How do I wrap up this character?

[georgelee5786]

Once again, I've hit a brick wall in my writing. I have successfully wrapped up every character in a manner I deem satisfactory...except one.

The MC(the emperor), commander-in-chief of the army, captain of the imperial guard, a potentially insane mercenary, and etc all have good endings. But i can't decide what to do with a pivotal character. An elven mage who, more less, causes the entire story to happen.

For background, the elves were all but completely exterminated by the Empire of Demons. A few thousand survived, and now resent the demons. The elven mage, Rila, also hates them. In the story, the human nations offer the empire of demons a peace deal. The Mc, emperor, accepts on the condition they give him sn ancient artifact. The human leaders wanted to do this, but Rila convinced them not to for the sake of spiting the demons. This causes the MC to launch a five year war that, in the end, results in the human nations being broken and Rila captured alongside a powerful mercenary who aided the humans. The MC orders the mercenary released because the mercenary didnt fight the demons out of malice. Rila, however, can't be released because she poses a threat to the Empire. But the MC isnt cold-hearted enough to execute her.

After that...idk what to do with her. I need her to heal the MC three years after her imprisonment, so he can face an insane angel again. But why would she do it? It is made obvious throughout the story Rila hates demons and particularly loathes the MC, so what should happen between her imprisonment and events three years later to justify her healing the MC? Wise one of SHF, I beseech ye, help me in my plight.

 

[Prince_Azmiran_Myrian]

If you could summarize the main idea or theme of your story into one sentence, what would it be?
You could maybe use that to decide on how to treat this pivotal character.

Maybe there is something that the char holds or believes more important than anything else. Enough to look passed the past. That could be a path.

Could also use a magical contract, if that exists.

 

[georgelee5786]

If you could summarize the main idea or theme of your story into one sentence, what would it be?

Sacrificing hundreds of thousands to save hundreds of millions.

Could also use a magical contract, if that exists.

They dont. But if they did, the MC wouldnt use one because that would practically be slavery, which the demons hate

 

[AnonUnlimited]

Just say there was signs in the stars, or in nature that he has to be healed to fight the insane angel or the consequences would be unimaginable and so she was guided to him to do that or something.

 

[georgelee5786]

Just say there was signs in the stars, or in nature that he has to be healed to fight the insane angel or the consequences would be unimaginable and so she was guided to him to do that or something.

At the risk of sounding nitpicky, she would have to be right by the MC's side, and he is in the heartland of the empire of demons to heal him fast enough because his injury would kill him in a minute, give or take. But why would she be that deep in the empire of her hated enemies?

 

[AnonUnlimited]

At the risk of sounding nitpicky, she would have to be right by the MC's side, and he is in the heartland of the empire of demons to heal him fast enough because his injury would kill him in a minute, give or take. But why would she be that deep in the empire of her hated enemies?

Guided by the stars.

 

[Prince_Azmiran_Myrian]

Sacrificing hundreds of thousands to save hundreds of millions.

They dont. But if they did, the MC wouldnt use one because that would practically be slavery, which the demons hate

So like sacrificing few for many? I'm guessing MC and Rila have opposing views on this...

Could there be some sort of agreement between them, a deal?

 

[georgelee5786]

So like sacrificing few for many? I'm guessing MC and Rila have opposing views on this...

Uh...You could say that

Could there be some sort of agreement between them, a deal?

Perhaps, but i don't know what would motivate either of them to do that. The MC believed the angel was contained, so he didn't need Rila, and Rila hates his guts. Can't think of a way to force them into making a pact.

Guided by the stars.

...I...that would work as a back-up plan

 

[melchi]

It sounds like the MC is rather ruthless. Is there not some form of leverage available?

For example: If the elves are all but gone could the empire not grant them land and a non aggression pact for X years in exchange for Rila's help? It would give them time to lick their wounds and they couldn't act against the empire without breaking the treaty. It may work if the MC doesn't have a reputation for double crossing or ignoring agreements.

 

[Cipiteca396]

It's way too contrived.

she would have to be right by the MC's side, and he is in the heartland of the empire of demons to heal him fast enough because his injury would kill him in a minute, give or take. But why would she be that deep in the empire of her hated enemies?

Why is she even alive? Why did they bother to capture such an implacable enemy? Why did they exterminate the elves, but not her?

Unless you go with that idea of having the central goal of the book line up with Rila's motivation for switching sides, find another person who can do it. Or just kill off a character who jumped in to save him.

Sacrificing hundreds of thousands to save hundreds of millions.

If this is the central theme of the book, then you probably need Rila to 'sacrifice' her personal vendetta for the sake of something she considers more valuable.

---

(Sidenote, if you'd said the Demons were the main characters, I would have gone with the Demon Villain rather than the Angel. Or maybe Rila should be the real main villain. Have her try and fail to free the Angel. Her personal grudge leads to millions of deaths, and the MC has to sacrifice to stop her? That fits your theme better right?)

 

[Deleted member 54065]

Once again, I've hit a brick wall in my writing. I have successfully wrapped up every character in a manner I deem satisfactory...except one.

The MC(the emperor), commander-in-chief of the army, captain of the imperial guard, a potentially insane mercenary, and etc all have good endings. But i can't decide what to do with a pivotal character. An elven mage who, more less, causes the entire story to happen.

For background, the elves were all but completely exterminated by the Empire of Demons. A few thousand survived, and now resent the demons. The elven mage, Rila, also hates them. In the story, the human nations offer the empire of demons a peace deal. The Mc, emperor, accepts on the condition they give him sn ancient artifact. The human leaders wanted to do this, but Rila convinced them not to for the sake of spiting the demons. This causes the MC to launch a five year war that, in the end, results in the human nations being broken and Rila captured alongside a powerful mercenary who aided the humans. The MC orders the mercenary released because the mercenary didnt fight the demons out of malice. Rila, however, can't be released because she poses a threat to the Empire. But the MC isnt cold-hearted enough to execute her.

After that...idk what to do with her. I need her to heal the MC three years after her imprisonment, so he can face an insane angel again. But why would she do it? It is made obvious throughout the story Rila hates demons and particularly loathes the MC, so what should happen between her imprisonment and events three years later to justify her healing the MC? Wise one of SHF, I beseech ye, help me in my plight.

From what I understand, you can make several objectives for Rila here:

1) Make another demon character. Now this new guy will be the new villain, and make him/her more loatheful to Rila. As such, the elf will have to see the wisdom of realigning her allegiance (though not necessarily her hate) to your MC. Think of it like, "The MC is the lesser evil in my opinion," Rila mused. "I'd rather have this asshole instead of dealing with another fucker I barely know about."

This scenario is similar to my work, where the villain of the first arc (murdering almost half of humanity by turning them into zombies) becomes an anti-hero in the 3rd arc to deal with a greater threat.

In history, we can look at the alliance attempt of the Christian 'Western' Europe and the Mongol Empire, in an effort to crush the Muslims (Mamluks).

2) Try to look into your story (or write another part) where the MC and/or his people redeem themselves in Rila's eyes. It doesn't have to be an overt gesture, but it should be compelling enough to make her mind waver.

Best way to do this is for them (demons) to do 'good', and/or 'chivalric' actions to her, especially during her imprisonment.

After all, even the worst of enemies would end up getting along if one side shows a hint of 'chivalry' and 'goodness' to the defeated party. (Like how Union General U.S. Grant and Confederate Robert Lee became amicable after the end of U.S. Civil War, because of Grant's actions at the aftermath of Appomatox.)

3) Another possible scenario--and the easiest, yet the most...brain-dead reason--is to make something like a prophecy that concerns the MC and the fate of their world.

Then make Rila the only one who can do the required healing. As such, she'll be forced to heal him. However, a lot of plotholes would come out here, such as, if she loathed the demons and the MC, then why won't she damn everyone with her?

 

[LAJistics]

Why does she need to be an ally to heal the emperor?

A more fitting idea is simply to keep her imprisoned, and when the plot point arises for the emperor's need for healing, coerce her with the lives of the last few thousand elves.

He may not be cold blooded, but no one wants to die if they don't need to, especially someone who sits on the throne and lives in fear of death every moment. Also, an emperors priorities should lay with the survival of him and his empire. Drastic measures can be taken in times of emergency.

Could even have a branch off pov about her hatred and humiliation as she's forced to heal the emperor, even wanting to kill him in the process, however her people are too important to her.

 

[Puji-Maki]

... Carefully. ?

 

[georgelee5786]

Why does she need to be an ally to heal the emperor?

The quick version is because she wields a powerful type of magic that can bring people back near death in seconds. Demons cannot wield it, though, so she needs to do it.

... Carefully. ?

Bruh

2) Try to look into your story (or write another part) where the MC and/or his people redeem themselves in Rila's eyes. It doesn't have to be an overt gesture, but it should be compelling enough to make her mind waver.

Best way to do this is for them (demons) to do 'good', and/or 'chivalric' actions to her, especially during her imprisonment.

After all, even the worst of enemies would end up getting along if one side shows a hint of 'chivalry' and 'goodness' to the defeated party. (Like how Union General U.S. Grant and Confederate Robert Lee became amicable after the end of U.S. Civil War, because of Grant's actions at the aftermath of Appomatox.)

That works. Ty

 

[georgelee5786]

why won't she damn everyone with her?

Because she doesn't want to sentence the humans and elves to death as well

It's way too contrived.

Why is she even alive? Why did they bother to capture such an implacable enemy?

Emperor's orders...I'll need to work on why he gave those orders, though

Why did they exterminate the elves, but not her?

Few decades between those events. The guy who had the elves exterminated was borderline insane, and his actions werent supported by the majority of the Empire.

Unless you go with that idea of having the central goal of the book line up with Rila's motivation for switching sides, find another person who can do it. Or just kill off a character who jumped in to save him.

If this is the central theme of the book, then you probably need Rila to 'sacrifice' her personal vendetta for the sake of something she considers more valuable.

Hmm, a good idea