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Music of the Ainur

2021-10-03T17:13:54Z

Webspidrman: /* Legacy */

{{Sources}}
{{History of Arda}}
[[File:Jef Murray - Music of the Ainur.jpg|250px|thumb|''Music of the Ainur'' by [[Jef Murray]]]]
The '''Music of the Ainur''' was the great song of the [[Ainur]] that took place before [[Time]] began, from which [[Eä]], the material Universe, was created.

==History==
[[Eru Ilúvatar]] conceived the Ainur from his thought and taught each of them how to make music. At first the Ainur would only sing alone or in small groups while the others listened. The observance of their brethren singing taught each Ainu more about the others and the mind of [[Ilúvatar]]. Their "unity and harmony" thus increased, and eventually, Eru brought all the Ainur together and declared that they would play a song greater and more complex than they had ever sung before. He told them that they would be allowed to weave their own thoughts and ideas into this Music, since they had been kindled with the [[Flame Imperishable]] and thus had the power of creativity. The Ainur were so overwhelmed by Eru's description of this Music that they bowed before him in silence.

===The First Theme===
After Ilúvatar told them about the Music, the Ainur began to fashion it. Their voices, like the sound of harps and trumpets and choirs, passed "beyond hearing" into the depths and heights of sound. The great Music filled the [[Timeless Halls]] and passed beyond them even into the [[Void]], so that it "was not void". The Ainur's flawless Music satisfied even Ilúvatar during this early stage.
[[File:Alystraea - Ainulindale.jpg|thumb|left|''Ainulindale'' by [[:Category:Images by Alystraea|Alystraea]]]]
But soon, faults entered into the great Theme as a result of the discords of [[Morgoth|Melkor]], an Ainu whose thoughts had become strange and unlike those of his brethren due to his wanderings in the Void. Ilúvatar had given the Ainur permission to weave their own ideas into the Music, but Melkor's thoughts actually clashed against Eru's Themes, because Melkor wanted to "increase the power and glory of the part assigned to himself". Melkor's desire to bring into being creatures of his own with the Flame Imperishable and fill the emptiness of the Void put him at odds with Ilúvatar's vision. These discords of Melkor that became evident in his music dismayed those around him, and many faltered in their singing or else attuned their song to his.

The original harmony of the Music was thus consumed by a "sea of turbulent sound" until it became like a "raging storm". At that point, Eru responded by rising from his seat and raising his left hand. It seemed to the Ainur that he then smiled. After his reaction to the Music, a new Theme began amid the chaos.

===The Second Theme===
The Second Theme was "like and yet unlike" the First; it gathered new power and beauty. Soon, however, Melkor's discord rose up against it, and there was a "war of sound more violent than before", with [[Manwë]] taking the leadership of the Theme against the discord. This time, Melkor's Theme triumphed over that of the others; many of the Ainur stopped singing entirely out of dismay. Ilúvatar then rose from his seat again, his expression stern this time. He raised his right hand, and yet another Theme unfolded.

===The Third Theme===
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Melkor Weaves Opposing Music.jpg|thumb|right|''Melkor weaves opposing Music'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
The next Theme had a sound unlike the others before it. It began quietly amid the confusion of the Second Theme, and sounded like the rippling of soft and sweet notes. It gained power and depth over time, until two completely different songs were being made. One was filled with "immeasurable sorrow", which gave it tremendous beauty, while the other was a loud, pompous theme playing in violent opposition to it. Nevertheless, this repetitive theme could not overcome the sorrowful one, and the latter merely took the former's greatest notes and "[wove them] into its own solemn pattern". The strife between the two themes caused the dwelling of Ilúvatar and even the Void beyond it to shake. At this point, Eru stood once more and raised both his arms, "and in one chord, deeper than the [[Abyss]], higher than the firmament... the Music ceased".

===Aftermath===
Ilúvatar then spoke to the Ainur about the Music and the consequences that would arise from any attempts to bring discord into it, as Melkor had done. To show them the result of their actions, he led them into the Void and spoke, "''Behold your Music!''". The Ainur saw a [[Vision of Ilúvatar|Vision]] of what their song had created— "a [[Eä|World]] that was globed amid the Void... but was not of it". They saw the history of this World as it unfolded, and witnessed the part each had played in its making. Even the discords of Melkor contributed to the glory of this creation.

The Ainur were amazed when the [[Children of Ilúvatar]] came into this vision, for they were a part of Eru's plan that had not been revealed to them before the Music was played. The Children were sung into being by Ilúvatar during the Third Theme, and none of the Ainur had dared contribute to their making.

Ilúvatar suddenly took away the vision, and the Ainur did not get to see how it would end. Some say that they only saw the history of the Universe until the [[Dominion of Men]]. The abrupt ending of the vision caused restlessness among the Ainur, and Ilúvatar perceived that they wanted the vision to be given true being, so that—even despite the terrible flaws that had been introduced into it—the Universe would be as real as they themselves were.

Therefore Eru said, "''Eä! Let these things Be!''". He sent the Flame Imperishable into the Universe, and far off in the Void a light appeared—the beginning of the achievement of the Music of the Ainur.

==Legacy==
The Universe still operates according to the design declared in the Music, and the flaws within it come from the discords of Melkor, which have been part of it since its beginning. Nevertheless, Ilúvatar insisted that these faults would but bring forth new and greater things in the Music's achievement.

Eru allowed those of the Ainur who wished it to enter Eä and continue their work in fashioning it. Those who eventually came to [[Arda]] were (save for Melkor) later known as the [[Valar]].

Although all the Ainur participated and were present in the Song, by no means they knew all of it all the time; an individual Ainu might have not heeded parts of the Song. [[Manwë]] in his capacity as King of [[Arda]] had to reenter the Song and pay attention to details he did not notice before, and new revelations about the scope and the plan of Ilúvatar came forth.<ref>{{S|Aule}}</ref>

Perhaps the culmination of the good results of Melkor's discord will be the [[Second Music of the Ainur]], a song that will be even more profound than the first. In it, each singer will fully understand his part in the Music, and all the Themes of Ilúvatar will be played correctly. The Second Music will be given being as it is being sung, instead of only being made at the insistence of naïve creatures.

The Ainur declared that [[Men]] would all take part in the Second Music, but the role the [[Elves]] will have in it, if any, is unknown.

===The ''Ainulindalë''===
{{Main|Ainulindalë (Rúmil's work)}}
When the [[Eldar]] lived in [[Aman]], the Valar told them the story of the Music. It was one of the first tales the Valar gave to the Elves after their arrival in Aman; the Elves' traditional belief is that [[Manwë]] himself told most of it to them. The Vala had to take upon himself the considerable task of translating the tale from [[Valarin|his own language]] to [[Quenya]] and, in addition, rendering it in a form the Children of Ilúvatar could understand—the image of the Ainur playing a great song, therefore, might be entirely metaphorical.

The sage [[Rúmil (elf of Tirion)|Rúmil]] committed the tale to writing, calling it the ''[[Ainulindalë (Rúmil's work)|Ainulindalë]]''. The [[Noldor]] took the story, or at least the memory of it, with them when they went to [[Middle-earth]], and passed it on to the [[Edain]]. It was preserved in [[Rivendell]] and probably [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]], and presumably became a part of [[Bilbo Baggins]]' work ''[[Translations from the Elvish]]'' at the end of the [[Third Age]].

==Etymology==
:''See [[Ainulindalë#Etymology]]''
The [[Quenya]] word for this event, ''Ainulindalë'', comes from ''Ainu'' (the singular form of ''Ainur''), and ''lindalë'' ("music"), from the verb ''[[lind]]-'' ("to sing") and the nominalizing suffix ''[[-lë]]''.

==Other versions of the legendarium==
The Music of the Ainur appears even in the very earliest stories of the [[legendarium]], the ''[[The Book of Lost Tales Part One]]''. Despite the tremendous change that many of the tales of Arda underwent during [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s lifetime, the depiction of the Music remained much the same—even its Quenya name was not altered.

In earlier versions, however, the story of the vision of the Music does not appear, and Ilúvatar is a much less mysterious figure. In the ''Book of Lost Tales'' story, his motives are made clearer and he speaks more to the Ainur, especially about the ways in which Melkor's discords will be used for good. This version thus contains more theodicy than the final one printed in ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', in which Eru offers only vague warnings to Melkor about his deeds and does little more than hint about how the good things arising from his discords will come to pass.

==See also==
* ''[[Ainulindalë]]'', the first part of ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' edited by [[Christopher Tolkien]]
* [[Flame Imperishable]]
* [[:Category:Images of Music of the Ainur|Images of the Music of the Ainur]]

{{references}}
{{Ainur}}
[[Category:Events]]

Morgoth

2021-10-01T18:00:10Z

Webspidrman: /* Characteristics */ Morgoth sought to corrupt or destroy his enemies: he gave his power away whenever it served his ends, which is why he became weaker over time.

{{sources}}
{{evil infobox
| name=Morgoth
| image=[[File:Jenny Dolfen - And Morgoth came.jpg|250px]]
| caption="And Morgoth came" by [[Jenny Dolfen]]
| pronun=[[Sindarin|S]], {{IPA|[ˈmorɡoθ]}}
| othernames=''Melkor'' ([[Quenya|Q]]) ''Bauglir'' ([[Sindarin|S]]) ''[[#Other names|See below]]''
| titles=The [[Dark Lord]] Lord of Men King of the World
| position=
| location=[[Utumno]] [[Angband]]
| affiliation=
| language=
| birth=[[Creation of the Ainur]]
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| death=In the future
| deathlocation=[[Dagor Dagorath]]
| age=
| notablefor=Disrupting the [[Music of the Ainur|Music]] Controlling all of [[Middle-earth]] Creating [[Orcs]] and [[Dragons]] Destroying the [[Two Trees]] Stealing the [[Silmarils]] Taking over [[Beleriand]] Corrupting [[Men]] Warring with the [[Valar]]
| parentage=
| siblings=[[Manwë]]
| spouse=
| children=
| race=[[Ainur|Ainu]]
| gender=Male
| height=Tall
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=[[Grond (Hammer of the Underworld)|Grond]]
| steed=
}}
{{Quote|And he descended upon Arda in power and majesty greater than any other of the Valar, as a mountain that wades in the sea and has its head above the clouds and is clad in ice and crowned with smoke and fire; and the light of the eyes of Melkor was like a flame that withers with heat and pierces with a deadly cold.|''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Ainulindalë]]"}}
'''Morgoth''', also known as '''Melkor''', was the greatest of the [[Ainur]]. He fell from glory when he disrupted the [[Music of the Ainur]] and defied the will of [[Ilúvatar]]. Morgoth corrupted many of the Ainur to his service, fought the [[Valar]], and marred [[Arda]]. His theft of the [[Silmarils]] and [[Wars of Beleriand|wars]] against [[Elves]] and [[Men]] encompassed much of the history of the [[First Age]]. Eventually, Morgoth was bound in chains by the Valar and thrown into the [[Void]], leaving the permanent damage his evils had done, and his former lieutenant [[Sauron]], to trouble the world.

One day, according to a prophecy, Morgoth will rise again in great wrath, but he will be destroyed in the [[Final Battle|Dagor Dagorath]].

==History==
The most powerful of the [[Ainur]] that [[Ilúvatar]] created was a spirit known as Melkor. Because he wandered through the [[Void]] in an attempt to find and use the [[Flame Imperishable]], the source of [[Ilúvatar]]'s creative activity, Melkor developed ideas unlike those of the other Ainur. His feelings grew rebellious against his creator, for he wished to create sentient beings to inhabit the Void and was dissatisfied by the fact that Ilúvatar had not done so. However, Melkor could not find the Flame, for it was not in the Void, but with Ilúvatar.

===Music of the Ainur===
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Melkor Weaves Opposing Music.jpg|thumb|left|''Melkor weaves opposing Music'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
When the Ainur [[Music of the Ainur|made music]], Melkor wove his strange thoughts into his song. His song clashed against the Theme of Ilúvatar, disturbing the Ainur around him and causing some of them to attune their music to his. For a while the Theme of Ilúvatar and the discords of Melkor warred against one another. But [[Eru]] smiled, and sent forth a new theme. Most of the Ainur joined with it, but Melkor rebelliously opposed it even more violently. At last, many of the Ainur stopped singing in dismay, and Melkor's discords gained dominance. Eru sent out a third Theme against Melkor, sweeter and more beautiful than the others, and unquenchable. But though Melkor could not defeat it, still he opposed it. At last, Eru halted the music completely with a single chord.

Eru then publicly rebuked Melkor, saying that all music finds its source in himself, and thus Melkor could not create his own song or truly alter the Themes of Ilúvatar. Thus, though Melkor opposed Eru to his last breath, he only furthered the cause of Ilúvatar in new and wondrous ways. Melkor was shamed and angered by this judgement, but hid his feelings. When Eru showed the Ainur the product of their music, [[Eä]], Melkor was one of those who begged to enter [[Arda]], pretending to be willing to cultivate it and guide it for Ilúvatar's glory. He actually wished to dominate Arda and its creatures, especially the [[Children of Ilúvatar]].

Nonetheless, he was allowed to enter Eä and come to Arda with the other [[Valar]]. Once there, Melkor declared to his colleagues that he was the master of Arda henceforth. [[Manwë]], his brother, did not understand his evil, but fearing that Melkor might try and disrupt their labours in Arda, called forth many more Ainur to protect them. Melkor departed to the remote regions of Eä, leaving the world in peace for a while.

===Wars of the Valar===
[[File:Jerrel Salvatierra - The Enemy.jpg|thumb|''The Enemy'' by [[:Category:Images by Jerrel Salvatierra|Salvatierra]]]]
But Melkor took form more majestic than any of the Valar, great and terrible and burning with his malice, and he came to Arda to destroy the Valar's work in preparing it. There was war, the [[First War with Melkor]], in which mountains were felled and brutality inflicted on the Valar. Though he disrupted their work and destroyed much, a great spirit named [[Tulkas]] came to Arda from other regions of Eä to combat him. After Tulkas drove Melkor away, the Valar managed to complete Arda, and the world was established.

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

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

But Melkor struck the first blow. He came to them in ire and war, destroying [[Almaren]] and the Two Lamps, and caused the world to be filled with flowing fire and surging water. The symmetry of Arda was broken. And in the darkness and confusion Melkor escaped, returning to Utumno. All combined, the Valar were a match for Melkor, but they needed their strength to keep the world from collapsing into ruin and could not pursue him, nor did they know exactly where he had fled to. The Spring of Arda had ended in turmoil.

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

Melkor brooded in the north and built his strength, gathering his demons about him, breeding great monsters, attended by his Maiar-servants later known as [[Balrogs]]. He also created another fortress and armory called [[Angband]], in the north-west of Middle Earth, to resist any Valarin attacks. He placed his greatest servant, [[Sauron]], in control of that stronghold. The Valar acted against Melkor in force, but they were routed, his might too great for them to overcome.

After his victory, Melkor began to delve more great fortresses and pits where he massed his hordes and wicked armies, confident in his domination of the world. Melkor, by wandering about in the dominion he now wrested, also learned of the awakening of the first of the [[Children of Ilúvatar]], the [[Elves]]. He instilled fear in them, and slew or captured many of them. Some of those he captured, it is believed, may have been transformed into [[Orcs]] by torture and breeding.

===Time in Valinor===
[[File:Jacek Kopalski - The Captivity of Morgoth.jpg|thumb|left|''The Captivity of Morgoth'' by [[:Category:Images by Jacek Kopalski|Jacek Kopalski]]]]

The Valar were not long, however, in discovering the Elves. Fearing that they would be destroyed or corrupted by Melkor, Manwë decided that Ilúvatar wished them to recover Middle-earth at all costs. Bitter from their previous defeat, they arrived in Middle-earth with their full might. They began the [[Battle of the Powers]], and eventually destroyed Utumno after a great battle during which the face of Middle-earth was transformed, though their losses were devastating in the process. Melkor was [[Captivity of Melkor|captured]] and chained with the chain [[Angainor]], but Sauron escaped. Melkor was imprisoned in the halls of [[Mandos]], and remained there for three ages, plotting revenge. Still recovering from the grievous siege, the Valar could not pursue and destroy all of Melkor's forces that scattered from the icy fortress, and many foul creatures and minions escaped, left to brood amongst themselves until their master's return.

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

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

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

Then Melkor and Ungoliant attacked while there was festival in [[Valmar]]. Melkor pierced the [[Two Trees]] with his lance, and Ungoliant drank their sap. Then she drank dry the [[Wells of Varda]]<ref>{{S|8}}</ref>, and the two fled north to [[Formenos]], leaving the land once more in darkness and confusion. At Formenos Melkor slew [[Finwë]] and ravished the treasury of Fëanor, including the [[Silmarils]]. Then he passed over the icy [[Helcaraxë]], entering once more into [[Middle-earth]]. He had struck swiftly and surely. But Fëanor cursed him, naming him [[Morgoth]], and by that name he was known ever after to the Eldar.<ref name=Return>{{S|9}}</ref>

===Return to Beleriand===
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Ungoliant Demands the Silmarils.jpg|thumb|right|''Ungoliant Demands the Silmarils'' by [[Ted Nasmith]] ]]

Once in safety, Ungoliant turned on her partner, demanding the jewels of Fëanor. The spider had grown greatly in size and strength from feasting upon the Trees, and Morgoth, now very weak from his efforts, feared her suddenly. Lacking the strength to fight the monstrous spider in that moment, he reluctantly parted with each of the beautiful gems, and Ungoliant devoured them. But Morgoth refused to give up the Silmarils, and she encased him in webs, torturing him and nearly devouring him. A loud cry of desperation from Morgoth penetrated deep into the walls of Angband and was heeded by [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]] and the [[balrogs]], and they rescued him from her clutches, driving Ungoliant away with their whips. So Morgoth returned to Angband, where he wrought an [[Iron Crown]] for the three jewels.<ref name=Return></ref>

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

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

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

====Dagor Bragollach and Fingolfin====
[[Image:John Howe - Fingolfin's Challenge.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''Fingolfin's Challenge'' by [[John Howe]]]]
{{blockquote|Thus [[Fingolfin|he]] came alone to Angband’s gates, and he sounded his horn, and smote once more upon the brazen doors, and challenged Morgoth to come forth to single combat. And Morgoth came.|''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin]]"}}
Morgoth appeared all but defeated to his foes; he remained dormant and hidden until {{FA|455}}. He surged forth suddenly in great wrath, his armies taking the slackened besiegers by surprise. In the winter he cast great rivers of flame over the formerly green [[Ard-galen]] (causing the battle to be known as the [[Dagor Bragollach]]), burning many Elven horsemen alive. His forces beset strongholds on all sides, led by Glaurung and Gothmog, and several Noldor-lords fell in the succeeding combat. Much of Beleriand was overrun and [[Dorthonion]] was taken, as were northern [[Sirion]] and [[Maglor's Gap]].

In a single stroke Morgoth had broken the Siege of Angband, but the victory was not as complete as he would have preferred. [[Ered Wethrin]], [[Himring]] and [[Hithlum]] had held against him, though just barely. King [[Fingolfin]] was dismayed and enraged by the defeat, and went to Angband in anger. With fire in his eyes, Morgoth's Orcs mistook him for a vengeful spirit and fled from him. There he challenged Morgoth to [[Fall of Fingolfin|single combat]]. Despite Morgoth's power, he held a fear of death greater than any other Valar, and was hesitant even against Fingolfin. When Fingolfin declared Morgoth craven, he scoffed the Elf-Lord and did not dare refuse his challenge. He strode out, his footsteps like thunder on the earth. He was clad in black armour with a spiked crown and shield, with [[Grond (Hammer of the Underworld)|Grond]], the Hammer of the Underworld, and he and Fingolfin fought in a ferocious duel. Flames gashed from the earth with each strike of his hammer, but Fingolfin was faster and avoided each powerful, but slow, swing. The Elf-lord gave Morgoth seven wounds, and though Morgoth shouted in anguish, he was too powerful to be slain. Fingolfin grew weary and was struck down by Morgoth's shield. Thrice he staggered to his feet in vain, his crown and shield broken, and thrice Morgoth cast him down, before Fingolfin collapsed over one of the pits left by Grond.

As Morgoth placed his foot on Fingolfin's neck to break it, Fingolfin in one last strike ran his blade through the Dark Lord's foot, and Morgoth's blood filled pools made by his hammer. The enraged Morgoth crushed Fingolfin, though he was left with a permanent limp from the injury. Morgoth wished to rend the corpse and feed it to his wolves, but could not desecrate the fallen King, for [[Thorondor]] flew in, scratching Morgoth's face and escaping with Fingolfin's body.<ref name="Ruin">{{S|Fingolfin}}</ref>

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

====Nirnaeth Arnoediad====
Some time after, in {{FA|471}}, [[Maedhros]] made a great [[Union of Maedhros|alliance]] with the [[Naugrim]], [[Edain]], and other [[Noldor]]. They marched to challenge Morgoth, clearing Beleriand of his scattered forces. But Morgoth through his spies anticipated their actions, and met them with his allies the [[Easterlings]] in a huge battle in which he prevailed, and many princes and rulers of Men, Elves, and Dwarves fell. Thus the battle was named ''[[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]'', "Battle of Unnumbered Tears". Morgoth's victory was almost complete, as he razed [[Hithlum]], the [[Falas]], the [[March of Maedhros]], as well as [[Nargothrond]] in {{FA|495|n}}. But [[Turgon]], King of [[Gondolin]], escaped by the valiant actions of the [[House of Hador]], the last of the [[Edain]] in the north. The survivors had all gone down to the [[Isle of Balar]] and the [[Mouths of Sirion]].

====Curse upon Húrin====
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Morgoth Punishes Húrin.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''Morgoth Punishes Húrin'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
Morgoth took [[Húrin]], who had been captured during the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, and set him in the high places of Thangorodrim, to watch his family, whom Morgoth cursed. Upon the death of [[Túrin|Túrin Turambar]] and [[Nienor]], Húrin's children, Morgoth released Húrin to further his cause.

====Fall of Gondolin====
Some time later, by the aid of [[Maeglin]], a traitor-elf, Morgoth discovered and laid siege to [[Gondolin]]. [[Turgon]] King, the last male heir of Fingolfin's house, was killed during the siege. Morgoth's victory in the north was now complete, though he had lost [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]] his captain and marshall of his armies. Also, a small remnant including [[Tuor]] and [[Idril]] escaped the destruction of the city, bearing their son [[Eärendil]].

====War of Wrath====
This was to be Morgoth's doom, for some years later, Eärendil sailed to [[Valinor]] seeking the pardon of the [[Valar]]. This he earned, and the Valar advanced across [[Belegaer]] with a mighty host. Morgoth loosed all his demons and defenses against them, but could not stop their might. His dragons fell to the [[Eagles]], and [[Ancalagon]] was brought down by Eärendil himself from his ship, [[Vingilot]]. Morgoth was seized in his fortress Angband, his feet "hewn from under him, and he was hurled upon his face", the Silmarils were removed from his crown, and he was bound once more with the chain called Angainor.<ref name=Earendil>{{S|24}}</ref> This time, however, he was ejected from Arda and cast into the [[Void]].
==Legacy==
[[File:Šárka Škorpíková - Numenor.jpg|thumb|''Númenor'' by [[:Category:Images by Šárka Škorpíková|Šárka Škorpíková]]]]
Morgoth remains in the Void, watched by [[Eärendil]] and unable to return to Arda as long as the Valar maintain their power over it. However, the lies he put in the hearts of the Children of Ilúvatar still remain and will create their evil results till the end of days.<ref name=Earendil>{{S|24}}</ref> Morgoth's will was suffused into the matter of Arda, so in a sense he is never truly gone. Arda was [[Arda Marred|marred]] by him so deeply that only Eru could fully repair the damage. Those who wished to follow in Morgoth's footsteps, such as Sauron, found that by using his residual influence, they could easily corrupt races they wished to dominate.

About his servant Sauron, "''in after years he rose like a shadow of Morgoth and a ghost of his malice, and walked behind him on the same ruinous path down into the Void''".<ref>{{S|IId}}</ref> Also, during the last days of [[Númenor]], Sauron corrupted the King [[Ar-Pharazôn]] and the [[King's Men]] into the whorship of Melkor, describing his old master as a god of deliberance while denying the existence of [[the One]]. Thus he began a cult in the [[Temple]] in which the Númenóreans made sacrifices to Melkor.<ref name=Akallabeth>{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref>

Nevertheless, according to the [[Second Prophecy of Mandos]], Morgoth will come back and attack Arda. He will fight the [[Last Battle]] against the Valar and their allies, but will ultimately be slain by [[Túrin|Túrin Turambar]], the Man he cursed. By finally defeating Morgoth, Túrin will avenge not only himself, but all members of the race of Men.<ref>{{LR|Quenta}}, p. 333</ref>

==Characteristics==
It was said of Morgoth that "his might was greatest of all things in this world." He was the most powerful being in existence, second only to Ilúvatar, and perhaps more powerful than every Vala put together. Fitting to his name, Morgoth eventually took a form great and terrible, and soon was unable to leave it. He received many scars and wounds over the ages: his hands were burned forever when he touched the Silmarils, Fingolfin wounded him seven times during their battle and inflicted a wound to the foot that caused him ever after to limp, and Thorondor scarred Morgoth's face.

When Morgoth first took visible form he was said to be of greater power and majesty than any other Vala, as a colossal mountain wading in the sea with its head above the clouds, his appearance both of splendour and terror. As a physical being Morgoth was described as highly imposing, and was reckoned to a tower compared to the warrior Fingolfin, and the shadow of the shield he wielded was like a stormcloud. Ever since his downfall, Morgoth held a desire for destruction; above all else, however, Morgoth held deep hatred of the mere existence of intelligent or beautiful life. Unlike his servant Sauron, Morgoth's ultimate goal was solely the corruption, not control, of all that he despised. He was nonetheless persuasive, and could sway and corrupt many forms of life to become his willing servants.<ref name="Ruin"></ref><ref>{{MR|Myths}}</ref>

Morgoth wielded [[Grond (Hammer of the Underworld)|Grond]] in battle, a weapon he presumably forged himself in [[Angband]] (unless Sauron or [[Gothmog]] had held it safe after the [[Battle of the Powers]]), and was clad in black armor, with an iron crown. Despite his strength initially, he continually spread his residual influence, corruption, and might thin across Arda after his treachery and suffered several defeats, and his power slowly, though significantly, weakened. He alone of the Valar had a deep fear of death, and even against inferior foes he held a hesitance to ever risk his own life.<ref name="Ruin"/>

==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Sindarin - Morgoth.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
The [[Sindarin]] name ''Morgoth'' ("the Black Foe"<ref name=VT49a>{{VT|49a}}, pp. 24-5</ref> or "Dark Tyrant"<ref>{{PE|21}}, p. 85</ref>) was given him by [[Fëanor]].

Tolkien experimented (but apparently never reached a decision) with different [[Quenya]] translations of ''Morgoth'': ''Moringotto'', ''Moriñgotho'', or ''Morikotto''.<ref name=VT49a/>

===Melkor===
'''''Melkor''''' is [[Quenya]] for "He who arises in Might",<ref>{{S|Index}}, entry "Melkor"</ref> literally "Mighty Arising",<ref name=PE17>{{PE|17}}, p. 115</ref> "uprising of power" or "Mighty One".<ref name=P4k>{{MR|P4k}}, p. 350</ref> The name is generally used to refer to this [[Valar|Vala]] prior to his theft of the [[Silmarils]]; for after the theft [[Fëanor]] named him ''Morgoth''.

''Melkor'' is a compound of [[Common Eldarin]] ''mbelek-'' (''melek'', "great, mighty, powerful"; root [[BEL|BEL, MBEL]]) + ''[[óre]]''.<ref name=PE17/>

The older form of ''Melkor'' is said to be ''Melkórë''.<ref name=P4k/>

In earlier versions of the [[legendarium]], the form of the name was '''''Melko'''''.<ref>{{HM|HM}}</ref> At one instance in a late glossary (c. 1959), ''Melko'', meaning "simply 'the Mighty One'", is also said to be an alternative form of ''Melkor''.<ref name=P4k/>

==Other names==
*'''''Bauglir''''', ([[S.]] "the Constrainer") given after his return to [[Angband]] at the beginning of the [[First Age]].<ref name=Index>{{S|Index}}</ref> It was often combined with the name ''Morgoth'' to become the full title ''Morgoth Bauglir''.
* '''''Belegûr''''' ([[S.]] "he who arises in might") or '''''Belegurth''''' ("Great Death").<ref>{{PM|Shibboleth}}, p. 358 (note 21)</ref><ref name=Index></ref>
* '''[[Black Hand]]''', called thus by [[Beleg]].<ref>{{S|21}}.</ref>
* '''Black King'''<ref>{{CH|1}}, p. 42</ref>
* '''Dark King''', given by [[Edain]].<ref name=Men>{{S|17}}</ref>
* '''[[Dark Lord]]'''<ref name=Men></ref>
* '''Dark Power of the North'''<ref>{{MR|P2}}</ref>
* '''[[Elder King]]''', title of Manwë, claimed by Morgoth when speaking to [[Húrin]].<ref>{{CH|3}}, p. 64</ref>
* '''Great Enemy''', used once by Aragorn.<ref>{{FR|I11}}</ref>
* '''King of the World''', given by himself after his return to Middle-earth.<ref name=Return>{{S|9}}</ref>
* '''Lord of All''' and '''Giver of Freedom''', used by [[Sauron]] when he encouraged [[Ar-Pharazôn]] to worship Melkor.<ref name=Akallabeth></ref>
* '''Lord of the Dark''', given by Edain.<ref name=Men></ref>
* '''Lord of the Darkness''', used by [[Sauron]] when he encouraged [[Ar-Pharazôn]] to worship Melkor.<ref name=Akallabeth></ref>
* '''Master of Lies''', given by [[Amlach]].<ref name=Men></ref>
* '''Master of the fates of Arda''', used by him when speaking to [[Húrin]].<ref>{{CH|3}}, p. 65</ref>
* ''Melko<ref>{{MR|P3}}</ref>, Belcha<ref>{{LT2|VI}}</ref>, Melegor<ref>{{LB|1a}}</ref>, Melekō<ref>{{MR|Star}}</ref>'', earlier forms of his Elvish names.

==Genealogy==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| |,|-|-|-|.| | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| MEL | | MAN |~| VAR | |MEL='''MELKOR'''|MAN=[[Manwë]]|VAR=[[Varda]]}}
{{familytree/end}}

==Minions and allies==
* [[Sauron]] – Former most-trusted lieutenant; became his heir as the second [[Dark Lord]]
* [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]] - [[Lord of Balrogs]] and High-Captain of Angband; slain by [[Ecthelion]] during the [[Fall of Gondolin]]
* [[Ungoliant]] - Spirit of darkness and shadow in the shape of a giant spider devourer of the sapped [[Two Trees]], betrayed Morgoth
* [[Glaurung]] – [[Father of Dragons]]; slain by [[Túrin]]
* [[Ancalagon]] – Greatest of the [[Winged Dragons]]; slain by [[Eärendil]]
* [[Draugluin]] - First of the Werewolves of Angband
* [[Carcharoth]] - Greatest of the Werewolves of Angband
* [[Thuringwethil]] - Vampire Herald of Sauron
* [[Ulfang]] - Chieftain of [[Easterlings (First Age)|Easterlings]]
* [[Uldor]] - Son of Ulfang, secretly in league with Morgoth
* [[Ulwarth]] - Son of Ulfang, secretly in league with Morgoth
* [[Ulfast]] - Son of Ulfang, secretly in league with Morgoth
* [[Brodda]] - Easterling Lord of [[Hithlum]]
* [[Lorgan]] - Chief of the Easterlings in Hitlum
* [[Maeglin]] - Captured, revealed the location of [[Gondolin]] in exchange for [[Idril]]
;Characters from older concepts
* [[Langon]] - Messenger, sent to negotiate with the Valar when they besieged [[Utumno]]
* [[Fankil]] - Evil spirit, escaped from Utumno after its fall, leader of dark armies in the East (Palisor)
* [[Tevildo]] - Cat possessed by an evil spirit, companion
* [[Oikeroi]] - Tevildo's guard
* [[Miaulë]] - Cook of Tevildo
* [[Umuiyan]] - Tevildo's Doorkeeper
* [[Lungorthin]] - A Lord of Balrogs
* [[Boldog]] - Great chieftain of Orcs, sent to attack [[Doriath]]
* [[Othrod]] – [[Orcs|Orc]]-lord during the Fall of Gondolin; slain by [[Tuor]]
* [[Balcmeg]] - Orc-general during the Fall of Gondolin; slain by Tuor
* [[Lug]] - Orc-warrior during the Fall of Gondolin;slain by Tuor
* [[Orcobal]] - Orc champion during the Fall of Gondolin; slain by [[Ecthelion]]
* [[Gorgol]] - Orc of renown; slain by [[Beren]]

{{references}}
{{Ainur}}
[[Category:Ainur]]
[[Category:Characters in The Book of Lost Tales]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Evil]]
[[Category:Gnomish names]]
[[Category:Noldorin names]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Valar]]

[[de:Morgoth]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/ainur/valar/morgoth]]
[[fi:Morgoth]]

Straits of the World

2020-04-10T02:18:37Z

Webspidrman: Re-edited the article due to it incorporating claims from 'The Atlas of Middle-Earth' but misrepresenting or poorly explaining them (I checked them against my own copy).

{{stub}}
The '''Straits of the World''' was a strait of mountainous land linking the [[Great Gulf]] with the [[Sea of Helcar|Inland Sea of Helcar]] in the [[First Age]] of the world.<ref name=Ambar>{{SM|Ambar}} p. 259</ref> The Straits of the World appears only in early writings<ref name=Ambar>{{SM|Ambar}} p. 259</ref> before Tolkien envisioned the wide lands of [[Eriador]], [[Gondor]], and [[Mordor]] that lay east of the Great Gulf. It is also told in ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'' that the migration of the [[Drúedain]] from [[Hildórien]] brought them westward through lands south of Mordor,<ref>{{UT|Druedain}}, pp. 339-340</ref> perhaps a passing reference to the Straits of the World in the First Age.

==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[Karen Wynn Fonstad]] speculated in ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]'' that the Sea of Helcar drained into the Great Gulf at the end of the First Age, implying that the river [[Poros]] came to be as a result. Fonstand's interpretation was predicated on the idea that [[Mordor]] was created in the Second Age where the Sea of Helcar once lay: the result of the cataclysmic geographic changes in the aftermath of the end of the First Age.<ref>{{HM|AME}}</ref> However, in ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'' (which was published after Fontstad's ''Atlas''), [[Melkor]] was said to have created [[Mount Doom]] in Mordor during the "long [[First Age]]".<ref>{{PM|Last}} p. 390 (note 14)</ref> Melkor's volcanic raising of Mount Doom may nonetheless have upsurged and expanded the land of Mordor, consequently birthing Poros out of the emptied Sea of Helcar in what remained of the Straits of the World.

{{references}}
[[Category:Bodies of water]]
[[Category:Middle-earth]]
[[Category:Coasts]]

Elven life cycle

2020-03-30T06:14:08Z

Webspidrman: /* Daily life */ Changed the last sentence's wording a bit and added a comma for clarity (I couldn't understand what was being said at first).

{{quote|[[Yén]]i ve lintë yuldar avánier [...] lisse [[miruvor|Miruvóreva]] (The long years have passed like swift draughts of the sweet mead)|[[Galadriel]]<ref>{{FR|Farewell}}</ref>}}
[[File:Ted Nasmith - The Dawn of the Firstborn Elves.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''The Dawn of the Firstborn Elves'']]
Owing to their longevity, the [[Elves]] had a very different '''Life cycle''' than [[Men]]. Most of the following information strictly refers only to the [[Eldar]]—but much could probably be applied to the [[Avari]] as well.

==Early life==
[[File:Jenny Dolfen - Feanoreans - Family picture.jpg|thumb|left|[[Jenny Dolfen]] - ''Family picture'']]
Elves are born about one year after their begetting.<ref name=Laws/>{{rp|212}} The day of their begetting is remembered, not the actual birthday itself, because bringing forth children is an act of will, and it required a "greater share and strength of their being, in mind and in body" than takes place "in the making of mortal children."<ref name=Laws/>{{rp|212}} By their first year, Elf children can speak, walk, and dance, and their quicker onset of mental maturity makes young Elves seem older than they actually are.<ref name=Laws/>{{rp|209-10}} Physical puberty is generally complete by their fiftieth year (by age fifty they reach their adult height), but they are not considered full-grown until a hundred years have passed.<ref name=Laws/>{{rp|210}}

Elves' bodies developed slower than those of Men, but their minds developed more swiftly.<ref name=Laws>{{MR|Laws}}</ref>{{rp|209-10}} In their twenties, they might still appear physically seven years old, though the Elf-child would have mature language and skill,<ref name=NotesB>{{MR|P3II3e}}</ref>{{rp|228}} whereas Men at the same age are already physically mature.<ref name=Laws/>{{rp|210}}

==Sexuality, marriage, and parenthood==
[[File:Līga Kļaviņa - Love at First Sight.jpg|thumb|[[:Category:Images by Līga Kļaviņa|Līga Kļaviņa]] - ''Love at First Sight'']]
Elves marry for love, or at least with free will from both parties, typically early in life. Monogamy is practised and adultery is unthinkable.<ref name=NotesB/>{{rp|229}} By their very nature, they are "seldom swayed by the desires of the body" or influenced by lust.<ref name=Laws/>{{rp|211}} They marry only once for it was ruled by Manwë that, "'since the Elves are by nature permanent in life within Arda, so also is their unmarred marriage.'"<ref name=marriage>{{MR|P3II3d}}</ref>{{rp|225}} [[Finwë]], first [[High King of the Noldor]], was an exception. After his [[Míriel|first wife]] died, from passing the majority of her life into [[Fëanor]],<ref name=LawsA>{{MR|P3II3f}}</ref>{{rp|237}} and refused to be re-embodied, Finwë was permitted to marry again. This was pronounced by [[Mandos|Námo]] as the 'Doom of Finwë and Míriel'.<ref name=marriage/>{{rp|226}}

Spouses may choose each other, in their youth, long before they are married and be betrothed. The betrothal is subject to parental approval from both houses unless the parties are of age and intend to marry soon. At which point, the betrothal is announced at a meeting of the two houses, during which the couple exchange silver rings. The betrothal lasts at least a year. A betrothal is revocable by a public return of the rings, which will then be molten, but revocation was rarely needed because "the Eldar do not err lightly" in the choice of their partner.<ref name=Laws/>{{rp|211}} After their formal betrothal, the couple appoints a time for the wedding when at least a year has passed.

Marriage is celebrated at a feast of the two houses. The spouses return their betrothal rings, which they keep, and receive "slender rings of gold" which are worn upon "the index of the right hand."<ref name=Laws/>{{rp|211}} In Noldor tradition, the bride’s mother gives the groom a jewel to be worn and the bridegroom's father gives a similar gift to the bride. These ceremonies and traditions were only a way for the parents to show their love and to mark a respectful recognition of the two houses which would be joined. While it was considered "ungracious and contemptuous of kin", in days of peace, "to forgo the ceremonies," it was completely lawful for a couple to be married without them.<ref name=Laws/>{{rp|212}} The indissoluble union was completed solely by the "act of bodily union" which achieved marriage.<ref name=Laws/>{{rp|212}} Technically, without ceremony or witnesses, only blessings exchanged between the bride and groom, including speaking of the name of [[Eru]], and consummation are required for marriage.

[[File:Tuuliky - Lumen Melma.jpg|thumb|left|[[:Category:Images by Tuuliky|Tuuliky]] - ''Lumen Melma'']]
The Elves view the sexual act as extremely special for "the union of love is indeed to them great delight and joy."<ref name=Laws/>{{rp|213}} Extra-marital sex would be against their nature because they can "read at once in the eyes and voice of another whether they be wed or unwed"; they would release their own spirit to Mandos before succumbing to rape, and premarital sex would create marriage which makes the term itself a misnomer.<ref name=NotesB/>{{rp|Note 5}} "There is no record of any among the Elves that [actually] took another's spouse by force" though [[Maeglin]] made the wrongful attempt to steal [[Idril]].<ref name=NotesB/>{{rp|Note 5}}<ref name=Gondolin>{{LT2|III}}</ref>{{rp|169}}

Spouses can sometimes live separately for extended periods of time. Though united in body and spirit, they remain individuals with different gifts of mind and body to pursue.<ref name=Laws/>{{rp|213}} However, a sundering during pregnancy or during the early years of parenthood, such as by war, would be so grievous to the couple, and hurtful to the child, that they prefer to have children in peaceful times.<ref name=Rebirth>{{MR|P3II3c}}</ref>{{rp|221}}

Elves typically have four children or fewer. [[Fëanor]] and [[Nerdanel]], who had seven sons, were a notable exception.<ref name=NotesB/>{{rp|Note 4}} Whenever the Eldar married, whether in youth or in later life, their children were produced within a relatively short time after their wedding. However, in mortal count, a century or two may pass before the begetting of the first child and even longer between child and child.<ref name=Laws/>{{rp|212}} After their time of children, the desire to procreate soon ceases. They turn their powers of body and mind to other tasks and arts. Nonetheless, they cherish the days of bearing and raising children as the happiest times of their lives.<ref name=Laws/>{{rp|213}}

There are examples that appear to contradict this ideal. An example of extreme marital strife among the Eldar is the case of [[Eöl]] and [[Aredhel]], where Eöl tried to restrain his wife from living the life of her choice. As a result, Aredhel left Eöl without his knowing, and took their son, Maeglin, with her back to [[Gondolin]]. The end result was that Eöl sought revenge upon his own family, and while seeking to slay his rebellious son, slew his wife accidentally.<ref name="SilmMaeglin">{{S|Maeglin}}</ref> Another example of great discontent developed between Fëanor and Nerdanel after the theft of the [[Silmarils]]. Nerdanel did not wish to be parted from all her children nor did she wish to follow her husband against the [[Valar]]'s wishes. Fëanor's harsh response was that, if she would not follow him, she was an untrue wife for deserting both her husband and her children.<ref name=Feanor>{{PM|Feanor}}</ref>{{rp|354}}

[[Celegorm]]'s pursuit of [[Lúthien]] and [[Maeglin]]'s attraction to [[Idril]] are cases of elves who sought disinterested partners. The desire for these unwilling wives was mixed with a desire for power. While unrequited love was known to happen, few of the Eldar responded so negatively to it.<ref name=Laws/>{{rp|211}} [[Indis]] loved [[Finwë]] with secret admiration but remained contently unwed because he was married.<ref name=LawsA/>{{rp|238}} [[Turgon]], Idril's father, denied Maeglin's suit for Idril's hand because he believed that Maeglin sought power more than the love of his daughter.<ref name=Gondolin/>{{rp|165}} In Celegorm's case, he was motivated to claim Lúthien as his bride to force her father, [[Thingol]], to ally with the [[Fëanorians]] during the [[Siege of Angband]]. However, [[Huan]] and [[Beren]] defended Lúthien, against the attempted bride-stealing by Celegorm and the later attack by [[Curufin]].<ref name=Beren>{{S|Beren}}</ref>

==Daily life==
Elves preoccupy themselves with various arts, such as: smithwork, sculpture, weaving, music, lore, and healing. Males and females have equal skill in all things, not concerned with the bringing forth of children; however, the females often specialize in the arts of healing while the men go to war.<ref name=Laws/>{{rp|213}} This is because the Elves believe that taking life interferes with the ability to preserve life. Women who hunted would not specialize in healing, and men who healed would refrain from hunting and only fight when absolutely necessary, for "the virtue . . . in this matter [of healing] was due . . . to their abstaining from hunting or war."<ref name=Laws/>{{rp|213-4}} Elves do not have rigid gender roles, though natural inclinations were recognized, and these varied based on the time and place and among the different peoples of Elves.<ref name=Laws/>{{rp|213}}

==Later life==
[[File:Jef Murray - Cirdan.jpg|thumb|[[Jef Murray]] - ''Cirdan'']]
Eventually, if they did not die in battle or from some other cause, Elves, such as Noldor and [[Teleri]], of [[Middle-earth]] grew weary and desired to go to [[Valinor]], where the [[Valar]] sheltered their kind. This was known as the sea-longing.<ref>{{RK|Debate}}</ref> Those who wished to leave for the Undying Lands went by ships provided at the [[Grey Havens]], where [[Círdan]] the Shipwright dwelt with his folk. Those, of any Elven people, who did not perish through bodily death or depart from Middle-earth across the sea would eventually fade. Fading occurred when their ''[[fëar]]'' consumed their bodies and the body became merely a memory of the ''fëa''. In this state, "they were open to the direct instruction and command of the Valar" and as soon as they were disembodied in this way they would be summoned to the 'Halls of Waiting' in Aman.<ref name=Laws/>{{rp|219}}

=="Cycles of life" and ageing==
Elves had no beards, at least until their "third cycle of life", like [[Círdan]]. [[Mahtan]] was an exception, and had a beard in his early "second cycle".<ref>{{VT|41b}}</ref>{{rp|9}} The Elvish beardlessness could also be observed in Mannish lines with an Elvish strain (as in the princely house of [[Dol Amroth]]), which lacked beards.<ref>{{UT|6}}, "Amroth and Nimrodel", p. 320 (HarperCollins paperback; 1998)</ref>

While the three cycles are not specifically defined, the first cycle is likely childhood and adolescence, which ended at the 100th year, the second is adulthood which could continue for Ages, and the third is for extremely old Elves; Círdan was the most ancient known Elf in Middle-earth. However, Elves who were not ancient could enter the third stage sooner due to tragic life events. When Lúthien wilfully released her spirit to follow Beren, her father saw her die, and "a winter, as it were the hoar age of mortal Men, fell upon Thingol."<ref name=Beren/>

Apparently, beards, though rare, were the only sign of further natural physical ageing beyond maturity.

Elves did not physically age after they reached maturity, but they did age in a different sense than Men. They became ever more weary of the world and burdened by its sorrows.<ref>{{S|9}}</ref><ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref> Círdan seemed to be aged himself since he is described as looking old, save for the stars in his eyes; this may be due to all the sorrows he had seen and lived through since the [[First Age]].<ref>{{RK|Havens}}</ref> He had been one of the Teleri on the [[Great Journey]] who tarried on the shores of Middle-earth for Thingol's sake, and at the [[Valar]]'s behest, though he had greatly wished to go to Aman.<ref name=last>{{PM|Last}}</ref>{{rp|385-6}} Another aged elf was [[Gwindor]], the people of [[Nargothrond]] had trouble recognizing him after he escaped from being a prisoner of [[Morgoth]] in the pits of [[Angband]] for fourteen years.<ref name=Gwindor>{{S|21}}</ref>

Another bearded elf was possibly [[Tinfang Gelion]].{{fact}}

==Death and reincarnation==
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Light of Valinor.jpg|thumb|250px|left|"The Light of Valinor on the Western Sea" by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
Elves are naturally [[immortal]]; like the Ainur, they are bound to Arda until its End. Elves are immune to all diseases, and they can recover from wounds which would normally kill a mortal Man.<ref name=Laws/>{{rp|218-9}}

Nonetheless, Elves can be physically slain or die of grief and weariness. Death was unnatural for Elves; [[Ilúvatar]] intended for an Elf's spirit (''[[Fëa and hröa|fëa]]'') and body (''[[Fëa and hröa|hröa]]'') to remain united throughout the entire life of Arda, but this design was disrupted by evils of [[Melkor]].<ref>{{MR|P4g}}</ref>{{rp|330-331}} Should an Elf die, its spirit would be summoned to the [[Halls of Mandos]] in Aman. Elves could refuse the summons, but this would suggest that they were tainted. Elves who went to the Halls were, after a period of time, typically given the opportunity to be reincarnated into a body identical to the one that died.<ref name=P4i>{{MR|P4i}}</ref>{{rp|339}} If the Elf accepted the opportunity, the Valar would then create the new body for the Elf's spirit; Elven spirits had no power to build such bodies for themselves.<ref name=last>{{PM|Last}}</ref>{{rp|390-391}} But the Valar could, if an Elf committed evil acts and refused to repent or continued to feel ill-will towards others, delay the time of the reincarnation, impose conditions of an Elf's return, or refuse to re-embody an Elf altogether (as was done with Fëanor).<ref name=P4i>{{MR|P4i}}</ref>{{rp|339}}<ref name=last />{{rp|380, 389}} An Elven spirit could also choose to remain disembodied; the Valar had no authority to force Elves to reincarnate.<ref name=P4i>{{MR|P4i}}</ref>{{rp|339}}<ref>{{PM|XI2}}</ref>{{rp|334}}

Initially, Elves who died in Middle-earth and were re-embodied in Aman could return to Middle-earth if they wished,<ref name="last"/>{{rp|378, 381-382}} but few Elves did so, as the journey was dangerous and they risked dying again. However, while the Noldor were exiled in the First Age, the Valar physically barred travel between Aman and Middle-earth; the only Elf who died and was allowed to return to Middle-earth during this period was [[Lúthien]], and through the grace of Ilúvatar, she returned as a mortal.<ref name=P4i />{{rp|339-340}}<ref name=Beren/> After the Valar pardoned the exiled Noldor at the end of the First Age, travel from Aman to Middle-earth resumed. [[Glorfindel]], who died in the Fall of [[Gondolin]], was reincarnated and returned to Middle-earth, most likely in the Second Age by way of Númenor.<ref name=last />{{rp|377-382}} After the [[Downfall of Númenor]] and the removal of Aman and Tol Eressëa from the Circles of the World near the end of the Second Age, Ilúvatar decreed that Elves were no longer permitted to travel to Middle-earth.<ref name=last />{{rp|380-382}}

{{references}}

[[Category: Elves]]

Avari

2020-03-24T08:04:08Z

Webspidrman: /* Names */ Mentioned how the Exile's definition of "Dark Elf" also included the Nandor.

{{cleanup}}
{{people infobox
| name=Avari
| image=[[File:Peter Xavier Price - Avari Elf.jpg|250px]]
| caption="[[:File:Peter Xavier Price - Avari Elf.jpg|Avari Elf]]" by [[Peter Xavier Price]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Dark-elves, The Unwilling, Wild Elves
| origin=Elves who refused to make the [[Great Journey]]
| location=[[Cuiviénen]], [[Taur-im-Duinath]], [[Rhûn]], [[Eriador]], [[Vales of Anduin]]
| affiliation=
| rivalry=[[Eldar]]<ref name=WJA /><ref name=WJ377 />
| language=[[Avarin]] languages
| members=Possibly [[Morwë]], [[Nurwë]]
| lifespan=Immortal
| distinctions=
| height=
| hair=
| skin=White
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}
{{pronounce|Quenya - Avari.mp3|Gilgamesh}}

The '''Avari''' ([[Quenya|Q]]: "unwilling"; or "'''the Refusers'''"<ref>{{PM|Atani}}, p. 312</ref>) were a branch of [[Elves]] that refused to make the [[Great Journey]].

==History==
===Origins===
The original [[Elves]] that [[Awakening of the Elves|awakened]] in [[Cuiviénen]] numbered 144, and they were divided into three clans: the [[Minyar]], which had 14 members; the [[Tatyar]], which had 56 members; and the [[Nelyar]] (or [[Lindar]]), which had 74 members. After the [[Vala]] [[Oromë]] invited the Elves to live in [[Valinor]], the Elves entered into a great debate on whether to follow Oromë into the west. Most of the Elves were persuaded to undertake this [[Great Journey]], including all of the Minyar, half of the Tatyar, and 46 of the Nelyar. These Elves became known collectively as the [[Eldar]], and their clans became known by new names: the Minyar Eldar were called the [[Vanyar]], the Tatyar Eldar were called the [[Noldor]], and the Nelyar Eldar were called the [[Teleri]].<ref name=WJ3801>{{WJ|C}}, pp. 380-83</ref>

Those Elves who refused to take the Great Journey were called the Avari, and they were not counted among the Eldar.<ref>{{S|3}}, p. 41</ref> Their initial population had 56 members; consisting of 28 (half) of the [[Tatyar]] and 28 of the [[Nelyar]],<ref name=WJ3801 /> the latter of whom maybe were called Lindai. Some of them, especially those who dwelt furthest from the waters of [[Cuiviénen]] and wandered in the hills, had not seen Oromë at his first coming, and knew only vague, fearful rumours of the Valar; lies of Melkor concerning Oromë and [[Nahar]] perhaps had a role.<ref>{{MR|Annals}}</ref> Many thus refused to depart from their own lands, and spread gradually throughout the wide lands of [[Middle-earth]]. According to a tradition, their leaders were [[Morwë]] of the Tatyar and [[Nurwë]] of the Nelyar. They were after known by the name "the Unwilling" because they refused the summons.

===Early History===
Some of the Avari, it is said, were corrupted by [[Melkor]] in ancient days to become the progenitors of the race of [[Orcs]].<ref>{{S|3}}</ref><ref name=sindar>{{S|Sindar}}</ref>

Over time, many Avari wandered westwards. Some mingled with the [[Nandor]] of the [[Vales of Anduin]], and others entered [[Eriador]].<ref name=WJA>{{WJ|Author}}, pp. 409-410</ref> Some time after the [[Green-elves|Laiquendi]] settled in [[Beleriand]], some Avari "crept in small and secret groups into Beleriand from the South."<ref name=WJ377>{{WJ|B}}, p. 377</ref> Most of these Avari remained secretive and isolated from the other elves, living in caves and deep in the forests.<ref name=WJ377 /> They viewed the Eldar with jealousy and disdain, believing that the Eldar were deserters, and they treated the Eldar with hostility and treachery. They especially disliked the exiled [[Noldor]] who returned from Aman.<ref name=WJA /> Rarely, an Avar was accepted into [[Sindarin]] society.<ref name=WJ377 /> Outside of [[Beleriand]], in [[Eriador]] and the [[Vales of Anduin]], some Avari and Eldar eventually established friendlier relations.<ref name=WJA />

The [[Edain]] who travelled to the [[West]] first met the Avari of all the Elves, and were taught from their language, which influenced theirs.<ref>{{S|17}}</ref> They taught them many of the basic crafts of civilization, though the craft of the Eldar surpassed that of the Avari, even more than that of the Avari surpassed primitive [[Men]].<ref>{{S|12}}</ref>

===Later History===
Some Avari after the end of the [[First Age]] started to mingle with the scattered [[Nandor]] beyond the [[Misty Mountains]] and they became hardly distinguishable from them, afterwards known as [[Silvan Elves]].<ref>{{UT|6a}}</ref>

It is told that no Avari Elves were to be found west of the [[Misty Mountains]] during the late [[Third Age]].<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 53</ref>

==Culture==
===Tribes===
Six tribes of Avari are mentioned in the [[Third Age]], and their names are all cognates of the [[Primitive Quendian]] word [[Quendi|Kwendî]] (''the Speakers''): '''[[Kindi]]''', '''[[Cuind]]''', '''[[Hwenti]]''', '''[[Windan]]''', '''[[Kinn-lai]]''', '''[[Penni]]'''.<ref>{{WJ|Author}}, Note 9</ref>

===Languages===
{{main|Avarin}}
The Avari had many tribes and greatly varied languages, widely sundered from one another.<ref>{{WJ|Quendi}}, p.410</ref> The names above are the only certain [[Avarin]] words ever mentioned by the Loremasters.

It is also possible that the name [[Eöl]] is an Avarin one.

It is speculated also that [[Dorwinion]] was an Avarin land.<ref>http://www.jrrvf.com/hisweloke/site3/articles.php?lng=fr&pg=36</ref>

==Names==
The Avari were called ''[[Abari]]'' in [[Telerin]];<ref name=WJB>{{WJ|B}}</ref> they were also called ''[[Moripendi]]'' (an equivalent of [[Quenya]] ''[[Moriquendi]]'' which referred to the [[Sindar]] as well)<ref>{{WJ|A}}</ref>.

In [[Sindarin]] they were called ''Evair'', ''[[Morben]]'' or ''Mornedhel''.<ref name=WJB/>

The term [[Dark Elves]] usually referred to the Avari. In the period of the [[Exile of the Noldor]], "Dark Elves" referred to the Elves of Middle-earth other than the [[Noldor]] and the [[Sindar]], thus being equivalent to the Avari and the [[Nandor]].<ref>{{S|Index}}</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In older versions of the legendarium, the name ''Avari'' was originally that of the later [[Eldar]], then meaning "those that departed".

In other, relatively late writings, a brief idea was that the Avari did not come from the three clans, but from two other clans, led by [[Nurwë]] and [[Morwë]]. This idea was later dropped. In the final conception, the [[Elves]] were divided into three tribes.

==External links==
*[http://www.uib.no/People/hnohf/avarin.htm Avarin languages at Ardalambion]

{{references}}{{elves}}
[[Category:Avari| ]]
[[Category:Quenya nouns]]
[[de:Avari]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/elfes/avari]]
[[fi:Avari]]

Ilkorin

2020-03-24T07:03:20Z

Webspidrman: Changed the 'expansion' banner I added to a 'stub' banner, which makes more sense in retrospect.

{{footnotes}}
{{stub}}

'''Ilkorin''', a language Tolkien wrote in the earliest versions of his [[Legendarium]], was the tongue of the [[Ilkorindi]].

In this early setting, Ilkorin was [[Celtic]]-flavored. When the [[Noldoli]] returned to the Great Lands, their [[Old Noldorin|language]] was much influenced by the phonology of Ilkorin and evolved to the amalgamated language known as [[Noldorin]].

In the later writings, the language was replaced by [[Sindarin]] and [[Avarin]]. In [[the Etymologies]], some names (for example, the rivernames of [[Ossiriand]]) are said to be of Ilkorin origin. However, in later notes,<ref>{{HM|MR}}</ref><ref>{{HM|WJ}}</ref> some of those names were renamed or given another etymology.

In this same phase, [[North Sindarin]] was conceived, which assumed linguistic features originating conceptually from Ilkorin.

==Word-list==

*[[:Category:Ilkorin words|Ilkorin words]]

==External links==

*[http://folk.uib.no/hnohf/ilkorin.htm Ilkorin - a "lost tongue"?] by [[Helge Fauskanger]]

{{references}}
{{languages}}
[[Category:Sindarin]]
[[Category:Ilkorin]]
[[fr:langues/langues_elfiques/ilkorin]]
[[fi:Ilkorin]]

Ilkorin

2020-03-24T06:59:11Z

Webspidrman: Re-wrote the last sentence to be more clear.

{{footnotes}}
{{Expansion}}

'''Ilkorin''', a language Tolkien wrote in the earliest versions of his [[Legendarium]], was the tongue of the [[Ilkorindi]].

In this early setting, Ilkorin was [[Celtic]]-flavored. When the [[Noldoli]] returned to the Great Lands, their [[Old Noldorin|language]] was much influenced by the phonology of Ilkorin and evolved to the amalgamated language known as [[Noldorin]].

In the later writings, the language was replaced by [[Sindarin]] and [[Avarin]]. In [[the Etymologies]], some names (for example, the rivernames of [[Ossiriand]]) are said to be of Ilkorin origin. However, in later notes,<ref>{{HM|MR}}</ref><ref>{{HM|WJ}}</ref> some of those names were renamed or given another etymology.

In this same phase, [[North Sindarin]] was conceived, which assumed linguistic features originating conceptually from Ilkorin.

==Word-list==

*[[:Category:Ilkorin words|Ilkorin words]]

==External links==

*[http://folk.uib.no/hnohf/ilkorin.htm Ilkorin - a "lost tongue"?] by [[Helge Fauskanger]]

{{references}}
{{languages}}
[[Category:Sindarin]]
[[Category:Ilkorin]]
[[fr:langues/langues_elfiques/ilkorin]]
[[fi:Ilkorin]]

Ilkorin

2020-03-24T06:53:17Z

Webspidrman: Added the expansion banner since the Ilkorin page should contain all the information related to it on the North Sindarin page, plus more since Tolkien wrote extensive details about Ilkorin.

{{footnotes}}
{{Expansion}}

'''Ilkorin''', a language Tolkien wrote in the earliest versions of his [[Legendarium]], was the tongue of the [[Ilkorindi]].

In this early setting, Ilkorin was [[Celtic]]-flavored. When the [[Noldoli]] returned to the Great Lands, their [[Old Noldorin|language]] was much influenced by the phonology of Ilkorin and evolved to the amalgamated language known as [[Noldorin]].

In the later writings, the language was replaced by [[Sindarin]] and [[Avarin]]. In [[the Etymologies]], some names (for example, the rivernames of [[Ossiriand]]) are said to be of Ilkorin origin. However, in later notes,<ref>{{HM|MR}}</ref><ref>{{HM|WJ}}</ref> some of those names were renamed or given another etymology.

In this same phase, [[North Sindarin]] was conceived, and it replaced many of the linguistic features.

==Word-list==

*[[:Category:Ilkorin words|Ilkorin words]]

==External links==

*[http://folk.uib.no/hnohf/ilkorin.htm Ilkorin - a "lost tongue"?] by [[Helge Fauskanger]]

{{references}}
{{languages}}
[[Category:Sindarin]]
[[Category:Ilkorin]]
[[fr:langues/langues_elfiques/ilkorin]]
[[fi:Ilkorin]]

North Sindarin

2020-03-24T06:45:13Z

Webspidrman: Removed clean-up banner; shortened one sentence that used the word 'which' twice.

{{disambig-more|Mithrim|[[Mithrim (disambiguation)]]}}
'''North Sindarin''', also called '''Mithrimin''' or just '''Mithrim''',<ref>{{PE|17}} p.134</ref><ref>{{WJ|Index}}</ref> is an extinct dialect of [[Sindarin]]. It was spoken in [[Mithrim]] and the highlands of [[Beleriand]].

==History==
The [[Sindar]] of [[Beleriand]] were divided in several groups, and their language had developed some dialects. North Sindarin, the flavour of Sindarin spoken by the ''Mithrim'', the northernmost group of the Sindar, differed from the Sindarin of Beleriand proper in many aspects. It was this language which was adopted by the exiled [[Noldor]] after their return to [[Middle-earth]], and by their mortal allies, the [[House of Beor]]. During this time North Sindarin was changed much, partially due to the adoption of [[Quenya]] features, and partially due to the love of the Noldor for making linguistic changes. [[Beren]]'s heritage was clear to [[Thingol]] of [[Doriath]] as he spoke the North Sindarin of his homeland.

North Sindarin retained many features of Archaic Sindarin which had been lost in the Sindarin of Beleriand proper, but also went through several changes of its own: lenition occurred far less in this dialect than in the other dialects.

After the end of the [[First Age]], the survivors of Beleriand's realms generally adopted the more southern variants of Sindarin, but several proper names uninterpretable in normal Sindarin which remained in use during the [[Third Age]] show North Sindarin influence.

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In Tolkien's earliest writings, there was a language called [[Ilkorin]], the language of the Ilkorindi (the [[Dark Elves]] who stayed in the [[Middle-earth|Great Lands]]). After Tolkien evolved his mythology, the background and setting of the stories changed, and Ilkorin was replaced by [[Sindarin]], the language of the [[Sindar]].

[[Edward Kloczko]] observed that the few words mentioned as "Mithrim" fit to the phonological changes and principles seen in Ilkorin: for example Mithrim has ''ô'' where Sindarin has ''au'', and retains final ''-v'' and ''-m'' where Sindarin has final ''-w''; he theorized that Tolkien recycled parts of Ilkorin as Mithrim.<ref>Edward Kloczko, "Ilkorin and North Sindarin", in [[Tyalië Tyelelliéva 9|''Tyalië Tyelelliéva'' #9]], October [[1996]]</ref>
===The case of cw===
Sindarin descends from [[Common Telerin]], where the primitive sound ''kw'' (seen in Quenya as ''qu'') was simplified in ''p'' (cf. Quenya ''[[quár]]'' against Telerin ''[[Pār]]'' and Sindarin ''[[paur]]'').

Ilkorin, which was conceived by Tolkien for an earlier version of the setting, maintains primitive ''kw'', which stays ''cw'' or ''c'' in some Ilkorin words such as ''alch'' ([[LAK|ALÁKwÂ]]), ''côm'' ([[KWAM|KwAM]]), ''cwess'' ([[KWESS|KwESS]]), ''salch'' ([[SALÁK|SALÁKwÊ]]): a phonetic retention that would be unexpected in a Sindarin dialect. (Also, some ancestral sounds extinct in Sindarin were changed into the viable sounds "g" and "go" in Ilkorin.)

Assuming North Sindarin is not, linguistically speaking, completely identical to Ilkorin, and thus as in other Sindarin dialects the "kw" sound was not conserved, the aforementioned words may exist in the forms of ''*alph, *pôm, *pess, *salph'' in North Sindarin.
===Mithrimin and Doriathrin===
The word ''[[lómin]]'' (cf. [[Dor-Lómin]]) was a variant of ''lómen'' "echoing", both in [[Doriathrin]]<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, entry LAM</ref>, another dialect of Tolkien's early legendarium; Doriathrin shows adjectives ending in ''-in'' instead of standard Sindarin ''[[-en]]'' (''[[Dungorthin]], [[muilin]]'').

Tolkien later redefined ''lómin'' as a Mithrimin word as an example of the absence of [[a-affection]] in the dialect<ref>{{PE|17}} p.133</ref>, this absence resulting in unusual ''-in'' endings.

Likewise, the ending ''-in'' is attested in Ilkorin (''[[Ermabin]]'') but also ''-en'' (''[[thúren]], [[Mablosgen]]'').
{{references}}

* {{HM|WJ}}
* [[Ryszard Derdzinski]], "[http://www.elvish.org/gwaith/pdf/nsindarin.pdf Northern Dialect of Sindarin]", [[Gwaith-i-Phethdain]]
*[[Helge Fauskanger]], "[http://www.uib.no/people/hnohf/ilkorin.htm Ilkorin]", [[Ardalambion]]
*[[Roman Rausch]], "[http://www.sindanoorie.net/art/Mithrimin.html Mithrimin]", at Sindanórië

==External links==
*[http://docs.google.com/View?id=dc25cq9n_11gdfbhxdm Wordlist of Mithrim], comprised of Ilkorin corpus with neo-North Sindarin "updates"
{{languages}}
[[Category:Sindarin]]

North Sindarin

2020-03-24T06:37:12Z

Webspidrman: Removed extensive speculation in the article (see talk page). Added a new sentence with linguistic information from an already cited source. Also re-wrote some confusing sentences.

{{cleanup}}
{{disambig-more|Mithrim|[[Mithrim (disambiguation)]]}}
'''North Sindarin''', also called '''Mithrimin''' or just '''Mithrim''',<ref>{{PE|17}} p.134</ref><ref>{{WJ|Index}}</ref> is an extinct dialect of [[Sindarin]]. It was spoken in [[Mithrim]] and the highlands of [[Beleriand]].

==History==
The [[Sindar]] of [[Beleriand]] were divided in several groups, and their language had developed some dialects. North Sindarin, the flavour of Sindarin spoken by the ''Mithrim'', the northernmost group of the Sindar, differed from the Sindarin of Beleriand proper in many aspects. It was this language which was adopted by the exiled [[Noldor]] after their return to [[Middle-earth]], and by their mortal allies, the [[House of Beor]]. During this time North Sindarin was changed much, partially due to the adoption of [[Quenya]] features, and partially due to the love of the Noldor for making linguistic changes. [[Beren]]'s heritage was clear to [[Thingol]] of [[Doriath]] as he spoke the North Sindarin of his homeland.

North Sindarin retained many features of Archaic Sindarin which had been lost in the Sindarin of Beleriand proper, but also went through several changes of its own: lenition occurred far less in this dialect than in the other dialects.

After the end of the [[First Age]], the survivors of Beleriand's realms generally adopted the more southern variants of Sindarin, but several proper names which are uninterpretable in normal Sindarin which remained in use during the [[Third Age]] show North Sindarin influence.

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In Tolkien's earliest writings, there was a language called [[Ilkorin]], the language of the Ilkorindi (the [[Dark Elves]] who stayed in the [[Middle-earth|Great Lands]]). After Tolkien evolved his mythology, the background and setting of the stories changed, and Ilkorin was replaced by [[Sindarin]], the language of the [[Sindar]].

[[Edward Kloczko]] observed that the few words mentioned as "Mithrim" fit to the phonological changes and principles seen in Ilkorin: for example Mithrim has ''ô'' where Sindarin has ''au'', and retains final ''-v'' and ''-m'' where Sindarin has final ''-w''; he theorized that Tolkien recycled parts of Ilkorin as Mithrim.<ref>Edward Kloczko, "Ilkorin and North Sindarin", in [[Tyalië Tyelelliéva 9|''Tyalië Tyelelliéva'' #9]], October [[1996]]</ref>
===The case of cw===
Sindarin descends from [[Common Telerin]], where the primitive sound ''kw'' (seen in Quenya as ''qu'') was simplified in ''p'' (cf. Quenya ''[[quár]]'' against Telerin ''[[Pār]]'' and Sindarin ''[[paur]]'').

Ilkorin, which was conceived by Tolkien for an earlier version of the setting, maintains primitive ''kw'', which stays ''cw'' or ''c'' in some Ilkorin words such as ''alch'' ([[LAK|ALÁKwÂ]]), ''côm'' ([[KWAM|KwAM]]), ''cwess'' ([[KWESS|KwESS]]), ''salch'' ([[SALÁK|SALÁKwÊ]]): a phonetic retention that would be unexpected in a Sindarin dialect. (Also, some ancestral sounds extinct in Sindarin were changed into the viable sounds "g" and "go" in Ilkorin.)

Assuming North Sindarin is not, linguistically speaking, completely identical to Ilkorin, and thus as in other Sindarin dialects the "kw" sound was not conserved, the aforementioned words may exist in the forms of ''*alph, *pôm, *pess, *salph'' in North Sindarin.
===Mithrimin and Doriathrin===
The word ''[[lómin]]'' (cf. [[Dor-Lómin]]) was a variant of ''lómen'' "echoing", both in [[Doriathrin]]<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, entry LAM</ref>, another dialect of Tolkien's early legendarium; Doriathrin shows adjectives ending in ''-in'' instead of standard Sindarin ''[[-en]]'' (''[[Dungorthin]], [[muilin]]'').

Tolkien later redefined ''lómin'' as a Mithrimin word as an example of the absence of [[a-affection]] in the dialect<ref>{{PE|17}} p.133</ref>, this absence resulting in unusual ''-in'' endings.

Likewise, the ending ''-in'' is attested in Ilkorin (''[[Ermabin]]'') but also ''-en'' (''[[thúren]], [[Mablosgen]]'').
{{references}}

* {{HM|WJ}}
* [[Ryszard Derdzinski]], "[http://www.elvish.org/gwaith/pdf/nsindarin.pdf Northern Dialect of Sindarin]", [[Gwaith-i-Phethdain]]
*[[Helge Fauskanger]], "[http://www.uib.no/people/hnohf/ilkorin.htm Ilkorin]", [[Ardalambion]]
*[[Roman Rausch]], "[http://www.sindanoorie.net/art/Mithrimin.html Mithrimin]", at Sindanórië

==External links==
*[http://docs.google.com/View?id=dc25cq9n_11gdfbhxdm Wordlist of Mithrim], comprised of Ilkorin corpus with neo-North Sindarin "updates"
{{languages}}
[[Category:Sindarin]]

Talk:North Sindarin

2020-03-24T04:46:19Z

Webspidrman: Explaining my reasoning for drastically condensing the main article.

No offense intended, but a lot of the analysis about North Sindarin definitely not being Ilkorin sounds extremely biased (although for sure Tolkien intended Ilkorin to be the language of all of Beleriand when he conceived it).

Firstly, I read recently (though I cannot remember the primary source of the attribution) that the "Sindar" were first named as such by the Noldor, the designation only later being adopted by the Sindar themselves. So even taking into account Tolkien's later revisions and elaborations to the history of the First Age, "Ilkorin" could easily be another word referring to the same "Sindarin" group of Elves. Secondly and irrespectively, of course Ilkorin words could and would exist for things related to other parts Beleriand, because King Thingol was the High King of all of Beleriand, and since the people of Mithrim claimed fealty to him it is logical that they would have been aware of things, places, and people deemed to be of general importance. Finally, it is not unreasonable to assume that North Sindarin, assuming it either is Ilkorin or derivative of it from an in-universe perspective, could have been a conservative variety of Sindarin, starting out as a branch of Telerin retaining the "kw" of Common Eldarin, before transforming into a mutually intelligible, if rustic, variety of Sindarin (which was not standardized before the arrival of the Noldor in Middle-earth anyway).

All of this is to say that an awful lot of words are spent in the main article trying to refute a speculative theory with even more extensive speculation, which in turn compels me to refute it with even more extensive speculation on this talk page. Rather than maintain, or create more, arguments for either side, I am going to go ahead and condense/eliminate the whole business on the article page. The only part I think is worthy of being mentioned is the fact that Ilkorin maintains the "kw" of Common Eldarin, and also what Ilkorin words would look like if this sound underwent the same changes that it did in "mature" Sindarin in-universe, which I think many people including myself find interesting.--[[User:Webspidrman|Webspidrman]] 04:46, 24 March 2020 (UTC)

Mordor

2020-03-24T03:42:26Z

Webspidrman: Corrected text stating that Mordor already existed by the First Age, which contradicts the 'History' section of the article, and rewrote the sentence to accommodate this change in accordance with the information immediately preceding.

{{disambig-more|Mordor|[[Mordor (disambiguation)]]}}
{{quote|In the land of Mordor where the shadows lie.|"Verse of the Rings" - ''The Fellowship of the Ring''}}
{{kingdom
| image=[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Across Gorgoroth.jpg|250px]]
| name=Mordor
| pronun=
| othernames=Dark Land
| location=Within [[Ered Lithui]] and [[Ephel Dúath]]
| capital=[[Barad-dûr]]
| towns=[[Minas Morgul]], [[Carchost]], [[Narchost]], [[Tower of Cirith Ungol|Cirith Ungol]], [[Durthang]]
| regions=[[Nurn]], [[Plateau of Gorgoroth|Gorgoroth]], [[Lithlad]], [[Udûn (valley)|Udûn]]
| population=[[Orcs]], [[Trolls]], [[Nazgûl]], [[Men]], other creatures of Evil
| language=[[Westron]], [[Black Speech]], [[Orkish]]
| govern1=[[Sauron]] later ruled by his freed slaves
| govern2=
| govern3=
| currency=
| holiday=
| precededby=
| event1=Established
| event1date=c. {{SA|1000}}
| event2=Defeated
| event2date={{SA|3441}}
| event3=Nazgûl return
| event3date={{TA|1980}}
| event4=Sauron returns
| event4date={{TA|2941}}
| event5=Defeated
| event5date={{TA|3019}}
| followedby=
}}
'''Mordor''' was a land in the south-east of the [[Westlands]] east of [[Gondor]]. During most of the [[Second Age|Second]] and [[Third Age]]s it was ruled by [[Sauron]] and it was his dwelling and base from which he attempted to conquer [[Middle-earth]].

Mordor was surrounded by three enormous mountain ridges from the North, from the West and from the South, protecting it from an unexpected invasion by any of the [[Free peoples]].

For but a few times in history, the free peoples had anything to do with Mordor; the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Last Alliance]] broke into the land to fight Sauron, and millennia later [[Frodo Baggins]] and [[Samwise Gamgee]] infiltrated that land to destroy [[the One Ring]].

== Geography ==
Mordor was protected from three sides by mountain ranges, arranged roughly rectangularly: [[Ered Lithui]] in the north, and [[Ephel Dúath]] in the west until turned to the east, forming a southern range. A narrow pass led through Ephel Dúath and the city of [[Minas Morgul]] (earlier [[Minas Ithil]]) was guarding that; an even more difficult pass was guarded by the giant spider [[Shelob]] and the fortress of [[Cirith Ungol]]. Another known fortress was [[Durthang]] in northern Ephel Dúath.

In the north-west corner of Mordor the deep valley of [[Udûn (valley)|Udûn]] was the only entrance for large armies, and that is where Sauron built the Black Gate of Mordor. In front of the [[Morannon]] lay the [[Dagorlad]]. Sauron's main fortress [[Barad-dûr]] was at the foothills of [[Ered Lithui]]. To south-west of Barad-dûr lay the arid [[Plateau of Gorgoroth]] and the volcanic [[Mount Doom]] (also called [[Orodruin]]); to the east lay the plain of [[Lithlad]]. The land in the western parts of Mordor were largely infertile, producing only sparse [[Brambles of Mordor|brambles]].

The southern part of Mordor, [[Nurn]], was slighly more fertile, and moist enough to carry the inland [[sea of Núrnen]]. Nurn was made somewhat fertile because the ash blown from Mount Doom left its soil nutrient rich, thus allowing dry-land farming. Unfortunately, the inland sea of Núrn was salty, not freshwater.

To the west of Mordor was the narrow land of [[Ithilien]] with the great river [[Anduin]], to the east [[Rhûn]], and to the south-east, [[Khand]].

== History ==
=== Early history ===
[[Melkor]] created Mount Doom in the [[First Age]], and the name "Mordor" may have been given to the land before Sauron settled there because of its eruptions.<ref>{{PM|Last}}, p. 390 (note 14).</ref> Also in the First Age, the [[Drúedain]] migrated westward in the lands south of Mordor and, after turning northward into [[Ithilien]], became the first Men to cross the [[Anduin]].<ref>{{UT|12}}, 339-340.</ref>

The first being known to occupy the mountains of Mordor was [[Shelob]], fleeing from the [[War of Wrath]] in [[Beleriand]] at the end of the First Age. She fed herself on [[Elves]] and [[Men]] living or passing nearby until these became scarce.<ref>{{TT|Lair}}</ref>

Sauron settled in Mordor around {{SA|1000}}. In the north-western corner of this land stood Mount Doom, where he had forged [[the One Ring]]. Near Orodruin he built his stronghold [[Barad-dûr]]. After this time, Sauron was known as the [[Dark Lord|Dark Lord of Mordor]].

For two and a half thousand years, Sauron ruled Mordor uninterruptedly. It was from Mordor that he [[War of the Elves and Sauron|made war against]] the [[Elves of Eregion]] and came to dominate most of Eriador in a period known as the [[Dark Years]]. That was until he was repelled by the [[High Men]] of [[Númenor]]. Retreating to Mordor, Sauron then directed his power over the far south and east of Mordor conquering and dominating the savage tribes of the [[Easterlings]] and the [[Haradrim]].<ref>{{PM|Dwarves}}</ref><ref>{{UT|Amroth}}</ref> Almost a thousand years later, Sauron was captured by the Númenóreans and brought to their island kingdom, eventually causing its [[Númenor#Destruction|destruction]]. Sauron returned to Mordor as a spirit and resumed his rule.

=== The Last Alliance and Third Age===

Sauron's rule was interrupted yet again when his efforts to overthrow the surviving Men and Elves failed, and they fought their way back to their foe's domain. After several months of siege in the [[Battle of Dagorlad]], forces of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]] came into Mordor. Sauron was defeated in a final battle and the Dark Tower was leveled to the ground, but Mordor was not settled by Men because of the dreadful memory of Sauron, and Orodruin.<ref name=rings>{{s|V}}</ref> For about a thousand years, Mordor was guarded by [[Gondor]] in order to prevent any evil forces from breaking out.

However, Gondor had failed in the long run; during the [[Great Plague]], the population was so diminished that troops were recalled and the fortresses abandoned.<ref>{{App|South}}</ref><ref>{{App|TA}}, {{TA|1640}}</ref> Deprived of guard, Mordor began to fill with evil things again, and it is said the first shadow was the [[Lord of the Nazgûl]] ({{TA|1980}} who summoned the other [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]], first appearing since the [[War of the Last Alliance]], to prepare the return of Sauron.<ref name=rings/><ref name=ta/> [[Minas Ithil]] was conquered by the Ringwraiths in {{TA|2002}}; other fortifications that were supposed to defend Gondor from the menace inside Mordor were captured and turned into a means of shielding Mordor. Sauron resided in [[Dol Guldur]], until the [[White Council]] [[Attack on Dol Guldur|attacked]] it in {{TA|2941}}, forcing Sauron to flee.

Meanwhile Mordor had been long prepared for him, and declaring himself openly he returned to Mordor in {{TA|2951}}, where he finished reconstructing his Dark Tower.<ref name=ta>{{App|TA}}</ref><ref>{{App|Stewards}}</ref> By that time Mordor was protected too well to be captured by any military might that was available to the Free Peoples; in the north of Mordor during the War of the Ring were the great garrisons and forges of war, while surrounding the bitter inland [[Sea of Núrnen]] to the south lay the vast fields tended for the provision of the armies by hordes of slaves brought in from lands to the east and south.

=== War of the Ring ===

During the War of the Ring, Sauron gathered all his forces to Mordor. After the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], a Host of the West went to the Black Gate. Sauron sent his army to destroy the Men of Gondor and Rohan, but then [[Frodo Baggins]] destroyed the One Ring and Mordor fell. The Dark Tower, the Black Gate and the Towers of Teeth collapsed to ruin. Mount Doom exploded. Both Sauron and his Ringwraiths were apparently destroyed.

After the ultimate defeat of Sauron, Mordor became mostly empty again as the [[Orcs]] inside it fled or were killed. Crippled by thousands of years of abuse and neglect, but capable of sustaining life, the land of Mordor was given to the defeated foes of Gondor as a consolation, as well as to the freed slaves of Nurn who were formerly forced to farm there to feed the armies of Mordor.

== Etymology ==
The term ''Mordor'' translates to "The Black Land" or "The Dark Land" in [[Sindarin]]. [[mor]] = "dark, black", [[dôr]] = "land".<ref>{{S|Elements}}</ref> ''Mordor'' is also coincidentally [[Quenya]] for "shadows" (plural), though the direct calque of Sindarin ''Mordor'' was ''Morinórë'' or ''Morinor'', a name also used for the [[Dark Land]].

In [[Khuzdul]] there is also the name ''Nargûn''.<ref>{{HM|RS}}, p. 466</ref>

==Other versions of the Legendarium==
The first ever reference to Sauron's land is mentioned without a name, in the story of the Fall, written in the 1930s, as an inner land far from the sea, over the mountains. There [[Thû]] had a fortress, and "[[Amroth]]" assailed him.<ref>{{LR|P1II2}}</ref> The name Mordor, the Black Country, appears first time in the second version of that text, along with Elendil and Gil-galad (both of them mentioned first time).<ref>{{LR|P1II3}}</ref>
==Inspiration==
It is not uncommon for names in Tolkien's fiction to have relevant meanings in several languages, both those invented by Tolkien, and "real" ones, but this of course happens with any two languages.

*A proposed etymology is [[Old English]] ''morðor'', which means "mortal sin" and later "murder".
*''Mordor'' is also a name cited in some Nordic mythologies referring to a land where its citizens practice evil without knowing it, imposed on themselves by the society long created for that purpose.

Tolkien is reported to have identified Mordor with the volcano of [[Stromboli]] off Sicily.<ref>[[Clyde S. Kilby]], [[Dick Plotz]] ([[1968]]), "Many Meetings with Tolkien: An Edited Transcript of Remarks at the December 1966 [[Mythopoeic Society|TSA Meeting]]", ''Niekas'' (Niekas Publications, New Hampshire, USA) (19): 39–40 Referred to at tolkienguide.com and by another publication of the Niekas editor. Referred to at [http://www.tolkienguide.com/modules/wordpress/?p=3 tolkienguide.com ] and by [http://efanzines.com/ERM/veh36.htm another publication of the Niekas editor].</ref>

==Portrayals==
In ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]'', [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]] assumed that the lands of Mordor, [[Khand]], and [[Rhûn]] lay where the inland [[Sea of Helcar]] had been, and that the [[Sea of Rhûn]] and [[Sea of Núrnen]] were its remnants. The atlas was however published before ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'', where it turned out that the [[Sea of Rhûn]] existed already in the First Age, notwithstanding that Mordor, due to the creation of the volcanic [[Mount Doom]], could have been uplifted from the Sea of Helcar during this time.

The close proximity of Mount Doom and Barad-dûr in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]] is non-canonical.

==See also==
* [[Sauron]]
* [[Barad-dûr]]
* [[Orodruin]]
* [[Black Gate]]

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