Discarding from Many-tentacled Creature, Greatest of the Mearas, etc.

[Phallen Cassidy]

General consensus has been that Watcher in the Water, Many-tentacled Creature discards all other non-tentacle minions continuously (implied "while"), while Hearken to Me and Shadowfax, Greatest of the Mearas discards all Shadow conditions or other possessions once (implied "when"). The discarding text is written the same way on all three cards, so I think there are three options:

1) All three cards should discard certain types of cards continuously
2) All three cards should discard certain types of cards once
3) They should work differently in spite of having the same text because ignorance is bliss and every time Phallen starts one of these discussions we don't end up with anything but more questions

Obviously I advocate that intent does not matter and can't be known, and that the same action should work the same way. So while I don't disagree with the logic of option 3, I think it should be either 1 or 2. But which?

Hearken to Me draws the clearest distinction between discarding cards and preventing them from being played again. Usually when cards have unnecessary text it's to reiterate what the rules say rather than what the card does. If you're leaning option 1, explain why Hearken to Me would specify that conditions can't be played on Theoden if they would be discarded anyway?

For those who believe option 2 is the way to go, you've got to explain how Elven Brooch would work. Suppose that I play Shadowfax, Greatest of the Mearas on Gandalf bearing Gandalf's Pipe and Elven Brooch. I can use Elven Brooch to keep Gandalf's Pipe then, yes? The one-time discarding effect was handled, so there's nothing telling me to get rid of the pipe. Now suppose I play Greatest of the Mearas on Gandalf bearing Glamdring and Elven Brooch. I use Elven Brooch to save Glamdring... Then what happens? The same problem occurs now if Anduril, Flame of the West is played on Aragorn bearing Aragorn's Bow and Elven Brooch. If "may not bear a hand weapon" is sufficient to discard Glamdring, then you've got the same question to answer as the option 1 people. Otherwise, you've got to explain why we can get around a very clear restriction.

For you option 3 people, where I imagine the majority will fall: Hey. Glad to have you along.