R. Scott Bakker's THE WARRIOR PROPHET 

Thanks for having me! This was fun❤

The epilogue in this one is something I’ll never forget 😱

I am doing my best Kellhus impression for the thumbnail, but I fear I look more like Achamian . . . Thanks so much, Johanna, for being a wonderful host, and my thanks to Jimmy and Raf as well for helping me to digest this incredible series!

Excellent discussion! Johanna, you absolutely nailed it talking about why Bakker's battles are so good and engaging to read. That distance and chaos and emotion and, like you said, belonging, make for such a unique reading experience. That was such a great observation. I can't wait for the next chat! Thank you for doing these :)

Awesome discussion, guys! A dream come true ever since the days of the Malazan videos.

Awesome discussion everyone! While I absolutely loved this book, I really appreciate the perspective Raf brings to these chats, and I hope he continues to share his takes and challenge the group for book 3. I don't share Raf's criticisms of the portrayal of faith in these books, but I think a large part of that is that I grew up in the American Evangelical tradition, and so I definitely resonated with the way that Bakker describes religious zealotry. Also, in terms of how religion and the gods work in Earwa, this is GREATLY expanded upon in Aspect Emperor, and what you learn there will make you view The Prince of Nothing in a much different light. I found the themes of sex and sexuality in this series to be really interesting, particularly in this book where they seemed to be closer to the foreground. I think a lot of it ties into the series' major themes of dominance and control; I think you can draw parallels between the ways that the Consult uses sex to control people and the way that Kellhus manipulates his followers. It may be in book 3, but Cnaiur at one point says that the Dunyain "make you love" them, whereas the Inchoroi describe themselves as a race of lovers. As the series goes on you will see more and more parallels between the Consult and Kellhus. There's also a connection to the Compulsions; when Iokus is Compelling Xinemus to betray Achamian, from Xinemus's perspective he is WILLINGLY and DELIBERATELY saying and thinking the things that the Spires want him to say. It's like the Compulsions rewire your brain, and Xinemus is permanently changed by this (this is expanded on in the next book). Is this not what Kellhus does to everyone he comes in contact with? One thing that really stuck with me from this book that wasn't touched on was the Carythusal desert crossing. Like talk about an absolutely HARROWING chapter. The culling of the slaves and camp followers, the Inrithi reaching the Subis oasis only to find it filled with dead bodies and having to drink the water anyway, everybody dying of dysentery... it was brutally captivating, even from the bird's-eye perspective. The Siege of Caraskand afterwards was fantastic as well. Can't wait for the next discussion!

This was a lot of fun, thanks for having me and thanks to everyone else involved in the debate! I can't wait for the next one!

I actually think there is a sliver of hope in the series. In this book, when talking about the 1st apocalypse, Achamian tells Kehullas about the eventual defeat of the No-God during that period. Bakker hasn't written the No God duolgy yet. Who knows how it actually ends. Since we don't know, whether it is through free will or predetermined through my socio-biological evolutionary history, I am an optimist about the eventual outcome.

Another great conversation, guys. Thanks Johanna for hosting it and to all of you for continuing the discussion of this series. It's really interesting to hear Raf's views as most of the time I took very different things from the book(s), so definitely lots of food for thought. For example, the thing about Kellhus being (essentially) the Aryan ideal - that's entirely intended, I think. Bakker is playing into all of these cultural preconceptions, and at the end of the day he's purposefully echoing the Tolkien vibe (I'm sure that at some level, teenage Bakker first envisioned Kellhus as something similar to Aragorn, whereas adult Bakker found many more interesting aspects to explore about the character). Anyway, I love to hear the debate. Thanks, guys.

"Screwed by the Nail of Heaven" 😂😂😂

Love it. The point about the mastodons vs the elephantine lord of the Fanim had me rolling. You might be playing up the Nail of Heaven a bit much, it remains pretty enigmatic throughout

Saubon seeing his own death during the battle of Mengedda is such a wild moment.

Hello 👋 I will definitely check out this series! Happy reading to you! 🎥⚔️☃️❄️🎄

I liked this discussion even more. I feel you synced further with his writing. Even Raf 😁. I am wondering if Raf thinks that religion is actually something more of a psychological phenomenon? I think there is sincere faith in the books and it builts while we read. Its the faith that people build about Kellhus. What troubles us is that we know of his machinations, but isnt that the way much of religious stuff works around the world? That does not diminish in me the personal elevation true believers get. I totally respect them. I also think sometimes Raf is very selective. I mean the Padishah is obese. But what about Skauras. We get more lines of him and he is clearly an exceptional character. Probably the most enlightened of every prominent character we have met from the two warrimg sides. Far more interesting to focus on him than the Padishah and I think Bakker is clear on that too. Similar thing for me with magic. Bakker is trying to write a dangerous world. His tone is bleak. Apocalyptical. The consequenses are and will be crushing. He does not want a place full of escapes and deus ex machina mechanisms. On the other hand, even though I often disagree with Rag, he makes the most interesting and to the point questions about where this is going. I find myself grinning thinking of what he will make of the answers that will come. I also find very funny watching Jimmy manipulating the rest on focusing on certain parts he knows they have implications. A proper Dynyain. Johanna's comment about battles was spot on. Bakker has an uncanny ability to perfectly describe in few words the distilled feelings of a monumental moment. His choice of words. The economy in it. The way he can give words to abstract sentiments. Its terrific and that shows so great in his battles. You feel the visceral tension. The madness in the eyes. The sky that watches. The groups that turn unbreakable or the groups that liquify like broken skin spies. Great stuff. Two last notes. I think that even Xerius and his mother make some meaning when your read their next parts. And please talk more about Cnaiur. I think this character makes all classic and popular savage classics, Logen, Khal Drogo, even Conan, pale in comparison. Once again people that was a great discussion. I cannot wait for your next one. You make for a great team. Cheers! P.S. Remember the scene when blind Xin and Akka find the massacred and burnt remains of the Nansurian fleet in the desolated coast? The only sound Xin's anguish, and the croaks of the bloodthirsty gulls. I cannot stop thinking that as a Kurosawa scene

Omg Philip Chase and Johana talking about one of my fav books! 🎉🎉

I was unable to complete this book (quit halfway through) but enjoying listening to this discussion. Great panel.

Again a wonderful discussion from a varied group. There really is a lot in these books. It also sounded like you are reading ahead a little. Bakkers influences are often very obvious. I did not know the death comes spiriling down source but he does use such repetition to great effect. Dune is obvious. Messiah in particular. Kellhus is essentially Paul but without a conscience or feeling, leqving only logic after the Circumfrixion. The analogy of Odin sacrificing himself to himself referenced by Raf is also what I thought of. The rape scenes referenced may also be influenced by the later Dune books as well as rhe body control of the Bene Gesserit. It is not that the women enjoyed it, it is that they were forced to feel pleasure from it. Itnis like a drug addiction being addicted to the pleasure of the high that addicts will go to extremes to get. I originally took the race of lovers comment to refer to their use of sex as a means of control. But yes, I agree you are supposed to be disturbed by this. I don't think I would have had such a strong reaction if he wasn't such a good writer. He doesn't always use his impressive writing skills for good. I have not read Blood Meridian so I can't comment. However, a large section of a later book is a retelling of parts of Tolkein.

Very interesting conversation, I'm definitely starting this book in December.

Very good discussion! I'm glad that for the most part everyone seems to be enjoying the series (even if I have never before seen Dr. Chase struggle to be overwhelmingly positive about anything he reads or reviews). 🤣 As someone who has read the series previously, I immensely enjoyed watching Jimmy's reactions to the speculation that was going on. I would like to recommend a resource for those interested. I don't think I can link in RU-vid comments but a Google search for "The History of Earwa" will uncover a 158-page PDF written by Adam Whitehead, creator of The Wertzone (science fiction/fantasy blog) along with some quality Second Apocalypse related artwork by Jason Deem. This document gives a great deal of background as to the history of the world and it's peoples, including the Nonmen. WARNING: It does cover the plot of all seven novels eventually, so I don't recommend reading to those looking to avoid spoilers for the series. Rather, it's a good thing to check out after, as it gathers all the information that is related in the novels and the appendices and organizes events and facts in chronological order. There are also maps for readers interested in the geography of the continent on which the series takes place. Overall, the part of the document that coincides with the events of the first book starts around page 58, and everything before that is events that take place before the books, but there are still things in those first 58 pages that may be considered spoilers, so beware or perhaps just save it for later. I always love the part of these discussions where Bakker's influences are discussed. The second series (Aspect Emperor) is hugely influenced by Blood Meridian (and Lord of the Rings-at least for a few sequences). The first and the second series are both heavily influenced by the Dune series, but many people seem to stop after the first book there and so are not seeing the full extent of the influence of Herbert's series. There are a few events in the first and second books where Kellhus is having some "Paul Atreides" moments such as when he first experiences the world outside Ishual and when he experiences some form of mild outrage at Cnaiur's treatment of Serwe ("Father...something is happening to me"). The full Dune series includes much more development of the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood and other powers, such as the Bene Tleilax- from whom Bakker draws on heavily for many of the series more disturbing and horrific aspects. No spoilers for either, but as an example the "skin spies" are obviously inspired by Bene Tleilax face dancers (first introduced in Dune: Messiah) and the Dunyain seem to be some combination of Bene Gesserit (prana-bindu training for inhuman control of nerves and muscles along with speed and strength, also: eugenics/breeding programs), Mentats (the probability trance and enhanced mental functionality), the Bene Theilax (read and find out 🙈), and even the "thinking machines" that the inhabitants of the Dune universe warred against long before the events of the first Dune novel (as in absolute dedication to "the logos" or logic while discarding everything else that is human, except as a tool to dominate all circumstance (and all others). Anyways, I'm hoping there will be another discussion when you all are finished with the first trilogy, and I'm very much looking forward to if/when you start The Aspect Emperor, as the first book in that series (4th overall) is my absolute favorite.

Re the problematic ‘forced pleasure’ scenes, I always read them as a form of mind control/magic - it’s not that they’re ‘so good’ as Rath said, it’s that they have powers that allow them to override the free will of their victim - making it a mental as well as physical violation which might be worse… but I never read it like esmenet or serwe succumbing ‘naturally’

Great discussion, I think you guys were able to go more in-depth now that you have a book behind you (and Jimmy gets to talk a little more instead of trying not to spoil things.)

My list of thoughts and references I caught: (1/2) The Dragon/Wracu mocking Seswartha: “Our Lord (…) hath tasted thy King’s passing, and he saith, ‘It is done’” (Jesus’ last words, “It is finished”, Gospel of John 19:30, also Frodo after the Ring falls into Mount Doom) “Thy tribe hath perished, dashed like a potter’s vessel by our fury” (Jeremiah 18) “Bent Bow” (Psalms 11:2) and “whetted bronze” (Iliad, Book 13) Seswarta: Siddhartha (Gautama Buddha and the famous eponymous novel by Hermann Hesse) The Sogian Way: The Sogdians, people know as traders and missionaries of various faiths along the Silk Road Trysë: Troy/Trysil, Norway? Inrithi Holiday of Venicata: Latin «I came down/through» The Death of High King Anasûrimbor Celmomas on the Fields of Eleneör & his prophecy: The Death of King Theoden at the Battle of the Fields of Pelennor + the prophecy of the Return of the King from “LOTR”/The Death of King Theodoric of the Visigoth against Attila and his Huns at the Battle of the Plains/Fields of Catalaunian+The Mythical Prophesied Return of King Arthur. “Sweet Home Mo-ma-ann, Where the Skies are so blue!”: Royals/Imperials and Alabama, eh! 😬😅 Cnaiur and Conphas share both elements with the Byzantine General Tatikios, who was of Turkish origin and lead the “Princes’ Crusade” through Anatolia to Antioch Asgilioch: Osgiliath, Gondorian Capital reduced to a ruin, captured by Mordor Gielgath: Gil-Galad/“Gath” Noldorin for “Cavern” Ruöm: (The Sultanate of) Rum, made out of lands in Anatolia/Modern Day Turkey captured by the Seljuk Turks from the Byzantine/East Romans (“Rum”-the Seljuk name for “Rome”) Gedea: Judea Shibboleth: Password/custom used to identify fellow members of a group from outsiders, taken from a Hebrew Civil War in the Old Testament (The Book of Judges, Chapter 12), with the Tribe of Ephraim’s pronouncing of the word marking them out “Periodically he paused to search the darkness behind him. Old habit” The Kian “while they ride - fire backward at their pursuers”: The (in)famous Parthian Shot, tactic used by the Parthian and Sassanid Persians, as well as the peoples of the Steppe, such as the Scythians, the Huns & the Mongols The Galeroth Agmundrmen with teardrop-shaped shields & the Tydonni Numaineiri using kite shields: Akin to the Normans. There were two Norman Armies in the First Crusade: One under Robert Curthose (Duke of Normandie, eldest son of William the Conqueror) and one under Bohemond of Taranto/Hauteville (oldest son of the Norman Conqueror of Southern Italy and Scilly, Robert “Giscard” (“the Fox”/“the Cunning”), but disowned for a younger halfbrother, fought the Crusade together with his nephew Tancred, with them later becoming the first Crusader Prince of Antioch and the Count of Galilee/Regent of Antioch, respectively) Agmundrmen with longbows: Akin to the English and Welsh, especially during the Hundred Years War The second battle of the Holy War at Mengedda: (Minus the sorcery of the Cishaurim and the Tears of God, obviously 😅) Seems inspired by the Battle at Dorylaeum, where the Crusader Vanguard under Bohemond of Taranto and his nephew Tancred (somewhat similar to Prince Saubon and his nephew Earl Athjeäri) and the Byzantine General Tatikios held their ground while ambushed and their camp surrendered by the Seljuk Turks under Kilij Arslan (the Sultan of Rum, who had previously destroyed the Popular Crusade similar to Skauas with the Vulgar Holy War, but unlike him, Kilij was just a teenager) near a marsh, before being saved by Crusaders from the main force riding to their rescue. When Bishop Adhemar (representative of Pope Urban II at the First Crusade) ambushed the undefeated Seljuk Camp, the Seljuk retreated. The Shiral Knights charge at the Cishaurim, made me think of the (in)famous Charge of the Light Brigade, when the British Light Brigade Calvary under Lord Cardigan during the Crimean War, due to a misunderstood order, charged right into a well-defended Russian Artillery position (with less successful results then the Knights). Inspired the eponymous poem by Tennyson (“Into the Valley of Death, Rode the Six Hundred”), which in turn inspired the Iron Maiden song “The Trooper”! The Galeroth game of Gandoki/“Shadow”: A hint at Jung’s theory?

Achamian "Super sad Gandalf" Says DR Phillip Chase

Great discussion guys. I think this is an incredible series that can be very off-putting and difficult to talk about for many people. I may have been overly critical of Raf on the last discussion but am starting to warm up to him now lol. I really enjoyed this one and am looking forward to hearing all your thoughts on book 3. Wishing anyone who sees this a Merry Christmas! Cheers!

My list of thoughts and references I caught: (2/2) Seige of Hinnereth: Somewhat akin to the seige of Nicea, where the Byzantines negotiated the Seljuks occupying it to surrender, with the Crusaders surrounding the city as leverage Nurbanu Soter: Ptolemy I SOTER (“the Savior”, Macedonian general under Alexander the Great, later the 1st Hellenistic Pharaoh of the Ptolemaic Dynasty of Egypt)? Eucalyptus: Only native to the Pacific Ocean Sycamore (Figs): Are mentioned multiple times in the Bible, including as trees destroyed in the ten plagues of Egypt in the psalms Shigek: Egypt was the intended target of multiple later Crusades, with the 7th under French King Louis IX being the closest, capturing the Port City of Damietta for a time. Iothiah: Mix of Memphis (Old Dynasty Capital) and Alexandria (site of the legendary library), with a Tolkienian-sounding name The Kerathotics: Akin to the Miaphysites and the Armenian Eastern Orthodox local to the Holy Lands, who sometimes aided their Frankish fellow Christians during the Crusades The Great Ziggurat of Xijoser: The Kheops Pyramid mixed with the (Step) Pyramid of Djoser (the earliest Egyptian pyramid) Husyelt: Celtic Cernunnus, Biblical Nimrod, the Valar Oromë, the mythical Hern the Hunter? Angeshraël: Twisted mix of Moses (The Burning Bush) and Abraham (who in serveral Jewish & Islamic traditions has a rivalry with Nimrod, and in Islamic Tradition is saved from a burning fire) “Though you lose your soul, you will gain the world”: Reverse intention of Matthew 16:26 in the New Testament Merchant caste: In the Hindu Varna System, Merchants (together with farmers and herders) belong to the Vaishyas Caste, the second lowest after the Brahmin (Priests) and Kshatriyas (Aristocracy/warriors) and above the Shudras (Artisans/Laborers/Servants) and the casteless (Dalit), while in the Confucian Caste Systems of East Asia, they were technically the lowest caste under scholar/officials (China) aristocracy/warriors (Japan), farmers and artisans (but often occupied a much more important role, being able to fund important persons and projects). Achamian dodging and “jousting for scrolls” with the Scarlet Spires/Ainoni in Iothiath: Straight out of a Cold War Spy Story in Divided Berlin (or the Divided Occupied Vienna of “The Third Man”) The Sareots: The Great Library of Alexandria was founded by Ptolemy I SOTER and parts of the Library survived as the SERAPEUM (also the Essenes, the Jewish Monastic Mystics who most likely wrote the Dead Sea Scolls) Seleukara: Mix of Seleucia (First Capital of the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire, near modern day Baghdad, Iraq), as well as Gandhara (Indian City, once Capital to the Indo-Greek Kingdom after the death of Alexander the Great)? Conriya & High Anion: Mix of Persian (looks, names) with both Medieval and Cold War German elements (Palatines, phalanxes (pikemen akin to German Landsknechts), former empire divided into multiple nations) Cnaiur’s distress over his obsession of have Serwë: Again, hints to Achilles sulking over losing Briseis to Agamemnon in the Iliad Ishterebinth, last of the Nonmen Mansions: Rivendell or the Vadhagh Castles of Moorcock’s “Corum”? Akka’s visions: The Battles of the Silmarillion mixed with the Iliad and the battles between the Tuath Dé Danann & the Fomorians in Irish mythology The Seige of Caraskand: Clearly inspired by the Seige of Antioch (former Capitol of the Seleucid Empire, Roman built walls), during the First Crusade, first captured from the Seljuks by the Crusaders and then surrounded by several Seljuk Atabegs & Emirs. Similar to Imbeyan, Yağısıyan the Seljuk Emir of Antioch tried to escape, but unlike Imbeyan being captured, humiliated and hanged, Yağısıyan was cut down by an Armenian and his head brought to the Crusaders. Saubon’s nickname “The Blonde Beast”: 1) Metaphor used Nietzsche for his “Master Race” of “good, noble and pure aristocracy” of the Aryan race (though he also counted the aristocracy of Japan and Arabia among them) above their “dark-haired native” subjects. 2) Nickname for Reinhard Heydrich: SS Officer, Gestapo Director and “Deputy Protector” of German-occupied Bohemia and Moravia (Modern-day Czech Republic) Saubon declaring himself King of Caraskand, despite the Nansur Indenture: Similar to Bohemond of Taranto declared himself Prince of Antioch, something the other Crusader Princes agreed to, feeling themselves absolving to any Byzantine oaths, after Bohemond lead the Crusaders to take the city on their own, after Tatikios left the seige (something contested by the Byzantines, given their constant supplies to the Crusaders and Tatikios supposedly left to secure more) Mastodons: Elephants were never extensively used during the Crusades (except individuals given as peace gifts by the Sultans of Egypt to Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II after the 6th Crusade and King Louis IX of France after the 7th Crusade), so more likely inspired by the Haradrim Oliphants from “LOTR”. Padirajah Kascamandri: The Seljuks were very fragmented under several atabegs and emirs during the First Crusade (largely the reason for its surprising success) as their Sultan Berkyaruq was just a teenager, so the Seljuk seige of Antioch was lead by Kerbogha, the Atabeg of Mosul, together with the Emirates of Damascus, Homs & Aleppo, neither of which perished. The Unmasking Room: Straight out of Josef Mengele’s experiments or Clive Barker’s “Hellraiser”, YIKES! The Inchoroi: Sauron mixed with the “Hellraiser” Cenobites and the Devils from Arthur C. Clarke’s “Childhood’s End”? Anyway, the Epilogue: DOUBLE YIKES!💀💀

So when/where is the thousandfold thought discussion coming? :)

Thanks!!!! I'm on book 3 I really love Baker's prose!!!

Though not without its flaws loved this book even more than "The Darkness that comes before", so thank you for hosting this interesting chat on such a brilliant and underrated series. I highly enjoyed all four perspectives, but felt that perhaps we did not get quite enough of yours Johanna. Online group discussions are never really balanced as far as everyone having equal time to express their opinion and perhaps you as the host were concentrating more on leading than discussion. I am now 68 pages into The Thousandfold Thought and think it's definitely the best of the three so far, I look forward to hearing the thoughts of you and your fellow booktubers on the trilogy as a whole once I complete it. That won't take long at this rate, Cheersalot.

I think i have a very different view of the religious tones in these books. The first apocalypse happened! In the story it is super serious. And over the years everyone forgot. The idea that could happen haunts me.

I finally finished the book today. It is still so bleak, but it's gotten much more interesting and weirder. Despite the interesting choices Bakker made with 'dick magic', I'm hooked. Obviously this is about the 2nd Apocalypse, and I'm curious how all these events are related to and lead up to this event. I'm also impressed the personal struggles aren't lost in theses unfolding conflicts, but also contribute to them both in terms of plot development and its themes. I look forward to the next discussion. Hopefully I'll actually be finished for the video.

Awesome to see this discussion continue. I will say the most “true believer” POV not mentioned here was actually Martemus. I really enjoyed his conversion to Kellhus despite being a skeptic. And as a former religious person, Kellhus in TWP is the best Jesus interpretation I’ve seen, particularly when he gives his impromptu’s and the discussion of the callous hand that breaks. As for the sexual violence element. I do think Bakker should have toned down some of the scenes, but I will offer one defense. People in Earwa have souls yes, but are vessels of a sort. The bodies / flesh can be manipulated through sorcery or by the Outside. The Inchoroi give off pheromones/glamour/sorcery to fully control someone’s desires. This isn’t entirely clear in the first two books. In real life people who have rabies are terrified to drink water, even when they will die of dehydration. Sorcery or Inchoroi can do this I assume for non sexual desires as well. Also with Xinemus during the cants of compulsion, parts of who he was body and soul is permanently gone after he is freed by Achamian.

Random question just occurred to me that also gets played with. What price would you pay for 'hope'? Sacrifice is also a recurring theme.

Love the convo…just wish some people could allow others time to speak more often

I feel that raf was a bit unfair in his criticisms here. I feel there was too much complaining about what is not explored in the book. Sure, its a bit funny that genuine religious belief isn't explored much in a book about a holy war, but to me it seems that Bakker is simply more interested in the role manipulation and coercion have in religious matters. Which makes sense in light of his philosophy background. More specifically I think he is interested in what a character like Kellus with all his myriad borderline magical powers would have on a religious landscape. The character is a bit ridiculous in concept but lots of fantasy characters in concept are a bit ridiculous and the execution was, for me, quite convincing.

Oh man. The woke sensibilities of the readers, especially the gentleman on the bottom right of th escreen, will get absolutely destroyed once they'll get to know more about Dunyain.

Just a point on the elephants, tolkien was born in south africa and the afrikaans word for elephant is olifant.

Hi Johanna. Have you read Outlander by Diana Gabaldon? If you like Robin Hobb I think you'll love her writing.

Great discussion I read the trilogy earlier this year. Whilst I enjoyed many aspects of these books (I often find myself thinking about some of the more cryptic narrative choices), I didn't like Bakker's writing style, his prose was very good, and I was bored for large chunks of the books. I think the trilogy would have made a great 800 page single volume. I agree with a lot that Raf had to say. However, after watching this, and the previous discussion, I now want to continue with the series. So, thanks. #TeamRaf

I would not usually criticize an author's approach to material like how Bakker portrays religion because it's fantasy and if he wants to approach it as a purely cynical pursuit or tweak Crusade details for inspiration that's fine, but in this case I think I agree with Raf: it would have made a stronger trilogy and reinforce his themes more if in Darkness That Comes Before we saw a lot of passionately motivated crusaders - who then are stripped down to cynicism in the coming books. i.e. the guy who wants land starts out just dedicated to the cause but as things get rougher in book 2 and 3 he looks around, wondering why they must do this, and notices all this nice fertile farming land he could claim after they're done. It might also make Kellhus stand out more when we see him as purely beyond any of the trappings.

40:14 Is a reference to the Bible text John 11:35 "Jesus wept"

A good one indeed!

Awesome discussion! I would love to hear if Bakker had read "Alamut" by Vladimir Bartol, a book about the Order of Hashshashin (an offspring cult of Nazari Ismaillis, a faction within Shia islam) famous for their Fanatical Assassins (so much that is the origin of the word itself!) and their Mythical Leader Hassan-i Sabbah during the Crusades and the Mongol Invasion. The line "nothing is true; everything is permitted" from the "Assassins Creed" Games, is an alternative translation of a line by Hassan in that book, only that while the game depict the Assassins as "Free-thinking Asymmetrical Warfare Freedom Fighters", Hassan is a clearly presented as an immoral manipulating b@st@rd creating a reign of Terror with his phoney paradise (a clear "take that" to the Fascists at the time of the book's writing in 1930s Europe, as the novel is sarcastically dedicated to Benito Mussolini). Can highly recommend this video on the historical conflict between the Hashshashin and the Mongols by "History Dose": ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-nfUSOYCRNVY.html A small theological correction: Mary Magdalene is in the Bible presented as a women of means and a financial benefactor of Jesus and his ministry. "Mary Magdalene the Whore" comes form an error by Pope Gregory I, who in 591 conflated Mary Magdalene, (introduced in Luke 8:2), with a unnamed "sinful woman" who washed Jesus's feet (Luke 7:36-50). As a direct descendant of William Sinclair, 1st Earl of Caithness, 3rd Earl of Orkney, High Admiral & Lord Chancellor of Scotland (my great x15 grandfather), builder of Rosslyn Chapel (of "The DaVinci Code" Fame"), I also want to proclaim that I disavow any claim that I or anyone else of Sinclair-descent are descendants of Jesus or the Merovingian Frankish Kings! 😁

@JIMMY & Johanna read snowcrash !!

Hi there Hi there Hi there Hi there Hi there Hi there Hi there you so coolest and cool nice nicest cool nice favorite friend everytime

What I really liked about the first discussion was how the more challenging aspects were discussed in a sensitive and respectful manner. And while this second installment was interesting in parts it's a pity that you were not able to maintain this level of quality this time round.