Years of the Lamps

Melkor builds Angband near the western sea as an outwork of Utumno and gives it to Sauron.

PlaceAngband

Living things first flourish in Middle-earth in the light of Illuin and Ormal, before Melkor casts down the Lamps.

TaxonBeasts and Birds

Tulkas arrives from beyond the World and Melkor flees before his laughter.

FigureTulkas

Tulkas arrives from the Timeless Halls to help the Valar against Melkor, who flees before him.

TaxonValar

Melkor draws Maiar of fire into his service; they become the Balrogs.

TaxonBalrogs

Tom is already in the world before the rivers and the trees, and before the Dark Lord comes from Outside.

FigureTom Bombadil

Melkor contests the shaping of Arda until Tulkas drives him out.

FigureMelkor

Melkor draws Sauron, Aulë's servant, and many spirits of fire into his allegiance.

TaxonMaiar

The Maia of Aulë enters Melkor's service.

FigureSauron

Ulmo lays out the oceans and rivers of Arda.

FigureUlmo

Varda scatters the first stars over the darkness of the young World.

FigureVarda

Nahar carries Oromë through the dark lands as he hunts the creatures of Melkor.

FigureNahar

Manwë rules the Valar in their first dwelling; Tulkas comes at their need.

FigureManwë

Aulë makes Illuin and Ormal; the Valar settle on the island where their light mingles.

PlaceAlmaren

Melkor lifts the Ered Engrin as a wall for his stronghold of Utumno.

PlaceEred Engrin

Aulë builds Helcar and Ringil to bear Illuin and Ormal.

FigureAulë

The Valar labour to give the World form while Melkor repeatedly undoes their work, until he is driven out for a time by Tulkas.

TaxonAinur

Salmar makes the horns of white shell on which Ulmo plays.

FigureSalmar

By his own account Bombadil was in Middle-earth before the first acorn and before the Elves came west.

TaxonSpirits and Enigmas

Ossë listens to Melkor's promises until Uinen brings him back to Ulmo.

FigureOssë

At Aulë's request Uinen brings her husband back from Melkor's temptation.

FigureUinen

Yavanna's seeds sprout in the light of the Lamps; the first forests rise.

FigureYavanna

Aulë raises the pillars of the Lamps Illuin and Ormal, and the Valar rest on Almaren; Melkor secretly builds Utumno.

TaxonValar

The Valar dwell on the isle of Almaren beneath the light of the Two Lamps; Melkor returns in secret, builds Utumno and destroys the Lamps.

TaxonAinur

Taniquetil is built as the highest peak of the Pelóri and Manwë sets his throne on its summit.

PlaceTaniquetil

The Valar build the Pelóri along the coast of Aman as a defence against Melkor.

PlacePelóri

The first growth of forests and beasts; Tulkas is wedded to Nessa at the feast on Almaren.

PlaceAlmaren

After Melkor overthrows the Lamps and ruins Almaren, the Valar leave Middle-earth for the western continent and raise the Pelóri.

PlaceAman

Driven from Almaren, the Valar raise the mountains of Aman and establish Valinor.

PlaceValinor

Nessa marries Tulkas and dances before the Valar; Melkor returns in secret during the feast.

FigureNessa

The Valar feast on Almaren; while Tulkas sleeps Melkor returns in secret.

FigureTulkas

Gothmog joins Melkor's service and becomes chief of the Balrogs in Utumno.

FigureGothmog

Melkor destroys the Lamps; Tulkas cannot find him in the ruin.

FigureTulkas

Melkor casts down the Lamps and the shape of Arda is marred; the Valar depart for Aman.

TaxonValar

Melkor comes back in secret while the Valar rest and delves his fortress in the north.

PlaceAlmaren

After the fall of the Lamps Oromë alone of the Valar continues to visit Middle-earth, hunting Melkor's beasts.

FigureOromë

Melkor throws down the Lamps, undoing the labour of Aulë and Yavanna.

FigureAulë

The Valar raise Valmar in the plain of Valinor as their common dwelling.

PlaceValmar

Irmo and Estë make their home in the south of Valinor when the Valar settle Aman.

PlaceGardens of Lórien

Námo and Vairë make their dwelling on the western shore of Valinor when the Valar settle Aman.

PlaceHalls of Mandos

With the fall of the Lamps, growth in Middle-earth falls dormant.

FigureYavanna

Melkor returns, builds Utumno, and destroys the Lamps of the Valar.

FigureMelkor

Melkor returns in secret during the Spring of Arda and builds his fortress in the far north.

PlaceUtumno

Melkor casts down Illuin and Ormal; the Great Lake and Almaren are destroyed and the Valar leave for Aman.

PlaceAlmaren

From Utumno Melkor overthrows Illuin and Ormal and the Valar retreat to Aman.

PlaceUtumno

In the breaking of the world after the Lamps, the northern seas between Aman and Middle-earth are locked in ice.

PlaceHelcaraxë

Melkor raises a second fortress nearer the western sea and gives it to Sauron.

PlaceUtumno