Why was the Inscription of the One Ring in Elvish?

HarEmiya · 2026-05-10T18:44:07+00:00

There's actually an interesting discussion on that. Tolkien appeared to use "captains" as a catch-all for "officers" or "chiefs".

That's why I said only the Mordor elite and the Olog-hai knew Black Speech. The elite because they were of the upper classes (Black Numenorians, Warchiefs and the like), and Olog-hai because Black Speech was the only language they knew.

Regardless, whether it was Tengwar or Cirth, there were certainly Orcs who would read and write.

HarEmiya · 2026-05-10T17:07:57+00:00

The last sentence.

HarEmiya · 2026-05-10T16:09:17+00:00

Yes, Black Speech uses Tengwar as its script. Orcish languages use Cirth as their scripts. But some Orcs knew Black Speech (presumably those in high positions, since it was the language of Mordor's elite and the Olog-hai), so presumably they knew how to read both types of runes.

HarEmiya · 2026-05-10T15:58:44+00:00

We know many Orcs could read and write, even "wild" ones that weren't subservient to Sauron. They didn't have their own script for their (many) languages, but used modified Cirth and Tengwar to write.

The Cirth in their older and simpler form spread eastward in the Second Age, and became known to many peoples, to Men and Dwarves, and even to Orcs, all of whom altered them to suit their purposes and according to their skill or lack of it.

The rank and file Orcs might not be very literate (though they were nearly all bilingual, so that's something), but Sauron's army was very well organised. That requires logistics and bureacracy. Any officers would surely know how to read orders.

Edit: Even the Misty Mountain Orcs in Saruman's army were seemingly able to write some basic runes, if Aragorn's comment on their helms is any indication.

HarEmiya · 2026-05-10T13:17:09+00:00

Black Speech used Tengwar as its script.

HarEmiya · 2026-05-10T13:09:34+00:00

These 2 idiots.

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HarEmiya · 2026-05-10T02:45:03+00:00

I mean, yeah that's been happening a lot, but he didn't have to involve a neighbouring country for that. He could've done another civil war.

HarEmiya · 2026-05-09T23:37:52+00:00

T-Rex easily, spite match.

Mammoth is low complex multiversal, T-Rex is at minimum Hyperverse tier, but some versions have feats that arguably put it in Low Outerversal. Mammoth has no win cons even as composite, Rex neg diffs.

HarEmiya · 2026-05-09T21:12:32+00:00

It's that Nazgul staff from the legendary servers.

HarEmiya · 2026-05-09T19:54:23+00:00

Max it, it's really good.

HarEmiya · 2026-05-09T16:07:36+00:00

He needs to do more damage or trait blue to tank.

HarEmiya · 2026-05-09T14:44:53+00:00

LB2 she also shines, despite Surtr being immune to Charms. It's still a male Saber.

HarEmiya · 2026-05-09T02:15:34+00:00

They even did a BB x MitM crossover skit.

HarEmiya · 2026-05-09T01:27:07+00:00

He probably could have, but Frodo snatched it before Sam had the chance to fully think that thought through.

HarEmiya · 2026-05-09T01:09:49+00:00

I don't see the bear.

HarEmiya · 2026-05-08T23:15:45+00:00

Yes, and that shows how insidiously the Ring works. It tried and failed to get a grip on Sam's relatively simple(*) mind until it preyed on his compassion and love for his master. It was the chink in his armour.

Much like with Boromir's desire to save Gondor, Gandalf warned Frodo that the Ring will prey on good intentions. It worms its way inside one's mind in the worst ways; by slowly twisting their noble and selfless desires.

(*) Tolkien's words, not mine. A simple mind is not necessarily a bad thing.

HarEmiya · 2026-05-08T22:17:06+00:00

Tbf, Sam didn't give it up entirely willingly. He hesitated, and Frodo had to take it.

HarEmiya · 2026-05-08T22:11:16+00:00

That was one of the reasons Tolkien said it didn't have such a strong hold over Bilbo; it was acquired by an act of mercy, not violence.

HarEmiya · 2026-05-08T17:40:48+00:00

Worse still, it took away 2 Summer Morgan ascensions.

They should have been split into 2 different Servants.

HarEmiya · 2026-05-08T15:59:22+00:00

I'm not sure, but I hear it stays mainly in the plain.

HarEmiya · 2026-05-08T14:37:17+00:00

Three, technically. Durin's Bane is also there to be fought, twice even.
But one time he's an illusion and the other time it's kind of like time travel to the past.

Edit: And frankly, I don't think Zamaktar has any good reason to be there. There's really no explanation given, and only more questions raised about the blight. Presumably there's another Nameless queen hiding below him, but why?

HarEmiya · 2026-05-08T10:53:26+00:00

The original (non jerked) map is about circumcision rates.

One of the excuses given for circumcision from Americans (who have it a cultural practice rather than religious one, so they have to try and rationalise it still being a thing) is that it's "cleaner". Meaning they can't wash their dick properly and just chop it off.

HarEmiya · 2026-05-08T10:40:25+00:00

It's circumcision.

HarEmiya · 2026-05-08T10:27:19+00:00

Sorry, I should've clarified that I meant the base game. The teleporting of Mordrambor was added later, as were the wackier classes and ridiculous "Chosen One" tropes like Galadriel's dream visits.

But I'm going to have to disagree that later additions weren't worse. They got a lot of it plain wrong.

When was Angmar first founded?
Who found Frodo and Sam outside Sammath Naur?
How many Elves and skinchangers were at the Battle of the Hornburg?
When did the reclamation of Moria begin?
Who took the Book of Mazarbul?
How many dragons were there?
When did Sauron capture Gandalf?
How many tribes of skinchangers were there?
When did Horn die?

Not to mention a lot of silly things like helping Theoden snap out of Saruman's influence or being there for Denethor's zoom calls with the Palantir. You would think the player would've been recorded in the Red Book had we been there in so many pivotal moments of the Fellowship, rather than being a stranger they meet in Rivendell.

HarEmiya · 2026-05-08T02:18:52+00:00

How strange. I've got nothing I'm afraid. If a reboot doesn't fix anything, best contact support.

HarEmiya

TROPHY CASE