Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 46 (click to see context) from:
** Rolan, Talia's Companion, is said to have [[InformedAttribute a very close bond with her]], but he just isn't as supportive of poor Talia during her many difficulties as many other Companions are to their Chosen. Companions are reluctant to put their hooves in and solve the problems of humans for them, but they're usually willing to be a comfort and support in a difficult time. Rolan will come to Talia's rescue when she's physically at risk but he doesn't so much as nuzzle her when taking her to the Collegium in ''Arrows of the Queen'' and seems to have a ToughLove approach in ''Arrow's Flight''. As Talia's control of her powers, and her self-esteem with them, slip he gives her no reassurance; while addressing a plague he helps her keep control in a way that she interprets as impatient with her failings, and he remains very remote while Kris slowly and painfully teaches her. Combined with forcing Talia to be privy to so much SexByProxy - which she discusses within his hearing as something that she doesn't like - he doesn't seem to care all that much about her emotional well-being. As a Monarch's Own Companion he has had other Heralds and appears in numerous books set before ''Arrows'', and he usually appears to be warmer and more kind in them even to people he hasn't Chosen! It's likely EarlyInstallmentWeirdness, but poor Talia.
to:
** Rolan, Talia's Companion, is said to have [[InformedAttribute a very close bond with her]], but he just isn't as supportive of poor Talia during her many difficulties as many other Companions are to their Chosen. Companions are reluctant to put their hooves in and solve the problems of humans for them, but they're usually willing to be a comfort and support in a difficult time. Rolan can't or doesn't usually speak in words to her, but he has other ways to communicate - he will come to Talia's rescue when she's physically at risk but he doesn't so much as nuzzle her when taking her she panics at the entrance to the Collegium in ''Arrows of the Queen'' Queen'', and he seems to have a ToughLove approach in ''Arrow's Flight''. As Talia's control of her powers, and her self-esteem with them, slip he gives her no reassurance; while addressing a plague he helps her keep control in a way that she interprets as impatient with her failings, and he remains very remote while Kris slowly and painfully teaches her. Combined with forcing Talia to be privy to so much SexByProxy - which she discusses within his hearing as something that she doesn't like - he doesn't seem to care all that much about her emotional well-being. As a Monarch's Own Companion he has had other Heralds and appears in numerous books set before ''Arrows'', and he usually appears to be warmer and more kind in them them, even to people he hasn't Chosen! It's likely EarlyInstallmentWeirdness, EarlyInstallmentWeirdness.
* VillainDecay: Mercedes Lackey's villains tend towards OrcusOnHisThrone and are often somewhat removed until the CosmicDeadline looms, butpoor Talia.Mornelithe Falconsbane is quite active in ''Winds of Fate''. He's engineered the situation with k'Treva that has split an entire Tayledras clan and brought it to the brink of dissolution, he allows Nyara to escape so that he can use her to acquire information, he opportunistically pursues Elspeth's party and the gryphons, he captures Dawnfire and feeds her misinformation before allowing her to escape, he's even roaming around the gryphons' territory and comes across the group before they're ready for him.
** Then in ''Winds of Change'' he's almost entirely passive, sending a magical attack that kills Tre'valen but otherwise staying in his fortress doing not much. The heroes refer to him as being stupid and predictable and when they go after him, it's not that their plan goes off without a hitch, but that the effort is ''easier'' than they expected. It's even more exaggerated in ''Winds of Fury'', though somewhat explained by the events of the second book diminishing his mental capacities. The heroes defeat him easily and then stand around marveling that he'd been so stupid.
* VillainDecay: Mercedes Lackey's villains tend towards OrcusOnHisThrone and are often somewhat removed until the CosmicDeadline looms, but
** Then in ''Winds of Change'' he's almost entirely passive, sending a magical attack that kills Tre'valen but otherwise staying in his fortress doing not much. The heroes refer to him as being stupid and predictable and when they go after him, it's not that their plan goes off without a hitch, but that the effort is ''easier'' than they expected. It's even more exaggerated in ''Winds of Fury'', though somewhat explained by the events of the second book diminishing his mental capacities. The heroes defeat him easily and then stand around marveling that he'd been so stupid.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
** In ''Winds of Fate'', Dawnfire's body dies and her mind is stuck in the body of her bondbird. She was supposedly quite close to Darkwind, enough to want to essentially marry him. Darkwind has intense anguish when her body is found but then moves on immediately, thinking about Elspeth as more attractive and interesting than Dawnfire. When he encounters her as a bird he's upset over her situation again, and her EmergencyTransformation into an Avatar has him in agony. Then he doesn't think about her at all in ''Mage Winds'' or beyond. Dawnfire herself no longer has POV after she's made into an Avatar and has only a few appearances, but she doesn't mention him either. Even in a scene where she manifests to a group that includes him, there's no connection or acknowledgement that they even knew each other.
Added DiffLines:
** In the Mage Winds trilogy, that Nyara doesn't deserve and is not responsible for the abuse her father inflicted on her is briefly raised in the first book, then repeatedly and at more length in the second. In the third it's baldly stated by Stefan's ghost and Nyara considers it carefully and decides he's right. This is not subtle, though applied to survivors in general it's a good message.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* NightmareFuel
** Not that it gets [[EarlyInstallmentWeirdness brought up again]], but there's something so grim about Heraldic arrow-code including a standard signal for "complete disaster, situation hopeless, do not attempt rescue." Just the thought of a Herald having enough time before death to mark and break an arrow and send it with their Companion or some other ally, knowing they can't be saved and hoping only to warn others...
** Not that it gets [[EarlyInstallmentWeirdness brought up again]], but there's something so grim about Heraldic arrow-code including a standard signal for "complete disaster, situation hopeless, do not attempt rescue." Just the thought of a Herald having enough time before death to mark and break an arrow and send it with their Companion or some other ally, knowing they can't be saved and hoping only to warn others...
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* LoveToHate: In ''The Valdemar Companion'' Mercedes Lackey waxes lyrical about how much she enjoys writing from the POV of vile characters like Falconsbane and Ancar, which can come through and make them fun to read as well. Her villains can be ''so'' over the top.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 13 (click to see context) from:
* DesignatedHero: Increasingly common in the later series, but there are suggestions early on, too. Tarma resents her partner Kethry being compelled to help women in danger because it's inconvenient and many women don't 'deserve' help, an attitude passed on to Kerowyn. In one story, after a city girl is raped and cast out Tarma and Kethry take her with them and are hugely condescending to her, passing her off to a farmer with StayInTheKitchen views while literally calling her a "pet" for him to take in. Not only that, but her rapist has an arranged marriage with a wealthy girl who looked like she enjoyed being the center of attention when the pair saw her in passing. Tarma and Kethry blithely say that these two deserve each other.
to:
* DesignatedHero: Increasingly common in the later series, but there are suggestions early on, too. Tarma resents her partner Kethry being compelled to help women in danger because it's inconvenient and many women don't 'deserve' help, an attitude passed on to Kerowyn. In one story, after a city girl is raped and cast out Tarma and Kethry take her with them and are hugely condescending to her, passing her off to a farmer with StayInTheKitchen views while literally calling her a "pet" for him to take in. Not only that, but her rapist has an [[StandardHeroReward arranged marriage marriage]] with a wealthy girl who looked like she enjoyed being the center of attention [[RealWomenDontWearDresses vain and stuck-up]] when the pair saw her in passing. Tarma and Kethry blithely say that these two deserve each other.
Changed line(s) 16 (click to see context) from:
** The short story ''Trust Your Instincts'' in the anthology novel ''Pathways'' makes the king-choosing Sword That Sings into at ''best'' a really callous CreepyGood entity. Predicting that a tyrant would destroy it, it plants a strong compulsion in a minor noble, making him utterly obsessed with it first using soothing and pleasant emotions, then when Fayne finally touches it switching to torturous visions until he realizes it wants him to take it to safety. He steals it and travels with a friend who eventually has enough of Fayne deferring to the sword and leaves, climbing a mountain pass and then realizing the Sword That Sings never meant for him to ''survive''. Suffused with the sword's pleasant emotions again, he sees this as a HeroicSacrifice and is happy.
to:
** The short story ''Trust Your Instincts'' in the anthology novel ''Pathways'' makes the king-choosing Sword That Sings into at ''best'' a really callous CreepyGood entity. Predicting that a tyrant would destroy it, it plants a strong compulsion in a minor noble, making him utterly obsessed with it first using soothing and pleasant emotions, then when Fayne finally touches it switching to torturous visions until he realizes it wants him to take it to safety. He steals it and travels with a friend who eventually has enough of Fayne deferring to the sword and leaves, climbing a mountain pass and then realizing his friend was right, the Sword That Sings never meant for wants him to ''survive''. die here. Suffused with the sword's pleasant emotions again, he Fayne sees this as a HeroicSacrifice and is happy.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 13 (click to see context) from:
* DesignatedHero: Increasingly common in the later series, but there are suggestions early on, too. Tarma resents her partner Kethry being compelled to help women in danger regardless of whether they 'deserve' help, an attitude passed on to Kerowyn. In one story, after a city girl is raped and cast out Tarma and Kethry take her with them and are hugely condescending to her, passing her off to a farmer with StayInTheKitchen views while literally calling her a "pet" for him to take in. Not only that, but her rapist has an arranged marriage with a wealthy girl who looked like she enjoyed being the center of attention when the pair saw her in passing. Tarma and Kethry blithely say that these two deserve each other.
to:
* DesignatedHero: Increasingly common in the later series, but there are suggestions early on, too. Tarma resents her partner Kethry being compelled to help women in danger regardless of whether they because it's inconvenient and many women don't 'deserve' help, an attitude passed on to Kerowyn. In one story, after a city girl is raped and cast out Tarma and Kethry take her with them and are hugely condescending to her, passing her off to a farmer with StayInTheKitchen views while literally calling her a "pet" for him to take in. Not only that, but her rapist has an arranged marriage with a wealthy girl who looked like she enjoyed being the center of attention when the pair saw her in passing. Tarma and Kethry blithely say that these two deserve each other.
Added DiffLines:
** The short story ''Trust Your Instincts'' in the anthology novel ''Pathways'' makes the king-choosing Sword That Sings into at ''best'' a really callous CreepyGood entity. Predicting that a tyrant would destroy it, it plants a strong compulsion in a minor noble, making him utterly obsessed with it first using soothing and pleasant emotions, then when Fayne finally touches it switching to torturous visions until he realizes it wants him to take it to safety. He steals it and travels with a friend who eventually has enough of Fayne deferring to the sword and leaves, climbing a mountain pass and then realizing the Sword That Sings never meant for him to ''survive''. Suffused with the sword's pleasant emotions again, he sees this as a HeroicSacrifice and is happy.
--> "I'm sick of listening to your damned sword! It doesn't talk, but still you know what it's saying and that it wants us to kill ourselves in these hills. There's not enough food for the horse. We're here just before winter without food. If that sword's even saying anything, it's been giving you the worst advice it possibly could!"
--> "I'm sick of listening to your damned sword! It doesn't talk, but still you know what it's saying and that it wants us to kill ourselves in these hills. There's not enough food for the horse. We're here just before winter without food. If that sword's even saying anything, it's been giving you the worst advice it possibly could!"
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* HarsherInHindsight: The broad strokes of how ''The Oathbreakers'' (1989) and the Golden Age arc of {{Manga/Berserk}} (1996) end have enough similarities to take note of. A UniversallyBelovedLeader (Idra, Griffith) who has particular ideas about ruling and captains a wildly successful mercenary company (the Sunhawks, the Band of the Hawk) made a poor choice that was met with DisproportionateRetribution. Evil kings imprisoned them in their dungeons and terribly abused them, completely incapacitating them (DrivenToSuicide, tongueless and maimed). Their second in command leads the remainder of the mercenaries while the most extraordinary of the company (Tarma and Kethry, Guts) are off on their own. On discovering what's happened and reuniting with the wanderers the mercenaries rally and perform a daring maneuver in their captain's name (attacking the king, rescuing Griffith from the dungeon) supported by common people. In the process the barriers between worlds are torn asunder in a dramatic ritual moment and the captain returns to better-than-human health and vitality and turns someone (the king, almost the entire Band of the Hawk) into unrecognizable bloody pulp. Of course, if you know what happens in both, you understand that how the Golden Age ends is much, much, ''much'' DarkerAndEdgier. When the captain of the Sunhawks rode out from the kingdom of Death her mercenaries were briefly afraid but understood that their beloved Captain Idra meant them well, and she returned to the afterlife peacefully after mulching her brother.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
** When Tarma and Kethry join the Sunhawks in ''Oathbreakers'', they join under Captain Idra, a princess of Rethwellan who [[AbdicateTheThrone abdicated her hope of succession]] preferring the freedom of being a mercenary, and who rose to become the Sunhawks' UniversallyBelovedLeader. She's barely in the book before she returns to the capital of Rethwellan to help decide which of her brothers will be King, only to stop answering letters and vanish, kicking off the plot of the book as Tarma and Kethry go to discover her fate.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 24 (click to see context) from:
** In ''Winds of Fate'', Darkwind muses on and interacts with quite a few other Tayledras in his clan who all seem distinct and interesting but ultimately are background characters. He mentions two mages who like him were shaken by the Heartstone disaster enough to change their names - Moonwing, who became Silence and retreated into a solitary existence, and Starfire who became Nightfire and dedicated every waking moment to studying the Heartstone and trying to discover what went wrong. The Heartstone had been ''sabotaged'', but Nightfire doesn't get to find that out or react to the news.
to:
** In ''Winds of Fate'', Darkwind muses on and interacts with quite a few other Tayledras in his clan who all seem distinct and interesting but ultimately are background characters. He mentions two mages who like him were shaken by the Heartstone disaster enough to change their names - Moonwing, who became Silence and retreated into a solitary existence, and Starfire who became Nightfire and dedicated every waking moment to studying the Heartstone and trying to discover what went wrong. The Heartstone had been ''sabotaged'', but Nightfire doesn't get to find that out or react to the news. Among the scouts, Darkwind's best and oldest friend is Stormcloud, who had some Mage-Gift but little enough that Starblade had refused to train him, and whose bondbird is a playful crow. He has no dialogue after the scene where he's introduced and Darkwind never considers going to him for help or support.
** Need is a prominent character in the Mage Winds books and comes BackForTheFinale of ''Storm Breaking'', but for an ancient spirit that seems to be [[AngelUnaware equivalent to a Companion]], a whole lot is left on the table. See below.
** Need is a prominent character in the Mage Winds books and comes BackForTheFinale of ''Storm Breaking'', but for an ancient spirit that seems to be [[AngelUnaware equivalent to a Companion]], a whole lot is left on the table. See below.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: Mercedes Lackey likes to populate her books with large numbers of named characters given a few interesting traits but who are generally quite OutOfFocus and don't end up participating much in the main plot. This certainly fleshes the setting out and makes it more populated, but it can lead to some frustration too as sometimes they come associated with distinct plot hooks.
** In ''Winds of Fate'', Darkwind muses on and interacts with quite a few other Tayledras in his clan who all seem distinct and interesting but ultimately are background characters. He mentions two mages who like him were shaken by the Heartstone disaster enough to change their names - Moonwing, who became Silence and retreated into a solitary existence, and Starfire who became Nightfire and dedicated every waking moment to studying the Heartstone and trying to discover what went wrong. The Heartstone had been ''sabotaged'', but Nightfire doesn't get to find that out or react to the news.
** In ''Winds of Fate'', Darkwind muses on and interacts with quite a few other Tayledras in his clan who all seem distinct and interesting but ultimately are background characters. He mentions two mages who like him were shaken by the Heartstone disaster enough to change their names - Moonwing, who became Silence and retreated into a solitary existence, and Starfire who became Nightfire and dedicated every waking moment to studying the Heartstone and trying to discover what went wrong. The Heartstone had been ''sabotaged'', but Nightfire doesn't get to find that out or react to the news.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* TooCoolToLive: A few characters seem destined to burn very brightly and very briefly.
** Kerowyn's first Captain in the Skybolts, Lerryn Twoblades, is TheAce in multiple skillsets, has the fanatical devotion of the entire Company, and on top of that he's the son of a character from Tarma and Kethry's day. He dies 'off-screen,' opening the path for Kero to eventually take command herself.
** Kerowyn's first Captain in the Skybolts, Lerryn Twoblades, is TheAce in multiple skillsets, has the fanatical devotion of the entire Company, and on top of that he's the son of a character from Tarma and Kethry's day. He dies 'off-screen,' opening the path for Kero to eventually take command herself.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 32 (click to see context) from:
** Roland, Talia's Companion, is said to have [[InformedAttribute a very close bond with her]], but he just isn't as supportive of poor Talia during her many difficulties as many other Companions are to their Chosen. Companions are reluctant to put their hooves in and solve the problems of humans for them, but they're usually willing to be a comfort and support in a difficult time. Roland will come to Talia's rescue when she's physically at risk but he doesn't so much as nuzzle her when taking her to the Collegium in ''Arrows of the Queen'' and seems to have a ToughLove approach in ''Arrow's Flight''. As Talia's control of her powers, and her self-esteem with them, slip he gives her no reassurance; while addressing a plague he helps her keep control in a way that she interprets as impatient with her failings, and he remains very remote while Kris slowly and painfully teaches her. Combined with forcing Talia to be privy to so much SexByProxy - which she discusses within his hearing as something that she doesn't like - he doesn't seem to care all that much about her emotional well-being. As a Monarch's Own Companion he has had other Heralds and appears in numerous books set before ''Arrows'', and he usually appears to be warmer and more kind in them even to people he hasn't Chosen! It's likely EarlyInstallmentWeirdness, but poor Talia.
to:
** Roland, Rolan, Talia's Companion, is said to have [[InformedAttribute a very close bond with her]], but he just isn't as supportive of poor Talia during her many difficulties as many other Companions are to their Chosen. Companions are reluctant to put their hooves in and solve the problems of humans for them, but they're usually willing to be a comfort and support in a difficult time. Roland Rolan will come to Talia's rescue when she's physically at risk but he doesn't so much as nuzzle her when taking her to the Collegium in ''Arrows of the Queen'' and seems to have a ToughLove approach in ''Arrow's Flight''. As Talia's control of her powers, and her self-esteem with them, slip he gives her no reassurance; while addressing a plague he helps her keep control in a way that she interprets as impatient with her failings, and he remains very remote while Kris slowly and painfully teaches her. Combined with forcing Talia to be privy to so much SexByProxy - which she discusses within his hearing as something that she doesn't like - he doesn't seem to care all that much about her emotional well-being. As a Monarch's Own Companion he has had other Heralds and appears in numerous books set before ''Arrows'', and he usually appears to be warmer and more kind in them even to people he hasn't Chosen! It's likely EarlyInstallmentWeirdness, but poor Talia.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 9,14 (click to see context) from:
**
[[MindRape Mornelithe Falconsbane]], aka [[ANaziByAnyOtherName Ma'ar]], was never really a good person
steadily divested himself of any good intent he may have once had, starting the Cataclysm that devastated much of the world and had a ripple effect through time itself. Though defeated, he didn't actually die, as he had set up a GrandTheftMe system so that he could [[FamilialBodySnatcher take over the body of any his descendants]] once they started showing signs of magical ability. Ma'ar continues this over centuries, "seeding" the world with children so as to never run out of descendants and practicing his magic upon them, intending to claim ultimate power no matter the cost. Through this end, Ma'ar would force Starblade, elder of the k'Shenya, to destroy his people's Heartstone, almost wiping them out and corrupting their valley.
[[MindRape Mornelithe Falconsbane]], aka [[ANaziByAnyOtherName Ma'ar]], was never really a good person
steadily divested himself of any good intent he may have once had, starting the Cataclysm that devastated much of the world and had a ripple effect through time itself. Though defeated, he didn't actually die, as he had set up a GrandTheftMe system so that he could [[FamilialBodySnatcher take over the body of any his descendants]] once they started showing signs of magical ability. Ma'ar continues this over centuries, "seeding" the world with children so as to never run out of descendants and practicing his magic upon them, intending to claim ultimate power no matter the cost. Through this end, Ma'ar would force Starblade, elder of the k'Shenya, to destroy his people's Heartstone, almost wiping them out and corrupting their valley.
to:
[[MindRape Mornelithe Falconsbane]], aka
steadily divested himself
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 9 (click to see context) from:
** [[MindRape Mornelithe Falconsbane]], aka [[ANaziByAnyOtherName Ma'ar]], steadily divested himself of any good intent he may have once had, starting the Cataclysm that devastated much of the world and had a ripple effect through time itself. Though defeated, he didn't actually die, as he had set up a GrandTheftMe system so that he could [[FamilialBodySnatcher take over the body of any his descendants]] once they started showing signs of magical ability. Ma'ar continues this over centuries, "seeding" the world with children so as to never run out of descendants and practicing his magic upon them, intending to claim ultimate power no matter the cost. Through this end, Ma'ar would force Starblade, elder of the k'Shenya, to destroy his people's Heartstone, almost wiping them out and corrupting their valley.
to:
[[MindRape Mornelithe Falconsbane]], aka [[ANaziByAnyOtherName Ma'ar]], was never really a good person
steadily divested himself of any good intent he may have once had, starting the Cataclysm that devastated much of the world and had a ripple effect through time itself. Though defeated, he didn't actually die, as he had set up a GrandTheftMe system so that he could [[FamilialBodySnatcher take over the body of any his descendants]] once they started showing signs of magical ability. Ma'ar continues this over centuries, "seeding" the world with children so as to never run out of descendants and practicing his magic upon them, intending to claim ultimate power no matter the cost. Through this end, Ma'ar would force Starblade, elder of the k'Shenya, to destroy his people's Heartstone, almost wiping them out and corrupting their valley.
Added DiffLines:
** Roland, Talia's Companion, is said to have [[InformedAttribute a very close bond with her]], but he just isn't as supportive of poor Talia during her many difficulties as many other Companions are to their Chosen. Companions are reluctant to put their hooves in and solve the problems of humans for them, but they're usually willing to be a comfort and support in a difficult time. Roland will come to Talia's rescue when she's physically at risk but he doesn't so much as nuzzle her when taking her to the Collegium in ''Arrows of the Queen'' and seems to have a ToughLove approach in ''Arrow's Flight''. As Talia's control of her powers, and her self-esteem with them, slip he gives her no reassurance; while addressing a plague he helps her keep control in a way that she interprets as impatient with her failings, and he remains very remote while Kris slowly and painfully teaches her. Combined with forcing Talia to be privy to so much SexByProxy - which she discusses within his hearing as something that she doesn't like - he doesn't seem to care all that much about her emotional well-being. As a Monarch's Own Companion he has had other Heralds and appears in numerous books set before ''Arrows'', and he usually appears to be warmer and more kind in them even to people he hasn't Chosen! It's likely EarlyInstallmentWeirdness, but poor Talia.
