Thread:Rodangizzardcrusher3/@comment-26687285-20170311140616/@comment-26687285-20170326013518

Good try JP. Here are the official answers.

(Please note, I'm posting these replies in parts and am still working on the rest, so don't write too much if you're going to respond).

1: Correct!.

3: Also correct!.

6: Very good guess. Eru is the "creator" of the Tolkien universe.

2, 4, 5: Let me just pause here real quick and begin to give you a basic overview of the history of Middle-earth. Eru (who is essentially Tolkien's version of the Abrahamic God) first created the Ainur (eternal spirits of varying levels of power and influence, similar to the nine different quires of angles in Christian mythology: ). These spirits began a great music (Ainulindalë) as a tribute to their creator. As this music progressed, Melkor (essentially Tolkien's Lucifer) developed a great lust to dominate the theme and began to increase his own part in it. This caused the Ainur to become separated. Some stayed true to the will of Eru, some decided to modify their music to be in line with Melkor's, and some were deterred by this conflict and ceased their music altogether. Eru thrice tried to stop the commotion and restart the music, but each time Melkor interfered with the flow and tried to overtake it. Then Eru silenced the music utterly and told Melkor that his rebellion would always prove futile, since nothing could be made that is not rooted in him. And that any attempt by him to pervert creation to his own will would ultimately always be altered so that its purpose in the world would serve a greater good. He then showed the Ainur a vision of the history of the world and the coming of his children, the first-born (Elves) and the followers (Men and all other humanoid beings, except the dwarves). Eru then said to the Ainur: "Eä" (let these things be) (essentially Tolkien's version of the "Let there be light" moment from the book of Genesis).

19, 39: Upon Eru's command the Ainur began to fashion the world with their powers. Eru told them that each of them may go down into the world if they wished, and be a physical part of it. The ones who did so were called the Valar (who were many of the major spirits who had played in the theme. These are comparable to the Greek or Roman pantheon of Gods) and the Maiar (who were many of the lesser spirits, and came later. They served as helpers and pupils to the Valar, and eventually as important players in the various conflicts and events in Middle-earth's history). These spirits chose for themselves bodies and raiments of various kinds. Half of them male and half of them female.

20: Manwë / Súlimo is the leader of the Valar. He was the king of the winds, master of the eagles (yes, THOSE eagles), and husband of Varda. One of the Maiar that serve him is Olórin.

21: Ulmo is the lord of water (essentially Tolkien's version of Poseidon). He is the only lord among the Valar besides Melkor with no spous.

22: Aulë is the great smith of the Valar. He was responsible for creating the various substances from which Arda was made. However, he, unlike Melkor, has no interest in claiming mastery or control over his creations. He is also responsible for bringing the dwarves into existence. He is the husband of Yavanna. The Maiar that served him were Mairon and Curunir, but these sadly both fell from grace.

23: Oromë is the Valar's huntsman and horn-blower. He is the brother of Nessa and husband of Vána. The Maiar that serve him are Pallando and Alatar.

24: Mandos / Námo is responsible for presiding over and judging the spirits of all the slain Elves of Midd-earth. Who, after their death, would enter the Halls of Mandos (essentially Tolkien's version of Hades and his underworld). His spouse is Vairë.

25: Irmo / Lórien is the creator of visions, dreams, and desires. He is the younger brother of Mandos and husband to Nienna.

26: Tulkas (the Valiant) / Astaldo is the great warrior of the Valar (essentially Tolkien's version of Ares or Thor). He was the last of the Valar to come to Middle-earth. His wife is Nessa.

27: Although the females among the Valar were named Valier (queens of the Valar), I (strangely) could not find an official title for the males.

28: Varda / Elentári / Elbereth is the creator of stars and light. She was the most beautiful among the Valar. Many Elves and Men pray to her, and it is said that in her face is reflected the light Ilúvatar.

29: Yavanna / Kementári / Ivon is the creator of fruit and plants (think a good, god-like version of Poison Ivy). She is the older sister of Vána.

30: Nienna is the lady of grief and pity. She presides over all the mourning and suffering in Arda. She is the sister of Mandos and Irmo and is without a husband. The Maia that serves her is Olórin.

31: Estë is responsible for the healing of the hurt and weary.

32: Vairë is the maker of the great tapestries that line the Halls of Mandos, which depict every major event in the history of Arda.

33: Vánna (the Ever-Young) is the younger sister of Yavanna, and, like her, oversaw the creation of forests and (golden) flowers in Arda. She also has great fondness for animals (think a goddess version of your typical Disney princess).

34: Nessa is the sister of Oromë. She was very swift on her feet and enjoyed dancing. She is the mistress of deer, who always followed when she would explore wild regions.

7: Even though Melkor is one of the most significant figures in the Tolkien mythology, many fans have never even heard of him, let alone the countless things he has done to shape the world of Middle-earth. You see, most people think that Sauron is the most main force for evil in the world of Arda. When infact, Sauron was merely the chief lieutenant of the true dark lord, Melkor. He was the most gifted and powerful among the Ainur, and has, from the very beginning, waged war against the Valar and the forces of good in an ever-lasting srtuggle to claim Arda for his own. Because of this, he was re-named Morgoth (The Great Enemy), and is no longer counted among the Valar. He is the one who, for centuries, tortured many of the elves he had captured in his horrible dungeons and fortresses. And this unrelenting cruelty is what gave rise to the orcs.

Also, if you'll recall from Ainulindalë, many of the Ainur decided to join in the rebellion of Melkor rather than stay true to the theme of Ilúvatar. Well, the same way that spirits like the Maiar came down to Arda to assit the Valar in their labors and struggles, these spirits likewise manifested themselves in the world, but to serve the will of Melkor instead of the Valar. Thus the bodies they chose for themselves were ones of evil and dread. This is how races like the dragons, balrogs, and spiders came to be.

8/9: Bingo! They are indeed dragons.

11: Yep.

12: Ah, yes! Well, you see, you're partly correct. The disfigured orc captain was indeed named that way. But like many things in the world of Tolkien, there is actually a larger story behind this fact. Gothmog was originally the name the lord of the Balrogs. He was one of the chief servants of Morgoth and the high captain of Angband. He was equaled in power only by Sauron. He was defeated during the battle of Gondolin by Ecthelion (after whom the white tower in Minas Tirith was eventually named), who himself perashed in the struggle as well.

13: This too is another case of a name of great significance from the first age being re-used in a later one. Grond was the great hammer used by Morgoth during his legendary battle with Fingolfin. It was also called the Hammer of the Underworld (you can listen to an audio version of that battle | here).

14: Angband was the main fortress of Morgoth. It was largely subterranean and was built alongside the three volcanic mountains known as Thangorodrim (imagine three Mount Dooms next to each other, and you've pretty much got what it looks like. I know, pretty freaky right?).

17: Again, you're half right. Minas Ithil was the name of Minas Tirith's sister city. It was built on the borders of Mordor as a challenge to Sauron's power. However, like many of the ancient cities and dwellings of the free peoples (Gondolin, Numenor, Tyrn Gorthad / The Barrow-Downs, etc) the city was taken by the enemy's servants (specifically, the Witch-king of Angmar) and turned into a stronghold for the dark lord's forces sometime around the first war between Sauron and the Elves during the second age. After which, its name was changed to Minas Morgul. And it is in this state that Frodo, Sam, and Gollum find it in RotK.

40: These are some of the many names that our old friend Sauron went by. Mairon was the first name he was given and was what he was called by the Maiar. After he became corrupted began his campaign of war and conquest against the lands and creatures of Middle-earth, he was re-named (among many things) Gorthaur the Cruel. And finally, Annatar (Lord of Gifts) was the name he gave to himself when he pursueded the elven smiths to create the rings of power. For even though he had long since become a servant of Morgoth, his power was such that he could, if he would, conceal his hideous exterior and present himself as being as fair and elegant as he had been when he was one of the Maiar. This ability was forever lost to him however, after his body was broken at the hands of Isildur.

41: Correct again! Very good!.