And Cloudy One, I used Day’s A-Z of Tolkien as opposed to all his various compendiums and bestiaries. I know his scholarly weaknesses, but his encyclopedia does lend the necessary weight to most of the dwarves, dragons, ents, eagles, horses, and orcs on this list, so that's why I used it. Gwaihir, Landroval, Felarof, Shadowfax, Draugluin, Gloin, Azaghâl, Ghân-buri-Ghân, Elwing, Celebrían, Azog, Bolg, and Thuringwëthil all owe Day most for their points. And, the clincher, Khamul owes 71% of his score to Day, coming in a respectable #159; without Day he would be #428. This isn’t a scholarly project, but one of fun!
#’s 90-81:
#90 [109pts] Gwindor Lord of Nargothrond (?-1A 495: ?yrs)
Credited with beginning the Nírnaeth Arnoediad by charging the Enemy upon the sight of his brother Gelmir's mangled corpse, Gwindor is said to have made Morgoth tremble as he approached. He is captured and brought to Angband, but escapes after 14 years, and later frees Túrin, bringing him to Nargothrond. There his counsels against Túrin's policy of open warfare upon Morgoth's forces are ignored, and he is slain in the Battle of Tumhalad. He loved Finduilas.
#89 [112pts] Beorn (3A c.2910-c.2990?: c.80yrs?):
The skin-changer, or were-bear, originating from some unknown magical source, played an integral part in the journey of Thorin’s company, both as one of Tolkien’s archetypal quest guardians between Rivendell and Mirkwood, and in the victory of the Battle of 5 Armies. Tolkien made it clear that he belonged to the race of Men, and his lifespan was that of an ordinary Man, but he had a unique power, and used it to good ends. He also, along with Beren, is the representative vegetarian in Tolkien’s world.
#88 [112pts] Gothmog Lord of Balrogs (?-1A 510: c.48,400yrs?):
Foremost of the Maiar corrupted by Melkor to become Balrogs, Gothmog was Captain of the hosts of Morgoth. He slew Fëanor after the 2nd Battle of Beleriand, and helped slay Fingon and capture Húrin in the Nírnaeth Arnoediad. He also led the victorious assault upon Gondolin, in which he slew, but was also slain by, Ecthelion of the Fountain. In as much as the Ainur may be said to have familial connections, Gothmog or Kosomot, was at one time considered as the son of Melkor.
#87 [114pts] Thranduil 2nd King of the Woodland Realm (c.1A 500?- ?: c.6700yrs?):
Thranduil’s accomplishments cut across all Tolkien’s writings. His golden hair and fathering Legolas may help place his birth. Thranduil’s father Oropher, surviving Doriath, established the Woodland Realm in the 2nd Age. That Thranduil was born at Sirion’s Havens, where the survivors of Doriath and Gondolin, including the original Legolas and other golden-haired Noldor (ie. Glorfindel who perished along the way) abided for 2 decades, is probable. He reigned from the end of the 2nd Age into the 4th Age; captured Thorin’s company; led an Army in the subsequent Battle; received the Arkenstone briefly from Bilbo; and helped rebuild Minas Tirith after the War of the Ring.
#86 [114pts] Huan Hound of Valinor (c.YT 500?-1A 468: c.13,500yrs?):
Born in Valinor, Huan was given to Celegorm by Oromë, and accompanied the Noldor to Middle-earth. The Valar gave him the ability to speak 3 times, but he was prophesied to die by the greatest wolf. Huan became involved in Beren’s quest by rescuing Lúthien from Celegorm, speaking for the 1st time. He defeated Wolf-Sauron, before returning to Celegorm. Once again Huan turned against his master, speaking for the 2nd time telling Beren and Lúthien his plan to enter Angband, bringing them corpses of Draugluin and Thuringwëthil they used for disguise. Huan joined Beren who won the Silmaril but lost his hand to the wolf Carcharoth. They managed to kill Carcharoth, but Huan, mortally wounded, spoke for the 3rd time, wishing Beren and Lúthien farewell.
#85 [116pts] Goldberry (?yrs)
Wife of Tom Bombadil, and daughter of the River-woman, a large part of the literature placing Goldberry at this position is due to speculation about her existence. She is as enigmatic as Tom; best guesses see her as some form of eternal river-spirit. Tolkien himself explains her as symbolically representing the seasonal changes in real river-lands in autumn. Her importance to Arda thus remains equally enigmatic, but considering Tom will appear much nearer to #1, this is surely an apt place for her to appear.
#84 [118pts] Elros Tar-Minyatur 1st King of Númenor (1A 532-2A 442: 500yrs):
Born at Sirion’s Havens to Eärendil and Elwing, Elros was given the choice of Lúthien - to be Elf or Man – but unlike twin brother Elrond, he chose the latter. Captured by the sons of Fëanor for Elwing's refusal to relinquish a Silmaril, Maedhros and Maglor later repented, taking care of them. But attempting to regain the Silmarils, they left the twins near a forest waterfall where they were found, thus Elros was named "Elf of the Spray". The Valar raised an island for Elros and the Edain to dwell in, and guided by the Star of Eärendil they came to Númenor and were granted long life-spans. As Tar-Minyatur Elros became the 1st King of Númenor, the convention by which succeeding kings took their royal title. He ruled for 410 years, had 4 children, and died at age 500.
#83 [122pts] Caranthir the Dark 4th son of Fëanor (c.YT 1220-1A 506: c.3200yrs):
Named Morifinwë ‘Dark Finwë’ or Carnistir ‘Red Face’, Caranthir was the quickest to anger of Fëanor’s sons, had little love for his cousins, and in the Mithrim Noldor council after the abdication to Fingolfin he spoke out harshly but was rebuked by Maedhros. He rescued the Haladin as they were besieged by Orcs, and offered them lands, but Haleth refused him. The Folk of Ulfang swore fealty to him, settling in Thargelion, but Uldor betrayed the Noldor in the 5th Battle. Caranthir's realm in Thargelion controlled Dwarven traffic, and gained great wealth, though there was little warmth between them. Caranthir may have attacked and destroyed the Dwarves of Nogrod after their sack of Doriath. But he perished during the 2nd Kinslaying, trying to reclaim the Silmaril from Dior.
#82 [125pts] Eöl Mornedhel the Dark Elf (?-1A 400: ?yrs):
Eöl was one of the few Avari in Beleriand, learning his forging skills from dwarves, earning his appointment by Thingol. When Melian enclosed Doriath, Eöl moved to Nan Elmoth, where all traffic between elves and dwarves passed though. There he devised galvorn, a strong and malleable black metal which he fashioned into armour, and also forged 2 black magic swords made from meteorite metal: Anglachel was eventually used by Túrin to slay Glaurung; and Anguirel was stolen by his imprisoned wife Aredhel sister of Turgon when she and their son Maeglin left secretly for Gondolin due to Eöl resenting the Noldor, whose swordcraft he surpassed. He pursued them to Gondolin but was captured and brought before Turgon. He chose death instead of acknowledging Turgon’s authority, calling a curse upon Maeglin, eventually coming true.
#81 [127pts] Beleg Cúthalion chief marchwarden of Doriath (?-1A 489: ?yrs):
Beleg Strongbow, named for his skill as an archer, whose bow could only be drawn by him, was also master of axe, sword and spear, and had magical skills with weapons. He was also a master of healing; was unequalled in hunting skills; followed no man, and could not be restrained. He led Orc battles in Brethil, Dimbar, and the North March; was a member of the hunting party for Carcharoth; and fought in the Nírnaeth Arnoediad. He is granted the sword Anglachel, becomes the mentor and friend of Túrin, and follows him into exile. When Túrin is captured, Beleg is grievously wounded but recovers swiftly and tracks the Orcs; meeting Gwindor, they rescue Túrin, as Beleg slays wolves in the dark. Removing Túrin's bonds Beleg accidentally cuts Túrin, who awakens enraged and mistakenly kills him. Grieving, Túrin then takes Anglachel.
Next #80-71...
(Of course you'll argue that Lúthien was half-Maia, and therefore doesn't count.)
I'm not worthy. I'm so not worthy. You people amaze me!!
