History Characters / TheDresdenFilesTheDenarians

* MeaningfulRename: If a Denarian is referred to by the Fallen's name, it means that the Fallen has broken its host and seized control. These are very dangerous indeed. If it's referred to by the ''host's'' name, it means that the host has the strength of will to retain control and work with its Fallen as something close to an equal. These are ''far'' more dangerous.

A wizard working with Tessa's group, Thorned Namshiel looks like a human covered with a number of thorns, hence the name. Namshiel serves as Tessa's mastermind, and also took part in an attack on Arctis Tor, the capital of the Winter Court, on what is implied to be on behalf of the Black Council. His host was killed during an attempt by Tessa and Nicodemus to corrupt and possess Ivy, after which his coin [[spoiler:was assumed by John Marcone]].

* HoistByHisOwnPetard: When he transforms his hosts, they become a giant multi-limbed bear-beast. Grey first blinds the Genoskwa's eyes, which requires their using Ursiel's form, and as a result that larger, bulkier body doesn't move with the grace and swiftness the Genoskwa's body does. And the larger form makes it that much easier to be crushed by the grinders in the Gate of Ice.

* NotQuiteDead: Dresden thinks he kills the monster in ''Skin Game'', but River Shoulders reveals that he survived and will be out for vengeance.

* NotQuiteDead: Dresden thinks he kills the guy in ''Skin Game'', but River Shoulders reveals that he survived and will be out for vengeance.

* InvisibleMonster: Spends the first half of the book behind a powerful veil. The only hint that it's there is the shrinking supply of goats at Nicodemus's warehouse.
* InvisibilityCloak: Can cast a veil so powerful, it even masks its ''smell''.
* LightningBruiser: Is fast enough to hit Harry before he even sees it move, as well as knock him across the length of a warehouse then ''run up and catch him'' before he hits the ground. It is also strong enough to easily knock a full grown man several yards, and to pick up a goat and snap its neck in one motion.

* NotQuiteDead: Dresden thinks he kills the guy in ''Skin Game'', but River Shoulders reveals that the guy survived and will be out for vengeance.

* {{Chupacabra}}: Its main food source appears to be goats.

* ParentalIncest: Is in a sexual relationship with Deirdre, much to Harry's [[IntendedAudienceReaction (and the readers')]] intense discomfort. Creepier still, they genuinely love each other as father and daughter at the same time.

* EvenEvilHasStandards: In ''Small Favor'' as part of his speech to recruit Harry, he considers the Red Court a stain on the world that will need to be purged eventually - though that's mostly because they're a short term inconvenience, a medium term obstacle, and a major problem in the long term for any plans he makes, [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking and one of his main objections to them is that they're]] "aesthetically repugnant." Granted, he's not exactly ''wrong'' about that last part, but it does demonstrate that his objections to them aren't exactly on ''moral'' grounds.

* EvenEvilHasStandards: In ''Small Favor'' as part of his speech to recruit Harry, he considers the Red Court a stain on the world that will need to be purged eventually - though that's mostly because they're a short term inconvenience, a medium term problem, and a major problem in the long term for any plans he makes, [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking and one of his main objections to them is that they're]] "aesthetically repugnant." Granted, he's not exactly ''wrong'' about that last part, but it does demonstrate that his objections to them aren't exactly on ''moral'' grounds.

* ClassicVillain: Pride is his bed and butter and contrasts greatly with Harry. As seen in {{Pride}}'s and IRegretNothing's bullets below, the man is so enveloped in his own greatness and brilliance, he sees no flaws within himself. Harry, by contrast, holds himself to the ideal that "With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility" that his failings in never coming out perfect, that there has always been some collateral damage, someone he failed to save, sees little else but his flaws and failings. By ''Skin Game'' Harry has an emotional breakdown at the most recent failure.

** For the series as a whole, however, his role as this is subverted due to the existence of Nemesis and the Black Council. The thought that a force he doesn't understand is working against him, using his own people for it’s unknown goals, and is entirely independent of the axis between God and Satan troubles him deeply. This in turn influences his actions in ''Skin Game'', where his [[spoiler:sacrifice of Deirdre seems to be designed, in part, to keep her safe from Nemesis.]]

** For the series as a whole, however, his role as this is subverted due to the existence of Nemesis and the Black Council. The thought that a force he doesn't understand is working against him, using his own people against him, and is entirely orthogonal to the axis between God and Satan troubles him deeply. This in turn influences his actions in ''Skin Game'', where his [[spoiler:sacrifice of Deirdre seems to be designed, in part, to keep her safe from Nemesis.]]

* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: Near-immortality, power and abilities beyond the likes mere mortals can dream of, those Denarians who have the strong enough will to not break under the weight of the power of the Fallen tend to end up the most dangerous but also insane in their own way.

* DeadpanSnarker: Not as much as Harry, but she can certainly still engage in SnarkToSnarkCombat when she really wants to.

* NinetyPercentOfYourBrain: Harry conjectures this as the reason Lash can accelerate his mental faculties so that they can have a full conversation in the course of a few seconds.

* CombatPragmatist: With temptation thrown in, no extra charge.
* DeadpanSnarker: Not as much as Harry, but she can still engage in SnarkToSnarkCombat when she really wants to.

* InelegantBlubbering: Breaks down crying when she thinks that she and Harry are going to die in the Deeps and feels that Harry is being an obstinate fool regarding their only visible lifeline.
* InterspeciesRomance: While their actual relationship was more or less platonic, Harry and Lash's friendship counts as this in that her final act of sacrifice was an act of true love, and love is a powerful force of creation. This resulted in part of Lash melding with Harry and making a spirit of intellect, which gestated for several years inside Harry until it was ready to be born.

* VillainousFriendship: The Shadow heavily implies that this is what the relationship between Lasciel and Harry would have developed into had he taken up the coin. There are several indications that she is actually telling the truth in this matter (eg. Nicodemus' distaste for wasting talent would suggest that he wouldn't deliberately give the powerful, intelligent and strong-willed Harry a Fallen who would break him down into a beast), but anything she says should be taken with several pinches of salt. And while her original somewhat supports this would have been the case in ''Skin Game'', the Fallen are also {{Consummate Liar}}s to a proverbial man.

** Of course they end up working for Marcone so it's more of a HazyFeelTurn

* TheWormThatWalks: She has the power to break apart into thousands of beetles, roaches, and other creepy-crawlies to attack someone physically while letting Imariel whisper hateful knowledge at them to attack their mind. When she does it to Harry to get around the bars of a vault, Michael has to save him from being simultaneously eaten, crippled, and driven insane.

* PutOnABus: Their hosts are killed and their coins are secured by the church.

* [[Characters/TheDresdenFilesHarrysHousehold Harry and Harry's Household]]

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* CuteAndPsycho: She looks like a pretty teenager. She's actually well over a thousand years old, and is psychotically insane.

* FromNobodyToNightmare: She started out as an underage hooker (though she wasn't underage by the standards of Roman Greece). Now she's a powerful mage responsible for some of the most abominable crimes in human history.

* MadeASlave: She was sold into a life of prostitution by her own father.

* ShockAndAwe: Her preferred style of magic.

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* DaddysLittleVillain: She is Nicodemus' blood child and just as evil as he is.

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