Talking animals. - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Mithalwen · 08-15-2014, 02:47 PM

The eagles speak, at least to Gandalf the fox is talking to himself, Beorn as a shapeshifter can speak animal rather than the reverse. Normal horses can be trained to respond to simple commands, Gandalf and Shadowfax, well both are a bit special.

Alfirin · 08-15-2014, 05:54 PM

Don't forget Roac the Raven; he can talk too (or is it that Thorin understands raven, I forgot)

Belegorn · 08-15-2014, 06:11 PM

I think it spoke to the Dwarves and to Bard.

Alfirin · 08-16-2014, 05:06 AM

It did, but the question I was not sure of was if it could talk to them in a human language (for the purposes of this, I'm counting Dwarven and Elvish tongues as "human" since I can't think of a better term) or whether Bard and the Dwarves were merely fluent in Ravenspeak. I was concerned some would call into question his ability to "talk" if it was the latter. I suppose that is silly in retrospect; if Shadowfax and other animals that can merely understand human tongues count, then Roac does.

Inziladun · 08-16-2014, 07:37 AM

Roac did indeed use the Common Speech, as reported by Bilbo. I would be tempted to place all the talking creatures of The Hobbit and LOTR into the same basket: descendants of animals from Aman, which would explain why they were not very commonplace by the Third Age.

Belegorn · 08-16-2014, 01:58 PM

Do we consider dragons animals in this scenario? If so them too. I think they're animals of a sort.

Inziladun · 08-16-2014, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belegorn

Do we consider dragons animals in this scenario? If so them too. I think they're animals of a sort.

I wouldn't. Though they share some animal attributes like wings, they demonstrate a consciousness that goes beyond anything seen in horses and such.

08-15-2014, 02:47 PM	#1
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,463	The eagles speak, at least to Gandalf the fox is talking to himself, Beorn as a shapeshifter can speak animal rather than the reverse. Normal horses can be trained to respond to simple commands, Gandalf and Shadowfax, well both are a bit special. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

08-15-2014, 06:11 PM	#3
Belegorn Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Henneth Annûn, Ithilien Posts: 462	I think it spoke to the Dwarves and to Bard. __________________ "For believe me: the secret for harvesting from existence the greatest fruitfulness and the greatest enjoyment is - to live dangerously!" - G.S.; F. Nietzsche

08-16-2014, 07:37 AM	#5
Inziladun Gruesome Spectre Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Heaven's doorstep Posts: 8,040	Roac did indeed use the Common Speech, as reported by Bilbo. I would be tempted to place all the talking creatures of The Hobbit and LOTR into the same basket: descendants of animals from Aman, which would explain why they were not very commonplace by the Third Age. __________________ Music alone proves the existence of God.

08-16-2014, 01:58 PM	#6
Belegorn Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Henneth Annûn, Ithilien Posts: 462	Do we consider dragons animals in this scenario? If so them too. I think they're animals of a sort. __________________ "For believe me: the secret for harvesting from existence the greatest fruitfulness and the greatest enjoyment is - to live dangerously!" - G.S.; F. Nietzsche

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08-15-2014, 05:54 PM	#2
Alfirin Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 435	Don't forget Roac the Raven; he can talk too (or is it that Thorin understands raven, I forgot)

08-16-2014, 05:06 AM	#4
Alfirin Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 435	It did, but the question I was not sure of was if it could talk to them in a human language (for the purposes of this, I'm counting Dwarven and Elvish tongues as "human" since I can't think of a better term) or whether Bard and the Dwarves were merely fluent in Ravenspeak. I was concerned some would call into question his ability to "talk" if it was the latter. I suppose that is silly in retrospect; if Shadowfax and other animals that can merely understand human tongues count, then Roac does.