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Sorry guys, this isn't really a game question, more of a LotR question, but I figured this would be the best place to ask it.

What did the Rings of Power do? Why would the Nine Lords even want them?

That's... a really good question actually. I have no idea, I think Tolkein purposefully left it vague so they could represent some sort of general temptation for power rather than a specific ability, like invisibility (which seems like more of a side effect of the One Ring) or laser eyes or something.

Well, let's start with the creation of the rings.

Sauron used his powers as a Maiar (Middle Earth deity of sorts, the wizards and balrogs are Maiar too) to disguise himself and walk amongst the elves. He convinced some to help him craft magic rings, which was part of his plan (though nobody else knew) to rule Middle Earth.

The rings were crafted and distributed.

3 Rings for the Elves - They didn't like the idea of the rings and rarely wore them.

7 Rings for the Dwarf Lords - They wore them as they loved such metals/gems.

9 Rings for the Kings of Men - They wore them out of greed for power.

1 Ring for Sauron - He crafted this in secret, but he was able to bind his essence into it and control the other rings.

The Rings of Power did as there names suggest. The Rings granted power based on the will of the bearer.

Weaker bearers, like Frodo and Gollum are only able to turn invisible.

A powerful bearer, like Galadriel and Gandalf (he was given the Red Ring from Cirdan, IIRC) are capable of amplifying their magic should the need be.

The 9 Kings of Men who were given rings (as I stated above) used them out of their lust for power. Power corrupts men much more easily than Hobbits and Elves. Eventually, the power let Sauron's will consume them and they couldn't not want that power.

So basically, it just amplifies you based upon what your already capable of doing?

I always liked the idea of the nine rings of men amplified their core trait or essence, thus leading to give them powers and abilities. it also works out well with the newer nazgul models.

Slarg232 wrote:So basically, it just amplifies you based upon what your already capable of doing?

Basically,


The Dwarf rings were said to help in the accumulation of wealth, so they probably acted like some sort of good luck charm. You would just happen into money if you wore it, you would find good veines of ore, get good deals in trading, have especially steady hands when metalworking, etc...

The Rings of Men probably heightened their ability to command, better charisma, tactical genius, superb reflexes and speed in battle.

The One ring allowed Sauron to control the wearers of the rings he helped make, so everything except the Elven rings. But he could still sense where the Elven rings were and who had them.


Assumedly the Elven rings did something associated with their names. Narya had something to do with Fire. Nenya was called the Ring of Adament. and the last was Vilya(IIRC) and was the Ring of Water.

I know Galadriel used the power of her ring to keep Lothlorien uncorrupted, and Gandalf used his to inspire courage to all around him. I'd go with the "amplification" theory

The rings of power are described as above, and all had their side effects that led to the bearer's doom (except for the elves, theirs weren't forged by Sauron):

The Dwarven Rings helped them gather so much wealth that their holds were assaulted and sacked by dragons who heard of their fortune.

The Nine rings of Men corrupted their bearers until they were enslaved to Sauron's will, eventually becoming the Nine.

And the One Ring we all know its side effects (if you've read the book or watched the movies).