SouthpawHare
2009-06-25, 07:57 PM
Hello everyone. I'm new to the forums, but I've really been lurking forever. I'm naturallly a huge fan who's collected basically every piece of OotS material on the planet. Today, I've decided to post a topic that I've been considering for some time, which I don't think has been addressed in the past.
It has occurred to me, after browsing through the story since the very beginning for the PCs in OtooPCs that Durkon has been using the same hammer since his very first appearance, perhaps since he was a mere level 1. This can be backed up with many facts. When he was exiled in OtooPCs, his fellow Dwarves tossed his armor and hammer out to him as the only possessions he takes with him from his Dwarven Homeland. In Comic 237 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0237.html). Durkon expresses that the hammer is an heirloom, solidifying the fact that it is the same hammer. The Dungeon of Dorukan board game, while not really involved in the canon, nonetheless calls the hammer "Thor's Hammer", giving it a proper name and suggesting that it is a unique item.
Likewise, the other five characters have either specifically traded or upgraded their original weapons. Roy has his original Greenhilt Sword which has been upgraded to +5 status with "side-effects" (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0297.html). Haley has a new +5 Icy Burst (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0615.html) composite longbow stolen from the late Formerly Blind Pete. Elan has received a new rapier (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0392.html), twice. Belkar's weapons are non-distinct and could arguably have been replaced. This is supported by the fact that there is a loot card in Dungeon of Dorukan known as "Magic Daggers" which improve his damage output, suggesting that he could have found improved daggers anywhere and replaced them at any time without anyone noticing. Vaarsuvius does not generally use a weapon, although Dungeon of Dorukan also suggests that he owns The Seldom-Used Quarterstaff. Instead, Vaarsuvius's magical potential has naturally increased overtime.
This strikes me as odd, and I felt it was worth pointing out. It is only natural for D&D Adventurers to improve their gear as they improve in level and go about their campaign. In D&D, moreso than other systems, it is actually somewhat necessary. Durkon, however, has apparently never stopped using the same hammer since he was first introduced. To me, this suggests one of two things:
1) It is most certainly obsolete now, and has poor combat potential relative to the current challenges
2) There is something more to the hammer that we don't yet know about
Given the style of the mighty Giant, I wouldn't put it past him to have thought of this and put more detail into this particular item. After all, he is the one who specifically had Durkon state that it was an heirloom in the above comic, not to mention he has been drawing the thing for years now. I have a good feeling he's considered this before, and that details about it may come up in the future.
Thoughts, anyone?
It has occurred to me, after browsing through the story since the very beginning for the PCs in OtooPCs that Durkon has been using the same hammer since his very first appearance, perhaps since he was a mere level 1. This can be backed up with many facts. When he was exiled in OtooPCs, his fellow Dwarves tossed his armor and hammer out to him as the only possessions he takes with him from his Dwarven Homeland. In Comic 237 (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0237.html). Durkon expresses that the hammer is an heirloom, solidifying the fact that it is the same hammer. The Dungeon of Dorukan board game, while not really involved in the canon, nonetheless calls the hammer "Thor's Hammer", giving it a proper name and suggesting that it is a unique item.
Likewise, the other five characters have either specifically traded or upgraded their original weapons. Roy has his original Greenhilt Sword which has been upgraded to +5 status with "side-effects" (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0297.html). Haley has a new +5 Icy Burst (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0615.html) composite longbow stolen from the late Formerly Blind Pete. Elan has received a new rapier (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0392.html), twice. Belkar's weapons are non-distinct and could arguably have been replaced. This is supported by the fact that there is a loot card in Dungeon of Dorukan known as "Magic Daggers" which improve his damage output, suggesting that he could have found improved daggers anywhere and replaced them at any time without anyone noticing. Vaarsuvius does not generally use a weapon, although Dungeon of Dorukan also suggests that he owns The Seldom-Used Quarterstaff. Instead, Vaarsuvius's magical potential has naturally increased overtime.
This strikes me as odd, and I felt it was worth pointing out. It is only natural for D&D Adventurers to improve their gear as they improve in level and go about their campaign. In D&D, moreso than other systems, it is actually somewhat necessary. Durkon, however, has apparently never stopped using the same hammer since he was first introduced. To me, this suggests one of two things:
1) It is most certainly obsolete now, and has poor combat potential relative to the current challenges
2) There is something more to the hammer that we don't yet know about
Given the style of the mighty Giant, I wouldn't put it past him to have thought of this and put more detail into this particular item. After all, he is the one who specifically had Durkon state that it was an heirloom in the above comic, not to mention he has been drawing the thing for years now. I have a good feeling he's considered this before, and that details about it may come up in the future.
Thoughts, anyone?