Archive of entries posted on 29th March 2012

Gandalf vs Darth Vader

Posted by  on 29 March 2012, 8:55 am

Gandalf versus Darth Vader

Yes, you read that correctly: Gandalf vs Darth Vader.

The folks over at Bat In The Sun are featuring the pair in Episode Two of their ‘Super Power Beat Down‘ contest. Each month the series takes two super power legends and pits them against each other. Viewers are able to vote for who they think will win and then watch the episode as SPBD shows you the outcome.

Next month’s match up is between our favorite wizard Gandalf and the dark Sith lord Darth Vader from Star Wars. Let’s look at the strengths of each (NOTE: Contains possible spoilers for those not associated with either character).

Gandalf: He may appear as a bumbling old man, but don’t underestimate this wizard. He fought to the death, and won, against a Balrog of Morgoth, was resurrected by the Powers to return to Middle-earth and help lead the race of Men to victory over Sauron, plus he’s quite wicked with a staff and sword. He’s also not merely a wizard but the Maia Olórin, wisest of all the Maiar. Gandalf has a way of making people see the good in things and bringing them hope.

Darth Vader: Born Annakin Skywalker to a virgin mother and no human father; it is said that he was conceived by intelligent microscopic life forms called midi-chlorians which help people perceive the “Force”, an  energy field, present throughout the Universe. Vader started out as a Jedi knight, fighting for the forces of good until the grief over losing his mother and the gentle persuading by Senator Palpatine, a secretive Sith lord, turned him to the dark side where he became known as Darth Vader. He is quite adept at using the Force to control people and things around him and is skilled with a lightsaber. Vader’s compassion for his son Luke would eventually be his downfall, making him return to the forces of good before his demise.

Both are quite powerful. Darth Vader’s use of the Force and skill with a lightsaber could pose problematic for Gandalf. However, Gandalf was resurrected after his demise whereas Vader wasn’t after his. Plus, if Gandalf can work on Vader’s compassionate side, he could be the winner.

Here at Elvenesse we are of course pulling for Gandalf!

Voting for this match up is open until April 14th, with the episode available for viewing on April 21st. Head on over to Super Power Beat Down to cast your vote!

Update: SPBD has changed the match up viewing date to April 25th.

 

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Tuilë – First season on the Elvish calendar

Posted by  on 29 March 2012, 6:00 am
Tuilë written in tengwar

Tuilë written in tengwar

Today is the first day of the Elvish season of Tuilë.

Tuilë  means Spring in the Elvish language of Quenya (the Sindarin form being Ethuil). The season of Tuilë is 54 days long and on the Gregorian calendar of Men, starts near the beginning of April and ends near the latter part of the month of May.

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Elenya, 1st of Tuilë – Today in Middle-earth History

Posted by  on 29 March 2012, 5:30 am

Third Age 2510: Eorl rides out to aid Gondor at the Field of Celebrant.

Rohan tapestry from the Lord of the Rings movies featuring Eorl the Young

Rohan tapestry from the Lord of the Rings movies featuring Eorl the Young

Eorl at once summoned his council of Elders, and began to prepare for the great riding. But this took many days, for the host had to be gathered and mustered, and thought taken for the ordering of the people and the defence of the land. At that time the Éothéod were at peace and had no fear of war: though it might prove otherwise when it became known that their lord had ridden away to battle far off in the South. Nonetheless Eorl saw well that nothing less than his full strength would serve, and he must risk all or draw back and break his promise.

At last the whole host was assembled; and only a few hundreds were left behind to support the men unfitted for such desperate venture by youth or age. It was then the sixth day of the month of Víressë. On that day in silence the great éohere set out, leaving fear behind, and taking with them small hope; for they knew not what lay before them, either on the road or at its end. It is said that Eorl led forth some seven thousand fully-armed riders and some hundreds of horsed archers. At his right hand rode Borondir, to serve as guide so far as he might, since he had lately passed through the lands. But this great host was not threatened or assailed during its long journey down the Vales of Anduin. Such folk of good or evil kind as saw it approach fled out of its path for fear of its might and splendour.

[Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 2, Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan: The Ride of Eorl]

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