FIRST AGE

Hidden within the encircling mountains of Tumladen, a magnificent Elven realm stood as the last great fortress against the dark powers of the First Age. For nearly 400 years, white towers gleamed in secret while King Turgon ruled from his Tower of the King, and mighty lords like Glorfindel and Ecthelion guarded its seven gates. Though betrayal would eventually lead to its doom, this shining city of the Noldor remained unconquered longer than any other realm in Beleriand, its fall marking one of the most heroic and tragic tales in all of Middle-earth's history.

In the depths of Angband, a demon of shadow and flame rose to command Morgoth's most terrifying servants. This High-Captain of the Balrogs led armies that devastated Gondolin, slew the High King Fëanor, and brought ruin to the Noldor in the First Age of Middle-earth.

Before the First Age of Middle-earth, in the depths of Angband, the Dark Lord Morgoth forged a weapon of unimaginable might - a massive warhammer that could shatter mountains and crush the strongest fortifications of the Elves. This dreaded weapon of the Underworld would become legendary among both allies and enemies, striking terror into the hearts of all who witnessed its devastating power.

From the dark forges of Eöl the Dark Elf emerged a sentient black blade of meteoric iron, first named Anglachel, later reforged and renamed Gurthang - Iron of Death. This talking sword served as both salvation and curse to the tragic hero Túrin Turambar, drinking the blood of friend and foe alike before finally granting its master's wish for death upon its own black edge.

Deep beneath the Misty Mountains lies the greatest mansion of the Dwarven race—a vast network of halls, mines, and bridges carved into living rock. This legendary realm, dubbed Moria by the Elves, housed the precious mithril mines and saw the crafting of mighty artifacts like the Doors of Durin. For millennia, the Longbeards of Durin's Folk dwelt in these grand halls until the fateful awakening of Durin's Bane, a fearsome Balrog of Morgoth, forced them to abandon their ancestral home. Now, echoes of its former glory remain in stories, songs, and the treacherous paths that the Fellowship of the Ring once walked.

The greatest of all Elven maidens, daughter of a Maia and an Elven king, danced beneath the ancient trees of Middle-earth and sang with such power that she could shake the very foundations of Angband. For the love of a mortal man, she challenged the Dark Lord Morgoth himself, stole a Silmaril from his iron crown, and ultimately chose mortality over her immortal life – becoming the only Elf in history to truly escape the bounds of fate.

Dark elf prince, master smith, and tragic figure of the First Age, this nephew of Turgon walked a path from the shadows of Nan Elmoth to the gleaming towers of the Hidden Kingdom. Unrequited love for his cousin Idril and the torments of Morgoth would transform this skilled craftsman and warrior into the betrayer of the greatest hidden realm of the Noldor, sealing his fate in the burning ruins of the city he helped destroy.

Among the most powerful beings of the First Age, this mysterious Maia of Valinor abandoned the Blessed Realm for love of the Elven-king Thingol, establishing the enchanted kingdom of Doriath with her magical Girdle, and giving birth to Lúthien, the most beautiful of all the Children of Ilúvatar. Her wisdom guided the Sindar through centuries of darkness, while her foresight and power rivaled that of the mighty Valar themselves.

From the rolling hills of the Shire to the dark depths of Mordor, a richly crafted realm of elves, dwarves, hobbits, and men awaits. This mythical world of ancient forests, mighty kingdoms, and powerful magic rings has shaped fantasy literature and captured imaginations across generations. Through epic quests, legendary battles, and tales of friendship conquering darkness, this timeless universe continues to enchant new audiences and inspire countless stories.

Before Sauron cast his shadow over Middle-earth, a far greater power shook the very foundations of Arda. The mightiest of the Valar fell into darkness, stealing the Silmarils, corrupting Elves into Orcs, and unleashing Balrogs and dragons upon the world. From the depths of Angband, this fallen Ainu waged war against Elves and Men, forever changing the fate of Beleriand and earning the name 'Black Foe of the World.'

Deep within the First Age manuscripts, a revolutionary concept emerges: Melkor, the first Dark Lord, infused his very essence into the matter of Arda, corrupting the world itself. This groundbreaking philosophical and mythological exploration reveals how evil became woven into the fabric of Middle-earth, transforming our understanding of the Valar, the nature of Morgoth's power, and the fundamental struggles that would shape the entire history of Eä.

Carved into the banks of the River Narog, a magnificent underground fortress-city stood as the greatest hidden realm of the First Age. Founded by the wise Finrod Felagund, this mighty stronghold housed thousands of Noldorin Elves, witnessed the tragic tale of Túrin Turambar, and safeguarded powerful secrets beneath its countless halls. Yet despite its concealed bridges and impenetrable gates, neither the power of its Elven-king nor the valor of its warriors could prevent its ultimate destruction when the great dragon Glaurung brought fire and ruin to its depths.

Seven princes stood in the torchlight of Tirion, their swords raised to the stars, as they bound themselves to an unbreakable vow that would shake the foundations of Arda itself. In their quest to reclaim the stolen Silmarils, these sons of the greatest of the Noldor pronounced words that would lead to kinslaying, warfare against Morgoth, and a doom that would echo through the ages of Middle-earth. This single act of pride and vengeance would forever alter the fate of Elves, Men, and the very course of the First Age.

In the darkest hour of the Blessed Realm, pride and vengeance drove the mighty Noldor to abandon paradise. Led by the fiery spirit of Fëanor, these skilled Elven-smiths and warriors defied the Valar, swore terrible oaths, and embarked on a tragic exodus across the grinding ice of Helcaraxë. Their fateful decision would forever change the fate of Beleriand and mark the beginning of the greatest tales of the First Age.

A thunder of war and the Valar's might smashed the lands of Beleriand: fire, flood, and earthquake tore coasts and mountains apart. The homes of the Noldor and Sindar, the halls of Gondolin, Nargothrond, and Doriath, and the strongholds of Men and Dwarves buckled under Dagor Bragollach, the Nirnaeth, and the final War of Wrath against Morgoth. Seas rose, islands formed, and wide tracts of earth sank beneath the waves, forcing survivors to flee to Lindon, Eriador, and the Havens while songs, kingships, and languages were broken and remade. The tale shows how a single cataclysm ended the First Age and reshaped the map and future of Elves, Men, and all who remained.

Before the Ages of Middle-earth truly began, the Valar crafted celestial wonders from the last remnants of the Two Trees. From Telperion's silver flower came the gleaming Moon, while Laurelin's golden fruit became the radiant Sun. These luminous vessels, guided by Maiar spirits across the skies of Arda, marked the end of starlit darkness and heralded the awakening of Men in the East. Their creation forever transformed the face of Middle-earth, setting in motion the great tales of the First Age and beyond.