The Palantíri: Seeing Stones of Middle-earth | Tolkien Explained

Since it was first revealed that Saruman was using a palantír in The Lord of the Rings, fans have wondered where these seeing stones came from and where they were located. Today, we will not only cover their likely creation by the greatest craftsman in Tolkien's mythology, but also how they ended up in Middle-earth and where they were placed! We know that Saruman, Denethor, Sauron, and Aragorn all use various palantíri during the events of the War of the Ring, but there were originally seven in Middle-earth (plus one in Valinor). Check out the video to see where each was stationed, how they were lost, and how Sauron came to possess on himself!
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Palantir of Amon SUl - Donato Giancola
Palantir - Donato Giancola
Saruman the White - Matt DeMino
Feanor and the Silmarils - Bella Bergolts
Haven of the Eldar - Frederic Bennett
Amandil - Turner Mohan
Ar-Pharazon - Steamey
Armenellos - SkullB**tard
Beleriand Map - Lamaarcana
Fall of Numenor - Darrell Sweet
Ships of the Faithful - Ted Nasmith
The Palantir of Elostirion - Matej Cadil
The Tower Hills - Ted Nasmith
Gildor, Sam, Pippin, Frodo, and the Elves - Steamey
Annuminas - Ted Nasmith
Across Middle-earth: Weathertop - Ralph Damiani
Arvedui - Lida Holubova
Blue Palantir - Aitor Fernandez
Aragorn and Palantir - Magali Villeneuve
Red Palantir - Aitor Fernandez
The Seeing Stones of Old Numenor - Beregond
Osgiliath - Abe Papakhian
Pyre of Denethor - Anke Eissmann
The Dark Lord and the Palantir - TheBabyDragons
Minas Ithil - Shadow of War
Minas Morgul - Shadow of War
The Shadow of Sauron - Ted Nasmith
Denethor - Daniel Di
Orthanc in the Second Age - Ted Nasmith
Saruman - Angus McBride
Isengard - Ivan Cavini
Pippin Steals the Palantir - Anke Eissmann
Pippin Looks in the Palantir - Peter Xavier Price
The White Rider - Ralph Damiani
The White Tree - Ted Nasmith
The Arkenstone - Ted Nasmith
Feanor's Last Stand - Jenny Dolfen
#palantir #tolkien #lordoftherings

[@NerdoftheRings]

What other objects, weapons, or items from Middle-earth would you like me to cover? Also, please hit Subscribe & the Bell! It really helps grow the channel!

[@lordheklsmosh9490]

Nerd of the rings, I would love for you to do a video of swords of arda.

[@teamvlcn6820]

The Silmarils would be a fantastic subject.

[@brentsilvey2288]

3rd Age map of middle earth vid pls

[@boettges]

Please make a video about the crowns of the seven kings Saruman mentions in the aftermath of the battle of Isengard

[@Bigmeow23]

I can't wait for the video about orcs to be honest

[@shmooveyea]

That's a rich history for 7 Facetime machines

[@marionbaggins]

Tolkien invented Facetime/Skype early...Wow!!!

[@jjwang7597]

*zoom ringtone plays* “Incoming call from: Sauron” [Join with computer audio?] [Join with video?]

[@marionbaggins]

@@jjwang7597 😂😂😂😂😂 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@TheDoomslayersDaddy]

They were extraordinarily beautiful. That's the one thing I'd want from that universe

[@eddue12345]

HA HAA HAAA!!!

[@Scott_34]

Really feel like Denethor using the stone should've been in the movie. It was such an important part of his character

[@NerdoftheRings]

Totally agree. I wish we could have seen it!

[@AfferbeckBeats]

I thought he did. Maybe in the extended version? Or maybe it's just mentioned?

[@pscar1]

@@AfferbeckBeats it's offhandedly referenced in the film, but unless you know what he's talking about, you'll miss it.

[@NerdoftheRings]

Exactly. When he says “I have seen more than you know.” It’s kind of a nod to his use of a Palantir.

[@DMBlade4]

I didn't like how they portrayed Denethor in the movies in general. I never got the sense that he was compassionate or that Pippin's offer to serve him moved his heart after learning more about the death of Boromir. He was just portrayed as a crazy old man who would rather die than let someone else rule Gondor and there was so much more to his character.

[@Mikedegot]

Saruman: "I'm in the bathroom!" Sauron: "Oh, uh, sorry. I'll call back later."

[@FlagAnthem]

I don't really want to know why he carried his palantìr in the bathroom...

[@stefankatsarov5806]

@@FlagAnthem Its to watch the news, like ppl gowing whit their phones or newspapers. I douth he can use it for other things whit his age or goals.

[@tylersoto7465]

( ring ring) saruman :who is it (Fellowship laughing in background) gandalf : ( girly voice) uhm hi is this saruman Saruman: this he Gandalf: umm I'm Shelly the girl you met last month in the pub... Saruman: uh... Gandalf: I got some news... I'm pregnant with your baby Saruman: (hangs up) Gandalf: (fellowship dying laughing) 🤣🤣🤣

[@FerdinandFake]

The stone you are trying to reach, is out of alignment

[@Rombizio]

It is like a smartphone. But instead of being tracked by Facebook, Google or Apple you are being tracked by Sauron.

[@Lunar4]

and im not sure which of the two prospects is more frightening... xD

[@Rombizio]

@@Lunar4 Sauron is much easier to deal with.

[@Chris-hp9be]

Atleast Google doesn’t sent Nazgul to kill you

[@Rombizio]

@@Chris-hp9be I would say the Nazgul are easy going compared to Google. And their lawyers.

[@Grenaden86]

So not really all that different x.x

[@chazk7530]

I love how completly Tolkien formed his world that we talk about it as seriously as real history. I wonder what Tolkien would think about a video like this. I think he'd approve. Your lore is almost impeccable.

[@JustaGuy_Gaming]

Well from what I remember it took most his life to write the LOTR and to be fair he didn't even finish it before he died. The hobbit was it's own book and then all the LOTR was supposed to be one. Yet on Tolkien death there were still tons of unfinished works the family published later after they arranged it. I always felt Tolkien walked that fine line between madness and genius with perhaps a little step into the madness side of things. He made up entire worlds, languages, music etc for his work.

[@chazk7530]

@@JustaGuy_Gaming nah, it wasn't the lotr he took a life to write, that was the Silmarillion. A book he began writing in his 20s and never finished. It was his son that published it.

[@ppvk2610]

@@chazk7530 yes the Silmarillion.. From which the other stories had spawned

[@chazk7530]

@@ppvk2610 for sure. While I love the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, its the Silmarillion that I return to again and again. It is endlessly fascinating, and what I love most about it is that its a book you have to work at and return to in order to unveil its many wonders.

[@Arterexius]

To be honest, I think he would have preferred the video to be a tale told from mouth to mouth instead as he greatly despised technology

[@lucasfamily4670]

😂😂😂 I love how all the Patreon contributers have all these wild ass names and then there's just "Debbie." Hell yes Debbie.

[@Keijspermeister]

Denethor is the most underrated person in the entirety of tolkiens works. He resisted the malice and dread by Sauron, but all het got was a sick burn

[@Ratchet2431]

Not to mention he's one of the most complex characters in the Legendarium.

[@NA1c158]

Still driven mad. And some would say thats what Sauron wanted: to weaken the head of gondor to make it easier to conquer.

[@ericmonaco4509]

@@NA1c158 He knew that even with Isildur and the bloodline of Elendil destroyed or what he thought was destroyed not all men were easily weak to corruption so instead of corruption he would use fear and insanity

[@tadeasprikryl2407]

he was lucky to be able to resist sauron

[@oskeewootwoot]

Not just resisted Sauron, he resisted Sauron when Saruman couldn't. That's pretty impressive.

[@fredischilling]

Last time I was this early Morgoth was still the Dark Lord.

[@mrbuster7255]

Nice

[@user-vu8ck7tq4v]

Still a normal valar would be better

[@vhrenzhefcharlbutel9971]

What surprised me is that how Saruman was corrupted and how Denethor managed to stand firm. I did not like Denethor for I purely rely on the movies, but after watching this, and as what Boromir said and I quote, "He is a Noble Man."

[@1SI69]

Never understood why the movies make him seemed absolutely hideous and repulsive, when he was supposed to be a wounded and part crazy, but really honorable man

[@vhrenzhefcharlbutel9971]

@@1SI69 indeed! It would have been great if there was a flashback about Denethor.

[@jefffinkbonner9551]

You might even say that he's a John Noble man.

[@trevorromney3589]

Saruman has always been one to seek power and glory himself. He was not intended to be the white head of the council, Gandalf was. But Gandalf's unsure nature caused him to decline. I think because Sauruman is inherently self serving it makes him an easier target for corruption. Even when he's turned sides, he still intends to overthrow Sauron eventually.

[@jefffinkbonner9551]

@@trevorromney3589 That does seem to fit with the rather common overall theme in Tolkien that those who seek to glorify themselves become consumed with evil. Like you said, Saruman sought power for himself. Denethor, though flawed, at least was ultimately seeking the glory of Gondor; so did his son Boromir.

[@ChiaraSiasat]

The history of the Palantíri is so interesting. The fact that a person who has significant power could manipulate the Stone to show or hide what a person wants the others to see. And those who had less significant power could see into the Stone but not know what they were seeing being it the past, present or the future.

[@NerdoftheRings]

It is one of the many great details of Tolkien's world!

[@HG-ey6gu]

Yes we love you mat

[@allamasadi7970]

@@NerdoftheRings and the Palantir Technologies stock price is talked about regularly in the KZbin Finance and Stock market niche

[@epion33]

@@allamasadi7970 they supposedly have a powerful A.I.

[@pointcuration1278]

Sometimes not unlike smartphones.

[@user-qf6yt3id3w]

How to deal with unwanted Palantir calls, a tutorial by Sauron Aragorn: Here's is the sword of Elendil! Sauron: Here is your dead wife! [dialtone]

[@niktonic5379]

lol

[@BaronVonMott]

* *drops mic* *

[@tylersoto7465]

( ring ring) saruman :who is it (Fellowship laughing in background) gandalf : ( girly voice) uhm hi is this saruman Saruman: this he Gandalf: umm I'm Shelly the girl you met last month in the pub... Saruman: uh... Gandalf: I got some news... I'm pregnant with your baby Saruman: (hangs up) Gandalf: (fellowship dying laughing) 🤣🤣🤣

[@meem6154]

@@tylersoto7465 Sauron or Saruman?

[@11_EVERYTHING_OEFx2]

Lets get a glorifindel video! The elf so bad ass the Valar gave him a respawn

[@NerdoftheRings]

Haha! Respawn - love it! Glorfindel is definitely high on my list. I'm sure he will get his sooner rather than later!!

[@11_EVERYTHING_OEFx2]

@@NerdoftheRings yes! He is highly anticipated, great content as always, love the channel, thank you!

[@cicknobb5321]

All elves can get a respawning, there spirit gets a new body

[@11_EVERYTHING_OEFx2]

@@cicknobb5321 right but they have to stay in valinor after they're rebodied when they leave the halls of mandos, because glorifindel was so valorous they allowed him to return to middle earth to aid elrond

[@FT_arnished-500]

@@NerdoftheRings nice

[@tegandrenth7415]

More knowledge on LOTR. It still boggles my mind how in depth this story is.

[@lizzies4964]

One of my favorite things about Middle Earth and Tolkien is there is SO much to explore. So many characters, locations, and items like the Palantiri that have their own rich histories to discuss. It feels like we'll never run out of things to talk about in Middle Earth. Great video as always! Never even considered this topic.

[@NerdoftheRings]

Indeed! It's why when people ask me if I worry about running out of material for the channel, I simply say, "Not in the slightest." haha.

[@blumenthal7528]

Tolkien has left a legacy that will last for a very looong time.

[@brunoventura3]

Nerd of the Rings, Men of the West and CivilizationEx, the best of the best Tolkien channels.

[@AlexLopez-vm7uq]

*AGREED* I DEFINITELY recommend Geekzone as well he has been around for years... Also, Pixellated Apollo has been posting 3rd Age Total War videos for years as well so you can see ARMIES of Orcs vs Armies or Men, Dwarves, and Elves... including the usual Trolls, Nazgul, and Warg Riders. The battles typically last 30minutes to an Hour depending on the Sizes of the Armies and Tactics used to hold out against other Armies... when NOT watching the movies I'm either playing Shadow of War, Lore Videos, or Pixellated Apollos Battles while eating (;))

[@colmortimer1066]

You are one of the best channels for proper Tolkien videos, you seem to tailor them to where the casual fans can learn and understand yet, yet still offer a lot to help us more in depth readers of Tolkien to review what we read and offer your point of view of it, that maybe be a slightly different take than the one we had. I am sure these are harder than baseless rehashing of a chapter, or movie topic, but I think the quality is great enough to justify the hard work it takes to make these.

[@NerdoftheRings]

Thanks so much! That truly means a lot. I try really hard to hit a balance where it is accessible to more casual fans but still interesting for those of us who are huge Tolkien nerds. I hope my channel can be the gateway for the casual fans to read the books and become total nerds like us. :)

[@cicknobb5321]

I had no idea about the stone having to be facing the right direction or orientation. How cool. It really makes the part with Pippin that much deeper. Thanks again Matt.

[@sandal_thong8631]

I think required orientation was controversial or in dispute. It is said that Sauron could use his stone to make Denethor see what he wanted to see, and miss what he didn't want him to. So Pippin's orientation might not have mattered.

[@ultramarinechaplain88]

No fantasy grips the imagination like this universe. The lore is so rich, how everything ties up from the first to third age blows my mind. Artifacts like the ring of barahir, or glamdring

[@Theorak]

I see you Mirari reference! :) Love the lore on these powerful artifacts. You could also explore the collection of great swords and daggers, Tolkien build a nice heritage for them as well.

[@marcusrowan7212]

duuude YES! i actually once had that card! gosh

[@WTFA54]

Came here to say this hahaha

[@mareklelovsky4603]

I still have it :-) It was a lot of fun to take opponents by surprise 20 years ago in Extended format: Mirari in a mono black control deck. every sorcery/instant copied. duress, corrupt, edicts, consume spirit, you name it... ;-)

[@LordArmageddon23]

I love the use of the image of the Mirari from Magic: the Gathering. Like the Palantir, it is a powerful relic. Very fitting

[@PorkotylerClips]

“The Master Stone, the chief of Palantiri” Jesus man first rings, then eagles, then horses and now stones? Everything has a Lord in Middle-Earth, even inanimate objects.

[@DMBlade4]

Even the Lords have Lords tbh

[@maybach5787]

@@DMBlade4 does that mean we have a lord of vending machines?

[@DMBlade4]

@@maybach5787 Do you remember vending machines from the books?

[@maybach5787]

@@DMBlade4 well maybe they do have them.

[@DMBlade4]

@@maybach5787 Tolkien didn't say there weren't vending machines, so anything is possible

[@JacquesHsu]

The story of Palantiri is interesting, and strictly speaking, they play a key role for the destruction of The Ring and downfall of Sauron. Thanks for sharing this great video.

[@DXS770]

The Mirari, the seeing stone :3

[@gorramnelf]

Saw that too! Guess it goes into my Kenrit...er Aragorn, the Returned King deck!

[@leonardovieiradesouza8115]

10:44

[@markpatrickvillareal2328]

@@leonardovieiradesouza8115 saw it..

[@stefanofranzini3961]

it offers you what you want, not what you need

[@Sarpro72]

0:06 is Mirari, a legendary artifact from Magic, the gathering that was used as a wish granter and also as a core for a golem.

[@Plepple]

>Sauron gets a call >After a brief chat he turns around to his expectant army of orcs "Is there an Al Kaholic here?"

[@vladimirsuigetsu6167]

A wizard has much to ponder of the great orbs

[@truthlesslouw]

Dude what a legend, love your channel

[@NerdoftheRings]

Thanks! So glad you are enjoying it!

[@gabrielaleactus9932]

I love the way you use the map to point out how the events took place in various times. This really helps understand things more as we are also taking about time passing here.

[@kevinbaker4836]

Subscribed for that Gandalf voice.

[@tuugestein96]

Your imitations of the characters are AMAZING. Always makes me smile.

[@RichXVIII]

As someone currently on their very first read of LotR (about 30% through Return of the King) I just wanted to tell you how helpful your videos are to understanding this wonderful world.

[@HLR4th]

Wonderful video, as always! I appreciate the limitations Tolkien built into the Palantiri. As a DM/GM, including limits into the items existing in the world is an important part of making them feel real, as well as preserving game balance! Thank you for the reminder.

[@Divine_Chareka]

Great content as always!

[@NerdoftheRings]

Thanks so much!

[@88chimes]

Brilliant channel. I read the silmarillion and unfinished tales 10 years ago. Your channel is reigniting my wonder with Tolkiens world. Please do a video about the two trees! x

[@tabletopgeneralsde310]

Great video, thanks for letting us knnow the tales of Middle-Earth.

[@NerdoftheRings]

Thanks for watching!

[@mayasho5917]

I've wanted to comment so many times on your previous videos if you could cover the palantiri, but decided to wait. At last, the patience has paid off!Thank you so much! Your videos are amazing as always, and your narration is always on point with your visualization. Have a wonderful week! Edited: Would you be so kind as to cover the glorious history of Gondor as well? Thank you! Looking forward to more of your videos!

[@NerdoftheRings]

So glad I hit a topic you wanted to see! Feel free to comment anytime with your suggestions! I love hearing what people would like to see and will definitely add a history of Gondor to my to-do list!

[@JustaGuy_Gaming]

One thing I always found interesting if a bit frustrating about Tolkien is how every thing was amazing and magical in the distance past... and closer to the "present" it's all dying out. Tolkien had a lot of thoughts and I wonder if it was a subtle stab at industrialization and the modern production methods. Basically no one knows how to make anything any more, stuff just exist.

[@EmpressofFlame16]

I actually think yes that's what he's doing. While Middle-Earth has no explicit ties to our world, one of Tolkien's motivations for his world-building was his thoughts that his own country didn't have a grand mythos to it's creation like some other European countries. (I guess the Legend of Arthur doesn't count? Lol) I've always taken that perspective to mean, he saw Middle-Earth as a pre-history. I mean Arda was shaped and re-shaped so many times, it could be part of our history, lost and forgotten.

[@Zeithri]

It's more the death of mysticism and spiritualism in favor of realism and skepticism. Not anything as pedantic as "hurr durr modern world bad".

[@Ratchet2431]

@@EmpressofFlame16 I remember reading that the legend of King Arthur comes from many non-English sources, including French.

[@Ratchet2431]

@@Zeithri He was a Catholic, so he believed in the concept that the world will be in perpetual decline until the end of time, hence the "long defeat" quote from Galadriel in the books.

[@AnnaMarianne]

It's a very Medieval theme, too. The Medieval Europeans lived figuratively and literally among the ruins of the Roman Empire.

[@krunschold]

10:40 and again the MIrari was used as a Palantir xD I like it^^

[@helmann9265]

Fantastic one 💯 🌟🪄 Well, if question about the Palantíri- During the events of 'The Lord of the Rings' in Tolkien's world, there are two ancient and significant items: (both created by Fëanor) 1. The Palantíri. 2. The Light in Galadriel's Phial. The latter is essentially a reflection of the light of the star 'Eärendil' that Galadriel has from her Mirror's fountain. In fact, this light indirectly comes from the star 'Eärendil' itself, which is a result of the ancient light emitted by the two ancient and sacred Trees of Valinor, 'Telperion and Laurelin.' So, considering that 'Galadriel's light gives Frodo light in darkness when all other lights go out' (such as when he faces Shelob's lair in Cirith Ungol) Well, which item is older: 1. The Palantíri, or 2. The light contained in Galadriel's phial, which originates from the light of the Two Trees in the time of Valinor?🤔 As always- the best channel on KZbin (graphics, your awesome ASMR voice, the enormous knowledge here just unfuckingbelievable, like woww) Thank you so mach @Nerd Of the Rings 👑 💍 💖 🌟

[@HydraQU33N]

Funfact, the second image seen in the intro is not in fact one of the palantiri, but the Mirari, an artifact from MtG lore that granted the owner incredible power, but would always lead them to an even more incredible demise. It was also said to drive people mad if they saw it, burning with envy over whoever possessed it

[@liamcol09]

Saruman up pondering his orb

[@wesleykant5784]

9:18 so it was Saruman who was pondering his orb!

[@greensbean9865]

Saruman: “Ah gandalf, come to ponder my orb?”

[@TheCinderestBlockAround]

These are so amazing but LOTR appendices makes me want to see a video on Helm Hammerhand. Don’t ask why. I just...I do NOT know. Thanks for amazing content once again!

[@ecencronzeton1641]

I find it so strange that any palantìri were ever forgotten, or lost for longer than a few months. Being able to communicate instantly over distances that would take weeks on horseback to travel would just be worth so much. If the king wasn't using it, other lords, generals and merchants would all be flocking to send messages. I imagine every city with a palantìr would have a couple dozen or so highly trained palantìri users, working those stones in shifts, 24/7, sending messages on the behalf of anyone who could afford it. If a stone was ever lost to water, there'd be divers, salvors and treasure seekers alike combing the bottom until it was found.

[@ParappatheRapper]

The ones that fell into the water were mostly lost I think because most mortals had no way to even get to say, the bottom of the sea. Even if they knew exactly where it had been lost, the currents could move it, it could be buried in sand, or just fallen so deep that no one could go down and withstand the pressure. Also, I could be wrong but say you got lucky and found one of the stones deep in the ocean. You use your stone and all you see is black because it's buried. Or let's be generous and say you can see a trench or some sea bed. Unless you can see a landmark or something, you're not going to be able to identify that location. You could technically march someone absolutely straight from the stone to retrieve the other stone, but figuring out how to march and then take a vessel absolutely straight would be especially difficult if not impossible.

[@ecencronzeton1641]

@@ParappatheRapper Good point, it could well be too deep to make it possible to retrieve a stone! However, the ships that sank where probably sailing along the coast, so it's still quite possible it wouldn't sink deeper than the 60 or so meters humans seem to be able to dive while breathing air. The one that was lost in a river shouldn't have been a problem. Currents probably would move or bury the stones over many years, but surely not in the little time it would take to realize that you just lost some of your most valuable items. I would also assume that before moving any stone, someone would use it to send a message to their allies saying where and when they will go, and then again a mayday call when they are sinking. Finally, it should also be possible to triangulate the approximate location of a stone using the remaining ones. You mark that location on a map, and your sailors can navigate to that area as they would anywhere. When nearby, you would also just need to find the wreckage of a ship, which would be easier to spot than the stone itself.

[@diddyknux]

Nice, I think the Palantir are definitely a little-understood aspect of the world. A bit more complex than just "crystal balls" or something. I'd kind of like to see a video specifically focused on the Silmarils. I don't really get a sense of what they actually are from videos I've seen. Do they have or bestow powers? If so, what kinds? Or are they ultimately just a set of really bright jewels that Feanor was super prideful of, enough to kill other elves over?

[@meekrab9027]

They almost certainly did have some power, seeing as they contained the light of the two trees, and even water from Galadriel's fountain many thousands of years later imbued with that same light had magical properties. But what it was is never really mentioned, outside of the fact that it created a lot of jealousy.

[@realmless4193]

It would still be interesting to see how the orthanc stone effects future history.

[@DMBlade4]

Maybe, but Tolkien disagreed. He tried to write a book about the 4th age 3 times called The New Shadow but abandoned it every time because it was boring. The world had no more magic, elves, dwarves or great evils aside from a banished Morgoth. The age of man was rather dull, apparently.

[@angrypotato_fz]

Awesome video! I'm glad you explained the details and possible whereabouts of all the lost stones! I'm also grateful for pointing out Denethor's will power - I didn't think about it much. The movies shown him as a weak, power-corrupted lord in despair. It's good to know that his state was a lesser evil and he didn't betray his people.

[@MrVvulf]

Tuor and the fall of Gondolin are some of my favorite parts of the Silmarillion. I'd like to hear your interpretation of the tale, and the ultimate fate of Tuor. Personally, I favor the idea that Ulmo stepped up on behalf of Tuor, but there's no conclusive evidence either way as far as I know.

[@nelsinhocarioca1]

As per your request about which artifact to speak of in a later video I suggest doing a video on the Stone if Erech

[@higginswalsan]

I freaking love gazing into the Palantír

[@trenttibbits8641]

Man!! Literally was just thinking about all this while playing Middle Earth shadow of war! ❤️ right on time

[@angeljaceherondale]

Ah, I was hoping you would mention how when Pippin touched the stone, it created a deep temptation in him to look at it, because of Sauron's influence on it all that time. The movies don't really hint at this properly, which makes Pippin seem simply stupid. One of my favorite things in the book is how Gandalf apologizes to Pippin for allowing him to come to this danger, because he was distracted by Saruman. Instead of you know, just calling him an idiot.

[@annaroselarsen4218]

I been waiting all day for this

[@quaffdowngin]

Brilliant, as always. Loved your description of how they actually worked as far as alignment, etc. I did not remember that.

[@aldrydd1]

Great video as always!

[@DarkDomain]

Wonderful content as always, thank you!

[@NerdoftheRings]

Thanks!! :)

[@durrty8]

I love nerd of the Rings I like how you tell the story the background of everything you make sure the viewer and listener understands it

[@danwinger1865]

Outstanding video full of information. Great job!

[@homestuck_official]

9:17 for orb pondering

[@thehighguarduk4820]

Fantastic video really well discussed and explained. Nicely done! 😁😎👍 Perhaps a video on royal heirlooms of different kingdoms and races, e.g. ring of Barahir for the Dunedain, Arkenstone for the Dwarves, Gems of Lasgalen Woodland Realm Elves etc...

[@robertc8425]

After 1 minute i saw your vide. LOVE FROM RO!

[@MrMarvellousMark]

I Wanted a video on this theme for a really long time , because this is one of the middle earth themes I understand the least . Thanks for making it clear! Mellon

[@leonsarsfield5445]

Another amazing video

[@Creameggs42]

You should do the history of all the rings of power! That would be a good video

[@stephenstevens6573]

Always great knowledge and great work! Thank you@

[@kennethmorgan1254]

I have immensely enjoyed your descriptive stories and maps from Tolkien’s legendary. The author’s hero’s and villains, locations and back stories are incredibly rich, so rich that it is easy for a fan of Middle Earth ( like myself) to loose track in the shear magnitude of details. Your videos have helped me enjoy the stories and tales so much more and I am grateful for Tolkien scholars such as yourself and others that have made content available for us all to enjoy and contemplate. I recently downloaded the unabridged audiobook of The Hobbit and thought how much I would enjoy listening to these stories with illustrations and maps. I’m sure this would be a daunting task to develop an app to coincide with the already published audiobooks not to mention copyright obstacles among them. It would be like having the pages of a book inserted into the iPad as the story is told. Tracking the journeys of the characters across the expanse of Middle Earth with maps that can be paused and studied, exploring the lineage of all the central figures, illustrating the weapons, cities and events from the books. Has the idea of such an undertaken ever been discussed amongst you and your Tolkien colleagues? I am sure there are many Middle Earth fans that would love to see such a project developed.

[@cicknobb5321]

I have been wanting a video explaining more about these

[@NerdoftheRings]

Wait no longer, my friend! :)

[@GarretGarlinger]

So the Eye seeing in a line in the movies kinda makes sense now! Well done Nerd of the Rings! Really awesome!

[@ppvk2610]

Aahhh ...💡 Right!

[@brmrrw1]

I really enjoy your videos. You tell the stories so well. Thank you.

[@hedevangsvej]

Thank you for the video, I’ve always wondered about how the palantiri works

[@Nikki-gv6gl]

just pondering my orb

[@greyworld6242]

Can you do a video on the silmarils please? The palantiri were basically the phones of middle earth. I wonder how different our world would be if they were real?

[@gonzalovelodeipola7279]

I really enjoyed this video! Thanks so much

[@corbindick8943]

Loving your attention to detail man

[@Knight860]

I think the Palantiri also, depending on the user, encouraged one to jump to the wrong conclusions based on what they saw. Sauron, Saruman, Denethor and movie Aragorn guess wrong or assume the worst after looking in it. The lesson being that the future is not set and not to assume what *might* happen *will* happen.

[@brentsilvey2288]

Last time I was this early, Melkor was corrupting the music of the ainur.

[@gorramnelf]

Nice!

[@brentsilvey2288]

@Steve Fox Thanks!

[@JoHnnYMansvk0020]

I love this channel, amazing work my friend :)

[@kristianlykke]

Im dont really have time to watch a lot of your content, but when I ocasionally do, I am always impressed by your scripts and enjoy it a lot! Cheers!

[@sean...]

a story of the seven stars and one of the white tree would complete the tale of what they brought over the flowing sea

[@raptor_jesus8236]

the orbs of pondering

[@jefffinkbonner9551]

The artwork used here is absolutely gorgeous. I mean, look at 7:17 Just look at that! Stunning and magnificent. And what an edit you did on the transition there!

[@shehansenanayaka3046]

We always love you videos. Brilliant video. We always appreciate your hard work and dedication towards these videos. Love from Sri Lanka 🇱🇰🤝🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿.

[@mitracaligrafia]

"Seven Stars and Seven Stones and One White Tree" - The stones and the tree are clear, what is Gandalf referencing with the stars? The sons of Fëanor?

[@philcanavan7866]

7 ships of the faithful I think

[@cameronreid3835]

As an MTG player, I love how the second image is not even vaguely related to Arda/LOTR. It's too bad Mirrari isn't a more playable card, because it would make a good commander or secret lair reprint as a palantir for the crossover set.

[@mordrid7904]

We just had a wake for our dear Mirari... too soon. 😥

[@jacfalle27]

Wow, this actually gives me a measure of respect that I didn’t have before for Denethor. To persevere in a battle of wills against Sauron, I can kind of see why he’d go a little mad in the movies. 🤔

[@Pickle136]

the rings of power would be a logical next step

[@Zigurat7]

Who else is here to ponder the orb?

[@chompythebeast]

lol love the use of the Mirari art in the opening segment, I guess it does look like a palantir

[@Morbidwolf2011]

The images you use are amazing and so beautiful

[@Dahak6666]

The rods of the 5 wizards

[@frankmueller2781]

How about a video on Orcrist and Glamdring? How did the Sword of Turgon, King of Gondolin, come to be in the possession of three exceptionally stupid trolls?

[@knotengajin7359]

By plundering the hordes of other plunderers.

[@dadabaggins9150]

Thank you so much for this video!!!!

[@chaiwarrior111]

Not sure what took me so long, but finally subscribed. Great content, thanks!

[@maxrodriguez6797]

Pondering the orb?!

[@cvt0072]

Ponder the orb.

[@Dr_Cole]

Really enjoyed this one today. Thank you!

[@NerdoftheRings]

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[@zacharyorme2474]

Hell yes! As soon I first read about these I wanted to know more thank you!