Jonathan Palfrey
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
In “The Hallowed Hunt”, Learned Hallana was annoyed by a rude man, and turned him into a pig temporarily (the spell wore off). It occurs to me suddenly that (a) her ability to do this is rather surprising, and (b) it’s not an ability displayed by any other sorcerers of this world, as far as I remember. Was it a bit of fun that we shouldn’t take seriously; or can any sorcerer do this kind of thing?
Lois McMaster Bujold
Early essay, but not incompatible, I think. This sort of hallucination or compulsion spell is normally the province of shamanic magic in this world, as later developed. We do see sorcerer Pen do it much later on (in both book and world time) at a price: the horses he sent on their ways in "Mission", the courier he hypnotized at the end of "Limnos". What price Hallana pays or how she learned it, or if she's special (well, we know that) and it's one of her several god-gifts, not worked out because I didn't need to at that point, plus it wasn't in her viewpoint.
Although I also trust it was a bit of fun.
Ta, L.
Early essay, but not incompatible, I think. This sort of hallucination or compulsion spell is normally the province of shamanic magic in this world, as later developed. We do see sorcerer Pen do it much later on (in both book and world time) at a price: the horses he sent on their ways in "Mission", the courier he hypnotized at the end of "Limnos". What price Hallana pays or how she learned it, or if she's special (well, we know that) and it's one of her several god-gifts, not worked out because I didn't need to at that point, plus it wasn't in her viewpoint.
Although I also trust it was a bit of fun.
Ta, L.
More Answered Questions
Geraldine
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Not a question but a huge thank you. Since lockdown began I have been rereading as much of the Vorkosigan saga as I could lay my hands on. Between Amazon, Baen, the local library electronic downloads, and copies I already owned, I think I have reread them all, not necessarily in order and some for the 3rd time, and they have provided wonderful escape when the news became too dreary. Any more Miles adventures coming?
John Falstaff
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Reading 'Mirror Dance', I was just out of Premed, and our psychology professor had vividy described anorexia nervosa, where the adolescent uses her own body to obtain control that the overbearing family otherwise denies her. Mark's coping mechanism is quite similar, regaining a measure of control that way. Did you come up with this on your own, or did you actually use current research? Both would be quite impressive!
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