History Characters / KingsMaker

* HiddenDepths: Has a wide array of knowledge regarding apothecary science thanks to [[spoiler:his biological parents, who were doctors running a small hospital in the Duchy of Ulysses. Unfortunately, they were executed under His Majesty's orders, and their hospital was subsequently burnt down - with a young Sys hidden beneath a trapdoor. To make matters worse, they were only killed as brutally as they were thanks to a Child who had been treated by Sys himself, claiming they had touched him, likely in order to avoid a similarly gruesome fate.]] While he ended up being HappilyAdopted by the Duke of Ulysses, the incident left him with some StepfordSmiler tendencies and a ''deep'' distrust of the King's Children as a whole, at least until Soohyuk came along.

* SupernaturalGoldEyes: Chapter 22 reveals them to be this, as a result of "The Golden Blessing."
* [[ViolentlyProtectiveGirlfriend Violently Protective Boyfriend]]: Their actual relationship status is unclear by this point, seeing as Wolfgang only found out about Soohyuk reciprocating his feelings the previous chapter, but he ''loses his shit'' upon seeing Soohyuk [[spoiler:being subjected to a ShamefulStrip in the dead of winter in Chapter 25, as punishment for becoming intimate with him - the only thing that manages to hold him back is a note from Soohyuk himself reading "do not stop," as a reminder of their greater mission.]]

A flamboyant and outgoing noble who is best known for his "odd pastimes" - often involving buff men and high fashion - who allies himself with Wolfgang and Soohyuk within minutes of them arriving to settle the dispute between the King and the Duke of Ulysses, Sys' adoptive father, in Chapter 4. Though his decision to aid them in their plans for a revolution may seem spontaneous, his friendship with Soohyuk notwithstanding, he is eventually revealed to have his own reasons.

* ScienceHero: [[DownplayedTrope Downplayed.]] Science is far from the only tool available to Sys, but his being well-versed in medicine comes in handy when [[spoiler:finding suitable allergens so that Soohyuk can keep up his WoundedGazelleGambit in Chapter 25 or creating a potent enough anesthetic to knock the palace guards out come TheCoup in chapter 34.]]
* TheUnTwist: The Duke is an AmbiguouslyBrown ReasonableAuthorityFigure with a reserved personality, while Sys himself is a campy, lilac-haired PrettyBoy who borders heavily on being a PerpetualSmiler. The first mention of Sys being adopted is in Chapter 26.

* SmallRoleBigImpact: She's been dead for years by the time the prologue roles around and is only featured prominently in one chapter (during a {{Flashback}}, no less) but it was her teachings that first convinced Wolfgang to run as far away from the royal family as possible and take to the streets when he was first left to his own devices - and then, years later, a search party is deployed to weed him out...

* TheUnTwist: The Duke himself is an AmbiguouslyBrown ReasonableAuthorityFigure with a reserved personality, while his son Sys is a campy, lilac-haired PrettyBoy who borders heavily on being a PerpetualSmiler. The first mention of Sys being adopted is in Chapter 26.

* TheReveal: He was [[spoiler:the mysterious assailant of chapter 21.]]

* FreudianExcuseIsNoExcuse: It's stated InUniverse that it was the king's excess levels of privilege and pampered upbringing that lead him to his current state. Wolfgang even acknowledges the possibility of a FreudianExcuse in Chapter 36, but is quick to shoot it down as anything worth finding out.

* {{Expy}}: In terms of appearance, of Father from ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist''. He also has shades of the same character's cold foreboding, but that seems to be where the similarities end. [[WordOfGod The author stated]] that this meant to be homage to the series itself.

* NoNameGiven: He's either referred to as His Grace, His Majesty, or simply the King.
* OffWithHisHead: [[spoiler:His ultimate fate is having his head placed on a pike and put on display in the courtyard as proof of his death.]]

* {{Expy}}: In terms of appearance, of Father from ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist''. He also has shades of the same character's cold foreboding, but that seems to be where the similarities end.

** Arguably {{Deconstructed}} and then {{Reconstructed}}, at least in Season 1. Wolfgang ''tries'' to take an ActionHero approach to his problems at first, picking fights upon witnessing any injustice, real or perceived, but he is quickly reminded that this is likely to get either himself or other people in trouble instead of actually helping. And while in later episodes he's in charge of the parts of the rebellion concerned with physical combat, he makes it very clear that he won't stand for causing any unnecessary casualties or deaths.
* AwesomeMcCoolname: While his surname is a little hard to make sense of, given that it's likely made up for the setting, "Wolfgang," at least, is an Old German name that translates roughly to "path of a wolf."

* BigOlEyebrows: Downplayed, but definitely thick enough to be striking. They're unusually dark, too, in contrast to his blonde hair.

* AlmightyJanitor: In the eyes of the law, he's basically property, but he proves to be almost frighteningly intelligent and has almost top-notch insight into the country's current econopolitical climate thanks to having connections in the form of his Minister father, making him an invaluable ally to Wolfgang even before they form anything close to a friendship. [[spoiler:He's also been drafting plans for a rebellion with Lord Sys long before Wolfgang entered the picture - it's all but stated that the only thing keeping him from acting upon them without the help of a prince was his status.]]

* ScienceHero: [[DownplayedTrope Downplayed.]] Science is far from the only tool available to Sys, but his being well-versed with medicine comes in handy when [[spoiler:finding suitable allergens so that Soohyuk can keep up his WoundedGazelleGambit in Chapter 25 or creating a potent enough anesthetic to knock the palace guards out come TheCoup in chapter 34.]]

* KiddieKid: After the second TimeSkip, he's around 13, but still acts almost exactly the same as he did when he was first introduced. Soohyuk pins some of the blame on [[BigBrotherInstinct Wolfgang]] for having coddled him a little.

* GoodParents: Despite her... ''questionable'' choice of partner at the time, she loved Wolfgang as her son, and did her best to mentor him before his father began to interfere - which would eventually end up costing her life.

* TheCaligula: Dangerous levels of incompetence, check. HairTriggerTemper with a generous amount of [[AxCrazy Ax-Craziness]], check. Sexual deviancy, ''huge'' check.

* FreudianExcuse: Staunchly averted. It's stated InUniverse that it was the king's excess levels of privilege and pampered upbringing that lead him to his current state. Wolfgang even acknowledges the possibility of a FreudianExcuse in Chapter 36, but is quick to shoot it down as anything worth finding out.
--> '''Wolfgang:''' There was a time when I wondered what made you the man that you are... but it matters not anymore. [[RealityEnsues No reason is reason enough to excuse you of your atrocities.]]

* PaperTiger: Wolfgang and co. avoid making any actual attempts on his life for years, both in order to focus on the rebellion and because if his use of magic in the past is anything to go by, he's likely a nightmare to go up against. [[spoiler:Come the final siege, and it's revealed that he's gradually been losing his magic abilities, starting some time between burning down the Luccia home and targeting Sys' family.]]

A flamboyant and outgoing noble who is best known for his "odd pastimes" - often involving buff men and high fashion - who allies himself with Wolfgang and Soohyuk within minutes of them arriving to settle the dispute between the King and the Duke of Ulysses in Chapter 4, Sys' adoptive father. Though his decision to aid them in their plans for a revolution may seem spontaneous, his friendship with Soohyuk notwithstanding, he is eventually revealed to have his own reasons...

* AwesomeMcCoolname: "Wolfgang" is an Old German name that translates roughly to "path of a wolf." His surname, being obviously made up, is a bit harder to make out.

* RavenHairIvorySkin: The king in particular is taken with his "exotic" looks - as such, he ends up having not one, but ''two'' members of the royal family chasing after him. Understandably, however, he's only interested in one.

** NotSoStoic: One that occasionally falters, too. As much as he internalizes... well, everything, there are a few moments where [[RealityEnsues being subjected to repeated sexual abuse, even without penetration, gets to be a bit too much for him to bare alone, given that he's only about fourteen.]]

** Arguably {{Deconstructed}} and then {{Reconstructed}}, at least in Season 1. Wolfgang trying to pick fights upon witnessing any injustice, real or perceived, tends to get either himself or other people in trouble more often than not, and while in later episodes he's in charge of the parts of the rebellion concerned with physical combat, he makes it very clear that he won't stand for causing any unnecessary casualties or deaths.
* AwesomeMcCoolname: ''Wolfgang.''

* ScienceHero: [[DownplayedTrope Downplayed.]] Science is far from the only tool available to Sys, but his apothecary knowledge comes in handy when [[spoiler:finding suitable allergens so that Soohyuk can keep up his WoundedGazelleGambit in Chapter 25 or creating a potent enough anesthetic to knock the palace guards out come TheCoup in chapter 34.]]

* ActionHero: Between Soohyuk, Sys, and himself, Wolfgang is easily the most combat-oriented, and is ''not'' shy about wanting to put his father in the ground.
** Arguably {{Deconstructed}} and then {{Reconstructed}}, at least in Season 1. Wolfgang trying to pick fights upon witnessing any injustice, real or perceived, tends to get either himself or other people in trouble more often than not, and while he's in charge of the parts of the rebellion concerned with physical combat in later episodes, he makes it very clear that he won't stand for causing any unnecessary casualties or deaths.

* TheChessmaster: Benevolent example. When the 3rd Prince tries to expose him for [[spoiler:manipulating Wolfgang's endeavors in order to ensure their success - and in turn, ensuring that he's at least one step closer to gaining back his freedom,]] he makes no move to deny this. However, he's still noticeably ashamed, as he's come to actually respect Wolfgang as an individual (and [[DefrostingIceKing has also started developing stronger feelings for him]] around this time) and wants to believe that he has what it takes to succeed his father and set things right again.

* GuileHero: Shrewd and manipulative though he may be, his reasons for wanting to become the Minister of Financial Affairs once he gains back his freedom aren't for personal gain at all - instead, it's to stabilize Goldenleonard's shambling economy and ensure that its ministers no longer have any opportunities to hoard money for themselves, since he sees that as the fastest way to set the country back on track.

* HappilyAdopted: By the Duke of Ulysses. [[spoiler:Although really, it was one part adoption and one part LongCon revenge scheme]]

* OddFriendship: With Soohyuk. When they first met, Sys was still struggling with some very understandable trust issues regarding the King's Children, making it unlikely that he would warm up to Soohyuk right away - but the latter's courteousness was apparently quick to win him over. In the present, they're good friends and [[spoiler:co-conspirators in Soohyuk's plan to make Wolfgang the head of their rebellion.]]

* KillTheCutie: Appears to be gentle, amicable, and a good mentor to Dandelion. [[spoiler:He is later decapitated for his attempt on the King's life.]]

* PapaWolf: Once he discovers the King's less savory pastimes, he takes it upon himself to [[spoiler:poison his wine, unaware of the Golden Blessing's effects,]] out of fear that he may one day turn on Dandelion.

* GoodParents: Sure, he had to [[spoiler:lure Sys out of hiding with promises of a LongCon,]] but all scheming aside, he genuinely cares for him and did his best to raise him as his own, and accept Sys for who he was, strange pastimes and all.

---

* TheChessmaster: Benevolent example. When the 3rd Prince tries to expose him for [[spoiler:manipulating Wolfgang's endeavors in order to ensure their success - and in turn, ensuring that he's at least one step closer to gaining back his freedom,]] he makes no move to deny this. However, he's still noticeably ashamed, as he's come to actually respect Wolfgang as an individual and wants to believe that he has what it takes to succeed his father and set things right again.

[[folder:Dandelion Goldenleonard]]

* TheChessmaster: Benevolent example. When confronted about it, he admits to [[spoiler:manipulating Wolfgang's endeavors in order to ensure their success - and in turn, ensure that he's at least one step closer to gaining back his freedom. However, he does so with noticeable shame, as he's come to actually respect Wolfgang as an individual and wants to believe that he has what it takes to succeed his father and set things right again.]]

* CoatCape: His standard outfit consists of one - although it seems to be more for dramatic effect than trying to look tough.

* GuileHero: Shrewd and manipulative though he may be, his reasons for wanting to become the Minister of Financial Affairs once he gains back his freedom aren't actually for personal gain - instead, it's to stabilize Goldenleonard's shambling economy and ensure that its ministers no longer have any opportunities to hoard money for themselves, since he sees that as the fastest way to set the country back on track.

[[folder:Wolfgang Goldenleonard]]

* [[ViolentlyProtectiveGirlfriend Violently Protective Boyfriend]]: Their actual relationship status is unclear, seeing as Wolfgang only found out about Soohyuk reciprocating his feelings the previous chapter, but he ''loses his shit'' upon seeing Soohyuk [[spoiler:being subjected to a ShamefulStrip in the dead of winter in Chapter 25, as punishment for becoming intimate with him - the only thing that manages to hold him back is a note from Soohyuk himself reading "do not stop," as a reminder of their greater mission.]]
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Shin Soohyuk]]

* GuileHero: And ''how.'' Shrewd and manipulative though he may be, his reasons for wanting to become the Minister of Financial Affairs once he gains back his freedom aren't actually for personal gain - instead, it's to stabilize Goldenleonard's shambling economy and ensure that the ministers no longer have any opportunities to hoard money for themselves, since he sees that as the fastest way to set the country back on track.

[[folder:The King of Goldenleonard]]

The current King of Goldenleonard; a tyrannical hedonist who's more concerned with preserving his own opulence and satisfying his more depraved urges than tending to matters of the state. While his apparent lack of ambition should make the task of overthrowing him a fairly easy one, his rather violent responses to any degree of opposition and determination to preserve his identity as the king decidedly do not.

* AbusiveParents: Is outright neglectful of the sons he deems unworthy to inherit the throne, such as [[HotBlooded Wolfgang]] or [[TheIngenue Dandelion]], is implied to be emotionally manipulative of the ones who actually ''are'' loyal to him, and even goes as far as to throw a glass bottle at one's head, implicitly threaten them with decapitation, and [[spoiler:uses his firstborn as a [[BulletproofHumanShield Knifeproof Human Shield]] when Wolfgang eventually comes after him in person.]]
* AmbitionIsEvil: Inverted; he has next to no ambition or desire to actually govern, while his far more heroic son Wolfgang takes an active interest in the kingdom's political and economical climate in order to improve upon it once he becomes ruler.
* ArchnemesisDad: Wolfgang's main adversary throughout Season 1, and his biological father.
* ArcVillain: Is the BigBad of Season 1.
* DespotismJustifiesTheMeans: He couldn't give less of a damn about the state of the kingdom of Goldenleonard, just as long as he gets to rule over it.
* TheCaligula: Dangerous levels of incompetence, check. HairTriggerTemper with a generous amount of [[AxCrazy Ax-Craziness]], check. Sexual deviancy, ''huge'' check.
* DyingCurse: [[spoiler:Delivers one upon being mortally wounded by Wolfgang, but is immediately shot down and beheaded.]]
* {{Ephebophile}}: Apparently attempted to become one after the death of one his favorite boys, declaring that he would no longer take any partners under the age of 15. Naturally, it didn't stick.
* {{Expy}}: In terms of appearance, of Father from ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist''. He also has shades of the same character's cold foreboding, but that seems to be where the similarities end.
* FreudianExcuse: Staunchly averted. It's stated InUniverse that it was the king's excess levels of privilege and pampered upbringing that lead him to his current state. Wolfgang even acknowledges the possibility of a FreudianExcuse in Chapter 36, but is quick to shoot it down as anything worth finding out.
--> '''Wolfgang:''' There was a time when I wondered what made you the man that you are... but it matters not anymore. [[RealityEnsues No reason is reason enough to excuse you of your atrocities.]]
* LightIsNotGood: Is most often seen in white and gold, and is easily the most depraved character in the comic thus far.
* NoNameGiven: He's either referred to as His Grace, His Majesty, or simply the King.
* OffWithHisHead: [[spoiler:His ultimate fate is having his head placed on a pike and put on display in the courtyard as proof of his death.]]
* PaperTiger: Wolfgang and co. avoid making any actual attempts on his life for years, both in order to focus on the rebellion and because if his use of magic in the past is anything to go by, he's likely a nightmare to go up against. [[spoiler:Come the final siege, and it's revealed that he's gradually been losing his magic abilities, starting some time between burning down the Luccia home and targeting Sys' family.]]
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Lord Sys of Ulysses]]

A flamboyant and outgoing noble who is best known for his "odd pastimes" - often involving buff men and high fashion - who allies himself with Wolfgang and Soohyuk within minutes of them arriving to settle the dispute between the King and the Duke of Ulysses in Chapter 4, Sys' adoptive father. Though his decision to aid them in their plans for a revolution may seem spontaneous, his friendship with Soohyuk notwithstanding, he is eventually revealed to have his own reasons...
----

[[/folder]]

[[folder:Lady Christine Luccia]]

[[/folder]]


[[folder:The Duke of Ulysses]]

* ActionHero: Between Soohyuk, Sys, and himself, Wolfgang is easily the most combat-oriented, and is ''not'' shy about wanting to put his father in the ground. However, this is arguably subverted, at least in the first half of Season 1, as him trying to pick fights upon witnessing ''any'' injustice, real or perceived, tends to get him in trouble more often than not.

* SatisfiedStreetRat: Played with. Wolfgang is far from ''ashamed'' of his roots, and at one point even refers to himself as "the king of all things shameless," however jokingly. What little we see of his childhood, however, implies that he would've had no problem with staying in his mother's estate if fate had allowed it.

* [[ViolentlyProtectiveGirlfriend Violently Protective Boyfriend:]] Their actual relationship status is unclear, seeing as Wolfgang only found out about Soohyuk reciprocating his feelings the previous chapter, but he ''loses his shit'' upon seeing Soohyuk [[spoiler:being subjected to a ShamefulStrip in the dead of winter in Chapter 25, as punishment for becoming intimate with him - the only thing that manages to hold him back is a note from Soohyuk himself reading "do not stop," as a reminder of their greater mission.]]

* KnightInSourArmor: Arguably even moreso than Wolfgang.

* OddFriendship: With Lord Sys. Soohyuk is, for the most part, stern and especially hard to read, which on a surface level, wouldn't be expected to mesh well with the far more sociable and laid back Sys. Not to mention that Sys was struggling with some nasty trust issues involving the King's Children when they first met... In the present day, however, they're good friends [[spoiler:and secret co-conspirators in Soohyuk's plan to make Wolfgang the head of their rebellion.]]

* RavenHairIvorySkin: The king in particular is taken with his "exotic" looks, and he ends up having not one, but ''two'' members of the royal family chasing after him - understandably, he's only interested in one of them.

* SugarAndIcePersonality: The sugar is very, ''very'' subtle, but it's there. For all his stoicism and cold, calculating demeanor, he is visibly taken aback on several occasions by Wolfgang's genuine desire for his freedom and to be closer to him, and eventually comes to reciprocate the feeling [[CharacterDevelopment despite initially having viewed Wolfgang as a disposable pawn who would easily be taken out if his temper got the better of him.]]

* {{Kuudere}}: Largely Type 1, but has some shades of Type 2; more specifically, he appears more expressive and honest with himself in the presence of either Wolfgang or Sys.

Wolfgang's noblewoman mother, who gave up her life saving him from a house fire. She only appears in flashbacks

* GoodParents: Despite her... ''questionable'' choice of partner at the time, she loved Wolfgang as a son, and did her best to mentor him before his father began to interfere - which would eventually end up costing her life.

* PaperTiger: Wolfgang and co. avoid making any actual attempts on his life for years, both in order to focus on the rebellion and because if his use of magic in the past is anything to go by, he's likely a nightmare to go up against. [[spoiler:Come the final siege, and it's revealed that he actually ''lost'' his magic abilities some time between burning down the Luccia home and targeting Sys' family.]]

* OddFriendship: With Soohyuk. When they first met, Sys was still struggling with some [[{{Understatement}} very understandable]] trust issues regarding the King's Children, making it unlikely that he would warm up to Soohyuk right away - but the latter's courteousness was apparently quick to win him over. In the present, they're good friends and [[spoiler:co-conspirators in Soohyuk's plan to make Wolfgang the head of their rebellion.]]

* BigBrotherWorship: Read [[{{Understatement}} greatly exaggerated]] accounts of Wolfgang's arrival at the palace and his victory at the festival race, and is positively star-struck upon meeting him in person, even after Wolfgang tells him the actual story.

* TheStoic: Although considering that a {{Flashback}} reveal him to have been a CheerfulChild before his family immigrated to Goldenleonard, it's possible that part of it could stem from a coping mechanism...

* IllBoy: Downplayed. As a toddler, he was apparently ill enough to have to be sent away from the palace for years, but when we first meet him, his illness has receded enough so that the only mention of it is that he still needs to regularly take medication for it. [[SoapOperaDisease It's also never specified what this illness exactly]] ''[[SoapOperaDisease is.]]''

* CallingParentsByTheirName: Wolfgang never actually called her any variant of "mother" when she was alive, despite them being related by blood

* SmallRoleBigImpact: She's been dead for years by the time the prologue roles around, but it was her teachings that first convinced Wolfgang to run as far away from the royal family as possible and take to the streets when he was first left to his own devices - and then, years later, a search party is deployed to weed him out...
* StatuesqueStunner: Possibly downplayed; she's portrayed as physically imposing, but then again, we only ever see her from the perspective of a very young Wolfgang.

* HeCleansUpNicely: So much so that even [[TheStoic Soohyuk]] seems flustered upon seeing him dressed up in royal garb for the first time. [[MoodWhiplash This, of course, doesn't stop him from pointing out that said garb is highly impractical for everyday use, and that Wolfgang will have to change (again) into something similar.]]

[[folder:The King]]

* GuileHero: And ''how.'' Shrewd and manipulative though he may be, his reasons for wanting to become the Minister of Financial Affairs once he gains back his freedom aren't actually for personal gain - instead, it's to [[BuffySpeak un]][[PrecisionFStrike fuck]] Goldenleonard's shambling economy and ensure that the ministers no longer have any opportunities to hoard money for themselves.

* RavenHairIvorySkin: Has not one, but ''two'' members of the royal family chasing after him - understandably, he's only interested in one.