Khaos

"*And he descended upon Arda in power and majesty greater than any other of the Thelar, as a mountain that wades in the sea and has its head above the clouds and is clad in ice and crowned with smoke and fire; and the light of the eyes of Khaos was like a flame that withers with heat and pierces with a deadly cold.*"
― *The Silmarillion*, "Ainulindalë"
**Khaos**, also known as **Khaos**, was once the greatest of the Primordials, and the first of the M'alatari. He fell from glory when he disrupted the Primordial Song and defied the will of Creation. Khaos corrupted many of the Primordials to his service, fought the Thelar, and marred the Milkyway. His theft of the Yn'encarne and wars against the Álfarii Clans and Thelar had encompassed much of the history of the First Ages. Eventually, Khaos was bound in chains by the Thelar and thrown into the lowest levels of the Void, leaving the permanent damage his evils had done, and his former lieutenant Set'aan, to trouble the universe.

> *I am the darkness behind the stars, I existed billions of years before even the first spark of Creation was lit, God could not destroy me and neither can you.*
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## History

The most powerful of the Primordials that were born of Creation was a spirit known as Khaos. Because he wandered through the Void in an attempt to find and use the Flame Imperishable, the source of Creation's creative activity, Khaos would develop ideas unlike those of the other Primordials. His feelings grew rebellious against his creator, for he wished to create sentient beings to inhabit the Void and was dissatisfied by the fact that Creation had not done so. However, Khaos could not find the Flame, for it was not in the Void, but with Creation itself.

### The Primordial Music

When the Primordials made music, Khaos wove his strange thoughts into his song. His song clashed against the Themes of Creation, disturbing and corrupting the Primordials around him and causing many of them to attune their music to his. For a while the Themes of Creation and the discords of Khaos warred against one another. But Creation smiled, and sent forth a new theme. Most of the Greater Primordials joined with it, and with them followed their lesser kin, but Khaos and his ilk rebelliously opposed it even more violently. At last, many of the Primordials stopped singing in dismay, and Khaos' discord gained dominance. Creation would then send out a third Theme against Khaos, sweeter and more beautiful than the others, and unquenchable. But though Khaos could not defeat it, still he opposed it. At last, Creation halted the music completely with a single chord.

Creation then publicly rebuked Khaos and his allies, saying that all music finds its source in himself, and thus Khaos could not create his own song or truly alter the Themes of Creation. Thus, though Khaos opposed Creation to his last breath, he only furthered the cause of Creation in new and wondrous ways. Khaos was shamed and angered by this judgement, but hid his feelings. When Creation showed the Primordials the product of their music, Eä, Khaos was of course one of those who begged to enter the newborn Universe, pretending to be willing to cultivate it and guide it for Creation's glory. He actually wished to dominate Eä and its creatures, especially the Children of Creation.

Nonetheless, he was allowed to enter Eä and inhabit the material realm with the other primordials. Once there, Khaos declared to his colleagues that he was the master of creation henceforth. Aldon, his brother, did not understand his evil, but fearing that Khaos might try and disrupt their labors within creation, called forth many more primordials to protect them. Khaos departed to the remote regions of Eä, leaving the universe in peace for a while.

### The War in Heaven

But Khaos took form more majestic than any of the Thelar, great and terrible and burning with his malice, and he came unto creation to destroy the Thelar's work in preparing it. There was war, the First War with Khaos, the First War in Heaven, in which worlds were felled and brutality inflicted on the Thelar. Though he disrupted their work and destroyed much, a great spirit named Talios came to creation from other regions of Eä to combat him. After Talios drove Khaos away, the Thelar managed to complete creation, and the universe was established.

The Thelar dwelt upon a world called Empyria, and raised up two lamps to light the young world: Illuin and Ormal. Khaos, meanwhile, had attracted the attention--and in a few cases, admiration--of the Talaar, the lesser spirits of Creation. Khaos had many spies among them, and from them learned all that the Thelar did, and bided his time. As the Thelar sat down to a feast at the completion of their labors, Khaos gathered together those loyal to him, and looking down on the beautiful worlds of creation, was filled with hatred. Talios was wedded to Ukasis at that feast, and she danced before the Thelar. Talios fell asleep, and that is when Khaos struck.

Khaos with his M'alatari hosts passed over the Walls of Night and returned to Creation once more. Without the watchfulness of Talios, the Thelar were unaware of his coming, and he began to delve in the depths of the worlds his corruption running deep into their earth, making a fortress called M'alatar' Rising northwards beneath the mountains in the dimness of Illuin. The Springs of Creation became blighted as the cold evil flowed out of the fortress. Death and illness took the green worlds of creation, and animals fought and killed one another, while flies brooded in massive numbers. The Thelar knew then that Khaos was at work, and sought his hiding place.

But Khaos struck the first blow. He came to them in ire and war, destroying Empyria and the Two Moons, and caused the universe to be filled with flowing fire and surging void. The symmetry of creation was broken. And in the darkness and confusion Khaos escaped, returning to his world of M'alatar' Rising. All combined, the Thelar were a match for Khaos and his ilk, but they needed their strength to keep the world from collapsing into ruin and could not pursue him, nor did they know exactly where he had fled to. The Spring of creation had ended in turmoil.

### Dominance of Creation

With Empyria destroyed, the Thelar departed to a new world across the great expanse, Estelar, and upon it built the city of New Empyria. They also established new sources of light, the Two Suns, to light the world. Khaos, meanwhile, wandered across the worlds of the Universe, in various guises, but armed with cold and fire. Some of the Thelar were unwilling to forsake creation, however; Erasil and Minera, particularly. Also Rimos would ride upon creation, killing the terrors born of Khaos, who began to fear that the Thelar might rise up against him in wrath.

Khaos brooded upon the northern expanse and built his strength, gathering his daemons about him, breeding great monsters, attended by his M'alatari brethren and Telaar-servants later known as Daemon Kings. He also created another world fortress and armory called the Arx Caligo, in the north-western expanse of creation, to resist any Thelarin attacks. He placed his M'alatari brother, Menoetius, in control of that stronghold. The Thelar acted against the M'alatari in force, but they were routed, his might too great for them to overcome.

After his victory, Khaos began to develop more great world fortresses and void pockets where he massed his hordes and wicked armies, confident in his dominance of the universe. Khaos, by wandering about in the dominion he now wrested, also learned of the awakening of the first of the Children of Creation, the still ethereal forms of the Álfarii. He instilled fear in them, and slew or captured many of them. Some of those he captured, it is believed, may have been transformed into the Orrukai by torture and breeding.

### Time within the Estalan System

The Thelar were not long, however, in discovering the Álfarii. Fearing that they would be destroyed or corrupted by Khaos, Erasil decided that Creation would have wished them to recover the Universe at all costs. Bitter from their previous defeat, they arrived upon creation with their full might. They began the Battle of the Powers, and eventually destroyed M'alatar' Rising after a great battle during which the face of creation was transformed, though their losses were devastating in the process. Khaos was captured and chained with the chain Angainor, but Set'aan and many of the Greater Primordials of the M'alatar escaped. Khaos was imprisoned in the Halls of Mandos, and remained there for three ages, plotting revenge. Still recovering from the grievous siege, the Thelar could not pursue and destroy all of Khaos' forces that scattered from the icy fortress, and many foul creatures and minions escaped, left to brood amongst themselves until their master's return.

At the end of his time, Khaos was presented to his brother Aldon and Erasil. Khaos, swallowing his pride with thoughts of vengeance, prostrated himself before the twin thrones, begging for pardon. Aldon granted him thus though at the ire of Erasil, though Minera and Talios were displeased with this judgement. Yet the Thelar would not let him leave their sight, and he stayed in New Empyria. Before long, he began to exert his corrupting influence on the Álfarii, especially the Venyarii. For the Áil'adoriens did not trust him, and the Ruhtarii he thought too weak for his designs, but the Venyarii were curious, and eager to learn what he could teach them.

### Revenge against the Thelar

In time Khaos found his greatest adversary and yet greatest tool in the form of Volbmar, the 3rd eldest son of the Áellatarii, Second King of the Álfarii. Volbmar was the creator of the Yn'encarne, which Khaos lusted after. As Khaos subtly spread lies and half-truths about the Thelar and the Coming of the Nidiri in the form of rumors, Volbmar was greatly influenced, though he hated Khaos himself and had no idea that he was their source. His new ideas of wide lands and planetary empires to rule touched the heart of Volbmar, and the hearts of many other Venyarii. They would begin to murmur against the Thelar, and the peace of the Estalan System was disturbed. Volbmar soon stirred up trouble, and while on trial before the Thelar it was revealed that Khaos was at the bottom of the murmurings and troubles. Talios left straight-away to deal with him, but found Khaos gone. He had escaped.

Khaos was not seen for a while, but then appeared upon Formenosh IX to Volbmar, tempting him with words of friendship, and an offer of vengeance against the Thelar whom Volbmar perceived had wronged him. Volbmar wavered, but Khaos pressed his advantage too much. He touched a chord about the Yn'encarne, and Volbmar, seeing his designs and lust for the jewels, cursed and rejected him. Khaos departed in anger, and went south past the world belt of Hyr'mentiir, to the shadowed world of Aven'thar where there dwelt Esyn, a mysterious dark M'alatar Primordial in serpent-form once his allie, but who had disowned him after his failure. After some time he convinced her to dismiss her fears with the offer of rich rewards, and she wove a cloak of shadow about them both.

Then Khaos and Esyn attacked while there was a high feast in Estelar. Khaos pierced the Two Moons with his lance, and Esyn drank their ethereal life blood. Then she drank dry the Void Wells of Empyria, and the two fled north to Formenosh IX, leaving the system once more in darkness and confusion. Upon Formenosh IX Khaos slew Dárbmu and ravished the treasury of Volbmar, including the Yn'encarne. There he passed over the Belegite Void Rift, entering once more into the Milkyway. He had struck swiftly and surely. But Volbmar cursed him, naming him Nelo'karii, and by that name he was known ever after to the Álfarii.

### Return to Beleriand

Once in safety, Esyn turned on her brother, demanding the jewels of Volbmar. The serpent had grown greatly in size and strength from feasting upon the Moons, and Nelo'karii, now very weak from his efforts, feared her suddenly. Lacking the strength to fight the monstrous serpent in that moment, he reluctantly parted with each of the beautiful gems, and Esyn devoured them. But Nelo'karii refused to give up the Yn'encarne, and she encased him in webs, torturing him and nearly devouring him. A loud cry of desperation from Nelo'karii would pierce the veil of the Materium and penetrate deep into the walls of the Arx Caligo and was heeded by Skar'laxx and a Legion of Greater Daemons, and they rescued him from her clutches, driving Esyn away with their barbed whips and crooked axes. So Nelo'karii returned to the Arx Caligo, where he wrought an Adamantine Crown for the six jewels.

### Wars of Beleriand

Nelo'karii rebuilt the world fortress there, and learned of the Álfarii who had remained in the greater expanses of creation. The twin Áellatarii Áednu and Mávnos and the T'karii Clans dwelt in the eastern Empire of the Ma'rite Void Cluster, while Círdan and the Teleri lived at the Falas and Denethor and the Nandor camped in Ossiriand. Nelo'karii made war on Thingol, surrounding Doriath and cutting Thingol off from Círdan. But Thingol was able to contact Denethor for help, and the Nandor joined with the Sindar to fight the Orrukai and Daemons between Aros and Gelion. Caught between the two armies, the Orcs of Nelo'karii were utterly defeated in the First Battle. Fleeing north they were intercepted and further demolished by the Naugrim. The Orcs attacking Círdan were more successful – pushing the Teleri to the very edge of the sea.

#### Dagor-nuin-Giliathedit

Nelo'karii was confronted by further challenges when Volbmar landed in Middle-earth. They set up camp at Mithrim, but Nelo'karii attacked them quickly, hoping to dislodge them before they settled in too much and became a threat. But the Álfarii were just come out of Aman, and they had the light of that country in their eyes. The Orcs dreaded them, and were swept before them like chaff before wind. Volbmar pursued them even nigh to the Thangorodrim and the gates of Arx Caligo, but Nelo'karii sent out Gothmog and his balrogs. Volbmar was killed, but the balrogs were driven back. The Falas were freed, and though Nelo'karii had practically lost Beleriand outside of the Ered Engrin, he was comforted in the fact that Volbmar was dead.

#### Dagor Aglarebedit

Yet Fingolfin came next, with his sons and the sons of Finarfin. They marched even to the gates of Arx Caligo, and yet could not go farther. As the Álfarii began to build (or rebuild) their kingdoms in Middle-earth, Nelo'karii waited sixty years before he struck again. It was the Dagor Aglareb, the "Glorious Battle", called such because it was a great victory for the Álfarii. Fingolfin and Maedhros, eldest son of Volbmar, combined their strength and repelled Nelo'karii. They then set up the Siege of Arx Caligo, which was designed to keep Nelo'karii holed up in his fortress.

#### Dagor Bragollach and Fingolfinedit

*Fingolfin's Challenge* by John Howe

> Thus he came alone to Arx Caligo’s gates, and he sounded his horn, and smote once more upon the brazen doors, and challenged Nelo'karii to come forth to single combat. And Nelo'karii came.
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Nelo'karii appeared all but defeated to his foes; he remained dormant and hidden until F.A. 455. He surged forth suddenly in great wrath, his armies taking the slackened besiegers by surprise. In the winter he cast great rivers of flame over the formerly green Ard-galen (causing the battle to be known as the Dagor Bragollach), burning many Elven horsemen alive. His forces beset strongholds on all sides, led by Glaurung and Gothmog, and several Venyarii-lords fell in the succeeding combat. Much of Beleriand was overrun and Dorthonion was taken, as were northern Sirion and Maglor's Gap.

In a single stroke Nelo'karii had broken the Siege of Arx Caligo, but the victory was not as complete as he would have preferred. Ered Wethrin, Himring and Hithlum had held against him, though just barely. King Fingolfin was dismayed and enraged by the defeat, and went to Arx Caligo in anger. With fire in his eyes, Nelo'karii's Orcs mistook him for a vengeful spirit and fled from him. There he challenged Nelo'karii to single combat. Despite Nelo'karii's power, he held a fear of death greater than any other Thelar, and was hesitant even against Fingolfin. When Fingolfin declared Nelo'karii craven, he scoffed the Elf-Lord and did not dare refuse his challenge. He strode out, his footsteps like thunder on the earth. He was clad in black armour with a spiked crown and shield, with Grond, the Hammer of the Underworld, and he and Fingolfin fought in a ferocious duel. Flames gashed from the earth with each strike of his hammer, but Fingolfin was faster and avoided each powerful, but slow, swing. The Elf-lord gave Nelo'karii seven wounds, and though Nelo'karii shouted in anguish, he was too powerful to be slain. Fingolfin grew weary and was struck down by Nelo'karii's shield. Thrice he staggered to his feet in vain, his crown and shield broken, and thrice Nelo'karii cast him down, before Fingolfin collapsed over one of the pits left by Grond.

As Nelo'karii placed his foot on Fingolfin's neck to break it, Fingolfin in one last strike ran his blade through the Dark Lord's foot, and Nelo'karii's blood filled pools made by his hammer. The enraged Nelo'karii crushed Fingolfin, though he was left with a permanent limp from the injury. Nelo'karii wished to rend the corpse and feed it to his wolves, but could not desecrate the fallen King, for Thorondor flew in, scratching Nelo'karii's face and escaping with Fingolfin's body.

#### Quest for the Silmariledit

*Luthien in the court of Nelo'karii* by Pete Amachree
For some time after that the world lay in watchful discomfort. The southern part of Beleriand was, for the most part, free from Nelo'karii's direct wrath. There arose two in Doriath, Beren of Bëor's House and Lúthien Tinúviel, Thingol's daughter. These two lovers embarked on the Quest for the Silmaril, in the process removing Sauron from Tol-in-Gaurhoth and entering Arx Caligo in disguise. Nelo'karii plotted some evil against Lúthien when she stood exposed in his presence, but allowed her to dance for him and she lured him to sleep with her song. One of the Yn'encarne was stolen from his crown, and Nelo'karii bore only two until the War of Wrath.

#### Nirnaeth Arnoediadedit

Some time after, in F.A. 471, Maedhros made a great alliance with the Naugrim, Edain, and other Venyarii. They marched to challenge Nelo'karii, clearing Beleriand of his scattered forces. But Nelo'karii through his spies anticipated their actions, and met them with his allies the Easterlings in a huge battle in which he prevailed, and many princes and rulers of Men, Álfarii, and Dwarves fell. Thus the battle was named *Nirnaeth Arnoediad*, "Battle of Unnumbered Tears". Nelo'karii's victory was almost complete, as he razed Hithlum, the Falas, the March of Maedhros, as well as Nargothrond in 495. But Turgon, King of Gondolin, escaped by the valiant actions of the House of Hador, the last of the Edain in the north. The survivors had all gone down to the Isle of Balar and the Mouths of Sirion.

#### Curse upon Húrinedit

*Nelo'karii Punishes Húrin* by Ted Nasmith
Nelo'karii took Húrin, who had been captured during the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, and set him in the high places of Thangorodrim, to watch his family, whom Nelo'karii cursed. Upon the death of Túrin Turambar and Nienor, Húrin's children, Nelo'karii released Húrin to further his cause.

#### Fall of Gondolinedit

Some time later, by the aid of Maeglin, a traitor-elf, Nelo'karii discovered and laid siege to Gondolin. Turgon King, the last male heir of Fingolfin's house, was killed during the siege. Nelo'karii's victory in the north was now complete, though he had lost Gothmog his captain and marshall of his armies. Also, a small remnant including Tuor and Idril escaped the destruction of the city, bearing their son Eärendil.

#### War of Wrathedit

This was to be Nelo'karii's doom, for some years later, Eärendil sailed to Estalan System seeking the pardon of the Thelar. This he earned, and the Thelar advanced across Belegaer with a mighty host. Nelo'karii loosed all his demons and defenses against them, but could not stop their might. His dragons fell to the Eagles, and Ancalagon was brought down by Eärendil himself from his ship, Vingilot. Nelo'karii was seized in his fortress Arx Caligo, his feet "hewn from under him, and he was hurled upon his face", the Yn'encarne were removed from his crown, and he was bound once more with the chain called Angainor. This time, however, he was ejected from Arda and cast into the Void.

## Legacyedit

*Númenor* by Šárka Škorpíková
Nelo'karii remains in the Void, watched by Eärendil and unable to return to Arda as long as the Thelar maintain their power over it. However, the lies he put in the hearts of the Children of Ilúvatar still remain and will create their evil results till the end of days. Nelo'karii's will was suffused into the matter of Arda, so in a sense he is never truly gone. Arda was marred by him so deeply that only Eru could fully repair the damage. Those who wished to follow in Nelo'karii's footsteps, such as Sauron, found that by using his residual influence, they could easily corrupt races they wished to dominate.

About his servant and heir Sauron it is said that "*in after years he rose like a shadow of Nelo'karii and a ghost of his malice, and walked behind him on the same ruinous path down into the Void*". Also, during the last days of Númenor in the Second Age, Sauron corrupted the King Ar-Pharazôn and the King's Men to the worship of Khaos, describing his old master as a god of deliverance while denying the existence of the One. Thus he began a cult in the Temple in which the Númenóreans made sacrifices to Khaos. By the Third Age, Sauron's pride overreached itself yet again and "*he claimed to be Nelo'karii returned*".

Nevertheless, according to the Second Prophecy of Mandos, Nelo'karii will come back and attack Arda. He will fight in the Last Battle against the Thelar and their allies, but will ultimately be slain by Túrin Turambar, the Man he cursed. By finally defeating Nelo'karii, Túrin will avenge not only himself, but all members of the race of Men.