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Bard Kayna Ashkevron Captain
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 Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 1:21 pm
We see in the Mage Storms books that the Artificers are trying to create steam technology. What would you think if ML decided to jump forward in Valdemar's timeline and write some steampunk Valdemar books? Are you for this idea, or against it? How do you think Valdemar would change?
I'd be all for some steampunk Valdemar books! I think it would be fascinating to see how the country would change with new technology.
My big question is about how valid Companions would be. If you've got trains that can cross the country in a matter of days, horses-- even supernaturally fast ones-- would be obsolete, right? Obviously they can't get rid of Companions, but I think the Heralds would become a lot less important to the actual functioning of government. This could lead to *le gasp* corruption and other fun plotlines. Though perhaps the railways would be controlled by the government, and thus by the Heralds?
Discuss.
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Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 3:06 pm
***votes for "Eh, I kinda LIKE the idea, but she's the author" wink ***
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Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 3:17 pm
Horses and trains work quite well together. Until your engines get small enough to make using them for personal transport efficient. Then you get people complaining they want better roads for their cars... not until you have cars, gas stations and a proper road system all at the same time/place do horses really become obsolete.
... I think ...
Which still leaves her with a fair timeframe for new stories in a steampunk world with companions. After that? Who knows... maybe they will find themselves some other useful shape... Dogs? Cats? no... cats are taken. Dogs. The ones my dad calls St Barnyards wink
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Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 7:03 pm
Barnyards? Oh dear.
...True. Trains aren't exactly personal transport.
I just think it would be really interesting to read about.
And what about magic? What do you think the very environmentally-concious Tayledras would think about steam?
IT'S JUST SUCH AN INTERESTING IDEA!
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Bard Kayna Ashkevron Captain
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Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2011 10:05 pm
Personally, while I love fantasy, and I love steampunk, I feel that there are some areas where they shouldn't overlap, and Valdemar is one of those areas. For me, the charm of Valdemar is that it is fantasy, and all about magic and the little ways the gods influence things.
That being said, Mercedes Lackey could probably write some great steampunk, and I would totally read it - I would just prefer it to be set in some other world.
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Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2011 6:30 pm
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Bard Kayna Ashkevron Captain
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Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 1:34 am
I think it would be a very interesting direction and it would keep the universe of Valdemar from stagnating. The companions would probably evolve into a more useful form as Annqueru suggests. (Chihuahua companions! Or corgis! xd ) As for the Tayledras, steam power is still bad for the environment even if it's not as bad as burning fossil fuels, and I think that, once they noticed the affects, the Tayledras would be very against using the energy source. However, with the reappearance of Herald Mages, there could be an opening to combine the artificer's steam idea with a magical purification system that could negate the harmful effects. It definitely opens the story up to a completely new source of conflict.
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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 8:41 pm
It wasn't until recently in the age of automobiles that horses became obsolete as a primary transport.Trains can only follow a track where as a Companion can climb mountains, travel through swamp, ford a river, and generally travel where no track could be laid. Train tracks are very picky about where they can last and need a strong amount of upkeep to keep from falling apart. I doubt they would need to change anytime soon. Also their horse form is great in a fight. After working with real horses I wouldn't want to see malice behind those powerful hooves.
I do think that if she continues it would breed a new level of conflict between those that want to industrialize everything and those concerned for the environment. And of course for those like Van's family who hate change with a passion.
It would be interesting at least. Though I hope her main character dont suffer the same too dumb to live that mag's friends..
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