A Practical Guide to Evil III: A Series of Unfortunate Peace Treaties

[MammonAzrael]

Specifically, it's reasonable confirmation about which enemy's action it is. I wonder how/if Cat will figure it out, since no one saw the foreshadowing that we did.

I rather enjoyed the detective work of this chapter. And both claimant's approaches to solving the dwarves.

[The Glyphstone]

And unless EE stalls on us, Friday will be Cat vs. Hakram 2: Warlord Bugaloo, the fightconversation we have all been waiting for! (thanks to Masego)

[halfeye]

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It is possible for a name to be shared, so why not a joint Warden of the West?

[Forum Explorer]

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It is possible for a name to be shared, so why not a joint Warden of the West?

Maybe that was a possibility, but this chapter explains why that won't work here. Both Hanno and Cordelia are going all in. One can't succeed without the other losing.

[lord_khaine]

Specifically, it's reasonable confirmation about which enemy's action it is. I wonder how/if Cat will figure it out, since no one saw the foreshadowing that we did.

I remain sceptical this is foreshading this specific mess. And not the mess at the tower.
All the same, who is responsible for this is a nobrainer. We have 2 proto-named manipulated.
Its not the dead king doing this.

Maybe that was a possibility, but this chapter explains why that won't work here. Both Hanno and Cordelia are going all in. One can't succeed without the other losing.

Honestly a brilliant, if nasty piece of work were done here.

[Rydiro]

I remain sceptical this is foreshading this specific mess. And not the mess at the tower.

Bard was setting Hanno and Cordelia on collision course via Red Axe. The foreshadowing was them disagreeing and maybe Hanno losing fingers at the Arsenal. I don't think it extends to the conflict now. I guess EE had the eventual confrontation about Warden of the West planned out at the time.

[lord_khaine]

I find it possible the Author had planned stuff that far out. Though im not convinced its the case.
And i do think people are grasping if they think Hanno losing fingers were relevant enough to be forshadowed.

[Dragonus45]

I find it possible the Author had planned stuff that far out. Though im not convinced its the case.
And i do think people are grasping if they think Hanno losing fingers were relevant enough to be forshadowed.

Some of the epigraphs from the earliest books have been referencing things so far out I have to give some benefit of the doubt to EE for planning ahead here. Even if the pacing in the final product is so rough.

[halfeye]

Maybe that was a possibility, but this chapter explains why that won't work here. Both Hanno and Cordelia are going all in. One can't succeed without the other losing.

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Either losing knocks that one of them out, which is bad, but a compromise where they both half-win may be the best Cat can make of what looks like being an awkward mess.

[lord_khaine]

Some of the epigraphs from the earliest books have been referencing things so far out I have to give some benefit of the doubt to EE for planning ahead here. Even if the pacing in the final product is so rough.

Any that were direct and undeniable references? As i recall the majority of those were pretty vague.
And looked like the sort of things that could be fitted in if you directly wanted to find references.

As for the current situation. It does look like a titanic mess.
I am honestly curious about how Cat is going to defuse it.
Since both Hanno and Cordelia is rather vital for the war.

[Rynjin]

I'm of the belief that the idea that "Cat needs to fix this" is going to be proven to be a mistake, in-setting and out.

The Warden of the West is her equal and opposite. Her having a hand in creating the role weakens it, or perhaps even makes it untenable; possibly resulting in the collapse of both their roles.

I suspect any move she makes to "solve" the issue (particularly since it seems to be implied she's ignoring a very important piece of info because it doesn't fit her narrative) is only going to make things worse.

[Tvtyrant]

Personally I think Cat is narratively forbidden from interfering in Western politics, and she is going to have to learn it the hard way. The League and Dominion both turned to her for guidance already, they need to go to the Warden of the West.

[Mith]

Personally I think Cat is narratively forbidden from interfering in Western politics, and she is going to have to learn it the hard way. The League and Dominion both turned to her for guidance already, they need to go to the Warden of the West.

Keep in mind that Hakram is coming as of the next evening. Considering that they are due a talk, and Hakram has direct experience of 'what to do with a former claimant' in a way that Cat doesn't, I don't think it immediately goes to 'Cat will learn the hard way....AGAIN!'

[Tvtyrant]

Keep in mind that Hakram is coming as of the next evening. Considering that they are due a talk, and Hakram has direct experience of 'what to do with a former claimant' in a way that Cat doesn't, I don't think it immediately goes to 'Cat will learn the hard way....AGAIN!'

Agreed. I also think the way the League envoy and Dwarf envoy showed up to talk to Cat and draw her into the competition is informative. She was ready to be hands off and was convinced to be involved, which is itself a bit of a pivot.

[Forum Explorer]

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Either losing knocks that one of them out, which is bad, but a compromise where they both half-win may be the best Cat can make of what looks like being an awkward mess.

Can you think of a compromise where they both half win?

[PoeticallyPsyco]

Can you think of a compromise where they both half win?

If they talk to the Herald together, one presenting an emotional appeal and the other a logical deal. It's a weak victory for each philosophy (assuming he is actually convinced), but also not an outright loss for either unless the Herald calls out one of them as the one that convinced him (either to agree or to refuse).

[Tvtyrant]

If they talk to the Herald together, one presenting an emotional appeal and the other a logical deal. It's a weak victory for each philosophy (assuming he is actually convinced), but also not an outright loss for either unless the Herald calls out one of them as the one that convinced him (either to agree or to refuse).

Alternatively she can either get the Herald to say no to both so neither is broken, or get him to say yes before either of them talk to him.

[Mith]

Alternatively she can either get the Herald to say no to both so neither is broken, or get him to say yes before either of them talk to him.

I could see this if she meets with him specifically as the 'keeper of black laws' as the Warden of the East. Playing the 'worst nightmare' before the meeting in a way comparable to the meeting with Mercantis. THat way she 'sticks to her lane' in not interfering directly with the Warden of the West, but instead forcing the claimants into a room to sort out their differences with perhaps some planning before hand but a alot of inspired work in the moment as well. In this case, it won't be pre arranged signaling that would coordinate Hanno and Cordelia, but the shared Role driving them.

[Tvtyrant]

I could see this if she meets with him specifically as the 'keeper of black laws' as the Warden of the East. Playing the 'worst nightmare' before the meeting in a way comparable to the meeting with Mercantis. THat way she 'sticks to her lane' in not interfering directly with the Warden of the West, but instead forcing the claimants into a room to sort out their differences with perhaps some planning before hand but a alot of inspired work in the moment as well. In this case, it won't be pre arranged signaling that would coordinate Hanno and Cordelia, but the shared Role driving them.

Uses an evil solution that both of them are opposed to so binds them together.

[Mith]

Uses an evil solution that both of them are opposed to so binds them together.

To be clear I am picturing more of the Warden of the East making the negative appeal to the Herald that counteracts Hanno's positive appeal of emotion and Cordelia focusing on a beneficial agreement. Because Cat is pure Callowan spite in her blood, breath, and bones.

[Tvtyrant]

To be clear I am picturing more of the Warden of the East making the negative appeal to the Herald that counteracts Hanno's positive appeal of emotion and Cordelia focusing on a beneficial agreement. Because Cat is pure Callowan spite in her blood, breath, and bones.

"The Tower will have some goblins mix powders underground and get the Gomes involved so help me!"

Or more likely bind Calernia to Arcadia permanently and leave the wasteland behind.

[Forum Explorer]

"The Tower will have some goblins mix powders underground and get the Gomes involved so help me!"

Or more likely bind Calernia to Arcadia permanently and leave the wasteland behind.

I was more thinking along the lines of

'Since support for the campaign against the Dead King is so lacking, we will instead evacuate to Callow, and prepare to leave the continent altogether. As our allies we figured you deserved a warning that the Dead King would now be able to bypass your encirclement.'

[Tvtyrant]

I was more thinking along the lines of

'Since support for the campaign against the Dead King is so lacking, we will instead evacuate to Callow, and prepare to leave the continent altogether. As our allies we figured you deserved a warning that the Dead King would now be able to bypass your encirclement.'

Yeah that seems legit. If you knife us we get to knife you back. Plus by the time the evil rules come back I imagine the lands will firmly be story entrenched as KotD lands, so the dwarves can't take them.


Edit: alternatively Akua makes a new hellgun and they just open permanent uncontrolled rifts all over KotD's lands so he is swarmed by devils. There aren't any rules to stop her open right now.

[PoeticallyPsyco]

Edit: alternatively Akua makes a new hellgun and they just open permanent uncontrolled rifts all over KotD's lands so he is swarmed by devils. There aren't any rules to stop her open right now.

That sounds like an exceptionally bad strategy against a man who made his name by conquering a hell. Sure, it would take him some time, but his victory would be all but guaranteed even if he doesn't take Cat's approach and convert as many Praesi diabolists as he can get his skeletal hands on.

[Tvtyrant]

That sounds like an exceptionally bad strategy against a man who made his name by conquering a hell. Sure, it would take him some time, but his victory would be all but guaranteed even if he doesn't take Cat's approach and convert as many Praesi diabolists as he can get his skeletal hands on.

Right, which is why she would be threatening the dwarves with it.

New chapter and side chapter up!

[PoeticallyPsyco]

Right, which is why she would be threatening the dwarves with it.

New chapter and side chapter up!

Ah, that's fair.

[lord_khaine]

Well. Nice to have the adult back in the room.
I did like Hakram's end comment. Perhaps he will also be able to untangle the mess between the two Warden claimants.
And i do find it a little funny. That so far one of the most emotionally stable people in the story has been an orc xD

[halfeye]

Is the story on hiatus until April 2022?

I could be misreading, but that's what I took away.

[Thomas Cardew]

Is the story on hiatus until April 2022?

I could be misreading, but that's what I took away.

From what? There's no announcement saying that... Are you possibly misreading the placeholder post for the 'extra chapters' that are patreon exclusive until the end of the book? As of April 2021 (I think, don't remember precisely when it changed), the extra chapters showing backstory for alternative characters are reserved only for paying supporters but the regular story updates normally.

[Mith]

Is the story on hiatus until April 2022?

I could be misreading, but that's what I took away.

Not sure where you have read that. I haven't seen anything that mentioned that, but I could have missed something.