Discussion TheOrderOfTheStick / TropesA-C

Beat me too it. Its more like there wasn't any tract intended, but people (myself included) thought there was (specifically evoking Godwin's Law as a way of emphasizing how evil Malack was).

I don't think anything in the comic would indicate that Burlew is a vegetarian or an intent to preach about that- there's lots of occasions where characters eat meat without any moral condemnation.

Indeed, it even extols the economic utopia of making burgers out of an infinitely-regenerating animal. That's thinking like a carnivore, right there :P

I was thinking of that example when responding- also wondering why that was presented as humorous/ok whereas Tarquin's similar preference for phoenix liver is a Kick the Dog moment (albeit a humorous one)- probably an issue of motive.

Incidentally, I actually do think there are some things that Burlew is tracty about (i.e. the Alignment system and how some players do it wrong; the problems with the Always Chaotic Evil trope; a criticism of Linear Warriors, Quadratic Wizards- in the sense that Burlew's magic-users are almost unanimously an arrogant bunch and he repeatedly shows that magical competence doesn't translate to all around competence).

I still don't think that would be Author Tract; even if it's a common theme of the comic, it's by no stretch the point of it. I think Writer on Board is sufficient to cover those issue (which he certainly has, and takes every advantage to subvert).

^^ Endangered animal? About as endangered as it's possible to be, really...

I didn't read the trope closely enough when I deleted it.

That being said, I don't think Nale would qualify, given Elan's reaction and the extent to which Tarquin is presented in a negative light/Nale comes across as rather (sym)pathetic in the end.

This trope is the subject of a lot of misuse. Its too wide description is certainly part of the problem. It really should go through the Trope Repair Shop first before specific examples are tackled.

I don't think it qualifies because it was Nale being punished as a direct result of his actions. It's more like Laser-Guided Karma, honestly.

If a monster came out of nowhere and killed Nale as part of the Worf Effect, it would've counted. But in this case, Tarquin exacted revenge on the man who killed his best friend. Just doesn't fit the spirit of the trope (which is largely "someone has to die. May as well make it the asshole").