Orcs, the unwanted people.... - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Nar · 09-04-2002, 06:50 PM

Very interesting question, Manwe Sulimo.

I agree with Eol's point that Sauron already had control of the orcs and wanted to ensnare leaders from the other races.

Sauron seems to have viewed the orcs as cannon-fodder, really. He certainly didn't provide vicious winged steeds for orc-captains like Shagrat or spies like Grishnakh-- Grishnakh could have really used one of those leathery birds. He'd have been so proud, flying his hairy self all over middle earth on his gruesome steed.

Then again, orcs never seem to have taken to riding anything, I wonder why? I get the impression orcs are eternally hungry and perennially short of food, short of everything: victims stupid enough to wander alone were few and far between, orcs had no knack for farming/herding and there was not much love or care forthcoming from their master. So perhaps orcs would just eat anything they were issued to ride on.

I think that Sauron viewed men as both cleverer and more controllable when corrupted. Orcs were generally cowardly and bad at staying on message or on mission, with a few exceptions like Ugluk or Shagrat; they tended to shirk duty, squabble, loot and sneak off when not under strict control-- and who can blame them? What a lousy job, being one of Mordor's orcs. [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]

09-04-2002, 06:50 PM	#5
Nar Wight Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 228	Very interesting question, Manwe Sulimo. I agree with Eol's point that Sauron already had control of the orcs and wanted to ensnare leaders from the other races. Sauron seems to have viewed the orcs as cannon-fodder, really. He certainly didn't provide vicious winged steeds for orc-captains like Shagrat or spies like Grishnakh-- Grishnakh could have really used one of those leathery birds. He'd have been so proud, flying his hairy self all over middle earth on his gruesome steed. Then again, orcs never seem to have taken to riding anything, I wonder why? I get the impression orcs are eternally hungry and perennially short of food, short of everything: victims stupid enough to wander alone were few and far between, orcs had no knack for farming/herding and there was not much love or care forthcoming from their master. So perhaps orcs would just eat anything they were issued to ride on. I think that Sauron viewed men as both cleverer and more controllable when corrupted. Orcs were generally cowardly and bad at staying on message or on mission, with a few exceptions like Ugluk or Shagrat; they tended to shirk duty, squabble, loot and sneak off when not under strict control-- and who can blame them? What a lousy job, being one of Mordor's orcs. [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]