[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/avarice_7.png]]
-->''There is a saying where I come from: "there's no more dangerous place to be than between a man and something he wants." Today, my friend, I am that man, and you are in that place.''

''Avarice'' is a non-linear [[FreewareGames freeware]] ActionRPG for [[UsefulNotes/IBMPersonalComputer PC]], made in UsefulNotes/RPGMaker VX by Anaryu, Solitayre, and Krisanna in 2009. The game was based on the idea of "opposite forces", in this case, magic and technology. It is rather short, (only three dungeons) but the gameplay and storyline are both polished and engaging. It is available [[http://rpgmaker.net/games/1722/ here]].

The plot centers around Lexi, a tech-savvy ActionGirl, and Vandeli, an arrogant mage with loose morals. The duo goes through three different dungeons to deal with mages (that were previously Vandeli's allies) that have been causing trouble.

Not to be confused with the [[SevenDeadlySins Deadly Sin]], which is under {{Greed}}.

!!Tropes used in Avarice:
* ActionGirl: Lexi, who easily fights various opponents with her guns and daggers.
* ActionPrologue: The prologue consists of Vandeli walking through the charred remains of the desert town he set on fire in order to flush a mage called Inan, whom he then defeats in a magical duel.
* ArbitraryWeaponRange: Bullets from Lexi's starting pistol barely travel a few steps forward before disappearing. If anything, a bee's spike attack appears to outrange them.
* ArsonMurderAndJaywalking: PlayedForDrama in a rather disturbing manner [[spoiler:after Vandeli teleports Elyne to the [[{{Hell}} Nine Circles]]. His response to Lexi's WhatTheHellHero is "Look, if it makes you feel any better, she was a very bad person. She robbed, murdered, took candy from babies."]]
* BeeAfraid: The first enemy type is a bee[=/=]wasp[=/=]hornet that shoots spikes in a tight cluster of four.
%%* BeefGate
* BottomlessMagazines: Averted, as all of Lexi's guns have a limited amount of ammo.
* BulletHell: Bosses will frequently spam you with tons of projectiles. For that matter, with the right weapons, you can unleash bullet hell on other people.
%%* ClimaxBoss: All of them, though Haldez in particular.
* CreepyBlueEyes: Vandeli possesses unsettlingly large blue-greenish eyes that complement his SlasherSmile. At times, they'll glow as well.
* DevilInPlainSight: Vandeli for a long time after the prologue. While the audience already knows how evil he is, he successfully convinces Lexi that he is a mere travelling mage, and only intends to escort.
* DestructiveSavior: Lexi has these tendencies, which is why she is forced to constantly travel in search of employers who do not yet know of her.
--> '''Trent:''' ''You caused 5000 Jade of collateral damage! It'll take the Guild weeks to restore the excavation site you ruined!''
* DifficultyLevels: Easy, Normal, Hard and Insane.
* DoomedHometown: Played with, in that this is done by one of the '''[[NominalHero protagonists]]''', Vandeli, to the desert town Inan is hiding in, shortly before he defeats the latter in a fight, and murders him as he is begging for his life.
* EnergyBall: Vandeli's default attack, Aura Bolt, is a red orb. Inan attacks at range with a greenish ball.
* FakeDifficulty: The bosses are sometimes a lot harder than they should be because they usually unleash a BulletHell, which makes the game lag heavily on most computers. The subpar engine of the RPG Maker VX does not help.
** [[spoiler: Especially jarring with the FinalBoss fight. Both of them have one extremely powerful move (the rocket launcher for Lexi and the shotgun iceshards for Vandeli), that also covers a large area and can be hard to avoid. [[GameBreakingBug Sometimes it even hits the player without actually connecting]] (when hitting the pillar in the middle), often resulting in a frustrating death.]]
* FinalBoss: [[spoiler:Either Vandeli or Lexi; you get to choose which one you play as before the battle.]]
%%* FlunkyBoss: Elyne.
* InexplicableTreasureChest: Wooden boxes with items are just present all over the areas you explore, even in the woods by the side of the road.
* GogglesDoNothing: Lexi is another in the long line of redheaded [[WrenchWench mechanic girls]] who only ever carries goggles on her forehead.
* HeKnowsAboutTimedHits: After he is done with the pre-battle conversation with Inan, Vandeli immediately segues into addressing the player, asking "And I suppose you expect me to explain the nature of combat to you?" Choosing "Could you?" has him proceed with narrating the tutorial.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: Done very cruelly with [[spoiler:Elyne]], a demon summoner. In order to do so, of course, she needs to make a portal to Hell. [[spoiler:After you beat her, Vandeli opens the portal and throws her in while she begs for mercy.]]
* HopeSpot: One occurs right at the end of the prologue, when the players may yet hope that Vandeli still has some good in him. It is quickly dashed.
--> '''Vandeli:''' ''Thank you Inan, you have been most helpful! In exchange for your information, I have decided not to kill you!"
--> '''Inan''': ''Really!?''
--> '''Vandeli''': ''No, not really.''
* HyperspaceArsenal: While Lexi carry dozens of heavy weapons at a time, and pull them seemingly from nowhere. It's even lampshaded by the gun salesman when you first meet him: "I bet you're carrying at least three concealed weapons right now."
* JustifiedSavePoint: The saving is done at Way Markers, which are an ancient creation whose work principle [[HandWave no-one is exactly sure about]].
* MagicVersusScience: Though they aren't actually diametrically opposed, there is definitely ''something'' going on here with Vandeli and Lexi...
* {{Mentor}}: [[spoiler:Haldez]] used to be this to Vandeli.
* MoreDakka: Lexi starts with a one-shot flintlock, and works her way up the rapid-fire ladder to a [[GatlingGood gatling gun]]
%%* MultipleEndings
* PlayingWithFire: Vandeli starts with a Fireball as his alternate attack.
* PointBuildSystem: There are no levels, but experience is instead used to purchase "talents", which either improve passive exploration skills like Mechanics or Acrobatics, or will increase the damage of certain weapons, reduce the MP cost, etc.
* RedemptionDemotion: Turned around from its usual form; [[spoiler:whoever you fight against in the final battle becomes much more powerful than when they were a playable character. All of their stats skyrocket and they gain their most powerful skills [[FridgeLogic even if you never found them]]. (In Vandeli's case, he even gains superpowerful shotgun-like spells that aren't available when he's playable, and in Lexi's case, she [[TheComputerIsACheatingBastard never has to reload and has infinite ammo.]])]]
* ScavengerWorld / LostTechnology: As stated above, the game's theme is magic and technology. The idea is that the [[{{Precursors}} Kydera]] were once a great civilization, but once they died out, people were left with an abundance of both magic and technology, but an understanding of neither.
* SlasherSmile: Vandeli is often drawn with one when he talks.
* SmugSnake: Vandeli, whose arrogance and disregard for others is seen from the very start. As he finishes narrating the tutorial, he coolly remarks of his opponent.
--> "I can relax and take my time with this one. Inan was never a challenge."
** After he kills him, he tops that by going, ''"Poor Inan. I hope that if someone kills me, I would die with more dignity than that! Ah, who am I kidding? [[TemptingFate No-one will ever kill me!]] Ha ha ha!"''
** While he tries to downplay it when talking to Lexi, he still lets this slip through.
--> '''Vandeli:''' ''Remember that name. One day, it'll be celebrated throughout the Empire!''
--> '''Lexi:''' ''Well, aren't we a humble one? All right, let's go!''
* TakeOverTheWorld: The motivation of Vandeli once he is done getting revenge.
--> "Once I have "it", the world will be my playground!"
* WhatMeasureIsAMook: Vandeli goes a step further by taking that attitude to civilians in Inan's town.
--> '''Vandeli''': "Well, I had to get your attention somehow. Setting the town on fire seemed suitably theatrical. Besides, it's not like anybody is going to miss these peasants, except maybe their tax collectors. Now, let's talk business.''
* YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness: [[spoiler:Lexi]] subverts this by showing that [[spoiler:she]] is not so easily disposed of.
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