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Camwë Danrod Gregolas

Before the Fellowship: Fans Read and React to the Silmarillion by JRR Tolkien Every Week

Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien. This is a book everyone should read, but it can be intimidating. Go on a journey with us: witness the creation of Tolkien's universe, meet the villain who's bigger and badder than Sauron, and hear a love story that will leave you in tears. We are not experts, we're just fans like you. And we're having a blast going through this masterpiece of fiction, 15 minutes at a time. Grab a cup of tea or your favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us each week!

Before the Fellowship: Fans Read and React to the Silmarillion by JRR Tolkien Every Week (Trailer)

Why is this podcast different? Because we get right to the story. We are not experts, we're big fans. Meet the hosts: Cameron O'Hearn (Camwë), Dan Driver (Danrod), and Greg Montana (Gregolas) as we begin our journey to read the Silmarillion in a year. (In memory of Guy Kay)

00:13 Why is this podcast different?

14:41 Danrod reads the Appendix

16:49 Final thoughts

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Ever wondered if Tolkien wrote anything that matched the Lord of the Rings? Well he did! Kind of. The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The 'Before the Fellowship' Podcast gets right into the story. So grab your cup of tea or favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us each week as we read and react to the Silmarillion by JRR Tolkien.

The Silmarillion is the Greatest Story You've Never Heard (so let's read it together!)

Today we hear about the Creation of all things, through music! But Melkor wants to be a bigger part of the music and so discord begins...

Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien.

00:16 Greg reads the Creation Story: 'The Music of the Ainur' (pages 15-18) from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition

11:06 Discussion

WATCH this Episode on YouTube

FOLLOW us as we follow Tolkien:

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The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The Silmarillion is a book everyone should read, but it can be intimidating. Go on a journey with us. 

Witness the creation of Tolkien's universe, meet the villain that's bigger and badder than Sauron, and hear a love story that will leave you in tears. We are not experts, we're just fans like you. And we're having a blast going through this masterpiece of fiction, 15 minutes at a time. Grad a cup of tea or your favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us every week!

Eru Creates Middle Earth, through Music! (pages 15-18) — Episode 1

Today we read the battle between the Creation of the Valar and the destruction of Melkor.

Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien.

00:17 Cameron Reads (pages 18-22) from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition

16:00 Discussion

WATCH this Episode on YouTube

FOLLOW us as we follow Tolkien:

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The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The Silmarillion is a book everyone should read, but it can be intimidating. Go on a journey with us.

Witness the creation of Tolkien's universe, meet the villain that's bigger and badder than Sauron, and hear a love story that will leave you in tears. We are not experts, we're just fans like you. And we're having a blast going through this masterpiece of fiction, 15 minutes at a time. Grad a cup of tea or your favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us every week!

The First Epic Battle against Melkor (pages 18-22) — Episode 2

Today we meet the first of the Valar (Lords) and Valier (Queens) of Arda. Aulë fights Melkor.

Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien.

00:17 Dan reads pages 25-27 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition

10:10 Discussion

WATCH this Episode on YouTube

FOLLOW us as we follow Tolkien:

TWITTER

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FACEBOOK

Ever wondered if Tolkien wrote anything that matched the Lord of the Rings? Well he did! Kind of. The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The 'Before the Fellowship' Podcast gets right into the story. So grab your cup of tea or favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us each week as we read and react to the Silmarillion by JRR Tolkien.

The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The Silmarillion is a book everyone should read, but it can be intimidating. Go on a journey with us.

Witness the creation of Tolkien's universe, meet the villain that's bigger and badder than Sauron, and hear a love story that will leave you in tears. We are not experts, we're just fans like you. And we're having a blast going through this masterpiece of fiction, 15 minutes at a time. Grad a cup of tea or your favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us every week!

Meet the Mighty Lords and Queens! (pages 25-27) — Episode 3

Today, we hear about the rest of the Lords and Queens of Middle Earth. We pick our favorites!

Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien.

00:13 Greg reads pages 27-29 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition

08:15 Discussion

"Among them Nine were of chief power and reverence; but one is removed from their number, and Eight remain, the Aratar, the High Ones of Arda: Manwë and Varda, Ulmo, Yavanna and Aulë, Mandos, Nienna, and Oromë."

WATCH this Episode on YouTube

Follow us as we follow Tolkien:

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The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The Silmarillion is a book everyone should read, but it can be intimidating. Go on a journey with us.

Witness the creation of Tolkien's universe, meet the villain that's bigger and badder than Sauron, and hear a love story that will leave you in tears. We are not experts, we're just fans like you. And we're having a blast going through this masterpiece of fiction, 15 minutes at a time. Grad a cup of tea or your favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us every week!

Lords and Queens Take Shape (pages 27-29) — Episode 4

Today, we hear about the Maiar coming to Arda (including a familiar grey wizard) and Melkor descends into deep darkness.

Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien.

00:28 Cameron reads pages 30-32 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition 

08:25 Discussion 

"Wisest of the Maiar was Olórin. He too dwelt in Lórien, but his ways took him often to the house of Nienna, and of her he learned pity and patience.

Of Melian much is told in the Quenta Silmarillion. But of Olórin that tale does not speak; for though he loved the Elves, he walked among them unseen, or in form as one of them, and they did not know whence came the fair visions or the promptings of wisdom that he put into their hearts. In later days he was the friend of all the Children of Ilúvatar, and took pity on their sorrows; and those who listened to him awoke from despair and put away the imaginations of darkness."

WATCH this Episode on YouTube

Follow us as we follow Tolkien:

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The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The Silmarillion is a book everyone should read, but it can be intimidating. Go on a journey with us.

Witness the creation of Tolkien's universe, meet the villain that's bigger and badder than Sauron, and hear a love story that will leave you in tears. We are not experts, we're just fans like you. And we're having a blast going through this masterpiece of fiction, 15 minutes at a time. Grad a cup of tea or your favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us every week!

Gandalf's Origin Story and Melkor's Descent (pages 30-32) — Episode 5

Behind the walls of Almaren, the Valar rest in contentment, but evil never sleeps. Melkor attacks and forever changes the world of Arda. We share the meaning of our names. (Everyone knows which one is the coolest.)

Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien.

00:30 Dan reads pages 35-37 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition

10:59 Discussion

"Now Melkor began the delving and building of a vast fortress, deep under Earth, beneath dark mountains where the beams of Illuin were cold and dim. That stronghold was named Utumno. And though the Valar knew naught of it as yet, nonetheless the evil of Melkor and the blight of his hatred flowed out thence, and the Spring of Arda was marred."

WATCH this Episode on YouTube

Follow us as we follow Tolkien:

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The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The Silmarillion is a book everyone should read, but it can be intimidating. Go on a journey with us.

Witness the creation of Tolkien's universe, meet the villain that's bigger and badder than Sauron, and hear a love story that will leave you in tears. We are not experts, we're just fans like you. And we're having a blast going through this masterpiece of fiction, 15 minutes at a time. Grad a cup of tea or your favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us every week!

The Valar Rest but Melkor Strikes! (pages 35-37) — Episode 6

The Valar mourn after the marring of Arda. Yavanna makes the most renowned creation in all of the world: the Two Trees of Valinor. (Also, do you think Morgoth is in a punk band?)

Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien.

00:13 Greg reads pages 37-40 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition 

08:57 Discussion

"And as they watched, upon the mound there came forth two slender shoots; and silence was over all the world in that hour, nor was there any other sound save the chanting of Yavanna. Under her song the saplings grew and became fair and tall, and came to flower; and thus there awoke in the world the Two Trees of Valinor. Of all things which Yavanna made they have most renown, and about their fate all the tales of the Elder Days are woven."

WATCH this Episode on YouTube

Follow us as we follow Tolkien:

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The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The Silmarillion is a book everyone should read, but it can be intimidating. Go on a journey with us.

Witness the creation of Tolkien's universe, meet the villain that's bigger and badder than Sauron, and hear a love story that will leave you in tears. We are not experts, we're just fans like you. And we're having a blast going through this masterpiece of fiction, 15 minutes at a time. Grad a cup of tea or your favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us every week!

The Two Trees, the Source of the Silmarills (pages 37-40) — Episode 7

The stage is set. The Children of Iluvatar come on to the scene. Elves are made more in the likeness of the Ainur, and their lives are tied to the Earth. Men have been given strange gifts, such as mortality and the power to shape their lives beyond the Music of the Ainur. 

Three friends read and react to the greatest story you've never heard — the Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien.

00:13 Cameron reads pages 40-42 from the Silmarillion, 2nd Edition

10:04 Discussion

"For it is said that after the departure of the Valar there was silence, and for an age Ilúvatar sat alone in thought. Then he spoke and said: 'Behold I love the Earth, which shall be a mansion for the Quendi and the Atani! But the Quendi shall be the fairest of all earthly creatures, and they shall have and shall conceive and bring forth more beauty than all my Children; and they shall have the greater bliss in this world. But to the Atani I will give a new gift."

WATCH this Episode on YouTube

Follow us as we follow Tolkien:

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The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The Silmarillion is a book everyone should read, but it can be intimidating. Go on a journey with us.

Witness the creation of Tolkien's universe, meet the villain that's bigger and badder than Sauron, and hear a love story that will leave you in tears. We are not experts, we're just fans like you. And we're having a blast going through this masterpiece of fiction, 15 minutes at a time. Grad a cup of tea or your favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us every week!

The End of the Beginning. Death is the GIFT of Iluvitar?! (pages 40-42) — Episode 8

A bout of illness in Cameron's family prevented the Before the Fellowship men from recording normal reading episodes, so join Dan and Greg for a discussion on the podcast, broader themes of the Silmarillion, and how we might create a forum for listeners to express their thoughts and engage in the discussions that we start on the podcast.
Send feedback to beforethefellowship@gmail.com

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⁠⁠⁠DISCORD⁠⁠⁠

The Rings of Power comes to Amazon, but nothing compares to the real story JRR Tolkien wrote. Is the Silmarillion his masterpiece? The Silmarillion is a book everyone should read, but it can be intimidating. Go on a journey with us.

Witness the creation of Tolkien's universe, meet the villain that's bigger and badder than Sauron, and hear a love story that will leave you in tears. We are not experts, we're just fans like you. And we're having a blast going through this masterpiece of fiction, 15 minutes at a time. Grad a cup of tea or your favorite scotch (or your steering wheel!) and join us every week!

A Very Negative Review & Greg's Biggest Regret

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