The Prancing Pony Podcast

The wizards went about in simple guise, as it were of Men already old in years. Alan and Shawn have been doing that for years. Join The Man of the West and The Lord of the Mark as they embark on a three-episode look at the chapter on the Istari in Unfinished Tales. The Valar send five emissaries, two of whom promptly disappear; Radagast gets distracted watching nature documentaries, and Gandalf has nothing to do with Grand-Elf. We engage in some light blasphemy, imagine Saruman and Gandalf in a Highlander-universe, and decide we ought not count on the parakeets of doom. Also, Kermit the Wizard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aghan brings a watch-stone to Barach’s house; Alan and Don wonder if that violates the HOA rules. Join The Man of the West and The Obscure Lord of the Rings Facts Guy as we conclude our two-episode look at The Drúedain from Unfinished Tales — and Don’s run of episodes on this season of the PPP. Barach needs home protection, Aghan learns a painful truth, and it’s no surprise the Drúedain are a secretive people. We wonder if Sauron considered that he might have to take a share in the hurts of a thing he made, express our admiration for Tolkien’s story-within-a-story, and discover that while a rock feels no pain, Drúedain do. Also, The Tolkien Professor stops by for a visit! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tal-Elmar refuses to help the Master because his “father is the elder”; James refuses to help Alan even though Alan is the elder. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South as love dares you to care for the story of Tal-Elmar found in The Peoples of Middle-earth. Mogru gets some exercise — apparently for the first time in ages, Hazad knows martial law when he sees it, and Tal-Elmar braves the three dangers of the Agar swamp. We keep noticing unexpected lizard references, discover a great new band name, and freely admit we still don’t have a clue. Also: snakes… why did it have to be snakes? Don't forget to check out Kris Piet's Elvish calendar at https://elf-boi.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hazad’s beard was five feet long without stretching; Alan and James can’t get the podcast to two hours without stretching. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South as we explore the little-known story of Tal-Elmar from The Peoples of Middle-earth in a sort of epilogue to Aldarion and Erendis. We meet calamity’s child, Tal-Elmar, along with his prolific father, Hazad Longbeard; and we learn about the strange history of the people of Agar and the Fell Folk of the East — without learning who any of them really are. We discuss two kinds of pride, wonder what Rome and York have to do with Middle-earth, and agree that white skins and bright eyes are no warrant for such deeds. Also, Tolkien still hates the Roman Empire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tar-Aldarion changes the law of succession in Númenor; thankfully primogeniture will play no role in determining Sara’s successor on the podcast. Join The Man of the West and The Shieldmaiden of Rohan as we conclude the long and tragic tale of Aldarion and Erendis — and say farewell to Sara for this season. Soronto waits for a day that will never come, Hallacar slides into Ancalimë’s DMs, and there’s a shadow hanging over Erendis as she meets her sorrowful end in Rómenna. We note that Silmarien wants a word, wonder what the Quenya is for “man, my parents are a mess”, and discuss the great Númenórean dirigible. Also, Númenórean mix tapes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices