Understory

SWG Understory challenge banner - watercolor of a fallen log in a forest. There are ferns and fungi growing on the log, other plants surrounding it, and multiple butterflies above it.

In his lecture "On Fairy-stories," Tolkien spoke of the Tree of Tales. As a metaphor, this functions on multiple levels, implying that stories don't just draw from the store of myth and history at their roots but constantly grow and branch from each other. Building on Tolkien's metaphor, this month's challenge considers the understory: that foliage that grows in the shade of larger branches, or the smaller characters and plots that give dimension to a tale and tantalize the reader into wondering where they'd go, were they allowed to grow.

This month's challenge is a remix challenge, meaning that you will use another person's fanwork as your inspiration. You will choose a minor character, small detail, or minor plot point and develop it into its own fanwork. Note that this is a two-month challenge. Make sure you review the schedule and expectations for using another fan's work below.

Schedule

15-22 November. We encourage creators, especially those who plan to participate in the challenge, to fill out the form about how participants can use your fanworks. This is not required, but we will post a list of creators here on November 23 who are open to having their works used for this challenge. Note that you can fill out the form after the 22nd, and we will update the list as new responses come in.

23 November-15 January. Contact a creator with an understory you'd like to develop into its own fanwork and get started!

Working with Other Creators

It is imperative that all fanworks used for this challenge are used with permission and credited according to the creator's expectations.

Some creators will give open permission to use their work. You should credit the creator and link to the original work in your fanwork notes.

In all other instances, you should obtain permission from any creators whose work you wish to use. If the work has multiple creators, you should obtain permission from each person. Be clear about what work you want to use and how you plan to remix it, and make sure to ask how they wish to be credited.

To contact SWG creators, click on a creator's name and use the Contact link at the top of their profile. Note that some creators may have this feature disabled. You can contact creators through other sites and social media also. If you cannot find a way to contact a creator or do not hear back from a creator, do not use their work for this challenge.

Creator List

Permission Given, No Contact Needed

The creators below have given permission to use all fanworks listed for this challenge. You do not need to contact the creator for permission first. Credit the creator in your notes with a link to the original work.

  • AdmirableMonster: any, seriously, please feel free to go wild (SWG | AO3)
  • cuarthol: any non-WiP (SWG | AO3)
  • daughterofshadows: Everything on my SWG profile, on Ao3, everything with the exception of those fics that are part of the TMP series (which I unfortunately can't link, because there are unrevealed Scribbles & Drabbles pieces in there and it's causing a bit of chaos) (SWG | AO3)
  • Dawn Felagund: anything (SWG)
  • Grundy: Any artwork, Et Eärello, Something Old Something New, Until the King Should Come Again
  • Harp_of_Gold: any except "Undone," "like we've been here before," and TRSB fics (those are based on others' works) (SWG | AO3)
  • LadySternchen: all of them (stories that are co-written or inspired by another author would need the permission of that other author as well) (SWG | AO3)
  • Lferion: Blanket permission for my pieces on SWG and AO3, though collaborations or pieces inspired by other works would need the other creator's permission as well. (So, art I have done for scribbles and drabbles is fair game, but scribbles and drabbles pieces I have written for other people's art would need that artist's permission.) (SWG | AO3)
  • reindeer_pizza: all fics except 'Expectations' on Ao3, as that is itself a remix of someone else's work (SWG | AO3)
  • Saelind: all (SWG | AO3)
  • stormfallen: all (SWG | AO3)
  • Talullah: all (SWG)

Contact for Permission

Creators below are open to having their work used for this challenge. Contact the creator first. Clicking the creator's name will access their contact form, if available.

Other Details

"Understory" implies written fanworks, but non-written fanworks can serve as inspiration for this challenge, and responses can be in any form that you choose. In fact, non-written fanworks like artwork and playlists can be especially suitable as inspiration for this challenge.

The fanwork (or fanworks!) that inspires your response to this challenge does not need to be archived on the SWG. The same rules for contacting the original creator (or following their permission statement, if they have one) apply.

Many thanks to Cuarthol for this month's beautiful banner and stamps!

This challenge opened in .

Fanworks Tagged with Understory

Two werewolves in a dark startlit landscape

Unbound by Anérea

For Draugluin, death was just the beginning ...

Fanwork Information

This is a Writing fanwork

What Old Tales Say by StarSpray

How oddly the old tales changed and twisted through the years!

Fanwork Information and Table of Contents

This is a Writing fanwork

'The sea-gift well hath throve' by Himring

It is a bit nerve-wracking, courting a princess of the House of Elros.

Elatan of Andunie hopes he is up to her standards.

Fanwork Information and Table of Contents

This is a Writing fanwork

Echoes By The Water by Grundy

Círdan has a curious guest.

Fanwork Information and Table of Contents

This is a Writing fanwork

Shards Of Memory by LadySternchen

Written for Understory-challenge, inspired by StarSpray's story 'Rising as if Weightless'.
While his court is still enjoying the feast he gave in honour of the Princes of Doriath That Was, Olwë stands alone before the mosaic depicting him and his brothers.

Fanwork Information and Table of Contents

This is a Writing fanwork

Children of Aulë by cuarthol, Zdenka

A moment between those known by others as Petty Dwarves.  Their name for themselves is unknown.

Fanwork Information and Table of Contents

This is a Writing fanwork

Keeping Watch by Lferion

There had been war-camps in Beleriand, purposeful and deadly serious, as well as full of song and camaraderie. There had been the Mereth Aderthad.

This tournament camp was, oddly — or perhaps not — most like that.

Fanwork Information and Table of Contents

This is a Writing fanwork

By Love Annealed by sallysavestheday

Celebrimbor reconciles himself to and rejoices in an imperfect world, for a little while.

Fanwork Information and Table of Contents

This is a Writing fanwork

Meet me in the Woods by daughterofshadows

Melian meets Thingol for the first time.

Fanwork Information and Table of Contents

This is a Writing fanwork

Choice Fruits by cuarthol, Dawn Felagund

Terentaulë makes her choice; but in the end, they were both fruit of the same tree.

Fanwork Information and Table of Contents

This is a Writing fanwork

Today I’ll Kiss You, Tomorrow I’ll Miss You by UnicornsInSpace

Finrod thinks about his and Amarië's relationship while they cuddle in a forest. She is a closeted trans woman.

Fanwork Information and Table of Contents

This is a Writing fanwork

The Mercy of the Fallen by AdmirableMonster

Rather than killing him, Dior curses Celegorm with his dying breath. Someone that Celegorm once helped helps him a little in turn.

Fanwork Information and Table of Contents

This is a Writing fanwork

The Hunter and the Hare by cuarthol, polutropos

Tirion's masked ball offers decadent delights, mistaken identities, insatiable yearnings, and inescapable philanderings.

Fanwork Information and Table of Contents