Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 8 (click to see context) from:
* ArmyOfThievesAndWhores: PlayedForDrama. Combine [[HiredGuns the biggest and most famous mercenary group]] in Eostia with any traditional AlwaysChaoticEvil fantasy races you can think of (orcs, goblins, ogres, you name it), you have a huge one of these that persists for more than 30 chapters of the story, not including the AbortedArc of Thorn and beyond. RapePillageAndBurn is the main M.O. of this army to realise Vault's dream of a Sex Empire.
to:
* ArmyOfThievesAndWhores: PlayedForDrama. Combine [[HiredGuns the biggest and most famous mercenary group]] in Eostia with any traditional AlwaysChaoticEvil fantasy races you can think of (orcs, goblins, goblins/imps, ogres, you name it), you have a huge one of these that persists for more than 30 chapters of the story, not including the AbortedArc of Thorn and beyond. RapePillageAndBurn is the main M.O. of this army to realise Vault's dream of a Sex Empire.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 2,3 (click to see context) from:
[[Characters/TheNightUnfurlsHuntersDreamResidentsAndGuests Hunter's Dream Residents and Guests]] ([[Characters/TheNightUnfurlsTheHunter The Hunter]])| [[Characters/TheNightUnfurlsMajorCharacters Major Characters]] ([[Characters/TheNightUnfurlsSevenShields Seven Shields]])| '''Black Dogs''']] -]
to:
[[Characters/TheNightUnfurlsHuntersDreamResidentsAndGuests Hunter's Dream Residents and Guests]] ([[Characters/TheNightUnfurlsTheHunter The Hunter]])| Hunter]]) | [[Characters/TheNightUnfurlsMajorCharacters Major Characters]] ([[Characters/TheNightUnfurlsSevenShields Seven Shields]])| Shields]]) | '''Black Dogs''']] -]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
[[center: [- ''Fanfic/TheNightUnfurls'' '''[[Characters/TheNightUnfurls Main Character Index]]'''\\
[[Characters/TheNightUnfurlsHuntersDreamResidentsAndGuests Hunter's Dream Residents and Guests]] ([[Characters/TheNightUnfurlsTheHunter The Hunter]])| [[Characters/TheNightUnfurlsMajorCharacters Major Characters]] ([[Characters/TheNightUnfurlsSevenShields Seven Shields]])| '''Black Dogs''']] -]
[[Characters/TheNightUnfurlsHuntersDreamResidentsAndGuests Hunter's Dream Residents and Guests]] ([[Characters/TheNightUnfurlsTheHunter The Hunter]])| [[Characters/TheNightUnfurlsMajorCharacters Major Characters]] ([[Characters/TheNightUnfurlsSevenShields Seven Shields]])| '''Black Dogs''']] -]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
[[foldercontrol]]
! The Black Dogs
[[folder:General tropes]]
* ArmyOfThievesAndWhores: PlayedForDrama. Combine [[HiredGuns the biggest and most famous mercenary group]] in Eostia with any traditional AlwaysChaoticEvil fantasy races you can think of (orcs, goblins, ogres, you name it), you have a huge one of these that persists for more than 30 chapters of the story, not including the AbortedArc of Thorn and beyond. RapePillageAndBurn is the main M.O. of this army to realise Vault's dream of a Sex Empire.
* DarkIsEvil: The main antagonists of this fanfic are the ''Black'' Dogs. After [[EtTuBrute betraying their contract to Eostia]], the mercenary group devolves into an ArmyOfThievesAndWhores that would gladly engage in RapePillageAndBurn, for the purpose of creating a [[SexSlave Sex]] [[NoWomansLand Empire]]. As the story progresses, said army includes not just [[HiredGuns mercs]], but also [[AlwaysChaoticEvil standard "evil" fantasy races]] like orcs and goblins, as well as {{Mooks}} of [[BodyHorror many mutations and deformations]].
* NGOSuperpower: There ''is'' a reason why [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores the Black Dogs]] find staging a military coup to take the South to be a viable option. By the time [[DiscOneFinalBoss Olga]] is defeated, the military of the Black Dogs consists of not only a band of [[HiredGuns mercenaries]], but also the [[DecapitatedArmy legion of orcs and other fantasy "monsters" in the north]]. They also have the Black Fortress, its resources so many that it can presumably sustain said army, [[EasyLogistics so logistics are not a concern]]. Then [[EvilSorceror Shamuhaza]] comes to the picture, enhancing the Black Dogs' military power further via [[spoiler:delving into the [[ThingsManIsNotMeantToKnow Eldritch Truth]]]]. Being the most famous [[{{PMC}} mercenary group]] in Eostia, the Black Dogs, [[VillainWithGoodPublicity Vault]] especially, exploit this to the fullest to amass much political clout, enough for many prominent members of [[AristocratsAreEvil Eostian nobility]] to sponsor their actions of conquest. Combine the above factors altogether, and you have a {{PMC}} capable of going toe to toe with, or even overpowering regular armies of [[TheAlliance the Seven Shields Alliance]] (Eostia is assumed to be a medieval fantasy state). Needless to say, they'd probably [[CurbStompBattle succeed]] just like in ''Kuroinu'' canon if the [[OutsideContextProblem Outside Context Monstrosity]] that is Kyril Sutherland weren't here.
* StandardHeroReward: On the way to the [[SupervillainLair Black Fortress]], Kyril observes how the Black Dogs are eager to [[InvokedTrope invoke this trope]]. They are already planning what celebrations they will do when they return to Eostia as conquering heroes, which woman they are going to get, how many children they will have, and how they are going to live like kings with a hero's reward. Later PlayedForDrama as it [[{{Foreshadowing}} foreshadows]] their next course of action: to build a Sex Slave Empire.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Vault]]
* AppealToTradition: [[HeManWomanHater Vault]] uses this to justify his intention of building a [[NoWomansLand Sex Empire]]. He says, "back then, women did whatever the fuck we wanted them to".
* BigBad: Vault [[spoiler:(in the original version, that is)]] is [[VillainWithGoodPublicity Eostia's greatest champion]], as well as the leader of the biggest [[HiredGuns mercenary group]] in the land, known as the Black Dogs. His [[AmbitionIsEvil ambition]] to build a Sex Empire via RapePillageAndBurn, hence starting a new war after the end of the ForeverWar, serves as the main driving force of conflict.
* DiscOneFinalBoss: [[spoiler:Unlike the original version, where Vault dethrones Olga and becomes the BigBad, Vault in the remastered version is killed by Kyril in Chapter 6 as soon as his ambitions to build a Sex Empire become known. No "ultimate threat" is present as of now, but the remastered version of the story is incomplete.]]
* EvenEvilHasStandards: Vault, the BigBad of the story who wants to create a SexSlave [[TheEmpire Empire]], is appalled at EvilSorcerer Shamuhaza experimenting on the Leaping Lizards, who are on the same side as the Black Dogs (aka. his own men), even calling him "a crazy man". To him, it is fortunate that Shamuhaza did not arrive at the capital of Eostia, otherwise a similar disaster would occur in the place he is trying to conquer.
* EvilOverlord: What Vault becomes [[spoiler:in the original version]] after [[TheUsurper usurping]] Olga's role. A self-proclaimed king who wants to build a [[SexSlave Sex]] [[TheEmpire Empire]], he is the BigBad that resides in the Black Fortress, with TheHorde and his Black Dog mercenaries under his disposal. Unlike most examples, he ''does not'' have overwhelming power -- he would risk being on the receiving end of a CurbStompBattle courtesy of [[WorldsStrongestMan Kyril]] (which does happen twice), if he were to directly engage with TheAlliance. Therefore, he spends most of his time in the fortress plotting [[AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs invasions]], [[VillainWithGoodPublicity securing alliances with his supporters]], and [[RapeDiscretionShot helping himself with the female dark elves captured throughout Garan]].
* FalseReassurance: Vault gives one to his former comrade Maia in the original version after declaring his intention of [[NoWomansLand a Sex Empire]]. He tells her, "Don't worry, you'll [[NotIfTheyEnjoyedItRationalization enjoy]] it. You won't have to worry about starving or any more wars."
* HeManWomanHater: As Vault reveals his true colours after taking over the Black Fortress, so does his disdain towards women -- he wants to create [[NoWomansLand a Sex Empire]] due to his belief that women should StayInTheKitchen just like [[AppealToTradition "back then"]].
* {{Hunk}}: Vault is described as "huge, almost herculean in physique", with chiseled features. However, his appearance of a hero of old hides a [[AmbitionIsEvil nasty ambition]] to replace the current regime with a SexSlave [[TheEmpire Empire]], making him a rare villainous example. A perfect foil to the LeanAndMean, [[AntiHero anti-heroic]] {{protagonist}}, Kyril Sutherland.
* MotiveRant: Vault lays bare his [[AmbitionIsEvil ambitions]] of a [[SexSlave Sex]] [[TheEmpire Empire]] in the form of a rant, heated words on how the [[TheAlliance Seven Shields]] are useless, and that the Black Dogs will start a new world order where every man shall live like kings.
* NotIfTheyEnjoyedItRationalization: Vault [[FalseReassurance "reassures"]] Maia that she needn't worry about being a SexSlave under his Sex Empire, because she will enjoy it.
* NotSoWellIntentionedExtremist: When revealing his motives for building a Sex Empire, [[VillainHasAPoint Vault calls out both the Seven Shields and Olga for starting a century-old war that costs countless lives, including his own men]]. He claims that [[AristocratsAreEvil they have done nothing good to the people]], enjoying their riches while forgetting that men like the Black Dogs fight tooth and nail to bring peace. Despite his [[FalseReassurance reassurance that no one will have to worry about warfare and starvation]] under his future regime, his response is to [[AmbitionIsEvil stage a military coup to seize power for himself]], together with [[DisproportionateRetribution raping the Seven Shields into submission for men to live like kings]]. Besides, the fact that he leads armies who [[RapePillageAndBurn rape, pillage and burn]] inevitably devastates men and women alike.
* RankScalesWithAsskicking: Among the Black Dogs, TheLeader Vault is more capable in combat than the average merc in the group.
* RuggedScar: Vault has "a multitude of scars" with the look of a veteran.
* StayInTheKitchen: Vault holds the view that the Princess Knights should be doing what a man tells them, not the other way around. The normally [[TheStoic stoic and detached]] Kyril [[NotSoStoic breaks into a fit of laughter]] upon hearing this in the original version due to how ridiculous it sounds.
* StrawMisogynist: His StayInTheKitchen belief and motive of creating TheEmpire where every woman is a SexSlave are made blatantly clear. Him being the BigBad who kicks off the plot means that being "proven wrong" is not his one and only purpose in the story, making this a DownplayedTrope.
* UriahGambit: In the remastered version, Vault asks the OneManArmy Kyril to press on and fight Olga alone, while he and the Black Dogs fend off the other enemies. On one hand, Vault plans for Kyril to weaken Olga to the point where she can be [[StraightForTheCommander easily captured, thus securing victory]]. On the other hand, because Olga is a skilled LadyOfBlackMagic, Vault [[UnderestimatingBadassery doubts]] that Kyril would come out unscathed. Knowing the time to [[DeadlyEuphemism "deal with"]] the Hunter is approaching fast, he is certainly banking on the outcome where Kyril will "take the hits". Vault's remark after witnessing the actual result of their fight[[note]]The Hunter [[CurbStompBattle curb-stomps]] Olga[[/note]] says it all.
-->'''Vault''': Well, I'll be damned! And here I thought you'd be burned to a cinder.
* TheUsurper: Vault usurps Olga's position as EvilOverlord in control of the Black Fortress and the orcs after [[FallenPrincess her defeat]], even sitting on her vacant throne as she is ousted. Soon, he [[InvokedTrope invokes]] this trope as he makes his intention to conquer the South to build his SexSlave [[TheEmpire Empire]], an outcome that the protagonists [[DefiedTrope strive to avert]].
* VillainWithGoodPublicity: Vault is an esteemed, charismatic warrior in Eostia, TheLeader of the equally renowned [[{{PMC}} Black Dogs]], and a favourite of [[TheAlliance the Seven Shields]]. His good publicity allows him to secretly gain sponsors from the nobility, plotting behind the scenes to overthrow the Seven Shields, to take over the country, and to build a SexSlave Empire with himself as king. This trope is panned out differently in both versions of the story.
** In the original version, Vault's ambitions become public knowledge, with the RapePillageAndBurn going on everywhere, therefore [[SubvertedTrope subverting the trope]].
** In the remastered version, [[spoiler:Vault is killed by Kyril after revealing his ambitions, but]] the "good publicity" part doesn't go away because only a small band of people know about said ambitions. People in general are still kept in the dark, Vault's supporters continue to advance his agenda [[spoiler:without the knowledge of his demise]], and Kyril is distrusted by five of the Seven Shields after DroppingTheBombshell that is [[spoiler:Vault's status as a traitor and Vault's murder]].
* WeCanRuleTogether: Vault offers Kyril to join his cause of building [[NoWomansLand a]] [[SexSlave Sex]] [[TheEmpire Empire]]. On the pragmatic side of things, it is always good to have a powerful [[OneManArmy warrior]] on his side. His reasoning, however, is heavily reliant on the assumption that AllMenArePerverts, thinking that Kyril, [[AManIsAlwaysEager a man]], would want "live like a king" to take and use as many partners as he pleased. [[EvilCannotComprehendGood Yeah, about that...]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Beasley]]
* ArcVillain: Beasley is the antagonist who kicks off the ''[[StoryArc Feoh and Ur Arc]]'' (Chapters 6-8 of the original version). Wanting a personal fiefdom among the [[SexSlave Sex]] Empire, he starts the conflict by taking measures to secure Feoh and Ur for the Black Dogs. Due to his actions, there is an increase in monster incursions at the two strongholds, with no army defending said incursions (because they are held back) and no message from the one in charge, Alicia (because she is subdued). In order to prevent Beasley from welcoming the Black Dogs into the fortress, Kyril and co. head there to investigate, fight the {{mooks}}, and free the captives. Beasley's death resolves the arc.
* DirtyOldMan: Beasley is an old man who wants to "do as much as he pleases" to Alicia. This VillainousCrush is a reason why he becomes a [[TheMole mole]] for the Black Dogs, joining their cause to build a [[SexSlave Sex]] [[TheEmpire Empire]].
* EvilChancellor: Beasley is the Prime Minister of the fortress Feoh. The ArcVillain of the ''[[StoryArc Feoh/Ur Arc]]'', he [[TheMole secretly works for]] the [[{{PMC}} Black]] [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores Dogs]], so that he would be [[AmbitionIsEvil the one in charge]], rather than Alicia, when they take over the fortress. Beasley's P.O.V indicates that not only he dislikes being ordered around by "some uppity royal brat" that is Alicia, [[DirtyOldMan he]] also wants to [[VillainousCrush do as much as he pleases to her]], and being part of the Black Dogs' [[SexSlave Sex]] [[TheEmpire Empire]] is a means to achieve this end.
* VillainHasAPoint: [[EvilChancellor Prime Minister Beasley]] is [[EvilCannotComprehendGood appalled]] of Kyril siding with [[TheAlliance the Seven Shields]], seeing them as "weak-willed women". He may be a DirtyOldMan with a VillainousCrush who sides with an ArmyOfThievesAndWhores who RapePillageAndBurn, but he is not wrong about how a couple members of the Seven Shields are "weak-willed".
** Alicia chooses to surrender the fortress she is supposed to defend, in exchange for a number of [[HostageSituation hostage]] nuns, who are [[RapeAsDrama raped]] anyway upon her surrender. What's worse is that an easy takeover happens despite the fortress being supposedly well-fortified, which shows that Alicia is weak-willed at best, and [[StupidSacrifice incom]][[DidntThinkThisThrough petent]] at worst.
** Despite Celestine's [[TheHighQueen benevolent]] rule of Eostia, she did [[GreatOffscreenWar engage in warfare]] with Olga [[ForeverWar for centuries]], which is contradictory to the more rational notion of [[Literature/TheArtOfWarSunTzu how wars ought to be brought to a conclusion as quickly as possible]]. Furthermore, the persistence of several problems ([[SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil slavery]], [[HumanTrafficking dark elf trafficking]], as well as human-dark-elf FantasticRacism) indicates that her measures/policies to deal with them lack effectiveness (hence the "weak-willed" part). For this reason, several characters resolve to double down on their efforts in tackling these problems.
* VillainousBreakdown: Happens to Beasley, upon knowing that the Hunter is coming for him, with Kin [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness cancelling his deal with him and the Mortadella Brothers]] afterwards. It gets [[MookHorrorShow worse]] when the Hunter personally comes to butcher him up.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Michelle Pantielle]]
* AbhorrentAdmirer: GenderInverted. He is both a FatBastard and RoyalBrat who always attempts to hit on Maia any chance he gets, much to her displeasure. Chapter 5 of the original can attest to that, [[MadLove not that it stops him, though]].
-->'''Michelle:''' [[DoggedNiceGuy Maia, I can help with that]].\\
'''Maia:''' No, you can't. Seriously, just shut up. [[RageBreakingPoint Just]] [[BigShutUp shut up]]! I am tired of hearing your voice, you [[FatBastard fat fucking prick]]! I'm tired of your damn invitations, I'm tired of you trying to talk to me, I'm tired of your worthless existence!\\
'''Michelle:''' ''*reaches for Maia's hand*'' B-But, Maia-\\
'''Maia:''' ''*slaps Michelle's hand away*'' I said stop talking! And stop trying to hold my hand, you shit! Gods you can't even do that right!
* ArcVillain: Although Michelle isn't the only antagonist of the ''[[StoryArc Ansur Arc]]'' (Chapters 9-11 of the original version), the arc is resolved not only by stopping the Black Dogs from taking over Ansur, but also by tracking his whereabouts (which points towards where Maia is living), arresting him, and killing him.
* DoggedNiceGuy: Michelle is ''[[RoyalBrat not]]'' a NiceGuy, but him throwing a party to show his affection to Maia in Chapter 5 counts as the "spectacular displays" type. [[DeconstructedCharacterArchetype She finds his advances irritating]]. Later PlayedForDrama when he ditches the persistent part and joins the [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores Black Dogs]] to [[EntitledToHaveYou make her love him]].
* FatBastard: Michelle is spoiled, whiny and obsessed with Maia. His [[FatSlob obesity and sloppyness]] serve to accentuate his many unpleasant traits.
* FatSlob: He is a fat man who spits everywhere when speaking and reaches for Maia's hand with his own greased hand during a party meant for her.
* RoyalBrat: Michelle Pantielle fits squarely in the "spoiled rich kid" archetype. [[BlueBlood Blue-blooded]], obnoxious, looks down on people of lower status, and [[FatBastard has his gut hanging out like he's pregnant]].
* UndignifiedDeath: He, writhes in agony on the ground while [[IWantMyMommy crying for his mother]] after he's [[AgonizingStomachWound stabbed in the gut]]. His screams are only silenced when [[OffWithHisHead his head is cut off]]. To add insult to injury, he expects to face Sir Kyril during his TrialByCombat, but he lets his apprentice Hugh do the deed instead. Almost everyone who witnesses the trial cannot help to [[LampshadeHanging lampshade]] this trope. Kyril, in particular, is more irritated by this waste of time.
* YouExclamation: Michelle exclaims "Y-You!" as Kyril catches him red-handed [[IHaveYouNowMyPretty having his way with Maia]].
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Shamuhaza]]
* AlienBlood: In order to drive home that [[spoiler:Shamuhaza has gone OneWingedAngel during the climactic battle between him and the Hunters, he is shown to bleed white ichor when damaged]].
* AnimalEspionage: Some of the scouts that Shamuhaza uses to spy on the heroes are beast-like creatures that can turn [[{{Invisibility}} invisible]]. He can [[TouchTelepathy sift through their minds]] to know about their plans.
* ArcVillain: Shamuhaza is responsible for starting the conflict of the ''[[StoryArc Rad Arc]]'' (Chapters 14-16 of the original version) by breeding EliteMooks and other monstrosities to bolster the Black Dogs' power. Due to his actions, Kyril and co. have to contend with a threat bigger than usual. His retreat and hence Rad being denied to the Black Dogs resolves the arc.
* AxCrazy: Shamuhaza is so crazy [[spoiler:in his pursuit of [[TheseAreThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow the Eldritch Truth]]]] that he goes from [[PlayingWithSyringes experimenting on innocent civilians]] (the gory result being bodies either drained of their blood or ripped apart due to [[ChestBurster things coming out of them]]) to experimenting on the Leaping Lizards, ''the people who are supposed to be on the same side''. [[spoiler:Any amount of his rational thought is thrown out of the window when he is [[EldritchTransformation transformed into an insect-like abomination]]]].
* BandageMummy: Shamuhaza is an atypical example. He's wrapped in bandages head to toe, yet he is not immobilised in any way, and the readers have no idea whether he was injured or not.
* BandagedFace: Shamuhaza is depicted like this. The reason is unclear, but it clearly makes him look like a creepy madman. [[BandageMummy Even his whole body is covered with bandages]].
* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: Due to his belief that both are the same [[spoiler:in the sense that both had seen the Eldritch Truth]], Shamuhaza looks forward to fighting Kyril, whom he sees as a WorthyOpponent. [[spoiler:[[EvilCannotComprehendGood His inability to comprehend Kyril's decision]] to [[WillfullyWeak limit himself by retaining his humanity]] implies he wants to witness his "unrestrained" side.]] His wish is granted eventually when he faces off against Kyril, Sanakan and Hugh [[spoiler:as an EldritchAbomination, and he ends up getting [[CurbStompBattle curb-stomped]] after [[IAmNotLeftHanded Kyril decides to release a bit of his eldritch might]]. To top it off, he suffers a FateWorseThanDeath.]]
* ClippedWingAngel: [[spoiler:[[EldritchTransformation Transforming]] into a [[Characters/BloodBorneGreatOnes Rom]]-esque arthropod does not help Shamuhaza one bit during his battle with Kyril, Sanakan, and Hugh. The only reason why the creature [[CurbStompCushion manages to incapacitate the latter two]] with a surge of power is because the former thinks he doesn't need to [[IAmNotLeftHanded unleash]] a tiny bit of his eldritch power to stare him to a FateWorseThanDeath. When TheGlovesComeOff, Shamuhaza is done for]].
* DetrimentalDetermination: Shamuhaza's persistence in [[spoiler:exploiting [[TheseAreThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow the Eldritch Truth]]]] to create a myriad of [[{{Mutants}} mutated]] EliteMooks nearly causes an ApocalypseHow, jeopardises the people on the same side as he is, [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity drives himself insane]], makes himself easier for the heroes to track down, and ultimately hastens his own demise.
* EvilSorceror: Though not the BigBad, Shamuhaza is still the ArcVillain of the two [[StoryArc story arcs]] that marks this fanfic's SerialEscalation. He ticks off most of, if not all, the boxes of this trope. Has a legion of mutated EliteMooks with BodyHorror? Check. Tampers with ThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow [[spoiler:(or in this case, the Eldritch Truth)]]? Check. [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity Strives to gain great power at the expense of his sanity and soul]]? Check. Oh, and he also [[spoiler:ends up [[EldritchTransformation turning into]] an EldritchAbomination himself]].
* FaceFullOfAlienWingWong: He [[InvokedTrope invokes]] this trope as part of his [[PlayingWithSyringes experiments]] on the citizenry of Rad to bolster the Black Dogs' ranks. [[EstablishingCharacterMoment His first appearance]] shows him overseeing a female [[HalfHumanHybrid half-ling]] giving birth to a monstrosity.
* GameChanger: A villainous example. His appearance during the war against the Black Dogs not only gives [[TheUsualAdversaries the Black Dogs]] an advantage in the war, but also results in the good guys' receiving their [[PyrrhicVictory Pyrrhic Victory of all Pyrrhic Victories]] in the story, with Rad, the fortress city they are supposed to reclaim, suffering an ApocalypseHow. Due to his presence, many later chapters would have the good guys' trying to blindside the enemy, rather than fending off an AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs situation.
* TheManBehindTheMonsters: Shamuhaza, a human EvilSorceror, is the source of the [[{{Mutants}} mutated]], [[BodyHorror deformed]], and [[MixAndMatchCritters mis-matched]] EliteMooks in the original version of the story.
* OneWingedAngel: [[spoiler:Shamuhaza is not the BigBad, but he still [[EldritchTransformation transforms]] into a great scuttling [[InsectoidAliens insect-like]] EldritchAbomination offstage, awaiting Kyril on a lake for one climactic battle. To [[WorldsStrongestMan the Good Hunter]], however, his opponent is nothing more than a giant beast, one amongst the many that he had slain in Yharnam. With a wry smile, the Hunter comments that [[ClippedWingAngel he doesn't know what he is anymore]], before telling Sanakan and Hugh to kill [[ItIsDehumanizing it]].]]
* PlayingWithSyringes: Pretty much Shamuhaza's M.O. as an EvilSorcerer -- the Neverborn experiments he conducts include: creating [[MixAndMatchCritters mix-and-match]] EliteMooks via subjecting InnocentBystanders to a FaceFullOfAlienWingWong; directly mutating {{mooks}} for them to be upgraded into more EliteMooks, and; delving into BlackMagic and [[spoiler:the [[ThingsManIsNotMeantToKnow Eldritch Truth]], which may or may not be research from the Healing Church or the School of Mensis]].
* VillainousBreakdown: [[ExaggeratedTrope Exaggerated]] for Shamuhaza, as he [[spoiler:suffers a FateWorseThanDeath curtesy of Kyril unleashing his Eldritch might.]]
* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: Shamuhaza is an EvilSorceror who [[spoiler:attempts to harness the power of the Eldritch Truth, and later [[EldritchTransformation turns into]] an EldritchAbomination himself]], throwing away his rational thought entirely. Of course this happens. [[spoiler:Compare him with his {{foil}}, Kyril Sutherland -- a far more powerful EldritchAbomination [[HumanoidAbomination in human form]], yet with tons more experience and restraint.]]
[[/folder]]
%%[[folder:Morgan]]
%%* ArcVillain: {{Subverted}}. Morgan is set up as the main obstacle of the ''[[StoryArc Hunt for Leaping Lizards Arc]]'' (Chapters 17-22 of the original version). Kyril and co. set off to Scathlocke Province to hunt down the Leaping Lizards, including the leader Morgan, for a number of reasons (to provide closure for Grace, to find out any connections the slaver has, to root out traitors). However, Shamuhaza later takes over his place as the main obstacle and is finally defeated in the end, while Morgan doesn't even get a proper introduction and is implied to have died off-screen due to Shamuhaza's machinations.
%%[[/folder]]
[[folder:Archbishop Grishom]]
* ArcVillain: The head of the Church kicks off the conflict of the ''[[StoryArc Rebellion in Ken Arc]]'' (or ''Rebel Scum Arc'', in Chapters 23-26 of the original version), being the one leading the uprising in the eastern district of Ken, rallying the supporters of the [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores Black Dogs]] and publicly denouncing [[TheHighQueen Celestine]]'s rule. The arc is resolved via his imprisonment and the end of the rebellion.
%%* DirtyOldMan: SinisterMinister Grishom thinks that should he bring Sir Kyril's head to Vault, he would be rewarded with plenty of women. The narration describes his face as filled with "bravado and lust".
* SinisterMinister: At first, the archbishop is an ObstructiveBureaucrat that blocks relief efforts. He then graduates into ArcVillain status by [[StagedPopulistUprising staging an uprising]], exhorting the common folk to join the [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores Black Dogs]], and putting the capital in a state of chaos.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Sir John Mandeville]]
%%* AbusiveParents: [[spoiler:John Mandeville]], to [[spoiler:[[HalfHumanHybrid Chloe]]]]. [[spoiler:He is a [[SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil slaver]] who raped her mother (thus [[ChildByRape giving birth to Chloe]]), and enslaved them the same way as other dark elves under him for [[SexSlave entertainment]], which led to her mother's death. Even after Chloe was rescued by Olga, Mandeville eventually finds his daughter and subjects her to prolonged ColdBloodedTorture]].
* ArcVillain: Mandeville is the antagonist who kicks off the ''[[StoryArc Hunt for Mandeville Arc]]'' (Chapters 27-30 of the original version) by kidnapping Chloe when she was following a lead into his location, prompting Kyril and co. to go find them. He is revealed to be one of the major players in sponsoring the rebellion and the Black Dogs' cause. Hunting him down is key to the arc's resolution.
%%*DirtyOldMan: .
* FauxAffablyEvil: He plays the kindly old man even as he [[spoiler:molests and tortures his daughter]].
* NotIfTheyEnjoyedItRationalization: This is John Mandeville's response to Kyril after he tells him that [[spoiler:his daughter Chloe can do whatever she wishes to him for the ColdBloodedTorture she suffered thanks to him]].
-->'''Mandeville:''' She won't harm me. Not after tasting the pleasures that I have given her.
* VillainousBreakdown: Mandeville loses whatever bravado he has after Kyril tells him that he can only sit and watch [[LaserGuidedKarma the wealth of his house being redistributed to the common people, some of whom are the dark elves he enslaved]].
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Orcs]]
* AlwaysChaoticEvil:
** Orcs, in classical fashion, are portrayed as this. Every single orc is a violent maniac and a rapist, with Kyril outright telling his soldier recruits that orcs exist to kill, so their job is to take them out without hesitation. Meanwhile, some people like Olga and Vault are shown to be able to ''bargain'' with orcs, which [[SubvertedTrope brings the extent of this trope being true into question]]... [[DoubleSubversion and then it quickly turns out]] that the orcs do get something in return for their alliance -- the prospect of [[RapePillageAndBurn raping, pillaging, and burning]] a place/region (Loraine for Olga's deal; all the dark elves in the Black Fortress, as well as the entire kingdom of Eostia for Vault's deal).
** [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] at one point by Kyril in the remastered version.
--->''The Hunter found more small camps, and killed off more of the greenskins. He slaughtered them without mercy, their cries for their gods sounding piggish in the coming dusk. Were they truly so reprehensible? He wondered if the orcish gods even heard their pleas for their aid.''\\
''He thought this as he brought down another greenskin with an offhand swipe of the Holy Moonlight Sword. Did the gods of this world create such creatures fit only to be despised and cut down like vermin? He probably would never find out the answers, standing here in the gore of dead orcs.''
* NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast:
** Orcs are AlwaysChaoticEvil, so it is not a surprise that several infamous orc war-chiefs that Kyril had killed prior to the series have scary names like this, including the Defiler, Ozgriz the Mighty, and the Arsonist.
** The above list is altered a little in the remastered version. The very first chapter has Kyril finding the head of the Arch-Arsonist, one of the many orcs that he has slain including Ozgriz the Defiler, Gruzbad the Warlord, and the Eater of Men. He would later kill another orc chieftain named Thurog the Tall with his bare hands in Chapter 4.
[[/folder]]
----
! The Black Dogs
[[folder:General tropes]]
* ArmyOfThievesAndWhores: PlayedForDrama. Combine [[HiredGuns the biggest and most famous mercenary group]] in Eostia with any traditional AlwaysChaoticEvil fantasy races you can think of (orcs, goblins, ogres, you name it), you have a huge one of these that persists for more than 30 chapters of the story, not including the AbortedArc of Thorn and beyond. RapePillageAndBurn is the main M.O. of this army to realise Vault's dream of a Sex Empire.
* DarkIsEvil: The main antagonists of this fanfic are the ''Black'' Dogs. After [[EtTuBrute betraying their contract to Eostia]], the mercenary group devolves into an ArmyOfThievesAndWhores that would gladly engage in RapePillageAndBurn, for the purpose of creating a [[SexSlave Sex]] [[NoWomansLand Empire]]. As the story progresses, said army includes not just [[HiredGuns mercs]], but also [[AlwaysChaoticEvil standard "evil" fantasy races]] like orcs and goblins, as well as {{Mooks}} of [[BodyHorror many mutations and deformations]].
* NGOSuperpower: There ''is'' a reason why [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores the Black Dogs]] find staging a military coup to take the South to be a viable option. By the time [[DiscOneFinalBoss Olga]] is defeated, the military of the Black Dogs consists of not only a band of [[HiredGuns mercenaries]], but also the [[DecapitatedArmy legion of orcs and other fantasy "monsters" in the north]]. They also have the Black Fortress, its resources so many that it can presumably sustain said army, [[EasyLogistics so logistics are not a concern]]. Then [[EvilSorceror Shamuhaza]] comes to the picture, enhancing the Black Dogs' military power further via [[spoiler:delving into the [[ThingsManIsNotMeantToKnow Eldritch Truth]]]]. Being the most famous [[{{PMC}} mercenary group]] in Eostia, the Black Dogs, [[VillainWithGoodPublicity Vault]] especially, exploit this to the fullest to amass much political clout, enough for many prominent members of [[AristocratsAreEvil Eostian nobility]] to sponsor their actions of conquest. Combine the above factors altogether, and you have a {{PMC}} capable of going toe to toe with, or even overpowering regular armies of [[TheAlliance the Seven Shields Alliance]] (Eostia is assumed to be a medieval fantasy state). Needless to say, they'd probably [[CurbStompBattle succeed]] just like in ''Kuroinu'' canon if the [[OutsideContextProblem Outside Context Monstrosity]] that is Kyril Sutherland weren't here.
* StandardHeroReward: On the way to the [[SupervillainLair Black Fortress]], Kyril observes how the Black Dogs are eager to [[InvokedTrope invoke this trope]]. They are already planning what celebrations they will do when they return to Eostia as conquering heroes, which woman they are going to get, how many children they will have, and how they are going to live like kings with a hero's reward. Later PlayedForDrama as it [[{{Foreshadowing}} foreshadows]] their next course of action: to build a Sex Slave Empire.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Vault]]
* AppealToTradition: [[HeManWomanHater Vault]] uses this to justify his intention of building a [[NoWomansLand Sex Empire]]. He says, "back then, women did whatever the fuck we wanted them to".
* BigBad: Vault [[spoiler:(in the original version, that is)]] is [[VillainWithGoodPublicity Eostia's greatest champion]], as well as the leader of the biggest [[HiredGuns mercenary group]] in the land, known as the Black Dogs. His [[AmbitionIsEvil ambition]] to build a Sex Empire via RapePillageAndBurn, hence starting a new war after the end of the ForeverWar, serves as the main driving force of conflict.
* DiscOneFinalBoss: [[spoiler:Unlike the original version, where Vault dethrones Olga and becomes the BigBad, Vault in the remastered version is killed by Kyril in Chapter 6 as soon as his ambitions to build a Sex Empire become known. No "ultimate threat" is present as of now, but the remastered version of the story is incomplete.]]
* EvenEvilHasStandards: Vault, the BigBad of the story who wants to create a SexSlave [[TheEmpire Empire]], is appalled at EvilSorcerer Shamuhaza experimenting on the Leaping Lizards, who are on the same side as the Black Dogs (aka. his own men), even calling him "a crazy man". To him, it is fortunate that Shamuhaza did not arrive at the capital of Eostia, otherwise a similar disaster would occur in the place he is trying to conquer.
* EvilOverlord: What Vault becomes [[spoiler:in the original version]] after [[TheUsurper usurping]] Olga's role. A self-proclaimed king who wants to build a [[SexSlave Sex]] [[TheEmpire Empire]], he is the BigBad that resides in the Black Fortress, with TheHorde and his Black Dog mercenaries under his disposal. Unlike most examples, he ''does not'' have overwhelming power -- he would risk being on the receiving end of a CurbStompBattle courtesy of [[WorldsStrongestMan Kyril]] (which does happen twice), if he were to directly engage with TheAlliance. Therefore, he spends most of his time in the fortress plotting [[AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs invasions]], [[VillainWithGoodPublicity securing alliances with his supporters]], and [[RapeDiscretionShot helping himself with the female dark elves captured throughout Garan]].
* FalseReassurance: Vault gives one to his former comrade Maia in the original version after declaring his intention of [[NoWomansLand a Sex Empire]]. He tells her, "Don't worry, you'll [[NotIfTheyEnjoyedItRationalization enjoy]] it. You won't have to worry about starving or any more wars."
* HeManWomanHater: As Vault reveals his true colours after taking over the Black Fortress, so does his disdain towards women -- he wants to create [[NoWomansLand a Sex Empire]] due to his belief that women should StayInTheKitchen just like [[AppealToTradition "back then"]].
* {{Hunk}}: Vault is described as "huge, almost herculean in physique", with chiseled features. However, his appearance of a hero of old hides a [[AmbitionIsEvil nasty ambition]] to replace the current regime with a SexSlave [[TheEmpire Empire]], making him a rare villainous example. A perfect foil to the LeanAndMean, [[AntiHero anti-heroic]] {{protagonist}}, Kyril Sutherland.
* MotiveRant: Vault lays bare his [[AmbitionIsEvil ambitions]] of a [[SexSlave Sex]] [[TheEmpire Empire]] in the form of a rant, heated words on how the [[TheAlliance Seven Shields]] are useless, and that the Black Dogs will start a new world order where every man shall live like kings.
* NotIfTheyEnjoyedItRationalization: Vault [[FalseReassurance "reassures"]] Maia that she needn't worry about being a SexSlave under his Sex Empire, because she will enjoy it.
* NotSoWellIntentionedExtremist: When revealing his motives for building a Sex Empire, [[VillainHasAPoint Vault calls out both the Seven Shields and Olga for starting a century-old war that costs countless lives, including his own men]]. He claims that [[AristocratsAreEvil they have done nothing good to the people]], enjoying their riches while forgetting that men like the Black Dogs fight tooth and nail to bring peace. Despite his [[FalseReassurance reassurance that no one will have to worry about warfare and starvation]] under his future regime, his response is to [[AmbitionIsEvil stage a military coup to seize power for himself]], together with [[DisproportionateRetribution raping the Seven Shields into submission for men to live like kings]]. Besides, the fact that he leads armies who [[RapePillageAndBurn rape, pillage and burn]] inevitably devastates men and women alike.
* RankScalesWithAsskicking: Among the Black Dogs, TheLeader Vault is more capable in combat than the average merc in the group.
* RuggedScar: Vault has "a multitude of scars" with the look of a veteran.
* StayInTheKitchen: Vault holds the view that the Princess Knights should be doing what a man tells them, not the other way around. The normally [[TheStoic stoic and detached]] Kyril [[NotSoStoic breaks into a fit of laughter]] upon hearing this in the original version due to how ridiculous it sounds.
* StrawMisogynist: His StayInTheKitchen belief and motive of creating TheEmpire where every woman is a SexSlave are made blatantly clear. Him being the BigBad who kicks off the plot means that being "proven wrong" is not his one and only purpose in the story, making this a DownplayedTrope.
* UriahGambit: In the remastered version, Vault asks the OneManArmy Kyril to press on and fight Olga alone, while he and the Black Dogs fend off the other enemies. On one hand, Vault plans for Kyril to weaken Olga to the point where she can be [[StraightForTheCommander easily captured, thus securing victory]]. On the other hand, because Olga is a skilled LadyOfBlackMagic, Vault [[UnderestimatingBadassery doubts]] that Kyril would come out unscathed. Knowing the time to [[DeadlyEuphemism "deal with"]] the Hunter is approaching fast, he is certainly banking on the outcome where Kyril will "take the hits". Vault's remark after witnessing the actual result of their fight[[note]]The Hunter [[CurbStompBattle curb-stomps]] Olga[[/note]] says it all.
-->'''Vault''': Well, I'll be damned! And here I thought you'd be burned to a cinder.
* TheUsurper: Vault usurps Olga's position as EvilOverlord in control of the Black Fortress and the orcs after [[FallenPrincess her defeat]], even sitting on her vacant throne as she is ousted. Soon, he [[InvokedTrope invokes]] this trope as he makes his intention to conquer the South to build his SexSlave [[TheEmpire Empire]], an outcome that the protagonists [[DefiedTrope strive to avert]].
* VillainWithGoodPublicity: Vault is an esteemed, charismatic warrior in Eostia, TheLeader of the equally renowned [[{{PMC}} Black Dogs]], and a favourite of [[TheAlliance the Seven Shields]]. His good publicity allows him to secretly gain sponsors from the nobility, plotting behind the scenes to overthrow the Seven Shields, to take over the country, and to build a SexSlave Empire with himself as king. This trope is panned out differently in both versions of the story.
** In the original version, Vault's ambitions become public knowledge, with the RapePillageAndBurn going on everywhere, therefore [[SubvertedTrope subverting the trope]].
** In the remastered version, [[spoiler:Vault is killed by Kyril after revealing his ambitions, but]] the "good publicity" part doesn't go away because only a small band of people know about said ambitions. People in general are still kept in the dark, Vault's supporters continue to advance his agenda [[spoiler:without the knowledge of his demise]], and Kyril is distrusted by five of the Seven Shields after DroppingTheBombshell that is [[spoiler:Vault's status as a traitor and Vault's murder]].
* WeCanRuleTogether: Vault offers Kyril to join his cause of building [[NoWomansLand a]] [[SexSlave Sex]] [[TheEmpire Empire]]. On the pragmatic side of things, it is always good to have a powerful [[OneManArmy warrior]] on his side. His reasoning, however, is heavily reliant on the assumption that AllMenArePerverts, thinking that Kyril, [[AManIsAlwaysEager a man]], would want "live like a king" to take and use as many partners as he pleased. [[EvilCannotComprehendGood Yeah, about that...]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Beasley]]
* ArcVillain: Beasley is the antagonist who kicks off the ''[[StoryArc Feoh and Ur Arc]]'' (Chapters 6-8 of the original version). Wanting a personal fiefdom among the [[SexSlave Sex]] Empire, he starts the conflict by taking measures to secure Feoh and Ur for the Black Dogs. Due to his actions, there is an increase in monster incursions at the two strongholds, with no army defending said incursions (because they are held back) and no message from the one in charge, Alicia (because she is subdued). In order to prevent Beasley from welcoming the Black Dogs into the fortress, Kyril and co. head there to investigate, fight the {{mooks}}, and free the captives. Beasley's death resolves the arc.
* DirtyOldMan: Beasley is an old man who wants to "do as much as he pleases" to Alicia. This VillainousCrush is a reason why he becomes a [[TheMole mole]] for the Black Dogs, joining their cause to build a [[SexSlave Sex]] [[TheEmpire Empire]].
* EvilChancellor: Beasley is the Prime Minister of the fortress Feoh. The ArcVillain of the ''[[StoryArc Feoh/Ur Arc]]'', he [[TheMole secretly works for]] the [[{{PMC}} Black]] [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores Dogs]], so that he would be [[AmbitionIsEvil the one in charge]], rather than Alicia, when they take over the fortress. Beasley's P.O.V indicates that not only he dislikes being ordered around by "some uppity royal brat" that is Alicia, [[DirtyOldMan he]] also wants to [[VillainousCrush do as much as he pleases to her]], and being part of the Black Dogs' [[SexSlave Sex]] [[TheEmpire Empire]] is a means to achieve this end.
* VillainHasAPoint: [[EvilChancellor Prime Minister Beasley]] is [[EvilCannotComprehendGood appalled]] of Kyril siding with [[TheAlliance the Seven Shields]], seeing them as "weak-willed women". He may be a DirtyOldMan with a VillainousCrush who sides with an ArmyOfThievesAndWhores who RapePillageAndBurn, but he is not wrong about how a couple members of the Seven Shields are "weak-willed".
** Alicia chooses to surrender the fortress she is supposed to defend, in exchange for a number of [[HostageSituation hostage]] nuns, who are [[RapeAsDrama raped]] anyway upon her surrender. What's worse is that an easy takeover happens despite the fortress being supposedly well-fortified, which shows that Alicia is weak-willed at best, and [[StupidSacrifice incom]][[DidntThinkThisThrough petent]] at worst.
** Despite Celestine's [[TheHighQueen benevolent]] rule of Eostia, she did [[GreatOffscreenWar engage in warfare]] with Olga [[ForeverWar for centuries]], which is contradictory to the more rational notion of [[Literature/TheArtOfWarSunTzu how wars ought to be brought to a conclusion as quickly as possible]]. Furthermore, the persistence of several problems ([[SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil slavery]], [[HumanTrafficking dark elf trafficking]], as well as human-dark-elf FantasticRacism) indicates that her measures/policies to deal with them lack effectiveness (hence the "weak-willed" part). For this reason, several characters resolve to double down on their efforts in tackling these problems.
* VillainousBreakdown: Happens to Beasley, upon knowing that the Hunter is coming for him, with Kin [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness cancelling his deal with him and the Mortadella Brothers]] afterwards. It gets [[MookHorrorShow worse]] when the Hunter personally comes to butcher him up.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Michelle Pantielle]]
* AbhorrentAdmirer: GenderInverted. He is both a FatBastard and RoyalBrat who always attempts to hit on Maia any chance he gets, much to her displeasure. Chapter 5 of the original can attest to that, [[MadLove not that it stops him, though]].
-->'''Michelle:''' [[DoggedNiceGuy Maia, I can help with that]].\\
'''Maia:''' No, you can't. Seriously, just shut up. [[RageBreakingPoint Just]] [[BigShutUp shut up]]! I am tired of hearing your voice, you [[FatBastard fat fucking prick]]! I'm tired of your damn invitations, I'm tired of you trying to talk to me, I'm tired of your worthless existence!\\
'''Michelle:''' ''*reaches for Maia's hand*'' B-But, Maia-\\
'''Maia:''' ''*slaps Michelle's hand away*'' I said stop talking! And stop trying to hold my hand, you shit! Gods you can't even do that right!
* ArcVillain: Although Michelle isn't the only antagonist of the ''[[StoryArc Ansur Arc]]'' (Chapters 9-11 of the original version), the arc is resolved not only by stopping the Black Dogs from taking over Ansur, but also by tracking his whereabouts (which points towards where Maia is living), arresting him, and killing him.
* DoggedNiceGuy: Michelle is ''[[RoyalBrat not]]'' a NiceGuy, but him throwing a party to show his affection to Maia in Chapter 5 counts as the "spectacular displays" type. [[DeconstructedCharacterArchetype She finds his advances irritating]]. Later PlayedForDrama when he ditches the persistent part and joins the [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores Black Dogs]] to [[EntitledToHaveYou make her love him]].
* FatBastard: Michelle is spoiled, whiny and obsessed with Maia. His [[FatSlob obesity and sloppyness]] serve to accentuate his many unpleasant traits.
* FatSlob: He is a fat man who spits everywhere when speaking and reaches for Maia's hand with his own greased hand during a party meant for her.
* RoyalBrat: Michelle Pantielle fits squarely in the "spoiled rich kid" archetype. [[BlueBlood Blue-blooded]], obnoxious, looks down on people of lower status, and [[FatBastard has his gut hanging out like he's pregnant]].
* UndignifiedDeath: He, writhes in agony on the ground while [[IWantMyMommy crying for his mother]] after he's [[AgonizingStomachWound stabbed in the gut]]. His screams are only silenced when [[OffWithHisHead his head is cut off]]. To add insult to injury, he expects to face Sir Kyril during his TrialByCombat, but he lets his apprentice Hugh do the deed instead. Almost everyone who witnesses the trial cannot help to [[LampshadeHanging lampshade]] this trope. Kyril, in particular, is more irritated by this waste of time.
* YouExclamation: Michelle exclaims "Y-You!" as Kyril catches him red-handed [[IHaveYouNowMyPretty having his way with Maia]].
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Shamuhaza]]
* AlienBlood: In order to drive home that [[spoiler:Shamuhaza has gone OneWingedAngel during the climactic battle between him and the Hunters, he is shown to bleed white ichor when damaged]].
* AnimalEspionage: Some of the scouts that Shamuhaza uses to spy on the heroes are beast-like creatures that can turn [[{{Invisibility}} invisible]]. He can [[TouchTelepathy sift through their minds]] to know about their plans.
* ArcVillain: Shamuhaza is responsible for starting the conflict of the ''[[StoryArc Rad Arc]]'' (Chapters 14-16 of the original version) by breeding EliteMooks and other monstrosities to bolster the Black Dogs' power. Due to his actions, Kyril and co. have to contend with a threat bigger than usual. His retreat and hence Rad being denied to the Black Dogs resolves the arc.
* AxCrazy: Shamuhaza is so crazy [[spoiler:in his pursuit of [[TheseAreThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow the Eldritch Truth]]]] that he goes from [[PlayingWithSyringes experimenting on innocent civilians]] (the gory result being bodies either drained of their blood or ripped apart due to [[ChestBurster things coming out of them]]) to experimenting on the Leaping Lizards, ''the people who are supposed to be on the same side''. [[spoiler:Any amount of his rational thought is thrown out of the window when he is [[EldritchTransformation transformed into an insect-like abomination]]]].
* BandageMummy: Shamuhaza is an atypical example. He's wrapped in bandages head to toe, yet he is not immobilised in any way, and the readers have no idea whether he was injured or not.
* BandagedFace: Shamuhaza is depicted like this. The reason is unclear, but it clearly makes him look like a creepy madman. [[BandageMummy Even his whole body is covered with bandages]].
* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: Due to his belief that both are the same [[spoiler:in the sense that both had seen the Eldritch Truth]], Shamuhaza looks forward to fighting Kyril, whom he sees as a WorthyOpponent. [[spoiler:[[EvilCannotComprehendGood His inability to comprehend Kyril's decision]] to [[WillfullyWeak limit himself by retaining his humanity]] implies he wants to witness his "unrestrained" side.]] His wish is granted eventually when he faces off against Kyril, Sanakan and Hugh [[spoiler:as an EldritchAbomination, and he ends up getting [[CurbStompBattle curb-stomped]] after [[IAmNotLeftHanded Kyril decides to release a bit of his eldritch might]]. To top it off, he suffers a FateWorseThanDeath.]]
* ClippedWingAngel: [[spoiler:[[EldritchTransformation Transforming]] into a [[Characters/BloodBorneGreatOnes Rom]]-esque arthropod does not help Shamuhaza one bit during his battle with Kyril, Sanakan, and Hugh. The only reason why the creature [[CurbStompCushion manages to incapacitate the latter two]] with a surge of power is because the former thinks he doesn't need to [[IAmNotLeftHanded unleash]] a tiny bit of his eldritch power to stare him to a FateWorseThanDeath. When TheGlovesComeOff, Shamuhaza is done for]].
* DetrimentalDetermination: Shamuhaza's persistence in [[spoiler:exploiting [[TheseAreThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow the Eldritch Truth]]]] to create a myriad of [[{{Mutants}} mutated]] EliteMooks nearly causes an ApocalypseHow, jeopardises the people on the same side as he is, [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity drives himself insane]], makes himself easier for the heroes to track down, and ultimately hastens his own demise.
* EvilSorceror: Though not the BigBad, Shamuhaza is still the ArcVillain of the two [[StoryArc story arcs]] that marks this fanfic's SerialEscalation. He ticks off most of, if not all, the boxes of this trope. Has a legion of mutated EliteMooks with BodyHorror? Check. Tampers with ThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow [[spoiler:(or in this case, the Eldritch Truth)]]? Check. [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity Strives to gain great power at the expense of his sanity and soul]]? Check. Oh, and he also [[spoiler:ends up [[EldritchTransformation turning into]] an EldritchAbomination himself]].
* FaceFullOfAlienWingWong: He [[InvokedTrope invokes]] this trope as part of his [[PlayingWithSyringes experiments]] on the citizenry of Rad to bolster the Black Dogs' ranks. [[EstablishingCharacterMoment His first appearance]] shows him overseeing a female [[HalfHumanHybrid half-ling]] giving birth to a monstrosity.
* GameChanger: A villainous example. His appearance during the war against the Black Dogs not only gives [[TheUsualAdversaries the Black Dogs]] an advantage in the war, but also results in the good guys' receiving their [[PyrrhicVictory Pyrrhic Victory of all Pyrrhic Victories]] in the story, with Rad, the fortress city they are supposed to reclaim, suffering an ApocalypseHow. Due to his presence, many later chapters would have the good guys' trying to blindside the enemy, rather than fending off an AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs situation.
* TheManBehindTheMonsters: Shamuhaza, a human EvilSorceror, is the source of the [[{{Mutants}} mutated]], [[BodyHorror deformed]], and [[MixAndMatchCritters mis-matched]] EliteMooks in the original version of the story.
* OneWingedAngel: [[spoiler:Shamuhaza is not the BigBad, but he still [[EldritchTransformation transforms]] into a great scuttling [[InsectoidAliens insect-like]] EldritchAbomination offstage, awaiting Kyril on a lake for one climactic battle. To [[WorldsStrongestMan the Good Hunter]], however, his opponent is nothing more than a giant beast, one amongst the many that he had slain in Yharnam. With a wry smile, the Hunter comments that [[ClippedWingAngel he doesn't know what he is anymore]], before telling Sanakan and Hugh to kill [[ItIsDehumanizing it]].]]
* PlayingWithSyringes: Pretty much Shamuhaza's M.O. as an EvilSorcerer -- the Neverborn experiments he conducts include: creating [[MixAndMatchCritters mix-and-match]] EliteMooks via subjecting InnocentBystanders to a FaceFullOfAlienWingWong; directly mutating {{mooks}} for them to be upgraded into more EliteMooks, and; delving into BlackMagic and [[spoiler:the [[ThingsManIsNotMeantToKnow Eldritch Truth]], which may or may not be research from the Healing Church or the School of Mensis]].
* VillainousBreakdown: [[ExaggeratedTrope Exaggerated]] for Shamuhaza, as he [[spoiler:suffers a FateWorseThanDeath curtesy of Kyril unleashing his Eldritch might.]]
* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: Shamuhaza is an EvilSorceror who [[spoiler:attempts to harness the power of the Eldritch Truth, and later [[EldritchTransformation turns into]] an EldritchAbomination himself]], throwing away his rational thought entirely. Of course this happens. [[spoiler:Compare him with his {{foil}}, Kyril Sutherland -- a far more powerful EldritchAbomination [[HumanoidAbomination in human form]], yet with tons more experience and restraint.]]
[[/folder]]
%%[[folder:Morgan]]
%%* ArcVillain: {{Subverted}}. Morgan is set up as the main obstacle of the ''[[StoryArc Hunt for Leaping Lizards Arc]]'' (Chapters 17-22 of the original version). Kyril and co. set off to Scathlocke Province to hunt down the Leaping Lizards, including the leader Morgan, for a number of reasons (to provide closure for Grace, to find out any connections the slaver has, to root out traitors). However, Shamuhaza later takes over his place as the main obstacle and is finally defeated in the end, while Morgan doesn't even get a proper introduction and is implied to have died off-screen due to Shamuhaza's machinations.
%%[[/folder]]
[[folder:Archbishop Grishom]]
* ArcVillain: The head of the Church kicks off the conflict of the ''[[StoryArc Rebellion in Ken Arc]]'' (or ''Rebel Scum Arc'', in Chapters 23-26 of the original version), being the one leading the uprising in the eastern district of Ken, rallying the supporters of the [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores Black Dogs]] and publicly denouncing [[TheHighQueen Celestine]]'s rule. The arc is resolved via his imprisonment and the end of the rebellion.
%%* DirtyOldMan: SinisterMinister Grishom thinks that should he bring Sir Kyril's head to Vault, he would be rewarded with plenty of women. The narration describes his face as filled with "bravado and lust".
* SinisterMinister: At first, the archbishop is an ObstructiveBureaucrat that blocks relief efforts. He then graduates into ArcVillain status by [[StagedPopulistUprising staging an uprising]], exhorting the common folk to join the [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores Black Dogs]], and putting the capital in a state of chaos.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Sir John Mandeville]]
%%* AbusiveParents: [[spoiler:John Mandeville]], to [[spoiler:[[HalfHumanHybrid Chloe]]]]. [[spoiler:He is a [[SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil slaver]] who raped her mother (thus [[ChildByRape giving birth to Chloe]]), and enslaved them the same way as other dark elves under him for [[SexSlave entertainment]], which led to her mother's death. Even after Chloe was rescued by Olga, Mandeville eventually finds his daughter and subjects her to prolonged ColdBloodedTorture]].
* ArcVillain: Mandeville is the antagonist who kicks off the ''[[StoryArc Hunt for Mandeville Arc]]'' (Chapters 27-30 of the original version) by kidnapping Chloe when she was following a lead into his location, prompting Kyril and co. to go find them. He is revealed to be one of the major players in sponsoring the rebellion and the Black Dogs' cause. Hunting him down is key to the arc's resolution.
%%*DirtyOldMan: .
* FauxAffablyEvil: He plays the kindly old man even as he [[spoiler:molests and tortures his daughter]].
* NotIfTheyEnjoyedItRationalization: This is John Mandeville's response to Kyril after he tells him that [[spoiler:his daughter Chloe can do whatever she wishes to him for the ColdBloodedTorture she suffered thanks to him]].
-->'''Mandeville:''' She won't harm me. Not after tasting the pleasures that I have given her.
* VillainousBreakdown: Mandeville loses whatever bravado he has after Kyril tells him that he can only sit and watch [[LaserGuidedKarma the wealth of his house being redistributed to the common people, some of whom are the dark elves he enslaved]].
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Orcs]]
* AlwaysChaoticEvil:
** Orcs, in classical fashion, are portrayed as this. Every single orc is a violent maniac and a rapist, with Kyril outright telling his soldier recruits that orcs exist to kill, so their job is to take them out without hesitation. Meanwhile, some people like Olga and Vault are shown to be able to ''bargain'' with orcs, which [[SubvertedTrope brings the extent of this trope being true into question]]... [[DoubleSubversion and then it quickly turns out]] that the orcs do get something in return for their alliance -- the prospect of [[RapePillageAndBurn raping, pillaging, and burning]] a place/region (Loraine for Olga's deal; all the dark elves in the Black Fortress, as well as the entire kingdom of Eostia for Vault's deal).
** [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] at one point by Kyril in the remastered version.
--->''The Hunter found more small camps, and killed off more of the greenskins. He slaughtered them without mercy, their cries for their gods sounding piggish in the coming dusk. Were they truly so reprehensible? He wondered if the orcish gods even heard their pleas for their aid.''\\
''He thought this as he brought down another greenskin with an offhand swipe of the Holy Moonlight Sword. Did the gods of this world create such creatures fit only to be despised and cut down like vermin? He probably would never find out the answers, standing here in the gore of dead orcs.''
* NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast:
** Orcs are AlwaysChaoticEvil, so it is not a surprise that several infamous orc war-chiefs that Kyril had killed prior to the series have scary names like this, including the Defiler, Ozgriz the Mighty, and the Arsonist.
** The above list is altered a little in the remastered version. The very first chapter has Kyril finding the head of the Arch-Arsonist, one of the many orcs that he has slain including Ozgriz the Defiler, Gruzbad the Warlord, and the Eater of Men. He would later kill another orc chieftain named Thurog the Tall with his bare hands in Chapter 4.
[[/folder]]
----
