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59 votes
13 answers
36k views

Who or what is the oldest sentient being in Tolkien's lore?

The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, The Histories of Middle Earth, all lore related to this universe is acceptable fodder. Regardless of their power, susceptibility to The One Ring, ...
Meat Trademark's user avatar
61 votes
3 answers
14k views

Why do people say that Peter Jackson can not make LOTR/Hobbit sequels?

I was reading a couple of posts on forums where people said that "The Silmarillion" would make a great basis for an action movie, a sequel (or would that be prequel?) to LOTR and Hobbit. But someone ...
user21036's user avatar
  • 621
10 votes
2 answers
3k views

Are there any other planets besides Arda in Ea?

Did Tolkien mention anything about other planets in his mythology or did he invent just the one planet for his stories?
Fingolfin's user avatar
  • 10.8k
6 votes
2 answers
2k views

What's the difference between the "spiritual" beings in Tolkien's universe?

I'm looking for a brief synopsis of the Maiar, Valar, Ainur, and whatever Eru Ilúvatar is, and what the distinguishing characteristics of each group are. The specific information I am looking for is ...
Wad Cheber's user avatar
  • 70.1k
23 votes
2 answers
4k views

When did Gandalf become a Maia?

Obviously in the final legendarium, Gandalf was always a Maia as he is Olórin, one of the Ainur who was present at the singing of the Music. What I want to know is: did Tolkien always consider ...
ecthelion's user avatar
  • 331
17 votes
4 answers
69k views

How has Galadriel acquired evil mode?

One thing that intrigues me, is the berserk / evil / turbo-charged mode of Galadriel in face of danger (in Dol Guldur, during The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies) or during a possible temptation (in ...
RicoRicochet's user avatar
  • 3,355
12 votes
2 answers
3k views

How could Orcs survive in subterranean settings?

In J.R.R. Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring the Fellowship encounters many Orcs (or goblins) living in the Mines of Moria. In The Hobbit our heroes encounter a tribe of goblins inhabiting caves ...
RobertF's user avatar
  • 8,690
9 votes
3 answers
2k views

How are beings distinguished with respect to 'power' in Middle Earth?

Many characters are referred to, both in canon, and by the community, as being 'powerful'. Gandalf is a powerful wizard; Sauron is very powerful; Morgoth is one of the most powerful beings to have ...
MKHC's user avatar
  • 1,282
16 votes
2 answers
5k views

Would the One Ring created by Sauron make a mortal creature immortal?

The One Ring extended Gollum/Sméagol's life and vitality by 478 years and Bilbo's vitality by 60 years. Did it have the power to make them truly immortal if they had kept it, or did it just grossly ...
Morgan's user avatar
  • 26.6k
5 votes
3 answers
5k views

What meaning(s) or message(s), if any, was Tolkien trying to convey with his books?

What overall meaning or message, if any, was Tolkien trying to convey with each of his books (The Hobbit, The Silmarillion, LOTR)?
Glyph's user avatar
  • 93