FIRST AGE

Long ago, beside the still waters known as Cuiviénen — the Waters of Awakening — the first Elves, the Quendi, opened their eyes beneath the starlit sky during the Years of the Trees. Readers will find the tale of their first footsteps, their meeting with the Valar (notably Oromë), the dark shadow of Melkor that delayed the summons of the Eldar, and the great sundering that divided Elves into Eldar and Avari and later into Vanyar, Noldor, and Teleri. This concise guide traces origins, early names and places, the role of the Valar, and how the memory of Cuiviénen echoes through the ages of Middle-earth.

Rivers of flame erupted from Thangorodrim's peaks as Morgoth shattered the long peace of Beleriand. In one catastrophic assault, the Dark Lord's armies of Balrogs, dragons, and countless Orcs overwhelmed the forces of the Noldor, transforming the green plains of Ard-galen into the charred wasteland of Anfauglith. This devastating battle marked the end of the Siege of Angband and forever changed the fate of the Elves in Middle-earth.

In the windswept highlands of Hithlum, nestled between the towering Ered Wethrin and the fertile plains of Beleriand, stood the mighty realm of Dor-lómin. Home to the golden-haired House of Hador and birthplace of the tragic hero Túrin Turambar, this northern fortress-land witnessed both the height of Edain glory and the crushing darkness of Morgoth's dominion. From its stalwart defenders who rode with the Union of Maedhros to the bitter fate of its people under Easterling rule, Dor-lómin's tale weaves through the greatest triumphs and sorrows of the First Age.

Hidden behind an enchanted barrier known as the Girdle of Melian, a magnificent woodland kingdom flourished in the First Age of Middle-earth. Here, the Sindarin Elves dwelt under the rule of King Elu Thingol and his Maia queen Melian, within the great cavern-halls of Menegroth, the Thousand Caves. This fortress-realm, protected by ancient magic and skilled warriors, became both a haven of Elvish culture and the stage for some of the most dramatic events in the war against Morgoth, including the fateful tale of the Silmaril and the doomed love story of Beren and Lúthien.

Dorthonion rose as a high, pine-clad land on the fells of northern Beleriand, watched over by the sons of Finarfin. Its tall pine forests and bright halls became symbols of lore and courage until Morgoth's darkness swept in, twisting Dorthonion into the dread Taur-nu-Fuin—the Nightshade—where black trees, fear, and ruin reigned. This is a haunting story of exile, brave elves and men, and the loss of a once-shining realm.

A battered heirloom from the First Age, a famed dragon-helm linked to Dor-lómin became the war-helm of the House of Hador and of Túrin Turambar. Worn into battles against Morgoth's hosts and the dragon Glaurung, it came to carry both honour and doom—an emblem of defiance that also gathers the tragedy of Húrin's line. This piece traces the helm's roots in Dor-lómin and Beleriand, its roles in The Silmarillion and The Children of Húrin, and why readers still find the relic unforgettable.

Half-elven mariner who sailed the Great Sea with the Silmaril upon his brow, pleaded before the Valar in Valinor, and now guides his ship Vingilot through the night sky as the Evening Star, bearing the light of hope for all peoples of Middle-earth.

Elrond is one of Middle-earth’s great figures: a Half-elven lord born in the Years of the Trees whose mixed heritage—son of Eärendil and Elwing and brother of Elros—ties him to Elves, Men, and the old tales of Beren and Lúthien. As Lord of Rivendell, bearer of the Ring Vilya, healer, and lore-master, he guided the Council of Elrond, sheltered the Fellowship, and helped shape the paths of Frodo, Aragorn, Gandalf, and many others. From the Second Age through the Third Age he stood against Sauron’s shadow, making hard choices about fate and mortality that affected Númenor and the Last Alliance. His wisdom, duty, and deep knowledge of Elven lore make him a guardian of the West and a pivotal force in the struggle for Middle-earth.

Ancient peaks of azure stone stretch northward along the western edge of Middle-earth, where Dwarven lords once carved magnificent halls beneath the mountains. These legendary heights sheltered both the craftsmen of Belegost and the warriors of Nogrod, witnessed the earliest days of Beleriand, and later became the refuge of Durin's Folk after the fall of Khazad-dûm. From the First Age to the Third, these mighty mountains stood as silent guardians of countless stories, sacred relics, and the last memories of the sunken lands beyond.

Hidden behind enchanted mountains, a magnificent Elven stronghold stood as the last hope against Morgoth's darkness. Through treachery, its location was revealed, leading to an epic siege where dragons, balrogs, and armies of orcs clashed with valiant Elf-lords in gleaming armor. As fire rained from the sky and fountains ran red, heroes like Tuor and Ecthelion fought desperately to save their people, while Idril's secret tunnel became the only path to salvation. In one night of tragedy and courage, the greatest city of the First Age fell, but its refugees would shape the destiny of all Middle-earth.

Hidden in a secret valley of Tumladen, encircled by the Encircling Mountains, stood the greatest city of the Noldor in Middle-earth. For centuries, Turgon's hidden realm stood as a beacon of hope against Morgoth's darkness, until treachery and an army of Balrogs, dragons, and orcs brought about its doom. Through fire and steel, amid falling towers and broken gates, the last gleaming jewel of the Noldor met its end in the greatest battle ever fought between Elves and the forces of Angband.

The greatest craftsman of the Eldar ever to live, this legendary High Prince of the Noldor created the three most precious jewels in existence, led the first rebellion against the Valar, and sparked events that would shape the destiny of Middle-earth for ages to come. His unmatched skills in metallurgy, linguistics, and gemcraft were rivaled only by his pride, which ultimately led to an oath that would doom his people and forever change the fate of Arda.

In the First Age of Middle-earth, no deed of courage stands taller than when the mightiest of the Noldorin kings rode alone to the gates of Angband, challenging the Dark Lord Morgoth himself. Wielding his sword Ringil, this valiant High King wounded the Black Enemy seven times before falling, his last strike so fierce it left the dark Vala limping forever after. Even the armies of wolves and Balrogs trembled at his passing, and Morgoth himself never forgot the terror of that day.

In the depths of Nargothrond's halls, an Elven king of the Noldor chose honor over life, friendship over power, and sacrifice over safety. Lord of caves and master of wisdom, this golden-haired son of Finarfin would change the fate of both Elves and Men through his unwavering oath, ultimately facing a werewolf in the dungeons of Tol-in-Gaurhoth to protect the ancestors of Middle-earth's greatest heroes.

From the blessed realm of Valinor to the shores of Middle-earth, no Noldorin bloodline has left a deeper mark on the fate of Arda than that of the first High King of the Noldor. Through his three marriages and illustrious children—including Fëanor, Fingolfin, and Finarfin—this legendary ruler's legacy sparked the greatest achievements and most devastating conflicts of the First Age, forever changing the destiny of Elves and Men alike.

Before the Sun first rose in the skies of Middle-earth, the armies of the Dark Lord Morgoth poured forth from Angband, clashing with the Sindar Elves under King Thingol in the forests and plains of East Beleriand. This devastating conflict saw Orcs and evil creatures face the swift arrows of the Grey-elves, while Denethor's Green-elves of Ossiriand rushed to aid their kin, marking the first great struggle between the forces of light and darkness in the First Age.