I was going back over some of my earlier days and clarifying certain things (character bios and the like) and I remembered that I'd basically left my villain's history (aside from joining the Burnt Men and rising to become their leader) blank. I've done some research, but I'm having a hard time explaining his religious extremism without going the "he's a psychopath" route or the "something horrible happened to him" route. Otho has a very well-developed sense of right and wrong, he's just too black and white in that definition, and far too rigid in what he considers right. So he isn't really a psychopath. Nor is he one of those hypocritical religious types who espouses poverty and lives surrounded by wealth and excess. He practices what he preaches; he just preaches that the Goddess and her people are evil and should be destroyed. I'd say a good corollary in literature is the High Sparrow in ASoIaF (aka Game of Thrones). But I'm having issues figuring out how Otho-the-teenager is willing to join an extremist group that literally sticks your face in a fire as their final initiation without falling into the psychopath or victim trap.

Any ideas?
-Quaddy


Check this Out!

The Earth Rising Quartet  (XGC) Five-hundred years ago, Earth lost its rebellion. Now it's time for it to rise again... #1837269 by Professor Q

Come Join In!

The Dissolution of Alkonost   (GC) A desert metropolis falls and magick fails in its seams. Who dares rise to save it? #1968212 by Professor Q

Best Contest Alert!

FORUM

October Novel Prep Challenge  (13+) A month-long novel-planning challenge with prizes galore. Prep 2024 signups now open! #1474311 by Brandiwyn🎶