5 EVIL Steps to Create an EPIC Manipulative Villain

[@kathryncainmadsen5850]

He gaslighted Galadriel first! It was also well written!!!

[@JustInTimeWorlds]

Agreed, the second season made the first season's actions hit better. Halbrand manipulated the crap out of Galadriel in the first season and I appreciate her realizing that, even if belatedly. I also appreciated Galadriel getting hit over the head with her own arrogance and starting to show growth. The season 2 highlight for me was Charlie and Charles. They were so good in this season.

[@dogbruh5778]

Bruh you deserve a million subscribers

[@JustInTimeWorlds]

Here’s hoping :)

[@teamozOFFICIAL]

The greatest, most manipulative villain I've ever read is so good, to name him would spoil the final reveal of the First Law series. If you know, you know.

[@JustInTimeWorlds]

💯

[@matthewdevictor1442]

Oh I know the bastard you speak of

[@Alejojojo6]

This scene works in the show (the only one to do so) because its the only scene that is closest to book canon. Annatar gaslits Celebrimbor to forge the rings in the books as well so they just took that and wrote the dialogue (which at times was a bit shallow).

[@ronecotex]

Controlling communication Networks could play well in the manipulation

[@samchickensandwich23]

I have an affinity for Iago from Shakespeare's Othello

[@JustInTimeWorlds]

He’s fantastic 🙌

[@ronecotex]

Memory alteration would be perfect for this planting false ones altering true ones and racing memories that are inconvenient

[@ronecotex]

I would love to see an RPG setting we're the protagonists the master manipulator pins factions against each other

[@JustInTimeWorlds]

You could play Vampire (World of Darkness) that way.

[@bryonerwin3758]

My favorite character from Vampire Diaries is Katerina Petrova. Every character knows she's a liar and manipulator, but she has an ability to ingratiate herself with the right people, allowing her to get what she wants.

[@HelotOnWheels]

The most manipulative fantasy villain I can think of is Molasar from F. Paul Wilson’s *The Keep.* He patiently works on the heroine’s father Cuza, all the while letting Cuza think that he’s in control, the one manipulating rather than being manipulated, until it’s too late. There was a film version done that I’ve never seen, directed by Michael Mann; I understand Ian McKellen was cast as Cuza, who is exactly who I would have chosen.

[@JustInTimeWorlds]

I’ve never read that one I’ll see if I can get hold of it :)

[@PoharaMaori]

another awesome video. ive been trying to think about how to incorperate an evil manipulative character into my DnD campaign and this has really helped! i like the idea of the character not only influencing the campaigns main village and its baron by providing critical information to gain trust to later provide false information at a crucial point in the soon-to-be war (Or maybe, like Saoron, they will provide cursed materials for an important artifact?) but also i want the character to influence other nearby villages too - perhaps by conspiring against an arranged marrage between two houses to weaken political ties in the neighbouring province, suggesting that the eligable bachelor instead betrove a local princess in the name of inter-provincial relations. this would work to isolate the blindsided house and create an alliance through marriage between the house of the bachelor and the local house who is already aligned with the character and shares their evil motivations. a lot to think about! thanks for the inspiration 😎

[@JustInTimeWorlds]

That sounds like a hella fun campaign 🙌

[@moshecallen]

Are you familiar with the work of Dorothy Dunnett? She's a Scottish writer and in her Lymond and Niccolo series, the central hero is highly manipulative. I'm not convinced she always shows that to the degree I would like but I'd be interested in your thoughts.

[@JustInTimeWorlds]

I’m not but I’ll add her to my tbr

[@ronecotex]

Can you send grandal's that made me think of golden elves and there could be a golden elves supremacist group call the Grande elves and even the other Golden elves don't like them because they're so obnoxious

[@lastunicorn846]

You make Halbrand's manipulation of Celebrimbor seem far more interesting than it really was. In the show, their interaction is beyond stupid. The only thing that can be learned from RoP is how to **not** write.