From: "Mark Millman" <Mark_Millman@hmco.com>
Subject: Re: (urth) Re: Digest urth.v019.n010
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1998 09:26:53 



On 6 October at 3:27 am GMT, Jon Canfield wrote:

> > Mark Millman writes:
> > [snip!]  The name may be the result
> > of witches' having use-names and
> > true-names; the designation "witches"
> > implies study or use of magic, and
> > we know that at least some magic
> > does work on Urth, as Severian's
> > duel with Declan demonstrates.
> > Hiding one's true name to prevent
> > its being used in hostile magic is a
> > widely-distributed, very ancient
> > magical practice.
>
> Two things-- Magic in Urth is very very limited,
> and for all intents and purposes does not exist
> (according to Wolfe) the Declan duel Wolfe
> describes as more psionic and hypnoyic than
> anything else.
>
> Of course, this doesn't mean that the Witches
> don't hide the true name, or, in truth, never even
> knew the true name.

You're right, of course.  I should have said "some-
thing thought to be magic".  Which, as you kindly
indicate, still permits my argument.

Mark Millman



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