NationStates Jolt Archive

Poll is coming.

Poll is coming.
It is?!?!?!?!?
AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHH!
*runs for the hills*

:D

Mwahahahahaahahahahahaha!

Arr, Death is the greatest character of all time! Of course Binky rocks too.

Need more slots... must list... Offler the Crocodile God... Cohen the Barbarian... Leonard da Quirm... more slots... more!!!

EDIT: Hey, NB, what did you think about Going Postal? I liked it a lot. I keep worrying that he's going to tap out eventually, but there he goes putting out another good one.

I should have recognized a fellow Discworldian.

I just noticed I misspelled Dibbler. Mea maxima culpa. :headbang:

Need more slots... must list... Offler the Crocodile God... Cohen the Barbarian... Leonard da Quirm... more slots... more!!!

Luggage!!!!!

Honestly though. I don't know who my favorite is, it changes. But usually it is either Rincewind, Vetinari, Vimes or another one.

EDIT: Hey, NB, what did you think about Going Postal? I liked it a lot. I keep worrying that he's going to tap out eventually, but there he goes putting out another good one.

I know I'm not NB but, I liked it. The stamp on the inside covers were a nice touch. Also it has been the best novel he has bought out for a while imo.

Also, is it just me or does it look like TP is becoming more libertarian in his writing?

RINCEWIND! i demand more votes for him..all the wizards of the U.U are brilliant

how can i be the only one that voted fot the Librarian?

I had to go for 'other'. No Nanny Ogg. A disgrace.

Luggage!!!!!
Damn, I forgot the Luggage. Well... I need more slots! Dammit. ;)

Also, is it just me or does it look like TP is becoming more libertarian in his writing?
I kind of thought the opposite. Vetinari has always been portrayed as a careful balance, don't use a push when a fingerprick will do kinda tyrant. In the first Watch book he'd even more or less disassembled and privatized the police force. In Going Postal, on the other hand, he actually rehabilitates a government enterprise to compete against a private sector counterpart.

EDIT: Hey, NB, what did you think about Going Postal? I liked it a lot. I keep worrying that he's going to tap out eventually, but there he goes putting out another good one.

Loved it! I know what you mean, I'm in constant fear that he'll run out of things to write about, but I think the thing we should fear most is his eminent death! When will he die.... Douglas Adams death was hard enough to deal with, but the day Pratchett dies will be a sad one indeed.

Damn, I forgot the Luggage. Well... I need more slots! Dammit. ;)


I kind of thought the opposite. Vetinari has always been portrayed as a careful balance, don't use a push when a fingerprick will do kinda tyrant. In the first Watch book he'd even more or less disassembled and privatized the police force. In Going Postal, on the other hand, he actually rehabilitates a government enterprise to compete against a private sector counterpart.

Yes Vetinari certainly has got more despotic (I liked the part at the end of Going Postal where someone objects to him imprisoning them without trial [or something] and he says "I'm a tyrant remember" :D) But there are vague stabs at the way government works "If you steal a little your a thief, if you steal a lot you area hero. Or a government" - Going Postal, there is also a part in Monstrous Regiment where Vimes thinks about how stupid nationalism and even patriotism are (forgive me, I have none of his books to hand so I cannot get the quotes).

Maybe it is just me getting more 'radical' but I got a distinct anti-capitalist (or more accurately, anti-monopoly) and anti-state vibe from Going Postal.

Loved it! I know what you mean, I'm in constant fear that he'll run out of things to write about, but I think the thing we should fear most is his eminent death! When will he die.... Douglas Adams death was hard enough to deal with, but the day Pratchett dies will be a sad one indeed.

It's odd thinking about D/death in regards to him though. Since he is on a certain level, he is just another character.

Also I could not help thinking of Pratchett's post-mortem conversation with Death after reading that post.

I love Terry Pratchett novels and my favorite character is Susan sto Helit.
I think it is great how she tells off children for being scared of the boogeyman as he is actually scared of blue blanket squares!

i really, really worship Commander Vimes. his evolution from drunken self hating loser to gloriously direct, aristocrat pissing-on, competent (like james bond competent; see Nigh Watch) commander of a competent police force is so beautifully portrayed sometimes i just whip out Men at Arms, Guards Guards, Jingo and Nigh Watch and spend two weeks hypnotized by them.

Yes Vetinari certainly has got more despotic (I liked the part at the end of Going Postal where someone objects to him imprisoning them without trial [or something] and he says "I'm a tyrant remember" :D) But there are vague stabs at the way government works "If you steal a little your a thief, if you steal a lot you area hero. Or a government" - Going Postal, there is also a part in Monstrous Regiment where Vimes thinks about how stupid nationalism and even patriotism are (forgive me, I have none of his books to hand so I cannot get the quotes).

Maybe it is just me getting more 'radical' but I got a distinct anti-capitalist (or more accurately, anti-monopoly) and anti-state vibe from Going Postal.
And there were distinct anti-communist jibes in Night Watch - Reg Shoe and his hopeless dreams of the way the world should be - something to do with the collectivisation of food supplies (and no, I can't be more specific - my copy of the book is not here).

On the original question of the poll, I truly can't pick one favourite character. If I had to pick a top few, then I suppose Granny Weatherwax, Vimes, the Wizards collectively...

And there were distinct anti-communist jibes in Night Watch - Reg Shoe and his hopeless dreams of the way the world should be - something to do with the collectivisation of food supplies (and no, I can't be more specific - my copy of the book is not here).


Ooh, good point. I had forgotten about that. There are also a few jibes at organised religion, mainly in Small Gods, though in some of the later ones too.

I liked the conversation between Brutha and Om about the shape of world.
("But the Book of Om says the world is a sphere"
"Don't be silly, all the water would drain off")

Something like that anyway.


(and no, I can't be more specific - my copy of the book is not here).

Seems to be a common affliction ;) I'm in the same position.

Although I found out with horror recently that around half my discworld books seemed to have dissappeared into L-Space. I went back home for Christmas holidays and they just dissappeared and non of my family knew anything about it. :confused:

How can I choose? Vimes, Death, The Librarian, Nanny Ogg, Vetinari, Quoth, Ponder, Angua, I love so many.

The Death of Rats.

SQUEAK!

I liked the conversation between Brutha and Om about the shape of world.
("But the Book of Om says the world is a sphere"
"Don't be silly, all the water would drain off")


Found this quotation whilst looking for the correct version of the above:

'Slave is an Ephebian word. In Om we have no word for slave,' said Vorbis.
'So I understand,' said the Tyrant. 'I imagine that fish have no word for water.'

And here is the correct version of what I meant

"I told you, I never made the world," said Om. "Why should I make the world? It was here already. And if I did make a world, I wouldn't make it a ball. People'd fall off. All the sea'd run off the bottom."

Need more slots... must list... Offler the Crocodile God... Cohen the Barbarian... Leonard da Quirm... more slots... more!!!

EDIT: Hey, NB, what did you think about Going Postal? I liked it a lot. I keep worrying that he's going to tap out eventually, but there he goes putting out another good one.

Ya, it's a shame he spoofed the Iraq war before it ever happened. I'd have looked forward to that.

Although I found out with horror recently that around half my discworld books seemed to have dissappeared into L-Space. I went back home for Christmas holidays and they just dissappeared and non of my family knew anything about it. :confused:

Same thing keeps happening with all of mine. Spooky.

Maybe that's where he gets so many of his ideas from. Reaches into L-space and picks out a random book and transcribes it. With the greater and greater space his books occupy it becomes more and more likely that when he reaches out he accidentaly picks up other people's Terry Pratchett novels.

I would personally have to say either Darktan, or Maurice. Death is great, too. But no, I think I'd have to go with Darktan personally.

Same thing keeps happening with all of mine. Spooky.

Maybe that's where he gets so many of his ideas from. Reaches into L-space and picks out a random book and transcribes it. With the greater and greater space his books occupy it becomes more and more likely that when he reaches out he accidentaly picks up other people's Terry Pratchett novels.
:( He could at least give them back.

All the characters bloody rock.
Vetinari is (in my opinion) best, but Death. Rincewind, Vimes and loads of others are also amazing.

Yes Vetinari certainly has got more despotic

Snip spoiler.

But there are vague stabs at the way government works "If you steal a little your a thief, if you steal a lot you area hero. Or a government" - Going Postal, there is also a part in Monstrous Regiment where Vimes thinks about how stupid nationalism and even patriotism are (forgive me, I have none of his books to hand so I cannot get the quotes).

Maybe it is just me getting more 'radical' but I got a distinct anti-capitalist (or more accurately, anti-monopoly) and anti-state vibe from Going Postal.

Actually I think he was pretty pro capitalist in that one. Not only was the book about the destructive effect of allowing innovation to be controlled by people whose only talent is making money and monopoly in general, but the birth of Ahnk Morpork capitalism and possibly shifting off the gold standard.

BTW I'll say it again, monopoly is not supposed to be permited in classic capitalism. Adam Smith warned against that danger and said that government's job is to break up monopolies when they form naturally, not to arrange for their construction as they did under mercantilism.

:( He could at least give them back.

Nah, It's a brilliant scam. We just have to figure out how to reach in there and get them back. Or get the ones he's only potentially written.

Ya, it's a shame he spoofed the Iraq war before it ever happened. I'd have looked forward to that.
Y'mean Jingo? That or Small Gods is probably my favorite. I'm hard pressed to pick.

:( He could at least give them back.
He puts mine back. He must, or I wouldn't end up with multiple copies of as many as I do.

heh...I like all the characters. But...I'm gonna say... Vimes for teh win!

Actually I think he was pretty pro capitalist in that one. Not only was the book about the destructive effect of allowing innovation to be controlled by people whose only talent is making money and monopoly in general, but the birth of Ahnk Morpork capitalism and possibly shifting off the gold standard.

Hmm, I'll try and borrow it off a friend and reread it.

(Re: your last clause, I had completely forgotten what happens to Gilt at the end. My mistake)

BTW I'll say it again, monopoly is not supposed to be permited in classic capitalism. Adam Smith warned against that danger and said that government's job is to break up monopolies when they form naturally, not to arrange for their construction as they did under mercantilism.

I realise that. Sorry if I gave the impression I was trying to equate capitalism (in the classic liberal view) with monopoly.

He puts mine back. He must, or I wouldn't end up with multiple copies of as many as I do.

Either that or he is giving mine and Domici's to you ;)

I like Domici's idea. We must enter L-Space and get them back, and if possible find his books that exist in potential.

Now Death is a badass, even though he is not portrayed as one and not described as one, he still is!
Has anyone read Reaper Man? That's a book in which Death is the main character and he is developed a bit more.

I've haven't read the entire Discword series, but I'm up to Interesting Times. I just think Terry Pratchett is Uber Leet!!

I have no idea how to answer this... there are simply too many good characters for me to decide.

In re Terry & capitalism...

One thing I like most about Terry Pratchett is that he doesn't let anybody off the hook. He hits everyone, government, merchants, rich, poor, thieves, priests, military, protestor, revolutionary, cop, scientists, parents... and hits them about each about as hard.

To paraphrase, he's not prejudiced. He satirizes everyone equally. :)

Although I found out with horror recently that around half my discworld books seemed to have dissappeared into L-Space. I went back home for Christmas holidays and they just dissappeared and non of my family knew anything about it. :confused:
If I find that that has happened when I go home, there will be rage and death.

Bruce The Hoon. :) I chose Death, but it could just have easily been Granny Weatherwax or Vimes (I'm a huge Clint Eastwood fan & he reminds me of Dirty Harry).

Vetinari rocks. And I mean that. I mean, seriously, a city leader who is also a trained assassin? Perfect combination. Besides, I absolutely love the way Pratchett does his dialogue.

(*poker face*) "Hmmmmmmmmm?"

That I've never heard of Susan Sto Helit is probably a sign I haven't read enough. I do know all the others though.

After that comes Granny Weatherwax, tied perfectly with DEATH. IF ONLY BECAUSE OF THE COOL WAY HE SPEAKS.

Rincewind is also a pretty interesting character.

I voted Vimes, but the Librarian and Vetinari come in close seconds. Vetinari's just so smart and slick, he knows exactly how to run Ankh-Morpork and get the best out of it. Is it Guards Guards or Men at Arms that he allows himself to be poisoned? Weird, but constantly in control:) And the Librarian! I mean, a monkey (*godno! no! no! nonono! aarrrrghhhh pop* ape!! ape!!) who can play the organ like he does in Soul Music? So cool:) What's everyone think of the animated version of it btw?

I voted death for the best, but Vetinari is a very close second.

He's the awesome evil tyrant that everyone loves :D

I love in Going Postal how he always seems a few steps ahead. The interactions between Vetinari and Moist are one of the best bits of that book, never failed to make me laugh out loud.

And don't you just love the ending? It's so well done.

Woohoo, Discworld thread!!

OMG you can't make people CHOOSE between Vimes and Vetinari! Seriously! They're in many of the same books and most of their best scenes wouldn't be the same without each other, and they're both equally cool and - LOOK, alright, fanfiction people have even PAIRED the two of them up! You cannot just up and say "Which is your favourite?"!!! Argh!

And the others are all cool too. Susan is one of my favourites and so is Granny and MAN Greebo and the Librarian are cool, and - LOOK, I can't even pick a favourite BOOK out of them all, let alone a favourite character!!!

Going Postal was very, very cool. Further Ankh Morpork books are gonna be difficult thought, cos now there are THREE permanent institutions complete with charismatic characters that have had starring roles before. They'll all be fighting over the lead part! I mean, he ALREADY had to send Vimes into various foreign parts (including the past) to get away from that kind of thing - now what?

Bruce The Hoon. :) I chose Death, but it could just have easily been Granny Weatherwax or Vimes (I'm a huge Clint Eastwood fan & he reminds me of Dirty Harry).

That's funny, he reminds me of Basil Faulty. I can't picture him as anyone other than John Cleese.

Nobby & Colon?


true their are too many to mention.

My vote went for vimes

Vimes - I can identify with him (with the exception of the reformed alcoholic part).
Other favourites, not on the list - Lu-Tze, Drumknott, BS Johnson, Gaspode.
Although the best thing about Discworld are the names - Djelibeybi, anyone? Diet of Bugs - an obscure reference to the Diet of Worms in medieval(?) times. I could go on, and on, and on, and on.....

That I've never heard of Susan Sto Helit is probably a sign I haven't read enough.
Death's granddaughter. Daughter of Mort and Ysabell. She's prominently featured in Soul Music and Hogfather. Hogfather is a good one, if you haven't read it.

That's funny, he reminds me of Basil Faulty. I can't picture him as anyone other than John Cleese.
I think what I like best about Sam Vimes is that he doesn't remind me of anyone except Sam Vimes.

Death's granddaughter. Daughter of Mort and Ysabell. She's prominently featured in Soul Music and Hogfather. Hogfather is a good one, if you haven't read it.
Soul Music is better - one of the best Discworld books. My top 5 are Small Gods, Soul Music, Pyramids, Interesting Times, Maskerade.

I would probably say Small Gods, Thief of Time, Jingo, Lords and Ladies and Mort...

...although I keep trying to fit in The Fifth Elephant, Feet of Clay, Eric, Interesting Times, Pyramids, Men at Arms and probably half a dozen others, so maybe this is a failed exercise for me.

The bursar is of course the best Discworld character :)

And that's Dinwiddie with an 'o'.

Death is a superb character, but so is Rincewind. Death just has the edge though.

Best book to me, by far and away, is Moving Pictures.
But for the life of me I just can't get into the books with the witches as the main characters. Blech.

Go Vetinari. He’s so evil yet so manipulative but he always remains so, well, Vetinari, there is no other word.

Some day I want to be just like him MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Vetinari... evil? I've *never* pictured him as evil! He's the best thing that could have happened to Ankh Morpork! What makes you think he's evil?

Maybe it is just me getting more 'radical' but I got a distinct anti-capitalist (or more accurately, anti-monopoly) and anti-state vibe from Going Postal.

Also a lot more anti-political correctness, especially about employment.


Oh and my favourite character... :( ...don't make me choose please!!! Its making my head hurt!

Death is a superb character, but so is Rincewind. Death just has the edge though.

Best book to me, by far and away, is Moving Pictures.
But for the life of me I just can't get into the books with the witches as the main characters. Blech.

I have the same problem, eventually i do get into them but only at the 5 or 6th time of asking...such a pain as they are excellent too.

Vetinari... evil? I've *never* pictured him as evil! He's the best thing that could have happened to Ankh Morpork! What makes you think he's evil?

only the fact that he takes pleasure in other peoples suffering (mainly caused by him.)

how can i be the only one that voted fot the Librarian?

i didn't vote for him, but am also surprised at his low rating

Vetinari... evil? I've *never* pictured him as evil! He's the best thing that could have happened to Ankh Morpork! What makes you think he's evil?

I don't think he is evil, more ruthless than evil, thing is he always gives people a choice, they just have to make the right one, and if somebody screws him over well... :D look what happened to the guy who didn't believe in angels in Going Postal....

*runs for the hills*:D

*Breaks into song*

Run for your lives. . . .

Sorry I've digressed. I really am surprised that not many other people have voted for Rincewind. Have you read Eric???? That has to be the funniest and most side-splitting Discworld book ever.

Still I voted for Death. . . . *sighs*

*Breaks into song*

Run for your lives. . . .

Sorry I've digressed. I really am surprised that not many other people have voted for Rincewind. Have you read Eric???? That has to be the funniest and most side-splitting Discworld book ever.

Still I voted for Death. . . . *sighs*

I love it for the fact its such a blatent self recognising laugh at faust...reading both made me appreciate them even more

I love it for the fact its such a blatent self recognising laugh at faust...reading both made me appreciate them even more

Yup.

Death is a superb character, but so is Rincewind. Death just has the edge though.

Best book to me, by far and away, is Moving Pictures.
But for the life of me I just can't get into the books with the witches as the main characters. Blech.

Me neither. I don't like the Witches books, I bought Equal Rites but simply got bored with it. BORED WITH A DISVWORLD NOVEL!!!!! DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE MAGNITUDE OF THAT SIN!!!!

Vimes is my favourite character. You have to love that gritty cynicism. So unsuprisingly my favourites are:

Jingo, The Fifth Elephant, Reaper Man, Hogfather, The Last Continent, Night Watch.

Death is a damned good character too as are the wizards as a collective. But there are so many fantastic sub characters that you would have to have a massive poll with something like 150 choices.

Has anyone noticed an odd trend though of late? I think Pratchett is slowly concluding the series, bit by bit. For example Night Watch pretty much concludes the story of Vimes (most satisfactorily). Thief of Time effectively closed the whole Susanne/Death saga (still done quite well). The Last Continent could be the conclusion to the Rincewind saga. I think its quite probable that these latest 'miscellaneous' (i.e. dont fit into the genres of Death, Watch, Witches and Rincewind) books are really just helping to propel Pratchett towards his finale.

*Breaks into song*

Run for your lives. . . .

Sorry I've digressed. I really am surprised that not many other people have voted for Rincewind. Have you read Eric???? That has to be the funniest and most side-splitting Discworld book ever.

Still I voted for Death. . . . *sighs*

He got my vote.

"Cuanti Canicula illa en fenestre" can't beat that for a magic chant.

I was vaguely dissappointed that he never got any magic powers by Sourcery, he really seemed to be getting his life on track by the end of Light Fantastic. But clearly Pterry had two different ideas in mind when he invented Rincewind, and Ponder Stibbons got to be happier one.

how can i be the only one that voted fot the Librarian?
I would have voted librarian if i'd had a second vote.

Also, did anybody else think Monstrous Regiment sucked(by TP's standards)?

I would have voted librarian if i'd had a second vote.

Also, did anybody else think Monstrous Regiment sucked(by TP's standards)?

I really liked that one, the amount of movies and recent conflicts that he has parodied made it very topical reading. I mean it was no classic of his sure, so i agree, but it still puts many other authors books to shame :)

[QUOTE=Erahf Dar] Is it Guards Guards or Men at Arms that he allows himself to be poisoned? QUOTE]

It's Feet of Clay

I mean it was no classic of his sure, so i agree, but it still puts many other authors books to shame :)

I guess it does, which is why I added the by TP's standards bit. I guess the reason I don't like it is cos I wish he'd stick with the central characters a bit more, yknow, Death, the UU, the Witches, the Watch.

I have the same problem, eventually i do get into them but only at the 5 or 6th time of asking...such a pain as they are excellent too.
The witches are my father's favorite. Except for Lords and Ladies, I don't generally care as much for them as for the others, but my dad says, "That's because you never knew my mother and her sisters." :D

Death is my favorite, though it is a difficult choice. Sort of like what is your favorite song/band. What, just one? I just re-read Guards! Gauards! brilliant.

Also, did anybody else think Monstrous Regiment sucked(by TP's standards)?
I liked Monstrous Regiment quite a bit. (It was certainly a lot stronger than Maskerade... :p ) And Monstrous Regiment had a fair amount of Vimes in it, as much as The Truth.

EDIT: One thing I think is odd is how poor a showing Carrot is coming up with. He's as essential to Watch books as Vimes himself, but when I edited this, not a single person had voted for him, whereas Vimes has half as many votes as Death for a strong second place.

I liked Monstrous Regiment quite a bit. (It was certainly a lot stronger than Maskerade... :p ) And Monstrous Regiment had a fair amount of Vimes in it, as much as The Truth.

EDIT: One thing I think is odd is how poor a showing Carrot is coming up with. He's as essential to Watch books as Vimes himself, but when I edited this, not a single person had voted for him, whereas Vimes has half as many votes as Death for a strong second place.

I think Maskerade had a much stronger story, and The Truth had a better load of new characters. De Worde was much better than that coffee-holic vampire dude. Also, Monstrous Regiment's "surprise twist"
wasn't that surprising to me. That annoyed me.

I thought Maskerade was very forced.

I liked Lieutenant Blouse and Sergeant Jackrum. (Then again, I've worked for them.) :D

To be fair, Maskerade is my second least favourite. And definitely a lot of what you get out of the books is based on what has already gone in to you.

Bill Door. Good Ol' Bill.

Bill Door. Good Ol' Bill.

This again :D

Death!!!! Yippie!!! I've always wanted to say that... :D

This again :D

Well, I enjoyed watching all the part-timers trying to work out who I mean... :)

Oh - I also love Foul Ol' Ron. "buggerem buggerem buggerit... spying on me with magic beams...."

Dr Horace Worblehat. Serious fans will know I refer to the Librarian.

Dr Horace Worblehat. Serious fans will know I refer to the Librarian.

Yep i have the compendium in which it tells me many things about the disc world which are interesting.
But pal you really shouldnt belittle others apreciation of the series.

I voted for "someone else" because I really couldn't decide amongst the given ones.... Lessee: Rincewind - Diddicult character to judge, because he fits so well into the original story pattern (sword and sourcery spoof) but doesn't fit so well into 'Renaissance' Ankh-Morpork or the developing world. Travelled into space, last time we saw him, and I'm wondering whether he'd still fit into a story in Howondaland, frexample, but with civilisation and advancement occuring in most of the world he doesn't really have a place to have a 'traditional' adventure (a ballistic one, where he falls from crisis to crisis) like he used to have...
Samuel Vimes - Undoubtedly a superb character. Once he sobered up in G!G!, he went from strength to strength. I liked the darkness of NW (though appreiate that isn't to everyone's taste, mainly because of the darkness
Carrot Ironfoundersson - Has developed as well, since G!G! His... innocence... and yet the way that he has been shown to be devious on occasion (telling the exact truth, on occasion, if not the 'whole truth', e.g. in the Assassins' Guild, I think it was) shows that he's more than a fluffed up two-dimensional hero.
Havelock Vetinari - Come on... Got to be one of the most favourite 'incidental' characters, though he does go off a bit if he's the only one on the page. The juggling scene in J was timed right, I think, and as the protagonist who sets Moist or Vimes or whoever on various paths of action (in the full knowledge, apart from that one time he accidentally 'broke' Vimes, that his will will be done)
The Librarian - Given he started off as a simple joke (the results of the Octavo episode in question) a good character. The internal dialogue is a bit lacking, but then, as he might say, "Oook, ook, ook, ook. Ooook eeeek!"
Granny Weatherwax - Getting a bit strong these days, can't be used as a major character (CJ marked the practical end point of her career as a major character, unless Terry pulls something out of his hat to handle it) but good for a cameo in the Tiffany books, still.
Susan Sto Helit - Some might say there's too much power in this one, too, but there's potential. We've probably missed out on the Mary Poppins parody (someone mentioned the idea on a forum Terry reads, and he's allergic to ideas someone else might be thought to have come up with, even if he had it in mind already) but there's other things. Perhaps vies with Tiffany in the 'female lead with Power' competition, but differently.
CMOT Dibber, Esq. - And his many incarnations (Al-Jibblah, etc)... A useful foil, but cannot be a major character (best he did was in MP, essentially depriving Silverfish of his own company...). Good in himself, though.
Death - Ultimately (and that's a word very apt for the character) he's has that... 'je ne sais pas'... Apart from the occasional outing in RM and SM, and a jaunt in HF, his adherance to The Duty is a measure 'gainst which the other characters (at least, those who met Him) can be set... I could ramble on, but I won't.


I wish I had time to talk about the unmentioned ones (from the poll, at least) who need talking about. Lu-Tze, the Bursor, Tiffany, Polly might be in the running but comes from a difficult book that I've only read twice, up till now... The Lady is my favourite 'god', Leonard (and old Goldeneyes Silverhands, though I can never remember if he's Dactylos or Didactylos, but he's not going to reappear) is great styalisation, Lipwig is interesting, but I can't see him being more than a one-book character, the Oh God! of hangovers is good as a supportng character in the realm of personifications.

The Luggage has a charm only a psychopathic item such as itself could have, but needs to be with Rinceind, Dorfl breaks the mould (oooh, an apt but accidental pun!), I wonder if Astfgl could cameo in something, and countless other small characters were worth their weight in... something very valuable for its weight.

Of course, let's not forget Great A'Tuin, without whom the Disc wouldn't have a leg to stand on (or the Elephants anywhere to stand, at least... :)

Ok, so Terry regrets the star turtle (a device in the early books for saying "this is a fantasy world, normal rules may not apply...) but I've got a soft-spot for hi... he... it. :)

I voted Vetinari... he's just awesome.

I was going to __ing say Mr. Tulip, but I thought 'Sam Vimes. Yes. Nightwatch. Yes' and voted thus.

For awesome: Sam Vimes. "I'm just going out to kick some arse, dear."
For funny :Leonard da Quirm or Sergeant Colon.

Susan Sto Helit - Perhaps vies with Tiffany in the 'female lead with Power' competition, but differently.
I would think Constable Angua also fits into that category.

'I think you'd better put it in your report as "self-inflicted wounds while resisting arrest",' said Vimes.
'Yes, sir,' said Angua.
'Not all of them,' said Carrot.
'They tried to rob our bar and take a wer- Angua hostage,' said Vimes.
'Oh, I see what you mean, sir,' said Carrot. 'Self-inflicted. Yes. Of course.'

I always wondered why he never did more with Conina.

I would think Constable Angua also fits into that category.

'I think you'd better put it in your report as "self-inflicted wounds while resisting arrest",' said Vimes.
'Yes, sir,' said Angua.
'Not all of them,' said Carrot.
'They tried to rob our bar and take a wer- Angua hostage,' said Vimes.
'Oh, I see what you mean, sir,' said Carrot. 'Self-inflicted. Yes. Of course.'

I always wondered why he never did more with Conina.

You have to distinguish between the 'early' Discworld, the 'mid' Discworld and the 'latter' Discworld.

EARLY DISCWORLD - COLOUR OF MAGIC TO GUARDS! GUARDS! - There are many discrepencies in the early Discworld novels, many of which have to be later ignored. If you look at the orginal covers of Colour of Magic and the Light Fantastic you will notice that Two Flower does possess four eyes (a fact alluded to by Pratchett). However as we move on to when pratchett has decided to remove any 4 eyed species from the Discworld, we notice that Two Flower is in fact wearing glasses (therefore allowing Pratchett to get away with his four eyes gaff). Trolls have little sentience and freeze in the Sun - why is the many Ankh Morpork trolls never freeze in the later novels? There are many more I suspect you could find if you went into detail.

Sourcery appears in the middle of the early Discworld era and it has the hall marks of it - notice the odd way in which the world is virtually destroyed BUT YET IT IS MENTIONED ONLY ONCE LATER ON IN THE SERIES!! My personal belief is that much of Sourcery was a write off. Conina (a very limited sub character at best) was written off along with it. Only Rincewind and the Luggage survived that cull.

MID DISCWORLD - ERIC TO MASKERADE - Pratchett has refined his story telling and the world of the Disc. You notice that there is now more consitency in the novels - minor sub characters appear more frequently, later major characters (like Detritus) are identified briefly. However there are still flaws yet to be ironed out. In Men at Arms, you notice Vetinari's uncharacteristic mistake in driving Vimes too far - something that we would not expect of his character in the later novels.

LATTER DISCWORLD - FEET OF CLAY ONWARDS
Familar locales, small but interesting cameos, great amounts of consistency (you notice how William de Worde relates back to the brief Klatchian war in Jingo). Character development is beginning to take place over plot (note Nightwatch).

MID DISCWORLD - ERIC TO MASKERADE - Pratchett has refined his story telling and the world of the Disc. You notice that there is now more consitency in the novels - minor sub characters appear more frequently, later major characters (like Detritus) are identified briefly. However there are still flaws yet to be ironed out. In Men at Arms, you notice Vetinari's uncharacteristic mistake in driving Vimes too far - something that we would not expect of his character in the later novels.


If it was me, i would also include Guards! Guards! in the mid discworld part.

Also, Mort, Wyrd Sisters and Pyramids are far better in terms of consistency than the earliest novels. To me, they make a kind of transition period between the early "work in progress" feel and the parts you identified as mid- and late- Discworld

I thought he'd referred to the Sourcerer a couple of times even after the senior faculty stabilized, mentioning how interesting it was that every single wizard in the university managed to be out of town, visiting an aunt, sick in bed, etc... I think he's done a few jokes on that.

When did he start to number years instead of calling them "The Year of the Tainted Snail" and suchforth? I can't seem to put a finger on that.

[QUOTE=Saxnot]For awesome: Sam Vimes. "I'm just going out to kick some arse, dear."QUOTE]

:fluffle: love that quote so much. I love his trick with the alcohol in Feet of clay, too. I think it was there, anyway.

The Dean. Hut hut hut!

ANYONE WHO USUALLY TALK LIKE THIS AND OWNS A HORSE NAMED BINKY,
SIMPLY HAS TO BE COOL.


"SQUEAK"
-The Death of Rats.

DEATH. HE KNOWS WHAT'S WHAT, AND ALSO APPEARS IN GOOD OMENS.

Parrot! I loved the Parrot! (Eric)

Well I voted for Vimes, but Carrot is great too, as is Lu Tze (can you imagine those three hooking up to kick ass?)

Then, I have to add vetinari, and rincewind, and also the kangaroo/mule/sheep from the last continent.

Has anyone else realised how similar Vetinari and Carrot are? Their both perfectly honest, to the point of trickery, and their true thoughts and feelings are entirely masked behind an Iron door. Plus, they both have an extra element of scariness which just tips the balance of them using reasonable conversation, making anything seem like a threat (Vetinari is an assissin, Carrot simply has muscles).

And finally, what a great topic for my one hundredth post. :cool: *celebrates* *gets drunk* *collapses*

Death of Rats and Quoth. coin and Eric. The Librarian. Hell I like the entire cast.

My favorite books (right now) is The Thief of Time, Reaper Man and Sourcery.

Yeah, but what about ... ?

Whoever we vote for, we're going to wake up in the middle of some class or job or something and think, "Hell, no, I should have voted for ... !"

Which is what I'm feeling right now about Eric. But no, it's still got to be Vimes. Vimes was my first one. You always feel something special for your first.

Yeah, but what about ... ?

Whoever we vote for, we're going to wake up in the middle of some class or job or something and think, "Hell, no, I should have voted for ... !"

Which is what I'm feeling right now about Eric. But no, it's still got to be Vimes. Vimes was my first one. You always feel something special for your first.

Mort was my first Discworld book but because I read them at such a young age, I was often confused by the more phillosophical Death genre books. So I preferred the less complex Vimes novels and I still do today.

Thankfully age and a bucket full of cynicism and experience have allowed me to grasp the Death book fully by the hilt and now I love them as much as the Vimes ones.

Where are the librarian votes people? Oook!

But no, seriously that is far too difficult a decision to be asked of anyone as there are such a ridiculous amount of good characters.

Mustrum Ridcully

five words say all that needs to be said on theis thread:

Buggrit. Millennium hand and shrimp.

five words say all that needs to be said on theis thread:

Buggrit. Millennium hand and shrimp.
I told 'em! I told 'em!

And the dude has a talking dog called Gaspode. Gaspode! It even has a cool name!

I told 'em! I told 'em!

And the dude has a talking dog called Gaspode. Gaspode! It even has a cool name!

Anyone remember Gaspode the Wonder Dog?

five words say all that needs to be said on theis thread:

Buggrit. Millennium hand and shrimp.

Tantrabobs! How's your granny off for soap? Wayhay... Tuppence more and up goes the donkey!

Told them , I did...

Tantrabobs! How's your granny off for soap? Wayhay... Tuppence more and up goes the donkey!

Told them , I did...
The whole damn crew is pretty funny.

"If you don't pay us, we'll...stand outside your house"

"For EVER"

"And look at people in a slightly funny way"

"Hawk Ptooi!"

EDIT: Also, the fact that Foul ole Ron's smell outclasses him by going to small theatre productions on its own :D

My favorates Rincewind, though Moist pushes him close, and theres death of course....

The whole damn crew is pretty funny.

"If you don't pay us, we'll...stand outside your house"

"For EVER"

"And look at people in a slightly funny way"

"Hawk Ptooi!"

EDIT: Also, the fact that Foul ole Ron's smell outclasses him by going to small theatre productions on its own :D

See - this is why Foul Ol' Ron, (and Good Ol' Bill Door, of course) are the two I nominated...

I am unhappy to say that I haven't read too many of them (about 10, I think), but the ones I have read have been read more than 5 times each. I don't think you could physically get all the jokes if you didn't read and re-read them.

HEX should be up there, he/she/it is the greatest AI since HAL 9000

I am unhappy to say that I haven't read too many of them (about 10, I think), but the ones I have read have been read more than 5 times each. I don't think you could physically get all the jokes if you didn't read and re-read them.
Agreed

You have to distinguish between the 'early' Discworld, the 'mid' Discworld and the 'latter' Discworld.

EARLY DISCWORLD - COLOUR OF MAGIC TO GUARDS! GUARDS! -I would class G!G! as transitional, where 'fantasy' meets a contemporary tale (police procedural). Later on we find the fantasy elements toned down to 'window dressing', but in G!G! it did start to give us a working city, one that, dragons aside, we could believe we lived in.

There are many discrepencies in the early Discworld novels, many of which have to be later ignored. If you look at the orginal covers of Colour of Magic and the Light Fantastic you will notice that Two Flower does possess four eyes (a fact alluded to by Pratchett). However as we move on to when pratchett has decided to remove any 4 eyed species from the Discworld, we notice that Two Flower is in fact wearing glasses (therefore allowing Pratchett to get away with his four eyes gaff).Josh's gaff, possibly, there. But then Josh's work works with the imagination, so even he might have been alluding to glasses, despite not showing them directly, rather than actually taking PTerry's text literally. (I don't know how widespread the euphamism of 'four eyes' is known, w.r.t. glasses-wearing... Could have been a cultural thing, or perhaps it's because he faithfully drew the Kung on Strata with four arms... That soudns fairly reasonable an excuse.)


Trolls have little sentience and freeze in the Sun - why is the many Ankh Morpork trolls never freeze in the later novels?1) Tradition. It's what Trolls do. It's the 'game', and (like Vampires before the Magpyres and then the Black Ribboners started flexing the metaphysical boundaries) you tend to obey the Rules when the sun comes up.
2) Highland troll and lowland troll. Differing heat-capacities and ideal operating temperatures. This is mentioned as to why Detritus is a particularly stupid troll in AM (without mechanical cooling).

Two possibilities. There are more... :)

There are many more I suspect you could find if you went into detail. With hindesight you can pick holes, but you can also plaster over them with enough hogwash... :)


Sourcery appears in the middle of the early Discworld era and it has the hall marks of it - notice the odd way in which the world is virtually destroyed BUT YET IT IS MENTIONED ONLY ONCE LATER ON IN THE SERIES!! My personal belief is that much of Sourcery was a write off. Members of the UU remember it (but never admit to remembering it, everyone being off visiting their Aunts at the time, save for Ridcully who was absent at the time, hence why everyone initially felt comofortable with him taking top-dog position). The general populace seem to have recovered well enough to forget it and I think there are two reasons for it.
1) Magical 'clean-up' operations went into effect before the power completely died away. Probably prevented mobs (who, as soon as they realised the main power was gone, could have resolved to brave the odd remaining fireball for a chance to get even) and made everyone put the whole thing to the back of their mind.
2) History monks. Either at the time or during the second Clock incident. In fact, what better way to scavange spare time than to grab it from somewhere about to be covered in custard, let the custard happen to somewhen in the first Mage Wars, and then tie everything back up again so that the people 'in the way' merely have lost memories of the intervening time. The Wizards who could not as easily miss the time (because they were probably running on adrenaline at the time, if nothing else) obvious retain knowledge, but find the people bemused at best and assume it's 'normal' wizarding. An incorrect view that the Wizards wouldn't want to put right in a hurry... :)

One way or other, there don't appear to have become many new 'Wyrmburg'-like hotspots popping up, save for the Unreal Estates which sound like the result of gradual accumulation, not sudden conflict. (Admitedly, there was just on Sourcerer and one Hat, but youd have expected longer-term stuff.)

SAM VIMES! SAM VIMES!

NIGHT WATCH! HURRAH FOR THE NIGHT WATCH!

I luv the Night Watch. Especially Seargent Angua *growwwwwl*. Men at Arms was the best ever, as was Guards! Guards!, and Jingo, and Nightwatch, and...

Plus Crpl. Nobbes. *Sniggers*.

Recently I customised Warhammer bitz to make the Night Watch... that was fun.