Mythgard Institute

Mythgard's Exploring The Lord of the Rings

Arts EN ↓ 379 episodes

Join The Tolkien Professor, Dr. Corey Olsen, on a sentence-by-sentence journey through the text of Tolkien's epic fairy story, and explore Middle-earth through the magical game-world of Lord of the Rings Online.

Author

Mythgard Institute

Episodes

Session 355: Looking Behind 17.11.2025 1:55:41

This evening we will look over the Company's shoulders as the orcs catch up to them in the Second Hall, at the edge of the Bridge of Khazad-dûm. https://signumuniversity.org/news/annual-fundraising-campaign-2025/ Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Session 352: On the Skewering of Hobbits 28.10.2025 1:35:07

Join Corey for some final reflections on the confrontation in the Chamber, followed by some commentary on the skewering of hobbits. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Session 351: The Beater of the Drums 21.10.2025 2:00:16

Join us as we finally hear from Gandalf about his encounter at the door of the Chamber of Mazarbul. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Session 350: The Final Darkness 14.10.2025 1:36:36

Join us while we grope our way in the dark with Gandalf and the Company. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Session 346: Frodo Is Injured Again 24.09.2025 1:48:05

In which Corey returns to the Chamber of Mazarbul for the penultimate time, and in which Frodo is skewered like a wild boar. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Session 347: Gandalf Proposes a Solution 24.09.2025 1:58:38

In which Gandalf reveals his plan for enabling the Company to escape their predicament. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Session 348: He “Sang in Answer a Song of Staying” 24.09.2025 1:40:05

In which a real magical duel is fought, though we can't quite tell what is happening. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Session 349: Gandalf Returns 24.09.2025 1:44:07

In which Gandalf faces a deadly opponent and falls ... down the stairs. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Session 344: Frodo's One Moment of Martial Glory 19.08.2025 1:50:02

Tonight we return to the cave-troll attack, already in progress. Let's watch as Frodo achieves the acme of his combat career. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Session 345: They Have Come 19.08.2025 2:00:35

Tonight we discuss the fight by Balin's tomb, in which Sam experiences his first combat.

Session 343: The Cave Troll Cameo 24.07.2025 1:45:10

Tonight we get more up close and personal with a troll since anyone since Bilbo, and this one is all out of talking purses. Probably. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Session 341: Defiance Rather than Hope 24.07.2025 1:42:18

Corey returns from Mythmoot to discuss how Gandalf defies the horde of orcs outside the chamber and assesses their odds -- which are not great. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Session 342: Resolution 24.07.2025 1:37:41

The Company of the Rings resolves to make a stand against overwhelming odds. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Session 339: Drums in the Deep 06.07.2025 1:56:44

Tonight we are catapulted back into action as the words of the long-studied Book of Mazarbul now spring to life and relevance for the Company. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Session 340: The Company is Startled into Action 06.07.2025 1:44:54

They are coming! But who is coming, and how? And what can we learn from the actions of the company as Doom drives them into action? Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Session 337: Re-Entry 04.06.2025 1:44:04

It's time at last to turn from Tolkien's images of the Book of Mazarbul and remember where we are. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Session 338: Gandalf Sees the Path Clearly 04.06.2025 1:35:44

Join us as we watch Gandalf casually figure how to get out from the Chamber of Mazarbul. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Session 336: The Last Page 30.05.2025 1:57:10

Tonight we turn to the last page of Tolkien's illustration of the Book of Mazarbul, and Chad helps Corey interpret the final words of Balin's companions. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv

Session 335: What Gandalf Spared Them 30.05.2025 2:02:12

We return to the book and Ori's beautiful Tengwar, only to read the most grim passage that Gandalf skimmed over. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv Thank you for your support for our Annual Fundraising Campaign. If you missed the campaign event broadcasts, you can watch the recordings here. • https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLasMbZ4s5vIW4X_6bi...

Session 334: The Orthography of Ori 14.05.2025 2:09:47

Corey returns, once more with the assistance and advice of the inimitable Chad Bornholdt, to the Book of Mazarbul. Tonight, we examine Ori's script! Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv Thank you for your support for our Annual Fundraising Campaign. If you missed the campaign event broadcasts, you can watch the recordings here. https://www.youtube.com...

Session 332: The Rosetta Stone of Mazarbul 28.04.2025 1:53:41

Tonight we look at Tolkien's Book of Mazarbul illustrations, putting ourselves in Gandalf's shoes and puzzling out the text, with the help of special guest Chad Bornholdt! Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv Thank you for your support for our Annual Fundraising Campaign. If you missed the campaign event broadcasts, you can watch the recordings here....

Session 333: More Cirth! The Real Book of Mazarbul Continues... 28.04.2025 2:15:39

Tonight, Corey continues to learn the Cirth with Chad Bornholdt's help, and we read more of what Gandalf did not. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv Thank you for your support for our Annual Fundraising Campaign. If you missed the campaign event broadcasts, you can watch the recordings here. • https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLasMbZ4s5vIW4X_6b...

Session 330: A Great Work is Begun 10.04.2025 1:55:37

Happy Gondorian New Year! In our second session on the Book of Mazarbul, we will get to the high water mark of Balin's expedition. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv Thank you for your support for our Annual Fundraising Campaign. If you missed the campaign event broadcasts, you can watch the recordings here. • https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P...

Session 331: Balin's End 10.04.2025 1:55:48

Tonight we discuss the end of the Book of Mazarbul, and Balin's end. Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv Thank you for your support for our Annual Fundraising Campaign. If you missed the campaign event broadcasts, you can watch the recordings here. • https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLasMbZ4s5vIW4X_6biE7MLLGssLtApH8P Thank you for your support f...

Session 329: Storytime with Gandalf 10.04.2025 2:03:16

Tonight we begin our discussion of Gandalf's reading from the Book of Mazarbul! Join us on the Signum University Discord server: https://discord.com/invite/szXMFAv Thank you for your support for our Annual Fundraising Campaign. If you missed the campaign event broadcasts, you can watch the recordings here. • https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLasMbZ4s5vIW4X_6biE7MLLGssLtApH8P Thank you for you...