Well done, I enjoyed reading this and will re-read in coming days. I must point out tho that the ringwraiths can cast off their cloaks and ride invisible on horses. Frodo saw them do this. You can't ride unless you have a body but it's just invisible. It was stated that their cloaks gave them shape, but they've been known to cast them off and still interact with the physical world (like with the horses). So I don't think fading implies they don't have bodies that can interact with the world. I think it's just that they're invisible permanently, kind of like how you'd be if you permanently wore a great ring as a man.
Excellent synthesis! Morgoth's Ring is a seriously underrated book, and DMing certainly benefits from this sort of complete metaphysic that players might not fully grasp but that nonetheless serves as a world-puzzle and source of continuity.
Well done, I enjoyed reading this and will re-read in coming days. I must point out tho that the ringwraiths can cast off their cloaks and ride invisible on horses. Frodo saw them do this. You can't ride unless you have a body but it's just invisible. It was stated that their cloaks gave them shape, but they've been known to cast them off and still interact with the physical world (like with the horses). So I don't think fading implies they don't have bodies that can interact with the world. I think it's just that they're invisible permanently, kind of like how you'd be if you permanently wore a great ring as a man.
Excellent synthesis! Morgoth's Ring is a seriously underrated book, and DMing certainly benefits from this sort of complete metaphysic that players might not fully grasp but that nonetheless serves as a world-puzzle and source of continuity.