Nienna, the Valier of Mercy, was single and a wanderer. She's not the most powerful, but...
RugbyPlayingAshaman Send a noteboard - 09/04/2010 06:55:23 PM
Gandalf (Olorin) learned pity and wisdom from her and he is considered one of her most well-known followers. That is important an contribution, even though as you say, it is technically an indirect effect.
That being said, with the exception of Tulkas and Orome (with Orome being acknowledged of the greatest at armed combat and Tulkas the greatest at wrestling and physical force), even the Valar did not really go forth in battle or demonstrate overbearing battle prowess. Manwe, their chief, for example, went to war against Melkor, but could not overcome him alone. It seems like their nature of battle has less to do with overpowering an opponent with might, and more to do with understanding an element of an opponent and being able to draw upon greater cosmic forces to neutralize it. Varda, for example, struck the first blow against Melkor not by hurling a javelin at him, but by creating the stars which always drove back Melkors' monsters and gave courage to the Elves and Men.
That being said, with the exception of Tulkas and Orome (with Orome being acknowledged of the greatest at armed combat and Tulkas the greatest at wrestling and physical force), even the Valar did not really go forth in battle or demonstrate overbearing battle prowess. Manwe, their chief, for example, went to war against Melkor, but could not overcome him alone. It seems like their nature of battle has less to do with overpowering an opponent with might, and more to do with understanding an element of an opponent and being able to draw upon greater cosmic forces to neutralize it. Varda, for example, struck the first blow against Melkor not by hurling a javelin at him, but by creating the stars which always drove back Melkors' monsters and gave courage to the Elves and Men.
"Those who think they have no time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness."
The greatest King in Fantasy
09/04/2010 05:18:42 AM
- 2011 Views
King Arthur. Hands down.
09/04/2010 06:40:15 AM
- 1390 Views
I would argue with you.
09/04/2010 06:54:53 AM
- 1356 Views
That's the point, though. Arthur's humanity is what makes him so admirable.
09/04/2010 06:59:07 AM
- 1393 Views
I have to agree with Dannymac
09/04/2010 02:04:44 PM
- 1391 Views
But he's not in a modern fantasy novel.
09/04/2010 07:37:14 PM
- 1405 Views

when I read the actual book...
10/04/2010 12:08:21 AM
- 1408 Views
"The actual character"? Which of the countless different ones? *NM*
10/04/2010 12:21:00 AM
- 664 Views
i mean the actual character of Arthur in the actual book.
10/04/2010 12:51:44 AM
- 1496 Views
There isn't an "actual book." Le Morte d'Arthur is a relatively early compilation of legends. *NM*
10/04/2010 03:09:40 AM
- 707 Views
I'm going with the most likely historical version of King Arthur
09/04/2010 06:45:26 PM
- 1440 Views
My money is still on Aragorn
09/04/2010 12:47:43 PM
- 1504 Views
Aragorn is so awesome...
09/04/2010 02:05:42 PM
- 1369 Views
Arwen's character is just never fleshed out, though.
09/04/2010 02:18:30 PM
- 1333 Views
Re: Arwen's character is just never fleshed out, though.
09/04/2010 02:49:45 PM
- 1391 Views
Mostly, yes, but there are a few exceptions - Galadriel, Eowyn, and above all Luthien.
09/04/2010 03:32:00 PM
- 1336 Views
Re: Mostly, yes, but there are a few exceptions - Galadriel, Eowyn, and above all Luthien.
09/04/2010 03:45:37 PM
- 1594 Views
I can't agree about the goddesses.
09/04/2010 04:34:15 PM
- 1439 Views
Re: I can't agree about the goddesses.
09/04/2010 04:55:34 PM
- 1334 Views
If Tacitus and Graves were accurate
09/04/2010 05:09:20 PM
- 1424 Views
Re: If Tacitus and Graves were accurate
09/04/2010 05:26:43 PM
- 1344 Views
I rather liked her depiction in Rome.
09/04/2010 05:34:37 PM
- 1434 Views
Re: I can't agree about the goddesses.
09/04/2010 05:02:50 PM
- 1386 Views
Nienna, the Valier of Mercy, was single and a wanderer. She's not the most powerful, but...
09/04/2010 06:55:23 PM
- 1403 Views
Re: Nienna, the Valier of Mercy, was single and a wanderer. She's not the most powerful, but...
09/04/2010 07:04:37 PM
- 1407 Views
thought of a better example: Arien the Maia of the Sun was single and far more powerful than Tilion
09/04/2010 09:17:34 PM
- 1639 Views
Re: I can't agree about the goddesses.
09/04/2010 05:06:49 PM
- 1500 Views
That was my first assumption too, but evidently not. *NM*
09/04/2010 05:22:39 PM
- 646 Views
I changed it to Livia Augusta
Sheesh, you people-- a guy mistypes one time!! *NM*
09/04/2010 05:29:03 PM
- 708 Views

I call bullshit
09/04/2010 08:09:49 PM
- 1333 Views
Re: I call bullshit
09/04/2010 08:31:16 PM
- 1358 Views
Re: I call bullshit
10/04/2010 08:04:15 AM
- 1443 Views
I didn't realize it was fashionable to call Tolkien sexist.
10/04/2010 05:12:07 PM
- 1436 Views
He's good, but then he just doesn't have to face so many things.
09/04/2010 02:22:04 PM
- 1639 Views
Doesn't have to face many things?
09/04/2010 07:59:27 PM
- 1403 Views
As in, there are many important aspects of being king he doesn't have to face.
09/04/2010 08:07:16 PM
- 1389 Views
well technically speaking he WAS the king when he did all those things.
10/04/2010 12:15:26 AM
- 1395 Views
Re: Doesn't have to face many things?
09/04/2010 08:38:51 PM
- 1251 Views
Re: Doesn't have to face many things?
10/04/2010 08:24:33 AM
- 1344 Views
I'm sure there are many, but one coming to mind is Prince Josua from Memory, Sorrow and Thorn
09/04/2010 02:23:57 PM
- 1360 Views
I'm going to go with a tie...
09/04/2010 04:22:42 PM
- 1368 Views
Rohan was a whiny hypocritical bitch who failed at the only real test of rulership he ever faced.
10/04/2010 02:51:34 AM
- 1419 Views
Artur Hawkwing
10/04/2010 03:34:02 AM
- 1518 Views
Alexander the Great?
*NM*
10/04/2010 05:08:25 AM
- 675 Views

AH conquered more, did better, & was not a huge d-bag. Alex would have commissioned that big statue *NM*
12/04/2010 03:00:39 PM
- 654 Views
And both managed to have their so-called "empires" crumble within a year of their death. *NM*
12/04/2010 06:12:20 PM
- 661 Views
Which just reinforces how awesome AH was - no one else could do what he did
13/04/2010 11:50:54 AM
- 1442 Views
???
10/04/2010 10:30:13 AM
- 1913 Views
Ta'veren is not a power, it is an accomodation with what the Pattern demands of certain people
12/04/2010 02:56:57 PM
- 1337 Views
What's the name of the Lemur-thing that's the King in "the penguins of madagascar"? He gets my vote! *NM*
14/04/2010 04:46:42 AM
- 709 Views