# Erfworld: General Discussion \[spoilers\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 3, 2009, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-general-discussion-spoilers/488205 "2009-03-03T23:14:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**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:** [April 24, 2009, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-general-discussion-spoilers/488205/41 "2009-04-24T00:43:51Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > Nah. This isn’t the end. There’s no resolution. Lord Hampster was brought in to serve Stanley and Stanley is off somewhere else, probably assuming that Gobwin Knob is in the hands of the Coalition. The arkentools haven’t been collected. Stanley the Tool hasn’t been dealt with. And Lord Hampster hasn’t been sent back home, or offered the opportunity to do so (one or the other of those has to happen). > > Basically, the battle is over, but the war is not. When [last seen](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/erf0128.html), Stanley had failed to break through the choke point to Faq, and Jack had at least semi-convinced him that this was a sign from the Titans that he shouldn’t have left Gobwin Knob. Presumably he is now on his way back. His reactions to this situation ought to be interesting (and is probably one of the things to be revealed in the closing pages of this story arc). Another interesting thing on this page is the hint at Wanda’s backstory (“For [the Arkenpliers] I have wrecked and ruined more than you have.”) The obvious implication is that she set up the fall of Faq, but there could be more to it than that. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-general-discussion-spoilers/488205/42 "2009-04-24T01:34:47Z")
And now Magic Wanda has her toy. ---
**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 24, 2009, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-general-discussion-spoilers/488205/43 "2009-04-24T01:43:27Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > And now Magic Wanda has her toy. The pliers? Or Ansom? ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-general-discussion-spoilers/488205/44 "2009-04-24T01:54:36Z")
> [@Lightray](#): > > The pliers? Or Ansom? The pliers _and_ Ansom. ---
**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 24, 2009, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-general-discussion-spoilers/488205/45 "2009-04-24T09:50:38Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > Unknown. “Saw” is a popular guess… 😛 He wouldn’t _dare_… Who am I kidding? It’d be the longest run-up to a punchline in history. _Of course_ he’d do 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:** [April 27, 2009, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-general-discussion-spoilers/488205/46 "2009-04-27T16:51:53Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > He wouldn’t _dare_… > > Who am I kidding? It’d be the longest run-up to a punchline in history. _Of course_ he’d do it. I’m afraid if that’s the punchline, I won’t get it. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-general-discussion-spoilers/488205/47 "2009-04-27T17:19:55Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > I’m afraid if that’s the punchline, I won’t get it. Arkansas. ---
**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:** [April 29, 2009, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-general-discussion-spoilers/488205/48 "2009-04-29T08:44:13Z")
[“What am I?”](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/erf0157.html) Those pliers have some interesting abilities, it seems… ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2009, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-general-discussion-spoilers/488205/49 "2009-04-29T10:02:47Z")
De-Crypt! Heh. Snazzy skull pattern on the jumpsuit/ ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2009, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-general-discussion-spoilers/488205/50 "2009-04-29T11:09:05Z")
Whoa. This is interesting. So does Stanley, or Parson, or Wanda, now get control of any surviving forces under Ansom? The mind reels. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2009, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-general-discussion-spoilers/488205/51 "2009-04-29T11:37:31Z")
> [@Olentzero](#): > > Whoa. This is interesting. So does Stanley, or Parson, or Wanda, now get control of any surviving forces under Ansom? The mind reels. What forces ? They were all croaked when the volcano went “yaaaawn” ---
**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 29, 2009, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-general-discussion-spoilers/488205/52 "2009-04-29T12:29:06Z")
In addition to there being no surviving Coalition forces, Ansom was only a Warlord. Jetstone, FoxMUD, Sofa King, and all the other sides are still around, and their units would still have natural thinkamancy of loyalty to those sides. When Wanda uncroaked all the Jetstone victims of the tunnels, the Tool’s side didn’t suddenly get control over Jetstone units just because they now had some uncroaked warlords who used to be Jetstone too. ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2009, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-general-discussion-spoilers/488205/53 "2009-04-29T18:52:21Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > What forces ? They were all croaked when the volcano went “yaaaawn” Y’never know, he might have kept reserves back at home or elsewhere. He may be an arrogant fool but I doubt he’d pour everything he had into the assault on Gobwin Knob, especially if he were so sure of victory. And whatever he is, he sure as hell doesn’t look uncroaked! ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2009, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-general-discussion-spoilers/488205/54 "2009-04-29T19:25:52Z")
Oh, on the contrary. I’d say Ansom was \*exactly \*the kind of guy who’d put all his apples in one basket when it comes to showing who’s boss. As for what he is now… I don’t think he’s uncroaked, he seems alive for realz - but I did notice a wardrobe upgrade : the red strawberries of Jetstone on his collar turned into skulls similar to the ones on Wanda’s clothes. I’d say Wanda just got her own faction, and her first warlord (her first two warlords, in fact - Jillian will surely join both her lovers). And based on what she says, I’d say she was planning on this since strip one. Speaking of Wanda, anyone notice that she’s drawn with realistic proportions these days, as opposed to the early SuperDeformed Wanda with a huge head on a tiny body ? She grew taller, too. ---
**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:** [April 29, 2009, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-general-discussion-spoilers/488205/55 "2009-04-29T19:29:33Z")
> [@Olentzero](#): > > Y’never know, he might have kept reserves back at home or elsewhere. He may be an arrogant fool but I doubt he’d pour everything he had into the assault on Gobwin Knob, especially if he were so sure of victory. Ansom wasn’t the ruler of his side – he was the heir and Chief Warlord. Presumably, the King of Jetstone is back home, safe and sound, and any of their units that weren’t part of Ansom’s crusade are loyal to him. > [@](#): > > And whatever he is, he sure as hell doesn’t look uncroaked! Note that his livery changed (skulls on the stripes of his jacket) to fit Wanda’s theme. Whether he’s some super-uncroaked (perhaps free of the usual “decays over time” limitation) or actually restored to life, that implies that he’s Wanda’s thrall. Edited to add: > [@Kobal2](#): > > Oh, on the contrary. I’d say Ansom was \*exactly \*the kind of guy who’d put all his apples in one basket when it comes to showing who’s boss. His original battle plan, as described back at the beginning of the story, was basically “go in and pound them flat with sheer weight of numbers”. So, yeah, I think every unit was brought into the battle zone. > [@](#): > > Speaking of Wanda, anyone notice that she’s drawn with realistic proportions these days, as opposed to the early SuperDeformed Wanda with a huge head on a tiny body ? She grew taller, too. Perhaps that’s symbolic of Erfworld seeming more “for realz” to Parson with time. ---
**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 29, 2009, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-general-discussion-spoilers/488205/56 "2009-04-29T20:05:22Z")
We’ve seen uncroaked assume the livery of their commander before – when Wanda uncroaked all the Jetstone units, their livery changed from yellow-with-radish to Hamstard. Ansom getting gray trim with skulls and a little scalloped cape doesn’t mean Wanda now has her own side. And I suspect that Wanda being less chibi now than at the beginning of the strip is an indicator she’s leveled up a few times. Or, their art style has evolved. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2009, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-general-discussion-spoilers/488205/57 "2009-04-29T20:53:27Z")
The art is changing, and probably not accidentally. Ansom has the same proportions in this strip as Wanda, and Parson’s face is being drawn with slightly less detail than it was early in the comic, even in close ups (check out 147 vs. 18). That looks like convergence to me. ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2009, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-general-discussion-spoilers/488205/58 "2009-04-30T07:23:32Z")
OK, **Steve** and **Kobal** bring up some good points. It will certainly be interesting to see what becomes of Ansom. (And yeah, I did notice the skulls - but I admit I thought the strawberries were radishes!) His facial expression in the last panel is a bit curious, too - at first when he asks “What am I?” I wondered if his memory had been wiped; but he seems to be looking at Wanda like he knows perfectly well who she is and what’s going on (i.e. not at all happy about it). ---
**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:** [April 30, 2009, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-general-discussion-spoilers/488205/59 "2009-04-30T14:49:35Z")
> [@Olentzero](#): > > OK, **Steve** and **Kobal** bring up some good points. It will certainly be interesting to see what becomes of Ansom. (And yeah, I did notice the skulls - but I admit I thought the strawberries were radishes!) Ansom’s emblem is a radish – [“He’ll probably redo it in all pastels and royal radishes.”](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/erf0030.html) (And now I have a mental image of Wanda’s dungeon playroom redone in pastels and royal radishes, without any change in its equipment or function. This could be my subconscious commenting on the grey-and-grey morality of the two sides, or just an indication of my warped psyche.) ---
**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 30, 2009, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-general-discussion-spoilers/488205/60 "2009-04-30T17:10:43Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > Arkansas. :smack: PLEASE don’t let it be the Arkensaw… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-general-discussion-spoilers/488205.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/erfworld-general-discussion-spoilers/488205.md?page=4)