The Last Dark cover art revealed

[Krilly]

It might be worth digging back and seeing when exactly the runes began glowing silver whenever Linden would use it. Perchance there is some clue there?

In any case, I'm in the Mahrtiir camp. Is this his "heart's desire"?

[SkurjMaster]

Are you guys suggesting that the staff being held by the Mahrtiir figure is the Staff of Law. Doesn't look like the description of the SoL. Not symmetric. No metal ends? Can't make out any runes either. Is it just me?

Is it possible that all of the statements to the effect of 'only guilt is power' implies that TC and LA will have to relinquish their talismans of power to the other characters? I.e. Mahrtiir gets the staff?

[Vraith]

Are you guys suggesting that the staff being held by the Mahrtiir figure is the Staff of Law. Doesn't look like the description of the SoL. Not symmetric. No metal ends? Can't make out any runes either. Is it just me?

Is it possible that all of the statements to the effect of 'only guilt is power' implies that TC and LA will have to relinquish their talismans of power to the other characters? I.e. Mahrtiir gets the staff?

Yea, if that's the Staff of Law it's just terrible.

I'm pretty sure the runes have glowed every time the Staff has been used since they were inscribed.

And, related back to Hashi, I think the runes are really more akin to the OS, and not at all like "Raising the Dead? There's an App-rune for that."
Edited to add some missing words.

[Akasri]

Are you guys suggesting that the staff being held by the Mahrtiir figure is the Staff of Law. Doesn't look like the description of the SoL. Not symmetric. No metal ends? Can't make out any runes either. Is it just me?

Is it possible that all of the statements to the effect of 'only guilt is power' implies that TC and LA will have to relinquish their talismans of power to the other characters? I.e. Mahrtiir gets the staff?

Yea, if that's the Staff of Law it's just terrible.

I'm pretty sure the runes have glowed every time the Staff has been used since they were inscribed.

And, related back to Hashi, I think the runes are really more akin to the OS, and not at all like "Raising the Dead? There's an App-rune for that."
Edited to add some missing words.

The app "Raising the Dead" has recently downloaded an update and needs to be restarted in order to install. This is to fix an error that could sometimes turn the target into Walking Dead. Sorry for any inconvenience.

[thewormoftheworld'send]

I take it you've figured out who the mystery person is?

Yet another curve ball Donaldson thrown, he has. Even with his cover art.

[Savor Dam]

Consensus is pretty clear, Worm. That's Mahrtiir.

[thewormoftheworld'send]

Consensus is pretty clear, Worm. That's Mahrtiir.

Uhhh, no. It's Brinn.

[Vraith]

Consensus is pretty clear, Worm. That's Mahrtiir.

Uhhh, no. It's Brinn.

If that's supposed to be Brinn, it is even more badly done and counter-textual than if the stick is supposed to be the Staff of Law.

[ussusimiel]

Consensus is pretty clear, Worm. That's Mahrtiir.

Uhhh, no. It's Brinn.

If that's supposed to be Brinn, it is even more badly done and counter-textual than if the stick is supposed to be the Staff of Law.

Probably not Brinn, no wrinkles (a-la-chapter 3 of TLD). Also not the Staff of Law, no runes and it tapers *TCTC geek shoulder shrug*.

The bandage is indicative of blindness and thus prophecy (and probably Mahrtiir). The Forestal possibility is interesting as it open up all sorts of lines of continuation: why would the forests need a Forestal after the Last Dark unless there's a Land and forests and threats to forests? The Final Chronicles, anyone?!

u.

[Orlion]

Uhhh, no. It's Brinn.

If that's supposed to be Brinn, it is even more badly done and counter-textual than if the stick is supposed to be the Staff of Law.

Probably not Brinn, no wrinkles (a-la-chapter 3 of TLD). Also not the Staff of Law, no runes and it tapers *TCTC geek shoulder shrug*.

The bandage is indicative of blindness and thus prophecy (and probably Mahrtiir). The Forestal possibility is interesting as it open up all sorts of lines of continuation: why would the forests need a Forestal after the Last Dark unless there's a Land and forests and threats to forests? The Final Chronicles, anyone?!

u.

I imagine Mahrtiir will act as a Forestal to lend whatever little strength he can in the Battle of Andelain.

[ussusimiel]

The bandage is indicative of blindness and thus prophecy (and probably Mahrtiir). The Forestal possibility is interesting as it open[s] up all sorts of lines of continuation: why would the forests need a Forestal after the Last Dark unless there's a Land and forests and threats to forests?

I imagine Mahrtiir will act as a Forestal to lend whatever little strength he can in the Battle of Andelain.

No doubt you jest when you say 'little strength'. A Forestal is as puissant as the number of trees in the forest he protects. Andelain + Salva Gildenbourne might be the greatest forest since the One Forest; even greater than Garroting Deep

u.

[Orlion]

The bandage is indicative of blindness and thus prophecy (and probably Mahrtiir). The Forestal possibility is interesting as it open[s] up all sorts of lines of continuation: why would the forests need a Forestal after the Last Dark unless there's a Land and forests and threats to forests?

I imagine Mahrtiir will act as a Forestal to lend whatever little strength he can in the Battle of Andelain.

No doubt you jest when you say 'little strength'. A Forestal is as puissant as the number of trees in the forest he protects. Andelain + Salva Gildenbourne might be the greatest forest since the One Forest; even greater than Garroting Deep

u.

They're mostly young, and Mahrtiir would be new to his Forestal powers. And we are talking about skurj that are essentially a hoard of fiery hydras and Sandgorgons, to whom distance has no meaning to such power. Hell, I don't know if even Caerriol Wildwood could fend off one Sandgorgon, let alone an army off them.

[ussusimiel]

No doubt you jest when you say 'little strength'. A Forestal is as puissant as the number of trees in the forest he protects. Andelain + Salva Gildenbourne might be the greatest forest since the One Forest; even greater than Garroting Deep

u.

They're mostly young, and Mahrtiir would be new to his Forestal powers. And we are talking about skurj that are essentially a hoard of fiery hydras and Sandgorgons, to whom distance has no meaning to such power. Hell, I don't know if even Caerriol Wildwood could fend off one Sandgorgon, let alone an army off them.

Granted, and yet Wildwood was more than a match for about 750,000 Foul warriors and an Illearth Stone fragment fuelled Giant Raver. It's one of the imponderables of the Chron; just how fundamentally incommensurable powers can be stacked up against one another (one of the reasons I have such a low tolerance for superhero movies ).

u.

[dlbpharmd]

It's definitely not Brinn, but in many ways it's definitely not Mahrtiir. Since when would a Ramen wear a white robe? I'm pretty sure that would make camouflage very difficult.

Who in current existence could turn Mahrtiir into a Forestal? Any Elohim could, but they're running for their lives. Brinn/Theomach/Guardian could, and maybe this will be his boon. Mahrtiir as a Forestal could impose the forbidding that was hinted at in AATE.

[Orlion]

It's definitely not Brinn, but in many ways it's definitely not Mahrtiir. Since when would a Ramen wear a white robe? I'm pretty sure that would make camouflage very difficult.

Who in current existence could turn Mahrtiir into a Forestal? Any Elohim could, but they're running for their lives. Brinn/Theomach/Guardian could, and maybe this will be his boon. Mahrtiir as a Forestal could impose the forbidding that was hinted at in AATE.

Or maybe Linden could. There are still those mysterious runes of Wildwood on the Staff of Law... perhaps their purpose is to create another Forestal?

As far as the forbidding, I imagine Jeremiah will be key for that.

[thewormoftheworld'send]

It's definitely not Brinn, but in many ways it's definitely not Mahrtiir. Since when would a Ramen wear a white robe? I'm pretty sure that would make camouflage very difficult.

Who in current existence could turn Mahrtiir into a Forestal? Any Elohim could, but they're running for their lives. Brinn/Theomach/Guardian could, and maybe this will be his boon. Mahrtiir as a Forestal could impose the forbidding that was hinted at in AATE.

Mahrtiir isn't a forestal in the picture, he's the new ak-haru. He sacrifices himself (Mahrtiir = martyr) defeating Brinn in combat and takes on the role as Guardian.

[dlbpharmd]

It's definitely not Brinn, but in many ways it's definitely not Mahrtiir. Since when would a Ramen wear a white robe? I'm pretty sure that would make camouflage very difficult.

Who in current existence could turn Mahrtiir into a Forestal? Any Elohim could, but they're running for their lives. Brinn/Theomach/Guardian could, and maybe this will be his boon. Mahrtiir as a Forestal could impose the forbidding that was hinted at in AATE.

Mahrtiir isn't a forestal in the picture, he's the new ak-haru. He sacrifices himself (Mahrtiir = martyr) defeating Brinn in combat and takes on the role as Guardian.

Have you seen the preview chapter?

[thewormoftheworld'send]

It's definitely not Brinn, but in many ways it's definitely not Mahrtiir. Since when would a Ramen wear a white robe? I'm pretty sure that would make camouflage very difficult.

Who in current existence could turn Mahrtiir into a Forestal? Any Elohim could, but they're running for their lives. Brinn/Theomach/Guardian could, and maybe this will be his boon. Mahrtiir as a Forestal could impose the forbidding that was hinted at in AATE.

Mahrtiir isn't a forestal in the picture, he's the new ak-haru. He sacrifices himself (Mahrtiir = martyr) defeating Brinn in combat and takes on the role as Guardian.

Have you seen the preview chapter?

Yes. But the information there doesn't say anything about Mahrtiir's future fate.

[Orlion]

It's definitely not Brinn, but in many ways it's definitely not Mahrtiir. Since when would a Ramen wear a white robe? I'm pretty sure that would make camouflage very difficult.

Who in current existence could turn Mahrtiir into a Forestal? Any Elohim could, but they're running for their lives. Brinn/Theomach/Guardian could, and maybe this will be his boon. Mahrtiir as a Forestal could impose the forbidding that was hinted at in AATE.

Mahrtiir isn't a forestal in the picture, he's the new ak-haru. He sacrifices himself (Mahrtiir = martyr) defeating Brinn in combat and takes on the role as Guardian.

Guardian of what?

“All things exist
organically. This you know, Unbeliever. As one swells, another dwindles. As the Worm of
death rises, the Tree of life declines.” A lift of his hand referred to the heavens. “After long ages
of slumber, the Worm now draws nigh unto the Land, seeking its final sustenance. In natural
consequence, the One Tree expires to its roots. Thus I am freed of my Guardianship.
“Alas, my powers diminish as the Tree fails. I am made less by the deaths of stars and
Elohim. And it was never my task to preserve the Worm’s sleep, except by protecting the One
Tree. I have no virtue to oppose the World’s End. Nor am I permitted to do so, regardless of the
leanings of my heart. That burden is yours, Unbeliever, as it is the Chosen’s as well, and also her
son’s. Together you must save or damn the Earth, as it was foretold in the time of the Old
Lords.”

Never mind he has more an appearance of a Forestal with the robe, garland of flowers, and blindness than he does that of a Guardian whose power wains with each passing moment.

Further, there will be plenty of opportunities for him to be a "martyr" that have nothing to do with assuming a pointless position.

[thewormoftheworld'send]

It's definitely not Brinn, but in many ways it's definitely not Mahrtiir. Since when would a Ramen wear a white robe? I'm pretty sure that would make camouflage very difficult.

Who in current existence could turn Mahrtiir into a Forestal? Any Elohim could, but they're running for their lives. Brinn/Theomach/Guardian could, and maybe this will be his boon. Mahrtiir as a Forestal could impose the forbidding that was hinted at in AATE.

Mahrtiir isn't a forestal in the picture, he's the new ak-haru. He sacrifices himself (Mahrtiir = martyr) defeating Brinn in combat and takes on the role as Guardian.

Guardian of what?

“All things exist
organically. This you know, Unbeliever. As one swells, another dwindles. As the Worm of
death rises, the Tree of life declines.” A lift of his hand referred to the heavens. “After long ages
of slumber, the Worm now draws nigh unto the Land, seeking its final sustenance. In natural
consequence, the One Tree expires to its roots. Thus I am freed of my Guardianship.
“Alas, my powers diminish as the Tree fails. I am made less by the deaths of stars and
Elohim. And it was never my task to preserve the Worm’s sleep, except by protecting the One
Tree. I have no virtue to oppose the World’s End. Nor am I permitted to do so, regardless of the
leanings of my heart. That burden is yours, Unbeliever, as it is the Chosen’s as well, and also her
son’s. Together you must save or damn the Earth, as it was foretold in the time of the Old
Lords.”

Never mind he has more an appearance of a Forestal with the robe, garland of flowers, and blindness than he does that of a Guardian whose power wains with each passing moment.

Further, there will be plenty of opportunities for him to be a "martyr" that have nothing to do with assuming a pointless position.

Guardian of the new One Tree.