The Most Popular ‘Lord of the Rings’ Characters The three-volume J. R. R. Tolkien novel known collectively as “The Lord of the Rings” is, at its core, an incredibly complex fairytale. Tolkien created a rich history and culture for his characters, and invented more than 15 original languages (he was a professional linguist) for the Elves, Orcs, Dwarves, Ents, and other inhabitants of Middle-earth in “The Lord of the Rings” and related works. Tolkien’s masterpiece was brought to the attention of a new generation by Peter Jackson’s three films, two of which are considered among the 55 best movies ever made.