Weapons of Darkness

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Selmo

The balrogs' greatest weapon was said to be the aura of fear and dispair that they projected.

The Nazgul had a similar weapon, sometimes called "the black breath". I'm sure that was a psychological or spiritual thing, nothing to do with helitosis
.

Just like Dementors, and Spectres. I wonder how many other authors have created foes in that vein?

I always think that the greatest weapons of the 'enemy' are similar to those possessed by terrorists today, namely fear and mistrust. They might not have mighty swords and great and terrifying weapons of war, merely the idea of what they could do is enough. I always wonder if the Witch-King really was all that invincible or if he managed to get away with it for years just because everyone thought he was.