#quil's queries

[bookwyrminspiration]

hi there! working on something and i was wondering — do you by any chance have access to a list of all of kotlc’s unresolved plotlines? if not dw 🫶🫶 there are a lot lol

Hi! I'm not sure a list like that has been compiled before (and there's room for disagreement/interpretation) but I can try my hand at getting us started.

For the purpose of this list I'm thinking of them as yet unanswered questions. I'm not approaching this as unresolved plotlines as in the type of plot hole, since as I touched on here, the story isn't done so we can't truly have any. Anyway, they're listed in no particular order:

Elysian: What is it? Who is it?

Stellarlune: What is Lady Gisela's vision (and how does conjuring relate to it)? What exactly are Keefe's new powers? How is step 3 completed? What is Criterion?

Related, the Wrights: What, specifically, did Ethan study astrophysically? What did Gisela want from him? Where is Eleanor now?

Why/how did Prentice know to call swan song?

Secret identities: Mr. Forkle's, Blur's, Wraith's. Ruy, Umber, Trix.

Who/what are the Black Swan's Proxies?

What happened to Caprise Redek?

Pyrokinesis: Will the ban be lifted?

Talentless: Will their status be made equal?

What happened to Ro? This is connected to questions about Cadfael and the ogres' hierarchy/society, which Forkle thought were being targeted

Who is Sophie's biological father?

Does Sophie have any more abilities?

Trolls: How deep is their connection to Lady Gisela? Will they make another treaty? Will/how will they call on Sophie? What did Luzia do she regretted (might just be the troll experiments, might be more)?

Ruy: How is he after Tam's shadowflux attack? Why was he sent to Exillium?

What was Umber's backstory? What was Trix's?

What will become of Rayni? Will she join the crew? Fuck off?

Why is Tinker afraid of goblins and heat?

What is Livvy's ability?

What is Brant's last name?

How were Vika and Timkin officially matched? How did Timkin return to Foxfire?

Will the Song family reconcile?

Alden: Why was he denied a spyball? What memories/projects did he lose during his break? What other "unsanctioned investigations" has he conducted? What did Della inform on Alden to the council about?

This list is by no means exhaustive, so anyone is more than welcome to add onto it. I think I hit most of the big things though? At least I tried to.

Hope that helps!

[bookwyrminspiration]

oh captive prince?? what are your thoughts on it, because i’m hesitant to read it because the reviews are pretty polar from what i’ve seen

I think you'll have to check back in once I've finished the series. I've finished book 1, and it's very much set-up for the rest of the trilogy. Establishing important people, important relationships and conflicts, etc.

So at this point it could go either way. I'll have to see how it plays out. Book 1 itself was fine, but you can just tell it's primary purpose is to lead into something more; evaluating it now feels disingenuous, like i'm missing a huge part of the picture

i shall keep you all updated and give thorough thoughts :)

[bookwyrminspiration]

mayhaps can you post this toddler toy pic for the insta-less people?

tumblr let me post this tumblr let me post this tumblr let me post this tumblr let me post this tumblr let me post this tumblr let me post this tumblr let me post this tumblr let me post this tumblr let me post this tumblr let me post this tumblr let me post this tumblr let me post this tumblr let me post this tumblr let me post this

[bookwyrminspiration]

wait, does Shannon refer to them as males and females? I hadn't noticed.

She didn't used to, but around book 5-6 that changed. Here's the first examples that come to mind, though this, of course, isn't exhaustive

page 35 of Nightfall, when we first meet Livvy:

Page 689 of Nightfall when we meet Vespera:

Page 31 of Flashback, when we meet Fallon:

Page 34 of Flashback, when we meet Luzia:

Page 130 of Flashback, in reference to Grizel, and my personal most-hated:

Compare all this to how Shannon wrote character introductions in book one.

Here's page 50 of book 1, when we meet Alden:

Here's page 57, where we meet Bronte, Kenric, and Oralie:

Here's 79, Quinlin's introduction:

Page 90, Tiergan's intro:

And page 96, Della's first appearance:

I know most of the male/female examples are female, and most of the book 1 intros are men, but that's just unfortunate data collection on my part. Shannon's not introducing men and women differently, as you can see with Fallon and Della's examples.

I think it's gotten a little better recently? In Unraveled people are referred to as women and men/guys. Though that could be because they're human, so I guess we'll have to see how it goes in book 10.

But anyway. This shift from men/women to male/female as the series progress has always personally bothered me. It's so blatantly just following the trend of popular fantasy books and does not work at all in the world Shannon's established--the only time it's ever relevant is when in Legacy in Keefe's memory Gisela tells her to take the letter and Fitz points out she said to a "man" instead of "elf"--which is something we had no precedent for. There's never been a distinction in language until that moment.

It's just all around really bad and icky and dehumanizing and I hate it. I'd like to return to the og "figure" and "elf" descriptions Shannon used to use. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk

[bookwyrminspiration]

if i may ask, who the fuck is fitz vacker?

This is a delightful ask to receive as someone known for being vocally unwell about and obsessed with Fitz

For those new/following for other things, a fair chunk of my blog is dedicated to the Keeper of the Lost Cities series by Shannon Messenger, a middle grade sparkly elf dystopia series that crawled into my head when I was 12 and still holds me hostage. I've literally been called a walking kotlc encyclopedia on multiple occasions

One of the main characters is Fitzroy Avery Vacker (official art linked), a teenage telepath from the secret elven world's most prominent (but not royal, that's not a thing) family. He's known for having teal eyes and the MCs undying ardor, which she conceals not at all.

He's the golden boy--top of his class, incredibly rare ability (the telepathy), charming, handsome, prestigious family, the works. But! He's also been sent on illegal missions to the human world by his father since childhood, looking for the MC.

Throughout the series he's drawn further into rebellion, following the MC as she uncovers the dirt under the shine of their "utopia." But even amongst friends, that Wonderboy status continues, creating this tension between the prestige he's been showered and burdened with his whole life and its slow unraveling. What worth does being golden have if the whole system's rigged? But how can he let go of all he's ever been?

And how the hell do you process that? He's got an incredibly strong sense of justice, values trust above all else--and his world and the people close to him are breaking it. How can he do anything but lash out, desperate to recenter himself?

To the point the Golden Boy, who bakes for his friends and has a sparkly red stuffed dragon he can't sleep without, nearly kills his traitorous brother with a knife to the throat. To the point when his traitorous brother is trapped behind glass, suffocating liquid pouring in from Fitz's frantic smashing at the control panel, Fitz deliberately steps away. Because he knows one of the buttons probably opens a drain, and he's choosing to let him die by his doing. Even though it wasn't on purpose. even though elves cannot abide violence, and risk shattering their sanity even witnessing it

GOD I love him. he's everything everyone else wants to be, he's deeply jealous and constantly fighting it, he's sweet and thoughtful, he's full of a rage so profound he can't think straight, he's putting his life on the line to better the world, he can't quite let go of what he thought it was, he's everything 2 me.

[bookwyrminspiration]

do you ever think about how pissed alvar was that fitz stopped pressing buttons

I haven't yet, but do you ever think about what, exactly, Alvar was yelling while he pounded on the glass? Because Fitz didn't specify

Was he furious at being imprisoned, enraged they stood by and watched? Was it because he was trapped or was it because it was them, his baby siblings, who had done it? Was it because it was just another example of the young being "better" than the old, or was it because deep down part of him wanted them to join him, to follow him, for there to still be something there, and this was a betrayal to that secret wish

Or was he desperate? Was he pleading, beseeching, imploring? Scared and screaming as the goop poured in hot and thick, yelling to be let out, to be saved. Did part of him, deep down, still believe that they would? That the family he'd scorned and disowned still meant something? That though he'd set the bridge on fire with his own hands, his baby siblings would reach out theirs?

What was he yelling, Shannon?

[bookwyrminspiration]

hey since s isn’t doing a keepblr wrapped this year (2024) do you mind taking over since you seem to be the person that understands the chaos of this fandom best

Ran this by S and have received the green light to go ahead! I will do my best and am honored to be bestowed this task--though it may take me a little bit to compile things since I haven't done it before

and if anyone has suggestions on things to include, please do share :)

[bookwyrminspiration]

Does Keefe smoke weed?

I don't think he smokes on account of unpleasant associations with fire (plus lung health), BUT! He has set a precedent of irresponsible behavior regarding drugs (fathomlethes, sedatives, etc.)

so what i'm saying is he downs edibles like fruit snacks

[bookwyrminspiration]

i deeply appreciate the summary you did of the q&a with shannon and because i am me i got to the part where shannon talks about names and my brain went "oooh transgenderism" so now i am looking at new names for the blorbos that have the same meaning but a new gender

I am at your service, my liege. You can never go wrong transgenderizing the blorbos <3

i have a proposal for transfemme fitz

[bookwyrminspiration]

your krocs post inspired the cursed idea of kunglasses (keefe sunglasses). anyway uh. dumping this idea at your feet and hoping you draw it i guess

wake up babe new keeper merch idea just dropped

[bookwyrminspiration]

Hello,

I hope you and your family are well and in good health😃.

I am writing to kindly ask for your support in reblogging my pinned post on my page❤🙏.

It details my struggle and the hardships we face in Gaza😥, especially the dire conditions we are enduring in the hospital where I work as a doctor😣💔.

Your assistance in spreading this message is crucial to raise awareness and garner support for our cause✌💚.

I sincerely appreciate your help and look forward to your continued support🥺❤🙏.

Thank you very much.

Dr.mohammed aldeeb from gaza

Of course--I wish the same for you and your family.

This fundraiser has been vetted by multiple people, linked on the pinned post here, which also has more details about their situation.

Additionally, here's a direct link to their campaign:

As of July 11th, they are at €23,338 / €30,000 !!! These funds will go towards evacuating and reestablishing themselves in Egypt.

Donate if you can, and share if you can't

[bookwyrminspiration]

RUTHLESSNESS IS MERCY UPON OURSELVES

well that came back to bite him in the ass now didn't it

[bookwyrminspiration]

one thing i didn’t get in oathbound is if bree’s bloodmarked was controlled by sel all this time or it was just that last chapter?

The way I understood, when Sel succumbed to his blood, he gained access to Bree's power. Which he'd inherited from his father via bloodmarks being inherited. So since the cliffhanger of Bloodmarked, though he doesn't start to draw on it until early in Oathbound when he can think again.

I think he always had access to it, but since he was repressing and fighting his demonic side so much, he never realized. But once he was tipped over the edge and stopped resisting, he became aware of it--that's what I mean by "gained access."

It was the last chapter when they were both in the same room at the same time that they realized they were connected, but looking back Sel'd been drawing on her throughout Oathbound--whenever the bloodmark activated and the scent was "charred," that's Sel. When it's myrrh, oud, and incense, that's the king. Bree mistakenly thought the first was from when the king was disguised as Erebus and the second was when he was out of disguise.

Does that help clear it up? If not, please do let me know !

[bookwyrminspiration]

After everything you’ve done, how will you sleep at night?

what it felt like listening to 600 strike:

[bookwyrminspiration]

Dear/Dear

After Greetings,

I hope you are well and in the best condition. I am Ahmed, and I am writing to you today regarding a topic that is very important to me and my family. We are currently facing difficult circumstances that need the support of the community and good people like you.

I have written my story detailing my family's current situation and our urgent need for financial assistance. I would kindly ask you to help us spread this story as widely as possible. Reposting my story will go a long way in raising the funds we need to support my family during this difficult time.

I know your time is valuable, but your help in this matter will make a huge difference to us. If you can post the story on your social media platforms or share it with your friends and acquaintances, I would be very grateful.

Thank you for your interest and time. Your support gives us hope and strength to face these challenges.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/i-want-to-evacuate-my-family-from-the-gaza-strip?utm_medium=social&utm_source=whatsapp&utm_campaign=p_nacp+share-sheet

With sincere regards and appreciation,

[Ahmed]

---

I hope the same for your family tenfold.

This has been verified by el-shab-hussein and is #161 on this spreadsheet. Here is a direct link to their campaign:

As of July 13th, they've raised €10,279 / €100,000, which will be used to evacuate their family of ten to Egypt and reestablish themselves.

Donate if you can, and share if you can't

[bookwyrminspiration]

i feel like fitz would be good at guitar and keefe would be an annoying ukulele player. note . not all ukulele players are annoying but keefe would be one

keefe takes up ukelele specifically because it is easily portable and therefore so is his disruption and annoyance. his goal is not to sound good but to incite agony everywhere he can. every scene he has a ukelele strapped to his back shannon just never mentioned it

i like to think Fitz took up guitar first, and is quite good at it. And Keefe, in his whole "you're perfect and i'm a mess" thing, then took up ukelele to be funny and preemptively ward off any serious comparison. not that anyone would've, but Keefe's perception of him and Fitz is quite skewed