New Challenge: Scavenger Hunt
In this Matryoshka-with-a-twist, you will solve clues that point you to the challenge prompts.
SWG News
Sign-Up to Hand Out Scavenger Hunt Prompts
Our May challenge will be a Matryoshka built around a scavenger hunt. If you'd like to hand out prompts (and receive comments on your work for doing so!), you can sign up to do so.
New Challenge: Everyman
Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration.
Cultus Dispatches: Fanworks, AI, and Resistance by Dawn and Grundy
The fan studies column Cultus Dispatches returns with a history of how Tolkien fanworks fandom has reacted and resisted generative AI by drawing strong boundaries in a way that is not typical for the fandom.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] Eä's Redemption by AaronAzrael
This is my new poetical attempt to add my own interpretation to Tolkien's Cosmology as to Eru's Creation and the Valar's minds and behind-the-scene providence reasons and mechanisms.. I often review Eä as part of our own world, just in another dimension, this is why I have always seriously…
[Writing] Hill and Water Under Sky by StarSpray
a collection of drabbles and mini ficlets in the meanwhile the world goes on 'verse that aren't long enough to stand on their own
[Writing] Otornassë by vulpeculi4r
In the aftermath of the third kinslaying and the death of Amrod and Amras, Maglor needs to reassure himself that Maedhros is still there with him.
[Writing] I Sit and Think of Times There Were Before by Erdariel
In his old age, Isildur's former esquire Ruinamacil, known to later histories only as Ohtar, writes his own account of his escape from the ambush at Gladden Fields and journey to Imladris, and the history of his friend whom Isildur ordered to flee with him.
[Writing] From That Rubble by StarSpray
Fëanor shrugged, studying the contents of his wine glass. “Something must be done about that house. It will fall down eventually.”
“It does not follow that it must be you that tears it down single-handedly. Are you sure you do not want help?”
“It’s not as though I…
[Writing] My Hands Long for Far Shores by Elrond's Library
Ereinion Gil-galad wants desperately to sail. Being king gets in the way.
[Writing] The Mirror Crack'd by AdmirableMonster
Rescued from a brutal Angband hunt, an ex-thrall with a strange and powerful artifact embedded in his spine is brought to Himring, for it is one of the only places in Beleriand which welcomes such folk. Though he has no memories of his life before, Anniavas slowly becomes accustomed to his new…
Current Challenge
Scavenger Hunt
Solves clues to find your prompts for this Matryoshka challenge. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Block Party
During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, we offered a menu of daily prompts designed to help people connect, show kindness to others, and refocus on their own creativity during this uncertain moment in history. Read more ...
New in References
Fandom Draws the Line: Fanworks, AI, and Resistance by Dawn Felagund, Grundy
By definition, fanworks fandom does not draw a lot of boundaries, but community archives and events have taken a strong stance against AI-generated fanworks due to ethical considerations and member input.
Grief, Grieving, and Permission to Mourn in the "Quenta Silmarillion" by Dawn Walls-Thumma
In a book as full of death as the Quenta Silmarillion, grief and mourning are surprisingly absent. The characters who receive grief and mourning—and those who don't—appear to do so due to narrative bias. Grief and mourning (or a lack of them) serve to draw attention toward and away from objectionable actions committed by characters.
Tolkien, Lunatic Physicists, and Abnegation by Cynthia (Cindy) Gates
This presentation for Mereth Aderthad 2025 discusses the parallels between the concept of abnegation in the scientific work surrounding the atomic bomb and in The Silmarillion. The relinquishment of self-interest in favor of the interests of others, abnegation was identified by Tolkien as a powerful act of spirit and reason. The legendarium has many examples of the complexities of abnegation, which parallel similar discussions held by physicists during and after World War II.
Featured Themed Collection
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] Down the Long Years by Isilme_among_the_stars
Bilbo, the strange old hobbit with the wandering feet, senses something special in young Frodo the first time he sees the lad; as they become close, they find in each other a cameraderie not well understood by other hobbits. Five poignant moments between Bilbo and Frodo Baggins over the course…
[Artwork] The Mirror of Galadriel by skywardstruck
Smoke rises from the Mirror, where the Lady of Lothlórien awaits to share its visions.
[Writing] Bar-en-Eladar by Gabriel
Out of the shadow, light is born anew.
A Chieftain is dead. And whilst the events surrounding his death are unclear, a son tries to come to terms with his loss.
Around the World and Web
Scribbles and Drabbles 2026
Scribbles & Drabbles is a fic and art exchange with a minimum word count of 100 words.
Russingon Week 2026
A Tumblr week event focusing on the relationship between Maedhros and Fingon.
Boromir Week 2026
If you are Boromir girlies/gents/stans/simps, then this event is for you! So, come join us, and bring your fanfiction, art, gifs, moodboards, and headcanons that highlight everything you love about our Captain of Gondor!
Silmarillion Epistolary Week 2026
Silmarillion Epistolary Week is a Tumblr challenge dedicated to creating fanworks to tell the story of the Silmarillion in the style of an epistolary novel.
New and Updated Artwork
Celebrimbor reunites with his family in the Halls of Mandos, hoping to reconcile with them.
Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sons of FëanorMajor Relationships: Celebrimbor & Curufin, Celebrimbor & Sons of Fëanor
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Here's one of my art pieces for TRSB 2025! This cosplay photo set was so evocative, I was wondering what I could use it for, and then I realized that TRSB would be a perfect fit. The circlet and halo crown were made by me; the circlet has an Eye of Sauron design and the halo crown lights up. This is one of my favorite cosplays and I'm so overjoyed to share it as part of TRSB!
tyelperintal has written a fanfic for this art which can be read here.
Cosplayer: skywardstruck
Halo crown and circlet: skywardstruck
Costume: voldadivnaya
Photo: stargirlpictures
Major Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
I had this cosplay photo taken of my Maglor and my friend moodrose's Galadriel at Katsucon 2025, and we managed to get set up just in time for the sunset! The rocky shore outside the convention center was absolutely gorgeous and perfect for this shot. This was a last-minute idea I had, but it really paid off, because we knew this photo would be perfect for TRSB, leaving plenty of room for the author to develop Maglor and Galadriel's relationship. starspray wrote a beautiful fanfic for this work which can be found here.
Maglor: skywardstruck
Galadriel: moodrose
Photo: aerlinn.cos
Maglor cosplay made by lady-creations-and-co, designed by me
Major Relationships: Galadriel & Maglor
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
"In sorrow we must go, but not in despair. Behold! we are not bound for ever to the circles of the world, and beyond them is more than memory." - The Return of the King
Stitched for the Famous Last Words challenge for the prompt: "And with that, they stepped into the gateway, together." - Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon, Wole Talabi
Major Characters: Beren, Lúthien TinúvielMajor Relationships: Beren/Luthien
Challenge: Famous Last Words
Rating: General
Warnings: Character Death | | |
Maedhros and Fingon from the Years of the Trees to re-embodiment, across five pieces of Maedhros' calligraphy (hand-lettered, with decorative elements) [artworks for the Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang (TRSB) 2025]
Major Characters: Maedhros, Fingon, Azaghâl, ElwingMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Celebrimbor - paper-cutting, markers, pens, coloured pencils
Major Characters: CelebrimborMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
House of Fëanor star - paper-cutting, markers, pens, coloured pencils
Major Characters: Fëanor, Sons of Fëanor, Maedhros, Maglor, Celegorm, Caranthir, Curufin, Amras, AmrodMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn | | |
An illustration of what happens not long after the final scene of AdmirableMonster's The Way That She Died
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
The opening scene from AdmirableMonster's story The Way That She Died, illustrated
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: Teens
Warnings: Violence (Moderate) | | |
Lake Mithrim from North Sinda's pov on a calm misty overcast day
Major Characters: SindarMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: New Year's Resolution, The Only Thing To Fear
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Sad fading Maglor on a stormy beach ...
Major Characters: MaglorMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: New Year's Resolution, Period Drama
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Abstract sketch from Tuor's pov of Túrin running through the dead trees at Eithel Ivrin after it was despoiled by Glaurung.
Major Characters: TúrinMajor Relationships: Tuor & Turin
Challenge: Kids These Days, New Year's Resolution
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Aredhel wanders through Nan Elmoth
Major Characters: AredhelMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: New Year's Resolution, Swinging 40s
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Drawing of Finrod discovering a new friend while exploring Beleriand.
Major Characters: Finrod FelagundMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Birthday Bash, New Year's Resolution
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Technically a failed photo of a firework, which I decided looked more like Ilmare the Maia, the Handmaiden of Varda, in one of her less embodied states.
Major Characters: IlmarëMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
painting of the Tower of Pearl in the Western Isles
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Back To The Future, Heroes, Jumble Sale
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
The formal ceremony where Maedhros hands over the High King status to Fingolfin.
Major Characters: Maedhros, Fingolfin
Major Relationships: Fingolfin & Maedhros
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
"Therefore there was built for [Elwing] a white tower northward upon the borders of the Sundering Seas..." - The Silmarillion, 'Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath'
Made for 2025's Tolkien Summer Reverse Bang!
The accompanying fic is here: Sad songs for us to bear by astrisq
Major Characters: ElwingMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
A Feanorian star embroidered in white thread on a grey jean jacket with three studs at the top representing the three Silmarils.
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Maglor’s breath caught in his throat at the sight of Ekkaia stretching out before them. Its waters were calmer and smoother than Belegaer. The waves were gentle as they washed quietly up over the stony beach, their music no more than a whisper, the stones themselves all warm browns and reds and occasional pinks, and the waters were darker, not quite reflecting the blue of the sky, but instead shimmering with the remembered light of ancient stars. They were endless, vanishing past the horizon; there were no ships that sailed upon Ekkaia, no fishermen to cast their nets into its depths. Certainly no sea monsters, Maglor thought as he lifted a hand to shield his eyes from the westering sun. Here there was only peace.
- High in the Clean Blue Air, Chapter Twenty Seven
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
A collage about Nimrodel, Amroth (and Mithrellas) and their flight to Edhellond.
Art for Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang
Major Characters: Nimrodel, Amroth, MithrellasMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
