The Skill and The Wit (spoilers all RotE books)

[IvebeenaFool]

This just made me think of something. So, Fitz concludes that all coteries eventually go and make their "dragon". Is this just based on his limited understanding of the skill or is this a real thing? Perhaps it really is how Elderlings would choose to end their lives. Maybe the elderlings would choose to do this instead of dying of old age, it's more like a noble sacrifice to honor the dragons one final time. Or maybe he just concluded this because it is what all the coteries have done, and therefore he thinks that must be the way it is.

I also wonder about how the skill swallows people up in it. How people get lost in it like Fitz almost has many times. This sort of thing doesn't seem to happen to Rain Wilders who have the skill, unless you accept the "being lost in memories" thing, which seems similar. I wonder if it is because Fitz and the other Six Duchies skill users are more aware of their Skill and train it, and are therefore more susceptible to it's pull. Although I think the monks where Wintrow was training are probably just as in tune as far as training their skill goes. Or perhaps they are missing half of the picture. Perhaps being an elderling does more than alter your physical state but makes you stronger mentally.

It reminds me of Rapskal in City of Dragons

Spoiler

telling Thymara that the city is not for people like Alise and Leftran, but is for the elderlings, and therefore he will not be lost in the memories of the city, but rather his mind will be filled with the city's memories.