Since we have the author here, and 2920 is just about my favorite book in the series, I was wondering - just how accurate can we take the book? I have often pointed out the descriptions of the Tsaesci in it, and other scholars have pointed out that the book is fiction and more-or-less discounted it - how sure are you of those descriptions? Do you care to explain why your description of the Tsaesci is as "ivory-yellow" when others have claimed that they are "covered in golden scales" - I have theorized, and would like to hear your thoughts on, that the Tsaesci are scaleless and pale in the torso and head, but the Dragonscale armor that they wore covered these areas too with golden scales...

So, I know you research your works very carefully, but there is certainly limited data on the subject - how much do you stand by the descriptions in that book? Even the serpentine tails of the Tsaesci has been questioned, can you be certain of even that?

C.T.: "I appreciate your kind words about my work. I recognize that there are some who reject my work as pure speculative fiction, and believe it or not, I respect skepticism. I would only ask them, 'What works do you believe are firmly grounded in truth? On what basis do you make that evaluation?'

"There is always some speculative aspect to all histories, and mine is no exception. I write conversations when I wasn't there to witness them. I attempt to ascribe motivations to people I do not know. I can only research what is known about Tavia, Turala, Reman, Juilek, Dro'Zel, Brindisi Dorom, Cassyr, Rijja, and all the other personalities of that moment in history, and offer my own opinion about what they were like, and why they did what they did. I'm not guessing, but can I be completely sure, without a shadow of a doubt? Of course not. Only fools have no doubts.

"I stand by my work I think the Tsaesci Potentates, from interviewing people who were alive at that time, had strong serpentine features. Some descriptions have varied, so I was careful not to be overly detailed with their descriptions. I think the difference between 'golden scales' and 'yellow-ivory' is negliable.

"And if I'm wrong, it is not the end of the world. I've contributed what I believe to be true."

Thank you for the response, I do appreciate that. May we take this to mean that the descriptions you found generally agreed on the serpentine tail of the Tsaesci, since that characteristic was quite certain? Or was that just a matter of having to go one way or the other with it, and choosing your own thoughts?

C.T.: "I've read a number of descriptions of the Tsaesci having tails, and a number where no tail was mentioned, but did not contradict the notion of there being tails. Like I said, I didn't guess ... But if contradictory evidence surfaces, I would certainly reconsider my description."

Ah, very good, thank you. I appreciate your answering of my questions.

You'd have to ask Affa, but he said something about writing the book under influence of a tight schedule.

Cutting Globes are obviously the VR-gloves used to controll the machine that creates the Dwemer writings. Afterall EoT and DM were clearly written on a typewriter.

Very interesting and thank you mr Townway. Although it seemed to me much more than what I had Sotha Sil capable of (considering his eventual fate in the hands of that frequent dancing partner of Sheogorath) I cannot help but wonder at the extent of his tinkering. The accuracy of 2920 is pretty interesting also, especially about the portrayal of the Tribunes. Are they really so "earthly"? That would make them more like demi-gods even though the bubble story seems to indicate otherwise. Almalexia being almost killed, Vivec sleeping, all of them traveling by conventional means, nothing especially godly. By the way the bubble was a great literary device, it worked so well on the metaphorical level, since most of the book consisted of events caused by mostly small things unforseen by everyone reaching in the conclusion to the smallest (bubble) being unforseen by the greatest (a living god?) and changing the most (a whole era). Pretty pretty nice.

Yes, it's interesting that in these books at least, the destruction of Old Mournhold is destroyed by Vivec not asking more detailed questions to his spy and that Duke of Mournhold being a jerk to his pregnant mistress.

I would like to know more about one of Vivec's children from an encounter with Molag Bal in the Sermons. GULGA MOR JIL HYAET AE HOOM.

Gesundheit!

No idea who wrote this, but if it's you... What does Daedraeka mean? Or Tska Tska Takaesh?

The Lost Boy Caverns were easily my favorite place in game - I'd never seen a Lich in game, and at the time Necromancers were really tough for me to fight... so I was scared walking around in there, knowing there's a Lich somewhere within, and plenty of Necromancers, too.

And I really doubt that line was to be anything but nonsense. Which is a great shame. But I can't possibly imagine how all of the words we do know from there could possibly make a coherent sentence.

What quest deals with there, though? I stumbled upon it on my own, and I wasn't able to interact with the Lich at all... couldn't talk to him, couldn't fight him. Couldn't (as a high-ranking member of the Mages Guild) investigate the two people in question from the notes... twas frustrating.

Another word that deserves some semblance of discussion:



Why does this Ayem say "Face-Snaked" rather than "Snake-Faced" or something more meaningful like that?

She's not snake-faced; a Naga is snake-faced. She's face-snaked, she has snakes coming out of her face. Also, it sounds cooler.

Why don't you have uber sign under your name, MK?

Just so it's not necromancy:



The maces of the Sorcerer Kings are heavy with varliance. The two Nede hoplites carry a string of varliance beads that they may or may not use.

Where did you get that from?

Song of Pelinal and the WWPD? thread, which I keep trying to download.

If you're asking what it is, then the answer is most likely 'starlight', with the connotation of 'magical glowy aura'.

This is one thread I'm glad to see revived.

I've always thought "Varliance" might have been a sort of a pun on "Valiance", or "The qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle)". Since Ayleid heroes sometimes have something of "varliance" about them, I assumed that it was some kind of magical, mythical energy or ability that was part and parcel of being "heroic".

I'd love to know what "cosminach" means, though. Cosmic construction?

I'd tell ya', but it's a little dirty. Think of snake as a verb. j/k

TES has so many fancy made-up words that your head would explode if you would try to figure them all out. What I do know is that "mananaut" is "sailor of mana" just like "astronaut" is "sailor of the stars".

Mana being magic?

Oh, YES, please let this thread, continue, please! The power of AE compels you!

*casts a spell of summon MK*