The Death Gate Cycle

Aurican · 06-07-2001, 12:32 PM

I can't remember if I posted this... Anyway, has anyone read this if so, what did you think?

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Can an elf get a break anywhere these days?

http://angelfire.com/rpg/aurican

Virgil · 06-07-2001, 02:07 PM

I read these books as they came out and really enjoyed them. The whole series is very dark, as the various worlds are in a constant state of upheaval. The third book is particularly dark. As I recall, the world had been split into four different worlds, roughly related to the four elements (air, earth, fire and water). There is also a central zone, which included a labyrinth, which was designed to be a training ground for a uber group of people. The story follows a man (Hap?) who escaped from the labyrinth, who travels to each world, to gather intelligence since his lord intends to conquer all of them. As he travels, he sees that there is a great deal of suffering in each of the worlds, and learns that they can be reunited.

If you're a fan of Fizban, from the Dragonlance novels, he makes an appearance as Zifnab in book two. I don't remember if he ever shows up again.

I should probably reread the whole series one of these days. I really liked it the first time through.

Axterix · 06-07-2001, 03:19 PM

They rock... and are far from dark

Always a few bubbly happy people around or something that parodies some real life thing (like the dwarves).

Just good well written fantasy in a world where bad things can happen and people can die and there is more grey than white and black... in short, more 'realistic' than most fantasy.

jabidas · 06-07-2001, 08:19 PM

Sure there only mensch

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Keryvian · 06-08-2001, 12:49 AM

I've read all the books, and thought that they were very good.

I agree with Axterix that they are less 'black and white' than a lot of fantasy - a good thing IMO.

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Nid yw'r hoff o lyfr yn fyr o gyfaill.

dominions · 06-08-2001, 05:18 AM

The Death Gate Cycle was brilliant!

Book three was dark - but it needed to be, to show just how screwed up things are.

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Hey! Like RPGs? See the DungeonCraft - RPG Game Maker on the Ironworks Gaming Forum

imperial dwarf · 06-08-2001, 05:41 AM

Yep, agree with all of you. Certainly a great read especially because it's not a usual fantasy world with the usual problems( bad king, god, overlord tries to seize reign over the world). the story itself is quite good and gripping and the main hero (by the way virgil he's called Haplo) is one of the more interesting characters in fantasy literature.

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reality is for those not smart enough to see the truth!!!!!

Davros · 06-08-2001, 07:52 AM

Well worth the read - now where did I put my hat??????

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AzureWolf · 06-08-2001, 10:38 AM

The Death Gate cycle is a much underrated series of books by Weis and Hickman and a definite read. The way the world is set out with all the elemental differences while keeping a similarity between them is amazing.

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"I was born of darkness. My fathers eyes closed before mine opened. I am not of this world or the other, and I have the right to be what I am..."

"I've put my trust in you, pushed as far as I can go. For all this theres only one thing you should know....."

Aurican · 06-09-2001, 02:32 PM

I am on the second book for the second time, I love this series. I'm glad I'm no the only one.

------------------
Can an elf get a break anywhere these days?

http://angelfire.com/rpg/aurican

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06-07-2001, 12:32 PM	#1
Aurican Elminster Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Raleigh, North Carolina Age: 44 Posts: 470	I can't remember if I posted this... Anyway, has anyone read this if so, what did you think? ------------------ Can an elf get a break anywhere these days? http://angelfire.com/rpg/aurican

06-07-2001, 02:07 PM	#2
Virgil Dungeon Master Join Date: May 8, 2001 Location: Manchester, CT, USA Posts: 80	I read these books as they came out and really enjoyed them. The whole series is very dark, as the various worlds are in a constant state of upheaval. The third book is particularly dark. As I recall, the world had been split into four different worlds, roughly related to the four elements (air, earth, fire and water). There is also a central zone, which included a labyrinth, which was designed to be a training ground for a uber group of people. The story follows a man (Hap?) who escaped from the labyrinth, who travels to each world, to gather intelligence since his lord intends to conquer all of them. As he travels, he sees that there is a great deal of suffering in each of the worlds, and learns that they can be reunited. If you're a fan of Fizban, from the Dragonlance novels, he makes an appearance as Zifnab in book two. I don't remember if he ever shows up again. I should probably reread the whole series one of these days. I really liked it the first time through.

06-07-2001, 03:19 PM	#3
Axterix Manshoon Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 160	They rock... and are far from dark Always a few bubbly happy people around or something that parodies some real life thing (like the dwarves). Just good well written fantasy in a world where bad things can happen and people can die and there is more grey than white and black... in short, more 'realistic' than most fantasy.

06-07-2001, 08:19 PM	#4
jabidas Silver Dragon Join Date: March 14, 2001 Location: Agharti. Mountains of Madness Posts: 1,673	Sure there only mensch ------------------

06-08-2001, 12:49 AM	#5
Keryvian The Magister Join Date: May 9, 2001 Location: mile high city, US Posts: 131	I've read all the books, and thought that they were very good. I agree with Axterix that they are less 'black and white' than a lot of fantasy - a good thing IMO. ------------------ Nid yw'r hoff o lyfr yn fyr o gyfaill.

06-08-2001, 05:18 AM	#6
dominions Elminster Join Date: March 20, 2001 Location: Hampshire, England Age: 52 Posts: 428	The Death Gate Cycle was brilliant! Book three was dark - but it needed to be, to show just how screwed up things are. ------------------ Hey! Like RPGs? See the DungeonCraft - RPG Game Maker on the Ironworks Gaming Forum

06-08-2001, 05:41 AM	#7
imperial dwarf Elite Waterdeep Guard Join Date: May 31, 2001 Location: Berlin Age: 43 Posts: 42	Yep, agree with all of you. Certainly a great read especially because it's not a usual fantasy world with the usual problems( bad king, god, overlord tries to seize reign over the world). the story itself is quite good and gripping and the main hero (by the way virgil he's called Haplo) is one of the more interesting characters in fantasy literature. ------------------ reality is for those not smart enough to see the truth!!!!!

06-08-2001, 07:52 AM	#8
Davros Takhisis Follower Join Date: January 7, 2001 Location: Mandurah, West Australia Age: 62 Posts: 5,073	Well worth the read - now where did I put my hat?????? ------------------

06-08-2001, 10:38 AM	#9
AzureWolf 20th Level Warrior Join Date: May 3, 2001 Location: . Age: 42 Posts: 2,762	The Death Gate cycle is a much underrated series of books by Weis and Hickman and a definite read. The way the world is set out with all the elemental differences while keeping a similarity between them is amazing. ------------------ "I was born of darkness. My fathers eyes closed before mine opened. I am not of this world or the other, and I have the right to be what I am..." "I've put my trust in you, pushed as far as I can go. For all this theres only one thing you should know....."

06-09-2001, 02:32 PM	#10
Aurican Elminster Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Raleigh, North Carolina Age: 44 Posts: 470	I am on the second book for the second time, I love this series. I'm glad I'm no the only one. ------------------ Can an elf get a break anywhere these days? http://angelfire.com/rpg/aurican

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