Righto, me lads and lassies, pull out your thinking caps for another fantasy reflection. It’s the best way to start your day and end your week with a mind-boggled headache … and still have a fantastic time!
Our question for the day is …
Wise old sages. Gotta love ’em. They serve such a necessary yet so often under-appreciated role in a hero’s journey. And quite often die tragically before the end.
They don’t have to be particularly old – contrary to common perception, a long gray beard is not a requirement – and may not even be considered especially wise by their peers, but I think it’s safe to say that most heroes wouldn’t get far on their epic journeys without the help of a wise old sage of some shape or form.
I have to say … I would choose Gandalf. In a heart beat. He can be a bit tough and crotchety. Fool of a Took! But as long as I refrain from touching things that shouldn’t be touched, or throwing things that shouldn’t be thrown, or staring into things that shouldn’t be stared into, or putting on things that shouldn’t be put on … I think we’d get along just grand.
Gandalf would be great. I'd also take Brom.
Ooh, great choices. :)
The Great Grandmother from "The Princess and the Goblin".
Though I'll admit a weakness for Chromie the Gnome/Dragon from World of Warcraft. She just always seems to be there when I need to time travel.
Ooh! Great question. Let's see… I am torn between Terry Pratchett's Granny Weatherwax and J. K. Rowling's Dumbledore. Dumbledore would be much easier to deal with, but for some problems, you can't beat sheer stubbornness… Although hey, Anne Elisabeth Stengl's Queen Bebo certainly seems to know her way around, too. Such choices!
"For some problems, you can't beat sheer stubbornness." Love this. :)
Gandalf is a great choice. Honest, wise, and quite useful in a pinch–although he does have a penchant for running off just before a thrilling adventure, causing you to wonder whether he'll pop in at the last second to save you or just leave you to your own ingenuity.
I'd take Doctor Cornelius from Prince Caspian (C. S. Lewis). He would teach me about the stars and the planets and help me escape to Old Narnia (a place I very much wish to visit). Oh yes, and he and I would share another commonality: our height. Perhaps I'm half dwarf too? In summary, I think we'd get along famously.
Oh yes, someone who I wouldn't have to stand on tip-toes to look in the eye.
Ooh yes, Doctor Cornelius would be a great mentor!
Hmmm…I'm thinking a little outside "sage" and going with mentor. Is that all right? Cause I think I would choose Halt, from the Ranger's Apprentice. Of course, that would mean becoming a ranger and females haven't done that before till Book 12 when Halt was probably dead ( don't know, haven't read it yet), and it would be really hard and he might not like me as much as Will, but still, Halt's so cool.
On the more sage side, Queen Bebo would be amazing to speak with. And I'm not sure she counts, but if Dame Imraldera does, she'd probably be my first choice above all.
Great answer. All three of those would be among my top choices.
As a side note, *minor spoiler* Halt is still alive. *end minor spoiler*
Oh yes, you can definitely do that. Halt would make a great mentor. You just have to give him time to get to know you.
@ Sarah: He IS???? Augh, why doesn't my library have it yet????
Definitely Albus Dumbledore. I mean, he's got a phoenix, and he's not grumpy like Gandalf.
The phoenix is a definite plus … though Gandalf does have Shadowfax and one of the three rings … and glamdring …
Pardon me? I'm 'the chosen one'? Oh no…………….
In that case I will need a lot of help. I agree with Heidi, the Grandmother from the Princess and the Goblin/ The Princess and Curdie would be a good choice. She is very wise, and she has some helpful string. I think Gandalf would be a good mentor, but he often has other places to be.
One other person came to mind: Puddleglum. He has good sense and great courage.
Ah, good old Puddleglum! I was wondering if someone would mention him.
Brilliant! I would love Puddleglum. He's sensible (as you noted) and he should always be paired with an optimist. I take it you are one?
Well, not really. My first sentence shows that I am dangerously close to being pessimistic… but then again, I think I'm not all that hopeless. It all depends.
The second I saw the question Gandalf popped in my head. I'd definitely want him as my mentor. He may be a little gruff, yes, but he always means well and wants the best for everyone.
The Professor and/or Merlin from the Dragons in Our Midst/Oracles of Fire series would also be ideal. Wizard Fenworth from the DragonKeeper Chronicles would be a fun one to have as well…despite his grumpiness.
Speaking of Donita K. Paul books, I got my One Realm Beyond book from you in the mail today! :D Whenever I mail things I'm always so paranoid I wrote the wrong address or it got lost in the mail or something horrible like that, so I thought I'd let you know. I cannot wait to start reading!
I would have to say that I would choose the mentor from my own book. Tupac is very wise and has a great sense of humor, however he does know when to get down to business, forcing you to overcome weaknesses.
And I have to say Puddleglum is also one of my favorites…..
Fenworth from Dragon Keeper Chronicles. Even if he does have an impatients with hugging girls and rodents hiding in his hair, he is quite lovable.
Everyone has already made some great choices, ones I'd have made myself if I'd gotten to this earlier. Since I don't want to repeat what others have said, let's see if I can think of someone new…hmmm…
The short story collection I've contributed to called Aquasynthesis has a Master Tok who is a mentor cut from the same cloth as best of fantasy mentors. But most of you would not know him…
Well, if we think of Star Wars as being very much like a fantasy story set in outer space, then I could claim Yoda as a mentor. Though I very much prefer the elderly Obi Wan Kenobi of the Original Star Wars (Episode IV)…he was pretty amazing :)
Hm, Gandalf came to mind first, but he is a bit cryptic, and has a habit of disappearing just when you think you need him most.
I think I'd have to go with Morwen from the Enchanted Forest Chronicles. She's just so sensible, and practical, and I enjoy her sense of humor, so we'd get along swell during the "quest, adventure… thing" or whatever the ancient legend required of me.
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