The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Potential Use of the Dead Men of Dunharrow.

Inziladun · 06-23-2009, 01:45 PM

I don't think the Nazgûl could have had any effect on the actions of the Dead, nor controlled them in any way, and I do have to wonder how effective the fear of the Dead would have been against Sauron's troops who had the Black Captain and other Nazgûl to worry about. The armies of Sauron only fled when bereft of his will, and I don't see them breaking as the Corsairs did, ghosts of Men or no.
Even if the Dead could have been effective at the Pelannor or other fields of battle, I don't think that would have been a 'lawful' use of them by Aragorn, even though they'd originally sworn to fight Sauron to the death.
A token act of loyalty was, I think, all that was legally required of them, and Aragron rightfully released them once they'd made a move to atone.

06-23-2009, 01:45 PM	#2
Inziladun Gruesome Spectre Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Heaven's doorstep Posts: 8,039	I don't think the Nazgûl could have had any effect on the actions of the Dead, nor controlled them in any way, and I do have to wonder how effective the fear of the Dead would have been against Sauron's troops who had the Black Captain and other Nazgûl to worry about. The armies of Sauron only fled when bereft of his will, and I don't see them breaking as the Corsairs did, ghosts of Men or no. Even if the Dead could have been effective at the Pelannor or other fields of battle, I don't think that would have been a 'lawful' use of them by Aragorn, even though they'd originally sworn to fight Sauron to the death. A token act of loyalty was, I think, all that was legally required of them, and Aragron rightfully released them once they'd made a move to atone. __________________ Music alone proves the existence of God.