The Purpose of the Ur-Viles

[wayfriend]

So if the ur-viles are on the side of good, then they probably didn't put any latent nasty suprises in the new Staff of Law. And they probably aren't secretly pushing Linden in the direction of falling to Lord Foul's evil plans. And so, they are probably actually trying to help her in the Final Cs, just as they seem to be.

[thewormoftheworld'send]

So if the ur-viles are on the side of good, then they probably didn't put any latent nasty suprises in the new Staff of Law. And they probably aren't secretly pushing Linden in the direction of falling to Lord Foul's evil plans. And so, they are probably actually trying to help her in the Final Cs, just as they seem to be.

There is no point in inferring that the ur-Viles are helping Linden. It is a simple fact that they are. But what is it they are helping her to accomplish? What is the ultimate goal? And why is Esmer so ambiguous about it?

[aliantha]

It's Esmer's job to be ambiguous. I think he would like to be on Linden's side, but his geas prevents it.

[Vraith]

It's Esmer's job to be ambiguous. I think he would like to be on Linden's side, but his geas prevents it.

Yea, he's paradox made flesh. Maybe someday he'll find the eye of it, [as TC did in the past].
So far he is compelled to try and balance the teeter board by jumping from end to end...I guess that is a kind of balance, on average, over time, but it's not a pretty one.

I don't think the Ur-viles have an evil goal...but I do wonder a bit along Worm's line: they [and others], in events so far, are "helping" Linden...but is it actually and only aid? Or is it guiding?
At this point, the goals of the "good guys" are as much in conflict with each other [apparently] as with LF. There actions, as much as Linden's, serve LF's interests, if the past is any kind of clue.

[thewormoftheworld'send]

It's Esmer's job to be ambiguous. I think he would like to be on Linden's side, but his geas prevents it.

Well, yes, because of his parentage, which leads him to strike out on paths which are more or less controversial. But do you think Esmer is not helping Linden? He gave her an entire speech about the history of the Viles and Demondim which, unbeknownst to her at the time, would aid her during the age of Berek at Garroting Deep. He aided her although he had to keep pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration at her hard-headedness.

[aliantha]

It's Esmer's job to be ambiguous. I think he would like to be on Linden's side, but his geas prevents it.

Well, yes, because of his parentage, which leads him to strike out on paths which are more or less controversial. But do you think Esmer is not helping Linden? He gave her an entire speech about the history of the Viles and Demondim which, unbeknownst to her at the time, would aid her during the age of Berek at Garroting Deep. He aided her although he had to keep pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration at her hard-headedness.

I guess I forgot a word. What I meant is that I think Esmer would like to be *fully* on Linden's side -- not forced by his geas to balance his helpfulness with a destructive act. His anger, I think, is more about the fact that every time he has to clarify his comments to her, the harm he must do as a counterbalance increases.

[thewormoftheworld'send]

It's Esmer's job to be ambiguous. I think he would like to be on Linden's side, but his geas prevents it.

Well, yes, because of his parentage, which leads him to strike out on paths which are more or less controversial. But do you think Esmer is not helping Linden? He gave her an entire speech about the history of the Viles and Demondim which, unbeknownst to her at the time, would aid her during the age of Berek at Garroting Deep. He aided her although he had to keep pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration at her hard-headedness.

I guess I forgot a word. What I meant is that I think Esmer would like to be *fully* on Linden's side -- not forced by his geas to balance his helpfulness with a destructive act. His anger, I think, is more about the fact that every time he has to clarify his comments to her, the harm he must do as a counterbalance increases.

Thanks for the clarification about Esmer's personality. But here is the scene I was referring to:

"All right. Forget the manacles. I don't need to know." Not now, when she had so many more immediate concerns. "Tell me something I can understand....They've been enemies for thousands of years. Why have they set that aside?" Esmer raised one hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. Closing his eyes, he massaged them briefly with his fingertips. As he did so, he replied in a tone of exaggerated patience, as if he had already answered her question in terms that even a child could
comprehend.

[aliantha]

Well, he's also a jerk.

[wayfriend]

Well, he's also a jerk.

I blame his parents.