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Originally posted by Teneck

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Originally posted by The Sage

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Originally posted by Malcolm

Didn't Ed give us lots of euphemisms, in earlier years of this thread? (Various words for female breasts, etc.)

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Aye. But Ed also indicated, during those earlier discussions, that he had more to cover at some point in the future. And given the Lady Hooded One's earlier post about them, I thought this would be a good time to ask about any other euphemisms Ed could share with us.

Besides, as I see it, euphemisms, in and of themselves, are one of the richer areas to explore when thinking about language in the Realms. I think some of the dialogue in Ed's "Knights of Myth Drannor" trilogy can be taken as an example of that.

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Indeed...and I would imagine that they are regional as well...as a real world example...if you are anywhere west of the Mississippi the word "you'uns" would just get you strange looks, but in the South Eastern U.S. 80% of the people would know what you mean.

So in the Common tongue used in the Dales the euphemisms used there may be quite different then what is used in Waterdeep.

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Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

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Originally posted by Teneck

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Originally posted by The Sage

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Originally posted by Malcolm

Didn't Ed give us lots of euphemisms, in earlier years of this thread? (Various words for female breasts, etc.)

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Aye. But Ed also indicated, during those earlier discussions, that he had more to cover at some point in the future. And given the Lady Hooded One's earlier post about them, I thought this would be a good time to ask about any other euphemisms Ed could share with us.

Besides, as I see it, euphemisms, in and of themselves, are one of the richer areas to explore when thinking about language in the Realms. I think some of the dialogue in Ed's "Knights of Myth Drannor" trilogy can be taken as an example of that.

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Indeed...and I would imagine that they are regional as well...as a real world example...if you are anywhere west of the Mississippi the word "you'uns" would just get you strange looks, but in the South Eastern U.S. 80% of the people would know what you mean.

So in the Common tongue used in the Dales the euphemisms used there may be quite different then what is used in Waterdeep.

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Indeed. As a military brat, I've seen this first hand. When I moved to Biloxi and saw "po boys" listed on the school lunch menu, I had no idea what they were. And then I went to lunch and saw that it was a sub sandwich. When I lived in California, my use of the word "y'all" was a source of endless amusement to my classmates. I moved down here to Florida, and one of my classmates had just moved down from New Jersey. He had no knowledge of the word "y'all;" he amused us with repeated references to "youse guys."

And this is all within one country, with regular, easy communications and travel between these respective points. In the Realms, where travel is more difficult and long distance communication slow and sporadic, regional euphemisms and words are going to be far more prevalent. Add in different races with their own languages and dialect, and it gets more complicated. I'd imagine that you could fill an entire sourcebook with nothing but euphemisms and regional linguistic quirks.

And just for THO, I'll add that my linguistic skills could be described as cunning.

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Originally posted by The Sage

Okay, I think we've all meandered far from the purpose of this scroll. And I blame myself for that.

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Originally posted by The Sage

Anyways, back to questions for Ed.

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Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

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Originally posted by The Sage

Okay, I think we've all meandered far from the purpose of this scroll. And I blame myself for that.

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I blame you, too. In fact, I blame you for most things on these forums. I have to blame someone, and Lurue knows I can't blame myself... So you're a worthy target.

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Originally posted by The Sage

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Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

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Originally posted by The Sage

Okay, I think we've all meandered far from the purpose of this scroll. And I blame myself for that.

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I blame you, too. In fact, I blame you for most things on these forums. I have to blame someone, and Lurue knows I can't blame myself... So you're a worthy target.

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You know, I'm starting to think this might be time for me to pen my own "Revenge" list.

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Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Edit: In fact, here's an interesting page (not the one I was looking for, but similar). It maps out what people in different parts of the US call their carbonated soft drinks: The Pop vs. Soda page. (I myself call these drinks "carbonation" )

And just for THO, I'll add that my linguistic skills could be described as cunning.

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Originally posted by The Hooded One

Hi again, everyone.
I forgot to mention: an interesting post-Apocalyse (near-future disaster) American sf anthology entitled GRANT'S PASS will be released at GenCon. Edited by Jennifer Brozek (who worked with Ed on CASTLEMOURN) and Amanda Pillar and released by Morrigan Books, it will be for sale at Author's Alley with Jennifer and Ed signing copies, on Saturday from 4-5 pm. Worth a look.
It's not about the disaster, it's about how people cope with the aftermath. If I remember rightly, the setup revolves around a young teen girl's Internet post about wanting to meet up with someone at Grant's Pass, if something bad happens.
So when something bad does happen, all sorts of folks who read the post remember it, and try to get to Grant's Pass, or think about doing so, or . . .
Look for it. Sounds interesting.
love to all,
THO

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Originally posted by The Hooded One

Hi again, all.
<snip>
Ed comments:


There are even some rumors that certain "Chosen" have actually been three or four or more individuals, over time, taking turns being the same guise.
Though the truth about such rumors is for the most part unobtainable (or one can't trust the source to be telling the truth), for what it's worth, Elminster has said, more than once, that some of those rumors are true.


So saith Ed, sewing mysteries anew . . .
love to all,
THO

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Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

<chop>
Edit: In fact, here's an interesting page (not the one I was looking for, but similar). It maps out what people in different parts of the US call their carbonated soft drinks: The Pop vs. Soda page. (I myself call these drinks "carbonation" )
<snip>

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Originally posted by The Hooded One

Hi again, all.
Sage, Ed is pleased by your comments re. the campaign possibilities of the Spin A Yarn tale ("At last!" he e-mailed me. "The fringe benefits of every Yarn story, exposed for all to read!")...

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Then Ed handed me a response to this, from The Sage (also from p86): "I've speculated previously, that this could indeed be the case. Since it's entirely likely that such alternate names will be referenced somewhere at some point in time -- either through song, story, or just plain Realmsian gossip for the most part.
I think the example of public knowledge regarding 'Rune of the Seven' is appropriate here -- in that, even the most common Realmsian, who has likely never heard of the Seven/Chosen or appreciated the fact that they are actually real and living beings, know this simple and old rhyme.
In other words, your common Realms folk may know of or about such beings of incredible power -- either by name, reputation, or what your grandmother said she once saw. However, these are details almost entirely based on bards tales or rhymes like the 'Rune of the Seven', and they largely form the basis of most of the "public" knowledge regarding both the Seven and the Chosen. Not intimate details, and certainly nothing specific, just rumour, hearsay, and idle speculation in the local tavern on a cold and wintry night.
So while the individual names of the Chosen might change, they're names that are still connected to those touched by Mystra herself."
Ed comments:


There are even some rumors that certain "Chosen" have actually been three or four or more individuals, over time, taking turns being the same guise.
Though the truth about such rumors is for the most part unobtainable (or one can't trust the source to be telling the truth), for what it's worth, Elminster has said, more than once, that some of those rumors are true.


So saith Ed, sewing mysteries anew . . .
love to all,
THO

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Originally posted by Jakk:
or [no first name again] Auglamyr... although she's presumed dead... but no body.

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Originally posted by Menelvagor

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Originally posted by Jakk:
or [no first name again] Auglamyr... although she's presumed dead... but no body.

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Syrumstar Auglamyr. *Spoilers?* First appeared in Elminster in Myth Drannor. Became a Chosen at the end of the book. Died in the Fall of Myth Drannor, on the 6th campaign, at the Battle of Shadusk Glade, aka Detente at Shadusk, Gaulguth's Cost, Symrustar's Mirthless
Laugh. Syrumstar and some casters hit Gaulguth hard, costing him his left eye and arm. As the Army of Darkness begam to retreat, Malimshaer caught Syrumstar in his hand, treating her as a plaything and beleiving her powerless. She claughed at him, and erupted in flame, shooting fire from her eyes and incinerating his claws with Silver Fire. He took to the sky until they couldn't be seen, where there was a great explosion of hundreds of yards. Malimshaer's seared
skull and ribcage fell at Captain Selorn's feet, and other remains
dropped onto the battlefield. No remains of Syrumstar were found, but her Choker was found in the Captain's hand in the end, and she had vowed to leave her Choker only at her death. I always like dher, and considered her a fascinating character. I asked Steven about her 'death' as well, and he said she's NDA.
Sorry for posting so much info. But I always loved Syrumstar, and wanted to know more of her.
But to add a question to Ed: Were there any other non-human/half-elf Chosen you can tell us about? All the Chosen we know of are humans or half-elves (except for a certain Drow). And why is it that we know only of human/half-elf Chosen? Is it because they are the only ones who exist? If so, why? (actually, I think I might have asked a similiar question last year... if so, don't answer, I'll look for it)

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"Embrae Aloevan got edited out of [SECRETS OF THE MAGISTERS] (sigh); it was only a passing mention, not a heavy-duty bio, but here you go, from "The Magisterium" (my collective name for "Mystra's Other Servants"); hope you enjoy this; you can probably tell why it got cut:

Carrying the silver fire is burden enough; the secrets of Mystra, and the cares of all the moral choices one must make regarding sharing or concealing them is another. Moreover, certain bodies-notably elven ones-sicken or shrivel or are twisted into strange powers (newly manifesting 'wild talents,' or even uncontrollable wild magic effects when normal spellcasting is attempted) by directly holding a part of Mystra's power for more than a month or so.

The elf-queen Aloevan of Ardeep was one such victim. A kind, loving lady of slender - some non-elves described her as "frail," even before her decline - beauty, known for her dancing and ardent lovemaking, Embrae Aloevan suffered the same fate as Elue Shandar, mother of the Seven; her vitality was burnt away from within, leaving her, at the last, a tottering husk. Although Aloevan was proud and regal, capable of fierce firmness when ruling required it of her, she loved physical intimacy with "hes" and "shes" of elven, half-elven, human, and even halfling blood, and was quite capable of surrendering herself utterly to a human lordling in the morning, casting all dignity aside and indulging all of his whims, and then defying him from her throne, every inch a pillar of authority, on the same evening. In this, she was not capricious or whimsical, but sorrowfully steadfast in what she must do for her people and her realm, as opposed to what she did as herself. Not surprisingly, she was often forced to explain this; it is a measure of Embrae Aloevan that most who listened to her explanations heard her out to the end, and in so doing moved even from angry or ridiculing beginnings to a measure of respect (and often understanding and even acceptance). The truly noble (as opposed to noble of birth) humans who came to understand her also came to respect and often love her, and during her reign Aloevan was able to call on the services of many 'unofficial' human guardians of Ardeep.

She also served Mystra by spreading a lot of Mystra's power-in the form of aptitude for wizardry and magical 'wild talents,' in particular a bloodline still found in Waterdeep, Secomber, and Daggerford, of being able to 'feel' something of the nature of an enchantment by contact with it (an unreliable 'by images' identify and legend lore ability) - through her lovemaking, as if she imparted a gene or essence to those who lay with her although she never had children by them to pass things on in the usual way. The descendants of Aloevan's lovers, through other, later unions, exhibited magical powers as intended (Elminster believes) by Mystra.

It is important for students of Realmslore to understand that Aloevan's people did not think ill of her for consorting so freely, just as the folk of Silverymoon do not disparage Alustriel's 'court of love' and freely-given favors (witness her many sons) today."


[ 8/15/01 NOTE ]: Additional information on Embrae Aloevan can be found in this passage from the Demihumans and Deities supplement, authored by Eric Boyd;

"While the largest temples of Sehanine are found on the Green Isle, in the Vale of Evereska, and in the woods of the Elven Court, the site most sacred to the Lady of Dreams is the Tears of Aloevan. This is an otherworldly cloud of magic accessed through a mystical pool of water found in an unearthly sylvan glen at the heart of Ardeep Forest. Much like the dark elf Qilué Veladorn serves both Mystra and Eilistraee today, Aloevan was once the Chosen of both Sehanine and the Lady of Mysteries. The moon elven queen's descent into madness and her eventual death was a tragic loss for both the Fair Folk and the other human and demihuman races of the region caused by her inability to control the silver fire that raged within here.

Upon her death, Aloevan's spirit was unable to pass on to Arvanaith and was instead enmeshed within a nimbus of silver fire that hovered between Faerun and Arvandor. To assuage the madness of their queen who had sacrificed so much, seven priests of Sehanine created a link between the natural world and the spiritual limbo in which Aloevan's spirit was trapped. For centuries, Sehanine's priests have labored to ease the torment of the mad queen and in the process have recreated the long-lost court of Ardeep within the pocket dimension formed from the silver fire Aloevan could no longer control. Aloevan's spirit is now capable of manifesting in a form similar to that of a spectral harpist within the Court of Silver Fire, as the mystic temple is known, but her laughter and tears are tinged with madness and only the beneficence of the seven priests enables her to hold on to the vestiges of her sanity.

During times of a solar eclipse, passage between the glen in Ardeep Forest and the Court of Silver Fire is possible. At such times a priest of Sehanine may make his or her way to Aloevan's mystical court at Sehanine's request to replace one of the seven priests who is ready to pass on to Arvanaith. Although many others have sought entrance to Aloevan's court, none have returned to tell the tale, so it is unknown if any who were not called there by Sehanine have ever succeeded. It is rumored that the entrance to the Court of Silver Fire in Ardeep is guarded by a moonstone dragon."

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Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

We have had at least two named elven Chosen, though. One is the Srinshee. It's not confirmed in any sourcebook that I can think of, but Ed has said that the Srinshee is a Chosen.

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Originally posted by The Hooded One

Hi again, all. Ed is busy dealing with the whirlwind of real-life matters (paying bills, etc.) that must be taken care of before the long drive down to GenCon.
However, he's just dropped me an e-mail that Grants Pass won't be available at GenCon due to printing delays. However, bookplates for it WILL be, from Jennifer Brozek in Author's Alley, for interested scribes.
Also, Jakk, I can confirm that Ed created the Phaerimm and they do exist in his "original" Realms and the home campaign I play in.
love,
THO

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Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

I overlooked the Phaerimm question before... Obviously our lovely Lady Hooded One has answered the question, but I'll add a tiny bit. I don't recall which reference came first, but the Phaerimm were detailed in both FR13 Anauroch, and The Ruins of Myth Drannor boxed set. Both of these are 2E sources that were penned by Ed.

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Originally posted by The Hooded One

Also, Jakk, I can confirm that Ed created the Phaerimm and they do exist in his "original" Realms and the home campaign I play in.
love,
THO

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Originally posted by Joran Nobleheart

I have a question about a previous post here that I can't seem to find. Did I read something about the nobles of Cormyr having mistresses or a mistress, and it being a Cormyrean custom? I think I did, but just want to make sure. Thank you!

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