ESCHALON TRILOGY - Q&A (SPOILERS)
Posted: February 22nd, 2014, 10:14 am
SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
I am getting a lot of messages and emails from people wanting answers to the story. Some of you love the ending, and some of you are confused by it. A few of you hate it. I will respond to the top 3 questions/comments here. Ask more if you have any.
First of all, the story of Eschalon was built around the theme of "enigma". I wanted to make a story that constantly kept you guessing and questioning. It was important to me that even at the end, there would be a need to discuss the meaning of it all. Personally, I love stories that force people to engage in discussion, and to that end, Eschalon has been successful.
What was your character's true name?
This is easy: there never was a name for him/her. The "E" at the start of Book I literally stood for "Enigma". The truth about his past is unknown...but don't you think it is odd that the very first thing you see (at the start of Book I) is the face of Malkur (The One)?
The was too much of an information dump at the end of Book III!
Hints were given to you throughout the entire trilogy, and a couple fans did figure it out before Book III. In Book I, it is mentioned that the Dwarves felt a kinship to the Orakur and so did not engage in any conflict with them. There are numerous references throughout Book 1 and 2 of the engineering skills of both the Orakur and the Dwarves. References to time travel and mining were a big part of Book 2 and The Secret of Fathamurk.
So, Book III was really just a clarification/culmination on these facts, not so much an "info dump" -- but I could see how some of you might have felt there was a rush of "revelation" at the very end.
The final big reveal- that perhaps Malkur and you were partners - that unfortunately had to be at the very end for maximum punch.
Please tell me the truth regarding the ending!!
I have my own thoughts - my own feelings on the truth of the ending - though I have no plans to reveal them. I really, truly want you to come up with your own ending. Were you really partners with Malkur or was that a lie? Did the world come to an end? Was it merely a Wizard's Duel between Erubor and Malkur to see who was the better manipulator (as suggested in one of the end texts)? Again, this is really up to the fans to figure out for themselves.
Remember: Good and Evil, Right and Wrong -- the truth all depends one what side you're on.
I am getting a lot of messages and emails from people wanting answers to the story. Some of you love the ending, and some of you are confused by it. A few of you hate it. I will respond to the top 3 questions/comments here. Ask more if you have any.
First of all, the story of Eschalon was built around the theme of "enigma". I wanted to make a story that constantly kept you guessing and questioning. It was important to me that even at the end, there would be a need to discuss the meaning of it all. Personally, I love stories that force people to engage in discussion, and to that end, Eschalon has been successful.
What was your character's true name?
This is easy: there never was a name for him/her. The "E" at the start of Book I literally stood for "Enigma". The truth about his past is unknown...but don't you think it is odd that the very first thing you see (at the start of Book I) is the face of Malkur (The One)?
The was too much of an information dump at the end of Book III!
Hints were given to you throughout the entire trilogy, and a couple fans did figure it out before Book III. In Book I, it is mentioned that the Dwarves felt a kinship to the Orakur and so did not engage in any conflict with them. There are numerous references throughout Book 1 and 2 of the engineering skills of both the Orakur and the Dwarves. References to time travel and mining were a big part of Book 2 and The Secret of Fathamurk.
So, Book III was really just a clarification/culmination on these facts, not so much an "info dump" -- but I could see how some of you might have felt there was a rush of "revelation" at the very end.
The final big reveal- that perhaps Malkur and you were partners - that unfortunately had to be at the very end for maximum punch.
Please tell me the truth regarding the ending!!
I have my own thoughts - my own feelings on the truth of the ending - though I have no plans to reveal them. I really, truly want you to come up with your own ending. Were you really partners with Malkur or was that a lie? Did the world come to an end? Was it merely a Wizard's Duel between Erubor and Malkur to see who was the better manipulator (as suggested in one of the end texts)? Again, this is really up to the fans to figure out for themselves.
Remember: Good and Evil, Right and Wrong -- the truth all depends one what side you're on.