Palantíri

The palantíri (singular palantír), also known as the Seven Stones or the Seven Seeing-stones, were spherical stone objects used for communication and intelligence gathering. There were eight distinguished ones in total, with seven in Middle-earth.
== History ==
The palantíri were made by the Ñoldor in Eldamar, likely by Fëanor himself during his time in Aman in the Years of the Trees, and then given by the Elves to the Faithful Númenóreans, who kept them as heirlooms until the Fall of Númenor during the late Second Age. Seven of these stones were rescued and brought to Middle-earth by Elendil and his sons and set in well-guarded Towers throughout the Realms in Exile.
The Dúnedain placed the stones across large distances to communicate with one another. The stones were housed at these locations: Annúminas, Amon Sûl, and Elostirion in Arnor, and Osgiliath, Orthanc, Minas Ithil, and Minas Anor in Gondor. There was a Master-stone, separate from the Seven, which resided in Tol Eressëa, in the Tower of Avallónë.
Four of the stones are known to have been lost. The chief stone of the north, at Amon Sûl, and the stone from Annúminas were lost with Arvedui in the Icebay of Forochel in TA 1975. The chief stone of the south, in Osgiliath, was lost in the Kin-strife. The stone of Minas Ithil was captured by Sauron in TA 2002 and very likely destroyed in the destruction of Barad-dûr.
The stone of Elostirion was taken back to the Undying Lands on the Ring-bearers' ship. Only the stones of Minas Anor and Orthanc remained in Middle-earth, yet the stone of Minas Anor was marred, showing all but the most strong-willed the burning hands of Denethor II.
The palantíri were most readily used by the Heirs of Elendil, as well as those appointed to guard them; the stones responded best to those with the right to use them, hence Denethor's ability to utilize the stone of the White City easily, whereas Saruman struggled with its use, and was eventually overcome by the superior will of Sauron
== Appearance & properties ==
The palantír were dark, perfectly smooth spheres of varying sizes; some were small and portable, around a foot in diameter, while others (particularly the master-stones) were too enormous to be lifted by Men. They were completely unmarked or unmarred, and even when unseated, they remained inviolable. The stones had permanent poles aligned with the centre of the earth, with permanent upper and nether poles. The circumferential faces were the ones that allowed viewing, receiving outside visions, and channelling them to the eye of the beholder on the opposite side; if one wished to look east, he would place himself on the western side of the orb, etc. Unlike the master stones, which could rotate and look in any direction, the smaller ones had fixed positions so that when looked at from a wrong direction, the face would appear blank to the surveyor. The palantíri could not transmit sound; they could only relay visions or intended thoughts of the users.
In one direction, they could see "for leagues", with the farthest places offering the least clarity. Their vision was not hindered by obstacles but by darkness. This was a method of security which protected the sight of the surveyor. Magnification was also possible for those with an extraordinary will; only the most potent and determined users could accomplish this. Palantíri could not pierce minds, for the transference of thought depended upon the wills and intentions of those communicating.
If two stones two communicated with each other, another viewer from a third stone would find them blank. The master stones of north and south were able to 'eavesdrop' on such external conversations, however. Some stones were specifically attuned to each other, such as the Ithil-stone and Anor-stone, as these belonged to the brothers Isildur and Anárion and were mounted in sister cities.
According to Gandalf, it was beyond Sauron and Saruman's skill to create palantíri, and that Sauron could not make the palantíri "lie" or convey false images (though the latter could show selective images to foster a false impression in the viewer). The palantíri were not initially inherently dangerous to use; however, after the Ithil-stone was captured by Sauron in TA 2002, they were no longer used by Gondor's rulers, as users could be ensnared by the Dark Lord, as later events would show.
== Usage ==
Using a palantír required a person with great strength of will and wisdom. The palantíri were meant to be used by the Dúnedain to communicate and gain information throughout the Realms in Exile. The Stones responded best to those with the right to use them; the Kings themselves or their appointed Stewards or Wardens. During the War of the Ring, the palantíri were used by many individuals. Sauron used the Ithil-stone to take advantage of the users of the other two stones, the Orthanc-stone and Anor-stone but was also susceptible to deception himself.
When Saruman used the Orthanc-stone, he communed with Sauron - who had the Ithil-stone - and was enticed by his promises of power. By way of the Seeing Stones, the Wizard was shaped into a two-faced puppet that desired, or no longer opposed, his new master's victory. Through the palantír, Saruman was often called by Sauron to receive and carry out instructions, or to be probed when he concealed information. After his defeat, the Wizard lost the Seeing Stone when his footman, Wormtongue, threw it out in an attempt to strike him or their adversaries. Coming into possession of said palantír, Gandalf ultimately guessed how Saruman had been compelled into Sauron's service.
Denethor II, the last Ruling Steward of Gondor, attempted to use the Anor-stone in his later years to gain knowledge, but too often only saw what Sauron wished him to. The Dark Lord convinced the Steward over time that there was no hope for victory. (Denethor's palantír was located in a chamber of the White Tower, above Minas Tirith's throne room.) Denethor thought at first he had the might to stand against Sauron, and for some time was able to withstand Sauron's power mentally, but was aged prematurely as a result. But upon seeing in full the advance of the Morgul-host in the days leading up to the Siege of Gondor, Denethor turned to complete despair and was determined then to be burned on a pyre instead of mounting a (in his mind) hopeless defence of Minas Tirith. Gandalf suspected his possession of a palantír after obtaining the Orthanc-stone, but this was not proved until Denethor displayed it to him and Peregrin Took in the Hallows when his pyre had been prepared.
A week beforehand, Peregrin Took mistakenly used the Orthanc-stone, unwittingly fooling Sauron into believing that he had the One Ring. Aragorn II later deliberately used the Orthanc-stone to distract Sauron and display his identity to him, providing Frodo the opportunity to traverse the plains of Gorgoroth to complete his quest and causing Sauron to rush forward his plans to attack Gondor. Aragorn was able to wrench the stone to his will and learned of the Corsair threat approaching from the South.
== Etymology ==
In Quenya, palantíri means "far-seeing", from the word pal ("wide open") or palan ("far, distant"). Palantír is the singular form.
== List ==
Bold denotes master stones.
Greek:
* Master Stone of Starfort
* Stone of the Nightfort
* Stone of Name
Roman:
* Stone of Name
* Stone of Name
Norse:
* Stone of Name
* Stone of Name
Category:Palantíri
Category:Magic Items