Erfworld

Well technically nearly every opposition in Erfword can amount to bleeding out the schmukers - it's not like you're limited by natural reproduction rates for replenishing your army, only by cash income.

But yes, it does hold more for Charlie than anybody else. He only holds one city's income and the Archons must cost a ton. However, he also has a gigantic stockpile of cash from his previous activity, as well as potentially enough Archons to keep operating in other areas to keep his business rolling.

That is a key question, isn't it: just how wealthy is Charlie? He clearly has some limits, otherwise there would be no reason for him to bargain or use deception. Equally, he clearly fears what Parson might be capable of. But is this war an example of Dorothy vs. Wizard, Rebellion vs. Empire, or flea vs. elephant?

edited 6th Mar '15 6:24:01 AM by Fighteer

Well obviously he isn't going bankrupt soon. He is a paranoiac that has been amassing wealth and power all his life on Erfworld for when somebody tries to destroy him aka this exact current situation.

So I expect that he still has a lot of funds to burn through.

Someone pointed out on another forum that this deal also neatly sidesteps Tram's unspoken question — which Arkentool is Lilith actually beholden to, if any of them? She worked out a deal that took the decision out of her hands (leaving the question of whether she'd actually turn to Jetstone unanswered) while at the same time technically benefiting both Tools.

Both tools? She has inflated the price to the benefit of GK and Jetstone and the detriment of Charlie.

But she's returning to the Arkendish. That may end up being worth 150k Schmuckers.

edited 6th Mar '15 8:46:13 AM by CorrTerek

Still, she gutted him for the maximum amount of money she could.

Which brings up the question why Charlescomm was willing to pay that amount anyway. Any secrets she has have already presumably been shared with Gobwin. What matter if Jetstone learns them too?

Charlie's big deal right now is that he can tip the balance between Jetstone and Gobwin Knob. Jetstone would not have accepted a small deal which benefited both, but at a 50% premium they might accept the money and ignore the fact that it keeps GK as a significant enemy and leaves them still needing Charlie's aid (which will no doubt cost more now) if they want to win.

She would have information of her own that could be shared with Charlie unless she disbands herself or something. Including information on the Arkenpliers.

edited 6th Mar '15 10:18:36 AM by Arha

Charlie is desperate to find out if there is a way to break the link between Decrypted units and their creator.

I wonder if we are about to follow Lilith back to Charles Comm, or even Charles? We could be about to learn some interesting things.

We are probably going to get a look inside Charlie's secrets sooner or later, but I wonder if Parson imagines that he can use Thinkamancy to spy on Charlie through Lilith.

That would be like hacking into the NSA. Except more dangerous.

Tea for two.

Is Wanda in morning?

No, looks like the afternoon.

Bad puns are a sin, Fighteer.

So is bad spelling that enables bad puns.

edited 13th Mar '15 12:30:31 PM by Fighteer

You make me sic.

But yes, given how she took Jillian's final words to Ansem, I'm thinking Wanda is in mourning.

No, Fighteer's correct, its afternoun.

All of this punning is making me tired, it's nigh time to rest I think.

I somehow read that "punning" as "purring" and thought of this

Mmmm, pathos.