History Literature / DisAcedia

* AffablyEvil: Graffiacane is genuinely polite, giving advice to others.
** FauxAffablyEvil: Gambler John and Malacoda act chummy to others, but this is clearly a mask.

* ArcVillain: The story has an overarching BigBadEnsemble but most arcs tend to have a more direct antagonist take center stage.

* BeingEvilSucks: A reoccurring theme, in spite of the horrible setting, being evil isn't shown to be for everyone and not to be the solution and not everyone is cold enough to be the bad guy when they try.

* BigBad: Lazarus the God of Magic and Chaos, and Ruler of Dis as well as its creator. An omnipotent deity that Claims random beings by taking their names and souls, trapping them into his hellish prison. Every villain and bad thing can be traced back to him. Most likely because he put them there.
** BigBadEnsemble: There are multiple guilds and factions that jockey for the main villain position but the Malebranche's leader Malacoda, Grandmaster Wyrde of the Dracocracy, and [[spoiler: the Forsworn]] are the main contenders.

* DarkIsEvil/DarkIsNotEvil: while lacking in any color due to the Nightcloak's power, Shade/Manah and Shroud both are ambiguous rather than outright evil [[spoiler: though both shift to good as they find BeingEvilSucks]].

* NotSoDifferent: Shroud, Manah, and Sabeen.

* InstantAwesomeJustAddDragons: Averted. The dragons of Dis are by far one of the nastier factions.

* ManipulativeBastard: Shroud's greatest strength is his ability to get inside people's head and getting them to act as he wants. But he finds himself far from trhe best.

* TheProtagonist: Shroud is the the main character, first-person narrator, and main protagonist, but calling him TheHero would be ''way'' too generous.

* JustBetweenYouAndMe/EvilGloating: [[spoiler: Malacoda]] to Shroud. [[spoiler: Its justified since Malacoda knows Shroud's true name, giving the King complete control over Shroud, meaning that resistance is truly impossible.]]

* HotGuysAreBastards: Trickster Jack is considered very handsome by Dis' women, and is also the Cages supreme {{Jerkass}} and asshat.

* Aster is a very minor character with few lines. But given how quickly he hams it up and overacts to everything, he can be rather noticeable despite that.

** Doc the Troll is the smartest of his kind in Dis which is DamnedByTheFaintPraise. It manifests as this trope.

* BeingEvilSucks: A reoccurring theme, in spite of the horrible setting, being evil isn't shown to be for everyone and not to be the solution and not everyone is cold enough to be the bad guy.
** Shroud starts off as bitter, resentful, self-absorbed,, reckless ready to do anything to escape Dis [[spoiler: when he begins killing and hurting people who never wronged him he finds his own conscience has made a comeback nibbling at the back of his mind and becomes ruled by his failures and mistakes. Then it turns out that he was controlled by A-List bad guy Malacoda who played off his bad character traits and all the wanton murder he ordered has caused the Dismaw to consume him.]]

** Sabeen starts off as a toxic individual believing herself above the consequences of her actions as she bullies those weaker than herself thanks to her position and power level. [[spoiler: She finds herself enslaved by Shroud in revenge, gets blacklisted by her former Guild when they learn that she was willing to kill children, and that her whole life was manipulated by the Forsworn who killed her awesome sister because she could have made Dis a better place and ensured that Sabeen inherited her position because she was just that bad. Nowadays she at the very least is able to show compassion to others.]]

* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: Shroud, under the influence of the Dismaw.

* AbusiveParents: implied to be why Jack became a psychopath.

* AGodIAm: Shroud often pretends godhood to recruit gullible followers, without believing in it.
* AgonyBeam: using a person's true name against them can have this effect.

* AlternateUniverse: it is eventually revealed Dis' prisoners come from various alternate universes. One of them ended in a nuclear war that [[spoiler: Shroud might have caused]].

* AncientConspiracy: the Forsworn, a group of Div-worshipers having sabotaged efforts to solve Dis' maze for centuries. They actually know more about Dis' secrets than anyone else. It is implied [[spoiler: another, even more secret one opposes them in the shadows]].
* AndIMustScream: being a Div is nothing but pain.

* AppealToForce: the Malebranche's MO.
* AxCrazy: most of the Maleprinces, although most manage to hide it well.
* BadassArmy: most of the big guilds, but the Malebranche and the Dracocracy most of all.
* BatmanGambit: Shroud is a master of this, but [[spoiler:Malacoda]] is even better.

* BigDamnHeroes: Sol to the Red Goblin, Shroud himself against the Forsworn. In the latter case [[spoiler: he is too late to save everyone]].

* BoringButPractical: when capturing a genie, Shroud doesn't make a wish (guessing she would twist his words no matter what). Instead he keeps her as a source of information.
* BreakTheHaughty: what Lazarus did to Mur in the backstory.

* TheCavalry: Shroud gathers a large force to rescue abducted people from the Forsworn. Deconstructed in that [[spoiler: half the hostages are dead by the time TheCavalry reached them]].

* TheChessmaster: Wyrde and Malacoda.
* {{Cloudcuckoolander}}: Doc. The Candlemaker is a DarkerAndEdgier version. He is completely divorced from reality and batshit insane. This is his introduction speech.

* CombatPragmatist: Shroud, due to lacking in might.

* TheCorruption: the Dismaw curse, and the poison it provides; they give incredible power, but feed on souls and enthrall the user.
* CrapsackWorld: Dis was literally made to be one, as every single person inside it is Lazarus' toy. The Maze is divided between multiple EvilOverlord vying for control, MightMakesRight is an active culture, warfare is common, an ancient conspiracy actively sabotages efforts to escape, and EldritchAbomination called the Sepids periodically devastate civilization.
* CruelMercy: since he cannot kill her, Shroud ends up enslaving Sabeen, after the genie attempted to have him killed.
* CurbStompBattle: every fight Brina takes part in ends in one in her favor. Shroud's army later deals a brutal one to Melite.
* CursedWithAwesome: the Nightcloak more or less turns Shroud into an undead, removing most of his senses...and making him astonishingly resilient. His Dismaw curse also gives him SoulPower.
* DarkIsEvil/DarkIsNotEvil: while lacking in any color due to the Nightcloak's power, Shade/Manah and Shroud both are ambiguous rather than outright evil.

* ADayInTheLimelight: the Reversed Arcana chapters.
* DealWithTheDevil: Shroud's relationship with Manah.

* DividedWeFall: why the Claimed haven't solved the Maze. Actively exploited and encouraged by the Forsworn.

* DysfunctionJunction: the Red Goblin and later, the Striges, both suffer from internal frictions.
* DystopiaJustifiesTheMeans: the Malebranche's plan in a nutshell.

* EldritchAbomination: the Sepids, and Zahak, Father of the Divs.

* EqualOpportunityEvil: the Malebranche's only standard of recruitment is strength. The Striges/The Fiefdom of Pandoria simply hire anyone willing to fight for them.

* EvilOverlord: most of the Edge Kings, but the Maleprinces and Wyrde most of all. Shroud eventually becomes an anti-heroic one.

* FalseFlagOperation: the Forsworn's usual MO.
* FantasticRacism: the Dracocracy, against anything that isn't a dragon.
* FateWorseThanDeath: dying in the maze and being reincarnated as a Div. Killing them is actually considered mercy in-universe.

* GainingTheWillToKill: subverted by Shroud, who doesn't feel anything particular the first time he kills someone. If anything, he gets worse.

* GlamourFailure: Brina seems too perfect to be real; same with Sabeen. Senna's face is symmetrical, causing a similar effect.

* GoodIsNotNice: most of the Pilgrims, although they are by far the most heroic faction.
* HeroOfAnotherStory: most of the Reversed Arcana protagonists.

* HorrifyingTheHorror: most of the Maleprinces disturb Jack, himself a complete psychopath.

* TheInfiltration: how the Forsworn destroy guilds from within and sabotage escape efforts. Skins tried to do this to them, but failed.
* InstantAwesomeJustAddDragons: averted. The dragons of Dis are by far one of the nastier factions.

* JustBetweenYouAndMe/EvilGloating: [[spoiler: Malacoda]] to Shroud.
* KickTheDog: Stitch, almost constantly.

* LaserGuidedAmnesia: the Claimed lose most of the memories that would allow them to rediscover their stolen true name.
* LastStand: Melite does this against Shroud's army in Hierophant.
* TheLegionsOfHell: the Malebranche started as them, before expanding.
* LifeEnergy: essence is produced by souls, while poison is produced by Dis itself.
* TheManBehindTheMan: Malacoda turns out to be behind quite a few lesser factions.
* ManipulativeBastard: Shroud's greatest strength is his ability to get inside people's head and getting them to act as he wants.
* MercyKill: killing a Div is considered this.
* MoralityKitchenSink: morality is very relative in Dis.

* NotQuiteSavedEnough: while the rescue is mostly successful, Shroud [[spoiler: fails to save Skins and Iz from the Forsworn]].
* NotSoDifferent: Shroud from the Malebranche.

* Precursors: the First Guild, and the Legion of Orcus. [[spoiler: The former actually solved the Maze's secrets, but were wiped out before they could make good on it; and the later is far from gone.]]
* PyrrhicVillainy: Pandoria conquers Melite, but later problems end up making the whole endeavor costly.

* TheRemnant: [[spoiler: the Legion of Orcus]] turns out to have one of them.

* SortingAlgorithmOfEvil: averted. Shroud's foes vary from unbeatable to nuisance depending on the arc.
* SoulPower: Shroud eventually gains a degree of this from the Dismaw curse.

* StormOfBlades: Brina's specialty.

* TeleFrag: Brina's main method of killing.
* TreacherousAdvisor: Manah at first, and then [[spoiler: Graffiacane]].
* UnwittingPawn: Shroud, to Shade and then [[spoiler: Malacoda]].
* WeakButSkilled: Shroud lacks in firepower, but manages to get ahead with manipulations, cunning, and most importantly, recruiting followers to act for him.

* AncientPrecursors: the First Guild. [[spoiler: They actually solved the Maze's secrets, but were wiped out before they could make good on it.]]

* DysfunctionalJunction: the Red Goblin and later, the Striges, both suffer from internal frictions.

* LifEnergy: essence is produced by souls, while poison is produced by Dis itself.

* SmugSnake: Jack/Farfarello and Sabeen.

* Badass: most of the powerful figures of Dis qualifies, but especially [[WorldsStrongestMan Brina]].

* {{Cloudcuckoolander}}: The Candlemaker is a DarkerAndEdgier version. He is completely divorced from reality and batshit insane. This is his introduction speech.

* EatsBabies: Well, the Candlemaker's perfectly fine with burning them. He actually prefers them. Baby fat just lasts so much longer, y'know?

* ManipulativeBastard: Shroud's greatest strength is his ability to get inside people's head and getting them to act as he wants.
* PersonOfMassDestruction: The Candlemaker has enough literal firepower to burn a district to the ground.

* StarterVillain: Akatash the Twisted, an undead, bipedal unicorn mook Div acts as Shroud's first antagonist in The Fool.

* WindsOfDestinyChange: Ace's Relic has the ability to predict the future based on probability or change it by stealing or manipulating luck...in exchange for making the people who benefits extremely unlucky for awhile.

* DealWithTheDevil: Shroud's relationship with Shade.

* TheAgeless: Every denizen in Dis does not age after having their souls Claimed by Lazarus no matter their species. Shroud is shocked to learn that the human knight Sol has been alive since the Crusades and hasn't aged a day. This immortality is also mitigated by everyone being capable of dying to some good old violence, which Dis has in spades.

* AnotherDimension: Not only is Dis a dimension in itself, but various characters are implied to be from alternate worlds as well.

* BiggerBad: Lazarus the God of Magic and Chaos, and Ruler of Dis as well as its creator. An omnipotent deity that Claims random beings by taking their names and souls, trapping them into his hellish prison. Every villain and bad thing can be traced back to him. Most likely because he put them there.
* BigBadEnsemble: There are multiple guilds and factions that jockey for the main villain position but the Malebranche's leader Malacoda, Grandmaster Wyrde of the Dracocracy, and [[spoiler: the Forsworn]] are the main contenders. Lazarus overshadows them all.

* ADealWithTheDevil: Shroud's relationship with Shade.

** [[MadDoctor Nathaniel]] [[MorallyAmbiguousDoctorate Stitch]] acts as the main villain of The Magician and makes a return appearance in The Empress.
** The [[PlayingWithFire Candlemaker]] acts as the main physical threat of the High Priestess

* BiggerBad: Lazarus the God of Magic and Chaos, and Ruler of Dis as well as its creator. An omnipotent God that Claims random beings by taking their names and souls, trapping them into his hellish prison. Every villain and bad thing can be traced back to him. Most likely because he put them there.
* BigBadEnsemble: There are multiple guilds and factions that jockey for the main villain position but the Malebranche, Grandmaster Wyrde of the Dracocracy, and Lazarus Ruler of Dis are the main contenders.

'''''[[http://disacedia.wordpress.com Dis Acedia]]''''' is a web serial by M.J. Durand (Chesskingred) and corrected/edited by Nathan Hoffer. It is a self-described "dark fantasy" novella where the main character, Shroud, is abducted by a godlike entity for its own amusement and sent to the inescapable prison of Dis. There, he must learn to adapt to the twisted world or die trying.

* TechicolorFire: The Candlemaker's flames are so hot that they burn blue.

** The [[{{Pyromanic}} Candlemaker]] acts as the main physical threat of the High Priestess

-->:'''The Candlemaker: "Why are you things so intent on disturbing me? Do I not try hard enough to be a good neighbor? All I want is to make this city a brighter, shinier place. Is burning living fuel in peace too much to ask? I will have to turn you into fuel,I was beginning to run out of fat to make candles. Still, all of you are so skinny… did you bring infants? Baby fat lasts so much longer. I think I am in the process of becoming a star. Do you not feel my irresistible gravity? My hydrogen, ionized bre-”
ConvectionSchmonvection: Averted with the Candlemaker's flames. He burns so hot that if you don't have a resistance to heat his aura will instantly incinerate you.

* ArcVillain: Nathaniel Stitch acts as the main villain of The Magician and makes a return appearance in The Empress.

* BigBadEnsemble: There are multiple guilds and factions that jockey for the main villain position but the Malebranche, Grandmaster Wyrde of the Dracocracy, and Lazarus Ruler of Dis as the main contenders.

* TarotMotifs: Each arc is named after an Arcana with at least twenty-two planned.

* AntiHero: Shroud to a 'T', though his personality lends itself more closely to villainy.
* BiggerBad: Lazarus the God of Magic and Chaos, and Ruler of Dis as well as its creator. An omnipotent God that Claims random beings by taking their names and souls, trapping them into his hellish prison. Every villain and bad thing can be traced back to him. Most likely because he put it there.

* AerithAndBob: Since everyone who enters Dis loses their names, they have to come up with new ones that can range from almost-ordinary to downright pronounceable.

* TheAlcatraz: Dis qualifies.
* AlwaysABiggerFish: Very heavily implied that there's a new nightmare behind every corner in Dis.

* AssholeVictim: Nathaniel Stitch.
* BigBad: The Malebranche, Wyrde, Nathaniel Stitch, and other characters.
* BodyHorror: Some Relics can change a person's physical form in terrifying ways.

'''''[[http://disacedia.wordpress.com Dis Acedia]]''''' is a web serial by M.J. Durand (Chesskingred) and corrected/edited by Nathan Hoffer. It is a self-described "dark fantasy" novella where the main character, Shroud, is abducted by a godlike entity for its own amusement and sent to the inescapable prison of Dis. There, he must learn to adapt to the twisted world or die trying.

->''Boredom is the downside of immortality... The world of Dis is a prison, a hellish maze of walls the size of mountains, a patchwork of lost kingdoms and nightmarish realms at the edge of reality... Dis serves only one purpose: to entertain its jailer... This is the story of the Claimed, and their quest to return home.'' - Taken from the Summary