[nerf.fiends]

Anyone else made the observation that SE probably refered to the prehistorical fauna when writing about the four elder (founding) races? For example K'ell Hunters greatly resemble velociraptors, being fast and hunting in groups. Also the cover art for MoI shows a T'lan Imass, whose facial structures look very similar to Neanderthals.

And then we have the Jhaguts. According to the descriptions (tusks, long limbs), they would resemble a more primal human, probably Homo Erectus.

Lastly there is the Tiste Andii. They have dark skin and with similar features as modern humans. Are they refering to the very first Homo Sapiens in Africa? Being dark-skinned and all.

Anyway, just my thoughts.

[Dolorous Menhir]

Sure, that's all reasonably sound, except for the Jaghut. They've got green skin for one thing, and for another SE has stated that he purposely made them an entirely original race - not just humans with a new skin colour. You're not supposed to view them as just green-skinned people with tusks.

[Draconus]

nerf.fiends;202105 said:

Anyone else made the observation that SE probably refered to the prehistorical fauna when writing about the four elder (founding) races? For example K'ell Hunters greatly resemble velociraptors, being fast and hunting in groups. Also the cover art for MoI shows a T'lan Imass, whose facial structures look very similar to Neanderthals.

And then we have the Jhaguts. According to the descriptions (tusks, long limbs), they would resemble a more primal human, probably Homo Erectus.

Lastly there is the Tiste Andii. They have dark skin and with similar features as modern humans. Are they refering to the very first Homo Sapiens in Africa? Being dark-skinned and all.

Anyway, just my thoughts.

Jaghut supposedly resemble E.R.Burroughs' Green Men of Mars, minus the extra two arms.
Andii seem to resemble the dark elves, or Drow, of RPG fame, not surprising given the origins of the series.
Imass definitely seem to be a primordial branch of humans, the Eres even more so, though whether either is a descendent of humanity or differing branches is unclear to me.
Forkrul are reeally bizarre, I would be interested to know SE's inspiration for them.
Trell = Troll?
Barghast?
Moranth?
And what is Kruppe? (kidding)
So many cool races...

[Dolorous Menhir]

Draconus,

Spoiler

the Eres haven't appeared yet as of MoI. Though I agree, they seem like the straight Homo Erectus to the Imass Neanderthals.

[Fiddler]

It is interesting to note there are similiarities, but just enough to enable you to picture them. If instead of describing the Ke'Chain Che'Malle as reptilian and tall with elongated limbs ending in claws or sword blades, he'd said "Evil Murdering Swordhand Dinosaurs" you'd have thought Godzilla with a claymore. The similiarities are designed to invoke a feeling of verisimilitude, that feeling of familiarity that good fiction evokes. The Jaghut struck me initially as more like Illithids than anything else, funky fingers, green skin, evil bad magic hoodoo to your head, and wayyyy smarter than you. The Imass, I kind of view as being a heavier type of human, one more bred and built for extreme survival than driving twenty minutes to the office every day.
The Tiste Races in toto remind me of old school fantasy, try Elric, more than R.A. Salvabore, Elric and Yrkoon depopulated their own kingdom with their ambition and passion. That series was by another awesome writer, Michael Moorcock, a very good read somewhat in the style of Early Fritz Lieber. I try to stay away from that drow stereotype when reading fantasy because that type of society would collapse on itself within a generation imho, and the writing bores me, Drizz'zt wins in the end, every time, the only things that change are who sits out the next book. anyways, enough of my digression. the point was something about verisimilitude.

[nerf.fiends]

Oh yea I totally forgot about that green skin and weird hand the Jhaguts have. But then again what are Jhags? Is Icarium the only Jhag in the world?

Trell, Barghast, Moranth and Toblakai are all relatives. Mentioned somewhere in part 2.

[chill]

nerf.fiends;202284 said:

Oh yea I totally forgot about that green skin and weird hand the Jhaguts have. But then again what are Jhags? Is Icarium the only Jhag in the world?

Trell, Barghast, Moranth and Toblakai are all relatives. Mentioned somewhere in part 2.

Jhag is a half-breed, to which Jaghut refer as "fallen-kin". Though, oddly enough, they don't seem to resent them as other races resent mix-breeds.

moranth? I don't remember them being mentioned as relatives to Trell or Barghast. Then again, my memory is not something i'm proud of:o

[ch'arlz]

chill;202402 said:

moranth? I don't remember them being mentioned as relatives to Trell or Barghast. Then again, my memory is not something i'm proud of:o

Memories of Ice (p. 289, Tor hb):

Quote

(Cafal) The Moranth claim kinship with the Barghast - they call us their Fallen Kin. But it is they who have fallen, not us.