MitD XV: The Other Dark One

[Grey_Wolf_c]

I mean... yes, I completely understand where you are coming from. I don't see how it can be possible either.

But how many decades have we been following this comic now? I can't think of a single occasion when Rich has failed to land a story beat. And this is something he's been planning for a long time.
And the thing is, this isn't just a shout-out for the fans. The reveal of the MitD is a narrative pivot - every single reader has been led to wonder what is under that umbrella: I just don't think Rich would have built that suspense unless he was confident that he was going to deliver on it for the majority of readers.

Maybe you're right, and the way he delivers on it will be some subtle build-up and explanation. As you say, it seems inconceivable that the MitD could be that well known and we could still be so stuck on what it is. What can I say? I gotta lotta faith in The Giant!

So do I, which is why I am of the opinion that the Reveal's narrative punch won't be based on the species (which, when you think about it, is the least important part of what makes MitD himself), but because of the personal growth that, I'm guessing, will come to fruition in that moment. Narratively speaking, MitD completing his development from Stooge of Evil to Friend of Ochul is far more likely to deliver the kind of emotional gutpunch one has come to expect from the Giant.

But yes, of course I might be wrong, and it will turn out to be something well known (you'd be surprised about Tarrasque, btw - being a French monster, a lot of non-D&D people seem to be aware of it. My dad, for example, who has never in his life held a dice with more or fewer than 6 sides, was perfectly aware of what a Tarrasque looks like... although of course he did not know about, say, the anti-magic properties of its shell, or the need to Wish it dead), but if that is the case, I'd expect it's in the first page.

And that's the thing. For something well known to be kept a secret that long, a lot of the clues have to be red herrings, or have to be completely useless - so generic they never actually painted enough of the picture we could narrow it down. Which in many ways, feels like cheating - pretending that you will be doing an honest game, and then carefully ensuring that no-one can win it. That really doesn't strike me as something Rich would do, but plenty of people have disagreed (although they never have agreed on which clues are red herrings... significant bias has been involved).

On that note, can I just take a moment to raise my hat at the rather excellent work you do on this thread? People probably don't comment on it enough. Your courtesy and clarity are much appreciated, and when one wants to discuss thoughts and observations on the MitD with an invested and excited 10-year-old it is a marvellous resource to have to hand. Thank you!

I am very glad that is the case - that is what I intended this thread for when I took over. Thank you for your kind words.

Grey Wolf