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Elves are the first race to appear in Middle-earth and are immortal beings who do not die of disease or old age. Elves are tall, have fair-skinned, grey-eyed, and often have dark or golden hair depending on the lineage. They are skilled in arts such as smithwork, sculpture, music, and healing, with males and females being equal in stature and abilities. They speak several Elvish languages, primarily Quenya and Sindarin, which Tolkien fully developed himself.
Elves are naturally graceful, skilled horse-riders, and good with bows and swords. They are closely tied to nature and have a deep love for the Blessed Realm of Valinor, where they eventually sail from the Grey Havens when weary of Middle-earth. They do not age physically after reaching maturity, but over time remaining in Middle-earth causes them to "fade," becoming less visible to mortals.
They have a profound cultural and spiritual connection to the light and divine essence of the world, having seen the light of the Two Trees in Valinor.
Elves are divided mainly into three clans: the Vanyar, the Noldor, and the Teleri. Those who accepted the summons to Valinor are called the Eldar or High Elves, while those who refused or did not complete the journey are called Avari or Dark Elves. Elves marry once for love, living monogamous lives, and have long intervals between children.
Vanyar
The Vanyar, known as the "Fair Elves." They are distinguished by their golden hair and exceptional beauty. They were the first to accept the summons of the Valar and complete the Great Journey to Aman, the Undying Lands. The Vanyar settled near Taniquetil, the home of the Valar, and had a close relationship with these divine entities, living in the radiance of Valinor and worshipping the light of the Two Trees.
The Vanyar were peaceful and preferred a life devoted to poetry, song, and spiritual enlightenment rather than material pursuits or craftsmanship. However, they were also skilled warriors, especially with spears. They played a significant role in the War of Wrath, fighting alongside the hosts of the Valar.
Their high king was Ingwë, regarded as the highest lord of all Elves, and the Vanyar were extremely loyal to him and the Valar. Their culture was marked by wisdom, loyalty, dignity, and a lack of worldly drama, setting them apart from the more tumultuous Noldor. They remained mostly in Valinor, unlike other Elven clans who returned to Middle-earth. The Vanyar are considered the most exalted and "holy" of the Elvish kindreds.
Noldor
The Noldor, known as the "Deep Elves" are distinguished by their great talents in intellectual pursuits, craftsmanship, and physical strength. The Noldor were the second group of Elves to awaken and were known for their deep knowledge, skills in metalwork, jeweling, and warfare, making them the greatest warriors among the Elves.
The Noldor are notable for their dark hair, often very dark brown or black, and their grey or dark eyes, which reflect the inner light of Valinor. They are proud, ambitious, and skilled creators; these qualities, however, often led to conflicts and suffering, especially under leaders like Fëanor, creator of the Silmarils and a central figure in their history. The Noldor lived first in Valinor but most famously returned to Middle-earth to wage wars against Morgoth during the First Age.
They speak Quenya primarily in Valinor and Sindarin among themselves in Middle-earth. The Noldor are led by kings and high kings and founded great cities such as Gondolin and Nargothrond in Middle-earth.
Though gifted and noble, the Noldor’s history is marked by pride and tragedy, reflecting their ambitious nature and the consequences of their rebellion and exile.
Teleri
The Teleri, known as "Those who come last" because they were the last of the Eldar to begin and complete the Great Journey to Valinor. They are deeply connected to the sea, rivers, and natural beauty of Middle-earth, exhibiting a profound love for the wild and watery places. Their journey was marked by delay and fragmentation, reflecting their hesitation to leave Middle-earth’s natural beauty behind.
The Teleri split into several subgroups during their migration:
The Falmari, or Sea-elves, who reached Aman and settled on the shores of Valinor, becoming skilled shipbuilders and musicians.
The Sindar, or Grey Elves, who remained in Beleriand under the leadership of Elwë, never reaching Valinor.
The Nandor, who turned away from the journey and dwelt in the forests east of the Misty Mountains.
The Sindar are perhaps the most prominent in Middle-earth’s history, known for their grey hair and kings like Thingol. They represent the themes of longing, attachment, and the bittersweet balance between yearning for the Blessed Realm and embracing the present world.
Eldar
The Eldar are the Elves who accepted the summons of the Valar to leave their original home and undertake the Great Journey to the Undying Lands of Valinor. The name "Eldar" means "People of the Stars," a term given to them by the Valar Oromë, reflecting their connection to the celestial light and their ordained destiny.
Not all Elves are Eldar; the ones who refused to begin or complete the journey are called the Avari or Dark Elves. Among the Eldar, those who reached Valinor and saw the light of the Two Trees are called Calaquendi, or "Elves of the Light," distinguishing them from those who remained in Middle-earth.
Avari
The Avari are a group of Elves who refused the summons of the Valar to journey to Valinor, the Undying Lands. Their name means "The Unwilling" in Quenya. They chose to remain in Middle-earth, often due to fear of the long journey, attachment to their homelands, or distrust of the Valar.
The Avari are sometimes called Dark Elves, but this does not mean they were evil. Rather, they remained in darker, more dangerous parts of Middle-earth, isolated and less influenced by the divine light and teachings of the Valar. Because of this, Tolkien hints that some Orcs might have originally been corrupted Elves from the Avari, twisted by Morgoth’s malice.
While much about the Avari remains mysterious, Tolkien suggests they mostly lived secluded lives in deep forests and eastern regions of Middle-earth away from major events of the West.
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