originally posted by Miranda Bertram
Sorry, Trys. I couldn't remember if the bit that might have spoiler potential was a spoiler for PG or TK, and didn't have the books on me, so since I was fairly sure it was a PG spoiler I risked it. 
It was reckless - it was wrong! Forgive an erring human…
originally posted by Miranda Bertram
POSSIBLE SPOILERS, for PG, TK (maybe) READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!
No, I don't think the Fellowship exist in the prologue era either. I agree that a new system has to be put in place, too. The current (or pre-rebellion) system is simply not sustainable, because the poor Fellowship really can't go on forever, and because humanity is growing stronger and more independent, and therefore challenging the increasingly pressed sorcerers. I think Davien was right in thinking that things needed shaking up - perhaps he just underestimated the exact level of shaking likely to ensue.
originally posted by Hunter
The Fellowship have always stated what their calling is - to ensure Paravian survival, that was the binding laid on them by the great drakes when they were redeemed upon their arrival at the start of the Second Age.
Until such time that Paravian survival is assured, or they are released from their binding by the great drakes, they must continue their work.
Given the Ages are marked thus:
Age of Dragons - great drakes ruled
First Age - marked by the arrival of the Paravians
Second Age - arrival of the Fellowship
Third Age - arrival of humanity
there will be monumental changes to mark the change of Ages.
The prologue is in the Seventh Age, so I would think the Fellowship's given charge will have been resolved one way or the other well before the Seventh Age comes around.
originally posted by Trys
Miranda,
No problem. I just move 'em to the appropiate spoiler topic… but now I think I goofed. I thought it said TK, if it was PG, it was okay. It's been out long enough. I really should've read the post.
Just checked and I don't see anything bad. I've moved 'em back. 
Sorry for the confusion. I shouldn't try to do this on my lunch hour at work. 
Trys
originally posted by Neil
I note in CoTM that Haliron would consider staying in an Initiate hostel when travelling (mentionned when talking to Steivan).
Ath's adepts presumably serve some purpose in supporting the mysteries but are insufficiently numerous today?
Would Arithon have met an Ath adept during his apprenticeship with Haliron I wonder? Elaira may steer him to a meeting also sooner or later?
Maybe humanity will learn to connect with Athera at a deeper level through music and song.
Arithon could eventually teach a lot to human initiates such as those in Dari's line or his own since the Shand royal line is now in him and all his descendants are arguably 2 "mixed" talents geas-encouraged (the shand gift much more diluted I guess but the "farsight" is accessible for use).
The paravians have singers who seem to sing for other purposes (building / warding); not just singing for fun. Maybe humans can learn to do this / build themselves up to learn to support higher frequency environments even if it takes generations?
originally posted by Konran
Zomg, you guys, check this out! =O
I've been rereading the series in preparation for the new one (slow going though as I've only been reading on break at work), and I found this little gem (page 571 in my paperback copy of CotM):
"Returned to his post at Althain Tower, Sethvir bends his regard toward Rockfell Peak to check the wards which bind the Mistwraith; he finds no flaws, and a small ease of mind, for though Arithon could build on his training and possibly unravel those securities, having suffered to subdue such an evil, Rathain's prince was least likely to meddle in foolishness…"
Now, in light of current events, are you guys thinking what I'm thinking? D= Because I'm thinking…
IYATS.
If he can bend the iyats to his will, as they're spirits of a sort, what's stopping him from possibly trying a similar trick with the Mistwraith? I can't see anything right now driving him to release the wraiths, but there is more yet to come… Janny never puts anything in without a reason, *especially* in the triplets.
originally posted by Neil
Not sure Arithon would at this point (TK) let the mistwraith out.
Didn't the mistwraith actually take on board all of Arithon's training?
For me - today at any rate - this is a foreshadowing of the fact that the mistwratih given time could free itself.
originally posted by Blue
I don't know, Konran, the Iyats are energy beings, and "not quite balanced into completion." Unlike the spirits trapped in Rockfell, the Iyats, as they exist at the moment, are not sentient/intelligent/self aware. Kind of the difference between being able to program a robot cat and training a real one.
originally posted by Trys
Neil,
I believe it was stated somewhere that everything ever held in Rockfell Pit has escaped.
Trys
originally posted by Neil
*Grin* All but the iyats. Davien let them out as part of the uprising.
originally posted by Konran
Blue - Still, the idea of Arithon unleashing the wraiths for whatever reason is an intriguing one, and one I hadn't thought of until then just keeping my possibilities open. It would also be an interesting parallel between Arithon and Davien; as said above, Davien unleashed the iyats as part of his "Havens"…
originally posted by Neil
Konran,
*Grin*. The mistwraith was the initial "issue" and I suspect will be the last thing we get to in this series.
What would be the benefit of releasing the wraiths?
Leaving the mistwraith free - in CotM - seemed to imply paravian extinction.
I think that Arithon and Davien have a lot of other issues to deal with.
Curiously Davien pops out periodically whilst Arithon is "chez Davien"…where was he going? Purely reconaissance or something else?.
Arithon is still trying to mitigate clan issues…I fear he may face many more challenges.
originally posted by Laneth Shadow-Walker
What if the free wraiths bound for Athera discover their "brethren", having been cut off from each other for 500 years-ish?
The free wraiths would work toward freeing the mistwraith from Rockfell and *I assume* they would assimilate each others' knowledge, exchanging gossip if ye will on the locals (Fellowship, Lysaer, Arithon - others they've come in contact with? Paravians from years ago?)
If the Free Wraiths were to join with the Mistwraith, both would elevate the others' level of dangerousness, for the knowledge shared.
The Starward and workings within space by those sorcerers that made it up there, would be given to the mistwraith; the Atheran info given to the free wraiths…it would be devastating.
Also, would the free wraiths be able to stir up the Meth-spawn?
What about toying with the Grimwards holding the Drake's dreams?
originally posted by fhcbandmom
I have a thought after my numerous re-reads also (well, more than one thought, but the space here is limited! 
SPOILER for those who haven't read Traitor's Knot
In Peril's Gate, Selide makes a vow thru the waystone that she will not use Elaira to bring Arithon down. Elaira is left to make the decison on Arithon's fate when the time comes that Arithon needs help. If this vow is binding, how is it that Selide is able to put a "spell" on Elaira that will transfer to Arithon and cause pregnancy - not just for elaira, but for any woman Arithon has relations with? I thought I read in Peril's Gate, that the repercussion for ignoring this vow could be Selide's death. did I misread this? how come nothing happened to Selide?
originally posted by Lisa
I'm not sure but i think that when selidie made that vow she said something like "i prime selidie do vow" but seeing as its really morriel not selidie then maybe the vow wasn't valid in the first place.
originally posted by Mark Stephen Kominski
Not sure if it's my 7th re-read yet, but I'm definitely past 3. Couldn't help noticing this time, however, what else was lost when the Mistwraith slapped Arithon and Lysaer with their respective geases (if that's a word!). The pre-Curse interplay between the two, especially when Dakar baiting, is a treasure, and is never (well, to date, anyway!) really recreated again between either prince and the people closest to them. Too much has happened, both between them and to each individually, for them to be able to regain that loose-fitting, devil-may-care relationship that had started to bloom before the Mistwraith struck.
originally posted by Trys
Mark, you raised an interesting question: what is the plural form of the word geas. I searched the net and came up with some varying information. First, dictionary.com doesn't know the word geas… but pointed to 'reference' sites. Poking through some reference sites for a few minutes turned up the following plural versions of the word geas (or geis): geasan or geasa…
but I also found geases used, but no where that this is specifically defined as a plural version of geas…
so I'm wondering if the plural version is used anywhere in these books?
originally posted by Mark Stephen Kominski
I can't remember seeing it, Mr. Gryphon sir, but that's a lot of pages to remember. Will try to keep an eye out for it.
I'd also done a search, although decidedly more cursory than yours, before using 'geases' in the post. Don't know about you, but I can't see myself using either 'geasan or 'geasa in a sentence and being comfortable with it…
originally posted by Trys
Mr! Gryphon… wow… ::shakes head in wonderment at such formality::
Mark, I agree… geasan sounds like something you'd rub on something you want to get rid of. <bg>
or, and I apologize in advance for this but it's how my brain works sometimes:
Geasan… Geasoff… <grin>
originally posted by Neil
Rereading the scene where Sethvir (early on in COTM) sees the sword and is very happy
He considered that the "princes' betrayal" has not been in vain.
Have I missed someting? Is this an obvious reference to something I have not understood? Did the princes not get a freewill choice re: west gate? I seem to recall from one of the short stories that a prince was asked to go and he refused? I forget.
…
From the prologue there is mention of "canon" and "temple archives" so this for me, still, indicates that the religion of light carries on (without Lysaer…he is not named here) for some time to come…
…