December '17 / January '18 Double month is CLOSED

[Michael O'Brien]

Well I hope everyone feels entusiastic about 2018. Back from my holidays I look forward to another year helping you enjoy the Fellowship.
We are off to a good start by being on time and having such a great stock of ideas.
There is a slight imbalance between the months but thats ok.

This vote is different than most normal months but if you are a regular you will know what to expect.
You have TWO votes instead of one this time around, but PLEASE remember to use them properly or they will be wasted. Vote for ONE idea per month tag. I have marked them down with (DEC) and (JAN) so you can easily distinguish which is which.

If you vote for two ideas in the same month (E.g. both ideas have (DEC) tags) they cancel each other out. You cannot vote for the same idea TWICE. IF you vote only for one figure you will not be able to use the 2nd vote later. So vote for both ideas at the same time.

This is a blind vote so you will not see the current status of the vote until you cast yours. Pretty standard situation.

As always you are free to comment on how you feel about any of the ideas.

Finally Chris left out 'Smeagol in the boat' as its not a single figure and 'Sauron at Dol Guldur' as its already in the range.

2nd round starts on Jan 18th.

[barliman]

DECEMBER

OK, well this one is rather predictable:

FRECA
Lord of lands alongside the source of the Adorn

Freca was a fat, arrogant, dark-haired descendant of King Freawine who appears to have had "much Dunlendish blood" in his veins, and probably considered himself more Dunlending than Rohirrim. Certainly he held King Helm Hammerhand in sufficient contempt that he demanded the king's daughter as a bride for his son Wulf (Mithril figure MS280). His main claim to fame in Rohan history is that he was killed by a single blow from Helm's mighty fists.

It's hard to be certain of much else, but when he turned up for Helm's council he brought many men with him, so it seems likely he intended to start trouble, and would therefore have been dressed ready for battle, albeit probably over his finest clothes. His hair, arms and clothes are likely to have been an exotic mix of Dunlendish and Rohirrim styles.

JANUARY

This is the fun one - a figure never suggested before:

TWO-HEADED TROLL

Yes, two-headed. This figure is based on a passing remark by the narrator of "The Hobbit", when, describing the rough manners of the trolls who captured Thorin & Co, he says that "Yes, I am afraid trolls do behave like that, even those with only one head each." So, number of heads not actually stated, but clearly more than one, and two-headed trolls abound in Scandinavian mythology and folklore (they're actually more common than the one-headed variety), so it's safe to assume that two-headed trolls were what Tolkien had in mind.

Chris could have great fun with this character. One one idea would be to have one arm and head eating a horse-leg and the other to be wielding a club. Or whatever other combination takes his fancy.

[gondolin]

For December, I suggest

Beacon Warden of the White Mountains

A Gondorian soldier with heavy clothing and cloak to protect against the cold of the mountains. Either, looking into the distance for a lighted beacon, with one hand brought up above the eyes (similar to the elven cartographer) or, alternatively and more dramatically, posed in the act of lighting the beacon with arm aloft holding a flaming brand.

For January, because we would all like to see what the future is going to bring, I suggest:

Pippin gazing into the Palantir of Orthanc

'Pippin sat with his knees drawn up and the ball between them. He bent low over it, looking like a greedy child stooping over a bowl of food, in a corner away from the others. He drew his cloak aside and gazed at it....He gave a gasp and struggled; but he remained bent, clasping the ball with both hands. Closer and closer he bent....,Then with a strangled cry he fell back and lay still.'

[gilgaladtolkien]

For December: Gollum in his boat
For January: Smeagol sitting on rock, eating fish

[khador]

December : Elven mariner from Grey Havens

January : Black Numenorean Lieutnant of Carn Dûm

[Halbarad II.]

December:

Lothlórien female Elf with Lembas

LotR
The Fellowship of the Ring 
Chapter VIII
Farewell to Lórien


In the morning, as they (the Fellowship of the Ring) were beginning to pack their slender goods,
Elves that could speak their tongue came to them and brought them many gifts of food
and clothing for the journey. The food was mostly in the form of very thin cakes,
made of a meal that was baked a light brown on the outside and inside was the colour of cream.
Gimli took up one of the cakes and looked at it with a doubtful eye.
'Cram', he said under his breath, as he broke off a crisp and nibbled at it.
His expression quickly changed, and he ate all the rest of the cake with relish.
'No more, no more!' cried the Elves laughing. 'You have eaten enough already for a long day's march.' 
'I thought it was only a kind of cram, such as the Dale-men make for journeys in the wild, ' said the Dwarf.
'So it is,' they answered. 'But we call it lembas or waybread, and it is more strengthening than any food
made by Men, and it is more pleasant than cram, by all accounts.'
'Indeed it is,' said Gimli. 'Why, it is better than the honey-cakes of the Beornings,
and that is great praise, for the Beornings are the best bakers that I know of;
but they are none too willing to deal out their cakes to travellers in these days. You are kindly hosts!'
'All the same, we bid you spare the food,' they said. 'Eat little at a time, and only at need.
For these things are given to serve you when all else fails, the cakes will keep sweet for many days,
if they are unbroken and left in their leaf-wrappings, as we have brought them.
One will keep a traveller on his feet for a day of long labour,
even if he be one of the tall Men of Minas Tirith.'

Suggestion is a beautiful female Elf of Lothlórien
(there are only a few females in the Lórien range of figures, but many men and warriors)
With one arm she is carrying a fine leaf-shaped wicker tray (or basket) 
with a small pile of Lembas in their leaf-wrapping, her other hand is holding one of the unwrapped cakes
in a gesture of giving it to someone  (...of the Fellowship)



January:
Sam Gamgee with baby Elanor 
Inspired by the very last passage of the novel: 'Well, I'm back, ' he said.

LotR
The Return of the King
Chapter IX
The Grey Havens


At last they rode over the downs and took the East Road, and then Merry
and Pippin rode on to Buckland, and already were singing again as they went.
But Sam turned to Bywater, and so came back up the Hill, as the day was ending once more.
And he went on, and there was yellow light, and a fire within;
and the evening meal was ready, and he was expected.
And Rose drew him in, and set him in his chair, and put little Elanor upon his lap.
He drew a deep breath. 'Well, I'm back, ' he said.


Sam seated in a Hobbit-sized armchair, legs outstretched, perhaps his furry feet on a little footstool
and on his lap holding his tiny firstborn child, looking at each other, both with happy faces.
It is September of the Shire year 1421 and baby girl Elanor is nearly six months old.
– always liked that touching-the-heart-scene

[ddaines]

December

THE LANDLORD OF THE FORSAKEN INN

The Inn was mentioned only once in Tolkien's published works; in The Lord of the Rings when Aragorn is in discussion with Frodo about the road from Bree to Rivendell, and says, "None have measured the road between Rivendell and the Forsaken Inn, a day's ride east of Bree."
Quite who would have been the Forsaken Inn’s regulars is I suppose open to question, but I will link December and January’s suggestions.

So, the landlord is sharing an amusing tale with a customer and is stood there polishing a pewter tankard with his apron. I imagine him with an amused expression/laughing as the customer relates his story.

January

RANGER AT LEISURE

His customer is a Ranger having a well-earned flagon of ale – a ‘wild’ looking character with unkempt hair and beard. Weather stained cloak and long boots (I am not suggesting another Aragorn). It would be great to see this character leaning on a small section of the bar (and his sheathed sword would also be leaning on this), but as this would probably not fall within the suggestion rules, instead, maybe he has his head ‘thrown back’ laughing; the rest I would leave up to CT as Chris has the knack of capturing a lot of character into the figures.

[orc]

December: 'Far Harad tribesman '

My December proposal is for one of the dangerous 'black people' from Far harad tribes...He protect his head with a skull of a dead animal. In his right hand an spear/javelin, In his left a leather shield. Leading primitive clothing's  and wearing as trophies bones and skulls from his enemies.









January :'The Necromancer from Dol Guldur'


Around the year 1050,[40] a shadow of fear fell on the forest later called Mirkwood. As would later become known, this was the first sign of Sauron's remanifestation, but for many years he was not recognized. He was known (as in The Hobbit) as the Necromancer. He established a stronghold called Dol Guldur, "Hill of Sorcery", in the southern part of the forest not far from Lórien.


 I remember saw this miniature from Chris ready to produce long ago...why not give a chance now??

[Happy Ent]

December: Thorin Oakenshield, earning his name at the Battle of Azanulbizar


When Thorin lost his shield at the battle of Azanulbizar he used a branch of an oaktree instead and fought the rest of the battle with it to deflect the strikes of the orcs and was since known as Thorin Oakenshield.

I imagine Thorin in ornate armour with his axe in one hand, the oakbranch in the other ready to deflect a blow. Probably he lost his helmet in the heat of the battle as well as his shield.



January: Nár, Companion of Thrór, waiting outside of Moria


When Thrór went on his last journey to Moria, he just took one companion with him – Nár.

But he entered Moria alone and had Nár to wait for him outside.
So I would like to have a miniature of Nár in a long hooded cloak leaning on some kind of staff (spear/axe) and looking towards the entrance where Thrór disappeared…

[Theobald]

Reading Orc's December suggestion I think there already is a "black man from Far Harad" (MS602).

[orc]

Master Theobald you are right the reference that I wrote was wrong, thanks!!!

[barliman]

Dec 14, 2017 0:45:55 GMT orc said:

My December proposal is for one of the dangerous 'black people' from Far harad tribes...He protect his head with a skull of a dead animal. In his right hand an spear/javelin, In his left a leader shield...

Sergio - I assume you mean a "leather shield"? Great idea. We've needed a Far Harad man in the range since forever.

[enheduanna]

Dec 18, 2017 11:03:22 GMT barliman said:

Dec 14, 2017 0:45:55 GMT orc said:

My December proposal is for one of the dangerous 'black people' from Far harad tribes...He protect his head with a skull of a dead animal. In his right hand an spear/javelin, In his left a leader shield...

Sergio - I assume you mean a "leather shield"? Great idea. We've needed a Far Harad man in the range since forever.

Personally, I would love a Harad/Mumakani themed series, one that isn’t exclusively comprised of male warriors. Junast (MS576) is one of my favorite MS releases of all time.

[Axel]

DEC: A fox, sniffing around and wondering whats the story about hobbits sleeping out in the open

JAN: A member of the Shires messenger service, laden with packages (probably gifts) on its way through the snow.

[barliman]

Dec 16, 2017 23:55:24 GMT Theobald said:

Reading Orc's December suggestion I think there already is a "black man from Far Harad" (MS602).

MS602 is a "troll man", whereas I think what Sergio has in mind is a human tribal individual.

[Gerold]

My suggestion for

DECEMBER

Ori at the last stand in the Chamber of Mazarbul

Ori was one of the dwarves of Thorin's expedition, and he followed Balin in his attempt to reclaim the Realm of Moria. He wrote the last pages in the Book of Mazarbul before he and the last few remaining Dwarves perished during a final stand. Ori did not appear in the Mithril range as a stand-alone figure, I think.

JANUARI

Theoden appeared several times in the Mithril range ; in his evening clothes, mounted, dead, dying… but we don’t have him in armour on foot, so tis is my suggestion for January :

Theoden, in full armor, standing on the walls of Helm’s Deep

[hsf62]

DEC
Half-Orc of Isengard
climbing a ladder, holding in his left hand his shield over his head for protection. He is wearing chain mail and a helmet. His sword is still in the sheath. There is single handed axe on a rope, hanging off his right wrist.



JAN
Bilbo discovers the Arkenstone in the treasure hoard
Bilbo kneeling on a tresure pile his left hand holding a torch and in his right hand he is holding up the Arkenstone he just found, gazing at it!

[stephenjcorcoran]

Faramir (in full armour) fighting a human soldier from Minas Morgul

[barliman]

Oh dear. There are 45 votes for December figures and 43 for January figures. Methinks some people didn't remember to vote for both months.....

[hsf62]

There have been 88 votes by 44 voters.

Hmm

[barliman]

Count them again. Definitely 45 votes in Dec and 43 votes in Jan.

[hsf62]

Quite easy my friend. You only got 44 voters, but one voted for 2 suggestions in Dec. I tried it and it works...

[barliman]

I'm surprised and a tad disappointed that the system doesn't prevent that.