# 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:** 8
**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:** [March 17, 2011, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/141 "2011-03-17T16:43:28Z")
> [@](#): > > Don King may not be willing to disband a Caster, but I bet he’s willing to disband a whole bunch of rebellious Warlords. He’s disbanded several Heirs, and those’re much more costly to pop. It’ll save on their Upkeep too, and as he’s been reminded, they’re short of funds… No matter how it goes, though, it’s going to be ugly for the batty folks. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2011, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/142 "2011-03-18T16:53:32Z")
> [@Lightray](#): > > Don King may not be willing to disband a Caster, but I bet he’s willing to disband a whole bunch of rebellious Warlords. He’s disbanded several Heirs, and those’re much more costly to pop. It’ll save on their Upkeep too, and as he’s been reminded, they’re short of funds… OTOH, their funds shortage means he can’t replace his warlords anytime soon, and [Transylvito tactics are heavily dependent on warlord bonuses](http://www.erfworld.com/book-1-archive/?px=%2F113.jpg). If he disbands too many of his high-level warlords, the side is a sitting duck. ---
**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:** [March 23, 2011, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/143 "2011-03-23T21:46:55Z")
New text update. I like the details being sprinkled about, and the fact that Stanley is actually, you know, **thinking**. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2011, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/144 "2011-03-26T01:42:39Z")
[New page](http://www.erfworld.com/2011/03/book-2-%E2%80%93-page-57/). ---
**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:** [March 26, 2011, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/145 "2011-03-26T02:01:44Z")
NICE! I feel so well taken care of, with a comic the day after the text update! Also, that’s some pretty fancy Dirtomancy Sizemore’s got goin’ on there. ---
**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:** [March 26, 2011, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/146 "2011-03-26T03:41:18Z")
Who’s the pop culture reference for the caster in red, in the first couple of panels? And I’m wondering about that structure shown underneath the Gobwin Knob portal. Some sort of portal projector, I guess? And is there any particular reason we’re being shown it? ---
**Author:** ![Heller\_Highwater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/278dde/32.png) [@Heller\_Highwater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heller_Highwater)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2011, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/147 "2011-03-26T04:43:08Z")
Looks like Marvel’s Scarlet Witch, who I’m pretty sure we’ve seen before. (After double-checking, yes we have: [here](http://www.erfworld.com/book-1-archive/?px=%2F142.jpg).) Not sure about the structure. ---
**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:** [March 26, 2011, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/148 "2011-03-26T06:43:36Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Who’s the pop culture reference for the caster in red, in the first couple of panels? > > And I’m wondering about that structure shown underneath the Gobwin Knob portal. Some sort of portal projector, I guess? And is there any particular reason we’re being shown it? That’s a very good question. Part of what makes it a good question is that it raises other questions, which can lead to some interesting discussions/speculations. Here’s a speculation: it’s a Chekov’s Gun. If a portal generator is embedded underground, that would suggest that it _can_ be attacked/disabled/destroyed by a side with access to a Dirtomancer and a Warlord with no compunction about breaking things, just to see what would happen. What _would_ happen if a side’s casters suddenly lost the ability to access the Magic Kingdom from home? Also, when a side is ended (as when Queen Bea ended Unaroyal with her suicide) does the portal suddenly stop existing? If so, what becomes of the generator back in the Magic Kingdom? _Also_ if so, what would be the implication of Parson croaking King Slateley? For that matter, what would it do to Parson’s current plan if an heirless Slately were to be croaked before Parson reaches the portal to Spacerock? ---
**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:** [April 1, 2011, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/149 "2011-04-01T11:59:02Z")
[New text update](http://www.erfworld.com/2011/03/book-2-%e2%80%93-text-updates-045/). Sizemore finishes his little DIY project and the penny drops for Janis and Marie. I thought the mention of Sizemore’s near-Masterhood was both significant and interesting. What could a Master Dirtamancer do? Bring down a city? Also: a couple of Disneyoids chatting in the background, plus another caster who looks familiar but I can’t place. ---
**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:** [April 1, 2011, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/150 "2011-04-01T16:27:39Z")
I really enjoy these updates, they give so much insight and information. IMO, this is one of the most immersive stories because of that. ---
**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:** [April 1, 2011, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/151 "2011-04-01T18:25:37Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Also: a couple of Disneyoids chatting in the background, plus another caster who looks familiar but I can’t place. According to the forums at [erf.com](http://erf.com), it’s [Aerith Gainsborough](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerith_Gainsborough) from Final Fantasy VII. The image from the wikipedia page on her makes me think they’re correct. ---
**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:** [April 7, 2011, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/152 "2011-04-07T08:25:22Z")
[_Now_ he goes through](http://www.erfworld.com/2011/04/book-2-%e2%80%93-page-58/). It’s all kicking off, folks. ---
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/153 "2011-04-07T09:58:06Z")
woo! now it should get 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:** [April 7, 2011, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/154 "2011-04-07T13:27:46Z")
Interesting that Sizemore works in 12’ squares… I’d’ve expected it to be traditional 10’ squares. And that buried portal-projector or whatever is there again. Anyone care to guess who the Thinkamancers are? Elf-Eared Guy may be Spock again. Morticia-Adams-Dress and Blue Hair Chick should be identifiable… by someone with more pop culture savvy than I, at least. ---
**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:** [April 7, 2011, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/155 "2011-04-07T17:48:35Z")
I think that the purple-haired… Um, person… is Vaarsuvius. Kind of surprising that it took this long for an OotS reference, actually. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/156 "2011-04-07T22:34:45Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I think that the purple-haired… Um, person… is Vaarsuvius. Kind of surprising that it took this long for an OotS reference, actually. I think the [guess of Empress Sanaki](http://www.erfworld.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2445#p52385) (of _Fire Emblem_) from the Erf forums is more likely–the bare shoulders, hair length, and bit of gold tassel showing support it. The guy in the lead is obviously Headmaster Isaac (Newton), since he responded to Maggie’s call of “Isaac?” Morticia is readily identifiable. The guy next to her is suspected to be Neil deGrasse Tyson. Pointy-ears is likely Spock. The guy in white at the back may be Aristotle. The blond woman _might_ be Zelda, but I think her outfit is wrong–she’s more likely the other girl from among the [Great Minds that Think Alike](http://www.erfworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Text-Update-illus-038.png), but I don’t think anyone ever figured out who she was. I don’t know who the the brown-haired guy with the fingerless gloves is. He looks to be wearing a hoodie with something over it and possibly a mask (there’s a crescent of black material showing toward the front of his head). He might be the cut-off face in the upper left of the GMtTA picture. ---
**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:** [April 7, 2011, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/157 "2011-04-07T23:19:17Z")
The hair is pretty clearly purple, though, not blue-- Does Empress Sanaki’s hair sometimes vary? Oh, and > [@](#): > > Interesting that Sizemore works in 12’ squares… I’d’ve expected it to be traditional 10’ squares. I don’t think that Erfworld has any fundamental grid, below the hex level. Sizemore probably uses 12’ sections for the same reason builders in our world do: It’s just a convenient size. ---
**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:** [April 8, 2011, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/158 "2011-04-08T00:59:25Z")
No, I expected it to be 10’ squares because that’s the old D&D trope. And Erfworld, as we’ve seen, is built upon such things. I definitely don’t think that’s Vaarsuvius, though – the outfit is too feminine for an Ambiguously Elfy Wizard. And given V’s favored spells, she’d make a better shockamancer. ---
**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:** [April 8, 2011, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/159 "2011-04-08T03:03:30Z")
Vaarsuvius isn’t ambiguously elfy-- Elfy is the one thing that e unambiguously _is_. You’re right, though, that e’d more likely be a shockamancer. ---
**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:** [April 11, 2011, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528/160 "2011-04-11T10:45:07Z")
While we await the next installment I trust you’ll pardon some random pondering and speculation. Specifically, I’ve been thinking about Sizemore. I’ve assumed from fairly early on that Sizemore would, in the end, take over from Stanley as ruler of the GK side, presumably as a wise and peaceful ruler etc etc etc. He is Stanley’s only kin, we’ve learned a lot about him from almost the beginning and pretty much all of it has been sympathetic. The guy’s gonna rule at the end of it all, say I. But what if I’m thinking too small? What if Parson _literally_ “breaks everything” (as Janis might have put it), breaks Erfworld itself in some larger version of what happened at Gobwin Knob (using the Arkensaw?) and, as with GK, a now-much-advanced Dirtamancer Sizemore does something truly Titanic and remakes the world in a new and improved way? This story tends to twist and turn in ways I can’t predict so this could all be wrong and Sizemore could fall under a siege wagon in the next installment. But it’s fun to guess. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-book-2-discussion-spoilers/542528.md?page=9)