This event focuses on ALL creative works focusing on disability in Tolkien's universe.
You can do worldbuilding, fan fic, fan art, share a favorite character, your favorite headcanons, write a song, poem, show us your LOTRO Oc!ANYTHING providing-
Absolutely NO USE OF AI IN ANY PART OF THE PROCESS
Ableism and violence against Disabled character should be done with nuance and plot in mind. Remember this is a pride event we are more than willing to have dead dove- provided it is done justly and tactfully.
Tag all your works appropriately and place under a read more.
Tag: "tolkien disability pride" AND "obscuredurins" to get your work featured.
We have an AO3 collection!
This is a spoonie friendly event!We accept past works, WIPS, and encourage this as our time to display PRIDE in our community.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chapters: 67/100
Fandom: The Hobbit - All Media Types, The Hobbit (Jackson Movies), The Hobbit - J. R. R. Tolkien
Rating: Mature
Warnings: Major Character Death
Relationships: Fíli/Ori (Tolkien), Dwalin/Nori (Tolkien), Kíli (Tolkien)/Tauriel (Hobbit Movies), Dori & Nori & Ori (Tolkien), Fíli & Kíli (Tolkien), Dís/Dís’s Husband (Tolkien), Bilbo Baggins/Thorin Oakenshield
Characters: Ori (Tolkien), Nori (Tolkien), Fíli (Tolkien), Dwalin (Tolkien), Óin (Tolkien), Thráin II | Father of Thorin Oakenshield, Kíli (Tolkien), Thorin Oakenshield, Frerin (Tolkien), Dís (Tolkien), Gandalf (Tolkien), Tauriel (Hobbit Movies), Original Fíli-Ori Children (Tolkien), Dori (Tolkien), Bilbo Baggins, Gimli (Tolkien)
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Erebor Never Fell, Alternate Universe - Different First Meeting, Strangers to Lovers, Flirting, Fíli and Kíli are Little Shits (Tolkien), Protective Fíli and Kíli (Tolkien), Fíli and Kíli Brotherly Love, Prince Fíli (Tolkien), Thráin II | Father of Thorin Oakenshield Being an Asshole, Regicide, Secret Relationship, Falling In Love, Eventual Relationships, Frerin Lives (Tolkien), Prince Kíli (Tolkien), Prince Thorin Oakenshield, Tenderness, Family Dynamics, Dysfunctional Family, Trans Ori (Tolkien), Trans Mpreg | Trans Male Pregnancy, Reshirement | Bilbo Baggins and Thorin Oakenshield Retire in The Shire, Implied/Referenced Abuse, Major Character Injury, BAMF Ori, Shy Ori (Tolkien), Fluff and Humor, Protective Siblings, Nori Being Nori (Tolkien), Demisexual Fíli, Canon-Typical Violence, Physical Abuse, Implied/Referenced Domestic Violence, AuDHD Fili (Tolkien), Autistic Ori (Tolkien), Kíli Has ADHD (Tolkien), Alternate Universe - No One Ring, King Kíli (Tolkien), Queen Dís, Fíli Has PTSD (Tolkien), Sweet Fíli (Tolkien), Minor Bilbo Baggins/Thorin Oakenshield, Durin Family (Tolkien), Ri Family Feels (Tolkien), Main character death is for Thráin because he deserves it I promise, Durin Family Feels (Tolkien), Fíli in Love (Tolkien), Parent Fíli (Tolkien), Parent Ori (Tolkien)
Series: Part 1 of Threads of Fate
Chapter 67 Summary:
Fíli chooses a new trajectory for his life once more, though this time it pertains to his professional future rather than his interpersonal relationships with various individuals.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The Hobbit - All Media Types, The Hobbit (Jackson Movies), The Hobbit - J. R. R. Tolkien
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Fíli/Ori (Tolkien)
Characters: Fíli (Tolkien), Ori (Tolkien)
Additional Tags: Fíli-centric (Tolkien), Erebor | The Lonely Mountain Reclaimed from Smaug (Tolkien), Post-Quest of Erebor (Tolkien), Fíli in Love (Tolkien), Chronic Pain, Tenderness, Friends to Lovers, Romantic Fluff, Autistic Ori (Tolkien), Surprise Kissing, Kissing, Hand Kisses, Prince Fíli (Tolkien), Fluff, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Dwarves DO know how to garden on their own., Holding Hands, Sweet Fíli (Tolkien), Awesome Ori (Tolkien), Dorks in Love, KnittedLion, Fíli & Kíli & Thorin Oakenshield Live, Fíli Lives (Tolkien), Alternate Universe - Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Battle of Five Armies - Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies
Series: Part 1 of Room For Growth
Summary:
Following the brutal Battle of the Five Armies, the Company and those who remain within Erebor alongside them begin the task of rebuilding the broken kingdom.
Amidst the darkness, Fíli and Ori discover light sources of all sorts; both metaphorical and physical ones, which brightens their time together and apart.
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The Lord of the Rings - All Media Types
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Aragorn/Boromir (Tolkien)
Characters: Aragorn (Tolkien), Boromir (Tolkien)
Additional Tags: Post-Canon, Boromir Lives (Tolkien), Developing Relationship, Romantic Tension, Chronic Pain, Boromir Needs a Hug (Tolkien), King Aragorn (Tolkien), Fluff and Hurt/Comfort, Cuddling & Snuggling
Summary:
Boromir resigns his position as Steward. It’s not for the reasons that Aragorn might be imagining.
Created for Tolkien Disability Pride Month! Huge shout out to @five-and-dimes for the encouragement and generally being a star 🌟
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The Hobbit - All Media Types, The Hobbit (Jackson Movies), The Hobbit - J. R. R. Tolkien
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Fíli/Ori (Tolkien)
Characters: Fíli (Tolkien), Ori (Tolkien)
Additional Tags: POV Fíli (Tolkien), Fíli-centric (Tolkien), King Fíli (Tolkien), Fíli in Love (Tolkien), Tenderness, Physical Disability, Sweet Ori (Tolkien), Sweet Fíli (Tolkien), Consort Ori (Tolkien), Kissing, Cuddling & Snuggling, Wrestling, Singing, Massage, Domestic Fluff, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Stimming, Slice of Life, Married Couple, Domestic Bliss, Love, True Love, KnittedLion, Fíli Lives (Tolkien), Alternate Universe - Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Erebor | The Lonely Mountain (Tolkien)
Series: Part 5 of To Love a King
Summary:
Fíli and Ori spend the rest of their night together, after both having a long day away from each other’s sides, owing to their separate duties.
(Though this is part of a series, it CAN be read as a standalone fic as well.)
Just like that Under Agate Skies is all wrapped up. It's been a pleasure to write and I hope you've enjoyed reading along :)
Chapter 4: In which Rivendell prepares for change, and Erestor shares moments with Elrond and Galadriel before their departure.
The spring morning is wild with motion. The sharp bite of sweet, cool air in his lungs invigorates even Erestor’s beleaguered body. He sits beside Elrond on a carven bench where the garden opens to woodland, a shawl wrapped about his shoulders. Bird-calls sound above the distant chatter of the Bruinen and the shushing of wind as it upsets the leaves of gnarled beeches and stately oaks. On the forest floor serpentine-hued greenfinches forage in the company of bramblings with their brindled backs and carnelian breasts. Erestor savours their high, vibrato calls and is glad of his choice, even though the bathhouse would have been a sensible one; a sheen of sweat and oil has settled, rancid and uncomfortable, over his skin. His scalp prickles and his skin has begun to itch. A pity both needs could not be satisfied this day.
“Come with me,” Elrond says. Into the West, he means, having made no secret of his firming resolve to sail. Only one question now remains.
“When will you go?” Erestor asks.
Hi I've been exhausted lately but I finally finished some Middle-Earth cane designs for Disability Pride Month and they make me very happy.
Click for better quality, zoom in please I spent way too long on these.
I'm a cane user, and most fictional or antique canes really annoy me, because they're rarely actually usable or practical. So this is my attempt to design usable but still interesting canes for characters I have somewhat arbitrarily projected disability onto. For example, they all have padded handles and most have wrist straps.
Individual design ramblings below!
Nerdanel has some type of genetic chronic illness, I haven't decided exactly what yet. Her cane has metalwork decoration, and a locking hinge mechanism to allow it to fold, because one of my canes is folding and it's super useful. Those parts were made by Mahtan. The Fëanorian star carving and crystal section were later modifications, and I think Nerdanel would continue modifying it throughout her life.
I've drawn Idril with prosthetic legs post-Helcaraxë, and some people with prosthetics use canes or other mobility aids for extra balance. I also headcanon that her silver legs were made by Celebrimbor once he ended up in Gondolin, so before that she may have had lower quality prosthetics and relied more on a cane. Hers has an eagle carved into it (Thorondor maybe), as well as eagle feathers, ribbons, and her heraldry for decoration. Elenwë's name is also carved closer to the base as a memorial (hopefully I did the tengwar right).
Celebrían uses a cane in Valinor due to her injuries. Hers is mallorn wood with metal decorations. Specifically the snake and flowers reference the House of Finarfin. The snake is made of mithril, which i think would be popular for mobility aid details due to its light weight. Also, she got Celebrimbor to help her make it after she dragged him out of Mandos.
Elros' is the only one without a wrist strap because I unfortunately couldn't work it into the design well. He uses it due to a leg injury from the War of Wrath, mostly because I wanted Elrond to encourage him about it in a fic I never finished. The handle is a carved and painted seagull, the column shows fish, and the base has Eärendil's star.
Caranthir inherited Nerdanel's condition, the only one of the sons who did. He didn't start using a cane until they were in Beleriand, so his is a from-memory recreation of Nerdanel's, made with Curufin's help. It also has metalwork details and a hinge. The textile wraps were his own addition, and the claw and beads were gifts from Haleth.
Faramir was born disabled with chronic health issues (again haven't decided exactly what yet), but this wasn't publicly acknowledged by Denethor as it didn't "fit the image". He had very little access to mobility aids growing up because of this. Injuries from the War of the Ring certainly didn't help, and he started using a cane after that. His was given to him by Éowyn, and was made in Rohan, hence the horse. The blue fabric band with stars is a reference to the cloak he gave her, and the lower band was made using remnants of Boromir's horn as a way for Faramir to carry his brother with him.
Chapter 3: In which Erestor recovers and, still weary and sore, journeys on to Minas Tirith.
Summer creeps steadily toward the land as Erestor stands at the threshold between Lothlórien’s bounds and the wide world, gazing across the polished-sheen waters of the Limlight to the weary miles ahead as the large company begins to ford the river. Gone are misty, chill mornings of spring, replaced by balmy warmth, like to a workshop with kindled forge. The sky shining jubilantly above is fluorite-clear and very bright. Minas Tirith seems impossibly far.
“Strange,” Celeborn muses beside him, “to bask in the first blush of summer when in my heart it is Winter that approaches, for Lothlórien, my home.”
Plagued, already, by sour awareness of the dread days of exhaustion yet to come, and sympathetic to the dissonance of bleakness set against warmth, Erestor offers a grim smile in solidarity.
“You put on a stoic face, Erestor, yet I think you are not quite so recovered as you wish to seem. This journey is a sore trial, I believe.”
“I have no wish to bemoan that which I have, of my own free will, chosen.”
“No, and yet, if I am not mistaken, you teeter on the edge of despair at the thought of the road stretching before your feet. I am well acquainted with failing hope, Counsellor. I was there when Eregion fell, and Doriath long before. Too many times have I seen the look you presently wear on the faces of others.”
“And yet, walk this road I will.”
sharing this again since its disability pride month! :)
agnurkâmin
Chosen by Mahal to be given extra care in their making, kanugagnurkâmin were considered to be some of the closest of all to their Maker, for they still remained of the sacred stone they were carved from. Sturdy and steadfast and unchanging in their duty, their devotion to their craft.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: The Hobbit - All Media Types, The Hobbit (Jackson Movies)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Fíli & Ori (Tolkien), Dori & Ori (Tolkien)
Characters: Ori (Tolkien), Dori (Tolkien), Fíli (Tolkien), Dís (Tolkien)
Additional Tags: Autistic Ori (Tolkien), AUDHD Fili, Pre-Canon, First Meetings, POV Ori (Tolkien), Mother Hen Dori (Tolkien), Young Ori (Tolkien), Young Fíli (Tolkien), Blue Mountains | Ered Luin (Tolkien), Sweet Fíli (Tolkien), Mentioned Nori (Tolkien), Mentioned Kíli (Tolkien)
Summary:
Only a few months after Ori moved into the Blue Mountains with his brothers a problem at the market causes him to get lost. Without any knowledge of this large dwarven city Ori doesn’t know what to do, until a blonde stranger offers to help him
*This is a fictional depiction of how dwarrow mental health may manifest. There will be allusions to disturbing content below the cut. Reader discretion is advised. Mental health conditions are uncomfortable and debilitating, as a result things may provoke feelings of discomfort when reading. However it is important to explore mental health in fantasy settings because it allows us to relate and see more of ourselves in these worlds.
I do ask people NOT use this condition for shipping purposes as it wouldnt work with the diagnostic qualifications.
Summary
A Dwarf experiencing Hoard Calling has an abnormally strong desire to possess, protect, obtain (steal or through other means), gather, control, and deny access to a SINGULAR community item (not limited to:buildings, amenities, weaponry, services, roadways,doors, fountains, statuary, etc.), public figures,object, or private dwarf through means of passive, coercive, manipulative, and or violent means.
Notably there is debilitating imprintation upon one (1 AND ONLY ONE) individual item, location, or individual (further refered to as an imprinted catalyst/catalyst) that Hoard Calling fixates upon. (It cannot be a cultural or familial item, location, or person)
Onset
A stress induced condition which manifests as early as 20 years but behaviors have been observed in younger dwarflings after traumatic incidents.
Symptoms and subtypes:
These symptoms are not welcome or viewed as acceptable by a Hoard Called Dwarf especially during earlier stages which introduces a powerful shame component.
It should be noted there is not an aspect of domination over an object rather a Hoard Called Dwarf will simply fuse or enmesh (subtype 1) or become territorial (subtype 2). However the word posess/possession will be used to indicate they are fixated on a physical thing rather than an abstract idea.
When faced with successful possession of their imprinted catalyst they are at a loss of what to do. This leads to an extinction event of behaviors (depending on type subset.)
Type 1: Self destructive
This criteria includes the passive destruction of the self. Individuals are not inherently violent towards the community or the self but are personally destructive through means of isolation, neglect, and fusion. If they possess the catalyst they self collapse and destruct unable to handle the emotional toll of still experiencing symptoms.
Symptoms:
complete withdrawal from family and society, complete neglect of self care and health resulting in illness or injury, severe dissociative state, fugue.
Example
One dwarf had the unfortunate experience of imprinting upon a toy top and became so enmeshed they believed it to be alive, when the toy was destroyed they became so distressed they collapsed into an unresponsive state for days.
Type 2: violent
Individuals experiencing type 2 are violent and aggressive. Often using physical violence against others in order to achieve closeness to the catalyst. When a catalyst is obtained they explode outwardly with frustration or rage that they are still experiencing symptoms.
Symptoms
Violently attacking someone over proximity to the catalyst, shouting and screaming at anyone approaching the catalyst, kidnapping/stealing the catalyst (one notable dwarf had the unfortunate reputation of stealing an entire public fountain brick by brick which lead to them attacking anyone who tried to intercept them. They were absolutely distraught when they reassembled the fountain in their home and still experienced significant distress)
Stages
Hoard Calling has multiple stages. Treatment varies depending on the stage it is identified and intercepted. Many individuals recover with mild or residual symptoms. However, if not addressed early the disruption to the individuals life, health, mental wellness, and reputation may have lifelong consequences.
Stage 1: Incubation: preoccupation with the catalyst is minor and not noticed by the individual or by family. Incubation can begin as early as 6 months proceeding a traumatic event. Symptoms include moodiness when denied access to an unrelated item/person/resource etc which is rarely noticed by the family or individuals. They may only show an inclination for the catalyst or have strong preferences for it.
Treatment includes removing and distraction from the catalyst in addition to supportive activities and consultation with healers to provide stress reduction and improvements to an individual's need for safety.
Stage 2: Obsession. During this stage the Dwarf begins experiencing obsessive thoughts of the catalyst. This stage begins a period of insomnia, heightened anxiety, noticeable irritability (shouting) and anger issues (bullying and heightened aggression) and chronic dreams of the catalyst.
Treatment involves intervention through a variety of means but family based interventions focusing on re-establishing safety, strengthening healthy relationships, and introduction of crafting a stock catalysts (which is then therapeutically destroyed by the individual in treatment) have all proven successful with little residual symptoms.
Stage 3: Possession. At this stage the Dwarf has become completely preoccupied with possessing the catalyst. Insomnia acquired in earlier stages is now accompanied by mania and hallucinations. Mood regulation and care for self drop considerably. Hallucinations of the catalyst begin and paranoia can be present in rare cases. Symptoms are noticeable by community members and disrupt the lives of the individual and those around them. Individual spends majority of time ruminating on ways to obtain the catalyst at any cost to self or others. Their preoccupation has now become a massive detriment to health. This stage introduces potential for violent behaviors if confronted and loss of insight into maladaptive thoughts and responses. (It should be noted that there is no clear plan of what will be done after a dwarf obtains the imprinted catalyst.) They maintain individual identity features which are completely void in stage 4.
Treatment includes removing the Dwarf from accessing the catalyst and enrolling in intensive treatment for rebuilding anxiety tolerance, restoring idea of safety and stability, restoring and strengthening sense of self, parts work to solidify the mind, stock catalyst craft and destruction, and lifelong check ins to manage residual symptoms.
Stage 4: fusion. At this stage the Dwarf has completely fused psychologically with the catalyst. Heartbreakingly this enmenshment includes loss of insight and high levels of dissociation. Most prominent features include selective mutism, complete deteroration of identity, complete dissolvement of self care and preservation skills, catatonia, refusal to be parted with or leave the catalyst, and complete isolation from society. At this stage the only form of treatment is to either remove the dwarf from the catalyst or destroy the catalyst entirely.
Recovery follows stage 3 but is accompanied by inpatient treatment due to loss of will to live, rejection of nutrients, and self imposed sleep deprivation. Death can occur in dwarflings and striplings, with striplings at higher risk of fatalities. Dwarflings take easier to a stock and have stronger connections within the family unit. Stripling are involved in development of independent identity and as a result have less resiliency during recovery.
Treatment lasts a lifetime but may resolve to minor residual symptoms should they obtain targeted support. A stock catalyst is crafted and given (but not destroyed) in order to preserve the individuals life.
Barriers to treatment
Reputation:
It has been noted that some families feel shame when encountering their loved one's struggles and will hide them until they no longer can contain them. This has not only lead to Hoard Called dwarves being kept from treatment allowing unnecessary advancement but also left them with injuries from forced confinement in more cruel cases.
Religiosity:
Some families or even the individual themselves will admit themselves to a priesthood in order to avoid the catalyst and/or utilize structure to treat early symptoms.
Self destruction due to late stage interception:
during stages 3 and 4 a dwarf is at a level of dysfunction which leads to danger to self or others(if the catalyst is another creature there is a serious threat of kidnapping (the catalyst) and violence towards anything that stands between the individual and the catalyst.
Diagnostic criteria:
Affliction only impacts a single dwarrow, no two dwarrow will have the same catalyst.
An imprinted catalyst is produced by the environment itself and has no direct connection to the Dwarf. (During diagnosis rule out familial or personal connection to imprinted catalyst as this would disqualify) ((authors note: the arkenstone would not qualify as it is culturally important to Durins folk.))
There is only one (1) imprinted catalyst during a dwarf's lifespan.
Marked distress, shame, discomfort, and fear about symptoms.
Marked shame and avoidance of any catalyst dwarf after possession has occurred. (Ie: shipping is not gonna happen with this one bestie. This is torturous and the Dwarf would rather move than be near the catalyst but may utilize a stock.)
Marked extinction event (at later stages) after achieving possession of the catalyst.
Onset 6 months or longer after traumatic event
Inappropriate obsession with imprinted catalyst which impairs others freedoms, development, use, growth, or infringes upon the health of the community AND the self.
Insomnia, weightloss, appetite loss, alexithymia, mood dysregulation(later stage), rigid routine, selective mutism, dissociation, preoccupation, withdrawal from hobbies and family activities.
deteroration of identity, enmeshment with catalyst, rare cases dwarves inflicted will begin referring to themselves and the catalyst with 'we' and 'us' pronouns as their identity fuses with the catalyst.
Case Studies
Dwarf in stage 4 ( type 1) shows inability to communicate and reduced physical responses to stimuli. Imprinted upon a statue (delusions of relationship/personhood and feelings of safety within the statue onset 50 years ago when dwarf arrived from outer inhabitation) they have been sitting motionless by it for one week without rest or nourishment. Dwarf only responds when statue is disturbed and lashes out at any who try and remove it from the hall. After forced removal of the dwarf and enrollment in intensive treatment they have shown progressive yet slow improvement. Sense of self and bodily autonomy return and re-emergence of self after consistent treatment and re-establishment of safety. A stock was provided and showed significant health gains after its reintroduction. Dwarf lives in moderate isolation due to shame over their behavior despite clinical and familial support. The stock remains in their bedchambers and they hide it during the few times they allow family visitation.
Dwarf in Stage 3 (type 2) has imprinted upon a public figure. Dwarf believes they must be within the presence of the figure and spends every waking moment ruminating about them. Dwarf shows aggression and violence when confronted and harmed relatives with a chisel when their plans to kidnap the imprinted catalyst was uncovered. ( as with all cases there is no clear plan after what will be done after the catalyst is obtained.) After enrolling in treatment they showed drastic improvement and fully recovered but reputational damage facilitated a move to a new location.
Dwarf (dwarfling) stage 2 (type 2) arrived 8 months ago after a horrifying attack on their settlement in the lower hills. The dwarfling appears fixated upon a doorway in the western market hall. Whenever they are parted from it they scream and cry until they fall asleep from exhaustion. They report dreams of being before the door and touching the door. If present at the door they will shove or strike anyone who tries to touch the door. The family was of higher rank and greatly ashamed of this behavior and attempted to self treat the condition. When the door was unhinged and placed in the dwarflings home they refused to sleep for several days and had to be taken to the healers for exhaustion. Upon admission to root cause for the dwarflings state a stock door was introduced and the family engaged in family role establishment sessions to validate safety and feelings of emotional security in the new environment. After a year of treatment the dwarfling has shown positive trends in emotional regulation and self confidence(boosted by enrollment in other strength based activities and support from siblings). They do become moody when the stock is touched and report a fear of the condition returning to its prior level and have refused to enter the marketplace hall since.
*Adding some fictional neurospice means investigating a fictional culture and utilizing their values and perspectives to reconstruct behaviors which would impact an individuals ability to directly engage in that society.
Though this is a fictional condition I have done my best to ensure proper respect and bring a level of casual clinical notation in order to provide concise context.
Some of these may have roots or links to present american mental health phenomenon as that is the field I am most familiar.
Are these uncomfortable to read? Yes but they are all rooted in text book case studies and reality of mental health experiences.
- Bouts of anxiety from being underground too much during the year. Which sucks because they like being around their Dwarven kin. This leads to yearly summer trips to the seaside which the half-dwarrow looks fwd too.
- Childhood asthma
- Injuries that don't heal as quickly as their Dwarven kin.
Dagrún is the secret not so secret child of a dwarrowdam guard and a royal poet from a human settlement (undecided).
Due to... Nefarious human deeds she was taken in and raised by her father as an infant.
Due to being a half dwarrow she has inner ear malformations impacting hearing and balance. She matured faster than her appearance leaving her a rather unsettling presence in the human court.
She has outlived her birth father already and dislikes being alone. Instead preferring the gardens where she feeds the birds.
She is isolated from other dwarrow and half dwarrow- only knowing her human compatriots. She wishes to learn more of her mysterious mother and finds herself drawn to dwarven culture and visiting dwarrow- she just doesnt know why.
