Morgan and Kemmler

[KurtinStGeorge]

In one of the Q&A's Jim did at Dragon Con, someone asked Jim if he ever considered writing a short story from Donald Morgan's POV.  While Jim didn't completely dismiss the idea, he said such a short story would be something of a downer because Morgan's personal history was very dark.  Specifically, Jim said Kemmler killed Morgan's parents and the rest of his family.  Anastasia Luccio rescued Morgan.  Unfortunately Jim didn't give any other details such as how old Donald Morgan was at the time or why Kemmler went after Morgan's family. 

I never realized how far Jim had worked out Morgan's backstory.  I wonder if sometime in a future book Anastasia will fill Harry in on Kemmler's history; I mean in more detail than Bob did, and her personal history of dealing with him and his followers.  Kemmler may be gone for good; or maybe not, but I'd bet dollars to donuts his legacy will play a major part in future events. 

Here's a link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQDTvMv1otI&t=15s

[wardenferry419]

I wonder how the "Fistful of Warlocks" ss ties into the Morgan/Kemmler story?

[Mira]

In one of the Q&A's Jim did at Dragon Con, someone asked Jim if he ever considered writing a short story from Donald Morgan's POV.  While Jim didn't completely dismiss the idea, he said such a short story would be something of a downer because Morgan's personal history was very dark.  Specifically, Jim said Kemmler killed Morgan's parents and the rest of his family.  Anastasia Luccio rescued Morgan.  Unfortunately Jim didn't give any other details such as how old Donald Morgan was at the time or why Kemmler went after Morgan's family. 

I never realized how far Jim had worked out Morgan's backstory.  I wonder if sometime in a future book Anastasia will fill Harry in on Kemmler's history; I mean in more detail than Bob did, and her personal history of dealing with him and his followers.  Kemmler may be gone for good; or maybe not, but I'd bet dollars to donuts his legacy will play a major part in future events. 

Here's a link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQDTvMv1otI&t=15s

That explains his obsession with nailing Harry when he was living under the Doom.

[Snark Knight]

Specifically, Jim said Kemmler killed Morgan's parents and the rest of his family.  Anastasia Luccio rescued Morgan.  Unfortunately Jim didn't give any other details such as how old Donald Morgan was at the time or why Kemmler went after Morgan's family.

Presumably he must have been about the right range for her to recognize him as a potential apprentice at the time she rescued him. Kemmler probably left him alive for the same reason of recognizing a talent, either to press-gang into service or to keep around as a viable body to swap into.

[KurtinStGeorge]

I wonder how the "Fistful of Warlocks" ss ties into the Morgan/Kemmler story?

Wyatt Earp was in Dodge City from 1876 - 1879.  So Luccio begins her pursuit of Kemmler and his associates at that time.  I remember reading somewhere that Donald Morgan fought in the First World War in the British Army.  Unfortunately, that doesn't tell us much about Morgan's age at the time.  He could have been anywhere between fourteen to in his sixties; though if he was that old no one would have known his true age because outwardly he would have stopped aging.  However, it suggests Morgan was either British or Canadian.  Theoretically, he could have been in the Indian Army too.  I'm not forgetting about the ANZAC forces, but I think Jim would have mentioned Morgan having an Aussie or Kiwi accent.  The point I'm trying to make is that unless Luccio followed Kemmler up to Canada in the months following "Fistful of Warlocks" she probably came across Morgan a number of years later and possibly not in North America.

[Snark Knight]

I remember reading somewhere that Donald Morgan fought in the First World War in the British Army.  Unfortunately, that doesn't tell us much about Morgan's age at the time.  He could have been anywhere between fourteen to in his sixties; though if he was that old no one would have known his true age because outwardly he would have stopped aging.  However, it suggests Morgan was either British or Canadian.

I'm not familiar with that bit of backstory, but that's interesting given that he's described in text as of Germanic background. Another possibility would be an American (lot more German immigrants in America than Canada) who chose to enlist with the British for conscientious reasons before the US entered the war at its midpoint, though.

[Rasins]

I'm not familiar with that bit of backstory, but that's interesting given that he's described in text as of Germanic background. Another possibility would be an American (lot more German immigrants in America than Canada) who chose to enlist with the British for conscientious reasons before the US entered the war at its midpoint, though.

That makes a lot of sense, given that a LOT of Americans did the same thing.  In both world wars, in fact.

[kazimmoinuddin]

I wonder how many of the wardens involved in putting kemmler are alive or still in the field. Some bad guy might be waiting for just the right time, I mean how many wardens have training to deal with high level necromancers.

[Rasins]

I wonder how many of the wardens involved in putting kemmler are alive or still in the field. Some bad guy might be waiting for just the right time, I mean how many wardens have training to deal with high level necromancers.

Considering Luccios "age" I'd bet there are still several.

[kazimmoinuddin]

Sure they might be still around, but the recent conflicts had to have trimmed their numbers, and how many would still be field capable. We might see a bunch of old timers going to battle.

[LordDresden2]

Considering Luccios "age" I'd bet there are still several.

Age wise it's no problem.  The last time the Council killed Kemmler was 1961.  That's only 56 years ago, even a young mortal involved in that could easily still be alive.

So in principle pretty much all the Wardens who fought Kemmler in 1961 could still be alive.  A lot of them may have fallen in the Red War, but other than that there's good odds any such Wardens are still alive and able.  I don't know what a 'typical' Warden career is, but it might easily span 100 years or more, even for 'ordinary' Wardens.

[LordDresden2]

Specifically, Jim said Kemmler killed Morgan's parents and the rest of his family.  Anastasia Luccio rescued Morgan.  Unfortunately Jim didn't give any other details such as how old Donald Morgan was at the time or why Kemmler went after Morgan's family. 

That explains his obsession with nailing Harry when he was living under the Doom.

Yeah, it so does!  I had never encountered that tidbit before.

It would explain why Morgan is so hard-ass about the Laws, and why he takes destroying warlocks so serious.  It would also explain why he is so dedicated to the Council's mission.  Imagine how Harry's attitude might be different if his first meeting with the White Council was him and Elaine being rescued from Justin in the nick of time instead of him being tried for Justin's death!

[groinkick]

I think that learning about Morgan's past makes him a much more sympathetic character..  Would be interesting to see him in Mirror Mirror

[jonas]

I think that learning about Morgan's past makes him a much more sympathetic character..  Would be interesting to see him in Mirror Mirror

I find it fascinating He like Harry, was an orphan raised in magical heritage.

[groinkick]

I find it fascinating He like Harry, was an orphan raised in magical heritage.

Well is that for sure?  His family being killed, and Lucio saving him could have been he getting rescued when he was already in say his 20's.