What Do the Rings of Power Do? Middle-Earth Explained

During the second age of Middle-earth, in the heart of Eregion, there bloomed a craftsmanship divine. Annatar, claiming to be a messenger from the Valar, taught the elves the art of ringcraft. Thus, amid the harmonious song of hammer striking anvil, the Noldor artisans forged the Rings of Power.
Today we will discover exactly what enchantments lie hidden within the rings of power and how they affect their bearers, for good and for ill.
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[@daveowens271]

This is just about the best description of the Rings and their various powers that I've ever seen.

[@knuts2]

he is literally guessing

[@Takehai]

​ More like extrapolating. Although there isn't really any thing in Tolkien's notes with a breakdown of powers per se, he did write a lot about what those who wielded rings did or accomplished with/because of them. The Elven rings are admittedly the most enigmatic, and nothing he says here really tries to definitively answer their capabilities either, but we do know that two of their wielders were considered the most powerful individuals of the elven people. IIRC, Elrond was renowned as their greatest healer, and Galadriel herself stated she was shielding her people from Sauron, and that is when Frodo spotted the ring, heavily suggesting that it played a part in that.

[@hainsay]

We actually don't know that much about the ring we call Nenya, maybe not even its name. Someone asked Galadriel about the ring once, and she just said Nenya. Some scholars believe she meant "Nenya business".

[@Briar27]

LOL! Galadriel always did have a way with Elvish etiquette.

[@hallarious506]

Chapeau

[@bmurray330]

Nailed it!

[@flawlessrs]

😂

[@SandiegoDFS]

Hahahahahahahhahaha crying laughing at this 😂😂

[@thegungadfly8930]

Gandalf was not surprised that Bibo had a ring that made him invisible, just that it was the One Ring. He said, “There are many magic rings in this world and none of them should be used lightly “.

[@chibidakis1]

The fact the three elven rings could create their own pocket universe of Valinor is crazy. No wonder Galadriel, and most elves didnt leave west. The rings had so much potential if not used for evil...

[@Trollgernautt]

That's what I love about soft magic worldbuilding, it's so subtle that in many moments you are not even aware the rings are lending someone any power, but then you stop to think about it and "Oh yeah, that makes sense!"

[@tayetrotman]

Yeah. Elrond, Galadriel and Gandalf all possess rings, but if you asked somebody to pin down exactly when they use them and how, beyond persevering Lothlorien and Rivendell it would be hard. The rings seem to be fairly subtle artefacts when used by powerful individuals.

[@KororaPenguin]

In one mission of _Protectors of the Plot Continuum_ an Elven Agent plundered a magic ring off a slain Mary Sue, but when he later used it against a character replacement and against a cavern of orcs, its power killed him too. Maybe it was a lesser ring that Celebrimbor botched, and the Mary Sue's influence reached back in time to make him forget he hadn't melted it down to try again.

[@radnelac]

Right. Soft magic. At what point in the story did the magic change?

[@genechanloui]

I hate the lord of the rings because of this the bad guys seem to not be limited in scale but the good guys are limited.

[@AndresGarcia-dr1mn]

@@genechanloui like in real life

[@mrblank-zh1xy]

I love how consistent Sauron's elf form is portrayed across all media. It's like we all know what he looks like.

[@skullkrusher-dx4kg]

Probably because of the shadow of war series. Its noncanon but it used that image of him.

[@mrblank-zh1xy]

@@skullkrusher-dx4kg I agree with both your statements, but can we be sure that the chain of provenance begins there? For example, was the image of Sauron as Annatar at 9:57 painted before Shadow of War?

[@wizardmoto]

You are correct, it was previously established as such in numerous illustrations. ​@@mrblank-zh1xy

[@imaginemyshock8067]

As it seems to me, the forging of the various rings by the elves, with Anatar's help, was based on dipping into a realm of magic that existed in Middle-earth which gave them their power. Sauron, in seeking to make a ring that would have dominion over all the magic-infused rings, had to pour much of his native Maiar essence into his ring to give it the necessary power to do this. This is why he wanted the one ring back: not just to dominate the other rings, but to regain that part of himself that was in his ring. As long as he possessed the ring he had access to all his power; without it he lost a large part of his power. This is why it took him so long to recreate a physical shape once the ring had been taken from him - this in a Maiar who was a shape-shifter when the servant of Morgoth.

[@howardhoman8233]

Possible that the one ring may have even existed in the First Age in a different form while Anatar was a servant of Morgoth....Thoughts??

[@longliveclassicmusic]

Yup. Because otherwise he wouldn't have the ability to dominate the other rings. It would have been equal in its properties to the others. Him infusing his basic godlike essence as Maiar would have been the utter requirement to set his ring above all others and bind them to his own will - but at the cost of binding his very being to the ring. And as is clear in the legendarium, he didn't just infuse it with some of his being. He infused it with virtually all of it to make its domination of others as complete as possible. He sacrificed his entire being basically to make his domination as powerful as it could be.

[@Amoth_oth_ras_shash]

a nice equantion style way to put it , and considering tolkiens chose of words about how it was made one that rings true , while he not could die in spirit aslong the ring existed , if seperated from it the 'amount' of power he could wield diminished much like someones physical might do if you chop of limbs or rip out organs

[@odoggow8157]

​@@howardhoman8233plz learn to read and pick up the books ffs

[@RetroSmoo]

Ooo I wonder if JK Rowling was a fan of lotr lol reminds me horcruxes

[@HeReadsSheWrites]

Thank you for explaining the dwarves! Few realize the difference between them and the other free peoples.

[@KatMer6163]

I have long been a Tolkien fan, and have just recently stumbled upon these channels that explain the Silmillarion so well, and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I first read the books nearly 50 years ago and have been obsessed ever since. I love all of the beautiful artwork that so amazingly describes the people of Middle Earth. I can't help but wonder why the Rings are worn on the right hand middle finger?

[@bobby4tw]

All artwork in this video it's on the left hand.

[@DougBull-jo9vc]

Crazy how much better this is than a billion dollar t.v series.

[@miahconnell23]

I know, right ? So many in show-biz don’t understand that you can’t just buy the rights to someone else’s cool creation and then wield or possess such coolness. And that idea seems impossible for those types to understand. Those business types could just hire-on some “superfans” or “fandom-nerds” and give them editing power. methinks such a solution wouldn’t even be very expensive. (Tolkein’s works, Star Trek new works, Star Wars extras, Marvel Superhero Movies, y’know-anyplace where deep fandom exists. This video here is truly excellent, as you say. I agree, and adore this content-making guy. 🙌

[@dylanross9931]

One reason why, this channel cares about Tolkiens writings

[@DougBull-jo9vc]

@@miahconnell23 and it's so ironic that lotr main villains can't create they can only corrupt.Thats exactly what amazon has done they corrupted lotr cause they can't create.Its wild they don't even see it.Thats how you know they know nothing about Lotr.All they did was try to cash in on the name and interject far left L.G.B.T identity politics and the gay agenda.

[@darraghoconnor6968]

Well the alphabet community ruin everything

[@jamesmeppler6375]

Not at all, any fool has know hand drawn pics would be infinitely better than anything new we get. This is why we didn't beg people decades to make a movie or show we knew would suck That show was stated its not for the fans....like all reboots, not meant for OG fans...so if you're an old fan, of course its better..seriously stop asking for reboots. anyone who does is responsible for killing the franchise

[@capnsmashem1554]

Smaug...imagine if he torched Bilbo, he touches the glowing ring in the ashes. It grows larger, and he puts it on... Good thing he's often quite sleepy.

[@thecappeningchannel515]

Tolkiens dragons are evil spirits inhabiting lizards. Like the balrog and shelob he might not be into Rings.

[@Kuchhh]

@@thecappeningchannel515 Perhaps the dragon’s lust for treasure would supersede his need for power.

[@michaelchude7742]

Like Tom Bombadi, the Rings had no effect on Ainur.

[@ironlion45]

@@michaelchude7742 But they seduced Sauron, Sauruman, and the two blue Ishtari, and even Gandalf *felt* the temptation...

[@thefinalday5858]

Dragons eat rings That's what happened to the dwarf rings

[@captcorajus]

The narration, the artwork. Wow! This just blew me away! Liked and subbed. thank you!

[@michaelchude7742]

The Rings do not make you invisible. They draw your spirit into the spirit realm. Normally, elves live in both worlds already so the Rings did not make them invisible. It is this drawing into the spiritual realm, a place they were never meant to be, that stretches the spirit of men and turned them into the Nazgul. Bilbo talks about this stretching.

[@Lazien24]

Your videos are amazing!!! I found your channel the other day, and I can't stop binge watching them all. Please keep up the great work. Your voice sounds as if Gandalf himself is the narrator.

[@DamienDrake2389]

So in a way Sauron's own creations aided in the destruction of the one ring. Elrond's ring was likely used to heal Frodo from the wound inflicted by the morgul blade, had he not had it, perhaps his abilities would have not been so great and Frodo would have succumbed to his wound, leaving the ring without a bearer. The irony is poetic!

[@wardchute851]

😂 true

[@SLCooper14]

Sauron didn't forge Elrond's ring though...

[@ReiseLukas]

​@@SLCooper14 But Sauron's influence lingered in the elven rings, depite he not taking part of their making

[@paulmayden7344]

@@SLCooper14 The rings were made with the knowledge given to the elves by Sauron. And using that knowledge secretly made any ring of power, whether Sauron made it or not, subject to control of whoever had the One Ring. He didn't make the 3 Elven rings either. They didn't use the ones Sauron gave them because as soon as they tried they realized what would happen. But they made their own and so they could use them. But as soon as the One was destroyed everything they made with them began to fade. Not as fast as Mordor did because that was held up by Sauron's ring of power. But things still faded because the very making of a ring of power made it tied to the One Ring. There was no other way to do it when using the sneaky way Sauron taught how to make rings of power.

[@Rocket_Man232]

🔔 RU: I must say that NO ONE has explained this topic nearly as well as you have (and that is really saying something because I have seen quite a bit about it previously). It is awesomely well done.

[@miahconnell23]

If you enjoy thought-out explanations of Tolkien’s works, you’ll love the “Prancing Pony Podcast” (if you like long form audio. It’s something I totally adore, but I think some people prefer KZbin videos because they have a visual component and they’re often shorter than podcasts)

[@Rocket_Man232]

@@miahconnell23 Wow! (You sound like me!) I'll check it out, thanks very much! 🙂

[@miahconnell23]

@@Rocket_Man232 dude, you’re gonna love it. They started their podcast opus with the Simarillion, but I recommend that listeners begin their podcast journey with either the beginning of LOTR or the Hobbit, and then hit the Simarillion and essay podcasts afterwards: something about the linear story nature of the LOTR podcasts seems to make for better “pod.” ✌️

[@Rocket_Man232]

@@miahconnell23 @miahconnell23 Thanks. (FYI My first two replies to your last post were immediately removed so I've had to do temporary test replies to try to ascertain the problem.) Anyway, if you haven't done so already, check out the assortment of such things that you get when you search here for "Lord Of The Rings dramatized audiobooks". 😉

[@Rocket_Man232]

@@miahconnell23 @miahconnell23 Thanks. (FYI My first two replies to your last post were immediately auto-deleted so I've had to do temporary test replies to try to ascertain the problem.) Anyway, if you haven't done so already, check out the assortment of such things that you get when you search here for dramatized audiobooks. 😉 And don't miss Zach Rider videos!

[@TheLunacyofOurTimes]

It seems trivial in hindsight that Sauron would have been able to figure out where two of the Elven rings were based on facts on the ground. The only two major elven outposts would have been a bit obvious in their stunning grandeur surrounded by wilderness, collapsed or weak human kingdoms.

[@DKtrek21]

This is an oppurtunity to remind you that Aule was Sauron's master and that Aule sent Saruman to Middle Earth. Double whammy

[@Reddotzebra]

As I have said once before I still consider the Elven rings to be the best three artifacts of the setting, one to protect, one to preserve and one to enkindle.

[@bucknastysmomasdish]

One of my dogs is called nenya 😍

[@Blake-ys1nz]

The One Ring is a great example of "show don't tell" character building. Some would say, and have said, that Sauron is a one dimensional character, just an evil presence, and/or not a complex villain. However, I would say those people failed to look at the unassuming One Ring and its fellow Rings of Power. From studying their storied lore, to character interactions, and even the physical design of the these rings(especially the One Ring), one can understand why Sauron is more than just a shiny ring and fiery eye.

[@Jim-Tuner]

The mouth of Sauron would have been a candidate to possess one of the lesser rings. His appearance certainly suggested someone living an enhanced lifetime.

[@dalohe82]

Mouth of Sauron was a black numenorean, so he had a longer lifespan. He got that Appearance because he had to express the words of Sauron and since they were so dark and evil his mouth became to decay and bleed.

[@swa5026]

While it is not cannon the high elf in Lord of the Rings online starts with a lesser ring

[@MatthewBaileyBeAfraid]

The Rings of Power were not and are not necessary to extend the life-span of anyone in Middle-earth. This is part of the reason why Tolkien refers to “Magic” as both “Satanic” and “Necromancy.” Because those seeing to “Stretch their Life-span beyond its Natural Limit” MUST steal the Lives of others to provide the “Substance” needed to maintain both their Hroä and Fëa (which are NOT EXACTLY two “different things,” identical to how in our Universe Space and Time are an indivisible “thing” composes of two different Metrics - means of Measuring). Some people in Middle-earth had a greater affinity for such things. The Rings of Power/Authority (That is what “Power” means to Tolkien: “The God-Given Authority/Right over a given domain or subject) make this a BIT easier to accomplish, but at the expense of the Hröa, which is consumed by the Fëa, in EXACTLY THE SAME WAY as is the Elves’ Hröar, consumed by their Fëar in what Tolkien calls “Fading” (But the “Fading” of the Elves who remain in Middle-earth is a “Natural thing.” That of the Nazgûl is enormously UN-Natural). But they grant ONE-AND-ONLY-ONE THING: The Sub-Creative Power/Authority over Arda. Something that Catholicism considers to be the gravest sin imaginable, from which no penance can redeem the Fallen. Or at least Pre-Vatican II they couldn’t, despite this subject STILL being debated by the Catholics. Tolkien DID NOT like this aspect of Catholicism, but being who he was, rarely raised the issue save tangentially. Tolkien believed that even Satan and The Devil (Two Beings who are akin to the Trinity, save as “Fallen” beings. “Satan” Rules from his Throne in Hell, unable to leave it, but having the means to tell everything occurring in the “Natural World” of the Earth. And The Devil walks the surface of the Earth, tempting Humanity away from the “God” they worship, and toward the Satanic) were redeemable. Which is pretty obvious if you watch the few Video interviews with Tolkien, he invariably calls Melkor Morgoth “Satan” and Sauron “The Devil.” Again… This is a part of the 19th Century Thomist Revival that Tolkien grew-up being taught by his Guardian: Fr. Francisco Morgan (More Spanish than Irish), and which IS the Basis of Middle-earth.

[@mminteresting]

@@dalohe82probably a better warning and deterrent to children than soap in the mouth.🧼

[@daruddock]

​@@dalohe82I don't think that idea was anywhere in the books, it's just what the make-up artists did when designing his look for the movies.

[@vsgvictorystrikegaming2229]

Maybe one of the best videos I've seen about the rings 👏 well done

[@Pfhorrest]

The powers of preservation and invisibility common to all the rings seem like they are almost certainly interrelated: because the unseen realm is that world of things eternal and undying, while the visible world is subject always to change and decay. The rings thus preserve things in the visible world against decay by pulling them partly into the unseen realm.

[@EdricLysharae]

It is always fun to come across a channel when it's still in its infancy. You are abiut to get a lot of subscribers: Keep up the great work!

[@michealbohmer2871]

"They pull at the fabric of existence, elongating the bearer's journey through time (6:08)." Or, as Bilbo said, "Like butter (one's allotted amount of life) spread over too much bread (temporal existence)."

[@TheLoyalOfficer]

Great work and well researched! I always wondered the powers of the Nine and the Seven, especially.

[@CartoonHero1986]

I know it is not canon, but the way Shadow of War and Shadow of Mordor animated Sauron giving the rings to the kings of men was pretty awesome. How King Helm came to Sauron's fort comes out in the iron and darkness form looks like he's about to destroy the army then converts into Anaatar and bends his knee to Helm and presents him with the ring. Such a cool depiction of something not explicitly laid out in the books.

[@karimmezghiche9921]

That was Suladan not Helm. Helm was ambushed in a forest and then left to die, that's when Sauron gave him the ring.

[@CartoonHero1986]

@@karimmezghiche9921 Thanks for the correction... its been quite some time since I played it last

[@fred20097]

I'm enjoying the saga of talion too

[@katalysis]

Tom Bombadil couldn’t care less.

[@howardhoman8233]

And for that he and his wife have all but been ignored just like the shape shifter Bœrn "the bear" who also hosted the Hobbits as Tom had after saving them.

[@jakubs.5966]

For that, he will get gutted in the latest Rings of Power series. Having fun watching that shit show.

[@jpotter2086]

@@jakubs.5966 I am anticipating an even more colorful version of Bozo the Clown.

[@themydnighthour]

Tommy got a hot wife and a villa. F them rangs!

[@Owlr4ider]

Interesting fact, 2 of the more interesting theories regarding Tom Bombadil is that he's either the earthly manifestation of Eru Iluvatar or of J.R.R Tolkien himself. If you subscribe to either theory it's not necessarily that he 'couldn't care less' but rather that he's simply watching passively how his creation unfolds and only in the most dire of circumstances does he dare to intervene.

[@maryannlamb5695]

Wonderful explanation and production quality

[@lostinsadnesss]

Thank you for this very well-made video explaining the rings of power. I'm really glad that KZbin suggested this video to me and I can't wait to check out all the other ones. ❤

[@dustinfidalgo915]

I would love a video on what happened to the remaining Dwarven Rings.

[@KororaPenguin]

Probably the Mouth of Sauron had one of them.

[@TheNagroth]

I seem to remember Sauron got 3 of them and the other 4 were destroyed by dragons. I don't know if any of Tolkien's writings went into more detail than that.

[@MisterDanger01]

You realize the exceptional imagination and creativity JRR Tolkien was born with. Unique in millenias.

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

How the narration was presented is so mesmerising

[@bDub779]

Finally I fully and completely understand the rings, Thank you.

[@LuBuZu89]

The books stomp the movies...the books give you the whole adventure and the parts the movies left out were some of the coolest most badass moments

[@ravenstales6457]

It's kinda sad, if they made it into a TV series (Honestly it would be an amazing anime, Im gonna get flamed for saying this and I don't care) we'd have a much better adaptation, not saying the movies aren't good, but read the books

[@LuBuZu89]

@@ravenstales6457 No, I agree with the animated series. Any art style would be great but some over others would be appreciated lol. Even a series of voice acted graphic art comic style mini episodes would be great! I've been a huge fan of this whole universe since I was a child in elementary school reading The Hobbit with my friends and we were hooked lol 😂

[@MatthewBaileyBeAfraid]

@@LuBuZu89 Working on it… Bakshi technically can “George Lucas” the Movie he made, and even complete it. I have seen some of the artwork that might become such a thing if it is pursued.

[@1014p]

There needed to be a prequel series covering these rings and the Great War. It pretty much introduced a follow up story without the details. Star Wars got away with it because George Lucas has all 9 stories written out in outline and core script framework in place. Main issue is the 4-6 occurred at a less tech potential for making it fit well among the prequels. The prequels had issues meshing to 4-6 due to it being a love story gone tragic. Along with building a world with an active Jedi Order and past political system. Here we see Lord of the Rings was actually a battle of lost magic few understood and those who did kept the knowledge quiet due to their power. Yet what we got was a short guy freaking out about a ring with an antagonist which was tossed in with Smiegal. The main antagonist was a simple eye with way too much power that made no real sense. Somehow mass armies were erected from seemingly nothing as well. Really they needed the party to find random tomes or information as they passed through the secret mountain door. It would have cast better understanding. The wraiths part would have made sense as well. Instead we got out of know where over powered warriors.

[@och70]

@ 0:45 Those elves all look like guitarist Steve Vai when he was in David Lee Roth's band in the mid 1980s. 😎 🎸

[@robingile4301]

A good one amd I think Steve would chuckle at that.

[@thaedleinad]

Vai as an elf would be a very fitting role.

[@BiowareNut]

I love your videos! They're very well thought-out and researched.

[@Rocket_Man232]

They certainly are!

[@mohaphonic]

I think the Nazgul are among the most interesting characters in history...

[@HyperspaceCafe]

Not really. They’re just weak willed greedy men that have in to Sauron. Not much more interesting than that lol

[@KatMer6163]

Who's history? Surely you realize this is all out of J.R.R. Tolkien's amazing imagination?

[@yunglockjaw3815]

Obviously in ​all matters of fiction, considering he said "characters" meaning not just tolkeins but all works of fiction from all author's and fantasy worlds......@MSDG62

[@LifeofHum]

Beautiful narration. Thank you for creating this channel ❤

[@dazylave5976]

What a nice voice you have and which fits perfectly with the feel of the lore. I would listen to you read all of Tolkien's work.

[@Thorny_Recipient]

Kind of reminds me of Pippin feeling sheepish about dropping his leaf clasp for his cloak, to let anyone following know they were still alive. His friends commend him for not being enslaved by his understanding of its value, and ability to discard it at need.

[@JGComments]

Glad I found this channel. Fantastic level of quality for such a new channel!

[@makialejandrabelladiaz4627]

Bedankt voor de geweldige video! 🇳🇱

[@andrzejkulakowski]

Incredible quality delivered here as usual! Additionally, those rings (art) looks captivating - I bet the ring with a yellow stone must be a citrine one - fengshui says it's "good" for certain signs :D

[@brianbadonde9251]

Useless superstitions

[@michaelb2685]

❤Wow...that was a great video. You gave me a clearer understanding of the rings. Thanks.

[@catherinehaxton8539]

This adds a lot of weight to the moment where Galadriel rejects Frodo's request to take the ring. Because the ring itself had command over her, as a bearer of a lesser ring. She not only resisted the temptation, but she resisted the command of the one ring. Powerful stuff.

[@Dizerfullpower]

One ring makes you larger, and one ring makes you small. And the ones that Sauron gives you don't do anything at all

[@jeffrobagman2834]

Go ask Frodo, he's 3 feet tall.

[@RobertoGonzalez-id1de]

Thank you for the wonderful memories of the "Rings of Power " ❤❤❤ ( 07-19-24 )

[@DEATH-THE-GOAT]

Brilliant, simply brilliant. Thank you Sir.

[@Canario_27]

How can you pull of so much art for every video, and with such quality!!!

[@CheerfuEntropy]

You know how. its 2024. Note the lack of any artists signature in the wall art. Note the lack of any flaw in the narration...not even to take a breath.

[@3lyas134]

@@CheerfuEntropyyou do realize that you can narrate a section, not like how it turns out, then redo it or edit that particular part

[@CheerfuEntropy]

Yep, I am a voice actor and sound editor. Specifically i work as an ADA cleaning up audio which is why i noticed the absence. Perhaps imperfections might be a better word than mistakes because I'm talking about mouth noise that most people don't notice and isn't generally removed. Not like flubbed lines. You might remove breaths during pauses or using a noise filter but that would leave its own artifacts. It would be nice if i am wrong. Hopefully i am.@3lyas134

[@Canario_27]

@@CheerfuEntropy so is all IA isn't it...?

[@CheerfuEntropy]

probably curated but ...yeah@@Canario_27

[@WilliamLee_Exalted]

Please read the books in an audio book! Perfect voice for it.

[@TonyCharity206]

Absolutely wonderful and insightful video!

[@andersbylund2753]

The really gives deeper understanding of the movies!

[@demonik187]

Amazingly well done! You have certainly earned a new subscriber today. Marvelous work!

[@nickm2890]

Buddy of mine in college: "What did the rings of power actually do?" Me: "Basically, just cause problems for everyone in Middle Earth."

[@WOLFROY47]

smeagol was saurons nemesis, it wasn't intended to be that way, but, without smeagol and his greed for the ring, it would never have been destroyed

[@koriw1701]

A stunning video yet again. I am happy you have come to us. You have a unique perspective to offer on the Legendarium that it's quite exciting to listen to your words of wisdom. But I noticed something today that you missed; you forgot to greet us! An oversight of course. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. I look forward to each new installment of your views on Middle Earth.

[@Jcarroz]

Wonderful product. Thanks for sharing.

[@josefwollersberger1552]

Thank you, a very interesting video, I'll make sure to watch your other ones. 👍 One thing I realized as you mentioned the lesser rings likely having simular effects to the great ones is that Gandalf should have immediately recognized the one for what it was, had it been the only plain looking ring to grant it's wearer invisibility, so we can be almost certain that it wasn't. It should have been obvious, but somehow I never connected the dots on that, so thank you again. 😊

[@Iluvantir]

One point needs to be made: All the rings save "The One" were "Elven Rings". They were made by the Elves (all but the last three with Sauron's assistance and ALL with his teaching), and FOR the Elves. Elves already exist within both "realms" and can see things that Man cannot. It is doubtful that any of the Rings - whether the Great 19 or the Lesser - would have made an Elf invisible. When Sauron made The One the Elves took off their Rings so as not to become bound to his will. When Sauron CAME for the Rings, he found all but the Greatest Three, the last ones made and made wholly without his direct touch. He gave 9 to men, and 7 to Dwarves... but they were never made FOR those two races. Dwarves did not become invisible, nor could Sauron overwhelm their minds as he could men, since Dwarves were created resistant to any other mind save their own. All the Seven did was to enhance their greed and in that way, Sauron could remove threats from himself. All seven of the Great Dwarven kingdoms eventually fell, with Moria hurting them the worst. Invisibility affects men, for they were not truly part of the World in the way Elves and Dwarves are. Men are in Middle Earth for a little while, and graced with a way out - to be removed from the Destiny of Middle Earth. The Rings had a massive affect upon them. And Hobbits too... for Hobbits are an off-shoot race of Men anyway.

[@WOLFROY47]

great artwork at the begining

[@LesserBoarPriest]

Shame it's stolen

[@miahconnell23]

Great job describing the stretching-thin that occurs with artificially or magickally extended life. There is no “extra” life, and quality-of-life is not improved. What life the person had is not “added to,” it is stretched and pulled: elongated, but made less hale. I think H.P. Lovecraft probably intuited this same idea in his short story about the wizard who keeps on living and living and living… (because the wizard doesn’t seem to be doing well or “living his best life” when revealed)

[@Miners666]

I guess the Elven rings are OP in that regard.

[@thegreenmercenary]

What's amazing is that Gandalf's ring gives him the ability to do Mario courage and hope by his mere presence, and he not only does that for the characters, but for the reader. Whenever he is present you automatically feel better.

[@II-ei4rk]

Amazing video as usual

[@stijnvantongerloo9122]

Wonderfully informative video!

[@pisceanx8382]

Cannot wait ‘til I have some time to watch this.

[@ModelLights]

'What Do the Rings of Power Do?' The correct answer in 2024 is 'Waste Amazon's money..'

[@lecolintube]

0:27 I hope there’s some ‘rings’ 💍 on the merch store 😉

[@PtolemyJones]

I guess the strangest thing to me is how ineffective the rings really were. The ones made for the Dwarves were total failures. The Elven ones gave away their taint of evil. Only the humans really fell to their sway, and that's a pretty low bar, heck, he maintained control over them even after losing the One Ring, where as the loss of that allowed the Elves and Gandalf to wear the Elven rings without fear it seems. None of them seemed nearly as potent as Sauron's power over the Orcs.

[@IsaacSnow-e6x]

I never once thought that the one ring, created by Sauron, also led to his own demise! I thought that his will and the rings will was one and the same? I could use some help in better understanding that. Im blown away by that thought!

[@Pfhorrest]

Sauron poured his own essence into the creation of the ring, so it's sort of a copy of him, loosely speaking. It wants to survive and be whole again, just like he does; they are drawn inexorably back to each other.

[@jeffrobagman2834]

Very interesting that Saruman, the one who specialized in ring lore, failed to realize that Gandalf bore Narya when he was imprisoned in Orthanc.

[@ryanmac3134]

2:08 I’m gonna be totally honest, when I heard Amazon was doing a Rings of Power series, I was thinking they were going to create something new that had but a small foundation and all the promise of expanding on a beloved franchise. Think of all the stories you could tell with just the modicum of base material there was for it. So I thought what is being talked about here was gonna be the basis of it.

[@17joren]

Interesting how the RoP show is going its own ways with the lore. As I write, season 2 isn’t completely released but Gil-Galad currently has the blue ring (Elrond wants nothing to do with them), and I guess they all have the power of healing and flourishing the land.

[@Rhaephal]

What a great video! The production value is really good! I was positively entranced by the insanely high quality art, but I couldn't find the artists mentioned anywhere. Does anyone know?

[@mvdplas8145]

This is great! Best explanation I've heard.

[@sebastianwhite4715]

Mmm, after watching this, I can see that it is possible that Sauron could have also dominated all those who wore the lesser rings as well, if anyone could have found them. Most likely all of them were lost in the riches of the dwarves treasure troves, the hordes of treasure belonging to dragons, or long lost in rivers or the earth.

[@Justin-dg2nn]

5:15 will this art work be an available print sometime in the future? Absolutely love this one.

[@SAArcher]

Great video!

[@drunkenwarrior6888]

It's like a middle earth documentary...

[@Saimeren]

Hey, you watched the show too? Cool!

[@lamarmosby5893]

Dope detailed lore 🔥🔥🔥

[@DoomMomDot]

I find it interesting that the ring helps Sam vs the Orcs, but tries to tempt Frodo to reveal himself to the Ringwraiths

[@ZanathKariashi]

Sauron didn't want the orcs to find the Ring because they weren't under his absolute thrall like the Wraiths were, and was somewhat worried what those idiots would do with it. The Ring knows that the Wraiths will be able to safely return it to Sauron, since once they have the ring, they can simply strip and run unclad and unseen back to Mordor (which is how they were originally looking for it back before Sauron's return had been discovered).

[@Mallarkey]

Very thorough vid. Excellent

[@allendowning470]

The number one question I have had since I first read the books, 45 years ago, is if the one ring ruled them all, why didn't the ring wraiths not bow to, and obey, Frodo who had the one ring?

[@tokukeitaro]

He never claimed it as his own until the end, and The Ring didn't accept him as Master.

[@allendowning470]

@@tokukeitaro my point was that this video actually cleared that up for me, after all these years. Appreciate you though!

[@Vv-mq7kx]

Big lotr fan , sir you read beautifully

[@WOLFROY47]

love the artwork

[@chrisdcrus5404]

What ever happened to all the “lesser” rings??? Well they got lost throughout time and after many, many ages they found them selves in the equipment slots of any protagonists in every single RPG/Action game universe ever created!! 😅😅

[@sid2112]

Good to find some talent in a genre I like. Subbed!

[@mattharrison2330]

Art work is so sick. This is way better than reading the books lol Thank you

[@daniell8993]

Without watching this video and the show…. My answer to the title question is “to look stylish”

[@sethshaffer8592]

So good thank you for the work you do.

[@KororaPenguin]

I wonder if Sauron gave one or two of the Nine Rings to people fighting oppression, to make absolutely CERTAIN that sooner or later (but before the bearer Faded) the new leadership would become even more oppressive than the old.

[@keithtorgersen9664]

It's said that the dwarves possessed the hardihood to resist the influence of the rings in regard to becoming invisible, but it makes me wonder- when Sauron put on the One ring in the second age, what happened to those dwarf lords who were wearing the 7 rings at the time? Would they have still fallen under Sauron's sway since he had the Master ring? Would they have perceived that he was trying to dominate their minds, as the elves perceived it? Or would something else have happened?

[@rawilliams5881]

Dragons, maybe?

[@Allenmarshall]

Great narration.

[@grinampwns]

It's kinda strange how dwarves are resilient to domination, but fall easily to dragon's sickness.

[@dougieranger]

Liked and subscribed. That was excellent, thank you for sharing this.

[@alexsmith7313]

The idea that all the rings have a form of preservation in some way seems best backed up by Galadriel; it’s pretty consistently remarked upon by her contemporaries that, even for a Noldor, she is exceptionally powerful and consistent in that power; she never seems to grow any fainter or weaker in her strength unlike nearly all other elves. It also makes sense as to why Cirdan was so consistent in his power and capabilities; even for being one of the oldest elves. I know he didn’t have it until the end of the series; (having given his to Gandalf when he arrived from Valinor) but it would make sense for it to have preserved him for as long as Cirdan did have it.

[@saladinbob]

One thing I'm unclear on, is the Wraith world the same world the Ainur exist in when they're not sleeved in flesh? Or is it a different realm?

[@spinstu1]

It's my understanding that the answer is a loose yes... But it isn't the "Wraith" world as it is the "Unseen" world. The Wraith world possibly being a realm within the Unseen world. Could be totally wrong 😅

[@igorlopes7589]

It seems that it is, since Glorfindel was in the same "dimension" as the Nazgul (while also being in the Seen, of course). It seems that in Tolkien's cosmology there is only the Seen and the Unseen within the confines of Ëa. I would say that the wraith world isn't a dimension of its own, just a mode of existence in the Unseen, an unnatural alien cancerous invasion of it

[@swizzamane8775]

Think of it as a Lesser Dimension, and the Realm of the Ainur as a Greater Dimension. Arda is the "Middle Earth" (the Realm in-between). All bound by the Divine Chorus

[@darinpeaker216]

I think that's right. Things are existing in the unseen world in a way that they shouldn't be. The result is unnatural, imperfect, and twisted.​ The wraith world isn't a separate world per se, it is a mode of existence within that world that is wrong, a kind of metaphysical tumour. @igorlopes7589

[@kwadwomensa5930]

Normally, I resist the call to like and subscribe, but after you lit the beacons and called for aid, I couldn't resist.

[@RollingCalf]

When i first read the rhyme of the ring, my incorrect understanding was that sauron has 3 rings. One master ring, and 2 others: one to locate them..and one to subjugate them