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Post by darkwingdork on Jan 13, 2009 13:59:15 GMT -5
There should be a separate graphic novel featuring these two characters... Seriously, any thoughts on these two? They're guest characters owned by Kaotix, but within this realm, they belong to a sort of free-lance police force that does this sort of thing out of a combination of altruism and opportunism (strange combo, I know).
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Post by Kaotix on Jan 13, 2009 15:40:33 GMT -5
I'm very pleased with how they're being portrayed personality-wise. Now if we can just get Kaige on the "non-looks like he got hit in the face with a bus" side of things... Kiley is drawn very well. Anywho. As to their free-lance work, like DW said, they both a little altruistic and opportunistic. They do what they do to help people genuinely in need, but they also like to have a little compensation in return. They wouldn't ask for more than within their clients' means of course. Maybe a good meal or a place to stay for a while when they're on the move if they couldn't be paid monetarily. It also depends on what they are asked to do. Taking care of some sort of creature attacking the livestock and such wouldn't require much payment. Clearing out a bandits' den on the other hand would be great risk, time and effort, and would require a bit more, but again, they wouldn't refuse to help. Maybe a percentage of the loot they find. Or something else. Sometimes bandits have some pretty sweet things and you know how dragons like shinies. If the village/town was in downright desperation for help and had absolute nothing to pay with, well... fame by word of mouth could be pretty useful and a grateful village could be a good asset in the future.
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Post by darkwingdork on Jan 13, 2009 16:25:36 GMT -5
Hehe. Kaotix makes a good point. The more I think about it, I believe Kaige and Kiley (and the other dragons making up their police force) operate with what philosophers call "enlightened self-interest." In other words, they act in way that benefits themselves while at the same time providing a useful service for society. This is the opposed to selfishness or greed, where an individual acts in their own self-interest at the expense of others. It helps that they're not amoral and don't offer their services to evil forces (such as acting as hitmen or enforcers). Basically, they're like good mercenaries or bounty hunters. They're trying to make a living, like the rest of us. And having a flexible payment plan certainly is a plus.
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Post by Kaotix on Jan 13, 2009 17:10:08 GMT -5
Ah, so you see it as a Dragon sort of thing? I was thinking that Kaige and Kiley might be striking it out on their own, but a group of such bounty hunters might be more feasible. It would kinda be like the Fighter's Guild in TES4: Oblivion, I suppose. The guild was basically a group of good bounty hunters/mercenaries.
And when you're dealing with magical beings, who knows what awesome stuff you could find and use.
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Post by darkwingdork on Jan 13, 2009 17:41:26 GMT -5
Well, not every dragon in the world (the universe?) would be members of this force. Hence why Reece encountered a bad dragon in "Coffee Talk." It's just a police force that is staffed with dragons.
I picture the force itself being like a co-op. Kaige and Kiley are free to act as independents most of the time, but during a major crisis they may be called on to help out. I suppose it would be similar to a guild in that sense, but individuals are allowed to charge their own prices for services as long as the rest of the guild members don't think they're too excessive.
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Post by Kaotix on Jan 15, 2009 15:44:01 GMT -5
Hey, what's the backstory to them apppearign in this arc? Where they hired by someone to locate the missing people or what?
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Post by darkwingdork on Jan 15, 2009 23:24:29 GMT -5
Remember how I said they were free to act as independents? They're basically just butting in.
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Post by Kaotix on Jan 16, 2009 15:35:28 GMT -5
Well... Dragons have a knack for doing that. And Kaige never met a fight he didn't like, and Kiley enjoys a good tussle herself. Though, I bet she didn't expect to become two minds about it. More then likely they heard about what was going on and decided to check it out for themselves.
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Post by darkwingdork on Jan 21, 2009 14:09:36 GMT -5
One thing that's interesting to me is all the different types of good guys that appear in the story's setting. Whether they're vigilantes like the girls or mercenaries like the dragons, they've still come to similar views on seeing evil as something that needs to be vanquished and good as the proper way to live one's life.
Kaige and Kiley are fairly admirable when you think about it. If they were just opportunists, they would have offered their services to anyone centuries ago. But with 400 years of experience, they still choose to only attack evil doers. I think that says something about their views that evil is something to be forever confronted and opposed, regardless of how long it lasts or what form it takes.
I wonder what temptations they must have faced during their conflicts. I mean, surely numerous opportunities must have arisen to make quick cash in less that moral ways. Plus, if you've ever watched "Cowboy Bebop" you know that bounty hunters aren't always paid very well, and sometimes jobs are few and far between.
It must take some strong moral timber when your stomach is growling and you see evildoers living well off and well fed to say to yourself "right is right and wrong is wrong."
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Post by darkwingdork on Feb 3, 2009 11:17:05 GMT -5
Uh-oh, after today's strip, Kiley's going to have to learn a whole new version of hand-to-hand combat.
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Post by Kaotix on Feb 4, 2009 14:23:31 GMT -5
Heh. Wouldn't it be hand-to-hand-to-hand?
And usually it's a guy that is described as being "all hands." hehehe
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Post by darkwingdork on Feb 4, 2009 16:11:09 GMT -5
Too many puns! Ugh! The goggles! They do nothing! Hope you've enjoyed their part in this storyline.
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Post by Kaotix on Feb 6, 2009 12:44:38 GMT -5
I thought they were a good mix with your gals and I'm glad the girls at least think they are alright for being opportunistic dragon good guys. Sheila popping Kaige in the snout for that kiss was hilarious. Good thing Kaige only kissed her when she and Kiley were merged.
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Post by darkwingdork on Feb 6, 2009 14:00:55 GMT -5
Well, I doubt the girls would begrudge Kaige and Kiley the right to make a living. They definitely made a good team together. It would be fun to see them together again.
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Post by darkwingdork on Feb 24, 2009 10:41:40 GMT -5
Hmmm. Here's a good question. Kaige and Kiley have been paid. Where do you think they spend their downtime?
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