Why did you join?

[Cailín]

I think most Downers are well aware of the reason why I joined the Downs

Anyway, I stumbled on this site about six months ago, when I was googling for information for my Beowulf-paper (yes, truly, this site is most academic). I had never actually read the Lord of the Rings trilogy before, but was of course well acquainted with the movies and the story in general. I continued visiting the site every once in a while, just to laugh privately at all the Tolkien freaks and to read the Crazy Captions thread. Then, one good day, I discovered the werewolf games and after reading one, I was immediately addicted. I didn't even stop to consider and instantly joined the Barrow Downs, my nickname being the first word that came to mind, and signed up for WWIX. And that is how it began. After a few weeks of quality Downs time, I was so completely in love with all of you I never wanted to leave again. I guess I am one of the few members who became a Tolkien fan because of the Downs, and not the other way around.

I must say I am quite grateful for not knowing much about Tolkien before joining this forum, mostly because there are many intelligent people out here who can be really intimidating, I think, to outsiders. I would probably have been so pre-occupied trying to impress everyone, I would never have enjoyed it so much. Though basically all members are very warm and friendly towards newcomers, the Barrow Downs know a whole range of unwritten rules that probably scare many a newbie off. It is almost strange how online fora can seem like complete, individual subcultures.

Because I had nothing better to do.

Yeah, this post is really an extended version of the same reason.

[Thinlómien]

I loved the books and I wanted more information about them and Arda itself. I also thought that discussing things and sharing my knowlegde with people would be really fun. And it really has been.

[Formendacil]

Word of mouth.

Literally, I heard about it from a flesh-and-blood human being- in person.

I've been a Tolkien fan for years- to the despair of most of my friends. Last year I had the fortune to acquire a new friend who didn't find me QUITE so nuts as the rest of them...

She was one of those movie-fans who were drawn in by family at the time of the movies. Being a more involved net-browser than I, she was one of the many fans who had discovered the 'Downs as one of the foremost online sources of Tolkien information and community.

We got to talking one night about Tolkien, the 'Downs came up, and in a fit of consummate boredom on January day, I took the plunge and arrived in this intriguing land of black, green, yellow, and Werewolves.

[Lhunardawen]

Bacause I was desperate. If I didn't get to talk ask anybody how Faramir knew that Aragorn is the king, I feared I would explode.

[Kath]

Can I even remember! I think I just found it on Google one day in a lesson after becoming too bored with whatever I was doing to concentrate on work. I've been a fan of the books for years and after starting school and becoming acquainted with an internet that isn't removed from you after 3 minutes I started looking for LotR websites. I remember that I had no idea there was a forum for months! I just hung around on the main page. Having finally found my way inside I was then very quiet for close on a year, just reading and getting used to the way things worked. One day I decided to start joining in and I haven't stopped since!

[Laitoste]

Because I had nothing better to do THEN, but now that I do, I can't tear myself away!

Actually, I started coming here because of the fanfiction...didn't have the restrictions on it that it does now, and I read some really weird stories. I started haunting the forums, then finally joined. The quality here has spoiled me, and I have a hard time visiting others with less intellect. Now, if only I would post more...

[Roa_Aoife]

I, too, was drawn in by the fanfiction. Curiosity drew me to the forum, and then I had to reply in the Books forum. That bled over into RPing. Then I had to leave for some time due to private matters.

Then, one magic day, I was on Google, and a friend suggested I google my screen name (I use this one alot) just to see what I could find. Lo and behold, I found some posts from the BD, and I knew I had to go back. So, I tentavely returned, at first only reading through some threads when I had time, catching up on where a few that I had been in had ended, etc. Then a certain someone just had to post the Eru vs God thread, and I couldn't resist replying. I got such a warm rewelcoming that I had to make time for it permanently. So, now I'm back!

[alatar]

I was a big fan for many a decade, and finding others of the same ilk was a bit of a challenge in the pre-Internet days (yes, at one time this did not exist!). So eventually I gave up and just held conversations/debates inside my head, as no one else really cared about Balrog wings and minutiae regarding the Istari. My wife, though feigning interest, only humored me.

Then fire was invented, then cities, then motion pictures, then I read somewhere that someone was going to make LotR into a movie. How exciting! as the previous attempt was somewhat lacking. And so I perused the Internet for any scrap of PJ's plans.

Then when the films arrived I was finally able to 'talk Tolkien' with other people...even some within my own family. I was asked many questions that PJ stirred up, and so all of that studying was paying off. Life was good.

Then it was on to RotK. The fun was ending, but at least I would have the extended edition DVDs to keep me warm. TTT was not my favorite, but surely PJ would really shine in the last set, RotK:EE. Little did I know.

I watched the Gandalf:Witch-King scene, and then it was all over. I didn't rewatch RotK for some time, as I was angered at PJ's portrayal of Gandalf. This was high blasphemy, even for PJ. But another voice mocked that maybe it was me. I had to know. Was I going mad (err...madder)?

I looked for other fans discussing this issue. A quick search lead me here. And I've felt at home ever since. And in Tolkien fashion, it's been a eucatastrophe.

Thanks PJ!