History Characters / FablesTheEmpire

[[folder:The Emperor [=/=] The Adversary [=/=] [[spoiler:Gepetto]]]]

* DragonInChief: To Gepetto as the physically powerful figurehead of the Empire.

* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: His reaction to being told that they actually might have what he wants (magic beans that create giant beanstalks) but can't actually find them due to their chaotic filing system is to say "No use crying over it now", and moving on to the next topic. In council with his father, the Emperor often takes moderate and sensible positions. It implies that a lot of the Empire's bloodthirsty policies are due solely to [[spoiler: the '''real''' power behind the throne, Geppetto]].

* CuriosityCausesConversion: He admits in his letter to [[spoiler: Geppetto]] that his feigned disdain of his wooden siblings who became human was only a mask for his jealousy, and yearning to know what the experience is like. Desiring to understand what it is like to be flesh, he consults a goblin about eating habits and [[{{Squick}} sexual relations]]. Surprisingly, none of what he hears deters him.

[[folder: The Emperor [=/=] The Adversary [=/=] [[spoiler:Gepetto]]]]
-> ''"'''Millions''' died as I carved out my Empire. Millions '''more''' were delivered into dire bondage, where they certainly didn't survive long. But that resulted in a life of peace and security for untold ''billions'' that spanned many centuries. Who else has ever accomplished so much? When again will so many enjoy such widespread safety for so long?"'' - The Adversary

[[quoteright:323:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/i138_geppetto.png]]
[[caption-width-right:323:''"I'd gladly destroy thousands, or tens of thousands, or even '''hundreds''' of thousands, to ensure that our millions continue to live in safety and prosperity."'']]

--> ''"If He does, He'll think He's looking into a mirror."''

--> ''"Bloodthirsty despots don't go meekly into forced retirement."''

[[folder: "The Emperor"]]
-> ''"It's time for your Emperor to '''personally''' put these criminal invaders to the sword!"'' - The Emperor

The public face of the Empire's might, a humanoid creature of great stature and nigh invincible prowess who rules the Empire with an iron fist. In truth a massive wooden soldier built by Geppetto to be figurehead of his Empire.
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/adversary_gepetto_fables_comics_f.jpg]]

--> ''"I'm the Emperor! I '''never''' lose in battle! Naught '''exists''' that can best me!"''

* HiddenDepths: Is always the calm voice of reason in heated discussions with [[spoiler: his father Geppetto]] about how to deal with their enemies. The Emperor, a gigantic, demonic looking figure, is the one who counsels patience, and looks at the situation logically, trying to discern the course of action that will yield maximum results with a minimum of carnage and loss of personnel. A key scene supporting this view of The Emperor's character appears near the end of the "Good Prince" story arc, where he doubts the wisdom of killing many of the Empire's loyal, or at least innocent citizens for the crimes of enemy subversives, just to make an "example" of someone.

* KilledOffForReal: After Bigby literally takes his legs out from under him in the final battle, he is bombarded by all of Fabletown's available heavy armament. Boy Blue suddenly pops up via the Wiching Cloak, to once again decapitate the fearsome Emperor with the Vorpal Blade. And as [[spoiler: Geppetto]]'s no longer around to restore him, this time his death '''sticks'''.

* PragmaticVillainy: During a secret council with [[spoiler: his father, Geppetto, the '''true''' ruler of the Empire]], when discussing how to deal with King Ambrose and Haven, the Emperor advises against [[WeHaveReserves needlessly wasting their forces]] against an apparently immovable magic object, and sees the utter foolishness of sending wave after wave of soldiers against an enemy who can turn them to his side.

[[folder: The Snow Queen [=/=] Lumi]]
-> Giant: ''"Ooh, she's pretty."''
-> Imperial Dentist: ''"True, but a cold one, or so I hear."''
[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tumblr_pfoqymishd1w3xg1co1_250.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:250:"No matter his talents, he's hardly comparable to your beloved Snow Queen."]]

* BrainwashedAndCrazy: It's eventually revealed that Geppetto fed her "loyalty spells" to make her loyal to him [[spoiler: and the Empire]].

* EvilSorceress: But the "evil" part is due mainly to [[spoiler: Geppetto secretly slipping her "loyalty mickies"]], as well as her betrayal at the hands of [[JerkAss Jack Horner]].

[[folder: Baba Yaga]]
-> ''"Baba Yaga's been set free. And now prowls the dungeons dank. She contemplates with evil glee. Every soul she'll personally thank. For keeping her imprisoned oh so long, drained of all her power. To those who wronged her she'll in turn do wrong. Her rage grows by the hour."'' - The Magic Mirror
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/i91_baba_yaga_7.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:"I'm going to eat your fingers and your toes and your eyes. And I'll make a pudding of your withered old flesh, and a pudding of your brains. And grind your bones to make my bread."]]

--> ''"Rage! '''Rage''' at me, you foul spirits and beasts! Howl and growl though you might, '''thunder''' at me with fang and claw and diverse magics-- still you fall short, breaking against me like waves against the rocks! Kneel down! Serve me or '''DIE!''' That's your only choice!"''

* KilledOffForReal: [[spoiler: By, of all people, Bufkin, with the Vorpal Sword]].

* OffWithHisHead: How [[spoiler: she's ultimately dispatched, with the Vorpal Blade, wielded by Bufkin]].

--> ''"This is entirely ridiculous! It can't end like this! It's dumb!"''

[[folder: Hugh, Drew and Lou]]
-> ''"Dear Meatheads: We realize this is a vulgar and uncouth land, but from now on, let's try to have better manners towards your superiors."'' - Hugh, Drew and Lou
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/adversary_fables_comics_wooden_h1.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:From left to right: Hugh, Lou and Drew]]

--> Drew:''"It is my fondest desire to bust a host of caps into multitudes of fleshy personages."''

[[folder: Hansel]]
-> ''"He earned fame in every continental court as an expert witch hunter, testifying in one trial after another, and eagerly helping with the executions that followed. He burned them, or drowned them, or hanged them- however the local customs decreed. The manner of execution didn't matter as long as it was done."'' - Frau Totenkinder
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/i71_hansel.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:''"You've served an ugly and sinful cause for so long, you'll need to summon up '''all''' of your regrets and humility to enter once more into a state of grace."'']]

* MurderIsTheBestSolution: Advises Kevin Thorn to simply kill "Writer's Block" to get him out of the way, so that Thorn can proceed with rewriting the universe. [[spoiler: Thorn later takes his advice.]]

[[folder: The Nome King]]

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/1234970_nomeking.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:''"Here I am, you nothings, and meaningless crawlers and scrapers! bask in the glory of your liberator!"'' ]]

[[folder: June Greenwood]]
-> ''"She was carved to be the prettiest wooden girl I'd ever seen. Almost instantly I realized I liked being in her company. Her carver should be rewarded- raised up to the highest office."'' - Rodney Greenwood
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/1231395_june2.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:''"I never cried when we were wood. I couldn't. Sometimes I miss not crying"'']]
A former woodcarver/medic in the Empire, she falls in love with a soldier named Rodney and petitions [[spoiler: Geppetto]] to become human. She, along with her husband, become spies and assassins for the Empire.

* HeelFaceTurn: Switches loyalties from the Empire to Fabletown when her "big brother" Pinocchio makes her and Rodney see that it is in their father Geppetto's best interest to be forced to [[spoiler: forego his behind the scenes rule of the Empire]], so the couple starts working with the former enemy to bring his fall from power about.

[[folder: Rodney Greenwood]]
-> ''"I confess: I've always been a bit disdainful of my brothers and sisters who were made of meat, but now I realize that may owe more to jealousy than the vanity of woodly superiority."'' - Rodney Greenwood
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/1231411_rodney2.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:''"I began to realize that I was in love. And damned if she didn't also grow to love me. Of course neither of us knew what we were doing."'']]
Starts out as a lieutenant in the Empire's Wooden Soldier Division- second in command of Fell Company, Fifth Cohort, Seventh Horde. He falls in love with June and together they plead with [[spoiler: Geppetto]] to be turned into flesh. Their petition is granted, on the condition that they both become deep agents in the Mundy world, carrying out covert surveillance and assassinations.

* HeelFaceTurn: Pinocchio convinces him and June that as they are magically "programmed" to be loyal to their father Geppetto, they must act in his best interests by [[spoiler: leaving the Empire and helping bring down his regime]]. This leads to the couple turning themselves over to Fabletown's authorities.
[[/folder]]

* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: The largest, and most physically powerful figure in the Empire.

* TheDogWasTheMastermind: It can be argued that making Geppetto be The Adversary was one of Willingham's best ideas in the series.

* FascistButEfficient: He may be a tyrant, but he did run things more-or-less competently once he was finally done purging everyone he considered a threat.

* RetiredMonster: Captured, stripped of his Empire and forced to sign the Fabletown Compact, he is supposedly harmless. But Geppetto remains decidedly unrepentant and power hungry, scheming to regain his status as ruler. Deputy Mayor Beauty puts it best:

* AGodAmI: Invokes this trope when Fabletown citizen tells him that "God will judge you". Geppetto's reply?

* UnwittingPawn: The revival [[spoiler: reveals he was one to Peter Pan the whole time, who quickly strips him of his power.]]

* BadassBaritone: If the thickness of the boldface type in his speech balloons are any indication, he speaks with a deep, booming voice, as befits such a huge, imposing figure.

[[folder: The Emperor [=/=] The Adversary]] [[spoiler: Geppetto]].

* TheChessmaster: He succesfully (albeit with the aid of magic) plotted his way to tyrannical power.