xyzzy
2008-11-24, 11:23 AM
Theory I haven't seen anywhere else:
The Oracle wasn't making a propechy when he told Belkar he was going to die. He was pretending to make one so that Belkar will become a better person --- essentially, he's hoping that Belkar will decide to screw destiny. (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ScrewDestiny)
Two likely ways this could go:
1. Belkar lives. After the current battle with the thieves ends, the cleric joins Haley's group. Belkar realizes (partially due to the cleric constantly reminding Belkar why he's alive) that he only lived because he was part of a team, and even when he hates them, they're necessary for his survival. Slowly he begins to accept that, even when he disagrees with them on things, it's better to cooperate with them because they've got his best interests in mind. The group eventually returns to the Oracle, who, with a chuckle, explains that he gave the fake prophecy of Belkar's death to prevent his death. Belkar angrily takes out a dagger, but stops himself, puts it down, and thanks the Oracle.
2. Belkar causes his own death. During the battle, Belkar comes extremely close to getting killed, but Celia or Haley manages to turn the battle just slightly enough to allow Belkar to survive. The group survives, and the cleric possibly joins the group, but Belkar sees this moment of nearly dying not as a sign that his team is the only thing keeping him alive, but as a warning that his "inevitable" death can come at any moment. He then focuses on vigilantly guaranteeing his own survival at all times, and through this ends up causing events that bring about his death.
The Oracle wasn't making a propechy when he told Belkar he was going to die. He was pretending to make one so that Belkar will become a better person --- essentially, he's hoping that Belkar will decide to screw destiny. (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ScrewDestiny)
Two likely ways this could go:
1. Belkar lives. After the current battle with the thieves ends, the cleric joins Haley's group. Belkar realizes (partially due to the cleric constantly reminding Belkar why he's alive) that he only lived because he was part of a team, and even when he hates them, they're necessary for his survival. Slowly he begins to accept that, even when he disagrees with them on things, it's better to cooperate with them because they've got his best interests in mind. The group eventually returns to the Oracle, who, with a chuckle, explains that he gave the fake prophecy of Belkar's death to prevent his death. Belkar angrily takes out a dagger, but stops himself, puts it down, and thanks the Oracle.
2. Belkar causes his own death. During the battle, Belkar comes extremely close to getting killed, but Celia or Haley manages to turn the battle just slightly enough to allow Belkar to survive. The group survives, and the cleric possibly joins the group, but Belkar sees this moment of nearly dying not as a sign that his team is the only thing keeping him alive, but as a warning that his "inevitable" death can come at any moment. He then focuses on vigilantly guaranteeing his own survival at all times, and through this ends up causing events that bring about his death.