MERCEDES-LACKEY Digest 1932 Topics covered in this issue include: 1) Buffy, a couple of questions by "Kalen [One In Black]" <95662014-+AT+-mmu.ac.uk> 2) Re: Buffy, a couple of questions by "You" 3) Re: Buffy, a couple of questions by Jessica Boyette 4) Orchyd's message by "Tim & Tiffanie" 5) Re: [Re: LHM question and fluff] by "Liss T." 6) Re: LHM question and fluff by Danielle May Marrone 7) Re: Question + Book Review by "Li'nia Stormdancer" 8) just a little something by "Kristy Lyseng" 9) Re: Misty's worlds and copyright by "Alexia/Sabrina" 10) "Newbie" by "Dragonfire k' Abington" 11) I'm back, and since half of you don't know me, delete this :) by The Galante Kids 12) an observation by "Marv Watson" 13) Mage-gifts etc. by "Chris Robertson" 14) Re: LHM question and fluff by songrunner-+AT+-juno.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 13:22:07 GMT From: "Kalen [One In Black]" <95662014-+AT+-mmu.ac.uk> To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Buffy, a couple of questions Message-ID: <14BDD14156B4-+AT+-alnilam.mmu.ac.uk> Sorry for this in advance. At the end of season 1 Buffy was bitten by the Master and died, But she was brought back and isn't a vampire. HOW????? Also anyone else agree that Xander [cute] is looking a lot more butch than he did in the first series? Lame ObMisty What is the next book and when is it out? ********************************************** "Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here, we might as well dance." Kalen [OIB] 95662014-+AT+-mmu.ac.uk, uthro-+AT+-hotmail.com http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Rapids/7701/ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 21:54:48 +0800 From: "You" To: Subject: Re: Buffy, a couple of questions Message-ID: <01be84ec$0791da60$3fae15a5-+AT+-heraldtg> :At the end of season 1 Buffy was bitten by the Master and died, But :she was brought back and isn't a vampire. HOW????? that's a question I'd like answered too. I guess it's something like medically dead? she's "dead" in season two, that's where the seconmd slayer comes from... i hope that's not too much of a spoiler Kalen? :Also anyone else agree that Xander [cute] is looking a lot more :butch than he did in the first series? yeah!!!! and there's this part where Xander is mistaken for a gay by this guy in school.... ;p It's the hair... i think. wind to thy wings shadowblade minus the huge sig. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 12:11:14 -0400 From: Jessica Boyette To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Buffy, a couple of questions Message-ID: <37121B22.CE17BA1C-+AT+-worldnet.att.net> Kalen [One In Black] wrote: > > Sorry for this in advance. > > At the end of season 1 Buffy was bitten by the Master and died, But > she was brought back and isn't a vampire. HOW????? > Also anyone else agree that Xander [cute] is looking a lot more > butch than he did in the first series? > Heyla, I tried to reply to this one offlist, but it wouldn't deliver. *sigh* I'm a big fan of Buffy so I can field this one. When Buffy was bitten by the master, she wasn't drained to death, she fell in the pool and drowned. Xander brought her back with CPR. Since she wasn't actually killed by a vampire bite, she didn't become a vamp. And I totally agree about Xander. I think it was going out with Cordelia that made him so butch. You'd have to be tough to be with her! obMisty: Do you ever wish you had one of the Evlensteeds? I always have, especially now. A window just fell on my car!!! Freaky, huh? It was a storm window too. Just *CRASH* came right down. There was no damage, but I'm totally freaked! Who is your favorite character from Bedlam's Bard? I love Elizabet. Yeah, I know she belongs more to Ellen Guon, but I really like her. BB! Earthsong ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 11:45:30 -0500 From: "Tim & Tiffanie" To: "Misty List" Cc: "Tim and Tiffanie" Subject: Orchyd's message Message-ID: <005a01be8503$f70d6980$9bb6bfa8-+AT+-tiffanie> Dear Listsibs, After reading Orchyd's post, I wanted to point out a few things and say my piece...please bear with me...or skip this post, perhaps, instead. I am not, herein, advocating role playing games based on Misty's world, nor am I speaking out against them. I have a different point to make and I hope it may be well taken. Orckyd wrote, >>I attempted just recently to start a discussion list much like this >>one in the States. I submitted the site to a web-ring owner, who undoubtedly >>forwarded the request to Russ Galen, Mercedes Lackey's Literary Agent, >>because only two days after requesting being added to the ring, I received >>the following email: I took this to largely be a threat by the lawyers. Whether or not a discussion list such as this may exist I am not sure, on a legal basis, and the question may in fact be in flux considering the development of web law in its presently nascent state. Copyright law is much more standardized and comes complete with a growing body of precedent to make determinations from, but I am not a copyright lawyer either. What I am sure of is that lawyers have a professional responsibility to represent their client. Some lawyers have been known to take this to extremes and make threats and threaten legal action to frighten off actions by others which might actually be legal or which are at least within an unexplored or nebulous area of the law. The practice of using the fears of the burden of a civil law suit on a person is, in my opinion, a very unprofessional tactic, despite its precedent of use....(it is also by the way also very difficult to prove that was the intent) but is a very effective one. I am not saying that this is what is occurring here by these lawyers whomever they may be, they most likely are much more experienced with copyright law than I. I do, however, feel that this message was intended to intimidate and, by its tone is quite degrading to the intellect of myself as a reader of it and a member of a list such as this, or as a reader of Ms Lackeys works who might have a question in the future, including many legitimate business questions. . Perhaps others feel the same, perhaps not. These people represent Ms. Lackey. They are insulting. This does not make me feel any furtherance of good will toward her and, in fact, lessens my already ebbing desire to read further of her works. >><< This office represents Mercedes Lackey and Larry Dixon. >>Any use of universes or characters created by Lackey or Dixon is prohibited. "use" may be a legal term, but sans that, Are we to suppose reading Ms. Lackey's works are included in the term use? This is an extremely broad statement. Yet, perhaps unjustly, perhaps not, I begin to feel that this is what is desired by Ms. Lacvkey and her representatives. I support her in procuring a livelyhood. I support her in actively protecting her rights. But I have the feeling that the universe(s) she created to create enjoyment for her readers and cause them to purchase her works have, for me at least, become very closed in places with very high walls about, and begin to stifle the very freedom flights of imagination they once caused to be released. >>There are several reasons for this: >>1. It is copyright infringement. Any unauthorized use of intellectual >>property, whether or not for profit, is copyright infringement. This is undoubtedly true. Any unauthorized use. There may be authorized uses which the authors are not thrilled with, various fair use allowances, etc.... or maybe not. Whether there were or not, it seems likely to be strongly contested, and that, I think is the objective here. Deterrance. >>2. The authors are against it. And seem to me to have stated, herein and in the past, some fairly good reasons for it. But, again, such limitations on my imagination and creativity in relation to these works begin to dim my enjoyment of the works. >>Since game-players are so adept at putting >>themselves into the place of fictional characters, please now use this very >>skill to put yourself into the place of the authors and imagine >>what it'slike. This feels quite patronizing to me. >> Knowing that strangers are making use of one's world, one's >>characters, one's creations, is a very unpleasant feeling, one of violation >>and intrusion. At first glance, this seems strange to me. I would think that one writes to allow just such interaction with one's creation. I would take it as the highest form of flattery that someone wished to interact with my world. I am not sure how much sympathy I have for other's non profit manipulation of fictional places persons and things causing a sense of "violation" at first blush. Yet after consideration, I can begin to understand how such might be felt, when the creation one has made begins to take on strange new form and deviate from what one created or from the track one set it to. Still, I would think that words such as "violation" should probably be saved for the description of other, more heinous acts. "Intrusion may well fit though. >>While there are always exceptions, 90% of the 75 SF/fantasy >>writers I represent do not like the whole idea of their works being turned >>into games or other works in which other people enter into the worlds they've >>created. I wonder just how far these authors take this? NO games? No fanfic? No conventions? No discussions? No songs? No craft items? Nothing but stictly observation? Buy the book/work, read it, tune in next time, same bookstand, and try not to think about it too much in between? >>3. There's been a great deal of discussion here as to whether noncommercial >>online games harm commercial game rights. The fact is, we don't know. It >>might have no >>effect, or a ruinous effect. There is ample evidence for both from other >>media I wonder what, and what media? >>, and I don't know the >>answer. Given that uncertainty, we have to err on the side of caution and >>protection. The code of professional responsibility under which lawyers operate requires zealous representation of the client within the limits of the law. >>One day I'll be negotiating a Valdemar electronic rights contract with Sony or Electronic Arts or Time-Warner Interactive. Really? >>Will it bother them that these >>rights have been electronically exploited before, even by a small audience? Question is, is rpg'ing in these worlds "exploiting" these rights electronically? And it would seem likely to me that selling such a thing, done professionally with all the bells and whistles, might be easier if there was already evidence of interest in such a product. Market test complete...or at least an avenue of where to start. >>It might; movie studios will sometimes shy away from making a major film from >>a book if a student or other nonprofit film has already been made based on >>the same book. I can't take the risk, whatever the size of that risk might be, of compromising the >>"virginity" of these valuable rights, in an industry in which such "virginity" is often very >>highly prized. Perhaps the lawyer can't....the author can. >>4. All of us on this side have discussed this and are resolved to take no >>chances with these valuable copyrights, and will vigorously pursue >>all legal means at our disposal. No one should feel that simply because he >>has little money, that being the target of such an procedure would be the >>type of experience one can just shrug off. I'll get you my pretty..... >>Also, any action we might take >>would not be limited to individuals but to the universities, ISPs, internet >>communities, >>and other organizations that permit their equipment and lines to be used for >>this illegal purpose. And your little dog too. No the effects and incovenience of a law suit are very real to pretty much anyone. And especially those who have business to conduct and assets to attach. >>5. Yes, we're greedy and narrow-minded in defense of our clients' ability to >>make a living. They said it. >>This is Mercedes Lackey's job. And if that is the summation of it, then much of the above makes sense. Buy the book, read it, enjoy it or not and forget it it seems to say. Why should this be any different than the daily news paper? Maybe it shouldn't be. But to me, a fantasy author's work invites the mind to the creative. It brings one into a realm where there is much that is bright and grand and sometimes beautiful. It is larger than mundane life. It entices one to become a part of it. And when it does that, to me at leat, I begin to identify with it. Perhaps I should then be constrained to going out and creating and conquering fictional worlds of my own. Or maybe the nature of the work itself lends itself to making one wish to be more a part of it. Maybe this makes the work of a fantasy author somewhat different than that of a newspaper article writer, or the author of an autobiography. I don't know. But I do know that the feelings of rebuffment and ostracization that may be felt by some or even, perhaps, many readers of such works of fiction when they are harshly told to leave the world and not to return unless the author decides in his or her good time to open it up again to them, could easily be as painful as the intrusiveness and even violation mentioned above. >>Anything that threatens her >>ability to make a living is no less an evil than any other >>situation in which an innocent party is forced, by the actions of strangers, >>to fight for her livelihood. If this has become a fight for livelihood rather than a sharing (albeit admittedly for profit) of creativity on the part of some authors, then it it is a different thing to me. If the grandeur I see in a work is for naught but a paycheck, then while I can certainly understand from the perspective of surviving and providing, for me, at least, the grandeur fades from a shared world and story, to just another well or not well written literary work. My recourse is to choose to longer purchase such works, and, perhaps to mention my frustration amongst friends. >>I hate to rob everyone of the obvious pleasure and satisfaction you get from >>these games, but I hope you now realize that the food being served at your >>party is stolen from the people who grew it, who risk privation as a result. I feel this is extraordinarily patronizing and unjustly accusatory in many or even most instances. >>I have the right to be greedy and narrow-minded in opposition to such >>behavior. >> A right to be such things as greedy and narrow-minded has been espoused by many in the history of our world, most of whom I would have no desire to associate with, except to discover how such things often turn to hate and contempt. I have some sympathy for authors who work hard to both be creative and to provide products which will allow them to earn a living. But I must admit, that when I see this sort of thing by anyone, author, representative or anyone else....the glamourie fades. And, frankly, where that might be a good thing in many cases, it could certainly be a death knell for a subject matter that creates its popular appeal by doing just that...creating glamourie And to the Council, I am certainly not advocating that role playing be allowed here on the list for heaven's sake. It would cause obvious problems for Mel. I think it is even a serious respect issue in relation to Misty as well as to Mel's generous hosting. I am just, I guess, airing some frustration with Misty, her reps and some other fantasy authors. Even with valid concerns, they are taking much of the fun out of the genre for me at least, and maybe for some others. A better balance seems to be needed. >>I would like to know if anyone on this list has ever had any problems of this >>ilk discussing Ms. Lackey's books. Thank you for your time, everyone... I >>really hope you can help me. >>And I promise my next post will be about the *books*, not the *author* =) >>Orchyd There have been numerous instances it seems of Misty's representatives as well as Misty being pretty aggressive in this sort of vein. Unpleasant, but there it is. It creates a large, often addressed and quite legitimate fear on the list, which the Councilors often deal with and people discuss. As for a discussion list.... Well, I haven't heard that Mel has recieved any knocks on her door from the large legal types in black for the activities of this list, and that, as well as the fact that it would seem if the legal types >could< shut down this list they would have from the information printed above (I could be wrong). You would need to limit activities of the discussion list to just that...discussion, to the best of my knowledge. Any moves at writing in Misty's world, or roleplaying in her world, will likely push the buttons of the legal types who keep a watch more intensive than a taleydras bond bird. *grin* Carrach ------------------------------ Date: 12 Apr 99 11:08:11 PDT From: "Liss T." To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: [Re: LHM question and fluff] Message-ID: <19990412180813.80.qmail-+AT+-www0n.netaddress.usa.net> Heyla all! Thank you, thank you, thank you, for not flaming me _too_ badly about my comments on HA's voice. "King Chan" wrote: > well, now that you mention it, I think Ma'ar, Leareth, Falconsbane >(whatever name you want to call him) did kill off the ones with >potential. Not to mention that the Mage-Gift was rare to begin with >(even rarer than Firestarting isn't it?) so when Leareth began taking >them out, their numbers really thinned out. As I remember, it's made clear that Leareth is responsible for the deaths of people with mage potential _and_ the current Herald-Mages. Doesn't he even admit it somewhere in Price? I know he created the mage construct (the bird) that killed Sayvil. At least, I think I know...my thrice-cursed books have been in storage for almost the past year. *waaaaahhhh, I want my house back!* On a different note, someone (I don't remember who) wanted to know why Alberich was considered a traitor. The story in Horse Fantastic covers that, although not as much as I wish it did. Think about Karsites and mind magic... Anyways, wind to thy wings, I'm back to work in the coal mines! Liss ********************************************** half_asleep-+AT+-usa.net http://members.tripod.com/half_asleep ********************************************** ____________________________________________________________________ Get free e-mail and a permanent address at http://www.netaddress.com/?N=1 ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 14:24:50 -0400 (EDT) From: Danielle May Marrone To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: LHM question and fluff Message-ID: Starshadow asked: I was jest wondrin' did Misty ever specify why Vanyel was the last Herald-Mage? Did people with the Mage Gift stop being born in Valdemar? Or did the companions just stop Choosing the Mage-Talented? All I seem to remember is that there were just no more Herald-Mages, and no explanation ever as to why not. He put up the defenses against mages around Valdemar, so obviously there were still mages around outside of Valdemar. But what about in Valdemar? Were there no more mages period, or did they all leave cause they felt the vrondi eyes, and never come back, and then those born with gifts after the protection was already up gifts laid dormant or untouched like Elspeth? Possible spoiler coming up. Well, I know that Herald-Mages were being killed off. Someone, possibly Vanyel, speculated that the mage gifted were being killed off as children before they could be Chosen. Then they had that "forgetfulness" of magic occur for years. This began after Vanyel's death I think partly because people started making a distinction between regular Heralds and Herald-Mages, including the Heralds themselves. They began relying on Herald-Mages for everything and panicked when only Vanyel was left. Remember, Stef had done all he could to change this with his songs and it still didn't completely work. Meanwhile, mind magic can actually be better than some mage magic. Also, mage-gifted Heralds just weren't needed until Elspeth came along. One thing we all have had drilled into us by Misty's books is that particular heralds came along when they were needed - such as Talia being an Empath and having mind-healing abilities, Lavan Firestorm (I believe), Griffon, and Elspeth. Also, with Vanyel's barrier, after his death it would have kept out any mages since the "being watched feeling" would have been so strong and annoying. I am assuming that also goes for people who do not realize they had the gift. I don't think companions stopped choosing the mage-gifted. Like Shadow Knight mentioned the mage gift was simply thought to be Far Sight and trained as such. In the Winds of Fury book, there were both Herald's and trainees that had the gift in varying forms. This could be because it was going needed, but I suspect there were always a few mage gifted Heralds. There just wasn't any who could detect it. Phew! I hoped I remembered things correctly. That was a jumbled mess. If I got anything wrong or confused, please tell me. I hope that was somewhat coherant (sp?). I also hope no one wrote this yet. I don't like being repetitive. Wind to thy wings, Ari and Mandeline ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 11:55:17 PDT From: "Li'nia Stormdancer" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Question + Book Review Message-ID: <19990412185518.69022.qmail-+AT+-hotmail.com> Heyla List-Sibs! *Li'nia stops for a second, and thinks about how much she's gonna miss the MLML for however long it's gonna be before she has reliable access to a 'puter again.... sigh...."I'm gonna miss this." :Stop over-dramatizing, Li'nia. You'll be back on it again in no time.: "OK, furball, you're right."* Seuroqi Kostanian wrote: >>All right, basically, this is an urban fantasy. Specifically, about elves in LA. Eric, a street busker, begins to have feelings for one of them, at the same time deeply involved with Beth, another street busker. Misty and Ellen go through the whole book trying to resolve the dilemma. However, they seem to grow tired of it by the end. Basically, the elf, Kory, who is male, Beth, and Eric all fall in love with each other. Wait a minute. Eric is bi, Kory is bi, and Beth is in love with a man and an elf? Sorry, Misty, you've overreached yourself this time. Just felt like sharing.<< I have to disagree here, and since this _is_ the Arena for Discussion and Dissention, I'm going to go right ahead..*g*. This is fantasy, so anything can happen, right? Even Urban Fantasy. I think part of the fun of writing in this genre is that there aren't any written, specific rules. No scientific equations or theories. Love can head in any direction. Personally, if there were elves (and I know there aren't any!), I think it would be very possible to fall in love with one. Physically, they aren't much different, and they're capable of the same emotions as us mortals (if at different intensities). So, IMNSHO, I don't think Misty overreached in that book. Also, I wanted to say a temporary farewell to the MLML, and all my friends on it. I'll be heading overseas, and won't have reliable access to a computer again for a while (that's worst case scenario). Have no fear; I'll be back, and adding my two-cents worth in the very next chance I get! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- "Variety is the spice of life." - my father =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= ~~Li'nia Stormdancer~~Stormdance k'T'more y Kuus~~Peon to the Powers That Be~~Devotee to the OoUH (Champion of FX and Altra)~~(Hopeful) Goddess of All Things Possessed~~Mindmate to Styx A'ska~~ _______________________________________________________________ Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 12:43:30 PDT From: "Kristy Lyseng" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: just a little something Message-ID: <19990412194330.13810.qmail-+AT+-hotmail.com> Heyla! Welcome all newbies, and here's some fluffly, strawberry pink sheep! I am currently "mad" at my friend who just sent me a very_large_e-mail that's somewhere around 455K. How, you wonder? Well, considering that she's an artist she sent me and a bunch of friends a picture. And her last e-mail to me was around the 300K range. It's a price you have to pay for having an artist as a friend. BTW, Aeon, I do read Robert Frost and, I've probably mentioned this before, NOTHING GOLD CAN STAY has to be my favourite one. It's a beautiful poem. Someone was talking about the series with Daine and Numair. I have to say one thing about it. _Why_did she have to make Daine and Numair a couple? Why can't any awesome_female_characters ever survive a series_without_getting hooked up with a guy (or girl)? Well, I don't_mind_it (really!) it's just that to me it's being overly used. And then again, that's probably me talking as a feminist. (Don't worry, I'm not an extreme feminist, so all you guys out there are safe.) *********************************Fluff******************************** Kristy is walking down the Hall of Mist with her pet polar bear in tow. She spies Winterstar, runs up and gives her a hug. "Hi! Did Stormi send you a really large e-mail? If she did, do you want to join me with storming her house with pitchforks and torches?" She grins. ********************************EndFluff****************************** Love, Light and Laughter, Kristy ---------------------------------- "Today's science fiction is often tomorrow's science fact."--Stephen Hawkings >---------------------------------- "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe."--Albert Einstein ---------------------------------- ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 21:07:35 +0100 From: "Alexia/Sabrina" To: Subject: Re: Misty's worlds and copyright Message-ID: <05c801be8521$1bf1d0c0$73ca28c3-+AT+-oemcomputer> In reply to the posts on this topic, I don't think that the lawyers are arguing against discussion of the books. We're not violating any law by discussing things- free speech and all that. In terms of fanfic being prohibited: there is Queen's Own and release form from QO that can be obtained for fanfic so it is allowed but only in a controlled way which I think is reasonable. In terms of it being uncomfortable for people to do their own thing with the world created- for a start a lot of people day dream themselves into books and that's a ot of the enjoyment- that can't be prohibited- or daydreams in the world of the book. And I think that part came across as wanting to prohibit all reader further involvement, but it's legally impossible to prosecute someone's thoughts or reading practices. Creating a game out of it... well, suppose someone created a game that was very extremist religious? It's possible and people might think that was Misty's view because it was in the game... and she doesn't want her stuff being used to promote those views. I think it's to control that happening- problem is that it catches up little, harmless things with it, but my view is that the prohibition is like 'The Last Straw' to prevent the crazies out there using her world improperly. No one can forbid you writing a story if it is for your eyes only. No one can stop you thinking and day-dreaming yourself into those world. You just can't share those things, which is a great pity but sometimes you've got to ban everything to manage to ban the few really bad things. It would be nice if Misty had an e-mail I think. I wrote to CJ Cherryh and got a reply on the same day and it was really great to be able to talk to a writer... but answering the mail could be a full time job- I know my mail gets like that! Anyway... ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 17:46:16 -0400 From: "Dragonfire k' Abington" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: "Newbie" Message-ID: <199904121439551-+AT+-dragonfire.Faerymail.zzn.com> Heyla! Greetings one and all, i am Dragonfire k' Abington, and new to this list. I would dare venture a question.... In By the Sword, in the end, Kerowyn was chosen by Sayvel. Is it just me, or did anyone else notice that the name of Kero's companion was changed to Sayvil in Winds of Fate? Or am i just weird? Zhai'helleva all, Dragonfire k' Abington Get your free faery email! http://Faerymail.zzn.com ___________________________________________________________ Get your own Web-based E-mail Service at http://www.zzn.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 18:02:04 -0400 From: The Galante Kids To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: I'm back, and since half of you don't know me, delete this :) Message-ID: <37126D5C.51A56FB0-+AT+-home.com> In case anyone cares, I've been on vacation for the past week and a half, so I deleted all my messages. ALL of them. Bad flight. Sorry. :) So, if I missed anything important or if anything else happened, hello, and a lot of double chocolate brownie fudge chocolate chips with chocolate ice cream sheep to all of you. Saidra, who has no title at the moment. :) ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 18:29:05 -0700 From: "Marv Watson" To: Subject: an observation Message-ID: <004f01be854d$060c54c0$0be930cc-+AT+-skywolf> HEEELLLLLLLLLLOOOOOO!!!!! ~ Marcus from B5 died too young too! ~wails again~ Ok, now exactly in what episode did he die? I missed that one and have been trying to find it. To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Mage-gifts etc. Message-ID: <19990413023305.25690.qmail-+AT+-hotmail.com> Heyla listsibs, >Starshadow asked: >I was jest wondrin' did Misty ever specify why Vanyel was the last >Herald-Mage? Did people with the Mage Gift stop being born in Valdemar? Or >did the companions just stop Choosing the Mage-Talented? Ari & Madeline replied >Well, I know that Herald-Mages were being killed off. Someone, possibly >Vanyel, speculated that the mage gifted were being killed off as children >before they could be Chosen. Then they had that "forgetfulness" of magic >occur for years. With Vanyel's barrier, after his death it would have >kept out any mages since the "being watched feeling" would have been so >strong and annoying. I am assuming that also goes for people who do not >realize they had the gift. I think it was all right to be inside Van's barrier as long as you didn't use magic - the vrondi were just told to keep an eye out for non-Herlads using magic. That was how Hulda managed to be inside Valdemar - i know the barrier was weakening, but it was still there. She didn't get stared at because she didn't use her magic. [Pity vrondi couldn't be told to stare at anyone evil, using magic or not - if they ahd, then Hulda would ahve had to leave.] then there was a shortage of people with mage-potential for a while because of Leareth killing off all the Herald-Mages and a lot of kids with the potential, so by the time it started popping up in the population more frequently people had stopped thinking about true magic. So if someone with amge-gift was chosen, and they probably were - when Elspeth came back from her mage-hunt they found heralds with the mage-gift who just didn't know about it - only their mindmagic was trained. On another subject, re the mesage Orchyd got saying basically "Stay out of our world, you can read and discuss but that's all" i was reading one of the numerous short-story anthologies Marion Zimmer Bradley edits, and it said in the intro that some writers, including Misty, encourage people to write in their universes. This obviously isn't true for Misty, and i'm wondering, did she let people write fanfic once upon a time [it was a pretty old book] or was the intro just referring to the fact that she lets the Queen's Own exist? Also, it says in Magic's Promise that dead Heralds get to choose between the HAvens and reincarnatiojn. Can they do both, like go to the Havens for a couple centuries then be reincarnated? And does everyone get to go to the Havens or is it like the ancient Greek Elysian Fields, reserved for specially deserving people? Wind to thy wings and sheep-shaped chocolates to thy tastebuds, Shadowlight, a world champion babbler-on ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 23:26:58 +0000 From: songrunner-+AT+-juno.com To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: LHM question and fluff Message-ID: <19990412.232937.3710.2.Songrunner-+AT+-juno.com> > One thing we all have had drilled into us by Misty's books is that particular >heralds came along when they were needed - such as Talia being an Empath >and having mind-healing abilities, Lavan Firestorm (I believe), Griffon, >and Elspeth. Also, with Vanyel's barrier, after his death it would have >kept out any mages since the "being watched feeling" would have been so >strong and annoying. I am assuming that also goes for people who do not >realize they had the gift. I don't think companions stopped choosing the >mage-gifted. Like Shadow Knight mentioned the mage gift was simply >thought to be Far Sight and trained as such. In the Winds of Fury book, >there were both Herald's and trainees that had the gift in varying forms. >This could be because it was going needed, but I suspect there were always >a few mage gifted Heralds. There just wasn't any who could detect it. The fact was also mentioned somewhere that there were probably many with the mage gift who *needed* to be trained in it, and they tended to just wander out of Valdemar at some point in their lives. Sorry, I can't remember where I read that. It has a very creative, interesting, and absorbing plot, but the ending made me laugh more than Tamora Pierce getting Daine and Numair together. Do you mean there really IS someone else out there that's read her stuff too?!?!?! Okay, here's something I always wondered. Supposedly Hulda never used her magic while she was in Valdemar. But when Skif is spying on her, he mentions that when Melody tried to refuse her "medicine", Hulda "did something" to force her to take it. It seems to me that it was some kind of magic. Has anyone else noticed that? ___________________________________________________________________ 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/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ------------------------------ End of MERCEDES-LACKEY Digest 1932 **********************************