History Literature / MemorySorrowAndThorn

* TouchedByVorlons: Very mild case, in that Simon's dragon scar gives him the ability to sense things he wouldn't otherwise be able to. This factors heavily in the climax.

* IWillProtectHer: Frustrated by Miriamele's refusal to reciprocate his affections, Simon instead declares that he will be her knight-protector, and abandons his duties to Josua in order to accompany her on her journey back to the Hayholt.

* ArcherArchetype: Miriamele's weapon of choice is the bow, which fits with her theme of independence; plus as a woman (and a princess) she would be unable to easily acquire training with a sword. Some humor comes from the contrast between her archery skills and Simon's, who self-deprecatingly claims to be able to "hit a cow at ten paces."

* TheArcher: Miriamele's weapon of choice is the bow. Some humor comes from the contrast between her archery skills and Simon's, who self-deprecatingly claims to be able to "hit a cow at ten paces."

* CueTheFlyingPigs: Miriamele swears that she will only trust Cadrach again "when the stars shine at midday." Cue his [[spoiler:HeroicSacrifice to save them from the CollapsingLair]]. Simon uses the same phrase [[spoiler: when thinking that if Elias and Josua were both killed, he might end up as King Simon]].

* CueTheFlyingPigs: Miriamele swears that she will only trust Cadrach again "when the stars shine at midday." Cue his [[spoiler:HeroicSacrifice to save them from the CollapsingLair]].

* RapeIsASpecialKindOfEvil: Inch is a CompleteMonster, but the capper for Jeremias' litany of his villainy not-so-delicately implies that Inch used him as a catamite.

* TheUnfettered: Pryrates claims to be this. Since his origins and motivations are never made clear, it's impossible to say if he's telling the truth, but his [[CompleteMonster actions speak for themselves]].

* TheWisePrince: Prince Josua.

* BecameTheirOwnAntithesis: [[spoiler: Ineluki/The Storm King's tragic backstory is this.]] He went from TheWisePrince, and a compassive ruler who wanted to save his people, to a WellIntentionnedExtremist, was then maddened by rejection, disgrace and a failure, and became an OmnicidalManiac.

* {{Astrologer}}

* VoluntaryShapeshifting: Geloë practices the Art in a manner akin to classic Druidism, shapeshifting into birds. Handled fairly realistically in that it does not affect her clothing. Also used by Pryrates, thanks to the Words of Changing. His choice of form is [[HighOctaneNightmareFuel anything but natural]], however.

* ApronMatron: Rachel, headmistress of the Hayholt, who has earned the nickname "The Dragon" for her strictness. Needless to say, Simon is her "favorite" disciplinary case.

* CharacterDevelopment: The focus of the story is Simon's development into a hero, but many other characters get this as well. In fact, Simon's development is [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] by the return of boyhood friend Jeremiah, who points out just how far Simon has come.

* EvilIsNotAToy, TheStarscream: Pryrates hopes to use the power he was granted by the Storm King to [[spoiler:control him and use him to rule the world. Needless to say, [[KarmicDeath it doesn't work]]]].

* HopeSpot: Miriamele's lucky shot that appears to [[spoiler:kill Pryrates]]. Needless to say, he gets better, and disturbingly quickly.

* ThePowerOfLove: In the climax, Simon [[spoiler:unravels the scheme to summon the Storm King by reacting to his evil with ''{{forgiveness}}'']]. Needless to say, the latter [[DidntSeeThatComing Didn't See That Coming]], and is weakened just enough for Miriamele to [[spoiler:kill his physical host]].

* RapeIsASpecialKindOfEvil: Inch is a CompleteMonster, but the capper for Jeremiah's litany of his villainy not-so-delicately implies that Inch used him as a catamite.

* TheseAreThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow: There is a ''lot'' of [[DangerousForbiddenTechnique dark, dangerous knowledge]] in the world of Osten Ard. Those who delve too deep tend to GoMadFromTheRevelation. Underlying it all is a concept called "Unbeing" which apparently makes you DeaderThanDead. Needless to say, Ineluki is one of the greatest practitioners of these arts. Pryrates likes them, too. Cadrach discovering some in the pages of ''[[TomeOfEldritchLore Du Svardenvyrd]]'' sent him over the DespairEventHorizon.

** In a certain sense, Simon as well. He is a meek scullion, who is inexperienced, naive and dependent on adults like Binabik - however, in times of grave danger, he will be the one who saves the lives of his companions.

* HopeSpot: Miriamele's lucky shot that appears to [[spoiler:kill Pryrates]]. Needless to say, [[IGotBetter he gets better]], and disturbingly quickly.

* FantasyCounterpartCulture: Almost every single human nation is one of these, from the Nabbanai (Rennaisance Italy) to the Wrannamen (Aborigines). The Qanuc are a mashup of Inuit culture with AllTrollsAreDifferent and the Sithi have a pinch of Japanese to a good helping of TheFairFolk. Fortunately, no real life human culture is anything like the Norns.

* OfferedTheCrown: [[spoiler:Simon, after his MosesInTheBullrushes reveal.]] In fact, Isgrimnur states outright that if he didn't have royal blood, they'd be inclined to make it up anyway, just to give the people someone to rally behind.

* GuiseWillBeGuise: The heroes' army uses {{Body Double}}s for the [[StormingTheCastle final battle]] to hide the fact that Prince Josua and Camaris have both gone into the Hayholt via the tunnels, both for the enemy's benefit and to boost the morale of their troops. Although the ruse does work, [[spoiler:it turns out to be irrelevant]].

* SupportingHero: Duke Isgrimnur becomes the de facto leader of the army besieging the Hayholt after Josua and Camaris both enter the castle via the tunnels.

* TheAragorn: Subverted. The heroic army led by Prince Josua and Duke Isgrimnur intends to use their attempt to [[StormingTheCastle storm the Hayholt]] as a diversion for the swords to be rescued from the castle via the tunnels, but they are actually playing directly into Pryrates' plan, as the conflict and destruction is a necessary component of the final ritual.

The [[{{Characters/ptitler65i0omv}} character sheet]] is here.