History Literature / EaCycle

* TraumaCongaLine: The second half of ''Lord of Lies'' for Val. First he claims to be [[TheChosenOne the Maitreya]], and when that claim is proved false, [[WeAreStrugglingTogether the alliance of free kingdoms he was trying to set up falls apart]]. Then [[ShapeshifterDefaultForm they find that King Kiritan has been replaced by a shapeshifter]] and the kingdom of Alonia descends into anarchy. Val and his friends ride back to Mesh. Morjin's army then invades Mesh. [[AdultFear They kill all of Val's brothers]], [[YouKilledMyFather kill Val's parents]], [[MacGuffinDeliveryService steal the Lightstone]], and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking trash the castle]]. The warriors of Mesh [[WhatTheHellHero lose all confidence in Val as a result]]. So even though he's the last son of the last king, [[ElectiveMonarchy he doesn't win the support of the majority of the warriors]].

* EvilOverlord: Morjin plays this almost as straight as it can be played with an [[SupervillainLair underground lair]], [[{{Mooks}} multiple armies]], the ability to create [[PeoplePuppets ghuls]], and the [[LargeHam tendency to brag about his plans]]. Of course, Morjin [[APupilOfMineUntilHeTurnedToEvil used to be an angel]] until he met [[BiggerBad Angra Mainyu]].

* SealedEvilInACan: [[BiggerBad Angra Mainyu]], the most powerful evil archangel in the universe, was imprisoned thousands of years ago. If he's ever released, [[{{Precursors}} the Ieldra]] will [[GameOver hit the reset button on the entire universe]]. [[spoiler:During the final battle, Morjin is able to release Angra Mainyu, but refuses to, because he wants to defeat Val himself.]] [[SchmuckBait This does not work out well]].

* NotSoDifferent: Morjin sends Val several messages accusing Val of being just like him. [[JerkassHasAPoint He's not entirely wrong.]] Unlike Morjin, Val is [[YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre always trying to be a better person.]]

* MuggingTheMonster: A Sarni warrior challenges [[TheAlcoholic Maram]] to a beer-drinking contest. [[CrazyAwesome Maram drinks more beer than any Sarni has ever managed to drink]] while still standing up.

* HiddenElfVillage: Multiple locations in Ea are linked to the Vilds, extradimensional forests where [[OurElvesAreBetter the Lokilani]] live. The protagonists tend to find one of these whenever it'd be really convenient for them.

* ReallyGetsAround: Maram. If he's anywhere near women, he's always trying to seduce at least one and frequently succeeding. It's implied that he did ''something'' with one of the [[OurElvesAreBetter Lokilani women]], [[HotSkittyOnWailordAction who are about half the size of regular humans]].

%% {{Expy}} (Kane ~ Kane from Karl Edward Wagner, Astors ~ [[LordOfTheRings mallorns]]...)

* CuteMute: Estrella, for the most part. [[ColdBloodedTorture Morjin's priests tortured her, which burned out something in her head.]] The Brotherhood Masters are able to get her to speak for a while by combining their power. Unfortunately, everything she says is [[ProphecyTwist true, but no one can understand it at the time]].

* FiveManBand:
** TheLeader: Valashu.
** TheLancer: Maram.
** TheBigGuy: Kane and Ymiru.
** TheSmartGuy: Master Juwain.
** TheChick: Liljana.
** SixthRanger: Atara.
** TagalongKid: Daj and Estrella.
** TeamPet: Flick

[[quoteleft:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/The_Lightstone_cover_7297.jpg]]
%%[[caption-width:300:some caption text]]

* CoolOldLady: Liljana is this, along with [[MasterChef the cook]] [[SpyMaster and the lady who knows everybody who knows everyone else]].

* NonActionGuy: [[TheSmartGuy Master Juwain]], [[MasterChef Liljana]], and [[WaifProphet Estrella]] are definitely not action people. Master Juwain is a healer and a [[EncyclopaedicKnowledge walking encyclopedia]]. Liljana is great at support and [[SpyMaster spycraft]]. Estrella has [[MagicCompass a supernatural ability to find lost things]]. All of these things are vital to the success of the quest.

%% ZeroContextExample entries are not allowed on wiki pages. All such entries have been commented out. Add context to the entries before uncommenting them.

%% TheKingdom

* ReligionAndMythologyThemeNaming: Ymiru, Burri, and Audhumla of the Ymaniri, as well as Morjin's dragon Angurboda, take their names almost directly from Myth/{{Norse myth|ology}}.

* NorseMythology: Ymiru, Burri, and Audhumla of the Ymaniri, as well as Morjin's dragon Angurboda, take their names almost directly from Norse myth.

* CuteMute: Estrella, for the most part. [[ColdBloodedTorture Morjin's priests tortured her, which burned out something in her head.]] The Brotherhood Masters are able to get her to speak for a while by combining their power. Unfortunately, everything she says is [[ProphecyTwist true, but no one can understand it]].

* TheGodsMustBeLazy: The Galadin (archangels) are not allowed to set foot on Ea. The Elijin (angels) are not allowed to act on Ea, except for Kane, who's been grandfather-claused in. [[AllUpToYou Humanity is supposed to save itself]] even though Morjin is an immortal [[EvilOverlord Evil Overlord]]. Later, some of the Star People explain the reason behind this: [[WeAreNotGoingThroughThatAgain "The last time we sent angels and powerful warriors to retrieve the Lightstone, they went crazy, killed each other, turned evil, and created the current horrible mess."]]

* IHateYouVampireDad: Morjin created (or mutated) a shape-changing creature and called him his son. [[OmnicidalManiac Predictably, he hates everything and everyone, especially his father]].

* NonActionGuy: [[TheSmartGuy Master Juwain]] and [[MasterChef Liljana]] are definitely not action people. Their skills at healing, knowledge, support, and long-distance communication are vital to the success of the quest.

%% WaifProphet

* AbhorrentAdmirer: [[{{Medusa}} Jezi Yaga]] ''really'' likes Maram.

* BlindSeer: [[spoiler:Atara uses her white gelstei to become one after Morjin gouges out her eyes.]]
* BlindWeaponmaster: [[spoiler:Morjin blinds Atara, but she's no less deadly with her bow after that.]]

* CuteMute: Estrella, for the most part. [[ColdBloodedTorture Morjin's soldiers tortured her, which burned out something in her head.]]
%% CosmicKeystone

* EvilOverlord: Morjin plays this almost as straight as it can be played with an [[SupervillainLair underground lair]], [[{{Mooks}} multiple armies]], the ability to create [[PeoplePuppets ghuls]], and the [[LargeHam tendency to brag about his plans]]. Of course, Morjin [[APupilOfMineUntilHeTurnedToEvil used to be an archangel]] until he met [[BiggerBad Angra Mainyu]].

* TheGodsMustBeLazy: The Galadin (archangels) are not allowed to set foot on Ea. The Elijin (angels) are not allowed to act on Ea, except for Kane, who's been grandfather-claused in. [[AllUpToYou Humanity is supposed to save itself]] even though Morjin is an immortal [[EvilOverlord Evil Overlord]].

* MuggingTheMonster: A Sarni warrior challenges [[TheAlcoholic Maram]] to a beer-drinking contest. [[CrazyAwesome Maram drinks more beer than any Sarni has ever managed to drink and remain standing.]]

* ReallyGetsAround: Maram. If he's anywhere near women, he's always trying to seduce at least one and frequently succeeding. It's implied that he did ''something'' with one of the [[OurElvesAreBetter Lokilani women]], [[HotSkittyOnWailordAction who are about half the size of regular humans]].
* ReligionOfEvil: Morjin's Path of the Dragon is a borderline case that claims to be [[PathOfInspiration good]] but is very bad at hiding it.

%% PowerCrystal
%% ThePowerOfLove
%% ProphecyTwist

* TookALevelInBadass: Maram is constantly drinking, trying to seduce women, not very good in combat, and saying [[LovableCoward how much of a coward he is]]. ''Everyone'' is surprised when he wins a prize in wrestling at the Valari Games. Later, he [[TheDragonslayer fights a flying dragon single-handedly and wins]].

* VerbalTic: Kane is very fond of the word "So!" When a word starts with "h", Ymiru replaces it with "hr".

* EvilOverlord: Morjin plays this almost as straight as it can be played with an [[SupervillianLair underground lair]], [[{{Mooks}} multiple armies]], the ability to create [[PeoplePuppets ghuls]], and the [[LargeHam tendency to brag about his plans]]. Of course, Morjin [[APupilOfMineUntilHeTurnedToEvil used to be an archangel]] until he met [[BiggerBad Angra Mainyu]].

%% NotSoDifferent

* PeoplePuppets: Morjin can take control of people who serve him, creating ''ghuls'' who [[ProfessionalKiller generally attempt to kill Morjin's enemies]] in a [[AxCrazy very unsubtle way]].

* BadassBookworm: The Librarians of Khaisham maintain the Great Library and also train themselves to fight and defend it. [[WeHaveReserves Unfortunately for them, Count Ulanu shows up at the Library with a much larger army]]. They give two apprentices [[FlingALightIntoTheFuture the Library's complete index]]. They think this will be the best thing they can give to future generations as [[HeroicSacrifice they are completely overmatched]] and [[BookBurning the enemy wants to destroy all the books in the Library]].

* JustForFun/IThoughtItMeant: Early on, the protagonists are looking for the Sea People. You'd expect them to be humans who live near the sea. [[FriendlyPlayfulDolphin No, they're dolphins]] [[SapientCetacean and whales]].

* NorseMythology: Ymiru, Burri, and Audhumla of the Ymaniri, as well as Morjin's dragon Angurboda, take their names directly from Norse myth.

* PeoplePuppets: Morjin can take control of people who serve him, creating ''ghuls''.

* SealedEvilInACan: [[BiggerBad Angra Mainyu]], the most powerful evil archangel in the universe, was imprisoned thousands of years ago. If he's ever released, [[GameOver the Ieldra will hit the reset button on the entire universe]]. [[spoiler:During the final battle, Morjin is able to release Angra Mainyu, but refuses to, because he wants to defeat Val himself.]] [[SchmuckBait This does not work out well]].
* StayInTheKitchen: The Valari want their women to raise children, keep house, and be spiritual. In ''The Diamond Warriors'', Behira calls them out on this, says that any women who want to train as warriors should be allowed to, and [[TrainingThePeacefulVillagers takes initiative]]. The women are told to stay behind and defend their homes. [[BigDamnHeroes Of course they show up as the cavalry at the final battle]].
* TakeOverTheWorld: Morjin's goal. He almost succeeds.

* BadassBookworm: The Librarians maintain the Great Library and also train themselves to fight and defend it. [[WeHaveReserves Unfortunately for them, Morjin shows up at the Library with a much larger army]]. They give Master Juwain [[FlingALightIntoTheFuture the Library's complete index]]. They think this will be the best thing they can give to future generations as [[HeroicSacrifice they are completely overmatched]] and [[BookBurning the enemy wants to destroy all the books in the Library]].

** Blue is used to communicate across long distances [[{{Telepathy}} or read another person's mind]].

* TheEmpath: Val has the ''valarda'', which makes him able to feel what anyone nearby is feeling. [[BlessedWithSuck This means if he hurts any of his enemies, he feels all of the pain he's caused them]]. Val does not let this stand in the way of slaughtering any of his opponents.

* GRatedDrug: The ''timpum'' fruit that is available in [[HiddenElfVillage the Vilds]] seems very similar to psychedelics.

* JustForFun/IThoughtItMeant: Early on, the protagonists are looking for the Sea People. You'd expect them to be humans who live near the sea. [[FriendlyPlayfulDolphin No, they're dolphins]].

* OurDragonsAreDifferent: The dragons don't breathe fire. They spit out a thick liquid that bursts into flame not long after being exposed to oxygen. [[YouFailBiologyForever This is slightly more plausible than biological creatures breathing fire]].

%% PeoplePuppets (ghuls)

* VerbalTic: Kane often addresses people with "So, (name), so!" When a word starts with "h", Ymiru replaces it with "hr".

Desperately [[http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/NeedsWikiMagicLove Needs Wiki Magic Love]]

%% LostTechnology
* LoveAtFirstSight: Val immediately falls in love with Atara. She falls in love with him too. [[HeroicVow However, she's vowed to slay 100 men before she marries anyone, which causes... problems.]]

%% TakeOverTheWorld

%% TheEmpath

* TheGodsMustBeLazy: The Galadin (archangels) are not allowed to set foot on Ea. The Elijin (angels) are not allowed to act on Ea, [[{{Badass}} except for Kane, who's been grandfather-claused in]]. [[AllUpToYou Humanity is supposed to save itself]] even though Morjin is an immortal [[EvilOverlord Evil Overlord]].

* ActionGirl: Atara joined the [[AmazonBrigade Manslayers]] against her father's wishes and is a crack shot with a bow.

%% BlindWeaponmaster

** Purple can be used to rearrange the structure of inanimate objects.

%% TheGodsMustBeLazy

%% ReallySevenHundredYearsOld

%% SealedEvilInACan (Angra Mainyu)

%% ActionGirl: Atara

* ArchEnemy: Valashu and Morjin to each other

%% BigBad

%% BlindSeer

%% ColourCodedForYourConvenience

%% EvilOverlord (Morjin)

%% ReligionOfEvil (borderline case that claims to be [[PathOfInspiration good]] but is very bad at hiding its evil)

* ActionGirl (Atara)
* AndYourLittleDogToo
* ArchEnemy (Valashu and Morjin to each other)
* AuthorTract
* AwesomeMomentOfCrowning
* BackFromTheDead
* BigBad
* BlackMagic
* BlindSeer
* BlindWeaponmaster
* TheChosenOne
* ColourCodedForYourConvenience
* CosmicKeystone
* CrystalSpiresAndTogas
* TheDarkSide
* DisneyDeath
* EarthAllAlong
* EitherOrProphecy
* TheEmpath
* TheEmpire (Morjin's)
* EnergyAbsorption
* EvilCounterpart (Morjin to Valashu)
* EvilOverlord (Morjin)
* EvolutionaryLevels (human -> Valari (better human) -> Elijin (angel) -> Galadin (arch-angel) -> Ieldra)
* {{Expy}} (Kane ~ Kane from Karl Edward Wagner, Astors ~ [[LordOfTheRings mallorns]]...)
* TheGodsMustBeLazy
* GreenRocks (gelstei crystals)
* HeroicSacrifice (used straight and subverted)
* IdiotBall
* TheKingdom
* LostColony
* LostTechnology
* MessianicArchetype
* MineralMacGuffin
* NotQuiteDead
* NotSoDifferent
* OnlyOne (subverted)
* ReligionOfEvil (borderline case that claims to be [[PathOfInspiration good]] but is very bad at hiding its evil)
* PeoplePuppets (ghuls)
* PlotCoupon
* PowerCrystal
* ThePowerOfLove
* ProphecyTwist
* PsychicPowers
* ReallySevenHundredYearsOld
* ScrewDestiny
* SealedEvilInACan (Angra Mainyu)
* TakeOverTheWorld
* WaifProphet
* WalkingTheEarth
* WeCanRuleTogether (Morjin tries this)
* WhiteMagic
* YouKilledMyFather

The '''Ea Cycle''' is a fantasy tetralogy by David Zindell narrated in first person by Valashu Elahad, a prince of Mesh. In the beginning, Val goes on a [[WalkingTheEarth continent-spanning quest]] for the Lightstone, a holy artifact [[CosmicKeystone that the fate of the universe hangs on]]. But Val and his stereotypically diverse group of friends also need to keep the Lightstone safe from Morjin, the BigBad leader of TheEmpire, until the Lightstone can be claimed by its rightful wielder, [[TheChosenOne the Maitreya]].

http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/The_Lightstone_cover_7297.jpg

The ''Literature/EaCycle'' is a fantasy tetralogy by David Zindell narrated in first person by Valashu Elahad, a prince of Mesh. In the beginning, Val goes on a [[WalkingTheEarth continent-spanning quest]] for the Lightstone, a holy artifact [[CosmicKeystone that the fate of the universe hangs on]]. But Val and his stereotypically diverse group of friends also need to keep the Lightstone safe from Morjin, the BigBad leader of TheEmpire, until the Lightstone can be claimed by its rightful wielder, [[TheChosenOne the Maitreya]].

* PlanetOfTheApesEnding