The Tolkien Road

In the latest episode of our epic, chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion journey, we’ll explore Chapter 7, “Of the Silmarils & the Unrest of the Noldor.” What are the Silmarils and what is their significance? We finally reach the answer to these questions in Chapter 7, learn of the intrigue surrounding them, and how their existence becomes a curse for the Blessed Realm.Join us as we discuss!LINKS:Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0286SilmGuide Page: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg10Watch This Episode: https://youtu.be/KW2gfIX3cCAWatch Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/125474858Listen A...

With this episode, the War of Sauron Upon The Elves (aka The War of the Three Rings) begins! And given the relative length of the next 3 chapters, as well as their unified theme, I decided to combine them into this one episode.Watch On YouTube » https://youtu.be/DnI07pSeqXQAd-Free Video » https://www.patreon.com/posts/90407864Ad-Free Audio » https://www.patreon.com/posts/90406553Episode Webpage » https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0349/Helpful Links:take 10% OFF Tolkien Road merch at True Myths Press » https...

In the latest episode of our epic, chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion journey, we’ll explore Chapter 6, “Of Fëanor and the Unchaining of Melkor.” With Melkor having been imprisoned, Valinor enters a long era of peace. To Finwë, High King of the Noldor, a son is born: Fëanor, the “Spirit of Fire”, whose destiny is bound up with the fate of many. And all the while, a perilous shadow grows upon the Blessed Realm…Join us as we discuss!LINKS:Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0284SilmGuide Page: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg09Watch This Episo...

In this episode, we're continuing our journey through The Fall of Númenor with "c1600 - Sauron Forges The One Ring”, including the construction of Barad-Dûr and the response of Celebrimbor to Sauron’s actions.Watch On YouTube » https://youtu.be/vZyIucaQEjgAd-Free Video » https://www.patreon.com/posts/90163414Ad-Free Audio » https://www.patreon.com/posts/90163358Episode Webpage » https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0348/Helpful Links:take 10% OFF Tolkien Road merch at True Myths Press » https://truemythspress.com/discount/TENOFF (enter code TENOFF at chec...

In latest episode of our epic, chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion journey, we’ll explore Chapter 5, “Of Eldamar & the Princes of the Eldalië.”With 3 groups of Elves - the Vanyar, Noldor, and Teleri - having arrived on the threshold of the Great Sea, they must make the final leg of their journey to the Land of the Valar, Aman, and will do so by extraordinary means. Once they arrive, they will establish their own kingdoms within the Blessed Realm.Join us!LINKS:Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0283SilmGuide Page: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg08Watch T...

In this episode, we continue our journey through The Fall of Númenor as we discuss the forging of the Three Elven Rings, as found in the chapter “c1590 - The Three Rings Are Completed in Eregion!”Watch On YouTube » https://youtu.be/IebxmG03nz8Ad-Free Video » https://www.patreon.com/posts/89693542Ad-Free Audio » https://www.patreon.com/posts/89693216Episode Webpage » https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0347/Helpful Links:take 10% OFF Tolkien Road merch at True Myths Press » https://truemythspress.com/discount/TENOFF (enter code T...

In episode 8 of our epic, chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion journey, we’ll explore Chapter 4, “Of Thingol and Melian.” With Melkor imprisoned in Mandos and the Elves on the way to the Blessed Realm, we pause to consider a BRIEF love story that lays the groundwork for a FAR MORE EPIC love story later in The Silmarillion. Join us!LINKS:Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0282SilmGuide Page: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg07/Watch This Episode: https://youtu.be/z1a3ELPMuqwWatch Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/123934895Listen Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/63380305Shop True Myt...

In this episode, we discuss Sauron's "gifts" to the Noldor, and how their nature and past makes them particularly prone to Sauron's malevolent plot.Watch On YouTube » https://youtu.be/1tsKulWfUBkAd-Free Video » https://www.patreon.com/posts/88290129Ad-Free Audio » https://www.patreon.com/posts/88290143Episode Webpage » https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0346/Helpful Links:take 10% OFF Tolkien Road merch at True Myths Press » https://truemythspress.com/discount/TENOFF (enter code TENOFF at checkout)listen to TOLKIEN’S WORKS for FREE » https://www.audibletr...

In episode 7 of our epic, chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion journey, we’ll explore Chapter 3, “Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor.” While the Valar and the gods of the Blessed Realm dwell in relative security, Melkor labors ceaselessly to dominate the rest of the world, even as the dawn of the Children of Ilúvatar draws nigh. Join us!LINKS:Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0280SilmGuide Page: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg06/Watch This Episode: https://youtu.be/2ZEa5HCYYYAWatch Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/122949096Listen Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/post...

In this episode, we find Sauron beginning to unveil his plot by winning over the Elven-smiths of Eregion. All the while, the Númenoreans begin to establish a permanent presence in Middle-earth.Watch On YouTube » https://youtu.be/cY5EmQrBD2kAd-Free Video » https://www.patreon.com/posts/150180402Ad-Free Audio » https://www.patreon.com/posts/87936350Episode Webpage » https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0345/Helpful Links:take 10% OFF Tolkien Road merch at True Myths Press » https://truemythspress.com/discount/TENOFF (enter code TENOFF at checkou...

In episode 6 of our epic, chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion journey, we’ll explore Chapter 2, “Of Aulë and Yavanna,” wherein we learn the origin stories for the Dwarves, the Ents, and more!LINKS:Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0279SilmGuide Page: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg05/Watch This Episode: https://youtu.be/UbQhz9qR5JAWatch Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/122881548Listen Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/62439992Shop True Myths Press: https://truemythspress.com/Join the Fellowship of the Road: https://patreon.com/tolkienroadRead Tolkien's Requiem - Concerning Beren and Lúthien: https://tolkiensrequiem.com/Read Tolkien's...

In this episode, we’re continuing our journey through the Fall of Númenor by exploring the chapter SA1075 Tar-Ancalimë, the first ruling Queen of Númenor, and only child of Tar-Aldarion and Erendis.Watch On YouTube » https://youtu.be/eIFl6hkEV1AAd-Free Audio » https://www.patreon.com/posts/149609267Ad-Free Video » https://www.patreon.com/posts/84730458Episode Webpage » https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0344/Helpful Links:take 10% OFF Tolkien Road merch at True Myths Press » https://truemythspress.com/discount/TENOFF (enter code TENOFF ...

In episode 5 of our epic, chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion journey, we’ll explore the second half of Chapter 1, “Of The Beginning of Days”.LINKS:Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0278SilmGuide Page: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg04/Watch This Episode: https://youtu.be/aoFKAh__wDAWatch Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/122358918Listen Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/62170260Shop True Myths Press: https://truemythspress.com/Join the Fellowship of the Road: https://patreon.com/tolkienroadRead Tolkien's Requiem - Concerning Beren and Lúthien: https://tolkiensrequiem.com/Read Tolkien's Overture - Concerning the Music of the Ainur: https...

In this episode, we’re continuing our journey through the Fall of Númenor by exploring the chapter c1000 SAURON CHOOSES MORDER. After our deep dive in to the story of Númenor’s pivotal 6th king, Tar-Aldarion, we return now to Sauron, and take a look at the founding of Mordor and the building of Barad-dûr.Watch On YouTube » https://youtu.be/Lkjvn-3A1SEAd-Free Audio » https://www.patreon.com/posts/87100536Ad-Free Video » https://www.patreon.com/posts/146601196Episode Webpage » https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0343<...

In this episode, we’ll conclude our journey through Tolkien’s life story as we examine the years from the publication and massive success of The Lord of the Rings to Tolkien’s death in 1973.LINKS:Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0226Watch This Episode: https://youtu.be/icLzmq1xdowListen Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/46293806Shop True Myths Press: https://truemythspress.com/Join the Fellowship of the Road: https://patreon.com/tolkienroadRead Tolkien's Requiem - Concerning Beren and Lúthien: https://tolkiensrequiem.com/Read Tolkien's Overture - Concerning the Music of the Ainur: https...

In episode 4 of our epic, chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion journey, we’ll explore the first half of Chapter 1, “Of The Beginning of Days”.LINKS:Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0277SilmGuide Page: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg04/Watch This Episode: https://youtu.be/Xx9zh7c6zyoWatch Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/121803352Listen Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/61788044Shop True Myths Press: https://truemythspress.com/Join the Fellowship of the Road: https://patreon.com/tolkienroadRead Tolkien's Requiem - Concerning Beren and Lúthien: https://tolkiensrequiem.com/Read Tolkien's Overture - Concerning the Music of the Ainu...

This chapter concludes the era of Aldarion, one of the most important kings in the history of Númenor. As we learned in the last episode, his father, Tar-Meneldur, chose to turn the rule of Númenor over to Aldarion earlier than was normal, due to a letter from the Elven High-King Gil-galad. asking for Númenor’s aid amidst the increasingly dire situation in Middle-earth. In this chapter, we’ll explore Aldarion’s reign, as well as what becomes of his wife Erendis and daughter Ancalimë.As with our last few episodes, this is a longer chapter than most of th...

Tolkien was born on January 3, 1892, so given we are in his birth month, we’ll be revisiting our four-part series on his life story over the next few Fridays.In this episode, we’ll revisit part three, as we examine the years from 1937 to 1949, as Tolkien struggles to surpass The Hobbit with a far more ambitious sequel while enduring the uncertainties of World War II in Great Britain.LINKS:Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0225Watch This Episode: https://youtu.be/J98WRSG0fjMListen Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/46015573Shop True Myths Press...

In episode 3 of our epic, chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion journey, we’ll explore Valaquenta, an account and description of the gods of Middle-earth, including the first inklings of Gandalf’s origin story.LINKS:Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0274SilmGuide Page: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg03/Watch This Episode: https://youtu.be/wtRxezDytYoWatch Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/123937546Listen Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/61210893Shop True Myths Press: https://truemythspress.com/Join the Fellowship of the Road: https://patreon.com/tolkienroadRead Tolkien's Requiem - Concerning Beren and Lúthien: https://tolkiensrequiem.com/Read Tolkien's Overtu...

This chapter continues the story of Aldarion, destined to be Númenor’s 6th King. While it begins with the wedding, long-expected, of Aldarion and Erendis, it concludes with many events unexpected, including word from Gil-galad to the King of Númenor regarding “ a new shadow arising in the East”.This is a long chapter dense with nuance and character development, perhaps the richest glimpse we get into the various psyches of Númenoreans as individuals, and while I’d love to give it a much more in depth reading, I’m only going to hit the high points as regards th...