#nefarian serpine

The war was 300 years old. A lot of elders probably know a time from before that where they were living their lives.

But everyone we personally know in the series, good and bad, outside of Mevolent or Abyssina spent 3/4 of their life in a war that they didnt start and probably didnt full understand the inside workings off until further into it.

And then book 1 kicks off and the Elders are disregarding Skulduggery, a man who was barely 100 when he died for them. They ignore Serpine, who would have probably also been in somewhat of the same position where he has spent his entire life surviving because of his plots so now thats how he lives.

In book 5 Corrival comments on Dexter travelling and I wouldnt be surprised if elders Sorcerers scorn him for not being more serious, as if his entire life wasn't spent being unable to enjoy his travels.

People hate China but lies and control and her beauty is how she was taught to survive.

Etc etc. I find it interesting that those who got to have a life before the war typically are depicted as ignoring or scorning those who didn't.

Skulduggery was in his early 30s when it started.

Quality Time ~

Full background under cut

This isnt even a specific Skul and Serpine. They're just constantly thinking about each other in some capacity when theyre both alive.

Tied my hand at some pixel art

this was a lot of fun maybe ill actually take requests for these so i can practise more

It's constantly said how he's an 'honorable man' but it's never really shown that much. He could have been one of the most interesting villains, where his honorable nature and the objectively speaking messed-up things he has to do for his faith, his gods, and his messiah clash with that, leading to inner conflict and hesitation.

It could have played so well against Serpine, who is just through and through a piece of work and delights in all the nasty things he gets to do for the Faceless Ones since he is a sadist and psychopath. The contrast between the two could have been great while they worked together, with their opposing nature and begrudging respect for each other's capabilities and a shared loyalty to the cause.

I would have loved for a moment where Serpine goes too far and Baron steps in like "That's enough, Nefarian.". Serpine isn't happy about it and very much wants to do more harm, but Baron is actually high-ranking and strong enough that Serpine can't force his will without it ending in the two of them fighting, which can easily end in death. He doesn't want to risk dying or getting seriously injured, nor does he want to kill one of his strongest allies, at least not over some petty sadism, so he relents with an eye roll and a snarky remark before the two of them retreat together.