The Prancing Pony Podcast
Episode 345 – "Take It Easy"
Release Date: October 20, 2024

Introduction

In Episode 345 of The Prancing Pony Podcast, hosts Alan Sisto and Don Marshall delve deep into the lore of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, focusing on the intricate details of Numenor as depicted in "Unfinished Tales" and supplemented by insights from "The Nature of Middle-earth" edited by Carl Hostetter. This episode, titled "Take It Easy," offers listeners a comprehensive exploration of Numenor's geography, language, flora, fauna, and the societal structures that defined this legendary island.

Philology Fair: Exploring Quenya

The episode features a segment called Philology Fair, where the hosts challenge each other to pronounce and dissect Quenya, one of Tolkien's Elvish languages.

• Notable Quote:
  Don Marshall (00:50): "I don't think they know about the second map episode. It's too bad you can't actually show the map in the audio-only podcast."

Alan and Don enthusiastically pronounce and analyze words like Oir, Nessamelda, Vardariana, Taniquelose, and Yavanna Miri, breaking down their meanings and etymological roots within Tolkien's legendarium.

• Notable Quote:
  Alan Sisto (06:00): "That's right. Now then we get to Nesamelda, which not surprisingly is named in part for the Vala. Nessa, the sister of Orome."

Detailed Description of Numenor

Alan provides a vivid description of Numenor's geography, resembling a five-pointed star with a central plateau called Mittalmar and five promontories: Forostar, Andustar, Hyarnustar, Hyaro Star, and Orostaar. The central mountain, Meneltarma, serves as a sacred site, untouched by construction and frequented only by the king during three major ceremonies each year.

• Notable Quote:
  Alan Sisto (13:21): "I'm going to go ahead and bring us then into the description of the island of Numenor. The land of Numenor resembled in outline a five-pointed star or pentangle..."

The hosts discuss the preservation of Numenor's maps and records, emphasizing the loss of detailed knowledge following the island's downfall. They reference sources like "Akallabeth" and "The Nature of Middle-earth" to provide context.

• Notable Quote:
  Don Marshall (17:28): "Now in the part we did not read there. Wonderful pronunciation, by the way."

Flora of Numenor: The Fragrant Trees

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to exploring the unique flora of Numenor, particularly the Malinorne trees, which are described with exquisite detail:

• Notable Quote:
  Alan Sisto (46:10): "So they are flower and leaf and Rhine, for those trees exuded sweet scents. And all that country was full of blended fragrance."

These trees are characterized by their towering height (up to 600 feet), pale green leaves with silver undersides, and golden blossoms. Their introduction to Lothlorien by Galadriel is also discussed, highlighting their significance in both Numenor and Middle-earth.

Fauna of Numenor

The hosts examine the harmonious relationships between the inhabitants of Numenor and its wildlife. Species such as eagles, foxes, beavers, seals, and various deer coexisted peacefully with the Númenóreans.

• Notable Quote:
  Don Marshall (70:08): "There were a large number of bears in the rockier portions of the island, with black bears living mostly in the forestar."

They also touch upon the cultural significance of horses, noting that the Númenóreans were exceptional equestrians, treating their horses with honor and integrating them into their daily lives and festivities.

• Notable Quote:
  Alan Sisto (74:51): "And the decibel level is so high that anybody within 100 yards of the initial sound is blown to smithereens."

Societal Structure and Crafts

Numenor's society is portrayed as advanced and skilled, particularly in crafts learned from the Elves. The Guild of Venturers and the Guild of Weaponsmiths are highlighted as key institutions that contributed to Numenor's prowess in seafaring and craftsmanship.

• Notable Quote:
  Alan Sisto (83:04): "I love the mention here of the Guild of Weaponsmiths. And like I said earlier, I just want to give a little shout out to Rings of Power to choosing to go with the idea of guilds in Numenor."

The episode also discusses the significance of heirloom swords and the fearsome bowmen of Numenor, whose steel-tipped arrows could reach distances of up to 600 yards, making them formidable adversaries in warfare.

• Notable Quote:
  Don Marshall (86:11): "Now, speaking of horses being treated well, I'm going to look at a quote from the Nature of Middle Earth. I really like this. Just a little simple line. The stables of a great man were often as large and as fair to look upon as his own house."

Seafaring and Exploration

The episode explores Numenor's deep connection with the sea, detailing the evolution of their maritime skills from Elvish guidance to independent voyages under leaders like Veantur and Aldarion. The establishment of settlements in Middle-earth and the formation of Gondor and Arnor are also touched upon.

• Notable Quote:
  Alan Sisto (91:24): "Now, after that, sailing became the thing for men. So much so that Aldarian, the grandson of Veontur, formed the Guild of Venturers..."

Mailbag: Listener Questions and Discussions

Listeners engage with the hosts through questions submitted via email, with notable inquiries about the inherent corruption within Numenor's society independent of Sauron's influence.

• Notable Quote:
  Alan Sisto (97:02): "But it does appear that after the. Certainly after Tar Atanamir, that with the split in the Kingsmen and the faithful and the, you know, persecution of the faithful, it was always going to end that way."

Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with reflections on Numenor's downfall, emphasizing the inevitable corruption stemming from pride and the desire for immortality, even in the absence of direct malevolent influence. The hosts express anticipation for future episodes that will further dissect Numenor's legacy and its perpetual impact on Middle-earth.

• Notable Quote:
  Alan Sisto (103:10): "It's one of those situations where, yeah, it would have happened eventually, but the fact that it happened when it did might actually have been a good thing coming from an evil thing."

Conclusion

Episode 345 of The Prancing Pony Podcast offers an enthralling deep dive into the nuanced world of Numenor, blending linguistic analysis with rich descriptions of its natural and societal elements. Through engaging discussions and scholarly insights, Alan Sisto and Don Marshall provide both lore enthusiasts and newcomers with a comprehensive understanding of one of Tolkien's most fascinating creations.

Note: Advertisements, introductory remarks, and closing promotional content have been omitted to focus solely on the substantive discussions and analyses presented during the episode.