Gods & Ascendants Oh My

[dwndrgn]

I've recently finished Memories of Ice (best of the series so far) and now I've got some questions on things that maybe other readers picked up that I missed. Since I haven't yet read further than MoI, please don't add any spoilers to this thread, thank you. Also, for those not to MoI yet, please be aware that there may be spoilers here in this thread for you so read further at your own risk.



Here's my question, what truly is an ascendant? From reading, it seems to be a mortal being on track to become an immortal god. Do I have that right? If this is true, how does it happen? Do the existing gods actively choose an ascendant or is it a random thing, or are they chosen by things they do?

How long do they stay that way? Isn't Caladan Brood one? Shouldn't he have ascended already? Has he stalled purposefully or because Burn is sick?

 

[Green]

There's no definite answer to this one, but the topic is touched upon briefly (and fairly vaguely) in the Bonehunters.

Without spoiling anything from TBH... Ascendants don't necessarily become gods, and there's no straight route that goes mortal-ascendant-god. Some mortals just ascend, some don't. It happens through circumstance, through force of existence, almost, and through about a million other ways.

I'm fairly sure Caladan Brood is an ascendant. I'm also fairly sure that he's not on any pre-defined road to godhood, and if Burn were to die or wake up, he would not necessarily move into godhood either. Things just are the way they are, so it's probably best not to think too much about it.

 

[Rane Longfox]

Ascendancy is quite a complicated, urm... procedure

As for the difference between gods and ascendants, well... What it seems to boil down to though, as aluded to by Rake in Gardens of the Moon, is that once there are enough people worshipping an ascendant, they become a god. It's really a matter of semantics, as it doesn't seem to give them more power, or anything.

And yes, Brood is an ascendant. He's been around for a very very long time...

 

[Jason_Taverner]

good topic, hard to discuss without giving to much away.

I struggled to understand it, at first I thought how could shadowthrone ascend if the the shadow realm was so inactive and forgotten how could he have worshippers. Then I read Night of Knives and found out about his shadow cult without spoiling it too much.

Also what I can't understand if Cotillion is a god how come he doesn't have his own realm/warren.

 

[Green]

Not all gods have to have their own realm/warren. I don't think Poliel and Soliel have their own realms/warrens, either. Neither did Fener, or Trake. Or Nightchill, Draconis (crap, what was his name again?) either, iirc.

It's probably best not to try and quantify everything. Just go with the flow - I don't think there are many rules in MBotF that aren't/can't be broken at some point, for various reasons.

 

[Rane Longfox]

Well, Poliel is certainly a debateable case... but mostly only after Bonehunters. I think it's Envy who does say in MoI that a place reeked of Poliel's magic. That would suggest she has her own warren.

Of course, it's quite easy for a god to get their own realm/warren. They just need to find a fragment of Emurlahn. But thats slightly spoilerific, so I won't go any further...

But yes, not all gods have warrens, realms, or even thrones.

 

[Jason_Taverner]

I re-reading MOI and I sure Poliel's has her own warren, as lady envy used it against the Tenescowri and ifected gareth as well, then Mok suggested she heal him.

 

[feersumendjinn]

Not all gods have to have their own realm/warren. I don't think Poliel and Soliel have their own realms/warrens, either. Neither did Fener, or Trake. Or Nightchill, Draconis (crap, what was his name again?) either, iirc..

I'm pretty sure nightchill doesn't have her own warren (but the Beast Hold might qualify), but a warren doesn't have to be a realm, remember, like you said... "It's probably best not to try and quantify everything."

Warrens can be various things, ranging from realms, a small pool of energy or power, or even exist inside someone's head. Draconis has a warren - it's the Dragnipur, a warren unto itself.

If you read Midnight Tides, you'll get a clearer (well not so clear actually) explanation of what qualifies as a warren from a High Mage in the Crimson Guard.

 

[Jason_Taverner]

well I've just finished my second read of MOI and I have to say I still got upset at the end, I knew what was coming but it certain elements still hit me hard.

 

[nixie]

Your not the only one Jason,re-reading DHG had the same effect too.

 

[Jacen]

I would have to agree with you on that nixie when i first read it there was parts i was actively pumping my fist up in the air at how cool some parts were and how great Coltaine was and they got the heart racing and the blood boiling, that being said other parts have the opposite affect it is a book of major highs and major lows not a book id reccomed to a person suffering bi-polar disorder

 

[Jason_Taverner]

I would have to agree with you on that nixie when i first read it there was parts i was actively pumping my fist up in the air at how cool some parts were and how great Coltaine was and they got the heart racing and the blood boiling, that being said other parts have the opposite affect it is a book of major highs and major lows not a book id reccomed to a person suffering bi-polar disorder

for example on the fist pumping side of things

The war chief yanked free his tulwar from its leather sheath, revealing a blade snapped ten inches above the hilt. He raised it over his head and bellowed, 'The Wickans! 'The Wickans! 'The Wickans!

still gives me shivers