[drigel]

nice thoughts, obloquy!

If that's your theory, I'd like a little meatier an argument to support it.

well I did make a bacon reference didnt I? ok here goes:

I am taking a point of view of what was actually described from the works, not conjecture. The quote I referenced pertains to the three elvish ring's description, not the wielder's. Granted, there is not a lot of actual descriptive narration on the subject, other than air, fire and water, and the descriptions of what the by-product of what wielding them (results) was. Other than (a key factor IMO):

Galadriel to Frodo FotR:

Did not Gandalf tell you that the rings give power according to the measure of each possessor? Before you could use that power you would need to become far stronger, and to train your will to the domination of others.

It seems as if your supposition is that Galadriel and Elrond have some sort of native "force field" abilities, and the rings are only there to augment what they already can produce. I would generally disagree with that. I would like to see some meat from that argument, actually. I would submit that Galadriel probably had obtained some skill in that particular art from the tutelage of Melian, but I wouldnt go on and conclude that she could have produced any barrier protection super power herself. But with a ring of power - yes.

Back to the Galadriel quote. I now contemplate a Maia wielding an elvish ring of power. A ring that was constucted in part or mostly from the skills that same Maia taught to the ring maker. He never touched them, so there is a possibility that their powers could not be tapped into by him. But I lean heavily to the chance that they would.

and those things he created were already indestructible as long as the Ring existed, and it itself was all but indestructible

Ill give you Barad Dur, but the foundations were the only thing that either were not, or could not be destroyed. You need to give me something from the works that supplements that idea. Many of his fortifications by that time were Numenorian built. I was, in addition to the physical protection from decay, thinking of a Mordor (or Greater Mordor) that had the protective barrier of Lorien. Or, Sauron wielding the ring of fire... I would imagine the masses already under his control raised to the power of berserker level. Or, perhaps the added ability to control spirits of fire (Balrogs), possibly dragons. Mabye not, but if one takes the position that the rings could be used by S., then those would be the possiblities. I admit the primary reason to obtain one of the three would be to discover the other wielders but, (1)- the wielders were of the Wise, so they would take them off immediately (might be too late at that point), and (2)- the traitor Saruman knew who the wielders were (possible exception being the knowledge that Cirdan gave Gandalf Narya). And if Saruman knew that - I would think that Sauron by that time knew as well.

He didn't use the Palantir to see great distances, he used it to break and control Saruman who was initially his chief adversary.

I agree with the latter (and include Denethor), but as to the former, its a matter of opinion, as the texts do not say anything one way or the other. I would submit that the Eye was greatly enhanced by its use.

Sauron did not need anything preserved.

Why? He had empire concerns that any emperor had. Not all of his physical might was orcs and trolls.

Have to work now. Will check in later. Thanks for the Tolkien stimulation though!