Cultus Dispatches: Six Demographic Takeaways from the 2025 Tolkien Fanfiction Survey
Ten years of demographic data from the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey show consistencies in who reads and writes fanfiction, as well as a few key demographic shifts.
Artwork for TRSB25. Sometime after the First Age, Elrond has found among his possessions a small box containing a cache of letters. The box, though it does not have the usual fine craftsmanship one would expect from elves, can only have come from Maedhros or Maglor, slipped in among the things given to Elrond and Elros when they were sent to Gil-galad. The letters, in several different styles, appear never to have been opened…
Story for the art is being written by until_the_stars_are_all_alight, I'm so excited to read it! (Link to be added here once the story is revealed.)
Major Characters: No major characters listed
Artwork for TRSB25, which asked the author to consider Fëanor's time in Mandos. The story for the art is being written by biologygeorge, and I can't wait to read it. (It will be linked here once revealed.)
Major Characters: No major characters listed
The apocalypse is upon Bree and Middle-Earth! Strange creatures roam the streets, and a fell light shines on the world. (Art for TRSB 2025) (Warning for some flickering.)
Major Characters: No major characters listed
What if Morgoth turned elves into dragons, but things do not work out the way he planned? (Art for TRSB 2025.)
Major Characters: No major characters listed
Fingon’s prayer. Last-minute sketch entry for the 40s monthly challenge!
Major Characters: Fingon
Four art pieces for Scribbles & Drabbles 2025.
Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Círdan, Rog
An embroidery piece inspired by Éowyn's journey in the Return of the King, when a time of joy comes after a long winter of despair. The words are quote from the book. The sun motif is taken from the design of Éomer's armour from Peter Jackson's The Two Towers. The flower design is my own.
Major Characters: Éowyn
An association football (soccer) pitch with some Rings of Power on it. On it is written in black and white script, my pitch (ha) to the artists: What if football (soccer) was invented in Beleriand/Middle-earth? Who would be most likely to invent it? To perfect it? Who would be most competitive about it? What if the Dark Lords and Elven Ringbearers--or any Ringbearers--got in on it?
Write something showing how the Beautiful Game might have evolved in Tolkien's world, and who would play it. Might there be leagues? Imagine, the World Cup of Beleriand...Anyway, this is something I've always wanted to write but never been able to. I hope someone can!
Major Characters: No major characters listed
The green plain of Ard-galen was laid waste and became the desolation of Anfauglith, its only green land being the Hill of the Slain. Or...maybe this is Mordor, before it was laid waste and as it's recovering? Or both? Something similar? Up to you.
Major Characters: No major characters listed
A view of a volcano somewhere on Arda (or off it, I guess, if we want to take this to some other planet the Valar have visited, lol, who knows).
Major Characters: No major characters listed
A craban and jellyfish somewhere on Arda. The hatchling craban mistakes the jellyfish for an 'octofish (octopus) fren'. Inspired by octopus_fool, though anyone can fill this
Major Characters: No major characters listed
Black background, white stars (linked by a thin line) - the constellation Pisces, The Fish.
Major Characters: No major characters listed
It looks like a doodle or a sketch, or maybe it's a coded message? Who knows, just enjoy. Someone is drawing/encoding something, let it be whoever, whenever, and whyever you want. Could be Silmarillion, or beyond.
Major Characters: No major characters listed
Three different characters, all named as children of twilight, their pasts, and their presents.
Major Characters: Maeglin, Arwen, Lúthien Tinúviel
Rían sitting on the arm of her Entwife girlfriend.
Major Characters: Rían, Entwives
Maedhros and Fingon, ie Russo and Finnu from Prayers to Broken Stone, 19 years old and up to no-good at all. If you want to know why they’re dressed up like a Mecca pilgrim and a Roman cardinal, check out the snippet in the notes!
Major Characters: Maedhros, Fingon
Two scenes from the third kinslaying: the sack of Sirion and the adoption of Elrond and Elros by Maglor and Maedhros.
Major Characters: Maglor, Maedhros, Elrond, Elros, Círdan, Gil-galad
A silver treasure shows the stories and even more coveted treasures of the past.
Major Characters: Beren, Lúthien Tinúviel, Frodo, Samwise Gamgee
Four characters show the broad spectrum of aromanticism across the ages.
Major Characters: Tar-Ancalimë, Aredhel, Boromir (Fellowship), Bilbo Baggins
The mind of Tolkien freed the fantastical to become a part of our world.
Major Characters: J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis
Elu Thingol is a character who exists in shades of grey.
Major Characters: Elu Thingol
Three children are born under vastly different circumstances and yet receive the same name: Child of Twilight.
Major Characters: Arwen, Lúthien Tinúviel, Maeglin