This is a site for discussing roleplaying games. Have fun doing so, but there is one major rule: do not discuss political issues that aren't directly and uniquely related to the subject of the thread and about gaming. While this site is dedicated to free speech, the following will not be tolerated: devolving a thread into unrelated political discussion, sockpuppeting (using multiple and/or bogus accounts), disrupting topics without contributing to them, and posting images that could get someone fired in the workplace (an external link is OK, but clearly mark it as Not Safe For Work, or NSFW). If you receive a warning, please take it seriously and either move on to another topic or steer the discussion back to its original RPG-related theme.

Author Topic: THAC0 the Clown in Witchlight Adventure a Dig at Pundit?  (Read 22295 times)

Mistwell

  • Smarter than Arduin
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5289
THAC0 the Clown in Witchlight Adventure a Dig at Pundit?
« on: October 10, 2021, 11:28:53 AM »
I am enjoying reading the newest WOTC 5e adventure, Wild Beyond the Witchlight, in preparation to run it for my 10 year old daughter and her friends. It's a particularly kid-friendly adventure which is fanciful and can be completed with no combat if the group prefers that route.

In the adventure there is an obvious Gorgnard joke. The adventure begins at a magical carnival. While PCs can take many different routes to complete this section of the adventure, it's highly likely the route they choose will eventually lead them to the wagon which houses the people who head the Carnival.

And that wagon is guarded by a sad clown named THAC0. As in, he's the gatekeeper.

THAC0 is not important to the adventure. So this isn't meaningful spoilers. Here is his description:

THAC0:

1) Sits right outside the door to [an important location] blowing bubbles with his bubble pipe.
2) Does not get along with Burly, another guard who is younger and likely to try and help the adventurers.
3) Thaco is the longest-serving Witchlight hand,
4) Nobody knows THAC0's history and scarcely any dare to ask, for he almost never speaks and harbors a malicious streak that is kept in check by Mister Witch (one of the people who controls the carnival).
5) THAC0 paints his face with a grin and puffs on a bubble pipe.
6) THAC0 retired from performing and no longer stages his knife-throwing act due to an unfortunate incident that took place in the Big Top some time ago.
7) THAC0 prefers not to talk and when he must he says as little as possible. He thinks everyone should mind their own business.
8 ) If anyone tries to touch THAC0's bubble pipe they will lose a finger.
9) THAC0 cannot stand children and think's they're like roaches.



Now obviously this is WOTC poking fun at THAC0. And gatekeeping grognards who dislike the kids playing these days. I found it mildly amusing as a silly sort of inside joke (those new players won't even get the joke). Yah gotta be able to laugh at yourself. But your mileage may vary and maybe you find this offensive or insulting or bullying or whatever. And I am not saying that's an unfair reaction.

But the reason I am making this thread is the "bubble pipe" threw people at other places. Everyone was trying to figure out what that was about as it didn't fit any of the other things people assumed were being poked fun at and it seemed like it was taking a dig at someone specific.

And then someone at ENWorld suggested they thought this was an intentional dig at Pundit. Who is fond of smoking a pipe (though I think he's more associated with cigars, at least in my view).

And there are certainly other elements listed here which could be a dig at Pundit. Doesn't like to show his true face. Used to have an act at the big top but is no longer associated with the big top due to an unfortunate incident that they don't discuss anymore. That...does sound like it could be WOTC taking a shot at Pundit.

What do you think? Did WOTC take a direct shot at Pundit with the THAC0 NPC?
« Last Edit: October 10, 2021, 11:32:36 AM by Mistwell »

Godfather Punk

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 310
  • Oh dear, how sad, nevermind
Re: THAC0 the Clown in Witchlight Adventure a Dig at Pundit?
« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2021, 12:28:16 PM »
I'm not saying it isn't, but
Quote
7) THAC0 prefers not to talk and when he must he says as little as possible
Doesn't really sound like Pundit to me. Have you ever tried to listen to any of his YouTube clips?  ;D

Shrieking Banshee

  • Narcissist Undead
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2507
Re: THAC0 the Clown in Witchlight Adventure a Dig at Pundit?
« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2021, 12:36:42 PM »
I don't think specifically at pundit-no.

RebelSky

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • R
  • Posts: 208
Re: THAC0 the Clown in Witchlight Adventure a Dig at Pundit?
« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2021, 01:30:25 PM »
This NPC put this adventure as one of the worst written adventures and unprofessional to boot. Pretty much saying that anyone who likes older D&D is a sad clown and a fool.

I personally dislike clowns. Creepy.

DM_Curt

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • D
  • Posts: 244
Re: THAC0 the Clown in Witchlight Adventure a Dig at Pundit?
« Reply #4 on: October 10, 2021, 01:55:42 PM »
Definitely a dig at grognards and TSR-era D&D.  The lack of respect for those who made what they're pinching a buck off of is distasteful.

therealjcm

  • Accept No Substitutes
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 201
Re: THAC0 the Clown in Witchlight Adventure a Dig at Pundit?
« Reply #5 on: October 10, 2021, 02:41:29 PM »
I doubt it's a dig at anyone in particular, more just at older gamers who might engage in "gatekeeping" like expecting D&D to be written and produced by people who don't hate every single about D&D.

Ghostmaker

  • Chlorine trifluoride
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4013
Re: THAC0 the Clown in Witchlight Adventure a Dig at Pundit?
« Reply #6 on: October 10, 2021, 02:57:56 PM »
Another fine example of gamma males not having the balls to actually insult someone to their face.

And people wonder why I won't pay money for WotC products any more.

GeekyBugle

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7399
  • Now even more Toxic
Re: THAC0 the Clown in Witchlight Adventure a Dig at Pundit?
« Reply #7 on: October 10, 2021, 03:23:49 PM »
I would like to know how the fuck can any Grognard "gatekeep" any "kid" from playing 5e?

Are there secret Gorgnard commandos going around and taking any "kid's" books away or something?
Quote from: Rhedyn

Here is why this forum tends to be so stupid. Many people here think Joe Biden is "The Left", when he is actually Far Right and every US republican is just an idiot.

“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.”

― George Orwell

HappyDaze

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • H
  • Posts: 5337
Re: THAC0 the Clown in Witchlight Adventure a Dig at Pundit?
« Reply #8 on: October 10, 2021, 03:29:33 PM »
Another fine example of gamma males not having the balls to actually insult someone to their face.
A fine example of projecting your failings onto others.

HappyDaze

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • H
  • Posts: 5337
Re: THAC0 the Clown in Witchlight Adventure a Dig at Pundit?
« Reply #9 on: October 10, 2021, 03:30:36 PM »
I would like to know how the fuck can any Grognard "gatekeep" any "kid" from playing 5e?

Are there secret Gorgnard commandos going around and taking any "kid's" books away or something?
Double.standard much? You take some things literally but not others. How selective of you.

therealjcm

  • Accept No Substitutes
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 201
Re: THAC0 the Clown in Witchlight Adventure a Dig at Pundit?
« Reply #10 on: October 10, 2021, 04:12:11 PM »
I would like to know how the fuck can any Grognard "gatekeep" any "kid" from playing 5e?

Are there secret Gorgnard commandos going around and taking any "kid's" books away or something?

It's the same team of brownshirts who show up and slap the men's razors out of women's hand if they try to avoid the "pink tax".

GeekyBugle

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7399
  • Now even more Toxic
Re: THAC0 the Clown in Witchlight Adventure a Dig at Pundit?
« Reply #11 on: October 10, 2021, 04:33:50 PM »
I would like to know how the fuck can any Grognard "gatekeep" any "kid" from playing 5e?

Are there secret Gorgnard commandos going around and taking any "kid's" books away or something?

It's the same team of brownshirts who show up and slap the men's razors out of women's hand if they try to avoid the "pink tax".

Oh! I didn't know they were one and the same!  ;D
Quote from: Rhedyn

Here is why this forum tends to be so stupid. Many people here think Joe Biden is "The Left", when he is actually Far Right and every US republican is just an idiot.

“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.”

― George Orwell

Shrieking Banshee

  • Narcissist Undead
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2507
Re: THAC0 the Clown in Witchlight Adventure a Dig at Pundit?
« Reply #12 on: October 10, 2021, 04:46:43 PM »
At least they didn't have a dragon take a shit on their strawman this time. So at least thats a step up.

Slambo

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • S
  • Posts: 411
Re: THAC0 the Clown in Witchlight Adventure a Dig at Pundit?
« Reply #13 on: October 10, 2021, 05:16:54 PM »
At least they didn't have a dragon take a shit on their strawman this time. So at least thats a step up.

Wait when did that happen?

Shrieking Banshee

  • Narcissist Undead
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2507
Re: THAC0 the Clown in Witchlight Adventure a Dig at Pundit?
« Reply #14 on: October 10, 2021, 05:31:43 PM »
Wait when did that happen?

4e marketting materials. Id wager them alone cost them at least 5% of the playerbase.