Incarnations of Immortality


Incarnations of Immortality is an eight-book fantasy series by Piers Anthony. The books each focus on one of eight supernatural "offices" in a fictional reality and history parallel to ours, with the exception that society has advanced both magic and modern technology. The series covers the adventures and struggles of a group of humans called "Incarnations", who hold these supernatural positions for a certain time.
The title alludes to William Wordsworth's 1804 poem "Ode: Intimations of Immortality".

Characters

Family tree

Note: Colors for each of the Incarnations used are from the covers of their respective books.

Note: Gawain II was conceived by Norton and Orlene, but has Gawain's genetic material instead of Norton's
Relationships:Zane is the lover and protector of Luna Kaftan.Norton is the lover of Orlene as well as the lover of Clotho.Niobe is Orb's mother, and grandmother to Luna, and Orlene. She is also lover to Chronos.Mym is father to Orlene and former lover of Orb.Orb is mother to Orlene, daughter to Niobe, and former lover of Mym.Parry is married to Orb, and stepfather to Orlene.Orlene is Nature's daughter, War's daughter, Fate's granddaughter, Time's lover and mother to his biological son, Evil's stepdaughter, and Death's wife's cousin.
In "Under a Velvet Cloak", Kerena is the lover of the original Sir Gawain, Knight of the Round Table, and mother of the original Gawain who was tainted at birth and destined to die early. Kerena's quest to save Gaw-Two is what eventually leads her to become Nox, the Incarnation of Night and Keeper of Secrets. Gawain is the direct descendant of Sir Gawain, and carries the family taint, so the second Gaw-Two, born to Orlene and Ghost Gawain, is also tainted and destined to die early. Nox is also the great-aunt to Niobe and her children and grandchildren.

Lesser Incarnations

  • Hypnos: Incarnation of Sleep
  • JHVH: Incarnation of Jewish God

Lesser Incarnations serving Nature/Gaea

  • Eros: Incarnation of Love
  • Hope: Incarnation of Hope
  • Phobos & Deimos: Named after the Greek gods of fear and panic. These lesser Incarnations act as assistants to Gaea. Their functions are not explained in the books.

Lesser Incarnations serving War/Mars

  • Pestilence: disease in general, but especially consistent with the aftermath of battles.
  • Conquest: manager of individual battles
  • Famine: starvation consistent with battles
  • Slaughter: a representation of the bloodshed associated with battles
  • The essentials formed a covenant

Cultural references