Middle Earth Extra Appreciation Month!

[Birdland]

OK, since I've never been able to decide just what kind of Middle Earthling a "Birdland" is, I've just taken to calling myself a "Middle Earth Extra". And I think it's time we all saluted those small roles, yet not small players, who helped to flesh out Tolkien's great work, and in some cases actually furthered the plot.

Even P.J. recognized the contribution these named, but barely, characters played in the making of LoTR, and in appreciation he is actually adding a scene in The Two Towers where Arwen has an actual conversation with a nameless Rohanian refugee woman. Sorta trying to put a human face to the great battle of Helm's Deep.

So let's raise our glasses and salute the Middle Earth Extras. Let's hear it for Ioreth's kinswoman, Lotho "Pimple" Sacksville-Baggins, Forlong the Fat, Gárulf - the guy who bit it so Eomer could give Aragorn a horse, the porter of Fen Hollen...

Heyyyyy...wait a minute. Most of these Middle Earth Extras are DEAD! I mean, they're dropping like Red Shirts in a Star Trek episode! (Birdie backs into a corner, looks around wildly, and picks up a rock.)

[ June 05, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

[Gandalf_theGrey]

Greetings Birdland,

My first reaction to your words is a sigh of relief that I'm not the only one puzzled by what sort of creature a "Birdland" might be. In a way, it strikes me as Hobbitlike or Mannish ... almost, but not quite. What is the origin of / history behind the name?

Now then, please permit me a bit of non-Tolkien-related silliness. "Red Shirts in a Star Trek episode?" * shuffles feet a bit * All right, I'll admit to being old enough to know what that refers to. And of course you must know ... * Gandalf eyes you picking up a rock * ... "Be vewy, vewy quiet, I'm hunting wabbits." Or perhaps, "Duck season! Wabbit season! Birdland season!" would be more appropriate? * good-natured grin *

Gandalf the Grey

[Raefindel]

Yes, this place would not be the same with you Birdland! Three cheers for Birdland!

[Birdland]

(Birdie bows low) Gandalf, I would be more than happy to be accepted in the Hobbit ranks, but alas, I'm too tall.

As for the name: It's a leftover from another website, which I use at various sites. I dropped by the Downs to make inquires about a rare editon of LoTR I found. While waiting for a reply, I posted a reply on a post...then another, and before I knew it, I'd been here nine months and had a personal title. Such is life.

While you're here, let's salute the Istari's own contribution to the fellowship of Middle Earth Extras - Radagast the Brown! Not to mention the nameless, lost "Blue Wizards".

(BTW: Where ARE those guys, anyway?)

[Raefindel]

Mae Govannen Pukel-man Gandalf the Grey and welcome to the Downs.


I guess Pukel-man qualifies as a Middle Earth Extra.

[Nazgûl Queen]

I was thinking that a Birdland might have some relation to the eagles or be one of those humans who understand birds...

[Child of the 7th Age]

Tyler says:

Many wild beasts were also under his (i.e. Sauron's) sway, including crows, hawks--and all sharp-eyed, unfriendly creatures apt to malice.

Is that you, Birdland?

Or are you more closely related to the Eagles of the North?


Have you ever looked through David Day's Bestiary to see if you're "listed" in there? I don't have a copy of that book so can't help you there.

sharon, the 7th age hobbit

[Birdland]

Frankly, I think Tolkien gave "sharp-eyed" creatures a bum rap. I blame it on that whole 19th Century Man Vs. Nature thing.

And speaking of Nature, let's give it up for The Fox, who commented on how queer it was to see hobbits sleeping out of doors, "but never found out any more about it."

(Sigh), No, I'm not in the Bestiary. Perhaps I'm a land mass?

[Nevtalathiel]

And what about the rabbit who Sam and Frodo ate in Ithilien, another dead but important extra!

[Pukel-Man]

Just like my name, I will remain an enigmatic presence here in the "Downs".
I am also consuming six buttered rolls with bacon as I type this in an effort to alter my physical appearance so that I will one day be of the same heft and girth as the other Pukel-men. If my plan dose not come to fruition, I guess I'll need to reconsider my current name and choose another that is not associated with such profound corpulence.

PS Thanks, Glad to be here.

[ June 06, 2002: Message edited by: Pukel-Man ]

[Aosama, the Wandering Star]

I thought Birdland was the third bird that Gwaihir takes with him to rescue Sam and Frodo from Mt. Doom...
Hip hip hurray! For the ME extras!

[ElanorGamgee]

Here's to my favorite ME extras, Fredegar "Fatty" Bolger and Nob!

[Pukel-Man]

Bill Ferny? and the staff of the Prancing Pony. (Best beer in middle earth)

[Aldagrim Proudfoot]

Don't forget those orcs Sam scared in the tower when he was going after Frodo. OOH! OOH! Bill the pony!

[Lothiriel Silmarien]

Hey Pukel-Man and Aldagrim!!! I like to say hello and welcome to the newbies. So, hello and welcome to the Downs!!! (that is, I'm assuming you guys are new, but if your not sorry in advance smilies/wink.gif ) Hm, ok let me think of a Middle-Earth extra. Good topic btw Birdland, we gotta pay our respects for the extras too!
I agree, little fox was a good touch. And how about the ponies that the hobbits rode to the Prancing Pony, but were soon lost. Or how about the cafeteria person where Pippin and Beregond got their food while on duty at Minas Tirith? I don't have my book with me just now, so I'm trying to remember these off hand. Anybody got anymore suggestions???? I'd like to know more Middle-Earth extras smilies/biggrin.gif

[ June 06, 2002: Message edited by: Lothiriel Silmarien ]

[piosenniel]

Let's raise a flagon (or two) to Targon, the keeper of the buttery for Beregond's company of the Guard in Minas Tirith.

Birdland, I never thought of you as a land mass - more a sphere of influence for creatures of the avian persuasion. Btw, do neekerbreekers have wings as well as voice?

[Birdland]

Btw, do neekerbreekers have wings as well as voice?
Absolutely! "Neek-Breek!" (flit-flit) "Neek-Breek!" (flit-flit).
Congrats on your personal title, Pio. But you are hardly a Sluggish Wizard.

[piosenniel]

A Sluggish Wizard? - nope,, meant it more as a ghost or specter who jumps from one thing to another, non-methodical, disconnected, random . . .

Here's to Grip, Fang, and Wolf - Farmer Maggot's excellent dogs!

[Child of the 7th Age]

Birdland and Pio --

Maybe we should do a thread on whether Neekerbreekers have wings. LOL smilies/biggrin.gif smilies/biggrin.gif smilies/biggrin.gif

Birdland -- Nice new picture. Can you explain what it is?

sharon, the 7th age hobbit.

[Aldagrim Proudfoot]

Don't forget Otho Sackville-Baggins, Lotho's father, and Sharkey's ruffians

[Bêthberry]

*gets into the spirit of things here*

Well, 'Bethberry' was that twinkle in Tom's and Goldberry's eyes. smilies/wink.gif

Then let's not overlook she of the gabby tongue, Ioreth of the House of Healing, for whom only Gandalf has respect--and patience.

And Asfaloth, the white horse, who answers Glorfindel's call in Elvish when Frodo was called by the Black Riders to wait.

*hops off merrily*

[ June 07, 2002: Message edited by: Bethberry ]

[Aldagrim Proudfoot]

What about Old Man Willow?

[Nevtalathiel]

What about Shelob, or did she have too big a part?

[Aldagrim Proudfoot]

I don't know. It is kind of integral to the plot. After all, she did cause Frodo and Sam to have a way into Mordor.

[piosenniel]

Child of the 7th Age

Do neekerbreekers have wings? I have it on good authority from an actual neekerbreeker that they do, BUT whether that is canonical authority I cannot say!

Going with the supposed fact that they do have wings - the question then becomes: Can they fly!

NO, no, Child! Don't toss the Neekerbreeker! That really doesn't count as 'flying'!

Back on topic (just in case the Wight is lurking!)

I'll raise a pint to: the servant who remained on guard in the House of the Stewards in Rath Dinen, the one to whom Pippin spoke, directing him to go slowly and bring no fire to the place while Faramir lived.

[ June 07, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[ June 07, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Aldagrim Proudfoot]

What is a neekerbreeker anyway?

[Raefindel]

Neekbreekers- FoTR pg 226 There were also abominable creatures haunting the reeds and tussocks, that from the sound of them were evil relatives of the cricket. There were thousands of them, and they squeaked all round, neek-breek, breek-neek unceasingly all the nights until the hobbits were nearly frantic.

[VanimaEdhel]

Yay! Random extra appreciation month! I am very not an extra, but I would be happy to help celebrate with you! Just give me a drink, and I'm happy! smilies/wink.gif

[Aldagrim Proudfoot]

OOOOHHHHH! I get it. I've only read the trilogy twice.

[Lothiriel Silmarien]

According to the Name Generator, in the Redbook, (I'm only gonna name that name) I'm a Drunken Dunedan. SOrry if I spelt it wrong, it looks funny....

[Nevfeniel]

*gasp* But what about Bergil, son of Beregond? A-a-and Ted Sandyman?