Noldor

In Tolkien's legendarium the Elves first awoke at Cuiviénen; the Noldor became one of the principal clans who journeyed west and settled in Valinor under Finwë, dwelling chiefly at Tirion upon Túna in Eldamar. As Calaquendi they had seen the light of the Two Trees. Following the theft of the Silmarils, the murder of Finwë, and the instigation of Melkor, many of the Noldor left Valinor in the event called the Flight (or Exile) of the Noldor and returned to Middle-earth, where their deeds, rivalries and wars (recorded primarily in The Silmarillion) shaped the history of the First Age.

Sources describe the Noldor as tall and physically strong. Tolkien variously noted their hair as very dark brown or possibly black, with occasional red or white (silver) hair; eyes are usually grey or dark but are said to reflect the 'inner light' of Valinor. They are classed among the Calaquendi (High Elves who saw the Two Trees), a status reflected in their bearing and the esteem of others. Sindarin appellations for their appearance include terms often rendered 'flame-eyed' (lachend) in commentary.

The Noldor are characterized by exceptional cultural skills rather than innate magical powers in the provided sources: they excel in craftsmanship (lapidary, metalwork, embroidery), inventive arts (creation of scripts and learned lore), language and poetry, and in warfare and leadership. Notable individual achievements cited in the tradition include Rúmil's Sarati and Fëanor's Tengwar and the forging of the Silmarils. Morally and socially they are marked by a strong drive for knowledge, naming and making, and a pride and ambition that frequently lead to internal conflict and tragedy.