Cavewights motivation?

[Sandgorgon rider]

Why were the Cavewights so willing to fight for Lord Foul in his armies? I can understand that the Ur-viles were following their own motivations, the Ravers seemed to hate the Land and all living things, and other creatures fought under the influence of the Illearth stone or possession by Ravers. I just don't see what the Cavewights had to gain by alligning themselves with Foul. If I recall correctly, during some time of the Old Lords they were peaceful creatures who traded with the people of the Land. However by the time of Kevin's war with Foul they were serving as his footsoldiers and they seem to have hated the Lords ever since. Are they motivated by greed and lust for power? Droll Rockworm seemed obsessed by power, but he seemed a little crazy even by Cavewight standards. I believe they are natural creatures governed by law, they should be allies of the Lords not enemies. Does anyone have any explanations?

[High Lord Tolkien]

They are dumb as dirt?

I always imagined them with a termite or ant like mentality and culture.

[wayfriend]

Lord Foul promised them lore and wealth which they otherwise wouldn't obtain, and they weren't too concerned about the long-term consequences of their service, namely the destruction of the entire Earth. Sort of like why people join the GOP.

[Variol Farseer]

Really? I thought it was because he fed their paranoid fantasies about how Cavewights were an oppressed minority who really ought to rule the world, and promised (without ever delivering) to put them in their rightful place as top dogs. Sort of like why people join the Democrats.

[callback]

I just assumed that he had them enslaved so thoroughly that they felt inadequate to act upon any thoughts of rebellion they might have had.

[ur-monkey]

I always imagined them with a termite or ant like mentality and culture.

They can't have been that thick - they had the power of speech (even if only just!)

I also find it curious that they completely vanish after the 1st Chronicles...

[I'm Murrin]

They didn't completely vanish - they appeared in tWL as a herd of sunbane-warped, uh, things, and in WGW when they tried to revive Drool Rockworm.

[ur-monkey]

Oh yeah! Forgot about that

[drew]

I think that the Cavewights weren't so much as serving Foul, as they were serving their own means.
I don't think they really liked humans very much.
I'd say they have more respect for Drool Rockworm then they do for Lord Foul. And he was able to manipulate Drool; so therfore the rest of the Cavewights joined in..for Drools sake-and for the sake of battling the Lords.

[Marv]

I think that the Cavewights weren't so much as serving Foul, as they were serving their own means.
I don't think they really liked humans very much.
I'd say they have more respect for Drool Rockworm then they do for Lord Foul. And he was able to manipulate Drool; so therfore the rest of the Cavewights joined in..for Drools sake-and for the sake of battling the Lords.

Good post. Drool was just about smart enough to believe he could double cross Foul but way to stupid to stand any real chance of doing so. The Cavewights thought they were in partnership with Foul and not enslaved by him. As usual Foul used someone's desires and qualities to serve his own ends.

[drew]

Exactly.
Exactly what Fould (and the Creator) were both doing to Covenant.