[seansword]

I'm wondering about the storm that was rampaging across the wastelands - the one that froze and shattered the akrynnai and barghast.

At first while reading I thought it was some sort of storm of chaos - unleashed by the crippled god, the k'chain or from dragnipur.

But since Draconus appears among the frozen/shattered bodies, I'm wondering if that was just fallout from his arrival or something released from the shattering of Dragnipur.

[SpectreofEschaton]

It was a storm of Elder badassery, powered solely by Draconus. He's just that hardcore. (I'm serious, by the way)

Though, whether it was intended solely as a "Guess what? I'm back." announcement or the blood-sacrifice was necessary for either his appearance there or his forming of the sword, Darkness, isn't entirely clear.

[HoosierDaddy]

Fallout from his arrival. Old boy's been hanging in Dragnipur for a looooooong time. Little excess energy to burn off. Plus, when gods step into the mortal world, there are generally bad local effects. His aspect is "Eldest Night", so freezing cold isn't all that surprising considering the size of the gate he had to make to enter Wu.

[haroos]

 H.D., on 02 April 2010 - 04:47 AM, said:

Fallout from his arrival. Old boy's been hanging in Dragnipur for a looooooong time. Little excess energy to burn off. Plus, when gods step into the mortal world, there are generally bad local effects. His aspect is "Eldest Night", so freezing cold isn't all that surprising considering the size of the gate he had to make to enter Wu.

so you think his character hasn't changed as he would have you think ?

[HoosierDaddy]

I wasn't meaning to comment on how I view Draconus' character to be behaving in that statement, rather than what I think his involvement brought through his sheer entrance into Wu. (It wasn't an intended massacre, imo).

But, I trust in Anomander Rake's ability to judge that Draconus has learned his lesson, to answer your newly stated question.

[worry]

Some of these Elder Gods have really gone soft, huh?

[HoosierDaddy]

Whether or not an eternity dragging a massive wagon full of dead peoples could soften up a high-tensioned and froggy person like Draconus is up to individual judgment, of course.

[MTS]

It wasn't just fallout for stepping onto the mortal plane. Draconus wanted people to know he was back. He wanted people shitting their pants at the very thought of him. That's at least one of the reasons why he unleashed such major badassery.

[HoosierDaddy]

Why ask forgiveness after having viewed the destruction as his first thing back if that was his goal?

[MTS]

Quote

He slowly scanned the ground, even as desiccated fragments of hide and flesh began raining from the heavens, and then he stepped forward, bending down to retrieve a battered scabbard. He slid the sword home.
A sultry wind swept down the length of the valley, gathering streamers of steam.
He stood for a time, studying the scene on all sides.
'Ah, my love. Forgive me.'
He set out, boots crunching on the dead.
Returned to the world.
Draconus.

I suppose he knew it would upset whoever his love is (presumably MD) but he did it anyway because he deemed it important. Shoot first, apologise later, as it were.

Quote

She spat again. 'It's him.'
'A summoning beyond all expectation,' Sechul said. 'Odd, Errastas looks less than pleased at his own efficacy.'
Kilmandaros levered herself upright, stood unsteadily. 'He could be subtle when he wanted,' she said, in some irritation. 'Instead, he made sure to let us know.'
'Not just us,' Sechul replied. 'Nothing so crass,' he added, 'as careless.'
'Is it anger, do you think?'
He rubbed at his face with both hands. 'The last time Draconus was wakened to anger, Mother, nothing survived intact. Nothing.' He hesitated, and then shook his head. 'Not anger, not yet, anyway. He just wanted everyone to know. He wanted to send us all spinning.'
Kilmandaros grunted. 'Rude bastard.'

Enforced by this. Subjective opinion, true, but still.

This post has been edited by MTS: 02 April 2010 - 07:37 AM

[HoosierDaddy]

This is entirely subjective though, MTS. Who do you trust more as a narrator? The neutral observer that sees Draconus enter and apologize after having seen what his entrance has done, or a party who has already deemed itself pretty inimical to our would be heroes desires?

I find Draconus' entry to be outside his intent because it is his entrance that kills everyone. He could have entered and then killed them all as easily as he had without apologizing. You want to trust Kilmandaros' word over a neutral party, fair enough. But I don't buy it.

Draconus is going to stand in HER way, if I am reading this all correctly. Of course she's not going to be positive towards him.

[MTS]

Kilmandaros and Setch's comments are from a position of knowledge though, HD. They knew how he came back, and knew that he could have appeared without such a fanfare. In my opinion the bias there doesn't conflict with or shape the truth. The mere fact that he apologised implies intent.

[HoosierDaddy]

Edit: "He could be subtle when he wanted." This supports your theory to a point. However, how does one summoned from Dragnipur enter a world without massive impact? He's been there for millenia, as opposed to Hood, who popped in for a quick visit.

Whether the apology implies intent or accident is completely subjective, of course, depending upon how you view his entrance. Maybe TCG will clear this up with Draconus' actions, but odds are it might be a continual question.

This post has been edited by H.D.: 02 April 2010 - 07:58 AM

[MTS]

Probably. If accident though, I just can't reconcile the sword produced during the maelstrom, and various accounts from others.

[Ulrik]

For me its rather secondary effect to un-Dragnipurakization. From rest DoD and some books before I feel (well, thats the best sort of argument in this case) that his character changed a lot. Apology, "barghast euthanasy", Ublala friendship...Dragnipur can learn humility IMO.

[MTS]

Quote

'We possess mysterious ways indeed.'
'I know.' Ublala Pung fidgeted and then said, 'I'm supposed to save the world.'
The stranger cocked his head. 'And here I was contemplating killing it.'

Oh yes, real humble.

[Bauchelain the Evil]

 Ulrik, on 02 April 2010 - 09:03 AM, said:

For me its rather secondary effect to un-Dragnipurakization. From rest DoD and some books before I feel (well, thats the best sort of argument in this case) that his character changed a lot. Apology, "barghast euthanasy", Ublala friendship...Dragnipur can learn humility IMO.

While I am sure that there was some pity for Sekala/Sekara/whatever, I think it was more to avoid being pointed out as the destroyer of the Barghast, as pointed out by how suddenly he snapped her neck when he saw she had recognised him.

[Urizen]

 MTS, on 02 April 2010 - 09:25 AM, said:

Quote

'We possess mysterious ways indeed.'
'I know.' Ublala Pung fidgeted and then said, 'I'm supposed to save the world.'
The stranger cocked his head. 'And here I was contemplating killing it.'

Oh yes, real humble.

He was being sarcastic. You conveinetly leave out his next words, "Be at ease Toblakai. You are reminding me that some things in this world remain worthwhile"

I blame the Errant for causing Draconus to re-appear from Dragnipur in the middle of the battle. According to Sech and Killy the Errant supposedly summoned Draconus after all.

[MTS]

He was contemplating it, but Ublala convinced him otherwise. The thought was still there, if not the immediate intent.

Re the summons, the Errant actually compelled none of them.

[worry]

Well, I think Draconus's true disposition is at least one mystery that's guaranteed to be solved in TCG.