I actually just discovered the first book. I'm reading through it now, and it's answering a lot of my questions.

Two questions so far:

1. Why aren't online games played over voice? Seems closer to the way these types of games were originally played than "Play by post".
2. Are there any Tutorial games for players who have read the book but don't have experience with this type of game? Like a "Training wheels" game type?

Duck, the "Mab" theories are all dependent on her being neigh omnipotent. It just seems like such a cop out. How could she know that steering Harry toward Demonreach wouldn't have gotten him killed? She manipulates things at the very beginning, but it seems as though nothing ever goes wrong for her (despite the summer fire thing). She's basically all knowing.

It's just...it's bad writing. And I hate to say that, because I love Jim's work. But an omnipotent being that guides the story is, well, bad writing.

Really, can anyone here confidentially say that mab isn't all knowing? She freaking knows what's going to happen. I swear, that's the biggest reason why I agree with your Time Travel theory, Duck. Because it's the only way Mab's actions are evenly remotely believable - She's seen it all before. Any other excuse requires Mab to be able to see events 20 steps ahead of everyone else, which basically makes her infallible.

So, assuming Jim is a fantastic writer, which is a safe assumption, then we can also assume that Mab has knowledge of the future. Which means Mab either owns a crystal ball, or she's traveled back in time after experiencing these events once, and is using her knowledge of the "future" to skilfully manipulate people/events.

Now, the Gate Keeper can see events in the future. Maybe Mab just has a more souped up version of his power. Maybe, because of her position, she can do whatever she wants with that knowledge. That would explain pretty much everything about her awesome ability to predict and manipulate.

However, assuming she doesn't have a crystal ball, the question becomes, "Who is mab?". Welp, she has power over illusion and fear, she's a woman, she has an interest in Harry (The stone table suggests a very intimate interest in harry), and she has a connection to Lea. Only one candidate comes to mind: Molly.

Edit: Duck, I absolutely love your King Arthur/Merlin theory. I only have one problem with it though: I don't remember the myths ever saying that Merlin banged Arthur. This could put a dent in my fan fiction.

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