History Literature / Sepulchre

* CorruptTheCutie: Kline surreptitiously addicts innocent and pretty girl Cora to violent masochism, with intent to [[spoiler: use her as conduit for the bodily corruptions of his unnatural age]].

* GodOfEvil: Bel-Marduk is a being who demanded regular human sacrifice, venerated corruption, and [[spoiler: advanced humanity with intent to enable us to wipe each other out]].

* OurLichesAreDifferent: [[spoiler: Kline is a lich whose custody of the preserved heart of Bel Marduk transfers his bodily ageing onto an ancient, unnamed "Keeper", and requires periodic shedding of his skin]].

* FatBastard: Monk, whose tendencies to violent bastardry were partly nurtured by bullying over both his weight and mental inhibition.
%% * FatIdiot: Monk

* TheBrute: Monk, Kline’s “ox.”

!! “There are tropes beneath us, Halloran…”

* TheAntiChrist: Sumerian god Bel-Marduk is described as such.

* BadIsGood: Like his god, Kline venerates the “superiority of corruption.”

* BigDamnVillains: IRA hit man Danny Shay [[spoiler: disrupts Kline’s attempt to sacrifice Cora]].

* BodyHorror: Kline periodically sheds his skin.
** The Keeper retains the bodily effects of [[spoiler: Kline’s unnatural ageing]].

* TheCorrupter: Having chosen staff comprised of worldwide miscreants, Kline nurtured the malign tendencies of each.
* CorruptTheCutie: Kline surreptitiously addicts Cora to violent masochism, with intent to [[spoiler: use her as conduit for the bodily corruptions of his unnatural age]].

* FatBastard/ FatIdiot: [[DeconstructedTrope Deconstructed]] with Monk, whose tendencies to violent bastardry were partly nurtured by bullying over both his weight and mental inhibition.
* {{God}}: Acknowledged by Kline to exist, and [[spoiler: implied to have sown Kline’s downfall by sending Halloran]].
* GodOfEvil: Bel-Marduk demanded regular human sacrifice, venerated corruption, and [[spoiler: advanced humanity with intent to enable us to wipe each other out]].

* HorrifyingTheHorror: Most of the IRA hit men are scared half-witless by [[spoiler: Kline’s monsters]].
* ImAHumanitarian: Jansusz Palusinski, Kline's chauffeur. Although he also [[FoodPorn enjoys a ham and mustard sandwich]].
* HumanSacrifice: As part of Kline’s DealWithTheDevil.
* ImperturbableEnglishman: Anglo-Irish Halloran.
** Jovial, supremely efficient Shield Planner Charles Mather.
* {{Keet}}: Kline’s mood often swings to a jovial arrogance.
* OurLichesAreDifferent: [[spoiler: Kline, whose custody of the preserved heart of Bel Marduk transfers his bodily ageing onto an ancient, unnamed “Keeper,” and requires periodic shedding of his skin]].
* MindRape: On entry to Neath's lodge house, Halloran is forced to relive traumatic memories.
**Kline ties to [[spoiler: finish off Halloran by telepathic stimulation of pain]].
* PsychicPowers: Used by Kline to detect mineral sources, project disturbing images, and anticipate an attempt on his life.
* RetiredBadass: Charles Mather.

* StartOfDarkness: On internment in a concentration camp and living through Soviet tyranny, Janusz Palusinksi resorted and became addicted to cannibalism.

* ThoseTwoBadGuys: Asil and Youssef.
* TooKinkyToTorture: PlayedForDrama with Monk.

* BattleButler: Asil and Youssef.

* TheCorrupter: Kline.

* EnglishRose: Reserved, courteous Cora is described by Kline as such.

* {{Precursors}}: [[spoiler: Bel-Marduk nudged humanity toward civilisation by teaching basic science, maths, and the written word to the Sumerians]].

* Reserved, courteous Cora is described by Kline as such.

* EnglishRose: Kline describes Cora as such.

* DarkAndTroubledPast: Halloran's father was murdered by the IRA, driving his mother to suicide. Following a career as an apathetically ruthless mercenary, he found balance in a career in the army.

** Displaced Palastinians Asil Khayed and Youssef Daoud, having grown up in squalor, became sadistic Jihadists.

* ArchaeologicalArmsRace: In the city of Ur, Kline hastened to uncover a psychically anticipated boon, which turned out to be [[spoiler: the heart of Bel-Marduk]].

* GodOfEvil: Bel-Marduk demanded regular human sacrifice, venerated corruption, and [[spoiler: advanced humanity with intent to enable us to wipe eachother out]].

A 1987 novel by Creator/JamesHerbert. Bodyguard agency Achilles’ Shield supplies ex-soldier Liam Halloran to guard Felix Kline, whose psychic insight is crucial to global mineral corporation Magma. At Neath, Kline’s secluded Surrey estate, Halloran, while shown irrefutable evidence of Kline’s abilities, is disturbed by the mansion’s minimal security, and bemused by the forlorn, masochistic advances of Cora Redmile, Kline’s aid. Meanwhile, Shield operative Dieter Stuhr is found murdered, the motives of Neath’s prospective invaders remain unclear, and the true nature of Kline’s powers herald revelations to shake Halloran to his very core...

* CorruptTheCutie: [[spoiler: Kline surreptitiously addicts Cora to violent masochism, with intent to use her as conduit for the bodily corruptions of his unnatural age]].

* BigDamnVillains: [[spoiler: IRA hit man Danny Shay disrupts Kline’s attempt to sacrifice Cora]].

* LikeASonToMe: Mather, friend to Halloran’s father, steered the brutal skill of the traumatised youth to an auspicious military career.

* ImAHumanitarian: Palusinski. Although he also [[FoodPorn enjoys a ham and mustard sandwich]].

* FatBastard/ FatIdiot: Deconstructed with Monk, whose tendencies to violent bastardry were partly nurtured by bullying over both his weight and mental inhibition.

A 1987 novel by Creator/JamesHerbert. Bodyguard agency Achilles’ Shield supplies ex-soldier Liam Halloran to guard Felix Kline, whose psychic insight is crucial to global mineral corporation Magma. At Neath, Kline’s secluded Surrey estate, Halloran, while shown irrefutable evidence of Kline’s abilities, is disturbed by the mansion’s minimal security, and bemused by the forlorn, masochistic advances of Cora Redmile, Kline’s aid. Meanwhile, Shield operative Dieter Stuhr is found murdered, the motives of Neath’s prospective invaders remain unclear, and the true nature of Kline’s powers herald revelations to shake the brutally efficient Halloran to his very core...

* BigDamnVillains: [[spoiler: Danny Shay disrupts Kline’s attempt to sacrifice Cora, and buys Halloran time to use Asil as a HumanShield against his gunshot]].

* HorrifyingTheHorror: Most of the IRA terrorists are scared half-witless by [[spoiler: Kline’s monsters]].

* MindRape: Kline ties to [[spoiler: finish off Halloran by telepathic stimulation of pain]].

* MindRape: Kline ties to [[spoiler: finish off Halloran by telepathically stimulation of pain]].

** The Keeper retains the bodily effects of Kline’s unnatural ageing.

* CorruptTheCutie: Kline surreptitiously addicts Cora to violent masochism, with intent to use her as conduit for the bodily corruptions of his unnatural age.

* DepravedHomosexual: Asil and Youssef take sexual gratification in mutilation and murder.
* DealWithTheDevil:

* {{God}}: Acknowledged by Kline to exist, and [[spoiler: implied to have sown Kline’s downfall by sending Halloran]].

* {{Keet}}: Kline’s mood often swings to a jovial arrogance.
* OurLichesAreDifferent: [[spoiler: Kline, whose custody of the preserved heart of Bel Marduk transfers his bodily ageing onto an ancient, unnamed “Keeper,” and requires periodic shedding of his skin]].