- The Rivan Codex
infobox Book |
name = The Rivan Codex
title_orig =
translator =
image_caption =
author =David Eddings
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country =United States
language = English
series =The Belgariad /The Malloreon
genre =Fantasy fiction
publisher =Del Ray Books
release_date = 1999
media_type = Print (Hardback &Paperback )
pages = 480 pp (paperback)
isbn = ISBN 0-345-43586-9
preceded_by =
followed_by ="The Rivan Codex" is a collection of background material to the Belgariad and Malloreon fantasy saga by David and Leigh Eddings. It consists of two bodies of material used in writing the novels, one for each series, with three informal essays by David Eddings. "
Belgarath the Sorcerer " and "Polgara the Sorceress " do not have dedicated sections, but are referred to in Eddings' discussions, and drew on the material of the first ten books. In particular, one text presented in the background to the Belgariad forms the basis for the first chapter of "Belgarath the Sorcerer".The Rivan Codex also contains the holy writings of the various religions in the world and the economic diversities of the different countries.
One of the essays also lists the following formula for
epic fantasy :
*1. The UnderlyingTheology (Polytheistic/Monotheistic/Buddhist/Other)
*2. TheQuest
*3. The Magic Talisman (Holy Grail /One Ring/Magic Sword/Jewel)
*4. TheHero :Galahad the Pure,Gawain the Brave,Perceval the Dumb (Naive), orLancelot .
*5. The Resident Wizard (Gandalf ,Merlin ,Belgarath )
*6. TheHeroine
*7. TheVillain (usually with some diabolical agenda)
*8. The Companions (generally a multicultural crew who can protect the hero until he defeats the villain)
*9. The Romantic Interests for 8.(NB: both 8&9 must be well-rounded groups, with individualised personalities and flaws)
*10. The kings, queens, emperors, generals, courtiers and such, who make up the governments of the world.
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