Kevin's Dirt - or Foul's Breath?? (possible causes+++)

[dlbpharmd]

When the sun rose over the Sarangrave, the Sunbane was weaker; but when the sun crossed Landsdrop the Sunbane took full effect - even on the Sarangrave. From TWL, chapter 23:

Then Linden pointed through the branches toward the sun. When Covenant peered at the faint aura, he saw it change, just as she had predicted. The full power of the Sunbane returned, restoring pestilence to the Sarangrave

There were these "pale flagellate creatures" in the dark pools located throughout the Sarangrave - this is how the skest were formed from them:

At ever spot where sunlight touched the surface, pale creatures rose. They thrust blind heads into the light, seemed to yearn upward. A slight wind ruffled the trees, shiftin pieces of sunlight back and forth. The creatures flailed to follow the spots of light.

When any creature had kept its head in the light for several moments, it began to expand. It swelled like ripening fruit, then split open, scattering green droplets around the pond. The droplets which fell in shadow quickly turned black and faded. But the ones which fell in light became bright -

Skipping a few paragraphs -

Hergrom directed their attention northwestward. For a moment, Covenant could see nothing through the obscure jungle. Then he caught a glimpse.

Fragments of livid green. The same green he had watched aborning in the pool of tar.

They were moving. Advancing -

Linden swore urgently. "Come on." She clinched Brinn's shoulders. "Cross. We've got to stay away from those things."

[I'm Murrin]

Sunbane-warped swamp-life... Although, their 'aborning' suggests that more of them are created every Pestilant sun, and if that were so they'd be overcrowding the place, which suggests that they can't last long after the Sunbane creates them...

[High Lord Tolkien]

Huh?
[realizes my need to reread WL]
Huh? What?
Oh yeah.
Nevermind.

[Aleksandr]

Sunbane-warped swamp-life... Although, their 'aborning' suggests that more of them are created every Pestilant sun, and if that were so they'd be overcrowding the place, which suggests that they can't last long after the Sunbane creates them

The Skest have a language and they worship and serve the Luker. This suggests they aren’t just creatures of the moment but persist over time. Moreover, they are found all through the Flat, while the Sunbane affects only the area that is closest to Landsdrop (the Quest sees the Sun of Rain as they journey farther into the Flat but experience only a mild drizzle that night, then no effect from the Sunbane at all in later days). So the Skest must be able to survive to travel a while if they are indeed formed by the Sunbane.

[Aleksandr]

Re: In fact, the Haruchai might have been completely unsuccessful in eradicating the knowledge of Earthpower if it were not for Kevin's Dirt.

The Clave had already eradicated knowledge of the Earthpower. Sunder, Holian and the Giants would have known something, of course, and discovered yet more with the Staff. Covenant certainly did not have much time to teach them though, and how much did he really know? Not much, as he was never a student at the Loresraat. Anything the people of the Land were to learn about the Earthpower they pretty much had to start over learning and the Haruchai disrputed that process.

[wayfriend]

Re: In fact, the Haruchai might have been completely unsuccessful in eradicating the knowledge of Earthpower if it were not for Kevin's Dirt.

The Clave had already eradicated knowledge of the Earthpower. Sunder, Holian and the Giants would have known something, of course, and discovered yet more with the Staff. Covenant certainly did not have much time to teach them though, and how much did he really know? Not much, as he was never a student at the Loresraat. Anything the people of the Land were to learn about the Earthpower they pretty much had to start over learning and the Haruchai disrputed that process.

I was referring to the fact that it's hard to people unaware of Earthpower when they can walk around and 'see' the Earthpower everywhere.

[dlbpharmd]

Sunbane-warped swamp-life... Although, their 'aborning' suggests that more of them are created every Pestilant sun, and if that were so they'd be overcrowding the place, which suggests that they can't last long after the Sunbane creates them

The Skest have a language and they worship and serve the Luker. This suggests they aren’t just creatures of the moment but persist over time. Moreover, they are found all through the Flat, while the Sunbane affects only the area that is closest to Landsdrop (the Quest sees the Sun of Rain as they journey farther into the Flat but experience only a mild drizzle that night, then no effect from the Sunbane at all in later days). So the Skest must be able to survive to travel a while if they are indeed formed by the Sunbane.

Excellent points!

[Ken Socrates]

I think it's most likely going to have something to do with Kastenessen and the scurj. Scurj most likely a form of the word "scourge" which, as a noun, can mean "a means of inflicting punishment, vengeance, or suffering; an infliction of affliction; a punishment." I'm wondering if the skurj are actually fiery beings or spirits that Kastenessen was keeping in check and have now been released. Thus Anele's possession by a powerful fire spirit and the pall of Kevin's Dirt that might resemble the fallout from a huge fire or explosion.

What do you folks think?

[wayfriend]

I think it's most likely going to have something to do with Kastenessen and the scurj.

I find it implausible that such a fallout would migrate to the land and have such a specific effect.

[drew]

I just thought of another Possible cause for the Dirt.
Okay it's a doubtfull longshot...but the disscusions in the Runes forum were getting a bit lax latetly

Okay, remember in TPTP when Amok was warning Elena about what to Comand from the Earthblood? He said that Maybe if you wish the Illearth-stone to go away, it's evil might just seep out all over the whole Land..well we know that din't happen, 'cause TC destroyed it without that happening.
But at the end of WGW when Nom Rended or Rent Gibbon/Samadhi raver-Cail told us, that he wasn't killed...Well couldn't the evil of the raver samadhi finally have manifested itself? In the Form of Kevin's dirt?

[Kenaustin Ardenol]

The skurj are the the Fire that Kastenessen held back in the north, this is revealed when Anele reads the stone of the close, and they now make their home in mount thunder that was revealed earlier in Runes. So it is quite possible that they are the cause of Kevin's Dirt, a smog like effect but obviously with some power, as smoke from beings(or being) of power would have.

[Kenaustin Ardenol]

I found the quote that shows the skurj are the cause of Kevin's Dirt. Anele when they go behind the Mithil's Plunge

Skurj and Elohim. He has broken the Durance. Skurj mar the very air. Oh, the Earth!

[wayfriend]

I found the quote that shows the skurj are the cause of Kevin's Dirt. Anele when they go behind the Mithil's Plunge

Skurj and Elohim. He has broken the Durance. Skurj mar the very air. Oh, the Earth!

... under the theory that any reference to 'air' must be Dirt-related?

[Kenaustin Ardenol]

mar ( P ) Pronunciation Key (mär)
tr.v. marred, mar·ring, mars
To inflict damage, especially disfiguring damage, on.
To impair the soundness, perfection, or integrity of; spoil.

under the theory that to do this to the air is= kevins dirt

[Warmark]

could it not be called kevins dirt because the only place in the land you could see it was kevins watch?