Middle Earth Ranger Forum

Hello and well met!

My name is Dawson, I'm 24 years old, and I am beyond excited to finally be participating on the forum! I just wanted to make this quick post to give an introduction and shake out my rusty "forum writing" skills!

I'm a big fan of ancient history, and am currently enrolled in school for Anthropology/Archaeology. My main interest is in the Stone Age, Bronze Age, and early Iron Age. I also love animals and wildlife. I have experience with archery, horseback riding, bushcraft, and some primitive skills. I enjoy hiking, reading, writing, and smoking my pipe!

I was exposed to the Middle Earth Reenactment Society and their work recently, and it ignited a passion in me. I have been a lover of Tolkien's world since I was a child. My mother would read the Hobbit to me at night before bed. Seeing the historically based kits and practical skills based in his world really resonated with me. The idea of building a kit, doing the research, learning practical skills, and setting off into the wilds is so very inspiring, and I can't wait to share my journey with you all!

My wife and I recently settled into our new home in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I am stoked to be somewhere with so much natural beauty to go hand in hand with this new hobby! Hopefully I can start thinking of some decent personas that would fit the geography of the area!

Thanks so much for taking the time to read my post! I look forward to getting to meet you all!

Safe Travels!

Welcome Ranger!

Welcome!

Welcome Dawson!

Welcome! I'm pleased to hear you found your way here through exposure to the MERS, and that it sounds you have a good background for this adventure. It also helps that you're not afraid of a little research ; )
I also studied Anthro/Archeo in school, and started out more interested in Migration-era Europe but as the years (and my pursuits of this hobby) have proceeded I've been moving ever back in time. (1250 BCE is the place to be!) If you've arrived with a prehistoric bent you're already in a better starting place!
We look forward to helping you develop a rewarding persona/impression!

-Thank you for the greeting Harper! I hope to live up to that title!

-Thank you Taylor! I look forward to our conversations!

-Thank you Peter! Love your post on Dwarven Totem Animals! It was a nice read!

-I was the exact same way Udwin! When I first started to get into history/archaeology, I was so interested in the Migration-era! Over time I have just gone further and further back in time. It's a desire of mine to craft a neolithic style camping kit out of buckskin, but I digress. It has also been brought to my attention that I have seen your work before without even realizing it! A month or so ago when I was browsing as a guest, I kept coming back to your "Redressing a Beorning" post as inspiration. Wasn't until I looked back yesterday that I realized it was yours! Big fan of your work my friend!

Welcome, Ranger! Hope your stay is adventurous!

TheSmallGaul I look forward to seeing your exploits...and dont worry about living up to the name...HAVE FUN!

Welcome to the boards Dawson, your enthusiasm and passion come through quite clearly in your post and I look forward to seeing where they take you.

Welcome! Well met, Dawson!

-Thank you Eofor! It means a lot to hear that! I hope to share that passion and enthusiasm with others!

-Thank you Eothain! Well met to you!

Mae govannen! Welcome to the forum!

Glad to have another archaeologist on the board. I've been working full-time in the field for many years now and lemme tell you, it's a great base to work off of for this hobby. Unlike the rest of you Stone Age heathens, I'm still pretty firmly entrenched into the Late Antiquity/Migration Period with an emphasis on the post-Roman British/Gauls dealing with the migrating Germanic peoples. Ultimately though I'm mostly interested in frontier archaeology, trade-routes, and whatever else I can get my hands on but since time and money are short, this is my current expression of my interests. I'm sure one day I'll swing around to the Mesolithic and Bronze Age and all the rest.

It's also quite exciting to have a member join on account of the posts from MERS! I am not yet a member myself but it's great to see the reach they are getting!

Very much looking forward to seeing you post in the future!

Welcome It sounds like you have some interesting ideas

Welcome Ranger

-Mae govannen to you as well Cimrandir!
It's so exciting to be surrounded by so many like-minded individuals! Especially exciting to be in contact with another archaeologist! Definitely some interesting periods of history to be interested in! Late antiquity/Post-Rome is a time period I feel doesn't get a lot of love and attention! I felt the same way for a while, but was then exposed to the beautiful world of early humans. I'd love to have conversations on the matter though, if you're interested!
Something about seeing how they and many on this forum represent Tolkien's world just struck such a real and resounding chord with me. Seeing Tolkien's work put into a accurate/semi-historical approach intrigues me, and I've been looking to mix my love of the outdoors and hiking with reenactment and Tolkien! Can't wait to engage with you on the forums some more! Thank you for the greeting!

-Hello Iodo! It's awesome to get a reply from you!
I'm a longtime follower of your content on YouTube. You were pretty influential in my final decision to jump on the forums! Love the work you do, keep it up! Can't wait to hear more from you!

-Thank you for the welcome Tom_Ranger!