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The Dresden Files => DF Spoilers => Topic started by: TrueMonk on May 01, 2020, 07:30:10 AM
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I realise that there is just soo many things to look forward to. I will just list two :-)
-To see the effect of Harry not being limited by money in terms of building cool magical stuff. It has always held him back to some degree before, but now he has a bag of diamonds.
- I wonder if he is going to use earth magic more, it was stated in changes that it is a more physically demanding discipline than the others and since he is now at the very least one of the physically strongest mortal wizards in the world, that could be something.
What do you look forward to?
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Seeing how Ebenezer and Thomas interact.
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Going to keep an open mind.. ::) The trailer and the first chapter preview kind of clash, not to mention there is going to be a part two book! :o One to you can be sure of, it is going to hit the fan and everyone is going to get hit! 8)
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-To see the effect of Harry not being limited by money in terms of building cool magical stuff. It has always held him back to some degree before, but now he has a bag of diamonds.
I really hope Jim goes in this direction. I don't mind if he does it slowly by just adding one or two awesome gadgets a book, but I'm going to be pretty disappointed if he doesn't at least do "permanent" or "full" enchantments. That would allow him to have more (instead of just better) equipment. In either Storm Front or Fool Moon, Harry talks about how full enchantments are expensive and he only does partial enchantments on his equipment. Jim has mentioned that Harry puts in about 20 hours a week maintaining his equipment. If he was able to do full enchantments, then he could spent that time enchanting new equipment instead of maintaining his regular gear. In Fool Moon Bob mentions "a greater Ring of Invisibility," and Harry's response is "Do I look like I'm made of money? I can't afford that."
So both more equipment and some awesome stuff are now possible for Harry according to the rules established in the books. I just hope Jim doesn't forget about it.
I do look forward to seeing what Jim says about Harry's finances. If anyone recalls the various estimates of the value of the diamonds, they went from "Harry's set for life if he's careful with his money" to "Oprah looks poor by comparison money." I'm thinking it should be somewhere around "Harry's set for life as long as he isn't completely stupid with his money" amounts based on Marcone's reaction to the diamonds.
I look forward to seeing Bonea. I doubt she is going to be very useful based on some things that Jim has said. I have a feeling if Harry is asking for her help like he did with Bob, it's going to be more like asking Toot questions about Winter Law and speaking Russian.
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Breaking the masquerade. And Bad Alias, Bonea may not shine now but Jim has warned you that she will eventually. She was thought to be very valuable by a fallen angel. That says something.
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Yeah. She's probably going to be more comic relief for a little while than helpful. I've always really enjoyed Jim's characters that are heavy comic relief like Bob and Toot.
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-Harry adjusting to new relationships with Maggie, Bonnie, and Murphy.
-Harry having some stability before it gets wrecked.
-Harry and the White Council.
-Seeing more of Molly's new Winter Lady duties in a professional setting.
-The Masquerade getting broken.
-"Murphy's funeral", which I'm still assuming to be metaphorical or not Karrin Murphy.
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Gear -- While I wouldn't object, it's not what I long to see. However, I don't expect we'll see it; or if we do, only minimally: it takes not just money, but time. What with the war with the Fomor, and other sorts of service to Mab, and Harry's own sense of duty and obligation to his friends, and to the mortal world in general and Chicago in particular... I'm just not seeing lots of lab-time for dear Mr. Dresden.
I'd love to see Harry starting to investigate some of the backstory & theory we've seen hinted-at before.
What is a Starborn, exactly? WHY is a Starborn?
What can Starborn's do, besides being harder for Outsiders to resist?
What was going on with Margaret LeFay, that she took up with Papa Raith? What was going on with her that she left him? What happened in her life (and Malcom's) post-Raith & pre-Harry?
Was there a noteworthy Maggie/Justin duMorne link? What was it?
Is Elaine also a Starborn? What is HER parentage???
What did Justin want with a couple of Starborn, besides cheap magical muscle?
What are some of the specific entities imprisoned in Demonreach, and why? Are they there on general "too dangerous" principles, or did any of them perform some unforgivable deed? Are there any of the Fallen (Denarian or otherwise) imprisoned?
What are the Winter Laws, specifically as applied to the Knight? What duties does Harry owe to Lady/Queen/Mother?
Etc Etc Etc... Harry has been showing up as kind of ... well... a bit stupid, for not pursuing (at least some of) these questions (the questions he asked Toot in Cold Days was a pathetic attempt, really!)
Edit: oh, yeah! Eb learning about the extra descendants he has! ;D
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Gear -- While I wouldn't object, it's not what I long to see.
What I want to see from Harry's gear is a lack of retconning the things I pointed out and a lack of complaining about "muh shield bracelet" from Harry that we've had from two books.
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Seeing Ebenezer meet his great-granddaughters.
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I want the masquerade to break.
Harry and Carlos fighting against baddies together
Whoever dies gets to go out in style
Eb and Thomas meet and talk more about Margaret
Bonnie and Maggie meet
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I'm really excited about Harry's run to the bank; explaining the whole no ID situation, clarifying that he's not dead anymore, etc.
Bank runs are awesome!
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I'm really excited about Harry's run to the bank; explaining the whole no ID situation, clarifying that he's not dead anymore, etc.
Bank runs are awesome!
awww, c'mon, man!
This is a family-friendly forum, the Dresdenfiles is a family-friendly series, you can't just talk about this sort of thing!!!
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Harry using soulfire to something it is really suited for. So far I think the best bang for the buck use of it has been the illusions in the FBI's building in changes. But some longer term magical construct seems like the best use of it.
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I'm really excited about Harry's run to the bank; explaining the whole no ID situation, clarifying that he's not dead anymore, etc.
Bank runs are awesome!
I'm afraid you're out of luck.
Wizard Rashid in Cold Days, explaining the "help" that he would give:
"...There's some paperwork to fill out to get the Council's office to reestablish your official identity with the government, but I'll see to it that it happens. I think I remember all the necessary forms".
In other words, that box of mail that Harry has in Jury Duty probably includes a temporary ID, until he can get to a State of Illinois Driver's License station. Oh, and his back Warden pay is probably also among those envelopes. So, I guess Harry will be needing some deposit slips.
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One thing that I'm looking forward to sometime in the near future would be Ancient Mai doing an about-face in her attitude towards Harry. She has made certain assumptions regarding him in the past. In the face of seeing him accompanied by a Foo Dog, she has to be aware that many of those assumptions are invalid. Especially considering she's obviously a true believer in Occam's Razor. In this case, the simplest explanation is that Harry isn't innately evil, like she thought he was.
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SNIP
/dup
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SNIP
/dup
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One thing that I'm looking forward to sometime in the near future would be Ancient Mai doing an about-face in her attitude towards Harry. She has made certain assumptions regarding him in the past. In the face of seeing him accompanied by a Foo Dog, she has to be aware that many of those assumptions are invalid. Especially considering she's obviously a true believer in Occam's Razor. In this case, the simplest explanation is that Harry isn't innately evil, like she thought he was.
Given that Mai is one of the prime candidates for being on the Black Council, her realization that Harry associates with a genuine Foo Dog may actually be more of an "oh shit!" moment than an "oh my!" moment...
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Given that Mai is one of the prime candidates for being on the Black Council, her realization that Harry associates with a genuine Foo Dog may actually be more of an "oh shit!" moment than an "oh my!" moment...
Then again Mouse didn't show any sign that she is evil.
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Given that Mai is one of the prime candidates for being on the Black Council, her realization that Harry associates with a genuine Foo Dog may actually be more of an "oh shit!" moment than an "oh my!" moment...
Mai being “one of the prime candidates for Black Council“ according to whom?
Please. The woman is so rigidly on the good side that she practically has “Lawful Good” stamped on her forehead. The stone Temple Dogs that she created are a blatant symbol by Jim of exactly what side she’s on—and how.
Indeed, her problem with Harry is that she’s so firmly entrenched on the “good” side that she sees the bad things, and isn’t capable of grasping shades of gray. It’s either/or with her, a binary solution set.
That Ancient Mai would be Black Council is ridiculous. It’s like saying that Mister Ferro would be—outside of him ever having received that gift at Bianca’s party. I guess we’ll find out shortly whether that one “got” him or not.
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Bonnie and Maggie meet
I think they will have already met because Jim has talked about how the girls were making pancakes in, I believe, Peace Talks.
I'm afraid you're out of luck.
Wizard Rashid in Cold Days, explaining the "help" that he would give:
In other words, that box of mail that Harry has in Jury Duty probably includes a temporary ID, until he can get to a State of Illinois Driver's License station. Oh, and his back Warden pay is probably also among those envelopes. So, I guess Harry will be needing some deposit slips.
I wonder how long it will take for them to be able to take his photo without a malfunction. ;)
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Mai being “one of the prime candidates for Black Council“ according to whom?
Please. The woman is so rigidly on the good side that she practically has “Lawful Good” stamped on her forehead. The stone Temple Dogs that she created are a blatant symbol by Jim of exactly what side she’s on—and how.
Indeed, her problem with Harry is that she’s so firmly entrenched on the “good” side that she sees the bad things, and isn’t capable of grasping shades of gray. It’s either/or with her, a binary solution set.
That Ancient Mai would be Black Council is ridiculous. It’s like saying that Mister Ferro would be—outside of him ever having received that gift at Bianca’s party. I guess we’ll find out shortly whether that one “got” him or not.
That very image of being "rigidly lawful good" could make an amazing cover, hmmm?
It lets her vote, consistently, to execute the Starborn.... because he might turn out bad.
Even if she's leaning in on the rigid ethics, she comes across as the sort who might slip over into ends-justifying-means and small-evil-for-greater-good thinking that could be JUST the chink in her moral armor that lets a Black Council pitch find fertile ground (like Kumori's "end Death" ambition has her helping do an obviously-evil Darkhallow).
Let's take a closer look at her Temple Dogs, for that matter. The temple dogs who didn't detect Peabody... an active Black Magician.
Nor did they detect any of his workings: layers of control on most of the Wardens, many (or even all) of the Senior Council, etc. Mai's Temple Dogs allowed Peabody to smuggle a Mistfiend into the Council.
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Honestly, I think the best argument for Ancient Mai not being Black Council is that it would be too obvious and therefore have little impact on the reader as a big revelation. Eb and Injun Joe would be the biggest shocks I would believe. The Gatekeeper would be the biggest shock, but I'd have a hard time believing he was on Team Outside. If the Black Council turns out to be very much not on Team Outside, then I could believe it.
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I look forward to seeing "...all captain winter now..." In action. Winter knight melee fights with once enhancements are going to be awesome. Maybe soulfire powered ice claws etc.
Also Molly meeting the Merlin again...
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That very image of being "rigidly lawful good" could make an amazing cover, hmmm?
It lets her vote, consistently, to execute the Starborn.... because he might turn out bad.
Even if she's leaning in on the rigid ethics, she comes across as the sort who might slip over into ends-justifying-means and small-evil-for-greater-good thinking that could be JUST the chink in her moral armor that lets a Black Council pitch find fertile ground (like Kumori's "end Death" ambition has her helping do an obviously-evil Darkhallow).
Let's take a closer look at her Temple Dogs, for that matter. The temple dogs who didn't detect Peabody... an active Black Magician.
Nor did they detect any of his workings: layers of control on most of the Wardens, many (or even all) of the Senior Council, etc. Mai's Temple Dogs allowed Peabody to smuggle a Mistfiend into the Council.
Do you think for one moment that anyone would have checked Peabody. He was invisible. Always there but never in sight.
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Do you think for one moment that anyone would have checked Peabody. He was invisible. Always there but never in sight.
Even if they never checked Peabody, his workings were all over the place, as g33k pointed out. All over the young wardens, who would not have gotten the same pass that Peabody or the senior council did.
Even assuming that the temple dog statues are not always on, one would rightfully assume that they should have tripped on at least one of the hundreds of people Peabody messed with.
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Honestly, I think the best argument for Ancient Mai not being Black Council is that it would be too obvious and therefore have little impact on the reader as a big revelation. Eb and Injun Joe would be the biggest shocks I would believe. The Gatekeeper would be the biggest shock, but I'd have a hard time believing he was on Team Outside. If the Black Council turns out to be very much not on Team Outside, then I could believe it.
The best evidence that Ancient Mai isn't Black Council is Mouse totally ignored her. If there was the merest sniff that she was, he would have bared his teeth and gone for her throat before she could have even got the question out about what Harry was doing with a real Foo Dog.
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The best evidence that Ancient Mai isn't Black Council is Mouse totally ignored her. If there was the merest sniff that she was, he would have bared his teeth and gone for her throat before she could have even got the question out about what Harry was doing with a real Foo Dog.
Following that logic, the only member of the Senior Council that could be on the Black Council is Cristos. I don't think that's the case.
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Even if they never checked Peabody, his workings were all over the place, as g33k pointed out. All over the young wardens, who would not have gotten the same pass that Peabody or the senior council did.
Even assuming that the temple dog statues are not always on, one would rightfully assume that they should have tripped on at least one of the hundreds of people Peabody messed with.
The only way to know that would be for Jim to say exactly what
Temple Dogs are designed to detect. Which he hasn't.
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I also hope (although I doubt I'll see all of it) to see:
* Uncle Thomas of the Unlimited Money Cards spoiling one or more of his nieces.
* a new career path for Karrin Murphy
* another Carpenter kid (maybe Hope?) develop power
* rebuilt or rebuilding White Council and Wardens; 3-4 U.S wardens aren't enough.
* Ivy/Kincaid reunion
* an actual challenge to Lara's power
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I'm looking for to:
More Santa Clause
Seeing what tidbit of information Harry figures out to shed the winter knight mantle on Halloween (though I see this more as an end game item, after the outsiders are dealt with)
Some more info around Mac
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Oooh, yeah, we'll probably see more Santa. I bet the whole Wild Hunt could come out to fight.
I want to see Lara get challenged and take a big dent in her power as well, since it's been awhile since she's had that happen.
I want to see Bonnie and Bob interact, that could be very funny.
I do want Ivy/Kincaid interaction and for Harry to see it.
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We've had hints from Jim that indicate Harry's not letting Bob anywhere near Bonnie and that Kincaid may not even be in the next book. I think Jim said "Ivy's showing up alone to the peace talks," or something like that. It was after the short story Goodbye came out.
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I really hope Jim goes in this direction. I don't mind if he does it slowly by just adding one or two awesome gadgets a book, but I'm going to be pretty disappointed if he doesn't at least do "permanent" or "full" enchantments. That would allow him to have more (instead of just better) equipment. In either Storm Front or Fool Moon, Harry talks about how full enchantments are expensive and he only does partial enchantments on his equipment.
The time jump from SG is only supposed to be a few months, and he's been busy reestablishing a home and connecting with Maggie. And presumably with Karrin. He's probably just getting started laundering the diamonds.
Mind you, living in Molly's apartment for the time being, the svartalves would probably trade crafting work directly for gems. That would be faster, and probably more efficient with the value of them than laundering to dollars to buy with. So an item or two (new shield bracelet?) is definitely feasible.
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We've had hints from Jim that indicate Harry's not letting Bob anywhere near Bonnie...
I'm pretty sure Harry will go to pretty extreme lengths to keep pervy-Bob far, far, far away from either of his daughters (and Evil Bob even further, of course).
It remains to be seen whether Jim permits Harry to have his way in this...
;D
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Reading it
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I feel I could echo many things here, but I’d add for myself:
- Seeing where Marcone and his enterprise stands now
- Seeing more of any of the Accords signatories we haven’t really heard much from (Mr. Ferro, Drakul, ....I’m forgetting who else)
- Seeing the equivalent of Mouse’s puppy stage with Bonnie
- Charity reacting to Molly as Winter Lady. I don’t think we’ve seen that
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@Karn: Well he did say that we are gonna see how Charity and Michael react to Molly becoming the Winter Lady.
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I want to see The Merlin. Mostly, I want to find out how the White Council officially explained the destruction of the Red Court. Perhaps the Merlin claimed that Harry was operating with the approval of Council, essentially claiming the credit. Also, I'd like to find out what the reaction was when the Gatekeeper announced that Harry was still alive and see Arthur Langtry's reaction to seeing Harry again. Perhaps it will include an involuntary eye twitch or two.
Barring that, I'd like to see Harry talk to Senior Council member Cristos and faux apologize for disrupting Cristos' peace initiative with the Red Court.
Perhaps more realistically, I'd like to see Harry have to use what Kringle called games of protocol; sometimes talking to members of the White Council or other parties as a warden of the White Council, sometimes as the Winter Knight and perhaps once or twice as The Warden (of Demonreach). After Jim introduced the idea in Skin Game that Vadderung must act in very different ways depending on which persona or mask he is wearing or is forced to wear at any given occasion, I think Harry will have to learn how to do the same thing and it could be fun to see.
I want to see Michael and Charity Carpenter find out about Molly's new position. Oh man, is that going to be awkward for Harry.
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I don't think we'll see it yet in Peace Talks, or even Battle Ground... But I observe the Jim has laid the groundwork for a really potent power-up for Harry.
We know that point-to-point Gateways are possible, apparently by creating back-to-back openings to the Nevernever, such that you can step into one gate and out of the other, in the same step.
We know that you can cast across a Nevernever-gate. Cowl attacked Harry that way (in the Raith Deeps), etc.
In principle, then...
Harry could stand on Demonreach, with full Warden power and all those ley-lines, and open a gateway to wherever he needs to be really REALLY powerful.
(edit: I guess this is a WAG, more than an on-topic post for the thread... apologies; "wannasee tax" -- Gotta +1 looking forward with both dread and amusement to the scene where Molly tells her 'rents "oh yeah... now I'm a faerie, and immortal, and...")
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On the plus side, an immortal kid is sort of the dream scenario for a parent is it not? There is one kid that will never be in a car accident etc. :-D
I guess the soulfire can help with making stable ways as well. Harry: I use my soulfire gate to blast people with power from condensed evil.
If it happens I also guess it is for later.
I look forward to hearing more about the artifacts.
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I don't think we'll see it yet in Peace Talks, or even Battle Ground... But I observe the Jim has laid the groundwork for a really potent power-up for Harry.
Oh yeah. I feel like it could be a tad too soon for Harry to get a power up. He could get put through the wringer, hear some revelations, then have to do some emotional work in order to earn his next power up.
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Oh yeah. I feel like it could be a tad too soon for Harry to get a power up. He could get put through the wringer, hear some revelations, then have to do some emotional work in order to earn his next power up.
Supposedly -- from the blurb released -- he's going to need a power up when "the last Titan" comes to town. But we already suspect (from the cover of Battle Ground) that he's got that one covered, by mounting the Spear of Longinus onto his staff...
I was thinking that he probably doesn't get that one AND to set up Demonreach's power to go anywhere he wants it to...
Harry's still doing is same spell to open his Ways, and notices (often) how much more impressive OTHERS' openings are... like, everybody who CAN do it, does it better than Harry. So it'll be a while before he's doing the more-sophisticated variants.
But the groundwork is in place (or so I WAG).
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Harry's getting a powerup. He's not pregnant anymore. That's got to count for something. He's got Bonnie, for whatever she's going to be worth. He'll at least have a copper shield bracelet (because he had it Jury Duty). It's really more of a question of how much of a powerup he's getting and whether he losses some power.
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Now I look forward to how much of a difference it will make for Harry not to be pregnant anymore :-D
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Early in on it's not so bad, but once you get into the 28th trimester, it can get to be a real hassle.
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I kind of want to see how Marcone handles himself at the talks. The idea of him either setting up deals and alliances or managing to outmanuver some of the other groups is intriguing. That or if Harry may be forced to back him against greater threats