Downtown Khazan: Siriel's Temporary Edition

[Omegalith]

*Finishes reading Return of the Scarlet Empress, reading the stat blocks near the end*

...How did the the designers fail to notice that they've given The Scarlet Empress the ability to turn into a 50 mile tall flawlessly cut ruby? I'm almost entirely sure that it was unintentional, because that's a remarkably silly One-Winged-Angel form and they didn't mention she could do it outside of it being the logical conclusion of what happens if you combine two of her powers.

[FarBeyondC]

Chaos Lord: "Good sir, I object to your scurrilous application of negative stereotypes to my people. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to find a proper outfit to wear to a drunken orgy tonight at the Palace of Infinite Marshmallows."

*Bounces away indignantly on pogo-stilts*

"Thanks for proving my point for me."

*Finishes reading Return of the Scarlet Empress, reading the stat blocks near the end*

...How did the the designers fail to notice that they've given The Scarlet Empress the ability to turn into a 50 mile tall flawlessly cut ruby? I'm almost entirely sure that it was unintentional, because that's a remarkably silly One-Winged-Angel form and they didn't mention she could do it outside of it being the logical conclusion of what happens if you combine two of her powers.

What's wrong with being able to turn into a giant crystal?

Aside from the obvious, of course.

[Omegalith]

What's wrong with being able to turn into a giant crystal?

Aside from the obvious, of course.

Well, it seems unintentional.

Basically, her wedding ring gives her all of the abilities of her husband, the Ebon Dragon, up to the limits of whatever her personal power can handle. At the top end of the abilities she can use is Tenebrous Apotheosis Shintai: Dragon Who Swallowed The Sun. When the Ebon Dragon uses it, he becomes a 50 mile long physical representation of the imagery which best represents his soul (Which is apparently an Ebon Dragon, surprisingly enough). It does the same for anyone else who learns it.

The Empress's write up mentions that her soul is best represented by the imagery of a Ruby.

"Thanks for proving my point for me."

Seriously though, defining Chaos as inherently silly is pretty superficial.

[FarBeyondC]

Well, it seems unintentional.

Basically, her wedding ring gives her all of the abilities of her husband, the Ebon Dragon, up to the limits of whatever her personal power can handle. At the top end of the abilities she can use is Tenebrous Apotheosis Shintai: Dragon Who Swallowed The Sun. When the Ebon Dragon uses it, he becomes a 50 mile long physical representation of the imagery which best represents his soul (Which is apparently an Ebon Dragon, surprisingly enough). It does the same for anyone else who learns it.

The Empress's write up mentions that her soul is best represented by the imagery of a Ruby.

Ah.

In that case, that definitely sounds unintentional.

Seriously though, defining Chaos as inherently silly is pretty superficial.

I never said chaos was inherently silly, just that it wasn't sensible.

[Sharkerbob]

So, decided to give the Dresden Files a shot, starting with the first audiobook. I can see why it's popular. Unfortunately, I'm finding it to be a rather tiresome experience. Think I'll pass on the rest of it.

[Omegalith]

So, decided to give the Dresden Files a shot, starting with the first audiobook. I can see why it's popular. Unfortunately, I'm finding it to be a rather tiresome experience. Think I'll pass on the rest of it.

Well, the first two books are pretty terrible, if I'm being honest. Fun enough due to being a decent mixture of action and humour, but it clearly shows that Butcher isn't an experienced writer at this point and if the whole series stayed like that it'd be pretty forgettable.

Hell, he doesn't really hit his full stride until the seventh book, there's obvious improvement each time until then. Three's the most notable jump in quality and when it starts becoming an ongoing storyline rather than being episodic though.

[Siriel]

That reminds me, has He Who Walks Behind even shown up again?

Because he kind of flat-out said he would, and while I haven't read the latter books, I can't remember seeing any mention of him showing up since.

Hell, was he even banished again?

[Omegalith]

That reminds me, has He Who Walks Behind even shown up again?

Because he kind of flat-out said he would, and while I haven't read the latter books, I can't remember seeing any mention of him showing up since.

Hell, was he even banished again?

Wasn't he supposed to be the thing the cabal of evil porn stars were summoning in the sixth book? It's not like a whole lot of people are calling on Outsiders when Demons are easier to summon and control.

[Iron_twister]

Oh my god...I just started reading Vinland Saga....Why haven't I done so earlier?! O_O

[Siriel]

Wasn't he supposed to be the thing the cabal of evil porn stars were summoning in the sixth book? It's not like a whole lot of people are calling on Outsiders when Demons are easier to summon and control.

That's the thing.

The summoning worked.

First was Madge's body. As I turned to leave, it suddenly sat up. Spines protruded from its skin, along with rivulets of slow, dead blood. Its face was ravaged shapeless, but it formed up into the features of the demon called He Who Walks Behind, and its mouth spoke in a honey-smooth, honey-sweet, inhuman voice. "I am returned, mortal man," the demon said through Madge's dead lips. "And I remember thee. Thou and I, we have unfinished business between us."

Then there was a bubbling hiss, and the corpse deflated like an empty balloon.

Not a mention of him since as far as I can tell.

[Omegalith]

That's the thing.

The summoning worked.



Not a mention of him since as far as I can tell.

Well, there's a flashback in Grave Peril that shows the first time Harry encountered him as a teenager.

Apparently the summoning didn't stick, because his distinctive ability can pretty much be summed up as always being directly behind whoever he's been contracted to kill.

Harry beat him the first time by turning his back on a gas station and blowing it up, and that only worked because HWWB was toying with him.

[Sharkerbob]

Well, the first two books are pretty terrible, if I'm being honest. Fun enough due to being a decent mixture of action and humour, but it clearly shows that Butcher isn't an experienced writer at this point and if the whole series stayed like that it'd be pretty forgettable.

It does rather read like a trope-dependent fan fic.

Hell, he doesn't really hit his full stride until the seventh book, there's obvious improvement each time until then. Three's the most notable jump in quality and when it starts becoming an ongoing storyline rather than being episodic though.

Nothing wrong with episodic.

[Omegalith]

Nothing wrong with episodic.

Not really, but if it kept the format exactly the same as the first two I wouldn't have read fourteen of the things.

[Sharkerbob]

Not really, but if it kept the format exactly the same as the first two I wouldn't have read fourteen of the things.

I'll take your word for it.

[Farealmer]

I am glad people periodically post pictures of themselves here. So i can rest assured i am not connected to the CBR of an alternate universe dominated by intellegent Hippos.