possible encounter with Ma'ar reincarnation[]
Before they meet the Iftel gryphons in Storm Breaking, Chapter 8, and get informed about Iftel's history, Tremane, Elspeth and Darkwind speculate on the reason for the barrier. Darkwind reveals that a Tayledras clan north of Iftel may have encountered an incarnation of Ma'ar. "In those early days, there were terrible things that far north. There was at least one Tayledras Vale somewhere about there, and our Chronicles report that at some time while they lived there, they encountered and defeated a Dark Mage much like Ancar's servant Falconsbane, but with a larger following." It is implied that this Dark Mage might have threatened Iftel as well, before the barrier.
Tashiketh says that the Third Army had run into "a fresh Army of Ma'ar's." When they prayed, they were "on the verge of attack by superior forces" and received the barrier.
The timing of a Ma'ar reincarnation and using his own army is unlikely. The Tayledras would have had to start their mission for the Star-eyed, which began at least four years after the Cataclysm. But is it possible that Ma'ar quickly seized a descendant's body after his suicide at the Cataclysm (he had been alive for a good while and had "spread his seed"), and got ahold of part of his own army? (This is the kind of speculation that User:Merlynprime loves so much!) Pokemama1 (talk) 04:25, 13 June 2022 (UTC)