Wraiths with wings

[DavetheLost]

This is not really a game rules question, we are years yet from them making an appearance in game, game time not publishing time (I hope).

We all know that the Witch King rides a pterodactyl-like mount, but what over Nazgul? For whatever reason when first reading the novel, and for many of the years since I have pictured the Nazgul as riding giant carrion crows or vultures, not unlike the California Condor. I just got the impression that beast their Captain roads was a one-off.

I don't recall any specific description of any of the other flying mounts in LotR so I am just curious what other people think.

I did like to see the Games Workshop wraiths mounted on carrion crows as they fit my vision of the Nazgul.

[zedturtle]

Legolas shoots at a 'winged messenger' as they travel down the Anduin; I've always supposed (based on Gandalf's later comments) that it was a Nazgûl on a Fell Beast that he shot.

Pippin sees Black Riders of the air (five in number), who ride 'birdlike forms, horrible as carrion-fowl yet greater than eagles, cruel as death'.

[DavetheLost]

"Fell beast" of course just means "horrible creature". A warg or a troll could just as easilly and properly be called a "fell beast'. I don't think Tolkien meant the term to refer exclusively to the mount of the Witch-king. The phrase "fell beast" occurs twice and both times it is lower case, not a proper noun.

The terming of the creature as "Fell Beast" as a proper noun is one of those things that bugs me. Tolkien equally frequently refers to it as a "great beast", a phrase he also uses for Grond's haulers and the mumakil.

[Halbarad]

We fought one of these 'Fell Beasts' in Rocmistro's pbm over on RPOL. He had envisaged a Wyvern, though not of the common, or garden, AD&D variety. The picture he posted was of this thing that was a cross between a vulture and a bat with a stinger.
It was a vile looking thing and the picture had the effect of making me think "eeeugh!". Perfect.
Perhaps he could put up a link to it here.

[bluejay]

Well whether the wraiths all fly on the same thing is definitely not made explicitly clear although I think we are led to assume that. The extra detail on the Witch King's mount is simply because it is the only one we see close up.

Tolkien does say in his letters that they are quite pterodactyl-ish and that his description of them coming from an older age even fits in with that idea.

[DavetheLost]

Where ever they came from the imageSauron raising them like a prize poultry fancier and the giving them to the Nazgul as a reward is one of the creepiest in LotR. I re-read Tolken's description and far too many paintings of the scene fail to make the best horrible enough. They should be repulsive and "wrong" looking. One of the things I think PJ did well was his flying Nazgul, not at all how I pictured them, but the right sort of flying horror.

I would love to see Rocmistro's version.

[Arthadan]

I particulary like this one, by Alan Lee:



At least his neck looks thin enough to be cut with a single stroke by Éowyn without the help of a chainsaw or a lightsaber...

And this one looks right to me too (not sure who the author is):



However here Théoden seems to have managed to escape somehow!

And last but not least the classin Angus McBride take:

[Glorelendil]

I have some doubts about the physics in Angus McBride's version, but otherwise I love that one.

And I'm now trying to visualize what you get when you combine a chainsaw and a lightsaber.

[poosticks7]

Ah you've spoiled the Sith lightsaber for Episode VIII now

[zedturtle]

I have some doubts about the physics in Angus McBride's version, but otherwise I love that one.

And I'm now trying to visualize what you get when you combine a chainsaw and a lightsaber.

You have two choices, your more traditional take:



And a take where with an unlimited special effect budget things just get ridiculous: