RPG World

RPG World is a web comic by Ian Jones-Quartey (a.k.a. Ian J.) that takes place in the environment of a role-playing video game (RPG). While much of the humor and story-telling focuses on parody of console RPG clichés and tropes, the story is also meant to stand on its own. The comic is drawn in an idiosyncratic manga-influenced style.

Most of the story, characters and jokes are based on clichés in the console RPG and anime genres. For example, the main character, Hero, has large, blond, spiky hair; amnesia; and wields an oversized sword—traits that are shared with that most preeminent of RPG protagonists, Final Fantasy 7's Cloud Strife. The other characters fit into similar molds. The villains, too, fit a number of archetypes, such as the huge and faceless corporation, the insane and effeminate individual, and the enigmatic man. Other cliches include the tendency of every major character (and often minor ones as well) to have some sort of buried history with one another.

RPG World chapters are called disks, as if it were a multiple-disk game. After every disk is over, Jones-Quartey takes a break by making "Jim. The Guy Who Plays RPG World" comics. They poke fun at the stereotypes about gamers, i.e. Jim is a slob with a bias for Sony products, and lacks any friends except for one, who makes fun of him.

Characters

Heroes

Party Members

Hero 

The spiky-haired party leader. His weapons include various types of swords. An unlikely hero out for adventure, the naive and innocent Hero has no memory of his past other then a brief service in the SEVIL army. While an expert at fighting and solving side missions, Hero has a hard time fathoming more abstract concepts like love, much to Cherry and Diane's chagrin. Hero is somehow able to tap into a mysterious power because of the "modifications" that were done to him while he was in SEVIL.

• Race: Human
• Attacks:X-Strike Jumping Slash (#300, Swordyuken

Cherry Blossomfeather 

The sarcastic thief and summoner. She is revealed to be an elf.

Cherry was the first party member to meet Hero, when he interrupted her attempt to rob an innocent traveler. Though she initially agreed to accompany Hero on his quest for the money, Cherry quickly found herself attracted to Hero, much in part to his free and innocent nature.

• Class: Thief. Later, summoner.
• Weapon: Dagger. Later, crossbow.
• Tech: Summon

Diane 

She has a healing ability named "Kiss", along with being the party's resident Mage. Her primary weapon: a staff. Unlike Cherry, she has no problem acting on those feelings, leading to friction between the two girls and confusion for apparently loveable Hero.

• Class: Harlot. Later, mage.
• Weapon: Purse. Later, Mage Staff.

Eikre 

He had a super-cool, uber-damaging move before he joined the party, but then decided "not to use it any more."<p>A penchant for horrible puns and `the ladies' are Eikre's trademarks. Hailing from the town of Ubelton, where the economy is based on performing evil deeds and the training to perform evil deeds.

• Weapon: Dagger. Later, Dual Knives.
• Attacks: Slice, Double Slice, Backstab, Backslash, Soulfire

Dragobo 

A young, dragonlike creature hatched from an egg. He uses signs to communicate. According to Wilfrod the Dragobo Farmer, he is a rare "Fighting Dragobo;" other than Eikre, however, the party has shown little interest in developing his natural abilities.

• Class: Cute Fuzzy Thing
• Race: Dragobo (no correlation to Squaresoft's Chocobo, we're sure)

Reka 

A wrench-wielding heroine who creates powerful robots. Cute, smart and British, Reka is the captain of a ship crewed by intelligent robots.

• Class: Science Pirate
• Weapon: Wrench
• Attack: Whack
• Dual Tech: Fire Wrench

Other Major Heroes

Evil Soldier #347 

A former soldier under Galgarion.<p> 347 used to work for Galgarion. But that was before Galgarion fired him, destroyed his village and took the souls of his wife Calla and their children. Now he wanders the land with Plum looking for a way to take revenge on his former master. He also has really, really bad eyesight.

Plum Windrock 

An elf, who was sent by the Head Chancellor of Langoria to find Hero, but somehow got tangled up with Evil Soldier 347 instead.

Howard Wigglebottom 

A "Mubble," no relation to moogle.<p>Howard is a mubble, a cute fuzzy little race of beings that live in the forests of RPG World. He has joined the party to save the soul of his friend Azif, and the "light energy" of his girlfriend Caroline,, which were both stolen by Galgarion when he attacked the Mubble Village. Howard may look cute, but he's one tough little guy. Of course you would be too if you'd survived a drop from an airship, and were forced to undergo the mental duress of having to wait for weeks on end in the Menu Bar for non-active players.

• Race: Mubble
• Class: Cute Fuzzy Thing

Rabble-Rouser (Reginold) 

A Breakdancer class monster related to Diane.<p>A pickpocket and a breakdancer, Rabble-Rouser is the hippest of the denizens of South City.

• Race: Monster
• Class: Breakdancer

Villains

Major Villains

Galgarion 

The main villain of the comic and fictional game.<p>The main bad guy, and all-around evil personality.

• Attacks: Evil Fire, Evoke Aroth, Dismiss Summon

Jeff 

Jeff is the secondary main villian[sic]. Once a friend and classmate of Eikre who lost himself too deeply in the ways of evil.

Detestai 

Galgarion's ex-girlfriend who has the ability to become an anthropomorphic cat.

Minor Villains

Earl and Larry 

Detestai's underlings, who happen to be cats, and get killed fairly often.

The Dragobo-Nabbers, Tonya & Hawk 

Absolutely no relation to Team Rocket.<p>Hawk attended the same High School in Ubeltown with Eikre and Jeff. Hawk and Eikre both trained their Dragobo, ExoDragon, fight and steal for their final class project.

Non-Playable Characters

Times are Tough 

"*sigh* Times are Tough".

Cherimoya 

Cherry's older sister.

Taesa & Erad 

Diane's parents.

Kapta 

Diane's stepmother.

Piddo and Podder-Head 

Two of Reka's beloved robot creations, Piddo and Podder-Head, though made only out of `gears' are really all heart.

Non-game Characters

Jim 

The guy who plays RPG World. He is depicted through a series of live action still photographs. Jim is an everyman, sitting alone in his basement three days a week playing his favorite video game as slowly as he can on a television that regularly switches from black and white to color and back. He is a metaphor for everyone who's ever held a controller, for everyone whose tried to resist the urge to look at the strategy guide... and failed. He's you. He's me. He's Jim.

• FA: `Jim' #1

Jim's Friend 

Jim's only friend, he frequently makes fun of Jim for being a stereotypical gamer. He has since departed to do missionary work, but is still remembered fondly by Jim.

Important Terms

SEVIL 

The true nature is still shrouded in mystery.

Southcorp 

A corporation of monsters located in South City, SouthCorp is somehow linked with Galgarion's past.

Crossover

Once had a run-over with Adventurers which eventually resulted a joint venture between the artists, Starsomething.

Publications

• Jones-Quartey, Ian. (2004) Rpg World Unlikely Hero Out for Adventure: The Comic That's in a Video Game Volume 1. Publisher: Keenspot Entertainment. ISBN 0972235043

External Links

• Official site