Why all the Fuss over the One Ring?

[Squire James]

It's pretty obvious that Gandalf could have simply talked to Elrond about the basic historical details about what Isildur did with the Ring. He was standing right there after all! The book account was not much different from the movie here, though perhaps Elrond's advice was delivered on the way back to Gondor instead of the Crack of Doom itself.

What Gandalf wanted, though, was very specific information about what the Ring looked like, and how it could be distinguished from any other plain gold ring. For that he needed first-hand information, and that meant Isildur. He ruled Gondor for a little while before his final trip north, so Minas Tirith was a pretty good place to look. I'd think Osgilith would have been better if it hadn't already been trashed by the Enemy, but Gandalf worked with what he had.

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

Elrond was too noble.
While Isildur was staring down into the Cracks of Doom, Elrond should have given him a nice shove in the back.

 

[Lurks-no-More]

Elrond was too noble.
While Isildur was staring down into the Cracks of Doom, Elrond should have given him a nice shove in the back.

Ah, but that scene only appears in the movie! Actually, I think that was one of the few mistakes Jackson did with the adaptation.

In the book, IIRC, Elrond had no specific knowledge about the Ring, except that it was Sauron's, and therefore probably not a good thing to have around, even if Sauron himself was gone (as they thought that time). Thus, Isildur's decision to keep it was seen as perhaps unwise, but certainly not as bad an idea as it really was.

 

[Storm Raven]

Yes, but it seems that they didn't know much. Gandalf knows those elves personally, is great friends with many of them, and could have simply gone and asked. But instead, to find the best source around, he went to consult written records in Minas Tirith, and came back with very little.

Being alive is no guarantee that you know anything

He went to consult for things they may not have known. They may have known all kinds of stuff about what it could do and so on, but notice the tidbit of information Gandalf came back with: when heated the One Ring reveals itself to be the One Ring with its hidden inscription. No one but Isildur knew that, because he studied that element of the Ring in secret and told nobody.

The elves may have had lots of other information, but Isildur had some information thery didn't, because he never told them.

 

[Pylar]

Have you ever read the Silmarillion???

The Sil covers exactally what you asked. Sauron actually puts most of his live essence into the One Ring. As long as his life is stored in that ring he will be tied to Middle Earth, and will eventually be able to return. That was why the ring needed to be distroyed and not just dropped into the sea. Also, Sauron forged the one ring to give him authority over ALL of the rings of power. He was able to gain domion over men (The Nazgul) with the 9 rings that he also forged. To a limited sort he played on the nature of Dwarven greed with the 5 rings for the Dwarf lords (Which he also forged) Now the 3 rings for elven kings, Sauron never touch. But Sauron new that the elves used those rings to protect their realms. And he wanted to ensure their control. Therefore the One Ring was created. With it Sauron would know all the toughts, dreams and defences of the Elven lords, that had defeated his master Melkor so many times. The One Ring would give other power according to their stature. Invisibility being its most obvious effect. If a strong enough wizard (Saruman, Gandalf) got their hands on it, they would be able to gain Saurons essence, but due to it's corrupting influence they would become as bad a Sauron. I believe that a being powerful enough to wield all the abilities of the ring, would not even be turned invisible (Ie Tom Bombadil putting the ring on while in his home) In Bilbo/Frodo/Gollum's case the ring was so powerful that it not only turned them invisible, but it partially dragged them in the the world of the Wraiths (That's why Frodo could see the Nazgul as they truly were). Due to a hobbit's INCREDIBLE strength of will they were able to withstand to corrupting nature of the ring.

 

[Pylar]

In the book, IIRC, Elrond had no specific knowledge about the Ring, except that it was Sauron's, and therefore probably not a good thing to have around, even if Sauron himself was gone (as they thought that time). Thus, Isildur's decision to keep it was seen as perhaps unwise, but certainly not as bad an idea as it really was.

Ah, but that scene only appears in the movie! Actually, I think that was one of the few mistakes Jackson did with the adaptation.

Actually Lurks-N0-More, that is wrong. In the meeting at Rivendale, before the Fellowship is founded Elrond talks about the fall of Sauron, and the end of the battle when Isildur claims the ring as 'weirguild' (SP) for his flamily, and claims it as an heirloom. Elrond strongly tells him that the ring needed to be cast into Mt. Doom. But by that time Isildur was already under the power of the ring, and it was too precious to throw away!

 

[Umbran]

Yes, Elrond had a vague clue that keeping the Ring was a Bad Idea. But, he did not have specific information on the subject. He had some ring lore, but this Ring was unique, and had never been on anyone's had but Sauron's. And it isn't like the Enemy was giving out leaflets titled, "The Powers of My Precious Ring".

Plus, in the books they point out that in general, using violence and murder when dealing with the Ring is a Even Worse Idea. Violence and fear are the Ring's currency. If you deal in them, it will grab you. If Elrond had chosen to try to kill Isildur, you can be sure the Ring would not have gotten destroyed.

Remember, folks - the ring is not entirely passive. It has a will, and can bend wills, even the wills of those who aren't wearing it. Don't consider the Ring as simply an object around which you may take any action you choose with no consequences.

 

[Orius]

Here's a FAQ that should answer most, if not all questions anyone has about the Ring(s):

http://oakroadsystems.com/genl/ringfaq.htm

Anyway, the Rings were first made by the elves who chose to stay behind in ME in the Second Age to preserve the world and prevent change. Sauron learned of their plan and aided them, secretly planning to dominate them using the One. Originally the rings were meant only for the elves, but after Sauron forged the One and wore it, the elves learned of his real motivations. Sauron took the 16 Rings he helped the elves forge, and because his plan to dominate the elves failed, he gave them out to men and dwarves. However, he was unable to dominate the dwarves, although the Rings enhanced their natural greed. Men were very easy for Sauron to control, and they became the Nazgul.

 

[KenM]

All the fuss over the one ring can be summen up in two words "Plot device" In the Movie, Elrond SHOULD have pushed Ilisdaur in, they were RIGHT there.

 

[Dagger75]

All the fuss over the one ring can be summen up in two words "Plot device" In the Movie, Elrond SHOULD have pushed Ilisdaur in, they were RIGHT there.

But Ilisdaur would have gotten an AoO, and because the ring probably made him stronger and faster (Sauron is throughing the other troops around) Elrond used his metagaming knowledge and that was why he didn't push Ilisaduar off the cliff.

See http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34298 for LOTR as a bad D&D game

Sorry for the slight hijack of thread.