The Valar were the highest among the Ainur who came to Eä in the beginning. There were fourteen Valar - excluding the High Ainu Morgoth, whose fall from grace forever removed his name from the rolls of the Exalted.

As Ainur, the Valar are immortal spirits without need of corporeal conveyance. Their spirits only took form so they could interact with the Children of Eru. The Valar's role, which was the creation and wardship of Arda and the Heavens, dictated their need for shape and their occasional adoption of physical bodies. Guardians of a material world require material ties.

The Valar are few , but they are the most powerful beings in Eä. They work through their people, their lesser brethren, the Maiar, whose number is unknown. Pledging their loyalties to the Vala royalty, these less exalted Ainur serve as the Valar's servants.

EX: Manwë, Varda, Ulmo, Oromë. ("The Silmarillion")

The Maiar composed the vast majority of the Ainur who came to Eä in the beggining. Although servants of the Valar, they share the nature of their greater brethren.

Like the Valar - and indeed all the Ainur - the Maiar are immortal spirits without need of form. Their corporeal bodies simply enable them to interact with Eru's Children, and permit them to perform their primary task, which is the tending of Arda. This role permits them to ointeract with the inhabitants of Middle-Earth more directly than do the Valar, for the Maiar carry their masters' word and serve as their intermediaries.

The number of Maiar is unknown; however, these lesser spirits make up the people of the Valar and are numerous enough to nurture their own societies and raise their own great war-host. Their variety is great and their tale reflects this varied character; and although the Maiar were born before Existence itself, they share many of the passions and shortcomings of lesser peoples.

EX: Gandalf(Istari), Tom Bombadil, Goldberry. ("The Lord of the Rings")

The Elves, or Firstborn, were the first of Eru's Children to awaken. Born under the stars before the ascension of the Moon and the Sun, they retain a special love for light and an inner spirit endowed with unique gifts. They call themselves the Quendi, or "Speakers", for they were the first to utter words; and, even now, no race understands language and song like the Firstborn. Fair and fine featured, brilliant and proud, immortal and strong, tall and agile, they are the most blessed of the Free Peoples. Yet, despite their gifts , they a cursed race - one burdened by the Hand of Fate.

Like the other Free Peoples, such as Men and Dwarves, the Elves have many branches and many figures of note. Their tale is one of long migrations, prideful wars, and grand achievements. It includes many players.

EX: Legolas, Glorfindel, Elrond, Galadriel. ("The Lord of the Rings")