Seizing the Dung Pile
"Duskendale? A third of my foot lost, for Duskendale?"
Robb Stark A Game of Thrones: Clash of Kings George R. R. Martin
Basic Information
A plot trope whereby a given faction has achieved what appears to them to be a spectacular victory … which leaves their opponents perplexed and perhaps not even realising that they are meant to have been defeated. Whatever has just fallen was of no value to those who were allegedly defending it - either because they lack genre savvy or because it is genuinely irrelevant from their point of view.
Sources
Bibliography
1. full source reference
Game and Story Use
- Claiming that your opponent has done this is a standard part of the propaganda duel. When it happens for real people are prone to suspect obfuscating stupidity
- Yes, we know what the example in the flavour text was really about. But no spoilers please.
- Perhaps the objective taken actually is important, but its value is not readily apparent
- For example a shrine or ancient site that has great cultural significance to a certain group
- Or perhaps an important MacGuffin has been secreted there and forgotten
- Maybe and important person, such as a sage or the long-lost son of a royal family, is living there unbeknownst to anybody.
- This particular trope works well when the enemy is completely alien to the PCs - bizarre and inexplicable military operations may be a clue to the priorities of their culture or (especially if the aliens are on an unexplained offensive) some indication of their war aims.
- It may also indicate that the enemy do not understand the PCs culture - for example perhaps to them a certain species of tree is sacred and to have one destroyed whilst under your protection is a nearly immeasurable shame … whilst to the humans accepting vast losses to carry out an orbital bombardment of the national arboretum merely appears insane1.
page revision: 5, last edited: 17 May 2012 20:13
