TV-Series
Description
Herlock Sholmès is a private detective who arrives in London after being summoned by Scotland Yard to assist with difficult cases. Possessing an excellent physical condition and a superior intellect that is considered without peer, his ability to remain preternaturally calm at all times is legendary. At 28 years old, he is slightly older than several main characters, though his youthful appearance may lead others to underestimate his experience.
Underneath his composed and legendary detective exterior lies a more complicated individual. His personality is primarily characterized by a reserved and highly intelligent nature, which serves him well in his investigative work. He adheres to a personal code of chivalry, demonstrated in his interactions with Cardia Beckford, to whom he is consistently polite and gentle. During their first meeting on a train, he spoke to her softly, and when he later saved her, he stated that a gentleman does not need a reason to come to a lady's rescue. However, this professional and courteous demeanor masks a private self that is untidy and moody. He often forgets to take care of himself, can be borderline childish when his habits are questioned, and is described by his associate Watson as the worst kind of tenant. His pride in his cooking abilities may be comparable to that of Van Helsing, and potentially just as dangerous in the kitchen.
The central and most defining relationship for Sholmès is his rivalry with the gentleman thief Arsène Lupin. As a detective who believes in the importance of obeying the law, he is a natural antagonist to the law-breaking Lupin, and the two are described as polar opposites. This opposition causes Lupin to have a severe dislike for the detective, as Sholmès has a knack for outdoing him. For his part, Sholmès finds Lupin fun to torment. Despite this, their relationship is not purely adversarial. Their professional interests sometimes align, at which point they can work together as allies. Sholmès clearly separates his professional and private life, which allows him to be an implacable antagonist when hired to capture Lupin's group, yet see nothing wrong with helping them against a true villain when he is not formally employed to do otherwise. He has been known to warn the group before formally taking on a job to hunt them down, making him a wild card who operates within a gray area between what is lawful and what is right.
His role in the story is thus multifaceted: he is a constant thorn in the side of the protagonist and her allies, but also an occasional savior. This duality stems from his personal motivations. While he works with Scotland Yard, he has his own separate motive for being in London, independent of the police and the shadowy organization known as Twilight. He considers everything to be interconnected at some level, a philosophy that guides his investigations. He is also a master of Xanatos Speed Chess, able to predict and counter nearly all of his opponent's tricks, as he demonstrates when he successfully tracks Lupin and his companions. He also possesses stealth expertise that rivals or even surpasses Lupin's, allowing him to tail and eavesdrop on the thief without being detected.
In his own dedicated story route, Sholmès's character is explored more deeply. He carries a significant burden of guilt, having killed Mary, the wife of his friend and associate Dr. John H. Watson, to put an end to her suffering. This tragedy is a source of personal pain, and he feels he does not deserve to be loved or to fall in love, a sentiment that echoes the guilt felt by other characters. His primary antagonist is Aleister, also known as Moriarty, who sees Sholmès as a kindred spirit and attempts to drag him into darkness. Despite this traumatic backstory, his character is not consumed by doom and gloom, striking a balance that many find compelling. Should he become romantically involved with Cardia, it is because he finds in her a kindred spirit who understands the pain of being responsible for another's death. Their relationship feels natural, with a notable affection and gentle physical intimacy, such as embraces. In certain endings, he vows to continue searching for a cure for her poisonous condition, even after the primary conflict is resolved.
Underneath his composed and legendary detective exterior lies a more complicated individual. His personality is primarily characterized by a reserved and highly intelligent nature, which serves him well in his investigative work. He adheres to a personal code of chivalry, demonstrated in his interactions with Cardia Beckford, to whom he is consistently polite and gentle. During their first meeting on a train, he spoke to her softly, and when he later saved her, he stated that a gentleman does not need a reason to come to a lady's rescue. However, this professional and courteous demeanor masks a private self that is untidy and moody. He often forgets to take care of himself, can be borderline childish when his habits are questioned, and is described by his associate Watson as the worst kind of tenant. His pride in his cooking abilities may be comparable to that of Van Helsing, and potentially just as dangerous in the kitchen.
The central and most defining relationship for Sholmès is his rivalry with the gentleman thief Arsène Lupin. As a detective who believes in the importance of obeying the law, he is a natural antagonist to the law-breaking Lupin, and the two are described as polar opposites. This opposition causes Lupin to have a severe dislike for the detective, as Sholmès has a knack for outdoing him. For his part, Sholmès finds Lupin fun to torment. Despite this, their relationship is not purely adversarial. Their professional interests sometimes align, at which point they can work together as allies. Sholmès clearly separates his professional and private life, which allows him to be an implacable antagonist when hired to capture Lupin's group, yet see nothing wrong with helping them against a true villain when he is not formally employed to do otherwise. He has been known to warn the group before formally taking on a job to hunt them down, making him a wild card who operates within a gray area between what is lawful and what is right.
His role in the story is thus multifaceted: he is a constant thorn in the side of the protagonist and her allies, but also an occasional savior. This duality stems from his personal motivations. While he works with Scotland Yard, he has his own separate motive for being in London, independent of the police and the shadowy organization known as Twilight. He considers everything to be interconnected at some level, a philosophy that guides his investigations. He is also a master of Xanatos Speed Chess, able to predict and counter nearly all of his opponent's tricks, as he demonstrates when he successfully tracks Lupin and his companions. He also possesses stealth expertise that rivals or even surpasses Lupin's, allowing him to tail and eavesdrop on the thief without being detected.
In his own dedicated story route, Sholmès's character is explored more deeply. He carries a significant burden of guilt, having killed Mary, the wife of his friend and associate Dr. John H. Watson, to put an end to her suffering. This tragedy is a source of personal pain, and he feels he does not deserve to be loved or to fall in love, a sentiment that echoes the guilt felt by other characters. His primary antagonist is Aleister, also known as Moriarty, who sees Sholmès as a kindred spirit and attempts to drag him into darkness. Despite this traumatic backstory, his character is not consumed by doom and gloom, striking a balance that many find compelling. Should he become romantically involved with Cardia, it is because he finds in her a kindred spirit who understands the pain of being responsible for another's death. Their relationship feels natural, with a notable affection and gentle physical intimacy, such as embraces. In certain endings, he vows to continue searching for a cure for her poisonous condition, even after the primary conflict is resolved.