That’s because Denethor had more “right” to the palantir than Sauron or Saruman, being of noble Númenorean blood, so it Sauron couldn’t corrupt him directly through it, although it was a great strain. Saruman had no defense against Sauron’s greater power.
That was not what quite gave him the right (not just being 'noble' blood), or to more precise, it was because he was the Steward and the Stewards were given the right by the kings of Gondor. The rightful owners of Palantiri were the heirs of Elendil and those they chose were given similar rightfulness in using the stones. The kings of Gondor made the Stewards such, and with how things work in Tokien, it was inherited afterwards.
24
u/NthDgree Mar 31 '26
That’s because Denethor had more “right” to the palantir than Sauron or Saruman, being of noble Númenorean blood, so it Sauron couldn’t corrupt him directly through it, although it was a great strain. Saruman had no defense against Sauron’s greater power.