#daglan

[chicalepidoptera]

Day 29 of @vampirefest 's vfkinktober2024: Incognito

[untillthedarknessclaimsus]

It would not harm Elain, even in its hunt to reclaim what had been taken .

It purred immediately after she killed the king.

It retreated the moment she found her father dead.

And you're telling me. That her mating bond is a mistake. If the cauldron decides them. Or the mother. I believe it's the mother. Feyre even says it gifted her powers. The cauldron gave her powers not the mating bond.

She's beloved.

Hofas spoilers below. Don't read if you're not caught up.

So the asteri corrupted the cauldron with their magic.

I believe Nesta took the asteri magic. That's why she can use the dread trove which they created. All the troves at once.

The Powers she gave up were the asteri magic that would have destroyed her. She still has partial asteri magic. That's why she can use the mask in hofas. Star born power perhaps. Maybe she became Star born.

Helion doesn't like the dread trove. I don't think Elain would have been able to yield them.

Elain must have awoken the goodness in the cauldron. That created life with the mother.

I believe her powers will have to deal with time too. Seeing the past, present, and future .

Adding onto my theory bryaxis winnowed Elain to the king.

Bryaxis was protecting Graysen after the king was killed. Protecting the mortals.

Why would she be doing that.

[silverflameataraxia]

People like to discredit Nesta reawakening the Dusk Court theories because we already got her book, but SJM has said that Nesta's story isn't over yet. HOFAS made that abundantly clear because not only did Nesta have a major role, but she was the most vital ACOTAR character in the crossover. She was in two bonus chapters, one of which focused exclusively on her. Az's most significance in the Ember bonus chapter was to glare at Nesta.

The chapter focused on Nesta and her negative emotional state; Nessian and how Cassian didn't stick up for Nesta or proect her, and was actually the most furious with her (which was in stark contrast to Quinlar in this very same book when Bryce made a risky move); and the IC's treatment of Nesta.

There's only one reason Nesta would be the main focus of a bonus chapter after her story has been told and that's because her story's not over yet and that bonus chapter is going to fuel her story arc in the next book. My theory is that Nesta will use the Harp to go back in time and gather all the missing information about the Daglan coming to Prythian, enslaving Prythian, and their ultimate downfall. And then when she gets back to her proper time period, she'll clear out the Prison and reawaken the Dusk Court.

Cassian will have to make the decision to either fight for Nesta or let her go. He needs to either choose her fully, and be fully devoted to her, stick up for her and protect her from Rhysand or he needs to let her reject the mating bond and go to Dusk without him.

I really think the next book will make it or break it for Nessian.

[thread-and-truth]

Unpopular Opinion: I’m not convinced that the Asteri, the Daglan, and the Valg are all the same.

I think both the characters in the books and readers put too much trust in what the Princes of Hel, Vesperus, and Silene tell us, and that there are too many conclusions built on assumptions and information from shady characters.

Is there overlap? Probably. But I'm not convinced that there will be a single species of "big bad" that has been behind every series.

And yes, I’ll gladly eat crow if I’m proven wrong.

[azrielaxtar]

Small Elucien rant

Elain & Lucien don’t make sense for the over all Maasverse plot. If Sarah continues on the Asteri/Dagland storyline then the starborn fae✨ lines will need to be at their strongest.

Azriel has powers that others don’t and Elain does too. What does Lucien have that’s extra? What can he add? What can Lucien possibly bring to the table to beat them?

Not to mention Azriel was already present when Bryce killed one not Lucien.

🌸🦇

[7thlevelofhel]

ASTERI TIMELINE

We were slaves to the Daglan. For five thousand years, our people—the High Fae—knelt before them. They were cruel, powerful, cunning. Any attempt at rebellion was quashed before forces could be rallied. Generations of my ancestors tried. All failed. -Silene Hologram, HOFAS Ch. 18

But when we compare Silene's claims and Rhysand's history book on the Daglan to the dates we are given in the Asteri Archives in HOSAB...things don't quite add up.

With the timeline we are given in the Dusk Room at the Asteri Archives, the Asteri were in Prythian at some point between 720 A.E. and 14000 A.E. - between Iphraxia and Rentharr.

This leaves a minimum of 3,000 years between Theia and Fionn overthrowing the Daglan and Theia going to Midgard.

Rhys tells us in ACOSF:

“Some strains of the mythology claim that one of the Fae heroes who rose up to overthrow them was Fionn, who was given the great sword Gwydion by the High Priestess Oleanna, who had dipped it into the Cauldron itself. Fionn and Gwydion overthrew the Daglan. A millennium of peace followed, and the lands were divided into rough territories that were the precursors to the courts—but at the end of those thousand years, they were at each other’s throats, on the brink of war.” 

“Fionn unified them and set himself above them as High King. The first and only High King this land has ever had.” 

We don't have a set date for how long Fionn ruled but nearly 2,000 years?

Silene claims "But my mother was still in her prime," when Fionn died. But given the timeline from the dusk room matched with what we know from Silene and Rhys she would have been ~3,100 years old when they went to Midgard.

In HOSAB, Rigelus says: "Our people, who built fearsome warriors in that world to be their army. All of them prototypes for the angels in this one. And all of them traitors to their creators, joining the Fae to overthrow my brothers and sisters a thousand years before we arrived on Midgard. They slew my siblings."

So after the Daglan were overthrown in Prythian, 1000 years passed and then the Asteri arrived in Midgard.

This poses a few possible implications:

1AE ≠ 1VE : So how long is an AE? I think 1AE could = 33VE, as this is the date we are given at the beginning of every CC novel as the year the 4 Houses of Midgard were established.

There are multiple groups of Asteri. It appears Rigelus was not in Prythian, as he says that the fae overthrew his "brothers and sisters" not him and he uses "our people" when speaking about the Daglan on Prythian but "we" when referring to the Asteri on Midgard.

Has this timeline sparked any thoughts or theories for you?

[offtorivendell]

The Cauldron and its far reaching threads; who is susceptible to the puppet master, and how might it work?

Disclaimer: this is a massive crack theory that I have held off posting since June 2022, but fuck it I guess, let's go! This is not a shipping post.

As usual, I am absolutely NOT suggesting that anyone who is influenced by the Cauldron is inherently evil in any way. This is just a crack theory. If you can't interact respectfully, then please keep scrolling.

Spoilers: ACOTAR series to date, and massive character spoilers for River Song and the Ponds from Doctor Who (if you care about that) in part 2.

Part 1 - Cauldron Made Beings

This first section will be stating some of the obvious, as we know, per Amren in ACOSF, that Cauldron-Made beings are able to be influenced by the Cauldron, though the “how” is not yet clear. @wingedblooms has theorised extensively about the living bond that Elain Archeron may share with the Mother's crockpot, and I suspect that this bond may also tie (terrible pun, sorry) into how the Cauldron can exert control: by pulling the “bond” threads that connect it to its former inhabitants.

Cassian’s breath caught in his throat. “It was a fluke, Amren. Nesta didn’t make it on purpose.” Amren shook her head, hair swaying. “Nothing is a fluke. The Cauldron’s power flows through Nesta, and could use her as a puppet without her knowledge. It wanted those weapons Made, and thus they were Made. It wanted Rhysand to have them and thus the blacksmith brought them to you. - ACOSF, chapter 42

Finding the link would be basically impossible at this point, but I've previously mentioned that I wonder if the Cauldron's dark maker could be Koschei, or another death god/Daglan. To briefly rehash my thoughts: if there is a dark maker, it stands to reason there be a light maker, too… is it the Mother? Could Koschei be the dark mother that the Naga referred to in ACOTAR, as the terms “mother” and “maker” could demonstrate in-universe evolution of the same word? I've also previously theorised that Koschei may have been controlling the Cauldron through the King of Hybern/vice versa, and that is how the Elucien bond came to be, but this is not a shipping post, sorry!

As a quick aside, the above passage also makes me wonder if the Cauldron, or one of its hypothetical makers, wanted the Archeron sisters Made - it's something I've meant to post about, but I think Koschei has had a hand in things since Papa Archeron’s ship was lost at sea, at the very least. They are each a weapon in their own right, as Amren went on to state their powers match Rhys’ own. I know @nikethestatue has had similar thoughts. But I digress.

Look at the use of “bird in a cage” in the following passage, used to describe Nesta, which parallels nicely with Thesan’s use of decorative birds in cages as spies to listen in (thank you so much to @ladynightcourt3 for the first quote).

The amusement only grew, and Helion pushed a finger against his lips in mock warning. “Careful, High Lady. Even the birds report to Thesan here.” I frowned at the birds in cages throughout the room, still silent in Azriel’s shadowy presence. I threw shields around them, Rhys said down the bond. - ACOWAR, chapter 47

“Like calls to like,” Amren countered. “You were Made by the Cauldron. You may track other objects Made by it as well, as Briallyn can. And because you are Made by it, you are immune to the influence and power of the Trove. You might use them, yes, but they cannot be used upon you.” A glance to Elain. “Either of you.” Nesta swallowed. “I can’t.” But to let Elain involve herself, jeopardize her safety— Amren said, “You tracked the Cauldron—” “It nearly killed me. It trapped me like a bird in a cage.” Elain said, “Then I will find it. I might require some time to … reacquaint myself with my powers, but I could start today.” “Absolutely not,” Nesta spat, fingers curling at her sides. “Absolutely not.” - ACOSF, chapter 21

I think Nesta briefly (I hope, though who knows) became a puppet/shell for the Cauldron's puppet master - perhaps a death god such as Koschei, if @fawnandshadows is correct that he bastardised the Cauldron in some way, millennia ago (I think she's onto something) - and that's who we were seeing when she locked herself into her mind while scrying in ACOSF.

“Get her out, Rhys,” Cassian demanded. “Get her out now.” “I can’t,” he said softly, his power a cloak of stars and night around him. “I— The doors to her mind were open the other night. They’re shut now.” “She doesn’t want it seeing her. Or us,” Feyre said, her face tight. “She’s locked it out, but also locked herself in.” Cassian’s stomach twisted. “Nesta,” he said into her ear. “Nesta, open your hand and come back.” Her breathing sharpened. The cold deepened. “Nesta,” he snarled— And the cold halted. It didn’t vanish, but rather … stopped. Nesta’s eyes flicked open. Silver fire burned within. Nothing Fae looked out through them. Rhys shoved Feyre behind him. She shoved her way back to his side. But Nesta’s hand continued to squeeze Cassian’s. He squeezed back, let his Siphons send a bite of power into her skin. She turned her head so slowly it was like watching a puppet move. Her eyes met his. Death watched him. - ACOSF, chapter 31

I think a similar situation - though more high stakes/urgent - could come to play in Elain's book.

Elain is a Seer with mystical powers that are potentially tied to the Void.

She may try to See through mist and shadow, and accidentally make herself known to Koschei or another death god/Daglan?

In ACOSF, Nesta warned her to “stay away from the Cauldron,” and even Azriel suggested there was a darkness to the Dread Trove that “Elain should not be exposed to.” This, of course, makes many of us think that Elain will go after the Cauldron in her own book.

Could Elain mistakenly Look too far and open herself up to the Cauldron's living bond? That being said, it could simultaneously be using at least Jurian and Amren as well, and we have no idea if Made Fae who haven't been inside the Cauldron, such as Feyre and Miryam, are equally susceptible.

Part 2 - Not Made, yet possibly susceptible

I have been wondering for a while if the Cauldron can somehow form bonds, or weave threads, between itself and anyone exposed to it - or a part of it, when it was separated and hidden in different locations - for extended periods of time, or perhaps crucial ages, like somebody's formative years?

His mouth tightened, and he swallowed once before he said, “Hybern was looking for the Cauldron back then—for the pieces of its feet. One was hidden at the temple in Sangravah, its power used to fuel its priestesses’ gifts for millennia. - ACOSF, chapter 14

What if Gwyn - or anyone else - who grew up in Sangravah, a temple that housed one leg of the Cauldron, internalised some of the magic (sort of along the lines of River Song having regenerative abilities because Amy Pond fell/was pregnant while travelling on the TARDIS, and everything that happened after she was born - being taken away)?

All the High Priestesses wore the billowing, artfully twisted and layered robes—though they certainly were far from matronly. Ianthe’s slim waist was on display with a fine belt of sky-blue, limpid stones, each perfectly oval and held in shining silver. And atop her hood sat a matching circlet—a delicate band of silver, with a large stone at its center. A panel of cloth had been folded up beneath the circlet, a built-in swath meant to be pulled over the brow and eyes when she needed to pray, beseech the Cauldron and Mother, or just think. Ianthe had shown me once what the panel looked like when down: only her nose and full, sensuous mouth visible. The Voice of the Cauldron. I’d found the image unsettling—that merely covering the upper part of her face had somehow turned the bright, cunning female into an effigy, into something Other. - ACOMAF, chapter 2

@wingedblooms has suggested that priestesses could be influenced in general because they worship the triple goddess/divine trio, which follows along with what Feyre hinted at when thinking about Ianthe, all the way back in ACOMAF; that they opened themselves up to the divine during their services (in a similar way to how I imagine Elain's Sight may function). That being said, it's hard to say whether the priestesses at Cesere, Sangravah and Itica are more susceptible than their colleagues from other temples due to their prolonged proximity to the Cauldron’s feet, but I suspect it might be the case.

Could they have a deeper connection, or a bond of sorts?

One that remains even when they aren't communing with the Mother or the Cauldron?

One that may be accessed by the Cauldron or its Maker, for such nefarious purposes as letting in enemies to a library sanctuary?

Gwyn is likely already a lightsinger - please see @silverlinedeyes and @merymoonbeam for some brilliant posts that cover the basics of the theory and then some here, here, here, here and here - but if not, or maybe in addition to that, what if she was "Made-adjacent," and so also able to be used as a "puppet" by the Cauldron/the being controlling it, and thus any threads it may share with others? If accurate, this would work for anyone who was born, grew up, and/or lived for a long time in Sangravah, Cesere or Itica. To clarify, I don't think that these priestesses could call to or search for the the Cauldron, as they are likely not true “kin” - as, say, the Archeron sisters are to other Made items - but I could always be wrong about that. Or is this what lightsingers truly are?

Alternatively, what if every Singer (shadowsinger*, lightsinger, or any other type) was capable of the silent song, or had Made/Starborn powers in a way, and/or could be used as a "puppet" by the Cauldron or its master/maker? It would explain how Azriel's shadows could be used by someone else, maybe Koschei, thanks to the hypothetical living bond between the Cauldron and Made beings? So Nesta, Azriel (whose shadows are potentially Made, if not himself), Elain, Feyre, Amren, Miryam, Jurian, Gwyn and a whole lot of priestesses besides...

Too crazy? Probably, but that's why theorising is fun!

TOG SPOILERS BELOW

* Another theory I know I share with others, but at least @ladynightcourt3 and @psychologynerd, is that Azriel's shadows could be Valg. What if Valg have a living bond back to their respectful Valg King? If @fawnandshadows is correct that Koschei/death gods twisted the Cauldron, could this be how? Valg magic?

[oh-my-wolfstar]

**ACOTAR & Throne of Glass series spoilers & crescent city spoilers?***

Ok, i’m reading kingdom of Ash and I’m at the part where Aelin is forging the word gate and did Aelin just put the DAGLAN IN PRYTHIAN?!?! This probably is not a new theory, but holy shit it’s breaking my brain so hear me out.

The powers of the gods sound like the powers of the high lords/their ancient predecessors in acotar

The power that Mala gives Aelin is described the same way as a seed of the High lords power

Long ago creatures called the Daglan ruled over Prythian, though they were not of that world

Aelin opens a portal to the hell realm(the Valg relm?) that she discovered in crown of of midnight into the gods world

there are Valg like creatures in Pythian, the Weaver, Lanthys, and the Suriel all have black blood

The Suriel and the creature that Aelin meets in the hell realm in crown of midnight have extremely similar descriptions, and the creature is described as having uncanny intelligence

Maeve had Damati like powers and is a Valg queen

Reese has Daimati powers and the Night Court is closely tied to the Daglan, their hounds ( Wyrd Hounds?) are the same as those in the Hewn city

Diana is described as having silver flames, the same as Nesta

Nesta describes a female voice speaking to her in Silver flames, the same as the gods in ToG

Did Aelin just sent the daglan (and the Valg) into Prythian?!?!