MERCEDES-LACKEY Digest 278 Topics covered in this issue include: 1) Re: Favourite Series by CHONNI 2) Re: gods on velgarth by Staci Schoenfeld 3) immortality and elves; book recommendation by CHONNI 4) Last message for the year :( by RUNDLE-+AT+-wilma.bcasd.az.honeywell.com 5) RE: ADMIN: sorry about the quiet patch yesterday by "BRUCE A. KLAISS" 6) Re: Favourite Series by "Sandy Haas" 7) Re: immortality and elves; vulcans... by "Sanna Koulu" 8) Re: Question (AFall) by "Sanna Koulu" 9) Re: Favourite Series by EGLESTON-+AT+-GROVER.BPL.ORG 10) Re: Favourite Series by "Sandy Haas" 11) Re: Favourite Series by EGLESTON-+AT+-GROVER.BPL.ORG 12) Re: Favourite Series by "Sandy Haas" 13) Re: Favourite Series by Tammy Harris 14) immortality and elves; book recommendation by jhm-+AT+-cnj.digex.net (J Hulley-Miller) 15) Re: Favourite Series by Wallace-+AT+-online.knoxnews.com 16) Re: Favourite Series by Katherine M Brielmaier 17) ADMIN: out of the office by mel (Melanie Dymond Harper) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 21 Dec 1995 13:22:34 -0800 (PST) From: CHONNI To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Favourite Series Message-ID: On Thu, 21 Dec 1995 dbackhau-+AT+-isou10.estec.esa.nl wrote: > Has anyone managed to sort the dates of these books out - from the tree at > the beginning of my WoC, Roald came to the throne in 1310 - and in > Oathbreakers he's a thirtysomething heir. Tarma is, what fortysomething?, > with her aches in the cold, Keth maybe less (she's got to get all those > kiddiwinks in before her homones give up on her - altho' I suppose she > _is_ a mage). I think Kero's mother was one of the later children (???), so > add a few years, then 20 or so for her Kero's mum to grow/marry/have the > son, then 15 or so for Kero to get to the start of By The Sword, and another > 25 to get to the end of it, and you get 68 years. Say Oathbreakers ended in > 1305, and you get 1373 - before Selenay even gets on the throne. > AotQ must date from around 1385 (Selenay marries while queen (Talias > predecessor can't handle a "headstrong young girl" (awful quotes again)), and > Elspeth is about 8. Now, (I'm nearly there) at the end of By the Sword, > Elspeth is early 20s, which makes it sort of 1396 (from the AotQ dates) - > with Kero in her 60's (by the Oathbreakers dates)! > I have played with these date loads of times, and have never reconciled them > - somone spot my obvious mistake please! Welcome, and glad you had so much to say! I think we can always use new playmates.... Anyways, calculating all the dates and times is always a great pastime, but in Velgrath, it's a real headache! Fortunately, sometime next year (cross your fingers) 3 (?) concordances should be coming out of Firebird Music. One for Arrows, one for Vanyel, and I think the last is for Oath, but I'm not sure. I don't have my catalog with me. It will give all the names, dates and words used in that time, IIRC. and a merry christmas, a fantastic festivities and a season's greetings to all! *********************************************************************** * Why would I want my mind back? Who knows where it's been! * *---------------------------------------------------------------------* **************************** Chonni Brightwolf************************* ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 21 Dec 1995 13:30:35 -0800 From: Staci Schoenfeld To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: gods on velgarth Message-ID: <199512212130.NAA25461-+AT+-stealth.romoidoy.com> At 09:13 PM 12/21/95 GMT, CHONNI wrote: > >On Thu, 14 Dec 1995, Heather Mina wrote: > >> Seanna wrote: >> >More, why would a god need to "prove himself"? >> Throughout the sacred literature of our world (I mean *all* of the sacred >> literature, from Babylon and Egypt, to Greece, to Scandanavia, to Judaism >> and Christianity (and everything else in between)), every god has performed >> some supernatural act to demonstrate to his (generic gender used throughout >> - no intentions to offend anybody here, just laziness in typing) people that >> he is, indeed a superior (if not necessarily supreme - read "head" god) >> being. Besides, for a very literal interpreation of the literature, how >> would we know that a being is a god unless he gave us some kind of >> demonstration of his powes and abilities? > >sorry to be so far behind in my posts (someone may have already >definitively answered this), but a really good literary example of this >good/evil, having to prove oneself thing can be found in a series of >books by Tanith Lee. I forget most of the names, and only _Delirium's >Mistress_ sticks out in my mind, but the book just before that deals with >a Loki/Satan like character that is also good, in a prometheus sort of way... for that matter -- the latest in the vampire "trilogy" from Anne Rice - Memnoch, the Devil -- explores the role of evil/good even in the devil him/self. wind to thy wings, Staci ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 21 Dec 1995 13:39:10 -0800 (PST) From: CHONNI To: mercedes-lackey list Subject: immortality and elves; book recommendation Message-ID: We've been chatting for a while about the believability of various author's elves, and I just wanted to add a couple of thoughts. I agree, most authors do tend to define their elves via longevity and pointy ears, things that could apply to Vulcans. It can be really annoying to find human emotions and behaviour coming from some one who has lived for thousands of years and should know better! Anyways, I recently started on a series that deals with immortality/longevity AND elves, but not necessarily together. The author is Maggie Furey, and the name of the first book is _Aurian_. There are normal humans, plus a race of mages, who live a very long time, and look upon themselves as vastly superior to the average man. Aurian is the main character, a young girl/woman who is a mage, but partially raised by a mortal man. Like the Dragonbone Chair, the book starts off slowly, but leaves you wondering what is going to happen. Before I give a full recommendation though, I want to read at least one more book, to see if the pace picks up at all; sometimes the story is predictable, and lags a little. It reminds me of books by Julie Dean Smith (very unknown). Time to go home, and start that Ann Maxwell book.... *********************************************************************** * Why would I want my mind back? Who knows where it's been! * *---------------------------------------------------------------------* **************************** Chonni Brightwolf************************* ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 21 Dec 1995 14:55:31 -0700 (MST) From: RUNDLE-+AT+-wilma.bcasd.az.honeywell.com To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Last message for the year :( Message-ID: <951221145531.2241ca7e-+AT+-wilma.bcasd.az.honeywell.com> Wanted to finish out by saying what a lovely year it's been with you all, and I hope everyone has an excellent end of year. Please be safe and happy. And I hope the new year will see this list back to the happy home-away-from-home it's mostly been for me! Happy Holidays, or Vacation or whatever you may be celebrating or enjoying! I'll be back in January and hopefully will get caught up with whatever discussions occur till then. StarWolf ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 21 Dec 1995 23:38:47 -0500 (EST) From: "BRUCE A. KLAISS" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: RE: ADMIN: sorry about the quiet patch yesterday Message-ID: <951221233847.24618603-+AT+-vaxa.clarion.edu> Mel, This has to be responded to in suitable fashion, but it'd take me a week or two to do so. Hopefully, may all the rest of your problems be far smaller than this. =============== Harper Blue (Bruce Klaiss) MSLS student, Clarion University of Pennsylvania "Librarians are the secret masters of the world. They control information. Never [tick] one off." -- Spider Robinson ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Dec 1995 08:16:10 EDT From: "Sandy Haas" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Favourite Series Message-ID: <9BBC2E012B-+AT+-rackham.umich.edu> > and a merry christmas, a fantastic festivities and a season's greetings > to all! > > *********************************************************************** > * Why would I want my mind back? Who knows where it's been! * > *---------------------------------------------------------------------* > **************************** Chonni Brightwolf************************* Greetings and warm wishes to you and yours *AND* congratulations on being recognized by Queen's Own!! Got my copy yesterday and noticed your entry right off!! Someday I'll do one myself, but don't have any good names picked out yet :{ Congrats again! Sandy the sig. less ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Dec 1995 15:56:40 EET From: "Sanna Koulu" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: immortality and elves; vulcans... Message-ID: <34379213BF1-+AT+-otdk.helsinki.fi> Chonni Brightwolf wrote: > We've been chatting for a while about the believability of various > author's elves, and I just wanted to add a couple of thoughts. > I agree, most authors do tend to define their elves via longevity > and pointy ears, things that could apply to Vulcans. It can be really > annoying to find human emotions and behaviour coming from some one who > has lived for thousands of years and should know better! You mean you didn't know? Vulcans _are_ elves :). The proof? Well, they have pointy ears. And long lives (I think.) And they don't have human emotions. And, remember elves don't tolerate iron? Well, Vulcans don't have iron in their blood ( so it's green. A real yucky green in the original series ). -Seanna (who loves both elves and Vulcans) ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Dec 1995 16:00:41 EET From: "Sanna Koulu" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Question (AFall) Message-ID: <3438AB51D3A-+AT+-otdk.helsinki.fi> Kerry wrote: > > Adrienne wrote: > > > On Mon, 11 Dec 1995, Sanna Koulu wrote: > > > I confess, I'm occasionally stupid... I didn't understand in AFall, > > > when Dirk is talking to Elspeth about the "no one true way" creed, > > > _why_ Valdemaran clergy were forbidden to pray for a victory in war. > > > Could someone who knows the answer explain? > > > > > Vanyel explained it completely in MPrice, I think, but this is what I > > think I remember. > > For one thing, some of the gods in Valdemar are competing gods, like Set > > and Osiris and the light and dark gods in Zoroastrianism. The > > battlefield is too good an opportunity to take a swipe at an enemy while > > helping your side. Second, some of the people on the other side are > > worshipping the same gods. What would the Sunlord do if some of the > > renegade Valdemar sects started asking him to destroy Karse? And theres > > a third reason I dont remember. > > I think the third and most important reason is that it helps prevent > religious civil war *inside* Valdemar. Remember, Valdemar is a patchwork > quilt of religions and beliefs etc and if you allow priests to pray for > victory (especially in a world where results can be tangible and immediate) > against other religious orders, then you've set up a tinderbox. (sorry for not cutting more, I'm too brain-dead to). I think this theory sounds depressing. So - mundane! Besides, we're assuming that gods can be swayed by mortals' prayers. I think that's traha in the Valdemarans. I was hoping for some reason connected with Heraldic ethics... -Seanna ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Dec 1995 10:12:54 -0500 (EST) From: EGLESTON-+AT+-GROVER.BPL.ORG To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Favourite Series Message-ID: <951222101254.5a0-+AT+-GROVER.BPL.ORG> I'm another newbie to the list, dipping my toes in where the water seems warm... Okay, here goes Favorite series -- Vows and Honor Favorite book -- By the Sword, with The Black Gryphon a close second Favorite characters: Karal Kerowyn Talia Diana Tregarde Tannim Kestrel (from Sacred Ground -- can't think of her outward name just now.) the kestra'chern in The Black Gryphon (can you tell I'm at work, and can't grab the books? I also suffer from lethonomia.) Hope this works! Cindy D. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Dec 1995 10:55:22 EDT From: "Sandy Haas" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Favourite Series Message-ID: <9E6363235F-+AT+-rackham.umich.edu> I also suffer from lethonomia.) > Hope this works! > > Cindy D. Sounds interesting!! whats lethonomia?? oh yea, welcome newbie--from an old lurker :} Sandy the sig. less ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Dec 1995 11:46:05 -0500 (EST) From: EGLESTON-+AT+-GROVER.BPL.ORG To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Favourite Series Message-ID: <951222114605.1b52-+AT+-GROVER.BPL.ORG> lethonomia from Lethe -- the river whose waters makes you forget and nom -- the root for "names" i.e. lethonomia (lethenomia?) a distinct tendency to forget names. (It worked! I wrote a message and it worked! I may learn to understand computers someday! gloat gloat gloat) Cindy D. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Dec 1995 14:03:08 EDT From: "Sandy Haas" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Favourite Series Message-ID: > (It worked! I wrote a message and it worked! I may learn to understand > computers someday! gloat gloat gloat) > > Cindy D. Trust me, it was probably a fluke, and will never happen as easily again :} Sandy the sig less--who thinks she and Cindy are the only ones on the air today (and I will be off in 53 minutes--but who is counting !! :} ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Dec 1995 15:11:10 -0500 From: Tammy Harris To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Favourite Series Message-ID: <156E7940325-+AT+-medicine.dmed.iupui.edu> > > (It worked! I wrote a message and it worked! I may learn to understand > > computers someday! gloat gloat gloat) > > > > Cindy D. Shhhhhh! Don't let your computer hear you talking like that, or *it will get you*! > Trust me, it was probably a fluke, and will never happen as easily > again :} > > Sandy the sig less--who thinks she and Cindy are the only ones on the > air today (and I will be off in 53 minutes--but who is counting !! :} > Definitely a fluke, said Tammy, huddled ever so quietly at her computer. But, as long as I'm here: Favorite book: By The Sword Favorite series: Winds (so sue me--I'm romantic--I love the stuff between Elspeth and Darkwind) Favorite character: Kerowyn Darkwind Talia Altra (what can I say--I'm still waiting for my cat to start talking) Well, I'm outta' here. Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good....er... afternoon! Have a magical new year, and may all your dreams come true! Tammy "It's time to ask yourself what you believe" ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Dec 1995 15:10:08 -0400 From: jhm-+AT+-cnj.digex.net (J Hulley-Miller) To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk (CHONNI) Subject: immortality and elves; book recommendation Message-ID: Greetings, 21 Dec 95 22:50, CHONNI wrote: >C> I want to read at least one more book, to see if the pace picks up >C> at all; sometimes the story is predictable, and lags a little. The second book _Harp of the Winds_ was released a few months ago. It was just as good as _Aurian_ :) >C> It reminds me of books by Julie Dean Smith (very unknown). Has she written anything other then the 4 Caithan books ? jhm -- J Hulley-Miller ____ \/\/ "Human nature is never so weak as in a bookstore" - Henry Ward Beecher ------------------------------ Date: 22 Dec 1995 15:31:26 EDT From: Wallace-+AT+-online.knoxnews.com To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Favourite Series Message-ID: <9512222032.AA02613-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk> ME>lethonomia from Lethe -- the river whose waters makes you forget ME> and nom -- the root for "names" ME>i.e. lethonomia (lethenomia?) a distinct tendency to forget names. ME>(It worked! I wrote a message and it worked! I may learn to understand ME>computers someday! gloat gloat gloat) ME>Cindy D. A big congratulations! I know how you feel . . . sorta like understanding trig! Candace ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Dec 1995 15:04:33 -0600 (CST) From: Katherine M Brielmaier To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Cc: Katherine M Brielmaier Subject: Re: Favourite Series Message-ID: On Fri, 22 Dec 1995 Cindy D. wrote> > ME>(It worked! I wrote a message and it worked! I may learn to understand > ME>computers someday! gloat gloat gloat) > > ME>Cindy D. > > A big congratulations! I know how you feel . . . sorta like > understanding trig! > > Candace > Trig? Trig? No! Anything but that!! (and if you understand it, then I am forever in awe of your mathematical prowess) Kaatje (who experienced the happiest moment of her life when she got a C+ in Differential Calculus and realized she'd never have to take another math course as long as she lived) Happy Holidays! ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 22 Dec 1995 21:25:49 GMT From: mel (Melanie Dymond Harper) To: mercedes-lackey Subject: ADMIN: out of the office Message-ID: <9512222125.AA04035-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk> OK, folks, I'll now be out of the office until Jan 2nd. I will be reading my mail, but may not be acting on it straight away. Have a good one. Mel. ------------------------------ End of MERCEDES-LACKEY Digest 278 *********************************