Messenger of Mordor

[beckett]

Quick (stupid) question... Can the Messenger of Mordor travel to Mordor from Dol Guldur non-stop? Does a Nazgul have to rest?

[mirkwoodfalcon]

Quick (stupid) question... Can the Messenger of Mordor travel to Mordor from Dol Guldur non-stop? Does a Nazgul have to rest?

I'm not sure about the Messenger himself, but if he rides a horse the poor steed will undoubtedly need stops for food, water, rest, etc.

[beckett]

Quick (stupid) question... Can the Messenger of Mordor travel to Mordor from Dol Guldur non-stop? Does a Nazgul have to rest?

I'm not sure about the Messenger himself, but if he rides a horse the poor steed will undoubtedly need stops for food, water, rest, etc.

Hmm.. Good point. Do the Nazgul have "special" horses, hardier than the horses of men?

I'm asking to prepare for the possibility that my players will go after/track the Messenger as he rides for Mordor... If the Messenger must stop along the way it will make my prep easier.

[mirkwoodfalcon]

Here's the only quotes I could find about the horses of the Nazgul:

‘I know,’ said Frodo. ‘They were terrible to behold! But why could we all see their horses?’ ‘Because they are real horses; just as the black robes are real robes that they wear to give shape to their nothingness when they have dealings with the living.’
‘Then why do these black horses endure such riders? All other animals are terrified when they draw near, even the elf-horse of Glorfindel. The dogs howl and the geese scream at them.’
‘Because these horses are born and bred to the service of the Dark Lord in Mordor. Not all his servants and chattels are wraiths!'

'...And there is one among them that might have been foaled in the morning of the world. The horses of the Nine cannot vie with him; tireless, swift as the flowing wind. Shadowfax they called him.'

Both from Fellowship of the Ring.

So they are clearly real, normal horses that must eat, drink, sleep, etc. and they are not as powerful as Shadowfax, one of the Mearas.

[beckett]

Here's the only quotes I could find about the horses of the Nazgul:

‘I know,’ said Frodo. ‘They were terrible to behold! But why could we all see their horses?’ ‘Because they are real horses; just as the black robes are real robes that they wear to give shape to their nothingness when they have dealings with the living.’
‘Then why do these black horses endure such riders? All other animals are terrified when they draw near, even the elf-horse of Glorfindel. The dogs howl and the geese scream at them.’
‘Because these horses are born and bred to the service of the Dark Lord in Mordor. Not all his servants and chattels are wraiths!'

'...And there is one among them that might have been foaled in the morning of the world. The horses of the Nine cannot vie with him; tireless, swift as the flowing wind. Shadowfax they called him.'

Both from Fellowship of the Ring.

So they are clearly real, normal horses that must eat, drink, sleep, etc. and they are not as powerful as Shadowfax, one of the Mearas.

You, my friend, are awesome. A great help. Thank you!

[DavetheLost]

The servants of the Black Land had been raiding in Rohan for horses at the time of the War of the Ring. These horses were likely mounts for men in the service of Sauron, not for the Nazgul themselves.

Even the horrid winged beasts the Nazgul rode in the air were mortal creatures. One iirc was shot down by Legolas and Eowyn beheaded another.

So the Messenger will at least need to stop for remounts. The messengers of Lugburz being Orcs I would venture do need to rest, but can push themselves longer than Men before tiring.