#silm worldbuilding

[alqualonde-s]

i’m going to write about this later but what gets me is fics casually mentioning our royal elves having maids or whatever… like if you lived forever and also could just live in the woods and hunt and gather legally and easily would YOU have a job you didn’t like? why would there be a “lower class”? elves are utopian communists and that’s that. they clean up after themselves and pitch in for big jobs. yes i know tolkien said a lot of stuff and he’s wrong because he loved old english epics where people had to live under feudalism or whatever.

[gwaedhannen]

Avari cities whose entire populace all faded thousands of years ago.

The gates are open, yet you know you are watched as you walk in.

Surely that is the sound of a bustling marketplace around the bend? But no, you reach the square and its empty of life. The stalls are open, but none sell food.

You take a wooden knickknack from one stall. As you walk away you feel— thiefthiefshameguiltyguiltyTHIEF

You double back and leave a coin. The pressure fades.

On the counter of the inn is a mug of fresh beer, waiting for you. You leave a coin. No, two coins. This was generous.

You sit at an empty table and do not feel alone. You can almost hear the bawdy singing and smell the roasting pork.

The ale tastes like the farm in the dells where you danced with your husband in the wheat fields and kissed him below the endless stars and the bedroom where you promised your eternal soul to his and the floorboards he cut himself that you buried his empty shell under and the green door you closed behind you for the last time as you set out for something new and the eastward breeze that sometimes carries his voice out of the Uttermost West and the answers you’ll never give him

You were never married. You’re not thirsty anymore.

As you lie down in an empty room, nothing wishes you peaceful dreams.

You wake up. The bed is a mound of dirt. The inn is dust. The marketplace is stones and overgrowth. The gate is closed. The walls about it are gone.

In what might have been the rot of the stall you visited, no copper gleams. You take the toy you purchased from your pocket. The paint is still unchipped.

You leave through what might have been a watchtower, once. Remember, you do not hear it say.

[mrkida-art]

Beornings from the East

[a-world-of-whimsy-5]

Taniquetil isn’t just a mountain and the home of Manwe and Varda. Aulë and his attendants, while constructing Ilmarin, delved deep into the mountain and created a special series of stairways, passageways, halls, and chambers. This would later allow elves to travel up and down Taniquetil, and rest peacefully, without having to expose themselves to the elements and the cold. The elves that served in Ilmarin turned many of the upper chambers within this vast network into proper homes after they received special permission to do so. 

[victorie552]

So you know how there's basically nothing on Amrod and Amras in Silmarillion beside the fact they're red-headed twins and died in Beleriand (not including Crispy Amrod here)? Why do they only show up to the kinslaying like they're final exams? Well, I have a headcanon as to why.

Silmarillion is a story of the Noldor and their fall from grace. We get major facts and events of Noldor history, general characterization of the major players and a line or two of dialogue from them if we're lucky. We also get a good look at what they valued and disliked in their culture and what they were known for. We don't really get that with Doriath, very little of that regarding Green Elves and Cirdan could be the only elf living on the west coast from what we know of people there.

So you know how Galadriel kinda... doesn't show up in Silmarillion until the First Age is over? She was one of the main Noldor Rebels in Aman despite hating Feanor, she crossed the Ice, and then she vanishes into Doriath and... that's it. We don't really get anything on her while she's there - she studied under Melian and met Celeborn, yes, but what did she think about Luthien, about Quenya Ban, Quest for the Silmaril, Finrod's death (HER BROTHER???), Turin? When did she and Celeborn even leave Doriath? Before anything of note in Silm happened? During Silmaril nonsense? After Thingol's death? Or was she there during Second Kinslaying and was one of the refuuges in Sirion? There are some notes on her in Tolkien's fragmented texts but Silmarillion doesn't have that. And then we met her in the Third Age and she's hanging with her husband and wood elves in the forest.

She went full Sindar.

So my headcanon is, that it's not that Amras and Amrod barely figure in Silmarillion because they did nothing of note but because they fully acclimatized to their surroundings after coming to Beleriand. They lived in the south of East Beleriand, and while north of that region was full of Feanorian Noldor, south was populated mostly by Green Elves.

Amrod and Amras went full Laiquendi. And Silmarillion is about the Noldor.

[finnritter]

Rog's evening off

@mckellerton I am so sorry this prompt took me a million years to finish, I still don't know why?? I needed like three attempts of getting Rog's POV right, but I'm pretty happy with it, now! Hope you see this and still enjoy it!

Also idk how Egalmoth managed to smuggle himself into this so prominently?? I wanted him to just quickly stop by, but he was being clingy and just… stayed. But I love their friendship a lot so it’s okay. Hope you don’t mind!

...

Only when Rog let the huge hammer sink down to place it on the floor and consequently felt his arms shake in strain did he register that it was urgent time for a break. He still took care to set down the heavy tool lightly, its contact with the stone floor only producing a quiet clink that was immediately swallowed by the familiar roaring of a forge amid busy activity.

He stretched his arms above his head and while the pull eased some of the tension in his strained muscles, he winced as the movement shot a sharp thrill of pain through his spine. 

It was definitely time for a break.

He wrapped up his work, taking care to orderly put his tools away and clear his workstation before calling out goodbyes to the few who heard him over the clanking of metal and their own razor-sharp focus.

Then he stepped outside, gratefully breathing in the fresh air of a mild, early evening and let the gentle breeze cool off his still forge-heated skin. Maybe not only time for a break but to retire for the day. He was so quick to lose track of time while encapsulated in work like he had been.

Not far from the entrance of the forge a fountain was placed, not one of the fancy ones artfully spraying sparkling water over several platforms like they could be found all over the city, just a small one that allowed tired blacksmiths to wash their hands and face in after a long day between metal cuttings and furnaces.

And so he did right now, splashing the cool, fresh water all over his face and shoulders and trying to carefully stretch his crooked back into an upright position that didn’t hurt again. He could feel the old scars that were ridging his back pull at the strain. He was grateful, every day, that he was still able to move, to walk, to work mostly unimpedent, a fate not all of his fellow former thralls shared. And yet, moments like this one, when he wished his body to be flexible and strong enough to easily abide a couple hours of slight overextention, made it hard, sometimes, to keep his positive mindset.

He felt the water run down his back, focused on the cold trickle and determined to not let his mind slip into darker places, when a voice, cheerful but mellow, and very familiar, brought him the relief of distraction.

“Working hard, my dear Lord?”

Rog slowly turned to find Egalmoth standing halfway across the narrow forecourt of the forge, equipped with a huge bag, a gentle smile, and a wave. He was hard to look at, as usual, if only because his fine robes and the elaborate headpiece he wore were both weaved through with tiny bright jewels that glittered blindingly in the sharp evening sun.

Rog smirked and lifted a hand in greeting.

“I’m actually just done”, he replied, when he had crossed over to him.

“Oh good”, Egalmoth said with a genuine smile and then very lightly poked his shoulder. “You are slouching again.”

“How else am I supposed to look a titch like you in the eye?”

Egalmoth laughed at that, always mindful to reassure him that his playful teasing did not accidentally strike a nerve, but his brows drew in in a more serious way after that.

“Are you hurting?”

“Not much. I might have overworked myself a little, but the festival preparations are not going to finish up by themselves.”

Egalmoth nodded sagely at that, the spark of concern overshadowed by a gleam of overacted annoyance, as he began to effortlessly rope him into light conversation.

“I feel you, my good Lord. I have been drowning in administrative work all day, and would still be, hadn’t I fled the scene half an hour ago. I’m dreading coming back to the mess I left, but if I have to put my signature under one more request for diamond cladded strings of tree decoration, my hand will fall off.”

He shook both of his hands in a demonstrating gesture and slowly began taking steps into the direction of one of the bigger streets leading further into the core of the city, giving Rog the chance to follow his guide.

Rog hummed in amused sympathy and stretched once again; the sensation painful but not as demotivating this time. Then he easily fell into step with his friend, who seemed to lead him somewhere, purpose in every one of his long, light-footed strides. 

“And what does the Lord of the Heavenly Arch plan to do with his so valiantly earned free time?”

“Simple. Go to the market, stock up gratuitously on the best ingredients this blessed city has to offer and kidnap my best friend to cook me a meal worthy to make me forget about my work until tomorrow morning.”

Rog raised his brows in mocked offense. “So here you come and pry me from my work claiming I need a break, just to let me slave away in your kitchen? What a sensible best friend you make.”

Egalmoth, whose almost childlike excitement every time Rog cooked or baked for him was one of the most pleasant social interactions he had ever encountered, pressed a hand to his heart dramatically.

“Naturally you would be gratefully invited to share aforementioned meal with me after”, he clarified. “And additionally, I will make sure you are rewarded generously with the pleasure of my company and conversation making skills.”

Rog gave a quick laugh and Egalmoth let his hand sink and smiled, his exaggerated countenance slipping into a more genuine expression.

“I was thinking it might help both of us clear our heads a little. Naturally you don’t have to come if you would rather rest.”

Again, that lighthearted reassurance that Rog would have hardly needed after decades of friendship and knowledge of Egalmoth’s bantering playfulness. And yet, exactly those tokens of mindful care were what he liked so much about his friend. Of course, he wouldn’t choose hardly necessary solitude over dinner and jovial conversations with him – although his past self from two ages ago would never have imagined to ever reach a point of such lighthearted trust again.

So he smiled and attempted a shallow bow, ignoring once more the stiffness in his back, that already felt more tolerable again.

“It would be my pleasure, my lord.”

…

Gondolin had two marketplaces, the Great Market near the city’s eastern borders, and a smaller one in the South.

The former was home of the busy, bustling week market on most mornings, but able to transform into a festival ground, meeting place or the stage of an equally busy jumble sale at will. If the palace and the impressing height of the King’s Tower was the core of the city, the Great Market was its heart and soul, for royalty and common folk alike.

This late into the evening, it must have already glowed with hundreds of lanterns, and filled with the chatter of everyone sitting down at the numbers of tables and benches spread over the place, or just plain on the stone of the great steps that led up to some of the elevated rostras. It was a common place to gather for elves of all ages, who, often wine or pastries in hand, enjoyed letting their day come to a well-deserved peaceful end among their fellow citizen’s joy and laughter.

The two of them were, however, clearly headed towards the Lesser market, as they directly crossed over into the city’s Southern half.

Being a true marketplace first and foremost always made its name ring out a little unfittingly, in Rog’s opinion, even though it was notoriously a much smaller space.

It was home to a farmer’s market that lived up to its name with ease, the stalls of Gondolin’s agricultists alternating day-by-day in a well-thought-out rotation plan that allowed them to sell their wares directly, accept orders of greater quantity in an orderly fashion, and enable a stunning variety of ingredients and delicacies.

By this time of evening, there was not much fresh product ecpected to be left, but it was the perfect time to buy all sorts of cheeses, pasties, pickled or brined vegetables, endless varieties of sweet or sour fruit jams, jars of honey ranging from herbal and dark golden in colour to the almost white, mildly sweet clover honey, and much else that any elven stomach could desire. And famously, the late afternoon and early evening hours were also when all of Gondolin’s best vintners were touting their wares, often enabling the one or other spontaneous impulse buy from people who made the mistake of crossing the market later in the day.

Not so Egalmoth and Rog, who arrived at the narrow but invitingly crowded square with full intentions of going on a spending spree.

They did not stop until Egalmoth’s bag could not carry much else, by which time they had also made conversations with at least half of the vendors, as they were both well known (as Lords of the city) and well liked (as famous enthusiastic costumers as well as easy to rope into small talk) amongst the farmers.

Egalmoth was beaming on the way back, his smile brighter than his clothing, even, and he was quickly caught in speculations of what kind of dinner they might conjure out of their findings.

Rog gladly let himself be pulled along the conversation, keeping it light-hearted and full of laughter, although he realised, not by any means for the first time, how often evenings like this one still felt like a very precious, very fragile gift.

The luxury of being able to buy good food that he would be allowed to cook with what he wanted. The friendly words and smiles exchanged, the peaceful air of the evening behind safe, protective walls. The friend at his side, who chose to spend time with him just for his sake.

He had come a long way from the whips and fires of the Enemy, a long way even from spending time among people who even after escaping did not believe themselves safe, a long way from not believing he himself was safe, either.

But this evening was his, just like any other day of his future life would be, and if it took a good meal and a friend to remind him of that, sometimes, well, he was lucky that he could count on both.

[maka1aure]

making a silm oc at long last has forced me to do cHaRacTeR dEsiGn Which means I've been thinking about the evolution of elf clothes!

I imagine First Age Noldorin formal attire to be the same as what was worn in Valinor: multiple layers of wrapped clothing with subtler patterned embroidery, secured by wide cloth belts. Usually, the fabrics used in one layer were a uniform color, though some lighter layers were dyed with gradiented colors. People liked long, flowing cloth - so the sleeves were loose and the skirts long. Other than that, the Noldor wore what used to be considered as hunting gear in Aman, if not straight up armor. Valinor's casual clothing styles were completely abandoned in the face of constant war, except in Gondolin.

The Second Age sees more homogenous dwellings of both Sindar and Noldor, so the clothing styles of the two cultures eventually blended. The loose, bound cloths of Noldorin formal wear and the high-collared, knotted attire of the Sindar were consolidated into several universal elven styles. These were all more form-fitting and simpler than Noldorin clothes, but retained the wrapped shape. In some regions with more concentrated Sindarin populations, they continued to use knots as buttons, and this style eventually became more widespread. Casual clothing made a resurgence. Because more pieces were sewn into place now, and less layers were used, people turned to fancier patterned fabric to make their clothes unique.

As elves began to leave Middle Earth and elven settlements dwindled, they traded much more frequently and closely with humans (not that they weren't close before! but even more so now). So by early Third Age, elven clothing began to take on the traits of human attire: such as using real buttons, and certain styles became gendered and exaggerated (though it's less weird to cross-dress than among humans). In formal clothing, even more pieces were sewn into place, and traveling clothes became almost exactly like the tunics humans wore. People returned to preferring cloth with simpler coloration and subtle embroidery.

Meanwhile I think jewelry has evolved regionally but older styles are still preserved and used! So while clothing evolved more linearly, jewelry just kept diversifying bc elves really don't want to part with their shiny items

uhhj so basically in my head silm is people in hanfu doing insane shit.

[polutrope]

Ambarussa Appreciation

I have said before that I think Amrod and Amras have much untapped imaginative potential. But that's not to say there are no intrepid creators who have done marvellous work with the sixth and seventh sons of Fëanor. Here are some of them! Feel free to reblog this with additions of your own.

Fics

A Kind of Mercy by @aipilosse (T, 0.8k). Amras & Amrod. A haunting character study.

truth in a mirror by athenakarthagonensis (E, 4.4k). Amrod/OMC. Stunning prose and a dangerous lightly-toasted Amrod. The unique Green-elf POV is excellent.

The White Tower by Anna_Wing (not rated, 11.2k). Post-canon Elwing-focused fic (fascinating worldbuilding and musings on the nature of the Oath), but interesting and refreshing to see her interacting with the 'forgotten' Kinslayers.

Who By Fire by me (M, 4.9k). Amrod/Fingolfin. Two grief-raw souls connect at Mithrim. Lightly-toasted Amrod. cw: past attempted suicide, mental instability, injury, animal death.

The Same Blood by me (T, 1k). Amras and Amrod's relationship feels the strain of what they have been through. Follow-up to the previous fic.

as a mist of light, chapter 12 by @swanmaids (T, ficlet). Amras finds a way to cope after the fire. Crispy Amrod. cw: self harm.

We Shared Everything by @cuarthol (M, 2.2k). Amras and Amrod shared everything, until they didn't. Crispy Amrod. Fantastic use of first person (plural and singular).

Dénouement by @sallysavestheday (G, 0.9k). Amrod/Aredhel, post-canon. Two people who were killed by people they love find understanding in each other. Crispy Amrod.

A Name by @skyeventide (G, 1k). Beautiful and impactful musings on identity, pulling from the convoluted and complex names associated with these two. Lightly-toasted Amrod.

The Seven Trials of Fingon the Valiant, chapter 6 by me and @melestasflight (T, ~2k). Something lighter! The twins seduce Fingon.

Art

There is actually a pretty rich array of fanart of Amrod and Amras. Here are just a few of my favourites.

Amras and Amrod by @wisesnail

Amras and Amrod by @welcomingdisaster

Amrod threatens Elrond and Elros by @runawaymun, a chilling commission for my fic And Love Grew

Amrod by @myceliumelium

Amras and Maedhros by @redbootsindoriath

Amrod by @tabukomi

Ambarussa by @thelien-art

Ambarussa by @spvce-oddity

Maedhros, Celegorm, Amrod, Amras by @albuum

Any finally some HoMe quotes about the twins, who get so little in the published Silm.

325 [525] Torment fell upon Maidros and his brethren, because of their unfulfilled oath. Damrod and Díriel resolved to win the Silmaril, if Eärendel would not give it up willingly. […] 329 [529] Here Damrod and Díriel ravaged Sirion, and were slain. Maidros and Maglor were there, but they were sick at heart.  From 'The Later Annals of Beleriand' in The Lost Road

"The two twins were both red-haired. Nerdanel gave them both the name Ambarussa - for they were much alike and remained so while they lived. When Fëanor begged that their names should at least be different Nerdanel looked strange, and after a while said: 'Then let one be called [Ambarto >] Umbarto, but which, time will decide."

"The twins called each other Ambarussa. The name Ambarto/Umbarto was used by [?no one]. The twins remained alike, but the elder grew darker in hair, and was more dear to his father. After childhood they [?were not to be] confused…" From 'The Shibboleth of Fëanor' in The Peoples of Middle-earth

[thelordofgifs]

End of Year Fic Recs

Thank you @sallysavestheday for the tag and the kind rec 💕

Recommend up to 5 series or multi-chapter fics from 2023 that everyone should read (multi-year WIPs count, if the last update was in 2023).

Recommend up to 5 single chapter fics/one-shots (long or short) from 2023 that everyone should read.

Recommend up to 5 fics NOT from 2023 that everyone should read (oldies but goodies).

Recommend up to 5 of your own fics (completed or WIP) from 2023 that everyone should read.

Five WIPS from 2023:

we will make this place our home by @leucisticpuffin. 200k, AU, kidnap fam. The loveliest softest 1970s AU! It feels like reading all my favourite cozy childhood books and the characterisation is impeccable (Maglor my DARLING). Cannot recommend enough.

seabird by @welcomingdisaster. 24k, AU, russingon. "Give me a quick russingon prompt for smut week," Lena said. I obliged. This happened. Anyway the dynamics are so so good and the characterisation is so so good (Maedhros you little IDIOT) and the suspense!! is so good!! Everyone go and read it immediately.

ashes, ashes, dust to dust — the devil's after both of us by @that-angry-noldo. 9k, AU, Finarfin and Maedhros and Maglor. Maedhros and Maglor come up with a plan to capture the High King of the Noldor in return for the Silmaril. SUCH good m&m (I am a single-issue voter ok!) and incredible Finarfin/Eonwe dynamics as well, I cannot wait to see where this fic goes next.

Atandil by @eilinelsghost. 105k, canon compliant, Finrod/Bëor. The best worldbuilding, THE most gorgeous flowing heartrending prose, absolutely incredible characterisation... I am so so obsessed with this series you can't imagine. Still weeping over part 14 a month later.

And Love Grew by @polutrope. 8k, canon compliant, kidnap fam. A newer WIP, but I'm already so hooked! So far the characterisations of all the Fëanorians have been delicious and there are SO many compelling OCs as well.

Five one-shots from 2023:

Sea-Bells and Sunlight by @actual-bill-potts. 4.5k, canon compliant, Finrod and Lúthien and Beren. Lúthien finds both Finrod and Beren in the Halls of Mandos. LOVE the shifting dreamlike nature of Mandos here, and my darling Lúthien is so so perfect. Also all the Finrod feels... aahhh.

Somewhere To Return To by @searchingforserendipity25. 4k, canon compliant, Maedhros and Maglor, russingon. Just the softest loveliest most heartbreaking post-Thangorodrim fic. LetMaedhrosNap2k23.

the world to come by @arrivisting. 4k, AU, Fëanor/Nerdanel. A chilling imagining of Arda Remade, featuring some incredible Fëanor characterisation and the most gorgeous beautiful prose.

Quicksilver by @clothonono. 26k, AU, Indis/Míriel. Beautiful beautiful writing and wonderful characterisation. One of the fics that made me adore Indis.

What Will the Kinslayer Lord Do Next? by @tanoraqui. 3k, canon compliant, Maedhros and Maglor. Ok this is a spin-off of The Minstrel and the Star which you should also read because it's excellent but. again. SINGLE-ISSUE VOTER. and this is a top-tier m&m fic, all that tenderness and grief and bitterness and some delicious musings on the Oath and Silmarils.

Five older fics:

and one man, in his time, plays many parts by @lintamande. Canon compliant, Maglor and his younger brothers. One of my favourite Mithrim-era fics.

seven years of holidays by @jouissants. 10k, AU, kidnap fam. Elrond and Elros find a strange elf in the woods. Excellent kidnap fam dynamics and absolutely beautiful prose.

A reason to live (a reason it is not permissible to die) by Chestnut_pod. 27k, canon compliant, Eärendil/Elwing. Absolutely incredible Sirion worldbuilding and a wonderful depiction of Elwing.

elves, once by @ceescedasticity. 43k, canon compliant. THE most horrifyingly plausible theory of how orcs came to be. Both heartbreaking and fascinating.

It's the New World, Darling by @avantegarda. 107k, AU. A truly delightful 19th-20th century AU of the silm. Nothing makes me laugh as much as Victorian!Fëanorians.

Five self-recs:

The hard bit!

Ilimbë. 15k, canon compliant, Fëanor/Nerdanel. I still think this is the best thing I've ever written! Check it out if you're interested in Greek mythology, or in baby Fëanor making an idiot of himself.

the fairest stars. 78k, AU, Maedhros & Maglor, russingon, Beren/Lúthien and more. Probably my favourite of my fics, if not objectively my best. I know I love to hate on tfs for being completely insane, but I'm also pretty proud of it. It's got some of my best m&m, a rather in-depth exploration of the nuances of the Oath of Fëanor, and SO SO MANY cliffhangers. A silly bullet point fic that is also somehow the one I've put the most thought and effort into over the year.

in the breaking. 2k, canon compliant, Maedhros & Maglor. Still very fond of this one.

Inflection. 9k, canon compliant, kidnap fam. A very difficult one to write, but I'm proud of the result.

The Stranger. 928 words, canon compliant, Maedhros and Maglor. A very tiny little ficlet, but I like how I captured the post-Thangorodrim dynamics here.

Going to tag everyone I mentioned here, if you'd like to share!

[swanmaids]

year end rec list wrap-up

2023 was such a good year for silm fic, I read so much great stuff from all corners. But I would be very much remiss if I did not rec each of the wonderful gift fics that I was lucky enough to recieve throughout the year!

The Silmarillion, in reverse-chronological order:

Indissoluble by @polutrope [idril/tuor/voronwe; rated e, 2.6k, nawa]

All the banter-filled, life-affirming sex for my ot3 equals merry christmas to ME.

untitled by @polutrope [tuor/voronwe; explicit, five sentences, on tumblr]

Sensual, tender, and full of hope against all odds on the way to Gondolin.

a passionate kiss by @jouissants [earendil/elwing; on tumblr]

Amazing worldbuilding and sensuality in this portrayal of Sirion-era Starwing.

she is so tired of fleeing by @that-angry-noldo [morwen; five sentences, on tumblr]

Perfect refugee Morwen characterisation in just five sentences.

blessed disorder by @sallysavestheday [turgon & aredhel; rated g, 0.1k, nawa]

The sweetest snapshot of these two being the best of friends.

Muntjac by @jouissants [celegorm/orome; rated e, 2.2k, nawa]

Hot, emotional and fairly dark sex between these two in Beleriand as everything falls apart around Celegorm. Just so perfectly THEM.

salt by @verecunda [earendil/elwing; three sentences, on tumblr]

Super sweet and romantic slice of life for my otp.

the glassmaker by @thelordofgifs [ofc/ofc; rated t, 1.9k, nawa]

Such excellent worldbuilding and a tender blossoming romance between two ordinary women of Sirion while it was still thriving, by fellow Sirion-understander.

swing by @welcomingdisaster [nerdanel/indis, rated t, 1.3k, nawa]

Beautiful imagery and wrenching emotions in this post-flight of the Noldor fic. And yet, despite it all, some hope.

Leaves of Countless Years Lie Thick by @polutrope [celegorm/orome; rated m, 0.8k, nawa]

Stunning, sexy, emotive post-canon reunion between these two. Fantastic Orome pov.

a kiss to wake up by @polutrope [Idril/Tuor/Voronwe; rated t, nawa]

A lovely moment of tenderness and then hope as Earendil rises in the sky.

the longed for that cometh beyond hope by @meadowlarkx [earendil/elwing; rated g, 0.4k, nawa]

Beautiful bittersweet fairytale vibes in this tale of "peredhil living through their own myth", as Earendil's quest is completed.

forced to watch by @theworldisquietheretooquiet [morwen & aerin; 1.1k, implied rape, on tumblr]

Wrenchingly sad exploration of Morwen's emotions as she is forced to watch Aerin and Brodda marry.

warmth by @that-angry-noldo [earendil/elwing, elwing & earendil & elrond & elros; on tumblr]

A lovely soft and adorable moment as Earendil and Elwing play with their children.

what remains by asterisq [dior/nimloth; rated t, 2.2k, mcd]

Impeccable clinical horror vibes and tragedy in this remix gift! Observations of the corpses of Dior and Nimloth following the second kinslaying.

summer by @halfelven [earendil; on tumblr]

Evocative and heartwrenching portrayal of a young and traumatised Earendil in Sirion.

House of the Dragon

a discreet kiss by @ellrond [rhaenyra/alicent; on tumblr]

A sweet stolen moment between a young Alicent and Rhaenyra, tragic when one remembers what's to come.

and as if that wasn't enough, I was also #blessed enough to receive several stunning illustrations of my own fics. Each is absolutely beautiful and adds to the fics immeasurably. Go and Look at them.

one of your girls

Celegorm in a dress by @curufiin

nothing beside remains

Uinen tends to Tar-Miriel's bones by @meadowlarkx

the salt in the wound

Curufin's wife holding angrist by @matrose

Luthien/Curufin's wife by @matrose

sister, sister

Young Aredhel tags along on a Turgon/Elenwe date by @matrose

[melestasflight]

20 questions for fic writers

Thanks for the summons @niennawept and @sallysavestheday

1. How many works do you have on Ao3? 44

2. What’s your total Ao3 word count? 120k. I'm stingy with my words.

3. What fandoms do you write for? Primarily Silmarillion and Lord of the Rings, once in a while.

4. What are your top five fics by kudos? Song Fears  The Seven Trials of Fingon the Valiant Monster  Stay, Forever  Russingon, Russingon, Fingon/every son of Fëanor, Russingon, and Celrond. Is anyone even surprised here?

5. Do you respond to comments? Every. Single. Time.

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? HA. Welcome to Angst Fest, my friends! Hard to choose but maybe Fire because you know... Fingon's death.

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? Possibly crowned with the sun (Galadriel/Celeborn) or He is Your Song (Fingon/OC, Russingon)

8. Do you get hate on fics? Nope.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind? I have recently worked up a nerve for it, primarily thanks to @silmsmutweek. Ranges from extremely dark to pretty-hot-actually, always lots of emotions, always lots of drama, and the smut part is like 15% of the story because I can't not do plot.

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written? Nope.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated? Nope.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before? Yes! The Seven Trials of Fingon the Valiant with @polutrope and currently co-writing with the same fandom bae above

14. What’s your all time favorite ship? Russingon. Boring, I'm sorry.

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will? No such thing.

16. What are your writing strengths? Worldbuilding. Emotional punches. Character depth. Nature and setting.

17. What are your writing weaknesses? Dialogue. Character progression. Tying loose ends. Transitions.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic? Only if there's a narrative purpose for it, e.g. a character is a foreigner and someone is not meant to understand what they say.

19. First fandom you wrote for? Silm. I had no idea what the hell fandom is until recently.

20. Favourite fic you’ve written? This question is cruel, I can't make such a choice so I'll pick my favorite from this year so far: The Friendship of the Eldar (Halenthir) No pressure calling @elvain @tilion-writes @runawaymun if you'd like to share

[emyn-arnens]

Hi i was just wondering if there are any resources you recommend for writing fics? For names, maps, info about characters and places, anything like that.

I love your blog by the way and your fics are awesome!

Thanks, anon!

I've put together a list of some of my favorite resources that cover the topics you're asking about, with a few extra favorites thrown in. I’ve included both resources that stick purely to canon and worldbuilding resources that expand on canon but are not strictly canon (these are marked with an asterisk). There’s some overlap between some of these resources, but I’ve often found that if I can’t find what I need from one website, another one probably has what I’m looking for.

I’ve broken the resources down into general resources, Silm resources, and LOTR resources for ease of reading. It's a lengthy list, so I've put it below a read more.

And of course, although all of these are good, canon-based resources, it’s always best to verify the information against the source text and double check quotes and citations.

GENERAL RESOURCES

Sources not specific to Silm or LOTR.

Arms and Armour of the Eldar: This webpage lists relevant quotes from Tolkien’s writing about the weapons and armor of the Elves. It predominantly focuses on the First Age but does go into the Third Age.

@askmiddlearth: This blog is a great general reference for all things Tolkien. Although no longer active, the blog has many great guides about the people groups and cultures of Middle-earth, as well as a slew of information accessible from the blog’s tag list about events and time periods, places, races/people/cultures, characters, languages, and objects. 

The Atlas of Middle-earth: The Atlas of Middle-earth contains maps of Arda during the First, Second, and Third Ages. There are also maps focusing on the events of The Hobbit and LOTR, as well as thematic maps illustrating the landforms, climate, vegetation and population, and languages of Middle-earth. I have the physical copy of this because I use it all the time and love looking through it just for the sake of looking through it. If you don’t have a copy of this, you can find a lot of Karen Wynn Fonstad’s maps online. @askmiddlearth has shared a number of them on their blog.

Do note, though, the inconsistencies and errors in some of the maps, identified and listed at the Tolkien Gateway link above.

The Dwarrow Scholar*: The Dwarrow Scholar has many resources about Khuzdul and neo-Khuzdul (a fan-created expansion of the language heavily inspired by Semitic languages). The site also has worldbuilding resources covering Dwarven holidays, feasts, seasons, folklore, traditions, marriage customs, succession customs, food, naming conventions, and much more. 

Encyclopedia of Arda: The Encyclopedia of Arda has thousands of articles covering topics from Tolkien’s world. It also has a searchable chronicle to discover what happened on a particular date, a calendar to translate dates and events, a glossary of archaic and unusual words in Tolkien’s works, a lexicon of names (mainly in the Elvish languages), and more. 

Flora of Middle-earth: I don’t yet own this book, so I can’t personally speak to its usefulness, but it covers all of the plants mentioned or described in Tolkien’s work. It addresses climate zones and plant communities, plant morphology, plant identification, the Two Trees, and the plants of Middle-earth.

Henneth-Annûn Research Center: Henneth-Annûn is a goldmine for quickly finding all of the information given in canon about a character, place, thing, etc. You can search for timeline events, character bios, places, and things, and the site will display all relevant passages from the book that address your search term. There is also an A-Z index of characters, places, things, and events. (There is a full-text Boolean search as well, but at the time of posting this, it doesn’t work.)

LOTR Project: LOTR Project has created timelines and interactive maps for the events of the Silm, The Hobbit, and LOTR. The site has also compiled statistics on the demographics of Arda��s various people groups.

Parf Edhellen*: Parf Edhellen is a dictionary of all of Tolkien’s invented languages, with an emphasis on Elvish languages. Parf Edhellen imports other trusted Tolkien sites’ dictionaries into its own, so it has a vast number of words listed. You can filter your searches by language and time period (when Tolkien created/reworked the language), parts of speech, and the website they were taken from. There are reconstructions (fan-created words formed using Tolkien’s language rules) in the dictionary, but they can be filtered out if you would prefer not to use them.

RealElvish.net*: RealElvish.net provides a slew of resources about Tolkien’s languages (and for more languages than just Sindarin and Quenya), including name lists, phrasebooks, pronunciation guides, and word lists. The site’s Trustworthy Websites page is also worth perusing for links to more sites focusing on Tolkien’s languages.

Tolkien Gateway: Tolkien Gateway is well-known in the fandom as a Tolkien wiki with articles on almost anything you can imagine, but I want to highlight its Silm timeline (covering the days before days, the Years of the Trees, the First Age, and the Second Age), Third Age timeline, and Fourth Age timeline. All of the years listed in the timelines can be clicked on to get a more detailed breakdown of the events that happened that year, which is especially helpful when writing about Third Age events. 

SILM RESOURCES

Sources specifically focusing on the First and Second Ages, including Tolkien’s writings beyond the Silm.

@melestasflight's food and cuisine worldbuilding posts*: Melesta’s posts cover both Valinor and Beleriand.

@outofangband's societal and environmental worldbuilding posts*: Outofangband’s societal posts cover people groups in general, fashion, food, education, architecture, festivals, traditions, and more. Their environmental worldbuilding posts cover Beleriand’s flora and fauna, rivers and streams, lakes and springs, forests, marshes, geography, and more.

Silmarillion Writers’ Guild's character biographies: The SWG has an index of character biographies covering many of the characters in the Silm and Tolkien’s other First and Second Age writings. Very useful for a quick refresh about a character or for learning about more obscure characters. (Alternate link to the old site, which lists the characters in alphabetical order.)

LOTR RESOURCES

Sources specifically focused on LOTR and the Third and Fourth Ages.

The Logistics of Minas Tirith*: This short essay by Anders Blixt addresses the logistics of food supply to and distribution within Minas Tirith and poses possible solutions.

Shire of the Hobbits: Shire of the Hobbits has many resources about the Shire, including hobbit customs, typical food and drink, hobbit history, hobbit names and meanings, and a list of hobbit sayings. The site also has information about hobbit calendars and chronology, the various writings produced in the Shire, and the Shire’s geography.

The Religious Rituals of the Dúnedain of Gondor*: This essay by Michael R. Hickman explores canon information about the Dúnedain’s religious customs and ceremonies and uses that information to expand on how those religious customs and ceremonies might look in Fourth Age Gondor under Aragorn’s rule. I haven’t yet read all of the way through the essay, but it is well-cited, using an array of Tolkien’s texts on the subject.

Travel Times in Middle-earth*: This site has generic info about how long it would take to travel in Middle-earth (focusing on major Third Age locations), based on the mode of travel. There is also a table that lists the time it would take to travel from one location to another. The table is incomplete but still very helpful.

[val-thelocalnecromancer]

I thought the Silm fandom would be interested to know that I am writing my bachelor thesis about a postcolonial study on the power structures in Tolkien's worldbuilding. Or, as I call it, the "Why Sauron did nothing wrong" thesis.

[a-world-of-whimsy-5]

Map/Layout of Tol-in-Gaurhoth under Sauron's command (click to see clearer image)

[star-anise]

Your Westeros Economy Makes No Sense post is going around again, did you ever write anything about How Many Farmers You Need to support a city ie Minas Tirith? Yes this is for fanfic no you do not have to write it if you haven't already, Tumblr search is simply the bane of my existence have a nice day

Alas! I have also searched for the thing you are searching for, but not really found it.

(Though if you want general LOTR worldbuilding stuff, may I recommend Feather Summarizes the Silmarillion? It's looking at the Silm as though it were a real historical text, using the same techniques modern scholars would use to unpack a medieval chronicle, including asking questions like, "What are the peasants doing?" and "But what are they eating?")

So as to your question, the standard medievalist answer has generally been, "Which city, in which time period, with which farmers, growing which crops, and on which land?" Every city is so defined by its own particular circumstances that you can't compare Florence to Pisa and Venice, much less Lyon or London, and come out with a general equation.

My general answer for my own worldbuilding is to see if I can find an estimate of the percent of urbanization--whether an area is 80% or 90% or 95% rural--and the rough population of the cities and towns, so that if ten thousand people are in towns and 90% of their population is rural, there are another ninety thousand in small agricultural villages.

I've lately been trying to explore the question of what constitutes a "knight's fee", as in, the amount of land and attendant income required to support one knight in the field. It's a bitch and I haven't found anybody with a really solid answer for it. Even when we see the number of acres and the money produced, it's hard to figure out how many people that is. This is giving me the sense that figuring out the average number of textile looms per person is a losing proposition to begin with.

Basically, I keep running into an essential difficulty with medieval populations where existing censuses and records only focus on the people rich enough to be worth writing down, so we just don't see everybody else. We have records of how many free peasants held land, but not how many serfs or beggars or children also live there. Archaeology can give us a sense of this shadow population, but it's still hard to see clearly.