Introduction

The Runekeeper has been a hot topic during the pre-MoM expansion release. I made this article to hopefully fulfill any questions that arise regarding the rune-keeper and it's relation to the lore.

So What is Magic?

Tolkien never describes what magic really is in Middle Earth. He would often state that certain items held great magical power but never fully describes those powers. Thus it has been formed into one of the largest debates regarding the lore of Middle Earth. With the Mines of Moria introducing a new 'magic' class, this debate has been rekindled.

So What is magic?

Do Rune-keepers violate the lore?

These questions among other will be answered in this article. That is not the full goal of this article though. I wish to instill a greater love of the lore and lead you to form your own questions which you will research and expand your own knowledge.

Magic in Middle-Earth

Lets begin with a quote used by Turbine in their developer diary featuring the Rune-keeper.

'And you? ' she said, turning to Sam. 'For this is what your folk would call magic. I believe; though I do not understand clearly what they mean; and they seem also to use the same word of the deceits of the Enemy. But this, if you will, is the magic of Galadriel.'

So Magic is simply something we don't understand fully? Yes, but it is much more.

Five Istari were sent to Middle Earth by the Valar and were of the Maiar, with Gandalf and Saruman being the most known. Being of the Maiar they were powerful beings, but rarely used what we call 'magic'. This is not because the power did not exist but because they were sent by the Valar to assist the men of Middle Earth through their wisdom not their power. Although they did not use 'magic' often, there are still several times where Tolkien tells of their magical deeds.

Gandalf, for example used magic to create light, to break the bridge of Khazud-dum, to disarm Aragorn, Gimli and destroy Legolas's arrow, and to create a "shaft of light' to drive the Nazgul away. When speaking to Gimli he speaks of Saruman's ability to create illusions and to portray himself as someone he is not.

In Middle-Earth 'magic' is simply the alteration of an object. A quote from the Fellowship of the Ring helps explain this.

"If Gandalf would go before us with a bright flame, he might melt a path for you," said Legolas. The storm had troubled him little, and he alone of the Company remained still light of heart.

"If Elves could fly over mountains, they might fetch the Sun to save us," answered Gandalf. "But I must have something to work on. I cannot burn snow."

The use of 'magic' while crafting an object is one of the most common examples. Many weapons in the history of Middle Earth held special power, some of the better known ones are Narsil and Sting.

"So passed the sword of the Barrow-downs, work of Westernesse. But glad would he have been to know its fate who wrought it slowly long ago in the North-kingdom when the Dunedain were young, and chief among their foes was the dread realm of Angmar and its sorcerer king. No other blade, not though mightier hands had wielded it, would have dealt that foe a wound so bitter, cleaving the undead flesh, breaking the spell that knit his unseen sinews to his will."

Foresight and the perceiving on what others are thinking is a trait primarily Galadriel held, but others such as Elrond and Aragon had the power of foresight although to a lesser degree.

"But do not think that only by singing amid the trees, nor even by the slender arrows of elven-bows, is this land of Lothlórien maintained and defended against it's Enemy. I say to you, Frodo, that even as I speak to you, I perceive the Dark Lord and know his mind, or all of it that concerns the Elves. And he gropes ever to see me and my thought. But still the door is closed!"

A quote regarding Aragon's foresight.

"Thus we meet again, though all the hosts of Mordor lay between us," said Aragorn. "Did I not say so at the Hornburg?"

"So you spoke," said Eomer, "but hope oft deceives, and I knew not then that you were a man foresighted."

Animals also played a role in the 'magic' of Middle-Earth. Several characters throughout the history of Middle Earth could speak with the animals and Saruman used some animals as spies. A quote from the hobbit tells of the ability to speak to a thrush.

"Suddenly out of the darkness something fluttered to his shoulder. He started -- but it was only an old thrush. Unafraid it perched by his shoulder and it brought him news. Marvelling he found he could understand its tongue, for he was of the race of Dale."

Beorn was well know for not only his ability to speak to many creatures, but his ability to actually change into a bear.

"He is a skin-changer. He changes his skin: sometimes he is a huge black bear, sometimes he is a great strong black-haired man with huge arms and a great beard. I cannot tell you much more, though that ought to be enough."

The power to heal is an important aspect of 'magic' in Middle-Earth. Elrond was well known for his healing abilities. Aragorn too had the power to heal with only his touch. A quote regarding the kings of Gondor helps explain Aragorn's power to heal.

"the hands of the king are the hands of a healer"

Conclusion

Hopefully this article has provided insight into the nature of magic in Middle-earth, and also the nature of the Rune-keeper's abilities and other seemingly magical skills in the game. This of course is not everything regarding magic in Middle Earth, there is still much to learn so I encourage you to go and learn more on your own.

Thank You for reading.

The Rune-keeper dev. diary can be found here.

--Zachaol 15:42, 15 September 2008 (EDT)

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