| 1 | This page covers {{trope}}s found in ''Fanfic/TheNightUnfurls''. |
| 2 | |
| 3 | TheNightUnfurls/TropesAToD | TheNightUnfurls/TropesEToN | '''Tropes O To Z''' | |
| 4 | |
| 5 | ---- |
| 6 | [[foldercontrol]] |
| 7 | |
| 8 | [[folder:O]] |
| 9 | * OfficialCouple: [[PuppyLove Sanakan and Hugh]] are acknowledged by the narrative plus any character that notice their dynamic (including TheProtagonist Kyril) to be a definite item. |
| 10 | * OhCrap: |
| 11 | ** Any moment that involves [[TheDreaded Kyril]] in some way. Especially so when any friend or foe realises that the infamous fiend in the tricorne hat and grey coat is sprung to action, [[SwordAndGun saw and gun]] in hand. |
| 12 | ** Original version: |
| 13 | *** Celestine, when she gets to meet [[GodzillaThreshold Kyril]] face to face, the same man she saw in her visions, envisioned as either a saviour or destroyer of her land, the latter most likely. Described further in detail in the remastered version, where Celestine hears the sound of the ocean roaring, waves crashing against the shore which shakes her to the core when she feels his presence. The worst thing is that [[TerribleTicking she is the only one who can hear this rumbling sound]], due to her having higher Insight than the others. |
| 14 | *** Chapter 22: Shamuhaza and Hugh respectively, when they become one of the first people to [[spoiler:get a glimpse of [[IAmNotLeftHanded Kyril's power as a great one]]. For the former, it is an [[BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor ironic]] one and the result is obviously [[GoMadFromTheRevelation not]] [[FateWorseThanDeath pretty]]. For the latter, he is thankfully unharmed thanks to his power not being directed at him, but the very fact that Kyril defeats Shamuhaza by simply [[DeathGlare staring]] at him leaves Hugh [[MadnessMantra mouthing the word "Boss" over and over again]].]] |
| 15 | *** Chapter 26: Grishom panics as his cathedral is [[BurnBabyBurn in flames]]. Bonus points for him and the rebels being ''inside'' said cathedral. |
| 16 | *** Chapter 29: The reactions of the [[HumanTraffickers traffickers]] when the door of their meeting room is suddenly kicked open, and they realise that the entire [[BadassCrew five-hunter band]] is out for their blood. |
| 17 | *** Chapter 29: A guardsman [[TheMole who is working for Mandeville in secret]] does a LoudGulp as he witnesses [[spoiler:two of his friends [[PsychicStrangle having their lives sucked out of them]] as an animated doll [[MindOverMatter wills]] it so]]. He quickly draws his sword, only to have his leg bent in the wrong direction. Meanwhile, Grace reacts appropriately in a TerrifyingRescuer situation. |
| 18 | *** Chapter 30: Mandeville, thinking that Soren is at his limit, has his sneer wiped off when Hugh pulls a BigDamnHeroes, finding himself cornered by the two hunters. |
| 19 | *** Chapter 31: A [[HeroicBSOD grief-stricken]] Olga is angered at Kyril for saying how there's nothing she could do to help her servant Chloe, so she slaps him. A moment later, she realises that she [[DidYouJustFlipOffCthulhu just slapped someone that vastly outclasses her in any way]], and hyperventilates as Kyril raises an arm. Olga, clearly thinking that he's going to hit her back, has "I'm screwed" written all over her narration. It doesn't happen, and she receives a CooldownHug instead. |
| 20 | *** Chapter 31-32: What about that time where both Celestine [[spoiler:and the assassin responsible for Kyril's first death witness how he [[ResurrectiveImmortality comes]] BackFromTheDead?]] |
| 21 | ** Remastered version (exclusive): |
| 22 | *** Chapter 6: Olga and Kin's reactions when [[spoiler:Kyril summons [[MagicMissileStorm star-fire]] in his palms, as well as what he [[ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill intends to do with it]].]] |
| 23 | *** Chapter 9: Brandon gives this expression when he realized Kyril knew about his intentions of selling Grace and Anna out to Morgan of the Black Dogs. |
| 24 | *** Chapter 9: Morgan of the Black Dogs later has this expression when [[spoiler:The Rat bargins with Kyril over Morgan's soul]]. |
| 25 | *** Chapter 13: Soren and Fredrick realise they are screwed as [[spoiler:Alicia suddenly draws her sword to attack the former while the latter flees]]. |
| 26 | * OhMyGods: Occasionally used by the characters of the story. Examples include "Goddess" (invoking Celestine's status as GodEmperor), "Gods above..." (because monotheism is not present) or simply "Gods...". |
| 27 | * OlderThanTheyLook: Three instances: |
| 28 | ** [[OurElvesAreDifferent High elves and dark elves]] in this story have a long lifespan but do not suffer the effects of old age, a common trait of elven species shown in a fantasy setting. For example, Celestine and Olga are stated to have indirectly fought each other [[ReallySevenHundredYearsOld for centuries]]. Grace has lived for 300 years, with Anna being 20 years her senior. |
| 29 | ** [[{{Hobbits}} Half-ling]] commander Shalala looks like a little girl, but her true age is in her thirties. |
| 30 | ** Kind of true for Kyril. Whenever one notices Kyril lowering his bandanna, they are often surprised at how young he looks. While he has the appearance of a young man somewhere in his twenties, the story has not confirmed his real age. At one point during a conversation with Olga in the original version, Kyril tells her he's not over a hundred years old like her. If we consider [[spoiler:his [[EldritchAbomination true nature]], as well as the unknown [[TimeSkip time-skip]] between the Childhood's Beginning ending and the beginning of the story]], we can [[ImpliedTrope safely assume]] that he is in fact quite old. |
| 31 | --->'''Kyril:''' You have a question?\ |
| 32 | '''Olga:''' No, I just... did not expect someone so young.\ |
| 33 | '''Kyril:''' I assure you, I am older than I look. |
| 34 | * TheOmniscientCouncilOfVagueness: The ending of Chapter 10 of the remastered version presents the readers with a group of nobles and clergymen [[EvilIsNotWellLit scheming in the darkness of an undisclosed location, only lit by the flames of a torch]]. Whatever they are planning seems to lean towards supporting the Black Dogs' plan to "live like kings" via restarting the slave trade and initiating a [[WarForFunAndProfit War for Fun and Profit]], with the forces in the Black Fortress and Kyril himself as valuable assets. Contrary to usual depictions of this trope, they are [[SubvertedTrope NOT omniscient]], and [[SubvertedTrope NOT]] everything is [[AllAccordingToPlan according to plan]], namely: the end of the war between Celestine and Olga is not accounted for; and that Vault did successfully take over the Black Fortress, but they don't know [[spoiler:he was KilledOffForReal by Kyril afterwards, which may or may not put a wrench in their plans.]] |
| 35 | * OneHandedZweihander: Kyril [[{{Downplayed}} downplays]] this when wielding his [[SpellBlade Holy Moonlight]] [[{{BFS}} Sword]]. The transformed mode of this weapon (where it turns turquoise and can shoot [[SwordBeam beams]]) is normally wielded in both hands, but he occasionally uses it one-handed either to cut down his foes, [[SwipeYourBladeOff rid it of blood]], or to lean it against its shoulder. The normal mode of this weapon can be wielded in one hand like a bastard sword, so he would have one hand free to [[SwordAndGun wield a gun]]. |
| 36 | * OneManArmy: The Good Hunter, in spades. He made his name by slaughtering numerous orc bands all by himself, including high-value targets that would be a pain to anyone who is not the Good Hunter. [[DeconstructedCharacterArchetype Deconstructed]] as this [[ShellShockedVeteran messes up his psyche]], and he has to cope with it by being ConditionedToAcceptHorror. Besides, he cannot be everywhere at once, so he, a OneManArmy, fights with an army to achieve victory more effectively. |
| 37 | * OnlyAFleshWound: The closest instances of a major injury that Kyril sustains in the original version are a punctured lung from a crossbow shot, and a sword wound to an arm and a leg from his duel with Vault. Both of them are received in the ''Liberation of Ansur [[StoryArc Arc]]''. Being a ''VideoGame/BloodBorne'' hunter, it would not be surprising to see him shrug off said injuries without trouble. |
| 38 | * OnlyInItForTheMoney: |
| 39 | ** Kyril, in the beginning. He has been working as a freelance sellsword since arriving in Eostia, hunting down numerous orc war bands [[OneManArmy by himself]] not for heroics, but for a living. In fact, this trope is the sole reason why he gets involved in the quest to bring Olga alive back to Ken. His insistence on the completion of his mission, hence getting paid, is made more prominent in the remastered version. Later on, he gradually grows out of this mentality when he gets more involved in the war against the Black Dogs. In particular, the moment where he decides to [[DefiedTrope defy]] BystanderSyndrome marks his CharacterDevelopment. |
| 40 | ** In Chapter 25, Kyril claims himself as this while interrogating a clergyman who follows Grishom. The clergyman takes the bait and frantically reveals that he knows where Grishom is, culminating in the climax of the Rebel Scum Arc. |
| 41 | * OpenSaysMe: Happens in Chapter 29 of the original when the [[BadassCrew five hunters]] hit a warehouse where [[HumanTraffickers Mandeville's associates]] are meeting. Kyril kicks a door off of its hinges, brazenly interrupting their meeting. Cue [[CurbStompBattle slaughter]]. |
| 42 | * OppositesAttract: Sanakan and Hugh. She's a HotBlooded [[TheCynic cynic]] while he's a mute [[TheIdealist idealist]]. This is reinforced in the FourTemperamentEnsemble, with Sanakan as the choleric and Hugh as the phlegmatic respectively. The result? PuppyLove! |
| 43 | * OrphanageOfLove: Soren was raised in one of these, named Little Angel's Orphanage. Accompanied by Lily, Soren later visits the old building that was once his childhood home to reunite with the caretaker and the children. It turns out that this place was once in dire straits, which motivated Soren to obtain money via thieving to support the orphanage. |
| 44 | * OrphansOrdeal: |
| 45 | ** Sanakan and Hugh. Forced to [[StreetUrchin fend for themselves in the streets via pickpocketing]] due to ParentalAbandonment. Forced to [[HarmfulToMinors bear scars]] should they get caught. All because their respective parents are not there to protect them. [[FromBadToWorse And then]] the Black Dogs invade the village they are residing to RapePillageAndBurn. The two kids would not survive past Chapter 4 if Kyril, who would later become their [[MentorArchetype mentor]] and grant them strength, arrived late for one second. |
| 46 | ** [[ThePollyanna Hugh]] deserves special mention, as the story later reveals more details about his family. His mother, now a minor noble, married another man to have another son and daughter, which culminated in Hugh's [[ParentalAbandonment abandonment]]. Before his [[TheApprentice apprenticeship]] under Kyril, Sanakan was the only person to show him genuine affection, being a fellow StreetUrchin like he was. To end it off on a peculiar note, Hugh has made peace with the fact that he doesn't want to see his mother or his mother's family ever again, yet he is badgered by these people to come back and become their heir, letter of forgiveness and all. |
| 47 | * OurDemonsAreDifferent: There is no specific "demon" race, but some beings are referred to as "demon". |
| 48 | ** The term "demons" is sometimes used to refer to any "barbaric" StandardFantasyRaces within TheHorde, like [[OurOrcsAreDifferent orcs]] (the word "orc" derives from an old word for "demon"), [[OurGoblinsAreDifferent goblins]], or {{mutants}} (which may overlap with the former two). |
| 49 | ** Kyril isn't a demon, but the guy is so inhumanly strong and fast that he is rumoured to be a demon wearing a man's skin. [[spoiler:He's actually a [[EldritchAbomination great one]], but no one knows this]]. |
| 50 | ** The remastered version introduces [[RatMen The Rat]], an entity that draws power from the souls of the survivors, the desperate, and the ambitious. He has [[DealWithTheDevil made deals with mortals]] before to gain such souls, and now he seeks to accompany Kyril as a means to [[YourSoulIsMine gain more souls]]. He compares himself with "[[OurGodsAreDifferent the Gods]]", but he is later revealed to be one of the many "lesser known entities" whose influence faded away due to the presence of Laurendau and Garan, the two prominent goddesses. On a humorous note, he seems to be a bit perturbed when someone calls him a demon. |
| 51 | --->'''Claudia:''' Demon! You [[WhoDares dare]] make your presence known to [[GodEmperor the Goddess Reborn]]?\ |
| 52 | '''The Rat:''' '''Demon? Oh... you small-minded little things are so unimaginative.''' |
| 53 | * OurDragonsAreDifferent: {{Subverted}}. The word "dragon" is mentioned twice in the original version of the story -- a quote from Beasley saying how he "could have spent less on a blasted dragon" rather than some [[{{Mooks}} guards]] to kill [[OneManArmy the Hunter]], and Grace's narration on how Kyril isn't a fairy tale hero who "slays the evil dragon". In addition, dragons are a common ingredient in a StandardFantasySetting, like the ''Kuroinu'' 'verse in this fanfic. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect dragons or any DragonTropes to appear, and yet, they don't. |
| 54 | * OurElvesAreDifferent: Due to the story's LowFantasy elements, the depiction of elves is more mundane compared to how they are usually depicted. Putting the PointyEars and the [[ReallySevenHundredYearsOld immensely long lifespan]] aside, elves are hardly any different than humans. Notably, the [[CantArgueWithElves "smugness"]] factor is absent, and not every elf is depicted as in tune with magic[[note]]e.g., Grace, who becomes an ActionSurvivor at one point; and Chloe, who uses daggers and archery[[/note]]. Variety-wise, dark elves as a whole are more intertwined with the plot than the other two groups (high elves and half-elves). At first glance, these elves live in Garan, a {{Mordor}} located in the GrimUpNorth. They are also more fluent in the sibilant tongue of Garan, which sounds like "the whisperings of a murderer at the bedside of a dead man" (in other words, a BlackSpeech -esque language). Closer inspection reveals that dark elves tend to get the short end of the stick. For centuries, they have faced enslavement by human slavers, as well as orc attacks from chieftains (all the more ironic when the dark elves and the orcs are [[TeethClenchedTeamwork teamed]] together). The former part serves as the catalyst for the ForeverWar between the South and the North, with Olga the Dark Elf Queen as a core belligerent. Alas, this only caused the dark elves to be seen more negatively, worsening the FantasticRacism between dark elves and humanity. Really puts the "contemporary" depiction of dark elves (the grim-dark elements) in a different light. |
| 55 | * OurGhostsAreDifferent: The remastered version has ghost-like beings named wraiths, described by the narrative as "the essence of the restless dead who resented the living". Cloaked in white, they are [[{{Intangibility}} intangible]] beings somehow able to rend living beings with their claws. Wraiths are vulnerable to Olga's magic field that [[DispelMagic dispels]] their inherent intangibility, as well as Kyril's melee weapon (which is practically effective against anything). |
| 56 | * OurGodsAreDifferent: |
| 57 | ** The main setting has multiple gods that can be worshipped by anyone, even the unsavoury folk[[note]]e.g., the goblins using a HumanSacrifice for their dark gods (Chapter 6, original ver.), the Malys clan dabbling with less sympathetic gods (Chapter 22, original ver.), the orcs ululating to their dark gods around a cooking pit (Chapter 9, remastered ver.), etc.[[/note]]. However, only two are regarded as the most prominent: gentle Laurendau, who reincarnates in her descendants to hold her power for generations; and haughty Garan, Laurendau's [[EvilCounterpart polar opposite]] (though her "cruelty" is merely an InformedAttribute). Celestine Lucross is the current inheritor of the former's power, while Olga Discordia is the current inheritor of the latter. [[ForeverWar Both have engaged in warfare for centuries]]. |
| 58 | ** Examples exclusive in the remastered version: |
| 59 | *** During a conversation between Kyril and Prim, Kyril mentions that he has seen gods far above mortal, indicating that [[spoiler:he equates the [[Characters/BloodBorneGreatOnes great ones]] with gods]]. |
| 60 | *** [[OurDemonsAreDifferent The]] [[RatMen Rat]] notes that TheOldGods are waking, and they may need Kyril during some future war. Though this merely falls under VaguenessIsComing rather than meaningful lore. |
| 61 | * OurOrcsAreDifferent: The traditional kind. [[DumbMuscle Dumb]], green-skinned, bestial/barbaric to the point of AlwaysChaoticEvil, little to no culture/character outside of organizing war bands and committing RapePillageAndBurn... the orcs are Tolkienesque alright. There's also how other groups like [[OurGoblinsAreDifferent goblins]], [[AllTrollsAreDifferent trolls]], and [[OurOgresAreHungrier ogres]] are typically counted as "orcs but smaller or larger". |
| 62 | * OutsideContextProblem: Suffice to say, anyone and anything related to ''VideoGame/BloodBorne'' is this to the ''Kuroinu'' 'verse. Especially Kyril Sutherland, the protagonist of this story. To the people of Eostia, he is a mysterious outsider clad in nondescript clothing and a weird hat. No one in the country knows where he comes from, and the stuff he uses is ''completely'' foreign. The awe, mystery, and suspicion only increase tenfold when compounded by his secrecy, as well as [[StrongAndSkilled his talent]] [[OneManArmy for slaughter]]. On the other hand, readers who have played ''VideoGame/BloodBorne'' [[DramaticIrony are familiar with his origins, his abilities, and his motives]]. Throughout the story, he is the GodzillaThreshold to Celestine, ruler of Eostia and leader of the Seven Shields, who has no choice but to find this elusive, yet dangerous agent in hopes of possibly ending the ForeverWar with his help, which it did. The monsters and the Black Dogs simply don't stand a chance against this blasted NighInvulnerable LightningBruiser that came out of nowhere. Even though he is on the side of Eostia and its people during the war against the Black Dogs, they can only pray that he doesn't [[ForTheEvulz murder or turn on them for no reason]], not that they can do anything anyway should he decide to do so, implausible as it may seem. The kicker? Kyril himself will [[ExploitedTrope make sure]] that he is ''always two steps ahead'' by keeping Yharnam and his two biggest trump cards -- his ResurrectiveImmortality [[spoiler:and his nature as a [[EldritchAbomination great one]]]] a secret, with the positive side-effect that [[spoiler:no one would suffer from the [[GoMadFromTheRevelation madness]] of Yharnam]]. At one point, he even outright states that [[TerrorHero fear and deception are useful tools for him to move if everyone knew almost nothing about him]]. |
| 63 | [[/folder]] |
| 64 | |
| 65 | [[folder:P]] |
| 66 | * PaperDestructionOfAnger: Having a dislike for paperwork, Kyril does this sometimes with irritation. The one time he does this with TranquilFury is when he has enough of [[spoiler:a spreading rumour claiming he slept with Maia]]. Cue the feeble piece of parchment on his table being crumpled into a ball and abruptly [[BurnBabyBurn thrown into the fireplace]]. |
| 67 | * ParentalAbandonment: Sanakan, Hugh, and Soren are confirmed to be orphans. Only Soren is lucky enough to end up raised in an OrphanageOfLove. Sanakan and Hugh... [[StreetUrchin not so much]]. |
| 68 | * ParentalSubstitute: |
| 69 | ** While Kyril sees Evetta as a [[PlatonicLifePartners very close companion]] rather than a mother figure, she did take care of him when he was [[spoiler:[[EldritchTransformation transformed]] into an infant [[EldritchAbomination great one]]]]. |
| 70 | ** It is [[ImpliedTrope implied]] that [[StreetUrchin Sanakan and Hugh]] see their {{mentor}} Kyril as a father figure, as he gives them a home, food, and strength, despite having every right to turn them away. A bartender even asks him if the two kids are his. |
| 71 | --->'''Varo''': And these two kids? Are they yours?\ |
| 72 | '''Kyril''': They are my... [[TheSquire squires]]. |
| 73 | ** Soren's foster mother, Sister Ramiel, serves as this to the children under her care in the [[OrphanageOfLove old orphanage]] that serves as his childhood home. |
| 74 | ** Olga became a surrogate mother to Chloe after saving the half-elf from slavery and raising her by herself in the Black Fortress. As Chloe grew up into the [[NumberTwo loyal vassal]] Olga wanted and needed her to be, the two of them would later become each other's LivingEmotionalCrutch. |
| 75 | * PayEvilUntoEvil: [[ZigZaggingTrope Zig-zagged]]. |
| 76 | ** The very premise of the story is the Good Hunter dishing out [[CruelAndUnusualDeath gory deaths]], torture, and [[spoiler:the occasional MindRape]] unto the Black Dogs, an ArmyOfThievesAndWhores who RapePillageAndBurn. There are times when he punishes Black Dog members legitimately or in a "less cruel" manner (e.g. executing traitors via hanging and burning their corpses afterwards in Chapter 19 of the original), but those are exceptions. |
| 77 | ** As a result of Eostia's enslavement of the dark elves, Olga believed that HumansAreTheRealMonsters and declared war against the country. [[DeconstructedTrope The war went on for centuries, and the situation has not improved since then]]. |
| 78 | ** Kyril's methodology becomes a point of [[DiscussedTrope discussion]] in the ''Rebel Scum [[StoryArc Arc]]'' and onwards, where the Hunter and his men crack down a [[TheRevolutionWillNotBeCivilized rebellion]] by force (in other words, this trope PlayedStraight). Claudia is a vocal opponent of this trope, but the fact that Kyril and his associates have been delivering results with callous efficiency during the war means she is practically a minor obstacle. Other characters (e.g. Celestine, Lily) do not fully endorse it, yet, for the exact same reason, have to bear with it. |
| 79 | * PermaShave: Chapter 7 of the remastered version reveals that Kyril [[InvokedTrope invokes]] this trope via a minor shaving montage. He admits that he never expected himself to do something as banal as removing facial hair. |
| 80 | * PerpetualFrowner: |
| 81 | ** {{Downplayed}} for Sanakan. Her default expression is a scowl, but sometimes grins if she feels like it. |
| 82 | ** {{Subverted}} for Kyril. He's a ConsummateProfessional who leans towards TheStoic with the emotionless visage, giving the impression of seriousness or mild annoyance all the time, but he does give a thin smile underneath his bandanna more than once. |
| 83 | * PileBunker: The Good Hunter pulls out the Stake Driver on two occasions in the original version -- the attack on the Malys Estate, and the hunt for Mandeville. A [[PowerFist heavy gauntlet]] with a large stake strapped to it, it is [[OneHitKill strong]] enough to reduce a mutant to LudicrousGibs. The resulting explosion from this trick weapon can also stagger nearby foes, making them vulnerable to any incoming attack. |
| 84 | * PintSizedPowerhouse: |
| 85 | ** Princess Knight Luu-Luu has a child-like body frame, but she is strong enough to lift her huge axe. Her combat prowess is best shown in [[spoiler:Chapter 16 of the original, where Luu-Luu, as a [[BrainwashedAndCrazy husk]], manages to keep up with [[WorldsStrongestMan the Good]] [[LightningBruiser Hunter]] in speed. She also has enough strength to push him back and throw him aside a considerable distance.]] |
| 86 | ** This seems to be a common trait of [[{{Hobbits}} Half-lings]]. Like Luu-Luu, who is also one of them, the half-ling fighters barely stand at [[TallDarkAndHandsome Kyril's]] shoulders, yet they bear weapons that are longer than they are tall. |
| 87 | * PistolWhipping: The Good Hunter bludgeons his prey with his pistol and blunderbuss just as often as he shoots them. This is necessary because his firearms need to be reloaded after firing a shot. Thanks to his [[SuperStrength very strength]], a strike from his firearm used as a blunt instrument can kill as well. |
| 88 | * PitifulWorms: |
| 89 | ** Both versions of the story feature a few moments where the uber-powerful Kyril compares other people to insects, making him a rare heroic example. |
| 90 | *** In the original version, Kyril encounters Shamuhaza a second time and calls him, [[spoiler:now as an [[InsectoidAliens insectoid]] EldritchAbomination]], "small and insignificant" in his BadassBoast, as if he is mocking Shamuhaza for [[spoiler:turning into an actual bug]] to fight him. Not that it matters anyway, as Kyril himself [[spoiler:is a [[EldritchAbomination great one]] with far more power and experience]]. The following narration says it all: |
| 91 | ---->''And all the while, [[spoiler:[[GiantEyeOfDoom a great eye]] stared down upon him, watching his [[FateWorseThanDeath agony]] with callous disinterest]]. As if watching a bug pinned to the table by a needle.'' |
| 92 | *** In Chapter 4 of the remastered version, Kyril internally remarks that he doesn't bother sparing Hicks, one of Vault's compatriots, any attention because he sees him as an insect. |
| 93 | *** In Chapter 6 of the remastered version, Kyril is reminded of vermin upon witnessing a group of Black Dogs molesting Chloe, their depravity being similar to how tainted Yharnam's people were. |
| 94 | ** In the remastered version, The Rat, a demonic entity, sees the existence of Alicia, Maia, and Kaguya (all humans) as lower than an insect's. |
| 95 | * PlacidPlaneOfAnkleDeepWater: The final confrontation against Shamuhaza [[spoiler:as a scuttling insect]] takes place on the waters of a great lake. Sanakan and Hugh note the surreality of the location they are in. |
| 96 | -->''Sanakan and Hugh were silent, both in awe of what they were standing in.''\ |
| 97 | ''They stood, how it was possible neither knew, on the waters of a great lake. Underneath the waters were plant roots. In the middle of the lake was a large Lumen flower that Kyril recognized.''\ |
| 98 | ''He could hear its displeasure cleanly in his mind. The poor thing would probably feel right at home in the gardens of the Hunter's Dream.'' |
| 99 | * PlatonicLifePartners: [[HunterOfMonsters The Good Hunter]] and [[KindlyHousekeeper the Plain Doll]]. He sees her as his dearest companion and [[TheConfidant confidante]], willing to live out the rest of his life to repay her kindness. She sees him as her dearest Hunter and OnlyFriend, willing to take care of him and soothe his sickly spirit for as long as he lives. Their [[UndyingLoyalty intense loyalty]] to each other aside, the two have [[BirdsOfAFeather a lot of similarities]], share several moments of intimacy, are comfortable in each other's presence, and have been living together in the Dream since the Night of the Hunt. The fact that [[spoiler:[[DomainHolder he]] can set time to [[YearInsideHourOutside flow differently than in the Waking World]]]] means it is theoretically possible for him to spend virtually every waking moment with her. Nevertheless, they have no romantic or sexual interest in each other whatsoever, to the point where the concept of {{UST}} or RelationshipUpgrade is ''simply absent'' between the two. The both of them value the well-being and the company of their dearest friend, without feeling any passion or the need for pretension. |
| 100 | * PlatonicProstitution: Chapter 7 of the original features Kyril visiting the Rosie and its mistress Shani, who is said to have connections with one of Alicia's wayward knights. Rather than for sex, he's here to gather the intelligence needed to strike back at ArcVillain Beasley and his forces, as well as to get a place for his apprentices to rest at (that is, to sleep under a blanket). |
| 101 | * PlayingWithFire: |
| 102 | ** If mages are present within armies, 99.9% of the time they will be using fire spells, either to burn their enemies or to get rid of surrounding objects. They can also control how the fire spreads to avoid burning themselves. |
| 103 | ** Fire manipulation is [[LadyOfBlackMagic Olga's]] speciality. Throughout both versions of the story, she is shown to use her flames via a variety of attacks, like {{fireballs}}, flaming enclosures, [[DeathFromAbove airstrikes]], or [[DynamicEntry literally making her appearance known with a blaze of glory]]. |
| 104 | * PocketDimension: Kyril and Evetta's humble abode, the Hunter's Dream, [[spoiler:a place tied to his will and they are free to enter and leave it if they wish]]. Reading [[ArtifactOfDoom Kyril's journal]] gave Celestine and Olga a loose connection to this place. [[GenreSavvy Thankfully, they decide to refrain from prying any further.]] |
| 105 | * PoliticallyIncorrectVillain: |
| 106 | ** The Black Dogs are a [[PrivateMilitaryContractors mercenary]] ArmyOfThievesAndWhores set on building a NoWomansLand [[TheEmpire regime]] where every woman is a SexSlave confined to the [[StayInTheKitchen kitchen]] by law. |
| 107 | ** As a result of the FantasticRacism between dark-elves and humans, it should be of no surprise to see [[ArcVillain these people]] on both sides. Olga Discordia, the dark-elf queen, despises humanity, while John Mandeville is a prominent figure of the dark-elf [[SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil slave trade]]. |
| 108 | * PowerFist: |
| 109 | ** Sanakan has a heavy bracer which protects the arm/wrist instead of the fist, but works pretty much in the same way as a gauntlet. One blow is strong enough to break the opponent's neck. |
| 110 | ** Kyril's Stake Driver is a heavy gauntlet that works like a PileBunker. |
| 111 | * ThePowerOfBlood: Naturally, as a result of being a ''VideoGame/BloodBorne'' fic. Kyril's Blood Vials can heal any ailment. Moreover, [[spoiler:Kyril's AlienBlood]], Blood Gems and Blood Stones (the latter two used for enhancing [[MixAndMatchWeapon trick weaponry]]) are responsible for enhancing the apprentice hunters' combat capabilities. In particular, Hugh's Chikage has a blood rite with a CastFromHitPoints ability, feeding on the blood of both the user and anyone on the receiving end of the blade. |
| 112 | * ThePowerOfFriendship: {{Inverted}}, RussianReversal style. In [[UniversalTropes universal media]], having friends gives you strength. In ''The Night Unfurls'', ''[[MightMakesRight having strength gives you friends]]''. Best showcased by Sanakan and Hugh, who started out as lonely orphans and pickpockets, barely noticed by peasant or noble. It is when they [[TookALevelInBadass trained hard and kicked a lot of asses]] as [[TheApprentice apprentices]] of [[WorldsStrongestMan the strongest knight in Eostia]] that they start to find companionship with said knight's two other apprentices, Lily and Soren. The four of them [[ShowDontTell don't explicitly say]] that they are friends, comrades, or any of that cringey stuff, but it is clear that the [[TrueCompanions camaraderie]] is there. Moreover, Sanakan says to Kyril outright that they are a big happy family of misfits, even though Kyril is the [[{{Mentors}} mentor]]. All because the two [[MythologyGag wastes of skin]] asked him to help them become strong. The mentor gave them strength, and with it, the opportunity to have friends. |
| 113 | * PraetorianGuard: |
| 114 | ** The Dawn Templars are a non-villainous example, being paladins who [[{{Protectorate}} swore to defend]] Celestine, the [[GodEmperor Goddess Reborn]]. Throughout the series, the cadre has only been in a fight once: at the climax of the ''Rebel Scum Arc''. They are also a part of the five-thousand-men army that is sent to Thorn for a potential BigBadassBattleSequence, which is yet to be featured. |
| 115 | ** According to lore, the influential Malys clan had its own household guard called the Malys Royal Guard, who were infamous for seeking out slaves to "give over to the Malys's curious appetites". |
| 116 | * PreMortemOneLiner: |
| 117 | ** Original version: |
| 118 | *** Chapter 8: Kyril to Beasley, right before he [[CruelAndUnusualDeath hacks him apart systematically]] like a butcher chopping up a fresh piece of meat. |
| 119 | ---->'''Kyril:''' So ends another traitor. So ends another villain. |
| 120 | ** Remastered version: |
| 121 | *** Chapter 5: The OneLiner Olga says to Kyril as she tries to immolate him would've been a pre-mortem one. Emphasis on [[{{Subverted}} "would've"]]. |
| 122 | ---->'''Olga:''' [[PrepareToDie Die as you lived]], human. Brave, but [[YouFool foolish]]! ''[encloses flames upon Kyril]''\ |
| 123 | '''Kyril:''' ''[dispels the flames with a Beast Roar, [[NoSell no-selling]] it]'' |
| 124 | * PrepareToDie: |
| 125 | ** Original version: |
| 126 | *** Chapter 16: As the hunters and Shamuhaza face off the first time, Kyril says he's just going to go up there and kill him. He doesn't get to do the deed, because Shamuhaza sends [[spoiler:Luu-Luu]] to fight him, forcing Kyril to deal with [[spoiler:her]] instead. |
| 127 | *** Chapter 19: Sentencing Commander Berol to death by [[HangingAround hanging]], Kyril tells him, "Deal with it. Or pray, seeing as the hangman's noose waits for no man." |
| 128 | *** Chapter 26: Kyril bellows "'''I HAVE COME FOR ''YOU''!'''" to the fleeing rebels as he slaughters his way through their ranks. |
| 129 | ** Remastered version: |
| 130 | *** Chapter 5: Olga says "Die as you lived, human" to Kyril before [[PlayingWithFire summoning flames]] to [[KillItWithFire burn him to a crisp]]. Unfortunately for her, he is [[NoSell no mere human]]. |
| 131 | * {{Pride}}: |
| 132 | ** [[EmbodimentOfVice Shamuhaza represents]] the [[RomanticismVersusEnlightenment "romanticist"]] type of pride -- [[PlayingWithSyringes experimenting]] on helpless civilians [[spoiler:in order to exploit [[TheseAreThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow the Eldritch Truth]]]]. He gets [[spoiler:transformed into an arthropod for his troubles, sitting on a lake with nothing to do but wait]]. |
| 133 | ** The Hunter has faced many a person who [[BullyingADragon think that they can one-up him or take him on despite knowing who he is]], so many that it gets him to muse on the method to fight an arrogant enemy. He answers his own question with the following, a piece of advice in dealing with the prideful. |
| 134 | --->''"When a man or woman thinks themselves invincible you show them how wrong they are. You destroy them without hesitation, without remorse or pity.''\ |
| 135 | \ |
| 136 | ''Show them just how... "human" they are and the facade fades pretty quickly."'' |
| 137 | * PrisonRape: A rare instance where the victims are female, whereas the men-on-men variant has yet to be shown. |
| 138 | ** Happens to the dark-elf prisoners in the Black Fortress, after the [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores Black Dogs]] take over. It's not just the mercenaries though -- the orcs in the fortress are also shown "helping themselves" with the captives. In the remastered version, this revelation is what causes four of the Black Dogs to [[DefectorFromDecadence defect]]. |
| 139 | ** Also happens to the nuns in Chapter 7, who were taken hostage by the Black Dogs beforehand. After Feoh is surrendered, they are thrown into the dungeons to be ravished by red imps. By the time of their rescue, two have already succumbed, having long bled to death. |
| 140 | * PrivateMilitaryContractors: It is safe to infer that many of these exist in Eostia, given how the remastered version notes that mercenary work is a booming business. Though, the only prominent one in the story is the Black Dogs, the most famous mercenary group in Eostia. With Vault as the leader, the Black Dogs have had a close partnership with the Seven Shields during the [[ForeverWar war]] against Olga's forces. They then decide to [[FaceHeelTurn go]] [[EtTuBrute rogue]] and [[WonTheWarLostThePeace start another conflict]] to create a [[SexSlave Sex]] [[TheEmpire Empire]] after taking over the Black Fortress. |
| 141 | * ProperlyParanoid: ''Heaps'' of combat experience accumulated in Yharnam has taught Kyril to be as vigilant as possible, for he would be slain by even the lowliest of beasts should he spare one moment of complacency. This attitude is all but one of the reasons why he is StrongAndSkilled, even granting him the upper hand when he is ambushed or surrounded as shown in Chapter 6, Chapter 28 and Chapter 29. [[spoiler:[[TakingTheBullet Him getting shot by an arrow meant for Celestine]] during an assassination attempt GoneHorriblyRight proves him correct.]] |
| 142 | -->'''Kyril:''' A Hunter does not celebrate the end of one conflict. He just gets ready for another one. |
| 143 | * PuppyLove: Sanakan and Hugh have been in love with each other since they met each other as [[StreetUrchin orphaned pickpockets]]. [[spoiler:Then, they grow as hunters and literally make out in Chapter 18.]] |
| 144 | * ThePurge: |
| 145 | ** The enactment of this trope is not seen, but several clues and events heavily [[ImpliedTrope imply]] that John Mandeville attempts to do this during the Hunt for Mandeville Arc, after Kyril makes his move in targeting the [[SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil slavers]] associated with him. This is shown by the revelation that the Black Dogs are securing secret routes from [[{{Mordor}} Garan]] to Ken, together with preemptive assaults on the Lord Executioner, his band of hunters, Claudia, and presumably all the people inside Celestine's palace that are against Mandeville's efforts, courtesy of traitors masquerading as guards ready to act on his orders. [[spoiler:Whether there are any casualties is unknown, but at the very least, all named characters within the palace are unharmed, thanks to Kyril's precautionary measures, as well as the intervention of Bergen's skeleton crew and Evetta.]] |
| 146 | ** Technically speaking, [[BlackKnight Kyril]] and [[TheHighQueen Celestine's]] efforts to eliminate [[{{PMC}} the Black Dogs]] (who stages a MilitaryCoup against Eostia) plus any [[TheMole traitorous]], [[TheRevolutionWillNotBeCivilized rebellious]] elements count as a gradual, story-wide, non-villainous example. They may be the main characters, and anyone on the receiving end of this purge [[PayEvilUntoEvil certainly deserve it]], yet at the end of it all, they are consolidating power by removing threats to the country. |
| 147 | * PyrrhicVictory: |
| 148 | ** [[spoiler:The Good Hunter obtaining the "Childhood's Beginning" ending in ''VideoGame/BloodBorne'']] is revealed to be this. [[spoiler:He SurpassedTheTeacher, [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu slain the Moon Presence]], ended the Night of the Hunt, and ascended to the status of [[EldritchAbomination great one]] while retaining his mind. [[WorldsStrongestMan Unparalleled]], none can stop him. Pretty cool, except [[ShellShockedVeteran his psyche has become so, so battered]] -- the horrific memories of Yharnam automatically emerge whenever the guy is idle. Since Kyril is [[ResurrectiveImmortality immortal]], the Hunt is never going to go away any time soon. Even more, he befriended several survivors and fought with his fellow hunters, with high hopes that they would all triumph, only for him to [[EverybodysDeadDave witness every single one of them dying or losing their minds]]. As for Yharnam, the city itself is ruined beyond repair, but it would certainly be not the last region to be condemned to the same fate]]. |
| 149 | ** ''Ansur Arc'': [[TheAlliance The Seven Shields Alliance]] successfully repels the Black Dogs from Ansur and regains control over the territory. Besides, its criminal elements are expected to diminish for Kyril has offed the criminal families responsible. However, the high death toll and property damage means that relief efforts are going to take quite a while. Maia, technical ruler of Ansur, suffers a RapeAsDrama, and even though an interim council of nobility had been established to rule over the city, it remains in a precarious position. |
| 150 | ** ''Rad Arc'': The most severe one. Kyril and his men manage to prevail against the [[{{Mutants}} mutated]] EliteMooks while averting a possible case of RedshirtArmy. Rad is retaken, which would be good if not for the fact that the fortress city is so ravaged that it's considered cursed. The majority of civilians were mutated into EliteMooks, so they end up [[MercyKill mercy-killed]], all of them. Those who are lucky enough to come out in one piece would lose their home forever. [[spoiler:Luu-Luu's death]] strikes a blow against the Seven Shields, while Shamuhaza, the one responsible for [[PlayingWithSyringes what happened to Rad and its people]], [[VillainExitStageLeft escapes retribution]], which definitely causes more problems in the long run. The very fact that [[spoiler:he gained knowledge from The Eldritch Truth]] means that the threat of a Beast Plague 2.0 or similar ApocalypseHow is still looming. |
| 151 | ** ''Hunt for Mandeville Arc'': John Mandeville, the major sponsor of the rebellion in Ken, plus other cronies are in chains, expected to be executed in the near future. With the reveal that House Mandeville is heavily involved in the slave trade and trafficking of dark elves, the current patriarch being under arrest means the protagonists have made substantial progress in combating slavery and eliminating traitorous elements. On the other hand, the capital of Eostia suffered horrendous damage due to the rebellion, as per the scribes' records, with the eastern district still in a state of chaos. [[spoiler:Chloe is unresponsive as a result of her ColdBloodedTorture at Mandeville's hands]], while her liege lady Olga is suffering a serious HeroicBSOD because of this. |
| 152 | [[/folder]] |
| 153 | |
| 154 | [[folder:R]] |
| 155 | * RageAgainstTheMentor: Sanakan and Hugh's {{flashback}} in Chapter 7 of the original [[{{Subverted}} subverts]] this trope. The two [[TheApprentice apprentices]] want answers from their MentorInSourArmor Kyril regarding the contract they've taken to become [[HunterOfMonsters hunters]]. It is then Kyril hints that he himself has "changed beyond all human reasoning", or rather, [[spoiler:he's [[HumanoidAbomination not even human]]]]. Worried that they may turn into something worse one day, Sanakan is just about to call him out, only for Kyril to stop her from doing so. He then reassures the two that such an outcome would not come to pass, explains the reasoning for taking the two as his students, and last but not least, opens up to them about his motive to fight against the Black Dogs. The end result is that Kyril gains Sanakan and Hugh's trust as a kind and honest mentor. |
| 156 | * RainOfArrows: |
| 157 | ** During the Battle for Navarus Village, Maia and her company succeed in reclaiming the mayor's estate. This gives her archers a good position to rain arrows at the Black Dogs beneath. |
| 158 | ** A squad of goblin archers pulls off this trope to ambush Kyril and his company during the Battle for Oren. However, it is not effective due to their inaccuracy, as well as their targets being under cover. As such, the goblins are dispatched from a distance rather quickly. |
| 159 | * RapeIsASpecialKindOfEvil: PlayedWith. |
| 160 | ** Those who commit rape are generally portrayed as either AlwaysChaoticEvil or crossing the InUniverse MoralEventHorizon, which explains the prevalence of TheWomenAreSafeWithUs to distinguish which side the readers are supposed to root for (the Eostian armies) and against (The Black Dogs) in a war setting. Bonus points for the latter, whose goal to create a [[SexSlave Sex]] [[TheEmpire Empire]] essentially combines the heinous aspects of both rape and [[SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil slavery]]. On the other hand, the narrative seeks to avert the notion that rape victims are either DefiledForever or suffering a FateWorseThanDeath. Namely, both Lily and Maia find themselves on the receiving end of RapeAsDrama, but the two do [[EarnYourHappyEnding manage to recover]]. |
| 161 | ** The instance where some characters [[AccompliceByInaction indirectly allow rape to happen]] is portrayed just as bad as directly committing rape. For example, Olga once permitted the orcs to RapePillageAndBurn one of her cities, Loraine, in exchange for them joining her ranks. This action makes Olga lose a chunk of sympathy InUniverse, judged by how the people of Loraine still feel [[EtTuBrute betrayed]] to this day, with some (e.g. Grace) even considering Olga to be BeyondRedemption. |
| 162 | ** Another example is Shamuhaza. A [[ArcVillain supporter]] of the Black Dogs, he invokes FaceFullOfAlienWingWong as part of his [[PlayingWithSyringes experiments]] on InnocentBystanders. This one is {{downplayed}}, because the action is considered equally as evil as his other crimes, like the [[PlayingWithSyringes experiments]] themselves and [[spoiler:causing an ApocalypseHow through his pursuit of the [[TheseAreThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow Eldritch Truth]]]]. |
| 163 | * RapePillageAndBurn: |
| 164 | ** The AlwaysChaoticEvil fantasy species, like orcs, are really fond of attacking villages, abducting townsfolk, raping them, and/or razing said villages to the ground. |
| 165 | ** Essentially the Black Dogs' modus operandi during their conquest to build [[NoWomansLand a]] [[SexSlave Sex]] [[TheEmpire Empire]], taking whatever and whoever they wish in every attack. [[ExaggeratedTrope Special mention]] goes to their assault on Navarus Village in Chapter 4, where the men are taken to be executed, while the women, children included, are rounded up in a church for an orgy. |
| 166 | * RatedMForManly: [[MenAreTough Tough, brutal, unkillable]] male protagonist [[NinetiesAntiHero resembling typical anti-heroes from the '90s]] hunts, rips, and tears apart an [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores army]] of [[RapeIsASpecialKindOfEvil rapists]] and [[SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil slavers]] while [[FourStarBadass leading the charge in a war]]. Features guns and a variety of cool-looking [[MixAndMatchWeapon mix-and-match melee]] weapons, particularly a [[SerratedBladeOfPain large serrated cleaver]] and a {{BFS}}. {{Gorn}} galore. Paradoxically, this guy [[InvertedTrope inverts]] many "manly" stereotypes (e.g. [[LeanAndMean lean]] physique, ColdHam, [[CelibateHero celibacy]], etc.) and still remains a [[TheStoic stoic]], [[PragmaticHero level-headed]] CulturedBadass resilient to the [[ShellShockedVeteran heaps of trauma]] he faced in his life. As for the cherry on top, he even sheds ManlyTears in the ''very first chapter'' of the story[[note]]during a {{flashback}}[[/note]]. |
| 167 | * ARealManIsAKiller: [[DefiedTrope No]], Kyril does not adhere to this trope, as his conversation with Grace in Chapter 13 of the remastered version succinctly shows. Rather than a sacred calling or a way to prove one's manhood, to Kyril, killing is not something to be glorified, but [[DirtyBusiness a chore meant to be endured]]. Grace remarks that this sort of thinking is what separates him and her deceased husband, who plays this trope straight. |
| 168 | * RealityWarper: [[ImpliedTrope Implied]]. [[spoiler:When Kyril goes into an UnstoppableRage after his [[ResurrectiveImmortality "assassination"]], he pursues the target responsible. As he walks, objects shake and bleed. Portraits shifted briefly into things out of a SurrealHorror movie. Darkness envelops the target, leaving a small circle of light around him. Makes sense, for Kyril is a [[EldritchAbomination great one]]. It is unknown how much control he has over reality, and whether the "warped" environment goes back to normal after a while.]] |
| 169 | * TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: |
| 170 | ** Chapter 7, remastered version: Kyril gives one to Chloe to show his [[DisappointedInYou disappointment]] towards her. |
| 171 | --->'''Kyril:''' You forget your place. You are a prisoner here, not an equal. You are here because your liege lady beggared for your presence here in exchange for her surrender to me. But your incapability to cooperate is becoming a liability. Do not continue testing my patience by antagonizing another member of this camp or I will [[DeadlyEuphemism rescind my amnesty]]. |
| 172 | ** Chapter 12, remastered version: Kyril gives a scathing one to the Seven Shields after [[CurbStompBattle curb-stomping]] Alicia and Maia in a [[TrialByCombat trial by combat]], furious at being accused of conspiracy against the Crown. |
| 173 | --->'''Kyril:''' I overestimated you. [[spoiler:Vault didn't even get the chance to beg for mercy. I simply destroyed him, do you want to know why? Because he tried to kill me when I told him no.]] I finished my job but you refused to see the truth of it, instead making a childish accusation that I would conspire against the crown. You seem to think me so craven. [[IfIWantedYouDead If I had chosen to do so, I would have severed your Goddess's head from her shoulders the moment I walked into that throne room]]. None of you would have been able to stop me. The only reason you're still alive is because I still have business to attend to. [[NotWorthKilling And you are all not even worth killing]]. Especially you (Alicia). Weakling. |
| 174 | * {{Reconstruction}}: [[Reconstruction/TheNightUnfurls Has its own page]]. |
| 175 | * RecruitTeenagersWithAttitude: [[{{Reconstruction}} Reconstructed]]. Sanakan, Hugh, and Soren are the [[KidHero Kid Heroes]] of the main cast who fight against [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores the Black Dogs]], but they aren't the ''only'' ones "saving the day", nor they are thrust into the conflict head-first without guidance or training. Qualified, trained adult professionals are present in the battlefield as the MenOfSherwood, while the latter three (along with Lily, who is implied to be a young adult) are considered to be the heavy-hitters due to being under the [[TheApprentice apprenticeship]] of Sir Kyril, who is coincidentally the main protagonist. |
| 176 | * RecruitedFromTheGutter: Many cases involve the Good Hunter, due to his sympathy towards the poor and the desperate. |
| 177 | ** Before becoming [[TheApprentice apprentice hunters]], Sanakan and Hugh were [[StreetUrchin orphaned pickpockets]]. Lily was a victim of the Black Dogs' predations, while Soren was a thief working for a street thug owning the streets. |
| 178 | ** Losing her job and being financially in trouble, [[SubordinateExcuse Grace asked Kyril for a place as his retainer]] after the Liberation of Ansur, instead of the other way around, [[IOweYouMyLife wanting to repay him for saving her and her friends' lives]]. Since he could use a helping hand for paperwork and gathering information about the nobility and the Church, he accepts. |
| 179 | ** The remastered version introduces [[DefectorFromDecadence ex-Black Dog members]], whom Kyril decided to lead back to the capital due to their conscience, even though he could have left them for dead. As he declares that he is responsible for their safety, [[UndyingLoyalty all of them choose to follow him]]. |
| 180 | * RecruitmentByRescue: Kyril's apprentices are taken via this method. |
| 181 | ** The first two, Sanakan and Hugh, were rescued from certain death by Kyril when the village they resided in was hit by the Black Dogs. |
| 182 | ** Lily, the third, was saved from further [[PrisonRape abuse]] by the Black Dogs by a three-person team consisting of Kyril, Hugh, and Harriet. |
| 183 | ** Soren, the forth, was freed from the beatings of his thug superior by Sanakan and Hugh. He is brought to Kyril because Sanakan wanted another team member. |
| 184 | * RedAndBlackAndEvilAllOver: |
| 185 | ** Not evil, but Kyril is still an [[AntiHero anti-heroic]] TerrorHero whose [[RedEyesTakeWarning eyes blaze red]] occasionally (in the remastered version, they are always red), garbed in [[DarkIsNotEvil dark grey attire]]. The "red" part is more pronounced whenever he is [[BloodSplatteredWarrior covered in gore, head to toe]] (which often happens due to his inclination towards {{Gorn}}). |
| 186 | ** One of his apprentices, Sanakan, is an {{inversion}}. Assuming that the Old Hunter Set she wears looks exactly the same as that in ''VideoGame/BloodBorne'', her BadassLongcoat is a case of dark on the outside and red on the inside. [[KidHero She's]] actually one of the heroes. |
| 187 | * RedBaron: |
| 188 | ** [[TheDreaded Kyril Sutherland]] is best known as (Sir) Kyril [[TheMagnificent the Bloody]] due to his brutal actions in the battlefield, but different people have referred to him by a number of recognisable nicknames. "Hunter" is what he's known as and the one he preferred at the beginning, though it becomes less prevalent due to his increasing titles. "The Saint of Killers" is a name given by people deep in the red light district of Ken, for he is a man so terrifying that even the most cold blooded murderer on the streets stayed home if he was around. One Black Dog prisoner calls him "The Reaper", a new one Kyril hasn't heard of. He later hears talk about him being "the [[ASinisterClue Left]] Hand of the Goddess" as he continues to bring results for the Goddess via brutal methods. |
| 189 | ** Due to her status as GodEmpress, Celestine Lucross is better known as "The Goddess Reborn/Re-incarnate", or simply "The Goddess". |
| 190 | ** Maia has the moniker "Queen of Mercenaries" due to being the technical ruler of Ansur, a WretchedHive where the children born there are said to be destined to become mercenaries when they grow up. |
| 191 | ** The remastered version introduces a [[RatMen rat-looking]] entity named [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin The Rat]]. It is not confirmed whether it is the forest creature's real name. Kyril even assumes it is a made-up name. Celestine, on the other hand, refers to the Rat as "Lord of Plagues", "King-Spawn of All Vermin", "He Who Feasts On Ambition", "Eater of Men", and "Foul Taskmaster". |
| 192 | * RedEyesTakeWarning: TheDreaded AntiHero Kyril is a hunter, a killer, an inhumanly fast and strong entity that constantly exudes KillingIntent, even when he's not holding his [[SerratedBladeOfPain serrated cleaver]]. His originally-dark eyes turn crimson when he wants to visibly show others that he's deadly serious. The remastered version switches his eye colour to permanently claret red, like spilled blood, just to amplify the sinister vibe. |
| 193 | * RedOniBlueOni: |
| 194 | ** Kyril's [[TheStoic stoic]], brooding nature means that he is the Blue Oni to many characters depending on the dynamic between any two. In terms of commanders, DrillSergeantNasty Bergen is the Red Oni. In terms of knights, his [[TheRival rival]], [[HonorBeforeReason Claudia]] ([[HotBlooded Alicia]] in the remastered version) is the Red Oni. In terms of his band of hunters, [[FourTemperamentEnsemble the choleric Sanakan and sanguine Lily]] are Red Onis. In terms of [[spoiler:people who delved into the Eldritch Truth, EvilSorcerer [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity Shamuhaza]] is the Red Oni]]. |
| 195 | ** Childhood partners in crime Sanakan (Red) and Hugh (Blue). Sanakan is TheMcCoy, loud and tactless. In comparison, Hugh is TheSpock, a mute who can only emote so much. |
| 196 | * RedPillBluePill: Offered to [[KidHero Sanakan and Hugh]] twice in the original version. An uncommon variation where the ''[[TheProtagonist main protagonist]]'', Kyril, is the one offering this choice. |
| 197 | ** In Chapter 5, the two kids have passed Kyril's test by returning proof of their kills. In response, [[{{Mentor}} Kyril]] proceeds to the next step of their [[TheApprentice apprenticeship]]: a contract. [[MyMasterRightOrWrong An oath to serve under his command]]. After giving them a "disclaimer" of what being an apprentice hunter entails (e.g. the burdens they bear, experiencing the [[WarIsHell hell that is war]], and essentially becoming a ChildSoldier at worst), he gives them the "blue pill" option -- not signing the contract. The two sign the contract ("red pill"), obviously. |
| 198 | ** Comes up again in Chapter 7. Kyril clarifies that the aforementioned contract is a mere formality, and that they are free to leave if they wish. This time, however, he emphasises on the consequences of choosing the "blue pill" -- be normal and defenceless until the [[RapePillageAndBurn Black]] [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores Dogs]] either kill them or take them as a slave. Again, they pick the "red pill". |
| 199 | * RedshirtArmy: {{Subverted}} and [[DefiedTrope defied]] in the original version. The ''[[StoryArc Rad Arc]]'' builds up the threat level of [[EvilSorceror Shamuhaza]]'s mutated monstrosities by having Kyril's soldiery, who are previously shown as competent MenOfSherwood, struggle for the first time, taking more casualties than usual. However, these people go to great lengths to ''avoid'' being expendable, such as securing the flanks in battle, planning their next actions, freeing the other scattered forces, and replenishing their strength. As the battlefield moves to the Fortress City of Rad (i.e., the climax), Kyril opts to lead a band of twenty to sneak into the fortress city rather than putting all his eggs in one basket. In order to minimize casualties, he diverts the troops to a less problematic area while he and his apprentices press on towards the hornet’s nest. In the end, the hard-fought battle is won, but the narrative treats the losses sustained in Kyril’s company seriously by putting emphasis on the burials, the mourning, and the rebuilding process. |
| 200 | * RejectedApology: A rather common occurance. |
| 201 | ** During the Feoh/Ur Arc, Alicia surrendered to the Black Dogs and their army, allowing them to [[RapePillageAndBurn take over the fortresses]]. Among the victims are a number of nuns, including Lily. When the two meet at Chapter 9 and Alicia apologises for her actions, she received a slap in the face from Lily, saying that she will never forgive Alicia for leaving her sisters to their fates. |
| 202 | ** Before that, she also apologised to Prim for the same thing, because those nuns were Prim's friends. This leads to a {{downplayed}} example where Prim patiently states that there is nothing to forgive, though she acknowledges that the Black Dogs have pressured her cousin to surrender. |
| 203 | ** Prior to the story, Olga sacrificed a city to the orcs to recruit them and augment her forces to fight Celestine, leading to Grace losing her home and husband. While Olga tries to make amends with Grace at the end of Chapter 20, Grace explicitly states that if she were Sir Kyril, she would not hesitate to kill her, and hopes that he does the same if he knew what happened. |
| 204 | * ReportsOfMyDeathWereGreatlyExaggerated: [[spoiler:Kyril quotes the trope's title while addressing the noble class at Ken to dispel the rumours of his "death" due to an attempted assassination]]. |
| 205 | -->''I assure you, ladies and gentlemen, the reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.'' |
| 206 | * ReputationApathy: One of Kyril Sutherland's defining characteristics is that he is indifferent to how people in general think about him. In fact, he prefers being treated with apprehension while minding his own business instead of spending time trying to look good. Upon being [[{{Knighting}} knighted]] in the original version[[note]]not featured in the remastered version as of now[[/note]], Kyril makes it clear that he does not care about maintaining his reputation as a knight. He doesn't care if people see him as a violent, brutal, ruthless and unchivalrous killer, as long as they stay out of his way in achieving his objectives. His behaviour irks a lot of people, especially those from the nobility, but as the story progresses, more people gradually [[MightMakesRight either respect his strength begrudgingly, or figure out that it is best to get on his good side if he has one]]. |
| 207 | * RescueArc: By the time the war between the Seven Shields and the Black Dogs has begun, later [[StoryArc arcs]] have the Good Hunter, his company, and TheCavalry striving to defend or retake fortresses while fending off the Black Dogs. The ruler of said fortresses (often a Shield), together with their citizens and soldiers would need help most of the time, being either trapped or captured. To be more specific, there are two arcs that are like this. The Feoh/Ur Arc involves taking back Feoh and Ur while bailing out Alicia and Prim. The Liberation of Ansur Arc involves taking back Ansur while rescuing Maia. |
| 208 | * RescueRomance: After being saved by Kyril, her co-worker, from Michelle's clutches, Maia developed feelings for him, to the point where she is in desperate need of his presence and comfort from the trauma she faced beforehand. The affection is one-sided due to Kyril's [[CelibateHero celibacy]] (though Maia [[ImaginaryLoveTriangle initially suspects that he is hooked up with Grace]]), but he did have Lily help her recover. |
| 209 | * TheRestShallPass: This is what [[OneManArmy Kyril]] does whenever a stronger threat suddenly appears, or whenever he senses that the ArcVillain is near. The reason is either because he puts a more [[ItsPersonal personal]] stake in the act, or more pragmatically, he aims to quell the larger threat as quickly as possible, for the sake of preventing unnecessary casualties in his company (defying the RedshirtArmy trope). |
| 210 | * ResurrectiveImmortality: |
| 211 | ** Just like in ''VideoGame/BloodBorne'' canon, the Good Hunter cannot be permanently killed. [[spoiler:This revelation shocks Perdita, the one who "succeeded" in assassinating him, and Celestine, a witness.]] |
| 212 | ** In the original version, Kyril internally remarks how nothing would be able to kill the Plain Doll when he's pondering if his allies are well-prepared against Mandeville's preemptive strikes, [[ImpliedTrope implying]] that she retains her canonical ability to resurrect after being struck down. |
| 213 | * RetCon: In ''VideoGame/BloodBorne'', whenever a hunter connected to the Hunter's Dream dies, they simply [[ResurrectiveImmortality respawn with no further impediment]]. However, in Chapter 32, [[spoiler:Kyril is seen missing an eye after being shot in the side of the head by an assassin, experiencing his first death while [[TakingTheBullet protecting Celestine]].]] This is never explained, due to the original version of the story being discontinued. |
| 214 | * RoaringRampageOfRevenge: |
| 215 | ** From Olga's perspective, waging war on Eostia and sending marauding orcs to its lands equate to justified vengeance for the enslavement of the dark elves, her kind. Consequently, Eostia responded in kind and both sides were unwilling to compromise, leading to a war that lasted for centuries, as well as a deep-seated prejudice between Eostia's people and the dark elves. |
| 216 | ** {{Discussed}} in Chapter 4 of the original. Indriga speculates about the possibility that the upstart, [[AntiHero anti-heroic]] knight Kyril lost a loved one to the orcs and goblins, which explains why he displays brutality and intense hatred while fighting a greenskin, as the rumours say. [[EntertaininglyWrong These claims turn out to be incorrect]], because Kyril just happens to be an [[SuperStrength insanely strong]], [[TheStoic stoic]] fighter who leaves much {{Gorn}} behind, never motivated by hatred or revenge in any way. Moreover, while he did lose many friends and loved ones, none of them are confirmed to be dead at the hands of orcs/goblins. |
| 217 | ** For another {{discussed}} example, several P.O.V. characters are absolutely certain that Kyril will rain hell on anyone who touches a hair on Evetta's head, something that is outright confirmed by Kyril himself during his narration in Chapter 28 of the original. [[spoiler:Though Evetta will do that herself and spare him the effort.]] |
| 218 | ** In Chapter 30 of the original, Olga unleashes a TranquilFury variant on John Mandeville's goons by reducing a good chunk of them to ash, as revenge for Mandeville's abduction of her servant Chloe ''and'' House Mandeville's involvement in the dark elf slave trade. |
| 219 | * TheRuinsICaused: Happens in Chapter 26 of the original. Soren, Lily and the mages of Kyril's company [[BurnBabyBurn burn]] down [[SinisterMinister Grishom's]] cathedral. They then [[DiscussedTrope discuss]] how ugly this piece of architecture is as the building is in flames. |
| 220 | [[/folder]] |
| 221 | |
| 222 | [[folder:S]] |
| 223 | * SacredHospitality: |
| 224 | ** [[GoodIsNotNice Kyril may not be a nice person to hang out with in general]], nor does he give a crap about honour, but he is surely a hospitable host, as shown from his interactions in the [[PocketDimension Hunter's Dream]] with his guests, Celestine and Olga. This is despite that both have them have entered his abode without his permission, albeit unwittingly, due to them peeping in Kyril's journal. |
| 225 | ** Anna references this trope when Grace and Soren visit her home. |
| 226 | --->'''Anna:''' Well, come in the both of you. It's cold out and I won't let it be known that Anna Florence is a terrible hostess. |
| 227 | * SadisticChoice: The ''Rebel Scum [[StoryArc Arc]]'' features [[TheHighQueen Celestine]] making one of these upon bearing the news of a rebellion in Ken backed by the Church and numerous Black Dog supporters, aimed at denouncing her rule. Either she sends Sir Kyril the Bloody to put it down by force while alienating a large portion of the people, or makes peace with the rebels while fighting a war with the Black Dogs on multiple fronts, not to mention the unknown price the rebels would ask for. [[GrewASpine She chose]] [[TheNeedsOfTheMany the former]]. |
| 228 | * ScientistVsSoldier: Shamuhaza versus Kyril. The former [[spoiler:delves into the [[ThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow Eldritch Truth]]]] and conducts [[PlayingWithSyringes inhumane experiments]] on innocents, while the latter leads an army to go clean up the mess. |
| 229 | * ScreamingWarrior: A common occurrence, for the battlefield is typically a noisy place where armies of both sides bellow a war cry as they surge out into battle, grunting, roaring, and snarling all the while. [[HotBlooded Sana]][[ActionGirl kan]], in particular, is very vocal during combat. The more barbaric {{mooks}} like orcs and trolls are this as well. |
| 230 | * ScrewThisImOuttaHere: |
| 231 | ** Salazar Mundus decides to renounce his criminal ways by severing ties with the now-defunct Mundus Criminal Family, and taking his family away from [[WretchedHive Ansur]]. In other words, he's exiled, but this [[KnowWhenToFoldEm spares him]] from [[TheDreaded the Good Hunter's]] [[DeadlyEuphemism "tender mercies"]]. |
| 232 | ** The first chapter of the remastered version features a {{mook}} orc fleeing from the Hunter after the remaining nineteen are slaughtered. The Hunter [[LampshadeHanging is impressed]] -- discretion is often the better part of valour after all. Alas... |
| 233 | --->''Unfortunate that the orc was running so damned '''slow'''...'' |
| 234 | ** The orc ambush during the next chapter ends with the surviving orcs losing their nerves, opting to flee from the Hunter's [[{{Gorn}} butchery]]. They are successful, unlike the unlucky one above. |
| 235 | * SeizeHim: In Chapter 19 of the original, Commander Berol is ousted as a traitor by Kyril and his company. Both parties try to use this trope on the other, to no avail for the former. |
| 236 | -->'''Kyril''': Commander Berol, by the authority vested in me by the [[CrystalDragonJesus Goddess Incarnate]], you have been charged with dereliction of duty and have been sentenced to hang at dawn. Sergeant Roland, seize this man.\ |
| 237 | '''Berol''': [[ThisCannotBe Y-You can't do this to me]], you upstart foreigner! Sergeant Roland, detain this man!\ |
| 238 | '''Roland''': ''*shakes head*'' I don't follow the words of a traitor.\ |
| 239 | '''Kyril''': You have been relieved of command, Berol. [[PrepareToDie Deal with it. Or pray]], seeing as the [[HangingAround hangman's noose]] waits for no man. Farewell, Berol. |
| 240 | * SerialEscalation: Until the end of the Leaping Lizards Arc, the Good Hunter goes from fighting standard fantasy foes (e.g. orcs, goblins) and traitorous mercenaries to mutated EliteMooks complete with BodyHorror, complete with two [[EldritchAbomination eldritch abominations]] as a nod to the game this fanfic is based on. |
| 241 | * SerratedBladeOfPain: |
| 242 | ** Kyril's Saw Cleaver is infamous for its absurd design and brutal effectiveness. One of the many reasons why its user is TheDreaded. Luckily, its user is just [[GoodIsNotNice not nice]] rather than outright evil. |
| 243 | --->'''Luu-Luu''': Well... that is a rather disturbing weapon. What kind of demented arsehole decides to forge something like ''that''? |
| 244 | ** Sanakan, Lily and Soren all use the Saw Spear Kyril gave them (which works similarly to the aforementioned Saw Cleaver) when they begin their training as apprentice hunters. They have to learn the [[AttackAttackAttack aggressive fighting style]] the Hunters cultivated to combat the Beast Plague. |
| 245 | ** The Beast Cutter makes its debut in Chapter 12 of the remastered version. Another brutal, heavy and serrated cleaver under Kyril's possession. It is used to fend off Alicia and Maia's simultaneous attacks from their ForceAndFinesse dynamic. He [[CurbStompBattle severely overestimated]] them, however, for the duo struggles against the Hunter's uncompromising aggression. |
| 246 | * SexSlave: |
| 247 | ** [[HeManWomanHater Vault]] and the Black Dogs aim to build a regime named the Sex [[TheEmpire Empire]], where the women would "cook, clean and fuck" whenever they are told to. They plan on starting with Olga, Chloe and the dark elves after they take over the Black Fortress, moving on to the women in the south. |
| 248 | ** It turns out that Vault and the Black Dogs are not the first group of people to think of this idea. When Lily was preparing to be [[NobleProfession ordained]], she had heard tales of slavers picking the "choicest" women to sell people rich enough to purchase them. And since slavery was a crime often went unpunished in the country even before Vault's conquest... |
| 249 | ** [[ImpliedTrope Implied]] for Grace, who [[MadeASlave became]] one of the slaver Morgan's "products" after [[YouCantGoHomeAgain being displaced from her homeland]], later tossed aside when she had fulfilled her uses. |
| 250 | ** Chapter 24 reveals that House Mandeville practises [[HumanTraffickers dark elf trafficking]], particularly dark elf slaves waiting to be transported to the GrimUpNorth for Vault's taking, so sexual labour is obviously involved. |
| 251 | ** [[spoiler:Chloe, [[ChildByRape conceived via a human male raping a dark elf female]]]]. The father is later revealed to be [[spoiler:John Mandeville]], whose house was involved in the dark elf slave trade centuries ago, the reason why [[spoiler:Chloe]], her mother, and many other dark elves were taken as slaves to be entertainment. [[spoiler:And then [[FromBadToWorse Mandeville manages to have Chloe in his grasp once more...]]]] |
| 252 | * ShadyLadyOfTheNight: Chapter 7 of the original features Kyril visiting the Rosie and its mistress Shani, who is said to have connections with one of Alicia's wayward knights. Rather than for sex, he's here to gather the intelligence needed to strike back at ArcVillain Beasley and his forces. |
| 253 | * ShipperOnDeck: |
| 254 | ** Olga is the "shipper with a crush" type, often [[TheGadfly gleefully teasing]] Celestine about her feelings towards Kyril, while harbouring feelings to the man herself. |
| 255 | ** Lily ships [[PuppyLove Sanakan/Hugh]], though this is more of a case of wanting the two to make their relationship official, instead of getting the two together. |
| 256 | ** There are street plays (shows InUniverse) that depict a supposedly blossoming romance between the Hunter Kyril and TheHighQueen Celestine. It turns out that even non-named characters engage in {{shipping}} as well. And then there are the rumours about how Celestine paid several of those bards to write down their sagas (aka. {{Fanfic}}s) for her own private entertainment... |
| 257 | ** At one point, Lily and Soren discuss the idea of [[ChickMagnet Kyril]]/[[UnwantedHarem harem]]. Soren finds the scenario where Kyril would be swimming in women should the war be over amusing. Lily is confident that their mentor could handle more. |
| 258 | --->'''Lily:''' What's so funny this time Soren?\ |
| 259 | '''Soren:''' I dunno. The fact that the Boss has a string of women at his door.\ |
| 260 | '''Lily:''' A string? That string would probably reach all the way up to the North if you let it. The Master already has his hands full with [[TheHighQueen Her Holiness]]. I'm sure he could handle a few more. |
| 261 | * ShotgunsAreJustBetter: Compared with the Hunter's Pistol, the Hunter's Blunderbuss has the advantage of wider spread, meaning a higher chance to hit the targets in the front. Vera from the remastered version internally notes that it "looked more like a cannon than anything else". |
| 262 | * SiblingYinYang: ''Cousin'' Yin-Yang, to be exact. Alicia and Prim had been raised together since childhood, making them as close as siblings. In the remastered version, Alicia strives to become a KnightInShiningArmor but proves to be a bit elitist, while Prim aspires the image of noblesse oblige and thus an approachable PrincessClassic. |
| 263 | * SilentTreatment: |
| 264 | ** Lily, upon seeing that TortureIsIneffective on a thug during interrogation, suggests isolating the thug in his cell for a day, nary a sound or any kind of interaction. |
| 265 | ** In the remastered version, Kyril is briefly given this treatment by Alicia and her knights due to their disapproval of the Hunter being in close proximity to Prim. He finds it a tad awkward, but is otherwise fine with that. |
| 266 | * SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids: Kyril [[ZigZaggingTrope plays with this trope like a juggler does with their balls]]. He firmly believes that [[MightMakesRight victory triumphs honour in combat]], while calling out anyone who believes otherwise. Not surprising for a [[ShellShockedVeteran shell-shocked]], [[{{Mangst}} mangsting]] [[TheCynic cynic]] like him, but all the more shocking when he notably refrains from mocking PrincessClassic Prim for her idealism, together with his belief that HumansAreFlawed instead of HumansAreBastards. Then again, he ''is'' the same [[PlayerCharacter hunter]] who lied to Ludwig, the Holy Blade about the fate of his Church Hunters as a [[LetThemDieHappy final solace]]. |
| 267 | -->'''Prim:''' I prayed for the comrades we lost on the road. I grieved but now that the Goddess has a plan to end the war, surely such sadness will cease? [[WideEyedIdealist I certainly do hope so]].\ |
| 268 | '''Kyril:''' [[MotivationalLie May it be so]]. |
| 269 | * SingleStrokeBattle: [[FatBastard Michelle]] faces off against Hugh, [[TheApprentice Kyril's apprentice]], during his TrialByCombat at the end of Chapter 11 of the original. While the fight does end in one strike, it is [[DownplayedTrope not as showy and flashy]] as it sounds. Only one person lunges towards his opposite target while completely focused. The other person, garbed in ill-fitting armor, seems more concerned about [[TrashTalk crowing]] rather than preparing for the fight itself. Perhaps unsurprisingly, said other person ends up being [[TalkToTheFist stabbed mid-sentence]], right in the unprotected belly. Oh, and the loser of the battle doesn't even get a [[DiagonalCut clean death]], or [[LudicrousGibs a cool one]] for that matter. [[UndignifiedDeath Instead]], he writhes on the grass, screaming all the while, and is ultimately silenced after the winner decides that enough is enough and [[OffWithHisHead beheads him]]. Take a guess which person is which. |
| 270 | * SinkOrSwimMentor: |
| 271 | ** Kyril notes that during his time in Yharnam, he had no formal instruction, for his mentor Gehrman believed that the best way to hunt beasts was through practical experience on the field of battle (i.e. to "git gud" by [[ResurrectiveImmortality dying over and over again]], just like in the [[VideoGame/BloodBorne game]]). |
| 272 | ** One of the assignments Kyril has given to his [[TheApprentice apprentice]] [[KidHero Kid Heroes]] Sanakan and Hugh is to hunt down a large hobgoblin, wipe out its band, and return with proof of the kills. The "sink" part is emphasised with Kyril internally stating that he has confidence in them, otherwise he'd "end up with two dead apprentices" and "[[CaptainObvious that would be bad]]". The two succeed, but not without being bloodied and battered, their [[ClothingDamage clothes torn up]]. |
| 273 | * SituationalSociability: Kyril is an example that doesn't involve shyness. During typical conversations (if he engages in them), he speaks in a serene, distant, and impassive tone. He is notably more commanding when playing the role of a FourStarBadass. |
| 274 | * SlashedThroat: |
| 275 | ** Hugh miraculously [[SubvertedTrope subverts this trope]] by surviving such an attempt on his life prior to his introduction[[note]]TruthInTelevision as there have been cases where victims survive this[[/note]]. It does render him [[TheSpeechless mute]], though. |
| 276 | ** One of the hunters' [[AnatomyAgony myriad of ways]] to kill a {{mook}}, either by a sneak attack, or when the strike does not [[OffWithHisHead cut off the head entirely]]. |
| 277 | * SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil: A sentiment held by many named characters in the story, including those who have experienced slavery first-hand (e.g. Chloe, Grace, etc.). Narrative-wise, the enslavement of dark elves in Eostia was the root cause that sets in motion the [[ForeverWar centuries-old feud]] between Celestine and Olga, with Olga making the declaration of war to show her discontent towards this issue. Fast forward to the present and the situation barely changed for the better -- slavery remains a crime that was often went unpunished in Eostia, and [[HumanTraffickers dark elf trafficking]] still runs rampant. From Chapter 17 of the original and onwards, [[PayEvilUntoEvil hunting down]] the slavers, dismantling the slave trade, and subsequently freeing the slaves become the focus of the story. |
| 278 | * TheSleepless: [[spoiler:Thanks to the [[EldritchAbomination eldritch]] [[AlienBlood blood]] flowing in his veins, ]]Kyril has no need for sleep. Since sleep never does anything for him, he would [[{{Workaholic}} work all day]] instead. |
| 279 | * SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism: [[SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism/TheNightUnfurls Has its own page]]. |
| 280 | * SmiteMeOMightySmiter: Olga falls ill during the journey back to Ken, and Chloe gives a DeathGlare to Kyril as though it is his fault that her liege lady is sick. Kyril proceeds to mock this trope. |
| 281 | -->''"What else was he supposed to do? Yell at the gods to make them feel better? Like that ever worked."'' |
| 282 | * SnowMeansDeath: [[spoiler:[[MercyKill Luu]]-[[SacrificialLion Luu]], who [[DyingAsYourself dies as herself]]]], is laid down on the snow-covered ground by Kyril. |
| 283 | * SoProudOfYou: After sparring with all four of his [[TheApprentice apprentices]], [[MentorInSourArmor Kyril]] says he is proud of all of them, clearly pleased with their [[TookALevelInBadass progress]]. In response, Sanakan assures her mentor that the four of them are getting better every day. |
| 284 | * SoiledCityOnAHill: After experiencing this trope first-hand that is [[VideoGame/BloodBorne Yharnam]], which [[LookOnMyWorksYeMightyAndDespair collapsed]] due to misuse of the Old Blood, hence the Beast Plague, the Good Hunter is [[DefiedTrope determined to prevent]] this outcome from happening to Eostia, only using his [[AlienBlood Blood]] [[HealingPotion Vials]] on himself. |
| 285 | * SoldierVersusWarrior: ''The Night Unfurls'' favours the Soldier over the Warrior. The main character, Kyril Sutherland, appears to be everything a Warrior dreams of, being this single mighty individual who [[CurbStompBattle stomps]] everyone, advances relentlessly, and wields any kind of weapon ([[MultiMeleeMaster melee]] or [[MultiRangedMaster ranged]]) with mastery. However, his philosophy is full-on Soldier -- he believes that there is neither glory nor honour in combat, only a task to be fulfilled, as well as a chore to be endured. The only reward is to live another day. Apart from that, in the original version, Kyril emphasises training, discipline, and doing their job over "foolish" things like glory or bravado when leading his subordinates to battle. Meanwhile, characters with a Warrior mindset are either antagonists or otherwise punished by the narrative. Vault (later revealed to be a bad guy) is characterised as someone who likes to compete and conquer. Antagonists tend to be disorganised, lustful, and/or mindless pillagers. People who espouse honour and chivalry underperform. |
| 286 | * SpellBlade: The Holy Moonlight Sword that Kyril wields, just like in ''VideoGame/BloodBorne'', can channel arcane energy to enhance its slashing and thrusting power. Said energy can also be released in the form of [[SwordBeam waves]] or explosions, which makes this {{BFS}} the most potent weapon amongst Kyril's arsenal of trick weaponry. |
| 287 | * SpellMyNameWithAThe: |
| 288 | ** Kyril has ''five'' of such titles: the Hunter, the Good Hunter, [[TakingUpTheMantle the First Hunter]], the Saint of Killers, and the Reaper. |
| 289 | ** "The Goddess Reborn", for Celestine. |
| 290 | ** "The Dark Queen", for Olga. |
| 291 | ** "The Silent Hunter", for Hugh. |
| 292 | ** "The Pristine Hunter", for Lily. |
| 293 | ** Several orc war chiefs are named like this. There's "the Defiler" and "the Arsonist" in the original version, and there's "the Arch-Arsonist" and "the Eater of Men" in the remastered version. |
| 294 | * SpinAttack: In Chapter 14 of the original, Hugh decapitates a goblin sorcerer by whirling around, [[MixAndMatchWeapon bowblade]] in hand. |
| 295 | * SpitefulSpit: |
| 296 | ** When Kyril indicates he is performing his mission by bringing Olga and Chloe to the Goddess, Celestine Lucross, Vault spits on the floor at the mere mention of her name, which indicates how much respect he has for his employer. |
| 297 | ** Done by Chloe twice in Chapter 6 of the remastered version, when Kyril, the one who defeated her queen, approaches to deliver her to Olga's cell. |
| 298 | ** During the same chapter, Boris recounts to Kyril about him killing a fellow Black Dog for hurting a dark elf prisoner. She cursed and spat at him before succumbing to her wounds, despite his efforts of assistance. |
| 299 | * SquishyWizard: |
| 300 | ** {{Lampshaded}} by Lieutenant Bergen, right before the attack on the Malys Estate. |
| 301 | --->'''Bergen:''' Mages, you will get your assignments but some good advice to follow: stay with your groups. You guys are squishy, the guys in armor are less so. So ''stay with them''. |
| 302 | ** {{Subverted}} for [[LadyOfBlackMagic Olga]] in the remastered version. PlayingWithFire aside, she can augment her body with her magic to enhance her agility, as well as DeflectorShields to protect herself from harm. However, this gets DoubleSubverted when she faces [[WorldsStrongestMan the Good Hunter]], who is [[LightningBruiser faster, stronger, and tougher]] than she is. Within a couple of moments, he shatters both her barrier and her staff, immediately followed by a kick in the torso. [[CurbStompBattle She's pretty much done for]]. |
| 303 | * StagedPopulistUprising: Between chapters 23 to 26, Eostia has to contend with an uprising that publicly denounces Celestine as a false [[GodEmperor goddess]], exhorts men to join the [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores Black Dogs]], and demands submission under the will of the self-proclaimed "King" Vault. The uprising is later revealed to be sponsored by [[SinisterMinister Archbishop Grishom]] of TheChurch (the "fall guy"), [[AristocratsAreEvil House Mandeville]], and their cronies. |
| 304 | * StandardFantasyRaces: PlayedWith. All common races exist in the setting of the fanfic. Humans are, well, [[ShapedLikeItself humans]] -- the race for many POV characters and antagonists. [[OurElvesAreDifferent Elves]] (high, dark, or half) have a longer lifespan than humans, but aside from that and the PointyEars, they otherwise don't seem to be any different from humans. Nevertheless, FantasticRacism is prevalent between humans and dark elves, which explains the segregation between the South and the North, together with the ForeverWar between the two races. [[OurDwarvesAreAllTheSame Dwarves]] are replaced by [[{{Hobbits}} halflings]], being industrious LittlePeople who swaps the beard and accent for [[CutesyDwarf a more adorable look]]. [[OurOrcsAreDifferent Orcs]] serve as the primary enemies, AlwaysChaoticEvil as they are, with goblins being secondary in comparison. The former, in particular, is often portrayed as disorganised groups of war bands, each with a war chief as their respective leaders. |
| 305 | * StarPower: The Lovecraftian sort. Its otherness is shown where even the two most skilled arcane users, Celestine and Olga, do not have this magic in their arsenal. Only two people are shown firing streaks of starlight at the enemy -- Kyril (via [[MagicMissileStorm A Call Beyond]]) and an unnamed goblin sorcerer. This attack is strong enough to tear through armour and the walls of a fortress. |
| 306 | * TheStoic: |
| 307 | ** The Hunter hardly emotes[[note]]that is, to express emotion in an obvious way[[/note]]. He often speaks in a way that conveys disinterest and detachment. He often reacts with a blank look, a measured voice, minor irritation, and maybe a sigh or two in situations where it would be reasonable to behave more emotionally (e.g., in a stenchy place, in a festive party, in a fight against 300 people, finding someone who ended up in his private abode, [[spoiler:getting kissed]], etc.). Most of the time, his visage is obscured by a wide tricorn hat and a bandanna, making it even harder for people to discern how he truly feels. This, along with his talent for slaughter, invokes an image of a cold, merciless killer. [[ConsummateProfessional The Hunter refuses to be ruled over by emotions in order to do his job better]], always bouncing back to his normal, impassive self even after the rare occasion of briefly smiling or being NotSoStoic, but there are a few times where he [[ThatMakesMeFeelAngry blandly tells people how he feels to get his point across]] (because not showing emotion doesn't necessarily mean ''lying'' about one's feelings). The Hunter's stoicism complements his other characteristics, namely his uncanny effectiveness in combat, his status as a [[TheDreaded feared enigma]], and his inclination for serene solitude. |
| 308 | ** Just because Evetta is a [[AnimateInanimateObject living]] [[ArtificialHuman doll]] doesn't mean she is an outright EmotionlessGirl. While it's true that she almost never changes her facial expression or tone, her stoicism comes off as unruffled and peaceful, something that differs from her Good Hunter's aloofness. |
| 309 | ** [[InvokedTrope Invoked]] frequently by Olga]], who often attempts to put on a brave face. In practice, her "stoicism" is a facade as fragile as glass, making her more of a TinMan than anything. |
| 310 | * StoppedCaring: The last page of Kyril's journal has the owner declaring that he's "honestly just too tired to care anymore" as dawn was coming in Yharnam, showing how thoroughly battered he is during the Night of the Hunt. |
| 311 | * AStormIsComing: Used in the {{cliffhanger}} in Chapter 13, remastered version, as [[spoiler:Soren, one of Kyril's companions, lays injured because of Alicia's aggression, and [[TerribleTicking the roaring of the ocean that only Celestine can hear]] grows ever stronger]]. Next chapter's not looking good. |
| 312 | * StormingTheCastle: {{Reconstructed}}. Yes, a direct assault on properly built and manned fortifications is impractical at best and suicidal at worst, but for a [[LowFantasy series]] that puts decent weight on the importance of pragmatism in warfare like ''The Night Unfurls'', it does manage to make this trope work somehow. |
| 313 | ** The infiltration of the [[SupervillainLair Black Fortress]] is the focus of the first [[StoryArc arc]], with a few differences in how it's played out compared to instances that plays the trope completely straight. Rather than going through the main gate, a fact that Kyril [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] to be a bad idea, the Black Dogs enter the fortress via a secret passage/culvert that they can access thanks to their resident mage Kin. The remastered version [[AdaptationExpansion expands a bit more]] on this plan, noting that the manpower they have is only enough for [[StraightForTheCommander a surgical strike to the Dark Queen]], which explains why they don't opt for waiting to starve the enemies out. Other differences include how the one residing in the fortress is [[DiscOneFinalBoss actually not]] the BigBad, and that the whole event does not takes place during the story's climax ([[AbortedArc assuming]] that there ''is'' one). As for other [[JustifiedTrope reasons/assumptions]] on why the "sit through TheSiege" tactic is not used, [[{{Mordor}} Garan's]] foul climate would put the Black Dogs at a disadvantage should they stay for a prolonged period. Meanwhile, said fortress is mentioned to have superior supplies and resources, making this option more obsolete. On the other hand, the Black Dogs have a OneManArmy on their side, which obviously makes infiltrating the fortress an easier, more viable task. |
| 314 | ** Chapter 22 features the attack on the Malys Estate, which essentially boils down to "good guy army attacks bad guy's home base"... except that the "home base" is an ''estate'', NOT a castle. Sure, there are EliteMooks defending the place, but they are insane {{mutants}} who [[DumbMuscle only know to rush towards people]]. With a good formation, good morale, experience, and three [[OneManArmy heavy hitters]], everything within the Malys Estate is wiped out, and said estate is stormed with little trouble. |
| 315 | * StoryArc: The original version is separated into these: |
| 316 | ** Chapter 1-3: ''Assault of the Black Fortress Arc'': Kyril is recruited by Celestine, the Goddess Incarnate, to end the [[ForeverWar war]] with her former friend Olga, via launching an [[StormingTheCastle assault]] alongside the Black Dogs, a [[{{PMC}} mercenary group]] that the Seven Shields heavily rely on. At this point, the Black Dogs' ambitions are laid bare, and [[WonTheWarLostThePeace another war is imminent when one ends]]. |
| 317 | ** Chapter 4-5: ''Interaction Arc 1'': Transition between the Assault of the Black Fortress Arc and the Feoh/Ur Arc. As the Black Dogs suffer a heavy blow from Kyril and his company, people are getting to know more about this [[NinetiesAntiHero seemingly bloodthirsty legend]], praying that they won't die by his blade in the process. |
| 318 | ** Chapter 6-8: ''Feoh and Ur Arc'': Kyril and his company free Feoh and Ur, home to Alicia and Prim of the Seven Shields respectively from the Black Dogs' clutches. |
| 319 | ** Chapter 9-11: ''Liberation of Ansur Arc'': Kyril turns [[WretchedHive Ansur's criminal underworld]] upside down to root out any Black Dog supporters. |
| 320 | ** Chapter 12-13: ''Interaction Arc 2'': Transition between the aftermath of the Ansur Arc and the beginning of the Rad Arc. As Celestine and Olga discover that the rabbit hole that is Sir Kyril goes deeper than they thought, he finds himself dragged into an ordeal out of his league. |
| 321 | ** Chapter 14-16: ''Tragedy of Rad Arc'': The appearance of a [[EvilSorceror sorcerer]] meant that Rad and its people are [[YouAreTooLate beyond saving]]. While Kyril and his company head to Rad in hopes of cleaning up the mess, he cannot help but feel the familiarity of its atmosphere. |
| 322 | ** Chapter 17-22: ''Leaping Lizards Arc'': While Kyril and his company continue hunting down another group of Black Dog supporters, the Leaping Lizards, as well as any remnants of the sorcerer's forces, it is clear that [[TheMole traitors]] exist amongst Celestine's kingdom, and it paves way for future scandals and political intrigue. |
| 323 | ** Chapter 23-26: ''Rebel Scum Arc'': In order to prevent a war of two fronts, Celestine has no choice but to put down an uprising by force. |
| 324 | ** Chapter 27-30: ''Hunt for Mandeville Arc'': The political intrigue set up in the previous arcs heads to a climax as the trails of Mandeville are exposed. |
| 325 | ** Chapter 31-33: ''Hunter's Secrets Arc'': Transition between the aftermath of the Hunt for Mandeville Arc and the "discontinued" Thorn Arc. Certain people are lucky enough to proceed one step closer to the [[InternalReveal Kyril's secrets]], for better or for worse. |
| 326 | * StoryBreakerPower: Several characters have abilities that qualify for this trope '''in theory'''. |
| 327 | ** Celestine can [[{{Seers}} see visions of the future like a prophet]], a valuable asset for a thousand-year-old ruler such as she. The whole story could've ended immediately if she were to receive a vision foretelling the Black Dogs' betrayal, thus arresting and executing the entire {{PMC}} group for treason. Nonetheless, she is not ''{{omniscient}}'', and the visions may not be indicative of what would ''exactly'' happen in the future. The following quote from the remastered version sheds light on this issue. |
| 328 | --->'''Celestine:''' I wish I had the answers. But the [[CrystalDragonJesus Goddess]] gave me sight, not the wisdom to see the meanings. |
| 329 | ** The Good Hunter is [[NighInvulnerable essentially unstoppable]] due to his [[ResurrectiveImmortality unlimited revives]] and [[LightningBruiser being head and shoulders above the rest in terms of speed, strength and durability]]. This guy is [[CurbStompBattle guaranteed to win any fight that he gets into]] while being hardly serious. As if he cannot get even more broken, [[spoiler:the fact that he obtained the ''Childhood's Beginning'' ending from ''VideoGame/BloodBorne'' means he is a [[EldritchAbomination great one]] posing as a [[HumanoidAbomination man]][[note]]though this is only implied in the remastered version[[/note]]]]. Both versions of the story go around this via the following methods: putting the Hunter in situations where he is disincentivised to use excessive force[[note]]e.g., [[NoHarmRequirement defeating Olga and bringing her back to the South unspoiled]][[/note]]; putting him in situations where he demonstrates skills besides combat[[note]]e.g., choosing to stealthily enter a building instead of wasting time killing things in order to complete his objective faster[[/note]]; making him WillfullyWeak[[note]]i.e., he [[spoiler:uses his ComboPlatterPowers as a great one sparingly because he wants to [[{{Masquerade}} conceal everything related to Yharnam]] and prevent collateral damage]][[/note]]; having him experience setbacks in spite of his sheer power[[note]]e.g., the Good Hunter is able to stop the ArcVillain, but [[YouAreTooLate fails to save everyone in time]], leading to a PyrrhicVictory[[/note]]; giving the spotlight to other characters[[note]]e.g., in Chapters 17-22 of the original version, the Hunter is in Scathlocke hunting down the current ArcVillain, while other characters like Lily and Soren are gaining intel to deal with a future ArcVillain[[/note]]; NOT making the story hinge on some {{Protagonist}} - BigBad confrontation[[note]]e.g., conflict is present due to the Hunter being an enigmatic, GoodIsNotNice AntiHero, characters learn about themselves and each other, etc.[[/note]]; and giving the Good Hunter HiddenDepths. |
| 330 | ** [[spoiler:The Plain Doll [[ResurrectiveImmortality cannot be killed permanently]] like her Good Hunter]], as well as being the only character confirmed to have [[spoiler:MindOverMatter]] in the story, to the point of averting JustHitHim. Readers have no idea [[spoiler:how much control does she have with this [[LovecraftianSuperpower power]]]], together with whether [[spoiler:she]] can do this without immunity. The reason why [[spoiler:she]] is not shown rending enemies in the battlefield is because this would [[OutOfCharacter heavily contradict]] [[spoiler:her]] established personality in ''VideoGame/BloodBorne'' canon. |
| 331 | * StraightForTheCommander: {{Deconstructed}}, because merely taking out the enemy leader is not guaranteed to achieve the "instant win" condition. |
| 332 | ** [[OneManArmy Kyril]] and [[{{PMC}} the Black Dogs]] make use of this tactic during the assault of the Black Fortress -- defeat and capture the [[EvilOverlord Dark Queen]] Olga to end the ForeverWar. They do succeed, but then the leader of the Black Dogs, Vault, decides to [[EtTuBrute betray]] the country that hired them. Taking advantage of the resources and the DecapitatedArmy of the Black Fortress, the Black Dogs [[WonTheWarLostThePeace start another]] [[TheWarHasJustBegun war]]. |
| 333 | ** In the remastered version alters the above scenario, where [[spoiler:Vault gets killed before he can put his plan into motion]]. However, several characters (Kyril, Boris, The Rat, etc.) are skeptical towards the prospect of the war ending. Meanwhile, from how Morgan is assured of Vault's popularity amongst the nobility, as well as how TheOmniscientCouncilOfVagueness notes that "the war's end means more opportunities", the story is cynical about the notion that [[spoiler:Vault's death would put a halt to the Black Dogs' conquest]]. |
| 334 | ** Another instance is during Chapter 4 of the remastered version, where Kyril intends to strike directly at the orc chieftain of an encampment, while the others would "strike hard and fast" after the deed is done. Ideally, none of the greenskins escape and the Black Dogs would not be bogged down when the enemy sounds the alarm. In practice, Kyril does [[CurbStompBattle curb-stomp]] the chieftain, temporarily silencing the battlefield, but he later observes that the enemy forces have yet to dwindle, even fighting back fanatically. Evidently, the tactic does not go as planned. |
| 335 | * StreetUrchin: Sanakan and Hugh [[DeconstructedCharacterArchetype deconstruct]] this by showing how unlikely for orphaned pickpockets like them to [[TheArtfulDodger thrive]] in the streets and [[SatisfiedStreetRat be satisfied]] with their life. They manage to reside in a village as shelter, only for it to be attacked by [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores the Black Dogs]]. Hugh ends up getting [[EyeScream stabbed in the eye]] by an orc, [[LeftForDead left to bleed out]]; Sanakan gets taken by a group of those mercenaries to a church, rounded up along with the village women [[AttemptedRape for an orgy]]. Were it not for Kyril [[BigDamnHeroes cleaning up the entire village of the Black Dogs]] and finding the two by chance, the two would be doomed. They won't even survive one chapter in a CrapsackWorld that's HarmfulToMinors. |
| 336 | * StrictlyProfessionalRelationship: Inquired about his relationship with Maia by Mikhail, Kyril replies that their relationship is strictly professional. {{Subverted}} however, as Kyril isn't attracted to Maia, so he ''[[CelibateHero really]]'' means it when he says this. |
| 337 | * SugarAndIcePersonality: |
| 338 | ** Kyril Sutherland comes across as an apathetic and unfriendly person due to his brusque, impassive and brooding demeanour, something expected for a [[HunterOfMonsters hunter]] experienced with bloodshed from the Night of the Hunt. However, simply be a [[NiceGuy decent person]] instead of a jerk, and he will [[BecauseYouWereNiceToMe return the favour with kindness and, surprisingly, loyalty]]. Even if it's just a little, the Hunter would really appreciate someone who shows a useful skill or two (e.g. sneaking around, doing paperwork, or even [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking making delicious food!]]) instead of [[BullyingADragon picking a fight]] [[UnderestimatingBadassery for no reason]]. Towards his subordinates, he is a stern [[TheLeader leader]], but never callous. Starting out the story as a tight-lipped man who opens up to no one but his [[PlatonicLifePartners doll]] [[TheConfidant confidant]] (who sees the Hunter as kind even if he doesn't show it), he gradually develops sympathy towards the weak and the downtrodden, even providing solace to the traumatised. It is worth mentioning that in spite of the above "sugary" moments, Kyril ''does not'' become more expressive or buddy-buddy -- the [[TheStoic "ice"]] part is an integral, persisting part of his personality, neither a shell nor a facade. |
| 339 | ** Olga Discordia. "[[IceQueen Ice]]" to the world ([[{{Irony}} ironically]], she uses [[PlayingWithFire fire magic]]), "sugar" towards [[LikeADaughterToMe Chloe]]. [[AwLookTheyReallyDoLoveEachOther Celestine]] and [[AntiHero Kyril]] are later included in the "sugar" part. |
| 340 | * SuperMode: Any time where Kyril eats a Beast Blood Pellet turns him into a LightningBruiser cranked up to eleven. As his [[MythologyGag blood sings and boils]], so does his beast-like ferocity. [[AndShowItToYou Visceral attacks]] are used more often, and [[PistolWhipping a swipe from the butt of his gun]] is enough to shatter a man's face. Of course, [[spoiler:this is hardly his [[EldritchAbomination final form]].]] |
| 341 | * SuperScream: Kyril's Beast Roar works like this, unleashing a roar that can repel nearby foes while damaging them internally if they get too close, as shown in Chapter 2 of the original. It makes a return in Chapter 5 of the remastered version, with Kyril deflecting Olga's fire attacks via this method. |
| 342 | * SupermodelStrut: [[TheTease Shani]] slowly walks towards Kyril with a little sway in the hips as she convinces him, a tired individual, to [[DoubleEntendre "relax"]]. [[CelibateHero Kyril]] is unfazed by this. |
| 343 | * SwampsAreEvil: To [[AdaptationExpansion further elaborate]] on the horrid environment of [[{{Mordor}} Garan]], Chapter 8 of the remastered version has Kyril and the escapees from the Black Fortress trek through [[ShoutOut the Dead Marshes]]. The wet, humid terrain there gives them a lot of trouble, often involving the mud, the odour, and the fog. Moreover, they are attacked by [[OurGhostsAreDifferent wraiths]] along the way, which would have been a problem if it weren't for Kyril's might and Olga's magic. |
| 344 | * SwipeYourBladeOff: |
| 345 | ** One of Kyril's habits is to swing his [[SerratedBladeOfPain Saw Cleaver]] or the [[SpellBlade Holy Moonlight]] [[{{BFS}} Sword]] down to flick the blood off of the blade. |
| 346 | ** Combined with VictoryPose, Hugh rids his [[KatanasAreJustBetter Chikage]] of the blood of Michelle after their TrialByCombat ending with a SingleStrokeBattle. A bit ironic considering that the katana [[BloodMagic consumes blood]], but it still works. |
| 347 | * SwordAndGun: |
| 348 | ** Kyril generally uses his [[SerratedBladeOfPain Saw Cleaver]] and Hunter's Pistol together. |
| 349 | ** Leaning towards a Cainhurst style, Hugh's setup is the Chikage and Evelyn, a katana-pistol pair. |
| 350 | * SwordAndSorcerer: Chapter 8 of the remastered version has such an arrangement with Kyril and his GreatEscape party when they are surrounded by [[OurGhostsAreDifferent wraiths]]. Olga, a LadyOfBlackMagic, is the main mage, using an anti-intangibility enchantment to allow the other fighters (Boris, Soren, Fredrick, Chloe) to take out the wraiths properly while providing her cover. Kyril, on the other hand, is obviously the main fighter, being the only one that can one-shot wraiths with or without the enchantment (he likens them to [[MythologyGag those Bound Widows that reside in Cainhurst Castle]], all of which are susceptible to physical damage). |
| 351 | * SwordBeam: Kyril's Holy Moonlight Sword is able to [[HerdHittingAttack take out crowds of enemies at once]] from a distance by erupting beams of energy. |
| 352 | * SwordPlant: |
| 353 | ** While addressing the recruits of his [[MenOfSherwood company]] in Chapter 13 of the original, Kyril has his hand on the hilt of the Holy Moonlight Sword, which is stabbed into the snow. |
| 354 | ** Chapter 9 of the remastered version has Kyril leaning on the Holy Moonlight Sword stabbed point first into the ground, as [[spoiler:Morgan is dragged off by the Rat to have his soul taken]]. |
| 355 | * SwordPointing: |
| 356 | ** Hugh points his [[KatanasAreJustBetter Chikage]] at a goblin shaman in Chapter 6 of the original during his first TranquilFury moment, angry at its cronies for using a HumanSacrifice. |
| 357 | ** Kyril points his [[SerratedBladeOfPain Saw Cleaver]] at a big orc as a DrawAggro in Chapter 1, remastered version. |
| 358 | * SympatheticMurderBackstory: Kyril has one in the remastered version. In response to Vault's question regarding how his first kill was like, Kyril recounts the time he had to kill a farmer in [[KillingInSelfDefense self-defense]], how he was stabbed by the farmer with a pitchfork, how he retaliated by spilling the farmer's guts out with his cleaver. The backstory is then {{subverted}} as Kyril admits that he [[IRegretNothing felt nothing]] for killing him. |
| 359 | [[/folder]] |
| 360 | |
| 361 | [[folder:T]] |
| 362 | * ATankardOfMooseUrine: As Kyril and his apprentices set off to [[BadGuyBar Talon Bar]] for Chloe's whereabouts, Sanakan remarks that she'd be surprised if the drinks are not made of rat piss and cat shit. There are no complaints from the five of them, though. |
| 363 | * TakenForGranite: A number of statues can be found in what remains of Rad. They look like panicked people, either raising their hands to shield their eyes, or attempting to run away from... something. As if the [[ContinuityNod Yahar'Gul motif]] is not all the more evident already. |
| 364 | * TakingUpTheMantle: Kyril [[DiscussedTrope discusses this trope]] with the Doll, pondering on the decision to take up the mantle of First Hunter, which was held by his mentor Gehrman, should the conflict in Eostia take a turn for the worst. PlayedStraight in the original version, where he accepts the mantle the moment he resolves to hunt down his enemies and save the people of Eostia from the Black Dogs. Taking a step forward, he starts training multiple [[TheApprentice apprentices]] at once instead of one at a time. |
| 365 | * TakingTheBullet: Or rather, "Taking the Arrow". The end of Chapter 31 has [[spoiler:Kyril doing this for Celestine. Shot in the head by an assassin, he experienced his first death in the waking world. [[UnstoppableRage He's pissed.]]]] |
| 366 | * TearOffYourFace: With SuperStrength, facial destruction couldn't be any more creative. |
| 367 | ** Original version: |
| 368 | *** Chapter 4: Kyril rips a {{mook}}'s [[EyeScream eyes]] and [[TongueTrauma tongue]] out with his bare hand, destroying the face in the process. |
| 369 | *** Chapter 10: Kyril rams his Saw Cleaver into a {{mook}}'s face, ruining it beyond recognition with a [[SickeningCrunch crunch]]. |
| 370 | *** Chapter 11: Kyril [[PistolWhipping slams the butt of his pistol]] into a {{mook}}'s face, with enough strength to utterly shatter it. |
| 371 | *** Chapter 20: Sanakan caves a {{mook}}'s face inwards by punching him in the face with her [[PowerFist metal bracer]]. |
| 372 | *** Chapter 34: Kyril shatters a {{mutant}}'s face via a punch while giving an order to Bergen. |
| 373 | ** Remastered version: |
| 374 | *** Chapter 5: Kyril blasts an orc in the face with his Hunter's Blunderbuss, its face being destroyed by the shot. |
| 375 | * TheTease: |
| 376 | ** {{Downplayed}} for Olga from the original version, who occasionally makes flirtatious remarks towards Kyril, but this merely overlaps with being TheGadfly, and she doesn't behave this way towards other people. Neither has she done anything drastic. His inevitable reaction would be to [[CelibateHero bluntly talk through her attempts to flirt]]. |
| 377 | ** Shani is the mistress of [[TheOldestProfession the Rosie]], so this behaviour is [[JustifiedTrope to be expected]]. She doesn't hesitate to ShowSomeLeg or [[SupermodelStrut walk in a suggestive way towards]] Kyril when the two meet. She even offers Kyril to [[DoubleEntendre relax]], though he politely declines. |
| 378 | * TeethClenchedTeamwork: Happens a lot. |
| 379 | ** Original version: |
| 380 | *** [[TheSpock Kyril]] and [[TheMcCoy Claudia]], due to their [[{{Foil}} opposing philosophies]], as well as how Claudia's husband is put under protective custody by Kyril for being a potential [[TheMole traitor]]. Despite this, they are still on the same side fighting against the Black Dogs. |
| 381 | *** Inevitably happens when Olga and the [[TheAlliance Seven Shields]] cooperate. Just because she is a former EvilOverlord that goes through a HeelFaceTurn doesn't mean that she's EasilyForgiven. There's also the begrudging alliance between Olga and the former dark elf slaves from Loraine ([[ItsPersonal Grace especially]]), the city Olga sacrificed to the orcs to RapePillageAndBurn in exchange for them fighting for her cause. The reason why both parties don't try to kill each other is the fear of incurring [[TheDreaded Kyril's]] wrath. |
| 382 | ** Remastered version: |
| 383 | *** For an example involving two groups, the [[OurElvesAreDifferent dark elves]] and the [[OurOrcsAreDifferent orcs]]. Chloe's P.O.V. reveals that there are occasions where orc chieftains go rogue and attack the dark elf soldiers, despite being on the same side. Considering how the orcs are depicted as AlwaysChaoticEvil greenskin savages, as well as the origin of the "alliance" between the two groups (mentioned in the above entry), this is [[JustifiedTrope understandable]]. |
| 384 | *** Alicia and Kyril. Mainly on [[JerkassToOne Alicia's]] side, because of his [[DarkIsNotEvil sinister appearance]], his [[TheDreaded dangerous reputation]] of hunting down orc war bands [[OneManArmy by himself]], his [[DudeWheresMyRespect disrespect/apathy towards authority]], his dispassionate attitude, and the fact that her cousin Prim is somehow on cordial terms with him. Kyril, on the other hand, admits that he doesn't appreciate Alicia's barbed words from his internal P.O.V., though he sees her as a minor irritation as time passes. In spite of this, the two are on the same team since Alicia has to fulfil [[TheHighQueen Celestine's]] task of bringing her skilled agents, and Kyril happens to be the one. |
| 385 | *** Among the GreatEscape party, [[HairTriggerTemper Chloe]] has a hard time working with... anyone who is not [[LivingEmotionalCrutch Olga]]. Chloe and Fredrick, especially, are itching to insult and draw their blades to each other. The FantasticRacism between humans and dark elves doesn't help matters. |
| 386 | * TemptingFate: |
| 387 | ** Woe betide anyone who says something along the lines of "He's JustOneMan!" or any line that indicates Kyril [[UnderestimatingBadassery can be beaten somehow]]. |
| 388 | ** Also applies to whoever says ThisCannotBe and its related variants (e.g. "You cannot do this to me!"), moments before they are screwed. |
| 389 | ** Original version: |
| 390 | *** Chapter 13: An {{inversion}} happens when Soren yelps "Eh!? He's gonna kill me!" after Sanakan offers to lead the way to Barnum Bailey, who runs a group of thugs and "owns the street" that Soren lives in. He doesn't get to do the deed, as Barnum himself is later beaten up by Sanakan, Hugh, and a mob. |
| 391 | *** Chapter 26: Grishom has this trope written over his face after he [[DidntSeeThatComing fails to anticipate]] his cathedral being [[BurnBabyBurn lit ablaze]]. First, he thinks that "such an inferno would cause untold damage to the city" (the flames are being controlled, so this doesn't happen). He then declares that "he would face the demon himself and triumph" ([[CurbStompBattle he doesn't]]), as "Vault would [[HaremSeeker reward him with plenty of women]] should he [[DecapitationPresentation bring Sir Kyril's head]]" (this doesn't happen either). Lastly, Grishom has this gem right before the rebellion is at its end. |
| 392 | ---->'''Grishom:''' Damnit, where the hell is Mandeville!? He had pledged the support of his house for the rebels' cause. Surely, this was supposed to be their finest hour!?[[note]]It wasn't.[[/note]] |
| 393 | ** Remastered version: |
| 394 | *** Chapter 4: When Chloe meets her liege lady, Olga, she wonders, "[[MsFanservice Who could resist such wiles?]]" Well yeah, [[CelibateHero there is]], and [[OneManArmy he]] is coming for her. He even [[CurbStompBattle curb-stomps]] her in the next chapter too. |
| 395 | *** There's also how she indicates her confidence in the defences of the [[SupervillainLair Black Fortress]], even capping off with "Who would [[WhoDares dare]] [[WhoWouldBeStupidEnough brazenly]] strike at the Black Fortress?" Cue Kyril and the Black Dogs successfully StormingTheCastle in the next chapter. |
| 396 | *** Chapter 13: Celestine notes that Alicia "was a little better" than Maia regarding them coming to terms with their defeat at the hands of Kyril during his TrialByCombat. The readers would later see Prim and Alicia's P.O.V.s, with the latter clearly not in a good mood (an {{understatement}}) due to her [[BreakTheHaughty pride being hurt]]. |
| 397 | *** Chapter 13: Just as Kyril's TrialByCombat is about to begin, Alicia internally remarks that Kyril is a [[YouFool fool]] for agreeing to fight [[ForceAndFinesse her and Maia]] together. She says in her mind, "What fool would willingly face [[DualBoss them]] at the same time? Today it seemed they would find out." They do find out, [[CurbStompBattle the hard way]], that is. |
| 398 | * TerrifyingRescuer: |
| 399 | ** Kyril is a [[LeanAndMean lean]] man in [[DarkIsNotEvil dark attire]], has a [[SerratedBladeOfPain saw-cleaver]] [[MixAndMatchWeapon thing]] as a weapon, and a [[TheDreaded fearsome reputation]]. To his rescuees, he looks less like a [[BigDamnHeroes saviour]] and more like [[AlwaysABiggerFish a monster unleashed upon other monsters]]. The fact that Kyril's prey tend to be killed in a [[CruelAndUnusualDeath messy]] way further exacerbates this. |
| 400 | ** Hugh's [[MadnessMantra reaction]] when Kyril saves him and Sanakan by [[spoiler:[[DeathGlare staring]] Shamuhaza to an agonising death]]. He is very lucky that he is not in the vicinity of [[spoiler:his master's [[EldritchAbomination eldritch]] [[GoMadFromTheRevelation power]]]]. |
| 401 | ** {{Lampshaded}} by Sanakan during Chapter 6 of the original, when she takes out some hobgoblins trying to smoke out a nun guarding children in a hut. She notes that, from the look of fear the nun gave her, she probably looked menacing when swinging a large hammer that [[BifurcatedWeapon has a sword as its haft]]. |
| 402 | ** Grace is spooked after she is saved from three traitorous guardsmen thanks to [[spoiler:Evetta having two of them [[PsychicStrangle stop breathing]] and the other maimed due to her MindOverMatter]]. |
| 403 | * ThatLiarLies: |
| 404 | ** In Chapter 30, John Mandeville exclaims "Liar!" after being told by Kyril that the assets of his house are used to fund the reconstruction in the capital's Western District, and that the house itself is being disassembled. |
| 405 | ** In Chapter 11, remastered version, Maia screams this at Kyril upon hearing his accusation that Vault was a traitor. |
| 406 | * ThatWasTheLastEntry: A rare {{inversion}} happens when Celestine and Olga are reading through Kyril's journal. Rather than finding a "last page" that serves as an abrupt end, it is the two characters who discontinue reading and GTFO, lest they lose their minds due to prolonged exposure to the ArtifactOfDoom. After the pair bolt out, the journal itself opens to the definitive final page, with the author expressing how he StoppedCaring and needed to "end things", "stop it once and for all" and the like. He's still alive. |
| 407 | * ThatsAnOrder: |
| 408 | ** Celestine [[PlayedForLaughs plays this trope for laughs]] twice. In hopes of fostering solidarity and support from the nobility, as well as looking for anything suspicious, [[TheHighQueen Celestine]] orders Kyril, a [[spoiler:[[HumanoidAbomination humanoid]]]] BlackKnight, to attend a party. [[RefugeInAudacity It works]]. She would later pull this off ''again'' by asking him whether she has to order him to come to her chambers for tea. [[RefugeInAudacity It also works]]. |
| 409 | ** As Kyril and his company arrive in Rad, Kyril orders Indriga to go rendezvous with [[HalfHumanHybrid half-ling]] commander Shalala, while he and his apprentice hunters will press on towards the central estate to confront Shamuhaza. Indriga responds with a WithDueRespect, but Kyril insists that his order would not be questioned ("Was my order unclear?"). To his credit, he clarifies that her courage is noted, but he also wants to mitigate risk amidst the deteriorating situation. He even says "please" when reiterating his order. |
| 410 | * ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill: There are times when Kyril uses more force than necessary to kill something. |
| 411 | ** He finishes Beasley off by pinning him down and systematically chopping his body up, instead of [[OneHitKill killing him in one hit]] like he usually does to his prey. |
| 412 | ** In the remastered version, Kyril needs to bring Olga back to the capital alive with Chloe in tow, only to find [[spoiler:Vault, Kin and thirty men]] blocking his way. What does he do? Simply shoot the leader? No. Hack them one by one with his cleaver? No, no. [[spoiler:He ''blows them all up to kingdom come via [[MagicMissileStorm A Call Beyond]]''.]] |
| 413 | * TheseAreThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow: [[spoiler:The Eldritch Truth]]. Any person, organisation, or region who attempts to harness it merely paves the way for their [[SoiledCityOnAHill destruction]] and/or [[GoMadFromTheRevelation loss of]] [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity sanity]]. Eostia would [[HistoryRepeats repeat the history]] of [[VideoGame/BloodBorne Yharnam]] should Shamuhaza's [[PlayingWithSyringes handiwork]] is left unchecked, and Kyril is dead set on averting another Beast Plague or any kind of ApocalypseHow that would ensue. Speaking of Shamuhaza and Kyril, both have seen it: the former ended up [[spoiler:being [[EldritchTransformation transformed]] into an [[InsectoidAliens arthropod]] without much to do]]; the latter ended up [[spoiler:being [[DarkAndTroubledPast put through the ringer]], being ConditionedToAcceptHorror, and [[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence ascending]] to become an EldritchAbomination with [[LovecraftLite the mind battered, but functional]]]]. |
| 414 | * ThinkNothingOfIt: |
| 415 | ** Kyril often downplays his exploits when others take note of them. Unlike many others of similar prestige who [[GlorySeeker put in much effort in building up their reputations]], he dislikes fame, [[ImNotAHeroIm hero worship]] and generally being in the centre of attention. |
| 416 | ** In Chapter 11 of the original, Alaric thanks Sanakan and her company of soldiers for saving him from being stuck in the town of Muriel. She replies, "No problem." |
| 417 | ** In Chapter 24 of the original, [[TheHighQueen Celestine]] thanks Lily for her advice in coping with the ongoing, escalating warfare. Lily's response is to merely say that she lives to serve. |
| 418 | --->'''Lily:''' *bows* I live to serve, your Holiness. If you wish to speak to me or [[MentorArchetype Sir Kyril]] you only need but ask. |
| 419 | * ThirteenIsUnlucky: Applies to the 13th chapters in both the original and the remastered version. |
| 420 | ** For the original version, it features The Good Hunter dealing with the most troublesome issue he has ever faced: [[spoiler:the aftermath of a rumour claiming [[CelibateHero he]] slept with Maia.]] |
| 421 | ** For the remastered version, it features [[spoiler:[[InferioritySuperiorityComplex Alicia]] throwing a tantrum due to her loss against [[WorldsStrongestMan Kyril]] during his TrialByCombat, which leads her to [[RevengeByProxy lash out at Soren]], putting the young man in critical condition. As if this does not piss off Kyril any further.]] |
| 422 | * ThisCannotBe: |
| 423 | ** Original version: |
| 424 | *** Chapter 6: An unnamed GiantMook is in disbelief after Kyril [[AnArmAndALeg hacks off his arm]]. |
| 425 | ---->'''Unnamed GiantMook:''' You... you weren't supposed to do that.\ |
| 426 | '''Kyril:''' [[MathematiciansAnswer Aye]]. [[[OffWithHisHead beheads]] him] |
| 427 | *** Chapter 8: Beasley, during his VillainousBreakdown, exclaims, "No! NO! I WON'T DIE, NOT LIKE THIS!" |
| 428 | *** Chapter 13: Barnum Bailey, after he and his thugs get beat up by Sanakan and Hugh. |
| 429 | ---->'''Barnum:''' You can't do this to me.\ |
| 430 | '''Sanakan:''' Yeah, you're right. [[ExactWords I can't. But they can]]. [nudges head at [[AngryMob a mob of angry townsfolk]]] Well, see ya I guess. |
| 431 | *** Chapter 19: Berol's reaction when Kyril orders [[SeizeHim his arrest]]. |
| 432 | ---->'''Berol:''' Y-You can't do this to me, you upstart foreigner! Sergeant Roland, [[SeizeHim detain this man]]! |
| 433 | *** Chapter 20: An unnamed thug, during Chloe's JackBauerInterrogationTechnique. |
| 434 | ---->'''Chloe:''' Well? Are you going to keep blabbering on and on about your rights?\ |
| 435 | '''Unnamed thug:''' You can't do this to me, [[YouMonster you damned monster]]! |
| 436 | *** Chapter 30: Mandeville, after Kyril reveals that his assets are being used to fund the reconstruction of the Western District, his house disassembled. |
| 437 | ---->'''Mandeville:''' [[ThatLiarLies Liar]]! My wealth isn't something to banter with! My line will not end here! |
| 438 | ** Remastered version: |
| 439 | *** Chapter 12: A non-villain example. Alicia sees Kyril's cleaver seemingly about to fall on top of her head. The phrase is not said outright, but her internal narration expresses this sentiment. |
| 440 | ---->''Was this how it ended? She was going to die? How?'' |
| 441 | * ThousandYardStare: |
| 442 | ** Being a [[ShellShockedVeteran Shell-Shocked Veteran hunter]], Kyril does this a lot in front of almost anyone or when in deep thought, something that disturbs the people around him. |
| 443 | ** During Maia's narration in Chapter 12 that shows her coping with the RapeAsDrama from the previous chapter, she at one point gazes emptily ahead while doing a TroubledFetalPosition. |
| 444 | ** Olga stares blindly ahead while [[DrowningMySorrows drinking]] for nights as her loyal servant and surrogate daughter Chloe is in critical condition, and she could do nothing but hope that she wakes. |
| 445 | * ThroneRoomThrowdown: Olga's throne room is the site of the climactic battle between Kyril and Olga. It is played out differently in both versions of the fanfic. For the original version, no such fight occurs [[SubvertedTrope despite the build-up]]; for the remastered version, it is PlayedStraight. It is worth noting that this is hardly the [[FinalBattle last fight]] in the story, unlike common examples. |
| 446 | * TimeSkip: In order to advance the plot, the training montage of Kyril's 4 apprentices are cut short into a couple of lessons and combat scenes, in order to avoid describing the "gitting gud" process one is expected to experience when playing ''VideoGame/BloodBorne''. |
| 447 | * TinMan: |
| 448 | ** Olga is often said to have a stoic/expressionless facade, but she is more proud and passionate than she thinks she is, especially regarding the well being of her kind, the dark elves. Celestine, [[WeUsedToBeFriends once a close friend of hers]], noted that Olga "had always been a passionate creature" in the remastered version. Given that she has to [[ToughLeaderFacade put on a brave face as queen]] of the dark elves, this is [[JustifiedTrope understandable]]. |
| 449 | ** While Kyril really is TheStoic, his inner P.O.V. professes to have forgotten a specific feeling -- empathy. At the same time, he also regrets that [[YouAreTooLate he couldn't save anyone in Rad]]. |
| 450 | --->''He had long since forgotten empathy, but he was human enough to feel regret that he could not save anyone.'' |
| 451 | * TinyGuyHugeGirl: Kyril and Evetta are a [[PlatonicLifePartners platonic]] example. Kyril is by no means "tiny", being TallDarkAndHandsome, but he is shorter than Evetta by a few inches. |
| 452 | * TokenGoodTeammate: Compared with the original, the remastered version is rather fond of introducing decent characters that stand out amongst the group they are in. |
| 453 | ** From the Black Dogs, there is Boris, Fredrick, Soren and Oliver. All of them do not approve of how their comrades [[PrisonRape treat the dark elf prisoners]], as well as Vault cooperating with the [[AlwaysChaoticEvil orcs]], which is contradictory to what they have been fighting for. They end up joining Kyril, Olga, and Chloe in their GreatEscape, [[DefectorFromDecadence abandoning the Black Dogs along the way]]. |
| 454 | ** From the council meeting in Chapter 11-12, we can see that Prim and Kaguya can be counted as such among the Seven Shields, seeing that they choose to abstain from making any accusations against Kyril, who not only [[spoiler:killed their greatest champion]], but also accused him of being a traitor, alongside his [[DefectorFromDecadence companions]]. |
| 455 | * TokenImmortal: Among [[BadassCrew the]] [[FiveManBand five]] [[HunterOfMonsters hunters]], the Good Hunter is the only person to have ResurrectiveImmortality. Conveniently, he is also the {{mentor}} of the remaining [[TheApprentice four]], so no [[MentorOccupationalHazard occupational hazard]] for him. |
| 456 | * TomboyAndGirlyGirl: |
| 457 | ** Kyril's female apprentices, Sanakan and Lily, have such a dynamic. Sanakan is a HotBlooded ScreamingWarrior with shorter hair, while Lily is a [[NiceGirl peaceful]] CombatMedic with longer hair. |
| 458 | ** The cousins Alicia Arcturus and Prim Fiorire from the Seven Shields. They are both Princess Knights, but Alicia is more of a knight than a princess, while Prim is more of a princess than a knight. |
| 459 | ** Celestine Lucross and Claudia Levantine are an almost straight version of LadyAndKnight, with Celestine being TheHighQueen and Claudia being the armoured paladin sworn to defend her. It's clear which one is the girly girl / tomboy. |
| 460 | * TongueTrauma: During one of Kyril's [[{{Gorn}} killing sprees]] in Chapter 4 of the original, a {{mook}} has his [[EyeScream eyes]] and tongue taken by the Hunter [[TearOffYourFace shoving his hand into his face]]. |
| 461 | * TooDumbToLive: |
| 462 | ** [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] by Soren on how [[SarcasmMode clever]] of the Black Dogs to piss off someone as unstoppable as the Good Hunter, as if they have a death wish. Then again, [[DramaticIrony only the readers know]] about Kyril's ResurrectiveImmortality [[spoiler:as well as his [[EldritchAbomination true nature]]...]] |
| 463 | ** The [[CurbStompBattle aftermath]] of the Hunter's TrialByCombat against Maia and Alicia in the remastered version has some unnamed, hot-headed knights and errant warriors challenging him, ''because [[UnderestimatingBadassery they]] think the Hunter's skills are just a sham''. The predictable conclusion is either to be killed or to be maimed. |
| 464 | * TornApartByTheMob: |
| 465 | ** [[ImpliedTrope Implied]] to be the fate of Barnum Bailey, who roughs up anyone that fails to pay protection money. He is last seen being [[ExtremeMeleeRevenge beat up]] by the fists and boots of angry townsfolk. |
| 466 | ** During the ''[[StoryArc Rebel Scum Arc]]'', several reports indicate that some of the rebels are on the receiving end of this trope. Aside from the classic sight of "carrying dismembered body parts on pikes", one particular aristocrat, named Lord Sherrin, is forced to eat hay and beheaded after choking. Two of his heirs are trampled by horses when they are caught trying to escape the peasants' vengeance. All of the above are [[DoWithHimAsYouWill quietly approved]], even [[InvokedTrope encouraged]], by Sir Kyril's company as punishment for supporting the Black Dogs / not supporting the crown. |
| 467 | * TorturedMonster: Among Shamuhaza's legion of mutant EliteMooks, a considerable part consists of all the people of Rad that are experimented on beforehand. As Kyril and his three apprentices are cutting them down in Chapter 16, he notes that he can catch a glimpse of [[WasOnceAMan who they once were]] in their eyes. Nevertheless, they are beyond saving, akin to the Yharnamites afflicted with the Beast Scourge, and the only thing they could do is to [[MercyKill respond to their pleading cries of mercy]]. |
| 468 | * TouchTelepathy: |
| 469 | ** [[spoiler:Chapter 8 reveals that [[HumanoidAbomination Kyril]] can do this via [[PartialTransformation wrapping his tendrils]] around one's head. An efficient ability that saves a lot of time that would've been used for interrogations, but he refrains from using it whenever people are nearby.]] |
| 470 | ** Shamuhaza is able to sift through the minds of his [[AnimalEspionage beast-like scouts]] in order to know the good guys' plans. |
| 471 | * TrainingFromHell: [[JustifiedTrope Justified]]. |
| 472 | ** Training as an apprentice hunter under Kyril is [[{{Downplayed}} strict, but not outright demoralising]]. Best exemplified by how the four plus the Good Hunter spar -- they rarely hold back, and they do get hurt, but the fact that [[spoiler:wounds heal quicker in the Dream]] means that there would be no life-threatening injuries. In particular, Chapter 32 informs that Kyril's apprentices have to face their trials in the Chalice Dungeons to further hone their skills. Yeah, including the [[ThatOneLevel Defiled Chalice Dungeon]], presumably. Then again, it is assumed that in real combat, people fight to kill, especially in a CrapsackWorld like the ''Kuroinu'' 'verse and any sort of [[WarIsHell battlefield]], so such training is justified. |
| 473 | --->'''Kyril:''' It (becoming a HunterOfMonsters) is a commitment many make, but few actually uphold. This is not a promotion, it is a burden that you and you alone will shoulder. You will fight, you will struggle, and you will fall. You will see the worst things a man can do to another living being. In this war, [[WarIsHell that]] is the truth you will know. |
| 474 | ** If the way how DrillSergeantNasty Bergen treats his recruits is of any indication, this trope is PlayedStraight for military training in Eostia. Tired recruits galore, but Kyril and Bergen intend to weed out those unsuited for combat or any trace of liability. Makes sense. |
| 475 | * TrainingMontage: The limitations of this [[{{Fanfic}} genre]] means that no music or soundtrack is played, but several chapters of the original open with training sessions between Kyril and his apprentices. In all occasions, they are shown sparring against each other, and they don't have to worry about any long-lasting injuries, thanks to their wounds [[spoiler:healing faster in the Hunter's Dream]]. Not every single moment of their training process is shown, in order to avoid long-winded training arcs that are [[{{Filler}} unrelated to the main plot at large]]. |
| 476 | * TranquilFury: |
| 477 | ** The Hunter is devoid of expression whenever he is swinging his heavy serrated cleaver in arcs meant to maim, sever, and kill on a daily basis. |
| 478 | ** Hugh has one of these moments during Chapter 6 of the original, upon witnessing the sight of a group of goblins alongside several female corpses, one of them used as a HumanSacrifice. Internally declaring that the greenskins are AlwaysChaoticEvil, he brandishes his blade with a cold look overcoming his features, intent on tearing the shaman responsible apart. |
| 479 | ** Olga's face does not show emotion when she suddenly appears to scorch the rebels under Mandeville's command, but she is in fact incoherently furious about Chloe being seriously wounded. Even Kyril and a few of his soldiers, all of them hard fighters, are momentarily taken aback. |
| 480 | * TrashTalk: Several of Kyril's opponents do this. [[TheStoic He doesn't care]]. |
| 481 | ** Original version: |
| 482 | *** Chapter 6: After Kyril is LuredIntoATrap with his two apprentices, the guards let an armoured GiantMook through. |
| 483 | ---->'''GiantMook:''' Heh, so this runt is [[RedBaron Sir Kyril the Bloody]]? I'm gonna crush you flat, runt. Then I'm gonna have that [[KidHero boy and girl]] you brought with ya [[WouldHurtAChild sit on my cock while I play with them]].\ |
| 484 | '''Kyril:''' ''[shrugs, exchanges Saw Cleaver with Holy Moonlight Sword]''\ |
| 485 | '''GiantMook:''' [[CoolSword Nice sword]]. Maybe I'll take that too.\ |
| 486 | '''Kyril:''' ''[proceeds to [[CurbStompBattle curb-stomp]] him]'' |
| 487 | *** Chapter 11: Michelle Pantielle, during his TrialByCombat. |
| 488 | ---->'''Michelle:''' What!? Is [[BlackKnight Sir Kyril]] too scared to fight me!? Fine then, I'll wipe the floor with one of his [[TheApprentice mutts]] and- [[TalkToTheFist GAA]][[KilledMidSentence AH!]] |
| 489 | ** Remastered version: |
| 490 | *** Chapter 3: Vault's duel with Kyril starts off with Vault boasting that he would draw first blood, hoping that the Hunter would be prepared to eat dirt. His jab is ignored. |
| 491 | *** Chapter 13: Alicia's narration indicates that she intends to hurl an insult right after the beginning of Kyril's TrialByCombat. Alas, the advancing [[CombatPragmatist Kyril]] does not give her the chance to do so. |
| 492 | * TrialByCombat: |
| 493 | ** Chapter 8 of the original version has Claudia demanding Kyril this, after Celestine and Olga read [[ArtifactOfDoom Kyril's journal]] out of curiosity. Chapter 12 of the remastered version has this featuring Alicia and Maia against Kyril, due to him [[spoiler:[[KilledOfForReal killing Vault, Eostia's greatest champion]]]]. Guess who wins? |
| 494 | ** There's also Hugh VS Michelle Pantielle at the end of Chapter 11 of the original. [[CurbStompBattle Naturally]], Hugh ends the fight [[SingleStrokeBattle with one strike]]. |
| 495 | * TwoGirlsAndAGuy: Grace, Anna, and Ian. In an unusual spin of this trope, no LoveTriangle is present, since Anna and Ian are [[HappilyMarried already married]]. Their dynamic is more established in the remastered version, where all three of them work in the same FantasyTavern. |
| 496 | [[/folder]] |
| 497 | |
| 498 | [[folder:U]] |
| 499 | * UnderestimatingBadassery: Take a shot for every time someone thinks they can either best or kill [[WorldsStrongestMan The Good Hunter]], especially at the beginning of the story (or the whole remastered version). |
| 500 | * UndyingLoyalty: Has a lot of examples. |
| 501 | ** PlatonicLifePartners Kyril and Evetta take this trope to the LogicalExtreme. The two cannot die ([[ResurrectiveImmortality or rather, be killed permanently]]), and their relationship is characterised by trust, respect, affection, devotion, and reciprocity towards each other. Evetta stays by his side so long as he's alright, while Kyril expresses his gratitude by making time for them together. |
| 502 | ** The contracts [[TheApprentice Sanakan, Hugh, Lily, and Soren]] sign to become a HunterOfMonsters also count as oaths to serve under Kyril's command, [[InvokedTrope invoking]] this trope. The fact that they are more than willing to train and fight alongside their master goes on to show how much loyalty the four of them have to their MentorInSourArmor. Lily, in particular, [[MyMasterRightOrWrong admits that Kyril, for all of his morally questionable actions, has earned her loyalty]]. |
| 503 | ** Kyril's consistent asskicking in battle not only earns him the opportunity to [[AsskickingLeadsToLeadership lead]], but also inspires loyalty among his company, so strong that his men would follow him to hell if he had asked. This also generates high morale, bolstering the [[MenOfSherwood army's]] effectiveness. In one instance, Kyril has to say "please" and order ArmyScout Indriga and those under her command to stay behind and support the others while Kyril and his apprentices press on into the hornet's nest that is the central estate of Rad -- Indriga is unwilling to leave his superior out there because of her loyalty, while Kyril cannot allow his subordinates to follow him because he is very invested in his men's safety and they ''will not'' be a RedshirtArmy. |
| 504 | ** Any LadyAndKnight dynamic in the story tends to have the "knight" (Claudia, Chloe) exhibit this towards their "lady" (Celestine, Olga). Besides their protective instinct, both Claudia and Chloe are not [[YesMan Yes-Women]], as they won't hesitate to question their liege's decisions, especially when they [[ForYourOwnGood feel like their liege's well being is threatened]] due to said decisions. The latter situation is also why they are willing to call out Kyril for his supposedly negative influence towards their lieges, even if it means BullyingADragon. |
| 505 | ** Claudia's loyalty to her husband Klaus is such that when he is put under protective custody by Kyril, she dares to challenge the uber-warrior to keep Klaus safe (i.e., BullyingADragon). |
| 506 | ** This trope also applies for the villains / {{mooks}} as well, thanks to Vault's status as TheAce and VillainWithGoodPublicity. Not even the threat of laceration by a bloodied Saw Cleaver is enough to deter them into fighting for the Black Dogs' cause. |
| 507 | ** In the remastered version, Kyril declares the "protective instinct" variant of this trope towards the small company who joined him in his GreatEscape, vowing to lead them out of harm's way should the meeting with [[TheAlliance the Seven Shields Alliance]] go awry. In return, the members of the band each resolve to stand with him no matter what. |
| 508 | --->'''Kyril''': There is no doubt that you have done all that has been asked of you, and more besides. Regardless, I will do my utmost to protect you. You are all my responsibility. I led you out of the desert. I will lead you out of these halls if our fortunes turn ill. ''*bows his head*''\ |
| 509 | '''Soren''': I'll stand with you Boss. Wherever and whatever happens.\ |
| 510 | '''Boris''': I will as well. You could have left all of us for dead but you didn't do that. It would be shameful if I didn't keep following you, Boss.\ |
| 511 | '''Soren''': Fred? You gonna say something too?\ |
| 512 | '''Fredrick''': Yeah, what they said. I don't trust you, Hunter. I'm only going along with this because someone has to keep these two idiots safe.\ |
| 513 | '''Kyril''': As you wish. |
| 514 | * UnskilledButStrong: [[spoiler:The Inane One]] is like this, thick with power but less intelligence. A target so large that it is impossible for three [[StrongAndSkilled hunters]] to miss any of their hits, but it can simply [[SuperToughness tank them]] like they're nothing. Its raw strength is demonstrated via its surge of power that launches the three back, incapacitating two of them in the process. |
| 515 | * UnstoppableRage: Happens during the aftermath of [[spoiler:the assassination attempt against [[TheHighQueen Celestine Lucross]]. She goes through a HeroicBSOD after seeing Kyril [[TakingTheBullet taking an arrow meant for her]], only to come BackFromTheDead. What follows is a NotSoStoic moment from Kyril who goes on a relentless pursuit out for the assassin's blood.]] |
| 516 | -->''"Rage was one hell of a painkiller.''\ |
| 517 | ''[[spoiler:[[BackFromTheDead Death didn't come for him]]. [[ResurrectiveImmortality Not now, or ever]].]] Instead all he felt was an all-consuming rage as he punched the stone floor hard enough for it to crack."'' |
| 518 | * UnwantedHarem: As the original version of the story progresses, [[CelibateHero Kyril]] finds himself with at least 4 women of high status who either have a crush on him, or are actively seeking for his affections. Soren has [[LampshadeHanging joked that]], had Kyril knew that he would "end up with a string of women in front of his door", he would definitely get an aneurysm. [[JustifiedTrope Justified]], as he is a brutal hunter from Yharnam, [[spoiler:as well as a HumanoidAbomination]]. |
| 519 | * TheUsualAdversaries: [[{{PMC}} The Black]] [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores Dogs]], with [[OurOrcsAreDifferent Tolkien-esque Orcs]] and mercenaries being the most common enemy type. |
| 520 | [[/folder]] |
| 521 | |
| 522 | [[folder:V]] |
| 523 | * VaguenessIsComing: Happens in the end of Chapter 9, remastered version. [[OurDemonsAreDifferent The Rat]], after [[spoiler:being given Morgan's Soul]] by Kyril, tells the Hunter that another war is imminent, "TheOldGods are waking", and they may have in need of him in the future. It is unclear what all these mean specifically, and Kyril doesn't even question The Rat further. The chapter even ends off with the Rat saying, "I hope the Goddess is ready...", with little elaboration. |
| 524 | * VillainExitStageLeft: [[JustifiedTrope Justified]]. A couple of villains are able to teleport away when things go south for them, right before the heroes can land the killing blow. They include Vault (during his fight with Kyril in Chapter 11, original version) and Shamuhaza (after Sanakan has him in her sights in Chapter 16, original version). |
| 525 | * VillainousCrush: A common trait or motive for those who side with the Black Dogs. To them, the prospect of their crushes loving them mandatorily under the [[SexSlave Sex]] [[TheEmpire Empire]] is very alluring. |
| 526 | ** [[EvilChancellor Prime Minister Beasley]] wants to do as much as he pleases to Alicia. |
| 527 | ** From how Beasley intends to "give Prim over to the Mordatella Brothers", it looks like the two [[PigMan pigmen]] want Prim for themselves, though this is merely an InformedAttribute. |
| 528 | ** [[RoyalBrat Michelle Pantielle]] has a crush on Maia when she was recruited by Celestine as a Princess Knight. He is so [[DoggedNiceGuy persistent]] that he is willing to [[StalkerWithACrush grasp every opportunity to woo her]], from throwing an extravagant party, to "joining the winning side" that is the Black Dogs, never mind that Maia has stated crystal clear that [[AbhorrentAdmirer she doesn't want to be with him]]. Michelle eventually [[IHaveYouNowMyPretty forces]] [[RapeAsDrama himself]] onto her after she's captured. |
| 529 | ** In the remastered version, Morgan believes that [[FanServiceWithASmile Grace]] [[EntitledToHaveYou should be his]], much like the entire town that he and his cronies "protect". |
| 530 | * VillainsWantMercy: Begging for mercy is a common act amongst thugs or Black Dog [[{{Mook}} mercs]] on the receiving end of a Trick Weapon, especially when [[TheDreaded Kyril]] is involved or they are being interrogated. Generally not granted. |
| 531 | [[/folder]] |
| 532 | |
| 533 | [[folder:W]] |
| 534 | * WaitHere: Upon noticing a corpse of a little girl dumped from the metal grate above, which [[TraumaButton triggers him]], Kyril tells [[ActionSurvivor Grace]] to "stay here", in the AbsurdlySpaciousSewer. Unlike typical instances where [[DistressBall the person left behind is somehow trouble]], nothing out of the ordinary happens to her. |
| 535 | * WalkingTheEarth: The Good Hunter has been travelling the world before being granted an audience with Celestine, with mercenary work being his source of income. |
| 536 | * WallOfWeapons: |
| 537 | ** The Hunter has a wall of [[MixAndMatchWeapon Trick Weapons]] in his Workshop of the Hunter's Dream, all of them scavenged during his time in Yharnam, emphasising his mastery over weaponry and combat. |
| 538 | ** Chapter 15 of the original features an arms shed in Tarsus, an old mining town, with racks of weapons inside. Kyril then begins to distribute the new weaponry to his company to ensure they are well prepared, fully armed and all. |
| 539 | * WarArc: |
| 540 | ** The whole point of this story is Kyril being involved in the war-torn country of Eostia. With his help, it marks the end of the ForeverWar between Celestine and Olga's forces, [[WonTheWarLostThePeace as well as the beginning of another war]] thanks to the [[EtTuBrute betrayal]] from the Black Dogs. Suffice to say, ''every'' StoryArc counts as one, with detailed descriptions about people on both sides leading armies into battle. |
| 541 | ** Chapters 4-6 of the remastered version focus on the war between the Black Dogs and Olga Discordia. Compared to that of the original, this event [[AdaptationExpansion shows a bit more detail]] and changes one major event ([[spoiler:Vault ending up dead rather than alive]]). |
| 542 | * WarComesHome: There are occasions depicting a number of Eostia's strongholds (e.g. Feoh, Ur, Ansur) getting hit by the war against the Black Dogs, with the civilian casualties and the recovery of said strongholds that ensue. However, none could match the time where Rad is fallen. The unprotected populace gets wiped out due to [[EvilSorcerer Shamuhaza]] unleashing his newly-bred EliteMooks upon them. If they are not dead, then they would find themselves either getting a FaceFullOfAlienWingWong, or being [[TransformationHorror twisted]] into the very horrors that ravaged them. Furthermore, the situation becomes extra personal from the perspective of the Seven Shields (because Luu-Luu, one such member, is in deep) and TheProtagonist Kyril (because something from [[DarkAndTroubledPast the Night of the Hunt]] have followed him here and he's not about to let a [[ApocalypseHow Beast Plague]] 2.0 happen). |
| 543 | * WarCrimeSubvertsHeroism: Just because the "good guys" [[TheWomenAreSafeWithUs are not prone to rape]] like the "bad guys" do doesn't mean they are immune from this trope. Kyril's tendency to LeaveNoSurvivors, as well as how [[JackBauerInterrogationTechnique torture is sometimes used for interrogation]], are prominent examples. On one hand, these instances are portrayals of PayEvilUntoEvil. On the other hand, there are people who [[WhatTheHellHero don't]] [[EveryoneHasStandards approve]] of such actions. Then again, UsefulNotes/TheLawsAndCustomsOfWar [[DeliberateValuesDissonance don't exist in the story's setting]]. |
| 544 | * WarFic: The original version of the story has Kyril and the Black Dogs, the most renowned [[{{PMC}} mercenary group]] in Eostia, being tasked with ending the [[ForeverWar centuries-old war]] against Olga, which they do under 2 chapters. However, said mercenary group proceeds to [[EtTuBrute stage a]] MilitaryCoup against the country. The rest of the plot details how Eostia, the "good" faction, has to contend with enemies from the outside (the Black Dogs) and the inside ([[TheMole traitors]] working for the Black Dogs). |
| 545 | * TheWarHasJustBegun: |
| 546 | ** Celestine quotes this trope at the end of Chapter 3 of the original, signifying the reality that Eostia has WonTheWarLostThePeace. |
| 547 | ** A variation is present in the remastered version, as Vault reveals his EvilPlan to Kyril, who insists that the war against Olga is over. |
| 548 | --->'''Kyril:''' We have won the war, have we not? The Dark Queen is being brought to justice. Surely that means we have our glory don't we?\ |
| 549 | '''Vault:''' You are not that naive. It won't end with Olga because [[ItHasOnlyJustBegun this is just the beginning]]. The Black Fortress is a treasure trove. With it, the orc clans united under our banner, we can take the South as well, Hunter. [[WeCanRuleTogether We can make a new world order]], with people like Celestine and Olga under our heel while every man lives like kings. |
| 550 | * WarriorVersusSorcerer: |
| 551 | ** LightningBruiser HunterOfMonsters Kyril Sutherland versus LadyOfBlackMagic Olga Discordia, though the trope is played differently for both versions of the story. The original version [[SubvertedTrope subverts]] it, as Vault has brought Chloe with him as his hostage before they can even fight, ending with Olga's surrender. By contrast, the remastered version [[PlayedStraight plays it straight]], with Olga being on the receiving end of a CurbStompCushion. |
| 552 | ** Chapters 16 and 22 of the original both feature Kyril and his apprentices, all hunters with enhanced physical abilities, fighting through Shamuhaza's EliteMooks born of BlackMagic, later confronting the EvilSorcerer directly. |
| 553 | * WaterloggedWarzone: The venue where Kyril, Sanakan and Hugh team up to fight Shamuhaza [[spoiler:as an [[InsectoidAliens insectoid]] EldritchAbomination]] is a lake. |
| 554 | * WeHardlyKnewYe: |
| 555 | ** The [[PigMan Mortadella brothers]] are killed off in the same chapter they are introduced (Chapter 8). |
| 556 | ** In the remastered version, Oliver, one of the rogue Black Dogs joining Kyril's GreatEscape, succumbs to his crossbow bolt wound in the back one chapter after his introduction. Besides showing that the GreatEscape is not a 100% smooth operation, his death serves to fuel conflict between the the whole crew, especially Chloe and Fredrick. |
| 557 | * WeUsedToBeFriends: Celestine and Olga. The enslavement of dark elves by human slavers caused the former's FantasticRacism towards humanity. Although the latter tried to convince the former that there is still good among the group she hated, it was all for naught, and they broke off their friendship due to their conflicting views, as well as the resulting ForeverWar between the two. Fortunately, they get better later on. |
| 558 | * WelcomedToTheMasquerade: |
| 559 | ** Sanakan, Hugh, Lily and Soren are introduced to the [[HunterOfMonsters hunting]] aspect of ''VideoGame/BloodBorne'' by Kyril Sutherland, who becomes their [[{{Mentors}} mentor]]. |
| 560 | ** Celestine and Olga unwittingly gain access to Kyril's PocketDimension, the Hunter's Dream. They would eventually understand several breadcrumbs of Kyril's DarkAndTroubledPast in Yharnam, something that he conceals so that no one knows anything about Yharnam. |
| 561 | * WhamLine: Chapter 2, original version, the Dark Queen, Olga Discordia is defeated. Kyril is impatient at Vault and the others for staying at the Black Fortress. He proceeds to break her and Chloe out of prison, unfortunately bumping into him on the way. It is then Vault, a character the readers know as TheAce of TheAlliance, unveils his [[EvilPlan agenda]]. |
| 562 | -->'''Vault:''' Think about it! If you want you could have her right now! This, this is the start of a new nation, Hunter! The Sex Empire, where any man could live as a king! Those Princess Knights? [[StayInTheKitchen They should be doing what a man should be telling them, not the other way around]]. [[ExtremeDoormat They'll cook, clean, and fuck whenever we tell them to]]. |
| 563 | * WhamShot: |
| 564 | ** Chapter 8: Typical Kyril approaching a heavily injured man and interrogating him of course... wait, [[spoiler:why does Kyril have tendrils out of his hand?]] |
| 565 | ** Chapter 14: [[spoiler:Luu-Luu, under Shamuhaza's mercy.]] |
| 566 | * WhatIsThisThingYouCallLove: Near the end of Chapter 31 of the original, Kyril comes to the conclusion that love is a frustrating concept to deal with. He truly believes he's better off slaughtering beasts in Yharnam than manoeuvring through the affections others want from him, for hunters like him are not supposed to love -- they hunt, fight, and kill. Kyril's internal monologue reveals that [[spoiler:he asked himself in private many times on whether he was in love with either Celestine or Olga. He admits that he came to care for the both of them[[note]]it is worth mentioning that ''caring'' and ''being in love'' are not necessarily synonymous[[/note]], but he considers himself too broken for having the affections of other good people]]. |
| 567 | * WhatMeasureIsANonHuman: Kyril is a walking [[DefiedTrope defiance]] of this trope. Indifferent to whatever fantastic race one is, he believes that character is the only thing that matters. Human or non-human, they bleed and die all the same, should anyone choose to cross him or join the Black Dogs. |
| 568 | * WhatTheHellHero: It is not uncommon to see people calling Kyril out for inflicting brutality towards his foes, in addition to [[ReputationApathy disregarding his reputation]] [[CombatPragmatist and concepts like honour and chivalry]]. By the Rebel Scum Arc, the criticism against him only strengthened when Kyril and his company decide to put down a rebellion by force, with some even believing that [[HeWhoFightsMonsters he has stooped to a level lower than the Black Dogs]]. Kyril, on the other hand, [[IDidWhatIHadToDo believes that this is necessary for ending the war with the Black Dogs quickly]], not to mention the rebels are supporters of the Black Dogs who intend to spread chaos across Eostia. |
| 569 | * WhenHeSmiles: Kyril is TheStoic, plus his face is covered by his hat and bandanna nigh-perpetually. It shouldn't be a surprise that a number of women who like him would like to see the Hunter smile towards them. |
| 570 | ** An {{inversion}} occurs in Chapter 8. When asked by Celestine about his DarkAndTroubledPast (due to her peeking into his journal three chapters ago), Kyril smiles, in a way that conveys ''sadness'' instead of happiness. As he recounts how he [[AllForNothing tried in vain]] to keep his past companions safe, ultimately deciding to bear the memories of the dead as best as he can, Olga and Celestine see him as a {{woobie}} InUniverse. |
| 571 | ** Chapter 10 has a straight example. Grace notices Kyril smiling thinly as the Hunter talks about how he has the company of his apprentices and his dear companion who soothes his mind, thus he's never lonely. She internally notes that Kyril looks nice, though she quickly crushed that thought down. |
| 572 | ** Another {{inversion}} happens in Chapter 21, where Olga sees Kyril's solemn, yet warm expression on his face. Except that he is not currently showing this expression to her, but to his NotLoveInterest Evetta. The later parts of Olga's P.O.V. describe how jealous she feels (because she's not the first/only one to witness [[BeneathTheMask this side]] of Kyril), admitting how "unfair" this line of thinking is (because Evetta knew Kyril way longer than she has), and reminiscing how Kyril had been the only man to [[BecauseYouWereNiceToMe show her and her servant Chloe kindness]]. And then Kyril gives Evetta a smile and let her go on her way, only for it to gradually fade into the stoic visage everyone is familiar with, hidden beneath his bandanna. |
| 573 | ** Another straight example occurs in Chapter 31, after Kyril reluctantly obliged Celestine's request [[spoiler:to kiss her]]. He smiles, which causes Celestine to [[LuminescentBlush blush]], internally noting that it is "the warmest expression" that he has given her. Contrary to many straight instances of this trope, there's no LoveEpiphany, no LoveConfession, for Kyril is a CelibateHero who doesn't dwell on supposedly "warm" feelings. |
| 574 | * WhipSword: |
| 575 | ** Hugh's Threaded {{Cane|Fu}} is able to transform into a whip, its blades sharp enough to tear through orcs' skin and cause them to bleed profusely. |
| 576 | ** Kyril's Beast Cutter (exclusive in the remastered version) is able to switch from a heavy SerratedBladeOfPain into an [[ExaggeratedTrope exaggerated]] variant of this trope -- a ponderous whip with bladed segments. Although there isn't a scene depicting him actually using this mode to hurt his foes, the fact that the whip creates a large gash when it hits the ground is enough to strike fear into Maia and Alicia's hearts. |
| 577 | * WhyWontYouDie: The creature that was once [[spoiler:the [[EvilSorcerer sorcerer]] [[WasOnceAMan Shamuhaza]]]] proves to be so tough that Kyril, Sanakan, and Hugh's flurry of blows seem to have no effect. Naturally, Sanakan gets frustrated by this, eventually slamming her Holy Blade onto its back repeatedly, cursing "Just fucking DIE ALREADY! DIE!" Hugh [[TheSpeechless cannot speak]], but from how his internal narration remarks that "the blasted thing's not dying", the readers can feel that he is getting impatient as well. |
| 578 | * WillfullyWeak: PlayedStraight for Kyril, which overlaps with FightsLikeANormal. He's [[spoiler:an EldritchAbomination in [[AFormYouAreComfortableWith human form]], but if he wants to prevent people around him from [[GoMadFromTheRevelation going insane]] AND [[{{Masquerade}} conceal]] the [[ThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow Eldritch Truth]], he has to fight using the skills as a ''VideoGame/BloodBorne'' HunterOfMonsters]]. This doesn't stop him from [[CurbStompBattle curb-stomping]] his opponents in battle, though. |
| 579 | * WithDueRespect: |
| 580 | ** The phrase is used by Indriga to show her disagreement with her superior Kyril about leaving him and his apprentices to face off [[EvilSorcerer Shamuhaza]] and his EliteMooks in the central estate of Rad alone. Kyril acknowledges her concern, but he insists. |
| 581 | --->'''Kyril''': Go and rendezvous with Shalala at the dungeons. My Hunters and I will press on.\ |
| 582 | '''Indriga''': Sir, with all due respect. I'm not going to leave you out here to face off against whatever shit is in here alone.\ |
| 583 | '''Kyril''': Noted. I will be proceeding with my apprentices. |
| 584 | ** Kyril, the BlackKnight, uses this phrase in a deadpan way towards Celestine, TheHighQueen, [[spoiler:after the two kiss]]. |
| 585 | --->'''Kyril''': With respect milady. If I were not the same man that stands before you today, I would have had my head cut off if I were caught. |
| 586 | * TheWomenAreSafeWithUs: PlayedStraight, considering the main antagonist of this fanfic is an ArmyOfThievesAndWhores. Any time the [[HiredGuns mercs]] or [[OurOrcsAreDifferent orcs]] overrun a village, there will always be imagery of naked, defiled women being either dead a while ago, or are currently raped by them. On the contrary, this ''never'' happens for the military of Eostia. |
| 587 | * WonTheWarLostThePeace: Essentially the premise of this fanfic. The advent of the Good Hunter leads to the defeat of Olga Discordia, hence the end of a [[ForeverWar centuries-old war]]. However, Olga is revealed to be the DiscOneFinalBoss, with Vault immediately seizing the opportunity to rally the Black Dogs and the orcs in the North and [[EtTuBrute declare war against Eostia]]. There is also the implication that Vault has spent an ample amount of time garnering support from prominent members of the nobility and clergymen within Ken, even during the centuries-old war. Securing long-lasting peace in Eostia has never been more difficult than ever before. |
| 588 | * {{Workaholic}}: It says a lot about Kyril when he has to literally be ordered to rest, relax, or join a party, since he's very dedicated to the war effort, [[HunterOfMonsters hunting in general]], or doing paperwork (which he hates). [[{{Irony}} Ironically]], he often says he is tired, yet finds it difficult to rest ([[TheSleepless not that he needs sleep]], but still). |
| 589 | -->'''Maia''': How have you been? You... look tired.\ |
| 590 | '''Kyril''': I am tired. But, I suppose I can wait for a bit while I am at it.\ |
| 591 | '''Maia''': ''[frowns]'' You should rest.\ |
| 592 | '''Kyril''': I will rest when the war is over. |
| 593 | * TheWorldIsNotReady: This trope is Kyril's justification for [[{{Masquerade}} concealing the Old Blood, plus anything related to the Great Ones]]. Initially, he is also reluctant to interfere in Eostian affairs, because [[spoiler:he doesn't wish for the [[GoMadFromTheRevelation madness and depravity]] that arises from the [[ThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow Eldritch Truth]] he holds]]. His words carry a lot of weight when readers who played ''VideoGame/BloodBorne'' before know how Yharnam was ruined beyond repair as a result of people misusing and exploiting the gifts of the Great Ones (and later on in the main story, Shamuhaza's actions would prove him correct). This makes his goal to prevent history from repeating itself a more noble one than other instances of this trope in fiction. |
| 594 | * WorldsStrongestMan: [[spoiler:Even if we discount his inherent eldritch tricks up his sleeve,]] the Good Hunter can certainly contend to this title amongst the ''Bloodborne-Kuroinu'' 'verse, given that he is an [[ResurrectiveImmortality unkillable]] [[HunterOfMonsters hunter of beasts and otherworldly beings]] who is [[LightningBruiser stronger, faster, and tougher like no other]]. |
| 595 | * WorthIt: A couple of non-comedic examples. |
| 596 | ** Chapter 3, original version: Celestine muses how she and Olga came into blows over the fate of humanity long ago, which resulted in a [[ForeverWar centuries-old war]], plus the [[WeUsedToBeFriends shattering of their friendship]]. At present, the war is finally over, and a new one would begin soon courtesy of the Black Dogs, but Olga is by her side now -- it is ultimately worth it in the end[[note]]Her narration remarks, "She would not had it any other way", but the context remains[[/note]]. |
| 597 | ** Chapter 2, remastered version: Kyril recalls the time where he defeated Ludwig, a KnightInShiningArmour who went through a FaceMonsterTurn, and is bequeathed by him the Holy Moonlight Sword. He believes that [[LetThemDieHappy lying to him during his last moments]] was worth it. |
| 598 | * WorthyOpponent: |
| 599 | ** Shamuhaza sees Kyril as this, knowing that he, like himself, [[spoiler:made contact with the [[ThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow Eldritch Truth]]]]. While he is certainly excited at the prospect of facing the Good Hunter, Kyril shares no such sentiment, however, seeing him as a madman needed to be exterminated by any means necessary. {{Deconstructed}} in Chapter 22, where we find out why the feeling is not mutual. [[spoiler:Shamuhaza's reward for facing his perceived "worthy opponent" is neither a gratifying victory nor any reconciliation upon defeat, but rather an [[DeathByIrony ironic parting gift]], that is, [[IAmNotLeftHanded a glimpse of his true power]]. [[CurbStompBattle It goes on]] [[GoMadFromTheRevelation what you]] [[FateWorseThanDeath would expect]].]] BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor indeed... |
| 600 | ** After his match with Vault in Chapter 3, remastered version, Kyril remarks that he is prey worthy of hunting, respecting Vault's skill as a MasterSwordsman. It is a rather [[DownplayedTrope half-hearted]] remark, however, as he notes that compared with his two seniors, [[Characters/BloodborneCharactersFromTheOldHunters Lady Maria]] and [[Characters/BloodborneMainCharacters the First Hunter]], Vault is basically nothing. |
| 601 | * WouldHurtAChild: |
| 602 | ** Whoever inflicted that [[RuggedScar nasty wound]] on Hugh's throat is definitely this. Goes on to show that the life of a StreetUrchin is anything but good. |
| 603 | ** Even children, especially little girls, are not spared from the [[RapePillageAndBurn predations]] of [[AlwaysChaoticEvil orc war bands]] and [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores the Black Dogs]]. |
| 604 | ** Meanwhile in Eostia, most of the dark elf slaves that died at the hands of their [[SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil masters]] are children. |
| 605 | * WowingCthulhu: A couple of characters accomplish this towards [[spoiler:the [[HumanoidAbomination humanoid]] [[EldritchAbomination great one]] that is Kyril Sutherland]]. |
| 606 | ** Chapter 4 of the original features Sanakan being the first few people to do so. Trapped with the other village women, who are being used as toys for the Black Dogs, she has just witnessed [[spoiler:[[OneManArmy Kyril]]]] [[AdvancingBossOfDoom tearing the Black Dog mercenaries apart while slowly advancing through the church she is trapped in]]. While the others can only behold [[AlwaysABiggerFish the monstrosity unleashed upon the lesser ones]] with [[DarkestHour fear and despair]], her response is to [[StaringDownCthulhu stare up at him defiantly]], demanding that he [[TakeMeInstead take her first and leave the others alone]]. Amazed, yet saddened by her plight, he decides to take her and her friend as [[TheApprentice apprentices]] to take care of them. |
| 607 | ** In Chapter 30 of the original, [[spoiler:Kyril]] is momentarily taken aback by Olga suddenly appearing in front of him to check on her vassal Chloe's condition, incinerating the approaching rebel forces all the while. The fact that Olga was [[LikeADaughterToMe Chloe's]] ParentalSubstitute makes this a potent MamaBear moment. He internally describes her fury as "exquisite", and for a brief moment, he found Olga to be truly beautiful. |
| 608 | * WretchedHive: Ansur is described as a criminal underworld where crime is rife in spite of the periodical cleanups from Maia and other mercenaries. |
| 609 | [[/folder]] |
| 610 | |
| 611 | [[folder:Y]] |
| 612 | * YouAreInCommandNow: After [[spoiler:Indriga's]] death in the ''Rad Arc'', her [[NumberTwo second-in-command]], Sharl, has to fill the void she left behind and become the leader of the scouts. |
| 613 | * YouAreNotAlone: For a man who prefers solitude, [[TheHermit Kyril]] notably [[InvertedTrope inverts]] this trope, painting a more nuanced take of the "loner" archetype: rather than having someone say to him that he is not alone, it is Kyril ''himself'' who says to someone that he is not alone. |
| 614 | -->'''Grace:''' Why tarnish your reputation that way? You're a knight aren't you? Don't you get...lonely?\ |
| 615 | '''Kyril:''' Not really. I have [[TheApprentice apprentices]], and a [[UndyingLoyalty wonderful]] [[TheConfidant friend]] [[LivingEmotionalCrutch who keeps me from going insane]]. As for my reputation as a knight... [[ReputationApathy I don't care]]. |
| 616 | * YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness: |
| 617 | ** At the climax of the Feoh/Ur Arc, [[TheMole the moles]] Beasley and the Mortadella brothers are thrown under the bus immediately by the Black Dogs after Kyril successfully infiltrates the Arcturus estate. |
| 618 | ** [[InvertedTrope On the flip side]], the good guys occasionally off captured {{mooks}} or thugs, who are obviously not associated with the heroes, after interrogating them for information to be used against the Black Dogs. For a couple examples, there's Hugh [[NeckSnap snapping a thug's neck]] after obtaining the whereabouts of the Gadsden Gang; Kyril [[LeftForDead leaving a man to bleed out]] [[spoiler:after [[TouchTelepathy ripping the info needed out of his mind]]]]; etc. |
| 619 | * YouMonster: Often directed towards the [[AntiHero anti-heroic protagonist]] of the story. |
| 620 | ** Original version: |
| 621 | *** Chapter 8: Kyril notices an anonymous {{mook}} he eviscerated, barely alive. He calls Kyril a monster as he approaches the mortally wounded man to interrogate him. [[spoiler:His statement proves to be spot-on, given how Kyril [[WhamShot suddenly has tendrils coming out of his hand]]...]] |
| 622 | *** Chapter 20: A thug is on the receiving end of Chloe's JackBauerInterrogationTechnique. Now a wailing mess tied to a chair, he screams, "You can't do this to me, you damned monster!" |
| 623 | *** Chapter 23: [[HonorBeforeReason Claudia]] is appalled at Kyril's suggestion that [[LeaveNoSurvivors the prisoners taken from Scathlocke are to be executed]]. She highlights that he has become a monster via a rhetorical question ("And so you would become a [[HeWhoFightsMonsters monster]] in order to win this war?"). Kyril replies, "[[IAmAMonster I]] ''[[IAmAMonster am]]'' [[IAmAMonster a monster]], Lady Claudia, in case you haven't noticed." |
| 624 | *** Chapter 25: Claudia, livid about Kyril putting her husband Klaus under protective custody due to suspicions about Klaus being a [[TheMole traitor]], calls him an "insolent cur". Kyril insists that this measure is for Klaus's safety, in case he gets silenced. |
| 625 | ** Remastered version: |
| 626 | *** Chapter 2: Kyril is called a "knave"[[note]]an archaic word meaning "deceitful person", practically the same as "monster"[[/note]] by Alicia when she sees Prim and the Hunter together, angry that a dangerous person like him is with her cousin. As he makes his way back to his own campsite, Kendra, one of Alicia's seconds, says behind his back, "A monster. No way around it." |
| 627 | *** Chapter 2: After fending off an ambush from an orc war band, Kyril suggests that Alicia's group should head to a safer area as soon as possible, having no time to [[DueToTheDead pay respect to their dead]]. Vera, one of Alicia's seconds, [[WhatTheHellHero calls him out]]. |
| 628 | ---->'''Vera:''' You are a heartless bastard! [[DueToTheDead Let us grieve our dead]], for pity's sake!\ |
| 629 | '''Kyril:''' The orcs will come back. If we're still here we all die. [[ArmourPiercingQuestion Who will grieve then?]] |
| 630 | *** Chapter 7: Olga calls Kyril "an unfeeling, accursed wretch", believing that Kyril is indifferent to the fate of her people. [[IAmAMonster Kyril agrees]]. |
| 631 | *** Chapter 9: Morgan calls Kyril a bastard when he notices his camp is attacked by the Hunter. |
| 632 | * YouRemindMeOfX: |
| 633 | ** After giving Sanakan and Hugh [[RedPillBluePill the choice to either quit or continue being a hunter]] a second time, Kyril tells the two that the reason why they were taken in is because they remind him of himself -- young, desperate, starving, poor. |
| 634 | ** As Kyril observes the captive clergymen who joined the Black Dogs in a blubbering mess, he internally remarks that they are the same as he once had been -- fearful of death. |
| 635 | * YoureJustJealous: As a case of how EvilCannotComprehendGood, Morgan from the remastered version thinks that Kyril is trying to start a CockFight with him over Grace, so him criticising how Morgan and his men get the privilege of whatever women they want in exchange for the coin is because he's jealous. |
| 636 | [[/folder]] |
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