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
- 1993 Views
King Arthur. Hands down.
09/04/2010 06:40:15 AM
- 1376 Views
I would argue with you.
09/04/2010 06:54:53 AM
- 1340 Views
That's the point, though. Arthur's humanity is what makes him so admirable.
09/04/2010 06:59:07 AM
- 1377 Views
I have to agree with Dannymac
09/04/2010 02:04:44 PM
- 1377 Views
But he's not in a modern fantasy novel.
09/04/2010 07:37:14 PM
- 1392 Views

when I read the actual book...
10/04/2010 12:08:21 AM
- 1393 Views
"The actual character"? Which of the countless different ones? *NM*
10/04/2010 12:21:00 AM
- 657 Views
i mean the actual character of Arthur in the actual book.
10/04/2010 12:51:44 AM
- 1469 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
- 700 Views
I'm going with the most likely historical version of King Arthur
09/04/2010 06:45:26 PM
- 1422 Views
My money is still on Aragorn
09/04/2010 12:47:43 PM
- 1489 Views
Aragorn is so awesome...
09/04/2010 02:05:42 PM
- 1354 Views
Arwen's character is just never fleshed out, though.
09/04/2010 02:18:30 PM
- 1317 Views
Re: Arwen's character is just never fleshed out, though.
09/04/2010 02:49:45 PM
- 1375 Views
Mostly, yes, but there are a few exceptions - Galadriel, Eowyn, and above all Luthien.
09/04/2010 03:32:00 PM
- 1320 Views
Re: Mostly, yes, but there are a few exceptions - Galadriel, Eowyn, and above all Luthien.
09/04/2010 03:45:37 PM
- 1578 Views
I can't agree about the goddesses.
09/04/2010 04:34:15 PM
- 1424 Views
Re: I can't agree about the goddesses.
09/04/2010 04:55:34 PM
- 1317 Views
If Tacitus and Graves were accurate
09/04/2010 05:09:20 PM
- 1409 Views
Re: If Tacitus and Graves were accurate
09/04/2010 05:26:43 PM
- 1328 Views
I rather liked her depiction in Rome.
09/04/2010 05:34:37 PM
- 1416 Views
Re: I can't agree about the goddesses.
09/04/2010 05:02:50 PM
- 1373 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
- 1388 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
- 1391 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
- 1624 Views
Re: I can't agree about the goddesses.
09/04/2010 05:06:49 PM
- 1484 Views
That was my first assumption too, but evidently not. *NM*
09/04/2010 05:22:39 PM
- 640 Views
I changed it to Livia Augusta
Sheesh, you people-- a guy mistypes one time!! *NM*
09/04/2010 05:29:03 PM
- 702 Views

I call bullshit
09/04/2010 08:09:49 PM
- 1321 Views
Re: I call bullshit
09/04/2010 08:31:16 PM
- 1345 Views
Re: I call bullshit
10/04/2010 08:04:15 AM
- 1428 Views
I didn't realize it was fashionable to call Tolkien sexist.
10/04/2010 05:12:07 PM
- 1421 Views
He's good, but then he just doesn't have to face so many things.
09/04/2010 02:22:04 PM
- 1623 Views
Doesn't have to face many things?
09/04/2010 07:59:27 PM
- 1390 Views
As in, there are many important aspects of being king he doesn't have to face.
09/04/2010 08:07:16 PM
- 1371 Views
well technically speaking he WAS the king when he did all those things.
10/04/2010 12:15:26 AM
- 1380 Views
Re: Doesn't have to face many things?
09/04/2010 08:38:51 PM
- 1236 Views
Re: Doesn't have to face many things?
10/04/2010 08:24:33 AM
- 1327 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
- 1340 Views
I'm going to go with a tie...
09/04/2010 04:22:42 PM
- 1355 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
- 1404 Views
Artur Hawkwing
10/04/2010 03:34:02 AM
- 1504 Views
Alexander the Great?
*NM*
10/04/2010 05:08:25 AM
- 670 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
- 648 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
- 656 Views
Which just reinforces how awesome AH was - no one else could do what he did
13/04/2010 11:50:54 AM
- 1427 Views
???
10/04/2010 10:30:13 AM
- 1893 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
- 1324 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
- 703 Views