i seriously need help. are there psionics in middle earth?
- Thread starter Jakathi
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the Jester
Legend
Well, I'm of the opinion that dnd doesn't do a good Middle-Earth. The magic is far too blatant in dnd; magic items are rare and truly wondrous in Tolkien's work. I'd prolly make a couple of prcs the only way to get spells at all as a pc.
Michigan, on the other hand, has actually been secretly subverted by githyanki wizards for years and is chock full of both magic and psionics.
Michigan, on the other hand, has actually been secretly subverted by githyanki wizards for years and is chock full of both magic and psionics.
Dr. Strangemonkey
First Post
the Jester said:Well, I'm of the opinion that dnd doesn't do a good Middle-Earth. The magic is far too blatant in dnd; magic items are rare and truly wondrous in Tolkien's work. I'd prolly make a couple of prcs the only way to get spells at all as a pc.
Michigan, on the other hand, has actually been secretly subverted by githyanki wizards for years and is chock full of both magic and psionics.
You know I find myself more and more skeptical of this whole magic is rare in and truly wondrous in Middle Earth.
It certainly seems to be true for many of the main characters in LotR and the Hobbit, but that limits that point of view primarily to halflings.
There seem to be a lot of magic tools and toys around, however, and plenty of more or less magical arms and armor. Dwarves, Elves, and some of the breeds of men appear to be able to make magic come up very regularly and without a lot of effort. I think there is a nice Tolkien quote on how most of their magic is of the crafting kind.
In that sense, psionics may be very rare or non-existent given that sorcery as sorcery rather than a manifestation of phenomenal levels of skill and knowledge seems to be a very minor component of most of Middle Earth's cultures. The ability seems to be out there but not very well known or used.
If, on the other hand, psionics are a form of 'natural' magic then they are probably part of a culture's general manifestation. I mean most magic seems to be Elven, Dwarven, Beorning, or Westernesee rather than arcane or divine. So an unknown culture with a psionic capability might be possible if not detailed.
The sorcery of the westernessee and black numenoreans might have psionic components.
The michigan information does explain why American made car product technology seemed to suffer through the 70s.
the Jester
Legend
Dr. Strangemonkey said:
Sure, the gith may suck at making cars on our plane, but they've done fantastic things with adapting automotive technology to ferroplasmic vehicles on the Astral plane.
Khorod
First Post
Hmm. You might find interesting info at the d20 Middle Earth site, hosted by EN and everything.
But the hosted site links are absent just now.
In Middle Earth, visible, important magic is extremely rare. Precious heirlooms that happen to be +1, trolls that turn into stone in the light of day, and so on are all about. But that aspect of the world would be lessened if PC's were heavily involved in creating it.
But the hosted site links are absent just now.
In Middle Earth, visible, important magic is extremely rare. Precious heirlooms that happen to be +1, trolls that turn into stone in the light of day, and so on are all about. But that aspect of the world would be lessened if PC's were heavily involved in creating it.
OK -- magic/psionics in Middle Earth as described in LOTR.
Middle Earth in LOTR is not exactly the same as Middle Earth in the Hobbit even though LOTR is, indeed, the sequel to the Hobbit. It's kind of like we went from Middle Earth 1.0 in the Hobbit to Middle Earth 2.0 in LOTR.
The Hobbit is full of magic: dragons, giants, shape shifting, trolls that turn to stone, etc. LOTR is not; in the Middle Earth of LOTR, Smaug is the last dragon, no giants appear, the Beornings are mentioned briefly, Gandalf's magic is explained differently, as is elvish magic.
Thus, I would argue that while psionics would not be inconsistent with the Hobbit, they most certainly would be inconsistent with LOTR.
I do agree with those who state that psionics are not part of Middle Earth as described by Tolkien in any of his books.
And now, I've been convinced to apply to attend graduate school in Michigan.
Middle Earth in LOTR is not exactly the same as Middle Earth in the Hobbit even though LOTR is, indeed, the sequel to the Hobbit. It's kind of like we went from Middle Earth 1.0 in the Hobbit to Middle Earth 2.0 in LOTR.
The Hobbit is full of magic: dragons, giants, shape shifting, trolls that turn to stone, etc. LOTR is not; in the Middle Earth of LOTR, Smaug is the last dragon, no giants appear, the Beornings are mentioned briefly, Gandalf's magic is explained differently, as is elvish magic.
Thus, I would argue that while psionics would not be inconsistent with the Hobbit, they most certainly would be inconsistent with LOTR.
I do agree with those who state that psionics are not part of Middle Earth as described by Tolkien in any of his books.
And now, I've been convinced to apply to attend graduate school in Michigan.
