History WMG / Temeraire

* The most mighty and massive of dragons like Temeraire were formerly powerful ''[[UpToEleven archangels]]''.

** Later on, when Laurence speaks to a priest about whether dragons are tainted with original sin, the priest thinks no, since they have limbs and therefore can't be the serpent in the garden. This implies that dragons aren't mentioned in Christianity at all beyond what they are in reality (which seems bafflingly unlikely, but [[InSpiteOfANail there you have it.]]

With Tongues of Serpents, it looks like the U.S may eventually have to deal with a premature war, especially considering how one of the American merchants towards the end briefly mentions the division of slavery in the states (in a 'blink and you'll miss it' comment), as well as his own feelings about slavery. The Portugese merchant gets very irate over the issue and warns him that, yes, the Tswana might attack the U.S soon. Now, if the Tswana did get through their RoaringRampageofRevenge down in Brazil and worked their way up to the U.S, attacking the Southern States over the slavery issue, it might add the right combination of fuel to the flame, along with the help of the small but growing abolition movement in early 19th century Reform Era America. Note that at this point in U.S. history, many influential Americans, including in Virginia and other states of the Upper South, among them Founders such as UsefulNotes/ThomasJefferson, UsefulNotes/JamesMadison and George Mason, believed that slavery was a NecessaryEvil at best and should be brought to an end if a workable alternative could be found.

* As of Tongues of Serpents, the United States did revolt in '76 (and are making noises about a [[{{War Of 1812}} second war]] if the Brits don't stop impressment), but it's...different, and seems to have merged with Native American tribes, rather than displacing them (possibly due to their command of the vast numbers of native dragons and the colonials likely having one of their own).

*** On the other hand, given that the top speed of a flying dragon is at most 35-40 mph, airplanes may be developed as a much faster alternative. Even the earliest UsefulNotes/WW1 biplanes flew much more swiftly than dragons, and by the time WW2 rolled around factions were investigating the first jets and rockets as tools of war. Of course, by then dragons may be relegated to entirely different positions both in culture and in warfare.

*** On the other hand, given that the top speed of a flying dragon is at most 35-40 mph, airplanes may be developed as a much faster alternative. Even the earliest WW1 biplanes flew much more swiftly than dragons, and by the time WW2 rolled around factions were investigating the first jets and rockets as tools of war. Of course, by then dragons may be relegated to entirely different positions both in culture and in warfare.

With Tongues of Serpents, it looks like the U.S may eventually have to deal with a premature war, especially considering how one of the American merchants towards the end briefly mentions the division of slavery in the states (in a 'blink and you'll miss it' comment), as well as his own feelings about slavery. The Portugese merchant gets very irate over the issue and warns him that, yes, the Tswana might attack the U.S soon. Now, if the Tswana did get through their RoaringRampageofRevenge down in Brazil and worked their way up to the U.S, attacking the Southern States over the slavery issue, it might add the right combination of fuel to the flame, along with the help of the small but growing abolition movement in early 19th century Reform Era America. Note that at this point in U.S. history, many influential Americans, including in Virginia and other states of the Upper South, among them Founders such as UsefulNotes/ThomasJefferson, JamesMadison and George Mason, believed that slavery was a NecessaryEvil at best and should be brought to an end if a workable alternative could be found.

With Tongues of Serpents, it looks like the U.S may eventually have to deal with a premature war, especially considering how one of the American merchants towards the end briefly mentions the division of slavery in the states (in a 'blink and you'll miss it' comment), as well as his own feelings about slavery. The Portugese merchant gets very irate over the issue and warns him that, yes, the Tswana might attack the U.S soon. Now, if the Tswana did get through their RoaringRampageofRevenge down in Brazil and worked their way up to the U.S, attacking the Southern States over the slavery issue, it might add the right combination of fuel to the flame, along with the help of the small but growing abolition movement in early 19th century Reform Era America. Note that at this point in U.S. history, many influential Americans, including in Virginia and other states of the Upper South, among them Founders such as ThomasJefferson, JamesMadison and George Mason, believed that slavery was a NecessaryEvil at best and should be brought to an end if a workable alternative could be found.

** [[spoiler: Jossed in the first chapter of Blood of Tyrants. Iskierka and Temeraire's activities in Crucible of Gold bore fruit.]]

** It's highly unlikely that Jane will be upset or even bothered if this happens, precisely due to the nature of aviator culture - remember that Emily herself is the offspring of a liaison with a male aviator that neither Jane or Emily has even had much contact with for a long time. Jane is actually more likely to dryly ask Will what took him so long!

* While Laurence is not - yet, anyway - romantically involved with Emily Roland's chaperone, the two are obviously becoming friends, and Laurence is shown to enjoy Mrs. Pemberton's company, particularly when they take tea together. For her part, Mrs. Pemberton is showing HiddenDepths, for instance [[spoiler:using her brace of pistols to good effect during a desperate melee]] and requesting swordfighting training from Laurence, and is with the course of time becoming accustomed to the peculiarities of aviator culture. Not to mention that Jane Roland is thousands of miles away, and Laurence and Mrs. Pemberton have been in each other's society almost continuously ever since they left Australia on the Incan mission. The big remaining question is whether Temeraire can get over his jealous instincts.