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Do the books ever say oliphaunts aren’t elephants?
In a comment here, Valorum states "Zero elephants. Several Oliphaunts". Which made me wonder: is there anything in Tolkien's writings to support the notion that Oliphaunts are not elephants?
The description we have is as follows:
Grey as a…
Galastel supports GoFundMonica
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Spambot becomes self aware but every attempt to contact gets filtered
About 3-6 years ago I read a short story (online, I think) formatted as a series of emails sent by a spambot that had become self aware and was trying to make contact but, due to its origins, was writing in such a spam-like style (references to…
tardigrade
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Why did Gilderoy try to mend Harry's arm?
Professor Gilderoy Lockhart was not a talented wizard. We learn this near the end of the Chamber of Secrets when it is revealed that he is a fraud. In short, Gilderoy Lockhart was a scam-artist.
Before we learn that Lockhart is a talentless fraud,…
Magikarp Master
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84
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Will Ezra's lightsaber revolutionize dueling?
Ezra's lightsaber (pictued below) features a gun attachment that can be single-handedly fired while the lightsaber is activated. The energy bolt cannot be deflected back at the firer.
Regarding the lightsaber his Jedi Master, Kanan, flippantly said…
Twilight Sparkle
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84
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Why not encase the One Ring in solid metal?
In the Lord of the Rings, the One Ring corrupts the people near it, and it seems to have a stronger effect on anyone who sees it or touches it. Sauron and the Ring Wraiths also seem to be able to sense the One Ring when someone wears it.
Once the…
Keen
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Why hasn't Anakin Skywalker's Force Ghost advised Kylo Ren?
We know that Anakin Skywalker has become a Force Ghost — at the end of Episode VI, Anakin's Ghost is a wallflower at the ewok party on the Forest Moon of Endor.
We also know that it doesn't necessarily take special training in order to commune with…
Praxis
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Why was Han Solo acting like he’s never seen Chewbacca’s bowcaster before?
In “The Force Awakens” Han Solo, Chewbacca and Finn are caught in a battle on the planet Takodana—where Maz Kanata lives, hangs out and does whatever she does—and Chewbacca begins using his bowcaster to pick off Stormtroopers like flies. At one…
Giacomo1968
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How did J.R.R. Tolkien learn about the events of his books? (In-Universe)
So, according to Tolkien, all his Middle-earth novels take place in the real world, about 6,000 years before they were released.
So my question is, did he ever state how he learned of the history of Middle-earth? I vaguely recall that the Hobbits…
Rogue Jedi
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83
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Why does C-3PO have a silver lower leg?
In Star Wars, C-3PO is a gold robot but his right leg is silver. Why is that?
(Edit: the original question said that he had a silver leg "in some scenes". Apparently, that is incorrect.)
Reinstate Monica - Goodbye SE
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Why do people risk death by joining Starfleet if not for money or preservation of their homes?
Watching Star Trek made me think of a few "deeper" questions about Starfleet, which are all related to the Star Trek TV series.
So, let's take for example the Dominion War: people are dying every second, ships get destroyed and cadets are still…
Emissarry
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Is Big Brother an actual person in the novel 1984?
I understand that Big Brother represents the Party, and is considered the leader of Oceania. Posters of Big Brother are everywhere, depicting him as a man with a mustache, and the Party expects people to love him.
Do we know if Big Brother is a…
Andrew
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Movie with magical book showing events of any day in history, except missing days of the Gregorian calendar change
I once saw a movie on the TV sometime in the 1990s. I don't remember a whole lot (maybe I didn't even see the whole movie), only one particular scene, which made quite an impression on my young self, and it still pops into my mind from time to…
SáT
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What keeps a lightsaber from going on infinitely?
Is there a reason ever given that explains why a lightsaber (which I assume/was made to assume is a sort of laser) doesn't go on infinitely like a normal laser (excluding atmospheric conditions)?
Or is the blade of a lightsaber something different…
DForck42
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Who actually sent the assassin to kill Bran?
I've read all of the books, but most of them years ago. But I can't remember who it was who actually sent the assassin.
Is it made clear, for example an actual confession?
deworde
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What are the rules and limits of Accio spell?
We know that Accio spell (aka Summoning Charm) has some limits:
It can be blocked (e.g. Harry couldn't Accio the Diadem in RoR in Deathly Hallows).
Many more failures are listed on Wikia.
But what are the exact full rules and limitations governing…
DVK-on-Ahch-To
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