Left in spoiler space, as this one's a biggie.... > I have a minor question, and perhaps this is addressed in a FAQ somewhere > that I can't find, but: > > > > This question involves complete spoilage for a revelation in ORCA. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > In TALTOS, Vlad is coerced into going to Dzur Mountain because Sethra needs > him for a job and she can't leave Dzur Mountain right then (because of an > impending Jenoine problem that we don't learn about until later). > > Vlad gets his courage up in part because while tasting Fenarian brandies, > Kiera comes into the bar and tells him that she's got his back. > > In ORCA, we learn that Kiera is a disguise for Sethra, a way for her to go > out and about and have a bit of fun without being (ominous drumbeat) Sethra > Lavode. > > This raises the obvious question: How can Kiera encourage Vlad in > Adrilankha when Sethra can't leave Dzur Mountain? > > 1. Kiera has an independent existence and Sethra can possess her remotely. > > 2. Kiera doesn't have an independent existence, but is just a spare body > that Sethra can remotely possess. > > 3. Kiera is a projected image (as the D&D spell) of Sethra. > > 4. SKZB made a mistake. > 5. Other? - I assumed that Sethra could leave really quickly to go tell Vlad to hurry up and get to Dzur mountain. Sethra might not be able to "leave" to go off adventuring, break sticks and bring back souls, but could probably make a quick teleport to Adrilankha, pat Vlad on the back, and tell him it's okay to go off to Sethra's Abode. It would take all of a few minutes, and it helped to reach her goal of getting Vlad to trapse off to the Paths. Any other ideas? Chris "Life is the nightmare that leaves its mark upon you in order to prove that it is, in fact, real." -Thomas Ligotti- 'The Sect of the Idiot'