References by Title

Makar and Meássë by Silver Trails

Heavily inspired by Norse mythology, Makar and Meássë were briefly Valar early in the legendarium.

Published on 1 December 2013 .

Mapping Arda, Part I: Terraforming by Anérea

A series of articles featuring fan-made maps of all the lands of Arda. Part I looks at diagrams of the shape of Arda as well as maps of the earliest years and the lands of Aman.

Published on 20 June 2023 .

Mapping Arda, Part II: Travels through Beleriand by Anérea, Dawn Felagund

A series of articles featuring fan-made maps of all the lands of Arda. Part II explores various aspects of Beleriand.

Published on 1 December 2023 .

Mapping Arda, Part III: The Second Age by Anérea, Varda delle Stelle

A series of articles featuring fan-made maps of all the lands of Arda. Part III explores the island of Númenor and mainland Middle-earth during the Second Age.

Published on 20 November 2024 .

Marhwini by Secondborn

The first lord of the Éothéod, Marhwini helped establish diplomatic ties with Gondor, and his story serves to comment on the inherent value of service toward a friend, no matter the immediate outcome.

Published on 2 July 2025 .

Masculinity in Tolkien by Esteliel

Tolkien is often criticized for his simplistic, knight-in-shining-armor heroes. This essay argues that heroism and masculinity in Tolkien's works are not premised on this, but on love and loyalty.

Published on 19 June 2011 .

Melian by oshun

One of the Maiar, Melian is to credit for the safety and subsequent ascendancy of Doriath under her guardianship. Although often depicted as otherworldly and distant, Melian's role in The Silmarillion is heavily defined by her roles as a mother, mentor, and advocate for various characters.

Table of Contents

Published on 1 August 2020 .

Mîm by oshun

Mîm was one of the Petty-dwarves and a particularly sad footnote in the tale of Túrin.

Published on 1 November 2007 .

Míriel Þerindë by oshun

Míriel Þerindë is one of the most significant women characters in The Silmarillion. Her importance is not limited to marrying Finwë, the first King of the Noldor, and giving birth to the incomparable Fëanor. What makes Míriel memorable among Tolkien's female characters is that she not only managed to determine her fate against the wishes of the powerful man in her life and even the initial preferences of the Valar, but that her choices profoundly affected the destiny of her people throughout the history of Arda.

Published on 1 July 2010 .

Morwen by oshun

The mother of the doomed Túrin, Morwen Eledhwen is the quintessential strong, tragic female character of Tolkien’s history of the Men and Elves of the First Age.

Published on 1 June 2008 .

Nahar by oshun

Nahar, the horse of the Vala Oromë, is one of the extraordinary beasts of The Silmarillion.

Published on 1 February 2016 .

Námo Mandos by Dawn Felagund

Námo Mandos occupies a common role found in world mythology: that of the god of the dead. Shrouded in mystery and beset with moral ambiguity, Námo participates in tales with parallels in other world myths, especially the Greek and the Norse.

Published on 1 February 2009 .

Nellas of Doriath by oshun

A character who appears in The Book of Lost Tales, Nellas has a significant presence in the childhood of Túrin. Her connections to the young son of Húrin encompass those of companion, quasi-nursemaid, and teacher.

Published on 1 June 2014 .

Nerdanel by Dawn Felagund

Nerdanel is a rare character among Tolkien's woman characters, possessing skill and fortitude rather than beauty, yet due to editorial intervention, has been removed almost entirely from the published text. Fans--mostly women--have effected her rescue through transformative works.

Published on 1 August 2018 .

Nerdanel (Seven in '07) by Dawn Felagund

In a brief biography written for the Seven in '07 event, Nerdanel's character is explored beyond the few mentions she receives in the published text.

Published on 10 July 2007 .

Nessa by oshun

Often listed last among the Valier, Nessa is known for her skill in dancing and her connection to deer.

Published on 1 December 2012 .

Nienna by oshun

Nienna, one of the Queens of the Valar, is the goddess of mourning. She serves as a mentor to other key characters.

Published on 1 May 2016 .

Nimloth of Doriath by oshun

We know little to nothing about Nimloth aside from her familial relationships to others: the wife of Dior, and mother of Eluréd, Elurín, and Elwing.

Published on 1 October 2009 .

Nost-na-Lothion by Lindariel

The first edition of our new column explores the Gondolindrim Festival of Flowers, its connections to the Beltane festival, and the foodways of Gondolin and possible recipes for this celebration.

Published on 1 May 2020 .

Not Just the Son of That Guy: Creating Effective Names for Original Characters by darthfingon

So you need an Elvish name for your OC? This article gives tips and strategies for coming up with believable names that sound good.

Published on 1 March 2010 .

Núneth by oshun

Núneth, a Númenórean woman best known as the mother of Erendis, is a complex and realistic character who figures in the tale of Aldarion and Erendis: The Mariner’s Wife.

Published on 1 April 2014 .

Ohtar by oshun

The esquire of Isildur, Ohtar delivered the shards of Narsil to Rivendell and thus becomes a pivotal--if minor--character in the final act of the legendarium.

Published on 1 November 2020 .

Olwë by LadySternchen

About Olwë, the king of the Teleri in Aman, little is known, but a series of difficult events marked his life until he fades from the pages of The Silmarillion in the First Age.

Published on 24 January 2024 .

Ómar-Amillo by Dawn Walls-Thumma

One of the gods of music in the early legendarium, Ómar is called by Christopher Tolkien "a divinity without much substance" and swiftly faded from the story. His brief existence may shed light on Tolkien's evolving sense of how his fictional universe aligns with the historical peoples that inspired him.

Published on 2 September 2023 .

On Oaths by Angelica

Oaths were a part of the history of many cultures across time and feature heavily in the legendarium as well.

Published on 9 September 2022 .