Definitions by AnDY
Noldor
In Tolkien's work, a clan of elves skilled in mining and smithywork, who went west (along with the Vanyar and Teleri) in the early days of the First Age, and settled in a city called Tirion in Eldamar. They were close to the Vanya Aule. However, many of the Noldor returned to Middle-Earth after strife in Valinor caused partly by the machinations of Morgoth. They are also known as deep-elves and (in Tolkien's early work) gnomes.
The original king of the Noldor, Finwe, was slain by Morgoth while still in Valinor, but not until his three sons had begun to fight. The eldest son, Feanor, was the maker of beautiful and powerful jewels called Silmarils, and he was jealous towards his brothers, who he feared wished to usurp his position as Finwe's heir. When Morgoth stole the Silmarils, Feanor, who grew suspicious of the Valar, led a large section of the Noldor in pursuit, and was joined by Fingolfin and his sons. Some of the Noldor, under the third son Finarfin, remained in Eldamar.
The Noldor were put under a curse by the Valar after slaying some of their kin, the Teleri, while trying to steal boats to sail to Middle-Earth. Nevertheless, they became the major power in Beleriand for most of the First Age, and the growth and battles of their realms are the main focus of the Silmarillion. This history was, however, one of feuding and dispair.
Of the elves appearing in other works, only Galadriel is of the Noldor.
The original king of the Noldor, Finwe, was slain by Morgoth while still in Valinor, but not until his three sons had begun to fight. The eldest son, Feanor, was the maker of beautiful and powerful jewels called Silmarils, and he was jealous towards his brothers, who he feared wished to usurp his position as Finwe's heir. When Morgoth stole the Silmarils, Feanor, who grew suspicious of the Valar, led a large section of the Noldor in pursuit, and was joined by Fingolfin and his sons. Some of the Noldor, under the third son Finarfin, remained in Eldamar.
The Noldor were put under a curse by the Valar after slaying some of their kin, the Teleri, while trying to steal boats to sail to Middle-Earth. Nevertheless, they became the major power in Beleriand for most of the First Age, and the growth and battles of their realms are the main focus of the Silmarillion. This history was, however, one of feuding and dispair.
Of the elves appearing in other works, only Galadriel is of the Noldor.
The kings of the Noldor in Middle-Earth included the sons of Feanor (Maedhros, Maglor, Curufin, Celegorm, Caranthir, Amrod and Amras); Finrod Felagund, son of Fingolfin; and Turgon, son of Finarfin. Galadriel, sister of Finrod, later became ruler of Lorien.
Relations between the Noldor and other peoples such as the Sindar are portrayed in the Silmarillion as rather fraught.
Relations between the Noldor and other peoples such as the Sindar are portrayed in the Silmarillion as rather fraught.
Casiorn
City-state located to the west of Vassagonia and to the south of Sommerlund and the Wildlands. This city is independent of all surrounding kingdoms and is mainly a trading centre. It is usually first in line when Vassagonia starts getting expansionist.
Part of the Lone Wolf world, it appears substantially only in one of the Legends of Lone Wolf novels, where Lone Wolf briefly passes through the city and notices extremes of wealth and poverty (which is not, incidentally, an accurate depiction of the type of medieval city-state on which Casiorn is modelled).
Part of the Lone Wolf world, it appears substantially only in one of the Legends of Lone Wolf novels, where Lone Wolf briefly passes through the city and notices extremes of wealth and poverty (which is not, incidentally, an accurate depiction of the type of medieval city-state on which Casiorn is modelled).
Wildlands
An area in the world of Magnamund, located between Sommerlund and Durenor. The area is mostly desert and deserted, except for the port town of Ragadorn, a haven for outlaws and pirates. Another small settlement, Gorn Cove, is near the border with Durenor. The map in Lone Wolf 19: Wolf's Bane also shows some tiny villages located along the coast. There are also some small towns towards the south of the Wildlands, but these may technically be in Sommerlund.
Ragadorn is technically listed as the capital, although this is a largely inaccurate term. As well as humans (mostly travellers and renegades), the Wildlands are home to szall, a weaker type of Giak which were driven from the Darklands by the better-known Mountain Giaks (now simply called Giaks).
Ragadorn is technically listed as the capital, although this is a largely inaccurate term. As well as humans (mostly travellers and renegades), the Wildlands are home to szall, a weaker type of Giak which were driven from the Darklands by the better-known Mountain Giaks (now simply called Giaks).
Beleriand
Region in the far northwest of Middle Earth in the First Age. Its history is recounted in Tolkien's epic work "The Silmarillion". Being the closest region to Valinor, this was the region peopled by elves who returned from Valinor or who didn't quite reach it; it is also the nearest region to Morgoth's fortress at Angband. The Wars of Beleriand - including five major battles and innumerable skirmishes - and the tales of Beren and Luthien, Turin and Nienor, and Tuor and Idril all take place in the setting of Beleriand.
The realms of Beleriand include Doriath, Nargothrond, Gondolin, Thargelion, Ossiriand, Himring,Falas, Mithrim, Dor-lomin and Dorthonion.
Beleriand is destroyed at the end of the Silmarillion in a massive battle in which the forces of Valinor join those of the elves of Beleriand in finally destroying Morgoth's forces; the realm is destroyed in the conflict and sinks into the sea (except Himling Island and Tol Fuin, which appear on later maps).
The realms of Beleriand include Doriath, Nargothrond, Gondolin, Thargelion, Ossiriand, Himring,Falas, Mithrim, Dor-lomin and Dorthonion.
Beleriand is destroyed at the end of the Silmarillion in a massive battle in which the forces of Valinor join those of the elves of Beleriand in finally destroying Morgoth's forces; the realm is destroyed in the conflict and sinks into the sea (except Himling Island and Tol Fuin, which appear on later maps).