Part of what makes Tolkien's world so enduring and appealing (and ripe for fanworks-creating) is that it hints at unlimited stories beyond the perspectives we are given. Fanworks creators have used their work to foreground perspectives neglected in the original texts or to challenge the points of view of the narrators of the legendarium.
This month's challenge, Orctober, begins from this premise. To be clear, you don't have to take alternate perspectives, discuss Orcs or resistance or rebellion, or create a fanwork that is dark and spooky. For our challenges, you can always make any kind of Silmarillion fanwork that you want. However, the premise of the challenge originates from the idea that the Free People of Middle-earth observed the "servants of Melkor" and sometimes switched sides to serve Melkor themselves. Even though the texts don't document it, the opposite happened surely as well, and Orcs (and other "servants") observed Elves, Mortals, Dwarves, and others and decided that they also wanted a different, better life for themselves. Wherever there is oppression, there is resistance. Cuarthol's recent themed collection Orcs Are People includes fanworks and scholarship that engage with some of these ideas.
This month's challenge has two components. As a challenge, prompts come from an old parchment map made by Orcs that shows locations where an Orc seeking freedom can find protection, shelter, or objects useful to resistance. Each location has a spooky-themed prompt, an icon on the map (since Melkor, like most oppressors, likely did not encourage his "servants" to learn and read), a small storyline about the location's importance to Orcish freedom, and of course the location itself. You can use any of these elements to craft a fanwork.
The second part is an optional puzzle to solve. There is one place in Middle-earth where Orcs have established a home where they can be truly safe and free. Will you be able to find this place? For each prompt you complete, there is a clue that leads to its discovery. Once you complete prompts, request your clues here. (Note that collaboration is allowed and encourage!) If you think you've solved the puzzle, email the mods—you can reply to this email to reach us!
Complete guidelines for Orctober are here. And if you're new to our challenges (welcome!) and looking to get started, SWG challenge guidelines are here.
SWG News
Tolkien Fanartics: Mapping Arda - The Second Age
In the third part of the Mapping Arda series, Anérea and Varda delle Stelle present a selection of fan-created maps of the lands of the Second Age.
New Challenge: Potluck Bingo
Sit down to a delicious selection of prompts served on bingo boards, created by the SWG community.
Mereth Aderthad 2025: Call for Presenters for Meta, Research, and Scholarship Open
We welcome proposals from creators of meta, research, and scholarship about Tolkien for our July 2025 hybrid Mereth Aderthad event!
A Sense of History: Doom and Ascent
In the final essay in the series about the tower allegory in Tolkien's "Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics," Simon J. Cook pulls together the series to give the full picture of how not just the allegory but the legendarium can be read.
Themed Collection: Orcs Are People
Cuarthol shares a collection of fiction, art, and essays that challenge the notion of Orcs as an inhuman enemy and instead consider the legendarium from the perspective that Orcs are people.
New Fanworks
Stream of Clashing Ice by by Himring [Writing]
Maglor and his companion almost drown in the River Lune.
Read more ...Kiss the ground / then turn from it by by Elleth [Writing]
After the attack on the Havens of Sirion, a figure from Maedhros' past comes face-to-face with him one last time.
Read more ...Mercy, Love by by Elleth [Writing]
Maedhros' rescue from Thangorodrim left him deeply scarred. But how did it impact Fingon as his rescuer? A drabble sequence from Thangorodrim to the Nirnaeth Arnoediad.
Read more ...Aredhel at Eithel Ivrin by by Anérea [Artwork]
Painting of Aredhel at the Pools of Ivrin
Read more ...A Winters Tale by by Glorified [Writing]
Elrond on a winters night
Read more ...Silhouettes of Doom by by Ecthelion [Writing]
"At least we have learned that the sons of Fëanor can die too."
Nine POVs on the kinslaying at Doriath.
Read more ...Andreth and Aegnor Reunite Beyond the Circles of the World by by Anérea [Artwork]
An abstract sketch: After the ending of Arda v1, Andreth and Aegnor feär reunite and they are free to experience the whole of Eä together.
Read more ...{podfic} Two Journeys by Lferion by by Anérea [Audio]
In the First Age, Fingon traveled to Rerir after discovering Turgon's disappearance. In the Fourth Age, he travels to Rerir again in Beleriand Risen.
A tale told in drabbles.
Read more ...{podfic} What Lies Beyond The End by Melesta by by Anérea [Audio]
"The Silmaril falls slowly, so slowly, as if taking its time to caress the weightlessness of Ulmo’s waters. Does it seek relief also, Maglor wonders, to be free at last of all the hands that lusted after its blessed shine?"
Maglor casts his Silmaril into the Sea.
Read more ...{podfic] Lake Helevorn: A Summer Romance by Himring by by Anérea [Audio]
Uncanonical take on Caranthir's canonical wife: in himring!verse she's not an elf.
Read more ...{podfic} Entwined by by Anérea [Audio]
First Age 116: in the foothills of the Orocani Mountains—west of Hildórien and far, far east of Beleriand.
Woman meets Maia in four 100-word drabbles
{podfic} Beyond the Western Shore by StarSpray by by Anérea [Audio]
Read more ...In her wanderings through Aman, Minyelmë comes to the farthest shore.
Amroth's Lament by by Flora-lass [Writing]
Amroth is in the sea. A 100-word poem.
Read more ...The Fics that Hooked Me: a rec list by by Anérea [Link Collection]
These are the first fanfics I ever read, and they are all truly fabulous and absolutely timeless and 100% recommended!
Read more ...Material Things by by Anérea [Artwork]
A drawble collection of Ardan objects
Read more ...On Dwarves and Glass-making by by Artano [Writing]
A brief discussion on Dwarves inspired by the the Lycurgus Cup, completed for Tolkien Meta Week 2024.
Read more ...Merry Midwinter by by Aprilertuile [Writing]
Snippets of life of a midwinter in Fëanáro and Nerdanel's household in Valinor, during the Age of the Trees.
Prompts will be as follow, taken from the Midwinter Bingo card (board by AdmirableMonster) :
Family ; Carols and Singing ; Death and rebirth ; Candles ; Sledding
Promps taken from the Fluffy Bingo Card (board by DaughterofShadows):
Falling Asleep ; Hot Chocolate
Read more ...Updated Fanworks
An Urgent Matter by by Ecthelion [Writing]
Every morning, I leave you; every evening, you bring me back. An endless game—until the day it is not.
Read more ...Collection of Potluck Drabbles by by Artano [Writing]
This is a collection of true drabbles completed for the 'Four Words' drabble bingo card.
Read more ...2024 Potluck Doodles by by silmalope [Artwork]
Assorted prompt fills for the 2024 Potluck bingo boards, to varying degrees of completion! :)
Read more ...One Flesh, One Soul. Part II by by FellFireFan [Writing]
The fates of the lovers have been sealed. After Aegnor makes a promise to Andreth he seeks council one last time from Finrod to reveal the identity of the maiden who had stolen his heart and hopes Finrod will share in his newfound happiness. However, it does not go well between the brothers, and a heated argument unfolds, plunging even Finrods' own safety into uncertainty. Aegnor finds himself faced with an agonising choice, one that will rip his entire being asunder. Yet hope still remains, and it rests in the palm of none other than Erú Illuvatar himself who, through the sheer power of Aegnor's undying love for Andreth, has taken notice. Brace yourself once more for this gripping continuation. Where the power of love truly conquers all.
Read more ...Many Journeys by by Elleth [Writing]
A gathering place for ficlets of varying length written in response to prompts, prods and as gift ficlets.
New (added December 2024):
Instadrabbling fics from the SWG server event on February 17, which I never uploaded here, as well as a couple of shorter ficlets from November 2024.
Read more ...Beyond the Silmarillion Fanworks
Entwined {text + podfic} by by Anérea [Multimedia]
First Age 116: in the foothills of the Orocani Mountains, west of Hildórien and far, far east of Beleriand.
Woman meets Maia in four perfect drabbles.
Around the World and Web
Thorin's Spring Forge 2025
Sign-ups are open for Thorin's Spring Forge, a minibang-style event where writers and artists come together to create fanworks centred on Thorin Oakenshield.
Tolkien Pinup Calendar: Dead Dove December
Tolkien Pinup Calendar is hosting a December event for non-con smut fanworks.
Tolkien Pinup Calendar: 8 Nights of Smut
Tolkien Pinup Calendar and Hanukkah Bingo are teaming up for eight nights of naughty prompts.
Festival of Lights Fest 2024
This is a fun and low-key event meant to encourage works about or inspired by Hanukkah, running this year in conjunction with the Potluck Bingo challenge.
Hidden Paths 2025
Hidden Paths, an event dedicated to the celebration of smaller Tolkien canons, has released their early prompts for the 2025 event.
Teitho November/December Contest: Healing
The theme for Teitho's November/December contest is healing.
Lord of the Rings Secret Santa 2024
LotR SESA has been ongoing for twenty-one years and is running again this year as a prompt meme hosted on AO3 for all genres of Tolkien-based fanfiction.
Fluffcember 2024
Fluffcember is a Tumblr event with daily fluffy prompts during the month of December.
Acorns and Oak Leaves: A Year of Bagginshield
Throughout 2024, the Bagginshield community Acorns and Oak Leaves offers monthly prompts to encourage new creations of all kinds.
