Race: Human (TelleKurre)
Sex: Male
Faction: The Domination
Overall Rating: 8.2
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Arena Status: Active (S1)
The Dominator, a name that reverberates with dread throughout the Black Company universe. And why shouldn't it? As a master of both the arcane and the art of domination, he's a figure you can't merely read about; you experience his presence.
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| The Dominator, Black Company |
Origins and Rise to Power
It's essential, right off the bat, to acknowledge that The Dominator isn't just a title or moniker; it's an embodiment of his essence. Initially one of the mighty sorcerers from the northern empire, The Dominator's aspirations were never merely to join the ranks of powerful wizards. No, his desires were far grander. “To dominate, to subjugate, and to reign supreme,” one might say was his mantra.
Over time, through a combination of force, cunning, and dark sorcery, he managed to subdue his rivals, including the Ten Who Were Taken, turning them into his loyal servants. With them and his equally menacing wife, The Lady, by his side, The Dominator's reign was one of tyranny and unbridled power.
Book Appearances and Impact
[Spoiler Alert: The following sections delve into the key plot points concerning The Dominator across various Black Company books. Proceed with caution if you're wary of spoilers.]
The sheer gravity of The Dominator's influence is felt right from the first book of the series, "The Black Company". While not physically present, having been sealed away in the Barrowland alongside The Lady and the Ten, his looming threat is palpable. The mere idea that he could return is a driving force behind many characters' actions.
In "Shadows Linger", the second book, the series paints a more vivid picture of this malevolent force. As dark structures known as the Black Castles emerge, we see The Dominator's hand slowly stretching out from the confinements of his prison. A dance of darkness, ambition, and raw power ensues as various factions grapple with these looming edifices of gloom. One can't help but recall the chilling lines: “Darkness resides not just in the night, but in the soul, waiting for its moment.”
The climax of The Dominator's influence comes to a head in "The White Rose", the third book. Here, the Barrowland becomes the epicenter of a battle not just of swords and sorcery, but of ideologies. The Dominator, if freed, would plunge the world into a darkness from which it might never recover.
The Dominator's Complex Identity
It's tempting to dismiss The Dominator as a mere antagonist, a force of darkness opposing our beloved Black Company and their allies. However, that would be a disservice to Glen Cook's intricate character design. The Dominator is not evil for evil's sake; his motivations, while undeniably self-serving and oppressive, are rooted in a deeper understanding of power dynamics. He views the world as a chessboard and is willing to sacrifice any piece (except perhaps himself) to achieve checkmate.
Moreover, his relationship with The Lady adds layers of complexity to his character. While their union is undoubtedly one built on mutual ambition, there are moments, fleeting as they might be, where one can glimpse a bond that transcends mere power dynamics.
The Legacy of The Dominator
Even beyond his direct appearances and interventions, The Dominator's shadow is vast. It's not just about the potential of his return or the lingering impacts of his past reign. The Dominator, in many ways, serves as a benchmark for other characters. He's a reminder of the extremes to which power, ambition, and sorcery can lead. As the series progresses, his legacy serves as a cautionary tale, a specter that challenges characters to reflect on their ambitions and the lengths they're willing to go to achieve them.
In the expansive lore of the Black Company, The Dominator stands tall, not just as a formidable adversary but as an embodiment of unchecked ambition and power. His presence, both direct and indirect, drives the narrative, challenges the protagonists, and forces readers to grapple with larger questions about power, morality, and the nature of domination.
“For in the end, isn't that what The Dominator truly represents? The dark side of ambition, the price of unchecked power, and the inevitable fall that follows hubris.” – A line that perhaps encapsulates the essence of this dark sovereign.
The Dominator's Raw Power
When discussing raw power in the realm of fantasy, The Dominator is undoubtedly a towering figure. His very title, The Dominator, encapsulates a vast wellspring of strength and formidable sorcery. When you dig deep into the roots of this power, its scale becomes evident.
Historically, The Dominator was one of the most powerful sorcerers the world had ever seen. The magnitude of his power is underscored by the very fact that even The Ten Who Were Taken, sorcerers of immense power in their own right, were subdued and enslaved to his will. Glen Cook, the series' author, never shies away from emphasizing this, placing the character in a position where entire kingdoms tremble at his potential return. "The weight of centuries lay there, darkness so thick it seemed tangible," Cook once wrote, highlighting the almost palpable aura of The Dominator's latent power.
In terms of raw magical abilities, The Dominator showcases an arsenal that's vast and varied. His capabilities are not just confined to spell-casting or elemental control, but stretch into more sinister territories, like necromancy and shadow manipulation. It's said that, when free, his very presence can alter the fabric of reality around him.
However, when benchmarking against other fantasy universes, where characters may have god-like abilities or harness cosmic powers, the lines get a tad blurry. When juxtaposed against the entire spectrum of fantasy universes, one could argue for a slight decrease from the original rating of 9 to 8.5. The justification here lies not in undermining The Dominator's power, but in recognizing that there are characters in other universes whose raw power has broader cosmic or reality-altering implications. The Dominator is a colossus in his world, but the world of fantasy is vast, with entities whose very essence can reshape or destroy entire realities.
The Dominator's Tactical Ability
It's one thing to possess tremendous power; it's quite another to wield it with precision and forethought. The Dominator's rise to infamy was not solely due to his brute strength or magical prowess, but also his uncanny knack for strategy and manipulation. Glen Cook often paints a portrait of this dark sorcerer as more than just a tyrant; he's a chessmaster on the grand board of power dynamics.
From the outset, one of The Dominator's most telling strategic feats was his subjugation of The Ten Who Were Taken. Instead of merely destroying these powerful sorcerers, The Dominator "coiled them in the web of his dark designs," effectively using them as his primary generals and enforcers. This is not just raw power; it's tactical genius.
Another layer of his tactical acumen is evident in how he managed his dominion. By establishing the Tower at Charm as a central power base and spreading the fear of his reputation, The Dominator ensured that potential rebellions were stifled by sheer terror. "The shadow of the Tower reaches far," Cook writes, alluding to the encompassing and meticulous nature of The Dominator's reign.
However, while The Dominator's strategic acumen is undisputed in his native universe, how does he stack up against the broader pantheon of fantasy tacticians? Given this broader context, the original rating of 8 still feels appropriate for The Dominator. While he exhibits profound tactical depth within the Black Company series, there are characters in other universes who've showcased a similarly intricate understanding of strategy and conflict manipulation. Moreover, The Dominator's occasional over-reliance on his raw power sometimes shadows his strategic decisions, which could be seen as a minor drawback in an otherwise sterling record.
The Dominator's Influence
Whispers in the dark, the chill in the spine, the name spoken in hushed tones—The Dominator. This series has always drawn a thin line between awe and terror, particularly when describing the pervasive influence of The Dominator. While his raw power and tactical ability are evident, the depth of his sway over others is a more insidious tapestry woven through the narrative.
A testament to The Dominator's influence is how he managed to subjugate The Ten Who Were Taken. Rather than them being mere subordinates, they became symbols of his far-reaching control, acting as both generals and harbingers of his intent. They were "bound to his will, enchained by his dark magics." This isn't merely magical coercion; it's a deep psychological manipulation that amplifies his presence in every corner of the world.
Further, the very landscape of the Northern Empire, with the Tower at Charm looming large, was a constant reminder of his overwhelming presence. It is said, "His influence was like the shadow of a great storm, always lurking, always pressing." This palpable dread, combined with his actual political maneuverings, made him a figure impossible to ignore or oppose openly.
Comparatively, in the wider realm of fantasy, there are figures like Sauron, whose mere eye can bring kingdoms to their knees. The Dominator's influence is vast, but is it unparalleled?
Re-evaluating the rating, while the original 8 is undeniably high, perhaps an 8.5 would be more fitting, given the multifaceted ways he wields his influence—both overt and covert. Unlike some, The Dominator doesn't solely rely on fear; he intertwines it with genuine political and magical domination, creating a web from which there's no escape. His name, his legacy, and his reach, both literal and psychological, make him one of fantasy's more influential figures, cementing his place just shy of the pinnacle.
The Dominator's Resilience
The Dominator's fortitude isn't merely a narrative highlight; it's an intrinsic quality that redefines the standards of perseverance in the fantasy domain. Buried alive with his wife, the Lady, and The Ten Who Were Taken, The Dominator's resilience was first tested in the Barrowland, where he remained entombed for centuries. Yet, even in this seemingly insurmountable circumstance, he plotted his resurgence, manifesting whispers of his influence even while imprisoned. As the series presents, “The ancient forvalaka screamed its fury and defiance, but the dark spirits of the Barrowland remained quiescent. Except one. One always resisted. Fought. Lurked near the surface, threatening.” This testament to his unyielding spirit is a stark reflection of his innate resilience.
Beyond the confines of the Barrowland, when battles and treacheries threaten, The Dominator’s capacity to recover and plot anew is uncanny. His setbacks are never defeats; they are pauses, moments of recalibration before his inexorable rise once more.
Juxtaposed against fantasy giants, The Dominator’s resilience shines even brighter. While the original rating of 7 implies formidable resilience, the depths of The Dominator's tenacity merit reconsideration. Given his narrative arc and relentless defiance against imprisonment, treachery, and the tides of time, an upgraded rating of 7.5 would encapsulate his spirit more accurately. In the vast tapestry of fantasy universes, few demonstrate the unwavering resilience that The Dominator does—a dark star that, no matter how dimmed, never truly fades.
The Dominator's Versatility
The Dominator paints a picture not only of raw might but also of versatility—a trait often overshadowed by his sheer dominance. Unraveling his character showcases a symphony of skills, playing a tune of versatility with every note.
It becomes evident that the breadth of The Dominator's abilities isn't confined to sheer magical prowess. While his dominion over The Ten Who Were Taken showcases his command over powerful sorcerers, it's the nuance with which he wields varying schools of magic that encapsulates his adaptability. “The Dominator was no less skilled, though. His power was more brute force... but it was no less effective for all that.” This speaks to his capacity to seamlessly toggle between different magical disciplines, an essential facet of versatility.
Moreover, his psychological games, a play of manipulation, and cunning hint at a more refined layer of his adaptability. Not only can he wield vast arcane arts, but he can also mold minds and situations to his will—a testament to his readiness to exploit any skill set to its zenith.
However, despite this versatility, The Dominator often leans on his brute strength and dominance (heh), sometimes overshadowing his other gifts. Given this leaning, and in comparison to the vast swath of fantasy figures, retaining the original 8.5 rating for his versatility feels apt. He's exceptionally adaptable, yes, but the shadow of his immense power often eclipses the nuances of his multifaceted abilities.
The Dominator's Alignment
Navigating the complex morality and code of conduct of fantasy characters can be challenging, but The Dominator's actions, motives, and methods shed light on his alignment.
The Dominator's rise to power wasn't merely a product of his formidable sorcerous abilities; it was equally a result of his vision for a world under his dominion. He methodically orchestrated the subjugation of the Ten Who Were Taken, binding powerful sorcerers to his will. He established order, albeit a dark and oppressive one, wherever he exerted control. The very title "Dominator" signifies control and authority, as opposed to chaotic destruction.
However, it's essential to understand that this order and structure were designed for his benefit and not for a harmonious society. He was not above treachery, manipulation, or outright cruelty to establish and maintain his authority. His relationship with The Lady, another figure of immense power, further underscores his need to control and dominate, even when dealing with other potent entities.
In essence, The Dominator's actions are not chaotic; they are calculated and methodical. But they are undeniably evil, driven by a hunger for power and dominion over others. Thus, placing him firmly in the Lawful Evil category paints a more accurate picture of his character's intricacies and ambitions. Pride and Prophecy keeps an updated character alignment matrix across all planes of existence.
The Dominator Arena Art
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| The Dominator visits Gnomeregan |
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| The Dominator Faces Mehrunes Dagon |
The Dominator's Trophy Case
PPET Rankings
| Season | Rank |
|---|---|
| 1 (2023-2024) | #15 (of 107) |
Titles & Postseason Results
| Season | Result | All Time Occurence |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (2023-2024) | Grand Championship Bid (#4 Seed) | 1st |
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