I don’t think Byron can get pummeled again till at least the end of the is issue. Just due to pacing and his theoretical position as leader of the band.
I know a guy who was running a bald dwarf druid because the dwarf had made a violent break with his past and wanted nothing to do with anything dwarfly. It was a pretty great character.
Nah, I don’t think Gravedust’s temper is the problem. More like how Gravedust seems to assume everyone is… not quite out to get him, but he seems to assume everyone is out to get him and gets all pessimistic about it without giving people a chance. He’s got a bit of a martyr-complex going.
I do like how Byron is sort of hesitating to say this though. He’s probably hoping Gravedust takes this better than Payet did, especially since they’re in a less-than-optimal situation for working out conflicts.
I think Byron does the soft voice and firm biceps quite well by himself. Gravedust is the frickin’ weird guy that scares you into listening to the more moderate speaker. Don’t get me wrong, I like Gravedust, and tend to be the frickin’ weird person myself.
A friend had a shaved dwarven assassin, who happened to be a compulsive liar. He happened to actually be a gnome wizard, who also occasionally claimed to be a halfling thief, but that is a different story.
We all have players or characters like that. I remember my Human Mage who was schizophrenic , believeing himself to be an orc warrior.
But I can imagine how fun it was. Good days of role-playing, eh?
I can’t help but wonder if Byron will turn out to be the one with “the problem”. Also notice the three dots of hesitation before GD said “respect you”.
Unlikely. Their first job after they formed their group was the sky elf crap with the kidnapped kids. Why would they randomly stop at a volcano between here and there?
“Pals? Databanks say affectionately regarded member of social group who shares in the watching of sporting events and courting of mates and possibly fart jokes. We don’t do *any* of that. I…respect you? And find your multiple head traumas quietly hilarious. Is that equivalent?”
I am so hoping Byron’s criticism is some warm-fuzzy “You’re always so negative about yourself! You don’t have to be paranoid, we’re all friends here. No one wants to attack you”, followed immediately by a mass orc charge.
Strange that the only hostiles so far have been kobolds and other humans. No orcs, yet.
God only knows that Orcs in this universe aren’t just Red Shirts like…everywhere else. Maybe they’re 8 ft tall with arms the size of tree trunks dual-wielding battle axes.
Sensitive berserker. Odd. But then my last character was a very exuberant, outspoken assasin who ended up the healer of the group because all the Druid would do was embroidery and perfume making. No healing potions and fainted at the sight of blood.
So does the berserker become more friendly with each head trauma?
Yay for attitude ‘problems’! I have had that label applied numerous times throughout my life, usually with hilarious destruction following. Who knew that the school trailer was that fragile and prone to implosion? :)
I’m trying to recall the last time I’ve seen a natural conflict like this one, written between characters I already liked, in which I wasn’t already inclined to pick a side. I have to cast pretty far back. Compelling stuff, keep it up.
I was wondering why the beserker doesn’t beserk and I wondered if perhaps beserker doesn’t describe his character but is rather a branding from maybe a tragic childhood event when he lost his temper and killed his brother or something and has ever since been trying to keep control, but the name stuck. Being constantly reminded of his mistake, he tries to make up for it by upholding morals (e.g. getting mad at Best for endangering the kids) and diplomacy (peace talks with orcs?).
The reason I really enjoy this story is that once per panel, there’s an expression on someone’s face that really makes me laugh. In this one, it’s the look on Byron’s face when he says “Are we pals?” Just priceless. Many props, Ms. Henderson.
I think there really isn’t an “attitude” problem persay, just a matter of different perspectives. Gravedust is apparently a very unusual Dwarf, but he’s still experienced many things being treated as “The quiet Dwarf who is probably up to something.” This would give him a very cautious and pessimistic outlook, but that’s not to say it’s unjustified.
Byron, for all intents and purposes, seems to be a “people” person. Even as a Berserker he understands the balance between diplomacy and force, but prefers diplomacy if possible. However he’s seen things from a human point of view and even as an axe wielding human he has most likely been treated with far more trust and respect than Gravedust.
I see this conversation leading to greater characterization for both of them, as well as further helping to cement bonds of loyalty, if not true friendship.
Discussion (59) ¬
Byron’s gonna get brained again. :D
It seems to be a common problem for him, perhaps he should wear a helmet
Being a guy that talks to dead people all day, I would expect Gravedust to be a glass half empty type.
Are you prejudiced against Necros? Are you insinuating that Death is an inherently negative subject?
For shame!
Such bigotry!
I don’t think Byron can get pummeled again till at least the end of the is issue. Just due to pacing and his theoretical position as leader of the band.
I know; I’se just foolin’.
Why not?
Every party has one guy that regularly gets the stuffing beaten out of him but keeps on trucking. I think Byron is that guy.
I vote for the “Quiet Dwarf who is probably up to something”.
Ya just can’t trust a Dwarf who has gone this long without getting feces-faced on Ale.
Of course, this is coming from a guy who plays a Dwarf that shaves every morning because he was raised by Elves.
Oh, that sounds like a _fun_ character. :D
Really? I have an elf who was raised by Dwarves, and therefore considers herself a dwarf. She has muscles everywhere and is fond of pickaxes.
Awesome.
I have a dwarf who shaves his face because he’s a cross-dressing necromancer, the shame of his clan and the utter shame of his family!
Hence, I love Gravedust. He’s my favorite in this crowd (well… Frigg’s pretty fun too).
I know a guy who was running a bald dwarf druid because the dwarf had made a violent break with his past and wanted nothing to do with anything dwarfly. It was a pretty great character.
…everywhere?
Also, Gravedust doesnt qualify for the other part of that phrase… “Soft voices echo off of firm biceps”
So, I’m also voteing for gravedust as the “soft voice”
Also, Gravedust is quiet compared to Best’s “attitude problem”… perhaps that is why it went understated before.
Uh oh. Gravedust is going to squint Byron into an early grave.
Payet… are we pals?
I feel a buddy cop movie coming on!
One plays by the rules. The other defies the rules of death, itself. Gravedust the Mystic and Byron the Berzerker are…Short and Angry!
Short Tempered.
Even better. :-)
Gold star.
I’d have gone with Grumpy and Stumpy :)
Is Byron insinuating that Gravedust the dwarf has a short fuse?
Nah, I don’t think Gravedust’s temper is the problem. More like how Gravedust seems to assume everyone is… not quite out to get him, but he seems to assume everyone is out to get him and gets all pessimistic about it without giving people a chance. He’s got a bit of a martyr-complex going.
I do like how Byron is sort of hesitating to say this though. He’s probably hoping Gravedust takes this better than Payet did, especially since they’re in a less-than-optimal situation for working out conflicts.
Next issue…nothing happens except more talking!
And we’re finally seeing forest while the girls are in the sky. Hm…bush…
Next issue, Bryon and Gravedust in the bush together…
XD I’m kidding.
I sense an Orc ambush, to be honest. No magic arrows for Gravedust, and a heavily fatigued Berzerker means one easy target.
I think Byron does the soft voice and firm biceps quite well by himself. Gravedust is the frickin’ weird guy that scares you into listening to the more moderate speaker. Don’t get me wrong, I like Gravedust, and tend to be the frickin’ weird person myself.
A friend had a shaved dwarven assassin, who happened to be a compulsive liar. He happened to actually be a gnome wizard, who also occasionally claimed to be a halfling thief, but that is a different story.
We all have players or characters like that. I remember my Human Mage who was schizophrenic , believeing himself to be an orc warrior.
But I can imagine how fun it was. Good days of role-playing, eh?
Hey, Gravedust has snapped the neck of a human before, he’ll do it again.
Yet, I think that they won’t fight. Maybe they’ll glare/stare at each other for a bit and then continue.
“Curiouser and curiouser said Alice.”
I can’t help but wonder if Byron will turn out to be the one with “the problem”. Also notice the three dots of hesitation before GD said “respect you”.
Hey, if they’re still together at the volcano, things probably won’t get that bad.
And the three dots may be because Gravedust has a different definition for buddy, or different qualifications, that Byron hasn’t met yet.
Way to ruin it with a reasonable argument?
But what if the volcano thing happened before the sky elf thing?
Didn’t mean to put that “?” at the end of first sentence. Should be a good ol’ full stop.
Unlikely. Their first job after they formed their group was the sky elf crap with the kidnapped kids. Why would they randomly stop at a volcano between here and there?
“Pals? Databanks say affectionately regarded member of social group who shares in the watching of sporting events and courting of mates and possibly fart jokes. We don’t do *any* of that. I…respect you? And find your multiple head traumas quietly hilarious. Is that equivalent?”
I am so hoping Byron’s criticism is some warm-fuzzy “You’re always so negative about yourself! You don’t have to be paranoid, we’re all friends here. No one wants to attack you”, followed immediately by a mass orc charge.
Strange that the only hostiles so far have been kobolds and other humans. No orcs, yet.
God only knows that Orcs in this universe aren’t just Red Shirts like…everywhere else. Maybe they’re 8 ft tall with arms the size of tree trunks dual-wielding battle axes.
You forgot the Knoll in the beginning
You forgot the Ogre guarding the pirate ship. :D
Ogres aren’t Orcs.
I’m aware of that.
Sensitive berserker. Odd. But then my last character was a very exuberant, outspoken assasin who ended up the healer of the group because all the Druid would do was embroidery and perfume making. No healing potions and fainted at the sight of blood.
So does the berserker become more friendly with each head trauma?
Yay for attitude ‘problems’! I have had that label applied numerous times throughout my life, usually with hilarious destruction following. Who knew that the school trailer was that fragile and prone to implosion? :)
I’m trying to recall the last time I’ve seen a natural conflict like this one, written between characters I already liked, in which I wasn’t already inclined to pick a side. I have to cast pretty far back. Compelling stuff, keep it up.
I was wondering why the beserker doesn’t beserk and I wondered if perhaps beserker doesn’t describe his character but is rather a branding from maybe a tragic childhood event when he lost his temper and killed his brother or something and has ever since been trying to keep control, but the name stuck. Being constantly reminded of his mistake, he tries to make up for it by upholding morals (e.g. getting mad at Best for endangering the kids) and diplomacy (peace talks with orcs?).
The reason I really enjoy this story is that once per panel, there’s an expression on someone’s face that really makes me laugh. In this one, it’s the look on Byron’s face when he says “Are we pals?” Just priceless. Many props, Ms. Henderson.
I think there really isn’t an “attitude” problem persay, just a matter of different perspectives. Gravedust is apparently a very unusual Dwarf, but he’s still experienced many things being treated as “The quiet Dwarf who is probably up to something.” This would give him a very cautious and pessimistic outlook, but that’s not to say it’s unjustified.
Byron, for all intents and purposes, seems to be a “people” person. Even as a Berserker he understands the balance between diplomacy and force, but prefers diplomacy if possible. However he’s seen things from a human point of view and even as an axe wielding human he has most likely been treated with far more trust and respect than Gravedust.
I see this conversation leading to greater characterization for both of them, as well as further helping to cement bonds of loyalty, if not true friendship.
I like this comic.
Gravedust’s got no time for Real Attitudes, his business is the surreal.
You can’t blame Gravedust. Animosity breeds cynicism, and his age won’t help things either.
Has Byron just made a GRAVE error?
Aw, it was just a poor choice of wording really, give the man a break. He’s hardly a poet.
What template do you use in your blog
Fire and water have no mercy.
byron… i may be turning gay for you…. nah.
but i love you man.