We’re thrilled to announce a new partnership between TheOneRing.net and the amazing folks at Signum Studios; and to let you know about an imminent project which you can support! Here’s our official press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 11, 2025
TheOneRing.net Partners with Signum Studios to Bring Deep-Dive Fan Content to Audiences Worldwide
For 25 years, TheOneRing.net has been a beacon for Tolkien fans — celebrating the Professor’s works with authenticity, community spirit, and a passion for well-researched stories. Today, we’re delighted to announce a new partnership with Signum Studios, known for producing in-depth, academically informed content that resonates with dedicated fandoms everywhere.
“We’re thrilled to join forces with Signum Studios,” says Chris Pirrotta, Co-Owner of TheOneRing.net. “Both of our teams share a commitment to creating thoughtful, inspiring projects that honor Tolkien’s vision and bring fans closer together. We can’t wait to see where this journey leads.”
Corey Olsen, President of Signum University (of which Signum Studios is the production branch), says, “Signum University has always admired the passion of the TORn community, and we are tremendously excited by what lies ahead!”
A Deep Dive Into Middle-earth: Rings & Realms: The War of the Rohirrim
A project that celebrates just this type of collaboration is a Kickstartercampaign for “Rings & Realms: The War of the Rohirrim.” This documentary-style production channels the beloved “appendices” spirit by exploring the anime feature film about Helm Hammerhand and the origins of Helm’s Deep. This documentary is helmed (pun intended!) by the creative minds at Signum Studios — including Dr. Corey Olsen (widely known as “The Tolkien Professor”) and Dr. Maggie Parke (Studio Director and adaptation specialist) — and will also feature TheOneRing.net’s own greendragon (Kirsten Cairns) as part of the team.
Dr Corey Olsen and Dr Maggie Parke of Signum Studios
• Thoughtful Exploration: The Rings & Realms crew merges scholarly insights with fan-oriented storytelling, aiming to offer a deeper understanding of Tolkien’s lore.
• Community Engagement: Backers gain behind-the-scenes access, Q&A sessions, and even set visits — keeping our vibrant fan community at the heart every step of the way.
• Authentic Fan Spirit: True to TORn’s legacy, this project will invite fans to explore Middle-earth in a welcoming, celebratory way.
By supporting Rings & Realms, you’ll help us continue our mission of bringing richly researched, entertaining Tolkien content to audiences around the globe. Whether you’re a long-time TORn community member or new to TheOneRing.net, we invite you to be part of this exciting new venture.
How You Can Support
Visit our Kickstarter page to learn more about Rings & Realms: The War of the Rohirrim, pledge your support, and explore the rewards we’ve lined up for you. But hurry! The Kickstarter campaign closes at 7pm ET on Monday 13th January. With your help, we can continue celebrating Tolkien’s world — together.
About TheOneRing.net
Since 1999, TheOneRing.net has been a welcoming home for Tolkien fans, uniting a global community that embraces the spirit of exploration, discussion, and fellowship inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s works.
About Signum Studios
Signum Studios specializes in fan-focused, academically grounded media productions. Their goal is to bring beloved fictional worlds to life through engaging storytelling and thorough research — offering a fresh perspective for fans everywhere.
As Tolkien fandom enjoys a period of riches, with Prime Video’sThe Rings of Power series, Kenji Kamiyama’s The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim coming out in just a few weeks, and Andy Serkis heading back to Middle-earth, there are also many fabulous new collectibles coming on to the market. Here at TORn we’re always delighted to showcase what our fellow fans of the Professor are creating. (Look out for our Gift Guide, coming next week!)
Recently we had the great pleasure of getting to know the folks behind Syzygy Forge. Their tag line is ‘Forging Superior Collectibles’ – and that they certainly do! Unusually, though, these collectibles contain alcohol… The folks at Syzygy Forge create spirits in beautiful bottles. The first of their Middle-earth collection, available to order now, is the gorgeous Green Dragon Wheated Whisky.
About Syzygy Forge, in their own words:
Syzygy Forge is a leading collectible company specializing in premium licensed merchandise. With a passion for storytelling and craftsmanship, Syzygy Forge creates unique products known for innovative and accurate design. The team strives to push the boundaries of creativity while honoring the rich legacies of iconic films, video games, and more.
A bit about Jordan Costner:
Jordan Costner entered the licensed collectible industry in 2019 and has since collaborated with major film and video game companies, delivering highly successful products that resonate with fans. Known for his attention to detail, Jordan takes pride in creating items that authentically represent the worlds they are based on.
In 2023, Jordan founded Syzygy Forge and is eagerly anticipating the launch of products inspired by his all-time favorite films, The Lord of the Rings.
“Peter Jackson, Richard Taylor and the other wizards at Weta Workshop were my childhood heroes,” says Jordan. “Growing up, I watched the bonus content on the extended editions countless times. What they achieve in the creation of their films is pure magic—and the biggest inspiration for what I do today.”
The Lord of the Rings™ The Green Dragon™ Wheated Whiskey
Step into the world of Middle-earth with The Green Dragon Wheated Whiskey, a meticulously crafted spirit inspired by the legendary inn of the Shire. This officially licensed special edition whiskey brings the warmth and charm of The Green Dragon to your glass.
Aged to perfection over four years, this wheated whiskey is artfully blended with the finest grains to create a smooth, rich, and full-bodied character. It also delivers a delicate balance of sweetness and spice, reminiscent of the lively gatherings at The Green Dragon. Every sip transports you to a cozy evening by the fire, surrounded by good friends and tales of adventure.
These carefully recreated details evoke the craftsmanship of the Shire, making The Green Dragon Wheated Whiskey not just a drink, but a collectible piece of Middle-earth lore.
Whether you’re a connoisseur of fine spirits or a devoted fan of the films, The Green Dragon Wheated Whiskey offers a unique opportunity to celebrate the brave and true. Pour a glass, raise a toast, and embark on your own unexpected journey with every sip.
Look out for Syzygy’s next collectible spirit, which will come in a bottle depicting the epic duel between Gandalf and the Balrog. Can’t wait for that one!
Welcome to The Great Hall of Poets, our poetry feature showcasing the talent of Middle-earth fans. So come and join us by the hearth, and enjoy!
If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.
The Steward and the White Lady
by: Cassie Hughes
She lay bereft of all she loved and wished her life was done, That King had never called her back from limbo’s darkened home, Within these hallowed healing halls her heart felt caged anew, What now for maid without a shield? No cause to cleave unto?
In waking dreams she wandered there a ghost in living form, Her hopes and dreams dispersed as dust, her mind encased in storm, ‘Twas thus he first did spy her there caught up in moonlights glow And from that moment lost his heart to Rohan’s greatest jewel.
Fair Eowyn he then pursued though she desired naught But finding honour within death, this goal, her only thought, With inner strength he persevered and piece by piece did steal Away despair and hopelessness, her zest for life reveal.
At last the scales fell from her eyes, she finally perceived, The wise and steadfast prince of men to whom her heart had cleaved, The Steward and the Lady found at last their just reward, A strong, enduring love in which to live in light restored.
~~ * ~~
I’ve included this following poem to commemorate Remembrance Day. It’s one I wrote as part of my Literature degree in memory of my Grandfather. Lest We Forget
Grandad Speaks
by: Kelvarhin
They called me Jack, Though my mates Called me Snowy.
A hazel-eyed beauty, From London’s east-end, Became my life’s love. Two adored daughters, Completed our home.
War intervened, To the R.A.F. I soared. Not to drop bombs, Or dogfight in the sky, Dinghy Drop rescues Were my choice to fly.
The fates made their call, Rescuers missing, Lost over North Sea. Three simple words, All that were shared.
Missing in action.
No body to mourn, No grave to cry on. A telegraphed epitaph, My Loves only memorial.
~~ * ~~
If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net. One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.
Welcome to The Great Hall of Poets, our poetry feature showcasing the talent of Middle-earth fans. So come and join us by the hearth, and enjoy!
If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.
“The Sea Calls us Home”
By: Caroline Flynn
The wind is cold: soon the last leaf shall fall And all shall be covered by winter’s pall. In the restless breeze I hear a call. The Sea calls us home.
Upon this Middle-earth we have endured storm and gale, But now our long years begin to fade and fail, Upon the grey ships we must set sail. For the Sea calls us home.
O land we have loved through the lengthening years, Enriched by our labor, watered by our tears, Why now are you grown so cold and drear? Why does the Sea call us home?
This sorrow of our hearts is not feigned For in this land we have lived and reigned And with our blood is this land stained. But the Sea calls us home.
The Sea! Whose waters contain the memory of old, The eternal Music it most closely holds Our griefs and triumphs its voice enfolds. Thus the Sea calls us home.
To the straight road of the West we now turn, To the undying West for which our hearts now yearn Where the Evening Star begins to burn. For the Sea calls us home.
~~ * ~~
Numenor’s Lament
By: L. May
Life’s many treasures
Drowned in sea spray.
Waves cover memories,
Flooding, razing,
All that was great.
Floating bodies swirl,
Like wave-kissed pebbles,
Tumbling and spinning.
Water foams over,
In unending motion,
Advancing and retreating,
With relentless ruin,
Till flotsam drifts,
Upon restless waves.
Memory fades,
Born out to sea,
Drawn down into
Ulmo’s cold, dark realm.
~~ * ~~
If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net. One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.
On September 22nd, the very date of Bilbo’s and Frodo’s birthdays, a large group of Hobbits, Elves, Dwarves, Men, Wizards, and well-behaved Wargs, gathered for a day of merriment, feasting, and activities.
The Party took place under the sheltering trees of Griffith Park, in the Mineral Wells picnic area, close by a meandering river. The day was warm, but not too warm. The sun high and bright. The leaves sparkled green and gold in a fair breeze which ruffled the Baggins’ Birthday banner and the feathers adorning Hobbit hats. Tents dotted the landscape: an Elven enclave here, a Dwarven fortress there, a Hobbit hole beneath a tree.
The banqueting table was laden with dishes–pulled pork, barbecue chicken salad, spicy sausages, cheese samplings, Lembas, watermelon, pasta salad (I could go on and on, but it’s making my mouth water all over again.) There were even two big jugs of delicious homemade apple brew crafted from a long list of enticing ingredients.
Here at TORn we were delighted recently to make a new friend: Ian Leino from Geek Orthodox. Ian is a glass artist who creates incredible stained glass (and window cling replicas), and who has recently become licensed with Middle-earth Enterprises. So he’s launching a range inspired by Tolkien!
Staffer greendragon recently had a chance to chat with Ian, to find out more about his stunning creations, and his passion for all things Tolkien. Here’s what he had to say:
What was your first encounter with the work of J.R.R. Tolkien?
My parents divorced when I was an infant, but when I was four, my Mom started dating a man who would eventually become my step-father. When he would come to visit, he would always read to be before bedtime – but none of those [little] children’s books; he launched right into The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, and introduced me to the world of fantasy. It took a few years to get through the entire Chronicles of Narnia, and by then they had gotten married and we’d established the routine of a family reading time.
With Narnia behind us, the time was right to graduate to the world of Middle-earth, starting with The Hobbit and progressing through The Lord of the Rings, which captured my imagination in an entirely new way. That bond over Middle-earth is one of the things that bound our new family together, and it’s a common interest that we still share.
Why stained glass – is it a medium which particularly lends itself to images of Middle-earth, do you think?
My interest in stained glass started with my first job, which was sweeping up at a glass studio on the weekends when I was in middle school. And it intensified in college when I studied art history with an emphasis on gothic art and architecture. As a medium, stained glass has always been used to evoke a sense of wonder and grandeur. From the heroes of history to the religious parables in cathedrals – we use stained glass artwork as a way of venerating and celebrating what is important to us.
The world and characters of Middle-earth are such a foundational fandom for so many of us that I feel that they deserve a similar artistic treatment. From the sweeping vistas that call us to adventure, to the coziness of a pub sign where we know our friends are inside sharing tales, these moments and places absolutely shine through the medium of stained glass in a way that they can’t in any other medium.
Are there other Middle-earth artists/interpreters who have influenced you?
I likely have the same major touchstones as many other Tolkien fans my age – starting with the striking animation of the Bakshi films, later finding the stunning work of Alan Lee, and then being absolutely immersed in the world of Middle-earth by the amazing creative teams at WETA.
One of my absolute favorite sets of illustrations ever, though, is the 1976 Russian version of The Hobbit, illustrated by Mikhail Belomlinsky. The illustrations are bold and unique with a touch of whimsy, giving the entire book the feeling of a folk-tale. More than anything, I love the breadth of inspiration that is possible while still being true to the original text, and the huge diversity of artwork based around these stories.
How does it feel to be ‘officially licensed’?
It feels amazing! I feel like I should have a more sophisticated answer, but it’s so overwhelming that all I can think is: “amazing!”. I’ve long enjoyed being part of a worldwide fellowship of artists who create original art that is inspired by these books. So it’s an incredible honor to know that the stewards at Middle-earth Enterprises have selected my artwork to help officially represent that world to fans everywhere. I feel a responsibility to be worthy of that trust – being true to the original text and my own vision – to offer a new way of experiencing the world that Tolkien created.
