Which Male Valar is your favorite? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

A Little Green · 11-21-2007, 05:40 AM

Oromë.

This time I didn't have to think. Because of trees and forests, I suppose..

Though I did consider Ulmo as well, not as much for his "element" as for his character.

Thinlómien · 11-21-2007, 07:26 AM

I voted Ulmo. He has always been my favourite Vala.

I think I rambled enough about my love for the sea on the With which race do you most identify? -thread, so I probably need not repeat it here... Suffice to say water has always been a very close element to me. I very often dream of water - especially of the sea - and my most usual way of dying in my dreams is by drowning. Oddly, it doesn't even feel as horrible as it's probably supposed to... eek.

There is something very touching in Ulmo himself. Being always alone (not having a spouse like most other Valar) and living isolated from the other Valar makes him an oddly sad character to me. I think he must be solitary by nature, but there's still something sad in him. Besides, how could one not like him since he was the only Vala who really didn't abandon the Children of Ilúvatar?

PS. LMP, these threads of yours might prove very dangerous to me.

Thanks to this and the race-thread I have been thinking about the sea a lot lately so I decided to go to have a stroll on the beach before going home today. I indeed went there and sat on a jetty, just watching the grey sea and listening to it (and to cars and noisy children, but lest's not get into that). I was very close to taking my coat, boots, gloves and hat off and diving to the ice-cold sea, but thankfully two things prevented me from doing it: my almost non-existent common sense (swimming in cold water with your clothes on can really be dangerous and walking the few minute walk home in drenched clothes in this weather would have been both very uncomfortable and a very stupid reason to get a cold) and a nosy woman in a swimming suit who came to complain to me. I would have loved to see her expression if I had dived to the sea after her, though.

Ghazi · 11-21-2007, 10:18 AM

Mandos

He's the wisest of all the Valar. Everytime the other Valar make a decision, I can just see him sighing and telling his minions to add another wing to the Hall.

Bêthberry · 11-21-2007, 11:32 AM

I cannot believe that so many Downers have chosen that washed-out Ulmo who simply hung around with elves so much. I've always imagined him as slightly pathetic, like a geriatric rock n roller who no longer can draw in the huge stadium crowds and is left with the casino circuit. An aged Jagger desperate for a knighthood.

Did strings of seaweed dance in his hair? Did he walk with a rolling limp like an old salt or was he a merman? And I bet he couldn't teach me to hear mermaids singing.

Aganzir · 11-21-2007, 12:27 PM

It was quite hard to decide which one of my favourites would be the number one, but I chose Ulmo.

I do like seas, I do like swimming- but it's Ulmo as a character that fascinates me the most. Living alone in the seas as the sole king of his own subjects (I've always regarded fish and other sea creatures as Ulmo's humble, rather plain servants in a more concrete way than how the books tell it), far wiser and more powerful than them. He doesn't go to the meetings of the Valar if he's not in a mood for it and doesn't ask their permission to do what he thinks best; he remembered and protected the Children of Ilúvatar his way even when they were abandoned by the others. Also, I've always considered him the most powerful of the Valar, not a sad character at all. And anyway, he's the kind of person I always get attracted to.

I like to think that Ulmo's power still lingers in the seas and lakes of the world even though the other Valar are long gone. I had been quite afraid of water for years (for two reasons: when I was a child my cousin gave me a book with a horrible story about Näkki, the evil water spirit of Finnish folklore; and I read in a newspaper about a pike biting a swimmer's leg when I was a little bit too young). It was not until a few years ago that I started fighting that ridiculous phobia. It's somehow comfortable to think that Ulmo might still control the waters. And pikes are under his command and he won't let them bite my leg!

The other Valar I've always liked are Oromë and Aulë. Oromë is quite obvious; I like riding and exploring unknown places. Also one of my long-term dreams is to go hunting on horseback some day (of course not poor little animals but monsters and fell beasts).

I like Aulë's curiousity, his wish to create something of his own (especially as that something was dwarves), but I've never felt any need to identify with him- I'm too impatient and lazy to be good at any kind of handicrafts, maybe apart from drawing.
And even though it certainly isn't so, I consider Aulë a little... simple. Anyway, he's still a sympathetic fellow.

Mithalwen · 12-07-2007, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

There is something very touching in Ulmo himself. Being always alone (not having a spouse like most other Valar) and living isolated from the other Valar makes him an oddly sad character to me. I think he must be solitary by nature, but there's still something sad in him. Besides, how could one not like him since he was the only Vala who really didn't abandon the Children of Ilúvatar?

This reminded me of Davem telling me that the role of Ulmo, Lord of Waters was played by an inflatable penguin in the production of the Silmarillion at Birmingham...

Thinlómien · 12-10-2007, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

This reminded me of Davem telling me that the role of Ulmo, Lord of Waters was played by an inflatable penguin in the production of the Silmarillion at Birmingham...

He was?

Now that's one more reason to like Ulmo, then...

Vaine · 01-11-2009, 07:41 AM

Ulmo, I have always been intrigued by the seas.

Ibrîniðilpathânezel · 01-11-2009, 01:29 PM

Manwe. I like blue, sapphires, birds, the wind -- and like him, I have been in the sad position of having a certain naivete about evil come back and bite me in the behind. In particular when it involves members of one's own family.

Ulmo... nice enough guy, but I'm terrified of water. Pretty enough to look at, but only at a safe distance. Oddly enough, a result of having a sibling repeatedly attempt to drown me. Oh, yes, I know how Manwe feels....

Andsigil · 01-11-2009, 02:39 PM

Aule, because he and I are both smiths.

Gwathagor · 02-12-2009, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrîniðilpathânezel

Ulmo... nice enough guy, but I'm terrified of water. Pretty enough to look at, but only at a safe distance. Oddly enough, a result of having a sibling repeatedly attempt to drown me. Oh, yes, I know how Manwe feels....

View Poll Results: Which Male Valar is your favorite?
Manwë	7	14.29%
Melkor	5	10.20%
Ulmo	16	32.65%
Aulë	5	10.20%
Mandos	5	10.20%
Lórien	2	4.08%
Tulkas	4	8.16%
Oromë	5	10.20%
Voters: 49. You may not vote on this poll

11-21-2007, 05:40 AM	#1
A Little Green Leaf-clad Lady Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,571	Oromë. This time I didn't have to think. Because of trees and forests, I suppose.. Though I did consider Ulmo as well, not as much for his "element" as for his character. __________________ "But some stories, small, simple ones about setting out on adventures or people doing wonders, tales of miracles and monsters, have outlasted all the people who told them, and some of them have outlasted the lands in which they were created."

11-21-2007, 07:26 AM	#2
Thinlómien Shady She-Penguin Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In a far land beyond the Sea Posts: 8,093	I voted Ulmo. He has always been my favourite Vala. I think I rambled enough about my love for the sea on the With which race do you most identify? -thread, so I probably need not repeat it here... Suffice to say water has always been a very close element to me. I very often dream of water - especially of the sea - and my most usual way of dying in my dreams is by drowning. Oddly, it doesn't even feel as horrible as it's probably supposed to... eek. There is something very touching in Ulmo himself. Being always alone (not having a spouse like most other Valar) and living isolated from the other Valar makes him an oddly sad character to me. I think he must be solitary by nature, but there's still something sad in him. Besides, how could one not like him since he was the only Vala who really didn't abandon the Children of Ilúvatar? PS. LMP, these threads of yours might prove very dangerous to me. Thanks to this and the race-thread I have been thinking about the sea a lot lately so I decided to go to have a stroll on the beach before going home today. I indeed went there and sat on a jetty, just watching the grey sea and listening to it (and to cars and noisy children, but lest's not get into that). I was very close to taking my coat, boots, gloves and hat off and diving to the ice-cold sea, but thankfully two things prevented me from doing it: my almost non-existent common sense (swimming in cold water with your clothes on can really be dangerous and walking the few minute walk home in drenched clothes in this weather would have been both very uncomfortable and a very stupid reason to get a cold) and a nosy woman in a swimming suit who came to complain to me. I would have loved to see her expression if I had dived to the sea after her, though. __________________ Like the stars chase the sun, over the glowing hill I will conquer Blood is running deep, some things never sleep Double Fenris

11-21-2007, 11:32 AM	#4
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	I cannot believe that so many Downers have chosen that washed-out Ulmo who simply hung around with elves so much. I've always imagined him as slightly pathetic, like a geriatric rock n roller who no longer can draw in the huge stadium crowds and is left with the casino circuit. An aged Jagger desperate for a knighthood. Did strings of seaweed dance in his hair? Did he walk with a rolling limp like an old salt or was he a merman? And I bet he couldn't teach me to hear mermaids singing. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

11-21-2007, 12:27 PM	#5
Aganzir Woman of Secret Shadow Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: in hollow halls beneath the fells Posts: 4,511	It was quite hard to decide which one of my favourites would be the number one, but I chose Ulmo. I do like seas, I do like swimming- but it's Ulmo as a character that fascinates me the most. Living alone in the seas as the sole king of his own subjects (I've always regarded fish and other sea creatures as Ulmo's humble, rather plain servants in a more concrete way than how the books tell it), far wiser and more powerful than them. He doesn't go to the meetings of the Valar if he's not in a mood for it and doesn't ask their permission to do what he thinks best; he remembered and protected the Children of Ilúvatar his way even when they were abandoned by the others. Also, I've always considered him the most powerful of the Valar, not a sad character at all. And anyway, he's the kind of person I always get attracted to. I like to think that Ulmo's power still lingers in the seas and lakes of the world even though the other Valar are long gone. I had been quite afraid of water for years (for two reasons: when I was a child my cousin gave me a book with a horrible story about Näkki, the evil water spirit of Finnish folklore; and I read in a newspaper about a pike biting a swimmer's leg when I was a little bit too young). It was not until a few years ago that I started fighting that ridiculous phobia. It's somehow comfortable to think that Ulmo might still control the waters. And pikes are under his command and he won't let them bite my leg! The other Valar I've always liked are Oromë and Aulë. Oromë is quite obvious; I like riding and exploring unknown places. Also one of my long-term dreams is to go hunting on horseback some day (of course not poor little animals but monsters and fell beasts). I like Aulë's curiousity, his wish to create something of his own (especially as that something was dwarves), but I've never felt any need to identify with him- I'm too impatient and lazy to be good at any kind of handicrafts, maybe apart from drawing. And even though it certainly isn't so, I consider Aulë a little... simple. Anyway, he's still a sympathetic fellow. __________________ He bit me, and I was not gentle.

11-21-2007, 10:18 AM	#3
Ghazi Haunting Spirit Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 57	Mandos He's the wisest of all the Valar. Everytime the other Valar make a decision, I can just see him sighing and telling his minions to add another wing to the Hall.

01-11-2009, 07:41 AM	#8
Vaine Haunting Spirit Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Norway Posts: 65	Ulmo, I have always been intrigued by the seas.

01-11-2009, 01:29 PM	#9
Ibrîniðilpathânezel Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Back on the Helcaraxe Posts: 733	Manwe. I like blue, sapphires, birds, the wind -- and like him, I have been in the sad position of having a certain naivete about evil come back and bite me in the behind. In particular when it involves members of one's own family. Ulmo... nice enough guy, but I'm terrified of water. Pretty enough to look at, but only at a safe distance. Oddly enough, a result of having a sibling repeatedly attempt to drown me. Oh, yes, I know how Manwe feels.... __________________ Call me Ibrin (or Ibri) :) Originality is the one thing that unoriginal minds cannot feel the use of. — John Stewart Mill

01-11-2009, 02:39 PM	#10
Andsigil Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: The Deepest Forges of Ered Luin Posts: 733	Aule, because he and I are both smiths. __________________ Even as fog continues to lie in the valleys, so does ancient sin cling to the low places, the depression in the world consciousness.