Faust Eric (commonly abbreviated F^HE) is a Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett. It was originally published in 1990 as a "Discworld story", in a larger format than the other novels and illustrated by Josh Kirby. It was recently reissued as a normal paperback without any illustrations.

Synopsis

The story is a parody of the tale of Faust.

Death is interrupted in his beekeeping duties by a voice and the sound of running feet. In Ankh-Morpork, the wizards are also disturbed by this, and the new Archchancellor, Ezrolith Churn, summons a council to get to the bottom of it. None of the wizards know what it is, and they ignore the librarian, who does. The wizards summon Death, using the Rite of AshkEnte, who tells them that it is Rincewind; and that there is a million to one chance, exactly, of his returning from the Dungeon Dimensions, to the relief of the Bursar, who has been denying all knowledge of the events of Sourcery.

Rincewind wakes in a strange place, having been summoned by the 13 year old demonologist, Eric Thursley, who wants the mastery of all kingdoms, to meet the most beautiful woman who ever existed, and immortality. He is disappointed when Rincewind tells him he is unable to deliver any of these things, and embarrassed when Rincewind sees through his disguise. Left alone, Rincewind is disheartened to learn that the spells to confine the demon summoned are working on him; Eric's parrot tells him that because he was summoned as a demon, he is subject to the same terms. The parrot also reveals that Eric is spoiled by his parents, who let him use his grandfathers demonology equipment.

Meanwhile, in the demon's city, Pandemonium, the new king, Lord Astfgl, is angered when he learns that Eric's summoning did not bring Duke Vassenego, the demon who had been chosen to bend Eric to the will of the demons. The demons don't have much imagination, and need a bright, self-centred human to plot for them.

Back in Eric's attic, Rincewind's hopes of being released are dashed when The Luggage makes an appearance. Eric's demands are renewed; when Rincewind protests, he is shocked to find that snapping his fingers does give a puff of smoke, and more so to find himself, Eric, luggage and the parrot floating over the Disc. On seeing this, Eric demands that the kings of the Disc pay tribute to him. Rincewind snaps his fingers again, and they end up in the rain forests of Klatch. They find themselves in the Tezuman Empire, where people come forward to pay tribute to Eric. During this tribute, Rincewind and the parrot explore the temple of Quezovercoatl, where they find a prisoner, Ponce da Quirm, who is to be sacrificed.

In the demon city, the king summons Quezovercoatl (who is a feathered boa, which is almost the same as the classic Aztec winged snake). He tells him to return to the Tezuman Empire, to tell them not to merely sacrifice everyone they happen across, but to start a bureaucracy. Back in the temple, da Quirm tells Rincewind about the terrible fate the Tezumen have planned for the Ruler of the World. Rincewind, Eric and da Quirm find themselves tied up at the top of a pyramid, waiting to be sacrificed, when Quezovercoatl makes his appearance. Unfortunately for him, the luggage also makes an appearance. The Tezumen are pleased to see Quezovercoatl destroyed, and release the prisoners, and enshrine the luggage in the place of their god.

After sending the parrot away with da Quirm, who is searching for the Fountain of Youth, Eric and Rincewind find themselves in a large wooden horse. Exiting, they are surrounded by soldiers, who take them for an Ephebian invasion force. They are left with a single guard when the rest go to bring in a second wooden object, which happens to be a box with many legs. Rincewind convinces the guard to go and get his share of the glory of battle, trying to convince Eric that he doesn't want to meet Elenor, and to rather escape from Tsort. Eventually, they find the gate, and inadvertently let in the Ephebian army.

Rincewind and Eric are taken to Lavaeolus, the man who built the horse, who has to tell them off for spoiling the war. They enter the centre of Tsort through a secret passage, and find Elenor. Eric is disappointed to find that it has been a long siege, and Elenor is now a plump mother of several children, with the beginnings of a moustache, and that artistic licence had been taken in her description. After the war, while Tsort burns, Lavaeolus sets out for home, complaining about voyages by sea. After his departure, Eric tells Rincewind that Lavaeolus means "Rinser of Winds".

Rincewind snaps his fingers, bringing Eric and him outside of time. Astfgl notices the disappearance, but chooses to go to the end of time, where he meets Death, who reveals that Rincewind is a wizard, not a demon. Back at a beginning of the universe, Rincewind talks to a man there, a creator, before the creator reads the eight spells of the Octavo. They are left on the newly formed Discworld, contemplating that the wish for immortality has left them having to live for all time, from start to finish. After a while, Rincewind has a plan. Astfgl arrives to find the remains of a magic circle, hundreds of footprints, and Rincewind and Eric find themselves in hell, which is now being run like a hotel. They meet the gate keeper demon, Urglefloggah, who complains about the changes. Seizing the opportunity, Rincewind offers to go talk to someone in management, and he and Eric escape while Urglefloggah is confused. The changes were brought in by Astfgl, because the condemned souls noticed that the physical tortures of hell only work if you have a body, but boredom can still torture the soul. Astfgl had achieved in Hell a particularly high brand of boredom resembling the boredom which is costing you money, and is taking place while you should be having a nice time.

While searching for an exit, trying to escape from the king, Eric and Rincewind meet da Quirm and the parrot, and Lavaeolus, was tells them where the exit is (It turns out that having found the Fountain of Youth, Ponce forgot to boil the water and died of dysentry). Meanwhile, Lord Vassenego is gathering the demons to rise against Astfgl. He has been using Rincewind to keep the king occupied, providing the wishes. As Astfgl brings Rincewind and Eric to publicly face his wrath, Vassenego comes in, telling him the council has made him "Supreme Life President of Hell", and that he is to plan out the course of action for demons. With Vassenego as king, the demons release Rincewind and Eric, so that stories about hell can be told.

Eric translations

• Ерик (Bulgarian)
• Erik (Croatian)
• Erik (Czech)
• Erik (Dutch)
• Eric (Norwegian)
• Eryk (Polish)
• Эрик (Russian)
• Eric (Swedish)

External links

• Annotations for Eric (http://www.ie.lspace.org/books/apf/eric.html)
• Quotes from Eric (http://www.ie.lspace.org/books/pqf/eric.html)
• Quotes from Wikiquote (http://quote.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Pratchett#Eric)