The Second Apocalypse
Earwa => The Aspect-Emperor => The Unholy Consult => Topic started by: Redeagl on October 02, 2017, 10:23:43 pm
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I wanted to talk of my point of view of that. IMO, nearly all of Akka's character development happened in PoN. PoN shook Akka so hard and changed his life in not a very long time which left Akka.... Numb for the next 20 years ( Yes, including TAE. ) . I would have loved it if we got a flashback to him just after TTT' ending. He literally did nothing after it in his life except pondering PoN's events. Imagine 20 years of your life passing as if they were a day. Nothing that you really care about happening in them. 20 years. Even Mimara did nothing but make him ponder more. She wasn't Esmi, he never knew Mimara before. I think that Akka was trying in TJE-TGO to see Mimara as Esmi 2.0 . He always saw Mimara with lenses coloured by Esmi. A very very good scene in TWLW, when Mim was telling him about the Anasûrimbor family, was one of the scenes that got me feeling for Akka again. To shake his emotional numbness, something even more important in his life needed to happen than the ending of TTT ( Kellhus changing civilization forever, destroying empires and traditions. The coming of the Harbinger of the Second Apocalypse. Kellhus being the most powerful sorcerer ever, his student. All his friends dying, or betraying him. Cnaiür's revelations. Akka's torture at Iothiah and finally, his transformation into a Wizard.) . Something like, the destruction of the GO, Kellhus. And the No-God's resurrection. I can't wait to see Akka being back on form. It saddens me that this masterpiece of tragic character development isn't appreciated more. Share my Akka love people.
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Next in Redeagl's character appreciation series: Cnaiür. Just joking, but I would actually love to do a post like that for Cnaiür, detailing my emotions and thoughts towards him. After TUC, I sat and thought a lot about him. And that's how Cnaiür became my second top favourite character.
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My favorite characters ( maybe it's own thread ) are the offbeat ones: Moe Sr, Cleric, Xinemus ( his bitching out Akka on their travel back to Caraskand was classic ), Inrilatas ( was hoping he would play a larger role in the story, oh well ), Shae, the Survivor, the head on a pole. Was never warm to Akka - just too much self loathing/self pity for me. He's a great character, epic development for sure. But not much sympathy for the crying in your beer'ers in the story like Akka and Proyas. I guess I liked the action'ers of the story more than the dwellers/self-reflectors. But I raise a glass to Akka kicking some ass in TNG, he'll redeem himself to me.
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I was actually kind of ambivalent towards Akka during my first read of PON, and even on my re-read (followed by catching up with the other two released books at the time, TJE and TWLW). I never thought he was a badly written character or anything, but I suppose I felt similarly to what TaoHorror said above. To some extent I still do feel that way -- my favorite characters are definitely the more "take charge" types, or at least "take action" (which is often, but not always, literally taking part in an action sequence).
However, after TGO and the re-reads that followed, and especially after TUC, I can say that my appreciation of the character has grown considerably. I think the reason for this is two-fold: firstly, Akka benefits from re-reads more than perhaps any other character in the series. His wealth of knowledge and general musings (philosophical or otherwise) had a tendency to just sort of wash over me during early read-throughs, but after returning to the text continuously and not having to focus on plot elements as much, the various instances of Akka's self-reflection, his perspective on the other characters, and all of the little side-notes regarding the worldbuilding and such are not only easier to digest, they also become more interesting the more you unravel the mysteries and concepts at play in the series.
It's especially interesting to take Akka's overrall opinion of himself and his place in the world during PON (in which he is basically a very, very heavily armed conspiracy theorist), and then contrast that with the old, crazy Wizard of TAE. In many ways Akka changed the least of all the original cast from the first book onward, but not in a negative way -- it actually makes sense given the entire premise of the Mandate and Seswatha and so on.
In terms of sheer writing, though, I would confidently argue that Achamian and Mimara are wholesale the best-realized characters from across the series (with probably Cnaiur and Kellhus coming in right on their heels). Akka and Mimara's banter, mannerisms, and interactions feel increasingly genuine as TAE progresses, and by TGO/TUC it feels like the author is effortlessly channeling these two very complex human beings.
It's funny as I think of it, but Achamian might be the main character I'm most looking forward to in the next series, if only because he will finally be pretty much the only authority people have to turn to regarding the Apocalypse that is very clearly taking place across all of Earwa. In a way it's like only now can Achamian truly become Seswatha, especially since he has some very personal reasons to hate the Consult. Almost as if everything so far has been in preparation for this section of the story.
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I worry that Akka might not be up to the task of leader or authority, he has been both certain and unprepared to act so many times during the series.
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Akka's tragic storyline is the best thread throughout TSA, imo. I think I agree that he isn't as well developed - at least not as dynamic - in TAE, but he's still probably my favorite overall.
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I can't say I like the character, but I love his story. The guy is betrayed by everyone again and again, but he keep going, to ultimately fail at his most important purpose for him and for the world (debatable), stopping the resumption. If one of the 100 is the Luck God, then that god clearly hate Acha!
I'm waiting for him to be irredeemably broken in TNG (Acha leading the "resistance" would be to heroic to sound true in that world), maybe even joinning the consult for some reason (the dunsult turning him? bargaining his son life/soul?). That would be an awesome twist for me.
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If one of the 100 is the Luck God, then that god clearly hate Acha!
Anagke is the god of Fate, close enough. I think she has a particular interest in fucking with Akka.
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If one of the 100 is the Luck God, then that god clearly hate Acha!
Anagke is the god of Fate, close enough. I think she has a particular interest in fucking with Akka.
"Fuck that dude, and fuck his whole life *show the finger*"
-- Anagke, about Achamian, c.4063 - present
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I'm waiting for him to be irredeemably broken in TNG (Acha leading the "resistance" would be to heroic to sound true in that world),
Never understood this view, on Akka becoming the savior.
He is the most educated on The No-God, has somehow become a Prophet of the Past, and is no weakling wielding the Gnosis. Damnitt, Bakker doesn't have a soul if Akka don't catch a break in TNG.
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If one of the 100 is the Luck God, then that god clearly hate Acha!
Anagke is the god of Fate, close enough. I think she has a particular interest in fucking with Akka.
"Fuck that dude, and fuck his whole life *show the finger*"
-- Anagke, about Achamian, c.4063 - present
Lmao, Jabberwock03! Welcome to TSA!
Akka: "Why me?"
Anagke: "Why? Because I don't like you!"
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I'm waiting for him to be irredeemably broken in TNG (Acha leading the "resistance" would be to heroic to sound true in that world),
Never understood this view, on Akka becoming the savior.
He is the most educated on The No-God, has somehow become a Prophet of the Past, and is no weakling wielding the Gnosis. Damnitt, Bakker doesn't have a soul if Akka don't catch a break in TNG.
That's why it would be so awesome to see him broken or even becoming a toy of the dunsult, because many people somehow expect him to be the savior. What a twist!
Even if I wish him the worst, I don't think Bakker will do it, it would be a big surprise.
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I'm waiting for him to be irredeemably broken in TNG (Acha leading the "resistance" would be to heroic to sound true in that world),
Never understood this view, on Akka becoming the savior.
He is the most educated on The No-God, has somehow become a Prophet of the Past, and is no weakling wielding the Gnosis. Damnitt, Bakker doesn't have a soul if Akka don't catch a break in TNG.
That's why it would be so awesome to see him broken or even becoming a toy of the dunsult, because many people somehow expect him to be the savior. What a twist!
Even if I wish him the worst, I don't think Bakker will do it, it would be a big surprise.
+1 ... not a fan of our Gnostic prophet, but his story line has been epic. Don't see him going Dunsult, but he could be manipulated. If we see more "war", I suspect it'll be waged by the kids ( Serwe, etc ) - also could be civil war before war with Dunsult ( although, the Dunsult being human, means Earwa already has been enduring one ) - civil war defined war among humanity, not within sovereigns, opposed to war with aliens. Could be a war of intrigue/plots/assassinations, which would be tasty.
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Never understood this view, on Akka becoming the savior.
He is the most educated on The No-God, has somehow become a Prophet of the Past, and is no weakling wielding the Gnosis. Damnitt, Bakker doesn't have a soul if Akka don't catch a break in TNG.
I agree that Akka will have a heroic role, but I don't think he'll be "the savior". That role is destined for Mimara, the true prophet. Akka is now playing the (still rather important) Seswatha role.
Somehow, I doubt that Anagkë (in universe) and Bakker (out of universe) will let Akka catch a break. Even if things do go "well" for him for while, as much as that can be said of a character in a "peri-apocalyptic" world (as opposed to post-apocalyptic), it's almost certain something terrible will happen to him again before the end of the series.
"Fuck that dude, and fuck his whole life *show the finger*"
-- Anagke, about Achamian, c.4063 - present
Very true, and very funny. :D
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I agree that Akka will have a heroic role, but I don't think he'll be "the savior". That role is destined for Mimara, the true prophet. Akka is now playing the (still rather important) Seswatha role.
Savior is actually a poorly chosen word, more like lead humanity against TNG. Or, rather an ambassador of men, much like you suggested in Seswatha. I just hope it varies. I DO NOT want to see the Heron Spear (even though I don't believe that what stopped it the first time anyway), I want a new Seswatha. Seswatha giving those Prophet of the Past dreams and Akka making corrections and deviations.
Your right, Mimara has the "savior" role. And, I like that. And, please, please Bakker don't bring up that tapestry and never have it come up again. Its so tantalizing.
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Sobering up, eh MSJ?
A sober man finds solace in mystery - Conphas
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He didnt do nothing though. He wrote a bestselling and highly controversial history/conspiracy novel, and he figured out how to see the dreams from other perspectives.
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Never understood this view, on Akka becoming the savior.
He is the most educated on The No-God, has somehow become a Prophet of the Past, and is no weakling wielding the Gnosis. Damnitt, Bakker doesn't have a soul if Akka don't catch a break in TNG.
I agree that Akka will have a heroic role, but I don't think he'll be "the savior". That role is destined for Mimara, the true prophet. Akka is now playing the (still rather important) Seswatha role.
Somehow, I doubt that Anagkë (in universe) and Bakker (out of universe) will let Akka catch a break. Even if things do go "well" for him for while, as much as that can be said of a character in a "peri-apocalyptic" world (as opposed to post-apocalyptic), it's almost certain something terrible will happen to him again before the end of the series.
"Fuck that dude, and fuck his whole life *show the finger*"
-- Anagke, about Achamian, c.4063 - present
Very true, and very funny. :D
Actually I interpreted the ending of TUC with Mimara letting go of her chorae as her letting go of her destiny as a prophet, since the Gods can't help them now that the No-God walks.
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I thought she was letting go of her last doubts about how she felt for Akka. The Chorae was her protection against him.
Mimara isn't with the gods. She is with the God. Hence why Ajokli as cnaiur can't see shit when he stares at the no-god while Mimara can see the carapace even through a hologram. Right at the end is the first time we get to see the sight of a god versus the sight of The God.
Akka was the guy who was broke while there was hope but as soon as there is no hope he comes alive. A bit like the guy protecting Esme, Imhailas, from WLW
"Now she could see Imhalias as he really was...
A warrior. He was -at his pith- a true warrior. Defeat did not break his heart so much as stir his blood."
Akka is a Mandate Schoolman.
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Actually I interpreted the ending of TUC with Mimara letting go of her chorae as her letting go of her destiny as a prophet, since the Gods can't help them now that the No-God walks.
This!
I thought she was letting go of her last doubts about how she felt for Akka. The Chorae was her protection against him.
Mimara isn't with the gods. She is with the God. Hence why Ajokli as cnaiur can't see shit when he stares at the no-god while Mimara can see the carapace even through a hologram. Right at the end is the first time we get to see the sight of a god versus the sight of The God.
Akka was the guy who was broke while there was hope but as soon as there is no hope he comes alive. A bit like the guy protecting Esme, Imhailas, from WLW
Akka is a Mandate Schoolman.
No, wait, this!
I think TL is correct in that purposely dropping the Chorae is no small thing and if she's to support Akka/whoever, she'll need every advantage she can muster. But if she can leverage The Eye with any chorae, than I'm prone to think themerchant may be on to something. I have a gift for seeing things not real/correct ( it's like a super power! ), so when I initially read it, I thought she dropped it like a "boomb" ( purposely mispelling, don't need our communications being "reviewed" by the policing entities ) so it becomes one of the Chorae in the winds - their "in" to attack TNG, if you will.
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Here's the two passages that inform my thinking, He says please to her, and the narrator says the stuff below, then it states Apocalypse is his birthright (Akka) and then the second passage describes her actions.
"there is knowledge in our manner, ways to prove that utterly elude the apparent sunlight of speech. Sorcery does not exhaust the miracle of voice: with one word it seemed, he had demonstrated to her what tomes of disputation could never do"
"In a single motion, she pulled the thread about her head and cast the pouch out over the void of the oblitus, No eyes followed their descent into the wrack and panic. Her last proof against him. Anasurimbor mimara stepped onto the teetering brink , and then took his sorcerous hand."
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Akka was the guy who was broke while there was hope but as soon as there is no hope he comes alive. A bit like the guy protecting Esme, Imhailas, from WLW
"Now she could see Imhalias as he really was...
A warrior. He was -at his pith- a true warrior. Defeat did not break his heart so much as stir his blood."
Akka is a Mandate Schoolman.
Love this and couldnt put it in better words. Other than, he probably is the only Mandate Schoolman.