], the [[Undying Lands]] were removed from [[Arda]] so that [[Men]] could not reach them and only the Elves could go there by the [[Straight Road]] and in ships capable of passing out of the Spheres of the earth. By special permission of the Valar, the [[Hobbits]] [[Frodo Baggins]], [[Bilbo Baggins]], and [[Samwise Gamgee]] were also permitted to go to Valinor, as well as [[Gimli]] the [[Dwarves|Dwarf]].

It has been suggested that the concept was based off [[Hy Brasil]], a mythical land that can reputedly be seen off the coast of Ireland for one day in every seven years. In a way, it is a heavenly paradise in [[Arda]]

[[Category:Aman]]
[[Category:Realms]]

Valarin

2007-07-25T19:50:09Z

97.81.34.86:

'''Valarin''' is the tongue of the [[Ainur]]. As angelic beings with the ability to communicate through thought, strictly speaking the Valar had no need for a spoken language, but it appears that it was adopted as part of their assumption of physical, humanlike forms.

Valarin was extremely alien to the ears of the [[Elves]], sometimes to the point of genuine displeasure, and very few of them ever learned the language, only adopting some of the Valarin words into their own [[Quenya]]. The Valar learnt [[Quenya]] instead, and used that to converse with the Elves, or with each other if Elves were present. Valarin seemed to use long words, for example the Valarin word for [[Telperion]], Ibrîniðilpathânezel is eight syllables long. The [[Vanyar]] adopted more words from Valarin into their dialect ''Quendya'' than the [[Noldor]], as they lived closer to the Valar.

At least one word in the [[Black Speech]], '''nazg''' "ring", seems to be borrowed from Valarin '''naškad''' ([[Melkor]] was a [[Valar|Vala]] and [[Sauron]] was a [[Maiar|Maia]], so they had to know Valarin).

Valarin is unrelated to all the other [[Languages]] of [[Middle-earth]] as it arose outside of [[Arda]], and except for a few words (mainly proper names) nothing is known of the language. Before it, the only form of language was the [[Music of the Ainur]], the purest form of language, as it was thought itself, with no need for reference; Each thought was a definite article in and of itself, and as such, the Music was entirely self-sufficient structure. Eru only showed the Ainur their music in a different form by adding the final note to their song: [[Eä]], "''Be''".

----

In older versions of ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' and in the [[Lhammas]], Valarin is further subdivided in [[Oromëan]], [[Aulëan]] and [[Melkian]]. In this conception, all [[Elvish]] languages arose from Oromëan, but this view was later dropped.

Valarin

2007-07-25T19:49:41Z

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Morgoth

2007-07-25T19:45:52Z

97.81.34.86:

{{evil infobox
| image=[[Image:Luca Michelucci - 1999 - May.jpg|300px]]
| name=Morgoth Bauglir
| othernames=[[Melkor]], [[Bauglir]], [[Morgoth#Names|See below for more]]
| birth=Before the [[Music of the Ainur]]
| rule=c. [[YOTL]]- [[YOTL 1500]], c. [[YOTL 1900]] - [[YOTT 1100]], c. [[YOTT 1500]] - [[War of Wrath]], [[First Age 590|F.A. 590]]
| age=
| death=Thrust into the [[void]] F.A. 590; [[Dagor Dagorath]]
| realm=[[Utumno]], [[Angband]]
| gender=Male
| race=[[Valar]]
| description=
| characteristics=
|}}
'''Morgoth''' (earlier '''Melkor''') was the greatest of the [[Ainur]], who fell from glory when he disrupted the [[Music of the Ainur]] and defied the will of [[Eru Ilúvatar]]. He brought down many other Ainur with him, fought the [[Valar]], and corrupted [[Arda]]. Eventually he was bound in chains by the Valar and thrown into the [[Void]], leaving the permanent damage his evils had done, and his servant [[Sauron]], to trouble the world. One day, according to the legendarium, Morgoth will rise again and be destroyed in the [[Dagor Dagorath]] by [[Túrin Turambar]].

==History==
===Shaping of Arda===

The most powerful and knowledgeable of the [[Ainur]] was a spirit later known as [[Melkor]] (his original [[Valarin]] name is unknown). Melkor developed ideas unlike those of the other Ainur, and began to probe the emptiness of the [[Void]] for the [[Flame of Ilúvatar]], the source of spirit matter. For Melkor wished to create sentient beings to inhabit the Void. His feelings grew rebellious against his creator, and he could not find the Flame (for it was not in the Void, but with [[Ilúvatar]]). When the Ainur [[Music of the Ainur|made music]], Melkor made his own music against the theme of beauty and honor, and it clashed with the holy music. Some of the Ainur joined him in this new theme, and for a while the two themes warred against one another. But Eru Ilúvatar smiled, and sent forth a new theme. Most of the Ainur joined with it, but Melkor rebelliously opposed it even more violently. At last many of the Ainur stopped singing in dismay, and Melkor’s gained dominance. Eru grew angry, and sent out a second theme against Melkor, sweeter and more beautiful than the others, and unquenchable. But though Melkor could not defeat it, still he opposed it. At last Eru, now very angry with a cold fury, halted the music completely with a single chord.

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Melkor Weaves Opposing Music.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''Melkor weaves Opposing Music'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]Eru then publicly rebuked Melkor, saying that all music found its source in Himself, and thus Melkor could not create his own nor alter the true Music. Thus though Melkor oppose Eru to his last breath, he would only be furthering the cause of Ilúvatar in new and wondrous ways, for Music belonged to Ilúvatar. Melkor was shamed but angered by this judgement. When Eru showed the Ainur the product of their music, [[Arda]], Melkor was one of those who begged to be sent down to Earth, pretending to be willing to cultivate it and steward it for Ilúvatar’s glory. In actuality, he wished to dominate it. Thus he became one of the [[Valar]], and eventually declared to his comrades that he was the master of Arda henceforth. [[Mānawenūz]] (later [[Manwë]]), his brother, did not understand evil, but fearing that Melkor might try and disrupt their labors on Arda, called forth many more Ainur to protect them. Melkor left to the remote regions of the world, and the Valar knew not what it did there.

But Melkor took form, great and terrible, and attacked the Valar’s work in preparing the Earth. There was war, and though Melkor disrupted their work and destroyed much, a great spirit came to Arda to combat him, named [[Tulukastāz]] (later [[Tulkas]]). Tulkas drove him away, and the Valar managed to complete Arda, and the world was made solid.

===Wars of the Valar===

The rest of the Valar dwelt in a place called [[Almaren]], and raised up [[two lamps]] to light the young earth: [[Illuin]] and [[Ormal]]. Melkor, meanwhile, had attracted the attention and even in a few cases admiration from the [[Maiar]], the lesser spirits of [[Arda]]. Melkor had many spies among them, and from them learned all that the Valar did, and bided his time. As the Valar sat down to a feast at the completion of their labors, Melkor gathered together those loyal to him, and looking down on the beautiful Arda was filled with hatred. Tulkas was wedded to [[Nessa]] at that feast, and she danced before the Valar. Tulkas fell asleep, and that is when Melkor made his move.

Melkor with his host passed over the [[Walls of Night]] and returned to Arda once more. Without the watchfulness of Tulkas, the Valar were unaware of his coming, and he began to delve in the depths of the earth, making a fortress called [[Utumno]] beneath the mountains in the dimness of Illuin. The [[Spring of Arda]] became blighted as evil flowed out of the fortress. Death and illness took the green things of Arda, and animals fought and killed one another, while flies brooded in massive numbers. The Valar knew then that Melkor was at work, and sought his hiding place.

But Melkor struck the first blow. He destroyed the Two Lamps, and caused the world to be filled with flowing fire and surging water. The symmetry of Arda was broken. And in the darkness and confusion Melkor escaped, returning to Utumno. Though the Valar were together stronger than Melkor, they could not punish him at that time, for they needed their strength to keep the world from collapsing into ruin. The Spring of Arda was ended.

Almaren being destroyed, the Valar left to a new continent across the [[Belegaer|sea]], [[Aman]], and built [[Valinor]]. They also established new sources of light, the [[Two Trees]], to light the world. Melkor, meanwhile, wandered across the face of [[Middle-earth]], in various guises, but armed with cold and fire. Some of the Valar were unwilling to forsake Middle-earth, however; [[Ulmo]] and [[Yavanna]] especially. Also [[Oromë]] would ride in Middle-earth, killing the terrors of Melkor, who began to fear that the Valar might rise up against him in wrath.

Melkor brooded in the north, breeding great monsters, attended by his Maiar-servants later known as [[Balrogs]]. He also created another fortress and armory called [[Angband]], not far from the sea, to resist any Valarin attacks. He placed his greatest servant, [[Sauron]], in control of that place. Melkor, by wandering about, also learned of the awakening of the first of the [[Children of Ilúvatar]], the [[Elves]]. He instilled fear in them, and slew or captured many of them. Some of those he captured, it is believed, may have been transformed into [[Orcs]] by torture and breeding.

The Valar were not long, however, in discovering the Elves. Fearing that they would be destroyed or corrupted by Melkor, Manwë decided that Ilúvatar wished them to recover Middle-earth at all costs. They laid [[Siege of Utumno|siege to Utumno]], and eventually destroyed it after a great battle during which the face of Middle-earth was transformed. Melkor was captured and chained with the chain [[Angainor]], but Sauron escaped. Melkor was imprisoned in the halls of [[Mandos]], and remained there for three ages, plotting revenge.

===Wars of Beleriand===
====Darkening of Valinor====

At the end of his time, Melkor was presented to his brother Manwë. Melkor, swallowing his pride with thoughts of vengeance, prostrated himself before the throne of Manwë, begging for pardon. Manwë granted him thus, though [[Ulmo]] and [[Tulkas]] were displeased with this judgement. Yet the Valar would not let him leave there sight, and he stayed in [[Valmar]]. Before long, he began to exert his corrupting influence on the Elves, especially the [[Noldor]]. For the [[Vanyar]] did not trust him, and the [[Teleri]] he thought too weak for his designs, but the Noldor were curious, and eager to learn what he could teach them.

In time Melkor found his greatest adversary and yet greatest tool in the form of [[Fëanor]], the eldest son of [[Finwë]], [[High King of the Noldor]]. Fëanor was the creator of the [[Silmarils]], which Melkor lusted after. As Melkor subtly spread lies and half-truths about the Valar and the Coming of [[Men]] in the form of rumors, Fëanor was greatly influenced, though he hated Melkor himself and had no idea that he was their source. His new ideas of wide lands and realms to rule touched the heart of Fëanor, and the hearts of many other Noldor. They began to murmur against the Valar, and the peace of Valinor was disturbed. Fëanor soon stirred up trouble, and while on trial before the Valar it was revealed that Melkor was at the bottom of the murmurings and troubles. Tulkas left straightaway to deal with him, but found Melkor gone. He had escaped.

Melkor was not seen for a while, but then appeared at [[Formenos]] to Fëanor, tempting him with words of friendship, and an offer of vengeance against the Valar whom Fëanor perceived had wronged him. Fëanor wavered, but Melkor pressed his advantage too much. He touched a chord about the Silmarils, and Fëanor, seeing his designs and lust for the jewels, cursed and rejected him. Melkor departed in anger, and went south past the mountain of [[Hyarmentir]], to the shadowed valley of [[Avathar]] where there dwelt [[Ungoliant]], a mysterious dark spirit in spider-form once his servant, but who had disowned him after his failure. After some time he convinced her to dismiss her fears with the offer of rich rewards, and she wove a cloak of shadow about them both.

[[Image:John Howe - Melkor and Ungoliant before the Two Trees.jpg|thumb|right|400px|''Melkor and Ungoliant before the Two Trees'' by [[John Howe]]]]Then Melkor and Ungoliant came while there was festival in [[Valmar]]. Melkor drained the [[Two Trees]] with his lance, and Ungoliant drank the blood. Then she drank dry the [[Wells of Varda]], and the two went north to [[Formenos]], leaving the land once more in darkness and confusion. At Formenos Melkor slew [[Finwë]] and ravished the treasury of Fëanor, including the [[Silmarils]]. Then he passed over the icy [[Helcaraxë]], entering once more into [[Middle-earth]]. He was soon in [[Angband]]. He had struck swiftly and surely. But Fëanor cursed him, naming him [[Morgoth]], and by that name he was known ever after to the Eldar.

====Ungoliant and the First Battle====

Once in safety, Ungoliant turned on her partner, demanding the jewels of Fëanor. The Lob had grown in size and terror, and Morgoth feared her suddenly. He reluctantly parted with each of the beautiful works of art, and Ungoliant devoured them. But he refused to give up the Silmarils, though she tortured him. His screams went out to [[Gothmog (Lord of Balrogs)|Gothmog]] and the [[balrogs]], and they rescued him from her clutches, driving Ungoliant away with their whips. So Morgoth returned to Angband.

Morgoth rebuilt the fortress there, and learned of the Elves who had remained in Middle-earth. [[Elu Thingol]] and the [[Sindar]] dwelt in the woodland kingdom of [[Doriath]], while [[Círdan]] and the [[Teleri]] lived at the [[Falas]] and [[Denethor of the Nandor|Denethor]] and the [[Nandor]] camped in [[Ossiriand]]. Morgoth made war on Thingol, surrounding Doriath and cutting Thingol off from Círdan. But Thingol was able to contact Denethor for help, and the Nandor joined with the Sindar to fight the [[Orcs]] between [[Aros]] and [[Gelion]]. Caught between the two armies, the Orcs of Morgoth were utterly defeated in the [[First Battle]]. Fleeing north they were intercepted and further demolished by the [[Naugrim]]. The Orcs attacking Círdan were more successful – pushing the Teleri to the very edge of the sea.

====Dagor-nuin-Giliath and Dagor Aglareb====

Morgoth was confronted by further challenges when Fëanor landed in Middle-earth. They set up at [[Mithrim]], but Morgoth [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath|attacked them]] quickly, hoping to dislodge them before they settled in too much and became a threat. But the Elves were just come out of [[Aman]], and they had the light of that country in their eyes. The Orcs dreaded them, and were swept before them like chaff before wind. Fëanor pursued them even nigh to the [[Thangorodrim]] and the gates of [[Angband]], but Morgoth sent out Gothmog and his balrogs. Fëanor was killed, but the balrogs were driven back. The Falas were freed, and though Morgoth had practically lost [[Beleriand]] outside of the [[Ered Engrin]], he was comforted in the fact that Fëanor was dead.

Yet [[Fingolfin]] came next, with his sons and the sons of [[Finarfin]]. They marched even to the gates of Angband, and yet could not go farther. As the Elves began to build (or rebuild) their kingdoms in Middle-earth, Morgoth waited sixty years before he struck again. It was the [[Dagor Aglareb]], the “Glorious Battle”, called such because it was a great victory for the Elves. Fingolfin and [[Maedhros]], eldest son of Fëanor, combined their strength and repelled Morgoth. They then set up the [[Siege of Angband]], which was designed to keep Morgoth holed up in his fortress.

====Dagor Bragollach, Fingolfin, and the Quest for the Silmaril====

[[Image:John Howe - Morgoth vs. Fingolfin.png|thumb|right|300px|''Morgoth vs. Fingolfin'' by [[John Howe]]]]Though Morgoth wasn’t quite so helpless as they would have liked to believe, he remained dormant and hidden until [[First Age 455|455]]. Then he surged forth suddenly, taking the slackened besiegers by surprise. Flames covered the formerly green [[Ard-galen]] (causing the battle to be known as the [[Dagor Bragollach]]), and several Noldor-lords fell in the succeeding combat. Beleriand was overrun. [[Dorthonion]] was taken, as were northern [[Sirion]] and [[Maglor's Gap]]. In a single stroke Morgoth had broken the Siege of Angband, but the victory was not as complete as he would have liked. [[Himring]] and [[Hithlum]] had held against him. King [[Fingolfin]] was dismayed and enraged by the defeat, and went to Angband. There he challenged Morgoth to single combat. Morgoth dared not refuse, for fear of showing himself a coward in front of his servants. With [[Grond (Hammer of the Underworld)|Grond]], the Hammer of the Underworld, he fought Fingolfin long. The Elf-lord gave him seven wounds, but at last was struck down. As Morgoth placed his foot on Fingolfin to crush him, Fingolfin struck one last time, and Morgoth’s blood filled the pools made by his hammer. Morgoth could not desecrate the body, for [[Thorondor]] flew into his face and escaped with the body.

For some time after that the world lay in watchful discomfort. The southern part of [[Beleriand]] was, for the most part, free from Morgoth’s direct wrath. There arose two in [[Doriath]], [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] of [[House of Bëor|Bëor’s House]] and [[Lúthien Tinúviel]], Thingol’s daughter. These two lovers embarked on the [[Quest for the Silmaril]], in the process removing [[Sauron]] from [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]] and entering Angband in disguise. Morgoth lusted after Lúthien when she stood exposed in his presence, but she danced for him and lured him to sleep with her magic robes. One of the Silmarils was stolen from his crown, and Morgoth bore only two until the [[War of Wrath]].

====Nirnaeth Arnoediad, the Fall of Gondolin, and the War of Wrath====

Some time after, in [[First Age 471|471]], [[Maedhros]] made a great [[Union of Maedhros|alliance]] with the [[Naugrim]], [[Edain]], and other [[Noldor]]. They marched to challenge Morgoth, clearing Beleriand of his scattered forces. But Morgoth through his spies anticipated their actions, and met them with his allies the [[Easterlings]] in was huge, and many princes and rulers of men, elves, and dwarves fell. Thus the battle was named ''[[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]'', “Battle of Unnumbered Tears”. Morgoth’s victory was almost complete, as he razed [[Hithlum]], the [[Falas]], the [[March of Maedhros]], as well as [[Nargothrond]] in [[First Age 495|495]]. But [[Turgon the Wise|Turgon]], King of [[Gondolin]], escaped by the valiant actions of the [[House of Hador]], the last of the Noldor in the north. The survivors had all gone down to the [[Isle of Balar]] and the [[Mouths of the Sirion]]. Morgoth took [[Húrin]], who had been captured during the Nirnaeth, and set him in the high places of Thangorodrim, to watch his family, whom Morgoth cursed. Upon the death of [[Túrin Turambar]] and [[Nienor]], Húrin’s children, Morgoth released Húrin to further his cause.

Some time later, by the aid of [[Maeglin]], a traitor-elf, Morgoth discovered and laid siege to [[Gondolin]]. [[Turgon the Wise|Turgon]] King, the last male heir of Fingolfin’s house, was killed in the sack. Morgoth’s victory in the north was now complete, though he had lost [[Gothmog (Lord of Balrogs)|Gothmog]] his captain and many other leaders in the battle. Also, a small remnant including [[Tuor]] and [[Idril]] escaped the rape of the city, bearing their son [[Eärendil the Mariner|Eärendil]]. This was to be Morgoth’s doom, for some years later, Eärendil sailed to [[Valinor]] seeking the pardon of the [[Valar]]. This he earned, and the Valar advanced across [[Belegaer]] with a mighty host. Morgoth loosed all his demons and defenses against them, but could not stop their might. His dragons fell to the [[Eagles]], and [[Ancalagon]] was brought down by Eärendil himself atop his ship, [[Vingilot]]. Morgoth was taken from Angband, the Silmarils were removed from his crown, and he was bound once more and cast into the [[Void]]. There he remains until the [[Dagor Dagorath]], where he will be slain by [[Túrin Turambar]] whom he had cursed. But though he was gone, Arda was forever marred, and there was one still on the loose to carry on his legacy, if to a lesser degree: his greatest servant, [[Sauron]].

==Characteristics==

[[Image:James Stirzaker - Melkor and the Silmarils.jpg|thumb|left|275px|''Melkor and the Silmarils'' by [[James Stirzaker]]]]Morgoth had taken form great and terrible, and was eventually unable to leave it. Traditionally he was covered head to foot in armor, though this is not specifically stated by [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]. He received many scars and wounds over the ages: his hands were burned forever when he touched the Silmarils, Fingolfin wounded him seven times during their battle as well as a wound the foot that caused him ever after to limp, Thorondor scarred his face with his talons.

Morgoth wielded [[Grond (Hammer of the Underworld)|Grond]] in battle, a weapon he presumably forged himself in [[Angband]] (unless Sauron or Gothmog had held it safe after the [[Siege of Utumno]]). He also had great mental and physical power, at least in the earlier days, greater than any of the other [[Valar]].

In many ways Morgoth was the stereotypical arch-villain, like Satan of the Christian religion. Many Christians (probably including Tolkien) believed that Satan fell from Heaven, which is also true of Melkor/Morgoth. He is the fallen [[valar]] or angel, of [[Middle Earth]]

==Names==

* ''Morgoth'' (''[[Bauglir]]'') – [[Q.]] “The Dark Enemy” (“The Constrainer”), given him by [[Fëanor]]
* ''Melkor'' – [[Q.]] “He who arises in might”
* ''Dark King (of Angband)'' – given him by [[Men]]
* ''[[Dark Lord]]''
* ''[[Belegur]]([[Belegurth|th]])'' – [[S.]] “Great Death”
* ''Lord of the Dark''
* ''Dark Hunter'' – Given him by the fearful early [[Elves]] before they met [[Oromë]]
* ''[[mbelekôro]]'' – [[C.E.]] Unknown meaning
* ''Great Enemy''
* ''Black Foe''
* ''Melko, Belcha, Melegor, Meleko'' – Earlier names Tolkien used but abandoned

==Minions==

* [[Sauron]] – Greatest of his servants, later to become [[Lord of the Rings]], perished with the [[One Ring]]
* [[Gothmog (Lord of Balrogs)|Gothmog]], [[Lord of Balrogs]] – killed by [[Ecthelion of the Fountain]] during the [[Fall of Gondolin]]
* [[Glaurung]] – [[Father of Dragons]], killed by [[Túrin Turambar|Túrin]]
* [[Ancalagon]] – Greatest of the [[Winged Dragons]], slain by [[Eärendil the Mariner|Eärendil]]
* [[Othrond]] – (noncanon) [[Orc]]-general during the Fall of Gondolin, killed by [[Tuor]]

===See also===
* [[:Category:Images of Morgoth|Images of Morgoth]]

[[Category:Valar]]

__NOTOC__

Valar

2007-07-25T19:41:59Z

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{{expansion}}
{{Transcribed|Valar_tengwar.png|Valar|Tengwar, Quenya mode}}

The '''Valar''' ([[Quenya]], sg."''Vala''") are the ''Powers of Arda'' who live on the Western continent of [[Aman]].

The Valar were the fourteen powerful spirits of the [[Races|race]] of the [[Ainur]] who entered [[Arda]] after its creation to give order to the world and combat the evils of [[Melkor]]. They dwelt originally on the Isle of [[Almaren]], but after its destruction, long before the Awakening of the [[Elves]], they moved to [[Aman]] and founded [[Valinor]].

They were the greatest of the Ainur who witnessed the Vision of [[Ilúvatar]] and so came to create Arda. Melkor came to Arda to claim it for his own.

Manwë and Melkor fought, and Manwë called other spirits to help him in his battle. Among these were the other Valar and the [[Maiar]]. Melkor withdrew from the battle, and the others continued their creation of the World. But Melkor saw this, and returned to fight for control of Arda.

The Valar have no fixed shape, but often take the shapes of Men and Elves, or they can remain invisible.

The Valar are not gods, though Men have often mistaken them as such in the beginning of [[Arda]]. They are actually emissaries or regents of Ilúvatar, the monotheistic God of the world, who rarely directly intervenes in the world's course of events.

==Names==

These are the names of the Valar as they were known to the [[Eldar]]. In Middle-earth, they were known by other names of [[Sindarin]] origin; for example they called Varda [[Elbereth]]. [[Men]] knew them by many other names, sometimes referring to them as "gods" at first. The [[Dwarves]] called Aulë, their creator, ''[[Mahal]]''. It should be noted that, with the exception of Oromë, the names listed below are not actual names but rather titles: the true names of the Valar are nowhere recorded. Male Valar are called "Lords of the Valar"; females are called "Queens of the Valar," or '''Valier'''.

=== Lords of the Valar ===
* [[Manwë]] Súlimo, King of the Valar
* [[Ulmo]], King of the Sea
* [[Aulë]], the Smith
* [[Oromë]] Aldaron, the Great Rider
* Námo ([[Mandos]]), Judge of the Dead
* [[Irmo]] ([[Lórien]]), Master of Dreams and Desires
* [[Tulkas]] Astaldo, Champion of Valinor

=== Queens of the Valar (''Valier'') ===
* [[Varda]] Elentári, Queen of the Stars, wife of Manwë
* [[Yavanna]] Kementári (Palùrien), Giver of Fruits, wife of Aulë
* [[Nienna]], Lady of Mercy
* [[Estë]] the Gentle
* [[Vairë]] the Weaver
* [[Vána]] the Ever-young
* [[Nessa]] the Dancer

===Other names===

The '''[[Aratar]]''' ([[Sindarin]]: ''Exalted'') or '''High Ones of Arda''' are the eight greatest of the Valar: [[Manwë]], [[Varda]], [[Ulmo]], [[Yavanna]], [[Aulë]], [[Mandos]], [[Nienna]], and [[Oromë]]. Melkor, the most powerful of all, is not counted among them.

[[Irmo|Lórien]] and [[Mandos]] are brothers and are referred to collectively as the '''''Fëanturi''''' or "Masters of Spirits".

==Relationships between the Valar==
Ilúvatar brought the Valar (and all of the Ainur) into being by his thought, and may therefore be considered their father. However, not all of the Valar are siblings; where this is held to be so it is because they are so "in the thought of Ilúvatar".

It was the Valar who first practiced marriage, and later passed on their custom to the Elves. However only one such marriage among the Valar took place within the world, that of Tulkas and Nessa after the raising of the [[Two Lamps]].

<code>
[[Ilúvatar]]
||||||||||_____________________________________________
____________________________________|||||||||____________________________________ |
| _________________________|||||||________________________ | |
| | ______________|||||_______________ | | |
| | | _________|||__________ | | | |
| _______|_______ | | ___|_____ | | ___|____ ___|____ |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
[[Vairë]]=[[Námo]] [[Nienna]] [[Irmo]]=[[Estë]] [[Ulmo]] [[Melkor]] [[Manwë]]=[[Varda]] [[Aulë]]=[[Yavanna]] [[Vána]]=[[Oromë]] [[Nessa]]=[[Tulkas]]
</code>

==See also==
*[[Valaquenta]]

{{valar}}

Ulmo

2007-07-25T19:32:39Z

97.81.34.86:

[[Image:John Howe - Ulmo, Lord of the Waters.jpg|thumb|400px|''Ulmo, Lord of the Waters'', by [[John Howe]].]]
'''Ulmo''' (from the [[Valarin]] '''Ulubôz''', '''Ullubôz''') is a [[Valar|Vala]], and lord of the seas. Ulmo is a title, which means ''He who pours''. He is also known as ''King of the Sea'' and ''Lord of Waters''. He is known in the earlier writings by his [[Noldor|Noldorin]] name '''[[Ylmir]]''', among them [[Tuor]]'s ''[[The Horns of Ylmir]]''. The [[Sindarin]] form of Ulmo is '''Ulu''', though he is also called '''Guiar''' and '''Gulma'''.

Ulmo was third in majesty of the Valar, after [[Manwë]] and [[Varda]], he is in other words the third of the [[Aratar]]. He was very close in friendship to Manwë. Ulmo had always distrusted [[Melkor]], and the Dark Lord feared him almost as much as he feared Varda because the sea cannot be tamed. Ulmo had no dwelling in [[Valinor]], or any permanent dwelling on land. He prefered the deeps of the seas and the rivers to land. His palace, on the bottom of [[Vai]], was called [[Ulmonan]].

He seldom came to the Councils of [[Máhanaxar]], and only when in great need. He preferred to stay in Arda, not by walking on the land, as his form would fill man or elf with great dread. All waters were under his government; bays, rivers and even the waters under the earth. It is through these that he kept in touch with Arda, and thus knew more of the goings on with the children of Ilúvatar than even Manwe, for it was said he lived in the very veins of the world.

He was said to be fearful to look upon to mortal eye, dressed like a giant wave in glittering green armour, blowing his great horn [[Ulumuri]].

Ulmo's vassal [[Ossë]], and Ossë's wife [[Uinen]] were, to the elves, the best known of the [[Maiar]]. Through them Ulmo would learn much of the elves.

Ulmo had always loved the [[Eldar]] and the [[Edain]], even when the Valar forsook Middle-earth. He opposed [[Oromë]]'s plan to bring the Elves to Aman, and anchored [[Tol Eressëa]] in the [[Bay of Eldamar]], which he did at because he knew the minds of the [[Teleri]]. Ulmo was the Vala most responsible for the fall of [[Morgoth]], by urging [[Turgon of Gondolin|Turgon]] to build [[Gondolin]] and [[Finrod Felagund|Finrod]] to build [[Nargothrond]]. He appeared before [[Tuor]] and urged him to to go to Gondolin as a messenger for Turgon, when he got there he eventually married Turgon's daughter [[Idril]] and fathered [[Eärendil the Mariner|Eärendil]]; and saved [[Elwing]] from the sack of the Havens of [[Sirion]], and thus she took the [[Silmarils|Silmaril]] to her husband Eärendil which allowed them to gain admittance to Valinor and plead for their mercy. Ulmo also defended them in the council from the potential wrath of [[Mandos]]. Because of Tolkien's Catholic faith, and the fact that he said the Valar were equvalent to saints and angels; then it is suggested that Ulmo is the equivalent of St. Elmo, patron saint of sailors and the sea.

=== See Also ===
* [[:Category:Images of Ulmo|Images of Ulmo]]

{{valar}}

[[Category:Valar]]

Valar

2007-07-17T21:17:23Z

97.81.34.86: /* Names */

{{Transcribed|Valar_tengwar.png|Valar|Tengwar, Quenya mode}}

The '''Valar''' ([[Quenya]], sg."''Vala''") are the ''Powers of Arda'' who live on the Western continent of [[Aman]].

The Valar were the fourteen powerful spirits of the [[Races|race]] of the [[Ainur]] who entered [[Arda]] after its creation to give order to the world and combat the evils of [[Melkor]]. They dwelt originally on the Isle of [[Almaren]], but after its destruction, long before the Awakening of the [[Elves]], they moved to [[Aman]] and founded [[Valinor]].

They were the greatest of the Ainur who witnessed the Vision of [[Ilúvatar]] and so came to create Arda. Melkor came to Arda to claim it for his own.

Manwë and Melkor fought, and Manwë called other spirits to help him in his battle. Among these were the other Valar and the [[Maiar]]. Melkor withdrew from the battle, and the others continued their creation of the World. But Melkor saw this, and returned to fight for control of Arda.

The Valar have no fixed shape, but often take the shapes of Men and Elves, or they can remain invisible.

The Valar are not Gods, though Men often mistake them as such. They are actually emissaries or regents of Ilúvatar, the monotheistic God of the world, who rarely directly intervenes in the world's course of events.

==Names==

These are the names of the Valar as they were known to the [[Eldar]]. In Middle-earth, they were known by other names of [[Sindarin]] origin; for example they called Varda [[Elbereth]]. [[Men]] knew them by many other names. The [[Dwarves]] called Aulë, their creator, '''Mahal'''. It should be noted that, with the exception of Oromë, the names listed below are not actual names but rather titles: the true names of the Valar are nowhere recorded. Male Valar are called "Lords of the Valar"; females are called "Queens of the Valar," or '''Valier'''.

=== Lords of the Valar ===
* [[Manwë]] Súlimo, King of the Valar
* [[Ulmo]], King of the Sea
* [[Aulë]], the Smith
* [[Oromë]] Aldaron, the Great Rider
* Námo ([[Mandos]]), Judge of the Dead
* [[Irmo]] ([[Lórien]]), Master of Dreams and Desires
* [[Tulkas]] Astaldo, Champion of Valinor

=== Queens of the Valar (''Valier'') ===
* [[Varda]] Elentári, Queen of the Stars, wife of Manwë
* [[Yavanna]] Kementári (Palùrien), Giver of Fruits, wife of Aulë
* [[Nienna]], Lady of Mercy
* [[Estë]] the Gentle
* [[Vairë]] the Weaver
* [[Vána]] the Ever-young
* [[Nessa]] the Dancer

===Other names===

The '''[[Aratar]]''' ([[Sindarin]]: ''Exalted'') or '''High Ones of Arda''' are the eight greatest of the Valar: [[Manwë]], [[Varda]], [[Ulmo]], [[Yavanna]], [[Aulë]], [[Mandos]], [[Nienna]], and [[Oromë]]. Melkor, the most powerful of all, is not counted among them.

[[Irmo|Lórien]] and [[Mandos]] are brothers and are referred to collectively as the '''''Fëanturi''''' or "Masters of Spirits".

==Relationships between the Valar==
Ilúvatar brought the Valar (and all of the Ainur) into being by his thought, and may therefore be considered their father. However, not all of the Valar are siblings; where this is held to be so it is because they are so "in the thought of Ilúvatar".

It was the Valar who first practiced marriage, and later passed on their custom to the Elves. However only one such marriage among the Valar took place within the world, that of Tulkas and Nessa after the raising of the [[Two Lamps]].

<code>
[[Ilúvatar]]
||||||||||_____________________________________________
____________________________________|||||||||____________________________________ |
| _________________________|||||||________________________ | |
| | ______________|||||_______________ | | |
| | | _________|||__________ | | | |
| _______|_______ | | ___|_____ | | ___|____ ___|____ |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
[[Vairë]]=[[Námo]] [[Nienna]] [[Irmo]]=[[Estë]] [[Ulmo]] [[Melkor]] [[Manwë]]=[[Varda]] [[Aulë]]=[[Yavanna]] [[Vána]]=[[Oromë]] [[Nessa]]=[[Tulkas]]
</code>

==See also==
*[[Valaquenta]]

{{valar}}