#I am normal about torbek

[royhasissues]

Torbek Theory Time

I've been wanting to talk about this since I started OUAW in August(?) I didn't have a platform for it then, but I do now! :D

Full disclaimer: it's been awhile since I've watched Witchlight---some of this will be vague as I don't remember exact episodes or scenarios. Please bear with me.

Also, spoilers for OUAW in general. Especially the later episodes, but I don't remember which, so just be cautious if you're not caught up. :)

As I said in my last post, Torbek's name isn't Torbek. Now let me expand upon that.

The reason why I don't think his name is Torbek is because he is not the original inhabitant of his body. The Duke is. Think about it. Torbek doesn't remember anything before Carnival Lecroux (this is stated at least once in a later episode); now this fact is kind of contested by other things Torbek says, but I believe that he gained control of the body (or manifested) sometime prior to working at the carnival, but has no memories before manifesting. Details in OUAW can be pretty inconsistent at times.

ANYWAY. My second piece of evidence is the flashback we get with the mushroom siblings much later on. We see, as Nikkie describes, a more put together Torbek walking through---was is the Underdark? I don't remember where he was---for an appointment. That's where we learn that he's a duke. Basically, the Duke is described as looking exactly like Torbek, but not an absolute mess. This, to me, solidifies that Torbek is not the owner of the body.

Now, I can't say what happened to give him control, but I think it has something to do with the "appointment" the Duke was going to. I genuinely don't believe that the entity that is Torbek existed until after whatever happened to the Duke happened.

Next, Torbek mentions that he's always heard voices; the Duke has always been there. He is not a recent manifestation brought on by the experimentation Torbek underwent. Somehow, the Duke lost control of his body and is trapped in his own mind, now constantly trying to regain control. This is why he's always bugging Torbek about giving up and letting him take over. He wants his body back.

Something about the Witchlight allows the Duke to take control for short periods of time. I think his "appointment" has something to do with Witchlight and the experimentation of Torbek later on. Regardless, he can't keep control for very long, most likely because being hopped up on so much Witchlight is very taxing on the both of them. He is working to wrest control back from Torbek... little by little. There is more to be stated on why Witchlight is so important for the Duke's ability to take his body back. Why is he only in control when Torbek uses Witchlight? (and not even every time, at that) Can he force Torbek out without it? I don't think so. Not currently, at least.

Torbek is completely unaware. He thinks he was born Torbek. And, as a coping mechanism, has fake memories of being younger (this is my own hc as he does canonically state that he does not remember much) that are probably mixed with the Duke's own.

Now, about Torbek's name. I mentioned that I think Torbek made it up since he couldn't remember it. His real name would be whatever the Duke's name is, of course. I wish I understood psychology a little bit better so I could include it in my analysis, but him speaking in the third person is 100% some kind of trauma response. Now to what? I can't really say. But it has something to do with his fractured sense of self. He doesn't know who he is and something feels wrong. It's almost as though he has to remind himself that his name is Torbek. That he is his own person (he's not), because the alternative would ruin him. He also cannot physically refer to himself in the first person. This is so meaningfully important and I wish I could expound upon that but, like I said, I don't know psychology well enough. But, I can at least say that it has something to do with the fact that he is not him. Get it? Lol. In the sense that only the Duke uses "I" and "me" because he is the original owner of the body. Torbek physically cannot because he isn't. Torbek is Torbek. Torbek is some outside entity that was brought in later.

It kinda gets into some mind fuckery tbh.

If you've read my fics, specifically chapter 4 of "I Don't Have a Name For It," you'll see me try to convey that. I'd like to include this theory into my fics more, but it's difficult without saying something like "Torbek does not own this body" lol. (I'm working on one where he describes himself as a parasite. Now why would he do that...? Huh. >:) I'd love to talk more on this point, but I don't want to spoil the fic? Maybe I will bc I'm insane and I need to get these ideas out of my head or I'll explode.)

At the risk of sounding like an asshole, I thought this was obvious. But I've read several aus/headcanons/fics that state otherwise. It is 100% my belief that the Duke was the original inhabitant and Torbek came in later.

If you got this far, thank you for reading all this 🥺 Please let me know what you think! I'd love to read your thoughts. :)

[sevenminiaturemonkeys]

*drops this and runs back into my cave*

[briggsyxtorbek]

Sir, sir, why are you sweating like that? Sir!

[luna-the-cretar]

So I was thinking about it at work, while having a few of the episodes playing in the background, and I noticed that, in the monologue at the beginning of the episodes, Gideon is represented by a rocking horse who also happens to have a horn (“A rocking horse with ashen mane/Around its neck was draped a chain/Its horn and eyes and nose shoot flame”). So, in the monologue, Gideon is represented by a fiery unicorn rocking horse

I know I am absolutely not the first one to take note of this, but I am so obsessed with it to NOT take note of it. Especially since I’m pretty sure the monologue was written before Kremy had the unicorn pact (which would apparently just reveal that Kremy does indeed love unicorns lol), and before Coalecroux started being as big as it is now.

Idk, I just wanted to point it out.

[aqua-owo]

Everything reminds me of Torbek. Litteraly just laying in bed rn, browsing tumblrs. And my bones hurt, everything is stiff, im freezing despite having 3 blankets (I had to go grab my heated blanket), my neck is probably irreversibly damaged from my horrible sleeping habits, I feel weird plus despair, the usual too much anxiety for the given situation (which is litteraly just laying in bed), and I probably need to bathe more.

Like, I know why Torbek is my favorite. He just like me frfr. My internal thoughts are slowly getting replaced with Torbek's style of talking (his voice included). This is probably not healthy but, eh. Torbek....

[petra-creat0r]

mwah ha ha. Mwah Ha Ha! MWAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

I HAVE FINALLY DONE IT! I'VE DRAWN HIM! THE MOST PERFECT OF BEINGS!

BEHOLD!!!

TORBEK!!!

Now I can draw him whenever I want!! I can bring all of my angsty thoughts and ideas about him to life!!! MWAHAHAHAHAHHA!!!

Guys Night. (It's ironic)

Anyways, back to Torbek.

I am so normal about him. So normal. Incredibly normal I swear. Just like I'm normal about Spamton. To the point I made a hand-made puppet of Spamton because I needed to cuddle him before the Fangamer plush came out. (I wish I had the time and energy to make one of Torbek. Or better yet, that I could've gotten one of the Makeship plushies. I want that little plush so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so bad. I need to comfort my comfort character. PLEASE!)

anyways, have more Torbek doodles, I filled up the entire page.

Oh the irony of my sona being a bunny creature. ... And my current D&D character specifically being a harengon.

[zalgoid]

Spoilers for EP 19 / FROSTBEK AUTISM!!!1!!11!!

I am completely sane AND normal about the fact that in the Torbek fight everyone is told that they recognize Torbek including Frost. 

Like it is such a small detail and probably just for ease but like during guys' night it takes everyone a while to recognize him. 

Not only has Torbek aged 5 years due to Faewild time (on top of how long the carnival has been closed since he didn’t see him on guys' night), but he is also horribly twisted into a monstrous version of himself and Frost still recognizes him without having seen him recently like the others did.

Does that mean anything significant? No probably no. Do I still think about it way to much? YES!

[oo-delallymrcrow]

Meeting Carnivàl Lecroux

*gif is not mine

Summary: the first time running into the group known as Carnivàl Lecroux.

A/N: I just want something with these characters and if I can't find it, I guess I have to write it. It's not long but I just wanted to have everyone meet in chaos.

You had never seen a carnival like this before. The air was thick with the scent of candied apples and something more exotic—an undercurrent of incense and mystery that tickled her nose. The vibrant hues of the tents and rides shimmered in the twilight, each one adorned with symbols that seemed to dance with their own light.

You followed the sounds of a whimsical melody played by an unseen band, your curiosity pulling you deeper into the maze of tents and stalls. The pathway was lined with lanterns that flickered like fireflies, casting long, enchanting shadows. She felt like she had stepped into a world that straddled the line between dream and reality.

It was weird entering the Witchlight Carnival, just moving from outside to here, it was slightly suffocating. The air was thick with something but you just could not place your finger on it. As you were wondering through, you heard some commotion coming from your left and decided to follow the sound out of curiosity.

You stop in your tracks as a goblin scurries in front of you, snarling and muttering, “I am the rat king.”

As your face scrunched in confusion, a loud braying erupted and it shocked you to look up and see a tall, tall bugbear that had the face of a donkey. It looked embarrassed as it covered it’s mouth and shakes its head. A hand is placed on his shoulder by what looked like a fire genasi who is trying to comfort him.

”It’s alright Torbek, what you said was still understandable.”

He suddenly whipped around and shouted at the air, “I am going to find a way to bring you back to life just so I can punch you again Chuckles!”

An alligator who was dressed in a nice suit started to sing, “Gid. It’s alright, we’ll find a way to fix this mess.”

As you watched the strange scene in front of you, you jumped with a scream as something bit you. Looking down, it was the goblin man you started following while snapping his teeth. You quickly ran away but straight to the group as he followed. As you approached, the genasi stepped out and scooped up the goblin, holding at arm's length as the goblin struggled and wiggled his body to get away.

”Sorry ‘bout him. He thinks he’s a were-rat and is trying to bite all of us. Are you hurt?”

”No,” you shake your head as you wearily look at the genasi. “It wasn’t really a bite, just a nibble. It startled me more than anything.”

He nodded with a grunt as the goblin became more erratic. You thought he was going to drop him, but the genasi had a good grip. He smiled and stuck his other hand out, “name’s Gideon.”

You shake his hand and give him your name. The alligator then steps forward with a flourish, taking off his hat and bowing to you, singing the next few words.

”What-a-do! Name’s Kremy Lecroux and I love unicorns.”

A small chuckle leaves you as you nod to him, “unicorns are great.”

A huff and then a bray erupts from behind Gideon and a long arm reaches up as the hand gives a wave. You lean over to look past Gideon as the bugbear waves and scrunches close to look smaller.

”Torbek’s name is Torbek.” He finishes it with a loud bray as he places his hands over his mouth again and looks away.

Give him a small smile and look at Gideon as he seems to be the only…sane one there.

”Are you guys normally like this or…?”

Gideon shakes his head, “no we have another friend, Frost is his name, and he said something about this carnival having a curse or something that’s affecting us.”

His eyes widen as he looks to his right as his hair seems to burn a little brighter. 

“Shut up Chuckles! I will kill you right now!”

Your eyes widen as you realize he was talking to no one. You snap your fingers to get his attention as he turns back to you with a huff. 

“Sorry that fucking clown wont shut the fuck up.”

”Ok,” you wave your hands to stop him from talking. “What do I need to do to help you guys with whatever… this… is.”

”Taffy,” Kremy sings as he points his cane toward a pixie that was passing by.

You nod and go up to the pixie as a loud yell came from Gideon as he starts cursing out Gricko. You point back to the group as the pixie turns to you.

”Can you go give them some taffy? I think they need it.”

”Oh sure!” She quickly follows you and hands all the men taffy, screaming and tossing it into Gricko’s mouth as he snaps at her.

As soon as they all eat the taffy everything seemed to go back to normal. Well, as normal as you think it should be. Torbek’s head morphs back into a bugbear face as he smiles and cheers.

”Torbek is back, baby!”

Kremy sighs and clears his throat as he straightens his bow tie, “now that is much better.”

Gideon looks around and smiles at you, “thanks for that. Now I don’t have to listen to that dumb clown anymore.”

Gricko stands up and dusts himself off, “something has happened and I don’t like it. Oh, hello."

He blinks up at you before he smiles wide, “Gricko Grimgrin at your service.”

You give your name and look at each of them again. Kremy steps forward as you turn to him and smiles.

”We are thankful for your help. Is there anything we can do to help you?”

You shrug and look around the carnival. That heaviness is still in the air but now you know it is fay magic but there is something else. You have no real reason to come here but you still felt needed in some way.

”Honestly, I don’t have anything that I really need help with. Do you mind if I join you guys for a bit? I’m alone and would like company.”

They all look at each other before Torbek raises his hand, “Torbek would very much like you to join guys night.”

”Yeah,” Gideon nods and throws his hands up in a cheer, “guys night!”

At that point, Kremy leads the way. Gideon follows closely behind while Gricko and Torbek fall in line with you as everyone walks away. The two start talking and bantering, asking you for your opinion every once in a while. You nod along and find what they say amusing while keeping up with everyone. It looks like this will be an interesting night for you, all of you.

[draw-ren-draw]

Avantris Fan comic Scripts #1

Often when I get ideas for comics, I break my panels into scripts first. For one reason or another, some of these projects never get finished. These scripts are less prose-y than fics but still contain dialogue and basic interactions.

Seeing as I've been under the weather, I thought you might like to see some in this stage anyway. I hope they inspire or entertain! Enjoy~

The Reason Why [My indulgent thoughts over why Kremy continues to remain distant from Torbek (aside from comedy and the Warlock's genuine fear over the other's Witchlight abilities) flavored with a smattering of Coalecroux.] * * * *

Establishing shot- Carnival Lecroux are walking through a forest clearing. The crew has had a long day of traveling and are eager to set up camp. It seems as though their latest victory is due to Torbek. Frost and Gricko are congratulating the bugbear for a job well done. He looks at each in turn, in surprise. Gricko: "Good job Torbek! You really nailed it today!" Frost: "Yes, with this, we might finally get to the next town ahead of schedule. You really gave it your all." Sensing the Alligator Warlock coming up behind him, Torbek whips around, unable to help but anticipate more praise. Kremy doesn't even look at him. Kremy: "Good night Torbek." The lizardfolk wanders off, leaving Torbek to sag with disappointment and a sad groan. Gideon enters the frame, looking inquisitive. He follows to where Kremy went and finds the other already sitting by a campfire, on a log, fishing out something to smoke. The warlock doesn't bat an eye when Gideon strides up to join him, both comfortably doing as they have done for years now; an expected and normal routine. As the genasi settles next to him, he turns to Kremy, curiosity more than judgement furrowing his brow. Gideon: "Hey, how come you're so hard on Torbek?" Kremy continues to look ahead, puffing a smoke "I don't know whatcha mean, Gid. I've treated him like I always treat him." Gideon: "Yeah, exactly, even after all we been through?" He can't help but crack a small laugh at that. Gideon: "I mean, yeah, he's Torbek. But ain't telling people what they like to hear something yer good at? That's kinda your thing!" He pulls out his own cigar to take a puff, still jovial and relaxed. Gideon: "You know even one nice thing would have him ready to die for ya! It's like you can't even look at em!" Kremy breaks, finally looking at Gideon, flustered by the subject (and possibly how handsome Gideon looks in the previous panel) Kremy: "That's precisely why I can't, Gid!! Do you know what I see every time I do? Do you know what I SAW when I looked him over? Every time he gives me that big stupid hopeful smile?!.. My mistakes."

"…" Gideon pauses. Who is this and what have they done with Kremy? He breaks the tension with another laugh. Gideon: "What are you talking about, man? I thought we all agreed, we were only like, a little at fault and he's already forgave us for that!" Kremy, turning serious: "I ain't talking about just the witchlight."

Gid goes quiet.

Kremy: "Do you ever stop to think about why Torbek was picked? Out of everyone in the whole carnival?" Gideon: "Well yeah, we all said, the thing with the herris whee--" Kremy: "It's because they thought nobody would miss him. No one would notice if they took him away." A look of disgust fills Kremy's face. Kremy: "He was poor, he was stupid--" Gideon: "--Smelly?" Kremy: "Smelly. He was living in a dumpster!" The Warlock angrily tosses his cigarette, we follow the action as it hits the ground and bounces at the bottom of the panel. Kremy: "Cause I wasn't payin him! He was my employee Gid, and if he was just a little more put together, maybe so much might not have happened to him! How am I supposed to look him in the eye after that?!"

We hold on Kremy for a beat. Gideon offers his cigar from out of frame and Kremy takes a drag hesitantly.

Kremy: "Thing is--" He puffs out the smoke "I keep thinking about how much time gets thrown around here. And I ask myself… if I went back to those times, if I'd still keep his checks and end up handing him over all over again. And I think I would. I'm at war with myself for that." Gideon stares at Kremy, expression carefully guarded but concerned. For a bit of meta humor we hear the DM represented as a text box above him. Nikki: "Gideon not being good at words but knowing Kremy enough to understand his conflict and that it takes a lot of guts to admit that to yourself and know yourself that well puts his arm around the alligator." Gideon: "Well. That's a lot of maybes for ya Kremy. I didn't think you even thought about those. But you can start by making it up to him now. Then, maybe one day? Those maybes might be different."

We view the pair from the back now. With the genasi's arm slung around alligator's shoulder we finally see a flash of a smile from the other con artist.

Kremy: "Reckon you may be right gid. Reckon you may be right." (But he still isn't paying him any time soon)

[vampiric-succulent]

OUAW EP 41:

Spoilers below cut

WHY. WHY THROW THEM INTO THE FROG. WHY WOULD YOU ASSUME THAT WAS A SAFE IDEA

LEAVE YOUR FUCKING HAT YOU MISERABLE REPTILE

This is the most grimfrost qpr solidifying moment for me it’s worrying but still—- GIDEON AND KREMY SHUT THE FUCK UP

How is this goddamn shadow so deadly to these idiots

Also Kremy having his “ive doomed everyone” panic moment is something I’m gonna file away to write about later

This episode started off so deceptively. So connivingly normal.

FUCK!!!! THE CANE

This is it this is how they die

I am so stressed rn holy fuck

DO NOT BREAK THE FROG IT MIGHT ALL DISSAPEAR

Can Torbek still use dimension door???????? How many people can he use that on at once??????????

Mace I love your commitment but please reroll

Bane coming kind of in clutch rn

I am literally pacing rn

Would Dimension Door even work because it’s technically infinite space oh my god

Wait wait wait what the fuck why is Kremy’s patronal image basically Gideon filing that away to write about later!!!!!!!!!

OH FUCK THEYRE IN THE ASTRAL PLANE

OH THANK GOD THERES A WAY OUT

Torbek’s gonna drop hes just gonna go unconscious

Y’all. Better party build. Someone multi class. PLEASE.

OH THANK FUCKING GOD shadows gone

Oh shit. Oh fuck. Oh no. Oh no no no Bavlorna knows.

TWIG

TWIG NO

SHES JUST LYING THERE

HER EYES ARE OPEN

“my veins are only but burning” goes so hard

Fuck she’s really dead. Fuck. Twig is dead.

One adventure. That’s all she got. Nearly.

Everyone’s reactions just making this worse

What did Torbek just see?!?!?!?!?

Holy fuck I’m going to implode

Also it’s so fucking cute and heartbreaking how Gricko sings to Torbek

Wow. Wow. Wow.

MACE

GUYS WHAT THE FUCK

You all were right.

I’m. I’m in shock. She’s dead. Everyone else nearly died. And now they might have to fight Bavlorna. Or worse— make a deal. So either they fight and die or they make a deal and lose some vital part of themselves or some core memory or the crucial time they need to complete the King of Hearts’ quest or some other such horrific thing.

Good session.

[zalgoid]

Thinking about Frostbek and how Torbek is legitimately touch starved and how in my head Frost is touch adverse.

Guys trust me- I am completely sane and normal about the idea of characters who don’t enjoy being touched choosing to be physically affectionate towards a select few.

[luna-the-cretar]

I’m sorry but I can’t get the whole Oracle scene out of my head—specifically Torbek’s. I mean, yeah, Kremys is pretty bad too (for a different reason holy fuck) but like. With how integral The Other is to Torbek’s story, I just. Hm. Yall are expecting me to be NORMAL about this? Like. Does this mean The Other just fucking. Disappears? I doubt it. Ooh, wait what if. What if The Other just continues talking to Torbek. And either Torbek just doesn’t question it or he starts freaking the fuck out. And that’s not counting the Archfey figure fucking looking for him. Oh wait fuck. Huh. Hm. Yall. I am so not normal about this. Why am I just now thinking about this I’m not even at this point in my rewatch fuck.

[luna-the-cretar]

You know those character bingos? Well, I did a few of them, and bc mobile tumblr only lets me post 10 images, I’m just gonna post the ones I did for Torbek to prove how absolutely normal I am about him and not delusional at all nope

I am so normal about him guys