More Questions from an L.E. Modesitt Fan

[lmodesitt]

There are at least two classes of English in point of fact: spoken English and written English. Recently, I also came across an article that also suggested a third class, simplified international English.

There are in fact certain aspects of language that can generally be said to be "correct" and incorrect. For example, singular subjects do take singular verb forms; prepositions should agree with their antecedant referrents; sentences should begin with a capital letter and end with a period; independent clauses cannot be joined with commas...

At the same time, there are accepted instances, if rare, when almost any "rule" is broken.

The reason for such rules is simple. The idea is to minimize mis-communications, which can create problems ranging from misunderstandings to total disasters. Just because "you" and "your friends" understand each other perfectly when using a personalized form of English doesn't mean that anyone outside your circle will.

Because English is spoken widely by a great range of what are effectively different cultures and/or subcultures that tend to use languge as much for self-identification as communication there is always a tension between the need for such identification and the need for clear understanding.

In my opinion, the need for clear communications across a range of subculrures is one reason why rules for "written" English are important and need to be followed -- particularly in technical and scholarly work.
In practice, that's why "legalise" comes out as it does.



L. E. Modesitt, Jr.

[Emperor]

I recently Lost alot of money gambling. At the end of the game, i was thinking...."****, If i were only a Order or Chaos mage with the truth reading skills...."

I wonder who would win in a Poker game with all the Main Characters haha

I don't think anyone could...the Order mages might have trouble bluffing and both could see who was lying and who was telling the truth...I think it would be like a game of people just learning how to play.

[CodeBlower]

I recently Lost alot of money gambling. At the end of the game, i was thinking...."****, If i were only a Order or Chaos mage with the truth reading skills...."

I wonder who would win in a Poker game with all the Main Characters haha

I'm a little curious as well. Having just started re-reading with Magi of Cyador, I know that Lorn can tell "shadings" of truth -- but, though my memory is faulty, I think most of Mr. Modesitt main characters have that ability.

That said, you can "shade" the truth in one direction and still use it as a mis-direction for the truth-reader.

[Emperor]

There is of course telling the truth with still not being fully honest.
What I mean is if you tell only part of the truth with out adding anything that isn't true your going to come across as being honest

[DocKurtz]

I'm a little curious as well. Having just started re-reading with Magi of Cyador, I know that Lorn can tell "shadings" of truth -- but, though my memory is faulty, I think most of Mr. Modesitt main characters have that ability.

Most of the magely types seem to have the talent, but not all the mainish characters. Remember - for instance - Ryba insisted on having Nylan or Arlyn present to help truthread. This was also because they understood the language better, but she generally asked about the honesty of what they were saying as well.

There is of course telling the truth with still not being fully honest.
What I mean is if you tell only part of the truth with out adding anything that isn't true your going to come across as being honest

As I recall they have a trouble with this as well. A 'twinge' if you will when the truth is spoken, but misleads. My pops always said that was the worst type of lie ... to make the truth into a lie.

-Doc

[CodeBlower]

As I recall they have a trouble with this as well. A 'twinge' if you will when the truth is spoken, but misleads. My pops always said that was the worst type of lie ... to make the truth into a lie.

-Doc

Fortunately for me, the ol' man couldn't truth-read and never knew, when I answered, that he wasn't getting *all* the desired information -- but -- the part I told him was true ..

I guess I'm kinda like Lorn that way -- never realized that before.

[reas0nabledoubts]

I was just t hinking about this while eating lunch at work.

Kharl has some unique abilities (Besides the regular ones most Order Mages have, truthrreading, nightvision,enhanced hearing ...etc.)

The one with Using Air to Create a shield and also using it to choke the air out of a person.....Can any other Order Mage have done that?

The thing is, Kharl can use the Air to do that, but hes not a Air/Weather Mage...which makes me confused.

[gollum]

The thing is, Kharl can use the Air to do that, but hes not a Air/Weather Mage...which makes me confused.

Kharl's strength is sensing order/chaos bonds and manipulating them.
While Kharl does - in most instances - use air, he's using the linkages IN the medium, not the medium itself.

[ShawnCowles]

He seemed to have much more control than the other order mages (perhaps becuase he started at a later age?) You know how he could "release" the linkages in a small object, making it explode; could he do that to, say... a white mage?

[reas0nabledoubts]

I think i perhaps read Ordermaster too quickly and missed a couple things.

Thanks for your answer Gollum.

Also, back to Magi and Scion of Cyador.

Int he books, it shows that Ryalth (The Lady Trader and Consort to Lorn)

Can sense when she is being screed and has links to Magery. It is also

suggested that her family had come from a line of Mages.

I was always curious about that and the story behind it. What do you people think?

[DocKurtz]

...Also, back to Magi and Scion of Cyador.

Int he books, it shows that Ryalth (The Lady Trader and Consort to Lorn)

Can sense when she is being screed and has links to Magery. It is also

suggested that her family had come from a line of Mages.

I was always curious about that and the story behind it. What do you people think?

I just finished rereading this one (doing the chronological thing this time) and the book hints that her mother came from a magi family but didn't she talk about it ... rather she hinted that it would be discussed when Ryalth was older. The discussion between Rylath and her mother never took place since her mother died when she was still young. She does - however - have the silver tomed book - from her mother - that appears not only to have been from an upper class family but a powerful one - since similar books are found the in the Captain Commander Luss's office and in the Emperor's personal collection.

IMHO Rylath's mother was probably victim of what could have happened to Lorn's sisters had Lorn not given up his claim to Eldest for his younger brother - whom remained a mage - Vernt. Had he not relinquished his claim we're lead to believe the family would lose their magely affiliations and the sisters be forced to marry down in class ... perhaps to a Merchanter class ... as Rylath's mom apparently did.

Of course this is all my personal speculation and I thought firebolts were kept in firenuts .

-Doc

[Gil galad]

Of course this is all my personal speculation and I thought firebolts were kept in firenuts .

-Doc

Is this some kind of allusion to magi only marrying magi

[gollum]

...suggested that her (Ryalth's) family had come from a line of Mages.
I was always curious about that and the story behind it. What do you people think?

In conversation with the Emporer, the Empress said that her - Ryalth's - (great?) grandmother was not unfamiliar with the palace.
Perhaps she consorted for love? To a trader? Shocking!

[lmodesitt]

Hasn't anyone considered that she might have been the Emperor's mistress?

L. E. Modesitt, Jr.

[CodeBlower]

Hasn't anyone considered that she might have been the Emperor's mistress?

L. E. Modesitt, Jr.

Actually, that had never occurred to me. I just finished re-reading the part about Ryalth's mother's mother's mother but I assumed she had simplying been one of the then-Emporer's daughters and that when it was said that she "consorted quickly", it was because she was basically "doing a Jerial" (to get out of some situation that she felt trapped in).

Guess I need to look at that conversation again ...

[DocKurtz]

Hasn't anyone considered that she might have been the Emperor's mistress?

L. E. Modesitt, Jr.

Actually, that had never occurred to me. I just finished re-reading the part about Ryalth's mother's mother's mother but I assumed she had simplying been one of the then-Emporer's daughters and that when it was said that she "consorted quickly", it was because she was basically "doing a Jerial" (to get out of some situation that she felt trapped in).

Guess I need to look at that conversation again ...

With Sir LEM's note in mind I'll have to as well

I am still amazed and impressed with how neat it is to be able to ask the author these kind of questions ... I'm starting to feel like a Modesitt version of a Trekkie ... does that make me a Modey?

-Doc

[DocKurtz]

Fortunately for me, the ol' man couldn't truth-read and never knew, when I answered, that he wasn't getting *all* the desired information -- but -- the part I told him was true ..

I guess I'm kinda like Lorn that way -- never realized that before.

"I could feel you behind me, and they couldn't see you. That was frightening. But the way you looked so innocent ... in saying you were walking around. That was frightening, too."
"It was the truth," Lorn says.
"Dearest ... you and your family all can tell the truth ... words that are what is, and yet convey something else entirely. That is one reason why I am glad you are not a magus."

Conversation between Lorn and Rylath in The Scion of Cyador; Chapter CXXVI.

Sounds like CB might be a magus

-Doc

[reas0nabledoubts]

Whats a Trekkie....haha

[Emperor]

Trekkie - Fan of any age (generally single men just the way it is) who are followers of Star Trek, some to the level of Religous Fanatism

Sides Star Wars is so much better

[DocKurtz]

Sides Star Wars is so much better

Once again I will have to agree with Emp! HUGE Star Wars junkie here.

-Doc

[ShawnCowles]

You can't handle the trek.

*back on topic*

Why wasnt The Ghosts of the White Nights included in Ghosts of Columbia?

[lmodesitt]

I wanted it included in Ghosts of Columbia, and it was originally planned that way, but the production costs would have required a $17.95 price tag, and Tor's marketing said they couldn't sell enough at that price.


L. E. Modesitt, Jr.

[CodeBlower]

Sounds like CB might be a magus

-Doc

Only in my dreams.

(and when I'm reading -- thanks to Mr. Modesitt)

[Emperor]

I think if I had to be anything it would be some one like Lorn, first a magnus then a Lancer. There is just too much of a pull on the side of a military to ignore it

[blueworld]

Quick question - how do you pronounce the first syllable Krytella? Cry-tella or Crit-tella?