Join in on the celebration and win prices!
The Flamies is a yearly occurrence at The Flame of Udûn message boards. It's the time to celebrate ourselves, vote and win awards and prizes. Who do think is the funniest forum member? What was the best collectible Weta released last year? This and more is what you can vote for in The Flamies. And by voting you can also enter a raffle for a chance to win some really cool prizes. Weta is sponsoring the event with a Merry and Pippin Mini Epics, the Christmas version of 35 Bagshot Row and the Grond environment statue, the last one which has been sold out for quite a while. Get your votes in before it is too late. You can read more about the how and the what regarding voting in out "nomination thread". Everyone is welcome to vote, although some categories may be hard to find a nominee for if you haven't been online much the last year.

The deadline is set to February 6th 23:59 Central European Time.
The Flamies Awards starts February 7th and runs through the weekend.

Unsure of what kind of event The Flamies is? Have a look at earlier award ceremonies:
The Flamies Award Ceremony 2018
The Flamies Award Ceremony 2017
The Flamies Award Ceremony 2016
The Flamies Award Ceremony 2015



I like the way you look!
Over the last couple of weeks, most of the members of the Flame of Udün forum have gotten a facelift. Partly because 2020 is our 5 year anniversary and partly because vBulletin (our software) refuse to support anything but square avatars. For most users, we have changed your old avatar to a new and square version with the same motif. For some, we weren't able to find the same or something similar which were close enough to what you had. These avatars are left as they were and will look stretched when you see them in threads, etc.

But with the new avatar dimensions we also have a new avatar gallery. Right now the gallery does only have avatars from The Lord of the Rings, but other categories will be added in the coming weeks. Still, there are more than 600 to choose from. All avatars have be made new manually - there is no easy conversion method for getting them to be the new size. New avatars will come in a slow and steady pace.

If you don't have an avatar or still have a stretched, rectangular one, visit our Avatar Gallery. We recommend all members to have an avatar as we identify you just as much, if not more, with the little square picture as the nickname. The Avatar Gallery is always accessible through the top menu on the forum.


The lost medallions, remade!
In these award times it's very fitting to bring up the medallions forum member Kyle is making. They are not of the kind you hang around your neck, but rather on your wall or to be put on a stand. Back in 2001, in the early Sideshow/Weta days, a medallion program was started. From January 2002 the plan was to steadily release 24 medallion, each depicting a scene or characters from the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The medallions had a diameter of 15cm/6" and would be limited to "no more than 10.000". The plan was to release a final, larger medallion after the inital 24 medallions.. But sadly the medallions weren't as big a hit as Sideshow/Weta had hoped. After the 8 Fellowship of the Ring medallions had been released, the edition size for The Two Towers medallions were reduced from 10.000 to 1000. But sales weren't getting better and the last 8 and the final larger medallion were cancelled.

But now, almost two decades after Sideshow/Weta cancelled the program, sculptor, designer and forum member Kyle decided to do the missing medallions as a fan project. All he had was the list of names for the remaining medallions which Sideshow/Weta announced back in the day. Take a look at Kyle's project in the art section of the forum.
(You need to be logged in to see the art section)


A hole in the ground

More than two years ago forum member Valar started the big undertaking of making a hobbit hole in his back yard. A lot of man hours and detailing later, the backyard is now , with lanterns and all. Soon after Valar posted his finished pictures, another forum member, Raymond has posted the start of a big project himself: A life size Bag End. Right now he has only posted the finished door knob, but it will be interesting to see the continuation of the build. Check out the art section for both projects.

(You need to be logged in to see the art section)


Skeksi or urRu?

The collectibles Weta made for the Netflix animated series "The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance" have been doing well, with only the Brea the Gelfling still up for pre-order from the selection of figures Weta has previewed. A new, large statue is on it's way and Weta asked their Twitter audience late January if the urRu Archer or the Skeksi Hunter should be go into production first. Who won the vote is not revealed yet, but past sales and the wording in Weta's posts are a good indication that both will be made. Follow Weta on Twitter and subscribe to their newsletter to stay updated. If you are Dark Crystal fan, please join in on the conversations on the forum too.



Are you ready for Valentines Day?

In about two weeks the day of Saint Valentine and love is upon us. Do you have a loved one you want to surprise with something beautiful and shiny? Or does your heart greatly desire a ring of power for yourself? Check out Weta's Valentine sale to get jewellery at reduced prices.