Thursday, April 9, 2020

The Importance of Qurac

It's been awhile since I went into full blown theory mode, so why not?



Qurac has been part of Jason Todds' story for awhile, he died there and keeps getting pulled back to the country after his resurrection. Roy Harper was sentenced to be executed there, which prompted Jason to take Starfire with him to save the archer. Artemis Grace and the Amazons of Bana-Mighdall live in the country and often have conflicts with the Quraci people.

The second time Jason returned to Qurac to help Artemis reclaim the Bow of Ra he dealt with his PSTD and saw the site he died at. The third time has General Glory contacting the Outlaws about an obelisk travelling to Qurac that brings innocents under the control of the Untitled. I don't think that any of this is a coincendence. Jason Todd, the only human to successful be trained by the All Caste to battle the Untitled finds them in the country he died? The same one that has conflicts with the Amazons? Then we have the implication that Essence and Artemis somehow know each other? 

I saw a theory online (that I can't find it anymore otherwise I'd link it) that guessed that the the solicit for #46 hinting at an anicent evil being. The theory also matched up to the cover art with the giant red hand, suggesting it belonged to Trigon. Which isn't totally out of left field as Essence outright told the Outlaws way back at the beginning of volume one that she was once trapped in the heart of Trigon. It would make sense if he was responsible for the Well of Sins that created the Untitled. So, how does that connect to Jason and the Amazons?

After Jason returned from the dead he noticed that Talia seemed scared of him. She took him to the All Caste to be trained not long after. Talia said Jason had no soul until she put him into the Pit but claimed that she still saw good in him. Ducra said that she would train him to protect to world from him. During the Prince of Gotham arc we learn that Ducra had a vison of Jason becoming something darker and wanted to change that future. Maybe this is connected to Trigon, maybe not. It might even be a mistake on her part. It's left vague for the audience at present.

We've learned a little of Jasons' time with the All Caste. He's the only human to successfully master the All Caste ability to see the past/present/future all at once without going insane. He can summon the All Blades, see the Untitled, and is apparently used to battling on the astral plane. Not everyone in the All Caste was thrilled with Jason being trained. (*1) Before confronting Batman and Joker or preparing for the conflict, Jason freed the souls of countless children by defeating a monster that consumed young souls during the "cleansing." (RHATO #34 Vol. 2) During this time Jason had "a lot more soul" and was able to battle with multiple All Blades. 

On his second visit post-rebirth battling Akila and maintaining two All Blades was too draining for Jason. His weapons are connected to his soul which might imply something, maybe the All Blades themselves, weakening him in present day. Now, despite being well versed on how to find the Untitled, Jason doesn't know why it took him so long to see them controlling two college students.

The "tattoos" that were present during the cleansing have shown up a few times, usually glowing. Recently marks on Jason's arms have started to appear and glown when he uses the All Blades. Awhile back I guessed that it might be something like the seal in Nautro. The first time we see it in the timeline is during the cleansing when it appeared to be drawn with ink. It might simply be something to protect Jason himself. This is just me spitballing ideas, and since we all have more time lately I might do that more.

My theory is actually about the location of Jason's death site and how it connects Jason/the Untitled/Amazons of Bana-Mighdall. Essence, the rest of the Untitled and the Amazons are immortals, unaffected by the ravages of time. So it's likely that they'd run into each other. The idea of Ducra entrusting Ra's Al Ghul and his league of the assassins with protecting the Well of Sins during the Tynion run never sat well with me. Having the All Caste trusting Amazons? That makes far more sense, depending on what the history of the current Bana is. Essence and Ducra would likely check in on them from time to time to see how things were going. More so if the Amazons failed.

I could see the Amazons protecting the area and decide to settle on it to protect the world. This puts them into conflict with others but mostly the residents of Qurac who see them as unwanted invaders. Maybe some of them know of a hidden power, etc. but over time their fights have less to do with that and becomes more personal. Someone manages to get past the sandstorm barrier to Bana-Mighdall which starts the events of Akila going mad. Artemis leaves while the rest of her people try to recover after the destruction of that day not really sure what happened. Their too busy with their own problems to focus on their promise to Ducra for some time.

The location gets forgotten by the Quraci people, they build on the area unaware of the dangers. Whether or not Artemis is aware of the Willis/Prison connection she still believes that she is
responsible for ruining Jason's life because she left her people and abandoned a sacred duty that led to his death.

For whatever reason the area is a magic hot spot that needs to be protected. Blood and sacrifice have always been a big factor in magic for DC. (*2) Jason's sacrifice to protect his mom ends up being the reason why he was brought back and is able to use the All Caste training easier than other humans. Maybe there are other side effects that haven't been outright stated yet. Sounds weird? Maybe, but this was a lot of fun to think about, and it could lead to some interesting stories. It also more firmly links Jason's story to something outside the bat realm. Which I think would befit the character in the long run.




*1 Although it should be noted that one of those people that didn't trust Jason ended up joining the Royal Flush gang and working for Penguin.  

*2 Zatanna was able to use a spell underwater, with her throat cut, by using her own blood to write with.

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