Malack Funeral

[Sunken Valley]

You may have killed Durkon and had great, sinister plans for the western continent, but to me you will always be Durkon's Cleric friend.

Rest in eternal peace

And no jokes on Malack already having a funeral.

[Gift Jeraff]

At least he had a coffin picked out already.

[Bird]

You know, the Giant revealed earlier today that he invented the Malack character just as a way to get Dukron vampirized.

In retrospect, that was a good clue that with that job accomplished, Malack wasn't needed anymore.

Still, I'm sad that Malack is gone. I was really looking forward to reading about the relationship between Malack and the un-enthralled Durkon.

[Ryzorrin]

You know, the Giant revealed earlier today that he invented the Malack character just as a way to get Dukron vampirized.

In retrospect, that was a good clue that with that job accomplished, Malack wasn't needed anymore.

Still, I'm sad that Malack is gone. I was really looking forward to reading about the relationship between Malack and the un-enthralled Durkon.

I second this. Malack was a rather deep villain; interesting and subtle. I would not think of him as just a device to vamp Durkon with the level of detail put into developing him.

[Sunken Valley]

You know, the Giant revealed earlier today that he invented the Malack character just as a way to get Dukron vampirized.

In retrospect, that was a good clue that with that job accomplished, Malack wasn't needed anymore.

Still, I'm sad that Malack is gone. I was really looking forward to reading about the relationship between Malack and the un-enthralled Durkon.

When did he say that?

[Bird]

He posted it here:


Malack was created for the purpose of turning Durkon into a vampire! There was no possible scenario where you would be reading a Malack vs. Durkon fight scene that didn't end with Durkon getting vamped.

[Quorothorn]

I second this. Malack was a rather deep villain; interesting and subtle. I would not think of him as just a device to vamp Durkon with the level of detail put into developing him.

Well, sure: Rich Burlew's general skill with characterization means that few characters truly end up as "narrative devices" even if that's what they "technically" are, as indeed seems to be the case with Malack.

I shall now quote Roy's obit for another member of the cast:
"...He was a good NPC."
(Not good-good, of course, being Evil and all.)

[Bird]

Well, sure: Rich Burlew's general skill with characterization means that few characters truly end up as "narrative devices" even if that's what they "technically" are, as indeed seems to be the case with Malack.

Yes, agreed.

Even so, I think the conflict and drama inherent in Malack's character made him a standout.

[Arcanist]

At least he had a coffin picked out already.

Too soon... :smallannoyed:

[The Giant]

I second this. Malack was a rather deep villain; interesting and subtle. I would not think of him as just a device to vamp Durkon with the level of detail put into developing him.

Well, I take that as a compliment.
But I never said he was "just" a device to vamp Durkon. I said that was the initial need that caused me to create the character. Once I had the character, I developed him as much as any other. In the same way as you can say that I initially created Redcloak so Xykon would have someone to talk to in cutaway scenes. Doesn't really have much to do with who he ended up being, though.

[Bird]

Well, I take that as a compliment.
But I never said he was "just" a device to vamp Durkon. I said that was the initial need that caused me to create the character. Once I had the character, I developed him as much as any other. In the same way as you can say that I initially created Redcloak so Xykon would have someone to talk to in cutaway scenes. Doesn't really have much to do with who he ended up being, though.
This is quite fair. Malack was made into a fantastic character no matter his original reason for creation.

I did not mean to imply that Malack was no more than a narrative device. Only that it seemed to me, based on your post, that his primary narrative purpose had been served.

[KillianHawkeye]

Oh no! Now we will never know if Malack had legs or not! :smallfrown::smallamused:

[Peelee]

He went out exactly as I expected him to, but that doesn't mean I like it. He's probably my favorite villain so far, and all he ever really did was vamp Durkon. I'd love to have a backstory told in print, but I'm not hanging any hopes on that door. Haven't wished for a character not to have died this much since Wash.

[TRH]

He went out exactly as I expected him to, but that doesn't mean I like it. He's probably my favorite villain so far, and all he ever really did was vamp Durkon. I'd love to have a backstory told in print, but I'm not hanging any hopes on that door. Haven't wished for a character not to have died this much since Wash.

Team Tarquin/Linear Guild prequel book, anyone?

[Hurkle]

He went out exactly as I expected him to, but that doesn't mean I like it. He's probably my favorite villain so far, and all he ever really did was vamp Durkon. I'd love to have a backstory told in print, but I'm not hanging any hopes on that door. Haven't wished for a character not to have died this much since Wash.

I think you say that cause you haven't seen a Xykon Is A BadAss scene in a little while. With a capital b AND a :smallbiggrin:.

[Bluepaw]

Team Tarquin/Linear Guild prequel book, anyone?

You have my sword...

[LordChaos13]

You have my sword...

And my bow...

[Arcanist]

And my bow...

AND MY AXE!

[Bird]

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2ahp1UdMc1r68ucoo1_400.jpg

edit: ninja'd, but the picture is funny.

[Glarx]

He went out exactly as I expected him to, but that doesn't mean I like it. He's probably my favorite villain so far, and all he ever really did was vamp Durkon. I'd love to have a backstory told in print, but I'm not hanging any hopes on that door. Haven't wished for a character not to have died this much since Wash.

And how. That's a good way of putting it.

I dislike Nale already, but this scene actually made me sad -- Malack was intriguing and honorable enough to take up root in my heart. But the disturbing death sequence in particular -- especially perpetrated by Nale! -- really caught me off guard. I hope we see more of Malack, even if its only an afterlife reunion with Tarquin.

[The honest illusionist]

AND MY AXE!

And my GP.

[Charity322]

I like Malack more than I like Nale. Why couldn't he have smushed Nale?

Even though, Nale did prove that he isn't just a pretty face. He planned this one meticulously.

[KillianHawkeye]

Nale did a pretty good job of re-earning my respect today.

[SaintRidley]

Somehow I expect his first funeral had more people mourning him than his second will have. Doubting many in OotSworld are saddened by this turn of events.

[WindStruck]

Well you know what they say...

Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust.

[Fridolin]

One questions to those who know themselves better in the D&D-World: Isn't Malack, after being destroyed in sunshine, able to come back through his coffin? Could be that I mix up stuff though - every system handles vampires a bit different...

[Gift Jeraff]

One questions to those who know themselves better in the D&D-World: Isn't Malack, after being destroyed in sunshine, able to come back through his coffin? Could be that I mix up stuff though - every system handles vampires a bit different...

That only applies if they are reduced to 0 HP by conventional means. Death by sunlight or running water is final. A wooden stake to the heart is indefinite--they are instantly revived once it's pulled out.

[Mike Havran]

Somehow I expect his first funeral had more people mourning him than his second will have. Doubting many in OotSworld are saddened by this turn of events.

I bet Tarqin will orchestrate a state funeral for him. The entire Empire of Blood will mourn the loss of their High Priest.

[Bird]

I think Malack is a high priest of Nergal -- not necessarily of the whole EoB. He is a "minister" if I'm not mistaken. Hard to say what that entails, exactly, though it seems important.

I agree that it would make sense for Tarquin to orchestrate a funeral for him, unless emergencies occur which prevent him from doing so. Tarquin's reaction will be quite telling, actually; I've been curious whether he has much emotional attachment to Malack or not for a long time.

I wonder whether Tarquin would try to have Malack raised? I doubt it, somehow, and given Malack's speech about how he wouldn't want to be returned from unlife to life, I don't think his spirit would agree to come back if he did. (I admit that I'm not at all clear on how all the issues of personal identity, memory, life, unlife and metaphysics would interact in this instance.)

[Lvl45DM!]

BURN! BURN YOU DAMNED LACKEY OF A COWARDLY GOD! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

No greater justice could there have been than getting taken out by a chump like Nale!

May Durkon's newfound freedom give him the ability to summon your soul to mock it heartily.

Damn you for making me weep a webcomic you black robed waste of no-breath

[LordChaos13]

BURN! BURN YOU DAMNED LACKEY OF A COWARDLY GOD! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

No greater justice could there have been than getting taken out by a chump like Nale!

May Durkon's newfound freedom give him the ability to summon your soul to mock it heartily.

Damn you for making me weep a webcomic you black robed waste of no-breath

Not sure if trolling or overreacting to hide feelings for the villain?
Then again social cues escape me

[Lvl45DM!]

Not sure if trolling or overreacting to hide feelings for the villain?
Then again social cues escape me

Why can't it just be the fact that I really hated him? For reasons clearly stated in my post?

[Emulgator]

:nale: "Beautiful day, don't you think?
Not a cloud in the sky."

http://0-media-cdn.foolz.us/ffuuka/board/a/image/1337/73/1337732235664.png

[LordChaos13]

"Lackey of a cowardly god" We dont know much about Nergal, except the part about him being maybe-probably-kinda neutral and is cool with the Undead
Still not a reason to hate him. Vecna-Worshippers arent to be loathed because they worship the God of Secrets, but cause they are probably lacking character depths or other reasons our Vamp-Lizard lacks

"No greater justice than being taken out by Nale" Not a reason to hate the character, also you seem to have a different definition of Justice than me

"Durkon's freedom, soul-summoning" Not a reason to hate the character. Out of character for Durkon, In three parts: The soul-summoning, the mocking and the fact he kinda-liked Malack except for the whole Undead thing and is thus LESS likely to do the two above


"Damn you for making me weep a webcomic you black robed waste of no-breath" How do you cry webcomics? Do you cry into a USB port and it uploads a new comic?
Assuming its a typo and you wanted to say weep at a webcomic or something: Why is weeping for a webcomic Bad? unless you hate all the sad scenes in movies, books etc.
The fact he could get to you like that proves he is a good character, or the plot device that is a part of him is a good one. Sure Durkula is sad, but its also an interesting plot twist. His backstory is semi-sympathetic (like Nale's killing of his children etc. not so much the plan to make an everlasting slaughterhouse continent) and the character believable.


Seeing no reason to hate him in the post itself, except maybe the fact he vamped Durkon.
He is a good character, I wouldnt want to meet him in real Life (mostly cause of the fangs) but with a Wall between us i find him enjoyable to watch and interact with other characters.

[JBiddles]

I liked Malack, but was not particularly attached to him - I prefer Tarquin. Still, I wish he could have taken Nale down with him. Never mind, now we'll see how vampirism actually works in Durkula's case.

[Flame of Anor]

What's that manga page from?

Also, ha ha, good riddance you treacherous snake!

[factotum]

I wonder whether Tarquin would try to have Malack raised? I doubt it, somehow

I would assume Tarquin is fully aware of how long Malack spent as a vampire before he met him, and he's going to be equally aware that a living Malack would not be the same person he knew. Heck, the living Malack might even have been Good, who knows?

Of course, there's also the slight problem that Malack has been dead for 200 years, according to his own words to Durkon--the only way he's getting resurrected is if someone can find a 20th level cleric to cast True Resurrection, and I doubt there's a cleric that high a level anywhere in Stickworld. Even Redcloak, one of the most powerful clerics around, only recently turned 17th level (he got to use 9th-level spells for the first time when killing the Resistance).

[IronFist]

Oh no! Now we will never know if Malack had legs or not! :smallfrown::smallamused:

Wasn't it made quite clear he didn't, when he grappled Durkon?

[Shred-Bot]

Wasn't it made quite clear he didn't, when he grappled Durkon?

Yes, LegWatch 2013 was officially called off after comic 876.

[Bulldog Psion]

One of the deepest characters in the comic despite his short appearance in it. I much preferred him to Tarquin. Not that it's a tragedy that he's dead, considering what he was planning, but he is worth a passing salute. Rest in whatever passes for peace for Nergal's followers, Sinister One.

And Nale is suddenly a lot more formidable as a character. A lot. :smalleek:

[SaintRidley]

What's that manga page from?



Fullmetal Alchemist.

[pendell]

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to pay our last respects to Malack, who is finally resting at peace.

For years , alas, he has been denied this gift. He has been trapped in a state worse than death, forced to wander the world as a living corpse.

We don't know what *Malack* was really like. We don't know whether the vampire-thing really and truly represented the life and intentions of the original Malack. Who knows, whatever's left of that long ago and far away being may actually be grateful and pleased with this turn of events. It may be that every moment of his unlife, starting with the drinking of his own brothers, has been on some level a torment to him. A torment that is now, at last, finally over.

So this is not a moment to be sad. This is a moment of rejoicing. For Malack , who may at last go to his god's side and receive his reward for his service. For all those who would otherwise have been put to death in the murderous totalitarian state he intended to build. For the whole world, in that a great and monstrous evil has departed forever.

So rest in peace, Malack. Charming, affable villain that you were, you have served your purpose and may now go on to your reward. If only all lives could have that written of them.

Respectfully,

Brian P.