Durkula, holding his son in his lap after hearing what Durkon’s Ma did? Advantage, Durkon.
But its not his son.
“I ne’er let go”
Her arm is buried with Tenrin, still holding his hand…
It’s a lovely strip, and powerful tale of sacrifice and healing. Why though, should we expect it to affect something that, as RedCloak noted about the wights and Xykon, isn’t a man, but rather is a collection of dark energy in the shape of one?
Burlew seems to be asking us to believe that a negative energy spirit will not only do a selfless act, but will directly betray its patron, creator, and the source for most of its power. All because he’s moved by a story from Durkon’s mother? I don’t see it.
Which could be why she didn’t get a new arm. That way, her right hand is forever holding his.
ETA: Rich is suddenly pouring out the strips, isn’t he?
Probably finishing this bit and then we’ll get slapped with a “See you in Book #—” whatever book we’re up to.
I suspect he’s got another twist coming up–otherwise, appealing to the heart of a vampire is sort of like pleading your case to a shark and hoping it’ll take pity on you.
I totally missed that the first read-through. That’s lovely.
Also lovely.
…And her hand now holds a Silmaril. Yup, still just as badass as when Tolkien did it.
And it’s not just what Sigdi did, but what she said, about eventually telling her son, when he’s old enough. Just like Durkon is now looking forward to telling things to his son.
Now, it’s a valid point that, while that’s a powerful bond for Durkon, it might not apply to the vampire. But remember, evil though it is, the vampire is still made out of Durkon, psychologically as well as physically. It’s Durkon as he was on his worst day… but even on his worst day, he still had these memories of love and sacrifice stashed away deep down inside.
Yeah, it’s like trying to pluck at Durkula’s heart strings. You’re only playing air guitar.
So, the story is a thing to0 bury, and don’t tell anyone except your son when he’s old enough. And now Durkon is telling it to Durkula.
Are we heading for an “I am your father” moment? Elan would be so proud.
If he was truly heartless, his reactions wouldn’t make much sense.
My guess is that he is finding out how horrible being with Hel must be if she’s willing to do all this just to save some strangers from winding up with her.
If this memory helps to stop Durkula, then why would Durkon wait so long to use it?
I’m absolutely expecting Durkula’s blank stare to segue into “Goddamn, boy. I always knew you goody two shoes were retarded, but not **that **much !”
Yes, that’s where they are.
Dammit, Burlew, now you’ve made me all weepy.
Stoopid stick figures.
This is the only reaction that would make sense to me. Any kind of sudden revelation or turnaround on the part of the embodiment of pure evil energy would feel really cheesy.
Durk-mom’s reasoning for raising the miners over her husband was really quite good though.
I think you must be right, that Durkula won’t be moved by this moving story and will mock Durkon for trying–at which point Durkon will reveal, too late for Durkula to do anything about it, his real reason for telling that story.
Yep, I’m really hoping Rich has something clever in mind and didn’t write himself into an ‘unconvincing change of heart moment’ corner.
I like to think you’re right, but re-reading 1007(Your Worst) makes me think this will resolve exactly how it looks set to:
“When a new vampire spirit springs into existence, the first memories it absorbs are the lowest, darkest moments of its host’s life.” I.e. vampires are not mere dark energy in a convenient form, but something more complicated.
“You are who you are on your very worst day. And that’s who I am, your very worst day personified.” On his worst day, Durkon might say he wants to damn every last dwarf to Hel, but would he actually do it?
“Hel may have created me, but she shaped me to fit perfectly in the hole in your heart” - we’ve just learnt that there’s already something in that hole.
“Who knows? Some other vampire spirit who was made to order for a different dwarf might’ve done as Roy suggested and rejected Hel’s plan from the start.” Needs no further comment.
I looked back at the comment before reading your own analysis and this is the line that popped out at me.
I’ll still be disappointed if that’s how this all resolves, but it can’t be said that it wasn’t foreshadowed.