The Riyria Revelations discussion

Yes, I know Wintertide is just barely "out of the box" but we are now just one book away from the (what I hope will be) exciting conclusion. So since a group is meant to share the experience - it's time to put down your speculations on what book 6 may or may not have in store....

Inquiring minds want to know.

The elves finally appear, something that was hinted at back in Avempartha (by Esrahaddon). This has been my suspicion for quite a while now. I think since Nyphron Rising or The Emerald Storm. I'm guessing the Horn (mentioned a few times here and there) somehow will help protect non-elves.

So far as Royce and Hadrian, I have no idea. I'm curious to see how he reacts to the events that closed out Wintertide. No doubt they play some sort of key role in it, given that they are Riyria ...

That's it at the moment.

How about something really wild...like finding out Percepliquis won't be the final book!

Of course the elves will come out, that much is clear by the end of Wintertide. Details of Uli Vermar will have some interesting ancient history. Arista will have to find the horn with some help. Question is, what will Royce do? Life sucks for Royce. No matter how hard, everyone else has something to live for. Royce had finally found one reason and it just sucks for him to lose it. So I wonder what his role will be in the end. Will he choose the elves' side to defeat men?
The other question: Is Degan Gaunt really the true heir? Esrahaddon could have set up a dummy heir to protect the true one. And Gaunt was a jerk to Modina. I don't see the story rounding out nicely without seeing some transformation in Gaunt. What role does Arcadius have left? He seemed to know more than the identity of the heir in Nyphron Rising. So many questions...waiting till April will be torture!

I had a lot of the same thoughts. I really want to know what Arcadius knows. He's gotta be more important than he's appeared thus far. I, too, have wondered if Gaunt actually is not the true heir. (After his behavior in Wintertide, I'm kinda hoping NOT! LOL)

I don't think Royce has nothing to live for. I really don't. I think Hadrian is a big, big part of his life. No, he's not Gwen, but he's a close second to her. (At least, it always appeared that way to me.) Plus, Hadrian repeating the exact same words Gwen said at the end of Wintertide I think is quite significant. I think, really, Royce is who I'm most looking forward to reading about in Percepliquis. While I'm excited to see the elves finally come into play, I want to see what Royce does next.

@Jeanne - well unfortunately the down side about writing the entire series - is there is a definite stop to it. Though in many respects I think it will allow the books to go out "At a peak" rather than meandering along with "tacked on" adventure after adventure. I can't think of Royce and Hadrian stealing "another sword" in their 60's an 70's like the Rolling Stones still touring.

@Tania - What will Royce do....This was my biggest concern at the end of book 5 poor Royce is left "in a bad way" and I wanted to read on so he didn't have to be frozen in time there. Too bad I can't talk about what happens in book 6 - Ah just afew more months now and I can talk openingly.

Gaunt and Arcadius -- All I can say on that front is that I'm glad people are "pondering them". It means the seeds have been planted and we'll see where they go.

The Elves - yes without question they come into play - I'm pretty sure they'll be mentioned on the "back of book blurb" so no spoiler there. This has been building since book 1 and it is fun to "finally arrive".

Hadrian and Arista coupledom!!!!!!

Questions and speculations:

1. Who is the mysterious patriarch? Does he even exist? If he does, could he possibly be a) working for/with the elves or b) someone from the deep past or c) the heir or d) part of the Theorem?

2. Who shot the arrow at the end of Wintertide? Were they a) stopping Merrick and Saldur or b) tying up loose ends by killing them or c) working to get Royce and Hadrian to do something in particular? My guess is it was elves, working to stop them from getting to the horn with the heir.

3. Was Hadrian right to wonder about the wording of the poem? A king didn't survive, but maybe a queen did. It's not like kings can't have sisters. Miranda's story rings true, but why does Arcadius refer to it as untrue? And how did Merrick get the necklace? Maybe Degan Gaunt was wearing it, but he's not the heir. My guess on this one is that Miranda is the heir.

4. Percepliquis. I think it's under one of the current cities. I was thinking Ratibor until it was mentioned that the castle at Aquesta was built over top of something else. Nah. Still Ratibor.

5. Is Kile going to show up? Has he already? Hmm... maybe he's the patriarch...

6. What have the elves been doing all this time?

OH... Josh.. I love your post I can't say much but you are touching on some VERY good points.

The only one I will answer - because it is in the books - Merrick got the necklace when he kidnapped Degan during Nyphron Rising.

Anyway - I love your speculations...All will be answered in book 6.

I agree. GREAT questions! I cannot wait to find out the answers!

Merrick got the necklace when he kidnapped Merrick

I'm going to assume you meant he kidnapped Degan Gaunt! I don't recall it specifically being mentioned that the necklace found its way to Merrick via the kidnapping of Degan, only assumed; which as we all know is dangerous. But my memory is fuzzy.

Excellent Point about Thranic, Defoe and Bullard Garrett - if you read carefully they were on a mission to go find a horn...hmmm.