Physics and RoTK??!

[alatar]

Originally Posted by Roa_Aoife

You know, I pointed this out when I was watching the movie for the first time. (At the premier.) My friends almost strangled me.

You have a Balrog, undead creatures, a civilization of supermodels, magic, etc, and you're concerned about a little heat?

I found myself justified when we went to the Episode III premier and watched as Anakin burst into flames. I had to fight the urge to turn around and say, "See? That close to lava and you catch fire!"

Note the lava river and road that runs from Mount Doom to Barad Dur. And doesn't the same lava ring the Fortress? Exactly how does the tower stand?

[Roa_Aoife]

Note the lava river and road that runs from Mount Doom to Barad Dur. And doesn't the same lava ring the Fortress? Exactly how does the tower stand?

Maybe the tower is made from the same minerals which make up the Earth's crust, or other such rock which doesn't melt upon contact with lava.

[alatar]

Originally Posted by Roa_Aoife

Maybe the tower is made from the same minerals which make up the Earth's crust, or other such rock which doesn't melt upon contact with lava.

Okay; surely there's precedent. But just how far up the tower does that heat radiate? And what does it do to any local water supplies (i.e. groundwater), or do orcs drink poison?

[Elmo]

I suppose supplying the tower with water would be more drudgery for the snaga, carrying water by hand

[Roa_Aoife]

I don't have my books with me (they're all packed up) but I do recall that the water in Mordor was scarce, and what was there was less than drinkable. I doubt Sauron needed any. Though I do wonder about the orcs... Is there any written instance of them ever drinking water? They complained about not having any meat, but I don't think they complained about the water supply.

[Elmo]

Don't Sam and Frodo find Orcish water bottles in Mordor. They're living beings they have to have sustenance

[alatar]

Originally Posted by Roa_Aoife

I don't have my books with me (they're all packed up) but I do recall that the water in Mordor was scarce, and what was there was less than drinkable. I doubt Sauron needed any. Though I do wonder about the orcs... Is there any written instance of them ever drinking water? They complained about not having any meat, but I don't think they complained about the water supply.

Sorry. Sam/Frodo actually make the point that even orcs need water. And note that the water in Mordor was terrible, unless one was very thirsty, then it was like elven wine.