#artemis studios

Okay, so a lovely hunter inspired the gears in my brain to click. To point out something that has been under our noses the whole time. Thank you @cloudysoftiesheeps for this help.

Guys, how many people were at the burning of Hawthorne Island?

Four. Four people. Kayliee Rooney, Colin Anders Wright, Toby Hawthorne, and......

David Golding.

Interesting to say that we are given nothing more about him than a name.

Absolutely. Nothing.

And if I've noticed a pattern within the Inheritance Games is that if a character is even given a name, they are significant to the story.

Names are probably the most important thing in the story.

So why am I focusing on this?

Kayliee Rooney had Hannah and the other Rooneys.

Toby had the Hawthornes, the Blakes, and the Laughlins.

Collin Wright had the Graysons.

Who the heck was David Golding? And why have we not heard from his family? Were they not mad?

Unless....

We aren't paying attention.

Lyra's father went by many names. Thomas was the most prominent.

He, for some reason, did something to annoy the cult, driving him to off himself. A Hawthorne did this.

Here's a good question.

Why was Alice after Thomas in the first place? And why did Thomas want a witness?

And what was Lyra's mom's maiden name.

Now I have your attention.

I actually have a list of suspects for people that the cult has killed. Using my uber profiling instincts, I'm picking up an MO.

Alice killed Tobias. She killed her husband using poison. We see it with the pearls that Jameson was forced to take. We also see it when Lyra blacked out.

There is a patern within these deaths. Orion Thorpe is dead. "Cancer". Tobias is dead. But the death was sudden and only one brother knew about it.

Who was it?

XANDER. WHO I HAVE BEEN POINTING OUT IN EVERY THEORY IN REGARDS TO THE CARDS.

You know who else is dying? The Proprietor.

Who guessed it?

Jameson.

Jameson guessed it on a "hunch".

As we saw in GR, Jameson has memories of his encounter with Alice trauma blocked. What if Jameson heard something? He woke up three times. Or at least thats the information JLB has given us.

Tobias. The Proprietor. Orion Thorpe. Thomas.

What are the connections?

:3

>:3

>>:3

THEY HAVE CONNECTIONS TO THE PEOPLE.

Tobias and Alice. Calla and Orion.

What if the Proprietor is connected. His time is up. But what if he's not the one in control of the Devils Mercy. What if he was a puppet on a string?

For the cult to use.

To influence the wealthiest elites of the town.

To influence their behaviors.

Crowd. Control.

So what does this have to do with Lyra?

What if Lyra was connected to David Golding?

I have a theory that Lyra is connected to David Golding. Actually multiple theories. So here we go.

How?

Timeline it doesn't make sense. Since Lyra is younger than Avery by about a year younger than Avery. Avery was born a few years after the fire.

Math don't add up there.

So Lyra isn't a child of David Golding.

Womp womp.

Option two, Lyra is connected to the Rooneys. Maybe, just maybe, Thomas was a Rooney who ran away. This theory doesn't seem likely given that the only person that comes to mind would be Rory Rooney. He didn't seem like one to flee.

Option three, Lyra is connected to the Goldings by extended family.

That theory feels just as weak as the others.

Option four, Thomas went seeking answers. He went seeking answers. He found the cult. He had the option to stay quiet. Thomas could have searched for answers. On his brother.

Currently, at a stalemate on this end. So let me go back to the idea that Avery rigged this game behind everyone's back.

Because she asked Toby for permission to do this game on the island.

You know what I think? Alice went to the cult after Toby.

This is her "baby boys" grave. This island is sacred to her.

Avery rebuilt a game on it.

That feels like poking the bear if you ask me.

Almost like Avery knew this was going to grab attention.

@rainforcsts helped me out here with these thoughts.

But like, Avery and Zella have to be working together. Because Avery should have stopped the game the minute the "squirls" got into the wires. But she didn't.

How did Oren miss the intruders?

Unless Avery was sending him the other way.

How did Avery get kidnapped if all of security was on her? If Jameson was with her? If XANDER WAS WITH HER? In the boat.

Unless she sent them all away.

And left a note.

Avery.

Knew.

Something.

Why did Toby come?

Avery.

Brought.

Him.

Avery didn't bring Lyra. Eve did. Eve knew something about Thomas. Eve wanted to use Lyra.

What was it? You know what I think was in the file?

That Thomas was related to David Golding.

Someone did point out that when Eve mentioned Lyra to Calla, Calla seemed amused.

Let's take one moment to analyze the timeline.

A year after Avery's birth. Alice in red comes.

Lyra is a year younger than Avery. Lyra was just born around that time.

Lyra is four years old when her father died. Four years later, Alice is not the watcher anymore. She's the judge.

Who took the watcher's place in that time.

Because it couldn't have been Calla. Calla is only a few years older.

Alice spares Lyra.

Eve said in the letter with the wild card ticket "You deserve this".

Why did Lyra deserve this?

Still gonna continue this train of thoughts.

My fellow people who were are apart of the previous post who commented/theorized alongside me get there mentions!

If you reblog, don't forget my tag "artemis studios"!

@reminiscentreader * @leenloveslotsofthings * @ellawarnerhawthorne * @no1lyrakanedefender * @your-mommy-ems * (TAG ANY OTHER TIG BLOGGER YOU WANT TO SEE DISCUSS WITH ME)

I HAVE THEORY THAT I NEED OTHERS TO REBLOG AND TALK TO ME ABOUT.

BECAUSE I THINK IM THIS CLOSE TO FIGURING OUT MONOCEROS. AVERYS DISAPPEARANCE. AND WHY THE GAME WAS RIGGED.

That’s right. I said it.

RIGGED.

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Legend

TIG - The Inheritance Games THL - The Hawthorne Legacy TFG - The Final Gambit TBH - The Brothers Hawthorne TGG - The Grandest Games GR - Glorious Rivals GU - Games Untold SBAF - Same Backwards As Forwards PATRG - Pain At The Right Gun (And Toby will be addressed as Harry to make things simpler)

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Where did this all start?

Let me review some things real quick.

In the prologue of SBAF, Hannah met Alice Hawthorne. At that time, estimated to take a few years after the fire on Hawthorne Island, Alice bared a red scarf.

Red is associated with the watcher of this three women cult. Alice upon coming to Hannah gives the red scarf to Avery, tells Hannah that there is much to discuss.

Cut to black.

Hannah says she was offered something. She said no. But Hannah is still scared. She begins a game of secrets.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In PATRG, we only get a few moments with Alice. Alice was "dead" by the time Grayson was born. The two of them have never met.

Jameson leaves with a scar. Avery describes it.

"No I thought, as I pulled my hand back. Not a triangle. An arrow." (GU, page 58).

You know where else this scar was mentioned? STARING US DEAD IN THE EYE?!

KNOX.

"Knox pulled his collar roughly down, baring the skin at the base of his neck- and a white, puckered, triangular scar." (TGG, pg 291).

When did this exactly happen? Did Jameson get shot by Calla? The timelines match up if you consider the stories. The stories Brady tells.

Let's go back to PATRG.

There were two females present when Jameson was tortured. A girl and a woman. One described to sound like his Aunt Zara. We can assume that's Alice. The other one was described only as a girl.

And who tortured him?

Calla. She specifically even says "this situation merits more than just watching."

Calla tortured Jameson. It was right in front of us all along.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Zella is related to Calla.

It was staring us in the eye.

I know you can't rely on names. But just look at there names.

"' We were sisters.' Zella said, 'once upon a time.' " (GR, 361)

Zella is important to this story and we have all not noticed it.

And this is where the gears in my head began to grind. Zella said she set into motions all she can in the Grandest Game.

...

was it all just because of Rohan....

or were there other things at play during this grandest game?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Devil's Mercy.

Very few women are granted membership. Zella states its very rare.

But the dealers are females.

Jameson describes many things in chapter 32 of TBH.

"...mirrors that weren't just mirrors, moldings shaped to mask peepholes, triangular jeweled necklaces worn by the dealers that he deeply suspected contained listening devices, cameras, or both." (TBH, pg. 153)

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Alice. Had. A. Watch.

Jameson. Still. Has. That. Watch.

It's in his hand when he first met Rohan. A secret compartment in it. He should have thrown it away.

Fun fact: Its in the cover of TBH.

A key. A lock. A pocket watch. A triangular jeweled necklace. A crown. A dagger. A lamp.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Games Untold cover has more.

You know what was hidden in plain sight?

Calla Lilies and Roses. Go check. Its all over you cover.

IN FACT

TIG, THL, TFG, check the backgrounds. Its full of roses.

Check the background of TBH.

There is no flowers.

GU? Calla Lilies and Roses.

TGG? Calla Lilies.

But GR? Theres Calla Lilies....

but theres a flower there that I can't quite figure out.

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I am typing a lot but just stay with me. I'm doing all this research as I type this out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maybe its time I start talking.

It is clear to me with every re-read that Jennifer Lynn Barnes has been hiding things in plain sight.

But it makes me wonder how long the Cult has been influencing events. How long have they been making things happen.

When I first read the Brothers Hawthorne, I was more intrigued with Grayson's story than I was with Jamesons. Jameson's story felt out of place, unnecessary, and overall uninteresting.

Now I'm realizing....

That. Was. Intentional.

Jameson's story feels out of place beacause we don't have context. There is no context to why Jameson's journey through the Devils Mercy is important. Why Rohan was important? Why the Secret was important?

Let's all be honest here, we could have cared less about Jameson beating his father in a game.

So why tell the story at all? Why not jump to the end of it and have Jameson tell Avery about Alice.......

......

Avery knew about Alice before Jameson told her.

================================================

Chapter 34, TBH.

Avery was alone with the proprietor. She said he offered her entrance into the game.

....

Why is the proprietor interested in Avery in the first place?

Remove Jameson from the equation.

Right from the start, the proprietor is interested in Avery.

Did the proprietor even know why Jameson wanted to come? He could care less about Ian's kid coming in for vantage. He was clearly, from the start, UNINTERESTED.

Why. Avery.

Then there is the Wheat.

The fricken wheat.

"Fire and pain and fear and the price of wheat." (GU, pg. 429)

Page 207, TBH, Jameson bets on the price of wheat. Shortly after that, Jameson is summoned to the proprietors office.

Page 210, TBH, "'Only one person,' he [ the proprietor] commented softly, 'has ever managed to break into the Mercy.' " Zella was the second person to ever break in. Who was the first. This detail matters.

Theory #1. That was someone who was apart of the three.

Page 213, TBH. The proprietor questions Jameson why he placed a bet on wheat. Jameson does not tell the truth. The Proprietor, himself, seems impressed and curious.

Page 238, TBH. The Proprietor reads Jameson's secret. His reaction is not described.

The Proprietor.....knows.t

================================================

The events in TBH happened half a year before the beginning of the first game happened. The one that Knox and Brady joined.

TGG happens a year and a half after TBH.

......

Lyra did not cause the attention of the three...

Jameson is to blame.

He made a bet on wheat prices.

He used Alice as his secret.

He.

Did.

This.

Because guess who is connected to Calla? Who is known for getting into places she shouldn't? Who is invested in power?

==============================================

Poppy.

The second flower on the cover of GR....

is poppies.

How did I figure that out?

Page 283, TBH. Chapter 60.

"Near the poppies, the two of them found a staircase carved into the side of the cliffs...."

I went back and re-read.

The clue in the book. A poppy flower. For the game at The Devil's Mercy.

Poppy flowers are used to make drugs. Narcotics.

A drug that relieves pain, causes drowsiness, stupor, and insensibility.

===============================================

Okay, back to my theories.

Ahem.

Avery. Didn't. Make. The. Game. Till. AFTER.

The Game that was announced. The game that Knox and Brady played. The one hinted at, at the end of TFG.

The Final. GAMBIT. Could that refer to what happened between Vincent and Avery?

Or could that also be referring to the move that Avery just pulled.

Because we don't get to know about that Game. We don't know about the clues.

But what we do know that the second game was more intentional.

Because Avery chose these players. Brady. Odette. Gigi was the initial choice. Savannah was the second. Knox was chance. Rohan was chance. Lyra. Was. Chance.

Why is no one asking these questions.

Why did Avery choose these three very specific people?

Brady was in contact with Zella.

Zella wanted Rohan out.

What if Zella wanted Rohan out for some reason beside the Devils Mercy. What if this isn't personal. I mean, what lengths would Zella have to have gone to find out that Brady was chosen? Or to know that Rohan joined the game? The prologue in TGG happened a year before the events played out.

================================================

I have so many thoughts runnning through my brain right now and I'm trying to go through all seven books to gather the evidence to back me up right now.

So lets call this part 1 of my grand theory.

I'm calling time out for now while I run through my millions of ideas.

REBLOG IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD. DON'T COMMENT, REBLOG TO CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION.

Yep. Heard me right. I will update this eventually to even establish back stories told within the pages into the timeline.

To all my fellow theorists, if we are gonna crack Gilded Blade open like a secret safe, maybe we should read it in this specific order.

LEGEND:

TIG - The Inheritance Games THL - The Hawthorne Legacy TFG - The Final Gambit TBH - The Brothers Hawthorne TGG - The Grandest Games GR - Glorious Rivals GU - Games Untold (And Toby will be addressed as Harry to make things simpler)

To establish this timeline, I will be using key terms to help define where we are in the timeline.

Some math had to come into play while making this timeline. I had to find some way to establish age to the characters to make the timeline as accurate as possible. This required me needing to know Toby Hawthorne's age as a reference point for the entire timeline. But even that is a bit sketchy.

So what I ended up doing was using Nash Hawthorne as a reference point for age. Since Nash actually clearly establishes everyone's age in the Hawthorne brothers.

(Again, I will update this to add the references. I got very tired halfway through this because of flipping through pages of seven books to find the references.)

TW: This will talk about dark subjects such as abusive relationship, drug addiction, domestic violence, SA, and few others. I don't know what can trigger people but this is in the book.

Guys….

How alone was he when Emily died?

Think about it. Grayson and Jameson stopped talking to each other. It’s clear. In TIG when the boys are arguing after Avery beat the keys challenge, Xander’s first thing he says is “Oh you two are finally talking again!”

In Xander’s short story in GU, it’s seen that Nash’s break up was shortly after Emily’s death.

Nash left the house.

Thea and Rebecca broke up. They were on bad terms. I imagine Rebecca couldn’t really talk to Xander.

….

Guys how long was Xander alone in that house? With just his Grandfather to keep company?

How long did Xander have to live in this tense environment with Jameson trying to do God knows what and Grayson leaving the house to “work” to stay as far away from Jameson as possible.

How long do you think Xander put on a smile going to school with rumors spreading around?

You know, I think JLB is really good at showing racism without explicitly addressing racism for Xander.

Because again, Xander tells Avery when dancing together in TIG, people have judged him all his life.

Guys…what bullying has Xander experienced? What jagged things between the lines we’re given has he endured?

I feel like there’s some mischaracterization of Xander. Not by JLB but by some of the fandom.

He’s not a child. He’s Avery’s age.

In TBH we can see Nash is very defensive of Xander in particular. Maybe trying to keep up an illusion of innocence? But Xander is not a baby.

His relationship with Max shows that.

I personally know this from the depths of my heart.

Innocent ≠ Naivety

Xander can be very innocent but he knows the terrible things that happen in his house.

Emily tried to manipulate him in some way as told in his short story but she “learned very quickly” he couldn’t. Which lead to Emily and him not getting along.

Xander recognized Emily’s manipulative behavior. He is not blind to it.

Xander hanged out with their grandfather. Xander is described to have their grandfather’s mind.

Do you think he’d really be innocently oblivious? Or is he putting on a show?

Even when he was hurt learning Isaiah wanted him, he talks to Avery in his bubbly persona.

What am I trying to say?

Xander is put on a lot of pressure. To pretend that everything’s okay. He’s the baby of the family that is “the best of them even on his worst days.” That sounds like a lot of pressure and bull crap.

Xander is told to be the glue. But who is lifting him up?

That’s why when hearing that Isaiah wanted him. That’s it. Just wanted him. I theorized that’s why Xander’s world shook.

Someone who’s always wanted him. And not wanted him a certain way. Or without knowing who he is.

Wanted.

That’s my Xander rant. It’s why I’m a scone padawan because I believe in Gilded Blade we’re going to see a Xander outburst. Because lowkey, it’s high time for a Xander crash out.

:3

The flowers. Let’s take a closer look at the covers flowers.

Book 1: The Inheritance Games- Green roses.

Green roses mean -Growth And Renewal

Book 2: The Hawthorne Legacy - Blue Roses

Blue roses - mystery, uniqueness, achieving the impossible, and deep or unrequited love

Book 3: The Final Gambit - Crimson red roses.

Crimson rose - intense emotions, with traditional meanings of deep love, passion, beauty, and romance, while also signifying strength, respect, sacrifice, and even grief in certain contexts, as seen in religious, cultural, and socialist traditions

Book 4: The Brothers Hawthorne - No Flowers.

None. Zero at all.

The Grandest Games- Black and Blue Calla Lillies. The special edition: White Calla Lilies.

Blue calla lilies - feminine beauty.

Black calla lilies - symbolize elegance, mystery, and a connection to the unknown or hidden depths of the soul, often associated with introspection and resilience. They can also signify mourning, farewell, and serious or reflective emotions

White calla lilies -symbolize purity, innocence, holiness, faithfulness, and rebirth

Book 5: Games Untold - Pink Roses. Pink Calla Lilies. Notably, BURNING.

Pink roses - grace, gratitude, joy, and admiration

Pink Calla Lilies -appreciation, admiration, and romance

Book 6: Glorious Rivals - Black Calla lilies. Black roses. White Calla Lilies. White poppy.

White poppies - symbolize peace, healing, and a future without violence

You know what’s funny? There’s only black roses on the regular cover and white poppies on the special edition.

Then I decided to look up Jameson’s thing.

“The price of wheat”.

Here’s what Google said the metaphorical meaning could be.

“Changes in wheat prices can be a powerful metaphor for the stability and interconnectedness of society. Because wheat is a fundamental food source, its price movements ripple through the entire economy, affecting daily life at every level.”

• Growing social unrest: An increase in the cost of a basic necessity like bread often leads to hardship and hunger, particularly for the poor. Metaphorically, rising wheat prices can represent growing social friction, inequality, and the potential for public outrage.

• Widespread volatility: A sudden spike in the price of wheat, which can be caused by war, climate change, or speculative trading, can be a metaphor for a world where foundational certainties are shaken. It represents an abrupt and unpredictable turn of events with significant consequences.

• Fear and scarcity: As prices climb, consumers may begin to hoard food, driven by fear of future shortages. This can be a metaphor for a society losing its sense of security, where scarcity replaces abundance and self-preservation takes precedence over community

Guys. What did Jameson do?

Jameson was scared. And the prices of wheat triggered something in the proprietor. Like a warning.

Also I did some research on calla Lillies and Poppy’s and roses.

Here’s the facts on them.

Calla Lillies are poisonous. Poppy’s are poisonous. Roses are not.

Calla lilies are common household and garden plants and are frequently ingested by curious children. Calla lilies release microscopic needle-like crystals, resulting in immediate burning, pain and irritation. Severe or life-threatening symptoms are rare. (Poison control!)

What is the feeling Jameson described when he woke up a second time? Being on fire.

Yes, poppies are poisonous to humans and animals because their plants contain opioid alkaloids, although the amount of alkaloids varies significantly by species and even individual plants. Ingestion of poppy plants, including their leaves, stems, flowers, and sometimes even seeds, can lead to symptoms of poisoning such as sedation, hyperactivity, vomiting, and, in severe cases, seizures and coma. The danger is highest from the poppy's milky latex, but even ornamental varieties can be toxic.

Roses are said to help settling the stomach and even be good for tea.

Finally, smaller piece of intel.

The arrow Calla used on Jameson and Knox?

That was a broad head arrow.

Those are used to kill BEARS.

How do I know? Based on the scar description. The scar is said to be like a triangle. Only one type of arrow that searched up leaves that kind of scar.

The way Google phrased it also caught my attention.

“Broadheads, especially fixed-blade models, are less forgiving of poor technique than field points.”

I’ve been messing with Monoceros too. Rearranging the letters to try and find words.

M o c e

n o r o s

Come soon (r)?

E r o s

M o n o c

Rose comon

Rose

M O n e s

O c o

Omens

E r o s

M o n o c

Eros moon (c)

O s

M o n o c e r

So room noc

Moose

M n o o o c e r s

Moon ceros

Unicorn

Constellation

Horn

One

One horn

Then I began to mess with names.

You know what’s funny? The irony of the three men in the story who died. Their names of funny…

Alastair (The Proprietor) - the revenging spirit

Tobias - God is good

Orion - the Hunter

Let me talk now theory wise.

I think that Roses represent Hannah and Avery.

I would not have been able to prove this theory. If it hadn’t been for “The Same Backwards as Forwards” cover.

There’s a Calla Lily and Rose.

The calla Lily is burning = Toby.

The rose has single drop of water. Tears. Hannah.

Orange rose - passion and excitement to support and celebration. That’s on Hannah’s side of the cover.

White Rose - purity, innocence, and loyalty. This is Toby’s side of the cover.

That means something. Toby saw Hannah this way.

This is why I think Rose’s represent Hannah.

Let’s put that in the context of the covers.

The first cover, green roses. Growth and Renewal. Avery is growing up. And Guys, RENEWAL MEANS an instance of resuming an activity or state after an interruption.

0-0

Blue Roses - Unrequited love, mystery, achieving the impossible, deep or unrequited love.

0-0”

Crimson rose -intense emotions, with traditional meanings of deep love, passion, beauty, and romance, while also signifying strength, respect, sacrifice, and even grief in certain contexts.

Are these roses talking about Avery? Or Hannah.

Because Tobias only changed the will…

ONE YEAR before his death.

One year.

The year Emily died.

The year Calla Disappeared? (Fact check me here?!)

No flowers. No Hannah?

The Grandest Game.

Glorious rivals.

The roses swap for poppies.

Okay that’s the end of this theory post.

Byyyeeeeeeee

Tag list:

@lyrakanefanatic @your-mommy-ems @katnisseverdeen2012 @queenslovetoread @no1lyrakanedefender

the girls and then the boys

OH! Okay. I seeeee.

I'm purely ranking this off how much I love their character.

Let me be a nuiscance.

ACACIA (WHY IS NO ONE RANKING HER)

Maxine

Hannah

Lyra

Libby

NAN

Avery (I'M SORRY)

Eve

Kayliee (Ik we didn't get to know her long. RIP Queen)

Gigi

Odette

Zara

Savannah.... (I respect anyone who likes her but I can't get behind her)

Rebecca

Zella

Alisa (I can get behind Alisa x Knox nation)

Alice (She intrigues me)

Thea

Calla

Libby's Mom (I got beef with this woman)

Mallory Laughlin

Emily FREAKING Laughlin

Skye

Hmmmm.

OREN

Xander

Grayson

Jameson

Nash

Mathias

Knox

Toby

Rohan

Sheffield

Jake (At least he wanted pictures of his son... ;~;)

Ian

The Proprietor

Tobias

Brady ( I despise this man)

RICKYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY YOU FUMBLED SO HARD MAN! SO BAD!

Vincent Blake.

William Blake (HISSSSSS)

To all yall hating on Grayson and Lyra for falling in love with each other within less than 24 hours…

They knew about each other…like Lyra knew about Grayson and based off her reaction kinda hated on him for like a good year.

Meanwhile Grayson was thinking about the girl on his phone constantly that same year wondering how to make things right to the person who he can’t even reach….

But Jameson and Avery kissed…..

Only three days after meeting each other.

How I feel rn: