The Legends and Lore Behind the Witch King's Black Magic Blade

The black magic blade of the Witch King is a formidable weapon that strikes fear into the hearts of all who encounter it. This ancient and powerful weapon has been infused with dark sorcery, enhancing its already deadly abilities. Legends say that the blade was forged during a time of great darkness, crafted by the Witch King himself using forbidden rituals and blood sacrifices. The black magic blade is said to be indestructible, able to slice through steel as if it were butter. It has a serrated edge that can cause grievous wounds that fester and refuse to heal. Those unfortunate enough to be on the receiving end of this blade often find themselves consumed by an unrelenting darkness that infects their mind, body, and soul.

Those unfortunate enough to be on the receiving end of this blade often find themselves consumed by an unrelenting darkness that infects their mind, body, and soul. The Witch King wields his dark blade with unmatched skill and precision. It is said that he can strike down multiple foes with a single swing, his movements guided by the swirling black magic that emanates from the blade.

Could the Witch-king be killed without a Barrow-blade?

It seems to be widely assumed (see, e.g., https://middle-earth.xenite.org/could-earnur-have-slain-the-lord-of-the-nazgul/) that the Witch-king would have been somehow invulnerable to Éowyn's sword had he not been stabbed by Merry's Barrow-blade first; this apparently somehow "eliminated" his "shield", making him vulnerable to normal weapons. The basis for this is the passage in The Return of the King:

No other blade, not though mightier hands had wielded it, would have dealt that foe a wound so bitter, cleaving the undead flesh, breaking the spell that knit his unseen sinews to his will.”

I'm not convinced by this. No-one ever says the Nazgûl are unkillable, and in fact Aragorn says the Nazgûl have "no power against the fearless", which doesn't fit well with being actually undamageable without some kind of magic sword. They get driven off by Aragorn and Glorfindel wielding torches! I'd interpret the RotK passage as meaning that the Witch-king was only brought to his knees and unable to stop Éowyn's killing blow because he was stabbed by a magic Arnor sword, which was more damaging then expected. Is there any further evidence that some kind of magic sword (if not one made specifically for the purpose in Arnor) would be essential to killing him?

• tolkiens-legendarium
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If the evidence of Tolkien explicitly saying something in a work published during his lifetime with his cooperation is not convincing, then what would be?

Without the Barrow-blade specifically? Probably. Without some "magic" means of breaking the hold of his ring over his spirit? Unlikely.

@AKA -- I used the word "work" in its noun sense of productive output, which includes written materials. In case I still am unclear I'm speaking specifically of Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, published during his lifetime with his cooperation, including reading and marking up galley proofs.

It's not that the Nazgul have no power against the fearless: "They have no great physical power against the fearless; " In other words, if you are totally without fear, you need not be more concerned about one of them killing you than a regular guy with a sword and a few thousand years of practice. It tells us nothing at all about how hard they are themselves to kill.

@AKA: In this letter, Tolkien is talking about how their main "power" is generating fear: Their peril is almost entirely due to the unreasoning fear which they inspire (like ghosts). They have no great physical power against the fearless; but what they have, and the fear that they inspire, is enormously increased in darkness.

The power of the blade is fueled by the suffering and despair of its victims, feeding on their pain and amplifying the abilities of the Witch King. The black magic blade is not only a physical weapon but also a conduit for the Witch King's sorcery. It allows him to cast powerful spells with ease, summoning dark creatures and harnessing forbidden magic. The blade glows with an unholy light when the Witch King calls upon its true power, making it a terrifying sight to behold. Many have tried to wield the black magic blade, eager to harness its immense power for their own gain. However, the blade is said to be cursed, driving its wielder to the brink of madness and corrupting their soul. Only the Witch King has been able to control its dark power, making him a formidable and feared adversary. In conclusion, the black magic blade of the Witch King is a legendary weapon of immense power and darkness. Forged through forbidden rituals and infused with unholy magic, this blade strikes fear into the hearts of all who encounter it. Its indestructibility, deadly abilities, and connection to the Witch King's sorcery make it a formidable weapon in his hands..

Reviews for "Decoding the Spells: The Magical Inscriptions on the Witch King's Blade"

1. John Smith - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to read "The black magic blade of the witch king" based on the intriguing title and promising book cover. However, I was deeply disappointed with the actual story. The plot was convoluted, with a lot of unnecessary side quests that didn't contribute to the overall narrative. The characters felt flat and underdeveloped, making it difficult to connect or care about their fates. Additionally, the writing style was overly descriptive, leading to a slow pace and dragging the story along. Overall, I found "The black magic blade of the witch king" to be a dull and unfulfilling read.

2. Sarah Johnson - 1/5 stars - Oh boy, where do I start with this book? "The black magic blade of the witch king" was an absolute mess. The writing was riddled with grammatical errors and awkward syntax, making it a chore to read. The world-building was confusing and inconsistent, with magical rules and powers being introduced and forgotten without explanation. The characters lacked depth and were mere caricatures, making it impossible to invest in their stories. The plot was disjointed and nonsensical, trying to cram in too many ideas without any coherent direction. I finished this book feeling frustrated and completely let down.

3. Mark Thompson - 2/5 stars - "The black magic blade of the witch king" had a lot of potential but fell short in execution. The story started off promising but quickly became repetitive and predictable. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, making it hard to believe or engage with the characters' interactions. The pacing was all over the place, with slow moments that dragged on and action sequences that felt rushed and underwhelming. While the concept of a witch king and black magic was interesting, the book failed to explore it in a meaningful or compelling way. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating fantasy read.

4. Emily White - 2.5/5 stars - I had high hopes for "The black magic blade of the witch king" since I'm a fan of fantasy novels, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The overall plot was interesting, but it lacked depth and the pacing was off. The story jumped from one event to another without allowing enough time for proper development. The characters were also quite forgettable, and I found it hard to connect with any of them. While there were some moments of suspense, the book ultimately failed to deliver a satisfying conclusion. Overall, it was an underwhelming read for me.

The Witch King's Black Magic Blade: A Weapon of Unspeakable Power