Path: pegasus.csx.cam.ac.uk!server1.netnews.ja.net!eyre.news.pipex.net!pipex!tank.news.pipex.net!pipex!newsswitch.lcs.mit.edu!newsfeed.cwix.com!4.1.16.34!cpk-news-hub1.bbnplanet.com!news.gtei.net!news-peer.gip.net!news.gsl.net!gip.net!portc01.blue.aol.com!audrey01.news.aol.com!not-for-mail From: vanan@aol.com (Vanan) Newsgroups: alt.fan.eddings Subject: alt.fan.eddings Frequently Asked Questions Part 1 Lines: 777 NNTP-Posting-Host: ladder05.news.aol.com X-Admin: news@aol.com Date: 22 Apr 1999 04:03:14 GMT Organization: AOL http://www.aol.com Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Message-ID: <19990422000314.28105.00000487@ng-ch1.aol.com> Xref: pegasus.csx.cam.ac.uk alt.fan.eddings:87607 Changes: The index system was changed from a letter based format to a number based format. This was done for two reasons. First, it's simpler, second, it facilitates Aquarius development of the FAQ HTMLizer. Minor changes in grammar and wording was also made. Added the listing for the one volume edition of "The Elenium". Added the Kalten swimming inconsistency to the Ele/Tam inconsistency's section. Added Jakob Persson's website to the list of Eddings webpages. Archive-name: sf/david-eddings-faq Posting-Frequency: bi-monthly Last modified: 1999/04/21 Version: 3.27 The alt.fan.eddings David Eddings Frequently Asked Questions List CONTENTS 1) About David Eddings 1.1) Biographical Information 1.2) Bibliography 1.2.1) Titles (includes U.S. and British ISBNs, and U.S. Publishers) 1.2.2) German Titles 1.2.3) Finnish Titles 1.2.4) French Titles 1.2.5) Swedish Titles 1.2.6) Italian Titles 1.2.7) Polish Titles 1.2.8) Dutch Titles 1.3 Miscellaneous Publishing Information 1.3.1) Omnibus Editions 1.3.2) _The Losers_: Copyright date vs. creation date 1.4 What are D&LE working on currently? 1.5 Are there any interviews with David Eddings on the Internet? 1.6 Where to Write to David Eddings 2) Frequently Asked Questions GENERAL QUESTIONS 2.1) The systems of magic and worlds that David Eddings have created don't always seem very logical. Why? 2.2) I've got this great idea about who should be in a movie. 2.3) Wouldn't it be great if there was a new book in the world of the Belgariad/Elenium? 2.4) Will there be a movie/CD-ROM game based on the Belgariad/Elenium? 2.5) Gee, has anyone noticed that the plots of Eddings' fantasies are all kind of similar? BELGARIAD/MALLOREON 2.6 Inconsistencies 2.6.1) Editing errors 2.6.1.1) The infamous Chaldan/Chamdar misprint 2.6.1.2) The wandering L's 2.6.2) Boneheaded errors 2.6.2.1) The name of Brand's oldest son 2.6.2.2) Gared/Geran 2.6.3) Illogical/inconsistent actions 2.6.3.1) Durnik vs. Brill 2.6.3.2) Asharak/Chamdar 2.7) Dryads (a.k.a. The Thread That Will Not Die) 2.8) Immortality (a.k.a. The Other Thread That Will Not Die) 2.9) What, precisely, does the mark on Garion's hand signify? 2.10) So, what exactly *is* on Garion's amulet? 2.11) The meaning of 'Bel' and 'Pol'. 2.12) Why isn't 'Durnik' called 'Beldurnik'? 2.13) Has anyone noticed the chess analogy in the titles of the Belgariad? 2.14) What was Beldin's first act of sorcery? 2.15) Why can't Zedar get out of that hole Belgarath put him in? 2.16) Speaking of Zedar, don't you think his punishment was a bit too harsh? 2.17) What is the sex of Polgara's twins? 2.18) Who is the Wolf? 2.19) How did Polgara and Poledra merging help them remain unseen by Torak? 2.20) Why are there so many differences between BtS and PtS? ELENIUM/TAMULI 2.21) Inconsistencies 2.21.1) Terms that can be confused 2.21.1.1) Elene/Elenian 2.21.1.2) Patriarch/primate 2.21.2) Illogical gaps in the story 2.21.2.1) Who exactly has touched the Bhelliom? 2.21.2.2) Sephrenia and Aphrael's flying 2.22) Do the Elenium or Tamuli titles have any connections to the stories? 2.23) What God is supporting Zalasta's spells when he crashes Sephrenia and Vanion's wedding? 2.24) Where do the renegade Styrics get their power? 2.25) Why couldn't Sparhawk let King Wargun know that he was looking for Bhelliom? 2.26) Immortality (The Elenium Derivative) 2.27) Will Eddings write more on Sparhawk and the gang? THE ALT.FAN.EDDINGS NEWSGROUP 2.28) alt.fan.eddings newsgroup; what is it, who created it, and when? 2.29) Why does everyone have an Eddings alias, and how can I get one? 2.30) What are the Silver Suggestions? 2.31) Who runs the Trivia quiz, and when is it posted to the newsgroup? 2.32) What exactly is Klæls Army? 2.33) Where can a new user find information about this newsgroup? 2.34) Are there any rules on this newsgroup? 2.35) What are the letters that I see before some thread names? 2.36) What is afec? 3) Eddings Resources 3.1 IRC #eddings 3.2 Web pages 3.3 Other sites of interest 4) Credits and Thanks ------------------------------------ 1) ABOUT DAVID EDDINGS 1.1) Biographical Information From _Contemporary Authors: New Revision Series_, Volume 35. PERSONAL: Born July 7, 1931, in Spokane, Washington; son of George Wayne and Theone (Berge) Eddings; married Judith Leigh Schall, October 27, 1962. Education: Attended Everett Junior College, 1950-52; Reed College, B.A., 1954; University of Washington, Seattle, M.A., 1961. Politics: "Unaffiliated." Religion: "Unaffiliated." CAREER: Writer. Has worked as a buyer for Boeing Co., as a grocery clerk, and as a college English teacher. Military Service: U.S. Army, 1954-56. From the back dust jacket flap of _Belgarath the Sorcerer_ (published 1995). David Eddings was born in Spokane, Washington in 1931 and was raised in the Puget Sound area north of Seattle. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Reed College in Portland, Oregon, in 1954 and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Washington in 1961. He has served in the United State Army, has worked as a buyer for the Boeing Company, has been a grocery clerk, and has taught college English. He has lived in many parts of the United States. His first novel, _High Hunt_ (published by Putnam in 1973), was a contemporary adventure story. The field of fantasy has always been of interest to him, however, and he turned to The Belgariad in an effort to develop certain technical and philosophical ideas concerning the genre. Eddings and his wife Leigh currently reside in the Southwest, where they work together on their best-selling fantasy epics. 1.2) Bibliography: 1.2.1) Titles ((includes U.S. and British ISBNs and publishers) "hc" = hardcover, "pb" = paperback. "The Belgariad" Pawn of Prophecy (1982) U.S. ISBN 0-345-30997-9 (pb) Del Rey British ISBN 0-593-02616-0 (hc) 0-552-12284-X (pb) Corgi Queen of Sorcery (1982) U.S. ISBN 0-345-30079-3 (pb) Del Rey British ISBN 0-593-02629-2 (hc) 0-552-12348-X (pb) Corgi Magician's Gambit (1983) U.S. ISBN 0-345-33545-7 (pb) Del Rey British ISBN 0-593-02632-2 (hc) 0-552-12382-X (pb) Corgi Castle of Wizardry (1984) U.S. ISBN 0-345-33570-8 (pb) Del Rey British ISBN 0-593-02635-7 (hc) 0-552-12435-4 (pb) Corgi Enchanters' End Game (1984) U.S. ISBN 0-345-33871-5 (pb) Del Rey British ISBN 0-593-02638-1 (hc) 0-552-12447-8 (pb) Corgi Eddings' first fantasy series. Chronicles the adventures of a young boy, Garion, as he grows to realize his amazing destiny. With his Aunt Pol and Grandfather, he must travel through the Kingdoms of the Alorns and Angaraks, making new friends and overcome deadly enemies. The Belgariad: Part 1 (c)1982, 83 - published 1995, Del Rey U.S. ISBN 0-345-40004-6 (hc) The Belgariad: Part 2 (c)1984 - published by Nelson Doubleday Inc., by an arrangement with Del Rey U.S. ISBN 1-56865-038-8 (hc) Two-volume hardcover omnibus reprint of the five volumes of the Belgariad. Part One contains the first three books, Part Two contains the final two. "The Malloreon" Guardians of the West (1987) U.S. ISBN 0-345-33000-5 (hc) 0-345-35266-1 (pb) Del Rey British ISBN 0-593-01195-3 (hc) 0-593-01561-4 (pb) Corgi King of the Murgos (1988) U.S. ISBN 0-345-33002-1 (hc) 0-345-35880-5 (pb) Del Rey British ISBN 0-593-01562-2 (hc) 0-552-13018-4 (pb) Corgi Demon Lord of Karanda (1988) U.S. ISBN 0-345-33004-8 (hc) 0-345-36331-0 (pb) Del Rey British ISBN 0-593-01210-1 (hc) 0-593-01563-0 (pb) Corgi The Sorceress of Darshiva (1989) U.S. ISBN 0-345-33005-6 (hc) 0-345-36935-1 (pb) Del Rey British ISBN 0-593-01204-6 (hc) 0-552-13020-6 (pb) Corgi The Seeress of Kell (1991) U.S. ISBN 0-345-33006-4 (hc) 0-345-37759-1 (pb) Del Rey British ISBN 0-593-01207-0 (hc) 0-552-13021-4 (pb) Corgi Sequel to the Belgariad. Takes place ten years after the events of the Belgariad, King Belgarion's son is abducted by dark forces. Belgarion and his companions must recover the child before disaster occurs. Belgarath the Sorcerer (1995) U.S. ISBN 0-345-37324-3 (hc) 0-345-40395-9 (pb) Del Rey British ISBN 0-246-13845-9 (hc) 0-586-21315-5 (pb) HarperCollins Polgara the Sorceress (1997) U.S. ISBN 0-345-41662-7 (hc) 0-345-42255-4 (pb) Del Rey (Jan, '99) British ISBN 0-246-13844-0 (hc) 0-586-21314-7 (pb) HarperCollins 0-002-24321-0 (trade pb) A pair of prequels to the Belgariad and Malloreon series. The books are presented as narratives by the title characters. As a side note of interest, the trade paperback version of PtS was given a new illustration, probably in response to the dislike expressed by so many fans when the book was first released. The Rivan Codex (1998) U.S. ISBN 0-345-42402-6 (hc) _-___-______-_ (pb) Del Rey British ISBN 0-002-24677-5 (hc) _-___-_____-_ (pb) HarperCollins 0-00-224696-1 (trade pb) (Jan, '99) De Luxe Edition 0-00-224702-X (hc) A compilation of the notes written by David and Leigh Eddings before they began work on "The Belgariad". The De Luxe edition was limited to 250 copies and signed by D&LE and Geoff Taylor, among other notable features. A number of readers of afe own a copy, thanks to Castellan. If you want more details regarding the book, visit his website at http://www.arrowstorm.freeserve.co.uk. "The Elenium" The Diamond Throne (1989) Del Rey U.S. ISBN 0-345-35691-8 (hc) 0-345-36769-3 (pb) Del Rey British ISBN 0-246-13345-7 (hc) 0-586-20372-9 (pb) HarperCollins The Ruby Knight (1990) Del Rey U.S. ISBN 0-345-37043-0 (hc) 0-345-37352-9 (pb) Del Rey British ISBN 0-246-13731-2 (hc) 0-586-20373-7 (pb) HarperCollins 0-586-21503-4 (trade pb) The Sapphire Rose (1991) Del Rey U.S. ISBN 0-345-37474-6 (hc) 0-345-37472-X (pb) Del Rey British ISBN 0-246-13347-3 (hc) 0-586-20374-5 (pb) HarperCollins Fantasy series set in a new world. The church knight, Sparhawk, returns to his home to find his Queen dying, and sets out to save her life, and overcome the evil plots of a corrupt and powerful church Primate. The Elenium (1993) Grafton (division of HarperCollins British ISBN 0-586-21867-X (pb) One volume reprint of the three book Elenium series. "The Tamuli" Domes of Fire (1992) U.S. ISBN 0-345-38327-3 (hc) 0-345-37321-9 (pb) Del Rey British ISBN 0-586-21313-9 (hc) 0-586-21858-0 (pb) HarperCollins The Shining Ones (1993) U.S. ISBN 0-345-37322-7 (hc) 0-345-38866-6 (pb) Del Rey British ISBN 0-246-13846-7(hc) 0-586-21316-3 (pb) HarperCollins The Hidden City (1994) U.S. ISBN 0-345-37323-5 (hc) 0-345-39040-7 (pb) Del Rey British ISBN 0-246-13847-5 (hc) 0-586-21317-1 (pb) HarperCollins Sequel series to the Elenium. Prince Sparhawk answers a plea from the Tamul Empire to help them oppose dark magic and learns more about his unique connection to the Bhelliom. Novels (non-fantasy) High Hunt (1973) Putnam The original hardcover is long out of print. In 1992, Del Rey reprinted it in paperback - U.S. ISBN 0-345-32887-6 In 1994, HarperCollins reprinted also reprinted it in paper back - British ISBN 0-00-647593-0 (pb) A sort of middle-aged rite of passage novel. GI returns from Germany and goes on a mountain hunting trip with his older brother and a group of mismatched guys. Tensions arise. The Losers (1992) Fawcett Columbine U.S. ISBN 0-449-90719-8 (hc) 0-345-38520-9 (pb) Del Rey British ISBN 0-002-24138-2 (hc) 0-586-21759-2 (pb) HarperCollins Dark tale of Raphael, the college football star who, after a tragic accident takes up residence in 'Welfare City' in Spokane. He observes the activities of his 'loser' neighbors and fights off predatory social workers, until the arrival of his college roommate puts a match to the powder keg. 1.2.2) German Titles -cont. by Daniel Peters "I just happened to find this list of the German titles of the Belgariad and Malloreon-Saga. As it is, I read them all in German and in the "Bastei-Luebbe" version. The Knaur-Books were not available for years. [Bastei-Luebbe and Knaur are German publishing companies - ed.]" BELGARIAD Die Prophezeiung des Bauern (Knaur) Kind der Prophezeiung (Bastei) Die Zaubermacht der Dame (Knaur) Zauber der Schlange (Bastei) Gambit der Magier (Knaur) Spiel der Magier (Bastei) Turm der Hexerei (Knaur) Turm der Hexer (Bastei) Verwunschenes Endspiel (Knaur) Duell der Zauberer (Bastei) "The titles of the Malloreon are the same for the old Knaur and new Bastei versions." MALLOREON Die Herren des Westens Koenig der Murgos Der Daemon von Karanda Zauberin von Darshiva Seherin von Kell Denis Aumueller provided the following titles, all published by Bastei-Luebbe. ELENIUM Der Thron im Diamant Der Ritter vom Rubin Die Rose aus Saphir TAMULI Die schimmernde Stadt Das leuchtende Volk Das verborgene Land 1.2.3) Finnish Titles -cont. by Arto Repola BELGARIAD Kiven vartija Ennustusten aika Velhojen taistelu Rivan kuningatar Kohtalon tayttymys MALLOREON Lannen vartijat Murgojen kuningas Karandan paholaisherra Darshivan velhotar Kellin nakijatar ELENIUM Timanttivaltaistuin Rubiiniritari Safiiriruusu TAMULI Tulikupolit 1.2.4) French Titles -cont. by Francis Cornet, with additions from Nick Boalch; all novels are published by Éditions Pocket in the Rendez-Vous Ailleurs collection. LA BELGARIADE Le Pion blanc des présages La Reine des sortilèges Le Gambit du magicien La Tour des maléfices La Fin de partie de l'enchanteur LA MALLORÉE Les Gardiens du Ponant Le Roi des Murgos Le Démon majeur de Karanda La Sorcière de Darshiva La Sybille de Kell LA TRILOGIE DES JOYAUX (lit. Trilogy of the Jewels) Le trône de diamant Le chevalier de rubis La rose de saphir LA TRILOGIE DU PÉRIL (lit. Trilogy of the Peril) Les dômes de feu Ceux-qui-brillent (lit. Those who shine) La cité occulte 1.2.5) Swedish Titles -cont. by Patrik Montgomery with additions by Achird SAGAN OM BELGARION Stenens väktare Profetians tid Besvärjarnas kamp Rivas drottning Ödets fullbordan SAGAN OM MALLOREA Belgarions son Murgoernas konung Demonen i Karanda I Zandramas spår Sierskan från Kell BEL/MAL PREQUELS In Sweden Belgarath is divided into two volumes Belgarath besvärjaren: Aldurs dal Belgarath besvärjaren: Rivas ättling While Polgara has yet to be released, this is the most likely base title. Polgara besvärjerskan SAGAN OM ELENIEN Diamanttronen Rubinriddaren Safirrosen SAGAN OM TAMULI Kupoler av eld De skinande Den dolda staden 1.2.6) Italian Titles -cont. by Marcello Manicardi LA SAGA DEL BELGARIAD (published by Editrice Nord) Il Segno della Profezia La Regina della Magia La Valle di Aldur Il Castello Incantato La Fine del Gioco EPOPEA DEI MALLOREAN I Guardiani della Luce Il Re dei Murgos Il Signore dei Demoni La Maga di Darshiva La Profetessa di Kell EPOPEA DEGLI ELENE Il Trono di Diamante Il Cavaliere del Rubino La Rosa di Zaffiro EPOPEA DEI TAMULI Le Volte di Fuoco I Demoni della Luce La Citto dell Nulla 1.2.7) Polish Titles -cont. by Luna Poland is still waiting on both The Hidden City and Polgara the Sorceress. BELGARIAD Pionek Proroctwa Krolowa magii Gambit magow Wieza czarow Ostatnia walka czarodziejow MALLOREON Straznicy zachodu Krol Murgow Demon wladca Karandy Czarodziejka z Darshivy Prorokini z Kell BELGARATH THE SORCERER Belgarath czarodziej ELENIUM Diamentowy tron Rubinowy rycerz Szafirowa roza TAMULI Kopuly ognia Blyszczacy 1.2.8) Dutch Titles -cont. by Berend "Q" Mulder De voorspelling (Kronieken van Belgarion1) De magische koningin (Kronieken van Belgarion 2) Tovenaarsgambiet (Kronieken van Belgarion 3) Het lied van de Orbus (Kronieken van Belgarion 4) Eindspel (Kronieken van Belgarion 5) De wachters van het Westen (Kronieken van Mallorea 1) De koning van de Murgos (Kronieken van Mallorea 2) De demon heer van Karanda (Kronieken van Mallorea 3) De tovenares van Darshiva (Kronieken van Mallorea 4) De zieneres van Kell (Kronieken van Mallorea 5) De diamanten troon (Het Elenium 1) De robijnridder (Het Elenium 2) De saffieren roos (Het Elenium 3) Koepels van vuur (De Tamuli 1) De duistere gloed (De Tamuli 2) De verborgen stad (De Tamuli 3) De volgelingen (Belgarath de tovenaar deel 1) Polgara (Belgarath de tovenaar deel 2) 1.3) Miscellaneous Publishing Information "The Belgariad" was published in the U.S. as a set of original paperbacks - the only hardcover edition available prior to 1995 was a two-volume omnibus from the Science Fiction Book Club. In 1995, _The Belgariad Part One_, was published by Del Rey in hardcover. _The Belgariad Part Two_ should have come out in late 1996, but the publication has been delayed. All of the British editions of Eddings' work have come out in both hardcover and paperback versions. Eddings' two non-fantasy novels, _High Hunt_ and _The Losers_, came out in a hardcover omnibus edition titled _Two Complete Novels_ from Wings Publishing in 1993 (ISBN 0-517-11908-0). Despite the 1992 copyright date, _The Losers_ is actually David Eddings' second book; it was written right after _High Hunt_ in the mid-1970's. He wasn't able to get it published until he became a best- selling author of fantasies. 1.4) What are D&LE working on currently? David and Leigh are working on an entirely new world (Creating worlds is a real fun hobby according to David). There will be new characters, a new quest and a new "innovative magic system". A quote from the Del Rey's Polgara scrapbook page (http://www.randomhouse.com/polgara) indicates that it will be set at the end of the Ice-Age, or possibly during it. In a letter replying to Castellan, Eddings verified that he is indeed working on a novel set in this time period. It appears that he wants to work with a world less technologically advanced. In June 97, DE was quoted in the Polgara Scrapbook saying "Right now, I'm working on a darkly comic political novel about the President's mistress, who goes missing one day in possession of quite a few state secrets. Though I may wait to publish it posthumously, because if offends everyone - which was of course my intention." Whether this work is complete or not is unknown as we have heard nothing more about it since. To confuse everyone even more, a recent article in Dreamwatch #55 had Eddings talking about a new book he and Leigh are working on, The Redemption of Althalus, which he says will be a simple stand alone novel that starts in the Bronze Age. 1.5) Are there any interviews with David Eddings on the Internet? Del Rey's Polgara Scrapbook is an excellent source of information about David Eddings, and each month leading up to the US publication of Polgara the Sorceress, David sent a "letter" to the web page. It is well worth a read. Also, the main Del Rey page at http://www.randomhouse.com/delrey/ may contain future information about his new series. On Wednesday 29th October 1997, David conducted an online interview on AOL. It can be found on the Del Rey site, and can also be found on Kamion's web page. David also did an interview with Stan Nicholls for Interzone and Starlog magazines, which can be found in various places on the Internet. It is from some time ago, but contains lots of useful information. A copy can be found at http://thor.cam.ac.uk/~cjw44/eddings/interview.html A more recent interview, where Eddings discusses his new work can be found at: http://web.reed.edu/community/newsandpub/reedmag/eddings/index.html. 1.6) Contacting David Eddings David Eddings does not have an e-mail address and, according to everyone who has asked, has no intention of getting one. If you want to contact him, you need to write a genuine, pen-and-paper letter, and send it care of his publisher, Del Rey Books. Address is as follows: David Eddings c/o Del Rey Books 201 E. 50th St. New York, NY 10022 U.S.A. It is recommended one use the two-envelope method: Write your letter, seal it into a stamped envelope with "David Eddings" written on the front, BUT NO ADDRESS. Then insert that into another envelope and mail it off to Del Rey Books. They'll forward it. If you want a reply, you'll be a lot more likely to get one if you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. 2) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS GENERAL QUESTIONS 2.1) The systems of magic and the worlds that David Eddings created don't always seem very sensible. In fact, sometimes they're kind of silly,and it's hard to think up logical explanations for how they work. Why? Following is a quote from David Eddings, found in _Contemporary Authors: New Revision Series_, volume 35. "My current excursion into fantasy has given me an opportunity to test my technical theories [of writing]. I made a world that never was, with an unlikely theology splattered against an improbable geology. My magic is at best a kind of pragmatic cop-out. Many of my explanations of how magic is supposed to work are absurdities - _but_ my characters all accept these explanations as if there was no possibility of quibbling about them, and if the characters believe, then the readers seem also to believe." In other words, creating a logical, internally consistent fantasy world was not part of David Eddings' agenda. 2.2) I've got this great idea about who should be in a movie... Every newsgroup that covers any literary character or characters inevitably gives birth to Casting threads, and alt.fan.eddings is no exception. There are some things you should know before you suggest that Sean Connery should play Belgarath. First, there are no plans to film ANY of Eddings' works. Second, anyone that you can think of to cast in an imaginary film ofnEddings' works has already been suggested by someone else. Third, thatnknowledge hasn't stopped anyone else from posting THEIR casting suggestions, so why should it stop you? Just don't be surprised at the moans of dismay from the old-timers. It's also been suggested by one or two old-timers that it's a good idea if you do want to restart the casting thread to give it a subject header that is easily identified, such as "The Belgariad: the movie!" That way those who have seen it 958 times before can spot it quickly and avoid it. 2.3) Wouldn't it be great if there was a new book in the world of the Belgariad/Elenium? It would probably be a good story if David Eddings wrote it, however it is not going to happen. He has stated quite firmly that there will be no further books in either of the worlds he has created so far. So, there will be no "Sephrenia the Styric", "Poledra the Wolf" or "The Story of Talen and Aphrael". 2.4) Will there be a movie/CD-ROM game based on the Belgariad/Elenium? On the Polgara Scrapbook, David quite clearly states his position. There will be no spin-offs of any sort, as he will not allow anyone to touch something he spent twenty years writing. 2.5) Gee, has anyone noticed that the plots of Eddings' fantasies are all kind of similar? [sarcasm alert] Gosh, you're kidding! Wow, what an insight! We'd have never noticed if you hadn't mentioned it! David Eddings has obviously developed what he considers to be a very serviceable plot, well suited to the type of fantasies that he writes. And since his many fans (i.e., us) continue to buy his books, he doesn't feel any pressing need to develop a new plot. That Eddings is capable of coming up with _different_ plots is evident from his two non-fantasy novels, neither of which involves a quest for a blue stone. In addition, while the plots of Eddings' two fantasy series are similar on the surface, there are many differences to be found in terms of themes, character development, etc. There has been much discussion of this on the newsgroup, and most people seem to agree that the Elenium is darker than the Bel/Mal, in terms of theme, issues dealt with and the general mood of the story. And as Rumor often pointed out there is more adventure in the Bel/Mal and more political intrigue in the Elen/Tam. The difference is, in fact, radical enough that a number of people have admitted to being initially put off by the Elenium because it was different from the Bel/Mal. For this reason, some have advised a 1-2 month waiting period after finishing one series before starting the other. BELGARIAD/MALLOREON 2.6) Inconsistencies Inconsistencies come in three flavors: 1) Editing mistakes, 2) Sheer boneheaded errors, and 3) Illogical actions. Editing mistakes are those errors that crept in during the printing process. These generally consist of misspellings or incorrect character identifications. Boneheaded errors are those where the writer simply forgot that he has already named (or described) something, and later gives it a completely different name (or description). Illogical actions are things that happen that, based on other information in the story, seem REALLY stupid. 2.6.1) Editing Mistakes 2.6.1.1) Chaldan/Chamdar At one point in _The Seeress of Kell_, the "bull-god of the Arends" is identified as "Chamdar" rather than "Chaldan." 2.6.1.2) The Wandering L's Gethell/Gethel (the King of the Thulls) and Xbel/Xbell (a dryad) appear at various times with their names spelled either with one 'L' or two 'L's. In the case of Gethell, the two 'L' version is used most frequently, and appears to be the proper spelling. Xbel appears an equal number of times spelled both ways, but since no other dryads have double letters in their names, I'm willing to assume that Xbel is the correct spelling. 2.6.2) Boneheaded Errors 2.6.2.1) The name of Brand's oldest son Brand's oldest son is identified twice during the course of the Belgariad as "Bralon." He reappears in the Malloreon as "Verdan." 2.6.2.2) The name of the young prince who survived the slaughter of the rest of the Rivan line by Salmissra. In the Belgariad, when Polgara tells Garion the story of the young prince's escape, she gives his name as "Gared." When Belgarath tells an expanded version of the story in _Belgarath the Sorcerer_, the prince's name is "Geran." 2.6.3) Illogical Actions 2.6.3.1) In _Pawn of Prophecy_, Durnik easily dispatches Brill when he finds him spying on the others. Later, we find that Brill is actually an incredibly skilled fighter and assassin, and there really shouldn't have been any way that a simple blacksmith (even one with two lives) could have caught him off guard. Of course, the fun part about illogical action inconsistencies is that the True Fan can come up with explanations for them. Two possibilities that have been discussed in a.f.e. are: 1) Brill didn't want to blow his cover, so he allowed Durnik to catch him. 2) The Prophecy of Light interfered. 2.6.3.2) In the Belgariad, it comes as a complete surprise to everyone that Asharak, the Murgo merchant, is actually Chamdar, the Grolim almost-disciple of Torak. In _Belgarath the Sorcerer_, both Silk and Belgarath are aware that Chamdar uses the name Asharak.