Most of the roots or origins of Tolkien's stories can be found in the early Norse Mythology. Some of the dwarves names can be found there. The Scandanavian odes and stories were a definite influence. Many of the other items came from his life experiences, including being bitten by a spider when he was young, seeing trees cut down and left to rot, and his service in the British Army in World War 1.
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J.R.R. Tolkien drew inspiration from various sources, including Norse mythology, medieval literature, his Catholic faith, and his experiences during World War I. His academic background in languages and medieval literature also played a significant role in shaping the world of Middle-earth.