h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Sauron - A714737
Author: Mystrunner (Ace) - Keeper Of Assassins, The Sunlight That Filters Through The Tree Leaves, and People Who Hate The French - U173132

The upsdated and complete version of Sauron's history. Interesting for Tolkien addicts.

This is an interesting article about Sauron. But the Edited Guide is not the place for such articles. Edited Entries are supposed to be about the real world, not about fantasy characters. There's no harm in polishing up your entry with the comments you get here, but it will not be picked, as far as I can tell.

As an article about Sauron, there are a few errors: You describe Sauron as one of the most feared people in history. He was not in history, he was in fantasy.

Morgoth was not defeated by the Elves. The whole point of the war between the Elves and Morgoth was that from start to finish the Elves had no hope whatsoever of winning it. It was in fact the Valar themselves that defeated Morgoth, although the Elves did fight on the winning side in that War (the War of Wrath).

There's a lot in this about the Ring, but not too much about Sauron himself. You could tell us about Numenor and his part in its downfall. You could tell us about his encounter with Finrod Felagund, Beren and Luthien Tinuviel. You could tell us about what he looked like, that he was a Maia, that he was known as Gorthaur and liked to take the shape of a wolf, and so on.

Hi Mist,

Nice article. Inspired by the film? I'm sure it will catch the interest of a lot of people who want to know some of the background.

There are 2 or 3 things I would change before it goes for editing.

Firstly, this article will be almost meaningless to anyone who hasn't seen/read Lord of the Rings (is there anyone like that left?) - it's full of names of people and places. 'What's an Isildur?', they'll wonder. A few footnotes could help to sort this out.

Second, you haven't actually explained Sauron's origins - he's a Maiar, if memory serves, and thus older than Middle-Earth.

"Several hundred years later, the ring was found by the friend of a Hobbit-like creature named Smeagol, who Smeagol killed. The Ring was taken by Smeagol, who was shunned, to underneath the Misty Mountains." - this is a little confused, especially the "Hobbit-like creature named Smeagol, who Smeagol killed" bit. I would rephrase it. You might mention he's also called Gollum (apologies if you did, I can't see the article to check as I'm typing this).

Aside from those minor points, it's a good article though, and I don't see why it shouldn't go in with a little work.

Gif

Simulpost with Gnomon there, who has a good point about this being non-factual and a disturbing knowledge of Tolkein

Gif

If you think that's disturbing, try talking to Orcus!

Also, Morgoth did not want to destroy Middle Earth, he wanted to rule the whole of Arda (ie, Middle Earth *and* Aman) himself.

Sorry but this isn't really guide material and isn't really all that accurate either.

Also, in the end, Sauron probably won the first war after the forging of the One Ring. Celebrimbor was slain, Eregion was laid waste the doors of Moria were shut and all Middle Earth was under his dominion save Imladris, The Havens at Lindon and Numenor.

Someone mention my name?

Actually I may ahve been a little harsh there. I see no reason why there could not be an entry on a literary character such as Sauron but this needs a fair amount of reworking as mentioned above.

It will be worked on.

*I* haven't seen 'Lord of the Rings'....

so there are some of us left....