First, I think he’s concluded that the gnomes *are* the enemy now. Second, we don’t know that they’ve escaped, only that they’re hiding. Third, who said anything about punishing them? I suspect the purpose of the explosives is to root them out, like dynamiting a rabbit warren.
I mean, think about it: the Gastonians (sorry, Iwatanians) are now faced with an enemy force, known for being elusive and skilled in laying traps, which has already infiltrated their capital city. Far from being “militarily stupid”, I would think that dealing with them would be a number one priority.
Ardaic could have a twin brother, or a faithful butler who’s a master of disguise. Maybe the magic amulet not only does transformations, it creates clones of the one who possesses it. Or maybe there’s some other explanation, but there should be an explanation.
I interpreted it as the wearer of the amulet becoming a host for some Silver Sentinel spirit or whatever, instead of actually being him. There may even be an order of similarly-appearing Paladins tasked with giving themselves up in pursuit of justice.
It has nothing to do with the amulet itself. The amulet is just a holy symbol. Silver Sentinels are just the avatar of a “god” similar to how Frigg is an (unwilling) champion of the Wolf God and the way Harky was a champion of Tectonicus. They’re Paladins who “worship” Gastonia itself.
The reason I place them in the same category is because Rachel explained that champions like them are able to channel the power of their dedication into “Glowy Hammer Shit.” And the Silver Centurion has been shown to manifest a glowing magical sword.
Pretty sure that Ardaic has stopped caring. He lost the woman he loved (or rather, never gained her), the Kingdom he so nobly upheld is now a sham cooked by corrupt politicians and taken over by a kid and he found himself a coward, incapable of standing up to those circumstances. Thus, he has now resigned himself to be the rent-a-monster he allowed himself to become.
Rather, he’s probably thinking he’ll need all the explosives they can get to blast a hole *into* the underground bunker or wherever the gnomes are hiding. There’s bound to be some secured entrance with a very thick door
I’m still convinced that Ardaic isn’t actually the Silver Centurion, just a duty-bound host for whatever spirit the amulet channels. He may not even be aware of, or have any control over, the decisions the SC makes.
I’m pretty sure they are simply planning to dynamite their way into the underground tunnels. Every access point is too small for humans to enter, and all the entrances are likely heavily booby trapped anyway. So, blowing up the ground above it in a controlled way to make a suitably large entrance is the best plan.
The line about “all we’ve got” is just dramatic hyperbole, surely, other than the fact that you and I don’t know just how deep the “underground” starts. For all we know, there’s a kilometer of earth from the surface down until its begins that the troops need to blast through (though it’s probably less).
On the other hand, all the entrance ways to all the parts of the underground are too small for humans. With no space to move, human troops can’t hope to accomplish anything down there themselves. So maybe the explosives are all about blowing things up until the diminutive insurgents give themselves up.
Yes, Ardaic. Bring your entire arsenal of dangerous munitions into the newly hostile territory that was recently occupied by master weapon and trap smiths. What could possibly go wrong?
The world’s Rebellion doesn’t seem to have a lot of use for explosives. Even if they can’t capture the explosives if they make them be used in a worthless endeavor then that’s just as good. It may even kill some Gastonian soldiers
“It was me – that is Reynolds – and my five droogs – that is Bandit, Tobias, Watcher, Berta and Brock – and we sat in the Korova alehouse, trying to make up our rassoodocks what to do with the government.”
Damnit Reynolds, I fail to see wherein you proved the series is unbounded! Also you did a poor job of formalizing your claim that the series is strictly increasing. Shame on you, Reynolds, shame on you. You should spend more time on this facebook page.
This has you have no idea what you are getting yourself into written all over it. Dean wants them to come and try and find his people. He wants them all the whole damn army, or as many of them as he can get. to come and just try to find his people. Because went they do the trap will snap.
He must have a trap already laid. Otherwise the thing to do would be to claim you were so busy with your mathematic work that you hadn’t noticed, and then offer to “help” him find the others. “There’s only a few places they could have gone…”
A small problem, to be sure.
Time is short! The gnomes better escape soon!
I find those puns to be a little taste.
It’s is low brow humor but it won’t fly over anyone’s head.
Let’s try not to offend anyone here. I say we agree to gnome more short jokes.
Truly. Less is more.
He’ll be back shortly.
ALL the explosives? That’s a tall order.
Well there goes the budget for the fireworks…
It’s militarily stupid too. Why would you use explosives to punish people that have already escaped when you should be using explosives on your enemy?
First, I think he’s concluded that the gnomes *are* the enemy now. Second, we don’t know that they’ve escaped, only that they’re hiding. Third, who said anything about punishing them? I suspect the purpose of the explosives is to root them out, like dynamiting a rabbit warren.
I mean, think about it: the Gastonians (sorry, Iwatanians) are now faced with an enemy force, known for being elusive and skilled in laying traps, which has already infiltrated their capital city. Far from being “militarily stupid”, I would think that dealing with them would be a number one priority.
Which again, is fated to be a fools errand because sadly; that’s how it always goes.
Fat chance they’ll be able to get them all in that room.
Ignoring little problems often results in big explosions.
Especially if you’re a tinkering gnome.
I really hope there’s so explanation given as to how Ardaic can be the Silver Sentinal when they were both in the same place a while back.
It’s a magical amulet. Presumably anybody could use it. There may even be multiple such amulets.
Ardaic could have a twin brother, or a faithful butler who’s a master of disguise. Maybe the magic amulet not only does transformations, it creates clones of the one who possesses it. Or maybe there’s some other explanation, but there should be an explanation.
I interpreted it as the wearer of the amulet becoming a host for some Silver Sentinel spirit or whatever, instead of actually being him. There may even be an order of similarly-appearing Paladins tasked with giving themselves up in pursuit of justice.
Silver Centurion, I mean. Ugh, you’ve got me doing it.
Maybe it’s like the amulet of the Paladin in “Magic Kingdom for Sale
SOLD“?Hey! I’m not the only person who’s read that book!
I’m probably still the only person who’s read that book and none of Shannara.
You’re not.
It has nothing to do with the amulet itself. The amulet is just a holy symbol. Silver Sentinels are just the avatar of a “god” similar to how Frigg is an (unwilling) champion of the Wolf God and the way Harky was a champion of Tectonicus. They’re Paladins who “worship” Gastonia itself.
The reason I place them in the same category is because Rachel explained that champions like them are able to channel the power of their dedication into “Glowy Hammer Shit.” And the Silver Centurion has been shown to manifest a glowing magical sword.
Oh come on! Not even Ardaic should be able to rationalize blowing up every gnome in existence.
Because Gastonia places such high value on all life, especially non-human life?
Pretty sure that Ardaic has stopped caring. He lost the woman he loved (or rather, never gained her), the Kingdom he so nobly upheld is now a sham cooked by corrupt politicians and taken over by a kid and he found himself a coward, incapable of standing up to those circumstances. Thus, he has now resigned himself to be the rent-a-monster he allowed himself to become.
I really hope not…
I’ll wait to see where this is going before I pass judgement. Might be pulling a Snape.
but but . . . I though Ardaic is a Paladin of Gastonia?
Rather, he’s probably thinking he’ll need all the explosives they can get to blast a hole *into* the underground bunker or wherever the gnomes are hiding. There’s bound to be some secured entrance with a very thick door
I’m still convinced that Ardaic isn’t actually the Silver Centurion, just a duty-bound host for whatever spirit the amulet channels. He may not even be aware of, or have any control over, the decisions the SC makes.
I’m pretty convinced about that one too.
As an old friend of mine once said under similar circumstances: “There’s no better way to hurt someone than to work for them — badly.”
I rather like this. May I steal it?
If I give you permission, then it’s not stealing… so… no?
You’re welcome to use it though as far as I’m concerned.
I’m pretty sure they are simply planning to dynamite their way into the underground tunnels. Every access point is too small for humans to enter, and all the entrances are likely heavily booby trapped anyway. So, blowing up the ground above it in a controlled way to make a suitably large entrance is the best plan.
The line about “all we’ve got” is just dramatic hyperbole, surely, other than the fact that you and I don’t know just how deep the “underground” starts. For all we know, there’s a kilometer of earth from the surface down until its begins that the troops need to blast through (though it’s probably less).
On the other hand, all the entrance ways to all the parts of the underground are too small for humans. With no space to move, human troops can’t hope to accomplish anything down there themselves. So maybe the explosives are all about blowing things up until the diminutive insurgents give themselves up.
The Gnomes have had enough of Gastonia belittling them like this!
Now, now. Let’s not be small-minded.
Reynold’s smile scares me. Hoping for some awesome revenge plot to happen though, given how the poor gnome has been undercut and manipulated.
Yes, Ardaic. Bring your entire arsenal of dangerous munitions into the newly hostile territory that was recently occupied by master weapon and trap smiths. What could possibly go wrong?
That’s Ardaic?
Minando boy, the tags, the tags are calling…
If not for them, I’d not have known for sure.
Hopefully Bandit and her crew can make their lives miserable until the cavalry arrives.
Panel 1: Reynolds is so stalling, and he’s so stressed, and he’s just So Very Obvious about it.
Panel 3: That smile…
I honestly never expected Dean Reynolds to look as sinister as he does in Panel 3. Seems a good look for him precisely because it’s so rare.
I sense the proximity of a briar patch.
Stealing all the explosives while switching sides
The world’s Rebellion doesn’t seem to have a lot of use for explosives. Even if they can’t capture the explosives if they make them be used in a worthless endeavor then that’s just as good. It may even kill some Gastonian soldiers
It’ll be the gnomes stealing all the explosives. They’ll know how to use it against Gastonia.
I half think Ardaic is counting on just that.
NEVER underestimate a gnome who goes full ‘evil monologue shadow face.”
His whole page is the computational probability of escape through Gnomish tactics.
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!
“It was me – that is Reynolds – and my five droogs – that is Bandit, Tobias, Watcher, Berta and Brock – and we sat in the Korova alehouse, trying to make up our rassoodocks what to do with the government.”
Ardaic took his eye off of Reynolds. What are the odds Reynolds will still be there when he turns back around?
Damnit Reynolds, I fail to see wherein you proved the series is unbounded! Also you did a poor job of formalizing your claim that the series is strictly increasing. Shame on you, Reynolds, shame on you. You should spend more time on this facebook page.
…I was just studying the Harmonic Series. I have a test tomorrow. Which of the writers is spying on me?
Wow, that was quick. From diplomatics to explosives in mere seconds.
Probably happens a lot more often than you think, judging by the state of this, our real world.
“Diplomacy is the art of saying, ‘nice doggie,’ until you can find a rock…”
This has you have no idea what you are getting yourself into written all over it. Dean wants them to come and try and find his people. He wants them all the whole damn army, or as many of them as he can get. to come and just try to find his people. Because went they do the trap will snap.
He must have a trap already laid. Otherwise the thing to do would be to claim you were so busy with your mathematic work that you hadn’t noticed, and then offer to “help” him find the others. “There’s only a few places they could have gone…”