| 1 | This page covers {{trope}}s found in ''Fanfic/TheNightUnfurls''. |
| 2 | |
| 3 | TheNightUnfurls/TropesAToD | '''Tropes E To N''' | TheNightUnfurls/TropesOToZ | |
| 4 | |
| 5 | ---- |
| 6 | [[foldercontrol]] |
| 7 | |
| 8 | [[folder:E]] |
| 9 | * EatingTheEyeCandy: Without the PurpleProse. |
| 10 | ** Soren cannot help but stare at [[FanServiceWithASmile Anna and Grace's]] frames whenever they interact. |
| 11 | ** Original version: |
| 12 | *** Chapter 10: Bergen tries extremely hard not to stare at Olga and Chloe's cleavages. Emphasis on "tries". Chloe quickly notices and [[MyEyesAreUpHere gives him a scowl]]. |
| 13 | *** Chapter 21: Sanakan bites her lip slightly as she is fixated on Hugh's lean frame, easily seen with his coat removed. The narration indicates that this is a sight she enjoyed, with Yurie even commenting that she stares too much. |
| 14 | *** Chapter 27: One of the kids in an orphanage that serves as Soren's childhood home stares unabashedly at Lily. Being a twelve-year-old girl does not stop her from [[LuminescentBlush blushing]] and finding her pretty. |
| 15 | ** Remastered version: |
| 16 | *** Chapter 7: As Kyril removes his mask to take a sip of water, which reveals a fair-looking face, Olga internally remarks that he would've been handsome had he been more expressive. She cannot believe she had that thought in her head. From how she quickly looks to the side after Kyril senses her watching, she probably stared at his face for quite a while. |
| 17 | *** Chapter 10: On the journey to Rad, Boris does his best in keeping his eyes off of Grace's features. |
| 18 | * EldritchAbomination: |
| 19 | ** The climax of the ''Tragedy of Rad [[StoryArc Arc]]'' features one of Shamuhaza's creations as such. A [[BodyOfBodies "deformed, ungodly amalgamation of mortal and eldritch minds"]], this abomination is [[MythologyGag a non-subtle reference to The One Reborn]]. It makes its appearance via a tear in the sky, forming a void that connects the borders between Eostia and "the realities beyond" (i.e. appearing outside physical reality). It also exudes a form of power that has made Rad uninhabitable. Kyril, knowing the consequences of the abomination running amok in Eostia, is glad that he got rid of it without the assistance of others. |
| 20 | ** [[spoiler:Shamuhaza, the madman who delves in [[TheseAreThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow the Eldritch Truth]], ends up [[EldritchTransformation turning into]] one himself]]. His new form is named [[spoiler:"The Inane One"]], a being that resembles a great scuttling [[InsectoidAliens insect]] with many beady eyes, residing in a lake within the [[EldritchLocation Malys Estate]]. [[MythologyGag An obvious reference to Rom, the Vacuous Spider]]. Fighting the creature results in a BrownNote that, had it not been for [[GodEmpress Celestine's]] intervention, would have caused riots in the streets of Ken[[note]]the distance between Ken and the creature is presumed to be very long, meaning that the BrownNote would have potentially caused a country-wide disaster[[/note]]. |
| 21 | ** Alas, there is AlwaysSomeoneBetter even among eldritch beings. [[spoiler:Featuring a rare (anti-)heroic example, TheProtagonist Kyril Sutherland is [[HumanoidAbomination a great one in human form]]. Obtaining the Childhood's Beginning ending in the [[VideoGame/BloodBorne game]] would do that.]] Throughout the story, [[spoiler:he [[WillfullyWeak deliberately inhibits]] his otherworldly might, so as to prevent [[GoMadFromTheRevelation unnecessary collateral damage]] as a result of exposure to [[TheseAreThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow the Eldritch Truth]]. Only a glimpse of his true form is subtly shown, that is, a GiantEyeOfDoom. While almost every character, even the readers, have no idea about the full extent of his power, it is safe to say that this is for their own good. Just look at [[FateWorseThanDeath what happens]] to Shamuhaza when he is shown whatever is behind Kyril's mask. [[DeathGlare One gaze]] is enough to send another [[AndIMustScream thrashing in agony, forever]].]] |
| 22 | * EldritchLocation: |
| 23 | ** Presumably as a result of [[spoiler:Shamuhaza somehow managing to discover some of the School of Mensis's [[ThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow research]]]], Rad has been twisted into, in succinct terms, [[ContinuityNod Yarha'Gul 2.0]]. [[ItsQuietTooQuiet A cloying silence]] permeates what was once a bustling fortress city, with [[TakenForGranite statues in resemblance of Rad's townspeople]] galore. The Yarha'Gul reference is more apparent when the last foe Kyril faces in this place is a half-corpse, half-stone [[MixAndMatchCritters amalgamation of faces and bodies]] that crawls out of the void from the darkened sky above, much like [[MythologyGag The One Reborn]]. |
| 24 | ** The Malys Estate. The rumours of it being haunted by ghosts or spirits turn out to be false, but that doesn't make it any less wrong. There's AlienGeometries, there's vile, overgrown vegetation, and for some reason, there is a great lake that houses [[spoiler:an [[InsectoidAliens insectoid]] EldritchAbomination that is the source of the "eldritch" stuff happening in this fanfic]]. Goes on to show that otherworldly voids, dimensions and universes are not a prerequisite for a [[MindScrew mind-screwy]] location -- even an unassuming estate building is enough. |
| 25 | ** Proving that even the safest havens can also be places that don't make a lot of sense, there's [[PocketDimension the Hunter's Dream]]. On the surface, it is a foggy, tranquil and melancholy place, with a workshop that sits on a small hill overlooking a field of white flowers and graves. It also [[spoiler:houses two of the most powerful entities in the series (i.e. [[MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext a doll and her squid]]), one of them is [[DomainHolder the master who controls the Dream however he wants]]]]. To be precise: [[spoiler:only the two can enter and leave freely as they wish]]; [[spoiler:[[NarniaTime time flows according to his will]]]]; [[spoiler:any wounds sustained heal more quickly]]; [[spoiler:visitors are present only if he allows them to be there, like a private Discord server]]; and [[spoiler:[[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking the amount of fog present outside the workshop is dependent on his mood]]]]. |
| 26 | * EldritchTransformation: |
| 27 | ** The readers don't get to see the transformation process, but [[spoiler:Shamuhaza transforms into an EldritchAbomination that looks a thick [[InsectoidAliens arthropod]], awaiting for Kyril's arrival to fight him as a OneWingedAngel]]. Prior to this, many InnocentBystanders and {{Mooks}} from the Black Dogs have sprouted [[LovecraftianSuperpower many]] [[BodyHorror deformities]] resulting from [[spoiler:his]] [[PlayingWithSyringes experiments]]. Said experiments contain elements of the research done by [[MythologyGag the Healing Church or the School of Mensis]], both of which have [[InvokedTrope invoked]] this trope before in the [[VideoGame/BloodBorne game]]. |
| 28 | ** Readers shouldn't forget [[spoiler:what happened to [[HumanoidAbomination Kyril]], or rather, which [[VideoGameBloodBorne ending]] he picked prior to the events of the fanfic]]. |
| 29 | * ElementalMotifs: Kyril Sutherland is a rare example that is metaphorically associated with ''multiple'' elements as opposed to just one. |
| 30 | ** Water: Kyril is compared to water-related terms, like ocean, waves, and storm. The TerribleTicking Celestine experiences whenever the Hunter is within her proximity is the roaring sound of the ocean, its waves crashing against the shore. Olga can see a storm brewing around the Hunter as she witnesses his TranquilFury. Kyril is an uncannily effective OneManArmy who is entirely capable of killing everyone if he so chooses, akin to the overwhelmingly destructive potential of large bodies of water. The Hunter is characterised as cool, patient, [[TheStoic level-headed]], and full of [[HiddenDepths depth]]. Lastly, [[spoiler:his hidden nature as a [[EldritchAbomination great one]] evokes the unfathomable nature of the EldritchOceanAbyss, for none could comprehend what he is truly capable of.]] |
| 31 | ** Darkness: This one is more obvious -- the man who was once a HunterOfMonsters trying to survive the Night of the Hunt is dressed in dark grey and is associated with “dark” stuff (e.g. death, demon, secrets, shadows, {{masquerade}}, etc.). Overlapping with water above[[note]]particularly the deeper part of the ocean -- the abyss[[/note]], Kyril has a [[TheDreaded dreaded reputation]], a weapon [[TerrorHero he exploits to its fullest to demoralise anyone who crosses him]]. Darkness is a PrimalFear that makes people scared and vulnerable after all. Personality-wise, the Hunter is a gloomy, [[{{Mangst}} mangsty]], and [[ProperlyParanoid paranoid]] BrokenBird. At the same time, he has a [[KnightInSourArmour nobler]], more content side that he displays in private. |
| 32 | ** Metal: A subtle one. [[UndyingWarrior Much of Kyril’s life is combat-related]] (as per his internal monologue in the remastered version, "every battle a blur of blood, screams, and steel"). Both his journey and arsenal revolve around [[ThePowerOfBlood blood]], which contains iron and has a coppery scent. His PocketDimension features a workshop with metallic weapons left and right, a place for enhancing strength and fortifying weaponry. He’s a MultiMeleeMaster and a MultiRangedMaster, akin to the diverse nature of metals. Being TheSpock and TheLeader most of the time, [[ConsummateProfessional Kyril's]] tendency to apply rules, reason, and the greater good to his decisions marks him as a cold, logical, efficient, and progressive figure. Determined, but not outright inflexible. |
| 33 | * EmotionsVersusStoicism: Slightly leans towards the Stoicism side. |
| 34 | ** Strong, uncontrolled emotions are associated with either evil or stupidity. The [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores Black]] [[{{PMC}} Dogs]] are driven by their [[RapePillageAndBurn libido]], making them TheUsualAdversaries of this setting. The same goes for the [[OurOrcsAreDifferent orcs]], with the additional traits of being barbaric and AlwaysChaoticEvil. Non-antagonists who lets their impulse drive them either [[DidntThinkThisThrough don't think things through]], or find themselves BullyingADragon, both of which tend to bite them in the ass. |
| 35 | ** Kyril, the [[CelibateHero celibate]], dispassionate [[TheSpock Spock]] who hardly emotes, might as well be the champion of what Stoicism ''should'' be. As a {{mentor}}, he imparts on his [[TheApprentice apprentices]] that no hunter can be truly effective when ruled over by emotions. As a FourStarBadass, he imparts on his MenOfSherwood that they are ''soldiers'', not children playing at war. The end result is that all of them prove to be competent fighters who get the job done. On the surface, Kyril comes across as [[NinetiesAntiHero brutal and heartless]], but his HiddenDepths reveal that he is not as [[TheUnfettered ruthless]] as people think he is. Kyril's [[ConsummateProfessional professionalism]] is what keeps him from [[HeWhoFightsMonsters becoming the very beasts he hunts]], and for all his blunt demeanour, the guy has no problem empathising with others. |
| 36 | * EmpathicWeapon: The Holy Moonlight Sword whispers to Kyril about the prospect of battle whenever it glows. This trait is an expansion of the sword's [[VideoGame/BloodBorne in-game]] lore, where it is said to offer "a very private, elusive sort" of guidance to the wielder. The sword would be a bona-fide BloodKnight if it were a person. |
| 37 | * EntitledToHaveYou: |
| 38 | ** [[RoyalBrat Michelle Pantielle]] towards Maia. He became obsessed with her since she was recruited as a Shield by Celestine, having chased after her for some time, much to the chagrin of his own family and Maia herself, who would later flat-out tell him that [[AbhorrentAdmirer she never loved him]]. His latest act of pursuit is to throw a party for Kyril as a nominal gesture of welcome for his knighthood, so that he can [[DoggedNiceGuy continue to show Maia his affections in a more spectacular way]]. During said party, Michelle declares her his lover while [[GreenEyedMonster seething with jealousy at the sight of Maia being friendly towards the "false knight" Kyril]], as he is being promptly ignored by the both of them, never mind that their relationship is merely professional. This trope comes in full circle in Chapter 11, when Maia is under the mercy of the Black Dogs as Ansur is attacked. Here, after Michelle expresses his frustration about [[ImaginaryLoveTriangle her choosing Kyril over him]] despite joining the "winning side" that is the Black Dogs, he decides to [[IHaveYouNowMyPretty have his way with her]]. |
| 39 | ** Olga observes that this mindset is present within the rebels who are exhorting men to join the Black Dogs, summed up as "men practising their 'right' to a woman's body as if they own it". |
| 40 | ** In the remastered version, Morgan has this attitude about Grace that counts as a ''what they do'' type: since he "owns" the town of Baskerville as its "protector", by this reasoning, he should "own" her as well. [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] and [[DiscussedTrope discussed]] in this exchange between Morgan and Kyril: |
| 41 | --->'''Morgan:''' You've got a lot of nerve. The dark elf is mine, much like this little town. The Black Dogs are the protectors of this place so you just screwed up big time, friend.\ |
| 42 | '''Kyril:''' Are you? All I see are thugs... let me guess, in exchange for the coin you get the privilege of whatever women you want?\ |
| 43 | '''Morgan:''' [[EvilCannotComprehendGood What]], [[YoureJustJealous you jealous]]?\ |
| 44 | '''Kyril:''' No. Rather I feel sorry for them if you're the only one willing.\ |
| 45 | '''Morgan:''' Grace is mine.\ |
| 46 | '''Kyril:''' We don't always get what we want in life. *[[QuizzicalTilt tilts his head]]* Or are you going to have a tantrum whenever someone says no? |
| 47 | * TheEpic: ''The Night Unfurls'' is a WarFic that concerns Eostia, a [[CrapsackOnlyByComparison workable, but flawed]] country dealing with a MilitaryCoup started by its most renowned [[{{PMC}} mercenary group]], the Black Dogs. Escalating into warfare, a group of heroes that fight for the country, [[TheProtagonist Kyril]] especially, strive to achieve victory against the Black Dogs, not only via the battlefield, but also via rooting out their supporters within the country. In addition, the {{fanfic}} is a ContinuationFic of ''[[VideoGame/BloodBorne Bloodborne's]]'' [[spoiler:"Childhood's Beginning"]] ending, which details Kyril's next Hunt. Extraordinary deeds aside, he has been to some sort of Underworld / {{Hell}} prior to the events of this story[[spoiler: (the Hunter's Nightmare)]]. |
| 48 | * EstablishingCharacterMoment: |
| 49 | ** The Hunter's very first scene is a BatmanColdOpen that depicts him finishing off his hunt of an orc war band. His calm demeanour plus the trail of corpses he leaves behind is enough to tell the readers that he's an adept, experienced killer. There's also how this {{protagonist}} uses a demented [[SerratedBladeOfPain saw-cleaver hybrid]], instead of a [[HeroesPreferSwords sword]] or any traditional weapon, which immediately marks him as sinister, dangerous, and [[AntiHero anti-heroic]]. |
| 50 | ** The Plain Doll kneels in front of a gravestone, praying for the Hunter's safety. The Hunter, who is introduced beforehand as a sinister individual, lets her finish. Then comes her signature, customary greeting[[note]]"Welcome home, good hunter. What is it you desire?"[[/note]]. Within five short paragraphs, the Doll is established as a tender soul, something the Hunter also happens to have. The two are also clearly shown as dearest friends. |
| 51 | ** Celestine goes through a vision, a premonition of a man garbed in dark grey and a tattered tricorne hat, the saw-like thing in hand, capable of both peace and laying waste to everything, including those that she holds dear. Evidently, it is a GodzillaThreshold to seek him out in hopes of ending the ForeverWar her country is embroiled in, but even so, she chooses to do so. |
| 52 | ** Vault is introduced as TheLeader of the Black Dogs, proud of his accomplishments. Regarding the Hunter, he recognises him as the person who managed to kill three infamous orcs with NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast. The Hunter replies that he is unaware that those orcs had names, a reply that Vault readily approves. Before their conversation, Kyril can somehow sense ambition by looking at his eyes, implying that he has a separate agenda unknown to others. Also counts as {{foreshadowing}}. |
| 53 | ** Original version: |
| 54 | *** Michelle interrupts the meeting between his father Lord Michael Pantielle and the newly-appointed BlackKnight Sir Kyril by slamming the door open. When demanded to apologise to his guest, he whines about having to apologise to a person of lower status than he is, which earns him a slap and a lot of scolding from his already furious father. |
| 55 | *** Sanakan's first appearance shows her [[ThePowerOfTrust putting her trust on Hugh]] to find a way out of the chaos due to the Black Dogs, but her big moment is when she demands [[HorrifyingHero Kyril]], an AdvancingBossOfDoom who just massacred every single Black Dog in the church she is trapped in, to [[TakeMeInstead take her while leaving the others alone]]. [[spoiler:[[WowingCthulhu He's impressed]].]] |
| 56 | *** Regarding the protection of the nuns of Feoh, who were among the many victims of the Black Dogs, Archbishop Grishom has something to say about this: "My clergy cannot waste any more resources on those nuns." His reasoning for this is that he believes they would betray the country as they have been "tainted" by the Black Dogs. |
| 57 | *** Soren's introduction is a failed attempt at nabbing Sanakan's coin purse. The conversation between them after their ChaseScene cements him as a CowardlyLion who, despite his [[NervousWreck nervousness]], decides to go after a high-profile person, the target being Sir Kyril's right hand herself. Justified, for he fears the consequences of failing to meet the demands of his "boss", namely a street thug who owns the streets. |
| 58 | *** Shamuhaza is introduced [[PlayingWithSyringes experimenting on the citizens of Rad]] to produce a legion of BodyHorror EliteMooks via FaceFullOfAlienWingWong. This is complete with a WhamShot of [[spoiler:Luu-Luu as the specimen for his final testing]]. |
| 59 | ** Remastered version: |
| 60 | *** Alicia Arcturus's tendency to judge and jump to conclusions is laid bare during her first interaction with Kyril. This is especially so for Kyril's status as a foreigner. |
| 61 | *** In spite of his brief first appearance in Chapter 4, the moment that establishes Boris as a character, together with the Black Dogs in general, is during Chapter 6, where he reluctantly reveals his secret to Kyril, that he killed one of his comrades for hurting a prisoner of war. Keep in mind that this happens right after a {{flashback}} of Kyril witnessing several mercenaries molesting Chloe. Suffice to say, the readers are known that Boris is a TokenGoodTeammate amongst [[AllMenArePerverts the depravity of the Black Dogs]]. |
| 62 | *** The first thing Morgan does in his initial appearance is to call out to Grace, shouting at her to "get her beautiful self out here". Then, while conversing, he reaches out, a gesture that causes her to slip away from his hand, taking a step back. |
| 63 | *** Just the Rat's first line of dialogue, bolded, reveals ''a lot'' about him. A complete enigma, he's probably some sort of [[OurGodsAreDifferent god]]/[[OurDemonsAreDifferent demon]]/entity, from how he has lived for around thousands of years. For some reason, he knows that there's more to [[spoiler:our protagonist, Kyril]], than meets the eye. |
| 64 | ---->'''"Well now... thousands of years pass by in these woods and yet never have I met someone like you, a man touched by the gods..."''' |
| 65 | * EtTuBrute: |
| 66 | ** After the assault of the Black Fortress is deemed a success, Vault and the Black Dogs, who are considered the finest and most trustworthy [[HiredGuns mercenary group]] in Eostia, decide to betray [[TheAlliance the Seven Shields]] and declare war on Eostia, knowing that the vast resources and armies are enough for them to [[AmbitionIsEvil claim power for themselves]]. |
| 67 | ** The dark elves of Loraine, Grace included, share this sentiment when Olga, their queen who has fought for them, sacrificed the city to the war bands of the orcs, leaving them to be subjected to RapePillageAndBurn. |
| 68 | * EveryProperLadyShouldCurtsy: |
| 69 | ** Being the only Shield that looks like and behaves like a princess, [[PrincessClassic Prim]] often does this when greeting Kyril. |
| 70 | ** [[TheTease Shani]] does a low curtsy to Kyril to show off her cleavage when they meet at [[TheOldestProfession the Rosie]]. [[CelibateHero Kyril]] is [[IgnoreTheFanservice not amused]]. |
| 71 | ** Fitting her Victorian motif, this is how Evetta greets Celestine and Olga [[spoiler:when they meet in the Waking World.]] In an unusual case, the way she curtsies is described as ''too'' graceful for ladies of the court to emulate. |
| 72 | ** In Chapter 30 of the original, Lily curtsies when greeting Anna and Ian, who came to visit Soren. Grace lightly chastises her for being too formal and calling one of her friends "Miss Florence". |
| 73 | * EverybodysDeadDave: With the exception of the Doll, it is [[ImpliedTrope implied]] in Kyril's [[DarkAndTroubledPast backstory]] that every named character he met in Yharnam (or rather, the ones who are on good terms with him) is dead. |
| 74 | * EvilCannotComprehendGood: Perhaps unsurprisingly, a majority of the Black Dogs, as well as several traitors who chose to join their cause, play this trope straight. |
| 75 | ** Vault assumes that Kyril's reason for breaking Olga and Chloe out of prison is because he wants the two for himself, when in reality, he does that for the sake of completing his mission of bringing Olga to Ken. Heck, his ambition of creating a Sex Empire is built on the assumption that AllMenArePerverts, so any man would follow him for the prospect that they can all "live like kings", never mind that it is repeatedly shown throughout the story that there are men who disagree and hence resist his regime. The introduction of TokenGoodTeammate Boris and three [[DefectorFromDecadence Black Dog defectors]] in the remastered version further proves that not every Black Dog is willing to support Vault's ambition. |
| 76 | ** In a similar vein, when Kyril walked into a scene of several Black Dog mercs molesting Chloe, they assumed that either he wants to join in with them, or he wants her for himself. In fact, he wants to take her to Olga because she asked him to, and that he needed their cooperation for their journey to the South to be less difficult. |
| 77 | ** Beasley is flabbergasted that Kyril would ruin his plans by siding with "weak-willed women". |
| 78 | ** Shamuhaza finds Kyril's persistence to [[spoiler:intentionally limit himself via retaining his humanity]] misguided, believing that [[spoiler:the Eldritch Truth is ripe for the taking]]. The fanfic has made it clear that he is [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity tampering]] with [[ThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow knowledge he does not understand]]. |
| 79 | ** There's also Morgan in the remastered version, who thinks that Kyril wants to engage in a CockFight with him over Grace, after witnessing how the stranger in the grey coat pulls her in closer to him. Moments ago, Anna asked Kyril to help Grace, who is being harassed by Morgan. He devised a [[BatmanGambit ploy]] to [[IShallTauntYou deliberately rile Morgan up]] and get his attention, not only to defend her, but also root him out as a traitor. |
| 80 | * EvilIsNotWellLit: |
| 81 | ** [[EvilTowerOfOminousness The Black Fortress]], true to its name, is a dark place bound to the will of its mistress, [[ArcVillain Olga Discordia]]. Its hallways are always dimly lit with torches. |
| 82 | ** [[EldritchLocation The Malys Estate]] is the domain of the Leaping Lizards [[spoiler:and later Shamuhaza, who not only experimented on the former group to produce more mutated troops, but also became an EldritchAbomination himself]]. The estate is so dark that the three hunters attacking the place have to use a lantern and a couple of torches to advance. The fact that their company launches the attack at night only serves to deepen the darkness within. |
| 83 | ** The place where [[TheOmniscientCouncilOfVagueness an unnamed group of nobles and clergymen]] are plotting at the end of Chapter 10, remastered version is an undisclosed location in the dark. |
| 84 | * EvilTowerOfOminousness: {{Downplayed}} for the Black Fortress, which is not a "tower" per se, but fulfils its purpose nonetheless. It is situated in Garan, a {{Mordor}} in the [[GrimUpNorth north]], as well as the home of [[EvilOverlord Evil Overlords]] like Olga (former) and Vault (present). |
| 85 | * EvilerThanThou: [[ExaggeratedTrope Exaggerated]]. ''The Leaping Lizards Arc'' contrasts a band of [[SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil slavers]], the Leaping Lizards, with an Evil Sorcerer who [[PlayingWithSyringes plays with syringes]], Shamuhaza. Both are on the same side (the Black Dogs), but the former, built up as the ArcVillain, is experimented on by the latter offstage By the time the good guys meet them, they are now [[{{Mutants}} mutated]] EliteMooks, with [[MixAndMatchCritters wings, spines, insect legs]], and [[BodyHorror other deformities]] sticking out of them. The one who gets the short end of the stick is Morgan, the leader of the Leaping Lizards, who is heavily implied to be reduced to a mutilated corpse. [[EvenEvilHasStandards Even]] Vault, the BigBad, calls Shamuhaza "a [[YoureInsane crazy]] man". |
| 86 | * EyeScream: Several occasions, not including the times where Kyril inflicts this on {{mooks}}. |
| 87 | ** Hugh was stabbed in the eye by an orc in Chapter 4. |
| 88 | ** [[spoiler:Chloe lost an eye when held captive by Mandeville during the Hunt for Mandeville Arc.]] |
| 89 | ** Strangely, this happens to [[spoiler:Kyril]] in Chapter 32. To elaborate, [[spoiler:he is shot dead by an assassin from a distance, and for some reason, he [[MoeGreeneSpecial loses an eye]] upon respawning. This [[RetCon violates one of the rules]] of the [[VideoGame/BloodBorne source material]], that is the Good Hunter should [[ResurrectiveImmortality respawn with no impediment upon death]].]] |
| 90 | [[/folder]] |
| 91 | |
| 92 | [[folder:F]] |
| 93 | * FairytaleMotifs: |
| 94 | ** Kyril is a knight who attempts to rescue members of the Seven Shields (princesses). The first attempt (Alicia and Prim) is successful. The second attempt (Maia) is half-successful because the captive is [[RapeAsDrama raped]]. The third attempt (Luu-Luu) [[spoiler:is a failure because the captive is BrainwashedAndCrazy and has to be [[MercyKill mercy-killed]]]]. |
| 95 | ** For a deliberate inversion, Grace's narration in Chapter 10 of the original emphasises how Kyril ''isn't'' a KnightInShiningArmour in the fairy tales. Later chapters have Kyril internally expressing the same sentiment. |
| 96 | --->''Kyril Sutherland was no noble knight in shining armor. He wasn't a hero in the fairy tales who saved the princess and slew the evil dragon. He was a killer through and through. He didn't see combat as glorious, in fact he knew more about combat than any noble knight or warrior. Combat was hell, and the only reward was your continuing survival.'' |
| 97 | * FallGuy: Sanakan deduces that Grishom is set up as the fall guy by Mandeville for the rebellion at Ken. Kyril confirms this, believing that Mandeville is doing that to secretly secure routes from Ken to the Black Fortress, where Vault is residing. |
| 98 | * FanDisservice: Guaranteed during any instance of PrisonRape or RapePillageAndBurn, where the victims AND perpetrators are often naked. Special mention goes to the "church orgy" scene in Chapter 4 of the original version -- it's not just the sight of the debauchery that's revolting, there's also the ''smell'' of certain bodily fluids as well. And then [[TerrifyingRescuer Kyril]] decides to go [[AdvancingBossOfDoom "Advancing Boss of Retribution"]] mode and add some {{gorn}} to the mix... |
| 99 | * FantasticGhetto: |
| 100 | ** The reason why dark elves are rarely seen outside of [[GrimUpNorth the North]]. Even the act of bringing dark elves to the South would catch the guards' attention. It's a miracle that Grace, a dark elf, is able to get employed as a FanServiceWithASmile in Ansur (which is in the South). |
| 101 | ** The Fortress City of Rad is a subtle one. One one hand, it is a populous city where one would not see the same race twice. However, it is dedicated to the fantasy races (aka. the [[WhatMeasureIsANonHuman non-human]] population) once considered to be undesirable by the Kingdom of Eostia. |
| 102 | * FantasticRacism: |
| 103 | ** [[OurElvesAreDifferent Dark elves]] have a long history of being enslaved, a commodity in the slave markets. Fed up with this predicament, the Dark Elf Queen Olga (plus her loyal vassal Chloe) developed a hatred towards humans and retaliated against Eostia's regime by starting a war [[ForeverWar that would last for centuries]]. [[FromBadToWorse The situation only worsened]]. At present, dark elves get so much enmity from the others, to the point where the mere act of bringing dark elves into Eostia's capital is forbidden. Even though the slavers are eventually crushed one by one, the narrative doesn't guarantee that the humans would stop hating the dark elves and vice versa. |
| 104 | ** The dark elves are not alone in regards to troubles with human slavers -- the tribes of CatFolk known as Wild Ones had been forced out by the native humans and faced enslavement long before Celestine came into power. |
| 105 | ** Kyril [[DiscussedTrope discusses this trope]] a couple of times in the original version, noting how the human race care a big deal about being "purer" than the non-human races. As he is about to meet the Wild Ones in person, he internally comments on the {{irony}} that the humans ended up following a high elf (Celestine) and named her a queen. |
| 106 | ** The remastered version provides more details on Rad. It is a fortress city dedicated to the non-human population, specifically, as per The Rat, "the beast kin and all other folk that the Kingdom of Eostia once considered undesirable". While it is true that Rad has a reputation as the melting pot for human and non-human kind, which mitigates this trope a bit, there is an [[ImpliedTrope implication]] that this measure all but serves as a FantasticGhetto. |
| 107 | --->'''The Rat:''' '''Truly, [[CrystalDragonJesus the Goddess]] has done much for the sake of unity... and yet, at the same time so little.''' |
| 108 | * FantasyGunControl: [[ZigZaggingTrope Zig-zagged]]. |
| 109 | ** Only three characters (all hunters) have guns and trick weapons that shoot bullets under their possession: Kyril, Hugh and Soren, which makes sense, considering they are related to the ''VideoGame/BloodBorne'' setting. Other than that, the ''Kuroinu'' 'verse, assumed to be a standard MedievalEuropeanFantasy, seem to indicate that no original guns and cannons exist in the [[WorldBuilding setting]]. To elaborate, none of the populace or soldiery is shown using firearms of any kind, and there is no indication as to whether there is any firearm or even gunpowder production in the land. |
| 110 | ** There is evidence showing that people from Eostia '''actually know''' what a firearm is, which further complicates matters. Best illustrated in the remastered version, where Vera, one of Alicia's subordinates, is able to identify that Kyril has a ''pistol'' holstered at his side, while describing his other firearm[[note]]the Hunter's Blunderbuss[[/note]] as "one much like a ''musket'' save for its ''barrel''", which looks more like a cannon. Vault, in one occasion, internally narrates how Kyril uses his ''firearms'' to take down orc war chiefs in one shot. Both examples indicate that terms related to guns (pistol, musket, barrel, firearms) are NOT a foreign concept -- certain people, if not all, from the ''Kuroinu'' 'verse have some degree of knowledge on the nature of firearms. More importantly, there has never been a single character that have shown to be confused or weirded out when they see someone wielding a gun instead of other "typical" ranged weapons like bows, crossbows, or magic staffs. In fact, one certain character, Klaus (aka Claudia's husband), has shown interest in replicating the mechanism of Kyril's pistol[[note]]it's a very trivial issue, not a major plot point, but still[[/note]]! |
| 111 | ** Thorn seems to be the exception, as seen in Chapter 33 of the original. There, ashigaru[[note]]a kind of infantry[[/note]] are shown wielding arquebus muskets. |
| 112 | * FascinatingEyebrow: |
| 113 | ** Since Hugh is [[TheSpeechless mute]], raising an eyebrow is his way of saying "huh?" or "hmm..." |
| 114 | ** Olga has a habit of raising an eyebrow when [[ShipperOnDeck teasing Celestine for her feelings towards Kyril]], causing the latter much embarrassment. |
| 115 | ** Kyril raises a brow when he [[spoiler:catches Sanakan and Hugh making out]]. |
| 116 | ** Lily raises an eyebrow to show her amusement regarding Grace being worried about Kyril potentially getting hurt. |
| 117 | ** Kyril raises a brow upon hearing Celestine admit how [[ReallySevenHundredYearsOld old]] she is. |
| 118 | * FateWorseThanDeath: This is what happens to [[spoiler:Shamuhaza upon glimpsing what was behind the mortal mask of [[EldritchAbomination Kyril Sutherland]]. To quote Chapter 22, he "suffered every undignified death imagined and unimagined until the ending of an age", which [[YearInsideHourOutside lasts seemingly an eternity from his perspective, yet only for a moment in real time]]. That does not include the mild PurpleProse that describes the suffering he would face again and again.]] |
| 119 | * FeelNoPain: |
| 120 | ** Kyril is not insensitive to pain, but the fact that he can [[JustAFleshWound shrug off debilitating injuries]], as well as possessing Blood Vials that heal him completely speaks volumes regarding his pain threshold. It is then [[SubvertedTrope subverted]] in Chapter 14, where he gets struck by the tendrils of a mutated war chief. Chuckling to himself that it has been far too long since he felt pain like this, it marks the original story's SerialEscalation. |
| 121 | ** Shamuhaza's [[InsectoidAliens half-insect]], [[HalfHumanHybrid half-human]] EliteMooks don't seem to feel any pain. Luckily, they can still be killed. |
| 122 | * FieldPromotion: |
| 123 | ** The aftermath of the ''Rad Arc'' has Sharl [[YouAreInCommandNow becoming leader of the scouts]] after [[spoiler:Indriga's death]], as well as Bergen being promoted from sergeant to lieutenant. |
| 124 | ** Kyril gets promoted from knight to Lord Executioner for his efforts in the ''Rebel Scum Arc''. |
| 125 | * FightsLikeANormal: Kyril Sutherland[[spoiler:, despite having the ComboPlatterPowers that comes with being a [[EldritchAbomination great one]],]] fights like a HunterOfMonsters out of ''VideoGame/BloodBorne'' -- [[SwordAndGun a trick weapon on one hand, and a firearm on the other]]. There's a multitude of reasons for this: some of his abilities don't directly apply to combat (e.g. his [[spoiler:TouchTelepathy and {{Brainwashing}}]]); his other abilities [[spoiler:may cause [[GoMadFromTheRevelation unnecessary collateral damage]] if he is careless]] (e.g. his [[spoiler:BrownNote and OneWingAngel]]), and; he wants to [[{{Masquerade}} conceal the existence]] of anything related to Yharnam and the [[EldritchAbomination great ones]], which includes [[spoiler:said powers and his true nature]]. |
| 126 | * FireBreathingWeapon: Both Kyril and Lily use the Flamesprayer as an offhand weapon for setting crowds of foes ablaze. For the former, it is also used to [[CruelAndUnusualDeath burn prisoners alive during interrogation]]. |
| 127 | * FireOfComfort: |
| 128 | ** Original version: |
| 129 | *** Chapter 1 has Kyril resting in an abandoned farm with a fireplace in it. He puts down his weapon, stares at the fire, falls asleep, and enters his more comfortable [[PocketDimension pocket abode]] -- the Hunter's Dream. |
| 130 | *** Kyril and Celestine meet in the Hunter's Dream in Chapter 12. A fireplace is present, heating up a kettle of tea for host and guest. The warmth and peacefulness of Kyril's home is emphasised, with Celestine internally noting that the normally morose fellow's mood has improved significantly. |
| 131 | *** In Chapter 14, Grace pays a visit to her friends Anna and Ian, with Soren as her guard. Inside the small house, a fireplace is present in the living room to emphasise the warmth and comfort at home, especially during the cold winter. |
| 132 | ** Remastered version: |
| 133 | *** Chapter 7 features a scene between Kyril and Olga near a fireplace. While the former is tending to the fire, Olga is comfortable with revealing her reasons for her [[FantasticRacism hatred]] towards humans, and starting a ForeverWar because of said hatred. Their conversation even ends with Kyril beckoning her to come close to the fire to help her feel better. |
| 134 | * FixFic: Turns ''Kuroinu'', originally a {{hentai}}, into a [[DarkFantasy dark]]/[[LowFantasy low]] {{fantasy}} without the {{NSFW}} elements while [[{{Crossover}} adding]] some ''VideoGame/BloodBorne'' into the mix. In particular, most of the Seven Shields [[spoiler:avoid their fate of being [[SexSlave enslaved and raped]] by the Black Dogs]], as it happens in ''Kuroinu'' {{canon}}. They also get [[AdaptationExpansion more character]]. |
| 135 | * FlirtingUnderFire: [[PuppyLove Sanakan and Hugh]] do this briefly during the hunt for Shamuhaza within the streets of Rad. After mentioning that they still have to go on a date when they are done, he kisses her on the cheek in response. |
| 136 | * FloralThemeNaming: Lily, a nun who becomes Kyril's third apprentice, and the Knights of Iris, a light cavalry force. Both are named after flowers. |
| 137 | * FlowerMotifs: |
| 138 | ** The workshop of the Hunter's Dream is surrounded by white flowers and gravestones. While ''VideoGame/BloodBorne'' doesn't specify as to what sort of flowers they are, the remastered version of the fanfic notes that these flowers are white asphodels. White asphodels are associated with mourning and death. Fitting for a melancholy yet tranquil place like the Dream, filled with memorials of hunters who have participated the Night of the Hunt. Its master has also [[HunterOfMonsters caused]] and [[ResurrectiveImmortality experienced]] death more times than he can count. |
| 139 | ** The lily is associated with purity, chastity, and, less commonly, rebirth. The character of the same name starts out as a nun of the Church, suffers a RapeAsDrama, becomes Kyril's third [[TheApprentice apprentice]], serves as CombatMedic during the war, and TakesALevelInBadAss. Quite the journey. |
| 140 | ** According to the remastered version, the Iris Knights, led by Alicia Arcturus, are the finest light cavalry forces of Feoh, where every member is expected to follow the ideal of the KnightInShiningArmor. Common meanings of the iris are royalty, faith, wisdom, hope, and valour. |
| 141 | * ForceAndFinesse: |
| 142 | ** Sanakan and Hugh is an obvious duo. Sanakan is the [[ScreamingWarrior screaming]] powerhouse with the giant hammer or {{BFS}}, while Hugh is the graceful fighter with the [[WhipSword whip]]-[[CaneFu cane]], katana, or the [[BowAndSwordInAccord bow-blade]]. |
| 143 | ** Chapter 13 of the remastered version reveals that Alicia and Maia attempted to [[InvokedTrope invoke]] this trope during the TrialByCombat against Kyril as showcased in the previous chapter. The strategy is that Alicia, [[MightyGlacier in battle armour, would focus on durability and support]] while wielding [[CoolSword a longsword]]. Maia, [[FragileSpeedster in light leather armour, would focus on speed and agility]] while wielding [[DualWielding twin short swords]]. [[CurbStompBattle Alas]], their opponent is [[LightningBruiser the Good Hunter]]. |
| 144 | --->''"[[TemptingFate What fool would willingly face them at the same time]]? Today it seemed they would find out."'' |
| 145 | * ForcefulKiss: A non-dark yet [[PlayedForDrama dramatic]] example happens in Chapter 31 of the original. [[spoiler:During her [[HeroicBSOD prolonged emotional breakdown]] due to Chloe's severe condition, Olga desperately needs to vent her pain from being powerless to help her servant, and to vent her feelings towards Kyril. Shortly after Kyril gives her a CooldownHug to console her, she pulls the man in close and forcefully kisses him. Being caught off guard, Kyril merely stands still. And then Celestine (who, like Olga, harbors feelings towards the man) opens the door and witnesses the action.]] Cue drama. |
| 146 | * ForeverWar: Turns out that something like this has been going on for centuries between Celestine and Olga, [[WeUsedToBeFriends who used to be close friends with each other]]. As for why it started in the first place, both of them had come to blows over the fate of humanity. Olga, with a firm belief that HumansAreBastards, wanted vengeance against humanity for their FantasticRacism against Dark Elves, as well as the subsequent development of the Dark Elf slave trade. Celestine, however, believes that there was still some good among humanity, so she desperately made efforts in talking her down. They both tried to make peace with each other, but the continued enslavement of the Dark Elves drove Olga to declare war, and Celestine was forced to raise arms against her. In the end, the centuries-old war came to a close when a BadMoonRising weakens Olga's BlackMagic, in addition to [[OutsideContextProblem Kyril]] coming to the picture. As a result, the Black Fortress is open for an attack that lead to Olga's defeat. |
| 147 | * AFormYouAreComfortableWith: In order to [[spoiler:avert GoMadFromTheRevelation, together with [[{{Masquerade}} concealing the existence]] of the Eldritch Truth and anything related to Yharnam]], [[spoiler:[[EldritchAbomination the Good Hunter]]]] takes the form of [[spoiler:a youthful [[HumanoidAbomination man]].]] Ironically, said "form" is also quite [[DarkIsNotEvil scary and sinister]] to look at. |
| 148 | * FourStarBadass: The Good Hunter is a OneManArmy who gets to lead his MenOfSherwood as a result of AsskickingLeadsToLeadership, from minor skirmishes to major battles. Despite his [[IntroversionTropes introversion]], he demonstrates a [[AmbiguouslyTrained remarkable talent as a military commander]], able to cooperate with the sergeants and the troops to achieve strategic victory. |
| 149 | * FreudianTrio: |
| 150 | ** Celestine ([[TheKirk Ego]], ReasonableAuthorityFigure) is torn between her right hand Claudia ([[TheMcCoy Id]], HonorBeforeReason) and her left hand Kyril ([[TheSpock Superego]], NoNonsenseNemesis) respectively. |
| 151 | ** In the first two chapters of the remastered version, Alicia, Kyril and Prim form such a trio. Alicia ([[TheMcCoy Id]]) aspires and acts like a KnightInShiningArmor. Kyril ([[TheSpock Superego]]) is a BlackKnight without the armor and title. Unsurprisingly, the two do not get along, leaving Prim ([[TheKirk Ego]]) to soothe the choler between them. |
| 152 | * FromNobodyToNightmare: |
| 153 | ** Vault, the BigBad, started out as a [[HiredGuns mercenary]]. From the beginning of the story, he has become TheLeader and TheAce of the most renowned [[{{PMC}} mercenary group]] in Eostia, the Black Dogs, but still a mercenary nonetheless. Dissatisfied with his current predicament, he usurps Olga's position as EvilOverlord after [[StormingTheCastle storming her castle]], in hopes of achieving his dream of a SexSlave [[TheEmpire Empire]], an [[AmbitionIsEvil ambition]] that he has been planning for quite some time. To realise said ambition, Vault [[WonTheWarLostThePeace relights the flames of war by instigating a military coup]] that leads to much RapePillageAndBurn thanks to [[OurOrcsAreDifferent various fantasy monsters]] and the Black Dogs. |
| 154 | ** Shamuhaza was once an acolyte, but has since [[ConditionedToAcceptHorror conditioned to accept the horror]] of BlackMagic. Now, he is an EvilSorceror who not only works for the Black Dogs, but also [[spoiler:delves into the [[ThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow Eldritch Truth]], the very same knowledge that [[VideoGame/BloodBorne Byrgenwerth scholars and the Healing Church]] once sought for]]. His pursuit has led to countless InnocentBystanders [[PlayingWithSyringes experimented on]], [[EldritchTransformation mutated]] into [[BodyHorror horrific]] [[AndIMustScream husks of their former selves]], and [[FaceFullOfAlienWingWong impregnated by... whatever that causes them to give birth to monstrosities]]. With the fortress of Rad twisted into an EldritchLocation, the rest of Eostia is under threat of an ApocalypseHow should Shamuhaza continue to live for another minute. |
| 155 | ** Last but not least, [[TheDreaded Kyril Sutherland]]. [[PlayerCharacter The Good Hunter]]. Chronologically, he manages to ''[[ZigZaggingTrope zig-zag]]'' this trope. At the beginning of it all, he was the son of a poor farmer. Then ''VideoGame/BloodBorne'' happened, [[spoiler:[[AndThenJohnWasAZombie and then Kyril was]] [[MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext a squid]]]]. To keep this concise and more understandable, he went to a town named Yharnam in search for a cure for his illness, as an unarmed outsider. It is how he became an EmpoweredBadassNormal HunterOfMonsters, slaying beasts and other hunters by the dozens and hundreds, even to the point of [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu punching out]] at least three [[EldritchAbomination great ones]]. After that, [[spoiler:he was somehow [[EldritchTransformation transformed]] into a [[EldritchAbomination great one]] himself, but he managed to avert the BlueAndOrangeMorality that comes with his [[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence ascension]]]]. [[spoiler:Taking a [[AFormYouAreComfortableWith human form]]]], he [[WalkingTheEarth wandered around the world]] until his arrival to Eostia, again as a foreign outsider. There, he started out as a regular [[HiredGuns sellsword]], only to kick tons of ass, spill tons of blood, and be [[{{Knighting}} knighted]] as TheDreaded [[BlackKnight Sir Kyril (the Bloody)]], infamous for his [[{{Gorn}} brutality]] in the battlefield. He later gets [[FieldPromotion promoted]] to Lord Executioner after quelling a [[TheRevolutionWillNotBeCivilized rebellion]] with steel and fire, being equivalent to the ruler's left-hand man. The kicker is that the people InUniverse believed that this trope is PlayedStraight for him once (because [[spoiler:Kyril's true nature]] has yet to be common knowledge), but the readers who have played ''VideoGame/BloodBorne'' before will [[DramaticIrony understand]] that it actually applies to him ''twice''. |
| 156 | * FromTheMouthsOfBabes: Yurie, a [[BeastMan Wild]] [[CatFolk One]] child, has an observation regarding Sanakan and Hugh. In particular, she thinks that [[{{Tomboy}} Sanakan]] is a strangely shaped boy that smells like a girl. |
| 157 | -->'''Yurie:''' [[EatingTheEyeCandy You stare too much]].\ |
| 158 | '''Sanakan:''' *scowls* Oh, hush you.\ |
| 159 | '''[[HulkSpeak Yurie]]:''' But he boy.\ |
| 160 | '''Sanakan:''' *LuminescentBlush* Yes, Hugh is a boy. And I'm a girl.\ |
| 161 | '''[[HulkSpeak Yurie]]:''' Yes. He boy. You too. But smell like girl. |
| 162 | [[/folder]] |
| 163 | |
| 164 | [[folder:G]] |
| 165 | * GenderIsNoObject: The military of Eostia makes no gender distinctions whatsoever. Nobody raises an eyebrow when they see male [[TheMedic healers]], female [[ArmyScout scouts]], and women in command. |
| 166 | * GeniusBruiser: |
| 167 | ** A compulsory trait for any hard-hitting hunter. |
| 168 | *** Just because Kyril is a LightningBruiser doesn't mean he goes for [[AttackAttackAttack the aggressive route]] every time. From dismantling traps, selecting at most a group of three to take out, to his occasional usage of Shaman Bone Blades, it is evident that stealth and subtlety are also his strengths. |
| 169 | *** Sanakan may be a [[HotBlooded brash, restless]] ScreamingWarrior, but that doesn't mean she is not capable of eavesdropping before cutting the Gadsden Gang down, as Chapter 7 will tell you. |
| 170 | *** [[TheBigGuy The mute hunter Hugh]] is known for his exceptional [[SwordAndGun swordsmanship and marksmanship]]. During the same chapter, he is shown with the ability to pick locks, together with eavesdropping on the Gadsden Gang with Sanakan afterwards. |
| 171 | ** As a group, [[OurOrcsAreDifferent orcs are considered as this]]. They look like [[DumbMuscle dumb brutes]], but some war bands are capable of showing a degree of cunning that can catch a seasoned knight off guard. Best exemplified by their crude traps and sudden ambushes in the first two chapters of the remastered version. |
| 172 | * GiveMeAReason: Obviously, many dark elves are not happy with Olga sacrificing Loraine to the orcs, which caused untold suffering to the people she was supposed to protect. One of them is Demeter, who is now the leader of a group of those dark elves that are now refugees and liberated slaves. When the two meet, Demeter, becoming impatient, eventually says a variation of this trope to Olga. |
| 173 | -->'''Demeter:''' Tell me... ''Your Grace''. *[[FistOfRage clenches fists]]* What is stopping me from slitting your throat right here and now? |
| 174 | * GladHesOnOurSide: Chapter 6 of the original has Olga saying this to Claudia regarding the Hunter, how lucky they are for the Hunter to fight for them and not against them, after she found out that he possesses "powers beyond their ken". |
| 175 | * GloomyGray: [[TheStoic Stoic]] ShellShockedVeteran Kyril wears a grey tricorne hat and nondescript clothing, covered by a dark grey longcoat. |
| 176 | * GoMadFromTheRevelation: To [[DefiedTrope defy]] this trope is one of [[spoiler:the Good Hunter's]] primary concerns, which explains a lot of the decisions [[spoiler:he]] makes in the story: why [[spoiler:he [[AFormYouAreComfortableWith appears as a human]], why he uses his [[LovecraftianSuperpower powers]] as a [[EldritchAbomination great one]] sparingly, and why he would go to great lengths to [[{{Masquerade}} conceal]] any knowledge about Yharnam and the [[ThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow Eldritch Truth]]]]. It also happens to be a reason why [[spoiler:the Hunter]] is reluctant to interfere with Eostia's affairs at the beginning of the original story, save for hunting down bands of greenskins and bandits. The trope is [[spoiler:later [[InvokedTrope invoked]] on Shamuhaza by releasing a bit of his eldritch might with a [[DeathGlare mere gaze]]. Seeing how Shamuhaza [[FateWorseThanDeath ended up]], the Hunter has a very strong reason to fear the consequences from letting this trope happen]]. |
| 177 | * AGodIAmNot: [[spoiler:Kyril is secretly an EldritchAbomination, and he]] once notes that many refugees sought blessings from [[spoiler:him]]. Despite this, [[spoiler:he]] is discomforted of the notion of being godlike, being more concerned about how these people have their once peaceful lives destroyed due to the uprising in the capital. |
| 178 | * GodzillaThreshold: Kyril, to Celestine. Despite having a vision about the Good Hunter ends up either the saviour or destroyer of her land, the latter being the more likely outcome as he is a brutal killer, she has no choice but to call for his assistance, in order to end the war with Olga swiftly. |
| 179 | * GoldColoredSuperiority: In Chapter 30, original version, [[LightningBruiser Kyril]] has to fight [[DualBoss two familiars]] of Mandeville, depicted as two massive warriors in gold-coloured armour. Unlike a majority of the enemies [[CurbStompBattle he slayed]], he uses more time and effort against the two. |
| 180 | * GoneHorriblyRight: Hoo boy. [[spoiler:The assassination attempt on the Good Hunter instead of the Goddess Reborn is an absolute success! Both in [[BackFromTheDead killing him]] [[ResurrectiveImmortality (once, that is)]] and [[UnstoppableRage pissing him off]]. In response, the Good Hunter [[NothingIsScarier rewards the assassin]] [[SarcasmMode handsomely]] for his SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome.]] |
| 181 | * GoodIsNotNice: {{Downplayed}} for Kyril Sutherland. Kyril saves people from the reprehensible, but he isn't the friendliest person around due to his polite, yet [[TheStoic detached]] attitude. Aside from being content with his [[TheDreaded frightening reputation]], he often prioritises his objectives over his relations with others, even using [[AppealToForce force]] if necessary. On the bright side, Kyril is neither obnoxious nor sociopathic, and he is less cold to people who prove to be [[NiceGuy genuinely affable]] or trustworthy. |
| 182 | * {{Gorn}}: As expected for a {{fanfic}} rated "Fiction M". In the story, [[NinetiesAntiHero the Hunter]] habitually obliterates beasts, rapists and slavers by crunching bones, slamming skulls, opening wounds, and spilling brains. The brutality is amped up when he eats a Beast Blood Pellet and starts to inflict explicit trauma at the innards or the genitals. His handiwork is meant to create enjoyment from [[PayEvilUntoEvil bathing in the blood of those who deserve to die because of their depraved actions]]. Even ''the author'' admits the guy's dishing out "gratuitous violence" and informs the readers to be prepared for more at the end of Chapter 9. |
| 183 | * GreatEscape: |
| 184 | ** Annoyed by Vault seemingly wasting time at the Black Fortress, Kyril decides to bring Olga back to Ken himself without his permission. To do so, he breaks her and Chloe out of prison, while securing the quickest exit of the stronghold thanks to Olga. |
| 185 | ** Chapter 6 of the remastered version, aptly named ''Escape'', [[AdaptationExpansion expands further]] on the above. Rather than an on-the-fly decision, the prison break is a more thought-out [[ThePlan plan]] that not only involves the above three, but also [[DefectorFromDecadence several rogue Black Dogs]]. Here, Kyril knows of Vault's plan for conquest before hand thanks to [[AdaptationalBackstoryChange Soren]] overhearing his plan, giving him all the more reason to fulfil his mission. |
| 186 | * GreatOffscreenWar: The ForeverWar between Celestine Lucross and Olga Discordia. The readers understand why the war broke out and has lasted for centuries (the FantasticRacism between humanity and dark elves), many ''Kuroinu''-original characters have been either directly involved in or affected by said war one way or another (The Seven Shields, the Black Dogs, Olga, Grace, etc.), and the war itself is still ongoing by the beginning of the fanfic (though at its final stage, since Celestine's vision foretells its end as a result of Kyril's appearance). However, the readers do not see much of the actual war, and Kyril is more of an OutsideContextProblem instead of someone affected by the war, though he does contribute to its end. Several {{Original Character}}s, namely Kyril's four apprentices, were not even born at that period. [[Administrivia/TropesAreTools Then again, the main focus of this story is the conflict against the traitorous Black Dogs, not Celestine and Olga's century-old war.]] |
| 187 | * GrimUpNorth: PlayedWith. Northern locations are not tundras or snowy mountains, but their environments are still harsher than southern ones. |
| 188 | ** The region to the north of Eostia is Garan. A desolate wasteland, as well as the place where Olga, the Dark Queen of the Black Fortress, gathers her AlwaysChaoticEvil orcs plus other fantasy monsters to make incursions into the borders of Eostia. Unfortunately, the kingdom cannot retaliate by invading the North due to its harsh conditions providing an excellent natural defence, a bane to any army. It is only due to the advent of [[OneManArmy the Good Hunter]] that Celestine finds an invasion to the Black Fortress a viable option. Said harsh conditions also apply to places near or within Garan, like [[IDontLikeTheSoundOfThatPlace The Badlands and The Dead Marshes]][[note]]the latter featured in the remastered version[[/note]]. The atmosphere of the Badlands is said to flip between dry heat and clammy cold, which precipitates the possibility of disease, while the Dead Marshes is a wet and cold marshland, so it's obviously not good due to SwampsAreEvil. |
| 189 | ** Scathlocke is located north of the Fortress City of Ken and serves as a buffer between Garan (see above) and Eostia. Again, rather than a snowy place, it is filled with hilly plains, drizzling rain, and mud, a lot worse in winter. Not the best environment for an army that needs to keep dry and warm. |
| 190 | * GroinAttack: The Hunter kicks a {{mook}} in the groin during his killing spree in Chapter 11 of the original. NOT PlayedForLaughs, for the {{mook}}'s testicles and pelvis are shattered in the process. |
| 191 | -->''The pain killed him.'' |
| 192 | * TheGuardsMustBeCrazy: {{Lampshaded}} by Kyril in Chapter 3, remastered version. As he is walking down the hall to attend a meeting with the Seven Shields, he internally notes that he often takes walks like this during nighttime. He is able to do so without being noticed because, in his words, "sneaking past the guards was a joke". |
| 193 | [[/folder]] |
| 194 | |
| 195 | [[folder:H]] |
| 196 | * HalfHumanHybrid: Present in the story as a result of either interspecies breeding (e.g. Chloe; half-human, half-elf) or synthetic transformation (e.g. [[WasOnceAMan The Leaping Lizards]]; half-human, half-insect). |
| 197 | * HandicappedBadass: The Hunter counts as a mental variant rather than the physical variant. He occasionally relieves unwanted memories of him fighting for survival, avoids anything that would trigger said memories (e.g., idleness), and is always on guard for danger, all of which are his struggles with [[ShellShockedVeteran PTSD]] thanks to his past in Yharnam. The guy has no problem [[OneManArmy hunting beasts on his lonesome]] with a heavy serrated cleaver and, rather than being AxCrazy as commonly believed, is in fact a very patient, levelheaded man. |
| 198 | * HaremSeeker: Anders Bleu, and presumably many other mercenaries or new recruits of the Black Dogs, count as a negative portrayal of this trope, given that they want to gain as many partners as possible by [[RapeIsASpecialKindOfEvil force]] if necessary. The narration below explains Anders's motive for joining the Black Dogs' cause. |
| 199 | -->''Anders Bleu was a Black Dog recruit. Hell yeah he was. If he could take any bitch he pleased then there was no other point in life. He wanted to be a part of the Black Dogs' Sex Empire. He wanted to live like a king. He'd show those bitches just what he was made of.'' |
| 200 | * HarmfulToMinors: |
| 201 | ** Violence of any kind is a constant that the main [[KidHero kid heroes]], Sanakan, Hugh and Soren, have witnessed and experienced before meeting Kyril. Chapter 4 has the former two under the [[RapePillageAndBurn predations]] of the Black Dogs. Sanakan is [[AttemptedRape rounded up for an orgy]], while Hugh is LeftForDead and [[EyeScream bereft an eye]]. That is not getting to the nasty stuff they've gone through as [[StreetUrchin street urchins]], together with how Hugh got his throat mutilated before the events of the story. Soren, however, has suffered physical abuse by street thugs on a regular basis. Just... ouch. It is when they become Kyril's [[TheApprentice apprentices]] that their well-being starts to improve, though their job as hunters means they regularly participate in violence... |
| 202 | ** This trope is all over the place with the description of children being victims of war, rape, and slavery. Evidently, [[CrapsackWorld Eostia]] is not kind to children. |
| 203 | * HatesBaths: [[BeastMan Yurie]] dislikes anything related to baths, like water and soap. May or may not have something to do with her resembling a [[CatsHateWater cat]] in all but name. |
| 204 | * HatesSmallTalk: The task-oriented Kyril Sutherland isn't a conversationalist. He dislikes small talk, parties, or wasteful diffidence that have nothing to do with the current task at hand (though he would do it if the task requires him to). In the later parts of the original version, CharacterDevelopment kicks in as he gets a bit more comfortable doing small talk with his employer Celestine and his retainer Grace after working together with them throughout the story. |
| 205 | * HeWhoFightsMonsters: By the time the story reached the Rebel Scum Arc, a major point of [[DiscussedTrope discussion]] is whether Kyril's morally questionable methods in the war effort, such as [[TakeNoPrisoners executing prisoners who surrendered beforehand]], and quelling the rebellion in Ken by force, makes him no different than the Black Dogs he is fighting against. Particularly, [[HonorBeforeReason Claudia]] believes that not only does he play this trope straight, his actions would risk tarnishing Celestine's reputation as TheHighQueen. Even those who back Kyril's approach, like Alicia and Lily, have admitted that they would not defend his actions. Nonetheless, the narrative makes it clear why this trope [[SubvertedTrope will never happen]] to Kyril. Unlike the Black Dogs, Kyril and his followers have never raped, enslaved, or experimented on innocent bystanders. Instead, his objectives are to MakeAnExampleOfThem and to [[ShootTheDog swiftly prevent the escalating war from continuing to devastate the populace]], however questionable those methods may be. Furthermore, Kyril knows all too well what this trope entails during his DarkAndTroubledPast, having witnessed his fellow Hunters gradually and literally becoming as [[AxCrazy bloodthirsty]] as the beasts they hunt. His conclusion? In the face of an uncompromising threat, ViolenceIsTheOnlyOption, because the people who suffer because of said threat are the ones that matter. For a last touch of {{irony}}, [[spoiler:Kyril Sutherland WasOnceAMan, [[EldritchTransformation transformed into an eldritch entity]], yet demonstrates such self-discipline that no inhuman being can ever reach]]. |
| 206 | * HeartwarmingOrphan: Readers are expected to sympathize with Sanakan and Hugh, [[StreetUrchin Street Urchins]] barely noticed by peasant or noble who are exposed to the RapePillageAndBurn brought by the Black Dogs. There's also Soren, who resorted to thievery as a means to support the OrphanageOfLove. Throughout the story, the three of them are [[TheApprentice apprenticed]] by the [[AntiHero anti-heroic]] Kyril as a way to [[PetTheDog soften]] [[SugarAndIcePersonality him]], and they all become [[KidHero Kid Heroes]] in their own right. |
| 207 | * HellishPupils: In Chapter 8 of the original, right after [[spoiler:[[TouchTelepathy probing]] a {{mook}}'s mind with his [[PartialTransformation tendrils]]]], Kyril's pupils turn into slits as he regards the guards approaching him, clearly intending to walk through what's left of them. |
| 208 | * HeroWithBadPublicity: |
| 209 | ** {{Subverted}} for TheDreaded AntiHero, Kyril Sutherland. He believes himself to be an object of ill repute, often internally noting the way people stare at him and how his actions irk most of the nobility. In reality, he is lionised by the common folk and his soldiers. Moreover, his reputation among the knights and the nobility turns out to be more ''divisive'' than outright hated. Roland's narration sheds light on this. |
| 210 | --->''Kyril Sutherland was a divisive figure amongst the nobility, compared to the common folk who lionized the man. Some nobles thought him an upstart, a foreigner with the ear of the Goddess Reincarnated herself? That was unthinkable in and of itself. Especially since he was also a staunch ally of the former [[EvilOverlord Dark Queen]], Olga Discordia who was once the Goddess's greatest enemy and someone not to be trusted.''\ |
| 211 | \ |
| 212 | ''His brutal countenance and refusal to uphold the ideals of Chivalry was also a contentious issue for many knights. Few dared to openly challenge him, for it was said that Kyril Sutherland could sense malice of any sort. The fact that he had also bested Claudia Levantine, who was Ken's strongest knights was also something that mitigated the nobility's ire towards the man. He got results, that was all that mattered to most of them.'' |
| 213 | ** Kyril briefly [[DiscussedTrope discusses this trope]] during his conversation with Shalala regarding his reputation. |
| 214 | --->'''Shalala''': Many look up to you as a savior, Sir Kyril.\ |
| 215 | '''Kyril''': And others look down upon me as a mad dog held to Celestine's side by a leash. [[ReputationApathy I'd prefer it that way actually, it's easier to move.]] |
| 216 | * HeroicBSOD: An experience many characters go through in the story. |
| 217 | ** It is [[ImpliedTrope implied]] that Kyril suffered from this more than once during [[DarkAndTroubledPast his time in Yharnam]]. Not only did he experience the violence and horrors that would drive a lesser person insane, but he also had to [[EverybodysDeadDave witness all the sane people he met die one by one until only himself remains]]. He eventually [[ConditionedToAcceptHorror conditions himself to accept horror]]. |
| 218 | ** The last third of Chapter 5 features Celestine and Olga taking a peek at Kyril's journal, which, unbeknownst to them, is actually an ArtifactOfDoom. Breakdowns ensue, with Celestine eventually crying BrokenTears and Olga ends up LaughingMad. Though the latter quickly pulls herself together, slams the journal shut, and bolts out of the room with Celestine. |
| 219 | ** In Chapter 7, the PrisonRape scene in the dungeons causes Harriet to drop her sword in terror, later struggling to regain her focus. |
| 220 | ** As Lily is recovering in a tent after Feoh has been reclaimed, she [[BrokenTears breaks down sobbing]] and pulls her hair as she relives the time where she and her fellow sisters are [[PrisonRape raped in the dungeons]]. It is also where she starts having a CrisisOfFaith. |
| 221 | ** Celestine is rather prone to this than any other character in the story. |
| 222 | *** She falls ill and her room is a mess due to being plagued by [[HearingVoices maddening whispers]] and hallucinations after reading [[ArtifactOfDoom Kyril's journal]], a side effect of absorbing Insight[[note]]the more it is absorbed, the higher the possibility of going bonkers[[/note]]. Luckily, she gets better after unwittingly stumbling upon the [[PocketDimension Hunter's Dream]] and meeting the Doll. |
| 223 | *** Celestine has a mild one after setting off to a healer's tent of a refugee camp and attempting to use HealingHands to save a patient, to no avail. She decides to take a break outside when the atmosphere of the tent is getting to her, reflecting on how the war against the Black Dogs, as well as the current rebellion in the capital, is taking its toll on her and the others. |
| 224 | *** Celestine does not take it well upon witnessing [[spoiler:Kyril getting shot in front of her, then rising BackFromTheDead seconds later.]] She is so shocked that the only thing she can do is hyperventilate while sinking to her knees. This has persisted for 2 chapters, in spite of her apparent recovery after the incident, to the point where she presses herself onto his chest after he is summoned. Still owing answers to Celestine (and Olga, who is also present), he reluctantly pulls out his [[ArtifactOfDoom journal]] for the InternalReveal the readers have been waiting for... [[FromBadToWorse and things get worse for the two]]. |
| 225 | ** In Chapter 30 of the original, Olga falls into a disheveled state, [[ThousandYardStare staring blindly ahead]] while [[DrowningMySorrows swirling her fifth wineglass]]. The reason is that her loyal servant and LivingEmotionalCrutch Chloe is currently in an unresponsive state, and it is unknown whether she will make it or not. |
| 226 | ** Remastered version: |
| 227 | *** Alicia has one after her HeroicSafeMode is triggered by an orc ambush in Chapter 2. Filled with shock, grief and hate, she becomes unfocused, her voice hollow, and pauses more often in her speech. She is still a bit shaken even after regaining function as her remaining crew arrive to Ken. |
| 228 | *** Alicia goes through another one at the end of Chapter 12. During Kyril's TrialByCombat, she finds herself tossed aside as she witnesses Maia being sent flying. She tries to get back up, only to freeze at the sight of Kyril standing in front of her, his thick cleaver on top of her head like a guillotine. The only things that matters to Alicia is the serrated blade, as well as the Hunter's glare. |
| 229 | ---->''Her eyes widened as she faced the cleaver, looking dully into the serrated blade. She couldn't hear Claudia shouting for the match to cease, or for Celestine pleading for him to stop. Was this how it ended? She was going to die? How?'' |
| 230 | *** Maia and Alicia respectively are clearly not in a good shape after their defeat in the hands of Kyril, the latter clearly not gotten over her BSoD as described above. Maia's BSoD swings between lashing out towards anyone in her vicinity, and shedding BrokenTears in her quarters. Her state is worsened by the double blows of Vault, the man she is in love with, being revealed as a traitor ''and'' [[spoiler:being dead]]. As for Alicia, Celestine's POV observes that she is [[TemptingFate "a little better"]] due to how collected she is than her more fiery counterpart. ''False''. Alicia's BSoD continues due to having her [[BreakTheHaughty pride shattered]] by being unharmed during the fight (as if Kyril doesn't even bother her presence). She also really, ''really'' doesn't take as well after being called a "weakling". Enraged, she [[spoiler:takes it out on Soren, leaving him unconscious]]. |
| 231 | * HeroicSafeMode: |
| 232 | ** [[TheStoic Kyril]] is capable of manifesting signs of this trope in a less extreme way, hardly surprising for an experienced ShellShockedVeteran who persevered [[DarkAndTroubledPast the Night of the Hunt]] by being ConditionedToAcceptHorror. The following are two of the best instances that showcase this. |
| 233 | *** Chapter 16, original version: As Kyril and his apprentices (minus Soren) are fending off the myriad of {{mutants}}, the readers get a glimpse of Kyril's P.O.V. regarding how he feels about killing these EliteMooks who are [[TorturedMonster Tortured Monsters]] at the same time. On one hand, he regrets having [[YouAreTooLate arrived late]] to spare them of such a fate. However, he opts to focus on the task at hand, leaving the {{Mangst}} ''after'' the fighting. |
| 234 | *** Chapter 2, remastered version: In the face of an orc ambush, Kyril is surprised, yet doesn't shrink from the sudden assault. Instead, he immediately extends his Saw Cleaver, not even thinking of drawing anything else, and surges forward in a lone counter charge to cut down the orcs. The action is so sudden that it looks like a LeeroyJenkins from an outsider's perspective, except that he can [[SuperReflexes react to sudden situations that fast]]. This is not getting to how he remains expressionless even when bodies around him are being mangled and maimed by his cleaver, as well as how he merely looks around for any remaining threats with a DeathGlare after the ambush is over. |
| 235 | ** During Chapter 2 of the remastered version, Alicia enters a "fight or flight" mode as she and her knights are met with an orc ambush. After the ambush is over courtesy of Kyril slaying orc after orc, she reboots from this mode and suffers a HeroicBSOD, slowly registering the grim situation around her: Kyril's [[{{Gorn}} butchery]], as well as the fact that only a handful out of twenty of her knights survived the encounter. |
| 236 | * HeroismMotiveSpeech: When Kyril is telling his apprentices Sanakan and Hugh why he took the two of them in, he gives a speech about why he wants to help Eostia's people and fight the Black Dogs. |
| 237 | -->'''Kyril:''' When I came here, I wanted nothing to do with the war. All I had wanted was to be left alone so I could suffer my memories in solitude. Until I learned what Vault planned for every single man, woman and child. The women and children slaves and men who resisted his regime dead or dying. Yharnam was dead long before I came here. Eostia is war-torn but she still has a chance for peace.\ |
| 238 | ''[{{beat}}]''\ |
| 239 | '''Kyril:''' If I [[BystanderSyndrome stood by]] and allowed an evil man to cause harm to a nation that has done nothing to deserve its fate then it is right that I bear the shame of doing nothing. I won't stand by and do nothing in Eostia. I will fight no matter the cost, so that others may live in peace. And when I do, maybe I shall finally lay down my blades and fade away.\ |
| 240 | ''[{{beat}}]''\ |
| 241 | '''Kyril:''' Perhaps I came here for a change. Perhaps I decided to lend my strength to those who needed it. But either way, I am your mentor and you are my students. [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatResponsibility I wish to give you power so you can do good]]. |
| 242 | * HeyYou: How does Alicia address Kyril during the entirety of Chapter 1 of the remastered version? "You there! The one in the hat!", "You there, mercenary!", "mercenary", and "that man". Her two seconds, Vera and Kendra, call him "cur", "the man", and "stranger". It shows how [[SarcasmMode cordial]] their relationship is. |
| 243 | ** Speaking of Alicia, she never refers to Kyril by name throughout the remastered version. |
| 244 | * HiddenDepths: |
| 245 | ** Kyril Sutherland, the Good Hunter. [[InUniverse People in general]] know him as a morose, brutal, ruthless, remorseless NinetiesAntiHero who only knows of dealing death. The reality: he's more of a ConsummateProfessional than a BloodKnight, and his [[ConditionedToAcceptHorror numbing of violence is a coping mechanism]]. Fighting ''isn't'' all that he is capable of -- he's also a CulturedBadass, a GeniusBruiser, a MentorInSourArmor with ''four'' TalentedButTrained [[TheApprentice apprentices]], and a FourStarBadass of military acumen. [[spoiler:Despite being a [[EldritchAbomination great one]] in secret, he's nonetheless committed to retaining his sense of reason, [[WillfullyWeak holding off the bulk of his power]] so that no innocents would be [[GoMadFromTheRevelation driven mad]], and [[{{Masquerade}} burying the secrets related to Yharnam]] in order to avert [[HistoryRepeats another Beast Plague]]]]. To top it off with a small hobby, Kyril visits the gravestones strewn in his PocketDimension, caring for them whenever he is troubled. |
| 246 | ** The HotBlooded ScreamingWarrior Sanakan occasionally shows a streak of GeniusBruiser via her scouting and eavesdropping skills. Surprisingly, she has yet to pull a LeeroyJenkins and screw everyone over. |
| 247 | ** Grace is a FanServiceWithASmile, which seems unimportant at first glance. Kyril would later find use for her as a retainer, responsible for paperwork, gathering information, and observing the nobility and TheChurch to find signs of [[TheMole treachery]]. |
| 248 | ** When Lily is not performing her duty as CombatMedic and [[TheApprentice apprentice]] [[HunterOfMonsters hunter]], she notably demonstrates a degree of political savviness by hiding the List of Names, a record for every transaction the Merchant's Guild has made with its associates, from the others in order to avert a potential scandal. |
| 249 | ** Evetta is established as Kyril's BestFriend, [[TheConfidant confidant]], and LivingEmotionalCrutch. It is of no surprise that several people who have met her before (e.g. Celestine, Olga, Grace) ''dread'' the scenario where [[FriendlyTarget a hair is bent out of shape on her head]]. [[spoiler:She would later prove that their worries are unfounded by taking care of three traitorous guards [[MindOverMatter with her mind]]]]. |
| 250 | * HistoryRepeats: Anyone with an inkling of what ''VideoGame/BloodBorne'' is about would understand that [[EvilSorceror Shamuhaza]] is not the first person/party to [[spoiler:seek the [[ThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow Eldritch Truth]] and tamper with the [[EldritchAbomination Great Ones]]]] -- the Byrgenwerth College, the Healing Church, and their derivatives did that before in Yharnam for the sake of [[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence ascension]], even to the point of [[PlayingWithSyringes performing horrific experiments on its citizens]]. For the latter case, the result is that Yharnam has fallen to the Beast Plague, [[SoiledCityOnAHill ruined beyond repair]] like Loran and Pthumeru before it. When Kyril, his three apprentices, and his company arrive to the fortress city of Rad, now [[ApocalypseHow collapsed]], he bitterly admits that it is too late for the people of Rad, as it was same for Yharnam... except he has a chance to stop this at the source, to make sure that this fate, together with a potential Beast Plague, will never befall Eostia and its people. He [[SubvertedTrope succeeds]] in the end. |
| 251 | -->''"[[DefiedTrope History would not repeat itself here]], [[TheCynic Kyril]] swore that would not happen. That was his duty as [[TakingUpTheMantle the First Hunter]]. [[KnightInSourArmor He would not fail here]]."'' |
| 252 | * {{Hobbits}}: Half-lings in this setting are what happens when [[CutesyDwarf Cutesy]] [[OurDwarvesAreAllTheSame Dwarves]], and this trope are mixed together in a pot. The half-ling fighters are tiny, fierce, and have a rudimentary resistance to magic. |
| 253 | * HoistByHisOwnPetard: |
| 254 | ** Vault wants to have [[OneManArmy Kyril]] by his side for his dream of a Sex Empire to come to fruition, so he offers Kyril to [[WeCanRuleTogether join him]]. Vault is hit hard by this in both versions of the story, either creating his biggest obstacle for his conquest (original), or [[spoiler:outright leading to his demise]] (remastered). |
| 255 | ** [[EvilSorceror Shamuhaza]] does research on the Black Dogs' behalf via BlackMagic and PlayingWithSyringes. He [[EvilerThanThou eventually experiments on]] Morgan and the Leaping Lizards, something that [[BigBad Vault]] admits to have ruined things between the Lizards and the Dogs. Now that his plans are delayed further by "a [[YoureInsane crazy]] man who had decided to off one of his contacts", Vault [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] that the situation is not worsened at the very least, since Shamuhaza had not made it to Ken, the capital of Eostia, which would've [[EldritchLocation caused as much havoc]] as he did in Rad. |
| 256 | * HoldTheLine: |
| 257 | ** During the battle of Nellos Watch Tower, an OffscreenMomentOfAwesome that happened between Chapter 3 and 4 of the original, twenty RedShirts had to defend their outpost an orc war band led by the Black Dogs, with fifty in numbers. These RedShirts successfully held them off until reinforcements arrive, said [[BigDamnHeroes reinforcements]] include Kyril, Claudia, and company. |
| 258 | ** A villainous example occurs in Chapter 26, where the rebels under [[SinisterMinister Grishom's]] command hold off the Eostian forces to defend him and his cathedral. From Grishom's narration, he's expecting Mandeville to support him any time soon, but in reality, this scenario would not even be an InstantWinCondition, if one considers that they are fighting against [[ResurrectiveImmortality Sir]] [[OneManArmy Kyril]] [[TheDreaded the Bloody]]. To add insult to injury, Kyril and his company deployed a tactic of [[BurnBabyBurn setting the cathedral aflame]] to smoke the rebels out, [[HopeSpot only for them to be trapped within the cordon of Eostian forces]]. It goes without saying that the rebels are screwed in the end, with no reinforcements to save them. |
| 259 | * HollywoodTactics: [[ZigZaggingTrope Zig-zagged]]. |
| 260 | ** Cover, discipline, strategy, supplies, surprise, tactics, terrain, and training all play an important role in warfare. This is a LowFantasy series after all. The fact that Kyril's company heavily and repeatedly emphasise these elements is what makes them the MenOfSherwood. |
| 261 | ** In contrast, the Black Dogs demonstrate military incompetence during pivotal moments, [[SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome which sows the seeds of their defeat]]. It doesn't help that a large portion of their forces are made up of an assortment of DumbMuscle {{mooks}} (e.g. [[OurOrcsAreDifferent orcs]], {{mutants}}, etc.). The following blunders are the most notable: |
| 262 | *** So the Black Dog forces succeed in taking over a village in Chapter 4. Great! They then proceed to enjoy their fruits of victory via RapePillageAndBurn, with special mention for the first part. No wonder they do not expect an attack at night. The moment they start to put their pants on and grab a weapon, Kyril and Maia's forces have already crashed through the gate to reclaim their territory. |
| 263 | *** In Chapter 11, judging from Sanakan's slightly surprised reaction upon witnessing the orcs in front of her forming battle lines, one can make a reasonable inference that the orcs [[CallThatAFormation don't do this often]], [[DumbMuscle primitive]] as they are. |
| 264 | *** The ''Rad'' and ''Leaping Lizards'' arcs feature monsterous {{mutants}} as EliteMooks. Alas, their bestial intelligence means that the best they could do is [[OnrushingArmy a disorganised charge at the enemy]]. |
| 265 | * HomeSweetHome: The Good Hunter has repeatedly expressed his desire to [[CallToAgriculture purchase a piece of farmland]], lay down his blades and live the rest of his life in peace after the war is over. The remastered version takes this trope to another level: not only does he desire to live in peace, he also wants to bring the Workshop in the Hunter's Dream to life. |
| 266 | * HopeIsScary: [[TheCynic The Hunter]] considers hope to be "the most fatal of poisons". [[KnightInSourArmor Doesn't stop him from]] [[ConsummateProfessional prosecuting his duty]]. |
| 267 | * HopeSpot: In the original version, this is [[InvokedTrope invoked]] by Kyril and his forces a couple of times. It seems that they are familiar with ''[[Literature/TheArtOfWarSunTzu The Art of War]]''. |
| 268 | ** Featured in Chapter 15, the retaking of Tarsus, an old mining town in Rad ends with twenty or more Black Dogs fleeing into the mines. Kyril, Alaric, and company promptly seal every other exit of the mines except one, so as to kill anyone who finds this one exit. |
| 269 | ** How do they triumph against Grishom and the remaining rebel forces, putting an end to the rebellion at last in Chapter 26? ThePlan is that Bergen and his company would create a cordon to surround the cathedral where Grishom and his men are residing, so as to prevent them from escaping. To lure them out, Soren and the mages would be responsible for [[BurnBabyBurn setting the cathedral on fire]]. After that, the rebels would be flushed into an escape route, only to be dispatched by Kyril and the heavy hitters. In the end, the tactic is such a success that [[Literature/TheArtOfWarSunTzu Sun Tzu]] would be proud. |
| 270 | * HostageSituation: A number of nuns are taken hostage by the Black Dogs, who lay down their terms of condition: either Alicia surrenders Feoh and Ur to the Black Dogs, with Prime Minister Beasley in control, or be ForcedToWatch the nuns getting raped in front of her. Alicia decides to surrender in hopes of them keeping their word... which [[ILied proves]] to be ''disastrous''. Not only this results in an easy takeover of the fortresses, the nuns end up getting locked up in Feoh's dungeons, ravaged by red demons. Moreover, Beasley and the Mortadella brothers have captured her and Prim, who can only wait for Kyril and his company to bail them out. |
| 271 | * HotInHumanForm: [[spoiler: [[HumanoidAbomination Kyril Sutherland]]. TallDarkAndHandsome in human form. His [[EldritchAbomination true form]], however...]] |
| 272 | * HumanPincushion: More like "Orc Pincushions". Hugh's debut with the [[MixAndMatchWeapon Simon's Bowblade]] features him sitting on the edge of a well, surrounded by orc corpses riddled with arrows. Not a single orc managed to get within fifty paces of him before becoming a pincushion. |
| 273 | * HumanSacrifice: In the church of Oren, an unnamed female villager had been used as a ritual sacrifice by a group of goblins before Hugh's arrival. |
| 274 | * HumanShield: Or rather, {{Mook}} Shield. |
| 275 | ** During the orc ambush in Chapter 2 of the remastered version, Kyril grabs an orc's wrist, then swings it around, right into the path of an axe of another {{mook}}. |
| 276 | ** After killing an orc in Chapter 5 of the remastered version, Kyril shoves the body forward to block the incoming spear points. |
| 277 | * HumanTrafficking: Well, more like dark-elf trafficking, but the concept is the same -- the end of Chapter 24 has Kyril unveiling one of House Mandeville's [[EvilPlan plots]]. After finding a key by chance, he used it to unlock one of the crates nearby. It turns out that there are dark-elf slaves stuffed inside the crates, ready to be transported to the north for Vault's [[SexSlave taking]]. |
| 278 | * HumanityIsSuperior: [[DefiedTrope Defied]] by Kyril, who cared nothing for the supposed "purity" of the human race. His P.O.V. notes, "That kind of talk had no place in his company. Anyone who believed otherwise was free to leave." |
| 279 | * HumansAreFlawed: Regarding the topic of human nature, Kyril refrains from taking the [[HumansAreGood two]] [[HumansAreBastards extr]][[HumansAreTheRealMonsters emes]], believing that humanity has the potential to commit both great good and deep evil. |
| 280 | * HumansAreSpecial: |
| 281 | ** {{Inverted}}. By using the [[OurHumansAreDifferent human]] fantasy race as a [[HumansAreAverage benchmark]] and comparing it to other StandardFantasyRaces, it is evident that they are portrayed as "humans but slightly different" provided that they are not TheHorde (e.g. orcs, goblins, etc.). In particular, [[OurElvesAreDifferent elves]] are "humans but LongLived and with PointyEars", while [[{{Hobbits}} Half-lings]] are "[[LittlePeople short]] humans that look like petting zoo people". Fitting for a LowFantasy setting populated by humans or non-humans who are not TheHorde. |
| 282 | ** From Kyril's perspective, this trope implies that humanity in general sees themselves as "pure" and "superior" compared to other races, even developing DelusionsOfGrandeur and [[{{Pride}} invincibility]], to the point where they forget they are mortal like the others. It is all too easy to show them how "human"[[note]]meaning flawed, mortal, and vulnerable[[/note]] they are by brandishing a weapon, and the facade fades quickly. |
| 283 | * HumansAreTheRealMonsters: |
| 284 | ** Olga and Chloe believe wholeheartedly that every human is only capable of great evil, due to the FantasticRacism dark elves faced, together with their subsequent enslavement in Eostia. To say that they are not happy about relying on Kyril, a human [[spoiler:(well, [[HumanoidAbomination humanoid]], actually)]], for their GreatEscape is certainly an understatement. |
| 285 | ** [[DiscussedTrope Discussed]] in Chapter 7 of the remastered version as Kyril questions Olga on whether her hatred of humanity due to her belief of this trope "makes her special". |
| 286 | --->'''Kyril:''' She hates humanity, just as much as you do. Tell me... do you think that makes you special?\ |
| 287 | '''Olga:''' Are you mocking me?\ |
| 288 | '''Kyril:''' A good person would have told you that [[RousseauWasRight not all humans are like that]]. A wiser person would say that [[HumansAreFlawed humanity has the greatest capacity to do great good and deep evil]].\ |
| 289 | '''Olga:''' Great good does not involve [[SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil enslaving others]] to [[SexSlave use as toys]]. Great good does not excuse the hundreds of years that humanity has done harm upon my people.\ |
| 290 | '''Kyril:''' And so that does not excuse them [[ForeverWar fighting back]]? |
| 291 | ** Also a prevalent view amongst [[BeastMan Wild]] [[CatFolk Ones]], the tribes who have lived here before the Eostians took over and forced them out of their homes. At present, many of them find themselves on the receiving end of the Leaping Lizards, who are human slavers. |
| 292 | * HungryWeapon: |
| 293 | ** Hugh's Chikage is a non-malicious example. The katana feeds on the blood of victims when its [[BloodMagic blood rite]] is activated. After his [[CurbStompBattle "duel"]] with Michelle Pantielle, the narration notes that the Chikage "seemed to be disappointed in this wasteful offering", though it is unknown whether it can feel things or not. |
| 294 | ** In a case of ShroudedInMyth, Kyril's [[SerratedBladeOfPain Saw Cleaver]] drinks the blood of the traitors and faithless, as the legends say. |
| 295 | [[/folder]] |
| 296 | |
| 297 | [[folder:I]] |
| 298 | * IAmAMonster: Kyril [[DownplayedTrope downplays]] this -- he considers himself a monster, but he has yet to reach a DespairEventHorizon because of this (or at least, the story doesn't show it). Given that he emerged from his DarkAndTroubledPast in Yharnam as a sentient [[LightningBruiser killing]] [[OneManArmy machine]] [[spoiler:and an EldritchAbomination who manages to retain his sense of reason and change into a human [[AFormYouAreComfortableWith form]]]], this attitude is [[JustifiedTrope justified]]. With that being said, he doesn't mind or blame anyone seeing him as a monster ([[TerrorHero the more people fear him, the better]]), and he strives to be mindful not to [[HeWhoFightsMonsters devolve]] into the very beasts he slew. |
| 299 | * IAmNotLeftHanded: The Good Hunter is an [[AttackAttackAttack ultra-aggressive attacker]] that can [[HealingPotion heal up]] quickly, ''and'' he [[ResurrectiveImmortality cannot die]]. How much stronger can this guy get? Aside from his [[SuperMode Beast Blood Pellet power-up]], it turns out that [[spoiler:his [[HumanoidAbomination human]] [[AFormYouAreComfortableWith vessel]] is just a mask for his nature as a [[EldritchAbomination great one]], which, like any horror found in a CosmicHorrorStory, is the harbinger of [[BrownNote many]] [[YouCannotGraspTheTrueForm horrible]] [[GoMadFromTheRevelation things]]. Thankfully, he manages to avert the BlueAndOrangeMorality that comes with it, but that would mean that he [[WillfullyWeak fears the consequences of going all out]].]] [[spoiler:The one time Kyril slips off his mortal mask just a tiny bit is when his two apprentices get injured from fighting OneWingedAngel Shamuhaza. The fight ends immediately because he gets MindRaped by glimpsing what is behind Kyril's mask. There is a reason why he has yet to show off his full power or true form in the series. Never has holding back and then taking one's power up a notch this [[ExaggeratedTrope exaggerated]] before.]] |
| 300 | * ICantLookGesture: After rescuing a group of nuns in the Feoh dungeons from their PrisonRape, Kyril's gaze avoids the victims, noting in his P.O.V. that he couldn't bear looking at them due to their current state. {{Subverted}} later as the leader of the nuns, Lily, limps her way towards him to thank him. [[TranquilFury Calm, yet furious]], Kyril regards her with a blank look, and asks for Beasley's location so he can take care of him personally. |
| 301 | * IDontLikeTheSoundOfThatPlace: |
| 302 | ** On the way to the capitol, Kyril and the others have to trek through the Badlands, where the wildlife (if there is any at all) is hostile, inedible and steeped with BlackMagic. |
| 303 | ** In the remastered version, there is a location in [[{{Mordor}} Garan]] named the Dead Marshes. The party finds themselves MuckingInTheMud and have to fend off [[OurGhostsAreDifferent hostile wraiths]] (the "dead" part). Goes on to show that SwampsAreEvil. |
| 304 | ** The Malys[[note]]pronounced "malice"[[/note]] Estate once belonged to the Malys clan -- paranoid, infamous nobles who were put to the sword by Eostia's rulers. It is rumoured to be haunted by the evil spirits of the destroyed clan. At present, Kyril and his company head towards the estate in hopes of hunting down EvilSorcerer Shamuhaza, only to be greeted by [[MixAndMatchCritters people fused with insects and other creepy crawlies]], which are not any better than ghosts. The estate turns out to be a dimension-expanding, weirdness-inducing EldritchLocation. |
| 305 | * IGaveMyWord: Kyril in Chapter 2, when he promises Olga that as long as she surrenders her weapon, she will be imprisoned, but treated with utmost respect. Besides, she will also be brought to Celestine unharmed. Although this implies that the promise would expire as long as she is back to Ken, the "keep [[{{Protectorate}} Olga]] unharmed" part persists for as long as Chapter 30, where Kyril even calls it an oath he would never rescind. |
| 306 | ** This promise is not present in the remastered version, however. |
| 307 | * IHaveManyNames: |
| 308 | ** Kyril is generally referred to as (the) Hunter or (the) Good Hunter. Aside from [[TakingUpTheMantle taking up his mentor Gehrman's mantle]] as the First Hunter, Kyril has gained a number of titles throughout the story, including: (Sir) Kyril the Bloody, the Saint of Killers, The Reaper, Bloody Left Hand of the Goddess, and Lord Executioner. |
| 309 | ** Olga from the remastered version has more titles than her original counterpart. Her titles typically allude to her status as queen (e.g. the Dark Queen, Ruler of the Dark Elves, etc.). The remastered version gives her additional titles (Witch-Queen of the Dark Elves, Mistress of a Thousand Curses, Holder of [[OurGodsAreDifferent Haughty Garan's]] Jagged Crown, etc.). |
| 310 | ** [[OurDemonsAreDifferent The]] [[RatMen Rat]] from the remastered version is known as [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast "Lord of Plagues", "King-Spawn of All Vermin", "He Who Feasts On Ambition", "Eater of Men", and "Foul Taskmaster"]], according to Celestine. In what means did he obtain these titles is currently unknown. [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] by The Rat itself, who admits that it cannot keep track of his many names, and Kyril, who assumes that "The Rat" is just a made-up name. |
| 311 | * IHaveNoSon: Michelle is disowned by his father Michael for dishonouring the Pantielle family name, as well as losing patience with his son after he caused a commotion with Maia during the party in Chapter 5 of the original. Michelle then ruins part of the Pantielle estate, steals the [[AncestralWeapon ancestral sword]], and runs off to Ansur as retaliation, in hopes of fulfilling his wish of having Maia via joining the Black Dogs. |
| 312 | * IHaveYouNowMyPretty: {{Exaggerated}}. After being captured by the Black Dogs, Maia is given to FatBastard Michelle by her former comrade Vault to do as he pleases. As Kyril advances further into the mercenary compound to rescue her, he finds a half-undressed Michelle with Maia restrained on the bed, clothing torn, indicating [[RapeDiscretionShot he raped her offscreen]]. Knowing that [[YouAreTooLate he has arrived late]], the least he could do is to subdue Michelle and preserve Maia's remaining modesty by unbinding her and wrapping her up with a blanket. |
| 313 | * IJustWantToBeBadass: Portrayed in a simple, positive manner. |
| 314 | ** After being rescued by Kyril, Sanakan and Hugh ask him to help them become stronger. They would then become his [[TheApprentice apprentices]] to spar and train hard, TakingALevelInBadass in the end, with more than enough power to murder dozens of greenskins and bandits. |
| 315 | ** This trope is how Lily felt back when she was rescued by Kyril from her PrisonRape. She hated herself for being powerless, and thus wanted to train under the Hunter, to prove herself worthy. Her hard work pays off in the end, and as of now, Lily is glad to possess the skills needed to defend the weak. |
| 316 | * ILied: During the Feoh/Ur Arc, Alicia gives in to the Black Dogs' terms of surrender in hopes of freeing a number of captive nuns from their HostageSituation. [[RapePillageAndBurn Perhaps unsurprisingly]], they do not keep their word. |
| 317 | * IRegretNothing: Not alright said verbatim, but the context remains. |
| 318 | ** Kyril does not regret living his life as a Hunter of beasts who walks a lonely, bitter path instead of reciprocating the romantic affections of those who love him (i.e., being a CelibateHero). He internally remarks, "He wouldn't have it any other way."[[note]]i.e., he would not want the situation to be different, even though it may have problems connected with it.[[/note]] |
| 319 | ** When asked by Vault regarding his first kill in the remastered version, Kyril describes how the farmer that would become his first kill tried to kill him, only to be GuttedLikeAFish. Then he killed his friends as well. Ultimately, he feels nothing for the beasts he slew -- they weren't the first, and certainly won't be the last. |
| 320 | * IShallTauntYou: Done to Morgan by Kyril in Chapter 8, remastered version, who grabs [[FanServiceWithASmile Grace]] in the forearm and pulls her in close to him. As Morgan intends to claim ownership of Grace beforehand, this predictably [[GreenEyedMonster attracts his attention]] because the two seem close. Kyril would then have an excuse to get rid of Morgan, which is what happens in BarBrawl [[CockFight Cock Fights]] anyways. |
| 321 | * IShouldHaveBeenBetter: |
| 322 | ** Chapter 17 of the original deals with the aftermath of the ''Rad Arc'', which, in stricter terms, is [[PyrrhicVictory far from a victory]]. Therefore, it is to be expected that a number of characters express this sentiment. They express regret about the things they should have done for a better outcome, and, in response, some of the others would reassure them that they did well nonetheless. This trope is all over the place in this chapter. |
| 323 | ** After receiving thanks from the village leader of Idoun in Chapter 1, remastered version, Alicia regrets that she still failed to rescue two others from the now-destroyed orc band, stating that [[ItsAllMyFault it was her fault]] for not doing enough. |
| 324 | * ISurrenderSuckers: A thug hurriedly obeys Lily's order to sheath his weapon, only for him to try to grab her. It doesn't work, and the thug has his guts slammed by the pommel of her Church Pick. |
| 325 | * IWantMyMommy: |
| 326 | ** A dramatic instance is when Anders Bleu, a Black Dog recruit who joined the group to [[HaremSeeker get a harem]], screams for his mother as the Hunter [[AndShowItToYou tears out his insides]] in the back. Clearly portrayed as a MookHorrorShow. |
| 327 | ** [[AgonizingStomachWound Stabbed in the gut]], [[RoyalBrat Michelle Pantielle]] writhes on the ground and screams for his mother just before he gets silenced by Hugh during his TrialByCombat. The reason why this instance is more comedic than dramatic is that Michelle is an AssholeVictim suffering an UndignifiedDeath. |
| 328 | * IWarnedYou: In Chapter 5 of the remastered version, Kyril sends a chilling one to Olga after she tries to [[KillItWithFire burn him to a crisp]] rather than heed his warning of surrender. Unsurprisingly, he [[NoSell no-sells it]], and a CurbStompBattle ensues. |
| 329 | * IWillTearYourArmsOff: In Chapter 7 of the remastered version, Kyril calmly threatens Chloe this to discipline her, and to dissuade her from pulling a dagger to do something stupid. |
| 330 | -->'''Kyril:''' I sincerely hope you don't try anything. Unless you would like me to relieve you of your hands... |
| 331 | * IfIWantedYouDead: Two cases in the remastered version. |
| 332 | ** [[InvertedTrope Inverted]] at the end of Chapter 6. Olga [[OhCrap realises]] that [[spoiler:Kyril could've easily one-shotted her back in their duel, just like how he does to Vault with that [[StarPower star]] [[MagicMissileStorm missile magic]] she has never seen before.]] |
| 333 | ** Present at the end of Chapter 12 in Kyril's TheReasonYouSuckSpeech to the Seven Shields. In response to the accusation that he is conspiring against the crown, he states that he could've severed Celestine's head while no one would be able to stop him. Moreover, the reason why no one is dead is because he has business to attend to, and they are all NotWorthKilling. |
| 334 | * IgnoreTheFanservice: In the original version, [[TheTease Shani]] attempts to seduce Kyril twice by showing skin. Kyril, on the other hand, merely focuses on conversing and is disinterested in her advances. As expected of a CelibateHero who won't react when interacting with [[MsFanservice Ms Fanservices]]. |
| 335 | * IllKillYou: |
| 336 | ** Olga swears "I'll kill you all!" when she, along with Chloe, is about to be imprisoned by Kyril and the Black Dogs in Chapter 5, remastered version. |
| 337 | ** In both versions of the story, Kyril tells Vault, who just offered him a LastSecondChance to join him, "I'm going to kill you, Vault." [[spoiler:Unlike the original, he [[TheresNoKillLikeOverkill really means it]] when he says this.]] |
| 338 | ** In Chapter 30 of the original, Chloe to [[spoiler:her [[AbusiveParents father]] Mandeville, after being [[ChainedToARock chained to a wall]], [[ColdBloodedTorture tortured]] for a long while.]] [[spoiler:It is heavily implied that she gets her vengeance later on.]] |
| 339 | --->'''Chloe:''' I will kill you, wretch. I swear I will kill you. It won't matter how long you put me up there. |
| 340 | * ImNotHereToMakeFriends: Focused on the mission of bringing Olga to Celestine, this is the Hunter's attitude during his journey to the Black Fortress alongside the Black Dogs. To him, the Black Dogs would either become corpses or potential enemies, so there's no point in befriending them. |
| 341 | * ImaginaryLoveTriangle: |
| 342 | ** Michelle thinks that he's competing with Kyril over Maia, regardless of how Kyril and Maia's relationship is merely professional. |
| 343 | ** During Chapter 8, remastered version, Kyril pulls off a BatmanGambit in order to [[InvokedTrope invoke]] the trope; he makes Morgan think that he wants to engage in a CockFight with Morgan over Grace by grabbing her by the forearm and pulling her to him close. |
| 344 | * ImperialStormtrooperMarksmanshipAcademy: For arrows/bolts, not bullets. |
| 345 | ** In chapter 6 of the original, goblin archers attempt to ambush Kyril's company by firing arrows from above, but they fail to hit anyone (or if they do, [[TheLawOfConservationOfDetail they don't hit anyone important enough for the narrative to show it]]). [[JustifiedTrope The reason is that]] their targets are shown taking cover, and that the goblins' arrows are simply inaccurate. Another moment is where Sanakan moves out of cover under Kyril's orders, and reaches the gates unharmed while the rest follow her advance, also unharmed. |
| 346 | ** In the very same chapter, Kyril and his two apprentices [[LuredIntoATrap find themselves ambushed]] by Beasley's guards within the fortress of Feoh. There are at least two archers taking potshots at the three from a scaffolding, but their arrows never hit. The closest they can get is an arrow that flies past Hugh's ear. [[JustifiedTrope Then again]], the three hunters have SuperReflexes and are not stationary targets. |
| 347 | ** {{Subverted}} in Chapter 11 of the original, where Kyril is shown being hit by crossbow bolts. From how he has to use a [[HealingPotion Blood Vial]] to heal himself, it shows that he ''did'' take damage from them. |
| 348 | * ImpromptuTracheotomy: |
| 349 | ** Original version: |
| 350 | *** Chapter 2: A Black Dog merc comes to exchange shifts with the Hunter, only to be responded with a throwing knife to the throat. |
| 351 | *** Chapter 20: Hugh is told that he beat his record by shooting one of the Leaping Lizard slavers in the throat with an arrow [[ImprobableAimingSkills from a mile away]]. |
| 352 | *** Chapter 29: Soren stabs a {{mook}} in the throat to bypass the defence provided by the man's shield and armour. |
| 353 | ** Remastered version: |
| 354 | *** Chapter 4: Kyril uses his off hand to punch a greenskin in the throat, so powerful that its windpipe is crushed from the impact. |
| 355 | * InTheEndYouAreOnYourOwn: Briefly {{discussed}} during Chapter 12 of the remastered version, per the following exchange between Kyril and the Rat. |
| 356 | -->'''The Rat:''' Are you ready? You will be fighting this war... well, mostly alone.\ |
| 357 | '''Kyril:''' It hasn't changed from my past. So what was the point of asking?\ |
| 358 | '''The Rat:''' I did say I was going to support my investment, boy. Your first concern will be the TrialByCombat.\ |
| 359 | '''Kyril:''' That's not an issue.\ |
| 360 | '''The Rat:''' I have no doubt about that. |
| 361 | * InsectoidAliens: A portion of artificial {{mutants}} under Shamuhaza's creation are "men fused with insects and other creepy crawlies", with bug heads, wings, stingers, and all. [[FeelNoPain Durable]], [[AttackAttackAttack quick]], and [[ZergRush numerous]], [[EliteMooks they]] are more formidable than the average {{mook}}. It is worth mentioning that some of them had their formerly human heads replaced by a bunch of eyes and stingers, uncannily resembling the Garden of Eyes from ''VideoGame/BloodBorne''. |
| 362 | ** Even [[spoiler:Shamuhaza himself gets [[EldritchTransformation turned into]] an arthropod as OneWingAngel.]] |
| 363 | * InsecureLoveInterest: A PlayedWith example in terms of Kyril Sutherland. [[CelibateHero He shuns romance]], but he knows what [[UnwantedHarem his female admirers want from him]] (making ''him'' the LoveInterest), as if they haven't made it clear to him. [[DarkAndTroubledPast Yharnam]] has left him so [[ShellShockedVeteran broken]] that he would laugh at the possibility of having the affections of another good, or even better person. The "insecure" part also extends to non-romantic relationships as well, from how Kyril outright says the [[Laconic/InsecureLoveInterest laconic version]] of this trope to [[TheNotLoveInterest the]] [[PlatonicLifePartners Doll]], word for word. |
| 364 | * InternalReveal: Readers who have already played ''VideoGame/BloodBorne'' or studied its lore will surely know [[PlayerCharacter Kyril's]] whole journey in Yharnam before setting foot to Eostia. Certain characters, however, eventually catch a glimpse of his past and true character. |
| 365 | ** Chapter 5 has Celestine and Olga taking a peek at Kyril's journal. The journal shows [[ApocalypticLog several segments of Kyril's journey in Yharnam]]: a death by a mob, his first visit to the Hunter's Dream, [[EverybodysDeadDave the deaths of almost everyone he met]], parts of his journey in the [[EldritchLocation Hunter's Nightmare]], and his final parting words before meeting Gehrman under the great tree. |
| 366 | ** Being [[TheApprentice an apprentice]] to Kyril means they get to learn something about him that the readers already know about, albeit not everything. By Chapter 5, Kyril had already told Sanakan and Hugh about how he became a hunter by signing a contract, referring to the opening cutscene of the game. He is seen reenacting the tradition to the two so they can officially serve him under his command. By Chapter 7, they had learnt about the horrible job of a hunter, the origin of the beast plague, and the implication that [[spoiler:Kyril is [[HumanoidAbomination not human]], albeit his [[EldritchAbomination exact nature]] is still unknown to them.]] |
| 367 | ** Celestine and Olga would eventually learn about the existence of the [[PocketDimension Hunter's Dream]], as well as Kyril's companionship with the Doll, in Chapter 7 and 12 respectively. At this moment, [[GenreSavvy both decided it is in their best interests to not pry any further]]. |
| 368 | ** In Chapter 28, Kyril reveals to Claudia about what he did before coming to Eostia, namely, spending a horrible amount of time killing off mobs of insane villagers and nearly dying, while seeing many people torn apart by beasts and other horrible things... which is exactly what the game is all about. |
| 369 | ** Starting from Chapter 32, the fact that Kyril [[spoiler:experienced his first death meant that Celestine, Olga, and the assassin responsible knew about his ResurrectiveImmortality.]] |
| 370 | ** Chapter 33 has Kyril showing Celestine and Olga more segments of the Night of the Hunt: his battle against a Cleric Beast, the opening cutscene of the game, his first death, his journey through the Forbidden Woods and Byrgenwerth, the descent of the pale moon, and lastly, [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking the Workshop burning]]. |
| 371 | * IntriguedByHumanity: {{Inverted}} for [[spoiler:Kyril]]. [[spoiler:[[WasOnceAMan Once a man]], he is now a [[EldritchAbomination great one]] who appears as a [[HumanoidAbomination human]] [[AFormYouAreComfortableWith to communicate with others normally]]]]. Rather than seeing humanity in general as [[ItAmusedMe fun]], fascinating or admirable, [[spoiler:Kyril believes that humans tend to have DelusionsOfGrandeur and [[{{Pride}} invincibility]], due to perceiving themselves as "pure" and [[HumansAreSpecial special]], in spite of the fact that they bleed like the rest]]. It's all the more surprising when [[spoiler:he [[KnightInSourArmor nevertheless decides to combat the people's own failings to help them]].]] |
| 372 | * {{Irony}}: |
| 373 | ** Kyril fights against the Black Dogs, a {{PMC}} group that aims to subjugate the current regime to build a Sex Empire, where every man can "live like kings" while the women are [[SexSlave enslaved]], or metaphorically, "waiting to be used like dolls". Meanwhile, Kyril has a [[ArtificialHuman living doll]] who never strays from his side. |
| 374 | ** Kyril, who feels perturbed when anyone refers to him as a lord even though he isn't, eventually gets promoted to Lord Executioner. |
| 375 | ** Several characters, Kyril himself included, often note how tired and weary the man is. He is also TheSleepless and a {{workaholic}}, not to mention his incredible stamina. |
| 376 | ** Chloe's P.O.V. in the remastered version takes note of the orcs ready for battle. The very same orcs who have dwindled the number of dark elf soldiers are currently on the same side as the dark elves. Both Chloe and her liege lady Olga are aware of this, and they are definitely not happy about it. |
| 377 | * ItIsDehumanizing: |
| 378 | ** Kyril gives a [[SarcasmMode friendly]] reminder while introducing the [[AnimateInanimateObject Plain]] [[ArtificialHuman Doll]] to Olga. |
| 379 | --->'''Olga:''' What was that... that doll out there taking care of the graves? Why is it moving?\ |
| 380 | '''Kyril:''' ''She''.\ |
| 381 | '''Olga:''' ''*narrows her eyes slightly*'' |
| 382 | ** Kyril, as well as the narration, refers to [[spoiler:[[WasOnceAMan Shamuhaza]], now an [[InsectoidAliens insectoid]] EldritchAbomination]] as "it", "creature", and "beast", rather than "he" or "man". It's an [[JustifiedTrope understandable]] case, since [[spoiler:Shamuhaza]] went OneWingedAngel offstage. |
| 383 | * ItsPersonal: |
| 384 | ** The Olga-Celestine feud. Olga developed a hatred towards the human race due to the enslavement of the dark elves on the hands of human slavers. Seeing Eostia as the embodiment of all the wrongs that befell her kind, she declared war against the country. Celestine responded in kind, leading to a [[ForeverWar centuries-long conflict]], but she was most concerned with [[WeUsedToBeFriends getting her friend back]]. |
| 385 | ** Grace's grudge towards Olga is due to the former's homeland, Loraine, being sacrificed to the AlwaysChaoticEvil orcs by the latter. She experienced the death of her husband, was [[YouCantGoHomeAgain displaced from their home]], and was [[MadeASlave enslaved]] by the Leaping Lizards band (the last bit seems to be AdaptedOut in the remastered version). She's not alone in that regard -- the story later reveals there are surviving refugees from Loraine, and they are not happy with Olga for more or less the same reason. |
| 386 | ** The war against the Black Dogs becomes more and more personal for the Seven Shields. The two parties used to have close ties with each other due to their cooperation during the war against Olga, but the main events of the story have the {{PMC}} group [[EtTuBrute turning against them]] as a MilitaryCoup. Fortress cities under the Shields' protection are [[WarComesHome under attack]] one by one for the entirety of the series. Specifically, Maia's RapeAsDrama, [[spoiler:Luu-Luu's demise]], and the Mandeville Schism[[note]]the time where House Mandeville and TheChurch rebelled and caused blood to be spilt in the capital[[/note]] are considered to be major blows, events that TheAlliance will never stomach. |
| 387 | ** Claudia's bad blood towards Kyril becomes more personal after her husband Klaus, who is suspected of being a traitor, is put under protective custody by the Hunter. |
| 388 | ** Kyril generally has a "NothingPersonal" attitude to the blood he spilt before and during the war, but there are two occasions where he attributes a personal reason to the conflict. The first occasion (where the plot starts [[SerialEscalation escalating]]) is the elimination of Shamuhaza. Kyril's motive for his elimination goes beyond averting a [[ApocalypseHow major disaster]] -- [[spoiler:he considers this his duty to uphold the {{Masquerade}}, to make sure the shameful deeds of the Healing Church remain buried, so none would suffer as he did in his DarkAndTroubledPast, like [[SoiledCityOnAHill what happened to Yharnam and its citizenry]]]]. The second occasion is [[spoiler:his first death in the fanfic]]. [[spoiler:He finds it unacceptable that he [[EyeScream lost an eye]] and Celestine is [[HeroicBSOD scarred]] due to his "assassination", sending him in an UnstoppableRage and overkill the assassin responsible]]. He even [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] how petty the second occasion is. |
| 389 | ** From Alicia's perspective in the remastered version, Kyril's mannerisms towards her [[DudeWheresMyRespect reeks of disrespect]], hence a personal affront to herself and her honour as a knight. She intends to reclaim her honour by besting him during his TrialByCombat, which ended up in vain. Alicia doesn't take her loss well, leading her to [[spoiler:assault Soren as RevengeByProxy]]. |
| 390 | * ItsQuietTooQuiet: |
| 391 | ** Once Kyril and the Black Dogs successfully enter the Black Fortress via a secret entrance, Kyril is rather concerned with the empty passageway, seemingly bereft of any life inside. He internally notes that everything is going to plan, going far too well for his liking. [[TemptingFate Then]] they've got company. |
| 392 | ** The streets of Rad are ominously silent, a far cry to the city that was once a bustling place. A good sign that Kyril and his company are being lured in to be surrounded by [[EliteMooks mutated]] {{mooks}} from all sides. This does happen later on, but not before the hunters proceed onward to the hornet's nest without the troops, in order to avert a potential case of RedshirtArmy. |
| 393 | [[/folder]] |
| 394 | |
| 395 | [[folder:J]] |
| 396 | * JawBreaker: |
| 397 | ** In Chapter 30 of the original, Soren breaks a {{mook}}'s jaw with the hand guard of his sword while pursuing Mandeville. |
| 398 | ** In Chapter 10 of the remastered version, after Kyril grants Brandon Irons the choice to either kneel or stand, Irons does the former. Kyril responds by kicking him in the jaw, which breaks it and causes some broken teeth to fly out. |
| 399 | * JeanneDArchetype: |
| 400 | ** Celestine may be a ReallySevenHundredYearsOld High Elf [[TheHighQueen Queen]], and it is not revealed whether she had a humble upbringing or not, but she [[{{Seers}} experiences supernatural visions]], is not much of a [[LadyOfWar fighter]] like the actual [[UsefulNotes/JoanOfArc Joan of Arc]], and is stated to be the spiritual leader of the Church, beloved by many as [[CrystalDragonJesus the Goddess Reborn]]. |
| 401 | ** {{Subverted}} for Alicia in the remastered version. A blonde princess knight dubbed [[RedBaron "Knight of Iris"]], dressed in a set of [[AdaptationalModesty light blue plate and mail]], her appearance bears a resemblance to [[Characters/FateStayNightSaber Saber]], a specific breed of this character archetype. In reality, she has a [[BlueBlood noble upbringing]] rather than a humble one, is ''not'' a symbol for some noble cause, and, despite her exhibiting KnightInShiningArmor characteristics, is [[{{Pride}} far]] [[InferioritySuperiorityComplex from]] a [[MessianicArchetype saintly figure]]. |
| 402 | * JustOneMan: The phrase "he's just one man!" is an all-too-common response from anyone who [[UnderestimatingBadassery underestimates]] the [[OneManArmy Good Hunter's asskicking capabilities]]. |
| 403 | [[/folder]] |
| 404 | |
| 405 | [[folder:K]] |
| 406 | * KangarooCourt: {{Defied}} by Kyril. Anticipating that this trope will happen during a "formal" trial, he demands a TrialByCombat in response to the accusations levelled against him (his murder of [[spoiler:Vault]], in addition to possible conspiracy against the crown), in Chapter 12 of the remastered version. To be precise, he denies "a court so steeped in its corruption" to try him. |
| 407 | * KnightInSourArmor: |
| 408 | ** [[DarkAndTroubledPast The Night of the Hunt]] has shaped the Good Hunter into [[ShellShockedVeteran a scarred, jaded killer]] who is [[ConditionedToAcceptHorror insensitive to any sort of carnage or suffering]]. Although he shuns heroism and idealism, it is evident that people are better off as a result of his deeds (e.g., hunting down marauding orc bands, saving his travelling companions from danger, etc.). Under his hard-killer exterior, he bears no ill will towards innocent people, respects anyone who is genuinely nice or demonstrates a conscience, honours his promises, and refuses to treat others with snobbery, even though his sheer power would allow him to get away with practically anything. The original version of the story, in particular, takes this trope to a literal level due to him being [[{{Knighting}} knighted]]. As much as Kyril desires [[HomeSweetHome a quiet, peaceful life]] and forget about the horrors of the Hunt, he still chooses to fight against the Black Dogs and their desire to rape, enslave and subjugate people under their Sex Empire, when he could have left those people to stand alone. He empathises with the young, the desperate, the starving, and the poor, as they remind him of his struggles. Ultimately, the Good Hunter acknowledges that there are times where he may fail to save everyone, or he may save none at all. He knows that feeling all too well, but he does his damnedest to salvage what he can, to stop the situation from getting worse, and to atone for failing those he tried to rescue during the Night of the Hunt. |
| 409 | ** Lily is no stranger to the cruelty of the Black Dogs after being captured by them in the Feoh/Ur Arc. After Kyril took her in as a hunter, she decides to lend her strength to defend the weak, so they need not go through the suffering she did. She takes Kyril's mentality of "saving as many as possible, even if it is impossible to save everyone" to heart. |
| 410 | * {{Knighting}}: Kyril is knighted by TheHighQueen Celestine for his contribution to putting an end to the ForeverWar against Olga. As ''Sir'' Kyril Sutherland, he would be able to formally serve her kingdom and aid the people of Eostia. This has yet to happen in the remastered version, however. |
| 411 | [[/folder]] |
| 412 | |
| 413 | [[folder:L]] |
| 414 | * LadyAndKnight: |
| 415 | ** Claudia is the leader of the Dawn Templars, stalwart paladins who swore to defend [[TheHighQueen Celestine, High Elf Queen and the Goddess Reborn]]. |
| 416 | ** As the story sometimes refers to Chloe, Olga's shadow, as her knight, together with how [[UndyingLoyalty protective]] Chloe is to her liege lady, the two count as this. Though, Olga sees their relationship as [[LikeADaughterToMe more than that]]. |
| 417 | * LastSecondChance: {{Inverted}}. During the climax of Chapter 6, remastered version, Vault offers Kyril one last chance to join his Sex Empire, starting by handing over Olga and Chloe. [[spoiler:He responds by [[MacrossMissileMassacre blowing him up to smithereens]].]] |
| 418 | * LastStand: Unusually, people who do this are lucky enough to survive long enough for a BigDamnHeroes. |
| 419 | ** Sergeant Roland prepares to meet his end, axe in hand as his soldiers are being forced back by greenskins. Then he catches sight of a dangling, upside-down rune, painted on a flag unfurled in the distance -- the arrival of Sir Kyril's company. |
| 420 | ** Soren, after killing ten guards on his own, is seemingly at his limit. One of his arms is broken, yet there are five more remaining and Mandeville's within his sights. He intends to go down in a blaze of glory, until a gunshot is heard, and one guard [[BoomHeadshot has a hole on the side of his head]]. The remaining four turn as they see Hugh charge from the left flank. |
| 421 | * TheLeader: |
| 422 | ** Vault is the head honcho of [[{{PMC}} the Black Dogs]], as well as the story's BigBad. His charisma allows him to [[VillainWithGoodPublicity garner support from multiple groups for his ambitions]], from the orcs in the GrimUpNorth, the mercs in [[WretchedHive Ansur]], to the nobility of Eostia. Speaking of ambitions, Vault also shows traits of "mastermind" as seen from how he plans his [[TheCoup coup]], mostly by staying in the EvilTowerOfOminousness to plan his invasions, all for his dream of a SexSlave [[TheEmpire Empire]]. |
| 423 | ** The following are the leader figures Kyril Sutherland has played in both versions of the story: |
| 424 | *** In the original version, Kyril is the [[MentorArchetype master]] of his four [[TheApprentice apprentices]], as well as FourStarBadass of his MenOfSherwood. As the former, Kyril is the most [[PragmaticHero practical]] and [[StrongAndSkilled experienced]] of the "[[FiveManBand Five-Hunter Band]]" (levelheaded). As the latter, Kyril inspires loyalty via AsskickingLeadsToLeadership and [[TheDreaded dreaded]] reputation (charismatic). The "headstrong" trait is demonstrated in both roles from how he sticks with his subordinates through thick and thin, while understanding when to be flexible (e.g. ordering his men ''not'' to follow him for the sake of averting RedshirtArmy). |
| 425 | *** In the remastered version, Kyril is the de facto leader of his GreatEscape party. Has traits of "charismatic" (due to AsskickingLeadsToLeadership) and "levelheaded" (due to him outright saying that his companions are his responsibility). |
| 426 | * LeanAndMean: The Hunter is an {{inverted}} example due to being a GoodIsNotNice AntiHero rather than a villain. His lean physique contrasts his [[SuperStrength inhuman strength]] and is one of the reasons why his appearance invokes a sinister figure. |
| 427 | * LeeroyJenkins: For some reason, this trope is never played completely straight: either it is {{subverted}}, or [[JustifiedTrope justified]] when it happens. |
| 428 | ** To start with, there's Chapter 11 of the original. What is Sanakan's plan to break through the gates of Ansur, when there are orc battle lines and a few cave trolls at the front? "We need to break through them." The readers are led to believe that this trope may happen given how HotBlooded she is, only for it to be {{subverted}}: the troops begin their assault under the cover of Olga's [[DeathFromAbove artillery strike]], allowing them to break through easily. |
| 429 | ** Then there's Chapter 1 of the remastered version, where Kyril simply walks into the clearing to face off the orc band in front of him, after giving Alicia and her two subordinates an offhand suggestion to "hit them from four sides". From Alicia's perspective, this is certainly suicidal, but as Kyril [[OneHitKill one-shots]] a pair of orcs with his throwing knives, and then [[DrawAggro taunts]] the bigger one, [[JustifiedTrope it is clear]] that Kyril has the [[StrongAndSkilled strength and skill]] to back it up, and he is not going to have any problems whatsoever. |
| 430 | ** During the assault of the Black Fortress in the remastered version, Kyril initially sticks with Vault's plan of hitting the southern wall of the fortress. Striking directly at the chieftain of the orc encampment in front of him is not regarded as reckless, but rather an [[AttackAttackAttack offensive tactic]] that's CrazyEnoughToWork. Later on, the enemy forces use a DefensiveFeintTrap to immolate a portion of the Black Dogs. Kyril's decision is to rush towards the mage responsible while disregarding Vault's command to regroup. Again, this is [[JustifiedTrope justified]] as another AttackAttackAttack tactic that simply works because he's just that [[LightningBruiser good and fast]], not to mention the enemy forces DidntSeeThatComing, thus scrambling to reform the line to no avail. |
| 431 | * LeftForDead: |
| 432 | ** Chapter 4: Hugh is left to bleed out after being [[EyeScream stabbed in the eye]] by an orc. Luckily, he survives thanks to Kyril's help. |
| 433 | ** Chapter 8: Seeing that one man he eviscerated is still alive, Kyril [[spoiler:squeezes his head with his tendrils]] to obtain info about Beasley and leaves him to die in pain after the deed. |
| 434 | * LegFocus: |
| 435 | ** In Chapter 7 of the original, Shani enters Kyril's temporary quarters to notify him that Bergen has received her message, and to chat him up. The narration describes her crossing her legs while sitting on the chair that Kyril once occupied, which shows off quite a bit of skin. |
| 436 | ** In Chapter 10 of the original, Kyril encounters Grace while eating breakfast. He notes that her sarong shows off her fine legs. Unlike typical examples, this is merely an observation rather than the character ogling. |
| 437 | ** In the remastered version, Soren and Kyril meet two [[FanServiceWithASmile serving girls]] while securing lodging in a FantasyTavern. Soren, eyes widening, notes that one of them is dressed in a long sarong that "accentuated her very fine legs". |
| 438 | * LikeADaughterToMe: After being informed of Chloe's condition in Chapter 30 of the original, Olga wistfully says to Kyril and Celestine that Chloe is the daughter she never asked for yet always wished to have. Given how Olga had raised Chloe as her own long ago, it's understandable. |
| 439 | * LivingEmotionalCrutch: It is not uncommon for characters to have at least one person to provide them emotional support to cope with trauma and difficult times. |
| 440 | ** This trope is the basis for the BroodingBoyGentleGirl dynamic between Kyril and the Plain Doll. The Doll has supported him (plus the countless Hunters before him) whenever she could since his DarkAndTroubledPast (i.e., the entirety of ''VideoGame/BloodBorne'') and onwards. Although the PTSD-laden Kyril is fine on his own outside while she resides in the Dream doing her thing, his mood improves significantly every time the Doll makes her presence known. At one point in the original version, he denies that he would get lonely by bringing up how he has "a wonderful friend who keeps him from going insane", whom the Doll is non-subtly implied to be. |
| 441 | ** Since Sanakan and Hugh only had one attachment (i.e., each other) during their time as [[StreetUrchin orphaned pickpockets]], it is [[ImpliedTrope implied]] that they only had each other to rely on for affection, even though their past is not shown in detail. Additionally, Sanakan is said to serve as Hugh's "voice" because the boy [[TheSpeechless cannot speak]], meaning that Hugh would have to rely on her if they needed to interact with people. |
| 442 | ** For hundreds of years, Grace had been in a state of perpetual loneliness because of losing her home and her husband to war, as well as being one of the few dark elves in the world. She was able to relieve the loneliness a bit thanks to meeting Anna and Ian by chance, with Anna especially providing her a home and [[ImpliedTrope presumably]] emotional support for Grace to build a new life. |
| 443 | ** Lily helps Maia cope with the aftermath of RapeAsDrama by counselling and addressing her [[PastExperienceNightmare bad dreams]]. |
| 444 | ** Olga started a war due to [[FantasticRacism her hatred of humanity for what the human slavers did to her kind]]. For all her power and riches, the Dark Elf Queen had no friends, only subjects and enemies. She gained one attachment by the name of Chloe after saving the half-elf from enslavement. On her own, [[ParentalSubstitute Olga]] raised the child until she became the queen's [[NumberTwo vassal]], seeing Chloe as "the sunlight in her otherwise [[{{Mordor}} dark world]]". Judging from her [[UndyingLoyalty fervorous loyalty]] towards her queen, Chloe would surely think the same. |
| 445 | * LivingShadow: From Olga's point of view, Kyril is never alone -- he is surrounded by countless shadows resembling those he killed, including other hunters and beasts. Even Kyril himself admits that the dead sometimes come to speak to him in his dreams. |
| 446 | * LonelyFuneral: [[spoiler:Luu-Luu's]] funeral is a private affair, so it counts as this. |
| 447 | * LonersAreFreaks: Initially PlayedStraight for [[GoodIsNotNice Kyril Sutherland]], whose introversion, dislike of attention, and tendency to keep to himself like a closed clam are several reasons why others are wary of him. Not that he cares in the slightest, for Kyril is used to being alone for the most parts of his life, and that he ''[[{{Masquerade}} really]]'' doesn't want others to know more about him, his [[DarkAndTroubledPast past]] (which involves ThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow), and [[spoiler:his [[EldritchAbomination true nature]]]]. Gradually {{deconstructed}} in a [[LighterAndSofter nice]] way as he doesn't ''object'' to interacting with others in general: his moments as FourStarBadass where he has to communicate with his men prove exactly that. He's distant, yet polite, not some standoffish dude who keeps saying, "IWorkAlone, thank you very much". Last but not least, despite gaining people he genuinely appreciates and sees as "friend" other than his [[PlatonicLifePartners doll companion]], Kyril never becomes more sociable or touchy-feely, nor does he ever profess about how "friendship is cool". After all, he accepts that he shall walk a lonely, bitter path as a [[HunterOfMonsters Hunter of beasts]]. Plus, the man would rather let the others have their time, while he basks in the peace and quiet that solitude brings. |
| 448 | * TheLostLenore: Grace's unnamed husband is a GenderInvertedExample. He is a PosthumousCharacter, and his death not only [[HerHeartWillGoOn serves to show how Grace continues with life as it is while widowed]], but also provides a reason for [[ItsPersonal her amniosity with Olga]]. |
| 449 | * LovecraftianSuperpower: |
| 450 | ** As a result of Shamuhaza's, er, [[PlayingWithSyringes "enhancements"]], the Black Dogs now have mutated {{mooks}} that weaponise their BodyHorror in a variety of ways, from suddenly sprouting CombatTentacles, to distended jaws that can bite off someone's head in one go. Sure, they are EliteMooks, but they don't get these abilities willingly, and they are [[AndIMustScream not having a good time]], '''at all'''. |
| 451 | ** Narratively speaking, StarPower is considered to be unnatural. Makes sense, for only those who [[spoiler:delve into the [[ThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow Eldritch Truth]]]] can utilise it. It speaks volumes when even the most skilled of arcane/magic users, like [[LadyOfBlackMagic Olga]], [[{{Seers}} Celestine]], and [[EvilSorcerer Shamuhaza]], are not shown to fire streams of starlight. Kyril, from his experience in [[VideoGame/BloodBorne Yharnam]], states that he had seen a few creatures that are able to fire starlight, like the [[ContinuityNod Celestial Emissary]]. Therefore, he deduced that something or someone related to the Healing Church's research had somehow ended up here. |
| 452 | ** The above is further supported in the remastered version. After Kyril uses A Call Beyond to [[spoiler:[[ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill overkill]] Vault]], Olga's narration remarks that this starfire spell is not something she had in her repertoire, doubting whether Celestine would even have something like this in her arsenal. |
| 453 | ** [[spoiler:[[HumanoidAbomination Kyril]]]] is a [[JustifiedTrope justified]] example. Why else would [[spoiler:he be able to sprout out [[TouchTelepathy mind-probing]], [[{{Brainwashing}} mind-controlling]] tendrils [[PartialTransformation out of his arm]]? And that's not getting to the [[YouCantGraspTheTrueForm full extent]] of what he can do.]] As for the origin? Well... [[spoiler:he [[EldritchTransformation turned into]] a [[MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext squid]] (to be precise, an [[EldritchAbomination infant great one]]) after [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu punching out the]] [[VideoGame/BloodBorne Moon Presence]] before the series began.]] Fortunately, [[spoiler:he is able to [[AFormYouAreComfortableWith keep a human form]] and [[VoluntaryTransformation switch to]] his great one form with ease, except that would do [[GoMadFromTheRevelation terrible things]] to anyone and anything around him, so he's not going to do that.]] |
| 454 | ** MindOverMatter. Yes, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin moving things without lifting a finger]]. In another universe, say, a {{Superhero}} setting or a [[Franchise/StarWars certain]] SciFi setting, this would hardly count as "Lovecraftian"; in ''The Night Unfurls'', a DarkFantasy world of steel and magic, it's a different story: [[spoiler:telekinesis is [[PlayedForHorror portrayed as uncanny]] due to [[AvertedTrope averting]] JustHitHim, it's not explained in any way regarding its mechanism, and so far, only one person/entity is confirmed to possess this power.]] [[spoiler:No, it's not Kyril.]] [[spoiler:That honour instead goes to Evetta, the Plain Doll herself]]. |
| 455 | * LowFantasy: Although this fanfic (moreso the original version) is predominantly a DarkFantasy, it also contains several crucial elements of this genre to make it qualify as such. To begin with, human elements dominate the setting. While StandardFantasyRaces do exist, it is clear that humans and elves are not so different except for age. Half-lings, while similar to dwarves, are portrayed as shorter humans upon closer inspection, and orcs are counted as TheHorde. Classic mythical creatures '''don't exist''' -- no dragons, no phoenixes, no unicorns. As for methods, victory is achieved via physical combat, small or [[WarArc large]], rather than moral superiority. Magic exists, but neither glamorous magical systems nor "sorcerer versus sorcerer" battles are present. Warfare is a common element in this story, where people fight for power, land, and resources. For extra realism, strategy, tactics, and logistics do play a role in determining whoever side has the upper hand. |
| 456 | * LoweredRecruitingStandards: Vehemently [[DefiedTrope defied]]. It has been stated that under no circumstances should [[MenOfSherwood Kyril's company]] lower the recruiting standards for anyone seeking fame and fortune. Only the absence of [[GloryHound glory hounds]] and [[ProfessionalButtKisser sycophants]] can ensure the effectiveness of his [[MenOfSherwood company]]. |
| 457 | * LuredIntoATrap: Happens in Chapter 6 of the original, where Beasley, nervous and annoyed that Kyril is arriving to investigate Feoh, lays a plan to let him enter the fortress, trap him inside, and kill him. [[UnderestimatingBadassery He really thinks that]] a squad of soldiers can easily take down [[OneManArmy the Hunter]], not to mention that he is also accompanied by his two apprentices as well. |
| 458 | [[/folder]] |
| 459 | |
| 460 | [[folder:M]] |
| 461 | * {{Macguffin}}: The [[AncestralWeapon Pantielle ancestral sword]] serves this purpose in the ''[[StoryArc Ansur Arc]]''. Its only purpose is to give Kyril a secondary reason to go to Ansur -- to find it and return it to its rightful owner. His primary objective is to ascertain the situation in this place, to see whoever important is in cahoots with the Black Dogs (and root them out if necessary). Kyril even says that the sword is [[CoolButInefficient merely for ceremonial purposes, not something practical to fight with]]. |
| 462 | * TheMagnificent: |
| 463 | ** The title "Kyril the Bloody" is bestowed upon the Good Hunter for his merciless and brutal actions at the Nellos Watch Tower. He [[LampshadeHanging puts a lampshade]] on this by noting internally: ''such a [[SarcasmMode nice]] title''. |
| 464 | ** Kyril P.O.V. refers to [[TheHighQueen Celestine]] as "Celestine the Fair" during their first meeting in the remastered version. |
| 465 | ** One of the orc war chiefs Kyril slays has a NameToRunAwayFromReallyFast, named "Ozgriz the Mighty". In the remastered version, he has slain two of them with such names: "Ozgriz the Defiler" and "Thurog the Tall". |
| 466 | * AManIsAlwaysEager: [[ZigZaggingTrope Zig-zagged]]. |
| 467 | ** This trope is the underlying assumption for supporting Vault's ambition of [[NoWomansLand a Sex Empire]]. The "logic" is something like this: any man want sex, so any man would support a regime where all women being [[SexSlave sex slaves]] by law, since they can have their [[VillainousCrush crushes]], [[HaremSeeker obtain as many partners as possible]], and fulfill their sexual desires. Amongst the Black Dogs, Shamuhaza seems to be the exception, as he is more interested in furthering his [[PlayingWithSyringes experiments and research]] than sex. More exceptions are shown in the remastered version, which introduces several Black Dog members who eventually [[DefectorFromDecadence defect]] after Vault's revelation to betray the [[TheAlliance Seven Shields]]. |
| 468 | ** Otherwise, the narrative gives no indication as to whether the male characters, major or minor, are sexually driven. Tellingly, the males in the Eostian military, which has [[GenderIsNoObject no gender restrictions]], are not portrayed as eager to have sex with the females in a given chance. Furthermore, there is no indication whether the world of ''The Night Unfurls'' places a high value on a woman's virginity either. |
| 469 | ** {{Downplayed}} for Hugh. [[spoiler:He shows more eagerness than Sanakan during their lovemaking in Chapter 18 of the original, but this is expressed as a sign of devotion, and he is far from a horny person.]] |
| 470 | ** To cap it off, the very fact that [[CelibateHero Kyril Sutherland]] '''exists''' is a mockery of this trope. While he does see himself as a broken man, it's because he's a ShellShockedVeteran and [[spoiler:a [[EldritchAbomination great one]]]], ''not'' because of his unwillingness to have sex. All in all, he is simply not into sex. Full stop. |
| 471 | * ManlyTears: Kyril Sutherland, established in Chapter 1 of the original as a [[TheStoic stone-cold]] badass who never bats an eye when killing things, is revealed to have cried during a {{flashback}} that happens in the very same chapter. Said {{flashback}} involves a ComfortTheDying scene between Kyril and his mentor figure [[Characters/BloodborneSecondaryCharacters Eileen the Crow]], the latter in her last moments. |
| 472 | * MarshmallowHell: Happens in Chapter 20 of the original. After Soren declares he is not going to mess up again, Grace teases Soren via this method, his face rubbing up against her large chest. |
| 473 | * {{Masquerade}}: {{Reconstructed}}. Everything related to Yharnam, the Old Blood, [[EldritchAbomination the Great Ones]], and almost anything ''VideoGame/BloodBorne'' is hidden from the Eostian populace. However, it's not a case of the supernatural actively hiding their existence, but rather a case where the supernatural is located in a remote, inaccessible location (Yharnam) instead of being some hidden society within the kingdom of Eostia. Those who have, or eventually gain some knowledge of them are tight-lipped about their origins. Kyril sees this as a DarkSecret to be buried forever, while the few people who eventually gain some tidbits of it are WelcomedToTheMasquerade, certainly not interested in exposing it. Both the ''Rad Arc'' and the ''Leaping Lizards Arc'' see the actions of an EvilSorcerer threatening to break the masquerade [[spoiler:as a result of delving into the [[ThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow Eldritch Truth]]]]. The consequences are laid bare, with the fortress city of Rad twisted into an EldritchLocation, its citizenry [[BodyHorror mutated]] from the sorcerer's [[FaceFullOfAlienWingWong sick]] [[PlayingWithSyringes experiments]]. What's worse is that this is not the first time where the supernatural is subject to much misuse and exploitation that ultimately doomed a region beyond repair[[note]]see ''VideoGame/BloodBorne'' for more details[[/note]]. All in all, Kyril's efforts in concealing the secrets of Yharnam, hence the existence of the masquerade, is meant to prevent [[HistoryRepeats a repeat of history]], which makes a ''hell'' lot of sense. |
| 474 | * MasterSwordsman: Oh so many. |
| 475 | ** [[HeroesPreferSwords All five]] [[HunterOfMonsters hunters]] in the story use [[MixAndMatchWeapon trick weapons]] that either resemble a sword, or have a sword mode, and they can certainly hack through any foe like a knife cutting through butter. |
| 476 | ** Due to his proficiency with the [[{{BFS}} greatsword]], Vault is regarded as a hero of Eostia, famed for repulsing the enemies from Eostia's borders numerous times during the ForeverWar between Celestine and Olga. His skill is best showcased in Chapter 3 of the remastered version, where he is able to trade blows with [[LightningBruiser Kyril]]. It says a lot when [[StrongAndSkilled Kyril]], after said duel, admits that a normal warrior would have trouble fighting Vault. |
| 477 | ** Three out of the Seven Shields count as this. Both Claudia and Alicia [[AsskickingLeadsToLeadership earn their prestiges through their skill with the sword]], while the DualWielding Maia is known as one of the strongest mercenaries in Eostia. |
| 478 | ** Several knights of the nobility, like Sir Mikhail Pantielle and Grave Levantine, are this by reputation only. |
| 479 | * MathematiciansAnswer: A [[GiantMook brute]] is in shocked disbelief after Kyril [[AnArmAndALeg lobs one of his arms off]], saying that [[ThisCannotBe he wasn't supposed to do that]]. Kyril replies, "Aye"[[note]]which means "yes"[[/note]], before [[OffWithHisHead beheading]] him. |
| 480 | * MatureWorkChildProtagonists: This fanfic is rated "Fiction M" on Website/FanFictionDotNet, and at least three viewpoint characters are {{Kid Hero}}es. |
| 481 | * MeaningfulName: |
| 482 | ** The Hunter, Kyril Sutherland. ''Kyril'' is derived from the Greek name Κύριλλος (Kýrillos), meaning "lordly, masterful", while ''Sutherland'' is derived from Suðrland that means "southern land". The StrongAndSkilled Kyril fights for Eostia, also known as "the South", eventually gaining the rank of ''Lord'' Executioner through his exploits. |
| 483 | ** The Plain Doll's given name, ''Evetta'', is actually the first name of her English VA in ''VideoGame/BloodBorne'', Evetta Muradasilova. The name itself is a diminutive form of the Latin name "Eva", meaning "life" or "mother of life". Evetta is a human-sized doll with life and sentience, [[spoiler:a doll who cared for Kyril like a mother after his EldritchTransformation]]. |
| 484 | ** Celestine's first name is a StellarName based on the Latin word "caelestis", which means "heavenly", alluding to her status as [[CrystalDragonJesus the Goddess Reborn]]. Her last name, ''Lucross'', is also known as ''Lucullus'' as a result of SpellMyNameWithAnS. Lucullus was a Roman general and statesman who became the conqueror of the eastern kingdoms in the course of the Third Mithridatic War, renowned for his extraordinary generalship. Except that Celestine is TheHighQueen, [[IronicName neither a general nor a conqueror]]. |
| 485 | ** Olga Discordia, whose first name is derived from the Old Norse name Helga ("blessed"), alluding to her arcane prowess as a LadyOfBlackMagic. Her last name, ''Discordia'', references the Roman goddess of strife and discord. She was the one who declared war against Eostia and hence started a [[ForeverWar centuries-long]] conflict. |
| 486 | ** Prim Fiorire is ''prim'' and proper, like a [[PrincessClassic typical princess]]. Her last name means "flourish" or "blossom" in Italian. |
| 487 | ** Maia means "nurturing mother" in Greek, [[IronicName and she is anything but]]. |
| 488 | ** Alicia Arcturus. ''Alicia'' means "noble" or "nobility", while ''Arcturus'' is the brightest star in the northern constellation of Boötes, as well as a possible etymologies offered for the name "Arthur" (Myth/KingArthur). She is the celebrated Princess Knight of Feoh who strives to be a KnightInShiningArmor. Arcturus is also the third-brightest of the individual stars in the night sky. Emphasis on ''third-brightest'', not ''the brightest''. Her character arc in the remastered version deals with the cruel reality of AlwaysSomeoneBetter due to Kyril's appearance. |
| 489 | ** [[EvilSorcerer Shamuhaza]], a derivation from ''Samyaza'', means "the/my name has seen" or "I have seen". [[spoiler:He delved into the Eldritch Truth, seeing ThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow]]. According to the Book of Enoch, Samyaza is a fallen angel, as well as the leader of a band of angels called "Watchers". These Watchers became consumed with lust for mortal women and entered into machinations against heaven in order to consummate their desires. Meanwhile, Shamuhaza is a prominent ArcVillain whose allegiance is to the Black Dogs, a {{PMC}} group who betrays their contract to Eostia and wants to build a SexSlave [[TheEmpire Empire]]. |
| 490 | * MelancholyMoon: In Chapter 1 of the original, Kyril is seen sharpening his [[SerratedBladeOfPain Saw Cleaver]] under a moonlit night, preparing for his duty to Celestine, who gave him the task of delivering her rival Olga back to the South, alive. Within the sound of steel being sharpened, he broods over the reality that a [[HunterOfMonsters hunter]] like him is better at ending lives than preserving them. Kyril then turns his attention to the Holy Moonlight Sword, which, as the name suggests, has a complementary motif to the moon in the sky. The story then presents a ContinuityNod about the weapon's heritage: how the sword once belonged to the First Hunter of the Healing Church, Ludwig; how the [[WasOnceAMan owner]] of the sword inevitably fell to the Beast Scourge, twisted into an accursed beast, a mockery of his former ideals; how the man that was once Ludwig the Accursed [[DyingAsYourself finally found peace]] as Ludwig the Holy Blade; and lastly, how the blade, his mentor and guiding Moonlight, is bequeathed to the Hunter during his final moments. To cap it off, the last two paragraphs of this scene have Kyril hoping that nothing terrible will happen in the upcoming battle. Overall, it is a melancholy scene that compliments Kyril's isolated and introspective nature, especially to those who are familiar with ''VideoGame/BloodBorne'' lore. |
| 491 | * MenOfSherwood: Sir Kyril Sutherland's company counts as this, along with several named supporting characters. They include Bergen, Indriga, Alaric, Lucius, Roland, and many more. Compared to the [[BadassCrew hunters]], these men and women neither stand out in any way, nor go through some sort of major [[CharacterDevelopment character arc]]. Nevertheless, their competence and discipline prove to be vital for ending any battle as swift as possible. Every soldier has gone through a [[TrainingFromHell rigorous training regiment]], has both studied and applied various strategies and tactics, and is fully equipped with everything they need (i.e. adequate food, weapons, etc.) in order to fulfil their role and survive. [[JustifiedTrope No wonder they do their job well]]. |
| 492 | * MentorArchetype: |
| 493 | ** The Good Hunter is this to [[TheApprentice Sanakan, Hugh, Lily and Soren]], training them into StrongAndSkilled [[HunterOfMonsters hunters]]. A unique case where the mentor is an ExperiencedProtagonist with youthful features rather than some "wise, old sage who [[MentorOccupationalHazard dies]] in the middle of the story". |
| 494 | ** As for the Hunter himself, he was once mentored by [[Characters/BloodborneMainCharacters Gehrman, the First Hunter]]. The Hunter's P.O.V. sheds some light on how Gehrman taught him to fight: he had [[SinkOrSwimMentor no formal instruction]], for Gehrman believed that the best way to hunt beasts was through practical experience on the field of battle. Disregarding honourable combat, the pupil was also taught to be [[CombatPragmatist cunning, focused, swift, and cruel]]. |
| 495 | * MentorOccupationalHazard: |
| 496 | ** A {{flashback}} in Chapter 1 of the original shows a ComfortTheDying moment between Kyril and Eileen, his senior and "a mentor who no longer dreams". Knowing that Kyril was resolute in carrying the Hunter's burden, she bequeathed to him her badge that symbolises a Hunter's work before passing away. |
| 497 | ** Kyril went through this a second time by experiencing the death of his mentor Gehrman before the events of the main story. With a twist, this instance DOES NOT involve some sort of villain. Instead, [[spoiler:''Kyril'' was the one who duelled his mentor and slayed him, all so he could free the old man from the Hunter's Dream[[note]]Readers of this ContinuationFic who have played ''VideoGame/BloodBorne'' before will know that their fight is one of the most climactic moments in the game[[/note]]]]. After that, Kyril intends to honour him by [[TakingUpTheMantle taking up his mantle as First Hunter]], showing that Gehrman, despite his demise, is never forgotten. |
| 498 | ** Later {{discussed}} in the original version. [[spoiler:All four of Kyril's apprentices express relief that their master is still in tip-top shape after being shot by an assassin.]] Sanakan, in particular, comments how it would suck [[spoiler:should he kicked it, [[ResurrectiveImmortality which is not going to happen anytime soon]].]] |
| 499 | * MessOfWoe: [[GenderInvertedTrope Gender-inverted]]. Celestine's quarters are a mess, her belongings scattered all over the floor, a reflection of her frenzied attempts to dampen the [[HearingVoices maddening whispers]] in her ears due to reading [[ArtifactOfDoom Kyril's journal]]. |
| 500 | * MilitaryCoup: PlayedWith. It's not the country's own military per se that intends to overthrow the current regime, but rather the most renowned [[{{PMC}} mercenary group]] (the Black Dogs) with close ties with said country (Eostia) that does so. Moreover, said mercenary group decide to [[InvokedTrope invoke]] the trope after heading the GrimUpNorth, taking over the [[EvilTowerOfOminousness Black Fortress]], and attaining NGOSuperpower status as a result of making full use of the orcs and the resources of the fortress. |
| 501 | * MindRape: Since [[spoiler:the Good Hunter is a [[EldritchAbomination great one]], the BrownNote that occurs whenever he either [[IAmNotLeftHanded releases a small portion of his eldritch might]], or showing his true form, would have this effect on anyone unfortunate enough, [[GoMadFromTheRevelation driving them insane]]]]. The one time [[spoiler:he [[InvokedTrope invokes]] the effects of this trope]] is during [[spoiler:his second encounter with Shamuhaza, now [[OneWingedAngel an]] [[InsectoidAliens insectoid]] EldritchAbomination. Upon glimpsing what is behind the Good Hunter's [[AFormYouAreComfortableWith mortal mask]], the EvilSorcerer has his brain "bombarded with nightmares, dreams, and hate"]]. [[spoiler:A FateWorseThanDeath, this is nonetheless portrayed as a case of PayEvilUntoEvil, as comeuppance for [[PlayingWithSyringes his atrocities]].]] |
| 502 | * MistakenDeathConfirmation: [[spoiler:Celestine witnesses Kyril's assassination via MoeGreeneSpecial ''and'' his revival via ResurrectiveImmortality, right in front of her. She later questions him regarding his survival, even when she felt him die (presumably an arcane talent she possesses)]]. |
| 503 | * MistakenForBetrayal: In the remastered version, upon seeing Olga accompanying Kyril on the road to the capital, Grace feels betrayed by how Kyril insists on protecting the woman she hates to complete his mission. To be fair, he had no idea about the animosity between the two. |
| 504 | * MixAndMatchCritters: Any appearance of EliteMooks of this feature can be easily traced back to [[EvilSorcerer Shamuhaza's]] [[PlayingWithSyringes experiments]]. |
| 505 | ** Right before the end of the ''Tragedy of Rad Arc'', Kyril faces off against an amalgamation of corpses that bears resemblance to [[Characters/BloodborneEnemiesAndBosses The One Reborn]]. |
| 506 | ** The {{mutants}} that appear in the second half of the ''Leaping Lizards Arc'' are mostly human-insect hybrids with other [[BodyHorror deformities]]. |
| 507 | * MoeGreeneSpecial: |
| 508 | ** Due to ImprobableAimingSkills, Hugh is able to kill a hobgoblin by shooting its left eye with an arrow on the way to the village, Shad. |
| 509 | ** [[spoiler:Kyril's [[ResurrectiveImmortality first death]] involves taking a crossbow bolt to the side of his head, hitting his eye, and killing him.]] |
| 510 | * TheMole: An ExaggeratedTrope, due to the sheer number of characters, named or unnamed, count as this. One of Sir Kyril's tasks is to root out as many of these as possible. From [[ArcVillain Arc Villains]] like [[EvilChancellor Beasley]], [[SinisterMinister Grishom]], and [[SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil Mandeville]], to one-offs like Berol, Kyril and his company have proven to be highly effective in disposing of those who work for the Black Dogs in secret. |
| 511 | * MolotovCocktail: Both Kyril and Soren have Molotovs at their disposal. For the latter, they're useful for [[BurnBabyBurn starting a fire at a cathedral]] to burn it down. |
| 512 | * MookHorrorShow: Let's face it. This is bound to happen '''a lot''' when Kyril is a TerrorHero, wields the [[SerratedBladeOfPain Saw Cleaver]], and is always covered in the gore of his foes whenever he is active. It is [[ExaggeratedTrope exaggerated]] in Chapter 8 of the original story, where [[DirtyOldMan Beasley]] and the [[PigMan Mortadella brothers]], the [[ArcVillain Arc Villains]] of the Feoh/Ur Arc, are the ones being terrorised. |
| 513 | * {{Mordor}}: Garan (named after the haughty [[OurGodsAreDifferent goddess]] of the same name) was once a verdant and green land, now a desert wasteland because of Olga's BlackMagic, deterring any invasion to her fortress. There's foul air, monsters galore, terrible climate, twisted vegetation, [[DesolationShot ravaged villages]], and [[IDontLikeTheSoundOfThatPlace blatantly bad places]] like The Badlands or [[SwampsAreEvil The Dead Marshes]]. Travellers are susceptible to disease, starvation, monster attacks, and in the case of armies, loss of morale, hence why many never return home in one piece. |
| 514 | * MortonsFork: During Chapter 6 of the remastered version, Kyril and Olga briefly [[DiscussedTrope discuss]] this trope after he makes it clear that the mission to bring her south is of utmost priority. Olga bitterly asks how he would bother letting her choose to stay or leave, given that she's damned either way no matter the choice. To be frank, she does have a point: if she stays, she would be at the mercy of the Black Dogs; if she leaves, she would be at the mercy of Kyril instead, who has proven to be ten times as dangerous. Kyril replies that even if the choices are bad and worse, it's still her decision to make. It just happens that it is one that some find liberating, while some don't. Cue ComeWithMeIfYouWantToLive remark. |
| 515 | * MostWritersAreHuman: If there is a character of non-human [[StandardFantasyRaces fantasy race]] and is not a {{mook}}, they tend to have human-like intelligence and behaviour. While the main protagonist [[spoiler:is an EldritchAbomination disguised as a [[HumanoidAbomination man]], he WasOnceAMan and his human form is meant to be AFormYouAreComfortableWith, though he doesn't really [[IntriguedByHumanity find humans admirable]] in general]]. |
| 516 | * MrViceGuy: Kyril Sutherland's several vices are tempered by his [[ConsummateProfessional professionalism]], hence his sense of right and reason. He's [[TheCynic cynical]], but [[KnightInSourArmor driven to do good]]. He's [[{{Gorn}} brutal]], but that's directed to his enemies, not innocent people. He's [[ProperlyParanoid paranoid]], but he has been TaughtByExperience not to lower his guard, and he still has at least [[TheConfidant one person]] he can trust. Last but not least, he's very dispassionate to the point of being seemingly uncaring of anybody and anything, but he is capable of empathy. |
| 517 | * MsFanservice: To be expected, considering that this fanfic uses ''[[{{Hentai}} Kuroinu]]'' as source material. |
| 518 | ** Olga Discordia is described as a [[StatuesqueStunner six-foot-tall]] LadyOfBlackMagic with long dark hair, warm espresso skin, and [[ImpossibleHourglassFigure a voluptuous body]], covered by a [[OfCorsetsSexy corset]] and [[ThongOfShielding underwear]]. She is also quite [[TheTease flirty]][[note]]this trait is absent in the remastered version[[/note]], and her voice is described as "seductive, ringing with authority". |
| 519 | ** Chloe, [[TheDragon Olga's servant]], is described as lean and supple, dressed in a similar fashion to Olga (see above). While she [[AdaptationalModesty wears scaled light armour and leather]] in the remastered version, a Black Dog merc crows "that ass is fine" when [[FanDisservice molesting her]]. |
| 520 | ** Most, if not all, of the members of the Seven Shields wear [[{{Stripperiffic}} revealing]] attire. [[AdaptationalModesty The remastered version]] tones the {{fanservice}} down (e.g. Alicia and Claudia actually wear plate armour instead of a ChainmailBikini) for every member but Maia, who wears a tunic that shows a NavelDeepNeckline in both versions. |
| 521 | ** Shani, introduced exclusively in the ''[[StoryArc Feoh/Ur Arc]]'', is a [[JustifiedTrope justified]] example. She is the mistress of the Rosie, which is a [[TheOldestProfession brothel]]. |
| 522 | ** Both Grace and Anna are [[FanServiceWithASmile fanservice-y serving girls]], so they obviously count. |
| 523 | * MuckingInTheMud: |
| 524 | ** Kyril is displeased with the mud in Scathlocke, for it, along with the cold and humidity, is responsible for bogging down the soldiers under his command. |
| 525 | ** Getting stuck in the mud is one of the risks of trekking through the Dead Marshes, as Fredrick, who sinks waist-deep into the muck, learns the hard way. |
| 526 | * MultiRangedMaster: |
| 527 | ** Kyril has so far ''never'' missed a single time whenever he uses his pistol, blunderbuss, or throwing knives. |
| 528 | ** Hugh is adept at two types of ranged weaponry: pistols (Evelyn Pistol, Repeating Pistol) and archery (Simon's Bowblade). |
| 529 | * {{Mutants}}: The EliteMooks born from [[EvilSorcerer Shamuhaza's]] [[PlayingWithSyringes experiments]] are also known as mutants. They can be of any fantasy race [[EldritchTransformation transformed]] into [[PowerUpgradingDeformation hideous]] husks with little sanity left, or the result of FaceFullOfAlienWingWong. |
| 530 | [[/folder]] |
| 531 | |
| 532 | [[folder:N]] |
| 533 | * NameThatUnfoldsLikeLotusBlossom: Some [[MeaningfulName meaningful first and last names]] form a phrase or sentence. |
| 534 | ** Kyril Sutherland -- "Lord / Master of the Southern Land". |
| 535 | ** Alicia Arcturus -- "Noble Guardian of the Bear". |
| 536 | ** Shamuhaza ([[SpellMyNameWithAnS Samyaza]]) -- "The / My Name has Seen", "He Sees the Name", or "I Have Seen". |
| 537 | * NayTheist: A couple of benign examples. |
| 538 | ** Kyril Sutherland is well aware of the existence of [[OurGodsAreDifferent gods]] and similar entities in Eostia and beyond, even having a [[CrystalDragonJesus Goddess Incarnate]] as his employer. He just doesn't revere them. It's not that he has a grudge or anything like that, but rather, [[spoiler:he has seen [[EldritchAbomination beings like that]] capable of [[GoMadFromTheRevelation scaring one's memories for an eternity]]]]. Oh, and [[spoiler:he has also [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu slain said beings]] before ''and'' [[EldritchTransformation ascended to become one of them]] as well]]. |
| 539 | ** [[DiscussedTrope Discussed]] in Chapter 2 of the remastered version. In response to Prim's question to Kyril on whether the Goddess makes him uncomfortable, he says, "No. I bear her no ill will. But I have learned that blind faith is lethal." Somehow, Prim concludes that Kyril doesn't believe in divinities (atheist) because of how he doesn't hold the Goddess in high esteem. |
| 540 | ** Chapter 29 of the original has Lily confiding to Soren about how she will forever only trust her own strength instead of the powers of the Goddess Incarnate, putting her CrisisOfFaith [[CharacterArc arc]] to a closure. |
| 541 | * NeckLift: One of Kyril's ways to AppealToForce. |
| 542 | ** Kyril does this to Bishop Sharkov in Chapter 13 to threaten him that he will come for the archbishop personally should he continue to harass the refugee nuns in the church. He later drops the priest unceremoniously when Celestine arrives to diffuse the situation. |
| 543 | ** Kyril lifts up a Black Dog prisoner by the throat during one of his interrogation attempts in Chapter 15. Believing that he is getting ahead of himself, he drops the man contemptuously soon afterwards. |
| 544 | ** A variant of this trope happens in the remastered version, where Kyril lifts Brandon Irons by his clothes and slams him backwards into a tree to assert dominance and show that he knows what Brandon is hiding from him. |
| 545 | * NeckSnap: With SuperStrength, this is done with ease. With or without the typical procedure. |
| 546 | ** Original version: |
| 547 | *** Chapter 4: One moment during Kyril's massacre of the Black Dog mercs in a church involves him breaking a {{mook}}'s neck with a backhand, as he tries to grapple for the weapon in his hands. |
| 548 | *** Chapter 7: After obtaining information about the whereabouts of the Gadsden Gang, Hugh obliges Sanakan's request to end the interrogation with a man affiliated with said gang by snapping his neck the typical way. Sanakan stabs the man's head just in case. |
| 549 | *** Chapter 7: In the Feoh dungeons, Kyril grabs a red imp by the neck, squeezing so hard that [[EyeScream one of its beady eyes popped out]]. The imp is tossed aside after having its neck crushed. |
| 550 | *** Chapter 29: While ridding of [[HumanTraffickers Mandeville's associates]] in a warehouse, Sanakan breaks her opponent's neck with a blow from her heavy [[PowerFist bracer]]. |
| 551 | *** Chapter 29: [[spoiler:Evetta, without glancing back, dishes out a [[MindOverMatter psychic]] variant]] on a traitorous guard, his throat [[spoiler:crushed by some unknown force]]. |
| 552 | *** Chapter 32: Olin is executed via a neck snap by Sanakan for [[spoiler:ordering the Good Hunter's assassination, which failed]]. |
| 553 | ** Remastered version: |
| 554 | *** Chapter 4: Kyril finishes off the orc chieftain Thurog the Tall by adjusting his grip on its head and snapping its neck, though with some effort as the orc tries to shake off the Hunter. Vault internally remarks that it would have taken two of his strongest men to even accomplish the same feat. One of the Black Dogs even vomits at the sight of Thurog's neck and head twisted at an obscene angle. |
| 555 | *** Chapter 9: During his surprise attack on Morgan's camp, Kyril kills a {{mook}} by gripping his throat with his left hand, crushing his windpipe. |
| 556 | * TheNeedForMead: The original version features a couple of these, namely Hound's Head Bar and [[BadGuyBar Talon Bar]], the former of which is where [[FanServiceWithASmile Grace]] used to work in, while the remastered version has the Half-Moon Inn. Whenever several main characters bump into one of these, you can guarantee that a BarBrawl is going to happen sooner or later. |
| 557 | * NeverGetsDrunk: As showcased in Chapter 30, the [[TheStoic utterly unflappable]] Kyril is capable of emptying a wine bottle with one long swig with nary a reaction. [[spoiler:May or may not have something to do with him being a [[EldritchAbomination great one]]]]. |
| 558 | * NighInvulnerability: The Good Hunter [[FeelNoPain feels no pain]] and can [[ResurrectiveImmortality simply resurrect upon death]]. [[spoiler:The one time someone [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu manages to kill him]] via an assassination only [[BrokeYourArmPunchingOutCthulhu succeeds]] in making the Hunter [[UnstoppableRage an]][[NotSoStoic gry]]]]. |
| 559 | * NoHarmRequirement: Kyril, along with the [[{{PMC}} Black Dogs]], is given a request to bring Olga Discordia back alive, all the way from the Black Fortress in GrimUpNorth to the capital of Eostia in the South. Just the very fact that Kyril alone is successful in not only nabbing Olga, but also her servant as well, showcases that [[StrongAndSkilled overwhelming strength is not the only quality he has]]. He is definitely a brutal killer, but he also [[ConsummateProfessional accomplishes his task with a code of conduct]]. The Black Dogs, however, have no intention in completing this task. This ArmyOfThievesAndWhores are more than willing to dismiss the "no harm" part, intending to [[PrisonRape ravish every prisoner]] for as long as they want, Olga included. |
| 560 | * NoSell: In Chapter 5, remastered version, Olga tries to [[OneHitKill one-shot]] Kyril [[KillItWithFire with fire]]. He simply dispels the flames with a Beast Roar, while revealing himself to be unharmed save for minor ClothingDamage. |
| 561 | * NobleFugitive: |
| 562 | ** Michelle, after his disownment. Kyril is tasked to hunt him down because he disgraced the family name once more by ruining the Pantielle estate and nabbing the [[AncestralWeapon ancestral sword]]. |
| 563 | ** [[DiscussedTrope Discussed]] in the remastered version regarding the Hunter. Boris suspects that the Hunter may be a disgraced noble, because of how he speaks in a refined speech. The Hunter, neither a noble nor a fugitive, feels a bit perturbed about some people calling him a lord. |
| 564 | * NobleMaleRoguishMale: [[ZigZaggingTrope Zig-zagged]] as a result of both HiddenDepths and BeneathTheMask. [[BigBad Vault]] [[{{Foil}} and]] [[AntiHero Kyril]] appear to embody the two models of masculinity respectively, but the both of them run deeper than what these archetypes expect them to be. |
| 565 | ** Vault appears to be the Noble Male that everyone looks up to, being a [[{{Hunk}} hunk-ish]], charismatic [[TheLeader leader]] of the most celebrated {{PMC}} group in the land, famed for his invaluable contributions towards the country of Eostia and the [[ForeverWar war]] against the [[EvilOverlord Dark Queen]]. A legend through and through. This guy would later reveal his true colours after winning the war. [[TheUsurper Usurping]] said Dark Queen, Vault turns out to be a [[HeManWomanHater really nasty]] Roguish Male who intends to [[EtTuBrute betray]] and [[AmbitionIsEvil conquer]] Eostia via MilitaryCoup, and turn the country into a NoWomansLand SexSlave [[TheEmpire Empire]], starting with the dark elf [[PrisonRape prisoners]] as a [[SexualEuphemism "test run"]]. What's more is that his "Noble Male" aspects, namely his charisma and reputation, allow him to [[VillainWithGoodPublicity amass substantial support for his cause]]. |
| 566 | ** Kyril appears to be the Roguish Male that everyone [[TheDreaded dreads]], being a [[LeanAndMean lean]], [[DarkIsNotEvil sinister-looking]] MysteriousStranger from a faraway land, known for his [[TheStoic stoicism]], [[LonersAreFreaks asociality]], and [[{{Gorn}} brutality]] against his enemies. A metaphorical fiend under a man's skin. At the same time, [[CulturedBadass Kyril]] speaks in a refined speech, is capable of courtesies, has a preference for tea, and is accustomed to [[DueToTheDead burying the dead]] -- "Noble Male" traits being a far cry from the NinetiesAntiHero he is. Over time, the readers and several characters get to see his Noble Male qualities, particularly his [[DirtyBusiness attitude towards violence]], as well as [[AFatherToHisMen his concern for the common folk and his subordinates]]. It turns out that he isn't the [[TheUnfettered ruthless]], [[LackOfEmpathy unfeeling]], and [[AxCrazy bloodthirsty]] figure he appears to be, but these Roguish Male aspects are how he is recognised by most people InUniverse, something Kyril preferred so that [[TerrorHero he could be feared]]. There's also how he [[CelibateHero isn't interested in sex and romance]], yet eventually finds himself [[UnwantedHarem surrounded by suitors]]... |
| 567 | * NobleProfession: Nuns (e.g. Lily, her circle of sisters, Sister Ramiel) are depicted as nice, polite and well-meaning, never a hint of indecency. Especially Lily, who is one of the heroes. |
| 568 | * NominalImportance: |
| 569 | ** {{Downplayed}} in the original version. The {{mooks}} of the Black Dogs, being {{mooks}}, are generally not named and hence exist to be disposed of. However, there are a few exceptions. Although they have little to no bearing on the plot, they are given a name and serve a small, specific purpose before getting killed off. Here are two examples. |
| 570 | *** Chapter 10 has Genji the Slicer. Receiving little characterisation[[note]]the narration simply informs that he is an enforcer of the Mundus Crime Family and a former warrior banished for his violent actions against women and children[[/note]], his purpose in the story is to show how the Good Hunter's conducts his investigation in the WretchedHive of Ansur. And to [[spoiler:show off his tendril-power.]] |
| 571 | *** Chapter 11 has Black Dog recruit Anders Bleu. Like many of his peers, he is offed by the Good Hunter (by a backstab-visceral attack no less!) merely four paragraphs after his introduction. Right before his untimely demise, however, the story gives him a P.O.V. that characterises him as a HaremSeeker eager to be part of the [[SexSlave Sex]] [[TheEmpire Empire]] so he could take any woman he pleased. His purpose in the story is to be a representative of the many [[{{Mook}} Black Dog mercs]]. |
| 572 | ** PlayedStraight in the remastered version. |
| 573 | *** Named members of the Black Dogs include: Kyril (TheProtagonist and new recruit), Vault (head honcho), Vault's lackeys Kin and Hicks[[note]]who aren't relevant to the plot, but have a bit more dialogue and have closer ties to the head honcho than other members[[/note]], and the ones who turn out to be [[DefectorFromDecadence Defectors From Decadence]] (Boris, Oliver, Soren and Fredrick). The rest are simply there. |
| 574 | *** Among the forces of the Black Fortress, there are only two plot-relevant characters: Olga, whom the main character is tasked to bring to the South in order to resolve the current StoryArc; and Chloe, who accompanies Olga during the journey to the South due to her importance to the former. The rest are unnamed {{mooks}}. |
| 575 | *** New characters are introduced as the setting switches to the town of Baskerville. The named ones are: Grace (P.O.V. character), her friends Anna and Ian, Morgan (antagonist), Brandon Irons (later revealed to be working for Morgan), and the Rat (mysterious ancient entity). The rest are either bar-goers or {{mooks}}, hence unnamed. |
| 576 | * NotAGame: Kyril emphasises the need for "disciplined soldiers and killers, not children playing at war" while addressing the recruits in Chapter 13 of the original. |
| 577 | * NotWorthKilling: After ending his TrialByCombat in the remastered version ([[CurbStompBattle which is not even a fight to begin with]]), Kyril declares Alicia and Maia "not even worth killing" and leaves. |
| 578 | [[/folder]] |
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