Welcome Chris!

I actually always thought Aragorn's ranger coat was more based upon the tailcoats of the Elizabethan era looking at the design. In fact, I can remember watching Frank Miller's The Crucible in high school after reading the book and being struck at how Daniel Day Lewis' John Proctor looked entirely to...

It's funny; Somehow I did not discover this masterpiece until very recently. After buying it about two months ago, however, it has become the default music for my commute. Somehow even the act of rushing into work to make the weekly staff meeting just seems much more awesome with the epic rhythms of...

As the good gentlemen said, it's all about what you plan to use the sword for! During the Tolkien craze in the wake of Peter Jackson's films, which I confess was what got me started on the works of the Professor, I purchased a number of the hobby store- quality replicas of the Lord of the Rings swor...

Wonderful sir!
...though all too familiar...

Your birthday may be passed,
but why not let it last
beyond just one day?
Let the fine mirth stay!
However old ye be,
have a pint for me!
You're not getting old,
just even more bold!
Here's to your good health!
I wish you warmth and wealth!

I would not be surprised at all if Beowulf were actually an early inspiration for the tales of King Arthur. Now, I have not seen the above-mentioned television shows. (I won't bore you with how busy I am, but suffice it to say television is at the end of a long list of activities for me these days! ...

Basically, a line party is when a film premiers in theaters and fans/enthusiasts attend the premier in groups. To add festivity (and draw attention, which may or may not be your desire), fans sometimes attend the premier dressed up as characters or extras from the films. Our friends in the science f...

...setting up some line parties for December? They're not exactly our usual wilderness cup of tea, but, as I said in another thread, the eyes of the world are on Middle Earth one last time (and I mean it; Christopher Tolkien, god bless him, has resolved not to let his father's work be further used b...

Well, some of the finer swordsmiths out there have made blades based loosely off the United designs but with actual good steel and a few modifications. Let's see how long it takes them to concoct a proper Orcrist following this aesthetic. I'm sorry, but I have to go against the prevailing opinion. I...

Many happy returns, ranger!

I know you're out there! Our forests here in the Appalachian region strongly resemble the Black Forest of Germany, and likewise Tolkien's Mirkwood and Fangorn Forest. Naturally, a few of us fantasy-minded folk are sure to have sprouted from our mountainous home. In 2013, why don't we try to arrange ...

Thank you all! Yes, I have a very good feeling about 2013. Something just tells me that good things will happen this year. In the meantime, do we still have a moot thread here somewhere? Would love to try and meet a few of you fine people this year, especially with the world's eyes on Middle Earth a...

Is it just me, or do the dwarven bards have a lot of editing to do? I mean, the battle at the east gate of Moria is starting to sound like a Monty Python scene! Bard: DAIN SLAYED AZOG, RALLYING THE DWARVES TO WIN THE BATTLE!! :mrgreen: PJ: No, actually it was Thorin... Bard: REALLY? :o OKAY; THORIN ...

Happy birthday! May your sword never dull, your arrows sail true, and may your friends ever outnumber your enemies!