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Charles Phipps
Master of Realmslore
1425 Posts |
 Posted - 12 Feb 2007 : 10:06:37
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In my continuing "Ed Greenwood review series" this is the third review. I shall hopefully cover before it's over Elminster: Making of a Mage, Elminster in Myth Drannor, The Spellfire Trilogy, City of Splendors, Elminster's Daughter, and possibly the Shadow of the Avatar series. Sadly, Elminster in Hell remains a taboo subject and cannot be reviewed despite having much to say on this subject (my previous review was insufficent and erroneous in many places)
Silverfall is my choice for the next book to read in part because it's a fairly unusual work in the series of Ed Greenwood. In addition to being short stories that effectively form a loosely connected narrative, the work is also one that I've felt has been fairly dividing in its appreciation. Some view it very favorably as an example of Ed's writing in action while others tend to view the alienness of the Seven Sisters' attitudes towards sex and violence with a skeptical eye.
It took two reads for me to come to appreciate that the book isn't about the Seven Sisters despite the fact that they are the principle characters. Or, more precisely, its less about them than it is about the way that they impact the rest of the Realms. I'll examine what all seven stories have in common by starting with their protagionist's similiarities.
At heart, Ed Greenwood writes the Seven Sisters as removed from humanity as one might have the narrative from a thunderstorm's point of view. The Seven are violent, tempermental, sensual, and powerful beings but one cannot understand their motives for why do they do what they do. This isn't an indictment of Ed's writing but a realization that immortality, silver fire, and the crazed manner of their lives have burned away most of the daily concerns that make the average fellow relatable. Seriously, how removed from a human being is a person that will live forever and can endure any torture because they've felt worse?
It adds an interesting spark to PC romances of them because one can certainly touch one of the Seven Sisters but it is doubtful that one could ever really know one. The social mores that most humans define themselves are treated with complete abandon by the Seven in the same manner that one might disregard ripping the tag off a mattress. Ed actually inverts one of the usual PC tropes in the violence that we see in typical D&D games by examining it from the Seven Sister's point of view.
The Seven Sisters exterminate their foes. Drizzt Do'urden's somewhat false statement that the Drow kill without passion applies here. The Simbul may kill with joy but she the actual humanity of the Red Wizards doesn't really enter the equation. It's not a case of murder or battle though but eliminating a bug that may have the power to kill you but is not to be dealt with as a man but as a obstacle.
Yet, they show surprising mercy to individuals that may be somewhat random in nature. Or, perhaps they just know who is a genuine threat beyond redemption and whose more just a man whose made wrong choices (even evil ones). Auvrarn Labraster is certainly a murderer and deserving of whatever fate befalls him of the hangman's noose but the ghost of Sylune shows him curious mercy.
I suspect that being dead has provided Sylune with a compassion that is lacking from her other sisters. Frankly, the Simbul would have ripped the information from his mind while Qilue has shown that her favorite sport is murdering men that abuse women. Dove and Storm don't seem like they'd be particularly gentle either.
Frankly, I'm very fond of the little character moments that the Sisters have. Storm thinking back about how she seduced a particularly unruly matron's son, Qilue's vengeance on the abused wife's husband (immaterial to her mission), Sylune's playing the part of the Ghost of Christmas Past, and how utterly BORED the Simbul is with ruling yet how gleeful she gets at the prospect of unleashing her spellpower.
I must take moment to state that I rather like Auvrarn despite being the weasal that he is. He's lustful, greedy, a liar, and a murderer but human because of these urges rather than despite them. Whatever his affiliations, Auvrarn is a product of the cut throat environment of the Realms and his evil nature is what allows him to survive when placed up against so many powerful beings as he finds himself against. The fellow isn't the consciousless agent of evil Fzoul or Manshoon are but just....more fond of his skin than he is other peoples.
Ed does a nice job also illustrating the Church of Shar's fundamental loneliness with the witch Meira. I happened to like her a great deal since it helped show what a pathetic bunch they are at heart, once you peel back all of their doctrine of elder darkness/unlimited power etc. Meira lives in the middle of nowhere despite her great power and has no human companionship by the very nature of her doctrine. It's interesting that two such character villains can be so sympathetic despite their blackened natures.
It's also mirrored by Halastar Blackcloak whose clearly around the bend more than usual by taking up the Shadow Weave (at least that's what I'm assuming he's doing). Halastar lives in Undermountain of course but he's only comforted by the presence of what fools dare come down to his lair. Yet, he even more than Meir, is aware of what utter pointlessness is the worship of the Lady of the Night. While he certainly wasn't redeemed, I'm glad he was freed of her control in Elminster in Hell. He's also a nice mirror to the Seven in that he's off his rocker by how much power he wields.
(I tend to think of his look as Stephen the Irishman in Braveheart. I even use that tone of voice when he speaks in game "Do you know who I am? I am the most wanted wizard in all my continent!"
"You mean Faerun?"
"Yeah, it's mine. I just let the Kings of Cormyr use it. Waterdeep's mah capital. Khelben keeps my tower clean and my lovely wife warm for me.")
I appreciate the guest appearances sprinkled through the book too like Elaith Craulnober, Mirt the Moneylender, and other old friends whom the book would certainly be less rich without. All of them are alittle in awe of their companions even as they try their best to deal with the latest wide spread conspiracy for Faerun domination.
(A nice example to ed also of the"conspiracy theory" where everything in the Realms is at the god's bidding even if you have to follow it far enough. In this case it's Shar>Halastar>Red Wizards>Zhents>Drow> Street Scum with some interlink between. Tomorrow it might be Bane>Fzoul>Beholders>Illithids>The Cult of Dragon>Orcs)
The portrayal of how the Seven Sisters deals with all levels of the conspiracy is also something that makes me think of how the Harpers are SUPPOSED to work in they dismantle entire networks as opposed to just the immediate problem that most adventurers do.
Overall, I'm very pleased with the book and very much enjoyed the Illustrations that worked as both art and very beautiful depictions of ladies.
8/10
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My Blog: http://unitedfederationofcharles.blogspot.com/
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Edited by - Charles Phipps on 12 Feb 2007 19:20:15
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 12 Feb 2007 : 23:33:30
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Actually, Storm may be tough and a warrior at heart, but she's always struck me as quite compassionate.
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"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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Charles Phipps
Master of Realmslore
1425 Posts |
Posted - 13 Feb 2007 : 00:09:03
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Well there's a distinct difference between compassion to the victimized and poverty stricken that's rare enough in this world versus pity on even the evil doer.
That's something that takes Luke Skywalker/Optimus Prime levels of sainthood.
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My Blog: http://unitedfederationofcharles.blogspot.com/
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 13 Feb 2007 : 02:02:47
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quote:
Originally posted by Charles Phipps
Well there's a distinct difference between compassion to the victimized and poverty stricken that's rare enough in this world versus pity on even the evil doer.
Can't think of any specific examples at the moment, but I do believe Storm has shown compassion to "bad guys" before. |
"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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TobyKikami
Learned Scribe
USA
113 Posts |
Posted - 13 Feb 2007 : 02:12:41
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
quote:
Originally posted by Charles Phipps
Well there's a distinct difference between compassion to the victimized and poverty stricken that's rare enough in this world versus pity on even the evil doer.
Can't think of any specific examples at the moment, but I do believe Storm has shown compassion to "bad guys" before.
Well, in this particular book (spoiler?), I do recall her sparing a Zhentarim assassin because he moonlighted as the writer of her favorite pulp series. Though exactly how compassionate that was may be up for debate. |
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Zaknafein
Seeker
USA
77 Posts |
Posted - 13 Feb 2007 : 02:19:37
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| i just got this book about a week ago, and have yet to start it. but i am looking forward to it :) |
Zaknafein Do'Urden: mentor, teacher, friend....To Zak, the one who inspired my courage. -Drizzt Do'Urden
Full plate and packing steel. |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
Posted - 13 Feb 2007 : 02:56:43
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She also shows compassion in one of Ed's short stories to a murderer of the Lords of Waterdeep.
-- George Krashos
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"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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Charles Phipps
Master of Realmslore
1425 Posts |
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Silverfall Review
