Mysteries of Middle-Earth

[elengil]

A good little video in regard to things we know very little to nearly nothing about. I've always wondered about some of the creatures mentioned in Silmarillion but that never seem to be expanded upon, like the 'fell spirits' of vampires and werewolves. Are they meant to be what we think of as these mythical creatures? Were they meant to be different but he just borrowed those names? I think I recall them being maiar-type spirits that came into the world at the beginning rather than being 'created' by Morgoth, but I could be mistaken.

One of the things that I think really lends itself to the feeling of 'reality' in Tolkien's works is references to things that simply populate the world, without any other reason or purpose. Like the Forsaken Inn. I love that, I love the reference to it, even if we have no idea of anything else about it. I like the idea of the very last vestige of civilization on the edge of the wilderness called the Forsaken Inn.



What's your favorite Tolkien mystery?

[Voronwë the Faithful]

My biggest Tolkien mystery, is why he thought it was okay for Frodo and his friends to leave the dishes for Lobelia.

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[Alatar]

I kinda like that. Its a complete dick move, which makes them feel like real people. Who are often dicks.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

It's my least favorite moment in all of Tolkien's writings.

[Jude]

If they had stayed to do the washing-up, they would definitely have been caught by the Black Rider. It was a close enough thing as it is.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

So if we combine your comment with Al's, we conclude that Tolkien believed that people are rewarded for being dicks.

Definitely the message that I look for!

[Inanna]

It's my least favorite moment in all of Tolkien's writings.

And therefore, not your *favorite* Tolkien mystery. Biggest, but not favorite.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

I was wondering who was going to call me out for that. I thought it would have been elengil herself, but you were probably the next leading option!

[Jude]

So if we combine your comment with Al's, we conclude that Tolkien believed that people are rewarded for being dicks.

Well, if you think that everything happens for a divinely-appointed reason, then maybe. Or if you're like me and believe that sometimes people benefit from bad actions, then no.

[Frelga]

As Elengil might know, my favorite mystery is "from Lamedon, a few grim hillmen without a captain."

[Alatar]

So if we combine your comment with Al's, we conclude that Tolkien believed that people are rewarded for being dicks.

Well, if you think that everything happens for a divinely-appointed reason, then maybe. Or if you're like me and believe that sometimes people benefit from bad actions, then no.

It was all in the Music!

[Voronwë the Faithful]

My apologies to elengil for osgiliating her thread!

[elengil]

My apologies to elengil for osgiliating her thread!

I don't object to the osgililating, nor the fact that it's your least favorite... but it hardly constitutes a mystery that some might have chosen to leave Lobelia with the dirty dishes.

from Lamedon, a few grim hillmen without a captain

I feel as though I really should know this but my memory, alas, is quite separated by time and I find that 20 years ago is fuzzier than I usually care to admit. This isn't related to Htiet, is it?

[Alatar]

I've mentioned this before, but the one that always confuses/bothers me is the magic Wargs before Moria. The ones who's bodies disappeared leaving behind only arrows. I can't help but feel these kinds of supernatural hunting creatures would have come in handy later.

[elengil]

I've mentioned this before, but the one that always confuses/bothers me is the magic Wargs before Moria. The ones who's bodies disappeared leaving behind only arrows. I can't help but feel these kinds of supernatural hunting creatures would have come in handy later.

Oh, that's a good one. Several things in that particular region never really were given definitive explanation - like the blizzard on Caradhras. It's implied it might have been from Saruman, but it's never actually confirmed. But it would lend some support to how the Orcs were even hunting for them, if Saruman had some inkling of their journey and was trying to either capture them or drive them south to Isengard.

[Jude]

Also, the old man who never speaks, seen by the three hunters just before their horses take off. Gandalf later says it was probably Saruman or one of his phantoms, which raises even more questions.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

from Lamedon, a few grim hillmen without a captain

I feel as though I really should know this but my memory, alas, is quite separated by time and I find that 20 years ago is fuzzier than I usually care to admit. This isn't related to Htiet, is it?

This is from when Pippen and Bergil are watching the various companies of troops coming from the Outlands to help defend Minas Tirith.

[Frelga]

from Lamedon, a few grim hillmen without a captain

I feel as though I really should know this but my memory, alas, is quite separated by time and I find that 20 years ago is fuzzier than I usually care to admit. This isn't related to Htiet, is it?

Lol, no worries! It's not quite twenty years, but many moons have passed since I wrote a hillman or two into one or two RPs on one or two boards. (Htiet was the Easterling, wasn't he? Or the Corsair?)

But I always wanted to hear more about those grim hillmen.

[elengil]

from Lamedon, a few grim hillmen without a captain

I feel as though I really should know this but my memory, alas, is quite separated by time and I find that 20 years ago is fuzzier than I usually care to admit. This isn't related to Htiet, is it?

Lol, no worries! It's not quite twenty years, but many moons have passed since I wrote a hillman or two into one or two RPs on one or two boards. (Htiet was the Easterling, wasn't he? Or the Corsair?)

But I always wanted to hear more about those grim hillmen.

That's what I was thinking, that Htiet was one of those two, but I thought maybe I've just really messed that up? LOL I vaguely recall hillmen but just can't seem to place it. But yes, that is a lovely little snippet of mystery!

[Alatar]

Several things in that particular region never really were given definitive explanation - like the blizzard on Caradhras. It's implied it might have been from Saruman, but it's never actually confirmed.

I always thought that was an invention of PJ's (and a clever one). THe book says:

'I wonder if this is a contrivance of the Enemy,' said Boromir. "They say in my land that he can govern the storms in the Mountains of Shadow that stand upon the borders of Mordor. He has strange powers and many allies.'

'His arm has grown long indeed,' said Gimli, `if he can draw snow down from the North to trouble us here three hundred leagues away.'

'His arm has grown long,' said Gandalf.

I suppose the "many allies" could refer to Saruman, but if so Gandalf doesn't seem to make the connection.