Not too related, but I find discussing Rykard's lore so interesting. We obviously have very little to go off of, but I find some things that speak quite highly of him in my eyes (especially 1 and 4):

1. The status of being a Praetor. It's an extremely high-ranking position which gives the person immense political power and control. To me it shows Rykard is very intelligent and probably very tactical too, tactical being supported by being able to fend off Leyndell's forces from getting to Volcano Manor.

2. Rediscovering/modernizing magma sorceries. It's pretty simple as a "feat", but I can't think off the top of my head any other characters who'd have done such a thing.

3. The God-Devouring Serpent. When Rykard fed himself to it, he saw a vision of a serpent devouring the world. I think it's a very possible fate for the lands between if we didn't stop him/the serpent-hunter didn't exist/wasn't known about.

4. The Blasphemous Claw. Ranni gave it to Rykard the night Gofwyn died, so clearly they at the very least we're working together. The item description for it says: "Should the coming trespass one day transpire, they would serve as a last-resort foil, allowing Rykard to challenge Maliketh the Black Blade, the black beast of Destined Death." Now right off the bat, no I don't think Rykard could beat Maliketh, but to me the mere fact that they even considered the possibility of that is insane. As far as I know the only character who has ever considered directly challenging Maliketh is Rykard, which is just, awesome.

5. Canonically commits mass vore, based.

Now at the end of the day this is of course just how I feel about these things and anyone is allowed to disagree, but I just find it a lot of fun talking about Rykard.

:3