The Spook: Difference between revisions

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[[Nothing Is Scarier]] than someone you know nothing about. He has nothing to identify him, nothing that even states that he is real. If this person simply disappears, you are terrified because you don't know if he is watching. Sometimes he is established as a myth, a ghost story to scare people. This person lacks not only a past, but also a present and a future. He just is, and you don't know why.

The Spook is someone whose identity is a paradox, they exist but don't exist at the same time. No one can prove that he is there except by showing someone the warm body, if you even have it. If a name is given it is likely to be [[Shrouded in Myth]], you can't be certain of anything you hear about them but you don't want to underestimate them all the same.

'''The Spook''' is someone whose identity is a paradox: they exist but don't exist at the same time. No one can prove that he is there except by showing someone the warm body, if you even have it. If a name is given, it is likely to be [[Shrouded in Myth]] - you can't be certain of anything you hear about them, but you don't want to underestimate them all the same.

In some cases, this may overlap with a [[Legacy Character]]: the myth is more important than the person.

[[All There in the Manual]] may have extra information that is confirmed by [[Word of God]], but that doesn't count: this is about how this character is perceived by others. What matters is how ~~the~~ [[In-Universe|characters in the story]] behave in regard to the stranger. If the people in the story know all about the character, then it does not qualify as The Spook even if the audience knows nothing.

[[All There in the Manual]] may have extra information that is confirmed by [[Word of God]], but that doesn't count: this is about how this character is perceived by others. What matters is how [[In-Universe|the characters in the story]] behave in regard to the stranger. If the people in the story know all about the character, then it does not qualify as The Spook even if the audience knows nothing.

This kind of character is often seen as either an [[Enigmatic Minion]], or the guy the villains (or even the heroes) bring in to do the job right... even if they don't know what they're dealing with. Also frequently [[The Nondescript]].

Compare [[The Faceless]], ~~but~~ ~~The Faceless~~ is ~~only~~ ~~important~~ ~~based~~ ~~around~~ the eventual reveal (whether or not they actually have a face). The Spook will usually remain an enigma even if caught and defeated. Also compare [[The Men in Black]], who are often [[Mooks]] with this characteristic, and [[The Cowl]], when a hero tries to be this to the villains. [[The Chessmaster]] can sometimes be a Spook, and is often the reason why the character is popular. Bonus points if he is an [[Implacable Man]]. Compare and contrast [[Inexplicably Awesome]], which is often eccentric and setting-defying.

Compare [[The Faceless]], whose identity is also concealed, but with the expectation of an eventual reveal (whether or not they actually have a face); The Spook will usually remain an enigma even if caught and defeated. Also compare [[The Men in Black]], who are often [[Mooks]] with this characteristic, and [[The Cowl]], when a hero tries to be this to the villains. [[The Chessmaster]] can sometimes be a Spook, and is often the reason why the character is popular. Bonus points if he is an [[Implacable Man]]. Compare and contrast [[Inexplicably Awesome]], which is often eccentric and setting-defying.

Also not to be confused with [[The Ghost]], [[The Shadow]] or especially [[The Spock]]. Nor to be confused with [[The Wizard of Id|The Spook]].