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5:03 EEST; The Sun is Rising Over Kyiv on the 819th Day of the Full-Scale Invasion. The Glorious History of the 92nd Assault Brigade, part one.

2024.05.22 05:00 Ukrainer_UA 5:03 EEST; The Sun is Rising Over Kyiv on the 819th Day of the Full-Scale Invasion. The Glorious History of the 92nd Assault Brigade, part one.

5:03 EEST; The Sun is Rising Over Kyiv on the 819th Day of the Full-Scale Invasion. The Glorious History of the 92nd Assault Brigade, part one.

The 92nd Assault Brigade, Part 1

Field insignia of the 92nd.
The Ukrainian army has undergone a significant transformation since the country regained independence: from the remnants of a Soviet structure, to powerful units that have been repelling Russian armed aggression for over 10 years. Soldiers have strengthened their might in battles, trained with Western colleagues, and continue to do so today.
One of the leading units, especially during the full-scale invasion by Russia, is the 92nd Assault Brigade named after Kozak Otaman Ivan Sirko. In this special documentary project "Units of Victory," we talk about the brigade’s combat achievements and the fiercest battles.
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Profile of the 92nd Assault Brigade named after Kozak Otaman Ivan Sirko
  • Branch: Ground Forces
  • Type: Mechanized Infantry
  • Year of Formation: 2000
  • Base Location: Village of Kluhyno-Bashkyrivka, Slobozhanshchyna
  • Command: Operational Command "East"
  • Anthem: Performed by the band "Tin Sontsya" (leader — Serhii Vasyliuk, who currently serves in the 130th Reconnaissance Battalion of the Territorial Defense Forces).
  • Symbol: The emblem features crossed stylized muskets of the Zaporozhian Cossacks (yanycharky) over the palisade of the Cossack Sich on a green background.
  • Motto: "Honor for us, glory to Ukraine!"
  • Social Media: Facebook, Instagram (links will be provided in the comments!)
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History of the Brigade's Formation and Early Combat Encounters
The 92nd Brigade was formed on the basis of the 6th Division of the National Guard of Ukraine, which had been part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine since 1999 and was called the 6th Mechanized Division. In 2000, the then-President of Ukraine, Leonid Kuchma, approved the creation of a new unit—the 92nd Mechanized Ropsha Brigade of the Orders of the October Revolution and the Red Banner. Thus, this year is considered the founding year of the 92nd Assault Brigade (92 OShBr).
The unit's name was changed in 2015 when the Ukrainian army began the process of decommunization. The brigade became the 92nd Mechanized Brigade. The honorary name—named after Kozak’s Otaman Ivan Sirko—was granted by President Volodymyr Zelenskyi in 2019.
The Brigade maintains close connection to the Kozaks and the Zaporozhian Sich as part of Ukrainian combat tradition. For example, the sleeve emblem features the muskets of the Zaporozhian Kozaks — yanycharky. These were commonly used among the Kozaks of Slobozhanshchyna—the region where the 92nd Brigade was formed and is based, and which Brigade’s defended in 2022 during the Kharkiv counteroffensive. During these events of the Russian-Ukrainian war, the Brigade's soldiers demonstrated their offensive capabilities, leading to the unit's designation changing from mechanized to assault in August 2023.
https://preview.redd.it/p3duly6h6w1d1.png?width=1500&format=png&auto=webp&s=7ff2f25ae26fabe27b9ecf4de5085bbcc0b892e7
In 2011, the 92nd Brigade, which was then preparing to protect state facilities during "Euro 2012" in Donetsk, faced significant reductions by the government and was slated for disbandment by 2015. However, the events of the Revolution of Dignity and the onset of Russian aggression in the East re-drew these plans. The Brigade's soldiers were able to demonstrate their effectiveness: in 2014, they participated in the attempt to break the encirclement of troops at Ilovaisk, fought in the areas around Stanytsia Luhanska, Shchastia, and along the Bakhmutka river. In 2015, the 92nd Brigade engaged in battle and captured two soldiers from the Russian Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) and recaptured the town of Shchastia.
Since 2020, the Brigade has been led by Colonel Pavlo Fedosenko. From 2014 to 2015, he served in the volunteer battalion "Kryvbas," which was formed in response to Russian aggression by the residents of Kryvyi Rih. Pavlo participated in the battles of Ilovaisk and Debaltseve. He continued his military career in the 54th Mechanized Brigade, and later in the 92nd Assault Brigade (92 OShBr). The commander values the unit's soldiers for their cohesive work:
"This is a powerful Brigade with principles and traditions. Therefore, it was very easy to command this Brigade; there was no need to change or break any foundations. It was just a matter of leading and managing."
For Pavlo Fedosenko, it is important to be close to the personnel, understand the situation, and know what is happening on the front lines; otherwise, he says, he cannot make decisions. This has not changed since the Brigade was granted assault status. On the contrary, according to the commander, it adds to the responsibility as well as the prestige:
"First of all, it is prestigious for every warrior to be considered an assault soldier [...] Secondly, we are always at the forefront. Thirdly, we are at the spearhead of attacks. We are more often on the offensive than on the defensive. [...] Every warrior is proud to be an assault soldier."
https://preview.redd.it/8wco6fvi6w1d1.png?width=1500&format=png&auto=webp&s=ad5c5e7998dcff327074a1fd1985c5100a976112
The Start of the Full-Scale Invasion: The Defense of Kharkiv
In 2022, the Brigade faced the Russian offensive along the entire border line in the Slobozhanshchyna and Donetsk regions. The invasion was not a surprise to them; the soldiers had been preparing for months, creating the illusion of troop deployments for the enemy. They also improved the level of training for their personnel: in November 2021, infantry and officers participated in the Combined Resolve XVI Exercises in Germany as part of an American battalion.
February 24, 2022, was more tumultuous for the 92nd Assault Brigade (92 OShBr) than anticipated, despite their readiness for enemy actions. They had to constantly relocate and establish new positions. According to the commander of the tank battalion, Oleksandr (call sign Phoenix), the start of the full-scale invasion felt like a movie:
"We were just near the military camp, standing in a grove. The funny thing was, we were near the RAA (Rocket and Artillery Armament) depots where ammunition is stored. We were essentially sitting on a powder keg. [...] We were lying in a tent, sleeping. One of our guys came in. At that time we already heard some 'bangs.' And we were like, 'Is it like fireworks.' It was something unclear, completely incomprehensible. He turned on the light, looked at all of us, and we were already lifting our heads, realizing something was happening. He said, 'Guys, this is no f’ fireworks.'"
https://preview.redd.it/open24uj6w1d1.png?width=1500&format=png&auto=webp&s=c939f56dd2630e0cc8386f4e5792e7b05cd7b1c1
The military Brigades knew their objectives and had prepared defensive positions, but they couldn't occupy every one of them in time. The enemy advanced in a wide strip along the entire border, following military manuals to the letter. Artillery Brigade Commander Andrii recalls:
"At first, the enemy's artillery operated strictly by the book. They would bombard areas exactly as the manuals said, covering hectares with hundreds of shells, without discerning specific targets. I think they started the war using Soviet Union methods, as written in their combat regulations, showing no initiative, sparing no ammunition. They didn’t care about their own units or people, standing in a line. In the first week, they didn’t even try to hide. But I realized that when the Russians understood they were taking losses, they also wanted to live. [...] Something awakened in them, and they started to hide."
Brigade Commander Pavlo Fedosenko estimates that the initial force ratio in the Kharkiv direction was approximately 1:10 in favor of the occupiers. Ukrainian defenses had significant gaps that the Russians could have exploited if they had wanted to. Commander of the 4th Assault Battalion Petro was surprised that the enemy did not take advantage of this. The opponent moved as systematically matching the organized defense.
https://preview.redd.it/bsddhbrk6w1d1.png?width=1500&format=png&auto=webp&s=c35a24a573b039d5b16f4f0e0abd28213fa3d8c5
One of the reasons for this could have been that the Russian soldiers genuinely believed they would be greeted in Kharkiv with flowers and happy cheers. As a result, they often did not plan their logistics carefully, losing equipment due to a lack of fuel and facing food shortages. Additionally, Ukrainian soldiers were not merely retreating; they were also managing to strike the enemy, engage in battles, and complicate the advancement of Russian columns as much as they could. The Brigade's artillery units constantly fired at the enemy, day and night. Commander of the Rocket Artillery Battery, Oleksii, with his division, struck Russian forces near the village of Pechenihy, close to Chuhuiv, on the first day. He and his mates were near the Pechenihy dam when they learned from intelligence that the enemy had once again set up pontoons and started crossing in columns. The artillerymen then opened fire.
"At that time, we weren't sure about the results of our fire. [...] We fired, and I heard the shells falling, a few seconds later I heard explosions, and I heard the detonation of ammunition. I understood then that it was 100% hitting enemy ammunition, not residential houses or fields. I realized we were doing something significant. Within the first 24 hours, I understood we had hit very well. A few days later, it became clear that our Division alone had destroyed three enemy columns. These were not just 10 vehicles each; they were kilometer-long columns."
https://preview.redd.it/v045byql6w1d1.png?width=1500&format=png&auto=webp&s=ab14f052450553a37a29de34916ba9106e9e7816
The 92nd Assault Brigade regrouped near Kharkiv and, together with other units, maintained the defense. Sometimes, clashes with the Russian army occurred within the city itself — the enemy managed to break through from the outskirts only once (they took positions on the ring road around the city). For example, soldiers from the Brigade were among those who fought against special forces in Kharkiv Specialized School No. 134 on February 27.
One of the key operations, according to the soldiers of the 92 Brigade, was the assault on the village of Mala Rohan, approximately 22 kilometers from Kharkiv. Lieutenant Colonel Oleh (callsign Barracuda) recalls that they faced well-prepared and equipped Russian troops. The enemy had heavy flamethrower systems (known in Russian as TOS) with thermobaric rockets that disperse an explosive substance which mixes with the air and detonates, as well as Nona towed artillery installations. According to Oleh, the Russian soldiers managed to establish a foothold in a wooded area between the road and Mala Rohan, where they held out for quite some time before retreating after a battle.
https://preview.redd.it/c3zgd4nm6w1d1.png?width=1500&format=png&auto=webp&s=a2301777478971311d2212d676e259ffec4dd0c3
However, this assault was pivotal, demonstrating to both the soldiers of the 92nd Brigade and the Russians that Ukrainians could and would not only defend but also go on the offensive. Brigade Commander Pavlo Fedosenko emphasized:
"The entire war is difficult. It was harder in the early days to break the enemy. Transitioning to a counteroffensive, moving on to Mala Rohan—these were the most challenging moments. When we had to overcome, when we had to rise, stand up, and move forward. After we went forward, we realized that we were capable, that the enemy was not as terrifying and strong as portrayed. After this, we continue to move forward and will keep advancing until victory."
During the defense of Kharkiv, the 92nd Brigade captured its first prisoners. Commander of the 4th Assault Battalion Petro said:
"Our first prisoners turned out not to be Russians, but our Ukrainians from the occupied territories. These were 18-20-year-old guys from Makiivka, Donetsk, and Yasynuvata. Students. We talked to them about how just yesterday they could travel anywhere across Europe. Their parents came to visit them from Europe. [...] And all of this ceased to exist in an instant."
https://preview.redd.it/dtwpv0jn6w1d1.png?width=1500&format=png&auto=webp&s=e503de0a70736fd125db2db413ac3d96ac2a1a6e
He was most surprised by the number of Ukrainians recruited into the ranks of the Russian Federation. Among the Russian prisoners, there were both experienced soldiers and newly mobilized ones. They all had a common explanation for their presence in another country's territory. According to the Brigade Commander Pavlo Fedosenko, all the captured Russians claimed they were on exercises and didn't know where they were going.
In those early days, the main thing was for Kharkiv to be defended. Major Oleksandr (callsign Skat), Commander of the 22nd Motorized Infantry Battalion, believes that it helped significantly that most of the Brigade's soldiers were from Slobozhanshchyna. They understood they were defending their own land:
"Nobody wanted, nobody, nobody even had the thought to abandon Kharkiv, to retreat somewhere, to leave."
According to Pavlo Fedosenko, the successful defense of Kharkiv was also possible thanks to unity. Soldiers from different Brigades and units worked together, supported by police, territorial defense, and volunteers who promptly responded to requests, while civilians provided situational updates:

"Everyone fought. Everyone who could hold a weapon. Those who couldn't hold a weapon—the phones were 'red hot.' People helped, called: 'The enemy is there, we see them there, we see them there.' And not just from Kharkiv, from the entire region. 'There’s a column, there’s something'—[they told us]. Accordingly, everything was promptly responded to, processed, and fire damage was inflicted."

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Join us later in the week for Part 2!
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The 819th day of a nine year invasion that has been going on for centuries.
One day closer to victory.

🇺🇦 HEROYAM SLAVA! 🇺🇦

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2024.05.20 23:37 SeahawksFan233 Amazing Race 36 Team write-ups/opinions

So Season 36 is in the books. Kind of crazy that there have been 36 seasons of the show now. Now I honestly had no idea until after the premiere that this season was in fact filmed before 35, and was still sort of a Covid season, with no airports and staggered start times, as well as an abnormal route. While this season wasn’t as restrictive as the last few before 35, it was still noticeable. Not leaving the Americas was rough, but I think they did a decent job of it. They still had a lot of cool locations to work with, I especially enjoyed the Caribbean legs in Barbados and the Dominican Republic, two places we’ve never seen and a region we’ve only seen maybe twice in the whole show (Jamaica is the only other Caribbean location I recall). The challenges were overall not too bad. They’re still not quite what they used to be but I think they’ve improved in that regard recently. They really need to work on the Detours though, there were some this season that seemed so insanely unbalanced (The Jeep one in leg 3 seemed impossible). As for the cast, I really liked it. No gimmick teams at all, just a lot of normal people. Even though about half of these teams could have been first boot material on many other seasons (it took us until the final 6 on a 13 team season to be left with competent teams), it led to some extreme entertainment in the early legs getting to see some amazing incompetence. The winners were satisfying, even if very anticlimactic. Overall, this was a decent season, somewhere in the middle of the rankings. The biggest drag on it was probably the longer episodes. This season was filmed as a regular, 60 minute episode season, and most of these episodes could really drag and had obvious filler in them. Anyway, lets get to the teams.
  1. Maya & Rohan: Just like last season, the superfans were gone first. Not a great look for that demographic, and a stark reminder of how knowledge of the show means almost nothing. They were really sweet and it was great to see how excited they were to be on the show, especially Rohan. It honestly does kinda suck to finally go on the Amazing Race and then be the first out and only go to Mexico. What did them in was bad navigation, especially on the way to the first clue. Getting stuck at the dead end and having to turn around was quite funny. Not much else to say, having to fight for screentime with 12 other teams is hard.
  2. Chris & Mary: I have to say I liked casting a team like this. They kinda stopped doing it for a while with a bunch of young influencer casts but going back to having some sacrificial lamb teams that just have no chance is great. Seriously they must have cast them knowing they’d go quick because I don’t think Chris would be able to handle a lot of the physicality we saw in this season, even in the next leg climbing up all those steps. When he fell right at the starting line I knew it was gonna be rough, and then in their boot episode he almost vomited just from walking around. They were very sweet though, they had a cute relationship and Mary was so nice and patient with him. I think they knew they were never going to win and were just trying to enjoy themselves. Despite being extremely weak physically, what slowed them down a lot was bad navigation, and I think they definitely could have survived the leg had they done a little better in that regard. Anyways, they were a good addition to the season and I think fulfilled the role casting wanted them to have
  3. Anthony & Bailey: I loved these guys. Yes I’m sure some people don’t like them for how woefully bad and nonchalant they were at the race, but once again they were probably cast for their entertainment value, which they had. All their airhead moments were very funny to me, and it was enjoyable to just see them bumble around for a few legs. Even I was surprised how early they went though, I thought they were athletic enough to last until the final 8 or so, but their indecisiveness at the Detour is what killed them. The Detour that episode was insanely imbalanced, the Jeep Detour seemed extremely difficult, I just have no idea why they went back to it without even trying the cooking. Had they not done that they almost certainly would have survived the leg. I was really hoping to see them and their antics for a bit longer, but they were just so incompetent they had to go. They made a fun addition to the first three episodes though.
  4. Michelle & Sean: The fact they lasted as long as they did showed what a trainwreck season this was. From being bad jumping through ropes despite owning a double dutch business, to doing the challenges out of order, to taking forever to go down a hill, to the disaster of their last leg, they were BAD. They were perfectly fine people, but man in terms of the race they had nothing going for them. They were weak physically, mentally, and navigationally. Ultimately what did them in was Michelle being totally lost at the Roadblock. I don’t even think she ever finished it from the looks of it. I did feel bad for Sean going down the hill because you could tell he was genuinely terrified, but it’s the Amazing Race, and having to watch that was kind of pathetic. Having Phil jump rope after they were eliminated was cute. Once again though, perfectly fine people and it was fun to watch them bumble through a few legs, but they never had a chance.
  5. Kishori & Karishma: Very fun team. I definitely see why people didn’t like them as they could be quite annoying, but I mostly found them entertaining. Definitely wasn’t rooting for them, but it was clear they really had no shot. They just brought a general level of silliness to a season that was already full of a lot of silliness and incompetence. It’s honestly impressive they lasted as long as they did, given how incompetent they were. They just messed up a lot of little things, like not putting on the outfit for the roadblock in the first leg or skipping a clue in leg 2. By the time their last leg came around they just couldn’t keep up with the competition, their slowness at the Roadblock especially is what did them in. Think they went at the perfect time, I think they definitely could have started to get more on my nerves if they lasted longer.
  6. Derek & Shelisa: One of my favorite teams of the season. At first I was rooting for them because they seemed like a likable older couple, and I’m always a sucker for older teams. But then as time went on I started to like them for a different reason: It became evident how much Derek sucks. Despite talking a big game and acting all macho, Derek was an extremely incompetent and poor player. Just to hear him talk himself up so much and then fail at almost everything their last few legs, especially the last one was great. He got lost all the time (that was probably on Shelisa too though) and then just sucked at some of those challenges, like the throwing Detour in their last leg, and then he even was tapping out at the bike Detour they switched too! And whatever chance they still had was gone after he struggled so much at the Roadblock. Shelisa seemed perfectly fine though and had the patience of a saint dealing with this guy. I don’t think Derek is a bad guy or anything though, but I kinda enjoyed seeing him get some humble pie.
  7. Sunny & Bizzy: A fun underdog team. Basically their whole time in the race they were at the back of the pack, but the fact they hung on as long as they did was quite impressive. They had some clutch moments where they were able to save themselves from a likely elimination, like in legs 4 and 5 where they were in a pretty clear last and were able to make up ground at the roadblock. They had perhaps the funniest moment of this season when they failed miserably at the Detour in leg 4, with, and I quote, “Mama rat took baby rat skiing around the world, they did some yoga, and that was a positive experience.” That was priceless. They were just a badass team all around, being two firefighter moms. Ultimately though their biggest weakness was navigation, and by their last leg the competition was just too tough for them to keep up, especially with how much they struggled to find the Detour clue.
  8. Angie & Danny: They will probably go down as one of the most unfair eliminations in Amazing Race history. The fact that they got delayed up to 90 minutes because of a production error was absolutely ridiculous, and they honestly should have gotten some sort of time credit or non-elimination for it, even though I’m sure that would have messed up the rest of the race. It sucks even more that this happened to such a likable and rootable team. Danny was probably one of the strongest individual race players we’ve ever seen, being amazing with directions and good at basically every challenge he did. Angie was definitely along for the ride, and she struggled quite a bit with being able to keep up and in Roadblocks, but I do think she improved as the race went on. I was always skeptical of their alliance with Amber & Vinny and Rod & Leticia, but ultimately it seems like it was the right idea as the other two teams did help them a few times when I thought they would just ditch them when the tables were turned. I really hope they, or at least Danny with somebody else, can come back because his love for the race and wonderful personality and attitude really were a bright spot in this somewhat mediocre season.
5th. Yvonne & Melissa: Despite lasting so long on a season with 90 minute episodes, there’s really not much I can say about them. Historically shows like Survivor and to a lesser extent The Amazing Race have had some pretty uneven edits that just shaft some teams, but with more equitable attitudes now and longer runtimes we have seen these shows get a lot more even handed with their edits. But Yvonne & Melissa were basically the one exception this season, and I’m not sure why. My biggest guess is that 1. They just weren’t that interesting and 2. They were always in the middle of the pack. They mentioned this in their last leg that they were purposefully flying under the radar and being quiet, which doesn’t really translate well to TV. And the middle of the pack always gets the least attention in an episode, especially early on in the season, and the fact that literally every leg they were smack dab in the middle just really hurt them. In leg 3 I don’t think they had any airtime at all. They were fine though, they were nice enough and a little snarky which I liked. I just wish they told their story a little more, like in their last leg when Melissa just dropped that she did security for Joe Biden, like what?? Either way though they really had no chance on their last leg after the first roadblock. There was very little opportunity to pass teams after that, even though they weren’t too far behind Amber & Vinny so had they finished the baseball roadblock a little faster they might have been able to pull it out. Their elimination episode was just a little anticlimactic because I just knew there was no way such an invisible team would be in the finale.
4th. Amber & Vinny: My guess is that this was the most disliked team this season, but I didn’t mind them. It’s funny because I used to hate all the fighting couples on the Amazing Race, but now to have one again is kind of a breath of fresh air, just like on Survivor there’s just so much positivity on the show now that it’s a little boring/annoying sometimes. To be clear as well, Amber & Vinny didn’t even fight that bad, but they did have some good drama moments. I don’t think Vinny is a bad guy but he seems to just naturally be kind of an asshole, but you can see him try to fight that and reign it in. Amber seemed nice if a little sensitive, which combined with Vinny’s personality led to lots of the arguments. They did seem to love each other and the proposal when they were eliminated was cute. As for what did them in, they had almost no margin for error on their last leg. Having the staggered start times on a leg with little opportunity to make up time put them at a disadvantage, and they were just a little too slow, especially at the drink making detour. If they had just done that a little better they likely would have pulled ahead of Ricky & Cesar. It was for the best though because even though I didn’t dislike this team I was definitely rooting for Ricky & Cesar more in that matchup.
  1. Rod & Leticia: Surprisingly ended up being my favorite team this season. Ricky & Cesar just weren’t as fun for me, and I honestly wasn’t that crazy about Angie so she dragged that team down a little bit. At the start I didn’t think much of these two, with Rod seemingly like just some jock and Leticia seeming pretty shallow. But as time went on I began to really like these two, Leticia proved to be a pretty smart individual and Rod’s personality and positivity was just infectious. His work-hard play-hard attitude was just great, in many cases it wasn’t his big muscles that pushed him through but just a strong drive and determination. They were an extremely well functioning couple, knowing each other’s strengths and weaknesses and using that to their advantage, and they almost never lost their patience with each other. I was really rooting for them to win, but given Rod’s status as an NFL player I doubt they needed the money as much so it was okay. What did them in was a final leg not designed for their strong suits, as it ended with two straight memory challenges and then a puzzle, with them not doing great at any of them, especially Rod at the Declaration of Independence challenge, it seemed like they were there a LONG time, given that Juan & Shane went to another state and were still able to pass them later on. Really fun team though.
  2. Juan & Shane: Nice guys. Unfortunately not much more to say than that. They were probably the team I wanted to win the least out of the final 3, but it didn’t come from any dislike. It’s just we had just seen the young fit guys win the race, and I was ready for something different. They had a cool story though and you could just tell what great friends these guys were. They got along and knew how to work with each other, which likely came from being in the military together. I really liked Juan in particular, he definitely seemed to carry the team more than Shane, was a really down to earth guy, and had an interesting story about his upbringing in Colombia, which I wish we had learned more about. These guys were a very well rounded team who performed well basically through the whole race, and I think they would have gotten more credit for that had they not been overshadowed by the race monsters that were Ricky & Cesar. Their decision to do the seaweed detour in Barbados was an especially good decision that likely saved them that leg. They definitely would have had a shot the last leg though had they not gotten so lost finding the cheesesteak restaurants, which was basically entirely the fault of that random guy saying they were pizza places, lol. The fact that they went all the way to New Jersey and still rebounded for a second place finish was very impressive though.
  3. Ricky & Cesar: The most dominant team in Amazing Race history? Seriously, it was insane how these guys absolutely dominated from start to finish, with the one exception of the second to last leg where they had a close call with Amber & Vinny after really struggling at the windsurfing roadblock. Other than that it’s hard to think of many other times they even somewhat struggled, I guess maybe the rally car challenge in the megaleg? But the fact they were able to beast at such a wide variety of challenges was super impressive, especially in a 13 team season, never finishing outside the top 3, and only once outside the top 2 is insane. They were such a nice team too, they were so sweet and friendly to everyone they interacted with, they were huge fans of the race, and were always so humble despite the way they dominated the race. Even though they could be a little dull at times, and having to basically always watch them in a fairly commanding first got a little tiresome. But they absolutely deserved this win more than anyone else, and to hear they would use the money to start a family was such a sweet ending.
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2024.05.16 04:19 fganniversaries Fighting Game Anniversaries: Week 20 (May 13 - May 19)

Hey, yall. This is fganniversaries and apologies for missing last week; I genuinely thought that I posted for the week but turns out that I didn't upon looking. As per usual, I will be recapping anniversaries relating to fighting game announcements/releases this week. Like always, if I missed one, do please let me know in the comments. Here would be the following anniversaries:
May 13
May 14
May 15
May 16
May 17
May 18
May 19
May 20
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2024.05.16 04:18 fganniversaries Fighting Game Anniversaries: Week 20 (May 13 - May 19)

Hey, yall. This is fganniversaries and apologies for missing last week; I genuinely thought that I posted for the week but turns out that I didn't upon looking. As per usual, I will be recapping anniversaries relating to fighting game announcements/releases this week. Like always, if I missed one, do please let me know in the comments. Here would be the following anniversaries:
May 13
May 14
May 15
May 16
May 17
May 18
May 19
May 20
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2024.05.16 04:18 fganniversaries Fighting Game Anniversaries: Week 20 (May 13 - May 19)

Hey, yall. This is fganniversaries and apologies for missing last week; I genuinely thought that I posted for the week but turns out that I didn't upon looking. As per usual, I will be recapping anniversaries relating to fighting game announcements/releases this week. Like always, if I missed one, do please let me know in the comments. Here would be the following anniversaries:
May 13
May 14
May 15
May 16
May 17
May 18
May 19
May 20
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2024.04.27 10:46 Ok_Bullfrog_8491 Legolas and Gimli after the War of the Ring

What do Legolas and Gimli do after the War of the Ring?
After a somewhat frosty start, Legolas and Gimli grow close in Lothlórien, and remain inseparable throughout the rest of the book. In this post I want to explore what they did, together and separately, after the events of the War of the Ring.
In The Two Towers, Legolas and Gimli promise each other that they will visit the Glittering Caves (Aglarond) as well as Fangorn together, with Legolas wanting to share the beauty of Fangorn with Gimli, and Gimli wanting to share the beauty of the caves with Legolas:
They don’t forget this promise. Legolas even tells Treebeard that he would never visit Fangorn alone during Gimli’s lifetime:
And they keep their promise: after Théoden’s funeral (for which Legolas and Gimli rode to Edoras on Arod, together—“Legolas and Gimli as ever rode together upon Arod” (LOTR, Many Partings)), they visit the Glittering Caves together:
After this they proceed to Isengard with the rest of the Fellowship. In Isengard, the Fellowship breaks up, and Gimli and Legolas leave together to visit Fangorn:
(Is Gimli speaking for himself and Legolas here when he says that they will write when they can?)
Gimli
In the years and decades after this, Gimli seems to have been a busy man dwarf:
He visits the Shire, as he had long planned to do:
He becomes the Lord of the Glittering Caves (under Helm’s Deep) and helps (re)build Gondor and Rohan, including the gates of Minas Tirith, as well as helping Aragorn reveal Saruman’s hiding-places in Orthanc:
When Gimli travels in Rohan and to Gondor, he socialises with Merry and Pippin, and dispenses lessons on dwarf history:
Legolas
After visiting the Glittering Caves and Fangorn with Gimli, Legolas founds a community of Elves in Ithilien.
This he had wished to do since before Aragorn’s coronation:
And this Legolas later did, moving to Ithilien with Elves from his father’s realm:
Still, Legolas and Gimli clearly remain close, with Gimli often travelling to Gondor, and Gimli being named an Elf-friend because of their “great love”:
Sailing West
But this new status quo—Gimli as Lord of the Glittering Caves, and Legolas with his people in Ithilien—was never going last, of course. Gimli is mortal, and Legolas’s Sea-longing has been awakened, as Galadriel had predicted:
Legolas and Gimli remain in Middle-earth until Aragorn’s death, but then Legolas finally fulfils his desire to leave:
And, stunningly, Gimli sails with his friend to Valinor, and is admitted, because of his friendship with Legolas, and because of Galadriel:
Sources
Quotes are set in italics.
submitted by Ok_Bullfrog_8491 to tolkienfans [link] [comments]

2024.04.26 17:42 SomeRestaurant8 Andrew Baglino, former VP of Tesla sold all his shares

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/25/former-tesla-svp-drew-baglino-is-selling-181point5-million-worth-of-stock.html
https://www.threads.net/@rschmied_66/post/C6MyVi8SG-s/
​
Former Tesla executive Drew Baglino, who announced his resignation earlier this month, sold shares in the electric vehicle company worth around $181.5 million, according to a filing on Thursday with the SEC.
Baglino, who joined Tesla in 2006, is selling about 1.14 million of his shares, the filing said, listing an “approximate date of sale” of April 25, and describing it as an exercise of stock options.
Tesla announced on April 15 that it’s laying off 10% of its global workforce, following a drop in first-quarter deliveries and a steep slide in the stock price. That day, Baglino and fellow company veteran Rohan Patel said they were leaving the company.
Baglino announced his departure in a statement posted to X.
“I made the difficult decision to move on from Tesla after 18 years yesterday,” he wrote. “I am so thankful to have worked with and learned from the countless incredibly talented people at Tesla over the years.”
Baglino began as an engineer and climbed the ranks, most recently serving as senior vice president of powertrain and energy engineering, a job he’d held since 2016. Reporting directly to Musk, Baglino was seen as the unofficial chief of operations by many colleagues
​
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2024.04.16 13:34 honetothebone Rohan Jaitley's Appointment as Central Government Standing Counsel in Delhi High Court - A significant milestone in his illustrious career

Rohan Jaitley's Appointment as Central Government Standing Counsel in Delhi High Court - A significant milestone in his illustrious career
Rohan Jaitley exemplifies commitment to excellence in law
Advocate Rohan Jaitley has been designated by the Central government as its Standing Counsel in the Delhi High Court. With immediate effect, the agreements have been established for a period of three years, starting on March 13, 2024. The Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India, issued an order in this regard.
Rohan Jaitley is one of the Central Government Standing Counsels (CGSC) that President Droupadi Murmu has just appointed to represent him before the Delhi High Court. Rohan Jaitley is a practicing attorney and the son of the late Shri Arun Jaitley, a former Union Finance Minister and leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Rohan Jaitley’s trajectory from his early years to his latest career milestone as the Central Government Standing Counsel in the Delhi High Court exemplifies a commitment to excellence, dedication to public service, and a profound impact on various spheres of society.
​
Rohan Jaitley
Born into a family renowned for its contributions to Indian politics and public service, Rohan Jaitley inherited a legacy of leadership, integrity, and compassion. Growing up, he was instilled with the values of hard work, humility, and a sense of responsibility towards society. Educated at esteemed institutions, Rohan Jaitley excelled academically, earning degrees in law from Amity Law School and Cornell University. His education not only equipped him with a strong foundation of knowledge but also instilled in him a passion for justice and a desire to serve the community.
Rohan Jaitley’s foray into the legal profession marked the beginning of a distinguished career characterized by integrity, expertise, and a commitment to upholding the rule of law. He honed his skills as a lawyer, navigating complex legal landscapes with finesse and determination. Rohan Jaitley’s dedication to his craft and unwavering pursuit of justice earned him recognition and respect within the legal fraternity. His ability to navigate intricate legal matters with clarity and precision distinguished him as a rising star in the legal profession.
The recent appointment of Rohan Jaitley as the Central Government Standing Counsel in the Delhi High Court represents a significant milestone in his illustrious career. As a trusted legal advisor to the central government, he will play a pivotal role in representing the interests of the state and upholding the principles of justice and equity. This appointment underscores Rohan Jaitley’s reputation as a legal luminary with a track record of excellence and integrity. His extensive experience, coupled with his unwavering commitment to the principles of justice, makes him eminently qualified for this prestigious role.
As the Central Government Standing Counsel, Rohan Jaitley will bring his expertise to bear on a wide range of legal matters, from constitutional issues to administrative law and beyond. His appointment is a testament to his stature within the legal community and his dedication to serving the public interest. Moreover, young professionals and aspirant solicitors over the nation find inspiration in Rohan Jaitley’s appointment. His path from law student to Central Government Standing Counsel serves as an example of the many opportunities available in the legal field for individuals who are prepared to put in the necessary effort, stick with it through tough times, and uphold the highest ethical and professional standards. It also emphasises how crucial ethics, hard work, and a dedication to public duty that Rohan Jaitley showcased leads to success in any endeavour.
Throughout his career, Rohan Jaitley has left an indelible mark on the legal profession and society at large. His unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, and public service has earned him admiration and respect from colleagues, clients, and constituents alike. Beyond his professional accolades, Rohan Jaitley’s appointment carries significant familial and societal significance. As the son of Arun Jaitley, he inherits a legacy of public service and legal excellence, and his acceptance of this role further solidifies his commitment to upholding his father’s esteemed reputation.
Rohan Jaitley’s leadership is seen in a variety of influential and diverse settings outside of the courtroom. In his role as steward of sports administration, Rohan Jaitley has elevated creativity and morality to the fore, reviving organisations and giving athletes a vision that values teamwork over rivalry. Rohan Jaitley’s time at the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) is a testament to his dedication to quality work and his capacity to bring about significant change, serving as an inspiration to a new wave of sports fans and administrators.
Within the political sphere, the advent of Rohan Jaitley as a transformative leader signifies the beginning of a new age of an energetic, and visionary governance. His open style and progressive attitude have struck a chord with people from all walks of life, inspiring optimism and a feeling of possibility that goes beyond party politics and embraces the aspirations of the entire country.
As he embarks on this new chapter as the Central Government Standing Counsel, Rohan Jaitley’s legacy of excellence and service will continue to inspire future generations of legal professionals. His dedication to upholding the rule of law and advancing the cause of justice serves as a shining example of the profound impact that one individual can have on society.
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2024.04.15 12:05 AlenGeorgeA Rohan Jaitley: Leading the Delhi & District Cricket Association into a New Era

Rohan Jaitley: Leading the Delhi & District Cricket Association into a New Era
In the realm of sports administration, certain individuals emerge as true game-changers, reshaping the landscape with their vision, passion, and dedication. One such luminary is Rohan Jaitley, whose ascent to the presidency of the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) marks not only a personal triumph but also a promising new chapter for cricket in the heart of India.
​
Rohan Jaitley
Early Years and Education:
Born into a family known for its illustrious contributions to Indian politics, Rohan Jaitley’s journey into the world of sports administration might seem like an unexpected turn. However, his upbringing instilled in him values of integrity, leadership, and service to the community, which would become the cornerstones of Rohan Jaitley’s career.
Educated at prestigious institutions like the Amity Law School and the Cornell University, Rohan Jaitley honed his skills in law and management, laying a solid foundation for his future endeavours. But it was his inherent love for cricket and a desire to make a meaningful difference that would eventually lead Rohan Jaitley to the helm of one of India’s most prominent cricket associations.
Rise to Presidency:
Above all, Rohan Jaitley is a living example of tenacity and willpower. Being the son of the late Arun Jaitley, a well-known Indian politician and former Finance Minister, Rohan Jaitley has surely been under constant scrutiny and pressure since he was a little child. But instead of letting these obstacles stop him, Rohan Jaitley has welcomed them as chances for development and education. His capacity for gracefully navigating the challenges of public life says eloquently about his fortitude in the face of misfortune.
Upon assuming the presidency of the DDCA, Rohan Jaitley inherited an organization facing its fair share of challenges. Years of administrative turmoil, infrastructural deficiencies, and controversies had cast a shadow over the association’s reputation. However, armed with a clear vision and a firm commitment to change, Rohan Jaitley embarked on a journey of transformation.
Vision for Change:
Under Rohan Jaitley’s leadership, the DDCA underwent a remarkable metamorphosis, transitioning from a beleaguered institution to a beacon of hope for aspiring cricketers in Delhi and beyond. Central to his vision was the idea of inclusivity, ensuring that cricket remained accessible to talent from all backgrounds.
Investments in grassroots development, infrastructure upgrades, and the implementation of transparent governance practices became the cornerstones of Rohan Jaitley’s agenda. Through strategic partnerships with government agencies, corporate sponsors, and cricketing bodies, Rohan Jaitley sought to create a conducive environment for the sport to thrive at all levels.
Empowering Youth:
One of the most significant achievements of Rohan Jaitley’s tenure has been his unwavering focus on nurturing young talent. Recognizing the importance of youth development in sustaining the future of Indian cricket, Rohan Jaitley spearheaded initiatives to identify, train, and support budding cricketers from the grassroots level upwards.
Academies, coaching camps, and talent scouting programs proliferated under his watch, providing aspiring cricketers with the resources and guidance needed to realize their full potential. By fostering a culture of excellence and mentorship, Rohan Jaitley laid the groundwork for a new generation of cricketing stars to emerge from the capital city.
Promoting Gender Equality:
In line with his commitment to inclusivity, Rohan Jaitley championed the cause of women’s cricket, recognizing it as a vital component of the sport’s growth trajectory. Under his stewardship, the DDCA made significant strides in promoting gender equality within its ranks, investing in the development of women’s cricket infrastructure, and providing equal opportunities for female players to showcase their talent.
Through initiatives such as women’s cricket leagues, coaching clinics, and scholarship programs, Rohan Jaitley sought to break down barriers and empower female cricketers to pursue their dreams on an equal footing with their male counterparts. His efforts not only elevated the profile of women’s cricket in Delhi but also set a powerful example for cricket associations across the country to follow.
Legacy and Impact made by Rohan Jaitley:
Rohan Jaitley’s legacy looms large, casting a long shadow of inspiration and optimism over the cricketing fraternity. Through his tireless efforts, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment to the sport, he has not only revitalized an institution but also revitalized the hopes and aspirations of countless young cricketers.
Rohan Jaitley had already left his signature on Delhi cricket that will be present for years to come—a legacy of transformation, empowerment, and the enduring spirit of cricket. In the annals of Indian sports administration, his name will stand as a testament to what can be achieved when passion meets purpose and leadership meets vision.
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2024.04.13 22:04 JustAnotherMortal69 2024.8.X (NA) should be getting V12 in the coming week.

According to Rohan Patel, those of us on 2024.8.X should be getting the V12 update by end of this week.
Surprisingly, it is only about 12% of the fleet impacted. Based on Teslafi, I thought it was closer to 50%. I guess the majority of 2024.8.X users are in the EU or worldwide.
Those of us in NA can finally rest easy. Since the free month starts when you update, this will likely mean we get the free month as well.
Edit: If I had to guess, it is probably going to be updated (or maybe merged) on 4/20. Maybe under a 2024.14.20 or something like that.
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2024.04.10 19:17 Farlon273 Spellforce: Conquest of Eo patch 1.5 - Mod support

NEW

Improvements

Balancing

Adventures

Bugfixes

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2024.04.07 22:51 zephmish Lord of The Rings: The Fourth Age

Hello! My name is Mikhail and I've decided to start a small group roleplay with a friend, venturing into the world of Middle Earth. Much of the plot is entirely freeform, based on the canon writings of J. R. R. Tolkien as well as Peter Jackson's wonderful films. We want to make this as relaxed as possible, so that you are entirely in control of your characters' fates! No extensive knowledge of withstanding lore and canon is needed, though we suggest a familiarity with the Lord of The Rings trilogy! Here are a few of the loose plot points that define the status quo:
Set: FA 223
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2024.04.07 02:08 villy_voracious Ding-dong! It’s emasculation-o-clock!

So I used to work in retail, and one of my coworkers, “Oz” was an absolute scumbag. He’d show up high and do no work, and then complain his boss was overworking him. He’d ask male coworkers if they cheated on their partners, and if so, ask for “tips” on infidelity. (Baffling, considering he wasn’t in a relationship the entire 2 years I worked near him.) He hit on female coworkers in the most aggravating way—approaching with a diagonal gait, his head cocked to one side, rubbing his hands together like a fly, slurring things along the lines of “Ayyyy shawty you looking fit right now, on gawd.”
I worked in a medical-adjacent part of the store, and he tried to get me to violate HIPAA laws by giving him the phone numbers of attractive customers. He also tried to get me to confirm if some of the attractive teen customers were legal. (I obviously refused.)
I’d been working there for a few months when word got around that I’d broken up with my ex. Immediately Oz began to antagonize me at work, following me around my department, and saying sleazy things. I considered going to HR, but our HR department was notorious for minimizing workplace harassment, and I knew it wouldn’t go far. Also, I’m a bitch—I enjoy my own brand of vengeance. So I took things into my own hands…
There is a man on TikTok who has a video series called “Things You Can Say To Piss Off Men.” I began to watch his content religiously and save particularly cutting quotes, and weaponize them against Oz. I was tired of him mistreating me and my coworkers and figured he needed an old-fashioned smackdown.
Whenever he’d say something humiliating to me, I’d smile blandly, change the subject, and slip in quips such as, “I love camping….oh, you do too? Huh, you look like you’d be bad at camping, idk.” Or, “I love your jeans, so European!” Or, “Omg you look like you’d be a good jockey!” Or, “Your curls are sooo bouncy, you could be an extra for the hobbit actors in Lord of The Rings!” I’d follow up these quotes with a doe-eyed “dumb girl” face and smile sweetly.
He hated it. Instead of learning his lesson he began to harass me more, and say more humiliating, objectifying things. He “joked” that I should enjoy my “hot girl privilege” because I’d “hit the wall at 25” and lose my status. My reply: “You think I’M hot? Weird, I thought you were into older, authoritative women!”
One day he crossed he line. He was especially high, and walked up behind me while I was filing papers. I had no idea he was there until a guest of moist, THC-laden breath struck my neck and I heard the all-too-familiar voice slur, “You’re so thick, damnnn…what would you do if I knocked you up with six kids and then left you, ahhahaha, I wanna do that.”
He said this in front of another coworker. The room dropped 10 degrees and time froze.
I took a deep breath, slipped on my dumb-girlie mask, and turned. Oz stood there, grinning like an idiot, his bloodshot eyes mocking me.
I straightened my back and smiled sweetly, internally racking the slide of the .40 cal emotional Glock I had pointed into his testicles.
“Oz….you don’t have the hairline to use that tone with me. You really should stop talking.”
For context, Oz was VERY insecure about his hair. He had very normal hair, but somehow convinced himself that his distinct widow’s peak was horrifying, to the point that he shaved it down to look better. I struck his nerve with the force of a thousand suns, and left him with a wound wider than The Gap of Rohan.
The other coworker immediately dissolved into hyena-like laughter. In his addled state, Oz struggled to form a sentence. He blustered incoherently for a few seconds, before crying, “Wh-why are you such a BITCH?” and fleeing the vicinity.
Victory was had. I checked that no customers were near before initiating a celebratory crotch-chop for my still-howling coworker. This was no sweet dessert-flavor revenge—this was a five-star Michelin steak dinner.
Oz didn’t speak to me for a week. When he eventually did, it was only for necessity, and with the downturned eyes of a dog that knows it’s been fixed. I had broken the very fibers of his greasy spirit.
I left that job for a better one a few months later. I heard that some time after I left, Oz was fired for too many no-call no-shows. He’d apparently been reported for harassment four times—but it was the absences that undid him.
So ends my tale. It is somewhat anticlimactic, but delicious nonetheless. I hope everyone has a glorious weekend.
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2024.04.06 07:02 TumbleweedObjective9 Tough choices- what to pic?

Tough choices- what to pic?
I tend to: chemical x, Anger and Limit break
But it could also be lizard tale
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2024.03.23 06:00 BevoBot [3/23/2024] Saturday's Free Talk Thread

/LonghornNation Daily Off Topic Free Talk Thread

Today: 3/23/2024
Last Thread

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Your go-to place to talk about whatever you want. From the dumb shit aggies do on a near daily basis, to the latest whatever happening wherever. What ya got?

Here's a look at upcoming Longhorn Sporting Event(s):

  1. 3/23 University of Texas Rowing at SMU (Scrimmage)
  2. 3/23 University of Texas Rowing vs Oklahoma (Scrimmage)
  3. 3/23 University of Texas Women's Swimming and Diving vs NCAA Championships
  4. 3/23 1:00 PM University of Texas Softball at UCF
  5. 3/23 2:30 PM University of Texas Baseball vs Baylor - Presented by Tellus Equipment Solutions
  6. 3/23 7:00 PM University of Texas Men's Basketball vs Tennessee
  7. 3/24 University of Texas Women's Basketball vs Alabama

Trending on Reddit

/All
  1. TIL, when walking into a bar in England, Jimi Hendrix and his band were told they weren't welcome by a bartender who said "Sorry, mates, we can't serve your sort in here,". Hendrix thought it was because he was black, but it was because they were mistaken for circus clowns.
  2. This horse archery posture, armed with bow and arrow and able to shoot while riding from horseback
  3. A boat lock in the Netherlands relies on people watching a livestream to ring the fish doorbell, opening the gate for migratory fish.
  4. The plastic surgeon had a 50% off discount
  5. Maybe Maybe Maybe
/CFB
  1. /CFB Donates $18,000.00 to Toys For Tots & Children's Hospitals, thanks to the 8th annual Holiday Drive!
  2. David Hale "ACC lawyer says there are three P5 schools in Florida....FSU, Florida, and UCF."
  3. What was a bigger upset in the history of college sports? The first 16-1 upset in the 2018 tournament or App State beating Michigan in 2007?
  4. [Discussions] Will Florida State and Clemson be blamed for destroying their conference the same way USC and UCLA are?
  5. DeBoer: No cadence issue from Jalen Milroe after Ryan Day’s bad snap comments
  6. [RohanLawPC] Judge: if The ACC loses, and the most valuable contracts are found to NOT be enforceable, The ACC loses millions of dollars, how is that NOT material?...why open the door to the risk that you lose the case and lose millions. Isn't that material????
/LonghornNation
  1. [3/22/2024] Friday's Free Talk Thread
  2. [Post Game Thread] 🏀 WBB (1) Texas dominate (16) Drexel 82-42
  3. Texas F Alex Anamekwe enters the NCAA transfer portal
  4. Patrick Mahomes Forced to Dress Up as Texas Longhorn’s Mascot After Losing a Bet
  5. [SERIES THREAD] ⚾ Texas (13-8) vs. Baylor (7-13)
  6. [Post Game Thread] 🏀 (7) Texas defeats (10) Colorado State, 56-44
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2024.03.21 12:43 nebulsanest Rohan Jaitley's Game-Changing Move: Elevating Women's Cricket with specialized high-performance centres

Rohan Jaitley's Game-Changing Move: Elevating Women's Cricket with specialized high-performance centres
In a significant move towards fostering inclusivity and excellence in the realm of cricket, Rohan Jaitley, the President of the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA), has announced the establishment of high-performance centres dedicated to women’s cricket in Delhi. This pioneering initiative, spearheaded by Jaitley, marks a watershed moment for the sport and reflects his unwavering commitment to promoting gender equality and nurturing talent across all facets of the game.
Rohan Jaitley
The decision to launch high-performance centres exclusively for women’s cricket underscores Rohan Jaitley’s visionary leadership and proactive approach towards addressing the systemic barriers faced by female cricketers. By providing specialized training facilities and resources tailored to the unique needs of women athletes, Jaitley seeks to create an environment conducive to their holistic development and success on the field.
Speaking on the initiative, Rohan Jaitley emphasized the importance of creating equitable opportunities for aspiring female cricketers and empowering them to realize their full potential. He noted that the establishment of high-performance centres represents a crucial step towards bridging the gender gap in cricket and ensuring that women have access to the same level of support and infrastructure as their male counterparts.
The high-performance centres, set to be operationalized under the auspices of the DDCA, will serve as incubators of talent, providing elite training programs, state-of-the-art facilities, and expert coaching staff to nurture the next generation of female cricketing stars. With a focus on skill enhancement, physical conditioning, and mental resilience, these centres aim to elevate the standards of women’s cricket in Delhi and propel the region onto the national and international stage. Rohan Jaitley’s initiative has been met with widespread acclaim from stakeholders within the cricketing community, including players, coaches, and administrators. Many lauded his foresight and proactive stance in recognizing the untapped potential of women’s cricket and taking concrete steps to support its growth and development.
The announcement of high-performance centres for women’s cricket in Delhi represents a significant milestone in Rohan Jaitley’s tenure as DDCA President, reflecting his commitment to advancing the sport and fostering a culture of inclusivity and excellence. As the initiatives take shape and the centres become operational, the impact of Jaitley’s vision is poised to resonate far beyond the boundaries of the cricket field, inspiring generations of female athletes and laying the foundation for a more equitable and vibrant sporting landscape.
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2024.03.12 05:01 dancing-on-my-own The Graaaaaand Foot-a-scray Season Preview 2024 (in memory of Franco Cozzo)

Club Overview

Established: 1877
Premierships: 2
Senior coach: Luke Beveridge
Coaching staff: Matt Egan, Brendon Lade, Matt Spangher, Daniel Pratt, Jarryn Geary, Alex Johnson, Jamie Maddocks, Stewart Edge
Homeground: Whitten Oval, now called Mission Whitten Oval after the AFL’s tastiest sponsor

Leadership group:

Captain: Marcus Bontempelli
Vice-captain: Tom Liberatore
Deputy vice-captains (whatever that means): Aaron Naughton and Caleb Daniel
Leadership group: Taylor Duryea, Ed Richards, and Liam Jones

2024 List Changes

Departures:

Traded: Jordon “In Case Of Emergency” Sweet, offered a warm lcoemwe by Port Adelaide
Retired: Josh Bruce, forward line Jesus, may your 10 goals v Norf on Good Friday be remembered
Delisted: Mitch Hannan, Toby McLean, Hayden Crozier, Roarke Smith, Cody Raak, Robbie McComb, Tim O’Brien

Arrivals:

Traded: Nick Coffield (St Kilda), James Harmes (Melbourne)
DFA: Lachie Bramble (Hawthorn)
Drafted: Ryley Sanders, Jordan Croft, Joel Freijah, Lachlan Smith, Aiden O’Driscoll

2023 Season Overview:

H&A ladder position: 9th, 12-11
Charles Sutton Medal (B&F): Marcus Bontempelli (five B&Fs and counting)
Leading goalkicker: Aaron Naughton (44 goals)
All-Australians: Marcus Bontempelli (VC), Tim English
2023 AFL debutants: Arthur Jones (R3), James O’Donnell (R9)

2023 Season Review:

Nothing clicked for us in 2023. Despite English, Bont and Libba's magnificent form the midfield wasn't the same dominant force it has been. Was it the lack of pace? The departure of Dunkley, or Hunter, or their replacements not quite stepping up to the plate? Maybe it was coaching, or just that other teams around us improved even more. The forward line was great on predicted score but in reality missed too many gettable shots. The defence was, as it has been for a while, abysmal. Liam Jones did his job but lacked support and small forwards feasted. Despite all that we finished 9th and only missed the 8 on percentage. No doubt that is far below expectations for a team that could be top 4, but for a year that just didn't go right it was closer to middling than truly bad. - u/Nixion_Strange
What a strange, strange year 2023 was. After a poor start with two embarrassing losses, round 3 saw a lift in form with Jamarra Ugle-Hagan replicating Nicky Winmar’s stance against racism 30 years on (won the game off his own boot too, we love him). The win v Brisbane marked the start of a pretty positive middle of the season, and despite some embarrassing losses characterised by being completely unable to stop runs of goals from the opposing team (don’t watch the match v the Suns, it’s embarrassing), the Dogs were in solid finals contention until round 20 vs GWS.
Beloved teammate Josh Bruce tore his second ACL, and the team deflated like an old balloon, giving up a five-goal lead to lose to our old nemeses. We rallied for a good win v the Tigers the week after, but that was followed by the most embarrassing two-week period any club had all year.
The Dogs went up against the 16th-placed Hawthorn in Tasmania, and did nothing about the Prince of Poowong doing whatever the fuck he wanted, racking up 40 disposals on the way to a 3-point Hawthorn win that put the Dogs’ chances of playing finals in significant danger. But the Dogs were playing West Coast the week after, so that could be counted on for a win, right? West Coast had won two games all year, one to fellow cellar dwellers North. The Dogs just had to turn up, right?
The Dogs didn’t turn up. The loss was one that only the Dogs faithful saw coming. LOL of the year locked in and finals out of reach.
Finishing the year with a win against Geelong at Kardinia helped a little. But only a little, given that half their side had been packed away for the season.

Post-season

Coaching changes:
Not making finals, especially given the way the year had unfolded, was unforgivable. There was plenty of heat on Bevo, who’s caught a lot of the blame for the Dogs’ underperformance over the years, and for a while it looked like he wasn’t going to be seeing out his bright and shiny contract (and most Dogs fans would have happily been the ones to sign off on his sacking). Instead, Bevo stayed in place, while his team was changed around him. Out with close mate Rohan Smith, plus Marc Webb, Travis Varcoe, and Stef Martin. In with Matthew Egan, Daniel Pratt, Alex Johnson, and Jarryn Geary. The hope is that new guys hired without the benefit of nepotism will be more inclined to challenge Bevo, rather than letting him get carried away with his own ideas. It could lift the Dogs back into finals contention, or send them plummeting down the ladder. We’ll know it when we see it.
(Matt Spangher is still forwards coach though, Many are confused about this, seeing as he played 56 AFL games as a defender and had no coaching experience until recruited by Bevo.)
Player movement:
The off-season player moves began with Josh Bruce announcing his retirement, inevitable but still brought a tear to the eye. Premiership Dog Toby McLean was delisted, heading a crop of rookies who never made it and stalwarts whose careers had dwindled to a close, and backup ruck Jordon Sweet headed home to Port Adelaide in order to be behind Ivan Soldo rather than Tim English. Childhood Bulldogs fan Nick Coffield and Dees midfielder James Harmes both joined the red, white, and blue during the trade period, in cheap and clever trades that could be big wins down the line.
The Dogs hit the draft hard, trading up to secure the Suns’ pick 4 in order to get in before a bid on the latest lanky father-son in Jordan Croft. Eventually this pick turned into pick 6, which turned into Tasmanian midfielder Ryley Sanders. A bid on Croft followed, and on the second night, wingman Joel Freijah, ruck Lachie Smith, and speedster Aiden O’Driscoll found their new homes at Whitten Oval. With the SSP signing of Lachie Bramble following his delisting by the Hawks, the Dogs completed their 2024 side.

Players to look out for in 2024

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan: We know he’s got it. After a couple years of “draft bust” commentary, the AFL viewing public also knows he’s got it. Looking to be a formidable player in 2024 and a key part of the Dogs’ present and future.
Ryley Sanders: The socks-up mid from Tassie has made headlines for how well he’s settled into an AFL environment, racking up 30 disposals in a preseason match and looking every bit at home at the level. Could be the Dogs’ first Rising Star winner.
James O’Donnell: Last April, the Dogs plucked a random 19-year-old out of a cricket team and signed him as a category B rookie. His debut in round 9 surprised everyone, and the surprise only grew as we realised he was actually pretty good at football. Although there’s not too much competition, he’s clearly the Dogs’ second best KPD less than a year after returning to footy. Talent in spades.
Sam Darcy: Taller than Tim English now. May continue growing until he can no longer be contained by the rooms at Whitten Oval; already the reason for some padded rafters at the Dogs’ temporary accommodation in Braybrook. After a 2023 plagued with injuries (plus a spontaneous hole in his lung, isn’t the human body a terrible thing), he hasn’t put a foot wrong in preseason, and there’s hardly a player in the league who can man him when he launches for a mark. He and Lobb should compete for the forward-ruck role all year.

Players on notice in 2024

(Funnily enough, several of these guys did very well in the practice and preseason matches. Stoked for them.)
Buku Khamis: Entering his sixth year in the AFL, Khamis still lags behind when it comes to having an AFL-standard tank. He spent a couple of years as a forward-ruck in the VFL, which was a strange move for an intercepting defender, especially when the AFL side needs an intercepting defender much more than a 190cm forward-ruck. Khamis has spent this preseason back in defence and gotten a one-year contract extension, so this is possibly his last chance to lock down a spot in the best 22 backline.
Lachie McNeil: Being delisted and re-rookied doesn't usually bode well for a player's long-term career prospects. McNeil is a pressure forward, a term sometimes used to mean a forward who can't kick goals, and with the Dogs forward line becoming quite potent, he could easily be pushed out. Surprised everyone by kicking a bag in the preseason practice match v the Hawks and racking up the contested possessions in the preseason match proper; he could yet prove himself.
Rhylee West: The son of Scott, West inherited his dad's tenacity, quick hands, and enormous head. Unfortunately, in five years in the AFL he hasn't had a consistent run at it, and with Harmes and Sanders in, a spot in the midfield is still a distant dream. He's been in the league a bit too long to still be running on potential. West’s best chance of locking down a spot in the side is as a small forward, and after kicking three goals in the preseason match, hopefully he’ll get the chance to do just that.
Laitham Vandermeer: Vandermeer is a very quick player, which is what the Dogs need on field; however, his hammies have the structural integrity of uncooked spaghetti, his skills could do with a bit of work, and he's known to get a bit aggro in the bad way. The selection committee likes him though, so he’ll probably play quite a few games this year.
Riley Garcia: A midfielder who at times shows heaps of promise, but at other times gives away three 50m penalties in one match and gets a whopping -6 Supercoach points. Garcia is only 23 and it feels tough to say he's on notice, but it's a hard midfield to break into, and he's a WA boy who's out of contract this year.

The big questions:

What’s up with Jack Macrae? The Dogs’ vice-captain curse continues, with Macrae pushed out of his midfield spot in 2023 in favour of the Bontempelli, Liberatore, Treloar trio. Macrae can rack the ball up with the best of them, but his lack of pace seems to be what’s holding him back from a starting midfield spot. Even with Bailey Smith out for the year with an ACL, minutes on-ball might still be in short supply.
Darcy or Lobb? Rory Lobb was recruited for one reason - keep Sam Darcy’s forward-ruck spot warm until he puts some muscle mass on that 208cm frame and stops getting holes in vital organs. While he’s still skinny, Darcy’s coming along in leaps and bounds, and is looking far too good to leave in the VFL, and he, Lobb, Naughton, Ugle-Hagan, and English can’t all fit in the same side.
The big contracts: Tim English. Bailey Smith. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan. All out of contract this year. Who stays and who goes? The general vibe is that JUH stays, Baz goes, and English is 50-50, but who knows.

Expectations for 2024:

A finals win would be the pass mark. Dogs have a habit of scraping into finals and bombing out in the first week, so making finals doesn’t cut it if it’s just more of the same. Optimistically, finishing top 4 for the first time under Beveridge would be a real victory and signify that the coaching changes this year actually mean something.
Also can Bont just get his damn Brownlow already?

2024 best 23:

FB: Khamis/Coffield, LJones, Richards
HB: Dale, O’Donnell, Johannisen
C: Poulter, Liberatore, Williams
HF: West, Naughton, Harmes
FF: Weightman, Ugle-Hagan, Lobb/Darcy
R: English, Bontempelli, Treloar
Int: Macrae, Daniel, Sanders, Bramble, McNeil (sub)
Stiff to miss out: Scott, Duryea
Could break in this year: AJones, Clarke, Busslinger, Gallagher

2024 Playing List:

No. Player Position
1 Adam Treloar Midfielder
2 Jamarra Ugle-Hagan Key forward
3 Cody Weightman Forward
4 Marcus Bontempelli Midfielder, GOAT, captain
5 Jedd Busslinger Key defender, The Bussy
6 Bailey Smith Midfielder, inactive with ACL injury
7 Rory Lobb Key forward/ruck
8 Charlie Clarke Forward, work experience kid
9 Ryley Sanders Midfielder, The Colonel
10 Sam Darcy Key forward/ruck, actual giraffe
11 Jack Macrae Midfielder
12 Harvey Gallagher Utility
13 Oskar Baker Wing
14 Rhylee West Forward
15 Taylor Duryea Defender, winner of the Ramsay Bolton Lookalike Award
16 Jordan Croft Key forward/defender
17 Nick Coffield Defender
18 James O’Donnell Key defender
19 Liam Jones Key defender
20 Ed Richards Defender
21 Tom Liberatore Midfielder, gloriously odd, vice-captain
22 James Harmes Midfielder
23 Laitham Vandermeer Forward/defender
24 Buku Khamis Defender
25 Caleb Poulter Wing
26 Dominic Bedendo Forward/wing
27 Joel Freijah Wing
28 Anthony Scott Utility
29 Lachie Bramble Defender
30 Lachie McNeil Forward
31 Bailey Dale Defender
32 Arthur Jones Forward
33 Aaron Naughton Key forward, extraordinary hair
34 Bailey Williams Wing/defender
35 Caleb Daniel Utility
36 Luke Cleary Defender
37 Aiden O’Driscoll Wing/forward
38 Riley Garcia Midfielder
39 Jason Johannisen Defender
40 Lachlan Smith Ruck, secretly a 30-year-old tradie
42 Alex Keath Key defender, angry PE teacher
43 Ryan Gardner Key defender
44 Tim English Ruck, mostly neck
With thanks to westernbulldogs and the Western Bulldogs Discord
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2024.02.24 19:33 kenniky King Con - Top 32

Winners

BMS l Neeroz (Pikachu) vs quiK (Samus) Ente (Steve, Min Min) vs BMS l Raflow (Samus, Palutena) KID (Mii Brawler) vs GO l Oryon (Wolf, Falco) GIANTX l Sisqui (Samus, Dark Samus) vs CS3 AoR l MKBigBoss (R.O.B.) FaZe l Sparg0 (Cloud) vs Solary l Leon (Lucina) BMS l Bloom4Eva (Bayonetta) vs Flow (Roy) LG l MkLeo (Joker) vs ES l Raarchyor (Sora, Greninja) ApolloKage (Snake) vs Poww (Pokémon Trainer)

Losers

BUZZ l Neo (Corrin, Palutena) [Neeroz] vs Checkmate l Peanut (Little Mac) [Bloom4Eva] Momon (Fox, Luigi) [otek] vs AndresFn (Terry, Ken) [Etish] Marss (Zero Suit Samus) [KID] vs BH3 l RyuKai (Fox, Wolf) [SOLO] mCon l Space (Pyra/Mythra) [Oryon] vs Tarik (Greninja) [Poww] IJC l MazeBeans (Steve) [Sparg0] vs MK l Longo (R.O.B.) [Neeroz] ??? vs ADEPTS l Etish (Palutena) [Leon] IZI l Eko (Palutena, Diddy Kong) [ApolloKage] vs CF l ChunkyKong (Donkey Kong) [Sisqui] GO l NaetorU (Pichu) [Poww] vs Oplon l Mezcaul (Ridley) [MKBigBoss]

Top 32 Bracket

??? plan-B l Lancelot (Roy, Chrom) [Raflow] vs IJC l Artsnif (Steve) [quiK] - the match will be finished tomorrow as the venue closed

33rd

BSK l Tomberry (Snake, Pokémon Trainer) [quiK, Momon] CG l Spectral (Samus, Dark Samus) [Tomberry, Neo] ??? Skyjay (Incineroar) [Ente, Longo] eLS l rohan doge (Meta Knight) [Finnn, Etish] YSM l BassMage (Jigglypuff) [Elfo, MazeBeans] Kingël (Cloud) [Flow, AndresFn] F/A l Bacchus (Mario) [NikoBZH, Peanut] IZI l VinS (Link) [Raarchyor, NaetorU] SOLO (Rosalina & Luma) [MkLeo, Eko] eLS l Supahsemmie (Young Link) [VinS, Tarik] PeW (Min Min, Ness) [ApolloKage, RyuKai] Oxxyga (Snake) [ChunkyKong, Space] IJC l Susu (Steve) [ChunkyKong, Marss] BDE l Winder (Dr. Mario, Incineroar) [Space, Mezcaul] IZI l MoDzai (Pac-Man, Kazuya) [KID, ChunkyKong]

49th

BLZ l NeoChronos (Cloud) [Raflow, Momon] Oracle l MaTheo (Peach, Daisy) [NeoChronos, Spectral] GO l Papou (Pyra/Mythra) [Tomberry, Artsnif] SSP l otek (Diddy Kong) [Neo, Longo] Jaka (Isabelle) [Flow, rohan doge] Rotaryon l Anbil (Mewtwo) [Bloom4Eva, BassMage] CRL l Rulta (R.O.B.) [BlackSoul, AndresFn] TriM (Mega Man) [MazeBeans, Bacchus] SGE l Tarmogoyf (Snake) [RyuKai, NaetorU] FG l Kéképi (Diddy Kong) [Blueriegan, Eko] Naskino (Zelda) [Raarchyor, Supahsemmie] IBC l Sirove (Donkey Kong) [MkLeo, RyuKai] TR NMS l Zenatti (Pyra/Mythra) [Mezcaul, Oxxyga] SoulArts (Shulk) [Sisqui, Susu] BEShielding l y0lT (Ness, Roy) [Oryon, Winder] eLS l Deox6 (Byleth) [Zenatti, MoDzai]

65th

Kace (Samus) [Lancelot, Momon] YSM l Alw (Pikachu) [Motoji, NeoChronos] R-B l Jazzpunk (Roy, Mario) [Ente, MaTheo] CRC l Almost (Ike) [Skyjay, Spectral] LUC (Pikachu) [Neo, Papou] 2KM l Motoji (Sephiroth, Joker) [Ente, Artsnif] NP l Yanos (Greninja, Joker) [Zura, Longo] Echo l STdix (Robin, Pac-Man) [Kace, otek] SL l IKEI (Min Min) [Bloom4Eva, Jaka] ZZ l Elfo (Olimar) [Kingël, rohan doge] Monarch l M4E (Sephiroth, Mr. Game & Watch) [Peanut, BassMage] OPS l TBN (Palutena) [Etish, Anbil] Adrian (Pokémon Trainer) [Anbil, AndresFn] MK l Youssef (Mario, Wario) [Leon, Rulta] Bellz (Wario, Zero Suit Samus) [Kingël, TriM] CRC l Astrat (Snake) [Sparg0, Bacchus] SKG l Vongola (Snake, Min Min) [Sirove, NaetorU] Fox 2 (Snake) [Tarik, Tarmogoyf] Mukuro~ (Bowser) [PeW, Kéképi] ATA l Xetroz (R.O.B., Greninja) [NaetorU, Eko] NMD l Inami (Joker) [MkLeo, Naskino] CLST l Waxy (Mega Man) [SOLO, Supahsemmie] Blueriegan (Sonic) [Fox 2, RyuKai] orKsGP l Himatsu Illusion86 (Hero, Piranha Plant) [Raarchyor, Sirove] R-B l Kuracow (Wii Fit Trainer) [Sisqui, Zenatti] FMG l Voravi?! (Pokémon Trainer) [MKBigBoss, Oxxyga] BJAYS l Fani (Yoshi) [Winder, Susu] AUK l Discodog (Dark Pit) [SKhamstaru, SoulArts] CRC l Byl (Ness) [Kuracow, y0lT] Bear (Banjo & Kazooie) [Susu, Winder] R-B l Ronéo (Bayonetta) [Master, MoDzai] Kichiro (Sonic) [Marss, Deox6]

97th

Paky (Steve) [Skyjay, Momon] KRW l Aness (Roy) [Longo, Alw] R-B l Human (Ridley) [OutTgl, MaTheo] DeepFreeze (Joker) [STdix, Spectral] eLS l PATOO (Lucas) [Paky, LUC] Oracle l Phoenix (Snake) [Neeroz, Motoji] Suikrom (Captain Falcon, Incineroar) [Dasher, Yanos] Kimoru (Little Mac, Min Min) [Spectral, STdix] Zs l Ponflex ツ (Steve) [Astrat, IKEI] ELY l BlackSoul (Mr. Game & Watch) [Peanut, rohan doge] ekzLeon (Wolf, Pokémon Trainer) [mirai, BassMage] SR l NikoBZH (Palutena, Ike) [Flow, TBN] KB l Molo (Captain Falcon) [Astrat, Adrian] NKN l Padinspi (Diddy Kong) [TriM, Rulta] Zhek (Roy) [Nounouye, Bellz] SickBoy (R.O.B.) [AndresFn, Bacchus] BSK CEW l Bluesky (Yoshi) [Antoroad, Vongola] DNF l Baggy (Incineroar) [Mukuro~, Tarmogoyf] OS NFO l The Witness (Luigi, Olimar, Ryu) [VinS, Kéképi] haytem (Snake) [Naskino, Xetroz] CEW l Antoroad (Byleth, Sephiroth, Pyra/Mythra) [Eko, Inami] KRW l Todlumière (Cloud) [PeW, Waxy] GNM l Sokuda (King Dedede, Inkling) [Supahsemmie, Blueriegan] SL l Syekko (Roy) [Xetroz, Illusion86] Nikfree (Lucas) [Kichiro, Kuracow] NDGG l Kimarito (Robin) [cherryo, Oxxyga] ADN l Master (Samus, Cloud) [MKBigBoss, Fani] YSM l Lorinato (Sora) [Mezcaul, Discodog] DNF l Godrim (Wario, Pyra/Mythra) [Marss, Byl] NEP l cherryo (Wii Fit Trainer) [KID, Bear] Ldv l Liokanila (King Dedede, Banjo & Kazooie) [Fani, Ronéo] Zemmol (Cloud, Donkey Kong, Bowser) [Koshirae, Deox6]
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2024.02.19 21:41 Charrikayu One of my favorite parts of reading The Lord of the Rings is that it's basically gift-giving / charity porn, in the best way

From start to finish the book is essentially a non-stop exercise in the charity and goodwill of the people of Middle-Earth.
Hobbits are gift-givers and nearly every Hobbit receives a gift every day because it's someone's birthday and Hobbits love giving gifts to others on their birthday.
All along their journey Frodo and the Hobbits find the charity and goodwill of the world, starting with Gildor and the elves who give them shelter and food and advice against the black riders, to Farmer Maggot and Mrs. Maggot who gift Frodo a basket of their finest mushrooms, to Tom Bombadil who feeds and houses them then gifts them daggers from the barrows and takes the jewelry to give to Goldberry.
But even beyond the borders of the Shire all of Middle-Earth is filled with charity and friendliness. Barliman pays for the Hobbits' stay and lost ponies even though it costs him a sore penny to do so. In Rivendell Bilbo gives Frodo Sting and his mithril coat. Celeborn and Galadriel give the Fellowship all they can to ease their grief at Gandalf's fall and mighty gifts to aid them in their quest.
And it extends to the Men of the world as well, starting with Eomer who gift the three hunters Arod and Hasufel. Theoden, too, gifts Merry his very own pony. When Aragorn ascends to the throne as King Elessar one of his first actions is to gift the wildlands between Rohan and Gondor to Ghan-Buri-Ghan and the wildmen. Merry and Pippin return to the Shire with their gifts of the horn of Rohan and the armaments of Gondor.
In basically every chapter where the opportunity to do so is given, the people of Middle-Earth show their willingness to give and to care-for and to shelter those who need it. And it never feels diminishing or patronizing either, it's always gifts of the highest quality and you can feel the nobility and sincerity when they're given. There's something almost indescribably magical about all of the gifts and the way they're given because they're just so meaningful, both in the material way they help the recipient and the symbolic gesture of the giver through their status, or history, or willingness to aid. It's noble and feel-good but in all the right ways.
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2024.02.14 19:50 timmy_ks [QCrit] Romantic Fantasy - THESE LIES OF GOLD - 118k (First attempt)

I've only lurked until now and I'm not planning on querying just yet, but since I'm planning on doing so in a couple of months I wanted to get a head start.
This is the first time I'l be querying, so any help is appreciated! Also, I have no idea about my bio, but this'll have to do for now. I’m struggling with comp titles, so if anyone has better suggestions… Here's what I got:
Dear (Agent),
(Something personal)
Having struggled to survive most of her life, Kalia isn’t above thieving when the gods so clearly favour the rich and punish the poor. A bout of recklessness leaves her without work, nor prospects and desperate to find a way out of her dull life. With no god-given ability, the offer from a mysterious stranger sounds too good to be true.
In a kingdom where magical gifts bring status, wealth, and even the right to rule, being common means little more than lifelong servitude. Kalia spent years dreaming of being blessed with one of five gifts—hoping she’d have the same fortune as her older brother with the ability to read minds. The gods had other plans.
Even upon hearing word of the monarchs’ assassination, she accepts the stranger’s proposal and is thrust into her new life as the twin princesses’ personal maid, sending her onto a collision course with the second born prince, Rohan.
When an unforeseen blessing grants Kalia the power of an Animator—a skill to bring the inanimate to life—soon after, and a member of the royal family discovers not only one, but two gifts, sinister truths begin to unravel.
Tragedy strikes again, and she’s forced to collaborate with the prince in an attempt to unveil the newly crowned king’s true intentions, but their discoveries soon catch up to them.
Had the gods truly blessed her, or does a much darker reality await?
THESE LIES OF GOLD is a romantic fantasy, complete at 118,000 words. It combines fast paced adventures like Rebecca Yarros’ FOURTH WING (will have to change it to something else), unique magic systems like Claire Legrand’s FURYBORN, and the intricate and complex world building and relationships of Rebecca Ross’ DIVINE RIVALS. This is the first book of a planned duology.
(Bio)
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2024.01.29 11:46 Burko02 My current Starboy

My current Starboy submitted by Burko02 to footballmanagergames [link] [comments]

2024.01.25 05:33 Legal-Scholar430 The hero(es) in The Lord of the Rings

Ok, this is going to be a LONG post.
This is not an attempt to "settle" the discussion of "who's the true hero": this is a personal study of who is the hero, when, and why; and in contrast, who is not a hero (in the literary sense), even doing some heroic stuff here and there, and having little arcs.
TL;DR: the position of "the hero" is a dynamic one that frequently changes, and mostly in interesting ways. The characters that could be listed as 'heroes' in the sense Tolkien uses the word are pretty much the four Hobbits and Aragorn, each on their own reasoning and grounds, each on its own share and combination of the heroic tropes that inspired Tolkien. Everyone else lands somewhere in the "main" to "extra" character spectre, and their position might change as well (Faramir certainly grows in prominence from TTT to RotK). The positions of the heroes, in relation to one another, also has layers, and inter-connections more detailed than it might look at first sight.
INTRODUCTION
I think that heroes are defined for being the one making choices, real choices that is -not the ones like "should I follow Aragorn or go back home and forget about this" that Gimli and Legolas make, rather "which pair of Hobbits do I follow" or "should I trust Gollum a second/third time, or get rid of him once and for all".
Gandalf, for example, is obviously a main character, but he is not making these kind of tough, character defining choices; he's just making the calls to move the plot forward. He is Gandalf all along. And no, dying and coming back whiter is not really a character arc. Gandalf never has a choice to make, he's always made the call before exposing or debating his conclusion with anyone else. Even when he chooses between saving Théoden or Faramir, he just laments the tragedy of the situation, but he already knows the answer.
But heroes are also defined for recieving blessings from their allies and patrons. Boons, gifts, titles and names, magical swords and symbolic armor, something as simple as your first Barrow-blade. A supernatural drink that makes you stronger, a phial of light, the banner of your house. A palantír that you can wrestle from Sauron. You know, your father's lightsaber.
On another topic, this is a reading of how the characters, and their "positioning", feels at whatever specific moment/chaptesection I'm talking about. I'm also considering mainly the "thematic" topics, as I'm trying to engage the heroes in the most literary possible way, and heroes tend to have defined conflicts that explore defined themes.
While I have a fair deal of literary studies on my head, I do not pretend to be a savant. This is an absolutely amateur reading from my own fragmented knowledge of some specific european countries' literatures, and of course some of the ancient classics. I'm also not native to English, so it's likely that I've misused some terms, and I'm sorry in advance for that.
So, let's get into it:
BOOK I
We follow Frodo and his point of view, whenever the omniscient narrator is not relaying things (as most, if not all, of the first chapter, and other minor stuff like the shadow that follows the Hobbits into Bree, or the damned thinking fox). Frodo is the hero because of... well, being the one carrying the Ring. There are huge thematic implications behind the Ring and Frodo explores them throughout the three volumes. He is a "small person" as a Hobbit, but still one of a kind amongst them (Bilbo is another one of a kind, but they're not truly like each other; now Sam is closer to Bilbo, but not yet written as a heroic figure). Frodo is the one to recieve mentoring from Gandalf about pity, which sows the seed of his own virtue and one of the themes of his journey. He earns the title of Elf-friend from Gildor Inglorion, an "extra" character that protects him; the title is a "blessing" that thematically and spiritually puts Frodo above his companions: he knows stuff, he is "higher" in status.
Throughout the Bombadil chapters Frodo has his first meaningful interaction with the Ring, and at this Tom serves as a second mentor to him. He seems to be "immune to its power", both in remaining visible while wearing it, and in being untempted by its whole concept. As he is aware of Frodo using the Ring and trying to leave out of jealousy, Tom scorns him and puts him in his place, which then becomes a lesson about the Ring for Frodo.
Sam, Merry, and Pippin all read as support characters for the leading Frodo; they're sowing the seeds for their own developments later, but they are mostly going along with him, showing loyalty and love, but they are more like 'Squires' to Frodo's 'Knight' than his equals. Although I must say that they all get Barrow-blades from Tommy B; they are all "knighted" at this moment, formally initiated into their path. Although the Squires are soon to be relegated as a colective called "the Hobbits".
Even Strider, as we first interact with him, is a rather mysterious and evasive figure, even more as he speaks of the Elves and Beren, but still not revealing who he is. He is not yet the heir of Elendil, nor is he yet on the path to kingship; Strider guides the plot, the journey to Rivendell, but Frodo is still leading the perspective and the narrative. His choice of trusting this Strider is consistently questioned by the other three Hobbits. Strider becomes prominent, and very quickly an evidently Good Guy; and starts developping a friendship with Frodo. But Strider is not still walking the path of a hero, as far as the experience feels at this point; he's just there doing his job. He has spoken his name aloud once, but even the narrator refers to him as Strider.
Through the last stretch we see Frodo finally facing the enemy that has haunted him for half of the book, the Nazgûl. He is actually able to "put them on the run" at first, although wounded; and even in that state he draws his last strength to face them again at the Ford. Per the lore and theme of the Nazgûl, they're the most cruel aspect of the very concept and theme with which Frodo struggles, the Ring, and they're most literally the representatives of Sauron. The Witch-King is the strong "antagonist" figure throughout this book, with various minions here and there; and he kicks Frodo's ass twice, but still fails because Frodo was virtuous, courageous, and did The Right Thing.
As a side-note: I think there's something at Frodo's arrival past the Bruinen: getting "to the point that was required of him", and then courageously facing the Nazgûl (who literally and thematically meant 'death' at this point), being overcome, and still saved by eucatastrophe, it all is somewhat akin to the destruction of the Ring. And it is also the same ending than Book V, conceptually: salvation is described through vague images of the eucatastrophe playing out, while the PoV character fades into unconsiousness under the suspicion that they're about to die.
Frodo has explored the nature of the Ring, and he has grown since the Shire, acquiring stature, tools, and friends. The other three Hobbits and Strider remain the same, because they've been foiling themselves and Frodo, helping to develop him as a hero figure through and through. At least they grow colectivelly, as the Hobbits learn to trust this Strider, and Strider in turn grows fond of them.
BOOK II
The first chapters of Book II put us in a "resting" place, which last we felt in the House of Tommy B. These chapters, aside from the insane exposition, mainly serve to introduce the representatives of the Ancient World, Legolas and Gimli; not because they're ancient, but because they represent Elves and Dwarves, right on the brink of their diminishing as races. There's also Boromir as a representative of Men; and his presence sparks Aragorn's reveal in the Council -even the narrator starts calling him Aragorn just now, elevating him as a major character with his own path, a clear but difficult one.
Frodo, on his part, has again grown spiritually, accepts The Quest, and recieves another blessing in a very classical form: inherited magic sword and armor. This is a staple of the hero archetype; and it is precisely because of this that we should note the importance on Aragorn getting Andúril reforged, because he recieves his magical sword shortly before Frodo (in the same page, at least per my own edition). The text is organically realting both characters.
So Aragorn is even more high-lighted as an upcoming hero; but because of plot-circumstances, it will be Gandalf who leads the plot, so Aragorn and Frodo don't have much to do beyond debating with him or interacting with the other characters. The whole section between The Ring Goes South and Farewell to Lórien are an ode to the Ancient World, embellished with the exploration of the newest characters -that are all support characters, sowing the seeds of their own minor developments later down the road. Note that the three supporting Hobbits are relegated from the spotlight, as they are often refered to as a colective, while Legolas and Gimli have their own arc as a pair throughout chapters 3-8 (concluding with them leaving Lórien as already best friends). Aragorn is a "second in command" of sorts, purely because of his experience, but is still not ongoing meaningful treatment as a hero. Even with Boromir he seems to have an inherent brotherhood of sorts, despite some disagreements.
So the plot is lead by Gandalf, but the PoV remains on Frodo, and Aragorn has been enheightened, but is still just doing his duty without conflict of any kind. Once Gandalf falls, Aragorn takes the mantle of leader, and becomes the one making the choices; except that we only get to explore this second-hand, as the PoV still remains mostly on Frodo. I think that at this instance the book is "preparing" Aragorn for the mantle of hero, setting the foundations for his own conflict and journey.
Frodo, on his part, resumes his exploration of the Ring through Galadriel and Boromir, as a new conflict arises for him: that the Ring will devour the Company from the inside. This conflict beautifully foils with Aragorn's conflict: that he must forsake his own objectives to lead the Company. Even not being inside his mind, we percieve Aragorn's doubt, and his insecurity becomes a subtle but major hinderance plot-wise. Finally, The book ends with a scene that looks like "omniscient narrator" at first, but coalesces into Sam's own PoV as he separates from Aragorn and finds Frodo, which is also noteworthy, even if it feels as "following Frodo's path", it could be seen as a seed or foreshadow of Sam's future status.
This far, I felt like Frodo is still mostly the main character dealing with the thematically difficult choices, but Aragorn is now sprouting as a hero-figure, which befits the next book. He went through his Belly of the Beast moment after the Company leaves Lórien, as he struggles for chapters with the choice he needs to make.
BOOK III
Aragorn now has the PoV, the burden of the breaking of the Fellowship, and a really tough and urgent choice to make. He is now in the position of "leading hero", and he has Legolas and Gimli as his supporting 'squires' to share his grief, and demonstrate their loyalty as they still trust the choice upon him -who currently thinks he should not make the call, because all of his choices go ill.
Aragorn immediately makes his theme more relevant than ever: he questions his own ability to lead, and rejects to ammend the consequences of his actions, refusing the position of authority. Authority is, obviously, instrumental; not only to Aragorn, but to the whole books, from Gandalf to Imrahil. Luckily, his friends convince him that he is still a cool guy, and he should keep making the calls.
Aragorn starts boasting his titles all around. It serves him to convince Éomer of aiding the Three Hunters, and this is a place where I'd like to point out how Éomer is already signalled as a meaningful character by the very act of introducing him along with a hard choice. Éomer chooses "desobedience for the sake of good", which is one of the main aspects of Authority in LotR: this behavior also governs the fates of Faramir, Beregond, Éowyn. But he is not a "heroic figure" in the books, rather a secondary character without much prominence yet; a representative of his people, as Boromir used to be.
Note that Aragorn is already trying to impose his will through his claim, but he still does not hold real authority, and is not yet back on the path to Minas Tirith, but trying to rescue his friends.
Ah, his friends. Merry and Pippin really are a weird pair in The Two Towers. And that's a very intentional word, because here for the first time we have a couple of characters amongst which none is the clear leader. Pippin has the privilege of being the early PoV, but they're equals, they share the spotlight, and none dominates the other as Frodo lords over Sam or Aragorn over L&G. And they really don't feel like characters ongoing a journey yet; they still feel like the dragged-along, innocent, and inexpert young Hobbits. The Treebeard chapter feels more about exploring Nature and a bit of the Ancient World more than about the Hobbits themselves; but there is an interesting pass from drinking Orc juice in chapter 3 to drinking Ent-draught in chapter 4. The Ent-draught, specially when contrasted with their captivity, is a "blessing" or a "gift" to them, it increases their status. These guys are going through some serious stuff, their characters are being built and poked upon by the plot, but they still have not much to do about it all... unless you consider ignoring Celeborn's warning against going into Fangorn an instance of "disobedience".
We go back to the Three Hunters, who proceed to dominate the narrative. Gandalf is back and relieves Aragorn of his authoritative position, as well as he 'expiates' him from his faults.
Gandalf and Théoden seem to carry the plot from now on, while the Three Hunters just hang along for the ride. Aragorn keeps exploring the limits of his authority as he tries to override Théoden's will at his own palace; Gandalf intercedes. Gandalf is always a guide, and to all, but particularly with Aragorn, he counsels him mostly about what he should or not do as the heir of Elendil. Gandalf advises Aragorn against using the palantír, to which the hero talks back at the moment, in an instance of arrogance and over-confidence: It is mine and I shall do as I will. He uses it early into Book V, and then regrets it nearing that same book's ending (in The Last Debate). All this to say that Gandalf still is a mentor-like figure, but now to Aragorn; and Aragorn, experienced and badass as he is, isn't completely defering to Gandalf; he is trying to come on his own. This also will change by the time we reach The Last Debate.
Throughout the Golden Hall and Helm's Deep chapter, Aragorn starts to chill and fall back to his proper place; he is not a commander in Helm's Deep, but if he leads some soldiers here and there, is either as a de facto leader (he's naturally charismatic, he can't help it!), or because, guess what, he is with Éomer for most of the battle. Aragorn does not try to command Théoden's subjects; Aragorn is asked by Théoden if he will ride with him. He trusts Gandalf and the Rohirrim, but he's not trying to exert his will unto them anymore.
Merry and Pippin rejoin the narrative as we get back to Isengard: their growth and victory is noted by the Three Hunters and company. As Pippin does his thing with the Palantír, we see this 'pair of a character' separated at the very end of Book III, and as they are (and feel) alone as Book V begins, we see them enheightened to the role of main character and hero; they're on their own now.
It is noteworthy that, whenever Merry and Pippin are together, there is no instance of specifically Merry's PoV, while we have specifically Pippin's in several instances (as their plot begins in the chapter The Uruk-Hai, or as he rides with Aragorn and Merry rides with Gandalf, we keep following Pippin). I sometimes feel like Merry doesn't really catch-up with the rest of the Hobbits, once you dissect them. Not to say that he's not great, fun, and epic on his own right; but that he's the least developped and explored of the Hobbits, by far. Unless this is absolutely intentional, but I'll get there later.
Book III has Aragorn as the hero, following him mostly, as he leads the exploration of authority and leadership; Aragorn has Legolas and Gimli as support characters who foil into themselves and keep embodying the presence and natures of the non-human races, the Ancient World that will soon be no more; [Book III] introduces side characters to further develop these themes, as Théoden, Éomer, and Treebeard. There's this side-plot where Merry and Pippin are just beginning to acquire the "hero-figure basics", but as they've had each other all along, they still haven't been truly tested, and that probably because they haven't been mentored.
BOOK V
Yes, I know that after 3 comes 4, but this is just better for the analysis. Because in this book, and following from the lat paragraph, Merry and Pippin will become separated, and truly on their own, and serve as eyes for the various storylines. Even the beginning of the Passing of the Grey Company actually follows Merry as Théoden's company returns to Helm's Deep and meets the Rangers of the North. Pippin has a 'coming of age' story, as his pride is poked upon by Denethor, and he's punished for that (and his previous recklessness with the palantír) as he swears fealty to him. He now has to actually work, which I guess was terrible for him; because his days of servitude are really portrayed as a penance, and a torture, even if he enjoyed the prestige of being seen as a Prince of the Halflings.
Merry... well, I'm not really clear on what precisely is going on with him thematically, but I've made a post some time ago which had many insightful and varied answers, so perhaps you want to check that out. Here comes the aforementioned "intentional writing" that I wondered about, in which Merry seems to be almost always being carried along, at least once they leave the Old Forest (where he was supposed to know his way around, but still got them lost). Here, Merry has an endearing relationship with Théoden, even eating at his table at times, but he's ultimately "left behind", or so Théoden tries; he's literally called Master Bag by the Rohirrim as he marches with them; unseen he strikes the Witch-King, unseen he enters Minas Tirith, and unseen he stays in the Houses of Healing while his friends go fight the last battle.
Merry and Pippin's parallels in this section are a lot and this post is not about them, but I'd like to point out disobedience again. Also that they're both 'knighted' in the first two chapters. They're now enheightened literally and symbolically, and just now they're assuming the position of heroes that will pro-actively decide the fates of many with their direct actions (which is not entirely what happened at Fangorn).
Merry and Pippin are way closer to the themes relating with the race of Men than with the themes that Frodo and Sam exemplify; they are a bridge between the heroic tale of Aragorn, and the heroic tale of the Ring-bearers. They only reach a heroic status as the last volume kicks in, which is pretty much the last stage of the overall novel. Note that they recieve their armors from the Kings of Men, while they retain their loyal Barrow-blades (that Pippin has not yet used!)
Aragorn, on his part, interestingly does not have a PoV anymore, and is not making tough choices, but walking the path that is already laid before him. Yet he keeps exploring the bounds of his authority, earning new blessings (the various heirlooms of his house), and for the first time has followers that are of his own, the Dúnedain. Curiously, the narrator is always focused on Merry, or the Legolas-Gimli pair (and Gimli alone in the Paths of the Dead); and even these two tell us of the first time we see Aragorn rallying the Men of the West under his banner and leading them into battle.
These are key moments of Aragorn's own journey, but at the same time, he feels already "complete", and we as readers are just starting to read him in this state. He is at the center of the plot and the main themes explored in Book V, but he has no conflict. He is showcasing what he's learned, almost as if this was Aragorn's "Scouring". Perhaps his inner journey is completed, and he's got a full book to portray how much he's grown, which then makes me sad for the four heroes that had a single and rather short chapter.
Anyway, his "conflict" at the beginning of this book is basically "if you don't face death itself, you will fail". Of course, it is not much of a choice, but it is a highely symbolic and meaningful moment when he leads the Grey Company through the Paths. He's not in the Belly of the Beast instance where the conflict is usually psychological or spiritual (as could be said of his crisis at Parth Galen), but the scene is obviously inspired in the Journey to the Underworld trope (which is usually the Belly). He's willing to walk to his own death, if that is required to save Gondor.
It is very interesting to me that the first time that the Banner of Elendil is unfurled, it is shown to the Oathbreakers in the night; as readers, we are not allowed to "see it", but the Dead are; and Aragorn says to Angbor "at Pelargir the heir of Isildur will have need of you". He's not yet projecting his authority over the living men of Gondor: only to the dead, those who have betrayed his forefather. I'm not sure of what this means, but I feel like there's something heavy here.
The last stage of the book has Aragorn doing some more things to push his claim (The Houses of Healing), but then also has him once again renouncing his own quest in favor of Frodo's. Of course, there is not much of a choice; but there wasn't either back then, in Parth Galen, and at that time Aragorn was doubtful. And he now has the leadership of Gandalf, whom he nominates as their leader for the last efforts. He has learned humility.
BOOK IV
The previous Book (by which I mean 2, not 3) had Frodo leave all of his companions except for Sam, his servant; he is, once again, left "alone", without his guiding figures, in the Unknown Realm; and there are no Gildors nor Toms in the road to Mordor. But at the beginning of this book he gains another servant, Gollum. Frodo is clearly the leader, making the calls, as he keeps exploring the Ring, through his interactions with Gollum, and through its very power when he tames him: he has grown as Ring-bearer. Gollum has a villain/sidekick duplicity, and still it's most interesting that Sam sounds like the rash one throughout the book (as we read from Frodo's PoV, we understand him better, which Sam particularly does not, thus Sam objects to Frodo's choices).
It's interesting to see Sam and Gollum become the most clear "Nemesis" pairing in LotR; they do as much to foil each other as they do to foil with Frodo, if not more. I think that "more" is the answer. Even things as little as them both refering to Frodo as "master" highlights how they are "the same": nuanced Squires of the Hero, one growing to become a hero on his own, the other still unbalanced between villain and sidekick.
I noted that, throughout this book, Tolkien starts to slowly give more and more air, by which I mean more PoV, to Sam; as he's the only companion to Frodo, this is almost natural and needed, but also builds his presence as more than a simple support character. Out of loyalty, Sam goes as far as constantly questioning Frodo, but Frodo also has some things to do with Authority, as he is the master. The masteservant dynamic feels at times like a mentopupil dynamic. Sam slowly gains terrain, and by the last chapters of the book, Frodo is talking to him like a friend more than a master.
Ithilien, as a section, marks a shift: it is here that Faramir is presented, an obstacle that becomes a friend, not a mentor figure but a parallel to Frodo as Gandalf's pupil. But it is also here where Frodo will make his last meaningful choice, to save Gollum from Faramir and his Men, and trust him once again to lead him into Mordor, even after betraying the creature's confidence. Faramir has a choice of disobedience very similar to Éomer's in Book III. And from now on, Sam and Frodo start to become more friendly, more intimate, less of a masteservant pairing.
Sam spoils Gollum's repentance on the Stair of Cirith Ungol, which sets the creature's fate, and the Hobbits own; as only now Gollum finally decides to betray Frodo, and Shelob comes into the picture. Note that through Shelob's Lair, Frodo is still the one being courageous and determined, who faces the spider-demon, and lends the Phial to Sam so that he can light the webs while Frodo cuts them. Again, Frodo somewhat mentoring Sam; and once Frodo is biten and Sam realizes his folly (to pursue Gollum to punish him, instead of staying with and protecting Frodo), he has now to make the toughest of choices: whether to remain loyal to Frodo and stand by his corpse's side, condemning the entire Quest; or to take the Ring, and see the Quest through.
Sam is all about Hope Unquenchable, but at this point we see him hopeless, at his own Belly of the Beast moment. Beautiful monologue, heart-breaking, I cry and all that. He takes Frodo's blessings: Sting and the Phial, for he 'will forever walk in the dark now' (I bawl); without any hope is that he decides to go on.
Book IV has started renewing Frodo's place as the leading hero, but throughout the book, Sam is subtly placed in the place of "pupil" to Frodo's mentoring, and at the end, as Sam fails his own objective/quest (to protect Frodo), he needs to step up and fully take the mantle of the hero. I spoke about choices at the beginning of the post, and this chapter is literally named The Choices of Master Samwise. He is in charge now, and Frodo lives! Hope is rekindled.
BOOK VI
Sam continues his heroic stage as he struggles to rescue Frodo; the scene where he improvises a full, beautiful poem, is a sign of growth from seed planted in Book I; Sam has been trying, with shame and failure, to prove himself a poet, from the Shire to Lothlórien. Now he's grown in stature and spirit to be a natural one; and he is able to somewhat "use" the Ring to instill fear in his enemies. I wonder if, somehow, the Ring made him "better at poetry", as it enhanced his strengths.
Sam and Frodo have a small debate over the Ring, and while it is clear that Frodo will remaing the Ring-bearer, the narrative still holds on to Sam, and he is still leading the way. Both characters are put at their worst moment, as Frodo struggles to crawl towards Mount Doom, and Sam has to suffer through watching his beloved master-become-friend in this state.
Sam can't carry the Ring, but he can carry Frodo; Gollum strikes back; Frodo proves that even at this point, he's got some things to him, as "he uses" (debatable, I guess) the Ring one last time to spell Gollum's doom; his growth was not yet ended! Also Sam has what I think is his most important development, his own character climax: when he's actually given the chance to kill Gollum, he finally understand's Frodo's pity, because he now knows the power of the Ring; he has effectively learned his mentor's lesson, and elevates himself, becoming like him. Sam has completed his journey as "the pupil of the pupil". And that is why I think that Sam retains the status of "the hero", even more than Frodo, at this point; he's still goings through conflict and choice, whereas Frodo is struggling with the Ring, but not having a conflict around it, as he consistently had with Gollum in Book IV.
For the reminder of Book VI, we have mostly goodbyes, and character conclusions: Aragorn shows his growth by making peace with other rulers, renewing some Oaths, granting territories to the beings of the Ancient World (the Ents and the Drúedain). The narrator remains omniscient for the most of this last section, but Frodo still has a fair amount of particular scenes, not interacting with the myriad of characters around, but with the Wise, and almost always concerning his wounds; he and Aragorn (with Gandalf in Mindolluin) get introspective moments after their quests are over. I'd like to note that Merry gets a closure with his friends in Rohan way stronger than any sort of closure Pippin had in Gondor, if any. Point for Merry.
The Hobbits go back to the Shire and deal with Saruman. As the other three Hobbits are the ones to raise the Shire in arms, rally its inhabitants, and free it from Saruman's boot, Frodo is once again the one to lead the confrontation with the Wizard, in a manner very similar to Gandalf's own back in The Voice of Saruman. He deals with the ultimate and last Villain Figure (and imo the best villain figure in LotR, as far as development goes). Sam, Merry, and Pippin all showcased their blessings, virtues, tools and capacities during the fight; but the last choice, the moral-natured one, is again given to Frodo; even Saruman notes that he's grown.
Book VI begins with Sam as the main hero, has him complete his journey, and then is mostly dominated by an 'omniscient narrator' or a passive Frodo as the lots and lots of characters, plots, and loose threads are wrapped up. In the Scouring, we see clearer than ever just how much these four heroes have grown, and this is a very important element of why Merry and Pippin remain, to me, indisputable, formal, literary heroes, even if "minor" compared with Frodo and Sam. But the most significant moment once again relies on Frodo. After the Grey Havens, Frodo is given Grace, Merry and Pippin are pretty much handwaved, and Sam is the one to be finally back home, and wrap up the tale.
CONCLUSION:
Frodo is the most prominent hero figure in the tale; the book begins with him being a leader, and ends with him being relegated, but still central, fundamental to the story. He grows at the beginning, and then diminishes through the second half
Sam, on his part, slowly grows during The Two Towers to formalize at its very end, and remain the heroic figure until the Quest is done. He is Frodo's counterpart, they only work in tandem with the other, but for me he reads as a secondary character for most of the books, a foil to Frodo as the leading protagonist; and still, his few actions are as crucial to the Quest as all of Frodo's previous actions were, and he's got better monologues.
Merry and Pippin are also main heroes; they grow into the position later than Aragorn, but have been in the story since the beginning, and they have the "privilege" of actually coming "back home", which is a staple instance in the heroic journey. Again, the bridge between Frodo and Aragorn.
Aragorn grows into the position, and then "distances" himself from the reader, while still retaining importance and protagonism, as well as he keeps interacting with his conflict. He also leaves the tale earlier. He has gotten as much development as any of he Hobbits (and more than some of them), but he was not one of the four innocent Small Folk walking into the wild, unkown outter world; and he's far from Hobbitry as a concept, which then is central for Tolkien's heroism in the Third Age (LotR and The Hobbit).
I only now notice that I've not talked about Arwen nor Rosie, but honestly, there's not much to unpack there I think; Sam and Aragorn are the only ones to even care about the romantic aspect of the "epic romance" (author's words, already hinting at different genres merging, and thus different heroes and "types of journey", if you will).
I just wanted to share my own long-studied interpretation of how precisely does the position of "main hero" shift throughout The Lord of the Rings, self-contained. Tolkien's devices at this are masterful: he is able to pull the most epic part of a hero's journey through the eyes and tales of his allies. He is able to grow a pupil to hero, and then to mentor, and still have him recieve counsel in the most natural way. He slowly tends and cares for side characters, makes them subtly grow until they become enough to step-up as fully-fledged heroes. Their contrasts are brilliant.
If you made it this far, I'd just say that you're probably crazy. It's not even that good or in-depth, it's just a long ramble. Nay, thank you for your time! Hope you've enjoyed the post. As a reward, some bonus tracks!
Aragorn keeps getting more interesting each time I go back to his chapters.
In the end, Merry got a kickass and actually legendary Horn of the Mark, whereas Pippin only got a reminder that his soul now belonged to Aragorn, so I'm not sure on who got the short end of the stick anymore.
Gimli is way better than Legolas and you can't change my mind.
I know that I've said that Saruman is the "best villain figure" because of being the most explored, but the Witch-king is honestly way more badass and scary.
The whole post is a lie, Ghân-buri-Ghân is the true hero of The Lord of the Rings.
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