It is a given that new mantles can be created.   this is proved by the fact that we have Santa  Clause - a clearly recent invention - as a mantle held by Odin. 

What might such a new mantle look like.   I can speculate on some aspects
1) Mantles are tied to belief in some way   That is why so many mantles are tied to old gods.    Belief is also tied into the power of the Fey as evidenced by Mab's encouragement of the brothers grim fairy tales.   Belief is also tied into the ability to manifest into this world - as evidenced by the Oblivion war sidebars that show up in short stories.     However, many examples of mantles continuing after belief has waned, so not clear how important belief is in maintaining the power of a mantle. 

2) Mantles represent people -- the are personifications of a belief.   A mantle is not "gift giving", it is Santa Claus. 

3) Mantles require volume.   Lots of people have to believe for a sizable block of time.   There is no direct evidence of this, but it is logical.  The world is not buried in Mantles after all, so there must be a hard threshold that must be met. 

4) I wonder if a mantle can be deliberately created -- for example by a Norse god wanting to shelter some of his waning god-power.  He might break off a piece and "empower" a mantle for something meaningful in this new age - like Santa Claus.  That act might be required or it might simply speed the process up. 


Speculation on possible modern mantles
*  I think I can rule out super heroes, movie characters, or similar creations of pop culture.  People simply do not believe they are real. 

*  I think I can also rule out most conspiracy theories where belief is widespread and intense from the mantle creation possibility because they typically describe vague hidden forces rather than specific individuals. 

*  You might get a religious figure (the pope, etc), but these are not normally seen as "more than human" in that sense at least. 

*  You could have the "hidden special person" type mantle.  The mysterious figure in hiding from the modern world.   This could be the Dali Lama, Elvis, or Marylyn Monroe.   All it takes is a lot of people believing "they are still out there in hiding".    But you have the same problem as with the Pope.   Simply because they are hiding does not make them a figure of great and mysterious power -- which is what mantles provide. 

*  I could see "Murphy" as a mantle that is created.   Murphy as in Muprhy's Law, not Karin Murphy .  Many people believe and it is a personification of somewhat great and mysterious power. 

Other ideas?










And before anyone mentions it, i will acknowledge that it is possible that the total "pool of power" available to mantles could be fixed.   New mantles could simple be some portion of some old obsolete mantle refashioned into a new mantle.  After all, there are almost certainly mantles so old that they have lost meaning (and thus potentially vanished...).  However, for purposes of this question it does not matter if mantles are created new - or out of the "dust" of old obsolete mantles.   The key point is that "new" mantles can exist. 

The idea of Marcone being redeemed is interesting.  I just do not see it occurring in Mirror Mirror.  If it occurs, it will be in the core universe. 

Agree with you.  They can certainly see Paraneters as the target of some group and all the pieces are in place for that determination. 

My point was that all that criteria would have to be in place if the FBI (for example) would consider Paraneters a terrorist organization or secret society.   It is the difference between seeing Paraneters as victims vs seeing them as players. 

If your question is "of the people who died in the main story line, would any of them be alive in Mirror Mirror universe?", then I suggest
*  Morgan
*  Uncrippled Michael  (although I see this as very unlikely)
*  Kirby (one of the Alphas)
*  Maeve
*  Lilly

However, I think it is far more likely that "our" Harry will find some of his friends dead in the mirror mirror world.  Candidates include Butters, Billy/Georgia, and Rawlings.     

One of the patterns in the book is that Harry learns.   
*  When Harry got an apprentice, you started to see a clear impact in his spellcraft 2-3 books later.
*  When Harry got the winter knight gig, you started to see a clear impact in his spellcraft 3-4 books later (ghost story delayed things...)
*  Harry learned some things from the coin (shielding his mind for example, pain blocking)
*  Harry learned some from turn coat (mind fighting...)

But there are a couple of major events that have not really lead to any significant learning.   
*  Harry operated as a ghost for a while in ghost story
*  Harry bonded with Demonreach. 

Harry certainly learned how to operate Demonreach, but he has not applied anything he learned from Demonreach to his own personal magical or personal development.   Ditto with the time as a ghost.  No significant change in Harry's magic came from that experience - YET.

Some possibilities
1) Demonreach should have taught Harry a lot about crafting shields and wards -- or about the nature of immortal beings
2) Ghost Story should have taught Harry a lot about ghosts, spirits and how to work with the same.    He should also have more insight on possession --- and insight into the powers of illusion that he learned from Molly at this time.   

I would argue that she is telling the truth.   After all, it is the fuel for her rage as demonstrated at the last fight.   You cannot get made like that over a lie you are telling your enemies. 

The other argument is story wise.  A strong theme in this series is that the white council is failing.   Not able to identify and protect young wizards is just another sign of this.  Not being able to identify when one was wronged and fix with justice is another.   Ascher is a poster child for the white council's failures. 

Having it all be lies adds nothing to the story and steals away drama.  So it must be the truth. 

The Fomor were definitely more active after Changes as a direct result of the Red Court's extinction. But whether they had actually been asleep before or just kept in check by the Red Court is probably just a technicality at this point.

Why not both.   There are a lot of agendas out there that are both aligned and in conflict.   The reds and the formor are not some minions of the black council and/or outsiders.  They are allies - or dupes - or manipulated - or victims - or ... well you get the picture.    But the key point is that each of these supernatural races are acting against the White Council because they see advantage in doing so.   Advantage specific to their personal position (of the leaders), and their nation/species.   

It is perfectly possible that the Formor are both helping the Reds and coveting the Red's territory at the same time.  And it is perfectly possible that the Formor have "jumped the gun" from the outsider's perspective by trying to claim so much territory right now and stirring up the supernatural world before the outsiders are ready to support their efforts.   Or maybe they are very closely aligned with outsider objectives.  I am not sure myself.   

One of the real nice elements of the Dresden series is that this is not a conflict of monoliths.   The Red Court fell in part because of internal feuding.   The White Court refused to support the war against the White Council due to their internal feuding.   The White Council's response to the war was inconsistent/hesitant because of their internal feuding.  The Summer and Winter Courts are not working closely together despite both  playing a vital role in protecting the outer gates.   This disunity at times helps and at times hurts the cause of humanity.  But it always makes for more interesting stories. 

The whole "game" of the outsiders is focused on manipulating the various supernatural nations into fighting - and distracting - each other, helped by a dose of nemfection to manipulate a few key players.   None of these groups would believe they are doing the bidding of outsiders.  I doubt even the black council believes that.