Glorfindel
Description
The Elf-lord Glorfindel is one of the most powerful of all the Eldar of Middle-earth, counted great among the Wise. His name is Sindarin for "golden-hair". He remembers well the elder days of the world, and bears the great power and knowledge of ages past. His wrath can bring terror even to the Nazgûl of Sauron.
In the days following the fall of Fornost, Glorfindel came to the aid of Eärnur, prince of Gondor, as he pursued the Witch-king of Angmar back to Carn Dûm. Eärnur's host would have been destroyed, but the sudden appearance of the Elf-lord sent the Witch-king retreating in fear. It was Glorfindel who prophesied that no man would defeat the Witch-king, and who lent his steed Asfaloth to Frodo Baggins during the Ring-bearer's flight from the Nazgûl across the Ford of Bruinen.
Glorfindel was one of the chief counsellors of Elrond and a powerful member of the White Council.
See also the Lore section
Glorfindel (Dagorlad)
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Glorfindel is encountered by High Elf characters in the year 3434 Second Age, fighting with the elvish host of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men during the siege on the battle plain at Dagorlad at the end of the Second Age.
Quest Involvement
- [1] Intro (High Elf): Into Darkness Falls a Star
- [5] Prologue (High Elf): Reflections of the Past - (as a reflection)
Glorfindel (Rivendell)
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Glorfindel is usually found east-most in the Rivendell, across a bridge east from the Last Homely House. Sometimes he appears within Elrond's house.
Quest Involvement
- [20] The Road to the Lonely Mountain
- [36] Glorfindel's Company
- [39] The Riddle-seeker
- [39] The Riddle-master
- [39] Laying to Rest the Evil Dead
- [...] Mission: The Further Adventures of Bilbo Baggins, Chapter 1
- [50] Into the Rift
- [50] The Fall of Thaurlach - Raid
Epic Quests:
- [38] Volume I, Book 4, Chapter 3: The Wisdom of Lord Glorfindel
- [38] Volume I, Book 4, Chapter 4: Regaining the Trail
- [50] Volume I, Book 12, Instance: Half-truths - Solo only
- [51] Volume I, Book 15, Chapter 1: A Strange Fate
- [51] Volume I, Book 15, Chapter 7: A Final Council
- [50] Volume I, Book 15, Instance: A Final Council
- [51] Volume I, Book 15, Chapter 8: Only Fitting
- [52] Volume I, Book 15, Chapter 12: One Hope Remains
- [110] Instance: The Return
- [110] Instance: The Bow is Drawn
Glorfindel (The Angle of Mitheithel)
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Glorfindel is visiting Tham Lumren in the southern Trollshaws in the Angle of Mitheithel. During the following quests, he appears west of the settlement.[38.7S, 17.8W]
Quest Involvement
Glorfindel (Beorninghús)
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After making a journey across the Misty Mountains in preparation for Arwen's wedding Glorfindel and some of the household of Elrond can be found in Beorninghús in the Vales of Anduin.
Quest Involvement
The Black Book of Mordor quests:
- [120] Chapter 10.7: The Arrival of the Wise
- [120] Chapter 11.1: A Window On the Past
- [120] The Depths of Kidzul-kâlah
Glorfindel (Mordor Besieged)
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Glorfindel is encountered during the war of the Great Alliance against Sauron that ended the second age at Echad-in-Edhil in Mordor Besieged
He leads an elite unit of elves called the Bright Company, who undertake many special missions against the evil forces.
Quest Involvement
- [121] Chapter 11.6: Tales of the Bright Company
- [121] Instance: Tales of the Bright Company
- [122] Chapter 11.7: Anárion's Guess
- [122] Instance: The Council of Kings
- [122] Chapter 12.3: A Bad Birthday - (at Tol Send)
- [122] Chapter 12.4: The Glory of the Bright Company
- [122] Instance: The Glory of the Bright Company
Glorfindel (Midsummer)
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Glorfindel travels south to Minas Tirith at Midsummer with the household of Lord Elrond for the wedding of Aragorn and Arwen. He can be found in the feast-hall of Merethrond after the wedding ceremony, seated with a number of other Elves of Rivendell.
Quest Involvement
- [...] Volume V. Book 1, Chapter 6: The Evenstar in Gondor
- [...] Volume V. Book 1, Instance: A Wedding at Midsummer
- [...] Volume V. Book 1, Instance: The Wedding Banquet
Lore
- "Suddenly into view below came a white horse, gleaming in the shadows, running swiftly. In the dusk its headstall flickered and flashed, as if it were studded with gems like living stars. The rider’s cloak streamed behind him, and his hood was thrown back; his golden hair flowed shimmering in the wind of his speed...it appeared that white light was shining through the form and raiment of the rider, as if though through a thin veil." — The Fellowship of the Ring
- In the First Age Glorfindel dwelt in Gondolin, and is remembered in the tale of that city's fall in the Battle of Unnumbered Tears. Retreating from the sack of the city through the mountain passes, the survivors, including Tuor and Idril, were ambushed. Glorfindel engaged the Balrog leading the ambushers in single combat, and both fell to their deaths.
- On account of this personal sacrifice, which subsequently allowed the birth, through Tuor and Idril, of Eärendil, and thus both Elrond and the line of all the Kings of Númenor, Glorfindel was reincarnated, and returned to Middle-earth in the Second Age to strengthen Gil-galad and Elrond, once Sauron's evil purposes had been perceived.
- In the year 1975 of the Third Age, Glorfindel led a company from Rivendell to the Battle of Fornost which was instrumental in bringing about Angmar's defeat. As the Witch-king fled, Glorfindel counselled against his pursuit, prophesying that his doom was far off, and that not by the hand of man would it be achieved.
- During the War of the Ring, Glorfindel discovered Frodo and his companions in the wilds on their journey to Rivendell, and gave to Frodo the use of his great white horse Asfaloth. The steed bore Frodo safely over the Ford of Bruinen, outpacing the pursuing Nazgûl, who were then defeated for the time being by the wrath of the river, Glorfindel and Aragorn.