Esmer

[Relayer]

the way I read those passages is that Esmer does not affect the White Gold, rather he somehow can prevent Linden's access to it.

That's how I understand it. IIRC it has something to do w/ his conflicted Elohim/Haruchai nature that messes w/ Linden. Or at least that's what *she* thinks it is.

Rereading this, I wonder if Esmer's conflicted nature could be zeroing in on Linden's conflicted feelings of being the ring weilder.

Also, the fact that he calls her "Wildweilder" must be a clue. Maybe wild signifies that she hasn't tamed the ring.

As compared to something like "Ringwielder" or "Ringthane" ? That's a good point.

Regardless, I love how Scott Brick pronounces Esmer saying "Wild-wielder" ...

[wayfriend]

Regardless, I love how Scott Brick pronounces Esmer saying "Wild-wielder" ...

That's pretty funny you say that. Ever see "Jewel of the Nile"? I keep thinking of that egyptian (?) guy saying "Joan Wilder".

[Relayer]

Ah, Joan Wilder!!
I need to see that movie again, just for this.

[Evans Caamora]

In what way is that a spoiler in the FR forum? Or you have some other sources that we don't

***bangs head repeatedly on table***

I'll never get this 'spoiler etiquette' down....

[dlbpharmd]

In what way is that a spoiler in the FR forum? Or you have some other sources that we don't

***bangs head repeatedly on table***

I'll never get this 'spoiler etiquette' down....

Evans, just remember that FR forum is a "hidden" forum with access restricted to those who ask for it. Therefore, there really isn't anything that should be spoilered in here if it came from the books themselve. We've had issues in the past with interviews that SRD gave over the years (not everyone knew about the interviews and didn't appreciated them being discussed.) Otherwise, it's all fair game.

In all other forums, anything related to FR should be spoilered.

[wayfriend]

And don't forget that the forum you are in is printed at the top of every page when you're replying. All you gotta due is remember to check for the FR forum before you write an FR spoiler. (And Runes spoilers can go in either the Runes or the FR spoiler, of course.)

[Ur Dead]

Spoiler

So what hapens when we start talking about AATE

?

[sweetbread]

Spoiler

So what hapens when we start talking about AATE

?

Good point.....

[sweetbread]

I was just struck with this absolutely crazy idea on Esmer. Kinda like a theory, actually, and quite a concise point as well...


Maybe Esmer's conflicted actions are due to the fact that he is, in fact, Appointed.

He is, after all, an Elohim descendant. You know that the Elohim would rather Appoint a half-breed rather than one of their own. Maybe that's why he's so conflicted in his actions, part of him wants to thwart Linden and escape his fate as the Appointed (the merewive side), while another part of him wants to do the right thing and help Linden do whatever it is she is here to do (the Haruchai side). So in the end, we get kinda what was given to us, yet in a very real and conceivable way.

I like it. Then again, I'm partial.....

[amanibhavam]

Hm, and what would his Appointment be?

[sweetbread]

Hm, and what would his Appointment be?

It could be re-stablishing the Durance that was broken by Kastenessen. Whatever it is, the Appointed usually are resistant to their Appointments....

[wayfriend]

Here's an idea: if Esmer can block someone's access to wild magic ... might he not be useful in preventing Joan from making ceasures?

Or in thwarting anyone else (Foul, Roger) who manages to acquire some white gold?

[Rigel]

Esmer's quality isn't that he blocks access to Wild Magic; it's a fundamental contradiction between parts of his character.

Linden is susceptible to this because of who she is, and the nature of the Wild Magic. You'll notice that Esmer has no effect on her ability to wield Earthpower or the Staff of Law, because these things are more in line with who she is.

Or, to put it another way, if power is an expression of the wielder, then the SoL is a perfect expression of Linden's character as a nurturer / healer, whereas the White Gold is a perfect expression of TC's nature as an angsty, self-doubting pariah. You wouldn't expect either of them to effectively wield the tools of the other.

I fear the way Joan wields her ring would only be amplified by Esmer's presence.

[wayfriend]

Esmer's quality isn't that he blocks access to Wild Magic ...

I'm not so sure about that.

Esmer certainly hasn't shown any signs of blocking anyone elses not-in-line powers. So I don't know how much we can generalize from a single case.

Also, if power is an expression of its weilder, how can it be "not in line"? If there were limits because of a basic incompatibility, I feel sure that they'd manifest whether or not Esmer was around, because the expression of the weilder would be somewhat stunted.

Berek made the first Staff, but it was never any less effective for Damelon, Loric, or Kevin.

Everything in the story depends on the fact that, since Covenant gave Linden the ring, it's Linden's now, as much as it ever was Covenant's. If that were not true, then Foul would not have wanted it, or would not have needed it to be a given to him.

Covenant wn't take the ring back. If it's not really Linden's ring, either, then it appears as if Donaldson is taking the wild magic out of the picture. I can't imagine that as a narrative possibility.

It seems more probable to me that Esmer's blocking ability is a material component to the final resolution somehow.

[rdhopeca]

It seems more probable to me that Esmer's blocking ability is a material component to the final resolution somehow.

Interesting supposition. Perhaps he is the only thing that prevents the destruction of the Arch of Time at the Last Dark (assuming it's still standing)?