Chapter 122 - Extra

Orc

🩸 About the Ring / Raziel

Who exactly is Raziel in this world? How did his soul end up linked to the Ring's domain?

- Determination. And that will power to endure everything, even death, was felt of the ring, and used the moment of least opportunity to take it. A power that bounded death itself already, refused and endured it, a soul that did that and felt untouchable was too much for the ring to not desire.

Does the Ring have a purpose with Raziel beyond using him as a vessel, or is Raziel something it fears/needs?

- The rings desire the will power and soul, that determination inside the soul, as is something more purer than any other entity (man, hobbit, orc, elf, or whatever else you wanna add) has ever shown to have, one that was power itself.

When Raziel finally "accepts" the Ring's whispering, is it true acceptance… or is there another motive?

- Is tired acceptance, a giving up call for back up and get out of the work time, if you get what I mean.

🌑 About Frodo's Descent

Why does the Ring's influence over Frodo manifest as violence and almost Nazgûl-like behavior here, instead of the slow corruption we saw in LOTR?

- That was not Frodo. That was Raziel, the white spirit that made the Nazgul scared. The determination took over Frodo, and during that time, the ring connected to the determination and then did to the soul through that determination, forcing a bond to Raziel.

Does Frodo even realize he's killing Gandalf and Sam, or is he fully lost?

- I actually don't know, but better if he is truly lost. I don't want to imagine how it would be in his POV... Poor Frodo XD

Is there a way back for Frodo in your story, or is this the "point of no return" moment?

- Was just an excuse to give the ring. I saw a chance, and I took the opportunity. The fanfic is about Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War, not the movie of Middle Earth LOTR.

🦴 About the White Flame Creature

Who/what was that goat-skull, winged being?

- Raziel in his true, and full power or spectral, form.

Was it a manifestation of Raziel's soul? Some ancient power responding to the Ring? Or something else entirely?

- Yes, a manifestation of Raziel's soul. A spectral form of his unleashed power for not having that body, but was still in the soul.

Did it save Frodo on purpose, or was Frodo just in the way of a bigger conflict?

- Frodo was just in the way. An accident that happened.

🔥 About Grakmur

How much of Grakmur's "friendly" personality is his own soul vs. the influence of the Ring / Raziel / Isildur's ring?

- Well, the ring doesn't change the soul, but the soul reshaped the personality to remain the same but not force the body tto brutal changes, as with an orc body, is capable of killing despite the soul is truly pure and Raziel was incapable of hurting others but was a iron wall sshield enduring everything in all meanings, that's in the soul, but in an orc, will get reshaped to rrespect the body memories that are different from a human child body memories living in a city.

Does Grakmur know he's partly human-souled?

- No, he doesn't see himself partially human, but can have moments where he could remember as he was something different. But despite the body, the vessel, is still him.

How does Mordor (and the other orcs) react to Grakmur's code of honor and mercy? Is he feared, loved, hated?

- Because the ring, feared, by everyone. Because of his code of mercy, shamed by other orcs for that weakness. Is hated and shamed and disrespect, but also loved and respected by others. That's why the gang when becomes captain.

🩸 About the Secret Redemption Ending

What does it mean for Talion to give Isildur's ring to Grakmur? Is that a literal passing of power, or more symbolic?

- Is more symbolic, as the change of heart Grakmur wanted Talion to have, but didn't, and does in the very end. Too late, but never late enough to change. That's why I planned that when in here, Grakmur kills Talion, and that scene happens, Grakmur says "I'm sorry... Truly, truly, sorry... But friend... If we were truly friend at some point... Please, Talion... Quit... And never come back... I'll handle the rest, and Mordor will be in good hands...".

When Talion dies and Grakmur goes to face Sauron/Celebrimbor/Eltariel, does he intend to kill them or redeem them?

- Kill them. Only one team of the three teams can remain alive, as long as a team remains, will also want to hold control over Mordor, and to finish it all, has to get rid of both, Sauron and Celebrimbor.

What happens to the ghosts of Talion and Isildur following Grakmur? Are they guiding, judging, or just bearing witness?

- Nothing, are just spectral visual to the reader to symbolize the new weight Grakmur decided to charge over his back, a symbol of the redemption Talion did, one where even when was impossible and too late, still can happen if done properly with real intentions.

⚔️ About Player Choice

Can players influence how much Grakmur trusts them (food scenes, forging, recruiting)?

- Yes, and no. Is not like hacking, but can influence if the player behaves in the right way with the world. The better you are with the world, the better with Grakmur. Freeing beasts, sparing orcs that were giving up, letting slaves orcs flee after killing the soldier orc, etc.

Could a player actually prevent the No Redemption route by how they behave, or is it inevitable?

- Can prevent. Is one of the routes, and happens if the player behaves the worst as can.

If Grakmur recruits orcs for you, do those orcs behave differently because of his influence (more disciplined, more honorable)?

- No, are just under Grakmur's lead and hold, but are still the same, like if are recruited by Talion. The personalities doesn't change.

🕳️ About the Big Picture

Is this world's Ring more powerful than in canon? Or is it the same Ring behaving differently because of Raziel?

- The ring Raziel wears, is the ring of the movie. Out of Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War. That ring becomes stronger, because of the bond to Raziel's soul and determination, and has further changes. But in general, is still the same as always in reality. The holder is what makes the ring stronger, not the ring itself.

Are you building towards a "breaking the cycle" ending (Grakmur as a true redeemer), or a "power always corrupts" ending (Grakmur succumbs too)?

- Grakmur doesn't want power, as he sees power always with a purpose. "What is power without a purpose to use it? What is a king without kingdom? What is a Lord without a fortress or land to command? Nothing."

Will Raziel ever regain his original form/body, or is he destined to be bound to the Ring forever?

- Forever. Almost attached to his body, as bonded to his soul and determination, refusing to let him go from it, desiring further and deeper than anything else.