A long shot...

I cannot tell you what has changed, but it seems apparent that something has. If the Duke had the ability to draw people to him through touch as is evident with Angeliana, he would have used it on Keladry's knight. A living knight under his control is much better than a corpse. We also know that whatever happened in Clystrin (?) was apparently the accidental fallout of a different ritual meant for a different purpose. Is it possible that that ritual was what has enhanced/changed the Duke in this manner? Either way, obviously touch is an issue with this person. Those who plan to fight him should keep that in mind. Taking him captive will be tricky at this point. And... personal feelings or no, I think we should at least try in order to find out what exactly has happened.

-Allyce

I can expand on what Ergos was talking about in regarding to controlling townsmembers while walking on the field of battle.
The instructions that screamed in my head were to protect him. Not to fight Travance, but to protect him. The 10th came in and he vanished releasing us.

It seems being outnumbered will frighten even him with his power.

In service to the Queen,
-Caelvan Renaith
-March Warden of Selendrias


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

There's a lot of very good theories and suggestions here, ones we can start trying to confirm. I would caution because it is something I am guilty of, and I've seen a lot of people do in the past to try to avoid taking a very plausible theory and operating under it, because that's both dangerous and a good way to start steering oneself wrong.

For example we've said in this very missive that True Warlocks are demons, and it was said that they are a byproduct of a pact between a demon and a mortal, I've heard it said by people wiser than myself that True Warlocks are born in the abyss like demons but are a distinct creature from demons. Which might seem like a semantic point but if true one could read the above and start running around saying a simple case of demonic possession is a True Warlock and then you're fighting entirely the wrong enemy.

So just checking the things we know for sure are facts:
Enzarond is linked to VV
VIV is a True Warlock
VIV has the power to operate independently from Enzarond
Balliol is under Enzarond's control
Balliol and Enzarond are both tremendously powerful, difficult to kill, and capable of mind controlling pretty much anyone in ways that can neither be resisted nor cured using normal means
Balliol and Enzarond can be hurt, and did eventually put effort into defending themselves

In terms of theories
Seems really likely Enzarond is VIV's host, (I feel like that was confirmed but I can't remember if I've seen it confirmed so...)

I'm gonna go ahead and add my speculation that VIV and it's host can't die unless it and the host body are destroyed since these things usually work that way.

An addendum to your facts.

Balliol WAS under Enzarond's or VIV's control.

As of last moon Balliol operated with the same level of power and this time without having to be coerced or ordered.

This means either the person behind the reigns shifted, or Balliol finally gave into VIV's influence. Or maybe made a second pact or...something else.

Either way, that is theory, not fact.

True Warlock marks Seth.

-Dirge

Damnit.

I was so caught up, I missed something so obvious.

Based on what we saw Balliol wield, it's easy to assume the great amount of power and control needed to be funneled to a new host would take quite a while. Which lines up with him needing to be directly influenced before as compared to now.

Damnit.

Thanks Dirge.