The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the HEROic Unbeliever

[Curufea]

Actually - I think the setting in the Wheel of Time and The Song of Ice and Fire to be better.

[Melenkurion]

First of all, Tolkien's Middle Earth can't be bested. That ain't happening, until you get a philologist with a brilliant imagination that is not happening. Ask the authors you posted, not one of them will disagree, including Donaldson. The thing about The Land is that it is healthy, it sings of health, the earthpower we talk about here is not even open to debate in The Land. The hills truly are alive with the sound of music.
Donaldson's world is not shallow. Only shallow people use that word anyway. Guess that makes me shallow. Rats.
Earthpower, that is what The Land is about, sustaining beauty, without a flaw. Maybe that was Kevin's flaw, he could not accept The Land if it wasn't perfect. The Ritual of Desecration is a child's tantrum, that is why Mhoram, no child he, would never do that. Kevin Landwaster passed centuries like others pass decades. Sorry, Kevin was almost as bad as Foul. Why didn't Elena bring back Berek? Berek was a true champion. Of course she probably thought she had Berek by her side in Covenant.
So, this is what seperates Donaldson from the rest, his Land is pure emotion, and that emotion is dangerous. Earthpower, healthsense, same thing. White gold, Covenant, same thing. Mhoram changed everything when he understood Loric's Krill. Covenant is the white gold. he is the paradox. He is both fool and saint, savior and destroyer. In the end I think The Land will be destroyed, but Foul will not escape. Foul will live in the cesspool he created. Since the Law of Death was destroyed, the dead will live on, but not in The Land. I really think Donaldson is going to bring some of them here to our world. Can you imagine The Hurachai in Manhattan? Or a stonedowner in Miami? Maybe that was the point, Covenant refused Mhoram's call to The Land to save a girl. Linden Avery has The Staff of Law. Maybe that is where he is going with this. Don't know. What I suggested is stupid, but who knows. I do know I will be a senior citizen by the time he finishes his four books.

"Where to?" the cab driver asked.
"Where?" Bane said.
"Yeah, where are you going? You know, address, yadayada.."
"What is this yadayada..it sounds mystical."
"Ok, pal, you don't want a ride. But there are laws."
"Laws?"
"Yeah, like don't break a vow, don't litter.."
"Vow?"
"Oh, now you are listening."
"We are Hurachai, we know of vows."
"Hey, pal you don't look so good. Mabe you should call a doctor. As for me, I am outta here."
The cab drives off.
Bane looks around and sees many forgettable things.
"We suffice," he says.
Bane grabs a policeman and asks in his impassive voice, "Where is the Un-Believer?"
The cop reaches for his gun, Bane slaps it away.
"We are Hurachai, weapons do not obtain. Where is Ur-Lord Thomas Covenant? The Ur-Lord spoke of being a writer, a teller of tales."
The cop, on his back, nearly crippled points to a sign above Bane's head. The sign reads "All Things Shall Sin" a Novel By Thomas Covenant, bestselling author of "Giltmurder's Daughter". Now a Major Motion Picture
Bane paused. "You will take me to the Ur-Lord."
The cop sputtered, "What? I'm a cop. Do you have any idea of who you are messing with?"
"You do not suffice."
The cop was not in fear of his life but he was becoming exasperated. In his need he shot out: "Covenant? The author? That's who you want?"
"The Ur-Lord is required."
"Look, I'm not fighting you, ok? Just let me up. If you want you can put me back on the ground again. Alright?"
Bane shrugged and nodded.
The cop straightened his clothes, hair and hat.
"What do you want with that leper?"
Bane almost slapped the cop.
"There is need. The Ur-Lord must protect."
"Ok, pal, I got ya. This Ur-Lord he protects? right?"
Bane nodded.
The policeman leaned against his cruiser. He sighed and ran a hand over his face.
"Sorry, to tell you this, but Thomas Covenant died three years ago. You know, they go in threes. Dean and then Frank, and then"
"Lies do not obtain. We are The Hurachai. Ringthane lives."

"Ring--what? I don't know what's going on here, maybe I don't want to know. But I have back up and they are on the way."

"Back-up? What is back-up?" Bane asked as he readied himself on the balls of his feet.

"Cops. Like me. More cops, a lot more."

"Cops? This name is foreign. It sounds ineffectual."

"They have guns, rifles, shotguns, tear gas."

"These sound like despite."

"Ok, pal, just warning you. Cops do not like people messing with other cops."

"What is cops?"

"We are sworn to protect and serve."

"I know of this oath. This leads to desecration."

"well, ok. But right now, you got two police squads pulling up and the reason I am telling you this is because you are insane. Surrender. Give yourself up before more lives are lost."

"We are Hurachai, we do not surrender. Our fealty to The Lords is over, but we are not Corruption's tools. We suffice, the "cops" will be dealt with."

"They have an arsenal!"

"What is arsenal? This word is strange and evil."

With that Bane sprang through the door way.