The Big List of Eddings Inconsistencies


Having finally got so irritated by the maintenance of the list of inconsistencies I had, I decided to let everyone on the WWW do it for themselves (this seems to have worked quite well in all the votes I maintain). If you have any problems, then get in contact with me, of course...


Please note that I definitely do not agree with all the opinions expressed here. Any assumption that I do is fundamentally flawed. OK?


Donal K. Fellows / Dept. Computer Science / University of Manchester
fellowsd@cs.man.ac.uk

Adding to the list of inconsistencies

Please put your full Internet-style emil address in here, so that others may reach you.

What is your inconsistency? You may use HTML tags in here, but I will check this from time to time, so it is better to do something which is valid...


The list of inconsistencies



Submitted by Andromed@mail.concentric.net

In the Malloreon, Beldin tells Belgarath about Urvon and describes him as "splotchy" - It is all presented to Belgarath as if it were new information. But in Belgarath the Sorcerer, Belgarath learns all about Urvon a couple thousand years before the conversation with Beldin in Belgarath's tower in Guardians of the West. I guess when I hit 10,000 years old (or was it 12,000?) my memory will fail, too.

Submitted by dgraham@cei.net

Who cares if Garion and Cenedra don't have a baby for awhile? Garion will be alive for thousands of years and Ce'nedra will live at least half of a millinium. If people here can have babies when they are 40 why can't they wait a couple hundred years?

Submitted by katlantz@comox.island.net

Eddings has made a big error, or it has been a divine prophecy intervention... Garion and Ce'Nedra have a child -- a boy. It has been stated very clearly in the books that the Dryad strain runs true in Ce'Nedra's family... and, as far as I know, Drayads do _not_ have boys... in fact, they have to waylay travellers in the woods to continue the species. So, this means that Ce'Nedra, a dryad, should not have been able to produce Prince Geran.

Submitted by lauriefoster@mail.nmhccd.cc.tx.us

In "The Seeress of Kell", Eddings makes a mistake and calls Chaldan "Chamdar". As far as I remember, Chamdar was a Grolim who worked for Agachak(sp?). Also, both Polgara and Belgarath "tamper" with the weather, usually using clouds and storms that are already there, with no side effects. But Garion does it one time, with a storm already there, and suddenly there are all kinds of side effects. But I guess after 9,000 years, Belgarath knows what he's doing.

Submitted by cwb3@ra.msstate.edu

In BtS, it mentions Beldin's meeting with Belgarath. In this meeting, Belgarath tells Beldin to move some rock and Beldin does with the Will and the Word. He said that he had 'picked it up' before he ever got to the Vale of Aldur. However, in _Sorceress of Darshiva_, they have a conversation that mentions that Beldin's first act of sorcery was performed while angry at Belgarath.

Submitted by katlantz@comox.island.net

Another human/dryad mistake. Once there was a Dryad strain introduced into the Bourne line, there would be a little bit of trouble to its continuing. There would be no male heirs to the Royal Line, in an Empire where there is only a male Emperor.

Submitted by peterg@outer.com


Submitted by peterg@outer.com


Submitted by songcm@singnet.com.sg

I wuz just wondering, can garion live as long as belgarath and polgara? if that's the case, how is geran ever going to take over? also, how did garion get the gift of sorcery?

Submitted by robinssj@unix.lancs.ac.uk

In the Belgariad, Polgara only realises at the last moment that Durnik is the man with two lives - not realising who she was she tried to discourage him from going along with them. But in 'Belgarath the Sorceror', Belgarath identifies Durnik when he is born. OK you could get out of that by saying that he didn't tell Polgara, but that seems to be stretching it a bit. They seem to be communicating enough about everything else. And why on Earth wouldn't he tell her?

Submitted by robinssj@unix.lancs.ac.uk

I'm not sure if this is an inconsistency, but I'm rather puzzled about it: What exactly was the status of the dark prophecy? In Seeress of Kell, it was explained that both spirits would come, each claiming that it was good and the other evil, which appears to reduce the seers' task to deciding which was telling the truth (not a particularly hard decision I'd have thought, considering the way Torak and Zandramas were carrying on!) It was also emphasized how Cyradis could choose either way. On the other hand Eriond was gradually acquiring his God powers well before the decision, and there was no hint that Geran was doing so. It was clearly stated in 'Belgarath the Sorcerer' that Torak was a 'mistake' and that he possibly knew that. This seems to imply that Eriond was the only true path and hence the only possible choice. So was there any real choice? Was there ever any possibility that Cyradis would fail to choose Eriond? It all looks a bit dodgy to me... And one other point: What on Earth was Belgarath on about when he remarked that good and evil were just two sides of the same thing? (in a conversation with Garion soon after the choice was made) Any ideas gratefully received :)

Submitted by dlangraf@westlnx.com

in the malloreon Beldin and Belgarath were discussing how beldin had attacked a tree with sorcery the first time he used it but in belgarath the sorcerer Beldin already knew sorcery.

Submitted by neef99@sbc.edu

If Polgara knew Durnik was the man with two lives, why on earth did she get so upset when he died? Also (because everyone else seems to be ignoring this set of characters) they never mention that Wargun dies. But in the end of The Hidden City everyone seems to know when they're talking about Krager drinking hikmself to death!

Submitted by s933159@gw.mhs.schnet.edu.au

We know what happened to Belsambar, but what happened to Belmakor? The Belgariad says he burnt himself, but Belgarath the Sorceror doesn't quite tell us.

Submitted by mirage@leonis.nus.sg

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Submitted by mirage@leonis.nus.sg

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Submitted by ellman@xs4all.nl

Why doesn't Durnic aquire the Bel- prefix when he becomes a deciple of Aldur?

Submitted by Logan-santafe@worldnet.att.net

How sucessful was the original DE book the HUNT? And why does every 4th or 5th chapter in almost every DE book start with, someone being pensive?

Submitted by sondance@erols.com

DRYADS: This is is answer to the questions posed by others about the Dryad strain, and it's suposed inability to produce male offspring. The Dryads only breed true Dryad offspring in the females. It is not mentioned that they cannot produce male offspring, only that it is the female offspring that are the Dryads. It can be assumed that the male offspring were probably killed, like what Xera and the twaney-haired Dryad wanted to do with Garion (see section on Tolnedra, in QoP). This is comparable to our own race, where certain "Tracer-genes" are passed from mother to daughter, but not to their male children... Thru these genes, scientists have been able to trace family origins thru maternal lines, and noticed that these genes weren't present in males. -I would appreciate any comments. ~Mari

Submitted by sondance@erols.com

This is in answer to the suposed inability of Dryads to produce a male offspring. It is not stated that they cannot have male children, rather that only the female children are Dryads, and that the "strain" breeds true to the females only. In the chapters on Tolnedra in QoS, it covers the fact that Bourne male children were born to Dryad wives. It is assumed that the male children were either killed, as Xera and the "Twaney-haired" Dryad wanted to do with Garion when they discoverd him in their woods. There is a similar case for this reasoning in the "Tracer-genes" carried in human females. These genes are passed from mother to daughter, and can be used to trace back family origins to their ansesteral root families, but are NOT present in male children, nor are they passed from fathers to sons. There is no such gene to be found in males. So maternal reproduction of specific genes is a reality. Why not use it in fiction as well? I welcome any coments... ~Mari

Submitted by 079444@bud.cc.swin.edu.au


Submitted by spam@m-net.arbornet.org

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Submitted by stoyerd@erols.com

In SEERESS OF KELL, Garion was told that had Cyradis chosen Geran instead of Eriond, that he would "be moving to a new address about now". Why then hadn't his skin become transparent like Zandramas, showing "whirling lights"? If the chances had been 50/50, Garion would have shown the same "symtoms" as Zandramas. -- between the angle brackets, _including_ the -- brackets themselves... -->

Submitted by stoyerd@erols.com

In SEERESS OF KELL, Garion was told that had Cyradis chosen Geran instead of Eriond, that he would be "moving to a new address about now". Why, then, hadn't his skin become transparent, showing "whirling lights" as had Zandramas?

Submitted by U_chappell@vensus.twu.edu

<!--Maybe, I'm just a bit slow, but what was really going on when Beldin and Vella became husband and wife, are they going to spend the rest of their life in hawk form, was it something spiritual about the process? It was beautiful to read, but it just went over my head. -->

Submitted by www.wmb@uakron.edu

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Submitted by www.wmb@uakron.edu.

In Pawn of Prophecy, Polgara tells Belgarath that she is unsuited for the task that he and the others have assigned her. She then asks him what she knows about raising a little boy. But later in The Belgariad and The Mallorean, and in BTS, we discover that she has been raising little boys for countless years and generations. I think she would be better qualified to raise a little boy than Doctor Spock, Mister Rogers and June Cleaver combined!

Submitted by www.wmb@uakron.edu.

In Pawn of Prophecy, Polgara tells Belgarath that she is unsuited for the task that he and the others have assigned her. She then asks him what she knows about raising a little boy. But later in The Belgariad and The Mallorean, and in BTS, we discover that she has been raising little boys for countless years and generations. I think she would be better qualified to raise a little boy than Doctor Spock, Mister Rogers and June Cleaver combined!

Submitted by www.wmb@uakron.edu.

In Pawn of Prophecy, Polgara tells Belgarath that she is unsuited for the task that he and the others have assigned her. She then asks him what she knows about raising a little boy. But later in The Belgariad and The Mallorean, and in BTS, we discover that she has been raising little boys for countless years and generations. I think she would be better qualified to raise a little boy than Doctor Spock, Mister Rogers and June Cleaver combined!

Submitted by www.wmb@uakron.edu.

In Pawn of Prophecy, Polgara tells Belgarath that she is unsuited for the task that he and the others have assigned her. She then asks him what she knows about raising a little boy. But later in The Belgariad and The Mallorean, and in BTS, we discover that she has been raising little boys for countless years and generations. I think she would be better qualified to raise a little boy than Doctor Spock, Mister Rogers and June Cleaver combined!

Submitted by Oootslaus@aol.com

VOICE OF PROPHESY: Belgarath is surprised to hear the VOP speaking through Garion in Maragor, as if he didn't even know it had a voice. Yet BTS has him being posessed by it and hearing it. THE WHOLE LIGHT/DARK CONFLICT: If only the final comnflict between light and dark determines the universe's fate, what do all the others do? Do they give an advantage in the final conflict to the winner? THE BEAR CULT: In the Belgariad, they are supposed to be a artistocrat's cult that is only beginning to start peasant chapters. In the books that followed, it's describes as hick-central. MAP OF NYISSA: In the Belgariad, the southern border of Nyissa is decribed as unknown. The same may be true for Cthol Murgos, but i'm not sure about that one. GARION'S AGING: Sometimes people (including his sorcerous relertitives) speak as if he is ageless, and sometimes as if he's not. At one point someone (Belgarath?) says he might be spending most of his life on horseback fighting the Angaraks (sp?). DRYAIDS: I'd never thought of the bear-them-and-kill-threm theory for boys. It's possible and consistent with their characters, but I'd hope to think another explanation is in order. It could just be the prohesy doing its thing, allowing coneption of boys only in those cases when it's to its advantage. There are contradictions with Ce'Nedra's status. In the Belgariad, she's treated as a human/Dryaid mix (which, to me would suport the theory that bearing boys is not natural in Dryaiddom). In the Maloreon, particularly near the end, she is treated as if she were a straight dryaid. Also, her aging is unclear. One would think that Tolnedrans who had princesses that could live for centuriues would acept the idea of people who lived for milennia. That, to me, indicated that these were human/dryiad mixes who had qualities of each and that their lifespan was one of their human qualities. Perhaps, by marying Garion, the Phophesy/Aldur/somebody would extend her life as well. After all, the most recent book sugests that the freezing of the aging process was caused by Aldur. The Amulet she had may help activate the Dryaid lifespan/straight immortality (although that didn't work for Beldaran (I)), but I suspect those effects would just be the Gods at work, anyway. Also, arround the engagement ceremony, Ce'Nedra indicates that she has a tree (probably back in Dryaid land). Is this a comunal tree shared by the Borune Dryaids or one that shares a natural human lifdetime? Or is her lifespan delinked from it? If it's something thsat controllse her lifespan, we run into the problem mentioned previously. (Later, Ce'Nedra and her reproductive system appear linked to this compund tree and "her" tree is never mentioned again.) The mention of her tree occurs in the same scene when she, her "cousin," and Garion are planting two saplings that would grow together even as the loving copule would. It is the Dryaid symbol of marriage. Now I could imagoine Borune Dryaid symbols of Marriage. But a DRYAID symbol of marriage is like a communist symbol of god. Also, the dryaids didnt't seem to consider Belgarath to be part of the manfest when they entered Dryaidland in The Belgariad. He was just the candyman, set off and special. This special status doesn't exist in the other books, even those that occur earlier. (On that line, it may be possible that Ce'Nedra is descended from Belgarath, as well.) ALDUR/BELAR: More an oddity than an inconsistency. BELar's people are the ALorns. ALdur's male disciples who aren't Sendartian blacksmiths are BEL[something]. (BEL is said to be a male name, yet BELgarath's daughter BELdaran had it.) Did Eddings originally have ALdur as Bear God of the ALorns and BELgarath the disciple of BELar and then switch them aroiund on purpose or accidentally? Or was it coincidence? WHEN POLGARA TURNS INTO A FLOWER: How can she utter the Word to activate the Will to turn back? Or does Aldur, who arrives, do it for her? For thsat matter, do transformed sorcerers have to speak (ie made a sound) to change back? It appears not to be the case to me. Why not? Do they only need to speak when in their natural forms? And to add a futher monkey wrench, how does this rule fit Poledra? POLGARA A MOTHER: First, I hope we learn what they are? I prefer one of each gender. But the question arises, how can she have children at 4000(c)? Women are born with a set number of ovums. They are released one (or more) at a time and are not replaced. So, did Polgara regenerate part of her oviaries, did her menstral process slow to (say) once a century, did she/the proghesy/Aldur have the ability to withhold the release of eggs for times when they would have a use? What happened!? THE END OF BELGARATH THE SORCERER: Ce'Nedra wants to go all the way to the Vale to ask for Polgara to tell her story? Why create such needless hastles for Rivan governemnt? Has she forgotten the long-distance communication devise hanging permenantly arround her neck!? CE'NEDRA'S FIRST GIRL: All that needless fuss!! Garion should have realized and accomodated her heritage, but the answer to the name thing is obvious: Ce'Beldaran! (Of course, the funny thing is that without her Ce', Ce'Nedra has the name of a male--indeed, of a male diety.)

Submitted by jackie.harrington@lasmo.com

In Castle of Wizardry when Polgara calls up the ghosts of Garion's mother and father, she mentions Prince Gared, the Rivan Prince who swam out into the harbour and was rescued by Polgara when the Rivan King was assassinated. However, in Belgarath the Sorcerer, the selfsame Prince rescued by Polgara from the harbour is called Geran, not Gared!!!

Submitted by jackie.harrington@lasmo.com

In Castle of Wizardry when Polgara calls up the ghosts of Garion's mother and father, she mentions Prince Gared, the Rivan Prince who swam out into the harbour and was rescued by Polgara when the Rivan King was assassinated. However, in Belgarath the Sorcerer, the selfsame Prince rescued by Polgara from the harbour is called Geran, not Gared!!!

Submitted by jackie.harrington@lasmo.com

In Castle of Wizardry when Polgara calls up the ghosts of Garion's mother and father, she mentions Prince Gared, the Rivan Prince who swam out into the harbour and was rescued by Polgara when the Rivan King was assassinated. However, in Belgarath the Sorcerer, the selfsame Prince rescued by Polgara from the harbour is called Geran, not Gared!!!

Submitted by r-arnold@dircon.co.uk

In Castle of Wizardry, when Polgara calls up the ghosts of Garion's mother and father, she mentions Prince Gared, the Rivan Prince she fished out of the harbour when the Rivan King was assassinated. However, in Belgarath the Sorcerer, the selfsame Prince is called Geran, not Gared!!!

Submitted by dmaunz@hamilton.edu

Since Brill was able to hold the orb through a shield, does that mean anyone wearing gloves can safely hold the orb. I'm smarter than Zedar! -Dan Maunz

Submitted by dmaunz@hamilton.edu

Since Brill was able to hold the orb through a shield, does that mean anyone wearing gloves can safely hold the orb? I'm smarter than Zedar! -Dan Maunz

Submitted by melvin@olywa.net

In Guardians of the West, Belgarath says that he has never been rich, and that is why he is greedy. However, in BTS, he says that he mined gold for a while and had a heap of it still in his tower. HUH???

Submitted by trumpet@lec.okcu.edu

In BtS, at the beginning, Belgarath goes to visit the Marags, and mentions the fact that they have gold lying around. Towards the end, when he goes to the Nadraks and goes gold-hunting with Rablek, he "feels" gold for the first time. Why doesn't he feel it in Maragor?

Submitted by bleblanc@falls.igs.net

In BTS Belgarath states that 'My master of course needed sleep no more than food', however Torak was asleep when Belgarath, Cherek, Riva, Dras and Algar were stealing back the orb.

Submitted by Al16Ott@AOL.com

The name Beldaran is not an inconsistancy of the language, as she was not a sorceress. I believe that she was to be named Beldaran as a kind of homage to her father's name, whereas Gara was renamed Polgara when Belgarath touched her brow and the mark of a sorceress appeared (her white lock).

Submitted by Al16Ott@AOL.com

The name Beldaran is not an inconsistancy of the language, as she was not a sorceress. I believe that she was to be named Beldaran as a kind of homage to her father's name, whereas Gara was renamed Polgara when Belgarath touched her brow and the mark of a sorceress appeared (her white lock).

Submitted by atalanta@hotmail.com

Not so much an inconsistency, as something Eddings didn't bother to learn about snakes.... It's not all that rare for reptiles to "store" sperm from previous matings, and bear young quite a while later. So there really wasn't any need for divine intervention with Zith's clutch in the Malloreon.... Atalanta Pendragonne http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/2273/

Submitted by aph200@is5.nyu.edu


Submitted by t.d.wrobel@ncl.ac.uk

In "Magician's Gambit" Belgarath refers to cities in southern Cthol Murgos that "no westerner has ever seen". Why not, given that Belgarath and Beldin et al. have been exploring the world for a few millenia. Did they just forget? Or did they simply think that it was not worth looking? Also, in King of the Murgos, no-one is particularly suprised to see westerners travelling into Cthol Murgos as slavers.

Submitted by Horst.vonAllwoerden@t-online.de

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Submitted by lauri.kotilainen@mbnet.fi

To answer to a question: The prophecies were one at a certain time. Then the explosion of a star tore it into two.That was not liked by either of the halves :), and so the battle begins.

Submitted by lauri.kotilainen@mbnet.fi

Correct me, if I'm wrong, but didn't Garion say in "Demon lord of karanda" that "even years later" he didn't remember how he got to the throne-room. DOESN'T that suggest that Garion wins? (Although not many probably doubted that... :^)

Submitted by kittler@haas.berkeley.edu

If only the female children of Dryads are Dryads themselves, then why did Prince Geran need a tree planted for him before he was born?

Submitted by nyh.family@mbox300.swipnet.se

In some Belgariad or Malloreon(?) book Belgarath says he made the stich with no end, but in BtS he says Beldin did it!

Submitted by s9617783@cosine.up.ac.za

In the Elenium, Ehlana mentions that she used to have to sit and watch Aldreas and Arissa getting VERY cozy with each other while she was growing up. However, earlier in the series, we are told Sparhawk's father forced Aldreas to send his sister off to the convent before marrying the Deiran princess - Ehlana's mother. How did Arissa manage to get out of the cloister so often?

Submitted by s9617783@cosine.up.ac.za

In the Belgariad, we are told that Aldur picked up a stone about the size of a child's heart, breathed life into it, and it then became the living stone known as the Orb of Aldur. However, later we are told (in the Mallorean as well as in Bts) that the Orb and the Sardion were the embodiments of the two spirits, and that these were around since the Accident. This would suggest that BOTH stones had been "alive" even before the Gods came along, since the Accident occured before the Gods came into being. P.S. If Aldur DID breath life into the Orb, who breathed life into the Sardion? P.P.S. Wouldn't UL have been able to prevent the accident from happening, since he's supposed to have created the universe?

Submitted by xayide@pacific.net.sg

This isn't really an inconsistency, and maybe I'm just not very imaginative, BUT... the Grafton edition (and many others) of the Elenium and the Tamuli depict Sparhawk on the cover as a blonde. DE clearly writes that he's dark-haired. I'm surprised he allowed that.

Submitted by jacques@mania.com.au

In Belgarath the sorceror he states that him and the other sorcerors can't communicate when they are in their animal forms. But all during the Malloreon (when they were scouting ahead) polgara and belgarath and garion were talking to eachother with thier minds.

Submitted by jacques@mania.com.au

In Belgarath the sorceror he states that him and the other sorcerors can't communicate when they are in their animal forms. But all during the Malloreon (when they were scouting ahead) polgara and belgarath and garion were talking to eachother with thier minds.

Submitted by jacques@mania.com.au

In Belgarath the sorceror he states that him and the other sorcerors can't communicate when they are in their animal forms. But all during the Malloreon (when they were scouting ahead) polgara and belgarath and garion were talking to eachother with thier minds.

Submitted by darlinia@aston.ac.uk

If Belgarath has no posessions (a comment made when he makes fun of Barak's ship SeaBird) then how come he has all this stuff in his tower? ie the mountain measuring thing, a chair, some couches, a table, shelves, books, even a bathtub! (See BtS and CoW)
Remember-you cannot make comments about inconsistencies between prologues and narrative, as Belgarath makes several comments about priests rewriting documents like The Book of Alorn.

Submitted by darlinia@aston.ac.uk

If Belgarath has no posessions (a comment made when he makes fun of Barak's ship SeaBird) then how come he has all this stuff in his tower? ie the mountain measuring thing, a chair, some couches, a table, shelves, books, even a bathtub! (See BtS and CoW)
Remember-you cannot make comments about inconsistencies between prologues and narrative, as Belgarath makes several comments about priests rewriting documents like The Book of Alorn.

Submitted by darlinia@aston.ac.uk

In the Belgariad, Belgarath says something like, 'I thought Asharak was using Brill, but it might have been the other way round'(MG?) But he knew that Asharak was Chamdar, and Chamdar isn't the sort who would be taking commands from even a high-up Dagashi, as Chamdar is practically a Disciple.(BtS)

Submitted by bu343@yfn2.ysu.edu

In CoW, Durnik picks up the bag that the orb is in and seals it with lead. That being the case Why didn't Zedar put the orb in a bag and run off? -->

Submitted by bu343@yfn2.ysu.edu

One final comment that I think will end all of the arguments about inconsistency's between Belgariad-Prologue-BtS. The Belgariad/Mallorean -->accounts were written by different people who had different views of the story. BtS is really the only clear account, writen by someone who was actually there.

Submitted by gibichung@geocities.com

One thimg that puzzles me is the lifespan of sorcerers in the Belgariad. I suppose Mr. Eddings could argue that they don't age, but what about health problems. Are they immune to aliments like strokes, heartfailure, cancer, e.t.c.. Surely Belgarath must have picked up something in seven thousand years. Did he use sorcery to deal with his diseases (if he knew about them in time), or is this just another incosistency.

Submitted by cellan@direct.ca

About all the aging of sorcerers and stuff, if sorcerers use their powers by absorbing energy around them, couldn't they, or their body subconciously, absorb energy to keep on going, or create more eggs for mating, heal a disease, etc.?

Submitted by yu189874@yorku.ca

<!-- The inconsistancy of saying that in the EndGame Belgarath states that he when he was left his master demonology he controlled the demon his master summoned and sent it back, but in the Belgarath he claims that the magician dies

Submitted by yu189874@yorku

<!-- The inconsistancy that in the Mallorean Series it is stated that there is no spell that can raise a demon lord, yet Belgarath did it in the journey to get the orb back -->

Submitted by yu189874@yorku

<!-- The inconsistancy that in the Mallorean Series it is stated that there is no spell that can raise a demon lord, yet Belgarath did it in the journey to get the orb back -->

Submitted by yu189874@yorku

<!-- The consistency of Garion's mortality in the Castle of Wizardry, when Garion attains the Rivan throne, and was awakened by a man with a list of his day's activities, Garion then contemplates that there is probably a master list that has arrangements for his funeral, yet if he is immortal he won't have one -->

Submitted by yu189874@yorku

<!-- The inconsistency of Zeder's defection in the first series and the Belgarath the Sorcerer. In Magician's Gambit there is mentioned that Zeder burned his tower to demonstrate his apostacy, yet in the Belgarath the Sorcerer, Belgarath discovered the defection in Morindland -->

Submitted by yu189874@yorku

<!-- The inconsistency of the age timeline of the various characters is present. In the Queen of Sorcery, Garion and Polgara get into an arguement and Garion states that Polgara is four thousand, yet later on states that she is three thousand. Also the age difference of Garion and Eriond, where Garion was 16 and Errand-at the time, was a little boy of around 5, then in the Mallorean when the two were going to ride their horse it states that they were the same age. Also, in the Guardians of the West, the timeline in regards to Brand's concern of Ce'Nedra's fertility, Brand states to Garion that they have been married 8 years, yet then in the conversation between Brand and Polgara a chapter later Polgara states that Ce'Nedra is only 19 and Brand states that most Alorn girls have 2 babies by 19, now if eight years have past, and Garion and Ce'Nedra was married at the age of 16 shouldn't Ce'Nedra be 24. -->

Submitted by whills@uwin.com

Several times in the Belgariad Belgarath and Polgara tell Garion that they don't have any advance knowledge of the outcome of the battle between Garion and Torak. But in the begining of Chapter 13 of Guardians of the West while Garion is reading the Mrin Codex he reads "And the Child of Light shall meet with the Child of Dark and shall overcome him and the Darkness shall flee." That is quite an oversite considering the fact that according to Belgarath the Sorcerer Belgarath and the Twins spent decades combing through the Mrin and Darine Codexs.

Submitted by shayford@novia.net

I am looking for a complete copy of the prophesy used in the Belgariad, the Mirn Codex (sp). If anyone knows where I can get such a document please let me know. Thanks!!

Submitted by Getreal1@fak.e

I'm not sure which book (or series) Beldin or Belgarath was explaining to Garion how Beldin discovered the will and the Word. It said that Beldin got so mad at Belgarath that he blew up a tree or something. Then, in Belgarath the sorceror, it said that Beldin picked it up before he even met Belgarath

Submitted by Getreal1@fak.e

I'm not sure which book (or series) Beldin or Belgarath was explaining to Garion how Beldin discovered the will and the Word. It said that Beldin got so mad at Belgarath that he blew up a tree or something. Then, in Belgarath the sorceror, it said that Beldin picked it up before he even met Belgarath

Submitted by e94pjo@hgs.utb.falun.se

Go go go Belgarath!

Submitted by e94pjo@hgs.utb.falun.se

Go go go Belgarath!

Submitted by pandion@hem.passagen.se

To all those "Ce'Nedra is half dryad half human"... If she's half human half dryad probably her dad is human and her mother's dryad, but how could anybody be all dryad? They couldnt have dryads for fathers, could they...

Submitted by greeko @ direct. com.

<!-- In GoW Polgara is making soap but hand and Belgarath makes a comment about the "alternatives" available to them and creates a bar of soam on the spot. Polagara gets mad at him. . . . and breaks the first rule! She picks up the bar of soap, blows on it and it vanishes! (I also might add that she couldn't possibly have spoken the word to make it vanish and blow on it at the same time.) Also, didn't Belgarath say at the end of EeG the no scorcerer (or scorceress) can reverse what another has done. -->

Submitted by Greeko @direct. com.

<!-- This is kind of petty but in SoD Garion (In wolf form) asks Polgara to fly back and tell Durnik to avoid the troops that were stationed ahead. Instead of telling Polgara to fly all the way back, why didn't he just tell Durnik with his mind like in GoW when they were pulling down the walls of Rheon? -->

Submitted by wr607@freenet.victoria.bc.ca

Yeah that is one of the inconsistencies I've noticed. if no sorcercer can undo what another has done, then the fight between Ctuchik shouldn't really -->have happened. When Ctuchik first made that shadow surround belgarath, it should have killed belgarath because he couldn't have undone it. at least that's how i understand

Submitted by tward@dove.net,au

In The Elenium, Sparhawk and the others don't even know who Sephrenia's goddess is, yet in theTamuli the rest of the Church Knights seem to know all about her. andIn book 1 of the The Tamuli, Sparhawk states he did not know there were a thousand Younger Styric Gods, yet later when one of the Pandion Knights is asked how many there are he replys 1 thousand, saying that Sephrenia always made a point of that. Did she decide to tell other knights about this and not Sparhawk, or did he simply forget?

Submitted by tward@dove.net.au

In The Elenium, Sparhawk and the others don't even know who Sephrenia's goddess is, yet in theTamuli the rest of the Church Knights seem to know all about her. andIn book 1 of the The Tamuli, Sparhawk states he did not know there were a thousand Younger Styric Gods, yet later when one of the Pandion Knights is asked how many there are he replys 1 thousand, saying that Sephrenia always made a point of that. Did she decide to tell other knights about this and not Sparhawk, or did he simply forget?

Submitted by dheeren@sunflowr.usd.edu

In one of the prologues, Belgarath touches Polgara's hair when she is a baby, and the white lock appears, but later on, Polgara tells Garion that all sorcerers are born with some sort of marking. Was she born with the white lock, or did it come about because of Belgarath?

Submitted by clp5@gpu.srv.ualberta


Submitted by huppins@webtv.net


Submitted by huppins@webtv.net


Submitted by huppins@webtv.net


Submitted by jeni@mail-me.com

In the EEG, Everybody including Belgarath is surprised to find out that UL is the other Gods' father. But in BtS, Aldur clearly says 'Father' while talking with UL. Perhaps Belgarath in his 7 thousand years of life, had forgotten a few things now and then.

Submitted by ruggero271@wei.net

In the Elenium everybody knows that Bhelliom is controlled by the rings,but in the Tamuli everybody knows all of a sudden that the rings are powerless.

Submitted by dugal@wolfenet.com

Actually, this one is more of a question. What the HECK happened to Otrath? Otrath being the "Mallorean Emporer" made by Zandramas inthe Mallorean. I looked and looked, and I can't figure it out.

Submitted by Oootslaus@aol.com

EXPUNGING A MISTAKE: In my previous comments, I said that Polgara would run out of eggs before she hit 4000 and wouldn't be able to have children (unless some eggs were reegrown) I made a mistake with that one. Turns out thst women have mny more eggs than they can release in childbearing years, So many in fact that it might be possible for a woman to have children that late (assmng a god has frozen that particular woman's aging process).

Submitted by fehlerd@admin.gmcc.ab.ca

In the Ruby Knight (Elenium) Sparhawk & Co. are waiting for Ghwerig to finish crossing the lake so they can grab Bhelliom back. Then Wargun and Co. show up and they decide to lead the Thalesian king off because he can't find out what's going on. WHY? It would be the perfect distraction for Wargun's army to kill the troll, retrieve his crown and let Sparhawk borrow it for a few days, cure Ehlana and save the world. Wargun already knew about the situation because he was at the meeting in TDT where they discuss Annias' little scheme to kill the duke with fake Pandions. If they were worried about Wargun not wanting the stone destroyed....well too bad! According to Sephrenia it's got to happen right after they cure Ehlana anyway. It just doesn't add up. If I was waiting for a troll and an army of expert troll fighters showed up, and this troll had something this army wanted back anyway I'd welcome them, not run off.

Submitted by TristanR@Pophost.com

When Belgarion is learning to use the Word and the Will he attempts to lift up a huge boulder. The force of him lifting up on the boulder made his legs sink into the ground. Now, if he where to instead push DOWN on the rock.... could this be a way of flying? He wouldn't need to change into a bird. Although it would look strange to see a human floating throught the air.http://www.geocities.com/vienna/1051

Submitted by gancy@prairienet.org

Ok, when beldin and his girl (i forgot her name ) does this mean Bledin is a hawk permantly?

Submitted by gancy@prairienet.org

Ok, when beldin and his girl (i forgot her name ) does this mean Bledin is a hawk permantly?

Submitted by shansned@juno.com

belgarath is talking w/ Garion and Beldin about how they discovered their "talent" Beldin said he exploded a tree,yet in BtS, he says that he got so mad at Belgarath that he exploded a tree

Submitted by shansned@juno.com

belgarath is talking w/ Garion and Beldin about how they discovered their "talent" Beldin said he exploded a tree,yet in BtS, he says that he got so mad at Belgarath that he exploded a tree

Submitted by shansned@juno.com

belgarath is talking w/ Garion and Beldin about how they discovered their "talent" Beldin said he exploded a tree,yet in BtS, he says that he got so mad at Belgarath that he exploded a tree

Submitted by shansned@juno.com

belgarath is talking w/ Garion and Beldin about how they discovered their "talent" Beldin said he exploded a tree,yet in BtS, he says that he got so mad at Belgarath that he exploded a tree

Submitted by shansned@juno.com

belgarath is talking w/ Garion and Beldin about how they discovered their "talent" Beldin said he exploded a tree,yet in BtS, he says that he got so mad at Belgarath that he exploded a tree

Submitted by shansned@juno.com

belgarath is talking w/ Garion and Beldin about how they discovered their "talent" Beldin said he exploded a tree,yet in BtS, he says that he got so mad at Belgarath that he exploded a tree

Submitted by shansned@juno.com

belgarath is talking w/ Garion and Beldin about how they discovered their "talent" Beldin said he exploded a tree,yet in BtS, he says that he got so mad at Belgarath that he exploded a tree

Submitted by shansned@juno.com

belgarath is talking w/ Garion and Beldin about how they discovered their "talent" Beldin said he exploded a tree,yet in BtS, he says that he got so mad at Belgarath that he exploded a tree

Submitted by tynian@hotmail.com

< Many of the inconsistencies pointed out are conflicts between BtS and the main series. Someone commented that the prologues could have been rewritten, but BtS is a true account. I think old Belgarath could have been fabricating, embellishing, or forgetting plenty. When you consider how old he is, and the centuries worth of memories in his head, it's a wonder that he remembers any details at all. I certainly think he'd enjoy embellishing his story for effect, since that's what he always does as storyteller anyway. BTW, I think that after the Polgara book comes out, he should do one final book: The Rise and Fall of Zedar. I bet Zedar would have a very unique perspective on things. Also, he's still stuck in a rock; Belgarath regrets that one, and since Torak is dead, maybe he's willing to reform. Or, maybe he could threaten the world again, in the absence of most of the gods, attempting to destroy fate and bring random chaos, having rounded up the remaining grolims. Perhaps he would attempt to collapse another star, or destroy the world. And then again, maybe he'll just be nice and return to the vale. If anyone reading this can get in touch with Eddings, tell him this! >

Submitted by andersen@ecn.net.au

In EEG Belgarath raises a demon to fight the other magician and is constantly muttering arcane phrases, desperately trying to keep the demon under control the whole time. However, in BtS Belgarath merely mutters for a short time to raise the demon then proceed to speak to it normally, no more ritual mumbo jumbo.

Submitted by bu343@yfn2.ysu.edu

This is not an inconsistency, but rather a complaint. There is no need to post the exact same message 19 times in a row! We are all intelligent people, we -->get the idea after only ONE posting!

Submitted by philips@superlink.net

Eriond, talking as the Prophecy, tells Garion that he might live until Eriond is God of the while world This means Garion will not live forever, probably since only Disciples of Aldur live forever If he's not a diciple, why is he Belgarion and not Garion? Senji has been alive for thousands of years, and he is not a diciple though.. Durnik also is not Beldurnik.. yet.. Also, when Aldur leaves, will Belgarath die? Will there be no more ageless wonders? Belgarath said that there were 7 brothers and 4 are still alive Belgarath, Beldin, Beltira, Belkira, Belzedar.. Durnik is the 8th.. Who are the other two? Gotta assume that he considered Zedar dead.. Ce'Nedra argument: Since dryad's name starts with X and she is not Xnedra, this is consistant with the fact that she is half-dryad Its not quite inconsistant because the treaty between the Borunes and Dryads could have caused it

Submitted by anders@mbox331.swipnet.se

I don't consider the "impurety" of Belgarion an inconsistency at all. "Pure at hart" as I've allways imagined it, and as it clearly says in B. the S. (pg. 177 1st ed.) simply means that you have no ambition to use the orb for your own benefit.

Submitted by ens7074@umoncton.ca

About not being able to communicate while in wolf form, what I understood was, he couldn't communicate with them if they didn't know wolf, or if they didn't know that he was in the shape of a wolf. Does anyone know what happens to Beldin and Vella?? I always thought Brand was the CoL in the battle of Vo Mimbre, but in SoK the prophecy says that Poledra was?? I would really be interested, after PtS to read the story of Poledra, her life and her task. As for the business of Geran being born to a dryad, the prophecy was making lots of strange things happen, wouldn't his birth be one of them?? Besides, this is fantasy, lots of strange things happen, and let's not forget, after 11 books, you might get a few things confused, don't you think??

Submitted by ens7074@umoncton.ca

And as for the Ce'Nedra/X'Nedra thing, I believe she clearly tells Garion that her name IS X'Nedra, but that humans pronounce it differently and spell it too!

Submitted by ifkg@hotmail.com

I'm cureous of what it is on Belgarions medallion. If anyone has a guess, please e-mail me.

Submitted by 1301007212@mail.beon.be

Why do you want to find some inconsistency?We, the readers are inconsistency cause we need perfection. Eddings is not the bible and don't pretend to. It's just fantasy and the best. Even in french cause we read DE in France and Belgium

Submitted by 1301007212@mail.beon.be

Why do you want to find some inconsistency?We, the readers are inconsistency cause we need perfection. Eddings is not the bible and don't pretend to. It's just fantasy and the best. Even in french cause we read DE in France and Belgium

Submitted by dluciano@cs.uml.edu

Regarding Ce'Nedra's race: The fact that the strain breeds true, means that any female child of a Dryad is a full Dryad. It makes no mention of male children, but IMHO, it implies that any male child would be a half-breed

Submitted by schnoze@ibm.net

I might get ridiculed for this, and I know that this is the purpose of the page, but why are you all so obsessed with finding faults in a very outstanding work? Think: it took DE and LE YEARS to write these books. DO you honestly yhink they are going to remember evrey tiny detail? You should not sit and concentrate on those imperfections, but enjoy the work set in front of you. Remember: the ones who wrote these books are just as human as you or I, which stands to reason that they are also subject to mistakes. To answer a question: AS I had figured it out, the dark prophecy had focused all into one being, Zandramas. The light prophecy, on the other hand, had dispersed it's 'energy' through many. The energy was spread out, rather than focused. I don't know if this made any sense to anyone else, but it did to me.

Submitted by rr2895@student.law.duke.edu

In Castle of Wizardry (I'm pretty sure it's CoW--my books are 250 miles away from me), we learn that the heir to the Rivan throne who jumped into the harbor in 4002 is named Prince Gared. In Belgarath the Sorcerer, we learn that he is Prince Geran. Interesting. Another inconsistency is the use of "Melcene" to refer to the city up until Sorceress of Darshiva, when it morphs to "Melcena." Also, Erat was originally NORTH of the lake (this may require you to track down an early edition of Pawn of Prophecy--I got my copy in 1985).

Submitted by javelin@iname.com

Small inconsistency. Acutally it's not really inconsistent. In Belgarath the Sorcerer, Polgara knows of his father's involvement with the Marag women and even yells at him because of it. When the subject comes up in the later books, Polgara doesn't seem to remember it at all. S.R. Earley (aka Javelin)

Submitted by Emelie-Therese@hotmail.com

In all of the Belgarid/Malloreon, everyone say that it is only Gariad who can tuch the Orb. But in BtS when Salmrissa kill king Gorek, the rivian warder, Brand, fight whit the Sword with the Orb on. Why did'nt he get killed? And then Belgarath TAKE the sword from him. And why did'nt HE get killed???

Submitted by colin.benton@compuserve.com

O.k. this is going to be long winded, but there you go. The two opposing 'prophecies' operate through texts written through people they posessed. The aforementioned texts tell the future, thus making the future history, that means that the future has already happened and that it couldn't be any other way. This means that Belgarion had to beat Torak, and Cyradis could not have chosen Geran over Erriond. And yet everybody goes around likr they don't know what's going to happen. For god's sake, it's all written down.

Submitted by shigero@hotmail.com

How can Beldarans name be BELdaran? In one of DE:s books he says that BEL is the name that every man who knows the "magic" and that POL is the female name.

Submitted by jerry271@wi.net

This isn't so much an inconsistency as it is a similarity between The Star Wars Trilogy and The Belgariad. In SW there is a whiny farm boy:Luke Skywalker The Bel has a whiny farm boy:Garion SW Bitchy Princess:Leia Bel Bitcy Princess:Ce'Nedra SW Sorcerer:Obi-Wan Kenobi Bel Sorcerer:Belgarath SW Name Changing Villian:Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker Bel Name Changing Villian:Asharak/Chamdar SW Traitor:Vader Bel Traitor:Zedar(there's even a name similarity) SW Power:The Force Bel Power:Will and the Word I'm sure there is more but I can't remember:)

Submitted by huppins@webtv.net

<!-- Your inconsistency replaces all the text -- between the angle brackets, _including_ the -- brackets themselves... -->

Submitted by jst0116@vivaldi.skelleftea.se

In the end of EeG when Garion says to Belgarath that it is unfair of Aldur to ask Polgara to give up her powers, Belgarath says that no marriage would survive such a difference. But what about Garion and Ceīnedra???

Submitted by Emelie_Therese@hotmail.com

Can Brand tuch the Orb?

Submitted by Emelie_Therese@hotmail.com

Can Brand tuch the Orb?

Submitted by Emelie_Therese@hotmail.com

Can Brand tuch the Orb?

Submitted by Emelie_Therese@hotmail.com

Can Brand tuch the Orb?

Submitted by Emelie_Therese@hotmail.com

Can Brand tuch the Orb?

Submitted by Emelie_Therese@hotmail.com

Can Brand tuch the Orb?

Submitted by drewmanii@geocities.com

In the Tamuli and the Elenium,Sparhawk's best mate Kalten (forgive me if the names are wrong,I don't have the books with me) seems to be much younger than Sparhawk,but he is only 6 months younger.Sparhawk complains about getting old,but Kalten seems to me to be much younger than him.Also at the end of the Elenium Talen is told that he will live on a farm.This doesn't happen for very long,as he quickly becomes a page boy.

Submitted by drewmanii@geocities.com

In the Tamuli and the Elenium,Sparhawk's best mate Kalten (forgive me if the names are wrong,I don't have the books with me) seems to be much younger than Sparhawk,but he is only 6 months younger.Sparhawk complains about getting old,but Kalten seems to me to be much younger than him.Also at the end of the Elenium Talen is told that he will live on a farm.This doesn't happen for very long,as he quickly becomes a page boy.

Submitted by drewmanii@geocities.com

In the Tamuli and the Elenium,Sparhawk's best mate Kalten (forgive me if the names are wrong,I don't have the books with me) seems to be much younger than Sparhawk,but he is only 6 months younger.Sparhawk complains about getting old,but Kalten seems to me to be much younger than him.Also at the end of the Elenium Talen is told that he will live on a farm.This doesn't happen for very long,as he quickly becomes a page boy.

Submitted by drewmanii@geocities.com

What is the difference between the Elder Styric gods and the younger Styric gods? IS there a difference?Also Where are all the other ESG(Elder Styric Gods)Maybe they don't have power,but they could do,i.e see the rise of Azash(this spelling is wrong,I don't have the books with me).Bhellium(?) would come in useful then.Also What is south of Rendor? It seems that if Rendor is based on North Africa,there is plenty of stuff South of that?(I feel another set of books coming on)Does anybody in the Elenimum/Tamuli know?

Submitted by DRich20293@aol.com

I've read The Belgariad and The Malorean, and Belgarath the Sorcerer 3 times.I can't wait for Polgara!! I love these books! I noticed in PoP and in QoS, Belgarath seems surprised that Garion figures out that he's his grandfather. But in BtS..Belgarath says he made a point of meeting his 'grandsons' and getting to know them each time one was born. Just thought I'd see if anyone else noticed this.

Submitted by zxmqe20@student.uni-tuebingen.de

So when I started reading The Tamuli I really thought, that with Berit finally a gay character would enter the world of Fantasy...well, that was wrong. Still, DE would be the perfect man to overcome that taboo...

Submitted by http://www.Emelie_Therese@hotmail.com

Har ni räknat ut att Belgarath inte är Garions farfar, utan hans morfar? Beldaran var ju Belgaraths dotter, och Garions "ursprungliga mor". Beldarans och Rivas son, Daran, kallar Belgarath "morfar", då borde ju Darans son kalla Belgarath "gammelmorfar" och så skulle det fortsätta ända ner tills Garion föddes.Men om nu Riva skulle varit hans son, skulle Daran, och alla de andra också för den delen, kunna kalla Belgarath "farfar".

Submitted by http://www.Emelie_Therese@hotmail.com

Har ni räknat ut att Belgarath inte är Garions farfar, utan hans morfar? Beldaran var ju Belgaraths dotter, och Garions "ursprungliga mor". Beldarans och Rivas son, Daran, kallar Belgarath "morfar", då borde ju Darans son kalla Belgarath "gammelmorfar" och så skulle det fortsätta ända ner tills Garion föddes.Men om nu Riva skulle varit hans son, skulle Daran, och alla de andra också för den delen, kunna kalla Belgarath "farfar".

Submitted by Oootslaus@aol.com

MORE ON DRYAIDS: 1) The purpose of the gardening done before Geran’s birth was not to make a tree for Geran but to increase Ce’Nedra’s fertility. 2) More evidence for Ce’Nedra’s ― Dryaid nature: In *Queen ofd sorcery* she tries to get sanctuary in the Wood of the Dryaids.. After Queen Xantha rejects her request, Ce’Nedra says, "’But I’m a dryaid.’" The queen replies, "’You are also human.’" Now the argument could be made that since her father is human and he was raised in the human world, that statement is just commenting on those facts. (But all Dryads are fathered by humans-or at least humanoids; Belgarath does indicate in BtS that that they have humanoid fathers, so there may be others. (I hope not; I’d hate to see a Dryaid fathered by an Algroth) But Polgara notes nobly human fathers in Queen of Sorcery, so in the Berlgariad, that should be considered cannon.) But I don’t accept that theory. For Xantha’s point about Ce’Nedra to be important, her "also humanness" must be a difference between Ce’Nedra and regular Dryaids. If all dreyaids could be said to be also human, then Ce’Nedra would’ve said so and dismissed Xantha’s argument in its entirety. Later in *Magician’s Gambit*, the Gorim notes that Ce’Nedra is a Dryaid. She, for her part, is surprised that he realized "that she was NOT ENTIRELY HUMAN." (Emphasis mine) To me, that’s proof that Ce’Nedra is a different type of Dryaid-a ― Dryaid. The other ― is Human. A different classification implies a different nature. When I looked for differences between Ce’Nedra and regular Dryaids and saw that no Dryaids except for those associated with the Borune family were ever reported to have sons, I assumed that bearing sons was not a part of normal Dryaid nature. But it was part of Borune Dryaid-1/2-Dryaid nature. (The problem with this argument, of course, is that there aren’t many sons mentioned at all [there would have to be enough to have sustained a few constantly inbreeding dynasties and 23 Ran Borunes, though] So my fictional study isn’t even close to scientific accuracy. Also, ― Dryaids are descended from Ran Borune I, the son of a full Dryaid. That problem worried me even before I knew this was a mater of contention; it is the best argumrnnt for the Ce’Nedra’s a full Dryaid side. But this is a world where the gods and at least one prophesy want to create a Queen of the World. It is a world in which the Orb or the Prrophesy has reached into the wombs of Rivan Royals and imprinted princely hands with silvery spots, creating a precedent for interfering in fetus growth. As well as a world where it is prophesied that Ce’Nedra will only have one son, thus showing that her breeding can be controlled by the Prophesy. So why couldn’t any combination of those forces conspire to create an exception to the girls only breeding rule and create a new type of dryaid) So, I hypothesize that a long time ago divine and/or prophetic forces allowed a regular Dryaid to bear a son 9the only time that occurred) and allowed all of that son’s female descendants to be ― Dryaid, mixing certain Human qualities (such as lifespan (see my previous long message)) with certain Dryaid ones (such as ability to communicate with trees) Now I agree thast people talk like she’s a fill Drysaid in The Maloreon. That’s an inconsistency. But I give the quotations above greater weight. Mostly what the Maklloreon quotations say are "She’s a Dryaid." The statements mentioned above state "She’s a Dryaid and a Humaan" That statemrnt can accomnodate the first statement. What it could not accomodate is the statement "She’s ONLY a Dryaid." The only person I can think who said that was Zandramas in *Seeress of Kell* (around the final confrontation). But she was trying to seduce Garion at the time I wouldn’t take Zandramas’ word on Biology any more than I would on Theology. Final-I Hope-Analysis: I find the ― Dryaid side has stronger arguments, but there are contradictions in the evidence and both ways could be plausible. Unless *Polgara the Sorceress* has an explanation in it, it would take a proclamation from Eddings to end the confusion. And whichever way the decision went, would go against something in the books. THE FISHING BUG: For a guy obsessed with Fishing, Durnik didn’t do much (and?) in The Belgariad. STAR WARS: When comparing Darth Vader to Belgariad characters, don’t forget Torak. MOTHER-IN-LAW TROUBLE: In *Guardians of the West*, Ce’Nedra has to explain to Garion that Ce’Vanne was her mother. Now it was good that we were told, but is it good that HE had to be? That means after years of marriage, she hadn’t told and he hadn’t asked.

Submitted by akhlee@hotmail.com

<!-- Your inconsistency replaces all the text -- between the angle brackets, _including_ the -- brackets themselves... --> In the Mallorean, Belgarath says that he learned magic from an old magician that soon died of old age, but in BtS Belgarath says that his old master in magic was eaten after summoning a demon.

Submitted by akhlee@hotmail.com

<!-- Your inconsistency replaces all the text -- between the angle brackets, _including_ the -- brackets themselves... --> In the Mallorean, Belgarath says that he learned magic from an old magician that soon died of old age, but in BtS Belgarath says that his old master in magic was eaten after summoning a demon.

Submitted by simon.nichols@hitachi-eu.com

Firstly to try and answer some of the problems asked about.Someone stated that Polgara UNMADE the soap and that she would not have been able to speak while blowing on it - Well try Translocation for a start and also i dont remember seeing anywhere that says you cant change the chemical makeup of something ie turn it into dust particles! The second point being that the actual sound or word does not have to be uttered in order for sorcery to take place. Number Two for the person who asked what happened to Otrath - Please read the books all the way through before asking questions.- Check out Zakaths Letter to G +C'N in the Seeress of Kell where it states he was sent home but only on the strict instructions that he place his wife at melcene and never see her again...... Number Three Someone asked about the other two sorcerers one of the top of my head is BELSAMDAR who i believe was the Melcene Sorcerer who unmade himself the other one eludes me for now but i suggest you reread the book where Belgarath is showing Garion his tower and explains why the ruined ones are there. Number four Someone states that Belgarath is confused over the Grandson issue - The Belgariad was the ongoing story which you joined at the beginning ie in the present tense - which meant that when Garion asked if he could call him Grandfather we heard it at the same moment that BG did Yet BG THE SO was written x amount of years later at Xnedras instigation whereby all belgarath did was to use the term af address that garion suggested to him to describe his 'Grandsons'. David Eddings books are Excellent works of litrature but we must remember that they are FANTASY and so mistakes are bound to crop up - But that does not spoil our plesure of them does it ?? If it did then no one would even bother to reply to these pages. In saying that i have one little point of interest to mull over...... Garion is immortal(sic) and xnedra is semi immortal so presumably Garion will out live his wife OK. What about his son Geran to avoid heartache all of garions offspring would need to be immortal and their offspring and so on and what of polgaras child we are either looking at a world overrun with immortals or a lot of heartache and anguish on there part in watching the various grandsons/granddaughters die - where is the cut off point ? and if they are not immortal Wont polgara or garion try to tamper with their childrens future - Cant see xnedra willingly allowing her children to die?? Anyway enough speculation. Enjoy them for what they are. Thanks for reading. Simon Nichols... Simon.nichols@hitachi-eu.com

Submitted by simon.nichols@hitachi-eu.com

Firstly to try and answer some of the problems asked about.Someone stated that Polgara UNMADE the soap and that she would not have been able to speak while blowing on it - Well try Translocation for a start and also i dont remember seeing anywhere that says you cant change the chemical makeup of something ie turn it into dust particles! The second point being that the actual sound or word does not have to be uttered in order for sorcery to take place. Number Two for the person who asked what happened to Otrath - Please read the books all the way through before asking questions.- Check out Zakaths Letter to G +C'N in the Seeress of Kell where it states he was sent home but only on the strict instructions that he place his wife at melcene and never see her again...... Number Three Someone asked about the other two sorcerers one of the top of my head is BELSAMDAR who i believe was the Melcene Sorcerer who unmade himself the other one eludes me for now but i suggest you reread the book where Belgarath is showing Garion his tower and explains why the ruined ones are there. Number four Someone states that Belgarath is confused over the Grandson issue - The Belgariad was the ongoing story which you joined at the beginning ie in the present tense - which meant that when Garion asked if he could call him Grandfather we heard it at the same moment that BG did Yet BG THE SO was written x amount of years later at Xnedras instigation whereby all belgarath did was to use the term af address that garion suggested to him to describe his 'Grandsons'. David Eddings books are Excellent works of litrature but we must remember that they are FANTASY and so mistakes are bound to crop up - But that does not spoil our plesure of them does it ?? If it did then no one would even bother to reply to these pages. In saying that i have one little point of interest to mull over...... Garion is immortal(sic) and xnedra is semi immortal so presumably Garion will out live his wife OK. What about his son Geran to avoid heartache all of garions offspring would need to be immortal and their offspring and so on and what of polgaras child we are either looking at a world overrun with immortals or a lot of heartache and anguish on there part in watching the various grandsons/granddaughters die - where is the cut off point ? and if they are not immortal Wont polgara or garion try to tamper with their childrens future - Cant see xnedra willingly allowing her children to die?? Anyway enough speculation. Enjoy them for what they are. Thanks for reading. Simon Nichols... Simon.nichols@hitachi-eu.com

Submitted by simon.nichols@hitachi-eu.com

Another quick one - on the Q and A page there was a reference made about their being only one dragon and yet DE had used them in the Plural. This was the case as belgarath states in one of the books ( When they first see the Dragon as i seem to recall) "that it was a shame about what happened - there had originally been three 1 female and two males but the males had killed each other fighting for the female which is why she is alone" - Also there was some confusion over her Lairs - when BG and party first encounter her they are the other side of the world from Korim -Do you really think she would fly back to the same cave each night????? The whole world was her Domain and she would have had many caves.... Simon Nichols......

Submitted by simon.nichols@hitachi-eu.com

I might have made a mistake earlier when i stated that it was belsamdar was the melcene - I think it was actually BELMAKOR but anyway there are the two missing sorcerers. Simon nichols

Hey, everyone! Stop trying to pretend you're someone else. It just irritates me...
Donal K. Fellows


Submitted by mokiejovis@juno.com

Ok, folks! Pay attention, and in two ways: Read some of the inconsistencies BEFORE you post your own! Don't repeat someone else's post. Also, THINK before you write some of this stuff! Some of the answers to some of these questions are painfully obvious... just read the book carefully!

Submitted by Oootslaus@aol.com

RED GOLD: In the Belgariad, Murgo red gold is dangerous and can corrupt the soul by making its owner lust for more. There is not a mention of that power in the Malloreon. The only odd thing about the gold there is that it’s red. In fact, I believe that our Heroes even have some for a time, although I can’t remember when (So this might be wrong). But whoever has it in the Malloreon isn't shown to suffer from any ill effects. And neither Polgara nor Belgarath frets about people having it. (It could be that Torak created the Red Gold’s power and that his death removed it, but there’s no mention of that in the story that I can remember.) BELGARION, TAKE II: In Pawn of Prophesy, Polgara worries that Zubrette will corrupt Garion, get pregnant by him, and that then Polgara and Belgarath "‘...will have to wait a hundred years for the circumstances to be right again.’" That implies that the prophesy doesn’t inherently consider Garion to be its champion, but rather someone *like* Garion- -- an heir to the House of Riva, a virgin until he gets his sorcery and marries his (1/2) Dryad bride, etc... And that if Garion had impregnated and married Zubrette, Torak would have gotten to sleep in a few more decades and one of Garion’s descendants, probably with the same name, would get the chance to become BELgarion. But everything else I can think of portrays our Garion as the only possible BELgarion and that the time set for fulfilling prophesy is rigid. The best example is that in Pawn of Prophesy, the light from that exploding star is only 30-40 years away from zapping into Korim. Wouldn’t the prophesies be embarrassed to be one Meeting behind when the light arrived? ;) ERAT: 1) In *Belgarath the Sorcerer*, Duchess of Eerat is implied to be the first title Polgara acquires. The conversation when she reveals it to Belgarath seems to indicate that. It’s also the only title the Wacune Arends appear to use for her. As such, even after a few thousand years, wouldn’t it be one of the titles she remembered she had? 2) In *Pawn of Prophesy*, Brendig (sp?) says that Polgara can’t be D of E, because his granduncle is Earl of Erat and that the duchy was abolished long ago. But then in *Guardians of the West*, he informs her that she is recorded to have the title and that there is a bankroll of her earnings from the district. Wasn’t the Earlish line interested who else was making money out of their territory? Or that someone else had a claim on the land?

Submitted by D_Eddings@Juno.com

Thank you. You have all made valid responses, but this is MY story - and I made a few mistakes. I admit it. Thing is, I think all of THIS chatter is somewhat rude. However, if you have any questions, feel free to ask me ->BREIFLY<- on what you would like to know.

Submitted by plimel@nltc.net

First of all, the comment that Zedar could have carried off the orb in a leather bag, or with leather gloves because Durnik put it in a leather bag. If you read that passage again I believe you will find that Durnik held the edges of the bag only while Errand (later Erriond) dropped the orb inside. He never touched the orb, even through the leather. Frankly, it would be sort of difficult for anyone to transport an object, especially one that has a conciousness for any distance without 'accidently' coming into some sort of contact with it. Thus the need for another who can transport it with no danger to themselves. Next, Belgarath never raised a Demon Lord while in Mordinland, but only a minor demon, which seemed hard enough to control as it was. This was the same kind of demon that Chatbat raised later in the series. Someone also wrote that Belgarath and the gang would have known the outcome of t

Submitted by plimel@nltc.net

The idea that Begarath and the gang should have known the outcome of the fight between Belgarion and Torak just because the Mrin Codex said they would win is false. In the book(s) it clearly states that there are two prophecies, both equally valid until the final moment when one will win. This is why Polgara is so viligant is keeping watch over Garion. Any deviations on their part from the prophecy would effect the outcome. It might cause them to lose. Torak didn't actually wake up until Belgarion touched the orb, although he was sort of getting restless. Polgara did not realize that Durnik was the man with two lives. In one part of the last book, Enchanters End Game, Belgarath said that she couldn't know, because that would have changed how she reacted to Torak. Her grief over Durnik's death gave her the strength to resist becoming the Bride of Torak.

Submitted by n2187850@student.fit.qut.edu.au

When Beldin, Belgarath and Garion visit Senji in the Melcene university in the Mallorean, it is established that Beldin was angry at Belgarath when he first used the Will and the Word, and that he took it out on the tree because at the last minute he remembered that Aldur was fond of Belgarath. However, in Belgarath the Sorceror, Beldin already has used Sorcery when he comes to the Vale.

Submitted by plimel@nltc.net

Someone made the comment that Queen Xantha (the Dryad queen) said that although CeNedra was a Dryad she was also human. Since the Dryad strain breeds true IN FEMALES ONLY this sounds a bit contradictory. But what Xantha meant was CeNedra is human in the context that she has been raised as a human, in a human enviorment. She also has obligations, to her father, that darn treaty, and the prophecy that tie her to the human world. Also I think that it would be hard for CeNedra to live with the Dryads for any length of time without being bored out of her mind. After all, she is an Imperial Princess. Can anyone imagine CeNedra not shopping for years on end. Remember how she lived with the Ulgos for awhile? Even in caves full of diamonds (which would definately appeal to her Tolnedran upbringing) she grew bored, and took it out on those poor Ulgo girls.

Submitted by neef99@sbc.edu

Kalten: he's just immature. King Wargun's army: Wargun was a raging drunk and he had Bergsten to back him up. Neither of them would have liked Sparhawk to take a national treasure of Thalesia to do "witchcraft" with it. Although I admit it is a good question. As to inconsistiencies, we're not picking on Eddings' writing or anything else. I would say it's more of a compliment than an insult that we're willing to sit in front of computers for long periods of time thinking about the tiny details in his stories and enjoying it. We're not ripping him apart. We're enjoying the details and being proud of how much we've noticed.

Submitted by Chris.@4kz.com.au

Brand can't touch the orb only the child of light can that is why when Poledra took the orb off the sword and puts it in the shield she is not killed. Also Garion was not becoming speckled because his side had won more previous battles than the dark side so had a better chance of winning. Plus he had the orb to help protect him where as Zandramas never even got to touch the Sardion. Also what exactly was the Orb and the Sardion doing between the explosion of the star and the creation of the earth. For that matter where was the oringinal stone. Or was the most powerful object in the universe ( or is that the Bhellinium ) just floating around in space waiting to be blasted in to.

Submitted by naihtniroc@Hotmail.com


Submitted by preston24@hotmail.com

In one of the books (I forget) Durnik tell Garion that a seer told him he was going to die twice, yet he becomes a disiple of Aldur, and they are supposed to be "immortal" any comments? email me:)

Submitted by plimel@nltc.net

Just because Durnik is a sorcerer does not make him immortal. Sorcerers, are however, extremely long lived. This is probably due to their ability to pull energy in from all around themselves. Remember how Garion pulled in the energy when he moved 'the rock' in The Vale? Belgarath's brothers, Belmakor and Belsambar, willed themselves to death. Suicide. Zedar was killed by trying to unmake the orb. In KofMur, Agachak says he's thinking about cutting Chatbat's heart out. I imagine that would be fatal. Indeed, sorcery doesn't seem to be proof against critical injury either. In QofS, Belgarath shows up in Nyissa with a broken arm. And in CofWiz he almost dies from using up too much of his vital energy. Polgara says Belgarath is barely breathing and then she and Garion pour some of their will into him to replenish his supply. I don't think Polgara would have

Submitted by plimel@nltc.net

(Add to Above, please) I don't think Polgara would have gone to such lengths, with the toxic leaves and the wagon ride, if she had not been afraid for her father's life. As it was, she was afraid he had lost his sorcerous abilities. So Durnik will meet his death someday. But who knows how long it will be before that happens? I hope we shall never know.

Submitted by doug@wild.net

I can't believe I'm even participating in this nonsense but... I think Garion's amulet has that same mark as is on his palm.

Submitted by leif.landen@zonline.ostersund.se

berinder

Well exscuse me my big name. I am a swedish Eddings fan who just started to read Eddings in English, until now i have read the translation. The English version is better. Eddings rules. Do someone now if there is someone that have put a RPG guide to Eddings worlds in the web. If you now, mail me.
Bye

Submitted by Wizard1392@aol.com

Will Garion outlive Ce'Nedra? If he is a sorceror he will probably live a long time and Ce'Nedra will die and Geron will never get to be king.

Submitted by sabayon@mailbox.uq.edu.au


Submitted by brcunnin@hotmail.com

In the mallorean, Lelldorian refers to chaldan as great chamdar. Well chamdar is just another name for Asharak the murgo. so are the arends now worshiping a murgo grolim instead of the great Chaldan?

Submitted by crazycro@yorku.ca

This is not really an inconsistency, but, in the Tamuli series, we find out that Aphreal is reincarnated as Sparhaks daughter. After her mother kicks the bucket she will become queen. If she is a Child Goddess, isnt she immortal? Will she reign forever? Will her heir be part god? Also, how will she have a Champion, if Sparhawk's line is now direstly part of the royal line. Will the royal heir be king and champion? What a way to leave things hanging. Email me if you agree/disagree.

Submitted by crazycro@yorku.ca

This is not really an inconsistency, but, in the Tamuli series, we find out that Aphreal is reincarnated as Sparhaks daughter. After her mother kicks the bucket she will become queen. If she is a Child Goddess, isnt she immortal? Will she reign forever? Will her heir be part god? Also, how will she have a Champion, if Sparhawk's line is now direstly part of the royal line. Will the royal heir be king and champion? What a way to leave things hanging. Email me if you agree/disagree.

Submitted by 437329@cepsz.unizar.es

POINT ONE: Don't you know that some genes are stronger than others? This is the reason why the babies from dryads and humans are still driads. POINT TWO: When we speak about the two prophecies, we are talking about probabilities, the version of each prophecy and the mad ideas pf the profets that wrote the prophecies. That means that each prophecy says what will happen IN HIS VERSION OF REALITY. That's why sometimes one ant other say different things. It's clearly said in the mallorean. Prophecies can speak from present, past or even future, but all they can see is their side of reality, not the reality that will happen. So, when we know the first discipule of Eriond, what he says is what the good prophecy can see. He does not know if it will happen or not. It's only o possibility. PONT THREE: It does not say that Brand were the CoL. It does only say that he fought Torak. Polgara ant Belgarath also fought Torak and this does not mean that they were the CoL in that moment. POINT FOUR: We must remerber that Belgarath was during thousands of years a profesional story teller. This means that he is used to change the details of things. So, if he says that he has never been rich, it can be assumed that he has not had the intention of being so. It's only a story teller trick to gain the audience atention. The problem is that he is so used to do it that he says that things without even thinking it. POINT FIVE: What a sorcerer cannot do is to destroy a sorcery made by anothr sorcerer. What he or she can do is to change the results. So, if one sorcerer makes a sorcery to take a demon to this world, what another sorcerer cannot do is to null that sorcery. But he can destroy the demon, if he has enough power. So, Zedar cannot free himself from Belgarath's sorcery because the objective of the sorcery is to mantain Zedar as a prisoner. If the sorcery would have had the object of simply opening the earth and closing it again, he would have been able to free himself, because the objetive would not have been to prison him, but to change the position of earth, to say it in some way. POINT SIX: When a morind magician takes a demon to this world, he gets sure not to take it with all its powers. He limits its form and power, so he can mantain his power on the demon. What Chatbat(i think this was here name, not sure) did was to take a free demon, with all its powers, and then only a god had enough power to take him back. Only a thing: I have not readen Belgarath the Sorcerer. I think that it has not been published in Spain, so i might have made a mistake. If so, i would beg you to forgive it. Nothing more... by now :). Ernesto Cuevas. PD: If someone wants to say something to me about this message or something like that, i will be happy to get a e-mail from him/her.

Submitted by 437329@cepsz.unizar.es

POINT ONE: Don't you know that some genes are stronger than others? This is the reason why the babies from dryads and humans are still driads. POINT TWO: When we speak about the two prophecies, we are talking about probabilities, the version of each prophecy and the mad ideas pf the profets that wrote the prophecies. That means that each prophecy says what will happen IN HIS VERSION OF REALITY. That's why sometimes one ant other say different things. It's clearly said in the mallorean. Prophecies can speak from present, past or even future, but all they can see is their side of reality, not the reality that will happen. So, when we know the first discipule of Eriond, what he says is what the good prophecy can see. He does not know if it will happen or not. It's only o possibility. PONT THREE: It does not say that Brand were the CoL. It does only say that he fought Torak. Polgara ant Belgarath also fought Torak and this does not mean that they were the CoL in that moment. POINT FOUR: We must remerber that Belgarath was during thousands of years a profesional story teller. This means that he is used to change the details of things. So, if he says that he has never been rich, it can be assumed that he has not had the intention of being so. It's only a story teller trick to gain the audience atention. The problem is that he is so used to do it that he says that things without even thinking it. POINT FIVE: What a sorcerer cannot do is to destroy a sorcery made by anothr sorcerer. What he or she can do is to change the results. So, if one sorcerer makes a sorcery to take a demon to this world, what another sorcerer cannot do is to null that sorcery. But he can destroy the demon, if he has enough power. So, Zedar cannot free himself from Belgarath's sorcery because the objective of the sorcery is to mantain Zedar as a prisoner. If the sorcery would have had the object of simply opening the earth and closing it again, he would have been able to free himself, because the objetive would not have been to prison him, but to change the position of earth, to say it in some way. POINT SIX: When a morind magician takes a demon to this world, he gets sure not to take it with all its powers. He limits its form and power, so he can mantain his power on the demon. What Chatbat(i think this was here name, not sure) did was to take a free demon, with all its powers, and then only a god had enough power to take him back. Only a thing: I have not readen Belgarath the Sorcerer. I think that it has not been published in Spain, so i might have made a mistake. If so, i would beg you to forgive it. Nothing more... by now :). Ernesto Cuevas. PD: If someone wants to say something to me about this message or something like that, i will be happy to get a e-mail from him/her.

Submitted by alnhepar@.info1.info.tampere.fi

How Polgara can have babies, she is about 3000 - 4000 years old ?? Usually when woman is about 45,-...... And how Garin can marry Ce ' Nedra, she dies but Garion no. How ?

Magic! - DKF

Submitted by Beldaran@rocketmail.com

< In Castle Of Wizardry, Polgara says that the grandson of King Gorek who threw himself in the sea is named Gared, but in Belgarath the Socerer and other books he is called Geran!>

Submitted by trunka@trunka.net

<!-- Your inconsistency replaces all the text -- between the angle brackets, _including_ the -- brackets themselves... -->

Submitted by jas6d@virginia.edu

<!When Durnik "died" in Enchanter's End Game and Polgara told Aldur that she wanted to bring him back to life so that she could marry him, he said that the marriage wouldn't last since she is a ] sorceress and he a mortal, etc. But how could Garion marry Ce'Nedra? He is as powerful as Polgara. Does Ce'Nedra have powers that I don't about?!> -->

Submitted by heerdb@rapidnet.com

Just a comment on all the questions concerning the collective sorcerors' aging processes and reproductive capabilities. It is entirely possible for them to bear children, because their aging has been suspended. It's as if they stay whatever age they prefer until the day they die. And as for their lack of diseases, can't they just be healthy people?

Submitted by djktnewman@aol.com

In BtS, Belgarath states that although he seems to be holding an ale mug most of the time, he hardly ever drinks from it, due to his period of drunkeness in Camar. However, in both the Belgariad and Malloreon, numerous references are made to the fact that Belgarath had too much to drink and was hung over!

Submitted by djktnewman@aol.com

In the Belgariad, Polgara and Belgarath seem not to know who Ashrak the Murgo is, yet in BtS, Belgarath states that the Drasnian Spies tell him that Ashrak and Chamdar are the same person.

Submitted by barberryman@hotmail.com


Submitted by idid@aol.com

this page REALLY sux...if I had enough time, I'd answer most of these stupid "inconsistencies" myself!

Submitted by JHosie@swbell.net

A few points: About the Mrin Codex, this document was written by the Prophecy of Light, basically in order to guide Belgarion toward the final meeting at Korim in the Seeress of Kell. Why then does Belgarath, Beldin, and the rest read and read it constantly? It stands to reason that the Prophecy blanked certain passages from the sorcerers minds, a fact lated refuted in Belgarath the Sorcerer when Beltira mentions Belgarath's habit of wanting to change the Prophecy. About Belsambar and Belmakor, Belsambar was overcome with guilt about the deaths of so many Angaraks by his hand that he willed himself out of existence. Belmakor later died, possibly losing the will to live. Willpower is what drives sorcery, and it stands to reason that if you have to will, then immortality, a byproduct of sorcery, will no longer work. I think Belmakor died of old age. (I could be wrong) Finally, a point about Belgarath's ability to feel gold in the mountains, the reason he wasn't aware he had this ability in Maragor, is that the gold there laid out in the open streams, whereas the gold in the mountains was buried.

Submitted by emeric.maury@int-evry.fr

> I think that the explanation of sorcerers lifespan stands in the fact that sorcerers are able to transform themselves into animals. To perform this, it is said that they form the image of the animal in their mind, whith as much details as possible, and then transform themselves. But when they transform back to humans, they took their "ideal human shape" insofar as they surely do not integrate health problems and so one, like Beldin does in Malloreon when transforming into Feldegast. But, if so, we can wonder why belgarath has not repaired his broken arm > in Belgariad by doing so ? -:( > and what happens if they do not transform for a time ??

Submitted by williamsb@mail.pahs.pointarena.k12.ca.us

A suggestion to all who post "incosistencys" here: Read the Belgariad/Mallorean/Belgarath at least twice before posting your "incinsistency", and think about what you are saying. I have read these books 5 or 6 times (I'm a speed reader), and I noticed several supposed inconsistencies that would prove not to be inconsistent on a second or third reading! I noticed some of these because I am in the middle of theading the series yet again.

Submitted by misweene@aerotek.com

THANK YOU David Eddings for a wonderful story. That will live on. Read the books several times and you may understand what you are now calling a inconsistancy. Remeber you are dealing with many differant characters who all percieve things the way they want to not nessassarily how they are. This is a story !!!

Submitted by paddicoat@plymouth.ac.uk

Well... first of all, grat's to D. & L. E - you've made many a day fly... - most of the 'inconsistancies' revolve around the prophecies or geneology... - well, don't forget, the Purpose was never against tampering, from small degrees to whopping great alterations, within the 'game'... This covers most problems (Zith, Dryads, Orb touchy-feely problems, etc...) Many of the others can be sorted out by the simple fact that the whole story is based on an *accident* so, for example, the possibility of Garion marrying Zubrette could have occured, *despite* the Prophecy... - in the end, it all boils down to D & L being writers (good ones too) - they just (just!?) write very, very good stories, ones that draw us in, make us think, laugh, and occasionally weep... - course' I got a query though - for all the Nyissan's 'chemicaly augmented architectural palette' & their general lassitude, one or two of them would surely have been worth a Tolnedran Legion during Vo Mimbre or Thull Mardu... season a few cookpots, no more army... (Course, it's cause' of Alorn sensibilities, but you gotta' feel they were left out...) - Part from that, many more years of writing to em... - and, if Torak was a mistake, any chance of the Dragons coming back (after all, he modified them, and my favorite theory for why she was so dumb is that Torak wasn't all that keen on independant thought...) - Oh, and the Losers - wobderful... that bit at the end, in the courtroom? Arguably one of the most enjoyable scenes I ever read...

Submitted by williamsb@mail.pahs.pointarena.k12.ca.us

note to all who post inconsistencies- remember the conversation in Seeress of Kell: "Isn't that a little inconsistent?" (Belgarath) "Consistency is the defense of a small mind" (Beldin)

Submitted by williamsb@mail.pahs.pointarena.k12.ca.us

note to all who post inconsistencies- remember the conversation in Seeress of Kell: "Isn't that a little inconsistent?" (Belgarath) "Consistency is the defense of a small mind" (Beldin)

Submitted by hchen@kew.starway.net.au

This is not really an inconsistency, rather a correction. Many people have commented on when Polgara goes to Belgarath that she does not know how to raise small boys. Polgara has been the guardian of the Rivan line and each successive Rivan family. It was the little boys' mothers that cared for and raised them, not Polgara. She was just a close relative of the family, always ready to defend them if necessary. The only boy she raised by herself was Gorek, the Rivan prince who fell into the harbour, and then even he was already eight years old. Garion is the first boy Polgara has raised on her own from infancy.

Submitted by pafulin@filon.filg.uj.edu.pl

MAP OF CTHOL MURGOS: or, exactly, the knowledge of its geography. Somewhere in the Belgariad Belgarath says that nobody knows what lies in southern Cthol Murgos because nobody's ever been there. Then in the Malloreon everybody seems to have a quite extensive knowledge of its topography.

Submitted by emeric.maury@int-evry.fr

I am stunned by the political rolein Sendaria, eddings has given Polgara as Duchess of Erat, principaly AFTER their king's election, in Polgara the Sorceress. Indeed, in this novel we must but acknowledge gelane's statement that the duchess of Erat is the most famous personn in Sendarian history... Whereas in Belgariad, Brendig who poses as a sendarian history specialist, has never heard about the duchess of Erat until he finds out in old archives in the first volume of malloreon

Submitted by skurk@innocent.com

Hello dear Eddings fans :) I'm wondering if someone please could give me an URL to a page with the complete booklist and an adress or URL were i can buy the Tamuli (and Polgara the sorceress) cause i've read the belgariad, the malloreon, the elenian and BtS.

Submitted by skurk@innocent.com

Hello dear Eddings fans :) I'm wondering if someone please could give me an URL to a page with the complete booklist and an adress or URL were i can buy the Tamuli (and Polgara the sorceress) cause i've read the belgariad, the malloreon, the elenian and BtS.

Submitted by skurk@innocent.com

I was just wondering if there's a webpage with a list of all the DE books? and then i wonder if theres an URL to a site were i can order the DE books?

Submitted by skurk@innocent.com

I was just wondering if there's a webpage with a list of all the DE books? and then i wonder if theres an URL to a site were i can order the DE books?

Submitted by coschnei@brownell.edu

I've read the Belgariad and Mallorean Countless times (around 10) and I've found very very few mistakes. Some of them like the Geran/Gared could be typo, and many of them are self explanitory. I know that I'm just repeating what 50,000 other people have said, but there are a heck of alot less consistancies than what could be expected for a set of books that size. I have yet to finish Polgara the sorceress. It's pretty good so far though.

Submitted by jh3573@cnsvax.albany.edu

As we all know the current King of Algaria, Hettar's father, and the man who killed Taur Urgas is Cho-Hag, but in PtS they say the man who killed Taur Urgas was Cho-Ram, an earlier king

Submitted by spamily@hotmail.com

<!To answer a question, the original 7 disiples were Belgarath, Beldin, Beltira, Belkira, Belzedar, Belmakor, and Belsambar -->

Submitted by mark.riddler@usa.net

<--In answer to all the questions to Balgarion, Belgarath's and all the other "Sorcerers" Immortality; In pawn of Prophecy Garion asks his grandfather what it's like to live forever and Baelgarath practically says that he isn't Immortal, he's just lived a long time and that the quality of life is the same. So I hope that that answers the question. If anyone else has any other suggestions E-mail me at mark.riddler@usa.net-->

Submitted by magus@frontiernet.net


Submitted by Garion@accesstoledo.net

In response to the Taur Urgas death thing -the Urga dynasty lasted a while. Who's to say that there weren't earlier Murgo kings named Taur Urgas? A Cho-Ram (there were many) could have killed one in a skirmish.

Submitted by chichiri@hotmail.com

You know, I noticed a few inconsistencies when reading Mr. and Mrs. Eddings' works. Certainly not as many as I've seen rooted out by all of you people. But I saw one or two. And I just chuckled, shook my head, and let it go, knowing that it was just a single, small faltering misstep amid a beautiful stroll through the greatest work of contemporary fiction I have had the honor of reading (3 times). To turn this into a heartless nitpicking firefight is an injustice and indignity to the Eddings' work. I myself have written some short stories in the past, and I would be gravely offended to see a web page dedicated to the methodical shredding of plot and characters I put my heart into. If you, like myself, love the characters of the Belgariad like members of your own family, then I implore you to have some respect and to just smile and shrug when you see an inconsistency. Don't put it on a page full of nitpicking and surround a beautiful story with a Geraldo-esque circus. Enjoy the books. Love the characters. And if you're like me, and read the books enough, maybe you'll even improve your vocabularies. ;) While others say wow I tend toward How remarkable. And when others attempt sarcasm, baby, I lay on my sardonic wit, developed and polished nicely, courtesy of Silk, the master of the wry attitude. Thanks to Beldin, I'm not too shabby at affectionately scathing jibes, either. See? There's a lot there to be learned, if you can set aside your peevishness and ENJOY. By the way, Ce'Nedra is not half-dryad. She's full dryad. The line breeds true. Dryads can have boy or girl babies. If it's a boy, it's human, and if a girl, it's Dryad. I thought it was pretty clear. I just needed to say that. Now, go read Pawn of Prophecy again, and quit looking for imperfection within beauty. Thank you for tolerating my soap box chatter. -Lee Thompson, chichiri@hotmail.com

Submitted by chichiri@hotmail.com

You know, I noticed a few inconsistencies when reading Mr. and Mrs. Eddings' works. Certainly not as many as I've seen rooted out by all of you people. But I saw one or two. And I just chuckled, shook my head, and let it go, knowing that it was just a single, small faltering misstep amid a beautiful stroll through the greatest work of contemporary fiction I have had the honor of reading (3 times). To turn this into a heartless nitpicking firefight is an injustice and indignity to the Eddings' work. I myself have written some short stories in the past, and I would be gravely offended to see a web page dedicated to the methodical shredding of plot and characters I put my heart into. If you, like myself, love the characters of the Belgariad like members of your own family, then I implore you to have some respect and to just smile and shrug when you see an inconsistency. Don't put it on a page full of nitpicking and surround a beautiful story with a Geraldo-esque circus. Enjoy the books. Love the characters. And if you're like me, and read the books enough, maybe you'll even improve your vocabularies. ;) While others say wow I tend toward How remarkable. And when others attempt sarcasm, baby, I lay on my sardonic wit, developed and polished nicely, courtesy of Silk, the master of the wry attitude. Thanks to Beldin, I'm not too shabby at affectionately scathing jibes, either. See? There's a lot there to be learned, if you can set aside your peevishness and ENJOY. By the way, Ce'Nedra is not half-dryad. She's full dryad. The line breeds true. Dryads can have boy or girl babies. If it's a boy, it's human, and if a girl, it's Dryad. I thought it was pretty clear. I just needed to say that. Now, go read Pawn of Prophecy again, and quit looking for imperfection within beauty. Thank you for tolerating my soap box chatter. -Lee Thompson, chichiri@hotmail.com

Submitted by chichiri@hotmail.com

You know, I noticed a few inconsistencies when reading Mr. and Mrs. Eddings' works. Certainly not as many as I've seen rooted out by all of you people. But I saw one or two. And I just chuckled, shook my head, and let it go, knowing that it was just a single, small faltering misstep amid a beautiful stroll through the greatest work of contemporary fiction I have had the honor of reading (3 times). To turn this into a heartless nitpicking firefight is an injustice and indignity to the Eddings' work. I myself have written some short stories in the past, and I would be gravely offended to see a web page dedicated to the methodical shredding of plot and characters I put my heart into. If you, like myself, love the characters of the Belgariad like members of your own family, then I implore you to have some respect and to just smile and shrug when you see an inconsistency. Don't put it on a page full of nitpicking and surround a beautiful story with a Geraldo-esque circus. Enjoy the books. Love the characters. And if you're like me, and read the books enough, maybe you'll even improve your vocabularies. ;) While others say wow I tend toward How remarkable. And when others attempt sarcasm, baby, I lay on my sardonic wit, developed and polished nicely, courtesy of Silk, the master of the wry attitude. Thanks to Beldin, I'm not too shabby at affectionately scathing jibes, either. See? There's a lot there to be learned, if you can set aside your peevishness and ENJOY. By the way, Ce'Nedra is not half-dryad. She's full dryad. The line breeds true. Dryads can have boy or girl babies. If it's a boy, it's human, and if a girl, it's Dryad. I thought it was pretty clear. I just needed to say that. Now, go read Pawn of Prophecy again, and quit looking for imperfection within beauty. Thank you for tolerating my soap box chatter. -Lee Thompson, chichiri@hotmail.com

Submitted by chichiri@hotmail.com

By the way, does anyone else know why this thing posts replies multiple times? I only submitted my previous post once.

Submitted by ursula@maison-otaku.net

I rather agree with chichiri@hotmail.com above. It's really petty to nitpick something so amazingly well written. BTW, i tossed in a few /I tags with this message. Someone earlier in this message board didn't close their italics. I hope mine works for them.

Submitted by mckail@valylink.net.au

In answer to somebody's comment about the changing of form keeping sorcerers alive, in BtS it says Belgarath was very surprised to see Beldin as a hawk He did not know about the changing of form until Beldin came along at least a century longer after a normal person would have died. The answer lies in the first section of BtS when he asks Aldur why he is 300 and still alive. Aldur simply says because you have things to do which could not have been done in one lifetime or even one hundred lifetimes. Also in response to a question about good and evil being two sides of the same thing. He did not actually say that he said dark and light were opposite sides of the same thing. One was evil and one was good. The Seers did not know which was which. As was said Cyradis was not choosing between Zandramas and Belgarion but light and dark. Their names, light and dark had nothing to do with it. Say you ae looking at a girl and a boy, you can not choose which is better from one boy or one girl. The other thing was somebody was talking about Belgarath knowing about UL being father of the gods. He did know but maybe he had been told not to tell anybody. Maybe it was something that had to happen. In EEG there is no reference to him being surprised. IT IS ONLY A STORY. FANTASY. USE YOUR IMAGINATION!!!!

Submitted by byrnenet@eisa.net.au

This is something which does not seem to be resolved despite numerous re-readings. I still love the series but can anyone resolve the following: In MG, when the companions are going through the caves of Ulgo, Silk reveals his claustrophobia. Later in that book, he is dragged through the rock by Relg (in Cthol Murgos). Later, throughout the remaining 7 books, he seems to say that his fear of caves springs from the time that he was taken through the rock by Relg. How is this possible when the fear was already there?Tim

Submitted by GreenBurro@aol.com

I'd just like to point something out here. I've seen numerous questions about the immortality of sorcerors and such. Everyone seems to be under the impression that all sorcerors live forever. However, I forget which book it was, but in one of the books I think Belgarath explains to Garion that the sorcerors only live as long as they need to in order to complete their appointed task. In other words, A sorceror lives as long as he needs to.

Submitted by eldar_2@hotmail.com

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Submitted by eldar_2@hotmail.com

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Submitted by eldar_2@hotmail.com

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Submitted by eldar_2@hotmail.com

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Submitted by knutsend@carleton.edu

There are a couple of inconsistencies between Polgara the Sorceress and the Belgariad series. For instance, she is very unsure of how to raise Garion in the first book, although she has been raising little boys for centuries. She also seems to have a literacy paradox. In PtS, she would hole herself up in her room and read when she was mad at Belgarath. Yet in the first book, she seems to be against literacy.

Submitted by jehoward.samwhit@mailexcite.com

Kalten was quite happy diving for Bhelliom in the lake, but suddenly in HC he's got a lifelong phobia about swimming underwater.

Submitted by jehoward.samwhit@mailexcite.com

(Really from my sister Susan) Sephrenia can't have known darestim would make Ehlana infertile because (a) she didn't know anything about it - that was why they had to go to Rendor and (b) nobody had ever survived it before.

Submitted by mariascrbrd@hotmail.com

How can Torak touch the orb??I suppose it's because he's a god...To Emelie Therese: Det där med morfar och farfar är ett översättningsfel från engelskans "Grandfather" som kan betyda båda delarna. Men jag antar att du förstod det själv eftersom du skrev det på svenska...

Submitted by jehoward.samwhit@mailexcite.com

There's a 7-year gap between the beginnings of DT and DoF, but Talen has only aged from 10 to 15. Similarly, Bevier who was 28 or 29 in DT (depending on how you interpret '30th year') must be 35 or 36 in the Tamuli but is still referred to frequently as 'the young knight'. I suppose it's all relative, though! :-)

Submitted by jehoward.samwhit@mailexcite.com

Just a couple more observations on the Mystery of the Dryads' Sons: 1: Domesticated dryads have sons, wild ones who live in the Wood don't. This implies to me that there's something about the wood that inhibits the conception or successful bearing of sons (What would on the Discworld be called a magical field perhaps?!). 2: Does anybody who's come across a wild dryad believe they have a scrap of maternal instinct? I should think the dryad (ie girl) babies are like baby monkeys and can hold on tight and look after themselves in the trees from an early age; whereas the human (ie boy) babies (if any) almost certainly get dropped on their heads as soon as Xmummy realises that one of the Xaunties has got a box of chocolates to pass round. Well, those are my theories anyway.

Submitted by susan-f-johnson@uiowa.edu

In SoD, the passage where Torak is "talking" to Garion through the Ashabine Oracles, he first says that if Garion is reading this, it means he has beaten Torak. However, he goes on to say that one of them must go to the Place Which Is No More. Wouldn't it stand to reason that if Garion read that because he had beaten Torak, he would be the one to go? Also, Torak says, "Hail, my hated brother, and farewell. We will meet-or have met-in the City of Endless Night," right in the middle of the passage. Sorry, but I'm new at this.

Submitted by metzger@frontiernet.net


Submitted by metzger@frontiernet.net

First, I think this page should be called a discussion page because I believe anyone who takes the time to read this information must truly love the books, and is not out to be nasty to a great author. Second, I believe Belgarath's amulet has a wolf on it, although I couldn't find the exact passage that describes it, so i could be wrong, Lastly, I wanted to thank the person who pointed out that Garion was the first child Polgara had raised from infancy. All the other heirs had the benefit of living parents, Polgara was just a family friend who kept them out of trouble.

Submitted by pagan668@hotmail.com

I have found some inconsistancies with the prophetic names of each character. For example, Silk is called The Rat in one book, The Guide in another, and also the thief. Also, Durnik is called both the man who lives twice and the man who dies twice. This may not sound different, but one implies that Durnik will someday die again.

Submitted by al_vincent@hotmail.com

You freakin people dont know how to appreciate the work David & Leigh Eddings had done.Allright nobody is perfect and the fact that the Eddings made mistakes make them just like you and me. If you want to point out peoples mistakes look inside you and see how MANY mistakes you've made. David Eddings is a GREAT writer and hes done a lot of fantastic work since you all point out HIS mistakes why dont YOU all write your own book since you're all soooo CLEVER. I think that You all owe David & Leigh Eddings an apology. People make mistakes to learn from them and not for some dumb asses like you all to criticize it and point it out to others.

Submitted by jrfernan@netlink.com.au

This is ridiculous! Can people PLEASE learn to spell names correctly. DurniC is a good example. With about half of these the answers can be found if you just read the books and pay attention.

Submitted by MysingSoul@aol.com

Answer to Why they Planted a tree for Belgarion's son: This is Purly symbolic; this is simalar to when they planted those wedding trees in Castle of Wizardry.

Submitted by pharmeriv@yahoo.com

<!-- I admire DE & LE for their dedication to two great series - belgariad and mallorean. i enjoyed these books and the philosophy within them. i will admit i really didn't pick up on all inconsistences i was too caught up in this fantasy world that was created. i have yet to read another author that is so imaginative and creative a storyteller as DE. also Eriond is awesome!!

Submitted by fsmlb4@aurora.alaska.edu

Hello out there. I think just about every inconsistency plusome I didn't notice has been uncovered. And there have been some pretty valid theories put forth that answer all of the inconsistencies. But it was cool reading all of the above cause it answered some of my questions. Anyways in aswer to the question about Belgarions amulet I think it might have the orb on it, or something that wouldn't give away Garion's future cause you gotta remember he got it for his sixteenth birthday/Erastide when he thought he was just a farm boy. Now this is to all the people who think that we are shooting down David and Leigh Eddings. If we didn't love them and their books why would we spend so much time reading and rereading their books to find all of these inconsistencies?! These books are the best, however to give all of his fans something to discuss besides how awesome these books are. David Eddings has put ina all of these inconsistencies so that we could chatter on about them. So there.

Submitted by arimonic@nettilinja.fi

In Polgara The Sorceress a couple of days old Garion HOLDS toy in his hand. Maybe he is really quick learning things, but thats almoust impossible. I can live with that mistake, thought!

Submitted by jadunn@ix.netcom.com

<!-- Okay, you guys. Some of you need to actually really READ the books before you put some of this stuff. The answers to most of your questions are in the book. Also, I would like to see you guys write 20-some books and make them all perfect.How can you expect DE and LE to be perfect. They're human! You guys probably all hate me now, but oh well. I think Mr. Eddings is a wonderful author and his works need no improvement. I'm sure he's flattered that most of you read the books enough to notice the inconsistancies, but would you like to have your mistakes pointed out several times when you can do nothing about them? That's all I have to say, and please,no hate mail! :-) -->

Submitted by m.bruce@ugrad.unimelb.edu.au

I have read both the Belgariad and the Mallorean twice and am now half way through Belgarath the Sorcerer. As I read these novels I was struck with new inconsistencies and annoying consistencies/repetitions almost on every page. Belgarath seems to be incredibly stupid for an 'eternal man', and Beldin seems occasionally dim-witted also, since he is supposedly a great thinker. They often get outsmarted by the likes of Garion, a stupid farm boy, or other characters that have had neither the life experiences or tutoring from a God. A common situation is that they're both struggling with a problem or a phrase in the prophecies and the obvious answer is supplied by a nearby "underpriveliged" character, who perceives it with little difficutly, producing such comments as "It seems this young boy has a head on his shoulders after all, Beldin". Surely someone who has lived for sooooo long should be far smarter than any of the 'normal' people. Even after all those years Belgarath can't fly properly, and they don't even know about any technology or electricity!!! These blokes sit around for hundreds of years studying the purpose of mountains and they don't undersatnd electricity!! I find it impossible to believe that tens of thousands of years churn by with little change in the technology, where are the steam trains, telephones, guns, bombs, computers, planes, cars, tractors, toasters?????? Aldur shows Belgarath how to make a war ship for the Chereks, but even after thousands of years the other races haven't developed war ships of their own. The Chereks don't improve their ships any more either, where are the metal hulls or the cannons? Another thing that annoys me is the consistencies and repetition of the dialogue and events. Almost every conversation between Barak and Silk went like this, "Trust me" said silk, (his nose was probably twitching) "You really are a bad little man, silk." Barak winced. "I know, but you wouldn't have it any other way." replied the little Drasnian. Almost all the conversations in the Belgariad are repeated over and over and over again. This continues into the Mallorean, with Barak, Mandorallen and Hettar, repeating their conversations and actions time and time again. Sure, those guys were cool and tough and exciting for a while but for the sake of sanity they had to be cut out (and they were, when Cyradis told them that they had to stay out of the quest for Geran). The repetition almost becomes unbareable with Belgarath mentioning the "reoccurance of events due to the splitting of the purpose" about fifty times (he needed Garions help to work this out). I could go on and On and On and ON, but I really have to get on with life. If you want to have an argument with me or support my opinions then please please please e-mail me and I'll reply as soon as I know that I have a message.

Submitted by javelins@hotmail.com

Hello everybody out there! I just want to say that I don't want to complain, and I don't think others should do either. I have found many mistakes in Eddings books to, of course, but that doesn't mean the end of the world, does it? But I think that everybody who has made a comment at this page is very interested in David Eddings books. As someone else said, why would we otherwise look at this page? This is not about complainting, right? It's about being interested in the books and the characters, that's why we want to know all about them. If you agree - or not agree - E-mail me!Javelin

Submitted by J.W.Omlo@wing.rug.nl

Yo M.Bruce@ugrad.unimelb.edu.au, I know you are trying to provoke the people who read this list by being a nasty commentator, but you don't fool me! You read all the books, so you must be a fan and your comments, although they perhaps have some truths in them, are much exaggerated just to get reactions. So I gave you what you wanted. Happy now? JW

Submitted by m.bruce@ugrad.unimelb.edu.au

Hey MERCER. OI! MERCER. Its me, finally you've found this page.You should be able to work it out from here. While I'm here, I'd like to agree with J.W.Omlo, that m.bruce bloke was just writing in to get a reaction. (he did make some valid points though, even though I don't care for his tone). Thanks J.W.Omlo and thankyou m.bruce.

Submitted by durnik@goodnet.com

Often I read the inconsistencies and I know that people use a counterexample of Robert Jordan as an author of at least as detailed a series who has, to date, zero inconsistencies that anyone has managed to pin down. And when people ask him about something, he points them to the glossary, and there it is (if it's happened yet). But these people are missing the crucial fact that Jordan's stories thrive on miniscule details and such, and that it takes Jordan FOREVER to make each book (we're talking TWENTY months between A Crown Of Swords and The Path of Daggers, assuming the latter makes it out in October as promised) and this may well be because he has to check it a bazillion times for inconsistencies! It's all he does... details details and more details. Eddings, on the other hand, creates characters that banter about like they were straight out of real life. Sure, their talk is a bit 20th-century but as you'll notice, so is the author. Half the time I'm reading through the series it's all I can do not to laugh out loud over and over again as the jokes keep flying. And most importantly, the story itself is embellished, not hurt, by the humour. The plot takes on so much more gravity when the characters are believable. That's the core problem with Jordan. The characters are rich, detailed, lovable (in the case of the ladies anyway) and accurate, but they lose credibility when they become caricatures of themselves. If I read Rand having one more temper tantrum or Nynaeve yanking her godforsaken braid again or Aviendha bitching and moaning about her toh, I think I'll go postal. Never once, in all the time I've read Eddings, have I been annoyed at a character. Oh, sure we all wanted Chamdar to get spanked... but we hated him since he was a villain, rather than being annoyed at him as we would a spoiled child. We wanted so badly to see Zandramas get slaughtered so that Geran would be safe and sound, but for once Evil was shown not to be synonymous with Incompetent, and Z put up a good fight. In the Jordan books, I don't even know whether to exult at the death of a Forsaken anymore because they keep coming back!! Anyway, this doesn't mean I hate the Wheel of Time because I wait with baited breath for TPOD like everyone else. And it should be clear that I can't wait for the next D&LE book, whatever its plot may be. The point is that the Bel/Mal series are heavy on character and story, and not on details. If you want consistency and details, read your lease documents for a few weeks. Later all!! -Mikey

Submitted by nox.stardust@usa.net

If Garion and Ce'nedra live for the extreamly long rate as mentioned. What about Geran? He will grow old and die before Garion and Ce'nedra's eyes. And what about the rest of the friends in the book? they will all die while the sorcerors (and sorceresses) watch. Or perhaps as David Eddings says they only live as long as necesary to do what must be done in which case all the characters will live and die in normal time.

Submitted by jonesna@trinity.vic.edu.au

Daivd Eddings rocks i just finshed his lat book of the Malloreon and i think belgarion rocks and belgarath and polgara and beldin but i don't think Ce'nedra rocks because she dosen't have the right attuide for being a queen of the world

Submitted by jonesna@trinity.vic.edu.au

When i was reading the daivd eddings books i found out that daivd eddings wasn't going to give people some of the secret information that you nver get to really find out. I also thought that some of the quests they had to do was a bit to obvisous

Submitted by sjp@the-end.demon.co.uk

C'nedra's chances of producing a male heir. If I remember correctly, (I read the Belgariad some years ago) Belgrath said that the females of the line breed true - that is to say that any MALE brothers she had would have been normal Tolnedrans and any SISTERS would have been Dryad. There's nothing to say that she can't have male children. Simon

Submitted by jacen@itookmyprozac.com

Lauriefoster mentions Garion messing with the weather. The storm that Belgarion used was NOT there until Garion got irritated. That storm then affected the weather patterns around it and started a ripple effect. Standard chaos theory. As far as Dryads not having male children, Ce'nedras not completely a dryad. She was raised as a daughter of Nedra, and the rules are sort of suspended. (Yes, the Gods are allowed to do that.) Submitted by Belderohn ofRiva

Submitted by me@here.com

*inset scream* I think a few people are missing the point here! Who gives a crap whether Ce'Nedra is supposed to have male children. She did, get over it! IT'S JUST A STORY!!! (albeit a cool one)

Submitted by jadunn@ix.netcom.com

<!Hey all! I have an answer to the Eriond requring god-like powers question. Beldin has a theory that true use of talent doesn't occur until puberty hits. Since Eriond is around that age, it is natural for him to start developing "talent". Geran is way too young to be going through puberty, so he has not yet unlocked his powers (if he has any)-- Your inconsistency replaces all the text -- between the angle brackets, _including_ the -- brackets themselves... -->

Submitted by nickr@gte.net

First of all, after reading 12 books with the same twenty or so names repeated continually dont you think you people could spell them a little more accurately?Well anyways, to answer the question of whats on Garions amulet, its a wolf similar to Belgaraths(QoS) And to those of you who missed the constant repeating of Belgarath to Beldin he is seven thousand years old, you people have been saying twelve thousand and nine thousand.

Submitted by geiiga@tmbg.org

If Polgara could not initially marry Durnik, because Durnik did not have her powers, and marriage should be a joining of equals, then why can Garion, who has more power than Polgara has ever seen, marry Ce'Nedra, who is not a sorceress?

Submitted by qmarys_students@queenmaryshigh.walsall.sch.uk

Sephrenia throwing temper tantrums in the middle of "The Shining Ones" and dumping Vanion? That is so NOT Sephrenia!!!!!

Submitted by TBoumil@aol.com

<!-- Bel is the prefix added to male deciples of Aldur and Pol for female deciples...right? Why then is Polgara's sister "Beldaran"? -->

Submitted by Alicorn14@aol.com

Re to geigga's comment on power- Depending upon how you look at it, actually there wasn't really that power gap between Ce'Nedra and Garion. Yes, he had sorcery- but she had him wrapped around her little finger, which is power of a different sort. :)

Submitted by fred6247@tao.sou.edu

Remember, when reading these books, that there is a consciousness that they call the "Prohpecy" or "the voice in Garion's head". This Prophecy is all-powerful, and has the ability to travel through time. He also likes to mess with Belgarath's head. So, many of the "inconsistencies" can be explained by this. I.E. Belgarath not remember stuff that he knows in BtS (written after the whole thing is over), or Polgara not realizing that Durnik won't die, etc. Remember that the prologues are taken from the official histories of the various kingdoms, and hence not always accurate. Garion and C'Nedra can mate because he is a sorcerer and she is a Dryad, i.e. magical creature. The whole point of these books, the thing with the "Events" that kept happening and repeating themselves, means that things are kind of stuck in a loop. That is why the sorcerers didn't age. Also as Belgarath's comment about living as long as he was needed supports, now that they have saved the universe, things will get back to normal. For all we know, they'll all get old and die at a normal rate. So, remember when you are looking for inconsistencies, that you must take them within the framework of the book. In the world of the Belgariad, Dryads can have sons, for example. Thanks

Submitted by sjryan@planet.eon.net

This is from "The Seeress of Kell"...A conflab between Velvet and Polgara (en route to Perivor) regarding the albatross that was sighted again...Polgara says that it is the same bird that they saw over the Isle of Verkat and Velvet asks how that is possible, since the Isle of Verkat is half a world away...check the map at the front of the same book...Perivor and the Isle of Verkat are VERY close...they are both located in the Sea of the East.

Submitted by topias.siren@mbnet.fi

Did you know that belgarath is 7000 years old, i guess!

Submitted by michael@jarvis.com

In Polgara the Sorceress, Polgara turns herself into a bat in order to sneak into Nyissia. She thinks to herself that bats are rodents, and that snakes like to eat rodents.

The last time I checked, bats are NOT rodents. :-)


Submitted by rohan49@yahoo.com

Hello People!! I have read over about half of these so called "inconsistencies" and i have noticed that: a) a lot of you are pots calling the kettle black. b) that most of the answers are in the books. c) a lot of you are to cofused to rememmber the right names, nevermind what your inconsistencies is. d) DE & LE wrote BtS after all the other books, excepting PtS, so i think they are allowed a little slack. Also, to answer just a few, for if i answered all of them i'd be at this a year or two.... a) it does say that sorcerers live as long as they need to, but that doesn't mean that they will all die now. b) yes, Garion would have a longer life span the C'nedra, but he is a sorcerer and can extend the life of her tree, because dryads live as long as their trees. c) dryads DO have male children, the Bourane line is a darn good example i think. d) the dryad strain breeds true on the female side, i should think that is enough to tell people that there must be a male side also, but my point is that by that they mean that the females are dryads, will the males are human...all be it short ones...*s* e) I am not sure what the whole story is with them not having male children in the WOOD, but is it not possible that the dryads mating in the woods would be affected by the trees there, after all they are different in they way, and dryads are very closely linked to the trees there...? f) when Belgarath meets Beldin for the first time, yes, Beldin already knows the secret of the Will and the Word, but it doesn't say how he learned it in that book. g) you have to remember that it is Belgarath's story in BtS, and he clearly states that story-tellers never tell it exactly how

Submitted by rohan49@yahoo.com

Hello People!! I have read over about half of these so called "inconsistencies" and i have noticed that: a) a lot of you are pots calling the kettle black. b) that most of the answers are in the books. c) a lot of you are to cofused to rememmber the right names, nevermind what your inconsistencies is. d) DE & LE wrote BtS after all the other books, excepting PtS, so i think they are allowed a little slack. Also, to answer just a few, for if i answered all of them i'd be at this a year or two.... a) it does say that sorcerers live as long as they need to, but that doesn't mean that they will all die now. b) yes, Garion would have a longer life span the C'nedra, but he is a sorcerer and can extend the life of her tree, because dryads live as long as their trees. c) dryads DO have male children, the Bourane line is a darn good example i think. d) the dryad strain breeds true on the female side, i should think that is enough to tell people that there must be a male side also, but my point is that by that they mean that the females are dryads, will the males are human...all be it short ones...*s* e) I am not sure what the whole story is with them not having male children in the WOOD, but is it not possible that the dryads mating in the woods would be affected by the trees there, after all they are different in they way, and dryads are very closely linked to the trees there...? f) when Belgarath meets Beldin for the first time, yes, Beldin already knows the secret of the Will and the Word, but it doesn't say how he learned it in that book. g) you have to remember that it is Belgarath's story in BtS, and he clearly states that story-tellers never tell it exactly how

Submitted by rohan49@yahoo.com

Hello People!! I have read over about half of these so called "inconsistencies" and i have noticed that: a) a lot of you are pots calling the kettle black. b) that most of the answers are in the books. c) a lot of you are to cofused to rememmber the right names, nevermind what your inconsistencies is. d) DE & LE wrote BtS after all the other books, excepting PtS, so i think they are allowed a little slack. Also, to answer just a few, for if i answered all of them i'd be at this a year or two.... a) it does say that sorcerers live as long as they need to, but that doesn't mean that they will all die now. b) yes, Garion would have a longer life span the C'nedra, but he is a sorcerer and can extend the life of her tree, because dryads live as long as their trees. c) dryads DO have male children, the Bourane line is a darn good example i think. d) the dryad strain breeds true on the female side, i should think that is enough to tell people that there must be a male side also, but my point is that by that they mean that the females are dryads, will the males are human...all be it short ones...*s* e) I am not sure what the whole story is with them not having male children in the WOOD, but is it not possible that the dryads mating in the woods would be affected by the trees there, after all they are different in they way, and dryads are very closely linked to the trees there...? f) when Belgarath meets Beldin for the first time, yes, Beldin already knows the secret of the Will and the Word, but it doesn't say how he learned it in that book. g) you have to remember that it is Belgarath's story in BtS, and he clearly states that story-tellers never tell it exactly how

Submitted by rohan49@yahoo.com

Sorry, i must have said too much because i was cut off there. Anyways, to continue...

...how it happens, that everyone sees it in a different way. Well, that is enough for now i think, but if anyone has a question that they want answered, mail me and i'll tell you if i know. Yes, i did say if i know, because i don't know all of them. There is some inconsistencies, but not as many as most of you seen to think. And for those that want to compare simularities, stand back and look at the basic story lines of the "Belgariad"/"Mallorean" and the "Elenium"/"Tamuli" series and maps also...very close i should say. But i do like them all, i guess David believes in the "If its not broken, don't fix it!" philosophy...*l* The biggest difference i see is that in one set there is 5 books in each, and only 3 each in the other. About the only thing i really want to know is, WHO IS THE WOLF PUP??? Also, if you like reading with lots of detail and family lines try Melanie Rawn's series "The Dragon Prince" and "The Dragon Token". I have read both of those many times also and love them just as much as these dicussed on this page. Anyone who has read those already can see where i get my e-mail addy from. Well, I have put my two cents into this page, you can agree or disagree with me, but in the end one thing is true... EVERYONE BELIEVES WHAT THEY WANT TO. Good reading!!


Submitted by saija.ego@gnwmail.com

In the Elenium, Talen compares the knights as heaters with legs ( at least in the translation). But in the Tamuli, Khalad sees one and says it would be a nice thing to have in Elenia, so it gives a picture that there aren't any heaters in Eosia. How can Talen compare knights something he may have not seen?

Submitted by saija.ego@gnwmail.com

Just a note (and an answer to one question). Why didn't Durnik get a tag "Bel" in his name? Well, wouldn't it soun just redeculous, Beldurnik or Poldurnik?

Submitted by saija.ego@gnwmail.com

Just a note (and an answer to one question). Why didn't Durnik get a tag "Bel" in his name? Well, wouldn't it soun just redeculous, Beldurnik or Poldurnik?

Submitted by azhrei@tne.net.au


Submitted by nickr@gte.net

for one yes bats ARE rodents everyone learns that in the first grade, and second why dont you people read the other inconsistantces before you point out your own? there really is no need for forty or fifrty people to tell us that Durnik should be Beldurnik or that at the end it says Chamdar aka Ashrak when it should be Chaldan, we already know all that stuff from the previous 200 notes, in short do us all a favor and as they say "Dont shoot a dead horse"

Submitted by Saija.ego@gnwmail.com

Just an answer . . . If Durnik had a "bel-" or "pol-" in his name, wouldn't he sound just redeckulous? Beldurnik or Poldurnik. . . More over . . . If the great Eddings team saw these so calles inconsistencieses(maybe they have) they might be just smiling or laughin meanly. These are just pedanthic notes, a lot just to say "hey, I found this! I'm genious!" ( Even if I MADE and sent one here . . . )

Submitted by joclyn@escape.ca

in the Belgariad book 4 castle of wizardry it spells durnik's name Durnik i find lots of spelling and punctuation errors. It says also in that book that Ce'Nedra ( X'nedra ) got a breastplate as well as chain mail AND a sword AND a shield i don't know about you but i know know that an ARMOURER make ARMOUR and a WEAPONSMITH make weapons. SO THERE

Submitted by crozsman@cast.navnet.net

The biggest inconsistancy I found was that after writing this terrific series, people sit around and pick it apart. Forget it guys ( and gals ) - just read the books for the pure enjoyment of it. Look deep inside, and you will find we all have our inconsistancies. --> Great series David & Leigh - Keep it up!!

Submitted by Firestar_@hotmail.com


Submitted by Firestar_@hotmail.com


Submitted by Firestar_@hotmail.com

How could Zandramas change back from a dragon when the Dragon is immune to sorcery? She'd have to use the power of her Will on herself while in a dragon form to return to her human state.

Submitted by sparhawk@prontomail.com

Not really an inconsistency, but more of a question. What is the name of Captain Greldik's ship? Barak's ship is often referred to by name (Seabird) but Greldik's ship is just called Greldik's ship (unless I mis-read a part of the story somewhere).

Submitted by algrot.rockconnection@swipnet.se

<!-- My name is Annika Algrot. I got supriced when I read the second book of "The Belgariad, Queen of sorcery". My family name is "Algroth", but I skipt the H. Itīs fun to see my name in a good book.... -->

Submitted by sme@ns-law.usa.com

Sign langauge! Why do sorcerers need to _say_ anything?! Perhaps Polgara figured this out in the beginning---if you gesture, you needn't speak. If Belgarath spends so much time studying everything, you'd think he'd have figured this out. To "release" your will, you don't need to say anything; you can slam a door or jump up and down or squint or jog or swear or _sign_ just as well as you can talk. Another thing: why can't the Orb follow Geran over water? Geran gets kidnapped and Belgarath smugly asserts that the Orb can follow Zandramas wherever she goes. The Purpose intervenes and tells Garion the Orb can't do that because the tides and waves move around and the path doesn't stay in one place. This is without question the biggest inconsistency in the whole series. The Orb came from so far away, even the gods hoped it wouldn't get to that planet; it can crack a crustal plate without effort and even tells Garion how to undo the break. It can turn off the power of the Dals, destroy cities, and terrify demons. It can light up an entire region, melt off the faces of "indestructible" gods and even kill divinities. But it can't follow a baby over water because the water's moving? And if people have changed so that it isn't possible for them to be sorcerers anymore, as Belgarath tells Garion, why can Grolims still do it? They even study it and have hood "colors" (as Agachak says, "studying for the purple"). Another one: How does tiny little Sendaria provide so much food? One would think that Algarian soil would grow food much better. Yes, yes, they raise cattle on their vast grassland---which appears to be smaller than any other kingdom on the map in BtS. Two more: First, How can Eriond (I still prefer "Errand") stand the sort of people on his side? Belgarath,

Submitted by sme@ns-law.usa.com

Sorry---wrote to much in my previous response; got cut off. I continue:Belgarath, it must be conceded, really IS a "drunken lecher with little seriousness." He is also a thier and a liar. We know that there is a touchstone of goodness: UL is righteousness embodied, so is his present Gorim; Aldur is kind and loving, and Eriond is a good as his father, as is Pelath, his disciple. How can Eriond stand Belgarath? and Silk? and Sadi? How do you tell the good guys from the bad guys? Except that the bad guys bow to Torak in the first set of books and to Zandramas in the second? HOLY Belgarath? What, does everyone have a perceptual dysfunction?Finally, why doesn't Mr. Eddings simply go back and revise his series for internal consistency? It would only take a few months, I suspect, and any good writer knows the value and the necessity of revision. Believe it or not, I actually enjoy Eddings' work. No, it isn't Tolkien, but it isn't meant to be. My wife thinks I read it too much, and now I've got my kids reading it, too. Still, I do like to see work polished---why leave the series scuffed with inconsistencies. There's no rule that says he can't go back and redo the story.Oh, and by the way, why does . . . no, never mind. I'll shut up.

Submitted by sme@ns-law.usa.com

No, I won't. I've just reread few of these inconsistency notes. One perceptive fellow points out some similarities between Star Wars and what he terms "the Bel." Actually, there are many such relationships among literary works. One can find unwilling "farm boys" (or similar characters) forced into great quests in Star Wars, the Man from Snowy River, the wizard of Earthsea, the Lord of the Rings, Moby Dick, even Support your Local Sherrif. Unknown Kings hidden among the masses is also a common theme (see, e.g., the New Testament). These are Archetypes (at least, so we call them in the literary/psychological world). And Eddings' works contain numerous such archetypes; the unwilling hero, the companion, the sacrifice, the evil brother, the descent into darkness, the trial of self, the ancient mentor, the quest, the talisman, the rite of passage, the hidden king. It's one of the reasons I enjoy the books so much. I know, it's not an inconsistency, but I'm reverting to type (I used to teach literature and I couldn't help myself). Anybody have any other comments on this point? Email me.

Submitted by javelins@hotmail.com

HI! Well, I'm quite bored of you by now... Anyway, some of you don't even know what you're talking about, but many of you do. Some of you have already said what I'm gonna say, but I just HAVE to say it. INCONSISTENCIES: Well, after all it's what this page is about... But read the rest if you don't want to read this... If you compare Bel/Mal with the Prequels, you'll find some mistakes. In BtS, Silk was sent out to find Chamdar - or Asharak. Belgarath knew that they were the same person. But in PoP, Silk didn't recognize Asharak in Mingan's counting room, and nobody knew that Asharak was the grolim Chamdar. And they didn't know about the voice Garion heard either, but Belgarath had it in his head in BtS. But what the hell.... Some of the mistakes - or did DE remember what he'd written before? - make the story more interesting. David and Leigh wrote the Prequels after the other books, and then it must be quite hard not to change some things. So why complain about it, or whatever we do... THE PROPHECY: I've got a theory about the prophecy. I don't think that it really foretells the future. I mean, it's simple, something could have gone wrong and Garion would have failed. I think the prophecy says what HAS TO HAPPEN if that side will win. Of course the two prophecies have different point of views of what has to happen, 'cause they don't have the same purpose. That's a quite good thought, I think. Probably, if something had gone wrong, everything would turn into chaos or something. Who knows what had happened? Would Cyradis make her choice? Well, nobody is able to know anything about it. I don't think it would be a good idea to try to do something wrong, do you? I think that Torak could have killed Garion in Cthol Mishrak. Garion won because Zedar killed Durnik, so that Polgara could resist Torak. If Durnik

Submitted by javelins@hotmail.com

didn't die, Torak would win. That is one thing that could have gone wrong. I actually feel sorry for Zedar. But maybe it was his task to leave Aldur and serve Torak instead. Polgara and Zedar had a little talk about that, remember? After all, he had to kill Durnik if the light would win. That's quite funny. Zedar actually helped the prophecy of light, even if he didn't know it. THE DISCIPLES OF ALDUR: I want to say another thing: The disciples of Aldur is NOT immortal. Everybody has to die some day. Remember the talk Garion and Belgarath had in PoP? And Durnik will have two lives - and die twice. I wonder if Garion is a disciple of Aldur. If you didn't know, the others are: Belgarath, Beldin, Belzedar, Beltira, Belkira, Belmakor, Belsambar, Polgara, Poledra and Durnik. Probably he has the name Beldurnik now, even if nobody mentioned that name. ABOUT CE'NEDRA AND OTHER DRYADS: And then I want to answer some people who think they are smart... Well, anyway - Ce'Nedra IS a dryad. All dryads have human fathers, 'cause that's the only way it can be. Dryads can obviosly have boys, because dryads have been mothers of the emperors of the house Borune for some time. Polgara said in QoS that there were only female dryads. Maybe male children aren't dryads, or maybe they kill their boys, as someone said. Anyway, I don't think dryads have male children very often. Ce'Nedra just had one, remember? And her mother Ce'Vanne didn't have a heir to the Tolnedran throne. Xantha said to Ce'Nedra that she was a dryad, but also a human. Well, she was raised as Ran Borunes daughter in the human world, so she is different from the other dryads who lives in the forest. But she is as much dryad as they are. And someone said something about Ce'Nedras age when Brand was worrying about the heir that wasn't born - or made - yet. First, he ta

Submitted by javelins@hotmail.com

didn't die, Torak would win. That is one thing that could have gone wrong. I actually feel sorry for Zedar. But maybe it was his task to leave Aldur and serve Torak instead. Polgara and Zedar had a little talk about that, remember? After all, he had to kill Durnik if the light would win. That's quite funny. Zedar actually helped the prophecy of light, even if he didn't know it. THE DISCIPLES OF ALDUR: I want to say another thing: The disciples of Aldur is NOT immortal. Everybody has to die some day. Remember the talk Garion and Belgarath had in PoP? And Durnik will have two lives - and die twice. I wonder if Garion is a disciple of Aldur. If you didn't know, the others are: Belgarath, Beldin, Belzedar, Beltira, Belkira, Belmakor, Belsambar, Polgara, Poledra and Durnik. Probably he has the name Beldurnik now, even if nobody mentioned that name. ABOUT CE'NEDRA AND OTHER DRYADS: And then I want to answer some people who think they are smart... Well, anyway - Ce'Nedra IS a dryad. All dryads have human fathers, 'cause that's the only way it can be. Dryads can obviosly have boys, because dryads have been mothers of the emperors of the house Borune for some time. Polgara said in QoS that there were only female dryads. Maybe male children aren't dryads, or maybe they kill their boys, as someone said. Anyway, I don't think dryads have male children very often. Ce'Nedra just had one, remember? And her mother Ce'Vanne didn't have a heir to the Tolnedran throne. Xantha said to Ce'Nedra that she was a dryad, but also a human. Well, she was raised as Ran Borunes daughter in the human world, so she is different from the other dryads who lives in the forest. But she is as much dryad as they are. And someone said something about Ce'Nedras age when Brand was worrying about the heir that wasn't born - or made - yet. First, he ta

Submitted by javelins@hotmail.com

didn't die, Torak would win. That is one thing that could have gone wrong. I actually feel sorry for Zedar. But maybe it was his task to leave Aldur and serve Torak instead. Polgara and Zedar had a little talk about that, remember? After all, he had to kill Durnik if the light would win. That's quite funny. Zedar actually helped the prophecy of light, even if he didn't know it. THE DISCIPLES OF ALDUR: I want to say another thing: The disciples of Aldur is NOT immortal. Everybody has to die some day. Remember the talk Garion and Belgarath had in PoP? And Durnik will have two lives - and die twice. I wonder if Garion is a disciple of Aldur. If you didn't know, the others are: Belgarath, Beldin, Belzedar, Beltira, Belkira, Belmakor, Belsambar, Polgara, Poledra and Durnik. Probably he has the name Beldurnik now, even if nobody mentioned that name. ABOUT CE'NEDRA AND OTHER DRYADS: And then I want to answer some people who think they are smart... Well, anyway - Ce'Nedra IS a dryad. All dryads have human fathers, 'cause that's the only way it can be. Dryads can obviosly have boys, because dryads have been mothers of the emperors of the house Borune for some time. Polgara said in QoS that there were only female dryads. Maybe male children aren't dryads, or maybe they kill their boys, as someone said. Anyway, I don't think dryads have male children very often. Ce'Nedra just had one, remember? And her mother Ce'Vanne didn't have a heir to the Tolnedran throne. Xantha said to Ce'Nedra that she was a dryad, but also a human. Well, she was raised as Ran Borunes daughter in the human world, so she is different from the other dryads who lives in the forest. But she is as much dryad as they are. And someone said something about Ce'Nedras age when Brand was worrying about the heir that wasn't born - or made - yet. First, he ta

Submitted by jagged@home.com

Interesting that Belgarath and Polgara (PtS) have studied the question of whether the sun goes around their world or whether their world goes around the sun. The prophecy tells Garion that there are "whole races of men on worlds so far away that the light from their sun's will never reach this world". And someone makes a note of Zakath as having "Global" ambitions. That all suggests that they SEEM to be aware that they are living on a planet. YET in all these thousands of years, it never occurs to them to try sailing WEST from the Isle of Winds. They would obviously reach the Melcene Island that way. And unless their planet is HUGE, it wouldn't really be THAT long of a trip, at least compared to the route they took during the Mallorean... interesting, no? But I'll tell ya one thing. Just the fact that we've all read these books enough to notice these little things is indication of how greatly written they really are. To those who think we don't "get the point" for pointing out inconsistencies..... yes we do. We're just having fun now. And yes, I DO think I'm clever for noticing the inconsistencies I've noticed. Do you want to make something of it? (Alorn sneer) ;)

Submitted by sme@ns-law.usa.com

Can someone tell me what happened to the "interdiction" on the blot in the Mrin Codex? It's like the whole issue disappeared in the second book of the Malloreon. Who put it there? Why? Was it the dark prophecy? How come he gets to interfere directly? (And didn't Belgarath have the original copy of the Mrin? Is the one in the shrine an original illuminated copy or something?)

Submitted by javelins@hotmail.com

Well, I wrote too much, but I won't shut up. Sorry I posted the last one three times, but the reloding of the page didn't work. Well... First Brand talks to Polgara, and Ce'Nedra is 19 by that time. It was some years later he talked to Garion about it, and then they had been married for eight years by that time. It's simple, but I had to admit that I didn't notice that the first time. ABOUT ERIOND: Someone wondered how Eriond could stand the people around him, 'cause they were not really angels... But what the hell! I think he knew that all people are good somewhere... Most of them, anyway. He actually became god over the Angaraks, so I think he loves all the people in the world. The Angaraks really needed a god like him.! Go, go, Eriond! ????????? I wonder how Brand could fight Torak with the Orb on his shield. He didn't touch it, but how did he take it from the sword when no one could touch the Orb or take it from the sword? Maybe they found out something, and Brand was meant to use the Orb, wasn't he? And Eriond too, and he could touch the Orb. ABOUT THIS PAGE: I want to say something about this page. It's not really fun to look at some of it, but it's good if you have some opinions. Of course mistakes in the - wonderful - books we read can be annoying sometimes, 'cause everybody wants a story to make sense, but some of you just make me nuts! Just read and shut up! Sorry. But I hope that we can forget about the word inconsistency. It's hard to read and write the word anyway... Let's not forget that DE is human and able to make mistakes. And let's not forget that he's a storyteller, just like Belgarath, and he does whatever is best for the story, even if it doesn't make sense. ABOUT DAVID EDDINGS: Well, do you think I've written all this just because I hate David

Submitted by javelins@hotmail.com

Sorry again... Eddings? NO! I just love the books about Belgarion and his friends. I can't believe how anyone can create a whole new world and make it work that good! And the character's are also fantastic and seem to be REAL! It's much more fun than most of other fantasy books. Tolkien maybe had a good story, but he spoiled it with that awful language and the end of the story. Some people say that it's just a story and it's just fantasy, but what the hell, when reality sucks it's good to be in Tolnedra, Sendaria, or even Cthol Murgos. And the character's could be anywhere in our world - not exactly the same, but they are just like you and me sometimes. Actually, Leigh Eddings is like Polgara, and David Eddings is like Belgarath. Well, that was interesting... I wonder how they get along... THE END: Well, now I've bored you long enough - for this time. I just have one question, and it's really a good one. I really want to meet the one who has the answer, 'cause he has to be Ul himself. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE UNIVERSE?

Submitted by jehoward.samwhit@mailexcite.com

To those who resent the very existence of this list (including, apparently, Mr Eddings): We are paying customers. The Bel/Mal set alone comes to over Ģ50 even in paperback without the prequels. For that kind of money we are entitled to mention the matter if we find -as many of us have- that we have been sold shoddy goods. Yes, I enjoyed the books - much more than Tolkien - and there is much that is excellent in them. But there is a great deal of sheer sloppy workmanship that could have been avoided with a little attention to detail.We are not 'looking for mistakes'. We don't have to - they leap out of the page. Plenty of other fantasy writers manage many-volumed series without this kind of inconsistency rate. Look at their fan pages - how many of them have a site devoted to inconsistencies? It's the first thing two Eddings fans talk about when they meet, isn't it? Certainly all the ones I've met that I've introduced this site to have laughed and said "Has it got the one where..."And it's a bit strange - even inconsistent? - for a former English teacher to resent critical analysis of his own work, isn't it?

Submitted by tekfalcon@hotmail.com

As to the driad strain, it is possible that the necessity interfered. That would explain why Geran will have no brother, there is no need of one.

Submitted by sme@ns-law.com

I apologize if someone has posted this before, but I was just skimming through the list at lunch break and noticed a brief little argument about bats being rodents. Bats are members of the order Chiroptera ("hand wings"); rodents belong to the order Rodentia ("gnawers"). Most bat species eat insects; some eat fruit, etc., and of course a few eat blood. They are not rodents. Obviously, however, turning into a bat would not, in the world Eddings has created, necessarily require one to know anything about linnaean classification or cladism. So Polgara thinks bats are rodents. So what? She also thinks medicine has to taste bad. Yes, Mr. Eddings should have checked---the "bats are flying mice" theory has been outdated since before he was born, but Polgara knows only what David and Leigh Eddings know. Actually, however, I'm really much more concerned with the notion of inconsistency itself. After looking through the page, I notice three types of "inconsistencies": contradictions between the "real" world and Eddings' world (like bats as rodents); questions about how things work that are not fully explained (like male children of dryads); and incongruities in the text, i.e., places where one thing is asserted and then contradicted elsewhere. (like Beldin and the Will and the Word.)

Submitted by Sme@ns-law.com

Now, as a purely rhetorical matter, I'm not sure that pointing out the inconsistencies between this world and the Eddings world is going to accomplish much. The two are very much alike (one moon with 29 day orbit, four seasons, etc.) and there are only a few obvious incongruities, like the "bats are rodents" thing. There are many less obvious ones, of course---the Maelstrom, for example, is obviously a tidal whirlpool (as most of them are); how in the world could it be there all the time? And why can't you sail west to Mallorea? Trade with the Melcenes would certainly tempt most merchants, why in the world would they want to pay all those taxes and transport costs to cross "boundless Mallorea," freight the stuff across Gar og Nadrak, and then wander south through the Western kingdoms when they could just land at any port and pay a single impost if they came by sea? But as I say, this is not particularly helpful. I think discussing the last two types of inconsistency is much more informative. Things left unexplained by the text, about which we can speculate, and things which derive from either error (bralon vs. verdan) or evolution of the story (Belgarath's awareness and use of "hunter" in BtS vs. his ignorance of "hunter" in GotW). At this point, I guess my biggest beef is with the "tree falls in the forest" conversation at the beginning of . . . I forget which book, between Beldin and Durnik (and Polgara and Ce'Nedra). Boy, that one sure makes Pol and Ce'Nedra seem like empty heads, and poor Beldin---why in the world would he even give such stupid counterarguments the time of day? The old argument has nothing to do with who can hear the tree, it has to do with the nature of reality. Does a sound (or for that matter a color or a feeling or a belief) exist apart from perception or because of it? Look it up in the dictionary

Submitted by sme@ns-law.com

sorry---Look it up in the dictionary under "realism," "nominalism," and "conceptualism." The argument's been going on (on Earth) since the days of Duns Scotus and William of Ockham. Beldin's little conundrum is the stuff of high-level scholastic/philosophical (even religious) debate. The arguments set forth by Pol and Ce'Nedra (that someone or something could hear the tree fall) are so irrelevant that they sound idiotic. My respect for Polgara's mind (which Belgarath praises so highly) and my grudging acceptance of the flighty Ce'Nedra suffered a major setback at this point. If they really think they've snuffed out Beldin's example (a very simple one designed for introduction of novices to philosophical problems) then they're dumber than I thought. I like to believe they were just having fun with Beldin (who would really be more exasperated with their silliness than angry (after all, he's right---indeed, he wasn't trying to prove that the tree makes no noise, he was trying to get Durnik to think a new way)). If they really believed their simple-minded twaddle . . . then Belgarath is REALLY overpraising his daughter's mind.

Submitted by baringa@earthling.net

after scrolling down pages and PAGES of these "inconsistencies" . . . .all i have to say is : DON'T YOU PPL HAVE BETTER THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR LIFE?! Eddings has written a great book. . .a great FANTASY book that's meant to be FICTION. hello!!!!! get that clear from the start!! I must admit though, that one must a be true fan to read through and remember all these trifling details. . either a fan - or a perfectionist or just someone eager to tear someone else's good work apart. look - YOU try writing 10 books in a series. . let's see how well you do it! My point is - let it go, wouldja please?! Can't you let your imagination fill up these inconsistencies? or do you even have any imagination? if you don't - i seriously advise you NOT to venture into any more fantasy books. And my appreciation to all those who answered the questions on this page - HELP these poor souls who have no sense of how a fictionous book should be. Kudos to David Eddings for his magnificent and timeless epic - it's changed my life. . .

Submitted by Khadera@yahoo.com

First of all, Belgarath is not 20 000 years old. He is a little over 7 000. Also, about the Durnik thing, in Belgarath the Sorcerer he identifies him at birth as the man with two lives, but in the Belgariad, he is still figuring out who he is while they're in Arendia. This whole inconsistencies problem is with the last two books, where they have to go over all of the events!

Submitted by sme@ns-law.com

Just a word to those who think we should ignore the various inconsistencies in Mr. Eddings' work because it is "fiction." Coleridge referred to what he termed the "willing suspension of disbelief." Such suspension requires work on the part of both author and audience, and the most important part of this suspension is consistency. The subcreational world (as Tolkien called it) must be self-consistent, or it becomes "unbelievable"---not because it does not jibe with "reality," but because it does not jibe with itself. The fact that a book is "fiction" is not a license for the author to simply ignore the audience and pile all sorts of jarring, disonant ideas together: "hey, it's fiction" isn't going to satisfy the audience. Now, Eddings has created a fascinating premise, an interesting set of characters, and a relatively satisfying storyline (he certainly could've spent more time probing the perspective of immortality, and explaining the nature of the Great Game---but anyway). And, certainly, there are a number of "inconsistencies which are simply the evolution of the storyline (like C.S. Lewis's development of the Narnia Chronicles or the final story of Galadriel which never made it into the Silmarilion because it would have required a major rewrite). Still, these could be completely remedied by a new edition, revising all the past books into conformity. But there are other inconsistencies of history, character, and plot which cannot be ignored---nor can we wave them off (as one person did) by claiming that Belgarath is a storyteller, and they never tell what actually happened. Some of the inconsistencies are wildly off (the bear cult brand looks like a "letter U"?!!---they use our alphabet on this planet?) and some are really distracting (like Beldin's discovery of the will and the word, or Belgarath's not knowing who H

Submitted by sme@ns-law.com

I continue. . . or Belgarath not knowing who Hunter is). Critical analysis is one of the keystones of literary appreciation, although you may not believe it. And as Silk would say, "If it bothers you so much, don't look."

Submitted by bu343@yfn2.ysu.edu

This is more of a question than anything else. I was just curious if any of the books ever actually mention why Poledra had to leave? -->Do they ever actually say what he task was or does she just keep sayin "necessity"

Submitted by futureal@hotmail.com

Well...dammit now I read this whole page of inconsistencies... and now the whole belariod and malloria series is spoiled(!!!) And to all of you who complain about people who cant spell the characters names right, They are spelled differently in different countries!! Here where I live Durnik is called Durnik and not Durnic and so on...hmmm now I said something too...I wonder if I have deserved any hatemails? guess I'll find out huh....And sorry if this message comes a million times...I only posted it once..

Submitted by tylerboone@mailcity.com

At the Battle of Vo Mimbre how did belgarath talk to his brothers and how did they talk back to him. when you are in another form you can't talk that way to other sorcerers

Submitted by rhiannon99@mailexcite


Submitted by greg@gort.globalnet.co.uk

Having taken the time to read the posts here, I'm glad a number of my own gripes have believable solutions (Dryads outside the Wood can breed boys/ Polgara raising an heir -Garion- alone etc). I have my own little thought about the immortality problem facing Riva's king. I imagine Garion and Ce'Nedra abdicating at a suitable point, leaving Geran to rule Riva, and building their own cottage in the Vale. KoM's prologue is supposedly from a book called The _Lives_ of Belgarion the Great. Surely this implies a number of discernible chapters to Garion's life? It would too cruel to a Crown Prince to rule forever, so I like to think of the two of them living in the Vale and of Garion studying as a "humble" sorcerer when Ce'Nedra's tree dies, taking her with it. Call me a sentimentalist, but there you go.

Submitted by Andromed@mail.concentric.net

If Torak won the battle in the city of endless night,Garion would be ether killed or be made to serve the Dragon God of the Angerak.Polgara would marry him.The Orb would restore his face and he would rule the Earth for a time.Until a new child of light would come(Eriond,perhaps?).Torak and the new child of Light would go to the place that is no more,with The Seeress of Kell and make the choise.

Submitted by mavmine@juno.com

The Orb is supposed to be what makes the Rivan sword seem weightless, and when Garion takes off the Orb in Guardians of the West while at the Mrin shrine, he almost falls to his knees with the weight. However, this isn't always the case. For instance, once when he told 'Zakath that Urgit wasn't a Murgo, he took the Orb off to show him the truth, and there was no mention of the weight of the sword. Also, in The Seeress of Kell, when he gave Eriond the Orb at the end, he snatched it off the sword with the same inconsistency.

Submitted by kebair@cyberis.net

I saw a question about planting a tree for Geran even though he was a male. What I got from it was that the tree wasn't actually for him, but rather a symbol of Belgarion and Ce'Nedra's marriage. It says that there were TWO trees and that the grew TOGETHER. ~Grizzly

Submitted by WolfietheGreat@netscape.net

I noticed in Polgara the Sorceress that when Beldin copied the Mrin codex, he made six copies. Including the origional, there was seven. This was after Belsambar and Belmakor's death (and Poledra's as well), and with Polgara, Beltira and Belkira, Beldin, and Belgarath, that's only 5. Who are the other 2 for?

Submitted by gunstars@aol.com

OK, a few things: in BtS, Belgarath says that he knew Durnik was the Man With Two Lives, but didn't know quiet what that meant. It could mean he has two different personalties, like, he's softspoken and next thing you know he's outspoken. Something like that. And why did Polgara get upset over his death? Well, for one thing, she loves him, and even if you have two lives, you still cry if a loved one dies. Maybe she forgot because of her grief. That, and she needed to resist Torak's will. Second, both Belgarath and Polgara knew that the Gods limited themselves: they weren't allowed to bring dead things back to life. It was a rule they agreed to. So, technically, Durnik couldn't come back alive. It was only after the Prophecy intervened and said, "Yeah, sure, he can come back to life. We need to use Garion for it, though." Some of you may ask, "Yeah? Well what about the horse Garion brought back to life?" Well, obviously, brining things back to life isn't breaking the rules in the game of the two Necessities, so the good Prophecy went through Garion to break the barrier of death. If you have any comments, e-mail me.

Submitted by kbab6ac@dmu.ac.uk

My name is Fool and I am not a Fool, You are a Fool, you piece of the shit, Why you give me shit, right. I got it all right, I am the Alan right. Cruikshanks be my name and I got the shit, Yes I got all of the shit. Did you want some?

Submitted by S_Path@msn.com

The reason that Ce'Nedra can produce a male child is blatently obvious. She can do it down to the fact that the good prophesy controls her and it can tamper with the laws of nature. It also did this with Zith (by delaying her pregnancy). This spirit is supposed to be one of the most powerful beings in the universe so it would be easy to divert the laws of nature.

Submitted by S_Path@msn.com

Why is it that the ages of the sorcerers are so erratic. In QoS When Belgarion has the big argument with Polgara does he say that she is 4000 years old but in the rest of the series it is accepted that she is 3000 years old.

Submitted by artoo_@hotmail.com

This is not an inconsistecy but I think you should all take the trouble to read ALL the books before you complain īcause many of the "inconsistencies" get their explanation. And many of them doesnīt exist at all so just read and enjoy. Iīve read the Belgariad about nine times and itīs the best!!!!!! Go Eddings!!!!!

Submitted by Dunning.family@Xtra.co.nz

In PoP, when Belgarath and Garion have the little standoff with Brill and Durnik arrives, it strikes me as being a little odd that Durnik, a blacksmith, can beat up a highly trained Dagashi! Even though he was surprised, Brill still shouldn't have been caught that easily!

Submitted by javelins@hotmail.com

If you look at this page, you think that the whole Bel/Mal is a big inconsistency, but that is not true! OK, some dates here and some names there, who cares? Then it's stuff that some people THINK are inconsistencies. Often, they aren't. And then we've got the REAL inconsistencies - very few, of course, it's almost only when you compare Bel/Mal to the prequels. Of course there are some inconsistencies there. Eddings didn't even know where he was going in the beginning, and then he found out things about the story that he didn't know before. Who cares about inconsistencies? Just try to ignore them! It's a great story! I know the world and the characters very well, they are really great described! Something that Eddings could do, is to add a little more dangerous stuff to the story. But actually it's already there. You don't believe that everything is going to hell, though.I envy all of you out there who haven't read Eddings books yet. It's really great to get to know the characters!

Submitted by aletros@yahoo.com

For the one about the weight of the sword and how it's not mentioned while showing 'Zakath is because iirc he puts it down first.

Submitted by OscarD_Grouch@hotmail.com


Submitted by tonyr@nwpaclink.com

A few notes: * Durnik is not called Beldurnik in the same light that Garion is rarely called Belgarion. Everybody that knows him isn't about to suddenly call him a new name. (Belgarath addresses that question and states that Belgarion is so new to his 'Bel' that it still squeaks if he turns quickly.) * The post submitted by m.bruce@ugrad.unimelb.edu.au complains about the lack of advanced technology. The universe was locked in a constant cycle, a note first stumbled upon by Garion when he realized in the Mallorean that things were similar to how they were before. The world hadn't advanced because it had to repeat itself until the conflict reached conclusion. * Also, Belgarath and Beldin's little forgetful incidents is nothing to go crazy over. If I was thousands of years old (seven thousand, nine thousand, 12 thousand, they're all lying, so who really knows), I'd be forgetting a lot of things. I can't even remember the math assignment from last week. * Some people have neglected to see that Brand did not move the Orb himself, but Poledra snuck in in the middle of the night and did it. I love Vo Mimbre, personally. * Torak's naptime has been disputed because Aldur didn't need sleep. Well, when nearly any type of creature is injured, the first reaction of the body is to induce sleep to promote healing. Torak takes a nap, time cycles, he's stuck that way while leading into conflict. * Some people have been noting Zedar as the archetypical villain, but his real purpose in going to Torak was to help Aldur (and the Light Prophecy). He wanted to fool Torak and get the Orb back, but was overwhelmed. So perhaps he was still partially an agent of light when he killed Durnik, enabling Polgara to resist Torak. (Poledra tells Zandramas that the power of the Child of Light doesn't vanish so easily, maybe there's a chunk left in Zedar.) * On

Submitted by tonyr@nwpaclink.com

The rest of my post: * On the part of Aldur forming the Orb in one story, and the Orb falling to earth in another, well, he's a God, he knew what he was doing, and his goal ended up winning in the end. * The blot in the Mrin Codex was stated to be in there by the original author, I thought, and the light of the Orb showed the true information. I may be wrong though. It's to prevent information from coming out before it's supposed to. * I love Eddings' novels and will continue to read them over and over again. People think of these pages as a nitpick against the work, but that isn't the case. Everybody here (most everbody) is an Eddings lover, and we just like to talk about inconsistencies. Perhaps they aren't so inconsistent, except the whole Chaldan/Chamdar issue. T.R.

Submitted by dgraham@cei.net

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Submitted by stephen@bcl.com

do we really care?

Submitted by jwjohnson@genetics.com

OK Oret . . . Is it a designer drug that can come in several different colors and have different effects?

Submitted by gunstars@aol.com

OK, I realize that the "tree in the woods" thing is a long argument that's been going on for years, but let me give you an example: nature was here before us. Before the animals. Both in the theories of evolution and religion, nature was here before animals and humans. God created animals after he created the earth. Animals developed after the earth was already here. So, here's my question: why do we base sound on ourselves and animals? A sound is a sound, even if no one is there to hear it. Obviously, humans have such a huge, pumped-up ego and vision of themselves that they think a sound can't be a sound unless the MIGHTY HUMAN or some other animal is there to hear it. Hello?! Is there anybody in there?! (I'm being sarcastic.) Sounds exist all by themselves, and I doubt whether they care if we hear them or not. Polgara and Ce'Nedra were right when they said a sound is a sound, and I think that Eddings is trying to prove a point - that we aren't the center of the universe. A perfect example is how the wolves act - they couldn't care less about Garion and his friends or his quest. Eddings is trying to take our huge ego and use it against us, and it works. And if you need further proof, go see the movie "Antz", and then tell me you're the most important thing to ever walk the earth.

Submitted by natassa@indigo.gr


Submitted by vickster4590@hotmail.com

I've seen a number of statements that Brand's office only existed between the time of the assassination of Gorek the Wise until Garion appeared. However, in BtS for sure and in another book that I can't recall at the moment, Brand is summoned to the scene of the assassination, which would seem to indicate that he and his office already exist. What's up with that?

Submitted by topazpilot@hotmail.com

I like Eddings and all, but what I can't understand is why he makes the villains so stupid and weak. It seems that Polgara, Garion, Belgarath and the others just kill all the "bad guys" so easily without even breaking a sweat, like when Polgara throws Zandramas out of Ce'Nedra's head, Zandramas is the Child of Dark shouldn't she be just a little more powerful, or when Belgarath imprisons Zedar in the earth, if I remember correctly Zedar was a Disciple of Aldur and a Disciple of Torak, shouldn't he have caused Belgarath more problems. I think Eddings makes the "good guys" into supermen and the "bad guys" into weak idiots. And why does it seem that we are supposed to be so sympathetic for Ce'Nedra, she just grates on my nerves.

Submitted by qgut3@sussex.ac.uk

Hi!

1. You wouldn't bother to find inconsitencies in a book you didn't like, so a list like this should be taken more like a compliment than an insult. :-)

2. Since Aphrael will age as Danae, something she really doesn't do, I suppose she will "die" as well. The champion "system" was only used to keep Anakha's family close to the royal family and the rings together (or whatever, I forgot), so in the future champions aren't really needed. Or they could let some other family become champions.

3. "Berit" is a girl's name in Swedish and it is also my mother's name, so reading "The Elenium" was a bit odd in the beginning. I think they changed the name in the Swedish translation. :-)

/Marika

Submitted by jed.davis@excite.com

Why in S of K do Belgarath, Beldin, and Garion all three simply "forget" that Ce'Nedra is going to be Zandramas' source for finding out where the Final Meeting is to be held. It seems to me that they should have kept a better eye on her after they left Kell, when she starts acting very peculiarly. It seems odd to just let her wander off while they are trying to hide from a group of Darshivan Scouts and not notice she's gone for at least a half hour. Then later on the ship to Korim, Garion tells Ce'Nedra all about how she was supposed to be the one who "betrayed" them for the sake of the Prophecy. PS. Why didn't Zandramas try to kill Ce'Nedra when she had her all alone out in the forest anyway? That seems a bit out of character.

Submitted by nevena82@hotmail.com

To answer a question: someone asked how could the sorcerers communicate in their animal forms, when it had been told that they couldnīt do it. Well, it wasnīt exactly like that. Belgarath only said that it was impossible to reach another sorcerer if you didnīt know that he had changed form. So if you know the other is a wolf, then itīs easy to find him, and communicate with him.

Submitted by Lioness85@AOL.com

Ce'Nedra has an amulet that suposed to pretect her but in the mallorean she is taken over alot

Submitted by S_Path@msn.com

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Submitted by bandin@hotmail.com


Submitted by lauri.kotilainen@kotipc.fi

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Submitted by donibristle@netscape.net

Okay it's not a big one, but in "The Ruby Throne" Kalten was diving with the others in that lake to try and find the Bhelliom, Yet in "The Hidden city" it's revealed tha Kalten can't swim as he starts to scream as soon as his head goes under the water. Hmmm

Submitted by philip.hobday@coundon.demon.co.uk

In the Belgariad, Eddings writes that there four sons of Brand, the Rivan Warder. Three of these - Bralon, Kail and Olban - are mentioned by name. Who was the fourth son? What was his name? Then, in "Guardians of the West", it says that the THREE sons of the Rivan Warder are Kail, Brin and Verdan. Any ideas?

Submitted by philip.hobday@coundon.demon.co.uk

In the Belgariad, Eddings writes that there four sons of Brand, the Rivan Warder. Three of these - Bralon, Kail and Olban - are mentioned by name. Who was the fourth son? What was his name? Then, in "Guardians of the West", it says that the THREE sons of the Rivan Warder are Kail, Brin and Verdan. Any ideas?

Submitted by craig jones craigjones@darlington14.freeserve.co.uk

It always seems a liilt odd to me that Garion, Belgarath and silk pitch up at the city of endless night at the same time as Pol and durnik etc. Yes Belgarath was held up in the marshes and it took some time to cross with the clash with the demon sumoners, but Ce'nedra waited a month before departing, raised an army, went a very long way round, waited at the top of the escarpment was taken prisoner and still was there at the same time, odd what!

Submitted by geekstinkbreath_@hotmail.com

Sorry about this but I have to ask. How can Aphreal have children? She said in The Hidden City that she didn't get the same urges as humans so how can she reproduce if she can't get the urges? And if she could have a child, would it be half mortal? But if she couldn't would that mean that she would keep on reincarnating herself?

Submitted by stretch_2099@yahoo.com


Submitted by petramanshanden@hotmail.com

Sometimes I think David Eddings must know Dutch, because several of the names he uses (worst of it is Aslade) means in Dutch a thing. Worst of them is Aslade, what is a place to gather ashes. But there is also Talen (languages) for example.

Submitted by semirhage@hotmail.com


Submitted by moirane@hotmail.com

<! To philip.hobday@coundon.demon.co.uk: Riva had 4 sons: Kail (who became the Rivan warder after his father),Brin and Verdan(who helps Garion when he searches for Geran on Riva)and Olban (who tried to murder Garion when he became king, because he felt that his father was "pushed aside".)These are the four names that I have found in the books.(I haven't read them in english.)>

Submitted by moirane@hotmail.com

An argument in the "tree in the woods" discussion: If a tree falls in the woods of course it makes a sound! A sound is just waves in the air and as long as there is air (oxygen) this tree will "produce" sound waves as it falls and it would be a sound, wheter there is someone there to hear it or not!!

Submitted by semirhage@mailcity.lycos.com

About Ce'nedra's chances of producing a male heir. If I remember correctly, Belgrath said that the females of the line breed true - that meens that all the MALE children of a dryad will be normal Tolnedrans and all the FEMALE children will be dryads . There's nothing strange about dryads having male children

Submitted by ina_liel33@hotmail.com

I LOVE DAVID EDDINGS' BOOKS...especially the Belgariad and the Mallorean...I've been reading it since I'm a freshman student until now - a graduate in College...So, the hell with all inconsistencies...This is a fantasy world we're talking about so, ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN! I LOVE YOU DAVID EDDINGS!

Submitted by SilkSand@looksmart.com

I noticed that in the Belgaraid he call the god of the arends Chaldan. But in the Mallorean he calls the god of the arends Chaldar.

Submitted by elwood621@hotmail.com

In response to an "inconsistency." Belgerath never said that the sorcerors could not communicate when they were in animal form. He said that if someone was trying to contact you but did not know what form you were in you would not get the message. Therefore, they can "speak" with each other as long as the know what forms to "speak" to.

Submitted by Kalgarath1@aol.com

ok, i have been reading these comments and am really puzzled that several of you are having problems with things like fertility and aging and healing. you all seem to be forgetting that DE's books are a work of fiction, something from his imagination and that they do not have to follow realities rules. it is a work of FICTION after all. perhaps i look at this differently, but honestly, when you have written 10 books on one story, could you keep every detail straight? *smile* i don't think so. just accept what he has written and be happy that he wrote it. after all you seemed to have enjoyed it, you did look up this site.

Submitted by mr.nit@usa.net


Submitted by mr.nit@usa.net


Submitted by al.knight@virgin.net

People who read Eddings searching for inconsistencies ought to read something diffrent.

Submitted by al.willatt@virgin.net

Does anybody know of any sites by people who read Eddings for enjoyment?

Submitted by tina_windy@hotmail.com

Hello everyone!!! Who would like a book that is about when Sparhawk and Kalten was young! Like when Sparhawk broke his nose... Does enyone know what adress David Eddings have?? Please if you have it send it to: tina_windy@hotmail.com Tina

Submitted by gabe@neo.rr.com

In the book THE SEERESS OF KELL when Garion is explaining to the she wolf (which later they find out is Poledra) how human babies are usually born one at a time. The she-wolf responds by saying "How amazing, I've had as many as six at a time."(The last statement in quotes must be true because it is an ipossibility to lie in the language of wolves)Later in the book when Belgareth finds out who the she-wolf is he asks who the little pup who was with her is and she replied by saying he was an orphan who was left behind by the pack, and she also states that Belgareth was her only mate. But if Belgareth was her only mate then what she said to Garion when she was a wolf must be a lie, because the only to childeren Poledra ever had were Polgara, and Belderan. BUT WOLVES CAN'T LIE!!

Submitted by ebethaliz@go.com

First off, I know it's been mentioned, but remember: Consistency is the defense of a small mind. This is true: a mind which requires consistancy lacks imagination, being fettered by slight, petty inconsistencies and anachronisms.

Second, Ce'Nedra. Wouldn't she be MORE dryad than other dryads? Dryads have a dryad mother and a human father. Ce'Nedra's father was part dryad, as the fact is specifically stated that the Borune men had become short over time because of the dryad blood in the line. Therefore, while ALL dryads are 1/2 dryad, Ce'Nedra is LESS than 1/2 human!


Submitted by lyzzie_sticks@hotmail.com

In a conversation with Silk, Garion points out that, because he's a sorcerer, he'll live a long time. But "The Voice" tells him that he'll probably live long enough to see Eriond God of the World. Does this mean that it's going to take Eriond a long time, or is Belgarion going to die soon?

Submitted by BigAnts@hotmail.com

Oh man, there are some serios DE readers out there. Please people, put yourself in DE shoes and try and remember that he wrote these books over a period of, what, 10 or 15 years. I would like to see anyone recall exactly how and what they wrote after that period of time. Just enjoy the books for what the are, masterpieces of modern literiture.I know that when I re-read the books it is like catching up with old and dear friends, such is the skill of DE as a storyteller. Be at peace my friends and enjoy life while you still can.

Submitted by megan78@hotmail.com


Submitted by pagan-soc@sheffield.ac.uk

Okay, so It's not so much an explanation of an inconsistency as an interpretation, but here goes.
On the Subject of touching the orb:
The way I read all of this, the "He who is without evil intent" business is basically a smokescreen that Belgarath made up. Since he knew who was supposed to get the orb, he had to use a tactic to make sure that the right brother got it, and used that, knowing their minds and how they thought. The orb wouldnt so much destroy someone who is evil, it just doesn't like to be used for evil ends. So it blasts Torak. Maybe after that it doesnt want to be touched except by the ones who are supposed to, and it's whether the orb chooses to blast them or not, which would explain what happened when Eriond touched Belgarath and Poledra with the Orb. It incidently also provided a good way of making sure that no connving priests took it into their heads to use the alorns holiest object for their own ends.
Mephisto D'Arcane

Submitted by cthragyaska@icqmail.com

About darestim. When they are in Rendor they find a doctor who cured some king and his family from darestimpoisoning. he did this by grounding up some magical thing, where he should have simply touched this object to the person who was sick. This is the reason why they need to find Bhelliom. About Belmakor in BtS is says that he follows Belsambar ie he wills himself out of existence.

Submitted by Kythian@aol.com

I just had to note one thing in response to many of the posts I have read here tonight. I do not claim to be an expert by any stretch of the iammagination, but allow me the benefit of the doubt for a moment. Many of the inconsistencies noted here can be attributed to one or two things. Either Human Error (No one has -perfect- recall of everything.. or few do), or has no one considered the fact that not everyone is always telling the truth? This was not intended to be a flame, merely my thoughts on the matter.

Submitted by crattyma@voicenet.com

I can't believe people go to all that trouble to try to find mistakes in a wonderful series of books. Out of morbid curiousity, I read through the list. From this reading, it is clear that at least 75% of you have no idea what you are talking about. Eddings is very keen on leaving a sense of mystery to his character's speeches as well as holes in the plot that the reader needs to fill in with their own imagination. This is a huge part of why he is so successful. In addition, the existance of the prophecies and their ability to take a hand in the events that transpire makes a great number of unlikely events possible. Lastly, get over the dryad thing, and the seeming inconsistencies of statement made by various characters. They are often indulging in the exaggerations and "white-lies" that are a normal part of human interaction. I would take on the task of correcting the majority of the listed "inconsistencies", but I have no interest in getting involved in a sad practice of taking the joy out of a series that was as satisfying as anything I have ever read.

Submitted by elena.turpin@kb.u-psud.fr

When Polgara first says she is the duchess of Erat, everybody think she is pretending. When we discover she is really the duchess of Erat, and she has a lot of money, Belgarath is very surprised, as if he had no idea of what had happened. In Polgara the sorceress, Belgarath is well aware of his daughter being given the title of duchess of Erat, and it lasted for quite some time. That is something one can't just forget, he should know she was not pretending.

Submitted by magi999@hotmail.com

In Belgarath the Sorceror Beldin tells Belgarath that grolim can't make magic outside Angarak territory yet Chamdar use magic on Garion in Sendaria.

Submitted by Hertz@JVLNET.COM


Submitted by Hertz@jvlnet.com


Submitted by eggpeg@softhome.net

Hey I'd just like to say that David Eddings is the absolute BEST modern fantasy author, and if anyone has any other authors that they appreciate could they please email me, or if they just want to chat could the please email me?? Thankyou :)

Submitted by sl.ffaser@usa.net

Just a small one but when the killed Naradas on the island of Perivor, Naradas was laid out in state in the chapel of Chamdar? the God of the Arends. Did he receive a promotion after Garion burnt him alive in the wood of the dryads?

Submitted by ahilaganesan@yahoo.com


Submitted by ahilaganesan@yahoo.com

In Chapter 40 of Polgara the Sorcerres, Pol talks about the madness of Zakath and Taur Urgas. She goes on to mention that Cho-Ram of Algaria cured the insanity of Taur Urgas and Cyradis, the Seeress of Kell, cured Zakath's although they used entirely different methods. But it was Cho-Hag who killed Taur Urgas (and thus ending his insanity) and not Cho-Ram. In EEG (Chapter 12) Polgara explained to Ce'Nedra that she was terrified of Torak ever since Belgarath first explained to her (when she was no older than Ce'Nedra herself) that in the dark Prophecy, she was to be Torak's bride. But in PtS, she finds out about that element in the Prophecy only when she spies on Torak during the Battle of Vo Mimbre. Plus at that time she was more than 2000 years old and not Ce'Nedra's age. And Belgarath had no inkling (at least that is how it seemed) to this during the Battle of Vo Mimbre.

Submitted by eversor7@yahoo.com

Some people have asked why Zedar didn't just pick up the Orb with gloves on, or put it in a bag.... This misses the main point, the orb is magically welded to the hilt of Sword of the Rivan King. He would have to touch the orb with his skin before it would release itself from the sword wouldn't he???

Submitted by igelkottas@hotmail.com

I believe that Belgarath after having lived for 7000 years as a very large consumer of alcohol, would by the time of the Belgariad and the Mallorean have been diagnosed with livercirosis. If that is not the case he should instead have drunken such large amounts of alcohol that he would be practically immune against the effects of it. Or perhaps being able to drink as much alcohol as you want is just another benefit that comes with having eternal life.

Submitted by admical@tin.it

A link for Italians, Dalila Mud 2. dalila.shopitaly.net Bye, Shade

Submitted by shibumi@rocketmail.com

< In "The Seeress of Kell" Eddings confuses the grolim Chamdar with the god of the Arends, Challdan, rather frequently. kinda funny huh? >