The Deed of Paksenarrion
Encyclopedia
The Deed of Paksenarrion is an epic fantasy
saga by the American
author Elizabeth Moon
. The Deed of Paksenarrion was originally published in three volumes in 1988 and 1989 and as a single trade edition of that name in 1992 by Baen. The three books included are Sheepfarmer's Daughter, Divided Allegiance and Oath of Gold. Sheepfarmer's Daughter was awarded the Compton Crook Award by the Baltimore Science Fiction Society for the author's first fantasy novel.
A single volume prequel about the life of Paksenarrion's guiding saint was published in 1990, and followed by a sequel tying characters from both works together.
A new series is in progress, set immediately after the Deed, with the first volume released in 2010, the second in 2011, and the third in 2012. A further two volumes are expected.
.
Two further instalments are expected.
, in particular alleged similarities between Moon's town of Brewersbridge and Hommlet (a village in The Temple of Elemental Evil
module for AD&D) and between Moon's religion of Gird and the faith of Saint Cuthbert of the Cudgel in Greyhawk
. However, such themes may often be similarly found in many brands of high fantasy, and are not unique to any one fictional world.
The Deed of Paksenarrion revolves around the adult life of Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter, known as Paks, of Three Firs. It takes place in a fictional medieval world of kingdoms of humans, dwarves, gnomes and elves.
The story begins by introducing Paks as a headstrong girl of 18, who leaves her home in Three Firs (fleeing a marriage arranged by her father) to join a mercenary
company and through her journeys and hardships comes to realize that she has been gifted as a paladin
, if in a rather non-traditional way.
and other animistic aspects of the natural world. This work encompasses themes such as "Hero as Redeemer" and "Hero as Saint" as described in Campbell's The Hero with a Thousand Faces
. The trilogy also deals with the concepts of absolute good versus absolute evil, the death of friends and loved ones, and an enlightened look into the origin of courage and fear.
One of the most significant themes of 'The Deed of Paksenarrion' is the balance of gender and the role of women. Women are portrayed as powerful leaders and strong fighters. They are accepted and praised as much as men. The book's protagonist is female, as is the Marshall-General of the fellowship of Gird, the book's primary religious sect.
However, Ryk E. Spoor
has stated:
The author herself had this to say about the book:
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
saga by the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author Elizabeth Moon
Elizabeth Moon
Elizabeth Moon is an American science fiction and fantasy author. Her novel The Speed of Dark won the 2003 Nebula Award.-Biography:...
. The Deed of Paksenarrion was originally published in three volumes in 1988 and 1989 and as a single trade edition of that name in 1992 by Baen. The three books included are Sheepfarmer's Daughter, Divided Allegiance and Oath of Gold. Sheepfarmer's Daughter was awarded the Compton Crook Award by the Baltimore Science Fiction Society for the author's first fantasy novel.
A single volume prequel about the life of Paksenarrion's guiding saint was published in 1990, and followed by a sequel tying characters from both works together.
A new series is in progress, set immediately after the Deed, with the first volume released in 2010, the second in 2011, and the third in 2012. A further two volumes are expected.
Publications
The original trilogy and the two Gird-related books were first published as mass market paperbacks, before being collected as trade paperback omnibus editions. The new series is being published in hardcoverHardcover
A hardcover, hardback or hardbound is a book bound with rigid protective covers...
.
The Deed of Paksenarrion
- The Deed of Paksenarrion omnibus (February 1992), hardcover (October 2003)
- Sheepfarmer’s Daughter (ISBN 978-0-671-65416-0, June 1988)
Free online copy (HTML) from the Baen Free LibraryBaen Free LibraryThe Baen Free Library is a digital library of the science fiction and fantasy publishing house Baen Books where 112 full books can be downloaded free in a number of formats, without copy protection...
. - Divided Allegiance (ISBN 978-0-671-69786-0, October 1988)
- Oath of Gold (ISBN 978-0-671-69798-3, January 1989)
- “Those Who Walk in Darkness” (March 1990) – short story set during Oath of Gold, included in the collections Lunar Activity and Phases
The Legacy of Gird
- The Legacy of Gird omnibus (ISBN 978-0-671-87747-7, September 1996)
- Surrender None (ISBN 978-0-671-69878-2, June 1990) – prequel to The Deed of Paksenarrion
- Liar's Oath (ISBN 978-0-671-72117-6, May 1992) – sequel to both Surrender None and The Deed of Paksenarrion
Paladin's Legacy
- Oath of Fealty (ISBN 978-0-345-50874-4, March 2010)
- Kings of the North (ISBN 978-0-345-50875-1, March 2011)
- Echoes of Betrayal (ISBN 978-0-345-50876-8, March 2012)
Two further instalments are expected.
Synopsis
The Deed of Paksenarrion was written as one long story, but published as three separate books. A number of people have pointed out resemblances between the story setting and Dungeons & DragonsDungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
, in particular alleged similarities between Moon's town of Brewersbridge and Hommlet (a village in The Temple of Elemental Evil
The Temple of Elemental Evil
The Temple of Elemental Evil is an adventure module for the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, set in the game's World of Greyhawk campaign setting. The module was published by TSR, Inc. in 1985 for the first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons rules...
module for AD&D) and between Moon's religion of Gird and the faith of Saint Cuthbert of the Cudgel in Greyhawk
Greyhawk
Greyhawk, also known as the World of Greyhawk, is a fictional world designed as a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game...
. However, such themes may often be similarly found in many brands of high fantasy, and are not unique to any one fictional world.
The Deed of Paksenarrion revolves around the adult life of Paksenarrion Dorthansdotter, known as Paks, of Three Firs. It takes place in a fictional medieval world of kingdoms of humans, dwarves, gnomes and elves.
The story begins by introducing Paks as a headstrong girl of 18, who leaves her home in Three Firs (fleeing a marriage arranged by her father) to join a mercenary
Mercenary
A mercenary, is a person who takes part in an armed conflict based on the promise of material compensation rather than having a direct interest in, or a legal obligation to, the conflict itself. A non-conscript professional member of a regular army is not considered to be a mercenary although he...
company and through her journeys and hardships comes to realize that she has been gifted as a paladin
Paladin
The paladins, sometimes known as the Twelve Peers, were the foremost warriors of Charlemagne's court, according to the literary cycle known as the Matter of France. They first appear in the early chansons de geste such as The Song of Roland, where they represent Christian martial valor against the...
, if in a rather non-traditional way.
Themes
The Deed of Paksenarrion has an engrossing religious theme. The world is presented as polytheistic; there is a "High Lord" followed by supposedly lesser deities and saints, such as Gird, Falk, etc., who serve it. There are also several references to the World treeWorld tree
The world tree is a motif present in several religions and mythologies, particularly Indo-European religions, Siberian religions, and Native American religions. The world tree is represented as a colossal tree which supports the heavens, thereby connecting the heavens, the earth, and, through its...
and other animistic aspects of the natural world. This work encompasses themes such as "Hero as Redeemer" and "Hero as Saint" as described in Campbell's The Hero with a Thousand Faces
The Hero with a Thousand Faces
The Hero with a Thousand Faces is a non-fiction book, and seminal work of comparative mythology by Joseph Campbell...
. The trilogy also deals with the concepts of absolute good versus absolute evil, the death of friends and loved ones, and an enlightened look into the origin of courage and fear.
One of the most significant themes of 'The Deed of Paksenarrion' is the balance of gender and the role of women. Women are portrayed as powerful leaders and strong fighters. They are accepted and praised as much as men. The book's protagonist is female, as is the Marshall-General of the fellowship of Gird, the book's primary religious sect.
However, Ryk E. Spoor
Ryk E. Spoor
Ryk Erik Spoor is an American technical writer, and author of science fiction and fantasy novels.His first novel, Digital Knight, was published by Baen Books in 2003, with a second short novel Diamonds Are Forever published in 2004 as part of the collection Mountain Magic...
has stated:
The author herself had this to say about the book: