Aragorn and spellcasting

[drnuncheon]

I don't know about that... in the Hobbit, Gandalf throws something like a Ligthtning bolt at the orcs.

And don't forget the fireballs at the goblins and worgs, when they're all treed afterwards. (That was the inspiration for the fire seeds spell, I think.)

J

 

[Nikosandros]

But that encounter, if I'm remembering it properly, illustrates that some kinds of magic, at least, is absolutely unsubtle. One major reason Gandalf uses so little of it is that it pretty much gives away his location when he does so on any flashy level.

Agreed, but I just wanted to point out that "blasting magic" exists in LoTR, even if it is used sparingly...

 

[maddman75]

There's even good reason for it not to be used often. I recall a scene Caradhras (sp?), the mountain that forced them back into Moria. After failing to get a fire going Gandalf finally lit the campfire with a burst of flame from his staff. He then commented that 'I have writ large 'Gandalf was here' for all to see'. So flashy effects are possible, but alerts other wizards to your presence.

Might have to steal that idea for my homebrew, should it ever take off again...

 

[Southern Oracle]

To some degree, that is already a part of the current D&D edition. Magic leaves behind a lingering aura, and detect magic can reveal those auras. The more powerful the magic, the longer the aura persists. For creatures that can detect magic at will, spell use certainly alerts them to someone's presence.

 

[kirinke]

And there's also the fact that Sauron was very interested in Gandalf and wanted him dead or alive. Preferably alive and in chains. So Gandalf had to be incredibly careful about what spells he used to minimize chances of detection. Thus, during the war of the ring, he didn't exactly advertise his presence unless he had too.

 

[Meloncov]

It is said in the Appendix to Lord of the Rings that Gandalf had been forbidden from "Matching power with power." If this was not the case, it would have been well within his power to march up to the black gates and single-handedly defeat Saron, as they were originally of roughly equal power, but Saron was weakend by the lack of the Ring.

 

[Baron Opal]

Yes, the only times that Gandalf ever used close to his full strength was when he directly strove against the Nazgul at Weathertop, the balrog in Moria, and when he chased Sauron out of Mirkwood. And then, he had the help of Saruman and Radagast. Only when he faced an unnatural or otherworldly power was he allowed to use his full might.

Even so, Gandalf is supposed to know "all spells of Men, Elves, Dwarves and many of the Orcs." At least he claims as such at the gate to Moria. That implies that there is a body of lore beyond that of being one of the Maiar, or and Elf, which is almost as good.

Baron Opal

 

[Steverooo]

I don't think so, but thanks for the link. The post I am searching for had about 2 pages of quotes from LoTR that could very well be interpreted as spellcasting. They could also be interpreted another way, as well, of course. I personally like my rangers to cast spells, and I remember that the mysterious poster had gone to quite a lot of trouble to show aragorn as a spellcaster. I guess I should have saved it then. :-(

Check the OTHER thread, oh mystified one!

 

[Steverooo]

Even so, Gandalf is supposed to know "all spells of Men, Elves, Dwarves and many of the Orcs." At least he claims as such at the gate to Moria. That implies that there is a body of lore beyond that of being one of the Maiar, or and Elf, which is almost as good.

Actually, Olorin claimed to know all the spells of opening, not all spells...

 

[Steverooo]

I searched for it when you posted this before, but Search is only working well with one word...so "Aragorn" brought up way too many things and no topics in the last couple of years were specific to that.

Try "Bree-folk", "dagger-hilt", or "lebethron". The title has something to do with Rangers, and was from last year, IIRC, and it was on the General board... That should find it!