Wild Mass Guesses for the concluding Apocalyptic Trilogy of The Dresden Files:
- As of Skin Game, this is not likely; much of the resources at Nick's disposal have been lost, thanks to the machinations of Mab, Marcone, and Hades, not to mention the efforts of our heroes.
Re-reading Blood Rites and something Thomas says struck me:
"When every star in the heavens grows cold, and when silence lies once more on the face of the deep, three things will endure: faith, hope, and love."
Faith, Hope, and Love referring of course to a biblical passage but also being the English names of the Swords of the Cross. He also notes "once more" so it is either about origins or some serious whammy that has happened in the past.
- "Once more" is probably a reference to the Biblical creation narrative. The Earth starts out "formless and empty," covered by a dim lifeless ocean. When the universe dies, it will resemble what it was in the very beginning.
- Given how big of a deal has been made about messing with people's minds (It's the only Law of Magic that's ever really had any focus.), and how important the Archive is, it's plausible that one of the various villainous factions would attempt to destroy all human knowledge.
- Smart money's on the Denarians. Nicodemus has destroyed previous knowledge of his actions.
- Of course, that begs the question of why he's never tried to take out the Archive in his possibly 2000 year lifespan?
- Presumably because while Nick is incredibly powerful in his own right, the real reason he's lasted those 2000 years is because he's clever and cautious. He'd not move openly against a heavyweight like the Archive unless he had a particular set of circumstances and a really good plan- as seen in Small Favor.
- Or he HAS, but there's no record of it, and the Archive can't actually say anything about it. But it's more likely that you're correct.
- As the Archive is only a child in the series due to an unlikely series of tragedies, this may well have been the first time an Archive has been as physically or emotionally vulnerable as Ivy in the last 2000 years. It was probably Nicodemus's first chance in all that time to try to take her on without getting himself creamed by a full-grown, mentally-prepared adult.
- Smart money's on the Denarians. Nicodemus has destroyed previous knowledge of his actions.
- Epic probably. Impossible certainly. The Winter/Summer thing is on the edge of possibility, but Hellfire is EVIL. You literally cannot wield the two at the same time.
- In regard to Winter/Summer, when asked if someone could hold both mantles at once, Butcher's answer was, "Very. Briefly. Matter and anti-matter reactions come to mind."
- And he will STILL start the book by getting his ass kicked!
- No way would Murphy be willing to take up Fidelacchius again after she got it broken in Skin Game. But Butters is a Knight now, so he can take that role. Are we assuming Sanya gets killed or otherwise taken out of the Knight game? I don't recall anything that would suggest he wouldn't make it to the end - yet, at least.
So, here's the setup: partway through the apocalyptic trilogy WOJ says will cap off the series, the Black Council will take over and the Masquerade will fall, revealing the supernatural to the world. The world governments reel as people start panicking. Stuff happens, and in the last book, Harry's gathered some sort of army (FOR THE PIZZA LORD!), but they're on the verge of defeat against the Black Council's horde of outsiders (or something equally dangerous). The enemy stretches out to the horizon. All of a sudden, a shadow falls across the field. Harry looks up to see a volley of artillery shells so thick that they BLOCK OUT THE SUN.
The conventional mortal muggles will ultimately be the deciding force that will defeat the series's big bads.
For added support, see comments made by Harry In-Universe and the scene with the Mules in First Lord's Fury. Clearly, Jim is fond of the concept that regular people can be just as dangerous as anyone else.
- Look at how often the supernatural use human/mortal weapons even when there is no reason for a to hide magic Magic has its advantages, but one has to wonder why so many non-wizards of the supernatural community prefer automatic weapons and military grade explosives.
- Revelations in Cold Days suggest that the forces of Winter took over the job of guarding the Outer Gates from some other long-ago power. Possibly the whole series is happening because vanilla humans have finally grown powerful enough to take our turn at Gate-guarding, and the Outsiders are determined to break out before that transition can happen! Likewise, Mab introduced the Unseelie Accords as a first step in her (very!) long-term scheme to arrange the handover, laying the diplomatic groundwork to negotiate with humanity once the Masquerade is broken.
- I can see the Outsiders panicking at the entrance of a force equipped with human technology. The description of the eternal Winter struggle seemed to be purely before the advent of gunpowder weapons, all swords and arrows and magic, so the introduction of human technology might tip whatever balance there is.
- This is more or less what vanquishes the Fomor invasion in Battle Ground, albeit on a single-city scale rather than globally. Yes, Za Army, Muggles Do It Better, military-volley finale and all.
- And how do they aim to do this?
- Also, Ferrovax is not one of 'the last couple Dragons.'
- Word of Jim states that "There's only three or four of [Great Dragons like Ferro and Siriothrax] left in the world."
- Just a hunch, but it seemed to fit the style of the books. In Changes, Mab says that "The stars will rain from the sky before she fulfills not her word." Now, what do we KNOW is the title of one of the books in the trilogy? Empty Night.
- Ooo, that's a good point. I wonder how it ties in with the White Court, though, as it's their curse? Also, Butcher commented that there's a reason those three phrases ("stars and stones", "hell's bells", and "empty night") are used as curse words.
- Stars and stones= meteors. Shooting stars that turn to stone where they land. Empty Night is the dust cloud causing the stars to go out. Hell's bells call the stars. It's happened before, and Sue narrowly stopped it happening a few million years before it actually did. (I highly doubt everything but the possible meaning of "stars and stones" and possibly the stars going out, but it would be epic, and this series Runs On Epicflonium.
- "Empty Night" seems like there's a much more obvious origin for it. For a race who lives off of the emotional lifeforce they steal during sex, a night without a partner, without a source of that lifeforce, would certainly be something to fear and swear about.
- Actually, as of Backup, Jim Butcher as revealed that Lara and Thomas are both members of the real Venatori, which are fighting the Oblivion War against beings that are presumably on the same power level as the Outsiders. If they are both also informed on the matter of Outsider activity as part of that, it would make sense for them to use "Empty Night." The author stated already that Empty Night is what happens when if the Outsider win or get loose or some such. This troper can't remember any other White Court vamp besides Lara and Thomas saying "Empty Night." It could be a Venatori thing instead of a White Court thing.
- Seems likely that she'll be one of the first enemies Harry will face in the Apocalyptic Trilogy. But, remember, Mab isn't served by the world ending. He'll almost certianly have to fight her, but I'd guess she'll end up on his side by the second book.
- Strong Disagree. Read the line again. "The Stars will rain from the sky before she fullfills not her word." That means she keeps her word to the end of the world. She'll be an Ally. Which is why it'll be a twist because Harry's spent most of the series viewing her as an enemy.
- Cold Days confirms that Mab is a definite fan of reality still existing, and in fact Winter exists at least in part to protect reality from the Outsiders (Summer, in turn, exists at least in part to protect everyone else from Winter). Harry and Mab are probably going to continue clashing over methods, but as things stand right now, it definitely looks like they're on the same general side of this one.
- Ooo, that's a good point. I wonder how it ties in with the White Court, though, as it's their curse? Also, Butcher commented that there's a reason those three phrases ("stars and stones", "hell's bells", and "empty night") are used as curse words.
- Seems unlikely in my book. The Black Council seem more like they'd end up being pawns for someone else trying to release the Outsiders.
- Possible, there's definitely an Outsider or some sort of high power being behind the Circle, you get the feeling the Skinwalker wouldn't work with just any group of evil wizards, regardless of how powerful they are.
- "The End Is Nigh" might not mean they're a nihilistic cult. The White Council is well known for its dithering and politicking. Putting the White Council under the direct (mind) control of a dictator would be an excellent way to militarize a powerful but slow-to-rouse force. If the Black Council is fighting against Nemesis, the Black Council would only ever need to take control of the White Council at the final battle at the end of the world...when "The End Is Nigh."
- Aren't they simply puppets, infected by Nemesis?
- So basically, the opposite of what happened with Tinkerbell.
- As kickass as this would be, creatures from the Nevernever don't have souls, so they probably can't empower Harry through faith.
- Jossed by Ghost Story.
- Also by "Backup", when Thomas tells Bob that only mortals' belief counts toward Gods Need Prayer Badly.
- In the first two books of the series, Marcone has an amazing amount of control over the world of the mundanes. Supposedly he's got other crooks, cops and politicians and all levels in his pockets. Then he starts making inroads into the supernatural world. He's part of that community now. And at the rate he's made inroads into the supernatural world, it could very well be that by the time we get to the apocalyptic trilogy, he's a big enough player to be... you know... apocalyptic.
- Something that recurs is the fact that the reason why Dresden is so effective is because he's an investigator, who thinks and reasons and puts the facts together, as well as a wizard. It would compliment this idea if the ultimate Big Bad, the one who out-evils every necromancer and monster and threatens every crusty old wizard and sword-wielding paladin, is the ordinary man who is extremely smart and logical about the way he conducts his business of world domination.
- It would harken back to the roots of the series. Who's the nemesis of the hardboiled detective? The crime boss with his fingers in all kinds of pies.
- He's awesome. So, Rule of Cool applies.
- Assuming this is true, the apocalypse of the trilogy will be Ragnarok. That's the only thing I can think of that would let him be a Big Bad and retain the support of Odin, and therefore Gard, and therefore Hendrick's Love Interest.
- You forget, Ragnarok is where Odin dies.
- Mac. Consider: He's perfectly positioned as someone on Accorded Neutral Territory to get information on both sides to play one against the other. He's notoriously silent so as not to give himself away. He makes one of the best beers on the planet, which everyone, on both sides, wants to get.
- Murphy. Dresden had soul-gazed her one, but that was a long time ago. This means he can't check her for Nemesis. And she's been gaining influence over time, and her personality has been changing... Also it would be the betrayal that would hurt Harry the most, and Harry is The Woobie...
- Harry has never soulgazed Murphy. He's used his Sight on her, but that's not the same thing; you may be thinking of how Susan tricked him into a soulgaze before the series began.
- The Black Council will summon at least two Outsiders to deal with Monoc Securities: a giant wolf and a serpent that encircles the world.
- I say that Fenrir and the Jormundgandr are Sealed Evil in a Can in the basement of Demonreach. That's why Odin's so intent on keeping the island intact. They escape when the Outsiders make their big push and free the inmates and Ragnarok ensues.
One can just see Dresden describing this: "I never thought I'd say it, but I'm going to miss Marcone. Much as he was a criminal scumbag, he kept things at a simmer, not letting them boil over. Sure, I've got power to burn. Hell's be-... for crying out loud, I just stopped an Apocalypse. But I can't be everywhere at once. Without Marcone watching the other side of the fence, the world's going to get a little bit darker. Magic doesn't solve problems; that's what the person using it is for. Time to get to work."
- Marcone will sacrifice himself to save Maggie.
- Or Amanda Beckitt.
Stars and Stones: the Fairies, probably Mab going to war with everybody and breaking some oath(as she swore to Harry that the stars would fall from the sky before she broke her word).
Empty Night: the Oblivion War, probably vampires, necromancers and everybody who was anybody will be back here.
- Revelations in Cold Days indicate Empty Night means the obliteration of reality by the Outsiders. Building on that, possible revised chain of events: Nemesis Denarians make a big move in Hell's Bells, Winter is overwhelmed in Stars and Stones, and the final battle with the Outsiders occurs in Empty Night.
- In cold days we find out what Empty Night is and it is so not good that it will likely be the Name of the last book.
- If Harry plays a role in remaking the world, he will forgo 'Let There Be Light' in favor of the very first spell that he ever got to work, the spell that he uses to light things: Flickum Bicus
"Harry taught me a lot of things about magic. About the value of life. And while his death saved us all, there are still threats out there. I don't want to see any of those try and destroy what he gave his life to save. I'm not going to let any nasties, ghoulies and creepies run around spreading terror and fear. I'm going to do what he would have done.My name is Margaret Katherine Amanda Carpenter. Conjure it at your own risk. When things get strange, when what goes bump in the night flicks on the lights, when no one else can help you, give me a call.I'm in the book."
1. The Black Council does exist. They've been working in secret for years to sabotage the White Council's protection of non-magical humans. The Vampire War was most likely a ploy to leave both factions too weak to oppose them in preparation for declaring themselves openly.
2. In times of emergency, a member of the White Council has been given the power to break the Laws of Magic without fear of consequence. The Blackstaff is the next best thing to an assassin: when a situation arises that might force the Council into violating the Laws of Magic, the Blackstaff is dispatched to resolve it. Ebenezer McCoy was the most recent holder of that post.
3. The current crisis demands that this office be immediately filled, so Harry Dresden is hereby appointed as the new Blackstaff. He has experience fighting the Black Council, along with determination and strength that dwarf any other potential candidates. Plus, as Ebenezer's pupil, it's likely he was being unknowingly trained to fill this post someday.
Naturally, the strain of hearing that Harry is now above the Laws of Magic pushes the Council to its breaking point. A faction lead by Cristos breaks from the White Council, many of those defecting to the Black. On the other hand, the wizards who remain with the White Council are encouraged now that the Senior Council is being open about the threats they face.
- Except the Outsiders are clearly being positioned as the series-long nemeses of Harry and all of his allies, and their agenda is the utter annihilation of both humanity and every legendary faction or force we've ever believed in, be it on the mortal plane or in the Nevernever. Which means that even Satan is going to be shoggoth-chow if they win.
- In Skin Game, Michael comes as close to achieving this as anyone is ever likely to, but Nic doesn't take him up on it.
- I don't see it. As of the second half of Changes he doesn't only use fire in a fight. Everyone who's ever promised to do something 'when Hell freezes over' might be in for a shock... Come to think of it, I'll lay even money someone uses that expression to Harry early in the book, and he tries to collect.
- Word of Jim says that the "hedge against doomsday" and all the other supposed purposes of the Archive is just smoke and mirrors. The Archive's actual and sole purpose is leading the oblivion war.
- Lea will end up the Winter Queen, setting the Faerie Court to neutral. At least, the Winter Court.
- There will no longer be the Accords, but most spooky beings will be too terrified of Harry to kick up much fuss.
- As all vampires will die, Thomas will make a Heroic Sacrifice. Hopefully just after passionately kissing Justine because he knows that soon the burns won't matter.
- The eliminated villain won't be the Denarians because The Temptation/Redemption Tango of Denarian vs. Knights of the Cross is eternal.
- God created the universe and is all-powerful. But the Outsiders are something from beyond the universe. And what better way to start Armageddon than by taking out the invincible Big Good?
- Technically speaking, Harry didn't die. He died just enough to allow his soul to wander with Uriel's interference while Demonreach and Mab kept his body ticking using the Parasite, but not enough to die and go to the other side. Had there been no intervention by these parties, yeah, he'd be dead dead and not just have been mostly.
- Harry already died in Grave Peril.
- Cardiac arrest =/= brain death.
- Harry already died in Grave Peril.
- Also, Maggie would be able to sustain the curse even if Harry and Thomas died.
- Kemmler would be a natual leader for the Black Council. When Cowl scoffed at the notion of being Kemmler's apprentice in Dead Beat, he was thinking of Kemmler as a political rival in the Black Council, rather than someone to be revered.
- I dunno. The Outsiders want to rule the world. Kemmler struck me as being nobody's errand boy. Kemmler wanted to rule the world himself, and the Outsiders are, if anything, a threat to his power. All the Darkhallows he was pulling off were to increase his own power, not let one of the Old Ones back in. Being a Bad Dude with respect to the Fifth Law doesn't automatically make one want to break the Seventh.
- Too late, Harry already used that reference in War Cry.
- Up until Skin Game, Nicodemus was trying to take over the world for Hell. He actually worked against Nemesis, since if it was successful it would destroy the world, and him with it. But after the events of Skin Game, I can see Nicodemus deciding to Put Them All Out of My Misery and annihilate the world so that he no longer has to live with the pain of killing his daughter. And the only way he could truly destroy the world would be to rip open the Gates and let the Outsiders in.
- And it will mark when she finally succumbs to an infection by Nemesis that she has been fighting.
- And then he'll have a Battle in the Center of the Mind, and force it out.
- I seriously doubt we've seen the last of Id!Harry
- Alternately, in combination with the above theory about Nemesis infecting Harry, the Walker will be sent to infect Harry with it, explaining that the whole reason it was really after him the first time was indeed, as Lea thought, to train him... in order to be Nemesis' ultimate host, The Antichrist who will break open the Outer Gates.
- Mab will die in some glorious battle, probably at the climax of Stars And Stones or maybe near the beginning of Empty Night. Molly will then shed her mantle as Lady Winter, and take up the mantle of the Winter Queen, as the Lady is supposed to do. Meanwhile, the mantle of Lady Winter will pass into the vessel of the Winter Knight's daughter, and Maggie Dresden will suddenly be The Queen To Come.
- In addition, or perhaps alternately, we will find out something about Michael's past that's relevant to the present crisis, perhaps saddling him with some measure of blame. Consider that we know virtually nothing about the man from before he slew a dragon, at which point he was already a (presumably) adult knight of the cross. His personality as an all-loving paragon of compassion could easily be the end result of the past events of a dark and dangerous character arc he went through prior to the start of the series. Maybe Harry stops Michael from sacrificing himself by giving him the same "you're a good man" talk that Michael has given him umpteen times.