Continuities

(The one that we here call "the nice Miss Marple.")

When an author's works are set in a single period, they can cross-refer. I have been told that, although Poirot and Marple never meet, they share supporting characters. This is at least feasible whether or not my informant is correct. Most of Dornford Yates' thirty four volumes are linked by overlapping characters.

When an author's works are set in successive historical periods, some characters might refer to their predecessors and even, in certain circumstances, prophesy their successors. Thus, Christians regard the prophets as not only applying the Law but also foretelling the Messiah.

When an sf author sets his works not only in different future periods but also in mutually incompatible fictional futures, his characters cannot cross-refer - unless, of course, parallel timelines are introduced.

Poul Anderson's works (thank you for your patience, blog readers) presents:

many fictional futures;
many past and future historical periods;
some contemporary novels;
several alternative timelines;
an inter-cosmic meeting place.

Now we can link this post to its predecessor, Eras End: whereas Anderson's Old Phoenix Inn is located between universes, Neil Gaiman's Inn of the Worlds' End is located at the end of all worlds and is sustained by their endings.