[Zsinj16]

I was wondering who, in different people's opinions is the most cruel character in fantasy. I'm now reading "To Green Angel Tower Part I", book three of the "MS&T Trilogy" and I must say that in it Pryrates is the most tyrannical and cruel of all viilains in all the fantasy books I've read so far. Of course, though, I haven't read that many fantasy books yet. Now, why I didn't choose a more poweful and prominent villain such as The Storm King, or Elias, or Sauron from LOTR is because, it's not that I don't think they're cruel, but it's because I haven't seen any or very many instances yet that show through direct acts that they're cruel. For example, I didn't read anywhere yet where Sauron, Inuleki, or Elias stomps a dog to death, or mercilessly tortures a defenseless monk into near incoherence.
So who in your opinion, is the most cruel of villains in fantasy? I suppose you could count "anti-heroish" heroes too, because I know there are a lot of them in fantasy.

[Rob B]

Darken Rahl from the Sword of Truth is up there. Those who have read the first two books would probably agree--he tortures women and children.

[FitzChivalry]

I think this was discussed already in another thread.

I don't really remember the cruelest villian i read about, but the most annoying one i read about is Prince Regal of the Farseer Trilogy, i just hated that guy.
About antiheroes, the cruelest i read about is probably Gerald Tarrant of The Cold Fire Trilogy, the guy feeds on the fear of young girls...

[bing]

The cruelest villain in all of fantasy is George R.R. Martin. That bastard simply finds perverse amounts of joy in causing suffering in his characters. His victims are lucky if they die from the pain before suffering disproportionate amounts of humiliation and despair.

http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by bing (edited May 21, 2001).]

[Habeed]

Yeah, I agree, Martin is the worst. The reason is not the amount of suffering his characters endure, but the way he conveys it to the reader. After all, you can't complain about the body count in a movie unless you can count the bodies. In a similar manner, while you can say that other fantasy villians might torture more people, Martin actually makes the torture seem real.

[Kierk Soren]

I will have to say the character that first came into my head was "Mrs. Coulter and her daemon the Golden Monkey" from Phillip Pullman's Dark Material books. I am currently waiting for the Amber Spyglass to come to paperback. As the story progressed I literally would feel a sense of dread at even the suggestion of her appearance-creeepy-!

[Kierk Soren]

Hey FitzChiv, I know what you mean. Maybe this is Hobbs approach, because I'm readin' the Liveship books(have you?) and I feel the exact same way about Kyle Haven, Oh God, that guy opens his mouth and I can feel the pain and frustration of those around him! Not to mention fighting the urge to see a character shove em' overboard for Maulkin to munch on!---SPOILER----it's unbelievable that I finally related to him once he got his a** whooped by the slaves, I was so waiting for that to happen but it didn't leave me feeling the way I thought I would. Hobb can really surprise you!

[This message has been edited by Kierk Soren (edited May 21, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Kierk Soren (edited May 21, 2001).]

[Rhaegar]

Most cruel villian? How about Vargo Hoat? Don't believe me? Ask Jaime Lannister.

[polgara]

I am reading the amber spyglass at the momment and i agree with Kirek Soren

[Arwena]

Kyle Haven was sooo annoying I wanted to hit him most of the time. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif But then, so was Malta at first, too. Luckily she began to understand some things and didn't fall victim to my violent thoughts. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/biggrin.gif