Quote Originally Posted by Math_Mage View Post
Again, you're comparing two different designs--all the more obvious because one is a subplot of the other.
I more think you refuse to take my perspective. The distinction between "object", "character" or "situation" vanishes when you see them all as "plot tools". There's no difference between "A chaos-thingie will eat the empire" and "Some Vampire Overlord wants to take power" that stems from one being a not-character and the other a character.
I expressed what I wanted to expressed and I think I did it in a concise way. You're free to follow it or not (and the "not" can also be for the wrong reasons).