What would the OOTS characters be like in the modern day?

[Barebarian]

What do you think they'd be like? What do you think they'd be doing?
I think Roy would be doing something like football while studying for an architecture degree [and dating a certain sylphy cheerleader of course :smallwink: ] Durkon would be doing good somewhere, probably as a missionary or aid worker, Haley would be doing SOME form of crime [though not as severe as Belkar would be doing :smalleek: ], Vaarsuvius would probably be hip deep in CERN research and Elan would probably be doing things I can't talk about on a children's forum. :smallamused: [Although at least part of it would be a bunch of hot girls, in room 115 :smallwink: ]

[Rogar Demonblud]

You might want to scan this thread for ideas: Real Life OOTS (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?285980-Real-life-OoTS).

[zimmerwald1915]

The Order would be a PMC, with Belkar a wanted criminal in several countries and Vaarsuvius wanted in The Hague.

[Barebarian]

You might want to scan this thread for ideas: /URL].

Wow thanks! But you know, I noticed a common thread with the conversation in that was that the characters often don't match any real world professions perfectly except for Haley as a thief and Sabine as a porn star [Though I'd have preferred to see Elan in the latter role :smallamused: 18 Charisma must be worth something!] so I think the question may make more sense as what would the OOTS cast be like as SUPERHEROES?

[Barebarian]

The Order would be a PMC, with Belkar a wanted criminal in several countries and Vaarsuvius wanted in The Hague.

That made me think "OOTS in Iraq or Afghanistan" which is now making me think about that "Dim Sun" picture the Giant made. :smallbiggrin:

[RatElemental]

All of the classes of the oots characters match a real world profession, save V, though how well their classes actually match mechanically is another story.

A ranger plopped into real life would make a pretty good park ranger or animal handler. Belkar would probably only be good for the latter.

A real life fighter would be at home in the military, a police force, or maybe even as a bounty hunter.

A real life bard would be an excellent comedian, singer, or other stage performer.

A real life cleric would probably make a good priest, just without the actual magic.

A real life rogue can be basically anything, from a doctor to a burglar to a lawyer. Benefits of being the designated skill monkey class I suppose, even if the rest of the class is built around bypassing traps and shanking people in their carotid.

[dps]

A real life fighter would be at home in the military, a police force, or maybe even as a bounty hunter.



Yeah, I understand why people suggest that Roy would be a professional athlete, but while he would have probably played sports while in school, he'd likely be in the military. Given his all-around good stats, he'd probably be special forces of some sort.

[xroads]

I imagine them being in a noir/cop drama. That way they have a reason to interact with each other in the same story (albiet not usually in the same scene), in the general pursuit of some common narrative purpose.


Roy: A police detective. He probably initially studied architecture in college, but changed gears completely to help his father bring down Xykon. As well as make the world a safer place.
Elan: Roy's partner. Who became a cop for the sole purpose of being the plucky comic relief partner. Relied primarily on his charisma to rise in the ranks to detective.
Haley: Cat burglar/informant. Helps Roy solve cases and he turns a grudging blind eye to her activities.
Vaarsuvius: A computer specialist who is having to work for the police department as an intern to pay off student loans (à la Joel Fleischman from "Northern Exposure").
Durkon: Forensic scientist. Originally inspired to go into medicine to find ways to help his mom, but eventually became interested in forensics.
Or maybe he's an EMT that somehow ends up on the scene too early and ends up having to buddy up with Roy & Elan in action sequences.
Belkar: A serial killer that tends to leave clues for Roy to find other criminals. Perhaps has a beef with Xykon and/or Red Cloak and wants to see Roy take them down. Could also be Durkon's partner if Durkon is an EMT.
Xykon: A cut-throat elderly mob boss who has been known to literally cut throats to get what he wants.
Red Cloak: A local politician who genuinely wants to help his community, but has cut some shady deals with Xykon to do it.



Elan would probably be doing things I can't talk about on a children's forum. :smallamused: [Although at least part of it would be a bunch of hot girls, in room 115 :smallwink: ]

Maybe. But for most of the story Elan has been portrayed as a goofball that sings songs and plays with puppets. I can honestly see him as a children's tv show host.

[Grey Watcher]

Assuming they're not Seal Team Stick (which, let's face it, is more or less what The Order actually does)...


Roy, as above, is a police officer. He got into being a Fighter to protect people, so he'd be a cynical-but-principled cop, much to his father's chagrin. Gets flack from his fellow officers because he double-majored in criminal justice and architecture.
Haley would probably be more into cyber-crime than physical burglary. Lots and lots of skill with encryption and other ways to hide who you really are online. Her Facebook profile is basically a giant pack of lies. At the beginning of the comic, she steals pretty strictly for profit and/or her dad. By the current, going rather Robin Hood about it.
Elan, again as above, children's entertainer, hosting some sort of Sesame Street-like show is just too perfect. He might go all LeVar Burton and split his time between that and doing stints on more conventional films and television (Dashing Swordsman and all).
Durkon is probably a doctor. He doesn't care much about the theology of Thor, he wants to be a healer. He'd no doubt be pretty devout in general, but he'd be a doctor, not a priest by profession. Doesn't fit the "rich doctor" stereotype; he prefers to work in in various clinics or hospitals serving the needy and often volunteers for the likes of Doctors Without Borders, so he makes enough to get by, maybe keep up with his student loan payments, but apart from his bar tab, doesn't exactly spend a lot on luxuries.
Vaarsuvius definitely spent most of his life in academia. Probably a nuclear physicist or something, investigating the fundamental (and potentially explosive) forces that make up the universe. If you want to model his being forced into the adventuring life, maybe budget cutbacks at the university have forced him into things like corporate R&D or working for the government on building new weapons, power plants, and the like.
Belkar, petty criminal mostly. Would be a really good hit man and/or muscle for a gang if he weren't so darned undisciplined. His "faked" character development might have him working for the cops as a mole or somesuch.
Eugene Greenhilt is similar to Vaarsuvius, though I'm not sure what his field would be. Something to do with optics or maybe astronomy (ie, stuff we can't exactly go play with directly, we can only observe it). Alternatively, he might be work with really advanced, cutting edge computing technology and/or programming.
Lord Shojo is a politician.
Tarquin is the power behind the throne at some petty dictatorship.
Veldrina has a doctorate in theology, but spends most of her free time researching whatever tickles her fancy that day, so she knows a lot about a lot of different subjects
Nale is the leader of some kind of organized crime, but it's pretty much only in one city. He pretends like its a lot more, but the bigger fish dismiss him as "trying too hard."
Thog is dumb muscle for Nale's gang.
Sabine is a porn star/escort/sex worker. Has had a surprising number of high profile clients who owe her favors or that she could blackmail.
Xykon is, to borrow something Rich quoted in a book commentary, a classic corrupt corporate executive.
Redcloak is either a terrorist or a freedom fighter, depending on who you ask.

[Fyraltari]

a certain sylphy cheerleader of course.

How did the lawyer turn into a cheerleader?

[zimmerwald1915]

How did the lawyer turn into a cheerleader?
Many if not most American high schools and colleges don't offer pre-law. The general advice students in such places are given is to study something that builds their research and writing skills.

[littlebum2002]

I think Roy would be doing something like football while studying for an architecture degree

This has inspired me. From now on, I have a new answer for whenever someone inevitably posts a thread about "who should play each character in a live action movie". I think Roy should be played by that guy who was in the NFL a few years ago and had a PHD from MIT and a bunch of research papers to his name.

[Ruck]

This has inspired me. From now on, I have a new answer for whenever someone inevitably posts a thread about "who should play each character in a live action movie". I think Roy should be played by that guy who was in the NFL a few years ago and had a PHD from MIT and a bunch of research papers to his name.

Probably John Urschel (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Urschel) although you could be thinking of Myron Rolle (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myron_Rolle).

[woweedd]

Assuming they're not Seal Team Stick (which, let's face it, is more or less what The Order actually does)...


Roy, as above, is a police officer. He got into being a Fighter to protect people, so he'd be a cynical-but-principled cop, much to his father's chagrin. Gets flack from his fellow officers because he double-majored in criminal justice and architecture.
Haley would probably be more into cyber-crime than physical burglary. Lots and lots of skill with encryption and other ways to hide who you really are online. Her Facebook profile is basically a giant pack of lies. At the beginning of the comic, she steals pretty strictly for profit and/or her dad. By the current, going rather Robin Hood about it.
Elan, again as above, children's entertainer, hosting some sort of Sesame Street-like show is just too perfect. He might go all LeVar Burton and split his time between that and doing stints on more conventional films and television (Dashing Swordsman and all).
Durkon is probably a doctor. He doesn't care much about the theology of Thor, he wants to be a healer. He'd no doubt be pretty devout in general, but he'd be a doctor, not a priest by profession. Doesn't fit the "rich doctor" stereotype; he prefers to work in in various clinics or hospitals serving the needy and often volunteers for the likes of Doctors Without Borders, so he makes enough to get by, maybe keep up with his student loan payments, but apart from his bar tab, doesn't exactly spend a lot on luxuries.
Vaarsuvius definitely spent most of his life in academia. Probably a nuclear physicist or something, investigating the fundamental (and potentially explosive) forces that make up the universe. If you want to model his being forced into the adventuring life, maybe budget cutbacks at the university have forced him into things like corporate R&D or working for the government on building new weapons, power plants, and the like.
Belkar, petty criminal mostly. Would be a really good hit man and/or muscle for a gang if he weren't so darned undisciplined. His "faked" character development might have him working for the cops as a mole or somesuch.
Eugene Greenhilt is similar to Vaarsuvius, though I'm not sure what his field would be. Something to do with optics or maybe astronomy (ie, stuff we can't exactly go play with directly, we can only observe it). Alternatively, he might be work with really advanced, cutting edge computing technology and/or programming.
Lord Shojo is a politician.
Tarquin is the power behind the throne at some petty dictatorship.
Veldrina has a doctorate in theology, but spends most of her free time researching whatever tickles her fancy that day, so she knows a lot about a lot of different subjects
Nale is the leader of some kind of organized crime, but it's pretty much only in one city. He pretends like its a lot more, but the bigger fish dismiss him as "trying too hard."
Thog is dumb muscle for Nale's gang.
Sabine is a porn star/escort/sex worker. Has had a surprising number of high profile clients who owe her favors or that she could blackmail.
Xykon is, to borrow something Rich quoted in a book commentary, a classic corrupt corporate executive.
Redcloak is either a terrorist or a freedom fighter, depending on who you ask.

V presumably studied under Dr. Rjinswand (https://wiki.lspace.org/mediawiki/Rjinswand)...

[D.One]

About V, whatever his job was to be (I'd bet something academic), I see her as a workaholic career-driven kind of person, that neglected his family repeatedly in order to achieve professional success.

[Rogar Demonblud]

Wow thanks! But you know, I noticed a common thread with the conversation in that was that the characters often don't match any real world professions perfectly except for Haley as a thief and Sabine as a porn star [Though I'd have preferred to see Elan in the latter role :smallamused: 18 Charisma must be worth something!] so I think the question may make more sense as what would the OOTS cast be like as SUPERHEROES?

Oh, we have that too. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?286398-OotS-in-a-difference-Genre)

[martianmister]

Most of them would be arrested on charges of murder, aiding and abetting criminals and treason.

[Fyraltari]

Durkon suffers from deep-seated self loathing and resentment issues that manifest through a dissociative personality disorder. This alternate personality, which he dubbed ‘the vampire’ first manifested itself when he was kicked out of his church by an emotionally abusive preacher named Hurak. His medication keeps it under control but he should avoid traumatic incidents.

V is originally much like Von Braun a European* scientist who doesn’t care what their research is used for as long as they get funding. Then they are forced to face the responsabilities that goes with them.

Malack is head of a fundamentalist off-shoot of a more mainstream religion based inside the dictatorship Tarquin is generallisimo of. He preaches complete obedience to authority and martyrdom to the point his group is often called a death cult. However he pays lip-service to modern ideals.

Xykon is an arms dealer who is, with Redcloak the terrorist, trying to get a hold of an experimental WMD: a pathogen created by reknown biologist Dorukan and head of environmental NGO Lirian (the pathogen is a failed experiment).

Grubwigler lost his medicine license for experimenting on human subjects without their consent and is know a mob doctor.

The Sapphire Guard members are part of a police/intelligence taskforce. Miko has become convinced that her superior is a mole and has turned rogue and acts as some kind of vigilante.


Team Peregrine is a black-ops team from V’s homeland.

Goblin Dan is CEO of your least favorite fast food chain.

The Oracle is a reporter who always seem to know everything about everyone.

Name and his crew are real life adventurers: a dangerous mix of mercenaries and criminals working with various petty warlords.

The Mechane crew are small-time smugglers who sometimes smuggle refugees out of Tarquin’s dictatorship.

*V isn’t from the same continent as the rest of the Order.

[zimmerwald1915]

*V isn’t from the same continent as the rest of the Order.
We should probably stay far away from this idea, but the various pantheons suggest that Roy, Durkon, Belkar, Elan, and Haley's countries (Cliffport, the Dwarven Lands, unknown, unknown, and Greysky City respectively) would be located in or north of the North European Plain, while Vaarsuvius's would be located in the Transcaucasus (low-lying areas adjacent to the Fertile Crescent but separated by mountains).

The position of nuclear engineer naturally suggests itself for Vaarsuvius, and she's old enough to have certain things weighing on her conscience.

[understatement]

Therkla is a recruit of a crime syndicate that often sneaks out into theaters to watch rom-coms.

Qarr is the member that rats her out each time.

Wizard Guy is a baker that sets up shop comfortably adjacent to Inkyrius.

Right-eye is the disgruntled recruit that attempts to leave the syndicate and gets headshotted unceremoniously by (you can guess!) a fellow member.

[woweedd]

We should probably stay far away from this idea, but the various pantheons suggest that Roy, Durkon, Belkar, Elan, and Haley's countries (Cliffport, the Dwarven Lands, unknown, unknown, and Greysky City respectively) would be located in or north of the North European Plain, while Vaarsuvius's would be located in the Transcaucasus (low-lying areas adjacent to the Fertile Crescent but separated by mountains).

The position of nuclear engineer naturally suggests itself for Vaarsuvius, and she's old enough to have certain things weighing on her conscience.
Zim, I never though I would say this, but that is a fantastic interpretation of Vaarsuvius.

[Barebarian]

We should probably stay far away from this idea, but the various pantheons suggest that Roy, Durkon, Belkar, Elan, and Haley's countries (Cliffport, the Dwarven Lands, unknown, unknown, and Greysky City respectively) would be located in or north of the North European Plain, while Vaarsuvius's would be located in the Transcaucasus (low-lying areas adjacent to the Fertile Crescent but separated by mountains).

The position of nuclear engineer naturally suggests itself for Vaarsuvius, and she's old enough to have certain things weighing on her conscience.

That. Works. So. WELL.

[CJG]

I am pretty dang sure that they would be The A-Team. Roy is Hannibal, Elan is Face, Belkar is Murdock and Durkon is Baracus. I mean granted we gotta sort out Haley and V, but it’s a good start.

[Lacuna Caster]

Assuming they're not Seal Team Stick (which, let's face it, is more or less what The Order actually does)...

Roy, as above, is a police officer. He got into being a Fighter to protect people, so he'd be a cynical-but-principled cop, much to his father's chagrin. Gets flack from his fellow officers because he double-majored in criminal justice and architecture.
Haley would probably be more into cyber-crime than physical burglary. Lots and lots of skill with encryption and other ways to hide who you really are online. Her Facebook profile is basically a giant pack of lies. At the beginning of the comic, she steals pretty strictly for profit and/or her dad. By the current, going rather Robin Hood about it.
Elan, again as above, children's entertainer, hosting some sort of Sesame Street-like show is just too perfect. He might go all LeVar Burton and split his time between that and doing stints on more conventional films and television (Dashing Swordsman and all)...

I actually took a stab at relevant fanart (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?522266-I-did-a-fanart) a while back, though looking back I think they could be improved.

[Lacuna Caster]

The Sapphire Guard members are part of a police/intelligence taskforce. Miko has become convinced that her superior is a mole and has turned rogue and acts as some kind of vigilante.

Miyazaki, Miko:

Born in South Longnam, parents killed at age of 5 during Mauve Revolution, spent 3 years in indoctrination camp prior to liberation by military forces from the Azurite People's Republic. Rescued by Special Forces team led by Colonel Jun. Spent 5 years on military base before introduction to Chairman Sho during morale inspection and subsequent selection as protegé. Joined Special Forces under Jun prior to scandal of Janistan massacres and commander's death. Two further tours resulted in rising to rank of Colonel prior to being seconded to Council of Five Transnational Police for peacekeeping duties.

Specialises in manhunts and rescue operations in conflict zones. Noted for high operational success rate but above-average casualties and limited liaison skills. Multiple commendations for bravery and swift action, but behavioural analysis indicates affective impairment, ego fragility and possible unresolved PTSD. Recommend placement under psychological evaluation.

- Sang Waan, adjunct counsellor reporting to C5-TPOL

[Fyraltari]

I actually took a stab at relevant fanart (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?522266-I-did-a-fanart) a while back, though looking back I think they could be improved.
I love it! :smallsmile:

[Grey_Wolf_c]

I actually took a stab at relevant fanart (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?522266-I-did-a-fanart) a while back, though looking back I think they could be improved.

Who is the doctor in the bottom-left?

Grey Wolf

[Fyraltari]

Who is the doctor in the bottom-left?

Grey Wolf

Looks like Tsukiko.

[Emanick]

Who is the doctor in the bottom-left?

Grey Wolf

From the pigtails, I assume it’s Tsukiko. No doubt she finds ample opportunity to scavenge corpses after working hours in the hospital.

Ninja’d by Fyraltari, naturally.

[Fyraltari]

From the pigtails, I assume it’s Tsukiko. No doubt she finds ample opportunity to scavenge corpses after working hours in the hospital.

Ninja’d by Fyraltari, naturally.
The eyes are also a nice touch.

[Grey_Wolf_c]

From the pigtails, I assume it’s Tsukiko. No doubt she finds ample opportunity to scavenge corpses after working hours in the hospital.

Ah, so she's a morgue tech, rather than a doctor (or she might be a pathologist/forensics scientist? I'm guessing inspired by the goth forensics of NCIS?)

Not sure I'd imagine Tsukiko as having slogged through formal education enough to get to that point, so that's why it didn't click for me, I suppose.

Grey Wolf

[Fyraltari]

Ah, so she's a morgue tech, rather than a doctor (or she might be a pathologist/forensics scientist? I'm guessing inspired by the goth forensics of NCIS?)

Not sure I'd imagine Tsukiko as having slogged through formal education enough to get to that point, so that's why it didn't clock for me, I suppose.

Grey Wolf

I'll have you know, she was expelled from some of the best (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0830.html) wizard medicine academies in the south.

[Grey_Wolf_c]

I'll have you know, she was expelled from some of the best (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0830.html) wizard medicine academies in the south.

I didn't remember that, but yeah, that's kinda my point: she doesn't strike me as the kind to have the patience to get the degree necessary to get the kind of job where you wear a labcoat. On the other hand, it is possible there are assistant positions that don't require one.

Grey Wolf

[Fyraltari]

I didn't remember that, but yeah, that's kinda my point: she doesn't strike me as the kind to have the patience to get the degree necessary to get the kind of job where you wear a labcoat. On the other hand, it is possible there are assistant positions that don't require one.

Grey Wolf

Labcoats aren’t as trustworthy as most people think. (https://xkcd.com/699/)

[Aveline]

I didn't remember that, but yeah, that's kinda my point: she doesn't strike me as the kind to have the patience to get the degree necessary to get the kind of job where you wear a labcoat. On the other hand, it is possible there are assistant positions that don't require one.

Grey Wolf

My impression was that Tsukiko was expelled over illegal necromancy, not because she lacked ability or dedication. She is passionate and insightful regarding her work.

[Fyraltari]

My impression was that Tsukiko was expelled over illegal necromancy, not because she lacked ability or dedication. She is passionate and insightful regarding her work.

She probably had some serious attitude issues too. And by that I mean deadly violence.

Oh and her habit of defiling the dead in more... mundane ways that necromancy probably did not help.
But yeah she obviously knew her craft.

[Lacuna Caster]

Ah, so she's a morgue tech, rather than a doctor (or she might be a pathologist/forensics scientist? I'm guessing inspired by the goth forensics of NCIS?)
Ding ding ding! That means you win.

But yeah, in reading order, Special Agent Miko, Lawyer Celia, Hacker Haley, Hooker/Maneater Sabine, Coroner Tsukiko, DJ Elan, Hitman Therkla and Veteran Roy. (The signature weapon is a big enough part of Roy's MO that I'd figure he has to be part of some military org or other, like maybe a neighbourhood watch or local militia.)

EDIT: Wait, Mortician is the wrong word. Fixed.

[Fyraltari]

Ding ding ding! That means you win.

But yeah, in reading order, Special Agent Miko, Lawyer Celia, Hacker Haley, Hooker/Maneater Sabine, Mortician Tsukiko, DJ Elan, Hitman Tsukiko and Veteran Roy. (The signature weapon is a big enough part of Roy's MO that I'd figure he has to be part of some military org or other, like maybe a neighbourhood watch or local militia.)

Wait, why does DJ Elan have a goatee?

[Grey_Wolf_c]

My impression was that Tsukiko was expelled over illegal necromancy, not because she lacked ability or dedication. She is passionate and insightful regarding her work.

I am not doubting her ability to know her stuff, I am doubting her ability to slog through University. I am sure modern-Tsukiko can reanimate dead tissue with copious amounts of electricity and a good evil cackle. I doubt she can get a paper saying that she is qualified for the job. In modern times, that means that you don't get the job, even if you are eminently qualified for it. Now, it is true she could choose to buy herself a labcoat and go into business on her own, and I suppose in a modern fantasy setting à la Shadowrun she might get funding from less-than-legal sources that might get her enough cash to fund a full lab. That said, it still doesn't feel right to me; maybe is her motherly attitude towards her undead, I just can't picture her as a rubber gloves-and-labcoat kind of person.


Ding ding ding! That means you win.

But yeah, in reading order, Special Agent Miko, Lawyer Celia, Hacker Haley, Hooker/Maneater Sabine, Mortician Tsukiko, DJ Elan, Hitman Tsukiko and Veteran Roy. (The signature weapon is a big enough part of Roy's MO that I'd figure he has to be part of some military org or other, like maybe a neighbourhood watch or local militia.)

Oh, all the others I had absolutely no issues with - excellent re-imaginings. About the only thing is that maybe Roy's weapon should be a bit behind the times, to indicate it is a family heirloom - maybe an old six-shooter? But then, for all I know weapons the rifle you gave him is already an old style Winchester, and I just can't tell.

Grey Wolf

[Peelee]

Hitman Tsukiko

Hitman Therkla?

Also pleased I got all those except Elan (the goatee threw me and I guessed Nale). Also, those are fantastic!

[Lacuna Caster]

I am not doubting her ability to know her stuff, I am doubting her ability to slog through University. I am sure modern-Tsukiko can reanimate dead tissue with copious amounts of electricity and a good evil cackle. I doubt she can get a paper saying that she is qualified for the job. In modern times, that means that you don't get the job, even if you are eminently qualified for it...
Well... maybe this is a modern-day fantasy where certain sentient undead really are accepted/tolerated as equal citizens, and Tsukiko is accordingly better-adjusted? An Ugly Americans kinda scenario?

The general problem of translating these characters into modern equivalent is certainly there, though. I'd maintain that Miko is actually a virtually perfect fit for a stratified medieval society with objectively real Gods, and just about everybody else in OOTS is some anachronistic aberration by comparison. Whereas allowing orphaned kids to be raised in monasteries is not something that typically happens in modern societies, and senior military/police are usually subject to more rigorous psychological screening.


Oh, all the others I had absolutely no issues with - excellent re-imaginings. About the only thing is that maybe Roy's weapon should be a bit behind the times, to indicate it is a family heirloom - maybe an old six-shooter? But then, for all I know weapons the rifle you gave him is already an old style Winchester, and I just can't tell.
I'm far from being a gun-wonk myself, so I just gave him what would plausibly be a fairly old-fashioned hunting weapon (I know my dad kept a few shotguns in the closet for this purpose.) But the finer details might be way way off.


Hitman Therkla?
Oops. Right you are. And thanks!

[Lacuna Caster]

Wait, why does DJ Elan have a goatee?
*Dun dun dun*

[Peelee]

Oh, all the others I had absolutely no issues with - excellent re-imaginings. About the only thing is that maybe Roy's weapon should be a bit behind the times, to indicate it is a family heirloom - maybe an old six-shooter? But then, for all I know weapons the rifle you gave him is already an old style Winchester, and I just can't tell.

Grey Wolf


I'm far from being a gun-wonk myself, so I just gave him what would plausibly be a fairly old-fashioned hunting weapon (I know my dad kept a few shotguns in the closet for this purpose.) But the finer details might be way way off.

Wouldn't call myself a gun-wonk (though I love the name), but a lot of long guns you can buy are virtually unchanged from pretty old designs (old in the American sense, before anyone trots out that old joke). Barring tacti-cool stuff or super-gun-wonk accessories, gun designs don't tend to change a lot once you get a well-working one.

[KorvinStarmast]

Now, it is true she could choose to buy herself a labcoat and go into business on her own, and I suppose in a modern fantasy setting à la Shadowrun she might get funding from less-than-legal sources that might get her enough cash to fund a full lab. That said, it still doesn't feel right to me; maybe is her motherly attitude towards her undead, I just can't picture her as a rubber gloves-and-labcoat kind of person. Not to mention that we first meet her, she is in prison for illegal acts (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0420.html)and is being given a chance by Hinjo to clear the record by contributing to defense of Azure City. Her less than legit approach to her trade fits your description.

[Ruck]

Nice artwork, Lacuna. I can't draw for [insert expletive of choice here].

[zimmerwald1915]

About the only thing is that maybe Roy's weapon should be a bit behind the times, to indicate it is a family heirloom - maybe an old six-shooter?
Probably not a six-shooter, Roy uses big weapons. I could see his sword becoming a military surplus rifle that Horace used in a great war - my headcanon is that Cliffport corresponds more or less well to Amsterdam, so possibly a Geweer M. 95?

[Grey_Wolf_c]

Wouldn't call myself a gun-wonk (though I love the name), but a lot of long guns you can buy are virtually unchanged from pretty old designs (old in the American sense, before anyone trots out that old joke). Barring tacti-cool stuff or super-gun-wonk accessories, gun designs don't tend to change a lot once you get a well-working one.

Actually, for once, the joke wouldn't work, since firearms and the United States are about equally old. I have long privately suspected that this is not coincidental with the US's idiosincratic attachment to guns, but politics prevents me from digging into the topic here.

At any rate, I'm not sure I agree. Looking through google images, the Winchester 1892 rifle has a fairly distinctive shape that I think looks old-timey.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_rifle#/media/File:Winchester_Model_1894.jpg
(Picture is not showing for me, it's from the wikipedia page - see link below)
(Attribution: By Antique Military Rifles - originally posted to Flickr as Winchester Model 1894, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6610240, link (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_rifle))

Grey Wolf

[Lacuna Caster]

Nice artwork, Lacuna. I can't draw for [insert expletive of choice here].
Thank you kindly.


Probably not a six-shooter, Roy uses big weapons. I could see his sword becoming a military surplus rifle that Horace used in a great war - my headcanon is that Cliffport corresponds more or less well to Amsterdam, so possibly a Geweer M. 95?
I see Roy being pretty specialised for messy close combat, so the kind of raw stopping power you'd associate with a double-barrel shotgun seemed to be more up his alley, whereas a sniper rifle would be more Haley (assuming she gets her hands dirty) or even Belkar's weapon of choice. (Modern Belkar might also prefer knives just for their... personal qualities.)

As a barely-visible easter-egg, you can also see Belkar's photo on Celia's clipboard, by the way.

[Peelee]

Actually, for once, the joke wouldn't work, since firearms and the United States are about equally old. I have long privately suspected that this is not coincidental with the US's idiosincratic attachment to guns, but politics prevents me from digging into the topic here.

At any rate, I'm not sure I agree. Looking through google images, the Winchester 1892 rifle has a fairly distinctive shape that I think looks old-timey.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_rifle#/media/File:Winchester_Model_1894.jpg
(Picture is not showing for me, it's from the wikipedia page - see link below)
(Attribution: By Antique Military Rifles - originally posted to Flickr as Winchester Model 1894, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6610240, link (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_rifle))

Grey Wolf
Imean, to be fair here, that's just a lever-action rifle with a somewhat distinctive butt.

[zimmerwald1915]

(Modern Belkar might also prefer knives just for their... personal qualities.)
Agreed entirely.

[Grey_Wolf_c]

I see Roy being pretty specialised for messy close combat, so the kind of raw stopping power you'd associate with a double-barrel shotgun seemed to be more up his alley

Maybe a Dirty Harry kind of gun? To quote Gaiman-Pratchett:

It was a Magnum .32, CIA issue, gray, mean, heavy, capable of blowing a man away at thirty paces, and leaving nothing more than a red mist, a ghastly mess, and a certain amount of paperwork.



I mean, to be fair here, that's just a lever-action rifle with a somewhat distinctive butt.

One day you'll get to Fifth Elephant, by Terry Pratchett, and you will understand why a somewhat distinctive butt is crucial for an inherited item.

Won't quote it at you this time, because it is sort of the capstone to the message of the novel.

Grey Wolf

[Fyraltari]

Maybe a Dirty Harry kind of gun? To quote Gaiman-Pratchett:

I wonder if Thog feels lucky today.


One day you'll get to Fifth Elephant, by Terry Pratchett, and you will understand why a somewhat distinctive butt is crucial for an inherited item.

Won't quote it at you this time, because it is sort of the capstone to the message of the novel.

Grey Wolf
One might say that it is the thing and the whole of the thing.

[Peelee]

Maybe a Dirty Harry kind of gun?
There's a line from Johnny Dangerously that was hilarious when I saw it, but has not aged well at all, sadly.

One day you'll get to Fifth Elephant, by Terry Pratchett, and you will understand why a somewhat distinctive butt is crucial for an inherited item.

Grey Wolf

I choose to believe you're no longer talking about guns.:smallamused:

[Fyraltari]

There's a line from Johnny Dangerously that was hilarious when I saw it, but has not aged well at all, sadly.


I choose to believe you're no longer talking about guns.:smallamused:

The discussion has gonne someplace else.

[Grey_Wolf_c]

I choose to believe you're no longer talking about guns.:smallamused:

You needn't believe. I am indeed.

Grey Wolf

[Peelee]

You needn't believe. I am indeed.

Grey Wolf

I'm a future psychic!

[Lacuna Caster]

Maybe a Dirty Harry kind of gun? To quote Gaiman-Pratchett:
Maybe, but I don't really see Roy getting into law-enforcement. General lawful-alignment aside, his actual relationship with the legal system has been fairly sketchy.

[Grey_Wolf_c]

Maybe, but I don't really see Roy getting into law-enforcement. General lawful-alignment aside, his actual relationship with the legal system has been fairly sketchy.

He doesn't need to. The whole point is that he inherited the gun from his grandfather, so as long as it is a model some 40 years old (like, say, the one from Dirty Harry), Roy could be using it without having participated in the profession that normally would use it.

How his grandpa would have left the service but kept the weapon is a thought for another day.

Grey Wolf

[Ruck]

He doesn't need to. The whole point is that he inherited the gun from his grandfather, so as long as it is a model some 40 years old (like, say, the one from Dirty Harry), Roy could be using it without having participated in the profession that normally would use it.

How his grandpa would have left the service but kept the weapon is a though for another day.

Grey Wolf

I want to somehow incorporate Sledge Hammer! (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sledge_Hammer!) into this.

[Rogar Demonblud]

He doesn't need to. The whole point is that he inherited the gun from his grandfather, so as long as it is a model some 40 years old (like, say, the one from Dirty Harry), Roy could be using it without having participated in the profession that normally would use it.

How his grandpa would have left the service but kept the weapon is a thought for another day.

Grey Wolf

Many departments let you keep your weapon when you retire. New version of the cheap gold watch.

[Lacuna Caster]

I want to somehow incorporate Sledge Hammer! (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sledge_Hammer!) into this.

While purportedly a stickler for law and order, Hammer is rather lax when it actually comes to following police procedure and adhering to regulations. He enjoys roughing up suspected criminals, whom he frequently refers to as "brain-dead mutants", "yogurt-sucking creeps", and the like. He is often suspended from duty, and his police file requires a wheelbarrow to transport...

Hmm. What character do you think this applies to?

[KorvinStarmast]

Ding ding ding! That means you win.

But yeah, in reading order, Special Agent Miko, Lawyer Celia, Hacker Haley, Hooker/Maneater Sabine, Coroner Tsukiko, DJ Elan, Hitman Therkla and Veteran Roy. (The signature weapon is a big enough part of Roy's MO that I'd figure he has to be part of some military org or other, like maybe a neighbourhood watch or local militia.)

EDIT: Wait, Mortician is the wrong word. Fixed.I'd forgotten to say how much I liked that picture. Bravo. :smallsmile:

[Ruck]

Hmm. What character do you think this applies to?

I don't think it really applies to any of them. (Miko's overzealousness is of a rather different flavor; Nale has the "disproportionate response" part down, but little else.) But if we're going to update OOTS and bring in guns, I want someone to have a gun of great personal significance and a disturbingly intimate relationship with it.

[Rogar Demonblud]

"This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine..."

[Elves]

The suggestion about Lirian and her virus is great. Dorukan would be someone who used his engineering and technical chops to become a wide-ranging defense expert. I think we all know a Girard. Kraagor was a military tough man with an accent. Serini we don't really know yet.

The Sapphire Guard are CIA/special ops types. Soon Kim would be a politician or dictator, albeit with an ironclad moral code, who established them and probably came from the military before he entered politics.

RC is an anti-imperialist terrorist/freedom fighter who wants to get access to WMDs in order to give his oppressed sect/ethnic group (and later, entire religion and wider ethnic group) diplomatic leverage.

Xykon's shtick relies on him having immense personal power of the kind real world people can't, the closest analogy would be immense personal wealth gained as an inheritance (which he murdered his parents to get early). Funding RC as an arms dealer and out of personal erratic thrill-seeking.

Tsukiko was a mystic theurge, so arcane/divine -- instead of theology, let's stretch divine to mean medicine and make her double in medicine and maybe chem (her orb spells are chemical weapons). That would provide a good knowledge base for her unethical experiments.

xroad's post about the Order as a crime team is great, the challenge is getting Elan involved since as people mentioned the children's entertainer thing is core to his personality. I guess it could be something he does on the side.

Tarquin and his crew would be corrupt politicians in third-world governments.

[Squire Doodad]

Roy: Police officer/Private detective, very skilled and the top of his class, so to speak. If he's an officer he's a top notch rookie, if he's a private detective he would be a former officer, probably ousted for some fairly minor thing. Eugene wanted him to get a degree; Roy chose to become an officer.
Elan: Host of a children's show (a la Mr. Rogers) and Roy's childhood friend, thus why they work together. I mean, what else would Elan do? He probably wouldn't want to be a cop, and being Mr. Rogers is a better fit for him than a music teacher. It also gives him better credentials, meaning his wandering into victory works better.
Durkon: Devout doctor. I'd imagine he follows his religion quite closely, but wouldn't apply it to his practice. For all intents and purposes, this Durkon would be very similar to the OotS Durkon, albeit with a slight shift from religion to more of the healing bit. I'd imagine Durkon started learning medicine because he read about prosthetics and wanted to help his mother.
Haley: Crypto! Haley would be a thief, but she'd be doing things digitally. Still has all the necessary tools for robbing a place, but she would be an ace hacker more than a bank robber. Elan's just happy someone mysteriously deposits ridiculous amounts of money into the studio he works at every so often.
V: Obviously weapons research, not 100% sure which kind. Based on the lots and lots of zappity spells V has, I'd go with experimental lasers and energy weapons. Most are incredibly inefficient, lack a way to reload through normal means or are painfully expensive to try to mass produce (thus making them equivalent to spells that need to be prepared), but V has a couple that pack quite the punch. I don't know what the Familicide moment's equivalent would be like, and I'd rather not try to figure it out.
Belkar: Belkar is either a gangster or if he is vaguely not-lawless, a bouncer. He knows the whole seedy underbelly of things, and is quick with a knife.

Eugene: Probably a chemist. He's not dead in this iteration of course, but retired and half bedridden, so he resorts to using a cellphone to talk to people. Constantly.
Julia: Studying some sort of science, but presumably not really trying her best.
Ian: Old school burglar, but odds are he has since retired. At least, for the most part. Now a political activist, actively fighting against Tarquin.
Tarquin: Mayor of a rich city only an hour or so away from the outskirts. Uses his power for his own gain; while most of the city flourishes, only a small bit truly is rich and Tarquin has everything in the palm of his hand. Constantly at odds with Ian's grassroots movement.
Sigidi: Instead of Roy who would be a cop, Sigidi would be a former army officer. Went off to take down a supply train carrying heavy artillery. Had her arm blown off and sent back.
Inkyrius and the rest of V's family would be... running a well known local bakery. That's it.

Azure City and the "main town" would be like Quebec and New York City in the sense that while they are fairly close, the two are very different and have different leadership.
Soon Kim (and the rest of the Scribbles) would likely be from a full century before the story begins instead of 60ish years; that way they are founders of whatever areas they would be responsible for.
Thus:
Soon Kim is the founder of Azure City/the ruler of it when it was a small town and consequently became a more global power under his rule.
Lirian is a major figure in Botany and Microbiology, credited with discoveries fundamental for today's knowledge.
Girard would be...well, illusions make me think of a circus trope, so from there I'd guess he's part of a major news network and TV channel. Linked to a shady organization or three.
Dorukan is either a carpenter or a nuclear physicist known for creating new, more durable materials, along with one or two doomsday devices.
We don't quite know enough about Kraggor to come up with a proper career for him, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say he would be either a professional martial artist/wrestler or maybe a bodyguard for the rest of the Scirbble.
Serini: Archaeologist, almost for sure. She'd be an explorer of some type, in a modern setting this is the most applicable one.

[sheenarustomji]

o have nothing at all to be

[Ruck]

I don't see Belkar becoming a bouncer by either size or temperament. Being a bouncer is as much about deterrence as anything. You want a big guy who people will think twice about accosting, and you want someone who doesn't just enjoy violence for its own sake the way Belkar does.

[understatement]

Maybe he runs a fighting ring.

And occasionally participates in it.

Also, if the Order's ever on a tough mission and need a quick hideout, Minrah will give them a place of refuge before she un-courteously gets blinded and killed by Ponchula and Greg, who were the pursuers.