PLACES

Rising solitary above the eastern wilds, a majestic peak holds within its depths the greatest dwarven stronghold of the Third Age. Home to the legendary Arkenstone, vast halls of carved stone, and riches beyond measure, this ancient kingdom of Durin's Folk stood as a testament to dwarven craftsmanship until a fire-drake from the North changed everything. From Thrór's prosperous reign to Thorin Oakenshield's legendary quest to reclaim his homeland, the saga of the Lonely Mountain encompasses glory, tragedy, and ultimate redemption.

Nestled in the northwest of Middle-earth lies a peaceful realm of rolling hills, cozy hobbit-holes, and lush farmlands. This green country, where hobbits tend their gardens, enjoy multiple meals, and live their quiet lives, has spawned some of the greatest heroes in all of Middle-earth. From Bag End to Brandywine Bridge, from the Party Tree to the Green Dragon Inn, this pastoral paradise of thatched roofs and round doors represents everything that the free peoples fought to protect during the Third Age.

Rising from the depths of the Great Sea, a star-shaped island kingdom gifted to the noble Edain by the Valar themselves became the mightiest realm of Men in all of Arda. For 3,319 years, the Dúnedain of Westernesse built gleaming cities, mastered the arts of shipcraft and lore, and extended their influence across Middle-earth—until pride, fear of death, and the whispers of Sauron led to their catastrophic downfall. This paradise of the Faithful, home to great kings like Tar-Aldarion and Tar-Minastir, would sink beneath the waves in the greatest cataclysm since the drowning of Beleriand, forever changing the shape of the world.

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.

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.

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.

Along the blessed shores of Eldamar, where pearl-strewn beaches glisten beneath the light of the Two Trees, stands a haven of unmatched beauty. Here, master shipwrights craft vessels in the likeness of swans, their silver sails catching the light of stars. But this peaceful port, home to the musical Teleri Elves, would become the site of the First Kinslaying - a tragic moment that stained the white quays with blood and forever changed the destiny of the Noldor.

Rising from the ashen plains of Mordor, this volcanic mountain of destiny towers as both forge and destroyer of ultimate power. Within its molten heart, the Dark Lord Sauron crafted his master Ring, and in its searing flames, two small hobbits would ultimately determine the fate of Middle-earth. From its first violent eruption in the Second Age to its final cataclysmic destruction, this fearsome peak has burned its way into legend as the crucible of Middle-earth's greatest struggle between good and evil.

Deep in the northern reaches of Valinor stood an imposing fortress where the greatest craftsman of the Noldor, his seven sons, and his father the High King dwelt in exile. Within its mighty walls, the legendary Silmarils were kept under guard, until the day darkness fell upon the Blessed Realm and Morgoth, the Great Enemy, unleashed terror upon this stronghold, forever changing the fate of the Elves.

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.

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.

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.

Behind towering mountains of shadow and ash lies a realm of darkness where evil dwells eternal. Protected by the impenetrable Black Gate and watched over by the ever-burning Eye of Sauron atop Barad-dûr, this land of shadow and flame serves as the Dark Lord's stronghold. From the desolate plateau of Gorgoroth to the poisonous fumes of Mount Doom, this forsaken realm holds the key to Middle-earth's destiny, where armies of Orcs gather and dark plots unfold beneath the watchful gaze of the Dark Tower.

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.

In the frozen reaches of Eriador, a mighty realm of the Dúnedain once stood proud and powerful, established by Elendil himself after the fall of Númenor. This northern kingdom of Men, blessed with ancient wisdom and legendary artifacts, gradually splintered into three rival realms - Arthedain, Cardolan, and Rhudaur. Though ultimately brought low by wars with the Witch-king of Angmar, its legacy lived on through the Rangers of the North, including Aragorn, the heir who would one day reclaim the crown of both northern and southern kingdoms.

Standing proud between the Misty Mountains and the Great Sea, the realm of the White Tower rose from Númenórean nobility to become Middle-earth's mightiest kingdom of Men. From the gleaming walls of Minas Tirith to the ancient ruins of Osgiliath, this land of stone and memory served as the final shield against Mordor's darkness. Through the reigns of Stewards and Kings, from Elendil's founding to Aragorn's restoration, the story of the South-kingdom shaped the fate of all Free Peoples in the Third Age.