Durances and Appointed

[Skurj Scourge]

A few thoughts:

1. Brinn says he has become Ak-Haru Kenaustin Ardenol, as well as remaining Brinn of the Haruchai. But isn't Kenaustin Ardenol in fact he name of the Theomach. Does this mean that whoever become the Guardain is added to the identity of the previous guardian? Perhaps a convergance rather than a defeat. Remember, Brinn only won passage after surrendering to the Guardian.

2. Perhaps the manacles are for Longwrath. Obviously filled with some sort of Earthpower to esape whatever binds him, it may be that the ur-viles, working outside the strictures of Law (as the did with Vain) foresee the need to binid the mad giant to a higher purpose.

[Seppi2112]

That assumes that Longwrath is important enough to warrant the Ur-viles' attention.

[Fist and Faith]

2. The Guardian of the One Tree: Wayfriend, you make some excellent points on this one. You're right, it's never said that this Elohim was ever Appointed. (Or is it? Must seek confirmation from the text...)

Yes, it is stated. Alas, I just moved (literally just - today), and don't have the book with me yet, so I can't quote it.

[Skurj Scourge]

Seppi...

I though the same thing, about Longwrath being not important enough for the ur-viles to notice, but two things came to mind.

1. If he is afflicted with Earthsight, then he probably is signifigant enough to warrant attention.

2. If the ur-viles are indeed dedicated to Linden, then would it no make snece that a threat as extreme as a mad giant would warrant their attention. Afterall, she is the bearer of the SoL, which seems to be the culmination of their purpose...

[wayfriend]

That assumes that Longwrath is important enough to warrant the Ur-viles' attention.

Indeed. If the supposed manacles point to someone who has a magical ability to escape bonds, then they are more likely for Joan than for Longwrath.

[wayfriend]

and don't have the book with me yet, so I can't quote it.

I'm working from home today.

Therein lay his greatest feat. In single combat, he defeated the hated Elohim who stood as the Tree's Appointed Guardian. Thus the Theomach became the Guardian in the Elohim's stead. Alone among the Insequent - so said the Vizard - the Theomach passed beyond self and craving to join the rare company of those who do not heed death. And therefore the Vizard did not scruple to reveal the Theomach's true name, for he could no longer be harmed by it.

"Kenaustin Ardenol," Linden breathed. "Oh, my God."

So I stand corrected. The Elohim Guardian was Appointed.

Also: it is without doubt that the Theomach "merged" with the Appointed Elohim to become immortal.

And I am now fairly sure that this is the "havoc" which Esmer blames the Haruchai for. Although there's no telling what sort of disaster is implied by this. Brinn seemed like he was doing fine when last I saw him.

[Seppi2112]

Although there's no telling what sort of disaster is implied by this. Brinn seemed like he was doing fine when last I saw him.

You last saw him 7000 years ago, lol.

[Ur Dead]

Although there's no telling what sort of disaster is implied by this. Brinn seemed like he was doing fine when last I saw him.

You last saw him 7000 years ago, lol.

Correction: 3500 years ago. 7000 years ago TC first came to the Land.
2000 Years after the Ritual.
3000 after Berek met the Theomach and Linden.

[wayfriend]

( Seppi, for a while I thought your avatar showed Bill Gates revealing a T-shirt that said "TC". Now I see it just says pi. I'm sort of let down. )

[dlbpharmd]

And I am now fairly sure that this is the "havoc" which Esmer blames the Haruchai for. Although there's no telling what sort of disaster is implied by this. Brinn seemed like he was doing fine when last I saw him.

Hmmm, I'm not so sure. Don't you think that the birth of Esmer is havoc enough? I've always thought that Esmer just blames the Haruchai and thus by default Cail.

[wayfriend]

Don't you think that the birth of Esmer is havoc enough?

Nah. I think we have way more havoc coming.

Seriously, I get the impression from the way Esmer speaks of it that he is not talking about himself.

[earthbrah]

The merewives have some sort of power that was endowed upon their progenitor, the woman that Kastenessen loved. I'm not saying that they are this havoc that Esmer speaks of--how could they be if it is due to the Haruchai (unless Esmer means his father, Cail, when he says this). I just have a feeling that their story will come out and will play a role in some way. I mean, why are they confined to the sea? Did they choose this themselves? Is this explained in TOT and I just don't recall?

And what about Infelice? I'll bet that she was Appointed to try and prevent what the casting of the shadow on their hearts, that is, what Linden did (if we are to believe what's stated at the end of FR). If so, it still begs the question of the nature of Appointings, how they're done.

Whatever, we've not seen the last of her annoying self, nor have we heard the last of Durances and Appointed.

[Skurj Scourge]

I'm curious as to the nature of the elohim that visitied the Land to warn of "the Halfhand. Was it Infelice? Since the Elohim as so loath to actually act, I wonder if it was an Appointed? and if so, it's hard to believe that a mere warning encompass it's mission?

I think we may see some very interesting things from the elohim in the next installments...

[earthbrah]

Skurj wrote:

I'm curious as to the nature of the elohim that visitied the Land to warn of "the Halfhand. Was it Infelice? Since the Elohim as so loath to actually act, I wonder if it was an Appointed? and if so, it's hard to believe that a mere warning encompass it's mission?

I think we may see some very interesting things from the elohim in the next installments...

Yeah, you might have something there. It would stand to reason that Infelice was the (self?)Appointed Elohim to handle this halfhand business. But which halfhand. TC? Jeremiah? Roger? Kastenessen (what happened to the place where his other hand used to be?)? The Humbled, and by virtue of that fact the Haruchai? They're supposed to reak endless havoc according to Esmer, who's part Elohim (from Kastenessen, a possible halfhand himself) and the Haruchai through Cail.

Coolness.

[Borillar]

Based on the description of the visiting Elohim's haughtiness, it sounded an awful lot like Chant.

[wayfriend]

On the other hand, Infelice being the Appointed has sort of an apocolyptic ring to it. The ultimate Elohim taking on the ultimate disaster.

It is strange that there are multiple Elohim about, though. Usually one is all you get. Then again, an Elohim can choose any appearance that they wish... maybe there is only one.

[earthbrah]

Wayfriend wrote:

It is strange that there are multiple Elohim about, though. Usually one is all you get. Then again, an Elohim can choose any appearance that they wish... maybe there is only one.

When you say multiple Elohim, do you mean the one that came to the Land to warn of the halfhand, and Infelice?

As for there being only one Elohim that can choose any appearance, I am reminded of the origin of this word. The original Hebrew word is a plural noun. Wikipedia says (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elohim): Elohim has plural morphological form in Hebrew, but it is used with singular verbs and adjectives in the Hebrew text when the particular meaning of the God of Israel (a singular deity) is traditionally understood. Thus the very first words of the Bible are breshit bara elohim, where bara ברא is a verb inflected as third person singular masculine perfect. If Elohim were an ordinary plural word, then the plural verb form bar'u בראו would have been used in this sentence instead. Such plural grammatical forms are in fact found in cases where Elohim has semantically plural reference (not referring to the God of Israel).

There is only one, and it manifests in as many forms as it so chooses. The only problem I have with this is that some of them have particular fates not necessarily shared by the rest (Kastenessen, Findail).

[dlbpharmd]

Based on the description of the visiting Elohim's haughtiness, it sounded an awful lot like Chant.

I agree, I've always thought so.

[aliensporebomb]

Not quite. An Elohim was Appointed to help the One Forest resist the Ravers. However, the Forest took what it learned from the Appointed and (presumably against her will) bound her into the Colossus.

Right. Remember the verse?

"There can be no peace or dream where the Appointed go."

The Elohim determine which of their number is the best to be Appointed. Findail must have drawn the short straw.

In the case of Kastenessen it was more like a punishment. He didn't really have a choice in that case.

[Skurj Scourge]

As for myself, I am hoping that at some point, Findail pops out of Linden's staff...cause that would mean a reappearance of Vain!

And if I remember, Findail ended up Appointed as a direct result of his relationship with Kastenessen. I wonder if there is any connection between the Appointed who became the Colossus and Katenessen, as it seems that the likelihood of being Appointed may have some connection to previously Appointed elohim.

Of course, we all know that Kast was appointed cause of his messin' around with a mortal woman, but there might be more to it.