| Author |
 Topic  |
|
George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
 Posted - 15 Feb 2006 : 06:36:39
|
Don't have the novel in front of me at the moment: got a question - which tower, eastern or western, did the Sojourner swipe from the Twin Towers of the Eternal Eclipse? Thanks in advance.
-- George Krashos
|
"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
 |
|
|
PaulSKemp
Forgotten Realms Author
808 Posts |
Posted - 15 Feb 2006 : 15:28:38
|
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
Don't have the novel in front of me at the moment: got a question - which tower, eastern or western, did the Sojourner swipe from the Twin Towers of the Eternal Eclipse? Thanks in advance.
-- George Krashos
George,
Western. |
|
|
|
Lameth
Learned Scribe
Germany
196 Posts |
Posted - 15 Feb 2006 : 18:31:07
|
I`m done with the book, too. Great work, I`m looking forward to read more about Cale.
The first discreption of the darkness below the sea was good. But at the End it seems to me, that Cale und Jack coul look very far in the water. How could they see how large the kraken was? Big like a city was mentioned at some point. |
|
|
|
Lameth
Learned Scribe
Germany
196 Posts |
Posted - 15 Feb 2006 : 18:41:37
|
quote:
Originally posted by PaulSKemp
quote:
Originally posted by Lameth
Vhostym is so very powerful and the Crown of flame must be so great in power, I wonder what it will be.
What can be so powerful that Vhostym will kill thousands/millions of people to get it? *brrrrr*
*He glanced skyward, to the stars, to Selune, to her tears. He already knew which of them he would use.*
Use?! A tear of Selune!?
I shivered at that part of the story. What is Vhostym up to? I`ll be prepared for the worst. 
I'll be interested in hearing your thoughts as things unfold further, Lameth.
Paul
:-)
Apocalypse!!!
My thoughts to the Crown of flame were, that it would make Vhostym much more powerful. But I think that is how roleplayers think.
His final goal was so simple.....pfffff 
Why didn`t he take a walk on the surface in a natural eclipse of the sun?
Where did the tear of Selune crash down? The destruction must have been  |
Edited by - Lameth on 15 Feb 2006 18:42:21 |
|
|
|
PaulSKemp
Forgotten Realms Author
808 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2006 : 10:02:59
|
quote:
Originally posted by Lameth
I`m done with the book, too. Great work, I`m looking forward to read more about Cale.
The first discreption of the darkness below the sea was good. But at the End it seems to me, that Cale und Jack coul look very far in the water. How could they see how large the kraken was? Big like a city was mentioned at some point.
Lameth,
Remember that the kraken has a large, glowing shard of crystal sticking out of its head. Once the kraken removed himself from the rubble, his size would have been apparent even from a decent distance underwater, due to the light of the Source. |
|
|
|
PaulSKemp
Forgotten Realms Author
808 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2006 : 10:07:32
|
quote:
Originally posted by Lameth
Why didn`t he take a walk on the surface in a natural eclipse of the sun?
Where did the tear of Selune crash down? The destruction must have been
Lameth,
A full eclipse of the sun essentially consists of the umbra cast by the moon racing across the surface the earth (as the earth rotates out from under it). That means that a total eclipse lasts for mere minutes (at best) in any given location on the earth's surface. Vhostym wanted an eclipse of an entire day, which meant (in crude terms) that his artificial satellite had to sort of match vectors with a rotating and revolving Toril, all while keeping the shadow/umbra of the satellite on the Wayrock (rather than racing across Toril's surface). This was tricky, but the spell and his incredible intellect handled the math.
As for the damage wrought by the falling Tear, there is some, and some is significant, but recall that the abrupt end to the Sojourner's spell caused the Tear to shatter as it fell, leading to a meteor shower, or Rain of Fire, as Faerunians will refer to it. |
Edited by - PaulSKemp on 16 Feb 2006 14:26:47 |
|
|
|
Lameth
Learned Scribe
Germany
196 Posts |
Posted - 16 Feb 2006 : 18:10:44
|
quote:
Originally posted by PaulSKemp
quote:
Originally posted by Lameth
I`m done with the book, too. Great work, I`m looking forward to read more about Cale.
The first discreption of the darkness below the sea was good. But at the End it seems to me, that Cale und Jack coul look very far in the water. How could they see how large the kraken was? Big like a city was mentioned at some point.
Lameth,
Remember that the kraken has a large, glowing shard of crystal sticking out of its head. Once the kraken removed himself from the rubble, his size would have been apparent even from a decent distance underwater, due to the light of the Source.
I think the crystal must have shone brighter than the sun. But who knows?
Tymora was smiling on faerun that day. Good luck that the Tear shattered.
Thanks for the reminder of eclipse of the sun. |
|
|
|
Sarta
Senior Scribe
USA
505 Posts |
Posted - 26 Feb 2006 : 09:24:19
|
Just finished Midnight's Mask -- fantastic ending to a great trilogy. I'm looking forward to Twilight's War.
I really enjoyed the examination of what it means to be a "hero". Reminded me a bit of the Clint Eastwood movie Unforgiven, where conventional heroism is thrown on its ear when confronted with the grittiness of reality.
Throughout all of Erevis' tales it has been fun watching Erevis fight so hard to retain his crumbling sense of morality. Over and over again we are shown how much easier things would be if he'd just give in to temptation. His relationship with Jak has always been such a tragic one. Jak has always been such a moral compass for him and suffered so much as a true boon companion and friend. Paying the ultimate price was inevitable and its after-effects played out so well. Especially touching was the impact on Riven, who benefitted second-hand from that friendship.
One of the biggest draws for me to role-playing is the evolution of a character -- not in terms of levels and gear -- but in terms of morality, mind-set, and self-identity. You have definitely not disappointed at all in this respect. I truly look forward to the future of Erevis, Riven, and Magadon.
Sarta |
|
|
|
PaulSKemp
Forgotten Realms Author
808 Posts |
Posted - 27 Feb 2006 : 21:15:51
|
Sarta,
Thank you very much.  |
|
|
|
Jhoebryn
Acolyte
43 Posts |
Posted - 11 May 2006 : 18:56:40
|
AWESOME!!! Simply awesome!
I was very glad you did not bring Jak back to life. By letting a main character die, you let your readers know that no one is safe, which adds very much to the suspense of your novels. While I will miss Jak, your send off was a fitting tribute the the "Little Man".
I also found that Vhostym's selfish plans added to my overall enjoyment of the novel. I'm expecting this big power happy antagonist with aspirations of grandeur. Then I find out why he wants the crown. When you think about much of what happens in the world today, most of it is for selfish reasons. No cliches about power, fame, fortunes... just something for him. While the way he achieves it is diabolical and brutal, it was a simple desire that we can all appreciate. Nice touch!
Riven provided me with two good laughs in this section - "I have wanted to kill the stupid one for a long while. But I'll settle for the chatty one" and "No doubt it's a poor imitation of your mother's... little man." He has been most enjoyable in this trilogy and I look forward to a great deal more from him...
In closing, as I reflect upon a great trilogy of books (and a wonderful story), I find myself wanting more on Cale, Magadon, Jak and Riven. I eagerly await the upcoming trilogy. An adventure or two from Jak's days with the Harpers would also be welcome.
As a rule, I usually buy RA Salvatore's books about Drizzt and Co. on release day and devour them quickly. I shall begin to do the same for Paul S. Kemp's books...
|
|
|
|
Ethriel
Learned Scribe
USA
272 Posts |
Posted - 14 May 2006 : 15:31:12
|
| If there's one thing I gotta admit...I'm eager to see if Kesson Rel factors into the Twilight War |
|
|
|
Crust
Learned Scribe
USA
273 Posts |
Posted - 19 Jul 2006 : 23:41:02
|
I know this is an old thread, but I just finished Midnight's Mask, and I loved every minute of the trilogy.
Cale was great as always. His mastery of his shade abilities was interesting, but I wish he hadn't gone bare hands against Dolgan. I would rather have seen him call 20 shadows into being to drain the slaad to a dried husk (or something like that). I really enjoyed the mathematical angle spun on Mask and his chosen. Sephris was interesting. Jak was a rather average "hobbitish" halfling, but I liked that. The whole resurrection angle was a nice touch. The play between Riven and Cale was sharp. I liked Magadon and his connection to the Hells. I hope to see more with him. I enjoyed the slaad and I appreciated their motivation. It was great seeing their advancement. The real treat was Vhostym's great plan. His goal was purely selfish, and yet his means were the epitome of evil. His use of the eclipse spell was sweet. I really liked the explanation of the spell and how it came into being.
Cale is my favorite character of the new millennium. I can't wait for the next story.
|
"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 |
Edited by - Crust on 19 Jul 2006 23:42:15 |
|
|
|
KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jul 2006 : 01:13:36
|
I think Cale was afraid that once he called on the shadows though, they might run amok and harm people that he didn't intend for them to. At least that was the impression that I got from how he reacted to seeing them following him in the Plane of Shadows.
I liked that Jak was a simple hin as well, and the image of halfling afterlife. Its kind of comforting and rewarding given that Jak was the moral center of the book. I like that we also got what has always occured to me in reading these things that no one takes into accout. Why doesn't X get raised? Maybe X is really happy where he is, so he doesn't want to come back.
I agree, I loved this book, and I'm really looking forward to the next series. Have you read the preveiw that Paul posted a few months back? |
|
|
|
Crust
Learned Scribe
USA
273 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jul 2006 : 04:47:04
|
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
I think Cale was afraid that once he called on the shadows though, they might run amok and harm people that he didn't intend for them to. At least that was the impression that I got from how he reacted to seeing them following him in the Plane of Shadows.
This is certainly the case on the ship, but not in the temple of Cyric (if that's even where that final confrontation took place).
quote:
I liked that Jak was a simple hin as well, and the image of halfling afterlife. Its kind of comforting and rewarding given that Jak was the moral center of the book. I like that we also got what has always occured to me in reading these things that no one takes into accout. Why doesn't X get raised? Maybe X is really happy where he is, so he doesn't want to come back.
Yes indeed. I liked how this was done, and I LOVED how Jak heard that voice calling him back... It was very endearing. I almost got a little choked up during that scene, I must admit.  
quote:
I agree, I loved this book, and I'm really looking forward to the next series. Have you read the preveiw that Paul posted a few months back?
Nay, I have not. I'll have to hunt that down. |
"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 |
|
|
|
PaulSKemp
Forgotten Realms Author
808 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jul 2006 : 18:57:14
|
Thank you, Crust. That is kind of you to say and I'm glad you enjoyed the novel.
As KEjr mentioned, I have posted a sample chapter of "Shadowbred." If you're interested, you can find it here: http://home.earthlink.net/~paulskemp/
Paul |
|
|
|
Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jul 2006 : 23:58:41
|
quote:
Originally posted by Crust
Yes indeed. I liked how this was done, and I LOVED how Jak heard that voice calling him back... It was very endearing. I almost got a little choked up during that scene, I must admit.
Too right! I think this is pretty much how most people felt when reading this part. After reading the book some time ago now, I was only discussing this scene with a friend a week back. This scene and the point of view of Cale in this stands out so much for me. Simply outstanding! 
This whole trilogy stands at the #1 position in my FR collection. The only downside, is that I doubt it will ever be beaten...and I don't even think Paul can surpass this trilogy even with Twilight War  (although the prologue was pretty damn good!!) |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
|
Edited by - Lord Rad on 21 Jul 2006 00:00:10 |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Midnight's Mask: Chapter 16 - Epilogue
