Eclipse question

OK, the "obvious" guess for what caused Apu-Punchau's eclipse is the ship. But, why would Tzadkiel bother to help Severian in such a situation? Remember, Severian has already brought the New Sun, and therefore has already insured the continuation of the next cycle... I could understand why Zak, Juturna, the Green Man, etc. would interfere in Severian's past prior to Severian's examination, but it seems pointless to interfere after Severian's role is complete (unless Severian has some additional destiny after UotNS that Gene Wolfe hasn't written about yet... Possibly in a short-sun connection). In fact, given that Apu-Punchau's people end up killing and entombing him anyway, and given that he's resurrected by the coming of the New Sun, the whole eclipse thing seems kind of pointless. Unless Apu-Punchau's leadership is itself one of the driving factors in his people's development that eventually plays itself out in their future history/evolution to New Sun times... Any thoughts? On an unrelated not, it seems clear that Pas is the avatar of Typhon/Piaton (unless there are other two-headed all-powerful monarchs floating around capable of building generation ships). But Pas seems to be a mostly benevolent figure, at least compared to Echidna, Scylla, etc... Whereas, Typhon was clearly a bastard... Guess you'd have to chalk that one up to programmer's error, heh. -Marc

Sean Whalen (prion). One aspect of Severian's rule as Apu that Tzadkiel might have decided was needed was his giving of more advanced technology to his worshippers (such as better building techniques). Also, it would be material for the legends of later people, and perhaps Tzadkiel wants that to exist, too. prion

Marc wrote: <OK, the "obvious" guess for what caused Apu-Punchau's eclipse is the ship. But, why would Tzadkiel bother to help Severian in such a situation?> I don't think it was just Tzadkiel. Severian did have some friends on the ship, especially Gunnie. And perhaps the sailors wanted to repay him for the help in the fight against the muties. And there is always Famulimus, Ossipago, and Barbatus... <On an unrelated not, it seems clear that Pas is the avatar of Typhon/Piaton (unless there are other two-headed all-powerful monarchs floating around capable of building generation ships). But Pas seems to be a mostly benevolent figure, at least compared to Echidna, Scylla, etc... Whereas, Typhon was clearly a bastard... Guess you'd have to chalk that one up to programmer's error, heh.> Scylla mentions that the builder of the Whorl was Typhon the First, but not necessarily the Typhon of the Conciliator era. As a matter of fact, I'm uncovering more daily that Pas is not Severian's Typhon, but I shall post those conclusions to the Whorl list when I am ready. Christopher R. Culver <crculver at aol.com> http://members.aol.com/crculver/index.html