Magic vs. Power

[The Saucepan Man]

You make a specific point, Saucepan, in saying that one or more of the Nine became sorcerers after recieving their rings. Does this not further prove my point: that mortals could not gain any considerable amount of power without a boost (aka a ring), and that sorcery by a mortal would be impossible if the mortal acted on his/her own.

Well, I see it like this. The Rings of Power gave the Nine the opportunity to become sorcerors, but they did not make them sorcerors. Possessing the Rings of Power no doubt allowed them to acquire great wealth and status. And this allowed them to come by the means to become sorcerors. Yearning for further power, they would no doubt have been attracted by the idea of being able to use magic. And, having become great rulers, they would have had the wherewithal to seek out those who were able to teach them magic.

Of course, this is only my interpretation, but it is one that I feel happy to stick with in the absence of evidence to the contrary.