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loremastering · 10 months ago

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History and ongoing (Daerhovan)

main bio

Arc 1: The Call

Age 0 - 300

Born to Gaelwen and Losdirith of Lothlorien. The youngest and last in a brood of three, who included: his twin sisters Lossenduin and Lossenth, and elder brother, Haldor. Both parents SIlvan elves, though Gaelwen has a trace of prominent Sindar, and perhaps Teleri in her bloodline, hence why her daughters and youngest son have silver-ish hair. His father and brother perished in an ambush from Goblins while they scouted for threats in the Dimril Dale. A devastated Gaelwen was terrified of losing her only surviving son, prompting her to keep Daerhovan shut inside Caras Galadhon for many years. He being a naturally curious and adventurous child, felt hemmed in and suffered severe restlessness and wanderlust. Had mixed feelings of resentment and understanding pity for his mother. Didn’t suffer the same grief, as he hadn’t known his father and brother for very long.

Often got into trouble, and his twin sisters and family friends managed to convince Gaelwen to let her son see more of the world. Or at least the rest of Lothlorien. Her only condition was to have her, or someone else constantly watch over him. Managed to sneak out of their flet one night by himself. Got as far as the borders of Thinglad before meeting a falcon. Not unusual, except that this falcon had an ethereal glow about it, and the boy could see trees through it’s transparent body. Entranced, he watched as the falcon seemed to bade him to follow it, but it fled as he was found and scolded harshly by Lossenduin, who was out on a patrol. Grounded by Gaelwen for at least a month. Went out and about within Lothlorien a lot, and was trusted enough in time to go out on his own. His favorite places were Cerin Amroth and the banks of the Anduin. Desired to explore the more wilder corners of the region.

As he approached his teens (for an elf), was pressed into finding an occupation by his family. Opted to become a vine tender for five years, but the work became too mundane and repetitive after awhile. Began to have an interest in botany and wildlife. Orthir, the scholar of the trees, offered to take Daerhovan under his wing as an apprentice of sorts. Taught him much about these subjects. Daerhovan’s brother in-law, Lerdil taught him about herb lore alongside Orthir. Love for the natural world grew. Learns about how to hear and feel the thoughts of trees by the whisper of their leaves and the creaking of their branches. Mallorns are easy to understand and speak freely, as they have a symbiotic relationship with the elves here. Others who live on the borders are quieter. Orthir and Arasdil take him into the Great River region through Limlight Gorge, the edge of Fangorn Forest, to an area where elves have historically been known to converse with the ents there. Strangely, no ents show themselves. Meets the ghostly falcon again one night, who bids him to follow again. Makes it to the borders of The Great River region, where signs of strife from Easterlings and the Eotheod stain the land. Despite the bird seemingly calling him to continue from within, he turns back. Becomes more proficient at herb/plant lore over the years. Learns the art of healing, the elven magic associated with those who become sole healers growing within him.

Arc 2: Forests of Secrets.

Age 300 - 310.

Daerhovan wishes to move out of Lothlorien entirely and see the rest of Middle Earth on his own. Gaelwen absolutely forbids this. Remembering what happened the last time her family went outside the borders. It takes almost a year of convincing and coaxing, and promises of visits, to persuade her to let her son go.

He heads south into Thinglad to search for the ethereal falcon again, but it doesn’t show itself. Daerhovan opts to head into LimLight Gorge again to seek out any ents as his mentors did long ago, but still no tree herders show either. Frustrated, he decides to take a boat across the Anduin into Mirkwood, thinking to go find his sister. Is dismayed at the state of which he finds it. The wilting and darkened trees hardly speak, and in pain when they do. What wildlife remains is corrupted or sick. On edge and lost, he stays in Mirkwood but stays close to the river as he travels northward. To his relief the blight gives way to greener, healthier vegetation and environment. Climbing one of the bigger trees in the area for a good vantage point; his elven sight perceives vast swards of green hills dotted with wildflowers, the looming Misty Mountains, and dense, ancient forests. Excited and recovered from the dreary forests behind him, he feels fired up with a sense of adventure. During a jaunt he comes across a maddened huorn, angered and corrupted by the blight to the south. Daerhovan tries to calm it, but his efforts are in vain as the huorn swipes a sharp branch at him, slicing his abdomen open.

But it doesn’t stay to finish him, lumbering off into the dark recess of the forest instead. Near death until the Brown Wizard, Radagast, finds him. The wizard takes pity on the young ellon and brings him to Rhosgobel. Works tirelessly to heal the elf. His efforts work, and Daerhovan begins to mend. Radagast observes him attempting to speak to the wildlife that often visit the wizard’s hut, and sees how he delights in their company, offering to teach the young elf about animal lore, to which Daerhovan agrees. For four years Daerhovan learns much about the nature of wild animals, though his skills in communication and understanding are yet to be perfected. The elf manages to befriend an Indigo Bunting, the songbird seeming to have taken a special interest in him. He wishes to find the huorn that attacked him, but Radagast disagrees; teaching him that beings in a maddened state are often unreachable.

Daerhovan takes his leave of Radagast. He heads to the Misty Mountains, traveling across their mighty passes and down into Dunland, where he then enters into the new kingdom of Rohan. (shortly before his sojourn to the south, his bunting friend passed from natural causes. Daerhovan kept three feathers from it to wear in his own hair, as a reminder of those days.) Develops his plant and animal speaking/understanding skills more. Finds that birds are easier to talk to than most mammals, (as he found out with the bunting) and delights in their songs. Understanding reptiles, fish, and insects seems to require deeper knowledge, if they choose to communicate at all.

Arc 3 : Pilgrim.

Age: 310 - 600

Quietly observes the new kingdom of Rohan build their places of cities and farms, and keeps out of sight. The only time people see him is in the shadows, before he’s gone in a whisper. Admires their respect and love for horses. Wanders northwards towards Dunland and Enedwaith.

The Long Winter slams most of the northern and central parts of Middle Earth. His family pleads with him to return, but Daerhovan can’t bear to leave those who may need his help. Aids animal and person alike, establishes his own little sanctuary in a remote corner of Dunland. Sends courier ravens to his family to reassure them he’s safe. Hears rumors about the strife going on between the Rohirrim and Dunlendings, but doesn’t pay any mind to it. Once the Winter lessens it’s grip, swiftly leaves the region, heading further up Eriador.

During his wanderings in the north, he often keeps to himself. The only company he keeps are with animals. Observes the going ons of towns, but from a good distance. His love for the natural world and his deeds in maintaining it and exploring keep him isolated from people for centuries. Because of this he becomes almost starved for interaction, though he doesn’t know how to go about it.

Arc 4: War of the Ring

Age: 600 - 620

Begins to notice that the wilderness seems hostile more than usual, and blights begin to appear in some corners of the wild. Ancient feuds that have lain dormant begin to re-emerge. Aids the elves of Edhelion in confirming the rumors that a wicked dwarf called Skorgrim who ravaged the area 3000 years ago has gained the means to return. Does his part in helping to rid the wicked dwarf, even if his part was but little. The growing corruption of woods and other wild areas alarms him enough that he forces himself to head into towns to ask inquiries of the going ons. His travels eventually lead him to Angmar, where he does what he can to help the people of Aughaire and the surrounding hill men villages not hostile to outsiders. While he’s able to pass the watching stones of the Rammas, finds that the further he gets to Carn Dum, the worse he feels, in both mind and body. The cries of mangled and blighted trees become too much, and he has to turn back.

Though he feels useless about not being there to help bring down Mordirith, he’s glad that this land is finally free of him. He travels eastward for a time, thinking to investigate the Iron garrisons efforts in reclaiming Moria. He never thought to explore the lost dwaven mansions, but his heart is struck by wonder at the crafstmanship of the dwarves, and the thrill of being in such a large abandoned place filled with secrets thrills him. His amazement is cut short however, as the elves of his homeland begin to assault Dol-Guldur. Seeing an opportunity to return there to see to the blight on the land, he joins the Golden Host on their plan. (Doesn’t tell his family anything of this, of course.) Along the way he meets a fiery dwarf who accompanies him on forays and reconnaissance missions. The dwarf gets injured after a failed one, and Daerhovan tends to him, though it turns out him is actually a her. Awkwardness ensues as he does his best to tend to wounds in the dwarrowdams chest and flank regions. Confused when she starts to become a little intimate with him, but the closeness and touch of another is intoxicating after so many years alone, and he lets her. They part ways soon after, though Daerhovan thinks of her, from time to time. After the campaign, he journeys across the misty mountains. Rescues an abandoned lynx cub, whom he tends to, and attempts to teach about how to live in the wild. But the feline grows attached to him, and while she’s often away on hunts or other lynx stuff, always comes back to the ellon’s side.

Meets the Dwarrowdam again during an assault from bandits in Bree-Land. Learns her bame: Badari. Who happens to be the leader of a group of travelling Dwarrowdams, with some other races sprinkled in. Befriends many of them to his great surprise, as they seem to be accepting of his social awkwardness and mannerisms. Some are still close friends to this present day. As the party journeys through Dunland and throughout Rohan, Badari and Daerhovan grow closer, and Badari declares her intentions to Daerhovan. Conflicted at first, as relationships between dwarf and elf in this way seem unheard of. But a desire to experience a romantic relationship motivates him to accept her intentions. They make love to one another after an intense battle in Gondor, and declare themselves married in the elven tradition. Sauron falls soon after, and the pair and what remains of their party explore Mordor.

Daerhovan feels something similar to what he felt back in Angmar as he tries to cross the swamps of Arganaith, but on a much more intense scale. He becomes moody, and then dangerously despondent. To save himself he stays back in Minas Tirith for a time, before feeling well enough to travel north. During this time, many friends part ways with him as they desire to go home and stay/take care of their families, or start their own lives now that the war has ended. Daerhovan greatly misses them. He and Badari help the Northlands with little and big troubles here and there. Falls in love with the Ered Mithrin during his first visit ever to the region. Has to almost be physically pulled away from dangerous ruins that he years to explore and study.

~ Start of roleplayed history ~

He and Badari decide to stay in a little cottage in the Dale Lands after their adventures in the mountains. But he can’t stay in one place for too long, and often goes wandering nearby, while the dwarrowdam visits her home in Erebor more often. Learns that she’s having trouble with her parents accepting her back after the war, and tries his best to comfort her. More weeks go by, and he see’s less and less of her. They begin to wander together less as he travels to the Morgul vale and more of northwestern Rhovanion. Eventually he receives no word from her. is scared at first, but connections reassure her she’s alive. In his heart, Daerhovan begins to question their relationship...

- Meets Eruingil in Falathlorn, escorts her to Dulliond.

- Makes a visit to Lothlorien. Meets Gallorith and Elgaladwen before heading back to Eriador.

. Meets Ilost in Thorin’s Hall while on a request to investigate strange wildlife happenings in the Vale of Thrain.

- Heads back eastward. Gets clawed by Verya on the arm when he accidentally triggered her possessive instincts while eating a kill. Meets Saelorn in Falathlorn, who helps to bandage his arm. Stays with the ellon through the night.

- Meets Ilost again in Andrath, who helps to redress his bandages.

- Meets Ilost for the third time in the Angle of Mitheithel. From here they travel around the eastern reaches of Eriador. Accepts a kiss from him in the heat of the moment before shame makes him back off. Parts ways with a little bit after. (how they did needed)

- Gets a request by the mayor of Bree to investigate strange activity in the Old Forest (in which he rejects the offer later because it’s the Old Forest of course its weird.) Reunites with Eruingil in the Prancing Pony and meets Nimardril and Deamhan.

- Meets Nimardril again while once again back in Celondim. Agrees to travel with her for a time. Is there for her when she divorces from her ex husband and continues to travel with her. They cross the Brandywine, only for them to be stalked by a woman named Ogborg, and waylaid by none other than Nimardrils’ uncle. Helps to clear up a weighty misunderstanding. They continue to journey to where Nimardril once saw strange water in Yondershire, but nothing out of the ordinary is seen when they finally reach it. They head towards Imladris after, where they part ways.

- Heads to Hrimbarg in an attempt to study the old fort before newly arrived bands of dwarves can accidentally sully relics. Waylaid by a fellowship to slay a dragon and feels compelled to join in their quest to Angmar. Meets Meneladir, Ellathos, Barnisk, Aipiolohte, and Leodain. Reunites with Eruingil. Had seen Gelirn once before a long time ago, but does not remember him. Hopes Badari and his family will forgive him should he not make it.

- Reunites with Nimardril after the quest. They decide to go on a quest of their own, albeit with less attempted dragonslaying, through the Misty Mountains. Greatly enjoys his time with her as they trek through the Vales and Eryn Lasgalen. Wants to get to know her more, though the shadow of his waning feelings for Badari overcasts him. Realizes how long he’s been away from her.

. Reaches the outskirts of Dale with Nimardril. Reunites with Ilost, in disguise and true identity unknown to Nim. He regretfully goes inside the Jolly Bell with them for a drink, until he makes known his desire to travel to Erebor.

- Sunders his relationship with Badari. Realizing that their romance was born out of a desperation on his part to know intimacy before the world ended, when it looked like Sauron would gain the upper hand, and that he hasn’t been able to feel anything deeper for her after the Dark Lord’s fall. But will always love her in another way. Returns to Dale with Ilost while Nimardril gathers supplies for their journey. Asks Ilost to come with them, and he agrees.

- Travels with the two for a bit into the Ered Mithrin before Nimardril expresses a desire to leave. Very saddened by this, but he lets her go. He and Ilost continue on to Stormwall.

- Joins with Ilost intimately. Not sure where their relationship is headed, but wanting to stay and let love grow between them, if it can.

#bio #daerhovan #DO NOT ask me to explain his hair color LMAO #i had very little knowledge of elves whe ni made him almost a decade ago and how their hair colors mean where they #came from and their heritage and clans #so i tried to make of it what i will and incorporate something that would make sense

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jessebeckerms · 2 years ago

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Franken, Silvaner's Heimatland

Würzburg's famous castle and Stein vineyard facing the Main.

Franken, by the numbers

Hectares under vine: 6,306 hectares (2023), sixth largest in Germany Climate: Continental, dry, hot, but short summers, cold winters Soils: Bundtsandstein (colored sandstone), Muschelkalk (shell-limestone), Keuper (marl-gypsum) Varieties: [82% white, 18% red] Silvaner (24.8%), Müller-Thurgau (24.3%), Bacchus (12.3%), Riesling (4%), Kerner, Rieslaner, Spätburgunder (5%), Domina, Dornfelder, Berieche: (3) Meinviereck, Maindreieck, Steigerwald Einzellagen: (218) including Klingenberger Schlossberg, Bürgstadter Centragrafenberg, Homburger Kallmuth, Würzburger Stein, Würzburger Innere Leiste, Randersackerer Teufelskeller, Randersackerer Pfülben, Esherndorfer Lump, Iphöfer Julius-Echter-Berg

Franken, in a nutshell

Franken is Bavaria’s only wine region bordering on the Baden district of Tauberfranken in the south, with most of its vineyards situated steeply along the Main. The river forms a gigantic “W” shape, with the region beginning in earnest at Aschaffenburg before reaching the city of Würzburg at its center, then ending at Zeil-am-Main in the east. Würzburg is Franken’s commercial center. Heavily bombed during the final weeks of WWII, the town rebuilt itself, and the famous old bridge in Würzburg’s Altstadt straddles the Main and provides a view of the Würzburg castle and the iconic Stein vineyard (source of Goethe’s favorite wine).

Silvaner is Franken’s signature variety, usually bottled in a PDO-protected Bocksbeutel, but some of Germany’s finest dry Rieslings and Spätburgunders come from Franken, although grown in tiny quantities. The Rieslings and Silvaners are bone dry, sometimes to the point of austerity, which has given the rest of Germany a term for describing bone dry wines: fränkisch trocken means no more than 4 g/L residual sugar. Much emphasis fell on Müller-Thurgau and other early ripening or high-yielding crossings in the past, but producers today seem keen on leading with quality and clear priority shifting to Silvaner, at least from Franken’s quality sector.

Bavaria, especially Munich, is the world’s beer capital, and while Würzburger Stein is undoubtedly famous (so much so that the term Steinwein once meant all Franken wines), a Stein of Würzburger Edelbräu is equally good, and I would suggest necessary after a full day of wine tasting. Visitors to the region might want to visit a Frankenheckenwirtschaft for some real, local flavor. These simple eating and drinking places have particular rules: vintners may sell their products to the public without a restaurant license, operate on a calendar opening eight weeks a year, have only 40 seats, and no hot food served. Look for a branch cut from a hedge (Hecke) above the entrance to locate one that’s open. Heckenwirtschaften aside, Franken clearly understands the importance of wine tourism, and there seems to be a much higher level of hotels and restaurants with excellent cooking compared to the relatively scant offerings in other Rheinland regions. The wine villages along the Main are charming, and its city of Würzburg is a must.

Franken’s districts and geology

Mainviereck

Franken’s three Bereiche are roughly based on three Triassic geological zones. Mainviereck in the west is home to Franken’s (and some of Germany’s) best red wines, especially from the historic Klingenberg, and the village of Bürgstadt (a sub-district known as Churfranken), where the weather is milder than the rest of Franken, and the soil base is Buntsandstein (colored sandstone). These conditions favor Spätburgunder and Frühburgunder with a lifted, aromatic profile. Weingut Rudolf Fürst is the superstar of this area with its trio of top-class Grosses Gewächs, Spätburgunder Schlossberg GG, Spätburgunder Centgrafenberg GG, and Spätburgunder Centgrafenberg Hunsrück GG. There are slate, quartzite, and gneiss soils around Michelbach and Hörstein, which favor Riesling. Both red and white wines are more delicate than in other districts. Homburger Kallmuth, a monopole of Fürst Löwenstein, is the steepest vineyard in Franken, with Bundtsandstein and Muschelkalk soils. Miltenberg is a popular town for wine tourists to take in the architecture and sample the local wines.

Maindreieck

Maindreieck is the center of Franken viticulture and is based on Muschelkalk (shell limestone), especially at Würzburger Stein. 70% of Franken wines come from this district, and 210 hectares of vines are within the city’s limits. It is the driest area in the region. Steinwein has a distinctive smoky note thanks to the soil, which strengthens with time in the bottle. Three producers: Juliusspital, Bürgerspital, and Hofkeller, control most of Würzburg’s viticulture. South of Würzburg are Randersacker Teufelkeller, Pfülben, and Marsberg; all feature southwestern exposures facing the river. Neighboring Frickenhausen features sandy soils and is home to the south-facing classified site Kapellenberg. Continuing upriver, the village of Sulzfeld is notable for its Maustal vineyard and outstanding producer Zehnthof Luckert. The area near Volkach and its surrounding villages is home to a high-quality co-op at Sommerach and its Katzenkof vineyard, grand cru Escherndorfer Lump with limestone, loess, clay, and Volkacher Ratsherr. By the way, the name Lump was explained to me as a Schimpfwort (an insult), “but only a moderate Schimpfwort,” and why that would be the name of a vineyard, I do not know. The alternative explanation seems more plausible: as vineyard plots divided over generations, holdings were reduced to only the size of a Lump! Silvaner is the top variety in Maindreieck, but there are excellent, bone-dry Rieslings from this district, Weissburgunder, and aromatic varieties.

Steigerwald

Keuper defines the district of Steigerwald, which is layered high up the mountainsides. The black Keuper soil has a warming effect that aids grape ripening, even at high elevations. A concentration of classified sites can be found between Rödelsee and the walled town of Iphofen and again at Castell (the Castell family owns all the vineyards of this village, including the top site Schloßberg), believed to be where Silvaner was first planted in Franken centuries ago. The area is home to famous sites like Küchenmeister, Kronsberg, Julius-Echter-Berg, Kalb, Casteller Schloßberg, and many top producers like Hans Wirsching, Weltner, and Johann Ruck. The black Keuper (marl with gypsum) produces more structured, flinty, smoky, and easily identifiable wines. Silvaner on Keuper can age magnificently, as can Silvaner on Muschelkalk. I strongly liked the Silvaners on Keuper in a recent soil comparison tasting, especially those with ten years or more in the bottle.

#germany #franken

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booty-uprooter · 1 year ago

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afaik they're more closely related to the stoors, who (iirc) are more fond of rivers and more likely to learn to swim than fallohides or harfoots. i think the in-game race are supposed to be more closely related to gollum's folk than the shire hobbits are, and seem to be slimmer because theyre less sedentary. the character creation screen describes them as 'silvan' but idk what that's supposed to mean

then again, im getting most of this from hazy memories of differences between hobbits in the book and what i gleaned from the character creation screen and descriptions of the racial traits. i just bought a race change for my main and havent played the river hobbit intro or watched the little movie yet

me looking at river Hobbits originally: what so they're just skinny Hobbits? Bit lame

me looking at the character customization options for river hobbits: YOOOOOOO WHAT THE FUCK LOOK AT THAT HAIR!!!!!! AND THERE'S A HEIGHT SLIDER???? THIS IS FUCKING AMAZING!!!!!!!

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outofangband · 2 years ago

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Isle of Werewolves Worldbuilding post Part One

Angband World Building and Aftermath of Captivity Masterlist

Please feel free to ask more!! General posts are hard because I didn’t have specific categories to cover so feel free to send categories or more questions!

The Isle of Wolves or Tol-in-Gaurhoth was the name Sauron gave Tol Sirion after he took it over after the Dagor Bragollach. It was an island located in the Northern reaches of the river Sirion, only a distance Southward from the source of the river at Eithel Sirion.

The fortress of Minas Tirith stood on the island. It was a watchtower with a moat, parapets and secret entrances and rooms. It had no dungeon during the time of Finrod’s rule but several of the foundation rooms were converted into dungeons and pits. Many of these were accessible by the wolves but inescapable to elves or humans

The fortress was seized by Sauron with ease. The guards were slain with the exception of one who was kept for the information needed to maintain the fortress (keys and doors, supplies, defenses, etc) until Sauron gathered and changed what he needed.

The paths throughout the island were known by Finrod and his people. Once Sauron learned them, he obscured them in black thorns with toxic properties and other dangerous flora. Wolves and other hostile creatures also roamed the island

The hierarchy of the isle is far smaller and more precise than that of Angband.

There is Sauron of course. There is Thuringwethil his herald and messenger. There are two other Maiar in his service. They are former Maiar of Irmo and Aulë who oversee various projects for Sauron and delegate tasks among the other servants

Note: I am going to make a separate post about Tevildo and his versions

There are a number of orcs who followed him. The orcish population is about one hundred with another fifty rotating.Around three fourths (of the non rotating) are fodder and guards and about twenty five were specifically chosen for their skill in various areas. Five of these are specifically trained to work with the wolves and are among the only ones who can. These are some of the oldest, originally three Avari and two Silvan elves who were captured and turned well before the years of the sun. They are also trained with some of Sauron’s literal pet projects which I will get into in another post:)

Out of the other twenty, five are able to make weapons and other devices, four are scouts, one is a translator, two are far more capable at overseeing construction and expansion, three are captains and five have other areas.

The rest are guards, watchmen, and perform other labor needed to sustain the fortress. This actual labor is similar to that of Angband though on a smaller scale of course.

Much of his larger projects and creations are put on hold or transferred to other Maiar of Angband while he is away from the fortress. He does not have the same resources or facilities here though there is a small bloomery and forge where weapons and other devices are made and mended.

There is not obsidian on the island, one of Sauron’s preferred resources during his time in the service of Morgoth. He still uses small quantities of it to construct his throne upon the isle. It is a formidable, shiny black creation, precise and sharp. He spends less time upon it than Morgoth does upon his own, frequently growing restless. He does sit upon it when he greets Beren’s group.

There is of course a large population of wolves upon the island. I talk a bit about wolves on this post here but essentially I believe there are a number of species including gray and timber wolves which live outside of Angband.

I headcanon that the wolves of Sauron that were the main lupine inhabitants of the island were large descendants and kin of Carcharoth and Draugluin. These are large, silver wolves with a black variant. Their pack dynamics are somewhat different than that of common wolves though of course this is largely due to their raising rather than the species. They are sleek and quiet and highly intelligent.

There is a smaller species, only somewhat bigger than common wolves. They are far more aggressive than the primary wolves of Sauron and it was them who killed and ate most of Beren’s men and that Finrod killed.

As always please feel free to ask more! This is not my best world building post but I will want to do better

#the silmarillion #Sauron #beren and lúthien #Finrod #tol in gaurhoth #musing and meta

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growingingreenwood · 5 years ago

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FOLLOWER SUBMISSION:

Hello,I would like to share my HCs if I may (not an english native speaker so sorry for the long-windedness and mistakes):

1. Oropher is an "Awakend One" or AO

- and him and a sister of Elwe, Olwe (who are identical twins* but Elwe was the taller even before Melian's influence) and Elmo,

were the first to follow the instinct to combine their Feäs to create a baby, so Thranduil is the first born Elf.

*I love to think the whole "twin-thing" started with them.

Thranduil is only the eldest "first born" by a few hours, because other couples almost immediately followed Oropher and his wife's example.

2. When the Sindar lead by Oropher came to the Greenwood, the Silvan elves refused to let them join them, because they feared to

become a "lesser" people in their own home (like the Noldor did with Sindar, Men and and others),but they gave them "Amon Lanc" to settle there - so they where neighbors first.

Each group learned to appreciate the other's knowledge/wisdom and the trust and love grew.

The Silvan and Sindar saw that Oropher is a good leader who always puts his people's wishes and needs first, plus alot of the Silvan elves were his friends back in Cuiviénen, too so they finally allowed the Sindar to join them but only if Oropher took on the mantle of the combined peoples' King.

4. Oropher desperately wished to return to the peaceful life he remembered from the early days at Cuiviénen so becoming King was actually a sacrifice he made so his Sindar-followers could join the Silvan.

The woodelves put that condition on the refugees joining

them, because they just want to live their lives in and with the forest and not have to deal with the Noldor, Dwarves or Men. So Oropher (after him Thranduil) is elected King in order to deal/trade/communicate/fight with that "outside world"

often utilising the more experienced immigrant Sindar, and only the Silvan if necessary (like in the wars).

Silvans step up to the task if there is a need for it - they are wise and kind, they just don't want the outside worlds unnecessary wasteful conflicts and greed to dictate their simple, slow way of life and they also are fiercly independent.

5. Silvan don't want to maintain a "grow-bigger-faster-richer-more powerful society" - Silvan's just want to do what they enjoy -

but some enjoyments produce tradeable goods and of high quality,too, because the elves who create them do it with love and

dedication, but in their own time.

So the responsibility of the king is to harness what the Woodelves are willing to sell and by trade gain enough treasure to trade with the outside world for goods they do not produce themselves.

Both Oropher and Thranduil are really good at this - and there is great mutual love between king(s) and their people.

6. After Thranduil is elected king and the Woodelves' final move northward - the new King, after enchanting the forest and the river (something he learn from Melian) as a defence against Sauron's forces, sought the northern Dwarves' help to carve out a Fortress as close as his limited means could get him to a replica of "Menegroth" - partially paid with a percentage share of all the ores and gems that they unearthed in the process - indeed this proved to make both sides reasonably rich - that's why the Woodelves party decked out with gems in "The Hobbit".

Also just like in Menegroth of old - Dwarves and Elves combined there skills to create the Woodelves' last protection against the Darkness haunting the forest.

7.Not a HC just a rant, but one thing I wish people (especially PJ and Co.) would understand is, that:

Of all the elven realms the Woodlandrealm is the most open to the mortal-/"not elven-" world:

e.g.Trade with Esgaroth and beyond, the Woodsmen villages, Radagast's dwelling, maybe even trade with Erebor and Dale (including the raft-elves routinely sitting and feasting at a table in the Great Hall of Lake Town)

In contrast:

Imladris is open but hidden - entrance only VIP on a need-to-know basis.

Lothlorien's border are practically sealed - Ring and Marchwardens only granting entrance on special occasions (and by law not to Dwarves.)

- indeed for Mortals of Rohan and Gondor Lothlorien is a mythical place of Evil.

I'm not even bashing here, each realm has their own way of ensuring their safety, fair enough, but to then go and try to potrait the Woodelves and Thranduil in particular as isolationist xenophobes is just annoying and insulting. ( - and worrying because it seems to me that people are always eagerly jumping onto the "lesser, less wise/ more dangerous" betiteling as permission to "dehumanise/de-elvenise?" the Woodelves - "lesser" meaning "inferior" meaning "of lesser worth", "expendable" or even "evil" in their minds - mirroring a IRL problem - such a bad aftertaste in fanfics and movie adaption.

Mithlond seems open but is a place of depature and maybe trade for Elves but mortals don't seem to go there, not even the nearby hobbits*

*though that's the hobbits' thing, isn't it, to not stray far from home.

Going to end here, it's so long already and the HCs somewhat character-sue-ish I admit, but charcters who get so unnecessarily bashed all the time, as Thranduil and Oropher are - often to generate more angsty man-pain for their son/grandson in fanfiction or to justify Th.Oakenjerk-centred storytelling in a movie titled "the Hobbit", deserve to be special snowflakes in my head at least.

What do you think?

Growingingreendwood reply:

Ahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!! I love all of these!!!!!! Some of your Headcanons are very close and very similar to my own, which is always amazing and exciting!!!

You're the second person now (or perhapes the same person??) To headcanon that Oropher married one of Elwé 's sister's and it's safe to say I've officially adopted it myself. But I never thought about Thranduil being the FIRST 'born elf' to exist and honestly the idea fills me to the brim with excitement.

I enjoy that we both headcanon the Silvan Elves to be really stand-off-ish to the Sindar originally, until it was proven to their satisfaction that the Sindar would respect their way of life and not force them to change. And that eventually the Sindar were INVITED to join their society. And that Oropher was CHOSEN as their King because they had grown to respect his leadership.

I always headcanoned that the #1 job Thranduil saw himself (and father before him) having as a King was protection and guidance, NOT to 'rule' them.

I also believe the Silvan Elves require all if their leaders to be chosen, rather than for them to just take the throne after their father dies. So while there is a VERY VERY good chance that while Legolas would be elected King after his father, it's never a for sure thing.

I love the depth you thought out exactly HOW the Woodland Realm gets their income for trading. It was so interesting to read!!! And I might have to write a little fic about it cause the idea is so precious to me.

I also deeply appreciated your rant about people seeming to always try and come up with way (or excuses) for them to be 'lesser elves' than the rest in middle earth. It's actually something I bring up quite often in my fic writing.

(As in written from the Silvan Elves point of view about how negatively the other realms often veiw them. And it is often shown to be one of the main reasons that the Woodland Realm vanishes into itself and very little contact with the other realms aside from their nearby allies.)

Thank you so much for your thoughts!!! I loved them!!!

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paperdoe · 6 years ago

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Daerhovan - History

A VERY LONG history of Daerhovan. For a page in his main bio.

Arc 1: The Call

Age: 1- 300

Born to Gaelwen and Losdirith of Lothlorien. The youngest and last in a brood of four, who included: his twin sisters Lossenduin and Lossenth, another elder sister, Heledirnien, and elder brother, Haldor. Both parents SIlvan elves, though Gaelwen has a trace of prominent Sindar in her bloodline, hence why her daughters and youngest son have silverish hair. His father and brother perished in an ambush from Goblins while they scouted for threats in the Dimril Dale. A devastated Gaelwen was terrified of losing her only surviving son, prompting her to keep Daerhovan shut inside Caras Galadhon for many years. He being a naturally curious and adventurous child, felt hemmed in and suffered severe restlessness and wanderlust. Had mixed feelings of resentment and understanding pity for his mother. Didn’t suffer the same grief, as he hadn’t known his father and brother for very long.

Often got into trouble, and his twin sisters (Heled lived in Eryn Lasgalen) and family friends managed to convince Gaelwen to let her son see more of the world. Or at least the rest of Lothlorien. Her only condition was to have her, or someone else constantly watch over him. Managed to sneak out of their flet one night by himself. Got as far as the vineyards before meeting the Wood Lord. (immense white stag). The stag seemed to want him to follow him to Thinglad, the southern border of Lothlorien. Was found and scolded by Lossenduin, grounded by Gaelwen for at least a week. Went out and about within Lothlorien a lot, and was trusted enough in time to go out on his own. His favorite places were Cerin Amroth and the banks of the Anduin. Desired to explore the more wilder corners of the region.

As he approached his teens (for an elf), was pressed into finding an occupation by his family. Opted to become a vine tender for five years, but the work become mundane and repetitive after awhile. Began to have an interest in botany and wildlife. Orthir, the scholar of the trees, offered to take Daerhovan under his wing as an apprentice of sorts. Taught him much about these subjects. Daerhovan’s brother in law taught him about herb lore alongside Orthir. Love for the natural world grew. Learns about how to hear and feel the thoughts of trees by the whisper of their leaves and the creaking of their branches. Mallorns are easy to understand and speak freely, as they have a symbiotic relationship with the elves here. Others who live on the borders are quieter. Daerhovan wonders what species of plant life dwell in other corners of the world.

Orthir and Arasdil take him into the Great River region through Limlight Gorge, the the edge of Fangorn Forest, to an area where elves have historically been known to converse with the ents there. Strangely, no ents show themselves. Meets the Wood lord again one night, who bids him to follow again. Makes it to the borders of The Great River region, where signs of strife from Easterlings and the Eotheod stain the land. Despite the stag seemingly calling him to continue from within, he turns back. Becomes more proficient at herb/plant lore over the years. Learns the art of healing, the elven magic associated with those who become sole healers growing within him.

Arc 2: Forests of Secrets

Age: 300 - 310

Searches for the Wood Lord again throughout Thinglad, but he hasn’t made an appearance in years, and Daerhovan fears he was hunted down by poachers. Nonetheless, he wanders through the Great River region, into the Limlight Gorge, and approaches the edge of Fangorn. Instead of finding an ent, encounters a maddened Huorn. His attempts to calm it go badly as one of it’s branches slices his belly open, but it doesn’t stay to finish him. Near death until Radagast finds him. Radagast brings him to Rhosgobel, and works tirelessly to heal the elf. His efforts work, and Daerhovan begins to mend. Radagast observes him attempting to speak to the wildlife that often visit the wizard’s hut, and sees how he delights in their company. Radagast offers to teach the young elf about animal lore, to which Daerhovan agrees.

For four years, Daerhovan learns much about the nature of wild animals, though his skills in communication and understanding are yet to be perfected. He wishes to find the huorn that attacked him. Radagast disagrees, teaching him that beings in a maddened state are often unreachable. They figure that past territorial upheavals between the Easterlings, Eotheod, and Gondor in this region are to blame.

Daerhovan takes his leave of Radagast, the two having become good friends. He heads towards the new kingdom of Rohan.

Develops his plant and animal speaking/understanding skills more. Finds that birds are easier to talk to than most mammals, and delights in their songs. Understanding reptiles, fish, and insects seems to require deeper knowledge, if they choose to communicate at all. He hesitates to call it a pet, but he befriends a robin who follows him around and keeps him company most times.

Arc 3: Pilgrim

Age: 310 - 600

Returns to Rohan to explore the region of Wildermore during a return visit to Lothlorien. He gets wind of a monstrous bear that’s been stalking the village of Dunfast for months. Wanting to help, he encounters the bear, and commands the creature to find new hunting grounds, though not without some trouble. When the village learns of this, they hail him as a hero, and invite him to stay with them for a time. Grows especially close with a young widow. Daerhovan stays for a few days before returning to his homeland, but returns to Wildermore afterwards. For two years he stays in the region, visiting Dunfast, and the woman. Grows more proficient at speaking Westron.. The woman begins to have feelings for him, and while Daerhovan doesn’t share her level of infatuation, he grows curious about the closeness of another. They steal away one night into the woods, exploring one another through kisses and caresses, though it never escalates beyond that. The widow desires that he stays, but he knows he must move on from the region.

The Long Winter slams most of the northern and central parts of Middle Earth. His family pleads with him to return, but Daerhovan can’t bear to leave those who may need his help. Aids animal and person alike, establishes his own little sanctuary in a remote corner of Dunland. Sends courier ravens to his family to reassure them he’s safe. Hears rumours about the strife going on between the Rohirrim and Dunlendings, but doesn’t pay any mind to it. Once the Winter lessens it’s grip, swiftly leaves the region, heading into Eriador.

During his wanderings in the north, often keeps to himself. The only company he keeps are with animals. Observes the going ons of towns, but from a good distance. His love for the natural world and his deeds in maintaining it and exploring keep him isolated from people for decades. Because of this he becomes almost starved for interaction, though he doesn’t know how to go about it.

Arc 4: War of the Ring

Age: 600 - 660

Begins to notice that the wilderness seems hostile more than usual, and blights begin to appear in some corners of the wild. Ancient feuds that lay dormant begin to re-emerge. Aids the elves of Edhelion in confirming the rumors that an evil dwarf called Skorgrim who ravaged the area 3000 years ago has gained the means to return. When the rumors are confirmed to be true, along with reports of Sauron stirring in the East, sets out to help elf, dwarf, man, and hobbit alike rid Middle Earth of his presence. Becomes embroiled in the finding of the One Ring at the same time. Stays put in Eriador for a long time. Becomes more involved in events pertaining to the finding of the One Ring and the war following it. Feels privileged to help and see the Fellowship of the Ring off from Rivendell. Stays true to his promise to Aragorn to rid Eriador of evil, becomes involved with the events surrounding Carn Dum and the false King Mordorith. Helps to weaken and eventually bring him down.

Allies himself with the Dwarves of the Iron Garrison to help reclaim Moria. Is almost killed by a matron of the Nameless when he kills several of its young, but escapes.

At the capture of Mazog, volunteers to go with the Golden Host of Lothlorien and travel to Mirkwood to trade Mazog for dwarven prisoners and to keep the forces of Dol Guldur at bay. During a skirmish, finds and heals a dwarrowdam named Badari who also became involved. Immensely curious about her, though they parted ways quickly after the campaign ended. Encounters Badari again, aiding her in a fight against bandits. assimilates himself into her kinship of mostly other dwarrowdams, and finds some of his most beloved and cherished friends. Including Mallovorel, who becomes like a sister to him, her husband Maeglir, and many others, though the encounters are awkward at first as he attempts to re-learn how to socialize. Many people find him strange because of this.

Becomes close to certain animals who would follow him to Mordor and back at his call. On his way back across the Misty Mountains, befriends a mountain lynx whom he considers his most special of animal companions, and calls her Verya.

Travels with the Grey Company for a time to aid in their efforts, Upon returning to Enedwaith, finds that the land has greatly changed, for reasons that both excite and sadden him. Becomes drawn to a forest called the Mournshaws, and aids the spirits of the forest who dwell there. One of which is a maia of Orome the Vala. Begins to gradually lose the magic associated with elven healers as his sword is bloodied by the many enemies he slays.

Begins to have feelings for Badari during all these events. Is both confused,relieved, and ecstatic when she returns them. These emotions come to a head the eve after the Battle of Pelennor Fields, where they make love to one another inside a hidden storeroom. He, along with his love and kinship, march with The Host of the West to confront Sauron to help buy Frodo time and safe passage across Gorgoroth. Rejoices along with the rest of the army and his friends as Frodo succeeds in his quest. He heads into Mordor with orders from the Lords of the West to clean up after Sauron and his enemies, but the task proves to be full of trials.

During once such foray into the diseased swamps of Arganaith, where the Great Plague of the early third age originated from, he becomes sick of mind and heart from all the death, decay, and corruption of the land. Fearing for him, his friends get him out of Mordor. Retreats to a small cabin in Nen Harn, the northernmost border of Bree-Land, to recuperate. Feels guilty for abandoning his charge and friends, but everyone reassures him it was for his own good.

Recovers sufficiently enough to travel to the Dale Lands, The Ironfold, and Ered Mithrin, under Gandalfs suggestion that he and his friends help to stop the lingering evil in the north. (continuing story..)

Besides helping Gandalf with his troubles, meets and befriends another dwarrowdam who is burdened with her sisters brutal death, and the maddened horse she left behind. Works with the dwarf and an old, rohirric friend to calm and tame the horse.

Helps the dwarves of reclaimed Moria to find a deep, massive cavern full of gems of every color and large veins of mithril with Badari during this time as well.

Arc 5: Warden of the Wild .

Age: 660 - 800

What remains of his family sails into the Uttermost West as the fourth age begins. His heart burdened by grief at their leaving. Desires to be by himself for awhile in Lothlorien after the parting. Galadriel follows suit after awhile, and while The Golden Wood is still beautiful, the light provided by Galadriel’s ring, Nenya has started to dim. Cannot bear to stay as the woods grow darker.

Years go by. Daerhovan, along with his wife, help to rid the echoes of Sauron’s influence and blight across Middle Earth. As kingdoms are rebuilt and people return to their cities, Daerhovan himself desires to settle down in a forest he was attracted to from the early days of the War, the Mournshaws of Enedwaith. Is chosen by Rhi Helvarch (the maia) to become what the local dunlendings call a Derudh to commune with the Forest Lords and be shown their secrets. For many years he takes to his role quite seriously, becoming a local legend among the mortal locals. He still wanders to other lands and settlements of friends, but mostly sticks to Enedwaith.

It happens slowly, but over time he notices the forest beginning to decay unnaturally.. First in specific corners of the region, then throughout. The rivers and ponds dry up and a strange fungus that chokes the life out of the plant life emerges. Dismayed and distraught, Daerhovan works tirelessly to find the source of the blight. He travels to The Greenwood to enlist help from Mallovorel and Maeglir. During an investigation, meets the nameless matron he thought had been defeated back in Moria. Enraged by vengeance, the monster makes it it’s personal mission to eliminate Daerhovan. By this time the spirits of the woods haven't been seen or heard from in years, and are assumed to have returned to their masters in Valinor. Except for one, who takes on the form of a white raven. The spirit allies itself with Daerhovan to rid the forest of this evil.

One by one, they restore the waters and work to heal and free the plants from the fungus. Until they must meet the creature face to face. They track the source of the blight, into a series of underground caverns, and discover the creature has been reproducing again. They quickly burn the eggs, and incite the wrath of the nameless even further. A terrible battle ensues where all members of the party are seriously injured, As the nameless goes in for the killing blow, Verya clamps jer jaws around it’s throat, killing it, but is fatally wounded in the process. Sacrificing herself to save Daerhovan.

Though the Mournshaws are safe and begin to heal from the ordeal, Daerhovan becomes heavily grieved at the death of one he considered his best friend. Buries her within a special place in the woods, and visits often. The raven spirit vanishes, and is assumed to have returned to it’s masters in the Uttermost West.

Arc 6: To the Ends of the Earth

Age: 800 - 1000

More years pass. And Daerhovan spends his days meditating and tending to the wilds, visiting his friends, and spending time with his wife. Mallovorel and Maeglir have a son, whom they call Amruchil. Becomes the kid’s adopted uncle, and grows to love the child as if he really was his uncle. Teaches Amruchil all there is to know about plant and animal life, and the deeper meaning of the balance of the natural world around them.

As Amruchil matures, more fellow elven friends leave for Valinor. He knows Mallovorel will sail soon with her husband, but would never persuade them to stay. Cherishes what time they have left together. It’s all he can do to hold in his emotions when the day of their leaving comes. Embraces Mallovorel, one who he considers a sister, tightly and for awhile. Is pleasantly surprised when Amruchil desires to stay in Middle Earth.

Many more years go by. Daerhovan works and travels constantly. Visits the two kings of Rohan and Gondor occasionally, along with other members of the Fellowship, glad that some old friends from the war still remain. Helps out Legolas and Celeborn with the healing of North Ithilien and The Greenwood. Takes in no more animal companions since Verya’s death, but still communicates and seeks out company of wildlife. The only people he’s constantly with are Badari and Amruchil.

As more years go by, Badari grows old, for dwarves at least, and leaves this world to the halls of Aule. Is utterly devastated and inconsolable for a long time, the heartbreak from her death nearly becoming his demise, but with the help of his adopted nephew and a deep, hidden reserve of strength, escapes this fate and continues to live on. Personally buries Badari in the stone of the Lonely Mountain itself, alongside her own family and ancestors.

Wanders almost aimlessly for a long time, not caring where his feet take him. Is conflicted with desires to stay in places he’s grown fond of, and to wander somewhere far, far away from old haunts. Makes it a point to visit Badari’s grave bi-yearly.

Even more years go by. More old friends and family either becomes victims of their own mortality or sail west. Re-visits Lothlorien after decades. Isn't as sad as he thought he’d be upon returning, but is warmed by fond nostalgia for the past.

Returns after nearly a couple centuries to what was known as Mordor, back to the swamps of Arganaith. Even after many years the swamplands still bear the scars of Sauron’s reign. Is determined this time to help the land make a full recovery. Works tirelessly with Amruchil to help more plants grow, for clean water to be restored, and for wildlife to move in. It takes a while, but Arganaith grows beautiful under their efforts. As they travel across the rocky plains of Dor Amarth, a violent earthquake separates Daerhovan from Amruchil. Fissures are created and earth is thrust up from the force of it. Searches frantically for Amruchil in the aftermath, but he is never found by Daerhovan in this life ever again. His demise is a mystery. Though Daerhovan suspects he was swallowed by a fissure in the earth. Though the cracks in his heart from his wife’s death never fully healed, they widen further from this new tragedy. His only solace is that he’s been reunited, or will be with his parents.

But strange signs and stories of an elf being seen convince him that Amruchil possibly escaped alive. Searches in vain for him for a long time, but his adopted nephew is never found.

Arc 7: In The Wind

Age: 1000 - 7000

Centuries pass Daerhovan by. The elf still keeps up his self proclaimed duty of maintaining the balance of the natural world, but the years start to take a toll on him. His heart, already scarred from the passing of friends and family, becomes even more burdened by the weariness of immortality. Begins to resent being an unchanging being in a temporal world . Hardly visits settlements and cities of men anymore. The other two races of the free peoples either gone or wandering the world in very few numbers. Yet hope and moments of light still manage to crack through. The birth of new life and the recovery of ecosystems once scarred by ancient wars and sorceries. And the beauty of natural wonders.

Gondor and Rohan become fragmented and transform into other kingdoms and civilizations. Elves and dwarves are all but gone. Claims of adult men the size of children are turned into tall tales and stories. More centuries pass by. Daerhovan often becomes dormant. Resting unmoving for days at a time, before resuming his wanderings. Local legends begin to spring up whenever he encounters people.

Begins to revisit old, ancient places and haunts. Many places like, like Lothlorien and Mordor are almost unrecognizable. Other places have had entire towns built upon them, and places that were once entire towns have been reclaimed by nature. Despite drastic changes to places he once knew like the back of his hand, the graves of Verya and Badari somehow endure. During once such visit to the latter, has grown so weary of life and the trials it threw at him that he no longer feels the will to go on. As he falls to his knees near the grave of his wife, a cloudburst bathes him with light. The world seems to grow more vivid in color as flowers of every hue sway in the gentle breeze, butterflies flitting in the air. And in the distance, the visage of a white stag watches him from a backdrop of mighty pine forests and snowcapped mountains. The sight fills him with peace, and a reassurance that life will go on and thrive, despite the passage of time.

Daerhovan smiles once last time as the sun rises over the east, and his fae leaves his body, somehow findings it’s way to the Halls of Mandos. Spends a little time in the place of the dead to reminisce about his life, before being reunited with friends and family.

But it’s not enough. Through a little bit of rebellion on both their parts, amid pleas of desperation, Badari and Daerhovan share a joyous and passionate reunion. Verya is also found and allowed to join in. And thus he spends the rest of eternity with those he loves.

#im really bad at writing and story telling so if one decides to read this im so sorry lmao #i was originally gonna use art or screencaps but #too much extra work #this isnt a fic really just a detail log of events and how they built his views and character #daerhovan #its cheesy at the end but thats my right

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antiracist-tolkien · 3 years ago

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I should expand on this. What I mean is that for most fanworks that have characters of colour, nothing would change if you swapped out the descriptions of their skin. And that's not a criticism, our inclusion should be that simple and unremarkable. Canon says that some of the main characters do have brown skin. We have always been there and we should be a casual part of every story. But what I want and don’t see are stories that acknowledge not just our existence or appearance, but also our cultures and experiences.

I want diverse fanworks with little glimpses and inclusions just as casual as the inclusion of characters of colour in the first place. I would love a challenge to the Euro-centrism of many assumptions that are made about Tolkien’s world. Why are the clothes always vaguely historical Western European? I want Anaire in a sari, or Fingon wearing Kente cloth or a kitenge, or Arwen in a ribbon skirt at her wedding.

Every December there’s a range of Christmas themed works and lot of them have Tolkien characters clearly doing things that are inspired by our Christmas traditions. I want to see something like that done for other festivals. It would make so much sense for elves to have a festival of light similar to Diwali, to celebrate the new year and the triumph of light over dark. Not an exact copy of Diwali, but something with similar traditions and practices in the same way that people make up reasons for elves to practice Christmas-like traditions.

I love little moments and little changes. Nothing huge, and nothing that requires you to do a whole lot of research. If you’re writing the Fingolfians or Finarfians as Black, why not mention cultural hairstyles? If you headcanon the Sindar and Silvans of Mirkwood as indigenous, then why not mention indigenous instruments and music? Tolkien’s Numenorians have strong Jewish and Egyptian influences. So why not have them on felucca (the kind of traditional Egyptian boats you see on the Nile) or using Ancient Egyptian skiffs in the rivers of Gondor? Why not base their food off of Mizrahi Jewish cuisine?

There are of course many ways to do it wrong or do it clumsily. I’m not advocating for white fans to write complicated explorations of race relations and I think for the most part that’s not their place. I'm also not suggesting that people try to write a one-to-one projection of someone else's culture onto Tolkien characters. That's an area where you'd be sure to stumble, and personally I'm not looking for a one to one projection. But there's a lot of things that are easy to do. It only takes a few minutes on google to check whether the thing you want to include is a closed practice, or has a deep significance that would make it inappropriate for you to write about/draw.

People might still mess up and that's okay. Also, different PoC have different perspectives and what one person loves might make another person uncomfortable. That's their right, and I'm not pretending to have all the answers. I'm just trying to express the feeling that I get sometimes about how much I want representation that goes deeper than the surface.

I don’t just want PoC to be included, I want PoC to be celebrated.

I love fanworks of Tolkien characters where they have dark skin and it doesn't change anything, but I wish there were more works where a character’s blackness or brownness was more than their appearance.

#personal thoughts #pro diversity in tolkien #tolkien #the silmarillion #lord of the rings #the hobbit #poc fan perspectives

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gffa · 7 years ago

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SO, HEY, YOU WANT A PRIMER FOR WHERE TO START WITH LORD OF THE RINGS/THE HOBBIT/SILMARILLION FIC TO READ? The other night @belldreams asked me if the fic I was currently reading (as I mentioned that I’d been enthralled by it) was accessible to a layperson and, sadly, I don’t think it is. But then my eyes lit up with an unholy glee because I do know a bunch of fics that are great for a layperson to read! I assume that a person will at least have seen the movies and are thus reasonably aware of how Tolkien’s world is set up, but you don’t have to know the history of the world to start reading these! This is a list that is aimed at gently easing a person into the wider fandom or just providing a starting place, if that’s what you want! LET’S INTRODUCE YOU TO SOME FUCKIN’ ELVES: ➡ I have a series of posts about The Silmarillion which are told in a Very Broad Strokes kind of way and not always in chronological order (so maybe you should start with the first fic rec instead? idk!) and they’re still in progress, but I had a great time with Let Me Tell You About The Silmarillion: Part One, part two, part three, part four, part five. (The rest are written, I just need to post them!) They’re cute, ridiculous yelling about my Elf Feelings and won’t take a person that long to read. (And it’s a lot of names to throw at a person, but, hey, you can always come talk to me spoonfeed you another overview, if you like! ♥) ➡ Or you can listen to the audiobook here! I warn, even with having the audio on in the background, it’s still a very dry and dense prose. I love it! But it’s definitely not going to be for everyone. ➡ But if the whole thing is too much and you just want an overview, I also really liked this series of Lord of the Rings Mythology (part 1, 2) that will take you less than ten minutes to listen to and they set up the basic structure of Powers in this world. ➡ A good quick overview (only 10 minutes of talking) on Feanor and the creation and then theft of the Silmarils. It’s definitely more on the side of asshole!Feanor, but, well, they’re not wrong! There’s a whole series of videos to tell about the history of Arda, all of which are generally under 10 minutes each and are good overviews! Caveat: Don’t trust the pronunciations here, they’re off sometimes. But, then, that’s a thing all over--they’re hard! ➡ I also laughed at The Silmarillion in under three minutes, which acknowledges how much it skips/gives only the very broadest of strokes on (so you may be tempted to assume things, but there’s very often deeper reasons) but did indeed get the story in in under three minutes! OH BUT YOU WANT SOME FIC TO READ: The Silmarillion Rewrite by Jenavira - A fic that lovingly “translates” the Silmarillion from the admittedly very dry style Tolkien has and this is a great fic to start with if you want to get an idea of the shape of the Silmarillion. It’s hilariously funny and does a great job of familiarizing you with the characters! My only caveat is that you can’t take it as gospel, it’s not the same as reading the book yourself, because some things are open to interpretation--for example, in reading the fic, it sounds like the Dwarves gained sentience on their own, while in the book I think the takeaway is that Iluvatar granted them sentience, as he’s the only one able to give true life in that way. I say this not to argue, but to remind potential readers that Tolkien fans have been debating this stuff for decades for a reason! (And also I’m a Thingol stan for life, but I admit not everyone shares that bias with me. XD) But absolutely read this fic, it’s hilarious and does a stellar job at being just a fun read and getting you to know who the hell Maedhros and Maglor and Finrod and all of those people are, the history of the Great War with Melkor and Sauron, how all of this is important to the history of Middle-Earth and the rest of the world. The Starlit Sky by Makalaure - You probably need a little context for this one, but it’s not hard to pick up! Basically: Once upon a time, a brilliant asshole made some shiny rocks that everyone wanted, Fantasy Satan stole them, he and his seven sons swore an Oath to get them back, a lot of really bad shit happened because they were bound to that Oath, and eventually two of the sons attacked the havens of Elrond and his twin brother Elros’ parents place and killed a bunch of them and then wound up with two Elflings on their hands. There, now you can read the backstory of Elrond and Elros growing up in the care of Maedhros and Maglor and cry about feelings with me. Because, yeah, by the end of this one I definitely had tears in my eyes for understanding how Elrond could love these Elves, even after all the terrible, terrible things they had done. WHAT ELSE YOU WILL FIND HERE: - OR INSTEAD EXPAND ON THE CHARACTERS YOU ALREADY KNOW - OR READ SOME FELLOWSHIP-CENTRIC STUFF, JUST ‘CAUSE THEY’RE GOOD - NOW THAT YOU’RE MORE FAMILIAR, HERE’S MORE COMPLICATED FIC

OR INSTEAD EXPAND ON THE CHARACTERS YOU ALREADY KNOW: In a Field of Blood and Stone by ScribeofArda - The Battle of the Five Armies, this time told from the point of view of the Elves. One of my biggest criticisms of the movies (especially The Hobbit movies) is that they did the Elves so wrong and this fic can be read without having ever picked up any of the books, but I think it does a lovely job of showing what the Elves should be like, especially Thranduil. There’s some great stuff with him and Legolas, as well as Bard and Bilbo have great roles. Also, it’s just a incredibly engaging fic that adds such rich detail to that battle! Interrupted Journeys by ellisk - This series is legitimately my favorite in the entire fandom because you can read it without knowing anything beyond the movies (though, they’re not really movie!characterization and instead truer to how Elves really are) but you can also pick up so much on Sindarin politics, if you’re familiar with them. The first time I read this series, I didn’t really know that much about who Thingol was, other than some Sindarin king, but I followed the context of the scenes referencing him just fine. Later, once I was more familiar with the Silmarillion, I gained a ton of admiration for the thought that went into this fic, the history of the world, why most Silvan Elves loved Thranduil, but some did not and why a Sinda ruling Silvan Elves was still a thing even thousands of years later. But it’s also just an incredible series of stories about worldbuilding for Greenwood the Great, it builds up characters for important relationships with Legolas and Thranduil, ones that I deeply care about, and it has an incredible plot, that spans over a million words and never, ever stops being enthralling. And yet my favorite moments are probably the quieter ones, the little Elflings getting into trouble in various ways, how their parents talk to them, as Elves do, and the absolutely stellar characterization of Thranduil especially. My only caveat is to start with Part 3, because that’s when Legolas is born and I think it’s easier to get hooked from there! daw the minstrel’s fic - I love pretty much everything of daw’s, the Legolas’ childhood and stories about growing up in Mirkwood are wonderful. There’s a fair amount of OCs (whom I have grown to love!) that you can skip over the scenes when they’re not interacting with a canon character (Thranduil or Legolas) if you like, but are ones I’ve found myself rereading several times because they just do so much good at plot and worldbuilding! They’re all wonderful, but the ones I started with where All Those Who Wander, Good Neighbors, Legolas’s Begetting Day, and Growing Under Shadow. They’re all set in the same universe at different points in his life and all fantastic! Ich Dien - To Serve the KingdomMissFaust - This was written before the third Hobbit movie came out but I love it and it’s one of those that I think a layperson could read just fine! It’s been completely Jossed by BOTFA but I think it’s still readable and it does a much more gorgeous job of taking the movie versions (at least in the first two movies) and writing them with more care and staying true to their spirits. Also, it’s just really cool worldbuilding! OR READ SOME FELLOWSHIP-CENTRIC STUFF, JUST ‘CAUSE THEY’RE GOOD: A Bit of Rope by Aiwendiel - “What if Gandalf had survived at Moria?” is the question this fic poses and it’s not especially a nice answer. Things do ultimately work out but it kind of leaves you with the impression of the canon version of events, as difficult as they were, were what was necessary for the best outcome. This one is something of an exhausting read, but in the way it’s meant to be, in how you absolutely feel Frodo’s journey with him. It’s gorgeously told and I was absolutely engrossed by it and I think it keeps the spirit of the canon incredibly well. And it’s basically like five novels worth and yet I tore through them at a speed because OMG SO GOOD. The River by Indigo Bunting - Another gorgeous Fellowship-era fic, where Legolas and Sam accidentally get separated from the main group and you think that it’d be such a random pairing and yet it works brilliantly well. It adds such depth to both characters, it does beautifully at writing both of them and this world they’re in, and just slides right on by as you read it. It doesn’t sound terribly exciting when I put it that way, but it really is! Far Horizons by Bodkin - While there are other post-canon fics that I love, I think this one has my heart in a way that others don’t, because it’s my favorite one for Thranduil and Legolas in the Fourth Age. There might be some characters you’re not familiar with (like Elladan and Elrohir) but I don’t think there’s anything you can’t pick up from context. Basically, Thranduil, Elrond/Celebrian, and Celeborn/Galadriel are all finally in Aman and they want to establish their own realm--this is the story of the difficulties of that. It’s such a sharp and clever story, there are so many genuinely charming and hilarious moments, there’s a great polish to the way the story is told, and it really builds a community for these Elves in a way that is both pleasing to my id and to my nerdy worldbuilding/character-loving side! And there’s even plot! I couldn’t ask for more. NOW THAT YOU’RE MORE FAMILIAR, HERE’S MORE COMPLICATED FIC: And What Happened Afterarrogantemu - As much as I would deeply and truly love to shove this fic at everyone who’s ever flitted by the Tolkien movies at any point, it’s one where you need to know who these people are and their histories before you can read it. You need to know who Feanor is, you need to know who Celebrimbor is, you need to know who the Valar are, etc. Once you do, though? Oh, this is quite possibly the grandest post-canon fic I could have asked for. It’s everything I never knew I needed--Feanor and Fingolfin’s reunion brought me to tears, Frodo and Celebrimbor’s conversation made me physically ache for how perfect it was--and it’s written in such a gorgeously cathartic, beautiful way. I felt the lushness of the world in all the little details and conversations written here. I felt peace at what was put forth here. I fell in love with Silm fandom all over again because this one sparked such love in me again. Return to Aman by bunn - This is the first fic of the author’s I read and I just sunk right into it and didn’t want to come up for air whenever I could read on it. It’s the story of Elrond grabbing Maglor before sailing off to Aman at the end of Lord of the Rings and what happens from there. It’s a gorgeous look at what happens when the main story is done, at Elven politics and characterization, and the Feanorians trying to heal. It doesn’t negate what Maglor was a part of or what the Oath meant, what others suffered because of his deeds, but also it’s such a kind fic and so it’s incredibly Elven. I fell in love with this and it breathes such life into all the characters (god, every single scene with Finrod makes me fall in love with him more, how is that possible, how am I not already at maximum Finrod love!? and yet LOVE HIM MORE I DO), it’s so sharp and clever, that I really loved it. Quenta Narquelion by bunn - This is the fic I was reading when bell asked me if it was accessible to a layperson and, for all that it’s a retelling of the events of The Silmarillion, I think it draws on too much context from before they got to Middle-Earth (it starts in the immediate aftermath of Feanor’s death) for that. But once you know the shape, it’s a gorgeous story for breathing life into the characters and the events that took place--not shying away from the horribleness of what they’re doing, but also showing that they are still Elves, that they’re not just evil, because they weren’t. There’s such charm and charisma in this writing, there’s such a strong sense of the world and how all the pieces were moving, and how it makes everything so interesting that I love it. I especially recommend it for the Maedhros & Maglor & Elros & Elrond feelings because BOY DID I HAVE THOSE. Oak and Willow by Potboy - Marnie writes absolutely beautiful fic and this one is no exception! This is another “gap filler” fic and I think it might not be wholly readable by laypeople just yet, but if you have a vague understanding of the Silmarillion, it’s GORGEOUS. One of the things about Tolkien’s world is that it’s told from the point of view of the Noldor, so OF COURSE the other Elves all look like jerks. What this fic does is then tell the story from the Sindar’s point of view and suddenly there’s a whoooole lot more context going on here! It’s gorgeously done and, oh, if you like Galadriel or want Celeborn to have more depth, to understand why Galadriel loved him in this author’s hands, it’s a brilliant read for that. Gap-filler or just really great characterization/worldbuilding, this fic covers both. This Taste of Shadow by Mira_Jade - This is a collection of various Tolkien prompts and there are so many incredible gems here. It spans from the Silmarillion to The Hobbit to The Lord of the Rings, it spans from the Elves to the Men to the Dwarves, they’re all here, at some point. Sure, primarily it’s about Elves, but the Elves are the ones we know the most about, and I think you need to know The Silmarillion to read this, but once you have the shape of it, this is some fantastic filling-in-the-spaces pieces with a boggling amount of variety of characters! You can skip around to your faves if you like, if a chapter depends on reading another one first, it’ll tell you, and so pick your beloved character and there’s probably a gorgeous fic in here about them!

#silmarillion #tolkien stuff #let me tell you about some fuckin' elves

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savvytravelers · 6 months ago

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easytravelpw-blog · 6 years ago

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Full text write on https://easy-travel.pw/the-10-best-day-trips-from-vienna-austria/europe/

The 10 Best Day Trips From Vienna, Austria

01 of 10

The Wachau Valley

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The Wachau Valley is a remarkable network of green forests, storybook castles, medieval abbeys, pristine riverbanks, idyllic vineyards, and cute little towns. The area is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most popular getaways from Vienna.

Located about an hour from the city center by car or bus, the Valley offers plenty of things to see and do. It's coveted by history buffs, wine lovers, foodies, and anyone in search of a bucolic and quaint Austria.

Spanning some 25 miles between the pretty towns of of Krems and Melk, the Wachau Valley (also referred to as the Danube Valley for the river that runs through it) is rich with both history and natural beauty.

What to Do There: Make sure to visit the stunning Melk Abbey, situated at the top of a hill and offering gorgeous views over the river below and the entire Valley. The Benedictine Abbey, which dates to 1089, is perched on a site that has been used by various royal and religious figures for over 1,000 years. Its fine marble elements, arresting domed entrance, and picturesque gardens make it a real draw card in the Valley. There's also a museum dating to the Austrian Imperial period, offering visitors a good overview of the site and displaying numerous opulent artifacts.

Wine tasting in the Wachau valley is also a great options, as is a long walk along the Danube between Melk and Krems, and exploring the area's many interesting historic sites. Take a look at this page on the UNESCO World Heritage Trail in the Valley.

02 of 10

Bratislava, Slovakia

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Take the train for an hour due east, and you'll find yourself in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia and one of the prettiest and most well-preserved cities in Europe.

Bratislava's cobbled pedestrian streets lined with cafes and restaurants, grand old national theatre, and whimsical statues make for an ideal day trip. Even many travelers on tight budgets will find the fare reasonable, and when it's nice out, walking around and visiting the city's main monuments is an inexpensive way to spend the day.

What to Do There: With its distinctive, brightly colored facades and warm red rooftops, the city is cheerful and full of interesting sites, even on a foggy or rainy day. Make sure to visit the 16th-century Bratislava castle, a storybook-worthy monument that dominates a high hill overlooking the old city.

If you have a bit more time and wouldn't mind spending a lot of time on the water, a day-long cruise by boat from Vienna to Bratislava is entirely possible, too. However, these cruises generally only operate between April to September.

03 of 10

The Local Vineyards of Vienna

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One of the most idyllic and easy ways to get out of the city for a spell is to head for the local vineyards of Vienna. These winemaking areas are remarkably close to the urban hustle and bustle but make you feel like you've gotten far, far away from it all.

Vienna counts an astounding 700 hectares of actively cultivated vines within its greater city limits, and 80% of these produce distinctive Austrian white wines, including the world-famous Gruner Vetliner and Wiener Gemischter Satz, a local speciality.

In the spring and fall, locals flock to the vineyards to catch a bit of bucolic country charm, taste and judge the seasonal bounty, and nibble on typical Austrian specialties at local heurige (country wine estates where food is also generally served).

What to Do There: This is probably one of the most Austrian things you can do on a trip to Wien: spend a lazy afternoon at a heurige or two. Taste the latest whites and tuck into a plate of cheese, charcuterie, special salads and homemade cakes.

For more information on the best wine-tastings and heurige in close reach of the city, including information on how to get there by train and/or bus, visit this page.

04 of 10

Klosterneuburg Monastery

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More than 900 years old, the Klosterneuburg Monastery is one of the Vienna area's loveliest and most historically important centers of religious activity. It houses numerous prized works of religious art, including the “Verdun Altar,” crowns, and other ceremonial items.

Blending high Gothic and Baroque architecture, the Monastery features distinctive green domes and towers that can be spotted from afar as you approach the hilly area on which it stands. It's also surrounded by centuries-old vineyards: a typical feature of the Austrian countryside.

Founded in 1114 by Margrave Leopold III, the site has served as a residence of many Imperial dynasties, including the Habsburgs. Since it's served as an unusual combination of monastery and royal residence, it lends much insight into the religious and Imperial history of Austria.

What to Do There: Make sure to see the Verdun Altar, a remarkably well-preserved piece of medieval art. Also see the onsite wine cellars and the former private rooms of Emperor Charles VI, which serve as the starting point for most guided tours. For more information on getting there, what to do and see at the monastery, see this page.

Continue to 5 of 10 below.

05 of 10

Kreuzenstein Castle and Fortress

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Crowning a grand hill that was prized by settlers as far back as the prehistoric period, this castle and fortress is one of the most arresting sites around Vienna. Although the original 12th-century medieval structure was destroyed during the 17th century, the reconstructed 19th-century site and its adjoining museum make for a fun and informative visit.

Kreuzenstein served as a center of strategic defense against enemies for many centuries, and was acquired by the powerful Habsburg family (later to rule much of Europe with their Empire) during the Middle Ages. Today, it serves as a museum of medieval history, art and culture.

What to Do There: There's an armory, chapel, Knight's Hall, kitchen and keep to explore. For more information on visiting the site, including details on guided tours and admission fees, see this page.

06 of 10

Prague

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True, Prague is a bit of a stretch for a day trip in the strict sense—at least if you want to really take advantage of the city. But if you leave Vienna early in the morning and opt for an overnight stay in the Czech capital, a 24-hour hop between the two remarkable cities is feasible.

It takes around four hours to get to Prague from the Austrian capital, by train, car, or tourist bus. For this reason, make sure to set out early so you have enough time to explore all the highlights of the former center of Bohemia.

What to Do There: Old Prague is a marvel and another UNESCO World Heritage site. With its breathtaking and remarkably preserved Old Town Square, Royal Palace, Jewish Quarter and distinctive synagogue, Prague Castle, Kafka Museum, and numerous other attractions, this is one of Eastern Europe's most fascinating cities.

In addition to taking some time to taste specialities such as local Czech beers, goulash, dumplings and pastries, we recommend hitting off-the-beaten-path attractions such as the Cubist Museum, one of the city's most interesting gems. Also make sure to stroll across the centuries-old Charles Bridge.

07 of 10

Beethoven Museum

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A must for classical music fans, the quiet village of Heiligenstadt lies just outside of Viennese city limits. Its claim to fame is that Ludwig von Beethoven visited the town many times, composing part of his Second Symphony in a small apartment here in 1802. Arriving for the first time at the tender age of 17 as a student of Mozart's, the young Ludwig would return to Vienna to study under Haydn and stayed until his death in 1827.

What to Do There: Make sure to visit the composer's former residence at 6 Proubusgasse. It's been transformed into a 14-room museum that's only been open since November 2017. Toward the end of his life when Beethoven was losing his hearing, he wrote the Heiligenstadt Testament here, an unsent missive to his brothers that reveals much about the composer's suffering.

The permanent collection tells the story of that famous letter and displays numerous personal artefacts of Beethoven's, musical equipment and other objects of interest.

Also, Beethoven, who eventually moved to Vienna, is buried in the city's biggest cemetery at Zentralfriedhof. There are many other sites around the Austrian capital that can be visited as part of an informal “Beethoven tour”—the new museum being one of them. For information on visiting the Beethoven Museum, visit this page.

08 of 10

Salzburg

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This iconic city served as the setting for the beloved movie “The Sound of Music.” Salzburg is roughly two and a half hours away from Vienna by train. If you're looking for a slice of the idyllic Austrian atmosphere you've so often heard about, a trip to this city near the German border is well worth a try. Offering views of the Eastern Alps, Salzburg is surrounded by picturesque mountains.

What to Do There: Famous denizens include Mozart, and classical music fans can visit his birthplace at the popular museum that stands here.

Make sure to spend a few hours roaming around the Baroque Altstadt (Old Town), which has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Noteworthy sights and attractions there include the Mirabell Palace and its sumptuous formal gardens (reportedly a favorite playground of the Von Trapp kids), Salzburg Cathedral, and the Residentzplatz, an immense square in the city centre that's dominated by the Residenzbrunnen, a stunning fountain crafted in marble.

Otherwise, a stop at Hohensalzburg Castle is another good option, as is a walk along the gorgeous banks of the Salzach river. You can even take a sightseeing cruise on the river to rest your feet for a stretch.

Continue to 9 of 10 below.

09 of 10

Carnuntum, an Old Roman Archaeological Site

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Austria was a vibrant and important part of ancient Rome's nexus of power and influence within Europe. Located just east of Vienna via a short (and inexpensive) local train, the Archaeological Park at Carnantum features some impressive Roman ruins, reconstructed buildings and an engaging permanent exhibition that brings the 1st Century BC town back to life.

For anyone interested in history and archaeology, this makes an ideal and easy day trip. There are plenty of activities designed for kids, too, so a family outing is certainly possible here.

What to Do There: During its heyday, Carnantum was home to some 50,000 people. Come see the reconstructed buildings at the park. These include elaborate Roman baths, or Thermae, stately houses of wealthy citizens, and even part of an arena that once served as a gladiator school. The latter was only discovered in 2011.

For more Information on the park, tickets and getting there from Vienna, see this page at the official website.

10 of 10

The Woods of Vienna

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The Vienna Woods—part of the lower foothills of the Alps—are immense, full of easy walking trails, heurige for wine tasting and casual meals, and the Kahlenberg, a small mountain popular for its panoramic views.

What to Do There: On a clear day, the Kahlenberg viewpoint affords visitors incredible vantages over the entire city and its surroundings. Home to a centuries-old monastery and the Baroque St Joseph's Church, the mountain also features a large tower, the Stefaniewarte, that was built in the late 19th century in honor of the Crown Princess Stefanie of Belgium. From here, you can enjoy the panoramic terrace before accessing the many walking paths that wind through the Vienna Woods. If you start early enough, you can even walk the whole way back to the city (about 4.5 hours in total). For lovers of the outdoors, spending some time on these trails is highly recommended—UNESCO even named the Woods a Biosphere Reserve, owing to their outstanding natural beauty and diversity. Some 2,000 plant species and 150 bird species, including endangered ones, inhabit the sprawling forest.

For information in English on the Woods, walking trails and getting there from the city center by tram or bus, see this page.

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travelworldnetwork · 7 years ago

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Despite the far-reaching consequences of Johannes Gutenberg’s printing press, much about the man remains a mystery, buried deep beneath layers of Mainz history.

By Madhvi Ramani

8 May 2018

The German city of Mainz lies on the banks of the River Rhine. It is most notable for its wine, its cathedral and for being the home of Johannes Gutenberg, who introduced the printing press to Europe. Although these things may seem unconnected at first, here they overlap, merging and influencing one another.

The three elements converge on market days, when local producers and winemakers sell their goods in the main square surrounding the sprawling St Martin's Cathedral. Diagonally opposite is the Gutenberg Museum, named after the city’s most famous inhabitant, who was born in Mainz around 1399 and died here 550 years ago in 1468.

The printing press marks the turning point from medieval times to modernity in the Western world

It was Gutenberg who invented Europe’s first movable metal type printing press, which started the printing revolution and marks the turning point from medieval times to modernity in the Western world. Although the Chinese were using woodblock printing many centuries earlier, with a complete printed book, made in 868, found in a cave in north-west China, movable type printing never became very popular in the East due to the importance of calligraphy, the complexity of hand-written Chinese and the large number of characters. Gutenberg’s press, however, was well suited to the European writing system, and its development was heavily influenced by the area from which it came.

View image of Mainz, Germany, is the home of Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the movable metal type printing press (Credit: Credit: Madhvi Ramani)

In the Middle Ages, Mainz was one of the most important cathedral cities in the Holy Roman Empire, in which the Church and the archbishop of Mainz were the centre of influence and political power. Gutenberg, as an educated and entrepreneurial patrician, would have recognised the Church’s need to update the method of replicating manuscripts, which were hand-copied by monks. This was an incredibly slow and laborious process; one that could not keep up with the growing demand for books at the time. In his book, Revolutions in Communication: Media History from Gutenberg to the Digital Age, Dr Bill Kovarik, professor of communication at Radford University in the US state of Virginia, describes this capacity in terms of ‘monk power’, where ‘one monk’ equals a day’s work – about one page – for a manuscript copier. Gutenberg’s press amplified the power of a monk by 200 times.

At the Gutenberg Museum, I watched a demonstration of a page being printed on a replica of the press. First, a metal alloy was heated and poured into a matrix (a mould used to cast a letter). Once the alloy cooled, the small metal letters were arranged into words and sentences in a form and inked. Finally, paper was placed on top of the form and a heavy plate was pressed upon it, similar to how a wine press works. This is no coincidence: Gutenberg’s printing press is thought to be a modification of the wine press. Since the Romans introduced winemaking to the region, the area around Mainz has been one of Germany’s main wine-producing areas, with famous grape varieties such as riesling, dornfelder and silvaner.

The page that is always printed at the Gutenberg Museum replicates the original style and font (Gothic Textura) of the 42-line Gutenberg Bible, the first major book ever to be printed using movable type in the Western world. It is the first page of St John’s Gospel, in the Bible, which begins: “In the beginning was the word…”

View image of Gutenberg’s printing press made it easier for the Church to replicate religious manuscripts (Credit: Credit: Madhvi Ramani)

Writing is often considered the first communication revolution, while Gutenberg’s printing press brought with it the revolution of mass communication. After about 15 years of development – and huge capital investment – Gutenberg printed his first Bible in 1455.

“Gutenberg's Bible is an extraordinary work of craftsmanship,” said Dr Kovarik, who suggests we can read a strong religious motivation into the perfection of his work. “This wasn’t unusual at the time – for example, a stonemason would try to achieve a perfect sculpture in a remote corner of one of the great cathedrals, not really for the people who would be worshipping there, but rather as an expression of personal faith.”

Gutenberg’s printing press brought with it the revolution of mass communication

Of his original print run of about 150 to 180 Bibles, only 48 remain in the world today. The Gutenberg Museum has two on display. Both are slightly different, because after printing, the pages would be taken to a rubricator (specialised scriber) who would paint in certain letters according to the tastes of their customers. Gutenberg’s Bibles turned out to be bestsellers.

At first, the Church welcomed the new availability of printed bibles and other religious texts. Printing enabled the Church to spread the Christian message and raise cash in the form of ‘indulgences’ – printed documents that forgave people’s sins. However, the disruptive power of the printed word soon became apparent. With the rapid spread of printing technology – by the 1470s, every European city had printing companies, and by the 1500s, an estimated four million books had been printed and sold — came the spread of new and often contradictory ideas, such as Martin Luther’s 95 Theses, in which he criticised the Church’s sale of indulgences. Luther is said to have nailed his text to a Wittenberg church door on 31 October 1517. Within a few years 300,000 copies of it had been printed and circulated, leading to the Reformation and a permanent split in the Church.

View image of Of the 150 to 180 Bibles Gutenberg originally printed, only 48 remain in the world today (Credit: Credit: Ann Johansson/Getty Images)

But despite the far-reaching consequences of Gutenburg’s press, much about the man remains a mystery, buried deep beneath layers of Mainz history. A plaque marks the place where he was born on corner of Christofsstraße, but the original house is long gone. Today, a modern building stands there, occupied by a pharmacy.

Another plaque outside the nearby St Christoph’s Church marks the place where he was likely baptised. The church was bombed during World War II and remains in ruins as a war memorial, although the original baptismal font from Gutenberg’s time is still intact.

The graveyard where Gutenberg was buried has been paved over, and even though there are statues of him are everywhere in the city, we don’t know what he looked like. He is commonly depicted with a beard, but it is unlikely that he had one. Gutenberg was a patrician and during his time, according to my tour guide Johanna Hein, only pilgrims and Jews wore beards. In fact, the man we all know as Johannes Gutenberg was actually born Johannes Gensfleisch (which translates to ‘goose meat’). If it weren’t for the 14th-Century trend of people renaming themselves after their houses, we would perhaps be referring to his invention as the Gensfleisch Press today.

View image of Despite the far-reaching consequences of his printing press, little is known about Gutenberg today (Credit: Credit: Madhvi Ramani)

But although the traces of the man have all but disappeared from the city, his influence can still be seen everywhere: a poster advertising cosmetics; a woman reading a newspaper in a cafe; the menu on a restaurant table. Furthermore, our current communications revolution, made possible by the internet, digital technology and social media, is a progression of what started with Gutenberg.

“Every time the cost of media declines rapidly, you enable more people to speak out, and you have a greater diversity of voices,” said Dr Kovarik, explaining that this impacts the distribution of power in society, and sparks social change.

View image of Although the traces of Gutenberg have all but disappeared from the city, his influence can still be seen everywhere (Credit: Credit: Lebrecht Music and Arts Photo Library/Alamy)

Paradoxically, however, our digital revolution can also be seen as a return to the pre-print era, according to a theory called The Gutenberg Parenthesis by Dr Thomas Pettitt, affiliate research professor at the University of Southern Denmark, who argues that there are parallels between the pre-print age and our own internet age.

In the absence of print, news has lost its authenticity, and, as in the Middle Ages, is synonymous with rumour

“Print conferred stability on discourse; works in books were authorities; news in print was true. In the absence of print, news has lost its authenticity, and, as in the Middle Ages, is synonymous with rumour. We are now in a post-news phase, where purveyors of fake news can accuse the legitimate press of purveying fake news and get away with it,” Dr Pettitt said.

Whatever the impact of the 21st-Century digital revolution, just like the printing revolution before it, the effects will reverberate for hundreds of years to come.

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gettinghungary · 7 years ago

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The 13th Century town of MItlenberg fit for a fairy tale

Grand European Tour, Budapest to Amsterdam—Day 11

August 20, Wertheim, Germany

Unfortunately, I do not have any photos of Wertheim. Why? Because I did an all-day tour to see how the nobles live in Germany now that they have to provide their own income. There have been no aristocrats officially since 1918. Here, though, they can keep their titles. The town they are in become part of their name and title.

The first place we visited, built in the 1500s, was the family of Furst (which is actually the word for“prince” related to the king—the prince bishop is prinz, and is an appointed position) Lowenstien Wertheim Rosenberg in the forest region known as Spessalt (a shortened version of the town name). Their family business includes forestry, furniture factories with pieces made from oak and beech. There is also glass production in this area since 1700, and the chandeliers from the palace residence were produced here.

Spessalt forest was ten times larger 200 years ago, with paths rather than paved routes. Because it was the forest, traders were robbed and the Brothers Grimm came from a place nearby to make a map of dialects. In order to do their study, they collected local stories and wrote them up, which we now know as Grimm’s Fairy Tales. Snow White came from a small town, and the dwarves in the story were small mine workers (there is iron which produces red soil, and the area is known for its red sandstone.

The property we saw first is owned by Gaven Marie Antoinette Echter-Ingleheim, and the area is a private park.

They breed trout in the surrounding ponds,

and we were treated to a taste of smoked trout with mild horseradish cream and their own sparkling wine, as well as some pate, which I thought was boar, but someone else said it was venison liver.

There is a knight’s hall in the palace with suits of armor and stained glass panels showing crests. The family has a hospital system and their wine cellar is the second largest in Germany—500 acres.

Marie Antoninette lives in Bonn in her husband’s castle, but comes back to run the family business. Her mother, the Duchess, lives here and stopped in to greet us. (no photos were allowed to be taken of her). On the property, the former mill is now a guest house and the horse stables are a restaurant. We all were invited to sign the guest book, and we were told that the Brothers Grimm had signed in as guests at the palace when they were in the area. Imagine that!

For lunch, we went to a quintessential German town on the Main river called Miltenberg that was built in the 1200s. A fortified castle stood high above the town with lots of steps to climb to get there. The streets were cobblestone from one end of the town to the other (it was literally one long street with smaller streets to the river).

We ate at the Riesen (the Giant) restaurant hotel, which was built I the 1100s, and is the second oldest restaurant in Germany. The food and wine was fantastic, but heavy for a hot August day. I imagine it would be very suitable for a cold January Sunday.

The shops that were open (most were not on Sunday), had cuckoo clocks and hand-crafted ornaments, of course.

The second aristocratic residence we visited was Schloss Kleinheubach, built in the 18th century by the architect who also built the Château de Versailles and was owned by Furst Alois Konstantin zu Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg. Half the building is now a conference center/hotel (only for large groups, not individuals), and the family lives in the other half of the house. Here is a video from the conference center website to get a sense of the property (it is in German with English subtitles).

youtube

On the family’s side of the house, there is a small private chapel where they attend services.

The horse stables were turned into a clean and bright winery, with mostly steel tanks – they produce Franconian wines such as Silvaner, and a red pinot noir. We were treated to a tasting of the wines they produce.

We returned to the ship around 5:00 p.m. and after such a long day I stayed in my stateroom listening to Leonard on the Lounge Cam talking about other Viking cruises available. I will post a summary at the end of the series of day-to-day blogs that summarizes other tours Viking offers, particularly from Budapest. But I will say that one he described—an around-the-world cruise that combines ocean vessels and river cruises and lasts about 140 days—sounds like an adventure I would like to do once in my life.

After dinner, and Leonard’s talk about what we will be doing tomorrow, he hosted a Night on Broadway quiz competition featuring favorite songs from famous musicals. I was so tired and just wanted to sleep, but Jadranka, the hotel manager, asked me to stay for the 10 p.m. disco party. She is a kindred spirit for me, so I had a drink with her – gin and tonic with cucumber—less sweet, more savory. I ended up dancing the night away, particularly some salsa with Leonard, the past champion dancer in Romania and judge for Romania’s Dancing with the Stars. He was impressed. Maybe not really, but he said he was by my dancing. And I ended the night dancing to Beyonce’s Single Ladies.

#aristrocracy #wineries #castles #trout #boar #forest #furniture #reisen #peeing boys #Mitlenberg #cuckoo clocks #wertheim #myvikingstory #vikingrivercruise

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outofangband · 3 years ago

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Doriath World Building Introduction

I did some introductions to world building for the three main cultures of the Eldar in Valinor (Noldor, Teleri and Vanyar) and I want to write more for those but I also wanted to do the other kindreds so here’s part one for my Doriath World Building

Here are some more general world building headcanons (architecture/homes, governance, etc) Please feel free to ask more!!

Please feel free to ask more!! General posts are hard because I didn’t have specific categories to cover so feel free to send categories!

Food in Doriath

The forest of Doriath within Melian’s Girdle is comprised of three parts; Region where the caves of Menengroth are located, Neldoreth, and Nivrim.

The permanent homes are numbered fairly evenly between Neldoreth and Region. Most are built within the trees in the style the Galahadrim of Lothlórien would later emulate. The houses of the Sindar of Doriath were somewhat smaller and more practical and favored ease of access and comfort over beauty. That’s not to say there was no artistic thought however and it was common for both individuals and families to add to and alter the design of their home frequently, especially to align with the seasons.

Wood and silk were the primary tools in the construction of these homes. More temporary settlements were often constructed with wood and clay from the river.

As parts of Doriath border the rivers Sirion, Aros, Esgalduin, Mindeb and Celon, river stones and clay were readily available. The sedimentary rock collected were frequently used in making tools of all kinds. Metal was extremely scarce in tools until some gifts were brought by the children of Finarfin and even then it was rare. There were metal deposits deeper Menengroth however.

Silkworms were traded early on and their small habitats were cultivated by Melian and her assistants who recognized their value and use from Aman. Silk and fibrous plants such as species of milkweed, dogbane and nettles are the most commonly used materials for cloth. Down and fur are sometimes used to supplement it.

I talked about the summer solstice festival here. There are a number of other festivals including a winter solstice that is their primary festival observing the stars. It is several days of dance, special foods, and several group journeys to higher points of the land where the stars are most visible.

Scrolls decorated with pressed flowers and leaves created by masterful crafters are used in the preservation of history and legend. Day to day record keeping done by the council and marchwardens (see below) employs a system of shorthand that is later translated into formal writing by official scribes. The paper from the scrolls is made from a variety of plant based powder and water molds with some of the ink traded and some made. The flowers used to decorate represent seasons, climate and weather, lunar and yearly changes in a system so complex it is almost a language itself

The Courts and Hierarchies of Menengroth:

In non dark/horror storylines, the royal courts of Doriath are small and close knit, made up primarily of Thingol, Melian, family and advisers. There are about twelve advisers prior to the return of the Noldor to Beleriand.

The advisers are specifically tasked with political, diplomatic, and linguistic matters. During most of the year, at least one of the advisers is of Silvan/Nandorin descent, rotating out with one or two more.

The Doriath dialect of Sindarin is the most common spoken language. Other dialects of Sindarin, the Silvan Nandorin tongue, and primitive Quendian are used throughout the region as well.

Following the revelation of the first kinslaying to Melian and Thingol, three more advisers were assigned primarily to act as diplomats. Although there was diplomatic and translation work before this, it was much less politically or personally charged and thus less specialized. Most exchanges was done with the green elves of Ossiriand and there were few formal trading schedules, rather, word would come of visits and journeys that lead them past Doriath and exchanges would be done then.

Then there’s the primary council. The council is made up of several very smart, knowledgeable and/or talented beings who are useful on a variety of subjects outside of strictly political science, including the head strategist of the marchwardens and hunters, a cartographer, historians and record keepers, healers, experts on the forest itself and more.

There is also the marchwardens and hunters/keepers.

The marchwardens are elves highly skilled in fighting, tracking and detection, concealment, wilderness survival as well as heavily knowledgeable about the land itself. They guarded the outer borders of Doriath though there were a smaller number stationed deeper into the woods.

Hunters, keepers and cultivators are tasked with several things; the occasional hunting of particularly dangerous beasts on the Northern borders of Neldoreth into Nan Dungortheb, caring for the forest itself and the many wild gardens (more on the food post), aiding the marchwardens when necessary,

As I said, General posts are hard because I didn’t have specific categories to cover so feel free to send categories and ask more!

#Doriath #the silmarillion #the children of húrin #thingol #musing and meta #beleriand

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