The Dresden Files > DF Spoilers
Who is the most evil character in the Dresdenverse?
the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh:
--- Quote from: Arjan on December 03, 2017, 07:11:47 AM ---That is usually true but in fiction there is something called evil that is beyond selfishness. It is the idea of absolute evil, personified evil. Of evil for evils sake. Maybe it is even self sacrificing like serving some evil god or it is just a property like an evil weapon.
--- End quote ---
I don't find that particularly appealing in fiction, though it can be a useful tool for some kinds of RPGs, just because of the general lack of realism and because it can be pernicious in leading people to think that way in real life. I have known a handful of people in RL who set out to be evil for evil's sake, and I could have done without them.
exartiem:
Jim has said very little about Drakul in the DU, so it really isn't possible to say whether he is evil or not. I was going with the more classical version of him.
IIRC, it has been revealed that our existence is painful or somehow damaging to the Outsiders, so they are doing what they consider the right thing to do.
To me, evil does not need to gain sustenance or protection from its victims. It does not need to defend or support itself or another. It is not controlled or compelled into these acts. It causes pain for pure enjoyment. So, for me, the only one that fits this list is Shagnasty.
Snark Knight:
--- Quote from: groinkick on December 03, 2017, 06:40:24 AM ---I'd say that the most evil is someone who inflicts pain, and suffering purely for the enjoyment of watching someone else suffer, and has the free will to not do those things. So Shagnasty is probably the most evil that I can think of in the story (beside Outsiders who appear to have no free will in they are 100% pure evil, and cannot be altered). Free will is the snag for me. Can it resist those impulses or is he like a rabid animal that is out of control?
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I'm not really sure where the skinwalkers fall on the free will question. They disobeyed the beings they were supposed to be messengers for in choosing to stay on earth, but after that they seem to have pretty much lost the capacity for being anything but sadistic monsters. There haven't been any examples like in the White Court where Thomas chooses to fight his nature and Lara actively embraces evil because it's expedient and 'who has the time for being good?'. And it seems like Goodman Grey has to take active measures ('paying the Rent') to retain control of his actions rather than be swamped by his father's nature.
Arjan:
--- Quote from: the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh on December 03, 2017, 03:37:18 PM ---I don't find that particularly appealing in fiction, though it can be a useful tool for some kinds of RPGs, just because of the general lack of realism and because it can be pernicious in leading people to think that way in real life. I have known a handful of people in RL who set out to be evil for evil's sake, and I could have done without them.
--- End quote ---
To cause evil upon others without a selfish motive is a form of self destructive insanity, you gain nothing but enemies so it is either compulsive or stupid. But usually there is some other motive though that does not have to be rational.
But the dresdenverse is fiction based on myth and absolute evil is a religious invention now used in myth. It started with Zoroastrian dualism and went on via Judaism and Gnosticism into Cristianity. Some myth is full of it so I do think it exists in some form in the dresdenverse. I do not think it plays an important role i the story though. Black and white do exist but Harry lives in a world of greys.
wardenferry419:
All adult mortals live in the grey. It is a balancing act between doing what you want to do, what you need to do, and what you should be doing.
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