Part 2/8:
Sméagol began his life as a Hobbit of the Stoor clan, a primitive group living along the River Anduin. Born around 2430 of the Third Age, Sméagol's life initially mirrored that of his kind—a simple existence typically lasting around 70 to 80 years. The peace of his early life dramatically shifted one fateful day when his friend Déagol discovered the One Ring, leading to a chain of events that altered Sméagol’s destiny irreparably.