"Oh, if the heroes deserved their victories against us, I would make my peace with it. But they don't, do they? Your sullen little nemesis gets to swing an angel's feather, while you make do with steel and wiles. That's always the way of it. At the last moment they're taught a secret spell by a dead man, or your mortal weakness is revealed to them or they somehow manage to master a power in a day that would take a villain twenty years to own. Gods, I've even heard of Choirs stepping in to settle a losing fight. The sheer fucking arrogance of it. None of it is earned. It is handed to them, and this offends me. You asked me what I want. This once, just this once, I want us to win. To spit in the eyes of the Hashmallim. To trample the pride of all those glorious, righteous princes. To scatter their wizards and make their oracles liars. Just to prove that it can be done. So that five hundred years from now, a band of heroes shiver in the dark of night. Because they know that no matter how powerful their sword or righteous their cause, there was once a time it wasn't enough. That even victories ordained by the Heavens can be broken by the will of men."
— The Black Knight, Amadeus of the Green Stretch
Catherine Foundling and her Woe have schemed their way to victory against countless enemies from the various nations of Calernia as they wage war and murder gods to achieve their dream of peace, fighting both against and alongside numerous characters just as vicious, intelligent, and charismatic as themselves.
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The Woe
Examples
- Catherine Foundling rises from a mere orphan to the dreaded "Black Queen" of Callow in her quest for peace. Chosen by the Black Knight to become his Squire, Catherine battles her way to victory in the hopes of swindling rule over Callow from the cruel Imperials, emerging against impossible odds to best the Lone Swordsman and Akua Sahelian's respective rebellions while swaying legions of competent minions and fellow villains to her banner through her charisma and drive. Garnering enough acclaim to take Callow for herself after orchestrating the destruction of the Winter and Summer Courts to claim the former's power as her own, Catherine weathers the Tenth Crusade and gains the favor of the goddesses Sve Noc, outwitting the legendary Grey Pilgrim to bring the Principate to heel. Catherine and her Woe make alliance with their former enemies to war on the genocidal plans of the Dead King and the Wandering Bard, leading the charge against the former on the warfront while battling the latter's all-encompassing schemes as Catherine becomes the Warden to corral the nations of Calernia into accepting her rules for Named and reining in the infamous mass-slaughters of their era. Bringing peace to not only Callow but also the very conflict between heroes and villains itself, Catherine and her Woe leave their homelands in an unprecedented Age of Order as they seek new adventures in distant lands.
- Hakram Deadhand of the Howling Wolves, the Adjutant, is Catherine's oldest, most reliable ally and the closest to her Dragon amongst the Woe. A formerly ambitionless orc who found his passion aiding Catherine in her opposition to the arrogant High Lords of Praes, Hakram is instrumental in overseeing the paperwork and bureaucracies that come with her growing power base, ensuring the smooth operations of information gathering; supply distributions; and other administrational duties, while doubling as a capable warrior who earned his sobriquet through his ability to defeat even a Duke of Autumn despite his frequent maimings. Desiring to be more than a mere extension of Catherine, Hakram rises as the first Warlord seen in centuries by rallying the Clans of the Steppes to march on Ater and take the rights they've been long denied at swordpoint, leading his Horde against Keter and towards a new future for their kind.
- Masego, the Hierophant, is the magically prodigious son of the Warlock and the Woe's expert in all things blasphemous. Obsessed with dissecting Creation itself after seeing the pocket dimension he was raised in be casually destroyed, Masego joins the Fifteenth Legion during the Liesse Rebellion as The Apprentice, quickly striking up a strong friendship with Catherine as he aids her against Akua's diabolism. Further assisting Catherine in the destruction of the Summer Court after transitioning into the Hierophant, Masego bolsters Callow's magical arsenal against the Tenth Crusade, and although he loses his magic after his possession by the Dead King, he retains the knowledge necessary to remain an unrivaled prodigy. Creating the Autumn Crown and the Severance blade to destroy the lich; devising a method to steal stories from the Intercessor; and raising the drow goddesses into a Choir of Below, Masego's audacious achievements reach their apex when he gains his revenge by catching and eating the fleeing Dead King's soul after his physical body is slain by the Severance, forging his own godhead to emerge as a deity in the dawn of the Age of Order.
- Indrani, the Archer, is the lithe physical powerhouse of the Woe and their most dangerous—yet surprisingly insightful—killer. Originally a slave girl freed by Hye Su, Indrani took to her teacher's violent beliefs with gleefully wholehearted embrace, remolding herself into a pleasure-seeking thrill-chaser. Befriending Catherine and joining her Woe at the opportunity for more killing, the Archer demonstrates herself to be a nigh-unstoppable One-Woman Army and perceptive bodyguard able to proactively protect the Black Queen from assassination attempts, and despite her hedonistic and provocative attitude is unquestionably indispensable when it comes to efficiently decimating enemies, even leveraging her own brief death to wake Masego from the Dead King's possession. Later reconciling with her fellow students from Refuge to defeat their old mentor and claim the Name of Ranger as her own, Indrani spends the years after the War on Keter wandering the world in search of adventure, but always makes time to return to those she loves.
- Vivienne Dartwick, the Thief, is the least morally bankrupt member of the Woe but still a ruthless and brilliant operator. The daughter of a Callowan baron spared in the Conquest, Vivienne took to the streets to rob Praes blind in retaliation for her mother's murder, eventually joining the Lone Swordsman's rebellion. Vivienne survives to take over Callow's Thieves' Guild before being swayed to Catherine's side, stealing the Arcadian sun to defeat Summer and playing an instrumental role in slaying Akua. Reforging her criminal underlings into Catherine's spy network of "Jacks", Vivienne goads the "Regal" faction of Callow's nobles into ordering an assassination on Hakram based off false information and has them executed for treason, removing weak links that could be exploited by the Tenth Crusade. While always a capable and confident pilferer, Vivienne matures remarkably after losing her original Name, adapting to handle the politics of rule in Catherine's stead and even stealing the entire Thirteenth Legion from Praes to become the Princess. In her coronation as Queen of Callow, Vivienne takes up the Foundling name to honor her friend and ensure an orphan will always be prepared to restore dignity to the crown.
- Akua Sahelian began as Catherine's most hated enemy and the embodiment of the worst vices of Praesi cruelty before evolving into the unofficial sixth of the Woe, Catherine's one true equal, and a truly selfless individual. Having sought to uphold the Praesi values of bloodshed and backstabbing as the Heiress, Akua clashed with Catherine several times as a guise for her true ambitions, always emerging with a stronger powerbase than before. Eventually rising as the Diabolist, Akua usurps her mother's resources to lead her own uprising, crafting a doomsday weapon to butcher any in her way and matching the Empire itself blow for blow until her ultimate defeat. Even as a mere shade Akua is able to scheme and charm her way to greater power, aiding Catherine in her battles against the Tenth Crusade and the Firstborn while mentoring her former enemy in mastering the eldritch powers of Winter and Night, all the while growing a true conscience and breaking free from the destinies others have chosen for her. Well aware she's Beyond Redemption yet content to do whatever it takes to help the innocent nonetheless, Akua aids in the destruction of the horrific Dread Empire she had once sought to claim as her own before permanently binding herself to the Intercessor, glad to give up everything by becoming the Calamity to the Bard's Providence if it means saving others.
The Dread Empire of Praes
Examples
- Amadeus of the Green Stretch, the Black Knight, is the leader of the Calamities and Dragon-in-Chief to Dread Empress Malicia responsible for the brutally swift Conquest of Callow and the longest reign ever seen in Praes. Amadeus has reforged the unnecessarily evil aspects of the Empire to rule pragmatically, using his spy network to murder scores of nascent heroes; reforming the Legions of Terror to give competent orcs and goblins positions of authority; and improving living conditions in Callow to stifle interest in rebellion. To further his plan of permanently integrating Callow into the Empire, the "Carrion Lord" takes on Catherine Foundling as his Squire, giving her the guidance and freedom necessary for her to grow into a proper ruler and terrifying villain rivaling his own reputation. Continuing to silently aid his apprentice even after she breaks from Praes, Amadeus challenges Malicia's rule out of disgust for her increasingly insane plots and spends the next few years furthering the Praesi civil war, orchestrating the complete annihilation of the Dread Empire without ever getting directly involved in the conflict. An unapologetic monster who will fight tooth and nail to protect those he loves, Amadeus' final act is to force Catherine to spare Alaya from her bloody vengeance for eight more years, nonetheless dying with pride in the girl he has come to see as his own daughter.
- Eudokia, the Scribe, is Amadeus' spymistress and one-woman bureaucracy. Originally a homeless orphan taken in by the School of Gulls, Eudokia survived their deadly initiation and took advantage of her subsequent access to the school's ledgers to orchestrate the deaths of the entire staff and student body. Later joining the Calamities, Eudokia's efficiency allows Black to rule Callow uncontested for years, unearthing numerous rebel plots and nascent heroes through their Eyes of the Empire while cowing the criminal Dark Guilds into obedience. The "Webweaver" also uses her ability to make corpse-puppets to craft the myth of Assassin, whose legendary and morbidly hilarious killings as the unseen yet ever-feared fifth official Calamity would draw attention away from her as Amadeus' unassuming secretary. Hyper-competent and fanatically loyal to the one man she deems worthy of making use of her talents, Scribe's skills at espionage are near unrivaled by any in Calernia.
- Lady Ime is Malicia's spymistress who, alongside Scribe, cultivated the Eyes of the Empire into one of the most extensive spy networks in all of Calernia, eventually proving to rival even the Circle of Thorns as they orchestrate a coup in the Proceran capital under their very noses. Upon recognizing that Malicia's schemes in the War on Keter are only digging her grave deeper, Ime collaborates with Amadeus in his plan to destroy the Dread Empire and save Malicia's life, secretly smuggling the imprisoned Grem One-Eye's battle plans to Abreha's rebellion while stealing Sargon Sahelian's soulbox to force him to support Amadeus' ploy. Loyal to the point where she would go behind the Empress' back to save her from her own out of control plots, Ime continues to competently serve Alaya even after her betrayal is revealed, standing out in the end as a worthy match for her Calamity counterpart.
- Dread Emperor Traitorous was infamous for his habit of double-crossing anyone he could, believing that "Treason is more art than act." Traitorous most famously started numerous cabals with the intent to overthrow himself, successfully usurping his own throne countless times and leaving his co-conspirators unaware of his true identity until it was too late. Additionally managing to betray a villain with the Name of Betrayer; trade the soul of a single gnat for infernal enlightenment; fake a redemption to a Choir of the Heavens; and subsequently trick a Hashmallim into perdition, Traitorous notoriously stated that instead of being on the right side of history he would prefer being on all sides, ultimately committing suicide and framing over a hundred different people for his murder.
- Dread Emperor Irritant, the "Oddly Successful," was known for his ability to find victory through the strangest of tactics. Frequently using his defeats at the hands of heroes to further his own plans, Irritant would repair the palaces they destroyed to pull Praes out of economic slumps; let them defeat rebellious armies he hadn't paid in over a year; set multiple, incompatible heroic bands after himself to dilute their chances at success; and use their honor to avoid punishment by abdicating to become a—surprisingly decent—shoemaker on three separate occasions. Able to manipulate narratives through failure so he could never be slain for good, Irritant made his mark as an eccentric yet strangely competent Dread Emperor.
The Fifteenth Legion/The Army of Callow
Examples
- Special Tribune Robber is a gleefully malicious goblin considered half-mad even by his own species' standards and one of Catherine's earliest, staunchest supporters. Having gotten into the War College by spitting in the faces of the Matrons and their cruelty, Robber establishes himself as a mischievous yet ruthlessly reliable sapper whom Catherine assigns to a "war of vultures" against Akua, sabotaging the highborn's forces throughout both Liesse campaigns. Successfully leading his detached cohort in increasingly audacious missions to harass, kidnap, assassinate, and spy on Catherine's enemies throughout the years, Robber ultimately sacrifices himself to save the Grand Alliance's armies by destroying one of the Dead King's Crab monster-fortresses, charging into certain death with nothing but pride in his service to his Black Queen.
- Juniper "The Hellhound" of the Red Shields is a prodigy tactician viewed by many as the next Grem One-Eye. Already the ruthless captain of the Imperial War College's First Company when Catherine meets her, Juniper constantly puts the Squire on the back foot throughout their war games, impressing her enough to be offered the position of legate in the Fifteenth Legion. Juniper's steel trap of a mind quickly proves to be invaluable as they move from campaign to campaign, slaughtering enemies ranging from devils to fae as she incorporates into her tactics whatever new resources Catherine throws at her with ease. Soon rising to general of the Fifteenth and eventually marshal of the Army of Callow, Juniper shares just as much responsibility as Catherine for their troops' undefeated record in combat, growing from a girl who dreamed of winning her heroes' battles better than them to the marshal who undeniably bested them.
The Principate of Procer
- First Prince Cordelia Hasenbach is one of Catherine's greatest enemies-turned-allies and a steadfast bulwark against the madness of the north. As only a teenager, Cordelia discovered Malicia's responsibility for the massive civil war consuming Procer and sought to save her nation from destruction by rallying the Lycaonese principates behind her to put an end to the petty conflicts of the south. Through years of warfare, assassinations, and a web of alliances and betrayals, Cordelia rose from the ashes as the victor of her cold war with the Dread Empress, with all her opponents either bending the knee or forced to drink the "Regal Kindness." Despite the countless lives that would be lost from the endeavor, Cordelia organizes the Tenth Crusade against Praes to distract her political enemies and unite the Principate for their endless war with the Evil polities to the north, but when faced with defeat is quick to swallow her pride and ally with Catherine to finally destroy the Dead King, effortlessly handling the corrupt politicking in the way of the Black Queen's war effort. A master of diplomacy constantly outsmarting her ungrateful subjects' efforts to overthrow her, Cordelia stands tall through legions of death and madness to bring peace to her nation no matter how many thousands must die to see her dream through.
The League of Free Cities
Examples
- Kairos Theodosian, the Tyrant of Helike, learned at the age of twelve that he would die within thirteen years and decided not to spend that time in mediocrity. Making his debut in the story by starting a civil war with the other Free Cities, the Tyrant battles Hanno the White Knight throughout the conflict and forces the other Cities to elect Anaxares as Hierarch to end his assaults. Kairos, acting as the unofficial leader of the united League, joins the continent-wide "Uncivil Wars" by professing "eternal friendship" to all sides and running a massive gambit of lies, alliances, and betrayals with every faction present at the Prince's Graveyard. Despite being cursed to speak only the truth lest the Choir of Mercy smite him, Kairos orchestrates a trial for Hanno's "crimes" against the Free Cities that results in Anaxares entering into a deadlock with the Seraphim, and invokes his curse by prematurely declaring victory to prevent the Ophanim from interfering in the crippling of the other Choir. With delightedly audacious plans making him the closest being alive to a modern High Priest for Evil itself, Kairos is a throwback to the over-the-top villains of old, dying proudly declaring that he has slain the Age of Wonders as he's greeted with applause by the Gods Below.
- Basilia Katopodis is Kairos Theodosian's prize general who chooses to follow the Tyrant's last will and testament to the people of Helike to "do as you will" by declaring bloody war on Malicia's allies in the League. Compensating for her weakened army by attacking quickly and viciously, Basilia helps facilitate coups in Nicae and Stygia so she can install her own vassals, uniting the western cities of the League into the Empire of Aenia. Recognizing the foolishness in attempting to conquer all of the Free Cities, Basilia instead navigates their complicated politics to establish the imperial office of Aenia as the Protector of the League; charged with leading their armies against foreign enemies, Basilia is able to finally bring them into the War on Keter, while providing her descendants an advantage in completing her mission to unite the Free Cities.
The Kingdom of the Dead
- Neshamah "Trismegistus" Be-Iakim, the Dead King, rose from the lowliest prince of Sephirah to the legendary "Hidden Horror" of Calernia, and one of the greatest monsters of the Age of Wonders alongside the Wandering Bard. Orchestrating his rise to power so thoroughly that even the Bard was unable to prevent it, Neshamah tricked the citizens of Keter into undeath and transformed himself into an immortal lich god, audaciously seeking to survive past Last Dusk to escape the control of the Gods themselves by conquering one of the Hells. From this utopian "Serenity," Neshamah has waged a millennia-long war against the Bard and her living pawns, expertly surviving the stories weaved to slay him while swelling his undead hordes with every crusade and doting on living subjects as an all-loving god to inspire exceptional competence and undying loyalty. With countless innovative war machines, abominations, and schemes within schemes up his sleeves, Neshamah declares war on all life on Calernia after finally exposing the Bard's malevolence, conducting brutal battles against Catherine and using every loss to bleed his enemies to always emerge stronger than before. Philosophical and ever-affable yet unrelenting in his quest to spread death to all who could stand in his way, Neshamah proves himself to be the ultimate pinnacle of villainy and one of Catherine's toughest, most intelligent foes in her quest for peace.
The Winter Court of Arcadia
Examples
- Larat is the Prince of Nightfall, assisting the King of Winter in his scheme. Seeking to escape the restraints that hold back the fae, Larat assists Catherine against Summer in exchange for seven crowns and one, which would allow him to form his own fae Court. Leading The Wild Hunt, Larat binds himself to Creation after Summer and Winter are destroyed by pledging their services to the Queen of Moonless Nights, serving as Catherine's "treacherous lieutenant" and personal hound of war until the debt she owes is paid. When the crown of the Twilight Court is offered as his payment, Larat abdicates before Catherine can kill him to prevent the birth of a new god, turning the Hunt into something unprecedented and leaving them free to do whatever they desire.
- The Prince of Bleak Solstice, serving as the King of Winter during Catherine's reign as the Lady of Marchford, seeks to escape the monotonous cycle of acting out stories that the fae are trapped in. Ordering an invasion of Marchford, the King allows Catherine into the Winter Court's capital of Skade when she subsequently enters Arcadia and makes her the Duchess of Moonless Nights upon her defeat of the Duke of Violent Squalls, charging her with the defeat of Summer and ensuring that the lands she rules over will be dragged into the next story cycle should she fail. Catherine forces the Queen of Summer to marry the King in order to both unmake and merge the two courts, with the newly crowned King of Arcadia Resplendent granting Catherine vassalage from his rule in thanks.
The Dominion of Levant
Examples
- Tariq "Fleetfoot" Isbili, the Grey Pilgrim, abdicated as heir to the Tattered Throne of the Holy Seljun in his youth in favor of alleviating unnecessary suffering throughout the land, mentoring younger heroes and slaying villains by the score. Joining the Tenth Crusade in fear of Catherine becoming a threat akin to a new Dead King, the "Peregrine" proves to be one of her greatest obstacles in both sheer power and knowledge of stories as he attempts to assassinate her through a redemption arc and infects a town with a plague to capture the Black Knight. Tariq nevertheless allies with Catherine to face the Dead King's schemes, pledging his support for the Black Queen's cause out of both a desire to atone for his misguided antagonization and acknowledgement that his black-and-white views have become outdated with the changing times. Always empathetic yet holding nothing to be more important than the greater good, Tariq charges Catherine with the tasks needed to pave the way for her Age of Order before giving his life once more, sacrificing his entire bloodline to save the Grand Alliance's armies at the Battle of Hainaut by dragging a star down on the Dead King's hordes.
- Ishaq "Deathless" Rabia, the Barrow Sword, started out as a woodcutter on the outskirts of the Brocelian Forest before learning of the location of hidden treasure. Assembling an unruly band of adventurers to search for this treasure, Ishaq outmaneuvered their various efforts to usurp command while allowing them to be slowly whittled down, claiming his Namesake sword Pinon to get revenge when betrayed by the sole other surviving member. Joining the Truce and Terms as one of Catherine's more competent underlings, Ishaq also uses his amnesty from past crimes to demand the Majilis add him to the Rolls as its first open villain, hoping to be named the founder of his own line of the Blood and dragging in Catherine to set precedent for future villainous Bestowed to appeal to the Warden should they ever be cheated. While inexperienced at the start of the series, Ishaq grows into a capable commander and Catherine's chosen successor as the representative for the champions of Below, even slaying one of the Dead King's elite Scourges to secure his claim as first of the Barrow's Blood.
The Empire Ever Dark
Examples
- Mighty Ivah'idimas'iyanya'ajolig was once a rylleh before being stripped of Night, leaving with a warband for the "Burning Lands" in vain hope of regaining its might. After running into Catherine Foundling and agreeing to act as her guide to the horrors of the Everdark, Ivah is left in awe of her power and gifted the Winter title of Lord of Silent Steps in exchange for oaths of loyalty, adapting to its newfound eldritch abilities with unprecedented ease. As the most trusted among her Peerage, Ivah negotiates the surrender of various enemy sigils and coaches Catherine on the customs needed to efficiently subjugate more powerful Mighty. Continuing to act as a deadly scout for the drow Exodus and teaching its tricks in subterfuge to Rumena's spies, Ivah and Catherine's Losara are charged with enforcing the new oaths binding sigils together, with Ivah competently leading this priesthood in Catherine's stead and increasing its membership tenfold. Later slaying the false god Kurosiv and refusing to claim the Night for itself in favor of restoring Sve Noc to life, Ivah's unflinching embrace of Catherine's selfless ideals leads to it being named the next First Under the Night, shepherding the growing Faith of Crows in the aftermath of the war.
- Mighty Rumena'ivedran'ikole Tomb-Maker is The Dragon to Sve Noc and one of the oldest Firstborn in the Everdark. Originally the mightiest of the Twilight Sages' generals, Rumena allied with the Sisters to kill them and save the Firstborn from their genocidal aspirations, becoming Sve Noc's loyal champion in striking down ambitious Mighty who would challenge their authority and endanger the bargain with Below to keep the drow alive. Capturing Catherine Foundling to sacrifice her and cement Sve Noc's hold over the stolen power of Winter, Rumena nonetheless herds the Firstborn into battle against the Grand Alliance on her behalf when she is instead made First Under the Night, holding its own against the Saint of Swords in the conflict. Further amassing a massive sigil with an oath to personally tear down the gates of the Crown of the Dead within nine years, Rumena leads the drow in the War on Keter and fulfills its pledge after aiding in the final death of its nemesis Kurosiv, thoroughly proving that its might is matched only by its dry wit.
The Kingdom Under
- Sargon Isaru, the Herald of the Deeps, is a dwarf who sought to reform the cruel caste system of the Kingdom Under, gaining command of the Fourteenth Expansion into the Everdark and enacting brutally methodic massacres of any sigil they come across in hopes of creating colonies for dwarven commoners. Agreeing to bring much-needed supplies for the Grand Alliance's armies in exchange for the city of Keter as a new haven—after a previous attempt to leverage the lives of everyone in Procer by effectively ransoming his aid for three major cities—the Herald nonetheless swears to honor this lesser deal with all his might, managing to recruit reinforcements unmolested after killing the King Under the Mountains and plunging the Kingdom Under into civil war when they intentionally impede his efforts to lend aid to Calernia's plight. Relinquishing the many spirits he's captured over the years to finally conquer his dwarven Greed, the Herald is crowned king of the new dwarven nation of Kishar, intending to carve forward a path of change and freedom for all.
Others
Examples
- Iseul Su, the charming Admiral-in-Exile of the Asadal navy's Southern Fleet, led his crew in a daring journey across the tumultuous Tyrian Sea to Calernia. Turning his small fleet into a crew of Pirates, Iseul made a name for himself as a dashing rogue when robbing trade ships, sparing the lives of those who didn't fight back yet meeting resistance with steel gleefully in hand. When confronted by the deadly Lady Borean, elven champion of the xenophobic Forever King, Iseul saved his crew by binding his heart to hers, ensuring that if one of them died so too would the other, and promised to activate the seal should she harm his men. Managing to woo Borean over the course of a decade, Iseul responds to the revelation that she broke the seal early with nothing but confidence that she "wouldn't be able to resist keeping [him] around," with his cutthroat spirit of adventure proving instrumental in molding their daughter Hye into the legendary Ranger.
- Each of the possible versions of Catherine Foundling shown in the Fourfold Crossing prove to be just as ruthless and charismatic as the real one. All three weather Praesi civil wars and Proceran invasions to emerge as the de facto ruler of Callow, while responding to Akua's overwhelming might with a defiant sword through the arrogant noble's throat:
- Had Catherine never come across a girl being raped in an alley, General Foundling would have risen through the War College to the top of the Fourteenth Legion through murder and bloody warfare. Assassinating the senior officers of the Fourteenth to take command and allying with the Sahelians in their war to overthrow Malicia, General Foundling would have recruited the pockets of Callowan rebellion that emerged in the midst of the chaos into her legion, leading them in breaking the legendary generals who had taken their kingdom in the Conquest. Shattering the Legions of Terror and keeping Grem One-Eye occupied while Akua conquers the Empire, General Foundling takes Callow for herself in the wake of the devastation, executing the remaining Imperial governors while refusing the kingdom's crown in preparation for further bloodshed.
- Had Catherine lost in the Pit and never earned enough money to enroll in the War College, the Tolltaker would have joined the Dark Guilds of Callow to become the most feared crime lord alive. Rising to the top of the Smugglers' Guild in all but name, the Tolltaker would have cowed the Thieves and Assassins through sheer brutality that filled the gutters with blood, with her will soon holding just as much sway in Callow as that of the Empress herself. Assassinating Imperial governors, selling out or aiding rebellions on a whim, and having the figurehead of Procer's "liberation" effort killed in the middle of his own army out of nothing more than amusement and a loss of faith in the kingdom she had once dreamed of saving, the Tolltaker would have always managed to survive through the chaos she fueled, fighting for no greater cause or plan other than the dance of death against the monsters of the Wasteland.
- Had Catherine been saved by the Lone Swordsman instead of Amadeus, the White Knight would have united William's band of heroes into a sword against the Empire. Ruthlessly executing Imperial spies, governors, and generals wherever they went, the White Knight's band would have slain the Warlock after killing his son and allowing half of Summerholm to burn, spurning Procer's aid while spreading the spark of rebellion across Callow. Despite the horrific collateral damage caused by her warfare, the White Knight would have nonetheless claimed her Name after a brutal fight to the death with the Black Knight, rallying her graveyard of a kingdom to march forth and finally reclaim their home.
