Friday, September 16, 2005

Hall Of Fire This Weekend -- Of Men
- Demosthenes @ 06:12 PST

This weekend, Hall of Fire returns to discussing the Silmarillion. Chapter 12 -- Of Men -- begins with the Valar withdrawing more and more from Middle-earth and its inhabitants, both elves and Men. Why is Ulmo -- perhaps the one least suited to the task -- the only one who seems to care?

Does this seem like a wise move? If the Valar were at all interested in the Children of Ilúvatar, why do they they turn away and leave them to Morgoth? [More]

Saturday, September 10, 2005

Hall Of Fire This Weekend -- Of Men
- Demosthenes @ 11:13 PST

This weekend, Hall of Fire returns to discussing the Silmarillion. Chapter 12 -- Of Men -- begins with the Valar withdrawing more and more from Middle-earth and its inhabitants, both elves and Men. Why is Ulmo -- perhaps the one least suited to the task -- the only one who seems to care? Does this seem like a wise move? If the Valar were at all interested in the Children of Ilúvatar, why do they they turn away and leave them to Morgoth?

Could it be that the Valar themselves are weakening, and less capable of intervening in Middle Earth except as allies? Or having been burnt in trying to befriend the Elves, are they simply wary of the greater pitfalls that may await if they are to meddle with the fate of the more mysterious Second Children? [More]

Saturday, September 03, 2005

Hall Of Fire This Weekend -- What Were They Thinking?
- Demosthenes @ 02:49 PST

Why on (Middle-)earth was Isildur allowed to keep the One Ring?

Long ago, Sauron wreaked havoc upon Middle-earth. After Celebrimbor first created his rings of power, Sauron forged his own - intent on domination. He took Celebrimbor's rings and used them to seduce nine kings of men to his side and to attempt to corrupt seven dwarven lords. Laying waste to Eregion, he pursued Elrond, who established Rivendell as a stronghold and shelter.

His war of domination was only thwarted by the power of Numenor. [More]

Thursday, August 25, 2005

Hall Of Fire This Weekend -- What Were They Thinking?
- Demosthenes @ 20:08 PST

Why on (Middle-)earth was Isildur allowed to keep the One Ring?

Long ago, Sauron wreaked havoc upon Middle-earth. After Celebrimbor first created his rings of power, Sauron forged his own - intent on domination. He took Celebrimbor's rings and used them to seduce nine kings of men to his side and to attempt to corrupt seven dwarven lords. Laying waste to Eregion, he pursued Elrond, who established Rivendell as a stronghold and shelter.

His war of domination was only thwarted by the power of Numenor. [More]

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Hall Of Fire This Weekend - Of The Sun And The Moon
- Demosthenes @ 04:34 PST

Hall of Fire discussions resumes this Sunday August 21 with The Silmarillion, with Chapter 11: Of the Sun and the Moon and the Hiding of the Valinor. Following the events of the kinslaying, The Silmarillion leaves the divided and scattered elvish communities, and returns to the plight of the Valar in the aftermath of the loss of the trees of light.

We ponder Tolkien’s myth-like explanation of the Middle-earth cosmos. Does it fit with your conception of Middle-earth, or does it seem contrived? How is it similar to human myths handed down from time immemorial? And how is it different? What is the reasoning and significance of the choices of Tilion and Arien as the bearers of light? [More]

Monday, August 15, 2005

Come Meet Elrond The Trivia Master!
- Demosthenes @ 19:47 PST

If you think you're a master of Tolkien trivia, come meet Elrond. You'll find him in channel #bag_end on the TORn IRC server and he knows more than 500 different Tolkien trivia questions. To get him to do his thing, all you need to do is type !ask. [More]

Friday, August 12, 2005

Hall Of Fire This Weekend – The Sun And The Moon
- Demosthenes @ 20:11 PST

After a short hiatus, Hall of Fire discussions resumes with The Silmarillion, with Chapter 11: Of the Sun and the Moon and the Hiding of the Valinor. Following the events of the kinslaying, The Silmarillion leaves the divided and scattered elvish communities, and returns to the plight of the Valar in the aftermath of the loss of the trees of light. [More]