nobody reads any more

[electricland]

Today I was listening to Metro Morning when Andy Barrie professed total ignorance of the term "vorpal sword" (in reference to this Jennifer Wells column in the Star). To my horror and amazement, so did the two other people on air with him at the time. (Showing some apparent familiarity with the source material, he did proceed to modify every noun for the next five minutes with "vorpal" -- very Humpty Dumpty.)

So...

[Poll #1039547]

Comments

[thebitterguy]

For that matter, didn't anyone play D&D?

[electricland.livejournal.com]

Well, not me, for example. Does it make an appearance?

[swestrup]

Yup. Vorpal swords show up in a bunch of RPGs, including the computer kind. They usually have bonuses for removing limbs and/or heads.

From the d20srd (available at d20srd.org)

[thebitterguy]

Vorpal
This potent and feared ability allows the weapon to sever the heads of those it strikes. Upon a roll of natural 20 (followed by a successful roll to confirm the critical hit), the weapon severs the opponent’s head (if it has one) from its body. Some creatures, such as many aberrations and all oozes, have no heads. Others, such as golems and undead creatures other than vampires, are not affected by the loss of their heads. Most other creatures, however, die when their heads are cut off. A vorpal weapon must be a slashing weapon. (If you roll this property randomly for an inappropriate weapon, reroll.)

Strong necromancy and transmutation; CL 18th; Craft Magic Arms and Armor, circle of death, keen edge; Price +5 bonus.

Kaloo Kalay, indeed.

[hodsthorn.livejournal.com]

I had the same reaction.

[thebitterguy]

In other news: Andy Barrie admits he doesn't understand pretty much anything, listeners wonder if he isn't due for another vacation right about now.

[life-on-queen.livejournal.com]

Reason No. 398,408 why I've stopped listening to Metro Morning.

Andy Barrie's turned into a fucking asstard.

[thebitterguy]

Yeah, it was such a slow, gradual process.

[electricland.livejournal.com]

Hey now. I still like the guy (although he makes me crazy on occasion).