Who is the most dastardly, in your mind, despicable Fantasy villain? What was it about this character that made them so revolting? How do you think we can incorporate this into our own stories?

Can I answer from historical fiction (Robin Hood)?

The most despicably evil villain I've come across in fantasy fiction was probably Ombra in the "Peter and the Starcatchers" series. That guy just leeched evil, and gave me the creeps every time I read about him. The thing that made him such a horribly good antagonist, was that there is no known way to defeat him. He is a demon-like creature that steals shadows, and can manipulate people once he has stolen their shadow. Being a wraith-like creature, you can physically kill it.

The way the authors described him added to the effect too. The way he spoke, or moved, it was all... *shudders* yeah. Despicably evil, as Airi put it.

Yes, Zoey! I mean throughout all literature. Who was the most despicable, in your mind.

Good one, Aussie

Sauron!!!
(enough said. )

He may not be that scary but scariness wasn't mentioned was it? Just the most evil.

Brendan, this is personal opinion, remember

So Joe, what about Sauron made him so evil, did you think? I mean, he is one of the iconic evils. I want to see everyone possibly dissect these characters. Why were they so iconically evil? If we can figure that out, then maybe it will help us in our writing.

*indignantly looks way up at the drastically taller Brendan * I was being serious when I asked the question! *stomps foot like a 2 year old that needs disciplining *

I know, it is one of those endearing attributes God blessed me with Now, get serious and on topic

Yes Morgoth is more evil than Sauron. But I think Sauron is a better villain because: 1. He is completely evil. 2. He is a "Menace in the dark." He is always talked about and is always around but never do you see him or interact with him (except that little bit with Pippin.) 3. He only has one weakness and that's a ring, not some childhood memory or something of that kind. And 4. He's a giant eye on a tower. How cool of a bad guy is that?

(There is another villain I really like but he is neither in a book or fantasy ).

Well, I can't think of one from literature right now. I don't read much anymore. But I can think of one from film...which starts out as literature, right?

Anyway, the most despicable villain I can think of is Sir Guy of Gisbourne from BBC's Robin Hood. He takes delight in hurting, torturing, even killing the people under him or opposing him. He'll do anything it takes to advance his cause.

However, at the same time, he is deeply hurt. At first he thinks that the woman he loves (Marian) doesn't really care, but he later finds out that she's actually in love with Robin. He eventually ends up killing Marian.

The main things that I've learned from him and tried to incorporate into my own villains are his hard-heartedness and weakness. I make my villains appear hard-hearted and cold, but I make sure to display that there is some weakness, some fear, and for some, a painful past as a motive.

I think I kind of strayed from the question a bit.

@E: Hehe, I have got to tell my parents about this tonight!

@Joe: Good points! I agree that he is a very imposing character, and a wicked villain!

@Zoey: No you did not stray away from the question! That is exactly what I wanted to hear. You gave me a character (I just want a character, guys, it doesn't need to be fantasy) and then showed why he was bad, before telling how you would implement his traits into your story. Exactly what I wanted!

He made such a horrible baddy! Hard to believe everyone likes him in "North and South".

This, E!



I am so quoting this to my family tonight! When the topic of HWF comes up, this is going to be the quote for the day I found it hilarious!

They did?!?

You've watched it? Finally someone who has!

I've seen them. I actually liked BBC's portrayal of the characters better than anyone else's. And I personally loved the Robin Hood character in them. He played the role perfectly. Plus they- wait, I will stay on topic But I liked them, Zoey

Wow! You knew exactly what I was talking about, then!

Yes, mustn't derail. *goes back to searching her mind for other villains*

He's now going to play Thorin in the Hobbit.


Well since Movie characters are allowed I'll add The Joker from The Dark Knight.
He is a evil crazy person with a dark sense of humor. He has many stories about his childhood which he likes to tell all the time but they're different every time. He's wholly evil and the only thing keeping him from winning is him. He goes to extremes to make a point and loves panic.
Can y'all tell by now that I like villains that are practically flawless and evil?

*shudders * I've heard he is despicable, Joe!

He is the Mr Darcy and Mr Knightley of "North and South"! He was actually really good; I liked him in that.



I've watched two or three episodes. I kinda lost interest when I heard Marion died further on in the series. But yes, Gisborne was super evil in that show!

*gets back on topic*

Funny the first time I came into this thread, every villain fled my mind. Anyway, back with another one, that made an even bigger impact on me, was Capricorn out of Inkheart. (the books, the movie Capricorn was just plain funny ) He really gave me the creeps. Maybe because it was his very different appearance, so pale and white. *shudder* He was really scary!

The first villain I could remember was Satan from The Passion of the Christ. He was always there, always laughing in a mocking manner, just scary.

Yeah, he was creepy!

He definitely was.

*suddenly forgets every villain there is*

The first to come to mind for me is the trio of Fagin, Sikes, and Monks in Oliver Twist. Their contrasting personalities and levels of sanity make their evil overwhelming. We're not given any sympathetic back story or notion that they are redeemable, and the object of their combined malice and hatred is a confused an innocent child whose only wrong against them is based on his existence and what they have already done to him.

I think what makes them so horrible to me is that they are so much more powerful than Oliver. He does find friends, but he spends most of his time trying to escape something he cannot, yet he has no idea why it has befallen him. There is nothing Oliver can do to avoid them, fight them off, or learn about them so that he can overcome them. That notion terrifies me.

For me it's gotta be Tamiel from the Children of the Bard series by Bryan Davis. He's a demon, but he's such a stylish demon, and he knows just how to irritate the heck out of the main character in little ways, and he's remorseless and despicable and diiieeeeee! *flies at him murderously*

*cough* I'm okay now.

I think it's just his snazzy way of going about things while being so calculating and totally without remorse. There is no pity involved; we can see he's working things out, and we as well as the characters are helpless to stop him. It's awful. ._.