Tolkien geography

J.R.R. Tolkien Forum

Okay, now it's time to tackle the locations. I may need help from the experts (Shadow, fuscia, Tiger, Harley)

Middle Earth is the continent or possibly continents where The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, and parts of The Silmarillion take place.
AAccording to Tolkien Middle Earth is where the mortal beings live.

Arda-The Earth

Aman-The Undying Lands, this is the continent where Valinor is located.

Valinor-land of the Valar after the destruction of Almaren by Melkor. Only Elves can reach Valinor by taking a special route. Mortals cannot find Valinor, but just sail around the Earth. It is hidden from them.

Beleriand-The part of Middle-earth where most of The Silmarillion takes place. The only part of Beleriand that survived in the time of LOTR is Lindon. Lindon is the area just west of Eriador, where The Shire and The Grey Havens are.

This is from the Silmarillion index:

The name was said to have signified 'the country of Balar', and to have been given at first to the lands about the mouths of Sirion that faced the Isle of Balar. Later the name spread to include all the ancient coast of the Northwest of Middle-earth south of the Firth of Drengist, and all the inner lands south of Hithlum and eastwards to the feet of the Blue Mountains, divided by the river Sirion into East and West Beleriand. Beleriand was broken in the turmoils at the end of the First Age, and invaded by the sea, so that only Ossiriand (Lindon) remained.

Great thread Heather.

Greenwood the Great was the name of the forrest before it became Mirkwood. After Sauron's downfall, it was re-named Wood of Greenleaves or in elvish Eryn Lasgalen. Tharanduil and Celeborn chose the name.

Does anyone know what part of Middle-earth Almaren is located?

Almaren? never heard of it. what is it?

Techinally there is a bit of land near the Forochel that was part of Beleriand and that survived.

I have no idea about Almaren I have never heard of it. Sounds like something from Numenor

Helcaraxe: the Frozen pass between Valinor and Beleriand. The elves that came under Fingolfins banner came over Helcaraxe as did Morgoth and Ungoliant. It led, if memory serves, from the mountains of the Valar to Ered Lomin.

Belegost and Nogrod: Dwarven realms of the first age of the sun, both sank beneath the waves when Beleriand was destroyed. They were in what is now named Lune, where the grey havens are.

Dale: a northern town of men situated between Esgaroth upon long-lake and Erebor the lonely mountain. It was sacked when Smaug came and remained burnt for, I think it was, a hundred years. Bard the Bowman became king of Dale when he killed Smaug and began rebuilding it. His son, Bain, and grandson, Brand built the town up to a great city where the streets were pathed in gold. (And here's the part I love) In long-lake you could still see the bones and jeweled hide of Smaug the Golden

Almaren was the ancient home of the Valar. It was an island in The Great Lake. However, I cannot find it on any maps of Middle-earth.

theres a reason for that. the whole of Arda was changed with the breaking of the lamps. all of Arda was one big land mass, with a lake in the middle. in that lake was Almaren. to the uttermost north of the land was the fastness of Melkor, Utumno in the Iron Mountains.

Okay, that explains that!

Erebor: Mountain home of Durins folk. It over-shadows Dale and stood all alone. In the third age of the sun it was take by Smaug and a lot of the dwarves were killed and Dale was burnt. About a hundred (I think it was) years later Thorin and Company came back with the hobbit called Bilbo Baggins. Bilbo went into the mountain and stole a cup and the Arkenstone from the dragons hoard. Smaug became enraged and left the mountain. He tried to kill the dwarves but they escaped into the mountain. Believing Blibo to be a Lake-man Smaug came to Esgaroth upon Long-lake and burnt it to ruin, but in his rage he was smote by a single black arrow fired by the hand of Bard the Bowman of the line of Girion. In that moment Thorin became lord of the mountain again, however his troubles were not yet over. The elves of Mirkwood and the men of Lake-town believed that they should have a share of the treasure, however Thorin refused to let them have any and sent a message by a crow to his cousin Dain in the Iron Hills. And so came the battle of Five armies. After all was said and done Dain became King under the Mountain and Thorin was laid to rest at the heart of the mountain with his sword Orcrist and Bard laid the arkenstone upon his chest. In the year that led to the war of the ring Erebor became a mighty kingdom again and Dain rule unchallenged in his hall. Dale was rebuilt and made into a mighty city. when the battle of Dale came King Brand of dale (Bards grandson) was killed at the gates of Erebor and the great Dain Ironfoot fell after fighting bravely to the last. It was a wonder that he could lift an axe at the age he was. After that the realm of Erebor came under the rule of Thorin Stonehelm and Dale came to Bard the second. Under the rule of Thorin Stonehelm Erebor pprospered and became perhaps the greatest of Dwarven realms at the time, second only to Aglarond and Gimli Elf-friend.

I got a bit carried away.

Excellent post,Tiger!

Thanks but it is a bit too much to read at once, I just tried and my eyes went cross-eyed

Nargothrond: Realm of Finrod Felagund in Beleriand. The mountain city was found first by the Petty Dwarves of Mim's family who dwelt there and in many other elven halls before the elves came and they were hunted like animals. The mightest and wealthiest of realms of Noldor in Finrod reign. After Finrod left it became a secretive city and hunted in stealth. when Turin came a mighty bridge was build over the river that ran before the mountain.

The Shire is the primary country of the Hobbits. It is located in Eriador, which is the northwestern part of Middle Earth. It is mostly an agricultural land untouched, for the most part, by evil. It is divided into 4 farthings: north, east, south, and west. The main town of the Shire is Michel Delving. The Shire is about 40 leagues from east to west, and it is about 50 leagues from north to south. (A league=3 miles) It's actually a large piece of land. Some Rings fans mistake The Shire of simply consisting a few towns, such as Hobbiton and Buckland. The Shire was settled in 1601 of the Third Age.

The Shire and Bree is basically the extent of my knowledge in geography!!

Moria/Khazad-dum: Realm of Dwarves in Misty Mountains. Was the home of Durin the Deathless and the dwarves of Durins line until Durin the sixth. During the time that Sauron saught to conqur the world of middle earth the Dwarves of Khazad-dum closed their door to all and year renamed Moria by those outside ths mines. In the Sixth Durins reign the dwarves dug too deep into the mountain and released the Balrog known as Durin's Bane (and Squishy on this site I believe.) In the years that Durin's Bane ruled Moria, Orcs invaded and dwelt there. After the fellowship passed through Moria, Durin's Bane fought with Gandalf on Zirakzigil where the wizard smote the Balrog's into ruin upon the mountain. In the years that went by after Sauron's fall Orcs still dwelt in moria until Durin the seventh, Decendant of Thorin Stonehelm, led Durin's folk back to their home in the Misty Mountains. And so the dwarves of Durin's line dwelt until their line failed and all the dwarves passed into death.

Eregion: One of the early elf-realms of Middle-earth after Beleriand was destroyed. It was ruled by Celebrimbor son of Celegorm (or Curufin, I can never remember who's son he was), and maker of the ring's of power. It rested in the shadow of the misty mountains and was over-looked by the doors of Durin. The realm was where all the rings of power were created except the one ring. Celebrimbor created the three Elven rings on his own. Once Sauron descovered that Celebrimbor had given the three rings to the wize, but Sauron did not know who had the rings, he killed Celebrimbor and all living in Eregion, destroying the realm in the process.

Expand your mind Pip! Don't be afraid of a little adventure. You are a Took after all!

Reading al this had certainly expanded my mind!

Don't stop Tiger! I am amazed you know all this stuff, but its certainly expanding my knowledge on Tolkien geography!

Sorry, haven't I post in a while? Writing Stories and Poetry can pass the time quickly. Right:

Doriath: Realm of Elves in central Beleriand. In it still remained the glory of the elder days. It was made up of mostly trees but for a mountain where Menegroth (Thousand Caves I think, corect me if I am wrong) was found. It was made up of three forests, Neldoreth, Region and Brethil (where humans lived in the service of Nargothrond but protecting Doriath). It was in Doriath that the hunt for the wolf of Morgoth took place. Doriath was protected by Melian the Maiar and a force-field that could only be broken by one of more power than Melian, it was broken by Beren son of Barahir when he first set eyes on Luthien Tinuviel. The inhabitants of Doriath did not take part in Nirneath Arnodiad save for Beleg Cuthalion and Mablung because they refused not to have a part in such a battle and marches under Nargothronds banners. Doriath was not destroyed by Orc, Troll, Dragon or Balrog but by Dwrave and elf. Elu Thingol, King of Doriath held a Silmaril due to Beren and Luthien sacrifices. The sons of Feanor demanded the jewel from him but he refused to relinquish it. Celegorm and Curufin then swore that if they should return victorious from Nirmeath Arnodiad they would destrot Doriath and take the jewel from Thingols dead hand. However they failed to be victorious in Nirneath Arnodiad. By some way or other Nauglamir, the necklace made by the dwarves for Finrod Felagund, fell into Thingols hands and he wished to have the Silmaril embedded into it. Dwarves did this but they fell under the Silmarils power and slew Thingol after their work was done. They took nauglamir for their own but were destroyed by Ents before leaving Doriath. When Luthien Tinuviel and Beren parted Beleriand and died the silamril that was in Nauglamir and had gone to Luthien was returned to Doriath and Dior who was Beren and Luthien's son and King of Doriath. He was slain by the sons of Feanor and the silmaril was taken from him. And so came the ruin of Doriath.

Mordor-"The Land of Shadow", "The Black Land", "The Nameless Land". Mordor was the land that Sauron chose to be the heart of his realm. The chief reasons being it was the location of Orodruin (Mount Doom) and it was essentially completely shielded from any attack that could be made on it because of the Ered Lithui and Ephel Duath that fenced it. There were only 2 known passes in these mountain ranges, That of Cirith Gorgor (The Haunted Pass), which was protected by the Morannon (Black Gate) and Cirith Ungol, which was protected by 3 things: secrecy, Minas Morgul, and the Tower of Cirith Ungol.
Inside the Ephel Duath was another mountain range, the Morgai. after the Seige of Barad-Dur and Sauron's first defeat, Gondor built watch towers all along the Ephel Duath. Cirith Ungol, The Towers of the Teeth, and Durthang were all towers that were used by Sauron as Orc holds, or fortresses. Inside the Land of Mordor were the plateau of Gorgoroth, and the Lithlad (Ash plain). It was on the Lithlad that Sauron was able to grow food for his innumerable troops. Two imposing features existed on the the Plateau of Gorgoroth: Mount Doom and Barad-Dur. Mount Doom was the heart of Sauron's realm, and his power was greatest there. Barad-Dur was located just to the east of Sauron's volcanic furnace, and appeared to be constantly wreathed in shadow. the only 2 glimpses we get of Sauron's strong hold are these: "Then at last his gaze was held: wall upon wall, battlement upon battlement, black, immeasurably strong, mountain of iron, gate of steel, tower of adamant, he saw it: Barad-Dur, Fortress of Sauron." (FOTR p417) and "A brief vision he had of swirling cloud, and in the midst of towers and batlments, tall as hills, founded upon a mighty mountain throne above immeasurable pits; great courts and dungeons, eyeless prisons sheer as cliffs, and gaping gates of steel and adamant: and then all passed." (ROTK p224). as you can see, Barad-Dur was impressively terrible sight for those that saw it. With the destruction of the One Ring, Barad-Dur was finally destroyed, and Mount Doom essentially oblitarated itself. The land of Mordor was given to the repenant slaves of Sauron, and his defeated allies.

whoops...forgot about ol' shelob!

Correct me if I am wrong about this, but I have recently read part of the Unfinshed Tales of Tolkien and about the creation of Lothlorien, so bare with me.

Cuiviénen: The waters of awakening. Situated east of the Misty Mountains where now is found the Carrock. Where the elves first appered before coming into the west. In the days of the wars of Beleriand the elves that remained there lived without a king or queen but free and unjudged. When Galadriel and Celeborn came into Lothlorien elves started to leave their early home and settle in Lorien, which was then ruled by Amroth

yeah tiger that sounds about right. i've briefly skimmed through that part of the book.

Thanks Shadow, I though it might be wrong, might still be, but it sounded right.

The High Pass: Origonally a pass in the Misty Mountains used by Dwarves travelling from Erebor,Ered Mithrin or the Iron hills to Ered Luin of the westward dwarven realms. It was also used frequently by men and elves. However sometime in the third age of the sun the high pass was infested by Orcs who were ruled by the Great Goblin. When Thorin and company passed through the high pass the Great Goblin was killed by Gandalf and the orcs vacated the high pass. The same orcs took part in the battle of five armies and were destroyed by Beorn.

Esgaroth upon Long-Lake: A town of men situated on Long-lake by the river running near Mirkwood and Erebor. It was built by survivers of Dale after Smaug the golden came. It had no king nor ruler but a master who was elected every few years. It survived as it was built until some time in the Third age of the sun when Smaug came before it and raised it to ruin until he himself was killed by Bard the Bowman heir of Girion of Dale. Afterwards it was rebuilt and was kept under the watch of Dale and Bard the Bowman king of Dale. Long they prospered in friendship until the battle of Dale when orcs came and drove the inhabitants out and back to Erebor. After the battle of Dale it was rebuilt again and lasted throughout the fourth age of the sun.

Imaldris/Rivendell: Realm of Elrond situated by the Misty Mountains. It was built after Elronds failed attempt to save Eregion from Sauron and stood for all of the Third Age of the sun aswell as the fourth age.

Right my mind has gone blank on places left to do so if someone gives me a place I can continue.

What about Minas Morgul? Don't think you've done that yet

Right Minas Morgul: Originally Minas Ithil and was built by the Numenorians. after the last alliance the fortresses that were built around Mordor were abandoned and so The witch king returned. It was at Minas Morgul that the last king of Gondor before Aragorn Elessar was killed. Minas Morgul stood opposite Minas Tirith and on one side of Osgilliath. It was built upon by the Orcs over the years that it was in the Witch-kings power and was given the shape that it had during the War of the Ring.

Finally I know something about Minas Morgul...I always was interested in hearing about it, probably my favorite evil place

Your welcome, any other places you want to know about?

What about the Dead Marshes? I don't know much a whole lot about that place

Ok then the dead Marshes it is: The dead Marshes a situated outside Mordor and by Dagorlad. Long ago the last alliance of Elves and men made their way across them to get to Mordor as they were small at that time. The same goes for when the Wain riders invaded Gondor 9check with shadowstalker or the encylopidia of Arda to be certain). the dead bodies in that are those that remained in the marshes after these battles were fought. (I dont know if they were buried or not)

The Grey Mountains/Ered Mithrin: the mountains that, with the Misty Mountains, the Anduin flow from. It was once a great home of Durins folk before the coming of the dragons and even Thror, the grandfather of Thorin, dwelt there for a time. When Erebor was first founded it was deserted by Durins folk in favor of the Grey Mountains and the Iron Hill. They left Erebor and took with them the Famed Arkenstone. However once the Dragons came into Ered Mithrin Durins folk were forced back to W=Erebor where we all know the story of Smaug the Golden and the Dwarves of the Lonely Mountain.

Lothlorien: one of the earliest of the Elven realms created after the destruction of Beleriand. Galadriel and Celeborn dwelt for a time in Eregion where Celebrimbor ruled. All Elves that dwet there had a friendship with the Dwarves of Khazad-dum except Celeborn. After the forging of the rings and Saurons betrail of these elves, Galadriel led a group of elves through Khazad-dum and into the forests in the east. There she formed Lothlorien with Amroth (who is also rumoured to be Galadriels relative of some kind). Elves from Cuiviénen came to dwell with them. When Sauron attacked Eregion Lothlorien tried to com to their aid by travelling through Kazad-dum. However they could not do so and were force into the moutain and to close the door. From then on Lothlorien was ruled by Amroth, who was its king until he fell in love with Nimrodel andleft, leaving Galadriel and Celeborn in charge.

Lothlorien: one of the earliest of the Elven realms created after the destruction of Beleriand. Galadriel and Celeborn dwelt for a time in Eregion where Celebrimbor ruled. All Elves that dwet there had a friendship with the Dwarves of Khazad-dum except Celeborn. After the forging of the rings and Saurons betrail of these elves, Galadriel led a group of elves through Khazad-dum and into the forests in the east. There she formed Lothlorien with Amroth (who is also rumoured to be Galadriels relative of some kind). Elves from Cuiviénen came to dwell with them. When Sauron attacked Eregion Lothlorien tried to com to their aid by travelling through Kazad-dum. However they could not do so and were force into the moutain and to close the door. From then on Lothlorien was ruled by Amroth, who was its king until he fell in love with Nimrodel and left, leaving Galadriel and Celeborn in charge.

If there is any place not mentioned so far that anyone would like to know about just give me the name and I'll post what I know.