RACES

From the wise Istari wizards to the corrupted darkness of Sauron, immortal spirits walked among elves and men in Middle-earth, wielding powers beyond mortal understanding. These divine servants of the Valar shaped the very fabric of Arda, taking forms both beautiful and terrible, from Gandalf the Grey's humble guise to the fiery majesty of the Balrogs. Ancient beyond measure, these lesser divine beings left an indelible mark on the history of Middle-earth, their stories echoing through the ages in song and legend.

In the dawn of the First Age, three noble houses of Men arose who would forever change the fate of Middle-earth. These were the Edain, mighty allies of the Elves who chose glory and honor over darkness. From the House of Bëor to the golden-haired warriors of Hador's folk, and the proud people of Haleth, these first friends of the Elves fought valiantly against Morgoth's tyranny. Their reward would be legendary - the gift of Númenor, a mighty island kingdom from which their descendants would shape the destiny of Middle-earth for ages to come.

From the waters of the Sundering Seas rose an island kingdom of mighty mariners blessed with long life—the Númenóreans, descendants of noble Men who fought against Morgoth. These legendary seafarers built vast ships, established powerful colonies across Middle-earth, and grew so advanced that even the Elves marveled at their achievements. Yet pride and the desire for immortality led these kings of Men to defy the Valar, resulting in the greatest catastrophe of the Second Age: the drowning of their magnificent isle of Númenor beneath the waves.

From their awakening in Hildórien to the mighty realms of Númenor and Gondor, the race of Men emerged as a defining force in the shaping of Middle-earth. Though mortal and younger than the Firstborn Elves, these gifted beings possessed remarkable strength, unmatched adaptability, and the unique power to forge their own destinies beyond the Music of the Ainur. Their kingdoms rose and fell, their heroes challenged the darkness of Morgoth and Sauron, and their ultimate gift of mortality set them apart in Eru's grand design.