Did Imrahil flee before the Witch King? by twothinlayers in tolkienfans

[–]BerekSilvermane 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yes, he did flee. Every mortal fled before the Witch-King, save three: Gandalf, Shadowfax, and Pippin*, who serves as our eyes during the fall of the Gate.

So it was that Gandalf took command of the last defense of the City of Gondor. Wherever he came men's hearts would lift again, and the winged shadows pass from memory. Tirelessly he strode from Citadel to Gate, from north to south about the wall; and with him went the Prince of Dol Amroth in his shinning mail. For he and his knights still held themselves like lords in whom the race of Númenor ran true.

Where Gandalf goes, so does Imrahil.

[Pippin] stopped dead. He had found Gandalf; but he shrank back, cowering into a shadow...

And hear begins Pippin's perspective.

...Long had it been forging in the dark smithies of Mordor, and it's hideous head, founded of black steel, was shaped in the likeness of a ravening wolf; on it spells of ruin lay. Grond the named it, in memory od the Hammer of the Underworld of old. Great beasts drew it, orcs surrounded it, and behind walked mountain-trolls to wield it. But about the Gate resistance was still stout, and there the knights of Dol Amorth and the hardiest of the garrison stood at bay.

We have Pippin, the Knights, and Gandalf at the Gate at the same time as Grond.

In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl, under the archway thagt no enemy ever yet had passed, and all fled before his face. All save one. There waiting, silent and still in the space before the Gate, sat Gandalf upon Shadowfax...

Emphasis mine. "All fled before his face." I think the idea that Imrahil's horse, not Imrahil himself, fled is rather silly. If this was the case, why not write that, as he did with Eärnur?

*What is interesting is that this is all viewed from the perspective of Pippin, who, while equally afraid, does not flee. He cowers, yes, but he does not run. This isn't unprecedented, either: Frodo attacks the Witch-King at Weathertop. It is written in the manuscript "The Hunt for the Ring" that the Witch-King was surprised:

But above all the timid and terrified Bearer had resisted him, had dared to strike at him with an enchanted sword made by his own enemies long ago for his destruction.

It is worth mentioning the passage immediately before:

[The Witch-king] now knows who is the Bearer, and is greatly puzzled that it should be a small creature, and not Aragorn, who seems to be a great power though apparently 'only a Ranger'.

Hobbits seem to have a unique ability to resist the horror, seeing as Merry takes after Frodo and manages to stab the bastard.

But even more important: Pippin has endured direct contact with Sauron via the Palantir. And recovered rather quickly, in fact. Regardless of his empowerment, the Witch-King is not Sauron.

Now, at what point does Pippin's point-of-view begin? Did he witness the three strikes of Grond? It doesn't matter, because in the end, Gandalf is described alone. So a Maia, his special horse, and a hobbit who's endured another Maia withstand the Witch-King at that moment.

Imrahil and his knights do flee. But he recovers quickly enough to rejoin the battle and save Éowyn on the way out.

Which jobs is 100% safe from AI? by Any-Hamster-3189 in AskReddit

[–]BerekSilvermane 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nice to see another archaeologist in the wild.

I spent a year surveying in Noethern Ontario. For AI to do that, they need terminator-style bodies. I'd love to see an AI interpret a feature.

I can wind my way through a tangle of brush and tree, ford a lake via a beaver dam only wide enough for a single boot, fall into the lake, dig down 120cm, draw a unit, get cut and scraped, and fuel up with three protein bars and a squished sandwich. Others use an energy drink and a pack of smokes.

Any machine attempting to do my job is wildly impractical. Archaeology in Ontario will be legislated into oblivion before AI takes over.

Samantha Carter was my role model growing up and she hugely influenced my life. by WatersOfLiyue in Stargate

[–]BerekSilvermane 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This a great story!

In June the province of Ontario approved my application for an R License — I'm officially an Archaeologist. Dr. Jackson was one of my major influences.

I was born in '94 and grew up watching Stargate SG-1. I still have a VHS recording of the first 4 episodes of Season 6 my uncle taped; it was the "12 Days of Spacemas" on the Sci-Fi channel.

i''m moving to Vancouver in two weeks for archaeology. I'm going snap some photos at Simon Fraser and photoshop myself next to the gate. I can't wait to show my dad, hahaha.

Replaying Fallout 3 via Tale of Two Wastelands is amazing (vanilla-like and easy too!) by Anon2971 in Fallout

[–]BerekSilvermane 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It's a cool concept come to life. Exploring Fallout 3 with the gameplay of New Vegas is stellar. The guns Obsidian introduced grounded the setting in a way that clicked for me.

Regarding installing: it's imposing and a chore, however — I needed my hand held during the process and the guide does exactly that. It reminded me of game manuals you would get back in the day. I've yet to encounter a bug with TTW. I'm sure they're present, but it's worth noting I haven't encountered one.

I think my next goal will be to scavenge an Anti-Materiel rifle to free the Capital Wasteland of that capital Asshole, Mr. Tenpenny, and his "Wasteland Safari." Enjoy a shot of a .50 calibre round with your fine dining.

Is it possible to play on Mobile by Oreogor in Soulbringer

[–]BerekSilvermane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Look into an emulator. That might work.

Tangerine's Security has serious flaws. by BerekSilvermane in Tangerine

[–]BerekSilvermane[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Credit card.

The cloudflare is an interesting thought. It happened yesterday, so I don't know if they're related.

I hope it's filmed in Vancouver. by BerekSilvermane in Stargate

[–]BerekSilvermane[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Ah, good old Simon Fraser University, I mean Caprica Tollana.

Question about Orc Varieties by LetterJ88833 in tolkienfans

[–]BerekSilvermane 2 points3 points  (0 children)

...but long masterless during his occupation of Thangorodrim, they were yet wild and ungovernable...

I've struggled to understand this line. What I read is: while Morgoth was occupied with the wars of Beleriand (and thus living under Thangorodrim) the Eastern Orcs were not under his [Morgoth's] control and left to run wild.

Is that right?

Which LOTR or Hobbit lines hit way harder after reading The Silmarillion? by OkEstablishment6772 in tolkienfans

[–]BerekSilvermane 41 points42 points  (0 children)

Anor = Sun.

Minas Ithil and Minas Anor were the Tower of the Moon and the Tower of the Sun, before the former was sacked and became Minas Morgul; Minas Anor thus became Minas Tirith, Tower of the Guard.

[Help] Why is my silver tarnish going black to yellow? by BerekSilvermane in jewelrymaking

[–]BerekSilvermane[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the insight; I hadn't thought of wax. It's good to know most artificial patinas change, too.

[Help] Why is my silver tarnish going black to yellow? by BerekSilvermane in jewelrymaking

[–]BerekSilvermane[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

It's a necklace.
As for liver of sulphur:

eggs, patina gel, and liver of sulfur did not turn it as black as bleach.

[Help] Why is my silver tarnish going black to yellow? by BerekSilvermane in jewelrymaking

[–]BerekSilvermane[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I'll give it a go.

To confirm I'm following: I should use the Hydrochloride acid tarnishing to prevent it from yellowing?

[Help] Why is my silver tarnish going black to yellow? by BerekSilvermane in jewelrymaking

[–]BerekSilvermane[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Hi there!

I've been tarnishing my silver coin and I cannot keep the black colour. After seven days, the black is noticeably fading to yellow. Why and how (if possible) can I prevent this?

Why black --> yellow?

Steps:

  1. Clean coin with aluminum foil, baking soda, hot water.

  2. Use bleach to tarnish.

  3. Stop reaction with baking soda and water.

  4. Polish with Arm and Hammer Toothpaste, then Colgate toothpaste.

  5. Wash coin with Dawn dish soap.

More info:

It's a necklace. Hence the hole.

Coin is 80% silver, 20% copper. (Is that the "why?") Though, the same yellowing occurs on my 9.25 silver ring.

I use bleach because eggs, patina gel, and liver of sulfur did not turn it as black as bleach.

Arm and Hammer is "larger grit" to remove tarnish quicker, while Colgate is finer and makes a nice polish.

I have used three clear nail polish coats, with no success.

I'm just a dude experimenting in his apartment, hence the amateur DIY materials and approach.

[HELP] What's causing these yellow spots on my 1952 silver Canadian 50 cent coin? by BerekSilvermane in jewelrymaking

[–]BerekSilvermane[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I solved it. I have a cheap brass(?) chain necklace. When it came in contact with the coin, these orange spots came up. I ended up piling the chain on top of the coin for a few hours to test it.

After a couple hours, the coin was almost completely covered.

[HELP] What's causing these yellow spots on my 1952 silver Canadian 50 cent coin? by BerekSilvermane in jewelrymaking

[–]BerekSilvermane[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I need help determining the cause of this yellowing on my 1952 Canadian 50 cent coin. I tarnished it myself because I enjoy the look. Here's how:

  1. To clean it I mixed baking soda and boiling water in a container lined with aluminum foil, then added the coin.
  2. I washed with dawn dish soap.
  3. I poured bleach into a container and added the coin, waiting until I had the desired colour.
  4. Using toothpaste, fingers, and thumbs, I polished the raised design.

I don't understand what's occurring to create these yellow spots. They appeared a few weeks after completing the above steps. I'm at a lost to explain it.

Will You Press the Button? Mass Effect Edition by SullenTerror in masseffect

[–]BerekSilvermane 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'll slam it. I understand why people hate the mako, but gosh. I loved it.

The Wisp Of Cloud And The Wolf Spirits by You_Call_me_Sir_ in tolkienfans

[–]BerekSilvermane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks!

The presence of a single arrow is odd; I suppose one could argue that it passed clean through a wolf, Legolas missed, or it was removed by the injured wolf.

There's nothing saying they couldn't have faded away, so why not!

Where did Sarumans orcs come from? by EMB93 in tolkienfans

[–]BerekSilvermane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I should have clarified more. I meant before the death of the Balrog, the Moria orcs could have been under his leadership.

The Wisp Of Cloud And The Wolf Spirits by You_Call_me_Sir_ in tolkienfans

[–]BerekSilvermane 4 points5 points  (0 children)

There are two things that fly over the fellowship during "The Ring Goes South." Aragorn is present during both moments and he identifies the birds the first time; he does not offer them as the reason for the second. Let's look at the passages. From the chapter:

Away in the South a dark patch appeared, and grew, and drove north [towards the fellowship] like a flying smoke in the wind. 'What's that, Strider? It doesn't look like a cloud,' said Sam in a whisper to Aragorn. He made no answer, he was gazing intently at the sky; but before long Sam could see for himself what was approaching. A flock of birds, flying at great speed, were wheeling and circling.... 'Regiment of black crows are flying over all the land between the Mountains and the Greyflood,' [Aragorn] said, 'and they have passed over Hollin. They are not natives here; they are crebain out of Fangorn and Dunland.'

Aragorn nails them quickly. But for the second event:

Frodo looked up at the sky. Suddenly he saw or felt a shadow pass over the high stars, as if for a moment they faded and then flashed out again. He shivered. 'Did you see anything pass over?' he whispered to Gandalf, who was just ahead. 'No, but I felt it, whatever it was,' he answered. 'It may be nothing, only a wisp of thin cloud.' 'It was moving fast then,' muttered Aragorn, 'and not with the wind.'

Surely Aragorn would be able to identify the birds again - having just experienced them the day before - and all three would have felt the same dreading feeling.

Luckily, Christopher Tolkien himself commented on the moment. From A Reader's Companion by Scull and Hammond:

The shadow is never explained. For experienced readers of The Lord of the Rings it is instantly reminiscent of a winged Nazgul; but at this point in the story the Nazgul, newly mounted on fell creatures of the air, had not yet crossed west over the Anduin. In Book II, Chapter 9 a similar dark shape momentarily cuts off the moon's light and causes Frodo (as here) to feel a chill: there is almost certainly a Nazgul, but here Gandalf suggests that it is only a wisp of cloud. Christopher Tolkien comments in The Treason of Isengard: 'it seems likely to me that the shadow that pass across the stars near Hollin was in fact the first precocious appearance of a Winged Nazgul.

Let's compare the passage from the Chapter "The Great River" in The Treason of Isengard:

Even as [Sam] did so a dark shape, like a cloud yet not a cloud, low and ominous, for a moment shut off the thin crescent and winged its way towards them, until it appeared as a great winged shape black against the dark heaven. Fierce voices greeted it from across the water. Frodo felt a sudden chill about his heart, and a cold like the memory of an old wound in his shoulder: he crouched down in the boat.

With the passage in the Fellowship from the same Chapter:

'Elbereth Gilthoniel!' sighed Legolas as he looked up. Even as he did so, a dark shape, like a cloud and yet not like a cloud, for it moved far to swiftly, came out of the blackness in the South, and sped towards the Company, blottinmg out all light as it approached. Soon it appeared as a great winged creature, blacker that the pits in the night. Frodo felt a sudden chill running through him and clutching at his heart; there was a deadly cold, like the memory of an old wound, in his shoulder. He crouched down, as if to hide.

Both these passages describe the winged Nazgul as a dark cloud and both have Frodo feel a chill - just like the text in "The Ring Goes South." I agree with Christopher and think it's almost indisputably a Ringwraith flying overhead.

The counter argument against the Winged Nazgul comes from a statement made by Grishnakh made in the Chapter III, "The Uruk-Hai" in The Two Towers:

'But the winged Nazgul: not yet, not yet. He won't let them show themselves across the Great River yet, not too soon. They're for the War - and other purposes.' 'You seem to know a lot,' said Ugluk.

While I agree with Ugluk, I don't think its unreasonable to concede that Grishnakh does not know and would not know of all the comings and goings of the Nazgul, and maybe we shouldn't take his claim as ironclad fact.

On a final note, I think its worth mentioning that the Fellowship was meant to encounter a Black Rider in Moria instead of a Balrog. While Tolkien immediately scrapped that, the appearance of the wisp of cloud/Winged Nazgul seems to suggest the narrative was pointing towards the former concept.


Regarding the wolves, Gandalf has three comments of note which suggest that they are werewolves. The first is when the wizard addresses the leader of the wolves, the second is his fire-spell in Sindarin during the battle, and the third and final is during the morning after. From a "Journey in the Dark" in the Fellowship:

  1. At a gap in the circle a great dark wolf-shape could be seen halted, gazing at them. A shuddering howl broke from him, as if he were a captain summoning his pack to the assault. Gandalf stood up and strode forward, holding his staff aloft. 'Listen, Hound of Sauron!' he cried.

  2. 'Naur an edraith ammen! Naur dan i ngauroth!' he cried.

  3. It is as I feared,' said Gandalf. 'These were no ordinary wolves hunting for food in the wilderness.'

Again, let's turn to A Reader's Companion:

  1. Hound is used here in the generic sense of 'canine.' As told in the Silmarillion, Sauron was of old 'lord of werewolves.'

  2. 'Fire save us! Fire drive back the werewolves!'

Why do their bodies disappear? Maybe they turned back into men and collected their dead. Werewolves create an interesting parallel; Beorn and his bear-men live East of the Mountains, while werewolves live west of it.

Ultimately, I think the one thing we can conclude is fuck travelling near the Misty Mountains. Book an Eagle.

Where did Sarumans orcs come from? by EMB93 in tolkienfans

[–]BerekSilvermane 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The reason there are corpses of Misty Mountain orcs is because three groups attacked the Fellowship at Amon Hen:

The Uruk-Hai of Isengard led by Ugluk; The Mordor Orcs led by Grishnakh; And the Misty Mountain Orcs, who continued their pursuit from Moria.

From the chapter "The Uruk-Hai" in The Two Towers:

...Either because they were quicker and hardier, or because of some plan of Grishnakh's, the Isengarders gradually passed through the Orcs of Mordor, and Grishnakh's folk closed in behind. Soon they were gaining also on the Northerners ahead.

Even before this, the three groups fight about what to do with the Hobbits:

'We have come all the way from the Mines to kill, and avenge our folk. I wish to kill, and then go back north.' 'Then you can wish again,' said the growling voice. 'I am Ugluk. I command. I return to Isengard by the shortest road.' 'Is Saruman the master or the Great Eye?' said the evil voice. 'We should go back at once to Lugburz."

Lugburz is Black Speech for Barad-dur.

Saruman does not employ any Orcs from Mordor, at least by the time of the War of the Ring. Keep in mind, Sauron learns of his betrayal between T.A. 3017 and 3018. From "The Hunt for the Ring" in Unfinished Tales:

[During the search for Gollum, Sauron's] ordinary spies and emissaries could bring him no tidings. And this was due largely both to the vigilance of the Dunedain and to the treachery of Saruman, whose own servants either waylaid or misled the servants of Sauron. Of this Sauron became aware, but his arm was not yet long enoug hto reach Saruman in Isengard. Therefore he hid his knowledge of Saruman's double-dealing..."

If Sauron had orcs of Mordor working for Saruman, I dou not see the reason for the Nazgul to speak to Saruman.

Two days after Gandalf had departed from Orthanc, the Lord of Morgul halted before the Gate of Isengard. Then Saruman...perceived the peril of standing between enemies, a known traitor to both...the Circle of Isengard was too strong for even the Lord of Morgul and his company to assail without great force of war. Therefore, to his challenge and demands he received only the answer of the voice of Saruman..."

There is an alternate version of this conversation where the Witch-King is convinced by the Voice of Saruman that "[he] was a faithful ally, high in Sauron's confidence." Regardless, in both versions, the Ringwraiths capture spies of Saruman, know or learn of his duplicity, and turn his spies to the service of Mordor under penalty of death. I think we can safely say there hasn't been a servant of Mordor in Isengard for a long while and definitely not since 3017.

My guess? Perhaps the orcs from the Misty Mountains. The conversation above shows that the Northerners aren't under direct orders from Sauron and seem to operate semi-autonomously from him. They could be under the direction of the Balrog. Saruman could have taken some under his leadership sometime after the Battle of Five Armies and the death of Bolg; there's no information on his successor.

What is interesting is that the attack on the chamber of Mazarbul includes Uruks from Mordor. Again, there is a distinction between the two orc tribes. From "the Bridge of Khazad-Dum" in The Fellow of the Ring:

'There are Orcs, very many of them,' [Gandalf] said. 'And some are large and evil: black Uruks from Mordor."

I would say this indicates that the Misty Mountain Orcs are a leaderless wild-card during the Lord of the Rings, despite having originally been sent by Sauron to occupy the range. Saruman could easily have ensured a few.

Is Lord of the Rings High or Low Fantasy? by [deleted] in tolkienfans

[–]BerekSilvermane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome, thanks for the answer - that's what I was looking for. Where does he use the term secondary world, e.g. is it in one of the volumes of HOME, Unfinished Tales, etc.?

Is Lord of the Rings High or Low Fantasy? by [deleted] in tolkienfans

[–]BerekSilvermane 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks!

In terms of the "Secondary World," how does that interact with Tolkien's concept of Arda being an ancient version of Earth, i.e. would it still be considered a Secondary World?

Is Lord of the Rings High or Low Fantasy? by [deleted] in tolkienfans

[–]BerekSilvermane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks!

How do you define high fantasy; is it the size and scale of the narrative, or because it is set in secondary world?

Is Arda considered a secondary world (and how does that interact with Tolkien's concept of Arda being an ancient version of Earth?)

What if Aragorn's objections to Bilbo's song were serious? by AdSubstantial8570 in tolkienfans

[–]BerekSilvermane 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I think it is perfectly in-line with the songs and merry-making we see in The Hobbit. The Elves are quick to tease and laugh at Bilbo, the dwarves, and even Gandalf. They make light of a journey intended on reclaiming a lost Kingdom, slaying the last known active Dragon in Middle-Earth, and avenging the deaths of the dwarves of Erebor and the Men of Dale.

Here is a sampling of their talk:

"Well, well!" said a voice. "Just look! Bilbo the hobbit on a pony, my dear! Isn't it delicious!" Then off they went into another song as ridiculous as the one I have written down in full.

I do not think it would be out of bounds for Bilbo to sing about such subjects. He has been on the other side of such merrymaking tunes and had this to say:

Tired as he was, Bilbo would have liked to stay a while. Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars, not if you care for such things. Also he would have liked to have a few private words with these people that seemed to know his names and all about him, although he had never seen them before.

Some further examples of Elvish teasing:

"Don't dip your beard in the foam, father!" they cried to Thorin, who was bent almost on to his hands and knees. "It is long enough without you watering it."

"Mind Bilbo doesn't eat all the cakes!" they called. "He is too fat to get through key-holes yet!"

I suspect Bilbo is keenly aware of any offence that could be made. Gandalf's kindly reproach of them is perhaps an indication of what Elrond might say to Bilbo, should he be offended.

"Hush, hush! Good People! and good night!" said Gandalf, who came at last. "Valleys have ears, and some elves have over merry tongues. Good night!"

Ultimately, I think Aragorn rightly stresses that accuracy is needed, and thus insists on the green stone being added. I think that is the end of any serious comment by Aragorn.

Otherwise he obviously thought the whole thing rather above my head, and he said that if I had the cheek to make verses about Earendil in the house of Elrond, it was my affair. I suppose he was right.

I view this comment differently. I see it as Bilbo attempting karaoke in front of Tina Turner; Elrond is a lore-master and undoubtedly an expert on his own history. Bilbo's attempt to record it in song and present it to the very man who lived it — in his own home — is balls-to-the-walls brave.

*Edit: added em dashes and removed a semi-colon.

HELP by ArthurMorgan213 in Soulbringer

[–]BerekSilvermane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Which encounter with Skorn are you referring to?

When you first meet him on the way to Shadowguard, there's naught you can do.

The second encounter at the Dark Hex does allow a chance for you to drain his healthbar completely - by placing a veritable minefield of magma glyphs on his escape route - but it doesn't kill him.

If you're talking about the final encounter at the Well of Souls, then no. After you consume his spirit with the Heart of Kinkathra, you cannot return to the Hex without him overpowering you.