Hello, Tolkien fans! Today in our Summer Showcase we have a lovely TRSB writer...
I've been in the fandom since I was 8-ish. Learned the movies by heart when I was a kid - which is how I got into the fandom. I read through my copy of the Lord of the Rings so many times the spine is tearing at the seams. Forever Bitter™ at my one college professor refusing to let me do my Tolkien final presentation on Glorfindel.
I have been roleplaying on tumblr since 2012 - previously as chiefcouncilor-erestor, now as oracleofimladris, though I’m not very active at the moment. I also write fan fiction and I am a connoisseur of Glorestor fanfic first and foremost, but I also try to contribute as best I can. I do mostly traditional art, which is why you won't find much from me online (although I've tried my hand at digital a few times…)
I have a pet bunny who's 10 years old. I like to travel and plan to travel to greece to find out more about where my family comes from (working on a family tree with no legal documentation is pretty much impossible).
Where can we find you? You can find me on tumblr @oracleofimladris (previously @chiefcouncilor-erestor), or on AO3 @AndiiErestor. I am also in SWG Discord and Erestor's Library @Erestor. I have a new DeviantArt account @OracleofImladris where I go once every 100 years to post some art.
How are you joining in with TRSB20? I'm joining TRSB for the first time this year as a writer (for two different pieces). I'm hoping to be able to submit some art pieces for next year as well.
Oracle of Imladris - AndiiErestor, Dalandel
Oracle of Imladris series. The series as a whole is rated E, but each piece can be read independently and they vary from G to E.
Warnings: There is mention of Erestor shapeshifting into a female form as a part of him is maia. There is also mention to Glorfindel's death, and some graphic depictions of miscarriage.
As a pagan witch, I was looking for an excuse to include some of my practices into a fic series that I could call my brainchild, and this is what came of it. This story originated as a meta between @dalandel and I through the realization that I would project too much onto Erestor when I would play him on tumblr... So of course I decided to push it one step further. It's headcanons about his background and where he might end up in the future, his relationship with Glorfindel, their losses and achievements, and the love they share. I especially like to explore different aspects of their day-to-day life, as well as some of the particular aspects of femininity that he would see as divine:
In this series, Erestor is part-maia, and such is reflected by an ability to change his form somewhat like the Ainur could, specifically in his case he has the ability to take on female form (in part or in full) and hold that form in such a way as to experience the anatomical differences between that and his usual male form.
Erestor also makes use of crystals, tarot, and spells, etc, and prays to the Valar - especially to Mandos/Lorien.
Top creative tips/words of wisdom for fellow participants: My advice is simple, art is creative. You can't force creativity, but you need to foster it. If you feel uncreative, ask yourself what your environment is missing to allow you to tap into that to the fullest. Clean your space - or mess it up. Take a bath. Have a snack, or a whole meal. Call a friend and tell them about your ideas - or ask them for ideas. Go randonauting (safely). Watch a movie. Listen to music. Whatever gets you in that creative meditative space where the thoughts and words flow out like water. Don't be too harsh with yourself and check in with yourself and your artist (if they want to) and the mods honestly and often. Be good to yourself and your process. Have fun with it and remember that you are creating something out of nothing. That is the greatest accomplishment you could ever achieve. I look forward to seeing what we all can come up with. <3