The Dresden Files > DF Reference Collection
Skin Game Predict-a-thon. [All the latest Spoilers permitted and encouraged]
Raptor:
Without reading the previous 6 pages ('cuz who has time for that!?)
1. We have been told that Nicodemus has a very specific target in mind, ostensibly kept in the Labyrinth of Daedalus. What is Nic trying to get his hands on and why?
I'm going to go with Pandora's Box. As of now, the only Sword with a wielder is Esperacchius (The Sword of Hope). Inside of Pandora's Box is Elpis, the spirit of Hope. I'm pretty sure that Nick would like to take one of the swords out of play permanently, and capturing/destroying the spirit of Hope, might do that for The Sword of Hope.
2. Nicodemus apparently called in a marker from Mab to get Harry on the team. Does he have a specific plan for using Harry or did Mab twist his request? Which of Harry's capabilities will he admit to needing, and (given that this is Nicodemus after all), which abilities is he scheming for Harry to use?
I'll agree, I think that Harry being "Mostly Dead" will be necessary to go down below. But, it could also be that Thorned Namshiel is out of play (or playing for The Other team) and they need somebody who can work forces, and Harry fits the bill.
3. Jim has mentioned that the book will be "Ocean's Eleven". Who else did Nicodemus recruit? How will they interact with Harry?
Well, we know the remaining Church Mouse will be involved. I think I might go out on a limb and say that she's the new bearer of Lasciel's coin.
4. Harry's general method of operation is to call on his friends for help. In this book, Harry is (initially) allowed one extra backup member on the crew. Who will it be? Which of Harry's other allies will "interfere" before the plot is over? 9/10/13 an interview was published that answers the first half of this question.
Okay, so we know who Harry's backup is... But there's going to be swerves. I was really hoping Ivy would turn up in this book. Not only because The Archive has roots going back to the Classical Period, but also because she and Kincaid have a big honkin' score to settle with Nick... Which could threaten The Archive's neutrality and seriously unbalance things. Which would be fun.
As for additional help, we'll see Mouse, and I REALLY want to see him and Cerberus (either with a hilarious 4-headed "doggy hello" or an epic throw-down).
5. This is a Denarian book, so (unlike the last "end of the world" showdown), the Swords will almost certainly be present. In fact, there have been various hints... Which Sword wielders will appear in the next book and how will their interference/help affect the plot?
Not sure. We've heard that Michael is coming off the bench. I don't think he takes the sword back up though. I'll go out on another limb and say that Thomas takes up a Sword. My instinct here is that it will be Hope (given that Thomas has used sabers in the past, and his character seems to embody hope and has fought despair) which is depressing because I really like Sanya.
6. Mab is apparently against Nicodemus succeeding in this heist. In the Cold Days, we found that Mab had complex reasons for wanting Harry to kill Maeve. What are Mab's reasons in this book? Is it simple thwarting or is there something deeper?
Mab's schemes have schemes. Thwarting is probably an end, but also I have a feeling that whatever Nick is after would upset the balance enough that she can't allow him to get away with it. Also, there's revenge for the attack on Arctis Tor. She's probably counting on Harry's distrust of Nick, and his skills as an investigator to root out whoever the traitor/attacker is, and deliver frosty vengeance.
Not to mention its a further test/training for Harry. He's going to have to work with people he'd rather kill, and possibly kill people he'd rather work with. That works to Mab's ends
7. At the end of Cold Days, Harry needs to stay on the island to keep his growing headaches at bay. The start of Skin Games implies that those headaches will need to be resolved by the end of the book. Who or what is causing those headaches, and how will the whole thing get resolved by the end of the book?
I'm going to go with my theory of The Parasite is causing the headaches. The Parasite is Lash, and Molly performs an emergency Lash-ectomy. From there, Lash gets a new home in "Persephone" (Helen Beckit's daughter). Lash comes out and turns the tide against Nick, throwing down with Lasciel's new wielder in an epic cat-fight.
8. One of the key components of the "Ocean's Eleven" movie is that there is a final twist/reveal. Given that we've got Nicodemus, Harry, Mab, and potentially Hades (and who knows who else) all trying to get the better of each other, if there's one thing you can count on it's some sort of last minute quintuple-cross. What will be the nature of the twist and how will it all fall out?
Welp, I'm going to guess that Nick is going to try to set Harry/Mab up as patsies for the robbery. Also, like I said above, I think that Lasciel is going to reappear in this book with a backstab of Harry. Also, in a fun turn of fate, I think Nick is going to go back to the well and offer Daniel a coin as one final dig at Michael/Molly/Harry... And he's going to take it after Murph/Michael/Harry refuse to let him take up Amorracchius.
Kael Tucker:
1. We have been told that Nicodemus has a very specific target in mind, ostensibly kept in the Labyrinth of Daedalus. What is Nic trying to get his hands on and why?
It was originally a prison for the Minatore, slain by Theseus... perhaps, the search is for the remains of the beast... or there is some token or object Hidden by Poseidon and is still protected by a modern version of the beast. No matter what, what ever they are trying to get their hands on, it is sure to have some type of power, either something that has an apocalyptic tone... or perhaps in the center will be the only tree that still grows Ambrosia ( one bite turns you into cures any disease, two makes you immortal, three or more makes you a greek god )
2. Nicodemus apparently called in a marker from Mab to get Harry on the team. Does he have a specific plan for using Harry or did Mab twist his request? Which of Harry's capabilities will he admit to needing, and (given that this is Nicodemus after all), which abilities is he scheming for Harry to use?
Nic is one of a few enemies of Harry’s that respect him. Overall, they are going to be moving through a giant maze with puzzles and traps. Harry is fast on his feet, good detective, and can punch holes in walls if nessacerry…. I would want him there… but you know Nic, he will probably have two other reasons other than that.
3. Jim has mentioned that the book will be "Ocean's Eleven". Who else did Nicodemus recruit? How will they interact with Harry?
3. Harry's general method of operation is to call on his friends for help. In this book, Harry is (initially) allowed one extra backup member on the crew. Who will it be? Which of Harry's other allies will "interfere" before the plot is over? 9/10/13 an interview was published that answers the first half of this question. (edit: Sort of) Those that guessed what he said in that interview (at least partially) have been logged by the curators, but this will probably go down as some kind of extra credit or something, so keep Predictin! (edit: And things might not be binary simple...)-Serack
Well, Harry doesn’t know any greek gods, but considering the company he is keeping I would hope that he wouldn’t choose any “plain folk” like Murphy. If I were a betting man, it would be one of three.
Billy (will)- not my top pick, but mouse is watching Little Maggie and I can’t see Harry pulling him away from that. But Life is always easier when you have a wolf.
Thomas- supernaturally strong and loyal. Fought against the denarians before, could do a whole lot worse.
Last on my list but my No.1 draft pick… Sasha. When Surrounded by demons, good to have your own guardian angel.
Mr. Butcher will probably throw us a curve ball and do something wacky like have him borrow Bob and have him in ride along mode.
5. This is a Denarian book, so (unlike the last "end of the world" showdown), the Swords will almost certainly be present. In fact, there have been various hints... Which Sword wielders will appear in the next book and how will their interference/help affect the plot?
Being the only Knight still in action, it is a givin that Sasha will be popping in, I also believe that one of the other swords will be put into play… I believe that Murphy will be convinced to carry Shiro’s blade full time… It will either be Uriel, Sasha or circumstance that convinces her, but I think her sense of purpose will be made clearer to herself.
6. Mab is apparently against Nicodemus succeeding in this heist. In the Cold Days, we found that Mab had complex reasons for wanting Harry to kill Maeve. What are Mab's reasons in this book? Is it simple thwarting or is there something deeper?
I believe that the reason will be directly connected to the attack on Arctis Tor that Harry stumbled on in “proven Guilty”. During the battle preceeding Harry’s attack, I believe, Nic took something that belonged to queen Mab… something she is willing to trade for to get back.
7. At the end of Cold Days, Harry needs to stay on the island to keep his growing headaches at bay. The start of Skin Games implies that those headaches will need to be resolved by the end of the book. Who or what is causing those headaches, and how will the whole thing get resolved by the end of the book?
After going back through the series, the one weakness we share with Harry is that when he has the mind “whammy” put on him, we are blinded as well. We can only see it when he remembers, or discovers it himself. The only thing we can do is work through the clues we are givin, and work through it. Here is my suspect list… these are the only entities we know who have the ability to live in his head.
Margret – Harry’s mom is the least likely candidate, but a shadow version of her lives in his head, and has since birth. I would hope that after the Soul gaze that Harry and Thomas shared she would have gone away having served her purpose… but I think the shadow of Margret interacted with him once before ( the Lake House in “storm front” ) which means her shadow had more than One purpose in his head… pray it was benine.
The adversary – Middle of the road with this one… Mr. N could have infected Harry, but it would have to have been before “Cold Days” and though Harry is supposed to have power over the outsiders later, still not sure how or why he is going to get it… could be a by-product of being infected and fighting it off.
Lash-Lasciel – No1. Contender… Hands down. Lets start with what we know about their life together. Harry had headaches for years, but they did not start really hitting him until he received the coin, and they kept getting stronger, even after she “fell on the sword” in the wraith deeps. Lash tried to convince him to pick up the coin for years, and she knew that he would never willingly take up the coin. I believe one of two things happened at the end of “white knight”
A) Lash was acting in earnest at the end of the book, took he metaphysical bullet for Harry and MOST of her presence died when Harry’s brain overloaded in the deeps. I think that a lot of us (yes, I am including myself) forgot that she was more of a spiritual being. At the end of the book, Harry could still play Spanish guitar, which points to the fact that something must have been left in. Also you have to take in Harry’s healing ability. In the normal Human brain, when brain cells die they are completely gone forever… but as our favorite medical examiner likes to point out, Harry is not normal. If his brain can repair the portions that lash was living in, it stands to reason she may be able to rebuild herself using the strands of what was left. Growing in Harry’s mind until she is strong enough to take over.
B) Her death was a sham, She was never in any real danger. She knew she was losing the battle for Harry’s soul, and she did not want to keep letting him use her like another Bob. So she uses the situation to her advantage. ALL of Harry’s information about “ brain damage” and her “death” comes from her at the end… She allows him to draw his own conclusion, and she hides deeper inside of him. Only giving him subliminal seeds of doubts and constant migranes, until an opportunity presents itself either to nudge him to the coin, or make him pay for rejecting her.
Hence the “female shadow” evident in “ghost story”, She was punishing him by convincing him to commit suicide by hitman.
Either way, she was not expecting Mab to rescue him, and when she was discovered by the winter queen and demonreach she was put in an awkward situation and used her part in keeping Harry alive as a lever to keep them silent.
8. One of the key components of the "Ocean's Eleven" movie is that there is a final twist/reveal. Given that we've got Nicodemus, Harry, Mab, and potentially Hades (and who knows who else) all trying to get the better of each other, if there's one thing you can count on it's some sort of last minute quintuple-cross. What will be the nature of the twist and how will it all fall out? No clue, ask bob.
Jcarlson171:
1. We have been told that Nicodemus has a very specific target in mind, ostensibly kept in the Labyrinth of Daedalus. What is Nic trying to get his hands on and why?
Since Nick is always after apocalyptic chaos I'll say either pandora's box or because he's scared of harry telling people how to kill him a new imortality item similar to the noose he has which hes hoping one will protect him from the others weakness
2. Nicodemus apparently called in a marker from Mab to get Harry on the team. Does he have a specific plan for using Harry or did Mab twist his request? Which of Harry's capabilities will he admit to needing, and (given that this is Nicodemus after all), which abilities is he scheming for Harry to use?
Both. he wanted Harry but asked for something else so that Mab would think she was getting a better deal by making Harry do it. As for what he will admit to needing Harry's ability to find people he will need someone to get him into the maze who has gone into hiding and has a way of preventing the denarians from finding them. he wants Harry's wizard senses and battle skill he may even be counting on Harry bringing molly for delicate magic since his crew seems to be short one wizard type person now.
3. Jim has mentioned that the book will be "Ocean's Eleven". Who else did Nicodemus recruit? How will they interact with Harry?
No clue maybe Bianca maybe ferrovax
4. Harry's general method of operation is to call on his friends for help. In this book, Harry is (initially) allowed one extra backup member on the crew. Who will it be? Which of Harry's other allies will "interfere" before the plot is over? 9/10/13 an interview was published that answers the first half of this question.
Interferrance will come in the form of Ivy who is still pissed at Nick and company and Kincaid will try to finish his contract since he owed Harry a favor and all
6. Mab is apparently against Nicodemus succeeding in this heist. In the Cold Days, we found that Mab had complex reasons for wanting Harry to kill Maeve. What are Mab's reasons in this book? Is it simple thwarting or is there something deeper?
Since when has Mab ever come into a story with something simple? look at what shes already done just to get Harry to do the job. My guess is that along with whatever Nick is looking for there are a few tools that can kill immortals sitting in the vault. Considering shes tried to kill bob for knowing A way to kill immortals it really pisses her off that she has to help nick possibly come into possesion of a few.
8. One of the key components of the "Ocean's Eleven" movie is that there is a final twist/reveal. Given that we've got Nicodemus, Harry, Mab, and potentially Hades (and who knows who else) all trying to get the better of each other, if there's one thing you can count on it's some sort of last minute quintuple-cross. What will be the nature of the twist and how will it all fall out?
Mother Winter uses an unravelling on whatever item nick is after therefore rendering in valueless and ending winters obligation in the heist since the agreement was that Mab would help nick get steal whatever it is for its power
9. (Extra Credit) There are many WAG ("Wild A$$ Guess") theories on the boards, some crazier than others. Write up to three WAG theories (or make up your own) you believe are correct that will be confirmed (or at least have evidence in favor of) in Skin Games.-
1) Ebenezar will end up using the blackstaff to do something and harry will discover that it is NOT Mother Winters walking stick since it doesnt resonate with winter
2) Murphy is going to pick up a coin which will convince sanya that she is going to follow his path eventually
3) one of the fallen is going to die Mab and Uriel will have a conversation about how well hey played this round. The death of the fallen will involve uriel unloading his power on the earth to finally balance the kidnapping done by the denarians in small favor
ged28:
1. We have been told that Nicodemus has a very specific target in mind, ostensibly kept in the Labyrinth of Daedalus. What is Nic trying to get his hands on and why?
Something destructive. He wont reveal what it is until they get there. It wont be outright obviously powerful something subtle and overlooked.
2. Nicodemus apparently called in a marker from Mab to get Harry on the team. Does he have a specific plan for using Harry or did Mab twist his request? Which of Harry's capabilities will he admit to needing, and (given that this is Nicodemus after all), which abilities is he scheming for Harry to use?
He wants Harry because he has been dead. Im sure that would give him advantages in the underworld.
3. Jim has mentioned that the book will be "Ocean's Eleven". Who else did Nicodemus recruit? How will they interact with Harry?
Denarians, Murphy will be Harrys number 2, Fix maybe to keep the summer/winter balance, the hellhound, a vampire maybe mavra.
4. Harry's general method of operation is to call on his friends for help. In this book, Harry is (initially) allowed one extra backup member on the crew. Who will it be? Which of Harry's other allies will "interfere" before the plot is over? Murphy not sure.
6. Mab is apparently against Nicodemus succeeding in this heist. In the Cold Days, we found that Mab had complex reasons for wanting Harry to kill Maeve. What are Mab's reasons in this book? Is it simple thwarting or is there something deeper?
She wants whatever is in the vault and to put one over on nick for the having the cheek to call in the marker like this. Also winter seem to be getting stronger, with the *winter knight* eliminating the red court, this would be a good way to continue this power play with a victory over the denarians.
8. One of the key components of the "Ocean's Eleven" movie is that there is a final twist/reveal. Given that we've got Nicodemus, Harry, Mab, and potentially Hades (and who knows who else) all trying to get the better of each other, if there's one thing you can count on it's some sort of last minute quintuple-cross. What will be the nature of the twist and how will it all fall out?
Betrayal. Murphy uncertain with whats going on takes up the sword betrays harry and takes the item. Or mab betrays Harry after he betrays nick. Or maybe lash comes out at the wrong time and betrays harry to the denarians by incapacitating him at the wrong moment.
johntfs:
--- Quote ---1. We have been told that Nicodemus has a very specific target in mind, ostensibly kept in the Labyrinth of Daedalus. What is Nic trying to get his hands on and why?
It's probably actually a trick: he's trying to entrap Harry, to get an edge on Mab, and perhaps the keys to Demonreach. But to be convincing to Harry, he'd probably say something dramatic, like, oh, the soul of Judas Iscariot, or something.
--- End quote ---
I'm pretty sure that Nic isn't going to say "the soul of Judas Iscariot" since he already possesses the soul of Judas Iscariot. Since by all indications he, you know, is Judas Iscariot.
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