Book 2 – Page 41

[zilfallon]

Ansom dosn't just win the game, he breaks the board, and for a skilled player like Charlie, that is far more terrifying than a mere master.

I think you meant Parson, instead of Ansom.

[Donoterase]

A) Arkendish gives Charlie "unmatched" control over thinkamancy;
B) It has been speculated/worried in-comic that Charlie can read minds;
C) Charlie has been known to hack the eyebooks which contain thinkamancy;
D) Present day, Charlie is on a more important call than talking to either VIP Jillian or VIP Tramennis;
E) The Arkendish is actually seen to be functioning, which is a rare and important event;
F) There is an immediate cut to the thinkagram between Parson and Wanda about the plan;
G) Charlie knows about the plan, down to the minute detail about hitting when they parley.

I really don't see how any solution other than Charlie eavesdropping on thinkagrams is readily feasible or likely. In fact, I bet this is supposed to be a gimme and Rob is scratching his head as to why so many people seem to think it's something else.

Because in the grand scheme of things, a spy is tangible, easier to manipulate, can think really hard to contact Charlie whenever he wants when it's important, and doesn't require suppositioning about powers that may or may not exist. Plot-wise, a Arkentool and the GK regicide are equally murky. I'll be the first to admit my theory can be wrong, but it doesn't mean it's not right. Cut-scenes can simply be a case of unreliable narration. *shrug* Taking a call over either VIP can be getting the news of Parson's promotion.

Anyhoo, it's not like there's anything else to do besides supposition while waiting for the action to start.

[John Thacker]

What are you people discussing that plot crap for? We have MOAR RAINBOWS to identify!

Panel 2: That's a logo from something (a TV show?) but I can't place it right now.

It's the Google logo. Wrong colors (preserves a rainbow instead of Google's "blue-red-orange-blue-green-red,") but the font is distinctive. Check particularly the distinctive serifs on the "l" (and other letters) and the shape of the "e," the two letters that appear in both "Charlie" and "Google." Unfortunately, the "a" is wrong, though, it doesn't match the font; the other letters are pretty good (the "e" is slightly wrong; the diagonal line should straighten out right before touching the main part of the letter, and it doesn't.)

http://new.myfonts.com/fonts/berthold/catull-bq/
http://www.identifont.com/show?HF

[TheDarkOne]

Given the sequence:

A) Arkendish gives Charlie "unmatched" control over thinkamancy;
B) It has been speculated/worried in-comic that Charlie can read minds;
C) Charlie has been known to hack the eyebooks which contain thinkamancy;
D) Present day, Charlie is on a more important call than talking to either VIP Jillian or VIP Tramennis;
E) The Arkendish is actually seen to be functioning, which is a rare and important event;
F) There is an immediate cut to the thinkagram between Parson and Wanda about the plan;
G) Charlie knows about the plan, down to the minute detail about hitting when they parley.

I really don't see how any solution other than Charlie eavesdropping on thinkagrams is readily feasible or likely.

After rereading the last few pages I'm a convert, well atleast more open to it's possibility, it does look almost undeniably like Charlie is hacking the thinkagram. However knowing the plan and stopping the plan are miles apart.

And point G, well that's like page one of the Parson play book. I don't think you'd need a tap, a spy, or anything short of common sense to realize that Parson won't pass up an opportunity like that.

Because in the grand scheme of things, a spy is tangible, easier to manipulate, can think really hard to contact Charlie whenever he wants when it's important, and doesn't require suppositioning about powers that may or may not exist. Plot-wise, a Arkentool and the GK regicide are equally murky. I'll be the first to admit my theory can be wrong, but it doesn't mean it's not right. Cut-scenes can simply be a case of unreliable narration. *shrug* Taking a call over either VIP can be getting the news of Parson's promotion..

Good points. I'd rather think it was janis calling then a spy.

[Ansan Gotti]

After rereading the last few pages I'm a convert, well atleast more open to it's possibility, it does look almost undeniably like Charlie is hacking the thinkagram. However knowing the plan and stopping the plan are miles apart.

Glad to hear it.

And point G, well that's like page one of the Parson play book. I don't think you'd need a tap, a spy, or anything short of common sense to realize that Parson won't pass up an opportunity like that.

Take a look at the emphatic nature of Charlie's warning to Tramennis this page. That is way too strong of a warning to chalk up to supposition.

Because in the grand scheme of things, a spy is tangible, easier to manipulate, can think really hard to contact Charlie whenever he wants when it's important, and doesn't require suppositioning about powers that may or may not exist. Plot-wise, a Arkentool and the GK regicide are equally murky. I'll be the first to admit my theory can be wrong, but it doesn't mean it's not right. Cut-scenes can simply be a case of unreliable narration. *shrug* Taking a call over either VIP can be getting the news of Parson's promotion..

It's not supposition about a power, I believe the author has (quite clearly) shown us through the story that it's a power. He hasn't TOLD us explicitly that it's a power, but "show, don't tell" is a hallmark of good storytelling.

[badpaper]

Five pages, and no one asked this already, sheesh:

How has Trammenis already earned a 5000 schmuckers credit? Where/when/how did he kill an archon? I can't find it.

Also, here is where Charlie hacked Parson to spy on his Thinkagrams and Eyebook usage -- that panel where Parson says "Um," "woah." Charlie didn't hack "the Eyebooks;" he hacked Parson's usage of Thinkamancy, because Maggie couldn't protect Parson (as she said here. Parson only instructed her to protect him from "suggestions and stuff."

[Angband]

Five pages, and no one asked this already, sheesh:

How has Trammenis already earned a 5000 schmuckers credit? Where/when/how did he kill an archon? I can't find it.

One of the archons got dusted by Jetstone archers in this book 2 strip. (The sound effect - PCP - is the name of a drug known as "angel dust".)

Also, here is where Charlie hacked Parson to spy on his Thinkagrams and Eyebook usage -- that panel where Parson says "Um," "woah." Charlie didn't hack "the Eyebooks;" he hacked Parson's usage of Thinkamancy, because Maggie couldn't protect Parson (as she said here. Parson only instructed her to protect him from "suggestions and stuff."

I think that panel you linked to was just how Parson perceiving the end of the thinkagram.

[MarbitChow]

An interesting update, by the way. I don't think Charlie is bluffing at all when he said Parson is the most dangerous being in the Erfworld. He wouldn't lower himself by such words. You know, he's the all-mighty all-knowing Charlie, that's his image. But these words ruin that image he worked so hard for, and he wouldn't do it unless he was really really scared.

On the contrary: Charlie has made it his mission in life to be seen as non-threatening as possible. He only has one city, so others assume he has no desire for expansion. He helps everyone in need, for a fee, trying to stay friendly with every side.

I've played a number of games where I spent as much effort as possible convincing everyone at the table that I was not a threat, and that person most likely to thwart me was actually the most dangerous person in the game. Once everyone teams up against that person, I can sneak in to a victory. Charlie's tactics resonate with me a great deal.

I do think that Charlie is scared of Parson, but I also think Charlie would use the hyperbole even if he didn't believe it.

[Rajaat]

Well I guess we learned just how powerful the arkendish is it can end sides turns and also listen to any thinkagram in erfworld even one not routed through it. It is really shaping up to being way way overpowered I mean whatever parson comes up with Charlie will just listen in to the plan and stop it. I mean he can hack the eyebooks and now this so basically any magical communication on erfworld is not safe from him. BTW I think that the picture charlie showed tramm is from the thinkagram he just sent with the battle plan to Wanda which is why he doesn't want jetstone to parley.
Also, the grand hippiemancer's goal is to push parson on hoping he breaks erfworld and war will end then we know why charlie is so bound and determined to stop him. Charlies whole goal is to expand his sphere of influence and make a ton of money by renting out his archons he wouldn't make any money if there was no more war.

Which is why Parson, who is aware of that possibility, may have lied to his men.

Hello all! New poster.

[badpaper]

One of the archons got dusted by Jetstone archers in this book 2 strip. (The sound effect - PCP - is the name of a drug known as "angel dust".)

ah, I had missed that croaking, and wouldn't have noticed the Angel Dust reference. Got it, thanks.

[jkosta]

To everyone screaming about EAVESDROPPIN HAX,

Please note that Parson is holding an eyebook in those last few panels.

[Aquillion]

Huh. Charlie's eagerness to have the uncroaked Archons killed seems to confirm that a big part of Charlie's concern is with some secret that his Archons could potentially leak to Parson, as he said to Jillian.

[joosy]

I am on the edge of my damn seat. I know the action is still a long ways off but when the battle for Spacerock begins i think my head may explode. Parson blew up a mountain last time, I can't wait to find out what Rob has him planning this time.

I'll tell you what's planned: nothing. That's why we're taking this long of a time to get to the bloody action.

Prove me wrong, Titans. Please, quickly.

IF we do see any action, it will be when SpaceRock makes peace with Gobwin Knob in order to try to recover Ossomer and they all all sit down to quince tarts. Unfortunately they are filled with sourmander jelly causing a kerfuffle in which Dollamancer Ace seizes initiative and dusts Sylvia with his Neon Explosive Rocket Firer. Alas.

[sebastian]

Not sure if Charlie can actually hear Thinkagrams. He has shown no indication that he knows the particulars of Parson's plan-- if he did, he would tell Tram, because Tram getting croaked is clearly antithetical to Charlie's best interests. He knows Parson is the new CWL, because he has observers in the battlespace or in contact with other GK units elsewhere in the world and saw the bonus change. Same way Janis knew. That much is pretty clear to me.

Still, Tram has no reason to fear Parson. All he heard from GK was that they were defeated by some tri-caster linkup, not that Parson is an all-conquering strategic genius. For example, he probably doesn't know about Bogroll's ruse because everyone who did know about it is either dust or serving Parson now. He has no reason to fear Parson yet, but I have the feeling he's about to get a lesson.

I doubt that Charlie would want to make known that he can intercept thinkagrams. Think to the reactions of, well, everyone knowing that he can spy on them .

[justamessenger]

I am most intrigued by the 'holo image' used by Charlie. Maybe he has a bug or other monitoring device in GK? Maybe he has the ability to conduct remote surveillance...

I don't mean to direct this to you specifically, but more as a representative viewpoint of the subset of people who are refusing to believe Charlie can eavesdrop on thinkagrams.

My question is, given what we've seen (Charlie telling both Jillian and Tramennis he's busy and please hold, a panel of the Arkendish actually in action, followed immediately by Parson and Wanda's discussion via thinkagram detailing the plan, followed by Charlie having detailed information about the plan), why are people seeming to insist on other explanations when the simple one is right in front of us and both artistically and narratively presented?

EDIT: Sorry, I just realized you're talking about something else. Even so, my general question stands. As to your question, I assume that Charlie can "see" people that he communicates with mentally. Plus his archons saw Parson in the flesh.

Right, my thought process was: OK Charlie can hack thinkagrams, but from what we have seen thus far, the thinkagrams are exlusively focused on the face, rather than the entire torso or body. That is what sparked the train of thought that perhaps Charlie has yet more mechanisms that capture 'video.' Of course, it maybe that Charlie can enhance thinkagrams he is tapping, or that the image is older (from his 'archives'). Also, it is worth considering that perhaps Charlie's ability to monitor thinkagrams is limited to what is spoken, rather than what is seen. Just food for thought.

[BLANDCorporatio]

IF we do see any action, it will be when SpaceRock makes peace with Gobwin Knob in order to try to recover Ossomer and they all all sit down to quince tarts. Unfortunately they are filled with sourmander jelly causing a kerfuffle in which Dollamancer Ace seizes initiative and dusts Sylvia with his Neon Explosive Rocket Firer. Alas.

"Alas"? You're becoming a fan of the Red One?

Or maybe not. But I think it's rather Tremennis who sports a Neon Explosive Rocket Firer.

[kieran]

Am I the only one that thinks Trammanis's change of garb is evidence of Hippymancy in use?

What's even more interesting is taking this in combination with Charlie's use of visual symbols to disguise himself, but which seem to reveal his inner state of mind. I would propose that Tramennis is a signamancer, and that his ability to hold his own / dominate Charlie in this conversation comes from being able to accurately read Charlie through his semiotics.

[Glory of Arioch]

Honestly, I don't think there's yet enough evidence to suggest that Charlie can eavesdrop on third-party thinkagrams. (Ones which he facilitates? Almost certainly, but that's beside the point.)

How does Charlie know that Parson's been appointed to Chief Warlord of Gobwin Knob? Bonuses. We know that warlords can see unit stats through a thinkagram, so it's hardly a stretch of the imagination that Charlie, or even an Archon with leadership could detect the bonuses of a unit. Janis is able to determine almost instantly that Parson is the new Chief Warlord just by looking at Sizemore's Chief Warlord Bonus, for example.

I suspect that the image of Parson being projected is simply "recorded footage" or just a projection of Parson from Charlie's mind.

[justamessenger]

Also, I don't understand why people are saying that Parson's cheat will surely fail if Jetstone doesn't Parley? Sure, when "food fight" was first mentioned, Parson said that they'd get them in Parley, BUT:
http://www.erfworld.com/book-2-archive/ ... -08-04.jpg

I don't know why Parson said that they can't parley with Jetstone, but this means that his plan doesn't include parley as its main trigger.

Heh and, found something else while looking for Parson saying no-parley:
http://www.erfworld.com/book-2-archive/ ... -06-16.jpg

I just took a look at the strips in question. First, I can see where you come up with your theory, namely that Parson says GK cannot parley with Jetstone, and that Don told Bunny to broadcast when the battle starts, without mention of any parley. However, another slant may be that Parson doesn't believe they can parley with Jetstone *in good faith* or that Jetstone would do the same, but rather that it is simply a pro forma part of warfare. This could very much be the case, given Jack's take on parleys as he explained to Parson. Also, it may be that Don has absolutely no idea that a parley could be used to wreak unholy hell on the opposing side, as it hasn't been done before. He may be ignorant, and, therefore, uninterested in the parley itself, wishing instead to focus on the upcoming battle.

[justamessenger]

I suspect that the image of Parson being projected is simply "recorded footage" or just a projection of Parson from Charlie's mind.

Yikes, that is a notion that I do not like at all! It is one thing to consider that Charlie can send data, etc, via thinkagram, as being analogous to our use of emails, skype, etc. The idea that Charlie uses his mind to project stuff opens up an entirely new can of worms and moves Charlie yet another step closer to 'demi-Titan' status.