In Valinor, Gandalf's name was Olorin. Wisest
of the Maiar, his home was in Irmo's Lorien. He also often went to
the house of Nienna and from her learned pity and patience. He loved
the elves and walked unseen among them or in the same form. Thus
they did not know that he was the source of fair visions and wise promptings
that he put into their hearts.
Later, he was the friend of all the Children of
Iluvatar, pitying their sorrows. If they listened to him, they lost
their despair and the dark imaginations that come of it.
He was chosen to be one of the Istari sent to Arda
as representatives of the Valar to counter Melkor's influence through Sauron.
Instead of acting directly, they were to train the Children of Iluvatar
to think and fight evil for themselves - to grow up. In order to
do this, much power and many memories had to be removed from the Istari.
Also, they took on the forms of old men as suited counselors and investigators,
rather than active heroes.
He gave the Elessar jewel from Yavanna to Galadriel
to give to Aragorn, as a token that the Children of Iluvatar had not been
forgotten by the Valar, and would be given aid.
He watched for the doings of Sauron who would and
did come again. He found the One Ring as it tried to make its way
back to Sauron, but had been intercepted by hobbits with the aid of the
Valar. He aided the forming of the Fellowship to have the One Ring
destroyed rather than used, and did very much to see to that end.
He did have to fight the balrog of Moria, as should
not have happened to a Counselor. He defeated the balrog but his
form of Gandalf the Grey died, returning to Valinor. The Valar returned
him as Gandalf the White, with greater power for the escalated battle they
knew would come, and he the only Istari left.
As were other wizards, he was quick to anger.
But his anger was mild, gentled by understanding and humor. He had
the pity and patience learned from Nienna. He was humble and therefore
able to care about even the people considered lesser, such as the hobbit
people, which developed into his most important contact.
--References: Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, Silmarillion,
Unfinished
Tales
Paper
on Gandalf as the archetype of the wise old man. By Jason Clarke
Paper
on Gandalf's use of the Elessar Stone. By Varda-(Valar)
Image of Gandalf the White breaking the staff of Saruman, and Grima,
under the Saruman article on this page.
Image of Gandalf flying from the Tower of Orthanc on the back of Gwaihir,
under Non-Humanoid Intelligences.
Image
collection by Rolozo of some of the pictures of Gandalf on his enormous
site
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Saruman the Wise, Curunír, eldest and first
to be chosen of the Istari. The friend of men, the most clever and subtle
with the tongue and the art of craft. It was he who wandered east, and
to him Beren the Steward entrusted the keeping of Orthanc and the Ring
of Isengard. This is where Saruman settled and began his abode.
It was when the shadow of Sauron was perceived to
be returning that the White Council was created. At its head was Saruman,
for his knowledge in the arts of the enemy, although this choice was against
the wish of Galadriel, who chose Gandalf.
Saruman took then a great interest in the Rings
of Power and their lore. At the Council where it was discovered that the
shadow in Dol Guldur was indeed Sauron, he bade them wait and not make
rash decisions. It was his belief, or the impression that he put forth,
that the One Ring had been lost forever, and that it had made its way to
the sea. It was most likely that Saruman fell at this time, brooding too
long in the designs of the enemy and the desire for the Ring, and becoming
ensnared by it.
He made Isengard strong, and gathered a great army
of spies of many kinds, unwittingly helped by Radagast. However, another
Council was called, and Saruman was forced to give up his search for a
while, and debate with the others the matter of the ring, and in this he
left out much that he knew.
It was Gandalf's plan that Sauron should be forced
from Mirkwood, and to this Saruman agreed. Saruman had delayed them too
long however, for Sauron fled to Mordor, which he had already prepared
for himself, and Barad-Dûr became strong again.
Saruman withdrew to Isengard again, and knew not
that the Ring had been found again, and that Gandalf knew of this. However
the armies were already gathering, and now in Isengard, as well in Mordor,
orcs were once again multiplying. Saruman now greatly
wanted the Ring for himself, and in his haste he tried to convince Gandalf
to join him, and in this way revealed his treachery.
However, Saruman in his anger, struck too soon,
and emptied Isengard against Rohan, when a force that Saruman had long
forgotten turned against him. It was the Ents, and they had become strong
again, and they laid Isengard bare, with Saruman as witness. There Saruman
had to sit out the War, until the Ring was destroyed and Sauron vanquished.
Saruman only had one power left: the power of his voice. With this he tricked
Treebeard into letting him go.
From greatness he fell, and a beggar he became,
wandering the Western Lands of Middle-Earth.
He was killed at last by his servant, Wormtongue,
in the very heart of the Shire.
References: Silmarillion, Lord of the Rings
Image
of Gandalf the White breaking the staff of Saruman at the Tower of Orthanc
while Grima starts to throw the Palantir, drawn by Carl Lundgren, from
the Rolozo Tolkien page.
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Aiwendil bird-lover, best known as Radagast, adûnaic
for 'tender of beasts', the brown, one of the five Istari sent to Middle-Earth
to contest the power of Sauron. He was a maia of Valinor, and before the
time of the mission, nothing is said of him. In the council of the Powers
that was to decide which ainu were going to be sent in aid of the free
peoples, three were chosen: Curomo, Alatar and Olorin (Gandalf). But two
were later added; Aiwendil was one of these, taken by Curumo at the request
of Yavanna.
After his Arrival to Endor in 1000 TA, Radagast
was wandering Middle Earth, developing relationships with its lower creatures,
the animals. He gained wisdom in his own way during this period, through
reading the growth and memories of the plants and beasts. He settled in
Rhosgobel, said to be by Greenwood the Great, later Mirkwood, on the east
shore of the Anduin and between the Carrock and the Old Forest Road.
As an Istari he bore the image of an old man, aging
very slowly, and always wore a brown cloth and tunic.
Mostly interested in the creations of Yavanna, he
did not succeed in his mission. Radagast failed in the Quest the Valar
assigned the Wise, but not like Saruman, since it would be more correct
to think that he didn't care for the events of the free peoples. He had
little part in the War of the Ring, and unwittingly helped Saruman capture
Gandalf at Orthanc, but later provided support by sending the eagles to
the aid of Gandalf, and also, some suspect, in the last Battle of the Morannon.
In the council of Elrond, Gandalf describes him
as "...a worthy wizard, a master of shapes and changes of hue; and he has
much lore of herbs and beasts, and birds especially are his friends." He
then affirms the wizard's loyalty with another statement:
" 'At first I feared, as Saruman no doubt intended, that Radagast had also fallen. Yet I caught no hint of anything wrong in his voice or his eye at our meeting. If I had, I should never have gone to Isengard, or I should have gone more warily. So Saruman guessed, and he had concealed his mind and deceived his messenger. It would have been useless to try and win over the honest Radagast to treachery. He sought me in good faith and so persuaded me.' "
Many conjectures state that he could have been allowed back to Valinor with time, or that he simply fell in love with Middle-Earth, becoming a mysterious character, as Tom Bombadil.
Reference: Silmarillion
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Alatar was a maia of Valinor, his name meaning "after-comer" (last to be chosen to be an Istar) which could suggest he was renamed as a title (a note on this is that he had no other name in Endor, see below), designed by the Valar to travel to Endor (Middle-Earth) as one of the three Istari (wizards, lit. "knowers"), whose mission was to aid the free peoples against the rising evil of Sauron. They were to be invested as kind old men and give advice to the peoples, not take direct action against the evil lords, as those who abided in Middle-Earth were left to their own destiny.
But the original three of the Istari (Curumo, Olorin and Alatar) became five, as Aiwendil (Radagast) was added by Yavanna, and taken as a companion by Curumo, and Alatar took Pallando 'as a friend'.
Upon his arrival to Middle-Earth, around 1000 TA, Pallando and himself were dressed in sea-blue, which gained them the title of Ithrin Luin, the Blue Wizards. They went together to the far east and south to aid the remaining peoples of the King's men of Numenor as the Haradrim and easterlings. Saruman went with them at first but he then came back to the west alone. About their fate J.R.R. Tolkien tells us:
'I think they [the blue wizards] went as emissaries to distant regions,
East and South, far out of Númenórean range: missionaries
to enemy-occupied lands, as it were. What success they had I do not know;
but I fear that they failed, as Saruman did, though doubtless in different
ways; and I suspect they were founders or beginners of secret cults and
"magic" traditions that outlasted the fall of Sauron.'
--Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien
References: Silmarillion, Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien
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Eonwe is the Banner-bearer and Herald of Manwe, son
of Manwe and Varda in early notes, Commander of the Host of Valinor, and
a teacher. He and his sister, Ilmare, are chief among the Maiar. Eonwe's
might in arms is the greatest in Arda.
Herald and Prophesier:
When Earendil the Mariner finally set foot in Valinor
and had nearly given up finding anyone, Eonwe appeared on a hill and called
to him in a great voice, welcoming him and including prophecies of what
he would become. He summoned Earendil to come before the Valar, even
Ulmo being called from the deeps, to hear the the request of elves and
men for pardon and pity, which they granted. When Mandos asked if
Earendil, partly a mortal Man and partly wilfully exiled Noldor, should
be allowed to live after setting foot there, Ulmo said he was born into
the world for that purpose. Manwe settled Earendil's fate saying Eru had
given him the power of doom/destiny, and he decreed that both Earendil
and Elwing would live, but not return to the Outer Lands, and that the
two and their sons, Elrond and Elros, would be allowed to choose whether
to be of the Elves or of Men. Then at the bidding of the Valar, Eonwe
set the three companions of Earendil in a boat and sent them home, with
a great wind to aid them from Manwe.
Commander of the Host of Valinor:
This granting of pardon and promise to pity meant
that the Valar attacked Morgoth without his expecting it, as he still believed
the Noldor were estranged from the Lords of the West. Eonwe commanded
that mighty host under the white banners in a war called the Great Battle
and the War of Wrath. Of elves, this host included the Vanyar elves
led by Ingwe, Noldor elves who had not gone into exile led by Finarfin.
The Teleri elves supplied and crewed the ships. The few Men left of the
Three Houses of the Elf-friends fought for the Valar, avenging many such
as Barahir and Hurin. The Valar and Maiar took on fair and terrible forms,
the mountains ringing beneath their feet. They went up, Eonwe's trumpets
filling the sky with challenge, against the forces of Morgoth which had
become too great for even Anfauglith to contain, so that all the North
was at war.
The Balrogs were destroyed, except a few that fled
and hid in deep caverns, such as the one Gandalf later encountered in Moria.
Uncounted legions of Orcs died, few left for long years after. A great
part of the race of Men of Uldor and new from the east marched with the
Enemy, that fact never forgotten by the Elves. These men fled east; by
using a shadow of fear, they became leaders of the men still there who
had refused both the Valar and Morgoth. These men were forsaken by a time
by the Valar and were troubled by leftovers of Morgoth's evil things: demons,
dragons, misshapen beasts, and Orcs.
Seeing his forces lost, Morgoth in fear loosed winged
dragons with thunder, lightning, and a tempest of fire, driving the host
of the Valar back. Ancalagon the Black was their mightiest. But Earendil
came flying in Vingilot with white flame and about him were gathered all
the great birds of heaven with Thorondor as their captain, eagle of Manwe.
Earendil slew Ancalagon, the fall breaking the towers of Thangoradrim.
The sun rose, Arien, and the host of the Valar destroyed nearly all of
the dragons. The pits of Morgoth were unroofed and broken. Morgoth fled
and sued for pardon, but was hurled upon his face and he was bound. The
Valar, perhaps Manwe alone, forced Morgoth into the Void, with a guard
forever placed at the Walls of the World, and Earendil watching the ramparts
of the sky. Yet his influence reaches into Middle-earth.
Sauron, seeing Thangorodrim broken and Morgoth overthrown,
as commander of Morgoth's forces, put on his fair form and went to Eonwe.
He did obeisance to Eonwe and repented his evil deeds, knowing what it
was to be have once been a Maiar of Aule and in fear. Eonwe did not have
power to give such a pardon, and commanded that Sauron must go to Manwe
for judgement. Sauron, unable to bear what he saw as great humiliation
and then possibly receiving a sentence of long servitude, hid himself in
Middle-earth after Eonwe's departure. Eventually Sauron fell back into
evil ways as the "bonds that Morgoth had laid upon him were very strong".
The two Silmarils still left in Morgoth's crown
were taken by Eonwe and guarded.
The battle had been so terrible that the world was
changed: the north was rent, the sea roared in through many chasms, rivers
perished or found new paths, valleys were upheaved, hills trodden down,
and Sirion was gone.
Eonwe as the Elder King's herald called the elves
of Beleriand to leave the wreckage of Middle-earth. Many elves agreed,
but not all, some lingering many ages such as Cirdan, Celeborn, Galadriel,
Gil-galad, and Elrond.
Two chose a different fate entirely: Maedhros and
Maglor, the remaining sons of Feanor sent Eonwe a message that he must
give the Silmarils to them, since their father Feanor had made the jewels
and Morgoth had stolen them. Eonwe told them that the sons had indeed had
that right, but that it had perished due to their many merciless deeds
in the name of the oath, especially the murder of Dior and the assault
on the Teleri at the Havens. So the light of the Silmarils should return
to Valinor from whence it came. He further stated that Maedhros and Maglor
should go to Valinor for judgement before the Valar, who alone could decree
that Eonwe must give the Silmarils to anyone. Maglor wanted to agree, but
was persuaded by Maedhros that if they went to Valinor, they could never
fulfill their oath and it had been made to Eru Iluvatar as well as Manwe
and Varda who had released them, which would send them to the Everlasting
Darkness, the Void.
So the brothers disguised themselves, slew the guards
around the Silmarils, and laid hands on the jewels. The whole camp raised
against them, but Eonwe stopped them from killing the brothers. Each took
a Silmaril and fled. But the Silmaril burned Maedhros's hand unbearably,
so that he saw Eonwe was correct, and that the brothers had lost their
rights to hold the hallowed stones and the oath was vain. Still carrying
the Silmaril, he threw himself into a chasm of fire, dying, and the Silmaril
was taken into the Earth.
Maglor, in his own pain, threw his Silmaril into
the Sea, and then wandered by its shores ever after singing in pain and
regret, his singing only less perfect than Daeron's of Doriath, and never
came back to the other Elves. Thus the Silmarils found their long homes:
one in the airs of heaven of Manwe and Varda, one in the fires of the heart
of the world of Aule, and one in the deep waters of Ulmo.
Teacher:
The Men who had always been faithful to the Elves
and Valar received Numenor as their reward, beginning the people of the
Dunedain from which came Aragorn. Eonwe came and taught them, so that they
had more wisdom and power and enduring life than any other mortals have
possessed. Numenor lay between Valinor, to which it was closer, and
Middle-earth, raised up by Osse from below the Great Sea, established by
Aule, enriched by Yavanna, given flowers and fountains by the Elves, with
Earendil guiding the Men to the new land with his light. They became taller
than any men of Middle-earth, with Elros who was part Man, Elf, and Maiar
and brother to Elrond, as their first ruler.
References: Silmarillion: "Valaquenta: Of the Maiar", Quenta
Silmarillion: "Of the Voyage of Earendil", Akallabeth: "The Downfall of
Numenor", "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"
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Maiar of Valinor
Ilmarë was among the most powerful of the Maiar.
She was the handmaiden of Varda and lived in the highness of the sky. Eönwë,
the herald of Manwë, was her brother. These two were the eldest of
the children of the Valar. Eönwë was a mighty warrior but Ilmarë
wasn't even interested in anything that concerned war. She was first named
Erinti, then Ilmar, then Ilmarë.
I see Ilmarë as a serene and delicate personality.
The Eldar considered her as one of the loveliest of the Maiar. She maybe
wasn't interested in war, but she was certainly very powerful. To conclude,
I think Ilmarë was jovial, warm, fervent, but wasn't the kind of girl
to upset.
--References: Silmarillion, Lost Tales
Information outside the Silmarillion suggests that Tolkien considered calling Ilmare and Eonwe the children of Manwe and Varda. This did not make it into the finished Silmarillion, and he may have decided that such beings did not have children. However, it does not specifically say that Valar had no children. All it really says on this is:
"Chief among the Maiar of Valinor whose names
are remembered in the histories of the Elder Days are Ilmare, the
handmaid of Varda, and Eonwe..."
--"Valaquenta" Silmarillion JRRT
An interesting outside comment suggesting that Ilmare handles part of
the lightning is:
"Ilmare, who throws down her spears of light
from the night sky, is chief of the Maiar maids. She is also handmaid
to Varda, the Star Queen."
--"Maiar" Tolkien, the Illustrated Encyclopedia by David Day
References: Silmarillion, Book of Lost Tales, Tolkien,
the Illustrated Encyclopedia
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Maiar of Valinor
Lord of Coastal Waters, Maiar of Ulmo, he who enjoys perhaps overmuch the winds of Manwe which allows him to build the wild waves in which he laughs. He is friend and instructor of the Teleri elves, they of the great swan boats. At one time Osse was brought into the service of Melkor but, with the help of Uinen as requested by Aule, became one of the very rare ones who pulled away from such service, returning to receive the pardon of Ulmo and once more being on the side of the Valar. Mariners and coastal dwellers love Osse, but do not trust him. Osse and Uinen, his wife, are the Maiar best known to those who live in Arda.
Reference: The Silmarillion
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Maiar of Valinor
Mistress of Still Waters, she who helps Osse, her husband, restrain the wildness put into him by Melkor. Her hair spreads through all the waters under the sky. The Numenoreans held her equal to the Valar in importance to their own sea-faring lives.
Reference: The Silmarillion
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Maiar of Valinor
Driver of the Sun.
She was from the beginning a spirit of fire, never
deceived into the service of Melkor as had been the Balrogs. Her eyes were
too bright for even the Eldar to bear. The maiden feared not the heats
of the Tree, Laurelin, for she could not be hurt by them. Before Melkor
and Ungoliant killed the Trees, Arien tended the golden flowers in Vana's
gardens, watering them with the bright dews of Laurelin.
Arien was chosen by the Valar from the Maiar to
guide the vessel of the Sun (Anar in the Quenya language). This vessel
was the final fruit of the Tree, Laurelin, brought forth past hope from
the healing tears of Nienna and the powerful song of Yavanna. At the same
time, the Tree Telperion bore the last silver flower, which became Isil.
Yavanna gave the fruit and flower to Aule, Manwe hallowed them, then Aule
and his people made the vessels to hold and preserve the radiance. The
light could not recall the light of the Trees before the poisonous touch
of Ungoliant, that light continuing only in the Silmarils.
The Valar gave the Anar and Isil to Varda, who gave
the vessels the power to cross the lower regions of Ilmen (the region just
above the air where stars exist)upon appointed courses above the girdle
of Arda (the Earth) from West to East, and then return. They were to be
ever aloft, passing in opposite directions. Time was to be reckoned by
the time of the mingling of lights above the middle of the flat earth.
For the Valar remembered the darkness of the lands
of Arda, bereft of the Trees, the Noldor in exile, and the Avari (Mankind)
who remained yet in an unknown place by the waters to be awakened, as Manwe
knew, in a time soon to come. The Valar used light to hinder the deeds
of Melkor, to avoid a war that could destroy men before they began existence,
as it would be worse than the previous war upon Utumno, with the newest
inhabitants of Arda even weaker than the elves had been, in withstanding
fear and tumult.
So Arien forsook the form and raiment she had worn
in Valinor and was as a terrible, splendid flame. The first time
Arien guided Anar into the sky, Melkor took his servants and retreated
from the light into the deeps of Angband, hiding his land from the Daystar
with reeks and dark clouds. Thus was a quiet but glorious victory achieved.
But the course of Anar was soon afterwards changed,
thanks to Tilion, Este, and Lorien (Irmo). For the rest of the story, see
"Tilion".
Reference: Silmarillion
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Maiar of Valinor
Driver of the Moon
Tilion, a hunter of the company of Orome, held a
great love for silver, even his bow was of silver. At rest, he left the
woods of Orome to go into the land of Lorien, dreaming by the pools of
Este, in Telperion's flickering light. He requested the tending of the
last Flower of Silver. With its vessel, the flower was called Isil, the
Moon. As Telperion was the elder of the two trees, so was Isil the first
of the two new lights rising into the realm of stars. At Tilion's coming,
many things stirred and woke that had waited under the Sleep of Yavanna.
The light filled the servants of Melkor with amazement, and the Elves of
the Outer Lands with delight. As the Moon rose, Fingolfin blew his silver
trumpets and began the march to Middle-earth.
Tilion crossed the sky seven times before the advent
of Arien. Seeing her, his own course became wayward and of uncertain speed.
Drawn by her splendor, he tried to come near Anar so that he was scorched
and the island of the Moon darkened.
Also around this time, Irmo Lorien, the Lord of
Dreams, and his wife, Este, the Lady of Rest, asked Varda for help, saying
that sleep had been banished and the stars hidden at all times. So Varda
changed the course of the Sun and Moon, allowing shadow and half-light.
Arien with Anar therefore rested in Valinor in the
cool of the Outer Sea, a time called Evening, the hour of greatest light
and joy in Aman. Then the servants of Ulmo drew the Sun down, and Arien
drove Anar in haste under the Earth coming unseen to the East there to
rise again before evil could walk under the Moon.
Tilion with Isil was to do the same, arising in
the East after the Arien had descended. However, Tilion still felt attraction
to Arien, so that he may sometimes be seen in the sky with her and may
come too close, cutting off her brightness with his shadow for a time.
Also, he did not stay long in Valinor, but passed swiftly over Avathar
or Araman or Valinor to plunge into the chasm beyond the Outer Sea, wandering
long in the grots and caverns at the roots of Arda, returning late.
So, due to Tilion the Wayward, time was reckoned
by the Sun by the Valar until the Change of the World.
Melkor attacked Tilion with spirits of shadow, but Tilion was victorious,
having learned to fight mightily during his time with Orome.
After this, Melkor feared to attack Arien, and bound
himself more tightly to the earth, unwilling to come out of his dark strongholds,
hiding even his servants in shadows. The attack on Tilion caused the Valar
to fortify their own land with high mountain walls called the Pelori, with
towers, sentinels, and a host to watch the pass; and with the Enchanted
Isles with their network of shadows and bewilderment. Thus, as Mandos,
foretold, was Valinor shut away from the Noldor, and only the one foretold
and planned for could come: the mariner Earendil.
Reference: Silmarillion
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Maiar of Valinor
Salmar came with Ulmo to Arda. There Salmar made the Ulumari, the horns of Ulmo of white shell and deep voiced. None who hear the horns may ever forget them, and it causes a desire for the sea.
References: "Of the Valar", Of the Beginning of Days", "Of Eldamar and
the Princes of the Eldalie" Silmarillion
see also The
Lost Valar, telling of earlier notes by Tolkien in which Salmar among
others was a Vala rather than a Maia, along with connected articles on
each..
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Maiar of Valinor
Reference: Silmarillion
paper
and image
- by Huan-(Valar)
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Maiar of Middle-earth, non-Istari, good
She served both Vana and Este of the Valar.
Except for her time in Arda with Thingol, she lived in Irmo's Lorien tending
the flowering trees. Nightingales accompanied her, singing, wherever
she went.
Queen of Doriath. Stayed upon Middle-earth for the
love of the High King of the Teleri elves, known as Elwe Singollo and Elu
Thingol. Together they founded the kingdom of Doriath and built Menegroth,
home of the Sindar, Grey Elves. Melian protected this area with a
powerful magic barrier called the "Girdle of Melian". Their child,
the only union of Maia and elf, was the stunningly beautiful Luthien Tinuviel.
Tinuviel means "nightingale". After Thingol was murdered by dwarves,
Melian returned to Valinor and the protective barrier disintegrated.
Reference: The Silmarillion
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Maiar of Middle-earth, non-Istari, good
Master of the Old Wood
Tom Bombadil, or Iarwain Ben-Adar, was indeed one
of the Maiar.
He was chosen by Yavanna in the Spring of Arda to
be caretaker of the wild wood which covered most Middle-earth at that time.
He was also the first of the Maiar to enter Ea.
Within the boundaries of the Old Forest which he
called home, he was amongst the most powerful of the Maiar spirits;
indeed his power exceeded that of Sauron (though Sauron would be considered
his equal when wearing the One
Ring). Only Eonwe and Arien held greater power than Tom, and
it was this great strength which allowed him to resist the One Ring.
Remember that Sauron did not put all of his essence
into the Ring, only part of it, and that part not sufficient to overpower
the chief Maiar of Yavanna's people.
This is an interesting subject, of which little
is known beyond what I have outlined above.
Tom Bombadil: Questions
Asked and Answered - by Tom Bombadil-(V) on Tom Bombadil's site
Who is Tom
Bombadil? - essay by Gene Hargrove, completely separate from the Valar
Guild, unfortunately :). His page includes links to other Tom Bombadil
pages. He gives his reasons for saying Tom is really Aule, and Goldberry
is really Yavanna, and in the process does a scholarly job of presenting
information whether or not we agree with his conclusions.
Image
"Tom". Artist Michael Green, Rolozo page
Image"In
the House of Tom Bombadil", artist Anke-Katrin Eissman, Rolozo page
Image:
"Tom Bombadil and Old Man Willow", Tom carrying water lilies when stopped
by hobbits. Artist Roger Garland, from the Rolozo page
Maiar of Middle-earth, non-Istari, good
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The River Daughter, wife of Tom Bombadil, possibly the daughter of the River-woman of the Withywindle who was probably a Maia of Ulmo. We don't know exactly in what way she was the daughter, who her father was if she had one, as she could have been pure Maia of Ulmo. She could also have been a human drowned in the Withywindle and brought back by the Maiar as a nature spirit, somewhat like a good rusalka. Tom refers in song to having met her when her heart was beating.
References: Lord of the Rings, Silmarillion
Image: "Tom Bombadil and Goldberry". Artist Ted Nasmith, from the Rolozo Tolkien page
Maiar of Middle-earth, non-Istari, good
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by Manwe-(Valar) who was
also Sauron-(V), and Barliman-(V)
February 5, 1999 "First Age"
Updated March 9, 1999
Sauron during the First Age:
In his creation Sauron was Ainur, a Maiar of the people of Aule.
he was regarded as mighty among that people until he lent ear to the foul
wisdom of Melkor. Thus Sauron fell from the light of the Valar and took
upon himself the yoke of Darkness, and he bowed to Melkor and called him
lord.
Under the service of Melkor, Sauron's power grew great becoming
a mastery of sorcery clothed in a shadow of fear. He rose to become Lieutenant
of Melkor, and was given command of Angband while Utumno lasted. In Angband
Sauron wrought shadows and dark phantoms and he bred the fell race of werewolves
for his lord.
In the early days of the world, the Valar made war on Melkor
and his servants. Utumno was broken and Melkor was captured and was put
into the Halls of Mandos for three ages. Sauron was not found for he hid
himself in the
cracks of the earth. Secretly he prepared Angband for the return of
his lord. Melkor did return and Sauron was again his lieutenant and Angband
was built anew. Sauron would later again rule the forces of Angband in
Melkor's stead, as his lord went in secret to seduce the secondborn in
the hour of thier awakening.
Towards the middle part of the First Age, Sauron played a pivotal
role in Melkor's plans of the conquest of Middle Earth. Sauron would
become entangled in the 'dooms' of those days (as did many), most notably
the oath of Finrod Felagund to Barahir and his kin, the doom of Huan hound
of Valinor, and the fate of Beren and Luthien. Those were the years of
'The War of Sudden Flame' and the years that followed shortly after. In
that war most of the kingdoms of elves and men were broken,
but Minas Tirith the Tower upon Tol-Sirion held fast.
Sauron it was whom Melkor sent against that Tower. Sauron came
at them with force and put forth his 'shadow of fear' and the defenders
of Minas Tirith fled before his menace. From Tol-Sirion, later called Tol-in-Gaurhoth
the isle of werewolves, Sauron spread fear into the lands of Dorthonion
and the wilderness of Dungortheb.
The Sindar of those days named Sauron, Gorthaur the Cruel or
Thu the Hunter, for in Dorthonion and in Dungortheb Sauron sent forth werewolves
to cleanse the land in Melkor's name. Sauron made those places a domain
of evil which stood in the face of Doriath and the protection of Melian
the Maia.
It is told that none could enter these lands that Sauron did not espy
from his Tower in Tol-in-Gaurhoth.
As is told before Sauron was named Gorthaur the Cruel and Thu
the Hunter by the Sindar and he earned those names in that he would hunt
down the enemies of Melkor and with cruel torture learn their places of
hiding. In this manner the hiding place of Barahir was laid bare and Sauron
fulfilled Melkor's order to slay Barahir of Dorthonion. Sauron did not
find Beren son of Barahir and a price was set on the head of Beren and
Sauron was commanded to find him.
Upon a time Sauron did capture Beren though he knew not who
he was at the time. Beren was at that time travelling with Finrod Felagund
who had left his own kingdom to fulfill his oath to Barahir and his kin.
Felagund with his power made Beren, himself and their companions disguises
in the likeness of orcs. But Sauron in his Tower espied them and doubted
them as they passed swiftly through Taur-nu-Fuin. Sauron and Felagund strove
together in a song of power, but Sauron won the duel and cast away their
disguises and learned their race, but not their names or their mission.
Sauron put his captives into the pits of his Tower and promised
them death unless they give their names and errand. Sauron slew all of
the companions of Beren and Felagund with cruel jaws of his wolves, but
saved Felagund for last. But as Sauron's wolf came to take the life of
Beren, Felagund burst his own bonds and slew the wolf yet died also, but
by this he spared Beren. Sauron knew it not but he had helped Felagund
fulfill his oath to Barahir and he knew not that the wisest and fairest
of the Noldor had died in his pits.
Luthien, the love of Beren, came to Tol-in-Gaurhoth to rescue
Beren, and with her came Huan, the hound of Valinor. Sauron the lord of
werewolves knew well the doom of Huan, for he had lost many a wolf to the
jaws of Huan, and he knew that the capture of Luthien would bring him great
reward from Melkor, so Sauron put forth his power and made himself into
the greatest wolf that ever walked and he came forth from Tol-in-Gaurhoth
to fulfill Haun's doom and to capture Luthien.
Even as powerful as Sauron was, he could not complete the doom
of Huan nor could he hinder the fate of Beren and Luthien and keep them
apart. So it was that Huan defeated Wolf-Sauron and he surrendered the
Tower of Tol-in-Gaurhoth to Luthien, but Sauron was not utterly vanquished.
Sauron fled to Tar-nu-Fuin and built a new fortress and he filled
that land with evil. For the remainder of the First age Sauron would serve
his lord in all his deeds until the Valar came and ended the reign of Angband.
References: Lord of the Rings, Silmarillion
see also Rings
of Power under "Objects"
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by William Staples
May 19, 2000
In "Morgoth's Ring" (History of Middle-earth, volume X) it is stated that there were only seven Balrogs. I don't know if that holds up against information in "The Silmarilion", but if it does I hope it's helpful.
Balrogs ("Valaraukar"), or Demon's of Might are fiery lesser Ainur (Maiar), conceived before history in Eru's thought. As with the other Maiar, the fire spirits which became the Balrogs initially served one of the fifteen Valar which would eventually enter Arda. Their role was to assist the Valar in completing the scheme envisioned by Eru. However, with the fall of Melkor many of the fire spirits who had already been drawn to him in the days of his splendour also fell from grace.
As with all Ainur in Arda, the Balrogs became manifestations of their innermost feelings and motives. The embodiment of physical power, they assumed massive forms of smoke, flame and hatred with which to strike terror into the foes of their dark master. Typically bearing a huge flaming sword and a stinging barbed whip, they were more than a match for any but the strongest of the Firstborn Elven lords. They also were able to wield some magic, though relied almost exclusively on their physical presence, melee skills and natural immolative ability to overwhelm an enemy.
The exact number of Balrogs is unknown, but theories range from seven to a legion. It is probably safe to assume that there not more than fifty or the Elven kingdoms of Beleriand would have been sorely pressed to survive as long as they did under such an onslaught. Melkor's use of his powerful minions also bears out their small number. Usually deployed into battle as a spearhead or as a single crack unit to break his foes morale, or to take an important objective. They also served very ably as his personal bodyguard and were formidable in a group (as Feanor and Ungoliant learned).
Balrogs, as well as being tied to hideous forms were also subject to weakening with every act they carried out against the Theme of Eru. Just like Melkor their master, they became rooted to Arda and could only exist there with his blessing, for death of form meant exile forever to the Void.
Only three Balrogs ever became infamous enough to burn their dreadful
names into the pages of the history of Arda:
(see the articles written by Eru on Gothmog,
Lungorthin,
and the Balrog of Moria)
Balrogs serve as a truly fitting image of the darkness, power and hatred spawned by Melkor during his rebellion. Akin to the revered Arien, they however chose the quick path to power which ultimately led to their destruction.
References: mostly Silmarillion
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lit. - The Voice of Goth (ie. the voice of Morgoth).
Gothmog, originally conceived as the son of Morgoth, although Tolkien later changed his mind, was the High Captain of Angband and Morgoth's most supreme lieutenant. Morgoth caused the downfall of many great people, slaying Fëanor, and Ecthelion. Although Gothmog died in this act too, as they both drowned in the waters of the Fountain of the King.
Gothmog was the most powerful of the fallen Maiar spirits known as Balrogs.
References - The Silmarillion, The Book of Lost Tales II
Gothmog ("Hateful Enemy") - the chief of the Balrogs and Warlord of Angband was a hideous manifestation of ire and darkness, forever tied to the terrible legacy of Melkor. Third in the hierarchy of Darkness and possessing a malicious intellect and cruelty above all but Melkor and Sauron, he was the flaming fist with which Melkor struck at his Elven enemies. Unfortunately for Gothmog, he met his match in Echthelion and died even as he slew the mighty Elven lord in the sacking of Gondolin.
References: mostly Silmarillion
by Eru-(Valar)
Oct. 26, 2000
The Balrog of Moria - bearing no other name, this fallen Maiar served in the guard and armies of Melkor until the destruction of his evil master's realm at the end of the First Age. Fleeing the destruction and hiding from the searching Ainur, he was sealed in a deep tomb beneath the long spine of the Misty Mountains. After thousands of years, he was accidentally released in Third Age 1980 by Dwarves mining for the precious metal Mithril. Once unleashed from his subterranean prison, the Balrog quickly slew two Dwarven kings, Durin VI and his son Nain I. Gathering an army of orcs, he drove out the Dwarves from their beloved home in only one year. The Balrog remained master of Moria for many years, even slaying Balin and his company in Third Age 2989 - 94, and was only vanquished in Third Age 3019 during the War of the Ring by Gandalf, who also perished (temporarily) in the struggle.
References: Lord of the Rings, Silmarillion
Other names:
Balrog of Moria, Balrog of Khazad-dum, Durins' Bane,
the Terror, a Balrog (Sindarin), a Valarauko (Quenya)
Appearance:
Apparently it was in appearance as other balrogs,
since the elf, Legolas, named it as soon as he saw it. It is referred
to as a fiery shadow.
"It was like a great shadow, in the middle of
which was a dark form, of man-shape maybe, yet greater; and a power
and terror seemed to be in it and to go before it."
A part of the fearsomeness of the balrog that confronted
Gandalf and the Fellowship was that he was difficult to see clearly, as
a shadow was around him and possibly of him. This trait could be
one reason some of the evil spirits were called shadows, rather than purely
the usual reason that "shadow" refers to ghostly beings in general.
The terror around it sounds similar to that of the Nazgul.
The core shape seems humanoid - upright body, two
arms, two legs, one head since no second was mentioned; multiple
heads do not seem to be in Tolkien's writings.
It is capable of a great leap, as it jumped over
the fissure that stopped the orcs.
It has a longish mane. "Its streaming mane
kindled, and blazed behind it."
Fire seems attracted to the balrog, as flames came
up from the fissure and wrapped around it (unless this was part of magic
in the fire, to reach up at those above). The fire kindled the mane
on the humanoid part of the balrog, which seemed to be no problem, perhaps
even welcomed by the balrog. The fire may even have given the balrog
energy, showing up as an addition to the fiery part of its nature.
It had hands and arms and a mind capable of handling
tool-weapons familiar to the mortal denizens of Middle-earth. "In
its right hand was a blade like a stabbing tongue of fire; in its
left it held a whip of many thongs." It used its red sword against
Gandalf's white Glamdring. The swords seemed to fight both physically
and magically, the fires of the two meeting, so that the balrog's sword
flew into molten pieces.
It stopped and did a display to try to appear frightening
to Gandalf. Its shadow "reached out like two vast wings",
it cracked its whip, and "Fire came from its nostrils."
After Gandalf quenched its fire, "it drew itself
up to a great height, and its wings were spread from wall to wall".
It needed to make a frightening display after having its fire dampened.
That was a huge chamber. The shadow reaching out like wings were probably
not fleshly wings and the added height was also probably from its shadow
self. Physical wings from wall to wall would not have been functional in
such "cramped" quarters and even folded would have been difficult to drag
around in twisty tunnels. Gandalf broke his own staff, which released white
fire and broke the bridge causing the balrog to fall into the fissure.
The "wings" could not prevent the fall, if only for fear of breaking them
against the pit sides.Or they did not work, maybe from disuse from cave
life. If they had existed, the balrog could easily have tangled in them
in such a fall. If he could have used them in some fashion, it seems that
he would have to save himself.
If balrogs normally had such giant fleshly wings,
they should have been mentioned in the earlier books for the awesomeness
of them, even non-functional. But if the wings existed at all, they were
probably non-functional shadow or even memories of wings from the times
of shadowy demon attacks on Arien of the Sun. Those shadow demons are not
named, but sound suspiciously like the early Balrog Maiar. Manwe and Varda
did not require wings to fly, but winged creatures were known so that the
Maia could have thought of making their shadows wing-like to attack the
new light. For at first Melkor and some of his demons could fly, but their
evil caused them to be deprived of this ability. It was long before Melkor
could breed winged dragons.
Magic:
The balrog perceived Gandalf and his shutting spell
on the stone door when it took hold of the iron ring of that door.
It made a counter-spell that caused the door to leave Gandalf's control.
Gandalf countered with a word of Command, but the door could not stand
up to the powers used and then burst. The wall and roof fell.
Either magic or physical strength allowed the balrog to survive the cave-in,
so that it continued to pursue the Fellowship after a while.
The terror around it sounds related to that of the
Nazgul, even causing people as brave as Legolas to drop his arrow in fear
and Gimli to let his axe fall.
It was partly magical fire. Gandalf said,
"The
dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun. Go back to the Shadow!"
Its fire no longer showed but its darkness increased. Fire kindled
its mane and seemed natural to it.
(Udun, a Sindarin name, was then in Mordor, a deep
dale behind the Morannon, where were the tunnels and armories, forts and
and towers, watchfires, around which orc-holds clustered; Sauron's
armies collected there for the fight against the new King - including an
accidental short-term mustering of Sam and Frodo. It was the repaired
old Utumno, in Quenya language, Melkor's old underground fortress where
he gathered balrogs and may have bred orcs and great spiders, mostly wrecked
during the Battle of the Powers.) The Shadow could refer to Melkor
or where Melkor was, the Void, or to the Darkness.
Working with other evil beings:
The balrog of Moria was in league with the orcs,
as they parted to let it pass and followed it across the stone gangway
as if in support of its attack on the Fellowship. The orcs beat drums
near it, the reason not explained. Also the orcs and balrogs were
working with trolls, as two dropped stone slabs across the fire to allow
their passage. It removed the dwarves from Moria after they disturbed
it in the deep place.
Summary:
The balrog of Moria had a generally humanoid shape,
larger and stronger than human. It had a longish mane. It was
capable of great leaps. Its core humanoid maned shape was covered
in shadow that could stretch out like wings and had fire in its makeup.
It could handle a sword and whip. It held the power of terror.
It could do spells, such as countering the shutting spell of Gandalf on
the door. It had presence of mind enough to swing its whip to catch
its opponent, even though falling down a terribly deep hole. It cooperated
with or led orcs and trolls against the Fellowship.
Wings look great visually so we will see pictures
with winged balrogs. The actual description is so full of shadowy dread
that it is hard to see.
main reference: "The Bridge of Khazad-dum", Fellowship of the Ring
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by Eru-(Valar)
Oct. 26, 2000
Lungorthin ("White Demon/Fire"?) - he alone amongst their terrible number was encased in pale flames. Drawn to Melkor's splendour before history he was entrusted with the infamous role of Master of the Guard beneath Thangorodrim. Rarely above ground, he spend almost all of his time in Melkor's hellish throne room at his master's side. His fate is unknown, though it is likely he perished during the destruction of Angband.
References: mostly Silmarillion
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The Watchers were evil spirits living in the stone statue gate-posts, acting as guardians of the orc tower past Cirith Ungol, beyond Shelob. They could see both the visible and the wraith-world. The only way to pass them was by having will-power greater than their malice, rare indeed. In the Return of the King, they are described as black shapes, great seated figures with glittering eyes. Sam and Frodo passed using the phial of Galadriel and calling upon Varda's elven names of Gilthoniel and Elbereth. That broke the will of the Watchers and caused the keystone of the arch to fall. The Watchers then could only send up a wail that brought a winged Nazgul from which the hobbits hid.
References: "The Tower of Cirith Ungol", Return of the King
Image
of the Watchers by Howard Koslow, from the Rolozo Tolkien page
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