Title's significance?

[Condign]

When I heard about the title 'Runes of the Earth,' I began to wonder what they were. I couldn't recall any references in the the two preceeding chronicles, except for, perhaps - and feel free to correct my dim memory - there were a couple of references to 'runes' carved on the original Staff of Law?

So, after I calmed down a little after finishing RotE, the relevance of the title mystified me.

Have I missed something obvious? I confess I read it rather rapidly, as I was enthusiastic, but I was careful not to skip anything. I will do a re-reading as soon as I have read the first two chronicles again (as soon as I found out RotE was published I rushed to get a copy without any preparation!).

Any insight, or obvious reference would be appreciated.

Also, apologies if this question has been already posted; the search function was not working...

[Insanity Falls]

It's the history "graven in every rock" that Anele accesses.

[Condign]

Hmmm, that was not obvious to me. In fact, the more I think about it, the less obvious it is... is your answer a reference from SRD? Or - and I say this most humbly - is it your learned opinion?
Thanks for taking the time to respond.

[Insanity Falls]

It is SRD's idea.
(But I *did* get it myself! )

To see SRD's explanation of it go to stephendonaldson.com, the go to "from the author", then go to "gradual interview". Then enter the word title in the search box, and select "Spoilers - The Runes of the Earth" from the category drop-down selection box. Hit "submit".

This will give you one search result in November 2004.

(Damn I've just realized I *could* have just copied and pasted what SRD says!!!) Here it is then:

First of all, thank you for the tantalising 'Runes of the Earth', to kick off the 'Last Chronicles'. Wow, it will be nine years from now that we will learn of the outcome of the current predicament of the Land.

My question is regarding the title: Does it refer to what Anele is grasping from the Stone?

Thanks again for your time and attention,

Emil

You're right about Anele and the title. In the text, there is a deliberate confusion about Anele's perception of the knowledge contained within the bones of the Earth: he "sees" it, or he "hears" it, or he "feels" it; no one can be sure exactly which. It's a language problem: I simply don't know how to describe *exactly* how Anele registers what the stone around him is thinking. But there's an old line from somewhere (I can't remember it exactly) about "fate" or "truth" being "graven in the heart of the rock." So "The Runes of the Earth" refers to secrets written where no ordinary person can read them. Anele's blessing/curse is that he has learned how to read that secret language.

(11/13/2004)

And your welcome!

[Condign]

Thanks. Great research!

[Fist and Faith]

But there's an old line from somewhere (I can't remember it exactly) about "fate" or "truth" being "graven in the heart of the rock."

You suppose he was referring to this, when the Giants of the Search first saw Revelstone?

"Can you read it? Do you know what it means? I've been here three times" - four counting the brief translation during which he had refused Mhoram's summons - "but no one's ever been able to tell me what it means."

Swallowing heavily, Pitchwife murmered, "No words. There are none. Your scant human tongue is void-" Tears spread through the creases of his face, mapping his emotion.

But the First said for him, "All tongues, Giantfriend. All tongues lack such language. There is that in the granite glory of the world's heart which may not be uttered with words. All other expression must be dumb when the pure stone speaks. And here that speech has been made manifest. Ah, my heart!" Her voice rose as if she wanted to both sing and keen. But for her also no words were adequate. Softly, she concluded, "The Giants of the Land were taught much by their loss of Home. I am humbled before them."