This is a glossary and summary of events that occur in the Silmarillion. I'm aware of the included ancestry and terminology charts at the end of the book but this is a more condensed and personal version for my own understanding.
Brother of Melkor and leader of the Valar, Lord of the Breath, god of air and winds. Married to Varda
Varda
Elbereth (Elvish)
Elentári (Elvish)
Tintallë, the Kindler
Queen/Lady of the Stars, god of light
Ulmo
Lord of Waters
Aulë
Mahal
Friend of the Noldor and Maker of the Dwarves
Lord of land, earth, or the substance of Arda. Married to Yavanna
Yavanna
Kementári (Elvish)
Queen of the Earth, giver of fruits
The Fëanturi
The masters of spirits, older brother Mandos and younger brother Lórien. Their sister is Nienna
Mandos
Námo
Keeper of the Houses of the Dead, the Doomsman of the Valar, dwells in Mandos. Married to Vairë
Vairë
The weaver
Lórien
Irmo
God of visions and dreams, dwells in Lórien. Married to Estë
Estë
Goddess of rest, healer of hurt and weariness
Nienna
Turns sorrow and pity into wisdom and patience
Tulkas
Astaldo the Valiant
Greatest of the Valar in strength. Married to Nessa
Nessa
Loves deer and dancing. Sister to Oromë
Oromë
Aldaron
Lord of Forests and tamer of beasts. Married to Vána
Vána
Blooms flowers
Arator
High Ones
The eight "High Ones" of Arda - Manwë, Varda, Ulmo, Yavanna, Aulë, Mandos, Nienna, and Oromë
Valinor
Eldamar
The Blessed Realm
Aman
The land where the Valar reside, "heaven"
Middle-earth
The land where the men and elves reside
Maiar
Servants and helpers of the Valar, lesser spirits of the same order as the Valar, existing before the World. In other words, they are also Ainur but lesser than the Valar
Ilmarë
Maiar, handmaid of Varda
Eönwë
Maiar, banner-bearer and herald of Manwë
Ossë
Maiar, vassal of Ulmo. Married to Uinen, the Lady of the Seas
Melian
Maia, served both Vána and Estë, dwelt in Lórien
Olórin
Maiar, dwelt in Lórien and the house of Nienna.
Melkor
Morgoth Bauglir
Dark Enemy of the World
Black Foe of the World
The devil, originally an Ainu send to the World but desires the world for himself. He has power akin to Manwë but spends his strength violence and tyranny
Valaraukar
Balrogs
Maiar seduced by the power of Melkor and remain loyal to him, demons of terror
Notes:
Eru is God (capital "g"), the Valar are great angels (think of the Greek gods of Mount Olympus), and the maiar are lesser angels/devils (think of the Greek gods no one really remembers)
The trees Telperion and Laurelin created by Yavanna
Telperion
Silpion
Ninquelótë
Silver tree. The elder of the Two Trees
Laurelin
Malinalda
Culúrien
Golden tree. The younger of the Two Trees
Elvish
Sindarin
The language of the Elves
Utumno
A kingdom deep underground where Melkor resides. It is surrounded by Ered Engrin, the Iron Mountains, like a fence
Children of Ilúvatar
The Firstborn
Men and Elves created by Ilúvatar
Elves
Quendi
Eldar
Eldalië
The Elder Children of Ilúvatar. They live until the end of days (unless they are slain or "waste in grief")
Men
Atani
Hildor
Mortals
The Younger Children of Ilúvatar, also known as the Aftercomers and the Second People. They have a limited lifespan
Dwarves
Created by Aulë to be strong to withstand Melkor. He created Seven Fathers of the Dwarves. They are stubborn, "stone-hard", fast in friendship, and withstand suffering hardily. They live longer than Men but not forever
Durin
One of the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves
Angband
The Hells of Iron
The stronghold of Melkor commanded by Sauron in the north. It is a secondary fortress to Utumno
Orcs
Elves that Melkor kidnapped and took to Utumno (before the arrival of Oromë) and imprisoned, corrupted, and bred
Vanyar
Fair Elves
The Eldar people of Ingwë, who went to live in Valinor and never returned
Noldor
Deep Elves
The Eldar people of Finwë. Primarily referring to the elves that swore an oath of vengeance against Morgoth for killing the trees and stealing the silmarils
Teleri
Sea-elves
The Eldar people of Elwë Singollo and his brother Olwë (before Elwë became Thingol)
Calaquendi
Elves of Light
The Eldar who have seen the light of the Trees
Úmanyar
The Eldar who journeyed to see the light of the Trees but got lost
Avari
The Unwilling, the Eldar who refused the summons to see the light of the Trees
Moriquendi
Elves of the Darkness
The Avari and Úmanyar
Elves of the Twilight
Grey-elves
Sindar
Elves born of Melian and Elwë
Elu Thingol
King Greymantle
Elwë Singollo after he was lured by Melian's voice and eloped and became king
Finwë
King of the Noldor with sons Fëanor, Fingolfin, and Finarfin
Fëanor
Curufinwë
Spirit of Fire
The eldest of the sons of Finwë, best speaker and most knowledgeable. Created the three Silmarils. Also kicked out of Valinor for drawing his weapon on his brother Fingolfin
Fingolfin
One of the sons of Finwë, the strongest and most steadfast. The King of all the Noldor (after Finwë and Fëanor are slain). Wielded Ringil, a sword that glittered like ice
Finarfin
One of the sons of Finwë, the fairest and most wise of heart
Galadriel
The daughter of Finarfin
Notes:
The Count of Time began with the Two Trees of Valinor
Dwarves were created by Aulë in the darkness of Middle-earth before Ilúvatar created Men or Elves. Ilúvatar had compassion and accepted them but did not want them to be awake before the Firstborn so he made them sleep until the time came
The Firstborn awoke after Varda weaved the constellations
Three powerful great jewels crafted by Fëanor to capture the essence and light of the Two Trees. They were hallowed by Varda so that no mortal flesh nor anything of evil can touch them without getting scorched and withered. They are also called the "Doom of the Noldor" after Morgoth steals them and are considered cursed. It is said that any Noldor trying to acquire the jewels will fail
Doom of the Noldor
Curse of the Noldor
Curse of Mandos
A curse laid upon the Noldor by the Valar after the Noldor slayed their own kin in a dispute after Morgoth stole the silmarils. They are cursed in that all they build will be destroyed and that any pursuit of the silmarils will bring sorrow
Ungoliant
A monstrous giant spider. Possibly one of the first creatures Melkor seducted into his service, born of the darkness of Arda
Notes:
Melkor killed the Two Trees and Ungoliant drank all the sap and poison them, darkening Valinor
Finwë the King of the Noldor was the first death in Arda, killed by Melkor after killing the Two Trees
Melkor stole the Silmarils, ran from Ungoliant, then escaped to Angband
Fëanor gathered the Noldor to march against Melkor and follow him to fight him, but only a few ended with him. The rest branched off or were abandoned. A portion of the Noldor under Fingolfin were betrayed and settled down in Middle Earth.
Child of Thingol and Melian, most beautiful of all the children of Ilúvatar. She becomes mortal after meeting Beren
Khazâd
Naugrim
Gonnhirrim
Dwarves who came over the Blue Mountains into Beleriand, called Masters of Stone
Khazad-dûm
Dwarrowdelf
Hadhodrond (Elvish)
Moria
The greatest mansion of the Khazâd dwarves
Menegroth
The Thousand Caves
A beautiful mansion crafted by the dwarves (and elves) for Thingol and his people
Laiquendi
Green-elves
Elves that fought alongside Thingol under Denethor and were mostly slaughtered by orcs in a battle against Menegroth.
Eglador
Doriath
The Land of the Girdle, within the Girdle of Melian in which peace could prosper without the worry of Morgoth's servants
Notes:
The Naugrim and the Noldor become good friends (this was an age before any disputes between dwarves and elves)
After the battle, Thingol withdrew all his troops and Melian created a (magical) barrier called the Girdle of Melian to protect his people from Morgoth in Doriath
The Moon created from the flower of Telperion, dragged across the sky by Tilion
Sun
Anar the Fire-golden
Vása, the Heart of Fire
The Daystar
The Sun created from the fruit of Laurelin, dragged across the sky by Arien
Notes:
Yavanna took the last silver flower of Telperion and the last gold fruit of Laurelin and made them the sun and the moon with Varda's help. The moon was created first, followed by the sun seven days later
After the sun and moon rose, Morgoth withdrew his servants deeper into Angband to hide from the sun/moon (mostly the sun)
The Valar hid Valinor and the path to Valinor after the assault of Morgoth
Lorg of Balrogs who delivered mortal wounds to Fëanor. Also kills Fingon in Nirnaeth Arnoediad. Slain by Ecthelion in Gondolin later
Maedhros
The eldest son of Fëanor, captured by Morgoth when sent with an embassy to discuss Morgoth's surrender terms
Thorondor
King of the Eagles created by Manwë to watch over the lands and keep eyes on Morgoth
Finrod
Finrod Felagund
Nóm (tongue of Men)
Son of Finarfin, helped the dwarves and stayed with them for a long time. Builder of Minas Tirith
Nauglamír
The Necklace of the Dwarves, one of the greatest creations of the dwarves gifted to Finrod for helping them
Glaurung the golden
The Great Worm
The first of the Urulóki, the fire-drakes of the North. The father of dragons. Slain by Túrin
Notes:
Fëanor was ambushed as he chased Morgoth, then was mortally wounded and died soon after
After Maedhros was captured, Fingon found him after searching but could not unbind him. After praying, Manwë sent Thorondor to aid him. After rescuing Maedhros, the people of Fingolfin and Fëanor were reunited and the hatred dissipated between them
Morgoth keeps trying to spy on the elves and attack them here and there but they are victorious every time and Beleriand prospers
The sister of Turgon who left Gondolin and resided in Nan Elmoth
Eöl
The Dark Elf
Brother of Thingol, lived in the deep shadows of Nan Elmoth in the darkness of the forest. Loves the dwarves and blames the Noldor for the return of Morgoth
Gavlorn
A metal created by Eöl with the strength of dwarven steel but extremely malleable
Maeglin
Lómion (tongue of the Noldor)
Child of the Twilight
Child of Eöl and Aredhel. Eventually travels to Gondolin
Notes:
Maeglin and Aredhel leave Nan Elmoth to go to Gondolin and Eöl is furious. He follows them with haste and ends up finding the secret path into Gondolin
Turgon gives Eöl the choice to live in Gondolin or die, but Eöl tries to kill him and accidentally kills Aradhel with a poisoned spear. Then Turgon executes Eöl by throwing off a cliff
Maeglin loves Idril but she does not love him back and it is crooked/wrong to love kin so near in family.
Favorite quote: Thus it was in Gondolin; and amid all the bliss of that realm, while its glory lasted, a dark seed of evil was sown.
A chieftain among men, the first to lead men into Beleriand
Marach
A chieftain among the Haladin, a large group of men
Haladin
A tribe of men
Edain
A tribe of men who journeyed west and met the Eldar and lived within their realm(s) for a time
Malach
Aradan
The son of Marach
Haleth
Daughter of Haldar and chieftain for the People of Haleth after her father and brother were slain by orcs. She led her people near the realm of Doriath but not into the Girdle of Melian
Hador Lórindol
Hador Goldenhead
The mightiest of the chieftains of the Edain, given lordship of Dor-lómin by Fingolfin. His people eventually created the common tongue of Númenor.
Númenor
A great people of men who came from Eärendil the Blessed and his wife Elwing
Notes:
Finrod Felagund was the first of the Eldar to find men
Thingol declares that no man will enter Doriath, but Melian prophesizes that one of Men, even of Bëor's house, shall indeed come, and the Girdle of Melian shall not restrain him, for doom greater than my power shall send him; and the songs that shall spring from that coming shall endure when all Middle-earth is changed.
Plains of Beleriand that Morgoth scorched with fire and magma in another attempt to kill all the Noldor. It marked the beginning of the fourth great battle
Dagor Bragollach
The Battle of Sudden Flame
The fourth great battle of Morgoth
Grond
The Hammer of the Underworld, wielded by Morgoth in his fight with Fingolfin
Ereinion
Gil-galad
The son of Fingon
Swarthy Men
A tribe of men under the dominion of Morgoth
Beren
Erchamion (One-handed)
Camlost (Empty-handed)
Son of Barahir, the leader of the men Sauron pursued to destroy. He managed to escape and slaughtered many orcs and retreated off by chance through Ungoliant's realm into Menegroth
Fading
The process of an eldar losing immortality
Draugluin
The first werewolf, slain by Huan
Carcharoth, the Red Maw
Anfauglir, the Jaws of Thirst
A werewolf born from the anguish of hell by Morgoth to guard the gates of Angband. Put to sleep by Lúthien through divine power and eventually killed by Huan
Dior Aranel
Dior Eluchíl
Dior Thingol
The child of Beren and Lúthien, Thingol's heir
Nirnaeth Arnoediad
Unnumbered Tears
The fifth battle against Morgoth
Uldor the accursed
The leader of the treachery orchestrated against the elves in Nirnaeth Arnoediad
Azaghâl
Lord of Belegost
Easterlings
Men who choose to serve Morgoth
Notes:
Favorite quote regarding Morgoth: And it is said that his hate overcame his counsel, so that if he had but endured to wait longer, until his designs were full, then the Noldor would have perished utterly.
Morgoth took everyone by surprise with his balrogs and orcs, killing Aegnor, Angrod, Bregolas, Hador, Gundor,... it was a brutal battle for elves and men
The great battles against Morgoth:
The First Battle - fought before the Noldor, by the Sindar and the Dwarves
The Battle Under Stars
The Glorious Battle (Dagor Aglareb) - The Noldor siege Angband for many years
The Battle of Sudden Flame - Morgoth surprise attacks elves and men and slaughters many of them
Nirnaeth Arnoediad (Unnumbered Tears) - Turgon, Fingon, and Maedhros all group together with some of the Naugrim and Men to march on Angband and defeat Morgoth again and they almost won, but Uldor the accursed betrayed them after having been allured by Morgoth. Fingon was murdered brutally. From then onwards, elves have despised men (other than the three houses of the Edain)
The Battle of Sudden Flame was going terribly so Fingolfin got angry and ran to the gates of Angband to 1v1 Morgoth. Morgoth didn't feel compelled to come out of his fortress but Fingolfin called him "craven, the lord of slaves" and Morgoth got angry. Fingolfin was killed but wounded Morgoth considerably, cutting off one of his feet.
After Fingolfin was killed, Sauron took over Minas Tirith
Thingol is angry Beren managed to get into Menegroth and vows to give his daughter's hand in marriage in exchange for one of the Silmarils from Morgoth's crown
Beren convinces Finrod and a few others to fight with him to reclaim the silmarils, but all of them except for Beren die because Sauron captures and kills them all in a pit
Lúthien comes to Beren's aid with a wolf of Valinor called Huan. They fight Sauron and beat him up and send him back to Morgoth naked and exposed
Celegorm and Curufin tried to betray and kill Beren because they wanted to take the hand of Lúthien and gain the throne but were thwarted
For some reason there's a rule where Huan the wolf can speak in English but only three times
Beren successfully steals a silmaril with Lúthien's help and almost escapes but Carcharoth bites off his hand and dies as the silmaril burns its insides
Carcharoth and Huan fight and kill each other and Beren dies. Lúthien forsakes her immortality to choose to live with Beren once more as a mortal. They live in Middle-earth somehow after dying and have offspring (the first union of the Eldar and the Edain), then disappear into death.
The other elves of Fëanor (specifically Maedhros) wants to fight Thingol for the Silmaril to reclaim it but Thingol refuses
Húrin is captured by Morgoth and forced to live in agony as Middle-earth is torn apart
Son of Húrin and Morwen, taken in by Thingol as a foster son
Beleg Cúthalion
Beleg Stormbow
An elf who was Túrin's friend
Nargothrond
A stronghold built by Finrod
Mîm
One of the last of the Noegyth Nibin (Petty-Dwarves)
Anglachel and Anguirel
Two swords made of iron from a star that can cut through all iron. Only these two exist, forged by Eöl. Anglachel was later reforged and named Gurthang, Iron of Death by Túrin
Finduilas
Faelivrin
Daughter of Orodreth and loved by Gwindor son of Guilin, but loves Túrin
Nienor
Níniel, Tear-maiden
Sister of Túrin, loses her memory
Notes:
Morwen feared for the safety of Túrin due the the attacks of the Easterlings so she sent him to reside in Doriath with Thingol
Túrin eventually leaves and goes to reside in the house of Mîm, a dwarf he meets in passing
Beleg, Túrin's friend, goes to great lengths to rescue him and help him. Thingol gifts him Anglachel but Melian warns him that it is cursed
Túrin puts on the Dragon-Helm of Hador (given to him by his mother Morwen) and becomes infamous for killing orcs
Mîm betrays him (because he hates Beleg/elves for killing his people) and orcs capture Túrin and slay the rest of his company save Beleg. Beleg finds Gwindor, a survivor of Nirnaeth Arnoediad, and together they continue
Túrin in his confusion and pain kills Beleg with Anglachel, then grieves and is captured by elves. He grows in strength and grows too bold, building a bridge to Nargothrond. Then Morgoth strikes with Glaurung and an army of orcs that kill Gwindor and Orodreth
Túrin is put under a spell by Glaurung and is freed but discovers Finduilas has been killed and falls into depression. Nienor tries to find and rescue him but is also put under a spell by Glaurung to lose her memory.
Túrin and Nienor somehow end up getting married (of course...) and Túrin slays Glaurung but before he dies, the dragon tells Nienor the truth. She jumps off a cliff and dies. Túrin eventually learns the truth and kills himself with Gurthang
Two of the great dwarven cities in the Blue Mountains
Notes:
Morgoth finally lets Húrin out of Angband with malicious intent. He spies on Húrin and discovers the location of the city of Gondolin
Húrin rejoins with Morwen at the burning of Glaurung, then she sighs and literally dies
Húrin returns to Nargothrond and finds Mîm who has taken in all the treasure. Húrin slays him for betraying his son. Then he takes Nauglamír from the treasure and gifts it to king Thingol after realizing all the things Thingol did for his family. Then commits suicide by jumping into the sea
King Thingol asks the dwarves to inset the silmaril he owns into Nauglamír as the centerpiece and they do so. However, when he asks for it, they withhold it from him out of lust and desiring payment. They fight over it and King Thingol is killed by them
The elves learn of the death of Thingol and slay some of the dwarves to reclaim Nauglamír. When Melian is brought Nauglamír and told what happened, she loses some of her power over Arda and thus the Girdle of Melian (the magical border protecting Doriath) dissolves. Then she disappears to Valinor
The dwarves of Nogrod are angry, rouse an army, and march on Doriath. A great battle between elves and dwarves ensues and the dwarves eventually reclaim Nauglamír
Beren (before he died) hears of the tale and gathers a host of elves. They slay the Lord of Nogrod and reclaim Nauglamír and gives it to Lúthien to wear before they both die. Then it is given to Dior
Dior wears the necklace and looks the fairest in all the children of the world, being of the Edain, Eldar, and Maiar
Celegorm hears of this and assaults Doriath. Dior, Nimloth, Celegorm, Curufin, and Caranthir are all killed, but Elwing escapes with the necklace. Eluréd and Elurín are left to starve and disappear
The son of Huor. Fostered by the Grey-elves and married Rían. Chosen by Ulmo
Voronwë
One of the many elves Turgon sent to the west to explore the seas
Eärendil Halfelven
Blessed child of Tuor and Idril
Ecthelion of the Fountain
Elf who fought Gothmog during the fall of Gondolin. Both slay each other
Glorfindel
Chief of the House of the Golden Flower of Gondolin
Notes:
Tuor is blessed by Ulmo and chosen to be his instrument. With Voronwë he travels to Gondolin to warn Turgon of the downfall, but Turgon does not listen
Tuor marries Idril (the second union of the Eldar and the Edain) and Maeglin grows jealous. They have a son named Eärendil
Idril heeds Tuor's warning and begins to build a secret exit out of the city
Maeglin frequently worked with mines and quarries in the mountains until he was eventually captured by orcs and brought to Angband. He reveals the exact path to Gondolin since Morgoth promises him the city of Gondolin and Idril.
Morgoth strikes Gondolin in a surprise and Turgon and many others are killed. Maeglin tries to escape with Idril but is slain by Tuor, who leads the remnants of Gondolin through the secret exit
A balrog blocks their exit but Glorfindel (with the help of Thorondor) defeat it and both die
Tuor's people meet and merge with Elwing Dior's people and after Turgon's death they name Ereinion Gil-galad the High King of the Noldor
Tuor gets old, builds a ship named Eärrámë (Sea-Wing), and with Idril sails into the sunset forever
The final war war against Morgoth. All of Morgoth's power was marshalled (Balrogs, Orcs, some men of Uldor) but almost completely destroyed. A few balrogs and orcs escaped into the mountains. Eärendil slays Ancalagon the Black, the mightiest dragon
Eonwë
A maia who serves Manwë
Maglor
Daeron of Doriath
A son of Fëanor who tries to reclaim the silmarils
Vingilot
Rothinzil
Eärendil's trusty ship he builds with Círdan
Notes:
Eärendil becomes friends with Círdan and sails into the west looking for Valinor (to plead forgiveness for the Noldor's sins) and look for Tuor and Idril to no avail
The sons of Fëanor ask Elwing for the necklace but she refuses, so they rose up to slay the remaining people of Gondolin and Doriath. Elwing throws herself into the sea with Nauglamír
Ulmo resuces Elwing from dying and brings her to Eärendil
Eärendil and Elwing together sail and with the power of the silmaril get past the enchantment of Valinor and set foot there. He finds the Valar and pleads for the Noldor and they are (finally!) granted forgiveness
The Valar decide to end this once and for all and along with the Teleri venture to the North to wage the War of Wrath against Morgoth.
Dragons are similar to drakes but (according to other sources) mightier in power
The Valar defeated Morgoth's army and Eonwë took the remaining two silmarils from Morgoth and bound him to bring him back for judgment. The remaining of the Noldor are bidden to return to Valinor as well
Maedhros and Maglor (the remaining two sons) decide to steal the two silmarils even at the warning of Eonwë and find that they no longer hold the right to own them (their hands are burned). Maedhros jumps (with the silmaril) into a chasm in (or "the bosom of") the earth. Maglor throws his into the sea and sings lamentations at the coast, never joining the Eldar again
Some of the Eldar remain in Middle-earth: most notably Gil-Galad, Galadriel, Celeborn, Elrond (considered Eldar: "chose... to be numbered among the Eldar"), Elros (considered Edain: "chose to abide with Men")
Morgoth was cast through the Door of Night beyond the Walls of the World into the Timeless Void with guards and Eärendil always watching
Favorite quote: And thus it came to pass that the Silmarils found their long homes: one in the airs of the heavens, and one in the fires of the heart of the world, and one in the deep waters.
Favorite quote: Yet the lies of Melkor, the mighty and accursed, Morgoth Bauglir, the Power of Terror and of Hate, sowed in the hearts of Elves and Men are a seed that does not die and cannot be destroyed; and ever and anon it sprouts anew, and will bear dark fruit even unto the latest days.
The beginning of the Second Age. The land of Numenor.
Andor
The Land of Gift
Elenna
Anadûnê
Númenórë (High Eldarin)
Numenor
Westernesse
Akallabêth
Atalantë (Eldarin)
A land gifted to the faithful fathers of the the three houses of the Edain by Eonwë after the Great Battle.
Dúnedain
Númenóreans
Kings among Men. Still mortal but live longer years and never get sick.
Andúnië
The chief city of Numenor
Elros
Tar-Minyatur
One of two sons of Eärendil, appointed by the Valar to be the first King of the Dúnedain
Avallónë
The Undying Lands
Deathless Lands
Gray Havens
The outskirt lands of Valinor, haven of the Eldar
Tar-Atanamir
The thirteenth king of Numenor and the first to question the ban of the Valar
The King's Men
The group of Númenóreans who questioned the ban of the Valar. Among them were Ar-Pharazôn
The Elendili
The Elf-friends
The Faithful
The group of Númenóreans who remained faithful to the Valar. Among them were Amandil and Elendil
Tower of Barad-dûr
The tower Sauron built and resided in
Ring-wraiths
Úlari
Nine mortal men ensared by rings Sauron gifted to them. Three were Númenóreans
Adûnakhôr, Lord of the West
Herunúmen
The twentieth king of Numenor. The first king to forsake the elven tongue
Pharazôn
Ar-Pharazôn
Tar-Calion
Took Míriel (soon Ar-Zimraphel) to be his wife against her will (incest) to take the sceptre of kinghood
Notes:
The Valar banned the Númenóreans from sailing west up to the Undying Lands into Valinor. At first the Númenóreans were content with this, but over time they grew spiteful and questioned the judgement of the Valar.
Sauron arose again in power in Middle-earth during the rule of king Tar-Minastir. He built the Tower of Barad-dûr and despised the Númenóreans for the Edain's alliance with the Valar
Ar-Pharazôn hears of the might of Sauron and wishes to challenge him so he makes weapons and sails to Middle-earth. Sauron knows he cannot win and concedes but secretly plots their downfall. They take him to Numenor and he convinces them to worship Melkor
Eventually Ar-Pharazôn and his followers wage war on the Valar and sail to the Undying Lands to make camp. The Eldar flee from that area, and Ilúvatar himself changes the world to create a huge chasm between Valinor and the rest of the world so that it is "beyond the reach of Men for ever". The entire fleet is swallowed in the chasm, and Ar-Pharazôn and all who set foot on Valinor were entombed in the Caves of the Forgotton to await judgement at the end of days. Numenor is also destroyed.
The continent of Valinor is physically removed from the Earth; if you continue sailing west you'll go around the world in a loop. However, the Eldar are still permitted to sail to Valinor, so there is an enchantment preventing Men from entering
Elendil, Isildur, and Anárion all took ships to Middle-earth and thus avoided the fate of the Númenóreans
Sauron fell into the abyss but his spirit endured because he was not mortal, and traveled back to Barad-dûr and took the One Ring taking the form of the Eye of Sauron the Terrible. One he fell into the chasm he was unable to create a "fair semblance" of himself
The end of the Second Age and beginning of the Third Age. Sauron's rise to power and fall from power after the Last Alliance.
Sauron
Gorthaur the Cruel
Annatar, Lord of Gifts
The Dark Lord
The Enemy
Greatest lieutenant of Melkor. Once a maiar of Aulë but was drawn to the spendor of Melkor. Can change his appearance
Silvan Elves
Some survivors of the Teleri who moved to the woods
Celebrimbor
Son of Curufin, survived the onslaught of Nargothrond and remained in Middle-earth. A great craftsman of jewelry
The One Ring
The Ruling Ring
Crafted by Lord Sauron in the Mountain of Fire in the Land of Shadow. He poured most of his life force into the ring for it to hold more power than the other rings to control them. When worn, he can perceive all things done by those wearing the lesser rings, and see and govern the thoughts of those that wear them
Aman Amarth (Mount Doom)
Mountain of Fire
Orodruin
The mountain in the land of Mordor in which Sauron forged the One Ring
Narya, Nenya, and Vilya
The Ring of Fire, Ring of Water, and Ring of Air, set with ruby, adamant, and sapphire. The three rings forged by Celebrimbor for the elves and were never touched by Sauron himself
Imladris
Rivendell
A stronghold and refuge for elves founded by Elrond
Nazgûl
Ringwraiths
The nine mortal men who took up the rings of Sauron. All transitioned into the land of shadow over time, "crying with the voices of death"
Lindon
An elven city by the coast in which Gil-galad dwelt
The Black Land
Mordor
The land of Barad-dûr in which Sauron dwelt and gathered his forces and strength
Palantíri
Seeing stones
Seven stones gifted to the faithful Númenóreans by the Eldar that allowed them to see each other and watch over the lands
The Last Alliance
An alliance of remaining elves and men to fight together against Sauron to prevent him from wiping the lands in darkness
Minas Ithil
Minas Morgul
Tower of Sorcery
A city built for Isildur, later taken by the Ringwraiths after the first defeat of Sauron
Minas Anor
Minas Tirith
Tower of Guard
A city built for Anárion
Notes:
Sauron began to scheme again and began guiding others in crafting rings of power while disguised. He secretly made the One Ring for himself
The elves were not fooled - as soon as Sauron wore the One Ring, they realized he was the master and took theirs off
Once the secret of the rings was discovered by the elves Sauron openly waged war against them and killed Celebrimbor. Moria was also shut as a result.
Sauron created seven rings for dwarves and nine for men. The dwarves were ensnared by gold wealth and greed and eventually most of them were swallowed by dragons (rings included), but Sauron recovered a few rings.
Isildur and Anárion founded the land of Gondor, with chief city Osgiliath and smaller cities Minas Ithil and Minas Anor
THe other Númenóreans also founded Isengard (Angrenost)
Other treasures of note from Numenor: The seven seeing stones and the fruit of the white tree (a tree in the courtyard of Numenor that descended from the Two Trees)
Sauron fights against and overtakes Minas Ithil, then fights against the Last Alliance with his armies of orcs, twisted men, and creatures. He kills Gil-galad, Elendil, and Anárion.
Isildur takes the hilt-shard of Narsil and cuts the Rulign Ring from Sauron's hand and keeps it. Sauron can no longer appear in physical form. This marks the end of the Second Age and the beginning of the Third Age
The Fourth Age begins when the One Ring is destroyed (and the others with it)