# Erfworld: Book 2 discussion (spoilers) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 9, 2010, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528 "2010-06-09T12:58:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 24
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2013, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/461 "2013-05-27T03:57:29Z")
[New Erf.](http://www.erfworld.com/) Never seen Janis that scary-looking. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2013, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/462 "2013-05-27T13:59:00Z")
Who’s the healamancer based on? She’s cute. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2013, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/463 "2013-05-27T14:16:40Z")
Beverly Crusher in a white star trek uniform maybe? ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/464 "2013-05-28T14:21:27Z")
Well, that sound effect should settle any question as to whether or not Fate was taking a hand in these events. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/465 "2013-05-28T15:55:23Z")
I had totally missed that sound effect. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/466 "2013-05-28T16:11:01Z")
Which one? thwopp? plop? punx? screee? none of them are making sense to me. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/467 "2013-05-28T16:23:55Z")
[“Manos”](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manos:_The_Hands_of_Fate), the sound effect in the first frame. It even has a little hand coming out of it. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/468 "2013-05-28T19:17:00Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > Which one? thwopp? plop? punx? screee? none of them are making sense to me. I can explain “punx,” anyway. That big strongman carney punching the Predictamancer with the rodent on his shoulder? That rodent was Punxatawny Phil, famous Pennsylvanian prognosticator. ETA: and “screee” is the sound a pissed-off groundhog makes when he’s retaliating on your ass after you deck the guy who brings the Purina Groundhog Chow. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2013, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/469 "2013-05-28T19:35:51Z")
> [@Lightray](#): > > [“Manos”](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manos:_The_Hands_of_Fate), the sound effect in the first frame. It even has a little hand coming out of it. Oh wow, didn’t even catch that one. > [@kaylasdad99](#): > > I can explain “punx,” anyway. That big strongman carney punching the Predictamancer with the rodent on his shoulder? That rodent was Punxatawny Phil, famous Pennsylvanian prognosticator. > > ETA: and “screee” is the sound a pissed-off groundhog makes when he’s retaliating on your ass after you deck the guy who brings the Purina Groundhog Chow. Thanks, it definitely makes sense now. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2013, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/470 "2013-05-29T17:49:47Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > I can explain “punx,” anyway. That big strongman carney punching the Predictamancer with the rodent on his shoulder? That rodent was Punxatawny Phil, famous Pennsylvanian prognosticator. > > ETA: and “screee” is the sound a pissed-off groundhog makes when he’s retaliating on your ass after you deck the guy who brings the Purina Groundhog Chow. Thanks. I was wondering who that guy was supposed to be. Didn’t think that it was his critter that was the main referent. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/471 "2013-06-18T10:18:00Z")
[New strip up](http://www.erfworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/vol2_111_Web_900.jpg). So a victory for Team Parson, albeit one with significant consequences yet to be fully determined. Stanley has saved the day, Sizemore has saved the city\*, Jack will be decrypted, the war has come to the Magic Kingdom and Parson has one more trick up his charred sleeve. ETA: Oh, and Charlie’s total control over remote communications is out of the bag. - and I learned what “P.A.S.S.” means - it’s how to use a fire extinguisher: “Pull (pin), Aim, Squeeze (handle), Sweep”. Also note the various fire suppression substances Sizemore cites, mostly inert gases. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/472 "2013-06-18T12:45:10Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > - and I learned what “P.A.S.S.” means - it’s how to use a fire extinguisher: “Pull (pin), Aim, Squeeze (handle), Sweep”. Also note the various fire suppression substances Sizemore cites, mostly inert gases. Annual fire training at the chemical plant I work at: got that one right away. The “Manos” thing last strip: had to google. Anyone have any clue what Parson’s clever idea is? I’m drawing a blank. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/473 "2013-06-18T13:31:57Z")
Since it involves Sizemore I’m guessing something to do with rebuilding the city, although why that would require holding off on decrypting the troops I don’t know. I was idly wondering if Parson was going to solve his comms problem with semaphore towers so maybe that’s what he’s up to. Speaking of Sizemore, I assume that it’s not just me that’s assuming that Sizemore will end up running the side in the end. It was pointed out early on that he’s Stanley’s only kinsman (although Stanley seems to have forgotten this) and he’s getting a lot of character development. That, plus the Arkensaw, are the things I’m waiting to see at the end of this very long story. ---
**Author:** ![thinksnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thinksnow/32/2849_2.png) [@thinksnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thinksnow)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/474 "2013-07-01T12:15:06Z")
“Stack’em like cordwood”? ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/475 "2013-07-01T12:21:30Z")
He’s moving all the corpses into the Magic Kingdom in that pyramid fortification that Sizemore just built (hence, stacking them like cordwood to fit). Wanda will then decrypt them all, and Parson will have a 300-strong, Warlord-led (+ Chief Warlord bonus, + Wanda’s bonus) force to occupy the Magic Kingdom. He’s just changed the rules of war for Erfworld, again. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/476 "2013-07-01T12:38:28Z")
I’m not sure that 300 soldiers against the huge number of casters in the MK is enough to “occupy” it, but whatever happens next will be interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/477 "2013-07-01T12:57:44Z")
Well, the stack of casters in Portal Park that’s likely to oppose him is quite small – just the carnymancers, basically. The others’ll talk. And although casters can act as leaders, they won’t have a leadership bonus, whereas Parson’s units will have both his and Wanda’s bonuses, as well as the leaders’ for each stack. And Parson will have caster support of his own. It’ll be overwhelming if anyone engages. And if they do, he’ll then have more decrypted casters in support – at that point, his force starts becoming exponential basically. There’ll be some engagements, then maybe detente as the other casters scramble for options. The real question: can decrypted units survive going through the portals _from the other direction_? If so, Charlie and some other capitols may soon be in for some _very_ unpleasant surprises… ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/478 "2013-07-01T18:29:56Z")
Has it been established that Charlescomm even _has_ a portal? One question I’m not sure Parson knows the answer to: Will Decrypted units be able to survive being in the MK? Is it passing through a portal that croaks non-casters? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/479 "2013-07-02T00:12:27Z")
Personally, I wonder if the Magic Kingdom is actually a _location_. That is, if it has coordinates on the Erfworld map, such that it could (in principle) be reached without a portal. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/480 "2013-07-02T08:51:51Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Has it been established that Charlescomm even _has_ a portal? Not officially, but he has a capital city and he hires casters. It’s not an unreasonable assumption. Mind you, there’s no telling what’s on the other side of it. > [@](#): > > One question I’m not sure Parson knows the answer to: Will Decrypted units be able to survive being in the MK? Is it passing through a portal that croaks non-casters? I’m not even sure if non-casters can pass through at all, dead or alive - I thought Queen Bea was annihilated by walking into the portal, not merely cwoaked with her dead body falling through into the MK. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528.md?page=25)