Dec 2021 and Jan 2022 first round vote is CLOSED.

[Michael O'Brien]

Happy New Year everyone.
Glad to see such wonderful ideas and most of them were accepted by Chris. There were a couple of problems however. Beren and Luthien are not under the license, despite the poem. So they are not possible. The generic versions are also avoided in case it causes any problems with T.E.

The other issue is the 'What If?' versions of Gandalf and Saruman. Its not within our license to do that kind of thing. They have to be faithful to the books. It's a cool concept but unfortunately we are not Disney and cannot explore the possible alternative situations as we don't own the rights to that ability.

But all the rest are fine.

We have gotten new members over the last year and so I want to let everyone know the rules around this special double month.

1. You have TWO votes. You cannot vote for the same figure twice. PLEASE do not vote for two figures in the same month. Check out the [DEC] and [JAN] tags by their names and ONLY put one vote PER month. That way we can move forward properly.

2. Please use your TWO votes. If you do not, you can lose one.

3. The top ideas PER month will go forward to the 2nd round. Due to the technical limitations of the poll, this situation may show misleading tiers. I will ignore the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc markers and only focus on the amount of votes PER MONTH to work out which was popular. Normal months don't have this issue, but with a combined month, the software gets a bit confused as it does not realise what we are doing and just allots success per vote in total.

As usual please submit comments explaining your reasons for supporting ideas, or why another idea should not be supported and provide images or text to encourage others to agree with you. No bribes though, even virtual beers.

[khador]

[DEC] Undead footman of Angmar with 2 swords

[JAN] Goblin drummer of Moria

[ddaines]

December 2021

Gandalf the Grim

First off apologies to the 'Not another Gandalf..' club, but this idea came to me while watching one of the numerous ME YouTube programmes.

December's suggestion is a figure of a 'Fallen' Gandalf, he has succumbed to the temptation and offer of taking over custodianship of the One Ring, and as he feared, it has mastered him.

My idea for the figure is to have Gandalf holding the Ring out in front of him (alternately a pose similar to the Galadriel figure as she resists the temptation), his robes would be tattered and windswept and if not impractical, his cloak, hair and beard would be in disarray, basically a wild, unkempt look.

Whether he wears his hat or not is whatever looks best. I would favour a slightly 'hunched' look as he towers over January's suggestion.


January 2022

Cowering Saruman

January's figure could be a named character, let's say Saruman, laying on the floor (it could also be Frodo, Elrond, Aragorn, maybe even Galadriel) shielding their eyes from the fury and power of a corrupt Gandalf who has 'thrown' them to the floor in his anger at being challenged.

[Glorfindel]

I would like to propose the following miniatures:

December 2021

Glorfindel - Elf-lord revealed in his wrath

Seeing an Elf-lord revealed in his wrath they were dismayed...

Glorfindel was tall and straight; his hair was of shining gold, his face fair and young and fearless and full of joy; his eyes were bright and keen, and his voice like music; on his brow sat wisdom, and in his hand was strength.
― The Fellowship of the Ring, Book 2, Chapter 1: "Many Meetings"

Sculpture:
Glorfindel standing in a commanding pose with his right arm holding his sword high as if holding his enemy at bay ready to strike. His golden hair long and flowing, head held high with fury upon his face.

This art by Venlian is excellent for his hair and grim face. The pose something like the second image. 


We have seen a similar figure in MS495: Glorfindel & the Witch-King, but that is long out of production. This figure would rightfully honor Glorfindel in all his glory.


January 2022



Bifur of Thorin and Company


Specific reference is hard to find for Bifur. Alan Lee’s art is probably the best point of reference out there.



Thorin and Company is long overdue in the Mithril Miniatures line. We have them in MX535 An Unexpected Party, but that was extremely limited and very hard to find.



I imagine this figure complementing M155/M229 Thorin and MS538 Bombur. The base model should be taken from MX535. He should be dressed in travel gear a bit worn and weary from his long journey on the road. He should be adorned with cloak and hood, backpack, pouch, water can, walking stick, dagger and/or axe, and his clarinet hanging from his belt or pack. M162 Dwarven Adventurer on Pony, M163 Dwarven Adventurer and M306 Dwarvish Travelers are all great inspiration for this figure.



My hope is this would inspire all dwarves form Thorin and Company to be made individually or as a set. A reimplementation of Bombur is in order as that piece has been sold out for some time. Possibly a new Bilbo and Gandalf too. Hey, a man can dream!


I appreciate everyone's consideration.

[Halbarad II.]

My suggestion this year is a combo of a piece of scenery (not too huge, in a size possible to be produced).
and a single figure, each also standing solo from another.


Dec

Durin's Stone (weather-worn dwarven stone column at Lake Mirrormere)

The Company now went down the road from the Gates.
It was rough and broken, fading to a winding track between heather and whin
that thrust amid the cracking stones. But still it could be seen that once long ago
a great paved way had wound upwards from the lowlands of the Dwarf-Kingdom.
In places there were ruined works of stone beside the path, and mound of green
topped with slender birches, or fir-trees sighting in the wind.
An eastward bend led them hard by the sward of (Lake) Mirrormere,
and there not far from the roadside stood a single column broken at the top.
'That is Durin’s Stone!' cried Gimli.
'I cannot pass without turning aside for a moment
to look at the wonder of the dale!'
...
Beside the standing stone Gimli halted and looked up.
It was cracked and weather-worn, and the faint runes upon its side could not be read.
'This pillar marks the spot where Durin first looked in the Mirrormere,'
said the dwarf. 'Let us look ourselves once, ere we go!'.
They stooped over the dark water. At first they could see nothing.
Then slowly they saw the forms of the encircling mountains mirrored in a profound blue,
and the peaks were like plumes of white flame above them; beyond there was a space of sky.
There like jewels sunk in the deep shone glinting stars, though sunlight was in the sky above.
Of their own stooping forms no shadow could be seen.
'O Kheled-zâram fair and wonderful!' said Gimli.
'There lies the Crown of Durin till he wakes. Farewell!'
...

J. R. R. Tolkien
Lord of the Rings
The Fellowship of the Ring
Chapter VI
Lothlorien


Jan


Gimli at Durin’s Stone / Lake Mirrormere

Gimli the Dwarf in dwarven travelling gear, with baggage, 
but without long elven cloak.
(the scene is before the visit at Lothlorien.)

There are enough Frodo’s and Sam’s to complete the scene, I think. 


tolkiengateway.net/w/images/0/0b/Matěj_Čadil_-_Durin%27s_Stone.jpg

Illustration for example. I like the emblems of Durin similar to the inscription on the West-Gate of Khazad -Dûm (Moria):
The anvil and the hammer and the Crown with seven stars above.

[Gildor]

Sorry to ask but I am perplex and I can't see the point of keeping on suggesting anything considering the backlog of production and the fact nothing has been released for 6 months... maybe not the right place to say that but I am really sceptical about doing that... we won't even have christmas release this year because of that

[Michael O'Brien]

Dec 10, 2021 19:47:59 GMT Gildor said:

Sorry to ask but I am perplex and I can't see the point of keeping on suggesting anything considering the backlog of production and the fact nothing has been released for 6 months... maybe not the right place to say that but I am really sceptical about doing that... we won't even have christmas release this year because of that

We had one of our staff, responsible for tool making, retire and leave in the summer. At first there was a possibility he wanted a break for a month and would come back, but then he didn't. So we have been working (Lars and Chris) on finding a new way to continue manufacturing the necessary items and we believe we have found it and testing takes time.

As far as new ideas are concerned. Yes there is a backlog, but only in the manufacturing. We have sculpts done and we can release the backlog in early 2022. This will include the Christmas figure, which is sculpted and approved.

We are a small company so when something like this happens, it gets complicated to fix as we don't have 'spare' employees that can cover such niche roles.

[Gildor]

This I understand very well, as I suppose many others will, too

But then maybe you can explain me why Chris himself did not know at all about the fact nothing had been released since August ? Actually he was astonished to learn this from me a week ago...

The problem with the fact of releasing a whole backlog early in the new year is that... by lack of products, many customers have spent their money on other stuff because it is Christmas, and well besides die hard collectors (and even for them) it will be hard on our purses to buy more than 6 or 7 figures altogether at the mithril regular price once they are released... that will be too much money to spend in a row

but I digress, definitly this is off topic and should be discussed elsewhere... sorry

[Michael O'Brien]

Dec 15, 2021 23:53:18 GMT Gildor said:

The problem with the fact of releasing a whole backlog early in the new year is that... by lack of products, many customers have spent their money on other stuff because it is Christmas, and well besides die hard collectors (and even for them) it will be hard on our purses to buy more than 6 or 7 figures altogether at the mithril regular price once they are released... that will be too much money to spend in a row

We will not be releasing everything at once, a few figures per month.

[cjbowser]

[DEC] Hobbit of the Fell Winter or Long Winter

Not all hobbits need be cheery, plump fellows...

"...they prospered and multiplied after the Dark Plague until the disaster of the Long Winter"

--Fellowship of the Ring, Concerning Hobbits

"not since the white wolves came in the Fell Winter, when the Brandywine had frozen over."

--Fellowship of the Ring, A Knife in the Dark

This poor hobbit is bundled up against the cold with a thick, fur lined cloak. One hand bare, the other mittened, are stretched out to warm over a fire or fend off a white wolf. This hobbit is thinner than most, with sunken cheeks and a wild craving for elevenses in its haunted eyes. Despite the cold, the hobbit still can't stomach wearing shoes.

[JAN] Fram Ready to Confront Scatha

A nice companion piece to Scatha, should someone want a diorama.

"...Fram, they tell that he slew Scatha, the great dragon of Ered Mithrin..."

--Appendix A, II: The House of Eorl

This Northman is in a battle ready pose, shield and spear at the ready. Clad in lamellar armor with a sword strapped to his back. Ready to face the vile worm, his long-haired head is thrown back so he can utter a full-throated challenging roar.

[Gerold]

I would like to resuggest these characters:

[DEC] Bolg, Orc Chief of Gundabad

[JAN] Gamling's grandson at Helm's Deep

I don't think his name is mentioned, but Gamling himself was in charge of the forces defending Helm's Dike, and his own grandson was one of the defenders. Gamling's words were: "Maybe we have a thousand fit to fight on foot, but most of them have seen too many winters, as I have, or too few, as my son's son here."

So it should be a young guy, maybe in a mailcoat a bit too long for him.

[eleamar]

[DEC] Beren

[JAN] Lúthien Tinúviel

I think that these two characters, so loved by Tolkien, must have their representation in Mithril miniatures. They appear in The Fellowship of the Ring, in the great poem dedicated to them by Aragorn, his descendant. Lúthien must be dancing as she describes her, "with starlight in her hair and shining garments", "The young woman's cloak shone in the moonlight", "wearing a silver mist around her feet. shuddered "," He saw the flowers of the elves bloom at the feet of the young woman". Beren must be dressed as an Edain warrior from ancient days, staring intently at her, perhaps leaning on a spear or in a relaxed posture.



THE LORD OF THE RING

THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING

CHAPTER 11 A KNIFE IN THE DARK

Strider was silent for a while and at last did not speak, but intoned sweetly:

The leaves were long, the grass was green,
the umbels of the tall and beautiful fir trees
and in the clearing a light was seen
of stars in the twinkling shadow.
Tinúviel danced there,
to the music of an invisible flute,
with a starlight in your hair
and in the bright garments.
There came Beren from the cold mountains
and he was lost among the leaves
and where the River of the Elves rolled,
he was afflicted alone.
He peeked through the fir leaves
and he was amazed at some golden flowers
on the young woman's cloak and sleeves,
and her hair followed her like a shadow.
The enchantment revived his feet
doomed to wander the hills
and he rushed forward, vigorous and swift,
to reach the rays of the moon.
Among the forests of their country
she fled slightly with dancing feet
and she left him alone wandering still
listening in the quiet forest.
There she often heard the flying sound
of the feet as light as linden leaves
or the music that flows underground
and she gurgles in hidden hollows.
Now the fir leaves lie withered
and one by one sighing
beech leaves fall
swinging in the winter forest.
She always followed her, walking very far;
the leaves of the years were a thick carpet,
in the light of the moon and the rays of the stars
that trembled in the frozen skies.
The young woman's cloak shone in the moonlight
while there far away at the top
she danced, carrying around her feet
a shuddering silver haze.
When the winter had passed, she returned,
and like a rising lark and a falling rain
and a water that melts into bubbles
her song released the sudden spring.
He he saw the flowers of the elves bloom
at the feet of the young woman, and healed again
he waited for her to dance and sing
over the grassy meadows.
Again she fled, but he came quickly,
Tinúviel! Tinúviel!
He called her by her name elvish
and she stopped then, listening.
She stayed there a moment
and his voice was like an enchantment,
and fate fell on Tinúviel
and, sparkling, she abandoned herself to her arms.

As Beren looked into her eyes
between the shadows of the hair
she saw shine there in a mirror
the trembling light of the stars.
Tinuviel the elven beauty,
Immortal Maiden of Elven Wisdom
she wrapped him with a dark hair
and arms of gleaming silver.
Long was the route that destiny traced for them
over stony mountains, gray and cold,
through iron rooms and shadow doors
and nocturnal forests without tomorrow.
The separating seas stretched between them
and yet at last they met again
and in the forest singing without sadness
they disappeared many years ago.

Strider sighed and paused before speaking again. "This is a song," he said, "in the style the elves call annthennath, but it is difficult to translate into the common tongue, and what I have sung is only a very crude echo." The song talks about the meeting of Beren, son of Barahi and Lúthien Tinúviel. Beren was a mortal man, but Lúthien was the daughter of Thingol, a king of the elves in Middle-earth, when the world was young; and she was the most beautiful maiden that had ever existed among all the girls in this world. As the stars over the mists of the northern lands, so was the beauty of Lúthien, with a face of light. In those days, the Great Enemy, of whom Sauron of Mordor was but a servant, resided in Angband in the North and the elves of the West who came from Middle-earth waged war on him to recover the Silmarils that he had stolen and the men's fathers helped the elves. But the enemy was victorious and Barahir lost his life and Beren, fleeing grave danger, crossed the Mountains of Terror and passed into the hidden kingdom of Thingol in the forest of Neldoreth. There he discovered Lúthien, who was singing and dancing in a clearing next to the Esgalduin, the enchanted river; and he called it Tinúviel, that is to say Nightingale in ancient language. Many sorrows fell on them since then and they were separated for a long time. Tinúviel freed Beren from Sauron's dungeons and together they went through great risks and even snatched the throne from the Great Enemy and removed from the iron crown one of the three Silmarils, the brightest of all jewels, and which was a gift from weddings for Lúthien, of her father Thingol. At last the Wolf, who came from the gates of Angband, killed Beren who died in the arms of Tinúviel. But she chose mortality and to die for the world, in order to follow him, and it is still sung that they met beyond the Separating Seas and that after having walked for a while alive again through the green forests, they moved away together, many years ago, beyond the confines of this world. So Lúthien really died and left the world, only she of the entire elven race, and thus they lost what they loved most.

[eleamar]

If due to licensing problems they cannot be presented by name, my suggestion is:

[DEC] Warrior Edain watching with Spear

[JAN] Elf Maiden dancing


Other examples from Beren and Luthien

[ddaines]

Dec 26, 2021 13:16:24 GMT eleamar said:

Other examples from Beren and Luthien

View AttachmentView AttachmentView Attachment

Great suggestions, but I think you will find these fall 'foul' of what's is and what isn't permitted under licensing agreements.

Don't lose your opportunity to suggest ideas

[eleamar]

Dec 28, 2021 13:34:02 GMT ddaines said:

Dec 26, 2021 13:16:24 GMT eleamar said:

Other examples from Beren and Luthien

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Great suggestions, but I think you will find these fall 'foul' of what's is and what isn't permitted under licensing agreements.

Don't lose your opportunity to suggest ideas

My understanding is that the license requires characters to appear in The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit. Of some of the miniatures that have accepted we only know the name, most of the kings of Numenor for example. As I show both characters appear in The Fellowship of the Ring in Chapter 11, in one of Tolkien's best poems. I propose that they be represented as they appear in The Lord of the Rings, not as we could imagine them in the adventures narrated in The Silmarillion.

Although I understand that they do not allow them for the rights to use the names. In that case they can be presented for the concept.

Instead of Beren, Warrior Edain watching with Spear.
Instead of Lúthien, Elf Maiden dancing.

I think it would be great if fans of Mithril Minitures had the version of these characters recreated by Chris Tubb. I think we should try.

[gilgaladtolkien]

[DEC] The Balrog fighting Gandalf at the top of the world
[JAN] Gandalf fighting the Balrog at the top of the world

[alfonso]

hello everyone, I would like to propose the idea if it is still possible: Boromir in heavy armor and holding the banner of Gondor, mounted on horseback, I am going to put a photograph of the posture that would be most epic for me.

[alfonso]

-deleted-

[Michael O'Brien]

Jan 10, 2022 2:12:23 GMT alfonso said:

hello everyone, I would like to propose the idea if it is still possible: Boromir in heavy armor and holding the banner of Gondor, mounted on horseback, I am going to put a photograph of the posture that would be most epic for me.

Please read the rules for the month before posting an idea and also note that we are currently voting on the accepted list.

[twrich]

Hi Alonso, please suggest this idea again when it is declared to be a multiple figure month for suggestions. I might vote for this.