Ethan
Names: EthanCleric ConservatorConservatorYour EminenceCleric Conservator EthanConservator Ethanthe ClericCleric Ethanex-Conservator
First appears in Book 1: The Dreaming Void, chapter 2 (1)
Appearances
What you know
Book 1: The Dreaming Void
- Ch 2Ethan is elected Cleric Conservator of Living Dream, announcing that the Second Dream has begun and that the movement will Pilgrimage.
- Ch 2Ethan is a Natural human from the External World of Oamaru who joined the gaiafield 150 years ago and witnessed Inigo's First Dream on his first night.
- Ch 2Ethan wants the Mayor's sanctum restored to how Inigo had it and intends to impose his authority on the Orchard Palace within hours.
- Ch 2Ethan believes evolution's message is 'go forward or die', and that this is the reason for the Void's existence.
- Ch 2Newly elected Conservator of Living Dream, he is determined to carry out Pilgrimage and has a scholarly background in ancient history.
- Ch 2Ethan plans to appoint Phelim as Treasury Secretary and to remove Corrie-Lyn from the Council, arguing his mandate cannot be challenged by the faithful.
- Ch 2Ethan has recently been elected Cleric Conservator, and ANA Factions are manoeuvring for advantage because of it.
- Ch 2He is a leader of the Living Dream who removed Corrie-Lyn from the Council and, per Aaron, wants her dead.
- Ch 4Declared the Living Dream Pilgrimage ten days earlier.
- Ch 10Ethan, Cleric Conservator, leads Living Dream's Council and plans to launch Pilgrimage ships, with the hulls expected by September.
- Ch 10Ethan secretly knows Marius promised to deliver ultradrive engines for the Pilgrimage ships; the Council has not been told.
- Ch 10Ethan, Conservator of Living Dream, plans to bring Viotia into the Free Market Zone's core and hierocracy so the Second Dreamer can be found and secured.
- Ch 10Ethan intends a direct intervention into the next dream to appeal to both the Second Dreamer and the Skylord, possibly bypassing the Second Dreamer.
- Ch 10He is desperate to gain control of the Second Dreamer, who could stop the Pilgrimage.
- Ch 12Cleric Conservator Ethan leads the Dream Masters in trying to enter the dream of the Skylord and reach Makkathran.
- Ch 12Ethan tried to speak to the Skylord directly and reportedly lies in a coma with a burned-out brain.
- Ch 14Ethan has semi-organic nodules on his skull after a neural backlash from contact with the Second Dreamer. He insists on showing no weakness.
- Ch 14Ethan treats the Skylord's offer as final testimony that the Pilgrimage will succeed, and plans further contact with the Second Dreamer using a safety cut-out.
- Ch 14Ethan presides over the Council from a throne and wins a unanimous vote on the treaty with Viotia.
- Ch 14Ethan believes the Second Dreamer will have to dream again to placate the Skylord, or the boundary will consume everyone.
Book 2: The Temporal Void
- Ch 3Ethan pleads with the Skylord and the Second Dreamer through the gaiafield, saying the Skylord has anointed the Second Dreamer.
- Ch 5Ethan leads Living Dream and has annexed the planet and flooded the city with paramilitaries for his Pilgrimage.
- Ch 8Ethan is Cleric Conservator of Living Dream; still recovering, he has three semiorganic nodules left on his skin to be removed soon.
- Ch 8Ethan agrees to take the observers despite not understanding the faction's motive, suspecting the request is momentous to Marius's sponsors.
- Ch 8Ethan says Living Dream believes it has identified a possible candidate for the Second Dreamer, a woman, and a welcome team on Viotia has her identity.
- Ch 11Cleric Conservator of Living Dream, he hopes to reach the Void and fears Araminta's strong rejection of Living Dream.
- Ch 11Is reluctant to rely further on Marius and suspects ANA is helping Araminta evade the manhunt.
- Ch 11Ethan orders a two-hundred-kilometer quarantine around the surviving ship in Ellezelin orbit, forbidding anyone, including rescue ships, from approaching.
- Ch 11Ethan suffers frequent headaches while his brain recovers after his semiorganic auxiliaries were removed; he privately insists the Second Dreamer must be acquired at any cost.
- Ch 13Ethan exploits the Skylord's refusal to take Justine to the nucleus, using clerics from his Council to preach destiny across the unisphere.
Book 3: The Evolutionary Void
- Ch 3Ethan leads Living Dream and wants Araminta secured at any cost, since otherwise humanity's only contact to the Void is Gore Burnelli.
- Ch 8Ethan, Cleric Conservator of Living Dream, greets Araminta with good humor but suspects she is hiding something he cannot identify.
- Ch 8Ethan arranged with Ilanthe for ultradrives and Raiel-proof force fields for the Pilgrimage ships, in exchange for taking her into the Void.
- Ch 12Ethan escorts Araminta to the starship construction yard and explains the Pilgrimage plans began in Inigo's time.
- Ch 12Ethan hopes some bridge between the Void and the Commonwealth can be established by the Heart.
- Ch 12Ethan is a Cleric of Living Dream whose loyalists will crew the pilgrimage ships; he will fly with Araminta aboard the flagship.
- Ch 12Ethan is a telepath and was gladdened by Araminta's faith that the Void will always triumph; he cannot work out her game.
- Ch 18Ethan is the ex-Conservator of Living Dream, now hated by its followers, and was told by Ilanthe that Araminta is false.
- Ch 18Ethan threatens Araminta that it will go badly if she denies the Void to Living Dream, then is dismissed and walks away.
- Ch 20Ethan, an ex-Conservator in Cleric robes, tried to shoot Araminta after the fleet entered the Void; she crippled him and mentally subjugated him.
- Ch 20Ethan asked the Heart to take the fleet to the solid world once inhabited by humans, apparently to out-maneuver Araminta.
Connections
- leadsCleric Council
- ally ofPhelimloyal personal secretary
- related toJalensucceeded Jalen as Conservator
- leadsLiving Dream
- ally ofCaptain Manbysent to kill Corrie-Lyn, according to Aaron
- ally ofRincensostaunch supporter on the Council
- ally ofFalvenstaunch supporter on the Council
- has memberPhelimCouncillor serving under Ethan
- member ofLiving Dream
- leadsDream Masters
- ally ofMariusMarius's faction facilitated Ethan's rise and offers ultradrives
- ally ofLiving Dream
- ally ofIlanthesecret deal for technology in exchange for passage into the Void
Key moments
- Book 1 · Ch 2Ethan elected Cleric Conservator
After three days in conclave, the Council presents Ethan as the new Conservator. He declares the Second Dream has begun and announces a Pilgrimage, sparking euphoria among the faithful and doomsday predictions elsewhere.
- Book 1 · Ch 2Ethan takes the Mayor's sanctum
Ethan and Phelim retreat to the Mayor's rooms, where Ethan orders modern furnishings removed and marvels at achieving his goal.
- Book 1 · Ch 2Ethan plans his administration
As new Conservator, Ethan decides to make Phelim Treasury Secretary and Councillor, and to remove Corrie-Lyn from the Council, while discussing the search for the Second Dreamer.
- Book 1 · Ch 2Marius offers ultradrives
Marius congratulates Ethan and renews ANA's offer of ultradrives for the Pilgrimage ships; Ethan accepts but will also build conventional drives.
- Book 1 · Ch 2Assassination attempt on Corrie-Lyn
Captain Manby's squad ambushes Corrie-Lyn and Aaron; Aaron kills all three, then tells her Ethan wants her dead and offers protection.
- Book 1 · Ch 10Living Dream Council meeting
Ethan meets Rincenso, Falven and Phelim. They discuss the Skylord, Pilgrimage ship construction due by September, and Phelim's finding that the Second Dreamer is on Viotia.
- Book 1 · Ch 10Ethan proposes incorporating Viotia
Ethan and Phelim persuade Councillors Falven and Rincenso to prepare to bring Viotia into the hierocracy, as a fallback if a direct intervention in the Second Dreamer's next dream fails.
- Book 1 · Ch 12Dream Masters blocked
Ethan and the Dream Masters try to reach the Skylord and Makkathran but the Second Dreamer's dark force shatters the dream, and Ethan collapses.
- Book 1 · Ch 14Cleric Council moves to claim Viotia
Ethan, recovering, convenes the council. They learn the Second Dreamer is in Colwyn City on Viotia, and Viotia accepts elevation to core status in the Free Trade Zone.
- Book 1 · Ch 14Council approves the Viotia treaty
After Viotia's acceptance, the Council unanimously votes for the treaty, with full trade to follow when the Second Dreamer joins them in Makkathran.
- Book 1 · Ch 14Planning the wormhole and police deployment
Phelim and Ethan plan to open a wormhole at Colwyn City, send police, and halt traffic to confine the Second Dreamer in the city.
- Book 1 · Ch 14Void devourment phase begins
Ethan reveals the Void began a devourment phase right after the Second Dreamer rejected the Skylord, which he expects will force him to dream again.
- Book 2 · Ch 3Justine's chase to the Void
Raiel warships pursue the Silverbird with hyperspace shock waves; Araminta, via the gaiafield, asks a Skylord to open the boundary, and Justine enters the Void.
- Book 2 · Ch 8Marius requests observers on the Pilgrimage
Marius meets Ethan, reveals the Ocisen destruction of a navy ship, and asks to place unsuspended scientist observers and equipment aboard each Pilgrimage ship, offering force fields against the Raiel. Ethan agrees.
- Book 2 · Ch 11Orbital battle above Ellezelin
Two stealthed ships fought in orbit, destroying over twenty civilian ships. ANA's agent survived; the loser was suspected of high treason.
- Book 2 · Ch 11ANA reveals Primes with the Ocisen fleet
ANA: Governance told Ethan that Prime warships accompany the approaching Ocisen fleet and asked him to quarantine the wreckage.
- Book 2 · Ch 11Ethan imposes quarantine
After the stealthed ship is destroyed over Ellezelin, Ethan orders a quarantine around the surviving ship and is pressed by Marius to help conceal the wreckage from ANA.
- Book 3 · Ch 3Araminta found on Chobamba
Oscar's team and Living Dream both learn Araminta is on Chobamba sharing Inigo's dreams. Both sides plan to reach her; Oscar's team consults Paula.
- Book 3 · Ch 3Digby attacks Riasi generator
Valean uses the Agra wormhole to swallow Chatfield's wreckage. Digby smashes the force field and wormhole, then pursues the escaping ship into hyperspace.
- Book 3 · Ch 8Araminta takes control of the Cleric Council
Araminta demands to know the Pilgrimage arrangements, forcing Ethan to reveal his deal with the supplier, and takes the Mayor's state rooms as her residence.
- Book 3 · Ch 12Tour of the starship construction yard
Araminta and Ethan visit the manufacturing field where twelve giant starships are being fitted with twenty-four million suspension chambers, welcomed by Cleric Taranse, for the Pilgrimage.
- Book 3 · Ch 12Attack on the freighters
Thirty-seven freighters carrying the Sol barrier force fields arrive at Ellezelin; eight stealthed enemy ships attack but are destroyed by defense squadrons, and the freighters are undamaged.
- Book 3 · Ch 12Radiation downspill
Debris and radiation from the orbital fight scorch the countryside around the city; many followers without memorycells die.
- Book 3 · Ch 14The Pilgrimage launches
Aboard the Lady's Light, the Dreamer receives word that embarkation is complete, and the Pilgrimage ships lift off from Ellezelin and set course for the Void.
- Book 3 · Ch 18Araminta confronts Ethan
After weeping for the Pilgrimage's followers, Araminta faces Ethan, who knows from Ilanthe she is many. She vows to lead the Pilgrimage into the Void without judging who enters, and dismisses him.
- Book 3 · Ch 20Araminta subdues Ethan
Ethan tries to draw a pistol on Araminta; she throws him against a bulkhead and mentally dominates him into declaring love and trust.