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
2085 Views
King Arthur. Hands down.
- 09/04/2010 06:40:15 AM
1484 Views
I would argue with you.
- 09/04/2010 06:54:53 AM
1436 Views
That's the point, though. Arthur's humanity is what makes him so admirable.
- 09/04/2010 06:59:07 AM
1454 Views
I have to agree with Dannymac
- 09/04/2010 02:04:44 PM
1448 Views
But he's not in a modern fantasy novel.
- 09/04/2010 07:37:14 PM
1496 Views
- 09/04/2010 07:37:14 PM
1496 Views
when I read the actual book...
- 10/04/2010 12:08:21 AM
1482 Views
"The actual character"? Which of the countless different ones? *NM*
- 10/04/2010 12:21:00 AM
697 Views
i mean the actual character of Arthur in the actual book.
- 10/04/2010 12:51:44 AM
1572 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
738 Views
I'm going with the most likely historical version of King Arthur
- 09/04/2010 06:45:26 PM
1521 Views
My money is still on Aragorn
- 09/04/2010 12:47:43 PM
1582 Views
Aragorn is so awesome...
- 09/04/2010 02:05:42 PM
1431 Views
Arwen's character is just never fleshed out, though.
- 09/04/2010 02:18:30 PM
1394 Views
Re: Arwen's character is just never fleshed out, though.
- 09/04/2010 02:49:45 PM
1462 Views
Mostly, yes, but there are a few exceptions - Galadriel, Eowyn, and above all Luthien.
- 09/04/2010 03:32:00 PM
1398 Views
Re: Mostly, yes, but there are a few exceptions - Galadriel, Eowyn, and above all Luthien.
- 09/04/2010 03:45:37 PM
1663 Views
I can't agree about the goddesses.
- 09/04/2010 04:34:15 PM
1523 Views
Re: I can't agree about the goddesses.
- 09/04/2010 04:55:34 PM
1404 Views
If Tacitus and Graves were accurate
- 09/04/2010 05:09:20 PM
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Re: If Tacitus and Graves were accurate
- 09/04/2010 05:26:43 PM
1433 Views
I rather liked her depiction in Rome.
- 09/04/2010 05:34:37 PM
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Re: I can't agree about the goddesses.
- 09/04/2010 05:02:50 PM
1469 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
1475 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
1489 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
1722 Views
Re: I can't agree about the goddesses.
- 09/04/2010 05:06:49 PM
1576 Views
That was my first assumption too, but evidently not. *NM*
- 09/04/2010 05:22:39 PM
676 Views
I changed it to Livia Augusta
Sheesh, you people-- a guy mistypes one time!! *NM*
- 09/04/2010 05:29:03 PM
744 Views
Sheesh, you people-- a guy mistypes one time!! *NM*
- 09/04/2010 05:29:03 PM
744 Views
I call bullshit
- 09/04/2010 08:09:49 PM
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Re: I call bullshit
- 09/04/2010 08:31:16 PM
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Re: I call bullshit
- 10/04/2010 08:04:15 AM
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I didn't realize it was fashionable to call Tolkien sexist.
- 10/04/2010 05:12:07 PM
1509 Views
He's good, but then he just doesn't have to face so many things.
- 09/04/2010 02:22:04 PM
1725 Views
Doesn't have to face many things?
- 09/04/2010 07:59:27 PM
1472 Views
As in, there are many important aspects of being king he doesn't have to face.
- 09/04/2010 08:07:16 PM
1463 Views
well technically speaking he WAS the king when he did all those things.
- 10/04/2010 12:15:26 AM
1456 Views
Re: Doesn't have to face many things?
- 09/04/2010 08:38:51 PM
1326 Views
Re: Doesn't have to face many things?
- 10/04/2010 08:24:33 AM
1419 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
1419 Views
I'm going to go with a tie...
- 09/04/2010 04:22:42 PM
1426 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
1502 Views
Artur Hawkwing
- 10/04/2010 03:34:02 AM
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Alexander the Great?
*NM*
- 10/04/2010 05:08:25 AM
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*NM*
- 10/04/2010 05:08:25 AM
707 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
684 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
696 Views
Which just reinforces how awesome AH was - no one else could do what he did
- 13/04/2010 11:50:54 AM
1506 Views
???
- 10/04/2010 10:30:13 AM
2004 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
1418 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
739 Views
