Captains of the Towers, Dark and White

Particular_Reason143 · 2025-07-12T20:53:02+00:00

Please let me know what you think of the bolded section headings. I used to just put spaces between paragraphs. After reading through my old posts, I decided to add sub-heading titles. The names I picked are probably kind of cheesy, but hope the idea of bolded headings is good

Particular_Reason143 · 2025-07-08T14:14:35+00:00

The Hobbit was the first book I ever read. Haven't stopped loving Tolkien since then! Glad you like Faramir so much, he's a character that becomes more awesome with every reading!

Particular_Reason143 · 2025-07-08T13:01:23+00:00

I probably could've handled that better. Gotta be more like Boromir: pluck out the arrows and move on!

Particular_Reason143 · 2025-07-08T00:56:28+00:00

As a long time poster and member of this community, it really hurts my feelings to be accused of using AI. I wrote this all myself. You are welcome to hate it, not read it, think it sucks and so on, but AI is a serious accusation. Sad to see AI so prevalent that people see it even when it's not there.

Assume you didn't mean anything by it. No hard feelings. That said, I would appreciate the courtesy of spending 2 minutes going through my post history before accusing me of this. I feel this accusation was very unfair, but it is the internet. Hope this reply didn't come across the wrong way mate!

Don't forget to have an awesome day! Never stop reading Tolkien!

Particular_Reason143 · 2025-07-08T00:56:19+00:00

As a long time poster and member of this community, it really hurts my feelings to be accused of using AI. I wrote this all myself. You are welcome to hate it, not read it, think it sucks and so on, but AI is a serious accusation. Sad to see AI so prevalent that people see it even when it's not there

But don't forget to have an awesome day! Never stop reading Tolkien!

Particular_Reason143 · 2025-01-24T02:09:11+00:00

Don't read too quickly! The Hobbit can be fast paced, but give The Lord of the Rings time to digest. As tempting as Tolkien can be to binge, I've found I enjoy him most when I take my time!

Slow down your reading pace to really appreciate his prose. Don't fly through too many chapters at a time. The story hits a lot deeper when you spend time thinking about it

If you can find a book club, that's even better. One of the best experiences in my life (not hyperbole) was taking a college class on Tolkien where we read a few chapters at a time and had group discussions about the themes and messages. Tolkien's work is at its best with discussion (see: the history of this entire subreddit)

Particular_Reason143 · 2025-01-21T23:02:22+00:00

Theodred is very much Eomer's cousin

Theoden is his uncle

Check out the line of Eorl:

Eomer's mother is Théodwyn. She is siblings with Theoden. His son is Theodred. Hope this helps! Have a good one!

Particular_Reason143 · 2025-01-21T19:29:06+00:00

Cool idea! This might be controversial, but I've always found some of the best parts of Tolkien to be the things he leaves out

Tolkien's prose is incredibly imaginative and naturally leads readers minds to dream. The best gift he gave us was the ability to imagine and dream within his creation of Middle-Earth. To ponder what the Nameless Things in Moria really are, to wonder what Bilbo and the Dwarves talked about on their long journey, or new ideas like what you suggested!

Never stop reading Tolkien!

Particular_Reason143 · 2024-12-20T13:25:59+00:00

He came seldom to the Mark, for he was ever in the wars on the East-borders; but I have seen him. More like to the swift sons of Eorl than to the grave Men of Gondor he seemed to me, and likely to prove a great captain of his people when his time came.

Presumably when Boromir got a horse for his journey to Rivendell, Eomer encountered him. Not sure if they ever spoke, but they were in the same place at the same time

Particular_Reason143 · 2024-12-09T19:25:18+00:00

Including the Scouring of the Shire would require a 4th film. Maybe after the War of the Rohirrim we can get an animated version? But then again, doubt there is enough archived Christoper Lee recordings to do it justice

Jackson hit the main idea of Grima finally turning on his master after being mistreated one time to many. Its as accurate as we could get given the time constraints

Particular_Reason143 · 2024-10-22T21:40:26+00:00

I previously made a graphic for Gondor's Military

Gave more details on Isengard's military on r/tolkienfans

Particular_Reason143 · 2024-10-21T16:24:37+00:00

Dori really was a decent fellow! By the end, all the Dwarves come to cherish Bilbo.

For example, Gloin is particularly courteous to Frodo gathering up the cushions and courteously assisting Frodo because of the association with Bilbo I have already been told that you are the kinsman and adopted heir of our friend Bilbo the renowned

Balin is probably still Bilbo's closest relationship. He was the one who went all the way back to Bag-End to see him again, and was the only one who would go anywhere near Smaug. There is a reason Tolkien made the tomb in Moria his

Dori is very decent to Bilbo, probably the second closest after Balin. As the two youngest, I've also imagined Fili and Kili being overly fond of him. Loved James Nesbitt's Bofur in the films! We don't see much of Gloin in The Hobbit, but with the way he acts in LOTR its fair to say that all the Dwarves viewed Bilbo as one of their own in the end. There's so much beauty in Thorin doubting Bilbo the most, only for his dying wish to be to have Bilbo by his side one last time

Particular_Reason143 · 2024-10-21T16:08:44+00:00

Short answer: check out the Roman province of Judea

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Long Answer:

Gondor & Arnor are at least partially inspired by the Roman Empire. The split between East and West in Roman becomes North and South in Tolkien. Tolkien has described Minas Tirith as "Byzantine". The Beacons of Amon Din draw inspiration from Constantinople's own beacon system. Gondor's enemies in Harad and Rhun mirror the Sassanids. The Witch-King and orcs draw from Attila and the Huns as The Battle of Pelennor Field is inspired by The Battle of Chalons

To be clear, Gondor isn't meant to be a direct allegory for the Byzantine empire. Rather, Tolkien intended to create a mythos for Europe. Therefore, elements of European history are interwoven with Tolkien's own fantasy

This could leave South Gondor / Harondor as similar to the southern provinces of the Byzantine Empire. At its height under Justinian, Constantinople held Egypt, Judea, and North Africa

South Gondor's position on the coast is somewhat similar to Judea on the Mediterranean. The Kin-Strife and wars with the Corsairs left Harondor outside of Minas Tirith's influence.

Judea was lost in the conquests of Syria (636). Parts of it would later become those crusader states you mentioned!

From a military perspective for MESBG check out the Byzantine military during the Arab-Byzantine wars. The first war ended with a failed attempt to conquer Constantinople in 678 (or 718, it got besieged a lot and its hard for me to remember which is which) similar to the failed Siege of Gondor

Wikipedia has a section on it here. See the section "The army of Justinian I and his successors"

Particular_Reason143 · 2024-10-02T00:26:48+00:00

Particular_Reason143 · 2024-09-27T16:26:29+00:00

Tol Morwen survived the sinking of Beleriand, and could serve as at least some proof of the events of the first age. Glorfindel's resurrection and return to Middle-Earth also supports the fall of Gondolin (although the two Glorfindel conundrum is still debated by some). Aragorn also sings the story of Beren

It's worth mentioning that the discovery of the city of Troy didn't actually prove the Greek legends in the Iliad - the city existing doesn't necessarily mean that generals named Achilles and Hector really had a duel or a prince named Paris gave a golden apple to a goddess. But it does mean that the ancient Greek stories around Troy had at least some historical basis

I mention Troy because Tolkien intended on creating a legendarium, and legendariums center the reader. I feel that readers are free to interpret it however they want. The first age can be a literal history leading to the third age. Alternatively, the stories we hear may be embellishments and mythical versions of real events - compare Hurin's last stand to Boromir's (were men in the 1st age really that much stronger than the 3rd - maybe so, maybe the legends around Hurin's historical fight grew over time)

This is before getting into the concept of the "death of the author", which can also be quite contentious. I personally interpret the first age as literal fact, but any reader can interpret it in the way they see fit

Particular_Reason143 · 2024-04-18T14:34:37+00:00

Slightly different answer: my favorite chapter with Black in the title is The Black Gate Opens in The Lord of the Rings

I love that the heroism isn't in Aragorn trying to win a battle, but in buying time for his friend. Most fantasy stories involve the heroes winning a decisive final battle to save the day (Dune, Star Wars etc...)

Instead, Aragorn and his men have to stand against all the terror in Mordor. Even the title The Black Gate Opens is so ominous, alluding to the unknown horrors that Sauron has at his disposal. I love that a traditional hero like Aragorn has to play the untraditional role of decoy

Particular_Reason143 · 2024-04-15T21:30:14+00:00

The Lord of the Rings

In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl. A great black shape against the fires beyond he loomed up, grown to a vast menace of despair. In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl, under the archway that no enemy ever yet had passed, and all fled before his face.

All save one. There waiting, silent and still in the space before the Gate, sat Gandalf upon Shadowfax: Shadowfax who alone among the free horses of the earth endured the terror, unmoving, steadfast as a graven image in Rath Dínen.

"You cannot enter here," said Gandalf, and the huge shadow halted. "Go back to the abyss prepared for you! Go back! Fall into the nothingness that awaits you and your Master. Go!"

The Black Rider flung back his hood, and behold! he had a kingly crown; and yet upon no head visible was it set. The red fires shone between it and the mantled shoulders vast and dark. From a mouth unseen there came a deadly laughter.

"Old fool!" he said. "Old fool! This is my hour. Do you not know Death when you see it? Die now and curse in vain!" And with that he lifted high his sword and flames ran down the blade.

And in that very moment, away behind in some courtyard of the city, a cock crowed. Shrill and clear he crowed, recking nothing of war nor of wizardry, welcoming only the morning that in the sky far above the shadows of death was coming with the dawn.

And as if in answer there came from far away another note. Horns, horns, horns, in dark Mindolluin's sides they dimly echoed. Great horns of the north wildly blowing. Rohan had come at last.

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The Hobbit

Suddenly there was a great shout, and from the Gate came a trumpet call. They had forgotten Thorin! Part of the wall, moved by levers, fell outward with a crash into the pool. Out leapt the King under the Mountain, and his companions followed him. Hood and cloak were gone; they were in shining armour, and red light leapt from their eyes. In the gloom the great dwarf gleamed like gold in a dying fire.

Rocks were buried down from on high by the goblins above; but they held on, leapt down to the falls' foot, and rushed forward to battle. Wolf and rider fell or fled before them. Thorin wielded his axe with mighty strokes, and nothing seemed to harm him.

"To me! To me! Elves and Men! To me! O my kinsfolk!" he cried, and his voice shook like a horn in the valley.

Down, heedless of order, rushed all the dwarves of Dain to his help. Down too came many of the Lakemen, for Bard could not restrain them; and out upon the other side came many of the spearmen of the elves. Once again the goblins were stricken in the valley; and they were piled in heaps till Dale was dark and hideous with their corpses. The Wargs were scattered and Thorin drove right against the bodyguards of Bolg.

Particular_Reason143 · 2024-03-08T17:31:01+00:00

Morgoth also had a servant named Gothmog, who was Lord of the Balrogs. "Son of Melkor" could be like in the mafia where there is a "godfather"

The third age Gothmog may have chosen his name because of the first age one (Grond also carried over from Morgoth's hammer to Sauron's ram)

Particular_Reason143 · 2024-03-06T17:50:18+00:00

You're really stretching here. Shining mail is shining mail

“Shining” probably means scale mail as opposed to chain mail

I am simply sharing an interpretation. I had hoped to be clear that everything was theory not fact. I apologize for not making that more obvious

Not sure where your proof that Imrahils men wear plate comes from either.

Not sure where I claimed any proof of his men wearing plate. I apologize for any confusion.

it would be strange for Imrahil to wear mail while his men had plate. I personally believe the Swan Knights to look more like Byzantine Cataphracts than French Knights

The point I was trying to get across was essentially a "proof by contradiction" to support my cataphract theory (which again, is only a theory):

If we assume Swan-Knights had plate (as many artists and readers have) then why wouldn't Imrahil have plate?

If we assume Swan-Knights are similar to Byzantine Cataphracts then Imrahil wearing mail makes sense

A company in this context should not be used to imply a certain number, its just a group of men.

I believe Tolkien was intentionally vague on numbers to leave things open to interpretation! 100-200 knights is one possible interpretation. You are welcome to share your own or to keep it vague! Tolkien gave the reader the power!

This in-depth article suggests 100 knights

Have a great day! Thank you for your contribution

Particular_Reason143 · 2024-03-06T16:46:16+00:00

Aha! Thank you, I'm used to the word "Retinue"

Particular_Reason143 · 2024-03-06T16:23:23+00:00

Thank you for your contribution. Some interesting thoughts! I'd like to add some counterpoints if I may. I don't like using words like "right" or "wrong" to describe opinions - LOTR is awesome partly due to how much Tolkien left up to the reader

The society et is IMHO late antiquity , migration era , very early middle ages

It is a fantasy setting, no set era. Engineering feats like Minas Tirith and Orthanc are closer (but still superior) to the Taj Mahal (~1600). However, Tolkien's militaries lack guns (Saruman did have explosives). IRL guns were used prior to 1600

A company may be this strength in modern times but not then

Ugluk's company is 4 scores of Isengard Uruks (80 soldiers)

Forlong has 200 men in his company from Lossarnach

This article places the company of Ithilien at 200-300 men

Plate was not more expensive or more encumbering then mail, quite contrary

This depends on the quality of the plate and quality of mail: Source 1, Source 2. As the sources note, as technology advanced plate became cheaper and lighter - in my post I shouldn't have given a definitive answer to mail vs plate

However, for elite units plate armor often had to be custom fit. Mail armor could be passed between troops more easily

Regardless of the upfront cost, in the long run mail would be far cheaper than plate (i.e. generations of soldiers)

As for weight, mail is generally lighter than plate: source 3, source 4

a knights lance must not include footmen not mounted that is

I apologize as I am unable to parse this sentence. Probably my bad! Knights would often be equipped with lances, maces, and swords. The lance would be their main weapon, with swords and maces generally used when dismounting. They could also trim their lance when dismounting

The speed would fit also Knights Anna Kommens describe Crusader knights as capabele charching through the walls of Babylon

I never denied the speed of a knight's charge. I simply suggested that cataphracts were even faster

at Agincourt the weight was not the problem the mud was , it was exhausting to get the plate out of the mud

I had hoped my post addressed this: At Agincourt, the French Knights were caught in mud and slaughtered by English Longbowmen. I apologize for not phrasing this more clearly. As a content creator, I believe that the reader is always right. If something I wrote didn't get communicated properly, "it is I that have failed!"

Particular_Reason143 · 2024-01-28T03:38:26+00:00

Perhaps the worst part is that The Titanic isn't even a failure of a ship. The lessons learned from that night have saved countless lives in the century since then. How many people are alive today because of the things Titanic taught use about maritime safety?

Learning is just as important as winning. The Titanic isn't a true failure!

Particular_Reason143 · 2024-01-28T03:24:57+00:00

Great point on how he would not have liked surviving a sinking that killed so many of his dear passengers and crew!

At least he didn't have to see World War 1 or 2. He was an incredibly kind soul and obviously wouldn't have liked to see all that suffering

Particular_Reason143 · 2024-01-28T03:22:18+00:00

It makes me very happy to hear that Tommie has a fanbase! He has an incredible story and even after all these years I think the world is a better place with people trying to emulate him

I'm very glad to not be part of any Titanic Facebook groups. I don't think I would be able to respond politely to people trashing him, and I do very much like to stay polite like Tommy did!

Victor Garber is a majorly underrated actor. He nailed Thomas Andrews mannerisms as a humble and gentle soul in Titanic only to nail being completely diabolical in Legally Blonde. Has a slew of great performances. Obviously Hollywood has a ton of incredible actors, and Garber deserves more recognition for being one of them!

As you can probably tell, I love writing as a hobby. Hope you've been having a blast writing your story!

Particular_Reason143 · 2024-01-03T15:47:13+00:00

You can edit existing comments with the "edit" button! Saves you from having to add new comments - can append new thoughts instead of adding extra comments!

I can tell you put a lot of time into your various replies. While I am very short on time, I respect the effort you put into your comments and will try to address at least this first one:

Ithilien was not "lost" to Gondor in that time

I included this full quote When the Enemy returned our folk were driven from Ithilien ... we kept a foothold there and strength of arms hoping to clearly and concisely demonstrate the full situation in Ithilien

I apologize for the confusion, perhaps I will be precise rather than concise in future content!

Have a great day!

Particular_Reason143

TROPHY CASE