Vetinari! The best argument for an autocracy I've ever seen - efficient, innovative, intelligent, savvy, but what really takes the cake is that the man knows how to put on a show. He's got Style, with a capital S. The man had a clock specially built for his office so that it never ticks QUITE when you think it will. He Organized Crime. He controls everything, and is SO GOOD at it that no one dares to try and assassinate him - even the assassins won't take contracts out on him because no one else could do what he does.
But those are just details that contribute to an intriguing character. What makes Vetinari my favourite is his presence, his expert, sparingly used silver tongue, and all those things that really come together to form, or are manifestations of, his character.
I could go on, but I'm too busy reading the series again to bask in how awesome it is.
Runners-up status goes to: Vetinari (he's that awesome), Vimes, the Librarian, Lu Tze, DEATH, Cohen the Barbarian, and 71-Hour Ahmed. Yes, some of these guys don't show up much, but Ahmed was pretty awesome, let's face it.
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