#middleearth — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #middleearth, aggregated by home.social.
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Q: What Did Tolkien Mean When He Used ‘Swart’ And ‘Swarthy’ To Describe Elves And Men?
ANSWER: I have deferred answering this question because of my recent post about Andy Serkis. I received this question in September 2025 and as I process my queue of visitor-submitted questions it was coming up when Andy made waves in the news. I hope enough time has passed that people won’t mind my […]
https://middle-earth.xenite.org/what-did-tolkien-mean-when-he-used-swart-and-swarthy-to-describe-elves-and-men/ -
Q: What Did Tolkien Mean When He Used ‘Swart’ And ‘Swarthy’ To Describe Elves And Men?
ANSWER: I have deferred answering this question because of my recent post about Andy Serkis. I received this question in September 2025 and as I process my queue of visitor-submitted questions it was coming up when Andy made waves in the news. I hope enough time has passed that people won’t mind my […]
https://middle-earth.xenite.org/what-did-tolkien-mean-when-he-used-swart-and-swarthy-to-describe-elves-and-men/ -
Q: What Did Tolkien Mean When He Used ‘Swart’ And ‘Swarthy’ To Describe Elves And Men?
ANSWER: I have deferred answering this question because of my recent post about Andy Serkis. I received this question in September 2025 and as I process my queue of visitor-submitted questions it was coming up when Andy made waves in the news. I hope enough time has passed that people won’t mind my […]
https://middle-earth.xenite.org/what-did-tolkien-mean-when-he-used-swart-and-swarthy-to-describe-elves-and-men/ -
Q: What Did Tolkien Mean When He Used ‘Swart’ And ‘Swarthy’ To Describe Elves And Men?
ANSWER: I have deferred answering this question because of my recent post about Andy Serkis. I received this question in September 2025 and as I process my queue of visitor-submitted questions it was coming up when Andy made waves in the news. I hope enough time has passed that people won’t mind my […]
https://middle-earth.xenite.org/what-did-tolkien-mean-when-he-used-swart-and-swarthy-to-describe-elves-and-men/ -
Q: What Did Tolkien Mean When He Used ‘Swart’ And ‘Swarthy’ To Describe Elves And Men?
ANSWER: I have deferred answering this question because of my recent post about Andy Serkis. I received this question in September 2025 and as I process my queue of visitor-submitted questions it was coming up when Andy made waves in the news. I hope enough time has passed that people won’t mind my […]
https://middle-earth.xenite.org/what-did-tolkien-mean-when-he-used-swart-and-swarthy-to-describe-elves-and-men/ -
There are two compliments about my home that I treasure when visitors say them:
It smells good in here
It looks just like a hobbit hole; it's cozy.
#MiddleEarth -
There are two compliments about my home that I treasure when visitors say them:
It smells good in here
It looks just like a hobbit hole; it's cozy.
#MiddleEarth -
There are two compliments about my home that I treasure when visitors say them:
It smells good in here
It looks just like a hobbit hole; it's cozy.
#MiddleEarth -
There are two compliments about my home that I treasure when visitors say them:
It smells good in here
It looks just like a hobbit hole; it's cozy.
#MiddleEarth -
There are two compliments about my home that I treasure when visitors say them:
It smells good in here
It looks just like a hobbit hole; it's cozy.
#MiddleEarth -
Why Was Gondor Never Conquered?
For screen readers [ Click to expand ] A six-panel comic in a cute Japanese chibi manga style follows Lily, Mira, and Barath inside an ancient library filled with towering bookshelves, stone arches, wooden tables, candles, books, and rolled scrolls. The warm lighting and scholarly surroundings create the atmosphere of a place devoted to history and learning. Throughout the comic, Lily and Mira discuss why Gondor remained unconquered before Barath, an experienced researcher already studying […]https://mytolkienlife.xenite.org/why-was-gondor-never-conquered/
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Why Was Gondor Never Conquered?
For screen readers [ Click to expand ] A six-panel comic in a cute Japanese chibi manga style follows Lily, Mira, and Barath inside an ancient library filled with towering bookshelves, stone arches, wooden tables, candles, books, and rolled scrolls. The warm lighting and scholarly surroundings create the atmosphere of a place devoted to history and learning. Throughout the comic, Lily and Mira discuss why Gondor remained unconquered before Barath, an experienced researcher already studying […]https://mytolkienlife.xenite.org/why-was-gondor-never-conquered/
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Why Was Gondor Never Conquered?
For screen readers [ Click to expand ] A six-panel comic in a cute Japanese chibi manga style follows Lily, Mira, and Barath inside an ancient library filled with towering bookshelves, stone arches, wooden tables, candles, books, and rolled scrolls. The warm lighting and scholarly surroundings create the atmosphere of a place devoted to history and learning. Throughout the comic, Lily and Mira discuss why Gondor remained unconquered before Barath, an experienced researcher already studying […]https://mytolkienlife.xenite.org/why-was-gondor-never-conquered/
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Why Was Gondor Never Conquered?
For screen readers [ Click to expand ] A six-panel comic in a cute Japanese chibi manga style follows Lily, Mira, and Barath inside an ancient library filled with towering bookshelves, stone arches, wooden tables, candles, books, and rolled scrolls. The warm lighting and scholarly surroundings create the atmosphere of a place devoted to history and learning. Throughout the comic, Lily and Mira discuss why Gondor remained unconquered before Barath, an experienced researcher already studying […]https://mytolkienlife.xenite.org/why-was-gondor-never-conquered/
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Why Was Gondor Never Conquered?
For screen readers [ Click to expand ] A six-panel comic in a cute Japanese chibi manga style follows Lily, Mira, and Barath inside an ancient library filled with towering bookshelves, stone arches, wooden tables, candles, books, and rolled scrolls. The warm lighting and scholarly surroundings create the atmosphere of a place devoted to history and learning. Throughout the comic, Lily and Mira discuss why Gondor remained unconquered before Barath, an experienced researcher already studying […]https://mytolkienlife.xenite.org/why-was-gondor-never-conquered/
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Q: Why Didn’t The Elves Destroy The Three Rings?
ANSWER: People have asked many questions about the Rings of Power. I received the following question about the Elven rings in July 2025:
… why did the Elves keep the Three Rings all those years, instead of destroying them? They had access to Mount Doom for at least the first millennia of the 3rd Age. The Keepers wanted to keep the power […]
https://middle-earth.xenite.org/why-didnt-the-elves-destroy-the-three-rings/ -
Q: Why Didn’t The Elves Destroy The Three Rings?
ANSWER: People have asked many questions about the Rings of Power. I received the following question about the Elven rings in July 2025:
… why did the Elves keep the Three Rings all those years, instead of destroying them? They had access to Mount Doom for at least the first millennia of the 3rd Age. The Keepers wanted to keep the power […]
https://middle-earth.xenite.org/why-didnt-the-elves-destroy-the-three-rings/ -
Q: Why Didn’t The Elves Destroy The Three Rings?
ANSWER: People have asked many questions about the Rings of Power. I received the following question about the Elven rings in July 2025:
… why did the Elves keep the Three Rings all those years, instead of destroying them? They had access to Mount Doom for at least the first millennia of the 3rd Age. The Keepers wanted to keep the power […]
https://middle-earth.xenite.org/why-didnt-the-elves-destroy-the-three-rings/ -
Q: Why Didn’t The Elves Destroy The Three Rings?
ANSWER: People have asked many questions about the Rings of Power. I received the following question about the Elven rings in July 2025:
… why did the Elves keep the Three Rings all those years, instead of destroying them? They had access to Mount Doom for at least the first millennia of the 3rd Age. The Keepers wanted to keep the power […]
https://middle-earth.xenite.org/why-didnt-the-elves-destroy-the-three-rings/ -
Q: Why Didn’t The Elves Destroy The Three Rings?
ANSWER: People have asked many questions about the Rings of Power. I received the following question about the Elven rings in July 2025:
… why did the Elves keep the Three Rings all those years, instead of destroying them? They had access to Mount Doom for at least the first millennia of the 3rd Age. The Keepers wanted to keep the power […]
https://middle-earth.xenite.org/why-didnt-the-elves-destroy-the-three-rings/ -
Q: When Does A Tolkien Question Stop Being About Tolkien?
ANSWER: Through the years I receive occasional thoughtful opinions or responses to recent posts on this blog, where long-time readers feel I may have strayed beyond their expectations or – in some cases – comfort zones. Those two areas are not the same (in my eyes). There may be other, unseen boundaries I occasionally cross. Years ago, […]
https://middle-earth.xenite.org/when-does-a-tolkien-question-stop-being-about-tolkien/ -
Q: When Does A Tolkien Question Stop Being About Tolkien?
ANSWER: Through the years I receive occasional thoughtful opinions or responses to recent posts on this blog, where long-time readers feel I may have strayed beyond their expectations or – in some cases – comfort zones. Those two areas are not the same (in my eyes). There may be other, unseen boundaries I occasionally cross. Years ago, […]
https://middle-earth.xenite.org/when-does-a-tolkien-question-stop-being-about-tolkien/ -
Q: When Does A Tolkien Question Stop Being About Tolkien?
ANSWER: Through the years I receive occasional thoughtful opinions or responses to recent posts on this blog, where long-time readers feel I may have strayed beyond their expectations or – in some cases – comfort zones. Those two areas are not the same (in my eyes). There may be other, unseen boundaries I occasionally cross. Years ago, […]
https://middle-earth.xenite.org/when-does-a-tolkien-question-stop-being-about-tolkien/ -
Q: When Does A Tolkien Question Stop Being About Tolkien?
ANSWER: Through the years I receive occasional thoughtful opinions or responses to recent posts on this blog, where long-time readers feel I may have strayed beyond their expectations or – in some cases – comfort zones. Those two areas are not the same (in my eyes). There may be other, unseen boundaries I occasionally cross. Years ago, […]
https://middle-earth.xenite.org/when-does-a-tolkien-question-stop-being-about-tolkien/ -
Q: When Does A Tolkien Question Stop Being About Tolkien?
ANSWER: Through the years I receive occasional thoughtful opinions or responses to recent posts on this blog, where long-time readers feel I may have strayed beyond their expectations or – in some cases – comfort zones. Those two areas are not the same (in my eyes). There may be other, unseen boundaries I occasionally cross. Years ago, […]
https://middle-earth.xenite.org/when-does-a-tolkien-question-stop-being-about-tolkien/ -
And Now The Orc Mage Appears
For screen readers [ Click to expand ] A seven-panel comic in a cute Japanese chibi manga style shows seven recurring fantasy characters gathered around a large wooden table for a tabletop role-playing game resembling Dungeons & Dragons. The cozy room is warmly lit with lanterns and candles. The table is covered with colorful polyhedral dice, character sheets, pencils, books, and miniature figurines representing heroes and monsters. Kael serves as the game master from one end of the table. […]https://mytolkienlife.xenite.org/and-now-the-orc-mage-appears/
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And Now The Orc Mage Appears
For screen readers [ Click to expand ] A seven-panel comic in a cute Japanese chibi manga style shows seven recurring fantasy characters gathered around a large wooden table for a tabletop role-playing game resembling Dungeons & Dragons. The cozy room is warmly lit with lanterns and candles. The table is covered with colorful polyhedral dice, character sheets, pencils, books, and miniature figurines representing heroes and monsters. Kael serves as the game master from one end of the table. […]https://mytolkienlife.xenite.org/and-now-the-orc-mage-appears/
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And Now The Orc Mage Appears
For screen readers [ Click to expand ] A seven-panel comic in a cute Japanese chibi manga style shows seven recurring fantasy characters gathered around a large wooden table for a tabletop role-playing game resembling Dungeons & Dragons. The cozy room is warmly lit with lanterns and candles. The table is covered with colorful polyhedral dice, character sheets, pencils, books, and miniature figurines representing heroes and monsters. Kael serves as the game master from one end of the table. […]https://mytolkienlife.xenite.org/and-now-the-orc-mage-appears/
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And Now The Orc Mage Appears
For screen readers [ Click to expand ] A seven-panel comic in a cute Japanese chibi manga style shows seven recurring fantasy characters gathered around a large wooden table for a tabletop role-playing game resembling Dungeons & Dragons. The cozy room is warmly lit with lanterns and candles. The table is covered with colorful polyhedral dice, character sheets, pencils, books, and miniature figurines representing heroes and monsters. Kael serves as the game master from one end of the table. […]https://mytolkienlife.xenite.org/and-now-the-orc-mage-appears/
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And Now The Orc Mage Appears
For screen readers [ Click to expand ] A seven-panel comic in a cute Japanese chibi manga style shows seven recurring fantasy characters gathered around a large wooden table for a tabletop role-playing game resembling Dungeons & Dragons. The cozy room is warmly lit with lanterns and candles. The table is covered with colorful polyhedral dice, character sheets, pencils, books, and miniature figurines representing heroes and monsters. Kael serves as the game master from one end of the table. […]https://mytolkienlife.xenite.org/and-now-the-orc-mage-appears/
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I had to put down Robert Tally's "Mismeasure of Orcs" partway through. His thesis (that Tolkien's orcs encode racism and classism) is pursued with genuine dedication, but the evidence keeps coming up short, and what's there is consistently lifted out of context or misread.
I'm not saying Tolkien was without blind spots when it came to race and class. He was a man of his era (or, perhaps more correctly, of even earlier eras).
#tolkien #orcs #fantasy #mythology #worldbuilding #middleearth
1/3 -
I had to put down Robert Tally's "Mismeasure of Orcs" partway through. His thesis (that Tolkien's orcs encode racism and classism) is pursued with genuine dedication, but the evidence keeps coming up short, and what's there is consistently lifted out of context or misread.
I'm not saying Tolkien was without blind spots when it came to race and class. He was a man of his era (or, perhaps more correctly, of even earlier eras).
#tolkien #orcs #fantasy #mythology #worldbuilding #middleearth
1/3 -
I had to put down Robert Tally's "Mismeasure of Orcs" partway through. His thesis (that Tolkien's orcs encode racism and classism) is pursued with genuine dedication, but the evidence keeps coming up short, and what's there is consistently lifted out of context or misread.
I'm not saying Tolkien was without blind spots when it came to race and class. He was a man of his era (or, perhaps more correctly, of even earlier eras).
#tolkien #orcs #fantasy #mythology #worldbuilding #middleearth
1/3 -
I had to put down Robert Tally's "Mismeasure of Orcs" partway through. His thesis (that Tolkien's orcs encode racism and classism) is pursued with genuine dedication, but the evidence keeps coming up short, and what's there is consistently lifted out of context or misread.
I'm not saying Tolkien was without blind spots when it came to race and class. He was a man of his era (or, perhaps more correctly, of even earlier eras).
#tolkien #orcs #fantasy #mythology #worldbuilding #middleearth
1/3 -
I had to put down Robert Tally's "Mismeasure of Orcs" partway through. His thesis (that Tolkien's orcs encode racism and classism) is pursued with genuine dedication, but the evidence keeps coming up short, and what's there is consistently lifted out of context or misread.
I'm not saying Tolkien was without blind spots when it came to race and class. He was a man of his era (or, perhaps more correctly, of even earlier eras).
#tolkien #orcs #fantasy #mythology #worldbuilding #middleearth
1/3 -
Q: Why Were Arnor And Gondor Separate After Isildur Died?
ANSWER: I received the following question from a reader in November 2025:
Why were Armor and Gondor sundered after Isildur’s death, if long-range communications with the Palàntiri was a thing?
Technically, the realm of Elendil persisted until Third Age year 861, when Amlaith and his two (unnamed) brothers divided Arnor into three […]
https://middle-earth.xenite.org/why-were-arnor-and-gondor-separate-after-isildur-died/ -
Q: Why Were Arnor And Gondor Separate After Isildur Died?
ANSWER: I received the following question from a reader in November 2025:
Why were Armor and Gondor sundered after Isildur’s death, if long-range communications with the Palàntiri was a thing?
Technically, the realm of Elendil persisted until Third Age year 861, when Amlaith and his two (unnamed) brothers divided Arnor into three […]
https://middle-earth.xenite.org/why-were-arnor-and-gondor-separate-after-isildur-died/ -
Q: Why Were Arnor And Gondor Separate After Isildur Died?
ANSWER: I received the following question from a reader in November 2025:
Why were Armor and Gondor sundered after Isildur’s death, if long-range communications with the Palàntiri was a thing?
Technically, the realm of Elendil persisted until Third Age year 861, when Amlaith and his two (unnamed) brothers divided Arnor into three […]
https://middle-earth.xenite.org/why-were-arnor-and-gondor-separate-after-isildur-died/ -
Q: Why Were Arnor And Gondor Separate After Isildur Died?
ANSWER: I received the following question from a reader in November 2025:
Why were Armor and Gondor sundered after Isildur’s death, if long-range communications with the Palàntiri was a thing?
Technically, the realm of Elendil persisted until Third Age year 861, when Amlaith and his two (unnamed) brothers divided Arnor into three […]
https://middle-earth.xenite.org/why-were-arnor-and-gondor-separate-after-isildur-died/ -
Q: Why Were Arnor And Gondor Separate After Isildur Died?
ANSWER: I received the following question from a reader in November 2025:
Why were Armor and Gondor sundered after Isildur’s death, if long-range communications with the Palàntiri was a thing?
Technically, the realm of Elendil persisted until Third Age year 861, when Amlaith and his two (unnamed) brothers divided Arnor into three […]
https://middle-earth.xenite.org/why-were-arnor-and-gondor-separate-after-isildur-died/ -
War of the Ring - The Card Game: Hope and Despair expansion announced #tabletopgames #lotr #middleearth
https://graphicpolicy.com/2026/07/30/war-of-the-ring-the-card-game-hope-and-despair-expansion-announced/ -
War of the Ring - The Card Game: Hope and Despair expansion announced #tabletopgames #lotr #middleearth
https://graphicpolicy.com/2026/07/30/war-of-the-ring-the-card-game-hope-and-despair-expansion-announced/ -
War of the Ring - The Card Game: Hope and Despair expansion announced #tabletopgames #lotr #middleearth
https://graphicpolicy.com/2026/07/30/war-of-the-ring-the-card-game-hope-and-despair-expansion-announced/ -
War of the Ring - The Card Game: Hope and Despair expansion announced #tabletopgames #lotr #middleearth
https://graphicpolicy.com/2026/07/30/war-of-the-ring-the-card-game-hope-and-despair-expansion-announced/ -
War of the Ring - The Card Game: Hope and Despair expansion announced #tabletopgames #lotr #middleearth
https://graphicpolicy.com/2026/07/30/war-of-the-ring-the-card-game-hope-and-despair-expansion-announced/ -
I rather guiltily have to admit that I met LOTR via Ace books...
#MiddleEarth
https://magazine.1000libraries.com/how-a-novel-nobody-expected-to-sell-became-a-legend/ -
I rather guiltily have to admit that I met LOTR via Ace books...
#MiddleEarth
https://magazine.1000libraries.com/how-a-novel-nobody-expected-to-sell-became-a-legend/ -
I rather guiltily have to admit that I met LOTR via Ace books...
#MiddleEarth
https://magazine.1000libraries.com/how-a-novel-nobody-expected-to-sell-became-a-legend/ -
I rather guiltily have to admit that I met LOTR via Ace books...
#MiddleEarth
https://magazine.1000libraries.com/how-a-novel-nobody-expected-to-sell-became-a-legend/ -
I rather guiltily have to admit that I met LOTR via Ace books...
#MiddleEarth
https://magazine.1000libraries.com/how-a-novel-nobody-expected-to-sell-became-a-legend/ -
Q: Did The Mouth Of Sauron Survive The War Of The Ring?
ANSWER: I received this question in October 2025:
Do you think the Mouth of Sauron could have survived Sauron’s defeat?
Therefore, could he still be alive during the fourth age and still roaming Middle earth and represent a menace?
I can see different ways he might have survived. So far as I know, unless there is some letter out there […]
https://middle-earth.xenite.org/could-the-mouth-of-sauron-have-survived-the-war-of-the-ring/ -
Q: Did The Mouth Of Sauron Survive The War Of The Ring?
ANSWER: I received this question in October 2025:
Do you think the Mouth of Sauron could have survived Sauron’s defeat?
Therefore, could he still be alive during the fourth age and still roaming Middle earth and represent a menace?
I can see different ways he might have survived. So far as I know, unless there is some letter out there […]
https://middle-earth.xenite.org/could-the-mouth-of-sauron-have-survived-the-war-of-the-ring/ -
Q: Did The Mouth Of Sauron Survive The War Of The Ring?
ANSWER: I received this question in October 2025:
Do you think the Mouth of Sauron could have survived Sauron’s defeat?
Therefore, could he still be alive during the fourth age and still roaming Middle earth and represent a menace?
I can see different ways he might have survived. So far as I know, unless there is some letter out there […]
https://middle-earth.xenite.org/could-the-mouth-of-sauron-have-survived-the-war-of-the-ring/ -
Q: Did The Mouth Of Sauron Survive The War Of The Ring?
ANSWER: I received this question in October 2025:
Do you think the Mouth of Sauron could have survived Sauron’s defeat?
Therefore, could he still be alive during the fourth age and still roaming Middle earth and represent a menace?
I can see different ways he might have survived. So far as I know, unless there is some letter out there […]
https://middle-earth.xenite.org/could-the-mouth-of-sauron-have-survived-the-war-of-the-ring/ -
Q: Did The Mouth Of Sauron Survive The War Of The Ring?
ANSWER: I received this question in October 2025:
Do you think the Mouth of Sauron could have survived Sauron’s defeat?
Therefore, could he still be alive during the fourth age and still roaming Middle earth and represent a menace?
I can see different ways he might have survived. So far as I know, unless there is some letter out there […]
https://middle-earth.xenite.org/could-the-mouth-of-sauron-have-survived-the-war-of-the-ring/ -
New comics from My Tolkien Life.
"A Question About Dragons"
#middleearth #tolkien #lotr #hobbit #silmarillion #fantasy #literature #comics
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New comics from My Tolkien Life.
"A Question About Dragons"
#middleearth #tolkien #lotr #hobbit #silmarillion #fantasy #literature #comics
-
New comics from My Tolkien Life.
"A Question About Dragons"
#middleearth #tolkien #lotr #hobbit #silmarillion #fantasy #literature #comics
-
New comics from My Tolkien Life.
"A Question About Dragons"
#middleearth #tolkien #lotr #hobbit #silmarillion #fantasy #literature #comics
-
New comics from My Tolkien Life.
"A Question About Dragons"
#middleearth #tolkien #lotr #hobbit #silmarillion #fantasy #literature #comics