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The Eldren and other mysteries of Locke's world
Don Scot A Ellison — Mon, 10/27/2008 - 13:16
I'm not sure I want them all explained but I'm very interested to hear more about them. Who are (or were) the Eldren. What happened to them. What was the city beneith the sea that Locke and Jean's sailing instructor (who's name I can't recall) saw. Was it the Eldren themselves having retreated to the deep sea. Does that explain the pelthora of very nasty sea creatures on Locke's world? Are the Eldren protecting themselves from the invaders on the surface? What the hell was that thing in the passage to Port Prodigal? Again was that some sort of Eldren defense mechanism?
I really want to know more.
Re: The Eldren and other mysteries of Locke's world
Sabetha — Mon, 10/27/2008 - 19:30Scott's answer to 'what/who are the eldren' was: 'That's a very interesting question. If you find out please write to me and let me know!'
I don't think we will find out. The Eldren are a mysterious, alien race that inhabited Locke's world years and years ago. The Elderglass is all that remains of their era, and a written language no one has yet deciphered. I don't think Lynch intends them to play any part in future books, and tbh I wouldn't want them too. As intriguing as the Eldrens are, bringing aliens into the plot would corrupt the overall feel of the book, you know?
I was saddened by the mysterious passage in RSURS because (as spine chilling as it was with the whole 'It knows my real name' fiasco) it seemed very imcomplete and somewhat pointless to me; I have a feeling it wont be explained. It's funny, there are lots of interesting stories in RSURS (like the city beneath the water as mentioned and the thing that wiped out an entire port) but nothing exciting actually happened to Locke himself. But I guess that's not the theme Lynch is going for with these books.
So I wouldn't think too deeply about it. I think Lynch intends the mysterious Eldren to remain simply that: mysterious. (But of course I could be completely wrong ;) )
Re: The Eldren and other mysteries of Locke's world
Don Scot A Ellison — Mon, 10/27/2008 - 23:00Sabetha,
I don't think we will find out. The Eldren are a mysterious, alien race that inhabited Locke's world years and years ago. The Elderglass is all that remains of their era, and a written language no one has yet deciphered. I don't think Lynch intends them to play any part in future books, and tbh I wouldn't want them too. As intriguing as the Eldrens are, bringing aliens into the plot would corrupt the overall feel of the book, you know?
I disagree. Finding out more about the Eldren could make them even more mysterious. Particularly in light of the fact even the Bondsmagi can't harm Elderglass. I have to wonder if the Eldren will somehow play a roll in the later books.
I half way believed the Dread Sovereign wouldn't make it through the passage and, as my inital post indiciates, I think Lynch may be seeding the story for later revelations.
I don't think it would spoil it. We're watching Locke and Jean (presuming they both survive) over a twenty or thirty year period of their lives. Lynch has said that the story will get bigger in scope starting with tRoT and have more book to book conectivty starting with the next book. That implies some meta story that will be told over the last five books. I don't think Locke or Jean will ever become a traditional "fantasy" hero (I'd be tremendously disappointed if they did.) However, I can see them being involved in very "big" things. I'm looking forward to them being involved in such big things. I hope the Eldren are part of it.
As you said, we shall see.
:)
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity. W. B. Yeats, The Second Coming.
Re: The Eldren and other mysteries of Locke's world
Sabetha — Tue, 10/28/2008 - 23:01Yeah, that's what I feel too. I think that's what I meant by not wanting the Eldren to get too involved. I liked Lies because they were thieves/con-artists... Even though it's a fantasy book there's something realistic about the whole thing. Even the bondsmage aren't your typical fantasy sorcerers (imo anyway). I feel that if the Eldren got involved it would become... well, a bit sci-fi for my taste. Lynch can make the books as complicated as he likes, just as long as he doesn't pull away from the original conning theme too much.
Although, after saying all that, I'd love the Eldren to be a part of the plot - but not actually appear, if that makes sense. Maybe Locke/Jean could stumble across some ancient ruins or an Eldren manuscript that corresponds with the plot (I was always intrigued by the mysterious inscriptions on the walls of Echo Hole - sorry if I got the name wrong!). I dunno. I just don't want them to appear personally for aforementioned reasons. If lynch is gonna throw aliens into the equation he'd have to do it very well or it's just going to be tacky.
Re: The Eldren and other mysteries of Locke's world
Don Scot A Ellison — Wed, 10/29/2008 - 12:42Sabetha,
That sounds cool. Learning more about them without them showing up in person retains the mystery of their disapearence and their "off stage" magesty.
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity. W. B. Yeats, The Second Coming.
Re: The Eldren and other mysteries of Locke's world
Sabetha — Wed, 10/29/2008 - 14:27Yeah. For some reason I get the horrible feeling that if they did reappear after the how-many-thousands of years they've been gone, they'd point a finger at Locke and go: 'You are the chosen one. We have waited for you for countless centuries. You are the one who will finally *enter-amazing-deed-here* and eventaully save the world from eternal darkness and all of mankind and etc. etc...'
I've always hated it when authors use fate and gods and higher-powers as an excuse for the protagonist's importance. I like the fact Locke happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, or whatever trouble he's in it's because he made some very human mistake.
I'd love the plot to stay down to earth, but judging by SL's interviews (and as you said) it's about to escalate and Locke's blatantly going to save continents from destruction and apprehend wars or something along those lines... I just hope SL pulls it off in an original way.
Personally, I think that
CoupeDeGrace — Mon, 04/19/2010 - 06:01Personally, I think that water and the ocean may be connected to the eldren themes. Camorr and Tal Verrar, both oceanic city-states are practically built from the stuff. The Echo Hole is filled with thousands of waterfalls and odd canals. Caldris says that he once saw an entire elderglass city under the waves (although this may or may not be true).
Similarly, I wonder if perhaps the numerous inexplicable sea-creatures share some connection to the eldren. Flit wraiths, the large un-named shape that stalks the Poison Orchid out on the Sea of Brass, and of course the odd telepathic "whatever" that Jean thinks he sees in the parlor passage outside port prodigal.
Eldren ghosts perhaps- or eldren that have decided to stake a living under the ocean that has so fascinated them. In any case, the Eldren and Elderglass is such a huge recurring theme in Lynch's novels that it would be disappointing if it went nowhere.
"I suspect this is all gonna end in screaming and drowning"
Coupe, Interesting. I'm so
Don Scot A Ellison — Tue, 12/21/2010 - 23:18Coupe,
Interesting. I'm so looking forward to the next novel. I've been working my way back through RSURS. The start of RSURS is really slow. I'm just past it.
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity. W. B. Yeats, The Second Coming.
Don, I'm surprised you find
Sabetha — Sun, 01/09/2011 - 21:27Don, I'm surprised you find the beginning of RSUTS slow! It was my favourite part of the book (actually, when they first arrive on The Poison Orchid is my fave but that's a close second!). I know it's slightly off topic, but can I ask you why? I'm interested to know :-)