Tolkien Gateway - User contributions [en]

The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth

2006-10-25T00:44:39Z

Aerandir:

{{stub}}
'''The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth''' is a real-time strategy PC game released on March 2, 2006. It is based on [[Peter Jackson]]'s adaptation of the [[Lord of the Rings]] Trilogy.

The system works with units of several puppets and in as such more related to the popular 'Total War'-series than to more traditional RTS games like Age of Empires or its predecessor in several ways, The War of the Ring. Still it has many characteristics of a more traditional game, like the 'top down' camera stance, resource gathering system and relatively low number of units on the field. Against this are put some progressive issues in the game, like the single resource type, money, as upposed to the five different resources from Age of Empires or two from The War of the Ring. Also there are two different strategy modes, which shows some Total War-influence, of which one is a strategical overview of the south of the western part of Middle-earth. In this part of the game a player can decide, within certain borders, which areas of Middle-earth one wants to attack with its armies. Each area gives certain different bonusses to your armies, or create corridors along which your armies may pass. The other part of the game is the battlefield mode, when you can build and use your army to defeat the enemy army in one area. This dual system clearly shows some Total War-influence. Another progressive feat of the game is the strategic use of special powers, and bonusses provided by for example your heroes or villains like Gandalf, Aragorn or Saruman. This enhanced version of the system already used in The War of the Ring creates even more strategic possibilities for the player but makes balancing harder: the fast-running and far-shooting Legolas can easily kill and entire very expensive Orc army controlled by a computer player. The last (not the least) of the progressive features is the limits to which one can build a base: only a limited number of building spaces is available on a map, thus limiting the number of buildings or defenses one may build. This does make balancing better as even the best possibly defended fortress may fall within a few enemy sieges, thus forcing the defender to break out regularly, and, even better, prevent from getting in such a situation, while still not having to fear being destroyed by a single sneaky unit of enemy soldiers who secretly passed your defense units when you were waging a big battle somewhere else on the map, as can happen in The War of the Ring.

Next to two different single player campaigns, one Good and one Evil, one can also play online against human players. This system uses the custom battlemap system, which uses the campaign maps without their specific objectives. One can, in custom battles as well as online, choose between four different factions, being Rohan, Gondor, Isengard and Mordor, each with different types of units and balanced against each other: Isengard is fairly cheap with focus on technological advancements, Rohan focuses on Riders and Archers, and thus a more strategic command style, Gondor on defense and very strong, but expensive units with possible technological advancements and Mordor on lots and lots of simple, weak masses of units with a few weak units with very strong attacks, and therefor also can benefit from a more strategic command, though sacrificing minions may here be a very acceptable and effective tactic.

[[Category:PC games]]

Talk:Shadowfax

2006-10-25T00:12:56Z

Aerandir:

Would someone be so kind as to look up and add the quote regarding Shadowfax standing before the Lord of the Nazgul at the gate of Minas Tirith? --[[User:Ted C|Ted C]] 17:05, 24 October 2006 (CDT)

:Done:

{{quote|. . .all fled before his face. All save one. There waiting, silent and still in the space before the Gate, sat Gandalf upon Shadowfax: Shadowfax who alone among the free horses of the earth endured the terror, unmoving, steadfast as a graven image in Rath Dínen.|[[The Siege of Gondor]]}}

:Notice it says ''free'' horses. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 17:33, 24 October 2006 (CDT)

As upposed to 'enslaved horses' in the service of Mordor like those used by the Nazgul in their 'Black Rider'-form?

Unquendor

2006-10-25T00:10:48Z

Aerandir:

'''Unquendor''' is the name of the '''Dutch Tolkien Society''', founded on the birthday of Frodo and Bilbo, September 22th 1981, after the example of the English Tolkien Society. It steadily grew up to its current member count of about 280 people from all over the Dutch-speaking world, though Flandres has its own Societie, Elanor, and South Africa usually is considered under the influence of the English Tolkien Society.

As well as organising a few big parties throughout the Netherlands, like the 'Joelfeest' (Yule party), Tolkien day (september 22th) and 'Slotfeest' (Castle/End Feast (same word for these in Dutch)), Unquendor also offers more regular meetings organised by its members throughout the Netherlands, called 'Herbergen' or Inns. These monthly events, of which Unquendor currently has nine, are usually frequented by about eight people who then talk about Tolkien or Unquendor related issues.

Unquendor also publishes the four-a-year magazine 'Lembas', in which the accounts of meetings and announcements for them are made known, but it houses Ardalogical and Tolkienistical essays as well, all of which are written by members of Unquendor. Unquendor also publishes an extra book each year, called the Lembas Extra, in which all kinds of Tolkienological and Ardalogical articles, these ones all in English, are published.

Second Music of the Ainur

2006-10-24T23:45:53Z

Aerandir:

The big music the Ainur will make together with the Children of Ilúvatar, which will be more splendid then the first and in which every participant will be in harmony with the others. Happens after the end of the world, which is but a learning process towards it.

Unquendor

2006-10-24T23:43:10Z

Aerandir: On the Dutch Tolkien society, Unquendor

Unquendor is the Dutch Tolkien Society, founded on the birthday of Frodo and Bilbo, september 22th 1981, after the example of the English Tolkien Society. It steadily grew up to its current member count of about 200 people from all over the Dutch-speaking world, though Flandres and South-Afrika both have their own Societies, being Elanor and ... (looking it up).

As well as organising a few big parties throughout the Netherlands, like the 'Joelfeest' (Yule party), Tolkien day (september 22th) and 'Slotfeest' (Castle/End Feast (same word for these in Dutch)), Unquendor also offers more regular meetings organised by its members throughout the Netherlands, called 'Herbergen' or Inns. These monthly events, of which Unquendor currently has nine, are usually frequented by about eight people who then talk about Tolkien or Unquendor related issues.

Unquendor also publishes the four-a-year magazine 'Lembas', in which the accounts of meetings and announcements for them are made known, but it houses Ardalogical and Tolkienistical essays as well, all of which are written by members of Unquendor. Unquendor also publishes an extra book each year, called the Lembas Extra, in which all kinds of Tolkienological and Ardalogical articles, these ones all in English, are published.

Ornendil

2006-07-17T22:27:12Z

Aerandir:

'''Ornendil''' was the elder son of King [[Eldacar of Gondor|Eldacar]] of [[Gondor]]. In the siege of [[Osgiliath]] during the Gondorian civil war, Omendil's father was driven out by [[Castamir]] the Usurper. However, Ornendil did not escape with his father and was put to death by Castamir upon the fall of Osgiliath.

Ornendil means "Friend of the Trees" in [[Quenya]] (from ''[[ornë]]'' = "tree" and ''-[[ndil]]'' = "friend, devoted to"). Possibly a hint of the Ent-wives?

[[Category:Dúnedain]]

Uin

2006-07-17T18:32:51Z

Aerandir:

Great whale of [[Ulmo]], which he used to drag [[Tol Eressea]] towards [[Valinor]] in the earlier versions of the mythology. Also pulled his '[[fishy cart]]'.

Source: [[The History of Middle-earth]]: [[The Book of Lost Tales 1]].

Uin

2006-07-17T18:31:59Z

Aerandir:

Great whale of [[Ulmo]], which he used to drag [[Tol Eressea]] towards [[Valinor]] in the earlier versions of the mythology. Also pulled his [['fishy cart']].

Source: [[The History of Middle-earth]]: [[The Book of Lost Tales 1]].

Uin

2006-07-17T18:31:43Z

Aerandir:

Great whale of [[Ulmo]], which he used to drag [[Tol Eressea]] towards [[Valinor]] in the earlier versions of the mythology. Also pulled his [['fishy cart']].

Source: [[History of Middle-earth]]: [[The Book of Lost Tales 1]].

Uin

2006-07-17T18:31:14Z

Aerandir:

Fastitocalon (poem)

2006-07-17T18:29:21Z

Aerandir:

"'''Fastitocalon'''" is a poem by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] about a beast of the same name. The setting is [[Middle-earth]].

Fastitocalon is the last of the mighty turtle-fish who is the central character in this poem of the same name. This poem is well-known to the [[Hobbits]] and tells of how because of his huge size, sailors landed on his back only to drown when he dove underwater.

Fastitocalon was the size of a small island and vegetation would often grow on his back when not submerged adding to his deceitful appearance as an actual island.

The fastitocalon reminds of the biblical/kanaanite leviathan.

It is never explained whether the turtle-fish were an actual race or fictional characters for the poem. In the History of Middle-earth 1: The Book of Lost Tales 1 however, [[Ulmo]], Lord of the Waters, uses his giant whale, [[Uin]], to drag [[Tol Eressea]] towards [[Aman]]. This whale reappears in [[Roverandom]]. It is thinkable in an early phase of the mythology Tolkien imagined the fastitocalon to be another one of '''Ulmo''''s creatures, still alive in biblical times.

[[Category:Creatures]]

Fastitocalon (poem)

2006-07-17T18:25:55Z

Aerandir:

"'''Fastitocalon'''" is a poem by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] about a beast of the same name. The setting is [[Middle-earth]].

Fastitocalon is the last of the mighty turtle-fish who is the central character in this poem of the same name. This poem is well-known to the [[Hobbits]] and tells of how because of his huge size, sailors landed on his back only to drown when he dove underwater.

Fastitocalon was the size of a small island and vegetation would often grow on his back when not submerged adding to his deceitful appearance as an actual island.

The fastitocalon reminds of the biblical/kanaanite leviathan.

It is never explained whether the turtle-fish were an actual race or fictional characters for the poem. In the History of Middle-earth 1: The Book of Lost Tales 1 however, Ulmo, Lord of the Waters, uses his giant whale, Uin, to drag Tol Eressea towards Aman. This whale reappears in Roverandom. It is thinkable in an early phase of the mythology Tolkien imagined the fastitocalon to be another of Ulmo's creatures, still alive in biblical times.

[[Category:Creatures]]

Eä

2006-07-17T18:04:19Z

Aerandir:

{{Pronounce|Ea.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Eä''' is the [[Quenya]] name for the universe, as a realization of the vision of the [[Ainur]]. The word comes from the Quenya word for ''to be''. Thus, Eä is ''the World that Is'', as distinguished from ''the World that Is Not''. It may thus be assumed that everything outside Eä, including the [[Timeless Halls]] of [[Eru Ilúvatar|Ilúvatar]], has no material form.

The Ainur, angelic beings from the Timeless Halls beyond Eä, refer to it as "the Little Kingdom". This refers to the fact that within the mind of Eru Ilúvatar (God, in Tolkien's legendarium), all creation that human can see is really just a tiny thing in comparison.

''Eä'' was the word spoken by [[Eru Ilúvatar]] by which he brought the universe into actuality. This act of creation recalls the Biblical creation narrative, in which God began creating the world with the verbal command, "Let there be light." It also reminds of Egyptian myths of creation, in which Ptah, god of creation, creates the world by speaking his own name.

[[Category:Pronounced articles]]

Grey Havens

2006-07-17T17:59:20Z

Aerandir: /* Etymology */

The '''Grey Havens''', also known as '''Mithlond''', was a seaport on the [[Gulf of Lune]] in the northwest of [[Middle-earth]].

== History ==
Built by the [[Elves of Lindon]] at the beginning of the [[Second Age]], it was afterwards used by Elves of any tribe (whether [[Noldor]], [[Sindar]], or [[Silvan Elves|Silvan Elf]]) to leave Middle-earth for [[Valinor]]. [[Círdan the Shipwright]] was Lord of the Havens, but throughout the Second Age [[Ereinion Gil-galad]], [[High King of the Noldor]], ruled all of [[Lindon]] from the Grey Havens.

As recounted in ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', Círdan sent [[Galdor of the Havens]] to [[Rivendell]] as his representative at the [[Council of Elrond]].

Following the defeat of [[Sauron]] and the crowning of King [[Aragorn Elessar]], [[Gandalf]], [[Elrond]], and [[Galadriel]] left [[Middle-earth]] for [[Valinor]] from the Grey Havens. They were accompanied by [[Bilbo]] and [[Frodo Baggins]], who were given the honor of taking the [[Straight Road]] because they had both been a [[Ring-bearer]]. Years later, [[Fairbairn Family|Fairbairn]] family tradition held that [[Sam Gamgee]] also sailed [[West]] from the Grey Havens because he too had been a Ring-bearer, even if just briefly.

It is unclear how long the Grey Havens lasted into the [[Fourth Age]], as the number of Elves dwindled with the coming of the "Age of Men". Supposedly Círdan remained at the Havens until the last ship left from Middle-earth for the [[Blessed Realm]].

== Etymology ==
Mithlond translates as "Grey Havens" in [[Sindarin]] (from ''[[mith]]'' = "grey" and ''[[lond]]'' = "haven(s), port").

== External Links ==
* [http://www.lotrlibrary.com/agesofarda/beyondgreyhavens.asp Beyond the Grey Havens], an essay on the end of ''[[The Return of the King]]''

[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Cities]]

User:Aerandir

2006-07-17T17:53:24Z

Aerandir:

Dutch student in archaeology, as well as member of the Dutch Tolkien Society [http://www.Unquendor.nl Unquendor], Aerandir is someone of whom little else is known. You were probably searching for the Aerandir the Elf mariner of the Silmarillion, companion of Earendil, of whom little else is known either.

User:Aerandir

2006-07-17T12:44:49Z

Aerandir:

Dutch student in archaeology, as well as member of the Dutch Tolkien Society [http://www.Unquendor.nl Unquendor], Aerandir is an Elf of which little else is known. You were probably searching for the Aerandir of the Silmarillion, companion of Earendil, of which little else is known either.

User:Aerandir

2006-07-17T12:33:23Z

Aerandir: Test

Test...