MERCEDES-LACKEY Digest 1035

Topics covered in this issue include:

  1) Hello!
	by Liseth-+AT+-aol.com
  2) Welcome
	by LCM46-+AT+-aol.com
  3) Welcome Liseth
	by SEANSQ-+AT+-aol.com
  4) Re: Chris's Dad
	by Randi Skjaeran <rskjaran-+AT+-sn.no>
  5) Re: Chris's Dad
	by Mrocro-+AT+-aol.com
  6) hello again
	by nomorehappyface-+AT+-prodigy.com (MISS TRICIA ELLIS)
  7) LIFE VERSUS ART
	by David Maginnis <maginnis-+AT+-netcomuk.co.uk>
  8) Well.../SB question
	by MorningStar <dawnrain-+AT+-geocities.com>
  9) Re: Chris's Dad
	by Chris & Sean Talbot <brujah-+AT+-idirect.com>
 10) Re: hello again
	by Chris & Sean Talbot <brujah-+AT+-idirect.com>
 11) Re: Well.../SB question
	by Chris & Sean Talbot <brujah-+AT+-idirect.com>
 12) Re: Hi!
	by mishi <mishi-+AT+-postoffice.ptd.net>
 13) Re: Well.../SB question
	by mishi <mishi-+AT+-postoffice.ptd.net>
 14) The Burning of Aistes (brought to you by popular demand)
	by Ken Hyde <kenny-+AT+-UDel.Edu>
 15) Re: The Burning of Aistes (brought to you by popular demand)
	by MorningStar <dawnrain-+AT+-geocities.com>
 16) Re: The Burning of Aistes
	by "Adrianne" <ajfabbey-+AT+-powerup.com.au>
 17) Re: The Burning of Aistes
	by Eleonora <infodyn-+AT+-distrinet.com.uy>
 18) Newbie Fest (off topic)
	by Eleonora <infodyn-+AT+-distrinet.com.uy>
 19) Re: Well.../SB question
	by Chris & Sean Talbot <brujah-+AT+-idirect.com>
 20) Re: The Burning of Aistes (brought to you by popular demand)
	by Chris & Sean Talbot <brujah-+AT+-idirect.com>
 21) Re: The Burning of Aistes
	by Chris & Sean Talbot <brujah-+AT+-idirect.com>

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Sat, 28 Dec 1996 13:06:30 -0500
From: Liseth-+AT+-aol.com
To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk
Subject: Hello!
Message-ID: <961228130629_1289962986-+AT+-emout07.mail.aol.com>

Bevie's hello message gave me courage that might otherwise have run and hid
under the table, so rather than lurking for months as per my original plan,
I'm saying "hello" after a bare twenty-four hours on the list.

Hello!

So a little about me:
I'm Liseth: call me Liseth.
My favorite book of all time is "The Rowan" by Anne McCaffrey, but my
favorite series of all time is Velgarth.  They all sit on my shelf and every
now and then I pull one down and reread it.
I'm a student at San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara, CA until June when
I get the honor of being kicked out and sent on to college (scary, huh?)

This is the first fan club I've ever joined and I hope it lives up to my
expectations.

See y'all sometime!

Liseth

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 28 Dec 1996 15:21:21 -0500
From: LCM46-+AT+-aol.com
To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk
Subject: Welcome
Message-ID: <961228152121_1256438338-+AT+-emout16.mail.aol.com>

WELCOME, Liseth, although there will be a "unofficial" greeter somewhere
"behind" me--"come on in, the water's fine"!

                                                         Lorraine
                                         Goddess of Domesticity/Laundry

But I'm not dead yet!
        MP/Holy Grail

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 28 Dec 1996 16:40:57 -0500
From: SEANSQ-+AT+-aol.com
To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk
Subject: Welcome Liseth
Message-ID: <961228164056_1189331475-+AT+-emout19.mail.aol.com>

On 12/28 Liseth wrote:

>Bevie's hello message gave me courage that might otherwise have run and hid
>under the table, so rather than lurking for months as per my original plan,
>I'm saying "hello" after a bare twenty-four hours on the list.<snip>I'm
Liseth: call me >Liseth.<snip>This is the first fan club I've ever joined and
I hope it lives up to my
>expectations.

Welcome to the list, Liseth.  I think you'll find this a "warm and wonderful"
group of people.  Along in that vein, to welcome you warmly, please accept
the most comfortable chair you have ever sat in, placed in front of a warm,
crackling fire along with a magic book that constantly changes to the book
you most want to read at that moment.  

Love, 
Meg :the self-appointed Warm Welcome Distribution Agent
                            Franchises issued upon request 

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 28 Dec 1996 23:26:41 -0800
From: Randi Skjaeran <rskjaran-+AT+-sn.no>
To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk
Subject: Re: Chris's Dad
Message-ID: <32C61D31.5803-+AT+-sn.no>

Death of someone close hurts. It will be a little better later, but
someting is gone forever. I feel real sorry for you. Please remember the
good times you've had and that your father would want your life to go on
in the best way possible.
-- 
hug from
Randi  :-)


------------------------------

Date: Sat, 28 Dec 1996 17:14:13 -0500
From: Mrocro-+AT+-aol.com
To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk
Subject: Re: Chris's Dad
Message-ID: <961228171412_1755536865-+AT+-emout03.mail.aol.com>

I just wanted to say thanks for all of the kind words everyone had for me. I
just got home from the funeral and they all were very helpful.

I guess my problem is that I'm the oldest child and only daughter. Brother's
not much help. Trying though.

My dad is a peace now and not in any more pain. That is the important thing
for me to remember. 

He also lasted long enough to see all of his grandchildren one more time. 

Thanks again to everyone.

Chris

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 28 Dec 1996 17:53:59, -0500
From: nomorehappyface-+AT+-prodigy.com (MISS TRICIA ELLIS)
To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk
Subject: hello again
Message-ID: <199612282253.RAA13472-+AT+-mime2.prodigy.com>

ok, i've been out of it a while, so i'll try to catch up.
in regards to the unfortunate deaths of family members... i extend my 
sympathies, but that probably means nothing to you... just know that 
i know how you feel.  in the last five years, all my grandparents 
have died, and my favorite person in the world, my uncle tom.  today, 
another uncle died.  i know it's hard to deal with this sort of thing-
 i can't imagine what i'd do if my father died- but i think knowing 
that there are others out there who've been through it too makes 
things a little, if not better, more bearable.

on a lighter note...

i didn't find anything about oathbound offensive, but it takes a hell 
of a lot to offend me. i'm rather far from a typical female, i 
suppose, but i don't think misty's words justified the rape at all. 
she just uses details to make things hit a little closer to the bone, 
maybe to leave us with something.

yes, hades, i know you'll marry me in twenty some years. (he hasn't 
even gotten me a ring yet... <G>) and, i don't care how much of a cat 
person you are, we're getting a dog.

i am quite cynical about the whole lifebonded thing... yea, i'm young,
 i'll find mine eventually.... pshaw, yeah right.  if i have a 
soulmate, i bet he's milking a yak in siberia right now.) it just 
sucks to look at all the people i know who are in superbly winderful 
relationships, whereas i must have a sign that says "GO AWAY" hanging 
around my neck... ah, let's not rip that wound open...
well, enough of this cheerfulness....toodleoo to all
---Liha'irden

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 29 Dec 1996 00:22:13 +0000
From: David Maginnis <maginnis-+AT+-netcomuk.co.uk>
To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk
Subject: LIFE VERSUS ART
Message-ID: <32C5B9B5.75A-+AT+-netcomuk.co.uk>

Hi everyone,
            I read tricia's message and gather I've missed a debate
about Oathbound. If the point raised is useing extreme behaviour in
fiction to titilate,I don't see how that holds water.
Misty's books are good and they are good because you live the adventure,
It is'nt about justifying Rape ,there are books that attempt to do
that,( shudder!).Valdemar is a kingdom alone in a world of brutality,It
is a shining beacon of hope for the oppressed people's of the world.But
you can't show the good side of something and disregard the bad.If you
don't want to read something that does exist somewhere,then read a
childrens book. 
I personally have got to know these characters,take Talia for
instance,Ancar had her repeatedly raped and surviving that ordeal made
her the herald she is today.( and yes,I used present tense on purpose
,because as long as you love something ,it is alive even if only in your
imagination ).

       well that's my tuppenny worth,
                                     Dave

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 28 Dec 1996 20:48:06 -0800
From: MorningStar <dawnrain-+AT+-geocities.com>
To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk
Subject: Well.../SB question
Message-ID: <32C5F61B.7CF8-+AT+-geocities.com>

Well, I'm still on...  But I've been mostly lurking from holidays and
business and such...  But hopefully I'll be back in stride now!  I've
missed a LOT of messages and such, and I apologize for that.
But...  My fiancé was going through SB and had a thought, and asked me,
and I didn't know.  So, since Chris is still in lurk mode(hey, are you
gonna talk or not?) I'll ask it after this spoiler space...
S
P
A
C
E

H
E
R
E

F
O
R

S
P
O
I
L
E
R

'Nuff space.  Here goes, and I even have textevd courtesy of Chris.
Page 361, Vanyel:  "If I ever have the opportunity, remind me to tell
you of another young servant of Vkandis that I met, who proved to me
that not all of the folk who used Vkandis' Name to justify their actions
should be lumped together into a single category."

Now, can anyone tell me when this happened?  We've thought through all
of the LHM series, and neither of us can think of it.  Anyone?

Star

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 28 Dec 1996 23:00:32 -0500
From: Chris & Sean Talbot <brujah-+AT+-idirect.com>
To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk
Subject: Re: Chris's Dad
Message-ID: <199612290400.XAA23630-+AT+-nemesis.idirect.com>

At 10:42 PM 12/28/96 GMT, you wrote:
>I just wanted to say thanks for all of the kind words everyone had for me. I
>just got home from the funeral and they all were very helpful.
>
>I guess my problem is that I'm the oldest child and only daughter. Brother's
>not much help. Trying though.
>
>My dad is a peace now and not in any more pain. That is the important thing
>for me to remember. 
>
>He also lasted long enough to see all of his grandchildren one more time. 
>
>Thanks again to everyone.
>
>Chris
>

I know I felt upset about 3 years ago when I didn't really get to see my
Grandmother before she died.  I mean she didn't know who we were and they
wouldn't allow me in the intensive care ward since I was under the age of
18.  So it is even harder when you don't get to see them again.  In a lot of
ways though I am glad I didn't see her since she wasn't like the person I
remembered from my childhood.  But then again it will get getter in time.
It is very hard to also comfort someone since you don't always know what
will upset them.

Well I hope you remember all the good times and always remember that he is
no longer in pain.  If you remember those things his memory will always stay
with you and the pain won't be as painful.

Aistes


------------------------------

Date: Sat, 28 Dec 1996 23:00:35 -0500
From: Chris & Sean Talbot <brujah-+AT+-idirect.com>
To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk
Subject: Re: hello again
Message-ID: <199612290400.XAA23640-+AT+-nemesis.idirect.com>

At 11:13 PM 12/28/96 GMT, you wrote:
>ok, i've been out of it a while, so i'll try to catch up.
>in regards to the unfortunate deaths of family members... i extend my 
>sympathies, but that probably means nothing to you... just know that 
>i know how you feel.  in the last five years, all my grandparents 
>have died, and my favorite person in the world, my uncle tom.  today, 
>another uncle died.  i know it's hard to deal with this sort of thing-
> i can't imagine what i'd do if my father died- but i think knowing 
>that there are others out there who've been through it too makes 
>things a little, if not better, more bearable.
WEll everyone has rought moments with death.  With me I think it comes more
often then now.  My Grandfather died when I was four and I was crushed and
then my grandmother a couple of years ago.  I only have one grandparent left
now.  So I know how most feel when it comes to losing someone that close to
you.  My only living grandparent (Grandmother) I wouldn't know how to cope
with it when she dies because she is so much apart of my life.

Aistes


------------------------------

Date: Sat, 28 Dec 1996 23:04:08 -0500
From: Chris & Sean Talbot <brujah-+AT+-idirect.com>
To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk
Subject: Re: Well.../SB question
Message-ID: <199612290404.XAA24441-+AT+-nemesis.idirect.com>

>S
>P
>A
>C
>E
>
>H
>E
>R
>E
>
>F
>O
>R
>
>S
>P
>O
>I
>L
>E
>R
>
>'Nuff space.  Here goes, and I even have textevd courtesy of Chris.
>Page 361, Vanyel:  "If I ever have the opportunity, remind me to tell
>you of another young servant of Vkandis that I met, who proved to me
>that not all of the folk who used Vkandis' Name to justify their actions
>should be lumped together into a single category."
>
>Now, can anyone tell me when this happened?  We've thought through all
>of the LHM series, and neither of us can think of it.  Anyone?
>
>Star
>

I have thought of that question.  The only one possible is Alberich.  But
would servant of Vkandis apply to him as well.  I always assumed that it was
Alberich.  Mind you in LHM there wasn't too many sunpriests or Vkandis
people near the capital or that you ever met so how could you really know
who they were referring to unless you talk with Misty herself.  Hey that
would be an idea.  I wish I could do that.  Find out that question and we
will know more about the history or Valdemar as well.

Aistes


------------------------------

Date: Sat, 28 Dec 1996 23:20:01 -0500
From: mishi <mishi-+AT+-postoffice.ptd.net>
To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk
Subject: Re: Hi!
Message-ID: <32C5F171.2AA5-+AT+-mail.ptdprolog.net>

Kerowynn wrote:
>>Heyla Dave!  Welcome to the Misty List!!  Feel free to jump into theconversations and state your views on the current subjects, our bite is
worse than our bark errr hehe okay maybe not *gryn* A word of warning
though, beware of our resident "pouncer" *giggle* You'll have fun with
us!!

Tygriss wrote:
>> Oh, and watch out for Mishi, our Resident Pouncer.She'll probably be coming along any minute now...


Okay Okay - what's up with the warnings here. I don't know why anyone 
has to be warned about me *Mishi tries to look innocent but fails and 
falls on the floor in a fit of giggles*

This if for Bevie, David, Liseth and anyone else that I missed.

Hello all newcomers! Prepare yourselves for the welcome your gonna get 
from me. All of ya go over and stand in the corner over there. Mishi 
pulls out the springboard she got in the Bower from Ele and puts it down 
in the middle of the floor. Then she backs up a few steps, gets a 
running  start, jumps on the springboard and ...... *giggle - here it 
comes* GROUP POUNCE!!!!!!! Don't mind me I'm not insane only nuts!! 
Welcome to the madness, fluff, and other assorted parts of the Misty 
List.

If you want a list oof abbreviations that get used on the list you can 
private e-mail Chen-Chen to e-mail you a copy. Her e-mail is 
chenchen-+AT+-rgs.edu.sg. I'm not sure she may be a bit busy now so give her 
a while to answer you.

If you are not sure about something, please ask. You can e-mail me at 
mishi-+AT+-ptdprolog.net and I'll try to help out. Please give a bit of time 
to answer I get buried by work every now and then, but I will try to 
answer you. We do talk about things on list that maybe someone new 
doesn't get, but we don't do it on purpose. Ask someone for help and I'm 
sure you will get it. I know I got help when I asked for it. Can't think 
of anything else.

Well, that's it for now. Bye.

Love, luck, and lollipops all!

Mishi, Goddess of Hyperness of Overbubbliness
       Offical Welcoming Type Person to the Bower of the Ladies of the  
       Pink Wand

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 29 Dec 1996 00:44:46 -0500
From: mishi <mishi-+AT+-postoffice.ptd.net>
To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk
Subject: Re: Well.../SB question
Message-ID: <32C6054E.2C6B-+AT+-mail.ptdprolog.net>

Chris & Sean Talbot wrote:
> 
> >S
> >P
> >A
> >C
> >E
> >
> >H
> >E
> >R
> >E
> >
> >F
> >O
> >R
> >
> >S
> >P
> >O
> >I
> >L
> >E
> >R
> >
> >'Nuff space.  Here goes, and I even have textevd courtesy of Chris.
> >Page 361, Vanyel:  "If I ever have the opportunity, remind me to tell
> >you of another young servant of Vkandis that I met, who proved to me
> >that not all of the folk who used Vkandis' Name to justify their actions
> >should be lumped together into a single category."
> >
> >Now, can anyone tell me when this happened?  We've thought through all
> >of the LHM series, and neither of us can think of it.  Anyone?
> >
> >Star


Well, actually as far as we figured, that meeting never happened in any 
of the books. I think that Vanyel more then likely met the sunpreist 
when he was guarding the Karsire border. That's what I figured anyway 
when I read that part.

Love, luck and lollipops,


Mishi, Goddess of Hyperness of Overbubbliness
       Offical Welcoming Type Person to the Bower of the Ladies of the
       Pink Wand

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 29 Dec 1996 01:27:57 -0500 (EST)
From: Ken Hyde <kenny-+AT+-UDel.Edu>
To: Misty Lackey List <mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk>
Subject: The Burning of Aistes (brought to you by popular demand)
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.95.961228235312.23075A-100000-+AT+-copland.udel.edu>

As the inordinate number of one-liners and excessive quotations from
Aistes continues to flood the channel, the participants begin to hear the
spreaking waves of silence that herald the coming of the Mage of Green
Silences.

Riding on the Silence, the susurrus of echos and cries of the Dead and of
ancient doom begin to fill the channel, the dark shadows of the great Hall
closing around the form of Aistes.  From the veil of blackness steps the
figure of the Mage, his face icily beautiful as he gazes implacably at the
doomed creature before him.  

As Aistes  and the gathered denizens of the channel watch, the Mage raises
his hands to summon the emerald flames of balefire.  The flames sweep
inward from all sides, passing harmlesly through the gathered throng.  The
verdant light surrounds Cennydd's silk and gem wrapped form, sparking
scintillations of reflected light which cascade throughout the Hall of
Mist.  

"Aistes, at the behest of many Lords and Ladies of this Hall, I am come to
exercise the justice of the Fire upon thy malfeasant self.  Thou hast
transgressed against the folk of this channel.  In violation of the laws
and customs of this place and the will of the Divine Listmistress Mel,
thou hast seen fit to encumber the Daemon of Mails with an endless stream
of private one-liners.  In addition, thou hast refused to snip thy quoted
material in accord with the Sacred Book of FAQ.  Now, shalt thou learn the
price for thy errors."

Suddenly, the Mage's hands fall down to point at the litter of quoted
material that surrounds Aistes like a wall of words.  The balefire that
has been twined about the Mage's form surges up his body and follows the
line of his arm to stike at the quotations with the speed of a serpent's
bite.  In a brief moment of incandescent light and heat, the walls of
words are reduced to a fine powder that drifts on the slight breezes of
the Hall.  

As Aistes stares about him at the ashes that are the only trace of his
transgressions, the Mage moves forward, his arms open.  As he reaches the
still form of the doomed one, his arms clasp him in an embrace of fire, as
the emerald flames leap foward to surround the two in a roaring pillar of
desctruction.  Before the eyes of the gathering, the indistinct forms
within the fire seem to dissolve as the incendiary power reduces them to
ashes.  

For a moment, the pillar remains, an undifferentiated tower of green light
and heat.  Then, slowly, the flames begin to take on a recognizably avian
shape, coalescing into the form of the phoenix of Tethys, the mark of the
blood of Llyra.  For a moment, the phoenix remains before the Hall's
denizens, before shrinking and darkening into the form of the Mage.

Looking at the perfect globe of crystal in the Mage's hands, the Lords and
Ladies of the Hall can see a swirling cloud of fine gray particles.
Cennydd smiles coldly at the drifing ashes.  "One hopes, O burned one,
that in the future thou wilt be willing to observe the rules and customs
of this realm.  Learn to freaking snip!"

With a flip of his wrist, the Mage tosses the globe into the air, his form
blurring and fading from sight, as it sparkles in the air and comes
crashing down to the floor, shattering in a minor explosion of crystal and
ashes.  The lingering voice of the Mage can just faintly be heard, as
the shadows recede from the Hall of Mist.  

"Have a Nice Day!"

=)

May the seas be your solace and the forests a refuge for your spirit,

Cennydd,

Kenneth Allen Hyde     |  No matter how subtle the wizard, a knife
Univ. of Delaware      |  between the shoulder blades will seriously
Dept. of Linguistics   |  cramp his style  -- Old Jhereg proverb
kenny-+AT+-Udel.Edu         |  A mind is a terrible toy to waste! -- Me

**http://www.udel.edu/kenny/ken.html or .../kenny/green.silences.html**



------------------------------

Date: Sat, 28 Dec 1996 23:56:58 -0800
From: MorningStar <dawnrain-+AT+-geocities.com>
To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk
Subject: Re: The Burning of Aistes (brought to you by popular demand)
Message-ID: <32C6244A.5BBD-+AT+-geocities.com>

Star, very carefully snipping her own quotes lest she forget the lesson,
watches in awe...

As the person sitting at the keyboard typing these letters giggles and
applauds Ken's gift of turning a word.

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 20:29:39 +0000
From: "Adrianne" <ajfabbey-+AT+-powerup.com.au>
To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk
Subject: Re: The Burning of Aistes
Message-ID: <199612291030.KAA14268-+AT+-enterprise.powerup.com.au>

Cenn,

I humbly apoligise right now for the one liner but I have to say that 
your post was beautiful! 

And, Aistes, don't worry, your ashes will meld together again. 
Forgiveness is here aplenty.

Lady Adrianne, High Priestess of the Goddess of Music and Song, First Bard
of all Bards, & Renunciate 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Laugh for me. Joy is in the ears that hear.'
Foamfollower, First Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, The Unbeliever
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
ajfabbey-+AT+-powerup.com.au

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 29 Dec 1996 08:36:36 -0300
From: Eleonora <infodyn-+AT+-distrinet.com.uy>
To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk
Subject: Re: The Burning of Aistes
Message-ID: <32C657C4.C9B-+AT+-distrinet.com.uy>

Adrianne wrote:

> Cenn  [snip] I have to say that your post was beautiful!
> 

I agree whole heartedly. Maybe beautiful is still faint praise, so I
would add awesome, powerful, moving, touching, and I hope....effective
;)

> And, Aistes, don't worry, your ashes will meld together again.
> Forgiveness is here aplenty.

Yes, Aistes, your ashes will meld together, and forgiveness is here
aplenty, but try to learn to braid and snip (in case you are wondering
brading means combining more than one message into a single post, and
snipping means literally snipping/deleting excess quoted material).

And in case you are wondering who the rest of the list members who
suggested that the Mage pay you a visit were, I proudly admit to being
one of those. You were repeatedly warned without naming names, so we
thought a less subtle approach was in order.

And we DO like you, even enough to confer upon you the singular honor of
a visit from the all-powerful Cennydd, Mage of Green Silences.

Bye for now,

Ele
Priestess of Karma (who is inordinately proud of her boss today)
LotPW
Dame of the OAM

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 29 Dec 1996 11:38:03 -0300
From: Eleonora <infodyn-+AT+-distrinet.com.uy>
To: Mercedes Lackey Mailing List <mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk>
Subject: Newbie Fest (off topic)
Message-ID: <32C6824B.26E6-+AT+-distrinet.com.uy>

Welcome, everybody!

This is strictly of interest to newbies, and was compiled my Deniz (aka
Woodlark) who is now out of the country. I have added my own .02 and
also borrowed from other people's posts, since some people have already
explained things very nicely and I could not improve on their replies.
   
First of all, an all-time best-seller among newbies. The sheep thingy.
It has been sort of quiescent lately due to the holiday season, but I
bet it will come back in force once some absentees return.
You will notice people offering each other sheep (chocolate covered,
something or other flavored, etc), and also saying things like "sheeps
behind someone or other"
Well, the sheep thingy has 2 parts and both are humorous and in some
aspects a bit bawdy. I will transcribe what was explained to me by
Nightshade, who in turn got it from Mel......
   
Sheep Explanation: <<The sheep thing started when Lady 'Reesa started
signing off as (among other things) "Queen of Everything and Close
Personal Friend of Many Sheep". People started making sheep jokes...
sheep-and-kilt jokes... sheep-and-Aussie jokes... etc and so forth.
'Reesa made the most jokes, of course! Then somebody (don't ask me who,
if 'Reesa ever mentioned names I don't remember them) sent 'Reesa some
really nasty private e-mail in which they said her sheep jokes were
disgusting, she was warped, she was a corrupting influence, stuff like
that. (Hey, *I* thought the jokes were funny! They weren't that bad, she
was just making comments about sheep being warm on a cold night, they
don't snore, etc...) Understandably, she was upset, and complained
on-list; everybody said they didn't see anything wrong with the jokes,
and the sheep were here to stay. Then when Lady Thessaly set up as
Goddess of Nomenclature and started naming people as Gods and Goddesses,
of course everybody gave tithes when they asked to be Named, and a lot
of the tithes were sheep. (Chocolate-covered sheep, sheep-shaped
chocolates, sheep-flavoured chocolates - that one made me look twice! -
spun-sugar sheep, and just plain sheep.) Most recently, somebody got
tired of using <g,d,rlh  when they said something that was likely to
draw a barrage of homing coconuts or a flame (grin, duck, run like
hell), so they said they were tired of "duck"ing and started "sheep"ing
instead. Now people sheep, hide behind sheep, disguise themselves as
sheepdogs... somebody found a sheep site on the Internet... it goes on!  
     
      There, how's that <g> ?
  
I guess Deniz's newbie fest will help you as it did me, so here it goes,
edited a bit to eliminate some things that are already history.
   
Deniz Sarikaya, High Priestess of Procrastination and  Holy Custodian of
the BDay List, wrote:
 
     HOW DO I GET THE BLEEDIN' FAQ EVERYONE KEEPS HARPIN' ABOUT?
     Send mail to   listproc-+AT+-herald.co.uk
     with blank subject and message body
            get mercedes-lackey lackey_faq.1
            get mercedes-lackey lackey_faq.2
            get mercedes-lackey lackey_faq.3
            get mercedes-lackey lackey_faq.4
            get mercedes-lackey lackey_faq.5
     
BIRTHDAYS
I'm (Deniz) managing a birthday list.  I'll give 2-day warnings as to
whose birthday is coming up along with how old they'll be turning
(optional) and their private e-mail (optional).  If you see this last
option, that means that if you were going to post a one-liner b-day
message -- don't.  Send it private. If I don't put it up (and I won't
unless it is sent to me in the body of the message, honor and all), then
BRAID your good wishes and "gifts" into your post.
     
Editor's note: you will find that we give each other all sorts of
magical artifacts as B-day gifts. Just join in the fun. We are after all
readers of fantasy, so what did you expect from us? ;)

SURE-FIRE WAYS TO GET FLAMED BY CENNYDD
Editor's note: Cennydd is our resident linguist as well as Mage of Green
Silences and God of Karma. He is by popular acclaim our defender against
those who advertently or inadvertently waste bandwidth, and will
normally pay them a private visit (i.e. email). In some cases, his
well-intentioned, semihumorous flames are public (as in Aistes's case).
He is also a great guy and we love him very much, so don't get the
impression that he is some kind of monster who will flame whoever steps
marginally out of line. He will not. He is very tolerant, and anyway if
you get flamed by him, I would suggest your enjoying it. Most list
members treasure his flames ;) 

     In the Mage's own words:
     Also, several people (I won't name names because you will know who
you
     are) are on the list of Soon To Be Drifting Ashes.  Please, snip
and
     braid, or the list becomes unmanageable, Auntie Mel becomes testy,
and I
     become downright bitchy (as list-members will attest, I am sure). 
BTW, in
     case you are not familiar with the terms: snip means to delete the
quoted
     material in a response that is not relevant to the response. 
Braiding is
     when you combine responses to several postings in one message.  A
rule of
     thumb is "your quoted material should never be longer than your
response."
     Another rule of thumb is "One-liners are *EVIL*!" [emphasis mine]. 
BTW,
     in case you are wondering how to join the Drifting Ashes, just post
a
     response with 2 or more pages of quotation and less than one screen
of
     response commentary.  That generally will get the job done. =)
     
     I am not going to say that TINAF, because that would be obviously
     misleading.  Rather, this is a friendly shot across the bow with a
     high-powered blow-dryer.  Real flaming will be done on an
individual basis
     in the privacy of your own home. =)<<
     We couldn't say it better ourselves.  And I, for one, won't try,
because I
     don't think my asbestos will last an assault from Cennydd, because
I'm sure he
     doesn't fight with just fire.
     
     EVERYBODY SEEMS TO BE GOD OR GODDESS OF SOMETHING.  HOW CAN I
BECOME DIVINE?
     Cennydd, once again, eloquently stated:
     There has been a decided upswing in the use of faux divinity on the
list
     recently.  Remember that Lady Thess is the only one who can
actually name a
     god or goddess on the list (She is the Goddess of Nomenclature). 
Unless she
     names someone to be her avatar in her absence (she seems to have
disappeared
     into the obscurity of work-induced lurkerdom), everyone will just
have to wait
     until she gets around to a Naming.  Until that time, it is
customary to use
     "soon-to-be (I hope)" in front of any godhood that your have
requested.<<
     
     However, clergy may be appointed by already official Gods and
Goddesses.  Oh,
     yeah, Cennydd also said that Thess is alive and hoping to get back
to the list
     when she gets less frazzled.  

Editor's Note: Since the Lady Thessa has not managed to get back on list
yet, she has appointed Cennydd, Mage of Green Silences and God of Karma,
as Avatar of Nomenclature. So, requests and tithes can be directed to
Cenn.

Respectfully,
				Deniz Sarikaya (author)
				Ele (editor)
------------------------------------------

Well, it is me (Ele) once more

    There are also a series of abbreviations used on the list, and you
    should email the Keeper (Stormwind) at chenchen-+AT+-rgs.edu.sg and it
    will get to you. 
    Many are general list or IRC jargon, but several are list specific.
 	  
Also, you may have noticed appendages to signatures such as LotPW, and
Dame or Knight of the OAM.
Well, the LotPW are the Ladies of the Pink Wand, a bunch of straight
females who have at one time or other fallen in love with any one of a
list of fictional gay characters such as Vanyel, Firesong, and also the
gay fictional personas of some list members (collectively know as OoUL/L
= Objects of Unrequited Love/Lust). The LotPW meet in the Lilac Fairy's
Bower and welcome not only OoUL/L (who get voted to that position) but
also anybody else who is interested in sharing the general and most
enjoyable madness. 

The OAM is the Order of Amber and Marigold, an appreciation society
founded by Heather (HTH) and dedicated to the defense of Vanyel's honor.
As soon as HTH delurks, you can ask her for more info, and apply for a
position, if you are interested.

Feel free to contact me again (infodyn-+AT+-distrinet.com.uy) if there are
any more questions.
   
One thing I like about the list is that there are a lot of ideas and
ideologies, and new outlooks tend to be respected. Just jump in and say
your piece. In some cases you may be bringing up topics that have been
done to death and you may find that other list members do not share
enthusiastically in the debate. Don't worry, we will try to explain
what's going on, and we are also in the process of updating the FAQs to
include those subjects and the list's concensus at the time. 
      
Blessings,
   
Ele
Priestess of Karma
LotPW
Dame of the OAM
Acting Custodian of the BDay List

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 29 Dec 1996 10:28:43 -0500
From: Chris & Sean Talbot <brujah-+AT+-idirect.com>
To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk
Subject: Re: Well.../SB question
Message-ID: <199612291528.KAA14592-+AT+-nemesis.idirect.com>

At 05:58 AM 12/29/96 GMT, you wrote:
>Chris & Sean Talbot wrote:
>> 
>> >S
>> >P
>> >A
>> >C
>> >E
>> >
>> >H
>> >E
>> >R
>> >E
>> >
>> >F
>> >O
>> >R
>> >
>> >S
>> >P
>> >O
>> >I
>> >L
>> >E
>> >R
>> >
>Well, actually as far as we figured, that meeting never happened in any 
>of the books. I think that Vanyel more then likely met the sunpreist 
>when he was guarding the Karsire border. That's what I figured anyway 
>when I read that part.
>
It may have never happened in the books.  They may just be trying to confuse
us.  We should really work out how many times you really see sun priests
until the Storm trilogy.  You saw some in By The Sword and that is all I can
think.  Since you don't see any in Arrows  novels and Vanyel well I can't
think of any.

Aistes


------------------------------

Date: Sun, 29 Dec 1996 10:35:11 -0500
From: Chris & Sean Talbot <brujah-+AT+-idirect.com>
To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk
Subject: Re: The Burning of Aistes (brought to you by popular demand)
Message-ID: <199612291535.KAA15596-+AT+-nemesis.idirect.com>

>"Aistes, at the behest of many Lords and Ladies of this Hall, I am come to
>exercise the justice of the Fire upon thy malfeasant self.  Thou hast
>transgressed against the folk of this channel.  In violation of the laws
>and customs of this place and the will of the Divine Listmistress Mel,
>thou hast seen fit to encumber the Daemon of Mails with an endless stream
>of private one-liners.  In addition, thou hast refused to snip thy quoted
>material in accord with the Sacred Book of FAQ.  Now, shalt thou learn the
>price for thy errors."
I know recently I have been bad for that.  I am still learning how to work
the program properly and haven't really had the chance to work on all the
little things I don't know.  I have been informed of this in private and am
trying to cut down.  It is very hard when you don't have evidence of what
was said to tell people.  So what I usually do is just qoute the who
paragraph I want.  Oh and the one liners.  Well if I could change them into
Braids then I wouldn't need one liners but I don't know enough about the
program so I am confused how you do it.  Maybe someone here on the list will
see fit to tell this unworthy soul how to braid. 

I have tried to do all the things that are expected.  So now maybe someone
could explain to me how to Braid and how to better snip.  If you do this
please send it in private for other words I may not read it.  I skip through
a lot of messages so please send it to me with a heading of how to do those
things.

Aistes


------------------------------

Date: Sun, 29 Dec 1996 10:39:00 -0500
From: Chris & Sean Talbot <brujah-+AT+-idirect.com>
To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk
Subject: Re: The Burning of Aistes
Message-ID: <199612291539.KAA16268-+AT+-nemesis.idirect.com>

>Yes, Aistes, your ashes will meld together, and forgiveness is here
>aplenty, but try to learn to braid and snip (in case you are wondering
>brading means combining more than one message into a single post, and
>snipping means literally snipping/deleting excess quoted material).
I am still confused at what or how you do braiding.  If someone will explain
it to me in private then it would be much better.  And snipping is very hard
since I don't know the program well enough yet to do much other then
deleting almost the whole message.

>
>And in case you are wondering who the rest of the list members who
>suggested that the Mage pay you a visit were, I proudly admit to being
>one of those. You were repeatedly warned without naming names, so we
>thought a less subtle approach was in order.
Well I must tell you I was only warned by one person about this.  I was
warned in private so no one would get annoyed about it on the list.  But as
to the others who told me I never recieved any of the mail about it so I
couldn't really do much about it.  So maybe next time you should really just
send them directly to me about this instead of through the list then I know
I get them.

Aistes


------------------------------

End of MERCEDES-LACKEY Digest 1035
**********************************