salmarthemaia

[salmarthemaia]

Salmar

       Salmar, also called Lirillo, is the chief of the Eärni, the naiads and mermaids of the deep ocean. They are the dwellers in the deeps of the sea, and the friends of the creatures beyond all sight. Salmar is a lover of music, and he made the Ulumúri, the great conches of Ulmo which make the music of the sea. He is the patron of the sea-longing, the pull on the heart which all mariners experience, and he is the patron of all sea lore and music, as well as magickal tools. He is one of the greatest musicians of the Maiar, and makes haunting melodies for Ulmo in his depths. His names mean a Lyre or small harp, and Spirit of the Song, and he has been known to play on the surface of the sea or by lonely beaches at night, and any who happen upon him are stirred to sea-longing forever. He is the brother of Ómar Amillo, and together they make music so blessed that even the Valar stop to listen.

[salmarthemaia]

Salmar

The Harp-Player, The Singer

Other names: Noldorin, Lirillo, Golthadriel

Salmar is a Maia of the Vala Ulmo who is briefly mentioned in The Silmarillion as the one who made the Ulumúri, the great conch shell horns of Ulmo. When he plays them, they produce a beautiful sound that results in a deep longing for the sea. 

In Tolkien’s earlier works, Salmar has other names such as Noldorin, Lirillo, and Golthadriel. One passage describes how, when Ulmo came to Valinor, Salmar was his only companion at first. He had a brother named Ómar-Amillo, and together they were considered the Valar (Maiar didn’t exist yet) of music, song, and dance. They would sometimes sing and play music together, and the Vala maiden Nieliqui would dance along. They also had a sister, Erinti, who would later become the daughter of Varda and eventually make it into The Silmarillion as her handmaiden Ilmarë. Notably, the three were said to have eventually left Valinor and instead lived with the elves on the island of Tol Eeressëa. 

Salmar was more present in Tolkien’s earlier drafts, often in conjunction with his brother. Both are among the Valar who are preparing to chain Melkor and bring him to Valinor, and later they are both mentioned as mourning the loss of the Two Trees along with the other Valar. 

Throughout Tolkien’s writings it is clear that many of the Valar had a close relationship with one of the three main elven tribes. Manwë and Varda, as well as Salmar’s brother Ómar-Amillo, favored the Vanyar, while Ulmo was a friend to the Teleri. But Salmar, like the Valar Aulë, favored the Noldor, which may explain his title Noldorin and the fact that he dwelt with them on Tol Eeressëa. Salmar was even envisioned as one of Aulë’s “people” at one point, which might be because Salmar made the Ulumúri, and Aulë is associated with craftsmanship. 

Salmar’s connection to music has been strong from the very beginning. He is described as writing “The Song of Light” that was sung by the Valar and elves at the celebration that took place while Melkor killed the Two Trees and stole the Silmarils. Later, after Yavanna has failed to revive Laurelin, Vana who had a deep love for the tree sang a song that caused one last shoot to come forth bearing the fruit that would become the sun. When he first hears it Ómar-Amillo describes it as Vana’s lamentation, but Salmar remarked that there was joy in the song, reflecting that light had returned.

As Tolkien developed his writings it became clear that music and son was a source of power for the Valar. Since the two youthful brothers were associated with music, this arguably made them the most powerful Valar, and became a problematic plot point. Thus, Ómar-Amillo’s character was dropped (he is described as knownig every song in every language) while Salmar’s role in the storyline of the Silmarillion is reduced to a single reference to his making the conches of Ulmo, hence retaining his association with music, albeit in a much more diminished way.

[salmarthemaia]

I'm so sorry because I'm a big Ainur nerd, but I've never seen art for Salmar (Maia of Ulmo). He made the Ulumuri, great white Conches that sounded when Ulmo walked the shores!

Alright, here’s one musical merman for you! X)

[salmarthemaia]

Salmar came with him to Arda, he who made the horns of Ulmo that none may ever forget who once has heard them.

Salmar moodboard

The Silmarillion characters: (83/?)

Characters’ moodboards: (351/?)

[salmarthemaia]

Ulmo, to Ossë: For your crimes in aiding Melkor, you will be made to suffer the profession of shame.

Salmar: I asked them, Ossë, I asked them not to pass that sentence!

Ulmo: We should do it immediately, in my opinion.

Uinen: No you didn’t.

Salmar: What?

Uinen: You didn’t ask. You were saying yes.

Salmar: well, I still think it’s quite extreme.

Ulmo: Let us do the procession of shame. Now.

[Later]

Ulmo, Uinen, and Salmar: *circling Ossë* Shame. Shame! Shame. Bad Maia. Shame!

[salmarthemaia]

Salmar

One of the forgotten Maiar

I drew that really fast after I got the idea of the great singer I based him on. @bodhvild , you are the only that might recognize him, dear.

[salmarthemaia]

Maiar of Ulmo, The Lord of Waters

Ulmo is the Vala responsible for water and was a close friend of Manwë. He was one of the Aratar, the eight most powerful Valar, and it was said that Melkor feared him almost as much as he feared Varda because the sea could not be tamed. Ulmo had dominion over all water on Arda, including the waters that flowed beneath the earth. His palace called Ulmonan was located in the bottom of the ocean, and he maintained contact with Middle-earth through rivers and streams.

Ulmo was served by multiple Maiar including Ossë and his wife Uinen, who were friends with the elves that dwelled along the coasts. Another Maia who served Ulmo was Salmar, who was in charge of Ulmo’s great musical shell-made horns, the Ulumuri. Additionally, a primeval whale named Uin is mentioned as a servant of Ulmo in Tolkien’s early works, though it’s status as an Ainu is unclear. The “River-Woman”, the mother of Tom Bombadil’s wife Goldberry, is also speculated to be a servant of Ulmo based on the fact that she is a watery entity, though her exact nature is unclear.

[salmarthemaia]

Valaquenta by https://vk.com/veensa (https://vk.com/vee_volcho)

WONDERFUL ART-WORK!!!

1. Irmo Lorien & Namo mandos with elves

2. Aule with Feanor, Yavanna & Vana with Melian & Thingol

3. Nienna, Este & Vaire

4. Manwe, Varda with Feanor & his songs 

(Maedhros, Maglor, Celegorm, Caranthir, Curufin, Amrod, Amras)

5. Ulmo with Uinen & Osse (or Salmar)

6. Orome & Nessa with horse Nahar

7. Tulkas with Melkor & Manwe with Turin 

[salmarthemaia]

Have a Uinen, Osse and Ulmo for mermay!

Edit:

Here’s an additional Salmar cause I forgot about him ;_;

[salmarthemaia]

The Silmarillion - Uinen, Osse and Salmar

I liked to draw them)))

Maiar’s sketches portraits - Part 1

Maiar’s sketches portraits - Part 3

Maiar’s sketches portraits - Part 4

Maiar’s sketches portraits - Part 5

[salmarthemaia]

Salmar was sad because he had to take care of everyone in the world that day. But he forgot to tell him that. He was the only one who could help him forget about his problems that moment because he was sure that they would be happy together until the end of the world. They were together that moment and this was the only one who could do it that moment.

Salmar liked Elghan and he needed to be with him all the time because he loved him too much as well. They were together that moment and this was the only one who could help him forget about his life. He needed to be with him all the time because he loved him and convince him to follow him around and explore the world.

They were together that moment and this was the only thing that mattered to him. He was tired of the problems of the world that day and he needed to be with him all the time because he loved him too much already. He was the only one who could help him forget about his problems and he was very happy with his companion that moment.

@salmarthemaia

The Druadan looked at the Maia and he wondered why he was absent for a while. He needed to be with him all the time because he loved him but it was impossible to change the fact that Salmar had too many duties to fulfill.

Elghan was tired of the problems of the world that moment and this was the only thing that mattered to him that moment. He needed to be away from the rest of the world that day and he only wanted to be with him. They were together that moment and this was the only thing that mattered to him that day.

Elghan needed to be with him all the time because he loved him too much. He was one of the few people who could help him forget about his problems that moment. He remembered that he was tired of the world that day and he needed to be with him away from the rest of the world.

[salmarthemaia]

Glokta was silent for a while but he looked sad and angry. Salmar wondered why he was so lonely and sad at the same time. Leto was silent for a while but he was happy to be with him, he could see that in his eyes.

@sand-dan-glokta @duke-leto-atreides-blog

They have something in common, the Maia thought. They are both haughty and proud of themselves. They are handsome as well. But they can be loyal as well, loyal to their friends and people. Or so I hope. They are intelligent enough to survive in the world that is too cruel for everyone. The only thing that mattered to him was that he could trust them because they were like friends or family members of Huor.

[salmarthemaia]

Salmar did not want to sleep but he was happy to be with them all the time because he loved them too much already. He was tired of the problems of the world but Morwen was too strong and brave at the same time.

@morwenfairaself @thecrowngift

@strengthandvigour

"You don't look like each other, even though you are related. You are brunettes, while this child is too blond, just like his father. But I hope you are having a great day with your family. I hope that Tuor is going well and growing up fast."

[salmarthemaia]

Salmar was sad because he had to be there for a long time but he was happy to be with them all the time because he loved them too much already. He was tired of the problems of the world that day but he did not want to lose his friendship with them.

@the-heart-vigor @hurinthesteadfast

"You are similar to your father. I remember Galdor most vividly and he needed to be sure that you were safe and happy. He would be proud of you if he was still alive. Your mother loved you so much too. She was an amazing woman but I think she died of grief. Am I wrong?"

[salmarthemaia]

Salmar was sad because he had to take care of his friends. They were together that moment and this was the only thing that mattered to them. He needed to be with them all the time because he loved them too much already.

@morwenfairaself @thecrowngift

@strengthandvigour

"You don't look like each other, even though you are related. You are brunettes, while this child is too blond, just like his father. But I hope you are having a great day with your family. I hope that Tuor is going well and growing up fast."

[salmarthemaia]

Salmar believed that the other man would make it. They could be friends with each other that moment and this was the only thing that mattered to him that moment. He was the only one who could help him forget about his problems that moment.

@lordofbelegost

"I am happy to help you, my friend! I will be there at 6 pm on Friday and I will buy you a beer when this comes to an end. I am sure that you will convince him to buy a share of your business."

[salmarthemaia]

"I know that. So, we can go out and get a drink for the time being since we have nothing else to do. But I am here for you if you want to. We can do it together, my dear friend! I am sure of it."

@lordofbelegost

"I am happy to help you, my friend! I will be there at 6 pm on Friday and I will buy you a beer when this comes to an end. I am sure that you will convince him to buy a share of your business."