Talion is the main protagonist in Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor and one of the two player-controlled characters, along with Celebrimbor, that share the same body. A descendant of the Northmen in Rhovanion, and raised in Minas Tirith, Talion is a loyal Ranger of Gondor in the Third Age, and is stationed at the Black Gate, the colossal gateway in the barren lands of Mordor. He lives at an outpost alongside his wife and son. Unbeknownst to Talion, a dark force has gained power and strength at an alarming rate.

At the begining of the game, the outpost is attacked by servants of Sauron and Talion is killed along with his wife and child. However, before he enters the afterlife, where he assumes he will be reunited with his family, Talion is fused with an immensely powerful Wraith known as Celebrimbor that presents the opportunity to enact his revenge against Sauron, so Talion cooperates with the wraith.

Having been a Ranger for most of his life, Talion is a skillful swordsman, being very proficient at using both swords and daggers. As a Ranger, he is also capable of using a bow, although for the most part it is Celebrimbor who does. He is capable of moving swiftly and stealthly to eliminate his enemies without being detected.

Aside from his physical armaments, Celebrimbor grants Talion a host of additional powers he can use to his advantage. While in the wraith world, Talion is capable of using shadow strike, an attack which allows him to teleport to his enemies' location and quickly kill them, as well as easily navigate over the terrain. Talion is also capable of binding his enemies' feet to the earth via flame and slowing down time in combat. The most important of Talion's abilities is his power to strike fear into and dominate Uruk, allowing him to access a whole host of opportunities. These enemies will then perform tasks such as gathering intel, spreading dissent, or attempting to assassinate their peers, underlings and commanders.