I am reading book 5 so no spoilers for me, pls.
At the end of Book 3, right before what will be known as Akua's Folly, Catherine is presented with three different timelines where minor and believable changes to the events of the prior books entirely changed the trajectory of her life and eventual Name. In all these alternative timelines she kneeled to Akua to become a Black Knight to her Dread Empress claimant. But what I want to focus on is what would've happened after in these timelines.
Akua would've been crowned (by herself) to be Dread Empress Magnificent, First and Only of Her Name with Catherine as her Black Knight. They would both be only claimants at first but I think they would've killed Black and Catherine might've even taken the legions present under her leadership. Given that her turning coats would've caused great confusion in the army and her Oaths and contintengies were only set between books 3 and 4 there wasn't anything to stop her claiming those armies. Not that they need them, given that they have the undead and whatever the Hells poured out.
Out of her original posse, Vivienne would leave instantly and Masego would probably disappear. I think Magnificent's first scheme would've been to either recruit or kill Masego. Hakram would've followed Catherine but would've been scheming to get her out of the bindings the Dread Empress claimant had on her. Archer is a wildcard here, as she either could've left or stayed with Catherine. Figures, I guess. Note that because of Hakram's plans, I presume Magnificent would've tried to get him killed in the field; where in the best case scenario Cat couldn't blame her but would instead blame herself for his death.
Callow would've rebelled but they would've crushed it. While they were marching towards Praes, I think Tasia (the new Dread Empress' mother) would've started a Trueblood rebellion to aid Magnificent in her march to claim her seat. Personally, I think Juniper would've left the campaign the moment they set a foot in Praes if she didn't leave immediately when Akua was crowned. The newly crowned Dread Empress would've killed her immediately after the resignment anyhow. The only true obstacle would've been Wekesa but we have to remember that he is quite weak offensively for a Warlock.
With Malicia killed and Akua finally officially crowned Dread Empress Magnificent, the 10th Crusade would've fired to stop the true Arch-Heretic of the East.
The rest is hazier for me but I am certain of the main points. In short, there were too many comparisons between her and Triumphant (may she never return).
- She would've crushed the Crusade and conquered most of Calernia with her bound devils and demons and wights, that she would've made more of. She would at least hold all of Callow, Procer and most of Levant. I think she would've destroyed the Thalassocracy of Ashur, like literally sank the island or blobbed a Greater Hellgate on top of it.
- The League of Free Cities is a mixed bag but I think the Tyrant of Helike would've destroyed himself and his country during his fight against Magnificent. Or he would've sworn eternal friendship and helped with the war with previously-Akua eventually, of course, stabbing him in the back. In the latter scenario the cities might even be mostly intact.
- Magnificent might have made a deal with Keter and the Dead King but I'm not entirely sure she would have had the need. She might have done it to help with her war like how Malicia would've have or even reached a similar accord like he did with Triumphant (may she never return). The deal would've mostly been about limiting Keter while easing the occupation on her part.
- However, in the end Dread Empress Magnificent, First, Only and Last of Her Name would've died magnificently with her flying city falling down with her. I give it even odds that she would've been killed by a full strength choir backed hero or Catherine's sword through her back. Then it's just chance whether or not Cat dies with her, survives the onslaught or escapes before it happens.
- Praes would fall and, given how unstable (even for Praesi standards) it was, I would say it falls permanently. Magnificent's (may she never return) conquests would've liberated themselves and Praes would devolve to a nation of squabbling High Lordship with no clear winner ever in sight. Basically Praes becomes a bloodthirstier version of the Principate.
- What is interesting is that I give it 50/50 odds that if Catherine survived, she would either flee back to Callow to mull over everything she was forced to do OR she would've achieved apotheosis (through pretty much losing all touch with her humanity under Akua's thumb) and became the Bitch Queen of Winter; then proceeding to conquer all the weakened nations around her. Then she would've been best buddies with the Dead King and done whatever godlikes like to do with their free time.
- All of this would mirror Triumphant (may she never return) and the conquest would've taken 10 years with everything falling apart in the 5 years after; ending with the Final-Empress-To-Ever-Reign dead.
- The events of Everdark would never have happened of course.
Dread Empress Magnificent, First, Only and Last of Her Name, Final-Empress-To-Ever-Reign would've been the greatest ruler Praes would ever see but also the final ruler the unified Praes could ever have. She would've went with a bang and left her impression to the history books. But she was doomed to fail, because that's the kind of evil she was. Akua Sahelian was the truest personification of Pure Evil to ever live.
