thanatos wrote:On the military side of things, I think RFC has set the stage for one final military show down as well as a rebellion in the rear in Chisholm. But the more important threads that remain unresolved are Clyntahn's fate, the political outcomes of the war, the doctrinal implications of a church defeat (or at least the Grand Vicar declaring an end to the Jihad even though the heretics are still alive and well), the Church's failing economy and what lurks beneath the Temple.
While I'm sure everyone here has some truly awful fate in mind for this bastard (myself included), I am reminded of something my grandfather told my father when he saw Adolf Eichmann put on trial in Israel: "death is too good a fate for him". The magnitude of Clyntahn's crimes is so great that executing him, even with the Punishment of Schueler, would not suffice to atone for his crimes. Yet I think RFC has pointed out that power and certainty are the two of his most prominent character traits and taking them away would likely shatter him.
But it is the Church's finances that will likely break it. Both Magwair and Duchairn know that they have to score some major victories on land next year (and in the next book) and them try to negotiate a separate peace with Siddarmark. Yet we all know Clyntahn would never stand for that since he is an "all or nothing" sort of person. That means that any sort of political resolution to the war would require Clyntahn's removal. Whatever it is that Duchairn is preparing (my money is on a large scale riot in Zion should he get arrested where the people of the city start killing anyone they suspect of being and agent inquisitor) may well accomplish this. Then again, it might fail. And regardless of all this, it's entirely possible the Mighty Host will lose badly or only manage to avoid outright defeat. So even if the fighting in the next book ends in a draw, the Church's loses as it will no longer have the money to continue fighting.
This in turn will only exacerbate the Church's fraying hold over the mainland realms. Right now, Desnair has only declared neutrality - which is bad enough (though at least they haven't gone over to Charis outright). Once the King Haarahlds show up and finish off Dohlar at sea and if Charis goes on to assault it by land over the winter, Dohlar will be out of the game (assuming Merlin doesn't get Thirsk to do something by way of a coup of some kind). Once Dohlar goes, I have a feeling the entire continent of Howard will get cut off from the Church. With Dohlar gone and the Siddarmark free of Church forces (at least in the southern theater), Silkiah will find itself in a difficult position and may decide to jump ship. South Harchong will be vulnerable to Charisian attacks by sea while the smaller kingdoms (Sodar and Delfarakh) will feel just as vulnerable.
But the bottom line is that the Church has run out of time and money while Clyntahn's policies are undermining faith in the Church with the common folk as well as the political elites around the planet. We are therefore more likely to see a surrender along the lines of Germany in WWI (suing for terms) and not WWII (outright invasion). It all depends on whether Clyntahn can be removed from power beforehand.
This sounds plausible, generally. I would see a WW2 sort of ending though. The rest of what you say makes a quite a bit of sense.
Don
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