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Panador
Acolyte
Austria
28 Posts |
 Posted - 20 Aug 2004 : 18:53:05
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As it didn't fit into the subject: Possible Spoilers included.
After I finished this novel today I searched for a thread about this book and was quite surprised when I found none so - here it is. 
I really liked the book, just like every FR novel I read until now, but there was something about this book that made it all the more interesting - the setting.  I can't remember ever hearing about Halruaa before and this book is set in this very special country, a country devoted only to Mystra and Azuth and to magic itself - not a surprise when (my guess) about half the population are wizards.
Netheril descendants, skyships, 'Jordaini' (never heard about it before)... much new stuff which is very refreshing considering that almost all the other FR novels (at least the most prominent ones) are set in Cormyr, Sembia, the North etc. which ist not a bad thing, don't get me wrong, but reading a book that takes place in a region never heard of before is very... well, already said that... refreshing. Also, behirs, of which I heard for the first time in Forsaken House, appear in the Magehound... often.
Also, this was my very first Elaine Cunningham novel - and I'm going to read more in the future.
The story is interesting, the characters too, especially Tzigone, and - and that surprised my quite a bit - the drow also play a role in the book, well, more or less at least . The stuff said about the drow in this book was new to me, especially that thing about the drow descendats, the Crinti, and the drow ancestors, the IIythiiri and about the 'Spider Queen':
quote:
Legend hast it that once, many thousands of years ago, an Ilythiiri wizard stumbled through the veil that separates the world we see from the unseen world of the Unseelie Court. There she learned some of the magic of the dark fairies, most of it by unfortunate firsthand experience. After much torment, she escaped, now utterly insane but carrying a knowlede of fell magic that surpassed any wizard in the land. She began to rise to power that attracted the darkest hearts of her time to her court. Her name is lost to memory, and she is known only as the Spider Queen. It is said that the evil goddess of the drow, Lolth, assimiltated the wizard into her being, taking for herself both the wizard's name and her dark magic. It is said that something of the wizard's memory remains within the goddess, and as a result, the drow, even Lolth herself, fear the Unseelie folg. What, then, could be more frightening to the Crinti than the songs of the dark fairies?
Very interesting indeed.
If you haven't read this book yet, better do it now, sooner than later.
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*Still thinking about a signature...* |
Edited by - Panador on 20 Aug 2004 18:58:27
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 20 Aug 2004 : 21:39:42
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| I'm just finishing up this novel and have the other two in the series on the way from Amazon. I'm quite pleased with how much I am enjoying the novel. I've never been really interested in this part of Faerun so I held off on reading this series. I'm glad a couple of scribes' (WR and I want to say Winterfox) comments convinced me to read the first book. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36805 Posts |
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Proc
Acolyte
Canada
32 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2004 : 04:17:47
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I'm in the middle of re-reading this trilogy for an upcomming campaign I'm playing in that is set in Halruaa. I read it initially when it was first released, and I'm enjoying it now as much as I did then.
I'm a bit surprised that there isn't more on Halruaa out there. Elaine Cunningham did a great job I thought in potraying just how much magic plays a role in Halruaan life - houses made of coral, massive towers and skyships (and King Zalathorm is statted as a 40th level Diviner? Is that right?). My character for this campaign is a Halruaan native, and I've been looking for stuff on the nation - but I can only find bits and pieces. Scraps from the WotC website and here on Candlekeep. I think there is a new source book comming out (I'm pretty sure there's a 2nd Ed. one as well), but it seems to me that Halruaa has been neglected somewhat.
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"May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house."
- George Carlin |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2004 : 04:32:45
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quote:
Originally posted by Proc
I've been looking for stuff on the nation - but I can only find bits and pieces. Scraps from the WotC website and here on Candlekeep. I think there is a new source book comming out (I'm pretty sure there's a 2nd Ed. one as well), but it seems to me that Halruaa has been neglected somewhat.
Yes, there was a 2e tome that covered the area. Additionally, in November, the spotlight turns to Halruaa once again with The Shining South's release. Thus, if it's an area that's been neglected, that will soon change. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36805 Posts |
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Winterfox
Senior Scribe
895 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2004 : 07:54:01
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quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
I'm just finishing up this novel and have the other two in the series on the way from Amazon. I'm quite pleased with how much I am enjoying the novel. I've never been really interested in this part of Faerun so I held off on reading this series. I'm glad a couple of scribes' (WR and I want to say Winterfox) comments convinced me to read the first book.
I'll refrain from saying, "I told you so." ;) Halruaa, with the way EC fleshed it out, is like a truly unique setting that deviates from the more common pseudo-medieval European fare. I wish more novels would be set in it. (Haven't been able to hunt down Murder in Halruaa, myself. Oh well.)
(Needless to say, and I've already said something along this line multiple times before, I loved every bit of the Counselors & Kings trilogy.) |
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Panador
Acolyte
Austria
28 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2004 : 10:18:43
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btw. The text on the back is wrong again, just like at Venom's Taste.
In the whole book there's only one little situation near the end of the book where there's mentioned the possibility that Matteo has magich within himself - and that was wrong as Andris was the one with the magic spark due to his elf blood.
Also the Cabal are merely mentioned a few times in the book and don't appear once, another mistake.
So what's this text about? Did the one who wrote it not find it in himself to read the book before writing this? [?!]
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*Still thinking about a signature...* |
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Valdar Oakensong
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
159 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2004 : 11:03:04
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Keep an eye on ebay for Murder in Halruaa, it turns up quite often. I think I paid about $10 for the hardback- shipping was more!
[/quote]
I'll refrain from saying, "I told you so." ;) Halruaa, with the way EC fleshed it out, is like a truly unique setting that deviates from the more common pseudo-medieval European fare. I wish more novels would be set in it. (Haven't been able to hunt down Murder in Halruaa, myself. Oh well.)
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Guns don't kill people, magic missiles do. |
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Winterfox
Senior Scribe
895 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2004 : 11:45:19
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quote:
Originally posted by Panador
Also the Cabal are merely mentioned a few times in the book and don't appear once, another mistake.
Er. Have you read the whole of the trilogy...?
quote:
In the whole book there's only one little situation near the end of the book where there's mentioned the possibility that Matteo has magich within himself - and that was wrong as Andris was the one with the magic spark due to his elf blood.
Okay, obviously you haven't read the whole trilogy. Spoiler, highlight to read: Matteo can sense the Shadow Weave and, to an extent, use it. |
Edited by - Winterfox on 21 Aug 2004 11:45:55 |
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Crust
Learned Scribe
USA
273 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2004 : 14:35:36
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I also enjoyed this trilogy. The setting was very well done. I especially enjoyed the time when Tzigone walked the streets and found herself bombarded with detection spells. That was interesting.
I was also very intrigued by Beatrix and her clockwork monsters.
I long for a Halruaa supplement. Halruaa seems to be a great place to take a group of epic PCs.
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"That's right, hurl back views that force ye to think by name-calling - 'tis the grand old tradition, let it not down! Anything to keep from having to think, or - Mystra forfend - change thy own views!"
Narnra glowered at her father. "Just how am I to learn how to think? By being taught by you?"
"Some folk in the Realms would give their lives for the chance to learn at my feet," Elminster said mildly. "Several already have."
~from Elminster's Daughter, Ed Greenwood |
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Thomas M. Reid
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
334 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2004 : 14:53:46
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
And the name of the 2E tome is the same as the name of the upcoming one.
That's not true! The old 2E booklet (a 96-page softbound) was entitled The Shining South, while the new 3.5E product (a 192-page hardcover) is known simply as Shining South. Not the same at all! 
(In case it's not apparent, I did not choose the title of the new product).
Thomas |
"A knight is not truly virtuous, only truly resolved to be so."
www.thomasmreid.com |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2004 : 16:11:51
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quote:
Originally posted by Winterfox
I'll refrain from saying, "I told you so." ;)
If you make a point to note you'll refrain from saying something, does it still count as a complete omission?
Thank you again for motivating me to give the series a try. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2004 : 16:12:59
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quote:
Originally posted by Valdar Oakensong
Keep an eye on ebay for Murder in Halruaa, it turns up quite often. I think I paid about $10 for the hardback- shipping was more!
Who is the author for Murder in Halruaa? |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2004 : 16:14:55
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quote:
Originally posted by Thomas M. Reid
That's not true! The old 2E booklet (a 96-page softbound) was entitled The Shining South, while the new 3.5E product (a 192-page hardcover) is known simply as Shining South. Not the same at all!
Well, thank you for clearing that up! |
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Panador
Acolyte
Austria
28 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2004 : 17:05:20
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quote:
Originally posted by Winterfox
quote:
Originally posted by Panador
Also the Cabal are merely mentioned a few times in the book and don't appear once, another mistake.
Er. Have you read the whole of the trilogy...?
quote:
In the whole book there's only one little situation near the end of the book where there's mentioned the possibility that Matteo has magich within himself - and that was wrong as Andris was the one with the magic spark due to his elf blood.
Okay, obviously you haven't read the whole trilogy. Spoiler, highlight to read: Matteo can sense the Shadow Weave and, to an extent, use it.
1. Yeah, I haven only read The Magehound until now but I intend to order the other books in the next few days.
2. Ah, thanks for the (damm, a lot of mistakes, I'm dizzy  ) spoiler... Hm, the Shadow Weave again... I like that
btw. If you want to write spoilers, just do it, I'll read them anyway. |
*Still thinking about a signature...* |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2004 : 17:29:25
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quote:
Originally posted by Panador
btw. If you want to write spoilers, just do it, I'll read them anyway.
Yes, but some scribes might blow a fuse if someone puts out spoilers without it being stated in the thread's title or properly hidden.  |
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Valdar Oakensong
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
159 Posts |
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Valdar Oakensong
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
159 Posts |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36805 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2004 : 18:12:49
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quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by Thomas M. Reid
That's not true! The old 2E booklet (a 96-page softbound) was entitled The Shining South, while the new 3.5E product (a 192-page hardcover) is known simply as Shining South. Not the same at all!
Well, thank you for clearing that up!
Indeed! I see now that my post could have created much confusion, so I thank you for kindly stepping in to help out!  |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 21 Aug 2004 : 18:32:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Valdar Oakensong
Richard Meyers is the man, not read the book yet though. Can't find out much about him, if your'e interested try http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/authors/Richard_Meyers.htm
Thanks for the link. Nice synopsis of the book there. I've never heard of the author before this mention. |
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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5695 Posts |
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Moonharp
Acolyte
Canada
38 Posts |
Posted - 23 Aug 2004 : 19:46:30
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As to the original statement on the Ilithyri drow that were mentioned in the Magehound (amazing book, read it three times so far), they are not totally un-referenced...
In Ms.Cunningham's other novel, Evermeet: The Island of Elves, there is quite a mension of the Ilithyri, as they play a key part in the history of the gold and moon elves.
The Ilithyri were dark elves (though they did not call themselves drow at their absolute beginning, assuming the title only later) and at first they worshiped Vheraun, instead of the Spider Queen... This changed when Lloth emerged from the abyss and found herself attracted to the lich lord of the city (his name escapes me, but it sounded drow). He had lived for a very long time, and was a founder of the city (we first hear of him when he encounters Sharlario Moonflower, the leader of the mo0n elves). The Spider Queen was hungry for power and vengance over the gold and moon elves of the north (the Ilithyri lived in the south, present day Halruaa)... so she became a consort ("queen" - forgive the pun...) for the lich, and helped guide him according to her viles. Eventually, during the Crown Wars - at least I think it was the Crown Wars - the Ilithyri were driven Below, and were not seen on the surface in any major way since.
Please excuse any information that may not be exact - it has been a while since I read Evermeet...
P.S. - Before the moderators catch me, the book Murder in Halruaa is not as well written as the Counselors and Kings series, but it offers valid information for the region, as well as a very interesting twist in the end. I enjoyed the C&K series more, but this was the only other tome I could find on the area, so I decided to read it as well.
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Moonharp the Marvelous |
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Songrimm
Acolyte
Germany
38 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2005 : 03:31:50
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I wonder if anyone also had trouble following the final battle or if it is just the crappy german translation  . when i read a book i try to imagine the scene before my inner eyes. but this battle was quite difficult to follow. it is my impression that all the characters were teleporting from one place to the other, just reaching their destination in time to make an impact.
anyone else this feeling? |
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2007 : 20:48:53
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I unearth this topic because I just ended The Magehound and there is a point I did not understand.
At the beginning of the chapter VIII, after Matteo was put in jail, Kiva uses a peasant man in the nearby stature of Matteo and takes him up to the jordaini College. There, she meets a master who has a strange behavior and... nothing! They make an agreement and the peasant man, up to now, has to be in front of the College waiting !
Anybody understood anything about it?
Maybe it is a problem of translation. The frnch editor sometimes cut some parts of stories without caring of the adventure ! |
"Today is a good day to smile",
Fillow Big'n'Book Mahlemiut 'Lead-dog', Son of Garl, Wanderer of the Masked Leaf and Namer of Oghma.
- Fight in the arena and have fun ! : La brute.com
- Feel free to take part to these projects : Post-Spellplague bibliography ; 4E index project ; Taverns and inns of the Realms ; Dogs of the Realms ; Descriptions of places in the novels ; forums, RPG, FR Abbreviations and Acronyms
- Come and have a look at the already asked questions from the Forgotten Realms Trivia Challenge
I am a French FR fan, so please forgive my lapses in English language and do not hesitate to correct me. Thanks a lot. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36805 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2007 : 21:38:25
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quote:
Originally posted by Fillow
I unearth this topic because I just ended The Magehound and there is a point I did not understand.
At the beginning of the chapter VIII, after Matteo was put in jail, Kiva uses a peasant man in the nearby stature of Matteo and takes him up to the jordaini College. There, she meets a master who has a strange behavior and... nothing! They make an agreement and the peasant man, up to now, has to be in front of the College waiting !
Anybody understood anything about it?
Maybe it is a problem of translation. The frnch editor sometimes cut some parts of stories without caring of the adventure !
It's been quite some time since I read the trilogy, so I'm going from memory, here... Jordaini are castrated to keep them from reproducing. The peasant (who was, I believe, related to Matteo) was substituted for Matteo. For whatever reason, Kiva wanted to keep Matteo intact.
At least, that's my recollection of it. The actual book is in storage, since I'll be moving soon, so I can't check. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
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ElaineCunningham
Forgotten Realms Author
2396 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2007 : 14:01:49
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| The French translations tend to be considerably shorter than the originals. I don't speak or read French fluently, but I can follow it well enough to know that much of the battle choreography and even whole subplots are left out. The dialogue is shortened rather drastically, and narrative, especially descriptions, trimmed to the bone. The French translations I've read tell you ABOUT the story. |
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2007 : 17:14:18
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Whouaouhhhh !
I'm a newbie in this forum and Miss Cunningham, the real one, is writing to me about sometimes I asked !
I'm really honored and emotionned.
Thanks a lot.
quote:
I don't speak or read French fluently
It's about the same for me about English you know !
You're totally right about the "cuts" of the French Editor, "named Fleuve Noir". What is the worst in this act from him is that French readers often think that this poor narrative, descriptive,... style is because of the originbal authors.
so, in name of French Faerûnian readers, I apologize to you.
To repair this false judgment, I write as often as possible that our French novels are amputated in the forums I log into.
once again, thanks so very much dear Miss Cunningham for having answer ti me and for all you do for our pleasure. |
"Today is a good day to smile",
Fillow Big'n'Book Mahlemiut 'Lead-dog', Son of Garl, Wanderer of the Masked Leaf and Namer of Oghma.
- Fight in the arena and have fun ! : La brute.com
- Feel free to take part to these projects : Post-Spellplague bibliography ; 4E index project ; Taverns and inns of the Realms ; Dogs of the Realms ; Descriptions of places in the novels ; forums, RPG, FR Abbreviations and Acronyms
- Come and have a look at the already asked questions from the Forgotten Realms Trivia Challenge
I am a French FR fan, so please forgive my lapses in English language and do not hesitate to correct me. Thanks a lot. |
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Dart Ambermoon
Learned Scribe
Germany
253 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2007 : 02:07:06
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Whoa, and here I thought German translations were terrible, but thatīs really worse.
The differences can really be immense. I know of two of my friends who didnīt really like the trilogy after having read it in German, but then, after I "forced" them to battle through the original versions (PC from my group: "My English isnīt good enough. I wonīt understand..." DM: "This here Black Dragon of the Auld Wyrm variety says you will...if you love your character enough...*cough*"), they felt as if it had been almost different novels.
Therefore my best hopes to Fillow and other French readers for improved translations in the future, it would be sad if they missed out on good novels, because of shabby translations. |
~ In Finder I trust, for danger I lust ~ |
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Fillow
Master of Realmslore
France
1608 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2007 : 18:34:05
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quote:
Originally posted by Dart Ambermoon
Therefore my best hopes to Fillow and other French readers for improved translations in the future, it would be sad if they missed out on good novels, because of shabby translations.
that was a real good wish but the French editor seems to decide to stop his translating FR novels.
no sells enough ! $-Ģ--Power
The last translated novel is Resurrection, the 84th one.
We're afraid they stop before the 90th one.
But the good piece of news is that we will rush to get the original versions, and so will perfect our English language.
We don't do it now because you know,... French people initiated a war with foreign languages long long time ago.
And we're some irreparable idlers !  |
"Today is a good day to smile",
Fillow Big'n'Book Mahlemiut 'Lead-dog', Son of Garl, Wanderer of the Masked Leaf and Namer of Oghma.
- Fight in the arena and have fun ! : La brute.com
- Feel free to take part to these projects : Post-Spellplague bibliography ; 4E index project ; Taverns and inns of the Realms ; Dogs of the Realms ; Descriptions of places in the novels ; forums, RPG, FR Abbreviations and Acronyms
- Come and have a look at the already asked questions from the Forgotten Realms Trivia Challenge
I am a French FR fan, so please forgive my lapses in English language and do not hesitate to correct me. Thanks a lot. |
Edited by - Fillow on 22 May 2007 18:36:47 |
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The Magehound (Counselors and Kings Book 1)
I believe we were discussing The Magehound? Well, some time ago anyway.... back to it, if you please, fellow scribes.