>On a similar thought, I don't think Vlad was able to get out of the Paths >of the Dead because he's an easterner. As has been repeatedly >demonstrated, dragaereans and easterners are of the same stock and their >souls can transmigrate (is that the right word?) The Paths is where souls >(and sometime bodies) go after death. Of those who reach the Paths, only >three can return: Gods, those with the blood of the Gods, and those whom >the Gods wish to release for a specific purpose can leave the Paths. If >the Gods release one of the dead incarnate (like Sethra), they become >vampires. But Vlad wasn't dead -- and therefore didn't become a vampire. > >The Gods have something they want Vlad to do. And Sethra is in on it. > >All of this is collected from notes from my upcoming `Sethra Lavode' >page. >-- It could be, though that Verra was telling the truth about blood, especially given that the blood given to Morrolan *did* help him get out. Verra noted that he'd feel life seeping away until he emerged undead, if he could manage it. Maybe because the Paths were *specifically* designed for Dragaerans, to hold those the gods found useful (if I remember what was said correctly, my copy of Issola is out on loan.) it was easier for Vlad to leave alive because the differences that exist now between the two races is enough to let him leave. Then again, Zerika also left because the gods allowed it, so maybe they're not telling the entire truth. :) - Barb Join 18 million Eudora users by signing up for a free Eudora Web-Mail account at http://www.eudoramail.com