The Ringwraiths -- What were they? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

peregrine · 12-17-2001, 09:08 PM

looks like you've stirred up a hornet's nest obloquy.

Sauron was known as the Necromancer, but i don't think necromancy is the power behind the Nazgul. I can't remember how the 9 got their hands on the rings (if indeed they did), but perhaps this is not important. I think Sauron simply corrupted 9 powerful kings of men through their own pride and greed and was able at some time to bring the 9 under his sway (through a combination of the power of the 9 rings, the one ring, and his own will). I don't think they were ever dead. Does it say anywhere that they were killed? Would Sauron have killed them just to bring them back in some ghostly form? Why do that? I think they were 'stretched' (Sauron drew away their own life force and replaced it with his own will), if you like, to the point where they occupied a point roughly half way between two worlds (ie they were neither truly dead nor truly alive). Their life force came from Sauron and maybe the rings and/or the one ring.

As to whether Sauron could hold men's spirits back from departing the world I don't know. He's only a Maiar isn't he? Perhaps that suggests that the Nazgul never crossed the death threshold. But because he is a necromancer as well as a maiar, perhaps it suggests he HAD the power to bring them back if they did cross into death.

Helpful?

12-17-2001, 09:08 PM	#18
peregrine Pile O'Bones Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Australia Posts: 25	looks like you've stirred up a hornet's nest obloquy. Sauron was known as the Necromancer, but i don't think necromancy is the power behind the Nazgul. I can't remember how the 9 got their hands on the rings (if indeed they did), but perhaps this is not important. I think Sauron simply corrupted 9 powerful kings of men through their own pride and greed and was able at some time to bring the 9 under his sway (through a combination of the power of the 9 rings, the one ring, and his own will). I don't think they were ever dead. Does it say anywhere that they were killed? Would Sauron have killed them just to bring them back in some ghostly form? Why do that? I think they were 'stretched' (Sauron drew away their own life force and replaced it with his own will), if you like, to the point where they occupied a point roughly half way between two worlds (ie they were neither truly dead nor truly alive). Their life force came from Sauron and maybe the rings and/or the one ring. As to whether Sauron could hold men's spirits back from departing the world I don't know. He's only a Maiar isn't he? Perhaps that suggests that the Nazgul never crossed the death threshold. But because he is a necromancer as well as a maiar, perhaps it suggests he HAD the power to bring them back if they did cross into death. Helpful?