Category:Maiar

The Maiar comprise the vast majority of the Ainur who left the Timeless Halls and entered Ea. When the fifteen Valar ventured into Existence and accepted wardship over the newborn World, the Maiar followed. Maia groups ordered themselves as vassals of the greater Ainur and labored according to guidelines of their Vala masters. They set about shaping Arda as the Powers directed. The Maiar s role was, as always, to aid their lords in completing the scheme envisioned by Eru. Although they serve the Valar, the Maiar share the nature of their greater brethren. They too are immortal, and they too are spirits without need of form. Like the Valar, Maiar adopt corporeal bodies to interact with Eru's Children. This enables them to perform their primary task, which is the tending of Arda. The Maiar carry their masters' word and serve as intermediaries between the Valar and lesser beings. Since their role both permits and requires them to interact with the inhabitants of Middle-earth more often and more directly than do the Valar, Maiar take form more frequently and maintain their forms (Q. "fanar") for longer periods. Their stronger connections to form reinforce their stronger links to lesser peoples. The Maiar, while born before Existence itself, share many of the pas- sions and shortcomings of the Children of Iluvatar. The number of Maiar is unknown; however, these lesser spirits make up a true and consider- able community. The Maiar are numerous enough to nurture their own societies and raise their own, magnificent war-host. Their variety is great and their tale reflects this varied character.

THE CHAIN OF GUARDIANSHIP
The Maiar serve as a link between the Free Peoples and the Valar. In turn, the Valar are Eru's representatives, the trustees of the World pat- terned by his thought. The chain bringing Eru's conceptions to fruition, then, looks something like this:


 * ERU (The One)
 * I
 * I
 * THE VALAR(The Greater of the Ainur in Ea)
 * I
 * I
 * THE MAIAR (The Lesser of the Ainur in Ea)
 * I
 * I
 * FREE PEOPLES (Elves, Men, Dwarves, Hobbits, etc.)

Although the One designed a great plan for Ea, he desired little interference in the affairs of his Children. Just as the brilliant diversity and indi- vidual passions of his Ainu servants endowed Creation with a richness and fullness of life, the myriad cultures and races of the Free Peoples have given Arda a character sparkling with infinite variety. The combination of Eru's delegation, the Valar's restraint, and the Maiar's discipline afford each tier in the hierarchy of existent life freedom. However outwardly chaotic, as long as the Balance of Things remains intact, the evolution of Eru's thought proceeds as planned. This Balance is fundamental to the Ainur's mission in Ea. Fallen Ainur, however, threaten the Balance and disrupt the chain of guardianship. Morgoth's Rebellion caused many of the Maiar to fall away from their appointed path. Some, like Aule's high servant Sauron, actually entered Arda in the service of the Black Enemy; others, like the renegade Fire Spirits (who would become known as the Balrogs), succumbed to Darkness at a later time. Each shunned Eru's conception and aban- doned any loyalty to the Balance of Things. It is this internecine strife among the Ainur that spawns the greatest plagues within Arda and upon the Children of Iluvatar. It is this Ainu infighting that serves as the most serious chal- lenge to Eru's peace.

Overview
Maiar: (Q, sing. "Maia") The lesser Ainur who entered Ea as servants of the Valar. They are also known as the People of the Valar, the Servants of Valinor, and the Servants of the Guardians. The ignorant (notably among Men) call them "Lesser Gods."

Maiar of Renown
Amillo Amnon Arien Caradhras Danuin Duilwen Eonwe Fanuin Featiriel-mí-Nole Gandalf Gilim Glend Ilmare Kalamire Leukë Lindion the Oronin Linuile Makar Meássë Melian Mock the Trickster Mother Withywindle Mudling Annis Nenselde the Wingild Nieliqui Osse Pallando Quelbaras Radagast Ranuin Rhi Helvarch Salmar Telimektar Tilion Tom Bombadil Uinen Yantolindo

Groups: Bulor-Ilg Earth Spirits Fairies Falmaríni Fire Spirits Hunters of Orome Manir Nermir Nandini Oarni Orossi Shadow Spirits Spirits of Air Spirits of Mandos Suruli Tavari Tica Uvalear Water Spirits Wingildi

Fallen Maiar or Umaiar
Alatar Boldog Durlach Fankil Faucarach Felagrog Gaurhir Gilthrang Gothmog Gulavhar Langon Lungorthin Muar Nose of the Sea Old Man Willow Saruman Sauron Spirit of Anor Thuringwethil Ulbandi Ungolianth

Groups:Balrogs Boldogs Cat-Demons Ghouls Hunters of Morgoth Ice-Demons Ogres Serpent-Demons Vampires

Personages
Badger Brock Eagoth Enna San Sarab Goldberry Gwethil Huan Luthien Naruhel Shelob Thorondor Tinfang Gelion Draugluin Nahar   Glaurung Storlaga

Groups
Dragons Giants Great Eagles Great Spiders Horses of Valinor Morroval Morvul Noble Hounds Ocean sun-fish Ogres Werewolves Woodnymphs