One hand tied behind their backs - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

***Mithadan*** · 12-28-2000, 04:07 PM

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Shade of Carn Dûm
Posts: 409</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE>
Re: One hand tied behind their back

Sauron gave his power to the Ring, and probably lacked the native strength to tumble down a mountain (bad example, a degree of power available only to some of the Valar or maiar working in concert). The balrog was probably never that strong to begin with.

The precise nature of the restraints on the power of the Istari is not clear. I think that all would agree that Gandalf came back rather supercharged after Moria. Nonetheless, they were subject to constraints.

The evil ones were not. Whether the bodies they assumed necessarily constrained their abilities is unknown but likely. Whether they were strong enough to fly with their bodies to begin with is unknown. I would hazard a guess that the Valar could probably fly if they wanted to, assuming that flight is within the panoply of their skills. Morgoth probably couldn't because he had given too much of himself to the corruption of earth.

In my view, Sauron (during the Third Age, we know he could fly in the First Age) and the Balrog probably couldn't fly unassisted (Wings!), at least while residing in bodies.

Why inhabit bodies? The Sil. implies this was done so they could interact with elves, men and perhaps at a more basic level with the physical stuff from which Arda was made. Disembodied, the Nazgul had no ability to affect the physical world.

--Mithadan--
"The Silmarils with living light
were kindled clear, and waxing bright
shone like stars that in the North
above the reek of earth leap forth." </p>

12-28-2000, 04:07 PM	#5
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,396	<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Shade of Carn Dûm Posts: 409</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE> Re: One hand tied behind their back Sauron gave his power to the Ring, and probably lacked the native strength to tumble down a mountain (bad example, a degree of power available only to some of the Valar or maiar working in concert). The balrog was probably never that strong to begin with. The precise nature of the restraints on the power of the Istari is not clear. I think that all would agree that Gandalf came back rather supercharged after Moria. Nonetheless, they were subject to constraints. The evil ones were not. Whether the bodies they assumed necessarily constrained their abilities is unknown but likely. Whether they were strong enough to fly with their bodies to begin with is unknown. I would hazard a guess that the Valar could probably fly if they wanted to, assuming that flight is within the panoply of their skills. Morgoth probably couldn't because he had given too much of himself to the corruption of earth. In my view, Sauron (during the Third Age, we know he could fly in the First Age) and the Balrog probably couldn't fly unassisted (Wings!), at least while residing in bodies. Why inhabit bodies? The Sil. implies this was done so they could interact with elves, men and perhaps at a more basic level with the physical stuff from which Arda was made. Disembodied, the Nazgul had no ability to affect the physical world. --Mithadan-- "The Silmarils with living light were kindled clear, and waxing bright shone like stars that in the North above the reek of earth leap forth." </p> __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.