| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| sleyvas |
Posted - 04 Dec 2006 : 16:10:38
Just started on Swords of Eveningstar. As many are, I would expect, you've begun to pick up on the little "realmsian" slurs (tluin, sabruin, stlarn it, etc...). However, I noticed something when Jhessail was casting her first magic missile (known to her as Battlestrike). The activation word was "alavaer". This stuck in my head obviously because of the closeness to the common Thayan saying of "alavairthae" which means "May your skill prevail". Makes me wonder if Alavaer (or Alavair) has a meaning in ancient Mulhorandi (which later became Thorass according to some texts). I would think the thae part of Alavairthae would make reference to Thay and/or Thayd, but it could also perhaps be the part of the sentence that means "prevail". Alavaer and Alavair could thereby be variations akin to "May your Skill, "By my skill", or even "By my Power". Or I could just be rambling. Anyway, thought it interesting. |
| 4 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| The Sage |
Posted - 04 Dec 2006 : 23:49:35
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
Just started on Swords of Eveningstar. As many are, I would expect, you've begun to pick up on the little "realmsian" slurs (tluin, sabruin, stlarn it, etc...). However, I noticed something when Jhessail was casting her first magic missile (known to her as Battlestrike). The activation word was "alavaer". This stuck in my head obviously because of the closeness to the common Thayan saying of "alavairthae" which means "May your skill prevail". Makes me wonder if Alavaer (or Alavair) has a meaning in ancient Mulhorandi (which later became Thorass according to some texts). I would think the thae part of Alavairthae would make reference to Thay and/or Thayd, but it could also perhaps be the part of the sentence that means "prevail". Alavaer and Alavair could thereby be variations akin to "May your Skill, "By my skill", or even "By my Power". Or I could just be rambling. Anyway, thought it interesting.
I would tend to think that any derived Thayvan command words for spells would reflect their overall attitudes on viewing magic as nothing more than a tool to dominate others. Whereas, as in the example given, such a command word would reflect the spellcaster's inherent belief that magic is something more than just skill and ability, and something other than just a tool for domination.
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| Ergdusch |
Posted - 04 Dec 2006 : 17:02:20
Always interesting to see what the human mind comes up with. That you acutally remember the Thayan saying and than start to draw compaartives and so forth... amaizing!
Go ask Ed for I would like to know as well. |
| Kaladorm |
Posted - 04 Dec 2006 : 16:58:28
Command words for spells seem to be personal (in much the same way that, in theory, every single wizard writes spells in his own language, hence read magic becoming necessary).
From the modern arcane elven-like command words we often hear now, to the cheesier ones used way back in books like Spellfire and Azure Bonds  |
| Kuje |
Posted - 04 Dec 2006 : 16:24:26
Ask Ed? :) I'd love to know..... |
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