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In J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy universe, Middle-earth, the Valar
are the "gods" who live on the Western continent of Aman.
Warning: Plot details
follow.
The Valar were the fourteen powerful spirits of the race of the Ainur who entered
Arda after its creation to give order to the world and combat the evils of Melkor. They dwelt originally on the Isle of Almaren, but after its destruction they moved to Aman and founded Valinor.
Lords of the Valar
Queens of the Valar (Valier)
(These are the names of the Valar as they were known to the Eldar. In Middle-earth,
they were known by other names of Sindarin origin; for example they called Varda
Elbereth. Men
knew them by many other names.)
Melkor was at one time numbered among the Valar, but he was forced out of their number.
The Valar were the greatest of the Ainur who witnessed the Vision of Ilúvatar
and so came to create Arda. Melkor came to Arda to claim it for his own.
Manwë and Melkor fought, and Manwë called other spirits to help him in his battle. Among these were the other Valar and the
Maiar. Melkor withdrew from the battle, and the others continued their creation of the
World. But Melkor saw this, and returned to fight for control of Arda.
The Valar have no fixed shape, but often take the shapes of Men and Elves, or they can remain invisible. Melkor however lost
the ability to change shape before his fall, as did later his servant Sauron.
See also: Valaquenta
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