mercredi 21 février 2018

Villain of the Month - Edition N°19

Hellcome followers, for the new edition of the Villain of the Month. This month, go back in a galaxy far far away, to discover one of my (personal) favorite villains in the Star Wars universe: He's the supreme leader of the First Order: Snoke.


There are many theories about Snoke, for example, some think he would be the first Jedi, having shifted to the dark side, others think he is Darth Plagueis, the former master of Sidious and supposedly dead. Well, it's unlikely, because Snoke is described as not being a sith but a powerful being on the dark side. The origins and race of Snoke are unknown, he is described as a humanoid, bald, with a disfigured face and very old appearance.
The goal of Snoke is to see the new Jedi order disappear, and for that, he will not hesitate to corrupt Ben Solo, son of Han and Leia and apprentice of Luke, so that the latter switches to the dark side and destroy the new Jedi temple. Snoke will train Ben on the dark side and give him a new name: Kylo Ren. Snoke will then try to find Luke Skywalker, the last Jedi master in all the universe and will also show an interest for a young human woman, Rey, from unknown origins, discovered on Jakku and having a great connection with the Force.
Rey will be brought by Kylo Ren to Snoke in his throne room, and Snoke will not fail to show his mastery of the Force, and will not be intimidated by Rey's toughness against him, on the contrary, he laughed about. Unlike palpatine who wanted to find a more powerful apprentice, Snoke shows no interest in Rey's power and even demands that Kylo kill her, showing a very (too much) great confidence in his power. This is what will cause his loss as he once again showed his skills for the mastery of the Force, Kylo Ren takes the opportunity to activate the lightsaber of Rey, which was placed on one side of the throne, which pierces Snoke and cuts him in two. The great leader collapses on the ground, having been deceived by the one who was his apprentice and determined to take his place as supreme leader.
For my part, I was very shocked (and even disappointed) that Snoke died so fast. Played by the excellent actor Andy Serkis, a badass style, a clearly visible power, Snoke is an already iconic villain who deserves better. For my part, I choose to believe that he is not totally dead. If the Jedi can return as spirits of the Force after death, it is confirmed that Dark Side Adepts can too. Snoke could then come back as a dark side spirit, even more powerful than when we was alive, and could haunt Rey by trying to corrupt her to the dark side and push her to kill Kylo Ren. Snoke could even mention Rey's parents to stir up her anger.






Mathias, the Killmaster
Fire and Blood \m/ 



vendredi 2 février 2018

Hero of the Month - Edition N°23

The universe of Lord of the Rings has given us a multitude of legendary and iconic characters that we love or hate, but have made a name for themselves and marked the spirits. And here is one of them, and personally, one of my favorite Tolkien characters: Boromir.


Born in the year 2978 of the Third Age, Boromir is the eldest son of Denethor II, the steward of Gondor, and Finduilas of Dol Amroth. His younger brother, Faramir, was born five years later. The two brothers lose their mother very young. They have excellent relations (Boromir protecting Faramir and Faramir admiring Boromir), not at all tainted by jealousy, despite their opposite temperaments and Denethor's preference for his eldest son.
In June 3018 AD, when the armies of Sauron attack the ruins of Osgiliath, Boromir, captain of the Gondor, is sent to defend the city. Overwhelmed by numbers, the Gondorians must retreat behind the Anduin, after having shot down the last bridge over the river; among the last defenders, only four manage to escape, among whom Boromir and Faramir. 
One day, Boromir, representing the Gondor, went to Rivendell, to attend the council of Elrond, to decide the fate of the Ring of Sauront that was found. 
During the council, Boromir does not hesitate to express his fascination for the ring, going so far as to say to use his power against Sauron, but his idea is quickly rejected. Boromir shows himself at first as someone very sure of himself. He becomes one of the members of the Fellowship of the Ring. On another occasion, during the ascent of the mountain, he again shows his desire for the ring, but changes his mind and returns it to Frodo, Aragorn having been ready to use his sword against the Gondorian.
But during the trip, Gandalf falls into the chasm of Moria, and broken, the Fellowship must take refuge in the Lothlorien. In front of Galadriel, Boromir feels very bad and the elven witch shows him a terrifying vision: Minas Tirith in flames, ravaged by the armies of Sauron. Boromir will later confide in Aragorn and the latter, as a friend, will support him.
After their rest with the elves, the Fellowship resumed its journey on the river Anduin and made a halt on the bank of a forest. Frodo having gone away to be a little lonely, cross the road to Boromir, gone to fetch wood. The discussion ignites very quickly and Boromir, like possessed, tries to take the ring by force but fails. Realizing what he has just done, Boromir tries to be forgiven, but too late.
Later, while an Uruk troop attacks, Boromir intervenes to help Merry and Pippin against the attackers. Boromir once again shows his soldiering skills and kills several enemies, but is sadly struck by an arrow sent by the Uruk leader, Lurtz. Despite the injury and pain, Boromir remains standing and continues to fight, killing several uruks despite his injury. Two more arrows hit him, immobilizing him on his knees. Aragorn arrives, kills Lurtz and finds Boromir, dying, three arrows in his chest.
Broken, Boromir accuses himself of all the misfortunes that happened to the Fellowship, no longer recognizing himself, but Aragorn comforts him, telling him that he fought bravely and that his honor is safe. It is with the broken heart that Aragorn attends Boromir's last breath, after he called Aragorn "My brother" and "My King." So were the last words of Boromir, one of the greatest warriorsof the middle-earth.
His corpse is put in one of the elven boats for a funeral. Aragorn will sing for the memory of the late Gondorian. The boat drifted slowly down the river to the waterfalls, carrying the boat and Boromir's body away. 






Mathias, the Killmaster
Fire and Blood \m/