| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 14 Dec 2005 : 02:55:46
Time for another Character Study, for anyone that cares to participate. Since this particular one is very near to the big D, I feel compelled to reiterate the disclaimer that I posted way back when we all discussed Wulfgar and his character/potential future development. While I love a good discussion, and I definately don't expect everyone to chime in with only positive comments, this is not meant to be any kind of author bashing post. RAS provokes some strong emotions, but personally, part of why that is might be due to the fact that even those of us that may not be as thrilled with later books were definately fans of his earlier works. So definately do your utmost to keep on target with the character study, talking about the character and the ideas for development therein, what works, what doesn't. Thanks everyone in advance.
I think the whole "Company of the Hall" evolved a lot from the original archetypes that they were created under. Wulfgar was originally the hero, Bruenor was the father figure/mentor, Drizzt was the sidekick, Regis the comic releif, and Catti-brie the cute but fiesty love interest. Heck, originally Drizzt was the Spock to Wulfgar's Kirk . . . but times change.
I think a lot of the evolution of the characters was driven by the fan response. Not just that Drizzt shifted from the sidekick to the co-star to the star, but the scope of things as well. Once a trilogy was warrented, and the Realms became a popular place, then the Company of the Hall ended up doing some Realms hopping.
I think this is the impetus of some of the changes in Catti-brie. She could be the fiesty love interest "back home" when home was nearby. But if she was going to be a factor in the books, and the group starts wandering far afield, then she has to be shown to be competant, she needs to have the ability to contribute if she goes on the road. So the fiesty love interest turns into the fiesty warrior woman. The problem is, once she starts travelling with the band, she seems to have more chemistry with Drizzt than with Wulfgar, though she is still his love interest.
A nexus of how Catti-brie is portrayed comes from the events of The Legacy. The upcoming marriage, the foreshadowed feelings of Drizzt, the change in treatment from Wulfgar, the wedding planning, and the eventual "death" of Wulfgar shift things around a lot.
Catti-brie is suppose to be an independant, self actualized warrior woman, at least in theory. I think the Legacy shows us differently, dispite her protests in various stories since then. While Catti-brie gets upset with Wulfgar for treating her as less than an equal, and she gets upset with Bruenor for the whole traditional "wedding apron" incident, in the end, I think Catti-brie more often then not, from this point on, comes across as a woman that is competant in battle, but mainly is just along in the story to keep either her father figure or lover pleased.
I was always wondering why Catti-brie didn't question weather Wulfgar was just a girlhood crush, and why it took Wulfgar's less than stellar treatment for her to even start to be upset with the situation. It makes me wonder if her warrior exterior isn't a facade that hides someone that is looking for someone to please. Not exactly a hardened warrior woman or even a particularly independant one.
She spends HOW much time with Drizzt wandering around and sailing on Deudermont's ship, never really talking about the 800 pound girillon between them. The closest we get is Catti-brie telling Drizzt that they should talk about their relationship sometime . . . no ultimatum, no even trying to have another relationship because she is tired of waiting for him.
Then, when Wulfgar comes back, to make him feel like everything is back to normal, she sleeps with him!
There was the attempt to give Catti-brie a side story with Khazad-hea, but that story just seemed somewhat forced to me. We never really thought that she was going to completely succumb to the sword and try to kill Drizzt, so the whole point seemed to be to reinforce to all of us that she must have a strong will to master the sword.
I guess to me though, the biggest missed oppourtunity comes at the end of the Hunter's Blades trilogy. While Catti-brie and Drizzt finally cosumate their relationship, she also leaves Khazad-hea lying around, and it possessed, then causes the death of, Delly. Wulfgar has always been more emotional than thoughtful, and I would have thought that he might, at least a bit, blame Catti-brie for Delly death and Colson's dissappearance, but it never comes. Not even a hint of it. And from a character study point of view, even injured, to leave an intelligent evil weapon lying around when there are everyday, weak willed, run of the mill refugees being housed nearby, its the sign of someone that really doesn't take responsibility for her actions, someone that expects the father figure or the lover to be the one to say, "now Catti-brie, you make sure to put that evil sword up where no one can get to it now, okay?"
This is not to say that Catti-brie isn't likeable, or a valuable character, or even an enjoyable one. But there is a bit of a disconnect between the way the other characters perceive Catti-brie, and how she actually acts.
I can see essentially three paths for Catti-brie, and I would definately favor the last one I present.
1) Catti-brie and Drizzt settle down and have children. Catti-brie has mentioned a desire to have children, and if you run the numbers and the apparent date of the last trilogy, she had better do something soon if she is serious about this.
What I worry about here is the same thing that seems to have happened with the characters of Cadderly and Danica, where they "settle down" by having children, then have character X watch the child and they both proceed more or less as they have for years, with the occaisional mention of the child.
2) We hold steady where we are at. We know Catti-brie and Drizzt are officially a couple. They share a bed. If this option hold, then we have some passing references to the relationship, but it stalls out at this point for a while, and if Catti-brie hold true to form, she will only do a little wheedling about advancing anything, and, by default, the child issue soon becomes moot, without some kind of forced comment about "longevity" magic which would also lessen Drizzt's dealing with the realities of loving a human.
3) (Don't hate me for this one, and don't read into it the wrong thing) Catti-brie dies. This option, I think, has the most potential for character growth for the whole series. Keep in mind, I am not advocating this because I dislike the character, but think about what this would open up. Bruenor might mature and decide to dedicate himself to his people as a king, not wanting to loose any of them like he lost his daughter. Wulgar would likely strike out on his own, perhaps even having a chance to rekindle his leadership spark that we got to see, briefly, when Settlestone was populated. Drizzt would likely take to wandering, but he would be free to move on to another step in his life. Perhaps he could become a spy/scout/special agent for the Silver Marches, answering directly to Alustriel (considering their established friendship). He may even prefer her company to shorter lived friends for a while, after the pain of loosing Catti-brie.
This would also go a long way to rebuilding the suspension of disbelief that the characters are actually in mortal danger, a sense that was seriously damaged with Wulgar's return from the dead.
Obviously others will have some other ideas, and I would love to hear them. What ifs and brainstorming are my whole intent with these Character Studies, so let me hear what you think . . . |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 26 Dec 2005 : 06:21:41
That has crossed my mind a few times. I keep trying to think that maybe, though he was good friends with Bruenor, he didn't spend much time with her until she was a least a teenager . . . still creepy that way, but less so. And I know the Crystal Shard doesn't specifically talk about them spending much time together until his service period was done, but just the idea that Catti-brie and Wulfgar both considered themselves Bruenor's "children" made that relationship a bit strange as well, but at least Wulfgar proudly proclaims himself the "son of Beornegar" so that lesses that awkwardness as well. |
| Milith holder of HB8 |
Posted - 26 Dec 2005 : 06:20:11
I have nothing against him that I want him to feel pain, its just that this would allow for him to grow more. In fact, drop the doppleganger idea and just have him really kill her. In front of Drizzt, with him failing to protect her. That would drive a nice nasty wedge between he and her step-dad, would end any hope of the party getting back together and Drizzt would be free to find someone better...that plus Wulgar would be dead. |
| Winterfox |
Posted - 26 Dec 2005 : 06:11:49
quote:
Originally posted by Chosen of Bane
That's when Stumpet switches her allegiance to Velsharoon and brings them both back for the cheap cost of a 50 gp Onyx....
Gods, isn't that a merry christmas thought 
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
Heck, I don't care so much about making him feel pain, as to get some inertia involved in moving him out of his rut. I think Drizzt working as a special agent/spy/scout of Alustriel on behalf of the Silver Marches is a much better use of his skills. And ironically, it makes him a bit more important, since he relatively has little impact on the Realms as a whole as Bruenor's buddy, but as Alustriel's Mr. Fixit? That is a life spent doing something worthwile.
Definitely. His fans tend to have a somewhat skewed idea of his importance (read: not much; he could drop dead one day and most of the Realms wouldn't give a whit, if they even know he exists at all).
quote:
I keep wanting to wrench this from Drizzt though, and stay focused on Catti-brie. Its hard though, becuase I really don't see her having much potential beyond being the catalyst to move the storyline beyond where its at now.
I can't blame you. She's not worth much more than a plot device. I cudgel my brain for something to discuss, and I'm hard pressed to come up with anything new.
Although, am I the only one who finds it slightly creepy that Drizzt knew and played with her when she was a little girl? From Catti-cheese's Catti's perspective, it's probably not so bad, but doesn't he sometimes remember her as a wee lass? |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 26 Dec 2005 : 06:04:29
Heck, I don't care so much about making him feel pain, as to get some inertia involved in moving him out of his rut. I think Drizzt working as a special agent/spy/scout of Alustriel on behalf of the Silver Marches is a much better use of his skills. And ironically, it makes him a bit more important, since he relatively has little impact on the Realms as a whole as Bruenor's buddy, but as Alustriel's Mr. Fixit? That is a life spent doing something worthwile.
I keep wanting to wrench this from Drizzt though, and stay focused on Catti-brie. Its hard though, becuase I really don't see her having much potential beyond being the catalyst to move the storyline beyond where its at now. |
| Milith holder of HB8 |
Posted - 26 Dec 2005 : 05:50:35
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
Somehow I doubt that they would beleive that Drizzt would have done it. Ironically, if it turned into Wulfgar and did it, they might buy it. He gets no respect. At any rate, having her die in childbirth either leaves a child to care for, or leaves a dead Catti-brie and a dead baby, and dead baby + dead Catti-brie (and I appologize, because I don't want to sound TOO negative) = an unbearable amount of angst and self pitty in the future journals of Drizzt.
I guess your right, Wulfgar would be much better. That way Drizzt could feel pain on a new level (droping the baby idea). |
| Chosen of Bane |
Posted - 26 Dec 2005 : 05:24:51
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
At any rate, having her die in childbirth either leaves a child to care for, or leaves a dead Catti-brie and a dead baby, and dead baby + dead Catti-brie (and I appologize, because I don't want to sound TOO negative) = an unbearable amount of angst and self pitty in the future journals of Drizzt.
That's when Stumpet switches her allegiance to Velsharoon and brings them both back for the cheap cost of a 50 gp Onyx....
Gods, isn't that a merry christmas thought |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 26 Dec 2005 : 05:08:03
Somehow I doubt that they would beleive that Drizzt would have done it. Ironically, if it turned into Wulfgar and did it, they might buy it. He gets no respect. At any rate, having her die in childbirth either leaves a child to care for, or leaves a dead Catti-brie and a dead baby, and dead baby + dead Catti-brie (and I appologize, because I don't want to sound TOO negative) = an unbearable amount of angst and self pitty in the future journals of Drizzt.
|
| Milith holder of HB8 |
Posted - 26 Dec 2005 : 04:51:42
I would say that C-B acts more like a dwarven woman than anything human. Which makes sense mind you. AS for the whole roamnce thing, I think it would be best if she died during pregnency. Nowthat would be more than enough to shatter this group. Drizzt would be off to be alone, Wulfgar...I hardly care. Brunor would become a better king with his halfling stewart to aid him. Better yet, have a Doppleganger (for whatever reason) come and kill her in the form of Drizzt. Then the drow would be forced to leave with his former friends hunting him down like a dog. Then Brunor's allys get in the mix. So basicly where back to the good old days of Drizzt being sad and alone. |
| Crennen FaerieBane |
Posted - 20 Dec 2005 : 14:28:54
I agree - and if Catti-Brie's actions were to speak for themselves, we would come out with a lot different character traits describing her than the ones given.
She is vicious and cruel at moments, but we are supposed to forgive those because she can "so" understand both Drizzt and all the companions. Remember when she defeated the barbarian king? What was up with that? She basically humiliated him with what was NOT the only option to let the barbarians stay. KEJR, I'm beginning to share your opinion of letting Drizzt go off (with Innovindil ) and let him start as a scout for the Silver Marches.
C-Fb |
| Winterfox |
Posted - 20 Dec 2005 : 09:40:34
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
Winterfox, sometimes I definately don't see eye to eye with you, but I must concur regarding your opinions of Catti-brie and Danica. In fact, I'm not really likely to post a Danica Character Study anytime soon because she seems, to me, like Catti-brie with less personality.
Definitely. The two characters just blur into a single mass for me.
quote:
And then by the time they get finished with all of the breaking and killing, there isn't much time left for them to actually come across as caring or wise or loving or whatever. Killing machine first, then we state what personality traits they have, "off camera."
Thus breaking the fairly rudimentary guideline of "show, not tell." (Which can't be taken literally all the time with, say, minor off-stage events. But things like a character's personality? Er...) I wonder why he doesn't have this problem with his male characters? (I consider quite a few of them to be rather one-dimensional, but at least they have more personality than Catti.)
quote:
Mara Jade is a perfect example of a butt kicking character that didn't come accross as "natural born killer" one second and then "but she is femine and worth of male attention" the next.
She's aggressive and ever so mildly... bitchy, and the good thing is that Zahn doesn't seem to feel obliged to make her seem "worthy of male attention", in this case Luke's.
quote:
But let me posit this question: If Catti-brie was really well portrayed as a loving mother and wife from the next book on, and she ended up as a caring, support character raising children, but not really adventuring "with the boys" anymore, would it work if it was well done, or has the precedent been set already? Has she been the warrior woman too long to make a convincing transition back?
Well... the same thing's done to Danica. I won't say how well done I think it is, because that's neither here nor there, unless you treat her as a Catti clone with more personality. (Oh, wait...) But sure, I think it could work if her psyche's dealt with accordingly. Has she been a Xenarwen all this time because she feels pressured to please her adoptive father and friends? Is raising a family really what she wants? How'd she reconcile the two roles? And so on and so forth.
quote:
Originally posted by Chosen of Bane
But honestly, I don't think that being a stay at home mom is what's needed to show that she his compassionate, caring, etc.... There are ways to incorporate those personality traits in an adventuring character.
Seconded.
quote:
And I think it's important to point out that just because she's a woman does not mean she needs to be compassionate, caring, yada yada yada... but don't say that she is and then have her act in another manner. If her personality description in the books matched the personality she displays in the books we wouldn't be having this discussion, regardless of what personality type that is.
Exactly. I could't care less if she was a codependent nitwit or a grrl!power icon, so long that she's described honestly and other characters treat/perceive her accordingly. The disparity between what she is, and what she is supposed to be, is startling. It makes me wonder if the other characters are hallucinating.
For that matter, I don't understand why there's a need to describe a character's traits in narrative, especially when the narrative is third-person omniscient -- which is supposed to be the objective reality? Qualifiers like intelligent, strong-willed, independent, and charismatic can be easily shown (and IMO, far more effectively) by letting a character's dialogue or actions speak for themselves. |
| Chosen of Bane |
Posted - 20 Dec 2005 : 03:44:42
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
But let me posit this question: If Catti-brie was really well portrayed as a loving mother and wife from the next book on, and she ended up as a caring, support character raising children, but not really adventuring "with the boys" anymore, would it work if it was well done, or has the precedent been set already? Has she been the warrior woman too long to make a convincing transition back?
Personaly, I feel that the precedent has been set already. She has already shown that she is happy adventuring with the boys and her "Dwarven Stubborness" would make her likely to do what she likes...adventure and fight. But honestly, I don't think that being a stay at home mom is what's needed to show that she his compassionate, caring, etc.... There are ways to incorporate those personality traits in an adventuring character.
And I think it's important to point out that just because she's a woman does not mean she needs to be compassionate, caring, yada yada yada... but don't say that she is and then have her act in another manner. If her personality description in the books matched the personality she displays in the books we wouldn't be having this discussion, regardless of what personality type that is. |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 20 Dec 2005 : 03:03:36
Winterfox, sometimes I definately don't see eye to eye with you, but I must concur regarding your opinions of Catti-brie and Danica. In fact, I'm not really likely to post a Danica Character Study anytime soon because she seems, to me, like Catti-brie with less personality. But, as I cited earlier, I don't think its RAS lack of ability to write female characters that is the problem. I actually liked Shoudra, for example. I think its that when he decides to make a female character a lead character, he is so worried about showing that she is equal to the males and holding her own, and rather than show that she holds her own by having her own unique place in the story, he tries to show it in that she is the equal, litterally, of the males, in every aspect. Which means she will have to fight and break things with the best of them. And then by the time they get finished with all of the breaking and killing, there isn't much time left for them to actually come across as caring or wise or loving or whatever. Killing machine first, then we state what personality traits they have, "off camera."
I like the examples you gave with the Sci-fi/Fantasy characters written by males, and without drifting too far off topic, Mara Jade is a perfect example of a butt kicking character that didn't come accross as "natural born killer" one second and then "but she is femine and worth of male attention" the next.
But let me posit this question: If Catti-brie was really well portrayed as a loving mother and wife from the next book on, and she ended up as a caring, support character raising children, but not really adventuring "with the boys" anymore, would it work if it was well done, or has the precedent been set already? Has she been the warrior woman too long to make a convincing transition back? |
| Deverien Valandil |
Posted - 19 Dec 2005 : 20:24:44
quote:
Originally posted by khorne
quote:
Originally posted by Winterfox
[quote] I was going to pick up the New Jedi Order, but the first book's by RAS, so I'd rather not waste my time or money)
That, my friend, is a HUGE mistake.
Eh, I wouldn't say that. Sure, some parts of the series were okay, and the Yuuzhan Vong were interesting enough in their own right, but most of the series didn't really click with me. What I didn't like was the fact that the whole thing was about twice as long as it should have been; I had the impression that many of the stories were either repetitive or drawn out longer than they should have been.
Okay, enough of that.
To keep the thread on topic: I grew so sick of the will-they/won't-they relationship between Drizzt and Cattie-Brie. I guess it's fine that they're 'together' now, but my interest in the matter petered out many books ago.
EDIT: I was originally going to say something about Entreri and the female characters in Promise of the Witch-King, but I guess I ought to save that for a future character study thread. |
| Winterfox |
Posted - 19 Dec 2005 : 19:36:09
Why? To begin with, I'm more interested in the Old Republic era (Exar Kun! Qel-Droma! The Sunrider women! KotOR! Wheee). And what I've heard about Vector Prime from SW readers whom I trust hasn't been exactly positive. (No, their complaints weren't simply that he killed off a major character. They complained about his writing and the lack of SW feel. How true it is, I don't know, but I'd rather read authors I actually like before I touch another RAS novel.) |
| khorne |
Posted - 19 Dec 2005 : 19:22:41
quote:
Originally posted by Winterfox
[quote] I was going to pick up the New Jedi Order, but the first book's by RAS, so I'd rather not waste my time or money)
That, my friend, is a HUGE mistake. |
| Winterfox |
Posted - 19 Dec 2005 : 17:57:10
quote:
Originally posted by Chosen of Bane
Seriously, I see your point though about how the women are portrayed. I guess, being a guy, I never really thought about it. My question though is this, are there any male authors that do a fair job of portraying women as independant characters?
Sure.
Cersei, Daenerys (George R. R. Martin)
Mara Jade Skywalker (Timothy Zahn; I don't read SW novels by any other author. I was going to pick up the New Jedi Order, but the first book's by RAS, so I'd rather not waste my time or money)
Door, Death, Thessalian, among others (Neil Gaiman)
Granny Weatherwax, Agnes Nitt, Susan Sto Helit (Terry Pratchett)
Jessica Atreides, Ghanima Atreides (Frank Herbert)
Notice that quite a few of these women haven ever picked up a weapon or cast a single destructive spell in their lives (Cersei, Agnes). I don't even define "independence" by being single/without offspring (Cersei's in love with Jaime, and Jessica with Duke Leto; both of them are fiercely protective of their sons). Some of them are relatively mild-mannered and not ravishing beauties (something so many supposed "strong female characters" are), such as Agnes (who's overweight). If it had been made certain that the poets were male, I'd have brought up quite a few women from Old Norse verses, too. |
| Chosen of Bane |
Posted - 19 Dec 2005 : 17:07:21
reminds himself not to submit any writing to Winterfox
Seriously, I see your point though about how the women are portrayed. I guess, being a guy, I never really thought about it. My question though is this, are there any male authors that do a fair job of portraying women as independant characters?
When I read your post the person that came to mind was Arilyn Moonblade and Queen Amluruil Moonflower (spelling?) but both of them are written by a female author.
-sorry if I got off topic  - |
| Winterfox |
Posted - 19 Dec 2005 : 16:56:32
quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane
Uh oh, Winterfox, this sounds like the same road you took on RAS' board. At least here he's not going to kick you off. 
Eh, so long that it's understood that I comment on the writing, rather than the writer. This is no more or less harsh than when I tear apart fanfiction posted here. |
| Crennen FaerieBane |
Posted - 19 Dec 2005 : 15:19:05
Uh oh, Winterfox, this sounds like the same road you took on RAS' board. At least here he's not going to kick you off.
I agree with you - the characters don't seem to have any purpose outside of a) confounding their love interests with random actions b) ogling them with adoring eyes, and c) being another tank in the party to help kill the hordes of goblins and orcs RAS has sent to slaughter over the years.
C-Fb |
| Winterfox |
Posted - 19 Dec 2005 : 14:18:57
I've always had a problem with RAS' major female characters, but I haven't been able to quite put a finger on why. I think Rinonalyrna Fathomlin has put it in words for me:
quote:
There is also a disconnect between what RAS says about her and how she acts. We are TOLD that Cattie-brie is wise, compassionate, caring, understanding, etc. And in spite of all that glowing praise, she rarely ever seems to act that way.
That's the problem I have both with her and Danica. They're repeatedly described as wise, understanding, and oh, musn't forget strong and independent. (I'm pretty sure Danica, at least, has been described in precisely these last two terms. I consider both of them to be codependent nitwits, if anything, and rather immature at that (so not all that "wise and understanding"). They are very much female Designated Love Interests, and it's so painfully obvious that they exist simply to fill that role, rather than exist as real, living, breathing people on their own right. Where are their personal ambitions and desires that don't involve being googly-eyed at Drizzt and Cadderly, respectively? Where are the lives they lead outside of interacting with their romantic partners?
I think that this is a common mistake in a great deal of fiction: if a woman can hold her own in a fight, she fulfills the requirement of being a "strong female character", when that's hardly the case. You can be strong without ever lifting a weapon or slashing an orc to bits (hell, you can be a pacifist and still be strong). Strength of character and personality has nothing to do with martial ability -- a fact that many authors, especially fantasy authors who feel the obligation to have "strong female characters", seem to disregard. |
| Mask |
Posted - 18 Dec 2005 : 10:37:15
Seems like I'll have to get a copy of that book somewhere. |
| Shadovar |
Posted - 18 Dec 2005 : 00:51:13
quote:
Originally posted by Mask
Entreri has Shade blood? Where does it say that? Is it going to be explained in the last book of the Sell Swords trilogy? Or did I miss something in the other books?
Enteri gained some shade essence after stabbing a shade with a vampiric blade in the Realms of Shadow, the short story title called: "That curious sword" |
| Kajehase |
Posted - 18 Dec 2005 : 00:03:07
It's in a short story in one of the Realms of ... books, Realms of Shadow sounds logical to me. |
| Mask |
Posted - 17 Dec 2005 : 23:05:00
Entreri has Shade blood? Where does it say that? Is it going to be explained in the last book of the Sell Swords trilogy? Or did I miss something in the other books? |
| Crennen FaerieBane |
Posted - 17 Dec 2005 : 22:28:27
quote:
Originally posted by Beezy
I wish I had the memory you guys have. I think I read through so fast that I don't retain enough of what I read to remember it for very long. You guys always have such interesting post.
I would picture C-B being closer to C-Fb estimate but who knows. It would appear that she does need to step it up sicne she wants children. If she does end up having them do you see her still adventuring with the company or staying home with her children?
Well, I would see her staying home to raise the children, due to the family life that she had. She lost her parents from a goblin raid, so I would think it would be important to her to stay close to her children and raise them, to give them something she never had. If she went off adventuring, she would almost be asking for the same fate she had as a child.
C-Fb |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 17 Dec 2005 : 20:47:34
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
This is not to say that Catti-brie isn't likeable, or a valuable character, or even an enjoyable one. But there is a bit of a disconnect between the way the other characters perceive Catti-brie, and how she actually acts.
Hell yes. There is also a disconnect between what RAS says about her and how she acts. We are TOLD that Cattie-brie is wise, compassionate, caring, understanding, etc. And in spite of all that glowing praise, she rarely ever seems to act that way. Not once, but twice, she actually pushes Regis up against the wall in a fit anger and impatience. Not exactly the actions of a "caring, compassionate, understanding" person. What's worse is that the second time was apparently done for humor. Needless to say, I wasn't laughing. |
| Crennen FaerieBane |
Posted - 17 Dec 2005 : 16:08:16
I was trying to stay well clear of that! 
On the other hand, RAS could throw us for a loop and have C-B turned into an elf or something of the such. That way he could continue the relationship. Also, just like Piergeiron, she could eventually take some kind of potion to keep her younger than she is now. What if she becomes desparate to stay with Drizzt?
And don't think that RAS isn't above keeping his characters alive longer than they should be - Entreri now has Shade blood in him which may keep him around a while longer than a 40+ yo man should be in the Realms.
C-Fb |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 17 Dec 2005 : 10:47:57
I think I remember what you were saying about how old she was in Passage to Dawn, since that was the first time that my "How old is Catti-brie" radar went off, especially when they note that they have been with Duedurmont for six years. I was skimming it to see if I could find the specific reference, but I didn't narrow it down. Even then, 26 years old puts her at 32 in the Hunter's Blades Trilogy, only a year off of my low end estimate, which again puts us at 36 years old in the Year of Lightning Storms . . . though I agree, that takes a bit of massaging of the time line when you read all of the books together and put them in perspective. Though in The Crystal Shard they mention Drizzt being "hundreds" of years old as well.
I'm so dissappointed, no one even mentioned the potential ramifications of Harkel Harpell getting into the fertility business,  |
| Beezy |
Posted - 17 Dec 2005 : 08:26:23
I wish I had the memory you guys have. I think I read through so fast that I don't retain enough of what I read to remember it for very long. You guys always have such interesting post.
I would picture C-B being closer to C-Fb estimate but who knows. It would appear that she does need to step it up sicne she wants children. If she does end up having them do you see her still adventuring with the company or staying home with her children? |
| Crennen FaerieBane |
Posted - 17 Dec 2005 : 05:14:55
Well, KEJR - I think with the convoluted timeline of RAS, C-B is supposed to be around 29-30. I don't know how that works out with the actual timeline, but it's the feeling I get. For some reason, I think after Drizzt and she were with Deudermont, I believe it mentions she is like 26 summers or so. During the Paths of Darkness, not much time passes, same with Hunter's Blade. So, in my estimate, I think she is about 30.
Am I making sense? Any which way, I totally agree with you - her biological clock is ticking as - well, at least in the medieval times, she would be a very old mother. Something has to be done with these characters and stat.
I will be back later - hockey beckons.
C-Fb |
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