Swartt and Ferahgo

alexandre · October 13, 2016, 05:01:47 AM

Is it just me, or did these two characters
seem to have the exact same personalities and very similar positions?

They both met their badger(As in, the one destined to kill them)when the badger was very young and they were beginning to gather a hoard. I also noticed they both had this one vermin that was sort of part of the hoard, but very creepy and kept their distance until they were asked to go on a mission in Salamandastron in exchange for a good portion of that non-existent badger treasure. Any other similarities you guys noticed? Also, what parts of their personalities did you find different?

Ashleg · October 13, 2016, 05:15:12 AM

They're both dads...

HeadInAnotherGalaxy · October 14, 2016, 08:40:13 PM

Aye, zey boz 'av zonz. ...Vho died....

Groddil · October 16, 2016, 04:52:48 AM

Both sons who died after betraying their own fathers. Oh, and both fathers themselves died. Fun!

Ashleg · October 16, 2016, 04:54:01 AM

Both mustelids...
Both warlords...

James Gryphon · October 16, 2016, 05:24:56 AM

Quote from: Groddil on October 16, 2016, 04:52:48 AM
Both sons who died after betraying their own fathers. Oh, and both fathers themselves died. Fun!

Klitch never betrayed Ferahgo; Ferahgo just thought he did, for a little while.

It's true that there are a good number of similarities between Swartt and Ferahgo, but there's several significant personality differences as well. Firstly, Ferahgo demonstrated familial affection for his son and was interested in his upbringing and well-doing, whereas Swartt never gave Veil a thought until he was getting in his way.

Ferahgo also is more of a risk-taker and more confident in his ability to take someone down than Swartt was. Although Swartt had a reputation as a good fighter, we never actually see him scrap until the end of the book, when he has no other choice, while Ferahgo is more claws-on and isn't afraid to mix it up with his enemies. Likewise, strategically Ferahgo isn't terribly concerned about losses, while Swartt seems relatively cautious and tries to avoid overextending his resources.

The last major difference is the nature of their quest. While Swartt did attempt to conquer Salamandastron, he was motivated by a personal vendetta against Sunflash. If the badger hadn't been there, he would have hunted him down somewhere else. Ferahgo had his sights specifically set on Salamandastron and the treasure trove inside, and wasn't concerned with any of its defenders, except inasmuch as they kept him from achieving his goal. Swartt wouldn't have been satisfied with conquering the mountain if he didn't bag Sunflash, nor would Ferahgo have settled for killing Urthstripe if the mountain and the treasure didn't go with it. Those different motivations are significant divergences in the characters.

Groddil · October 16, 2016, 05:34:29 AM

Whoops. Been a while since i read Salamandastron.

alexandre · October 16, 2016, 05:19:18 PM

Quote from: James Gryphon on October 16, 2016, 05:24:56 AM
Quote from: Groddil on October 16, 2016, 04:52:48 AM
Both sons who died after betraying their own fathers. Oh, and both fathers themselves died. Fun!
Klitch never betrayed Ferahgo; Ferahgo just thought he did, for a little while.

It's true that there are a good number of similarities between Swartt and Ferahgo, but there's several significant personality differences as well. Firstly, Ferahgo demonstrated familial affection for his son and was interested in his upbringing and well-doing, whereas Swartt never gave Veil a thought until he was getting in his way.

Ferahgo also is more of a risk-taker and more confident in his ability to take someone down than Swartt was. Although Swartt had a reputation as a good fighter, we never actually see him scrap until the end of the book, when he has no other choice, while Ferahgo is more claws-on and isn't afraid to mix it up with his enemies. Likewise, strategically Ferahgo isn't terribly concerned about losses, while Swartt seems relatively cautious and tries to avoid overextending his resources.

The last major difference is the nature of their quest. While Swartt did attempt to conquer Salamandastron, he was motivated by a personal vendetta against Sunflash. If the badger hadn't been there, he would have hunted him down somewhere else. Ferahgo had his sights specifically set on Salamandastron and the treasure trove inside, and wasn't concerned with any of its defenders, except inasmuch as they kept him from achieving his goal. Swartt wouldn't have been satisfied with conquering the mountain if he didn't bag Sunflash, nor would Ferahgo have settled for killing Urthstripe if the mountain and the treasure didn't go with it. Those different motivations are significant divergences in the characters.

If what you say is true, I am surprised Ferahgo lost to Swartt in my villain poll, in what way was Swartt a better villain?

clunylooney · April 30, 2020, 05:23:22 PM

The key difference in my opinion is that Swartt is better than Ferahgo. Swartt actually kind of had some character and he wanted revenge and we saw his complete journey and he is smart and awesome. Ferahgo has a big horde and he wants to conquer salamandastron. That's about it. So IMO Swartt is a better villain than Ferahgo. But Ferahgo was definitely the better dad.

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Swartt and Ferahgo