MERCEDES-LACKEY Digest 844 Topics covered in this issue include: 1) 1st Misty/b'days/larry/empire/apology?/quote of the week by davidt-+AT+-cet.com (D H Tiffany/Shawn Marie Walker) 2) SB? When !!!!! by 95662014 <95662014-+AT+-mmu.ac.uk> 3) Re: Tayledras marriage customs by nme848-+AT+-hecky.acns.nwu.edu 4) I'm back!! by Sandra K Haas 5) Fat Alberich?!?!? by Rozanna McNeer 6) Re: Tayledras marriage customs by gar&julie mclaughlin 7) MageWar/Godhood by Pat Armetta 8) Re: Fantasy/Reality by Katherine M Brielmaier 9) What Valdemar Needs / Spoilers / Writing / The Mime by Jake 10) Re: What Valdemar Needs / Spoilers / Writing / The Mime by Carolyn Taylor 11) ESCAPISM by 95662014 <95662014-+AT+-mmu.ac.uk> 12) Re: MageWar/Godhood by 95662014 <95662014-+AT+-mmu.ac.uk> 13) Re: Tayledras marriage customs by em 14) Almost Eerie by "Hth." 15) Naming by nme848-+AT+-hecky.acns.nwu.edu 16) Re: school/gods/Choosing by Wintershard 17) Mage Gift/mutant squid/Larry bashing/misc. by undine 18) Re: school/gods/Choosing by Jaguar 19) Re: ESCAPISM by ShadowJaz-+AT+-aol.com 20) Re: MageWar/Godhood by ShadowJaz-+AT+-aol.com 21) Re: Almost Eerie by "Linda Malcor, Ph.D" 22) Naming and maybe other stuff by haineca-+AT+-earlham.edu 23) Re: ESCAPISM by Wintershard ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 24 Sep 1996 23:52:53 -0700 From: davidt-+AT+-cet.com (D H Tiffany/Shawn Marie Walker) To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: 1st Misty/b'days/larry/empire/apology?/quote of the week Message-ID: <10KSywHqhNoW088yn-+AT+-cet.com> First Misty to really make me feel like someone had hit me in the back of the head with a board was "Oathbound" which I bought because I'd enjoyed "The Ship Who Searched" and then sent me looking in my copy of S&S III (Yes, I also plan to be buried with it) while muttering "How did I miss this one?" I won't do the b'day thing again, somebody has a list from last spring. Somebody asked if anybody had anything nice to say about Larry-well..... I'm not that bothered by his art and I hear he makes Misty happy! So maybe that's why we think her writing is going downhill and if she were miserable we'd like her books better? Sorry, can't wish that on anybody. Except the person who rejected our Jake's book of course. THAT person I wish to have proceede directly to the theological region of eternal punishment!!!!! On the Empire stuff in Storms (warning & rising only for me as yet) the last time I read them, I skipped all the Valdemar stuff and just read about Tremane and the Empire. Probably going to reread soon skipping the Empire and concentrating on the Valdemar stuff. I did the same with "Winds of Fate" and thought the two story lines were better apart than together. Welcome to all our newcomers and hello to all my fellow semi-lurkers and to the one to whom I offered an apology- Do you want it? David Tiffany, Golden Typer (dang, that's still not it) History, n. An account mostly false, of events mostly unimportant, which are brought about by rulers mostly knaves, and soldiers mostly fools. -Ambrose Bierce ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Sep 1996 12:10:57 +0100 From: 95662014 <95662014-+AT+-mmu.ac.uk> To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: SB? When !!!!! Message-ID: <2D71752707-+AT+-ghondr.mmu.ac.uk> Is Storm Breaking out in the States then? When did this happen? I only left there on 9/29. This means ? I have to put a special order in for the thing now [humph, mutter , mutter] Kalen ************************************************ Kalen Shena Vuysher'edras Kal'enedral [OIB](AKA Jason Stokes) 95662014-+AT+-mmu.ac.uk "If we shadows have offended, think but this and all is mended. That you have but slumbered here While these visions did appear". *Puck, Midsummer Nights Dream* ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Sep 1996 08:12:45 -0500 (CDT) From: nme848-+AT+-hecky.acns.nwu.edu To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Tayledras marriage customs Message-ID: <199609251312.AA157597165-+AT+-hecky.acns.nwu.edu> > > Guys, I'm not sure that the feather thing is necessarily equivalent to > marriage. As I recall, the exact phrasing was that trading a feather > from your bondbird indicated "a more permanent committment." So we don't > know if this means a lifetime committment, the most permanent one > possible, or just "I don't think we should see other people." When Darkwind gave Elspeth Vree's feather, he asked her to wear his feather for "all the world and skies to see" (paraphrased here; no books at work). Then something is mentioned that these words signified a Hawkbrother marriage, not just a more permanent commitment. Nina ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Sep 1996 09:49:38 -0400 (EDT) From: Sandra K Haas To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: I'm back!! Message-ID: I know, ya'll didn't even notice I was gone, but I was on vacation, in Maine, for a little more than a week, and now, I am unfortunately back to work. (was that a run-on or what?!?!) Thank you again Mel for postponing and unpostponing me!! The computer illiterate bow to the superior abilities of the ListMistress!! Anyway...real reason for bothering everybody. My local used bookshop currently has two copies each of S&S 1 and IV for 2.50 each. I thought I remembered someone looking for some of these. Message me-first come, first serve-if you'd like me to send you either of these!! I really did miss all you guys, and am glad to be back in the 'family' if you know what I mean :) Sandy ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Sep 1996 09:50:02 -0400 From: Rozanna McNeer To: "mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk" Subject: Fat Alberich?!?!? Message-ID: <199609250951_MC1-9B5-1868-+AT+-compuserve.com> EEK!!! Jaguar has totally lost it!!!!! (he-he look 5! ) a Fat Alberich?!?! and companions are flying in fighter formation around the star-eyed's head upside down and widdershins as you read this. . . and now for more impossibilities . . . Kerowyn will stand on her head and gargle peanut butter while twirling Need in one hand and juggling Wilk Kyrees in the other (behind her back even!) . . . stay tuned for more impossibilites right after these messages . . . are you tired of feeling blue in the morning? can't get your day of to Good start? Try Vanyel cereal, the breakfast of champions (notably Cennydd)! Real hearty little puffed-corn shapes of Vanyel, his Companion Yfandes, and his beloveds tylendel and stefan! And for those of you with a sweet tooth, there are also Vrondi marshmellows! try it today! (remember that guys? and it's all Cennydd's fault, too. . .) now back to more insanities! . . . and talia will be horribly mean to Dirk and beat her child in front of the court while engaging in S&M practices with Rolan. . . Selenay will not have hysterics when Elspeth announces she is about to go on another dangerous mission. . . Karal will make snide remarks about Florian and An'desha to Firesong who will one-up him on each insult while Altra cheers them on. . . okay, this is rapidly turning even sillier than I had intended (healers flash by in the background wearing green silk lingerie and doing the cancan) Somebody help me!!!!! (5!, guess it's true, eh?) Firemist ps Kermit with feathers in his hair (er, green fuzz)? but miss piggy doesn't have feathers (puzzled look) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Sep 1996 01:26:46 -0400 From: gar&julie mclaughlin To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Tayledras marriage customs Message-ID: >Hth said: (Regarding Taylendras Marriages) > Therefore, I feel like it's kind of a cheat to give us this exotic >society and not tell us anything about what kind of family units they >form. Okay, so they seem to be very sexually free and not too into >monogamy (reference the comments made earlier about Darkwind, Elspeth, >and Firesong) But someone still has to have responsibility for the >children. Is it the mother? If the mother is not monogamous, does that >mean that fathers have no formal place in the upbringing of children, >because you never quite know who the father is? Are children raised >completely communally? There are billions of questions surrounding a >society like the Tayledras, and marriage is just the beginning. > > Thats something that bugs me too. Misty doesnt give us much information. I remeber that Vanyel was the "stud" for Brightwing, the son of Moondance and Starwind. It was contracted, the mother had twins. She kept the girl and they kept the boy. It was the same with Wintermoon. Darkwinds parents stayed together and raised him jointly. The best that I can figure is that children are contracted alot, and each parent gets a child to raise, and the other parent is not involved in the upbringing. From the sense of responsiblity Misty gives us of the Taylendras character, it would seem that if a child's parents are both in the same vale, both of them would raise it, even if the are not "together". They would "share" the responsiblity, like a divorce couple in our society. (or rather, How the are SUPPOSED to in our society.) I also get the feeling there is a bit of "communal raising" as well. RAther like a small town where everyone knows and looks out for everyone else. But perhaps more intense with the Taylendras. -------------------------- Hth also said: Am I the only person in the world who doesn't read fantasy to escape >from real life? I happen to like life okay, thanks, but I'm crazy about >fantasy, too. It seems like every time I talk to fantasy fans, they say >something about real life being boring or depressing or otherwise >unappealing, and that they read fantasy to get away from it. Really, is >there anyone else out there that does *not* feel this way? Because I'm >really beginning to feel like a bit of a freak here. > No, your not. I like fantasy (reading in general) because its intresting. Its cheap entertainment, portable, you can go through it at your own pace and go back for referances. My life is just fine, if busy. I find fantasy be a great way to take a breather (and get a different perspective on life). Most people take a vacation to someplace. My someplace is books. Besides, if you take your "vacation" in books, you dont have to bring the kids! Not an escape really, just taking a break. I'm not trying to get away from life in any way. I just want to take a break and enjoy something different once in a while! (Then on the other hand, housework IS unappealing.Dont think I could escape that though!) Julie ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Sep 1996 10:27:22 -0400 (EDT) From: Pat Armetta To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: MageWar/Godhood Message-ID: <199609251427.KAA175005-+AT+-kent.edu> Heyla, I need help: I subscribed to the MageWar list and they sent me information, well they thought they did. They sent me a *Rasslefratzin'* blank page. Could someone please send me info about it. Also, are the Ones in Black (OIB) defunct? If so, can I ressurect them? Pleease!?! Also at this time I would like to apply for Godhood. I would like to be God of All that is Black, Mercenaries, and Carmel Praline Ice Cream. Who do I have to make my sacrifice to, and what do they require? Zhai'helleva, -- Pat Armetta Ma'ren'kar shena Vyusher'edras, Kal'enedral Guild Captain - Mercenaries Guild parmetta-+AT+-kent.edu http://phoenix.kent.edu/~parmetta ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Sep 1996 09:36:23 -0500 (CDT) From: Katherine M Brielmaier To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Fantasy/Reality Message-ID: On Wed, 25 Sep 1996, Hth. wrote: > > Am I the only person in the world who doesn't read fantasy to escape > from real life? I happen to like life okay, thanks, but I'm crazy about > fantasy, too. It seems like every time I talk to fantasy fans, they say > something about real life being boring or depressing or otherwise > unappealing, and that they read fantasy to get away from it. Really, is > there anyone else out there that does *not* feel this way? Because I'm > really beginning to feel like a bit of a freak here. > Nope, you're not alone. IMHO, fantasy provides another way to look at reality. Maybe a way to take it a little less seriously. But using fantasy as way to *replace* reality (which is what I think most people mean by "escaping") is a big mistake. Stories, TV, books, movies, what have you, from time immemorial, have been used to entertain, inform and provide a little break from daily life, not replace it. You have to incorporate fantasy into your real life--not the other way around. Take the best part of what happens to us when we read fantasy--that sense of wonder, or the idea that *anything* can happen if you just turn that next corner--and incorporate a little of it into real life. Reality is just as unexpected as fantasy--more so, because you get to live it instead of just reading it. To paraphrase a very nifty little movie that I just watched with my sister: "Your books are *safe*. Have you ever been Captain Nemo, trapped under the sea with the giant squids attacking you? Have you ever been afraid that you couldn't escape?" And the boy replies "Of course not, that's just a story." And the bookseller says, "Exactly. Your books are *safe*." And IMO, that's the best part about them. When the book is over, you've learned something maybe--at the least you've enjoyed yourself a bit--but when it's finished, it's done, and you can return to your life with this new bit of knowledge and enjoyment. Fantasy is wonderful--it unlocks the best part of your soul: that sense of wonder, that imagination we sometimes lose as we get older, but it shouldn't replace what we're living in now, because the world is so much stranger than we really give it credit for. All we have to do is look for the possibilities. I suppose I'm sounding very preachy. This post isn't intended *for* anyone--it isn't a scolding or a chastisement. But this topic is something that I've been pondering a bit, and I've been watching my little sister fall into that trap, and she's got enough problems right now without wanting to be a Herald so bad she's almost sick. All IMHO opinion, of course. 's e do bheatha, Kaatje ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Sep 1996 10:52:15 -0400 (EDT) From: Jake To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: What Valdemar Needs / Spoilers / Writing / The Mime Message-ID: <199609251452.KAA25100-+AT+-orion.webspan.net> Becky wrote: > What Valdemar *really* needs is more musical instruments. They >have pipes, lutes, harps, drums, and I think that's about it. Now, don't >you think that a Steinway Louis V Grand Piano would fit perfectly into >the palace? And shouldn't they have cellos, and all the huge variety of >instruments that exist. Musical instruments. I could see the Bardic Collegium opening up for trainees skilled in Fender P-Bass, perhaps.. *grin* BUT... (I can't resist saying this.) I like the musical instruments thing, but what Valdemar needs MOST is for Misty to step away. Step away, and wait for her juices to recharge before she writes anymore books in it. :) She's done so many -- TOO many books in general, that it's starting to weaken. Robert Jordan said in an open letter to his fans (about why ACOS was so late) that (and I'm paraphrasing BIG here) a writer's talent comes from a well. You can only draw from that well so long before it starts to dry up and you have to wait for it to fill up again. //// All right. *Growl* Who's not labelling spoilers? I'd like to THANK all of you who don't, and who destroy my enjoyment of Storm Breaking because of it. //// Folks, *grin* it's right nice that you all are so supportive and wonderful that many of you decided to send me a personal email saying things like "oh, it's terrible your book got rejected! Hope things get better." But please.. STOP.. my mailbox is clogging up.. and I don't need reminders of my failure (it WAS failure, no matter how you couch it in feel-good language, the publisher DID reject it) every day. Yes, I'm working on a re-write, yes, I'm looking for another publisher, no, I'm NOT going to give up what I *do* for a living (that is, write) from one rejection slip (I have a desk drawer full of them from magazines and newspapers). I'm a big boy, not a disillusioned teenager. I can handle failure. But I do thank everyone who did say something. Especially the ones who didn't give me textbook cliche advice, like Kenny. A sincere THANKS to all. (Kind of related: I'm looking for the correct Irish pronunciation of Cerridwen, the Irish Patron of Bards and the Goddess of Transformation. I think I've got it down, but I'm not sure... help, O Gaelic speakers of the list!) //// *checking my rulebook* Us creative writer types are allowed one big childish hissy fit per quarter. I'm using mine now. It's in the rules. So... RANT ALERT. If you don't want to read about me complaining about the mime, stop reading here and go to the next message. Thank you. Hth wrote: >I don't >see what the big deal is about Bippy. For God's sake, sometimes people >find your offhanded remarks more amusing than you intended. Jake, >you're taking this so *personally.* We're just having fun. You don't >see a bunch of sheep angrily picketing outside Aunt Mel's house, do you? >(Do you, Mel? You don't, right?) Let us have our little joke; you don't >have to think it's funny, we won't make you play. I am taking it personally. *shrug* Go figure. Bippy's mine. (The sheep aren't Aunt Mel's.. I think.. unless she has a pen of her own on her English Country Estate.) And I hate what the list has done with him. I'm *allowed* to complain. It's not a little dopey offhand remark I made. A couple of "Bippy: The Last Herald-Mime" humor pieces I wrote when a Certain Someone said "Mime? What mime in Last Herald Mage books? I don't remember that!" are sitting in my computer. There's a difference between humor and inanity though. Kind of like a difference between Terry Pratchett and Piers Anthony. So the ridiculousness frustrates me to no end. That frustration has been stifling my other (real life, pay the bills) freelance writing work. Couple this with the problems I've had with my writing ALREADY on-line, and it makes an aggravating mixture that settles in the pit of my stomach. Sure, I agree, the Bippy thing here is small and tiny (and stupid.) I don't know if you were here on list when some of my work was stolen by someone else and they were circulating it around as theirs (not a listmember, but it was some of the humor I shared on here and in the big humor file.) I was upset about that. And I still haven't figured out who it was. And this Bippy is a small mirror of it. Every time I see this ridiculousness, it reminds me of the other loss of control I had on my serious work. So if it affects me, hey, I'm sorry. I'm a person who mostly writes for a living. (Toy Store? Piffle. That pays my car insurance and it gives me benefits.) And we're keyholed as Odd, us freelance types. Me more than others. I'm not going to stop complaining. I've had my say on this, and now you people know. I really don't want to debate my own weird personal idiosyncranacies on-list, so please, if you're going to rebut this (which I don't see why people should) do it OFF list... Jake Jake Adamo (rynath-+AT+-webspan.net) Vice-President, SISFFA Mercedes Lackey Information FAQ Administrator Bard Champion of the Ladies in Green ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Sep 96 08:06 PDT From: Carolyn Taylor To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: What Valdemar Needs / Spoilers / Writing / The Mime Message-ID: OK , Jake, Bippy as a subject is OFF. Carolyn ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Sep 1996 16:25:03 +0100 From: 95662014 <95662014-+AT+-mmu.ac.uk> To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: ESCAPISM Message-ID: <31ADC56936-+AT+-ghondr.mmu.ac.uk> Hth said: > Am I the only person in the world who doesn't read fantasy to escape >from real life? I happen to like life okay, thanks, but I'm crazy about >fantasy, too. It seems like every time I talk to fantasy fans, they say >something about real life being boring or depressing or otherwise >unappealing, and that they read fantasy to get away from it. Really, is >there anyone else out there that does *not* feel this way? Because I'm >really beginning to feel like a bit of a freak here. > Sorry to tell you this but I am of the ilk of " Escape from real life". There are a number of things in my life that I, on occation, need to escape from. My Fantasy books are my escape. I once locked myself in my bedroom and read 30 books in under 3 weeks only venturing out when necessary. [Hows that for an escape?]. I wouldn't say life is boring,Goddess give me boring after the last 6 days I've had. I've had so many Dramas' in the last week that I could really use a weeks break on the Hardon border circa Ancar uprising. Well thats all I to say on that one. Kalen ************************************************ Kalen Shena Vuysher'edras Kal'enedral [OIB](AKA Jason Stokes) 95662014-+AT+-mmu.ac.uk "If we shadows have offended, think but this and all is mended. That you have but slumbered here While these visions did appear". *Puck, Midsummer Nights Dream* ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Sep 1996 16:29:32 +0100 From: 95662014 <95662014-+AT+-mmu.ac.uk> To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: MageWar/Godhood Message-ID: <31C0E057E2-+AT+-ghondr.mmu.ac.uk> >Date: Wed, 25 Sep 1996 15:59:44 +0100 (BST) , > Also, are the Ones in Black (OIB) defunct? If so, can I >ressurect them? Pleease!?! >Zhai'helleva, -- >Pat Armetta As one time leader of the Ones In Black I once again put out the call for all those interested in joining us . I have been absent for the summer but Stormcloud took over the leadership. It is time to swell the ranks once more. COME THOSE IN BLACK LET US BE ONE AGAIN. [Sorry high drama I know but I couldn't help it] Kalen Shena Vuysher'edras ************************************************ Kalen Shena Vuysher'edras Kal'enedral [OIB](AKA Jason Stokes) 95662014-+AT+-mmu.ac.uk "If we shadows have offended, think but this and all is mended. That you have but slumbered here While these visions did appear". *Puck, Midsummer Nights Dream* ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Sep 1996 12:48:01 -0500 From: em To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Tayledras marriage customs Message-ID: > Therefore, I feel like it's kind of a cheat to give us this exotic >society and not tell us anything about what kind of family units they >form. Okay, so they seem to be very sexually free and not too into >monogamy (reference the comments made earlier about Darkwind, Elspeth, >and Firesong) But someone still has to have responsibility for the >children. Is it the mother? If the mother is not monogamous, does that >mean that fathers have no formal place in the upbringing of children, >because you never quite know who the father is? Are children raised >completely communally? There are billions of questions surrounding a >society like the Tayledras, and marriage is just the beginning. > Misty kind of implies that the Tayledras just do whatever feels good, >and everyone else is cool with that. I've never heard of a society that >worked like that, and I'm a little dubious about it. I guess it could >work. But I feel like most societies will have a little more structure >than that. > This is the kind of thing I sit around wondering about. I have >too much time on my hands, don't I? Either that, or I just had way too >much fun in Intro to Sociology. > I always thought that even though the Tayledras were into the free-love philosophy the majority of children in the vales were the products of fairly monogamous, stable pairings. Within those pairings both mother and father (or father/father, mother/mother) took an equal role in the education and nurturing of the child. Women in Misty's worlds seem to have a great deal of controll over their reproductive processes, which is probably just for the convenience of the plot line (it would have been rather icky if Talia had gotten pregnant by Kris during that whole snowed-in at the way-station episode in AotQ, I forget which book:) and I think the same holds true in Tayledras society so there aren't alot of children who are the result of casual pairings. I also am reminded of the whole "it takes a village to raise a child" thing. Tayledras have such a tight homogenous society that most things are communal, like education. This does not lessen the role of the parent in anyway ( there were obvious bonds between Darkwind and his father!) but IMHP the community would pick up the slack. But this is all speculation on some esoteric points. All that matters with the Tayledras is the spirit of community and harmony within the Vales and beyond. ******************************************************************** I also am one of those people who don't read fantasy as an escape, though it can be that way sometimes. I really have nothing to complain about in my life ( though at 18, it might be a little early to tell:) and fantasy gives me something else to occupy my ever-hungry mind and push my emotional buttons. I thirive on emotional conflict, and as a result I am a complete gossip hound who loves a good story. The more intricate and emotional the better. Now that I've written that, I see that I have just spelled out that fantasy is a suppliment to my real life, not an escape. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% I really do mean to write on more than just one topic, but I never seem to have the time or the energy, so you'll just have to forgive me if my posts seem frighteningly short. I promise that once I am on break from this nasty college schedule I will produce, produce,produce. Off to hear a Prof. who looks like an ape lecture on Darwininan evolution and the mating calls of bullfrogs frogs. Emily Marso, who is too new to the list to have any other name Emily_Marso-+AT+-brown.edu ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Sep 1996 11:57:40 CDT From: "Hth." To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Almost Eerie Message-ID: <25SEP96.12918149.0071.MUSIC-+AT+-ACADEMIC.TRUMAN.EDU> Okay, it's been almost twelve hours with no messages. I hate that. That's why I'm on a mailing list, for goodness' sake -- so I get e-mail all the time. I'm going to share one of Barbara's theories here, because I don't know that she has much time to post lately. Someone mentioned getting tired of Heralds and the occasional monarch all the time. I think that's part of the problem with the last couple of Valdemar series. Heralds are all in some ways similar to one another. That's why they're Heralds. They are chosen because of certain personality traits as much as for general coolness. In some ways, they're predictable. You know that a Herald is probably going to do the right thing, and if they start to do the wrong thing, their Companion is probably going to stop them. You can have different personalities for your Heralds, but only to a certain extent, and after a while you run out of those. There's not as much suspense as you might have with characters who were more self-dependant and less rigidly bound by a code of honor. Frankly, (this is sort of related, really) I was annoyed that Kerowyn was Chosen. I liked her as a character who, while mainly moral, was not a Herald. She fought and killed because it was her job; she did it well, and it got her the independance she wanted. She was not Devoted to the Welfare of the Masses, and yet she was still a character you could like and admire. It seems that by having her Chosen, Misty was saying that anyone who was a decent person *should* devote her life to the welfare of the masses. Everyone in her Valdemar books is; they're either Heralds or Tayledras or Shin'a'in or Sunpriests or they have a sword that makes them or whatever. I'd like to see her deal with more characters who aren't necessarily professional heroes, but find themselves willing to help in x important crisis. In that respect, I think the Storm series had some good impulses, with characters like Tremane. Unfortunately, in the two books I've read, Tremane hasn't *done* much. He's just a nice guy. I'm still hoping his plot will tie in somehow in SBreaking. They also had Firesong, whom I really really really liked, because he wasn't so thrilled with wrecking his life for The Good of Valdemar. He didn't like the weather and he missed his hertasi and he worried about his love life, in addition to the fate of nations. I think Valdemar does need more characters like that, and they're not going to be Heralds -- the very system precludes it. I can *identify* with Firesong when he complains that it's too cold and his much-vaunted magical skill is being called into question and he misses his own nice, comfortable vale. I can *identify* with Kerowyn being broke and lonely and having no particular direction in life -- which of course never happens anymore because she's well-payed and has Savil to talk to at every moment of the day with no long-distance charges and has found a Life Purpose and a whole passel of people who are always kind and accept her immediately as one of their own. I think it's very dramatic to see a good person suffer, but I think it's rather more dramatic to see an ordinary person rise above himself. HTH r618-+AT+-academic.truman.edu ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Sep 1996 12:07:50 -0500 (CDT) From: nme848-+AT+-hecky.acns.nwu.edu To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Naming Message-ID: <199609251707.AA100461270-+AT+-hecky.acns.nwu.edu> Since I can't come up with a decent ObMisty today, I'd like to join the ranks of those who are designated gods/goddesses. I would like to be known as the Goddess of Passwords, One-Liners, and Sarcasm. any thoughts? Nina ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Sep 1996 13:44:18 -0400 From: Wintershard To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: school/gods/Choosing Message-ID: Claris Smith wrote: > I'm *so* tired from the con, 4 tests next week, and Monday I > had a very frightening migraine--literally couldn't see straight... Wow! Remind me never to go to your school ;) I've only had 1 big test and about 4 quizzes so far, with maybe 2 tests next week. /////////// Let's see...Um...mmm...How about if I be Named God of Discreetness, Subtlety, and Crappy Weather (I'm in Rochester, NY =()? That's about all that I can think up (with other titles to follow, of course ;) ////////// ObMisty: Here's my first one, so don't scold me too bad :) Is the Companions' ability to Choose allowed to happen only in Valdemar and right in the close borderlands? Wintershard ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Sep 1996 14:12:16 -0400 (EDT) From: undine To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Mage Gift/mutant squid/Larry bashing/misc. Message-ID: On Tue, 17 Sep 1996,in response to my statement that the Gift fades if not used, Khenta Blaufalk queried: > Really? Where was that stated? I don't remember reading a passage like > that. All I can remember is that Darkwind didn't use his Mage-gift for quite > some time without losing it. He just lost the _skill_ to use it. So, as an > analogy, I think it's like... riding a bicycle :). You'll never forget > how to do that. Maybe you're a bit shaky, but you actually able to move > forward. Oops! Thought I mentioned that I found the reference in WoC when I was reading it for Kory. It's in a conversation between Darkwind and Treyvan. "I can't do everything," Darkwind admitted, with a touch of annoyance..."I haven't actively worked magic in years, and my memory of what to do is a little foggy. My magical skills are-well-as stiff as muscles get if not exercised regularly. And, the Mage-Gift fades if not used." So while Darkwind is able to regain his abilities, it appears that the Gift will totally fade if not used. Which brings me back to my question- how long does it take for the Gift to fade since Darkwind hadn't used his in years and was able to recover his abilities? *************************** Teh Get fo Toyps commented on Exile's Song by MZB: I enjoyed it but had to reread Bloody Sun of Darkover, Heritage of Hastur, and Sharra's Exile so that I could keep all the characters and their relationships to each other straight. Argh! As if my TBR stack wasn't tall enough as it is! :) ****************** >From Mat the Cat Re:Firebird's source (ballet or Russian folktale): In the descriptions I've read of the ballet, the choreographer based it on the folktale. ******************** Lady Thess, glad you've resurfaced! Have you gotten the chance to read Nick Bantock's Venetian's Wife? And wasn't the Griffin & Sabine trilogy divine? Sigh. *********************** SB's cover: There's been speculation that the mutant squid which I've been crabbing about is Jody Lee's floundering attempts at depicting mage storm related creatures. While it's possible, I don't envision squids squishing around Velgarth. Jody Lee is fairly straightforward (snake woman excepted) in her depictions of characters. If you look at the other Storm covers, the artwork is straightforward depictions of Karal and Solaris without any symbolism (ie those halo thingies). I wish SB's cover "matched" the other Storm books. Sigh. And I don't think I'm being nit-picky so there ;P I usually like her artwork. ********************** Someone asked about favorite cover artists: I like Jody Lee ( I even bought another set of the Lloyd Alexander books so that I could have ones with her artwork), Thomas Canty, Michael Whelan (esp covers he did for Tanith Lee's books), and Mel Odom (Love the covers for Francesca Lia Block's books). I also enjoy Brian Froud's work (Pressed Flower Fairies are Wonderful!) ******************** Julie wanted to know why we don't say anything "nice" about Larry. Well, I don't recall anyone saying anything Mean about Larry personally. What has been commented on is his artwork and his writing "contributions" to Misty's books. Part of being a professional is opening yourself up to criticism. Doesn't matter whether you're an artist, writer, singer or bookstore owner ;) ******************** Jenny, Queen of the Darned, asked about Firerose's release date in paperback. My wholesaler has it listed as a November release but start checking your bookstore's shelves in October since paperbacks usually come out early. Firebird is also due to be released in Nov. ******************** Firemist asked who else bought S&SIII when it came out: Me! I'd been a longtime fan of MZB when she started editing the S&S volumes. I now proudly own (and flaunt ) a complete set including the highly coveted III. And they're mine...All mine...insane laughter!!!!! Has anyone else read Witchlight yet? *********** I'm sending this off before it's even more out of date. Because of unfun things like battling the taxman, I haven't/won't be posting very often. Sigh. The person who claimed that things happen in threes obviously didn't own a bookstore. *whimper* Undine "Well, it has been an Interesting week again. I am running around like a flye with a blue bottom! No Mistake!" Carrot in Feet of Clay by Pterry ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Sep 1996 14:35:53 -0400 (EDT) From: Jaguar To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: school/gods/Choosing Message-ID: On Wed, 25 Sep 1996, Wintershard wrote: > ObMisty: Here's my first one, so don't scold me too bad :) > Is the Companions' ability to Choose allowed to happen only in Valdemar > and right in the close borderlands? > I think so, but there have been exceptions...ALBERICH! He was Chosen I think somewhere either after his people (Karsite army) tried to burn him alive for witchcraft, or between there and when he arrived semi-conscious in Valdemar. *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*JAGUAR^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* Leader of the Cat People *^|^* "... intimidating. Ex-marine, I understand." Goddess of Large Hunter Cats*^|^* "I'm an ex-mercenary, I never intimidated Chronicler of the Mage Wars *^|^* anyone. I killed them." Lady in Green *^|^* -- Kermit, KF:tLC *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Sep 1996 14:35:29 -0400 From: ShadowJaz-+AT+-aol.com To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: ESCAPISM Message-ID: <960925143528_317229727-+AT+-emout16.mail.aol.com> Yesterday I wrote something about escapism, several other people added on to that and I'd like to reprase that a little bit. I aggree that using fantasy to totally escape real life is not a good idea, and incorporating the things we get from fantasy is the better thing to do. However, though I am usually pretty happy with my life, there are times when that escape really is needed. Life can get pretty icky sometimes, and at times a person just needs to get away, even if it's just long enough to regain some perspective. Anyways, that's all for now, more later. Blessed Be, NightShade aka ShadowJaz ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Sep 1996 14:35:30 -0400 From: ShadowJaz-+AT+-aol.com To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: MageWar/Godhood Message-ID: <960925143529_317229751-+AT+-emout19.mail.aol.com> Could someone tell me what MageWar is about? And how you subscribe? It sounds interesting, maybe something I might want to join. Thanks, Blessed Be, NightShade aka ShadowJaz ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Sep 1996 12:14:33 -0700 From: "Linda Malcor, Ph.D" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Almost Eerie Message-ID: <199609251914.MAA07565-+AT+-latimes.com> At 06:39 PM 9/25/96 +0100, Hth. wrote: > Frankly, (this is sort of related, really) I was annoyed that Kerowyn >was Chosen. Me, too. But I wouldn't have been quite so annoyed if we had had more of the plotline with Eldan (who seems to have vanished), or if the rest of the plot made sense. I mean, think about it. You are sending a group off to go deal with nasty magic at the site where Urtho's Tower went kablooie in the heart of Shin'a'in territory. Can you think of a pair with better credentials to have been included in the group than Kerowyn with her Shin'a'in connections and Sayvil/Savil?! Instead we get Florian and his sister, and I think Florian is the only representative of Valdemar left with the group by the end of SR. Sayvil/Savil would have been dang handy in Urtho's Tower, would she not? And I really think I would rather have had Kero talking to the Shin'a'in for me instead of An'desha. Oh, well. Danya ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Sep 1996 14:50:49 EST From: haineca-+AT+-earlham.edu To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Naming and maybe other stuff Message-ID: <009A8E79.67757D3A.608-+AT+-earlham.edu> Heyla! On the subject of Godhood, can I be Goddess of Blue Roses and Dumb Luck? Bounce!!!! Bounce!!!! obMisty: Umm... Let's see... I can't really think of one today. I'll be back later with something mildly intelligent. (image of Lady Wildcat looking down duckishly at her feet so that the MIW or the wilk kyree don't recognize her) *hysterical laughter* Lady Wildcat ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Sep 1996 16:09:49 -0400 From: Wintershard To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: ESCAPISM Message-ID: Nightshade wrote: > However, though I am usually pretty happy with my life, there are times when > that escape really is needed. Life can get pretty icky sometimes, and at > times a person just needs to get away, even if it's just long enough to > regain some perspective. That happens to everyone, whether from school, work, or home. There are a lot of ways to 'cool off' and such: sports, TV, going to a park, etc. But IM Most HO, reading is what most people like to do. Imagine this. You've had a really bad day. Stress, tension, emotions, the whole shpiel. When you get home, what's the first thing that you do (before collapsing on your couch, if your lucky :) I try to grab a book so I can soak myself up in someone else's problems so I can try to forget myself at times. Who knows? I may actually see my own problems in a new light when I'm done. Hell, I may even learn something new... I'm beginning to scare myself now, so let's change the subject ;) Here's an ObMisty for any and all. How was the Bardic Voices series? I only read the Lark and the Wren and thought it was pretty good. Wintershard ------------------------------ End of MERCEDES-LACKEY Digest 844 *********************************