[Spoiler] The final chapter

Expert snuggler wrote:>

Clyntahn reminds me of a story, supposedly from Earth's history.

A general was unavoidably late for a meeting with the emperor. The penalty for being late was death.

The general was then presented with a situation in which he had nothing to lose and everything to gain by starting a rebellion.

A rather important point actually, given how Thirsk is in a very similar situation, Ahlverez is not far behind and from the way Earl Rainbow Waters construes his orders it is quite possible that he too could end up deciding that HIS survival is dependent upon Clyntahn not surviving. MWW does have a habit of foreshadowing a bit and Rainbow waters has a very vulnerable supply line.

I think we can all agree that Merlin did not need to travel to Thrisk's Study during a rainy night to tell him his family was safe and in Charis's protection, Surly during wartime Merlin time would have higher priorities. Our author has already given us several other ways that info such as this could be delivered. In AMF, seal envelopes were delivered to general Gahrvai desk in his locked study, just to name one way. Enough info could have been in the letter to convince Thrisk that it was indeed authentic and save Merlin a trip.
There must be another more important reason, my guess is a plan on how Dohlar could Sue for Peace.
I can't help but think how the author is drawing parallels to earth's history and the Safehold story line.
Dohlar reminds me of imperial Japan, Thrisk as Admiral Yamamoto, an extremely honorable man who also did not want war but did as he was order to do to the best of his abilities.
Thrisk knows beyond any doubts his country will be defeated, it just a matter of time. I do not believe he is the only one, General Ahlverez is another and I believe Duke Fern can also see the writing on the wall.
There is no reason to believe that Thrisk is the only person that Merlin could or would visit while in Dohlar. These other two come to mind along with even a visit to King Rahnyld. I believe all of them would be open to a Peaceful and quick end to the current "strife". I believe the terms that Charis would be willing to offer would be generous and fair. There is also another reason for Dohlar to consider an end to the current strife and misunderstanding. The large carrot that Charis could offer. There is no doubt that the economy of Dohlar has suffer and that they are the next best thing to being bankrupt. Just like Japan at the end of World War Two. Because of the new gold mines on Silverlode, Charis will be able to offer a "Marshall" Plan to Dohlar and others if they would reconsider their actions and Sue for Peace. Merlin's plan will require a Coup. He will be able to offer knowledge on all the Inquisitions spies and supporters and secure communications. Charis would also be in a position to help "protect" Dohlar from the Church
There are many more details to be worked out. Both sides can see what would happen if Charis is force to invade.
I believe this could be the general direction the story line could go. I did not go into every detail, but what is wrong with this scenario?

Tgf wrote:I think we can all agree that Merlin did not need to travel to Thrisk's Study during a rainy night to tell him his family was safe and in Charis's protection, Surly during wartime Merlin time would have higher priorities. Our author has already given us several other ways that info such as this could be delivered. In AMF, seal envelopes were delivered to general Gahrvai desk in his locked study, just to name one way. Enough info could have been in the letter to convince Thrisk that it was indeed authentic and save Merlin a trip.
There must be another more important reason, my guess is a plan on how Dohlar could Sue for Peace.
I can't help but think how the author is drawing parallels to earth's history and the Safehold story line.
Dohlar reminds me of imperial Japan, Thrisk as Admiral Yamamoto, an extremely honorable man who also did not want war but did as he was order to do to the best of his abilities.
Thrisk knows beyond any doubts his country will be defeated, it just a matter of time. I do not believe he is the only one, General Ahlverez is another and I believe Duke Fern can also see the writing on the wall.
There is no reason to believe that Thrisk is the only person that Merlin could or would visit while in Dohlar. These other two come to mind along with even a visit to King Rahnyld. I believe all of them would be open to a Peaceful and quick end to the current "strife". I believe the terms that Charis would be willing to offer would be generous and fair. There is also another reason for Dohlar to consider an end to the current strife and misunderstanding. The large carrot that Charis could offer. There is no doubt that the economy of Dohlar has suffer and that they are the next best thing to being bankrupt. Just like Japan at the end of World War Two. Because of the new gold mines on Silverlode, Charis will be able to offer a "Marshall" Plan to Dohlar and others if they would reconsider their actions and Sue for Peace. Merlin's plan will require a Coup. He will be able to offer knowledge on all the Inquisitions spies and supporters and secure communications. Charis would also be in a position to help "protect" Dohlar from the Church
There are many more details to be worked out. Both sides can see what would happen if Charis is force to invade.
I believe this could be the general direction the story line could go. I did not go into every detail, but what is wrong with this scenario?

Nothing wrong with that scenario. It actually goes right along with a lot theories already posted. It also makes sense from the standpoint that maybe this arc of the story is ending, and that Charis would deal with Dohlar quickly, and RFC can get on with the real task, which is the COGA and the Temple.

MWW end things quickly? That would be a first.

Tgf do agree that Merlin would not be there unless planned to move along the process of getting Dohlar out of the war. Most of the argument stems on HOW this would be achieved. Which to be fair depends mostly on actors that we have very little text about. ATM Charis pretty much has all the major options open, conquest, peace deal or instigate a revolt to name the major ones.

I am still of the opinion that there would be a covert ops type of war in Dohlar, with the primary purpose of removing the fanatical supporters of the inquisition/CoGA without needing military force. How much 'removal' being required would depend on MWW but should be a rather small number even adding in all the inquisitors. As for Merlin meeting others that could influence Dohlar I suggest it would be better if Thirsk did that. Far better overall if there is an appearance of Dohlar leaving the jihad of its own volition without any heretical aid.

CJK wrote:

Expert snuggler wrote:>

Clyntahn reminds me of a story, supposedly from Earth's history.

A general was unavoidably late for a meeting with the emperor. The penalty for being late was death.

The general was then presented with a situation in which he had nothing to lose and everything to gain by starting a rebellion.

A rather important point actually, given how Thirsk is in a very similar situation, Ahlverez is not far behind and from the way Earl Rainbow Waters construes his orders it is quite possible that he too could end up deciding that HIS survival is dependent upon Clyntahn not surviving. MWW does have a habit of foreshadowing a bit and Rainbow waters has a very vulnerable supply line.

I noted elsewhere that the skimmer equipped with a cannot that destroyed the ship formerly carrying the Thirsk family, cold be used to destroy the Harchong army's supplies of food and arms.

Tgf wrote:I think we can all agree that Merlin did not need to travel to Thrisk's Study during a rainy night to tell him his family was safe and in Charis's protection, Surly during wartime Merlin time would have higher priorities.

You mean like rescuing a bunch of random kids from Krakens despite the fact that doing so would likely endanger his mission? Or zooming off to Sharleyan's rescue when she hadn't been let into the Inner Circle yet and he'd have no idea how she'd react to him impossible appearance? Or like rescuing Stephanie Mallard and her family from a concentration camp for no better reason than pure compassion? Or the rescue of Thirsk's family again for compassionate reasons?

I'm sorry, have you been reading about the same Merlin that I have? Going by his past behavior, I can well believe that Merlin went to Thirsk because he saw how distraught the man had become and just wanted to relieve his pain by telling him his family is okay with absolutely zero ulterior motives or grand schemes behind the act. Hell, I'd even believe he went to Thirsk without telling Cayleb, Sharleyan, or anyone else in the Inner Circle ahead of time that he was doing it!

Yeah, Merlin has "higher priorities". But he's been known to tell those higher priorities to shove it while he does the Right Thing.

I just can't see any plausible circumstances in which Charis would invade Dohlar. Destroy their fleet, bombard Gorath, burn their dockyards and destroy every bit of naval construction capability, certainly. But that can all be done from the sea, and once they have done, the ICN rules the entire gulf of Dohlar, including the Gulf of Tanshar , Hankey Sound and Salthar Bay, so no more Temple supply routes by sea in those areas (seize or burn Dairnyth at your choice). On land, the existing Dohlaran Army is bottled up, and backing up, along the Sheryl-Seridahn Canal; it appears there are only 4 viable land supply routes for an army attacking out of Dohlar, 2 canals and 2 high-roads; at least 2 of those maybe 3 are currently in allied hands and the other(s) soon will be. So Dohlar is safely cut off. What possible strategic or tactical advantage would there be in tying up much-needed troops invading and trying to garrison a country with a bigger population than the whole EoC? No-one in their right mind is going to try to do so when there is no pressing need. Dohlar can be neutralised as an effective force without any requirement to invade, so it won't be invaded.

Randomiser wrote:I just can't see any plausible circumstances in which Charis would invade Dohlar. Destroy their fleet, bombard Gorath, burn their dockyards and destroy every bit of naval construction capability, certainly. But that can all be done from the sea, and once they have done, the ICN rules the entire gulf of Dohlar, including the Gulf of Tanshar , Hankey Sound and Salthar Bay, so no more Temple supply routes by sea in those areas (seize or burn Dairnyth at your choice). On land, the existing Dohlaran Army is bottled up, and backing up, along the Sheryl-Seridahn Canal; it appears there are only 4 viable land supply routes for an army attacking out of Dohlar, 2 canals and 2 high-roads; at least 2 of those maybe 3 are currently in allied hands and the other(s) soon will be. So Dohlar is safely cut off. What possible strategic or tactical advantage would there be in tying up much-needed troops invading and trying to garrison a country with a bigger population than the whole EoC? No-one in their right mind is going to try to do so when there is no pressing need. Dohlar can be neutralised as an effective force without any requirement to invade, so it won't be invaded.

I would say that there is a pressing need to get Dohlar to surrender. That would be the ability to put Hanth's army to use elsewhere with out having to worry about a regenerated Dohlar army (which is currently in training) re-emerging in to the EoC army's backside.

As to the way I read it, Dohlar is in retreat along all 4 of those land routes that you mentioned and Hanth's army is only 150 miles from the Dohlar boarder.

So I would want to engage Thirsk for more than just simply relieving his anxiety about the loss of his family.

evilauthor wrote:

Tgf wrote:I think we can all agree that Merlin did not need to travel to Thrisk's Study during a rainy night to tell him his family was safe and in Charis's protection, Surly during wartime Merlin time would have higher priorities.

You mean like rescuing a bunch of random kids from Krakens despite the fact that doing so would likely endanger his mission? Or zooming off to Sharleyan's rescue when she hadn't been let into the Inner Circle yet and he'd have no idea how she'd react to him impossible appearance? Or like rescuing Stephanie Mallard and her family from a concentration camp for no better reason than pure compassion? Or the rescue of Thirsk's family again for compassionate reasons?

I'm sorry, have you been reading about the same Merlin that I have? Going by his past behavior, I can well believe that Merlin went to Thirsk because he saw how distraught the man had become and just wanted to relieve his pain by telling him his family is okay with absolutely zero ulterior motives or grand schemes behind the act. Hell, I'd even believe he went to Thirsk without telling Cayleb, Sharleyan, or anyone else in the Inner Circle ahead of time that he was doing it!

Yeah, Merlin has "higher priorities". But he's been known to tell those higher priorities to shove it while he does the Right Thing.

Amen...great post and a big thumbs up!

Don

Wow people. Great stuff.

Imagine the military taking control of the Kingdom and declaring Neutrality.
Than Clynthan will have to order an invasion.
Can the Host fight on two fronts?
Will tech out-do manpower?
Will the Host preform a Great March like Mao's army, or will it accomplish an end run like Patton's?