>Uh, you're talking about a character that has the Issola spoiler stuff, >plus the nigh-invincible swordfighting technique, plus the ability to nuke >anything he wants if he's pissed enough, plus Loiosh, plus two different >kinds of magic when most people only have one, plus friendsship with the >most powerful beings in his fantasy world. And /this/ is the point you >pick to start worrying about his power level? No, the "Issola spoiler stuff" is pretty much where I started calling munchkin on him. Combined with all those other things you mention, it tipped the balance. I make allowances for it at this time because I recognize that for Vlad to return to normal society he's going to need some sort of McGuffin that makes it possible for him to walk down the street without getting whacked. We'll see what Steve does with it. >Making a character powerful or well-connected doesn't make him a munchkin. >Giving him no flaws and no weaknesses does, and having Verra for a mother >would not reduce his existing flaws and weaknesses one iota. Hmmm..., we're arguing flavor here so we may just have to agree that what you'd find sweet I'd find sour. If Vlad was Verra's offspring then I'd have a difficult time taking any mortal danger to him seriously. Heck, with Godslayer around, it's already going to be difficult to take any mortal danger to him seriously. Owing paternity to Verra would not enhance Vlad's character for me in the slightest. In any case, I can't see any evidence to support the notion that Verra is his mother. If there IS something in his background, I don't think it's about direct paternity to Verra. It will have something to do with Kiera's conversation in Orca (I forget whether to Buddy or to Mother) "He still doesn't know why I watch over him." Yes, there's something special about Vlad but I sure wouldn't want it to be related to Verra being his mother.