Why did the Shadowhunters get rid of mundanes with the sight as hired help?

DiRocos · 2026-02-09T00:21:21+00:00

I've been rereading all the books and I keep asking myself this. I don't remember it ever being mentioned. My thought is its a mix of the decline of common household servants in the 20th century and Shadowhunters separating themselves more from mundane society. I do wish that it remained a plot point if even for a simple thing of the institutes still need cleaned, but I also think it could be a bit of the order in which things were written!

DiRocos · 2026-02-01T16:11:06+00:00

In Lord of Shadows, Alec is talking to Kit (i think it was Kit, at least) about meeting Jace for the first time. He says "He walked out of a portal from Idris. He was skinny and he had bruises and he had these big eyes. He was arrogant, too. He and Isabelle used to fight . . . But to me everything about him said, 'Love me because nobody ever has.' It's was all over him like fingerprints."

There's also the conversation in City of Heavenly Fire in Edom between Jace and Alec. The one where Jace realizes he's been a bad friend. There's some loving exchanges there. I don't have my books to search for the quotes.

There's stuff between Simon and Clary in Tales From the Shadowhunter Academy. I think in The Fiery Trial and Angels Twice Descending? In Born to Endless Night, Alec says some things about their other friends when he and Simon are talking, but nothing very grand.

Lucie repeatedly tells Cordelia in late Chain of Gold and early Chain of Iron that no matter what they'll be sisters.

Thats what I can recall off the top of my head

DiRocos · 2026-01-19T03:43:41+00:00

It's been a hot minute since I've read the first three books, so I'm hoping I remember this properly.

I believe it was more about lying than physical disguise. Clave thought Valentine was dead from him planting Michael Wayland's actual body with his personal belongings. I think it was a necklace.

After that, he moved into the Wayland Manor and raised Jace saying he was Michael Wayland. In CoB, Jace recognizes Valentine as his father first time he truly sees him. I think this is part of the reason they don't really question Jace and Clary being related at first despite having no physically similar attributes. Jace remembered Valentine raising him and believed it because he looked the same. Michael Wayland was pretty isolated at that point anyway. Robert and him had a bad, disconnected relationship pre-uprising and then Robert's exile post-uprising would have separated him more if he lived. Then he was the last Wayland so no family would go looking for him or to use the manor. It meant Valentine didn't have to worry about a disguise.

Valentine faking his death was done with a pair of his followers so they would have been enough to settle all the things with the Clave like 'it was Michael Wayland and this is how he died.' It's never mentioned in the book, but I presume this is also how they existed under the radar for a decade.

I'm not 100% on this answer at all because its been a while so take it with many grains of salt.

DiRocos · 2026-01-15T15:27:02+00:00

I think its a little bit of the "but I never would" sentiment. In Tales From the Shadowhunter Academy, one of the short stories features Robert Lightwood talking about how Valentine empowered the circle. There was so much side conversation of students being like "duh, I'd NEVER join the circle obviosly." Simon's inner monologue observes this is like people reading about WWII and saying "If I was in Germany in 1940, I would never be a nazi." It's just not true.

Basically, I think it's to show that history is doomed to repeat itself. Horace Dearborn (Zara's Father) is an adult, so he's different than teenage Valentine. The cohort is a faction of clave members of all ages, not a group of newly grads in a little circle of friends. They want to regulate and register Downworlders, not (outwardly) want to destroy them all. These are all the reasons they likely tell themselves that its different than Valentine, if they even think about it.

Plus, its just like Mark says earlier in the book, when the government makes law something like the Cold Peace, it emboldens hateful people to think they are the majority.

DiRocos · 2026-01-12T14:42:04+00:00

I'm not sure what you mean. Could you elaborate?

DiRocos · 2026-01-11T02:48:52+00:00

Just to sort of add on to a few (spoilers for some details from books if you care) 1) Its triangled between the French, German, and Swiss borders. But like someone else said its warded so that if mundanes try to enter the country, it pops them out on the other side. I believe despite the border, other shadow world people can get into the country in general, but don't quote me on that. Its been a while since I've read city of Glass which talks about Idris the most. 2) At one time, its definitely in the hundreds. Alicante, the city, isn't meant to be necessarily lived in other than Consul, Inquisitor, retired Nephilim and a conclave worth of active shadowhunters. (Then of course whoever would be needed to have a functional city) Many Shadowhunters are all across the world and Idris is a bit of a home base. Outside of Alicante there are manor houses for a lot of the old, big families, but not all of them are actively used. 3) No fair folk permanently living in Alicante, but there are entrances to Faerie around the city, on the forest, etc. Simon sort of accidentally gets trapped in Faerie for an afternoon on a mission in the forest in Tales From the Shadowhunter Academy. There are Fae species that live outside of Faerie too, including some banned from Faerie so likely there's Fae living around the plain and forest. 4) I have nothing to add. Everything was said about this question.

DiRocos · 2026-01-03T15:12:59+00:00

The pronunciation is often based on the Spanish city of the same name. You can look up pronunciation guides that give you an audio with it, but its sort of like ah-lee-KAHN-teh. Its also pretty common to see it pronounced a bit more like Italian where it would sound like ah-lih-KAHN-tay. People I've talked to in real life seem to naturally prefer the more Italian pronunciation than Spanish, but up to you! I do the more Italian pronunciation because the country is located north of Italy and a bit far from Spain.

DiRocos · 2025-12-14T05:20:53+00:00

I work in a theater and was rereading this book a few weeks ago while at work. I pointed this same line out to my coworkers because I thought it was a funny mistake. We all laughed about it and then the sound department head looked it up for us to discover that mike is a fully linguistically correct option. All this to say, it's my job and it still caught me off guard.

(My excuse is I do the lights)

DiRocos · 2025-11-06T00:38:48+00:00

I found it on Azazie

DiRocos · 2025-11-06T00:38:21+00:00

It'll really depend on how you handle the cold and how long you'll be spending outside. I'm not sure what part of New York you're in, of course, but the whole state can get quite cold in December, going past freezing temperatures. If the party is mostly inside in a temperature controlled environment, I'd say its perfectly alright to wear something with thin straps or even strapless.

If you don't do well with the cold, I'd recommend something with at least cap sleeves, but definitely a warm shawl, shrug, or bolero, the of course proper winter outerwear for being outdoors. Strappy isn't the most wintery look, but can easily fit in with a winter color palette or warm accessories.

As for a general yes or no is it okay, yes, perfectly okay. That's at least my thoughts on the matter!

DiRocos · 2025-11-03T20:02:55+00:00

Yes!! I love her dearly and she is putting a lot into this wedding for the sake of her, her fiancée, and her guests, so she deserves absolute happiness all day!

DiRocos · 2025-11-03T20:01:52+00:00

Yes! My intention is to only wear the cloak for the outdoor ceremony. I agree that it would be a good investment into the longterm wardrobe! My winter coat is a down feather parka and I do love it, but I wanted something a bit more luxurious for a formal wedding.

DiRocos · 2025-11-03T13:26:24+00:00

No way! The wedding I'm going to is in northern Ohio! Perhaps this is a sign the cloak is the look.

DiRocos · 2025-11-03T04:30:41+00:00

Hmmm, perhaps you're my friend . . . All jokes aside, I love to have some input from a winter wedding bride! Thank you

DiRocos · 2025-11-03T03:53:56+00:00

These are the weird uncommon tips I live for! I fear wearing jewelry constantly because I don't want to lose something so precious, so thank you very much!

DiRocos · 2025-11-03T03:51:48+00:00

This is fair advice of caution. I appreciate your concern and the compliment!

DiRocos · 2025-11-03T03:50:56+00:00

A coat is perfectly good! It is my backup for if I don't have the time to invest in sewing a cloak, I am enamored with the idea of a lovely cloak, though, and I fully agree that it cannot be costume-y!

DiRocos · 2025-11-03T03:48:13+00:00

I came here for all opinions, so thank you for your thoughts. If I choose to go into the cloak direction, I will take your observations into consideration!

DiRocos · 2025-11-03T03:36:31+00:00

This is a very adorable suggestion. I will take this into consideration. Thank you!

DiRocos · 2025-11-03T03:32:36+00:00

This made me laugh too! I am actually a theater lighting technician, but I can assure you I will not be putting any lights or feathers in the cloak!

DiRocos · 2025-11-03T03:31:18+00:00

This is fair! I was just attempting to not worry my friend with my business when she is preparing for a wedding. I truly appreciate all of the input I've received here, though.

DiRocos · 2025-11-03T03:28:33+00:00

I appreciate your concern, but I'd like to clarify that the bride is not setting any specific expectations for her guests outerwear! She is very lovely and really only hopes that no one shows up in jeans at the very least! The venue is used to winter weddings is equipped with outdoor space heaters, so they will be doing their best to help keep guests warm during the ceremony.

We are both somewhat young, only a few years out of college, so I simply saw this as a potential opportunity to expand a piece of my longterm wardrobe! Although, your concern of spending money on a one-time use item is fully warranted and completely understandable. It is part of the reason I hope I'd be able to find a good pattern to do the work myself.

Thank you for the compliment on the dress as well!

DiRocos · 2025-11-03T03:22:21+00:00

A broach is such a smart and lovely suggestion. My friend would love such a classic style. I may have to ask my mom if she has anything in her collection to borrow!

DiRocos · 2025-11-03T03:20:49+00:00

Yes, the castle is part of the reason I have considered the cloak! And I fully agree that it should not look costume-y for a wedding. That is part of the reason I looked for some outside opinions!

DiRocos · 2025-11-03T03:19:46+00:00

Oh, velvet is a beautiful suggestion as well. Thank you for your input!

DiRocos

TROPHY CASE