Quote Originally Posted by YianKutku View Post
Which would be a bit of a shame. Zenos is the Emperor's son, and I'm hoping there'll be some characterization movement on that. At least something more complex than "he likes to fight", which seems more suitable for a supporting side character. Even Ser Grinnaux got more, if only barely.

I have a lot of hopes pinned on Yotsuyu's character description of "Yet all are the hero of their own story" to take the edge off the current apparent characterization of Sadistic Evil Viceroy. And I'm also definitely looking forward to seeing Fordola's motivations and viewpoints, but I'm also cautiously aware that there are so many ways to mess it up.
I think he will have a depth to him in a sense but he is clearly designed to be a villain that we will want to hate even if he is a major badass. He will have his reasons and drive but they will be reasons that will be monstrous and cruel. There is something to be said for a villain that isn't cruel for some personal reason but rather simply because they just don't care enough about anyone else that happens to be in their way.

In the purge after Doma's rebellions were crushed, which Zenos oversaw, anyone involve or even supporting the rebellion was executed along with their families. Which would be more sinister? If he did it because he was angry at the rebellion or he did it because he saw it as effective and just held so little care for the loss of life that families getting publicly butchered didn't even phase him?