I wanted to create a thread where I could field questions on Downer, other than "why is it wasting two pages a month of my magazine?" For that, see "Is Downer a Downer?"
I dig that many find it hard to follow, so if there's anything I can clear up, ask, and I'll do my best. Be patient, as I can only visit a couple times week.
We were planning on it anyway. The complexity isn't lost to us, but it doesn't seem too bad when you've got all of them sitting in front of you, like I always do. I have to go back and check stuff all the time.
When writing it, I was surprised by how much had actually happened.
I really like the style of Downer and was wondering whether or not this was the first Downer Strip or if there have been previous Downer stories? Also have you written any other comic strips? As they would be great to see, if you have.
So what exactly is your stance on bards?
-GGG
Kyle's Previous Work:
Slave Labor Graphics, who did Milk and Cheese, put out two issues of Swerve, my B&W sci-fi comic. It was essentially Speed Racer + Brazil in deep outer space.
I've got "a load of it out back", and may offer it on Paizo's web store.
It was cool, but I bit off more than I could chew, Turns out writing/penciling/inking a monthly book is a full time job. Still, it's my baby and I will likely return to the world.
Other than that, I focus on the art direction thing, and have had stints with Star Wars Gamer, and Dungeon. I'm also a third of Super Unicorn.
Kyle on Bards:
sigh. They're ok I guess. I play D&D to kick monster butt, not provide Morale bonuses to the rest of the party. That being said, they're great cohorts and NPCs; really handy on the role-playing side of things. From a DM standpoint, Bardic Knowledge is a great way to "direct" thick-headed players.
I also like the idea of bards that push the envelope, like Skalds. How about an organ grinder bard/sorceror with a cute little monkey familiar, or a ventriliquist bard who only talks through his dummy?
1. She and Tagget feature heavily in the emerging story arc. Tagget's master is revealed in #19, which I just handed off to Sean.
2. The Ulolok ia a fulcrum on the Law/Chaos axis, not the Good/Evil axis.
3. Yeah, zombies per se wouldn't stand much of a chance, but undead in general are pretty capable against devils. Constructs even more so. Garriok wuldn't have hired Stinebones if he didn't know what he was doing.
4. I guess that's a mystery.
And don't worry about my ego. It's so colossally huge that planet's must shift to stroke its immensity.
alright, to go off a bit off track, who will win in a brawl: Downer or Drizzt Do'urdlen from Forgotten Realms? A large pepperoni with extra cheese pizza is riding on this and i don't want to be the one who pays!
what kind of a brawl? A fist fight? Is kicking involved? Maybe scimitars at 10 paces? Will anyone be bringing any bards?
You have to be more specific. Downer and Drizzt are two very distinct individuals with their own strengths and weaknesses. You can't just say brawl and assume everyone understands!
Downer isn't afraid of anyone who names their swords Tinkie-Winkie and CupcakeFrosting, or whatever the hell they're called.
That being said, I reckon Drizzt to have about 10 levels on our man. Luckily, Downer does seem to excel at fleeing.
I'll keep making them as long as Erik keeps publishing them. You can look forward to many more installments.
Out of curiosity, is Downer set in a particular world?
Not really, though it pretty much adheres to the conceits of my ideal campaign world.
As you may have seen in my earlier posts, I'm really pragmatic when it comes to this stuff. It's the coralary of that old "sufficently advanced technology appears as magic" cliche. I'm not going to go out of my way to call attention to some arcane artifact that every citizen in Oubliette uses to scry and gather information, when I can give them all "personal computers". Why? Because all my readers know what a PC is, and if its not the focus of a story, its more clear that way. Granted, that's an extreme example. But if something functions like a light bulb, just make it a light bulb.
Remember the hassle in Barrier Peaks of trying to describe space ship buttons to the players? ". . .they appear to be made of a smooth, soft ivory-like material."
'What? You mean like plastic."
" (sigh)Yeah. Fine. They're made of plastic."
Good times.
Will any of the strips from Downer be available for download soon. Just as I missed a couple from the begining and would like to see how it all started, what I missed etc?
