Of powers outside our realism?

[Nerwen]

Originally Posted by Azrakhor Akallabeth

Uhm, thanks for playing, but no thanks back, Skippy. Your mocking two cents displays the heights of your stupidity because you do not even comprehend the subject, so go be a smart *** somewhere else because stupid people bore me. I'm out of here. Bye bye.

Azrakhor– should you happen to change your mind about leaving, as I hope you will, please note the following: we do rather fancy ourselves as debaters here, and one of our principles is that people who make claims should be able to back them up. This you've refused to do, on the grounds that though the questions are "READILY answerable", explaining why would take "ANOTHER 60 books". As this is an obvious contradiction in terms, I really can't say I'm surprised you copped a bit of flak for it– not to mention for your demands for payment before you will condescend to explain your points.

Further, while no doubt Skip meant to poke fun at you, apart from the mocking "haha" and "god forbid" all he actually did in that post is paraphrase you. Read it again.

[Rumil]

Evening all,

Interesting thread, and Formy's posts are certainly as erudite as ever, no argument about that! Paradus is a new poster, so we ought to cut a little slack, welcome to the Downs!

Maybe the questions might have been better phrased as how might one represent Tolkien's works in a role-playing game? I'll have a quick and superficial go below, but don't forget that, as Formendacil noted, many aspects can never be satisfactorily codified into rule systems. Do a search on 'magic' in the Books forum if you don't believe me!

I've taken the liberty of copying Paradus' post and interleaving my answers-

What powers did the elves have over men (Besides superior senses)?

Has been covered above, in addition they were not susceptible to most diseases, the whole immortality thing, more graceful and fair. Perhaps one aspect might include the notion of practice. If a man were to practice archery for ten years he might become quite expert. An elf might choose to practice archery for three hundred years, and presumably become rather more expert. But that's not to say that human warriors were less effective than even those accounted mighty amongst the elves, think of Hurin, Turin, Aragorn and Tuor.

What is the so called inner power of the eldar races which is noted as "magic"?

Apart from Osanwe, this was never explained in detail to the Hobbits (representing us poor readers!), so we simply can't know. I suppose the only way to approach this is to consider Galadriel's rather cryptic comments and the incidents of 'magic' in the legendarium.

How strong physically were the eldar races compared to men? Were unnatural or supernatural feats common?

Elves were very strong in resistance to poor conditions, remember Fingolfin's folk and the crossing of the Helcaraxe, I think very few, if any, humans could survive a similar impromptu polar expedition. A key point here though is the 'Light of Aman' that seems to express mainly as spiritual strength, but perhaps some physical aspect too. As to physical strength per se, I think they are generally comparable, probably the mightiest of the elves exceeded human strength, iirc Celebrimbor was said to be particularly strong. But remember Legolas, Aragorn and Boromir on Caradhras, where the men to the heavy snow-ploughing while the elf does the running around on top of the snow, but JRRT did say that Legolas was indeed physically strong (you have to be to make a good longbowman).

What physical differences and abilities did the dwarves have from other races (besides body structure)?

They were long lived 2-300 years or thereabouts. Their womenfolk remain shrouded in mystery, but apparently were but a small proportion of the race, bearded or not! Gimli claimed that Dwarves excelled at feats of endurance, tiring less quickly than men, but how true this was I don't know. Though to be fair keeping up with Strider and Legolas half way across Rohan was no mean feat with little legs. They were used to being underground, great miners and craftsmen etc.

How do the abilities of unique individuals (Beornings-shapeshifting, Malbeth- foresight, Witchking- flaming sword etc) manifest?

I'm assuming you mean become clear and apparent for the first time, as shapeshifting at least should be pretty obvious after this! Again we don't really know, Beorn was said to be something of a sorceror, so maybe inherited, maybe 'magical'. No idea how Malbeth became a seer or how the Witchking's sword worked, or Anduril for that matter, see 'magic' above :-)

What of the glowing and superior power of elven blades?

'Magic' ;-) specifically from Gondolin for Sting at least.

How do the spirits of death manifest upon the physical plane (Barrow-wights, the fallen of dunharrow etc)?

The Barrow Wights were supposedly sent there by the Witch King no idea where he got them from, some have proposed that they are old victims of Morgul-blade stabbings. The Dead of Dunharrow were so powerfully cursed by Isildur for letting down the Last Alliance that they couldn't die properly until their duty was discharged. As to the exact mechanism by which these things are achieved, er unknown again!

How do the trees come to life (I.e old man willow for example)?

From nods and hints by Treebeard it appears that Old Man Willow might be a Huorn 'gone bad', alternatively he may be inhabited by some some malevolant spirit. Interestingly there is mention of the 'Black Alder' in the Withywindle Valley, another bad-Huorn? As Treebeard says the ents grow tree-ish and the sheep become more alike to the shepherds,

Does the power of Illuvatar have any limits?

Unknown, as discussed above.

What of the power of song and music?

The world was created by song and music so it can have real effect and influence in Middle Earth. Whatever magic is, it is often accompanied by song or music, for example Luthien's spell in Angband. Maybe even the other side used it- the drum roll before Grond strikes the gate of Minas Tirith??

Finally what powers did the great Morgoth have at his disposal?

As explained above, it depends when. Morgoth in the First Age of the Sun was far less powerful than Melkor the rebellious Valar, who was said to be mightiest of the Valar at that time. Again we can't know the full extent of his powers, but pretty damn devastating I should think.

[blantyr]

If words in the form of prophecy can shape events, can not also oaths? These two forms might be similar, a proclamation that such a thing shall be so?

I'll mention one. The people dwelling about what came to be called the Paths of the Dead swore allegiance to Isildur to fight Sauron. The oath was broken, with major resulting magical effects.

Now, oaths wouldn't be a form of magic wielded by an individual. They aren't learned through training, or gifted through the blood of this race or that. Oaths would seem to be a part of how Middle Earth works. If the words are spoken, it shall be so or dire consequences follow. I can't think of enough other examples of oaths made or broken to judge their power or how easily the power is invoked.

The oath of Fëanor and sons would be another major example, though it was not broken. It was no less damaging for not being broken. It seems to me that the forces to whom he swore thought binding the oath makers to follow their oath was proper punishment for daring to swear it.

I'm not sure how one might write rules covering oaths in a Middle Earth role playing game. As a player, I'd be very careful about making a formal oath. As a game master, if a player makes a big deal of swearing an oath, it might become a potential major plot arc.

In the stories, there is not a lot to be said.