Book 2 – Text Updates 029

[Smoker]

I kinda like the idea that, whether you can call it attunement or not, the ArkenTools bestow various abilities to various users depending on compatibility.

I like this also. I still think that the 'hammer is the weakest of the known 'tools, but it would be much easier to attribute this to Stanley than to the 'hammer itself.

[slb]

Very good text update I do hope this stuff ends up in the book !

[BLANDCorporatio]

Well hey, characters and characterisation. Seems a waste to have all posts focused on arkentool mechanics when we got that nugget of an update thrown at us, so lemme try my hand at this stuff-

Man, this was a SWEET update! I love Sylvia. Too bad, because I'm guessing she ain't long for her decrypted life.

The update is sweet, but because of the difference between Ossomer and Sylvia. And although Ossomer comes across as an unsubtle brute, in the context this actually makes him interesting!

See, Ossomer Does Not Buy It. He's the fresh convert that's there not because of zeal but more by accident, and is maybe a bit confused that he just can't get as excited as everyone else seems to be about this Fate business. He's the little child, calling the Emperor naked.

The update leaves open the question- where does he go, now? Of course, he just LOOOVES Wanda, like all Decrypted, so that puts a limit on his options. But I like to believe that at least in theory he has the choice between phoning it in, and actually going the whole hog and calling Fate bullcrap once in a while.

OTOH, there's Sylvia. She's into Fate, hook, line, and sinker. Waay back, when that one update happened in which she held the Pliers, I thought- here's a potential character, and she might become interesting. Her world, for to her unknown reasons, was destroyed. How would she react to that?

She didn't go into PTSD, and unlike Ansom, she did not chose revenge (see spoiler for explanation). Instead, she sees it as proof that there is something to this Titanic Mandate thing- and I insist, it's a choice, because Ansom did not make it (EDIT:) in the same way, or didn't extend it in the same way (EDIT: see spoiler number two).

I don't think she understands what exactly it is to this Titanic Mandate (I'm biased here- I don't, either), but whatever it is, it's valuable enough that she wishes it will prevail over the old order. This is where Sylvia may become interesting.

Why would Sylvia want the world to burn? She implies, when she says that the Tools could build other worlds, that this needs to be done. We don't know what kind of world she'd like built instead. It's more of a mystery, because Sylvia is the perfect Erfworlder, right? Violent, warlike, content with the cycle of croak till be croaked; there's even something of the honourable warrior in her accepting defeat. Why would she want a new Erfworld?

This of course is mostly for naught. I agree with AlexeiP that there could be some interesting dynamic here, but alas these guys are redshirts.

Spoiler: show

"Ansom chose revenge" is maybe extreme- it's a catch-all for all kinds of hostile reactions- but the idea is this: a group of people destroy all you hold dear; perversely, one of them, this Croakamancer, makes you extremely attached to herself. You can't actually swear vengeance on all their heads, but you can hold anyone who is not the Croakamancer in contempt.

Spoiler: show

Post-decryption, Ansom became the great Apostle of Toolism, of course. But I think that in his mind that's really only replacing "Royal sides are best" with "Attuned are better than Royals", and in particular Wanda is better than anyone else.

Sylvia's version is a bit different. It's less articulate, less clear, because it involves this unknown Parson and what supposed changes he might bring to Erfworld; changes that might go beyond mere redistribution of rulership.

[splintermute]

Here's a shocking, completely tinfoil hat theory, but I can't recall anything in the comic that might contradict it:

Maybe Toolism is right, royalty is obsolete, and there really is a dichotomy between royalty and tool wielders - two separate power structures. But maybe it goes further than that - maybe there's no such thing as a "chosen" attuned. Maybe tools automatically attune to ANY NON-ROYAL who picks them up.

The only thing everyone seems to agree on about Charlie is that he's not a royal. From this update, you can see that the Jetstone attunement ceremonies were small private affairs attended only by royals - perhaps it never occurred to them to let a non-royal try, and Wanda was the first. Maybe Stanley was cleaning out the GK vaults and tripped accidentally and reached out to grab hold of something, a something that just happened to be the handle of the hammer.

It might explain Sylvia's semi-attunement - I don't think she's a royal, but she's definitely a noble warlord. Perhaps it kept her from fully attuning.

[Lord Kasavin]

I kinda like the idea that, whether you can call it attunement or not, the ArkenTools bestow various abilities to various users depending on compatibility.

I like this also. I still think that the 'hammer is the weakest of the known 'tools, but it would be much easier to attribute this to Stanley than to the 'hammer itself.

Of known and documented powers, the Hammer does seem to be lagging behind. Which is a shame, since it was such a powerful if not fully realzied item in Book 1.

Known abilities:
Tames Dwagons with 100% success rate
Shoot Lightning
Gives Weilder and possibly a passanger limited flight
Provides combat bonus (not unique)
Changes nuts into birds and vice-versa.
"Rocks out," which could be a simple combat bonus, or something more complex. Regardless, its a great ability to have.
Probably gives ability to pop Dwagons, but GK could already have had this.

The keys here are "known" abilities and "unrealized potential." The hammer might also let the side get +1 on all luck rolls. Or give all units such high loyalty thta they never defect, which would explain why Wanda and Jack have refused to do so. Also, Stanle might be able to leverage the hammer's abilities with the side more effectively if her were willing to be at a front, if not the frontlines. Can he get an entire hex to rock out? How much of a multiplier is that? We've already seen what combining the hammer with Archons can accomplish.

[HandofShadows]

Sylvia has become one of the leaders of the cult of Hampsterisim. Great, GREAT work.

[theseus2x]

Good points about the hammer. However, before we write it off as limited, I'd like to point out that we still know very little about the Dish. How much of what Charlie does is him, and how much is his Arkentool?

And don't write off the hammer. Remember that at some point, GK was successfully attacking all the other sides without being totally over-run in return. Obviously, the RCC1 changed that, but the point is, GK had an edge, and it was the hammer.

[Chevalier]

OK, first tinfoil hat theory. And probably it already exists somewhere else among the other thousands of posts.

Parson is a titan.

Possibly the arkentools are what he used to make his gameboard, or one of them is a tool he used, and the other tools come from other makers of similar games. He may well have needed pliers; the Dish could have brought him television while he built the board. Hammer, I got nothin'. He is weaker here because he is a power incarnated, like Gandalf, or like Tron (who as I've posted before, seems a close parallel to Parson).

I know this contradicts the Elvises, as well as lots of other things, but what is the internet for if not typing whatever comes into your head?

[robak]

but what is the internet for if not typing whatever comes into your head?

For P0rn obviously.

[Goshen]

....Parson is a titan.

Possibly the arkentools are what he used to make his gameboard, or one of them is a tool he used, and the other tools come from other makers of similar games. He may well have needed pliers; the Dish could have brought him television while he built the board. Hammer, I got nothin'. He is weaker here because he is a power incarnated, like Gandalf, or like Tron (who as I've posted before, seems a close parallel to Parson).....

Ooo! I like that idea.

Great update. Good rendering of Ossomer's Battle Daiper, too. Lolz...

[justamessenger]

OK, first tinfoil hat theory. And probably it already exists somewhere else among the other thousands of posts.

Parson is a titan.

Possibly the arkentools are what he used to make his gameboard, or one of them is a tool he used, and the other tools come from other makers of similar games. He may well have needed pliers; the Dish could have brought him television while he built the board. Hammer, I got nothin'. He is weaker here because he is a power incarnated, like Gandalf, or like Tron (who as I've posted before, seems a close parallel to Parson).

I know this contradicts the Elvises, as well as lots of other things, but what is the internet for if not typing whatever comes into your head?

Now THAT is a fascinating idea, it simply had not occurred to me before. It may not be probable, but it is certainly within the realm of possibility and speculation. I LIKE IT!

[Jallorn]

Here's my theory: Ossomer doesn't seem quite as faithful to Wanda as Sylvia does, and he also felt little connection to the Arkenpliers. Correlation?

[Spanners]

... We've already seen what combining the hammer with Archons can accomplish.

I must have missed that; when was this?

[Smoker]

Good points about the hammer. However, before we write it off as limited, I'd like to point out that we still know very little about the Dish. How much of what Charlie does is him, and how much is his Arkentool?

And don't write off the hammer. Remember that at some point, GK was successfully attacking all the other sides without being totally over-run in return. Obviously, the RCC1 changed that, but the point is, GK had an edge, and it was the hammer.

At the end of the day, I think the fact is, be it the mechanics of the tools or the abilities/personalities of their attuned, that the Hammer isn't kicking ass for GK right now; its the pliers.

And Charlie has used the dish to create for himself a very powerful little kingdom. He's managed to hide away in a single city, and still have the funds to support a formiddable army of Archons.

I mean, nothing would please me more than for Stanley to say "ah, boop it. Get the relay lined up - I'm going out there myself" - I think the time will come when the hammer will shine (again), although clearly not right now because its Jetstone's turn. *sadface*

Anyway, this whole thing started with Sylvia talking about the 'feeling' she gets from Arkentools and massive dirtamancy traps. It was worth speculating on if this was a game-mechanic, and if so, exactly which one, but I honestly think its just Sylvia being insightful. Like the real Sylvia, being somewhat out of step with the world does give you a perspective that others (Ossomer) wouldn't be aware of.

[DevilDan]

Rob seems to be having much fun with Sylvia, particularly juxtaposing her with poor Ossomer.

[Cmdr I. Heartly Noah]

Here's a shocking, completely tinfoil hat theory, but I can't recall anything in the comic that might contradict it:

Maybe Toolism is right, royalty is obsolete, and there really is a dichotomy between royalty and tool wielders - two separate power structures. But maybe it goes further than that - maybe there's no such thing as a "chosen" attuned. Maybe tools automatically attune to ANY NON-ROYAL who picks them up.

The only thing everyone seems to agree on about Charlie is that he's not a royal. From this update, you can see that the Jetstone attunement ceremonies were small private affairs attended only by royals - perhaps it never occurred to them to let a non-royal try, and Wanda was the first. Maybe Stanley was cleaning out the GK vaults and tripped accidentally and reached out to grab hold of something, a something that just happened to be the handle of the hammer.

It might explain Sylvia's semi-attunement - I don't think she's a royal, but she's definitely a noble warlord. Perhaps it kept her from fully attuning.

This is a stylish tinfoil hat. King Saline IV has the hammer, discards it, and it's put to great use by his piker-turned-warlord. (it's said he "found" it, but IV isn't alive to contradict him on the semantics) Jetstone has had the pliers forever, but it passes from Prince to Prince unsullied by lesser hands. Charlie is a lowly caster or warlord until he gets the dish and carves out a side for himself.

[theseus2x]

This is a stylish tinfoil hat. King Saline IV has the hammer, discards it, and it's put to great use by his piker-turned-warlord. (it's said he "found" it, but IV isn't alive to contradict him on the semantics) Jetstone has had the pliers forever, but it passes from Prince to Prince unsullied by lesser hands. Charlie is a lowly caster or warlord until he gets the dish and carves out a side for himself.

There are multiple independent reports that indicate Stanley had the hammer before Saline died.

[badninja]

Nice update, I get a feeling that everyone, except the Tool, that has an arkentool felt Parson's idea. Keep in mind Charlie's last communication when the volcano was ready to blow he knew something was happening and he most likely did not need his forces to see something was afoot. Parson getting an idea is never good for Erfworld because it means much danger all around. Or maby it was Parson using the portal, because by this time he was exiting stage right. Rob take your time I feel that many of us understand you are busy.

[splintermute]

This is a stylish tinfoil hat. King Saline IV has the hammer, discards it, and it's put to great use by his piker-turned-warlord. (it's said he "found" it, but IV isn't alive to contradict him on the semantics) Jetstone has had the pliers forever, but it passes from Prince to Prince unsullied by lesser hands. Charlie is a lowly caster or warlord until he gets the dish and carves out a side for himself.

There are multiple independent reports that indicate Stanley had the hammer before Saline died.

I don't think I. Heartly was suggesting otherwise - Saline plays around with the hammer, it's useless, he tosses it aside, Stanley picks it up, attunes, and goes on to a successful career of Chief Warlordship, champagne and dwagon-taming.

Also, @I. Heartly: you have distressingly low charisma for a bard/sorcerer.

[TheMutant]

Love the update. Beautifully written. You tell 'im, Sylvia!

...I wonder what the final casualty list is going to look like for GK. Parson already thinks it's going to be massive, and that's not even considering if Tramennis and/or Charlie throw a wrench in his plans. I think Wanda and Jack need to survive for the story, but anyone else is at risk... I'd think Ossomer's definitely going to be gone and much as we love her, Sylvia is high-risk as well.