Book 2 – Page 41

[cdrcjsn]

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.

Not necessarily. It's quite clear that Tram and Charlie are talking in some sort of mental space that's not real.

[Glory of Arioch]

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.

I meant "projection" in the strictest sense -- as in, displaying an image. This image may have been taken from one of the Archons recording thinkagrams back in the Battle for Gobwin Knob, or generated, whole cloth, from Charlie's mind based on a memory of Parson. Either way, I suspect the image itself has no purpose or meaning other than allowing Tramennis to put a face to a name.

[Gathrun]

Parson looks like a potato. Stanley confirmed that Parson looks like a "giant potato man," so apparently Tramennis agrees about Parson's un-warlord-like appearance.

I didn't take it that way.

Charlie says that Parson is "The most dangerous being in Erfworld".

The response "What, behind the potato?" to me implies that Parson doesn't look like a threat. It is a sarcastic comment on the potential ranking of the list of dangerous things in Erfworld, i.e. "What, the most dangerous thing after a potato?"



On an unrelated note, Tramennis looks like Geddy Lee with those glasses on.

[Trotsky]

Parson looks like a potato. Stanley confirmed that Parson looks like a "giant potato man," so apparently Tramennis agrees about Parson's un-warlord-like appearance.

I didn't take it that way.

Charlie says that Parson is "The most dangerous being in Erfworld".

The response "What, behind the potato?" to me implies that Parson doesn't look like a threat. It is a sarcastic comment on the potential ranking of the list of dangerous things in Erfworld, i.e. "What, the most dangerous thing after a potato?"

What if potatoes are really dangerous on Erfworld? I mean, marbits are just candy for kids on Earth.

[Gathrun]

What if potatoes are really dangerous on Erfworld? I mean, marbits are just candy for kids on Earth.

Because ranked behind anything by definition wouldn't be the most dangerous.

[Chris Goodwin]

I think it's "behind the potato" parallel to the statement "Behind the mask, Spider-Man is Peter Parker."

Parson Gotti is the perfect warlord behind the potato.

[Angband]

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.

We've already known Charlie can do this, based on how he convinced Jillian to aid him during the summer updates.

[Decorus]

The problem Charlie will have is there is another idiot who will parley with Parson to give his idiotic surrender terms no matter what Trem decides after reading the dossier.
Hopefully Charlie's Parson Dossier will be the next Text Update as that would be awesome.

[Carne]

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.

The thinkamancy hacking is heavily implied.

For the spy option to be credible, you'd have to assume Vurp has been told of the plan. The spy link; potentially, yes. But Vurp's knowledge of the plan hasn't been even so much as implied.

Therefore, thinkamancy hacking is the more credible of the two theories

[Trotsky]

What if potatoes are really dangerous on Erfworld? I mean, marbits are just candy for kids on Earth.

Because ranked behind anything by definition wouldn't be the most dangerous.

Unless potatoes were so dangerous that they were all hunted to extinction, resulting in them no longer being a being in Erfworld.


I am, of course, merely being belligerent.

[Zeku]

Guys, it's an old joke. It definitely means 'physically behind that person.' Imagine it as an awkward family situation: "Daddy, here is a picture of my boyfriend and I!" "Is he standing behind the black guy?"

The art was really fantastic this time. It's the right combination of familiar rainbow effects and slight innovation in the poses or presentation. I like how it all led up to the simple 3-color projection. I'm not sure if Charlie is supposed to be coming across as kind of desperate here? He seems slightly out of character.

Edit: I am somewhat interested to see a resolution on Charlie's supposed 'thinkagram hacking,' since it will be a big DUN DUN moment to the characters, if it's true. At any rate, this particular comic seems to reveal that Charlie knows Jetstone will fall, since he specifically mentioned making Tram a heir, even to Tram himself.

[Dr Pepper]

"Behind the potato" is now my new favorite slang term. The possibilities are myriad and wondrous.

Heh. It's certainly versatile since a person can be referred to as a "potato" on account of their looks, intelligence, amount of initiative, or state of well being.

[Dr Pepper]

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

Of course. We know from the summer update in which Charlie offered to show Jillian GK's new chief warlord, that he has archival footage from his archons' transmissions.

[CelebrenIthil]

I'm not sure if Charlie is supposed to be coming across as kind of desperate here? He seems slightly out of character.

With a two-faced (more than two actually) character of the likes of Charlie, it's hard to tell what really IS out of character. It might be unlike the face he always shows to the public yet truer to the man himself with his fears and weaknesses. Or not. Who knows if what we see are cracks in his facade, or another clever acting ploy to manipulate Trem... We have yet to discover what the man really is like, up close and personal, away from his masks and tricks of smoke and mirrors.

Still, while Charlie undoubtedly is a master at tricking and acting and imbued with titanic mind powers, Tramennis might actually be able to get the upper hand in their verbal sparring. For once, Charlie is a man full of secrets to protect-weak points- while Trem as no such issues to carefully skirt around- I don't think he has anything to hide at all, actually. And I do think he's pretty smart and inquisitive. Since negotiating is the thing that he does for a living, he might not be so easy to push around verbally (or mentally).

Charlie might not be, after all, overpowered in everything.

[Lamech]

The problem Charlie will have is there is another idiot who will parley with Parson to give his idiotic surrender terms no matter what Trem decides after reading the dossier.
Hopefully Charlie's Parson Dossier will be the next Text Update as that would be awesome.

True, and the best part is Slately won't be decieved by Charlie's lies. He'll probably "realize" Charlie is trying to hide something.

[Sieggy]

I think that what everyone is forgetting is that behind every facade of power is a man (or sapient hominid), with the limitations and fallibilities inherent thereto. For all of Charlie's power, for all of his subleties, for all of his reputation, he is but a piece in the game. A big piece, a unique piece, but . . . a piece. Parson is a player. Something Charlie can possibly never be. And this is terrifying to Charlie. Possibly to Janis as well, though Janis can see beyond the fear to the possibilities that Parson represents.

Consider that Parson is beyond Erf reality, and may, indeed, embody Titanic potential.

[mutecebu]

Love it. My new avatar
(I miss Fireworks. Going back to MS paint is so sad)

[Spork]

I kinda hope the text update will be the dossier with a reaction.

[mutecebu]

Oooh seconded

[Decorus]

We can learn just as much about Charlie as we can about Parson.