The Deed of Paksenarrion
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 Cover of both the paperback (PB) and hardcover (HC) editions. |
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| Author | Elizabeth Moon |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Keith Parkinson |
| Country |  United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Fantasy |
| Publisher | Baen Books |
| Released | PB: 1992-02-01 HC: 2003-10-01 |
| Media type | Omnibus |
| Pages | PB: 1040 HC: 1136 |
| ISBN | PB: ISBN 0-671-72104-6 HC: ISBN 0-743-47160-1 |
| Preceded by | Surrender None |
| Followed by | Liar's Oath |
The Deed of Paksenarrion is an epic fantasy saga by the American author Elizabeth Moon, who normally writes science fiction novels. The Deed of Paksenarrion was originally published in three volumes in 1988 and 1989 and as a single trade edition of that name in 1992 by Baen. The three books included are The Sheepfarmer's Daughter, Divided Allegiance and Oath of Gold.
Contents |
[edit] Publications
All books are mass market paperbacks, except for the trade paperback omnibus editions, unless noted otherwise.
[edit] The Deed of Paksenarrion
- Free online copy (HTML) from the Baen Free Library.
- “Those Who Walk in Darkness” (1990-03-01) – short story set during Oath of Gold, included in the collections Lunar Activity and Phases
- The Deed of Paksenarrion (1992-02-01) – omnibus edition
- The Deed of Paksenarrion (2003-10-01) – hardcover omnibus
[edit] The Legacy of Gird
- Surrender None (1990-06-01) – prequel to The Deed of Paksenarrion
- Liar's Oath (1992-05-01) – sequel to both Surrender None and The Deed of Paksenarrion
[edit] Synopsis
The Deed of Paksenarrion revolves around the adult life of Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter, known as Paks, of Three Firs. It takes place in a fictional medieval world comprised of kingdoms of humans, dwarves, and elves.
The story begins by introducing Paks as a headstrong girl of 18, who leaves her home in Three Firs (fleeing a marriage arranged by her father) to join a mercenary company and through her journeys and hardships comes to realize that she has been gifted as a paladin, if in a rather non-traditional way.
[edit] Themes
The Deed of Paksenarrion has an engrossing religious theme with Christian aspects. While this world appears to be polytheistic, there is a "High Lord" and saints, such as Gird, Falk, etc, who serve him. Also, there are prominent themes of atoning sacrifice and redemptive love, with Paksenarrion becoming a kind of Christ figure. DISPUTE: Comparing this work to themes such as "Hero as Redeemer" and "Hero as Saint" from The Hero with a Thousand Faces shows this is not particularly Christian. There are also several references to the World tree.
The trilogy also deals with the concepts of absolute good versus absolute evil, the death of friends and loved ones, and an enlightened look into the origin of courage and fear.
[edit] Terminology
In this world, a paladin is one who has been chosen by the High Lord and normally patroned by one (or more in the exceptional case of Paks) of His saints, including the saints Gird, Falk, and Tir. The paladin normally trains with one of the Knightly orders of one of these saints, and has the following four express powers in any degree of intensity.
- the ability to call (pray for) light, which cannot be used to create fire or give off warmth
- the ability to call (pray for) healing, the degree of which is out of the paladin's control
- the passive ability of being resistant to evil attacks
- the passive ability of being able to sense evil presence
Other characteristics include a warhorse which is extremely resistant to its external environment and shares a very deep relationship with its owner. The horse appears upon the receipt of the paladins powers at the first need of the mount. Paladins also required by the Knightly Orders to master the five basic weapons - sword, axe, mace, bow, and polearm.
The terms grange and barton are used to refer to the holy places of worship of the followers of St. Gird, which has pastoral foundations.
