Lords and Ladies:
Overview
Stone circles were common enough everywhere in the mountains. Druids built them as weather computers, and since it was always cheaper to build a new 33-Megalith circle than to upgrade an old slow one, there were generally plenty of ancient ones around
[p. 38; submitted by James Richardson]
...And sometimes there's a short cut. A door or a gate. Some standing stones. A tree cleft by lightning, a filing cabinet. Maybe just a spot onsome moorland somewhere... A place where THERE is very nearly HERE...
If some people knew where such a spot was, if they had experience of what happens when here and there become entangled, then they might - if they knew how - mark such a spot with certain stones. In the hope that enough daft buggers would take it as awarning and keep away.
[p. 85, 86; submitted by James Richardson]
There used to be such simple directions, back in the days before they invented parallel universes - Up and Down, Right and Left, Backward and Forward, Past and Future...
But normal directions don't work in the multiverse, which has far too many dimensions for anyone to find their way. So new ones have to be invented so that the way can be found.
Like: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
Or: Behind the North Wind.
Or: At the Back of Beyond.
Or: There and Back Again.
Or: Beyond the Fields We Know.
[p. 85]
'You've got the loudest silences I ever did hear from anyone who wasn't dead!'
[p. 88 or 7a7a, Esme gets mad at Gytha Ogg]
The universe doesn't much care if you tread on a butterfly. There are plenty more butterflies. Gods might note the fall of a sparrow but they don't make any effort to catch them.
[p. 118]
This wasn't a proper land. The sky was blue, not flaming with all the colours of the aurora. And time was passing. To a creature not born subject to time, it was a sensation not unakin to falling.
[p. 126]
Footnote on the High Energy Magic building:
It was here that the thaum, hitherto believed to be the smallest possible particle of magic, was successfully demonstrated to be made up of resons (lit: 'Thing-ies) or reality fragments. Currently research indicates that each reson is itself made up of a combination of at least five 'flavours', known as 'up', 'down', 'sideways', 'sex appeal' and 'peppermint'.
[p. 133]
(...) people didn't seem to be able to remember what it was like with the elves around. Life was certainly more interesting then, but usually because it was shorter. And it was more colourful, if you liked the colour of blood.
[p. 136]
We only remembers that the elves sang. We forgets what it was they were singing about.
[p. 137]
'The only reason we're still alive now is that we're more fun alive than dead,' said Granny's voice behind her.
[p. 142]
Elves are wonderful. They provoke wonder.
Elves are marvellous. They cause marvels.
Elves are fantastic. They create fantasies.
Elves are glamorous. They project glamour.
Elves are enchanting. They weave enchantment.
Elves are terrific. They beget terror.
[p. 170]
'I don't like to ask them questions.'
'Why not?'
'They might give me answers. And then what would I do?'
[p. 187, Verence and Magrat talk about Granny and Nanny]
'Oook?'
'I like to listen to a man who likes to talk! Whoops! Sawdust and treacle! Put that in your herring and smoke it!'
'I don't think he wants one,' said Ponder.
[p. 239, wizardly conversations]
The cat turned and tried to find a place of safety in the suit's breastplate. He was beginning to doubt he'd make it through the knight.
[p. 272]
Up the airy mountains, down the rushy glen...
From ghosties and bogles and long-leggity beasties...
My mother said I never should...
We dare not go a-hunting for fear...
And things that go bump...
Play with the fairies in the wood...
[p. 287]
'But look,' said Ponder, 'the graveyards are full of people who rushed in bravely but unwisely.'
'Ook.'
'What did he say?' said the Bursar.
'I think he said, "Sooner or later the graveyards are full of everybody".'
[p. 324]
Humans are always slightly lost. It's a basic characteristic. It explains a lot about them.
[p. 336]
'You make us want what we can't have and what you give us is worth nothing and what you take is everything and all there is left for us is the cold hillside, and emptiness, and the laughter of the elves.'
[p. 342, Esme stands up to the Queen]