Cultus Dispatches: "The Rings of Power" Is a Ripple (So Far)
Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data for 2025 shows that "The Rings of Power" TV series has not had the same impact on the fandom as the film trilogies did ... so far.
SWG News
New Challenge: Building Middle-earth
Let global architecture be your inspiration in this challenge, where you will work with a prompts that are architectural styles, locations in Arda, or both.
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.
New Challenge: Epic 80s
This month's challenge features hundreds of fresh prompts from the bodacious decade of the 1980s.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] A Thousand Winds that Blow by StarSpray
When uneasy dreams bring him back into Beleriand, Daeron finds a pair of twins who have lost their home, and an enemy who has lost himself. The Shadow's reach is growing ever longer, and if they are to survive, they must do it together.
[Series] Black and Gold by Fredbassett
Pride goes before a fall, but some falls are deliberate. Mairon knows better than to fight a war he won't win, so instead he plays a long game ...
[Writing] Blood and Silk by Fredbassett
Ar-Pharazôn returns in triumph to Númenór and displays his captive to the waiting crowds. But his display of power is not to everyone's taste.
[Writing] Grey Sea, Blue Sky by Fredbassett
Mairon decides to enliven an otherwise dull sea journey.
[Writing] Jewel in the Crown by Fredbassett
The king's golden touch does not please everyone.
[Writing] Gold and Red by Fredbassett
Mairon humbles himself before the conquering Númenorean king.
[Writing] Black and Gold by Fredbassett
Pride goes before a fall, but some falls are deliberate.
Current Challenge
Building Middle-earth
Receive a prompt of an architectural style or a location on Arda—or both!—to inspire your fanworks. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Ankle Biters
Create a fanwork featuring a character as a child or characters as children. Read more ...
New in References
"The Rings of Power" Is a Ripple (So Far) by Dawn Walls-Thumma
The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit film trilogies mark perhaps the most influential events in the history of the Tolkien fanfiction fandom. As the Rings of Power show approaches its third season, data from the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey shows that it is not even close to matching the impact of the films ... yet.
Six Demographic Takeaways from the 2025 Tolkien Fanfiction Survey by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Data from the 2025 Tolkien Fanfiction Survey shows demographic changes in participant gender, age, and education and new revelations about neurodiversity.
Communities Do Comment: Expanding the 3C's of Commenting with SWG Data by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Expanding on my 2018 article "Why People Don't Comment," comment data from the SWG underscores community as an essential component to a robust commenting culture.
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
Gigolas Week 2026
Gigolas Week is a tumblr event focusing on the relationship between Legolas and Gimli
Innumerable Stars 2026
A character-based Tolkien fandom gift exchange is returning for another year of gifting.
Silvergifting Week 2026
A week dedicated to Celebrimbor/Mairon | Annatar | Sauron pairing, aka Silvergifting. August 10-16, 2026
Black and Gold by Fredbassett
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Black and Gold
One glance into Ar-Pharazôn’s hot eyes made it abundantly clear he’d chosen this form wisely.
The king wanted him, that much was obvious.
Mirrored in the Numenorean’s eyes he saw his own slender form clad simply in a knee length white silk shirt hanging loosely over dark grey trousers tucked into soft, knee-high boots of supple black leather. Raven-wing hair with the merest touch of red-gold highlights framed a pale face.
He sank gracefully to his knees before Ar-Pharazôn, setting the seal on the king’s lust.
“I offer surrender, my Lord King.”
In that moment, Ar-Pharazôn the Golden was lost.
