Author Topic: Stump the Author---And WIN! (Read 8158 times) Tweet

ibrewalot · « **Reply #50 on:** May 01, 2010, 06:54:08 pm »

This is somewhat of a rhetorical question since I know you've thought of it and likely have the answer, but I'd still like to know...why do elves go one place when they die and men go another? Why could they not go to the same place to be joined forever after death, even if the deaths were very long apart?

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Archer · « **Reply #51 on:** May 01, 2010, 07:30:29 pm »

Well...I don't know if that counts as a stumper or not. Elysia was set up by Aontar as the Realm of eternal reward for the Elves. Other races have a different fate. The fate of men is revealed at the ending of Ravenshade.

Why did Aontar choose to keep the Elves separate? No one knows except Aontar. It is the belief of some Alterran theologians that all the races will be reunited at the End of Days. The Elves believe that the fate of men is better than their own, and is the reward for suffering the indignities and pain of a mortal life.

Unfortunately, the 'why' of any theology (including earthly ones) must remain a mystery.

(Hey, guys...should we count this one as having 'stumped the author'? What do you think?)

Carmyn · « **Reply #52 on:** May 01, 2010, 09:03:13 pm »

Quote from: archer on May 01, 2010, 07:30:29 pm

Unfortunately, the 'why' of any theology (including earthly ones) must remain a mystery.

(Hey, guys...should we count this one as having 'stumped the author'? What do you think?)

I'd say he stumped the author

ibrewalot · « **Reply #53 on:** May 03, 2010, 01:07:22 pm »

Ok, I'm thinking questions only Aontar can answer are potentially not fair game, she here's another:

What did Gorgon do to stay conscious, must less alive, after Gaelen dealt him her first real damage that "left" him impaired? Wouldn't a wound like that have made anyone else at least pass out from blood loss, if not die?

Archer · « **Reply #54 on:** May 03, 2010, 01:46:50 pm »

Gorgon is tough. REALLY tough. His grip is strong enough to staunch the flow of blood by gripping his wrist with his other hand. He applies a tourniquet on page 471.

I suspect his Elven nature helped him a little, too. He definitely has adrenaline to keep him moving. Yes...Gaelen really settled his hash, THAT's for sure!

And, the ultimate answer: If he had died, that would have been the end of the story! No Fire-heart? No Ravenshade? What a horrible thought!

ibrewalot · « **Reply #55 on:** May 03, 2010, 01:49:24 pm »

I knew I shouldn't try to ask these without the book in front of me to ensure they had a "mote" of a chance! You're unstumpable, but I'm diligent. I'll keep digging.

Archer · « **Reply #56 on:** May 03, 2010, 01:49:42 pm »

And, O Breweroo, you have already won a shirt just for asking so many cool questions. Makes me happy!

ibrewalot · « **Reply #57 on:** May 03, 2010, 06:04:47 pm »

Ok, let me see if I can come up with one from my memory...I don't know when it happened but all three books have run together in my mind and I can no longer clearly say what happened in each the farther I go back. Gettin' old!

I'm sticking with "Gorgon's abilities for $100"...so, if I remember right, there have been many occasions where Gorgon "goes deep" and seems to kind of hibernate, usually after Gaelen opens up a can of whoop-a$$ on him.

Is that what is really going on with him? He doesn't seem to need any food or drink for a long time. If that's the case, then my question has really been answered, but if not, why does it really bother Kotos when he leaves Gorgon for 6 days but only left him 2 days of water? I wouldn't have thought it was a big deal to leave him without water for a long time since he does it frequently, right?

Archer · « **Reply #58 on:** May 03, 2010, 07:11:49 pm »

One would think so, except that Gorgon is in a desert when Kotos leaves him. It's very dry (as deserts are wont to be) and hot--not his favorite climate at all. When he holes up, it's usually under a mountain where the temperature doesn't change much and the humidity is generally high--keeps him from using too much water. When Gorgon 'goes deep', he almost goes into a state of dormancy (the Elves actually do this for a while in Outcaste...which none of you have read). When he does that, his body slows way down and he needs almost nothing to sustain him.

(And, that was in Ravenshade!)

ibrewalot · « **Reply #59 on:** May 03, 2010, 08:05:53 pm »

Quote from: archer on May 03, 2010, 07:11:49 pm

(And, that was in Ravenshade!)

LOL...you crack me up, Archer.

And thanx for keeping my memory on track.

Ok, in the famous words of Jim Carrey in Mask, "Somebody help me!".

<EDIT> Funny...I woke up this morning and remembered, Jim Carrey doesn't say, "Somebody help me!". He says, "Somebody stop me!". I'm such a dufus!

Archer · « **Reply #60 on:** May 04, 2010, 10:24:48 am »

(giggle! Snicker! Snort!)

ibrewalot · « **Reply #61 on:** May 10, 2010, 01:00:47 pm »

This one won't likely stump you, but will definitely fill in a gap for me given my current endeavor:

Why are there drawings across the trilogy of everyone "but" Gorgon? (We do get to see his eyes, but that's it)

P.S. Who's the picture of in chapter 23 of Elfhunter?

Tip10 · « **Reply #62 on:** May 10, 2010, 01:27:09 pm »

Quote from: ibrewalot on May 10, 2010, 01:00:47 pm

P.S. Who's the picture of in chapter 23 of Elfhunter?

Nice catch Brew -- I just scurried off to go and find the picture -- also wondering who that be -- my guess would be Kharsh but.....

Archer · « **Reply #63 on:** May 10, 2010, 01:33:50 pm »

The picture in chapter 23 is Kharsh.

There are drawings of many of the characters...only a few actually appear in the books right now. They are: Gaelen (who seems to be everywhere), Fima, Nelwyn, Galador, Azori, El-morah, and some of the horses. We see a picture of Rain, and several of Shandor. There's one of Duinar (and a character you haven't met yet) in you-know-what.

Why them and not Gorgon? Because Gorgon is unique. The mental picture you have of Galador isn't likely to be very far afield from my drawing of him, but the villain, who is a unique creature (to say the least) might vary widely between readers. I don't want to mess with your vision.

I have Paintings of Shandor and Kotos and Dardis here at home. Also several of Gorgon.

ibrewalot · « **Reply #64 on:** May 10, 2010, 01:43:00 pm »

Hmmm, it will be interesting to see how far apart my drawing of Gorgon comes to yours.

I'm guessing it will be VERY different.

Kharsh, huh? He's an ugly chap, isn't he?

Archer · « **Reply #65 on:** May 10, 2010, 01:57:04 pm »

Olcas are ugly. You're about to find out why.

(shhhhh!)

geoffthomas · « **Reply #66 on:** May 10, 2010, 02:02:27 pm »

I know.

Archer · « **Reply #67 on:** May 10, 2010, 02:07:32 pm »

Yes, Geoff! You are special.

ibrewalot · « **Reply #68 on:** May 11, 2010, 06:12:35 am »

Ok, here's an easy one since you're "off-site" today...how does time work in Alterra? How many hours are in a day and how many days in a year? It seems they have the same seasons we have, but are they spread out across the same months?

I'll dig deeper in a bit...

ibrewalot · « **Reply #69 on:** May 11, 2010, 08:17:54 am »

From everything I remember of Alterra, Men, Elves, and Dwarves all wear clothing even when they have armor on. Beautiful tunics, trousers, boots and jerkins are described in detail when they are acquired and worn. And when they put on armor, I assume they put it on over these clothes (although maybe not so much the finery they sometimes wear to dinners).

My question is, what does Gorgon wear under his armor? (Minds out of the gutter!

) He's described as having leathery skin that the armor goes over and as having black armor (most of the time), but I don't remember reading anything about his wearing regular clothing except when Orrion comes into play and then he doesn't like it because it's too confining for battle.

Archer · « **Reply #70 on:** May 12, 2010, 03:31:43 am »

Okay, Brew: Since I am now back at a keyboard (for a little while) I can answer you.

First, the name 'Alterra' stands for 'Alternate Earth' (terra=earth). It's the same size, with a single sun at the same distance, etc.
Hence the climate is exactly the same. Days are of the same length, the orbit is the same size...it's like earth in every respect that matters.

NOW, as to the 'What's underneath that Scotsman's kilt' question, Gorgon wears only a leather undergarment in the form of breeches. These extend to mid-calf. They lace up the sides and have a surplice front (crosses over and ties at the waist. It's easy to (ahem) retrieve certain plumbing, much in the manner of a man's briefs, but is unlikely to expose anything accidentally (not that Gorgon would care much...though he does harbor a rather innocent modesty with respect to you-know-what). His armor has a great deal of accumulated filth (mostly sloughed skin and oil) beneath it--it doesn't chafe him any more. He wears no clothing underneath it. Winter is not a good time to hunt Elves for sport anyway--they can see and hear too well with the leaves down. Gorgon tends to curl up under the mountain (where the temp is always consistent) during the cold months.

ibrewalot · « **Reply #71 on:** May 12, 2010, 05:02:53 am »

Thanx for the details, Archer! Now to see what I can do regarding a drawing of our favorite villian. I'm interested in seeing what emerges from the page myself!

Winter9 · « **Reply #72 on:** May 12, 2010, 03:33:40 pm »

A question from my sister.

Did the

Winter9 · « **Reply #73 on:** May 12, 2010, 03:37:49 pm »

Question from my sister:

When elves and human die, they are supposed to be truly happy and enter a place of rest right? But if two from seperate races fall in love, will they be truly happy? Why aren't they in the same place. Especialøy she says since they have to come from the same origin. At least she Think so because they are so similar. Is that so?

Archer · « **Reply #74 on:** May 12, 2010, 03:45:16 pm »

Winter, that's why they are not supposed to fall in love. Such relationships are not only discouraged, but are frowned upon. It is also true that a She-elf will not bear children of men. Elves are actually fairly different from humans. As she continues to read and get to know the characters better, she (and you) will know more.

Aontar designed the afterlife according to His plan. While we may question the wisdom of it, we must realize that our human perceptions might not be able to comprehend it fully. Some things must be taken on faith. In fact, men don't really know WHAT happens to them after death (I do, though...). They only know that the Elves are taken to a realm of their own. For 99.999% of them, that's just fine!

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