| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Alaundo |
Posted - 30 Oct 2005 : 15:39:47
Well met
This is a Book Club thread for Midnight's Mask. Please discuss Chapter 12 - 15 herein: |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| PaulSKemp |
Posted - 21 Dec 2005 : 13:58:21
quote:
Originally posted by scererar
well I am glad to have Riven back with Cale, I really liked the part when he turned on the slaad and told them that they were standing in his temple. Was this what Riven took as his "reward" for helping the sojourner? on page 250, the Sojourner told him to name what he wanted, but Riven asked for time to consider. Or was it Riven claiming the temple in the name of Mask, due to the fact that Cyric and Mask are enemies? ( I was thinking that this might have had something to do with Rivens dreams/ visions)
Scererar,
The latter. This is the point at which everything becomes clear to Riven (or so he thinks) and he decides, fully and finally, where his loyalties lie.
Paul |
| scererar |
Posted - 20 Dec 2005 : 21:40:52
well I am glad to have Riven back with Cale, I really liked the part when he turned on the slaad and told them that they were standing in his temple. Was this what Riven took as his "reward" for helping the sojourner? on page 250, the Sojourner told him to name what he wanted, but Riven asked for time to consider. Or was it Riven claiming the temple in the name of Mask, due to the fact that Cyric and Mask are enemies? ( I was thinking that this might have had something to do with Rivens dreams/ visions)
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| PaulSKemp |
Posted - 12 Nov 2005 : 14:17:40
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
I have to say, now that what Vhostym is trying to do is somewhat revealed, I still think of him as evil, but its interesting to note that he suddenly, for all his power, seems like an old man that hasn't felt anything in a long time and wants to feel alive just one more time before he dies. Its not so much pitty, but recognition of what makes him tick.
Knowing the next set of books that Paul is working on, reading the passage about the Source sending out its distress call made me think . . . oh, I get it. And also, Sephris' warning isn't about the here and now, its about what Cale is setting in motion in the here and now. Paul really does a good job of making the book layered and deep without making things too obtuse or complicated.
Interesting and insightful theories, KEjr.  |
| PaulSKemp |
Posted - 12 Nov 2005 : 14:16:30
quote:
Originally posted by Celebrant Moonflower
Yayyy, Riven turns on the Slaadi  I liked that last word of "Wayrock" which he transmitted to Magadon too. I was SO happy to see Riven back properly. He's one of my favorite Forgotten Realms characters, I hope we see more of him in the future? Mr Kemp? will we? please. Pretty please 
CM,
You will definitely see more of him in The Twilight War.
Paul |
| Celebrant Moonflower |
Posted - 12 Nov 2005 : 11:09:05
Chapter 15
I thought it was very touching how Cale said "i'm sorry" to the weave tap as he watched it wither and burn  Knowing that the weave tap was sentient too made it all very sad. Cale thought also how he and the weave tap were very similar in many ways.
I really liked how the plan came together and how the people of Selgaunt looked up to the sky to see all the changes going on.
Yayyy, Riven turns on the Slaadi I liked that last word of "Wayrock" which he transmitted to Magadon too. I was SO happy to see Riven back properly. He's one of my favorite Forgotten Realms characters, I hope we see more of him in the future? Mr Kemp? will we? please. Pretty please |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 12 Nov 2005 : 01:07:38
I have to say, now that what Vhostym is trying to do is somewhat revealed, I still think of him as evil, but its interesting to note that he suddenly, for all his power, seems like an old man that hasn't felt anything in a long time and wants to feel alive just one more time before he dies. Its not so much pitty, but recognition of what makes him tick.
Knowing the next set of books that Paul is working on, reading the passage about the Source sending out its distress call made me think . . . oh, I get it. And also, Sephris' warning isn't about the here and now, its about what Cale is setting in motion in the here and now. Paul really does a good job of making the book layered and deep without making things too obtuse or complicated.
If Vhostym's plan is as simple as I think it is, and Cale went through all this trouble, Megadon got this messed up, and the events that seem to be starting in motion are as major as Sephris seems to think they are, Cale is going to be pretty upset that he got mixed up in all of this, and perhaps a bit upset with Mask for making sure he was involved in all of this. Unless of course its all too much for Cale and he breaks under the weight of all these consequenses.
I liked the whole point of Mask's involvement being to steal a temple from Cyric. Sometimes writers get so caught up in the alignment of a god that they forget their portfolio, and vice versa. I think between the temptation that he has been pressing on Cale and this plan, Paul has really struck a balance showing both Mask's moral leanings and his interest in his portfolio.
With all the grim forshadowing and apprehension on the main character's parts, I thought for sure that the crew of the Demon Binder was done for. Its been a while since I couldn't figure out weather a character was meant to be a "red shirt" or weather the heroes would save them, and for me to really care about the outcome. Paul managed to pull off a major rescue without it feeling too much like a foregone conclusion.
Well, if Vhostym's goal is as simple as I think it is (and unless I really missed something, it must be), lets hope Cale can content himself knowing that he destroyed a potentially dangerous artifact, at the very least. Although, it was interesting to see Cale worry about destroying it when he realized it had rudimentary awareness. |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 11 Nov 2005 : 17:54:18
quote:
Originally posted by PaulSKemp
CM,
Sakkors is detailed in a few supplements. I believe it first appears in Steven Schend's excellent 2E supplement, "Sea of Fallen Stars," which served as my reference material for the Sakkors scenes. I believe a write up of Sakkors is also included in the 3.5 supplement, "Lost Empires of Faerun."
That's right. There's a short passage in the Netheril section of LEoF. I read this recently (one hell of a sourcebook, BTW  ) and reading about Sekkors is just terrible. What a amazing sight that must have been! Sheesh! |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 11 Nov 2005 : 17:48:14
quote:
Originally posted by Celebrant Moonflower
This is also a very important chapter and I was totally sucked in whilst the big plan and formula was given on moving Selune's (sorry don't know how to do the funny "e") tear to place the Wayrock in shadow. Very clever.
I was really glued to this point and concentrating on how it was all going to work. It was executed perfectly. In a way, I was quite glad that it worked out for him like that. All that planning and calculating actually paid off for a bad guy for once |
| PaulSKemp |
Posted - 11 Nov 2005 : 11:11:54
quote:
Originally posted by Celebrant Moonflower
Chapter 13
Mr Kemp, is Sakkors detailed in any sourcebooks? Is it maybe in the Netheril box? Sorry, all my game books are in storage at the moment so i can't check for myself (but i would like to know for when i get them back  )
CM,
Sakkors is detailed in a few supplements. I believe it first appears in Steven Schend's excellent 2E supplement, "Sea of Fallen Stars," which served as my reference material for the Sakkors scenes. I believe a write up of Sakkors is also included in the 3.5 supplement, "Lost Empires of Faerun." |
| Celebrant Moonflower |
Posted - 10 Nov 2005 : 21:30:47
Chapter 13
Ooowwwww. That description of them taking in the water so they could breathe and bear the pressure reminded me of the film Abyss. That must be so painful and frightening.
Mr Kemp, is Sakkors detailed in any sourcebooks? Is it maybe in the Netheril box? Sorry, all my game books are in storage at the moment so i can't check for myself (but i would like to know for when i get them back )
I liked how you described the mountain being on it's side, with the smooth cliff once being the top of the mountain on which the buildings all stood (some of which have now slid off).
Wow, here it is. It's a kraken!  And an enormous one one too. This chapter was great. I loved the whole embedded source thing and the kraken chase was just amazing. I was on the edge of my seat
I liked the release of tension too when Magadon pulled the ship through the portal, to the crews applauds.
Chapter 14
I thought that the end of the book would be underwater and dealing with the kraken like in that last chapter. It was very well done how after such a racing chapter, that this chapter starts off so calm and down to earth again. And also here we get that emotional focus... Jak trying to smoke pipeweed and having no tindertwigs, which just ended up being too much and made tears in his eyes. Awww, poor Jak This was a beautiful scene. Mr Kemp, you have written a book that has never affected me so much. It's a rollercoaster of emotions.
This is also a very important chapter and I was totally sucked in whilst the big plan and formula was given on moving Selune's (sorry don't know how to do the funny "e") tear to place the Wayrock in shadow. Very clever.
The reunion in Selgaunt was a nice cosy end to the chapter, and the mood was lightened with Jak saying "Someone better have a tindertwig". LOL 
I've not been able to read much lately, which really frustrates me because it's such a fantastic read. |
| PaulSKemp |
Posted - 10 Nov 2005 : 14:06:15
quote:
Originally posted by Beezy
The Scrag's can regenerate under water.
Also, I think Cale was kind of "scared" to summon the Shades to fight the Scrags because he may have been afraid of what it would cost him to do so. Or perhaps he was afraid that he would not have full control over the shades and they would kill the crew of the ships.
CM, Beezy is correct. Scrags regenerate only when in saltwater, not while out of it.
And Shadovar, Beezy's thoughts echo my intent with Cale at this point. Summoning shadows to do his bidding might immerse Cale too deeply in shadow. No doubt Jak's admonition from earlier in the novel has stuck with him so he resists the temptation. |
| Beezy |
Posted - 10 Nov 2005 : 13:10:53
quote:
Originally posted by Celebrant Moonflower
Chapter 12
Wow this is getting more and more tense and atmospheric by the second When the ships halt and they're bobbing in the water, then hear the bumping under the hull. This really grabbed me. I was actually scared
Sorry, another technical question... in the Scrag fight, it mentioned that those on deck weren't regenerating (as do normal trolls, when not set alight), is it being out of water that prevents scrag regeneration? Would they have regenerated if the fight had been in the sea?
I felt sorry for Sertan when Azriim smiled and teleported off, leaving them to the scrags
The Scrag's can regenerate under water.
Also, I think Cale was kind of "scared" to summon the Shades to fight the Scrags because he may have been afraid of what it would cost him to do so. Or perhaps he was afraid that he would not have full control over the shades and they would kill the crew of the ships. |
| Shadovar |
Posted - 10 Nov 2005 : 08:47:09
I had read the book and still on way to finishing it, yes, the story is grabbing and grabbing my attention as I read on. So while I am pretty surprised that Magadon would willingly pay a price to get rid of the sea troll invaders, still, I am wondering if Magadon paid the price by sacrificing his morals or conscience? Hard to tell.
Also, it was a sad thing to see the crew of Dolphin coffer betrayed by the treacherous slaadi, what's amusing is to see Dolgan complaining that the Scrags get to eat the sailors while he missed the chance and Azrimm still in the habit of "No vulgarities" despite the pressing situation.
Still, when the sea scrags attacked the Demon Binder which Cale and his comrades were on, surely Cale can summon the shadowy fiends that Mask had assigned command to him while the ship was crusing in the Plane of Shadow. Surely the shadowy fiends are very eager to get some "kills", also, the shadowy fiends can save a lot of trouble, time, lives if Cale summoned them to battle the sea scrags and he can take the chance to chase after the slaadi and close the distance between them faster. |
| Celebrant Moonflower |
Posted - 10 Nov 2005 : 07:59:52
Chapter 12
Wow this is getting more and more tense and atmospheric by the second When the ships halt and they're bobbing in the water, then hear the bumping under the hull. This really grabbed me. I was actually scared
Sorry, another technical question... in the Scrag fight, it mentioned that those on deck weren't regenerating (as do normal trolls, when not set alight), is it being out of water that prevents scrag regeneration? Would they have regenerated if the fight had been in the sea?
I felt sorry for Sertan when Azriim smiled and teleported off, leaving them to the scrags |
| Beezy |
Posted - 10 Nov 2005 : 03:40:28
I must say at this point the book is nearly impossible to set down, probally the very same reason why I am about to be the first to post on these chapters! I had the feeling that the the creature (Ssessimyth) with the source was going to be a kraken and I was correct.
I am wondering what Magadon had to sacrifice in order to gain some control over the Source to defeat the sea trolls and get the ship out of the Krakens path. I am trying to figure out why Mag's horns grew and everyone is remarking that he looks different, did the Source possibly make his demon-half mroe powerful? I have yet to read chapter 15, so its possible I am about to find out afetr I finish eating and finish the rest of this terrific novel. I felt that Mag digesting all the knowledge from the source was great, it seemed he was struggling with the decision to either stay with the Source and the power and knowledge it was feeding him or to get the ship out of danger and get back with his companions.
Azriim had a brillant plan, he used the same gem he used on the ship earlier to block Cale from shadow warping anywhere. I am not too sure why he didn't think of this earlier, because the only reason Cale can keep up with the slaadi is through Mag's mindlink and shadow warping to wherever the Slaadi are.
I am still eagerly awaiting to see what Riven is up to and find out which side he stands on or if he is on his own side altogether.
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