Think I've discovered something about S.O. Shimrra...

Lord_Xerxes · Post by **Lord_Xerxes** » 2002-11-12 03:41am

I'm reading "Star by Star" right now, even though I've read all the other NJO books (my shitty book store never had SBS when I went for it, so I just moved on. but now that they released it to softcover, I was able to recently get it). And I think I've discovered just what the nature of the relationship between Supreme Overlord Shimrra and Omnimi is.

(Warning. Possible spoilers.)

In Star By Star, on page 255 (softcover) is the following:

"My master, humans are not like Yuuzhan Vong. Twins are not as an infrequent occurance", Nom Anor said. In all of Yuuzhan Vong history, there had been only a few twin births-and these only when the gods wished it so. In each instance, one had murdered the other in childhood, then matured to lead the empire through a time of grave crisis. Lord Shimrra himself had murdered his twin brother before growing up to have the dream that foretold the finding of this new galaxy"

and on page 257:

"Perhaps Lord Shimrra would look favorably on a sacrifice of twin Jedi? you could have them fight each other, as Lord Shimrra fought his brother, just as the gods have ordained that twins must do since the beginning of Yuuzhan Vong history."

And now, from the closing pages of "Destiny's Way":

"His body twitched to remembered pain. Images of needles and knifelike claws floated through his mind. He remembered the shriek of severed nerves, the grind of bone against bone, the way blood oozed slowly from a wound. He shivered. Why had this happened? Why? He had never harmed anyone. He opened his eyes at a sound, and there before him was the withered one, a sneer drawn across his crooked slash of a mouth. "Your guests have arrived, Supreme One." At the words Shimrra felt his power flow into him, his majesty and command and presence....(skipping ahead some)...Afterward, after his audience filed out, Shimrra collapsed onto his throne. Omnimi rose from his crouch and gave a sneering look at the far end of the hall. "Fools," he said. "But what choice is there but to use them?" Shimrra made no reply. His eyes were closed. Omnimi's voice was thoughtful. "We began this war, and now we must fight on and hope for the best." He gave a little shiver. "You've betrayed and used the gods---perhaps they now betray you in return."

What's the significance of this all? How could Shimrra have harmed no one yet killed his brother in the ancient traditions of his culture? He couldn't have. Throughout Destiny's Way, Shimrra gives Omnimi, who seems to be nothing more than a pet or court jester, a hell of a lot of leeway...especially when Omnimi, a shamed one, makes some very pointed statements about high-ranking Vong like Tsavong Lah. Why would the Overlord have compassion and allow a creature like a shamed one such royalties? Because Omnimi amuses him? Perhaps to some degree, but there is a line, and Omnimi surely crosses it. The fact is, he wouldn't.

Unless the shamed one Omnimi is Supreme Overlord Shimrra's brother.

Consider this for a second. Imagine what chaos would shake the foundations of the Vong world if they found that a twin birth, something considered sacred, gave a shamed one. It would tear their infastructure apart. Why would the gods ordain this? It would destroy the belief system that their whole culture is built around.

Throughout DW, and early books, we see several key YV characters hinting at the fact that the religion is a shame, and just used to control the populace (heh). What if Shimrra isn't the true leader here, and Omnimi is? Shimrra, who in his own mental thoughts seems to be nothing more than a scared child, and at the same time defering to Omnimi's words and actions, is will-point of the race. If say for instance, that Omnimi was supposed to have been the chosen leader, but his implants were rejected and became a shamed one, then it would be a fiasco. The will of and power or even existance of the gods would be in question. So instead they form this plot to cover it all up by weaving a tale within the mythos of their culture have having Omnimi rule from the background by using Shimrra as his voice and figurehead.

Pretty astounding plot point I may have stumbled on here, eh?[/i]

Lord_Xerxes · Post by **Lord_Xerxes** » 2002-11-12 03:46am

Key quotes from the texts, I shall highlight:

"My master, humans are not like Yuuzhan Vong. Twins are not as an infrequent occurance", Nom Anor said. In all of Yuuzhan Vong history, there had been only a few twin births-and these only when the gods wished it so. In each instance, one had murdered the other in childhood, then matured to lead the empire through a time of grave crisis. Lord Shimrra himself had murdered his twin brother before growing up to have the dream that foretold the finding of this new galaxy"

"Perhaps Lord Shimrra would look favorably on a sacrifice of twin Jedi? you could have them fight each other, as Lord Shimrra fought his brother, just as the gods have ordained that twins must do since the beginning of Yuuzhan Vong history."

"His body twitched to remembered pain. Images of needles and knifelike claws floated through his mind. He remembered the shriek of severed nerves, the grind of bone against bone, the way blood oozed slowly from a wound. He shivered. Why had this happened? Why? He had never harmed anyone. He opened his eyes at a sound, and there before him was the withered one, a sneer drawn across his crooked slash of a mouth. "Your guests have arrived, Supreme One." At the words Shimrra felt his power flow into him, his majesty and command and presence....(skipping ahead some)...Afterward, after his audience filed out, Shimrra collapsed onto his throne. Omnimi rose from his crouch and gave a sneering look at the far end of the hall. "Fools," he said. "But what choice is there but to use them?" Shimrra made no reply. His eyes were closed. Omnimi's voice was thoughtful. "We began this war, and now we must fight on and hope for the best." He gave a little shiver. "You've betrayed and used the gods---perhaps they now betray you in return."

Perhaps by those "we"'s Omnimi means not we as in the race of the Vong, but we litterally as in you and I.

Ender · Post by **Ender** » 2002-11-12 11:43am

Or perhaps he doesn't count that as hurting anyone. HTe Spanish Inquisitors thought they were doing Gods work after all, and they didn't feel bad about it.

Lord_Xerxes · Post by **Lord_Xerxes** » 2002-11-12 12:14pm

That's indeed possible. Although it still remains that Shimrra does make those differances to Omnimi and does not exactly act like the person he's supposed to be.

Eleas · Post by **Eleas** » 2002-11-12 01:24pm

Lord_Xerxes wrote:That's indeed possible. Although it still remains that Shimrra does make those differances to Omnimi and does not exactly act like the person he's supposed to be.

Interesting. It appears there are valid points still to be found here.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2002-11-12 02:02pm

Keep in mind that Onimi is basically a jester, a favorite of Shimrra's. Often in literature, jesters, usually favorites of the King/ruler, are given greater leeway and more freedom to speak their mind than would a normal person. For example, in Arthurian literature, Dagonet, King Arthur's fool was allowed to speak his mind much more freely than the rest of the members of the Court. Still, very interesting theory, you're on to something, I think.

Lex · Post by **Lex** » 2002-11-12 02:47pm

we'll see it in FOrce Heretic...but i thzink you are right!

Raptor 597 · Post by **Raptor 597** » 2002-11-12 03:58pm

his is interesting too say the least, I gota quickly finish 1984, and read Destiny's Way so I can readForce Heretic.

Lex · Post by **Lex** » 2002-11-12 04:03pm

force heretic aint out yet...at least not here

Raptor 597 · Post by **Raptor 597** » 2002-11-12 04:06pm

It isn't, in May I think, but halfway through Rebel Stand thats some reading too catch up though.

Lex · Post by **Lex** » 2002-11-12 04:11pm

has the brotherhood of the rapib monkeys a website?

Lord_Xerxes · Post by **Lord_Xerxes** » 2002-11-13 01:59am

Durran Korr wrote:Keep in mind that Onimi is basically a jester, a favorite of Shimrra's. Often in literature, jesters, usually favorites of the King/ruler, are given greater leeway and more freedom to speak their mind than would a normal person. For example, in Arthurian literature, Dagonet, King Arthur's fool was allowed to speak his mind much more freely than the rest of the members of the Court. Still, very interesting theory, you're on to something, I think.

Indeed. You've got a good point there, Durran. Wouldn't you say that King Arthur was a more merciful ruler? Surely not the Tyrannical Dictator the likes of Shimrra. As I said, there is a line between what a favorite would be able to get away with, and Omnimi seems to have not only stepped over it, but is dancing on the other side.

I'm glad so many of you have taken in an intrest into these ideas. I can't what to get my hands on Heretic when it comes out to see if my divinations are correct.

Raptor 597 · Post by **Raptor 597** » 2002-11-13 05:48pm

Lex wrote:has the brotherhood of the rapib monkeys a website?

No, well yes sorta. We have a secret forum in which you cannot see, we use it in our plans too rule the Whole Board.

Post by **Kuja** » 2002-11-13 06:03pm

Captain Lennox wrote:
Lex wrote:has the brotherhood of the rapib monkeys a website?
No, well yes sorta. We have a secret forum in which you cannot see, we use it in our plans too rule the Whole Board.

*kicks Lennox*

Silence! You'll give away the plans concerning the new......nevermind.