Earlier today, two people came in, asking what appeared to be a simple question:

I now know he wasn't, he was brown haired. Thank you Arvana for looking this up.

It set me pondering. How about a database of character appearance and short histories or biographies. That way questions like that will be easily answered.

The way I envision this, a simple mysql database, into which subscribed members can add entries, and the council members can moderate. Each entry would take the following format:

Name
Place of Origin
Physical description
Age
Brief biography
Book first seen in

The database could then be used to answer questions like the one asked today, or even just compare your own mental image with the one Tolkien obviously had of them.

A lot of work though... do you envisage it as work-in-progress for a while? Additional resources are always good.

The Guide Project does this and already includes a vast number of the characters and locations written, I just need to port it over from the old PT engine to the current. I will try and get around to doing that this week.

Vee Wormtongue?? Hmmmmmm....

I've heard less positive things about English cooking. After living there for a month, I discarded it as empty rumors. But if I had been served worms I would most likely have thought differently!

Let me guess: Taste like chicken, right?

I will be more than glad if I can help with any of this, about time I did something useful around here.

It sounds like a great idea to me, and much less work than the guide entries. Less to read, and everything you basically need to know is there. Sounds great. I will be back somewhere in the beginning of August (probably ) and in the meantime you can reach me through email, I suppose some of you have my address, right?