Monday 27 September 2021

The Saga, Volume II

Of the seven works collected in The Technic Civilization Saga, Volume II, David Falkayn: Star Trader, three have Earth Book introductions written by Hloch. "Day of Burning," about Merseia, and "Lodestar," about Mirkheim, were written by Hloch and Arinnian based on records that van Rijn and Falkayn had left on Hermes. "A Little Knowledge" was written by Arinnian based on a story brought home by the xenologist, Fluoch of Mistwood.

"Territory," about van Rijn, has the most historically authoritative introduction possible because it is no less than a passage about the Polesotechnic League quoted from the first van Rijn story, "Margin of Profit." That story, requiring revision before it could be collected in a Technic History volume, was not included in Trader To The Stars but was nevertheless quoted at the beginning of "Territory." In David Falkayn: Star Trader, this two-page passage is headed "A HISTORICAL REFLECTION."

"The Trouble Twisters," about the trade pioneer crew led by Falkayn, is "introduced" by Urwain the Wide-Faring's account of his encounter with Noah Arkwright. This is simply a separate story. "The Master Key," about van Rin, is preceded by a verse from Shelley and Satan's World, about van Rijn, Falkayn and the trader team, has no introduction.

4 comments:

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

I have expressed regret here, more than once, that we see the Trillians only once in the Technic series, in "A Little Knowledge." Very interesting, a race also aspiring for the stars, and having the patience to do so by their own efforts!

And I have wondered if Urwaing the Wide Faring, was a star trotting Merseian who had or fouund the means to go inquisitively traveling some time after the events in "Day of Burning." The use of a name followed by a nickname is characteristic of Wilwidh Ocean Merseians; and some of them would take an interest in Falkayn!

Ad astra! Sean

paulshackley2017@gmail.com said...

Sean,

I think that that name and nickname sound Merseian.

Paul.

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

It does! And Urwaing probably went on his travels by or soon after MIRKHEIM, because that book mentions Merseian mercenaries working for Strang.

Ad astra! Sean

Sean M. Brooks said...

Dang! I keep botching URWAIN'S name. It should be "Urwain," with no "g" at the end.

Sean