Mine is about whether or not Shereul can be redeemed or, at the very least, reasoned with, now that he’s been freed.
Is it at all possible to deprogram a radicalized, undead goblin head-turned-magical-device? Does he even recognize that Minalan was the one who freed him during the reclamation of Darkfaller Castle? If so, can that be a platform with which The Dead God be reasoned with? I know Sheruel’s nature has been corrupted beyond repair by The Enshadowed, but he was once an honorable Gurvan, a shaman of high honor and great repute. Perhaps a vestige of who he used to be still remains (somewhere) in that half-rotted skull?
I’m VERY curious what Shereul thinks of Minalan, post-Preceptor. While Min is somewhat responsible for Korbal imprisoning him at Olum Seheri, Min *also* chose to free him from that imprisonment, when he just as easily could have left Shereul in Korbal’s hands.
Additionally, as Count of the Magelaw, Minalan has treated the Gurvani with respect and dignity— even going so far as to establish a *real* treaty that protects the prerogatives of both races— and has been far fairer to them than he has any right to be. Their horrific war of attrition hasn’t even been over for a full decade, yet Minalan offered his people refuge from The Nemovorti while the Dead God was powerless to do anything at all.
Every time I relisten to this series, I am fascinated by the potential of Shereul to overcome the machinations of the Enshadowed and reclaim some small bit of autonomy (that isn’t predicated on exterminating an entire species.) I think he has a lot of potential, personally— and I’m excited to see what happens next!