History MagnificentBastard / SkulduggeryPleasant

* [[ComedicSociopathy Billy-Ray Sanguine]], the self-styled hitman "deluxe", is introduced as Baron Vengeous' frequently vexed HyperCompetentSidekick, but grows out of his cruel vitriol after finding love to become far more intelligent and perceptive than initially thought. After killing a group of rich college psychopaths out of a desire to not be defined by his job as a bad guy, Sanguine forms the Revengers' Club for revenge against Valkyrie, but abandons his vendetta upon learning that she's already destined for far greater suffering. Sanguine later steals the Receptacle key to help stop the Remnant outbreak before entering into a relationship with the possessed Tanith Low, assisting her in stealing the God-Killer weapons that could be used to destroy her DarkMessiah Darquesse only to secretly keep them for himself after faking their destruction to ensure the world's safety. Later inserting himself as Skulduggery's spy within Darquesse's minions, Sanguine pushes Tanith to turn against her messiah and rescues her afterwards even though she subsequently loses her memories of their relationship, escaping Darquesse's wrath himself despite the goddess' suspicions. Hilarious as he is psychopathic; reliable as he is misfortunate; and genuinely in love with Tanith, Sanguine ultimately dies in a fight to protect her from the Black Cleaver.

* [[PragmaticHero Skulduggery Pleasant]] himself is the infamous Skeleton Detective, a centuries-old sorcerer notorious for both his endless charm and his service as a war hero with the [[SurprisinglyEliteCannonFodder Dead Men]]. Rising from the grave after Nefarian Serpine killed him and his family, Skulduggery became consumed with hatred and took on the identity of [[SuperpoweredEvilSide Lord Vile]], slaughtering thousands before having an epiphany and sealing away the Vile persona. Rejoining his friends and tirelessly working to [[TheAtoner atone]] for his actions, Skulduggery reclaims his job as a detective before finally getting the chance to kill Serpine and avenge his family after taking on Valkyrie Cain as his partner. Over the next few years he and Cain save the world on an almost daily occurrence, stopping everything from assassins to eldritch gods to would-be rulers of the human race. Neither horrifying revelations nor agonizing torture from dark gods can dissuade [[{{Determinator}} Skulduggery]] from doing his job, as he even manages to gain a degree of control over Vile in order to defeat world-ending threats. Completely deserving of his over-the-top ego and breaking whatever rules he deems necessary to save the day, Skulduggery's ruthless nature is reined in only by his partner's positive influence, and he will wreak utter horror on anyone who gets in his way.
* [[WorldsMostBeautifulWoman China Sorrows]] is a collector of magical artifacts, and is so beautiful that anyone who lays eyes on her instantly falls in love. Formerly a worshipper of the Faceless Ones and founder of the Diablerie, China eventually defected to save her ward Cassion, using her intellect to become an information-broker and amass a hoard of valuable artifacts. Becoming an [[TokenEvilTeammate untrustworthy yet genuine friend]] to Skulduggery and Valkyrie, the detective and China secretly continue their pragmatic acquaintanceship even after her involvement in the death of Skulduggery's family is revealed by Eliza Scorn. Targeted for assassination by the Supreme Council through Vincent Foe, the now-resourceless China leads him on a wild chase to Scorn's church, leaving it in flames while she seeks refuge with the masterminds behind the war in Roarhaven. China assists Skulduggery in infiltrating the town and overthrowing Ravel, taking over the leaderless Supreme Council and [[DrunkWithPower gleefully abusing her power]] as "Supreme Mage" to install her own stooges and depose Scorn. China Sorrows remains an [[CardCarryingVillain unapologetically]] [[ItsAllAboutMe selfish]] individual who always bounces back from her losses, but is willing risk her own life to save her friends and the detective she loves.
* [[ComedicSociopathy Billy-Ray Sanguine]], the self-styled hitman "deluxe", grows to be far more intelligent and perceptive than his LaughablyEvil characterization would initially suggest. After killing a group of rich college psychopaths out of a desire to not be defined by his job as a bad guy, Sanguine forms the Revengers' Club for revenge against Valkyrie Cain, but abandons his vendetta upon learning that she is already destined for far greater suffering. Sanguine later enters into a relationship with the Remnant-infected Tanith Low, assisting her in protecting Cain and stealing the God-Killer weapons that could be used to destroy her DarkMessiah Darquesse, only to secretly keep them for himself after faking their destruction to ensure the world's safety. Fully coming into his own after losing his smug demeanor to serve as a spy for Skulduggery within the ranks of Darquesse's minions, Sanguine pushes Tanith to turn against her messiah, and rescues her afterwards even though she subsequently loses her memories of their relationship. Hilarious as he is psychopathic and genuinely loving Tanith, Sanguine ultimately dies in a fight to protect her from the Black Cleaver.
* [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Dusk]] is a vampire infamous for holding grudges. Joining Billy-Ray Sanguine's Revengers' Club for the opportunity to get back at both Valkyrie Cain for scarring him and fellow member Spring-Heeled Jack for assisting in his previous defeat, Dusk convinces Sanguine to drop the vendetta against Cain when [[HorrifyingTheHorror he tastes the blood of the Faceless Ones in her]]. After helping Sanguine and Tanith Low in exchange for the identity of the vampire who sired him, Moloch, Dusk waits for him to leave his lair and kills him before he can bring reinforcements to the Irish Sanctuary in their war against the Supreme Council. In an unprecedented deal, Dusk gathers other vampires who have been exiled for killing their own kind, offering their services to Grand Mage China Sorrows in exchange for housing, rights, and serum to prevent them from changing into monsters by night. Later making amends with Valkyrie, Dusk reluctantly tells her the truth of her ancestry, giving her his condolences for the horrifying revelation.
* [[WellIntentionedExtremist Solomon Wreath]] is the {{Necromancer}} ambassador and a devout believer in the Passage, where one Necromancer shall become powerful enough to simultaneously kill three billion people and dam the stream of life. While holding a mutual animosity with Skulduggery Pleasant for saving the life of the detective's ArchEnemy, Nefarian Serpine, Wreath strikes a friendship with and begins mentoring his partner Valkyrie Cain in the belief that she may be the prophesied [[DarkMessiah Death Bringer]]. After Cleric Craven presents Melancholia St Clair as a better candidate, Wreath realizes she may not be powerful enough to complete the Passage, which would result in the banning of Necromancy and the unnecessary deaths of millions of innocents, and betrays Melancholia to the Sanctuary on the condition that the dark truth of the Passage is blamed on Craven twisting its true meaning. Ensuring his freedom and the continuation of Necromancy outside of Ireland, Wreath decides to [[WalkingTheEarth Walk the Earth]], still remaining an ardent supporter and ally toward his favorite student.
* Becoming consumed with rage after the death of his family, Skulduggery Pleasant abandoned his old identity and took up the mantle of [[TheDreaded Lord Vile]]. Quickly making a name for himself as one of the most powerful Necromancers in history, Vile made contact with the [[GodOfTheDead Viddu De]] and promised to [[OmnicidalManiac kill all life]] in exchange for the ability to see all possible futures. Now knowing what path to follow in order to create a future where he is victorious, Vile became one of Mevolent's CoDragons and butchered hundreds on the battlefield, even betraying his lover Abyssinia when she tried to overthrow Mevolent and prematurely end the war. Eventually deciding to give back control to the Skulduggery persona, Vile wiped the deal with the Viddu De and his omniscience from his own memory so that the next few centuries could play out exactly as he'd seen. Vile later returns to get revenge on the Necromancers when they replace him as the Death Bringer, effortlessly sabotaging his successor's power before assisting in fighting other world breakers such as Darquesse. With his future self Cadaver Cain carrying out the rest of his plan and coming within seconds of victory, Vile made his mark as a [[{{Determinator}} relentless killing machine]] in his quest to achieve what he saw as peace, cementing his place as one of the most badass and terrifying beings in the series.
[[AC:Individual Appearances]]

* ''Mortal Coil'': [[TheDreaded Tesseract]] is an infamous Russian assassin hired to kill Davina Marr by the Roarhaven mages. A ConsummateProfessional who meticulously studies his opponents, spends hours carefully disabling any defenses or traps that may be in his way, and avoids killing those he hasn't yet been paid to assassinate, Tesseract tracks down Marr and nearly kills her before she's barely saved by Skulduggery. Discovering the location of Skulduggery's home while Marr is being held there, Tesseract [[CurbStompCushion fends off the the inhabitants with only a few difficulties]] and completes his contract. Although he's betrayed by the Children of the Spider, Tesseract survives being paralyzed and buried alive, hunting down his former employers to get revenge for their betrayal. Later managing to kill the Torment after once again trouncing the detective, Tesseract is fatally wounded by Lord Vile and spends his last moments having a friendly conversation with Skulduggery.
* ''Tanith Low in... The Maleficent Seven'':

* ''Apocalypse Kings'': The unnamed [[NobleDemon Deathless]] is the leader of the [[EldritchAbomination Apocalypse Kings]], three gods who want revenge on the Faceless Ones for the [[LastOfTheirKind destruction of their own races]]. Released from their prison by Adedayo, the Kings feed off of the souls of people at his school in order to regain their power, with the Deathless stopping the Cythraul from outright devouring them. [[ThanatosGambit Intending to kill themselves]] in order to [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt destroy the world and deny the Faceless Ones their homeland]], the Deathless debates with Adedayo about their plan, acknowledging their hypocrisy and trying to reassure him with the knowledge of the beautiful afterlife that awaits him. Convinced to be better than the Faceless Ones, the Deathless persuades the other Apocalypse Kings to abandon their plan and return to their prison until they decide what to do with themselves.
* ''Dead or Alive'': [[FutureMeScaresMe Cadaver Cain]] is a future version of Skulduggery Pleasant from a timeline where Damocles Creed [[BadFuture succeeded in taking over the world]]. Taking up a new name in honor of Valkyrie and falling back into the darkness he had as Lord Vile, Cadaver unlocks the omniscience and memories from his deal as Vile to kill all life on behalf of the [[GodOfTheDead Viddu De]]. Serving as the only form of resistance against Creed and Malice, Cadaver waits for Valkyrie to travel to the future so he can possess her and return to the present. Cadaver arranges for Creed to be assassinated and resurrected by his follower Uriah Serrate, pretending to assist in Skulduggery, Valkyrie, Omen, and Crepuscular's investigation into the Church of the Faceless while he uses his subtle influence over Creed to hijack his plan and create a universe-wide death field. As witty as his present incarnation and genuinely believing he's giving everyone peace, Cadaver serves as a grim reminder of the darkness in Skulduggery's heart.

* ''Tanith Low in... The Maleficent Seven''

* [[PragmaticHero Skulduggery Pleasant]] is the infamous Skeleton Detective, a centuries-old sorcerer notorious for both his endless charm and his service as a war hero with the [[SurprisinglyEliteCannonFodder Dead Men]]. Rising from the grave after Nefarian Serpine killed him and his family, Skulduggery became consumed with hatred and took on the identity of [[SuperpoweredEvilSide Lord Vile]], slaughtering thousands before having an epiphany and sealing away the Vile persona. Rejoining his friends and tirelessly working to [[TheAtoner atone]] for his actions, Skulduggery reclaims his job as a detective before finally getting the chance to kill Serpine and avenge his family after taking on Valkyrie Cain as his partner. Over the next few years he and Cain save the world on an almost daily occurrence, stopping everything from assassins to eldritch gods to would-be rulers of the human race. Neither horrifying revelations nor agonizing torture from dark gods can dissuade [[{{Determinator}} Skulduggery]] from doing his job, as he even manages to gain a degree of control over Vile in order to defeat world-ending threats. Completely deserving of his over-the-top ego and breaking whatever rules he deems necessary, the only thing Skulduggery won't sacrifice to save the day is his partner, and he will wreak utter horror on anyone who gets in his way.

* [[FaceMonsterTurn Tanith Low]] is a trained assassin and the best friend of Valkyrie Cain, who upon permanently bonding to a Remnant becomes a fervent worshipper of Darquesse [[OmnicidalManiac and her prophesized doomsday]]. Entering into a relationship with Billy-Ray Sanguine, Tanith protects and assists Valkyrie while organizing the theft of the God-Killer weapons that could be used to kill her DarkMessiah. Replacing two with copies and causing security to be heightened for Dexter Vex, while having placed a mole on his team and eventually betraying half of her own teammates, Tanith unleashes Dusk and an insanity virus to cause chaos at the British Sanctuary and ensure Sanguine's escape with the last weapon. Witty and jovial towards her enemies even while gradually growing back her conscience, Tanith betrays Darquesse and helps Valkyrie escape from her, resulting in her former goddess removing the Remnant's infection.
* [[ComedicSociopathy Billy-Ray Sanguine]] is a self-styled hitman "deluxe", who grows to be far more intelligent and perceptive than his prominently sociopathic and LaughablyEvil characterization would suggest. After killing a group of rich college psychopaths out of a desire to not be defined by his job as a "bad guy", Sanguine forms the Revengers' Club for revenge against Valkyrie Cain. Abandoning his vendetta upon learning that she is descended from the Faceless Ones and is destined for far greater suffering, Sanguine enters into a relationship with the Remnant-infected Tanith Low, assisting her in protecting Cain. Helping Tanith to find the God-Killers that could kill her DarkMessiah Darquesse, Sanguine pretends to destroy them but secretly keeps them for himself, not wanting to doom the world and making himself even more dangerous in the process. Serving as a spy for Skulduggery within the ranks of Darquesse's minions, Sanguine pushes Tanith to turn against her messiah, and rescues her afterward even though she subsequently lost her memories of their time together. Always armed with a humorous personality and genuinely loving Tanith, Sanguine ultimately dies in a fight to protect her from the Black Cleaver.
* [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Dusk]] is a vampire infamous for holding grudges. Joining Billy-Ray Sanguine's Revengers' Club for the opportunity to get back at both Valkyrie Cain for scarring him and fellow member Spring-Heeled Jack for assisting in his previous defeat, Dusk convinces Sanguine to drop the vendetta against Cain when [[HorrifyingTheHorror he tastes the blood of the Faceless Ones in her]]. After helping Sanguine and Tanith Low in exchange for the identity of the vampire who sired him, Moloch, Dusk waits for him to leave his lair and kills him before he can bring reinforcements to the Irish Sanctuary in their war against the Supreme Council. In an unprecedented deal, Dusk gathers other vampires who have been exiled for killing their own kind, offering their services to now Grand Mage China Sorrows in exchange for housing, rights, and serum to prevent them from changing into monsters by night. Later making amends with Valkyrie, Dusk reluctantly tells her the truth of her ancestry, giving her his condolences for the horrifying revelation.
* [[WellIntentionedExtremist Solomon Wreath]] is the {{Necromancer}} ambassador and a devout believer in the Passage, where one Necromancer shall become powerful enough to simultaneously kill three billion people and dam the stream of life. While holding a mutual animosity with Skulduggery Pleasant for saving the detective's ArchEnemy, Nefarian Serpine, Wreath strikes a friendship with and begins mentoring his partner Valkyrie Cain in the belief that she may be the prophesied [[DarkMessiah Death Bringer]]. After Cleric Craven presents Melancholia St Clair as a better candidate Wreath realizes she may not be powerful enough to complete the Passage, resulting in the banning of Necromancy and the unnecessary deaths of millions of innocents, and betrays Melancholia to the Sanctuary on the condition that the dark truth of the Passage is blamed on Craven twisting its true meaning. Ensuring his freedom and the continuation of Necromancy outside of Ireland, Wreath decides to [[WalkingTheEarth Walk the Earth]], still remaining an ardent supporter and ally toward his favorite student.
* Becoming consumed with rage after the death of his family, Skulduggery Pleasant abandoned his old identity and took up the mantle of [[TheDreaded Lord Vile]]. Quickly making a name for himself as one of the most powerful Necromancers in history, Vile made contact with the [[GodOfTheDead Viddu De]] and promised to [[OmnicidalManiac kill all life]] in exchange for the ability to see all possible futures. Now knowing what path to follow in order to create a future where he is victorious, Vile became one of Mevolent's CoDragons and butchered hundreds on the battlefield, even betraying his lover Abyssinia when she tried to overthrow Mevolent and prematurely end the war. Eventually deciding to give back control to the Skulduggery persona, Vile wiped the deal with the Viddu De and his omniscience from his own memory so that the next few centuries could play out exactly as he'd seen. Vile later returns to get revenge on the Necromancers when they replace him as the Death Bringer, effortlessly sabotaging his successor's power before assisting in fighting other World Breakers such as Darquesse. With his future self Cadaver Cain carrying out the rest of his plan and coming within seconds of victory, Vile made his mark as a [[{{Determinator}} relentless killing machine]] in his quest to achieve what he saw as peace, cementing his place as one of the most badass and terrifying beings in the series.

* ''Dark Days'': [[FramingTheGuiltyParty Dreylan Scarab]] was Mevolent's top assassin and the father of Billy-Ray Sanguine, framed for the murder of famed peace advocate Esryn Vanguard by Sanctuary operative Thurid Guild. Released from prison years later, Scarab meets up with Sanguine and is offered leadership of the [[LegionOfDoom Revengers' Club]] in order to help him in his aspirations for retribution. Having them steal a Remnant and a [[WeaponOfMassDestruction Desolation Engine]], Scarab infects the Engine's creator Professor Kenspeckle Grouse with the Remnant in order to repair the bomb and blackmails now Grand Mage Guild into attempting to set it off on live television, desiring for the Irish Sanctuary to be blamed for killing thousands and exposing magic to the world as the perfect revenge for his imprisonment.
* ''Mortal Coil'': [[TheDreaded Tesseract]] is an infamous Russian assassin hired to kill Davina Marr by the Roarhaven mages. A ConsummateProfessional who meticulously studies his opponents and avoids killing those he hasn't yet been paid to assassinate, Tesseract tracks down Marr and nearly kills her before she's barely saved by Skulduggery. Tracking her to Skulduggery's house, Tesseract [[CurbStompCushion fends off the the inhabitants with only a few difficulties]] and completes his contract. Although he's betrayed by the Children of the Spider, Tesseract survives being paralyzed and buried alive, hunting his former employers down for the attempted murder and lack of payment. Later managing to kill the Torment after once again trouncing the detective, Tesseract is fatally wounded by Lord Vile and spends his last moments having a friendly conversation with Skulduggery.
* ''Tanith Low in... The Maleficent Seven'': [[RetiredMonster Moribund]], a sorcerer who became a sadistic sociopath after bonding to a Remnant, successfully repaired his conscience after years of imprisonment in the Irish Sanctuary. Tricking other prisoners into performing a spell to command Tanith to release him, Moribund sets out to build a quiet life for himself and make up for all the evil he committed in the past, but upon learning of Tanith's own possession by a Remnant he decides to repay his debt to her by methodically murdering the various assassins and Sanctuary agents sent to impede her hunt for the God-Killers. Finally reintroducing himself to Tanith by freeing her from the British Sanctuary's dungeon, Moribund sets the stage for her eventual HeelFaceTurn, reminding her that she's still the same person underneath the Remnant's evil.
* ''Apocalypse Kings'': The unnamed [[NobleDemon Deathless]] is the leader of the [[EldritchAbomination Apocalypse Kings]], three gods who want revenge on the Faceless Ones for the [[LastOfTheirKind destruction of their own races]]. Released from their prison by Adedayo, the Kings feed off of the souls of people at his school in order to regain their power, with the Deathless stopping the Cythraul from outright devouring them. [[ThanatosGambit Intending to kill themselves]] in order to [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt destroy the world and deny the Faceless Ones their homeland]], the Deathless debates with Adedayo about their plan, acknowledging their hypocrisy and trying to reassure him with the knowledge of the afterlife that awaits him. Convinced to be better than the Faceless Ones, the Deathless persuades the other Apocalypse Kings to abandon their plan and return to their prison until they decide what to do with themselves.
* ''Dead or Alive'': [[FutureMeScaresMe Cadaver Cain]] is a future version of Skulduggery Pleasant from a timeline where Damocles Creed [[BadFuture succeeded in taking over the world]]. Taking up a new name in honor of Valkyrie and falling back into the darkness he had as Lord Vile, Cadaver unlocks the omniscience and memories from his deal as Vile to kill all life on behalf of the [[GodOfTheDead Viddu De]]. Serving as the only form of resistance against Creed and Malice, Cadaver waits for Valkyrie to travel to the future so he can possess her and return to the present. Cadaver arranges for Creed to be assassinated and resurrected by Uriah Serrate, pretending to assist in Skulduggery, Valkyrie, Omen, and Crepuscular's investigation into the Church of the Faceless while he uses his subtle influence over Creed to hijack his plan and create a universe-wide death field. As witty as his present version and genuinely believing he's giving everyone peace, Cadaver serves as a grim reminder of the darkness in Skulduggery's heart.

** ''Tanith Low in... The Maleficent Seven'': [[RetiredMonster Moribund]], a sorcerer who became a sadistic sociopath after bonding to a Remnant, successfully repaired his conscience after years of imprisonment in the Irish Sanctuary. Tricking other prisoners into performing a spell to command Tanith to release him, Moribund sets out to build a quiet life for himself and make up for all the evil he committed in the past, but upon learning of Tanith's own possession by a Remnant he decides to repay his debt to her by methodically murdering the various assassins and Sanctuary agents sent to impede her hunt for the God-Killers. Finally reintroducing himself to Tanith by freeing her from the British Sanctuary's dungeon, Moribund sets the stage for her eventual HeelFaceTurn, reminding her that she's still the same person underneath the Remnant's evil.

* [[PragmaticHero Skulduggery Pleasant]] is the infamous Skeleton Detective, a centuries-old sorcerer notorious for both his endless charm and his service as a war hero with [[SurprisinglyEliteCannonFodder The Dead Men]]. Rising from the dead after Nefarian Serpine killed him and his family, Skulduggery became consumed with hatred and took on the identity of [[SuperpoweredEvilSide Lord Vile]], slaughtering thousands before having an epiphany and sealing away the Vile persona. Rejoining his friends and tirelessly working to [[TheAtoner atone]] for his actions, Skulduggery reclaims his job as a detective before finally getting the chance to kill Serpine and avenge his family after taking on Valkyrie Cain as his partner. Over the next few years he and Cain save the world on an almost daily occurrence, stopping everything from assassins to eldritch gods to would-be rulers of the human race. Neither horrifying revelations nor agonizing torture from dark gods can [[TheDeterminator dissuade Skulduggery Pleasant from doing his job]], as he even manages to gain a degree of control over Vile in order to defeat world-ending threats. Completely deserving of his over-the-top ego and breaking whatever rules he deems necessary, the only thing Skulduggery won't give up to save the day is his partner, and he will wreak utter horror on anyone who hurts his friends.
* [[WorldsMostBeautifulWoman China Sorrows]] is a collector of magical artifacts, who is so beautiful that anyone who lays eyes on her instantly falls in love. Formerly a worshipper of the Faceless Ones and founder of the Diablerie, China eventually defected to save her ward Cassion, but years later sold him out to Serafina Dey after he killed Mevolent. Using her intellect to become an information-broker and amass a hoard of valuable artifacts, China becomes an [[TokenEvilTeammate untrustworthy yet genuine friend]] to Skulduggery and Valkyrie. When her involvement in the death of Skulduggery's family comes to light because of Eliza Scorn, he and China secretly re-establish their pragmatic acquaintanceship. Targeted for assassination by the Supreme Council through Vincent Foe, the now-resourceless China leads him on a wild chase to Scorn's church, leaving it in flames while she seeks refuge with the masterminds behind the war, Roarhaven. China assists Skulduggery in infiltrating the town, takes over the leaderless Supreme Council after helping defeat Roarhaven, and [[DrunkWithPower gleefully abuses her power]] as "Supreme Mage" to install her own stooges and depose Scorn. China Sorrows remains an [[CardCarryingVillain unapologetically]] [[ItsAllAboutMe selfish]] individual who always bounces back from her losses, but is willing risk her own life to save her friends and the detective she loves.
* Becoming consumed with rage after the death of his family, Skulduggery Pleasant abandoned his old identity and took up the mantle of [[TheDreaded Lord Vile]]. Quickly making a name for himself as one of the most powerful Necromancers in history, Vile made contact with the [[GodOfTheDead Viddu De]] and promised to [[OmnicidalManiac kill all life]] in exchange for the ability to see all possible futures. Now knowing what path to follow in order to create a future where he is victorious, Vile became one of Mevolent's CoDragons and butchered hundreds on the battlefield, even betraying his lover Abyssinia when she tried to overthrow Mevolent and prematurely end the war. Eventually deciding to give back control to the Skulduggery persona, Vile wiped the deal with the Viddu De and his omniscience from his own memory so that the next few centuries could play out exactly as he'd seen. Vile later returns for revenge on the Necromancers for replacing him as Death Bringer, effortlessly sabotaging his successor's power before assisting in fighting world-ending threats like Darquesse. With his future self Cadaver Cain carrying out the rest of his plan and coming within seconds of victory, Vile made his mark as a [[TheDeterminator relentless killing machine]] in his quest to achieve what he saw as peace, cementing his place as one of the most badass and terrifying beings in the series.
* [[ComedicSociopathy Billy-Ray Sanguine]] is a self-styled hitman "deluxe", and grows to be far more intelligent and perceptive than his prominent sociopathic and LaughablyEvil characterization would suggest. After killing a group of rich college psychopaths out of a desire to not be defined by his job as a "bad guy," Sanguine forms the Revengers' Club for revenge against Valkyrie Cain. Abandoning his vendetta upon learning that she is descended from the Faceless Ones, knowing she has much greater suffering on the horizon, Sanguine enters into a relationship with the Remnant-infected Tanith Low, and assists her in protecting Cain. Helping Tanith to find the God-Killers that could kill her DarkMessiah Darquesse, Sanguine pretends to destroy them but secretly keeps them for himself, not wanting to doom the world and making himself even more dangerous. Serving as a spy for Skulduggery within the ranks of Darquesse's minions, Sanguine pushes Tanith to turn against her messiah, and rescues her afterwards even though she subsequently lost her memories of their time together. Always armed with a witty personality and genuinely loving her, Sanguine ultimately dies in a fight to protect Tanith from the Black Cleaver.

* [[WellIntentionedExtremist Solomon Wreath]] is the {{Necromancer}} ambassador and a devout believer in the Passage, where one Necromancer shall become powerful enough to simultaneously kill three billion people and dam the stream of life. While holding a mutual animosity with Skulduggery Pleasant over saving the detective's ArchEnemy Nefarian Serpine, Wreath strikes a friendship with and begins mentoring his partner Valkyrie Cain in the belief that she may be the prophesied [[DarkMessiah Death Bringer]]. After Cleric Craven presents Melancholia St Clair as a better candidate Wreath realizes she may not be powerful enough to complete the Passage, resulting in the banning of Necromancy and the unnecessary deaths of millions of innocents, and betrays Melancholia to the Sanctuary on the condition that the dark truth of the Passage is blamed on Craven twisting its true meaning. Ensuring his freedom and the continuation of Necromancy outside of Ireland, Wreath decides to [[WalkingTheEarth Walk the Earth]], still remaining an ardent supporter and ally towards his favorite student.
* [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Dusk]] is a vampire infamous for holding grudges. Joining Billy-Ray Sanguine's Revengers' Club for the opportunity to get back at both Valkyrie Cain for scarring him and fellow member Spring-Heeled Jack for assisting in his previous defeat, Dusk convinces Sanguine to drop the vendetta against Cain when [[HorrifyingTheHorror he tastes the blood of the Faceless Ones in her]]. After helping Sanguine and Tanith Low in exchange for the identity of the vampire who sired him, Moloch, Dusk waits for him to leave his lair and kills him before he can bring reinforcements to the Irish Sanctuary. In an unprecedented deal, Dusk gathers other vampires who have been exiled for killing their own kind, offering their services to now Grand Mage China Sorrows in exchange for housing, rights, and serum to prevent them from changing into monsters by night. Later making amends with Valkyrie, Dusk reluctantly tells her the truth of her ancestry, giving her his condolences for the horrifying revelation.

* ''Dark Days'': [[FramingTheGuiltyParty Dreylan Scarab]] was Mevolent's top assassin and the father of Billy-Ray Sanguine, framed for the death of famed peace advocate Esryn Vanguard by Sanctuary operative Thurid Guild. Being released from prison years later, Scarab meets up with Sanguine and is offered leadership of the [[LegionOfDoom Revengers' Club]] in order to help him in his aspirations for retribution. Having them steal a Remnant and a [[WeaponOfMassDestruction Desolation Engine]], Scarab infects the Engine's creator Professor Kenspeckle Grouse with the Remnant in order to repair the bomb and blackmails now Grand Mage Guild into attempting to set it off on live television, desiring for the Irish Sanctuary to be blamed for killing thousands and exposing magic to the world as the perfect revenge for being imprisoned.
* ''Mortal Coil'': [[TheDreaded Tesseract]] is an infamous Russian assassin hired to kill Davina Marr by the Roarhaven mages. A ConsummateProfessional who meticulously studies his opponents and avoids killing those he's not paid to assassinate, Tesseract tracks down Marr and nearly kills her before she's barely saved by Skulduggery. Tracking her to Skulduggery's house, Tesseract [[CurbStompCushion fends off the the inhabitants with only a few difficulties]] and kills her. Betrayed by the Children of the Spider, Tesseract survives being paralyzed and buried alive, hunting them down for the attempted murder and lack of payment. Later managing to kill the Torment after once again trouncing the detective, Tesseract is fatally wounded by Lord Vile and spends his last moments having a friendly conversation with Skulduggery.
* ''Dead or Alive'': [[FutureMeScaresMe Cadaver Cain]] is a future version of Skulduggery Pleasant, from a timeline where Damocles Creed [[BadFuture succeeded in taking over the world]]. Taking up a new name in honor of Valkyrie and falling back into the darkness he had as Lord Vile, Cadaver unlocks the omniscience and memories from his deal as Vile to kill all life on behalf of the [[GodOfTheDead Viddu De]]. Serving as the only form of resistance against Creed and Malice, Cadaver waits for Valkyrie to travel to the future so he can possess her and return to the present. Before assisting in Skulduggery, Valkyrie, Omen, and Crepuscular's investigation into Creed, Cadaver arranged for him to be assassinated and resurrected by Uriah Serrate, using their subtle influence to hijack Creed's plan and create a universe-wide death field. As witty as his present version and genuinely believing he's giving everyone peace, Cadaver serves as a grim reminder of what will happen if Skulduggery goes dark again.
* ''Apocalypse Kings'': The unnamed [[NobleDemon Deathless]] is the leader of the [[EldritchAbomination Apocalypse Kings]], three gods who want revenge on the Faceless Ones for the [[LastOfTheirKind destruction of their own races]]. Released from their prison by Adedayo, the Kings feed off of the souls of people at his school in order to regain their power, the Deathless stopping the Cythraul from outright devouring them. [[ThanatosGambit Intending to kill themselves]] in order to [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt destroy the world and deny the Faceless Ones their homeland]], the Deathless debates with Adedayo about their plan, acknowledging their hypocrisy and trying to reassure him with the knowledge of the afterlife that awaits him. Convinced to be better than the Faceless Ones, the Deathless persuades the other Apocalypse Kings to abandon their plan and return to their prison until they decide what to do with themselves.

* [[WorldsMostBeautifulWoman China Sorrows]] is a collector of magical artifacts, who is so beautiful that anyone who lays eyes on her instantly falls in love. Formerly a worshipper of the Faceless Ones and founder of the Diablerie, China eventually defected to save her ward Cassion, but years later sold him out to Serafina Dey after he killed Mevolent. Using her intellect to become an information-broker and amass a hoard of valuable artifacts, China becomes an [[TokenEvilTeammate untrustworthy yet genuine friend]] to Skulduggery and Valkyrie. When her involvement in the death of Skulduggery's family comes to light because of Eliza Scorn, he and China secretly re-establish their pragmatic acquaintanceship. Targeted for assassination by the Supreme Council through Vincent Foe, the now-resourceless China leads him on a wild chase to Scorn's church, leaving it in flames while she seeks refuge with the masterminds behind the war, Roarhaven. China assists Skulduggery in infiltrating the town, takes over the leaderless Supreme Council after helping defeat Roarhaven, and [[DrunkWithPower gleefully abuses her power]] as "Supreme Mage" to install her own stooges and depose Scorn. China Sorrows remains an [[CardCarryingVillain unapologetically]], [[ItsAllAboutMe selfish]] individual who always bounces back from her losses, but is willing risk her own life to save her friends and the detective she loves.
* [[ComedicSociopathy Billy-Ray Sanguine]] is a self-styled hitman "deluxe", and grows to be far more intelligent and perceptive than his prominent sociopathic and LaughablyEvil characterization would suggest. After killing a group of rich college psychopaths out of a desire to not be defined by his job as a "bad guy", Sanguine forms the Revengers' Club for revenge against Valkyrie Cain. Abandoning his vendetta upon learning that she is descended from the Faceless Ones, knowing she has much greater suffering on the horizon, Sanguine enters into a relationship with the Remnant-infected Tanith Low, and assists her in protecting Cain. Helping Tanith to find the God-Killers that could kill her DarkMessiah Darquesse, Sanguine pretends to destroy them but secretly keeps them for himself, not wanting to doom the world and making himself even more dangerous. Serving as a spy for Skulduggery within the ranks of Darquesse's minions, Sanguine pushes Tanith to turn against her messiah, and rescues her afterwards even though she subsequently lost her memories of their time together. Always armed with a witty personality and genuinely loving her, Sanguine ultimately dies in a fight to protect Tanith from the Black Cleaver.

* [[FutureMeScaresMe Cadaver Cain]] is a future version of Skulduggery Pleasant, from a timeline where Damocles Creed [[BadFuture succeeded in taking over the world]]. Taking up a new name in honor of Valkyrie and falling back into the darkness he had as Lord Vile, Cadaver unlocks the omniscience and memories from his deal as Vile to kill all life on behalf of the [[GodOfTheDead Viddu De]]. Serving as the only form of resistance against Creed and Malice, Cadaver waits for Valkyrie to travel to the future so he can possess her and return to the present. Before assisting in Skulduggery, Valkyrie, Omen, and Crepuscular's investigation into Creed, Cadaver arranged for him to be assassinated and resurrected by Uriah Serrate, using their subtle influence to hijack Creed's plan and create a universe-wide death field. As witty as his present version and genuinely believing he's giving everyone peace, Cadaver serves as a grim reminder of what will happen if Skulduggery goes dark again.
* [[FramingTheGuiltyParty Dreylan Scarab]] was Mevolent's top assassin and the father of Billy-Ray Sanguine, framed for the death of famed peace advocate Esryn Vanguard by Sanctuary operative Thurid Guild. Being released from prison years later, Scarab meets up with Sanguine and is offered leadership of the [[LegionOfDoom Revengers' Club]] in order to help him in his aspirations for retribution. Having them steal a Remnant and a [[WeaponOfMassDestruction Desolation Engine]], Scarab infects the Engine's creator Professor Kenspeckle Grouse with the Remnant in order to repair the bomb and blackmails now Grand Mage Guild into attempting to set it off on live television, desiring for the Irish Sanctuary to be blamed for killing thousands and exposing magic to the world as the perfect revenge for being imprisoned.
* [[TheDreaded Tesseract]] is an infamous Russian assassin hired to kill Davina Marr by the Roarhaven mages. A ConsummateProfessional who meticulously studies his opponents and avoids killing those he's not paid to assassinate, Tesseract tracks down Marr and nearly kills her before she's barely saved by Skulduggery. Tracking her to Skulduggery's house, Tesseract [[CurbStompCushion fends off the the inhabitants with only a few difficulties]] and kills her. Betrayed by the Children of the Spider, Tesseract survives being paralyzed and buried alive, hunting them down for the attempted murder and lack of payment. Later managing to kill the Torment after once again trouncing the detective, Tesseract is fatally wounded by Lord Vile and spends his last moments having a friendly conversation with Skulduggery.
* The unnamed [[NobleDemon Deathless]] is the leader of the [[EldritchAbomination Apocalypse Kings]], three gods who want revenge on the Faceless Ones for the [[LastOfTheirKind destruction of their own races]]. Released from their prison by Adedayo, the Kings feed off of the souls of people at his school in order to regain their power, the Deathless stopping the Cythraul from outright devouring them. [[ThanatosGambit Intending to kill themselves]] in order to [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt destroy the world and deny the Faceless Ones their homeland]], the Deathless debates with Adedayo about their plan, acknowledging their hypocrisy and trying to reassure him with the knowledge of the afterlife that awaits him. Convinced to be better than the Faceless Ones, the Deathless persuades the other Apocalypse Kings to abandon their plan and return to their prison until they decide what to do with themselves.

* [[PragmaticHero Skulduggery Pleasant]] is the infamous Skeleton Detective, a centuries-old sorcerer notorious for both his endless charm and his service as a war hero with [[SurprisinglyEliteCannonFodder The Dead Men]]. Rising from the dead after Nefarian Serpine killed him and his family, Skulduggery became consumed with hatred and took on the identity of [[SuperpoweredEvilSide Lord Vile]], slaughtering thousands before having an epiphany and sealing away the Vile persona. Rejoining his friends and tirelessly working to [[TheAtoner atone]] for his actions, Skulduggery reclaims his job as a detective and eventually takes on Valkyrie Cain as his partner and finally getting the chance to kill Serpine and avenge his family. Over the next few years he and Cain save the world on an almost daily occurrence, stopping everything from assassins to eldritch gods to would-be rulers of the human race. Neither horrifying revelations nor agonizing torture from dark gods can [[TheDeterminator dissuade Skulduggery Pleasant from doing his job]], as he even manages to gain a degree of control over Vile in order to defeat world-ending threats. Completely deserving of his over-the-top ego and breaking whatever rules he deems necessary, the only thing Skulduggery won't give up to save the day is his partner, and he will wreak utter horror on anyone who hurts his friends.

In a WorldOfSnark filled to the brim with back-talking assassins, charismatic supernatural entities, and certain hilariously egotistical skeleton detectives, these characters stand out for their extra degree of competence.

-->--'''Dreylan Scarab'''

In a world filled with sorcerers, assassins, monsters, and gods, these characters stand out through their charm and competence.

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