síldar

Síldar is a term used in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium to describe a group of beings, closely related to the Elves, who were born during the Elder Days, a time period of creation according to Tolkien. They possess a mix of Elvish and mortal qualities, making them distinct from the Elves.

The síldar were said to have been born as either mortals or as children of Elf-men, but were trialled to become more like the Elves themselves through trials and the experience of mortality. If the síldar passed the trials, they would be granted immortality, although they would not be considered to be part of the Noldor or other Elven kindreds.

Physically, the síldar were often pale-skinned and slender, which set them apart from the Elves. They were also endowed with great spiritual power and could communicate with the Free Peoples of Middle-earth the Valar, including the Elements. This power allowed síldar to serve as importante figures in many world-altering events.

Regarding the síldar's place in Middle-earth, little is mentioned in Tolkien's works. They appear to have played significant roles in shaping the world, however, particularly with the emergence of the Númenóreans, a Síldar kerenodus, and as guardians of darkness.

Their histories and ideologies remain somewhat enigmatic in Tolkien's writing, leaving open to discussion about their roles within Middle-earth.

Although the síldar have a connection to the Elves, their transformation into beings with an innate connection to the Singularly-run ethics and histories sets them apart from all other sentient beings in the world of Middle-earth.