I realize the idea needs a lot of refinement but thought I'd throw it out there for some comments be they positive of condemning.
Still, the thin logical thread we have to go with to detrmine identity is the fact this "time travel" bit is supposed to come along near the end of the metamorphosis, not the beginning, and Nerad and Korgunard were both at the beginning. So is Oronis, but Ornonis is still alive while the other two are dead, so Oronis may still live for another thousand years and reach the end of the metamorphosis so as to travel back in time.
Since Oronis is the only source of such a spell, and official source tells us Korgunard received his spell from Oronis after years of investigation into the death of Nerad....what is that Arcane Shadows text refering to?
Maybe its simply another step (stage II, or III) in the metamorphosis. Or Korgunard was casting a custom spell, maybe one that would transform him several steps at once, à la Abalach-Re/Kalid-Ma/Kalak.
There's not much point in discussing which of the known avangions went back in time to fill the role of the Great One, since we can't know. Besides, the whole affair is a theory - a damn good one - of Xlorep.
Didn't I say at the beginning of my first post this was a "theory"? Don't see your logic in why it can't or shouldn't be discussed?
My intention was to offer a different view or take on the Great One myth.
Here is a thought- the druid whom cleansing Oronis of the defiler taint became the SotL that Korgunard goes to- having been around to help Oronis redeam himself may have also led to his helpng Oronis first create the preserver metamorphosis.
Now that would make for good TV :D
My intention was to offer a different view or take on the Great One myth.
Ah, then go ahead, alternate all you want :D I missinterpreted the Why of the post.
IIRC Korgunard was traveling to see a SotL who was to aid him in finishing stage III- which could mean that 1) the SotL had knowledge of the spell process via some one who had done it before, or 2) Korgunard did receive the first spell from Oronis, but the further stages were his alone to develop without Oronis' aid- so K enlisted the aid of the SotL who was able to help him develope the process.
Arcane Shadows says Desverendi helped him develop the spell, but that the SotL did not know the full spell, so could not help his friend to complete the metamorphosis. Rather, it is Korgunard who pushes the PCs - through his arcane shadows - to go meet Desverendi since he knows only the SotL can bring him back from the brink of death. In his own admission, the SotL cannot help Korgunard with the metamorphosis, but he can help him with bringing him back from his half-dead state.
I like the idea that Korgunard, after receiving the first spell from Oronis, developped one or more of the next metamorphosis spells in the chain with the help of Desverendi.
As for Desverendi being Besteren, the preserver who helped Keltis become Oronis, I have no stand on it, too early. It sure is a new idea though. I can say it always seemed clear to me that Desverendi was not your typical SotL, or SotL+ABdruids, since he actually has a name and speaks! Just like the Zwuun is probably another unique SotL.
Just like the Zwuun is probably another unique SotL.
The Zwuun is actually a disembodied entity composed of the spirits of dead preservers from Nibenay's VA. It's no doubt unique but I wouldn't think it was a SotL.
The Zwuun is actually a disembodied entity composed of the spirits of dead preservers from Nibenay's VA. It's no doubt unique but I wouldn't think it was a SotL.
Someone proposed the idea the the Zwuun is, in addition to what you listed, a SotL. Since druids (and AB druids) can merge with a SotL, maybe in this instance the Nibenese preservers found a way to merge too. It would be nice. A new concept.
I would surmise that all it takes to merge with a SotL is A) death (heh) and B) acceptance and awareness of the SotL, which would be gained through spellcasting, magical rituals, and long pen pal discussions ;)
Someone proposed the idea the the Zwuun is, in addition to what you listed, a SotL. Since druids (and AB druids) can merge with a SotL, maybe in this instance the Nibenese preservers found a way to merge too. It would be nice. A new concept.
I would surmise that all it takes to merge with a SotL is A) death (heh) and B) acceptance and awareness of the SotL, which would be gained through spellcasting, magical rituals, and long pen pal discussions ;)
I view the Zwuun more along the lines of a arcane and benevolent version of the Caller in the Darkness. Created out of those who willing gave up their spirits as opposed to those who died in terror and taken against their will.
Arcane Shadows says Desverendi helped him develop the spell, but that the SotL did not know the full spell, so could not help his friend to complete the metamorphosis. Rather, it is Korgunard who pushes the PCs - through his arcane shadows - to go meet Desverendi since he knows only the SotL can bring him back from the brink of death. In his own admission, the SotL cannot help Korgunard with the metamorphosis, but he can help him with bringing him back from his half-dead state.
I like the idea that Korgunard, after receiving the first spell from Oronis, developped one or more of the next metamorphosis spells in the chain with the help of Desverendi.
As for Desverendi beingBesteren, the preserver who helped Keltis become Oronis, I have no stand on it, too early. It sure is a new idea though. I can say it always seemed clear to me that Desverendi was not your typical SotL, or SotL+ABdruids, since he actually has a name and speaks! Just like the Zwuun is probably another unique SotL.
I believe that once again there is a flaw in the 2e material- preservers cannot cast the spell to remove the taint from a defiler IIRC, it was only a druid spell.
IMO it would be possible for the two beings, Desverendi and Besteren, to be the same person- in fact he might have been a preserver wizard from the Green Age that turned away from the arcane magic when he seen the damage that the defilers were doing. And the name does not matter so much IMO- look and Keltis/Oronis- he took a new name, along with most of the other SKs when the Cleansing Wars were finished, so it would be a reasoable assumption to thing that the preserver/druid might take a new name when he became a SotL- but he would have to be a psion too.
This is all hypothetical and does not mean that this is what happened, but I think it is a cool idea.
I view the Zwuun more along the lines of a arcane and benevolent version of the Caller in the Darkness. Created out of those who willing gave up their spirits as opposed to those who died in terror and taken against their will.
Another interesting avenue. Nice.