Longwinded One: The Podcast

To kick off the Birth of Flowers celebration, the elves hold an Archery and Performance contest, which Tesoro and Okrin both delight in. They also announce that Limpë will be the prize for the melee competition.

Fresh off their adventure at the Stone of the Hapless, the group sails for Alqualondë. There they meet the King of the Teleri, Olwë. The king welcomes the group to Alqualondë for the Birth of Flowers celebration, called Nost-na-Lothion by the Eldar.

In this, the second part of Dr. Drout's interview, we discuss how Tolkien reversed the epistemic regime by telling the story from the point of view of the least knowledgeable character. We discuss the inevitable chapter 2, Treatise of Tedium, that most of the time plague fantasy and science fiction writers (but not Tolkien). And finally, we play a game with Professor Drout. We discuss whether aspe...

In this episode we talk to Professor Michael Drout from Wheaton College. We learn why so many scholars think it is important to talk about how to read Tolkien. We discuss how Tolkien created an "impression of depth" through his vast size and intricate detail in his writings. And we learn about Dr. Drout's first time meeting Tom Shippey. The Tolkien Society https://www.tolkiensociety.org Modern Sch...

Discover the crypt where Túrin Turambar and Morwen Eledhwen are buried. Discover Sador's dagger, Hathadol. Meet Túrin's former caretaker, Nellas. Back at the Tower of Pearl, they discover that Huor is now in the Halls of Mandos. The group now realizes that the Man in Black is the possessed hero, Túrin Turambar. Idril recommends seeking out Olwë in Alqualondë for council.

Discover the creatures awakened by the shadow maiar in the catacombs of Tol Morwen. The group continues onward toward the crypts of Túrin Turambar and Morwen Eledhwen.

Appearing in the catacombs of Tol Morwen, burial place of both Túrin and his mother, the group is split up. Experience the traps first-hand as the group attempts to navigate this shrine belonging to the woodmen of Brethil.

Tuor and Idril allow the group access to the mystical fountain in the Tower of Pearl. According to Ossë, this fountain is one of the only things near Eressëa that can transport the group to the Stone of the Hapless, burial place of Túrin Turambar. Anguirel, Feredir's sword, has been seeking this place since the Battle of the Grey Havens.

The Digital Philologist, James Tauber, explains to us the history of philology, how it has evolved, and the benefits of using technology to study the classics (including Tolkien). Come listen to this Renaissance man as he talks to us about why the love of wisdom and the love of words are so important.

Having just barely made it to the walls of the Tower of Pearl, the group finds it seemingly devoid of assistance. What ensues is a gruesome battle of allies. The "super-hero" werewolf is finally put to rest before Idril and Tuor come out to greet the group.

For an episode where little is achieved, this is quite a fun session. The group spends a comical hour trying to figure out how to escape the newly transformed Feredir. The great wolf, Taurmyrnoth, has his last little bit of revenge as Feredir chases his friends on toward the Tower of Pearl.

The fellowship finishes the battle against the sea creature. They end up on the Enchanted Isles just as the sun sets to reveal a full moon. Growling noises begin to come from Feredir.

You learn that Ossë is quite eccentric. He has been dropping fish into the water in Tavrobel while "waiting for a friend." From Tavrobel, the group heads into the Shadowy Seas. They quickly discover the dangers of traveling after the Man in Black, even by sea.

The brilliant creator of Realelvish.net talks with us about her site, her book, her classes, and the Sindarin language. We also talk about the Parma Eldalamberon journal, the Vinyar Tengwar journal, and the cultural rules elves use for naming things and people. Lastly, she breaks down some of elvish words we used in the campaign. Sites Mentioned: https://realelvish.net http://www.eldalamberon.com...

Gilfanon tells the group about the next part of the Prophecy of Mandos. He explains that if the group wishes to go to Talbor, the only way to do so is via the Tower of Pearl. The party meets up with their old friend Írimë in Tavrobel, and there they acquire a ship from their new sea captain, the maiar Ossë.

The group finds the source of the Evil Breath- the "voyager" Eriol himself. He has clearly been corrupted by the Man in Black, and has recently plagued the lower levels of the House of the Hundred Chimneys.

The group encounters more Evil Breath and some Shadow Hounds in the lower levels of the House of the Hundred Chimneys. Burin falls into a pit during the first moments of their battle with the source of the Evil Breath.

The party comes to the House of the Hundred Chimneys and discovers the Evil Breath has come to Eressëa. Gilfanon asks them for their help eliminating the source of the Evil Breath in the lower levels in exchange for information.

Join us for this language focused discussion with community expert, Paul Strack. We talk to him about the evolution of Tolkien's languages, the nature of Quenya, and we dissect some of the Quenya words from the campaign. Quenya Words Discussed: Minyasercë = First Blood (instead of Ennayór) Corondur = Servant of the Mound (instead of Ezellendur) Morlumbë or Morhala = Dark Shadow (instead of Mor-lóm...

Seeking Meril-i-Turinqi - the Lady of the Isle - the party arrives at Kortirion and discovers the Man in Black has already been there (and left his mark). After a grand battle, Meril tells the group that the Parma Kuluina (the Golden Book) has been stolen. They learn that the Man in Black was trying to forge a weapon there, and they learn the first part of the Second Prophecy of Mandos.

The group fights for their lives against an awakening evil in the forests outside of Kortirion. Okrin hopes to reach the "ancient city on a leaguered hill" before the Man in Black can defile its towers, its libraries, or its caretaker - Meril-i-Turinqi - the Lady of the Isle.

In this episode the characters chat with Littleheart, the Gong Warden, and the couple - Lindo and Vairë. There they learn about the Man in Black and that the library of Kortirion will have information about Talbor (the word Feredir's sword keeps whispering). Enroute to Kortirion, they encounter a problem...

The last of the new character chats. The DM also talks about the nature of the podcast, possible fan interviews, and reads a passage about Feredir when he was a child. End this episode with the characters' first impression of the Cottage of Lost Play.

Trying to keep these double entendres titles going for the player interviews is difficult, but well worth it. In this interview, we learn about Jon the player behind Mor-lómin. We learn that there is something truly horrifying hidden behind his dark elven-looking exterior. And we learn that this podcast is probably better named, "The Second Prophecy of Mandos" or "The Dagor Dagorath."

It wouldn't be a Middle Earth story without an elf in the fellowship. With Angolan having been dubbed the curator of artifacts at Elostirion, the party needed to fill their elven quota. Ezellendur was their man. Learn how he joined the party, why he has a bone to pick with the shadow, and who the player is behind the elf.