Is Talion canon in Lord of the Rings?

Is Talion Canon in Lord of the Rings?

The Lord of the Rings is a legendary tale of Middle-earth created by J.R.R. Tolkien, and its stories have been passed down to us through various forms of media, including books, movies, and video games. Among these, Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and Middle-earth: Shadow of War are two popular games that have added a new layer of storytelling to the Lord of the Rings universe. One of the key characters in these games is Talion, the Ranger who wields the power of the Ring. But is Talion a canon character in the Lord of the Rings?

What is Canon in the Lord of the Rings?

Before we dive into Talion’s canon status, it’s essential to understand what canon means in the Lord of the Rings universe. Canon refers to the original stories written by J.R.R. Tolkien. These original stories, including The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and various essays and letters, serve as the foundation of Middle-earth’s history and events. Anything that is not written by Tolkien or based on his original works is considered non-canonical, including movie adaptations, games, and other derivative works.

Talion in Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War

In Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, Talion is a protagonist who becomes the wraith-like spirit of Celebrimbor, the son of Celebrëa. Throughout the game, Talion seeks revenge against Sauron and his minions while wielding the power of the Ring. In Shadow of War, Talion continues his journey as a Ranger who wears Isildur’s Ring and becomes a leader among the Free Peoples of Middle-earth.

Arguments Against Talion’s Canon Status

1. Game-Only Character: Talion was created specifically for the Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor game, making him a game-only character and not a part of the original stories written by Tolkien.
2. Deviation from Canon: Talion’s storyline and characters in the games deviate significantly from the original lore of the Lord of the Rings. This deviation contradicts the canon established by Tolkien, making Talion’s existence non-canonical.
3. Talion’s Backstory is Inconsistent: Talion’s backstory, as seen in the games, inconsistently mirrors the events of the original story. For instance, the game’s timeline suggests that Talion witnessed the fall of Minas Tirith, which occurred before the events of the Lord of the Rings.
4. No Appearances in Tolkien’s Original Works: Talion has no appearances in Tolkien’s original writings, such as The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, or other related works.

Conclusion

Based on the evidence, it is unlikely that Talion is canon in the Lord of the Rings. As a game-only character, created for a specific game franchise, Talion’s storyline and characters deviate significantly from the original canon. Moreover, his backstory and appearances are inconsistent with the original events of the Lord of the Rings. The game’s creators have deliberately chosen to create a distinct storyline for Talion, making him a non-canonical character in the world of Middle-earth.

However, this does not dismiss the impact of Talion on the Lord of the Rings franchise. The game series has contributed to a wider appreciation of Middle-earth’s history and characters, enhancing the universe’s richness and depth. Nevertheless, when discussing the canon of the Lord of the Rings, it is essential to consider the original works of J.R.R. Tolkien as the primary source of Middle-earth’s history and characters.

Table of Non-Canon Characters in Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War

Note: The table above only highlights some of the non-canonical characters in Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War. There are many other characters and plot points that deviate from the original canon.