Silmarillion Primer: The Valar
The Valar (The Powers of Arda) are 14 of the greatest Ainu that descended into Arda to prepare it for the coming of the Children of Illúvatar. Each was the master of a different sphere of influence and power. In much the same way as the gods of the Greeks and Romans.
Before breaking down each of the Valar, I think it best to dwell on what exactly an Ainu is. Ainur, the plural of Ainu, are spiritual beings produced from the thought of Eru Ilúvatar at The Beginning of The Universe. They helped Eru create a vision of Arda through song. Those that wanted a more active role in Arda's creation descended down into it. Some stayed behind with Eru. The greatest were called The Valar. The lesser Ainur that went into Arda became known as The Maiar.
It is also worth noting, linguistically, that all three of these words' plural forms end with -r. So when speaking of a singular one, drop the -r. EX: Vala, Maia, Ainu.
THE VALAR
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Manwë
The chief of the Valar. He is the Lord of the Air and is partnered with Varda. The Great Eagles are his servants. His throne sits atop the highest mountain in Arda, Taniquetil. If Varda stands beside him, together nothing can evade his sight. He and Melkor (Morgoth) are brothers in the thought of Ilúvatar. Manwë knows more of Eru's purposes and is made The first of Kings and Lord of Arda.
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Varda
The Lady of the Stars. Her power is in light. She kindled the stars, the light of The Two Lamps and with the help of Yavanna, the light of The Two Trees. She is seldom separated from her partner, Manwë. She is able to grant him a piercing sight, and he can give her sharp hearing. Thus together, they can know all that is going on in Arda. Her ability to see allowed her to know Melkor’s heart, even before his attempt at mastery during the making of the Music. She rejected him and he hated her for it. Yet, she is the Vala that he fears above the others, because nothing is hidden from her. Varda is the Vala that the elves love the most, to them she is Elbereth. For when the elves first awoke by the shore of Cuiviénen, their eyes beheld the light of stars.
Alan Lee
Ulmo
The Lord of Waters. He has no partner and he has no permanent abode, for he is always in motion, moving where he wills. He is the mightiest of the Valar after Manwë. He does not always take a shape in the manner of a body like the other Valar. He prefers to remain a spirit. He also seldom comes to the councils of the Valar, unless it is gravely important. He keeps all of Arda in his care, and of the Valar, was most active during the events of the First Age. For he loves Men and Elves dearly, and not even under the wrath of the Valar did he forsake them.
Aulë and Yanvanna by @zipavika on Twitter
Aulë
The Craftsman of the Valar. His dominion is everything that makes up Arda. He takes great joy in the art of making. It was he who fashioned the land, the mountains and the valleys, the gems and the veins of gold. He and Melkor are similar in the desire to create, but Aulë’s spirit is more attuned with the will of Ilúvatar. He shared much of his knowledge of craftsmanship with the Noldor. His other students were the Maiar Mairon and Curumo or as they would be known in the Third Age, Sauron and Saruman. Aulë is also responsible for the creation of the dwarves, whom Ilúvatar adopted as part of his Children.
Yavanna
The Giver of Fruits, she is the partner of Aulë. If he is shaper of earth, she is the giver of life. Her dominion is all things that grow in Arda. She nurtured the trees, the bushes, and the flowers. She filled Arda with all things green. The elves call her the Queen of the Earth. When she learned that Ilúvatar had allowed Aulë’s dwarves to exist, despite not being a part of the Music, she created the Ents, to be a check on those who would hew her trees without care.
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Vairë the Weaver by Jade Perdrillat
Mandos and Vairë
The Doomsayer of the Valar and the Keeper of the Halls of the Dead. His true name is Námo. He is usually called by the name of where he dwells, the Halls of Mandos. He knows everything that shall be, except that which is still left for Ilúvatar to decide. He only speaks of what he knows when Manwë commands him. He is the brother of Loríen and together they are known as the Fëanturi, masters of spirits.
Vairë is his spouse, and the weaver of fate. All things that have ever been are woven by her into a great tapestry that adorns the Halls of Mandos. The tapestry of time grows, so do the Hall of Mandos.
Loríen and Estë
The Master of Visions and Dreams. His true name is Irmo and Loríen* is the place of his dwelling. His gardens are the fairest place in all of Arda. Together with his wife, Estë, the Healer of Hurts and Weariness, all who come to their gardens find refreshment.
*This is a different place than the woods near the Anduin that would be called Loríen or Lothloríen.
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Nienna
The sister of Námo and Irmo. She lives by herself in her halls, which are near to her brother's, Mandos. She is the Lady of Pity and Grief. Her song in The Music was one of sadness, for she cries for all the hurts done to Arda by the hand of Melkor. She often travels to Mandos to help ease the sorrows of those spirits waiting within. Those who harken to her learn pity and endurance in hope. For her sadness is not one of despair. Her pity is what moved the Valar to pardon Melkor from his first imprisonment. Her greatest student, who learned most from her pity, was Olorín, who was known by the people of Middle-Earth as Gandalf.
Tulkas by @steamy on DeviantArt
Tulkas and Nessa
Tulkas is the strongest of the Valar and the last to enter Arda. He came to aid The Valar in their early struggles with Melkor. He delights in all kinds of contests of strength and endurance. He can outrun anything and needs no weapons but his hands. The wife of Tulkas is Nessa, she is the friend of the deer and other woodland creatures. She is fleet-footed and loves to dance.
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Oromë and Vána
The Hunter of the Valar. He rides a mighty white steed named Nahar. He wields a mighty horn called The Valoromá, the sound of which is like the rising of the sun. He looks after all the beasts of the world and trains his dogs in the hunting of the fell beasts of Morgoth. He was last to go West to reside in Valinor, and rode ever eastward in search of the Children of Ilúvatar on his swift horse. His partner is the sister of Yavanna, Vána, who causes the birds to sing and the flowers to open.
