As you know, we’re currently conducting our pledge drive to raise funds and keep our servers running. We…
Continue ReadingAs you know, we’re currently conducting our pledge drive to raise funds and keep our servers running. We also have some very exciting auctions going on over at Ebay.
There are some fabulous, exclusive pieces up for grabs – including some things which, usually, money can’t buy! Time is running out on some of our auctions too, so best check them out now. Here are just three that might tickle your fancy:
If you live in Belgium, Denmark, France, The Netherlands, Norway, or parts of Switzerland, congratulations — it’s only 99 days until The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug debuts in your region! It opens a day later in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Italy, Korea, Lebanon, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Serbia & Montenegro, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switz-German and Thailand.
Here are the release dates as listed by region on the official website for The Hobbit: Continue reading “It’s 99 days and counting until The Desolation of Smaug!”
With thoughts of Bree-town still dancing in their heads, the company was sure they’d make this the best day yet. Panels were streamed with the powerful crystal slab, Middle-earth’s daunting history was made more easily digestible by resident historian Larry, Lord of Festivities.
Parts of the company whiled away the afternoon, and into the evening played exciting table-top games, crafted by the logistic smiths of the mighty Cryptozoic. They shared the good tidings with any and all who sought to go on exciting adventures with Thorin and Company and recreate the glories of an Age long past.
However, a body can only take so much Cryptozoic-induced euphoria without fuel, so they packed-up and headed to dinner with fellow Ringers! If ever there was a setting like Bilbo’s pantry the night before an adventure this was it! They ate, drank, made merry, and sang the pantry song for all to hear.
Drums in the deep sounded from within the bowels of the inn, a calling from some unknown cavern. The Company set out to find the source. What they discovered was altogether unexpected. A vast hollow underneath the building opened to them, filled with the sound of laughter, the boisterous song of the peoples of Middle-earth making merry, irrespective of race, age, or creed.
Thranduil had shown up, adorned with strands of bio-luminescent moss and goggles that shutter the sun and shade the eyes. He danced like the Eldar of old, as if Ilúvatar himself were watching.
Dwarves had hewn this dance chamber, and dwarves dancing there were. From thumping their feet in time, to causing a howling ruckus. They even caused Thranduil to spill his wine, but such was the sense of camaraderie that, in an uncommon show of friendship, he laughed it off and called for more!
When the revelry was over, and the hobbits put to bed. The company, with their newly acquired friends, recalled fond memories of legends by playing a final table-play of Cryptozoic’s Hobbit before retiring.
Are there dark clouds on the horizon? Is there a chill in the wind foretelling a change in the weather? Find out in tomorrow’s installment of “Cryptozoic’s Lost Tales” on The Road to Dragon Con!
Doug Brochu.
If you like what we do, and would like to see your Tolkien community keep growing and growing, consider making a contribution to our Pledge Drive. Every bit helps defray our costs!
The internet can be a harsh, hyper-critical place that’s quick to judge and low on thoughtful, considered analysis. This article is a bit of a reminder that passion runs deep in all fandom cultures, and to totally steal a quote from Gandalf, and mangle it a bit, we shouldn’t be too eager to tear other folks down.
Also, “the cultural roots of Tolkien’s The Hobbit in the Old Norse literary form of the Legendary Saga.”? I’d be all over that if I was there. Continue reading “Six important things you learn at DragonCon”
Nothing official has been announced yet, but indications out of the Capital City are that things are progressing towards something Lord of the Rings fans have long desired, a museum dedicated to Middle-earth. For a more dynamic experience for visitors, it makes more sense for it to be a more general Film museum focused on all the films coming from Wingnut and WETA. That would allow for visitors to see new exhibits over time, but with a heavy focus on Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Te Papa had a very popular Lord of the Rings exhibit in 2002 and again in 2006, which turned out to be its most popular exhibit, so the market is there. Locations being looked at are somewhere along the waterfront. This would gives fans year round a second place to connect with their LOTR fandom alongside the WETA Cave, and something for them to see long after the final film is released. One of the biggest hurdles when this idea was first conceived was the licensing rights, but indications seem to imply that is less of an impediment right now.
For more details, read the article here.
They have arrived at long last! Tested to the edge of their endurance by the hard, unforgiving road, they rest in the rooms of the Marriott inn. The next morn they set out from their rooms in search of the sages of Middle-Earth knowledge.
First off was the panel featuring the players of the re-telling of the Hobbit. Graham McTavish, the Blustery Dwalin, Sylvester McCoy, Radagast of the Woods, and Manu Bennett, that Evil Pale Orc Azog.
Then the sights and sounds of the gathering overwhelmed them, and DragonCon had them in it’s sharp talons. They visited Ed Asner, the Patriarch of the floating balloon house. They tarried among the different different vendors, (noticing that The One Ring’s booth was VERY busy, way to go Ringers), and eventually ended up at “An Evening in Bree” — where there was a marriage proposal!
Bree, City of Men and Hobbits! All the free peoples of Middle-earth had traveled from the corners of the realm to bless this rustic city with their culture and kin. There were hobbits a plenty, men in shining mail, elves in cool thought, and dwarves grumbling into their mugs. Even the closely guarded female dwarves were there, taking a break from their merchant duties among the mountain paths.
There was song and dance, after which the guests of honor arrived to inscribe mementos, well wish followers, and judge the varied garments of the festival based on cut and craftsmanship. There was even a mockup of the dreaded fire drake Smaug! So real it had mothers grasping their children, and armed folk clutching their hilts in angry remembrance.
Last on the list was picking up a tabletop re-telling of the beloved Hobbit story from the fine storytellers at Cryptozoic. Tis a fine game that the company will play without ceasing.
They have arrived, but the true adventure is just beginning.
Tune in tomorrow for the next installment of “Cryptozoic’s Lost Tales” on The Road To Dragon Con!
Doug Brochu.
