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Talanfir Swiftfeet
Learned Scribe
Finland
143 Posts |
 Posted - 17 Sep 2005 : 15:16:14
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Have anyone else noticed that there are almost no books with a small (halfling, gnome, dwarf) main character. I've read only one trilogy with a halfling as a main character and it wasn't even a Realms book (don't remember the name, something about a ring of power and a fellowship going to a volcano to destroy it    ). This is height rasism.
Can anyone give me some names of halfling books ?
And if not can any writer who visits this site start making some big books with small characters.
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I am Talanfir Swiftfeet. (In)famous across the Swoardcoast as "Tal the Swift", Brandobaris´ seraph of mischief. If ye find yer shoelaces tied together while trying to catch a thief or meet a king who is angry because somebody switched the places of his chamberpot and his crown, ye can usually (try to) find me near.
If I had a halfling mother and a human father, would I be a half-halfling or a threequarterling? |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2005 : 15:23:33
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I think your aformentioned Volcanic Vacation travel guide is the REASON there are no books with "vertically challenged" races as the main characters. Every writer wants to pay homage to the "best" but very few writers want to directly parallel the "big guy's" path.
That having been said, have you read any of Paul Kemp's Evevas Cale books. Jak Fleet is THE halfling. |
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Talanfir Swiftfeet
Learned Scribe
Finland
143 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2005 : 15:32:52
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quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
I think your aformentioned Volcanic Vacation travel guide is the REASON there are no books with "vertically challenged" races as the main characters. Every writer wants to pay homage to the "best" but very few writers want to directly parallel the "big guy's" path.
That having been said, have you read any of Paul Kemp's Evevas Cale books. Jak Fleet is THE halfling.
They won't make a halfling book because they don't think that they can do enough honor to Frodo, but they are more than willing to rip of Gandalf.
Jak Fleet wasn't the main Character of the Erevis Cale Trilogy. Erevis Cale was.
I just rememberd a book that had a halfling main. the middle book of Finders stone trilogy. |
I am Talanfir Swiftfeet. (In)famous across the Swoardcoast as "Tal the Swift", Brandobaris´ seraph of mischief. If ye find yer shoelaces tied together while trying to catch a thief or meet a king who is angry because somebody switched the places of his chamberpot and his crown, ye can usually (try to) find me near.
If I had a halfling mother and a human father, would I be a half-halfling or a threequarterling? |
Edited by - Talanfir Swiftfeet on 17 Sep 2005 15:45:17 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36968 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2005 : 17:49:57
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quote:
Originally posted by Talanfir Swiftfeet
I just rememberd a book that had a halfling main. the middle book of Finders stone trilogy.
Olive Ruskettle appears in all three books of The Finder's Stone trilogy, as well as Masquerades, the follow-on book.
What about Regis, in the Drizzt books? Ditto for Bruenor Battlehammer...
Some of Elaine's books have had dwarves. There's Jill, Ebenezer, Morgala the Mirthful...
There was a Harpers novel, Soldiers of Ice, that if I remember correctly, had a gnome or two as characters... I can't recommend that book, though, because I didn't care for it. |
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Talanfir Swiftfeet
Learned Scribe
Finland
143 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2005 : 18:12:03
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Talanfir Swiftfeet
I just rememberd a book that had a halfling main. the middle book of Finders stone trilogy.
Olive Ruskettle appears in all three books of The Finder's Stone trilogy, as well as Masquerades, the follow-on book.
What about Regis, in the Drizzt books? Ditto for Bruenor Battlehammer...
Some of Elaine's books have had dwarves. There's Jill, Ebenezer, Morgala the Mirthful...
There was a Harpers novel, Soldiers of Ice, that if I remember correctly, had a gnome or two as characters... I can't recommend that book, though, because I didn't care for it.
Thanx Wooly, but what im trying to ask is that are there books where small folk are main characters. Not just a part of the group, but the leader of the group. Drizzt books are mostly about Drizzt. Erevis Cale books are mostly about Erevis.
Olive Rustkettle appeared in all of the books mentioned above, but I got the feeling that she was the main character of only the Wywern's Spur book.
Gnomes are even more dismissed in books (and when they appear, they are mostly writen very poorly. |
I am Talanfir Swiftfeet. (In)famous across the Swoardcoast as "Tal the Swift", Brandobaris´ seraph of mischief. If ye find yer shoelaces tied together while trying to catch a thief or meet a king who is angry because somebody switched the places of his chamberpot and his crown, ye can usually (try to) find me near.
If I had a halfling mother and a human father, would I be a half-halfling or a threequarterling? |
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khorne
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1073 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2005 : 19:19:42
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quote:
Originally posted by Talanfir Swiftfeet
[
Gnomes are even more dismissed in books (and when they appear, they are mostly writen very poorly.
Indeed. We need a svirfneblin novel, and we need it now!! |
If I were a ranger, I would pick NDA for my favorite enemy |
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2005 : 19:54:47
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Well, you could always just turn and look at Dragonlance and get your fill of books full of the shorter races, especially Kender, what fun!
C-Fb |
Still rockin' the Fey'ri style. |
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Talanfir Swiftfeet
Learned Scribe
Finland
143 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2005 : 20:26:34
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| In Dragonlance the Kenders and gnomes are all stereotypes. In there all gnomes lack in wisdom while being intelligent enough to make all kinds of machines, and all kenders are happy childish thieves. Dwarves are presented quite well though. |
I am Talanfir Swiftfeet. (In)famous across the Swoardcoast as "Tal the Swift", Brandobaris´ seraph of mischief. If ye find yer shoelaces tied together while trying to catch a thief or meet a king who is angry because somebody switched the places of his chamberpot and his crown, ye can usually (try to) find me near.
If I had a halfling mother and a human father, would I be a half-halfling or a threequarterling? |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2005 : 20:33:19
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Not to wander too far off of Toril, but Tasslehoff, Gnimsh, and Nightshade are all presented as a bit deeper than their standard stereotypes. You could argue that the drow in the WOTSQ are all stereotypical since they are evil scheming backstabbers, but they also have other aspects to their personalities that make them more complex.
No, there aren't any real leading roles for halflings or gnomes in any books, perhaps becuase no one really feels that a series would be taken seriously if the character was the lead. Wheather that is true or not is up for debate. But I do contend that Jak, for example is a very fun halfling to read, because while he deals with things that usually aren't part of the halfling experience, he maintains a halflings sensibilities.
Bronwyn's gnomish friend was most likely one of the better gnomes I've seen written in Thornhold, and to tell you the truth, I can't think of many gnomes that have been written well so as to make them interesting even as a supporting character, though I beleive we will be seeing a gnomish villain coming up soon . . . |
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2005 : 22:54:11
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You know what would make a great Gnome villian? A scientist/inventor who was so intent on creating his wonderful creation that he didn't realize the cost in lives in completing it. Kind of like DocOc in Spiderman 2.
C-Fb |
Still rockin' the Fey'ri style. |
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Steven Schend
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
USA
1732 Posts |
Posted - 18 Sep 2005 : 20:28:29
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If given my druthers (and they're still in the wash), I'd write halfling novels. Unfortunately, the prevailing attitude is either "It'll look like we're ripping off Tolkien," or "Nobody reads books with halflings at the main character...and LOTR doesn't count." <shrug>
If you're looking for books in this bend, try Mel Odom's THE ROVER and its sequels; fun reads, and Mel's a good guy to boot. |
For current projects and general natter, see www.steveneschend.com
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6688 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2005 : 00:45:56
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Halflings play a small (no pun intended) role in the "City of Splendors" novel.
-- George Krashos
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"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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VEDSICA
Senior Scribe
USA
466 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2005 : 01:09:50
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| Don't forget The Cleric Quintet that features the Bouldershoulder Brothers.But I also agree somewhat that there really hasn't been a main character featuring dwarves and halflings.I really don't like gnomes so I don't consider it a great loss if they aren't featured.I really don't like halflings that much either.But dwarves I do like,and I would like to see a dwarven hero get his just due as a main character.Hopefully it would be a new character.Not a character that we already know. |
LIFE,BIRTH,BLOOD,DOOM---THE HOLE IN THE GROUND IS COMING ROUND SOON----BLS |
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Winterfox
Senior Scribe
895 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2005 : 09:55:29
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quote:
Originally posted by VEDSICA
Don't forget The Cleric Quintet that features the Bouldershoulder Brothers.
Eh, I think the portrayal of dwarves in the CQ is a prime example of the original poster's beef -- the Bouldershoulder brothers are nothing more than slapstick comedic relief, not at all three-dimensional characters that people can take seriously. Peter Jackson's depiction of Gimli doesn't help, either. |
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VEDSICA
Senior Scribe
USA
466 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2005 : 18:55:47
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quote:
Originally posted by Winterfox
quote:
Originally posted by VEDSICA
Don't forget The Cleric Quintet that features the Bouldershoulder Brothers.
Eh, I think the portrayal of dwarves in the CQ is a prime example of the original poster's beef -- the Bouldershoulder brothers are nothing more than slapstick comedic relief, not at all three-dimensional characters that people can take seriously. Peter Jackson's depiction of Gimli doesn't help, either.
I can somewhat agree that they are portrayed as being comic relief,but they do play a major part in the story.Though not the main characters.They appear more than just cameo. |
LIFE,BIRTH,BLOOD,DOOM---THE HOLE IN THE GROUND IS COMING ROUND SOON----BLS |
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khorne
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1073 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2005 : 20:31:36
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quote:
Originally posted by VEDSICA
quote:
Originally posted by Winterfox
quote:
Originally posted by VEDSICA
Don't forget The Cleric Quintet that features the Bouldershoulder Brothers.
Eh, I think the portrayal of dwarves in the CQ is a prime example of the original poster's beef -- the Bouldershoulder brothers are nothing more than slapstick comedic relief, not at all three-dimensional characters that people can take seriously. Peter Jackson's depiction of Gimli doesn't help, either.
I can somewhat agree that they are portrayed as being comic relief,but they do play a major part in the story.Though not the main characters.They appear more than just cameo.
They`re not just comedic relief. Without them, Cadderly would be dead several times over. |
If I were a ranger, I would pick NDA for my favorite enemy |
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Erik Scott de Bie
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
4598 Posts |
Posted - 20 Sep 2005 : 19:10:32
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I have heard rumors about books that are to come out soon that have the wee folk in them, in serious, important roles, but they might just be rumors.
I myself find the short ones, particularly halflings, difficult to write about, mostly because I'm more than twice their size (being on the better half of six and a half feet), and also because the stories I've told thus far just haven't been stories for the short folk.
The next years or so. . . well. Hmm.
Cheers |
Erik Scott de Bie
'Tis easier to destroy than to create.
Author of a number of Realms novels (GHOSTWALKER, DEPTHS OF MADNESS, and the SHADOWBANE series), contributor to the NEVERWINTER CAMPAIGN GUIDE and SHADOWFELL: GLOOMWROUGHT AND BEYOND, Twitch DM of the Dungeon Scrawlers, currently playing "The Westgate Irregulars" |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 20 Sep 2005 : 22:06:08
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What about the halfling villian in The Yellow Silk? He was portrayed a dangerous person whom many people found quite terrifying, especially the heroes of the book.
There's a halfling as a main character, albeit not a heroic one. |
"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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VEDSICA
Senior Scribe
USA
466 Posts |
Posted - 21 Sep 2005 : 02:07:10
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
What about the halfling villian in The Yellow Silk? He was portrayed a dangerous person whom many people found quite terrifying, especially the heroes of the book.
There's a halfling as a main character, albeit not a heroic one.
Good call on this one..Forgot about him... |
LIFE,BIRTH,BLOOD,DOOM---THE HOLE IN THE GROUND IS COMING ROUND SOON----BLS |
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DandelionClock
Seeker
67 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2015 : 22:36:17
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oops, wrong thread. And what a resurrection!
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Edited by - DandelionClock on 13 Jul 2015 22:36:52 |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36968 Posts |
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Power to the small
