The Palace Guard is DONE!

[rthstewart]

yipee!!  This is very satisfying, to have a second story up and complete this year, even if the dangly bits I'm leaving unresolved are beginning to accumulate like dust bunnies under the bed.

But, a burning question.  Several reviewers asked as to the species of the physician.  I have three characters floating around in these stories, with actual name and species unidentified:

The General
Cook
The Physician

We now know that Cook can lob cabbages with fair accuracy.  We know the Physician is old and had an unhealthy fascination with primate mating and bonding systems.  So, what species is the Physician?  I figure he needs to have paws for grasping and that immediately limits us pretty much to mustelids, rodents, and a few others.  My two top contenders:
A raccoon
A porcupine

Admit it, a porcupine physician is pretty darn amusing, yeah?

Comments

[autumnia]

I can see why a porcupine would be amusing. And it would make sense why no one would ever want to go see the Physician then. Think of how uncomfortable it would be if the doctor keeps poking at you with both medical instruments AND his/her quills!

Cook is a strange one. I keep having the picture of a Dwarfess in mind for Cook. She has the hands to throw cabbages at those in the vegetable garden, and such a temper as to let you know when she is peeved (by her screaming and her displeasure in the food set in front of you).

As for the General... that is hardest of all! Centaurs always come to mind since the movies came out and most fanfics on FF.net use Oreius or some other Centaur OC. I feel the need to go and refresh my memory on mythological creatures.

[anastigmatfic.livejournal.com]

I adore The Palace Guard. Love, j'adore, and as the NFFR ladies and the Swedes say, älskar.

The idea of a Porcupine physician cracks me up. As did the dolls, good heavens, and Ed's inclination to have them manufactured just for giggles.

Here's a thought for your Cook: what about Apes? In canon we only ever see Shift, but he's hardly the only, and I'm tickled endlessly by the idea of a primate in charge of the kitchens.

(Nevermind that Shift and Puzzle are straight from Aesop -- I should scan those pages for you...)

[keeperofqkeys.livejournal.com]

A porcupine physician who's obsessed with primate mating rituals is highly amusing to think about, indeed. And I agree with Autumnia about Cook being a dwarfess.

As for the General... I think you should go with something completely unexpected. Like a fox. I'm trying to think of an animal that is known for strategic planning and the like. Someone who rose through the ranks not necessarily because of physical prowess, but because of his skill as a tactician. Someone who can lead, someone who can plan battles, someone who can make the hard decisions to send his troops into tough situations. This is, perhaps, why a mythological creature would serve better instead of a Beast, because not many Beasts work in organized assaults (lions come to mind, but that one's out, though a wolf could also be an option--except for the bad taste left by the White Witch). I could certainly see a Gryphon, with some of that lion instinct (but in that case I would almost dare to suggest that the General was actually a female Gryphon, as it is the lionesses that lead hunting parties.)

Untirely unrelated tangents coming up

[(Anonymous)]

Hi Rth,

Love TPG, another beautiful story. Re species unnamed, yes, the idea of a gryphon General and a porcupine Physician are cool. I also like the fox idea, although elecktrum's Sir Giles is a hard act to follow, too. Re Cook, I'm assuming that you need someone who can through. leaving out most four-leggers, and who can grasp the concept of preparing food for different species, thus, an omnivore of some sort. So what does that leave? Dwarf, Centaur (maybe), Faun?

On an (almost) entirely unrelated point, I was re-reading TPG, and I started to wonder about the Night Guard. Are they Palace Guard (and sworn), or something else again? Presumably, much of the business of state would be conducted in daytime, Peter's comments about night-time revels and treaties not withstanding, so presumably there wouldn't be the same need for a counsellor/manager. At the same time, as Ch. 1 pointed out, the Four are more vulnerable when at ease (ie. at night). So what's the deal here, because if Dalia becomes Night Guard, and the Night Guard is sworn, then she isn't forsworn at all (OK, enough swearing!)

On another tangent (wow, there's a lot of them over here), I know the assassination attempt is another plot device, but I was curious as to whether it's related the the troubles in Year 7, whether it's part of the business with the Lone Islands tax code, or something else entirely.

I'll stop asking questions now, so that you can think about TQSiT.

Cheers
Min
: )

[(Anonymous)]

Hi Rth,

Yes, that answers much. I had wondered why Harold was off without Jalur - now we know. And as for tax laws, yes, bleah! Edmund and Susan need a good law text with up-to-date commentary - maybe they can commission the evil bankers of Linch! I think I may have temporarily exhausted my supply of questions, but I'm sure I'll have some more after your next update : )

Cheers
Min

Re: the Physician

[metonomia.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I know everyone on here's been drawn to the Porcupine, and while that is indeed a delightful idea, I found myself shying immediately towards the Racoon. They're such delightfully curious creatures,and they've got the paws that (as with a cook) might be necessary in handling Physician-type duties. The Porcupine is a VERY funny image, though...