Ahira's Hangar

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Just want to say that FR feels much more "alive" than Runes. No doubt that's because so far there has been a lot more action than there was in Runes. But I also think it's because we are seeing through Linden's eyes the lost legends of the Land come alive. Already we've met Berek and Damelon - I'm still pinching myself over that. And now Linden is smack in the middle of the Viles! What a crazy trip she's having.

Runes by comparison seemed subdued. Emotionally inert. At least, in the Land. Which was probably deliberate on SRD's part in order to give the reader a sense of the dulling effect Kevin's Dirt had on everything in the Land, as well as a sense of how vacuous the Land felt due to the Masters' suppression of all knowledge of Earthpower.

But with FR, Donaldson isn't holding back. The ancient powers of the Land are before us in all their dread and glory. The Viles versus Caerroil Wildwood? Truly a clash of the titans. (Yes, it's the geek in me drooling over big battles. SRD knows how to depict battles.)

My question about the Viles is the same one that Linden asked of them: why couldn't they see that it was a Raver who had been influencing them? How come beings as wise as the Viles failed to spot the evil nature of a Raver? Somehow they were blinded. I'm not sure if they ever really answered Linden's question (or maybe I'm just dense), but this part of their thought-speech seems relevant:

"We were informed without chicane that we are self-absorbed spectres, affectless and wasted. The loveliness we devise and adore is without meaning or purpose. Our lore is great, and our strength dire, yet we are but playthings for ourselves. This is sooth. We have acknowledged it."

I get the "self-absorbed" part. They kept to themselves, like the Elohim. And that led to self-loathing because they felt no purpose in themselves, in what they accomplished?


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I am going to try this again, while I am a little more awake in hopes that it might make better sense:

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When the Ravers go after an entire race, they go after what that race holds most precious, to corrupt it or otherwise detroy its value.

With the Unhomed Giants is was their children and their hope of home.

With the Blooguard it was their service to the Lords.

I think with the viles it was their creativity and love of beauty. The Ravers tried to make both look worthless. Perhaps the Ravers were a little less successful with the viles. The demondim seemed like evil dudes, but the waynhim have always been good, and the ur-viles seem to be good guys in the Land right now, too.


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