Tolwen
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So hi guys, I’ll sit down and take a short rest from all the OM work. It looks like #17 is finally done at last…
Hi Folks,
another update has gone live. This contains the following fixes:
[list=*]
[*]p. 1 – added new artist[/*]
[*]p. 3 – added new contribution (Were-worms) and edited TOC[/*]
[*]p. 10 – fixed list of artists (added Tuuliky as contributing artist)[/*]
[*]p. 56-61 – fixed typos and misplaced paragraphs[/*]
[*]p. 119 – fixed artist credit[/*]
[*]p. 200-203 – added José Enrique’s article on Were-worms[/*]
[/list]
You can find the updated file on the OM website or under the known link. Have fun with it and feel free to comment anything you deem worthwhile
P.S.: I’ll visit the Pony then
—
Visit Other Minds – a free international journal devoted to roleplaying and
scholarly interests in J.R.R. Tolkien’s worksHi all,
the latest Issue of Other Minds (#17) has just been published. This time we have a very heavy TOR focus. 200+ pages await to be read and enjoyed!– Middle-earth in miniature III: Terrors of the Old Days (miniature review)
by José Enrique Vacas de la Rosa
– Review: The Darkening of Mirkwood
by Thomas Morwinsky
– Review: Rivendell
by José Enrique Vacas de la Rosa
– Review: Ruins of the North
by Thomas Morwinsky
– First Seed of a Great Forest (adventure for TOR)
by Olaf “Falenthal” Anguera
– Darkness over Amon Nyrn (adventure for TOR)
by Paul Kirk
– The Leofrings (heroic culture for TOR)
by Paul Kirk
– The Horse and the Rider (scholarly stuff plus TOR gaming stats for the rohirric military)
by Paul Kirk
– Urbanisation of Gondor and Rohan (scholarly thoughts on the urbanisation of Gondor in 11 eras)
by Thomas MorwinskyYou can find the file on the OM website or under this direct link. Have fun with it and feel free to comment anything you deem worthwhile
For the OM team
ThomasTheobald wrote:I agree that the GW-Mumak is far too big (though it comes close to Tolkien’s desciption) and that Mithril baby-Mumak is too small.I don’t think that the GW Mûmak is far too big. The movie Mûmaks were indeed grossly oversized (more like AT-AT’s disguised as elephants). The GW version is large for sure, but Tolkien describes the Mûmaks as being much bigger than their contemporary relatives. When Sam sees them for the first time, Tolkien notes that “his [the Mûmak’s] kin that live still in latter days are but memories of his girth and majesty”.
An African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) male (the largest living elephant species) can reach a height of 4m. In 32mm scale (assuming a 1.8m height for the 32mm), this would translate into 71mm height. The Schleich L. africana male I have (there seems to be several variants; see below) is about 92mm high. This would translate to ca. 5.2m height.
The GW Mûmak is about 130mm high, translating into 7.3m when assuming 32mm scale.The term “but memories of his girth and majesty” is of course not very precise and thus open to interpretation. Personally, I can’t see a 4m vs. 5.2m as “but a memory”, whereas 4m vs. 7.3m I see indeed as a “pale memory” (my words). Thus I deem the GW version quite well-suited (perhaps a bit too large, but not overly). In addition I like the slight variation in design (but still an elephant), which strengthens the appearance of being a now extinct and differently looking “mega-elephant”.
Cheers
TolwenBTW: Holger, is this Schleich elephant a recent purchase? I ask since I own several ones I bought two or three years ago (adult male and female african & indian elephant each plus the corresponding youngsters), but they have other poses. I’ll have to check my local vendor
My congratulations for the good outcome of your surgery as well, Master Milo. May all the nice food taste all the better now
Best
TolwenBeside all the posts already mentioned here – and which are absolutely valid IMO – the question of metal vs. resin or plastic in Mithril is non-existent AFAIK. I remember from an older discussion or question on this topic that someone from Mithril (I’m not entirely sure whether it was Michael or someone else) very clearly and unmistakeably stated that Mithril has a license only for metal miniatures. If that is true indeed (and I have no reason to doubt it), they are not allowed by their contract to produce resin or plastic Mithril minis.
I am not sure whether MEE would have any interest in improving Mithril’s license (my bet is they don’t) in this respect, as Mithril has an “old” license that is probably far less expensive than GW’s one. And given MEE’s sole interest in pressing as much money as they can out of the licenses, they’d probably welcome any opportunity to raise royalties for such an old and “unprofitable” license…If resin or plastic were to be made (and there’s no change in licensing), it must be under another brand name and not Mithril (with the Middle-earth logo printed on it) and avoiding any names or terms protected by MEE’s IP rights.
Cheers
TolwenHi Gildor,
Gildor Inglorion wrote:Actually when I learned Tolwen left the GSF, that put a cold in my back and I felt somewhat guilty and did not know what to say and I have remained silent, which is not very polite and I apologize for that too
As far as I am concerned, you do not have to feel bad. I bear neither a grudge or any negative sentiment towards you – really
My decision is based entirely on my deep disappointment (which built over the years and now I felt it was time for a decision) with a lack of progress and development in Mithril in areas which I deem crucial. The most central of these is fidelity and a close observance of the books on which the minis are supposed to be based (IMO the single raison d’être for the very existence of Mithril). Here the priority is not with the book(s) but the consistency of the artist – and thus the refusal to re-design even recognised shortcomings in future minis. I can accept that, but don’t feel that I need to support it actively any longer.
In a word, I feel that in core areas that I personally deem most important Mithril (and especially Chris) are deeply stuck in the past without willingness to develop further.Suum cuique
So again Gildor, you do not have to feel bad as far as I can see it
Cheers
TolwenTheobald wrote:huûomm … first, thanks for a free drink, Master Tolwen … hooom …
Just consider that the M-range was once closed, as the LT,LR and LO ranges were … huoomm … so why not close the MS range too? …. would make sense and be consequent, wouldn’t it. – hm?rhûoom?The coiny things for a round are well spent indeed
And you are right – closing the MS would only be consequent. In my very personal opinion the range is like a comatose patient in intensive care unit, artificially kept alive only by machines
Perhaps it might be better to die with grace and in dignity rather than vegetate like this.
But let’s not talk about these sad things here in the Taproom – it’s time for scrumpy and living entertainment. I guess I’ll spend a few of the coiny things to motivate the bardHere we are now – entertain us – an extra scrumpy for anyone who recognises this without asking Google & Co
Cheers
TolwenMaenas wrote:Good afternoon!
I am bringing spare coiny things so if some fellow wants to join it will be on my side, perhaps Tolwen wants to celebrate his new aquired position at the Wandering Company…As I just have joined it is a good idea to commemorate this by a nice and cheery evening at the Pony. Now I might have coiny things to spare, getting more detached from the M company’s coiny-loosening grasp
Cheers
TolwenMaenas wrote:Oh, it is a pitty, but I perfectly understand and share some of the points you explain on mithril’s website.
Was a very clean and polite post and should be taken into consideration, but I doubt they are going to forward your message…I am actually very confident that they (Mithril and C. Tubb) are convinced of doing the right thing by continuing the current path. Therefore yo’re right. Fundamental changes for the better are highly unlikely.
Personally, I don’t care anymore of whether Mithril continues in its (admittedly long-lasting) current undead state, becomes more alive or dies altogether. I’ll take things as they come as a bystander on the sideline. I have more than enough material to paint and make dioramas from so I am quite relaxed on the further fate of Mithril
Cheers
TolwenSo I’ll be in a Wandering Company? That doesn’t sound too bad for me
And the decision was not so much about changing interests (well, a bit but not that much), but about the final disillusionment about priorities at Mithril and C. Tubb (the old discussion…), whom I cannot share and therefore do not longer support. It was a long and not easy process, but in the end the cons outweighes the pros and thus I drew the consequence.
If they publish something I like, I may buy it, but beyond that there are companies out there with better value for money and better solutions for my priorities.Cheers
TolwenMornedhel wrote:SadIndeed it is sad, but necessary IMO. Even now with not an hour ago I feel relieved and much better …
Quote:I will just add that propose ideas is great but contribute to the conception and be listened is what I miss far moreThis is included in the “design-wise” developments. I didn’t think it appropriate to detail my – long – list of issues I have there, so I summed it all up under the “lack of development design-wise”.
Cheers
Tolwen
