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Jon Hodgson wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 28, 2017 4:07 pm

Thanks everyone for your kind comments.

Now an easier one! Pointed ears on Elves.

Somebody ping me when Mannish Spirits are on the docket.

Jon Hodgson wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 28, 2017 4:07 pm

Thanks everyone for your kind comments.

Now an easier one! Pointed ears on Elves.

Tolkien suggested 'yes'. If Hobbit-ears are less pointed then Elves' ears are more pointed, Q.E.D. What's to debate?

Jon Hodgson wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 28, 2017 4:07 pm

Now an easier one! Pointed ears on Elves.

At most, leaf-shaped, as in slightly pointed. None of that anime rabbit-ears and deer-ears nonsense. He said hobbit ears are less pointed. As a sub-race of men, it seems odd that hobbits would have pointed ears, unless the stories about hobbits taking fairy wives are true...

Frankly, I doubt Tolkien cared what elves' ears looked like. He acknowledged traditional ideas of pointed-eared fairies and ever so slightly incorporated that into his work.

Stormcrow wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 28, 2017 4:03 pm

No, Rich H has it right. I wasn't even aware of the letter.

I say the Balrog was silent in the same way I might say that Frodo liked to go on walking parties. Sure, by the end of the day he's tired and wants his bed. That doesn't contradict the description. The Balrog was a silent menace, not a mute menace.

Oh, okay. It seemed like a reasonable guess at the time, though I turned out to be mistaken. And I have no issue with your interpretation here. There is no reason aside from dramatic effect for the Balrog to have roared like a bull. However, film has different needs than print.

Otaku-sempai wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 28, 2017 4:49 pm

However, film has different needs than print.

It does, but think of the impact of removing all sound from a scene involving a shadowy Balrog wreathed in flames that flicker and wrap around the creature but also make no sound. When you remove sound, an incredibly important element of modern cinema, for a short time it has a massive impact on an audience.

Glorelendil wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 28, 2017 4:13 pm

Somebody ping me when Mannish Spirits are on the docket.

Ha! Bugger that!

Rich H wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 28, 2017 7:09 am

zedturtle wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 28, 2017 12:13 am

... and That Other Game ( ) as well.

Do not speak of such things!

I am reliably informed that the people who work on That Other Game love The One Ring quite a lot as well.

Jon Hodgson wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 28, 2017 4:07 pm

Thanks everyone for your kind comments.

Now an easier one! Pointed ears on Elves.

No! You fool! You've destroyed us all!






























Pointed Ears on Balrogs, that's the winner...

zedturtle wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 28, 2017 10:25 pm

Rich H wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 28, 2017 7:09 am

zedturtle wrote: ↑

Fri Jul 28, 2017 12:13 am

... and That Other Game ( ) as well.

Do not speak of such things!

I am reliably informed that the people who work on That Other Game love The One Ring quite a lot as well.

Tarts! The lot of them!

Hm, so much stuff to comment on in this thread. lol

First, keep up the good and steady work on TOR. I think a lot of this need to know far in advance stuff is leftover from the days of 3rd and 4th Edition D&D, where WotC was giving out a release schedule that could be up to a year in advance for some books. They have gotten the same flack with 5th Edition, where they are putting out a low quantity of product and also giving only a comparatively short release window of 2-4 months for books. Like you, they will not let themselves be rushed into revealing stuff before it is ready to be revealed, and that attention to detail and quality has only benefited TOR, AiME, and 5E D&D.

As for the side-track of Balrogs and wings, I read the books before any animated or live-action movie was made, before I went looking for artwork based on the books, and before I discovered any version of D&D, and in my mind the wings were always real, or at least visible, if only made of smoke or flames.

And elves have pointy ears, but no more pointy that Spock's ears from the original Star Trek.