Gil-galad, the last High King of the Noldor, is a prominent figure of Middle-earth's Second Age. But he is also mysterious. How is it we can ask where he came from or who his father is and have multiple answers and explanations? This episode is an exploration of Gil-galad's written history and why the publication of The Silmarillion and J.R.R. Tolkien's expanding Legendarium had an impact on Gil-galad's place in the Legendarium. I started writing about Tolkien's Legendarium in 2017 and created a YouTube channel called "The Red Book" in 2021, allowing me to dive into Tolkien's mythology. I now ..read more

The Downfall of Númenor is more than the destruction of the Kingdom itself in the year 3319 of the Second Age. It is the decline of a civilisation through a growing shadow that took centuries to envelop the Númenóreans. This episode explores the gradual descent into madness and blasphemy. A descent that saw a once great kingdom become ruled by envious and fearful lords, leading to an attempt to seize deathlessness by any means necessary. The Red Book is a project I started in 2021 and was created to allow me the opportunity to dive into Tolkien's mythology. If you want to check out more ..read more

The Dread Servants of Morgoth originated as Maiar, being of the same kind as the likes of Sauron, Gandalf, and Eönwë. They are known as corrupted spirits of fire, fallen Maiar, Demons of Power, and exist as a distinct group in their own right. What do all of these terms mean? What exactly are the Balrogs? I explore the nature of Morgoth's servants of fire and shadow. The Red Book is a project I started in 2021 and was created to allow me the opportunity to dive into Tolkien's mythology. If you want to check out more of my content, please visit my YouTube channel. If you want to support this pr ..read more

Just as Sauron concentrated his power in the One Ring, Morgoth dispersed his power into Arda itself. What does this mean for Morgoth and the inhabitants of Middle-earth? How does this relate to the breaking of the designs of the Valar in the Marring of Arda? I explore the corruption of Melkor after he descended into the world and claimed it as his own. The Red Book is a project I started in 2021 and was created to allow me the opportunity to dive into Tolkien's mythology. If you want to check out more of my content, please visit my YouTube channel. If you want to support this project, you can ..read more

Two of the most prominent figures of evil during the events of the Lord of the Rings are The Dark Lord Sauron and the Wizard Saruman. Both of these figures were once servants of the Vala Aulë. Is it a coincidence that they both once served the same Vala? I explore all three figures and why these servants fell into corruption. What is the connection between those who are concerned with the physical matter of Arda and the potential to turn to a path of evil? The Red Book is a project I started in 2021 and was created to allow me the opportunity to dive into Tolkien's mythology. If you want to ch ..read more

What happened to Sauron after the destruction of the One Ring? Death? Diminishment? What is the difference between these terms? Can he return to trouble Middle-earth? These are some of the questions I will attempt to answer in this episode, alongside discussions related to the fall of Sauron and his master Morgoth, Incarnation, the reasons the One Ring was forged, and the Nature of the Ainur. The Red Book is a project I started in 2021 and was created to allow me the opportunity to dive into Tolkien's mythology. If you want to check out more of my content, please visit my YouTube channel ..read more

J.R.R. Tolkien's legacy is his Legendarium; decades worth of material we can read across books published during his life and after his death. The scope of the Legendarium is enormous but it is not perfect and complete. Inconsistencies exist, as do revisions and multiple versions of history. The High King Gil-galad is one victim of these changes Tolkien made over the years. Who is his father? A simple question can provide multiple answers. This episode is my exploration and explanation of the issues surrounding his parentage. The Red Book is a project I started in 2021 and was created to a ..read more

Scholars, critics, and readers of The Lord of the Rings have identified and discussed many of its themes in the decades since its publication. This episode is my take on several themes I read into Tolkien's most popular work. It focuses on the first two books (The Fellowship of the Ring) and explores concepts such as the corruptive influence of Power and the One Ring, Tolkien's use of Mythology, and a world in decline. It is the first of several episodes dedicated to exploring Tolkien's themes. The Red Book is a project I started in 2021 and was created to allow me the opportunity to dive into ..read more

Middle-earth suffered under two Dark Lords: Morgoth and Sauron. In a world where it is known that Eru exists, why do these Dark Lords fight what appears from the outside to be a hopeless conflict against the forces of good? Having been created by God, does His existence give them any pause? I look at the role of Eru, the nature of Melkor's rebellion, and why Sauron thought it was a good idea to inherit the corruption left to him when his master was defeated. The Red Book is a project I started in 2021 and was created to allow me the opportunity to dive into Tolkien's mythology. If you want to ..read more

In The Lord of the Rings, the decision to attempt a journey to Mount Doom in order to destroy the One Ring of Sauron did not come easily. Many options are discussed during The Council of Elrond. In this episode, I explore the suggestions made by various members, the problems with each, and why the most difficult decision the Council made was also the right one. The Red Book is a project I started in 2021 and was created to allow me the opportunity to dive into Tolkien's mythology. If you want to check out more of my content, please visit my YouTube channel. If you want to support this project ..read more