Side Stories Poll -- June 2026!
The hour has come once again for a poll. But am I ready?
No, no.
I haven't even finished the current arc! The Ilvriss arc is long--and dare I say, good. But I am not even finished writing that, let alone Rickel's chapter...which had BETTER not be an arc.
I also have mice.
In my house. It's HIGHLY distracting and I need to both clean up their poos and make sure I'm keeping everything clean to avoid getting more. This I mention because it's affecting my writing concentration.
And yet, it is poll time. What am I to do? The answer, dear reader, is simple. I offer a poll for the arc AFTER Ilvriss/Rickel. You may well think, 'pirateaba, this sounds like a bad idea of over committing to your arcs.' And you'd be right.
Except that I know there's only two arcs that will follow these entertaining arcs. Only two. It is time, once more, for Erin Solstice.
Or: the Horns of Hammerad.
Two of our favorite POV's. Two of our favorite arcs. I'm sure we all know who will win, right? Everyone wants to see...well, which? Let this be the real showdown of the ages. Two of our favorite POV's! No need to explain, no need to hesitate.
There can only be one.
...Enjoy the poll!
PS. I forgot two things. One, I called this 'Side Stories Poll' but this is more just...story poll. Force of habit.
Two. There are no ties. I see what you schemers are up to. This poll ties and I'll write a Persua chapter or something.
Comments (163)
Persua 👊🏽🙅🏽♀️
Literally convulsing on the ground frothing at the mouth for another Erin Chapter.
I love The Wandering Inn. I really do. Some of my favorite moments in fantasy have come from this story. But lately I’ve been struggling with the direction a bit. For me, the inn used to feel like the heart of everything. No matter how big the world got, there was always that feeling of coming back to the hearth — the guests, the food, the table, the weird little family Erin built, and the sense that this one place mattered. Now the world has gotten so massive, and the cast has spread out so much, that the inn doesn’t always feel like the center anymore. There are still incredible chapters and amazing moments, but the thing that originally made me fall in love with the story feels more diluted now. I don’t think the story is bad. Far from it. I’m just missing that emotional gravity the inn used to have. I miss Erin being the center of that warmth, chaos, kindness, and danger. That was the magic for me. Rant over. Sorry had to get it out.
I think you should look at this volume in the same way as volume 8. That period of time where Erin was dead was definitely a frustrating time in the story. But looking back the inn had a chance to grow on it's own and when she returned volume 9 was very heavily focused on her I was happy for the arc and the growth it allowed. I view this volume in the same way, frustrating as we go but looking back well worth it.
Ever since Niers joked about needing a color expert to combat the dyed lands- I have wanted to see Erin and ulvama tackle the dyed lands in … a different way. Not just fighting like against the ants, not just violence. After all there are a pair of seeds that might be able to take root there… it would be important if the land and nature could be something besides an enemy. Soooo voting for Erin and ulvama - but hey there is nothing but good choices :)
Pride Month LET US WIN?
Horns are so much more interesting
Not gonna lie this shit pisses me off and I’m over it. We 50/50 the only people we want to read about and get punished with a persua chapter. Erin has been sidelined for 2 years… there should be a balance..
What annoys me is that i think this shows that these two arcs should come next and the order should be left to the author's judgement as to what makes sense as they are both important main story arcs and we know neither are going to be dropped, but they're being treated like optional interlude chapters.
I wanna see this!
Personally I think it would be best if the volume finishes out with Erin. Also for the love of all things holy stop trying to balance the vote because as much as we all want a Persua chapter, just no. Pirate works hard for use to not do this crap, they don't ask much of us seriously <3
I want to vote Erin for meetings with interesting people like the [Gunslinger]. But. Pirate. You write the Horns too well. Far too well. I cant say no to another arena crash scene. The pity.
for the Erin and Ulvama chapter i'm very curious what went down with Mieve and whether Bowom leveled
What about just an ant chapter I just want an Anand to reappear already
It's currently (20/06/2026) sitting at 50-50% according to the user-facing running results. No doubt one or other option is marginally ahead, but there's less than 22 votes in it out of 2206. So, what's Persua been up to lately?
I really want to see more Erin, but we need more Horns. Anyway, looking forward to the Persua chapter!
Personally I'd love a quick horns update followed by Erin/Baleros to finish the volume
i chose the horns because i know how much pirate dislikes writing the erin POV. so i feel the longer we delay that the better Erin arc we will get.
50% both ugh
Whoever is trying to tie it cut it out or we are just gonna get a perusa chapter or that diabetic
But what if i want a persua chapter
Alright let’s compromise and have a drath story
I mean, there's an option to view the vote count right? I just put in for the Horns, and don't really want a Persua chapter...
Lol people like Pirates likes, Vs people who love the Chaos of forcing pirates hand! For the greater good hope your side is higher.
If you ask me, its going to be the Horns every time! But either way its a win
50/50 is a coin flip. Let fate break the tie.
If the poll ties, paba should write a filler ryoka flashback chapter from volume 1
Joke's on you Pirate, I want this fabled Persua chapter
Hope we can get the Horns to Khelt or Roshal, and get the fireworks started. Also if we have an Erin chapter let us get some more meetings in the Pavilion of Secrets and discovering more things happening around the world, OR Erin discovering what Lyon did.
Erin - I feel like Erin is about to meet up with both Cara 🎤 lost group and Tom the clown 🤡 . It’s about to go down!!! Time to expose the truth about King 👑 O and the Earthers
Might even be traveling to either that city going to be under siege, or through gazer territory.
Shit. Paba is on to us...
I love the horns and all but... Erin!
Alright, this is a sign there are not enough room for both fans. The winning side will forfeit their POV and their status will be updated through what the winner's POV see and hear going forward for the rest of the series. Paba clearly wants a blood bath.
Guys How the heck do you all want more Erin and not the Horns right now?? We haven't seen jack from the Horns in... gods i dont even know how long. A long time. And they are wayyyy more interesting that Erin and ulvama dancing around a lesbian romance.
Sorry that your headcannon of her being asexual got ruined, but I want to see more of her and furthering the main plotlines, particularly as we're basically where volume 9 concluded by now.
I’d vote Erin but there is too much romance & relationships in the story. So Horns it is.
Really looking forward to the Persua redemption arc now. This is going to be good.
I want to see some more slavers die please give me the horns. Though I guess getting through the current Erin grind is fine. Need to to get niers+erin+dyed lands asap.
Horns hijinks is always 🔥
As much as I love both ideas I hope we tie. With how we left Persua last it would be really nice to see what happens to her next.
And it’s sits at 50/50 guess we get a Persua chapter, how about just a flood plans side story where we catch up with people and find out about the new farmers moving in maybe check in on the ant farmers at high pass
High passes? Could have sworn with all the Sheild spiders gone from the plains/hills. That plenty of real estate farmable land is welcoming [Farmer]s and [Ranch]hands to settle down. So I am pretty sure the Ant farmers are by Liscor. Gary even said in his chapter that he uses the tunnels to reach them, even states how he visits them often. Hence potentially implying that it may also be the same tunnel that reaches the Inn. (Tunnel could have branching paths, and is close.)
50/49 lets see how long we can keep it within 1% i too want both
I think we all want to see ErVama right now, let's not kid ourselves
I honestly want Erin/ Ulvama to win because I think them exploring the Fraerling city that's gone dark would make an excellent horror arc.
Horns!
Erin x Ulvama FTW please and thank you
How have we found ourselves at a point where two of the three main POVs through 9 huge volumes — including the undisputed MC for the first 50,000 pages that we’ve read — are in a cage-match just for word count? I understand that I’m in the minority, and I fully acknowledge the continuing excellence of the writing, but TWI’s transformation into a never-ending “Tales of Innworld” anthology is just not to my taste. There is no discernible plot. There is no continuity for any overarching story to build momentum. Just one novel-length (or longer) side story after another, many of which highlight minor characters who only arguably merit the screen time (Fredegar Bolger is a top ten heroic hobbit and I have not the slightest desire to know more about him). And there is simply not enough Erin. As much as I love so many of these characters, she makes the magic run along the floorboards and wonder dance in the air — and she does it as well as (or better than) any fictional character since Tolkien laid down his pen. Erin has been overtly and (presumably) deliberately sidelined for two years, and that is an author’s prerogative. But the current narrative dynamic is akin to believing that an audience would be as satisfied watching the Monkees as the Beatles (and I like the Monkees).
Preach! I love the wandering inn so much and you nailed exactly how I feel. We should petition for more ERIN the MAIN character!
I hate Erin x Ulvama so hoping for the horns but doubt its going that way :(
Were getting a Persua chapter :D
Voted for the Horns because I know you’ll eventually do Erin anyway. The tale has grown in the telling, but Erin is still the heart of it all. Thx!
She should be… should be.
There is only 1 challenging choice, endeavor for 50% 50%. Immortalize this poll as the 'Root' cause of "Persua after Ilvris". Drink bitter first so that Horns and UlvaErin chapters are sweeter.
It would be a recounting on how she died, Diary style.
Wow this is a close one. 11h 1646 votes and a 50% 49% % split in EUs favor...which i think means patreon is doing math wrong but whatever its close.
The yuri must win!
Finally catching up on the new lands series which I've been loving. On a side note could we hear from Olesm and Sselys, I wonder if they're okay. As for this poll, I vote Horns for now. Take care Pirate dealing with those mice! Meow
We might after Nervian [King] guy becomes more relevant. Ie lands in Izril.
In a less sprawling story, after a disaster the hero typically rests up for a few months and then crawls out of their funk when friends get them out of bed a chapter later. Sort of like Erin moping around the Inn after Tyrion/Reiss for quite a while. So I understand why Erin’s plot feels frozen in the face of the rest of the world not standing still. Realistically, Jelaqua and Seborn and Pride and Erin might need to sit out and regroup. Narratively, especially when power-leveling appears to be necessary en-mass, the focus moves away from the main character for what feels like far too long. Regardless, I want more Erin, so I’ll vote for more Erin. I’m not a shipper, but I do like characterization, and sometimes relationships are part of being a complex character. So recent developments are fascinating (and, I feel, consistent with who she might be). But I want more awkward meddling, more goofy friendships, more silly witch spells, more frying pans thrown at kings, more casually insulting immortals. And since I paid five whole dollars this month, I deserve it!
[Class Change: Shaman of the Old Ways → Mirmilin Es’hivule Sekururu Class Created!] [Mirmilin Es’hivule Sekururu Level 41!] [Skill – Child of Many Worlds Obtained!] [Skill – Universal Faith Obtained!] [Skill – A Tribe of Two, Worth the Weight of Thousands Obtained!] I really want to know what these skills do. I am sending so much faith energy to the Erin and Ulvama Vote.
That Tribe of Two might allow her to do the stuff Erin learned in the Dead lands. Because thanks to Erin canceled Level ups as a confirmation. Erin did learn a lot, and a lot is jangled up with her inability to settle and do said projects. The whole Magic Dance may even be a green Erin technique skill that Lyonette is trying to learn. As in Erin gets credited with the skill Name/ability. I would assume Erin knows the dance, and may or may have not did the dance.
I think Erins Arc might do better interwoven into a larger arc, at least while she is touring the Fraerlings city.
Few years ago Erin would have won easily, but she got no screen time nowadays, and honestly it feels like author doesn't even know where to go with her, nothing important happens (which saddens me, she was my favourite for so long). So Horns i guess.
Same. My tin foil hat theory is that something’s cooking for the Baleros arc.
I love both of these POVs obviously but we haven't seen the Horns for SO LONG, I can only reread all the past Horns chapters so many times 😭
Me too! We need more horns.
Feels like I win no matter what I vote
So this is a "what gets done first" sort of pol? Please don't skip what doesn't get chosen. They both feel very important.
I'll enjoy whichever wins
I miss them both!
I could handle a tie, I kind of need the Persua chapter to find out what's happening with the shapeshifter fake Ryoka monster from the highpasses after they were taken during the solstice.
I'll snap and make my own fanfiction if we don't get Erin
Its official its a threesome romantical relationship.
I'm with the team 'witchever win I win' but I also voted Erin, because we must see more lesbians sheningans in this pride month !
My vote changed it from 50:50 to 51:49... I've never felt so powerful HAHAHAHAHAH
This is just evil. You are asking me to choose between breathing and water
Pirate - do you want a 50 / 50 tie?
Noooooo why is it tied AGAIN ?!?
Persua manifesting in the distance.
Erin all the way
Would be nice to see Erin develop and get some love but the Horns are usually chaos and I need that right now 🎊 Good luck with your mice...hope its not an Australian mice disaster 🫣
Erin felt as being on standstill since the beach - which is OK after the battle at sea, but after a while it just feels boring. The Horns, on the other hand, feel Like a coiled spring. So much immediate potential, so many avenues the story can take right now, and I have been waiting quite some time for the unfolding. Thats Horns for me.
Get a cat!
And name them Rateatter!
\m/ throwin tha horns \m/
Well, I'll always vote for more Erin
Look like we're getting Persua the Future Runner!
And the fate of the shapershiter fake Ryoka monster from the highpasses that were taken at the solstice. This is the real chapter we need.
Let's be real, this poll is just what order the chapters are going to be written in. Plus doing it in percentage was also probably a mistake.
I love both, but voting for the Horns bc I wanna read that
It is past due time for Erin and Ulvama to leave Nevermore...
I mean it was mentioned after their last chapter that they were leaving the very next day. So yeah on another adventure.
man how is there 953 votes and its still 50% lol
... NGL, this is kind of evil, making us choose like that D: *Also* NGL, a Persua chapter doesn't sound horrible. Wonder if she's grown any...
Persua and the fate of the shapeshifter fake Ryoka moster from the highpasses that was taken at the solstice
I don't get all these people who think the plot won't progress if we get Erin chapters. She's literally the main protagonist of the series.
Yeah, her current plotline was just slowing down and in the latest chapter exactly nothing happened. However, the only way to get her to progress away from that is giving her chapters.
VOTE FOR YURI!
At this point I'd be more excited to read a Nerin chapter rather than one for Erin. At least that's an entire crew queued up for some progression and growth. Horn all the way!!! I feel like so many threads have been set up for them in Chandrar. It'd be a shame if we didn't see them end on some type of adventure in Volume 10.
I almost feel like it should be the Horns no matter how much I love Erin. Voting Erin is going to feel like another interlude chapter until the Baleros arc is ready to truly begin, and it doesn't sound like it's ready to truly begin from the blurb
Ugh I’ve been waiting for the Baleros arc! It’s going to be while huh?
Erin, please 🙏 It feels like we never get to see her anymore except in cameos 😞
Erin and Ulvama have been sitting still for too long. I'll enjoy whichever ends up being written, but I want to see Baleros.
Horns all the way all day. TBH I have not been a fan of Erin the last year or so especially with how she’s been treating Ulvama and that other friending girl (forgot her name)
Elon Musk has fixed the vote for The Horns. We’re being robbed I tell ya.
The hardest choice ever, but I have to go Horns.
I really feel it's time to go back to Erin, it's been ages. And I bet that people who think it's going to be just cozy romance are going to be so wrong, the Witch of Wonder would never disappoint. It's time that storyline progresses. I mean... Erin in the continent of War. Erin, Ulvama, Niers, Geneva, the army from Erribathe, the Nagas, the Dullahans... something cool is bound happen. The romance will be there but TWI has shown us in the past that is generally a sideplot, a candy we can eat while the continent comes crashing down
More Erin please!
Paba woke up and chose violence
As much as I live Both options, would probably choose Horns of Hammerad as there is chaos in Chandrar guaranteed. They are the safer bet. With Erin and Ulvama currently, we really dont know where the story will end up in plot terms and there is no way to currently gauge it other than her maybe reaching Rabbit which no one knows when it'll happen.
As much as I love the horns I NEED more Erin
From the comments it looks like Erin is the underdog. I feel a bit guilty but... Horns might be my most skipped chapters (even though Flos and clown might be my least favorite)
I want to see Erin hand Niers a tool against the Dyed Lands issue with [Infuse Color] and to get help now that she's decided to live and that she deserves to (even though Lyonette is helping a bit with carrying that). I also disagree with others that it's not progression for the character to learn how to return to living after several massive traumas in a row. It's a huge part of the Wandering Inn, and if anything it's a return to form.
I wouldn’t mind picking up on Tom and Cara…
Pride Month. Make it Rain Lesbians!!!
but i need lesbians
i love the horns
I'd probably vote for Erin if not for her sharing top billing with one of my least faves. Horns all the way.
...are you SURE both CAN'T be an option? These are, far and away, the two sets of perspectives I'm most keen to get back to after everything with Ilvriss is done. ...I hope it's just "which one FIRST" and then we get the other soon thereafter.
That's my greedy assumption
I desperately want to see Erin make some progress. But I just do not care about the Erin/Ulvama will they won't they. So Horns it I I guess. Both would be preferable of course.
Yeah it’s a bummer but Erin has been static for so long that she’s rather uninteresting to read at this point. For a while her chapters have felt more like placating token fan service. It feels very deliberate at this point. Take her out of the inn? Not enough. Put a sheep clone in her place? Not quite far enough. Shrink her and send her to the fraerlings? Still too significant. Develop relationship with Ulvama now? Four plot layers of separation from anything significant. In fairness the “Erin is weird about sex/romance” theme has had been a consistent through line for a while, but keeping her entirely out of play to *slightly* accelerate her self-discovery seems like an excuse to make room for side character stories. I hope that figuring herself out on the romance front leads to Erin reentering the world stage—a “bonus chapter” as things stand seems like it will just be more dumb fluff.
Ohh ouch... that's a mean choice... lol
I need Ksmvr and Vofea to find Erin, take her to be with the Horns, and then we destroy Roshal... only this will be acceptable 😂
It’ll probably be another year.
Need Erin progression. Please!!!
Voted Horns because whatever happens they're always good stories.
This is win win situation because I love both!!
That's a good perspective - whoever wins is a win
I want both.
I need my Necrolad back. Sorry Erin
Horns!!!
nah we need Hammerheads. Erin's doing nothing.
I'm afraid that if we go with one, we won't see the other before Vol 10 is over 😭
Gah!
Pain, this choice brings me pain.
oh good lord. how could i possibly pick one? mice are the worst. nothing more disconcerting than that skitter in the walls as you're trying to think. adopt some owls?
I'm voting horns for plot progression but I know that Erin will have cutesy lesbian will they/won't they romance. but I know Erin will win hands down so what's the point of even voting?
I've been dreading the Erin chapters lately as I really don't like where it appears to be going with her and Ulvama...
What exactly are you dreading? If its the pace/ progression of their relationship I think its clear that it's going to be a slow and long term thing wouldn't be surprised if we saw basically no progression in it of this arc
Horns are my favorite but it's about time Erin and Ulvama get moving.
Such a cruel author.
Both‽
Can i vote twice?
I mean.. i love the horns but i gotta see erin shinanigans with ulvama… fun movie to watch to learn what not to do while fighting mice is mousehunt. The 1997 one. Good luck
Erin and Ulvama propaganda
Can we vote to have both as a mega chapter? Early Christmas perhaps? 🤔
Damn. I really want both 😅
Both? Both. Need a pavilion meeting between erin and the horns!
L E S B I A N S
YURI WITH PERSONALITY
As much as I always love an Erin chapter…. Horns have been standing still for seemingly forever! Gotta pick them.
I love Erin and Ulvama however, their story doesn’t really seem to be going anywhere. They’re staying in the fraerling city dancing around romance. With the Horns, I know I am guaranteed progression.
I feel the same. Erin’s arc is boring. She needs to meet up with the other forthwith!
Half & half?
Bruh... Erin vs Horns isn't a Poll
We have to choose!? Positively dastardly!
Hopefully Erin & Ulvama will have some Pirate Goblins with a moody Seafolk captain.
This is like Sophie's Choice. What a cruel poll!
I need both 😭
I can't