“Fifty years I have served Odin,” he maundered, “and never such portents have I read.”
-The Grey God Passes
Howard made a habit of describing the words and actions of sorcerers and seers with a more ominous but less cryptic tone than most authors in the fantasy genre. More importantly, from a composition standpoint, Howard’s descriptions of sorcerers are abrupt, dark and portentous. Portend is a word that will be found in various corners of his awful universe.
maun•der
(môn′dər, män′-)
intr.v. maun•dered, maun•der•ing, maun•ders
1. To talk incoherently or aimlessly.
2. To move or act aimlessly or vaguely; wander.
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[Probably dialectal variant of meander (probably influenced by wander).]
por•tent
(pôr′tĕnt′)
n.
1. An indication of something important or calamitous about to occur; an omen.
2. Prophetic or threatening significance: 3. Archaic Something amazing or marvelous; a prodigy.
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[Latin portentum, from neuter past participle of portendere, to portend; see portend.]
