Introduction
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Glen Baskerville (グレン=バスカヴィル, Guren Basukaviru) is the major antagonist of Jun Mochizuki's Pandora Hearts. He is the leader of the Baskerville Clan, the major villainous group who are tied to the Abyss and its warped power, and all members obey his every word. It was by his word that his underlings slaughtered all humans in the former capital and cast the city into the Abyss one hundred years ago, in the event known as the Tragedy of Sablier. He had been defeated and killed by his best friend Jack Vessalius, who instated the Four Great Dukedoms and Pandora to oppose Glen's forces.
A century after the Tragedy, Jack's soul returned in the body of Oz Vessalius to pass on a message: that just like himself Glen Baskerville was fated to reincarnate and return to bring the world to ruin once again. The main goal of the protagonists becomes to find Glen's reincarnation and prevent the second coming of the Tragedy.
Glen Baskerville is not any single individual person—rather it is an entity, title, and role that has been passed down through countless generations since the beginning of time.
The universe they all live within and the Abyss by which Glen's existence is defined was first created by the deific entity Jury. The purpose of the Abyss is to serve as a "Tale," one of countless other versions, which is recorded by the Jury then preserved in the "Library" of the great beyond. Each parallel world and Tale is to have a different conclusion, for which a "Crossroads" is provided to facilitate. This is Glen Baskerville, and his every interaction with the Core of the Abyss, the being who embodies the Abyss itself, is meant to eventually cause her destruction. It is Glen's divinely-given purpose to bring the Tale—the world to its correct "End."
In response the Core of the Abyss created the Children of Ill Omen, whose existence and purpose are completely counter to that of Glen's—to save the Abyss and its Core from such a lonely ending. Because of this Children of Ill Omen cannot be perceived by Jury nor controlled by Glen, and are the sole beings who can communicate with the Core unrestricted. To prevent their defiance, Jury named the Children of Ill Omen abominable existences and demanded for the execution of every single one, which would be performed by Glen himself. This is the system that has been maintained for eons, of the Child of Ill Omen's untimely death and Glen's unquestioning absolute power. Jury would mislead them to believe this system was to protect the harmony of the Abyss, when in reality it served to bring about its eventual End.
The earliest known incarnation of Glen is Levi (though there have been passing mentions of his predecessor) who was the ruling Glen for decades before the Tragedy. Only a few years before that occurred is when he would pass the title to his successor Oswald, the most prominently known Glen and best friend of Jack Vessalius. After executing his Ill Omened younger sister Lacie, Oswald took in Gilbert as his eventual successor and Vincent who was to be executed for being Ill Omened. However before succession could fully begin for Gilbert, the Tragedy of Sablier took place and brought everything around the Baskervilles and Glen to ruin. For the next century afterwards there would be no incumbent Glen to rule over and maintain the order of the Abyss; nonetheless a new incarnation would come into being. Leo, though he spent his whole life trying to deny it, was determined to inevitably inherit the role and bring about the return of Glen Baskerville.
Incarnations[]
Glen Baskerville is a role that is passed down from generation to generation by way of reincarnation in order to continue the line of power. Each incarnation of Glen possesses their own individual personalities which may even come into conflict with one another, but ultimately all functionally exist to be the singular person around which the Tale is spun.
The process of passing down, inheriting, and serving as Glen is a deeply painful one for all incarnations. Each inheritor of the title is at once indoctrinated to be subservient to Jury and her influence, while also groomed to enforce his own power over all others who are beneath him. To become Glen means to be brainwashed by Jury and physically stamped with a seal that enforced servitude to their predecessor; agonizing rituals to pass on power in the form of the Black Winged Chains; and the eventual excruciating death of the succeeded Glen once his reign had ended.
Countless generations of Glen continued to sustain this system under the assumed purpose of protecting the order of the Abyss. In reality, the true purpose that Glen serves is to destroy it and everything that was done by, done to, and involved all that surrounded those who are Glen facilitated this eventual worldwide destruction. Illustratively, the "experiment" conceived by several generations of Glen that intended to give the Core of the Abyss a physical body. While all the incarnations of Glen had their own differing reasons to participate, it all served to create a way to more easily access the Core's power and grant that power to a single, easily manipulated person. Though the Glens within this experiment believed their actions to be those of defiance against Jury, they in actuality served the exact purpose the Jurors created them for—and actively began the falling of dominoes towards the world's predestined end.
The chronologically earliest incarnation of Glen who is seen, and also the prime conductor of the experiment, is Levi. He held no sincere passion for what he had, what he lost, nor what he even caused. He treated the role he inherited, the duties he had to uphold, and the legacy he was meant to pass on with only detached curiosity and the desire to gain more. His reaction to finding out the true destructive purpose of Glen was only soulless and callous mirth. Even in the face of the suffering he had directly caused, all he expresses is utter amusement. All of this was the result of Levi's role as Glen and the way he responded to it. Upon hearing that his purpose was to bring about the destruction of everything around him, he embraced that purpose with full arms and took it further than no other.
The next incarnation of Glen and the one most often associated with the name is Oswald. In contrast to his predecessor, Oswald took his role as Glen and all the duties, powers, and burdens that came with it deeply seriously. Despite everything he earnestly and sincerely cared for and believed in the ideal of protecting the order of the Abyss. Finding out the true purpose for which Glen was created incited within him personal and genuine rage. He was one of the first to make that revelation and directly call out Jury for her cruel nature and her treatment towards Children of Ill Omen. However, he still fell short of truly defying Jury's intentions due to his own lacking conviction. Even through his revelation, he never acknowledged the significant part he himself played in causing harm nor did he attempt to meaningfully exert his power to put a stop to it. While he eventually came to accept the tragedy he not only was subject to but helped to cause, it was too late and came at the cost of his soul.
The one to next inherit the title of Glen but could not due to tragic circumstances was Gilbert. As the very first ceremony for his succession was interrupted through catastrophic means, Gilbert could not and never does fully become Glen. Despite this his role as an incarnation has profoundly shaped, impacted, and produced the person he has become. It was Jury's brainwashing that caused his violent obsession with servitude and having a master. It was the trauma inflicted upon him by the process of ascending that lead to his selfishness and lack of moral conviction. It was his relationship to his Ill Omened younger brother Vincent that produced his refusal to take responsibility for personal failings and tendency to scapegoat others. However, Gilbert is the most notable for being the very first incarnation of Glen to acknowledge all these faults of his, stand up to the system that caused it, and put a stop to the destruction it wished for. In this way Gilbert escaped from his predestined fate as an incarnation of Glen to bring about the world's destruction. Instead, he devoted himself to protecting the world from exactly that and fighting to save the Tale from its tragic, lonely End.
The final significant incarnation of Glen is the latest one in the line to be seen, Leo. Despite the Tragedy of Sablier having interrupted the intricate system of Glen's succession for the next century, the role still vitally influenced Leo as a person. He had grown up isolated from people directly because of his being chosen as Glen, which made him emotionally dependent on his best friend Elliot, whom he thought of as a better person. The influence of the previous incarnations' consciousnesses made him doubt his own sanity and further rely on Elliot, despite knowing the danger and wrongness of their situation. And eventually, these circumstances escalate and lead Elliot's death. Afterwards Leo accepts his role as Glen and becomes self-destructive at the cost of those around him. Once his soul was freed, the preceding Glen Oswald takes over his body and Leo allows this without a fight, lacking conviction and purpose. However it is his connection to and care for Child of Ill Omen Vincent that convinces him otherwise. He finds the strength to stand up against that divinely designed destruction and actively works to help save the world. He spearheads efforts to change the system devised by Jury, no longer allowing for the persecution of Children of Ill Omen nor the enforced isolation of the Core of the Abyss. Leo plays the most significant part in changing and defying the purpose for which Glen was made, destruction, and turning it around to fit the Tale's more hopeful ending, restoration.
Powers and Abilities[]
- See also: Baskerville Clan
- Limited Immortality - As Baskervilles, any Glen's body was more similar in construction to that of a Chain than a human, and thus could not be killed by mortal weapons, though it could be harmed or disabled. Only weapons charged by Chain Killers or exceptionally powerful Chains are capable of causing fatal wounds to Baskervilles.
- The consciousness of a given Glen Baskerville lives indefinitely in their subsequent reincarnations. It is implied the potency of a single consciousness degrades over time, so only two consciousnesses preceding the last known Glen Baskerville ever personally influenced him. These consciousnesses can directly control a body succeeding them. However, doing so puts strain on the consciousness, and an overexertion of power results in the destruction of the consciousness entirely.
- All incarnations of Glen Baskerville perish physically soon after they are succeeded, usually in middle age. Except when killed violently and sealed, a body of Glen Baskerville will rot into a Chain, the process beginning while the Glen's personality is still bound to their body. It is unclear when the personality leaves the body during the process of death, though it is implied this process takes months or years.
- Reality Warping - All incarnations of Glen Baskerville passively warped reality around them, though the specific nature and full extent of this warping is unknown. It was this warping that resulted in the generation of Children of Ill Omen.
- All denizens of Abyss, Baskervilles included, have the passive ability to slightly warp reality for humans. However, this is not considered advantageous, as it generally encourages humans to act in a violent manner, and makes Baskervilles far more likely to be subjected to abuse.
- Through contact with The Core of the Abyss, Glen was capable of directly altering reality. This ability was only to be used under extreme circumstances, and only when sanctioned by Jury.
- Immunity to Abyss - All Baskervilles have an increased resistance to the negative effects of Abyss, due to being denizens of Abyss themselves. They are able to maintain "illegal" contracts indefinitely, and do not suffer the same madness induced in humans who interact with Abyss.
- Supernatural Compulsion - Glen Baskerville imposes a psychological compulsion on all Baskervilles to obey its current incarnation. While Baskervilles all retain their own personalities and wills, and are able to an extent able to reinterpret Glen's orders, they are usually unable to resist any command Glen gives.
- Most Baskervilles exhibit great reverence and admiration for Glen, though it is unclear to what extent this is supernatural. As it is stated that all Baskervilles were subjected to some form of isolation or abuse before becoming a follower of Glen, this may in part come from genuine thankfulness.
- Lacie and Vincent were the only Baskervilles shown to distinguish between different incarnations of Glen, and the only Baskervilles to express contempt or fear towards him.
Chains[]
- See also: Black Winged Chains
The process of becoming Glen involves the formation of Illegal Contracts with each of the five Black Winged Chains. This grants him access to numerous abilities. Each of The Black Winged Chains could pass judgement on a target. If the target was found guilty of a sin against the harmony of the Abyss, The Black Winged Chains would then open The Path and summon forth the Chains of Condemnation to drag the target into the darkness of the Abyss to be destroyed. They could contain what damage was caused by the severing of "Chains," though they were unable to repair what damage had been done.
Contracts with each Black Winged Chains were formed in the order of Raven, then Owl, then Dodo, then Gryphon, then Jabberwock. The amount of time this takes seems to vary.
After Oswald's death, the Black Winged Chains were distributed among humans and contracted legally, with the exception of Jabberwock.
Following Oswald's death, Raven was given to the Nightray Dukedom. His contractor for most of the series was Gilbert Nightray.
- Sealing Powers - Raven was able to seal the powers of other Chains in his contractor's left hand, making the Chain unable to exert its full power. This power could be unsealed when Raven's contractor touches the sealed Chain's contractor with his bare left hand.
- This seal would lose effect if Raven was summoned, or any of his other powers were used.
- Feathery Flames - Raven could create blue flames from his wings that, as an exceptionally powerful Chain, are dangerous even the Baskervilles. These flames appeared to have physical properties, capable of breaking several windows, but did not appear to set fires.
- Portal Opening - Raven had the ability to open portals to other dimensions, such as from the material world to Abyss, or Cheshire's Dimension back to the material world. However, this put considerable strain on his contractor.
- Chains of Condemnation - Like all Black Winged Chains, Raven was able to open a portal to Abyss and summon the Chains of Condemnation, chains which bind those his contractor deems "sinners" and drag them to the depths of Abyss.
Following Oswald's death, Owl was given to the Rainsworth Dukedom. Her contractor for most of the series was Sheryl Rainsworth.
- Shadow Generation - Owl is capable of producing a black haze from her wings that takes away her target's ability to hear and see.
- Tying - Without the target's knowledge, Owl can spin an invisible thread that can only be seen by the holder of said thread. This thread will lead a person directly to the individual it's connected to.
- Shape-Shifting - Upon her Contractor's command, Owl can transform into a larger version of her preferred form.
- Aerial Transportation - Owl is able to shift to a larger form, allowing her contractor and any companions to ride on her back.
- Chains of Condemnation - Like all Black Winged Chains, Owl was able to open a portal to Abyss and summon the Chains of Condemnation, chains which bind those his contractor deems "sinners" and drag them to the depths of Abyss.
Following Oswald's death, Dodo was given to the Barma Dukedom. His contractor for most of the series was Rufus Barma.
- Illusion Generation - Dodo can create illusions with a physical form, which are said to have the potential to scare his victims to death depending on their severity.
- Chains of Condemnation - Like all Black Winged Chains, Dodo was able to open a portal to Abyss and summon the Chains of Condemnation, chains which bind those his contractor deems "sinners" and drag them to the depths of Abyss.
Following Oswald's death, Gryphon was given to the Vessalius Dukedom. His contractor for most of the series was Xai Vessalius.
- Aerial Transportation - Gryphon is large enough to allow his contractor and any companions to ride on his back.
- Chains of Condemnation - Like all Black Winged Chains, Gryphon was able to open a portal to Abyss and summon the Chains of Condemnation, chains which bind those his contractor deems "sinners" and drag them to the depths of Abyss.
Jabberwock was the only Chain to remain with the Baskerville Clan after Oswald's death. Leo formed a contract with him, allowing Oswald to use his powers.
- Energy Beam - Although it takes time to generate the power necessary for it, Jabberwock can produce a powerful explosive blast that is capable of destroying anything in his path.
- Aerial Transportation - Jabberwock is large enough to allow his contractor and any companions to ride on his back.
- Chains of Condemnation - Like all Black Winged Chains, Owl was able to open a portal to Abyss and summon the Chains of Condemnation, chains which bind those his contractor deems "sinners" and drag them to the depths of Abyss.
Appearances[]
- Retrace XVII: Odds and Ends
- Retrace XXII: His name is...
- Retrace XXVI: The pool of Tears
- Retrace XXVII: Get out of the pool
- Retrace XXIX: Rufus Barma
- Retrace XXX: Snow White Chaos
- Retrace XXXI: Countervalue of Loss
- Retrace XXXII: Snow Dome
- Retrace XXXIV: Noise of Echo (Mentioned only)
- Retrace XXXVI: Sablier
- Retrace XXXVII: Glen Baskerville
- Retrace XXXVIII: Scapegoat
- Retrace XXXIX: Gate of Blackness
- Retrace XLI: Where am I?
- Retrace XLII: Stray (Mentioned only)
- Retrace XLIII: Crown of Clown
- Retrace XLIV: Dusty Sky (Mentioned only)
- Retrace XLVI: Persona
- Retrace LI: Lily&Reim
- Retrace LVII: Humpty Dumpty had a great fall
- Retrace LVIII: Puddle of blood
- Retrace LIX: Couldn't put Humpty together again
- Retrace LXI: Demios
- Retrace LXIII: Purpose
- Retrace LXIV: Tarantelle
- Retrace LXV: Collapse
- Retrace LXVI: Jack
- Retrace LXVII: Lacie
- Retrace LXVIII: Glen
- Retrace LXIX: Alice
- Retrace LXX: Oz
- Retrace LXXI: Black Rabbit
- Retrace LXXII: Bloody Rabbit
- Retrace LXXIII: A note
- Retrace LXXIV: Broken Rabbit
- Retrace LXXV: Alone
- Retrace LXXVII: Vacant
- Retrace LXXVIII: Decision
- Retrace LXXIX: Falling
- Retrace LXXXI: CHILDREN
- Retrace LXXXIII: After the Rain
- Retrace LXXXIV: Trickster
- Retrace LXXXVI: Wager
- Retrace LXXXVII: Starting Point
- Retrace LXXXVIII: Answer (Mentioned only)
- Retrace LXXXIX: Staccato Drop
- Retrace XC: Clock Tower
- Retrace XCI: Juror
- Retrace XCII: A Story
- Retrace XCIII: Abyss
- Retrace XCIV: Blaze
- Retrace XCV: Vincent
- Retrace XCVI: Disagree
- Retrace XCVII: I am
- Retrace XCVIII: Reverberate
- Retrace XCIX: Shade
- Retrace C: Ossia
- Retrace CI: Oswald
- Retrace CII: The Nursery
- Retrace CIII: Call Your Name
- Retrace CIV: Will
Coming soon!
(*) - Denotes that the character did not appear physically, but as a part of another character's memories.
Trivia[]
- It was revealed in Pandora Hearts 18.5: Evidence that the Glen whom Levi succeeded was female, thereby not restricting the role of Glen to a specific gender.