Explorations and Explanations: Alterran Lore

This topic will feature additional insights in Alterran lore, usually in answer to questions from readers. If you would like anything explained, or a question aswered, please ask in the form of a comment.  I will try to accommodate you. :-)

Enduring Monogamy and the Elves of Alterra: The Biology of an Immortal Species

A few readers have commented that they don’t quite understand the nature of the sort of eternal bond displayed by some of the immortal characters in Alterra, such as Gaelen and Ri-Elathan, or Shandor and Liathwyn. Because the readers (like the author) are human beings, they tend to view relationships through human eyes.  Humans often seek a new partner upon the loss of the original one, and they frequently beget children by more than one partner.  It has distressed some readers that Gaelen (the principal female protagonist) will never bear children.  ‘Does she not love Orogond?’ they ask.

The situation between Gaelen and Orogond (with respect to child-bearing) reinforces three points:

1. Immortal species MUST have carefully restricted reproduction.

2. Natural Selection works, but it is imperfect.

3. This author is a Biologist.

Let’s deal with the third point first. I am, in fact, a Biologist, and my writings reflect it. The creatures in Alterra are consistent with an earthlike world.  I can explain the environmental forces that led to the emergence of each and every one; to an extent, they all ‘borrow’ from existing creatures. Ulfar, for example, are a combination of influences from hagfish, lampreys, and Komodo dragons. Currgas have traits displayed by nearly every aquatic mammal on earth, but most especially otters and water-shrews. Even Olcas, the ‘evil minions’ of Alterra (all evil folk need minions, after all) can be explained through biology (see ‘Orcs vs Olcas: very different indeed!). Ok, so I won’t deny it. Alterra was imagined by a scientist.

Now, the first and second points:

In our world, there are different reproductive strategies displayed by various organisms, depending on their nature.  Some species produce large quantities of offspring, but their mortality is high, and life-spans are short, as is generation time. Examples are annual weeds, many insects, and small rodents.  They are referred to as ‘r selected’ species.

Others employ the opposite strategy; their reproductive rate is low, their generation time is long, as is their life span, and their mortality is low in comparison to r-selected species. These are known as ‘K selected’.  Example are blue whales, redwood trees, and (believe it or not) humans.

Elves are the ultimate K-selected species in Alterra. They live forever unless they are killed or they choose to fade. They cannot suffer disease, nor do they age.

Humans are mortal, and in Alterra their mortality rate is high, though their life spans are longer than ours. When they become too numerous, they are often felled by disease.

If Elves practiced the sort of unrestricted reproduction that humans do…well…we’d be up to our elbows in Elves! Obviously some mechanism for limiting Elven reproduction had to be in place to prevent such an event. Now, lest you believe that this Biologist has lost all trace of romance, do not fear! (Those who have read my books know better, anyway.)

The bond between Elven life-mates is a spiritual one, but it has biological consequences. When any Elf meets the person who will become his/her life-mate, there is a process of bonding that may be immediate, or it may take time to develop. In the case of Gaelen and Ri-Elathan, for example, it was immediate. That tends to be the case when at least one of the partners is of advanced age. In the case of Nelwyn and Galador it took a bit longer and was more subtle, as befits the nature and history of the characters (Galador, while of fairly great age, had given his heart once before, albeit to the wrong partner).

Once this bonding occurs, it is irrefutable, undeniable, and permanent. Elves may have many casual relationships, and these may involve all sorts of pleasurable indulgences (for those of you who are curious). Childbearing, however, is restricted to the life-mate alone.

It is the females who control this in Elven populations—they have the greater parental investment. Therefore, Gaelen’s body will not allow her to beget children by anyone other than her life-mate. (There are precedents in nature, and I could explain further, but I’ll forego the pleasure.)  She might love Orogond, but she will never experience the same depth of spiritual and physical union that she had with Ri-Elathan (‘Rain’). That union was so deep that Gaelen’s spirit was literally torn apart when Rain died.

Male Elves can beget children outside the bond of the life-mate—Galador, for example, fathered a child of a human female (Gwynnyth) before he met Nelwyn.  Elven females, however, cannot.  Therefore, the only children begotten of male Elves outside the life-bond are from females of other races, and such unions are extremely rare in Alterra.

Gaelen’s life-mate was taken very early in their relationship, and they little time to develop together. No children were conceived—there wasn’t enough time. Gaelen can pursue other relationships, even as she did before she met Rain, but they are casual. She loves Llewellys, for example, but only on the level of a very dear friend. Eventually, she comes to love Orogond. Because he is human, she can open her heart completely to him without intruding upon her relationship with Rain. When Orogond dies he will leave her forever. In the meantime, there will be no children produced by Gaelen. Her biology will not permit it.

Sorry about that!

--CSM

Comments

[Fox22]

"If Elves practiced the sort of unrestricted reproduction that humans do…well…we’d be up to our elbows in Elves!"

Come, now! What's so bad about that? ;-)
Really good information! Very useful.

-Foxy

[Fox22]

Also, do you think that you could make a small blog on the place (I can't think of the name, Tuathas, was it?) and their culture. Thanks!

-Foxy

[Archer]

Foxy: Sure, we can do a wee blog on the Tuathar. Is there anything specific that you would like to know?

[Fox22]

...everything. :-)

Well, just some general history and culture if possible. Thanks, I appreciate it!

[Cuingael]

Well well, mistress author. How terribly depressing.
But from a scientific view- very nice. Though sciences tend to be depressing. At least Chemisty is. It so taxes my brain.

But anyhow.

How you thought this out... marvelous.

Also, my friend, whom I've made read Elfhunter (he rather likes it), had a question about why exactly the elves and humans go to different places for their afterlife. I considered and couldn't quite think of anything.

So, if you could pass along something I can show to him?

He raves about your book. Likes Gorgon.

His favorite character is Orogond.

When I asked him why he replied:

"Because...he's awesome! and anyway, he keeps up with all these elves even though he's only human!"

I hadn't thought of it that way. Different perspectives I suppose.

Well, I'm just trying to share your lovely book.

(though unfortunetly my autographed copy is becoming rather battered.)

[Archer]

Hi, Cuingael (and friend):

First, an announcement: there is a new series in the works. :-) It's set twenty years after the ending of Ravenshade.

Why do the Elves not share eternity with humans? Actually, it's a very good question. No one really knows the answer...not even in Alterra...any more than you or I know the true nature of the afterlife in our own world. We do know that there is a special realm set aside for the Elves. The Asari supposedly were given enlightenment into the question by Aontar, and they have passed that enlightenment on. Aontar does not explain His actions, however, so I suppose the 'why' will need to remain a mystery.
:-)

[Cuingael]

Oh How wonderful. Well, Keep us posted! I will buy said series. and Hopefully, get the lovely author to sign them. ;)

Well, that certainly won't appease my friend. Oh well. I'm sure he can accept that even in books some things can't be explained.

I do miss the forums.

Also, my friend, another avid horseperson like yourself was a bit annoyed at you for referring to a horses' elbow. (Eros, in particular) He was fuming:
"Horses don't have elbows!"

which I found funny. My reasoning was, you didn't want to use horse-person terminology with us non-horse person types.

[Archer]

But, Cuingael...horses DO have elbows! Trust me...they DO!
The point at the back of the top of the foreleg is called the elbow. It is made by a bone called the olecranon...just as in a human. Tell your friend not to fret--there is NO equine inaccuracy in any of the books. I'm not a professor of equine science for nothin', y'know!

[Cuingael]

Hello, dear author. I wondered what was going on with that new series? is it close to completion??

[Archer]

Hi, Cuingael!

The answer is...no, it isn't completed yet. The first book in the new storyline is coming along nicely, as is the cover art. However, I won't be releasing it for a while yet.

I am finishing up new editions of the trilogy...some new illustrations and even a new song. Then I'm concentrating on the fourth one. :-)

[Cuingael]

Hooray! and I look forward to it very much!!!

Keep us posted!

-cuingael

[Fox22]

Ah, nice to see some new posts!

Can't wait for all the new material! The music will be fantastic.

Now, all we need is that frozen otter...

[Cuingael]

Who had it last anyway? that otter.
i hope they keep it refrigerated!

[Fox22]

I thought that Silly had it, but I'm not sure. If only Cirdan were here! =)

[Cuingael]

Ah. Fond memories of old friends.

Many a bad poem concocted out of the hope of amusement.

[Fox22]

Bad poems? Hardly! =) I remember a few good ones. Good times.

[Cuingael]

Good Times indeed, foxy.

good times.

and i say we all have some shindig once the Professor finishes her next book.

[Fox22]

Agreed! We had planned on that before,I thought, but most of us were so busy we couldn't meet up.

Or at least an online shindig. =)

[Cuingael]

Oh my oh me. I'm so terribly sad without the lot of you going on with poetry contests and otters. If you could find the time, dear Miss Author, could you please update us fans?

[archer]

I always have the time for you, Cuingael. What would you like to know?
The latest book is complete, but I'm not publishing it yet because I want to shop it around a little bit.
If I may say it, I'm quite happy! Working on book 5 (book 2 of Undiscovered Realms) now. :-)
Yes, I, too miss the otters and such. You know, if you and Foxy (and any other fans) want to get up to some of the old mischief, you can go to Kindleboards (www.kindleboards.com)--there's an Elfhunter Book Klub. Once you 'join' Kindleboards, you can play, too! You can even start your own threads in the Klub area. That forum is heavily moderated so we don't have to worry about trolls. There are a lot of nice fans there, too.

To find the Klub, scroll down the main page to the Book Klubs area and click on 'Reading with the Author'. I check this every day. :-)

[Cuingael]

Thank you so much~

It's always great to hear how the series is coming.

Did you go to Gen Con this year?

[Archer]

Cuingael: I just got back from GenCon this very night! I'm really bushed, but sold more books than I ever have at GenCon.
Woot!

[Cuingael]

Man! I really wanted to go....

but me and several of my friends have plans to go next year... Hope to see you there!

[Leah Skinner]

Up to our elbows in elves, mmmm yum -drool- huh sorry what was I saying? Its good to see that your writeing again, I greatly look forward to the release. :)
- The Dwarf

[Fox22]

Hey CS! Kindleboards? I'll have to check it out. :)

Yay it'll be nice to read another book from Alterra! It seems like just yesterday I spent almost all day reading Ravenshade until I finished it lol.

Let me know when you tour around at bookstores for the book signing after publication; it'd be cool to see you again! :)