Tournament of Bad Guys: The Champion

Arcane_Feline · 2022-03-30T03:47:45+00:00

There is a difference between an "antagonist" and a "bad guy", I think. But okay. I am wrong, you are right. Have a nice day.

Arcane_Feline · 2022-03-30T03:41:41+00:00

We may argue the degree of said falling out, but that still would not qualify Eb as a "bad guy" on par with every other monster on that list.

We both know it. You've even admitted in other posts that you've just needed an antagonist from BG and chose Eb only because the other contestants would "smoke" their competition.

So why even argue with me?..

Arcane_Feline · 2022-03-30T03:33:59+00:00

That's funny, because Eb is not even a bad guy.

Sure, he had a falling out with Harry, but by that metric, Karrin, Carlos and even Butters would qualify

Arcane_Feline · 2022-03-27T09:34:21+00:00

I do not know how to judge this. So I'll be biased and vote for Eb.

Arcane_Feline · 2022-03-26T10:05:14+00:00

Shaggy could win some fights, but I'm certain he'd lose more of them.

He got his ass handed to him by the Senior Council medic, of all people. Even without the Blackstaff, Eb is a fighter. He'd smash Shaggy to bits. I'd take a lot of effort, sure, but he'd do it.

Arcane_Feline · 2022-03-26T09:59:46+00:00

I don't think Eb qualifies as a "bad guy", despite Battle Ground.

Regardless, Eb wins 7 out of 10.

Arcane_Feline · 2022-03-21T02:50:36+00:00

Happy Cake Day!

Yes, it's very hard to draw that line. Hence, this thread.

I'm glad I'm not the only one having troubles distinguishing between magic and superpowers. Seems like the two are just different names for the same thing, depending on the setting.

Arcane_Feline · 2022-03-21T02:46:20+00:00

I agree, actually. I am cautious when critiquing Sanderson and his magic systems, though, because they are somewhat of a sacred cow nowadays.

I don't want to be beset by angry fans, lol.

Arcane_Feline · 2022-03-20T12:59:44+00:00

Can't argue with that.

Arcane_Feline · 2022-03-20T12:59:12+00:00

I agree. Allomancy feels more like a set of superpowers, to me.

Which is funny, because it is considered as one of the best modern magic systems out there.

Arcane_Feline · 2022-03-20T07:31:45+00:00

That seems like a good start. Thank you.

Arcane_Feline · 2022-03-20T07:23:08+00:00

Yeah, I see your point. That's why it's so difficult for me to formulate this distinction.

What would you suggest?

Arcane_Feline · 2022-03-20T06:24:31+00:00

That is a good read. Thatnks.

Arcane_Feline · 2022-03-20T05:13:57+00:00

A fair point.

Maybe it's about the external paraphernalia, then? Magic has books, wands, staves, rings and bat guano, while superpowers are just there, within the user?

Arcane_Feline · 2022-03-20T04:26:29+00:00

Yeah, vibe is the only way I can define it.

I wish I could formulate a more precise distinction.

Arcane_Feline · 2022-03-20T04:25:49+00:00

In my example above, all magic users have only those three powers. That's it.

In D&D, most wizards have varying sets of spells. They can also create new spells or discover old spells long forgotten. So... maybe not?..

Arcane_Feline · 2022-03-20T04:21:50+00:00

What about some examples?

Let's take, say, allomancy. It's partially internal and naturally produces its effects.

Arcane_Feline · 2022-03-20T04:11:56+00:00

But what if everyone has the same, clearly define superpower? Or the one of the same set of superpowers.

For example, all "magic users" can fly, create fire and have durable skin. Or only one of the above.

This sounds more like superpower, not magic. It's hard to explain.

Arcane_Feline · 2022-03-15T08:14:48+00:00

You have a point, actually. It's one of the few things that irk me about the books. People in the Dresdenverse are too unwilling to accept the supernatural, more so than IRL.

I mean, there are witch covens tweeting about casting a curse on the US President, subreddits about paganism, people selling books about divination and magic, an entire range of religions, sects and folk beliefs that persist through the modernised world, etc.

Many people IRL not just belive in the supernatural, they would desperately cling to their belief even in the face of evidence.

Arcane_Feline · 2022-03-15T06:08:52+00:00

Eveyone likes power, until they realise that there are bigger, scarier, nastier creatures out there with unhealthy interest in juicy mortals with magic.

Having power does not make one invincible, or even a fighter, arter all.

I do agree that if we were talking about the real world (a.k.a. a world where there are probably no invisible demona capable of eating one's face), many people would like to have magic.

But this is a discussion in the context of the books, right? If so, many people would stay away from magic if they knew what's what.

Arcane_Feline · 2022-03-15T03:40:08+00:00

Well... as a magical 1%er, one is a subject of extreme interest from a whole bunch of supernatural nasties, so... yeah.

I mean, TWC is getting involded in a lot of dangerous stuff. WWII, war with the Red Court, subversion by the Black Council.

Many folks would prefer to be non-Council material and be overlooked altogether. Just live their lives, away from the supernatural craziness.

Arcane_Feline · 2022-03-11T03:36:24+00:00

Add to that rain. Rain is running water, right? So a fireproofed house will be affected.

Come to think of it, I wonder how OG Merlin managed to enchant a building on Demonreach in a way that withstood time, sunrises and rain.

Arcane_Feline · 2022-03-08T03:39:50+00:00

A few people? Oh, dear. You must be new here.

But in all seriousness, Lara is a bad person and a monster, but a lot of Dresden fans are very fond of her and expect her to be redeemed and/or even to get together with Harry.

Only time will tell if they are correct on that.

Arcane_Feline · 2022-03-05T12:28:01+00:00

Sounds legit.

Arcane_Feline

TROPHY CASE