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Palantíri

2010-07-26T23:07:32Z

Cobold: /* Usage */

{{disambig-more|Palantír|[[Palantir (disambiguation)]]}}
{{objects
| image=[[Image:Raphael Rau - Palantir.jpg|250px]]
| name=Palantíri
| othernames=Seeing Stones
| derivation=[[Q.]] ''[[palan]]'' "far, distant, wide" + ''[[tir]]'' "watch, guard"
| location=Various locations in [[Endor]]
| ownedby=[[Elendil]] and his line, [[Ruling Stewards]], [[Saruman]]
| maker=[[Noldor]] (likely [[Fëanor]])
| appearance=Smooth, round, dark stones
| references=''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Palantíri]]''
|}}
{{quote|The ''palantír'' replied to each, but all those in [[Gondor]] were ever open to the view of [[Osgiliath]]. Now it appears that, as the [[Tower of Orthanc|rock of Orthanc]] has withstood the storms of time, so there the ''palantír'' of that tower has remained. But alone it could do nothing but see small images of things far off and days remote. Very useful, no doubt, that was to [[Saruman]]; yet it seems that he was not content. Further and further abroad he gazed, until he cast his gaze upon [[Barad-dûr]]. Then he was caught!|[[Gandalf]], ''[[The Palantír]]''}}
The '''''palantíri''''' (sometimes translated as "''Seeing Stones''") were stones that could be used in communication with one another, and also to see many things across the face of the world. When its master looked in it, he could communicate with other Stones and anyone who might be looking into them; people of great power can manipulate the Stones to see virtually any part of the world.

==History==
===Origin and Early History===
The ''palantíri'' were made by the Noldor of [[Valinor]] in the [[Uttermost West]], possibly by [[Fëanor]]. Many ''palantíri'' were made, but the number is not known. Some of the stones were given to the [[Dúnedain]] of [[Númenor]] as a gift during the [[Second Age]] by [[Gil-galad]]. Of these, [[Elendil]] took seven with him on his flight to [[Middle-earth]] upon the [[Downfall of Númenor]], and in time they were distributed among seven places: four in [[Gondor]] and three in [[Arnor]]. They were used largely for communication, but also to see what was occuring through the realms. Their existence was common knowledge, but no-one was allowed easy access to them save for kings and rulers, appointed wardens, or by royal command.

===Third Age and beyond===
One by one the stones vanished from public knowledge or were lost. The [[Osgiliath-stone]] fell into [[Anduin]] during the [[Kin-strife]] and burning of that city in [[Third Age 1437|T.A. 1437]]. When [[Arvedui]], [[King of Arnor]], was shipwrecked and his line ended in [[Third Age 1975|T.A. 1975]], he drowned with the ''palantíri'' of [[Amon Sûl-stone|Amon Sûl]] and [[Annúminas-stone|Annúminas]], the only communicating stones of Arnor. When [[Minas Ithil]] fell in [[Third Age 2002|2002]], the stone was assumed destroyed in general. The wiser and more foresighted men of Gondor decided that in case Sauron had seized the Stone, they would stop using the [[Anor-stone]] to prevent any contact with the [[Dark Lord]]. As the [[Elostirion-stone]] was locked away and could not answer the other stones anyway, the only remaining stone was the [[Orthanc-stone]], which became useless to the Gondorians. When [[Beren (Steward of Gondor)|Beren]] gave [[Saruman]] the deserted but secure [[Orthanc]] in [[Third Age 2759|2759]], he likely assumed that Saruman, head of the leading order against Sauron, would keep it safe.

Several of these hidden or lost stones came to light during the [[War of the Ring]]. Previous to this, Saruman used his ''palantír'' to gain knowledge, and eventually was caught when he dared to looked toward [[Mordor]]. Thus, the above war was greatly affected by these stones. Later, upon Saruman's downfall, its rightful master [[Aragorn II]] twisted it to his will, so that it no longer had a connection with the stolen Ithil stone.

The second ''palantír'' to be revealed was that of Minas Anor. Denethor, too, had glanced toward Mordor with it, but his great hate of incarnate evil and power of will prevented him from being snared, though it taxed him greatly. Partially because of what he saw he eventually committed suicide in the darkest hour. This stone was later used by King [[Aragorn II]], though it is said that anyone of weaker will who looked into it would see the writhing hands of Denethor in his final agony.

The final fate of most of the stones is unknown. The Elostirion-stone was taken west with the [[Ringbearer]]s in [[Third Age 3021|3021]] of the [[Third Age]], severing the last link of [[Middle-earth]] to [[Valinor]]. The stones of Anor and Orthanc are believed to have been reinstated in the [[Reunited Kingdom]] and used officially once more. The Ithil-stone may have been destroyed in the fall of Barad-dûr, but it is also possible that it too was found and reused in the Reunited Kingdom. Whether or not the other three lost stones were ever found is never indicated; the Osgiliath-stone may have rolled into the Sea, or it may have lain still in the Anduin. The stones of Arnor, however, were lost in the frozen seas of [[Forochel]], and therefore it is highly unlikely that they could ever be recovered.

==Appearance==
They were perfect spheres, appearing to be made of solid glass or deep black crystal. The smallest stones were one foot in diameter; the larger stones too large for a single man to bear. They were unbreakable save, some thought, by the fires of [[Orodruin]].

==The Stones==

* The '''[[Master-stone]]''' was not one of the seven, but remained in the [[Tower of Avallonë]] in [[Tol Eressëa]]. It was the master stone. It apparently could not communicate with the stones of [[Middle-earth]], or at least is not mentioned having done so.

* The '''[[Osgiliath-stone]]''' was the largest stone among the seven, and chief among them. It was placed in a prominent building in [[Osgiliath]], the capital city of the kingdom of [[Gondor]]. The ceiling of its chamber was painted to resemble a starry sky, and gave its name (''os-giliath'', the [[Dome of Stars]]) to the city itself. It was too large for one man to carry.

* The '''[[Elostirion-stone]]''', also known as the '''[[Elendil Stone]]''', was placed by [[Elendil]] in the tower of [[Elostirion]] in the [[Emyn Beraid]], just west of [[The Shire]]. The tower and stone were maintained and guarded by [[Círdan]] and the [[Lindon]]-[[elves]]. Elendil used it to looked back along the [[Straight Road]] to [[Eressëa]] and even the [[Tower of Avallonë]] and the [[Master-stone]], and though it is indicated that he tried, he could not see the fallen Númenor. It could not be used in communication with the other stones, and was unique in this respect.

* The '''[[Amon Sûl-stone]]''' was placed in the watch-tower of [[Amon Sûl]]. It was the largest and most powerful of the [[Arnor]]ian ''palantíri'' and the one most used in communication with [[Gondor]]. Like the Osgiliath-stone, it "could not be lifted by one man."

* The '''[[Annúminas-stone]]''' was also placed in Arnor, in the city of [[Annúminas]].

* The '''[[Ithil-stone]]''' was placed in [[Minas Ithil]], in the mountains that came to be known as the [[Ephel Dúath]]. When Minas Ithil fell to the [[Nazgûl]], the Ithil-stone was taken to [[Barad-dûr]] and used by [[Sauron]].

* The '''[[Orthanc-stone]]''' was placed in the great tower built by the [[Dúnedain]] in the Second Age at the southern end of the [[Misty Mountains]], [[Orthanc]]. It fell into the hands of the wizard [[Saruman]], who used it to garner information on his neighbors and their activities. The stone was also partially responsible for Saruman's fall from grace, as he was using it when he came upon [[Sauron]], and was ensnared by him. After the [[War of the Ring]], the Orthanc-stone remained in the custody of the Kings of Gondor in the [[Fourth Age]].

* The '''[[Anor-stone]]''' was placed at [[Minas Anor]], later renamed [[Minas Tirith]] and made the capital of [[Gondor]]. It was kept an unused secret by the Ruling Stewards until it was ultimately used by Steward [[Denethor II]] to watch his land, and he eventually even challenged Sauron in a battle of wills. Denethor did not become corrupted, but the great effort of will that this required of him led him to age quickly. [[Denethor II|Denethor]] was holding the stone when he committed suicide on a funeral pyre, and after this, only people of exceeding power could see in it anything other than two flaming hands.

==Usage==
[[Image:Saruman with Palantír from Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings.jpg|250px|thumb|[[Saruman]] with Palantir from Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]The purpose of the stones in general was dual: to communicate with one another, and to see afar. All the stones save for the Elostirion-stone could be used in communication with one another, although the bigger and more powerful stones were favored for this use over long distances. The great Osgiliath-stone could spy on communication by the lesser stones, and a few others apparently also had special abilities. The stones' gaze could penetrate beyond any solid object, such as into deep caverns, but required light to see anything. A technique called ''[[shrouding]]'' was used when something was to be kept secret from any possible watchers using the stones. Knowledge of this technique was lost in time, although Sauron probably knew of it.

The user or "surveyer" of a ''palantír'' would first assure himself that the stone was oriented properly. Usually the stones were held firmly so that this did not have to occur at each viewing. Then the surveyer would take up a position facing the direction he would want to look; for instance, if he wished to look west, he would stand on the eastern side of the stone. The major stones, however, could be rotated, and thus did not require moving about. The stones were apparently controlled by will power; although chance largely dictated precisely upon what the gaze of the stones lay, the surveyer could manipulate and shift the gaze by merely concentrating, even when not touching the stone. This concentrating, however, was quite taxing, and so was not generally used save in urgent situations. Zooming in could be accomplished through the same methods, and standing three feet away from the stone achieved the best clarity and widest scope. Stronger and more skilled surveyers could generally see more easily and with less difficulty than others.

To communicate with another stone, the viewer would orient himself and look toward the location of that stone, and the two stones would automatically connect with one another unless one was being used in another conversation. The surveyer would transmit his thoughts to the other stone by thinking, but the person on the other end would hear it in his head. The surveyer and his contact would see one another, but sounds could not be transmitted save through the above method of thought.

The stones were generally placed in bowls or depressions in tables of black marble, oriented through trial and error so that the poles of the stone aligned with the center of the world. The kings usually appointed deputies to look in the stone regularly, or on command, or in times of emergency. Others not authorized by the king could use them, but it took a great amount of willpower, and things were often less clear.

==Etymology==
'''[[Palantír]]''' (pl. ''Palantíri'') is [[Quenya]], meaning "Far seeing". The [[Sindarin]] cognate is '''[[Gwachaedir]]''' (which is both the singular and plural form).

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Palantíri|Images of Palantíri]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Palantiri}}
[[Category:Palantíri| ]]
[[Category:Objects]]
[[Category:Quenya nouns]]

Sindarin

2010-07-26T23:00:07Z

Cobold: /* Phonology */

''(See also [[:Category:Sindarin words|Sindarin words]])''

'''Sindarin''' was the Elvish language most commonly spoken in [[Middle-earth]] in the [[Third Age]]. It was the language of the [[Sindar]], those [[Teleri]] which had been left behind on the [[Great Journey]] of the [[Elves]]. It was derived from an earlier language called [[Common Telerin]]. When the [[Noldor]] came back to Middle-earth, they adopted the Sindarin language, although they believed their native [[Quenya]] more beautiful. Before the downfall, most of the [[Men]] of [[Númenor]] also knew the language, though the common language there was [[Adûnaic]]. Knowledge of it was kept in the [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] realms-in-exile [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]], especially amongst the learned. While [[Westron]] (descended from Adûnaic) became the most common language in Middle-earth during the [[Third Age]], Sindarin remained the everyday language of Elves and [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]]. Sindarin is the language referred to as "the Elven-tongue" in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''.

Sindarin became the language of the Noldor because of the command of King [[Elu Thingol]] of [[Doriath]]. Upon learning of the [[Kinslaying at Alqualondë]], he declared that [[Quenya]], the language of the Noldor, should be prohibited in his lands. As the Noldor were dwelling in a Sindarin-speaking land, and because of the decree of Thingol though it did not directly affect them, they gradually switched entirely to Sindarin. Their names were also changed to Sindarin, such as ''Finwë-Ñolofinwë'' to [[Fingolfin]], and ''Turukáno'' to [[Turgon of Gondolin|Turgon]].

[[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] originally imagined that the language which would become ''Sindarin'' was spoken by the Noldor. However, Tolkien later decided that it was the language of the Sindar. For this reason it is called "[[Noldorin]]" in the older material, such as the ''[[Etymologies]]''. When Noldorin became Sindarin, it also adopted some features of the originally unrelated language ''Ilkorin''. Tolkien based the sound and some of the grammar of his Noldorin/Sindarin on Welsh, and Sindarin displays of the consonant mutations that characterise the Celtic (especially Brythonic) languages. The language was also probably influenced to an extent by the Germanic languages, as Tolkien was a scholar of both Old English and Old Norse.

The written script alphabet of the Elven languages is typically '''[[Tengwar]]''', although '''[[Cirth]]''' (itself originally intended specifically for Sindarin) can also be used.

The word '''Sindarin''' itself is actually a [[Quenya]] word given by the [[Noldor]]in Exiles. It is pronounced {{IPA|[ˈsindarin]}}. It is likely the [[Vanyar]] called it '''Þindarin''' ({{IPA|[ˈθindarin]}}).

== Grammar ==
Sindarin is mainly analytic, though traits of its highly inflected progenitor can still be seen.

=== Phonology ===
Sindarin was designed to have a Welsh-like phonology. It has most of the same sounds and similar phonotactics.

{| rules="all" style="text-align:center; border:1px solid darkgrey; border-collapse:collapse" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0"
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Letter'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''[[wikipedia:IPA|IPA]]'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Example'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Notes'''
|-
| a, ä || {{IPA|a}} || [[Aragorn|'''A'''r'''a'''gorn]] || Sindarin ''a'' is most like ''a'' in English ''father'' or ''a'' in Spanish ''mambo''. Either pronunciation is suitable.
|-
| á || {{IPA|aː}} ||   || Sindarin ''á'' is pronounced just noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''a'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| â || {{IPA|aːː}} ||   || Sindarin ''â'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''á'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''á''.
|-
| ae || {{IPA|a͡ɛ}} || [[Maedhros|M'''ae'''dhros]] || Similar to ''ai'', but ends at a ''more'' open vowel height.
|-
| ai || {{IPA|a͡ɪ}} || [[Edain|Ed'''ai'''n]] || Sindarin ''ai'' is most like ''i'' in English ''time''. ''ae'' is similar to ''ai'', but ''ai'' ends at a ''less'' open vowel height. J.R.R. Tolkien said that ''ae'' and ''ai'' can be pronounced if the same if s person cannot tell the difference between them.
|-
| au, aw || {{IPA|a͡ʊ}} || [[Glaurung|Gl'''au'''rung]]; [[Araw|Ar'''aw''']] || Sindarin ''au'' is most like ''ou'' in English ''thousand'' or like ''ow'' in English ''cow''. It is never pronounced like ''au'' in English ''cause'' or like ''aw'' in English ''law''. The spellings ''au'' and ''aw'' are the same sound, but ''aw'' is preferred at the ends of words, as in ''[[Araw]]''.
|-
| b || {{IPA|b}} || [[Beleriand|'''B'''eleriand]] ||  
|-
| c || {{IPA|k}} || [[Celeborn|'''C'''eleborn]] || Always hard ''c'' like in English ''cake''. Never soft ''c'' like in English ''cell''.
|-
| ch || {{IPA|x}} || [[orch|or'''ch''']] || Always like ''ch'' in Scottish ''loch''. Never like ''ch'' in English ''chair''.
|-
| d || {{IPA|d}} || [[Dúnedain|'''D'''úne'''d'''ain]] ||  
|-
| dh || {{IPA|ð}} || [[Caradhras|Cara'''dh'''ras]] || Sindarin ''dh'' is most like ''th'' in English ''the''. It is not pronounced like normal ''d''.
|-
| e, ë || {{IPA|e}} || [[Beren|B'''e'''r'''e'''n]] || Sindarin ''e'' is most like ''e'' in English ''get'' or ''e'' in Spanish ''comprende''. Either pronunciation is suitable, but it ''never'' has a ''y'' off-glide like in English ''grey''.
|-
| é || {{IPA|eː}} ||   || Sindarin ''é'' is pronounced just noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''e'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| ê || {{IPA|eːː}} ||   || Sindarin ''ê'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''é'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''é''.
|-
| ei || {{IPA|e͡ɪ}} || [[Ereinion|Er'''ei'''nion]] || Sindarin ''ei'' is most like ''ey'' in English ''grey'', always with the ''y'' off-glide.
|-
| f || {{IPA|f, v}} || [[Fëanor|'''F'''ëanor]] || Represents {{IPA|[v]}} when final or before ''n'', and {{IPA|[f]}} everywhere else.
|-
| g || {{IPA|ɡ}} || [[Galadriel|'''G'''aladriel]] || Always hard ''g'' like in English ''gasp''. Never soft ''g'' like in English ''gem''.
|-
| h || {{IPA|h}} || [[Húrin|'''H'''úrin]] ||  
|-
| hw || {{IPA|ʍ}} ||   || Sindarin ''hw'' is most like the traditional pronunciation of ''wh'' in English ''whale'', as it is still heard in Scotland, Ireland and parts of the southern United States. Is is also similar to ''ju'' in Mexican Spanish ''Juan''. It is never pronounced like ordinary ''w'' in English ''wail''. If nothing else works, try pronouncing ''w'' while whispering.
|-
| i || {{IPA|i, j}} || [[Minas Tirith|M'''i'''nas T'''i'''r'''i'''th]] || Sindarin ''i'' is most like ''i'' in English ''ink'' or like ''i'' in Spanish ''gringo''. Either pronunciation is suitable. But sometimes Sindarin ''i'' is more like ''y'' in English ''young''—it is this way at the beginning of a word before a vowel, and in certain unstressed syllables before vowels. (For instance, ''[[Doriath]]'' is a compound of ''[[dôr]]+[[iath]]'', where ''[[iath]]'' is just one syllable.)
|-
| í || {{IPA|iː}} || [[Círdan|C'''í'''rdan]] || Sindarin ''í'' is pronounced just noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''i'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| î || {{IPA|iːː}} || [[Gwîr|Gw'''î'''r]] || Sindarin ''î'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''í'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''í''.
|-
| l || {{IPA|l}} || [[Legolas|'''L'''ego'''l'''as]] ||  
|-
| lh || {{IPA|ɬ}} || [[Lhûn|Lh'''û'''n]] || There is no parallel for Sindarin ''lh'' in English. But it is like ''ll'' in Welsh or ''ł'' in Navajo, or [[Quenya]] ''hl''. More specifically, it is a ''voiceless alveolar lateral'', like ''s'' when spoken in a lateral lisp. If nothing else works, try pronouncing ''l'' while whispering.
|-
| ll || {{IPA|lː}} || [[mellon|me'''ll'''on]] || Sindarin ''ll'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''l'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| m || {{IPA|m}} || [[Mordor|'''M'''ordor]] ||  
|-
| mh || {{IPA|ṽ}} ||   || An Archaic Sindarin sound, a "spirant" ''m'', just like Gaelic ''mh''. This sound became the same as ''v'' since at least the First Age, and ''mh'' as a spirant ''m'' does not appear even in [[The Silmarillion]]-style Sindarin spellings, so that spellings like ''[[Tinúviel]]'' are preferred over ''*Tinúmhiel''. Suffice it to say that this spelling of ''mh'' is not used in [[Lord of the Rings]]-style [[Third Age]] Sindarin either.
|-
| mm || {{IPA|mː}} || [[Rammas Echor|Ra'''mm'''as]] || Sindarin ''mm'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''m'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| n || {{IPA|n}} || [[Nevrast|'''N'''evrast]] ||  
|-
| nc || {{IPA|ŋk}} || [[Orthanc|Ortha'''nc''']] || Like ''nk'' in English ''think''.
|-
| ng || {{IPA|ŋ(ɡ)}} || [[Fingolfin|Fi'''ng'''olfin]]; [[Glamdring|Glamdri'''ng''']] || Represents {{IPA|[ŋɡ]}} between two vowels (like ''ng'' in English ''finger''), and {{IPA|[ŋ]}} everywhere else (like ''ng'' in English ''singer''). It is never pronounced like ''ng'' in English ''ginger''.
|-
| nn || {{IPA|nː}} || [[Pelennor|Pele'''nn'''or]] || Sindarin ''nn'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''n'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| o, ö || {{IPA|o}} || [[Gorgoroth|G'''o'''rg'''o'''r'''o'''th]] || Sindarin ''o'' is most like ''o'' in English ''born'', but shorter and without the ''r''. It can also be pronounced like Spanish ''o''. Either pronunciation is suitable, but it ''never'' has a ''w'' off-glide like ''ow'' in English ''show''.
|-
| ó || {{IPA|oː}} || [[Dor-lómin|Dor-l'''ó'''min]] || Sindarin ''ó'' is pronounced just noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''o'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| ô || {{IPA|oːː}} ||   || Sindarin ''ô'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''ó'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''ó''.
|-
| oe || {{IPA|o͡e}} ||   || Sindarin ''oe'' is somewhat like ''oi'' in English ''join''. Though this is not ''completely'' accurate because ''oe'' ends with an off-glide that sounds like Sindarin ''e'', it is a suitable pronunciation because there is no Sindarin ''oi'' to contrast with. Alternately, ''oe'' is like ''oe'' in Hawaiian ''Aloha ʻOe''.
|-
| œ || {{IPA|ø}} || [[Nírnaeth Arnoediad|Nírnaeth Arn'''œ'''diad]] || An Archaic Sindarin sound, at one time pronounced like French ''eu'', ''oe'' or ''oeu'' or like German/Swedish ''ö'' or like Danish/Norwegian ''ø''. In the [[Third Age]] it is pronounced just like Sindarin ''e'', so it is suitable to pronounce it like ''e''. Mostly found in [[First Age]] Sindarin words, and most famously in ''[[Nírnaeth Arnoediad|Nírnaeth Arnœdiad]]''. [[Lord of the Rings]]-style Third Age Sindarin spellings do not use ''œ'' at all, only ''e'', such as ''[[Ered Luin]]'' instead of ''*Œrœd Luin''.
|-
| p || {{IPA|p}} || [[Pengolodh|'''P'''engolodh]] ||  
|-
| ph || {{IPA|f, fː}} || [[Ephel Dúath|Ephel D'''ú'''ath]] || Represents {{IPA|[f]}} when final, {{IPA|[fː]}} everywhere else.
|-
| r || {{IPA|r}} || [[Boromir|Bo'''r'''omi'''r''']] || Sindarin ''r'' is always trilled or at least flapped wherever possible, like in Scottish English. It is not pronounced like General English ''r'', but this is still often a suitable pronunciation because Sindarin has no other rhotic consonant besides ''rh''.
|-
| rh || {{IPA|r̥}} || [[Rhovanion (region)|'''Rh'''ovanion]] || There is no parallel for Sindarin ''rh'' in English. But it is like Welsh ''rh'', or [[Quenya]] ''hr''. If nothing else works, try pronouncing ''r'' while whispering.
|-
| rr || {{IPA|rː}} ||   || Sindarin ''rr'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''r'', but otherwise is pronounced the same. For this reason, ''rr'' is always trilled, because a flap ''r'' cannot be pronounced long.
|-
| s || {{IPA|s}} || [[Sirion|'''S'''irion]] || Sindarin ''s'' is always pronounced like ''s'' in English ''safe'', and never like ''s'' in English ''ease''. There is no ''z'' in Sindarin.
|-
| ss || {{IPA|sː}} || [[Ossiriand|O'''ss'''iriand]] || Sindarin ''ss'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''s'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| t || {{IPA|t}} || [[Túrin|'''T'''úrin]] ||  
|-
| th || {{IPA|θ}} || [[Ecthelion of the Fountain|Ec'''th'''elion]] || Sindarin ''th'' is always pronounced ''th'' in English ''think'', and never like ''th'' in English ''these''—the latter sound is used for the separate Sindarin consonant ''dh''.
|-
| u || {{IPA|u}} || [[Curufin|C'''u'''r'''u'''fin]] || Sindarin ''u'' is most like ''u'' in English ''put'' or like ''u'' in Spanish ''mundo''. Either pronunciation is suitable. It is never pronounced like ''u'' in English ''gut''.
|-
| ú || {{IPA|uː}} || [[Lúthien|L'''ú'''thien]] || Sindarin ''ú'' is pronounced just noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''u'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| û || {{IPA|uːː}} || [[Barad-dûr|Barad-d'''û'''r]] || Sindarin ''û'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''ú'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''ú''.
|-
| ui || {{IPA|u͡ɪ}} || [[Orodruin|Orodr'''ui'''n]] || Sindarin ''ui'' is most like ''oo y'' in English ''too young'', pronounced all in one syllable. ''ui'' is always counted as one syllable, and never split into two syllables ''u i''.
|-
| v || {{IPA|v}} || [[Tinúviel|Tinú'''v'''iel]] ||  
|-
| w || {{IPA|w}} || [[Gwaihir|G'''w'''aihir]] ||  
|-
| y || {{IPA|y}} || [[Emyn Muil|Em'''y'''n Muil]] || Pronounced like the French ''u'' or the German ''ü''. It is also permissible to pronounce it like Sindarin ''i'', if at least because Sindarin ''i'' and ''y'' become pronounced the same during the [[Third Age]].
|-
| ý || {{IPA|yː}} ||   || Sindarin ''ý'' is pronounced just noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''y'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| ŷ || {{IPA|yːː}} ||   || Sindarin ''ŷ'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''ý'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''ý''.
|}

=== Nouns ===

==== Pluralization ====
Sindarin plurals are characterised by ''i-affection'', or ''umlaut''. The Sindarin term for this is ''prestanneth'' ("affection of vowels, mutation"). Almost all Sindarin words form their plurals like English man/men and goose/geese — by changing the vowels in the word. The plural patterns are:

{| rules="all" style="border:1px solid darkgray; border-collapse:collapse" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" colspan="2" | '''In Non-final Syllables'''
|-
| a > e || galadh > gelaidh
|-
| e > e || bereth > berith
|-
| i > i || fireb > firib
|-
| o > e || golodh > gelyth
|-
| u > y || tulus > tylys
|-
| y > y || ''(no example available)''
|-
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" colspan="2" | '''In Final Syllables'''
|-
| a > ai || adan > edain
|-
| â > ai || tâl > tail
|-
| e > i || edhel > edhil
|-
| ê > î || hên > hîn
|-
| i > i || brennil > brennil
|-
| î > î || dîs > dîs
|-
| o > y || annon > ennyn
|-
| ó > ý || bór > býr
|-
| ô > ŷ || thôn > thŷn
|-
| u > y || urug > yryg
|-
| û > ui || hû > hui
|-
| y > y || ylf > ylf
|-
| ý > ý || mýl > mýl
|-
| au > oe || naug > noeg
|}

Note that ''ai'' can sometimes become ''î'' (or, less commonly, ''ý'').

The reason for this is that the primitive plural ending ''-î'' (still present in Quenya as ''-i'') affected the vowels in the word by making them higher and fronter. After this sound change occurred, the suffix ''-î'' disappeared when all final vowels were lost.

==== Class Plural ====
Sindarin also has several suffixes which denote a so-called class plural. For example, ''-ath'' indicates a group of something, e.g. ''elenath'' from ''[[elen]]'' (an archaic form of ''êl''), meaning "star" and ''-ath''. It means "a group of stars" or "all the stars in the sky". Another ending, ''-rim'', is used to indicate a race, e.g. ''nogothrim'' from ''nogoth'' — "dwarf" and ''-rim'', meaning "the race of dwarves". The ending ''-hoth'' is generally used in an unfriendly sense, e.g. ''gaurhoth'' from ''gaur'' — "werewolf" and ''-hoth'', meaning "werewolf-host".

=== Mutation ===
Sindarin has a complex series of mutations. There are three main different types of mutations: ''soft mutation'' (or lenition), ''nasal mutation'' and ''stop'' (occlusive) ''mutation''. Additionaly, a ''mixed mutation'' is also observed after certain particles or prepositions. Finally, it is presumed that Sindarin also once had what we could call an ''archaic spirantal mutation'' (also sometimes called ''liquid mutation'' by scholars). It is still uncertain whether this mutation is still productive or if it only occurs in ancient constructs.

Initial mutations must not be confused with assimilations that may occur in compound words (such as, for instance, in the names ''[[Araphor]]'', ''[[Arassuil]]'', and ''[[Caradhras]]'').

The following table outlines how different consonants are affected by the different mutations:

{| rules="all" style="border:1px solid darkgrey; border-collapse:collapse" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Basic'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Soft'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Nasal'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Mixed'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Stop'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Liquid'''
|-
| b || v || m || b || b || v
|-
| c || g || ch || g || ch || ch
|-
| d || dh || n || d || d || dh
|-
| g || ' || ng || g || g || '
|-
| h || ch || ch || h || ch || ch
|-
| lh || thl || 'l || 'l || thl || 'l
|-
| m || v || m || m || m || v
|-
| p || b || ph || b || b || ph
|-
| rh || thr || 'r || 'r || thr || 'r
|-
| s || h || s || h || s || s
|-
| t || d || th || d || th || th
|}

Here the apostrophe indicates elision.

Words beginning in ''b-'', ''d-'', or ''g-'' which descend from older ''mb-'', ''nd-'', or ''ng-'' are affected differently by the mutations:

{| rules="all" style="border:1px solid darkgrey; border-collapse:collapse" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Basic'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Soft'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Nasal'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Mixed'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Stop'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Liquid'''
|-
| b || m || mb || mb || mb || b
|-
| d || n || nd || nd || nd || d
|-
| g || ng || g || g || g || g
|}

Take, for example, the deictic article ''i'', which triggers soft mutation. When added to a word like ''[[tâl]]'', it becomes ''i dâl''. In Sindarin's phonological history, ''t'' became ''d'' in the middle of a word. Because ''i tâl'' at the time was considered one word, the ''t'' became ''d'', and thus ''i dâl''. However, without the article the word is still ''tâl''.

Mutation is triggered in various ways:
* Soft mutation, the most widely occurring mutation, is triggered by the singular article ''i'', the prefixes ''athra-, ath-, go-, gwa-, ú-,'' and ''u-'', as well as the prepositions ''ab, am, adel, be, dad, di, na, nu,'' and ''î'', and after ''avo''. It also affects the second element in a compound, an adjective following a noun, and the object of a verb.
* Nasal mutation is triggered by the plural article ''in'', and the prepositions ''an, dan,'' and plural '''nin''.
* Mixed mutation is triggered by the genitive article ''en'', and the prepositions ''ben, erin, nan, 'nin,'' and ''uin''.
* Stop mutation is triggered by the prepositions ''ed, ned,'' and ''o(d)''.
* Liquid mutation is presumably triggered by the preposition ''or''.

=== Pronouns ===
Pronouns are perhaps the most poorly attested feature of Sindarin. What has been reconstructed by the comparative method is largely conjectural and is not agreed upon, and therefore will not be addressed in this article.

Sindarin pronouns, like those in English, still maintain some case distinction. Sindarin pronouns have nominative, accusative, genitive, and dative forms.

{| rules="all" style="border:1px solid darkgrey; border-collapse:collapse" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"
| rowspan="2" |
| align="center" bgcolor="gray" colspan="2" | '''First Person'''
| bgcolor="gray" |
| align="center" bgcolor="gray" colspan="2" | '''Second Person'''
| bgcolor="gray" |
| align="center" bgcolor="gray" colspan="2" | '''Third Person'''
|-
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Singular'''
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Plural'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Singular'''
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Plural'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Singular'''
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Plural'''
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Nominative'''
| ''im'' ||  
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
|   ||  
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| ''e'' ||  
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Accusative'''
| ''nin'' || #''men''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| ''le'' (resp.) || ''le'' (resp.)
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| ''den'' || ''di''<br>''hain'' (inanim.)
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Genitive'''
| ''nín'' || ''mín'' [subi. ''vín'']
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
|   || ''lín''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| ''tîn'' [subi. ''dîn''] ||  
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Dative'''
| ''enni'' [refl. ''anim''] || ''ammen''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
|   ||  
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
|   ||  
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Enclitic'''
| -n || -m
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| ?-ch ||  
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| — || -r
|}

=== Verbs ===
Sindarin verbs are also quite complex. The number of attested verbs in Sindarin is small, so the Sindarin verb system is imperfectly known; no verb has a full paradigm of forms available. There are two main types of verbs: ''basic'' and ''derived''. Basic verbs have stems which end in a consonant, and derived verbs have stems which incorporate some sort derivational morpheme (such as a causative ending) which ends in ''-a''.

==== Basic Verbs ====
Basic verbs, though smaller in number than derived verbs, have a very complex conjugation which arises from Sindarin's phonological history.

Basic verbs form the infinitve by adding ''-i'': ''giri'' from ''gir-''. This ending causes an ''a'' or ''o'' in the stem to umlaut to ''e'': ''blebi'' from ''blab-''. Sindarin does not use infinitive forms very often, and rather uses the gerund to achieve the same meaning.

For all persons except the third person singular, the present tense is formed by the insertion of ''-i'', and the proper enclitic pronomial ending: ''girin'', ''girim'', ''girir''. As with the infinitive, ''-i'' causes an ''a'' or ''o'' in the stem to umlaut to ''e'': ''pedin'', ''pedim'', ''pedir'', from ''pad-''. The third person singular, because it has a zero-ending, does not require the insertion of ''-i''. This leaves the bare stem, which, because of Sindarin's phonological history, causes the vowel of the stem to become long: ''gîr'', ''blâb'', ''pâd''.

The past tense of basic verbs is very complicated and poorly attested. One common reconstructed system is to use ''-n'': ''darn''. However, the only time this ''-n'' actually remains is after a stem in ''-r''. After a stem ending in ''-l'', ''-n'' becomes ''-ll'': ''toll''. After ''-b, -d, -g, -v,'' or ''-dh'', it is metathesized and then assimilated to the same place of articulation as the consonant it now follows. The consonant then experiences what could be called a "backwards mutation": ''-b, -d,'' and ''-g'' become ''-p, -b,'' and ''-c'', and ''-v'' and ''-dh'' become ''-m'' and ''-d''. The matter is complicated even further when pronomial endings are added. Because ''-mp, -mb, -nt, -nd,'' and ''-nc'' did not survive medially, they become ''-mm-, -mm-, -nn-, -nn-,'' and ''-ng''. In addition, past tense stems in ''-m'' would have ''-mm-'' before any pronomial endings. Because this all may seem rather overwhelming, look at these examples which show step-by-step transformations:

* ''cab-'' > **''cabn'' > **''canb'' > **''camb'' > ''camp'', becoming ''camm-'' with any pronomial endings.
* ''ped-'' > **''pedn'' > **''pend'' > ''pent'', becoming ''penn-'' with any pronomial endings.
* ''dag-'' > **''dagn'' > **''dang'' (''n'' pronounced as in ''men'') > **''dang'' (''n'' pronounced as in ''sing'') > ''danc'', becoming ''dang-'' with any pronomial endings.
* ''lav-'' > **''lavn'' > **''lanv'' > **''lanm'' > **''lamm'' > ''lam'', becoming ''lamm-'' before any pronomial endings.
* ''redh-'' > **''redhn'' > **''rendh'' > **''rend'' > ''rend'', becoming ''renn-'' before any pronomial endings.

The future tense is formed by the addition of ''-tha''. An ''-i'' is also inserted between the stem and ''-tha'', which again causes ''a'' and ''o'' to umlaut to ''e''. Endings for all persons except for the first person singular can be added without any further modification: ''giritham'', ''blebithar''. The first person singular ending ''-n'' causes the ''-a'' in ''-tha'' to become ''-o'': ''girithon'', ''blebithon'', ''pedithon''.

The imperative is formed with the addition of ''-o'' to the stem: ''giro!'', ''pado!'', ''blabo!''.

==== Derived Verbs ====
Derived verbs have a much less complex conjugation because they have a thematic vowel (usually ''a'') which reduces the number of consonant combinations which occur.

The infinitive is formed with ''-o'', which replaces the ''-a'' of the stem, e.g. ''lacho'' from ''lacha-''.

The present tense is formed without modification to the stem. Pronomial endings are added without any change.

The past tense is formed with the ending ''-nt'', which becomes ''-nne'' with any pronomial endings, e.g. ''erthant'', ''erthanner''.

The future tense is formed with ''-tha''. With the addition of the first person singular ''-n'', this becomes ''-tho''.

The imperative is formed like the infinitive.

== Dialects ==
During the [[First Age]] there were several dialects of Sindarin:
*''[[Doriathrin]]'' or the language of [[Doriath]], a form of the language which preserved many archaic forms;
*''[[Falathrin]]'' or the language of the [[Falas]], later also spoken in [[Nargothrond]];
*''[[North Sindarin]]'', the dialects originally spoken in [[Dorthonion]] and [[Hithlum]] by the Sindar, these dialects contained many unique words and were not fully intelligible with the Sindarin of [[Beleriand]] proper.

With the exception of Doriathrin, the dialects were changed under Noldorin influence, and adopted many [[Quenya]] features, as well as unique sound changes devised by the Noldor (who loved changing languages). The distinct dialects disappeared after the Noldor and Sindar were dispersed during the later [[Battles of Beleriand]]. In the refuges on the [[Isle of Balar]] and the [[Mouths of Sirion]] a new dialect arose under the refugees, which mainly took after Falathrin. During the [[Second Age]] and [[Third Age]] Sindarin was a ''lingua franca'' for all Elves and their friends, until it was displaced as the [[Common Tongue]] by [[Westron]], a descendant of [[Adûnaic]] which was heavily influenced by Sindarin.

''Sindarin'' is actually a Quenya term. No Sindarin word for Sindarin is known, but usually the term '''''[[Edhellen]]''''' ("Elvish") is used in [[Neo-Sindarin]].

== External Links ==
*[http://www.uib.no/People/hnohf/ Ardalambion], a site dedicated to the languages of Middle-earth
**[http://www.uib.no/People/hnohf/sindarin.htm Sindarin – ''The Noble Tongue''], by Helge Kåre Fauskanger
*[http://www.jrrvf.com/hisweloke/sindar/ Hiswelókë's Sindarin Dictionary]
*[http://sindarin.weet.us/ I Lam Arth - The Noble Tongue], a technical study of Sindarin

{{references}}
[[Category:Sindarin| ]]
[[Category:Quenya adjectives]]
[[Category:Quenya nouns]]
[[fr:encyclo/langues/sindarin]]

Sindarin

2010-07-26T22:46:47Z

Cobold: /* Phonology */

''(See also [[:Category:Sindarin words|Sindarin words]])''

'''Sindarin''' was the Elvish language most commonly spoken in [[Middle-earth]] in the [[Third Age]]. It was the language of the [[Sindar]], those [[Teleri]] which had been left behind on the [[Great Journey]] of the [[Elves]]. It was derived from an earlier language called [[Common Telerin]]. When the [[Noldor]] came back to Middle-earth, they adopted the Sindarin language, although they believed their native [[Quenya]] more beautiful. Before the downfall, most of the [[Men]] of [[Númenor]] also knew the language, though the common language there was [[Adûnaic]]. Knowledge of it was kept in the [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] realms-in-exile [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]], especially amongst the learned. While [[Westron]] (descended from Adûnaic) became the most common language in Middle-earth during the [[Third Age]], Sindarin remained the everyday language of Elves and [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]]. Sindarin is the language referred to as "the Elven-tongue" in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''.

Sindarin became the language of the Noldor because of the command of King [[Elu Thingol]] of [[Doriath]]. Upon learning of the [[Kinslaying at Alqualondë]], he declared that [[Quenya]], the language of the Noldor, should be prohibited in his lands. As the Noldor were dwelling in a Sindarin-speaking land, and because of the decree of Thingol though it did not directly affect them, they gradually switched entirely to Sindarin. Their names were also changed to Sindarin, such as ''Finwë-Ñolofinwë'' to [[Fingolfin]], and ''Turukáno'' to [[Turgon of Gondolin|Turgon]].

[[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] originally imagined that the language which would become ''Sindarin'' was spoken by the Noldor. However, Tolkien later decided that it was the language of the Sindar. For this reason it is called "[[Noldorin]]" in the older material, such as the ''[[Etymologies]]''. When Noldorin became Sindarin, it also adopted some features of the originally unrelated language ''Ilkorin''. Tolkien based the sound and some of the grammar of his Noldorin/Sindarin on Welsh, and Sindarin displays of the consonant mutations that characterise the Celtic (especially Brythonic) languages. The language was also probably influenced to an extent by the Germanic languages, as Tolkien was a scholar of both Old English and Old Norse.

The written script alphabet of the Elven languages is typically '''[[Tengwar]]''', although '''[[Cirth]]''' (itself originally intended specifically for Sindarin) can also be used.

The word '''Sindarin''' itself is actually a [[Quenya]] word given by the [[Noldor]]in Exiles. It is pronounced {{IPA|[ˈsindarin]}}. It is likely the [[Vanyar]] called it '''Þindarin''' ({{IPA|[ˈθindarin]}}).

== Grammar ==
Sindarin is mainly analytic, though traits of its highly inflected progenitor can still be seen.

=== Phonology ===
Sindarin was designed to have a Welsh-like phonology. It has most of the same sounds and similar phonotactics.

{| rules="all" style="text-align:center; border:1px solid darkgrey; border-collapse:collapse" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0"
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Letter'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''[[wikipedia:IPA|IPA]]'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Example'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Notes'''
|-
| a, ä || {{IPA|a}} || [[Aragorn|'''A'''r'''a'''gorn]] || Sindarin ''a'' is most like ''a'' in English ''father'' or ''a'' in Spanish ''mambo''. Either pronunciation is suitable.
|-
| á || {{IPA|aː}} ||   || Sindarin ''á'' is pronounced just noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''a'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| â || {{IPA|aːː}} ||   || Sindarin ''â'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''á'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''á''.
|-
| ae || {{IPA|a͡ɛ}} || [[Maedhros|M'''ae'''dhros]] || Similar to ''ai'', but ends at a ''more'' open vowel height.
|-
| ai || {{IPA|a͡ɪ}} || [[Edain|Ed'''ai'''n]] || Sindarin ''ai'' is most like ''i'' in English ''time''. ''ae'' is similar to ''ai'', but ''ai'' ends at a ''less'' open vowel height. J.R.R. Tolkien said that ''ae'' and ''ai'' can be pronounced if the same if s person cannot tell the difference between them.
|-
| au, aw || {{IPA|a͡ʊ}} || [[Glaurung|Gl'''au'''rung]]; [[Araw|Ar'''aw''']] || Sindarin ''au'' is most like ''ou'' in English ''thousand'' or like ''ow'' in English ''cow''. It is never pronounced like ''au'' in English ''cause'' or like ''aw'' in English ''law''. The spellings ''au'' and ''aw'' are the same sound, but ''aw'' is preferred at the ends of words, as in ''[[Araw]]''.
|-
| b || {{IPA|b}} || [[Beleriand|'''B'''eleriand]] ||  
|-
| c || {{IPA|k}} || [[Celeborn|'''C'''eleborn]] || Always hard ''c'' like in English ''cake''. Never soft ''c'' like in English ''cell''.
|-
| ch || {{IPA|x}} ||   || Always like ''ch'' in Scottish ''loch''. Never like ''ch'' in English ''chair''.
|-
| d || {{IPA|d}} || [[Dúnedain|'''D'''úne'''d'''ain]] ||  
|-
| dh || {{IPA|ð}} || [[Caradhras|Cara'''dh'''ras]] || Sindarin ''dh'' is most like ''th'' in English ''the''. It is not pronounced like normal ''d''.
|-
| e, ë || {{IPA|e}} || [[Beren|B'''e'''r'''e'''n]] || Sindarin ''e'' is most like ''e'' in English ''get'' or ''e'' in Spanish ''comprende''. Either pronunciation is suitable, but it ''never'' has a ''y'' off-glide like in English ''grey''.
|-
| é || {{IPA|eː}} ||   || Sindarin ''é'' is pronounced just noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''e'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| ê || {{IPA|eːː}} ||   || Sindarin ''ê'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''é'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''é''.
|-
| ei || {{IPA|e͡ɪ}} || [[Ereinion|Er'''ei'''nion]] || Sindarin ''ei'' is most like ''ey'' in English ''grey'', always with the ''y'' off-glide.
|-
| f || {{IPA|f, v}} || [[Fëanor|'''F'''ëanor]] || Represents {{IPA|[v]}} when final or before ''n'', and {{IPA|[f]}} everywhere else.
|-
| g || {{IPA|ɡ}} || [[Galadriel|'''G'''aladriel]] || Always hard ''g'' like in English ''gasp''. Never soft ''g'' like in English ''gem''.
|-
| h || {{IPA|h}} || [[Húrin|'''H'''úrin]] ||  
|-
| hw || {{IPA|ʍ}} ||   || Sindarin ''hw'' is most like the traditional pronunciation of ''wh'' in English ''whale'', as it is still heard in Scotland, Ireland and parts of the southern United States. Is is also similar to ''ju'' in Mexican Spanish ''Juan''. It is never pronounced like ordinary ''w'' in English ''wail''. If nothing else works, try pronouncing ''w'' while whispering.
|-
| i || {{IPA|i, j}} || [[Minas Tirith|M'''i'''nas T'''i'''r'''i'''th]] || Sindarin ''i'' is most like ''i'' in English ''ink'' or like ''i'' in Spanish ''gringo''. Either pronunciation is suitable. But sometimes Sindarin ''i'' is more like ''y'' in English ''young''—it is this way at the beginning of a word before a vowel, and in certain unstressed syllables before vowels. (For instance, ''[[Doriath]]'' is a compound of ''[[dôr]]+[[iath]]'', where ''[[iath]]'' is just one syllable.)
|-
| í || {{IPA|iː}} || [[Círdan|C'''í'''rdan]] || Sindarin ''í'' is pronounced just noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''i'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| î || {{IPA|iːː}} || [[Gwîr|Gw'''î'''r]] || Sindarin ''î'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''í'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''í''.
|-
| l || {{IPA|l}} || [[Legolas|'''L'''ego'''l'''as]] ||  
|-
| lh || {{IPA|ɬ}} || [[Lhûn|Lh'''û'''n]] || There is no parallel for Sindarin ''lh'' in English. But it is like ''ll'' in Welsh or ''ł'' in Navajo, or [[Quenya]] ''hl''. More specifically, it is a ''voiceless alveolar lateral'', like ''s'' when spoken in a lateral lisp. If nothing else works, try pronouncing ''l'' while whispering.
|-
| ll || {{IPA|lː}} || [[mellon|me'''ll'''on]] || Sindarin ''ll'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''l'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| m || {{IPA|m}} || [[Mordor|'''M'''ordor]] ||  
|-
| mh || {{IPA|ṽ}} ||   || An Archaic Sindarin sound, a "spirant" ''m'', just like Gaelic ''mh''. This sound became the same as ''v'' since at least the First Age, and ''mh'' as a spirant ''m'' does not appear even in [[The Silmarillion]]-style Sindarin spellings, so that spellings like ''[[Tinúviel]]'' are preferred over ''*Tinúmhiel''. Suffice it to say that this spelling of ''mh'' is not used in [[Lord of the Rings]]-style [[Third Age]] Sindarin either.
|-
| mm || {{IPA|mː}} ||   || Sindarin ''mm'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''m'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| n || {{IPA|n}} || [[Nevrast|'''N'''evrast]] ||  
|-
| nc || {{IPA|ŋk}} || [[Orthanc|Ortha'''nc''']] || Like ''nk'' in English ''think''.
|-
| ng || {{IPA|ŋ(ɡ)}} || [[Fingolfin|Fi'''ng'''olfin]]; [[Glamdring|Glamdri'''ng''']] || Represents {{IPA|[ŋɡ]}} between two vowels (like ''ng'' in English ''finger''), and {{IPA|[ŋ]}} everywhere else (like ''ng'' in English ''singer''). It is never pronounced like ''ng'' in English ''ginger''.
|-
| nn || {{IPA|nː}} || [[Pelennor|Pele'''nn'''or]] || Sindarin ''nn'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''n'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| o, ö || {{IPA|o}} || [[Gorgoroth|G'''o'''rg'''o'''r'''o'''th]] || Sindarin ''o'' is most like ''o'' in English ''born'', but shorter and without the ''r''. It can also be pronounced like Spanish ''o''. Either pronunciation is suitable, but it ''never'' has a ''w'' off-glide like ''ow'' in English ''show''.
|-
| ó || {{IPA|oː}} || [[Dor-lómin|Dor-l'''ó'''min]] || Sindarin ''ó'' is pronounced just noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''o'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| ô || {{IPA|oːː}} ||   || Sindarin ''ô'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''ó'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''ó''.
|-
| oe || {{IPA|o͡e}} ||   || Sindarin ''oe'' is somewhat like ''oi'' in English ''join''. Though this is not ''completely'' accurate because ''oe'' ends with an off-glide that sounds like Sindarin ''e'', it is a suitable pronunciation because there is no Sindarin ''oi'' to contrast with. Alternately, ''oe'' is like ''oe'' in Hawaiian ''Aloha ʻOe''.
|-
| œ || {{IPA|ø}} || [[Nírnaeth Arnoediad|Nírnaeth Arn'''œ'''diad]] || An Archaic Sindarin sound, at one time pronounced like French ''eu'', ''oe'' or ''oeu'' or like German/Swedish ''ö'' or like Danish/Norwegian ''ø''. In the [[Third Age]] it is pronounced just like Sindarin ''e'', so it is suitable to pronounce it like ''e''. Mostly found in [[First Age]] Sindarin words, and most famously in ''[[Nírnaeth Arnoediad|Nírnaeth Arnœdiad]]''. [[Lord of the Rings]]-style Third Age Sindarin spellings do not use ''œ'' at all, only ''e'', such as ''[[Ered Luin]]'' instead of ''*Œrœd Luin''.
|-
| p || {{IPA|p}} || [[Pengolodh|'''P'''engolodh]] ||  
|-
| ph || {{IPA|f, fː}} || [[Ephel Dúath|Ephel D'''ú'''ath]] || Represents {{IPA|[f]}} when final, {{IPA|[fː]}} everywhere else.
|-
| r || {{IPA|r}} || [[Boromir|Bo'''r'''omi'''r''']] || Sindarin ''r'' is always trilled or at least flapped wherever possible, like in Scottish English. It is not pronounced like General English ''r'', but this is still often a suitable pronunciation because Sindarin has no other rhotic consonant besides ''rh''.
|-
| rh || {{IPA|r̥}} || [[Rhovanion (region)|'''Rh'''ovanion]] || There is no parallel for Sindarin ''rh'' in English. But it is like Welsh ''rh'', or [[Quenya]] ''hr''. If nothing else works, try pronouncing ''r'' while whispering.
|-
| rr || {{IPA|rː}} ||   || Sindarin ''rr'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''r'', but otherwise is pronounced the same. For this reason, ''rr'' is always trilled, because a flap ''r'' cannot be pronounced long.
|-
| s || {{IPA|s}} || [[Sirion|'''S'''irion]] || Sindarin ''s'' is always pronounced like ''s'' in English ''safe'', and never like ''s'' in English ''ease''. There is no ''z'' in Sindarin.
|-
| ss || {{IPA|sː}} || [[Ossiriand|O'''ss'''iriand]] || Sindarin ''ss'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''s'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| t || {{IPA|t}} || [[Túrin|'''T'''úrin]] ||  
|-
| th || {{IPA|θ}} || [[Ecthelion of the Fountain|Ec'''th'''elion]] || Sindarin ''th'' is always pronounced ''th'' in English ''think'', and never like ''th'' in English ''these''—the latter sound is used for the separate Sindarin consonant ''dh''.
|-
| u || {{IPA|u}} || [[Curufin|C'''u'''r'''u'''fin]] || Sindarin ''u'' is most like ''u'' in English ''put'' or like ''u'' in Spanish ''mundo''. Either pronunciation is suitable. It is never pronounced like ''u'' in English ''gut''.
|-
| ú || {{IPA|uː}} || [[Lúthien|L'''ú'''thien]] || Sindarin ''ú'' is pronounced just noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''u'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| û || {{IPA|uːː}} || [[Barad-dûr|Barad-d'''û'''r]] || Sindarin ''û'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''ú'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''ú''.
|-
| ui || {{IPA|u͡ɪ}} || [[Orodruin|Orodr'''ui'''n]] || Sindarin ''ui'' is most like ''oo y'' in English ''too young'', pronounced all in one syllable. ''ui'' is always counted as one syllable, and never split into two syllables ''u i''.
|-
| v || {{IPA|v}} || [[Tinúviel|Tinú'''v'''iel]] ||  
|-
| w || {{IPA|w}} || [[Gwaihir|G'''w'''aihir]] ||  
|-
| y || {{IPA|y}} || [[Emyn Muil|Em'''y'''n Muil]] || Pronounced like the French ''u'' or the German ''ü''. It is also permissible to pronounce it like Sindarin ''i'', if at least because Sindarin ''i'' and ''y'' become pronounced the same during the [[Third Age]].
|-
| ý || {{IPA|yː}} ||   || Sindarin ''ý'' is pronounced just noticeably longer in duration than Sindarin ''y'', but otherwise is pronounced the same.
|-
| ŷ || {{IPA|yːː}} ||   || Sindarin ''ŷ'' is pronounced for an even longer duration than Sindarin ''ý'', usually in single-syllable words. But it is permissible to pronounce it the same as ''ý''.
|}

=== Nouns ===

==== Pluralization ====
Sindarin plurals are characterised by ''i-affection'', or ''umlaut''. The Sindarin term for this is ''prestanneth'' ("affection of vowels, mutation"). Almost all Sindarin words form their plurals like English man/men and goose/geese — by changing the vowels in the word. The plural patterns are:

{| rules="all" style="border:1px solid darkgray; border-collapse:collapse" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" colspan="2" | '''In Non-final Syllables'''
|-
| a > e || galadh > gelaidh
|-
| e > e || bereth > berith
|-
| i > i || fireb > firib
|-
| o > e || golodh > gelyth
|-
| u > y || tulus > tylys
|-
| y > y || ''(no example available)''
|-
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" colspan="2" | '''In Final Syllables'''
|-
| a > ai || adan > edain
|-
| â > ai || tâl > tail
|-
| e > i || edhel > edhil
|-
| ê > î || hên > hîn
|-
| i > i || brennil > brennil
|-
| î > î || dîs > dîs
|-
| o > y || annon > ennyn
|-
| ó > ý || bór > býr
|-
| ô > ŷ || thôn > thŷn
|-
| u > y || urug > yryg
|-
| û > ui || hû > hui
|-
| y > y || ylf > ylf
|-
| ý > ý || mýl > mýl
|-
| au > oe || naug > noeg
|}

Note that ''ai'' can sometimes become ''î'' (or, less commonly, ''ý'').

The reason for this is that the primitive plural ending ''-î'' (still present in Quenya as ''-i'') affected the vowels in the word by making them higher and fronter. After this sound change occurred, the suffix ''-î'' disappeared when all final vowels were lost.

==== Class Plural ====
Sindarin also has several suffixes which denote a so-called class plural. For example, ''-ath'' indicates a group of something, e.g. ''elenath'' from ''[[elen]]'' (an archaic form of ''êl''), meaning "star" and ''-ath''. It means "a group of stars" or "all the stars in the sky". Another ending, ''-rim'', is used to indicate a race, e.g. ''nogothrim'' from ''nogoth'' — "dwarf" and ''-rim'', meaning "the race of dwarves". The ending ''-hoth'' is generally used in an unfriendly sense, e.g. ''gaurhoth'' from ''gaur'' — "werewolf" and ''-hoth'', meaning "werewolf-host".

=== Mutation ===
Sindarin has a complex series of mutations. There are three main different types of mutations: ''soft mutation'' (or lenition), ''nasal mutation'' and ''stop'' (occlusive) ''mutation''. Additionaly, a ''mixed mutation'' is also observed after certain particles or prepositions. Finally, it is presumed that Sindarin also once had what we could call an ''archaic spirantal mutation'' (also sometimes called ''liquid mutation'' by scholars). It is still uncertain whether this mutation is still productive or if it only occurs in ancient constructs.

Initial mutations must not be confused with assimilations that may occur in compound words (such as, for instance, in the names ''[[Araphor]]'', ''[[Arassuil]]'', and ''[[Caradhras]]'').

The following table outlines how different consonants are affected by the different mutations:

{| rules="all" style="border:1px solid darkgrey; border-collapse:collapse" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Basic'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Soft'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Nasal'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Mixed'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Stop'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Liquid'''
|-
| b || v || m || b || b || v
|-
| c || g || ch || g || ch || ch
|-
| d || dh || n || d || d || dh
|-
| g || ' || ng || g || g || '
|-
| h || ch || ch || h || ch || ch
|-
| lh || thl || 'l || 'l || thl || 'l
|-
| m || v || m || m || m || v
|-
| p || b || ph || b || b || ph
|-
| rh || thr || 'r || 'r || thr || 'r
|-
| s || h || s || h || s || s
|-
| t || d || th || d || th || th
|}

Here the apostrophe indicates elision.

Words beginning in ''b-'', ''d-'', or ''g-'' which descend from older ''mb-'', ''nd-'', or ''ng-'' are affected differently by the mutations:

{| rules="all" style="border:1px solid darkgrey; border-collapse:collapse" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Basic'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Soft'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Nasal'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Mixed'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Stop'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Liquid'''
|-
| b || m || mb || mb || mb || b
|-
| d || n || nd || nd || nd || d
|-
| g || ng || g || g || g || g
|}

Take, for example, the deictic article ''i'', which triggers soft mutation. When added to a word like ''[[tâl]]'', it becomes ''i dâl''. In Sindarin's phonological history, ''t'' became ''d'' in the middle of a word. Because ''i tâl'' at the time was considered one word, the ''t'' became ''d'', and thus ''i dâl''. However, without the article the word is still ''tâl''.

Mutation is triggered in various ways:
* Soft mutation, the most widely occurring mutation, is triggered by the singular article ''i'', the prefixes ''athra-, ath-, go-, gwa-, ú-,'' and ''u-'', as well as the prepositions ''ab, am, adel, be, dad, di, na, nu,'' and ''î'', and after ''avo''. It also affects the second element in a compound, an adjective following a noun, and the object of a verb.
* Nasal mutation is triggered by the plural article ''in'', and the prepositions ''an, dan,'' and plural '''nin''.
* Mixed mutation is triggered by the genitive article ''en'', and the prepositions ''ben, erin, nan, 'nin,'' and ''uin''.
* Stop mutation is triggered by the prepositions ''ed, ned,'' and ''o(d)''.
* Liquid mutation is presumably triggered by the preposition ''or''.

=== Pronouns ===
Pronouns are perhaps the most poorly attested feature of Sindarin. What has been reconstructed by the comparative method is largely conjectural and is not agreed upon, and therefore will not be addressed in this article.

Sindarin pronouns, like those in English, still maintain some case distinction. Sindarin pronouns have nominative, accusative, genitive, and dative forms.

{| rules="all" style="border:1px solid darkgrey; border-collapse:collapse" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"
| rowspan="2" |
| align="center" bgcolor="gray" colspan="2" | '''First Person'''
| bgcolor="gray" |
| align="center" bgcolor="gray" colspan="2" | '''Second Person'''
| bgcolor="gray" |
| align="center" bgcolor="gray" colspan="2" | '''Third Person'''
|-
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Singular'''
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Plural'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Singular'''
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Plural'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Singular'''
| align="center" bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Plural'''
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Nominative'''
| ''im'' ||  
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
|   ||  
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| ''e'' ||  
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Accusative'''
| ''nin'' || #''men''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| ''le'' (resp.) || ''le'' (resp.)
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| ''den'' || ''di''<br>''hain'' (inanim.)
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Genitive'''
| ''nín'' || ''mín'' [subi. ''vín'']
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
|   || ''lín''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| ''tîn'' [subi. ''dîn''] ||  
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Dative'''
| ''enni'' [refl. ''anim''] || ''ammen''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
|   ||  
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
|   ||  
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | '''Enclitic'''
| -n || -m
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| ?-ch ||  
| bgcolor="lightgrey" |
| — || -r
|}

=== Verbs ===
Sindarin verbs are also quite complex. The number of attested verbs in Sindarin is small, so the Sindarin verb system is imperfectly known; no verb has a full paradigm of forms available. There are two main types of verbs: ''basic'' and ''derived''. Basic verbs have stems which end in a consonant, and derived verbs have stems which incorporate some sort derivational morpheme (such as a causative ending) which ends in ''-a''.

==== Basic Verbs ====
Basic verbs, though smaller in number than derived verbs, have a very complex conjugation which arises from Sindarin's phonological history.

Basic verbs form the infinitve by adding ''-i'': ''giri'' from ''gir-''. This ending causes an ''a'' or ''o'' in the stem to umlaut to ''e'': ''blebi'' from ''blab-''. Sindarin does not use infinitive forms very often, and rather uses the gerund to achieve the same meaning.

For all persons except the third person singular, the present tense is formed by the insertion of ''-i'', and the proper enclitic pronomial ending: ''girin'', ''girim'', ''girir''. As with the infinitive, ''-i'' causes an ''a'' or ''o'' in the stem to umlaut to ''e'': ''pedin'', ''pedim'', ''pedir'', from ''pad-''. The third person singular, because it has a zero-ending, does not require the insertion of ''-i''. This leaves the bare stem, which, because of Sindarin's phonological history, causes the vowel of the stem to become long: ''gîr'', ''blâb'', ''pâd''.

The past tense of basic verbs is very complicated and poorly attested. One common reconstructed system is to use ''-n'': ''darn''. However, the only time this ''-n'' actually remains is after a stem in ''-r''. After a stem ending in ''-l'', ''-n'' becomes ''-ll'': ''toll''. After ''-b, -d, -g, -v,'' or ''-dh'', it is metathesized and then assimilated to the same place of articulation as the consonant it now follows. The consonant then experiences what could be called a "backwards mutation": ''-b, -d,'' and ''-g'' become ''-p, -b,'' and ''-c'', and ''-v'' and ''-dh'' become ''-m'' and ''-d''. The matter is complicated even further when pronomial endings are added. Because ''-mp, -mb, -nt, -nd,'' and ''-nc'' did not survive medially, they become ''-mm-, -mm-, -nn-, -nn-,'' and ''-ng''. In addition, past tense stems in ''-m'' would have ''-mm-'' before any pronomial endings. Because this all may seem rather overwhelming, look at these examples which show step-by-step transformations:

* ''cab-'' > **''cabn'' > **''canb'' > **''camb'' > ''camp'', becoming ''camm-'' with any pronomial endings.
* ''ped-'' > **''pedn'' > **''pend'' > ''pent'', becoming ''penn-'' with any pronomial endings.
* ''dag-'' > **''dagn'' > **''dang'' (''n'' pronounced as in ''men'') > **''dang'' (''n'' pronounced as in ''sing'') > ''danc'', becoming ''dang-'' with any pronomial endings.
* ''lav-'' > **''lavn'' > **''lanv'' > **''lanm'' > **''lamm'' > ''lam'', becoming ''lamm-'' before any pronomial endings.
* ''redh-'' > **''redhn'' > **''rendh'' > **''rend'' > ''rend'', becoming ''renn-'' before any pronomial endings.

The future tense is formed by the addition of ''-tha''. An ''-i'' is also inserted between the stem and ''-tha'', which again causes ''a'' and ''o'' to umlaut to ''e''. Endings for all persons except for the first person singular can be added without any further modification: ''giritham'', ''blebithar''. The first person singular ending ''-n'' causes the ''-a'' in ''-tha'' to become ''-o'': ''girithon'', ''blebithon'', ''pedithon''.

The imperative is formed with the addition of ''-o'' to the stem: ''giro!'', ''pado!'', ''blabo!''.

==== Derived Verbs ====
Derived verbs have a much less complex conjugation because they have a thematic vowel (usually ''a'') which reduces the number of consonant combinations which occur.

The infinitive is formed with ''-o'', which replaces the ''-a'' of the stem, e.g. ''lacho'' from ''lacha-''.

The present tense is formed without modification to the stem. Pronomial endings are added without any change.

The past tense is formed with the ending ''-nt'', which becomes ''-nne'' with any pronomial endings, e.g. ''erthant'', ''erthanner''.

The future tense is formed with ''-tha''. With the addition of the first person singular ''-n'', this becomes ''-tho''.

The imperative is formed like the infinitive.

== Dialects ==
During the [[First Age]] there were several dialects of Sindarin:
*''[[Doriathrin]]'' or the language of [[Doriath]], a form of the language which preserved many archaic forms;
*''[[Falathrin]]'' or the language of the [[Falas]], later also spoken in [[Nargothrond]];
*''[[North Sindarin]]'', the dialects originally spoken in [[Dorthonion]] and [[Hithlum]] by the Sindar, these dialects contained many unique words and were not fully intelligible with the Sindarin of [[Beleriand]] proper.

With the exception of Doriathrin, the dialects were changed under Noldorin influence, and adopted many [[Quenya]] features, as well as unique sound changes devised by the Noldor (who loved changing languages). The distinct dialects disappeared after the Noldor and Sindar were dispersed during the later [[Battles of Beleriand]]. In the refuges on the [[Isle of Balar]] and the [[Mouths of Sirion]] a new dialect arose under the refugees, which mainly took after Falathrin. During the [[Second Age]] and [[Third Age]] Sindarin was a ''lingua franca'' for all Elves and their friends, until it was displaced as the [[Common Tongue]] by [[Westron]], a descendant of [[Adûnaic]] which was heavily influenced by Sindarin.

''Sindarin'' is actually a Quenya term. No Sindarin word for Sindarin is known, but usually the term '''''[[Edhellen]]''''' ("Elvish") is used in [[Neo-Sindarin]].

== External Links ==
*[http://www.uib.no/People/hnohf/ Ardalambion], a site dedicated to the languages of Middle-earth
**[http://www.uib.no/People/hnohf/sindarin.htm Sindarin – ''The Noble Tongue''], by Helge Kåre Fauskanger
*[http://www.jrrvf.com/hisweloke/sindar/ Hiswelókë's Sindarin Dictionary]
*[http://sindarin.weet.us/ I Lam Arth - The Noble Tongue], a technical study of Sindarin

{{references}}
[[Category:Sindarin| ]]
[[Category:Quenya adjectives]]
[[Category:Quenya nouns]]
[[fr:encyclo/langues/sindarin]]

Lugburz (album)

2010-07-26T22:30:44Z

Cobold:

[[Image:Lugburz.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Cover of ''Lugburtz''{{sequence
|prev=-
|next=[[Minas Morgul (album)|Minas Morgul]]
|list=[[Summoning]] discography
}}]]
'''Lugburz''' is the first full length album by [[Summoning]]. The name is taken from [[Lugbúrz]], meaning ''dark tower'' in [[Black Speech]] and reffering in [[Barad-dûr]].
==Track listing==
{{tracklist
| collapsed =
| headline =
| extra_column =
| total_length = 50.56

| all_writing = Silenius, Protector
| all_lyrics = Silenius, Protector
| all_music = Silenius, Protector

| writing_credits = [[Summoning]]
| lyrics_credits = [[Summoning]], [[J. R. R. Tolkien]]
| music_credits = [[Summoning]]

| title1 = Grey Heavens
| note1 =
| writer1 =
| lyrics1 =
| music1 =
| extra1 =
| length1 = 1.45

| title2 = Beyond Bloodred Horizons
| note2 =
| writer2 =
| lyrics2 =
| music2 =
| extra2 =
| length2 = 3.37

| title3 = Flight of the Nazgul
| length3 = 7:07

| title4 = Where Winters Forever Cry
| length4 = 4.04

| title5 = Through the Valley of the Frozen Kingdom
| length5 = 6.22

| title6 = Raising With the Battle-[[Orcs]]
| length6 = 5.44

| title7 = Master of the Old Lure
| length7 = 4:14

| title8 = Between Light and Darkness
| length8 = 3:29

| title9 = The Eternal Lands of Fire
| length9 = 3:36

| title10 = Dragons of Time
| length10 = 6:01

| title11 = Moondance
| length11 = 4:46

}}

==Credits==
* Silenius – vocals, bass, keyboards
*Protector – vocals, guitar, keyboards
*Trifixion – drums
*Pazuzu – vocals

[[Category:Albums]]

Barad-dûr

2010-07-26T22:30:04Z

Cobold:

{{location
| image=[[Image:John Howe - The Dark Tower.jpg|300px]]
| name=Barad-dûr
| type=Tower
| location=Northwestern [[Mordor]]
| inhabitants=[[Sauron]], [[Nazgûl]], [[Orcs]]
| realms=[[Mordor]]
| description= Gargantuan tower that hosted the [[Eye of Sauron]]
| othernames=Lugburz, The Dark Tower
| etymology=[[Sindarin|S.]] "Dark Tower"
| events=[[Siege of Barad-dur]], [[Downfall of Barad-dûr]]
| references=
|}}

{{Pronounce|Barad-dur.mp3|Ardamir}}

<center>{{quote|...wall upon wall, battlement upon battlement, black, immeasurably strong, mountain of iron, gate of steel, tower of adamant... Barad-dûr, fortress of Sauron.|Vision of [[Frodo Baggins]]<ref name="Breaking">{{FR|Breaking}}</ref>}}</center>

'''Barad-dûr''', the '''Dark Tower''', was the chief fortress of [[Sauron]], on the Plateau of [[Gorgoroth]] in [[Mordor]]. Known in [[Black Speech]] as '''[[Lugbúrz]]''', the Eye of Sauron kept watch over [[Middle-earth]] from its highest tower.

==Description==
Barad-Dûr was built upon the end of a long southern spur of the [[Ered Lithui]] in the northern part of the [[Plateau of Gorgoroth]]. It stood about 30 miles east of [[Mount Doom]] and about 100 miles southeast of the [[Black Gate]]. There was both a road leading north to the Black Gate and Sauron's road to the [[Sammath Naur]] leading west to Mount Doom.<ref name="Mount Doom">{{RK|Doom}}</ref> Latter ran from the Dark Tower's western gate over a deep abyss, the plain and around the mountain to the dark entrance of the Chambers of Fire.

Barad-Dûr was the greatest fortress ever built since the Fall of [[Angband]]. It was founded upon a mighty iron mountain throne above immeasurable pits and appeared even blacker and darker than the mantling clouds and shades in which it stood. It was immeasurably strong with its countless gargantuan towers, walls and battlements and was made of very hard and unbreakable substances.<ref name="Breaking"/> Usually it was described as made of steel, iron or adamant. It had gaping gates, great courts and dungeons with deep and terrible prisons.<ref name="Mount Doom"/>
Its topmost tower had cruel pinnacles and an iron crown from which in immeasurable height the piercing and never sleeping eye of Sauron stared out.

==History==
===First Building===
Sauron began to build Barad-dûr in around {{SA|1000}}, choosing Mordor as a land to make into a stronghold.<ref name="Tale">{{App|SA}}</ref> Around {{SA|1600}} he secretly forged the [[The One Ring|One Ring]] in the fires of [[Mount Doom]] and completed his fortress after 600 years of the construction with the power of the Ring.

During the following years Sauron was able to consolidate his power and extend it into the east.<ref name="Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref> However, in {{SA|3262}}, [[Ar-Pharazôn]], king of [[Númenor]], landed at the [[Haven of Umbar]] with a great host and marched north to Mordor. Their splendor and might was so great that Sauron humbled himself before the king and came to Númenor as a hostage.

The year after the Downfall of Númenor in {{SA|3319}} Sauron's spirit secretly returned to Barad-dûr.<ref name="Tale"/> There he worked a terrible shape for himself, took up again the One Ring and prepared for war against the Eldar and the Exiles of Númenor who had established their realms in [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]].<ref name="Rings"/> He succeeded in taking [[Minas Ithil]] but in {{SA|3430}}<ref name="Tale"/> [[Elendil]] and [[Gil-Galad]] forged the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]] and defeated Sauron four years later in the [[Battle of Dagorlad]].<ref name="Rings"/> Then they passed into Mordor and besieged Barad-dûr. The siege lasted for seven years, Gil-Galad and Elendil were slain and in {{SA|3441}}<ref name="Tale"/> Sauron was finally defeated.<ref name="Rings"/> Isildur son of Elendil cut the One Ring from Sauron's hand and took it for his own instead of destroying it. The Dark Tower was finally leveled but its foundations remained since Barad-dûr was created using the power of the One Ring and couldn't be destroyed as long as that existed.

===Reconstruction===
Around {{TA|1050}} Sauron returned and secretly made a stronghold at [[Dol Guldur]].<ref name="Tale"/> [[Gandalf]] did not discover that Sauron was the master of Dol Guldur until {{TA|2850}}, and in {{TA|2941}} the [[White Council]] attacked the fortress. Sauron retreated to Barad-dûr which the [[Nazgûl]] had prepared for him and began to rebuild it in {{TA|2951}}. From then on Sauron stayed in Barad-dûr and conducted his war on the free people of Middle-Earth from there.

On [[March 25]], {{TA|3019}} the ring-bearer [[Frodo Baggins]] succeeded in destroying the One Ring although it was the creature [[Gollum]] who actually held the ring as it fell into the [[Cracks of Doom]]. With the Ring destroyed Barad-dûr ultimately collapsed to ruin and Sauron was finally defeated.

{{quote|A brief vision he had of swirling cloud, and in the midst of it towers and battlements, tall as hills, founded upon a mighty mountain-throne above immeasurable pits; great courts and dungeons, eyeless prisons sheer as cliffs, and gaping gates of steel and adamant: and then all passed. Towers fell and mountains slid; walls crumbled and melted, crashing down; vast spires of smoke and spouting steams went billowing up, up, until they toppled like an overwhelming wave, and its wild crest curled and came foaming down upon the land. And then at last over the miles between there came a rumble, rising to a deafening crash and roar; the earth shook, the plain heaved and cracked, and Orodruin reeled.|Vision of [[Samwise Gamgee]] from the downfall of Barad-Dûr<ref name="Mount Doom"/>}}

==Etymology==
Barad-Dûr translates from [[Sindarin]] as "Dark Tower". ''[[Barad]]'' means "tower" and ''[[Dûr]]'' means "dark".<ref name="App">{{S|Appendix}}</ref> Lugbúrz was the name of Barad-dûr in the Black Speech from ''[[Lug]]'' meaning "tower" and ''[[búrz]]'' meaning "dark".<ref>[http://folk.uib.no/hnohf/orkish.htm Orkish] at [[Ardalambion]]</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
<center><gallery>
Image:Barad-dur_RB_Rotk.jpg|<center>''[[The Return of the King (1980 film)]]''</center>
Image:Barad-dur collapsing.jpg|<center>''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]''</center>
Image:Barad-dur_FOTR_game.png|<center>''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)]]''</center>
Image:Barad-dur_BFMEI.jpg|<center>''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]''</center>
Image:Barad-dur_BFMEII.jpg|<center>''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]''</center>
</gallery>
</center>

'''1980: ''[[The Return of the King (1980 film)]]'':'''
:Barad-dûr is portrayed as a simple fortress. During a [[One Ring|ring]]-induced dream, [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] dreams of taking the Ring and storming the Tower, but his common sense gains the upper hand in time.<ref>''[[The Return of the King (1980 film)]]'', "[[Samwise the Strong]]"</ref>

'''1981: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)]]'':'''
:Barad-dûr is one of the first sites visited. After the [[Witch-king]] captures [[Gollum]] snooping on the edge of Mordor, the [[Mouth of Sauron]] questions the creature in the Dark Tower.<ref>''[[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)]]'', "[[The Shadow of the Past (1982 episode)|The Shadow of the Past]]"</ref>

'''2001-3: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]]'':'''
:In the [[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy|''Lord of the Rings'' movies]] by [[Peter Jackson]], [[Richard Taylor]] and his design team built a 9 foot high miniature ("[[Bigatures|big-ature]]") of Barad-dûr for use in the film. Using the size scale for the model implemented for the films, the Dark Tower is depicted as being over 1500 meters (5,000 feet) tall.
:''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King|The Return of the King]]'' also shows Barad-dûr as clearly visible from the [[Black Gate]] of Mordor. Even granting its enormous size, it was located one hundred miles away and to the east of the Gate, and behind the inner mountain ridges of [[Udûn (valley)|Udûn]] so [[Aragorn]]'s army would probably not have been able to see it. In the film version, the geography of Mordor seems generally to have been compressed somewhat, perhaps for artistic reasons related to rendering such complex stories in a visual medium. In the case of the Black Gate scene, having Barad-dûr visible from the Gate means that the army can see the Eye of Sauron staring at them.

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)]]'':'''
:The Tower is briefly visible in the opening scene. [[Galadriel]] narrates a vision from her [[Mirror of Galadriel|Mirror]]. It is only referred to a "The Dark Tower of Mordor", and it is the base of the [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]] (as opposed to [[Minas Morgul]]). The Eye of Sauron is portrayed as a fiery eye at the top, but only visible for a split second.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Barad-dûr is shown in the introduction scene, looking similar to its movie design. It does not play a role in any of the campaigns, and does not appear on any of the maps.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Like in its predecessor, the tower of Barad-dûr plays no active role in this game. In the "War of the Ring" mode, it can be seen in the territory of Mordor, but it is absent on the map itself.

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Barad-dûr|Images of Barad-dûr]]
* [[Siege of Barad-dûr]]
* [[Mordor]]

{{references}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Barad-dur}}
[[Category:Towers]]
[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
[[Category:Mordor]]
[[Category:Fortresses of Evil]]

[[de:Barad-dûr]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:villes_tours_et_forteresses:mordor:barad-dur]]
[[fi:Barad-dûr]]
[[fi:Musta Torni]]

Rings of Power

2010-07-26T22:28:44Z

Cobold: /* The One */

'''The Rings of Power''' or '''Great Rings''' were twenty Rings of Power. The [[Elves]] of [[Eregion]] made nineteen of the Rings of Power (and many other lesser rings) with knowledge obtained from [[Sauron]], and several of them with Sauron aiding the creation. Sauron forged the twentieth Great Ring, called the [[One Ring]] or the Ruling Ring, secretly in the fires of [[Mount Doom]].

A verse that summarizes the Great Rings and their ownership is an important part of the lore of Middle-earth. It translates as follows:

<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie
One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them,
One ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.</poem>
== The Creation of the Rings of Power ==
[[Image:Angus McBride - Celebrimbor.gif|thumb|left|Celebrimbor forges the Rings of Power]]
Around [[Second Age 1200]], Sauron started to corrupt the [[Elves]]<ref name="B">[[Appendix B]]</ref>. The [[Gwaith-i-Mírdain]] of [[Eregion]] were mostly [[Noldor]] and wished to have the same joys in [[Middle-earth]] as the Elves who had returned to [[Valinor]]<ref name="Rings">[[The Silmarillion]], [[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]</ref>. Sauron did not manage to approach [[Gil-galad]] and [[Elrond]] but he had better luck with the Elven-smiths of [[Eregion]] to whom he presented under the alias of [[Annatar]], an emissary from the Valar.

The Elves started to make the Rings with knowledge gained from Annatar. The Rings were of various kinds: the [[lesser rings]] were only essays in the craft before it was full-grown. In approximately [[Second Age 1500|S.A. 1500]] the Seven and Nine were created, in Eregion<ref name="B"/>. When Sauron departed, [[Celebrimbor]] went on to forge the [[Three Rings]], finishing around [[Second Age 1590|S.A. 1590]], using the knowledge he had gained from Sauron but without his involvement.

Sauron then created The [[One Ring]] around [[Second Age 1600|S.A. 1600]], alone, in the heart of [[Mount Doom]]. Sauron created it to rule over all the other rings, and he put a great part of his power into the One. The Elves, upon creation of the One, heard Sauron speak the [[Ring Poem|spell]], and realized they had been betrayed<ref>[[The Fellowship of the Ring]], [[The Council of Elrond]]</ref>. They defied Sauron and then he attempted to claim the Rings to distribute them to other people; though the Elves fought valiantly in the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]], he took Nine Rings and other lesser works of them; but he could not find the rest. Then [[Celebrimbor]] was put to torment, and he revealed about the Seven of them<ref>[[Unfinished Tales]], [[The History of Galadriel and Celeborn]]</ref>.

Sauron then distributed them to Lords who trusted him, [[Men]] who became powerful sorcerers and Kings; and [[Dwarves]] who grew greedier and augmented their treasures.

==The Twenty Rings==
*The ''[[Three Rings]]'' of the Elves were forged by [[Celebrimbor]] alone, and were never touched by Sauron. However, their forging involved some of the arts taught by "Annatar" thus they too were bound to the One Ring to some extent. They were named [[Narya]] the Ring of Fire, [[Nenya]] the Ring of Water and [[Vilya]] the Ring of Air; they remained hidden from Sauron.
*Sauron gave the ''[[Seven Rings]]'' to the Dwarf-kings, although according to Dwarvish tradition the Elves gave [[Ring of Thrór|one of them]] to [[Durin III]]. The Dwarves used their Rings to establish their treasure hoards, but Sauron was unable to force the Dwarven bearers to submit. It is believed that the dwarves natural hardiness, and the fact that it was only the more powerful dwarf lords who possessed them, made them resistant to Sauron's control, yet allowed them to accumulate treasure. The [[Ring of Thráin II|final ring]] to leave the possession of the dwarves occurred when [[Thráin II]] was captured.
*The ''[[Nine Rings]]'' for mortal men were those divided amongst those evil-hearted men who saw their abilities increase, and became sorcerers and Kings among Men. They gained longevity but then faded away to become the Nazgûl, the [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]], dominated under Sauron's will.
*The ''[[One Ring]]'', secretly forged by Sauron in the heart of [[Mount Doom]], had the power to dominate all nineteen other rings. His domain over the other rings was incomplete, but he placed a large amount of his own power into it at its forging; a necessity that later led to his downfall at [[Frodo Baggins]]' hands.

== The Power Of The Rings ==
The Rings of Power all had certain abilities, shared amongst them; the only different ones were the three. The chief power of all the rings was the prevention or slowing of decay, the preservation of what is desired or loved. [[Men]] (including [[Hobbits]]) would see their lifespan increase.

They also enhanced the natural powers of the wearer thus approaching ‘[[magic]]’ (a motive easily corrupted into evil) and increased lust for domination. They also shifted the wearer to the [[Unseen]], rendering the material body invisible and making to the wearer able to see the Unseen<ref>[[Letter 131]]</ref><ref>[[Letter 152]]</ref>. Eventually the wearer would ''fade'' and eventually turn into a [[Wraiths|wraith]] under Sauron's domination.<ref>[[The Fellowship of the Ring]], [[The Shadow of the Past]]</ref>.

The [[Dwarves]] however were immune to most of those effects, other than they increased their lust for gold which provided occasion for quarrels among themselves. They used their rings to increase their treasure troves; the treasure hoards of these dwarves drew the mightiest of [[dragons]] and opponents.<ref name="Rings" />

The Three did not do as the other rings. They do not make one invisible (though they themselves can be made so<ref>[[The Fellowship of the Ring]], [[The Mirror of Galadriel]]</ref>), and their benefits are largely secondary to the main effect the Elves achieved - that of stasis. A wearer of one of the Rings of Three gains the power to heal and preserve, in many different ways, whatever they control. Galadriel's and Elrond's Rings, allowed them to fend off Sauron and protect and preserve [[Lothlorien]] and [[Rivendell]]. Narya also has the power to inspire hope and courage in those around the bearer.

=== The One ===
* '''Control''' - Control, over the other rings and in a limited sense the bearers was gained by whomever controlled the power caged inside the One Ring.
* '''Power''' - In its forging, to give it the ability of control, it was necessary for Sauron to allow a fatal amount of his power into the One Ring. Any bearer could use this power, though it would take time, determination, skill, and knowledge to do so.
*'''Invisibility''' - As is seen many times the One confers invisibility upon the wearer.
*'''Translation''' - An ability to understand other creatures.

== The Final Disposition of the Rings of Power ==
[[Dragons]] destroyed four of the Seven Rings, and after Sauron's return he recaptured the remaining three (the last from Thráin II). At the end of the [[War of the Ring]], they were presumably buried in the ruins of [[Barad-dûr]].

The Nine he took back from his [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]], and they were still in his possession at the time of his fall. These, too, probably lie in the ruins of Barad-dûr.

The Three were hidden from him, and their bearers eventually took them to [[Aman]].

The One was destroyed in the [[Crack of Doom]]. With its destruction, the remainder of the Seven, the Nine, and the Three Elven rings all became powerless.
==Inspiration==
The Rings were the background story as fleshed out by Tolkien, out of the Ring that appeared in ''[[The Hobbit]]''. The lore of the Rings (especially the One) are often compared to the "Ring of the Nibelungs" although Tolkien denounced any direct inspiration.

{{references}}

==External links==
*[http://oakroadsystems.com/genl/ringfaq.htm FAQ of the Rings]

{{rings}}

[[Category:Rings and Jewels]]

Dwarves

2010-07-26T22:10:04Z

Cobold: /* The Longbeards */

{{sources}}
{{race
|image=[[Image:Simon Schmidt - A bunch of dwarves.jpg|300px]]
|name= Dwarves
|dominions= [[Erebor]], [[Khazad-dûm]], [[Belegost]], [[Nogrod]], [[Iron Hills]], [[Orocarni]], [[Glittering Caves]], [[Grey Mountains]], Northern [[Misty Mountains]], [[Blue Mountains]]
|languages= [[Khuzdul]] ([[Dwarvish]]), Iglishmek (sign language)
|height= 4 to 5 feet
|length=
|skincolor= Probably white
|haircolor= Red, white, grey, blonde, brown, black
|distinctions= Short in stature, beards
|lifespan= 250 years is the average
|members= [[Durin I]], [[Gimli]], [[Thorin II Oakenshield]]
|}}
{{quote|Since they were to come in the days of the power of [[Melkor]], [[Aulë]] made the dwarves strong to endure. Therefor they are stone-hard, stubborn, fast in friendship and in enmity, and they suffer toil and hunger and hurt of body more hardily than all other speaking peoples; and they live long, far beyond the span of Men, yet not forever.|[[The Silmarillion]], "[[Of Aulë and Yavanna]]"}}
The '''Dwarves''', or '''''[[Khazâd]]''''' in their own tongue, were beings of short stature, often friendly with [[Hobbits]] although long suspicious of [[Elves]]. They were typically blacksmiths and stoneworkers by profession, unrivaled in some of their arts even by the Elves.

While there were several tribes (Houses) of the Dwarves, the most prominent had been that of the [[Longbeards]].
==History==
===Origin===
Unlike Elves and [[Men]], the Dwarves are not counted among the [[Children of Ilúvatar]]. Their creator was [[Mahal]], known as [[Aulë]] the Smith. Aulë created the Seven [[Fathers of the Dwarves]] somewhere in [[Middle-earth]], from whom all other Dwarves are descended. Aulë though, did not have the divine power to grant independent life to any creation; Aulë repented and confessed to [[Ilúvatar]] and promised to destroy them; the voice of Ilúvatar though spoke to Aulë and agreed to grant them true life, and include them in His plan for [[Arda]]. Ilúvatar granted the Dwarves life, and therefore they are known as the Adopted Children of Ilúvatar and they were to awake after the [[Awakening of the Elves]].

[[Image:BFME2 - Dwarf 4.jpg|thumb||Dwarves as portrayed in [[The Battle for Middle-earth II]] game.]]
The Seven Fathers awoke in their places in pairs: the ''[[Firebeards]]'' and ''[[Broadbeams]]'' beneath [[Mount Dolmed]], where they built the cities of [[Nogrod]] and [[Belegost]], ''[[Ironfists]]'' and ''[[Stiffbeards]]'', ''[[Blacklocks]]'' and ''[[Stonefoots]]'' in the [[Red Mountains]], and [[Durin I]] the father of the [[Longbeards]], who awoke alone under [[Gundabad]]. He settled in the caves above [[Kheled-zâram]]. Which later became the greatest of Dwarf realms, [[Khazad-dûm]].
===First Age===
The Dwarves for many years did not know any other folk, until Firebeards and Broadbeams had their first meeting with the [[Elves]] in [[Beleriand]] in the year [[Years of the Trees 1250|1250]] of the [[Years of the Trees]]. From that time on there was friendship, between the [[Sindar]] and the Dwarves, creating ring-mails, and many other works; the [[Dwarves of Nogrod]] were unmatched in Middle-earth in smithing. They delved the caves of [[Menegroth]], and adopted the [[cirth|writing]] of [[Daeron]]. It was the Dwarves who told the Sindar about [[Orcs]] attacking their Elven kin on the other side of the mountains and King [[Thingol]], began a build up of arms which the Dwarves made for him.

Later on a great army of Orcs attacked the Elves, but in the [[First Battle of Beleriand]] were defeated and fled. Those that got away ran south right into an army of Dwarves who issued from Mount Dolmed and destroyed them.

After the [[Return of the Noldor]], [[Finrod Felagund]] desired to settle himself in the [[Caves of Narog]] and the Dwarves of the Ered Luin aided him and gave him the dwarven name ''Felak-gundu'' (''[[Felagund]]''). They eventually made for him the [[Nauglamír]].

Things finally came to a head between the forces of Morgoth and the Elves, Men, and Dwarves in the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]. The Dwarves fought for the [[Union of Maedhros]]

In early [[Second Age]] the [[Firebeards]] and [[Broadbeams]] clans migrated to [[Khazad-dûm]] from [[Blue Mountains]] which were perhaps destroyed during the sinking of Beleriand.

===Second Age===
The Dwarves did not participate in any important event of history. However their friendship with the Elves perhaps became more close than ever; the Dwarves of [[Moria]] maintained close connections to the [[Gwaith-i-Mírdain]] of [[Eregion]]; the [[Doors of Durin]] of Moria were built to facilitate the communication between the two people, and was constructed jointly by both races.

When Eregion was sacked by [[Sauron]]'s forces, the Dwarves assailed them from behind however it was too late to stop him from conquering all [[Eriador]].
==Third Age==
In [[Third Age 1980]], a [[Durin's Bane|Balrog]] awoke in the deeps of of the Misty Mountains and the Dwarves fled Khazad-dum, which from then on was called ''Moria'', which means "Black pit". Most of Durin's folk left for the [[Grey Mountains]] in the North, while some followed the new king, [[Thráin I]], who went to [[Erebor]] on the eaves of Mirkwood in [[Third Age 1999]] and started his kingdom there and later [[Ered Mithrin]].

For more than 300 years the [[Dwarves of the Grey Mountains]] prospered until the Dragons in the far North started to gain strength. Some fled to the [[Iron Hills]], while most followed the the new king [[Thrór]] to Erebor to start a new [[Kingdom under the Mountain]]. There, they prospered for over 200 years until the dragon [[Smaug]] descended in [[Third Age 2770]]. The King decided to wander South along with a small company of family and followers, while most of the survivors went to the Iron Hills.

Durin's folk settled in [[Dunland]], and in [[Third Age 2790]] King Thrór gave to his son the Last of the Seven Rings of the Dwarves, and with [[Nár (companion of Thrór)|Nár]] he travelled North to Moria. But he was killed there by the [[Goblin]]s king [[Azog]]. Nár returned and enraged, Thráin, called to all the Houses of Dwarves to war, to avenge his father. Thus began the [[War of Dwarves and Orcs]], in which the Dwarves destroyed all the Goblin strongholds in the [[Misty Mountains]] one by one, until they came to the [[East-gate]] of Moria, where the great [[Battle of Azanulbizar]] was fought. In this battle all the dwarven clans united, but the Goblins were still slowly winning, until at last help came - [[Náin (son of Grór)|Náin]] son of [[Grór]] came with fresh Dwarven forces from the [[Iron Hills]]. The Battle ended with the victory of Dwarves, but at great cost. Náin was slain by Azog, but his son [[Dáin II Ironfoot|Dáin]] avenged him by killing Azog. Thráin wanted to enter Khazad-dûm, but the other Dwarven clans would not, and Dáin also warned him of the [[Durin's Bane]] that he felt when he came close to the Gate.

Then Thráin came to the Blue Mountains and established his realm there but later he took a company and traveled to [[Erebor]]. On their way, he was taken by the [[Necromancer]] to [[Dol Guldur]]. [[Gandalf]] met him and was given his [[Map of Thrór|map]] and key of Erebor before his death.

Thorin met [[Gandalf]] who told him about his father Thráin, and Thorin gathered around him [[Thorin and Company|twelve dwarves]], mostly from his own line, and was joined by [[Gandalf]] and [[Bilbo Baggins]]. The [[Quest of Erebor]] ended with the death of [[Smaug]] at the hands of [[Bard I|Bard the Bowman]]. After a quarrel with the Men and Elves over the unguarded hoard, assisted by his cousin [[Dáin II Ironfoot|Dáin]] from the [[Iron Hills]] the all 3 of them united when the Goblins came, and fought the [[Battle of Five Armies]], where Thorin was killed.

===Fourth Age===
Not much is known about the Dwarves in the [[Fourth Age]]. After the [[War of the Ring]], [[Gimli]] brought a part of Durin's Folk from Erebor to the Glittering Caves and started a colony. Gimli, was later permitted to go across the sea to Valinor with Legolas in the year [[Fourth Age 120]].

It is said that [[Durin VII]] (the Last), retook Moria and brought Khazad-dum back to its original splendor, and that the Dwarves lived there till the world grew old and the days of Durin's race ended.

It seems likely that the Dwarves' population increased during the FA like the Hobbits and Men.

==Nature==
The Dwarves were created by Aule to be strong, resistant to fire and durable to the evils of Morgoth. Thus they were secretive, proud and hardier than any other race, and never forgot a wrong or debt. They lived to 250 years or more and were generally less corruptible than Men.

Despite being 4.5-5 feet tall, they were known for their strength and endurance in battle, as well as their fury, particularly when avenging their fallen kin, and for being some of the greatest warriors in all of Middle-earth. They fought valiantly in many wars and battles over the Ages holding axes.

Also, as creations of Aule, they were attracted to the substances of Arda and crafts. They
mined and worked precious metals throughout the mountains of Middle-earth but were noted for their gold lust, which was augmented by the [[Seven Rings]]; they committed their share of rash and greedy acts. Among these are the slaying of Elu [[Thingol]] and the dispute over the [[Nauglamír]], which first brought suspicion and hate between Elves and Dwarves.

The Dwarves although sometimes flourished, were marked for their waning numbers, suffering heavily in the wars. Dwarves married around the age of 100; few women were born and not all did wed.

The Elves claim that the Dwarves will have no future in the [[Arda Unmarred]], but the Dwarves hope that Mahal will gather them to the [[Halls of Mandos]] with the other Children of Ilúvatar. About their death, some other peoples believe that Dwarves melt into the stones they are made of.

==Language==
The Dwarven language was created by Aulë, and was called [[Khuzdul]]. It was a strange language to Elves and Men, and few non-Dwarves learned it, also because they kept it secret. The Dwarves preferred to communicate with the languages of their neighbors, and did not reveal their names (the [[petty-dwarves]] were an exception). During the Third Age, the Longbeards used [[northern Mannish]] names in public.

The Dwarves also had devised a secret gesture language to communicate between themselves in silence, the ''[[iglishmêk]]''

However, one Dwarven phrase is well known: the ancient battle cry, going back to at least the First Age: "''Baruk Khazâd! Khazâd ai-mênu!''", which means "Axes of the Dwarves! The Dwarves are upon you!"

==Houses of the Dwarves==

Most Dwarves mentioned in Tolkien's works are of [[Durin's folk]], the clan founded by [[Durin I]] of Khazad-dûm, called the Longbeards. (A notable exception are the inhabitants of the dwarf-cities of [[Nogrod]] and [[Belegost]] in the [[Ered Luin|Blue Mountains]], spoken of in ''[[The Silmarillion]]''). The seven different groups of Dwarf-folk originated in the locations where the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves first awoke before the First Age. There were three pairs of Dwarf Fathers that awoke together, and their Folk would build their halls near each other, though Durin himself had awoken alone. (In his letters, Tolkien adds that all the Dwarf Fathers except for Durin also had wives who awoke with them). Therefore the halls of the Longbeards at Khazad-dûm were not located near the halls of another Dwarf-kingdom. The seven clans of the Dwarves were:

* [[Longbeards]], Durin's Folk, originally from Khazad-dûm.
* [[Firebeards]], originally from [[Nogrod]]. Paired with the
* [[Broadbeams]], originally from [[Belegost]].
* [[Ironfists]], originated in the [[Orocarni]] in the far East. They were paired with the
* [[Stiffbeards]].
* [[Blacklocks]], originated in the Orocarni. They were paired with the
* [[Stonefoots]].

There was also an eighth group of Dwarves that was not a separate member from these seven kindreds, but composed of exiles from each: the [[Petty-dwarves]], who were hunted like animals to the point of extinction by the [[Elves]] in the First Age.

==Dwarf-women==
: ''Main article: [[Dwarf-women]]''
Dwarf-women made up only about a third of the total population. They seldom walked abroad, and that only in great need. Dwarf-women are also so alike in voice and appearance, and garb when they must travel, that it is hard to tell them apart from Dwarf-men. It is because of the fewness of women that the Dwarf population increases slowly. Dwarves only take one husband or wife in their lifetime, and are jealous, as in all matters of their rights. The number of Dwarf-men that marry is actually less than a third, and not all the Dwarf-women take husbands either; some desire none, some want one they cannot have, and will have no other one. There are also many Dwarf-men that don't want a wife, because they are obsessed with their crafts.

They are also seldom named in genealogies. They join their husbands' families. But if a son is seen to be 110 years than his father, this usually indicates an elder daughter. Thorin Oakenshield's sister Dís was named simply because of the gallant death of her sons Fíli and Kíli. The sentiment of effection for sister's children was strong all peoples of the Third Age, but less so among Dwarves than Men or Elves among whom it was strongest.

==The Longbeards==
{{main|Longbeards}}
[[Image:Angelo Montanini - Dori.jpg|thumb|[[Dori]] by [[Angelo Montanini]].]]
[[Thorin Oakenshield]] brought twelve Dwarves to [[Bag End]] to recruit [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]] for their treasure hunt in ''[[The Hobbit]]''. The Twelve Dwarves were:

*[[Dori]], [[Nori]], and [[Ori]].
*[[Bifur]], [[Bofur]], and [[Bombur]].
*[[Óin]], and [[Glóin]].
*[[Balin]], and [[Dwalin]].
*[[Fili]], and [[Kili]].

[[Dain II Ironfoot]], lead more than five-hundred heavily armed Dwarves, to the Lonely Mountain to aid Thorin Oakenshield, and ended up participating in the Battle of Five Armies. He would later become King Under the Mountain.

[[Gimli]] son of Glóin joined the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] and befriended [[Legolas]] in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''.

==Names==

The Dwarves called themselves the ''[[Khazâd]]'', the name Aulë gave them; this is adapted as ''[[Hadhod]]rim'' in [[Sindarin]], and ''[[Casar]]i'' in [[Quenya]]. Casari was the common word for Dwarves among the [[Noldor]], but the [[Sindar]] usually called them ''[[Naugrim]]'' or ''[[Nogothrim]]'', the Stunted People.

In [[Westron]], the Dwarves were called ''*[[Narak|Naragin]]''.

==Inspiration==
Almost all the names of the dwarves of Middle-earth are taken from the Icelandic saga of Völuspá.

According to Tolkien, the "real 'historical'" plural of ''dwarf'' is ''dwarrows'' or ''dwerrows''. He once referred to ''dwarves'' as "a piece of private bad grammar" (''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien|Letters]]'', 17), but in Appendix F to ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' he explains that if we still spoke of ''dwarves'' regularly, English might have retained a special plural for the word ''dwarf'' as with ''man''. The form ''dwarrow'' only appears in the word ''Dwarrowdelf'', a name for [[Moria]]. Tolkien used ''Dwarves'', instead, which corresponds with ''Elf'' and ''Elves'', making its meaning more apparent. The use of a different term also serves to set Tolkien's Dwarves apart from the similarly-named creatures in mythology and fairy-tales.

The enduring popularity of Tolkien's books, especially ''[[The Hobbit]]'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings]],'' has led to the popular use of the term ''dwarves'' to describe this race in fantasy literature. Before Tolkien, the term ''dwarfs'' (with a different spelling) was used, as seen in ''Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs''. In fact, the latter spelling was so common that the original editor of ''The Lord of the Rings'' "corrected" Tolkien's ''dwarves'' to ''dwarfs'' (''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', 138).

==Other versions of the Legendarium==
In the earliest versions of Tolkien's Middle-earth mythology (see: ''[[The History of Middle-earth]]'') the dwarves were evil beings created by [[Melkor]].

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

{{references}}

*[[The Hobbit]]
*[[The Lord of the Rings]]
*[[The Silmarillion]]
*[[The History of Middle-earth]]
{{Dwarvenclans}}

[[Category:Dwarves|Dwarves]]
[[Category:Races]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]

[[de:Zwerge]]
[[fi:Kääpiöt]]

Sauron

2010-07-26T21:55:05Z

Cobold: /* Etymology */ In fact, it should not be italicalized because it's not referring to the book's name

{{expansion}}{{sources}}
{{evil infobox
| image=[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Sauron.jpg|250px]]
| name=Sauron
| othernames= Mairon, [[Annatar]], [[Necromancer]]
| created=Before the [[Music of the Ainur]]
| years=c. [[Second Age 500|S.A. 500]]-[[Second Age 3441|S.A. 3441]], c. [[Third Age 1000|T.A. 1000]]-[[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]]
| age=
| destroyed=[[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]]
| realm=[[Tol Sirion]], [[Dol Guldur]], [[Mordor]]
| gender=Male
| race=[[Maiar]]
| appearance=Took bat form, wolf form, fair form. Confined to monstrous appearance after [[Downfall of Númenor]]
| accomplishments=Deceived the [[Elves]] into forging [[Rings of Power]], made the [[One Ring]], corrupted [[Númenor]], seduced [[Saruman]], nearly took over [[Middle-earth]]
|}}
{{pronounce|Quenya - Mairon.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
{{pronounce|Quenya - Sauron.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
{{pronounce|Sindarin - Gorthaur.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
'''Sauron''' was the Chief Lieutenant of [[Morgoth]], who after his fall became another Dark Lord, and ultimately walked down the same ruinous path to oblivion. Sauron was the chief enemy in the [[Second Age|Second]] and [[Third Age]].

==History==
=== First Age ===
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Huan Subdues Sauron.jpg|thumb|right|''Huan Subdues Sauron'', by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
In origin, Sauron was a [[Maiar|Maia]] named ''[[Mairon]]''. In the earliest of days he was among people of [[Aulë]], the Smith the ruling powers of the world. However, Mairon was soon ensnared by Melkor ([[Morgoth]]), who wished to rule and order all Arda. Mairon was renamed Sauron served Morgoth faithfully, and even in later days, after Morgoth was defeated and locked outside the confines of the world, Sauron encouraged and coerced [[Men]] to worship Morgoth as a God. However, while Morgoth wanted to either control or destroy the very matter of [[Arda]] itself, Sauron's desire was to dominate the minds and wills of its creatures. It was in this that Sauron was perhaps more practical than his master Morgoth.

During the [[First Age]], the [[Noldor]]in [[Elves]] left the [[Blessed Realm]] of [[Valinor]] in the [[Aman|Utter West]] (against the counsel of the Valar) in order to wage war on Morgoth, who had stolen the precious [[Silmarils]]. In that war, Sauron served as Morgoth's chief lieutenant, surpassing all others in rank. Known as '''''Gorthaur the Cruel''''', Sauron at that time was a master of illusions and changes of form, and [[Werewolves]] were his servants, chief among them [[Draugluin]], Sire of Werewolves, and [[Thuringwethil]], his vampire herald. When Morgoth left [[Angband]] to corrupt the newly awakened [[Men]], Sauron directed the War against the [[Elves]]. He conquered the Elvish isle of [[Tol Sirion]], so that it became known as ''Tol-in-Gaurhoth'', the Isle of Werewolves.

Ten years later, [[Finrod Felagund]], the king of [[Nargothrond]] and former lord of [[Tol Sirion]], died protecting [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] in captivity there; soon afterwards, [[Lúthien]] and [[Huan]] the Wolfhound defeated Sauron in that place and rescued Beren from the dungeons. After his resounding defeat by Lúthien, Sauron played little part in the events of the First Age (possibly hiding from Morgoth), and after his master was defeated and cast out by the Valar, Sauron repented and pled for mercy. But he was unwilling to return to the Utter West for judgment, and so he fled and hid.

=== Second Age ===
[[Image:AnnatarLarge.png|thumb|left|''Annatar'' as envisioned by [[Weta Workshop|Weta]] from [[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]]]]
After lying hidden and dormant for about one thousand years, Sauron put on a fair visage in the [[Second Age]]. Calling himself '''''Annatar''''', the Lord of Gifts, he befriended the Elvish smiths of [[Eregion]], and counseled them in arts and magic. Not all the Elves trusted him, particularly Lady [[Galadriel]] and [[Gil-galad]], High King of the Ñoldor, but few listened to them. The Elves forged [[Rings of Power]], but in secret Sauron forged the [[One Ring]] in [[Mount Doom]] to rule the other rings, investing most of his own power into the Ring as he forged it.

In this time Sauron became known as the [[Dark Lord]] of [[Mordor]]. He raised [[Barad-dûr]], the Dark Tower, near Mount Doom; constructed the [[Black Gate]] of Mordor to prevent invasion; corrupted nine mortal Men with Rings of Power and turned them into the [[Nazgûl]] (Ringwraiths), his chief servants; and raised massive armies of [[Orcs]], [[Trolls]], and Men, chiefly [[Easterlings]] and [[Southrons]].

Sauron's power reached its zenith 700 years after Mordor's creation, in the 17th century of the Second Age. Immediately after Sauron created the One Ring, Celebrimbor and the other Ring-bearers realized his treachery went to war with him. The [[War of the Elves and Sauron]] was a bloody conflict which destroyed Eregion and devastated much of Eriador. Celebrimbor was slain and his body impaled on a spike paraded at the head of Sauron's legions. The Elves were pushed back almost to the Blue Mountains, while their Dwarf allies (who had also rejected Sauron) retreated behind the walls of [[Moria]] where Sauron could not assail them. Sauron was master of almost all of Middle-earth beyond the coasts, but the Numenoreans responded to the Elves' call for aid and sent a relief force. The combined armies rallied and were able to defeat Sauron's armies in Eriador after heavy fighting, and the Dark Lord fled back to Mordor with little more than his own bodyguard.

Nonetheless, while Sauron's subsequent power never quiet matched the height it had during the War with the elves, many of his most powerful enemies' homelands had been devastated. ''Relative'' to his enemies, Sauron's empire was actually in a stronger position than it used to be. His empire continued to expand to dominate barbarian Men to the far south and east. Throughout this, Sauron remained faithful in his old allegiance, building temples to the worship of Morgoth, where human sacrifice was practiced. Because of this, towards the end of the Second Age, Sauron assumed the titles of '''Lord of the Earth''' and '''King of Men'''.

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Forging of the One.jpg|thumb|''The Forging of the One'', by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
This offended the Númenóreans, the powerful Men descended from the line of Beren and Lúthien, who lived on the island of Númenor in the sea between Middle-earth and Valinor. The proud Númenóreans came to Middle-earth with great force of arms, and Sauron's forces fled. Realizing he could not defeat the Numenoreans with military strength, Sauron allowed himself to be taken as a hostage to Númenor by King [[Ar-Pharazôn]]. There, he quickly grew from captive to advisor and was known as '''Tar-Mairon'''; he converted many Númenóreans to the worship of Morgoth, and raised a great temple in which he performed human sacrifices. Finally, he convinced the king to rebel against the Valar and attack Valinor itself. [[Eru]], the supreme god, then directly intervened: Númenor was drowned under the sea, and the great navy of Númenor was destroyed. Sauron was diminished in the flood of Númenor, and fled back to Mordor, where he slowly rebuilt his strength during the time known as the [[Dark Years]].

From this point on he was unable to assume a fair shape, and ruled now through terror and force. A few faithful Númenóreans were saved from the flood, and they founded [[Gondor]] and [[Arnor]] in Middle-earth. These faithful Men, led by [[Elendil]] and his sons, allied with the Elven-king, Gil-galad, and together fought Sauron and, after a long war, defeated him, although both Elendil and Gil-galad were killed. [[Isildur]], son of Elendil, cut the One Ring from Sauron's finger and claimed it. Later, the Ring betrayed him and was lost for more than two thousand years.

=== Third Age ===
In the [[Third Age]], Sauron rose yet again, at first in a stronghold called [[Dol Guldur]], the Hill of Sorcery, in southern [[Mirkwood]]. There he was known as the '''''[[Necromancer]]''''', and the Elves did not recognize him at first. [[Gandalf]] the [[Wizards|Wizard]] stole into Dol Guldur and discovered the truth; eventually the [[White Council]] of Wizards and Elves put forth their might and drove Sauron out. But the White Council was led by [[Saruman]], who wanted the Ring for himself, and for this reason, he did not want to attack Dol Guldur. When Gandalf insisted on an attack again, the White Council did attack. Unfortunately, this time Sauron was already prepared for an attack and escaped to Mordor, rebuilding and fortifying his fortress Barad-Dûr. He now fortified Mordor and prepared for war against Gondor and the Elves, using his new ally Saruman to defeat Rohan.

Sauron bred immense armies of Orcs and allies with which enslaved Men from the east and south. He adopted the symbol of a lidless eye, and he was able at that time to send out his will over Middle-earth, so that the [[Eye of Sauron]] was a symbol of power and fear.

After torturing Gollum, he learned that the One Ring had been found by [[Bilbo Baggins]]. He sent his deadliest servants, the [[Nazgûl]], to the [[Shire]], only to find that both Bilbo and his nephew, [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], had departed. Unbeknownst to Sauron, Frodo had, at the behest of Gandalf, joined the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] on a quest to destroy the Ring. He rallied his vast armies to conquer the resistance's strongholds, and sent the Ringwraiths to find and kill Frodo. At about this time, he also learned that [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]], Isildur's heir, had also joined the Fellowship, and was rallying armies to defeat his.

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Shadow of Sauron.jpg|thumb|220px|left|''The Shadow of Sauron'', by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
When Saruman's army was defeated at [[Isengard]], Aragorn used the Palantir of [[Orthanc]] to reveal himself to Sauron. Sauron made the premature conclusion that Aragorn had the Ring, and sent an army commanded by his strongest servant, the Witch-King of Angmar, to overthrow [[Minas Tirith (Gondor)|Minas Tirith]]. This battle would become known as the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].

Although Sauron lost the Battle of Pelennor Fields, the free forces of the West were greatly weakened, and Sauron still had sufficent armies in reserve to ensure military victory. He was outwitted, however, by the strategy of Gandalf, who urged the captains of the [[Free peoples]] to march against Sauron, thus diverting the Dark Lord's eye from the real threat of Frodo, the Ring Bearer, who was nearing the end of his quest to destroy the One Ring.

Frodo, however, failed at the last moment, unable to resist the power of the Ring at the place of its birth. But Gollum inadvertently saved him by recovering the Ring in a desperate attempt to possess it, and then falling with it into the fire. Thus Sauron's power was unmade, and his corporeal power in Middle-earth came to an end. His spirit towered above Mordor like a black cloud, but was blown away by a [[Manwë|powerful wind]] from the [[Aman|West]]. Sauron was now permanently crippled, never to rise again. Saruman would suffer a similar fate.

==Etymology ==
[[Image:Elena Kozlova - Sauron.jpg|thumb|right|''Sauron'' by [[Elena Kozlova]]]]
In some of Tolkien's notes from the 1950's, it is said that Sauron's original name was '''Mairon''', "the admirable" ([[Quenya|Q]], pron. {{IPA|[ˈmaɪron]}}), "but this was altered after he was suborned by Melkor. But he continued to call himself Mairon the Admirable, or Tar-mairon 'King Excellent', until after Númenor's downfall." ([[Parma Eldalamberon]] 17, 183)

'''''Sauron''''' (pron. {{IPA|[ˈsaʊron]}}; originally '''''Þauron''''', {{IPA|[ˈθaʊron]}}) is [[Quenya]], and can be translated as ''the Abhorred'' or ''the Abomination''. It is pronounced "sour-on" (''sour'' as in not sweet). In [[Sindarin]] he is called '''''Gorthaur''''' ({{IPA|[ˈɡorθaʊr]}}) and also he was known as the [[Necromancer]], ''the Abhorred Dread'' and the '''Nameless Enemy''', which is hardly accurate (but perhaps an effort to lessen his psychological impact), whereas Morgoth is the Dark Enemy. The Dúnedain call him '''Sauron the Deceiver''' due to his role in the downfall of Númenor and the Forging of the Rings of Power. His two most common titles, the Dark Lord of Mordor and the Lord of the Rings, appear only a few times in the books. His other titles were similar to Morgoth's.

== Other Versions of the Legendarium ==
Prior to the publication of ''The Silmarillion'' Sauron's origins and true identity were unclear to those without full access to Tolkien's notes. In early editions of the ''[[The Complete Guide to Middle-earth|Guide to Middle Earth]]'', Sauron is described as "probably of the Eldar elves."

Since the earliest versions of the ''Silmarillion'' legendarium as detailed in [[the History of Middle-earth]] series, Sauron has undergone many changes. The prototype of this character was '''[[Tevildo]]''', lord of the cats, who played the role later taken by Sauron in the earliest version of the story of [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] and [[Lúthien]] in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales Part 2|The Book of Lost Tales]]'', the '''[[Tale of Tinúviel]]'''. Tevildo later (but still in the ''Book of Lost Tales'' period) was transformed into '''[[Thû]]''', the Necromancer. The name was then changed to '''Gorthû''', '''Sûr''', and finally to Sauron. ''Gorthû'', in the form ''Gorthaur'' remained in ''The Silmarillion''.

==Portrayal in Adaptations==

==See also==
*'''[[:Category:Images of Sauron|Images of Sauron]]'''
*[[The Dark Lord Sauron polystone statue]]

{{references}}
*[[Akallabêth]]
*[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]

{{sequence
|prev=''none''
|next=[[Isildur]]
|list=[[Ring-bearer]]<br>c. [[Second Age 1600|S.A. 1600]] – [[Second Age 3441|3441]]}}{{ainur}}

[[Category:Mordor and Sauron| ]]
[[Category:Maiar]]
[[Category:Ring-bearers]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Quenya names]]
[[Category:Servants of Melkor]]

[[de:Sauron]]
[[fi:Sauron]]

Númenor

2010-07-26T21:49:51Z

Cobold: considering that this is a term commonly used without explanation in Lord of the Rings

{{kingdom
| image = [[Image:Numenor Map.jpg|300px|]]
| name = Númenor
| meaning = Land of the West, Westernesse
| type = Monarchy
| hidep = yes
| headofstate = [[King of Númenor|King]] or [[Ruling Queen of Númenor|Ruling Queen]] of Númenor
| executive = [[Council of the Sceptre]]
| legislative = unknown
| judicial = unknown
| capital = [[Armenelos]]
| language = [[Quenya]] and [[Adûnaic]], later only [[Adûnaic]]
| location = On the [[Belegaer|Great Sea]], halfway between [[Middle-earth]] and [[Aman]]
| populace= [[Men]] (the races of the [[Dúnedain]] and [[Drúedain]])
| currency =
| religious = Belief in [[Eru Ilúvatar]]; [[Melkor]] worship soon after [[Second Age 3262|S.A. 3262]]
| holiday = ''[[Erukyermë]]'', ''[[Erulaitalë]]'', ''[[Eruhantalë]]''
| anthem =
| formed = The Westward migration of the [[Edain]] after the [[War of Wrath]]
| established = [[Second Age 32|S.A. 32]]
| reorganized =
| fragmented =
| dissolved = [[Second Age 3319|S.A. 3319]]
| restored =
}}
'''Númenor''' ([[Quenya|Q]]: "westland", pron. {{IPA|[ˈnuːmenor]}}) or '''[[Númenórë]]''' (pron. {{IPA|[ˌnuːmeˈnoːre]}}) or '''[[Westernesse]]''' ([[Westron]]) was one of the names of the isle of [[Elenna]], which was raised from the [[Belegaer|Great Sea]] by the [[Valar]] in the beginning of the [[Second Age]]. While strictly speaking the term ''Númenor'' referred to the realm established on the island, it was more often used as a synonym of the land itself. Númenor was one of the most powerful realms of the Second Age, and its people, called [[Númenóreans]], as well as their descendants, had considerable influence on the events of the [[Third Age]].

==Geography==
The island of Númenor was about 167,961 square miles, <ref>Calculation by [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]] in the ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]''</ref> It was located in the [[Belegaer]] closer to [[Valinor]] (about 39 days) than [[Middle-earth]].

Its shape was of a 5-point star, each point having its own unique geological and physical features, therefore considered a separate region of Númenor and had separate names:

*[[Forostar]] (''Northlands'')
*[[Andustar]] (''Westlands'')
*[[Hyarnustar]] (''Southwestlands'')
*[[Hyarrostar]] (''Southeastlands'')
*[[Orrostar]] (''Eastlands'')
*[[Mittalmar]] (''Inlands'')

The island had a mountain in its center known as the [[Meneltarma]], which was the highest location on the entire island and considered sacred by the Númenóreans as a holy place devoted to [[Eru|Eru Ilúvatar]]. Only the [[Rulers of Númenor|Kings]] of Númenor were allowed to speak on the Meneltarma's summit. It was said that on a clear day the 'far-sighted' might see [[Tol Eressëa]], the island east of Valinor proper which along with it comprised the Undying Lands.

Meneltarma itself was a tall mountain in the center of the island placed in the region Mittalmar that, when translated, means "Pillar of the Heavens". The lower slopes of the mountain were gentle grass-covered, however, near the summit the slopes became more vertical and could not be ascended easily. The kings later built a spiral road to the peak, beginning at the southern tip of the mountain and winding up to the lip of the summit in the north. The summit, however, was unique in that it was flattened and somewhat depressed, and was said to be able to "contain a great multitude". It was considered the most sacred spot of Númenor, and nothing was ever built there throughout the entire history of the island.

Númenor had only two rivers: [[Siril]] which began at Meneltarma and ended in a small delta near the city of [[Nindamos]], and the [[Nunduinë]], which reached the sea in the [[Bay of Eldanna]] near the haven [[Eldalondë]].

The island itself was tilted southward and a little westward; the southern coasts were all steep sea cliffs.

==History==
===Origin===
Númenor was the kingdom of the [[Dúnedain]], located on an island in the [[Belegaer|Great Sea]], between Middle-earth and [[Aman]]. The land was brought up from the sea as a gift to [[Men]]. It was also called ''Elenna'' ("Starwards") because the Dúnedain were led to it by the [[Star of Eärendil]], and because the island was in the shape of a five-pointed star.

[[Elros]] son of [[Eärendil]] was the first [[King of Númenor]], taking the name of [[Elros|Tar-Minyatur]] ("First King"). Under his rule, which took place between [[Second Age 32|S.A. 32]] and [[Second Age 442|S.A. 442]] and those of his descendants, Men rose to become a powerful race.

The [[Númenóreans]] were forbidden by the Valar from sailing so far westward that Númenor was no longer visible, for fear that they would come upon the [[Undying Lands]], to which Men were barred. Over time the Númenóreans came to resent the [[Ban of the Valar]] and to rebel against their authority, seeking the everlasting life that they believed was begrudged them. They tried to compensate this by going eastward and colonizing large parts of Middle-earth, first in a friendly way, beginning with [[Tar-Aldarion]]. The first ships sailed from Númenor to Middle-earth in the year [[Second Age 600|S.A. 600]].

The Númenóreans established several settlements in Middle-earth, such as [[Lond Daer]]. They contacted the [[Middle Men|indigenous people]], teaching them several crafts, instructed them and helped them free from the [[Shadow]]. About SA 1200 they established permanent settlements like [[Pelargir]] and [[Umbar]].

In [[Second Age 1700]] [[Tar-Minastir]] sent a fleet to help [[Gil-galad]] and together they drove [[Sauron]] back, who had dominated almost all [[Eriador]] after the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]].

===The darkness comes===
Soon the Númenóreans came to become proud and discontented, irritated by the [[Ban of the Valar]]. Starting to lose the meaning of the [[Gift of Men]] and of immortality they longed for [[Eldamar]] which they saw only from distance.

About 1800 they started to dominated the shores of Middle-earth and demand tribute from the lesser peoples which they had liberated and taught, and became a massive brutal maritime empire that had no rival. Fearing death, they tried to gain some immortality in riches and ornate tombs. [[Tar-Atanamir]] started to speak openly against the Valar.

In [[Second Age 2280]] Umbar was strengthened with increased numbers of colonists and from there they began to dominate [[Harad]]. Even [[Sauron]] was afraid of them and retreated from these lands.

A few of them, the [[Faithful]], remained loyal to the Valar and friendly to the Elves. The Valar displayed warnings to the Men of Westernesse in the form of huge eagles, but they paid no heed to these manifestations. The Faithful were persecuted by the majority of the population, which they called [[King's Men]], who decided to abandon the Elven customs and languages. [[Ar-Adûnakhôr]] took his regal name in [[Adûnaic]] and not in [[Quenya]].

The Faithful remained in [[Andúnië]] and the Faithful [[Lords of Andúnië]], because of their noble heritage still had some gravity in the meetings of nobles. However [[Ar-Gimilzôr]] in about 2950 forced them to remove to [[Rómenna]] and the haven was closed to the Elven visitors. [[Tar-Palantir]] briefly attempted to cast the Shadow back and reunite the people with the Elves and the Valar, but did not make it to be. He was succeeded by his nephew, a sea captain who warred against the coastal people.

That nephew was the twenty-fifth king, [[Ar-Pharazôn]], who in the year [[Second Age 3255|S.A. 3255]], he sailed to Middle-earth. Seeing the might of Númenor, Sauron submitted to the king's authority, and he was brought back to Númenor as a hostage. Sauron soon became an adviser to the King as Tar-[[Mairon]], and promised the Númenóreans eternal life if they worshiped [[Melkor]]. With Sauron as his advisor, Ar-Pharazôn had a 500-foot temple to Melkor erected, in which he offered human sacrifices to him.

During this time, the white tree [[Nimloth of Númenor|Nimloth the Fair]], whose fate was said to be tied to the line of kings, was chopped down and burned as a sacrifice to Melkor. Risking his life, [[Isildur]] rescued a fruit of the tree, preserving the ancient line of trees.

[[Image:Ted_Nasmith_-_The_Ships_of_the_Faithful.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''The Ships of the Faithful'' by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]
Prompted by Sauron and fearing death and old age, Ar-Pharazôn built a great armada and set sail into the west to make war upon the Valar and seize the Undying Lands. Sauron remained behind. In the year [[Second Age 3319|S.A. 3319]], Ar-Pharazôn landed on Aman and marched to the city of [[Valimar]].

===Destruction===
{{main|Downfall of Númenor}}
[[Manwë]], chief of the Valar, called upon Ilúvatar, who broke and changed the world, taking Aman and Tol Eressëa from the world forever, changing the world's shape from flat to round. Númenor was covered by great waves and sank into the abyss, killing its inhabitants, including the body of Sauron, who was thereby robbed of his ability to assume fair and charming forms.

[[Elendil]], son of the leader of the Faithful during the reign of Ar-Pharazôn, his sons and his followers had foreseen the disaster that was to befall Númenor, and they had set sail in nine ships before the island fell. They landed in Middle-earth, and gathered the Númenorian and indigenous peoples living there, uniting them under them, as the kingdoms of [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]].

After its fall Númenor was called ''Atalantë'', meaning "the Downfallen", in the [[Quenya]] language. Other names after the Downfall include ''Mar-nu-Falmar'' ("Land under the Waves") and ''[[Akallabêth]]'' ("the Downfallen" in Adûnaic).

The story of the rise and downfall of Númenor is told in ''[[Akallabêth|The Akallabêth]]''.

==Culture==
The population of Númenor chiefly consisted of [[Edain]], mostly descendants from the [[House of Hador]]; although before the Shadow fell on the island the westernmost cities such as [[Andúnië]] contained a small population of [[Elves]] because of the frequent visits from Tol Eressëa. They were known as the Númenóreans, or rather, ''Kings among Men''.

The Númenóreans were extremely skilled in arts and craft, with the forging of weapons and armour; but the Númenóreans were not warmongers, hence the chief art on the island became that of ship-building and sea-craft. The Númenóreans became great mariners, exploring the world in all directions save for the westward, where the [[Ban of the Valar]] was in force. They often traveled to the shores of Middle-earth, teaching the men there the art and craft, and introduced farming as to improve their everyday lives.

The Númenóreans, too, became skilled in the art of husbandry, breeding great horses that roamed across the open plains in Mittalmar. Although they were a peaceful people, their weapons, armour, and horse-riding skills could not be contested anywhere else in [[Arda]], save for the [[Valar]].

There also was a small number of [[Drúedain]] living in Númenor, who, considered as Edain, accompanied their friends of the [[House of Haleth]] to Númenor. They were only few in number and dreaded the sea. They became uneasy when [[Tar-Aldarion]] started his great travels and urged him not to go, seeing the mischief to come. They did not succeed and one after another they took ships towards Middle-earth, saying, that "the Great Isle no longer feels sure under our feet, and we wish to return tho the lands whence we came". The last of them left when Sauron was brought to Númenor.

==Plant life==
Númenor contained many species of plants that could be found nowhere else in [[Middle-earth]], for many of them were given to the Númenóreans from the [[Valar]] in [[Aman]]. Most important of these was the [[White Tree of Númenor|White Tree]] that dwelt in the King's Palace at [[Armenelos]]. A [[White Tree of Gondor|seedling]] from it was later planted in in the [[Court of the Fountain (Minas Tirith)|Court of the Fountain]] in [[Minas Tirith (Gondor)|Minas Tirith]], [[Gondor]].

The other parts of Númenor contained many types of plants, many unique to each of the promontories of the island. Andustar contained great forests of [[Beeches|beech]] and birch at the higher ground, and oak and elm forests are lower altitudes.

The greatest delight of the Númenóreans, however, were the trees given to them by the [[Eldar]]. They grew mostly in the Western portion, Andustar. They are often remembered in song and lore, and few have flowered east of Númenor.
*[[Oiolairë]]
*[[Lairelossë]]
*[[Nessamelda]]
*[[Vardarianna]]
*[[Taniquelassë]]
*[[Yavannamírë]]

Because of the diversity of wildlife in Andustar, that region was soon called [[Nisimaldar]], or the [[Fragrant Trees]]. Also only in Andustar could the Golden Tree be found, [[Malinornë]].

In Hyarrostar grew the tree [[Laurinquë]], which the Númenóreans loved because of their flowers. They believed that it came from the Great Tree of Valinor, [[Laurelin]].[[Image:The-eagles-of-Manwë.jpg|left|thumb|250px|''The Eagles of Manwë'' by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]

==Inspiration==
Númenor is the retelling of the [[Atlantis]] mythos in Tolkien's legendarium. Notably, he referred to a recurring "Atlantis dream" he had. The connection is more evident in the name ''[[Atalantë]]'', another epithet of the Island which in [[Quenya]] means "the downfallen" (note that in Greek, ''Atlantis'' is related to [[Wikipedia:Atlas|Atlas]]; therefore ''Atalantë'' has no direct connection).

Some parts of Númenor's history seem to have been inspired not only from Plato (the ancient Greek philosopher who recounted the myth of Atlantis) but also from researchers and occultists whose theories were widespread during Tolkien's time.

Ignatius Loyola Donnelly and Edgar Cayce were the most famous authors regarding Atlantis and mentioned events and concepts that Plato never did. One of those "original" elements told by modern authors and mystics was a civil war between two factions of Atlanteans (good and evil)<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Root_race#The_civilization_of_Atlantis</ref> which reminds of the persecution of the [[Elf-friends]] by the [[King's Men]].

==Uses outside the legendarium==
*The cartoon series [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulysses_31 Ulysses 31] includes a character called Numinor, whose name may be derivative of Númenor.

*[[C.S. Lewis]]' novel ''That Hideous Strength'' makes reference to "Numinor [sic] and the True West", which Lewis credits as a then-unpublished creation of [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]. This is one of many examples of cross-overs between the novels of Lewis and Tolkien, both of whom were members of the [[Inklings]], a literary discussion group at [[Oxford University]].

{{references}}
* ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]]
* ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Akallabêth]]
* ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', [[A Description of the Island of Númenor]]
* ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', [[The Line of Elros: Kings of Númenor]]
* ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', [[Aldarion and Erendis: The Mariner's Wife]]
* ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'', [[The Tale of Years of the Second Age]]

==See also==
* [[King of Númenor]]
* [[Númenóreans]]

==External links==
*[http://sdgeard.customer.netspace.net.au/hccnum.html A History and Complete Chronology of Númenor] - A detailed chronology of Númenor, its successor states and their rulers.
*[http://www.jrrvf.com/hisweloke/site3/articles.php?lng=fr&pg=38 Article] concerning the position of Numenor.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Numenor}}
[[Category:Númenor| ]]
[[Category:Realms]]
[[Category:Islands]]
[[Category:Quenya locations]]

Armies of the West

2010-07-26T21:43:01Z

Cobold:

The '''Armies of the West''' refers to the the united armies of [[Gondor]] and [[Rohan]], particularly during the [[War of the Ring]]. See [[Army of the West]].

[[Category:Armies]]
[[de:Heer des Westens]]
[[fi:Lännen Armeija]]

Ernil i Pheriannath

2010-07-26T21:41:48Z

Cobold:

'''Ernil i Pheriannath''' ("Prince of the Halflings") was a title given to [[Peregrin Took|Peregrin "Pippin" Took]] by the people of [[Minas Tirith in Gondor|Minas Tirith]].

[[Category:Hobbits]]
[[Category:Took]]

Westron

2010-07-26T21:20:29Z

Cobold: /* History */

The '''Westron''' or '''Common Speech''' is the closest thing to a universal [[Languages|Language]], at least at the time during the [[War of the Ring]]. Westron is a translation of the original name '''[[Adûni]]''' (cf. [[Adûnaic]] ''[[Adûn]]'' "west"), and "Common Speech" translates the Westron term '''[[Sôval]] [[Phârë]]''', of identical meaning. In [[Sindarin]] the language was called '''[[Annúnaid]]''' (Westron), or '''[[Falathren]]''' (Shore-language).

==History==
The Westron speech is derived from the [[Adûnaic]] tongue of [[Númenor]],<ref>{{L|144}}</ref> and originated as a creole language on the western coastlands of the continent of Middle-earth, when the Númenoreans established trade outposts and forts there. From there, it spread to most of the westlands, with the notable exception of [[Mordor]].

After the [[Downfall of Númenor]], the [[Faithful]] Númenoreans neglected their 'unfaithful' language in favor to [[Elvish]], allowing Adûnaic as spoken in [[Middle-earth]] to change and evolve chaotically among the [[Middle Men]]. But later it was enriched and softened under Elvish influence. It became the ''lingua franca'' of most explored regions of (north-west) Middle-earth, known at least as far east as [[Esgaroth]], as the language of trade and diplomacy. For example, under King [[Thengel]] of Rohan (who had lived in Gondor for many years before taking the throne), the Common Speech began to be used as the language of the court instead of their native [[Rohirric]] (thus [[Théoden]], [[Éomer]], and [[Éowyn]] are all functionally bilingual in Rohirric and Common Speech) "though not all thought this a good thing..."

==Grammar==
Westron has both "deferential" pronouns, and "familiar" pronouns, but Hobbitish no longer possesses a [[wikipedia:T-V distinction|deferential pronoun]]. Westron had deferential pronouns for the second person (and sometimes the third person) but this had fallen out of use in [[Hobbitish]].

This lack of a deferential pronoun and universal use of the familiar pronoun is what [[Gondorian]]s are referring to when they repeatedly remark that Hobbit-speech sounds strange.

==Translation==
According to Tolkien's fiction, Westron was the language spoken and understood by the protagonists of ''The Hobbit'' and ''The Lord of the Rings''.<ref>{{L|144}}</ref> Many names of characters and places, in the book's "reality", were in Westron.

However, Tolkien mentions that Westron was presented as having been completely replaced by English in the text. This had certain important implications: first of all, proper names with derivations understandable or evident to speakers of Westron had been translated, to preserve the effect to the English reader. Thus, names like ''Baggins'', ''Bagshot Row'', ''Peregrin'', ''Rivendell'' et cetera, are not the ''actual'' names as spoken by the characters but are presented as ''translations''.

Of course, outside the fictional context of the story, it is clear that there was no such "translation": the English names came first and the "original" forms in Westron or other languages were devised by Tolkien later.

[[Rivendell]] ("cloven valley") was actually called ''[[Karningul]]'', and [[Bag End]] was actually called ''[[Labin-nec]]'', after ''[[Baggins Family|Labingi]]'', the real form of [[Baggins Family|Baggins]]. In some cases the explanations became quite involved, such as the river Brandywine (Sindarin [[Baranduin]], "golden-brown river") was actually called ''[[Branda]]-[[nîn]]'', a punning Westron name meaning "border-water", which was later punned again as ''[[Bralda]]-[[hîm]]'' meaning "heady ale".

This logic went one step further by also presenting all [[Mannish]] languages akin to Westron in languages related to English, so that their "understandability" by the protagonists be simulated to the English reader.<ref>{{L|144}}</ref>

This utter replacement of Westron by English was taken so far that some sources that should give actual Westron have been turned to English too. For instance, in Moria, an illustration of the runic text on Balin's gravestone is given. The text is said to be written in both Khuzdûl and Westron. But while the first part of the inscription seems to really be a bit of Khuzdûl, the second part is actually plain English, just written in [[cirth]].

==Corpus==
The corpus of Westron is small; several of the Westron forms given above were not published in Tolkien's lifetime. Tolkien never worked out Westron to the same extent as [[Quenya]] and [[Sindarin]] or even Adûnaic.

Many words come from [[Appendix F]] and the creation of it in ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]''. Additional information was published in Tyalië Tyelelliéva 17, in [[2001]]. Even now, the corpus is very small.

{{references}}

==External links==
*[http://www.uib.no/people/hnohf/westron.htm Analysis of Westron] in [[Ardalambion]]
*[http://docs.google.com/View?id=dc25cq9n_7hnn4g7n8 Westron wordlist] - contains all the attested Westron words plus extrapolations and reconstructions

[[Category:Westron| ]]
[[de:Westron]]
[[fi:Westron]]
[[fr:encyclo/langues/westron]]

User talk:Cobold

2010-07-26T21:19:32Z

Cobold: Adding welcome message to new user's talk page