[Gordis]

Originally Posted by Morthoron

It is not an underemphasis of Sauron's ability, it is rather accepting that often a great lie and much effort is totally unnecessary (Ockham's Razor used in a practical sense), particularly in rough, unschooled barbarian warriors and rulers in the Dark Ages (because, for all intents and purposes, that is what we are dealing with).

But "three were great lords of Númenórean race"- Akallabeth, not some barbarians. In the same text the Numenoreans are described:

They grew wise and glorious, and in all things more like to the Firstborn than any other of the kindreds of Men; and they were tall, taller than the tallest of the sons of Middle-earth; and the light of their eyes was like the bright stars.

Sauron had to use some vile tricks to ensnare such Men.

Originally Posted by Morthoron

Yes, in theory you are perhaps correct, but in fact there is no evidence that that was the case (what we have is Gandalf offering conjecture on what might happen or could have happened -- there is nothing concrete). I realize this is an exercise in conjecture, but of those Nazgul who are idenitfied by region (the three Numenoreans and one Easterling), it is evident that, particularly with the Numenoreans, they were already Sauronian before accepting the Rings ('wicked Kings' and 'sorcerors' as Tolkien refers to them).

I have already addressed it in my previous post and found another quote supporting Gandalf's words:

And one by one, sooner or later, according to their native strength and to the good or evil of their wills in the beginning, they fell under the thraldom of the ring- Of the Rings of Power

Originally Posted by Morthoron

The Nazgul's primary weapon is fear. When confronted by someone who is fearless, like Maggot (and the altercation occurred during the day, when the Nazgul are at their weakest), they don't appear to be much good at fighting. How else would one explain Aragorn driving off several at once on Weathertop when the Ring was in their grasp (and in the dead of night)? There is also the consideration that a murder in the Shire would raise the local folk in anger (there were several Hobbit farmhands in Maggot's household), which would be counterproductive in the Nazgul's search.

It is not that Maggot was particularly fearless. Obviously the nazgul could tone down their fear to some extent, when dealing with the living: seeking for information, delivering messages, giving orders. It won't do it a Southron general receiving orders from the Morgul Lord on a battlefield would faint from fright or run away headlong, would it? The messenger to Erebor didn't send the Dwarves flying, the Gaffer spoke with the nazgul feeling no worse than nervous, as did Butterbeer, as did Maggot.
When he wished so, the Morgul Lord could send a whole army flying in terror, and the other nazgul could unman Gondorians just by shrieking overhead.

And don't try to persuade me that Khamul didn't have enough fighting skills to kill an anarmed hobbit farmer. He simply chose not to (for the reasons you stated), which proves he could control his temper.

The guard of Rangers at the Sarn Ford had been exterminated by the nazgul.
As for Aragorn at Weathertop, he was most surprised himself when the nazgul withdrew: " I cannot think why they have gone and do not attack again," he said. He didn't know that Frodo happened to have the only type of blade perilous for the Witch-King and nearly killed him. (RC, the Hunt for the Ring).

Originally Posted by Morthoron

And Gordis, the words 'sorceror' and 'sorcery' are always used by Tolkien in a negative sense, meaning 'black arts' and most often 'necromancy'. I have not seen one instance in Tolkien's writing where 'sorceror' has a positive meaning.

Right. It is like THE ENEMY always has "spies" while OUR country has "intelligence officers"