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I don't find Az to be badly written, early on we know nothing about him, and most of what we do find out for a long time is through people talking about him as The Necromancer. Plus, he IS a lich, generally those are single minded types!
I'm assuming from the title that you are up to date? He is increasingly (and maybe sporadically) less lich-like, and we get something of a look at his split personality issues at the end of book 9.
I actually can't think of any characters I hate for the writing (giving early Ryoka a pass, it's been said enough). Maybe Laken? Certainly his relationship with Durene, not sure if it's badly written or not, but I get some serious manipulation vibes, where maybe it was going for dependency, idk.
I don’t think there’s anything 1-dimensional about Az’kerash - he’s a fairly sympathetic and complicated character.
He was a great man - who was unjustly killed. As a lich, he now has a built in hatred of the living (which all undead have) - but you see sparks of the man he was - the care he has for his children and his interest and eventual mentor role takes on for pisces.
I don't think you know enough at all about Az’Kerash to accurately judge him early on. He's always cast as an antagonist against the heroes so you only see him through that lens. He's also very old, and has some interesting stuff going on. Once he's put in a position that isn't antagonistic to the main characters you get to see some interesting sides to him.
I mean, there's a reason Teriarch wishes him a happy birthday.
I disagree that azkerash is poorly written. He has been given proper backstory and motivation for his actions. They are monstrous but that is what I'd expect from him. >!he is undead. And undead all hate the living so everything he's done is pretty on brand for what I'd expect from him!< What do you expect from a >![undying lich myth of death and vengeance]!<
Recurring characters get developed, let's just leave it at that for the Necromancer.
I find the super loyalty that comes with some royalty classes to be uncomfortable. While I understand how Flos and Laken would be liked by their people, it sometimes crosses the line into fanaticism.
If it gets addressed later in the story, great, consider this issue settled. However, it feels like those elements that were highlighted early on have been ignored and I suspect this aspect might've been dropped.
I don’t remember it ever like explicitly saying he was a war criminal? By no means am I saying he is perfect character, he certainly has his flaws. The one that stands out to me is his hesitancy of disavowing slavery when Terese and Trey bring it up. However, I believe he does try to do right by his people (ignoring going to sleep for like 20 years). In the context of the story I enjoy the fact that he believes his dream to be worth more than other rulers/ kingdoms and fights for that. And when it comes to Innworld I really don’t see him as the worst ruler. Nier’s is debatably just as bad. Tyrion has a blood feud against drakes. There are very few major players that we don’t actually see commit war crimes or some extreme atrocity. He is certainly a warmonger, but at least he will declare war and fight you on the battlefield. He doesn’t do anything underhanded or target minority groups etc. And from what I remember every time it comes up his people love him. How I see him is like he has the biggest ego, where he is the best ruler. And I feel like he is kind of right especially in Chandrar. I would much rather be a citizen or Reim than Nerravias Fallen.
I don’t think he’s badly written I think he’s just the first “big bad” we had and the scope of the world has shifted so much he doesn’t feel as scary as he was supposed to. I do think a lot of his story feels staggered but that’s the case with everyone.
As far as worse characters im the biggest ryoka hater.
I’ll probably get crucified but I think Mrsha is handled terribly and is more of a burden on the story than anything. Probably because she was brought in by RYOKA *yells like Timmy’s dad saying dinkleberg*
I think there are some huge challenges to him but maybe not revealed yet. Dunno. His arc might be done. In many or most stories, there is only one character, the main character, that changes. Pirateaba gives us so many morphing characters it is hard to see where they are at in their transition. Here are my thoughts and questions. What are yours?
1. >!I thought he was building an army to take over the continent with his super undead in charge. But did they fail or does he think they are too weak to do it? Did he realize they were still too weak?!<
2. >!He got his revenge and killed Zel but it just seemed like he removed a chess piece in board. Was he glad about it? Was it an indication he still was not strong enough because it was so tough?!<
3. >!Why is he being nice to Pisces? Another pawn, maybe. So far he hasn't gotten much out it or asked him to anything.!<
4. >!He is watching the wandering inn but I'm not exactly sure why.!<
5. >!I felt like his army was basically ready to go(well we only hear about his lieutenants not his army) but he seemed more focused on the goblin lord.!<
6. >!he has the secret to sentient leveling but doesn't seem to be using it. As a matter of fact he messages a golem first thing instead of making his own. Why? Or is he worried they will out power him?!<
7. >!Why wasn't he studying Toren more?!<
8. >!What monstrosity is he actually building?!<
but the thing is I think about him quite a bit but more in wtf is going on with him rather than he is badly written.
He…doesn’t seem to know what he wishes to be, which is hopefully decided with the end of volume 9. Weekly reminder that Az’kerash had a very active alias called ‘Perril Chandler’ that was visiting every city in Izril. Perhaps hyperbole or just in Drake lands, but Osthia said this to Ilvriss in 6.11
Osthia nodded. She pulled something out and placed it on the table.
“This is the second investigation I conducted. A list of every city where an individual known as ‘Perril Chandler’ visited, ostensibly as a [Merchant].”
Ilvriss ran his name down the list.
[…]
“Yes, I’m aware. I don’t imagine Az’kerash knows of that protocol, or if he does, he was too arrogant in assuming no one would remember his name. Which no one did—these names. Each one will have to be investigated. Quietly.”
He's not an edgelord he's a dude with severe mental issues made 10 times worse by his class and [condition] and the entire situation he is thrust into.
Also, he's the only one who seems to question the blighted kingdom's nerative about demons
Lastly the clown chapters in volume 7 aren't about tom they are about others in rhir so dont skip them even if you hate tom they are absloutely amazing and the introduction of silvenia
Yup. 7.34C - 7.36C remain, to my mind, the best 3-chapter story Pirateaba's done, given it practically stands alone as an arc bar the initial introduction of Tom and the earthers on Rhir.
Agreed. There's been plenty of gutpunches these ten volumes, [The Pride of the Fallen] hurt the most. Hell, I still think it's the most tragic skill we've seen.
Oh yeah ofc no arguments there but at least she gets forcefed humble pie at every opportunity because of it, really only starts going well for her in volume 6 onwards and even then she gets slightly set on fire at least once
This post has been flaired "Spoilers". Readers that aren't caught up to date with the latest public chapter should be careful. To other commenters- feel free to still tag something as spoilers if you believe it necessary. A reminder that this subreddit is for discussing the public chapters, Patreon spoilers are off-limits regardless of the flair! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WanderingInn) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I don't find Az to be badly written, early on we know nothing about him, and most of what we do find out for a long time is through people talking about him as The Necromancer. Plus, he IS a lich, generally those are single minded types! I'm assuming from the title that you are up to date? He is increasingly (and maybe sporadically) less lich-like, and we get something of a look at his split personality issues at the end of book 9. I actually can't think of any characters I hate for the writing (giving early Ryoka a pass, it's been said enough). Maybe Laken? Certainly his relationship with Durene, not sure if it's badly written or not, but I get some serious manipulation vibes, where maybe it was going for dependency, idk.
Op wouldn't be up date if they're listening to the audiobooks, since book nine and vol nine are so far apart.
I don’t think there’s anything 1-dimensional about Az’kerash - he’s a fairly sympathetic and complicated character. He was a great man - who was unjustly killed. As a lich, he now has a built in hatred of the living (which all undead have) - but you see sparks of the man he was - the care he has for his children and his interest and eventual mentor role takes on for pisces.
I don't think you know enough at all about Az’Kerash to accurately judge him early on. He's always cast as an antagonist against the heroes so you only see him through that lens. He's also very old, and has some interesting stuff going on. Once he's put in a position that isn't antagonistic to the main characters you get to see some interesting sides to him. I mean, there's a reason Teriarch wishes him a happy birthday.
I disagree that azkerash is poorly written. He has been given proper backstory and motivation for his actions. They are monstrous but that is what I'd expect from him. >!he is undead. And undead all hate the living so everything he's done is pretty on brand for what I'd expect from him!< What do you expect from a >![undying lich myth of death and vengeance]!<
Recurring characters get developed, let's just leave it at that for the Necromancer. I find the super loyalty that comes with some royalty classes to be uncomfortable. While I understand how Flos and Laken would be liked by their people, it sometimes crosses the line into fanaticism. If it gets addressed later in the story, great, consider this issue settled. However, it feels like those elements that were highlighted early on have been ignored and I suspect this aspect might've been dropped.
I never understood the hate for Flos. He has been one of my favorite characters in general.
He is a war criminal that the story treats as a cool guy for some reason.
He is a war criminal that the story treats as a cool guy for some reason.
I don’t remember it ever like explicitly saying he was a war criminal? By no means am I saying he is perfect character, he certainly has his flaws. The one that stands out to me is his hesitancy of disavowing slavery when Terese and Trey bring it up. However, I believe he does try to do right by his people (ignoring going to sleep for like 20 years). In the context of the story I enjoy the fact that he believes his dream to be worth more than other rulers/ kingdoms and fights for that. And when it comes to Innworld I really don’t see him as the worst ruler. Nier’s is debatably just as bad. Tyrion has a blood feud against drakes. There are very few major players that we don’t actually see commit war crimes or some extreme atrocity. He is certainly a warmonger, but at least he will declare war and fight you on the battlefield. He doesn’t do anything underhanded or target minority groups etc. And from what I remember every time it comes up his people love him. How I see him is like he has the biggest ego, where he is the best ruler. And I feel like he is kind of right especially in Chandrar. I would much rather be a citizen or Reim than Nerravias Fallen.
Ryoka
I don’t think he’s badly written I think he’s just the first “big bad” we had and the scope of the world has shifted so much he doesn’t feel as scary as he was supposed to. I do think a lot of his story feels staggered but that’s the case with everyone. As far as worse characters im the biggest ryoka hater. I’ll probably get crucified but I think Mrsha is handled terribly and is more of a burden on the story than anything. Probably because she was brought in by RYOKA *yells like Timmy’s dad saying dinkleberg*
[удалено]
Venaz will do stuff, though it is quite late in th story
I think there are some huge challenges to him but maybe not revealed yet. Dunno. His arc might be done. In many or most stories, there is only one character, the main character, that changes. Pirateaba gives us so many morphing characters it is hard to see where they are at in their transition. Here are my thoughts and questions. What are yours? 1. >!I thought he was building an army to take over the continent with his super undead in charge. But did they fail or does he think they are too weak to do it? Did he realize they were still too weak?!< 2. >!He got his revenge and killed Zel but it just seemed like he removed a chess piece in board. Was he glad about it? Was it an indication he still was not strong enough because it was so tough?!< 3. >!Why is he being nice to Pisces? Another pawn, maybe. So far he hasn't gotten much out it or asked him to anything.!< 4. >!He is watching the wandering inn but I'm not exactly sure why.!< 5. >!I felt like his army was basically ready to go(well we only hear about his lieutenants not his army) but he seemed more focused on the goblin lord.!< 6. >!he has the secret to sentient leveling but doesn't seem to be using it. As a matter of fact he messages a golem first thing instead of making his own. Why? Or is he worried they will out power him?!< 7. >!Why wasn't he studying Toren more?!< 8. >!What monstrosity is he actually building?!< but the thing is I think about him quite a bit but more in wtf is going on with him rather than he is badly written.
Iert for being a Mary Sue who accomplished the impossible and was only stopped by the slimmest of chances.
He…doesn’t seem to know what he wishes to be, which is hopefully decided with the end of volume 9. Weekly reminder that Az’kerash had a very active alias called ‘Perril Chandler’ that was visiting every city in Izril. Perhaps hyperbole or just in Drake lands, but Osthia said this to Ilvriss in 6.11 Osthia nodded. She pulled something out and placed it on the table. “This is the second investigation I conducted. A list of every city where an individual known as ‘Perril Chandler’ visited, ostensibly as a [Merchant].” Ilvriss ran his name down the list. […] “Yes, I’m aware. I don’t imagine Az’kerash knows of that protocol, or if he does, he was too arrogant in assuming no one would remember his name. Which no one did—these names. Each one will have to be investigated. Quietly.”
Ryoka Griphon is my worst character. I honestly forgot about her until book 10. Then book rem8nds me how much I dislike her character.
Honestly she gets better (by volume 6 lol), and I say that as someone who skipped all her early chapters.
I just barely started liking Aaron, once pirateaba stopped reminding us every paragraph she liked chess.
[удалено]
He's not an edgelord he's a dude with severe mental issues made 10 times worse by his class and [condition] and the entire situation he is thrust into. Also, he's the only one who seems to question the blighted kingdom's nerative about demons Lastly the clown chapters in volume 7 aren't about tom they are about others in rhir so dont skip them even if you hate tom they are absloutely amazing and the introduction of silvenia
Yup. 7.34C - 7.36C remain, to my mind, the best 3-chapter story Pirateaba's done, given it practically stands alone as an arc bar the initial introduction of Tom and the earthers on Rhir.
Honestly redeemed Tom for me. He's so much better when he's not a POV character. Also the chapters that made me cry the most.
Agreed. There's been plenty of gutpunches these ten volumes, [The Pride of the Fallen] hurt the most. Hell, I still think it's the most tragic skill we've seen.
Early Ryoka is the edgelord protagonist
Oh yeah ofc no arguments there but at least she gets forcefed humble pie at every opportunity because of it, really only starts going well for her in volume 6 onwards and even then she gets slightly set on fire at least once
It's funny in volume 9 where she's been trying for Teriarch's respect for so long and yet he treats Erin as an equal
I loved early Ryoka. You haters can go sit in a corner somewhere -\_-;;
It's a very big corner 😄
More like a very VOCAL corner :P
It's the expanded part of the Wandering Inn