Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 rikkiwalker Aug 13, 2007 17:04:29	This character confused me from the moment I first read about him in Winter Night( I read the Chronicles out of order), and I am confused how this guy became a Highlord, of the Red Wing no less. Even if he was demoted to the Black which I think it says somewhere in the accessories somewhere, I dont see how Ariakas would even allow someone as stupid and cowardly as he was to rise anywhere. In Highlord Skies it seems that Kitiara tricked Ariakas into making him a Highlord for her own gain which I can see but the second Ariakas met the hob in person he would have known what he was like and gotten rid of him.
#2 darthsylver Aug 13, 2007 18:25:50	This character confused me from the moment I first read about him in Winter Night( I read the Chronicles out of order), and I am confused how this guy became a Highlord, of the Red Wing no less. Even if he was demoted to the Black which I think it says somewhere in the accessories somewhere, I dont see how Ariakas would even allow someone as stupid and cowardly as he was to rise anywhere. In Highlord Skies it seems that Kitiara tricked Ariakas into making him a Highlord for her own gain which I can see but the second Ariakas met the hob in person he would have known what he was like and gotten rid of him. Well that is the point. Ariakas already had three other highlords to deal with who would as soon as support Ariakas as slit his throat. The last thing that he needed was another blood-thirsty highlord. Verminaard was the only highlord he could trust not to backstab him as Ariakas remained in the dark queen's wishes. Also the Dark queen needed one of her Highlords to get Soth into the game. If Ariakas appointed somebody to courageous or smart the new highlord might figure this out and try to recruit Soth (as Kitiara did, but of course she did it to get back in good with Takhisis), and this was the last thing that Ariakas wanted. True he could see the advantage of having unded warriors, but Soth was not somebody he could control. Also the Red had already conquered most of their area and as far as Ariakas knew the red army was doing well. That Draconian was really running the area (as Kitiara knew), but Ariakas had to relie on the reports sent. So while Toede may have seemed to be a fat lazy, un-intellignet hobgoblin, on paper he did well (as so Ariakas thought). Then of course Feal-Thas gets killed and Ariakas had little time to replace not one, not two, but three highlords. Then Kit returns with Soth, and I think that Takhisis was allowing Kitiara to run with the momentum and may even have been prepared for her to become the next Emperor (empress). In short Ariakas had his hands full and had fallen in favor with Takhisis where Kitiara had gained (even though she was not a cleric or even a full-hearted follower).
#3 valharic Aug 13, 2007 23:24:19	Like most modern Corpoarate businesses he failed upwards and took credit for everyone elses hard work. ;)
#4 clarkvalentine Aug 14, 2007 0:00:54	Valharic got it, I think. Like many in middle management, he rose to the level of his incompetence, but he's extraordinary because rather than remaining there he just kept going. He's the pointy haired boss. In hobgoblin form.
#5 rath_the_ranger Aug 14, 2007 9:16:19	He's the pointy haired boss. In hobgoblin form. HAHAHA - love Dilbert
#6 zombiegleemax Aug 14, 2007 16:23:08	Actually, I dont think that Ariakas ever got out of favor with Taki. He would have lived had he not been out manuvered by Raistlin and then Tanis Half-Elven.
#7 darthsylver Aug 14, 2007 19:07:51	Yes but Tanis was only in place because of Kitiara, and I am sure that Takhisis knew about her schemes. If Ariakas had not lost favor (even if only a miniscule amount) then why did Takhisis not at least give him an inkling of what was going on?
#8 zombiegleemax Aug 15, 2007 0:38:22	Because Taki runs a Darwinian establishment, and Ariakis had to reprove himself every flaming day?
#9 zombiegleemax Aug 15, 2007 5:45:11	Exactly.