The Professorian is the last one among the party going up against his alter (and in his case older) ego.

Or rather, I should say “the Berzerkarian”, for in his current state (of excitement) he identifies as such.

Unfortunately, it’s not as effective on him as it’s been for him in the recent past. This particular confrontation follows the classic pattern of youthful enthusiasm vs. old-man-meanness. And old-man-meanness wins 99 out of 100 of such encounters, that’s just the way of the world. And, irrespective of the age difference, the evil!Professor has the advantage of higher rationality – a trait his younger self is lacking in not just because of his age, but because of his profession as well. Barbarians aren’t generally incapable of higher thought, of course, but they prefer not to engage in it if there’s any kind of way around it.

Employing this higher rationality, the evil!Professor finds the Professorian’s weakness easy to determine and exploit: it’s the lack of reach that comes with having short, stubby limbs. Some might say they make the Professorian cute-looking, but they’re still a handicap in combat against a calculating and ruthless foe. Especially if its a mean old man on top of everything.

All in all, the party really didn’t do well against the anti-party party. What does that prove? That everything was better in the past? That everything is better when it’s evil? Or did they just screw up with tactics? Perhaps we should wait and see how K’ip is doing against DM before trying to come to a definite conclusion on any of that…

More on Thursday.