Servant of the Empire: The Great Game - changes

[Janny]

How do you view the Game of the Council after finishing Servant?

What did you think of the Warlord's office - and how might the changes affect what's to come?

Is absolute rule the answer to change in this culture? Or just a short term expedient?

Who might step forward and fill the ranks of Mara's vanquished enemies?

[Jon]

Mara's enemies? The Anasati perhaps. The First Adviser over there is quite clever and plays the Game like an addiction.

Absolute rule - good point. I can hope it's only temporary. Thousands of years is a lot of inertia to overcome.

Your second question left me scratching my head. I thought the Warlord's office was eliminated at the end of Servant?

My view of the Game now, after reading the first two novels of the Empire Trilogy? It's still deadly and convoluted, but I understand it thanks to Mara's insights and hope her innovations benefit all societal levels on Kelewan.

[Janny]

Yes, the Warlord's office was eliminated - what sort of repercussions is this likely to create? Anyone care to speculate?

[Sandra]

Mara's next enemy? I can't remember his name, but her husband's brother that had his nose out of joint because she didn't chose him, the little snake!

And the Great Game is horrible, constant scheming for power and prestige. Not a good thing at all.

Perhaps absolute rule is good temporarily, but I tend to think it's not a good thing. Hence the seven sorcerers in WoLaS!

If there's peace, there's no need for a warlord, after all, is there? Hopefully they will work toward peace.

[Mawgojzeta]

I find the Great Game fascinating! Sure, it seems incredibly cold/cruel in most of our eyes. But, if one really thinks about it, virtually every "bad" trait of the Game (and the world-view of the characters of Kelewan) happens in our world - most often with no code of honor or successful control at all. So, which is worst?

I hope that the end of the Warlord's office is a positive change. It seems to indicate a (likely slow) move towards a system that will be less aggressive. But, I am probably wrong! I look forward to the reading the outcome of this move in the next book.

[Jim]

The Warlord's office should have been a balance against the power of the Emperor, who is divinely appointed. A good one in either office is fine, but what if another bad guy takes over the emperor's throne with no warlord to check him. Then it's just the quarreling, disjointed families. That could be very bad.

[Sandra]

Mawgojzeta wrote: "I find the Great Game fascinating! Sure, it seems incredibly cold/cruel in most of our eyes. But, if one really thinks about it, virtually every "bad" trait of the Game (and the world-view of the..."

Oh, absolutely it happens in our world. I still think it's horrible. It's just that our politicians don't, as a rule, kill each other. Our politics aren't as deadly. And that's my biggest objection to the Game. It's such a WASTE!! All those 'gray' warriors, etc., all the servants killed with their masters. I don't think that happens here. At least not in this day and age. Perhaps in ancient Japan or China.

But you're right. It is fascinating.

I always remember going to see an exhibit of ancient Chinese art in Memphis, TN, and my biggest take away was the feeling of evil corruption under all the surface beauty - the wives and concubines killed with their husbands, the girl babies left out to die, etc., etc., etc.

[Mawgojzeta]

Sandra: Your point about the gray warriors is a good one. At least in modern times (not sure about ancient) this would not happen.

I also agree it is a waste, yet still fascinating.

[Jim]

Isn't that what the Ronin are - masterless Samaria?

[Mawgojzeta]

Jim wrote: "Isn't that what the Ronin are - masterless Samaria?"

Reading about them now. Very interesting!