(urth) Father Inire

[Lee Berman]

>Gerry Quinn: While the name ("megatherian") suggests beasts, the fact of a 

>biography suggests otherwise.

 

I don't see why. Can't a beast have a biography? Especially a sentient beast.

The examples of this are too numerous to mention but "mega" implies large size.

It isn't too hard to figure out which notable character is really large and 

named for an earth-inspired animal.

 

>> Melito's angel takes an eagle form. The armiger's daughter has her lark form.

 

>The(se) first two aren’t characters.

 

Heh. Funny. I know there is more than one definition for the word "character" but

I meant the one which refers to persons or beings in a story. Severian, Melito and

the angel are all characters.

 

>the humans Rudesind and Fechin are also likened to monkeys.  And Agia turns gracefully 

>like a cat.  I don’t think there’s any particular motif there, though.

 

Well, we aren't discussing similes, at least I am not. Think more in terms of dog men and

cat women and man apes. And Tzadkiel, who obviously has a beastly component or two.

 

>On the other hand, the undines don’t seem to be likened to any particular animal

 

Heh. I find that a rather fishy conclusion. ;-)

Or perhaps we should consider the Order Sirenia (manatees)?