Is Durkon going to Regenerate his mom's arm?

[Mightymosy]

This is not a woman who needs two arms to have a fulfilling and meaningful life. Giving her two arms might make Durkon’s life better. I see no evidence in the strip that it would make her life better.

....until someone falls off a cliff because she would have needed TWO hands to hold them.

Then her life would probably suck because she would feel guilty.


Also, I don't buy the "feel uncomfortable with two arms all of a sudden" line of reasoning.
This is magical christmas land where her son can bring back dead people to life, for example.
Maybe a little spell called "Feel better feeling whole again, simsalabim"?

[Peelee]

She didn't raise him in poverty.

Yes, not being able to so much as buy a few dishes without borrowing money indicates solidly middle-class. Possibly upper.

[Fyraltari]

It's complicated.

For one thing, there's a lot to relearn after having lived with one arm. How old is Durkon? Fifty-some years? That's a very long time for Sigdi to come to terms with a disability. Going back to two arms would probably not be the most comfortable thing in the world.

For another, it can be a sense of identity. Even putting aside the personal significance of her sacrifices, having a disability is often an establishing factor in one's relationships. Getting healed would change one's social dynamics - and not necessarily for the better.

If you asked me if I would want to have my arm regenerated, I wouldn't have a clear answer for you.

You have a better understanding of these things than I could ever (I hope) have and I understand that this is a complicated question. Relearning to use two arms would be a complicated process but not an impossible one I think so I am unconvinced that avoiding that transitional period would be worth not living the rest of her years with two arms.

As for the identity, again I cannot stress enough that I have not and do not know very well anyone with a comparable disability and I don't want to, herr, "ablesplain" (is that a word? Well you get my meaning) you, but if I remember correctly you were a child when you lost the use of your arm yes? While Sigdi was already an adult so her disability may not be as important a part of her personality as yours is of yours.

She didn't raise him in poverty.

Yeah she did. Or not very far above it, at least.

They still owe their lives to her, despite how much she deny it.

So? She doesn't want them to pay for her arm, what do you expect them to do? Tie her to a chair while a Cleric casts Regenarate on her?

[Aveline]

You have a better understanding of these things than I could ever (I hope) have and I understand that this is a complicated question. Relearning to use two arms would be a complicated process but not an impossible one I think so I am unconvinced that avoiding that transitional period would be worth not living the rest of her years with two arms.

As for the identity, again I cannot stress enough that I am not and do not know very well anyone with a comparable disability and I don't want to, herr, "ablesplain" (is that a word? Well you get my meaning) you, but if I remember correctly you were a child when you lost the use of your arm yes? While Sigdi was already an adult so her disability may not be as important a part of her personality as yours is of yours.

These are good points, and none of us can say Sigdi would really want. All I'm really trying to say is that although there can be benefits, there can be detriments as well, making the choice non-trivial.

Maybe a little spell called "Feel better feeling whole again, simsalabim"?

This, on the other hand, is trivial. I would categorically refuse any spell designed to permanently change my feelings.

[Kish]

It's complicated.

For one thing, there's a lot to relearn after having lived with one arm. How old is Durkon? Fifty-some years? That's a very long time for Sigdi to come to terms with a disability.

That's the time for a dwarf to become an adult, and as Rich showed with elves, he's not doing the stupid "actually their extended lifespans means they age to 21 just like humans and then stall there for decades or centuries" thing; it's not that long for a dwarf. Equivalent to less than thirty years for a human. Which could still mean the arm being regenerated would throw her off, but I'll be surprised if Durkon doesn't regenerate it, for my part.

[martianmister]

Yeah she did. Or not very far above it, at least.

Yes, not being able to so much as buy a few dishes without borrowing money indicates solidly middle-class. Possibly upper.

I don't believe that someone like Sigdi would left her son to a life in poverty. And she had no problem with providing food for her guests.

So? She doesn't want them to pay for her arm, what do you expect them to do? Tie her to a chair while a Cleric casts Regenarate on her?

Their paying for her arm is a no issue; she would reject it because regenerating it would mean "letting go" of her husband, as she herself admitted. Whole money thing is just an excuse.

[Fyraltari]

I don't believe that someone like Sigdi would left her son to a life in poverty.

Based on what? She doesn't want handouts. If she doesn't think they were indebted to her she wouldn't take their money. The Thundershields are poor yes, in a lower-class sense, but it's not like they were starving or caveless. She would probably value "not being a burden on others" above "have some more nice, non-essential things".

And she had no problem with providing food for her guests.

You assume she paid for all the food all the time. It could have been that everyone brings a dish or two for everybody to enjoy or all six of them took turns providing (even though (I think) it was always at her place).

Their paying for her arm is a no issue; she would reject it because regenerating it would mean "letting go" of her husband, as she herself admitted. Whole money thing is just an excuse.

If that's true I do hope Durkon explain to her how stupid that is. Because that's not a proof of love, that's incapacitating yourself over survivor's guilt and that's bull****.

[Peelee]

I don't believe that someone like Sigdi would left her son to a life in poverty.

That's a nice thought and all, but when what you believe isn't reflected in the comic then your belief is irrelevant.

[Peelee]

Then they're not in poverty.

They're also not in poverty unless they're true scotsmen.

Seriously,youre drawing a REALLY ****ty line here.

[Jasdoif]

So? She doesn't want them to pay for her arm, what do you expect them to do? Tie her to a chair while a Cleric casts Regenarate on her?

If we're really talking about an involuntary scenario, I should point out that regenerate allows a Fortitude save to negate the effect, if the target chooses to make one.

[martianmister]

That's a nice thought and all, but when what you believe isn't reflected in the comic then your belief is irrelevant.

Because Sigdi was too proud to borrow money from her friends or let them to buy her son's hammer...

Based on what? She doesn't want handouts. If she doesn't think they were indebted to her she wouldn't take their money.

She gave up her own money to resurrect them, it's no more of a handout than her pension.

The Thundershields are poor yes, in a lower-class sense, but it's not like they were starving or caveless.

Then they're not in poverty.

You assume she paid for all the food all the time. It could have been that everyone brings a dish or two for everybody to enjoy or all six of them took turns providing (even though (I think) it was always at her place).

That would be unlike of her to get paid by her guests.

If that's true I do hope Durkon explain to her how stupid that is. Because that's not a proof of love, that's incapacitating yourself over survivor's guilt and that's bull****.

Hopefully.

[Fyraltari]

She gave up her own money to resurrect them, it's no more of a handout than her pension.

That's your opinion, not hers.

Then they're not in poverty.

Yes they are. There are two different mentions of her having to borrow money to make ends meet, and th fact that they were poor is what made Durkon* crash.

That would be unlike of her to get paid by her guests.

Whoever said that?

Hopefully.

I'm glad we can agree on that.

[martianmister]

That's your opinion, not hers.

That's not an opinion, it's a fact. She had that money, she gave that money.

Yes they are. There are two different mentions of her having to borrow money to make ends meet, and th fact that they were poor is what made Durkon* crash.

Is that "first world" version of poverty? Where I am from, you need to be unable to provide your basic needs to be counted as "in poverty."

Whoever said that?

You said that "all six of them took turns providing" the food.

[hroþila]

This is the most literal case of "arguing semantics" I've ever seen.

[Aveline]

Is that "first world" version of poverty? Where I am from, you need to be unable to provide your basic needs to be counted as "in poverty."

"Sorry the stew is so thin t'day. I ran outta turnips on Tuesday, and me pension dinna come 'til t'morrow." That sounds like a periodic struggle to eat.

[Fyraltari]

That's not an opinion, it's a fact. She had that money, she gave that money.

And it doesn't matter one jolt since she doesn't see it that way. That's the thing with debts, you are only indebted if your benefactors wants you to be.

Is that "first world" version of poverty? Where I am from, you need to be unable to provide your basic needs to be counted as "in poverty."

I believe we've both made our positions clear. If Sigdi was willing to accept financial aid from the dinner party five she and durkon would have a higher standard of living.

You said that "all six of them took turns providing" the food.

Yeah so if next time I invite friends over and we agree that it's [friend]'s turn to bring the food, I'm not getting paid. I don't see how that's ambiguous.

[martianmister]

And it doesn't matter one jolt since she doesn't see it that way. That's the thing with debts, you are only indebted if your benefactors wants you to be.

I don't think she literally believes that. She's just too humble.

I believe we've both made our positions clear. If Sigdi was willing to accept financial aid from the dinner party five she and durkon would have a higher standard of living.

I think they can live with Sigdi's pension without falling into poverty.

Yeah so if next time I invite friends over and we agree that it's [friend]'s turn to bring the food, I'm not getting paid. I don't see how that's ambiguous.

I translated it wrong. By paid I meant helping her for the food.

[Fyraltari]

I don't think she literally believes that. She's just too humble.

Same difference.

I think they can live with Sigdi's pension without falling into poverty.

You keep avoiding the point. If she was willing to let them by her stuff they wouldn't struggle to make ends meet.

I translated it wrong. By paid I meant helping her for the food.

Why on Earth not?

[Peelee]

You keep avoiding the point.

She's not avoiding the point, she's just defining poverty as homelessness.

[Fyraltari]

She's not avoiding the point, she's just defining poverty as homelessness.

I've yet to see her adress the inconstitency between claiming that Sigdi only refused to have them pay for her arm because of how she lost it (and not because she doesn't want to take their money) and her and Durkon struggling financially.

[Elanasaurus]

So have the five repaid the money by this point in the comic?

[KorvinStarmast]

You can't put a price on the love of your extended/adopted family.
I pretty much don't understand that question.

[eilandesq]

I suspect that Durkon will raise the issue, Sigdi will refuse, and Elan--standing nearby--will suggest to her that having Durkon cast Regenerate on her arm will be the fulfillment of Durkon's hero's journey that was first started by Durkon deciding to become a cleric so that one day he could cast that spell, and that denying him this wish would be crushing to him. Sigdi reluctantly agrees, then whispers in Durkon's ear that she doesn't want to upset the nice dim human boy by arguing with him. Durkon decides that any old port in a storm is a good one and regenerates Sigdi's arm without further discussion.

[Chronos]

I was raised in poverty, literally: When I was young, my family was well below the official poverty line. We were never at risk of being homeless, since despite a low income, Mom owned our house free and clear. And we didn't struggle much with food, because a lot of what we ate came from Mom's garden. But we did struggle with the gas bill in the winter (especially since Mom's house is old and very inefficient), and we had basically no luxuries.

Durkon's upbringing looks like mine, minus the gardening. So yes, he was raised in poverty.

[martianmister]

I've yet to see her adress the inconstitency between claiming that Sigdi only refused to have them pay for her arm because of how she lost it (and not because she doesn't want to take their money) and her and Durkon struggling financially.

Where is the inconsistency? Sigdi don't want to be a burden to her friends, so she only ask their help in extraordinary cicumstances (like the break of her dishes). That doesn't mean that Durkon growed up in poverty, or Sigdi is too proud to heal herself.

[Peelee]

Where is the inconsistency? Sigdi don't want to be a burden to her friends, so she only ask their help in extraordinary cicumstances (like the break of her dishes). That doesn't mean that Durkon growed up in poverty, or Sigdi is too proud to heal herself.

A.) She never asked for their help that we know of.
2.) If dishes breaking is an extraordinary circumstance that requires her to ask for help she is otherwise too proud to ask for, then by your own logic they live in poverty.

[CJG]

To answer the OP: I think Durkon will offer and Sigdi refuse, but I don’t think that would be the end. Part of this arc has been Durkon realizing that your worst day doesn’t define you, and that you don’t have to stuff feelings away. Perhaps he will alight some clerical wisdom on his mum. Suggesting that it’s no sin to regenerate the arm, that she can still hold tight to her husband, or move past it and those are ok things. Whether that will change her mind I don’t know, but I think Sigdi needs someone to tell her that self care isn’t selfish.

[Emanick]

To answer the OP: I think Durkon will offer and Sigdi refuse, but I don’t think that would be the end. Part of this arc has been Durkon realizing that your worst day doesn’t define you, and that you don’t have to stuff feelings away. Perhaps he will alight some clerical wisdom on his mum. Suggesting that it’s no sin to regenerate the arm, that she can still hold tight to her husband, or move past it and those are ok things. Whether that will change her mind I don’t know, but I think Sigdi needs someone to tell her that self care isn’t selfish.

I like this idea more than any of the others I've read.

OOTS is about the main characters growing as people. All of the other party members with parents have demonstrated the ability to grow past their parents' shortcomings. Durkon, whose parent seems to have the fewest shortcomings, faces the highest bar in doing that, but he still needs to demonstrate his maturity and growth. Being able to teach his mother something as a direct result of his character growth would accomplish that. And if he puts it the way you did, it would not dishonor Sigdi's autonomy or her love for her deceased husband in the least.

[Rrmcklin]

Honestly, the idea that she would refuse because it would mean she had "let go" doesn't resonate with me at all.

Probably because the reason she hadn't done so was stated as due to lack of money on her part, and yes, she hadn't told Durkon everything there, but I still see no reason to doubt it. The idea that she would see getting another arm as "letting go" doesn't come from her at all, but as reinterpreting the meaning of an admittedly meaningful line.

Honestly, the more I think about it, the more her refusing at first would seem like a waste of time. It's not necessary for any such moment to be powerful.

[Kish]

I agree with Rrmcklin. At absolute most, she might dissuade him from spending a seventh-level spell slot before he goes to stop the vampires.