Well I don’t know why I came here tonight,
I got the feeling that something ain’t right,
I’m so scared in case I fall off my chair,
And I’m wondering how I’ll get down the stairs,
Clowns to the left of me,
Jokers to the right, here I am,
Stuck in the middle with you….
It’s the fantasy versus the reality. Everyone wants to be able to go berserk, get super strong and ignore pain, but no one wants to completely blank out and have no control over it.
I wouldn’t want to go berserk, but I would like to Rage, whish I believe seriously enhances strength, but leaves you with enough control to point yourself at enemies only.
More to the point, everybody wants the unstoppable killing machine on their side…until they realize what ‘unstoppable’ really means, and get killed themselves.
I really think Phil and team are hinting that Frigg is actually ‘afraid’ of Byron now and is just to proud to admit it. Frigg was gun ho about taking him on as a ‘zerker when she thought she could could kick his ass but know she know Byron can kill her…
You know, I understand that Frigg is pissed off that Byron killed her, I do. But in the end you think she would understand that he couldn’t help it; I know she is angry, but she is almost being a complete bitch about it. He wants to be helped, she should be supportive instead and not like doing what she is doing to a friend. In fact, she is almost coming across as being glad she can hurt him.
Also, minor detail, I don’t think it was Byron that killed her. Given, his collapsing of her ribs would have done it in a few minutes, but they got a good old Hail of Doom Arrow.
She could possibly be saying what she is simply to aid in her current assignment, but I think it’s equally possible she’s just being a irrational or a jerk.
I wholeheartedly agree. The only way for her to get him to ‘zerk would be to bring him near death… I’m not sure what the situation was in the ancient elf library that made him ‘zerk then, but I doubt any of them have any recollection of what was going on then.
One of the good things about Guilded Age is that the characters usually act like actual people. And by that I mean that half the characters are dicks and the other half are pussies, and the dicks usually beat the living tar out of the pussies. Frigg is a dick. She tends to be dick-like in her decisions and activities. Like most actual, real-world dicks, she is selfish and vindictive, and she projects an aura of unintelligent machismo. Frigg deviates from the archetypical “jerkass-meatshield” template in only one way; she’s a woman. If you can honestly call her a woman…
Yes, she’s being a horrible person.
But I don’t think she’s down here because she demanded free whacks at Byron while he was helpless. She’s down here because Syr knew that what they really needed to get his rage flowing was a horrible person; someone willing to keep going long enough that she sets of his “she’s actually trying to kill me” instincts; someone he can’t trust to stop when he wants her to.
Not a lot of people could do that. Best could have, but he’s not here. Bandit’s busy. Adam Sessler is busy in sepia-world. So it falls to Frigg.
At this moment, this is what Byron needs.
This is the data Syr needs for the cure.
This is the pain, emotional and physical, that Byron needs to provide that data.
That Frigg. She’s got such an unyielding open heart.
Looks like she knocks him in the chin with the head of the mace in an upwards, thrusting motion, followed by bringing the butt of the mace across his cheek and then letting go of the mace with her right hand and giving Byron the back of her hand.
Wow, this is…brutal. I’m actually a little uncomfortable reading it. I guess it’s mostly because Byron’s helpless and being beaten (unlike other violence in the comic where the participants can at least try to defend themselves and/or run away). You guys are doing a great job of making it suitably creepy. ::Shudder::
You’d be able to pretty much torture one of your friends without deliberately working yourself into a rage? I sure as hell wouldn’t be able to do it. I’d need to push myself into an irrational rage to be able to push him to zerk.
They’re comrades in arms, but keep in mind she was ready to kill him – like for reals – when they first rez’d. She and Byron aren’t that close, compared to other connections in the group. I feel that even if she had a reason of similar weight, Frigg would have a lot more trouble doing this kind of thing to Gravedust.
if this is what Frigg does, I can only image what horrific torture Gravedust will bring. maybe by telling painfully awful jokes about the plight of his people.
Byron’s getting lectered. :P
Do you think that hurts more than the beating?
lectured by the L33t speaking meat shield? yea a little more :/
Suppose it was a silly question. Also? Fttfttffttfttfttffftttt…
I’m sure Byron would love to have Frig liver with fava beans and a nice Cianti right about now…
Last panel=Amazing
Anyone else getting Resevoir Dogs flash backs?
Well I don’t know why I came here tonight,
I got the feeling that something ain’t right,
I’m so scared in case I fall off my chair,
And I’m wondering how I’ll get down the stairs,
Clowns to the left of me,
Jokers to the right, here I am,
Stuck in the middle with you….
Since seeing that movie the first time, I have not heard that song on the radio without remembering that scene.
That is a phenomenon Tarantino himself gladly acknowledges on “The Tarantino Connection”.
Wait, you mean that song exists outside of that scene?
You’d think Frigg, of all people, wouldn’t enjoy the whole “be chained up in a cellar and beaten to a pulp” thing?
Well, this time she’s on the other end of it … not nearly so bad, especially when you’ve got a grudge against the one chained. Beatings ahoy!
Dammit, Frigg, how many times must we tell you, a mace is NOT a medical instrument. It’s a crowd control/employee management tool.
It’s an implement of negotiation.
We call it… the diplomace.
Who is this we? May others join the club?
People don’t join the club.
The club breaks the people.
This We is my larp group in general, but if you’re in the vicinity of Cambridge UK, you’d be welcome to join us :)
… and to think, Frigg wanted to fight Byron in full ‘zerker mode when they first meet.
It’s the fantasy versus the reality. Everyone wants to be able to go berserk, get super strong and ignore pain, but no one wants to completely blank out and have no control over it.
I wouldn’t want to go berserk, but I would like to Rage, whish I believe seriously enhances strength, but leaves you with enough control to point yourself at enemies only.
Oops, my geek is showing.
and this is why MC was evolved for the magic users – rage only takes you sooooo far….
More to the point, everybody wants the unstoppable killing machine on their side…until they realize what ‘unstoppable’ really means, and get killed themselves.
I really think Phil and team are hinting that Frigg is actually ‘afraid’ of Byron now and is just to proud to admit it. Frigg was gun ho about taking him on as a ‘zerker when she thought she could could kick his ass but know she know Byron can kill her…
Tough love.
Nonono, she’s going about it ALL WRONG. In order to make Byron go berserk…
She needs to hit Stickface. (Yes, I made myself sad by suggesting it. I’m not proud of this.)
That’s what I was about to say. She’s hitting the wrong person to make him ‘zerk.
She might know that and just be going for payback at this point, though.
…or impale him with a spear.
Oh no. You’re right.
See that in Byron’s eyes in the second panel. That’s FEAR.
No axes and no girlfriend in distress. This is a waste of perfectly good blood and sweat and tears.
I can just picture Syr’nj wincing with each hit.
You know, I understand that Frigg is pissed off that Byron killed her, I do. But in the end you think she would understand that he couldn’t help it; I know she is angry, but she is almost being a complete bitch about it. He wants to be helped, she should be supportive instead and not like doing what she is doing to a friend. In fact, she is almost coming across as being glad she can hurt him.
Well, Frigg is a bit of a bitch.
Also, minor detail, I don’t think it was Byron that killed her. Given, his collapsing of her ribs would have done it in a few minutes, but they got a good old Hail of Doom Arrow.
Think Frigg is just afraid of Byron because she now knows he ‘can’ kill her
Yeah, because y’know, people are entirely rational and logical at all times.
She could possibly be saying what she is simply to aid in her current assignment, but I think it’s equally possible she’s just being a irrational or a jerk.
I wholeheartedly agree. The only way for her to get him to ‘zerk would be to bring him near death… I’m not sure what the situation was in the ancient elf library that made him ‘zerk then, but I doubt any of them have any recollection of what was going on then.
One of the good things about Guilded Age is that the characters usually act like actual people. And by that I mean that half the characters are dicks and the other half are pussies, and the dicks usually beat the living tar out of the pussies. Frigg is a dick. She tends to be dick-like in her decisions and activities. Like most actual, real-world dicks, she is selfish and vindictive, and she projects an aura of unintelligent machismo. Frigg deviates from the archetypical “jerkass-meatshield” template in only one way; she’s a woman. If you can honestly call her a woman…
Yes, she’s being a horrible person.
But I don’t think she’s down here because she demanded free whacks at Byron while he was helpless. She’s down here because Syr knew that what they really needed to get his rage flowing was a horrible person; someone willing to keep going long enough that she sets of his “she’s actually trying to kill me” instincts; someone he can’t trust to stop when he wants her to.
Not a lot of people could do that. Best could have, but he’s not here. Bandit’s busy. Adam Sessler is busy in sepia-world. So it falls to Frigg.
Increasingly not a fan of Frigg.
Same. ._.
this is what they call a “kick the dog” moment.
Lets face it; sooner or later Frigg was going to beat up some one we liked.
At this moment, this is what Byron needs.
This is the data Syr needs for the cure.
This is the pain, emotional and physical, that Byron needs to provide that data.
That Frigg. She’s got such an unyielding open heart.
Yeah, she cut it out of some guys chest in between updates.
With my art-head on, the anatomy in panel 3 is pretty awesome.
It is! What I don’t get is how exactly Frigg moves the mace… seems to be a strange kind of swing.
Looks like she knocks him in the chin with the head of the mace in an upwards, thrusting motion, followed by bringing the butt of the mace across his cheek and then letting go of the mace with her right hand and giving Byron the back of her hand.
Thanks!
My problem was that I interpreted the movement lines (how are they called) in panel 3 as synchron – which they probably aren’t.
Same gravatar creeps me out btw… I get an identity crisis.
heh, totally thought you had replied to yourself there for a moment.
I’m particularly impressed with the barehanded backhand across the metal muzzle. Frigg’s hardcore.
Do…they even have a healer?
Syr’nj, more or less. She is a medic.
Cannot express how much I freaking love Frigg… especially in the last panel.
Syr..,
You could have had blood samples, you know?
Not in the hair! Not in the hair!
Wow, this is…brutal. I’m actually a little uncomfortable reading it. I guess it’s mostly because Byron’s helpless and being beaten (unlike other violence in the comic where the participants can at least try to defend themselves and/or run away). You guys are doing a great job of making it suitably creepy. ::Shudder::
It’s like that scene from Reservoir Dogs, you which one I’m talking about.
Oh we all know which on you’re talkin’ bout…
I’ve never seen Reservoir Dogs.
Indeed. Jordain mentioned the Reservoir Dogs connection earlier too – it’s definitely the same kind of discomfort.
Ah relax. All it needs is some cheerful music!
You’d be able to pretty much torture one of your friends without deliberately working yourself into a rage? I sure as hell wouldn’t be able to do it. I’d need to push myself into an irrational rage to be able to push him to zerk.
They’re comrades in arms, but keep in mind she was ready to kill him – like for reals – when they first rez’d. She and Byron aren’t that close, compared to other connections in the group. I feel that even if she had a reason of similar weight, Frigg would have a lot more trouble doing this kind of thing to Gravedust.
BYRON SMASH!!!
if this is what Frigg does, I can only image what horrific torture Gravedust will bring. maybe by telling painfully awful jokes about the plight of his people.
Maybe he’d probe Byron’s past and find out how he became a Berzerker, THAT would be awesome. :3 Backstory!
I was thinking something more along lines of bringing up the ghosts of his past. That would be pretty cool, not for Byron but….
Yeah, I agree. Bringing up spirits or ghosts form Byron’s past might make him freak out.
Or it might make him just go catatonic.
Clearly Gravedust will make Byron face the ghosts of the people close to him that his berserking has killed… OH WAIT!
ZERK RUSH! LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!
Wait, wrong game…
She could probably hit him somewhere *other* than just the face :\
He’s got to face up to his fears sometime.