New Challenge: Potluck Bingo
Sit down to a delicious selection of prompts served on bingo boards, created by the SWG community.
SWG News
Bingo Cards Wanted for Potluck Bingo
Our November-December challenge will be Potluck Bingo, featuring cards created by you! If you'd like to create cards or prompts for cards, we are taking submissions.
Tolkien Meta Week, December 8-14
We will be hosting a Tolkien Meta Week in December, here on the archive and on our Tumblr, for nonfiction fanworks about Tolkien.
New Challenge: Orctober
Orcs on a quest for freedom seek a place sheltered and safe from the Dark Lord. Fulfill prompts to gather the clues needed to bring them to freedom.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Reference] Mapping Arda, Part III: The Second Age by Anérea, Varda delle Stelle
A series of articles featuring fan-made maps of all the lands of Arda. Part III explores the island of Númenor and mainland Middle-earth during the Second Age.
[Writing] Collection of Potluck Drabbles by Artano
This is a collection of true drabbles completed for the 'Four Words' drabble bingo card.
[Writing] Getting Dirty by Elleth
A collection of NSFW ficlets for the "Keep It Clean" bingo card of the 2024 Potluck Bingo.
[Reference] Doom and Ascent: The Argument of ‘Beowulf: the Monsters and the Critics’ by Simon J. Cook
Simon reads 'Beowulf: the Monsters and the Critics' to conclude his account of the Anglo-Saxon tower of its allegory.
[Artwork] 2024 Potluck Doodles by silmalope
Assorted prompt fills for the 2024 Potluck bingo boards, to varying degrees of completion! :)
[Artwork] A Collection of Maps Exhibiting the Changing Political Landscape in Beleriand by Artano
Created for the 'Geography/Maps/Places' prompt on the "Tolkien meta" bingo board, this is a collection of maps marked with the various people groups showing how they arrived and moved about Beleriand. This collection focuses specifically on the time from the arrival of the Teleri, Vanyar, and…
[Writing] On the Nature of the Sindar’s Hunting the Petty-dwarves by Artano
This is an analysis on whether the Sindar ate the Petty-dwarves during the years they hunted them, completed for the 'Literary Analysis' prompt on the "Tolkien Meta" bingo card.
Current Challenge
Potluck Bingo
Help yourself to a collection of prompts on bingo boards designed by members and friends of the SWG. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Plot Thickens
Create a fanwork that depicts characters in the act of plotting something. Read more ...
New in References
Mapping Arda, Part III: The Second Age by Anérea, Varda delle Stelle
A series of articles featuring fan-made maps of all the lands of Arda. Part III explores the island of Númenor and mainland Middle-earth during the Second Age.
Doom and Ascent: The Argument of ‘Beowulf: the Monsters and the Critics’ by Simon J. Cook
Simon reads 'Beowulf: the Monsters and the Critics' to conclude his account of the Anglo-Saxon tower of its allegory.
Why People Don't Comment: Data and History From the Tolkienfic Fandom by Dawn Walls-Thumma
A reworking of the 2018 article for Long Live Feedback that includes data from the 2020 Tolkien Fanfiction Survey, pointing to a lack of comments as related to skill, confidence, and community connection.
Featured Themed Collection
Part of our Themed Collection series for our newsletter, this collection features fiction, artwork, and essays that transcend the idea of Orcs as the enemy, instead considering their humanity.
Alliterative Verse for Arda by Rhunedhel
Part of our Themed Collection series for our newsletter, this collection features alliterative poems about Middle-earth.
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Artwork] Long-tressed Wingildi by Anérea
"... the long-tressed Wingildi ... spirits of the foam and the surf of ocean."
~ a painted sketch for Scribbles and Drabbles 2024.
[Writing] Partners in Craft by elennalore
Annatar realises that he might like Celebrimbor too much.
[Writing] Staging a Battle by StarSpray
He and Diamond were visiting, though Pippin had been disappearing every afternoon, and taking Frodo and Elanor and most other lads and lasses in the neighborhood with him—though why they couldn’t use Pippin’s own pony, Sam couldn’t imagine.
Around the World and Web
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.
Kiliel Week 2024
Kiliel Week is a Tumblr event for fanworks about the Kili/Tauriel pairing.
November challenge at tolkienshortfanworks
The challenge for November has been posted to the tolkienshortfanworks community on Dreamwidth. Thematic prompt: refuge. Formal challenge: include imitation of a sound. As always, these can be filled independently and also freely combined with SWG and other challenges. New participants welcome!
November 2024 Call for Papers and Proposals
Calls for papers and proposals for conferences and publications that are open during the month of November 2024.
Kings & Queens
Tolkien's legendarium, with its roots in medieval Europe, displays all the royal drama of history: arguments over succession, regicide, kidnapping, and secret kings dashing back at the heroic last minute to rise to greatness. (Yeah you, Aragorn!) Amidst this royal rumble are kings and queens simply doing the job they were born to do. The annals of Middle-earth are filled with rulers who improved (even saved!) their people's lives, turned their realms into a disaster zone, or—most commonly—simply disappeared into the pages of history.
This month, we challenge you to create a fanwork about a king or queen in the legendarium, whether dramatic or dull, brilliant or disastrous, renowned or forgotten. Below, you will find a list of kings and queens listed in the indices of The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings. Note that this list is not exhaustive, and you are welcome to create fanworks about kings and queens not listed. In some cases, it may be questionable whether a character counts as a king or queen, and if you decide they do, we trust your judgment. Fanworks about kings and queens who are textual ghosts or original characters are welcome as well. Finally, remember that the "Silmarillion" is much more than just the First Age. If you're not sure if a Third Age idea would fit on our site, our FAQ on "Silmworks" is here.
Because this challenge falls during Akallabêth in August, there will be a special stamp for anyone who creates a fanwork set during the Second Age.
Thanks go to Zdenka for this month's lovely banner and stamps!
This challenge opened in .
Prompts
Choose your prompt from the collection below.
- View Prompts
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Adûnakhôr
Aldamir
Aldor the Old
Amlaith
Amroth
Anairë
Anardil
Anárion
Ar-Adûnakhôr
Aragorn
Arantar
Araphant
Araphor
Araval
Argaleb I
Argaleb II
Ar-Gimilzôr
Ar-Pharazôn
Ar-Sakalthôr
Arvedui
Arvegil
Arveleg I
Arveleg II
Arwen
Ar-Zimrathôn
Atanatar I
Atanatar II
Bain
Bard
Bard II
Berúthiel
Brytta
Calmacil
Castamir the Usurper
Celebrindor
Celepharn
Cemendur
Ciryandil
Dáin I
Dáin II Ironfoot
Denethor
Déor
Dior
Durin I-VII
Eärendil (King of Gondor)
Eärendur
Eärnil I
Eärnil II
Eärnur
Eärwen
Eldacar of Arnor
Eldacar of Gondor
Eldarion
Elendil
Elfhild
Elfwine the Fair
Elros
Elu Thingol
Éomer
Eorl the Young
Eru Ilúvatar
Fëanor
Fengel
Finarfin
Fingolfin
Fingon
Finrod Felagund
Finwë
Fíriel
Folca
Folcwine
Fréa
Fréaláf Hildeson
Fréawine
Gil-galad
Gimilkhâd
Glóin (King of Durin's Folk)
Goldwine
Helm Hammerhand
Hyarmendacil I
Hyarmendacil II
Indis
Ingwë
Inzilbêth
Isildur
King of the Dead
Lenwë
Lothíriel
Maedhros
Mallor
Malvegil
Manwë
Melian
Melkor
Meneldil
Minardil
Míriel Serindë
Morwen Steelsheen
Náin I
Náin II
Narmacil I
Narmacil II
Nimloth
Olwë
Orodreth
Ostoher
Rómendacil I
Rómendacil II
Sauron
Siriondil
Tar-Alcarin
Tar-Aldarion
Tar-Amandil
Tar-Anárion
Tar-Ancalimë
Tar-Ancalimon
Tar-Ardamin
Tarannon Falastur
Tar-Atanamir
Tar-Calmacil
Tarcil
Tar-Ciryatan
Tar-Elendil
Tar-Meneldur
Tar-Minastir
Tar-Míriel
Tarondor
Tar-Palantir
Tar-Súrion
Tar-Telammaitë
Tar-Telperiën
Tar-Vanimeldë
Telemnar
Telumehtar Umbardacil
Thengel
Théoden
Thorin I
Thorin II Oakenshield
Thorin III Stonehelm
Thorondor
Thráin I
Thráin II
Thranduil
Thrór
Turgon
Valacar
Valandil
Valandur
Varda
Vardamir
Vidugavia
Vidumavi
Walda
Witch-king of Angmar
Fanworks Tagged with Kings & Queens
The Last Queen of the North by Flora-lass
Arvedui is gone, and Firiel reflects.
Ode to Findaráto by Flora-lass
In praise of a painting of a young Finrod in Valinor.
Like his Father in Valour by chrissystriped
Eärnur fights the Witch-king and is offered a choice.
Our son and king by daughterofshadows
Three perspectives on Ereinion Gil-Galad.
I Will Hold Your Hand Forever by LadySternchen
A course through time with my most beloved king and queen.
Queen of Fire and Water by Himring
Tar-Miriel, still plagued by foresight when nothing can be prevented anymore.
Queen's Gambit by Grundy
A chance find while tidying up Indis' rooms leads to revelations no one was expecting.
The Son Still Shines by cuarthol
The War brings Finarfin close to the ruins of Nargothrond where Finrod once ruled.
It is dark one inch ahead of you by TexasDreamer01
They needed to move on, to settle - to weather this tentative peace. Looking upon this valley, he thought that perhaps it could be done.
The Question of Succession by elennalore
After hearing the Doom of Mandos, Arafinwë returns to Valinor where the remaining Noldor need a new ruler. It appears that the Valar have already made their choice.
The Kingsword by Kaylee Arafinwiel
After the War of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, the young King Thranduil steals away for an evening of solace at The Mysterious Deer, hoping none will disturb him. He listens to a minstrel singing a legend that strikes rather close to home.
Berion's Song by Himring
Berion, captain of Barad Eithel under King Fingon, laments Fingon's death and the loss of his home.
Much Sorrow and Many Lives of Men by sallysavestheday
Arvedui in Forochel.
All Unquiet by mouse
Idril disagrees with the king’s decision to execute Eol. Written for the SWG challenge Kings & Queens.
Shards of a Line Unbroken by polutropos
At the gates of Edoras, Aragorn tells the guard that Narsil was forged by Telchar, the great dwarven smith of the First Age. How did this ancient heirloom come into the hands of Elendil, king of the Realms in Exile?
Written for the SWG challenge Kings & Queens (as well as Akallabeth in August), and part of my Weapons series, the rest of which is on AO3.
Far is the high gods' song and low by AdmirableMonster
As Númenor convulses in its death throws, Tar-Míriel converses with a friendly soul before she climbs the Meneltarma to her fate.
