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Cleanup thread: Magnificent Bastard

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During the investigation of recent hollers in the Complete Monster thread, it's become apparent to the staff that an insular, unfriendly culture has evolved in the Complete Monster and Magnificent Bastard threads that is causing problems.

Specific issues include:

  • Overzealous hollers on tropers who come into the threads without being familiar with all the rules and traditions of the tropes. And when they are familiar with said rules and traditions, they get accused (with little evidence) of being ban evaders.
  • A few tropers in the thread habitually engage in snotty, impolite mini-modding. There are also regular complaints about excessive, offtopic "socializing" posts.
  • Many many thread regulars barely post/edit anywhere else, making the threads look like they are divorced from the rest of TV Tropes.
  • Following that, there are often complaints about the threads and their regulars violating wiki rules, such as on indexing, crosswicking, example context and example categorization. Some folks are working on resolving the issues, but...
  • Often moderator action against thread regulars leads to a lot of participants suddenly showing up in the moderation threads to protest and speak on their behalf, like a clique.

It is not a super high level problem, but it has been going on for years and we cannot ignore it any longer. There will be a thread in Wiki Talk to discuss the problem; in the meantime there is a moratorium on further Complete Monster and Magnificent Bastard example discussion until we have gotten this sorted out.

Update: The new threads have been made and can be found here:

     Previous post 
IMPORTANT: To avoid a holler to the mods, please see here for the earliest date a work can be discussed, (usually two weeks from the US release), as well as who's reserved discussion.

  • Why do a cleanup?: This trope definitely exists and has a well documented history of use. That being said, it frequently gets misused to a character who meets one of the components, namely that they are smart, charming while not necessarily even being a villain, or create good plans. While these are components, there is also a certain personality required, not to mention that all of the above are required to be present for a character to be a true Magnificent Bastard. As the trope attracts interest, it unfortunately brings in a lot of misuse and I thought the best way to rectify this would be a Perpetual Cleanup Thread, as is being done and has seen success with Complete Monster.

  • What makes a Magnificent Bastard: Below is a list of the individual components to make this character. Note that they must all be present, not just some, which has lead to frequent misuse:
    • Must be intelligent: Goes without saying, to be a Magnificent Bastard, the character has to be smart in the first place and use their brain to work towards whatever their end goal may be;
    • Must be a Bastard: While going overboard in how vile the character is can be detrimental, a key aspect is the Bastard part of the trope, whether the character is an out-and-out antagonist in the work, some manner of Villain Protagonist, or something in between, they at least have some unscrupulous qualities to qualify for this trope;
    • Must not be too detestable: Again, there is a ceiling on how bad the character can be before they just become too nefarious, blocking out the Magnificent part of the trope. A genocidal racist or child-raping Sadist aren't going to make the cut;
    • Think on their feet: In addition to being a Chessmaster, a Magnificent Bastard, if the character deals with situations in which their initial plan is ruined, has to be able to pull a Xanatos Speed Chess and at least come up with a competent strategy to make up for lost time, otherwise they fail for being unable to think in tough spots;
    • Have charm: Even if they don't necessarily make every character they meet fall in love with them and can even be detested by others, the audience has to find an amicable social relation to the character, or they are failing to make the impact required for this trope.

  • What to do if a character is listed on a page but has not been approved?: They need to be removed, all candidates need to come through the cleanup thread first. The character could well count but they need to be analyzed properly and voted on first.

  • Do we list Playing With this trope?: No; as a YMMV trope, this cannot be Played With, so we only want examples that are Played Straight.

  • What do I do if I want a character to be listed as a Magnificent Bastard?: The greatest success Complete Monster saw for its cleanup effort was from the invention of the effort post format, so, borrowing from that, a troper wishing to propose a Magnificent Bastard will create such a post in the following format:
    • Begin by describing The work, this will help establish the setting the character is in and for the reader to understand what kind of a scenario they are in;
    • Summarize The character's actions, this will provide a listing for readers to understand what they do and how it applies to this trope because charm and lack of smugness are so crucial, this is a good time to be incorporating exactly the flavor of how they operate to explain this;
    • List circumstances in which the character must Think on their feet, these are times where a wrench might be thrown in their initial plan and they have to adapt on the spot or even come up with a new scheme all together, this is also a good time to explain how the villain reacts to defeat when they have to face it, a true Magnificent Bastard won't break down into tears at the thought of death, they should have known such a possibility could occur and be able to handle it with more dignity;
    • The competition, similar to the Heinous Standard dealt with for a Complete Monster, this section is to deal with how successful the character is in carrying out their plans compared to other characters. While, as a villain, they probably are going to lose in the end, it is good to explain how other characters handle the same situation. There is no exceptionalism case to be made for this trope but explaining the variety helps the reader have a better understanding of the proposal.

  • How do you know when the character's arc is done so they can be proposed? When their tenure as a villain or antagonist finishes. This could happen in a single Story Arc in an entire work, a single work of a franchise, or the whole series in general. We'll show lenience to Long-Runners with constantly recurring candidates or series with outstanding continuities (ex. comic books), and it's entirely possible to count in a work or two but not in general for a reason like Depending on the Writer.

  • What about candidates evil because of external sources? Those Made of Evil can qualify if they show enough individuality and tactical acumen — in other words, they have the personality to fulfill the magnificence requirement. Conversely, those brainwashed, especially if they're a better person without it, may fail the individuality aspect and cannot count.

  • What if they are under orders from a higher-up? Depends. If the boss created the plans down to the letter and the candidate is just following them, sounds like we should discuss the boss instead. However, if the candidate takes creative liberties with the orders, adds their own charm and flair to them, fills in holes in the orders, and/or actively deals with obstacles their boss did not talk about, the candidate shows enough individual thinking to qualify.

  • What about Character Development? An MB is something a character can develop into... a nice person who plots well might become more morally gray as the work goes on and hits the "Bastard" criteria, thus making them viable. Likewise, a Smug Snake might shed their ego, become more understanding of the threat others pose and gain the personality or "Magnificent" criteria, likewise making them viable. Conversely, a character who looks like this trope might suffer from a Sanity Slippage or just get outed as not being as smart as they thought they were and become incompatible with MB.

  • Can an MB be a good guy? Not in the conventional sense... it is required they have at least some dubious traits lest they fail the "Bastard" criteria. That being said, a character who pulls a Heel–Face Turn or eventually stops taking villainous actions is still fair game: as there was a point in time where they were both "Magnificent" and a "Bastard" at the same time and they've merely adapted as time goes on. Now... if such a character begins showing other issues (i.e.: becomes prone to freak outs or starts getting outwitted) then they're compromising their Magnificence and will probably be deemed a cut. What's important is stylishly operating while at least for some time being willing to take at best underhanded methods to see a job done. A Heel–Face Turn in itself isn't a disqualifier but they do have to have been "Magnificent" and a "Bastard" at the same time and afterwards can't start slipping on the former front.

  • What about characters whose stories can take different routes?: When proposing a character in a form of media that has them in multiple story routes. Said character must be consistent with their characteristics in all routes. (ex.: Can't have an example who shows promise on one route yet fails in another.) The only exception is if a later installment of the series confirms the character's actions which made them worth proposing are the canon route.

  • Is there a timeframe rule like with Complete Monster?: Yes, please wait two weeks until after the work has concluded before proposing a character (again, usually using the North American air date). As is the case with CM, we want to give a reasonable time frame so that everyone interested in seeing the work has done so and can participate in the discussion without having anything spoiled.

  • What about groups like with Complete Monster?: This is a point of divergence between the two tropes. While CM does not allow for a single entry encompassing more than three characters lest their heinousness for crimes becomes too watered down, with MB as long as they are treated as one "unit" it is acceptable to lump all characters provided they share acts of charm and intelligence.

  • Can I propose my own work's character as a Magnificent Bastard?: No, this is a YMMV subject and the creator of a content is way too biased to be able to evaluate the criteria we're looking for without a second opinion taking over. That being said, you are more than welcome to encourage someone to consume your creation and if they feel a character counts, are more than welcome to suggest them.

Thread rules

When voting a troper must specify the effort post they're voting on and cannot merely vote on "Everything I missed" as in the past it has indicated the poster didn't read the effort post and is guessing instead of analyzing.

Resolved items

In general, a character listed on this trope is considered "settled". This means they should not be challenged unless information used to list them was incorrect or information was missed in the initial discussion.

However, when re-litigating a candidate, the same rules apply for when they were originally proposed. If they do not have five or more upvotes than downvotes for approval upon a re-litigation, including votes from the initial discussion if they do not change, then they are a cut.

This especially applies to the characters listed below, who have been discussed excessively and repeated attempts to get them listed/cut may result in punitive action for bogging down the thread.

Definitely an MB

Definitely not an MB

  • South Park: The show's frequent use of vulgar comedy and mean-spirited humor leaves any potential candidates devoid of the dignity or charm to qualify.

Edited by GastonRabbit on Aug 31st 2023 at 4:15:22 AM

ImperialMajestyXO Since: Nov, 2015
DocSharp Since: Jun, 2011
#45552: May 3rd 2021 at 8:54:30 PM

Yes to Statler and Waldorf.

Riley1sCool Since: Dec, 2014
#45553: May 3rd 2021 at 9:48:00 PM

Yea to Statler and Waldorf.

Honestly I've wondered about Venom Snake for a long time... guy's absolutely got the stuff IMO it's just about how much his role as a tool for Big Boss (A role he fulfills brilliantly) disqualifies him.

DemonDuckofDoom from Some Pond in Hell Since: Sep, 2015 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
#45554: May 3rd 2021 at 9:57:34 PM

[tup] Tenzen, Desiree, Nagus, Dakuan, Fayth, Statler and Waldorf

Abstain on Jesse

As for the Danny Phantom page quote, I lifted this one from Ravok's EP of Dark Danny:

"You don't get it, do you? I'm STILL HERE. I still EXIST. That means YOU still turn into ME! I don't have to beat you. I just have to run out the clock until your entire life falls apart."
Dark Danny, The Ultimate Enemy

jjjj2 from Arrakis Since: Jul, 2015
#45555: May 3rd 2021 at 9:57:55 PM

[tup] Statler and Waldorf. Haven't played the metal gear games and only know the lore rudimentarily, but for a point of contrast, even though he technically is a pawn unlike let's say Dooku, he becomes aware of this and fully embraces the role. I think he could count. Or am I wrong?

You can only write so much in your forum signature. It's not fair that I want to write a piece of writing yet it will cut me off in the mid
futuremoviewriter Since: Jun, 2014
#45556: May 3rd 2021 at 10:09:52 PM

@43, @Austin Would make sense.

[tup] to the Dark Danny quote as well. Since Clockwork was also introduced in the special, would we group him and Dark Danny together or because Clockwork is in another episode, would we separate them in that case?

Edited by futuremoviewriter on May 3rd 2021 at 10:10:47 AM

Ravok RIP Toriyama Since: Jun, 2015 Relationship Status: Complex: I'm real, they are imaginary
RIP Toriyama
#45557: May 3rd 2021 at 10:15:03 PM

'Yes' to Statler and Waldorf, absolutely love it!

The Dark Danny quote suggestion would work great, IMO, but just to offer some variety, here's some other potentials, and I'm sure miraculous will likely have one or two to offer as well:

The Observants: "You manipulated the boy! You influenced his choice! That's a direct violation of the Protocol of Temporal Displacement! In other words, you cheated!"
Clockwork: "True, I cheated. But I assure you his choice was his own."
Observants: "You realize the boy is your responsibility now. As is his evil self, now that he exists outside of time."
Clockwork: "I know. But then, I know everything."

Dark Danny: "The Danny you know is floating helplessly in the Ghost Zone ten years in the future."
Jazz: "He'll escape, he'll beat you!"
Dark Danny: "How? Is the answer A, the Fenton Portal? Destroyed it. B, the only remaining portal? The one my idiot cheesehead archenemy has? As soon as I find it, that's going too. Is it C, you? No. You can't stop me from cheating on the C.A.T. and solidifying my future, so it must be D: None of the above!"

"Thanks to you, I now know how to activate the Gauntlet! Thanks to you, I am now ringmaster of all reality! Neato, huh?...Goody for me. But it wouldn't be drama if I didn't give you a sporting chance. And an audience!...Ladies and gentlemen, freaks of all ages, may I direct your attention to the center ring, where Danny Phantom, AKA Danny Fenton, will attempt to rescue his friends and family from a ghastly doom of my own construction! Only to be stopped at every turn by the master of all reality!...It's all mine now. My revenge, your nightmare! A kingdom fit for a freak, and a freakdom fit for a king!"
Freakshow, "Reality Trip"

Edited by Ravok on May 3rd 2021 at 10:18:50 AM

Tonight I dine on monkey soup.
AustinDR Lizzid people! (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
Lizzid people!
#45558: May 3rd 2021 at 10:18:35 PM

The second DD quote and the Freakshow one are both actually pretty good. If I had to choose...maybe the latter one's? I like the theatrical flair it has.

jjjj2 from Arrakis Since: Jul, 2015
#45559: May 3rd 2021 at 10:26:10 PM

My personal favorite is this one:

Clockwork: "The Observants look at time like they are watching a parade: one thing after another, passing by in sequence right in front of them. I see the parade from above - all the twists and turns it might, or might not, take."

You can only write so much in your forum signature. It's not fair that I want to write a piece of writing yet it will cut me off in the mid
TheImmortalAngelNewton The MILF Virus Since: Aug, 2015 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
The MILF Virus
#45560: May 3rd 2021 at 11:00:26 PM

[tup] Desiree, Nagus, Dakuan, Tenzan, Fayth, Statler, and Waldorf

So I'm in the mood so let's do another EXA_PICO candidate and this time from the only game so far that doesn't have a Magnificent Bastard yet, Ar tonelico Qoga: Knell of Ar Ciel the 3rd and final game of the Ar Tonelico Trilogy. After this, I got one more shoo-in, 2 more maybes, and 2 more possible ones depending on a question I'll ask later. Let's talk about the Will of Catastrophe: Soma.

What is the setting?

As I mentioned in the last two EP posts, EXA_PICO takes place in a world where Song is power, where there are people who can manipulate the waves that make reality into miracles. In the Planet of Ar Ciel after the abuse of the humans and race war they started, the surface is toxic and uninhabitable with only 3 towers, the Towers of Ar Tonelico, as the remaining inhabitable space on the planet. While the last two took place in the 1st and 2nd towers, this one takes place in the 3rd Tower, the Tower of Tyria.

In here, there's a massive fight split between 3 factions, the pro-Reyvateil only Clustania who plans to Cleanse all of humanity, the corporate Archia Think Tank who acts neutral, and The Great Fang a pro-human faction fighting Clustania. Of course, this is simply just it, there's also the Antibodies, a new species sent by the planet itself to destroy all living beings for the sins they committed throughout history, the Wills who are essentially the Gods of Ar Ciel split between pro-annihilation to restart the life cycle and those against it, and our protagonist who wants to restore the world to prevent the planet's destruction and fight against the people who plan to use this situation for their own ambition. Our candidate who happens to at first work with Clustania and the planet because of her normal duty and trust with Ar Ciel, the head of the Wills, but eventually decides to change sides after getting close to her host and wanting to save her, the Will of Catastrophe Soma.

Who is Soma and what does she do?

Soma is the Will of Catastrophe and Disaster because of her known existence to kill and cause destruction. That's because Soma was designated to be responsible for Natural Selection, tasked to regulate the life cycle by destroying life when required. She's assigned the dirtiest task and was feared in ancient mythology, even being in a known myth called "Red Shoes" a story she kills a child abuser.

She eventually descends to the surface world under the request of Ar Ciel and Ar Ru in their plans to wipe humanity for what they've done at the year 3700. She was chosen because of her combat abilities and destructive nature which makes her seem like the best candidate to be Ar Ru's bodyguard especially when the Antibodies sent by Ar Ciel were countered by humanity's creations and technology. Because Ayatane, a pro-Clustania, who wanted to exterminate all of humanity made the pact with the Planet, Soma was told the answer to him. Working with Clustania, Soma became an assassin and became known as the most dangerous assassin of Clustania, killing many under Clustania's orders, including the husband of Auntie Leu, though her true loyalty was that of the Planet.

She is first shown in the game inside a cottage where Aoto and Tatsumi encounter her, only surviving because of Saki's power which Soma felt uneasy about. It's eventually revealed that Finnel a Reyvateil the party encounters later is actually the host of Soma, and is constantly anxious about her since she can't control her and using her body to carry her duties. Soma from here out appears as an enigmatic enemy, she shows up seeming to fight but always lets the party go later on. It's revealed that Soma has her own plans, she wants to save Finnel because she knows she's dying slowly unless she shows up to Harvestashya and knowing Finnel has feelings for Aoto was planning to use it to get her to go back to Clustania, telling her if she doesn't go she will kill him which she showed one night that she could while also exposing Finnel's secret to push Finnel more. This does drive Finnel to find a way to get back to Havestashya which she does through Tatsumi who's also looking for her.

Eventually, Finnel's time is running out so she decided to take matters into her own hands. She decided to challenge Tatsumi in an upcoming race in a bet that she'll let Finnel go or Tatsumi has to come with her back to Clustania which he was forced to accept otherwise she'll kill their group. In the race, Soma attacks Tatsumi, revealing him as a girl, Cocona one of the player characters in the 2nd game, and reveals she did that to isolate themselves and make a deal in private. Soma would let go of Finnel if Cocona promises to take Finnel to Harvestsyha no matter what, telling her if she doesn't Finnel will die. She then stays inside Finnel for most of the game, returning a few more times in the games. Saving Finnel and Akane from Luphan and Harvestyha who both were planning to sacrifice Finnel, and Archia who was invading then, and another along with the Wills explaining to Aoto what Ar Ciel is planning and trusting Aoto and team to convince Ar Ciel to spare everyone.

She also plays a heavy role in Finnel's Cosmosphere, where there she first appears as an antagonist hunting Finnel as a shadow, but later sides with Aoto to save Finnel from her inner turmoil caused by Luphan, Harvestsyha, and Suzunomia, saving him and Finnel numerous times and even killing certain "concepts" torturing Finnel. Also here she also guides Aoto in what's going on with Finnel explaining she herself is causing her own suffering due to a Self-Defense Mechanism and if Aoto swears to help her, will kill the Self-Defense Mechanism to free Finnel from her torment. In the last level, she does her best to help Finnel and Aoto's relationship by establishing a lake for them to enjoy together in her own world.

Is she Magnificent?

Absolutely, the deadliest assassin of Clustania, that she strikes fear to her enemies, an antagonist who the party never actually beats in a fight due to how dangerous she is, knows what she wants and will do what it takes to get even if it means killing, threatening, or making deals, and was in charge of keeping the natural order. That said for her willingness to do cruel act, she also is a woman of her word, has a genuine fondness towards her host Finnel who she first saw as a tool, and ultimately trust and respect Aoto enough with Finnel's well-being. She's even Crazy Awesome, in the Cosmosphere not only did she kill a corrupt judge to overturn a verdict and snap her own neck to go to the land of the dead to save Aoto and Finnel from a shadow version of her, yet remains wise in hinting to Aoto the bigger conflict inside Finnel.

She does admittedly get tricked by Luphan since while he and Harvestsyha would prolong Finnel's life, she was also gonna be a sacrifice to host Suzunomia to call Ar Ru, but considering she does save Finnel and Akane herself from him, she ultimately gets the last laugh plus she can play a vital role in ending his influence in Finnel inside her Cosmosphere which more then makes up for it.

Too Much of a Bastard?

Soma may be a mass murderer and assassin, but like I said it's her role in Ar Ciel, as the W Ill of Catastrophe essentially the planets Grim Reaper, she's supposed to maintain the natural order even if it means doing the dirtiest task. Plus she's not heartless, killing is no problem, but she always does it with a purpose, and eventually, after breaking out of her blind loyalty with Ar Ciel, she decides to work with the party to save everyone, because she cares about Finnel and begrudgingly Aoto and swears if she's gonna kill she'll do it with a purpose. Soma is a professional murderer after all.

Final Verdict:

An absolute keep and with her and one more I'm very confident she'll qualify, that'd be 7 so would we have an EXA_PICO page? Mind you I actually have 4 more potential candidates that are up to debate, which I actually want to ask opinions later if that's OK.

Edited by TheImmortalAngelNewton on May 4th 2021 at 1:00:19 AM

"Are you the devil?" "Don't compare to me to those small fry" - Mir
futuremoviewriter Since: Jun, 2014
#45561: May 3rd 2021 at 11:04:11 PM

Hard pick between Dark Danny quotes. Same for Clockwork quotes too. I love that second Clockwork quote, so [tup] to that for now and meanwhile, [tup] to the Freakshow quote too.

One of the final Ghost Writer quotes is really good too (the one about how it also is over when he types The End or the lesson is learned).

Edited by futuremoviewriter on May 3rd 2021 at 11:06:19 AM

miraculous Goku Black (Apprentice)
Goku Black
#45562: May 4th 2021 at 12:58:43 AM

[tup]Nagus, Dakuan, soma, Fayth, Statler, and Waldorf

"That's right mortal. By channeling my divine rage into power, I have forged a new instrument in which to destroy you."
Amanofmanyinterests Gotta love Jaws! Since: Oct, 2020 Relationship Status: Armed with the Power of Love
Gotta love Jaws!
#45563: May 4th 2021 at 3:51:48 AM

[tup] to Statler, Waldorf and Soma.

Edited by Amanofmanyinterests on May 4th 2021 at 4:05:10 AM

"For a second there, I mistook ya for a threat... but you're just a dirty little man!"
MGD107 Since: Feb, 2015
#45564: May 4th 2021 at 3:56:19 AM

[tup] to Desiree, Nagus, Dakuan, Fayth Alden, Statler and Waldorf and Soma.

SkyCat32 The Draftsman of Doom from NYPD (Five Year Plan) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
DoodSlayer136 Woagh from Pizza Tower (Experienced, Not Yet Jaded) Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
Amanofmanyinterests Gotta love Jaws! Since: Oct, 2020 Relationship Status: Armed with the Power of Love
Gotta love Jaws!
#45567: May 4th 2021 at 4:32:56 AM

[up] I can't say they were the first candidates I would expect to go on the two incarnations page.

"For a second there, I mistook ya for a threat... but you're just a dirty little man!"
TellAll111 Since: Jun, 2010
#45568: May 4th 2021 at 4:48:32 AM

[tup] for Tenzen, Jesse, Desiree, Nagus, Dakuan, Tenzan, Fayth, Statler and Waldorf, and Soma.

DoodSlayer136 Woagh from Pizza Tower (Experienced, Not Yet Jaded) Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
Woagh
#45569: May 4th 2021 at 5:26:49 AM

Anyways, here's Walter:

  • Sonic the Hedgehog (SatAM) "The Void": Nagus is the former master of Dr. Robotnik who was banished to The Void by him, and spends his banishment plotting revenge on his traitorous apprentice. Realizing Sonic's speed is the key to releasing him, he attempts to capture him using a device, only to instead end up capturing Sally and Bunny instead. Realizing that Sonic would likely attempt to rescue them, he uses them to lure Sonic to him and attempts to convince him to help him escape. When Sonic refuses, he disguises as the King, who was also banished to The Void, and effortlessly convinces Sonic to get him out. Revealing his deceptions after escape, a grateful Nagus allows Sonic to rescue his friends while he takes care of Robotnik, reveling in humiliating the traitorous doctor. Discovering that, thanks to spending too long in the Void, he'll die if he spends too long outside of it, he scares off Robotnik and retreats alongside the King, content to plan his revenge for another day.

I've also might've found a potential candidate from Adventures of all things. Depends on how much he's treated as a separate character, really.

NOISE IS CALLING, PICK UP PHONE
PurpleEyedGuma Since: Apr, 2020
#45570: May 4th 2021 at 5:59:04 AM

Yeah to Statler & Waldorf and Soma.

[down] Yeah to Cadaver.

Edited by PurpleEyedGuma on May 4th 2021 at 9:05:08 AM

EmeraldEmperor Lies and Violence! Since: Oct, 2020
Lies and Violence!
#45571: May 4th 2021 at 6:01:54 AM

[tup] Soma.

Skulduggery Pleasant once more! This is a weird one.

The candidate

In case you forgot the titular skeleton's backstory: Nefarian Serpine killed his family, he became Lord Vile, learned necromancy, joined Mevolent to murder a bunch of people, and took the armor off.

But there's more! Apparently.

When Vile was with the necromancers, he traveled into another dimension that was home to the Viddu De - death gods who want revenge on the Faceless Ones. Vile agreed to help them kill everything, and in exchange they granted him the ability to see every possible future. And Vile saw everything including his time with Valkyrie. After joining Mevolent and butchering a bunch of his old friends for five years, Vile took off the armor and became Skulduggery again, wiping his own memory of his clairvoyance so that events could unfold as he'd seen them without any interference.

And they do. Fast-forward to the latest book, and Faceless One-worshipper Damocles Creed has taken over the Sanctuaries (magic government). He's been trying to find the "Child of the Faceless Ones" who can bring his gods back to this reality, but unfortunately the process is a long one. His experiments to draw the Faceless Ones' DNA out of people only turn them into faceless "Kith," and he needs to find someone with a more direct ancestry. To do so, he intends to turn an entire town into Kith, hoping the Child is caught in the blast. And she is. Valkyrie's sister, Alice.

The two proceed to take over the world and bring back their gods, quickly stamping out any resistance. Valkyrie, due to shenanigans, turns into a horrible monster, and Skulduggery begins falling back into that dark rage he had when he became Vile... and unlocks Vile's memories/clairvoyance. Just as planned. Skulduggery abandons his name once more, taking up the mantle of Cadaver Cain (Cadaverous Gant was a previous villain who kidnapped baby Alice, so that part's purely to screw with her. Alice takes up "Malice," which is a stupid name, but this is a world where someone wanted to be called "Nefarian Serpine," so whatevs).

Serving as the only form of resistance in the future, Cadaver waits for Valkyrie to time-travel to the future and rescues her from Malice... only to possess her when she travels back. He briefly pretends to be her only to be seen through immediately by Skulduggery. Cadaver admits he probably should have taken up her speech patterns, but he couldn't bring himself to say "like" so many times in one sentence. He beats Skulduggery up and assembles himself a new skeleton body to use, while Skulduggery finally finds out just how annoying he is to other people.

He pops up later to rescue Valkyrie and Skulduggery, explaining his clairvoyance and stating that he intends to stop Creed. He doesn't really give them any advice, as that would set them off course of the future where they win, and goes to help Omen Darkly and Crepuscular Vies (the series' new Tritagonist and his Skulduggery-esque mentor who is totes evil but otherwise helpful and not actually malicious in any way towards Omen) find out more about Creed's plan.

Apparently having arranged Creed's assassination as Vile (having opened up another necromancer's eyes to the Viddu De in order to take care of it before he came back to the present), Cadaver has his necromancer minion bring Creed back to life, using the subsequent subtle influence over him to hijack his city-wide Kith plan. Instead of a city-wide Kith field, it's been changed to a universe-wide death field that will convert everything into a state of undeath - no one will retain their individuality, but will be content and at peace. And, as he's had centuries to put things into motion, he's able to easily outsmart Creed.

There are two problems. Namely, problems that Cadaver can't see the future of. The first is Malice, who also traveled back with Valkyrie. She beats him up, but retreats when it looks like Creed's about to win. The second, that Cadaver didn't know about, is Omen's brother Auger, who he beats up and turns into a god-killer monster that flies away. ... Just go with it. Still, their influence changes events enough so that both Cadaver and Creed's plans are stopped, Skulduggery knocking out and arresting his future self.

Magnificence and Bastardness

Dear lord yes! As a future version of Skulduggery, Cadaver has all of his charm, intelligence, and wit. The omniscience is a bit of blatant cheating, but picking out the right timelines to follow is a bit tricky. Also, while he knows everything everyone's done and will do, he has to make sure people actually do those things so he can therefore know that's what happened.

I fucking hate time travel.

He also wants to, you know, kill everything. He sees it as a good thing, and truly believes he's in the right. He's also not as cold and nihilistic as Vile, having taken the name "Cain" in honor of his old partner, and finishing a painting that this one guy has been working to perfect for years because he knows that the guy is about to die.

The dude's awesome, and basically just Skulduggery with more malicious acts to his name. Definitely a keeper.

Edited by EmeraldEmperor on May 4th 2021 at 6:02:42 AM

Amanofmanyinterests Gotta love Jaws! Since: Oct, 2020 Relationship Status: Armed with the Power of Love
Libraryseraph Showtime! from Canada (Five Year Plan) Relationship Status: Raising My Lily Rank With You
miraculous Goku Black (Apprentice)
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#45574: May 4th 2021 at 6:12:11 AM

[tup]cadaver

"That's right mortal. By channeling my divine rage into power, I have forged a new instrument in which to destroy you."
Beast from Ontario, Canada Since: Aug, 2012 Relationship Status: Browsing the selection
#45575: May 4th 2021 at 6:36:04 AM

[tup] Fayth.

[tup] Statler and Waldorf.

[tup] Soma.

[tup] Cadaver.

"It's like...a cliff, and if I do it, I'm just gonna...fall." "I think we're already falling."

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