Elderling Creations Theory (Spoilers through all the books and Dragon Haven)

[Valarya]

I am fairly sure that Kennit had the charm carved specifically for him, although I am not sure whether it mentioned that the piece was previously unused.

The other thing that fascinated me was the skull-shaped wizardwood contraceptive charms worn by several female characters. These never showed any sign of sentience. I wonder how and why they actually worked?

It's interesting to think of all the capabilities of Wizardwood.. when you think about it, no one before the time when the Traders settled the Cursed Shores knew the unused cocoons could possess so many attributes. At least I'm guessing they didn't. Who would need the smaller magic of Wizardwood when you're an Elderling and have the Skill + dragon friends to call on though, right?

One other attribute of Wizardwood I haven't seen mentioned here is this: when ingested, it kills you. When Kennit had to chop off Paragon's face, the ship took most of it back in to himself, but he also instructed Kennit to put some in the soup next time the lad had kitchen duties... and the whole crew, Igrot included, died from it. 0_o I wonder why that is?

I agree, maulkin!!! I have spent the last few days thinking on that very thing! WHY, for an example, didn't Etta's skull quicken?

I always assumed the little charms wouldn't quicken because they didn't have mouths.

As well as creating art through sculptures, tapestries and other objects etc, Elderlings were known for their plays and music etc, weren't they? I am sure there was a stage or two mentioned in Homecoming and also the LST books in Trehaug somewhere, where Elderlings once held performances?

I only bring this up as I have just been thinking of Thick. While he is obviously talented in Skill-healing, he also has a significant talent that I haven't, until now, even considered a 'talent' as such...his music. Would you agree that since his ability to create such music is directly related to his Skill ability, it could therefore be an off-shoot or example of Elderling musical talent? As well as his Skilled music, he is able to play the whistle...

While all Elderlings apparently had the ability to Skill, and therefore create simulacra artforms, it seems that they may also have had their own individual and unique talents? eg Wintrow can create stained-glass windows, Thick has his music, Nettle can create dreams, Fitz creates change (not to mention his inks and scrollwork etc)...??

Or they could make simulacra of dragons and make them take flight in imitation? I love the idea that the Skill would bring out different talents in different people, but I have a hard time connecting Wintrow to the Skill as I stated in a post earlier today (or yesterday). I always assumed the people who could hear the dragons possessed the skill and as far as we know Wintrow can't hear the dragon. Rather, when Vivacia was calling the serpents in dragon-tongue and Malta, Althea & Wintrow were in the stateroom.. Malta understood, but no one else did.

I definitely like to think Wintrow is more closely related to the Skill than others, though - and I love your idea that these talents come forth from each person through the Skill.

Now 'thul have had a long-lasting theory that half-elderlings are incapable of conceiving living children...

What makes you come to this conclusion?

An Elderling bond with a dragon is much like a wit bond, only on a higher level.

Interesting. I don't think of it this way at all. Rather the dragon is allowing you to serve him/her and helps keep humans humble and free of war whilst serving the dragons. The dragon most definitely does NOT reciprocate the feeling of camaraderie or brotherhood, or so I'd think. The Skill is just that, magic of the dragons - and I don't compare it to a Wit-bond at all. That's just me, though. I don't know enough about how the Dragons interacted w/ the Elderlings of old & the only thing I have to go on are the frescoes or tapestries littered through the series.. or that one statue in Frengong that Lady Carrock sees of the Dragon holding a basket w/ an Elderling Queen in it.. that description almost makes me think the dragon is doing her bidding.

What do you think about that statue and what it depicts of the relationship between dragon/elderling?