So for some time I've been building a headcanon around the predatory species of the Green Ember world: dragons, raptors, and wolves. Maybe it's the Tolkien fan in me, but I feel that there must be a story behind these beings and why they are as they are. Why are they apparently irredeemable, being depicted as neither having mercy nor meriting it except as a gesture from noble rabbits who, quite frankly, would rather be doing other things with their time than killing predators? Why is their extinction in Ember's End the necessary precursor to the Mending?

I'm hoping to eventually incorporate these ideas into some fics I've been working on. However, I thought I'd share the basic outline itself, in the event that I don't end up completing or publishing these stories. All Biblical references are from the King James version.

In the beginning

So the story of the predators' beginnings must, of necessity, begin with the origin story of the Green Ember world itself. S.D. Smith has made a point of stating that his works are not meant to be an allegory or "a religious tract". The books themselves only hint at the concept of divinity within the series, and never outright name a figure or figures whom the rabbits worship. However, it does seem evident that a higher Power does exist within the world. Perhaps the most compelling evidence for this are the prophetic experiences and gifts of individuals like Fay (and Flint?), Mother Saramack, Lander, Jupiter, and Heather.

Many fictional series from Judeo-Christian authors feature such interpretations. Tolkien's Eru Illuvatar, C.S. Lewis' Aslan and Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea, and Chuck Black's King and Prince are just a few examples. I've seen a few Green Ember fans use "The Maker" after The Wingfeather Saga. However, I prefer to use something new that fits in more with established Green Ember lore. As Flint is remembered as Firstking, and his nemesis as Firstfoe, a bit of deliberation led me to what seemed a fitting name-title:

Firstfather

Much like the Heavenly Father whom he is based on, Firstfather is the perfect, loving Creator of the universe in which our favorite rabbits reside. He set forth the grand design for his creations, and the role each would play. Such was the wisdom and nobility of His Plan that many, if not all, of His creations "shouted for joy", like the sons of God mentioned in Job 38:7. Unfortunately, as in our own world, someone emerged to make trouble.

A rebellion forms against Firstfather, led by Gann and Shambler (referenced in The Black Star of Kingston). Perhaps, as Lucifer is described in Isaiah 14, they pridefully believe they can surpass the supreme Creator. This results in a war like that described in the Book of Revelation, culminating in the rebels being cast out. However, at this point the story differs somewhat from the account we have in scripture.

Whereas the devil and his angels were cast out to wander the Earth as evil spirits, in my mind something different happened to Gann, Shambler, and their followers. A portion of them ended up on the same world as Natalia, either at the same time or some time after Flint, Fay, and the Leapers. However, as a continued punishment for their rebellion, these wicked beings received the physical forms of dragons, wolves, and raptors. Their remaining confederates would be born in future generations, and thus all predators consist of those who dared to rebel against Firstfather in the beginning.

This idea seems to me to be the best way to explain rabbit and predator interactions in the series. I know some folks like to think there might be good wolves out there, if not raptors and dragons as well, but I don't really see it working out. Even if it were the case, it seems like the unavoidable tragedy is that any good predators would have been wiped out either by their own kindred or by rabbits who couldn't tell one predator from another. Or, if they did survive, what are they supposed to eat?

Antagonists like this are a bit tricky to deal with when you're trying to make a fictional world that is also true. Tolkien struggled with this in the case of the orcs, and tried several different origin stories out that he was never fully satisifed with. Hopefully my effort was at least halfway decent and clear enough to be understood.