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***Mithadan*** · 06-25-2001, 01:19 PM

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Spirit of Mist
Posts: 906</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Re: One hand tied behind their back

OK. I'm in. Let's summarize. The Valar and Maiar have the apparent choice of either clothing themselves in a body or actually incarnating themselves. If they merely "clothe" themselves, they can take off or change their "clothes". Thus Yavanna can appear as a "woman" or as a tree. If the Valar/Maiar are unclothed, they can excercise greater power and can move about with little restriction. However, to better interact with the stuff of the earth or the Peoples of Arda, they must at least be clothed. If clothed or incarnated, they can exercise less power and must use their bodies to move about. With a body Gandalf needs an eagle or Shadowfax to move quickly and a Balrog needs wings to fly (if it can fly). Further complicating matters, the Istari are not permitted to match their evil brethren with equal power. Thus the Balrog can use its fires against Gandalf but Gandalf cannot use matching strength. Whether this limitation is actual or "self-imposed" is not clear. Thus the title of this thead, "One hand tied behind their backs."

--Mithadan--
"The Silmarils with living light
were kindled clear, and waxing bright
shone like stars that in the North
above the reek of earth leap forth." </p>

06-25-2001, 01:19 PM	#14
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,394	<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Spirit of Mist Posts: 906</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE> Re: One hand tied behind their back OK. I'm in. Let's summarize. The Valar and Maiar have the apparent choice of either clothing themselves in a body or actually incarnating themselves. If they merely "clothe" themselves, they can take off or change their "clothes". Thus Yavanna can appear as a "woman" or as a tree. If the Valar/Maiar are unclothed, they can excercise greater power and can move about with little restriction. However, to better interact with the stuff of the earth or the Peoples of Arda, they must at least be clothed. If clothed or incarnated, they can exercise less power and must use their bodies to move about. With a body Gandalf needs an eagle or Shadowfax to move quickly and a Balrog needs wings to fly (if it can fly). Further complicating matters, the Istari are not permitted to match their evil brethren with equal power. Thus the Balrog can use its fires against Gandalf but Gandalf cannot use matching strength. Whether this limitation is actual or "self-imposed" is not clear. Thus the title of this thead, "One hand tied behind their backs." --Mithadan-- "The Silmarils with living light were kindled clear, and waxing bright shone like stars that in the North above the reek of earth leap forth." </p> __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.