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magic

  1. The Nature of Beorn's Magic

    I'm re-reading The Hobbit. I hope to make 2026 a year to re-read The Hobbit, LOTR, The Silmarillion, and Unfinished Tales. After too many years away, in some cases. Just finished the chapter on Beorn - "Queer Lodgings" - and it has me thinking about the magic of Beorn, and of the animals he...
  2. K

    Power definition/level in Tolkien's universe

    Greetings, apologies in advance if I ramble, too many thoughts at once, and I'm not the best at explaining them, and thank you for any replies and help in this :) As the title suggests, I'm interested in what Tolkien considers power or magic in this universe, particularly in regard to the...
  3. 🧙Gandalf not using magic in battles

    Just watched the lotr for the umpteenth time. Extended versions of course. I have the books on order. I'm an avid reader so don't know myself why I have yet to read them. Anyway, just wondered what peoples thoughts were on Gandalf, being as powerful as he is.....why does he not use magic in the...
  4. On the Foundations of Barad-Dûr and Ainur Magic

    I was reading an interesting post by @BalrogRingDestroyer about why Sauron wasn’t denied a return to Barad-dûr after his first defeat. Especially his remark about the connection between the Ring(s power) and the foundations of Barad-dûr prompted me to do some pondering. To understand why the...
  5. What did the 🧝Elven rings do?

    We know all about the One Ring, and the 9 rings for mortal men, the dwarvish ones breed gold. But what do the elvish rings actually do?
  6. Elves, magic, and "powers"

    I always try to search for existing topics before starting a new one (hopefully I'm searching correctly), but on the subject of "Elves, magic, and powers", I could only find a rather angry rant about how we should not "overcomplicate" magic in Middle-earth. At the risk of reigniting ire, I will...
  7. Why do some fans complicate the magic system in Middle Earth?

    My understanding of how magic works in Middle Earth is that it is simply a degree of "allowance" given to certain characters by Iluvatar (or Sauron in the case of human "sorcerers") based on a number of factors (race, deeds, destiny etc). In my mind, it's a very simple magic system when you...
  8. Board/Tabletop Game Magic and/or Miku Fan?

    They're together, for the release of the new set! https://www.google.com/amp/s/comicbook.com/gaming/amp/news/magic-the-gathering-hatsune-miku-kamigawa-neon-dynasty/ Here's the video (captions available):
  9. Tolkien didn't go in for optimism bias

    Do you not see now wherefore your coming is to us as the footstep of Doom? For if you fail, then we are laid bare to the Enemy. Yet if you succeed, then our power is diminished, and Lothlórien will fade, and the tides of Time will sweep it away Galadriel to Frodo in The Fellowship of the Ring...
  10. Magic; The Gathering -- Middle-earth Edition

    Though you'll have to wait a couple of years: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.destructoid.com/lord-of-the-rings-is-coming-to-magic-in-2023-heres-a-gandalf-tease/amp/
  11. K

    What would you name your special magic sword in Middle Earth?

    If you were in possession of your own special magic sword in the Middle Earth universe, what creatively witty, cool (serious or humorous) name/s would you give it, if you had to ? It can't be Excalibur, or any names already in use in The Hobbit and LOTR trilogy books, but it's fine if...
  12. 🧝Legolas Magic Quiver?

    You know Legolas loves to shoot arrows, but the gift of Lorien Bow and arrows and quiver from Galadriel kinda confuse me a little bit. That quiver can only hold 2 dozen arrows (24 arrows) and in the on-coming battles for him esp. in Helms Deep he trully needs more. What do you think happen, is...
  13. Magic in Middle Earth

    I was just thinking about magic in Middle Earth, isn't it clear that some also possessed some form of power - although it's seldom mentioned - the Dwarves had magic to enchant weapons, the elves also to enchant items and to control nature, some had natural ability such as the ents. That being...
  14. S

    Treebeard's Magic?

    "Treebeard lifted two great vessels and stood them on the table. They seemed to be filled with water; but he held his hands over them, and immediately they began to glow, one with a golden and the other with a rich green light..." And later when he got upset talking about Saruman: "Treebeard...
  15. ⛏️Dwarves and magic

    Do dwarves have magic abilities or not? What evidences are there? From the Hobbit: LotR
  16. Magic in LOTR

    In your opinion, is there magic in LOTR, or in fact ME? In my opinion, there are only powers, which those such as the Valar possess, and have passed onto The Istari, and Melkor, Sauron etc. There is no actual magic. This is open to debate, and could make a good poll, but as yet I am undecided...
  17. A

    Magic in Middle-Earth

    What is this that Men in Middle-Earth tend to call 'magic'? Personally I think it is correct to interpret 'magic' as an inherent, natural ability of one race, that is not easily comprehended by other races and therefore may appear as magic to them. The Elves have many skills which are regarded...
  18. G

    Magic Moments

    Here is a list of all the spells used in the whole trilogy: - Gandalf staff-fighting Saruman in Orthanc - Nazgul's Terror - Arwen at the Ford - Saruman summoning storms - Gandalf at the west gate of Moria - The spell Gandalf used on the bridge of Khazad Dum - Fighting the...
  19. B

    The Magic Quiver

    For three movies, Legolas has shot arrow after arrow after arrow. Yet, his quiver is always full. At the speed he shoots, Legolas shoul've been out of arrows in Moria.... But, there seems to be an endless supply of arrows in his magic quiver. How can this be?
  20. K

    Who's got the magic stick?

    Who wanted to see more spell casting action by Gandalf in ROTK? Besides the blinding lights and the calling of the eagles, I didn't notice much more. The scene with G. and Saruman in FOTR was awesome and I was hoping to see more in ROTK. Old men shouln't need to carry a heavy sword.
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