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The Works of JRR Tolkien

Joe

By Joe
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Anduin

Anduin

Of all the places Sauron could have laired, why Dol Guldur? Why did he pick a spot where elves had previously lived, with elves currently on two fronts? Those being northern Mirkwood and Lothlorien not so far away. You'd think it'd be a little too hot for him. And if he moved too fast, those very elves would get wind of him and move. He should have picked somewhere further away from elfy attention.

Yes, I know it was a bit of a retcon, I'm talking in-universe.

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Anduin

Anduin

1 hour ago, Haleth said:

The price was a steal?  Scenic views?  As far as he could get from the Harfoots/Feet?

"They'll never suspect I'd set up in an old elf settlement! They'll never bother looking for me here!" My best guess. :)

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Anduin

Anduin

I was reading a review of a book about the history of D&D, when I spotted something surprising.

Quote

There some fascinating almost-ran stories, like when TSR nearly acquired the Middle-earth licence but foundered on Christopher Tolkien refusing to grant them permission to publish original fiction.

There have been three LOTR RPGs. MERP from Iron Crown Enterprises, plain old LOTR RPG from Decipher, and now The One Ring from Free League Publishing. MERP has short original fiction. Just a few paragraphs, in order to illustrate the tone or set the scene, though I don't know about the others. You could claim that adventure modules are LOTR fiction too, if you're so inclined.

There have also been other attempts to put out new Middle-earth stories. The first I know of was Dennis McKiernan. When he couldn't get permission, he changed his stories into the Mithgar universe. There was a Russian fanfic a few years ago too, The Last Ringbearer by Kirill_Yeskov, retelling the 'real' story from the opposite side. And yes, I've tried both of those. Neither struck me as good.

Jacqueline Carey's Banewrecker books were essentially retelling LOTR from the perspective of the Witch-king of Angmar, but I don't think she tried putting them officially in LOTR to start with, preferring staying outside with room to be different.

One could argue that the movies, the additions to the Hobbit in particular, and now ROP are essentially licenced fanfic put on screen.

So, was it a good move for Christoper Tolkien to deny that right, or would you want to read RA Salvatore's Middle-earth stories? Frankly, I lean in favour of a good move. There's something special about LOTR, I feel it stands alone and above other fantasy universes. I want to keep it there.

Even though I'm still a fan of ROP. :)

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Anduin

Anduin

I was in the bookshop today, and noticed The Complete Guide to Middle-earth, by Robert Foster. Weird, I'd never heard of the book or the author, though the Gateway says it's highly regarded.

Honestly, my first thought it was an alias for David Day, who keeps reissuing the same book only with the name, cover, and/or interior art changed. I'll admit to buying the Illustrated World for the art. Plus I got one version of his encyclopedia as a present way back when.

Anyway, what makes Foster good and Day bad, other than Foster not committing to defining Tom Bombadil's nature? Also, does it contain any information that isn't on the Gateway or the wiki?

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Anduin

Anduin

I've been reading through the Fall of Numenor. Sadly, it's not the most readable book. Anyway, I hit upon a frustrating moment. Pharazon marries Miriel against her will and usurps her throne. It's never specified what his pitch was. Why she, the rightful queen, went along with it. Close reading suggests that he was the top conquering hero and politician, maybe she needed his support, but it's never actually stated. Funny thing, the show has the opposite situation. She goes off to Middle-earth, he stays behind and rules in her stead.

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Anduin

Anduin

11 hours ago, Haleth said:

I'm guessing Twitter is blowing up over that pic.

Yes. Some people are taking the whole thing as well as you imagine. I'm a little wary of pictures not in line with description, and indeed the sheer commercialism aspect, but I still like much of the art. Some more pics here.

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Anduin

Anduin

Someone did a pair of trailers for a hypothetical series of Silmarillion movies. Pretty good. One and two. Thing is, I can't place most of the clips they used. Maybe one or two from Game of Thrones, I suspect the Witcher show is in there, but mostly nothing. Doesn't look like AI. Anyone else recognise them?

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Anduin

Anduin

We're getting a new trailer for Tales of the Shire on 22 April. I leave for overseas on the 21st. Of course. Yes, I'll watch it on a tablet. But it's not quite up to my proper desktop setup. Ah well.

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Anduin

Anduin

A short animated movie of the Ainulindalë, the first part of the Silmarillion. Why is YT recommending it to me after nine years? After all the Tolkien content I've consumed on YT, nine years is ridiculous. Anyway, it's not perfect, but it's good. I'll watch the next part tomorrow.

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