Brief History of the Palantirs

The Palantirs were forged by the Noldor Elves, the High Elves, at the beginning of the Second Age. The Noldor Elves were exceptional blacksmiths during this time, producing all of the powerful rings of old (including the One Ring, with Sauron's help) and all of the Palantirs. The Noldor, doing what they typically did with their weapons of mass destruction, gave them away freely to their allies, the Numenorians of the Great Island Kingdom of Numenor. When Numenor fell due to the folly of the leaders, only seven Palantirs were saved and brought back to Middle Earth.

The Seven Palantirs were placed throughout the two kingdoms of Gondor (Minas Tirith-based) and Arnor (North Middle Earth-based), strategically at key centers: Minas Tirith, Weathertop, Minas Ithil, Annuminas (Capitol of Arnor), Osgilliath, Isengard and Elostirian (A Tower of the Elves near Mirkwood). However, as the kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor became weak, and Arnor non-existent, the Palantirs soon became lost or taken by others: Minas Ithil was taken over by Sauron, renamed Minas Morgul, and its Palantir was taken. Sauron used the Palantir to convince Saruman of Isengard to join him, and to weaken the will of Steward of Gondor, Denethor, in Minas Tirith.

By the end of the Third Age, Aragorn of the Reunited Kingdom had claimed the Palantirs of Minas Terith and Isengard. During the Palantir Quest of ten years, a large group found and lost the Palantir of Annuminas. They were able to discover and send back to Aragorn the Palantir of Minas Morgul. The Palantirs of Elostirian, Osgilliath and Weathertop were thought lost, but have since been found by the King of Numenor, back from the dead; the Lich-King; and some random Haradrim, who, let's face it, will probably never show up in the game.

Palantirs traditionally allow communication over nearly any distance, allowing visions and other such things. In other perhaps non-canon video games, Palantirs have been used as lasers of immense power.

Current owners/locations of the seven palantirs:

Minas Tirith – Still belongs to King Aragorn in Minas Tirith

Minas Ithil/Minas Morgul – formerly Sauron’s palantir; given to Ardwinna to help gather artifacts for Gondor, but now held by Mia

Isengard – held by Gandalf in the Undying Lands (I think)

Weathertop (lost) – most likely the one rediscovered by King Akmentu and held by him

Annuminas (Capitol of Arnor) – briefly recovered by Gondor, then stolen by Jacques, who still holds it

Osgilliath (lost) – rediscovered by either the Lich King or the Haradrim

Elostirian (A Tower of the Elves near Mirkwood) (lost) – rediscovered by either the Lich King or the Haradrim