Forging of the Rings of Power

Lore & Background

The moment the One Ring was placed upon Sauron's finger, the deception was revealed. The Elves felt his intent immediately and removed their rings from their fingers, breaking the link before they could be fully dominated. Yet, the balance of power had shifted forever. Sauron launched a brutal assault on Eregion to seize the remaining rings, killing Celebrimbor but failing to capture the three Elven Rings, which were hidden by the Elves themselves as they had been forged independently and never touched by Sauron. The Dwarves proved resistant to total control due to their innate stubbornness, while the Nine Rings given to Men eventually corrupted them into the Nazgûl.

Reader's Guide

The history of the Rings of Power begins in the Second Age, an era defined by peace and prosperity before Sauron's return to open warfare. Seeking to preserve the beauty of Middle-earth against the inevitable decline of time, the Elven smiths of Eregion were approached by Annatar, a mysterious figure claiming to be a servant of the Valar. In reality, this was Sauron, the former lieutenant of Morgoth, seeking a new way to dominate the free peoples now that his master had been cast down.

Under Sauron's guidance, Celebrimbor and his guild crafted twenty rings in total. These were divided among the three races: nine for Men, seven for Dwarves, and three for Elves. Each set was designed to grant specific powers, such as wealth, longevity, or the preservation of nature. However, Sauron secretly forged the One Ring in the volcanic fires of Mount Doom.

This master ring contained a vast portion of his own power and will, intended to enslave the minds of all who wore the lesser rings. The moment Sauron donned the One Ring, the Elves heard his thoughts and immediately removed their rings, foiling his plan for immediate control. Enraged, Sauron declared war on Eregion, slaughtering many and capturing the Seven and Nine Rings while the Three were hidden in safety.

Did You Know?

• The Three Elven Rings were forged solely by Celebrimbor without Sauron's direct touch or knowledge, preserving their purity until the end of the Third Age.
• Galadriel and Gil-galad were bearers of the Three Rings, not their creators; Celebrimbor alone crafted them in secret after rejecting Sauron's influence.