III. Trials of the Valar Episode 130: The Turn of the Tide

Episode 130: The Turn of the Tide

A nice break to the combat… The group gets back to Ilmarin and finds an old friend. Okrin is back to help them in the final trials! The group discusses how to get the cloak off of Tesoro without killing him. They discuss the vision Mor-lomín had of the coming of Ungoliant. And they discuss …

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III. Trials of the Valar Episode 129: Queen Berúthiel in Meneltarma, Part 2

Episode 129: Queen Berúthiel in Meneltarma, Part 2

Have you ever wished Treebeard would say the song title of track #6 from The Chronic? If so (or if not), this episode is for you. Join the players as they finish the fight with Queen Berúthiel, claim Dramborleg, and bring the white tree of Meneltarma back to Ilmarin.

III. Trials of the Valar Episode 128: Queen Berúthiel in Meneltarma, Part 1

Episode 128: Queen Berúthiel in Meneltarma, Part 1

If the heroes weren’t “cat people” before entering into the inner sanctum of Meneltarma, they certainly aren’t now. The cats of the queen grant bad luck to the characters, and the Queen comes out swinging with Dramborleg. Meanwhile, being so close to the white tree of Númenor speeds up Tesoro’s tree-bound effect of his cloak.

III. Trials of the Valar Episode 127: In the Room with David Bratman

Episode 127: In the Room with David Bratman

Few have given so freely of their time and contributed so much to the Tolkien community as David Bratman. Over the past 40 years, he has spent much of his time writing and organizing essays, bibliographies, reader guides about Tolkien and his body of work. Listen as we discuss elven magic, sub-creation, the three different …

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III. Trials of the Valar Episode 126: The Cats of the Queen

Episode 126: The Cats of the Queen

In this episode, the heroes enter the remains of Meneltarma. They are surprised to find several cats following them around the ruins. In the inner sanctum they find a grand white tree and Queen Berúthiel. She is wielding Dramborleg, the vicious heirloom of Númenor.

III. Trials of the Valar Episode 125: The Hallowed Eagle Eyrie

Episode 125: The Hallowed Eagle Eyrie

Back at Ilmarin, Irmo thanks the heroes and suggests that they do the Trial of Yavanna to get a sapling of Telperion. The players discuss the history of the Númenóreans, the fate of Númenor, the Great Eagles, the artifact called Dramborleg, and the infamous Queen Berúthiel. The players take a short rest and head to …

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III. Trials of the Valar Episode 124: Mbar-Ndor

Episode 124: Mbar-Ndor

“Home Land” is the passphrase to summon the portal from Ilmarin. And finally, the party is able to whisper those words and leave the Path of Dreams, having collected the vemon of the Great Glow Worms.

III. Trials of the Valar Episode 123: “Don’t Leave The Path”

Episode 123: “Don’t Leave The Path”

As the group tries to free Mor-lómin from the jaws of a Great Glow Worm, Feredir and Burin are also swallowed. Tesoro and Ezellendur are standing alone battling the guardians of the Path of Dreams.

III. Trials of the Valar Episode 122: The Steward of Myth, Dr. Vicki Ronn

Episode 122: The Steward of Myth, Dr. Vicki Ronn

Dr. Vicki Ronn joins us on this episode to talk about the Mythopoeic Society, their conference, and their awards. She and Jared discuss Tolkien’s “old cat lady.” Jared asks about the (supposed) newly established Inklings at Oxford. Dr. Ronn mentions what is next on her reading list, the book referred to as the “Chinese LOTR,” …

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III. Trials of the Valar Episode 121: The Olórë Mallë

Episode 121: The Olórë Mallë

There be Glow Worms in this episode… They aren’t happy to see the party. Tesoro finds a creative way to collect the venom. The group decides which Trial to do next, and Jared mispronounces Meneltarma.