So, will we ever get a Wizard type profession?

[Tolwen]

So the interpretation that only those of Numenorean blood have the ability of the Eldar to use magic, and that by the end of the Third Age this blood is so diluted that only those of the purest blood can still do so, and (in game terms) this is limited to a single 'ability', is a darned good attempt to meet both of those criteria. But I don't believe it's the only one.

(Again, I'll bring up Wormtongue: his 'persuasive' ability is far beyond anything possible in the real world, and thus is somewhat magical. I don't believe he's a long-forgotten heir of Elendil.)

My reply was purely on the theoretical side and not about the precise subject.
Indeed I agree that the corpus presents some room for magic "spells" or lore to be learned and be applied - in addition to abilities innate to an individual or a group.
That said, I think your example of Wormtongue is a good one and is IMHO absolutely conceivable that he learned some - questionable - magical lore/spells from Saruman in order to initiate and promote Theoden's mental and spiritual decline in addition to his mundane skills of diplomacy and intrigue.

I also began

Cheers
Tolwen

[poosticks7]

I only just read this thread and find it funny that no one seems to have picked up on Jon's Hint

[Glorelendil]

I only just read this thread and find it funny that no one seems to have picked up on Jon's Hint

Good point. We should dissect that hint thoroughly. My admiration for Francesco's cunning knows no bounds.

[zedturtle]

I only just read this thread and find it funny that no one seems to have picked up on Jon's Hint

Fascinating. (The hint, not your calling it out)

I wonder what that's going to look like... I'm also torn between trying to buckle down and get my own ideas in coherent form (for posterity's sake, to prove how wrong I was) or abandoning it, if Francesco has a different approach.

[Arthadan]

Quick note about Wormtongue: I have no problem with Men using Sorcery, as we have some examples. First the Necromancer is supposed to be a human Sorcerer and the White Council find it possible (somebody has mentioned this earlier), the we have the Mouth of Sauron who was a Black Númenórean (Númenóreans again, coincidence?) and finally we *could* include Wormtongue (although he could be very persuasive, or a lesser Sorcerer at best).

Sorcery is powered by the Morgothian element dispersed in all Arda Marred and thus it can be learnt (I guess not by everybody and it's not easy to find a master) and is highly corrupting.

My concerns come with heroes belonging to the race of Men casting magic. I'm curious to see Francesco take on this (the "spiritual bear" for Beornings was good enough or me, but i could live without it as well).

[Tolwen]

My concerns come with heroes belonging to the race of Men casting magic. I'm curious to see Francesco take on this (the "spiritual bear" for Beornings was good enough or me, but i could live without it as well).

With reference to Beorn, a remark in the Letters might be a help:

Beorn is dead; see vol. I p. 241. He appeared in The Hobbit. It was then the year Third Age 2940 (Shire-reckoning 1340). We are now in the years 3018-19 (1418-19). Though a skin-changer and no doubt a bit of a magician, Beorn was a Man.
—Letters (#144, to Naomi Mitchison from 25 April 1954

Cheers
Tolwen

[Rich H]

Fascinating. (The hint, not your calling it out)

I wonder what that's going to look like... I'm also torn between trying to buckle down and get my own ideas in coherent form (for posterity's sake, to prove how wrong I was) or abandoning it, if Francesco has a different approach.

I think you're assuming there that the hint relates to something to do with magic. If you go read it again I'd suggest it doesn't.

[Falenthal]

Fascinating. (The hint, not your calling it out)

I wonder what that's going to look like... I'm also torn between trying to buckle down and get my own ideas in coherent form (for posterity's sake, to prove how wrong I was) or abandoning it, if Francesco has a different approach.

I think you're assuming there that the hint relates to something to do with magic. If you go read it again I'd suggest it doesn't.

I don't have a clue what the hint refers to. What do other think? Dual-wielding, wizards, armor damage reduction, lightsabers...?

[zedturtle]

I don't have a clue what the hint refers to. What do other think? Dual-wielding, wizards, armor damage reduction, lightsabers...?

Armour damage reduction is too fiddly for this ruleset.

Thus, it is dual-lightsaber-wielding jedi-like wizards that will be getting.

[Glorelendil]

I do have to point out that TOR mechanics solve the problem of Lightsabers better than most RPGs. Edge = 2, Injury = 30.