#This started as a simple 'I think it's interesting that Aerin didn't immediately deck Baldur' and it got away from me

[bedtimegiraffe]

Baldur, Aerin, and MC- Relationships with Violence

All three of these characters have really unique relationships with violence and physical force, which are very well put on display by the confrontation scene in Book 3, Chapter 5.

Baldur: Violence First

Baldur loooves violence. He makes that clear when you meet him, quickly using his size and strength to get his way. His preferred means of interacting with the world is physical- violence and sex.

But he isn't impulsively lashing out in all directions- most his violence is purposeful. Even if that purpose is incredibly selfish, it is a purpose. A conscious choice.

This isn't a person who just acts out without thinking about it. This is someone who has made a conscious choice to intimidate and injure others to meet good own ends. In the Deadwood, it's a public show of force to prove that he is in charge, not Aerin. Most of the time, it's choosing to physically hurt Aerin when they're alone to minimize any intervention. I think it's safe to assume that Aerin was Baldur's most common target, but not his only one.

For Baldur, violence is his primary method of problem solving- his first thought. In part because he enjoys asserting his own power and control over others through physical means.

That's why at the River of Seekers, Baldur isn't looking into the present like Mal's mom. He has no loved ones, he has no interest in the world without him in it. If Baldur isn't physically influencing others, he doesn't care. So he's doing his best Narcissus impression until he loses himself. His physical ability to dominate others is gone, leaving him with just fond memories of it.

(For those who didn't have the Greek mythology phase I did: Narcissus was a self-centered jerk who was cursed to fall in love with his own reflection in a pool, leading to his death.)

Aerin: Violence Last

Before spotting Baldur in the river, Aerin 'jokes' about killing him again. But I think this was more of an attempt to connect with Valax than anying else. Because even if Aerin reaches Baldur before you do, he doesn't attack him. In fact, Aerin never touches him at all. MC is the one who finally forces Baldur to pay attention. Aerin just... asks him questions before quickly giving up.

Because, barring a strong outside influence, Aerin doesn't solve his problems with violence. Even when he's fully Dreadlord corrupted, Aerin never strikes first. He doesn't attack Baldur until he physically grabs and verbally threatens him.

It also seems significant that he doesn't try to make Baldur suffer- he doesn't beat him or mock him, though based on what we see he absolutely could have in that moment. Aerin kills Baldur incredibly cleanly. Sure, he gloated about it a little, but it felt like Aerin celebrating finally 'winning,' not the violence itself.

Aerin, almost universally, tries to talk his way out of problems. I'd guess this is a combination of his generally more cerebral temperament and the fact that acting out physically never would have gotten him anywhere when he was younger (and probably still won't).

At the river, Baldur seems clearly uninterested in fighting back. But still, Aerin never takes a shot at him just because he can. And it isn't because he's afraid of Baldur in this moment- we see fear from Aerin in situations that mirror his brother's abuse. But this isn't one of them. Aerin is sad and angry.

But still, Aerin's emphasis is on words, not fighting. "You've got nothing to say?" Aerin just doesn't get satisfaction from physical violence like his brother does. Hitting him (or dismembering him, as Aerin hyperbolically says later) wouldn't have felt good to Aerin. He wanted to win on his terms, verbally getting through to Baldur that he lost and Aerin was right all along.

But unfortunately for Aerin, Baldur was never going to give him that satisfaction.

MC: Violence When Necessary

MC take a more moderate approach than either Valleros brother. To MC, violence is one of their many tools. Literally one third of their abilities are "combat." Violence isn't their favorite, not something they enjoy, but something occasionally necessary for the greater good. Even if they view the violence itself as "bad."

How MC gets Baldur's attention at the river is a great example. Because you have three options, all involving some degree of physical or magical force.

And it's a good thing they did. Because Baldur was never going to respond to words and Aerin was never going to try anything else. This problem, like many others, needs a flexible approach.

That flexibility and the willingness to learn may be MC's greatest strengths. MC builds the most diverse skillset of anyone in the party and is willing to apply whatever might work to the situation. And that well-rounded understanding and approach to problem solving is key to saving the day.

Screenshots are a combination of my own stockpiles and ones from Neckrone Shen on youtube, who has saved me untold hours of replaying.