[en] Edain Mod > [Edain] Angmar Suggestions

Angmar Style - Does it feel right?

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Radagast der Musikalische:
I didn't understand it that way, don't worry. I mainly wrote this post to clarify what my intention was.

FG15:
I want to share my opinion about the sorcerers of Angmar.

What do we know about the sorcery of Angmar and the Witch-king in particular. First of all his name, he is known as the king of all witchers, and therefore these have to player an important role in Angmar. We know that Glorfindel was the first to recognize his true identity. Before that, the Witch-king was thought to be a dark numenor (similar to what happened with the Necromancer), such that we can conclude that there were other men similar to the Mouth of Sauron, who were knowledged in sorcery. Also, these men must have been powerful enough to lead an army of orcs, wolves and trolls, or somebody else would have guessed something before.
Additionally, we know at least two kinds of sorcery connected to the Witch-king, first the resurection of the Barrow-wights and second the corruption of Minas Morgul making it a place radiating terror and fear, so much that even after it's destruction the land was still tainted with doom.
So, it is not unprobable at all that there were some kind of sorcerors in Angmar, and personally, I think it extremly likely.

Now, to look at the way the sorcerers are implemented in BfME. They drain the lifeforce of their acolytes to perform there magic. Are there any similar cases in the lore. Yes, there are some. First of all the Ring of the Men, draining the lifeforce of their bearers until nothing remained but wights. Also, the Dead of Durnharg lost all their lifeforce after braking their oath. Then there are the Barrow-wights who themself drain the lifeforce of their victims and the Morgulblade, sucking the lifeforce of the victim and slaving it with its magic. And another example is the Black Breath.
In the first two of these cases the act was done freely and willingly. Also, we know of the power of a pure sacrifice in Middle-Earth.

So, if we assume that the sorcerers need to use their own lifeforce to do their magic, maybe they even have lesser rings of power (we know that there existed some). And the acolytes are servants who would sacrifice their life for the "greater good" of Angmar, such that they offer their own life instead that of the sorcerer.

Walküre:
The comparison to the Nine Rings could be a bit tricky. The Nine were deceived by Sauron (unwillingly) and given Nine Rings (which were previously affected and tainted by Sauron himself, twisting the initial wishes and purposes that the Elves had in their creation); they undoubtedly paid a high price and had their soul marred forever, but the Nine became far more powerful as the Nazgûl (with an unnaturally long lifespan). The point is that there is not any type of sacrifice in their cursed condition: the Nine Rings made them bound to Sauron's destiny (as it's coherently shown in the game) and totally dependent on his powers, being enhanced or weakened according to their Master's fate. Thus, I don't think this could be a suitable reference to justify sacrifice.

The Morgul Blade (just like the Nine Rings, but on a minor scale) is a tool. I honestly see it as a powerful artefact meant to harm/kill/curse. Again, I don't see the sacrifice theme lying anywhere behind this weapon (which is nonetheless enchanted by dark Magic).

The Oathbreakers were cursed for their betrayal, becoming a very fearful force to deal with; the Oath, and the consequent betrayal, was what bound them to their suspended condition. Therefore, the Oath is the means via which the Ghosts can regain Peace, without the Heir of Isildur gaining any advantage but their aid and without using their energy as a sacrifice meant to enhancement.

The Barrow Wights use their powers to trap and harm other beings, and their spells are exactly aimed to capture those who enter their land. Similarly to the Morgul Blade, I don't think the sacrifice motive fits them too at all. Corroding stamina and harming people are 'just' part of their inherent magical nature.

It's exactly that type of sacrifice, with all the acolytes around dying and having their soul departed from their body, that doesn't convince me completely. We have no exact precedent cases in the lore, and the lore itself, concerning evil Magic, clearly indicates that things have always worked in the opposite way (the example of Morgoth and Sauron). By the way, Morgoth and Sauron can be seen, on different scales, as the root of all evil in Arda (consequently, Nine Rings, Morgul Blades and Barrow Wights included). It's thus the same major theme: the mightiest beings sacrifice their own powers by spreading them throughout the World, in order to sustain their creations/allies and dominate them.

I didn't come up yet with a suitable suggestion, but I want to give a hint either way. Wouldn't it be better if the sorcerers were implemented with more lore accurate abilities/mechanics in the game, and if they were somehow smartly connected to the Witch King (as Mordor's heroes are with Sauron)? Obviously, not the same mechanics, but rather a very symbolic link to the King of all Sorcerers in Angmar and source of most dark Magic in that realm. That is, receiving powers (or an enhancement of their powers) when the Witch King shares his own with them (in other words, 'sacrificing' his powers); I think it would be a much more consistent concept.

Odysseus:
I think you said it quite nicely Walk, but I'm afraid you'll have to come with a more detailed suggestion or concept if you would like to see a more lore-friendly portrayal.

Walküre:

--- Zitat von: Odysseus am  7. Mai 2016, 11:46 ---I think you said it quite nicely Walk, but I'm afraid you'll have to come with a more detailed suggestion or concept if you would like to see a more lore-friendly portrayal.

--- Ende Zitat ---

I know, it's exactly what I pointed out in the final paragraph of my post  :)

The previous comment of mine was mainly intended to reply to FG's lore-based thoughts. I will try to propose something, If I can, even though, I admit, Angmar is a quite 'hostile' matter to my likings.

Nevertheless, if anyone is interested enough and thinks to have proper ideas, you are more than welcome to share your suggestions and advices. The link to the Witch King is the input I came up for the beginning, but I would be very much curious if proposals of another kind were presented as well.

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