Favorite character(s) in each race

[Qel Vandeth]

Just want to know the favorite character in each race in the Silmarillion.

for me,

Valar: Ulmo. He seems the one who is actually doing some job all the time. Manwe and the others seems to care very little about what happens in Middle-Earch, and other decided to take action if they are aroused (eg. the Quest of Earendil), while Ulmo constantly patrols his waters to see if anything among the Elves that would require his aid.

Maiar: Sauron. Maybe a funny choice, but it is because of him that we have all the story of Lord of the Ring after Silmarillion. And I admire his cunning and creativity and will to learn from his master Morgoth, which he eventually surpasses. Although obviously he's an evil person, I still admire him. I also like Melian for the way he chose to come to Middle Earth and become queen with an Elf lord, but I don't like Thingol so it lowered my liken towards her.

Elf: Oh this is a difficult one, but I would say Fingon the Valiant. I don't understand why he gets so little credit from most people, I mean, it takes a hell of courage and love to go into the heart of the enemy's land to safe a friend who he would have believed to have a hand in the burning of the white ships of the Teleri, which costed the death of many of his people. Yet this Fingon done so without any hesitation. Also, the way he died in the battle of Unnumbered Tears almost made me cry. It seems to me that unlike his brother Turgon (whom Tolkien often claimed to be the most valiant of all Elves) who build a secrete kingdom of his own and stayed there not caring much of the rest of the world, Fingon was the one who actually stood out and united the Elves to face their soul enemy Sauron.

Another Elf that I have great liken is of course the popular Finrod. Unlike most elves he is not racists towards other lesser-race and he kept his oath and sacrificed his life for Beren. He also likes to travel and be involved in many things, while many of the Elven high kings (eg. Thingol, Turgon...) only sits in their throwns and enjoy their power over their lands. Finrod to me is a bit like Gandolf in the third age, but unlike Gandolf, he never really had the need to do so, yet he chose it because he's great love towards every free people of Middle Earth, not only his own kin.

It is also hard not to have a liking towards two of Feanor's sons, Maedhros and Maglor, cause they seemed to be kind in their hearts (unlike their 5 brothers), but eventually the oath they swore lead them to do many evil that they wouldn't have done. Luthien is the female character that stand out the most of the Elves, and her love towards Beren is really beautiful if not a bit bitter, considering how perfect she was. But Beren is a man (and probably the only man among Elves and Man) rightly fit for her, and I am glad of their love being able to finally surpass all difficulties. Glorfindel and Ecthelion of Gondolin, Cirdan the Shipwright, and the unfortunate Beleg Strong-Bow are also extremely likeable characters, although they all fixtured too little for us to understand their personalities.

Men: I would have to say Beren. Not so because of his adventure to get the Silmarli, but more so of his courage to enter Thingol's palace and said the word he said, with pride that even an Elf-lord could be proud of. He's story with Luthien is probably the most romantic story in the Silmarillion, and I am happy that they eventually got together. Turin is also a very strong character but his life is really too tragic, same goes with Hurin. Never really fond of Tuor cause I feel that his path is rather too well laid for him, and it seems he never really have to go through any ordeal like Beren to gain his price.

Dwarfs: Not many dwarfs mentioned in the Silmarillion, but Azaghal spreens to my mind. He was the one who wounded Glaurong badly in the battle of Unnumbered Tears, and forced him to stear away from the battlefield. If he hadn't done so, maybe more people (probably the entire of Maedhros army) would have been defeated.

Any thoughts?

[LadyHaleth]

Originally Posted by Qel Vandeth

Men: I would have to say Beren. Not so because of his adventure to get the Silmarli, but more so of his courage to enter Thingol's palace and said the word he said, with pride that even an Elf-lord could be proud of. He's story with Luthien is probably the most romantic story in the Silmarillion, and I am happy that they eventually got together.

I can definitely agree with you about Beren. I always felt such admiration for him and the love he shared with Luthien.

I must add Tar-Palantir to the list, though: his will to stand by his beliefs and his attempt to correct the failing ways of Numenor are praiseworthy. I remember reading Akallabeth and feeling so sympathetic toward his commendable attempts.

[Arien the Maia]

Let's see...

Valar: probably Yavanna b/c I love trees and all things that grow (I kinda also like Melkor for being the "bad boy" of the Valar )

Maiar: Arien (for obvious reasons ) but I also really like Sauron...too bad he was too proud to submit to Manwe for judgement...he could have been a great Maia had he repented!

Elves: Feanor all the way! I love him! I also like Fingolfin and Gil-Galad though too. but not as much as Curufinwe Feanaro! He rocks!!!!!

Dwarves : well the only one that comes to mind right now is Mim the Petty Dwarf....so I'll choose him heheh!

Men : Turin...his story is so sad and moving. I like Beren but not as much as Turin. I also like Hurin b/c he could endure Morgoth for all those years. I also have a penchant for Ar-Pharazon...he's just plain intriguing!

[Lotesse]

Hobbit: Samwise Gamgee

Elf: Feanor, hands down

Maiar: Gandalf

Men: Eowyn, followed by the REAL Tolkien Faramir, not PJ's Faramir (there's a big diff between the two)

[BeardofPants]

Valar: Ulmo
Maiar: Sauron
Elves: Feanor
Men: Turin
Hobbits: Samwise

[Sister Golden Hair]

I don't remember Eowyn, Faramir, or Sam, being in the Silmarillion.

Elves- Guess
Men- Beren, Turin
Dwarves- none
Valar- Ulmo, Mandos

[Earniel]

Valar: I suppose it's a tie between Ulmo and Nienna. Ulmo for taking an interest in Middle-earth when the others would not, and for the other, already mentioned reasons. Nienna because she is not your typical god-like figure. In mythology gods tied to the elements (water gods, air gods etc...) are frequent, warrior-gods, gods of death and nature too. But the idea that Tolkien worked into Nienna, that there can be beauty in sorrow, and that legends of greatness are more often born out of suffering, really shone out to me.

Maiar: Uinen all the way. It's mostly the sea connection, I'm sure. But Uinen is one of the few Maiar that is mentioned in more than one sentence in Tolkien's work. She managed to subdue Ossë's chaotic side somewhat and brought him back into the fold when he started listening a little much to Morgoth. And it's to her that everyone in peril at sea calls. The Numenoreans adored her.

Elves: Hm, though choice. I think I'd go with Turgon, for all his failings, I think he was a good king nevertheless. And he built Gondolin, hard one to beat that. Runner-up would definitely be Cirdan. Partly because Sea-Elves should stick together but also because he's about the only Elf that managed to survive and protect his people throughout the turbulent first age. Not a poor achievement by all means.

Dwarves : Not much to pick from. But Telchar and Azaghal would both be good choices.

Men : Tuor. Obvious choice for me, I guess. Had quite a task laid on him, he may not have succeeded in convincing Turgon, but without him there would have been little to none hope left after the destruction of Gondolin.

[Forfirith]

Valar : Varda, for the same reasons elves like her...
Maiar : probably Uinen, I like her wild character and her relation with Numenor...but also Melian because she has got so much involved in Middle Earth's story.
Elves: hum..don't know...I like Maedhros because of his life and because he has wanted to restrain his brothers...I like also much Turgon in Gondolin or Finrod.

[ecthelion]

I like all the guys who did the cool Hitech stuff
Aule for the valar
Feanor for the elves, without him there would be no story at all
And Bill for the horses

[The Telcontarion]

Let me just say that I am new here, but this is were I have always belonged. I love this site and thank you guys for being apart of it.

Valar: Tulkas - because he is a bad ass, and if it where not for Manwe he would have gone off and killed Morgoth long since. Mandos is a close second; his word is doom!!!!!

Maia: I can't believe no one said Olorin yet - commonly known as Gandalf - he was mentioned in the Sil. Though most of his deeds we know of was in the war of the ring, There where far greater battles that took place even before the fathers of the elves awoke, I am sure he was a great warrior then, especially in his true form and power; in the Sil he was said to be the wisest of the Maia, remember!!!

Elves: Feanor the spirit of fire. Close second, his heir in the second age and true king of all the eldar at that time - yes even above Gil-galad - being the eldest suvivor of the house of Finwe, Celebrimbor, maker of the rings of power; mightiest works of the eldar save the silmarili only.

Men: Earindil; for though he was accounted among the elves, his heart was with his fathers people and if it were not for his wife Elwing, so he would have chosen. That makes him a man in my book, if only in heart.

Dwarves: I did not like many Dwarves in the Sil, they all seemed so mean spirited. I will go with Durin the deathless though he was mentioned ever so breefly in the Sil.

[jammi567]

just to correct you slightly, you can't kill a valar or a maia.

[Qel Vandeth]

Well, Ents weren't really mentioned in the Sil much... although most of them (like Treebeard) would definately have already existed in the first age

[Elemmírë]

Valar: Nienna. My favourite used to be Ulmo, but Nienna, as someone who turns sorrow into wisdom, has really begun to fascinate me. In a story so tragic, her role seems incredibly important, and yet she's often overlooked.

Maiar: Melian, probably. Sauron is interesting too.

Elf: Oh dear. Maedhros, though I really don't understand why I don't prefer Maglor. I need to get ready for class and don't have the time to fangirl them, so I'll edit and explain later.

My other favourite Elves are Finrod, Luthien, Daeron, and Fingon.

Men: Tuor. And Nienor.

Dwarfs: Azaghal

[Halbarad of the Dunedain]

Well if I can use nemes out side of The Silmarillion I would choose

Valar: Aule the Smith!

Maia: Eonwe herald of Manwe

Elves: The sons of Elrond... i forget their names exactlly, Elrohir and Ellodan.... something like that?

Dwaves: Durin the Deathless

Men: Halbarad of the Dunedain

Hobbits: Meriadoc Brandybuck

Orc/Uruk: Orc Warrior #5 in the battle of the Galadden Fields, hah!

i'll post something more comprehensive when i have more time...

[jammi567]

valar = morgoth
maia = sauron
elf(s) = feanor + luthien
men = beren
dwaves = those who killed thingol!

[Elemmírë]

Valar: Nienna. I think she's often overlooked, where in a world to which suffering is so integral, her importance really is paramount. The concept of turning grief to wisdom is just so beautiful, I can't help but love her.

Maiar: Melian or Sauron. Melian interests me, but I can't understand her love for Thingol. :P My hatred of him is something that likely will never change. Sauron... the mixture of obvious evil and the sparks of goodness (if you can call his steadfast loyalty to Melkor that) is really fascinating. His fall I really think is more interesting than Melkor's.

Elf: Maedhros and Maglor. I like those two almost equally, though I've always been a bit more obsessive in my love for Maedhros (it must be the name Russandol ). I can't blame any of them for that damn Oath, considering the circumstances and what they all must have felt (terror, shock, betrayal, grief, and their obvious love for Fëanor), but I really respect those two for holding up so well under it for so long. I could write a lot more but I won't...

Men: Tuor! The way he's written in Unfinished Tales is gorgeous, I simply have to love him. Especially considering the almost haphazard way he seemed to accept his destiny.

Dwarfs: Azaghal. Probably because of that little line somewhere that mentions Maedhros having saved him at one point...

[Leviathan]

Valar- Orome, he spends his time hunting evil, always working against the evils of Morgoth, all creatures of darkness fear him. He gave Haun to Celegorm, and that dog was awesome, the first to disembody Sauron, long before his "death" at the fall of Numenor or at the Seige of Barad Dur. Orome lead the Wild Hunt, like the Germanic God Woden, I would go as far as to say he domesticated the horse and dog, being he was the first to have them.
Maiar- Osse, like a wicked force of nature, he is feared and respected, and as the Leviathan of Ekkaia he is my master.
Elf- Beleg, he was the lyalist friend to Turin and a valiant warrior, facing danger strong and proud. I still dont know how a band of scrappy men managed to tie him up. Maybe he thought better of picking a fight know that when Turin returned things would be set in order.
Men- Turin, no man ever faced such hardship yet achieved so much as the slaying of Glaudrung, the first and most formadible of dragons. It is written that in the end Turin himself will step forth to battle Morgoth.
Dwarf- Azaghal, even though he didn't defeat the dragon he drove the young Glaudrung back.

[Valtir]

Valar -- Aule. Dude could work a forge. But more importanly, he's "Melkor gone good", making the right choices where Melkor always chose wrong.

Maiar - Olorin that was. Agitator, pipe smoker, fireworks technician.

Elf - Finrod Felagund. Discoverer of mankind, friend of dwarfs, honorable to the last.

Men - Hurin. Brave enough to mock Morgoth to his face, and I'm not aware of any other than Feanor who did that. Though, that has some consequences....

Dwarf - Meh. Not a Dwarf that I know of, but I bore easily of the gold, ore, caves and bearded ladies.

[NelyafinweMaitimo]

Valar: Namo. He had so much impact as a character in The Silmarillion, but is little noticed. Though Maglor might have found his curses a little unpleasant.

Maiar: Melian. If she told Thingol once, she told him a thousand times, just give them the Silmarils. But nooo...

Elf: Nerdanel. My hat is off to any female who could endure for so long in a house full of males. Particularly THAT house full of males. Remember the havoc the Sons of Feanor caused in Middle-earth, living in separate kingdoms? Put them into one house, add Feanor into the mix, and buy some good soap for the wash to get rid of blood-stains.

Man: Haleth. Very sexy lady. Aragorn wished he was as tough as her.

Dwarf: Narvi. Not much told of him, but he was crafty enough to work as a partner to Celebrimbor.

[carlrodd]

valar: melkor. i am constantly intrigued by his transformation. he played such a huge role in creating so much of what most love about middle earth. my favorite part of middle earth is the misty mountains, which i believe melkor threw up to stop orome and his host from riding. he starts out as like a brilliant, jealous, spiteful artist, and descends to the most utter evil. but in between there are all of these interesting grey areas. for instance, it was quite some time before he ever took a life. his agitation prior to killing the trees and finwe was almost creative in a sense...in the sense that any of his destructiveness almost kind of enhanced the wonder and variety of arda.

maiar: the balrog of moria. so little was known about him. first perception of him is usually very beastial...like unintelligent, indiscriminate, demonic wrath. but he was a maiar. he also was lord of moria. he was presumably supremely intelligent and cunning, in addition to being unbelievably fearsome.

elves: feanor; because of two statements about him....that miriel put so much of her spirit into feanor that she had to pass to the halls of mandos, and also that when feanor was killed, his spirit was so strong that his body was consumed with fire. i would loved to have heard his speech in front of the noldor when he convinced the better part of them to forsake valinor and chase melkor.

men: elros tar-minyatar. half-elven of course, but counted among men. the first king of men. imagine life in numenor under his rule.

dwarves: durin the deathless. not featured prominently of course, but i guess i am intrigued by his power as not only the firstborn and most powerful of dwarves, but in reality, the first born of all that were counted as children of iluvatar. i would love to know how old he lived to be exactly. i love that though khazadum was likely the greatest of any dwarven settlement, it is but a whisper to those living in beleriand throughout the first age.