Rafal Leaving And Vulcan Arriving Are The Two Destabilizing Conditions OfRise. (Also, I May Be Mistaken,

Rafal leaving and Vulcan arriving are the two destabilizing conditions of Rise. (Also, I may be mistaken, but don't these two events happen in close proximity to each other? Months might have narratively gone by, but I think the pages must have been close? Not sure.) I know this is obvious, but I feel like this particular quote applies well:

“All great literature is one of two stories; a man goes on a journey or a stranger comes to town.” ― Leo Tolstoy

And the prequel duology is both. Just food for thought. Many stories, literary or not, are both, and it's interesting to see where and when such divisions intersect.

During TLEA in the School Master's tower:

Sophie: Rafal?

Rafal: [appears perched on the window ledge] Yes?

Sophie: [points at the plate of food before her] Is this made of bone?

Rafal: [shrugs casually and tips backward out the window]

Sophie: [calling after him, leaning out the window as he takes off] That's not an answer!

It depends on what Soman wants to prioritize in Fall's ending? The shock factor or tragedy?

If it's shock, Fall could end with any manner of plot twists, identity swaps, other possibilities, etc. But shock may only last as long as it takes your brain to catch up; tragedy leaves a lasting impression, and will always make you consider what could have been.

I expect both shock and tragedy because they often go hand in hand, but I'd prefer tragedy, I guess?

If it's tragedy, think about it:

Why build up Rafal as the most widely sympathetic character in Rise, to not tear him down? And then, not make him the tragic villain? A tragic villain could be more tragic than an undeserved death. Partly, because he's orchestrated his own downfall by means of his own flaws. Becoming a villain and living as someone else or the worst version of yourself is arguably worse than just dying and being remembered for the way you once were. Because your self and memory are tarnished.

In becoming what he is in the main series canon, the main series villain, we get to see how far he's fallen. And, that is potentially far more tragic, seeing how far he's fallen and what he's become. This would also be a bonus to the readers of the main series because Rafal tends to elicit more of a reaction from us than Rhian. Because, we've only known Rhian for one book versus our longtime familiarity with Rafal?

Also, at this moment, Rhian has less motive/cause to become a villain than Rafal does. (Unless something happens to Rhian in Fall, and changes him.) I mean, who's the one who is always annoyed by and complains in his internal monologue about all the blithering idiots he's surrounded by? Rafal!

Fall Countdown Day 8: Rafal

Rafal, my favorite of all prequel characters! This is the day I've been waiting for! He's so handsome. Also, it was a good call to choose the same model for both brothers. I guess the coldness or the warmth of the make up can change how a person looks. Interesting.

Rafal has the same dark book, and his lighting is just as dark as Rhian's, so maybe that decision was more to maintain the cohesiveness of all the pictures in the countdown than to characterize individual characters. Also, I love the hints of green lighting! It's so TLEA-ish. Perfect.

There's also a bordering of entwined thorns and black leaves. (Feels like a callback to the dying Blue Forest in TLEA.) Fitting as well. And, his suit looks darker than Rhian's. Almost black in fact.

Also, throughout all these countdown days, I've been wondering if the stained-glass banner in the background or the geometric tapestry, usually seen behind the characters, represents a kingdom, or if it has any other significance. Is it a symbol?

I love that he has a dagger. I wonder if that'll be his murder weapon? It holds implications of killing someone both physically and figuratively close to him. (I might have predicted it in my fic, "Simony." Though, daggers are a common weapon, to be fair.) For a moment, I thought it was the Storian in his hand. Also, the handle looks gold. Could that imply any Midas involvement here? Could the dagger be used to draw blood for a magical ritual? The Storian drew blood when the brothers made their vows.

⸻

Background (I didn't cite specific sources. Most of these excerpts came from a Google search.):

"A dagger is a short killing weapon designed to stab only. It is double edged, tapered to a sharp point, with a straight edge and usually a blood line groove to facilitate removal."

"However, in the last hundred years or so, in most contexts, a dagger has certain definable characteristics, including a short blade with a sharply tapered point, a central spine or fuller, and usually two cutting edges sharpened the full length of the blade, or nearly so."

"A dagger is a fighting knife with a very sharp point and usually two sharp edges, typically designed or capable of being used as a thrusting or stabbing weapon. Daggers have been used throughout human history for close combat confrontations, and many cultures have used adorned daggers in ritual and ceremonial contexts."

"Most, such as spears, were intended to strike the enemy from a distance, but men also carried daggers for use in close combat. With blunt edges and sharp tips, daggers were exclusively stabbing weapons, often used to kill an enemy incapacitated by spears or arrows or, at times, in more stealthy acts of assassination."

"The dagger is a one-handed weapon that may also be wielded in the main hand and off hand. Daggers are known for their fast and aggressive attacks."

"The distinctive shape and historic usage of the dagger have made it iconic and symbolic. A dagger in the modern sense is a weapon designed for close-proximity combat or self-defense; due to its use in historic weapon assemblages, it has associations with assassination and murders. Double-edged knives, however, play different sorts of roles in different social contexts."

"Despite how fast the dagger is, it does less than average damage when used against enemies, due to its size."

"Despite its lower damage output, daggers are great weapons to use in one-on-one fights since you can get in multiple good hits in no time at all!"

Fall Bingo Part 2

Fall Countdown Day 6: Hook

Hook is the first character we’ve seen not seated on the throne, and I have no idea what that could mean. Maybe, other, worse villains will overpower or "dethrone" even him? Also, Hook looks distracted in this, but has drawn his sword, so I wonder if this picture could be reflective of an actual scene in Fall?

Also, the golden glow of his hand—did he retain and make off with the powers Rhian transferred to him? There could also be a lightning motif here.