The question of questions. The question sages have pondered for decades. The question that has overturned book club meetings and caused riots on message boards. The Question of the Ages. No, it’s not ‘What’s the Meaning of Life, the Universe and Everything?’. Nor is it ‘Who shot JR?’. It’s not even ‘Where’s the beef?’. Instead, we are going to ponder the imponderable, ask the unanswerable, seek that which has eluded both the wise and the extremely geeky: Who is the greatest Hero of Middle-earth?
Do you have the answer? An opinion? A suggestion? Are you firmly in the camp of the Aragorn-ites or the Frodo-ians? Do you vacillate between the students of Gandalf and the worshippers of Pippin? Do your tastes tend toward the earthy- as in Eowyn, or the sublime- as in Galadriel? (yes, women CAN be heroes too!) Perhaps you look deeper into Middle-earth’s long history toward heroes such as Beren, Turin, Hurin or Elendil. Or do you just go for the bizarre and take Gollum or Sauron for you role-model?
Wherever your affections and loyalties lie, you will have the chance to explore, expand, and expound on the merits of each this weekend in #thehalloffire as we discuss Middle-earth’s Greatest Hero. But be prepared to back up your assertions, because this is going to be one heck of a debate!
Date: Saturday March 4 Time: 5.30pm EST Place: #thehalloffire on the TORn IRC server.
Time zone conversions
Not sure what time the chat will be where you are? Check this little conversion table out for some help.
America:
5.30pm EST (New York)
4.30pm CST (Chicago)
3.30pm MST (Salt Lake City)
2.30pm PST (Los Angeles)
Europe:
10.30pm GMT (London)
11.30pm CET (Paris)
Asia-Pacific:
6.30am AWST (Sunday) Perth
8.30am AEST (Sunday) Brisbane
9.30am AEDT (Sunday) Sydney
11.30am NZDT (Sunday) Wellington
Our chats usually last 45 mins to an hour, and are very newbie friendly. Simply drop in and join the conversation!
Where?
Chat happens on #thehalloffire on irc.theonering.net — the TORn IRC server. You can connect instantly via our java chat client that works inside your web browser (find it here!) or choose to install a dedicated chat program such as mIRC on your computer.
If you have a burning desire to discuss something in Hall of Fire, drop us a line with your topic at halloffire@theonering.net. If we like it, we’ll probably give it a run in the coming weeks!
Join HoF Announce!
Did you know that Hall of Fire has a mailing list? Join today and get topic announcements and news delivered regularly to your inbox!
TheOneRing.net and the Hall of Fire was delighted to host Cliff Broadway and Carlene Cordova for a live Q&A session about their documentary Ringers: Lord of the Fans earlier today. Here’s the chat log. Thanks to everyone who attended — HoF will now take a break and resume in early January. [More]
PS. The link should work now. Sorry about that! — Dem.
TheOneRing.net is delighted to announce that the two guiding lights behind the creation of Ringers: Lord of the Fans will join us for a live Q&A chat in the Hall of Fire tomorrow, Saturday December 17, at the special time of 5pm EST.
That’s right Cliff Broadway (aka TORn staffer Quickbeam) and Carlene Cordova (aka TORn staffer Asfaloth) will be on hand to answer your questions about the experience of making Ringers and their thoughts on what makes the Tolkien community so vibrant and vital even 50-plus years after Lord of the Rings was first published. They’ll also talk about their thoughts on the ways Lord of the Rings has influenced popular culture around the world over the years and film-making in general. [More]
TheOneRing.net is delighted to announce that the two guiding lights behind the creation of Ringers: Lord of the Fans will join us for a live Q&A chat in the Hall of Fire on Saturday December 17 at the special time of 5pm EST.
That’s right Cliff Broadway (aka TORn staffer Quickbeam) and Carlene Cordova (aka TORn staffer Asfaloth) will be on hand to answer your questions about the experience of making Ringers and their thoughts on what makes the Tolkien community so vibrant and vital even 50-plus years after Lord of the Rings was first published. They’ll also talk about their thoughts on the ways Lord of the Rings has influenced popular culture around the world over the years and filmaking in general. [More]
Have you submitted your question yet? The two guiding lights behind the creation of Ringers: Lord of the Fans will join us for a live Q&A chat in the Hall of Fire on Saturday December 17 at the special time of 5pm EST.
Cliff Broadway (aka TORn staffer Quickbeam) and Carlene Cordova (aka TORn staffer Asfaloth) will be on hand to answer your questions about the experience of making Ringers. Ringers, which was narrated by Dominic Monaghan, traces the history of Tolkien fandom from the 50’s to the present day. It examines the way legendary rock musicians, filmmakers, professors, actors, authors and you all unite under the banner of ‘Ringer’. Interviewees in the film include Peter Jackson as well as Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, Sean Astin and David Carradine. [More]
The challenge of Hall of Fire this weekend is to reveal the Seven Heavenly Virtues as they can be found in Lord of the Rings. Obviously there is much evil in Middle Earth, we ran out of time when we considered the Seven Deadly Sins only two weeks ago. But can we discover virtue? Here are the virtues along with the definitions that we will discuss.
FAITH — Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing. Loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance. Sam definitely has little faith in Gollum!
HOPE — The desire and search for a future good. A wish or desire accompanied by confident expectation of its fulfillment. Was there hope of Sauron’s defeat?
CHARITY — Benevolence or generosity toward others or toward humanity. Indulgence or forbearance in judging others. Love directed toward oneself and one’s neighbours. Would you say that Hobbits are charitable?
FORTITUDE — Strength of mind that allows one to endure pain or adversity with courage. Frodo might fit right here, do you think?
JUSTICE — The quality of being fair. The principle of moral rightness; equity. Conformity to moral rightness in action or attitude; righteousness. The upholding of what is just, especially fair treatment and due reward in accordance with honor, standards, or law. What brave warrior comes to mind when we talk about justice?
PRUDENCE — Also discretion, foresight, forethought. To be Wise in handling practical matters; exercising good judgment or common sense. Careful in regard to one’s own interests. Careful about one’s conduct. Gandalf is one who cautions all to have prudence.
TEMPERENCE — Moderation and self-restraint, as in behavior or expression. This is definitely not a trait found in Orcs!
So there they are. Consider them well. They are pillars of good character. Join us this weekend in Hall of Fire as we discuss all that is good in Lord of the Rings. Times are listed below.
Time zone conversions
Not sure what time the chat will be where you are? Check this little conversion table out for some help.
America:
5.30pm EST (New York)
4.30pm CST (Chicago)
3.30pm MST (Salt Lake City)
2.30pm PST (Los Angeles)
Our chats usually last 45 mins to an hour, and are very newbie friendly. Simply drop in and join the conversation!
Where?
Chat happens on #thehalloffire on irc.theonering.net - the TORn IRC server. You can connect instantly via our java chat client that works inside your web browser (find it here! ) or choose to install a dedicated chat program such as mIRC on your computer.
To find out more about using mIRC to connect to TORn IRC server, check out these instructions.
Upcoming topics:
Sat Dec 10 - The Seven Heavenly Virtues in LoTR
Sun Dec 17 - Live Ringers Q&A
NB: Hall of Fire will take a break for Christmas and the New Year and will resume in early January.
Got a topic? Let us know your idea!
If you have a burning desire to discuss something in Hall of Fire, drop us a line with your topic at halloffire@theonering.net. If we like it, we’ll probably give it a run in the coming weeks - you might even get to guest moderate the session!
Join HoF Announce!
Did you know that Hall of Fire has a mailing list? Join today and get topic announcements and news delivered regularly to your inbox!
Just a reminder that the two guiding lights behind the creation of Ringers: Lord of the Fans will join us for a live Q&A chat in the Hall of Fire on Saturday December 17 at the special time of 5pm EST.
That’s right! Cliff Broadway (aka TORn staffer Quickbeam) and Carlene Cordova (aka TORn staffer Asfaloth) will be on hand to answer your questions about the experience of making Ringers. They will discuss the unique Tolkien community, so vibrant and vital even 50-plus years after Lord of the Rings was first published. [More]
“Longest of all the realms of the Eldalië shall Gondolin stand against Melkor. But love not too well the work of thy hands and the devices of thy heart; and remember that the true hope of the Noldor lieth in the West and cometh from the Sea.” Thus Ulmo warned Turgon at the founding of Gondolin.
This weekend, Hall of Fire resumes regular Silmarillion chats with Chapter 15 — Of the Noldor in Beleriand.
Hidden from all spying eyes, Turgon builds Gondolin as a replica of Tirion — the city lost to the Noldor in exile. Is it yearning for home? Is it hubris or defiance of the Valar or Morgoth?
And to whom does Ulmo’s warning refer? Is it the coming of Tuor from Nevrast (in the west) or a foresight of the Valar and the War of Wrath?
However, Gondolin is not protected by the enchantments of Ulmo alone. The eagles of Manwe also keep the spies of Morgoth at bay. Is this an indication that the Valar are working together in subtle ways to assist the Noldor? And how does this alter our views of the activity or inactivity of the Valar in opposing Morgoth?
We’ll also discuss events in Doriath where — slowly but inexorably — the shameful truth of the flight of the Noldor from Aman is revealed to Thingol and Melian. What impact does this have on the leaguer against Morgoth?
Is Galadriel reluctant to speak of those events out of fear or out of loyalty? Does she become complicit in events by concealing the truth? And what does it mean that Melian cannot pierce the shadows that hides Valinor?
Moreover, why does Galadriel stay in Doriath rather than with her brother Finrod? And what of Melian’s discussions with Thingol, his ditrust of the Valar and her portents about the importance of the Silmarils and warnings about the Sons of Feanor?
These are just a few of the things we’ll discuss this weekend on Sunday December 4 at 2.00pm EST in The Hall of Fire.
Time zone conversions
Not sure what time the chat will be where you are? Check this little conversion table out for some help.
America:
2.00pm EST (New York)
1.00pm CST (Chicago)
12.00 midday MST (Salt Lake City)
11.00am PST (Los Angeles)
Our chats usually last 45 mins to an hour, and are very newbie friendly. Simply drop in and join the conversation!
Where?
Chat happens on #thehalloffire on irc.theonering.net - the TORn IRC server. You can connect instantly via our java chat client that works inside your web browser (find it here! ) or choose to install a dedicated chat program such as mIRC on your computer.
To find out more about using mIRC to connect to TORn IRC server, check out these instructions.
Upcoming topics:
Sun December 4 - Silmarillion Ch 15: Of the Noldor in Beleriand
Sat Dec 10 - The Seven Heavenly Virtues in LoTR
Sun Dec 17 - Live Ringers Q&A
Sun Jan 8th - The Seven Heavenly Virtues in LoTR
Sat Jan 14th - Silmarillion Chapter 16: Of Maeglin
NB: Hall of Fire will take a break for Christmas and the New Year and will resume in early January.
Got a topic? Let us know your idea!
If you have a burning desire to discuss something in Hall of Fire, drop us a line with your topic at halloffire@theonering.net. If we like it, we’ll probably give it a run in the coming weeks - you might even get to guest moderate the session!
Join HoF Announce!
Did you know that Hall of Fire has a mailing list? Join today and get topic announcements and news delivered regularly to your inbox!
If you’re even casually interested in the languages Tolkien created, you’ll want to join us in Hall of Fire on December 11 at 5.30pm EST when we’ll be joined by Tolkien language expert David Salo for a moderated question and answer session. David was the primary language consultant for Peter Jackson’s adaptation of Lord of the Rings. David wrote Elvish dialogue, and created Dwarvish inscriptions for Moria, as well as the inscriptions for Aragorn’s sword - Anduril - and Frodo’s sword - Sting. [More]
‘Why, Sam,’ [Frodo] said, ‘to hear you somehow makes me as merry as if the story was already written. But you’ve left out one of the chief characters: Samwise the stouthearted.’ “I want to hear more about Sam, dad. Why didn’t they put in more of his talk, dad? That’s what I like, it makes me laugh. And Frodo wouldn’t have got far without Sam, would he, dad?”
One of the most beloved characters in Tolkien’s trilogy is without question, Samwise Gamgee. That ordinary hobbit, representative of all that’s sound and sane against a background of darkness and despair, who was able to do the extraordinary, even the impossible, and live to tell the tale.
Do you see Sam as a faithful friend and kind hearted companion, or the dim-witted klutz and comic-relief, sort of Sancho Panza to Frodo’s Don Quixote? Or is he the “everyman” of Middle Earth, the character Tolkien himself said he most related to? Or is Sam the true, courageous hero of Lord of the Rings? Was Sam just an ordinary hobbit? Was he tempted by the Ring? Was he the cause of Gollum’s ultimate damnation? These questions and more will be explored as we look at this amusing, confusing and delightful character.
Come join us and our special guest moderator, SamGamgee7, this week in #thehalloffire as we discuss “Samwise Gamgee, Hobbit Hero”.
Upcoming Topics: Sept 4-5: The Hobbit: Chapter 13: Not At Home Sept 11-12: Middle Earth’s Greatest Hero Sept 18-19: The Hobbit: Chapter 14: Fire and Water Sept 25-26: The Downfall of Numenor Oct 2-3: The Hobbit: Chapter 14: The Gathering of the Clouds
Place: #thehalloffire on theonering.net IRC server. Need instructions? Go here: [here]
Chat Times: Saturday Chat: 5:30pm EST (17:30) [also 11:30pm (23:30) CET and 7:30am Sunday morning AEST]
Sunday Chat: 8:00 pm (20:00) CET [also 2:00pm (14:00) EST and 4:00am Monday morning AEST]
EST = Eastern Time, USA’s East Coast CET = Central European Time, Central Europe AEST = Australian East Coast
Loading ...
