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DF Reference Collection / Re: Skin Games Predict-a-thon. [All the latest Spoilers permitted and encouraged]
« on: August 13, 2013, 02:32:16 PM »
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?
Nicodemus is scared of Harry, scared of his own mortality. The Fallen Angels can, in effect, make their hosts immortal…but not invincible. We have already seen many hosts die at the hands of others, and not just KofC. The only one who has been both Immortal and invincible is Nicodemus and that is only due to his possession of the noose. Only the noose has a fatal weakness, one that Harry discovered and almost managed to use against Nic. Nic does not want to die, and Andurial does not want to break in a new host.
So they need something better than the noose, something that would grant Nicodemus true immortality without compromising his relationship with Andurial. That is what they hope to find in the vault. There are a few possibilities. 1. Ambrosia, 2. Holy Grail, 3. Water from the River Styx.
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 was well aware that Mab would send Harry, and Mab was well aware that Nic wanted Harry to come along. Nic still wants to steal Harry away from Mab, but that is not the main reason he wants him along. Nic knows Harry can use Soul Fire, and he needs that ability to get past some of the more dangerous ‘guards’ hiding out in the Maze/Vault. That, and Harry’s brush with death, which has given him some undisclosed abilities regarding Shades, Ghosts and Spirits of the dead.
3. Jim has mentioned that the book will be "Ocean's Eleven". Who else did Nicodemus recruit? How will they interact with Harry?
The majority will be surviving Dinarians. The rest will consist of hired help. Possibly Mavra might be recruited by Nic, possibly Cowl might be recruited, possibly Binder, possibly the Ebs if they survived the Erlking and the destruction of the Red Court. Possibly any enemy of Harry’s whom he has not yet destroyed might be recruited. You already know how they would interact with him, except that Nic would have them on a tight leash until the objective is secured. After that, all bets are off.
Shagnasty will appear, but not as a member of Nic’s team. He’ll have his own agenda and destroying Harry will be the bonus.
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?
Harry won’t get his first choice, or his second, or his third. He will run into the Churchmouse, and she will somehow arm twist or blackmail Harry into letting her come along as his +1. Wrong Guess
Harry will get word to Thomas and the others, and they will be on standby waiting for him. Harry might use Toot Toot as a messenger between himself and Thomas (Though I still don’t know why they just don’t try using some type of telepathic communication). Changed mind. Harry will fail to contact Thomas which will cause more trouble between them.
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?
Karrin will finally take up the sword, and she and Sanya will be on standby along with Thomas for when Harry needs them most. Sanya is going to be around at least until the BAT.
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 knows the Apocalypse is coming and is trying to control it by getting rid of the competition.
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?
Molly won't be able to remove the parasite in time, or she will refuse to do so. The parasite will emerge, Harry's life will be in danger, but someone else will save him. The rift between Harry and Molly will grow deeper.
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?
Lara and Marcone will work together, sending their own team in to retrieve the item in question. Lara will send in Thomas, and Harry will see that as a betrayal creating a rift between the two brothers. Thomas owes Lara a debt, Lara will force him to betray Harry. But that won't matter to Harry.
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. By books end, Karrin will have taken up a sword, which will create 'distance' between the two, further isolating Harry.
2. Maggie Angelica will display magical ability when Harry visits the Carpenters. By books end Harry will have a new apprentice, his daughter.
3. Some new revelation about Maggie LeFay will occur sometime in the book, and it will turn Harry's view of his mother upside down.
10. (Extra Credit) This is that "free form" question where you can come up with anything else you think will be in this book. Specific quotes Harry might say (will he actually quote Ocean's Eleven? The movie will have come out already in Harry's timeline)? Tidbits about the White Council? The fate of Molly? Write down anything you want. Note that whatever you write must be specifically mentioned or hinted at in Skin Games in order to be worth credit.
"When Hell Freezes Over" will be said by someone at least once in the book.
Nicodemus ultimate goal will turn out not to be quite so monstrous as Harry assumed. In fact, he will start questioning Mab's motives.
Nic's daughter will die, but he will survive.
By Books end, Harry will be back on the Island, but with Maggie Jr. and Mouse.
Nicodemus is scared of Harry, scared of his own mortality. The Fallen Angels can, in effect, make their hosts immortal…but not invincible. We have already seen many hosts die at the hands of others, and not just KofC. The only one who has been both Immortal and invincible is Nicodemus and that is only due to his possession of the noose. Only the noose has a fatal weakness, one that Harry discovered and almost managed to use against Nic. Nic does not want to die, and Andurial does not want to break in a new host.
So they need something better than the noose, something that would grant Nicodemus true immortality without compromising his relationship with Andurial. That is what they hope to find in the vault. There are a few possibilities. 1. Ambrosia, 2. Holy Grail, 3. Water from the River Styx.
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 was well aware that Mab would send Harry, and Mab was well aware that Nic wanted Harry to come along. Nic still wants to steal Harry away from Mab, but that is not the main reason he wants him along. Nic knows Harry can use Soul Fire, and he needs that ability to get past some of the more dangerous ‘guards’ hiding out in the Maze/Vault. That, and Harry’s brush with death, which has given him some undisclosed abilities regarding Shades, Ghosts and Spirits of the dead.
3. Jim has mentioned that the book will be "Ocean's Eleven". Who else did Nicodemus recruit? How will they interact with Harry?
The majority will be surviving Dinarians. The rest will consist of hired help. Possibly Mavra might be recruited by Nic, possibly Cowl might be recruited, possibly Binder, possibly the Ebs if they survived the Erlking and the destruction of the Red Court. Possibly any enemy of Harry’s whom he has not yet destroyed might be recruited. You already know how they would interact with him, except that Nic would have them on a tight leash until the objective is secured. After that, all bets are off.
Shagnasty will appear, but not as a member of Nic’s team. He’ll have his own agenda and destroying Harry will be the bonus.
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?
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?
Karrin will finally take up the sword, and she and Sanya will be on standby along with Thomas for when Harry needs them most. Sanya is going to be around at least until the BAT.
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 knows the Apocalypse is coming and is trying to control it by getting rid of the competition.
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?
Molly won't be able to remove the parasite in time, or she will refuse to do so. The parasite will emerge, Harry's life will be in danger, but someone else will save him. The rift between Harry and Molly will grow deeper.
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?
Lara and Marcone will work together, sending their own team in to retrieve the item in question. Lara will send in Thomas, and Harry will see that as a betrayal creating a rift between the two brothers. Thomas owes Lara a debt, Lara will force him to betray Harry. But that won't matter to Harry.
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. By books end, Karrin will have taken up a sword, which will create 'distance' between the two, further isolating Harry.
2. Maggie Angelica will display magical ability when Harry visits the Carpenters. By books end Harry will have a new apprentice, his daughter.
3. Some new revelation about Maggie LeFay will occur sometime in the book, and it will turn Harry's view of his mother upside down.
10. (Extra Credit) This is that "free form" question where you can come up with anything else you think will be in this book. Specific quotes Harry might say (will he actually quote Ocean's Eleven? The movie will have come out already in Harry's timeline)? Tidbits about the White Council? The fate of Molly? Write down anything you want. Note that whatever you write must be specifically mentioned or hinted at in Skin Games in order to be worth credit.
"When Hell Freezes Over" will be said by someone at least once in the book.
Nicodemus ultimate goal will turn out not to be quite so monstrous as Harry assumed. In fact, he will start questioning Mab's motives.
Nic's daughter will die, but he will survive.
By Books end, Harry will be back on the Island, but with Maggie Jr. and Mouse.
