Years of the Lamps

Years of the Lamps (Q."Calaidánar") or Ages of the Lamps also called Days before Days (Q. "Réaroporéar") were an age of unparalleled beauty and tragedy in the deep prehistory of Arda, long before the awakening of the Children of Ilúvatar. This era followed the twilight of the Days of Gloaming (Lomendánar), during which the Valar first descended into Eä and wrestled with Melkor in the First War. After his defeat, the Valar began their great labors to shape the world into a place of harmony, raising the Two Lamps to bring light to all lands. These days, shrouded in mystery, were known as the Spring of Arda, and their tragic end marked the first fall of the world into darkness.

Timeline[]

The Years of the Lamps span 1,600 Valian Years (15,379 Sun Years) and are divided into three distinct epochs: The Spring of Arda, The Time of Radiance, and The Sleep of Yavanna, sometimes also recognised as Years of the Stars. Below is a detailed timeline with key events.

The Spring of Arda (The First Era of the Lamps)[]

(Approx. 1,900 – 3,000 VY | 18,206 – 28,746 SY)

~1,900 VY (~18,206 SY): Aulë completes the Two Lamps, Illuin and Ormal. The Valar erect Helcar and Ringil, and the light spreads across Arda, marking the end of the Days of Gloaming and the beginning of the Spring of Arda.
~1950 VY (~19,165 Sun Years): The Valar establish Almaren, their first dwelling in the center of Arda, where the light of the Lamps mingles.
~2,000 VY (~19,122 SY): Yavanna creates the first great forests, including the Melyalë, trees whose golden leaves glow faintly in the light of the Lamps.
Manwë organizes the skies and the winds, ensuring that Arda is protected from extremes of weather.
~2,200 VY (~21,093 SY): The first great forests grow in the light of the Lamps. Creatures of wonder, such as the Vairalimë (great silver stags) and Lindrumar (singing birds), emerge.
~2,500 VY (~23,955 SY): Oromë and Nessa explore the untamed lands of Arda, naming its many beasts.
~2,700 VY (~25,871 SY): In deep Void Melkor allies with some of the Amartari who cling to the Void. These spirits, drawn by his malice, become the first Demons of the Void.
~2,800 VY (~26,855 SY): Ulmo completes the great seas and waters of Arda, harmonizing the land and water. He crafts the Deep Wells of Ulindë, the great reservoirs from which all rivers flow.

Time of Radiance[]

(Approx. 3,000 – 3,450 VY | 28,746 – 33,058 SY)

~3,000 VY (~28,911 SY): Tulkas weds Nessa, and the Valar rejoice. Melkor, envious of their peace, secretly returns to Arda, hidden in the far north.
Aulë creates the first gemstones, inspired by the light of the Lamps
~3,075 VY (~29,482 SY): Ulmo calls the first storm and the first great rains fall upon the lands, filling the rivers of the world with fresh waters drawn from the deep.
~3,100 VY (~29,704 SY): The first corruption of Arda; Subtle blights appear: rivers darken, forests sicken, and strange mists rise in the far north; Melkor starts twisting some of Yavanna's creatures into monstrous forms.
~3,160 VY (~30,280 SY): Aulë shapes the deep places of the earth, and hidden forges begin to glow in the underworld.
~3,210 VY (~30,766 SY): The Dimming of the Northern Lands. Ice spreads across the furthest north, where the light of Illuin shines least.
~3,250 VY (~31,158 SY): To guard against potential incursions from the Valar, Melkor commands Sauron, his lieutenant, to construct Angband as a secondary fortress beneath the western Iron Mountains.
~3,300 VY (~31,637 SY): In mockery of Yavanna’s great ents, Melkor creates the Trolls, brutish beings of stone and shadow, bound to his will.
~3,350 VY (~32,420 SY): The First Earthquakes; Melkor’s deep delvings beneath the Iron Mountains cause the first tremors in the world, unsettling the perfect harmony of Arda.
~3,385 VY The light of the Lamps weakens in certain regions due to Melkor’s malice, creating desolate wastelands and poisonous bogs.
~3,400 VY (~32,595 SY): Twilight Over Almaren; The Valar grow suspicious of creeping shadows. Manwë sends Oromë to investigate the northern lands, seeking the source of the encroaching darkness.
~3,425 VY (~32,818 SY): The first skirmishes between Melkor’s forces and the Valar take place, as shadows rise in the northern regions of Arda.
~3,433 VY (~33,424 SY): Aulë creates the first great gemstones, scattering them across Arda. Some are stolen by Melkor, fueling his jealousy and greed.
~3,340 VY (~32,021 SY): Melkor gathers his greatest servants, calling forth the first Dark Council of the world.
~3,448 VY (~32,980 SY): Melkor strikes suddenly, toppling Illuin in the north. The fall of the Lamp creates the Sea of Helcar. Soon enough Ormal in the south is overthrown by Melkor’s forces, shattering the lands and forming the Sea of Ringil.
~3450 VY (~33,058 SY): The Spring of Arda ends. Fall of the Lamps fractures the primal continent, Nóri-Landar, dividing it into Aman, Middle-earth, and the mysterious Eastern Lands. Almaren is obliterated in the chaos. The Valar flee westward, abandoning Middle-earth to Melkor’s dominion.

Sleep of Yavanna (Years of the Stars)[]

(Approx. 3,450 – 4,000 VY | 33,058 – 38,328 SY)

~3,451 VY (~33,084 SY): The Valar retreat to Aman.
~3,460 VY (~33,171 SY): The Pelóri Mountains are raised to protect Aman from Melkor’s reach.
~3,470 VY (~33,244 SY): Yavanna places much of Arda’s life into slumber to protect it from Melkor’s growing power. This period is marked by stillness and grief.
~3,500 VY (~33,537 SY): Aulë lays the foundations of Valmar, the first city of the Valar, in Aman; Melkor fortifies Utumno, expanding his dominion over Middle-earth and creating new creatures of shadow.
~3,505 VY (~33,600 SY): The Rise of the Forgotten Forges. In the distant lands of the east, ancient workshops of the K’ta’vîr are found, though the Valar dare not approach.
~3,510 VY (~33,651 SY): The Shadowy Seas are born. Ulmo shapes the western shores of Aman
~3,550 VY (~34,016 SY): The Raising of the Magic Isles. As a defense against Melkor, Aulë raises unseen islands to shield the West.
~3,590 VY (~34,510 SY): First Battle in Aman; Sauron sends shadows to test the strength of Aman’s defenses, but Tulkas drives them back into the east.
~3,600 VY (~34,364 SY): Yavanna begins her work to craft the Two Trees, drawing inspiration from the mingled light of the Lamps that once was.
~3,620 VY (~34,674 SY):
~3,750 VY (~35,951 SY): The First Spawn of Ungoliant.
~3,900 VY (~37,251 SY): Telperion and Laurelin, the Two Trees of Valinor, are grown, bringing light to Aman.
~3,950 VY (~37,831 SY): Varda sets new stars in the sky, heralding the coming of the Firstborn.
~4,000 VY (~38,037 SY): The first Elves awaken at Cuiviénen, and the Valar turn their thoughts toward Middle-earth once more. The Sleep of Yavanna ends, and the Years of the Trees (Aldudanar) begin.