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There Are Games Afoot! - Page 10

© Michael Martinez

Hence, though there is a hint of Sam and Frodo making use of "Elven magic" in Mordor (even invoking Elbereth's name in a prayerful fashion), there is no chance that either could go further and match Gandalf lightning bolt for lightning bolt. It's not entirely clear if the Nazgul could really have cast lightning bolts the way Gandalf seems to have been able to do. But they might, with the aid of Sauron's power, have been able to call lightning from the sky, a natural source of elemenntal power. Tolkien writes that Elven sorcery really didn't differ from Sauron's sorcery, except in intent and effect. That is, they were both working the same kind of magic, but the Elves were interested in artistic applications, whereas Sauron was interested in machinistic applications. Of Men, Tolkien wrote that they couldn't use magic, but then remembered that the Numenoreans made magical swords. And the hill-men of Rhudaur became "a sorcerous people". Sorcery, and even necromancy, were therefore available to men, although the spirits with which men could communicate were those of Elves (and perhaps dead Maiar, too weak to re-embody themselves after having been slain). The spirits of men, except under very special circumstances, could not remain in the world. So, if the limitations imposed by race and profession are removed, then they must be replaced by other limitations. Otherwise, magic users become too powerful in a gaming system, and everyone wants to play them. I think the best way to represent magic in Tolkien's world is through a combination of learned lore, innate ability, and degree. For example, a Hobbit or a Man should not be able to wield magic to the same degree that an Elf can, and an Elf (except for very rare ones like Feanor or Finrod) should not be able to match a strong Maia or a weakened Vala power-for-power. That is not to say that the Valar and Maiar would have to be invulnerable. But they shouldn't be pushovers. Nor should a well-advanced player-character be deemed a peer to these types of beings. The power of the Ainur would be extreme compared to those of Elves, and they would have access to ancient lore which Elves would not (and neither, therefore, would Men and Hobbits). Dwarves need not be treated as a special case, either. But game masters could impose cultural restrictions on the players. That is, an Elf would make Silmarils and Rings of Power. A Dwarf would not. Their interests would lead Elves and Dwarves to achieve different things.

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