"It cannot now be set aside, nor passed on" Part 1

Post by **Zarathustra** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 1:24 pm

Iquestor, I think your reasoning is well thought out and highly insightful. None of this ever occurred to me. I especially like your treatment of their logic in going to Foul's Creche. It does indeed make it seem like the inevitable, though doomed, choice. In a sense, they were doomed as soon as Hyrim killed the Giant Raver.

I don't think it is merely drama that Hyrim tells them not to take it, for the only possible drama is precisely the danger that they can become corrupted (it's not like he's worried they'll make jewelry out of it). So while yes, it is there for dramatic effect, it is also an implicit revelation of SRD's reasonging: if they take it or touch it, they'll be corrupted. That IS the implication: Hyrim knows the danger. So therefore, it must be something fairly straightforward, such as Iquestor's idea of Earthpower-Vow being tainted.

Now while this may very well be a incongruity in Donaldson's work--it wouldn't be the first time he messed up--I think the point is so pivotal to the series that he must have at least settled it in his own mind. Perhaps his thinking along these lines was very much like yours, Iquestor.

But here's my theory: we can also think of it as something close to what happened at Melenkurien Skyweir: the paradox of the Vow. Because of their Vow, they are forced into doing something which causes harm. They can't leave the fragment without causing harm, and they can't take into the heart of Revelstone without causing harm. Either choice represents a breaking of their Vow, and perhaps this very breakdown is the door which allowed the Stone fragment to corrupt them because their Vow had a flaw to begin with. It exposed the flaw through revealing a paradoxical choice which could not be explicitly decided by consulting the terms of the Vow. So it wasn't the proximity of the Stone which undid the Haruchai, but rather the breakdown of their Vow. Their own choice led them into betrayal--but it couldn't have been avoided. Just like giving Elena the key to the 7th Ward. They couldn't serve both the old lords and the new lords at the same time. Their Vow didn't cover this possibility. Either choice was a breaking of the Vow, which is corruption.

Post by **iQuestor** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 7:18 pm

Malik

Thanks for your comments. Your paradox explanation is awesome, and just the sort of thing SRD would set us up for. I never thought of the paradox being created for thier Vow in this situation, I was only looking at their options and eliminating them logically. I agree this is quite plausible as well. Very well said.

I also agree strongly that Hyrim was warning them because he knew it was a danger for them to even touch it. If Hyrim thought they had a chance, he would have been all over them to get it to Revelstone. Mere Drama and foreshadowing, no way.

And yes, they were doomed from the moment Hyrim fell, and probably the moment First mark gave the mission to Korik in the first place.

I am working on Part 2, but work and vacation have intruded. But I hope to get it in soon.

Post by **Relayer** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 6:46 pm

Some very thought-provoking posts here. I have nothing to add, but just wanted to say that IQ, I really enjoyed part 1 and have been hoping you'll continue it. Totally understand r/l getting in the way

Post by **jwaneeta** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:10 am

I'm really enjoying this, iquestor! I was craving some good Land fanfic and this is a marvelous piece of work.

Post by **iQuestor** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 6:00 pm

Update: OK, So I have been remiss in my posting the next part, and August has turned into January. I have the second part finished as a rough, but want to let it rest for a few days and then review it once more for clarity. I do not have anyone to proof here, so I am kind of putting it all out there when I post these things and it is a little nerve racking to do it without a net.

The second part is longer than the first, and was harder to write, but somehow the tale took a turn I didn't see.

I know the flow of the third part already, and can't wait to write it: It is the part that has been in my head so long. Thanks for your patience.

Post by **Relayer** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 10:13 pm

IQ, no need to feel trepidations... and it's great to hear that the story is still alive!! Looking forward to it.

Post by **iQuestor** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 3:18 am

bumb by request

Post by **Fist and Faith** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 2:15 pm

I definietly like Part I. It's very jarring to see Korik act the way he does. My first reaction is, "WTF?!?!! A Haruchai wouldn't do those things!!!" But, of course, he has the fragment of the Stone at his hip. What's happening to him is just as horrifying as what happened to the Unhomed.

Post by **iQuestor** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 1:04 am

bump! Im working on PIII and wanted to get it up there again. Yikes! its been too long.

Post by **aliantha** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 4:15 am

Yes, it has. Where the hell have you been, bud? And don't try giving us that "real life" business again....

Post by **matrixman** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 4:47 am

We have not forgotten, iQuestor.

Newer members may not be acquainted with your work, though. Hope they check it out.

You could time it so that you'd be done Part III around when AATE comes out.

Post by **Savor Dam** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 5:28 am

Looking forward to it; hope it is sooner than AATE, but will be here whenever it arrives.

Post by **Infelice** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 5:30 pm

Yay!!! Cant wait!!

Post by **Relayer** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 7:15 pm

Awesome!!

Post by **wayfriend** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 8:02 pm

Do it! Do it! Do it!

Post by **lucimay** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 11:32 pm

woot!!

can't wait. will do a re-read of all three parts when it comes out!

yay!!!

Kevin's Watch

Kevin's Watch

"It cannot now be set aside, nor passed on" Part 1