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Annotations Every Day - Written by T Campbell & Flo Kahn - Illustrated by John & Jason Waltrip

Good and Evil are meaningless in the pursuit of maximum efficiency.

Chapter 28 – Page 9

on December 27, 2013
Chapter: Chapter 28
└ Tags: Goblaurence, Harky
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Discussion (87) ¬

  1. Loyal
    Loyal
    December 27, 2013, 12:13 am | # | Reply

    Scipio’s alt confirmed.

    • Chantelune
      Chantelune
      December 27, 2013, 4:20 am | # | Reply

      Nah, too many facial expressions here. But that cigar might be Scipio’s arch-nemesis.

      • PanH
        PanH
        December 27, 2013, 4:53 pm | # | Reply

        That ain’t no cigar, a cigarette at best

        • Timelost
          Timelost
          December 28, 2013, 1:39 am | # | Reply

          It’s clearly a cigarillo.

      • Thinker
        Thinker
        December 27, 2013, 6:38 pm | # | Reply

        Yup. My thoughts exactly. Also probably favorite savage race character, now.

        • Tim
          Tim
          December 28, 2013, 8:33 am | # | Reply

          2nd favorite. Don’t forget Aurauga.

          • Thinker
            Thinker
            December 28, 2013, 9:26 pm | # | Reply

            Eh, I didnt like him.

            • Guesticus
              Guesticus
              December 29, 2013, 9:04 am | # | Reply

              Same

        • NIghtsbridge
          NIghtsbridge
          December 30, 2013, 8:56 am | # | Reply

          I didn’t like him at first, but he’s grown on me.

          • MidnightDStroyer
            MidnightDStroyer
            January 4, 2014, 5:59 am | # | Reply

            Yeah, well…He grows on you something like a wart. Don’t really LIKE him, but he’s definitely shows some character.

  2. Gram91
    Gram91
    December 27, 2013, 12:14 am | # | Reply

    I think I have a new favorite character.

    • coldelectrons
      coldelectrons
      December 27, 2013, 12:21 am | # | Reply

      Likewise, and one that mirrors some of my personal diatribes.

      • LockeZ
        LockeZ
        December 29, 2013, 10:24 pm | # | Reply

        Your personal diatribes are about how to run a slaving operation more efficiently? I don’t think I want details…

    • CorrTerek
      CorrTerek
      December 27, 2013, 12:25 am | # | Reply

      Yeah, he seems like a pretty cool guy.

      • Valdrax
        Valdrax
        December 27, 2013, 2:43 am | # | Reply

        Treating slaves as machines instead of animals isn’t all that much better.

        • Strongholm
          Strongholm
          December 27, 2013, 3:34 am | # | Reply

          Hahaha, I was thinking along the same lines, but he’s still got a better idea of how things go.

        • Messenger
          Messenger
          December 27, 2013, 4:35 am | # | Reply

          I agree with Strongholm. What you say is true, but it’s better for both the orcs and their slave drivers in the long run.

          I can respect a villain who is willing to be kind as much as he is cruel because he knows he’ll achieve his goals faster that way.

          • Jean-Luc
            Jean-Luc
            December 27, 2013, 5:33 am | # | Reply

            I don’t think Goblaurence’s actions here should be mistaken for compassion or altruism of any sort.

            • Messenger
              Messenger
              December 27, 2013, 3:16 pm | # | Reply

              Indeed, no, but it’s better than them poor orcs getting beat up for no reason than because their taskmasters want to push them around or because they think constant cruelty will work better.

        • Manly Bowler
          Manly Bowler
          December 27, 2013, 5:36 am | # | Reply

          It is still cruel but the prospect is better: If he stays on that way of thinking he will realize that he gets even more labour out of them if he doesn’t beat them at all but instead invest in their devotion and loyalty.

          • Strongholm
            Strongholm
            December 27, 2013, 10:05 pm | # | Reply

            The proverbial “Throw an Orc a bone.”

        • CorrTerek
          CorrTerek
          December 28, 2013, 2:50 am | # | Reply

          I knew if I said anything in support of this guy he’d A) turn out to be hideously evil later and/or B) I’d have a bunch of people point out how he’s not really a nice guy at all. One out of two so far!

          Seriously, though, if the savage race champions are intended to be sympathetic I’m willing to see where it leads, I guess.

        • MDude
          MDude
          December 28, 2013, 2:13 pm | # | Reply

          While it might to turn out to be the case, he could actually just be making the argument that he expects would best persuade a pair of whip-happy slave drivers to rein it in a bit, since if they could understand compassion easily, they likely wouldn’t be so enthusiastic in their cruelty to begin with. Getting your words ignored because your audience thinks you’re too soft-hearted to even be acknowledged won’t help anybody.

        • MichaelHaneline
          MichaelHaneline
          December 28, 2013, 3:12 pm | # | Reply

          Well, honestly, the same mechanical principles he’s talking about would apply even if they were using animals. You don’t want to have to whip or kick a horse every time you want it to go.

    • The Occupant
      The Occupant
      December 27, 2013, 12:51 am | # | Reply

      I am reminded what Heston’s Moses said. “A city is built of brick, Pharoah. The strong make many, the starving make few. The dead make none.”

      • Karishi
        Karishi
        December 27, 2013, 1:50 am | # | Reply

        And then he dropped the brick on the scales.
        But only because he didn’t have a microphone.

        • The Occupant
          The Occupant
          December 27, 2013, 10:05 pm | # | Reply

          Exactly. Why be evil when being less evil gets you what you want? It’s just so pointlessly petty.

    • Korbl
      Korbl
      December 27, 2013, 12:45 pm | # | Reply

      I’m definitely liking this goblin better than previous ones shown

  3. CorrTerek
    CorrTerek
    December 27, 2013, 12:24 am | # | Reply

    “A city is made of brick. The strong make many. The weak make few. The dead make none.”

  4. Locke
    Locke
    December 27, 2013, 1:14 am | # | Reply

    The goggles, cigarette, and general attitude makes me think this guy should be telling people to “sit down and drink yer goddamn tea.”

    • LockeZ
      LockeZ
      December 29, 2013, 10:25 pm | # | Reply

      With lots of honey, and sugar, and oh yeah, don’t forget the lard!

  5. Dave
    Dave
    December 27, 2013, 1:14 am | # | Reply

    Took me a couple reads to catch that they are carrying TWO stones to an orc instead of one post-lecture. XD

    • Garygolf
      Garygolf
      December 27, 2013, 1:34 am | # | Reply

      It also looks like they are not frowning/grimacing anymore.

    • Karishi
      Karishi
      December 27, 2013, 1:54 am | # | Reply

      Yeah, I like how they look almost smug about it.

      • Loki
        Loki
        December 27, 2013, 2:38 pm | # | Reply

        Stockholm Syndrome? Or realistic optimism?

        • Bruceski
          Bruceski
          December 27, 2013, 5:08 pm | # | Reply

          A chance to stick it to the jerk who’s been whipping them.

    • Strongholm
      Strongholm
      December 27, 2013, 3:35 am | # | Reply

      Nice catch :]

    • laughter
      laughter
      December 27, 2013, 7:55 am | # | Reply

      However, they are carrying two stones – in the opposite direction!

      • John Waltrip
        John Waltrip
        December 27, 2013, 12:10 pm | # | Reply

        Actually, it’s the same direction. It’s just our point of view has changed. We’re looking at them from the opposite side.

        • Strongholm
          Strongholm
          December 27, 2013, 10:04 pm | # | Reply

          Hahaha, didn’t notice that transition either. The previous strip does indeed have the leaders’ tent behind this scene. Continuity!

        • MDude
          MDude
          December 28, 2013, 1:59 pm | # | Reply

          That means they must have moved to the other side of the orcs some time between panels two and five, and I don’t really see where that would happen unless they just wander around scowling at each other for a bit after panel four.

          • MDude
            MDude
            December 28, 2013, 2:16 pm | # | Reply

            I’d like to note that I just realized what I had in the email field actually combined the name of one email with the domain of another. Whoops.

          • Random Whatever
            Random Whatever
            December 30, 2013, 12:29 am | # | Reply

            Yeah they walked around the column. Around the last Orc in line. You can see Grinch’s or Goblaurance’s drawing table (or rock) where he started out in the background. Now the bigshots tent is in focus in the foreground.

  6. Softy
    Softy
    December 27, 2013, 2:32 am | # | Reply

    If you’re going to do terrible things, you ought to at least do them properly.

    • wwlaos
      wwlaos
      December 27, 2013, 9:33 am | # | Reply

      If you’re going to do anything it should always be done properly.

    • Loki
      Loki
      December 27, 2013, 2:39 pm | # | Reply

      “If you’re gonna do wrong, buddy, do wrong /right/.”

    • coldelectrons
      coldelectrons
      December 28, 2013, 9:35 am | # | Reply

      Because Evil is an exact science of being carefully, correctly wrong.

      • MinaxHatesThrall
        MinaxHatesThrall
        December 29, 2013, 3:53 pm | # | Reply

        Keeping in mind what mostly likely separates what the World Rebellion is doing to the orcs from how Gastonians or similar nations treated them, is that They are doing it right NOW.
        Good guys doing the right thing and saving or sticking up for the Orcs won’t change the fact that their Entire Race’s place in the Guilded Age World is that of a glorifed Animal Resource amongst more Developed Races.
        As the conflict between Gastonian Allies & The World Rebellion continues, the Sentient World will become more and more Global, greatly reducing places Orckind can go to avoid Non-Orc Subjugation. They’re going to either have change the way they live (which isn’t ‘wrong’ but LIABLE with things as they are) amongst other races, or their children and children’s children will be left with nothing. Morals only improve conditions with how we face Our Eternal Battle with the Law of the Jungle. They don’t eliminate it.

  7. Messenger
    Messenger
    December 27, 2013, 4:39 am | # | Reply

    It looks like Harky is considering Madam Arfa’s counsel. :-)

  8. mrknifey
    mrknifey
    December 27, 2013, 4:43 am | # | Reply

    “oh, they get it…unlike you…now go and take five, and think about how you’re dumber than a fucking orc!”

    love everything about this panel:)

    • Atomsk42
      Atomsk42
      December 27, 2013, 10:47 am | # | Reply

      This sentence has been said word for word during one of my recent Gaming Sessions. I nearly died laughing!

  9. Psolo Ghoti
    Psolo Ghoti
    December 27, 2013, 4:58 am | # | Reply

    Thoughts:

    1) Going from oppression for the sake of oppression to oppression for the sake of efficiency is the first little step towards freedom for the sake of efficiency.

    2) My personal headcanon is that Goblaurence speaks Cockney.

    • Middantyr
      Middantyr
      December 27, 2013, 5:52 am | # | Reply

      Oh, he’s -definitely- Cockney, at least in my head. The ‘shite’ and the ‘bleedin” did it for me.

      …I’m pleased that I get to read about a Steampunk Cockney Grinch.

  10. torint
    torint
    December 27, 2013, 8:34 am | # | Reply

    Goblins: streamlining racism for maximum efficiency.

  11. █████
    █████
    December 27, 2013, 9:19 am | # | Reply

    “And eventually, Goblaurence improved efficiency to such a degree that all of the physical labour was carried out by a single Australian man…”

    • Loki
      Loki
      December 27, 2013, 2:40 pm | # | Reply

      (Futurama reference: “How Hermes Requisitioned His Groove Back”)

    • Mujaki
      Mujaki
      December 27, 2013, 4:31 pm | # | Reply

      SAXTON HALE!

      • Loyal
        Loyal
        December 27, 2013, 6:45 pm | # | Reply

        I approve of your gravatar in this post.

  12. Hellhound
    Hellhound
    December 27, 2013, 9:55 am | # | Reply

    I don’t really like how in this universe ,the trolls take the place of the strong warrior race instead what would be rightfully the Orcs place.But every universe is different and the trolls regeneration abilitys makes for a nice Bonus.

    And i really getting a strong Wile.E.Coyote feel from the blue prints of the Troll?(goblin?) Mechanic from the page before,which i like too. And he knows how to tread slaves right.

    • zebra
      zebra
      December 27, 2013, 5:10 pm | # | Reply

      I don’t really like how in this universe ,the trolls take the place of the strong warrior race instead what would usually* be the Orcs place.But every universe is different and the trolls regeneration abilitys makes for a nice Bonus.

      And i really getting a strong Wile.E.Coyote feel from the blue prints of the Troll?(goblin?) Mechanic from the page before,which i like too. And he knows how to tread slaves right.

    • Guesticus
      Guesticus
      December 29, 2013, 9:11 am | # | Reply

      No, the Orcs’ ‘rightful place’ is as cannon-fodder/shock troops, just because Tolkein put them at the top of the foodchain in Middle Earth (is that actually the name of that world, or just that region/continent?) doesn’t mean that is their ‘natural’ place everywhere else

      • Fantasy Guy
        Fantasy Guy
        December 30, 2013, 6:56 am | # | Reply

        You view Orcs as cannon-fodder/shock troops because that’s what they were in LotR and other stories by Tolkien. In fact, Sauron’s best troops were human, even the Nazgul started off as human. Anything that’s seen as the “rightful place” for races in a fantasy setting directly comes from Tolkien, people are usually either just using the same race in the same way or putting them in different role just so it won’t be traditional. Orcs as strong warriors is from Warhammer and maybe D&D(even there Orcs are very low on the foodchain) then Warcraft used some of the element from those two game for their own orcs.

        Middle Earth is the name of the continent in universe, but it’s also used to refer to the universe as a whole outside of it.

  13. Aslandus
    Aslandus
    December 27, 2013, 10:23 am | # | Reply

    I think my favorite thing about the goblins so far is that they look like Dr. Seuss characters…

    • Snaleking
      Snaleking
      December 27, 2013, 10:53 am | # | Reply

      It’s the ears that do it for me. And the triangular faces.

  14. Ralanr
    Ralanr
    December 27, 2013, 10:57 am | # | Reply

    I see a champion

  15. Psolo Ghoti
    Psolo Ghoti
    December 27, 2013, 4:40 pm | # | Reply

    I love Goblaurie’s combined wrench/sword, assuming the other end is a sword. It could also be a double-ended wrench in a sword sheath. I don’t know which would be more awesome.

    • Bloodvork
      Bloodvork
      December 27, 2013, 5:26 pm | # | Reply

      …. Knifewreeeeeench…..?

      • Thinker
        Thinker
        December 27, 2013, 6:43 pm | # | Reply

        My thoughts exactly. Goblaurence McJanitorsson

      • Phil
        Flo
        December 27, 2013, 8:59 pm | # | Reply

        For kids!

    • Karishi
      Karishi
      December 28, 2013, 2:19 am | # | Reply

      Dear Santernet, I have been very good this year. I would like a fight in which Goblaurie uses his bladewrench to simultaneously fight mooks and repair a vehicle.

      • Electricdawn
        Electricdawn
        December 28, 2013, 4:49 am | # | Reply

        I second that.

    • coldelectrons
      coldelectrons
      December 28, 2013, 9:37 am | # | Reply

      For the Oglafians here: “Keep it sheathed.”

  16. The Indomitable Eric
    The Indomitable Eric
    December 27, 2013, 8:24 pm | # | Reply

    Poor orcs.

  17. Electricdawn
    Electricdawn
    December 28, 2013, 4:42 am | # | Reply

    Efficiegob is already showing more compassion than most sweat shop owners all over the world. I like him.

  18. MinaxHatesThrall
    MinaxHatesThrall
    December 29, 2013, 2:26 am | # | Reply

    And engineer with a Scottish accent…..Fits.

    • Guesticus
      Guesticus
      December 29, 2013, 9:13 am | # | Reply

      Other end of the country, Cockneys live in London’s East End (something about how, if you hear the bells of Saint Pauls {or whatever that cathedral is called} when you are born, you are a Cockney)

      • MinaxHatesThrall
        MinaxHatesThrall
        December 29, 2013, 7:11 pm | # | Reply

        All true. Thing of it is, England has about a hundred different accents, and I’ll have to have a real Brit confirm or correct this, but the rest of the World is a lot more familiar with Dick Van Dyke’s Mary Poppins character and other Hollywood British stereotypes from old movies, cartoons, and TV shows’ depictions of Cockney speech than with any real speakers. This includes me.
        With this lack of knowledge, I was thrown off by how he didn’t pronounce ” just him ” as ” just ‘im.”
        “Shite ” struck me as more of a hint of a Scottish/Irish brogue.
        WOG should clear this up…

        • Guesticus
          Guesticus
          December 30, 2013, 5:18 am | # | Reply

          Yeah, agree with the ‘shite’ as being more Irish/Scots, plus the fact he didn’t use one single Rhyming Slang makes him sound (based on evidence presented) NOT Cockney

          It’s also like how ‘Pirate-talk’ is based solely on Long John Silver from the “Treasure Island” movie (that’s just because the actor was from the Midlands {actual location may be incorrect} and he was talking ‘normally’)

  19. Moe Lane
    Moe Lane
    December 29, 2013, 5:59 am | # | Reply

    “Now, remember, folks: when you’re planning the slave revolt, this is the guy that you have assassinated *first.*”

  20. Guesticus
    Guesticus
    December 29, 2013, 9:15 am | # | Reply

    Like Grand Moff Tarken said: “Rule through fear of force, rather than actual force, that way you can do more with less” (okay, kinda paraphrased and added the last bit, makes sense to me)

  21. Torint
    Torint
    December 29, 2013, 9:16 am | # | Reply

    In my head, Goblaurence speaks with a heavy Irish brogue.

    • Angry-Buddha-88
      Angry-Buddha-88
      December 29, 2013, 4:07 pm | # | Reply

      In mine, he’s Team Fortress’s Sniper.

    • Téléphone banane
      Téléphone banane
      December 30, 2013, 1:47 pm | # | Reply

      Yes. Kind of. I like to imagine him with an English accent, like from London, Birmingham or any other english city. :-)

  22. Téléphone banane
    Téléphone banane
    December 30, 2013, 1:50 pm | # | Reply

    Good and Evil are meaningless in the pursuit of maximum efficiency … unless you’re at the bottom end of the whole shebang. Unless you’re a leader with an ethic.

  23. Ubuntu4Ever
    Ubuntu4Ever
    February 4, 2014, 4:09 pm | # | Reply

    That is now my favorite line from this comic.

  24. SotiCoto
    SotiCoto
    February 19, 2014, 12:22 pm | # | Reply

    Efficiency is damned important.
    Thousand times more important than ethics, easily.

  25. Acipenser
    Acipenser
    August 20, 2020, 10:18 pm | # | Reply

    yay my favorite character!!!!!

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Guilded Age is co-written by T Campbell & Flo Kahn, and illustrated by John Waltrip. Site design by Samantha Kyle. Fonts by Blambot.com.
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