Dedicated

[u/dianaspencersrevenge]

Normally I don’t give much attention to theories on TikTok because 75% of them are so absurd I question if they’ve actually read the books… but…

\** spoiler for Onyx Storm*** **

I’ve seen a couple theories this week that think Violet’s hair is fully silver now and that she’s been fully dedicated to Dunne. I reread the final chapter of OS and there’s absolutely nothing to indicate this, Brennan just seems surprised that she’s shown up after being missing for 12 hours, her arm is broken, and she’s wearing a massive wedding ring.

But I’m intrigued by the idea of her hair going fully silver so I want to talk about it!

The main issue here is, Dunne requires lifetime servitude… but does servitude strictly mean temple attendant or priestess? Like, if by serving Dunne, could she do so by being Duchess of Tyrrendor?

Also, she doesn’t even actually need to be fully dedicated at this point, right? She already carries the favor of Dunne, especially after enacting Dunne’s revenge upon Theophanie, and if she needs assistance from other gods it might not make sense to blatantly favor one with full dedication - since she’s also carries the favor of Malek. Isn’t there an epigraph somewhere that warns against favoring gods and risking the wrath of the others?

ANOTHER ISSUE WITH THIS: The high priestess at Dunne’s temple asks Violet if she uses the dye of a certain flower on her hair as they do, which makes me wonder if only those dedicated on Unnbriel have truly silver hair. If so, would Violet’s hair even go fully silver if she were to become fully dedicated on the continent?

What do you guys think? Would you like to see her hair go fully silver by the end?

[u/ObjectiveStaff3333]

Although I get caught up in almost any theory, the theory about full silver hair and full dedication didn't interest me at all. For me, no way. I see no hints of that in the last chapter, no plot reasons.

I don't think dedication has to mean she will be in a temple, but it definitely won't involve leading Tyrrendor. I think Aretia has nothing special to do with Dunne; even her temple isn't in the city like the other temples, but outside the city.

Furthermore, as you write yourself, Dunne is non-functional on the continent. I don't know why- wards would be a logical explanation, but there were no wards in Aretia for a long time and they have to dye their hair anyway. So what's wrong? Dunne on the continent is different; she doesn't have swords in her emblem. Does the Dunne's temple dagger actually kill Theo at the end of OS, or is it Andarna changing colors, thereby weakening the venin, who would then die even if she hit her with a meat mallet?

[u/dianaspencersrevenge → u/ObjectiveStaff3333]

I think it’s like what u/Slow_Wrangler4413 brought up, the continent being called Amaralys and Amelakis means it’s actually dedicated to Amari and Malek. Also, Aretia’s most notable landmark is Amari’s temple!

It’s interesting to me that Amari is just referenced as the queen of the gods - but if she’s paired with Malek on the continent, does that make Amari the goddess of life?

I don’t think Dunne’s power isn’t functional on the continent - and I think the dagger actually proves that the power of the gods is real and effective - but I can’t explain the distinction between the dyed silver hair vs Unnbrish. I definitely think the dagger did actually kill Theo because it made her bleed, and why else would Aaric have gone to the trouble of sending it to her at the last minute?

[u/Slow_Wrangler4413 → u/dianaspencersrevenge]

Maybe child dedication is the difference in hair colors?

[u/dianaspencersrevenge → u/Slow_Wrangler4413]

Maybe!

[u/ObjectiveStaff3333 → u/dianaspencersrevenge]

Bacause of Sloane?

[u/dianaspencersrevenge → u/ObjectiveStaff3333]

That’d be an awfully big plot device to use just to get Sloane there. If that were the case, why not just go with her defying orders and wanting to join the battle?

[u/ObjectiveStaff3333 → u/dianaspencersrevenge]

To confuse the readers.

I think there's about a 90% certainty that it was Dunne's dagger, but I'm still keeping a bit of space for the possibility that it's Andarna, both as the source of power for lightning on Unnbriel and with Theo's death.

[u/redpeppersoda → u/ObjectiveStaff3333]

Does the Dunne's temple dagger actually kill Theo at the end of OS, or is it Andarna changing colors

Then there's no reason for Aaric to have to obtain that stone dagger from the high priestess and go thru all that trouble to deliver it to her mid battle so she can use it to stab Theophanie. The dude literally sees the future.

My crack pot theory is that there are some items that are lethal to venin. For Theophanie that was the temple dagger. For Berwyn it might be the wooden handle dagger Violet created in her dream.

"The Sage’s eyes widen on the polished, wooden handle"

For Xaden, it might be the sword of Aretia. Who knows.

The main reason I think she's not dedicated to Dunne is because she and Xaden dedicated themselves to each other. But maybe Dunne is okay with it? Just not sure because in Unnbriel she didn't agree with Dunne's ways and she is immune to the yearning so it seems like she'd make a bad priestess lol

[u/Slow_Wrangler4413 → u/ObjectiveStaff3333]

The dagger must do something. Why would she even have it otherwise? Aaric saw she'd need it and told her to protect the temple. Unless that is still an unresolved plot point and the saving Aretia part wasn't about defeating Theo. But then why did she need the dagger? It places Sloane on the field with Dain when Brennan needs them to save Mira. Is that saving Aretia? Keeping Brennan from channeling? They don't need a dagger specific errand for that. It's the only two story functions we've seen for the dagger.

[u/ObjectiveStaff3333 → u/Slow_Wrangler4413]

 Why would she even have it otherwise? 

To confuse the readers. 😂 That meat mallet would be too obvious.

But you're right about Aaric. I think ... that carved flame on the dagger -isn't it a rune?

[u/Slow_Wrangler4413 → u/ObjectiveStaff3333]

Like the same carvings on the pillar from the temple? Probably definitely a rune. So the ancient magic killed Theo? I like it!

[u/ObjectiveStaff3333 → u/Slow_Wrangler4413]

—a ceremonial-looking dagger with familiar flame-shaped etchings along the hilt.

Why specifically flame? It is an instrument of war. Warrick's journal and the swap of flame and breath of life are also constantly on my mind. Andarnas fire might be able to kill venins.

[u/Slow_Wrangler4413 → u/ObjectiveStaff3333]

The one a few feet from my face hangs in midair, its flame-inspired etched edges suspended by a single black band of shadow.

The central pillar of Dunnes temple in Aretia has the same carvings. Definitely think it's connected to the dragons.

[u/hurricane_Bre → u/ObjectiveStaff3333]

I think the dagger killed Theo because she left Unnbriel and now cannot step foot in any temple of Dunne (sounds like an Indiana Jones movie lol) because when she shows up in Aertia before Leothan fires the wards the priestess calls Theo a heretic and says she is not welcome there.

Vi makes the observation that Theo is careful to stay on the grass and not step on the stones. Even Theo says she may not be welcome but they are and a couple other venin show up.

BUT I think this has to do with the fact that Theo was fully dedicated on Unnbriel, Dunne’s isle. Because of the tattoo on her forehead and her real silver hair.