The Binding of the Blade
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The Binding of the Blade is an epic fantasy series by L. B. Graham, set upon the imaginary continent of Kirthanin. It tells the story of the last rise of Malek, especially of the prophets of Allfather: Joraiem Andira and Benjiah Andira, as well as others, such as Aljeron Balinor, Saegan of Tol Emuna, Rulalin Tarasir, and the prophet Valzaan. Graham makes no attempt to conceal that his books, while not allegorical, are highly religious, and sold primarily if not wholly by Christian publishers.
The first three books in the series are Beyond the Summerland, Bringer of Storms, and Shadow in the Deep. The other two have yet to be released.
It has been debated to exactly what the Blade in the title is.
- There are several obvious similarities, perhaps influences, from Tolkien. Among them are the following:
- The name Ulmindos, the ship-master, probably comes from Ulmo
- The twelve Titans recall the Valar
- As Malek was one of the Titans, so Morgoth was one of the Valar
- The hurling of Malek down from the peaks by Alazare recalls Gandalf and the Balrog in the Battle of the Peak
- Allfather is a translation of Tolkien's Ilúvatar; both of which hold the position of "God"
Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.
Contents |
[edit] Characters
- Aljeron Balinor was a young Novaana of Shalin Bel and one of the primary characters. He had received three scars across his face from a fight with the Malekim, and also a battle-brother, a tiger named Koshti.
- Joraiem Andira is a prophet of Allfather, and is murdered by Rulalin at the end of the first book, Beyond the Summerland.
- Benjiah Andira is the son of Joraiem Andira, a Novaana-prophet of Dal Harat, and Wylla Someris, the Queen of Enthanin. Valzaan, an ancient prophet, decided that he was the one chosen to bring about the Fall of Malek. After Valzaan fell, he took up his staff, and continued to fight against Malek. In the third book of the series, Shadow in the Deep, he killed a Grendolai, summoned the Dragons and the Great Bear, delivered the prophecy of the Four Kindreds, and at the end of the book was captured by Malek. Whether he is truly the chosen one, and if he escapes captivity, will be seen in the next two books, which have not yet been published.
- Valzaan is a prophet. He was very ancient by the time period of the first book, where he first demonstrated his power by causing the sharp-tongued Mindarin Orlene to be mute for a short period of time. He came to Joraiem Andira in several dreams as well as torrim redara, and revealed to him that Joraiem himself was a prophet. At first Valzaan believed that Joraiem was the one chosen to destroy Malek, but after his murder became certain that it was actually his son, Benjiah. He was presumably killed at the end of the second book, being knocked into the sea by a mighty Vulsutyrim.
- Rulalin Tarasir is a secretive young Novaana who goes for training to Sulare. He had fallen in love with Wylla Someris, heir to the throne of Enthanin, and rejected Mindarin Orlene. When his good friend Joraiem Andira fell in love with Wylla, and she with him, his jealousy, egged on by Synoki, caused him to murder his best friend and flee to his hometown, Fel Edorath.
- Malek was one of the Titans, who rebelled in the First Age, and caused weapons to be forged for Andunin and the Nolthanim.
- Evrim Minluan is Joraiem Andira's best friend in Dal Harat, his home town.
- Wylla Someris is Joraiem Andira's wife and widow, as well as heir to the Enthanin throne.
[edit] Places and People
- The Novaana were the noble class of Men. Every seven years Novaana between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five would assemble for training at Sulare, or the Summerland, which is part of the framework for the first book in the Binding of the Blade series, Beyond the Summerland.
- The Titans were twelve servants of Allfather, set down to rule Kirthanin. Among the greatest was Malek, who rebelled, and Alazare, who threw him down from Agia Muldonai.
- Dal Harat is the hometown of Joraiem Andira in Werthanin
- Amaan Sul is the capital of Enthanin.
- Kirthanin is the name for the continent on which the books are primarily based
- Werthanin is the western section of Kirthanin, that is, west of Agia Muldonai and north of the Taralin Forest.
- Nolthanin is the northern section of Kirthanin, north of the Kiruan River and te Zaros Mountains, where Andunin once dwelt. After the wars of Malek it was abandoned to snow and ice.
- Enthanin is the eastern part, and may be considered the center of Kirthanin. It lies to the east of Agia Muldonai.
- Suthanin is the southern part of Kirthanin, south of the Kellisor sea. Among its cities is Sulare, the Summerland. It is the closest to the Forbidden Isle.
[edit] Races
[edit] Evil
- Malekim are huge voiceless creatures that were created by Malek. They make up the greater portion of his armies, and despite their figure and intelligence are still regarded as thoughtless animals in his books.
- Black Wolves are large wolves of extrememly dark hue, but if one is bitten by one the wound takes a long time to heal. After they die, they are supposed to be burned by the Novaana. Those that are not burned are devoured by maggots that hatch after death. They also are creations of Malek.
- Vulsutyrim are sons of Vulsutyr the Fire Giant. They were not created by Malek, though he found them in Nal Gildorath on the Forbidden Isle.
[edit] "Good"
- Dragons are a species which hate the Vulsutyrim. They are the sons of Sulmandir the Golden. All other dragons have a red, blue, or green hue to them, though from a distance they all look gold.
- Humans can be either good or bad as can all things but the three classes of human in Kirthanin are the four countries, the Suthanin, the Enthanin the Werthanin, and finnaly the fallen Nolthanin who sere Malek.
- Great Bear are giant bears who can talk and wield staffs. They are divided into Draals according to the forest they live in; for instance, the Great Bear who live in the Lindin wood are called the Lindindraal.
