Gandalf

The final age of Middle-earth's recorded history before the beginning of the Fourth Age; the film depicts the rise of Sauron's power and the initial stages of the War of the Ring.

The Dark Lord and creator of the One Ring, seeking its recovery in order to dominate Middle-earth.

A hobbit of the Shire who inherits the One Ring and undertakes the quest to destroy it.

The Ranger known as Strider, heir of Isildur, who joins and protects the Fellowship.

A Hobbit of the Shire who participates in the Quest of Erebor and seeks to prevent war among the claimants to the Lonely Mountain.

A hobbit of the Shire who accompanies Frodo throughout the journey and departs with him from Parth Galen.

The Dwarf king who reclaims Erebor, commands its defense, and dies during the Battle of the Five Armies.

The dragon occupying Erebor and guarding the Dwarves' former hoard.

A peaceful hobbit homeland in northwestern Middle-earth, including Hobbiton and Bag End.

The Dwarven stronghold and treasure hoard contested by Thorin, the Lake-men, the Elves, and the Orcs.

The settlement on Long Lake attacked and destroyed by Smaug.

The great forest realm from which Thranduil's army marches to Erebor.

Sauron’s dark land, including the approach to the Black Gate and the route toward Cirith Ungol.

The ruined Dwarven realm beneath the Misty Mountains, traversed by the Fellowship on its journey south.

The Elven refuge of Imladris, where the fate of the One Ring is decided.

The horse-lords’ kingdom threatened by Saruman’s armies.

The destroyed Mannish city beneath Erebor, where much of the Battle of the Five Armies takes place.

A fortified refuge in the Westfold where Rohan resists Saruman’s Uruk-hai army.

Saruman’s fortified domain and base of operations, later attacked and flooded by the Ents.

The capital of Gondor and the focal point of the war in the west.