Dzur
Encyclopedia
Dzur has three meanings, all of which are linked to the fiction of Steven Brust
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We are introduced to Mario Greymist, an assassin of great reputation who is also Aliera's lover. His reputation as the greatest of assassins was established by killing Emperor Tortaalik I, an event that helped cause the temporary dissolution of the empire. Mario makes himself available for hire, revealing that his contact and front man is none other than Vlad's long-time friend and former second-in-command Kragar.
We are also introduced to Telnan, the newest and possibly only member of the Lavodes in training. Telnan is young (for a Dragaeran) and uncommonly cheerful (for a Dzur). His conversation with Vlad helps to clarify the motivations behind a Dzurlord's behavior. He possesses, coincidentally, a Great Weapon: 'Loci for different levels of energy from various phases of existence'. He prefers to call it 'Nightslayer', because it sounds 'dangerous, and evil, and I like that'.
Steven Brust
Steven Karl Zoltán Brust is an American fantasy and science fiction author of Hungarian descent. He was a member of the writers' group The Scribblies, which included Emma Bull, Pamela Dean, Will Shetterly, Nate Bucklin, Kara Dalkey, and Patricia Wrede; he also belongs to the Pre-Joycean...
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- Dzur is one of the seventeen Great Houses of the people of the fictional planet of DragaeraDragaeraDragaera is the fictional world in which a series of novels by Steven Brust is set. The word "Dragaera" can refer to the planet, the Dragaeran Empire, or its former capital, Dragaera City.-Species:...
, or to a member of that house (although such members are often also referred to as Dzurlords). The Cycle Poem of imperial succession, describing each of the different creatures and respective houses notes "Dzur stalks and blends with night". - The dzur is an apex predatorApex predatorApex predators are predators that have no predators of their own, residing at the top of their food chain. Zoologists define predation as the killing and consumption of another organism...
indigenous to Dragaera, appearing similar to a large black pantherBlack pantherA black panther is typically a melanistic color variant of any of several species of larger cat. Wild black panthers in Latin America are black jaguars , in Asia and Africa they are black leopards , and in North America they may be black jaguars or possibly black cougars A black panther is...
. It is the namesake of Dzur House. - Dzur is the title of the tenth book of the Vlad Taltos series, originally published in 2006 by Tor BooksTor BooksTor Books is one of two imprints of Tom Doherty Associates LLC, based in New York City. It is noted for its science fiction and fantasy titles. Tom Doherty Associates also publishes mainstream fiction, mystery, and occasional military history titles under its Forge imprint. The company was founded...
. It takes place immediately after IssolaIssolaIssola is the ninth book in Steven Brust's Vlad Taltos series, set in the fantasy world of Dragaera. It was published in 2001. Following the trend of the series, it is named after one of the Great Houses and features that House as an important element to its plot.-Plot introduction:Vlad teams up...
. The novel was originally intended to be called Tiassa, after another Dragaeran House. The book entered the New York Times Bestseller list for Hardcover Fiction on August 22, 2006.
The Creatures
Members of the Great Houses are said to share personality traits with their namesake animals, thanks to genetic manipulations by the alien Jenoine. Dzur are courageous, mighty in single combat, and bound by personal honor.The Novel
While eating at Valabar's, Vlad is indirectly asked to help his ex-wife, Cawti, resolve a problem in South Andrilankha, the Easterners' Quarter. While investigating, Vlad determines that it is actually the Left Hand of the Jhereg, the sorceresses, that are actually trying to muscle in on the territory. Inadvertently destroying the soul of one with his Great Weapon, Lady Teldra, Vlad is targeted by the Left Hand. To escape and resolve the situation, he must act like a Dzurlord, putting himself up against uneven odds in a battle he has little chance of winning, for what he thinks is right.We are introduced to Mario Greymist, an assassin of great reputation who is also Aliera's lover. His reputation as the greatest of assassins was established by killing Emperor Tortaalik I, an event that helped cause the temporary dissolution of the empire. Mario makes himself available for hire, revealing that his contact and front man is none other than Vlad's long-time friend and former second-in-command Kragar.
We are also introduced to Telnan, the newest and possibly only member of the Lavodes in training. Telnan is young (for a Dragaeran) and uncommonly cheerful (for a Dzur). His conversation with Vlad helps to clarify the motivations behind a Dzurlord's behavior. He possesses, coincidentally, a Great Weapon: 'Loci for different levels of energy from various phases of existence'. He prefers to call it 'Nightslayer', because it sounds 'dangerous, and evil, and I like that'.