On 6/16/06, Philip Hart wrote: > > > On Fri, 16 Jun 2006 Jon_Lincicum at stream.com wrote: > > > > > > At one point in /Athyra/, Vlad takes Savn out into the woods and teaches > > him to make psionic contact--and it's something he seems unfamiliar with > > (but, is obviously capable of, since Vlad teaches it to him). > > Will have to reread - thought this was a witchcraft-related thing, as > Vlad wouldn't want to take off his phoenix stones for something minor. I could be wrong, but I seem to recall that the Phoenix stones block most magic, including witchcraft. I think he does take them off for his session with Savn, though. > > > > My guess, then, is that while the ability is there, (confirming what > > Aliera relates to Vlad in chapter 9 of /Jhereg/) Teckla don't generally > > get the training needed to use it. > > > Odd - it must be such a huge advantage - consider cell phones vs no snail > mail. Maybe this is an instance of isolation/rural cultural inertia - > perhaps that doesn't affect my argument about Easterners in or next to a > metropolis. It occurs to me that psionic communication may not be encouraged because the aristocracy fear that that good communications might allow Teckla to co-ordinate a rebellion better. Just a thought.