Mandos, Doomsman of the Valar | Tolkien Explained

[@NerdoftheRings]

ICYMI - check out my interview with Caleb Grace from Fantasy Flight Games about the Lord of the Rings Card Game! kzbin.infoousTZJVKuCs?feature=share

[@philipstier7309]

Question to the Tokin lore master: It always seemed to me, that the journey into the west is a journey without return. You go there from middle earth, and stay there for ever after. But there is no actual ban to travel between the realms back and forth, or am I missing something? And once there, you cant die, because the land is sacred and deathless, correct? So Gimli and Frodo and later Sam cant die in Valinor, even if they are mortal? Or do they still continue to age and die? I cant find an answere, as mortals in Valinor should originally are not possible.......?

[@williamballard767]

I still cannot believe that one man created an actual HISTORY of a world that never existed. Tolkien is perhaps the best writer of all time and his world will live on forever

[@Smiley5z]

It gets even better when you think about how he only created this world because he created a language first and needed something to go with it

[@seansullivan7928]

The church did too, and other men such as greek and roman mythology, its not as special ad you think

[@williamballard767]

@@seansullivan7928 I would say ‘but his work is fiction’ but..

[@kendehl]

​@Smiley5z when you buy the whole set for the bonus item 😂

[@mrripplefluff]

​@seansullivan7928 while yes, but Tolkien did this almost by himself. The religions of the present and past have had many creative people

[@AnthonyDGreen]

Imagine the first meeting of Glorfindel and Gandalf the White: "What happened to you?" "Died slaying a Balrog, but it's cool because I got resurrected" "Yep, know the feeling"

[@lukamijic4335]

*Gandalf and Glorfindel laugh in immortal*

[@iwantmy2dollars662]

they met long before Gandalf faced the Balrog, but I imagine their first meeting after to be quite humorous

[@jawstrock2215]

@@iwantmy2dollars662 More like Gandalf: "Oh a Balrog, this is my chance!"

[@ricardoguerralozano4143]

Did Mandos also revived Gandalf? Or what's Gandalfs case?

[@jawstrock2215]

@@ricardoguerralozano4143 Gandalf is a Maia, so they never die, not really. I don't think they ever go in the halls of Mandos, they just wander, and most can take humanoid form as they wish.

[@TheEquus92]

One of my favorite Namo/ Mandos moments is when the Valar are pleading to Feanor to give up the Silmarils so they can break them open and extract the light of the trees. When Feanor says he would die of a broken heart and be the first Elf to be killed in Valinor, Mandos calmly responds 'Not the first.' Nobody understands what he meant until soon after the council, when the news breaks that Feanor's father was killed by Melkor and stole the Silmarils.

[@Raz.C]

Yeah, I always chuckle at that part, too.

[@aki-ox5yf]

He can't be the first elf to die in Valinor anyway . Didn't his mother died of being tired of living after giving birth to Feanor?

[@Raz.C]

@aki First one KILLED. She dies from natural causes/ exhaustion with life.

[@aki-ox5yf]

@@Raz.C I wasn't actually replying to your comment. I was replying to the main comment. Feanor said he would 'die' ,I meant that.

[@Raz.C]

@@aki-ox5yf What he said was "[I will be] the first in Arda to be slain." Meaning "killed."

[@Beryllahawk]

I always loved this specific aspect of Tolkein's world; the Elves were always meant to wait in the Halls, and to be re-embodied; and Iluvatar always meant for Men to have a different fate - one not known, but believed by the gods themselves to be more profound and wondrous. It's also just such a strangely comforting idea, to think - they are dead, and yet they wait. It's not some kind of "heaven" but it's also not particularly a torment for most of the souls in his care. (I say most, because I think it's obvious Feanor isn't having a quiet nap whilst waiting, and I doubt Melkor's time was comfortable.) But Mandos isn't about "punishment" overall. He's about inevitability and the cycle put in place by Iluvatar, he's the one marking time in that great Song and reminding everyone now and then just what their place is within the music. And speaking of music it also puts another layer of beauty within the lament of the elves of Lorien when they've heard of Gandalf's fall. Being aware that the Gray Wizard's spirit is likely with Mandos gives a kind of...relief? Maybe closure would be a better word. It's implied later on that elves grieve differently for Men who have died, for they know not whither those souls might go, they don't know for sure if Men linger in the Halls of Mandos. And so, when grieving for other elves, as with grieving for Mithrandir, I feel like there's a faint comfort beneath the sorrow. Unlike Men, they know that they WILL see their loved ones again, even if it might be a very, very long time before that comes to pass. They know, in a way that Men just can't, that someone's waiting for them beyond the dark. I'm sure Tolkein drew inspiration for this from his own experiences with religion, his own philosophies; but it's not something I myself have seen often and it's just very, very comforting to me.

[@TheMarcHicks]

Its said that, in time, even the Valar would end up envying the Gift of Men.

[@Raz.C]

Yeah, men are gathered in the halls of mandos, too. But in halls set apart. And from there they go into the unknown.

[@keithtorgersen9664]

@Sonja Johnson, apparently dwarves must wait in the halls of Mandos, though it also is a mystery what happens to them afterwards.

[@keithtorgersen9664]

In the Hobbit, Thorin says to Bilbo just before he dies, “Farewell, good thief. I go now to the halls of waiting to sit beside my fathers until the world is renewed.”

[@Beryllahawk]

@@keithtorgersen9664 I think he touched on that in the Dwarves video? But a good point to remember yeah, there are a LOT of folks in those halls :)

[@phillipmitchell2254]

So as the Doomsman of the Valar he was clearly the one playing bass during the Ainulindalë

[@matthiascerebri3315]

Money, get back 😂

[@stormchaser2175]

I understood that Bill and Ted reference!

[@orrointhewise87]

Makes me wonder if he had any part to play with the oathbreakers; keeping their souls from resting or maintaining the curse that was put upon them. His power may not b flashy or amazing outright but it is absolute

[@melkhiordarkfell4354]

​@@oleandreasrye4504 This. Also why Elros' heirs had no choice, once you have the gift of Men, you are for Eru.

[@istari0]

@@oleandreasrye4504 Agreed. I think it is Eru that enforces the oaths that get sworn in Middle-Earth.

[@CosmicComicChronicles]

No it is Eru who is absolute.

[@jacobfreeman5444]

Mandos seems to only hold sway over the souls of those whom are not men. Mandos does appeal to Manweh in that one case which seems to imply he lacked the authority to render final judgement on the matter. And since one of the two was already in his care...

[@alexandrasimon7191]

I think not. The word "doom" is a noun, almost synonymous with "fate". But it still reminds us of the verb "to doom", expressing the act of setting an inevitable course for someone. However, The Doom of Mandos uses it as a noun, a descriptive term for a final destination and the inevitable course that leads there. If that course wasn't set in motion by the voluntary actions of the Noldor, the whole concept of free will in the Children would be non-existent. But I still agree that Mandos is arguably the most powerful Vala. He alone has done which has been completely unthinkable: changed the *fate* of a mortal and an immortal, brought one back from death and gave mortality, thus an escape from the bounds of existence, to the other. That's insane.

[@andersonic]

Much as I desire a cinematic adaptation of Beren and Luthien, I can't imagine how anyone would do justice to Luthien's singing that lulls Morgoth and sways Mandos. She can't just open her mouth and have Enya come out. Then again singing that moves the gods is all over human mythology, so maybe someone has found a way to depict it.

[@Lennis01]

Maybe AI can come up with a voice. 😟

[@LOTR22090able]

Or it's silent to the viewer, but we see the presence of the music

[@Thechezbailey]

I'd much prefer Enya to some god awful computer-generated mess, personally.

[@Darkstar-se6wc]

Annie Haslam could have done it back in the day.

[@jerkohasnolastname-hb2hx]

I think Eivor would be a good choice. Check out the video of her singing May It Be for an example.

[@michaelkelleypoetry]

Fun Fact: Tolkien actually wrote notes for a scene in The Silmarillion in which Morgoth takes Mandos captive into his first fortress of Utumno and tries to force him to prophesy so he could better plan his strategies for the conquest of Middle Earth and Valinor. Tolkien abandoned this concept very early, though, only leaving a few scant notes, but no actual story.

[@johanabigasova6770]

Source?

[@michaelkelleypoetry]

@@johanabigasova6770 I read it years back when I was going through the History of Middle Earth Volumes (or maybe Unfinished Tales?}. I'm almost certain it was HoME, but forget the specific volume I was reading.

[@johanabigasova6770]

@@michaelkelleypoetry thank you for information.

[@Luke_H.]

That's actually a really interesting concept, I wish tolkein, including it in the final story.

[@Patrick-qed]

Mandos had an interesting connection with 2 of Finarfin's sons too. With Finrod, we are told right away that he has been released from Mandos and walks with his father. I've always thought Finrod's release might have been immediate -- or Mandos might make him stay for 5 minutes of penance for having taken part in the Revolt of Noldor at all. And then there's Aegnor. We learn in the Athrabeth that Aegnor had a romance with the human woman Andreth when she was young, but he had cut it short for various tragic reasons. For those who don't know the work, the Athrabeth is a debate between Aegnor's brother Finrod and Andreth, now an elderly wise woman and master of lore. As they debate the different fates of Elves and Humans and the place of death in it, Andreth gets very upset. Finrod reveals with sympathy (it's Finrod, after all) that he knows all about the romance and can tell that's why she's upset. He tells her that Aegnor truly loved her and his motives for leaving were complex but noble. Andreth doesn't quite buy that. But, anyway, we were talking about Mandos, right? Finrod reveals that she is actually going to outlive Aegnor. (The Dagor Bragollach was nigh.) And . . . that Aegnor was going to remain in Mandos until the end of the world because of his love of Andreth. So we had one brother who got out of jail right away for "time served" in Beleriand. And the other would never leave. I can't think of any other Eldar we know, by name, who refuse to be released from Mandos, except for Míriel, the mother of Fëanor.

[@valentinkambushev4968]

I really pity Mandos. I mean, imagine having to keep someone as annoying as Fëanor in your halls till the world's end!

[@superlegomaster55]

Fëanor did nothing wrong but ok

[@rhettkennedy3507]

@@superlegomaster55 Feanor did horrible things - great things, but horrible. In many ways, he's only behind Morgoth and Sauron in the foul deeds he perpetuated. It was he that wouldn't allow the two trees to live when he had the chance. He was a cruel murderous elf driven by anger, and jealousy. He perpetrated the first kinslaying (his oath holding his sons to perpetuate the 2nd kinslying), and out of spite bound his sons to an oath that ruined them and almost destroyed middle earth.

[@bac1308]

​@@superlegomaster55 he's no Magnus. He did a little wrong.

[@doigt6590]

@@rhettkennedy3507 What? There are many more villains that come before Fëanor in the scale of their evil deeds. Just to say the obvious ones, like Saruman and each of the Nine, which are definitely behind only sauron in their foul deeds. Fëanor is actually pretty low on that list.

[@valentinkambushev4968]

@@doigt6590 but he is still a major d@%&.

[@cympimpin20]

"yet slain ye can be. And slain ye shall be". Chilling.

[@jenniferrivera5828]

This particular Vala is rather dark. Nonetheless, Tolkien showed that even Mandos' heart could be touched (i.e. Luthien's song) and could show some divine mercy when it was sincerely requested . Just my take on it. Thanks for another great video.

[@connorhilchie2779]

You have to be ridiculously powerful with a killer singing voice to convince the equivalent of Death in Middle Earth to give you and your beloved a second chance. Even an almighty being can feel pity once in an age

[@valentinkambushev4968]

Not just Death, but also God himself.

[@zacharycollins9485]

You know Luthien had them pipes!

[@floydiannautilus5499]

It’s very similar to the Greek story of Orpheus and Eurydice. When Eurydice died at their wedding Orpheus went to the Underworld and played a song that moved Hades to let Eurydice leave on one condition: that Orpheus not look back while they went back to the land of the living. He doesn’t trust Hades and looks back to watch his love fly back to the Underworld forever.

[@jawstrock2215]

She was the direct daughter of Maia(who are the same as the Valar really, just have less power on the world) afterall, the only one in existence that we know of. Also the daughter of a first generation Elve. Both combined would have great power for sure, and hers was beauty and her singing voice. She could put Melkor(The most powerful Valar of all) into a sleeping trance, I'm not surprised she was able to move Mandos. Also, she never asked for a second chance at life, all she was asking was to allow her to see Beren in the halls before they would be separated by the eternity, when both races were not allowed to.

[@runtergerutscht4401]

@@floydiannautilus5499 gotta love that Tolkien remade that story to be less tragic. Euridice's fate is so depressing to me.

[@tony_delvecchio]

Great video as usual. I would have also added “not the first” that, from my point of viene, gives the idea of how much difficult is “to be Mandos” in some situations: he knows that Finwe is dead, but he cannot speaks about It. The power of knowledge…and he cannot say to anybody. I think his power should be like a curse for him 🥲

[@annamariadavies5093]

Though he may seem like a grim character, I view him more as a comforter. He deals with the souls of the children of Iluvatar all the time. I would find it difficult to believe if he wasn’t a compassionate and understanding Vala after dealing with dead. If anything, he’s probably misunderstood

[@bumblingbureaucrat6110]

That's more his wife's role if I remember correctly.

[@richardmather1906]

As to Feanor, fair enough. Except you left out his response to Mandos: "We are threatened with many evils, and treason not least; but one thing is not said: that we shall suffer from cowardice, from cravens or the fear of cravens. Therefore I say that we will go on, and this doom I add: the deeds that we shall do shall be the matter of song until the last days of Arda." Feanor is a total badass. I can see him there, glowering in the halls of Mandos, not given Mandos or anyone else the time of day, for thousands of years. He is both destructive, and magnificent.

[@MP-ic8tb]

This video made me realise I want a chronological retelling of all the valar interactions

[@armithel3133]

LOVE LOVE that you give descriptions and translations to the names that are so common. Tolkien is so well known for his versatile creations around the languages of the world and i think it would be an incredible video if you went into deeper exploration of the different languages in the Tolkien universe.

[@pendragon2012]

He's so cool! Seems more like a Purgatory station than a true underworld.

[@plebisMaximus]

I think it might be at least a little inspired by the halls of Valhalla, as Tolkien took plenty inspiration from norse mythology. Valhalla being absolutely a true underworld, albeit only for those that fall in battle. While those warriors would be waiting for Ragnarok, it's not like you go to Valhalla to wait, it just happens to be the endgame of all of earth, Asgaard and Midgaard alike. I think Mandos would be the same idea, you go there because you're done with life and that's where souls go, even if it isn't the absolute final destination.

[@pendragon2012]

@@plebisMaximus Good point! I heard you can only go to Valhalla when you die in battle so I've decided: in my last minute of life I'm throwing a juice box at the hospice nurse!

[@nikkik1109]

Huan was a loyal and brave companion!!! A true legend of man’s best friend another great video N.O.T.R !!!

[@valentinkambushev4968]

He is basically Tolkien's Death. And I don't mean it metaphorically, or rhetorically, or poetically, or any other fancy way! He is Death, straight up!

[@luinerion]

So he is Tolkien's Death, that is, the one who decided that Tolkien should die in they year 1973, which when reversed becomes the numbers 3-7-9-1, or in other words, three rings for the Elven kings under the sky, seven for the Dwarf lords in their halls of stone, nine for mortal Men doomed to die, One for the Dark Lord on his Dark Throne?

[@kristynahelgetova8061]

@@luinerion :O :O

[@captainufo4587]

More like Tolkien's Hades. Mandos does not technically deal nor act on death itself, only with the afterlife.

[@justice4all190]

​@@captainufo4587 Exactly.

[@c.antoniojohnson7114]

​@@luinerionInteresting numerology.

[@svenlauke1190]

you missed my favorite Mandos doom. when Feanor said should he give up the Silmaril, he would be the first to be slain in the land of Aman. Mandos says "not the first". nobody knew what that meant, but mangos knew feanors father had already been killed by Melker

[@primal1233]

Mandos is my 2nd favorite Valar! Thanks again for another great video

[@behnamdabestanizade]

"and find little pity though all whom ye have slain should entreat for you" most savage line of all time!

[@midimusicforever]

These lore videos are the best ones!

[@TheJohansensen]

You do such amazing voice acting man! I love it! Keep up the epic work! ⚒️🔥

[@colinleat8309]

I've often thought that with Tolkien's writing of tragedy, even Shakespeare would be saying " Damn dude! That's some dark stuff!" 🖖😁🤘🇨🇦

[@duneydan7993]

"Doomsman of the Valar" Holy damn, that name is absolutly metal!

[@shehansenanayaka3046]

We always appreciate your hard work and dedication towards these videos. We know it takes a lot of time and hard work to make these videos.

[@kellypitts8481]

Great timing. “This is the way”

[@paulrockatansky77]

"This is the way to my Halls. Enjoy your stay."

[@JLaneboy5]

I don't know what it is, but some of the recent ones have been my favorite videos. It's not like the subject matter is my favorite Tolkien stuff (you've covered most of that already), but I've just loved these videos more lately.

[@Jayjay-qe6um]

Mandos is comparable to gods of the dead of real world mythologies, like Hades or Hel. The instance of Luthien singing to him in order to release her beloved, reminiscent of similar ancient tales, such as Orpheus singing to Hades to release Eurydice, or Hermod who asks Hel to release Baldur. (The story of Orpheus has been retold in English literature as Sir Orfeo). Another similarity shared between Mandos and the two mythological figures, is that they bear the name of their realms. Mandos in the early writings had a hound, Gorgumoth, while Hades was guarded by the monstrous dog Cerberus.

[@johanabigasova6770]

If I didn't write it before, I write it now. Námo Mandos is one of two Valar, which I would ask for advice in hard situation. Second (if not first) choice is Manwë Súlimo, because He knows Ilúvatar's mind more than other Valar.

[@mintkit1]

Something I’ve always wondered is if the Avari are also subject to the same rules. Do their souls also go to the halls of Mandos?

[@leonardofaber5823]

yes. All Souls go to Mandos - save the Dwarves as the only eternal "maybe"

[@taicanium]

All elves are 'Children of Illuvatar', so yes, they do, even if it's likely a shocking experience for them. The dwarves are possibly also included, because Illuvatar adopted them as his children as well (if I'm interpreting that story right).

[@taylorhirthmusic]

Great content, as always! Thank you for all your hard work!!

[@jawstrock2215]

1 thing to remember, When the ban was fully lifted, all those that actively participated in the massacre, were dead.(last 2 brothers having commited suicide with the other 2 Silmarils) All the survivors were other Noldor(that sailed back to Valinor) that followed, but the not participate in the killing on Valinor soil. The descendant were killed, like Celebrimbor. Also, While Earendil was of Noldor descend, he was also of the Sindarin decent, who were never banned.

[@muhammadrafey6296]

Maglor was still alive at the time since he didn’t die unlike maedhros who did killed himself

[@c.antoniojohnson7114]

​@@muhammadrafey6296Maglor's soul may be still out there singing.

[@sarahgesell7275]

I’ve always wondered how much of Mandos’s original task was to be caretaker for the slain. Is it possible Elvish death is the result of Morgoth’s corruption of Arda? Namo’s duty as enforcer of oaths and as Doomsman has always struck me as a key part of who he is - that he is the keeper of Law as much as the Dead.

[@TheMarcHicks]

Once Men came along, I also believe that it was intended for him to care for their souls in the time prior to their passing on beyond the world....as I understand that Men can linger in the halls for a while.

[@istari0]

In the Music of the Ainur, the Children of Ilúvatar were added purely by Eru Ilúvatar so I would say the fate of the Elves was determined by Eru Ilúvatar just as was the Gift of Men.

[@gabegerman8991]

Loved you on the PPP man! Keep up the great work

[@FitnessOnQ]

Cant wait for another Vid! By far my fav content to tune into on the tube.. Thank you your awesome!!

[@ktraininphilly]

I feel like mentioning the second prophecy of Mandos, despite Chris's perspective, is valid here. Thematically it made sense, by demonstrating that Melkor's final end wasn't just beyond the Nolder but essentially beyond anything other than the full might of both of Eru's children and his servants. Also setting the final downfall at literally the end of days makes it so clear that Melkor's fate is far beyond the Nolder, that their choice to leave Aman is pure hubris.

[@TiltedTilterGaming]

Makes me wonder how long Celebrimbor must wait, he wasn’t intent on doing wrong when he helped forge the rings of power after all.

[@c.antoniojohnson7114]

Celebrimbor probably wanted to stay,he probably felt guilty. All he wanted to do is be the greatest Smith ever.

[@RevanMartinez]

Mmm yesss please do a video on each Valar!!

[@SahasraraRigma]

Your content is soo good! I wish you every and the utmost successes!

[@kevinmoore4845]

Excellent as always.

[@rothbardfreedom]

I would that one of the Istari would be under Mandos - someone who has some connection to the dooms and fates, and work together with Gandalf, the messenger.

[@marvthedog1972]

Interesting topic. Not sure if you've covered it already elsewhere in another video, but maybe do something on the dead marshes and why the spirits are there and not taken to the halls of Mandos.

[@NerdoftheRings]

Got you covered! kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4G1fWN-nbyZhpI

[@carolelindagonzalez1087]

Well done. So exciting!

[@ryanotoole7076]

Great stuff as always bro!!

[@ianheins650]

Nice work dude

[@burningchrome70]

Though it may appear so to those who observe us, we die not in despair but in pursuit of the lights that guide our hearts.

[@VoiceoftheRings]

Amazing Video! Loved it! Learned Alot!

[@kevinbartonico]

Another notr splendid weekend😊

[@kevinbartonico]

Wow Thank you sir 🤩☺😃Im from Philippines. I can't direct dm you. :)

[@ikebeckman1074]

Is Beren the only man to die and come back? His only equal (if that’s the case) is Tuor, who goes to Aman without Eru smiting him

[@c.antoniojohnson7114]

Tuor is more Elf than Man,he lived amongst the Elves for most of his life. He's more of an Elf than Eol and his son. He probably was accepted to Valinor.

[@HirokDaralki]

Mandos goes hard when he has to, that's for sure.

[@hazbojangles2681]

My favourite Vala by a long shot

[@IsaacKuo]

I just had to click on this, due to the timing with respect to that show with all the "Mandos"

[@Corristo89]

We associate the word "doom" with things like death, destruction and or other terrible things, but in Tolkien's works the word "doom" usually means something like "destiny" or "fate". Tolkien was a scholar and lover of languages, so it makes sense that he would use the older meaning of words.

[@UROTSUKIDOYI]

Hello, excellent video as always! Im a big fan of your work! I was wondering where you get your music from? Im not seeing where its stated in the video description. Im asking because I would like to submit some music for you to use. 👍🏼 Keep up the great work!!!!

[@SSDMusic692]

though it was mentioned just on a sidenote: I really would love to have the war of wrath as a kinda mini series or smth. starting with earendil. my imagination cant even grasp the full telling in the silmarillion.

[@Scybren]

I'll admit I clicked on this cause I'm a star wars fan but I stayed for the lore

[@vvreno]

Not Mandos related question. What is the last documented event chronologically that Tolkien wrote about? I've seen many of your character videos where their stories end in their deaths a few decades into the Fourth Age, or others sailing west. What was the last event Tolkien wrote about? And thank you! I love your videos! 💜

[@zcsknzfanz]

Do you think the Halls of Mandos is like solitary confinement? Or do you think Feanor is sitting there talking to 6, possibly all 7 of his son's, waiting?

[@djdaroop]

i binge watched soo many vids, since i just discovered your channel - but if i hear "Tom the Bombadil 19" ONE MORE TIME, im gonna freak out XDDDD

[@raslipmugfrud2040]

Manwe forgives, but Mandos doesn't forget

[@davidandrews2972]

The "Earendil should be executed" pronouncement is an interesting one, because Numenor does not yet exist and hence men have not been banned from sailing West.

[@mon_moi]

Mandos and Lorien are like Thanatos/Death and Hypnos/Morpheus/Sleep from Greek myths. Luthien singing to Mandos is also like Orpheus playing a song so sad it moved the heart of Hades. And didn't Tolkien translate Sir Orfeo, a Middle English adaptation of the Orpheus myth?

[@TheDarthSoldier]

You need to just put all your videos into a compilation of a 12 hour video so I can listen non stop while I'm at work Edit: reason being, I am not allowed to check my phone on the clock, but I am allowed to listen to music or podcasts. So clicking on the next video is not allowed unless I want to get yelled at

[@whitleypedia]

Mandos, the hands of fate

[@crazyquilt]

Mandos -- the Hands of FATE!

[@christosvoskresye]

The Girl Next Gondor has a video about what necromancy means in Tolkien's works. Obviously, what Mandos was doing was not exactly necromancy, but I think any attempted imitation of his role would be precisely necromancy.

[@Shaden0040]

Awesome!

[@jojotheswede8444]

Naughty elves get put in the shame corner, looking at you Fëanor.

[@MisterTutor2010]

Doomsman, coolest job title ever :)

[@lucathewolf8047]

Could it be that the spirits of the elves that were cursed, are the ones that later make the barrow whights Tha plague cardolan?

[@amyremington381]

Hello, I have a question about an Elvish quote from The Rings of Power. In episode 8, Elrond says "A cuith tesse, Galadriel." and I cannot figure out what it means and I was wondering if you would be able to help me. Thank you.

[@syitgrath7261]

"A cuith tesse" i don't think has a translation, if it does it's not one i know. Take me with a grain of salt, as it's been a while since i've studied elvish language. i believe you mean "a quildesse", which translates to "have peace" or "be at peace." is it written in the script as "a cuith tesse" or in subtitles? if it's in the subtitles it was probably just an error in the transcription process. hopefully that helps in some way, have a great day/night!

[@JohnPeacekeeper]

tfw before the Second Age, an Elf's only option to get back home was to die and respawn

[@loganmcbee1752]

YES!

[@mythologicalaccords]

Names: Namo (Cronus) of Mandos (Thanatos). Translations: Judge (Time) of Castle of Custody (Death). Time is the Judge of Death for all Children of Iluvatar.

[@NovaRuner]

So….. basically he is the God of death in Tolkien’s world. A sort of Hades like figure. Not evil just doing the job of taking care of those who have passed on.

[@athenovae]

I read Mandos as “Man-doez” like Mando but plural, as in many Mandalorians 😂

[@naturallawprinciples]

A thought; that part of the curse of Morgoth that afflicts Hurin's descendants is virtually identical to a part of the doom of the Mandos, though in the case of Mandos's doom, it the whole of the Noldoran elves & all who follow them that shall suffer it. "....Whatsoever they do shall turn against them" Extract from the curse of Morgoth. "...To evil ends shall all things turn they begin well" Extract from the doom of Mandos

[@613-shadow9]

Mandos: The Hands of Fate

[@misterclean9118]

Why were they so lenient with Melkor ?

[@johnmckinney5931]

Epic character 💀☠️🪦

[@cklambo]

This is the way

[@Leprechaunproduction]

"Tears unnumbered ye shall shed; and the Valar will fence Valinor against you, and shut you out, so that not even the echo of your lamentation shall pass over the mountains. On the House of Fëanor the wrath of the Valar lieth from the West unto the uttermost East, and upon all that will follow them it shall be laid also. Their Oath shall drive them, and yet betray them, and ever snatch away the very treasures that they have sworn to pursue. To evil end shall all things turn that they begin well; and by treason of kin unto kin, and the fear of treason, shall this come to pass. The Dispossessed shall they be for ever. Ye have spilled the blood of your kindred unrighteously and have stained the land of Aman. For blood ye shall render blood, and beyond Aman ye shall dwell in Death's shadow. For though Eru appointed to you to die not in Eä, and no sickness may assail you, yet slain ye may be, and slain ye shall be: by weapon and by torment and by grief; and your houseless spirits shall come then to Mandos. There long shall ye abide and yearn for your bodies, and find little pity though all whom ye have slain should entreat for you. And those that endure in Middle-earth and come not to Mandos shall grow weary of the world as with a great burden, and shall wane, and become as shadows of regret before the younger race that cometh after. The Valar have spoken." "Uh, sorry, Mr. Mandos, but I didn't catch all that. Could you repeat it again?" "..."

[@CVoYager]

Mandos: You want TL:DR huh. You suck noldor and you will have the big sad

[@kinslayer_jx2168]

Please could someone tell me how the world of Tolkien ends ? (Apocalypse)?!?

[@gnaagren]

So... Glorfindel was a Noldo. Yet, he was reimbodied quite quickly. So why not other Noldor? Not to sell Glorfindel short, but wouldn't there be a few others among the Noldor, who would be worthy of a similar treatment? Why do we not see Finrod Felagund again, or Fingolfin? Also, what of the victims of the first kinslaying? Surely, they deserve a quick return, being totally innocent. Was Alqualondë back to normal within a year or so, with the kinslaying just a bad memory?

[@leonardofaber5823]

We know of Finrod Felagund's reincarnation; and just because there's no mention of other elves being reincarnated that doesn't mean there were none. Finrod and Glorfindel are the known cases - just that.

[@howelingmadwolf9415]

Once again a great telling Hopefully prime leaves it alone

[@maglor8157]

Mandos is actually my favorite Vala

[@RandomRhyme]

🎵 and Mandos was his Namo

[@UncleJamie]

SISKO: What is the point of bringing me back again to this? JAKE: We do not bring you here. JENNIFER: You bring us here. TACTICAL: You exist here. SISKO: I exist here.

[@tSobota]

So if Elves are re-embodied after death does it mean that Orcs/Goblins are also are? They are Elves in the end. That would be very awkward in Valinor, but it makes sense.

[@bosbanon3452]

Vaire weaving? Can she related to spider?

[@federicaesu8580]

Mandos knew Finwë had been killed and the Silmarils stolen and he knew also that the request to surrender the jewels to retrieve the light of the Trees was totally pointless. I suspect he deliberately provoked Fëanor’s rage and the ruin of the Noldor.

[@jonathanraithel5726]

The only person Fëanor ever listened to was Melkor (the two being very similar characters), so I think Fëanor was a monster without help from anyone else.

[@BrettOPediaTV]

Wow. Mandalorians are in this too?

[@chrisa5631]

Could they make a featured film of the first age??

[@falconflayer]

Wait, I believed the spirits of men went to the Halls of Mandos but if not, where did they go? Or is that part of the ultimate fate of men which is not known? I'm sorry, I'm a little confused. Also, I need to read the Silmarillion

[@leonardofaber5823]

The souls of Men go to Mandos, but do nor linger there; it is from there they depart from the Circles of the World to their ultimate fate

[@anurag6992]

Tulkas please