Races of Arda: ALL MUST ATTEND

[Nenya Evenstar]

Nenya entered the familiar classroom where she usually taught Geography. Today, however, she was going to teach her students about the unique Races of Arda during the absence of Azog, the respected professor of that class. She sat down in her chair at the head of a circle of chairs and placed a stack of books and papers next to her on the floor.

The clock chimed and the footsteps of the first students were heard in the hall. They filed in, one by one, until all the chairs were filled with the prospective students. Not one tardy! How very refreshing for once!

"Welcome to class!" Nenya greeted them all with a familiar smile, "I trust that you all come prepared to learn today?"

Her request was greeted with a chorus of acquiescence.

"Good, then we can get right down to business." Nenya lifted one of the sheets of paper from the stack beside her and studied it for a brief moment before continuing, "In your History class you have been learning about the creation of Arda and how Iluvatar, or Eru The One, propounded to the Ainur themes of music which they sang. With their song they created a vision, Arda, as it would be but was not yet. It is a fascinating story and shows us a fascinating idea of the omnipotence of Iluvatar in the words of Iluvatar to Melkor: 'Mighty are the Ainur, and mightiest among them is Melkor; but that he may know, and all the Ainur, that I am Iluvatar, those things that ye have sung, I will show them forth, that ye may see what ye have done. And thou, Melkor, shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined.'

"And a little while later: 'Behold your Music! This is your minstrelsy; and each of you shall find contained herein, amid the design that I set before you, all those things which it may seem that he himself devised or added. And thou, Melkor, wilt discover all the secret thoughts of thy mind, and wilt perceive that they are but a part of the whole and tributary to its glory.'"

Nenya gestured with her hands towards the circled group in front of her. "Notice how Iluvatar seems to be saying that everything that happens in the History of Arda will in its turn bring glory back to himself. What kind of being is he then? How does He really affect Arda? He is obviously a wondrous and magnificent thing, being completely unique as He is the only one of His kind. He created all and all seems to revolve around the one uniform purpose to bring glory to Him. Before I delve too deeply into who and what Iluvatar is, I would like each of you to write a paper that is at least three paragraphs long (longer paragraphs are preferred) telling something along the lines of who exactly you think Iluvatar is, how he influenced and indeed still influences Arda in this Fourth Age (if He ever did), how you think he works with Men and Creatures to accomplish His purposes (if indeed He still does or ever did), etc. You do not have to follow this exact topic and can use your imagination. So, start writing and at the end of the class time I will read what each of you has come up with."

Nenya smiled encouragingly at her students and beckoned them to move their chairs over to a few small tables at one end of the room. She herself walked to the other end of the room to study the stack of papers she had brought. The clock ticked silently as the students worked.

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OOC:

Please try to have your papers to me by Tuesday, the end of this class. Just post the paper when you've finished it.

Use good grammar, punctuation, creativity, etc.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask them (IC, of course). :)

[Eöl]

OOC: I know you said to ask IC, but I don't think I could ask this IC. Kind of a clarification, but I take it we're not allowed to use things we haven't "learned" at HI, an example being Tuor's guidance by Ulmo?

[Eöl]

Celebrien sat at his desk, scribbling furiously as thoughts poured through his brain. Finally, he finished and walked up to Nenya's desk. "Here you are! I hope it's what you wanted." He said with a smile. "Thank you Celebrien, you may study quietly or read a book now." She said, then began to look over his paper.

Eru: God Of Men, Elves, Dwarves And Halflings
In the beginning there was Eru, the One. He created the world with his voice alone and spoke everything we know today into being. Here at Heren Istarion, we follow the ways that Iluvatar intended our world to be. We practice charity, goodwill towards others and all around kindness. So does Iluvatar still guide us? The answer is yes! He is always around us, steering us closer to his final plan.
But why does Iluvatar care so much? He cares because he is the One who created us. He did not simply create to abandon what he had made; he had a purpose in mind when he did. Thus he will be with us always, whether it be in the form of a pleasant thought on a rainy day, or a mighty wave in a stormy sea. The Valar could be among us even now, for they often would walk without physical form. The Istari, so recently departed from Middle Earth forever, leave behind their legacy of knowledge and the realization that they were a gift from Iluvatar, because he did not wish to abandon his people.
So thus we can surmise that, because of the Valar, the Istari and the many good thing that seem to happen “by chance” as Men say, that Eru indeed is still concerned with our fate. It may not always appear so, but he is with us wherever we go. Even in the small speck in the universe that we call Heren Istarion.

[Luthien_7]

Elleth took seat at the end of the room and started to write.

Eru, the One or Ilúvatar is creator of Arda and a God to all peoples of Middle Earth. He is a God, something that cannot be fully understood, he is unique therefore we don't know what kind of being he is; he is creator of everything and maybe it is the reason for our (or maybe only mine) suspense. He made the Ainur of his thought and all good things what we see is his work.
I think that his thoughts are always turned to Arda, he made it and always cares about it. With the help of Valar, Maiar and Istari he influenced Arda and in my opinion he still does. The Valar guided Men and Elves and often walked among them in physical form and who knows maybe they are among us now although Valinor has been "moved" from Middle Earth. I don't know much about the way how Maiar helped Arda but i think that they had (and have) great part in the history of ME. The Istari had a great importance, especially in previous age in a fight with Sauron. Their knowledge and power was great and their deeds affected ME deeply.
Ilúvatar still guide us, he will never abandon what he had made. We do not know all ways how he affects Arda and i guess that he has greater influence than we could imagine. He is a source of everything what we have around us.

Elleth finished writing and read again what she had written. She gave the paper to Nenya and sat down again.

[Phenix]

Phenix sat a long time thinking about what to write befor he grabed his pen and began too write.


eru: Eru or as he's calld by the elves illuvatar, is the god of al beengs of middle earth, exept for the evil orcs. but of course as it comes to the orcs he too must have as pritty larg roll...as the creater of their creater that is. Anyway. I don't think that he appears in this world him self too help us but sends the valar and maiar to do it for him.although I don't know for sure how much he affects us theis days, I know for sure that if he hadn't been remembered al theis years, giving people hope and something to believe in, in the thraetened the world. I don't really think that I've made a real point in what he really is but I don't think that there really is a good answerd for that so there for I leave it as it is.


Phenix reed through what he had writen damn that's bad he though and looked out the window no time to re-write it he stated and signed the papper with his name and gave teh papper to nenya

[elfgirl]

Iluvatar: Well, I think that Iluvatar is God. I mean, he seems omnipotent, everything seems to revolve around him, he is the only one of his kind, and he created a lot of things that came to be. He seems very mischeivious, and like not very many have seen him in his true form, if he can be seen at all. I do not think that he has any true, or set form, so he can change into anything, yet that he very rarely interferes in people’s lives, but leaves that up to the demi-gods, and Valar, etc. Because I think that if he did he would be very busy. I think of him rather like I think of Zues. I think that he is a protector, yet a justice giver, yet like I said, only interferes in the most extreme conditions.

She was not happy with the paper, then again she had written it in a rush. She quickly handed it in, and sat back in to her seat, sinking in it, wishing to disappear.

OCC: I might be thinking of him like Zues because my English class is studying the Greek Gods, and I have to give a presentation tomorrow. :eek: Uh-Oh…

[Wonko The Sane]

Arianne slipped quietly into class, her barefeet padding softly on the floor as she sat in the back corner, and pulled a quill and inkwell from her pockets and began to compose her paper.


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OOC: This is due tomorrow? (Tuesday)

[Nenya Evenstar]

Nenya sat in her little corner reading over the papers already handed in. The quiet scribbling of pens and the occasional whisper of unruly students caught her ears as she concentrated on giving each paper its due attention. Suddenly, the pattering of bare feet caught her attention and she looked up to see Arianne slipping into class. So, someone had been tardy after all! Nenya nodded welcome, but let the tardiness pass unnoticed.

Scanning her eyes across the students, Nenya saw some of them struggling with what to write about. She cleared her throat and directed towards them, "If you are a little unsure of what to write about, don't worry too much. If you have not read The Silmarillion or any of the histories of Arda, don't become stressed. All I'm asking for is for you to use your imaginations and the knowledge that you do have of Middle-earth to come up with an idea of Iluvatar and how he works etc. There is no correct or incorrect paper for this assignment . . . just be creative." She nodded encouragingly and, after seeing the worried students begin to work diligently, she went back to her own work.

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OOC:

Yes, this is due on Tuesday (today, now). However, since only a handful of students have really shown up, I am going to make the tardy students turn their papers in no matter what -- but please try to have them to me today.

[HobbitGirl]

Lita stared at her blank sheet of paper with a frown. Writing and bookwork was not exactly something she excelled in, but she wanted to do her best anyway. She pondered for a little while and then began to write.

"I don't think that who or what Illuvatar is can really be defined. He created the Ainur, he created Arda, and he created his Children, the Children of Illuvatar. Who can say what a being who can do all that is like? This hobbit certainly cannot say.

I think that of course Illuvatar had a huge influence on Arda and continues to do so. I believe that He influences many things directly and indirectly. One of Illuvatar's more recent and more direct influences was the coming of the Istari to Middle-Earth. Manwe, of course, is in close council with Illuvatar, and it was Manwe who sent the Istari to help combat Sauron.

Illuvatar's working with his Children, I think, is an indirect way He influences the world and it is very discreet. It is hard to say exactly what Illuvatar does, as only Illuvatar knows, but I think that He does influence Arda's people in one way or another. Take Ulmo, for example. The Lord of the Waters sprang from Illuvatar's thought, as did all the Ainur, so that means everything Ulmo does or did is Illuvatar's will. Ulmo's power runs in all the rivers and streams of Arda, and he whispers to Illuvatar's Children. This, I believe, conveys a bit of Illuvatar's will to His Children and influences them."

Lita turned her paper in and then slumped back down into her seat.

[Mablung]

Sarin came out of the hypnotism he was in while thinking what to write. He took his quill then dipped it in ink and wrote out his thoughts quickly and clearly.

"Illuvatar is the master composer. He is the writer of all that we see today. Due to his nature the Valar and Arda were created as his children. More than anything he is a parent. The greatest parent to ever live.

However such as any parent Eru has stepped away from his creations. Arda is alone to fend for itself now. Magic is all but purged from our lands. But we have been deemed ready to do things for ourselves or he would not have left us.

True our world is not perfect. After all evil exists doesn't it? But the fundamental paradox of vanquishing evil is that without evil good cannot exist. Sunlight 24 hours a day would give us no concept that night could exist. It is the same with good and evil. There would be no scale of moral judgement without evil and that could be even worse than having darkness in our light."

He then handed his paper to Nenya then sat back down.

[Nenya Evenstar]

Nenya sighed and glanced up at the clock. The class time was up and only eight students had actually shown interest in getting their papers turned in. Nenya shook her head and silently bemoaned the fact that so few showed enthusiasm. "Thank you for your effort and wonderful job so far!" she said those enthusiastic ones. "For those of you who have not yet turned in your papers," she continued, "please have them to me by the next time this class meets. From now on I'm going to be giving you all a week for each assignment . . . thank you to those of you who were willing to write a paper on such short notice and to those of you who contacted me about conflicts with the writing." Nenya continued to address the students who had not yet written their papers. "You may either turn your papers in to me at my house in the Teacher's Complex or you may bring them and present them to me first thing next Tuesday. That's all for today . . . see you all for this class next week!"

The students stood up, gathered their papers together, and left the room, some stopping to thank their teacher on their way out. After the room had emptied, Nenya followed in the footsteps of her students and shut the door, leaving the deserted room behind in the dark.

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OOC: Good job to everyone so far! I will be PMing each student who has given me a paper sometime in the near future with personalized comments.

For those of you who haven't written your papers yet, you can just PM them to me, present them to me in the Teacher's Complex, or post them first thing next time this class meets. Happy writing! :)