At the beginning of Croaker's chronicles in the Black Company series, it's assumed that the initial group of mysterious sorcerers, the Ten Who Were Taken, are those originally enslaved by the Dominator. These formidable sorcerers, transformed from independent mages into loyal generals through the arcane and brutal Rite of Taking, are central to the series' lore. By wielding their true names, the Dominator bound these individuals to his will, crafting a dark legacy that permeated the Black Company's world.
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| A Depiction of the Rite of Taking in the Black Company Universe |
The Domination and Its Aftermath
The Domination represents a bleak era marked by tyrannical rule and the ruthless enforcement of the Dominator's will, largely executed by the Ten Who Were Taken. Their reign of terror, which sustained the empire for about a century, concluded with the White Rose's Rebellion. This uprising ultimately confined them alongside the Dominator and his wife, the Lady, in the enigmatic Barrowland—a place steeped in powerful magic and buried secrets.
The Barrowland and Its Captives
In the aftermath of the Domination, the Barrowland served as a prison for the Ten Who Were Taken, each sealed within their own barrow. This site of potent magical confinement held them until their eventual liberation by the Resurrectionists, which precipitated renewed conflicts that spanned the northern and southern continents.
Powers of the Taken
Each Taken possessed immense magical prowess, overshadowing most sorcerers and capable of decimating armies single-handedly. Their resilience to physical harm was legendary, often requiring extraordinary measures to ensure their demise. This combination of strategic military power and near-immortality made them pivotal figures in the series.
Notable Figures Among the Taken
- Soulcatcher: One of the most cunning and enigmatic figures, her familial ties to the Lady weave a complex tapestry of betrayal and manipulation.
- The Limper: Notorious for his vengeful and harsh nature, his repeated survivals from fatal encounters underscore his formidable endurance.
- Shapeshifter: His ability to alter his appearance made him an invaluable asset in espionage and combat, contributing to his fearsome reputation.
The Battle at Charm and Its Consequences
The climactic Battle at Charm was a turning point for the Taken, reshuffling allegiances and revealing their true ambitions. This conflict significantly reduced their numbers and altered their roles within the Lady’s empire, setting the stage for future engagements and schemes.
Ongoing Legacy and Influence
Despite the losses at Charm, the surviving Taken continued to exert substantial influence across the series' universe. Their independent actions and schemes had far-reaching implications, affecting the trajectories of numerous characters and the overarching narrative of the Black Company.
Uniqueness Across Fantasy Universes
The Taken are distinct within the fantasy genre due to their origin as enslaved entities rather than beings who derive power from inherent divine qualities or personal ascension. This forced transformation through the Rite of Taking, involving both death and resurrection, sets them apart, highlighting themes of coercion and lost autonomy that resonate deeply within the series' darker, more mature tone.
The Elder Scrolls: Tribunal
In The Elder Scrolls, particularly the Morrowind chapter, the Tribunal—consisting of Vivec, Almalexia, and Sotha Sil—serve as god-like figures who ascended to divinity by tapping into the power of the Heart of Lorkhan. Unlike the Taken, their transformation was self-initiated, driven by a quest for power and the desire to serve as protectors and leaders of the Dunmer people. While they wield immense power and influence over their followers, similar to the Taken, they are not bound by an external force but rather by their own decisions and the consequences thereof.
The Lord of the Rings: Ringwraiths
The Ringwraiths, or Nazgûl, from J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth are perhaps the closest parallel to the Taken in terms of their transformation and servitude. Originally human kings, they were enslaved by their Rings of Power, which were controlled by Sauron’s One Ring. This enslavement stripped them of their free will, making them Sauron’s most dreaded servants. Similar to the Taken, the Ringwraiths' power is linked directly to their servitude, and their existence is defined by the will of their master.
Diablo: Corrupted Humans (Aidan)
In the Diablo series, characters like Aidan, who becomes the Dark Wanderer, represent humans corrupted by demonic influence, eventually transforming into beings of great power and malevolence. This transformation, driven by external demonic corruption, mirrors the external magical coercion seen with the Taken, albeit through a more infernal and chaotic influence rather than a structured magical enslavement.
Wheel of Time: Forsaken
The Forsaken in Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time are a group of powerful channelers who have sworn allegiance to the Dark One, granted immortality and immense power in exchange. While their allegiance is a matter of choice rather than coercion, the dynamics of power, betrayal, and servitude echo the complex relationships and manipulations seen among the Taken. The Forsaken's interactions with the Dark One and each other provide a rich comparison to the power struggles and dynamics within the ranks of the Taken.
Implications and Thematic Resonances
These comparisons underline the broader theme of power and its acquisition in fantasy literature. While the Taken are defined by their enslavement, other transcendent beings across these universes often encounter power through different means—be it divine ascent, corruption, or allegiance. This highlights the varying narrative functions these beings serve, from embodying the consequences of power unchecked, as seen with the Tribunal, to serving as cautionary tales about the loss of self, as with the Ringwraiths.
The below table displays all characters from this race that have been included in The Arena. Pride and Prophecy has more detailed information on other races across fantasy universes.
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