Book 2 – Page 32

[The Old Hack]

Stanley is growing as a character. He actually asked if anyone ELSE wanted something from the larder.

Re a Decrypted as High Warlord: I suspect that Maggie is perfectly aware that as long as the position belongs to a Decrypted, it is more or less Wanda running the show. But while that may be part of her reasoning, I suspect that it is by far more important to her that Parson be in charge than just the job going to someone who isn't Decrypted. She objected to removing Parson from the position to begin with and she has never made a secret of wanting him back.

Maggie and Fate: It is possible that Sizemore or someone else with connections to Predictamancy has influenced Maggie in this, but really, I see no need to use this as an explanation for her actions. Her earlier relationship with Parson readily justifies her actions to me. Mind you, such a connection might give her additional motivation, but I don't see any need for it.

[jkosta]

Also, I want to point out the Maggie called Stanley "Lord" rather than "Tool". I couldn't find another instance of this, going either way.

[Wazzit]

It occurs to me to wonder just how Parson "levels." Does he level by combat experience, or perhaps, since he is a special unit, he gains experience in another way. My guess is that Parson gains experience and therefore "levels" based upon how much he knows about the mechanics of Erfworld... as in... actual experience of the world. That being said, we have not had an update as to what the bonus he confers is since near the beginning of book 1. Based on this assumption, it may be possible that according to Erfworld Parson has in fact outleveled Ansom by now and his 30% bonus to every unit on his side may be quite substantial.

[DevilDan]

Awesome update. I think Maggie is weighing the odds and after getting to know Parson well is betting that an unfettered Parson that doesn't have to argue every idea with Stanley is a more fearsome force multiplier than a warlord bonus. The units in Wanda's force are already fairly powerful: the chief warlord bonus may only make a marginal difference?

Maggie is unleashing Parson, giving him the freedom and authority he hasn't had since the end of TBFGK. Only know he's far, far more knowledgeable. And I bet the odds on Wanda's survival were never even as bad as GK's were then.

Anyone else notice that Maggie shouldn't be able to cast as it is not Gobwin Knob's turn.

Let me answer this very quickly: Notice how the Turnamancer cast the Kingworld during GK's turn...? Obviously it ain't all so simple.

[Chit Rule Railroad]

Stanley can juggle?

More evidence that the Arkenhammer is Carnymancy!

[Altima]

Best. Update. Ever.

I'm also curious as to why Maggie wants Parson as the Chief Warlord. The way statistics seem to work is that a Chief Warlord gives one-third his leadership bonus to ALL units on a side, half to all units within the same hex, and full to the stack he personally leads, rounded down. Last we knew, Parson was only level 2, meaning no one in the air stack would receive any bonus--whereas if it were, say, Ossomer, they'd receive significant bonuses.

Maybe it has something to do with constantly having to appoint new Chief Warlors--it might create over-all lower loyalty among the troops, there might be a demoralized effect, or something... On the other hand, since Parson isn't on the battlefield, it means that Jetstone can't casually take out GK's Chief Warlord.

Also, everyone, remember that anything Parson plans must be done before Trammenis mops up the stack and returns to Spacerock. After all, as soon as Jetstone's forces are concentrated, Wanda's gonna get spanked. As much as the imagery appeals, she can't die yet! Not before she takes off Jillian's head.

[shneekeythelost]

Yanno, having Parson as the CWL isn't exactly the safest move...

While he can, indeed, win a war decisively, it's not always the type of victory you want...

[BLANDCorporatio]

Maggie, you devious little monster you! <3

About the why Parson argument- yeah, this was maybe a bit rash given that it's not short term optimal. I suppose that Maggie decided that, boop it, a better occasion than this will not (SHOULD not) appear in the near future, and since Parson must be the CWL, then Parson shall be the CWL.

Also, awesome page is awesome. But I'm biased, I wuv Maggie!

Boy I wish I could look at what Parson's written on the eyebook about the candidates.

I agree, Toolbox Extra maybe?

That would be great, as a new tool I demand it! (pretty please, if it is convenient and wont be any trouble.).

Fourth-ed.

[KiltedNinja]

Hahaha this was a *BRILLIANT* update - very, very nicely done! Just stunning

Boy I wish I could look at what Parson's written on the eyebook about the candidates.

I agree, Toolbox Extra maybe?

That would be great, as a new tool I demand it! (pretty please, if it is convenient and wont be any trouble.).

Fourth-ed.

+1

[Frogpop]

Where did Maggie get the hypno powder from? Is that from Wanda's stash? Did she get it from the magic kingdom?

I' betting the hypno powder came from Janice Via Sizemore - it has flower power written all over it, it even looks like pollen

Totally. Stanley flaked, and then got the munchies. Looks like hippiemancy (flower power) to me.

[BLANDCorporatio]

Hahaha this was a *BRILLIANT* update - very, very nicely done! Just stunning

Fourth-ed.

+1

Surely you mean fifth-ed, if only for its awkward pronunciation.

Try it. If you say it just right, an Elder Sigil will appear around you.

[Dancingrage]

This indeed brings up the question of Parson's leadership bonus.

I begin to suspect it's no longer as simple as it appears, it might be a measly 1 or 2 points but to those few beings accustomed to it (Wanda, Jack, those handful of units still alive prior to Ansom taking over Chief Warlord duties, etc) it would probably come as less of a 'omg we have a new warlord' so much as 'oh, thank the Titans Parson's back, we can't lose now' and will probably manifest as a lower level yet more pervasive bonus to all units attached to those Parson can connect with.

This potentially opens up the path for Tramennis and Parson to finally start their Erf-shattering chat, as well as having another avenue opened up when Queen Jillian drags her loverboy home to be turned. The future is in grand chaos, and this will be wondrous to watch unfold!

[timh]

Lolwut indeed!

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this before, but suggestions can't make somebody do something that goes completely against what they want. So at some level, Stanley -did- consider appointing Parson as Chief Warlord again. The idea didn't strike him as absurd enough to break the suggestion.



Random speculationz!
- If Stanley DOES break the suggestion, I wonder who gets the backlash. Maggy should be able to protect herself, but if she does Stanley might croak and the whole side is done for.

[normalphil]

Poor Ford, what a stunted character thread ye were woven from.

Didn't see a Tankaroo. Did notice where Irony was positioned (deep in). Until I see Tramennis, I'm not counting Ford out.

[Cyanshine]

LOLWUT ?????????

[splintermute]

Lolwut indeed!

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this before, but suggestions can't make somebody do something that goes completely against what they want. So at some level, Stanley -did- consider appointing Parson as Chief Warlord again. The idea didn't strike him as absurd enough to break the suggestion.



Random speculationz!
- If Stanley DOES break the suggestion, I wonder who gets the backlash. Maggy should be able to protect herself, but if she does Stanley might croak and the whole side is done for.

The suggestion will only break if it tries to make Stanley do something he can't rationalize. If what we've seen was the limit of Maggie's suggestion, that's probably not a major concern.

[Welf von Ehrwald]

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this before, but suggestions can't make somebody do something that goes completely against what they want. So at some level, Stanley -did- consider appointing Parson as Chief Warlord again. The idea didn't strike him as absurd enough to break the suggestion.

No it wasn't, I just wanted to do that...

I don't think Maggie had that much to struggle with loyalty. Actually, her duty would compell her to convince her Lord make the decision that will serve him best. And as timh pointed out, a suggestion can't make him do things he wouldn't do anyway. Maybe all that kept him from appointing Parson was his "stubbornness out of principle", a.k.a. "what he thinks is leadership". Note that he actually looks happy after making the decision. And he did give her permission to give him the suggestion, so that works out for Maggie.

One thing: The lack of bonus will hurt Wanda's group in the battle. Against the archers and casters a attack bonus will be not good for much, but Jetstone has a small flying stack of nine unipegataurs and some orlies. If all arrows and air defences are shot used, they will send that stack, maxed out with knights and warlords (and some dittomancy), to mop up the rest. Then a direct CW bonus could be critical, because every croaked enemy is a reinforcement.

Oh, and a random speculation, that has mearly no foundation in anything in the comic: Could Ford have been the CW for the time of the attack? If the position of the CW can be assigned mutliple times during a day, it would make sense to appoint Ford and then re-assign as soon as he has fallen. He'll die anyway, but that way he can maximize the damage. At least that would explain why they waited to appoint a new CW in Wanda's group after the battle. If they had appointed before, Ford's group would have gotten at least the side-wide CW bonus. Maggie knew that he would fall anyway, so there would be another chance to make Parson CW.

[Magil]

"Suggestion." Clever.

[kukn]

"May I give you a suggestion?"

FLIPPIN' AWESOME! Seriously, that was beautiful, getting permission for that... I like Maggie, she's clever in a completely different way than Parson

[Goshen]

"May I give you a suggestion?"

FLIPPIN' AWESOME! Seriously, that was beautiful, getting permission for that... I like Maggie, she's clever in a completely different way than Parson

It was a truly brilliant moment, made better by how Stanley Stanly's reaction was. He completely internalized Maggie's suggestion and made the thought his own. "Quit Slacking", indeed!