POWER PLAYERS: The Annotated Aztlan 
(not yet written)
Back to Overview
Full text of Aztlan annotations
[WORDSMYTH] And the concept of a proto-culture never occurs to them? I sometimes sympathize with The Big 'D' s (I feel so silly writing that ...) desire to tell the truth, but most of the time I look at the short-sightedness and willful ignorance of the people of this era and cringe. Telling them, I fear, would not help them.I have to wonder ... is Ehran taking the preceding piece of "Our Glorious Heritage" personally?
As we all know, the Aztec civilization was artistically and intellectually developed to an incredible degree, putting to shame most contemporary civilizations elsewhere in the world. The Aztec built great cities and became ever more sophisticated in terms of society, politics, and religion. We draw many central tenets and symbols of our own culture from this great and glorious civilization. The light that burned so brightly at the heart of Aztec civilization continues to burn today in Aztlan, a beacon for the rest of the world to follow.After all, Tir Tairngire is built on parallel principles: and the ruling elves at least have eagerly encouraged their populace to embrace their glorious heritage in every respect from Rite of Passage to language ... even if much of it is plagarised from Throal (without credit -- or maybe even without recognising that it is stolen). For now though, call it another point of parallel between the Tirs and Aztlan.
And Ehran is very aware of his dignity. He is an immortal elf, and an Elder of Tir Tairngire, and a Writer, and his chosen username reflects his self-perceived vocation ... and one of his most ancient and respected shadow-fencers wishes to be known as "The Big 'D'"? It's just ... wrong. What's next: Harlequin calling him "E-Boy"? Because Harlequin would, if only to embarrass him.
Ehran is also constantly aware of his superiority, of elven superiority over other species. Tir Tairngire was (quietly) founded on that "fact". [reference YET] If there is a Truth to be told, Ehran considers himself in the position to grant it to the masses, or to withhold it as he sees fit: for their own good, of course. Why tell them something that could not help them?
Ironically, at this point in the commentary, Ehran doesn't actually have the truth Dunkelzahn brought the group together to discuss.
"[S]hort-sightedness and willful ignorance": pots and kettles? Depends on how the reader sees Ehran, perhaps. Ehran's patronising bias against the masses is showing clearly here ... and yet for all that there might be some truth in what he is saying. Bias notwithstanding, Ehran might be seeing more clearly than he really wishes, for if -- when -- he thinks it through, he will find "their" actions to have much more far-reaching consequences than he has yet considered, and that he will have to find himself very much directly concerned with.
Still it is a beautiful piece of irony: Ehran might even find that the perception of short-sightedness and willful ignorance is in fact his own, as he stares into too clear a mirror. Many tend to see in others the reflections of themselves. Why should Ehran be any exception?
[HECATE] I'm amused by the reference to 8000 B.C.E. and the fact that the people of the area were the first to begin cultivating squash by then. Very funny.There is no reason not to think HECATE's amusement at the expense of other people's ignorance genuine. Although the trait would fit Alachia, it would also fit far too many others among the immortal elves, as well as possibly a dragon or two and who knows what else? Evidence yes, but far from conclusive. However, if HECATE is Alachia, then her comment could be taken by her student as the opening she is seeking once again to try to belong, to establish herself among this group: which indeed LADY OF THE COURT does do just a little later.[THE LAUGHING MAN] Indeed.
This does not, however, fit Harlequin's sense of humour. His laughter generally comes of bitterness and frustration and sometimes personal pain (TT, HB), and of a genuine desire and joy taken in pricking the egos of those who create such environments (WWE, H): appropriate for one who takes his name from the obedient-rebellious, wise-fool servant of Italian commedia del'arte. He would not find humour in ignorance, most especially not if he is a questor of Mynbruje. Thus the "indeed" here takes on ironic -- and very bitter -- overtones.
[LADY OF THE COURT] It is also interesting that so many of the cultural trappings they've chosen come from a culture that is a mere 600 years old.Once again LADY OF THE COURT tries to belong, this time by placing herself within a longer temporal tradition (as the others had been doing). Once again she is cut down. This time she tries to shove back, but Harlequin won't even give her a target.[THE LAUGHING MAN] Yes, always best to reach back to that really ancient Celtic tradition.
[LADY OF THE COURT] You are pushing me.
[THE LAUGHING MAN] Yup.