Thoughts From Starter Story.
I completely forgot that the Solitaries were mentioned. I figured they were new in CoA, but I went back and found it here.
It seems like Vala figured it out quickly. But I was stunned to be reminded that it was mentioned so early on and Valenâs involvement with them.
Well, he wasnât outrightly mentioned. I figured, yet again, that he was just newly mentioned for CoAâbut I found a brief mention as âcrown princeâ in SS.
3. Merlinâs disappearance
I like continuity and having my facts straight. So, I found the first mentions of Merlinâs disappearance (other than Dolly). The exact number of yearsâ20.
4. Merlinâs personality as a mentor
It is unique to me to know so much about the protagonist we play as. In Tower of Memory, we know how playful, sweet, and cheeky Merlin was as a student. And then, how thoughtful, instructive, and kind as a teacher in the Lyceum (and as Merlin).
But here, we see this flip.
Merlin is stern as a mentorâa private teacherâto his apprentice, Mirael. I feel as though we and many others in AFKJâcough, cough CYRANâundermine the integrity and reverence Merlin has for magic.
Merlin has a strong moral and philosophical commitment to magic that we can see throughout the story. He treats it as something that demands discipline, responsibility, and respectânot merely as a tool or source of power. My point is that his serious, principled relationship with magic is sometimes overshadowed by peopleâs focus on his gentler, playful, or more approachable qualities.
Again, not outrightly mentioned.
Rowan was just mentioning it to describe his marriage. But why was that phrase highlighted? And isnât this phrase familiar?
We see this phrase again in Tower of Memory with Aurelian. Thatâs his personal catchphrase we all know him by. Obviously, based off Tower of Memory, Rowan knew Aurelian in the Starter Story way before we were introduced to him. Iâm just curious if they highlighted it for its importance to Rowan or hinting to Aurelian somehow.
6. Three Years Ago (before Merlinâs awakening)
Why does everything happen three years ago? Take a look at the Starter Story, then Crown of Ashes.
WHATâS UP WITH THE THREE YEARS, HUH? Is there some plot line with the Adamant Syndicate or the Hastings family here that we have yet to see or something? Just food for thought.
Hopefully Iâm not going overboard with any of these. But these were my thoughts as I went by.