Albino Elves - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

The Perky Ent · 05-01-2004, 05:48 PM

Here's a question! If Races from all across Middle Earth have different skin tones (Elves, Dwarves, Orcs, Easterlings), is there a possibility that some could be albino? Or is that a topic that Tolkien failed to notice?

**The Saucepan Man** · 05-01-2004, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Or is that a topic that Tolkien failed to notice?

He also failed to include any reference to jellyfish, giraffes, lung cancer or bronchitis. Did they exist in Middle-earth? Possibly, who knows? They could if you want them to. The main point being, however, that they were not relevant to the story that he was telling.

The Perky Ent · 05-01-2004, 06:39 PM

Good point. But still, that would be cool if someone was albino. and it could be relavent to the story. After stealing the ring from Deagol, for some odd reason it could have made him albino, which was another reason to go into the cave.

Olorin_TLA · 05-01-2004, 08:25 PM

Gollum is descirbed as being bone white sometimes...mind you, other times he's black as night. Basically, from a distance the guy's a wretched chameleon.

Albino's lack the menalin to handle the sun well...so though Orks have lots of pigment in them, you could say they suffer the ill-effects of albinosim.

Legolas · 05-01-2004, 10:01 PM

Albinism is a result of genetic mutation that causes a deficiency in melanin (there are several alterations that can trigger it). Who knows whether that mutation had showed up as early as Tolkien's stories take place? They certainly wouldn't have known what caused it, or even what to call it.

Maybe Dwalin's blue beard was a result of some odd genetic mutation, though.

ohtatyaro · 08-03-2004, 07:28 AM

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Maybe Dwalin's blue beard was a result of some odd genetic mutation, though.

Or type of pipeweed he was smoking

Elu Ancalime · 12-20-2005, 07:41 PM

im pretty sure there is a difference between whate hair and albino hair. white is pigmented white, obviously, but albino hair would really be defined as clear, making the hair look the color of the skin behind it. i think a polar bear is an example.
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Legolas · 12-21-2005, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elu Ancalime

im pretty sure there is a difference between whate hair and albino hair. white is pigmented white, obviously, but albino hair would really be defined as clear, making the hair look the color of the skin behind it. i think a polar bear is an example.

Correct. Thus polar bears can sometimes appear creamy (from the sun) and green (from algae infections within their hair follicles).

05-01-2004, 05:48 PM	#1
The Perky Ent Maniacal Mage Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Setting sail for Umbar, with Firefoot at my side! Posts: 3,297	Albino Elves Here's a question! If Races from all across Middle Earth have different skin tones (Elves, Dwarves, Orcs, Easterlings), is there a possibility that some could be albino? Or is that a topic that Tolkien failed to notice? __________________ 'But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark.'

05-01-2004, 06:39 PM	#3
The Perky Ent Maniacal Mage Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Setting sail for Umbar, with Firefoot at my side! Posts: 3,297	Good point. But still, that would be cool if someone was albino. and it could be relavent to the story. After stealing the ring from Deagol, for some odd reason it could have made him albino, which was another reason to go into the cave. __________________ 'But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark.'

05-01-2004, 08:25 PM	#4
Olorin_TLA Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Gardens of Lórien, Valinor. Posts: 420	Gollum is descirbed as being bone white sometimes...mind you, other times he's black as night. Basically, from a distance the guy's a wretched chameleon. Albino's lack the menalin to handle the sun well...so though Orks have lots of pigment in them, you could say they suffer the ill-effects of albinosim. __________________ "For I am Olórin! And Olórin means me!" ELENDIL! - Join "Forth Tolkiengas!"

05-01-2004, 10:01 PM	#5
Legolas A Northern Soul Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Valinor Posts: 1,847	Albinism is a result of genetic mutation that causes a deficiency in melanin (there are several alterations that can trigger it). Who knows whether that mutation had showed up as early as Tolkien's stories take place? They certainly wouldn't have known what caused it, or even what to call it. Maybe Dwalin's blue beard was a result of some odd genetic mutation, though. __________________ ...take counsel with thyself, and remember who and what thou art. Last edited by Legolas; 05-01-2004 at 10:15 PM.

12-20-2005, 07:41 PM	#7
Elu Ancalime Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Anador Posts: 476	im pretty sure there is a difference between whate hair and albino hair. white is pigmented white, obviously, but albino hair would really be defined as clear, making the hair look the color of the skin behind it. i think a polar bear is an example. ________ Vermont marijuana dispensaries Last edited by Elu Ancalime; 03-03-2011 at 10:23 PM.