On Tue, 2 Sep 2003, Philip Hart wrote: > > >On Tue, 2 Sep 2003, David Silberstein wrote: >> >> On Tue, 2 Sep 2003, Greg Morrow wrote: >> >> >How the heck was she confirmed as Heir by the Dragon Council? >> >> Well, she *is* the daughter of the previous Heir. Whatever >> it was that allowed him to become Heir presumably still >> holds for her. >One would think that whatever it was that made him non-Heir >would reflect on his daughter's merit... > I Am Not A Dragon, but here's how I think the argument in the Dragon Council runs: Despite the fact that actions by Adron e'Kieron led directly to the Disaster that destroyed Dragaera City and surrounding environs, he was the Heir, and his lineage still retains the Heirship, assuming anyone of his lineage can be found. What arguments can be marshalled against him? The fact that he used Elder Sorcery? Pah. Elder Sorcery may be proscribed by the Empire, but the Empire does not speak for House Dragon. Sorcery of any sort is not automatically dishonorable. All that matters is how that sorcery was used. Adron may have used Elder Sorcery as part of his campaign. So we ask, how was that sorcery used? And we find that the answer (aided by testimony from Sethra Lavode, whom we think may be considered an expert in the subject) is that he used the forces he raised bravely and skillfully, and directed them in a manuever which was bold and clever. The possibility exists that had he succeeded, he would have in fact forced the Cycle itself to change in order to acknowledge him. Yet, you point out, he failed, and in fact, failed in such a way that caused many deaths and enormous destruction. We must respond: death and destruction are always the probable results of any military campaign. What is important, as far as we are concerned, is that he brought about the death and destruction of the forces opposing him. The collateral damage caused is regrettable, but does not reflect on Adron's character. Furthermore, he met his own death, brought about by the forces *he* raised (rather than those raised by his enemies), with bravery and equanimity and gallantry (and in this we have the testimony of the Lyorn Temma, Duke of Arylle, whom we think may be considered an expert in the subject). Therefore, our only conclusion is that Adron e'Kieron, whatever he may have done, whatever else he may have been, was the true heart and soul of the House of the Dragon. Take it with a grain of salt, but I think that that's the way they thought. > >> Is it even remotely possible that Norathar was in fact a tag >> in a brothel before Cawti inspired her to do something >> different with her life? That, or for that matter, Cawti & >> Norathar *both* being tags, would certainly help explain >> Cawti's antipathy to prostitution. > >Or Norathar is gay and was visiting Cawti's workplace. Or v.v. Or a >whole list of other possibilities that might well lead to permanent >deHeiring... > >It seems to me that Cawti's position is sufficiently rational to >stand unexplained. > Oh, I nearly agree. I just thought it was an interesting line of speculation to consider. Especially in regards with what Dragaerans, and specifically Dragons, consider to be honorable or otherwise. Another side-thought on the subject was that working as a prostitute might be considered not dishonorable if the tag does so for what is for her only a brief fraction of her lifetime. So if she turns tricks for 50 years and then uses her profits to gain entry into the Left Hand of the Jhereg (or whatever), it's sort-of like an Earth-human becoming a working girl for a couple of years to put herself through college...