The One

A translation of Elvish Eru, a name for the primordial and immortal power by whom the Ainur were formed, and through whom the world of Arda was created. It was Eru - commonly called Ilúvatar, 'father of all' - who devised the Music of the Ainur that laid the foundations of creation, and who gave reality to the Vision of the world created through that Music. It was from the One alone that the Children of Ilúvatar, Elves and Men were fated to be brought into being within the newly created world.

Looking on the new world of Arda, and having seen in the Vision what it would become, many of the Ainur chose to enter it and help to shape it, and these Ainur became the Valar and the Maiar. Another of their rank also descended into the world at that time, Melkor, who had his own designs for the shaping of the world.

In the struggles that followed, in a time long before even the awakening of the Eldar, the One looked down but played no direct part. Indeed, the One rarely chose to intervene in the world, leaving its governance to the Valar, although it was said that Manwë, the chief of the Valar, could divine the will or counsel of Eru. There is one case, however, where the One did take direct action in a spectacular way. When the Númenóreans, corrupted by Sauron, attempted to invade the Blessed Realm, Manwë appealed directly to Ilúvatar. The One answered by causing Númenor to be consumed by the Sea, and changing the shape of the world so that mortals could never again reach the shores of Aman, except by the will of the Valar.