Breccia
2013-09-18, 08:53 AM
In several notable works of fiction, there is an auxiliary character who, while not one of the main characters, is keeping the heroes on track through equally brave actions and sacrifice. A classic example is Wedge Antilles. Ace pilot of the Rebel Alliance, Wedge shoots down a TIE fighter about to vaporize Luke Skywalker, then protects him in the trench run, in the original Star Wars. He then takes out an AT-AT walker in Empire Strikes back, and leads the charge against the Death Star's main reactor in Return of the Jedi. Despite limited screen time, Wedge was indeed one of the pivotal figures in the movie series. Characters like him can show depth in a piece of art, and deserve recognition for the role they play.
And so, we find ourselves in the presence of such a character in the OotS. I refer, of course, to Spiky.
Where would our heroes be without this...erm...thing by their side? Armed with claws, teeth, and the nickname-generating protrusions, Spiky could potentially kill off almost as many of Tarquin's mooks as Roy or Belkar. But it doesn't end there! Spiky has also demonstrated a resistance to arrows lacked by other party members (such as Roy), allowing him to soak up attacks that would otherwise chip away at the party's few remaining hit points. And do not forget Spiky's grappling attacks! Should Team Tarquin choose to attack, Spiky could take one for the team and nobly sacri...I mean, magically dominated mind-controlled be ordered to grapple, say, a psion or spellcaster, giving the full-fledged OotS members well-deserved free hits on a restrained, cloth-wearing punching bag.
Recent developments have only made Spiky more of an advantage. Being able to wander in and out of the Johny Cash reference to bring justice to...I mean, indiscriminately and savagely slaughter the nearby soldiers while the Order takes a quick breather in relative safety, Spiky can further improve his value to the team. Hell, or possibly Hades/Gehenna/Abyss, it can probably teleport to the middle of the archers and wreck some face there instead.
May the Twelve Gods bless Spiky, who...ok that's probably not a good idea, what with Spiky being a soul-consuming monster of darkness that would show up in Detect Evil through three lead sheets and a room full of Belkar clones. But let us raise a toast to Spiky, who...ok that's probably not a good idea either, what with Durkon being a vampire now. Hmm. Well let us all give thanks that Spiky is here to assist our beloved main characters, before the summon spell ends and it returns to torturing the souls of tax adjusters or cleaning out the Inbox we just saw.
A moment of appreciation for supporting characters, who happen to be named after shapes that can hold doors open or closed.
And so, we find ourselves in the presence of such a character in the OotS. I refer, of course, to Spiky.
Where would our heroes be without this...erm...thing by their side? Armed with claws, teeth, and the nickname-generating protrusions, Spiky could potentially kill off almost as many of Tarquin's mooks as Roy or Belkar. But it doesn't end there! Spiky has also demonstrated a resistance to arrows lacked by other party members (such as Roy), allowing him to soak up attacks that would otherwise chip away at the party's few remaining hit points. And do not forget Spiky's grappling attacks! Should Team Tarquin choose to attack, Spiky could take one for the team and nobly sacri...I mean, magically dominated mind-controlled be ordered to grapple, say, a psion or spellcaster, giving the full-fledged OotS members well-deserved free hits on a restrained, cloth-wearing punching bag.
Recent developments have only made Spiky more of an advantage. Being able to wander in and out of the Johny Cash reference to bring justice to...I mean, indiscriminately and savagely slaughter the nearby soldiers while the Order takes a quick breather in relative safety, Spiky can further improve his value to the team. Hell, or possibly Hades/Gehenna/Abyss, it can probably teleport to the middle of the archers and wreck some face there instead.
May the Twelve Gods bless Spiky, who...ok that's probably not a good idea, what with Spiky being a soul-consuming monster of darkness that would show up in Detect Evil through three lead sheets and a room full of Belkar clones. But let us raise a toast to Spiky, who...ok that's probably not a good idea either, what with Durkon being a vampire now. Hmm. Well let us all give thanks that Spiky is here to assist our beloved main characters, before the summon spell ends and it returns to torturing the souls of tax adjusters or cleaning out the Inbox we just saw.
A moment of appreciation for supporting characters, who happen to be named after shapes that can hold doors open or closed.