What would water and fire do to the Nazgul? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Birdland · 03-17-2002, 06:50 PM

As I understood it, the "attack" of the waters of Bruinen did nothing to the Nazgul. It just killed their horses and destroyed the cloaks that gave "shape to their shapelessness". (I think that is the quote.) Which left them to walk back to Mordor? Or maybe thumb a ride?

I've never been real clear on just what are the powers and limitations of the Ring Wraiths. They don't behave like the "normal" ghosts and evil spirits we've all grown up with. No traveling with the speed of thought. No walking through walls. No possessions of corporeal beings. Sometimes it seems that their powers changed at the whims of their creator. (Tolkien, that is, not Sauron. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] )

And come to think of it why did Frodo's barrow-blade NOT kill a Nazgul, but Merry's blade did? They were both stabbed in the foot, weren't they? (The only place a Hobbit can usually stab you.) I'm I forgetting something obvious?

03-17-2002, 06:50 PM	#4
Birdland Ghastly Neekerbreeker Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the banks of the mighty Scioto Posts: 1,751	As I understood it, the "attack" of the waters of Bruinen did nothing to the Nazgul. It just killed their horses and destroyed the cloaks that gave "shape to their shapelessness". (I think that is the quote.) Which left them to walk back to Mordor? Or maybe thumb a ride? I've never been real clear on just what are the powers and limitations of the Ring Wraiths. They don't behave like the "normal" ghosts and evil spirits we've all grown up with. No traveling with the speed of thought. No walking through walls. No possessions of corporeal beings. Sometimes it seems that their powers changed at the whims of their creator. (Tolkien, that is, not Sauron. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] ) And come to think of it why did Frodo's barrow-blade NOT kill a Nazgul, but Merry's blade did? They were both stabbed in the foot, weren't they? (The only place a Hobbit can usually stab you.) I'm I forgetting something obvious?