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<blockquote data-quote="Ydars" data-source="post: 4553445" data-attributes="member: 62992">Thasmodious; Tolkien does indeed show that bravery and valour are often rewarded but the situations you describe are all based upon the characters trying to AVOID slaying. When they meet the Worgs, they are just trying to escape the Goblins but are cornered, and the same in Moria. Of course there are battles, because it would be a poor story without conflict, but the theme of non-violence is repeated again and again. It might have had something to do with the fact that Tolkien saw all his friends die in 1914-1916; a conflict he fought in. He spent most of his life writing stories that are tinged with a hatred of conflict.&nbsp;The characters in Tolkien's works fight when there is no choice but they take no joy in it. If martial themes were so predominant why does Bilbo not slay Gollum when he is invisible and behind him; it is because as Gandalf states, that pity that moved him to stay his hand despite the treachery of Smeagol. I think we all know what would happen in a D&amp;D game; sneak attack for +Xd6 damage!!!&nbsp;I wonder if you have read the books or are basing your comments on the films?&nbsp;To me the films capture the visual feel of LotR almost perfectly whilst almost trampling on the integrity of Tolkien's themes with equal perfection.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Ydars, post: 4553445, member: 62992"] Thasmodious; Tolkien does indeed show that bravery and valour are often rewarded but the situations you describe are all based upon the characters trying to AVOID slaying. When they meet the Worgs, they are just trying to escape the Goblins but are cornered, and the same in Moria. Of course there are battles, because it would be a poor story without conflict, but the theme of non-violence is repeated again and again. It might have had something to do with the fact that Tolkien saw all his friends die in 1914-1916; a conflict he fought in. He spent most of his life writing stories that are tinged with a hatred of conflict. The characters in Tolkien's works fight when there is no choice but they take no joy in it. If martial themes were so predominant why does Bilbo not slay Gollum when he is invisible and behind him; it is because as Gandalf states, that pity that moved him to stay his hand despite the treachery of Smeagol. I think we all know what would happen in a D&D game; sneak attack for +Xd6 damage!!! I wonder if you have read the books or are basing your comments on the films? To me the films capture the visual feel of LotR almost perfectly whilst almost trampling on the integrity of Tolkien's themes with equal perfection. [/QUOTE]

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