Belkar Bitterleaf: Parody of Drizzt Do'urden?

[Crinos]

Something occurred to me a few minutes ago and I can't help but share it: Could Belkar be considered to be a parody or reference to Drizzt Do'urden of the forgotten realms?

I mean think about it. He differs radically from the normal alignment of his people (just like Drizzt), he's a ranger who specializes in duel weapons fighting (like Drizzt) and he even has a faithful feline companion (like Drizzt).

So, am I crazy? Have my years of wild hedonism finally taken their toll? Or does anyone else pick up on this?

[Holammer]

Well, it seems that ranger characters *must* be special.

"... Drizzt, Minsc and Belkar walk into a bar ..."

[Linkavitch]

Well, it seems that ranger characters *must* be special.

"... Drizzt, Minsc and Belkar walk into a bar ..."

No, whatever you do, don't start one of those trends again.

[Inhuman Bot]

Scruffy came in along time after Belker did, and I don't know how "faithful feline companion" I would call him. Also, most rangers use two weapons, so it's really not uncommon.

[Crinos]

Scruffy came in along time after Belker did, and I don't know how "faithful feline companion" I would call him. Also, most rangers use two weapons, so it's really not uncommon.

Well "most" rangers didn't start using two weapons until 3.5 when It became one of two paths for rangers to follow.

And why was two weapons chosen? Most likely because of Drizzt.

[FoE]

Belkar is really more of a parody of the "jolly halfling rogue" archetype, as well as evil PCs in general. If you're looking for a Drizzt parody, look no further than the Linear Guild's own Zz'dtri. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0044.html)

[tribble]

I think he parodies Bilbo Baggins more than Drizzt. I mean, Bilbo's skills: stealth and being nice. Belkar? neither of those, and additionally a combat specialist, which is like the opposite of Bilbo.

[Flickerdart]

Zz'dtri the Drow Wizard is a parody of Drizz't. This is why he gets arrested by the lawyers. (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0065.html) I mean seriously.

Edit: Damn, ninja'd.


I think he parodies Bilbo Baggins more than Drizzt. I mean, Bilbo's skills: stealth and being nice. Belkar? neither of those, and additionally a combat specialist, which is like the opposite of Bilbo.
That actually works...remember the quote from Belkar's "good" shoulder thingy? "Halflings are supposed to be jolly! Why isn't he jolly?!" Now we know.

[Tingel]

I mean, Bilbo's skills: stealth and being nice. Belkar? neither of those.
Belkar is actually rather good at stealth (http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0107.html). I think you are confusing stealth with tracking. Belkar lacks the latter skill.

[nosignal]

I think he parodies Bilbo Baggins more than Drizzt. I mean, Bilbo's skills: stealth and being nice. Belkar? neither of those, and additionally a combat specialist, which is like the opposite of Bilbo.

If by parody you mean "have absolutely nothing to do with each other", then Belkar is also a "parody" of a giraffe.

[FujinAkari]

If by parody you mean "have absolutely nothing to do with each other", then Belkar is also a "parody" of a giraffe.

Parody can take the form of an exact opposite.

[FoE]

Parody can take the form of an exact opposite.

But it should still be clear on the source of the parody. From what I've read, I've never seen anything that made me think Belkar=Drizzt.

[Kaytara]

I agree. The reasons the OP listed are pretty standard class and character traits. Rangers get animal companions so logically some should get felines if there are any available. As for dual-wielding, a class trait having certain origins does not make every character that has it a parody or reference to something else. That would just be silly, as it would mean that EVERY dual-wielding ranger is at least partially a parody of Drizzt.
The 'different alignment from the rest of his kind' argument doesn't seem that strong, either. It's hardly a trait that seems specific to Drizzt... It just makes for good storytelling and conflicts.

Admittedly.... The idea of cute, timid, white, tiny Mr. Scruffy being the counterpart of fierce, black, vicious, huge Guenwyvar DOES have a certain appeal to it... But I personally think Mr. Scruffy is that way just because he's a play on the whole 'scheming aristocrat with a white cat' trope.

[Kami2awa]

If by parody you mean "have absolutely nothing to do with each other", then Belkar is also a "parody" of a giraffe.

Giraffe: Tall
Belkar: Short

Giraffe: Peaceful
Belkar: Violent

Giraffe: Yellow and brown
Belkar: Not yellow and brown

Giraffe: Quiet
Belkar: Loud (I imagine him to be anyway)

Giraffe: Unarmed
Belkar: Armed

[ShellBullet]

Rangers get animal companions so logically some should get felines if there are any available.

But he chose a cat, despite having choice to choose a dog or a hawk.


As for dual-wielding, a class trait having certain origins does not make every character that has it a parody or reference to something else. That would just be silly, as it would mean that EVERY dual-wielding ranger is at least partially a parody of Drizzt.

Belkar could have chosen to use bow, which would have been wiser, if you think about it in pure mechanical gains since Halflings gets penalty score to strength.

Also, if we assume that Belkar comes from standard peaceful Halfling society then his background mirrors that of Drizz, except they are also totally opposite each other. Basically Drizz was good drow in your usual evil drow society and left, because they are such bankrupt race...While it is good bet that Belkar grew up in good Halfling society, since he is parody of jolly Halflings and he left that place since he didn't fit in or more likely he killed everyone there...Of course then it wouldn't be parody of Drizz then..

[Kish]

Well "most" rangers didn't start using two weapons until 3.5 when It became one of two paths for rangers to follow.
Amendment: "Some" rangers didn't start using two weapons until 3.5 when it became one of two paths for rangers to follow. Before that, in 3.0 and 2ed, all rangers got bonuses to dual-wielding.

I agree. The reasons the OP listed are pretty standard class and character traits. Rangers get animal companions so logically some should get felines if there are any available. As for dual-wielding, a class trait having certain origins does not make every character that has it a parody or reference to something else. That would just be silly, as it would mean that EVERY dual-wielding ranger is at least partially a parody of Drizzt.

I agree that Belkar is by no means a Drizzt parody (as for choosing bow specialization, he was created in 3.0 and never had a choice, all considerations of Belkar wanting to be up close and personal in battle aside), but actually the ranger dual-wield thing in D&D does come from Drizzt. (And Salvatore was annoyed, too--he introduced Drizzt dual-wielding as a drow combat style, not a ranger combat style.)

[only1doug]

Halflings are neutral alignment not good.

[DraPrime]

Belkar could have chosen to use bow, which would have been wiser, if you think about it in pure mechanical gains since Halflings gets penalty score to strength.

Yeah, but you can't eviscerate people with a bow, now can you? Besides, I think the Giant didn't want to have 2 archers in the party.

[Holammer]

No, whatever you do, don't start one of those trends again.

... K-I-S-S-I-N-G ...

Hardy Har Har! :smallsmile:

[mockingbyrd7]

Giraffe: Tall
Belkar: Short

Giraffe: Peaceful
Belkar: Violent

Giraffe: Yellow and brown
Belkar: Not yellow and brown

Giraffe: Quiet
Belkar: Loud (I imagine him to be anyway)

Giraffe: Unarmed
Belkar: Armed

Giraffe: Is a giraffe
Belkar: Is not a giraffe.

IT'S A PARODY! :smallbiggrin:

Also, that "So Belkar, Drizz't, and Minsc walk into a bar" thing has inspired me to write a fan fiction. Maybe.

[T-O-E]

Giraffe: Is a giraffe
Belkar: Is not a giraffe.

IT'S A PARODY! :smallbiggrin:

Also, that "So Belkar, Drizz't, and Minsc walk into a bar" thing has inspired me to write a fan fiction. Maybe.

Leave Minsc alone! Leave him alone! If you want Minsc then you're going to have to go through me!

[Holammer]

Also, that "So Belkar, Drizz't, and Minsc walk into a bar" thing has inspired me to write a fan fiction. Maybe.

My work here is complete, now to step back and watch the seeds of insanity develop.

[Trizap]

Giraffe: Tall
Belkar: Short

Giraffe: Peaceful
Belkar: Violent

Giraffe: Yellow and brown
Belkar: Not yellow and brown

Giraffe: Quiet
Belkar: Loud (I imagine him to be anyway)

Giraffe: Unarmed
Belkar: Armed

Its official. Belkar is a Parody of a Giraffe

[mockingbyrd7]

Leave Minsc alone! Leave him alone! If you want Minsc then you're going to have to go through me!

He's a human being!

[tribble]

I'm ROTFLOLing at this, and delighted that People think I'm making a good point.:smallsmile:

[Emanick]

Halflings are neutral alignment not good.

Tell that to the Alignment section of Halflings in the 3.5 PHB.

[chiasaur11]

Its official. Belkar is a Parody of a Giraffe

So, does that make Elan a parody of Richard Feinman, or is their mutual skill with the ladies too much in common?

[mockingbyrd7]

So, does that make Elan a parody of Richard Feinman, or is their mutual skill with the ladies too much in common?

No, silly. Elan is a parody of a moose. This is my table:

Moose: Is a moose
Elan: Is not a moose.

Therefore, it's a parody.

[chiasaur11]

No, silly. Elan is a parody of a moose. This is my table:

Moose: Is a moose
Elan: Is not a moose.

Therefore, it's a parody.

On the other hand, both are mammals.

It must be a subtle parody.

[Forealms]

he's a ranger who specializes in duel weapons fighting (like Drizzt)

Rich started the strip with them converting to 3.5, and likely was just creating a two-weapon-fighting ranger to fit in 3.5.

[spectralphoenix]

Halflings are neutral alignment not good.
That's a fairly recent development - before WotC decided to make an (admittedly half-hearted) attempt at making them something other than hobbit stand-ins, they were good.

[Majorman]

Strangely, I always thought that Belkar was inspired by the almighty psycho Montharon (from BG), despite the fact that their classes don't match.