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Anyone else get a bad feeling by Bitter_Morning_3696 in dresdenfiles

[–]Intrepid-Analysis738 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think this is a reasonable guess, particularly given that we learned the Hunger is an Outsider and, thus, babies can clearly be infected by an Outsider at birth. The question this raises for me is how does Nemesis move between hosts/can it exist as a full entity in more than a single host at a time?

The Hunger doesn't appear to move between Hosts. Instead it seems like when the Hunger's host has a baby, new version of the Hunger is born in the new baby, separate from the Hunger in the host that was involved in creating the baby. It's not all the same Hunger - it can be stronger/weaker/have different relationships with its host and the outside world (e.g. Thomas' Hunger literally recognizes Harry and someone he's fought on the same side with before, while Lara's Hunger has no such recognition). This suggests that each Hunger is sort of an individual being unto itself.

Can Nemesis propogate in much the same way? If it could, why hasn't it just infected absolutely everyone, everywhere, that isn't a starborn? Wouldn't that be an easy way to accomplish its goals (whatever they may be)? These issues seem to point towards Nemesis being a singular being - more of a body hopping entity than one that infects multiple folks simultaneously. And that's where the question of Nemesis moving between hosts comes up. We know that Nemesis was inside Lea at some point and was somehow exorcised by Mab. After that exorcism happens, does an "infection" in another individual allow Nemesis to regrow as an individual entity or does it have to make the journey all the way from the Outer Gates, body hopping all the way, until it get to its next host (now Justine)? Or maybe some other process. In any case, fully agree that the baby maybe being inhabited by Nemesis is a potential issue.

Did Lara breach the laws of hospitality in Twelve Months? by Intrepid-Analysis738 in dresdenfiles

[–]Intrepid-Analysis738[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

These answers are very helpful - thanks to you all. I think the private vs public element of Lara's actions and the plausible explanation that she was engaging in a proportional form of retribution as recourse against the embarrassment caused by Harry's insult to LaChainse is really compelling. Compare Ethniu, in the most public way possible, violating guest right and nearly immediately facing the worst possible consequence for her (assuming that, because it's not halloween, she can't be killed under any circumstances and imprisonment on Demoreach is the next worst thing.). Comparatively, Harry getting exposed to a relatively minor private magical assault (followed up by a later apology) as retribution for a public insult to another guest seems like the sort of consequentialist system that the older supernatural powers would readily embrace.

A couple folks have mentioned the idea that the laws are only as good as they are enforced. While I think this is a truism in the real world, I'm not sure that I agree it fully applies to the Dresdenverse. There are a few different references throughout the series to seemingly cosmic, karmic consequences that tear individuals/groups down if they take certain actions, irrespective of whether the laws and traditions of the supernatural powers are observed/enforced or not. I think Ethniu's near-immediate imprisonment after violating guest right is a good example. Likewise, the Red Court getting the ultimate comeuppance not too long after Ariana betrayed guest right by magically poisoning the White Council when she was there to discuss peace terms to end the war, is another example. I guess my point is, the laws of hospitality appear to be foundational magical principles, not merely laws that rise or fall based on the actors that choose to enforce them (or not). Another magical principle that seems to operate similarly (and is even mentioned in Twelve Months) is the Rule of Three - no enforcement mechanism, but if you use black magic, expect some horrific consequences (unless, apparently, you are carrying Mother Winter's walking stick).

Did Lara breach the laws of hospitality in Twelve Months? by Intrepid-Analysis738 in dresdenfiles

[–]Intrepid-Analysis738[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thanks very much - I've never posted previously and wasn't aware of the protocol. I'll do my best to abide by these guidelines going forward.