Tolkien, Lord of the Rings (LotR), etc.

The War of Wrath is a poorly-documented event in the Silmarillion with literally world-changing consequences. What do you imagine happened there?

For example, I consider some of the Valar indeed joined the Host of Valinor.

A conjecture on the matter: https://middle-earth.xenite.org/how-was-beleriand-destroyed-in-the-war-of-wrath/

Tulkas and Oromë could join the war as "combatants" and would be fine with the Maia Eönwë having overall command. After all, he's Manwë's representative and the Valar defer to Manwë.

If Occam's razor is applied, Ulmo would likely be involved, even if indirectly, in the reshaping of Beleriand as far as the sea is concerned.

The Ainu participants are there to take on the supernatural and Balrog-tier elements. The Vanyar and Noldor members of the Host are for fighting the other Children of Ilúvatar since the Ainur can't harm them directly.

Personal essay about overcoming fear and excuses, inspired by The Hobbit.

I am no man says our next storm!

Who's been? Anything anyone wants to share abouy it?

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/21720353

https://bsky.app/profile/welldipper.bsky.social/post/3l6zwau4zf42r

cross-posted from: https://sh.itjust.works/post/25805448

Anyone sat through them all yet?

Frieren could pave the way for a LOTR epilogue story. Tolkien famously abandoned his own New Shadow sequel because "proved both sinister and depressing". In a Frieren-like hypothetical story, even if the downfall of mankind from the heights of Aragorn's Reunited Kingdom is inevitable in the grand scheme of things, we can explore the little details of early Fourth Age Middle-Earth from the eyes of an adventurous hobbit at a time when the War of the Ring is a collection of stories from the previous generation.

What do you think?

Alternatively, a Yuru Camp-like with a Silvan Elf protagonist could work.

Yes, yes it does!

His early abdication is his answer to the massive trolley problem he was facing: hold fast to Numenor's traditions and ways, but run the risk of giving away Middle-Earth to Sauron and have him go after Numenor anyway; or help resist Sauron but expose the Numenoreans to later corruption.

Either way, Numenor is doomed in the long run, but Tar-Meneldur acted by his conscience by yielding to his son who knows more about this matter. The events that transpired is according to Eru's plan, ultimately.

A fantastic single person setting reading all the trilogy in a very well produced effort. Currently half way through myself after an unexpected journey and I have to share

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/36744357

Many people seem familiar with Lord of the Rings via the Jackson movies, but there's a much longer tradition of artists depicting scenes from the books. Plus of course, two TV / movie series that bring some great voicework & songs (Rankin-Bass' version) and fascinating animation (Ralph Bakshi's), despite their overall flaws.

But in terms of alternate illustrators, check out the Brothers Hildebrandt, for example.

Personally, I'm enjoying this Argentinian master's version because the characters are no longer as wholesome-looking as in other depictions, giving the scene slight horror overtones. The ammonite is a nice bonus, too!

Some more Chichoni art here:
https://lemm.ee/post/27712402

Although I also really like the Alan Lee/movies art style, having alternative ways to visualize such an immense world is wonderful. The Hildebrandt brothers' illustrations especially have a more medieval, almost naive touch to them that I think lends itself well to fairy tales.