September 1, 2003

Blasting Fire, Blasted Wings
Brett C.

Lilly, in the books Aragorn speaks of a blasting fire created by Saruman to breach the deeping wall. Also, during tha initial assaust on the Pelennor Fields watches on the walls of Minas Tirith describe red flashes on the horizon and rolls of thunder as the Enemy "blasting breaches" in the Rammas Wall. While Tolkien never explains the science [or magic] behind these inventions, gunpowder is as good an explanation as any. Also, recall that Gandalf is famous for his fireworks, and you can't have fireworks without gunpowder.

Thanks for the link, Underhill. As for the wings, they're wings of shadow dude, just temporary illusions. Many artist have actually drawn the birdge scene with wingless Balrogs, so I'm not alone in this opinion [and thanks Tinowien :)]. A creature with physically solid 50' wings could not ascend the endless stair created by Dwarves, or enter the chamber of Mazarbul in the first place. If PJ disagrees, well, PJ is wrong. Sorry.

I'm going to be struck down now, aren't I?