Yes, this is a character analysis thread for a secondary character: the "scheming mountain monkey" Trond Andersen, retired General of the Norwegian Army and also, apparently, Master of Whispers.
From p. 280 on, he has revealed new depths of manipulation and sneakiness... and become something of a favorite in the process.
Eich • 2 days ago
I'm willing to bet that Trond was quite the lady-killer in his day. In fact, he probably looked like a Norwegian Harrison Ford and sang like Frank Sinatra.
Rosepieces • 2 days ago
"Hey baby! Remember that one time when we...." *cut to shocked face on Siv, disgusted faces on Taru and Torbjorn*
Sunflower Rosepieces • 2 days ago
No, I think Torbjörn would be *interested*. In an unseemly way. And then he'd get caught by the ladies and make his usual Embarrassed Torbjörn Face.
Trond would notice and quietly add a mark to his mental chalkboard for Blackmail Scores.
Sadoka Ytrap • a day ago
I like how on the last comic, everyone was commenting on how cute Trond was, being dragged around by Siv.
Now, he's gone straight from being a grouchy grandpa to a downright dirty blackmailer. Quite the reversal if you ask me.
I'm quite excited to get to know his character!
wolfie Sadoka Ytrap • a day ago
In dutch I would call him 'ruwe bolster, blanke pit', translation suggestions were 'a diamond in the rough', he seems grouchy, but he does care about the crew.
Aprillen wolfie • a day ago
Hmf. He cares about his investment, anyway.
wolfie Aprillen • a day ago
Maybe, but don't all the backers? The first question was about the books. I still think that it is nice they are reliable employers at least and get the job done of backing up the crew. They just don't seem that heartless to me, but I might be to romantic about it. :p
Incanus01 Sadoka Ytrap • a day ago
Trond could have said "I'll call in some favours" but he told us the way it is, sheer ugly blackmail! XD
Brandenfascher Incanus01 • a day ago
He is certainly making himself appear the cold and calculating type. I guess that explains his persistent scowl and his loathing of parties.
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Hrolfr Brandenfascher • a day ago
Stays sober at parties to better gather "material"
Stefanyeah • a day ago
Also I love how Trond takes off those headphones as if it was the most natural thing to do for a civilian that he actually is right now.
JoB Stefanyeah • a day ago
Is he? He still looks like he'ld blend in just fine with the Norwegian generality - granted, that still doesn't put him in command of a Danish base, but civilian his clothes ain't.
Stefanyeah JoB • a day ago
He's retired, though, isn't he? Don't know awefully much about the military, but that'd make you a civilian who kept his fancy clothes.
Hrolfr Stefanyeah • a day ago
Also a "civilian" who can make currently service people jump to attention, esp. if you are one of the scary old buggers.
At least until they realize you aren't currently in the chain of command, and you really are retired, and not a "real" general in mufti.
Arpic
Trond looks so badass and intelligent when blackmailing Asa. he's really cool.
Lars_B • a day ago
Ok, now we know why lots of people seemed so happy at Tronds retirement party, they suddenly felt safe!
Little did they know =)
Richard Weir Lars_B • a day ago
Though... maybe they were people who had benefitted from previous uses of blackmail? If he always made sure (by whatever means) that his comrades in arms had all the equipment they needed unlike other regiments etc, then they would be very grateful to him!
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wolfie Richard Weir • a day ago
It fits. Like a reliable mafia boss from a classic movie, helping out for favors because the system takes to long.
Hrolfr wolfie • a day ago
Heh. When he dies it'll be a big open casket affair, followed by a traditional burning.
After all , lots of people will be pleased to see him dead, and will want to check it really is him.
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Panzer_Engel Hrolfr • a day ago
The burning is, I take it, part historic send-off for one of the architects of Nordic resurgence. And part making absolutely, positively, sure. . .
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Lissa • a day ago
Well that escalated quickly.
(Seems to be a rule of thumb to never mess with the elderly when it comes to fiction. They all have connections or something.)
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Aprillen Lissa • a day ago
There was a quote mentioned far, far down among the comments:
Old age and treachery will always beat youth and exuberance.
~David Mamet
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Reader with passion Aprillen • a day ago
Beautiful and true, i can never outwit my grandparents, they fight so dirty and mean...
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DiscoMonster Incanus01 • a day ago
I just wrote below that The Västerströms seem so transparent in contrast to Trond. He gives nothing away but then suddenly reveals he holds lots of power and influence.
Somebody is going to lose out in this deal on the fruits of the 'research mission', but I don't think it will be Trond.
He's already calculating that they owe him.
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mamioja DiscoMonster • a day ago
Immediate gain t.ex valuable books could be worth less than a favor somebody owes you.
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DiscoMonster mamioja • a day ago
That's true. He's not the type to burn bridges. Trond will be saying he's just provided the resources to keep the project going at a certain rate of interest.
He'll be negotiating a higher percentage for himself, taking full credit for all discoveries (for his legacy), demanding a huge percentage of royalties on all books copied and resold and shifting all liabilities onto the Västerströms.
He'll also manipulate their connection to Emil, so that they can't break free of his Ming the Merciless hold over them. And somehow, he'll make it seem like they still owe him more.
