The Fairest Kingdom/Realm in Middle-Earth - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Gorthaur the Cruel · 07-26-2005, 09:49 AM

What kingdom/realm from the first age to the third age would you consider to be the fairest in Middle-earth? Don't base it merely on your liking but by its beauty, mechanism, & efficiency against its enemies.

Formendacil · 07-26-2005, 10:10 AM

Beauty, mechanism, and efficiency against its enemies?

I would say that, balancing those three equally, Numenor comes out clearly in the lead. But if you mean, realms or kingdoms of the late Third Age, I fear that the answer must be Mordor, for it had the highest level of technology (mechanisms) and off efficiency against its enemies.

I would fault your criteria for the "most fair" realm, but based on that criteria, Mordor would appear to be the logical answer- or possibly Isengard.

NOTE: As a matter of opinion, should this not be in Novices and Newcomers? Not quite sure I understand the distinction between the forums...

Gurthang · 07-26-2005, 10:38 AM

I would have to say that as far as the specifications you mentioned, I agree with Formendacil.

Beauty -- It might go unnoticed, but there is a large lake in Mordor, and I've heard tale that it is surrounded by a fair country that's good for farming. Sauron must feed his armies, after all.

Mechanism -- Mordor certainly had many of those, although I'm not sure exactly what kind. They would have to be substantial though, because Sauron used very large seige engines and catapults in his attack on Gondor.

Efficiency against its enemies -- Besides the huge armies to guard it, what better to protect your country than impassible mountains?

But I should point out that Lorien would not be far behind. They would only lack the Mechanisms category to overtake Mordor. I actually think that Lothlorien surpasses Mordor in the other two respects.

Mithalwen · 07-26-2005, 12:01 PM

I think that Rivendell deserves a mention.

It never suffered an assualt - even Gandalf had trouble finding it in The Hobbit and poor old Boromir was lucky to get there at all. It has lovely gardens, the stars there are fairest of all, lots of good food and comfortable accommodation. It is a centre of healing and learning and is multicultural - refuge for the Elves, base for the depleted Dunedain, home for a retired hobbit and welcoming to all enemies of the one enemy. I would love to see the mellyrn of Lothlorien and some of the dwellings of the Noldor in the Elder days ( can't help thinking of Gondolin as an Elvish LAs Vegas - some of the descriptions are a bit gaudy!) - but Imladris has everything save the sea.......

Nimrodel_9 · 07-26-2005, 12:17 PM

Quote:

It never suffered an assualt

Yes, but if the elves were there longer I believe it would have been attacked eventually. That is if the Ring was delayed in getting destroyed.

I agree with Formendacil and Gurthang. Mordor seems to fit all three. Well, I don't know about beauty, but perhaps it was at one time.

Mithalwen · 07-26-2005, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nimrodel_9

Yes, but if the elves were there longer I believe it would have been attacked eventually. That is if the Ring was delayed in getting destroyed.

I agree with Formendacil and Gurthang. Mordor seems to fit all three. Well, I don't know about beauty, but perhaps it was at one time.

Well that is possible but Gandalf said that it would be last to fall.....and the fact is it wasn't attacked. I have to say anyone voting Mordor seems to be wilfully ignoring the title of the thread. Mordor is a dump.....there is no mention of it being anything other than horrible. Just because a remote part may be cultivated it doesn't mean it is fair by any stretch of the imagination. It is peverse to mark down Rivendell for an attack that never happened but credit Mordor with a possible, one time beauty of which there is no suggestion I can think of in the texts.

I stick with Imladris, beautiful, cultured, full of music, light and peace - and hidden. I think Dol Amroth would be quite good too...

Elrian · 07-26-2005, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

I think that Rivendell deserves a mention.

It never suffered an assualt - even Gandalf had trouble finding it in The Hobbit and poor old Boromir was lucky to get there at all. It has lovely gardens, the stars there are fairest of all, lots of good food and comfortable accommodation. It is a centre of healing and learning and is multicultural - refuge for the Elves, base for the depleted Dunedain, home for a retired hobbit and welcoming to all enemies of the one enemy. I would love to see the mellyrn of Lothlorien and some of the dwellings of the Noldor in the Elder days ( can't help thinking of Gondolin as an Elvish LAs Vegas - some of the descriptions are a bit gaudy!) - but Imladris has everything save the sea.......

It was assaulted twice.

Mithalwen · 07-26-2005, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elrian

It was assaulted twice.

When? I think you may be confused with Lorien...

07-26-2005, 09:49 AM	#1
Gorthaur the Cruel Wight Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Mordor Posts: 150	The Fairest Kingdom/Realm in Middle-Earth What kingdom/realm from the first age to the third age would you consider to be the fairest in Middle-earth? Don't base it merely on your liking but by its beauty, mechanism, & efficiency against its enemies. __________________ I am Annatar, the Lord of Gifts.

07-26-2005, 10:10 AM	#2
Formendacil Dead Serious Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Perched on Thangorodrim's towers. Posts: 3,328	Beauty, mechanism, and efficiency against its enemies? I would say that, balancing those three equally, Numenor comes out clearly in the lead. But if you mean, realms or kingdoms of the late Third Age, I fear that the answer must be Mordor, for it had the highest level of technology (mechanisms) and off efficiency against its enemies. I would fault your criteria for the "most fair" realm, but based on that criteria, Mordor would appear to be the logical answer- or possibly Isengard. NOTE: As a matter of opinion, should this not be in Novices and Newcomers? Not quite sure I understand the distinction between the forums... __________________ I prefer history, true or feigned.

07-26-2005, 10:38 AM	#3
Gurthang Sword of Spirit Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Oh, I'm around. Posts: 1,401	I would have to say that as far as the specifications you mentioned, I agree with Formendacil. Beauty -- It might go unnoticed, but there is a large lake in Mordor, and I've heard tale that it is surrounded by a fair country that's good for farming. Sauron must feed his armies, after all. Mechanism -- Mordor certainly had many of those, although I'm not sure exactly what kind. They would have to be substantial though, because Sauron used very large seige engines and catapults in his attack on Gondor. Efficiency against its enemies -- Besides the huge armies to guard it, what better to protect your country than impassible mountains? But I should point out that Lorien would not be far behind. They would only lack the Mechanisms category to overtake Mordor. I actually think that Lothlorien surpasses Mordor in the other two respects. __________________ I'm on a Mission from God.

07-26-2005, 12:01 PM	#4
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,460	I think that Rivendell deserves a mention. It never suffered an assualt - even Gandalf had trouble finding it in The Hobbit and poor old Boromir was lucky to get there at all. It has lovely gardens, the stars there are fairest of all, lots of good food and comfortable accommodation. It is a centre of healing and learning and is multicultural - refuge for the Elves, base for the depleted Dunedain, home for a retired hobbit and welcoming to all enemies of the one enemy. I would love to see the mellyrn of Lothlorien and some of the dwellings of the Noldor in the Elder days ( can't help thinking of Gondolin as an Elvish LAs Vegas - some of the descriptions are a bit gaudy!) - but Imladris has everything save the sea....... __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace