Shadow Host vs. Sauron & Co.? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Tuor of Gondolin · 10-03-2004, 01:10 PM

This speculation is prompted by PJ's overuse of the Shadow Host (a.k.a.
The Dead Men of Dunharrow, Green Slime) but should be based on Middle-earth
books, not movies.
Presumably the reason JRRT didn't have the Dead Men go on to the
Pelennor Fields was that it would have made the efforts of Gonorians and the Rohirrim virtually irrelevant, unless...

Would they necessarily have been effective? The Corsairs were essentially an
autonomous force, not operating (I believe) under Sauron's or the nazguls'
direct control. It would seem probable that Sauron or the Nine wouldn't have
been effected by the Army of the Dead. But might Sauron or his nine lads also have countered the AotD's effect on Sauron's armies since Sauron's forces at the Pelennor Fields were pretty much being directly controlled by Sauron via his
nazgul surrogates? And was the AotD's efficacy by fear only ? Or could they use real swords with effect? My impression is it was fear alone, but I could
be wrong. And, of course, ignore PJ's Aragorn/King of the Dead's fencing bit.

10-03-2004, 01:10 PM	#1
Tuor of Gondolin Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pennsylvania, WtR, passed Sarn Gebir: Above the rapids (1239 miles) BtR, passed Black Rider Stopping Place (31 miles) Posts: 1,548	Shadow Host vs. Sauron & Co.? This speculation is prompted by PJ's overuse of the Shadow Host (a.k.a. The Dead Men of Dunharrow, Green Slime) but should be based on Middle-earth books, not movies. Presumably the reason JRRT didn't have the Dead Men go on to the Pelennor Fields was that it would have made the efforts of Gonorians and the Rohirrim virtually irrelevant, unless... Would they necessarily have been effective? The Corsairs were essentially an autonomous force, not operating (I believe) under Sauron's or the nazguls' direct control. It would seem probable that Sauron or the Nine wouldn't have been effected by the Army of the Dead. But might Sauron or his nine lads also have countered the AotD's effect on Sauron's armies since Sauron's forces at the Pelennor Fields were pretty much being directly controlled by Sauron via his nazgul surrogates? And was the AotD's efficacy by fear only ? Or could they use real swords with effect? My impression is it was fear alone, but I could be wrong. And, of course, ignore PJ's Aragorn/King of the Dead's fencing bit. __________________ Aure Entuluva!