A palantír is a magical artifact from J. R. R. Tolkien in 1916. He is wearing a WWI-era British Army uniform in this photograph. John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (January 3, 1892 – September 2, 1973) was the author of and is anglicized from , foolhardy). The character of Professor Rashbold in , beginning with and , written while recuperating... J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional universe of A map of the Northwestern part of Middle-earth at the end of the Third Age, courtesy of the Encyclopedia of Arda. Middle-earth is the name for the lands on J.R.R. Tolkiens fictional ancient Earth where most of the tales of his legendarium take place. Middle... Middle-earth.

A palantír (sometimes translated as Seeing Stone but actually meaning "One that sees from afar") is a stone that functions somewhat like a crystal ball. When one looks in it, he can communicate with other Stones and anyone who might be looking into them; people of great power can manipulate the Stones to see virtually any part of the world. They were made by the Elves of A map of Aman and Valinor A fictional location from J. R. R. Tolkiens legendarium, Valinor (meaning Land of the Valar) is the realm of the Valar in Aman, the place to which they moved after being driven from Almaren by Melkor. Its major city was Valimar. After the... Valinor in the Uttermost West, almost certainly by the Ñoldor and possibly by Fëanor. Many palantíri were made, but the number is not known. Some had power over other Stones. The stones had various sizes. The smallest had a diameter of about a foot, while the largest filled a large chamber. The master stone was kept in the tower of Avallonë on Tol Eressëa. They are known to have a power over people, as seen from the experience of Peregrin Took (T.A. 2990-?), better known to his friends as Pippin, is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkiens universe of Middle-earth; a Hobbit, and one of Frodo Bagginss youngest but best friends. In Peter Jacksons film trilogy commencing with he is smaller than... Peregrin Took and the Orthanc-stone.

Some of the stones were given to the Dúnedain of Númenor as a gift, during the The Second Age is a fictional time period from J. R. R. Tolkiens universe of Middle-earth. Spoiler warning: The Second Age began after the banishment of Morgoth into the Void by the Lords of the West led by Eönwë the Herald of Manwë. It lasted for 3441... Second Age. Of these, In Middle-earth, the fantasy universe of J. R. R. Tolkien, Elendil was a heroic figure. Known as Elendil the Tall or Elendil the Fair, he was the father of Isildur and Anárion, last lord of Andúnië, and the founder and first king of Arnor and Gondor. Elendil... Elendil took seven with him on his flight to the continent of Middle-earth, and in time they were distributed among seven places: four in Gondor is a fictional location from J. R. R. Tolkiens Middle-earth. History Like Arnor to the north, Gondor is a human kingdom founded by Isildur and Anárion, the sons of Elendil, after the Downfall of Númenor. It was located to the south of Rohan and to... Gondor and three in In the fiction of J.R.R. Tolkien, Arnor, or the Northern Kingdom, was a kingdom of the Dúnedain in the land of Eriador in Middle-earth. The name probably means Land of the King, from Sindarin Ara- (high, kingly) + (n)dor (land). It was founded at the end... Arnor. By the end of the The Third Age is a fictional time period from J. R. R. Tolkiens universe of Middle-earth. Spoiler warning: The Third Age began after the first downfall of Sauron, when he was defeated by the Last Alliance of Elves and Men following the downfall of Númenor. This age... Third Age, four had been lost forever, one was hidden in the Dark Tower of Barad-dûr, and one had been rendered virtually unusable.

• The Stone of In the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, Osgiliath is a city of Middle-earth, the old capital city of Gondor. Spoiler warning: Founded by Elendil and his sons at the end of the Second Age, Osgiliath straddled the Great River Anduin at a point approximately half way between the... Osgiliath was the largest stone among the seven, and chief among them. It was placed in a prominent building in the capital city of the kingdom of Gondor. The ceiling was painted to resemble a starry sky, and gave its name (os-giliath, the In the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, the Dome of Stars refers to two great starred domes. The first Dome of Stars was the Dome of Stars of Valinor, created by the Vala Varda (also known as Elbereth), and referred both to the great domed building in Valimar, as... Dome of Stars) to the city itself. This Stone was the first to be lost: during the civil war of the In the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, the Kin-strife was a disastrous civil war in Gondor. The unrest that created the Kin-strife began when Valacar, the son of the Gondorian king Rómendacil II, married a woman of the Northmen of Rhovanion, Vidumavi. She bore him a... Kin-strife around the middle of the Third Age, it fell into the river In J. R. R. Tolkiens fictional Middle-earth, the Anduin or Great River of Wilderland is the longest river in the Third Age (the original Sindarin name means Long River), rising east of the Misty Mountains and flowing south through Wilderland and eastern Gondor. Gondors ancient capital Osgiliath... Anduin.

• One Stone was placed in the tower of In J. R. R. Tolkiens fictional world of Middle-earth, Elostirion is the tallest of the three towers that stood on the Tower Hills. It once held one of the palantíri of Arnor. Categories: Middle-earth places | Tolkien stubs ... Elostirion in the In J. R. R. Tolkiens fictional realm of Middle-earth, the Tower Hills were a series of steep hills at the west end of Eriador. They lay about 30 Númenórean miles east of Mithlond, the Grey Havens of Lindon, and about 50 miles west of the White... Tower Hills, just west of the In J. R. R. Tolkiens fictional realm of Middle-earth, the Shire is the region that is occupied by Hobbits. It is located in the northwest of Middle-earth, in the continent of Eriador and the Kingdom of Arnor. Its name in Westron was Sûza Shire or S... Shire. Until it was taken back to the West with the three In J. R. R. Tolkiens Unlike the other Rings of Power, they were forged by Celebrimbor alone, and were never touched by Sauron. Names and descriptions of the Three Rings Narya, The Ring of Fire, set with a ruby; originally worn by Gil-galad, then by Círdan, who... Elven Rings, it could be used to look along the In the works of J. R. R. Tolkien, the Straight Road is the route that leaves the earths curvature through sky and space to the ethereal land of Aman. The Straight Road, so called because it follows the old path across Belegaer from before the Akallabêth when the... Straight Road to Avallonë.

• The other two Stones in In the fiction of J.R.R. Tolkien, Arnor, or the Northern Kingdom, was a kingdom of the Dúnedain in the land of Eriador in Middle-earth. The name probably means Land of the King, from Sindarin Ara- (high, kingly) + (n)dor (land). It was founded at the end... Arnor were those of the watch-tower of Amon Sûl and the city of Annúminas. Both of these were lost when Arvedui is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkiens universe of Middle-earth. Arvedui was the son of King Araphant of Arthedain. He came to the throne in 1964 at the death of his father. His name meant — Appendix A: Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion Arvedui... Arvedui Last-king was shipwrecked in the Ice-bay of Forochel, in The Third Age is a fictional time period from J. R. R. Tolkiens universe of Middle-earth. Spoiler warning: The Third Age began after the first downfall of Sauron, when he was defeated by the Last Alliance of Elves and Men following the downfall of Númenor. This age... T.A. 1975.

• One Stone was placed at In the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, Minas Ithil (Tower of the Moon in Sindarin) was Gondors watchtower in the east as Minas Anor was the watchtower in the west. In the time after the destruction of Númenor, the sons of Elendil, Isildur and Anárion, landed... Minas Ithil in the mountains that came to be known as the Ephel Dúath. When Minas Ithil fell to the Nazgûl, the Ithil-stone was taken to the Barad-dûr and used by Sauron is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkiens Middle-earth universe. He is the titular , and in SAMPA as: . Spoiler warning: Sauron in the First Age In the earliest of days, before the Valar entered Arda, Sauron was in origin an angelic spirit called a Maia in... Sauron. It was presumably destroyed at the fall of Sauron.

• One Stone was placed at In J. R. R. Tolkiens fictional universe of Middle-earth, Orthanc is the black tower of Isengard. Its name is Sindarin for Mount Fang. Spoiler warning: Orthanc was built during the Third Age by the Númenóreans of Gondor out of a single piece of stone by an... Orthanc, the great tower built by the Dúnedain in the Second Age at the southern end of the In J. R. R. Tolkiens fantasy world of Middle-earth, the Misty Mountains (also known by its Sindarin name of The Misty Mountains were created by Melkor, who wanted to make it difficult for Oromë, who often rode about hunting, to pass. Their most important peaks are Caradhras, Carn... Misty Mountains. It fell into the hands of the wizard Saruman is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkiens universe, Middle-earth. Christopher Lee as Saruman the White Spoiler warning: Saruman the White (. Characteristics In appearance, Saruman was as an old man with black hair. At the end of the Third Age, his hair and beard had turned... Saruman, who used it to garner information on his neighbors and their activities. The stone was also partially responsible for Saruman's fall from grace, as he was using it when he came upon Sauron is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkiens Middle-earth universe. He is the titular , and in SAMPA as: . Spoiler warning: Sauron in the First Age In the earliest of days, before the Valar entered Arda, Sauron was in origin an angelic spirit called a Maia in... Sauron, and was ensnared by him, though his transformation to one of the fallen The Maiar are a fictional race from J. R. R. Tolkiens universe, Middle-earth. Spoiler warning: The Maiar are those spirits which descended to Arda to help the Valar to shape the World. Singular is Maia. There were supposed to be numerous, yet not many were named. Their chiefs... Maiar had undoubtedly begun much earlier. Saruman later used the stone to confer with Sauron is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkiens Middle-earth universe. He is the titular , and in SAMPA as: . Spoiler warning: Sauron in the First Age In the earliest of days, before the Valar entered Arda, Sauron was in origin an angelic spirit called a Maia in... Sauron through the Ithil-stone in Barad-dûr, and plan much of their mutual cooperation throughout the Spoiler warning: In the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, the War of the Ring ended the Third Age. It was initiated by Sauron, who had gained strength since the end of the Second Age and sought the One Ring. During the War of the Ring, many thousands of Men... War of the Ring. This communication likely influenced his decision that resistance against Sauron was futile.
  
  Later, Gríma, also called In J. R. R. Tolkiens novel Gríma was secretly in thrall to Saruman, and worked to weaken Théoden and his kingdom. Upon Gandalfs arrival, many things which men had missed were found locked in his trunk and he was given a grim choice: ride into battle... Wormtongue, cast the stone down from In J. R. R. Tolkiens fictional universe of Middle-earth, Orthanc is the black tower of Isengard. Its name is Sindarin for Mount Fang. Spoiler warning: Orthanc was built during the Third Age by the Númenóreans of Gondor out of a single piece of stone by an... Orthanc, where it was recovered by Peregrin Took (T.A. 2990-?), better known to his friends as Pippin, is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkiens universe of Middle-earth; a Hobbit, and one of Frodo Bagginss youngest but best friends. In Peter Jacksons film trilogy commencing with he is smaller than... Peregrin Took and turned over to Sir Ian McKellen portrays Gandalf in The Two Towers. His portrayal is well-liked by many Tolkien fans. Gandalf is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkiens universe, Middle-earth. Along with Merlin, he is often considered the prototypical wizard in Western fiction. Spoiler warning: Gandalf is the... Gandalf. Peregrin inadvertently contacted Sauron is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkiens Middle-earth universe. He is the titular , and in SAMPA as: . Spoiler warning: Sauron in the First Age In the earliest of days, before the Valar entered Arda, Sauron was in origin an angelic spirit called a Maia in... Sauron, after which Gandalf turned the stone over to Promotional poster featuring Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn in New Line Cinemas motion pictures directed by Peter Jackson. Aragorn is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkiens fantasy universe of Middle-earth. Spoiler warning: Aragorn was born on March 1st in the year 2931 of the Third Age... Aragorn.
  
  Using the stone, Aragorn declared himself as the heir of In J. R. R. Tolkiens fantasy universe of Middle-earth, Isildur was a Dúnadan of Númenor, elder son of Elendil. Isildur was born in the year 3220 of the Second Age in Númenor as first son of Elendil, son of Amandil the last Lord of And... Isildur to Sauron, seeking to distract him from Frodo Baggins is the main fictional character of J. R. R. Tolkiens monumental and mythological novel, In T.A. 2980, Frodo lost both his parents in a boating accident. Being a young minor of twelve he was taken in by his mothers family, the Brandybucks. In 2989, Frodo... Frodo. Sauron was led to believe that the The One Ring, also known as the Ruling Ring or Ring of Power, is an artifact from J. R. R. Tolkiens fictional Middle-earth universe. The Andvarinaut in the Volsunga saga is considered to have been the main inspiration. Spoiler warning: The , Bilbo Baggins found the Ring while he... One Ring had fallen into the hands of Aragorn or some other Western leader, and this was partly responsible for Sauron's hasty assault against Gondor is a fictional location from J. R. R. Tolkiens Middle-earth. History Like Arnor to the north, Gondor is a human kingdom founded by Isildur and Anárion, the sons of Elendil, after the Downfall of Númenor. It was located to the south of Rohan and to... Gondor. Sauron's attack, before he was fully ready, deeply influenced the outcome of the war. The Orthanc-stone remained in the custody of the Kings of Gondor in the The Fourth Age is a fictional time period from J. R. R. Tolkiens universe of Middle-earth. Spoiler warning: The Fourth Age began after Sauron was finally defeated, when his Ruling Ring was destroyed, and the Elves left Middle-earth for the Uttermost West. Tolkiens writing does not... Fourth Age.

• One Stone was placed at Minas Tirith is a fictional city in J. R. R. Tolkiens universe of Middle-earth. Minas Tirith is the capital of Gondor. Originally known as Minas Anor (the Tower of the Sun), it was in built in 3320 S.A. by Anárion, brother of Isildur and second son... Minas Anor, later renamed Minas Tirith is a fictional city in J. R. R. Tolkiens universe of Middle-earth. Minas Tirith is the capital of Gondor. Originally known as Minas Anor (the Tower of the Sun), it was in built in 3320 S.A. by Anárion, brother of Isildur and second son... Minas Tirith and made the capital of Gondor is a fictional location from J. R. R. Tolkiens Middle-earth. History Like Arnor to the north, Gondor is a human kingdom founded by Isildur and Anárion, the sons of Elendil, after the Downfall of Númenor. It was located to the south of Rohan and to... Gondor. It was ultimately used by Steward In J. R. R. Tolkiens fictional universe of Middle-earth, Denethor II is the twenty-sixth and last Ruling Steward of Gondor. He succeeded his father Ecthelion II at his death in T.A. 2984. Spoiler warning: Denethor (2930 - 3019) is known to have secretly used a have vastly... Denethor to spy on Sauron is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkiens Middle-earth universe. He is the titular , and in SAMPA as: . Spoiler warning: Sauron in the First Age In the earliest of days, before the Valar entered Arda, Sauron was in origin an angelic spirit called a Maia in... Sauron. In J. R. R. Tolkiens fictional universe of Middle-earth, Denethor II is the twenty-sixth and last Ruling Steward of Gondor. He succeeded his father Ecthelion II at his death in T.A. 2984. Spoiler warning: Denethor (2930 - 3019) is known to have secretly used a have vastly... Denethor did not become corrupted, but the great effort of will that this required of him led him to quick aging. Furthermore, using the Ithil-stone, Sauron is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkiens Middle-earth universe. He is the titular , and in SAMPA as: . Spoiler warning: Sauron in the First Age In the earliest of days, before the Valar entered Arda, Sauron was in origin an angelic spirit called a Maia in... Sauron largely controlled what Denethor saw, leading to the latter's despair and insanity. In J. R. R. Tolkiens fictional universe of Middle-earth, Denethor II is the twenty-sixth and last Ruling Steward of Gondor. He succeeded his father Ecthelion II at his death in T.A. 2984. Spoiler warning: Denethor (2930 - 3019) is known to have secretly used a have vastly... Denethor was holding the stone when he committed suicide on a funeral A pyre is a structure, such as a mound of wood, for burning a body as part of a funeral rite. An early form of cremation, a body or bodies is placed upon the pyre and the pyre is set on fire. Pyres are uncommon in the Western world in... pyre, and after this, only people of exceeding power could see in it anything other than two flaming hands.

The stones' gaze can pierce anything except darkness and shadow. A technique called shrouding was used when something was to be kept secret from the enemies' eyes. Knowledge of this technique was however lost long ago, although Sauron probably knew of it.

A Master Stone remained in Avallonë on Tol Eressëa, but no record is made of successful communication from any Palantír of Middle-earth to this one.