I am just a poor, wandering archival spirit, but now that I've found this place, I think I might take up residence for a while. It seems to be a great place to meet wise and ancient beings, such as the great Tisdale that I've heard of. Having had only been able to view the Astlan and Abyssal planes through the words of the great prophet T-A-G, I am forced to speculate on the unknowns and hopefully discuss them with those that have more direct knowledge. Speaking of the prophet, what god is he a prophet of? Obviously, he must be a prophet to know so much, if not an actual god himself, or at least an Avatar.

Now, some of my ideas might seem fanciful, but please forgive that. Being an archivist spirit, I have seen many worlds, and many planes, and I sometimes confuse one for another.

This may span a few topics, and I’m open to discussion of any sort. I really am interested in this universe and the denizens wherein.

First of all, I have theories about Tom’s relationship with Rupert. I’d like to think that Tom really is Rupert’s father and, while I’m sure those of greater knowledge here will dissuade me from some of my ideas, I humbly submit my theory here.

For one, the Prophet has mentioned Time Warriors. The title seems to indicate that they have some control over time. This would indicate that time travel could be possible. In which case Tom might not be Rupert’s father yet, but in the future travels back in time to er… meet Rupert’s mother, hopefully in his human form, as the practicality of Tom’s demon form with a human strains credulity, although would be interesting, for science. This theory obviously has some holes. For example, I wish to clarify if the Time Warriors can actually manipulate Time itself and, if not, can other beings.

My other, and far more likely theory for Tom’s fatherhood of Rupert would be that Tom is actually an Archdemon (By the way, is it Archdemon or Archaedemon?), who has had his memory erased by some greater power (or did it himself) and he has actually been a demon for a lot longer than he currently thinks. I would think that it would be well within the means of a Demon Prince to manipulate memories of a lower demon, especially if it was willingly done. (21st Animage mastery?)

The memory erased/modified theory has another branch in my mind. While I admit my grasp of Link Mastery is somewhat lacking, would it be possible, that Tom, being a powerful demon, managed to escape the Abyss, which somehow erased his memory and made him appear as a new, unbound demon, leaving him with only the memories of his life before becoming a demon, perhaps centuries before.

If he was a demon before, it wouldn’t explain why none of the other demons recognized him. Could perhaps, when escaped the Abyss, have lost his original demon for, along with his memories, and been given a completely new form upon being summoned for the first time? Obviously this is all conjecture, but I wish to be instructed on the possible credibility of my thoughts.

The other obvious thought I had was that of course, Rupert was the Concordenax reincarnated. I’m sure Tisdale would love that.

Just a curious side note, is there any reason that wouldn't be possible for Tom to open up a portal from/to the Courts of Chaos and invite all the demons to Astlan? I mean is there anything prohibiting it? As I see it, it would result in all of the demons being in Astlan of their own will and thus unable to be summoned, at least until they were destroyed.

EDIT: Very important question for Tizzy: Does Tom get laid in book 2? Because seriously, if you're really his friend, you should help him in that regard. I don't know, take him to a club in the Courts, hell, go buy a vestigial virgin from a street vendor if you have to. You gotta look out for friends. Maybe he'd have better luck with Bess than you... I don't know but right now Tom's sex life looks like this: That might be inaccurate since I don't seem him trying too much, but isn't he a 16-year old boy at heart? As for Bess, the few times she sees him in book 1, she says she's "impressed with his fighting skills" You'd definitely need fighting skills for her. Also, '“Oh, goody, round two!” Bess shouted with joy.' could be applied in various circumstances. Foreshadowing, perhaps?

Edited by user Friday, February 6, 2015 9:56:49 PM(UTC)  | Reason: For the Abyss of it.

We could also speculate that Fate touched him (in other words: it is a bit cliche) and that he and Rupert actually have the same father and they are brothers ;) Didn't Tom's father died in some kind of explosion?

Mind you, it is much more likely that Rupert got a vague generic description from his mother, the type of description that fits the generic image. Since Tom's shape is based on the ideas of his summoners, it is not surprising that fits that vague description as well. Since shapeshifting demons actually decide on their own form, Rupert simply took Tom's shape subconsciously based on his hopes and dreams. Of course, such a mundane explanation is not really all that fun ;)

I always think that Rupert shapeshifting to that because of his own desires is a bit boring but also a bit ilogical. Shapeshifting is seems need great concentration to keep the form. Rupert don't need to so his demon from (a Tom look alike) is his real form since it doesn't take much effort.

My own theory is that there might really be another demon that look like Tom who is Rupert's father. It is a bit far fetched but it is possible. Call is coincedence but...

Though, three identical demons is very unnerving.

@Arad an-Bás

Funnily enough, the 'impracticality' of Tom's demon form with a human woman is actually something Im kind of hoping happens as part of Tom working out how different his life is now.

He has been thrown around from situation to situation, and going from extremes of pretending to be 'Big Evil Demon', to pretending to still be human. He hasnt had much time to think about women or how his life will be now, but being a teenager his mind will go back there in time.

Seeing as shapeshifting requires concentration, and nothing gets rid of concentration faster, I imagine an awkward fumbling moment followed by improvising.

That or *pop goes the shapeshift*... and now they are stuck :P

For me, I say... who needs sex?

It just seems stupid that Demons are busy trying to make babies when they don't need to.

But then, Rupert would not have existed. So maybe there is a positive side to this sex thing.

There is also the problem of Tom's children being half demons. That would be especially difficult to those children as exemplified by Rupert. Rupert already expressed his desire to end his life. Well that would not be a problem, I think, if Tom behave like Antefalken, not caring about his offsprings and all. His children could kill themselves for all he cares.

@Tizzy

You don't have to be so graphic you know?

And why do you let the view of others define who you are? You must be insane because others think so? You are worthless because others think so?

Or is it becuase demons are maleable to human thoughts? That prove my theory.



Well, that is not how I read it. Antefalken had said that he lost count of the number of his offsprings. That only happens when the number is quite big enough to lost count of.

And how would that explain the invulnerability of his clothes? That doesn't make any sense.

Well, he is 700 years old. Still that does not illiminate the problem of the half demon parency and the pain it would cause.

I wonder what excuse you will have for this clothing and other stuff that seems to remain unspoilt in the extreme heat of the Abyss. Though I note that there are many who wore clothes. Those typical street demons dressed in blue jeans and leather jackets? They are typical.

Of course not to mention those silk and probably other fabric furnishings (curtains, table cloths, upholstery) and similar stuff (carpet, fur, paper).

But Tizzy Antefalken is wearing his clothes outside the Courts. When he meet Tom and Rupert the first time outside Tom's cave, Antefalken is clothed.

And of course the bevarages, espcially wine and other alcoholic ones. There was one scene where you and Boggy carried a bottle of wine to Tom's cave, and of course there is also Antefalken walking all over Abyss with a bottle of wine.

A deck of cards should not be a problem. There are heat resistant plastic, paint and inks.

RE: Antefalken's clothes.

I think you misunderstand me, demons that wear clothes (or the vast majority of them) wear clothes everywhere in the Abyss, not just in the courts, how they do that is not based on temperature. You will see what I mean in book ii, if you pay attention, and I know from experience, you do. :)

Do you really think Lillith is going to tour her gold and platinum mines naked?

Have you ever seen Asmodeus when he wasn't impeccably dressed?


RE: Sex drive

Most Astlanians assume that demons are sex starve fiends who want to rape, ravage and pillage, particularly young maidens and princesses, so their bodies come with the equipment to do so (also see the question of # female demons there are)

But, Madfoxii is correct, the bodies are not truly detailed internally anatomically correct. Tom notices this with the dragon, and is concerned about it when eating food as a human, in particular, will he be able to process it.

As a rule, things "work as needed" So if the demon and those who summoned him thinks he's a hormone driven monster, than he is...otherwise not.

You will note that a lot of the lesser demons aren't particularly sex starved. I mean who ever heard of a sex starved Shadow.

There are, however, some sex starved imps, but I again think that's more do to their impish nature and they do it to freak out mortals etc.

I am sure there is some YAD author out there writing teen ghost story romances along the lines of Twiglight and all the rest.

I mean if you can make vampires sparkle and werewolves cuddly and lovable, why not ghost sex.

I think you are missing the point. Demons are people too, and most/many were people. Sex is not just about procreation, it's also about intimacy and sharing between two (or more) people--and it's pleasurable and fun and all sorts of things.

So those demons that can, are going to want to have pleasure and share pleasure (and pain---lots of S&M, B&D down here)

We experience pain, why not pleasure? You do know that it's a fine line between pleasure and pain. If you can experience pain, then you can experience pleasure.

They are the carrot and the stick.

It's the masochist who is able to mix the two and turn pain into pleasure.

Pain, suffering torment, these are the core fundamentals of demon life.

Thus, the opposites of these must be equally core, so things that cause pleasure: SEX, booze, drugs, rock and roll (music) these must also be integral to demonic existence.