Starshadw at aol.com writes: > In a message dated 6/17/2002 1:35:25 PM Mountain Daylight Time, dd-b at dd-b.net > writes: > > > > Khaavren is heading to Dragaera city to join the Phoenix guard, even > > though he's not a Phoenix (and he expects to find many Dragons in the > > guard, too). But there's a reference specifically to the *wizards* of > > the Athyra Guard, in the recent past. I note that doesn't say they're > > all *Athyra* wizards, though; I guess it's just noting the degree of > > stylistic differences imposed on various parts of the empire when the > > cycle turns. > > > > Actually, I think in this particular case, the reference may very well be to > only Athyra. I say that because the fist mention of them says they have > recently "retired" because of the Cycle change. Later on, Khaavren sees one > of these fellows in the inn, and then a little later we get a clue as to the > real reason he expected there will be open slots in the Guard - it's the > reign of the Phoenix. Since Phoenix is the smallest House, they do not have > enough of their own to burgeon the ranks of the Guard, so it is a perfect > opportunity for people to try and join up. But it could also be more simply that the Phoenix emperor prefers more warrior skill in the Guard, and doesn't care as much about magical skill. > I seem to remember a reference somewhere in books that states the Imperial > Guard majority belong to the House currently in power. Which may be why, > when the Cycle shifts to Phoenix, the Athyra wizards find themselves > "retired." Kinda makes sense - no Emperor or Empress would want to keep > guards from a reign they just toppled, no matter how "peaceful." But is that as simple, perhaps, as the members of that house feeling the greatest call to defend it? Does it say that this is *enforced* or *required*, or does it only observe that it *is*? > I find the use of the word "wizard" interesting. We are told that bandits > and highwaymen sometimes "brave the wizards of the Athyra Guard, just lately > retired..." which indicates to me that they have become something akin to > bounty hunters? Did anyone else get that impression? > > And does this really tell us what the heck a "wizard" really is, or what > exactly the branch of magic called "wizardry" entails? I was wondering about this too; since it was discussed in connection with Dragon or Issola or something, too. Of course, the terms could have changed over time, too. Particularly since we're pre-Interregnum in TPG, and we know sorcery changed a LOT over that gap. -- David Dyer-Bennet, dd-b at dd-b.net / New TMDA anti-spam in test John Dyer-Bennet 1915-2002 Memorial Site http://john.dyer-bennet.net Book log: http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/Ouroboros/booknotes/ New Dragaera mailing lists, see http://dragaera.info