Turgon9357
2013-08-27, 12:28 AM
While Nale is the one who spawned the evil opposites theme, Tarquin seems to have accidentally/on purpose taken up the mantle, although in a much deeper sense. Instead of superficial differences, the dichotomy is in character.
Consider their shared, borderline game-breaking genre-savviness and how it impacts their characters as a whole:
For Elan, the dramatic perspective (sporadically hereafter referred to as The Story) is his specialty and how he often understands what goes on around him. He seems to have adopted this mode primarily because it is harmlessly fun and is even helpful at times (for those who take heed (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0556.html), at least). But when it's time to get serious, he immediately defenestrates any notion of rule-of-drama. He is no slave to the story, but rather innocently revels in it, and will abandon it without hesitation if it means people could (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0670.html)/did (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0914.html) get hurt.
Tarquin, on the other hand, sees the rules and tropes of drama almost as natural laws, which are reliable and can be exploited to produce particular results. This is the foundation for his scheme (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0763.html) (I am assuming that his reveal to Elan was for the most part truthful). He doesn't latch on to 'The Story' to enjoy the ride like Elan, but instead to milk it for everything it can get him. He also uses dramatic conventions to justify the horrible things he does.
This is where I think the differences between these two really shine and expresses their alignments brilliantly. Elan enthusiastically throws himself into The Story to become a part of it and to enjoy the ride. Tarquin uses The Story and loop-holes his way into power. Elan wants to participate, Tarquin wants to dominate.
Side opposite:
For Elan and Haley, their relationship is the only romantic one involving either one that is explored in the comic (bard camp stories and cryptogramed confessions notwithstanding). While they aren't officially married, they might as well be, and in the best way possible. They are committed to each other (probably irrevocably so), bring out each others' strengths, and help each other get through their problems.
Tarquin has had 9 marriages. This fact pretty much explains itself.
Consider their shared, borderline game-breaking genre-savviness and how it impacts their characters as a whole:
For Elan, the dramatic perspective (sporadically hereafter referred to as The Story) is his specialty and how he often understands what goes on around him. He seems to have adopted this mode primarily because it is harmlessly fun and is even helpful at times (for those who take heed (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0556.html), at least). But when it's time to get serious, he immediately defenestrates any notion of rule-of-drama. He is no slave to the story, but rather innocently revels in it, and will abandon it without hesitation if it means people could (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0670.html)/did (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0914.html) get hurt.
Tarquin, on the other hand, sees the rules and tropes of drama almost as natural laws, which are reliable and can be exploited to produce particular results. This is the foundation for his scheme (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0763.html) (I am assuming that his reveal to Elan was for the most part truthful). He doesn't latch on to 'The Story' to enjoy the ride like Elan, but instead to milk it for everything it can get him. He also uses dramatic conventions to justify the horrible things he does.
This is where I think the differences between these two really shine and expresses their alignments brilliantly. Elan enthusiastically throws himself into The Story to become a part of it and to enjoy the ride. Tarquin uses The Story and loop-holes his way into power. Elan wants to participate, Tarquin wants to dominate.
Side opposite:
For Elan and Haley, their relationship is the only romantic one involving either one that is explored in the comic (bard camp stories and cryptogramed confessions notwithstanding). While they aren't officially married, they might as well be, and in the best way possible. They are committed to each other (probably irrevocably so), bring out each others' strengths, and help each other get through their problems.
Tarquin has had 9 marriages. This fact pretty much explains itself.