Ya, I was thinking the same thing; I think it was said somewhere that Eldest Gruff is the opposite of Lea, so it would have been him if someone was there (probably).

During a recent re-read of GP, it struck me as odd that Ferrovax in at Bianca's party. Ferrovax is a god level being with great power and authority. So why was he invited to and accept an invitation to a medium (or low) powered member of the Red Court? From my POV, the only reason why Ferrovax was at the party was so Harry could meet him. Was this just a plot point that Jim planned out 10+ books in advance, or did Jim just want a dragon in his books? Any other ideas yall have?

I might have missed it, but when did Toot-Toot become Harry's Vassal? Was it just through all the pizza Harry gave him through the years, or is it more than that?

... and then my only actual vassal arrived. - Battle Ground page 64

We know that Nic and Anduriel work together as more of a symbiotic organism. This is different from many of the fallen, where it is a one-sided relationship. I think Marcone/Namshiel will be more on the symbiotic side. Marcone knows that Namshiel has the knowledge and power to get what he wants, and Namshiel knows that Marcone has the intelligence and resources to get stuff done. If both parties are happy, they could be a very dangerous combo (brains and strength), but if one is stronger than the other or if one is trying to remain in control, then they would be less effective but possibly more dangerous (just strength with no sense on how to regulate it).

But there are many threads that are very stale now. Where is Cowl and Kumori? What's the deal with the Elaine? How about the Black Council? We've seen the Denarians but what about the rest of Hell? The attack on Archangel, the attack on Arctis Tor, the origins of a bunch of species, the history with Merlin (and Mab), the involvement of humans with the supernatural (like the FBI getting belts), and Harry's mother's own history are all things that have been left hanging for a LONG time. Not to mention Harry talking with the actual White Council, not just Eb or Ramirez. What have they been up to? What's the Gatekeeper's position on recent events and what is his story? etc. etc.

I understand the sentiment; however, maybe some of these things are just what happened, and that's the way it is. The attack on Archangel could just have been an overwelling number of vampires attacking when it was least expected. Where/when would Harry talk with the (as the post said) actual White Council vs. Eb or Ramirez? Harry doesn't like the council, and the council doesn't like Harry; I don't think either would go out of their way to purposefully interact. Besides, we have several short shorties and in-book interactions with Wardens and the greater Council.

However, I completely agree that we need more information on Harry's mom and the Gatekeeper (would take a book about either of these characters).

What about not putting the just coins in Demonreach but putting the host with them. If I remember correctly, the Fallen always have their coins on them. So if Harry can get some of Nic's blood, then he could theoretically trap both Nic and his coin in Demonreach. However, the KotC might not like that because them being locked up eliminates the possibility for them to put down the coin.

It's possible that Namshiel is more of a lone wolf who just happened to be working with Nicodemus during the events of Small Favor.  He wasn't around when Nicodemus was working on the plague curse, so it's possible that Namshiel has his own agenda.  If Namshiel was set up by either Tessa or Rosa to take the fall by agreeing to launch an attack on Arctis Tor, he's probably not happy with either of them.  He probably didn't like being left behind on Demonreach either.  While it was Namshiel's host who paid the ultimate price, I bet the Fallen don't like being sent into darkness because they never know how long that condition will last.  So Thorny is probably no one's friend.

This was my understanding of Namshiel as well.

Me as well, and while one could argue in the context of everything she did die to save others.  It really isn't true, she died stupidly at the hands of an insane careless cop.  Not a hero's death at all.

Exactly! That is why I feel like there has to be something more.