Black Breath

A power or effect employed by the Nazgûl to overcome their enemies. The exact nature of the Black Breath is open to question, but it induced not only a terror but a real injury on the victim. Merry was overpowered by it in Bree, but was rescued before he could be seriously affected. In Minas Tirith, Faramir was less fortunate, and the Black Breath brought him to the edge of death before he could be revived. The plant athelas was effective in relieving Morgul-wounds of all kinds, including the power of the Black Breath.