Sauron in the First Age | Tolkien Explained

Today we cover the origins of Sauron, including his time as the maia Mairon, coming to serve Morgoth, and fighting for the Dark Lord during the Wars of Beleriand. We cover his life and travels throughout the First Age as he serves Melkor, seizes control of Tol Sirion, creates the werewolves, and his legendary fight with Huan the Hound of Valinor! Enjoy today's video as we explain Sauron's story during The Silmarillion.
Sauron in the Second Age: • Sauron in the Second A...
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Sauron - Shadow of War
Sauron the Deceiver - Toherrys
Sauron Creates The One Ring - Victor Lammert
Sauron on his metallic armor knees - Titus7584
Sauron, Commander of Angband - Toherrys
Sauron, the War of the Last Alliance - Matt Demino
Annatar - Alais
Sauron - Patricia Casarrubios
Sauron - Toherrys
Sauron - Csanika Inferna
Melkor - Thomas Rouillard
Sauron- Jerry Vanderstelt
One Ring to Rule Them All - Anato Finnstark
Annatar - Daria Sheremet
Sauron - Kaprriss
Fingolfin and Morgoth - Julie Dillon
Trees of Valinor - Helen Kei
Dragon attack - Kursun Asker
Fingolfin's Challenge - John Howe
Sauron Brought Werewolves - Peter Xavier Price
Carcharoth - Stevce Lazarevski
Thu, as a Wolf - Roger Garland
Beleriand Map - Lamaarcana (translated by Nerd of the Rings)
Gorlim - Alredondo
Orc Camp - Mateusz Michalski
Orc Camp - Gromwulf
Unhappy Gorlim - Turner Mohan
Sauron the Deceiver - Skullb*stard
Sauron Gorthaur - Gerwell
Dark Lord Sauron - SpartanK42
Beren the Solitary Outlaw - Peter Xavier Price
Thingol - Kimberly80
Sauron - shockbolt
Finrod and Sauron - Michael Howe
Finrod vs Sauron - celebimber
Werewolf - Magdalena Katanska
In a dungeon - MySilverGreen
Death of Finrod - Anke Eissmann
Luthien and Huan in Tol-in-Gaurhoth - Randy Vargas
Gorthaur the Cruel - Matej Cadil
Sauron and Huan the Hound of Valinor - Matias Habert
Silmarillion Sauron - Wavesheep
Luthien, Huan, and Sauron - N Nowak
Huan vs Sauron - Soys Dav3y34
Huan vs Sauron - Denis Gordeev
The Necromancer - SpartanK42
Sauron (2 sides) - Victor Lafaye
Morgoth Defeated - Renato C Domingos
Will You Forgive Me? - Sarkas Korpikova
Forging the One Ring - Marko Manev
#sauron #tolkien #silmarillion

[@saltedllama2759]

The depth of Tolkien's world is incredible.

[@diollinebranderson6553]

IKR? its the whole reason why many countries are more fascinated with the famtasy genre and set the standard for a gokd fantasy story whether as a book, game or movie. A very VERY High standard tho. same applies to Narnia too.

[@gabemore1766]

Who comes up with this thou in they're rightful mind crazy

[@crackthecan3970]

Right?????? How is it even possible

[@Anonymous-oz1gx]

Listen to Jordan Peterson

[@mma-g]

It doesn't feel made up for the sake of it or as filler like grr Martins world does

[@Waltham1892]

I remember Sauron from High School. He was a quiet kid...Kept to himself.

[@_semih_]

lol

[@shoebillkills4981]

Yeah, and his mom picked him up everyday after school.

[@Waltham1892]

@@shoebillkills4981 Ms. Sauron was hot though...

[@shoebillkills4981]

Yes she was.

[@anonymousdude9099]

LOL That's the kind of kid he was!

[@LHelms]

Never realized Sauron got his start as a temp for a blacksmith. That explains a lot.

[@garytwinem5275]

Valinor YTS.

[@HerrrLuna]

To sad Aule lost many of his students to the dark side...

[@averongodoffire8098]

@@HerrrLuna He offered the ability to forge and change things to what one willed, sometimes you attract certain peoples who just want to forge their own selves and nothing to help others Aule and his remaining student show those who still wish to forge things to help other and make goodness

[@palpichulo6969]

@@HerrrLuna good...goooooooood.

[@trekstarsam2494]

Sauron and Saruman were both Maia of Aule, the Smith. Ironically also, both fell to evil. This was not really a coincidence. Tolkien despised the increasing industrialization of his time, and wrote his feelings about it into his novels. Two "orderly builders" turned out to be the series antagonists. You especially saw it in Saruman, him cutting down the trees to build things for his war machine, not caring at all about the nature he used to love. Their master, Aule himself was also quite an ambitious builder. He created and awakened the dwarves before the firstborn of Eru, the Elves, were awakened. Eru rebuked him, but Aule humbled himself and prepared to destroy the dwarves, but Eru had mercy and told him that they could remain, but they couldn't awaken until after His firstborn did. So Aule put them to sleep until after the Elves were awake. But even Aule the Smith as well, was ambitious to the point where he was willing to move faster than Eru. But unlike Sauron and Saruman, he knew his place within Eru's Song, therefore Eru allowed him to have what he wanted anyway,

[@CAndrewFarnell]

Sauron after Morgoth’s defeat: “Fine, I’ll do it myself.”

[@Klongu_Da_Bongu]

Know that even with OP rings of power, it may not be enough.

[@MysterioFan02]

@@Klongu_Da_Bongu with all the power from the rings he was nothing but an insect compared to melkior so no wonder it wasnt enough

[@MyPrideFlag]

@@MysterioFan02 but he didn't fight Valars...

[@MysterioFan02]

@@MyPrideFlag he didnt, but you know what i meant

[@Stoicbeatle]

Sadly, as there were only three infinity stones and those were destroyed or out of reach, he had to make it up as he went along.

[@Daggerfall40]

Sauron has a pretty good resume as far as dark lords are concerned. The guy was a menace for 3 whole ages, helped sink the greatest civilization of man in Arda, can transform into beasts, managed to beat a golden haired elf lord in a rap battle and tricked the greatest craftsman in the 2nd age into forging magical rings that enslaved kings. In his own ways, he's just as much a badass as Morgoth.

[@grogn69]

As villains go , he's one of my favorites...( possibly exceeded by Palpatine in the "Robot Chicken " sket hes...

[@Morzok]

It was in 2rd age not the 3rd xD

[@Daggerfall40]

@@Morzok Good catch! Need to have my Tolkien card revoked for that mistake

[@Morzok]

@@Daggerfall40 Everyone can make mistakes, just do your best to learn from it.Namárië

[@ollylin9338]

Are we not going to mention the time he got his ass handed to him by some chick and her dog.

[@drewjackson3858]

Wait, you're telling me that Sauron, the Lidless Eye, the creator of the one ring of power, turned to evil because he was a neat freak?

[@Alejojojo6]

YEP

[@ilovemacountry]

He was the first Karen 😂

[@masterofmythology]

Celestial OCD.

[@Quaronna]

@@ilovemacountry lmao

[@fodicky4]

Exactly what I was thinking. It doesn't make any sense coz he was always about chaos and disorder. Or was it a temper tantrum that 3yr olds throw when they don't get what they want hehehe

[@Jonahch2v9]

An author creates a character: "He was born in........." Tolkien creates a character: "Well before we get to his birth, we have to go back eight centuries before, to a time when the world........"

[@johns1625]

Starts at the end of his "life", explains a vague history, never introduces the character openly and only provides like a few sentences of direct dialogue through a hallucination. The whole reason Sauron was so dreadful in the books is because we know almost nothing about him. Not even what he truly is. Then decades later we get the Silmarillion and everything lines up. He's the perfect antagonist complete with 1 chance for redemption.

[@infinymagnus]

The Hound. Truly the goodest of boys!

[@garytwinem5275]

Had Sauron for a Scooby Snack.

[@shawnthompson2303]

What the f***s a Sauron?

[@garytwinem5275]

@@shawnthompson2303 A bad boy.

[@jeeshadow]

Yes he is! Ooh hims such a good boy! (hands him bacon)

[@royalroyal2210]

*bois

[@a.w.4708]

I like that in Tolkien's mythology there is both order-loving dark lord and chaos-loving dark lord. It shows that it is not order or chaos of which one is good and the other is bad, but the understanding and executing of them are the factors.

[@pancakes8670]

"All Chaos is just Order" - Toby Fox

[@hurmur9528]

It is kind of weird though that Sauron a being that wants would order obey the lord of chaos. Morgoth though is way more powerful than Sauron. But he is not as cunning as Sauron or skilled black smith which Sauron used to really expand his force. And also in the end became his undoing as well.

[@SchoolOfUnlearning3]

All sauron wants to do is control.

[@Sionnach1601]

Excellent post.

[@christophergirardi8145]

Interesting how both Morgoth and Sauron both had a thing for jewelry. Good villains always now how to look presentable!

[@13Kr4zYAzN13]

*_"PRESENTATION"_* -Megamind

[@jonathancampbell5231]

Sauron is just copying Morgoth

[@melkorianproductions4235]

Damn right we did

[@melkorianproductions4235]

@@jonathancampbell5231 no he's not, om proud of him

[@jonathancampbell5231]

@@melkorianproductions4235 He's infringing on your copyright

[@MusikByTim]

After watching your videos I’ve become convinced that Huon the Hound is the real MVP of Tolkien’s universe

[@sophiejones7727]

Luthien is the MVP. She waltzed into Angband, put Morgoth to sleep and then cut a Silmaril out of his crown while he was wearing it. Huan is the fricking awesome though. He kicked Sauron’s butt in a straight fight. Of course, it is worth noting that Sauron decided to challenge Finrod to a duel of songs. I wonder why? Perhaps because he knew he would lose in a physical fight with the elf? Seems like he was so mad at Draugluin, or about Draugluin being defeated, here he forgot his own limits. Huan was no ordinary hound after all, and he would have realized that had he thought about it. Likely, Huan was half-Maia: the offspring of a servant of Oromë. Probably, Sauron had put some of his own essence into Draugluin. Perhaps he even felt some measure of affection for the twisted creature. In any case, he was clearly physically weaker than he should have been. Taking a wolf form here was also not his smartest idea (lending credence to the idea that he was very angry). A bear or scorpion form would have been a better idea, for combat with a hound.

[@_semih_]

@@sophiejones7727 well, the fight between Huan and wolf-Sauron was not a "straight" fight. Huan was already lost the fight at the bridge of the Tol sirion. He couldn't stand against wolf Sauron and fled in fear. He managed to gain some courage to attack Sauron back when he got stunned for a second by the Luthien's magical black cloak. Basically, without Luthien's cloak Huan would be a prey to wolf Sauron. As the book said, When Sauron turned himself into a werewolf, he made himself the mightiest one that ever walked in the Arda(earth) Also your comment has too many misinformation. Its completely BS. Lol Go and learn some Lore before you leave a random comment

[@MusikByTim]

@@_semih_ we got a servant of Sauron in the comments? For real though dude, chill. Be kind. It’s just a fun fanverse. No need to be a lore jerk.

[@farsight3216]

@@sophiejones7727 Um, wasn't Beren the one who cuts the Silmaril from Morgoth's crown?

[@captainloggy140]

@Karl Quetzacoatl The wolf was Carcharoth, and had a Silmaril in his belly which drove him mad.

[@n.p.m1918]

A skilled student who wanted to keep everything in order, organized and in control. Morgoth took advantage of this, twisting Sauron's mind. Sauron began to believe he could make the world perfect by forcing everyone to follow his will. After the destruction of Morgoth, Sauron began to plot all nations under his control with the help of rings. At this point he had served Morgoth for so long that what was originally left of a perfectly good being was a lust for power, a thirst for revenge, and darkness. Character development at its finest.

[@enigma9971]

The twisting of Sauron is among Morgoth's greatest evils

[@zzodysseuszz]

Very basic character development. Almost generic if it were created today

[@1994mrmysteryman]

@@zzodysseuszz then why is the rings of power unable to do even 1% of that character development?

[@nnnnmhughuuhhjiijj9457]

@@zzodysseuszz Well... I'm pretty sure, it is one of the first that set the trope.

[@onelove7344]

This was like my dreams while awake then I continue the story very similar in to this. Because what happen to me it was really like this. I really want to change the world 🌎 to be fair to everyone but Mark from uae steal it from me or duplicate me, he just play my mind in a psychological way then eventually there's other nationality from dubai then elon musk comes, they just pushing me to continue my theory's in my thoughts. They will use my partner and my siste.

[@current9300]

That region in first age would make such a great setting for a RPG.

[@Chrissuit33]

Agreed! I would love an skyrim-like rpg in the first age. Hell, I would love to see some form of visual medium covering these stories. Animation, movie, something.

[@Becca-oe4ln]

Yea, it would!

[@LordVader1094]

I really wish someone would make a pen & paper RPG for it

[@sbxamedhi]

imagine fighting a morgoth in a Shadow of the Colossus type fight

[@nathanielleack4842]

@@sbxamedhi or worse yet Ungoliant! How gargantuan would she even be

[@leonardofaber5823]

Well done, man. Usually people forget about Lúthien's little help to Huan against Sauron, but you nailed it!!!!

[@HiHi-lt1cb]

Exactly! Glad to see my girl Luthien getting the recognition she deserves. She challenged both Sauron and Morgoth and came out alive~ :)

[@_semih_]

@@HiHi-lt1cb she was just lucky tho. If Huan wasn't there she would have been got captured by Sauron and been sent to Angband to be Morgoth's personel slave :|

[@inspectorlunge3887]

@Semih Sargın Apparently Huan only won because of an act of illuvatar also, in spite of luthien's help.

[@_semih_]

@@inspectorlunge3887 true

[@_semih_]

@@MrRenanHappy it was pure luck

[@Tyler-fm1ke]

I gotta be honest, I know next to nothing about LOTR with the exception of bilbo swaggins with the giant ass dragon. But all of this is nice to hear, makes me want to read the books

[@NerdoftheRings]

They are awesome books - highly recommended! :)

[@horcruxhunter5056]

I’d rly recommend it! It was a marvelous journey for me and this community is so pleasant :)

[@jamesaron1967]

Dude, read all the books, make Swaggins proud.

[@laurelelasselin]

@chris m Yolo Swaggins and the Fellowship of the Bling (i saw that somewhere, google it 😂)

[@titoboyabunda3717]

Keep crying bout it hun🤪

[@kailoma_]

Man we need a live-action film of Sauron’s origin story.

[@greyglassL92]

Not if they’re gonna do it like they did the hobbit lollll

[@MysterioFan02]

would have to tell the silmarillion so i highly doubt it will ever happen

[@lessssssgooooo]

@@greyglassL92 the hobbit was great

[@greyglassL92]

@@lessssssgooooo the hobbit was a fun movie for the kids, but it seriously pissed all over the reputation that LOTR built cinematically

[@brandonrogers5207]

@@MysterioFan02 their actually not allowed to his Tolkien’s family said no. They were even upset that they did the hobbit.

[@lolelloler5569]

"We do not come here to Treat with Sauron. Faithless. And accursed."

[@NerdoftheRings]

Such a great line from the films!

[@nubanh9808]

@@NerdoftheRings As far as I remember, wasn't the line also in the books?

[@NerdoftheRings]

A very similar line. In the books it reads: “We did not come here to waste words in treating with Sauron, faithless and accursed; still less with one of his slaves. Begone!” Both awesome. 😁

[@nubanh9808]

@@NerdoftheRings oh ok thx.

[@melkorianproductions4235]

He has all he needs, faith in me as the one true god

[@ChillyCholo]

These vids make me want to re-read the Silmarillion, but I know without your narration and the lil character circle bois moving around a middle-earth map I’ll simply be lost again

[@NerdoftheRings]

Hopefully I'll eventually cover enough videos that you can reference any character/event in the book as you need! Either that, or I'll just record the entire 20-hour book in one huge video. lol!

[@manuela1986]

@@NerdoftheRings Hell yes, please do that!!! 😄😄😄 Jk, I know that would be sooo much work, but man would it be epic done by you! 💪

[@ChillyCholo]

If I can watch LOTR extended edition I can certainly watch a 20 hour Silmarillion video lol

[@jonathanfarley2023]

Don't forget the voices.

[@Chrissuit33]

@@NerdoftheRings I would sit through an entire 20 hour long video if you did it. I was never able to read through the book myself. It's too much information for me to organize, and a bit too dry of a read to keep me invested but I love all the lore and I feel like there are countless hours of good entertainment in those stories. Keep these videos coming! You've helped me digest a great deal of information that I have spent years trying to understand fully.

[@chriscarlisle5676]

People always criticize the eagles but Saurons experiments with werewolves etc is why the eagles won’t take the ring bearer all the way to the volcano, they would rather not become the next aerial mounts for the ring wraiths or worse.

[@TheUrobolos]

Aside the fact that eagles would be immediately spotted and took down by Nazguls and untold ammounts of arrows and balistas. Hell, Sauron in person likely could fry them with fire beams or something. Using the eagles would had been wise only up to the mountaing ranges on Mordor, Then moving unnoticed on ground would had been safer

[@mazharimam6827]

Sauron didn't forget the lessons of the War of Wrath. He was tragically as evil as they got...and yet, he was brilliance personified. Truly, his fall from grace was a great one - from Aulëndil to Sauron Gorthaur...

[@josh6689]

Imagine what they could have become if corrupted. They are clearly more agile than the fellbeasts and presumably slightly larger.

[@johns1625]

Tolkien was once interviewed and asked about the whole "Why didn't they just ride the Eagles" thing, and his response is by far the best one I've ever heard. "Shut up."

[@zippyparakeet1074]

​@@TheUrobolosbro they'd be spotted before they even reach Mordor. Saruman had eyes in the sky and the Nazgul patrolled outside the natural borders of Mordor, looking for the Ring.

[@Caerulean]

"He is the Lord of the Rings." Me: "Woooooh!" 😆 That introduction got me rooting for Sauron for a second.

[@comradedyatlov2010]

After watching videos about Sauron I kinda like him

[@alex_ma1ex]

Sauron is a badass. You can't have a good conflict without a strong bad guy right?

[@jameshumphrey2345]

Reading the book “Beren and Lúthien,” it’s funny to learn that in an early version of that story the function of Sauron was taken by Tevildo, the evil Prince of Cats. On first encountering Beren, the first thing he snarled was “I smell dog.” I kind of get the idea Tolkien was a dog person.

[@ethanarnold4441]

I like to imagine that Sauron and Melkor's other servants (Orcs, Balrogs, etc.) just sat around in Angband playing Go Fish while they were waiting for Melkor to be released from prison.

[@ballinbalgruuf8198]

In the dark pits of terrible Angband, an orc named Barak'thul discards a parchment bearing the number 4 dyed blood red. In his mouth already is the taste of the victory that he is certain to come. Barak'thul, with arrogant pride borne from the lustful anticipation of victory, declares "UNO!" with a voice so loud and so proud it woke the fell hounds and roused them to a terrifying cacophony, indicating that it is now his opponent's turn to act. At this instant a dark flaming glow filled the dark pit, a dread filled the heart of all the orcs in Angband, if indeed they still had hearts. The Dark Lord Sauron, with his searing, lidless eyes, and his virulent presence, arose from his dark seat with a laughter so malevolent, it heated the blackened soil until smoke rose from it's cracks. The Dark Lord casts upon the dark table a similar card, but bearing the symbol "+4". Barak'thul was smitten and in that moment felt the deepest darkest dread an orc could endure, and the Lord of Darkness declared himself as Sauron, Master of Uno, the deathly silence that came afterwards an acknowledgment of his claim.

[@ethanarnold4441]

@@ballinbalgruuf8198 do you make this up?

[@ethanarnold4441]

@@ballinbalgruuf8198 Did you make this up?

[@ballinbalgruuf8198]

@@ethanarnold4441 No I did not. In page 69 of The Silmarillion, Sauron was declared the Champion of Uno. And on page 420, Morgoth, in his hatred for all creation, cast the Uno deck down the bottomless pits of Angband because he preferred Monopoly.

[@ethanarnold4441]

@@ballinbalgruuf8198 Lol you definitely made that up.

[@MenoftheWest]

Yessir! Great video Matt, Sauron is always a fun character to discuss!

[@NerdoftheRings]

Thank you, mellon!

[@totmgsrockxd9900]

Eeeeyyy, it's the Men of the West!

[@Youtuubpewp]

Hey! I love your videos my dude! I’d like to suggest a theory... what if Thorin caved and told Thranduil his business? Would Thranduil help him, or hinder him further from advancing to the mountain? What would exactly happen?

[@darthgorthaur258]

@@NerdoftheRings I'm sorry are we missing something, I thought it was "men of the west" not "Mellon's of the west"....that would make the film's an books very different indeed...

[@timharris7185]

@@darthgorthaur258 mellon is “friend” in sindarin (: *also the word spoken by gandalf to open the doors of durin and enter the realm of moria

[@-ingar-]

I like how Sauron isn't evil just for the sake of evil. He represent evil as a result of wanting absolute power and control over everything. And unlike Morgoth, Sauron did not object to the idea of God in principle; he wanted TO BE God. He believed that Eru was to aloof and therefor an uncaring creator, and that due to him not micromanaging his creation Eru was being neglectful and responsible for all the suffering in the world. Sauron was a perfectionist and a craftsman that just desired to make things the way he thought they should be. I dont think he viewed himself as evil, in fact I believe in his own eyes he only use suffering as a tool to minimize it in the long term by becoming the de-facto God of Middle Earth and bulldozing or brainwashing all opposition. Of course he is corrupted by power, but in his lust for order he fails to understand the value of freedom when all it does in his estimation is exacerbate suffering. In short, he is complex and three-dimensional.

[@LeventeCzelnai]

Yes. Sauron =evil of order. Morgoth =evil of chaos.

[@mateojames3231]

It’s funny, when I think of the ring, I think of it as the human equivalence of committing bad habits. In a way, we can eat cookies and cream ice cream all day of our life, but in the end we suffer for it long term. And so when Frodo holds onto the ring up to mount doom, he it feels like a heavy burden to not just have it on. Like going back to eating that yummy ice cream. The idea of Sauron and Morgoth to become a gods that rules all for a better world is funny, because he wants to manage to build a utopia that is extremely one sided and does not understand the true value of what is being bestowed upon Middle Earth. I have not read much on the Silmarillion, but if there is one thing, it is Tolkien does not want any allegory, especially his beliefs. The fact Morgoth as you said wants order, and thinks Eru is somehow incompetent in his creation, makes me believe that Tolkien intends that Eru is truly working for the good of the creation of middle earth, however, for there to be good, and also for good to prevail against evil, suffering must occur in order to attain Good. Because Evil is easy, and in a way it is good, because it is easy. But Good, just like the example of the Ring and the Ice Cream, we must suffer by abstaining from eating ice cream to be healthier, no matter how easy it is to reach the fridge. That, or I am talking nonsense and I understand nothing about Tolkien.

[@greyworld6242]

@@mateojames3231 evil without good is meaningless and good without evil is meaningless.

[@Claude1Rochon]

@@greyworld6242 maybe you're right maybe you're wrong....maybe there are other Forces less primitive. I just wrote a lengthy comment on this subject....probably still at the top of the column.

[@eldhothomas1609]

@@greyworld6242 without one, you have no context for the other

[@Weasel65]

So wait, Huan the Hound is the most badass character in lotr history? Sauron sends army of werewolves, Defeated Sauron Sends the king of the werewolves, Defeated Sauron thinks fine i will do it myself , Defeated.

[@robrfoster]

straight boss

[@shriharihudli8596]

Yeah he was definitely OP, though he did lose to Carcharoth in the end.

[@Feverdream7777]

@@shriharihudli8596 Huan still physically killed Carcaroth, Huan only succumbed because of Carcharoth's poison.

[@asgardiangod23]

That's what I understood. We need a trilogy on him lol

[@snufnik]

Me, not knowing anything about Tolkien's universe beyond the movies; "ENDOR?!"

[@bruderk4257]

You miss a lot by looking only at the movies. And you get oh so much wrong.

[@winxclubflora8446]

Same i am obsessed with lotr lore but have only seen the movies😂😅

[@bruderk4257]

@@winxclubflora8446 I am native german, but 12 years ago decided to read the lord of the rings in the english original. At first it was quite a challenge, but it was all worth it.

[@winxclubflora8446]

@@bruderk4257 its so cool to see that lotr has alot of international fans too! I am from pakistan so english isn’t my native language either(mine is urdu)

[@fruitchewx127]

*draws bow* read the silmarillion. Become one of us

[@tonypapas9854]

Very well done! Many people only familiar with LOTR have no idea how powerful and cruel Sauron really was. As frightening as his disembodied self was in LOTR, he was vastly more terrifying and destructive back in the 1st Age when he still had his 'body'.

[@halleck3]

Forgot what a badass Huan the wolfhound was. Killed Drauglin AND Carcharoth AND beat Sauron (ok, he had a little help). What a resume!

[@Telcontar86]

I swear my eye twitches every time I see someone write that Sauron loosing to "a girl and a dog" is somehow a low showing for him. Luthien is _not_ "just a girl", and Huan is most certainly _not_ just "a dog". It'd be like calling Palpatine "just an old guy", except even more disingenuous.

[@halleck3]

@@Telcontar86 Truth. Luthien was half Maiar and Huan was damned near unbeatable. Kind of makes you wonder how it would've gone if a whole party had snuck in on Morgoth. Luthien, Huan, and Beren got one Silmaril on their own... what've they'd had Hurin, Huor, Maedhros, Mablung, and a few others?

[@halleck3]

@@auser8156 Maybe? Although that begs the question of why he didn't. Also... "Juan"? Was the wolfhound from Mexico? ;)

[@TheUrobolos]

Sauron and Saruman originally were both Maias under the command of Aulë, the crafter, a lover of making artifacts and manipulate stuff to give it order and a purpose. Their similarities likely played a key part in the success of turning Saruman to evil

[@JohnPeacekeeper]

And then we hve Gimli, also a creation of Aule far along the line of the Dwarves. But he's the one who gets to go to Valinor. He embodied humility that none under Aule, not Sauron nor Feanor, displayed. And unlike both, he desired to create beauty that was meant to be shared.

[@user-qf6yt3id3w]

It seems like Sauron had a sense of humour, albeit a rather dark one.

[@Moldylocks]

He seems like a dude that can only laugh at others but never at himself. Which is ironic since he was basically immortal until he forged the rings and created the only thing that would actually be able to destroy him by doing that.

[@garypatterson2857]

@@Moldylocks He wasn't destroyed, but weakened so much that he could no longer take a physical form. He put so much of his power in the one Ring that he wasn't able to incorporate when it was destroyed. Like Saruman, his feä was unbound and able only to wander the world, lost and alone, or seek the Halls of Mandos for judgement.

[@farsight3216]

@@garypatterson2857 But would he be accepted even to the halls of Mandos? I mean, it seems that Saruman was too "weakened," and Manwe sent a wind to blow his spirit away from Valinor. I think that Sauron is doomed to roam middle-earth in loneliness until "the world is remade."

[@aledmorgan92]

@@Moldylocks He's still immortal. As far as my understanding goes, he needs "power" (an arbitrary term from JRRT) to assume a physical shape and interact with the world (and you need a physical shape to affect the material world - hence why the Nazgul need to wear cloaks). Sauron pooled all of his "power" in the ring so when that ring is destroyed, so is his power. Thus he's left as a powerless shadow forever. I don't know if he would still be able to observe the world, but he lost the power to do anything in it. Being in limbo forever is worse than death imo.

[@thomasjuniardi3559]

Every great villains had a sense of dark humour in them : Darth Vader, Sidious, Hannibal Lecter, Joker...etc.. etc.. 😁

[@apollion888]

Not only is this video thoroughly enjoyable but "Nerd of the Rings" is about the best name you could have come up with. Eru Iluvitar would be pleased.

[@NerdoftheRings]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it! Plenty more vids on the way. 😁

[@kevinscholfield4880]

Agreed, thou Lore of the Rings works IMHO

[@V.D.22]

Illuvatar IS pleased!

[@freddymeisner]

LOTR KZbin is probably my favorite area of KZbin currently. Another great video dude!

[@NerdoftheRings]

It truly is one of the best corners of the KZbin world! :)

[@teamvlcn6820]

It's one of the few corners where everyone is respectful, regardless of differing opinions.

[@Amesang]

*** hears ending musical cue *** *SAURON:* _"I'll be back."_

[@Sigurjon96]

I don't think there will ever be a person as deep and well written and thought-out as Sauron as the Dark Lord and the Maia. Dude is just an intimidating force of nature and so mysterious with his otherworldly presence. Mordor is feared and respected purely because of him and his leadership. Probably my favorite character of all time.

[@ChiaraSiasat]

Great Video Matt!! Sauron is one of those characters that his history is so complex and so incredibly interesting and he’s definitely one of those characters that some drive that you love the character for what they are, but also dislike them for what they do and stand for.

[@NerdoftheRings]

Thanks! Totally agree - Sauron is a great villain. Not one you root for, but one who is so menacing you can't help but think "this is a great villain!"

[@sophiejones7727]

@@NerdoftheRingsit’s because he’s so creative. His cruelty is so much worse because he has a sense of humor. What he did to Gorlim, would never have occurred to Melkor. Also I personally appreciate that he’s a seductive villain. It’s a trope typically applied to female villains. I love the trope, it makes for such memorable characters (and awesome fanart) but most examples implicitly or explicitly demonize sexually active women. They’re usually the only woman in the story who is aware of her charms much less interested in using them to her advantage. Not only is Sauron a dude, he is not the only seductive character (and some of them are heroic) and finally: it doesn’t feel like Tolkien is judging you for drooling over Sauron. You can tell the man raised several children. It takes serious skill to walk the line between illustrating the consequences of evil, and not alienating your reader by berating them.

[@_semih_]

@@sophiejones7727 what are you talkin' bout? lol

[@brucespence7352]

Thanks for your kindness and generosity

[@MatthewCaunsfield]

I love these glimpses at the first age. Sauron was a larger key player than I realized!

[@emily-crawford-soprano9181]

I love that your clarify Sauron as somebody who wants order. That in itself isn’t bad but it overtakes his love for the free peoples. That’s where the problem lies.

[@nasmaxfit]

He seemed like such a nice guy, we’re all shocked at what he did.

[@sorasabi]

I'm team Sauron, the elf main stream media isn't telling the truth!

[@MrMarvellousMark]

Yey finally the last video about Sauron and probably the most anticpipated one

[@sean5558]

I like how Morgoth it’s loosely based on Lucifers fall

[@JagoBridgland]

Sauron is my favourite fictional character ever. Great video Matt, absolutely love it

[@RC-fg7cd]

Just started following and I love the content! It’s great to hear someone verbalize all this stuff that’s been kicking in my head for 20+ years

[@thebuttonsblog]

Really enjoyed your Morgoth and Sauron histories. You've made their stories very easy to understand. Including all the illustrations was a master-stroke, which helped make the lore come alive. Thank you for all your efforts.

[@petehaines]

That was a fantastic naration of sauron in the first age. I have to admit it was gripping and very interesting. Dare i say after seeing many videos on said on focus on the first age i learned a bit more of this character. Keep up the incredible work in your videos!

[@ngaiflex]

Sauron: "what have thee?" The hound: "these hands .... I have these hands" ...

[@qurantino3624]

Fantastic video Matt! I can tell you are really putting your soul into these videos! Your passions shines clearly through them! You make them incredibly engaging and interesting! God bless you and continue with the great work!

[@NerdoftheRings]

Thank you so much! I truly appreciate hearing that and am so glad my love of this world comes through!

[@brunocarneiro107]

Awesome content, mate. I always find it odd how some people act like Sauron "wasn't so bad, just wanted order" etc. He's straight up evil and wicked in the 1st age.

[@hydraliskin]

yeah he was cruel but wasnt wholly corrupt..not even at third age when hes fallen as evil as he ever would be..he still rewarded those who were loyal to him and didnt wish to destroy the world only to rule it..evident by the description that if someone would use the ring and take saurons place he would turn as evil as Sauron or worse..indicating there could be even worse than Sauron... Saurons master melkor who is copypaste of Devil from the bible who wanted to either destroy or corrupt the whole creation is the true evil

[@brunocarneiro107]

@@hydraliskin he was lawful evil. But definitely evil. The shit he pulled on Finrod with the werewolves, and with Gorm using his dead wife. That was fucked up.

[@hydraliskin]

@@brunocarneiro107 terror tactics..common when wanting instill fear to your enemies...little aside from the subject any ruling organization be it mafia or goverment who want to have power will either break someone legs who cross em to teach other not to mess with you or throw someone who oppose the goverment to jail so will keep other people on check...finrod was saurons enemy and gorms wife was already dead so he kept his word that gorm and his wife would be reunited...if gorms wife was alive and free and sauron promise they would be reunited he then also wouldve kept his word if given and let him go..so not wholly evil

[@enigma5014]

wasn't so bad bcoz his ultimately so bad 🤣🤣🤣

[@anatoldenevers237]

Some people always do this. It seems like no matter how much evil stuff a character does someone will always find a way to try and justify them.

[@humbertojimmy]

- "So, Sauron, why all the hatred?" - "Long story... It all started when a dog bit me in the ass".

[@mistofstars]

Wow I hoped this video would never end! Tolkien is unbelievable :) thanks for the great overview!

[@Strutsbandage]

I absolutley love your videos man. I'd love to have the audio in podcast format, even though the visuals are so important I'd just love to be able to listen again and again to learn! Is this something you've considered or would want to do? ❤️

[@robfisher3790]

I'd hate to say this, but your video production and narration have gotten so much better since the Sauron in the Second Age video, that you might want to think about redoing it. Your skill is leveling up man. Nice job!

[@NerdoftheRings]

Thanks so much! I agree completely. The Sauron in the second age vid was one of my first and it shows a bit. I'm sure I will remake it at some point! Thanks for watching.

[@TheNamesJoe90]

As someone who just finished the silmarillion for the first time, this was a timely upload, thank you.

[@psychojoe4764]

When his 2nd in command has enough personal power to be a valid Dark Lord for at least 2 Ages you know Morgoth is a bad dude.

[@ayubali2431]

Well he literally Satan equivalent of LoTR universe

[@thehighguarduk4820]

Fantastic video, really well told and explained. Nicely done!

[@Chrissuit33]

The way you tell these tales is amazing. It makes me dream of long running TV series based on the first and second ages.

[@lusademiurgo7855]

I would love for Peter Jackson to make a set of movies based on this lore. It would be dope.

[@AschaVovina]

Alas, Tolkien's estate has declared everything except _The Hobbit_ and _The Lord of the Rings_ to be off-limits, _especially_ to Peter Jackson.

[@jpmarvila]

This is such a good content! Thanks for your services to this community!

[@NerdoftheRings]

Thanks for watching! :)

[@tristaneast9430]

Hey man thanks for all the videos you put out and the effort you put into them it’s really fascinating. Appreciate you

[@NerdoftheRings]

Thanks so much! Glad you are loving the channel. Thanks for subscribing!

[@Telcontar86]

Excellent video to cover this topic, and the drums at the end over the image of Sauron crafting the One was an inspired choice.

[@ASOT666]

the production, quality, and excellent summary is seriously impressive and very much appreciated! Loved this video, thank you so much man

[@dhwwiiexpert]

“In the first age, in the first battle, when the shadows first lengthened...”

[@John-nt3yz]

Love these videos, for the last two weeks I’ve been listening to them on my drives to work. Looking forward to further uploads!

[@NerdoftheRings]

So glad you found the channel and are enjoying the vids! I love diving into Tolkien's world during my commute time as well!

[@John-nt3yz]

@@NerdoftheRings I greatly appreciate your dedication to Tolkien’s art, please keep it up!

[@jubalvw3302]

I loved the drums at the end! That was perfect.

[@michealdargue2985]

Love this so much. Love all the content you posted.

[@aleksander8497]

Well done narrating the Sil and capturing some magic from it.

[@qrafting]

This fan art is phenomenal! It’s so handy to have map references and moving images, Tolkien lore is always doing The Most

[@donc5220]

Hey man Ive been having medical issues lately , and have watched almost all your vids Thanks so much they have helped me out big time passing time. Thanks man,.

[@JAMxSkalla16]

so astonishing the amount of depth in the lands, characters, stories and history.

[@3dscott]

Absolutely amazing! Enjoyed every minute of it! I can only give one like 👍🏻

[@mithrilsilver575]

Yeah that was badass. Helpful for dummies like me who have a hard time trying to read all that evlish crap in the silmarillion. My brother told me the whole story but it's really cool to see it animated and with a map. Excellent job!!!!

[@MikeG23]

Can we please get a Huan the Hound video What a good boy!

[@stingfan16ify]

Great information expertly chronicled and described. Great job!!!

[@malenotyalc]

Never underestimate the loyalty and companionship of a great hound!

[@bodhisattva9762]

He surely was the goodest boi

[@leadbone1]

Awesome work as always!

[@NerdoftheRings]

Many thanks! :)

[@peteasarisi2536]

Great video! Love this channel. It really helps 👍

[@KylePerkino]

Brilliant video! Gives me plenty of what I need to know about Sauron as I'll depict him in the Easterling faction I'm adding to Battle for Middle-earth II, and just a very insightful video in general. Excellent work on this one and on your 'History of the Easterlings' one.

[@Dragonstar13]

Late to this party, but your storytelling skills are amazing. Really enjoyed this explain video.

[@themsuicjunkies]

Honestly the negligence of the Valar is what make this amazing story possible.

[@jeremybeals5134]

Hey! Short time viewer, first time writer. Just wanted to say thanks for the great videos. I’m not insanely into LOTR by any means. Love the movies (hobbit included), that’s about as far as it goes. Just wanted to say thanks for the great videos. The Tolkien-vers is extremely interesting and your videos are detailed, but still very interesting. I’ve learnt so much since stumbling onto your videos. Thanks again!

[@GosiaOver]

It is always a pleasure to watch your productions, NotR. There is here an equal balance of nerdiness, heart, visual treats and gentle narration. Thank you so much for doing this. 🤗

[@WeirdWWII]

Excellent stuff as always.

[@NerdoftheRings]

Thanks so much!

[@deusex7239]

Love your videos man, usually watch them as soon as they drop, they motivated me to re-read the silmarillion and I still found way more details I missed there thanks to your videos... also I was always wondering about the origin of the Easterlings and the Haradrim, there's not a lot of backstory on their history and culture etc... maybe an Idea for a future video.

[@viniciusandradedejesus144]

I love each and every video of this channel! I'm so glad I've found it!

[@scott5612]

Thanks for this. Really well done. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@fabiandeathcon0153]

I absolutely love this channel. Listen to you everyday at work! Thank you for making this a great payday already

[@celdur4635]

I never understood why Sauron tried to rule again, didn't he know that if he were to truly win the valar would eventually come to smack him down? Or he just relished the opportunity to rule even for a brief moment, that much?

[@nubanh9808]

The Valar, seeing the destruction of the War of Wrath, had decided never to come to Endor again. Sauron probably took the chance and thought they wouldn't come, which was true, but unfortunately for him, they did sent the Istarii.

[@celdur4635]

@@nubanh9808 That's what i mean, the Valar were definitely going to intervene one way or another. Besides Sauron is "only" a Maia

[@rockyblacksmith]

Here's the way I see it; Morgoth tried to rule the world by brute force. Sauron tried to rule by deception and corruption. The Valar went against Morgoth in order to liberate the peoples of Middle Earth, but they never came to liberate the Numenorians. Because the Numenorians were corrupted, not oppressed. Sauron managed to not only avoid the wrath of the Valar himself, but managed to turn that very wrath AGAINST the children of Illuvatar. If your objective is to rule over Middle Earth without Valar interference, then that was a pretty good trial run if you ask me. So Saurons actual plan seems to have been to corrupt all beings in Middle Earth to his will. If he succeeded in this, then on who's behalf would the Valar intervene? This is where the rings of power, which were intended to corrupt the various races of free peoples, come in. The big battles were, in a way, the far less desireable Plan B. And in a way, the Valar allowed for his plan to play out. They left it to the free peoples to descide whether they would join Sauron or go against him. All they did was sent them assistance in the form of the Istari that would help them IF they stood against Sauron.

[@bam90LP]

Dude I am loving these videos. Captions are helpful AF lol. Im deaf and it works like a charm. Keep up the great work!!

[@Puckanm]

This was so GOOD man Thanks for this Knowledge!

[@manuela1986]

I am seriously gonna make a playlist of this videos! They are so helpful when I listen to Silmarillion audio book. For now I only get to the Sun and Moon part and then I still get lost and overwhelmed and go back to the start 😆😆😆 Which is fine with me for now, I think I have listened for the first quarter of the book at least five times this month and still cant get enough of it ♥️♥️

[@ChiggidyChuck]

First of all, thank you for everything. I'm relatively new to your channel. I have seen it for a while but I have been avoiding it because I wanted to read the Silmarillion on my own before watching. I couldn't resist and started watching. Your videos are all extremely informative and entertaining. It is so clear how much pride and care you take in sharing the work of Tolkien. You are a true treasure of KZbin, sir. I'd also like to highlight all of the amazing independent art that you display that adds sooooo much to your wonderful words. Great channel. If you ever have the time or patience, I would love to see a video that highlights all of the amazing artists and illustrations that you feature on your videos.

[@SpanishCebolleta]

You'll find these vídeos to be very useful not to get lost while reading the Silmarillion. It can be difficult to keep up with all the names and places. Hope you enjoy your reading 😊

[@daviddonnelly2700]

Beautiful video. Thank you so much

[@ryanbeck8191]

This is my favourite KZbin channel the last couple months

[@dominikszakacs7070]

I like the ending... feels like a cliffhanger. Very good job :)

[@vb6427]

Your videos are insane good. Keep it up, I'm digging it, Thanks for sharing! Would love to see a video on Ungoliant :P

[@NerdoftheRings]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate it! I’ll add an Ungoliant video to my list. 😁

[@terrapinflyer273]

Thank you for posting all these fantastic lore videos, and speaking slowly and eloquently, which helps people like me (w ADHD and various learning/comprehension difficulties) to understand the content.

[@NotTheRealCodyDean]

Great job on this brotha!

[@bambostarla6259]

I love Sauron. In the lord of the rings, he doesn't really do much. But in the silmarillion his charachter is fleshed out really well.

[@_semih_]

Because he got placed to the story very late

[@rangerofthenorth1970]

Mate, awsome video, the Sathurday's are always better when the NOTR shows out.

[@NerdoftheRings]

I love bringing some Tolkien fun to the weekend! :)

[@TheCinderestBlockAround]

@@NerdoftheRings I always look forward to it!

[@chris.heffernan]

Just another work of art! Great videos my man!

[@sebastianmatt7707]

absolutely fantastic video!