Questions tagged [discworld]
For questions about Discworld, a series of comic fantasy books by Terry Pratchett.
104
questions
3
votes
1
answer
181
views
Quote in which Rincewind talks about exams
In one of the Discworld books, there is a conversation in which Rincewind tries to justify his qualification as a wizard. He starts to say something like "I've passed dozens of exams" but ...
12
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Looking for a Discworld quote involving Rincewind running away and not looking behind
Rincewind is running away (obviously) and the quote goes along these lines:
A less experienced coward might take a moment to look over their shoulder, but Rincewind knew better. Nothing he saw could ...
15
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Quote from Discworld about Ankh-Morpork tolerance and greed
In one of Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels, he writes something along these lines:
The residents of Ankh-Morpork are willing to welcome everyone. No matter what sex, what species, and what race: ...
18
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Faith cannot move mountains but can create someone who can (Discworld)
In one of the Discworld novels by Terry Pratchett he wrote something along the lines of:
Faith cannot move mountains but can create someone who can
I think it is from "Reaper Man" but I ...
37
votes
1
answer
5k
views
Discworld's Death letting Granny Weatherwax win in a card game over a child's life
I once read that in one of the Discworld novels, Granny Weatherwax is playing cards against Death over the life of a small child, and Death deliberately let her win. If I recall correctly she says: &...
9
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Did Ankh-Morpork have an army and city walls?
Did the city of Ankh-Morpork have city walls? And a military force? How would it defend itself from invasions?
0
votes
1
answer
682
views
Is the Unseen University's librarian trying to say 'book'?
Early on in the series the librarian at the Unseen University is transformed into an orangutan (not a monkey).
From then on, they only say "Ook" with various inflections and changes in ...
28
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Does the sun orbit Great A'Tuin or the Discworld?
The Discworld is lit by a tiny 'sunlet' which orbits the disc at a rate of once per day, but is this miniature sun orbiting the disc itself, or around Great A'Tuin?
22
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Where under the Discworld are the four elephants located?
The Discworld rests on the backs of the four World Elephants; Tubul, Jerakeen, Berilia and Great T'Phon.
The Discworld series is a continuous history of a world not totally
unlike our own, except ...
6
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Terry Pratchett book quote where a character talks about being good to people because they hate people
I've been looking for this quote for ages.
This is a Terry Pratchett book
a character (maybe Granny Weatherwax?) talks about not liking / outright disliking people in general
and this dislike is ...
21
votes
3
answers
12k
views
In the Discworld books, is "Sto Helit" a pun?
As a long-time fan of the Discworld books, I think I'm up on almost all the puns and references in them. However, one has never quite fit for me. Ever since I first read Mort lo these many years ago, ...
50
votes
1
answer
7k
views
What does Pratchett's "poets notwithstanding" joke mean?
In Terry Pratchett's Equal Rites, he writes the following passage:
Esk, in fact, moved through the fair more like an arsonist moves through a hayfield or a neutron bounces through a reactor, poets ...
13
votes
5
answers
5k
views
Are there any gay characters in Terry Pratchett's Discworld?
Are there any openly or identifiably gay characters in Terry Pratchett's Discworld?
5
votes
1
answer
470
views
Do we know when Small Gods is set, compared to the majority of Discworld novels?
Small Gods portrays a time of great change in the Omnian religion, when the
This later Omnianism is clearly well-established by the time of Carpe Jugulum as evidenced by the Quite Reverend Mightily ...
13
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Why do Igors (but not Igorinas) lisp when they speak?
In the Discworld universe, when an Igor (which is basically a parody of Adam from Frankenstein) speaks, they generally speak with a lisp (pronouncing "s" as "th").
In Monstrous ...
12
votes
2
answers
630
views
Can witches see octarine?
In many of the Discworld books focusing on wizards, it is often mentioned that only wizards can see octarine, which is the color* of magic. However, I cannot recall it being mentioned in any of the ...
12
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Equation in "Men at Arms" by Pratchett
Could someone with an early edition of Men at Arms by Terry Pratchett, first published by Victor Gollancz Ltd in 1993, please answer with Detritus' equation?
In the scene where Detritus the troll is ...
2
votes
1
answer
987
views
What kind of witch is Tiffany Aching?
In Terry Pratchet’s Discworld universe, he has five books that focus on Tiffany Aching, a trainee witch.
She has a mix of non-magical and magical powers.
Non-magical powers:
First Sight
Second, Third,...
11
votes
2
answers
674
views
What accent do trolls in Discworld have?
“Dis der Riot Act and you’ve all got to read it, right?
“Boys, if dere was a PhD in bein’ fick, youse wouldn’t be able to find a pencil.”
These are a couple of quotes from Detritus, the Troll in the ...
60
votes
1
answer
11k
views
Did Terry Pratchett ever explain the inspiration behind the Luggage?
The Luggage is one of the iconic Discworld characters, but did Terry Pratchett ever explain where the inspiration came from for the sociopathic walking trunk with internals that seem to act like the ...
12
votes
1
answer
2k
views
In Men at Arms, why announce Edward was caught?
At Vimes' wedding at the climax of Men at Arms, as the shooter flees the tower, Carrot suggests that in order to catch the criminal they would need to announce that Edward was caught and visit the ...
46
votes
4
answers
7k
views
How does The Fools Guild make its money?
In the Discworld series, the city of Ankh-Morpork has numerous professions (including criminal professions) managed and regulated by guilds. For most of these it's pretty easy to work out their income ...
12
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Terry Pratchett book with a lawyer dragon and sheep
I was talking to someone today who mentioned starting a Terry Pratchett book a few years before.
They said that it was about a dragon who was a lawyer and involved sheep. They think that it is ...
11
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What is a "shilicashe?"
On page 138 of my edition of The Light Fantastic, Cohen the Barbarian tells Twoflower and Rincewind about trolls, and tries to say a word that I cannot at all identify (emphasis added):
"Trollsh ...
24
votes
1
answer
5k
views
Discworld quote about an "old couple" who having said everything to each other, can finally go about living their lives
There was a quote about an old couple (I believe it was Death and the character played by David Jason, I forget his name), who having lived together for a long time, and having said everything, are ...
11
votes
1
answer
1k
views
In Soul Music, where do the corn fields behind Death garden come from?
In Soul Music, Susan explores multiple times the area surrounding Death's cottage. Everything is how we are used to know it, with the predominance of black and the constant feeling that things are odd ...
38
votes
3
answers
10k
views
Who are these Discworld wizards from this picture?
I haven't read many of the novels about wizards yet and would like to know who they are.
[Image by Paul Kidby]
10
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What does the ending of Monstrous Regiment mean?
I didn't fully understand Discworld "Monstrous Regiment".
Polly is going back to war, presumably, but then what was the point of the book from Jackrum? If she was just going to blackmail people then ...
11
votes
2
answers
802
views
What was the inspiration for the 'draco vulgaris'?
Is the draco vulgaris (first described in Guards! Guards! (1989) inspired by the pseudodragons found in Dungeons and Dragons?
I recently learned about them and find many similarities:
small winged ...
35
votes
1
answer
4k
views
What does this quote in Small Gods refer to?
In Small Gods, by Terry Pratchett, the following quote appears:
It was something he shared with tortoises. Watch any tortoise walking,
and periodically it will stop while it files away the ...