#his name means pride we aren’t surviving this narrative arc

[gingermintpepper]

Viren: [An antagonist or maybe…]

First Impressions

I was intrigued with Viren from the word ‘Go’. He has all the makings of a fascinating character from his obvious ambition to his status as the Court Mage to the fact that he didn’t immediately seem like a villian-ish character. On first introductions, he seems anxious around Harrow yet confident enough in his relationship with his King to confide his reservations and issues with said King. Our first inkling that things aren’t at all what they seem with him is the way he speaks around his kids, and then…

Viren before Episode 3: Internal Conflict

Previously, Viren was portrayed as a largely conflicted character, torn primarily between doing what he thought was best for his kingdom by any means necessary and his loyalty to his close friend and king, Harrow. Throughout episodes 1 and 2 we see these sides of him juxtaposed violently in the form of his consistent disregard of Harrow’s wishes for the use of magic to be stopped and his apparent thoughtfulness and powerlessness to stop Harrow from sacrificing himself for the sake of his honour. There's a certain melancholy about Viren in these episodes, a wish that his and Harrow’s ideals could mesh like they did in the old days. Unfortunately, for reasons unbeknownst to the audience at this point, they’ve diverted from each other and now Viren is tasked with choosing between what he believes is necessary for his country and siding with his King. 

Viren during Episode 3: Breaking Point…?

Throughout the invasion we get our answer as to where Viren stands. He gives one last ‘hurrah’ before he openly goes against Callum and by extension the Crown-- a last ditch effort to convince Harrow that his way is best and when Harrow rejects him, he breaks. 

The interesting thing here however, isn’t how that affects Viren’s internal conflict; as a matter of fact after Harrow makes him bow, it seems like Viren’s mind is properly made up. The interesting thing here is how his previous actions along with the people around him react when Viren has properly made the switch between ‘servant’ and ‘usurper’. Despite moments like the ‘Portrait Scene’ a fair amount of Viren’s screentime has been dedicated to him undermining Harrow’s rules and this was when he was supposedly still on the fence. Examples are of course:                                       * the infamous Moon Moth scene, wherein Viren gives Soren magical means to smoke out the Moonshadow Elves despite Harrow’s express orders to do it without magic  

                                                   * Viren disrespecting Harrow’s wish to face the Elves head on despite knowing full well that he will probably die in the process. 

                                                   *Viren stealing and storing away the Dragon Prince’s egg without Harrow’s knowledge which, as Harrow says, is the entire reason why the Elves have come for their due.

                                                   *Viren persisting in colluding with Claudia for a ‘more creative solution’ to Harrow’s non-dilemma despite Harrow doubling down on his wish to die a King’s death if that really is what must happen.

All of these things point to the fact that, perhaps, Viren was never in any sort of internal conflict at all. It is clear that he cares greatly about Harrow, but throughout the ‘Soulfang Negotiation’ in Episode 2, it is clear that perhaps Viren is not the one who’s reached the breaking point; but it is Harrow who can no longer stand to stay idly back and have a hand in Viren’s various atrocities in the name of ‘peace’ and the ‘good of humanity’.

 Furthermore, during the ‘Soulfang Negotiation’ Viren betrays the fact that he thinks of Harrow as a means to an end. The language that he uses, the appeals to what should be ‘logical’ and ‘practical’ arguments that would, in any other situation, cajole an emotion or honour-driven person to reconsider their position--it all reads like a well practiced dance between the two. 

The only difference is that this time, Harrow is resolute. 

And Viren, who was willing to sacrifice the guard, Harrow’s comfort, his honour, his pride as a monarch and the fate of the humans by keeping the Dragon Egg a secret without hesitation, hesitates when Harrow asks if Viren was willing to sacrifice himself for the cause that he’s apparently so passionate about.

Viren: Conflicted Servant or Usurper?

Let’s explore--for a moment--the idea of Viren as a conflicted character. While I would truly love it if Viren was a dedicated servant of Kartolis who honestly does what he does for what he thinks is the good of humanity, the fact of the matter is, the narrative doesn’t frame him that way.

Viren has a secret, underground lab of sorts connected through his quarters containing all manner of odds and ends that we know Harrow doesn’t know about because Harrow doesn’t know about the egg. It’s also clear that Viren is grooming Claudia while using Soren as something as a tether to normalcy. When he doesn’t know how else to convince Harrow, he goes to Claudia. When entrusting Soren with the responsibility of the Moon Moth he’s harsh and brisk. Claudia knows about the workshop, it’s doubtful that Soren does (this, of course, is pure conjecture). 

On the topic of Soren however, let’s discuss the Showdown at the Tower; specifically the part where Callum barges in and asks to speak to Harrow. 

Callum just dropped bombshell knowledge. The fact that he found the Dragon Egg and that he wants to talk to his father about it to try to work something out with the Elves before they kill him. This is it, this is the perfect break that everyone needs, a solution worth trying--

Except no one bats an eye at it.

At this point, it’s more or less common knowledge that Harrow led a charge to destroy the Dragon Egg and kill Thunder. We know that only Viren and Claudia and maybe Soren know that that’s not the case and that the egg’s survived. We know based on what we’ve seen from Soren that even though he doesn’t care much for Callum as a sparring partner, he does have a bit of a soft spot for the kid and it is safe to assume that the guards would quicker protect the Prince than they would Viren; especially when the message that he’s carrying could potentially mitigate this entire impending fight (at least so far as they know). But no one bats an eye at it. 

Viren says to tie the Prince up; something that is as good as treason in such a treacherous time, and nobody except Soren bats an eye at it. Based on what we learnt previously, these men and women are part of the elite guard; part of the two hundred best and brightest entrusted with the King’s safety on this most uncertain of nights, and they do Viren’s bidding when given the option between him and the King’s son.

 What’s the point of this tangent?

 Well, if Viren truly was a conflicted servant and not someone who was always planning to have Harrow serve his purposes, why is it that the foreguards are willing to listen to him on pain of treason? What did Viren do to have these men and women, who should, realistically, be most loyal to  Harrow be more afraid of Viren than loyal to their oath? And, most importantly, given the utter subordination, the lack of flinches or hesitation as Viren rips Callum’s voice from his throat in an effort to silence the only person who, at this point in time, can realistically at least halt the assassination attempt on Harrow’s life, how long has Viren been the one truly in charge of Kartolis Castle?

Final Thoughts and Wrap-ups

All things considered, I do enjoy what Viren is. While it is fairly obvious that he was meant to be something a bit different--maybe something a couple shades more sympathetic--the idea of him being a power-hungry and ambitious warlock who has taken the ultimate chance to make his plans fully realised at the expense of what should have been his most useful pawn is fun to me. 

There's a lot more to unpack with Viren; especially when we get into the themes his character in particular introduces as well as him in relation to dark magic but those are things for another post. 

Overall I give Viren an interesting out of ten and I eagerly await the next arc to see where they go with him. 

Thank you for reading my post. 

-Ginger