On Wed, 14 Jan 2004, Philip Hart wrote: >And everyone will have noted the strong (no, obsessional) pro-hybrid >theme of the Piroiad. It just occurred to me that Sethra, who >habitually falls into old modes of speech, is the original mixed >breed. .. > It's interesting to note that whenever the issue of mixed breeds comes up, there almost always seems to be a Dzur involved; and Dzur do seem to be the House whose members seem to most likely be involved in reckless and promiscuous cross-House shenanigans, and the ones least interested in propriety and self-restraint. Several examples: In TPG, Tazendra is the one always going off with Hawks or Issola or whatever. In FHYA, Grita is half-Dzur (and half-Tsalmoth). Also in FHYA, the Dzurlord Count Tree-by-the-Sea is boinking a Dragon (and is interested in her friend). In JHEREG, Mellar is a Jhereg-Dragon-Dzur mix. [spoilers for "Lord of Castle Black"] While Grassfog and Iatha's Houses are not disclosed, I think it not unlikely that Iatha is a Dzur, or is a crossbreed with a strong Dzur heritage. And finally, of course, Ibronka, the Dzur Heir, is so enamored of Piro that she chases after him. I think that's all. Did I leave any out? Anyway, Dzur does seem to be the House of high testosterone.