I do did NOT see that coming. (And yes, he’s dead, Rich has clarified it)
Durkon is now free willed. He’s also, for reference, evil. Going to be LE, given his former LG status, but still. Interesting!
(edit: And yes, you can resurrect a vampire directly. But. But, I don’t believe that fixes alignment)
Rimbo
4862
822 vaguely references the back story as well between Nale and lizard priest vampire guy, but doesn’t quite spell it out. I have no idea why Nale has had it in for him for so long.
Going against self-interest? He’s adventured with Nale and presumably reaped considerable profit doing so. Nale pays, and is expected to continue to pay, the bills. We don’t know what kind of Evil he is, but for Lawful Evil this would be the expected outcome and it wouldn’t be unexpected for NE. You are really over-analyzing this.
MikeJ
4864
I like how Burlew shows how context and planning is so important in these fights. It undermines those very abstract balance discussions that people get into.
Wow, I did not see that coming… Nale actually had a plan work!
Admittedly, it was a plan of opportunity allowed by Malack’s dual with Durkon, the destruction of the pyramid, and his father’s absence.
Also, whatever happened between Malack and Nale to put him on the “hit list”? Before it seemed like Nale just killed the “Children” because they were in the way, but now it appears he has a special vendetta against him.
I’m sure we’ll find out, and, knowing Nale, it’s probably something trivial and stupid.
Don’t think anyone did.
Epic takedown, though - if he had to be removed from the story (and he almost had to - way too powerful) this was a very satisfying way to do it.
Also, ironically, Nale has probably done more good in this world than the Order of the Stick (“a thousand will be sacrificed to Nergal every day”).
Yea, it’s awesome, he’s one of the few webcomic authors who can surprise me :)
Prediction: Durkon is going to unleash vampiric fury on Nale next strip, only to be stopped at the last minute by Tarquin. Or will he?
That would be interesting. Vampkon has been portrayed as a bumbling child/newb so far (“Use your inside voice”); it would be pretty cool to show him as a suddenly self-aware, evil, and fairly powerful vampire.
I think it’s a logical step. People have theorized that, at the demise of his maker, Thrallkon would become a fully-fledged Vampkon, though perhaps with a bit lessened power due to his “half-baked” nature. Whatever his power, though, he will be disoriented at the demise of his maker and will likely take it out on the person nearest and most responsible – namely, Nale. I envision Vampkon jumping on Nale and biting him repeatedly, with the intent of killing him, only to be stopped by Tarquin (or perhaps Zz’dtri?) just before killing Nale.
Then maybe Tarquin will kill Nale himself? Not sure. We’ll see, though!
Thor is kind of goofy and absent-minded in this world; I wonder if Durkon can still use priestly spells because Thor hasn’t noticed the change?
That would be a hilarious running gag, Durkon trying to hide his vampirism from Thor.
I think the bit that’s most important about Durkon suddenly being free is that he commands one of the summoned demons attacking the main party. Presumably the dramatic tension over the next few strips will be Durkon realizing he has to stop attacking Nale to bail out the main party . . .
Malderi
4874
I get the sense that Radio Free Durkula is going to be an awesome and challenging character.
Malderi
4879
Prediction: Elan will volunteer to let Durkon drink his blood periodically to keep himself alive.
This! Heh.
As someone noted on the OOTS forum discussion thread; “Not even becoming a vampire can remove someone’s desire to smash Nale in the face with a blunt object.”
