I take swords for $500. “This ancient medieval sword was supposedly given to Arthur by the Lady of the Lake and gave Arthur Pendragon great power while he ruled his kingdom diligently.”
Why am I just now making that connection? I guess I’m a little slow here, of late. lol
interesting choice of words for Nic here. “I pray…”
who does he pray to? I’m not trying to nitpick, i just think it would be an interesting answer. Nowadays the term is used pretty loosely, but back then, not so much.
I don’t know, guys, I get the feeling Nick’s just trying to be the good guy here, that he’s willing to put up with human kings as long as they obey the rules. I still think Arthur does something drastic and makes Nick snap.
One of the most basic plays of any manipulator is to tell your opponent what they are thinking. Arthur has made no statement that he cares less for dreamland than he does for Camelot, yet Nic keeps firing that point at him over and over. It appears that he is either trying to put Arthur on the defensive (that is start explaining ‘why’ he cares just as much for dreamland as he does for Camelot) or he is trying to put doubt in Arthur’s mind as to his own intentions. Maybe both. In any event, if the dragon’s intentions really were noble, I doubt he would be using these tactics.
Although you are not technically wrong, Aileen. Actually it can be both one word and two words in litrerature. Scott is using it in the proper two-word situation. If Nic was saying ” I cannot swim” then the one-word method would be appropriate, but as the emphasis is on the word ‘not’ rather than on both words, (and it is emphasised) ‘can not’ is therefore the correct usage.
You know the great thing about all this? I actually AGREE with Nicodemus! I think he’s in the right here (although he may not be expressing himself appropriately)! You know there would be people that would eventually get into Dreamland and steal, plunder, and try to do evil things. It could be disastrous to the peace of Dreamland. I think Arthur is being insensitive and naive with this. I love this because I am actually siding with the bad guy currently 🙂
The choice is laid: pursue Arthur’s dream even through war. Or back off and avoid it, but open the door to further threats.
That is to say, Arthur’s options are external and civil war, cold civil war, or Arthur genuinely changing his mind – whereupon he would have to essentially take Nicodemus’ place as the prime enforcer of current rules, and then dismiss his adviser.
Nicodemus may be able to add new (and probably unpleasant) options of his own, depending on what ace he has hidden under a scale somewhere. Which seems to be what happened.
I find it interesting that so many people are completely unwilling to accept that maybe Nicodemus has someone else’s best interests in mind. Admittedly, he’s shown no reason so far in the story for us to assume this is the case…but this is *before* the story we’ve been seeing.
It’s not as if Nicodemus’ personality is any different; other than his apparent motivation, he’s the same full-of-himself dragon we’ve seen from later on in history. But the prospect of his reasons for being the magalomaniacal, murderous dictator from the present day being the *protection* of Dreamland…well, I simply can’t wait to see where this goes, one way or the other.
I would respond how Aurthur did. Being unaware of all the “animosity” of humans and then genuinely being surprised at the thought of the Dreamlander’s treason. Denizens of Dreamland has a negative connotation in my mind. I still haven’t quite figured out Nick’s angle yet, but time will reveal all my questions I hope.
Hi! This is my first comment, and I’m loving the comic!!!
You know, this’ll probably sound weird, but I have the funniest feeling that Nicodemus is being partly honest here. He’s probably still an evil so and so NOW, but some of the worst crimes have roots in the best intentions. Maybe Nicodemus really DOES want what’s best for Dreamland and is genuinely concerned about more humans presence, and… well, we know that we human beings CAN be a pretty horrible bunch.
Maybe this all led to the resulting treason… and then maybe AFTERWARDS Nicodemus was corrupted by the same power he says has corrupted many before him.
Or maybe he’s a lying toerag and was out for power from the start and just hates humans XD I guess right now we can’t be sure, but I can’t help feeling t’s not that simple. He’s definitely got several motives in play…
This would explain why he described the sword as “evil” , either way – it travels between teh worlds of earth and dreamland, so from his perspective, it’s a part of the pollution of Dreamland via humans, and it MUST be evil.
I feel similar to you. I can’t help but think there’s more to this…
This all certainly would explain why he called the sword Evil, because it travels between the worlds, t surely must be from his perspective, as it’s “polluting” Dreamland…
Perhaps Nicodemus is right in the ideal–but his proposed action (treason) is where he goes overboard. He cannot use wrong means to promote a right end. The fact that he is considering it, among other indications, points to his deeper motives, which are not so good.
Actually, I think Nick’s use of the word is legitimate even if not referring to a deity. “I pray,” or “I pray thee,” connects linguistically to “prithee,” which at least in some literature of a more Old English flavor I’ve run into being used as almost just a strong form of “if it please you”/please…
Oh, you’re just being a cynic toward kind, gentle-hearted, noble Nicodemus who (and I know this from the other comments here) is being entirely reasonable and only has the best interests of Dreamland at heart.
He’s using the term stench of human affectionately… ;o)
I notice a lot of people immediately assuming Nic has bad intentions, but I don’t see why. I understand where he’s coming from… do people just automatically assume he’s lying because he’s the villain?
The hearts of men are filled with both good and evil – the more good one may be, the greater chance that evil will take over.
Nic realizes that peace will surely lead to war at SOME point and that the hearts of man may cause the realms the greatest devastation. I support him with this way of thought.
Nic has alluded that the ‘peace’ Arthur wishes to share is their peace with the Nightmare Realm. This implies that Dreamlands has had its own history of conflict in the past. The treaty could break down on its own, and Dreamlands could be back ton conflict, independent of the presence of humans.
from begging to treason, boy, nic does run the gauntlet, doesn’t he?
You lie like a flea-bitten dog, Nicodemus!
Authur shouldn’t trust that overgrown lizard as far as the human can throw him.
Neat verbal sparring going on here.
Arthur certainly is not one with a quick temper.
I don’t like where this is going -_-
I do, it’s so interesting to see how nicodemus came to rule dreamland and how alexander and his brother are connected to all of this.
It seems that now the best course of action would be to just give that sword back to the dragon for safekeeping and end the war.
Arthur: “You suggest treason? We would be going against the king…oh wait.”
We? Have you got a mouse in your pocket Nic? Or is that perhaps a royal “We”.
I’m gonna say less… It IS Dreamland. Remember how Alex learned he had super strength there? … Yeah… But I agree with the sentiment. 🙂
from being nice to flirting with treason in .06 seconds.
nic is really working the i must stop him angle
So Scott, since no one else has mentioned it, I will TWO MORE FOR 1100!!!
🙂
I take swords for $500. “This ancient medieval sword was supposedly given to Arthur by the Lady of the Lake and gave Arthur Pendragon great power while he ruled his kingdom diligently.”
Why am I just now making that connection? I guess I’m a little slow here, of late. lol
*snerk*
interesting choice of words for Nic here. “I pray…”
who does he pray to? I’m not trying to nitpick, i just think it would be an interesting answer. Nowadays the term is used pretty loosely, but back then, not so much.
WOOT!
I don’t know, guys, I get the feeling Nick’s just trying to be the good guy here, that he’s willing to put up with human kings as long as they obey the rules. I still think Arthur does something drastic and makes Nick snap.
“Cannot” is one word 😛
One of the most basic plays of any manipulator is to tell your opponent what they are thinking. Arthur has made no statement that he cares less for dreamland than he does for Camelot, yet Nic keeps firing that point at him over and over. It appears that he is either trying to put Arthur on the defensive (that is start explaining ‘why’ he cares just as much for dreamland as he does for Camelot) or he is trying to put doubt in Arthur’s mind as to his own intentions. Maybe both. In any event, if the dragon’s intentions really were noble, I doubt he would be using these tactics.
Trusting him even less…
I gotta admit, I like how Nic wants to protect Dreamland. Great writing, Scott!
Although you are not technically wrong, Aileen. Actually it can be both one word and two words in litrerature. Scott is using it in the proper two-word situation. If Nic was saying ” I cannot swim” then the one-word method would be appropriate, but as the emphasis is on the word ‘not’ rather than on both words, (and it is emphasised) ‘can not’ is therefore the correct usage.
I really shouldn’t try to correct other’s grammar at 2 am – my own spelling here is woeful!
I like that Arthur is implying he has no intention of changing his plan, only that he’s worried about its reception.
You know the great thing about all this? I actually AGREE with Nicodemus! I think he’s in the right here (although he may not be expressing himself appropriately)! You know there would be people that would eventually get into Dreamland and steal, plunder, and try to do evil things. It could be disastrous to the peace of Dreamland. I think Arthur is being insensitive and naive with this. I love this because I am actually siding with the bad guy currently 🙂
The choice is laid: pursue Arthur’s dream even through war. Or back off and avoid it, but open the door to further threats.
That is to say, Arthur’s options are external and civil war, cold civil war, or Arthur genuinely changing his mind – whereupon he would have to essentially take Nicodemus’ place as the prime enforcer of current rules, and then dismiss his adviser.
Nicodemus may be able to add new (and probably unpleasant) options of his own, depending on what ace he has hidden under a scale somewhere. Which seems to be what happened.
This is my favorite arc so far – cool stuff going on here.
To Everyone in Dreamland, “HAPPY TOWEL DAY”
I find it interesting that so many people are completely unwilling to accept that maybe Nicodemus has someone else’s best interests in mind. Admittedly, he’s shown no reason so far in the story for us to assume this is the case…but this is *before* the story we’ve been seeing.
It’s not as if Nicodemus’ personality is any different; other than his apparent motivation, he’s the same full-of-himself dragon we’ve seen from later on in history. But the prospect of his reasons for being the magalomaniacal, murderous dictator from the present day being the *protection* of Dreamland…well, I simply can’t wait to see where this goes, one way or the other.
I would respond how Aurthur did. Being unaware of all the “animosity” of humans and then genuinely being surprised at the thought of the Dreamlander’s treason. Denizens of Dreamland has a negative connotation in my mind. I still haven’t quite figured out Nick’s angle yet, but time will reveal all my questions I hope.
Hi! This is my first comment, and I’m loving the comic!!!
You know, this’ll probably sound weird, but I have the funniest feeling that Nicodemus is being partly honest here. He’s probably still an evil so and so NOW, but some of the worst crimes have roots in the best intentions. Maybe Nicodemus really DOES want what’s best for Dreamland and is genuinely concerned about more humans presence, and… well, we know that we human beings CAN be a pretty horrible bunch.
Maybe this all led to the resulting treason… and then maybe AFTERWARDS Nicodemus was corrupted by the same power he says has corrupted many before him.
Or maybe he’s a lying toerag and was out for power from the start and just hates humans XD I guess right now we can’t be sure, but I can’t help feeling t’s not that simple. He’s definitely got several motives in play…
This would explain why he described the sword as “evil” , either way – it travels between teh worlds of earth and dreamland, so from his perspective, it’s a part of the pollution of Dreamland via humans, and it MUST be evil.
I’m excited to find out what happens next!
Hi there
I feel similar to you. I can’t help but think there’s more to this…
This all certainly would explain why he called the sword Evil, because it travels between the worlds, t surely must be from his perspective, as it’s “polluting” Dreamland…
“From my perspective, it is the Jedi that are evil!” – A. Skywalker
Perhaps Nicodemus is right in the ideal–but his proposed action (treason) is where he goes overboard. He cannot use wrong means to promote a right end. The fact that he is considering it, among other indications, points to his deeper motives, which are not so good.
Nic’s problem is that he can’t stand their smell.
Sigh
http://thedreamlandchronicles.com/the-dreamland-chronicles/chapter-04/page-268/
http://thedreamlandchronicles.com/the-dreamland-chronicles/chapter-04/page-269/
http://thedreamlandchronicles.com/the-dreamland-chronicles/chapter-08/page-500/
Nicodemus is being entirely reasonable here. I am getting more and more comfortable with blaming Arthur for the situation.
Don’t Panic!
Welcome, fellow Dreamer!
Actually, I think Nick’s use of the word is legitimate even if not referring to a deity. “I pray,” or “I pray thee,” connects linguistically to “prithee,” which at least in some literature of a more Old English flavor I’ve run into being used as almost just a strong form of “if it please you”/please…
Oh, you’re just being a cynic toward kind, gentle-hearted, noble Nicodemus who (and I know this from the other comments here) is being entirely reasonable and only has the best interests of Dreamland at heart.
He’s using the term stench of human affectionately… ;o)
You know… or not.
he heeeee racist
I notice a lot of people immediately assuming Nic has bad intentions, but I don’t see why. I understand where he’s coming from… do people just automatically assume he’s lying because he’s the villain?
Did anyone else notice how incredibly large Arthur’s eyes are in the third panel? Hehe.
The hearts of men are filled with both good and evil – the more good one may be, the greater chance that evil will take over.
Nic realizes that peace will surely lead to war at SOME point and that the hearts of man may cause the realms the greatest devastation. I support him with this way of thought.
Nic has alluded that the ‘peace’ Arthur wishes to share is their peace with the Nightmare Realm. This implies that Dreamlands has had its own history of conflict in the past. The treaty could break down on its own, and Dreamlands could be back ton conflict, independent of the presence of humans.
Precisely how would you be capable of build this kind of wonderful group involving commenters to your site?
haha!