Apr 30
As the cauldron bubbled an eldritch voice shrieked: ‘When shall we three meet again?’ There was a pause. Finally another voice said, in far more ordinary tones: ‘Well, I can do next Tuesday.’
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As the cauldron bubbled an eldritch voice shrieked: ‘When shall we three meet again?’ There was a pause. Finally another voice said, in far more ordinary tones: ‘Well, I can do next Tuesday.’
On the recent read of Wyrd Sisters I was struck by what an effective villain Duke Felmet is -and specifically him. While the Duchess is easily the more ambitious, cruel and merciless, she is less intelligent and more blunt in her approach, preferring to just slaughter anyone who opposes them.
The Duke though is willing to research his opponents the witches, and quickly starts to understand their weaknesses. He's more receptive to the idea of propaganda, which the Duchess sneers at repeatedly.
Moreover, during one of his more sane moments, he accurately pinpoints the dilemma facing Granny Weatherwax: using magic to depose the Duke will mean magic will rule and whoever the new king is would be a puppet of the witches.
He's not wrong.
Spin forward to the ending of Lords and Ladies, and King Verence II is not only marrying one of the witches, but everyone - including the king and Queen themselves - look to Granny Weatherwax for her approval. Witchcraft is arguably the real power on the throne.
Equally arguably is the idea that it takes all of Granny's considerable willpower not to abuse this state. But whether she does or not, it's still the witches who are called on to defend Lancre from Elves, vampires and the like.
King Verence II and Queen Magrat Garlick. From humble beginnings as court jester and hippy witch, to progressively active king and warrior queen.
Verence II was the most amiable monarch in the history of Lancre.
His subjects regarded him with the sort of good-natured contempt that is the fate of all those who work quietly and conscientiously for the public good.
Terry Pratchett / Lords and Ladies
Rewatching The Vicar of Dibley while reading a Witches book made me realise who my ideal Magrat and Verence II actually are
Happy Halloween from low-effort but high-sincerity Magrat and Verence of Lancre!
the fool jingled miserably across the floor is the funniest fucking sentence i have ever read
Loonette VS Verence II
Loonette
Verence II