The Nazgûl's Powers

[Attalus]

At Valandil's request, I will lead off with this question: what do you think that the Nazgûl could do? I mean, offensively, martially? My sig quote says what I think and why I believe it. JRRT goes on to say (in that Letter) that this is before Sauron added demonic power to the Witch-King, right before the Battle of the Pellenor Fields, which explains why he was able to shatter Éowyn's shield and break her arm. Before that, the Nazgûl seem rather ineffective. At Weathertop, Gandalf and then Aragorn are able to drive them off single-handedly, Aragorn with the feeble help of the Hobbits. They were able to scatter the Dunedain at Sarn Ford, but I suspect that they bolted because Aragorn was not there, in very fear, and a running or cowering man is an easy target for a backstab. All they could do to poor Frodo is stab him with a knife, when surely nine beings like the Witch-King in the Pellenor would have just killed them all and taken Frodo with them. And what about the Prancing Pony? Why didn't they just storm the place and take it? True, Aragorn was there, but he was only one man and they didn't know that, anyway. Think of the burlesque recorded in "The Hunt for the Ring" with the Nazgûl, including the W-K, blundering abou the countryside, looking for the Shire. Even then, the best they could do is terrify the Southron spy and Wormtongue. Saruman made fools of them. Well, there is the gauntlet.

[Fat middle]

I believe that the Nazgul had a little problem with sight. I think I've read it in Letters too (EDIT: Nope, it doesn't seem to be in Letters. Perhaps it was just Gandalf in Rivendell): they cannot see the world like we see it, because they're in the other world, the world of the wraiths and the spirits. In the night, however, their vision was better.

This problem may have been important in their fights with Gandalf and Aragorn.

Then, they seem very weak... but for the fear they inspired. The question is, how can they inspire such a terrible fear, even to the point of "coming over one" in the "form" of the Black Breath? Wearing black clothes, speaking in hissings, etc. do not seem a sufficient response.

I've been thinking about this, and the only explanation I can find is related with the reasons that Tolkien gave (I believe they're in the same Letter. EDIT: :rolleyes: ) to explain how could Glorfindel stand them and the words of Gandalf (?) about it:

When you met a Black Rider you may be frightened by his external aspect, but at the same time, your spirit is confronting his. Men and hobbit may not be conscious of this confrontation, but elves are (at least those who had lived in the Blessed Realm, and I suppose that all them, though in a minor degree).

The presence of the wraith in the other world is very powerful, and perhaps it could result in a sort of extenuation of your spirit, aka Black Breath.

Hmmm, I think I'll look for some quotes before I say more nonsense :p

[Valandil]

Thanks for posting this Attalus. I should take the time to do some directed study before attempting a contrarian's reply. Interesting what you say about Sauron adding the demonic power at the one point. I have read the 'Letters' but only once. I'll start my study with that one and re-check some portions of the text and appendices.

Thanks again. May take me a few days, as we have a tough deadline at work - and I'm putting in overtime as well as my lengthy commute (and then there's that wife and three boys I go home to...). :)

[Artanis]

Then, they seem very weak... but for the fear they inspired. The question is, how can they inspire such a terrible fear, even to the point of "coming over one" in the "form" of the Black Breath? Wearing black clothes, speaking in hissings, etc. do not seem a sufficient response.When reading this I came to think about the Oathbreakers. The fear which they arose resembles the fear people felt of the Nazgûl. Now that's something to ponder about.

Edit: The Nazgûl had a few phobias too, they feared both water and fire. Actually, at the Ford of Bruinen, they were caught in the middle of two evils: The river, and Glorfindel and Aragorn with burning torches: At the Ford of Bruinen only the Witch-king and two others, with the lure of the Ring straight before them, had dared to enter the river; the others were driven into it by Glorfindel and Aragorn. [Author's note.] UT, The hunt for the Ring, Note 3.

[Fat middle]

When reading this I came to think about the Oathbreakers. The fear which they arose resembles the fear people felt of the Nazgûl. Now that's something to ponder about.
Yep. Very interesting compassion :)

Here's the quote I was refering to. It's from Many Meetings. gandalf speaking of the elves from Rivendell:They do not fear the Ringwraiths, for those who have dwelt in the Blessed Realm live at once in both worlds, and against both the Seen and the Unseen they have great power.

It's also curious what Frodo says a bit above:`Then why do these black horses endure such riders? All other animals are terrified when they draw near, even the elf-horse of Glorfindel. The dogs howl and the geese scream at them.'
Also to be pondered. Has the animals some sort of life in the "other world" to sense the presence of the wraiths? :confused:

[Artanis]

It's also curious what Frodo says a bit above:
Also to be pondered. Has the animals some sort of life in the "other world" to sense the presence of the wraiths? :confused:Didn't Gandalf answer that question promptly? "Because these horses are born and bred to the service of the Dark Lord in Mordor." Not a wholly satisfactory answer perhaps.

[Ñólendil]

I think what Fat Middle is getting at is not the answer to Frodo's question, but the validity to Frodo's comments. That is, Fat Middle doesn't want to know why the horses bear the Nazgul, he wants to know why or how it is that the animals (at least common dogs and geese) howl and scream at them.

[The Gaffer]

Interesting discussion. Here's my two taters worth.

I recall Gandalf mentioning that when Frodo put on the Ring he became visible to them and they might have seized him. The purpose of the knife attack was to turn Frodo into a wraith, presumably to facilitate this.

This led me to the conclusion that the Ringwraiths existed almost entirely in the "other world" and had very little power to physically affect the real world. However, clearly they can wear clothes and have shape of some sort, and perhaps we can assume that this includes the ability to wield weapons.

So why didn't they just kill Frodo and take the Ring? Perhaps being the Ring-bearer gave him some sort of protection; maybe they couldn't actually handle the Ring and needed to take Frodo in wraith-form back to Sauron.

Elsewhere in LOTR there was reference to their increasing in power as Sauron increased in power, which might explain some things.

[Ñólendil]

Perhaps they had more use of Frodo as an enslaved wraith, then they did as a dead Hobbit. Also, they weren't counting on plain-Hobbit-resistance, and expected Frodo to turn into a wraith quite quickly.

[Artanis]

I think what Fat Middle is getting at is not the answer to Frodo's question, but the validity to Frodo's comments. That is, Fat Middle doesn't want to know why the horses bear the Nazgul, he wants to know why or how it is that the animals (at least common dogs and geese) howl and scream at them.Of course, thanks, I see it now. :)
*feeling fairly stupid* :rolleyes:

[Attalus]

I don't think there is any question that they can wield weapons: the W-K stabbed Frodo and the Nine killed several Dunedain at Sarn Ford. I suspect, though, that the Black Horses are their primary weapon, especially against anyone afoot. A well-trained warhorse is a weapon in itself.

[Halbarad of the Dunedain]

I recall Gandalf mentioning that when Frodo put on the Ring he became visible to them and they might have seized him. The purpose of the knife attack was to turn Frodo into a wraith, presumably to facilitate this.

It is my oppinion that on Weathertop there were only 5 wraiths that were being driven back by 4 little Hobbits and a Man. I think their plan was to do what they could, stab Frodo and hope that he would turn in to a wraith quickly. Yet even if it was a slow proccess they could now perceive Frodo much better, their plan may have been to gain the ability to track Frodo and wait for all nine to attack a weakend group of 3 little Hobbits a Man and a hlaf wraith Hobbit. I think the odds would have been a bit different and Frodo would have been lost.

Didn't Gandalf answer that question promptly? "Because these horses are born and bred to the service of the Dark Lord in Mordor." Not a wholly satisfactory answer perhaps.

(I know this is kind of off topic but it was just buggin me ya know)
Anyways, isn't it said that no horse is breed and born in Mordor!? If I remember correctly didn't a force of Mordor raid the Rohan and take every black horse!? Im pretty sure I just read something like that in The Two Towers. Something like there was not a single black horse left in rohan...?
and again sorry bout the off topicness, i shall post again regaurding the nazgul as i think i have a lot to say about them...

[Pytt]

yes thats right. i also remember about that all black horses from rohan where taken to mordor.

[Attalus]

Yep, the black horses were originally from Rohan. As JRRT frequently remarked, none of his characters knows everything. And the post about there being only five Nazgul at Frodo's wounding is quite correct, but I do not think that all nine being present would have caused all that different an outcome.

[Fat middle]

So why didn't they just kill Frodo and take the Ring? Perhaps being the Ring-bearer gave him some sort of protection; maybe they couldn't actually handle the Ring and needed to take Frodo in wraith-form back to Sauron.
I think that Tolkien stated somewhere (can anybody help here with the quote?) that it was Frodo's braveness what saved himself from death. The stabbing of the Witch King was aimed to Frodo's heart but since he was also trying to stabb the ringwraith, the knife only pierced his left shoulder.


BTW, Ñolendil is right: that was what I meant :)

[Lefty Scaevola]

Their main power seems to be the psychic/telepathic fear (it seems to affect persons who do not even know the Nazgul are around) which appear to compound when more of them are together.
The WitchKing, per his title, is an acomplished sorceror
In direct batlle, they do not appear to have any specila strenghts beyond which humans weild, wich is consistant with them hanging back most of the time and using the fear power.
They have the Black Breath, some sort of socerous germ warfare power.

[Imric]

Did not the Witch-King help break the Gate at Minas Tirith with sorcery after Grond had initally failed to break through?



The drums rattled and rolled. With a vast rush Grond was hurled forward by huge hands. It reached the Gate. It swung. A deep boom rumbled through the City like thunder running in the clouds. But the doors of iron and posts of steel withstood the stroke,

Then the Black Captain rose in his stirrups and cried aloud in a dreadful voice, speaking in some forgotten tongue words of power and terror to rend both heart and stone.

Thrice he cried. Thrice the great ram boomed. And suddenly upon the last stroke the Gate of Gondor broke. As if stricken by some blasting spell it broke asunder; there was a flash of searing lightning, and the doors tumbled in riven fragments to the ground.



-Return of the King.

How should one interpet this scene?

[Ñólendil]

Well, Tolkien said in the Letters that the Witchking, by the time of the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, had been greatly enhanced with demonic power. I imagine this means that Sauron invested part of himself in the Witchking, thus making him more powerful, and so able to do such things as you quote.

[Attalus]

Well, Tolkien said in the Letters that the Witchking, by the time of the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, had been greatly enhanced with demonic power. I imagine this means that Sauron invested part of himself in the Witchking, thus making him more powerful, and so able to do such things as you quote.Yes, in the Famous Letter #210,9, JRRT explicitly said that the W-K had been empowered with "demonic force." To quote the passage would not be excessive, I feel: The Witch-King, their leader, is more powerful in all ways than the others; but he must not yet be raised to the stature of Vol. III. There, put in command by Sauron, he is given an added demonic force. But even in the Battle of the Pellenor, the darkness had only just broken.

[Imric]

Yes, in the Famous Letter #210,9, JRRT explicitly said that the W-K had been empowered with "demonic force." To quote the passage would not be excessive, I feel:

When would you say this empowement occurred? At Minas Morgul, perhaps, when Frodo and Sam witnessed blue flame rising from the tower of the Dead City after Mount Orodruin had erupted?

[Attalus]

That would fit in well with the timeline, yes.

[Olmer]

It is my oppinion that on Weathertop there were only 5 wraiths that were being driven back by 4 little Hobbits and a Man. I think their plan was to do what they could, stab Frodo and hope that he would turn in to a wraith quickly.

If you will take in consideration all Ringwraith's actions you would say that their plans was totally different from what you all got used to think. :cool:
Very interesting picture is shaping up.

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

So why didn't they just kill Frodo and take the Ring? Perhaps being the Ring-bearer gave him some sort of protection; maybe they couldn't actually handle the Ring and needed to take Frodo in wraith-form back to Sauron.

If that is the case then why were all the bolsters, that either Bob or Nob put in the hobbits room as a disguise, destroyed?

[Attalus]

Tolkien says in the Letters that the Nazgul, being completely in Sauron's conrol by his possession of their Rings, would have brought the Ruling Ring back to him; so they could have handled it.

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

Yet in LOTR it says that perhaps their wish was for Frodo to take it to Sauron as a wraith so he would be humiliated and tortured by Sauron.

[Attalus]

But Sauron's overwhelming desire was for the Ruling Ring, called by Tolkien "the greatest treasure of the Third Age." Surely, with something that important, some obscure desire to torture someone that he didn't even know would become of secondary importance. As related in "The Hunt For the Ring," the Ringwraiths' overwhelming imperative was to get the Ring. When they invaded Crickhollow, they weren't going to stab somebody with a Morgul-knife, nor were they when they set Bill Ferney and the Southron spy to kill them all in their beds. If they could have killed all the party and taken the Ring, they would have. The reason that they did what they did was that it was the only thing they could do. Aragorn did not fear them, and in fact he was able to scatter them. They were trying to pierce Frodo's heart with the Morgul-knife, which would have immediately have turned him into a wraith, which they would have just taken with them, Ring and all, and Aragorn wouldn't have been able to intevene, as he did, decisively. They held on, hoping that the splinter , doubtless somewhat under the W-K's control, would indeed pierce Frodo's heart, but he outlasted it. It was only when the party was about to enter Rivendell, where they knew that Elrond would remove the splinter, that they panicked and were forced into action, and we all know how that turned out.

[Valandil]

Dag-nab it Attalus, I haven't been able to do any significant research yet, and prospects for the near future still look about as bleak.

I peeked at one thing I had been holding onto, but it wasn't as promising for the opposing case as I'd hoped. It was the Steward Boromir, who, while his father (another Denethor) was Steward, was a great warrior, but received a Morgul wound which shortened his life. When I re-read it today though, I wasn't sure it helped my case. Heck - it even said that the Witch-King feared HIM! :eek: If you want to check that out, it's in the Appendix A account of Gondor - Boromir was the father of Cirion, so it's just before the arrival of the Eotheod... 2400's of the Third Age.

I guess my thinking had been that JRRT was a little inconsistent... that maybe his own concept of just how powerful the nazgul were was evolving both while he wrote the story, and afterwards... when he seemed like he wanted to have it all make more sense to himself, rather than just being a story device. In other words, it seemed like his earlier concept might have been that they were more powerful... and that in his later concepts, he made them less powerful.

Anyway - I don't seem to have the research results on my hands to back that up, or even the time and opportunity to explore those possibilities just now.

[Attalus]

Dag-nab it Attalus, I haven't been able to do any significant research yet, and prospects for the near future still look about as bleak.



Anyway - I don't seem to have the research results on my hands to back that up, or even the time and opportunity to explore those possibilities just now.I think my own concept of the Nazgûl dates from my earliest readings of the tale. It was the incident of the Prancing Pony. I thought, "Merry got away from them? A stable boy scared them off? There are so amny of them, why don't they just knock the place over. It's an inn, not a fortress for crying out loud." And then Aragorn and the Hobbits run them off with torches? Man, these guys are just scary, they can't really do much. If you admit defeat, I will have to change my siggy quote. :D :D :D

[Olmer]

As related in "The Hunt For the Ring," the Ringwraiths' overwhelming imperative was to get the Ring. The reason that they did what they did was that it was the only thing they could do. They were trying to pierce Frodo's heart with the Morgul-knife, which would have immediately have turned him into a wraith, which they would have just taken with them, Ring and all, and Aragorn wouldn't have been able to intevene, as he did, decisively. They held on, hoping that the splinter , doubtless somewhat under the W-K's control, would indeed pierce Frodo's heart, but he outlasted it. It was only when the party was about to enter Rivendell, where they knew that Elrond would remove the splinter, that they panicked and were forced into action, .
I like your explanation about Morgul-knife and deal with a sudden attack at the Fort, even if my POV on Nazguls agenda quite differs from the traditional:D.You are trying to clarify things and actions without an excuse "Because it just as Tolkien wrote", but by analyzing facts and actions, which usually leads to some interesting findings like this one. :)
But "The hunt for the Ring" relate many not so obvious impressions, which is no less important and had to be taken in consideration. And according to them the" Ringwraith's overwhelming imperative" seems is totally different.
I don't think they were powerless, don't forget that they literally crashed experienced in the fights Dunedain,that Gandalf with all his fighting skills and magic just managed to "escape",and then they got scared away by man with torch or by distant Elve's song?They couldn't be driven away that easily, unless it was included in their plans.
Fat Middle doesn't want to know why the horses bear the Nazgul, he wants to know why or how it is that the animals (at least common dogs and geese) howl and scream at them.
Because animals somehow feel the presence of dead bodies, death.Dogs usually howl before the death of somebody from household.

[Attalus]

Oh, I don't think they are powerless, at all. They can still wield blades, obviously, and there are nine of them, enough to divide up and do different things, search, for instance, and reunite to gang up on individuals, like Gandalf. Don't forget that they attacked at night on Weathertop, both times, when they were at their strongest. But, while "They have no great physical power against the fearless" may seem dismissive, I think JRRT is just saying they are not great warriors, like Boromir or Aragorn, and that they rely on the fear that they wield to unman their opponents. If that doesn't work, like against Gandalf and Aragorn, they have a problem, and they lost both encounters, doubtless to Sauron's wrath. As regards the inn, I insist that Aragorn or Boromir with eight (or five) ordinary men-of-arms of the Dunedain could have cleared that place in half an hour, assuming it was an identical inn in Harad or someplace where there was something that they wanted, guarded by similar Orcs.

[ItalianLegolas]

[QUOTE=Valandil]
I guess my thinking had been that JRRT was a little inconsistent... [QUOTE]

well you have to remeber he had to write a 1,300 page novel!!
but i think that since the ring-wraiths were bound to Sauron via their rings, he could control them and give them as little or as much power as he wanted, following this thinking, is it possible that the results of Weathertop were just a gross under-estimation of Aragorn by Sauron?

[Kelawyn]

But, while "They have no great physical power against the fearless" may seem dismissive, I think JRRT is just saying they are not great warriors, like Boromir or Aragorn, and that they rely on the fear that they wield to unman their opponents.

I think fear is really their greatest weapon, and that it is a very legitimate weapon. How many fights are over before they start because one side cannot bear the fear the other instills? Their shrieks, the Black Breath, the feeling of utter despair (I'm especially thinking of the first time the hobbits hear the call as they flee the Shire and when the Nazgul fly over Minas Tirith and Pippin and the Gondorian fall to the ground in despair and cannot even think) are their weapons from the wraith world. I think it is perfect that Tolkien gives the greatest servants of evil very little power except fear. The weak of heart, not the weak of body, can fall prey to the Nazgul, but the strong (IMO easily) overcome them.

[Olmer]

The weak of heart, not the weak of body, can fall prey to the Nazgul, but the strong (IMO easily) overcome them.
he-he...
You are saying , that the Rangers, the descendants of mightyand brave Numenorians, which were desperately and stoically trying to bar the Nazguls way to the Shire, were slain and driven away by the Nine because they were "weak of heart"?

[Attalus]

I think that, yes, the Dunedain, deprived of their chieftain, Aragorn, were at a lower than desirable morale state, and were fear-struck to run away and be destroyed or at least disorganized. Don't forget that the Witch-King had already all but destroyed the Dunedain of the North. I wish we knew whether Halbarad was there, but even if he were, he is obviously less charismatic and not near the warrior that Aragorn was.

[Kelawyn]

Yes, the Rangers weren't at their best. Tolkien emphasizes again and again that who appears to be strongest is not and that "all that is gold does not glitter."

[Olmer]

I think that, yes, the Dunedain, deprived of their chieftain, Aragorn, were at a lower than desirable morale state, and were fear-struck to run away and be destroyed or at least disorganized.
...that the Witch-King had already all but destroyed the Dunedain of the North.
I wish we knew whether Halbarad was there, but even if he were, he is obviously less charismatic and not near the warrior that Aragorn was.
Oh, yes, considering that he was saying of the hobbits:"A little people, but of great worth are the Shire-folk. Little do they know of our long labour for the safekeeping of their borders, and yet I grudge it not," he was among the Rangers who guarded the Shire.
Since Aragorn took a long leave from his responsibility as a Chieftain of Dunedain , somebody must take the leadership in his absence, and it should be the person no less charismatic and brave than Aragorn himself, precisely Halbarad, because it was him who led 30 Dunedain to Rohan to help Aragorn.
Besides, if person says “This is an evil door, and my death lies beyond it. I will dare to pass it nonetheless..." (RotK), I wouldn’t put him in category of people with “ lower then desirable morale”.

Before putting all blame on the Witch King don't forget that that by dividing and feuding with each other the kingdoms of Arnor was already dwindling and the Great plague greatly helped to uninhabit already getting desolated places.

[Attalus]

I didn't say Halbarad was less than doughty, but my experience with small-unit combat indicates that the presence of a very charismatic leader will frequently spell the difference between victory and defeat, and we are expressly told by JRRT that Aragorn was not with them.

[Olmer]

...that the presence of a very charismatic leader will frequently spell the difference between victory and defeat, and we are expressly told by JRRT that Aragorn was not with them.
I think it is better to have a not that "very charismatic leader ", than a charismatic leader, who abandoned his duty and his troop.
Besides, by welcoming and warmth with which Aragorn met Halbarad comes the feeling that Aragorn himself approved Halbarad as a very capable leader of Dunedain in his absence.

[Attalus]

*shrugs* However charismatic he may or may not have been, or how fond Aragorn was of him, the Rangers got driven from Sarn Ford, and, Tolkien hints, Aragorn's presence might have made the difference. And I hardly think Aragorn "deserted" his men. He was off in Rivendell. Surely the man deserves some R&R every once in a while.

[Blackheart]

I actually remember reading, in a letter somewhere, that the nazgul were under orders to be circumspect in their actions in the early part of the war.

Sauron didn't want it widely known that "the nine were abroad", not yet anyway, for various strategic and tactical reasons that are probably debatable.

The fact that they were under orders to be secretive and circumspect in their actions likely contributes to what otherwise appears to be a puzzling timidity on the part of undead servants of what (basically) amounts to a dark god...

What were their actual capabilities if they were allowed to go all out? That is debatable, but I doubt that anyone would argue that it would be particulalry pleasant.

Sorcery, Sorcerous weapons, and quite probably some very tactically shrewd minds, are just the basic hazards.

The "black breath" appears to be simply the overwhelming force of evil inherent in their being.. or unbeing. They are sustained by the rings, rings forged to draw on a source of power revealed to the elven smiths by Sauron. Which turns out to be the actual power of Morgoth that he invested into the world.

The black breath brings despair and darkness and the death of hope exactly because it is "sourced" directly from the will and power of Morgoth (the remnants anyway). If you look back you can see this theme several times in the Sil, from Ungolient's darkness to Morgoth's hatred.

So aside from just inspiring terror, the very presence of the Nazgul is hazardous to the spirit, and in some cases fatal as the spirit of the afflicted would just waste away.

It would have taken a very powerful spirit to resist such a power. Elf Lords, Wizards, and uncrowned Kings aside...

[squinteyedsoutherner]

I don’t at all agree the Nazgul were “driven off” by Aragorn and the hobbits on Weathertop.

Their plan was to approach, command the ring bearer to show himself, stab him, then depart. At this point Frodo would have willingly gone with them. Tolkien tells us through Aragorn that they did not expect to be resisted, but this is a reference to Frodo’s resistance (“More deadly to him was the name of Elbereth”) not anything anyone else did.

The only flaw in their plan was underestimating the ring bearer which will become a theme throughout the book.

“they are only waiting because they think their purpose is almost accomplished and that the ring cannot fly much further. I fear, Sam, that they believe your master has a deadly wound that will subdue him to their will”

Even after the attack Tolkien is trying to show that what will save them is a second underestimation of Frodo, this time his ability to withstand the wound. The Nazgul could have got the ring at this point in the story had it not been for these underestimations of Frodo. Aragorn played no role in the initial stroke missing Frodo’s heart, and the fact he was unable to stop that attack when he was so near to Frodo certainly means he would be unable to stop another attempt. The Nazgul however, deem a second attempt unecessary.

I think this was intentional on Tolkien’s part for thematic reasons. They did not lack “the power” to take the ring, rather, they lacked the understanding that strength can reside in what appears weak.

[ItalianLegolas]

i think early in LoTR there is a brief mention of 'Black Breath' which is that they could kill/stun a person just by breathing on them

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

I think it's a little more complex than that, if it weren't then the orcs would have constantly suffered with it. It wouldn't really immediatly kill them either. Faramir suffered with it and that with a Southron dart only bought him near death after about a day.

[Attalus]

I suspect that the Black Breath was a kind of poisonous effusion that affected a mortal that was actually fighting with one of them, which is why the Orcs were not said to be affected. Merry was not touched by it, that night in Bree. I think he passed out from pure terror, though this is not mentioned.

[Blackheart]

Black Breath was is a descriptive phase, not an actual indication that the breath of the nazgul was deadly in and of itself... Though if they did breathe it probably smelled pretty nasty...

Any living thing was affected by their presence.. orcs to. At the very least it gave them the willies...

It was more of a spiritual affliction than anything physical. A direct assault on the spirit.

[Wayfarer]

Yes. That's certainly the best picture of it, if you ask me.

Remember that the greatest power that the Nazgul had was fear - well, fear can have a crippling physical effect under the right circumstances, and a sufficient fear stimulus can have a lasting effect.

I suspect that, as Blackheart said, the Nazgul were capable of a direct attack upon the spirit (as they are, of course, spirits themselves). But what was the purpose of this spiritual attack? Well, clearly it doesn't immediately kill the victim - and it doesn't seem to have physical effects (the way the Morgul-knife did). So what was it? Probably a vector for creating fear - assaulting the spirit in order to induce a state of horror and panic.

This experience could have been so traumatic as to have left the victim comatose (or nearly so). Kind of a supernatural PTSS.

[Blackheart]

I think actually the direct result was to sever the spirit from the body. Under certain circumstances.. that would lead to the victim becomeing a wraith themselves....

Whether the actual emotional vector was fear, or despair, or a direct "psychic" assault might vary from victim to victim...

Cerrtainly the "black breath" took at least two forms, and maybe more, depending on the victims weakness... But the end result would have been the same. Death, or wraithhood under a specific set of circumstances...

The victims were subject to dreams of madness, voices, and visions of despair. If oyu read up on the actual taking of the men who became the nazgul, this is actually very similar to how Sauron broke down their wills using the rings they were given.

it's like they had become extensions of their rings, able to infect someone with the very vulnerability that caused their own downfall...

[Fenir_LacDanan]

Something to consider,

During the confontation of the wictch king and Gandalf at the gates of Minas Tirith, I have oft though?

Gandalf V the Witch King?

I go for Gandalf, I mean after all, he did roll a Balrog, so what is a Nazgul in comparioson?

Oh gee, did I spark off a discussion?

[Blackheart]

Too close to call... The witch king was specifically prepared to face Gandalf, after all.

Eowyn was a nasty surprise...

[Attalus]

I don't know if we can deduce that the mere presence of one of the Nazgûl would be enough to sever the bond between the victim's spirit and his/her body absent a defeat or at least physical contact. Éowyn, Merry, and Faramir were struck down, to be sure, but Faramir was said to be struck with a dart that came from above, and Éowyn (and Merry) struck the physical body of the Witch-King, a thing that is said by Aragorn to be perilous in and of itself. Do you think that the concept of the Black Breath could be extended to that? I do.

[Blackheart]

Even the mere presence of the nazgul overhead affected many of the troops at minas tirith. Lots of people had the black breath.

One can logically assume that the effect would be more pronounced with closer proximity...

[Attalus]

Yes, many in the siege of Minas Tirith were struck down, but they were fighting, not just passersby.

[Blackheart]

They were fighting yes, but they weren't fighting nazgul. They were fighting under the shadow of the nazgul.

That's as close as you can get to being a "passerby" in the middle of a battle.