Cultus Dispatches: Revelations from Marquette's Fanzine Dataset
In September 2026, Marquette University released a dataset about their Tolkien fanzine collection. Analysis of the data reveals what these fanzines contained and show how pre-internet Tolkien fandom responded to the publication of "The Silmarillion."
SWG News
New Challenge: Unquote
Choose a prompt from our selection of misheard, miswritten, and misrepresented unquotes that are in no way part of the actual "Silmarillon."
Site Etiquette Update: Fandom and Money
We have updated our policy in our Site Etiquette around linking to sites that collect money.
Character of the Month: Eönwë
This month's biography focuses on Eönwë, who started with a variety of identities but settled into the role of Manwë's herald, exemplifying the values of strong leadership and justice.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] Falling by annarobots
Re-embodied, Glorfindel lives in bliss with Idril. Well, near bliss. Almost bliss.
[Writing] Silmarillion Non-Con November 2026 by AngbandThrallNo.1035
This is my collection of ficlets for the various prompts of Non-Con November 2026, I'll update the tags as I upload my fics, each prompt will be a new chapter. This writing event specifically focuses on the absence of consent, so keep that in mind!
Day 1: Groping (Maeglin/Glorfindel)
[Writing] Look Up by Isilme_among_the_stars
Maedhros rises before the sun each morning. But unlike other elves, he never gazes up at the stars. Fingon intervenes.
Written for whumptober No. 31 - Recovery | "It's time to try living again"
[Writing] The Day Transcending Night by StarSpray
The Rings have been forged. The armies of Mordor are marching into Eriador. Eregion burns.
Far away from it all, by the shores of the Sea, Celegorm remembers his name.
[Writing] Tíran i tauri by flame_of_the_noldor
In the deeps of Time, when the Valar had uplifted the mountains of the Pélori in the ages after the Marring of Arda, Oromë was granted lordship over the creatures and forests of the Pélori. The great forests, now his and Yavanna’s domain, are the realm of the hunt, where willing eldar go to seek…
[Writing] Pride Goeth Before a Fall by flame_of_the_noldor
Celebrimbor is haunted by strange visions and dreams and seeks Annatar's guidance and help.
[Writing] With Eyes Unclouded by AdmirableMonster
After an argument with his father, Celebrimbor gets lost in the woods and happens upon a beautiful wolf in a trap. He frees it, not expecting it to turn out to be a Maia who now decides he owes him a life debt.
Current Challenge
Unquote
Choose a prompt from our selection of misheard, miswritten, and misrepresented unquotes that are in no way part of the actual "Silmarillon." Read more ...
Random Challenge
Funky 70s
Choose a prompt from books, movies, quotes, headlines, style, and more from the 1970s. Read more ...
New in References
Fandom before the Time of the Trees: Revelations from Marquette's Fanzine Dataset by Dawn Walls-Thumma
In September 2026, Marquette University released a dataset about their Tolkien fanzine collection. Analysis of the data reveals what these fanzines contained and show how pre-internet Tolkien fandom responded to the publication of "The Silmarillion."
Across the history of the "Silmarillion," Eönwë's role settles on a character who leads without taking upon himself the power to mete out justice and who acts with equanimity across some of the most harrowing conflicts in the early legendarium.
Speak Friend and Enter: Trends in Fandom Entry Year by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Across three surveys and ten years, the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey has document when authors began writing. These data reveal trends in how film promotions, the films themselves, the books, and other historical contexts have influenced not only who writes but how long they stay.
Featured Themed Collection
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] IN THE SHIRE-RECKONING by Diane Finnis-Robb
-This stand alone novel was completed for Hobbit Day 2026. It is a multi-generational novel spanning a period of time from the formation of the Shire to the Great Plague in Year Thirty-six and focuses on the origins of an old feud between the Bucks and the Tooks.
[Writing] For a Better World by Ellynn
Thirteen years before the War of the Ring, an orcling — more intelligent and more curious than most — is born in Mordor. His curiosity will lead him to both incredible discoveries and perilous situations, all of which will shape him into a leader unlike any Mordor has ever known. But to become…
[Writing] Sun on the Daisies by StarSpray
“Oh.” Frodo’s voice was soft, almost more sigh than sound. “Sam, look.”
Around the World and Web
Nolofinwëan Week 2026
Nolofinwëan Week is Tumblr fandom event celebrating the House of Fingolfin, running from November 9th - 16th
14th International Tolkien Mailing Competition
The Hungarian Tolkien Society invites you to join the international “Quendi” category of the Tolkien Mailing Competition: five rounds of quizzes, riddles and creative tasks. This category is organised in English, open to any individual participant, and also to teams of 2–5 people. The five rounds of the competition will last from November to April.
Tolkien Food Week 2026
fandom event from the 2-8th nov 2026 where we share recipes, fics and comfort food for body and soul.
The White Oliphaunt 2026
The White Oliphaunt gift exchange, a yearly event where Tolkien fans sign up to exchange humorous gifts with each other.
Glorfindel Week 2026
A Tumblr fandom week dedicated to the elf Glorfindel.
Tíran i tauri by flame_of_the_noldor
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Chapter 3
Tyelkormo rode quickly to the forest to clear his mind. The familiar light of the Trees was gone, replaced by a cold darkness that blanketed Aman in dread. Only by the light of the lamps invented by his father could Tyelkormor navigate his way toward the foothills of the Pélori.
When he arrived, he saw that the forest looked sickened and dead, and even the light from his lamp appeared to grow dim. He felt the unease with which his equine companion trotted into the forest, fearful of potential predators and shadowy beings that lurked in the darkness.
Oromë met him where they normally did, at the same clearing in the woods that the Vala had first found him as a child, now marked by a series of standing stones carved by his brothers to honor the Vala.
Oromë, clothed in the form of the eldar, stood in the center, watched Tyelkormo arrive.
“I am glad that thou couldst meet me here, Tyelkormo Fëanárion.”, he said, calm as the earth before a storm. “I have heard from Lord Manwë about what has happened to your father.”
“Yes, it is a terrible tragedy that has been wrought by Morgoth.”, said Tyelkormo sadly, although hints of anger and rage began to slowly bubble to the surface.
“Thou shouldst remain here, Tyelkormo, and await the council of the Aratar.”, Oromë responded calmly.
“I cannot, Lord Oromë, my atar has sworn an oath to retrieve the Silmarils from the hands of Morgoth on the blessed name of Eru Ilúvatar, and on Manwë and Varda’s sacred names. I have also pledged myself to this oath, and am honor bound to hold to it, even at cost of my life.”, Tyelkormo said, straightening himself up in pride.
Tyelkormo could see Oromë’s visage melt into sadness and sorrow as Tyelkormo continued, determination colored with rage filling his voice, “We have decided to set out for the lands beyond Aman and cross the Helcaraxë to reach Endóre, for we know that the Melkor has fled Aman.”
“Tyelkormo…”, Oromë softly said, “I will not stop you from honoring the oath you swore, as the Melkor must face judgment for his crimes.”
Oromë’s voice then turned to slow rising thunder at the beginning of a storm, gradually rising in power until the woods themselves echoed with the fury of his words.
“Hunt down the vile beasts and foul creatures of the Melkor in my name, Tyelkormo Fëanárion. Let him fear the fierce horn of the Valaróma once more, as he did in the days before the awakening of the eldar. Morgoth must be brought back to Aman and face his judgment at Máhanaxar once more. His foul designs have desecrated our work for long enough.”
Tyelkormo shrunk back in fear and awe at the Vala’s words.
The forest then calmed around Tyelkormo as the Vala calmed himself.
“Now to you, great hunter Tyelkormo, a gift for thy travels.”, the Lord of Forests bellowed, as a mighty dog nearly the size of one of the Valinorian steeds strode forth. Tyelkormo widened his eyes in anticipation as the beast strode closer to him and bowed its head.
Never leaving his eyes from the awed elf, Oromë said, “Now this gift is thine to take with you. His name is Huan, and he is one of the greatest of my hounds. May he serve you well.”
The beast bowed its head and sank to its front paws in a bow as Oromë strode back into the woods upon Nahar.
Tyelkormo called after him, “How shall I know if your presence is with me?”
Tyelkormo felt an intense pressure inside his mind as the phrase Tíran i tauri entered his mind and he was filled with understanding.
Tyelkormo stared into the brown eyes of the beast and placed his hand upon its head, marking the beast as his own.
With one final glance into the twisting woods, Tyelkormo and his beast-companion slowly made their way back out of the dark forest.
-------------------------------------------------------
As Tyelkormo boarded the boat that would lead him and his brothers to the lands beyond Aman, he looked back one last time at the Pélori and wondered if he would ever see them or their forests again.
