Vance? Novella.

Cafe Society
1

I remember a novella, I think it was by Jack Vance. It reminded me of the Last Castle and The Dragon Masters.

Anyway, again we have the decadent remnants of Humans. They have developed magic of a sort, curses , hexes and conjurations (which may be phantasms, but can certainly kill).

Life goes along until they are attacked by some sort of elf-like native sapient. The hexes, etc have no effect but one apprentice HexMaster develops something like science. Vinegar for example, dissolves one attack by the “elves”.

Title?

2

Something out of the “Dying Earth” series perhaps?

3

No, of that I am sure, I was a early D&D designer, so I am very conversant with those.

4

Your description didn’t ring any bells for me. Maybe try perusing his vast bibliography might help you remember the title?

5

I did. But perhaps it was just Vance-like.

6

Reminds me of something from Galaxy or Astounding - was masks involved at all? Not masks like in “The Moon Moth”, but more witchdoctor-like?

7

The Miracle Workers, maybe?

Description.

8

That’s the one I’m thinking of - it was in Astounding. Seems like it matches the OP.

9

I have it in a 1970 Collier paperback called Eight Fantasms and Magics.

You can find some interesting stuff in used book stores.

10

That’s it!! Thank you!:):):slight_smile:

11

My pleasure.