MERCEDES-LACKEY Digest 1753 Topics covered in this issue include: 1) Re: Stefen by "Raven Darkblade" 2) Braid by "Judy L. Wood" 3) Re: Stefen by Becky Cary 4) Re: Stefen by efluharty-+AT+-juno.com (Ellen K Fluharty) 5) RE: dyslexic? by "Old Nicodemus" 6) Re: Stefen by MacFey 7) Re: thus and such by "Jennifer M. Shultz" 8) Re: Serrated by MacFey 9) Re: Longwinded mail by Tatjana Schwabe 10) Random bits 'n' pieces... by Rainbow 11) Re: braid by "Rhiannon Shadowsong" 12) spells by "Rhiannon Shadowsong" 13) 'Lendel/Stefen; Fluff by Lynne Walker 14) Braid attempt. by MacFey ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 06:53:19 PDT From: "Raven Darkblade" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Stefen Message-ID: <19981014135320.28236.qmail-+AT+-hotmail.com> <> All right, folks. Assume with me for a moment that, instead of discussing people, we are discussing characters in a book. :) There is nothing *wrong* with being a suicidally unstable mage--and nobody ever said Tylendel didn't have good *reason* to be suicidally unstable--but consider what would have happened if Tylendel had a) not died or b) returned as himself. If he had not died, Vanyel may very well have not been Chosen. If Vanyel was not Chosen, there would be no story. If he had not died and Van had still been Chosen, we would have a lifebond consisting of two powerful, sucidally unstable mages. Consider Vanyel's hypothesis in Winds, that a lifebond is ideally made up of one highly Gifted, unstable member and one more mundane, stable member, thereby balancing each other out and keeping the Gifted-and-unstable one from going postal or committing suicide. Previous to 'Lendel's inadvertent blasting of Van's channels with Gate-energy, Van was the unGifted-and-stable member of the lifebond. Had 'Lendel lived, they'd probably have both gone insane, and one or both would have eventually suicided. Again, not much of a story. Had 'Lendel come back as himself, he would have either had to have gotten over his instability--and I'd like to hear a suggestion as to how that would happen, because I can't think of one--or the same problem would occur. If upon his return 'Lendel was not Chosen and remembered his past life--my money's on either bitterness or guilt and self-condemnation, which Van most assuredly did *not* need. If he was not Chosen and did not remember--what is left is basically Stefen. Voila. If he was Chosen, there would be nobody to shake Vanyel from his must-kill-Leareth fixation, and they'd both more than likely wind up dead. Still, not much of a story. Tylendel had his points, all right--but Vanyel is the main character of the story, and Vanyel didn't need another Tylendel. He needed a Stefen to keep him alive and sane. The words, my friends, are 'plot device'. Zha'hai'allav'a, Raven Darkblade, Holy Hand of the Goddess of Elves, Card-Carrying Bitch, Renegade Sarcastic Person, Reluctant Romantic, Member of the Mistic Circle, Outrider and Bearer of the Darkblade, Knight and Founding Member of the Order of Unsung Heroes, Advocator of Eldan, Champion of Kethra and Hyllarr, and Devotee of Maclyn; and Mor the raven, her familiar. abbykat-+AT+-hotmail.com http://www.angelfire.com/ky/Ashke/ http://www.elfwood.com/lothlorien/artists/laughlin/laughlin.html/ http://dragonlance.justbecause.org/ ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 10:42:21 -0400 From: "Judy L. Wood" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Braid Message-ID: <3624B84C.4DC5D008-+AT+-BellSouth.Net> SXorceress-+AT+-aol.com wrote: > In a message dated 10/12/98 7:57:29 PM Pacific Daylight Time, > grenslde-+AT+-nbnet.nb.ca writes: > > > <> > > If that were so, the Shin'a'in would have no reason to protect the > > enspelled artifacts of the Silent Mage, nor would Valdemar have that web > > thingy, and countless other things like that. Spells theat are permenant, > as > > the shield may have been, don't vanish, but those the mage is maintaining > > with his or her magic at the time leave with the life energy of the one > > sustaining them. > > Really. I always thought that they spells would go down after the mage died, > because that was why they kept schools and such so that the spell could be > bound to more than one person, and I really think i remember that someone said > something about Urtho never moving too far because he needed to stay near his > spells. Well, maybe not Urtho, but i remember something that firesong said > about a "great mage" never being able to go for from his spells. I though of > Urtho, but I don't know. He was speaking in general. Really, Im not too sure > this is accurate, cuase i dont run over the my shelf and re read the book just > cuase, but I just thought i'd day. =). There are contradictions and exceptions to every rule. In the room that houses the Heartstone in Haven, the shields that were set up in Vanyel's day are still there. The reason Urtho did not move too far was that he had it set up that if he went far away,or died, the tower would be destroyed. That was in case they had to evacuate, he hoped that it would kill most of Ma'ar's soldiers and hopefully Ma'ar himself. **************************************************************** About Stef and 'Lendel. I was not a big fan of either. There were many ways 'Lendel could have handled the situation with his twin (before twin was killed) and the enemy. Stef reminds me of a child. Physically mature, but the mental maturity of a child. I don't know why, but he does. I wish Misty had let the character evolve a little more, it could be that he was so 2 dimensional it was hard for me to warm up to him. I think Jervis had more personality. ******************************************************************* About Matthew Shepard, It is hard to believe that people can be so cruel to another human being. I think that killing the two murderers, however, would be too good for them. I hope they get Life without possibility of parole. In prison, their dance cards will be filled for quite a while. Not to be vengeful, but they kill someone for being gay, a just punishment is when they get to prison and become somebody's plaything. Judy -- "Insanity takes its toll.....Please have exact change" "Where the hell are the singin' cats?" -- Paul Newman "Surely, you can't be serious!" "I am serious, and don't call me Shirley" ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 10:47:06 -0400 (EDT) From: Becky Cary To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Stefen Message-ID: Been trying to stay out of this debate, but I can't help myself. On Wed, 14 Oct 1998, Tylendel Dotzauer wrote: > >I have considered the situation. Surely you aren't trying to deny that > >Tylendel was unstable, suicidal, or a mage? He was all three of those > >things. > > Of course he is all three of those things. I never said he wasn't. I'm > just saying that life wasn't all peas and carrots for him. PLUS he wasn't > ALWAYS suicidal and unstable; merely after Staven's death. Kapish? Ok, Ty, Cennydd never said that there wasn't a reason for Tylendel being unstable, etc. He merely stated the fact. Life gets ugly for many people; not all of them snap and become mass-homicidal. Don't get me wrong, I liked 'Lendel. But I wouldn't want 'Lendel to come back as himself, either. WAY too much baggage there.... it would screw up Van, it would screw up the Collegium -- a lot of things would be tangled and hurting. (I know Cennydd can stick up for himself; I just had to wade into this one.) Also, as a sideline: It's never a good idea to condescend to anyone on the list in general; it's just rude. It's particularly never a good idea to condescend to the Mage of Green Silences. > >And, btw, no I wouldn't be suicidal in that situation. Been there, didn't > >do that, not going to. > > You've had a twin die in your head? No offense, but I've yet to hear of > that happening.... Not everything must be taken absolutely literally. The reasonable interpretation of that statement is that he has experienced great and traumatic personal loss or suffering that is somehow analogous to the subject under discussion. (Such as, in the discussion of whether or not listmembers would want to be Chosen a "been there, done that, not going back" wouldn't literally mean you'd had a blue-eyed white horse come up and offer to be your eternal soulmate; it would just mean you'd previously had occasion to be in a position of extreme personal responsibility and risk, and didn't think you were cut out for it.) Let me point out that he immediately went on to explain what he meant by that statement. Also as a side note, japing at someone else's expression of pain is not very polite either. (snippage of Cennydd's bit on his views of suicide) > Suicide is personal choice. I have been on the brink more times than most > people I know, and for some reason I have not gone through with it. Though > in my experiences, what should be the worst seems to just get worse. But > hopefully my life is not parallel to yours. I would be willing to bet that a fair number of the people on this list have been at that point at least once in their lives, some probably more. I'm one of them, but that hardly makes me a)unusual or b)an expert. My opinion: Suicide is a personal choice. An extremely selfish personal choice. A classmate of mine in high school killed herself our junior year. Her little brother was a classmate of my little sister. What that did to him doesn't bear describing. 'Lendel's actions caused Savil to lose a pupil who was almost a son to her, Vanyel to lose his lifebonded when he was barely a teenager, his family to lose _two_ sons, the Collegium to lose a much-beloved friend, and his country to lose a critical guardian and protector. Yes, he had reasons; yes, we know his motivations; no, I'm not saying he was a monster or a bad person. He did, however, make an extremely bad decision. > >Actually, one of my pet peeves with the whole 'Lendel/Stefen thing is that > >I think Misty copped out with her idea to have Stef by 'Lendel's > >reincarnation. I would have liked things much better if he had been his > >own person. He was such a cool person (of all her characters in that > >series, he was one of the few I felt like I could have liked in real > >life--and yes, as any oldbie on the list can tell you, I really, REALLY do > >not like Vanyel). I felt robbed when Misty started hinting that Stef was > >not just himself. > > Ok, wait one cotton-picking minute!!! > You're telling me in one breath that Tylendel is an unstable suicidal mage, > and then you're saying you really really like him?? I'm confused... > And why hate Van? I'm just curious... I can relate to him in most cases, > though I've never especially loved him... just wondered... Again, for starters, this is really unnecessary rudeness. On to content... A. Calling someone an "unstable suicidal mage" does not preclude liking. Tylendel _was_ an unstable suicidal mage. I liked him. (I thought he screwed up royally, but I liked him.) B. Cennydd wasn't saying he really really liked Tylendel. He was saying that about Stef. Stef was a different person, even though it was the same spirit reincarnated. Really connecting with a character and then finding out that it's just an old character returned is a bit of a rude awakening. (I felt something similar about the whole Ma'ar/Leareth/Falconsbane thing. Not that I really liked or connected with any of them, just that I thought it was a cop-out to have them all be inhabited by the same spirit.) C. Cennydd never said he hated Vanyel. Not liking, disliking, and hating are three distinct things. As to why, you might check the archives for one of his old posts explaining the reasons. > > And she *knew* better; she encapsulated the very things > >I disliked in her reasons that Van should never be told that Stef was > >possibly 'Lendel returned. > > If he was told, don't you think he would react to Stef differently? > Wouldn't he try to talk to 'Lendel through Stef? Wouldn't that backfire? I think this comment misses the point. He's not saying that Vanyel should be told about it. He's saying that his reasons for disliking the reincarnation bit are nicely summed up in the "reasons for not telling Vanyel" bit. > Savil grows on me every time I read the book... although it seemed to take > her awhile to warm up to Van... Justifiably. It would take me an age or two to warm up to the little brat Savil first meets. (Yes, I know that Van's not really a brat, that he has internal reasons for acting the way he does, namely self-protection, etc etc, but although we know that, Savil doesn't.) But yeah, she's a very cool character. Ok, one more point for anyone who has bothered to read this far: I've noticed lately a lot of replies to posts that consist of a three- or four-line statement at the top of the message, followed by the entire text of the original message with no further commentary. Please, delete as much as possible of the messages you're replying to. It saves your listmembers the time and bother of having to wade through a bunch of irrelevant text, and it decreases the load on Vanyel, our beloved server. It also helps keep the length of the digests down, and that's a good thing. About to be late to class, Becky -------------- In general, France is a safe travel destination, though travelers are advised that, from time to time, it is invaded by Germany. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 10:52:33 -0400 From: efluharty-+AT+-juno.com (Ellen K Fluharty) To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Stefen Message-ID: <19981014.105234.3966.0.efluharty-+AT+-juno.com> Raven Darkblade wrote: "The words, my friends, are 'plot device'." LOL......:-) I have to agree......Tylendel and Stefen are both essential to the plot. No Stefen, different story, more tylendel, different story, and probably neither story as good as the original. As far as the "if your twin died in your head" thing.....I have an identical twin...we are as different as night and day, but we still share a bond that is strong....and I know, without a doubt, if my twin were murdered, died in her sleep, any way that she died, that she would NOT want me to become suicidal over it, or (if she herself were murdered) murder innocents in revenge. (Now, putting the bastard on death row would be a main priority.....ahem, anyway....) If Tylendel hadn't been unstable, he probably would have realized that, that was not what his twin wanted. (All of this talking about Vanyel makes me want to go out and buy my own copies of the books. I read a friends copies around 8 years ago, and it has just been TOO LONG!) Fuzzy Wuzzy Peace-Loving Sheep for Everyone........ P.S. Love the new tree..... Ellen shena Liha'irden Lady in Green Keeper of Ingrid the Boogie Woogie Beanie Sheep (Who Supports Ingrid Blythe in Canada For World Domination) ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 10:57:14 -0400 From: "Old Nicodemus" To: Subject: RE: dyslexic? Message-ID: <000601bdf782$ee05ab40$904d82d0-+AT+-oldnic> > Well, I'm not dyslexic (at least not that I would know...) but I > don't always > read names right.... Well, I know that when I first read The Hobbit I went through the entire book and the First Book of the LotR calling poor old Bilbo "Biblo". Nowadays I think I do the "insert code" thing that Lex does without even thinking about it, not because Im dyslexic but because I dont have to waste time while reading sitting there and trying to twist my mind around a name (Im a MASSIVE Lovecraft fan, so the "code" is almost a must!!! ) on Owlsight artwork: > I agree totally... I thought for someone who's mean to be > beautiful it was a > horrible picture... and i HATE the one of Kero at the back Agreed on the topic of Shandi (Master Dixon forgive me!!!). It looked nothing like the book described her. However I wonder if the pic was supposed to represent the maturing she underwnet at Havens??? As for Kero, *sigh* I was never able to get a good mental image of her so any pic I see I take with a grain of salt..."oh, yeah that *could* be her." Lex also mentioned a pic of Darian in Owlsflight. Well switiching to Owlsight, I thought the pic of Darian was great, my prob was with Kuari! I thought he'd be....bigger? from the look of him in the pic he looks to be about the size of a snowy owl that hasnt reached full growth yet. *shrug* I could be wrong though, Im no raptor expert. on the wedding ceremony: > > That really was very touching... the sort of thing I wouldn't > mind having if > I was ever going to marry... something non-religious and just... > well... so > well formed really... It was very very cool. Each partner being held equal in each others eyes and the eyes of their fellows. I dunno, I could consider it *very* religious (to borrow OB1's famous line) "from a certain point of view". And finally my own question *the little rat glances 'round hoping to to appease the deity-like Councilors*: Anyone know of any references to "weird beasties" from the Empire? Im sure that the proliferation (sp?!) of magick makes extermination an incredibly easy thing. **FLUFF******************** the little rat dances out of the shadows, a strange red-haired, apron bedecked doll in his arms, and his face a-light with joy. Despite his venerable age, he swings the doll around and through a complicated jig humming the "Ballydesmond Set" while nimbly avoiding amazed ferrits, confused sheep, snickering cats, and the billowing hems of gowns and cloaks. Stopping when he and his partner bump into the legs of Kalen's majestic steed (and receiving a baleful glance from the much larger creature) he waves excitedly at all in the Halls unable to contain his moment of joy. WOOOHOO!!!! I found my Coca-cola bear coffee mug!!! Old Nic happy boy!!! Bowing to the horse, and dipping the red haired doll till her yarn spun curls touch the floor, the little rat slides into another round of wild gyrations and reels down the Halls causing many bored sheep to yelp in surprise and make desperate attempts to get out of his way. ************************************************************************ "Could be so far we've only earned the right to barely see."                  --"Onslaught" Blues Traveler Old Nicodemus, KoF, OLW, OiB, SiAg, ALOOFF Champion Avenger of the Goddess of Elves and Unicorns http://www.se-tel.com/~cdi ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 09:04:23 -0700 (PDT) From: MacFey To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Stefen Message-ID: <19981014160423.28108.rocketmail-+AT+-send1d.yahoomail.com> Ok, I rarely like to jump in the middle of a discussion but--- ---Tylendel Dotzauer and Elsa wrote: > >Tylendel was unstable, suicidal, or a mage? He was all three of those > >things. > > PLUS he wasn't > ALWAYS suicidal and unstable; merely after Staven's death. Kapish? > > > > You've had a twin die in your head? No offense, but I've yet to hear of > that happening.... > > > > >Ty's response to > >> I'm just saying that the interpretation of Tylendel coming back in Stefan > >> was probably not what I would have done had I written it. > > > >Actually, one of my pet peeves with the whole 'Lendel/Stefen thing is that > >I think Misty copped out with her idea to have Stef by 'Lendel's reincarnation. I would have liked things much better if he had been his own person. He was such a cool person (of all her characters in that > >series, he was one of the few I felt like I could have liked in real life--and yes, as any oldbie on the list can tell you, I really, REALLY do not like Vanyel). I felt robbed when Misty started hinting that Stef was not just himself. > > Ok, wait one cotton-picking minute!!! > You're telling me in one breath that Tylendel is an unstable suicidal mage, > and then you're saying you really really like him?? I'm confused... > And why hate Van? I'm just curious... I can relate to him in most cases, > though I've never especially loved him... just wondered... > > > > Savil grows on me every time I read the book... although it seemed to take > her awhile to warm up to Van... > > -ty > OK... actually taking the whole reincarnation thing into perspective and the fact that 'lendel and stevan (sp?) were in fact twins, does anyone else stop to consider the possibility that while twins are closer than normal brothers (especially in this case) that possibly before 'lendel could in fact do what he was supposed to do (support van in every way) the two halves of a whole had to be reunited thus the murder and suicide and reincarnation of 'lendel as stefan? (name sound close to familiar?????) anyway just my take on the situation. now that I got that out of my system --- who cares if 'lendel was a suicidal, unstable mage? (Aren't most mages at least a little unstable?) He was a great character and a likeable one (even lovable) and I missed (and even cried) him when he died. Having little flashes of him back through the dreams was great, but stefan had just enough of 'lendel's charm to make his character more real. 'lendel was like a james dean... you know deep in your heart they're too good to be true or too true to last. He did what he was supposed to do... gave van a damn good reason for pleasing the gods or whatever so he could be reunited with his lover, forever. PS I would love to be a mage and I'm as suicidal and unstable as they come!!!! == I don't suffer insanity, I enjoy every minute of it! Wind To Thy Wings.... MacFey _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free -+AT+-yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 09:12:55 PDT From: "Jennifer M. Shultz" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: thus and such Message-ID: <19981014161257.29786.qmail-+AT+-hotmail.com> Heyla All! Okay, I had to add my $0.02 on the SAT/ACT stuff. I promise I'll have an OBMisty by the end . . . >Greg: > >>College admissions are based on many factors; ACT and SAT >test scores >>are only two factors. (Different colleges will weigh the >different >>factors differently....) >>While the ACT is primarily a test of one's knowledge, the >SAT is more >>of an intelligence test. It tests reasoning ability, the >ability to >>see patterns, and so forth -- in addition to mathematical >knowledge and >>English vocabulary. In fact, Mensa allows admission based >on SAT scores, >>if you're within the top 2%, since it is partially an IQ >test. >>(My own scores were 780 Math and 680 Verbal. That >qualified for Mensa's >>admission last time I checked, around 1990. But I don't >remember what >>the cut-off point was.) > >YOU HAD A 1460?? Damn... >I don't know... I think most colleges put a lot of weight on SAT and ACT >scores. I know it's not *all* that counts, but most, since it is the same >for everyone who takes it, you could call it "the great equalizer" -- >although on any given day, anyone could have a good or bad day, be thinking >one thing instead of another, etc etc. I just don't think it's the best >way to test people. Not that I can think of a better one, though. ;-) Okay, I just have to say that the SAT and ACT don't have as much weight as people think . . . I scored decently high on both, but ended up at a state school anyway because my GPA was only a 2.5 and I had few extra-curricular activities. Let's see, now I need an OBMisty, right? Hmmmmm, What character (main or side) from Misty's books would you be, and why? And what would you do differently as that character? I think I'd like to be Talia. I really identified with her as I have with no other character in any book. I mean, my home-life was and still is much happier than hers, but I didn't fit in well in the area I was raised (see the dialogues on reading and others reaction to that). If I were Talia, I'd definately have been reading a bit more on my gift (I'm infinately curious, especially with things that affect me) and I probably would have made friends with one of the female instructors right off, I tend to do that. Of course, then there isn't much of a plot left, is there? :) Jennifer Collector of unicorns and stuffed kitty-kats, and formerly bond-mate of Callie :( ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 09:19:30 -0700 (PDT) From: MacFey To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Serrated Message-ID: <19981014161930.17559.rocketmail-+AT+-send1e.yahoomail.com> can someone send me a list of the books in this series. Please. == I don't suffer insanity, I enjoy every minute of it! Wind To Thy Wings.... MacFey _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free -+AT+-yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 19:58:43 +0300 From: Tatjana Schwabe To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Longwinded mail Message-ID: <3624D843.E1F38944-+AT+-usa.net> Silveyrna wrote: > > I don't usually "invite" myself into fantasy books -- although I've > > been known to do that on occasion. More often I do the opposite -- > > I daydream of what would happen if certain characters were suddenly > > transported into *my* world. > > I've never done that. I actually have this little universe spinning around in my > Me neither..... somehow I don't like mixing fantasy and reality.... not even the books about it - I absolutely LOVE Eddings, but I've never read his reality - ficiton ones.... Maybe it's just because I know it can't happen and I just get too depressend thinking about it.... > Feist drives me up the wall tho. Why is Midkemia perpetually involled in a war? > (Waah! he killed off Jimmy! *sob* And Arutha died of OLD AGE :P :P) He din't!!! He can't have!!! Not Jimmy!! You mean Jimmy the Hand?? DEAD?? And Arutha died of old age? There seems to be a lot of books out there that I missed...... > I hate living in SE Asia. I swear if I ever pass Uni I'll get a job in an > english speaking country with a reasonable supply of books. Do you know how HARD > it is to get fantasy books here? Hm, I know what you mean...... I can order everything, but just going into a bookshop, looking at the odd book, just looking at new titles and authors.... bliss! At least on this list I get to know about all the books I missed.... and at the moment I'm in Finland = lots of fantasy books at suomalainen kirjakauppa - but the prices!!! Horrible! It's like hell.... paradise before your eyes but unattainable.... Reading Raven Darkblade's reason for not having Tylendel back.... much too logical for my peace of mind...... I don't care!! It would have been nice..... Although you might be right of course.... but still... it would have been nicer..... And who says they would have had to be an unstable pairing?? They could have both grown..... not all lifebondings are between talented and non-talented (or are they and I just missed it?!) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 17:49:52 +0100 From: Rainbow To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Random bits 'n' pieces... Message-ID: A teenaged girl enters the Halls slightly wearily. "I hate RL... Mock GCSEs in 6 weeks..." She sighs. "Thank Havens I have the 'net to relax with..." She closes her eyes in relief as she splashes cold water on her face from the rippling springs. Dee'rina whickers as she sees her friend. :Come on Rain,: Dee grins. :Let's get some food.: Rainbow chuckles as she tosses back her long white hair, crystal strands shimmering in the light. "OK." She smiles and rests her hand on her friend's shoulder as they walk towards the food. If anyone has Turnpike and needs help braiding I can help... >I don't usually "invite" myself into fantasy books -- although I've >been known to do that on occasion. More often I do the opposite -- >I daydream of what would happen if certain characters were suddenly >transported into *my* world. > > >ObMisty: I think the last Misty character I've "invited" into my world >was... uh... Kerowyn. I don't remember the details, though -- like a >dream, it's usually hard/impossible to remember months/years later. > *grins* I'm not the only one who does that?!? Wow... *smiles* I have a /huge/ world... *sigh* Last count of people that I can reel the names off the top off my head (and species, vampire, tayledras, witch, shapeshifter, 'shifter-born, avatar, human, etc...) was about 240 odd... *g* That includes most Misty characters etc... *grins* Stefen and 'Lendel as two different people... *giggles* I'm trying to write a story atm set in my world... *grins* The problem is trying not to include characters or types of characters copywrited... *grins* Luckily I can use different terms other than 'shenedra' (can't spell!) i.e. blood-sister, and no 'major' people in my world are tayledras or Heralds, any Companions are just friends... *shrugs* I've only written one chapter... it's a werewolf story with a twist... *shrugs* Anyone know how to copywrite a story? Do you just put 'Copywrite '? Um... on the 'Lendel/Stef debate TLHM was the first time I was introduced to shaych characters and it was a bit strange... I loved 'Lendel, but prefered Stefen... Stef was a bit more, showy, and fun... I like the scene where he was nearly tearing his hair out too... I was nearly crying in the last scene of MPrice... I've managed to get someone else hooked on Misty *grins* They don't understand my facination with Firesong tho'... *sigh* I /love/ the pic in WoChange of him... *sighs and wonders about photocopying it and sticking it in her locker, or is that not allowed?* Oh yes... Anyone else seem to use 'Havens' 'shaych/shay'a'chern' 'ashke' and 'ke'chara' in their everyday thoughts? I do... *sheepish smile* Totally annoys people... I prefer the word 'shaych' rather than 'gay'... Gay used to be a name and is a term of merriment, happiness... As if shaych people are a bit too happy-go-lucky (I'm not insulting anyone it's just that I don't like the term!) Anyone ever work out what 'shay'a'chern' meant exactly? I know it's 'one whose lover is like ones self' but exactly translated it means what? Doesn't 'shay' mean like 'gay' in english? So would 'kreth'ashke' be lifebonded for non-shaych couples? (I just like dissecting funny languages!) OK, this is long enough! http://www.leightons.demon.co.uk/index.htm 'If you want the Rainbow, _.-~-._ 'I ain't flawed, I'm just a you gotta put up with _.~ _ ~~~ _ ~._ diamond cut in a unique way.' the rain.' ,~ _ ~ -~- ~ _ ~, / /~ /~ RAINBOW ~\ ~\ \ ~Dolly Parton | | | |/-~-\| | | | ~ Tristan 'I don't take offence... I take revenge!' ~ M'lady (Wishbone) telnet://ewtoo.org:2345 (Valdemar (not necesserily Mercedes Lackey), my favourite talker!) ZHAI'HELLEVA! (and I know my sig is getting too long!) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 11:59:11 PDT From: "Rhiannon Shadowsong" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: braid Message-ID: <19981014185913.3430.qmail-+AT+-hotmail.com> FLUFF--- ::A tall woman in green leathers shuffles into the room. Slumped in a chair she shouts, "Why is everyone so !$^!&#%& stupid! We just did Beowulf, and there are people who think that this really happened, and that it was written down by a first person observer, and want to know how a person can swiim in chainmail and armor. Fools, all!" She flushes a little. "Sorry, had to vent." END FLUFF-- MacFey >> Anyway, sorry so short. I took the SAT this morning, and I finished >> every single section with 10-15 min to spare. And will they let me >pull >> out a book to read? No. I get to stare at the noisy pepsi machines >> they seated me next to. Bah. > > >next time doodle bad pictures in the margins of the booklets it >drives the people who have to double check them crazy.... especially >the math sections. >== Hehehe. When I took the English AP test, I found a large blank space and wrote this rant about how the silence and boredom was driving me mad. There was a rough draft in the green pages, which my english teacher read. d'oh! I'd worked so hard convincing him a was a normal person and not to be bothered... Then I contented myself with writing song lyrics from "La Vie Boheme" next to the rough draft. That was bad. But it was the end of the year, and Mr Meriweather isn't afraid of me anymore, thank goodness. Maybe he'll write an interesting letter of recommendation for me... Ellen: >sometimes I just want to scream at everyone until >they >listen.....but they wouldn't listen, I would just be branded insane >and >nicely locked up somewhere. That's what web pages and anonymous posters are for. =) ::Strolls casually up to Jan.:: Welcome to the list! :: A bucket mysteriously appears and Rhiannon pours it over her head. Rhiannon waves her hand and the water on the floor is gone.:: I'm cleaning up after myself..hehehe. You have now been sploshed! ::she announces.:: Don't worry, damp nebies can always find a friendly person with towels. Ty: >Moving on, I would like to ask that if you HEARD >in >YOUR HEAD YOUR OWN TWIN *DIE*, would you not be a little bit >unstable? >Let's think on this now and then you can get back with me. Add to >that, if >your companion REPUDIATED YOU, and SUICIDED, and you WATCHED, all >after >YOUR OWN TWIN DIED IN YOUR HEAD, would you not be even SLIGHTLY >SUICIDAL??? >Consider the situation, please. Thank you. 0:-) I'm gong to get smacked, but I'll say it anyway. You gotta think about it, he brought everything after Staven's death on himself. He was mad, but that doesn't change the fact that he was doing something very wrong that would have killed dozens to hundreds of innocent people. Unleashing wyrsa? Gah! ::shudders convulsively:: Not that I'm saying he had no right to be suicidal, but ya'll (I'm from the South. hee) seem to be implying that he was an innocent victim of circumstance. If he had just spoken to someone, ANYONE, everything would have been ok. If Savil had known about his tie to Staven, all of this would have been prevented. There was a big secretive streak in Lendel, and that's what caused a lot of his troubles. Now I'm going to go slink into a corner, change into the black silks I normally wear, and pull one of my disappearing acts. And for safety's sake, I'll put up one of those physical protection shields in case of thrown rocks. Zai'helleva, Rhiannon Shadowsong Elf-Girl Mage in Training Friend to Faeries ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 12:19:40 PDT From: "Rhiannon Shadowsong" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: spells Message-ID: <19981014191940.29363.qmail-+AT+-hotmail.com> Hmm, someone (judy?) mentioned about exceptions to rules and Van's spells and shields. That isn't really an exception because they did fade. All spells fade, just to different degrees. The permanant ones are just that, but all the ones that are still tied to their makers fade on a normal basis. It's just that Van tied his spells into stuff, so they faded really slowly. And theres that part in the winds (fury?) where Stef mentions that Van htought they would all have faded, but then someone else, perhaps Nyara, replies "maybe he's a better mage than he gives himself credit for". Or something like that. Rhiannon Shadowsong ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 13:33:08 -0700 (PDT) From: Lynne Walker To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: 'Lendel/Stefen; Fluff Message-ID: <19981014203308.9523.rocketmail-+AT+-send201.yahoomail.com> Good Afternoon, Listsibs I've been watching the 'Lendel/Stef debate with interest & I thought I would throw my 2 cents in. IMHO, I like Stef much better than 'Lendel , however, that may be because there was more of Stef in the books. I found him to be more rounded than 'Lendel - as if 'Lendel has only one purpose -- to blast Van's channels open & then exit stage right. ***FLUFF*** The dark-haired lady steps into the middle of the Halls of Myst, clears her throat and announces "Beloved Listsibs, I will have to postpone your wonderful debates soon, as I will be without Computer Access for a while. Also, while I have your attention," she gracefully walks over to the Mage of Green Silences and kneels in front of him "Oh Great Mage, I realize that RL often has you in thrall, but I beg of you to accept this petition & pledge of one tonne of your favorite flavour of sheep that I be named Goddess of Masques. If you have already recieved this petition & are working your arcane mysteries, pray forgive me." Rising before him, she turns & walks out of the Hall, pausing on the way to whisper to Old Nicodemus, with a grin & a wink, "Save me a dance for when I return to these hallowed halls!" ***END FLUFF*** Well, that was more fluff than I usually write. However, it will be a while before I'm back. If anybody has any tips about traveling with dogs & three-year-olds, feel free to email me off-list until Friday, Oct. 16. Lady Starlight (Soon to be hopefully) Goddess of Masques == "Just Breathe..." _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free -+AT+-yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 15:38:04 -0700 (PDT) From: MacFey To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Braid attempt. Message-ID: <19981014223804.11428.rocketmail-+AT+-send101.yahoomail.com> heyla, O.k. here goes.... (first off braiding with yahoo is damn near impossible just so you know....) about being chosen- I think I would like to be the companion, you know guide my bonded through life and I get to pick who it is. Be the support to the unstable mage thing going on... I could do that. Kero and whites - A herald gets their whites when they have learned in their hearts the love of a herald... at the end of LHM Bk 1 van gets his whites but still has some training to do, he never wore greys either. me/them -- I love these little bits of fluff... mine goes sort of like this me: sitting somewhere book propped up on knees reading. them: uggg! how can you read that stuff? me: (looking up innocently from behind the volume) What you don't read the classics? (I flip the book mark in place and close the book to look at the cover) Last time I checked War and Peace was on the required reading list. them: aren't you normal, don't you read paperbacks? me: not on the required list. ( a shake of the head) they walk off wondering if I'm ever going to be normal and I reopen the book and begin reading... PS - I was not allowed fantasy in my home (religious home, religious school) so I hollowed out a copy of War and Peace and stuck the paperbacks in there... rubber cement and a bookmark and you're set. lifebonds - I think lifebonds are cool, but I also think it would be very interesting to see one between two people who practically hated one another... they are based on strong emotion right? An especially evil plot twist would make them sworn enemies who, by predestinaion, both have to be alive for this major humanity saving event to pull it off (like van and stef/lendel). Judy wrote -- About Matthew Shepard, It is hard to believe that people can be so cruel to another human being. I think that killing the two murderers, however, would be too good for them. I hope they get Life without possibility of parole. In prison, their dance cards will be filled for quite a while. Not to be vengeful, but they kill someone for being gay, a just punishment is when they get to prison and become somebody's plaything. With this I have to agree whole heartedly, better yet, just strip them naked, handcuff them to a fence and put out fliers to where they'll be so everyone can get a chance at them! (apologies, vengeance is an ugly thing.) Silveyrna wrote -- about bringing characters out of books and into the real world - I've never done that. I actually have this little universe spinning around in my brain and what I usually do is open up a portal or rift or something, then imagine the reactions. Or I do it between two books. I blithely melded Valdemar and RE Feist's Midkemia. *evil chuckle* Elves meet Tayledras. That'd be fun. They get to see who can out-mysterious each other. This is probably why I'm an imsomniac. You know when I was younger I used to set my alarm clock for 2 in the morning so I could wake up, do some day (night?) dreaming without being interupted. Is all right, I'm not sane. You get used to it. And here I was thinking I was one of the few who did that. I actually use some of that my universe meets fictional characters (and non fictional) for writing assignments and journal entries for school. Lets just say my teachers thought I was weird. I'm currently keeping a daily journal about a vampire(me) living in the real world (or my universe) and how he copes with life (or death). My instructor is not appreciative of the content (Dain is gay), but does appreciate the humor with which I'm taking his class. I just hope to pass. Has anyone read Lynn Flewelling's (or whatever her name is)'Stalking Darkness'? Or was it 'Darkness Stalking'? Or uh, 'Stalking the Darkness'? Anyway, you get the general gist of the title. Now is it just me or does the main character in there just shout Vanyel at you? Manic depressive, Stefen-like lover, too handsome to be true... If you figure it out let me know. Please. Rainbow wrote -- Oh yes... Anyone else seem to use 'Havens', 'shaych/shay'a'chern' 'ashke', and 'ke'chara' in their everyday thoughts? I do... *sheepish smile* Totally annoys people... I prefer the word 'shaych' rather than 'gay'... Gay used to be a name and is a term of merriment, happiness... As if shaych people are a bit too happy-go-lucky (I'm not insulting anyone it's just that I don't like the term!) I do. Drives my friends crazy, my but bud who knows about my orientation (I'm not compleat+ly out, but am getting better) introduced me to a friend, whom I told I was shaych (you know to get it out in the open... oh, you don't understand Tayladaras(sp?) my bad.) He thought it was a religious order or something, we got along just fine. Question has anyone heard the term yashin before, somehow it worked it's way into my vocabulary and I don't remember from where (or exactly what it means). personal note -- I'm 19 and a first semester freshman at a university in Virginia, USA. I'm not sure what my major is yet but am pushing toward computers, or science, or English... I'm not sure. == I don't suffer insanity, I enjoy every minute of it! Wind To Thy Wings.... MacFey _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free -+AT+-yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ End of MERCEDES-LACKEY Digest 1753 **********************************