Line #21 Literature/WarGod


1	[[quoteright:313:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/28678158.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:313: Hercules he is not.]]
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4	''War God'' is a BlackComedy humorous fantasy novel by Creator/TimMarquitz. It is DeconstructiveParody of both gladiator as well as sports movies. Set in a FantasyCounterpartCulture version of Rome, it follows two con men as they attempt to make a fortune rigging the biggest gladiator tournament in the world with a country bumpkin.
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6	''Sand is destined for greatness. Or so a pair of two-bit criminals would have him believe. After rescuing him from certain doom, Bess and Kaede embark on a scheme to game the War God Tournament. It’d be easier if Sand wasn’t an alcohol-soaked twit with a disturbing interest in mutton. Pitted against monsters, magic swords, and murderers galore, they soon realize winning the tourney is the least of their worries.''
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8	The novel was independently published and released on January 31st, 2016.
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10	----
11	!!This book contains the following tropes:
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13	* AffablyEvil: The monster in the cave is quite polite and willing to let Bess go with his treasure but then again, he HATES the intelligent talking sword he's been created to guard.
14	* ArtisticLicenseHistory: The gladiator contests are depicted as being always to the death. This isn't how it worked in history for obvious reasons. Possibly averted as it's implied that opponents could yield but our hero is so awful at fighting they have to make sure he kills his opponents quickly or use magic to do it.
15	* BestialityIsDepraved: We never find out if Sand was screwing those sheep or not. [[spoiler: They were vampire sheep!]]
16	* BlackComedy: It's a story about two merciless con men, their mark, and the people they murder to make a fortune.
17	* BlackComedyRape: Bess [[spoiler: sleeps with Sand while black out drunk, a fact which only cements her decision to kill him. Sadly, this is played for laughs.]]
18	* BloodSport: How gladiator games are portrayed. People come to them as much to see people murdered as displays of actual skill.
19	* CoolSword: The key to Sand's victories turns out to be a talking sword who does most of the fighting for him.
20	* DareToBeBadass: This is how our heroes pitch their plan to Sand.
21	* DeconstructiveParody: Of sports movies. Sand is led to believe he's a FromZeroToHero badass about to become rich and famous. [[spoiler: He's actually being set up to die in the final battle his handlers are betting against him in.]]
22	* DickDastardlyStopsToCheat: The (anti)heroes never would have gotten as far with their plan if not for cheating but they drop the ball when [[spoiler: they expect Sand to lose.]]
23	* DumbMuscle: Sand in a nutshell.
24	* FakeUltimateHero: Bess and Kaede intend to turn Sand into one of these so they can make a fortune. They succeed...sort of.
25	* FantasyCounterpartCulture: The fantasy world they live in is very heavily based on Rome.
26	* FromZeroToHero: Sand thinks he's one of these. He's actually cheating with a magic sword given to him as well as blessings from a witch.
27	* GladiatorGames: The setting for the novel is about a series of these.
28	* HookersAndBlow: Sand quickly becomes accustomed to this as a gladiator's lifestyle.
29	* HoistByHisOwnPetard: [[spoiler: Sand ''wins'' the final battle against the War God and the protagonists lose their entire fortunes as they'd bet against him.]]
30	* HotWitch: Bess is implied to be one, albeit not an exceptional one.
31	* LaserGuidedKarma: [[spoiler: The antiheroes lose everything they've made and lots more besides by betting against Sand and their own cheating tools being used against them.]]
32	* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: Bess accidentally causes the deaths of a few hundred spectators during a contest. It's worth it for the publicity, Kaede argues.
33	* ShotInTheAss: [[spoiler: Being stabbed up it, is how the War God dies.]]
34	* SpectatorCasualty: Bess accidentally causes a bunch of these. She feels bad about it, for about a day or two.
35	* SwordAndSandal: Ancient Rome-esque land? Check. Gladiators? Check. Violence and sex? Check and check.
36	* TookALevelInJerkass: Sand starts off as a fairly simple but decent sort. He ends up being just as greedy and corrupt as his handlers, only an idiot as well.
37	* TheTourney: The majority of the book is about getting Sand enough victories to qualify for membership in this.
38	* VillainProtagonist: Our heroes seem like {{Antihero}} types who still have a good deal for Sand [[spoiler: until it's revealed they plan for him to die in the final battle.]]
39	* WouldNotHitAGirl: Sand has this problem when he encounters a beautiful ActionGirl in the arena. The fact the combat is to the death changes his attitude quickly.
40	* UnwittingPawn: Sand to Kaede and Bess.
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Context Literature / WarGod