Admin Post: November/December Challenge: Season's Greetings

[dawn_felagund]

The last weeks of the year are upon us once again. Whether in the cold and dark of the northern hemisphere, the heat of summer in the south, or anywhere in between, this is a time of holidays and celebrations. And like our primary world, Middle-earth knows a series of holidays - not just at the end of the year, but all year round. In many cases, we don't have more than a name and a vague idea when these holidays are likely to happen. In other cases, bad things happen on the holidays - such as the Darkening of Valinor or the Fall of Gondolin. Only rarely do we get a little more information about how the holidays are actually celebrated.

This is where you come in! For this festive season, we invite you to create a fanwork in which one (or several) of the holidays of Middle-earth plays a role. Use it as the occasion that kickstarts your plot, let your characters prepare for a celebration never properly described in the books, write meta about the holiday/s of your choice, create postcards that the characters might be sending to their loved ones ... or whatever else tickles your fancy! It can be dramatic and heartbreaking like the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, rousing like the Mereth Aderthad, whimsical and sweet like the Nost-na-Lothion, or anything in between.

We have compiled a list of holidays that are mentioned in the Legendarium, sorted by the peoples who celebrate them, with a short explanation. Can't find a holiday that inspires you, or see that your preferred Middle-earth culture is underrepresented? No problem! We're also providing you with a short list of suggestions for creating your own holiday, and you're welcome to come up with additional ideas. As long as there’s a holiday somehow celebrated by characters from (or inspired by) the Legendarium, it's fair game!

Because this is a busy time of the year, we offer a reminder that there is no length requirement for our challenges. Also, the final challenge of the year runs for two months instead of one. Challenge entries are due by 10 January 2019 in order to receive a stamp. (Also keep in mind that January is always a "grace month" where you can complete any 2019 challenge and receive the stamp as well as the first stamp in your 2020 collection!) For full challenge guidelines, see the Challenge page on our website.

( Holiday List )