When does he start adventuring as Thorongil?

That's true of the book as well, though. The dwarves don't get fleshed out and are essentially interchangeable. The most interesting facts about most of them come from the Appendices to ROTK.

You're dead on with that observation - but it's still a bizarre decision. Having the Rangers show up with Arwen's standard (or even with Anduril given that altered story) would have been way less weird.

Agreed. That harpy needs to let the man drink in peace.

Indeed. In fact, the supernatural is painstakingly explained by Tolkien in the "begats" chapters early in the Silmarillion.

Meh, the beginning is important if (and only if) you're into Genesis-style creation myths. No shame in skipping right past that crap. Just go until you find elves and start reading from there.

"Sing, Godess, of the limp of Peleus' son…"

"Shadows of Dale"

It's a magic arrow, people. It has magical properties. Suspended disbelief for the giant flying fire-breathing reptile but not the magical armament passed down through the generations that felled him? Pshaw!

No good. From a Roman's perspective, the Cisalpine was closer to home and therefore better, you heteronormative monster!!!

Cis is one of those terms used by people trying to make a point that is way, way, way, out into the weeds for most people. 99 times out of 100 you can just keep using hetero the way you do. The other time, ask yourself if you really want to continue the conversation.

We're into tiny tiny percentages of the population here. Just as I don't feel compelled to use hyper-specific (self-given) labels for religious identities - Catholic and Protestant will do just fine, Mr. "Reformed 2nd Southwestern Anabaptist apostle of the second coming of Christ Scientist" or whatever - I don't feel…