Thread: The Dead Men of Dunharrow

So, I've read the books several times, and for whatever reason I've never really understood how the Dead worked. Could they physically harm enemies, or was it more the fear of them and utter demoralisation then combined with physical soldiers come later that managed to drive the Corsairs from their ships?

Originally Posted by KonstantinPalailogos

So, I've read the books several times, and for whatever reason I've never really understood how the Dead worked. Could they physically harm enemies, or was it more the fear of them and utter demoralisation then combined with physical soldiers come later that managed to drive the Corsairs from their ships?

Tolkien avoids answering that question. Gimli says 'Pale swords were drawn, but I know not whether their blades could still bite, for the Dead needed no longer any weapon but fear. None could withstand them.' (See 'The Last Debate' in ROTK).

Whether or not the Dead could actually physically harm foes is not entirely clear, but it is strongly implied that their mere presence was enough to drive anybody away, from the country folk of Gondor to the Haradrim. The only person in the Grey Company who was stated to be unafraid of the Dead was Legolas, even when they grew stronger under Mordor's shadow.

As for the Haradrim who had captured the ships, there is no mention of actual battle, only the echo of a past one (I always thought this inspired the minstrel cry '(Timeless) Echoes of Battle'), and Gimli stresses in The Last Debate that their enemies where either drowned or fled, not otherwise killed, while the captive galley slaves on the ships were left alive, if so scared that they needed calming by the Dúnedain.

Some of the dead were mounted, does this mean that their mounts swore an oath to Elendil aswell?.

Originally Posted by Morthaur

Some of the dead were mounted, does this mean that their mounts swore an oath to Elendil aswell?.

Don't be absurd. Naturally their oaths were sworn to Isildur's horse.

Originally Posted by BIGeyedBUG

Don't be absurd. Naturally their oaths were sworn to Isildur's horse.

best answer
*hands you an internet*

Originally Posted by Melde

best answer
*hands you an internet*

Wow, I had no idea that a small bit of Tolkien esoterica about the dreadful oath-breaking Horseworn would win me such a cute little prize. /shakes internetz, producing a sound much like that of a penny rattling around in a jar...

Originally Posted by BIGeyedBUG

Don't be absurd. Naturally their oaths were sworn to Isildur's horse.

Looks like you've played the horse session play a few too many times.