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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Desdichado" data-source="post: 1718728" data-attributes="member: 2205">And here I'd say you're very wrong.  In pseudo-Medieval cultures, which granted is an assumption, but not an unlikely or unreasonable one, people lived in the same area their entire lives, for the most part.  To assume that the people of a little village of 200 who all lived there forever weren't on first name basis with each other is, frankly, unbelievable.  To assume that in a population of that size, whoever wanted a cure light wounds, or comprehend languages spell, or purify food and water, or heck, even prestidigitation at any time doesn't know exactly who to go to for that, and that they wouldn't do so whenever possible, I simply don't buy.Also, you're seemingly fond of vaguely referencing the "text" of source material, as if your anecdotal evidence were somehow hard proof.  I'd very much like to see this "text" wherein it is even implied that there are these "vast regions," to use your own phrase, of Middle-earth that are teeming with spellcasters.  Near as I can tell, other than a few named characters we actually see; namely Galadriel, Elrond, Gandalf, Saruman, Sauron, Radagast, and the Witch-king, all you've got are some very vague references in the Appendices to a handful of sorcerers in Rhudaur, and some equally vague references to sorcerers amongst the Black Numenoreans, including some very apocryphal legends about Queen Beruthiel.  Exactly what sorcerer means in this context is, however, completely unknown.  And since most of those named characters are actually angelic/divine beings rather than mortals, who also tend to be pretty low key in their approach to spellcasting, I don't think that at all you've made your point about localized high magic convincingly.So, you can go on claiming that your interpretation of Middle-earth is backed by some text, or careful reading you've done, but you haven't actually demonstrated it, you've simply said so several times.  I have no problem in agreeing to disagree with you on that regard, but kindly do not make any claims for any more "textual authority" than you actually have.</blockquote>

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