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Fantasy Rescuer Poll
2 min read
A long time ago I posted a poll asking which class of Swords and Sorcery-style fantasy adventurer you would most like to see as a Damsel in Distress. The winning answer was a Thief.
Recently, I began thinking about that, wondering which class would make the best rescuer of a fantasy Damsel in Distress. Not necessarily a Thief, but any damsel in need of rescuing. Now, I realize not all fantasy stories and games use the class system, but for this question, let's think of a world which does.
In a Swords and Sorcery-style fantasy, which adventuring class should the hero be who rescues a Damsel in Distress?
A sword fighter
An archer
A martial arts fighter
A wizard
A priest, or some other specialist in healing and support magic
A thief, or expert treasure hunter, if you prefer
A ninja
A bard
An alchemist
Some other answer (please comment!)
As always, vote by leaving a comment. If you're feeling particularly ambitious, share with us your thoughts of a complete team of adventurers who are off to the rescue! I'm looking forward to reading your answers.
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Since the knight in shining armor is the stock rescuer in stories of this sort, I suppose the sword fighter would have to get my vote. If we're talking about a complete team, then the knight would presumably be the leader. You'd need a thief or rogue of some description to handle traps, but more importantly, to serve as the knight's erstwhile companion who balances him. A wizard or priest would provide the brains, as well as be handy to deal with any magical obstacles. A bard or some other class known for charisma could be handy for obtaining information or simply talking your way past difficulties. Finally, to balance things out, I'd have another fighting character, such as a knight most definitely not in shining armor, an archer, or a martial artist.
Recently, I began thinking about that, wondering which class would make the best rescuer of a fantasy Damsel in Distress. Not necessarily a Thief, but any damsel in need of rescuing. Now, I realize not all fantasy stories and games use the class system, but for this question, let's think of a world which does.
In a Swords and Sorcery-style fantasy, which adventuring class should the hero be who rescues a Damsel in Distress?
A sword fighter
An archer
A martial arts fighter
A wizard
A priest, or some other specialist in healing and support magic
A thief, or expert treasure hunter, if you prefer
A ninja
A bard
An alchemist
Some other answer (please comment!)
As always, vote by leaving a comment. If you're feeling particularly ambitious, share with us your thoughts of a complete team of adventurers who are off to the rescue! I'm looking forward to reading your answers.
....................
Since the knight in shining armor is the stock rescuer in stories of this sort, I suppose the sword fighter would have to get my vote. If we're talking about a complete team, then the knight would presumably be the leader. You'd need a thief or rogue of some description to handle traps, but more importantly, to serve as the knight's erstwhile companion who balances him. A wizard or priest would provide the brains, as well as be handy to deal with any magical obstacles. A bard or some other class known for charisma could be handy for obtaining information or simply talking your way past difficulties. Finally, to balance things out, I'd have another fighting character, such as a knight most definitely not in shining armor, an archer, or a martial artist.
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Rescue A Villain Poll?
2 min read
A true hero is supposed to selflessly lay his/her life on the line to rescue anyone. Does that include even the most dastardly of dastardly villains? That's our poll question for today.
The scene: A moneylender is in the process of acquiring the local orphanage. His plan is to turn out the orphans into the street and convert the orphanage into a block of luxury condominiums. As he's busy counting his money at home, a fire breaks out, trapping him inside. There is no escape! Suddenly, a true hero comes along and discovers the moneylender's plight. Should the true hero risk his/her life to save the moneylender from the burning building?
Yes, a true hero would risk his/her life to save the villain.
The true hero might do something small to help, such as call the fire department, but not actually risk his/her life.
The true hero should do nothing to either help or hinder the trapped moneylender.
The true hero should heap fuel on the fire and try to block the exits.
Some other answer (please comment!)
As always, vote by commenting. Feel free to share your ideas as to how the villain might respond afterwards as well. I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts!
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Since this is a true hero we're talking about here, it seems to me the hero would be obligated to try to save the villain. It might be a bit much to expect the rescued villain to completely reform, but it is possible the villain would have a spark of decency and decide to spare the orphanage in gratitude for the rescue. Or perhaps the opposite might happen. The villain might then capture the exhausted hero and put him/her into a deathtrap. No good deed goes unpunished, right?
On a different note, it occurs to me that if the hero didn't choose to save the villain, but that the villain still managed to escape, that that could lead to the villain being even more evil than ever!
The scene: A moneylender is in the process of acquiring the local orphanage. His plan is to turn out the orphans into the street and convert the orphanage into a block of luxury condominiums. As he's busy counting his money at home, a fire breaks out, trapping him inside. There is no escape! Suddenly, a true hero comes along and discovers the moneylender's plight. Should the true hero risk his/her life to save the moneylender from the burning building?
Yes, a true hero would risk his/her life to save the villain.
The true hero might do something small to help, such as call the fire department, but not actually risk his/her life.
The true hero should do nothing to either help or hinder the trapped moneylender.
The true hero should heap fuel on the fire and try to block the exits.
Some other answer (please comment!)
As always, vote by commenting. Feel free to share your ideas as to how the villain might respond afterwards as well. I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts!
....................
Since this is a true hero we're talking about here, it seems to me the hero would be obligated to try to save the villain. It might be a bit much to expect the rescued villain to completely reform, but it is possible the villain would have a spark of decency and decide to spare the orphanage in gratitude for the rescue. Or perhaps the opposite might happen. The villain might then capture the exhausted hero and put him/her into a deathtrap. No good deed goes unpunished, right?
On a different note, it occurs to me that if the hero didn't choose to save the villain, but that the villain still managed to escape, that that could lead to the villain being even more evil than ever!
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Unknown Scroll Poll
2 min read
Today's poll involves a Swords and Sorcery style adventure dilemma. Your lone adventurer discovers a magic scroll in an underground labyrinth. The only problem is that you have no way to determine what the scroll does... except by reading it, and trusting to chance! It could boost your stats, or lower them. It could teleport you away. It could power up any monsters on that floor. It could do nothing at all! Is it worth taking the chance?
The scenario: In a Swords and Sorcery style adventure, while exploring an underground labyrinth your lone adventurer discovers a magic scroll. You don't have any means to determine what it does. Will you read it anyhow?
Yes, I'd read it right away and take my chances!
No, I would hold onto it until I find the means to identify it, even if I have to wait until I clear the dungeon to do so.
I wouldn't read it at first, but I would use it if I got into a real jam and hope that it does something helpful.
I would throw it away. Better not to have temptation on hand!
I can't imagine playing a character who can't identify magic scrolls.
Some other answer (please comment!)
As always, cast your vote by commenting below. Don't feel you are restricted to discussing only magic scrolls. If you prefer instead to discuss whether you should put on a magic ring to see what happens, then that's fine! I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts.
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My own vote would depend on the nature of the game we're talking about. If the game didn't penalize you too harshly for reading dangerous magic scrolls, then I would read them all as I found them. A magic ring is a trickier proposition, since simply putting one on wouldn't necessarily let you know what it does... and even beneficial magic rings may have negative side effects that aren't apparent right away. So I think I'd hold off putting on a magic ring until I could identify it. Of course, putting it on worked out pretty well for Biblo Baggins. So, you never know.
The scenario: In a Swords and Sorcery style adventure, while exploring an underground labyrinth your lone adventurer discovers a magic scroll. You don't have any means to determine what it does. Will you read it anyhow?
Yes, I'd read it right away and take my chances!
No, I would hold onto it until I find the means to identify it, even if I have to wait until I clear the dungeon to do so.
I wouldn't read it at first, but I would use it if I got into a real jam and hope that it does something helpful.
I would throw it away. Better not to have temptation on hand!
I can't imagine playing a character who can't identify magic scrolls.
Some other answer (please comment!)
As always, cast your vote by commenting below. Don't feel you are restricted to discussing only magic scrolls. If you prefer instead to discuss whether you should put on a magic ring to see what happens, then that's fine! I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts.
....................
My own vote would depend on the nature of the game we're talking about. If the game didn't penalize you too harshly for reading dangerous magic scrolls, then I would read them all as I found them. A magic ring is a trickier proposition, since simply putting one on wouldn't necessarily let you know what it does... and even beneficial magic rings may have negative side effects that aren't apparent right away. So I think I'd hold off putting on a magic ring until I could identify it. Of course, putting it on worked out pretty well for Biblo Baggins. So, you never know.
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Hero To Villain Poll
2 min read
Villains are always tempting heroes to cross over and join them in the dark side. Heroes generally refuse. Indeed, they rarely are even tempted! However, sometimes the hero gives in. That leads to today's poll question.
The scenario: a villain has convinced a hero to become a villain, too. Would you rather see the ex-hero be more dangerous than the original villain, or less so?
I would rather see the ex-hero be more dangerous
I would rather see the ex-hero be less dangerous
I would rather see the ex-hero be just about as dangerous as the original villain
A true hero would never switch sides
It would depend on the story
Some other answer (please comment!)
As always, vote by commenting. I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts!
....................
I suppose the proper answer would be that it would depend on the story. However, the scenario I think generally works best is if the ex-hero surpasses the original villain, becoming both more evil and more efficient than him. Perhaps things get so bad that the original villain finds it necessary to thwart his/her ex-nemesis! Possibly cooperating with other heroes, even. Once the ex-hero is, erm, neutralized, though, things doubtless will go back to normal.
The scenario: a villain has convinced a hero to become a villain, too. Would you rather see the ex-hero be more dangerous than the original villain, or less so?
I would rather see the ex-hero be more dangerous
I would rather see the ex-hero be less dangerous
I would rather see the ex-hero be just about as dangerous as the original villain
A true hero would never switch sides
It would depend on the story
Some other answer (please comment!)
As always, vote by commenting. I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts!
....................
I suppose the proper answer would be that it would depend on the story. However, the scenario I think generally works best is if the ex-hero surpasses the original villain, becoming both more evil and more efficient than him. Perhaps things get so bad that the original villain finds it necessary to thwart his/her ex-nemesis! Possibly cooperating with other heroes, even. Once the ex-hero is, erm, neutralized, though, things doubtless will go back to normal.
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Jungle Princess Distress Poll
2 min read
Today's poll concerns the jungle princess, basically a female version of Tarzan. She lives in the wilderness, wears clothing fashioned from whatever materials she can find, is a friend to all animals, and generally avoids (or is unaware of) modern civilization.
In a Damsel in Distress story, who would you most like to see tie up a Jungle Princess?
A rival jungle princess, looking to expand her territory.
Poachers.
A greedy real estate developer, planning to raze her jungle.
An explorer who believes in forcibly removing the Jungle Princess from her jungle for her own good.
Treasure hunters who believe the Jungle Princess knows the location of some fabulous treasure.
An adventurer who recognizes that the Jungle Princess is a long-lost heiress, and does't want her showing up one day to collect her fortune.
A hungry snake who doesn't care that the Jungle Princess is a friend to all animals.
An archaeologist who is being thwarted by the Jungle Princess in his/her hunt for a long-lost temple. (The Jungle Princess believes the temple should remain lost for a reason).
A nature documentary creator, frustrated that the Jungle Princess invariably shows up in any scene he/she films.
Some other answer (please comment!)
As always, vote by leaving a comment. I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts!
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I like the option of the adventurer, who recognizes the Jungle Princess as a long-lost heiress. It's possible that as a result of his actions, the Jungle Princess would go on to collect the fortune she otherwise never would have known about!
In a Damsel in Distress story, who would you most like to see tie up a Jungle Princess?
A rival jungle princess, looking to expand her territory.
Poachers.
A greedy real estate developer, planning to raze her jungle.
An explorer who believes in forcibly removing the Jungle Princess from her jungle for her own good.
Treasure hunters who believe the Jungle Princess knows the location of some fabulous treasure.
An adventurer who recognizes that the Jungle Princess is a long-lost heiress, and does't want her showing up one day to collect her fortune.
A hungry snake who doesn't care that the Jungle Princess is a friend to all animals.
An archaeologist who is being thwarted by the Jungle Princess in his/her hunt for a long-lost temple. (The Jungle Princess believes the temple should remain lost for a reason).
A nature documentary creator, frustrated that the Jungle Princess invariably shows up in any scene he/she films.
Some other answer (please comment!)
As always, vote by leaving a comment. I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts!
....................
I like the option of the adventurer, who recognizes the Jungle Princess as a long-lost heiress. It's possible that as a result of his actions, the Jungle Princess would go on to collect the fortune she otherwise never would have known about!
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