"Dies the Fire" - A Novel of "The Change" (Part 1) Quiz

Answer: March 17th - St. Patrick's Day

It takes a little while to discover the full ramifications of 'The Change', but in a nutshell, electricity stops working, combustion no longer works (gunpowder, explosives, gasoline engines, etc.), and even steam power falls off before it can become truly effective.

S.M. Stirling wrote another series of three books, called the "Nantucket" series, in which a mysterious 'Event' sends the island of Nantucket back in time to circa 1250 BC. The 'Event' from that novel series is the catalyst for what happens in this "Emberverse" series.

And March 17th, 1998 is when it happens in both series. The truth behind this is not discovered until well into the "Emberverse II" series (set 22 years after 'The Change'), and all anyone knows of the connection at this point is news of strange weather and light phenomena occurring over Nantucket - then (at 6:15 pm Mountain) - everything changes.

The books of the "Nantucket" series are:

1) "Island in the Sea of Time" (1998)
2) "Against the Tide of Years" (1999)
3) "On the Oceans of Eternity" (2000)

Answer: Boise, Idaho

In his conversation with Kenneth Larsson, Mike describes himself as "Purebred American mongrel" when detailing his cultural background. His background included three prior generations of steel-working former military men, a description which almost described Mike himself. While he had spent time in the military, including a tour to Iraq in 1991, he chose to pursue piloting as a career instead of mining.

Mike Havel's background included Finnish and Swedish (dad and mom, respectively), along with some Ojibwe from his maternal grandmother.

When 'The Change' occurs, they are all in mid-flight, and end up crashing into the Montana wilderness.

Answer: Wiccan

As soon as 'The Change' occurs, Juniper thinks to herself, "Whoa! Goddess Mother-of-All! That hurt!", and when she sees that an airplane has crashed into downtown Corvallis, she whispers, "Lady Mother-of-All!" while tracing a pentagram in the air. As she realizes how many people must have died in the crash she says silently to herself, "Horned Lord of Death and Resurrection, guide the dying to the Summerlands. Merciful Lady, preserver of life, keep the living safe. So mote it be!"

The author S.M. Stirling is not Wiccan, according to an article he posted on his website about the book. Rather, he had the idea of the character of Juniper and her belief system, and then went to work (as good authors do) researching Wicca and making it a major part of the story.

Juniper Mackenzie is actually High Priestess of her coven, and her boyfriend Rudy (the High Priest) was scheduled to leave on an airplane shortly before 'The Change' occurred. He is presumed dead.

Answer: Mary

With such a serious injury, Mike Havel presents Ken Larsson with a choice: stay with his wife while he tries to find help; or try to carry Mary out. The first choice means staying alone in cold conditions, but the ones going for help will be able to move quickly, while the other option requires that everyone travel slowly together through dense wilderness.

It takes them a number of days, but they eventually get there. After taking advantage of the emergency supplies in the cabin, Eric and Mike continue on towards the nearest highway, leaving the remainder of the Larsson family behind to rest and recuperate from their ordeal.

Answer: Norman Arminger

Norman Arminger appears first in an interlude from the point of view of a gang leader named Emilio. He arrives in Portland hungry and desperate, and finds organization and ruthlessness in Norman Arminger. Arminger was an historian before 'The Change' and had been in the process on writing a book on the gangs in Portland. He was also a hobbyist in medieval reenactments. Thus, quickly realizing the gravity of the situation in 'The Change', Arminger took it upon himself to recreate a feudal society with himself as the man in charge, calling himself 'The Lord Protector'.

As an example to his new recruits, Arminger faces off against four men (two police men and two soldiers), arming each of them with a sword. With his own experience (and full body armour), he makes quick work of the four men, slaughtering them in front of everybody.

Answer: Diabetic shock

Frank and Joan Fairfax were Juniper's closest neighbours; a retired couple enjoying their autumn years in quiet seclusion. Sadly, they were both diabetics, and 'The Change' left them without the means to keep their insulin cool and effective. Knowing that their end was coming, Frank left a note for whoever would discover them explaining what happened, and asking that they be buried following their Mormon beliefs.

In their tragedy, however, Juniper and her friends and family find salvation. The Fairfaxes left some livestock (sheep and a few cows) and a wealth of stored foodstuffs. That proved to be an extreme fortune as Juniper finally arrives to her cabin to find other members of her coven have arrived, along with some rescued children (they had been on a school trip), making for a total of 28 people.

Answer: False

Mike and Eric encounter the trio and their captives when they reach the highway. After briefly conversing with them, they have a short skirmish that ends with the three men (all on horseback) chasing after one of their captives (also on horseback, but handcuffed) up the trail that Mike and Eric had just emerged from.

Realizing that this would bring the bandits right to the Ranger cabin housing the rest of the Larsson family, Mike and Eric quickly chase after them in pursuit (after ensuring that Will's wife and daughter are safe, and arming themselves with some makeshift weapons).

At the cabin, Mike and Eric rush one bandit on the cabin porch, Mike making the first assault with his spear with Eric following up to finish the man off. After entering the cabin, Mike dispatched another bandit trying to rape Signe while the bandit leader leaps out the window. Before he can get far, however, Astrid steps out of the bedroom (naked from also being assaulted) with her bow. Without any hesitation, she shoots at him through the window, catching him in the lower back.

Tragically, Mike and Eric were unable to save Ken's wife Mary, who was killed by the men in front of the rest of the family before they arrived to the cabin.

Answer: Bearkillers

In the aftermath of the tragedy at the Ranger cabin, the Larsson children were looking for ways to deal with their loss. Astrid, the youngest, while practicing riding a horse and shooting her bow and arrows, shoots a large black bear. The group manage to take the beast down, but not before taking some damage (Mike got a terrific scar on his face).

From there, Astrid's active desire to make everything like some grand fantasy novel (she is a huge Tolkien fan, and can even speak Elvish) turns their group into the 'Bearkillers' and Mike Havel eventually gets dubbed 'Lord Bear'.

Answer: Sam Aylward

Prior to 'The Change', Sam had been hunting in the woods near Juniper's property. The fall down the ravine had left him trapped with a dislocated arm, and unable to extricate himself. By the time Juniper and Dennis find him, he is near to dying of dehydration.

As a hobby in his retirement, Sam makes his own bows and arrows to hunt with. This skill becomes highly valued with the 'Clan Mackenzie', and Sam becomes the First Armsman of the settlement.

Answer: Mike

Both the Bearkillers and Clan Mackenzie have managed to become self-sustaining entities in the new reality of the post-Change world. To better be prepared for what might come their way, or in the case of the Bearkillers what might be already in place where they are going, the scouting missions are necessary.

Mike Havel takes Eric Larsson and Josh Sanders with him, while Juniper is accompanied by Judy Barstow and two men for 'security', Steve Matucheck and Vince Torelli.

Mike heads straight for Portland to scope out Arminger's influence, strengths and weaknesses, while Juniper's goal is to head for Corvallis.