Black Company Character Analysis: Soulcatcher

Race: Human

Transcendent: Taken

Sex: Female

Faction: The Protectorate

Overall Rating: 8.3

Alignment: Chaotic Evil

Arena Status: Active (S1)

In The Black Company series, it's near-impossible not to find yourself beguiled, horrified, and yet, inexplicably attached to one character: Soulcatcher.

Soulcatcher, One of the Ten Who Were Taken

A tapestry of paradoxes, she flits through the books like an incalculable wind, sometimes chilling and other times strangely warm. Her essence is riddled with multiple personalities, each vying for control, making her a prism through which the story's complexities refract. Spoiler alert: This article will dig deep into the many layers of Soulcatcher, so tread carefully if you haven't yet made the journey through Cook's dark fantasy masterpiece.

A Sorceress Beyond Compare

First introduced in the eponymous novel, The Black Company, Soulcatcher serves as one of The Ten Who Were Taken, powerful sorcerers enslaved by the Dominator centuries ago. After his defeat, they were buried, only to be resurrected and serve the Lady in her attempts to reclaim control over the northern lands. But don't let her initial role as a subordinate deceive you. Soulcatcher is a wellspring of magic, her power often articulated through unsettling imageries like, "Her cloak boiled in the wind," portraying an uncontainable essence of dark energy.

Twists, Turns, and Betrayals

If there were a prize for unpredictability, Soulcatcher would take it with a devious grin. Her actions are a whirlwind tour through the treacherous terrains of politics and power. One moment she's aiding the Black Company as their liaison to the Lady; the next, she's orchestrating her own rebellious plots, like when she cunningly disposes of the Lady's husband, the Dominator, in a gambit to seize control.

And Who Speaks?

Soulcatcher's multifaceted nature manifests quite literally through her multitude of voices. Each voice represents a different personality, making her a chorus of conflicting motives and desires. This adds layers of complexity to every decision she makes, every word she speaks. The Black Company's medic and annalist, Croaker, describes this eerie cacophony: "Voices swarmed out of the night, surrounded me, closed in from every direction." And in another instance, "The voices became a physical presence."

The Sisterly Complex

Anchoring her elusiveness is her connection to her sister, the Lady herself. This familial bond is nothing short of complex; it's a maze of love, envy, and eternal competition. It would seem her betrayal of the Lady could be linked to this eternal struggle for power among siblings. Yet, moments of unexpected tenderness between them provide a confusing but deeply engrossing emotional tapestry. Soulcatcher’s ties to her sister oscillate between being her most humanizing traits and her ultimate downfall.

Love? A Conundrum Even For Her

Ah, but do not think her heart is solely occupied by sororal squabbles. Soulcatcher's relationship with Croaker is another enigmatic corner of her persona. Whether it's manipulation, fascination, or genuine affection, her "love" for Croaker is yet another puzzle in her already convoluted existence. Does she care for him? Or is he just another pawn on her ever-changing chessboard?

Ambiguity and Mystery

Despite her abundant appearances throughout the series— from The Black Company to Soldiers Live— Soulcatcher remains an enigma. Her motives are as multiple as her voices, her intentions as cryptic as her cloaked appearance. She epitomizes the themes of ambiguity and moral relativism that are central to the Black Company universe. In the words of Croaker: "With Soulcatcher, you could never tell. She had more faces than a die has spots."

Portals and Ploys Across Dimensions

Soulcatcher is no stranger to the bending and folding of space-time. She manipulates the dark arts to open portals, creating shortcuts in reality, her dark schemes often transcending the very fabrics of existence. But remember, she's not alone in this. The Black Company series is set in a multi-layered universe. How would Soulcatcher fare across other planes of existence? 

Soulcatcher's Raw Power

Soulcatcher, one of the Taken in Glen Cook's The Black Company series, is a magical powerhouse that you can't easily dismiss. From her early introduction, where she unleashes destructive spells without breaking a sweat, to her later exploits demonstrating an array of sorcerous capabilities, Soulcatcher is nothing less than a titan of magical prowess. Indeed, her aptitude in sorcery is such that even the Lady and other Taken respect her abilities.

Glen Cook writes, "Soulcatcher was more dangerous than any of the new Taken. I was the only one who saw how deep that danger ran." These words, told from the perspective of Croaker, the Company's annalist and eventual captain, underline the raw, chilling power that she wields.

Her magic has both breadth and depth, varying from deadly combat spells to more nuanced applications like illusion-crafting. She can command elements and creatures alike, bending them to her will. And her power isn't merely innate; it's also honed by centuries of experience and experimentation. This makes her terrifyingly effective in a combat scenario. Unlike some characters who rely on a singular form of magic, her sorcerous abilities are vast, making her an unpredictable and highly dangerous opponent.

But why isn't she rated a perfect 10? While she is undoubtedly powerful within her universe, when compared across all fantasy universes, she doesn't possess the kind of world-ending, reality-altering powers that characters like, say, Sauron in his full might or the more omnipotent deities in other universes have.

Considering the near-omnipotent beings in other fantasy universes, Soulcatcher's raw power receives a slight adjustment from the original 9 to an 8.5. This is not to diminish her incredible power but rather to allow room for the even more awe-inspiringly powerful characters that populate the broader tapestry of fantasy literature.

Soulcatcher's Tactical Ability

Soulcatcher is an extraordinarily cunning tactician, adept at orchestrating events to serve her complex agendas. She manipulates political, social, and military landscapes with a deft hand. Soulcatcher's tactical brilliance often comes disguised in layers of subterfuge and misdirection, making her unpredictable and effective in nearly any situation that demands strategy.

When it comes to military and combat situations, Soulcatcher demonstrates keen insight into battlefield tactics. She understands the nuances of troop movements, the value of misinformation, and the importance of manipulating morale. "It was a glorious plan, one of the best since the Dominator conceived the campaign that shattered the empire of the north," this reflects how her schemes are often viewed as brilliant and groundbreaking, even by the usually skeptical Croaker.

Yet it is perhaps in the games of power politics where her tactical genius shines most luminously. Her maneuvering among the Taken, her ability to play them off against each other while keeping herself relatively unscathed, is a testament to her tactical ability. She's a chess master in a game where everyone else is playing checkers.

However, when compared to master tacticians across all fantasy universes—Soulcatcher does not consistently come out on top. Her plans, while intricate and often successful, have also met with failure, exposing her to setbacks.

Given these considerations, the previous rating of 8 is being nudged to an 8.5. While she is brilliant, she isn't flawless. She's had her schemes unravel and faced defeats that stemmed from tactical miscalculations. Therefore, considering the entire spectrum of fantasy characters who range from strategic novices to nearly infallible tacticians, a rating of 8.5 represents Soulcatcher's talents in this category without overstating her abilities. The slight adjustment is a nod to her layered brilliance while acknowledging that there are a rare few who might outmaneuver her in the grand tapestry of fantasy literature.

Soulcatcher's Influence

When assessing Soulcatcher's aptitude in the realm of influence and persuasion, the character emerges as an intriguing blend of charisma, manipulation, and subtle coercion. Within the scope of The Black Company series, Soulcatcher stands as a character whose reach seems to pervade all aspects of the narrative, often in haunting, insidious ways. She embodies a compelling mix of magnetism and manipulation, which allows her to navigate complex relationships, even among the enigmatic Taken.

Soulcatcher has the kind of influence that doesn't merely sway individuals but shifts the tides of entire campaigns and political landscapes. As one of the Taken serving the Lady, she still manages to carve out her influence, often appearing to be pulling strings from behind the scenes. "No other Taken cast so great a shadow over our destiny," states Croaker, highlighting her intense sway over events and people.

Her complex relationship with Croaker serves as a microcosm of her larger influence—she's as much muse as she is manipulator, inspiring loyalty while simultaneously sowing doubt. "You are my favorite, you know. No other dares the liberties you take," Soulcatcher once told Croaker. This is not just flattery; it's a psychological tactic, instilling a false sense of security to make the person more malleable to her influence.

However, when compared to the vast landscape of influential characters in all fantasy universes, Soulcatcher's influence is slightly less universal. Her manipulation tends to operate in darker, more constrained circles and is often fused with her magical abilities, whereas some characters manage broad influence without such aids.

For these reasons, a slight bump from the previous rating of 8 to 8.5 feels justified. She is undeniably a master of influence within her context, but her scope is less expansive than the most influential figures who have shaped entire worlds or dimensions with their charisma or ideological pull alone. So, an 8.5 would adequately capture her considerable yet not all-encompassing influence.

Soulcatcher's Resilience

Soulcatcher's resilience in the realm of setbacks, injuries, and defeats is nothing short of extraordinary, a monument to her unyielding will and formidable magical resources. She's a character who's been betrayed, severely injured, and even entombed for years, yet each time she's managed to make a thunderous comeback. Her fortitude isn't merely physical; it's psychological, emotional, and metaphysical. "Everything goes around and comes around," she muses, hinting at her long-view approach to life's vicissitudes.

For example, Soulcatcher is imprisoned in a magical stasis for years, a fate that would annihilate the willpower and resolve of lesser beings. Yet, she returns to the world stage not just intact but arguably more driven, scheming her way back into a position of power. Her mantra, "Can't kill me, can't make me die," exemplifies her indomitable spirit.

Despite her formidable resilience, it's crucial to point out that she does have vulnerabilities, especially emotional ones tied to her complex relationships. This is where her resilience slightly pales in comparison to other fantasy characters who may recover more quickly or fully from emotional or psychological wounds.

However, the multi-dimensional aspect of her resilience—spanning across physical, magical, and psychological planes—makes her a unique case. Considering the complexities and the nuances, the original rating of 8 is justifiable. She's unquestionably resilient, but not quite an apex example when compared across the expansive universe of fantasy characters. So, the verdict: Soulcatcher earns a solid 8 in resilience. Her ability to bounce back from setbacks—be they magical, physical, or psychological—is commendable, but her emotional and relational vulnerabilities keep her from reaching the highest echelons of resilience that some other fantasy characters inhabit.

Soulcatcher's Versatility

Soulcatcher—never quite one thing, always an intricate patchwork of possibilities. Let's delve into the mist-shrouded labyrinth of her versatility. She's a magical powerhouse, yes, but what sets her apart is the kaleidoscopic range of her skill set. Not just spells and incantations; she's a master of disguise, a cunning manipulator, and an adroit military strategist. Her numerous personas, often denoted by distinct vocal intonations, offer her a range of approaches to any given problem. As she once cryptically notes, "Deception is my strong suit."

From arcane arts to political subterfuge, Soulcatcher can handle it. In the battlefield, she’s not just a distant sorceress casting spells; she’s there, in the thick of it, leading troops. At the council table, she's a mesmerizing orator, pulling the strings from behind the veil of her complex psychology. And when things get truly esoteric, her knowledge of ancient rituals and forbidden spells comes into play. "I know spells you can't even pronounce," she warns. Thus, she's prepared for almost any challenge, adapting as the situation demands.

However, the myriad voices that inhabit her also contribute to her own internal chaos. Sometimes, these voices can be conflicting, causing her to hesitate or take less optimal actions. This multiplicity, while providing versatility, also restricts her in moments when decisive action is needed.

Therefore, despite her broad skill set, her internal cacophony holds her back from reaching the pinnacle of versatility. The original rating of 8 stands. She's a living arsenal of abilities, but a slight self-inflicted chaos prevents her from being a flawless 10. An 8 seems just about right for someone who's almost everything but pays the nuanced price for it.

Soulcatcher's Alignment

Soulcatcher is a character whose alignment is as multifaceted as her personality. Comprising a chorus of conflicting voices, Soulcatcher epitomizes unpredictability. On one hand, she demonstrates cunning, adhering to laws and structures when it serves her ends. Yet, she's equally prone to discard rules the moment they cease to serve her, often favoring an anarchic approach to achieve her aims. If we strip down the character to its bare essence, though, chaos prevails. Her constant oscillation between legal structures and anarchic tendencies tends to lean more toward an unpredictable and impulsive disposition. Hence, on the axis of lawful to chaotic, she's best described as "Chaotic."

Is Soulcatcher evil? She does engage in acts of betrayal, manipulation, and employs deadly force without qualms. However, the rationale behind her actions is rarely the pursuit of malevolence for its own sake. She seeks power, influence, and validation, and she's willing to employ any means, ethical or not, to achieve these ends. Yet, in a twisted way, there are moments she exhibits a skewed sense of caring, or at least some form of emotional connection. Her moral compass is flexible, adjusting to the direction of her desires and schemes. This makes her hard to pin down as purely evil, but she's certainly not neutral or good either. Her actions often lead to suffering, albeit as a byproduct of her relentless ambition rather than a primary objective. As such, she aligns more closely with "Evil" on the moral spectrum, albeit a complex variant of it.

In summary, Soulcatcher can be best categorized as "Chaotic Evil," albeit with several caveats. She is a character whose alignment is not static but shifts based on her immediate objectives and internal conflicts. The chaos within her reflects the chaos she sows, and her ethical flexibility allows for a broader, more complex interpretation of what it means to be "evil." Pride and Prophecy keeps an updated character alignment matrix across all planes of existence.

Soulcatcher Arena Art

Soulcatcher visits Gallywix's Pleasure Palace

Soulcatcher's Trophy Case

PPET Rankings

Season	Rank
1 (2023-2024)	#10 (of 107)

Titles & Postseason Results

Season	Result	All Time Occurence
1 (2023-2024)	Conference Regular Season Champion (The Black Company)	1st
1 (2023-2024)	Grand Championship Bid (#2 Seed)	1st
1 (2023-2024)	Grand Championship 2nd Round Appearance (#2 Seed)	1st

Overall Conclusion on Soulcatcher and Position Across Planes of Existence

Soulcatcher represents an epitome of both complexity and power. The evaluation on various axes culminates in a rating of 8.3. This is a marginal increase from the previous assessment of 8.2, and this change can be attributed to a deeper understanding of the nuanced abilities she exhibits throughout the series.

In terms of Raw Power, Soulcatcher is almost unparalleled, boasting extensive magical capabilities that enable her to summon various destructive forces. However, it's in the tactical arena that she truly shines, blending wit, strategy, and a mastery of psychology to manipulate allies and enemies alike. Her skills in Influence and Persuasion are uncanny; she is more than capable of leading armies and governments, but these abilities often serve her more than a broader collective, which keeps her from reaching the pinnacle of leadership.

Soulcatcher's resilience is another area of strength, but it's also the source of limitations that restrict her from a higher rating. Her ability to bounce back is closely tied to her unending ambitions. While she has made comebacks, they are often at the expense of losing key opportunities or allies, and these setbacks reveal the vulnerabilities beneath the facades of power.

Versatility, though robust, does have its confines. Her magic is potent but specialized, her influence is vast but situational, and her resilience, while strong, isn't infinite. For instance, compared to characters from other universes who may wield reality-bending capabilities or those who are living embodiments of cosmic forces, Soulcatcher doesn't quite touch those stratospheric heights of versatility.

One aspect often overlooked but essential to the understanding of Soulcatcher's character is her mental state. The multiplicity of her personalities grants her unique perspectives but also hampers consistent application of her abilities. The chorus of voices within her might provide varying viewpoints and a wider emotional palette to draw from, but they can also lead to internal discord, occasionally causing her to act against her best interests.

While Soulcatcher is indeed a formidable figure, it's essential to contextualize her within the broader spectrum of fantasy characters across all planes of existence. She excels in many metrics but falls short of the omnipotence and infallibility that would classify her among the ultimate powerhouses of the fantasy realm. Her limitations are not glaring weaknesses but subtle nuances that keep her from ascending to a higher tier of power.

In conclusion, the 8.3 rating encapsulates a character whose strength is tempered by nuance, whose intellect is as much a weapon as it is a puzzle, and whose power, while immense, is not without its boundaries. Pride and Prophecy keeps an updated power ranking across all planes of existence. This will only be sortable on desktop viewing. The below table shows a summary within the same plane of existence of this article.