FIRST AGE

From the forges of the ancient Elven city of Gondolin emerged a legendary blade that would strike terror into the hearts of orcs for ages to come. This mighty sword, wielded by both Elven lords and Dwarf kings, glowed blue in the presence of its enemies and earned its fearsome reputation during the Fall of Gondolin. Later claimed by Thorin Oakenshield, the ancient weapon continued its legacy of orc-slaying through the Quest of Erebor, ultimately being laid to rest upon the breast of the great Dwarf king beneath the Lonely Mountain.

A silver serpent-crowned heirloom, forged in the First Age of Middle-earth, passed down through generations of noble Men from the House of Bëor to the Dúnedain kings. This ancient token of friendship between the Elven-lord Finrod Felagund and the mortal hero Barahir became a sacred symbol of the undying alliance between the Firstborn and the Edain, eventually reaching the hands of Aragorn, heir of Isildur.

From trusted servant of the Valar to Middle-earth's most feared tyrant, this fallen Maia forged the One Ring, corrupted kingdoms, and nearly conquered all lands from his dark tower of Barad-dûr. Though defeated in the War of the Last Alliance and again in the Third Age, his malevolent influence persisted across millennia, making him the greatest threat to ever shadow the free peoples of Arda.

Before hobbits walked the Shire or rings of power were forged, ancient gods sang the world into being, immortal elves battled dark lords, and heroes challenged dragons beneath the first rising sun. These foundational myths of Middle-earth chronicle the epic struggles between good and evil, the rise and fall of legendary kingdoms, and the tragic tales of love, pride, and redemption that shaped an entire fictional universe.

Three legendary jewels crafted by Fëanor in Valinor captured the holy light of the Two Trees within their crystalline depths. These masterworks of craft and magic sparked wars between Elves and the first Dark Lord, led to terrible oaths, and ultimately shaped the destiny of Arda itself. From the depths of the sea to the vault of heaven, their story weaves through the greatest tales of the First Age.

Seven brothers bound by an unbreakable oath, princes of the Noldor who followed their father's burning quest for the Silmarils across Middle-earth. From the shores of Valinor to the bloody halls of Doriath, these mighty Elven warriors carved their names into history through valor and tragedy, leaving a legacy of both heroic deeds and terrible kinslayings in their wake.

A mortal man chosen by the sea-god Ulmo embarks on an epic quest through the dangerous lands of Beleriand. Guided by divine prophecy and armed with ancient wisdom, he must find a hidden Elven kingdom nestled among towering mountains. His journey will change the fate of Middle-earth forever, as he carries warnings of doom to a proud king and finds both love and destiny within gleaming walls of white stone.

Deep in the northern reaches of ancient Beleriand stood a once-verdant realm transformed into a place of shadow and terror. What began as Dorthonion's mighty forest became a twisted maze of horrors where Morgoth's dark power held sway. Here, beneath eternal shadows where Sauron's sorcery lingered, fell creatures lurked among gnarled trees, and brave warriors feared to tread. This accursed woodland, where even starlight failed to pierce the gloom, became a symbol of the Enemy's corruption and a deadly obstacle for heroes of the First Age.

Rising from the rushing waters of the River Sirion, a mighty fortress-isle stood guard over the Pass of Sirion in ancient Beleriand. Built by Finrod Felagund, defended by Orodreth, and later corrupted into the nightmarish Tol-in-Gaurhoth by Sauron, this strategic stronghold witnessed the valor of Elves, the treachery of Dark Powers, and the legendary quest of Beren and Lúthien. A tale of transformation from a beacon of hope to a den of werewolves, its stones bore witness to some of the First Age's most dramatic confrontations.

A cursed warrior of the First Age, son of Húrin, wielder of the black sword Gurthang, and slayer of Glaurung the dragon, walked a path stained with tragedy. From the halls of Doriath to the forests of Brethil, his tale of pride, mistaken identity, and unwitting doom stands as the darkest chapter in the chronicles of Beleriand. Despite his might and noble birth, Morgoth's curse followed him like a shadow, leading to choices that would forever echo in the songs of both Elves and Men.

Far beyond the western seas of Middle-earth lies a sacred realm where the Valar dwell in eternal light, where the Two Trees once bloomed, and where the Elves found their true home in Valinor. This blessed realm of Aman, shielded from mortal lands, promises immortality and peace to those few chosen to walk its shores - from the High Elves who answered the divine summons to the rare mortal heroes granted passage across the Straight Road.

Deep within Middle-earth's untold chronicles lie extraordinary tales of Númenórean kings, ancient wars, mysterious wizards, and noble quests. Through his father's carefully preserved manuscripts, Christopher Tolkien unveiled a treasure trove of legends that expand the rich tapestry of the Third Age and beyond. From the tragic tale of Túrin Turambar to the origins of Gandalf and the Istari, these posthumously published narratives offer readers unprecedented glimpses into the vast mythology that shaped The Lord of the Rings.

Before Shelob haunted Cirith Ungol, before the spiders of Mirkwood struck fear into travelers, an ancient horror arose from the Void itself. This primordial spirit took the form of a colossal spider, consumed the light of the Two Trees of Valinor, and grew so powerful that even Morgoth feared her insatiable hunger. Her descendants would plague Middle-earth for ages to come, but none would match the terrifying might of their ancestor, the Great Spider who dared to challenge the powers of Arda itself.

Beyond the Sundering Seas, in the Blessed Realm of Aman, lies a paradise untouched by death or decay. Here, beneath the light of the Two Trees that once illuminated all creation, the Valar shaped their perfect kingdom of Valinor. This sacred realm, home to immortal Elves and divine beings alike, stands as a beacon of eternal beauty where the mighty Taniquetil reaches toward the stars, and the halls of Manwë and Varda gleam with undimmed splendor. While hidden from mortal eyes, its influence echoes throughout all of Tolkien's mythology, from the ancient Songs of Creation to the final departure of the Ring-bearers.

Perched majestically upon the slopes of Mount Taras in Nevrast, this magnificent coastal stronghold stood as the first great fortress of the Noldorin prince Turgon. Built in the First Age of Middle-earth, its marble halls witnessed the arrival of Ulmo's fateful message and housed the legendary armor that would one day guide Tuor on his destiny-changing quest. Though abandoned when its people departed for the hidden city of Gondolin, these ancient halls remained as a silent sentinel by the sea, holding secrets that would shape the fate of Beleriand.

In the depths of the First Age, amidst the ethereal forests of Beleriand and the shining peaks of Thangorodrim, an epic struggle for the Silmarils ignited a chain of devastating wars that would forever alter the fate of Elves, Men, and the very foundations of Middle-earth. From the oath of Fëanor to the tragic tales of Turin Turambar, from the hidden realm of Gondolin to the shores of Aman, these ancient chronicles reveal the intricate web of battles, betrayals, and heroic deeds that marked the Elder Days and the ultimate quest for three jewels that held the light of the Two Trees.