MERCEDES-LACKEY Digest 1047 Topics covered in this issue include: 1) Back! by "Romylee A. Ejercito" 2) Re: Back! by nme848-+AT+-hecky.acns.nwu.edu (Nina Ehgartner) 3) Companions/heralds by Renee Boykin 4) new stuff..at least I'm new.. by white 5) Re: Companions/heralds by white 6) Re: Casting Swordspoint by Mrocro-+AT+-aol.com 7) Re: Country vs Metal / Pterry / Usenames / Welcome / etc etc by Chris & Sean Talbot 8) Re: Companions/heralds by rozanm-+AT+-juno.com (Rozanna J. McNeer) 9) tortoises/poetry/welcome/Elspeth/tables by Liseth-+AT+-aol.com 10) Re: Companions/heralds by "Myka S." 11) Message from Catherine Sundancer!! by Jaguar 12) by Korendil 13) The shadow returneth by Shadow-Lover 14) Loping back into the fold by "Hth." 15) Welcom Lythande & Myka/No RPG/Hi Mylee/I got SOI!!!!! by SEANSQ-+AT+-aol.com 16) Re: That person nobody has heard from in a REALLY long time... by Vrondi 17) The poem by "Hth." 18) Archives by mail by Melanie Dymond Harper 19) poem/sword of ice by Ailsa Reid 20) Re: Country vs Metal / Pterry / Usenames / Welcome / etc etc etc by Tensen 21) country vs. metal/Ah-ha! by "Emily L Cartier" 22) Re: The shadow returneth by davidt-+AT+-cet.com (D H Tiffany/Shawn Marie Walker) 23) Elspeth by rozanm-+AT+-juno.com (Rozanna J. McNeer) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 16:19:17 -0500 (EST) From: "Romylee A. Ejercito" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Back! Message-ID: This will be really short. Basically, I'm back from the Windy City, which contrived to be foggy the whole time I was there so I saw nothing except white stuff. For some reason, the day before I came and the day after I left, the sun shone. Is this a hint? *sigh* Anyway, I'm back and I've received a couple of posts, and I have no idea as to what's going on. Guess I have to play newbie for a few days. Mylee ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ M. Ejercito rejercito-+AT+-wesleyan.edu I have one of the most brilliant minds on earth... BUT EDUCATION RUINED IT!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 07 Jan 1997 16:57:50 -0600 From: nme848-+AT+-hecky.acns.nwu.edu (Nina Ehgartner) To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Back! Message-ID: <199701072255.AA086927749-+AT+-hecky.acns.nwu.edu> > > This will be really short. Basically, I'm back from the Windy >City, which contrived to be foggy the whole time I was there so I saw >nothing except white stuff. For some reason, the day before I came and >the day after I left, the sun shone. Is this a hint? *sigh* Anyway, I'm >back and I've received a couple of posts, and I have no idea as to what's >going on. Guess I have to play newbie for a few days. > >Mylee > What?! You mean you don't like our climate changes here?! After all, it was in the 50's on Friday, the 60's on Saturday, and then it dropped below freezing with sub-zero wind chills by Sunday. If I didn't know better, I'd swear a mage storm hit us. Nina Ehgartner Admissions Assistant-Office of Admissions and Financial Aid J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management email: nme848-+AT+-hecky.acns.nwu.edu Phone: (847) 491-3308 Fax: (847) 491-4960 ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 28 Dec 1996 13:15:33 -0500 From: Renee Boykin To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Companions/heralds Message-ID: <32C563C5.226-+AT+-nightshade.ml.org> My SO just came up with something interesting. Sayvil, (Kero's companion, I believe) mindspoke everyone and was kinda loud and mischievous and nosy, right? Well, does that remind anyone of a certain herald in the Last Herald-Mage trilogy? Like, say, Savil? What say all of you? Is he close, or is he close? ;) Elven ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 07 Jan 1997 19:31:02 -0600 From: white To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: new stuff..at least I'm new.. Message-ID: <32D2F8D3.775D-+AT+-vianet.on.ca> Hello all! I'm not a newbie to the net, but am to this listing. I just love M.Lackey stuff and own most of it, also read MZBradley and some McCaffrey, so would love to talk to you all about those. Still trying to make heads of tails of all the messages i'm receiving hopefully soon I'll be up to speed! Anything else I should know?? Lythande ( yes thats from a MZB book.) ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 07 Jan 1997 19:47:15 -0600 From: white To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Companions/heralds Message-ID: <32D2FC9E.33CA-+AT+-vianet.on.ca> I thought that most past heralds were reincarnated as companions in the later novels, but yes I remember both...Renee Boykin wrote: > > My SO just came up with something interesting. Sayvil, (Kero's > companion, I believe) mindspoke everyone and was kinda loud and > mischievous and nosy, right? Well, does that remind anyone of a certain > herald in the Last Herald-Mage trilogy? Like, say, Savil? What say all > of you? Is he close, or is he close? ;) > > Elven ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 19:48:26 -0500 From: Mrocro-+AT+-aol.com To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Casting Swordspoint Message-ID: <970107164731_1559124741-+AT+-emout18.mail.aol.com> In a message dated 97-01-07 11:10:31 EST, you write: << YECH! He's a scientologist. And in spite of his background, refuses to do shaych roles. etc etc. No nay never, Tom Cruise must never be permitted to ruin any Valdemar movie (not that there will be any, but..:) >> When Tom play Lesant in ,"Interview with a Vampire" Lesant was shaych. Movie down played that part, but in book it was prevelent. chris olson Khrysa Singweaver ________------ sorry so short, but kids down with Chickenpox, must be brief. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 19:52:06 -0500 From: Chris & Sean Talbot To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Country vs Metal / Pterry / Usenames / Welcome / etc etc Message-ID: <199701080052.TAA19429-+AT+-nemesis.idirect.com> >Indeed. However, if I had to choose between heavy metal or country, I would >definitely choose heavy metal. I mean, a big kick in the 70's and 80's WAS >fantasy-related heavy metal (to mind, the band MANOWAR springs to mind, with >metal opuses (opi?) about greek mythology) and it was pretty good... I do not I don't know about that. Heavy Metal is way to heavy for my tastes. Especially for the stuff that Misty has in her books. >know of any fantasy-related country songs. And on a personal note, I really >do NOT like the genre (country music, that is.) :) My cousin is a >country-western singer, and I hate listening to her songs, and I had a party >when they closed down the country station in New York City. *grin* WEll that isn't very good. But considering the New Country that was suggested is basically the same as 80's soft rock you shouldn't really complain unless you also don't like that. I mean there is very little that is different with it. For instance Country singers have crossed over onto rock stations. Shania Twain is the real major one. Some rock songs are also country like Jan Arden's Insensitive. So those are just two of the major songs which are cross overs. So you can't really tell me that there is no similarities. And I doubt any of you could forget Achy Breaky Heart by Billy Ray Cyrus who is a county singer. So right now there is hardly any difference between rock or soft rock and country music. Aistes ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 07 Jan 1997 20:24:13 EST From: rozanm-+AT+-juno.com (Rozanna J. McNeer) To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Companions/heralds Message-ID: <19970107.192339.16270.2.rozanm-+AT+-juno.com> Elven said: >My SO just came up with something interesting. Sayvil, (Kero's >companion, I believe) mindspoke everyone and was kinda loud and >mischievous and nosy, right? Well, does that remind anyone of a >certain herald in the Last Herald-Mage trilogy? Like, say, Savil? What say > all of you? Is he close, or is he close? ;) TINAF! just a little bit of teasing ahead! AAAHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! not the Sayvil/Savil thread again!!!!!! It's like Jaws! The damn thing keeps coming back again and again and again and again *giggle* (theme music for Jaws here) dun-uh ... dun-uh ... Dun-dun-Dun- dun dun-da! the is sayvil savil thread causes yet another long time standing member of the list to go screaming over the edge of sanity AAAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! okay, sorry, couldn't resist, don't take it personally!!! Yes Sayvil is Savil; there is even a list somewhere about which Companions are reincarnated Heralds. There's been discussion about Rolan being Roald (who better to be the MO's Companion than a former M?). So print this out and show it to the SO (elven, I *hope/think/pretty sure* you figured the sayvil/savil thing out already! ) personal anecdote (tithe to Dvdi teh Git o Tipotys): I asked if anyone else had noticed that the star-eyed's "k" something name (Kalanel???) seemed ~awfully~ close to the name of Vkandis' consort, which we find out in SRising. And nearly everyone sighed with a touch of exasperation and said 'yes, deary, we noticed.' I think it's a prerequisite to do or ask one dumb thing at least once on this list (or you can be like me and do one dumb thing every other post or so!) stroll down memory lane: who else remembers doing something really dumb on this list? (and isn't embarrassed to share) /-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/ Firemist rozanm-+AT+-juno.com Lore-Mistress of the Cat People Goddess of Made From Scratch Foods ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 20:37:06 -0500 From: Liseth-+AT+-aol.com To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: tortoises/poetry/welcome/Elspeth/tables Message-ID: <970107183416_745872193-+AT+-emout03.mail.aol.com> Jake made a couple comments about my reference to a disc world tortoise. I won't quote because I don't seem to be able to cut and paste with e-mail. The tortoise I was referring to _was_ a god. No question about it. Have you read _Small Gods_? It's all about a tortoise who is a god. And no, Pterry hasn't said whether A'Tuin is male or female. Anyway, I know other authors come up. I've brought 'em up meself . Elven, I just wanted to say that I enjoyed reading your poem. Is that original? Welcome Mykalanthis! Hope you like the list. (Gee, you've gotten almost as many posts as I have.) About that Elspeth the Peacemaker thing (who brought that up anyway?), I think she made peace with everybody, including the Karsites. I seem to recall some comment in MPromise about peace falling apart when Elspeth died, or maybe it was in MPrice when they were preparing for Randi's death... Too bad I can't get my books to find out, they're all at Dad's. Oh, well. Liseth (see? Here's my comment about hiding under the table.) ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 21:03:22 -0500 (EST) From: "Myka S." To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Companions/heralds Message-ID: Firemist wrote: > I think it's a prerequisite to do or ask one dumb thing at least once on > this list > (or you can be like me and do one dumb thing every other post or so!) > > stroll down memory lane: who else remembers doing something really > dumb on this list? (and isn't embarrassed to share) Gee, do y'all think that maybe Vanyel has something to do with the Forest of Sorrows being the way it is? (k, so it's a transparently deliberate joke...sue me!) _____________________________________________________________ Mykalanthis, White Winds Journeyman, Merc for hire. ------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 22:31:05 -0500 (EST) From: Jaguar To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: Message from Catherine Sundancer!! Message-ID: I forwarded the Casting Swordspoint w/Sly Stallone as Alec to her.. Jaguar ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 15:49:42 -0500 (EST) From: Catherine Osborne To: Jaguar Subject: Re: Casting Swordspoint (fwd) Hate to say it, but Michael Praed would have to play Richard (sheep, and run like hell). Now who would play Alec? Hmm. Requires thought. I'll get back to you all... Oh, Jag, forward this to the list will you? I need some help. My pagan web site just got reviewed in NetUser magazine in Britain, and I'm dying to know what they said. Anyone subscribe/willing to transcribe the article into some email for me? I'd be eternally grateful. It's in the January issue. I miss you, but I'll be back in um two weeks, beginning next Friday (after my last exam as a first-semester senior). Bye! Catherine Osborne (Sundancer) I cosborne-+AT+-sidwell.edu -------------------------------------------------------------- Why would a fellow want a girl like her,I A girl who's merely love-ly? I Rodgers and Why can't a fellow ever once prefer, I Hammerstein, A girl who's merely *me*? I *Cinderella* ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 23:07:31 -0500 From: Korendil To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Message-ID: Myka, the daily newbie;> said: >1 quick question: who out there is working on a World of Valgarth RPG? >Someone is, I know you're out there... Well, with all ye' newbies around, it's time to say yet again: THERE IS NO MISTY RPG, AND ANY UNSANCTIONED ONE IS COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT AND MISTY'S HALF-MUTANT-WYRSA LAWYERS WILL *FIND* YOU IF YOU DO ONE. whew. Clear that one up? It's illegal. OTOH, if ye' wanna go to DragonCon this summer, and yer a member of QO, they''ll have a Valdemar boardgame, QO only.. Seanna said: >BUT think about the possibilities: Swordspoint the Action Movie, >starring Tom Cruise as Alec and Sylvester Stallone as Richard.... Eyuch. Great idea, but...Stallone? No, no..he's too dark for St. Vier! Too brawny, too--Vier's strong, and toned--but not a hulking brute....at least, I don't recall him to be.. Elven said: >My SO just came up with something interesting. Sayvil, (Kero's >companion, I believe) mindspoke everyone and was kinda loud and >mischievous and nosy, right? Well, does that remind anyone of a certain >herald in the Last Herald-Mage trilogy? Like, say, Savil? What say all >of you? Is he close, or is he close? ;) Oh gods no. Not this. Not *this*! Elven--I'm not angry at you--I'm angry at this evil little thread that occaisonally possesses new listmembers and forces them to post it--along with the RPG thing. Both in the same day, though, is remarkable...anyway, we've pretty most proved this true: Sayvil, and Gwena's name slip...Kris' Tantras...the double images of Gala and Yfandes...the short story "Blue Heart"...Karal's musings in Storms...Florian in SB..etc. etc. And Savil being "nosy"..that's....groanable;> Aistes said, allowing me to catch up on this thread: >I don't know about that. Heavy Metal is way to heavy for my tastes. >Especially for the stuff that Misty has in her books. Well--it depends how you classify heavy metal. I mean, you'd be surprised how well 70's hard rock fits fantasy stuff--Rush an' Led Zep, fer example. I was listening to "Battle of Evermore" and "Stairway to Heaven" (yes I bloody well know that's been to overplayed but I...LIKE IT!;>) while reading..um...one of GGK's Fionavar's...I think book 2...anyway, that huge battle--argh, I'm ofrgetting in only 2 months! Anyway, those two fitted some of the battles SOOOO well. Rock can definitely fit fantasy, and country, imo, can't. Country, while having roots in celtic folk, isn't exactly known for the mystical, magical, fantastic tales the latter is. /me sheeps and adds "Or the beautiful music!;P >WEll that isn't very good. But considering the New Country that was >suggested is basically the same as 80's soft rock you shouldn't really >complain unless you also don't like that. I mean there is very little that >is different with it. For instance Country singers have crossed over onto >rock stations. And I doubt any of you could forget Achy Breaky Heart >by Billy Ray Cyrus who is a county singer. So right now there is hardly any >difference between rock or soft rock and country music. One right, one wrong. Yes, country is, basically, soft rock. It is *not* the same as rock though. The same as 50's rock, maybe. Not today's. No way in the nine hells that you can tell me that Rush or Bush or any other rock group is country, by virtue of being rock. LIve, yeah..some of their stuff is kinda country-ish. Same with (moreso) Tempest. In any case, liking rock != to liking country, nor does rock != country. And "Achy Breaky Heart" is quite definitely country. *Not* rock. And going along with what the person you were replying to was saying--they never said a word about rock. Just that they don't like country. Firemistywisty;> said: >There's been discussion about Rolan being Roald (who better to >be the MO's Companion than a former M?) Uh-uh. MOC are new spirits. My theory is that the same companion is reinced each time, and that's how he ahs all the needed knowledge--it makes up for his newness. >personal anecdote (tithe to Dvdi teh Git o Tipotys): I asked if anyone >else had noticed that the star-eyed's "k" something name (Kalanel???) >seemed ~awfully~ close to the name of Vkandis' consort, which we >find out in SRising. And nearly everyone sighed with a touch of >exasperation >and said 'yes, deary, we noticed.' Want one no-one ever feels like discussing, but I'm pretty sure (Red-cap? am I right?) we've never had a nicely sized thread over the fact that Kal'enal is *damned* close to the names of one set of twins in Need's priesthood. I'd retype my quote from ages past, but my book is being borrowed right now.. >stroll down memory lane: who else remembers doing something really >dumb on this list? (and isn't embarrassed to share) Um....some really lame flames last fall? Acting really pouty when I first started using this screename o'er a year ago? Myka said: >Gee, do y'all think that maybe Vanyel has something to do with the Forest >of Sorrows being the way it is? (k, so it's a transparently deliberate >joke...sue me!) hey...and you know what? Take a look at AotQ....the truth spell cloud looks like a vrondi!;> In TWO DAYS we've seen posts from: Jake, Reesa, and now...Catherine! And Vrondi's back! Guys? Is the SB Spoiler term over now? January is 6 months from August--but do we do it the end of January or the start? *I WANNA POST SB STUFF*!!!!!;> K|^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^/KORENDIL-+AT+-ICUBED.NET\^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^|K O| Korendil, Knight of the Order of Amber and Marigold, One in |O R| Black, God of Night, Patron Deity of All Things Nocturnal, |R E| Champion, Jester, and Party Coordinator of the Ladies of the |E N| Pink Wand, Terminally Cute Elfin Warrior, Godson of the Lilac |N D| Fairy, Acting Master of Dreams, and Ailurophile. |D IL-+AT+-ICUBED.NET________/NAME THE MIME AND DIE\__________TEN.DEBUCI-+AT+-LI ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 08 Jan 1997 00:19:12 -0500 From: Shadow-Lover To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk Subject: The shadow returneth Message-ID: <1.5.4.32.19970108051912.006664fc-+AT+-ntr.net> *Eyes start to turn as the shadows of the room begin to flit and flutter, forming ever darker shades of grey... For one scarce moment the world turns on end, and then where the darkest shadows once laid, now one stands... Enter the Shadow-Lover!* Bright the day all! Anyone miss me? I'm on digest right now due to limited email availability on my new account, as well as limited time on my new schedule... I'd greatly appreciate it if someone would send me a private email catching me up on the latest braides, as well as who is still around! Openprivate message time: Jag, Cennydd, Reesa, Jake and Mishi: If any of you are still around, know that I haven't forgotten you and I still love you all... Get in touch and let me know what's going on... As for the rest of you: Private mail goes to Vanyel-+AT+-ntr.net now... Auntie mel, forgive me for this waste of bandwidth... It's good to be back! Obmisty: Catch me up on the Firebird... Is it any good? And for that matter, is Misty putting out any more music any time soon? *Having spoken, the Shadow-Lover returns to the shadows to wait...* - Shadow-Lover ************-=Vanyel-+AT+-ntr.net=-*********** * Don't ever be afraid * * To open up your eyes * * So you can see tomorrow * * Let it go * * And you will fly away * * - Merill Bainbridge * *************-=IRC: Vanyel=-************* ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 08 Jan 1997 00:20:32 CST From: "Hth." To: Subject: Loping back into the fold Message-ID: <08JAN97.00369719.0056.MUSIC-+AT+-ACADEMIC.TRUMAN.EDU> Heyla, ladies & gentlemen (no complaints! I mean these terms as compliments! don't make me write something long and rambling about what I meant when I called you these horrible things ) Computer problems solved at long last, and personal life settled down to a dull roar, I'm ready to devote myself to the masses again Reading the last couple of digests, there seem to be *lots* of newbies. Which is good. Welcome; I hope you learn something, make some friends, and contribute a little something to the Group Soul My name's Heather, and I've been here just a couple of weeks shy of one year, honestly earning my rep as a somewhat noisy but generally good-natured fan/critic of Misty's work in specific, and fantasy in general. Any charges that the Mistylist is my whole life are *totally spurious and without foundation* -- it just looks that way to those of you who only have 24 hours to your day. I, of course, have those extra 4 (6 on Wednesday), in which to compose long and dusty essays, many of which are even on-topic Well, the season was an excellent one for books, but the To Be Read Stack is beginning to look a bit daunting, even for Heather. Today's fare was Allan Cole & Chris Bunch's *The Warrior's Tale,* which has been pretty hard for me to find; you might really have to scout around for it. But it does have the most interesting lesbian protagonist I can think of in the genre -- not that there are all that many to choose from Anyway, I do approve of Rali. On to Misty. I'm slogging my way through *Sword of Ice,* amidst a veritable firestorm of mixed emotions. There have been some quite interesting stories, particularly Tanya Huff's "The Demon's Den" and Janni Lee Simner's "A Child's Adventures" -- which addresses, but doesn't answer, the question that's been nagging at me for some time, regarding whether or not it's possible to decline the honor of being Chosen. There are also some stories that have irritated me half to death. I found a few of them to have that annoying smug quality to them, that undertone of "Don't you wish you were as cool as a *Herald,* you weak little mortal, you?" I objected to at least one of them so far on ethical grounds. And I was downright grouchy after reading "Chance," the infamous, long-awaited Vanyel/Jonne story. (1) If a character's background is important to the story, there has to be a better way to introduce us to the character's background than two pages of exposition at the beginning of the story, telling us everything we could ever want to know about Jonne's romantic history. (2) A plot would have been nice. I'm all for character driven, but "Vanyel gets wounded and laid" seemed a little sketchy, even to me. (3) I'm considering sueing for custody of Vanyel on the grounds that he's being abused. They've made our gracious, dignified Mage say things like "I'm shay'a'chern. Sometimes I don't have any control over it," in reference to the state of his genitals. I can almost hear him crying for help. (4) There was not nearly enough sex to make up for 1-3. This is why I'm getting through the antho so slowly. I have to periodically stop and weep. No, but seriously, there are some good stories, and I feel like I'm on the average getting my $5.99 worth. One anal-retentive quibble: I really wish it had been subtitled "And Other Tales of Velgarth." So far there have been two stories that had nothing remotely to do with Valdemar: one about the Tayledras, and one set in Rethwellan. I suppose more people recognize the name "Valdemar" on sight than they do "Velgarth," but it's one of those little things that sets my teeth on edge. Nitpicky? Not Heather. Well, enough of bending your ears for tonight. I have a whole semester ahead; have to pace myself. Good to be back, listsibs. HTH Wand-Sworn Champion to the Ladies of the Pink Wand Grand Dame of the Order of Amber and Marigold DragonCon Shepherd r618-+AT+-academic.truman.edu ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 8 Jan 1997 01:41:35 -0500 (EST) From: SEANSQ-+AT+-aol.com To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Welcom Lythande & Myka/No RPG/Hi Mylee/I got SOI!!!!! Message-ID: <970107235700_238908143-+AT+-emout11.mail.aol.com> On 1/7/97 Lythande wrote: >.I'm not a newbie to the net, but am to this listing. >Still trying to make heads of tails of all the messages i'm receiving hopefully soon >I'll be up to speed! Anything else I should know?? >Lythande ( yes thats from a MZB book.) >HINT: never, EVER subscribe to a mailing list then leave town for two >weeks...270 messages!!! ACK!! Boy, do I feel sheep-ish ;) >I'm new to the list (obviously) and I'm almost finished plowing through >all of the messages I've received. >1 quick question: who out there is working on a World of Valgarth RPG? >Someone is, I know you're out there... > TTYL, > Myka Welcome to you both!! Hope you have as much fun on the list as everyone else seems to. Although I am a relative "newbie" myself, here's my usual "warm" welcoming chair by a crackling fire graced by a continuously renewing tankard of your beverage of your choice. As to RPG if I understand them clearly, the Arrows on line website quotes Misty as not giving her permission for that type of thing. ######Ah well, as I was crusing the AOL message boards to get the definitive answer to this, I heard the "You've Got Mail" announcement only to find I was scooped again--but with such style!! Korendil said it better than I could. ***********EOM > This will be really short. Basically, I'm back from the Windy >City, which contrived to be foggy the whole time I was there >Mylee Welcome back!!! Think of it this way, all that white stuff could have been snow! ****************EOM Well shout hallelujah!!! I got SOI finally by overnight express today. (After much trial and tribulations with the US Post Office). Now I have to decide whether to read it all tonight and be totally worthless at work tomorrow .......or draw out the pain/pleasure and ration myself to one story a night. Weeellllll. I never could eat just one. So much for my monthly report. My boss will be out of town for the next two days anyway. She'll never know it won't be in her mailbox on time. Meg :the self-appointed Warm Welcome Distribution Agent Franchises issued upon request ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 2 Jan 1997 01:52:53 -0500 (EST) From: Vrondi To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: That person nobody has heard from in a REALLY long time... Message-ID: Lady 'Reesa!!! Congratulations on your new house! *casts an anti-breakage spell on all your stuff* -Vrondi a.k.a Chrys Amy Dean, a.k.a Free Bard Oriole. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "To light a candle is to cast a shadow..." -"A Wizard of Earthsea" by Ursula K. LeGuin ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://edweb.concord.wvnet.edu/~deanca/book ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 08 Jan 1997 01:03:06 CST From: "Hth." To: Subject: The poem Message-ID: <08JAN97.01136036.0056.MUSIC-+AT+-ACADEMIC.TRUMAN.EDU> One thing I meant to mention and forgot: thank you, Elven, for that poem. I found it touching, especially in light of the fact that it sort of deals with an issue I've been chewing around on for weeks now, this whole issue of sacrifice and Heralds. I've come more and more to disagree with the idea of running a country by the Herald system, for many reasons. In a nutshell, I think it's justtoo much to ask. I'm not comfortable with a society that thrives because the best and brightest individuals are recruited to give up their freedom and their lives for the good of the state. I think there are probably psychological problems stemming from taking adolescents, removing them from their homes, and inculcating them with the idea that their own needs should be the least important thing in their lives; self-esteem issues, anyone? I think the system covertly glorifies that myth of the "glorious death" that Vanyel was so ticked off by as a kid. And I think there's an element of emotional blackmail involved with the whole Companion gig: "Play by our rules, or your soulbonded Companion won't want you anymore. You don't want to end up like Tylendel, do you?" Just before I left, the Elspeth Debate came up again. The central question in the Elspeth Debate, as I see it, is: Was it or was it not right for Elspeth to demand control over her own life in defiance of the wishes of her Companion, her Monarch, and the government of Valdemar? My position has always been that, no, it was not, but I've felt like there was a piece missing in my thinking, and the answer has finally occured to me. The mistake that I think Elspeth made was not really that she rebelled against being controlled by others. As several people eloquently said in that discussion, it's easy to understand why she felt that her actions were necessary, and it's easy to sympathize. My problem with Elspeth is that I think she tried to play both sides against the middle, to have all the privileges of being a Herald without the responsibilities. And wanting all the good out of life without being willing to shoulder the bad is generally considered rather juvenile, at least. When you sign on to be a Herald (or rather, when you are drafted to be a Herald and give your consent -- again, it's still not totally clear to me whether or not you really have a choice in the matter), you get all kinds of cool things. You get your Companion, who is a dear friend and loved one for all the rest of your life and all that good stuff. You get a cool uniform that makes everyone look good, and respect, and authority. You are given an opportunity to make a difference in people's lives, and the kind of people who get Chosen tend to value that opportunity. However, 'tisn't all sweetness and light. There are things you sacrifice when you become a Herald. Somewhere in one of the early series, Arrows or LHM (my copies are out on loan, or I'd look it up for you), it says that a Herald's heart is given first to her Companion, then to Valdemar, and only third to personal connections -- mate, family, etc. Which in essence means that the Herald herself comes in fourth on her own list of priorities. That's the price you pay for being a Herald. Misty makes it clear that most Heralds never get a chance to settle down and have a "normal" life. She makes it clear that many die young. She makes it especially clear that if you're born royal, you have even more responsibility and accountability to your people than regular Heralds do. All that's part of being a Herald, as well as part of being the Heir. I wouldn't have blamed Elspeth at all if she'd rebelled against being pushed into all of that. God knows I would rebel, loudly. But it seems unfair to demand all the freedom of a private citizen -- total control of one's own fate -- and at the same time be unwilling to relenquish the privileges of being a Herald. You can't demand *everything* from life. Elspeth struck me as "bratty" not because she insisted on living her life on her own terms, but because she wanted everything to rearrange itself so that she never had to sacrifice or even so much as compromise. A Herald's *job* is to carry out the will of the Heraldic Circle, the Council, the Monarch, the Companions, Valdemar. It's what they do, what Valdemar keeps them around for. If you can't hack it, the only honorable thing to do is to resign your commission, as it were, on the grounds that you are unable to perform your duties. If Elspeth were going to walk out, I think she really should have *walked out.* Anyway, Elven's poem brought all this to mind, this issue of what a Herald is called upon to sacrifice by virtue of being a Herald, and whether or not it's too heavy a price to pay. Thanks for sharing that with us. I'm sure many of you will disagree, probably strongly, with what I'm saying here. I realize there are some rather major bombshells being dropped in this post, but after thinking since Thanksgiving about these and other related issues, I'm ready to start talking some of them over. I feel a bit guilty, since I know some of you care about Heralds and Companions on a deep, personal level, just as I do about Vanyel, and I know this kind of thing can be upsetting. But these sundry questions and ideas have become more and more important to me lately, as I'm realizing that I'm working with the same themes in my own novel, and trying to figure out just how I want to handle them, what I want to say to my own readers. This is a major philosophical thing here, and I don't want to write about it until I'm sure of where I stand. You all usually provide a great deal of breadth and spice to my thinking, and I'm looking forward to us all putting our heads together and trying to shed some light on what are, after all, some basic underlying concepts in Misty's writing. As my American history teacher used to say in high school: "Point, counterpoint! Let's all get out there and sell some toothpaste!" (No, I'm not making this up. Mr. Landry was kind of an oddball, but a heck of a teacher.) HTH Wand-Sworn Champion to the Ladies of the Pink Wand Grand Dame of the Order of Amber and Marigold DragonCon Shepherd r618-+AT+-academic.truman.edu ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 8 Jan 1997 10:23:38 GMT From: Melanie Dymond Harper To: mercedes-lackey Subject: Archives by mail Message-ID: <199701081023.KAA23342-+AT+-vanyel.herald.co.uk> Mel the Redcap said: > Peony, DebMats, if you can't get onto the archive page for the digests, you > can send an e-mail to listproc-+AT+-herald.co.uk with the subject line blank ("No > Subject" will NOT work, as Emily the Invisible found!) and > > index mercedes-lackey ... lots of good and accurate stuff except that "No Subject" should work (and is necessary for AOL folks because their mailers won't let them leave the subject lines blank). The things that cause listproc to choke are using subject lines such as: subscribe unsubscribe test and other such. (If someone desperately wants a full list, let me know ...) Cheers Mel ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 8 Jan 1997 11:07:17 GMT From: Ailsa Reid To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: poem/sword of ice Message-ID: <199701081107.LAA02503-+AT+-brookes.ac.uk> Happy New Year everyone! I only unpostponed about 13:30 yesterday, so could someone possibly send me a copy of elvens poem that people have been mentioning. (To read the digests I have to save them into word cos they're too big for this email prog to cope with, and Netscape has hiccups today) Oh yes, and does anyone know if there are copies of Sword of Ice in the UK yet? And is it worth me ordering from the local bookshop/shelling out to go to London and get? Back to the lab... Ailsa the alien ____________________________________________________________________________ | Ailsa Reid | | The silence never louder than now | | areid-+AT+-brookes.ac.uk How quickly we forget our vows | | This resurrection we cannot allow | | Uzis on a street corner | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 8 Jan 1997 09:38:34 +0000 (GMT) From: Tensen To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Country vs Metal / Pterry / Usenames / Welcome / etc etc etc Message-ID: On Tue, 7 Jan 1997 Shdwflt-+AT+-aol.com wrote: > Indeed. However, if I had to choose between heavy metal or country, I would > definitely choose heavy metal. I mean, a big kick in the 70's and 80's WAS > fantasy-related heavy metal (to mind, the band MANOWAR springs to mind, with > metal opuses (opi?) about greek mythology) and it was pretty good... I do not > know of any fantasy-related country songs. And on a personal note, I really > do NOT like the genre (country music, that is.) :) My cousin is a > country-western singer, and I hate listening to her songs, and I had a party > when they closed down the country station in New York City. *grin* > Manowar is great... I got inflicted upon that and other Heavy Metal music by one of my friends when I was a freshman in college...a while back :( I end up sticking with Manowar and some of the Black Sabath, especially Tyr (Should be no surprise there.) Also a common occurance recently is Celtic Rock, which would fit in well. Tensen ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 8 Jan 1997 10:37:26 -0500 From: "Emily L Cartier" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: country vs. metal/Ah-ha! Message-ID: <9701081541.AA13842-+AT+-udecc.engr.udayton.edu> Aistes said: >WEll that isn't very good. But considering the New Country that was >suggested is basically the same as 80's soft rock you shouldn't >really complain unless you also don't like that. I mean there is very >little that is different with it. For instance Country singers have >crossed over onto rock stations. Shania Twain is the real major one. >Some rock songs are also country like Jan Arden's Insensitive. So >those are just two of the major songs which are cross overs. So you >can't really tell me that there is no similarities. And I doubt any >of you could forget Achy Breaky Heart by Billy Ray Cyrus who is a >county singer. So right now there is hardly any difference between >rock or soft rock and country music. I hate to say this, but you are sick . You are describing the (IMO) worst thing about pop/alternative/rock stations in the 90's. Not only did I have to suffer thru country music on the way to school (it's a long story, but it was worth it), but I had to suffer thru it on the RADIO! As a result, I have stopped listening to the radio unless it is news only or classical. Gimme metal any day. At least they don't have accents that drive me up the wall . Oh the HORROR . (season with grins to taste) Hmm. If we had to choose music for Misty books, _I'd_ pick either folk (then I don't need CD's...g) or rock/pop/alternative. I'd skip my Broadway collection cause most of the songs don't fit. Actually, some of Bach really works well with Misty... Mel said: >.. lots of good and accurate stuff except that "No Subject" should >work (and is necessary for AOL folks because their mailers won't let >them leave the subject lines blank). I thought I had it right! Pegasus Mail is a pain about leaving a blank subject, so I've been using the no subject trick for listproc. This was the first time it complained. Would you want me to try again to test (I'd forward the error messege, but I deleted it)? HTH, I'm thinking about what you said about Elspeth... I'm pretty sure I don't agree, but I'm not sure _why_. Emily the invisible ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 8 Jan 1997 09:14:33 -0800 From: davidt-+AT+-cet.com (D H Tiffany/Shawn Marie Walker) To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: The shadow returneth Message-ID: Shadow-Lover wrote: > *Eyes start to turn as the shadows of the room begin to flit and >flutter, forming ever darker shades of grey... For one scarce moment the >world turns on end, and then where the darkest shadows once laid, now one >stands... Enter the Shadow-Lover!* > > Bright the day all! Anyone miss me? Miss you? It hain't been the same without you! (yea, hip-hip-hooray & so on!) OBMisty: **If** Valdemar becomes a tecno society as hinted at in the Storms books (steam engines and such) will companions change form? IIRC, they are just horse because it's a usefull shape to take for travel/combat and such. So if it's no longer so usefull will they take another form? David Tiffany, Got Typots? ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 08 Jan 1997 12:49:07 EST From: rozanm-+AT+-juno.com (Rozanna J. McNeer) To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Elspeth Message-ID: <19970108.114947.11166.4.rozanm-+AT+-juno.com> In response to Heather's post: Heather, I think you pin-pointed the crux of the matter. Elspeth's actions in Winds have always been about getting her way; doing things that appear to break the mold/rut that Valdemar is in. "We do as our Companions wish because That Is The Way Things Have Always Been Done." Which strikes a cord in all of us, since I'm sure everyone has come against this attitude and rebelled, too. But there is a reason why Heralds go along with their Companions' advice when it is given -- a) they RARELY interfere. if a companion sticks his/her nose in, then things must be going really WRONG. as in -- companions urging heralds to let Van go and face Leareth; Rolan helping when Talia's shields go all to hell. These events had direct bearing on the way Valdemar functioned and even the future of Valdemar. If Leareth hadn't been stopped, Valdemar would most likely not exist. If Talia's gift remained rogue, then the counrty's confidence in the Heralds would be undermined. It long after that there would probably be a revolt or civil war as the malcontents rally about someone who is sure s/he can run the country better then the Heralds. After all, look what a balls-up they made with so simple a thing as ~training~ someone. And a Herald-Mage (elspeth) was needed to combat Ancar's mages. because of the vrondi, because a Herald-mage would not be tempted to switch sides, because a Herald Mage would be willing to sacrifice *everything* for the safety/well-being of Valdemar. . . Elspeth's actions relfected a more selfish attitude than most Heralds exhibit. She prided herself on breaking the mold and accomplishing things in a new and novel way -- trying to be more like Kero and less like Talia. Unfortunately, Elspeth doesn't seem to share Kero's foresight and manner of clear thinking in the Winds books. She childishly rebelled against what Gwena had planned for her because she didn't like being herded. Well, Elspeth, b.f.d. nobody likes to be herded, but fer cryin out-loud, look at the precedents! Whenever a companions interferes, some serious stuff is going down. You don't argue with the commander during a battle; you follow orders. so what if the way she did things turned out for the best? the point is, it very well might NOT have. It is enough to make you wonder if the only reason Elspeth was chosen was because Talia had managed to make her behave somewhat like Chosen-material, Elspeth was the Heir, and Elspeth had the Mage-Gift. NOT because she had the true selflessness of the other Heralds. hmmm... /-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/ Firemist rozanm-+AT+-juno.com Lore-Mistress of the Cat People Goddess of Made From Scratch Foods ------------------------------ End of MERCEDES-LACKEY Digest 1047 **********************************