The Dresden Files > DF Spoilers
Denarian Short Story
toodeep:
--- Quote from: SerScot on July 07, 2019, 05:27:54 PM ---It’s not that they don’t recognize their actions as “bad” it is that those folks believe that their bad actions are justified by existing exigencies. Therefore they think they are doing something “bad” to achieve a “greater good”.
--- End quote ---
I think the first half is true, and the second half is not. I think many a person realizes they are doing something wrong, but they rationalize it as:
A. Just this once (for the xth time)
B. I can't help it
C. I really need it, or I need it more (i.e. the stealing food for your child moralization)
D. I'm a good enough person, or have had enough bad stuff happen to me that I deserve something enough that it is ok for me to do something bad to get what I want
I mean, the number of people who seem to think they are good people because while they will do evil to get money now, "when they have enough" they will stop and be "good" people boggles my mind (and scares me)
KurtinStGeorge:
--- Quote from: Bad Alias on July 02, 2019, 07:27:34 PM ---I've never agreed with that. Some people have to know they're the bad guy, at least in a particular situation.
--- End quote ---
I think the Bard would agree with you.
I am determined to prove a villain Richard III - from the opening soliloquy
However, that doesn't mean Nicodemus doesn't believe that he is "saving the world," as Deirdre stated. It's possible that even as evil as he is, Nicodemus believes he is doing the right thing. What Nicodemus and Deirdre never own up to is their choice to inflict unnecessary harm on others. There's nothing surgical about the way they operate in the books. They both enjoyed killing; and sometimes torturing first, whenever they had the opportunity to do so. Nicodemus was just sometimes more businesslike about it than Deirdre.
Avernite:
I do wonder - why do people always assume Nemfection for anyone aligned with the Outsiders?
It seems much more likely to me that some Denarian cut a deal with Outsiders to gain power in exchange for support, and that support was attacking Arctis Tor.
I mean, I think Cowl is also in league with the Outsiders, but all for his own twisted purposes, not because Nemesis broke his mind (or maybe Black Magic broke his mind instead, one crack at a time). Lord Raith aligned with the Outsiders and got near magic-immunity for it (and wouldn't that be a great way for Cowl to have survived the collapsing Darkhallow?)
In fact, I don't think we have evidence of Nemfection for anyone but Faeries/Sidhe... and I also think for a reason; humans fundamentally can align themselves with self-destructive plots against their intended nature because they are morons, and if they are magic-users the subsequent black magic will redecorate their minds just fine. Faeries can only go against their nature when something external helps them.
/rant off
kbrizzle:
@Snark Knight
It’s a theory I read about a couple of months ago. The line of logic to me goes like this:
* A Denarian threw hellfire at the Black Council backed attack on Arctis Tor - Mab points at Namshiel, who is Tessa’s sorcery teacher. Namshiel could be the vector of Nfection in Tessa’s crew, with whom Deedee spends some time (she is clearly more loyal to her dad, but Tessa’s concern for her in SG shows that Deedee is somewhat close to her mother).
* Nic was unaware that a Denarian was involved in the AT assault & reacts violently when informed. No doubt after the events of SmF he did some digging to see what was going on
* By the time of SG, Nic figures out that Deedee has been Nfected so decides she must die, with her coin remaining in Hades. With Deedee dying in the Greek Underworld, she would also be spared Heaven’s wrath (from the Denarian POV).
* Nic could have sacrificed any of the young squires who consider him a Demi-god. Remember, these people are so brainwashed that they think of lopping their tongues off as a great honor. Did he really need to kill Deedee when he clearly has other options?
It’s admittedly not perfect, but there was definitely something more going on before Nic sacrificed Deedee at the blood gate. Their mysterious conversation included phrases like “the enemy cannot get to you here” & his response to when Deidre tells him that she loves him is “That is the problem”.
@Avernite
I actually had a WAG that only immortals are capable of being Nfected. From what we’ve seen with how it works with the Sidhe, it allows its’ hosts to bend their nature, something that should not be possible - it allows Maeve & Aurora to override the programming & compulsions of their mantles. It basically gives “free will” to beings that no longer have it.
This is why it wouldn’t work on mortals - Nemesis doesn’t give mortals any advantage that free will doesn’t already. Instead, I believe that the Outsiders corrupt mortals like Cowl etc by offering them immortality.
Mr. Death:
First point: Her coin does not remain in Hades. Nic explicitly picks it up.
Second: I've theorized that the Gate of Blood does not refer solely to needing to kill someone; it's her shade that does the opening, after all, so why not call it the "Gate of Souls"? Rather, "blood" could refer to family relation.
Remember this whole thing was set up deliberately by Mab and Marcone with specific information leaked to Nicodemus, for the express purpose of hitting him where it hurts the most. I can definitely see those two angling it so that Nicodemus believes that he has to kill his own blood to get through it.
Also, if Deirdre was Nemfected, why would Nicodemus trust her with something so important?
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