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Messages - Mr. Death

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1
DF Spoilers / Re: What if Harry used a Darkhallow to consume all the creatures on demonreach?
« on: November 15, 2020, 01:39:57 PM »
You already had a long topic years ago asking this same exact thing, and the conclusion is the same now: Eating a bunch of thoroughly inhuman immortals would definitely change Harry.

That's how doing such things works in this setting.

We have no evidence to suggest Rashid does this sort of thing at all, let alone that he does it "all the time."

We have tons of evidence that absorbing power from negative or powerful things changes the person who does the absorbing.

So if Harry did a Darkhollow on Demonreach, he would cease to be Harry Dresden.

2
DFRPG / Re: DFRPG Youtube Videos
« on: November 12, 2020, 02:38:50 PM »
And yet another video is up, this time delving into Evocation.

Curious what you guys think -- any feedback on this or the other three?

3
DF Spoilers / Re: Murphy (BG spoilers) (also some thoughts on the book overall)
« on: October 20, 2020, 06:56:30 PM »
Quote from: Mira on October 20, 2020, 03:14:30 AM
Not in Peace Talks, but at the Accords meeting at the end of Battle Ground there was talk of the Fomor compensating the members for paying for the damages to the people of Chicago.  I don't think Corb paid anything, not at this time.  Why would he? At the end of Peace Talks he thought that he and the Titan would walk all over everyone including Marcone.  At the end of Battle Ground he and his people were at war with Marcone and the rest of the members of the Accords. So where is the incentive to pay it?
Not exactly. The talk at the end of Battle Ground was the Accords members agreeing to pay the people of Chicago -- then to take those expenses out of the Fomor by force, vis a vis, beating the snot out of them and taking their stuff.

4
DF Spoilers / Re: Murphy (BG spoilers) (also some thoughts on the book overall)
« on: October 20, 2020, 06:49:29 PM »
On the subject of the Einherjar, there's precious little about their powers. For what it's worth, the Paranet Papers' write-up, has:

Quote
Powers: None. Really—they gain nothing from
being brought back to this world, except the
chance to fight as a mortal again. They’re very
highly trained combatants, however, with literally
centuries of experience at killing lots of
things. They don’t seem restricted by ancient
practices and are just as good with machine guns
and Kevlar as with axe and mail.
Weaknesses: They’re mortal. It’s possible that
they recover from injury faster than normal
people do, as a result of Odin’s blessing, but
that’s speculative.

The only other real data point we have is how Murphy's sparring partner in Ghost Story doesn't seem at all put out by her breaking his hand, which to me could imply that he expects it to heal up, but it's not dispositive.

5
DF Spoilers / Re: Murphy (BG spoilers) (also some thoughts on the book overall)
« on: October 17, 2020, 12:41:19 PM »
Quote from: Mira on October 17, 2020, 11:17:14 AM
Well, since she was killed and now an Einherjar, she sparred with them and she was a warrior, that was the offer..  She isn't a Valkyrie.
That she is an Einherjar now does not in any way, shape, or form mean she couldn't have become a Valkyrie before.

It's like you're arguing that because Harry ended up the Winter Knight, he couldn't possibly have become a Denarian and Lasciel wasn't offering to make him one. Ending up as one thing does not mean one couldn't have become another thing if they'd chosen differently.

Gard's offer was clear from the context of the series, our knowledge of Gard, and the scene. She was not offering to make her Einherjar there -- to be Einherjar, you have to die. Einherjar are also never referred to as "security consultants." The only characters referred to as such are Valkyries like Gard and Freydis. Gard's own words were offering Murphy the same job that Gard herself identifies as having, a job that is clearly code within the series for "Valkyrie."

6
DF Spoilers / Re: Murphy (BG spoilers) (also some thoughts on the book overall)
« on: October 16, 2020, 11:26:01 PM »
Quote from: bigdangmoose on October 16, 2020, 10:05:59 PM
If I may, no it's not crystal clear. It is to you because that is what you want it to be. Another person who reads it may not think Valkyrie, only security consultant. By your own argument, we are not told that it is a Valkyrie job, just a security consultant job. You are making the assumption that Valkyrie and security consultant are one job when it is not specifically stated that it is one. It could be that all the Valkyries hold that position, but not all security consultant for Odin are Valkyries. That is an answer only Jim can give.
The conversation happens after Murphy fights a den of supernatural creatures. It's not happening after Murphy demonstrates that she knows how to protect a banker's assets from being stolen, or stopping industrial espionage.

The thing that Murphy has demonstrated is her ability and willingness to fight monsters, and that is the thing that makes Gard offer her the job.

The thing that gets Gard's attention is the knowledge and skill that Gard uses for her job in fighting supernatural monsters.

There's nothing in the context of that conversation that says, "I want to give you a totally mundane job literally acting as a security consultant."

Look, this isn't complicated. Authors, like Jim, use repeated phrases to directly link ideas.

He links Gard to the phrase "security consultant," and through her actions and interactions with the cast, it becomes clear that that's code for "Valkyrie," especially after we know that her boss is Odin. Through Gard's words and actions we know that, among other things, Valkyries are kickass warrior women who fight supernatural creatures.

So when Gard -- the Valkyrie -- comes to Murphy after Murphy has just done one of the things that Valkyries do, and offers her the same job that Gard -- the Valkyrie -- does, using the same title she used to refer to herself, that means that Gard is asking her to become a Valkyrie.

7
DF Spoilers / Re: Murphy (BG spoilers) (also some thoughts on the book overall)
« on: October 16, 2020, 08:47:51 PM »
Quote from: Mira on October 16, 2020, 08:31:48 PM
Again, the title of the job in question is "security consultant.."  That isn't job prime for a Valkyrie..
Again: Supernatural creatures like Gard, or like Harry, or like literally everyone else, almost never straight out say things like that. "She didn't say the word valkyrie" is completely irrelevant because scene is crystal clear on what Gard is offering Murphy there.

The job is the exact same job that Gard herself has, no matter how you try to twist and deny it.

8
DF Spoilers / Re: Murphy (BG spoilers) (also some thoughts on the book overall)
« on: October 16, 2020, 06:23:08 PM »
Quote from: Mira on October 16, 2020, 03:25:17 PM

Perhaps at Marcone's office, the same job, security, and Murphy did work for Marcone for a time.   But that is Gard's secondary job in the guise of security, like Odin is Vadderung, Kringle etc..  Her main job as a Valkyrie,  is selecting worthy warriors who die a warrior's death to become Einherjar, and take them to Valhalla..
In the bit I quoted, Gard is asking directly and explicitly of Murphy wants to work for Monoc Securities, by word and name.

There is none of the ambiguity you are trying to attribute to it.

Gard is asking Murphy if Murphy wants to work for Gard's boss -- Odin -- in the same position that Gard herself has -- as a "security consultant" valkyrie.

I don't understand why you're fighting this so hard when the book is crystal clear.

Quote
Battle Ground, Harry finds Murphy gone and where the body was is a mark, the Symbol of Odin.
Gard explains..
That is pretty clear, Murphy and Hendricks picked up to be Einherjar..  She also says that she had limited intellectus,in order to know Murphy's deeds in life.  Don't think that was offered to Murphy.  And finally Gard says;
Clearly Valhalla, celebrated as an Einherjar warrior, not a newly minted Valkyrie.
Yes, I am aware that Murphy was picked up as an Einherjar in this book. That is, again, direct and explicit. I am not arguing that Murphy is now a Valkyrie.

What I am arguing is that she could have been a Valkyrie if she had so chosen. She did not choose that, and is now an Einherjar, but the argument that her being a Valkyrie was not possible and never offered is explicitly contradicted directly by the text.

Quote from: Mira on October 16, 2020, 04:30:52 PM
No, she fitted the Einherjar profile all of her life, that is what Gard said.  She told Harry not to argue with her because it is her job to know. 

Gard told Murphy when she asked if they were hiring..

What she is saying, is Murphy cannot be a Valkyrie.   
Arjan just quoted that exact passage. It's from Small Favor and Gard is talking to Harry in a scene where Murphy is not present.

9
DF Spoilers / Re: Murphy (BG spoilers) (also some thoughts on the book overall)
« on: October 16, 2020, 02:09:50 PM »
Quote from: Mira on October 16, 2020, 06:15:45 AM
I didn't say she did, however if the job offer was Valkyrie, she would have said it.
Because that's how she introduced herself to Harry, right, by saying, "Hi, I'm Gard, I'm a valkyrie?"

None of the supernatural people in this entire series is anywhere near that forthright and direct; they all speak in euphemisms, especially to those they have only recently met. Harry only teases out that she's a Valkyrie after a literal life-and-death battle with her, and even then she never says it, she just lets Harry work out the conclusion and doesn't contradict him.

So the idea that she only could have meant valkyrie if she literally said the word "valkyrie" falls on its face.

Quote
What she said was

Given her end, that might have been all that Gard meant, when she meets her warrior's end there will be a place in Valhalla for her.
That is not all she said. Here's where she's actually making the offer.

Quote
“There’s another position you might consider.
Monoc Securities is always hiring. My boss is always pleased to
find those with the proper”—she pursed her lips—“frame of mind.
Considering your experience and skill set, I think you could do very
well as one of our security consultants.”

And how is Ms. Gard introduced again?

Quote
Miss Gard smiled. Professional smiles all around tonight, it
would seem. "I'm from the Monoc Foundation," she said. "I'm a
consultant."

"Regarding what, one wonders," said Susan. She definitely had
the sharpest smile of those present.

"Security," Gard said, unruffled. She focused on me. "I help
make sure that thieves, spies, and poor wandering spirits don't
wind up all over the lawn."

So, in that scene, Gard is explicitly offering Murphy the same job that Gard herself does.

10
DF Spoilers / Re: Murphy (BG spoilers) (also some thoughts on the book overall)
« on: October 15, 2020, 08:32:33 PM »
Quote from: Bad Alias on October 15, 2020, 08:20:58 PM
At some point in PT/BG, doesn't River Shoulders say that Vadderung is Beowulf, or did I just read that wrong?
You're right, he says something like that.

11
DF Spoilers / Re: Murphy- [BG Spoilers]
« on: October 15, 2020, 07:34:16 PM »
I want to nominate the "False gods!" declaration from Changes, even though it wasn't, strictly speaking, Murphy's words. It was still goddamn amazing and got me pumped the first time I read it in a way few books ever have.

I'll always have a soft spot for her making Tiny back down at Mac's, though.

Or driving off Dierdre by pulling Fidelacchius one inch out of its scabbard.

Leading the Wyld Hunt with Harry atop a motorcycle cum Battlecat...

There's just so many.

Hail, Warrior.

12
DF Spoilers / Re: Murphy (BG spoilers) (also some thoughts on the book overall)
« on: October 15, 2020, 07:10:22 PM »
Quote from: Mira on October 15, 2020, 07:03:56 PM
She laughs at the idea that they are virgins, but she isn't saying that they aren't his daughters.
No, she laughs at the whole statement. She does not specify "virgin," she tells Harry that the thing she repeated and highlighted -- "virgin daughters" -- is not true.

There's also the statement that she's a scion of Beowulf himself, not Odin, in the same story -- Harry calls her a "Scion of the Geat" and she all but confirms it.

That's what leads into the bit I quoted. Harry saying, "So you're a daughter of Beowulf? But I thought valkyries were Odin's virgin daughters." and Sigrun laughing at "virgin daughters" and telling Harry the idea that she's Odin's "virgin daughter" is not true.

Or how about in Aftermath, where Gard tries to recruit Murphy as a "security consultant" -- which is to say the exact same position Gard herself has?

13
DF Spoilers / Re: Murphy (BG spoilers) (also some thoughts on the book overall)
« on: October 15, 2020, 06:54:57 PM »
Heck, Sigrun herself laughs at the very suggestion in Heorot.

Quote
“I thought Valkyries mostly did pickups and deliveries,” I said.
“Choosing the best warriors from among the slain. Taking them off
to Valhalla. Oh, and serving drinks there. Odin’s virgin daughters,
pouring mead for the warriors, partying until Ragnarok.”

Gard threw back her head and laughed. “Virgin daughters.” She
rose, shaking her head, and glanced at her broken arm again.
Then she leaned down and kissed me on the mouth. Her lips were
a sweet, hungry little fire of sensation, and I felt the kiss all the way
to my toes—some places more than others, ahem.

She drew away slowly, her pale blue eyes shining. Then she
winked at me and said, “Don’t believe everything you read,
Dresden.” She turned to go, then paused to glance over her
shoulder. “Though, to be honest, sometimes he does like us to call
him Daddy. I’m Sigrun.”


14
DFRPG / Re: DFRPG Youtube Videos
« on: October 08, 2020, 12:36:24 AM »
Glad folks are enjoying it.

Here's the next one! This time, looking at Conflict, Combat and Consequences.

15
DF Spoilers / Re: Murphy (BG spoilers) (also some thoughts on the book overall)
« on: October 06, 2020, 01:52:54 PM »
Quote from: magnuskn on October 06, 2020, 06:33:28 AM
Again, fictional rules are there to be broken when it's convenient for the story overall. I don't see Jim discarding Murphy that easily.
I do see her coming back eventually -- see my prediction a page or two ago -- but not for a while.

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