She might look innocent enough but be careful what you make with this one. The first chapter of the Quenta Silmarillion titled “Of the Beginning of Days” sets the stage for the sordid saga of these Noldorin Elves. Though they are the “most skilled of the Elves”, “renowned in song” with a name meaning “wisdom”, their history is also an epic tragedy of contested treasures, ruthless revenge, and tarnished beauty.
Indeed, it was the skill of Fëanor, the first Elven Jeweler, that led to both the greatest glory and the greatest evil of the Noldor. It was he who first “discovered how gems greater and brighter than those of the Earth might be made with skill”. It was he who crafted “the fairest of all gems” which were the Silmarils. And it was he who “swore a terrible oath” that he and his seven sons would “pursue with vengeance and hatred to the ends of the World Vala, Demon, Elf or Man as yet unborn, whoso should hold or take or keep a Silmaril from their possession”. Yikes!
“Fëanor” by Dakkun39. Check out Dakkun39’s Tumblr for more of his amazing original Tolkien fan art!
In the end, the Elven jeweler Fëanor had to discard his relationship with the Valar, slay his kin, burn their sacred ships, and destine his sons to gruesome death in order to bring himself into play and pursue his gems in Middle-earth. For you to get his descendent on your table, the cost is somewhat less. But if you want to season your game with some First Age theme, play the Elven Jeweler by viciously discarding two Elf allies while poetically cursing them as fainthearted traitors to your mighty cause!
Card Info: Escape from Mount Gram #33
Artist: Cassandre Bolan
I do find the FFG take on the Noldor slightly odd- it’d be nice if they captured some of that former menace, although I’m not sure how you’d do that mechanically.
At least the jeweler has 2 hit points – unlike the Master of the Forge