Nandor (Elves)

Nandorin Elves

The Nandor (W. "Those who turn back"), also called Danas or Dani (N. "People of Dan"), were a branch of the Teleri Elves who, under their chieftain Lenwë (or Dan), did not cross the Hithaeglir. The Green-Elves of Ossiriand and Wood-Elves of Mirkwood and Lorien were their descendants.

Detailed Description

Culture

The Nandor were a relatively primitive woodland culture, hunters and gatherers who settled in small communities in forests and along river valleys. Until the arrival of Sindar among them in the Second Age, metalwork and stone buildings were alien to them.

Appearance

The Nandor were small by elvish standards, sometimes even below six feet. They resembled more closely the Wild Elves of the East. They had fair or lavender or silverish, but sometimes also brownish, skin and mostly dark or golden brown hair though sandy blond and silver-white tones could also be found.

History

After the perishing of their chieftain Lenwe, the Nandor split in two groups. One group, led by Lenwe's son Danitharo (Denethor in Sindarin) went into Eriador and later reached Beleriand, becoming the Laiquendi. The other group stayed in Rhovanion, but some of them later eventually moved south to (what would later become) Gondor and near-Harad or north to Forochel; these were the Silvan or Wood-elves.

Languages

The Nandor spoke a Telerin dialect called Nandorin or Danian. After the split of the Nandor, the west-Danian dialect evolved into Ossiriandeb (also Ossiriandic, Ossiriandrin or Ossiriandish and Laiquenderin) while East-Danian evolved into Leikvian or Silvan-Elvish (with dialects such as Sîrrandrai, Galadhrin and Lam Tawaren).

Names

The Nandor were also known as the Host of Dân, the Wanderers, Axe-Elves, the Hidden People, Singers unseen, the Kingless and the Lost Folk.

Nandor of Renown

Annunlor Aramacar Argaldor Arien Arinmir Ascarnil of Rivendell Balglin Calaglin Calenlinn Camthalion of Mirkwood Carnil Celebrim Denethor Dínendal Elindiel Elros the Master of Keys Elwen Erethón Evranin Fanar Feren Fereveldir Ferevellon Galadhon son of Elmo Galion of Mirkwood Gwendir Halatir Haldir of Lórien Heladil Hilvanar Indossa Iralussiel Ithilbor Ivren Lamalas Legolas II Greenleaf Lenwë Lianna Lindal of Mirkwood Lothiniel Mablon the Ilkorin Malestir the Quiet Merethorn Mithrellas Nellas of Doriath Nimien Nimrodel Niniel Nôllien Ohtar of Celebannon Ordulus Orophin II Pelnimloth Pengedhel Rúmil of Lórien Rúmil of Ost-in-Edhil Saeros of Doriath Sularin Sulor Thandronen Thonnas Thranduil Turlindë Uruviel

Genealogy of the Nandor

• Quendi
  • Nelyar
    • Teleri
      • Dani or Nandor
        • Green-Elves or Leikvir (Laiquendi)
          • Elves of Evendim
          • Elves of Harlindon
        • Wood-elves or Tawarwaith
          • Elves of Mirkwood
          • Galadhrim
          • Wood-Elves of Eriador
            • Lathedil
            • lindellim
            • Siranni
          • Lossidil or Snow-elves
            • Red Elves
          • Uialrim of Neldoreth
          • Southern Danians
            • Elves of Ithilien
            • Avorrim of Edhellond
            • Hawnin of Harondor and Near-Harad