Ghost Story Delay

[Dana]

LOL! Is she an elitist snob who grudingly bears your presence like Mister? Of course, all cats are a bit like this. Mister just leads the pack. :)

20 pounds? Holy $h!t! I don't think my daughter's cats total 10lbs together. That, my friend, is some serious, saber-tooth, tabby you have there.

I really hope Jim writes about Mouse and Mister. He begrudgingly admitted he needed to in the last interview I saw of him. I think that he stays away from it because it would be difficult. Writing about characters that don't speak is a bit of a strain on a author I think. ;) Writing from Murphy's perspective almost maimed him so I can see it being tough. Although I think men understand the minds of dogs better than women. That was not an insult, just a thought! (I've heard men say this...just repeating.) ;)

I am interested to see if Mouse's powers keep growing like Harry's do. I was bummed out when the Council finally sees Mouse and knows what he is, that we didn't get more, "Temple-Dogs can do; a)...b)...c)...". Someday.

[Gregory]

Dana wrote: "Although I think men understand the minds of dogs better than women."

That's because we share the same life motto: Eat, Sleep, Play

[Dana]

Gregory wrote: "Dana wrote: "Although I think men understand the minds of dogs better than women."

That's because we share the same life motto: Eat, Sleep, Play"

*sigh* so true, and you're all the better for it. If I didn't love all 50-some pairs of my shoes with a feverish affection that borders on addiction, this would make me want to be a man....or a Great Dane!

I would wish to be Mouse but I'm just not that cool. :)

[Earl]

My cat is like a (relatively) little fairy queen, constantly at war with my wife's cat over territory. Currently the battle line is drawn at the top of the stairs. They both tolerate my presence as being of some small use providing food, warmth and litter cleaning services. ;)

As for the rest, men are generally pretty simple creatures. This is both a blessing and a curse. :]

And unearthed in continued rereading efforts, even more on a wizard's death curse:

"Which left me with one last spell to throw. I closed my eyes for a moment, reaching inside, gathering up the magic, the life force within me. Any wizard has a reservoir of power inherent in him, power drawn from the core of his self rather than his surroundings. Aurora's circle could cut me off from drawing upon ambient energy to fuel a spell--but it couldn't stop me from using the energy within me.

Granted, once used, there wouldn't be anything left to keep me breathing, my heart pumping, and electricity going through my brain. But then, that's why they call it a death curse, isn't it?"

--"Summer Knight" pp.306-307

[Dana]

Do you think your cat is summer or winter court? :)


On death curses...

Are all death curses equally powerful then? Would a 'lesser wizard' not be able to power a really ambitious curse do you think? Where Harry, the Merlin, and the rest of the council could really throw a doozy at you.

All the spells Harry does are based on skill, practice, and 'juice' so I would think that a wizard's internal power would be relevant as well.

If they aren't cut off from other sources (like Harry was in the example you just gave Earl), can they combine outside forces with their life force to make it more 'potent'?

I don't really recall Jim addressing this concept anywhere, but I sure would like to hear what you guys think...or maybe I should just ask Jim!

[Earl]

I'd have to go with winter court. She's got a mean streak.

I'd been wondering the same thing about the death curse. My impression, backed up by no actual citations at this point, is that they vary in power. I think they would be restricted by:

1)Maximum power/juice of the wizard in question.
2)Situationally they are a move of last resort. Not the sort of spell one tends to cast when brimming with extra energy.
3)Perhaps skill of the wizard as well. Harry wasn't sure quite what he might be able to accomplish with his death curse but the items he was contemplating as possible were impressive.

It does lead to other questions... If a really powerful wizard could pull in the maximum amount of energy and was willing to sacrifice themselves, what would be the limit of what they could accomplish?

Love to hear what Jim has to say about this. :)

In the meantime I continue my reread with great enthusiasm. Working into Death Masks. Of course now I want to go through an additional reread afterwards and take more detailed notes.

[Dana]

Earl wrote: "It does lead to other questions... If a really powerful wizard could pull in the maximum amount of energy and was willing to sacrifice themselves, what would be the limit of what they could accomplish?..."

Do you mean like a suicide bomber type of scenario? Interesting, hhhhmmmm.

#2 is a good point, Situationally they are a move of last resort. Not the sort of spell one tends to cast when brimming with extra energy. It seems obvious once you hear it, but it really never conciously occured to me. Do you think physical exhaustion, illness, or injury deplete 'internal' power as well. Since I'm guessing internal power is more based on your soul and character, I would think not, but it is still a consideration I think.

[Gregory]

Dana wrote: "Since I'm guessing internal power is more based on your soul and character, I would think not, but it is still a consideration I think...."

Interesting point, and even more so given that Harry controls Soul Fire, a power which I'm not aware of any other Wizard being able to weild. Would this affect Harry's potential damage for a Death curse given that he already is able to use his "soul" to power other spells?

[Earl]

Work has been crazy, but who needs sleep? Here are some more snippets on death curses.

This segment is *very* interesting:

"...I left my eyes on Aurora and held whatever power I had gathered up and ready.

'I am sorry, wizard,' Aurora said.

'You're about to be,' I muttered.

Elaine caught Slate's wrist and said 'Wait.'

Aurora gave Elaine a sharp and angry look. 'What are you doing?'

'Protecting you,' Elaine said. 'If you let Slate kill him, he'll break the circle around Dresden.'

Aurora looked from Elaine to me and back. 'And?'

'Elaine!' I snarled.

She regarded me with flat eyes. 'And you'll leave yourself open to his death curse. He'll take you with him. Or make you wish he had.'

Aurora lifted her chin. 'He isn't that strong.'

'Don't be so sure. He's the strongest wizard I've ever met. Strong enough to make the White Council nervous. Why take a pointless risk so close to the end?"

(just a wee bit later)

"We are in the Nevernever,' Elaine said. 'Arrange his death and leave. Once you are back in mortal lands, he won't be able to reach you. Let him spend his curse on Mab if he wishes, or his godmother. But it won't be on you."

--"Summer Knight" pp.308-309