History Literature / VillainsByNecessity

* OurElvesAreDifferent: Mizzamir is a fairly standard High Elf, he literally lives in a [[CrystalSpiresAndTogas Crystal tower]]. Nathauans are Dark Elves in all but name (one theory InUniverse being they're of elven blood): subterranean, hate sunlight, sadistic and cruel, take surface dwellers as slaves, etc.

* CruelMercy: Mizzamir's punishments on his enemies are ultimately this. He does everything ''but'' kill people who defy his rule but he'll do just about anything else. His dealings with criminals include [[BrainwashingForTheGreaterGood Whitewashing,]] [[TakenForGranite turning them to stone,]] and [[spoiler:[[ForcedTransformation turning evil-doers into horses.]]]] As pointed out by the villains multiple times, many would prefer ''anything'' to what Mizzamir would do to them.

* FinalSolution: The forces of "Good" wiped out multiple cultures and species. Druids, bards, the Nathauan and other "evil" beings (many of whom were not that at all).

* HeroAntagonist: The side of light is, unknowingly, destroying their world by eradicating every speck of evil in it, to the point that they are annihilating everything that could be qualified as "not-light". This included the druids, who were keepers of balance, and the bards, who were more or less neutral. They then begin [[BrainwashingForTheGreaterGood whitewashing]] thieves, assassins, and other criminals, who were more or less just grey. Indeed, the entire premise of the story is basically this: in a world of magic, once the {{Big Bad}}s are fully eradicated, what would happen if the good guys started taking their intended plans for the betterment of the world ''to their inevitable conclusion?'' After all, the only way you can remove all evil from the world is if you remove choice, and freedom, from the world.

* StupidNeutral: The druids. First in the backstory they switched sides once the [[BalanceBetweenGoodAndEvil balance tipped in favor of the Light]]. Naturally the forces of Light killed them as traitors. The Dark meanwhile viewed them as spies for having so recently fought on the side of Light, and killed them as well. Kaylana, the last druid, learned nothing after this, telling her "dark" comrades that she'd turn on them if the Dark ever started winning. What a way to inspire trust...

While long out of print, it was re-issued as an ebook in 2018. Forward began posting a rewritten version, ''[[https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/71705/villains-by-necessity-redux Villains by Necessity: Redux]]'' on the Royal Road writing site (which also hosts some original stories she'd written) in July of 2023. It has new text and some changes to the plot, but follows the general storyline overall.

While long out of print, it was re-issued as an ebook in 2018. Forward began posting a rewritten version, ''[[https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/71705/villains-by-necessity-redux Villains By Necessity: Redux]]'' on the Royal Road writing site (which also hosts some original stories she'd written) in July of 2023. It has new text and some changes to the plot, but follows the general storyline overall.

* AloofDarkHairedGirl: Valerie fits the type largely, though unusually she's an openly evil sorceress. She's tall, has an "impressive" chest" and is very beautiful, though human men wisely steer clear of hitting on her as her kind eat humans. Her attitude is mostly cool and standoffish.

* BlackMage: Valerie. Aside from a couple instances, she entirely casts spells to kill and destroy.

* EeriePaleSkinnedBrunette: Valerie, who's from a dark elf-like race, is an evil sorceress with pitch black hair and pure white skin, as her kind lived in the subterranean underdark.

* PlaceboEffect: Valerie "enchants" an amulet to protect Robin from [[{{Claustrophobia}} the walls closing in on him]]. The incantation includes the word "placebo". Blackmail finds this quite funny.

* WanderingMinstrel: Robin, who uses his profession as cover to spy on the villains, using as justification the fact that there aren't many adventurers left, and he wants to write a ballad about them. He sings and plays his harp all throughout TheQuest. They're sometimes annoyed but often genuinely entertained, while some of Robin's knowledge (he has a huge catalogue memorized) proves very useful given it relates to their goal.

* TheQuest: The protagonists go in search of [[MacGuffin the Spectrum Key]], an object split into six pieces which can reopen the [[HellGate Dark Gate]] and save the world before its too late if reassembled.

* EndlessDaytime: As the forces of light continue to spread unchecked through the world, it moves closer and closer to endless ''day.'' [[spoiler:By the end of the book, the world is sunny and bright in spite of it being eleven at night.]]

* MacGuffin: The Spectrum Key, which is split into six pieces located in hidden, guarded places. It's a powerful magical artifact that can open the [[HellGate Dark Portal]] to save the world, which the protagonists go on TheQuest for, which spurs the plot.