Ep 0018 - Iron Widow (2021) Pt 1
4/2/2024
Cover art by Ashley Mackenzie
This time around we’re discussing the first half of Iron Widow,, a book that reminds us: when you set out on a journey of revenge, dig a shitload of graves, because you’re killing way more than two people.
Pick this Book Up!
You can pick the book up from Xiran Jay Zhao's website, or using our bookstore link here.
Content warnings for this episode: Discussions of violence, misogyny, child soldiers, grooming, blood, racism, implied rape, assault, and PTSD.
Our theme is “She Loves Your Fusion” by PartyFactor on Pixabay. Other sound effects also sourced from Pixabay. Any and all clips of copyrighted media are included for transformative use or commentary, and On the Shoulders of Giants makes no claim of ownership on the sampled audio.
Mechs Discussed
Nine-Tailed Fox
Link to Official Webzone. Art by Setodra
White Tiger
Link to Official Webzone. Art by Setodra
Black Tortoise
Link to Official Webzone. Art by Setodra
Yellow Dragon
Link to Wiki. Art by Ashley Mackenzie
Cool Factor(tm) Score
Check back later, this one is a two part, we'll score at the end!
Other Images of Things Discussed
We highly reccomend you check out Xiran Jay Zhao'swebsite which contains official art, memes, and a lot of great supplemental MECHA STUFF!
GAME TIME!
As gamers, we’re very familiar with the idea of “type advantages” or the “weapon triangle,” perhaps first introduced to us by the game of rock-paper-scissors. Several things are presented as having specific relationships to each other, i.e. rock beats scissors, paper beats rock, etc. The five elements of Wuxing. Water, fire, earth, wood, and metal are the elements in Wuxing and each have long-established relationships to each other that we see come into play with the chrysalises in Iron Widow.
The object of this game is for us to get familiar with the simplest ways the elements interact. The host gave out two elements, then asked if the first element feeds or overcomes the second. If you get that right, for a bonus point you can guess (in a general way) the reasoning behind it.
WATER and FIREDoes WATER feed or overcome FIRE? |
Click to Reveal Answer!WATER overcomes FIRE, by dampening/extinguishing it. |
WOOD and FIREDoes WOOD feed or overcome FIRE |
Click to Reveal Answer!WOOD feeds FIRE, by acting as fuel. |
WATER and WOODDoes WATER feed or overcome WOOD? |
Click to Reveal Answer!WATER feeds WOOD, by nourishing plants. |
FIRE and METALDoes FIRE feed or overcome METAL? |
Click to Reveal Answer!FIRE overcomes METAL, by melting it. |
EARTH and METALDoes EARTH feed or overcome METAL? |
Click to Reveal Answer!EARTH feeds METAL, by generating it; we mine metal from the earth. |
EARTH and WATERDoes EARTH feed or overcome WATER? |
Click to Reveal Answer!EARTH overcomes WATER, by directing or controlling it; the thinking refers to riverbanks or dams. |
WOOD and EARTHDoes WOOD feed or overcome EARTH? |
Click to Reveal Answer!WOOD overcomes EARTH, because plant roots can break stone and disturb soil. |
METAL and WATERDoes METAL feed or overcome WATER? |
Click to Reveal Answer!METAL feeds WATER, by collecting it, such as when water vapor condenses on a metal surface. |
FIRE and EARTHDoes FIRE feed or overcome EARTH? |
Click to Reveal Answer!FIRE feeds EARTH, because it produces ash. |