[Ulrik]

The Seguleh 46th, on 29 March 2010 - 09:26 AM, said:

That and ALOT of faith in the people present that "defended" his sword.

And as Spinnock showed, his faith was always reasonable

[Silencer]

Seguleh 46th....have you read Dust of Dreams?

In case not, I'll spoiler the following, it's nothing major, but it makes a point:

Spoiler

If I'm recalling this correctly, a character, either Kilmandaros or someone similar, said something along the lines of: no-one, even once he's dead, would dare to betray or cross Rake.

ST and Cots wouldn't have betrayed the Son of Darkness...not for the sword. It just wouldn't happen. And, as Ulrik says, his faith was, as usual, proven correct. It's a theme of the book.

[Grief]

Spoiler

On the point of rake knowing he was going into dragnipur, Hood stops Draconus going into the fray with chaos.

"Whatever the Son of Darkness intended, its final play was found n the slaying of this ancient god. Such was the conviction of Dracconus. A mad, pointless gamble, the empty purchase of time already consumed, the wasting of countless souls, an entire realm of the dead.
As it turned out, Draconus was wrong.
There was one more. One more"

To me that section certainly implies that it was Rakes plan all along, and that Hood knew about it.

As for whether Dassem could have won, I personally don't think so. We've heard of Rake doing things far more impressive than Dassem, even in terms of pure swordsmanship. Based solely on that fight however, I rate Rake more highly. After all, Rake got what he wished for out of the fight, and Dassem did not. Of course, that is not conclusive evidence, just my two cents.

[Silencer]

I actually find it an interesting paradox. A man of sufficient will, using Vengeance, cannot lose. Rake certainly used to be such a man until his motives got...split, making his continued wielding of the weapon...less efficacious than it would have been. And yet, we see in Dassem a man of, when he's hunting Hood, a singular will. We see then, that he cannot lose while focused on Hood and wielding Vengeance...and yet, did he win?
See, that's the interesting thing, and it really intrigues as to whether it's a loophole ("Cheat!") or merely a twisting. If the former, then Rake is truly unmatched, and had he not died I would be looking at him as a true, unkillable, Deus Ex Machina. As it is, it's still an awesome tidbit to take away from that moment of pure awesome.

[Ulrik]

Silencer, on 30 March 2010 - 05:08 AM, said:

I actually find it an interesting paradox. A man of sufficient will, using Vengeance, cannot lose. Rake certainly used to be such a man until his motives got...split, making his continued wielding of the weapon...less efficacious than it would have been. And yet, we see in Dassem a man of, when he's hunting Hood, a singular will. We see then, that he cannot lose while focused on Hood and wielding Vengeance...and yet, did he win?

DoD spoiler

Spoiler

Well..he did in some ways:) Hood is in mortal body, on his throne...and can be chopped to pieces...if Dassem wish to, but after TtH i do not think so.

[The Seguleh 46th]

Thanks all. I have read DOD, but was simply offering a skeptical viewpoint to this whole Rake is holier-than-thou and the premier badass posting. The man's faith was obviously not misplaced now, that much is readily apparent.

Spoiler

Don't get me wrong, i absolutely love Rake as a character, and was very sad to see him go, but that don't mean i can't question his method or means either!

Still, Iccy wins one-on-one......Dassem too...... (throwing coals on fire......)