History Literature / TheWormOuroboros

A HeroicFantasy novel written by Eric Rücker Eddison in 1922, [[UrExample predating]] the ''Literature/LordOfTheRings'' by more than 30 years. The novel focuses on a long war between Witchland (under King Gorice) and Demonland (led by Lord Juss and his brothers) in an imaginary world called Mercury, inspired primarily by [[Literature/TheIcelandicSagas Norse sagas]]. Another similarity to LotR is that both novels feature a heroic quest (Juss and Brandoch Daha's quest to rescue Goldry Bluszco) against the backdrop of a protracted war.

Despite drawing on similar sources as Tolkien's masterwork, Eddison's world contrasts strongly in tone and morality: it is a world of ChivalricRomance high and [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy proud warriors]] who believe the [[MartyrdomCulture best way to die is on the field of battle]]. WarIsGlorious and without valiant heroes and great battles the world would be quite boring. Another difference between those two novels is that Eddison's world is made largely ''ad hoc'' by mixing elements of various Mythologies (primarily Norse and ancient Greek, but also some Arabic and Arthurian) and assigning names almost randomly. This was the main complaint Creator/{{Tolkien}} had about the novel, but he praised it overall nevertheless, particularly its originality. As the man said: "The greatest and most convincing writer of invented worlds that I have read." Finally, although both LotR and The Worm Ouroboros contain a number of poems, Tolkien's poems are his own creations, while Eddison's novel incorporated actual early modern poems (all properly credited).

* GuiltFreeExterminationWar: The "Holy War" that ended in the Ghouls' extinction. Lampshaded when Lord Gro tries to mine the genocide for anti-Demonland propaganda and is rebuked by the Red Foliot (the most peaceful and mild-mannered ruler in the book), who assures him that the extermination of the Ghouls was most certainly a praiseworthy heroic.

A HeroicFantasy novel written by Eric Rücker Eddison in 1922, [[UrExample predating]] the ''Literature/LordOfTheRings'' by more than 30 years. The novel focuses on a long war between Witchland (under King Gorice) and Demonland (led by Lord Juss and his brothers) in an imaginary world called Mercury, inspired primarily by [[Literature/TheIcelandicSagas Norse sagas]].

Despite drawing on similar sources as Tolkien's masterwork, Eddison's world contrasts strongly in tone and morality: it is a world of ChivalricRomance high and [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy proud warriors]] who believe the [[MartyrdomCulture best way to die is on the field of battle]]. WarIsGlorious and without valiant heroes and great battles the world would be quite boring. Another difference between those two novels is that Eddison's world is made largely ''ad hoc'' by mixing elements of various Mythologies (primarily Norse and ancient Greek, but also some Arabic and Arthurian) and assigning names almost randomly. This was the main complaint Creator/{{Tolkien}} had about the novel, but he praised it overall nevertheless, particularly its originality. As the man said: "The greatest and most convincing writer of invented worlds that I have read."

** TheGuard: Arguably Gorice XI.

* WhiteAndGrayMorality: Bear in mind that the morality on this world is different from our own, being more in line with that of a warrior. The Witches come across as worse because they're trying to subjugate all the smaller nations. King Gorice and Lord Corinius come across as thoroughly evil (and Lord Corsus is not far behind), but the same cannot be said of the other Witchland nobles.

A HeroicFantasy novel written by Eric Rücker Eddison in 1922, [[UrExample predating]] the ''LordOfTheRings'' by more than 30 years. The novel focuses on a long war between Witchland (under King Gorice) and Demonland (led by Lord Juss and his brothers) in an imaginary world called Mercury, inspired primarily by [[Literature/TheIcelandicSagas Norse sagas]].

Despite drawing on similar sources as Tolkien's masterwork, Eddison's world contrasts strongly in tone and morality: it is a world of ChivalricRomance high and [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy proud warriors]] who believe the [[MartyrdomCulture best way to die is on the field of battle]]. WarIsGlorious and without valiant heroes and great battles the world would be quite boring. Another difference between those two novels is that Eddison's world is made largely ''ad hoc'' by mixing elements of various Mythologies (primarily Norse and ancient Greek, but also some Arabic and Arthurian) and assigning names almost randomly. This was the main complaint Tolkien had about the novel, but he praised it overall nevertheless, particularly its originality. As the man said: "The greatest and most convincing writer of invented worlds that I have read."

A HeroicFantasy novel written by Eric Rücker Eddison in 1922, [[UrExample predating]] the ''LordOfTheRings'' by more than 30 years. The novel focuses on a long war between Witchland (under King Gorice) and Demonland (led by Lord Juss and his brothers) in an imaginary world called Mercury, inspired primarily by [[Literature/TheIcelandicSagas Norse sagas]].

* TheCameo: The mysterious, nameless old man that warns Spitfire before the Battle of Thremnir's Heugh is identifiable as Odin for those versed in {{Norse mythology}} [[Literature/TheIcelandicSagas and legend]].

* CostumePorn: Very much. Special mention to the King's mantle of ''cobra hides''.
* {{Curse}}: Zeldornius, Helteranius and Jalcanaius Fostus "ensorcelled" in Impland. The "weird" imposed on Brandoch by the Lady of Ishnain Nemartra.

* DeathOrGloryAttack: Gorice XII’s "sending". While it is an extremely powerful spell, performing it is so difficult and dangerous that Gorice is reluctant to us it more than once.

* FateWorseThanDeath: According to the grimoire, making a mistake in the "sending" ritual will not only mean death for the performer, but also his eternal damnation. Ouch.

* NonSequitur: Corund's phrase "The devil damn me black as buttermilk" in chapter XI.[[hottip:*:The reason being that it's a garbled echo of the line said by ''{{MacBeth}}'' that goes "The devil damn thee black, thou cream-faced loon!" (Act V, Scene iii).]]

* VillainousCrush: Gro, Heming ''and'' Corinius fall for Mevrian. She's quite something! Unluckily for them all she's also vowed to Artemis. Recognizing the honorable character and intentions of Gro and Heming Mevrian turns them down gently and with courtesy as opposed to her scornful rejection of the brutish Corinius.

* ScarpiaUltimatum: Corinius suggests to Mevrian marrying him would be in the interest of her conquered people.

* UglyGuyHotWife: Corund and Prezmyra. Just about everybody views their marriage as a misalliance yet Corund was Presmyra's own free choice out of a score of suitors.

* VillainousCrush: Gro, Heming ''and'' Corinius fall for Mevrian. She's quite something! Unluckily for them all she's also vowed to Artemis.

* LoveRedeems: Gro's defection from Witchland is triggered by his crush on Mevrian. Of course is initial loyalty to Witchland seems to have been due to his crush on the beauteous Prezmyra. Apparently he's a 'love the girl you're with' type.

* PurpleProse: And how! But it works, because Eddison was actually good at it.

* AlwaysChaoticEvil: The Ghouls, according to the testimony of the civilized[[hottip:*:Where Witchland, Demonland, Goblinland and Pixieland are regarded as the major 'civilized' nations.]] Mercurians.

A HeroicFantasy novel written by Eric Rücker Eddison in 1922, [[UrExample predating]] the ''LordOfTheRings'' by more than 30 years. The novel focuses on a long war between Witchland (under King Gorice) and Demonland (led by Lord Juss and his brothers) in an imaginary world called Mercury, inspired primarily by Literature/NorseSagas.

* AbortedArc: The story begins with the avatar of a man called Lessingham going to Mercury (note that this Mercury has no resemblance to the real-life planet), but this whole arc gets dropped after the first few chapters. Lessingham is never mentioned again.

* DecoyProtagonist: Lessingham, who is simply never mentioned after the first few chapters.

* IHaveYouNowMyPretty: Corinius to Mevrian.

* InVinoVeritas: The drunken Corinius spills the secret of the Demons' captivity to Prince La Fireez.

* LoveRedeems: Gro's defection from Witchland is triggered by his crush on Mevrian.

* MundaneWish: When the Lady of Ishnain Nemartra grants Brandoch a wish, he -- instead of making use of her semi-divine powers -- wishes [[spoiler:to sleep with her.]]

* UglyGuyHotWife: Corund and Prezmyra.

* VillainousCrush: Gro, Heming ''and'' Corinius fall for Mevrian. She's quite something!

* TheCameo: The mysterious, nameless old man that warns Spitfire before the Battle of Thremnir's Heugh is identifiable as Odin for those versed in {{Norse mythology}} [[Literature/TheIcelandicSagas and legend]].

** TheRightHand: Corsus.

** TheEvilCounterpart: Corinius.
** TheOddball: Gro.

''The Worm Ouroboros'' is in the public domain. You can find the text online at [[http://www.sacred-texts.com/ring/two/ Sacred Texts]] or [[http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Worm_Ouroboros Wikisource]].

!! This book provides examples of:

* Bishonen: Brandoch Daha, for want of a better word to describe him. As he's introduced (though like the rest of the lords he wears mustachios):

* HoYay: Possibly Lord Gro and King Gorice (the bath scene certainly comes across as this.)

** The Right Hand: Corsus.
** The General: Corsus, Corund and Laxus.
** The Guard: Arguably Gorice XI.
** The Evil Counterpart: Corinius.
** The Oddball: Gro.

* {{Asexuality}}: In contrast to the Witches, the Lords and Ladies of Demonland are mostly asexual beings -- with the single exception of Brandoch Daha, none of them show interest in sex, and none at all (including Brandoch) show interest in a romantic attachment. This even includes Goldry Blusczo, who is "betrothed" to Princess Armelline of Goblinland, but whose bride has not a single appearance in the book, and it seems to be a political marriage more than anything.

Despite drawing on similar sources as Tolkien's masterwork, Eddison's world contrasts strongly in tone and morality: it is a world of ChivalricRomance high and [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy proud warriors]] who believe the [[MartyrdomCulture best way to die is on the field of battle]]. WarIsGlorious and without valiant heroes and great battles the world would be quite boring. Another difference between those two novels is that Eddison's world is made largely ''ad hoc'' by mixing elements of various Mythologies (primarily Norse and ancient Greek, but also some Arabic and Arthurian) and assigning names almost randomly. This was the main complaint Tolkien had about the novel, but he praised it overall nevertheless, particularly its originality. As the man said: "The greatest and most convincing writer of 'invented worlds' that I have read."

Despite drawing on similar sources as Tolkien's masterwork, Eddison's world contrasts strongly in tone and morality: it is a world of ChivalricRomance high and [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy proud warriors]] who believe the [[MartyrdomCulture best way to die is on the field of battle]]. WarIsGlorious and without valiant heroes and great battles the world would be quite boring. Another difference between those two novels is that Eddison's world is made largely ''ad hoc'' by mixing elements of various Mythologies (primarily Norse and ancient Greek, but also some Arabic and Arthurian) and assigning names almost randomly. This was the only complaint Tolkien had about the novel, but he praised all it's other aspects, particularly its originality. As the man said: "No writer can be said to remind us of Eddison."

** Heming and Cargo seem to be rather decent, too.

A HeroicFantasy novel written by Eric Rücker Eddison in 1922, [[UrExample predating]] the ''LordOfTheRings'' by more than 30 years. The novel focuses on a long war between Witchland (under King Gorice) and Demonland (led by Lord Juss and his brothers) in an imaginary world called Mercury, inspired primarily by NorseSagas.

* TheCameo: The mysterious, nameless old man that warns Spitfire before the Battle of Thremnir's Heugh is identifiable as Odin for those versed in {{Norse mythology}} [[TheIcelandicSagas and legend]].

* TheAlliance: Demonland and Goblinland [[spoiler: later also Impland and Pixieland]].

* TheCameo: The mysterious, nameless old man that warns Spitfire before the Battle of Thremnir's Heugh is easily identifiable as Odin for those versed in {{Norse mythology}} [[TheIcelandicSagas and legend]].

* TheDragon: Lord Corund takes the post over from Corsus, and the implication that Corinius is next in line.

* TheExile: Lord Gro, banished from his native Goblinland.

* TheHighQueen: Prezmyra has the personality, and is crowned Queen later.

* KickThemWhileTheyAreDown: Witchland declares war on Demonland while the Demons have not yet rebuilt their fleet, which was heavily decimated fighting the Ghouls.

* TheLancer: Brandoch to Juss, TheHero.

* NonIndicativeTitle: The titular ''Worm Ouroboros'' is not actually an entity in the book.
* NonSequitur: Corund's phrase "The devil damn me black as buttermilk" in chapter XI.[[hottip:*:The reason being that it's a garbled echo of the line said by ''{{MacBeth}}'' that goes "The devil damn thee black, thou cream-faced loon!" (Act V, Scene iii)]]

* PropheciesAreAlwaysRight: A soothsaying woman once prophesied Mivarsh the manner of his death: [[spoiler:Eaten by a crocodile!]] At least she was honest.

* ReallyGetsAround: Sriva, who at one point is justifiably worried because she has one boyfriend waiting in her room and another one singing ballads outside the window. (And then traipses off to seduce another).

* TreasureIsBiggerInFiction: Juss' palace at Galing takes the cake. Not only are the high seats of the Demons carved from single gemstones "of monstrous size", there's more: "(...) the capital of every one of the four-and-twenty pillars was hewn from a single precious stone, carved by the hand of some sculptor of long ago into the living form of a monster (...) all hewn from faultless gems, thrice the bulk of a big man's body."

* UglyGuysHotDaughter: Corsus, and Sriva, "strangely fair for such a father."

* VillainousCrush: Gro, Heming ''and'' Corinus fall for Mevrian. She's quite something!

* YouCantFightFate: As Mivarsh has to learn the hard way.