from HoMe X,
Morgoth's Ring, Myths Transformed[/i]
...In any case is it likely or possible that even the least of the
Maiar would become
Orcs? Yes: both outside
Arda and in it, before the fall of
Utumno.
Melkor had corrupted many
spirits -- some great, as
Sauron, or less so, as
Balrogs. The least could have been primitive (and much more powerful and perilous) Orcs; but by practising when embodied procreation they would (cf. Melian)[become] more and more earthbound, unable to return to the spirit-state (even demon-form), until released by death (killing), and they would dwindle in force. When released they would, of course, like Sauron, be 'damned': i.e. reduced to impotence, infinitely recessive: still hating but unable more and more to make it effective physically (or wound not a very dwindled dead Orc-state be a poltergeist?)