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Firebird (Lackey)

 Firebird (Lackey)
type
TVTItem
 Firebird (Lackey)
label
Firebird (Lackey)
 Firebird (Lackey)
page
FirebirdLackey
 Firebird (Lackey)
comment
Advertisement:propertag.cmd.push(function() { proper_display('tvtropes_mobile_ad_1'); })A fantasy tale by Mercedes Lackey published in 1996, Firebird is based on The Brothers Grimm's "The Golden Bird", the Russian ballet The Firebird with music by Igor Stravinsky, and several Russian fairy tales, including "Tsarevitch Ivan, the Fire Bird and the Gray Wolf."Ilya Ivanovitch is the middle son of Tsar Ivan (really, he's just a boyar, but he calls himself a tsar) in the country of Rus. His father is a greedy, jealous Jerkass, and Ilya's seven brothers are no better, with Ilya as The Unfavorite.Then someone starts stealing the Tsar's cherries. These are rare and special cherries, bred to ripen late and satisfy Ivan's sweet tooth after the normal season is over. The thief strikes in the night, and no matter how the Tsar berates and threatens, the guards are always found dead asleep at their posts.Advertisement:propertag.cmd.push(function() { proper_display('tvtropes_mobile_ad_2'); })Ivan finally declares that his sons will stand guard over the orchard, one each night in order from eldest to youngest, and whoever catches the thief will be named his heir. While his brothers try and fail, Ilya sneaks into the orchard himself, armed with pins to keep himself from falling asleep, and discovers the truth; the thief is the beautiful, mysterious, and magical Firebird.Ilya is entranced, but when she sees him, the Firebird flees in terror. Unfortunately, those who see the Firebird are cursed with bad luck so they can't catch her. Seemingly as an apology for this, the Firebird later gifts Ilya with the ability to speak with animals. Adventure ensues.
 Firebird (Lackey)
fetched
2023-03-17T22:43:09Z
 Firebird (Lackey)
parsed
2023-03-17T22:43:09Z
 Firebird (Lackey)
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Dropped link to FoundFamily: Not a Feature - UNKNOWN
 Firebird (Lackey)
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Dropped link to HoistByTheirOwnPetard: Not a Feature - UNKNOWN
 Firebird (Lackey)
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FoundFamily
 Firebird (Lackey)
processingUnknown
HoistByTheirOwnPetard
 Firebird (Lackey)
isPartOf
DBTropes
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_13945ede
type
IAmAHumanitarian
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_13945ede
comment
I Am a Humanitarian: The Katschei's demons, at least those that can stomach meat. They especially love "man-parts".
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_13945ede
featureApplicability
1.0
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_13945ede
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1.0
 Firebird (Lackey)
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_13945ede
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_1ba09c9d
type
Human Resources
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_1ba09c9d
comment
Human Resources: Anyone who isn't a prince and enters the Katschei's palace is fed to the monster staff. Ilya plays the fool so successfully that he avoids this fate when caught, because the Katschei doesn't want to risk his minions getting even dumber by eating him. The Katschei magically banishes him instead.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_1ba09c9d
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1.0
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_1ba09c9d
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_1f518822
type
Androcles' Lion
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_1f518822
comment
Androcles' Lion: Ilya gets help from a horse, a nightingale, a fox, and the titular Firebird by saving their lives (or tasty apples, in the horse's case).
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_1f518822
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1.0
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_1f518822
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 Firebird (Lackey)
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_1f518822
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_1fb440a6
type
Voluntary Shapeshifting
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_1fb440a6
comment
Voluntary Shapeshifting: The Firebird can take the form of a striking bird with Hot Wings, a beautiful woman with a cloak of feathers, or an unearthly melding of both.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_1fb440a6
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1.0
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_1fb440a6
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_1fb440a6
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_2487c879
type
Forced Sleep
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_2487c879
comment
Forced Sleep: The Firebird's Magic Music induces sleep in all who hear it. She uses this ability to steal Tsar Ivan's cherries from under the noses of his guards. Ilya defeats it by festooning his clothing with pins that poke him if he starts to drop off, and holds another pin in each hand for good measure. It's useless against the Katschei's dragon, which is an automaton that listens only to what it's been ordered to. In the climax, however, Ilya summons the Firebird into the Katschei's throne room and she puts all his monsters to sleep. Even the Katschei is affected strongly enough to give Ilya (once again using pain to counter the effect) enough time to reach his heart and smash it at his feet.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_2487c879
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_2487c879
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_2a02e5c9
type
Guile Hero
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_2a02e5c9
comment
Guile Hero: Ilya largely uses his wits to get through the dangers he finds himself in.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_2a02e5c9
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_2a02e5c9
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_2d768e2d
type
Succession Crisis
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_2d768e2d
comment
Succession Crisis: Tsar Ivan has eight grown sons by his wives, an unspecified number of illegitimate children by the household staff, and nowhere near enough land to provide a decent inheritance for all of them. Since he can't bring himself to murder his own children, he instead encourages them to fight amongst themselves in the hopes that they'll start eliminating each other and simplify the problem for him (as well as keep them too busy to conspire against him).
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_2d768e2d
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1.0
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_2d768e2d
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1.0
 Firebird (Lackey)
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_2d768e2d
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_3aec9e5e
type
Properly Paranoid
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_3aec9e5e
comment
Properly Paranoid: Both Ilya (apropos his brothers) and the Katschei (apropos everyone).
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_3aec9e5e
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1.0
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_3aec9e5e
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1.0
 Firebird (Lackey)
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_3aec9e5e
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_3bebfcc0
type
Living Lie Detector
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_3bebfcc0
comment
Living Lie Detector: Ilya suspects Mother Galina may be one (he's certainly never been able to lie to her), and fears the Katschei might be one (though the sorcerer seems to rely on a lieutenant with the skill). His experience in getting around the former helps him considerably with the latter.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_3bebfcc0
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1.0
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_3bebfcc0
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_3bebfcc0
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_44989f6f
type
"Could Have Avoided This!" Plot
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_44989f6f
comment
"Could Have Avoided This!" Plot: At one point Ilya muses that if his father Ivan had encouraged his sons to work with each other instead of against each other, he could have created a legendary band of warriors who could have brought him even more land, wealth and fame, and incidentally not ended up in a situation where Ilya had to fake his death and go wandering off into the wilderness.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_44989f6f
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_44989f6f
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_48b9731f
type
Paper-Thin Disguise
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_48b9731f
comment
Paper-Thin Disguise: Ilya's monster costume is scraps of leather and cow horns. However, the monsters are so damn stupid that it works.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_48b9731f
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1.0
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_48b9731f
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_5fd14ab3
type
Sacred Hospitality
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_5fd14ab3
comment
Sacred Hospitality: The Bannik, spirit of the steam bath house, will react favorably to humble and respectful guests, so long as the "third bath turn is given to him."
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_5fd14ab3
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1.0
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_5fd14ab3
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_61eac2cb
type
Perpetual-Motion Monster
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_61eac2cb
comment
Perpetual-Motion Monster: The dragon and the "puppets" in the Katschei's palace are implied to be mechanical in nature, possibly even robots that obey short logical orders. More than that, neither need sleep or fuel, though the puppets do seem to "tire" and need a day to recharge.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_61eac2cb
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_61eac2cb
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_704ac24
type
Uniqueness Value
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_704ac24
comment
Uniqueness Value: The Firebird's kind requires nourishment from rare and valuable foods, which is why she steals Tsar Ivan's special late-ripening cherries, kicking off the plot, and risks herself to eat from the Katschei's magical orchard, the trees of which produce fruit in all seasons. She is captured by the Katschei's magical defenses and Ilya frees her, putting her in his debt.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_704ac24
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_704ac24
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_704d7e91
type
No Ontological Inertia
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_704d7e91
comment
No Ontological Inertia: As soon as the sorcerer dies, all his magical creations disappear or revert to their former state. The gardens, gone; the enormous palace, back to being a regular, if large, palace; the statues, free; the monsters, people again. The bolt of lightning and howling windstorm that accompany the Katschei's death may have something to do with it, as though the entity with whom he bargained for his power is taking it all back.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_704d7e91
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_704d7e91
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_78d0ebcf
type
Crying Wolf
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_78d0ebcf
comment
Crying Wolf: Invoked by Ilya and the fox; they get Kaschei to disable his own guard dragon by having it send a series of (apparently) false alarms.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_78d0ebcf
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1.0
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_78d0ebcf
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_7c9dcc1
type
THeUnfavorite
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_7c9dcc1
comment
The Unfavorite: Ilya is the middle child of eight. Despised and ignored by his family for being so unlike his brothers, he lives a mostly solitary existence within Tsar Ivan's household, despite being the smartest and cleverest of them. His brothers gang up on him and beat him with increasing frequency, until he finally resorts to Obfuscating Insanity to get them to leave him alone. In response, his father isn't upset that his brothers tried to kill him, but that they got caught. He's not upset that Ilya's been rendered a fool, but that he'll now have to take care of said fool for the rest of his or Ilya's life.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_7c9dcc1
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_7c9dcc1
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_82a4fadc
type
Our Liches Are Different
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_82a4fadc
comment
Our Liches Are Different: Katschei, a sorcerer who made a Deal with the Devil for power and near immortality. His heart is hidden inside a magically fast duck, hidden inside a magically fast rabbit, locked inside a magic chest at the top of a magically tall tree, and guarded by a magical mechanical dragon. He is based on the Russian folklore of Koschei the Deathless, one of the inspirations for liches in fiction.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_82a4fadc
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1.0
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_82a4fadc
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1.0
 Firebird (Lackey)
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_82a4fadc
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_835d1cd2
type
Satellite Love Interest
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_835d1cd2
comment
Satellite Love Interest: Ilya falls in love with Tatiana because she's incredibly beautiful. After rescuing her from the Katschei, he comes to the unpleasant conclusion that her looks are the only pleasing thing about her. Fortunately, he catches her cheating with his brother Pietor, which gives him grounds to end their engagement.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_835d1cd2
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1.0
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_835d1cd2
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 Firebird (Lackey)
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_835d1cd2
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_870bbf64
type
Show, Don't Tell
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_870bbf64
comment
Show, Don't Tell: We only ever hear of Ilya's martial prowess; he never has to demonstrate it, with the exception of one bow shot. Fortunately, he manages to win with skills he had ample time to demonstrate, avoiding abuse and acting more injured than he is.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_870bbf64
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 Firebird (Lackey) / int_870bbf64
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_870bbf64
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_8dc8a02d
type
Derailing Love Interests
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_8dc8a02d
comment
Derailing Love Interests: Ilya catches Tatiana cheating on him with his brother, conveniently freeing him to go seek his real love, the Firebird.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_8dc8a02d
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1.0
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 Firebird (Lackey)
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_8dc8a02d
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_91b5521d
type
Complete Immortality
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_91b5521d
comment
Complete Immortality: The Katschei, unless his heart is destroyed at his feet. Wounds instantly heal and he cannot bleed, age, or die.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_91b5521d
featureApplicability
1.0
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_91b5521d
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 Firebird (Lackey)
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_91b5521d
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_9d12bbc1
type
Foreshadowing
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_9d12bbc1
comment
Foreshadowing: It's stated multiple times that a man who sees the Firebird will ever after be discontented with an ordinary life. Even a life of fabulous wealth and power with a beautiful wife isn't enough for Ilya. He wants magic.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_9d12bbc1
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1.0
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_9d12bbc1
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 Firebird (Lackey)
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_9d12bbc1
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_9f5e99a7
type
DistressedDamsel
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_9f5e99a7
comment
Distressed Damsel: The Katschei's maidens. Subverted with Tatiana, who may not have enjoyed being the Katschei's prisoner but certainly developed a taste for the luxuries his magic made available. Ilya's second encounter with the Firebird leads to him freeing her from one of the Katschei's traps.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_9f5e99a7
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 Firebird (Lackey) / int_9f5e99a7
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_9f5e99a7
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_a18fda9c
type
Dumb Muscle
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_a18fda9c
comment
Dumb Muscle: All of Ivan's sons save for Ilya, to varying degrees. Piotr however is the most cunning... not smart, but cunning. The Katschei's demons are even worse.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_a18fda9c
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1.0
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_a18fda9c
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_a18fda9c
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_a5d92fce
type
Celibate Hero
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_a5d92fce
comment
Celibate Hero: Not by choice, but once Ilya takes on the role of the fool, the women of the palace lose interest in him.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_a5d92fce
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1.0
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_a5d92fce
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_a6cda066
type
Rule of Three
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_a6cda066
comment
Rule of Three: Ilya encounters the Katschei three times, and the third time kills him.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_a6cda066
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1.0
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_a6cda066
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_a8a04f6f
type
And I Must Scream
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_a8a04f6f
comment
And I Must Scream: Ilya wonders if the men turned into statues are still alive and aware, and considers it horrible if true. It is true, but he frees them.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_a8a04f6f
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_a8a04f6f
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_a8dcb1d7
type
Love at First Sight
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_a8dcb1d7
comment
Love at First Sight: The text claims this is Ilya's reaction to Tatiana. In reality, he had this in regard to the Firebird.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_a8dcb1d7
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1.0
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_a8dcb1d7
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_a8dcb1d7
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_a94eaaa4
type
Odd Friendship
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_a94eaaa4
comment
Odd Friendship: Ilya's mentors, a shaman and a priest. Neither of them are well-regarded in Ivan's household, so they take care of and protect each other. Sorta Truth in Television considering how Russian Christianity and Paganism tended to be practiced side by side.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_a94eaaa4
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1.0
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_a94eaaa4
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_a94eaaa4
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_a9f8a98b
type
Licked by the Dog
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_a9f8a98b
comment
Licked by the Dog: Pretty much all the animals in the palace and on its ground like Ilya and are willing to help him and tell him secrets (once he can talk to them).
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_a9f8a98b
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_a9f8a98b
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_acecb17d
type
Chekhov's Skill
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_acecb17d
comment
Chekhov's Skill: Ilya's habit of speaking with Exact Words to Mother Galina pays off with the Katschei, as does his ruse as the fool, and his learning to stay awake in the face of the Firebird's music.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_acecb17d
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_acecb17d
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_adf84dea
type
What Beautiful Eyes!
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_adf84dea
comment
What Beautiful Eyes!: The Firebird has strikingly blue eyes, which look human even when she changes into a bird.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_adf84dea
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_adf84dea
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_b06bbf4b
type
Be Careful What You Wish For
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_b06bbf4b
comment
Be Careful What You Wish For: After he defeats the Katschei, Ilya joyfully claims Tatiana as his bride... and finds out in short order that she's a silly, selfish, spoiled bitch. He'd walk away from a free kingdom in a heartbeat, but Tatiana's so spoiled that she can't look after herself, and so selfish and bitchy that if he walked away no one would lift a finger to help her—and besides, he pledged his word. The closer the wedding comes, the more he regrets not leaving with the Firebird, because she's by far the superior woman (no pun intended) and a far more suitable wife for him. Luckily, Tatiana's even more stupid than Ilya knows... Also a subtle one with the Katschei himself. Ripping out his heart for magical power and near-immortality seems to have taken his ability to enjoy anything else.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_b06bbf4b
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_b06bbf4b
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_b4fce1ab
type
Obfuscating Insanity
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_b4fce1ab
comment
Obfuscating Insanity: Ilya pretends to be a fool to keep his brothers from outright killing him, making out as though the last beating they gave him broke his mind.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_b4fce1ab
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 Firebird (Lackey) / int_b58b4e3c
type
Too Dumb to Live
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_b58b4e3c
comment
Too Dumb to Live: The monsters, as a consequence of having been turned into monsters.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_b58b4e3c
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_b58b4e3c
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_c3c18143
type
Hope Spot
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_c3c18143
comment
Hope Spot: Just as Ilya gets his hand on the sorcerer's heart, he's captured by his monsters.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_c3c18143
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_c3c18143
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_c7079bc8
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GuiltyPleasure
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_c7079bc8
comment
Guilty Pleasure: Ilya is a little pleased to see Pietor among the Katschei's statuary. He's really, really pleased to be able to rub his brother's face (and his father's, by proxy) in his eventual, overwhelming success. He's also very pleased to leave his brother and his cheating bride to their dismal fate together.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_c7079bc8
featureApplicability
1.0
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_c7079bc8
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1.0
 Firebird (Lackey)
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_c7079bc8
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_c928d01d
type
Magic Music
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_c928d01d
comment
Magic Music: The Firebird's magical birdsong can induce Forced Sleep in its listeners.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_c928d01d
featureApplicability
1.0
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_c928d01d
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 Firebird (Lackey)
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_c928d01d
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_ca3a6dbd
type
Informed Ability
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_ca3a6dbd
comment
Informed Ability: We're told that Ilya is a more than competent warrior; he gets beaten only because his brothers gang up on him and they gang up on him because they can't take him one on one. However, apart from his brothers, he never encounters an enemy he can beat in a fight. The boar, the rusalka, the winter, the Katschei, his demons, the Katschei, the dragon, and the Katschei all have to be beaten with his wits, or just fled from.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_ca3a6dbd
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1.0
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_ca3a6dbd
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 Firebird (Lackey)
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_ca3a6dbd
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_d08049db
type
Taken for Granite
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_d08049db
comment
Taken for Granite: Princes and heroes who challenge the Katschei are turned into statues and posed in his gardens. He takes his kidnapped maidens for daily walks among them to remind him of his power and dominance. There are rumors that they can still see and hear; mindful of this, Ilya makes sure to apologize when he bumps into one, and promises to free them. Accordingly, they hail him as a great hero and pledge their friendship when the Katschei's death frees them.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_d08049db
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 Firebird (Lackey) / int_d08049db
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_d08049db
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_d3b6a0f5
type
Improvised Training
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_d3b6a0f5
comment
Improvised Training: When posing as a mad fool and dead bored, Ilya improvises training to keep fit. There's a notable passage of the book that makes perfect sense in the context of a life of extreme physical labor, but is sure to make anyone who's run track double over laughing:
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_d3b6a0f5
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_d3b6a0f5
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_d45c0b86
type
Refuge in Audacity
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_d45c0b86
comment
Refuge in Audacity: Oh, that marvelous vixen! The final time she gets the dragon to shout, she does it just after the Katschei walks out of sight! This is what puts him over the edge so he turns it into a statue.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_d45c0b86
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 Firebird (Lackey) / int_d45c0b86
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_d45c0b86
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_d8e1b5a3
type
Soul Jar
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_d8e1b5a3
comment
Soul Jar: The Katschei's heart is encased in diamond. And hidden inside a magic duck. Which is hidden inside a magic rabbit. Which is sealed in a stout chest, bound with bronze. Which is on top of a magically tall tree. Which is guarded by a never-sleeping, never-eating magical dragon. And even once acquired, the diamond must be smashed at his feet to kill him. Good lord.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_d8e1b5a3
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1.0
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_d8e1b5a3
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_d9764d48
type
Dangerous 16th Birthday
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_d9764d48
comment
Dangerous 16th Birthday: The Katschei has a thing for jailbait (by modern standards anyway). He abducted most of his maidens on the eve of their sixteenth birthdays. At the very end, Ilya mentions that he also took maidens of the eve of their weddings. This might simply be because sixteen was a common marriage age back then.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_d9764d48
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1.0
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_d9764d48
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_d9764d48
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_dcbe8a6e
type
Chekhov's Gunman
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_dcbe8a6e
comment
Chekhov's Gunman: The nightingale and the fox Ilya frees both come back to help him later.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_dcbe8a6e
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1.0
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_dcbe8a6e
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_e21faf11
type
Friend to All Living Things
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_e21faf11
comment
Friend to All Living Things: Ilya. He's willing to eat meat, of course, but he immediately saves a nightingale from an evil water spirit and a fox from an unfortunate tree. When he saves the fox, he notes that he only hunts for his own needs and doesn't seem to like it as a sport.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_e21faf11
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1.0
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_e21faf11
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_e21faf11
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_e3d2f2
type
The Fool
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_e3d2f2
comment
The Fool: Inverted. Ilya's only pretending to be a fool, and is in fact cursed with bad luck.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_e3d2f2
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1.0
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_e3d2f2
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_e3d2f2
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_e4bb68b8
type
The Charmer
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_e4bb68b8
comment
The Charmer: Ilya has a way with the ladies and is willing to be patient to get what he wants. According to the bannik, the spirit of the bathhouse, women are prone to talk when men aren't around and they all speak highly of Ilya, even after they've moved to higher stations (and, hence, into his older brothers' or father's beds). In fact, one of the reasons his brothers want him dead is because he's so well-liked by women. Near the end of the book Ilya's POV talks of 'treating a woman like a precious thing worthy of respect', and it's clearly his standard behaviour. Ilya's high opinion with the ladies might be based on the fact that alone out of all the sons, he actually pays attention to their needs.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_e4bb68b8
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1.0
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_e4bb68b8
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 Firebird (Lackey)
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_e4bb68b8
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_e9e35e8f
type
Exact Words
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_e9e35e8f
comment
Exact Words: The second time Ilya is caught by the Katschei, while continuing to play the fool he speaks only words that are strictly true—he did want to "look like everyone else" (to disguise himself) and "stuff a chicken" like everyone else—while the Katschei's kitchen staff are stuffing chickens for a meal, Ilya was caught stuffing his stolen one with broken crockery to feed to the guard dragon in an attempt to injure it. He never says why he's doing these things, and his fool act lets him get away with it. The Katschei's lieutenant concedes that he's telling the truth, and the Katschei merely banishes him.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_e9e35e8f
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1.0
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_e9e35e8f
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_ea39d156
type
Who Wants to Live Forever?
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_ea39d156
comment
Who Wants to Live Forever?: The Katschei never seems to eat his magical fruit, or despoil his maidens (he makes them dance and sing so he can prove he has power, not because he lusts for them), or even enjoy anything. It would appear that having his heart ripped out (selling his soul) removed his ability to enjoy anything other than power.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_ea39d156
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_ea39d156
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_eb8ec7c8
type
Jerkass
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_eb8ec7c8
comment
Jerkass: Everyone in Ilya's family, with the exception of Ilya himself.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_eb8ec7c8
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1.0
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_eb8ec7c8
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_eb8ec7c8
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_ed51d0
type
That Russian Squat Dance
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_ed51d0
comment
That Russian Squat Dance: As the fool, Ilya finds himself bone idle and bored. He eventually takes it upon himself to exercise. In addition to running laps around the palace, he begins dancing traditional Cossack dances. Not only the squats, but the high kicks, somersaults, and aerials.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_ed51d0
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1.0
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_ed51d0
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_f1356f5e
type
Speaks Fluent Animal
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_f1356f5e
comment
Speaks Fluent Animal: After encountering the Firebird for the first time and being touched by its magic, Ilya finds himself able to converse with spirits and a few animals that are also magical, such as the horse that claims descent from the Night Wind spirit-mare. Later, he sees the Firebird in a dream and awakens to find one of her stolen cherries on his windowsill; eating it grants him the ability to speak with all animals. The household dogs, cats, and horses aid him in his playing the fool by keeping him informed of goings-on, and animals he rescues on his journey return to help him in turn.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_f1356f5e
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 Firebird (Lackey) / int_f1356f5e
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_f1356f5e
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_f3626b09
type
Mercy Kill
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_f3626b09
comment
Mercy Kill: Running from another of his brothers' pranks, Ilya and his friend the horse become lost and encounter a wounded wild boar, which savages the horse severely. Knowing the spilled blood will attract wolves, the horse asks Ilya to make it quick rather than allowing the wolves to eat him alive. Ilya slits his throat.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_f3626b09
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 Firebird (Lackey) / int_f3626b09
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 Firebird (Lackey)
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_f3626b09
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_ff16efbf
type
Heroes Want Redheads
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_ff16efbf
comment
Heroes Want Redheads: Ilya finally falling for the Firebird at the end.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_ff16efbf
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 Firebird (Lackey) / int_ff16efbf
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_ff16efbf
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_ff6ae1f6
type
Evil-Detecting Dog
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_ff6ae1f6
comment
Evil-Detecting Dog: And cats, and horses. All the animals around the palace hate Tsar Ivan and Ilya's brothers, calling them the Monsters.
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_ff6ae1f6
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_ff6ae1f6
 Firebird (Lackey) / int_name
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ItemName
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Firebird (Lackey) / int_name
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Firebird (Lackey)

The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

 Firebird
seeAlso
Firebird (Lackey)
 Firebird (Lackey)
hasFeature
Androcles' Lion / int_df15b22d
 Firebird (Lackey)
hasFeature
Animal Lover / int_df15b22d
 Firebird (Lackey)
hasFeature
Complete Immortality / int_df15b22d
 Firebird (Lackey)
hasFeature
Crying Wolf / int_df15b22d
 Firebird (Lackey)
hasFeature
Guilty Pleasures / int_df15b22d
 Firebird (Lackey)
hasFeature
Heroes Want Redheads / int_df15b22d
 Firebird (Lackey)
hasFeature
Human Resources / int_df15b22d
 Firebird (Lackey)
hasFeature
Licked by the Dog / int_df15b22d
 Firebird (Lackey)
hasFeature
Living Lie Detector / int_df15b22d
 Firebird (Lackey)
hasFeature
Perpetual-Motion Monster / int_df15b22d
 Firebird (Lackey)
hasFeature
Speaks Fluent Animal / int_df15b22d
 Firebird (Lackey)
hasFeature
Taken for Granite / int_df15b22d
 Firebird (Lackey)
hasFeature
That Russian Squat Dance / int_df15b22d
 Firebird (Lackey)
hasFeature
The Charmer / int_df15b22d
 Firebird (Lackey)
hasFeature
Improvised Training / int_df15b22d