I’m almost done book 2, and got mildly curious; does Rincewind hook up with anyone over the course of the series or does he stay a celibate wizardly type?
Well, I haven’t read that many Rincewind stories, but from what I can gather, his dealings with women are similar to his dealings with everyone else…just when it looks like things are going good, they end up going very, very bad.
For example, in Interesting Times," he gets approached by a group of amazons looking for a man, and just before anything can happen, he’s teleported halfway around the world. I have a feeling this is about as lucky as he gets.
I think it’s hinted in Eric that he has had some kind of sexual encounter in his life.
The celibacy lore is not a law, it’s just something they don’t do. Therefore, wizards don’t get married (as opposed to witches). I don’t think it’s actually a lore against sex per se, but siring offspring.
Then again, in one book (is it Light Fantastic?), where Rincewinds gets to do some serious magic, he understands how wizards can be celibate. The power being better than sex.
Yet another thought is that with his rodent streak, there is a possibility of some sex, off stage.
In the Colo(u)r of Magic, it is stated that Rincewind has had an orgasm in mixed company. Draw yer own conclusion.
By an amazing coincidence, I’ve revamed my Terry Pratchett Quotes Search Engine and can now give some relevant quotes (doing a search on “rincewind” and “woman”):
"The face immediately in front of [Rincewind] was Lotus Blossom, and a man could see a lot worse things with his daylight than her face, which made him think of cream and masses of butter and just the right amount of salt.
“[Footnote: Much later, Rincewind had to have therapy for this. It involved a pretty woman, a huge plate of potatoes and a big stick with a nail in it.]”
–Interesting Times
Eric: “I must say, if this is where the most beautiful woman in the world lives I don’t think much of her choice of boodwah. You’d think she’d put a few cushions or something around the place.”
Rincewind: “Boodwah?”
Eric: “She’s bound to have one. I’ve read about 'em. She reclines on it.”
Rincewind: “Tell me, have you ever felt the need to have a cold bath and a brisk run around the playing fields?”
–Eric