#Wigfrid now has her fangs! | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

the-valiant-valkyrie · 1 year

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talking abt wigfrid and critisism but the further you go the less coherent it becomes. no i will NOT simplify it. read my flop analysis boy.

Something very interesting about Wigfrid that I don't really see in characterizations a lot is the concept of her having... I don't really know what to call it. Not 'a thinner skin', but I suppose the concept of her being wary of how people perceive her.

A lot of interpretations of Wig that I see tend not to go beyond the surface of her persona, that being a confident and overzealous warrior. And to an extent, that is what she is. But I also feel as though it's very important to her character to consider how she got to embracing that persona the way she has to begin with.

'Wigfrid' the actress- whoever she may have been- was clearly incredibly concerned with how she was perceived by others... Most of them being complete strangers to her- people who she'll never meet or get to know, who will never know her in turn. Hell, the opinions of those strangers were the driving force to her accepting Maxwell's deal to begin with! Yes, she wanted her popularity back, but were it not for the people who tore her down with their words alone, she never would have lost it to begin with!

I think the snake motif in Curtain Calls was a very interesting choice for Klei, if only because to me it feels deliberate. The giant serpent she fought within her fantasies manifested itself from her newspapers... The term 'snake' is frequently used to describe individuals who are deceitful and dishonest. To me it doesn't really feel like a coincidence that- of all the beasts, that is the one they choose. A creature who's very title is a double meaning, used to represent the critics who so viciously tear her down, fangs dripping with venomous lies that she can only fight against within the safety of her mind.

"Oh, Savvy-" I can hear you cry, "-Savvy, I think you're reaching a little bit here". Normally I would be inclined to agree. Very frequently I find myself grasping for straws to prop up Klei's otherwise sparse characterizations. However, if the snakes = liars = critics theory isn't enough on its own, I would also like to remind you of what happens after Wigfrid defeats the snake in Curtain Calls. She falls back into reality at the sound of a disembodied voice, and from the newspapers manifests a silhouette of Maxwell. A direct parallel to her fantasy, the news has yet again taken the image of a 'snake'... Of a deceiver. To me, that seems incredibly intentional.

NOT TO MENTION that if the theory is true that MAXWELL MADE UP THE NEWSPAPERS TO BEGIN WITH in an attempt to emotionally manipulate her, then the snake metaphor would make EVEN MORE SENSE because he is LITERALLY making himself tangible out of HIS OWN lies. but i'm NOT GETTING INTO THAT RABBIT HOLE right now because i'm ALREADY DIGRESSING!!!!!

So, now that we can ALL AGREE that Wigfrid's hatred of snakes stems from a bit of self projecting, we can bring up Wigfrid's current, in game hatred of snakes, and perhaps draw a couple of conclusions about how criticism may be effecting her now, as opposed to how it was pre-Constant:

Her unabashed hatred is visibly obvious. She goes about engaging with snakes in a VERY unique way she does the rest of her quarry. She takes great pleasure in their destruction, and goes so far as to label them her enemies, specifically. I looked it up, and as far as I can glean this wouldn't be a pre-establised trait of her persona. This vitriolic snake hatred is entirely stemming from the person underneath.

So. With the context we previously gathered that implies that maybe the reason she sees snakes in such a way is due to the fact that they are practically synonymous with critics and 'liars' to her, I can safely conclude that. um. No, I really do not think she has grown any more of a hide against criticism than she had before accepting Maxwell's deal.

Wigfrid's hatred of snakes was a big part of her character from even before Curtain Calls (obviously, bc shipwreck released way before her refresh did), but I feel like them taking this specific facet of her character- one that's lesser known from her, buried behind her more stereotypical motifs- and adding such important context to it was a intentional act. I refuse to think otherwise.

Even outside of the whole. Snake Thing I spent two hours describing, though. To me it still seems plausible for Wigfrid to act all tough, but take insults very poorly. Yes, in a prideful sort of way- where she feels the need to actively defend herself and her 'honor'- but also just in a... regular way. I don't think it'd show up much in the Constant because. i mean, there's more important things for the survivors to do. but i really do feel like scathing insults would bite her more than someone would expect it to.

Also I just think it would be funny and help flesh out her nuance. Is that a crime. To want to give my girl some nuance. Is that a sin.

#wigfrid: when you've been in the industry for as long as i have you develop a thick skin #maxwell: navy blue is *not* ur color #wigfrid: NAVY BLUE BRINGS OUT MY EYES YOU PRICK #anyways. can you tell i've been wanting to talk abt the snake motif thing for like. months.#idk. if this doesn't make sense yes it does.#you don't know her like i do. i know her flawlessly though. klei told me that all this is true btw #also whoever wrote her hamlet quotes and didn't give her vitriolic lines for the pugalisk DROPPED the ball and should lose their job /j #YEAH. i GUESS you could see her snake hatred as stemming from a personal hatred of poison #but not every snake IS poisonous and she hates them all the same #also impo i kinda feel like. poison. is ALSO a metaphor for critics. when u rlly think abt it.#bitter and venomous words. that insidiously sneak into your mind. killing you slowly. and you can't even fight against them.#to 'spit poison/venom' is to speak maliciously/with intent to harm.#would NOT be surprised if thats how she took slights against her #am i making ANY sense here. idk #“dst wigfrid”

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arogustus · 3 years

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What if the Survivors were Maxwell: Part 2

Continuing on, with a murderous robot, a librarian, a lumberjack and a mime. Wes needs no words to be terrifying.

WX-78

Start of a run: "GREETINGS (INSERT NAME HERE.) YOUR CHANCES OF SURVIVAL ARE SLIM. COME NIGHTFALL, IT WILL BE ZERO."

Entering Adventure Mode: "YOU HAVE LOCATED MY DOOR. I AM NOT IMPRESSED. AS A FLESHLING, YOU WILL BE DEAD SOON. IT'LL BE FUN TO WATCH, AT LEAST."

Entering Chapter Two: "... WHAT? DOES NOT COMPUTE. FLESHLING SHOULD NOT HAVE SURVIVED. NO MATTER. A SIMPLE STROKE OF LUCK WILL NOT SAVE YOU."

Entering Chapter Three: "ERROR: FLESHLING STILL LIVES. FEEBLE ORGANICS LIKE YOU SHOULD NOT LAST THIS LONG. I MUST RECALIBRATE MY CALCULATIONS."

Entering Two Worlds: "ACTIVATING BARGAIN MODE: FLESHLING, I WILL GIVE YOU A GIFT. AN ISLAND FREE OF DANGER AND PLENTY OF FOOD. IN EXCHANGE, YOU WILL STAY HERE. FOREVER."

Entering Darkness: "ERROR. ERROR. ERROR. DOES NOT COMPUTE. I CREATED THIS CHALLENGE TO BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR ORGANICS TO OVERCOME. QUERY: WHY?.. I CANNOT SHOW FEAR. YOU MUST BE EXTERMINATED."

Transformation: Their menacing appearance starts looking more and more threatening, but less and less practical. By Darkness, they can barely stand upright due to all the "upgrades" they've installed.

Wickerbottom

Start of a run: "Welcome, dearie. It is imperative to your survival that you start studying this world. In here, knowledge is key."

Entering Adventure Mode: "So, you've chosen to enter my door, hmm? You must feel quite confident in your knowledge of survival. Let's test that, shall we?

Entering Chapter Two: "Hmm, how… interesting. You must have learned a lot more than I anticipated. Curious."

Entering Chapter Three: "Now, dearie, I appreciate a knowledgeable student. But I do not appreciate your attitude. You need to learn to respect your elders. Even if it must be through the hard way."

Entering Two Worlds: "Congratulations, dearie, you passed your test. Barely. While I do not appreciate unruly, disrespectful bra- I mean, students, I do believe you still deserve a reward. I do hope you enjoy your stay."

Entering Darkness: "Harrumph, of all the disrespectful, uncultured, uneducated peasants I've captured, you are by far the most infuriating one yet! You must learn to respect those above you, especially those of higher power!"

Transformation: Her appearance starts to deteriorate, looking progressively more ghoulish as you progress. By Darkness, she looks like she's crumbling into dust, barely held together through nightmare fuel and force of will.

Woodie

Start of a run: "Hey there, buddy. Sorry aboot bringing ya here, but a deal's a deal. Now get chopping, cause Lucy's coming soon.

Entering Adventure Mode: "You found my door, eh buddy? I guess you must be excited to see more of ol' Woodie. It ain't gonna be easy, but I appreciate the effort.

Entering Chapter Two: "You're still alive? That's a surprise. I thought Lucy would have dealt with you back there. Maybe I'm doing something wrong here."

Entering Chapter Three: "You're starting to get on my nerves, buddy. Lucy's been saying things about you, and I don't like any of it. You should just quit while you still have the chance."

Entering Two Worlds: "Hey, buddy, pal, amigo. I got a little proposition for ya. You stay here, where there are plenty of trees to chop and no danger to keep you from that, and in exchange you stay here forever! Doesn't that sound nice?

Entering Darkness: "That's it! I've been trying to be nice to you this entire time, but every time you keep throwing it back in my face. Well, fine. No more Mr. Nice Woodie!"

Transformation: Starts to gain aspects of his werebeaver form as the adventure goes on, him trying to hide them away from you. Come Darkness, he looks more like a monstrous humanoid beaver than what he used to look like.

Wes

Start of a run: Waves hello at the survivors with a warm smile. The smile quickly turns into a shark toothed grin as he poofs away.

Entering Adventure Mode: Looks surprised, before fanning himself, as if surprised they decided to start looking for little old him. He giggles to himself before disappearing.

Entering Chapter Two: Stands around dumbstruck for a few seconds, before shaking his head and regaining his smug aura. He doesn’t even bother looking at you when he disappears.

Entering Chapter Three: Has a scowl on his face, his cheeks puffing up as he stumps his foot on the ground before poofing away.

Entering Two Worlds: Has a very strained smile on his face as he presents the island to the survivors. He waggles his finger no, before giving the player a glare as he disappears.

Entering Darkness: Is outright foaming at the mouth and baring sharp fangs, looking as if he’s about to bite the player’s head off. He calms himself down enough to regain his regular form, then snaps his fingers with a scowl on his face before poofing away,

Transformation: Grows progressively more monstrous and gangly looking. His stomach starts caving in, and drool sometimes pools out of his mouth as the chapters go on. His makeup looks worse and worse. By Darkness, he looks like a wildly misshapen mime with too large limbs and too big fangs. He returns to normal after that, though.

Next time is Wigfrid and Webber. Apologies in advance for what I’m doing to Webber.

#don't starve #dont starve #ds wx-78 #ds wickerbottom #ds woodie #ds wes

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