The Races
Now, something that I found I struggled with throughout the BMT is the different races of people within the book and their differences. I suspect that if I were to read the series through again (which, let's face it, will happen), I'd most likely pick up on the differences quicker and be able to remember them better. Until then, is there anyone here who remembers the anything distinguishing about each race? I'm not expecting someone to be able to mention all the general characteristics of each race, though that would be great.

I thought this thread was gonna be about the horse races that the magicians go to!! Hehe!! Basically, the Kyralians are white, and the Sachakans are black, and I think to me, the Vins (from the islands, the sailors), may be similar to Indian people. That's what I can recall at the moment.

*grins suddenly when you mention horse races* I didn't realise what I wrote was potentially ambiguous, I apologise. Aah, I see. Thanks for your input. That certainly makes it easy to remember. =D

I think you have it wrong the Sachakan's weren't black the Lonmar were. The Sachakans were somewhat asian the way I saw it in my head. What I disliked is the fact that Trudi basically set it in stone that Kyralia will always produce the strongest magicians(Sachaka's probably strong only because of black magic) meaning other races will always lag behind. I'm not sure she intended it but there's a sense of racial inferiority there.

Wait.. that sounds right. Faren was a Lonmar, right? I'm sure he was black. Sachakan were browned from the sun, I think, not black. =o Y'see why I got confused?

If I had the books handy I'd give you a breakdown but I don't so I'll go of memory Sachakans - sounded asian Kyralians - white The place were Danyl was ambassador - white Vinn - white with a tendency towards shortness Lonmar - indian or black That's what I remember

Appreciated, Yulwei. Thanks.

Hi. This is from Trudi's site, her BMT pinboard: Elynes: Light brown skin tone. Eyes and hair generally brown. Red/curly hair is common. Short to average height. Kyralians: Black hair, dark eyes and pale skin. Generally tall and thin. Lonmars: Dark brown skin. Green or amber eyes. Black curly hair. Medium height, slim build. Lans: Pale hair and blue eyes. Tall and athletic. Vindo: Pale brown skin, straight brown hair. Brown eyes, but sometimes amber. Short stature: men are often stocky and women petite.

*slaps his palm to his forehead* I could have checked there first. At least we have a listing here in the forums too now. ^^

Could be hadn't thought of that before -- maybe it'll be mentioned in the prequels. What I disliked is the fact that Trudi basically set it in stone that Kyralia will always produce the strongest magicians(Sachaka's probably strong only because of black magic) meaning other races will always lag behind. I'm not sure she intended it but there's a sense of racial inferiority there. AH but it's said somewhere that Sachaka were the other race to produce naturally strong magicians (granted they didn't know about them and black magic but I still think it stands), that was part of the reason they left Sachaka as a Wasteland because it was powerful and they needed a way to stop them recovering quickly even with their power or so they thought.

There's that, and I think Trudi balances it out with how she portrays most of the Kyralians. They seem kinda snooty and "holier-than-thou". They're "superior" in one sense of the word, but half of them are uhm.. (insert synonym for anus here)

Personally I'd have gone with the idea that Kyralians are the only culture capable of producing the type of academia conducive to magic. The Elyns seem rather decadent and the Lonmar are somewhat fundamentalist if they had their own gilds but they paled before the Kyralian one due to Kyralia's greater wealth of knowledge I'd be somewhat less miffed.

perhaps the peoples of Kyralia have had to adapt as magicians, something along the lines of natural selection. This is from an interview with Trudi: "The world of The Black Magician trilogy is a world where some humans have evolved the ability to use magic - an energy that is natural and has no link to gods, demons, the land or any notion of good or evil." So maybe, if Kyralia have had to constantly repel invaders from Sachaka (and maybe even other lands...), then maybe they have evolved to be more magically powerful than the other countries to save themselves. Lol, i dunno wt u lot think of this, but i was having a flick through my gcse biology revision guide just now n readin bout natural selection, then this theory walkd into my head lol (along with another story idea for me to follow!)

That's a very valid point, BlackBat. I hadn't thought of that before, to be honest. I guess I'd put it out of my mind because everytime I hear of something being passed down from generation to generation (biologically I mean), it becomes fainter and weaker as the bloodlines diverge. Then again, there may be inbreeding in the houses, which forms pretty much the entire guild, so I could be wrong.