The Wandering Company: LOTRO Scenario’s path through Middle-earth

Logos are copyright SSG and created by their team for Matt’s “Casual Stroll through…” series.

‘“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door,” he used to say. “You step into the Road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to.’

 --- Frodo remembering Bilbo’s words, “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” (Book I, Chapter III: Three is Company).

Recommended Tolkien reading (after watching The Rings of Power or otherwise)

In the lead up to and during the run of Amazon Prime’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” TV show, it was clear new (and old) fans were curious about the material showrunners, cast and crew were dipping into to create the show.

To help promote the works by and about J.R.R. Tolkien, I created a series of infographics focusing on various aspects of literature from Tolkien’s own works to academic books about Tolkien and Middle-earth.

Blog design update for 2023

Image from "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" - Episode 8: Alloyed

Moving forward in 2023, I’ve updated and redesigned the blog visual look from the 2021 design.

The Archive - Useful and noteworthy blog posts

 

What is the Green Book of the White Downs?

What is the Green Book of the White Downs?

Many will know about the "Red Book of Westmarch", but few will likely have heard of the "Green Book of the White Downs"...

This obscure text, now located in the library of the Great Smials [1] and watched over by Donnamira Took [2], was the work of a eclectic “family” explorers from many different backgrounds. Led by a Silvan Elf known as Ranatuor, together they formed an unusual friendship grounded in their love of old places, creatures and culture. As they wandered Middle-earth they took notes, made drawings, gathered information.

And so, after many years of exploration, and plentiful adventures, the authors settled down to document their tales and share their knowledge. This work became known as the "Green Book of the White Downs".

Rana's 2023 Events - RP-lite storytelling on the Laurelin server of LOTRO

During the year I run social RP-lite storytelling events on the Laurelin server of The Lord of the Rings Online MMORPG. I usually host as my main character Ranatuor along with my 2nd account character Heimdalli (a captain) to help get players to the locations. There may be a few surprise guest hosts along the way.

“The Professor!” – Toast to JRR Tolkien aka Ronald Dwale, Tuesday 3rd Jan 2023 15.00/servertime

 

Rana Event - 31 December 2022 - Hogmanay the Pig’s Big Night In: A Yule moot

Gaming in Middle-earth - State of play report June 2022

 

State of play report (June 2022)

The dice have definitely rolled favourably for Middle-earth of late. If you are a gamer and love J.R.R. Tolkien’s works, you have a lot of choice open to you. From board games, card games, roleplaying games, mobile games and PC/console games.

With the hugely-anticipated Amazon TV series, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, nearing release date (2 September 2022) and several other big projects expecting to widen interest in Tolkien’s Middle-earth, it’s interesting that we are still waiting to hear about the sale of Saul Zaentz Co.’s Tolkien rights (Middle-earth Enterprises) which includes merchandising and gaming.

The license as it currently stands (for how much longer?) is explained here. 

Previous Gaming in Middle-earth: State of play - 23 August 2021

Below are the current games, based on the book license, which are out or due to be released.

Please note I don’t cover Games Workshop (mostly due to their license being focused on the films) but you can find their Middle-earth merchandise here.

Note: Images from the various license holders' websites. Used here to illustrate their games.

Imladris – Upcoming Tolkien-related events

Upcoming Tolkien-related events

Each year various special days, events, talks, seminars, conferences, festivals, exhibitions, tours and more are organised focused on the life and works of JRR Tolkien.

The following list gives you an idea of the variety of events happening in 2022.

Note: I have focused mostly on UK-based or online events (English language). I've provided a link in the Recommended Websites section for foreign-language events. All times are UK (GMT or BST) unless otherwise stated. 

Scholars of the Undertowers: Tolkien-focused books due in 2022

Tolkien-focused books due in 2022

This is a list of Tolkien-focused books released and expected to be released in 2022.
I’ve used numerous sources to find these, the sources are listed at the bottom of this page.

* Images from Amazon UK *

A Letter to Paul Chato, the “former network executive producer”, about his anti-woke stance and his support of Nerdrotic

 

A Letter to Paul Chato, the “former network executive producer”, about his anti-woke stance and his support of Nerdrotic

Context: Paul Chato, a comedian and one-time head of television comedy at CBC Television, has been creating videos about the Amazon series and providing what he says is inside-views (but outside since he doesn’t work for Amazon) of what is going on at Amazon and their production of the Rings of Power.

Concerning fandom

Concerning fandom – addressing the negative response to Amazon Prime’s Rings of Power TV series

Rough draft, 19 February 2022

Dwarven princess Disa (played by Sophia Nomvete), Amazon Prime’s “The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power” – Vanity Fair source (2022)

Imladris – Upcoming highlights for Tolkien fandom in 2022

 

2022 is shaping up to be a very good year for Tolkien fans in terms of releases. Below are some of the expected highlights over the coming months and heading into 2023.

“The Professor!” – Toast to JRR Tolkien aka Ronald Dwale, Monday 3rd Jan 2022 15.00/servertime