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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
 Posted - 19 Jun 2006 : 02:41:54
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quote:
Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
I'm going to write with the mindset that this will be my last book in the Realms.
While, I'm sad to read that sentence, I more than understand the reason after going through your entire post.
"Not fade away..." is a line that came to mind after reading your post.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. |
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Faraer
Great Reader
3308 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jun 2006 : 04:07:25
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| Elaine, thank you. |
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GothicDan
Master of Realmslore
USA
1103 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jun 2006 : 05:32:59
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Elaine,
I rather had the idea that such was going to happen, in time - and that was one of the reasons I felt the urge to post, before you were totally done with your stories.
No matter how Rich paints his Elves, to me, you'll always be the undisputed Queen of the Elves.
If ever you have absolutely any thoughts about Elven lore or stories from the old days, current rules and mindset be damned, I would absolutely love to gobble it all up.
Thanks from me, too. |
Planescape Fanatic
"Fiends and Undead are the peanut butter and jelly of evil." - Me
"That attitude should be stomped on, whenever and wherever it's encountered, because it makes people holding such views bad citizens, not just bad roleplayers (considering D&D was structured as a 'forced cooperation' game, and although successive editions are pointing it more and more towards a me-first, min-max game, the drift away from 'we all need each other to succeed' will at some point make it 'no longer' D&D)." - ED GREENWOOD |
Edited by - GothicDan on 19 Jun 2006 05:34:35 |
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jun 2006 : 12:36:05
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quote:
Originally posted by Alaundo
I certainly hope that the statement which Mace Hammerhand highlighted earlier is also not the case, and that it is simply a way of descibing the frame of mind in which ye will be writing the novel, rather than an insight of thy future with WotC.
I always cringe a bit when people use the phrase "foreseeable future." Unless someone is a lot more psychic than I am--or possibly a prophet--the future is isn't all that predictable. Sure, there's cause and effect, chaos theory, leading indicators, the best laid plans, and the horoscope in your local paper, but Yoda put it best: "Ever in motion, the future is."
Which is why I never say never.
But this book is the last Songs & Swords book. It will close the story line that started with Elfshadow, my first published book. It is an ending, and for me, a fairly profound ending. Whatever I might write in the future, this book says farewell to two characters that have become old friends--people who occasionally show up in my dreams.
The Realms is changing. If I return to Faerun in the future, it is likely to be a very different place. To my way of thinking, any future stories would be so different as to constitute a new beginning.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jun 2006 : 13:17:43
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quote:
Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
Gentlemen, thanks for the kind words. I'm glad to hear that you've been enjoying Evermeet and Elfshadow, but it is unlikely that I will revisit Evermeet or follow up on the Tree of Souls story.
Times and editorial tastes change, and Faerun is a significantly different place since second edition, the setting for most of my elf books. According to WotC advertising copy, Richard Baker's Last Mythal trilogy "redefines the elves of Faerun." According to Mr. Baker, his intention was to "rehabilitate" the gold elves. Even allowing for marketing hyperbole, such comments are significant.
I've learned the wisdom of "never say never," but at this point, it seems unlikely that I'll be working with Faerun's elves after I complete the sixth and final book of the Songs & Swords series, which I'm currently outlining. But trust me, I'm far from finished with the elves of Evermeet, and this book will give the Fair Folk a lot to think about. In this book, I'll be wrapping up several long-running story threads, redefining moonblade lore, giving closure to certain plot threads and character development arcs, and developing some of the vaguely Arthurian themes that run through the series. I'm going to write with the mindset that this will be my last book in the Realms.
Whether that is actually the case or not, time will tell, but it's not a bad attitude to take toward this particular project. A series that started in 1991 is coming to an end; if that isn't sufficient motivation to strive for satisfying closure and the best possible story I can write, I don't know what is.
I'm truly saddened to hear this may in fact be a possibility for you Elaine. It's understandable, of course... given your extensive body of work within the Realms, and that you'd slowly develop a focus toward bringing some of your most longest running tales to a final point. But it's still news that's floored me nonetheless.
Regardless of what you decide and whatever the future brings to you in terms of Realms fiction... know that I will always follow your work -- FR or not -- you've got a fan for life here! 
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
Edited by - The Sage on 19 Jun 2006 13:19:14 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
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Jorkens
Great Reader
Norway
2950 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jun 2006 : 18:01:28
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| I hate saying me to; but as Wooly said, the Sage said it best and there is little more to add. |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 00:46:10
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God, reading these last few comments is making me sad. Perhaps "sad" in a good, wistful way, though.
Whenever Elaine's upcoming novel comes out, I'll be certain to read it, even though the experience is likely to be bittersweet. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 04:18:04
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Alaundo wrote and asked me to clarify, as it seems that people are reading more into my post than I intended to put into it.
To recap:
FR is an ever-changing world, and since 3E elves are portrayed differently from 2nd ed elves, I doubt I’ll be writing more elf-related novels.
That was one point. New issue: I’m approaching the final book of the Songs & Swords series with the MINDSET of it being the last book I’m writing in the Realms—whether or not that proves to be the case. Right now, I'm concentrating on this story, focusing on wrapping up this long-running series, and settling the affairs of these much-loved (by me...) characters. This isn't an easy thing to do. I NEED to think in terms of endings, finality, farewells. Hence the use of the term "MINDSET." I'm not predicting the future, I'm describing my current state of mind.
Third point. As previously stated, I believe one should never say never. Yes, the S&S series is coming to a close, and yes, I doubt I'll be writing more books about Faerun's elves. Again, as previously stated, I'm not ruling out the possibility of a new beginning in the future. But right now, I've got to focus exclusively on endings.
Future queries about "Will you write another Liriel/Elaith/Tree of Souls/etc book?" will get a simpler answer: "Right now I'm concentrating solely on the book at hand. Once that's finished, I'll think about the future."
It's a better answer--short and unambiguous. :)
And by the way, I finally figured out how to resolve the recent moonblade snafu. The new plot elements fit the lore, they're dramatically logical, and they provides several nifty gaming hooks.  |
Edited by - ElaineCunningham on 20 Jun 2006 04:26:06 |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 04:24:58
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You know Elaine . . . no one has ever done a gnomish epic in the Realms . . .  |
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 04:33:18
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quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
You know Elaine . . . no one has ever done a gnomish epic in the Realms . . .
Indeed. They seem to appear mostly in (ahem) short stories. ::ducks::
Seriously, there WAS a gnome-intensive book in the Harper series--Soldiers of Ice, by David Cook. Not exactly an epic, but it did give considerable insight into a particular gnome culture. Interestingly, these gnomes were fighters, not tinkerers, and there wasn't a bit of comic relief in sight.
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 04:34:00
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quote:
Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
And by the way, I finally figured out how to resolve the recent moonblade snafu. The new plot elements fit the lore, they're dramatically logical, and they provides several nifty gaming hooks.
Polish women seem to have a good grasp on how to deal with impossible situations . . . I know this because that's the reason my wife can deal with being married to me  . |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 04:36:04
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quote:
Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
You know Elaine . . . no one has ever done a gnomish epic in the Realms . . .
Indeed. They seem to appear mostly in (ahem) short stories. ::ducks::
Seriously, there WAS a gnome-intensive book in the Harper series--Soldiers of Ice, by David Cook. Not exactly an epic, but it did give considerable insight into a particular gnome culture. Interestingly, these gnomes were fighters, not tinkerers, and there wasn't a bit of comic relief in sight.
Oh, that was bad Elaine 
Oddly enough, that is one of the Realms books I never had the chance to read. Not a slight on it, just got shuffled down the list when other books came out, and I never got around to reaquireing it. |
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 04:41:03
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quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
quote:
Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
And by the way, I finally figured out how to resolve the recent moonblade snafu. The new plot elements fit the lore, they're dramatically logical, and they provides several nifty gaming hooks.
Polish women seem to have a good grasp on how to deal with impossible situations . . . I know this because that's the reason my wife can deal with being married to me .
Polish women can find creative ways to cook with cabbage and potatoes. Next to the culinary challenges inherent in our culture, plot problems and difficult men are relatively minor matters.
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 05:21:37
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My wife, upon hearing your response, would like to respectfully point out that "difficult men" is an oxymoron . . .
I am growing more exited as I hear about this book, and I'll be eagarly counting the days until it comes out. I miss Dan's wit. And with any luck WOTC will find an artist to capture Arilyn the way that Todd Lockwood captured Liriel.
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GothicDan
Master of Realmslore
USA
1103 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 05:43:40
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Man, I got all excited when I read "Dan's wit" at first... Haha.
Hey, Elaine.. What if we pay you to write for us? ;) |
Planescape Fanatic
"Fiends and Undead are the peanut butter and jelly of evil." - Me
"That attitude should be stomped on, whenever and wherever it's encountered, because it makes people holding such views bad citizens, not just bad roleplayers (considering D&D was structured as a 'forced cooperation' game, and although successive editions are pointing it more and more towards a me-first, min-max game, the drift away from 'we all need each other to succeed' will at some point make it 'no longer' D&D)." - ED GREENWOOD |
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 05:50:55
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quote:
Originally posted by GothicDan
Hey, Elaine.. What if we pay you to write for us? ;)
You do. It's called "buying books." |
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GothicDan
Master of Realmslore
USA
1103 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 05:58:53
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Oh. Well, I've got that covered, then!
*Makes note on next trip to Border's to buy a bunch of Elaine's books* |
Planescape Fanatic
"Fiends and Undead are the peanut butter and jelly of evil." - Me
"That attitude should be stomped on, whenever and wherever it's encountered, because it makes people holding such views bad citizens, not just bad roleplayers (considering D&D was structured as a 'forced cooperation' game, and although successive editions are pointing it more and more towards a me-first, min-max game, the drift away from 'we all need each other to succeed' will at some point make it 'no longer' D&D)." - ED GREENWOOD |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 06:07:41
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quote:
Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
It's a better answer--short and unambiguous. :)
Ah, that's better!
I appreciate the clarification Elaine, thank you .
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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GothicDan
Master of Realmslore
USA
1103 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 06:11:47
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Also, I just noticed this, Elaine:
quote:
And by the way, I finally figured out how to resolve the recent moonblade snafu. The new plot elements fit the lore, they're dramatically logical, and they provides several nifty gaming hooks.
See, Elaine.. That's exactly why I wrote my post in the first place! It's an example of you working with lore, past and present, to try to meld it all together and explain things via story. I really wish that was something the 3E mindset was more up to doing - I really don't like retconning, not when such already previously-detailed things are the subject of them.
I can't wait to see your solution! |
Planescape Fanatic
"Fiends and Undead are the peanut butter and jelly of evil." - Me
"That attitude should be stomped on, whenever and wherever it's encountered, because it makes people holding such views bad citizens, not just bad roleplayers (considering D&D was structured as a 'forced cooperation' game, and although successive editions are pointing it more and more towards a me-first, min-max game, the drift away from 'we all need each other to succeed' will at some point make it 'no longer' D&D)." - ED GREENWOOD |
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Jorkens
Great Reader
Norway
2950 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2006 : 08:02:42
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quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantjr
Oddly enough, that is one of the Realms books I never had the chance to read. Not a slight on it, just got shuffled down the list when other books came out, and I never got around to reaquireing it
Oh, Soldiers of Ice is one of my all time favorite Realms novels. Many people don't like it, but I would heartily recommend it. Think of it as a sort of Mountain man (or Woman) and Indians story with Harper's, gnomes and gnolls.
If that scared you there is a good chance you wont like the book, but I would still say you should give it a shot. As I have mainly seen negative comments about it over the years, could you maybe give us your thoughts about it when you finish? |
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Mace Hammerhand
Great Reader
Germany
2296 Posts |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2006 : 01:50:49
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quote:
Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
That was one point. New issue: I’m approaching the final book of the Songs & Swords series with the MINDSET of it being the last book I’m writing in the Realms—whether or not that proves to be the case.
I understood what you meant, but it still feels a bit sad to me. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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SirUrza
Master of Realmslore
USA
1283 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jun 2006 : 04:28:02
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
quote:
Originally posted by ElaineCunningham
That was one point. New issue: I’m approaching the final book of the Songs & Swords series with the MINDSET of it being the last book I’m writing in the Realms—whether or not that proves to be the case.
I understood what you meant, but it still feels a bit sad to me.
Me as well since.. well... I wanted to do a backflip when I heard Wizards approved another S&S novel. |
"Evil prevails when good men fail to act."
The original and unapologetic Arilyn, Aribeth, Seoni Fanboy. |
Edited by - SirUrza on 24 Jun 2006 04:28:43 |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jun 2006 : 04:44:53
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Elaine, I just started reading the Magehound (I know, I'm sorry, it took me a while to get to the Councellors and Kings books), and I keep thinking about Mentats and Bene Gesserits when I read about the Jordain and the breeding programs and all of that (although the purification ritual caught me by surprise . . . though likely not as surprised as the poor unsuspecting Jordain initiates, I'll bet).
Were you a fan of the Dune books, or am I just taking insular societies having selective breeding programs and mystics orders and ascribing them a bit too narrowly . . .? |
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Winterfox
Senior Scribe
895 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jun 2006 : 16:11:01
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Personally, I thought the Jordain resemble the Jedi a whole lot more, heh. The Bene Gesserit's breeding programs are a lot gentler and don't leave the mothers as gibbering husks, and mentats are rather specialized -- they're human computers rather than advisors, per se, and as far as I know they haven't been martially trained. (Some are, but it doesn't appear to be an essential part of their training.)
The really brutal breeders would be the Tleilaxu. |
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Foxhelm
Senior Scribe
Canada
592 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jul 2006 : 14:40:35
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I was just reading the Blackstaff (Spoilers) thread and saw a big spoiler that might have some impact on your character of Danilo Thann.
This might not be the thread to comment on this, but I would be curious about the reaction of Danilo and his lady love over the events of Blackstaff the novel.
(Maybe not in this thread, as The 'Blackstaff' Novel thread might be better especially since it has a spoiler warning for those that might want to keep the secrets secret!)
Thanks and I hope this is no trouble. |
Ed Greenwood! The Solution... and Cause of all the Realms Problems! |
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jul 2006 : 14:51:19
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quote:
Originally posted by Foxhelm
I was just reading the Blackstaff (Spoilers) thread and saw a big spoiler that might have some impact on your character of Danilo Thann.
This might not be the thread to comment on this, but I would be curious about the reaction of Danilo and his lady love over the events of Blackstaff the novel.
(Maybe not in this thread, as The 'Blackstaff' Novel thread might be better especially since it has a spoiler warning for those that might want to keep the secrets secret!)
Thanks and I hope this is no trouble.
No trouble, but I think you're right that this thread isn't the place to discuss BLACKSTAFF.
The next (and final) Arilyn and Danilo book will be set in late 1368, early 1369, which is several years before the events of BLACKSTAFF, so Danilo's reactions will not be a matter of public record.
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jul 2006 : 01:03:30
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Hey Elaine,
I just remembered I wanted to ask you this question...remember how Queen Beatrix in the Counselors & Kings was into making clockwork animals and such? I don't recall if this was ever explained in the novels, but I came away wondering what sparked her interest in such things. Was it because--if I recall correctly--Beatrix was becoming withdrawn and prefered less demanding company than normal human beings and other creatures? Or was she just interested in the idea of "living toys"? Both? Neither? Don't mind me, just idly speculating.
Take care,
Rinonalyrna |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
Edited by - Rinonalyrna Fathomlin on 12 Jul 2006 01:03:54 |
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jul 2006 : 02:15:48
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
I just remembered I wanted to ask you this question...remember how Queen Beatrix in the Counselors & Kings was into making clockwork animals and such? I don't recall if this was ever explained in the novels, but I came away wondering what sparked her interest in such things. Was it because--if I recall correctly--Beatrix was becoming withdrawn and prefered less demanding company than normal human beings and other creatures? Or was she just interested in the idea of "living toys"? Both? Neither? Don't mind me, just idly speculating.
This obsession had more to do with an inability to connect with living people than from an interest in clockwork for its own sake. |
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Questions for Elaine Cunningham
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